When you get old, does your pubic hair turn grey?
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If the speed limit is 75, why do they make cars that can go as fast as 120?
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So, if it's illegal to drive a car while wearing iPod earbuds, how is that different from wearing a Bluetooth headset? Which is actually ENCOURAGED because it allows hands-free driving. But, I guess it's better to listen to your phone conversation than oncoming ambulances?
***************************
Why, everytime I go to the gym, are all the parking spaces closest to the door taken? If you're going there to exercise, wouldn't it make sense to maximize your walk to the door? Like, sure I'll get on the treadmill and walk for 45 minutes, but I gotta park as close to the treadmill as possible.
**********************
Any thoughts?
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
'Nuther Way my Kids Ur Gettin Smarter
Can you remember how old you were when you first laid eyes upon a computer?
I can...
The year was 1982 (approximately). Reagan was in office. Donna Summer was on the radio. And we had an Apple IIc. It was a glorious thing that, when you turned on the monitor, it showed a vacant black screen void of any information except one blinking green rectangle. THRILLING!
Then, if you loaded up a floppy disk (5-and-1/4-inch size) it would display the LODE RUNNER game. Ooh. the thrill of it all. It didn't exactly have the same graphics as Donkey Kong up at Aladdin's Castle at the mall, but at least the Apple IIc didn't take quarters.
People would come over to our house and ooh and aahhh and say, "What does it do?"
"Here," we'd say, "It can play Lode Runner."
To which they'd reply, "What else can it do?"
I hated that question. Because then we'd have to admit that we didn't know anything else it did, and although it was my father's idea to get the stupid thing, his involvement ended the moment he plugged it into the wall.
Years later, I was part of the mass population at a state university who would line up like Russians waiting for bread to get an available computer at the computer lab on campus. We'd all sit around, hoping the Mac's would open up before the PC's, because the Mac's were so friendly and those PC's were just too hard to figure out! I was majoring in Math Education, so before I was properly lobotomized I was deeply involved in a Calc 2 class that required plotting graphs on a computer using some program called MAPLE? Could that be right? Then I was to E-MAIL the work to our teacher. At the time, of course, I completely distrusted this thing called e-mail. I mean, HOW is he going to get my work? How will he know it's mine? How long will it take to get there?
My husband and I purchased our first computer in 1998. The two of us put together created just enough brain power to figure out how to hook up the monitor, CPU, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. We really believed we were on the cutting edge because we had Windows 98 - not that old, out-of-date Windows 95 and (insert haughty laugh) CERTAINLY not Windows 3.1. We had a Pentium 2 Processor!!! We had USB ports for game controllers!!! We had a ZIP drive!!!
Now I'm on a laptop that is surely out of date but I love it. Texan Papa has his own laptop and even our kids have a laptop. Theirs is a Dell, and it's only got a Pentium 3 processor but we got a good deal on it.
And, bless their hearts, they knew how to use a computer - and a laptop, no less - since they were toddlers. We had a cool program called Reader Rabbit Toddler, where you can move the mouse around and it will automatically pick things up and move them. You don't even have to click. I would post a picture of Peppermint Patty, in her purple footy-pajamas, playing this game when she was only 2 years old, but of course that photo was taken before the age of digital cameras. My children are definitely growing up in a time when they will have no recollection of a time without computers. I have already been asked many times, "Mom, what was your favorite computer game when YOU were a kid?" When I explain that there were no computers when I was a kid, they stare at me like I had just told them that our house was made out of cheese.
I guess I'd better watch out. Before too long they will surely be smarter than me. I'm not ready for that yet.
I can...
The year was 1982 (approximately). Reagan was in office. Donna Summer was on the radio. And we had an Apple IIc. It was a glorious thing that, when you turned on the monitor, it showed a vacant black screen void of any information except one blinking green rectangle. THRILLING!
Then, if you loaded up a floppy disk (5-and-1/4-inch size) it would display the LODE RUNNER game. Ooh. the thrill of it all. It didn't exactly have the same graphics as Donkey Kong up at Aladdin's Castle at the mall, but at least the Apple IIc didn't take quarters.
People would come over to our house and ooh and aahhh and say, "What does it do?"
"Here," we'd say, "It can play Lode Runner."
To which they'd reply, "What else can it do?"
I hated that question. Because then we'd have to admit that we didn't know anything else it did, and although it was my father's idea to get the stupid thing, his involvement ended the moment he plugged it into the wall.
Years later, I was part of the mass population at a state university who would line up like Russians waiting for bread to get an available computer at the computer lab on campus. We'd all sit around, hoping the Mac's would open up before the PC's, because the Mac's were so friendly and those PC's were just too hard to figure out! I was majoring in Math Education, so before I was properly lobotomized I was deeply involved in a Calc 2 class that required plotting graphs on a computer using some program called MAPLE? Could that be right? Then I was to E-MAIL the work to our teacher. At the time, of course, I completely distrusted this thing called e-mail. I mean, HOW is he going to get my work? How will he know it's mine? How long will it take to get there?
My husband and I purchased our first computer in 1998. The two of us put together created just enough brain power to figure out how to hook up the monitor, CPU, keyboard, mouse, and speakers. We really believed we were on the cutting edge because we had Windows 98 - not that old, out-of-date Windows 95 and (insert haughty laugh) CERTAINLY not Windows 3.1. We had a Pentium 2 Processor!!! We had USB ports for game controllers!!! We had a ZIP drive!!!
Now I'm on a laptop that is surely out of date but I love it. Texan Papa has his own laptop and even our kids have a laptop. Theirs is a Dell, and it's only got a Pentium 3 processor but we got a good deal on it.
And, bless their hearts, they knew how to use a computer - and a laptop, no less - since they were toddlers. We had a cool program called Reader Rabbit Toddler, where you can move the mouse around and it will automatically pick things up and move them. You don't even have to click. I would post a picture of Peppermint Patty, in her purple footy-pajamas, playing this game when she was only 2 years old, but of course that photo was taken before the age of digital cameras. My children are definitely growing up in a time when they will have no recollection of a time without computers. I have already been asked many times, "Mom, what was your favorite computer game when YOU were a kid?" When I explain that there were no computers when I was a kid, they stare at me like I had just told them that our house was made out of cheese.
When my kids come home from school, their favorite activity is to play games on their computer. Some of their favorites are Club Penguin, Webkinz, and Millsberry. Even I love Junkbot on Lego.com. (I swear, that game is addictive.) Over at MomsByHeart, there is a giveaway going on for a 3-month membership to Jumpstart (makers of the famous Jumpstart learning CD-ROMs). I hope I win, I hope I win. Oh, what am I saying... My kids hope I win. My kids hope I win!
And, I know I must be officially old because my kids know almost more about the computer than I do. Computer class involves doing google searches, running Excel spreadsheets, and working with Photoshop. They can click around and go here and there. I am hoping they aren't loading any viruses onto the laptop...I guess I'd better watch out. Before too long they will surely be smarter than me. I'm not ready for that yet.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Nope. Not Bitter At All.
Have you ever noticed, that when you remind a man about the things he wants/needs, you're being "helpful"...
"Honey, isn't tonight your poker night with the guys?"
"Yeah, sweetie. I know where your chainsaw is. Remember, you loaned it to Paul, next door? Weren't you going to get that back from him, like, 6 months ago?"
"Hey love, don't let me forget that I still owe you $10, mmkay?"
But, when you remind a man about the things YOU want/need, you're being a "nag"?
"Honey, I know you're getting ready for bed now, but when were you going to take that trash out? I asked you to do it, like, 5 hours ago."
"Hey, darlin, are you still picking up the kids from school today?"
"So, uh, this pile of papers has been sitting here in the kitchen for 2 weeks now. You said they were 'important'. Were you going to do something with them? When exactly??"
No, those conversations never happened in my house.
And no, I'm not bitter. Not bitter at all.
"Honey, isn't tonight your poker night with the guys?"
"Yeah, sweetie. I know where your chainsaw is. Remember, you loaned it to Paul, next door? Weren't you going to get that back from him, like, 6 months ago?"
"Hey love, don't let me forget that I still owe you $10, mmkay?"
But, when you remind a man about the things YOU want/need, you're being a "nag"?
"Honey, I know you're getting ready for bed now, but when were you going to take that trash out? I asked you to do it, like, 5 hours ago."
"Hey, darlin, are you still picking up the kids from school today?"
"So, uh, this pile of papers has been sitting here in the kitchen for 2 weeks now. You said they were 'important'. Were you going to do something with them? When exactly??"
No, those conversations never happened in my house.
And no, I'm not bitter. Not bitter at all.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Who Are You?
So, y'know the thing on people's blogs, called "comment luv", where you enter your comment and then it finds your most recent post and displays it along with your comment?
I think it is so cool.
But Blogger + comment luv = COMMENT HATE
I tried two times (once yesterday, once a few months ago) to sync my blogger page with Comment Luv, and know what it did? IT POSTED ALL THE COMMENTS AS COMING FROM ME. grrrr
This is really not helpful.
SO, I have switched back to "normal" mode and now I have no idea who told me they'd like to be interviewed. So, peeps, if you are one of the two (so far... hee hee I love asking people fun questions...) people who are willing to bevictims interviewees, please comment one more time here so I know who I'm talking to.
kthnxbuhbai!
I think it is so cool.
But Blogger + comment luv = COMMENT HATE
I tried two times (once yesterday, once a few months ago) to sync my blogger page with Comment Luv, and know what it did? IT POSTED ALL THE COMMENTS AS COMING FROM ME. grrrr
This is really not helpful.
SO, I have switched back to "normal" mode and now I have no idea who told me they'd like to be interviewed. So, peeps, if you are one of the two (so far... hee hee I love asking people fun questions...) people who are willing to be
kthnxbuhbai!
Interview With a Non-Vampire
Yes, I am the Non-Vampire.
So, Chris over at Coke on my Keyboard answered some interview questions, and invited someone else to be interviewed by her.
Yes, I am that sucker. Because, no, I can't handle people not paying attention to me.
I just really loved Horshack and Screech. They are kindred spirits.
anyhoo..
On with the interview questions!
1. What is your greatest achievement?
Not poking myself in the eye repeatedly when attempting to potty train my children. It is the one task of parenting that I hate. the. most.
2. If you could live anywhere in the world (and leaving behind family wasn't an issue) where would you live and why?
Ireland. It is so beautiful, and they speak English. I can barely work with one language, let alone master another. As it is, when I spent my semester abroad there, I could tell when the natives were ridiculing me in Gaelic.
3. What prompted you to start a blog?
A very desperate need to make people pay attention to me. No, seriously, I was in a new town with no friends and no one to talk to and I had just SO much to say. So, I figured, why not tell the internet. There must be SOMEONE out there who cares... And look! You really DO care! At least I hope so anyway.
4. Without thinking in terms of money, what would your dream job be?
Ice cream taster. Mattress tester. Scuba equipment tester. Personal shopper.
5. Let's say that on your 80th birthday, all of your family, friends AND "enemies" gather together. Each person is given the opportunity to stand up and talk about you. What sort of things would they say?
That girl has great legs but a pancake booty.
