I am such a pampered princess! I’m not totally, because I only do like 2 pedicures a year and rarely shop for myself anymore, but the lifestyle I have gotten accustomed to in the uppity DC area is so different from growing up in the “Durty Durty” (south to those of you not down with the lingo). I was appalled by things that sound so snotty and ridiculous and people noticed:):(.

So, my mom tried so hard to buy my kale and kosher meat and other organic meats and food, but her town frankly doesn’t have much health food, hence the problem with high bp and heart problems in the south. So, she found kale, but it was in this big bunch and I am used to going to Wegman’s and getting it cleaned and washed and chopped and bagged. So apparently I made a deal about this. I wasn’t rude, but I just couldn’t believe that I had to clean my own kale. (Man I must have sounded like a brat) Then I made a comment to my cousin that I could not believe my mom bought me a whole chicken because I only eat boneless skinless chicken breasts.

I really wasn’t trying to be a snob. I brought some of my own healthy veggies to share with the family and everything. I guess that living in an area of excess where everyone is so busy, that people here will pay for everything to be done by someone else, which includes chopping and washing our veggies, darnit!:)

When we got home, my daughter called me a diva. That is funny, because people used to call me that like 15 years ago, but my daughter has never called me that, not that it was a big deal. I said, “why are you calling me that?” She said: “our cousin said you were one and then started laughing.” So, at least when my cousin said it, she was joking about it. But as we all know, when people joke there is often truth behind it.

I guess I am a different person than I was when I lived in the A. I eat healthier, I am more cultured, I care about different things, and I have gotten a little spoiled. I mean, I don’t have a lot of cash flow as I have mentioned before, but I still live a pretty high quality life and always manage to earn money to pay “the man”. But, I never honestly fit in where I grew up in a small town a couple of hours from the A. So, diva is not a new term, but I guess since I rough it now by shopping at Target for my clothes and I because I rarely treat myself besides Starbucks, I assumed that I was far from my former diva status.

Well, it doesn’t take but a few minutes back around people who watched someone grow up, to be called out on one’s crap! I can tell you though, as much as I enjoyed seeing loving faces, I don’t think I could go back without being extremely hesitant to do so. I love the plethora of activities in DC and surrounding suburbs. I love that there are more farmer’s market here per capita than anywhere else. I like how health-conscious people are.

What I miss about the south: genuine people, friendly people and a real sense of culture associated with being a southerner. A sort of pride that comes with being a native sweet tea drinker and peach ice cream eater. Not the confederate, racist deal. Just the accent, nice outfits, and scrumptious (though fattening food). DC and the whole area as a whole lacks that charm and personality.

So, it’s either coconut milk latte and clean eating, or twice the daily amount of sugar consumed and everything fried. I think I will continue dwelling in my clean eating and bike riding habitat, but I will reminisce about days of running through sprinklers and drinking out of water hoses and waving at everyone who rode down the street. Not to mention, watermelon under the weeping willows, with salt on top. Those days are long gone, and I miss them at times and wish my kid could know that more simple life.  If only I could have a bit of both, if only…