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Monday, March 16, 2009

Don't Be Cruel-ella

Driving home from the grocery store last week, I was cut off by another driver on the freeway. It wasn't anything major, but being tired and annoyed, I laid on the horn and did my best impression of an angry Italian who has just learned of a pasta strike. I yelled, I waved, I glared. My kids, of course, were in the backseat.

Later, after arriving at home, Giancarlo looked at me and said, "Mama, you are just like that wady in the puppy movie." Hmm, I thought. Puppy movie? Of course! My son must be referring to the lovely Anita in 101 Dalmatians; a genteel, nurturing, animal lover. I can see how he might think that I am just like her.

However, it seems that I was mistaken. Giancarlo explained, "No, Mama. Not that wady. You are like the crazy wady."

Crazy wady?

Yes, indeed. My son was actually referring to Cruella DeVille.

After considering this comparison further over the weekend, I must concede that maybe Giancarlo is onto something. Let's look at the facts:

1) I can sometimes get a bit agitated when driving.

(In my defense, this situation could be avoided entirely if the rest of the world would just get out of the way.)

2) I am not a huge fan of those who do not listen to me.

To say that I am intimidating is not quite accurate. I just appreciate it when people listen closely to my words and obey quickly.

3) I do like fur and leather.













Even during the current economic downturn, what girl doesn't still look with loving eyes on a bag from Marc Jacobs or Gucci? (I am even giving you the links today, ladies, so that you too may share in my love affair.)


Perhaps I should make a mid-year New Year's Resolution to try to be a bit less like Cruella. Instead, I could channel my inner, benevolent princess side...

Don't laugh. It could work.

-Francesca
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75 comments:

tiburon said...

We are practically the same person. For real.

And I could never live in a world where there would be a pasta strike.

Kristina P. said...

Haha! Your kid is so dead one!!

Because of Love said...

Loved this post!

1st- My child loves "The Puppies" and we watch it at least once a day, so I am totally with you.

2nd- I think we all have Cruella moments.

I too will try to be a princess today.

Cammie said...

stick with Cruella...those other girls are week....

lmt1073 said...

I sometimes remind myself of a crazy lady when driving... I hate to be behind anyone... not big on following... and i tend to think people who drive slow should just stay at home. cute post!

Kimmy said...

LOL...sorry! :o) You remind me of myself with the whole driving!! I have to agree with you. Get out of our way people!!!

That Girl said...

HA! Oh, kids say the darndest things ...

And dude. Jasmine had her meanie moments. And Belle. And Ariel? Total wench sometimes.

You're good, girl.

Megan said...

Hmm. I'm trying to decide which is worse... Cruella or Ursula? Whenever I get sucked into pretend play around here, I am ALWAYS Ursula. It hurts. *silent tear*

B said...

I'm loving it. I just hope you don't LOOK like Cruella, cause she looks like she hasn't eaten in a decade or two. And that hair, if you have that I have to let you know, it's time to let it go.

Sara @ Domestically Challenged said...

I am nuts too! If people would get out of my darn way. I am pretty sure I pay more taxes than them, so I have the right to use all the road I need. Right?

Girl On A Journey said...

I dont know about you but I think Cruella rocks...minus that whole killing puppies thing lol I mean seriously have you seen that woman's sense of fashion

Anonymous said...

nothing like a child to keep us on our toes!!!!! i am off to check out those bags!!!!! thanks for the links!

Anonymous said...

Over from SITS.

That made me laugh out loud. I too have been the "crazy wady" - and I have also phoned in "crazy" drivers to my local sheriff.

One of my inventions to make the world a better place would be that every car would has a phone - and the number would be the license plate number.... Now wouldn't that be interesting?!

seriously? said...

I knew that was you flipping me the bird the other day on the 80 freeway. I was trying to get out of your way but, you were driving like 90 MPH and weaving. What is a sweet, non speeding, driver to do???

Anonymous said...

That is too funny. I love the honesty of kids. I'm so worried to see what my kid does and say.

Heidi said...

Totally cute post! And you don't have to be Italian to become unglued about a pasta strike! (shudder!)

Anonymous said...

Um...am I the only one that knows the transition is not possible? Come on people, it's Francesca.

Remember our signal to each other of a wink, wink. Well, this is a big wink, wink. ;)

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

Which princess is most like you? Great post, especially the pic of Cruella driving the car!!

jules1219 said...

Seriously funny. Loved this post!
I have my Cruella moments too.
Oh and those bags are to die for!

