Originally titled Mass Chaos.
For some reason, Sunday mornings are always difficult. Maybe it’s because by their very nature Sundays are supposed to be lazy and relaxing. It is our Day of Rest in our family (we don’t spend money on Sundays and try not to work).
So making sure 6 people are ready for church (clean, wearing underwear, teeth brushed, wearing “acceptable” clothing, hair brushed, diaper bag packed, activity bag packed) can be stressful. Especially when I have a husband who insists on making a big breakfast AFTER he’s slept in.
Let’s just say I am ashamed to admit I do my best cussing on the way to church.
So one Sunday in November we are all settled in our pew (like Pepe Le Pew!). It’s time for the children’s part where they congregate in front of the priest for a second while he talks to them and then they go downstairs for a kid version of Mass for about 20 minutes. I’m seeing Joel will have problems on this particular day because there’s a 6-year-old girl who is jumping up and down like a kangaroo and putting her hands all over Joel’s head and face. I whisper to Aron, “That girl is screwing around again. Who’s going downstairs to help supervise?” He said he would do it since the baby was about to fall asleep on me.
So the baby crashes and Michael and Callie promptly get into a LOUD fight. Callie almost wrote on his notebook, which I told her she could do. Michael YELLS her name. She YELLS back. They tussle a bit on the kneeler. By now the baby has woken up and is fussing. I’m turning red and trying to figure out how to get them the hell outta there.
What would you do?
Public spanking = not only a bad option if you want to keep your kids in your own home until they turn 18, but also ineffective.
Gritted teeth/Crazy Face = not working as well as hoped.
So I put Eva on my left hip and grabbed Callie somehow around her middle with my right Popeye arm and swiftly walked to the back of the church and out into the hallway. I put Callie down, looked through the glass of the door, caught Michael’s eye and gave him my very best, “Get your butt out here NOW, little man” glare.
For those of you who must simulate this move, my only advice is NEVER make eye contact with ANYONE while you are disciplining your child.
So I turn around and who is standing there? A chick Aron and his twin used to date. Thankfully she is super cool and very understanding about my situation. Anyone with highlights of about 10 different colors is okay in my book.
Man, the blog for the month of November sure has made my kids sound bad. They really are great most of the time. I tell these stories mostly to amuse. The more these things happen to me, the easier it is to look into the future and see myself laughing about each situation (well, most of them, anyway … the ones where I kept my cool and still managed to put the fear of God into the kids).
edited to add: Today at Mass we got many comments about how great our kids behaved, how wonderful they are. Just goes to show things aren't always as they seem. We SEEMED to be all with-it today, yet about 25% of the time I'm carrying a tantruming kid out of church.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving Confession
I’ll admit sometimes I’m a great big cliché, but today will not be one of those days. I’m NOT going to write some hokey post about what I’m thankful for. No offense to those who ARE writing those kinds of posts today; it’s just that (if you read this blog on a regular basis) you can TELL I’m thankful EVERY SINGLE DAY, for reasons I may or may not divulge later. Have to keep you coming back for more, don’t I?
Anyway, today, Class, you be learning about the Catholic Church’s Sacrament of Reconciliation, which my son Joel received on November 20. My friend Smoosh said she couldn’t wait to read all about this, and I told her there would be nothing to post unless someone acted up in church, which they didn’t.
Brief religious history of me: parents grew up Protestant and sort of rebelled, which left me, as I liked to say, “a religious nothing.” I went to a Bible church with one set of grandparents sometimes; a Presbyterian church with the other set. When I was a teenager I “got saved” at a Youth for Christ rally. For a couple of years that’s who I was. I didn’t cuss, I tried to be a good kid, I was all about the JC and was taught in a subtle way that Catholics were people who drank and sinned all Friday night and then did Confession on Saturdays to have it all erased.
Then I started to date at age 16 ½ and dumped JC. I was basically a Bratz doll for about 7 years. Met Aron, who was a lapsed Catholic. Eventually we started going to Mass together and I converted AFTER we got married. I’m now a self-professed happily Crunchy (cloth diapers, breastfeeding, homeschooling) Catholic.
So my little Joel is in 2nd grade now, which is the year kids receive their First Communion in the spring. But first they have to do Confession (Reconciliation). Yeah, I know it’s confusing to have 10 different names for things in the Church. But who cares? What’s important, I think, is to follow the 10 Commandments.
Digression for my non-religious/spiritual readers: I know that YOU know the 10 Commandments are just a bunch of common sense anyway. Except I know you’ll argue with me that the 3rd Commandment is a bunch of hooey, but that’s for another post.
Still, it got me thinking about how misunderstood the Church is. It was cool to watch my son do Confession. And NO, he didn’t go in a room alone with a priest. He sat in a chair for the whole world to see (but not to hear), facing a priest. It was quick and painless, and I couldn’t believe the happiness in the faces of the kids after they confessed.