6. What quality do you find most important in a friend?
Sarcasm without pessimism
7. What do you think your children will be when they grow up?
Peppermint Patty - teacher or someone who works with small children
Charlie Brown - non-litigating attorney, engineer, scientist
Linus - Skydiving instructor, Bungee cord tester, Rock climber, get a job in the circus being shot out of a canon
Baby Sally - organizational guru
8. After the children are all grown and moved out, what do you think a normal week will be like?
Now, "normal" is a subjective term. I will probably travel a lot to visit my kids and (hopefully) grandkids. I will leave exactly ONE DAY before I overstay my welcome and move onto the next kids' house. Texan Papa will be gone fishing all the time so he won't miss me.
9. Cats or dogs???
I like both and both have their benefits. If it were just me I'd say cats, but Texan Papa is really allergic so I guess I'd go with dogs. BUT no way in hell would a dog ever darken our doorstep if it had hair in the front of its mouth (like with a Scottie) that gets all nasty when drinking from its waterbowl or eating its food. That shit is just disgusting.
10. If you could only choose to own one of these things, what would you choose & why? Car, computer, television, pen & paper or 5 books of your choosing.
I'd choose the books. No matter how many times I read a book, I always find new things about it I like. I wish I read more and were on the computer less, so being forced to choose would be a good thing for me. And, one book for sure I'd choose is the bible because I've always wanted to read it in entirety but never have done it.
THERE! I did it! I got through all the questions and I didn't make a total ass of myself. Well, maybe you should be the judge of that.
Now, if you'd like to be interviewed by me just tell me so in the comments and I'll shoot you some questions! But I can't promise they will be fair questions. I play dirty like that.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Don't Forget to Watch Tonight!
Hey Friends
Here's just a quick reminder to watch the Season Finale of True Beauty tonight on ABC, 10pmEastern, 9pmCentral.
It's down to the final 3: Billy, Joel, and Julia. Who do you think will win? VOTE NOW on my poll over there on the left side.
I'm betting on Julia. I mean, has she really said anything mean the whole show? And, she is so pretty, but in an unassuming way. The only thing that I think would maybe hurt her, is that she doesn't have an "in your face" personality like Joel or Billy. That, I believe, is a positive thing. If I had to guess, she's following the rule, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."
Billy is very pretty, but he carries a "murse". Do I need to say anything more?
Joel is just horrible. I used to find him attractive, but his macho personality actually makes him uglier in my eyes.
The thing is, there is so much editing that we the viewers cannot ever really know ALL that the judges see.
I am SO SO SO excited for tonight's season finale. I didn't even waste my time on the Oscars last night but I am going to plant myself on the couch for this event!
So, any guess on who's gonna win?
Here's just a quick reminder to watch the Season Finale of True Beauty tonight on ABC, 10pmEastern, 9pmCentral.
It's down to the final 3: Billy, Joel, and Julia. Who do you think will win? VOTE NOW on my poll over there on the left side.
I'm betting on Julia. I mean, has she really said anything mean the whole show? And, she is so pretty, but in an unassuming way. The only thing that I think would maybe hurt her, is that she doesn't have an "in your face" personality like Joel or Billy. That, I believe, is a positive thing. If I had to guess, she's following the rule, "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all."
Billy is very pretty, but he carries a "murse". Do I need to say anything more?
Joel is just horrible. I used to find him attractive, but his macho personality actually makes him uglier in my eyes.
The thing is, there is so much editing that we the viewers cannot ever really know ALL that the judges see.
I am SO SO SO excited for tonight's season finale. I didn't even waste my time on the Oscars last night but I am going to plant myself on the couch for this event!
So, any guess on who's gonna win?
YO Check Me Out
Hey bloggy peeps. You will never believe this but I have finally made it.
I am a guest blogger.
Can I get a "WOOT WOOT"?
I'm guest posting over at Moms By Heart. My post is all about Cheap Entertainment: Ways to keep your kids occupied without breaking the bank.
Come on over and read all about it!
Now, if I could only get picked to join All Mediocre, I would probably get so excited I'd wet my pants. Wait, what do you mean I don't have to be invited?
I am a guest blogger.
Can I get a "WOOT WOOT"?
I'm guest posting over at Moms By Heart. My post is all about Cheap Entertainment: Ways to keep your kids occupied without breaking the bank.
Come on over and read all about it!
Now, if I could only get picked to join All Mediocre, I would probably get so excited I'd wet my pants. Wait, what do you mean I don't have to be invited?
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Money... That's What I Want
Who doesn't want some cha-ching? In today's economy, it's a popular topic.
Now, don't go throwing rotten fruit at us, but really the economy hasn't affected us TOO much. Actually, when we moved to Texas last year, Texan Papa took a job that almost doubled his salary. Now, granted, we have really increased our expenses too, but we are still living the (pretty much) same lifestyle we always have. We don't carry any debt whatsoever (except our mortgage), we eat out occasionally but not a ton, and we try to buy things on clearance. Big purchases? We discuss 'em together and make decisions.
So, recently, Texan Papa decided he wanted to buy a kayak. PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME TALK ABOUT IT. I have discussed the kayak to death and cannot utter another syllable about it. But, suffice it to say, TP wore me down and he bought it. He did get a really good deal on it and paid for the whole thing with his own money, less $50.
Now, I am thinking... "okay, time for Texan Mama to get some shopping love." I am SO wanting to get a new camera. Currently I have a Kodak point-n-shoot camera. It does okay, but I just cannot get the kind of pictures that make me "ooh" and "aah". I have a very strong desire to get a DSLR but no cashey-cashey. So, I've been doing odd things to earn some money...
The camera I want to buy is a Canon Powershot SX10 IS. I have about $150 saved up right now, so I am guessing I will have to save about another $200-$250.
This got me thinking about ways to make money on my blog. I know I can carry ads, but I have resisted them for a long time. I kinda feel like blogging is my hobby, and I wonder if ads take away from the "pureness" of the blog. I mean, I don't mind ads on other people's blogs, but I don't know if they are right for me. Plus, I don't have THAT many readers. I wonder how much money I'd actually make. One friend, who has way more readers than I do, said she didn't really feel like the ads were worth it, especially considering sometimes the ads posted were for products she would never personally use (and might find objectionable!) What do you think? Are ads worth it?
I also know I could do product reviews and paid surveys. While I do believe this would be a real way to make money, I don't know if I actually want to spend MORE time on the computer than I already do. Doing reviews/surveys would definitely be the turning point where blogging stops becoming a hobby and starts becoming a job. Currently, I try to only be online when my kids are not around - naptime, after bedtime, and before they wake in the morning. Doing paid surveys and reviews, PLUS still visiting all the blogs I read (and that's the part I really enjoy most anyway) would probably double my online time and would start to force me to be online when my kids are needing my attention. I wonder if I will lose some of the joy I have for blogging if I *have* to do it every day. Plus, as it is, my housework is already suffering and I just don't get out as much as I used to. I think increasing my blogging would make the situation worse. On the other hand, every time Texan Papa sees me on the computer, he says, "Can't you figure out some way to make money doing that?" I just keep thinking that if I wanted to earn money, for me, maybe I could find a better (less time consuming?) way to do it.
What do you think?
Now, don't go throwing rotten fruit at us, but really the economy hasn't affected us TOO much. Actually, when we moved to Texas last year, Texan Papa took a job that almost doubled his salary. Now, granted, we have really increased our expenses too, but we are still living the (pretty much) same lifestyle we always have. We don't carry any debt whatsoever (except our mortgage), we eat out occasionally but not a ton, and we try to buy things on clearance. Big purchases? We discuss 'em together and make decisions.
So, recently, Texan Papa decided he wanted to buy a kayak. PLEASE DON'T MAKE ME TALK ABOUT IT. I have discussed the kayak to death and cannot utter another syllable about it. But, suffice it to say, TP wore me down and he bought it. He did get a really good deal on it and paid for the whole thing with his own money, less $50.
Now, I am thinking... "okay, time for Texan Mama to get some shopping love." I am SO wanting to get a new camera. Currently I have a Kodak point-n-shoot camera. It does okay, but I just cannot get the kind of pictures that make me "ooh" and "aah". I have a very strong desire to get a DSLR but no cashey-cashey. So, I've been doing odd things to earn some money...
- I have been tutoring (that's my normal gig, but I'm trying to get some more clients)
- I have been doing babysitting for my next-door-neighbor
- I have been considering donating plasma. Hey, it's $65 and I've donated blood tons of times. Do you think that's too desperate?
- I'm going to go through my jewelry box and pick out all my old jewelry that I don't like anymore and see what I can get for it.
The camera I want to buy is a Canon Powershot SX10 IS. I have about $150 saved up right now, so I am guessing I will have to save about another $200-$250.
This got me thinking about ways to make money on my blog. I know I can carry ads, but I have resisted them for a long time. I kinda feel like blogging is my hobby, and I wonder if ads take away from the "pureness" of the blog. I mean, I don't mind ads on other people's blogs, but I don't know if they are right for me. Plus, I don't have THAT many readers. I wonder how much money I'd actually make. One friend, who has way more readers than I do, said she didn't really feel like the ads were worth it, especially considering sometimes the ads posted were for products she would never personally use (and might find objectionable!) What do you think? Are ads worth it?
I also know I could do product reviews and paid surveys. While I do believe this would be a real way to make money, I don't know if I actually want to spend MORE time on the computer than I already do. Doing reviews/surveys would definitely be the turning point where blogging stops becoming a hobby and starts becoming a job. Currently, I try to only be online when my kids are not around - naptime, after bedtime, and before they wake in the morning. Doing paid surveys and reviews, PLUS still visiting all the blogs I read (and that's the part I really enjoy most anyway) would probably double my online time and would start to force me to be online when my kids are needing my attention. I wonder if I will lose some of the joy I have for blogging if I *have* to do it every day. Plus, as it is, my housework is already suffering and I just don't get out as much as I used to. I think increasing my blogging would make the situation worse. On the other hand, every time Texan Papa sees me on the computer, he says, "Can't you figure out some way to make money doing that?" I just keep thinking that if I wanted to earn money, for me, maybe I could find a better (less time consuming?) way to do it.
What do you think?
Saturday, February 21, 2009
My Favorite Things
"Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on kittens..."
"Doorbells and sleighbells and schnitzel with noodles"
Yeah, I don't like those things. But I DO like:
1. Hershey's Kisses - They are my most. favorite. food. I don't want any fancy Godiva stuff, or added nuts, or caramel or nougat. Just plain ole chocolate drops wrapped in foil. And, I have bought some kisses in a bag that came unwrapped (I think they were in the baking aisle for the PB Thumbprint cookies or something) and I didn't like them as much. I think I like the anticipation of unwrapping the foil and having to wait 2 seconds for the little high I get from the cocoa and sugar.
2. Sunflower seeds. David sunflower seeds. I have eaten them my whole life. Anyone who knows me after about age 5 will attest to this. I have, at times, worn the inside of my cheeks raw from storing up salted sunflower seeds there like a squirrel hoards acorns. As a pre-teen (now I guess they are called "tweens" but at the time we weren't, so I don't know if I can call myself a tween... ponder that!) I would sit on the school bus and carry a little baggie to spit the shells into. Or, I'd lower that clunky school bus window and toss the shells out, all the while kids behind me yelling that the wind was messing up their feathered bangs.
