Thursday, January 14, 2010

Random musing, compliments of moi

If you've ever been one to interrupt someone with, "whoa, whoa. TMI!" you and I were probably not meant to be friends. The way I see it, there's no such thing as "too much information." If someone shares something with me, even if it makes me cringe a little (very hard to do), I figure she just needed to get it off her chest, or at least felt close enough with me to share. So I take it as a compliment. And I'm usually thrilled. Because that means it's no holds barred as to what I'm allowed to share.

This is my general rule of thumb. Well, except for one TMI intervention my sister, Meradith, and I had to have with our other sister, Bethany, who, in what can only be described as a fit of turrets, would describe in great detail the presents she would find in her little boy's diaper. It was always the same. We'd be chatting on the phone, she'd mention he was stank, and in a matter of seconds I'd hear, "OH.MY.GOSH....." and the description would begin. The size, amount, color, and texture. And exactly where it was encased. After several appalled discussions about our sister's rank tendency, Meradith and I had to draw the line and threaten her with an impeachment from the sister's club. "Bethany, we need to talk to you about something that has been detrimental to our sisterhood. What you do with this information is up to you, but you have been warned of the consequences." She was exasperated and yelled, "WHAAAAT!? You witches!" We really can't blame her, after three girls, she finally had a boy and just didn't know quite how to handle the surprises that awaited her during each diaper unveiling. Poor little lamb. You may think this story itself is too much information, but if so, again, we probably shouldn't be friends. Oh, and sorry for outing you so publicly, Bethany. You really have come such a long way in regard to your poo fascination.

Those of you who know me well already know this about me. Which means I probably know more than I should about your husband. Or your menstrual cycle. Or whatever. Because, honestly, the things we probably shouldn't talk about are usually the things we really want to talk about.

You probably think this is all some grand build-up to me spewing a bunch of "too much information" on this blog. But no. I don't have anything spicy to share at the moment. I was simply eavesdropping on two ladies chatting in the mailroom today and one of them cut the other off with a snappy, "Whoa! TMI!" and it annoyed me so badly, especially because I could see how stupid it made the girl feel, that I've been stewing about it ever since. And I nearly B-slapped that lady for making her friend feel embarrassed.

I guess I have one little thing I could share before I go, that, if you're a real prude, I guess could be considered TMI. But you'll probably just think it's funny. Leah, who is a late talker, had the greenest poop I've ever seen this morning! Just kidding. Totally kidding. What I wanted to tell you is she's decided that her favorite word, nay, the ONLY word she says with any amount of regularity is the word our family uses for her little girl parts. She says it all day long, dancing around and pointing to the front of her diaper. I'm delighted. Next we're gonna really work with her on the F word.

Moral of the story: if you need a safe place to say something inappropriate, I won't be judgy. Oh, and don't hang out with people who make you feel stupid for things you want to share. Oh, and share more of your juicy secrets with me.

11 comments:

Nicole said...

I think maybe we were meant to be best friends and disclose everything in our whole lives to each other.

I don't think I could be offended or grossed out by anything anymore, and I, too, take it as a compliment when people spill their gory details to me. It's such a relief! Makes me feel more normal when I hear crap about other people and their bodies and relationships and kids and whatever.

I'm glad our siblings got married so we could be pseudo family, even though I haven't like, actually SEEN you in probably 5 years? 6? Whatevs.

bethany said...

ALRIGHT ALRIGHT...that is ENOUGH!! This is your elder sister telling you to stop telling nasty lies on this here blog. I never talked about Isaiah's poop..never. I can't believe that you made that story up...ummm, okay, so maybe there is some truth to it. But now I am pissed at you...okay, not really. but I am sorry, no need to defend, but like you said, I had been changing baby girl bottoms for 7 years and all of a sudden there is a whole lot more to deal with. And if anyone ever tells you that a girl diaper is harder to change than a boy...big fat liar! Anyway, I will quit my ramblings but I will say to YEW Nessa, "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little potty mouthed daughter too!" HAHA, I love you!

Mardee Rae said...

Just got caught up on your blog- you are such a great writer! And I am also a "the more information the merrier" type of person, so let's be friends! Just as soon as my kids aren't sick.
And I love that Leah's only word is anatomical. Have you met Cadence yet? She's obsessed with "no way"s, and I'll tell you what that means when you are older.

Carina said...

I am part of the club! I feel I am always one to share TMI, but I love it when other's do as well. That's what makes you and I work! :)

I still remember our first together when you said "I can't wait until we are all good friends where we can just go crash at each other's houses." I was appalled that you would dare think that we weren't already at that stage in our relationship.

Em said...

I LOVE TMI!!! I always say people who can't handle my honesty shouldn't be friends with me...lol but, now that I read your post I guess I'm all about TMI.;D

Meradith said...

Loved every last word of this post sister! You know we share the philosophy! By the way, did you get that nasty infectious stinky rash cleared up that Sam gave you? I know the doc told you not to be around people at all because of it's high spreadibility but have you been around your girlfriends anyway? There really IS no such thing as TMI. Hahaha yuver sister!

stacy h. said...

vanessa, thank you for this post. i have been wanting to talk to someone for so long about the pussy boils i get on my back sometimes but didn't feel like anyone would listen. i'll email you about it later. (bahahaha! sick.)
and bethany, ew. ;)

sarawhat said...

When you said "next we're gonna work with her on the F word" I let out the loudest belly laugh. Still laughing....

stacy h. said...

PUSS FILLED BOILS...you sickos!!! i hear there's been a buzz about my comment. i was trying to be funny and it backfired. my husband has been dying laughing, calling me an idiot 12 times! i'm sorry vanessa, for putting something so porno on your blog. :) TMI????

Unknown said...

hahaha! I have been sitting here wondering what in the heck are pussy boils???hmmm and then I thought maybe it's some sort of vaginal infection that I have never heard of...hahaha! Stace you are gross:)

Hayley Nelson Potter said...

Oh wow these comments are to much for me to handle, i am dying of laughter....You and Meradith get the best blog award!!