I prefer to talk to God one-on-one and do that all day long. I don’t go to Confession very often, but when I do it’s like a mini-therapy session. I basically tell the priest that I cuss too damn much, that I yell at my kids sometimes and that I’m not patient enough with my saint of a husband and others.
Ya’ll feel free to list my OTHER sins in the Comments section down below.
Anyway, why do other religions like to put down something that makes people so happy after they do it (I’m talking about Confession here, not sex … let’s not wander too far away from my poorly-constructed argument)? How many Protestants, Catholics, Jews, agnostics and atheists are in THERAPY???? So what’s the difference between talking to a priest and talking to a therapist, except that the priest is FREE?
Any questions? If not, go out and have a GREAT weekend!
Anyway, today, Class, you be learning about the Catholic Church’s Sacrament of Reconciliation, which my son Joel received on November 20. My friend Smoosh said she couldn’t wait to read all about this, and I told her there would be nothing to post unless someone acted up in church, which they didn’t.
Brief religious history of me: parents grew up Protestant and sort of rebelled, which left me, as I liked to say, “a religious nothing.” I went to a Bible church with one set of grandparents sometimes; a Presbyterian church with the other set. When I was a teenager I “got saved” at a Youth for Christ rally. For a couple of years that’s who I was. I didn’t cuss, I tried to be a good kid, I was all about the JC and was taught in a subtle way that Catholics were people who drank and sinned all Friday night and then did Confession on Saturdays to have it all erased.
Then I started to date at age 16 ½ and dumped JC. I was basically a Bratz doll for about 7 years. Met Aron, who was a lapsed Catholic. Eventually we started going to Mass together and I converted AFTER we got married. I’m now a self-professed happily Crunchy (cloth diapers, breastfeeding, homeschooling) Catholic.
So my little Joel is in 2nd grade now, which is the year kids receive their First Communion in the spring. But first they have to do Confession (Reconciliation). Yeah, I know it’s confusing to have 10 different names for things in the Church. But who cares? What’s important, I think, is to follow the 10 Commandments.
Digression for my non-religious/spiritual readers: I know that YOU know the 10 Commandments are just a bunch of common sense anyway. Except I know you’ll argue with me that the 3rd Commandment is a bunch of hooey, but that’s for another post.
Still, it got me thinking about how misunderstood the Church is. It was cool to watch my son do Confession. And NO, he didn’t go in a room alone with a priest. He sat in a chair for the whole world to see (but not to hear), facing a priest. It was quick and painless, and I couldn’t believe the happiness in the faces of the kids after they confessed.
I prefer to talk to God one-on-one and do that all day long. I don’t go to Confession very often, but when I do it’s like a mini-therapy session. I basically tell the priest that I cuss too damn much, that I yell at my kids sometimes and that I’m not patient enough with my saint of a husband and others.
Ya’ll feel free to list my OTHER sins in the Comments section down below.
Anyway, why do other religions like to put down something that makes people so happy after they do it (I’m talking about Confession here, not sex … let’s not wander too far away from my poorly-constructed argument)? How many Protestants, Catholics, Jews, agnostics and atheists are in THERAPY???? So what’s the difference between talking to a priest and talking to a therapist, except that the priest is FREE?
Any questions? If not, go out and have a GREAT weekend!
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Walking Home From Church
Earlier this month, we went to church as usual. And by “as usual” I mean I was rushing around to get everyone ready and we were running late and I was cussing. Just wait: there’s a post coming up Sunday about super-fun church-going.
So after church we’re walking to the parking lot and a friend follows me out to give me her new contact information. She saw me touching my belly because I was full from the Knights of Columbus breakfast and goes, “So. Kerrie. You’re expecting again, right?”
Me: “NO!” Believe me, I was not offended as I’ve never had a flat stomach a day in my life. Then I said, “I couldn’t be pregnant right now even if I wanted to be.”
Her: “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
Me: “No, I just mean I haven’t gotten my period back yet and there’d only be a very small chance of my getting pregnant right now, based on a lot of factors I won’t bore you with.”
Her: “Oh. Look! I see Aron’s giving the kids driving lessons. Are you walking home?”
Me: “Are you nuts? We live like a mile away and it’s November and all I have is my Yale hooded jacket. No way.”
Then what did I do? Like a good, see-all-sides Gemini, I thunk on it. And I started to walk home (telling my husband first, of course). Then I had 3 little followers (Eva rode home with her Da).
It was awesome. We talked, we crushed leaves, we found some milk-pod things, we threw tiny apples in the street to watch cars run them over, we found good sticks, we tormented dogs behind giant wooden fences, we cursed the house whose fence had fallen onto the sidewalk because nails were sticking out everywhere. We had some nice time together and got some exercise and fresh air.
Then we did it again the next weekend.
It’s nice for a Type-A personality like me to be able to slow down a little bit. Forget a bubble bath or a weekend away from my kids. All I need to be a calmer person and a “better” mom, it turns out, is a little walk with my buddies.
So after church we’re walking to the parking lot and a friend follows me out to give me her new contact information. She saw me touching my belly because I was full from the Knights of Columbus breakfast and goes, “So. Kerrie. You’re expecting again, right?”