3. Netflix - y'all already know why I love Netflix. Let me just share a few more words. Selection. Convenience. Value. Friendliness. Getting mail that isn't a bill. I love me some red and white envelopes.
4. Diet Coke - shame on me for making my beloved dC #4, but I did not fall in love until college. I used to suck down regular Cokes, until I found out that they had as much sugar as a whole candy bar. I decided to switch, so for a whole summer I drank nothing but water or unsweetened iced tea. After that, even diet Coke tasted sweet. And a love affair was born.
5. Church Hymns - call me an old traditionalist, but every Sunday I come home humming my favorite tunes from church. I always do it with a big smile on my face. And, I can't hide the fact that it makes me beam when my kids can join in and sing the words right along too. Hearing them sing about Jesus sure beats them singing "Hit me Baby One More Time" or "Dontcha wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me".
6. Lion's Choice - unless you are from around St. Louis, you cannot appreciate this place. Lion's Choice is a roast beef fast food restaurant. It makes Arby's food look like grade D cafeteria food. Their fries are mediocre, at best. But the wafer-thin roast beef... on the sesame seed bun... with the seasoning.... (drool dripping onto keyboard)... And, they are the only fast food restaurant that I know of that sells - and has sold for dozens of years - carrots and celery sticks as a side dish. Or potato salad. Quirky, no? So if you're ever up near St. Louis, you MUST get a Lion's choice sandwich. That's an order.
7. The Water - Okay, truthfully I typed this list a long time ago and when I came upon this item I was like, "huh? what did I mean?" But I quickly remembered. There are few places where I really just feel calm. I seem to be in perpetual motion - wiping a baby's bottom, picking up toys, driving carpool, doing laundry, even typing at a keyboard. But, when I go swimming, and I plunge myself underwater, I just feel... at rest. I almost feel like I belong there, not up above the surface. I love to hear the underwater sounds of kicking feet, splashing ripples, and muffled laughter. I have always opened my eyes underwater too. After all, I can't imagine having this world and not knowing what it looked like on the inside. I have never scuba dived, but I think I would like it. But, I might feel distracted by the big wet suit and all the equipment. I want to just BE underwater. Just me, with my hair floating all around me like wet stringy seaweed, kicking my bare feet and feeling the water with every square inch of my skin. I have often thought that if I had to choose a way to die, it would be drowning. I think that would be very peaceful.
8. Jennifer Garner - She is my most favorite actress. I think she totally rocks. She's tough but sweet too. She is pretty but not in that unattainable sense. She is very "girl-next-door-ish". I just get the feeling that if I saw her on the street, I could ask her over for dinner and she might actually take me up on it. I love her laugh too. I just want to make her my new BFF! (Hey, Jennifer, if you're reading this, have your people call my people. I make a mean chicken lasagna. You're totally invited, and so's your husband... what's his name again? :-))
9. Ireland - this place is magical people. It is everything you see and read about in tourist books. I swear - I went there for a semester in college and every time I took a weekend trip to a different part of the Emerald Isle, I kept waiting to find a place that was less than spectacular. Never found it. Every single inch of that island is green (except the Burren). Every single person is happy to meet you, especially if you're an American. Stuff is all relatively cheap. People are not hung up on materialism. There's tons of public transportation. The bands are so hip. MMM hot chips with vinegar. I just have too many memories that will come spilling out now... I'd better stop. But seriously, if you ever get a chance to go there for a visit, you will NOT be disappointed.
10. Tastefully Simple - their food mixes are so yummy and easy. I love to have some of their stuff on hand in my pantry to make in a pinch when I have to take a dish somewhere to share or if I'm having company over. Without a doubt I will get many "oohs" and "aahs" over the dips, beer bread, desserts, etc. My favorite is the Fiesta Dip mix. yum yum yum yum. And so easy. And I make everyone think I can actually cook.
Okay, 10 is a nice round number, don't ya think? Maybe I'll come up with 11-20 another time. But for now, I have to go unwrap a few chocolate friends...
"Doorbells and sleighbells and schnitzel with noodles"
Yeah, I don't like those things. But I DO like:
1. Hershey's Kisses - They are my most. favorite. food. I don't want any fancy Godiva stuff, or added nuts, or caramel or nougat. Just plain ole chocolate drops wrapped in foil. And, I have bought some kisses in a bag that came unwrapped (I think they were in the baking aisle for the PB Thumbprint cookies or something) and I didn't like them as much. I think I like the anticipation of unwrapping the foil and having to wait 2 seconds for the little high I get from the cocoa and sugar.
2. Sunflower seeds. David sunflower seeds. I have eaten them my whole life. Anyone who knows me after about age 5 will attest to this. I have, at times, worn the inside of my cheeks raw from storing up salted sunflower seeds there like a squirrel hoards acorns. As a pre-teen (now I guess they are called "tweens" but at the time we weren't, so I don't know if I can call myself a tween... ponder that!) I would sit on the school bus and carry a little baggie to spit the shells into. Or, I'd lower that clunky school bus window and toss the shells out, all the while kids behind me yelling that the wind was messing up their feathered bangs.
3. Netflix - y'all already know why I love Netflix. Let me just share a few more words. Selection. Convenience. Value. Friendliness. Getting mail that isn't a bill. I love me some red and white envelopes.
4. Diet Coke - shame on me for making my beloved dC #4, but I did not fall in love until college. I used to suck down regular Cokes, until I found out that they had as much sugar as a whole candy bar. I decided to switch, so for a whole summer I drank nothing but water or unsweetened iced tea. After that, even diet Coke tasted sweet. And a love affair was born.
5. Church Hymns - call me an old traditionalist, but every Sunday I come home humming my favorite tunes from church. I always do it with a big smile on my face. And, I can't hide the fact that it makes me beam when my kids can join in and sing the words right along too. Hearing them sing about Jesus sure beats them singing "Hit me Baby One More Time" or "Dontcha wish Your Girlfriend Was Hot Like Me".
6. Lion's Choice - unless you are from around St. Louis, you cannot appreciate this place. Lion's Choice is a roast beef fast food restaurant. It makes Arby's food look like grade D cafeteria food. Their fries are mediocre, at best. But the wafer-thin roast beef... on the sesame seed bun... with the seasoning.... (drool dripping onto keyboard)... And, they are the only fast food restaurant that I know of that sells - and has sold for dozens of years - carrots and celery sticks as a side dish. Or potato salad. Quirky, no? So if you're ever up near St. Louis, you MUST get a Lion's choice sandwich. That's an order.
7. The Water - Okay, truthfully I typed this list a long time ago and when I came upon this item I was like, "huh? what did I mean?" But I quickly remembered. There are few places where I really just feel calm. I seem to be in perpetual motion - wiping a baby's bottom, picking up toys, driving carpool, doing laundry, even typing at a keyboard. But, when I go swimming, and I plunge myself underwater, I just feel... at rest. I almost feel like I belong there, not up above the surface. I love to hear the underwater sounds of kicking feet, splashing ripples, and muffled laughter. I have always opened my eyes underwater too. After all, I can't imagine having this world and not knowing what it looked like on the inside. I have never scuba dived, but I think I would like it. But, I might feel distracted by the big wet suit and all the equipment. I want to just BE underwater. Just me, with my hair floating all around me like wet stringy seaweed, kicking my bare feet and feeling the water with every square inch of my skin. I have often thought that if I had to choose a way to die, it would be drowning. I think that would be very peaceful.
8. Jennifer Garner - She is my most favorite actress. I think she totally rocks. She's tough but sweet too. She is pretty but not in that unattainable sense. She is very "girl-next-door-ish". I just get the feeling that if I saw her on the street, I could ask her over for dinner and she might actually take me up on it. I love her laugh too. I just want to make her my new BFF! (Hey, Jennifer, if you're reading this, have your people call my people. I make a mean chicken lasagna. You're totally invited, and so's your husband... what's his name again? :-))
9. Ireland - this place is magical people. It is everything you see and read about in tourist books. I swear - I went there for a semester in college and every time I took a weekend trip to a different part of the Emerald Isle, I kept waiting to find a place that was less than spectacular. Never found it. Every single inch of that island is green (except the Burren). Every single person is happy to meet you, especially if you're an American. Stuff is all relatively cheap. People are not hung up on materialism. There's tons of public transportation. The bands are so hip. MMM hot chips with vinegar. I just have too many memories that will come spilling out now... I'd better stop. But seriously, if you ever get a chance to go there for a visit, you will NOT be disappointed.
10. Tastefully Simple - their food mixes are so yummy and easy. I love to have some of their stuff on hand in my pantry to make in a pinch when I have to take a dish somewhere to share or if I'm having company over. Without a doubt I will get many "oohs" and "aahs" over the dips, beer bread, desserts, etc. My favorite is the Fiesta Dip mix. yum yum yum yum. And so easy. And I make everyone think I can actually cook.
Okay, 10 is a nice round number, don't ya think? Maybe I'll come up with 11-20 another time. But for now, I have to go unwrap a few chocolate friends...
Friday, February 20, 2009
When Worlds Collide
Meeting "bloggy people" in real life always freaks me out a little bit. I feel like I am getting to know people pretty well online, but when I have to see a blog-friend face to face, I always mentally review my self-defense skills, in case "Katie's Mommy"* turns out to be "Recently Released $exual Offender".
My first experience meeting someone from the interwebz was when my buddy Carrie came into town for some Christmas shopping. She was up in DFW with her 3 kids and I suggested we all meet up. When she actually took me up on my suggestion, I pulled back a little bit. "Oh no, what have I done???" Then, when I told Texan Papa, "Yeah, I'm going to meet my friend from the internet at P.F. Chang's for lunch." he looked at me with a cocked eyebrow. I think it sounded like a fishy story to him, and I don't blame him. I think maybe he thought "internet friend" was code for "some guy on match.com who I told that I was single." It sounded like a lame story to me, too, although if I was really going to cheat on him with some dude I met on the internet, I think I at least wouldn't be HONEST with him about it, right? Finally, before I walked out the door, I swore I'd call him on my way home to verify that I hadn't been chopped up and packed into a suitcase by a serial killer. Luckily, the only knife Carrie used was on the Honey Chicken.
Earlier this week I met Natalie. We - no, she - realized that we go to the same gym so she suggested that we meet for step class. Well, that class, uh, kicked. my. arse. I am still sore days later. She's so nice to help me get my little step platform and risers and everything. I looked like a dead fish about 30 minutes into the class, and she's just a dynamo! I know, she cut me some slack because she knows I'm a beginner. What she doesn't know is that I actually AM a slacker. I realize that my resolution for February - go 30 minutes on the elliptical machine - was like child's play compared to finishing a step class. Anyway, Natalie is just so down to earth and easy going and I'm all "...(wheeze)...(heart pounding)...water??"
Now, next week I am meeting up with Pinky for lunch. I know she's got da mad skillz on the camera, so I'm going to pick her brain. I would LOVE to get a new camera, but that's a sticky subject right now in the Texan Household. Please don't make me get into it. Maybe for another day, when y'all haven't heard a rant from me in a while. But now? Well, not just yet. Let's see how it plays out.
