Because I’m not a mom, I can only imagine the feeling of being another human’s parent, caretaker, cook, nurse, teacher, chauffer, stylist, oracle, scheduler, bad-dream chaser-awayer and everything else you do.

My hat is off to you. I admire mothers very much.

But I’ll stick to my houseplant. It has never, and will never, hand me a buggar.

Anyway, I was driving to work this morning and saw the funniest thing I think I have ever seen while driving.  I wish I would’ve had a video camera.  I saw a fully grown man…one who looked like he could definitely handle himself in a fight, but was dressed professionally….completely freak out.  He pulled over, jumped out of his car, and started freaking out, right there on the side of the road. 

It reminded me of this:

So, we have to start looking. And there in lies the rub.

This area is so depressed because the car companies are doing so miserable. Michigan has a 12 percent unemployment rate, mostly from the autos or suppliers. 

Born and bred in Michigan, I feel a tug to buy Big Three. But is it safe? Will the company that sells me a car be around in two years? Who will honor the warranty? What if there’s a horrible defect three years into ownership?

But beyond those questions is my experience this week with car shopping. I was really angry when I got the bill for yet another Mustang repair, so I got online just to get some pricing ideas. First I checked out the Toyota Prius. On Toyota’s site, I spec’ed out a car, got the MSRP and even got an estimated monthly payment based on my down payment, credit history and trade-in value. Easy as pie.

Then, I surf over to Ford’s site to check out the Hybrid Escape. I spec’ed out the car and clicked to get monthly payment estimates. After filling out a long, detailed form, I got a message that a dealership will be contacting me within 24 hours to discuss my “purchase.” Then, to draw things out even more, four phone calls to my office, three emails, two salespeople and a partridge in a pear tree later, I still don’t have a monthly payment estimate or even an MSRP. And this was after being told Ford isn’t making any more Escape hybrids for the rest of the year and all the models in production are spoken for.

And that’s why the car companies are doing so poorly. The laws of supply and demand don’t apply to them AND they make it difficult to buy a car.

So, what’s a Detroit girl to do? I want to keep the autoworkers busy, but I’m too frustrated at my American options even think about giving them my money.

Any ideas?

And these are from seeds!

When they grow up, they will be Tomatoes and Cucumbers.  I’m pretty proud of myself.  Especially the cucumbers…I’ve never had good luck with seeds! 

Oh, and allow me to introduce you to Iago:

We picked him up at the Farmer’s Market on Saturday.  He is called ”Song of India”.  They had one that was about 6 or 7 feet tall, but that one was $85.  Given my track record with plants, we opted for the $8 version.  The big one at the market was 15 years old…let’s see if I can keep Iago alive for week….

Speaking of work, I’ve been assigned a couple of high profile projects recently. Of these projects, one is “producing” an awards ceremony, which I’ve never done before. I know I can do it, and I know I’ll do it well. But I have to say, I’m nervous. If I screw up in any way, even a small one, it will be on stage in front of hundreds, if not a thousand. I’ll be happy when it’s over.

I feel too old for this stuff.

On a lighter note, Tim and I are planning a trip for our seventh wedding anniversary. Can you believe it? Seven years. Where does the time go? We’re thinking a road trip through New England for the fall colors, but you know us, we’ll probably change our minds half a dozen times before settling on something.

Anyway, I wish you were here. The selfish part of me hopes to get an email from you asking if I’ll help you move again. You know I’d be on the next plane to help you pack. But I know how happy you are in your new home and I’m very glad you found a place to settle. But did it have to be so far away? Did you look at Ohio? How could you resist Ohio?

I’ll be out to California soon. You promised we could look for famous hot guys.

I miss seeing you on I-696.

Love,

B

I miss coming to your house for parties.  I miss your cooking!  I miss being able to call you up to tell you that I’m coming over.  I miss being able to just drop everything to go out for a coffee.  Not that it happened that often, but it could have.

I miss the book club.  I miss the way that you will make a snarky comment to someone who is being rude.  I miss being threatened with giant containers of Hawaiian Punch.  I miss green beans and spaghetti.

I just miss you.  And I’m not trying to be cheesy, corny, or even broccoli…y.  I just want you to know that you are in my thoughts a lot, and I miss you.

So, when are you coming out to Cali?

Love,

Shawna

PS – I have never, in my life, called you Rebecca, and I don’t intend to start now.

Our lives are taking us in different directions these days and we’re both missing out on living vicariously through the other. Part of the reason we started this blog is so we could keep up with each other’s lives. While it’s fun to write about random topics, we could pretty much draft the other’s post. No surprises for us.

So, from now on, you’ll see a different format for Oceanside Lakeside. You’ll still read posts spotted with rapier-sharp wit and adventures worthy of a Stooge. But our topics will be more of a “Dear Friend” post to each other. So, I guess that means we’re inviting you to be a voyeur to our friendship.

Please, continue to hang out with us for a while (all nine of you, our loyal readers). We enjoy your company about as much as we enjoy each other’s. Thanks for reading.

This was a sucky week for Shawna and diet and exercise.  That is all.