Me: “NO!” Believe me, I was not offended as I’ve never had a flat stomach a day in my life. Then I said, “I couldn’t be pregnant right now even if I wanted to be.”
Her: “Oh, I’m so sorry.”
Me: “No, I just mean I haven’t gotten my period back yet and there’d only be a very small chance of my getting pregnant right now, based on a lot of factors I won’t bore you with.”
Her: “Oh. Look! I see Aron’s giving the kids driving lessons. Are you walking home?”
Me: “Are you nuts? We live like a mile away and it’s November and all I have is my Yale hooded jacket. No way.”
Then what did I do? Like a good, see-all-sides Gemini, I thunk on it. And I started to walk home (telling my husband first, of course). Then I had 3 little followers (Eva rode home with her Da).
It was awesome. We talked, we crushed leaves, we found some milk-pod things, we threw tiny apples in the street to watch cars run them over, we found good sticks, we tormented dogs behind giant wooden fences, we cursed the house whose fence had fallen onto the sidewalk because nails were sticking out everywhere. We had some nice time together and got some exercise and fresh air.
Then we did it again the next weekend.
It’s nice for a Type-A personality like me to be able to slow down a little bit. Forget a bubble bath or a weekend away from my kids. All I need to be a calmer person and a “better” mom, it turns out, is a little walk with my buddies.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Book Review: The 4-Hour Workweek
Man, I struggled with this review for The 4-Hour Workweek because the concept is so foreign to so many people. I really like the book, but you have to stick with it.
The author (Timothy Ferriss) introduces some interesting and complicated concepts for making enough money that you can let your business run itself and travel around the world, if you want to.
The point is not to get rich, but to be able to do what you want, when you want. And his ultimate goal is not working yourself to death until the age of 65 and then retiring to do NOTHING. It’s more like how-to act like you’re retired ALL THE TIME, only working enough so you can eat, travel, learn to tango, whatever.
Something the author wants us to ponder is why we do so many things or spend time with people that/who are time-consuming, negative or irrelevant to our goals.
Could The 4-Hour Workweek apply to me, the Domestic Goddess? It wasn’t until I had my third kid that people actually started acknowledging that I could even BE busy during the day. Besides, my husband would argue that I really only put 4 hours total per week into the cooking and cleaning anyway, and he could be right. Care for the kids for 4 hours a week? No. Homeschool for 4 hours a week? Not gonna fly with The State, my friends.
My husband doesn’t want to be an engineer in 4 hours a week and doesn’t want to work at home because of … distractions (five of us, to be exact). But he would LOVE to sell his woodworking pieces, alternating working at that a few months and then maybe traveling a few months. Still, his woodworking would take FAR more than 4 hours a week and couldn’t run itself (I’m picturing a workshop of tools moving by themselves and it freaks me out).
I guess I could write a book in 4 hours a week, but that would take forever. I racked my brain trying to come up with something I could do in only 4 hours a week and the only thing I could think of was to write some downloadable e-book for $5 a pop called, “How to Write With Kids Nipping at Your Heels.”
Oh, oh, oh! I know! I could eat chocolate for 4 hours a week!
Bottom line: I give it 8 Dove chocolate hearts out of 10 and please check out the author’s web site: fourhourworkweek.com for more information, photos, etc.
FYI for Mr. Ferriss, since everyone and their freaking brother has some automatic Googling system installed these days: Your book rocks, but it brings up SO many questions for people like stay-at-home parents (especially those who homeschool) and, say, sanitation workers, parks and rec people, letter carriers, fashion designers and others who may not WANT to outsource their creative process. Let’s dialogue!
The author (Timothy Ferriss) introduces some interesting and complicated concepts for making enough money that you can let your business run itself and travel around the world, if you want to.
The point is not to get rich, but to be able to do what you want, when you want. And his ultimate goal is not working yourself to death until the age of 65 and then retiring to do NOTHING. It’s more like how-to act like you’re retired ALL THE TIME, only working enough so you can eat, travel, learn to tango, whatever.
Something the author wants us to ponder is why we do so many things or spend time with people that/who are time-consuming, negative or irrelevant to our goals.
Could The 4-Hour Workweek apply to me, the Domestic Goddess? It wasn’t until I had my third kid that people actually started acknowledging that I could even BE busy during the day. Besides, my husband would argue that I really only put 4 hours total per week into the cooking and cleaning anyway, and he could be right. Care for the kids for 4 hours a week? No. Homeschool for 4 hours a week? Not gonna fly with The State, my friends.
My husband doesn’t want to be an engineer in 4 hours a week and doesn’t want to work at home because of … distractions (five of us, to be exact). But he would LOVE to sell his woodworking pieces, alternating working at that a few months and then maybe traveling a few months. Still, his woodworking would take FAR more than 4 hours a week and couldn’t run itself (I’m picturing a workshop of tools moving by themselves and it freaks me out).