My first experience meeting someone from the interwebz was when my buddy Carrie came into town for some Christmas shopping. She was up in DFW with her 3 kids and I suggested we all meet up. When she actually took me up on my suggestion, I pulled back a little bit. "Oh no, what have I done???" Then, when I told Texan Papa, "Yeah, I'm going to meet my friend from the internet at P.F. Chang's for lunch." he looked at me with a cocked eyebrow. I think it sounded like a fishy story to him, and I don't blame him. I think maybe he thought "internet friend" was code for "some guy on match.com who I told that I was single." It sounded like a lame story to me, too, although if I was really going to cheat on him with some dude I met on the internet, I think I at least wouldn't be HONEST with him about it, right? Finally, before I walked out the door, I swore I'd call him on my way home to verify that I hadn't been chopped up and packed into a suitcase by a serial killer. Luckily, the only knife Carrie used was on the Honey Chicken.
Earlier this week I met Natalie. We - no, she - realized that we go to the same gym so she suggested that we meet for step class. Well, that class, uh, kicked. my. arse. I am still sore days later. She's so nice to help me get my little step platform and risers and everything. I looked like a dead fish about 30 minutes into the class, and she's just a dynamo! I know, she cut me some slack because she knows I'm a beginner. What she doesn't know is that I actually AM a slacker. I realize that my resolution for February - go 30 minutes on the elliptical machine - was like child's play compared to finishing a step class. Anyway, Natalie is just so down to earth and easy going and I'm all "...(wheeze)...(heart pounding)...water??"
Now, next week I am meeting up with Pinky for lunch. I know she's got da mad skillz on the camera, so I'm going to pick her brain. I would LOVE to get a new camera, but that's a sticky subject right now in the Texan Household. Please don't make me get into it. Maybe for another day, when y'all haven't heard a rant from me in a while. But now? Well, not just yet. Let's see how it plays out.
And, next week, I am SO pumped to be going to the DFW Blogger Dinner. It's going to be so awesome, just as if I were walking the red carpet, except I'm going to be like a seat-filler at the Academy Awards and all the other bloggy-ladies are going to be like Brangelina and Bennifer and all the other famous peeps. I'll probably sit there at the table with my mouth agape and just say, "No, I'm sure you have no idea who I am. Just let me bask in your presence."
Then, after all this is over, I can go back to my normal anonymity, where I walk around the grocery store, picking up Fruit Roll-Ups and Tyson chicken patties, while I look at every shopper and think, "I wonder if SHE has a blog." "I wonder if HE has a blog." "I wonder what that GRANDPA would write if he had a blog - heck he probably DOES have a blog!" And if anyone asks me if I have a blog, I usually just say, "A what?"
*Not the real name of any blogger I know. Hopefully not the real name of any blogger. Hopefully also not the name of any Recently Released $exual OffenderThursday, February 19, 2009
Me No Likey Starbucks
I did it.
I finally went to Starbucks.
And want to know my thoughts on that?
Well, I don't like coffee, so I asked if they even served soda. The counter help (can you even call this person a barista? She looked barely old enough to drive herself to work) looked at me like I was an alien.
"no, we don't have soda."
HOW IN THE HELL IS THERE A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT ON THE FACE OF THIS PLANET THAT DOES NOT SERVE SODA??? EVEN IF IT HAD BEEN DISGUSTING, VILE DIET PEPSI I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEAL. BUT **NO** SODA????
I think never having been to Starbucks before today, I wasn't missing anything.
And the $1.50 cookie didn't even hold a candle to these babies.
I finally went to Starbucks.
And want to know my thoughts on that?
Well, I don't like coffee, so I asked if they even served soda. The counter help (can you even call this person a barista? She looked barely old enough to drive herself to work) looked at me like I was an alien.
"no, we don't have soda."
HOW IN THE HELL IS THERE A FOOD ESTABLISHMENT ON THE FACE OF THIS PLANET THAT DOES NOT SERVE SODA??? EVEN IF IT HAD BEEN DISGUSTING, VILE DIET PEPSI I WOULD HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEAL. BUT **NO** SODA????
I think never having been to Starbucks before today, I wasn't missing anything.
And the $1.50 cookie didn't even hold a candle to these babies.
Dating in the 21st century
I have officially been "off the market" for over 11 years now (including the time of my engagement). I know, I know... hearts breaking around the world and all that junk. But seriously, when I was last on the dating scene, a guy and a girl would get to know each other the usual way: drink till he's/she's cute, solo wedding guest hook-up, bond over a mutual love of Dungeons and Dragons, etc. You know, the typical stuff. Occasionally, you might have a friend who wanted to set you up with her boyfriend's friend, and do the whole "double date" thing. Which, in my experience, always turned into an awkward evening of talking to a guy with food stuck in his teeth while we were both forced to witness a marathon make-out session, compliments of our matchmaker friends.
The dating scene now? I cannot even imagine it. Google, facebook, myspace, and twitter: while they seem fun and useful at times, they can also be the worst enemy of a person trying to meet someone new. Where has all the anonymity gone? Are blind dates really ever "blind" anymore? What ever happened to the days when a person could meet a possible mate, make a horrible first impression, put their foot in their mouth, and sabotage their own happiness? And, it's no longer necessary to even worry about making a good first impression, because more than likely your new companion already knows that you wet the bed until you were 9 years old. He knows that you just got out of a long, disastrous relationship. He knows that you dye your hair. HE KNOWS THAT YOU LIKE NEIL DIAMOND. All because of the magic of the internet.
All the crap that's out there on the interwebz can lead to a whole pile of headaches. I just read the most hilarious story from katydidnot about a date she recently had. And the truth is that it scares me shitless to think about what my kids are gonna face in 25 years when I finally let them go on dates. Group dates. Chaperoned by me of course.
The dating scene now? I cannot even imagine it. Google, facebook, myspace, and twitter: while they seem fun and useful at times, they can also be the worst enemy of a person trying to meet someone new. Where has all the anonymity gone? Are blind dates really ever "blind" anymore? What ever happened to the days when a person could meet a possible mate, make a horrible first impression, put their foot in their mouth, and sabotage their own happiness? And, it's no longer necessary to even worry about making a good first impression, because more than likely your new companion already knows that you wet the bed until you were 9 years old. He knows that you just got out of a long, disastrous relationship. He knows that you dye your hair. HE KNOWS THAT YOU LIKE NEIL DIAMOND. All because of the magic of the internet.
All the crap that's out there on the interwebz can lead to a whole pile of headaches. I just read the most hilarious story from katydidnot about a date she recently had. And the truth is that it scares me shitless to think about what my kids are gonna face in 25 years when I finally let them go on dates. Group dates. Chaperoned by me of course.
Monday, February 16, 2009
What's In A Name?
About a month after I started my blog, I regretted the name I'd chosen for my blog.
WHO PUT ME IN CHARGE OF THESE PEOPLE???
That's one damn long name. Maybe I should have gone with...
BEING A STAY AT HOME MOM IS SOMETIMES EXHAUSTING BUT ALWAYS EXHILARATING
because, ya know, if you're gonna have a long name you might as well really go for it!
Or, alternately,
MISSOURIWISCONSINILLINOISIRELANDTEXAS MOM
since those are all the places I've lived.
And, I think it's strange that, although I call my blog "Who Put Me In Charge Of These People???" I don't usually talk about the people of whom I'm in charge. Technically, I am a mommy blogger, but really my content would more accurately be called a mixed bag of deranged thoughts, crying fits, confused questions, and an occasional plug of infomercial products. Sure, my kids get thrown into the mix here and there, but mostly I focus on what I'm thinking about at any particular moment. Maybe I should have named my blog,
WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF ME???
I hope that my blog name is unique. I have to admit that I get quite confused when I see blogs with titles such as "momof3boys" or "mom3boys" or 3boys1mom", etc. I think there are only so many ways a blog's name can be born and remain memorable. Although, there are always tricks you can use to have a memorable blogger name. Like, maybe....
IBITEMYTOENAILS.BLOGSPOT.COM
or...
SHOWERSAREFORSISSIES.BLOGSPOT.COM
and possibly...
ELVISISMYNEXTDOORNEIGHBOR.BLOGSPOT.COM
And, how about those blogs that have a name completely unassociated with their blog address? Not that there is anything wrong with doing it... I just personally have a hard time finding them again once I've decided, "Hey, I liked that blog! But I didn't bookmark it... now where is it?" Like, the blog's title might be "SMOOCHES AND POOCHES" but the web address is theredfiretruck.blogspot.com Uh, Wha? I don't ge... How did you...
Am I the only one who feels I've gone a little bit Andy Rooney here?
WHO PUT ME IN CHARGE OF THESE PEOPLE???
That's one damn long name. Maybe I should have gone with...
BEING A STAY AT HOME MOM IS SOMETIMES EXHAUSTING BUT ALWAYS EXHILARATING
because, ya know, if you're gonna have a long name you might as well really go for it!
Or, alternately,
MISSOURIWISCONSINILLINOISIRELANDTEXAS MOM
since those are all the places I've lived.
And, I think it's strange that, although I call my blog "Who Put Me In Charge Of These People???" I don't usually talk about the people of whom I'm in charge. Technically, I am a mommy blogger, but really my content would more accurately be called a mixed bag of deranged thoughts, crying fits, confused questions, and an occasional plug of infomercial products. Sure, my kids get thrown into the mix here and there, but mostly I focus on what I'm thinking about at any particular moment. Maybe I should have named my blog,
WHERE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF ME???
I hope that my blog name is unique. I have to admit that I get quite confused when I see blogs with titles such as "momof3boys" or "mom3boys" or 3boys1mom", etc. I think there are only so many ways a blog's name can be born and remain memorable. Although, there are always tricks you can use to have a memorable blogger name. Like, maybe....
IBITEMYTOENAILS.BLOGSPOT.COM
or...
SHOWERSAREFORSISSIES.BLOGSPOT.COM
and possibly...
ELVISISMYNEXTDOORNEIGHBOR.BLOGSPOT.COM
And, how about those blogs that have a name completely unassociated with their blog address? Not that there is anything wrong with doing it... I just personally have a hard time finding them again once I've decided, "Hey, I liked that blog! But I didn't bookmark it... now where is it?" Like, the blog's title might be "SMOOCHES AND POOCHES" but the web address is theredfiretruck.blogspot.com Uh, Wha? I don't ge... How did you...
Am I the only one who feels I've gone a little bit Andy Rooney here?
Sunday, February 15, 2009
But.
I hate the word "but".
I've noticed that it is often used as a filler, like when a person feels they should say more and they don't know what is supposed to come next.
"I'd love to go out with you again, but... (awkward pause)... well.... I'll call you." (uh, no he won't).
I have also noticed that "but" is used quite often when trying to get out of a situation that a person doesn't want to be in.
Mom: "Get your shoes on. It's time to go to the store." Kid: "BUT MOM! I just started this cartoon!"
HOWEVER the thing I hate most about the word "but" is when it robs a person of a feeling. Like, when a raw emotion is revealed, and the word "but" (and the phrase that follows) is offered to try to soften the blow.
"I'm not in love with you anymore. But I want us to still be friends."
"I will always love you. But I'm not in love with you."
"I know you're doing the best you can. But sometimes your best isn't good enough."
"This is going to be really hard to accept. But I need you to hear it anyway."
Sometimes I feel like being mad, or crying, or screaming at the top of my lungs. Sometimes I want to shred a pillow. Or kick a bag of flour. Or drive my stupid minivan faster than 65mph. And I keep hearing all these "buts" that keep telling me, "Keep your emotions under control! Don't overract! Be calm, cool, and collected!"