Julie
http://fashformom2boys.blogspot.com/

dede said...

love your post title - that song will be in my head ALL day! my husband once flipped off the person that was honking behind him, he didn't realize it was the Bishop of our church trying to say hi!!

Nadine said...

Hahaha! I love that kid. Too funny!

I'd love to be Sleeping Beauty! Sleep, sleep, sleep without a toddler or baby waking me up in the middle of the night ;)

Unknown said...

Lovely! It was too funny when I got to the bottom of your post and read "Don't laugh" because I was already laughing out loud. ;)

Oh, and I've had my share of Cruella moments lately.

Michelle said...

Oh--don't we all have moments like these?!? What a cute post....and it's so funny the way that the kids explain things in terms that they understand!!

Kameron said...

My nephew was playing with his cars the other day and yelled, "hey lady, get outta my way!". My sister has never had a prouder moment! ha!

Eve said...

Haha...
Ah, but then which princess would you be? So many choices. Perhaps it's easier to just stick with the leather loving Cruella. ;)

Just SO said...

Kids are so honest. I have my Cruella moments as well.

The High Family said...

I think we all have a little cruel-ella in us!

I have always had a little road rage from driving back and forth to Philly during college...hey you have to be agressive in the big cities! So when I had my son, I told myself that I would keep the comments under control as much as possible.

Well I must sound really funny saying, "that silly truck..how dare he in front of me!" or "oh my! why is there always a traffic jam when mommy is running late?!"

I've even started to "give the bird" by placing my finger on the steering wheel as I pass the person who really ticked me off instead of the normal hand flying up kind!

Ok that whole comment made me sound like a crazy driver! I really do not have that much anger in me while driving! LOL

He & Me + 3 said...

It is called the crazy voice around here. That was too cute! I can totally relate to Cruella too. Darn. Guess I better start channeling my inner princess too.

Counselormama said...

This is funny! That pic of her driving is hilarious! Kids just call it like they see it. At the store Kylie picked up the Rollos candy and asked what it was. I told her I remember that candy when I was her age. She said, "So this candy is really, really old, then?" Me: (thinking) WTH, man!

SE'LAH... said...

Kids: The constant reminder that you are ALWAYS being watched.

Love this post ;-) LOL.

Jillene said...

Hahahaha!! I am a Cruella too. I am trying to be more Princess-like. It just doesn't seem to be working so well.

Susan said...

I think it's much easier to channel Cruella these days ... she's coming through loud and clear right now....

Heather said...

I think my kids must think I'm Cruella some days too. I think they would much prefer me to act like a princess, if for no other reason than all the forest animals would walk up to me and eat out of my hand. Who am I kidding, I would love it too, as long as they washed my dishes and swept my floor too!

Deb said...

It's so interesting how our kids perceive us...

Awesome posts. I love the illustrations. However, I must confide that I always found the Disney villainesses more interesting that the princesses...

Christina said...

I think we all harbor a little Cruella. It's ok. Embrace it. ;)

Kathy B! said...

Oh, Francesca! It could work but why... If you go the princess route I will look at it as an unequivocable sign that the end is upon us... fight the urge Francesca, fight the urge.

Barbaloot said...

You could try and change...but I'm pretty sure Cruella has more fun. Just look at the driving face!

Sevi said...

That is priceless. I think we all have our Cruella moments. I know I do!

Ellia C. Naturals said...

Hee, hee, hee...you have me laughing so hard I may just go into labor (which I am soooo ready for now, so please, keep the funnies coming!) :)

Amy said...

I think it could work for sure. I want to be Alice in wonderland.

Grand Pooba said...

Oh my dear Francesca! At least he said you act like her, not LOOK like her!

But even so, Cruella always gets what she wants right? She has total control, a style all her own and who wouldn't want those teeny pointy boobs?

Boy Mom said...

But, Cruella gets to call everyone "idiot!" (shh, that's a bad word at boy house)

I might have a road rage issue or two. Age and teenage drivers seems to have mellowed me, or perhaps I've channeled my inner princess. I'm not sure she's a Disney princess though.

Melissa said...

Hmmm... Cruella wouldn't be so bad. She's built kinda like a super-model... super tall, toothpick thin, and unnatural boobs ;)
Don't chanel your inner princess. They're so boring! Go for your inner Tinkerbell... a little sassy with that sweet :)

rachel said...

That is so me! I consider myself a pretty rational, upstanding citizen...get me on the road though and a metamorphosis occurs...
And hey, I'd be willing to bet that even Cinderella loses it when she goes for a drive in her cute little carriage.

Heather of the EO said...