I guess I could write a book in 4 hours a week, but that would take forever. I racked my brain trying to come up with something I could do in only 4 hours a week and the only thing I could think of was to write some downloadable e-book for $5 a pop called, “How to Write With Kids Nipping at Your Heels.”
Oh, oh, oh! I know! I could eat chocolate for 4 hours a week!
Bottom line: I give it 8 Dove chocolate hearts out of 10 and please check out the author’s web site: fourhourworkweek.com for more information, photos, etc.
FYI for Mr. Ferriss, since everyone and their freaking brother has some automatic Googling system installed these days: Your book rocks, but it brings up SO many questions for people like stay-at-home parents (especially those who homeschool) and, say, sanitation workers, parks and rec people, letter carriers, fashion designers and others who may not WANT to outsource their creative process. Let’s dialogue!
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Church Babysitting
So I needed to make some money since the Scrapbooking Guidos had been at my door to rough me up a couple of times (just kidding!).
Actually, I felt bad because we’d never had credit card debt and I wanted to be responsible and pay the thing off since it was MY fault I’d spent too much on Creative Memories stuff.
So I’m at a La Leche League meeting one morning at a church and notice a sign on a wall on my way out. It’s asking for babysitters and you can BRING YOUR KIDS!!! Bingo! Perfect! Jackpot!
The first church job led to other church jobs. Soon I was working almost every day (either morning or evening), pregnant, with a husband out of town most of the time, and dragging my 2 sons everywhere with me. We lived on McDonald’s, frozen pancakes, sausage patties and chocolate milk, totally defeating the purpose of MAKING money to pay off the credit card. I think we ate about ½ of every paycheck.
The babysitting experience led to me writing a little piece for Mother and Child Reunion.com, which included how to do daycare in your home, which I also did some of at that time.
I don’t want to give away too much on this post because I’m mildly contemplating putting this in a book somehow because the people I encountered were unbelievable. There were the women at the Baptist church who ignored me and all the children and stood together talking about liposuction. The people who thought it was disgusting to drink water from the bathroom sink (same pipes, people). The women who shooed curious little kids away from watching me change a diaper.
And don’t get me started on the parents. I’m of the school of thought that says you need a license to become a parent.
Even when we didn’t need the money anymore, we kept babysitting because the boys loved it so much. But when I was pregnant with Eva, it died off. Who wants a babysitter with 4 kids of her own that have to be in the same room with their mom? Plus I knew homeschooling would be taking up a lot of time, and I was sick of always rushing out the door to another job.
Aron’s cousin has it just right: she has 2 kids and can make about $200 working just 2 days a week (2 ½ hours each day).
If you’re interested in doing this yourself, check out my piece at MotherAndChildReunion.com. (dang, Kerrie, quit pimping your measly writing portfolio!)
Anyone else have any bad business experiences? Any at-home selling?
Actually, I felt bad because we’d never had credit card debt and I wanted to be responsible and pay the thing off since it was MY fault I’d spent too much on Creative Memories stuff.
So I’m at a La Leche League meeting one morning at a church and notice a sign on a wall on my way out. It’s asking for babysitters and you can BRING YOUR KIDS!!! Bingo! Perfect! Jackpot!
The first church job led to other church jobs. Soon I was working almost every day (either morning or evening), pregnant, with a husband out of town most of the time, and dragging my 2 sons everywhere with me. We lived on McDonald’s, frozen pancakes, sausage patties and chocolate milk, totally defeating the purpose of MAKING money to pay off the credit card. I think we ate about ½ of every paycheck.
The babysitting experience led to me writing a little piece for Mother and Child Reunion.com, which included how to do daycare in your home, which I also did some of at that time.
I don’t want to give away too much on this post because I’m mildly contemplating putting this in a book somehow because the people I encountered were unbelievable. There were the women at the Baptist church who ignored me and all the children and stood together talking about liposuction. The people who thought it was disgusting to drink water from the bathroom sink (same pipes, people). The women who shooed curious little kids away from watching me change a diaper.
And don’t get me started on the parents. I’m of the school of thought that says you need a license to become a parent.
Even when we didn’t need the money anymore, we kept babysitting because the boys loved it so much. But when I was pregnant with Eva, it died off. Who wants a babysitter with 4 kids of her own that have to be in the same room with their mom? Plus I knew homeschooling would be taking up a lot of time, and I was sick of always rushing out the door to another job.
Aron’s cousin has it just right: she has 2 kids and can make about $200 working just 2 days a week (2 ½ hours each day).
If you’re interested in doing this yourself, check out my piece at MotherAndChildReunion.com. (dang, Kerrie, quit pimping your measly writing portfolio!)
Anyone else have any bad business experiences? Any at-home selling?
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Product Idea: Attachment Parenting Stickers
Okay, so back when I only had one kid I came up with an idea for a line of Attachment Parenting stickers for scrapbookers. I was sick of all the damn baby bottle stickers and pacifiers and cribs.
I thought there should be some cool cloth diaper stickers, some slings, some depiction of the family bed, a tasteful rendition of the nursing mother/baby couple, a Boppy pillow.