What's so wrong about being uncool, uncalm, and uncollected? I don't go around shredding pillows everyday, so why can't I just BE mad if I want to be? What's so wrong with that?
I just don't get it: where does it say that someone can vomit their feelings and/or thoughts on me, then negate their responsibility by saying "but...."
Nuh-uh. Watch out bags of flour... I've got my boots on and I'm gonna Kick. Yer. BUT.
I've noticed that it is often used as a filler, like when a person feels they should say more and they don't know what is supposed to come next.
"I'd love to go out with you again, but... (awkward pause)... well.... I'll call you." (uh, no he won't).
I have also noticed that "but" is used quite often when trying to get out of a situation that a person doesn't want to be in.
Mom: "Get your shoes on. It's time to go to the store." Kid: "BUT MOM! I just started this cartoon!"
HOWEVER the thing I hate most about the word "but" is when it robs a person of a feeling. Like, when a raw emotion is revealed, and the word "but" (and the phrase that follows) is offered to try to soften the blow.
"I'm not in love with you anymore. But I want us to still be friends."
"I will always love you. But I'm not in love with you."
"I know you're doing the best you can. But sometimes your best isn't good enough."
"This is going to be really hard to accept. But I need you to hear it anyway."
Sometimes I feel like being mad, or crying, or screaming at the top of my lungs. Sometimes I want to shred a pillow. Or kick a bag of flour. Or drive my stupid minivan faster than 65mph. And I keep hearing all these "buts" that keep telling me, "Keep your emotions under control! Don't overract! Be calm, cool, and collected!"
What's so wrong about being uncool, uncalm, and uncollected? I don't go around shredding pillows everyday, so why can't I just BE mad if I want to be? What's so wrong with that?
I just don't get it: where does it say that someone can vomit their feelings and/or thoughts on me, then negate their responsibility by saying "but...."
Nuh-uh. Watch out bags of flour... I've got my boots on and I'm gonna Kick. Yer. BUT.
Friday, February 13, 2009
TAA-DAAA!
Check out my new layout!
You Likey?
Thanks so much to Becky Squire over at Creative Blog Designs. She was friendly! She was fast! She has reasonable rates! You should SO check her out!
So, take off your boots and stay awhile. Click around & Check out the new space!
You Likey?
Thanks so much to Becky Squire over at Creative Blog Designs. She was friendly! She was fast! She has reasonable rates! You should SO check her out!
So, take off your boots and stay awhile. Click around & Check out the new space!
Learning the Words
Has anyone out there seen the commercial for Your Baby Can Read? I saw this infomercial and I was very intrigued. As you know, I love anything and everything infomercial. The next thing on my wishlist is the Kymaro Body Shaper. But, I digress...
This morning was not a good morning in the Texan Household. Linus is my stubborn one. He's the one who can't hold his temper and trouble just seems to find him somehow. Yesterday we went to CVS, to get the new Madagascar DVD for only $4.99 (after spending $20 on P&G products that I'd buy anyway, like Tide & Pampers - both of which I had coupons for. Woo Hoo. Oops, digressing again.) And he wanted some M&M's. I said, "no, sweetie, you had fruit snacks in the car, and we'll have dinner right after we get home. He complained, and whined, and drug his feet, and generally caused a scene. He wailed, "you never get me anything!!!" I'm all, WTF? I'm getting you a DVD RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND. Of course, Peppermint Patty and Charlie Brown are just standing back, silent, with a nervous look on their faces, like they are waiting for the bomb to explode which is otherwise known as Texan Mama and Linus butting heads. They've seen it before. They were just standing clear to avoid getting hit by schrapnel. And, how fair would it have been for me to put the DVD back and punish all 3 kids, when only Linus was being thepain in the ass difficult one?
So, his punishment was, no computer. He was mad. This morning he wanted to play computer and I told him, NO because of the way you acted at CVS yesterday. Of course he stomped off to his room, slamming his door, screaming that he hates Mom and he isn't going to school until he gets to play computer.
LOVING this kid right now.
I put soap in his mouth. More screaming. He goes to his room. I explain that FINE he doesn't have to go to school but if he stays home he will be in his room all day with no lunch, no tv, and only bathroom breaks. He says, fine he'll go to school. Here is the part when my heart melted...
Linus tells me that he doesn't want to go to school because it's just so much work and they don't get enough recess time. That he loves his friends and just wants to play with them. And he hates all the work, work, work. He said, "Mom, maybe in college will I get 2 recesses every day?" THAT broke my heart.
Linus does not have a love for learning the way PP and CB do. My older two, they always absorbed all I showed them. They loved to do puzzles, look at books, play with letter magnets, the whole nine yards. They always were engrossed in the baby vocabulary DVD's I'd put on the TV. They loved flash cards. They showed interest in reading early.
Linus was speech delayed and I wonder if this is part of his problem with learning, or if it is the cause of his learning. He has never really shown any signs of learning disabilities, but we have not had him formally tested. In Kindergarten, I was already reading before I got there. By contrast, Texan Papa had dyslexia and still had trouble reading in 3rd grade. Now, Linus does fine in school, but I think his problem is just that he's not interested! He always says, "Why do I have to learn to read??" I explained that if he did, he'd have a magical key to understand all the notes home from school and street signs and Pokemon Cards, etc. He didn't seem to care.
Now Baby Sally is 16 months old and her vocabulary? is one word. "da". That means, Dad. She does communicate through grunts and pointing, but this worries me. I am NOT trying to compare my child to some arbitrary goal for number of words a 16-month old should know. I just want her to succeed. And this is why I'm concerned: PP and CB never had speech delay and they love learning and read really well. they both get good grades in school. Linus WAS speech delayed and now hates learning. I am worried that the same will happen for Baby Sally.
So, I've been thinking about getting that Your Baby Can Read program. Sure, it's like $200. Sure, I'd have to spend all the remaining Christmas money and birthday money on it. But maybe it would be worth it? I dont' want to put all my hopes in an inanimate object, but I want to give my child the best tools to help her learn. I don't really want her to be reading by age 2, but I want her to love learning.
I'm not looking for a magic bullet to solve anything. And I don't want my kids to be Einsteins or anything. Actually, I would prefer that they enjoy the grade they're in, but not have to struggle while learning. I want to help in any way I can, and I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty. But, I haven't had this experience with school before. It's all so new to me. I loved learning. My first two kids LOVE school and look forward to going. Linus? Has never liked school. Never wanted to go to Preschool. Still never wants to go to Kindergarten. His teacher says that once he's there, he works hard, never has to be told to finish because he stays on task, and seems to enjoy doing his work. Actually, she said that he often surprises himself that he is able to read and spell words correctly.
So, I don't know if his problem is that he doesn't like school? Or doesn't like leaving me in the morning? Or is having trouble learning? Or maybe his problem is that he has a neurotic mom.
This morning was not a good morning in the Texan Household. Linus is my stubborn one. He's the one who can't hold his temper and trouble just seems to find him somehow. Yesterday we went to CVS, to get the new Madagascar DVD for only $4.99 (after spending $20 on P&G products that I'd buy anyway, like Tide & Pampers - both of which I had coupons for. Woo Hoo. Oops, digressing again.) And he wanted some M&M's. I said, "no, sweetie, you had fruit snacks in the car, and we'll have dinner right after we get home. He complained, and whined, and drug his feet, and generally caused a scene. He wailed, "you never get me anything!!!" I'm all, WTF? I'm getting you a DVD RIGHT THIS VERY SECOND. Of course, Peppermint Patty and Charlie Brown are just standing back, silent, with a nervous look on their faces, like they are waiting for the bomb to explode which is otherwise known as Texan Mama and Linus butting heads. They've seen it before. They were just standing clear to avoid getting hit by schrapnel. And, how fair would it have been for me to put the DVD back and punish all 3 kids, when only Linus was being the
So, his punishment was, no computer. He was mad. This morning he wanted to play computer and I told him, NO because of the way you acted at CVS yesterday. Of course he stomped off to his room, slamming his door, screaming that he hates Mom and he isn't going to school until he gets to play computer.
LOVING this kid right now.
I put soap in his mouth. More screaming. He goes to his room. I explain that FINE he doesn't have to go to school but if he stays home he will be in his room all day with no lunch, no tv, and only bathroom breaks. He says, fine he'll go to school. Here is the part when my heart melted...
Linus tells me that he doesn't want to go to school because it's just so much work and they don't get enough recess time. That he loves his friends and just wants to play with them. And he hates all the work, work, work. He said, "Mom, maybe in college will I get 2 recesses every day?" THAT broke my heart.
Linus does not have a love for learning the way PP and CB do. My older two, they always absorbed all I showed them. They loved to do puzzles, look at books, play with letter magnets, the whole nine yards. They always were engrossed in the baby vocabulary DVD's I'd put on the TV. They loved flash cards. They showed interest in reading early.
Linus was speech delayed and I wonder if this is part of his problem with learning, or if it is the cause of his learning. He has never really shown any signs of learning disabilities, but we have not had him formally tested. In Kindergarten, I was already reading before I got there. By contrast, Texan Papa had dyslexia and still had trouble reading in 3rd grade. Now, Linus does fine in school, but I think his problem is just that he's not interested! He always says, "Why do I have to learn to read??" I explained that if he did, he'd have a magical key to understand all the notes home from school and street signs and Pokemon Cards, etc. He didn't seem to care.
Now Baby Sally is 16 months old and her vocabulary? is one word. "da". That means, Dad. She does communicate through grunts and pointing, but this worries me. I am NOT trying to compare my child to some arbitrary goal for number of words a 16-month old should know. I just want her to succeed. And this is why I'm concerned: PP and CB never had speech delay and they love learning and read really well. they both get good grades in school. Linus WAS speech delayed and now hates learning. I am worried that the same will happen for Baby Sally.
So, I've been thinking about getting that Your Baby Can Read program. Sure, it's like $200. Sure, I'd have to spend all the remaining Christmas money and birthday money on it. But maybe it would be worth it? I dont' want to put all my hopes in an inanimate object, but I want to give my child the best tools to help her learn. I don't really want her to be reading by age 2, but I want her to love learning.
I'm not looking for a magic bullet to solve anything. And I don't want my kids to be Einsteins or anything. Actually, I would prefer that they enjoy the grade they're in, but not have to struggle while learning. I want to help in any way I can, and I'm not afraid of getting my hands dirty. But, I haven't had this experience with school before. It's all so new to me. I loved learning. My first two kids LOVE school and look forward to going. Linus? Has never liked school. Never wanted to go to Preschool. Still never wants to go to Kindergarten. His teacher says that once he's there, he works hard, never has to be told to finish because he stays on task, and seems to enjoy doing his work. Actually, she said that he often surprises himself that he is able to read and spell words correctly.
So, I don't know if his problem is that he doesn't like school? Or doesn't like leaving me in the morning? Or is having trouble learning? Or maybe his problem is that he has a neurotic mom.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Number 3
On my list of favorite things, Netflix is Number 3. Not that my favorite things are ranked, because my affection for my favorite things waxes and wanes with my mood. But, some things will always be on my list and Netflix is one of them.