First of all, you're brilliant!!! I Luuurve your posts.

Secondly, I am so Cruella in the car. I often think of the poor dalmations in the backseat, wondering why I'm so upset. but hey, people just need to get out of my way! :)

Lara Neves said...

I haven't actually been Cruella lately...but I have been the wicked stepmother.

Except, I'm the wicked mother....no steps involved. I really need to channel my inner Beauty.

Lori said...

Oh, man. I am so Cruella.

I suppose Cruella is better than Ursula. Nobody wants to be a psycopathic octopus.

Anonymous said...

This is too funny!

Anonymous said...

This is too funny!

Mrsbear said...

Your son is very perceptive. I occasionally channel Cruella when I'm on the road, and I am ashamed to admit it's sometimes the R rated version. I have better hair though. ;) In my defense, where we live has some of the rudest drivers in the country...and no, I'm not one of them.

peewee said...

HAHA! Yah. This guy once stole my parking spot and I SCREAMED and SCREAMED AT him EVEN as he was walking away.

I went in to teach my yoga class FUMING. He was in the front row.

Anonymous said...

too funny! a little bit of road rage doesn't hurt anyone LOL!

Quiskaeya said...

Ha! I guess that would make me the wicked witch of the west. I'm with ya sistah my blood pressure wouldn't run so high if the world would get outta amy way. And as my Mama always said "Don't speak while I'm interrupting! Just listen already!" ROFL

Judah said...

love it!! and wow, I am not even going to touch those purse links, that would only cause trouble!!

Fiauna said...

Great post. Loved all the visuals. But I gotta say, being a princess is over-rated.

Debbie said...

Ouch! And more ouch!
Well, I'm sure he meant it in the nicest way.

Technodoll said...

Deep down, we all aspire to be as cool as Cruella! LOL!

Nana said...

Cruella is more fun!!!

Kids really do know what they are talking about.

Jo said...

Ah, out of the mouths of babes....
comes some pretty lame stuff. Cruella indeed. Belle is more like it, well read and brunette. Right?

Helene said...

Hey, we all have a little Cruella in us, esp while driving!!!

Anonymous said...

Haha. I love the honesty and innocence of kids.
I'm sure we all have our Cruella moments, hopefully not too often, lol.
This post cracked me up, thanks for giving me a laugh :)

Connie said...

Hehe... one way to solve your driving woes. Come visit Cairo and drive here for a week... no signals, no lanes, no one-way actually meaning ONE way only. Horses, donkeys, pedestrians and camels in the road. Getting hit is so common, you forget about it by the time you get to where you're going. The trick now, will be for me to come back to the US and drive without going to jail... what do you mean the light was red? It was open!

I like Tinkerbelle... girlie, powerful, and yet she does NOT deny herself the b***hie moments!

Rachael Schirano \\ Rachael Schirano Photography said...

embrace your inner cruella! haha :)

Anonymous said...

If people would just get out of my way I would be a whole lot happier of a driver as well.

I never thought of myself as having similiar qualities as Cruella, but after this post, I am realizing she is like my twin!

Unknown said...

Awe, out of the mouth of babes. LOL

Mr. and Mrs. Nurse Boy said...

Thanks for the laugh!

I wish I couldn't relate.

I have NEVER been told I am just like Snow White or Sleeping Beauty...sigh

Mrs. Nurse Boy

Kailey said...

I'm pretty sure I look a lot like Cruella when I get cut off in traffic too.

Beth Cotell said...

I have my share of Cruella moments too! And unfortunately, the kids are always around to witness them!

Dawn Parsons Smith said...

Hey Crazy Wady! You were so busted! lol! That was hilarious!

My daughter called me a road "ragger"...lol!

Cindy said...

OMG thid made me laugh out loud!
I am sooooo a crazy wady.
And SHUT UP with those purses. Marc Marc Marc.

Unknown said...

This is classic. And the pictures are perfect. The crazy wady wouldn't have taken the time to find them...

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Stacy Uncorked said...

HAHAHAHA! Loved it! We all have a bit of Cruella in us, I think... ;)

Donnetta said...

Now I can't stop singing the "Cruella deVille" song! But I'm SO with ya! Stupid drivers make me looney!

Ryan Ashley Scott said...

As if the words, "crazy wady" weren't enough to make me laugh - you had to add the imagery. The pic of her in "mean driving mode" just sets it off. Hilarious. I think I might have cried laughing it my son said that.

Lady of Perpetual Chaos said...

It's only a matter of time before you're singing with the birds and talking to mice! Good luck with your resolution. ;o)