Baby Ty endorses unicorn code

Here’s Ty with my new Unicorn Satchel.

I picked up this little number the other day.  Why is a 38 year old woman carrying around a Unicorn Code backpack?  Well, because my sis is running for Mayor of Renton and I needed something to carry around diapers, baby food, notepads for writing and my Pippi Longstocking books!

I raced down to Happy Delusions in Downtown Renton.  My sister, Cheryl, had just had an interview with Dean at the Renton Reporter–he needed a photo of her because she’d just announced her candidacy for Mayor of Renton.  When I think about my sister as Mayor of Renton, I am so happy.  In true Pippi Girl fashion she believes in herself.  I admire that.  Why couldn’t she be Mayor of Renton?  Of course she could be Mayor of Renton and ca damn good one!

http://www.pnwlocalnews.com/south_king/ren/news/103398374.html

She is smart, dedicated, creative, thinks outside the box, caring and gutsy and never taking “no” for an answer.  My sister is the ultimate PippiGirl and she will bring all of these qualities to her campaign. 

I remember as kids cruising around Picadilly Square in Santa Barbara (which she mentions in her interview)…an ecletic place where I bought a unicorn t-shirt with rainbows, there was a cool old movie theatre where we snuck in to see Popeye with Robin Williams, we cruised around the nifty shop our jaws chomping on too many pieces of Hubba Bubba and we ate cheeseburgers that day.  I can smell the warm air filled with bread smells, popcorn and oddly, geraniums. 

I know she would love to make downtown Renton like Picadilly Square.

When I was at Happy Delusions in downtown Renton buying Cheryl the I LOVE RENTON t-shirt in honor of her announcement, the business owner asked if the Unicorn Code satchel I bought was for Cheryl too?  I said, “My sister loves Renton but she’ll have to get her own unicorn paraphernalia!” 

A friend saw my satchel and gave me a look and a giggle that said, what is a grown woman doing walking around with a unicorn bag. 

I was listening to someone the other day–a voracious watcher of local news.  Apparently, global warming is in effect, the American economy is in trouble and everyone’s house is worthless, jobs are few and bed bugs are on the rise.

Since I just bought a used bed off of craigslist I was troubled.  Whether it’s the Unicorn Code or the Ten Commandments…looking over at my son and reading the Unicorn Code made me feel better.  So does remembering those days with my sister–at the time we were running around Picadilly Square I think we were living in a Vegan Commune–not the ideal situation for kids who loved Twinkies.

In true Pippimamma fashion, I told my friend that if people wanted to make fun of me because I wanted to believe in peace and love and unicorns and my sister for mayor–cheeseburgers too, they were probably not the type of people I’d want to hang out with anyway.

The Unicorn Code:

1. Unicorns never cheat

2. Unicorns always lend a helping hand

3. Unicorns don’t talk to strangers

4. Unicorns respect the earth

5. Unicorns are never late

6. Unicorns aren’t conceited

7. Unicorns don’t judge people

8. Unicorns always give 100%

9. Unicorns graze on peace and love

10. Unicorns don’t do drugs.

expert tree hugger

Since having my first child ten years ago and formally bidding adieu to Corporate America, the people I encounter on a day to day basis have no idea who they’re dealing with.  They think since my career is now a stay at home mom that translates into – minivan, McDonald’s, diapers, boring – my existence outside motherly duties is ripe with under expectations.

According to Malcolm Goldwell’s Outliers a book about masters in literature, science, technology etc. it takes 10,000- hours to make an expert.  I can say that I’ve been a mother for over 10,000 hours and writing for 10,000 hours and eating cupcakes for over 10,000 hours.  The only thing I know for sure is I’m definitely an expert eating cupcakes.

Pippimamma

So, I’ve recently discovered I have a serious issue with authority.  I don’t like people telling me what to do, or what not to do.    I guess that’s where the Pippimamma persona comes from.  I was raised with a lot of freedom.  I don’t like fitting into peoples expectations.  In fact, whenever that happens, I go and do something to sabotage it.  Here’s where my other quirk comes into play.  I didn’t realize that I have a problem with judgment…or so my friend assessed.  She’s a good friend so I couldn’t just blow her off (I was feeling judged when she said it). 

She was right.  I do have issues with people judging me.  Despite trying desperately not to care.

And this is also where the Pippimamma persona came into play. 

But really, honestly, I’d love to be truly free.  To do what I want without feeling judged.  That is what I strive for–as a woman, mother and writer.  What do you strive for?

Tony and Maynard

If your kids start asking for a dog–it’s time for a stick bug.  They are the perfect pet: they eat blackberry leaves which you can harvest from the backyard and you clean the cage every once in a while.  We’d still have the little bugger if I hadn’t taken Hoppy out of it’s plastic container to tempoarily let it “free.”  He went AWOL and with his camouflage blended in with a basket we chucked our shoes into…oops.

Our pet project became a science project.  Come to think of it most of our pets end up that way…

Amelia thought she’d killed her hamster.  As it turns out that’s a hamster “I’m in mortal danger” maneuver when it jettisons its tail to confuse predators, in this instance my six-year-old.  It worked.  With tail casing in hand and a  few driblets of blood the critter was never to be seen again.

If you think cats are more independent than dogs I’d like to introduce you to our cat, Duncan, who is the most annoying cat on the planet.

So if you think your family is ready for a dog.  I recommend borrowing a neighbors, preferrably a 100 pound chocolate Lab named Antonio or Tony for short.

After an hour or two of the “cuddle phase” the love affair with Tony lasted until it was time to pick up the doogie piles (he had diarreah).

By the end of the night Tony was about as popular as a toddler screaming in the grocery store .

Tony hasn’t had another sleepover:-)