Why do I love Netflix? I could count the ways, but I will just tell you a few things:
Why do I love Netflix? I could count the ways, but I will just tell you a few things:
- When we lived in rural IL, it was about 7 miles to the nearest grocery store (aka movie rental place). So, if I needed to get my movie back before 6pm, or else face late fees, that usually didn't happen. But Netflix not only does not charge late fees but also the deliver the movies right to my door!!!
- I love to watch movies instantly. I believe you have to have a fast processor on your computer to do this, but my computer (Tootsie Toshiba) is pretty basic and she delivers the movies perfectly. Right now, I'm watching Gone Baby, Gone with Casey Affleck. I had to pause the movie to write this blog post, though, before Baby Sally wakes up from her nap and I have to pick the Peanuts up from school.
- Netflix has so many movies that I would never otherwise think of getting at the movie store. For example, I watched a documentary last month called Paperclips. The movie tells the story of a middle school in rural Tennessee that did a Holocaust Project, collecting paperclips. The paperclips are significant, as was the motivation behind the project. As a teacher, this movie touched me so much. It seemed to be the antithesis of everything wrong that's going on in schools today. The teachers, students, and community all came together to make this project happen. All I can say about the movie, is it was beautiful. Please, if you have Netflix, watch it online or order the DVD. And if you don't have Netflix, buy it somewhere.
And, for what it's worth, of course I did not get paid to endorse Netflix. I think everyone knows how awesome they are, they don't need to pay anyone to shout their accolades. And one of these days I'm actually going to publish that post about my favorite things. None of which possibly cost more than $25. Oprah eat your heart out. I luv bargains.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Coupons Gone Wild
I am not a huge fan of coupons. I like to use them, when they are for a product that I use regularly. However, I usually end up buying most things generic because the name-brand item is always more expensive, sometimes even after the coupon discount. And coupons are only for name-brand items, so typically they expire before I use them. I know some women get a thrill out of using coupons, their extra-care bucks from CVS or whatever the equivalent is from Walgreens, and end up buying 5 bars of deodorant for only $8. I'm not that into stockpiling deodorant, but to each her own! (If you like to find great coupon deals, check out this site.)
However, I've been looking to find ways of earning some extra money while being a SAHM. Christine over at Housewife Word Of Mouth has totally motivated me. I thought that I could also help the family finances by trying some super-couponing (hate it though I may). So I sent Texan Papa to the store to buy me a double-issue of the newspaper so I could have 2x the coupons. And I got to a-clippin...
I came across this coupon.
I clipped it because I buy the individually-packaged fruit bowls for my kids quite often. They do not have any hot lunch option at their school, so I pack lunches every day for all 3 of the older Peanuts. I thought, "Hey, $1.00 off is a good deal." But look closer at the fine print:
You have to buy TWELVE packages. Now, these fruit-cups multi-packs cost about $2.00 each. If I buy twelve to save $1.00, then I'd end up spending $24 to save $1. I'll break that down for you, since I'm a math person and I'm nice like that.
It would be the equivalent of saving 4 cents - yes, $0.04 - on an item that cost $1.00. Now, would you even consider wasting your time clipping a coupon for "4 cents off a dollar"? Hell, that doesn't even cover the tax!!!
Uh, Del Monte, I think you might need some help in the marketing department.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Balancing Act
Some days, I wonder why in the hell I got married.
Other days, I look at my husband in wonder of what a great guy he is.
Today is the former.
Texan Papa is a great judge of character. That, I take as a compliment since he wanted to marry me. He has a million good qualities. Well, maybe not a million, but a bunch. One of those good qualities is that he's a great dad. He's very protective of our children and very hands-on with them. Not so much in the diapers department, but in other areas.
He's kinda been a good balance for me. I'm more of the school of thought that when kids play, they do just fine. Unless I see blood or screaming for more than 30 seconds, no need to jump up and react. He's more of the opinion to build a plastic bubble around them so that they can't hurt themselves. Just kidding. But seriously, he's helped me recognize that yeah, there are times when my laid-back attitude is not enough for little kids. But, other times, he really makes me wonder.
About 2 years ago, when the Peanuts were 7, 6, and 4, we lived in rural IL. We had a huge backyard that was just grass - no fence whatsoever. As a matter of fact, the gravel parking lot of the church was the boundary for our yard. One day I saw a teenager driving through the parking lot kinda fast and I made a comment to Texan Papa about that. HUGE mistake. From then on out, he insisted that our kids could not play in the back yard by themselves, in case a fast-driving, out-of-control, irresponsible teenager came blazing through the parking lot and perhaps would be unable to stop, careening into our backyard and flattening our kids. He insisted that I must be outside with them if they were in the backyard. No, I couldn't watch them from the kitchen window. I was all, WTF are you talking about? First of all, there were like 2 big trees that would have stopped an oncoming car. Second of all, the likelihood of that happening??? And third of all, can you say PARANOID??? And fourth of all, like me being out there would help. In a split second, could I throw my body between an oncoming car and my children, thereby avoiding my kids getting hit? Don't think so.
Perhaps, though, the reason that bothered me the most was the one that I couldn't get past in my own brain: I wanted them to play outside because some days I needed a break from them. I didn't want to WASTE TIME sitting outside while watching them play. It's not like I don't play with them other times too, but occasionally I want to have some time where I'm not breaking up a fight, or being begged to push someone on a swing, or playing Hot Wheels, or holding a hand.
Not every day, but every once in a while.
This bothered me because, although I felt like his request for me to be on guard 24/7 was annoying, I wondered why I couldn't do it. Or, why I didn't want to do it. Don't I want my kids to be safe? What's so wrong with spending time with my kids? Is what I'd be doing otherwise THAT important?
Now, here in Texas, I am revisiting this mental volley between "oh he's just blowing off steam. Don't pay it any attention." and "I should respect my husband's wishes, even though it's hard on me. He is my husband and this is important to him."
I have found a Mother's Day Out program at the church just around the corner from us. It is about 1 mile from our house. It meets on Friday, 9am-12noon. They only have 8 kids right now and they have room for Baby Sally. It's run by a conservative Christian (Lutheran) church. And... IT'S FREE. Absolutely no cost. I asked the administrator, what's the deal? She said, it's their evangelism outreach, run by volunteers. Texan Papa was the one who saw the sign and encouraged me to check into it. I'm so happy I did!
I told Texan Papa about it tonight, and he said, "Do you know anyone at that church?" Me: "No." TP: "Well, you're not going to leave the baby there, are you?" Me: "Well, I was going to. Why shouldn't I?" TP: "I think it's kinda dangerous to leave our 16-month-old child in a place where we don't know anyone. Don't you?" Now, how am I supposed to answer that? Me:"Well, you are the one who told me to check into it." TP: "Well, I'm never going to suggest anything like that again if it's only going to come back and bite me in the ass later." Me: "Seriously, I don't want this to start a fight, but what's the big deal?" TP: "I don't think it's a good idea to leave our child with people we don't know."
Now, I'm thinking: 3 hours a week! A break! And it's FREE!!! And Baby Sally can learn how to stay with other adults!!! (Really, I hardly ever get a babysitter and we have NO family here in town and when she goes to the nursery at church they usually call me out of church to come get her.) So, I figured this would be a great way to acclimate her to separation from her Texan Mama.
Apparently, Texan Papa was thinking something different. That people in this world are crazier than ever. That a 16-month old can't tell us if she's been hurt or mistreated. That the news today is riddled with stories about child care centers' irresponsibility, resulting in the children's deaths. I mean can you ever keep your children too safe?
Seriously, we're not talking about keeping our kids from dating until they're 18, or putting a GPS tracking chip under their skin, or keeping them from ever eating grapes on the off chance that they might choke. We're talking about being smart when it comes to our children and the people who care for them. Especially people who we don't know.
At the same time, we're talking about my sanity. Not that I'm on the verge of going crazy, but let's face it: those extra 3 hours a week could make Texan Mama a happier version of me. And, as a result, I'd probably be a better, more productive person.
Is what he's asking really so impossible? Is what I'm asking really that impossible?
It's a balancing act. I want my kids to be safe. I know my husband wants me to be happy. I mean, how do I decide what's more important? My sanity or my kids' safety? Because, really: am I in danger of going insane? And are my kids really in danger of being abused? Is that what this whole thing is really about? Or is it about the gentle give-and-take between a husband and wife. I know there must be some middle ground here somewhere. I just haven't found it yet.
Other days, I look at my husband in wonder of what a great guy he is.
Today is the former.
Texan Papa is a great judge of character. That, I take as a compliment since he wanted to marry me. He has a million good qualities. Well, maybe not a million, but a bunch. One of those good qualities is that he's a great dad. He's very protective of our children and very hands-on with them. Not so much in the diapers department, but in other areas.
He's kinda been a good balance for me. I'm more of the school of thought that when kids play, they do just fine. Unless I see blood or screaming for more than 30 seconds, no need to jump up and react. He's more of the opinion to build a plastic bubble around them so that they can't hurt themselves. Just kidding. But seriously, he's helped me recognize that yeah, there are times when my laid-back attitude is not enough for little kids. But, other times, he really makes me wonder.
About 2 years ago, when the Peanuts were 7, 6, and 4, we lived in rural IL. We had a huge backyard that was just grass - no fence whatsoever. As a matter of fact, the gravel parking lot of the church was the boundary for our yard. One day I saw a teenager driving through the parking lot kinda fast and I made a comment to Texan Papa about that. HUGE mistake. From then on out, he insisted that our kids could not play in the back yard by themselves, in case a fast-driving, out-of-control, irresponsible teenager came blazing through the parking lot and perhaps would be unable to stop, careening into our backyard and flattening our kids. He insisted that I must be outside with them if they were in the backyard. No, I couldn't watch them from the kitchen window. I was all, WTF are you talking about? First of all, there were like 2 big trees that would have stopped an oncoming car. Second of all, the likelihood of that happening??? And third of all, can you say PARANOID??? And fourth of all, like me being out there would help. In a split second, could I throw my body between an oncoming car and my children, thereby avoiding my kids getting hit? Don't think so.
Perhaps, though, the reason that bothered me the most was the one that I couldn't get past in my own brain: I wanted them to play outside because some days I needed a break from them. I didn't want to WASTE TIME sitting outside while watching them play. It's not like I don't play with them other times too, but occasionally I want to have some time where I'm not breaking up a fight, or being begged to push someone on a swing, or playing Hot Wheels, or holding a hand.
Not every day, but every once in a while.
This bothered me because, although I felt like his request for me to be on guard 24/7 was annoying, I wondered why I couldn't do it. Or, why I didn't want to do it. Don't I want my kids to be safe? What's so wrong with spending time with my kids? Is what I'd be doing otherwise THAT important?
Now, here in Texas, I am revisiting this mental volley between "oh he's just blowing off steam. Don't pay it any attention." and "I should respect my husband's wishes, even though it's hard on me. He is my husband and this is important to him."
I have found a Mother's Day Out program at the church just around the corner from us. It is about 1 mile from our house. It meets on Friday, 9am-12noon. They only have 8 kids right now and they have room for Baby Sally. It's run by a conservative Christian (Lutheran) church. And... IT'S FREE. Absolutely no cost. I asked the administrator, what's the deal? She said, it's their evangelism outreach, run by volunteers. Texan Papa was the one who saw the sign and encouraged me to check into it. I'm so happy I did!