I researched and had a lot of fun dreaming of who would stock these stickers, who would buy them, who would use them in their scrapbooks.
Then I got pregnant with Michael and got tired. And decided to sell Creative Memories scrapbooking products instead. I became a Creative Memories CONSULTANT. Sounds hootie-ta (definition: uppity, impressive), doesn’t it?
Then I realized I couldn’t sell worth a crap. And that I was using up all the non-existent profits, which sent me into a tiny bit of credit card debt.
To digress: Can you imagine me being a chocolate salesperson? I’d have to sell the house and live in a trailer to pay off what I ate instead of sold.
Anyway, the credit card debt led me to the whole church babysitting thing. Which is another story.
And because you insist, I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.
I thought there should be some cool cloth diaper stickers, some slings, some depiction of the family bed, a tasteful rendition of the nursing mother/baby couple, a Boppy pillow.
I researched and had a lot of fun dreaming of who would stock these stickers, who would buy them, who would use them in their scrapbooks.
Then I got pregnant with Michael and got tired. And decided to sell Creative Memories scrapbooking products instead. I became a Creative Memories CONSULTANT. Sounds hootie-ta (definition: uppity, impressive), doesn’t it?
Then I realized I couldn’t sell worth a crap. And that I was using up all the non-existent profits, which sent me into a tiny bit of credit card debt.
To digress: Can you imagine me being a chocolate salesperson? I’d have to sell the house and live in a trailer to pay off what I ate instead of sold.
Anyway, the credit card debt led me to the whole church babysitting thing. Which is another story.
And because you insist, I’ll tell you about it tomorrow.
Friday, November 21, 2008
PMS Puppy Chow
Eva is almost a year old, which means I’m due for my period anytime now. It’s been like 20 months and I have NOT missed Aunt Flo at all. And don't even comment "too much information" cuz I KNOW that!
So here’s a recipe for something I can’t get enough of lately:
Puppy Chow (although the way I eat it, let’s call it Piggy Chow)
9 cups any Chex cereal (off-brand is just dandy)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup peanut butter
¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 t. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
There are many different ways of doing this, so I’m going to give you a couple of ideas:
1. Melt chips, peanut butter and butter in large pan. Take off burner and add vanilla. Add cereal and mix it all up, trying not to crush the cereal. Then add powdered sugar.
2. Put cereal in big bowl. Melt other ingredients in small saucepan, adding vanilla at the end. Pour mixture over cereal and stir. Then pour the whole she-bang into a big old Tupperware container, add powdered sugar and shake.
3. Do the same as above, but put cereal/mixture into large paper bag, THEN add powdered sugar and shake.
4. Do the same as above, but put cereal/mixture into large plastic 2-gallon resealable bag, add powdered sugar and shake.
The Chex people say to do #4, but I’m telling you I’ve done this before and the chocolate mixture MELTED THE BAG.
Maybe I’m just not cut out for this Domestic Goddess job.
I’m sure Step-Witch and Smoosh will have a comment for me on this one since they are the pushers who turned me on to this concoction in the first place.
So here’s a recipe for something I can’t get enough of lately:
Puppy Chow (although the way I eat it, let’s call it Piggy Chow)
9 cups any Chex cereal (off-brand is just dandy)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup peanut butter
¼ cup (1/2 stick) butter or margarine
1 t. vanilla
2 cups powdered sugar
There are many different ways of doing this, so I’m going to give you a couple of ideas:
1. Melt chips, peanut butter and butter in large pan. Take off burner and add vanilla. Add cereal and mix it all up, trying not to crush the cereal. Then add powdered sugar.
2. Put cereal in big bowl. Melt other ingredients in small saucepan, adding vanilla at the end. Pour mixture over cereal and stir. Then pour the whole she-bang into a big old Tupperware container, add powdered sugar and shake.
3. Do the same as above, but put cereal/mixture into large paper bag, THEN add powdered sugar and shake.
4. Do the same as above, but put cereal/mixture into large plastic 2-gallon resealable bag, add powdered sugar and shake.
The Chex people say to do #4, but I’m telling you I’ve done this before and the chocolate mixture MELTED THE BAG.
Maybe I’m just not cut out for this Domestic Goddess job.
I’m sure Step-Witch and Smoosh will have a comment for me on this one since they are the pushers who turned me on to this concoction in the first place.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Food Processors
So I went looking for a food processor at Target for Aron’s birthday. And yes, that IS what he asked for. He’s wanted one forever, and I’ve been too paranoid about the ultra-sharp blades in the company of children to ever buy him one. He LOVES to cook, makes spaghetti sauce, etc., so he really wanted a food processor.
The first thing I notice is Target doesn’t carry Cuisinart food processors. They only carry Kitchen-Aid (a reputable brand of mixer, to be sure), Oster (a good blender, right?) and Black and Decker (good tools).
I wasn’t sure what to do. I tried to call Tresa but got no reception on my end. So I had to use my bean. I could smell the smoke coming out of my ears from overuse.