I told Texan Papa about it tonight, and he said, "Do you know anyone at that church?" Me: "No." TP: "Well, you're not going to leave the baby there, are you?" Me: "Well, I was going to. Why shouldn't I?" TP: "I think it's kinda dangerous to leave our 16-month-old child in a place where we don't know anyone. Don't you?" Now, how am I supposed to answer that? Me:"Well, you are the one who told me to check into it." TP: "Well, I'm never going to suggest anything like that again if it's only going to come back and bite me in the ass later." Me: "Seriously, I don't want this to start a fight, but what's the big deal?" TP: "I don't think it's a good idea to leave our child with people we don't know."
Now, I'm thinking: 3 hours a week! A break! And it's FREE!!! And Baby Sally can learn how to stay with other adults!!! (Really, I hardly ever get a babysitter and we have NO family here in town and when she goes to the nursery at church they usually call me out of church to come get her.) So, I figured this would be a great way to acclimate her to separation from her Texan Mama.
Apparently, Texan Papa was thinking something different. That people in this world are crazier than ever. That a 16-month old can't tell us if she's been hurt or mistreated. That the news today is riddled with stories about child care centers' irresponsibility, resulting in the children's deaths. I mean can you ever keep your children too safe?
Seriously, we're not talking about keeping our kids from dating until they're 18, or putting a GPS tracking chip under their skin, or keeping them from ever eating grapes on the off chance that they might choke. We're talking about being smart when it comes to our children and the people who care for them. Especially people who we don't know.
At the same time, we're talking about my sanity. Not that I'm on the verge of going crazy, but let's face it: those extra 3 hours a week could make Texan Mama a happier version of me. And, as a result, I'd probably be a better, more productive person.
Is what he's asking really so impossible? Is what I'm asking really that impossible?
It's a balancing act. I want my kids to be safe. I know my husband wants me to be happy. I mean, how do I decide what's more important? My sanity or my kids' safety? Because, really: am I in danger of going insane? And are my kids really in danger of being abused? Is that what this whole thing is really about? Or is it about the gentle give-and-take between a husband and wife. I know there must be some middle ground here somewhere. I just haven't found it yet.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Groundhogs, Gorgeus People, Google Reader, and Girl Scout Cookies
Why didn't anyone honor the groundhog on Monday? I didn't see a single post about Punxsatawney Phil. What's up with that?
Should I turn my feed reader display onto a partial-feed, so that when people read my blog in their reader, they only get part of it? Then they'd have to click through (increasing traffic for me) to read the whole post. OR they may get annoyed and just skip reading my post altogether (not so much helpful for the stats). What do you think? Do partial feeds in your reader annoy you? Or do they make you want to click through to the page?
I totally missed True Beauty on Monday night. I'm so mad. Does anyone know... who got the axe?
My St. Louis gal-pal Brigett is a Girl Scout leader. They are selling cookies right now, just like us. One of the girls in her troop wants to earn an iPod Nano, the prize for selling 1000 boxes of cookies. However, she's sold only 100. So the mom? Is ordering 900 more boxes. No, she doesn't have to pay for them upfront (against the GSUSA rules). 900 boxes of cookies, times $3.50 per box, equals $3150 cost. I sure hope she can sell them all, considering it would have been a lot cheaper (and easier) to just BUY her kid an iPod. What do you think of that?
Should I turn my feed reader display onto a partial-feed, so that when people read my blog in their reader, they only get part of it? Then they'd have to click through (increasing traffic for me) to read the whole post. OR they may get annoyed and just skip reading my post altogether (not so much helpful for the stats). What do you think? Do partial feeds in your reader annoy you? Or do they make you want to click through to the page?
I totally missed True Beauty on Monday night. I'm so mad. Does anyone know... who got the axe?
My St. Louis gal-pal Brigett is a Girl Scout leader. They are selling cookies right now, just like us. One of the girls in her troop wants to earn an iPod Nano, the prize for selling 1000 boxes of cookies. However, she's sold only 100. So the mom? Is ordering 900 more boxes. No, she doesn't have to pay for them upfront (against the GSUSA rules). 900 boxes of cookies, times $3.50 per box, equals $3150 cost. I sure hope she can sell them all, considering it would have been a lot cheaper (and easier) to just BUY her kid an iPod. What do you think of that?
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Staying Out Of Jail is as Easy as Taking Candy From a Baby
If you've followed my blog for any length of time, you may have read here or here about my parenting failures. We all have parenting failures from time to time. I know I'm in good company because no one is perfect. If I have a good day with the kids, I don't even dare think that I'm doing an awesome job because I know the minute I do, one of them will shoplift a toy or call their sibling a stupid loser.
Making decisions about the health and well-being of our children is a both simple and tricky. We should inherently know what is dangerous and what is safe. Obviously knives are not safe for children. Neither are matches. Or guns. But, what is the right age for a child to learn how to use a knife at the table? Or build a bonfire while camping? Or shoot a BB gun? I think those questions have so many variables: how much supervision will take place? How old is the child? What is the child's maturity level? Has the child witnessed people acting responsibly while using these things in the past?
Now, I've never heard of a parenting class offered, titled "Common Sense Stuff You Need To Know About Having Kids". But, maybe one should be offered. I'm sure you've all heard of the mom from California who had octuplets last week. Did you know she has 6 other children too? All under the age of 8? And one of them is autistic? And she's a single mom? And unemployed? While we all want to believe that we have our children's best interests at heart, I think some people just simply don't have enough common sense to be a good role model for their own kids. And, this is NOT about being a single parent... this is about recognizing limits. I wonder if she really thought that she could do a good job raising 14 children on her own. Don't each of her kids deserve that? Her own mother has begged her not to have more children and has stated she will not be helping with the octuplets. And, she will not have any help from the octuplets' father, because they were all conceived through a sperm donor. Now what?
Today I heard a news story about a woman in Dallas who is being charged with neglect in the death of her 9-year-old daughter. Chasity Butler died due to complications from diabetes. EMT workers found her in bed next to a half-eaten cupcake and a bag of candy. Dallas police claim that her mother failed to properly monitor her disease. She is even accused of adding to her daughter's medical problems by giving her access to dangerous foods, like candy and other sweets. Her husband defended her, saying that they are "young parents, struggling to do their best."
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? If you are old enough to be the parents of 5 children, vote, own a gun, pay a mortgage, and sign contracts, then you are old enough to take responsibility for your actions (or lack thereof).
Every parent makes mistakes along the way. Hopefully they can learn from their mistakes and not let a situation get out of control. So, when I see families in crisis, I get angry. But, my anger quickly turns to sadness. I wonder, did anyone ever show them how to parent? Did they themselves have lousy role models? What is so different today that so many folks are unable to raise children responsibly? Is it really inability, or is it just plain laziness? Or unwillingness? What do you think?
Making decisions about the health and well-being of our children is a both simple and tricky. We should inherently know what is dangerous and what is safe. Obviously knives are not safe for children. Neither are matches. Or guns. But, what is the right age for a child to learn how to use a knife at the table? Or build a bonfire while camping? Or shoot a BB gun? I think those questions have so many variables: how much supervision will take place? How old is the child? What is the child's maturity level? Has the child witnessed people acting responsibly while using these things in the past?
Now, I've never heard of a parenting class offered, titled "Common Sense Stuff You Need To Know About Having Kids". But, maybe one should be offered. I'm sure you've all heard of the mom from California who had octuplets last week. Did you know she has 6 other children too? All under the age of 8? And one of them is autistic? And she's a single mom? And unemployed? While we all want to believe that we have our children's best interests at heart, I think some people just simply don't have enough common sense to be a good role model for their own kids. And, this is NOT about being a single parent... this is about recognizing limits. I wonder if she really thought that she could do a good job raising 14 children on her own. Don't each of her kids deserve that? Her own mother has begged her not to have more children and has stated she will not be helping with the octuplets. And, she will not have any help from the octuplets' father, because they were all conceived through a sperm donor. Now what?
Today I heard a news story about a woman in Dallas who is being charged with neglect in the death of her 9-year-old daughter. Chasity Butler died due to complications from diabetes. EMT workers found her in bed next to a half-eaten cupcake and a bag of candy. Dallas police claim that her mother failed to properly monitor her disease. She is even accused of adding to her daughter's medical problems by giving her access to dangerous foods, like candy and other sweets. Her husband defended her, saying that they are "young parents, struggling to do their best."
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? If you are old enough to be the parents of 5 children, vote, own a gun, pay a mortgage, and sign contracts, then you are old enough to take responsibility for your actions (or lack thereof).
Every parent makes mistakes along the way. Hopefully they can learn from their mistakes and not let a situation get out of control. So, when I see families in crisis, I get angry. But, my anger quickly turns to sadness. I wonder, did anyone ever show them how to parent? Did they themselves have lousy role models? What is so different today that so many folks are unable to raise children responsibly? Is it really inability, or is it just plain laziness? Or unwillingness? What do you think?
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
I've Never
What have you never done? Anything you'd like to do? Anything you've seen others do and thank GOD you've never been that crazy?
I got this idea from Lisa over at Mommying On The Fly. I am supposed to ask my own question, then answer in the comments. But, I am going to just answer the question myself and ask YOU to comment. IF you'd like to add to the "I Never" list, just go to this post.
So, her "I never" was "I never... hitchhiked."
Well, I have never done that either... in the United States. HOWEVER when I was a junior in college, I spent a semester abroad in Ireland. It was totally awesome. I would like to suggest anyone who has the means, to set aside money so that your child can study abroad while in college. It was definitely a life-changing experience for me. It gave me perspective. It gave me maturity. It was an opportunity I will never have again, and I so appreciate my parents for making it possible.
So, in Ireland, I met a guy. This guy was nothing serious, but I wanted to meet some Irish fella and fall in love, blah blah blah. Didn't happen. BUT Danny O'Sullivan (yes, his real name) did ask me out on a date. We were going to Kildare to play some golf. I hate golf, but I thought this guy might be my knight in shining armor. He showed up at my host's house, sans transportation. I asked him, well, how are we getting there? I don't think any buses will run this late. "Oh, we're gonna tum it, ya know." I was like, WTF is "tum"? So I asked, "What do you mean, 'tum'?" And he said, "You know... TUM" and he proceded to stick out his big thumb, the international signal for "Cars please pick me up" and "These fries taste yummy". I looked at him like he was out of his mind. I told him there was NO way I was going to hitch a ride for a date. This blew any hopes I had of him being my knight. We ended up going to a pub and I ruined my brand new pair of Doc Martens because I had to walk through a muddy field to get there.
Ahh, memories.
BUT a couple of weeks later, I talked to the son of my host family, who told me he had given a ride to whole group of students from my same program! He drove them from the University into town, about 5 miles. He told me that hitchhiking in Ireland is very safe and actually considered to be an acceptable way to get around.
On that note, you should totally read Round Ireland With a Fridge. It is one of the funniest books I've ever read. It is the story of a guy who, for a 100-irish-pound bet, takes a fridge (dorm size) and hitchhikes around the perimeter of Ireland in one month. Just the two of them. Him and his trusty sidekick. I laughed my arse off. Check it out.