Hmmm. The Oster and the B&D have a 10-cup capacity. The Kitchen-Aid only has 7. BUT the Kitchen-Aid is twice the cost, and don’t you get what you pay for? The Oster was on sale like ½ price, and I wondered why. The Oster and B&D floor models were trashed out and looked cheap.
So I went for the Kitchen-Aid.
What would you have done or what brand do you own and love?
The first thing I notice is Target doesn’t carry Cuisinart food processors. They only carry Kitchen-Aid (a reputable brand of mixer, to be sure), Oster (a good blender, right?) and Black and Decker (good tools).
I wasn’t sure what to do. I tried to call Tresa but got no reception on my end. So I had to use my bean. I could smell the smoke coming out of my ears from overuse.
Hmmm. The Oster and the B&D have a 10-cup capacity. The Kitchen-Aid only has 7. BUT the Kitchen-Aid is twice the cost, and don’t you get what you pay for? The Oster was on sale like ½ price, and I wondered why. The Oster and B&D floor models were trashed out and looked cheap.
So I went for the Kitchen-Aid.
What would you have done or what brand do you own and love?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
When Are Kids Old Enough to Have a Pet?
We don’t have a pet. Sweetie the hamster died about a year ago, and the Grow-a-Frog died (after a very short life) this summer. Getting a dog freaks me out and here’s why.
I would have to pick up poop. I would have to feed and water the dog. I would have to remember to get it shots and tags. I would have to rearrange our lives and race it to the vet if it got sick. And if it got REALLY sick, there goes our modest savings account.
“But your kids are old enough to help,” you say. Sure, but WILL THEY? Without constant hounding, I mean. It would clearly be up to ME to keep the thing alive. I have FOUR people to keep alive on a daily basis plus myself. That’s plenty for now.
And if you’re wondering why I’m such a curmudgeon, let me give you my pet history. I had the requisite dogs and cats growing up, and they were lovely. I got to see cats make babies and the babies being born. When I was older, I had about 3 cats of my own, then a few babies came out of that. I had about 5 cats sleeping around my head on any given night. And I loved it.
I picked up a stray cat one night at a gas station, and Aron let me keep it at his apartment. She was a schizoid cat. Later, in searching for Aron’s lost male cat, we got another cat. They were fine until we started having kids. The schizoid girl crapped all over the place. They both scratched up the furniture. Joel ate their cat food and played in their cat box. It became a problem.
So I know what hard work pets are. Who do you think cleaned Sweetie the hamster’s cage, maggots in the summer and all? Kept her fed and watered? Played with her? Carried her in a tiny sling while I did dishes?
If my kids were pets, Joel would be a Chihuahua. Michael would be a turtle. Callie would be a Siamese cat. Eva would be a bunny rabbit.
I would have to pick up poop. I would have to feed and water the dog. I would have to remember to get it shots and tags. I would have to rearrange our lives and race it to the vet if it got sick. And if it got REALLY sick, there goes our modest savings account.
“But your kids are old enough to help,” you say. Sure, but WILL THEY? Without constant hounding, I mean. It would clearly be up to ME to keep the thing alive. I have FOUR people to keep alive on a daily basis plus myself. That’s plenty for now.
And if you’re wondering why I’m such a curmudgeon, let me give you my pet history. I had the requisite dogs and cats growing up, and they were lovely. I got to see cats make babies and the babies being born. When I was older, I had about 3 cats of my own, then a few babies came out of that. I had about 5 cats sleeping around my head on any given night. And I loved it.
I picked up a stray cat one night at a gas station, and Aron let me keep it at his apartment. She was a schizoid cat. Later, in searching for Aron’s lost male cat, we got another cat. They were fine until we started having kids. The schizoid girl crapped all over the place. They both scratched up the furniture. Joel ate their cat food and played in their cat box. It became a problem.
So I know what hard work pets are. Who do you think cleaned Sweetie the hamster’s cage, maggots in the summer and all? Kept her fed and watered? Played with her? Carried her in a tiny sling while I did dishes?
If my kids were pets, Joel would be a Chihuahua. Michael would be a turtle. Callie would be a Siamese cat. Eva would be a bunny rabbit.
Friday, November 14, 2008
The Red Lobster Interrogation
So Aron got a special little bonus for traveling so much and told the kids we could eat out anywhere they wanted. They LOVE popcorn shrimp, so they chose Red Lobster (a personal favorite of mine, as well).
Toward the end of the meal, a couple of older people told us how well we are raising our children because they were behaving so great. I tried to tell them it was only because I wore their little butts out at the park for 2 hours before dinner, but they insisted I was Mother of the Year, so I basked in that.
Until the woman from the next table over (what is it about a large family that brings people out of the woodwork with opinions and questions?) chimes in with, “They ARE doing very well.” I thanked her, trying to return my focus to my family dinner and chocolatey dessert.
Then I hear, “I’ll bet you homeschool them, too.” Where the hell did THAT come from? I said, “Actually, we do. How could you tell? I’m not even wearing a denim jumper.” She said she was just guessing but wasn’t surprised. O-kay.
Again I try to focus on my wriggling baby and DESSERT, and the kids whose behavior is starting to deteriorate.
Then She asks me if I do it for religious reasons. I said, “Well, yes. I do it because Catholic school is too damn expensive!!!” She looked at me funny, so I explained my usual deal: I started it to keep them close, it made sense, it was cheaper, takes less time, allows us all kinds of freedom of education, field trips, spontaneous play and learning, lots of time with grandparents and other family members, we can cater to their individual needs, and because Aron travels and we get to go with him sometimes, which helps to keep our family a cohesive unit.
AGAIN with the dessert, which I am now cramming into a to-go box next to my garlicky shrimp pasta.
The she says, “My husband wants to know if you were a teacher before?” I said, “Nope. Only 2 years of community college, too. We use a packaged curriculum, but you don’t really even need to do THAT.”
“Are you in the homeschool association?” Well, there’s not really one, so I tell her I’m in about 4 homeschool groups and that the kids are practically OVER-socialized.
“I’ll bet they go to bed late.” I said, “Yeah, they do. Like 10 p.m. And then I wake them up at 4 a.m. with a bugle and make them do push-ups and jumping jacks.”
No answer.
Then we beat it out of there before she could get our license plate number and report us to The State. My friend Leigh always tells me I’m too honest, especially with people I don’t know. But I don’t like to blow smoke up people’s butts, ya know? I could’ve played Suzy Homeschooler and lied about bedtimes and such, but why? I’m not doing anything wrong.
And if you could meet my kids you’d see I’m doing a lot of things RIGHT. Jeez, call The State on me if I’m smoking crack in bed til 3 p.m. every day or leaving my kids at home alone. But HOMESCHOOLING? I’m not doing it because I’m too lazy to drive my kids to school or oversee their homework.
Toward the end of the meal, a couple of older people told us how well we are raising our children because they were behaving so great. I tried to tell them it was only because I wore their little butts out at the park for 2 hours before dinner, but they insisted I was Mother of the Year, so I basked in that.
Until the woman from the next table over (what is it about a large family that brings people out of the woodwork with opinions and questions?) chimes in with, “They ARE doing very well.” I thanked her, trying to return my focus to my family dinner and chocolatey dessert.
Then I hear, “I’ll bet you homeschool them, too.” Where the hell did THAT come from? I said, “Actually, we do. How could you tell? I’m not even wearing a denim jumper.” She said she was just guessing but wasn’t surprised. O-kay.
Again I try to focus on my wriggling baby and DESSERT, and the kids whose behavior is starting to deteriorate.
Then She asks me if I do it for religious reasons. I said, “Well, yes. I do it because Catholic school is too damn expensive!!!” She looked at me funny, so I explained my usual deal: I started it to keep them close, it made sense, it was cheaper, takes less time, allows us all kinds of freedom of education, field trips, spontaneous play and learning, lots of time with grandparents and other family members, we can cater to their individual needs, and because Aron travels and we get to go with him sometimes, which helps to keep our family a cohesive unit.
AGAIN with the dessert, which I am now cramming into a to-go box next to my garlicky shrimp pasta.
The she says, “My husband wants to know if you were a teacher before?” I said, “Nope. Only 2 years of community college, too. We use a packaged curriculum, but you don’t really even need to do THAT.”
“Are you in the homeschool association?” Well, there’s not really one, so I tell her I’m in about 4 homeschool groups and that the kids are practically OVER-socialized.
“I’ll bet they go to bed late.” I said, “Yeah, they do. Like 10 p.m. And then I wake them up at 4 a.m. with a bugle and make them do push-ups and jumping jacks.”
No answer.
Then we beat it out of there before she could get our license plate number and report us to The State. My friend Leigh always tells me I’m too honest, especially with people I don’t know. But I don’t like to blow smoke up people’s butts, ya know? I could’ve played Suzy Homeschooler and lied about bedtimes and such, but why? I’m not doing anything wrong.
And if you could meet my kids you’d see I’m doing a lot of things RIGHT. Jeez, call The State on me if I’m smoking crack in bed til 3 p.m. every day or leaving my kids at home alone. But HOMESCHOOLING? I’m not doing it because I’m too lazy to drive my kids to school or oversee their homework.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The WalMart Incident and Trusting Your Parenting Instincts
*settle in; this is kinda long
This occurred in December of 2005, but it is still fresh in my mind. It taught me to not engage total strangers who think they are allowed to spew opinions about my life (that’s what FAMILY is for, anyway, right?!). It also taught me to not leave the house with a bunch of kids unless I am mentally prepared to deal with My Public.
So I take my 3 kids (ages 10 months, 3 years and 5 years) plus Joel’s girl friend Alex to WalMart. I was at the back of the store perusing, and Michael was sitting on the floor in the middle of the aisle. Then someone pushing a shopping cart tried to get through and all hell broke loose. I now know I would MUCH rather look like Pushover Mom and ask the innocent shopper to go around the next aisle than have what happened happen.