And, on the subject of reading, you should totally get on board with Holly the Anglophile's reading challenge: PMS (People Masquerading as Scholars). This month we're reading About the Author by John Colapinto. C'mon, you can do it!
I got this idea from Lisa over at Mommying On The Fly. I am supposed to ask my own question, then answer in the comments. But, I am going to just answer the question myself and ask YOU to comment. IF you'd like to add to the "I Never" list, just go to this post.
So, her "I never" was "I never... hitchhiked."
Well, I have never done that either... in the United States. HOWEVER when I was a junior in college, I spent a semester abroad in Ireland. It was totally awesome. I would like to suggest anyone who has the means, to set aside money so that your child can study abroad while in college. It was definitely a life-changing experience for me. It gave me perspective. It gave me maturity. It was an opportunity I will never have again, and I so appreciate my parents for making it possible.
So, in Ireland, I met a guy. This guy was nothing serious, but I wanted to meet some Irish fella and fall in love, blah blah blah. Didn't happen. BUT Danny O'Sullivan (yes, his real name) did ask me out on a date. We were going to Kildare to play some golf. I hate golf, but I thought this guy might be my knight in shining armor. He showed up at my host's house, sans transportation. I asked him, well, how are we getting there? I don't think any buses will run this late. "Oh, we're gonna tum it, ya know." I was like, WTF is "tum"? So I asked, "What do you mean, 'tum'?" And he said, "You know... TUM" and he proceded to stick out his big thumb, the international signal for "Cars please pick me up" and "These fries taste yummy". I looked at him like he was out of his mind. I told him there was NO way I was going to hitch a ride for a date. This blew any hopes I had of him being my knight. We ended up going to a pub and I ruined my brand new pair of Doc Martens because I had to walk through a muddy field to get there.
Ahh, memories.
BUT a couple of weeks later, I talked to the son of my host family, who told me he had given a ride to whole group of students from my same program! He drove them from the University into town, about 5 miles. He told me that hitchhiking in Ireland is very safe and actually considered to be an acceptable way to get around.
On that note, you should totally read Round Ireland With a Fridge. It is one of the funniest books I've ever read. It is the story of a guy who, for a 100-irish-pound bet, takes a fridge (dorm size) and hitchhikes around the perimeter of Ireland in one month. Just the two of them. Him and his trusty sidekick. I laughed my arse off. Check it out.
And, on the subject of reading, you should totally get on board with Holly the Anglophile's reading challenge: PMS (People Masquerading as Scholars). This month we're reading About the Author by John Colapinto. C'mon, you can do it!
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
cannot... breathe... To-Do list... choking me....
Every once in a while, I fall into that pit of despair. It may be a pit familiar to you: the one where for every chore you finish around the house, two more pop up.
I am drowning in chores. And things to do. And people to call. And people to take care of.
Plan Girl Scout meeting. Attend Leader Meeting. Sell Girl Scout cookies (or else get stuck with 150 boxes of which I am 100% financially responsible. THAT'S for another post.) unload dishwasher. Fold 3 loads of laundry. Change sheets on our bed. Check online bank accounts to make sure I'm not over drawn. Pay bills. balance checkbook. Spend quality time with husband. Attack pile of "I need to read this" papers on desk. Tutor. Read blogs. Pack lunches. Load dishwasher. Wash the "non-dishwasher" dishes. Get change at the bank to pay allowances. Buy cups for 3 classes at school. Mop kitchen floor. Call Girl Scout parents. Unpack from trip. Clean bathrooms.
People: Peppermint Patty is about 5 hours behind on all the homework that was sent with us on vacation. I'm not even going to call it a vacation anymore. Let's call it a LEARNING EXPERIENCE. I will NEVER pull my kids out of school for that long again. Trying to make up all the homework has been hard for PP and HELL for me. I have to stand over her and explain everything to her. And keep her on task. And answer her questions. The teacher sent home every. single. bit. of. work. that. was. done. in. class. So, understandably, It's like I have 7 hours of work for every day of school we missed. We missed 8 and a half days. You do the math - I'm too brain dead.
YIPPEE it's the 100th day of school. What does this mean? Another reason to celebrate and avoid school work. Another reason for a classroom party. Another reason to have parents supply food, plates, napkins, etc. 100 days of school is fun, but I think it's kinda below-the-learning-curve for anyone above Kindergarten. Both Charlie Brown and Linus have to bring in 100 items. For Charlie Brown, they must be "CREATIVELY DISPLAYED" - yes, the teacher put that all in caps. Whatever. His creative display of his Yu-Gi-Oh cards is putting them in a binder. Eh.
And poor baby Sally. I think she's getting neglected. I let her play with toys and walk around the house but really our playtime together and our snuggle time is taking a serious hit. I can't reel myself down enough to just relax for 5 minutes. I am always looking around at the stuff that needs to be done. I can't even finish a thought.
That's why I'm blogging. I think doing this makes me forget about all the other stuff. If I stare at the computer screen, I don't have to look at a sink full of dishes. And I don't have to think about all the responsibilities I have. They just keep coming at me and I don't ever get a break. Even lately, finishing tasks doesn't give me any satisfaction. Crossing items off the TO DO list is completely unfulfilling.
I have to think about getting our tax information together.
I have to organize a Girl Scout meeting.
I have to call stores to set up sales for Peppermint Patty to sell her Girl Scout cookies so we're not out $500.
I have to keep track of our medical receipts for our cafeteria plan reimbursement.
I have to take a shower.
I have to cook dinner.
I have to figure out why our electricity bill was nearly $550 this month, WAY more than any bill in the summer (which is weird, considering how hot it gets in the summer in TX).
The frustrating part is this: if I felt like I were taking on too much or just unable to say "no" to people, then I'd recognize the problem and fix it. I'd start saying "no" and back away from so many commitments. But I really don't have that many commitments. I tutor once a week for one hour. I am a Girl Scout Leader, and our meetings are once every other week for an hour. That's it really. All the other crap that I'm dealing with is just my NORMAL EVERYDAY crap. So, it's not like I can even give the jobs to someone else. They're mine to deal with. Forever.
I literally feel like I have a huge mound of dirt on top of me, unable to escape and unable to move and unable to ask for help. Texan Papa does help quite a bit when he can, but understandably he works full time so his hours at home are few. When he is home, he's eating dinner and sleeping, and playing with kids.
I think maybe I"m just overwhelmed because we just came back from "learning experience". I can't catch up. I need a wife to do my laundry and cooking.
I am drowning in chores. And things to do. And people to call. And people to take care of.
Plan Girl Scout meeting. Attend Leader Meeting. Sell Girl Scout cookies (or else get stuck with 150 boxes of which I am 100% financially responsible. THAT'S for another post.) unload dishwasher. Fold 3 loads of laundry. Change sheets on our bed. Check online bank accounts to make sure I'm not over drawn. Pay bills. balance checkbook. Spend quality time with husband. Attack pile of "I need to read this" papers on desk. Tutor. Read blogs. Pack lunches. Load dishwasher. Wash the "non-dishwasher" dishes. Get change at the bank to pay allowances. Buy cups for 3 classes at school. Mop kitchen floor. Call Girl Scout parents. Unpack from trip. Clean bathrooms.
People: Peppermint Patty is about 5 hours behind on all the homework that was sent with us on vacation. I'm not even going to call it a vacation anymore. Let's call it a LEARNING EXPERIENCE. I will NEVER pull my kids out of school for that long again. Trying to make up all the homework has been hard for PP and HELL for me. I have to stand over her and explain everything to her. And keep her on task. And answer her questions. The teacher sent home every. single. bit. of. work. that. was. done. in. class. So, understandably, It's like I have 7 hours of work for every day of school we missed. We missed 8 and a half days. You do the math - I'm too brain dead.
YIPPEE it's the 100th day of school. What does this mean? Another reason to celebrate and avoid school work. Another reason for a classroom party. Another reason to have parents supply food, plates, napkins, etc. 100 days of school is fun, but I think it's kinda below-the-learning-curve for anyone above Kindergarten. Both Charlie Brown and Linus have to bring in 100 items. For Charlie Brown, they must be "CREATIVELY DISPLAYED" - yes, the teacher put that all in caps. Whatever. His creative display of his Yu-Gi-Oh cards is putting them in a binder. Eh.
And poor baby Sally. I think she's getting neglected. I let her play with toys and walk around the house but really our playtime together and our snuggle time is taking a serious hit. I can't reel myself down enough to just relax for 5 minutes. I am always looking around at the stuff that needs to be done. I can't even finish a thought.
That's why I'm blogging. I think doing this makes me forget about all the other stuff. If I stare at the computer screen, I don't have to look at a sink full of dishes. And I don't have to think about all the responsibilities I have. They just keep coming at me and I don't ever get a break. Even lately, finishing tasks doesn't give me any satisfaction. Crossing items off the TO DO list is completely unfulfilling.
I have to think about getting our tax information together.
I have to organize a Girl Scout meeting.
I have to call stores to set up sales for Peppermint Patty to sell her Girl Scout cookies so we're not out $500.
I have to keep track of our medical receipts for our cafeteria plan reimbursement.
I have to take a shower.
I have to cook dinner.
I have to figure out why our electricity bill was nearly $550 this month, WAY more than any bill in the summer (which is weird, considering how hot it gets in the summer in TX).
The frustrating part is this: if I felt like I were taking on too much or just unable to say "no" to people, then I'd recognize the problem and fix it. I'd start saying "no" and back away from so many commitments. But I really don't have that many commitments. I tutor once a week for one hour. I am a Girl Scout Leader, and our meetings are once every other week for an hour. That's it really. All the other crap that I'm dealing with is just my NORMAL EVERYDAY crap. So, it's not like I can even give the jobs to someone else. They're mine to deal with. Forever.
I literally feel like I have a huge mound of dirt on top of me, unable to escape and unable to move and unable to ask for help. Texan Papa does help quite a bit when he can, but understandably he works full time so his hours at home are few. When he is home, he's eating dinner and sleeping, and playing with kids.
I think maybe I"m just overwhelmed because we just came back from "learning experience". I can't catch up. I need a wife to do my laundry and cooking.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Are You Crap?
I actually got an email in my spam box from "crap".
I always check my spam mail before dumping it, just to see how many people want to give me their lottery money from Nigeria, or how many companies think I need male enhancement pharmecuticals from Canada. Maybe, I keep thinking, a legitimate email will mistakenly get redirected there. So far, I've noticed that Google is pretty good at figuring out what is junk mail and what isn't.
So, if you are "crap" and you are trying to offer me a database of physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies, I hope you don't mind if I suggest that you get a new screen name. Not only does the name reek of unprofessionalism, but I just can't see myself calling a client and saying, "Hello. I got your name from crap."
I always check my spam mail before dumping it, just to see how many people want to give me their lottery money from Nigeria, or how many companies think I need male enhancement pharmecuticals from Canada. Maybe, I keep thinking, a legitimate email will mistakenly get redirected there. So far, I've noticed that Google is pretty good at figuring out what is junk mail and what isn't.
So, if you are "crap" and you are trying to offer me a database of physicians, hospitals, and pharmacies, I hope you don't mind if I suggest that you get a new screen name. Not only does the name reek of unprofessionalism, but I just can't see myself calling a client and saying, "Hello. I got your name from crap."
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