INSTEAD, I tried to be the Mom Who Looks Good in Public and first asked Michael to move. Okay, any non-quirky (that’s my new word for what Michael is: quirky) kid would’ve said, “Yes, ma’am” and moved. But he wouldn’t move. Not out of defiance, but because he kind of shuts down. It’s hard to explain. Social stuff isn’t his thing.
So I gently moved him out of the way. And he LOST HIS MIND.
He went into his Fugue State with screaming and crying. I decided to beat it out of there. But not before I bought my stuff. Did I mention it was after Christmas and I had some AMAZING deals in my cart?
So I’m heading for the front of the store with Michael behind me still screaming. If I speak to him, he screams louder. So I did the logical thing and IGNORED him. Thankfully, he followed me instead of running off like some kids do.
Once in line, I hear a snotty woman one line over say, “Maybe she can’t HEAR him.” Instead of ignoring her like I should have, I chose to entertain her and the rest of the store. I said to Snotty, “I can hear him. What do you want me to do, Miss Child Psychologist?”
She goes, “TALK to him or something, at least.”
I go, “Okay, watch this … Hey, Michael, are you okay? What can I do for you, Baby?”
He screams louder.
I say to Snotty, “GREAT idea. Got any more?”
She turns to her friend to make more snotty comments. I reach out and touch her arm to get her to turn around and finish this. She shouts for Security, who comes running over. Since I didn’t want to spend New Year’s Eve in jail, I backed off.
I unloaded my all-important craptastic deals onto the conveyer belt, Michael STILL screaming and crying. Snotty was STILL talking smack the next aisle over. I’m betting she has exactly ZERO kids of her own.
So I make it out of the store and to the van. It is then that I am visited by the Three People of New Year’s Eve (like the 3 Ghosts of Christmas, get it?).
As I’m struggling to get Michael into his carseat, my brother-in-law Ray comes up to the van just to say hi. I wish to GOD he had been in WalMart when I needed him because he’s a tall, strong guy and would’ve scared the pants off Snotty.
Next (do I have a sign on my van that says Open For Visitors????) comes the woman who offers Michael M&Ms as he’s screaming. I told her, “Go ahead and try to REWARD his bad behavior, but he’s not going to want them … he’s in an alternate universe right now.”
And did the M&Ms work? Let’s see. His MOTHER said they would not work. His MOTHER who is with him 24/7 and knows him better than anyone in the world. WHAT DO YOU THINK? (Sorry to yell at you, Reader.)
Michael is STILL struggling with me about the carseat issue, still screaming.
The final Person of New Year’s Eve is an ACTUAL child psychologist (fast forward to 2021, when I am updating this post, and Michael, who is 18 now—I kid (!) you not—wants to be a psychologist).
This occurred in December of 2005, but it is still fresh in my mind. It taught me to not engage total strangers who think they are allowed to spew opinions about my life (that’s what FAMILY is for, anyway, right?!). It also taught me to not leave the house with a bunch of kids unless I am mentally prepared to deal with My Public.
So I take my 3 kids (ages 10 months, 3 years and 5 years) plus Joel’s girl friend Alex to WalMart. I was at the back of the store perusing, and Michael was sitting on the floor in the middle of the aisle. Then someone pushing a shopping cart tried to get through and all hell broke loose. I now know I would MUCH rather look like Pushover Mom and ask the innocent shopper to go around the next aisle than have what happened happen.
INSTEAD, I tried to be the Mom Who Looks Good in Public and first asked Michael to move. Okay, any non-quirky (that’s my new word for what Michael is: quirky) kid would’ve said, “Yes, ma’am” and moved. But he wouldn’t move. Not out of defiance, but because he kind of shuts down. It’s hard to explain. Social stuff isn’t his thing.
So I gently moved him out of the way. And he LOST HIS MIND.
He went into his Fugue State with screaming and crying. I decided to beat it out of there. But not before I bought my stuff. Did I mention it was after Christmas and I had some AMAZING deals in my cart?
So I’m heading for the front of the store with Michael behind me still screaming. If I speak to him, he screams louder. So I did the logical thing and IGNORED him. Thankfully, he followed me instead of running off like some kids do.
Once in line, I hear a snotty woman one line over say, “Maybe she can’t HEAR him.” Instead of ignoring her like I should have, I chose to entertain her and the rest of the store. I said to Snotty, “I can hear him. What do you want me to do, Miss Child Psychologist?”
She goes, “TALK to him or something, at least.”
I go, “Okay, watch this … Hey, Michael, are you okay? What can I do for you, Baby?”
He screams louder.
I say to Snotty, “GREAT idea. Got any more?”
She turns to her friend to make more snotty comments. I reach out and touch her arm to get her to turn around and finish this. She shouts for Security, who comes running over. Since I didn’t want to spend New Year’s Eve in jail, I backed off.
I unloaded my all-important craptastic deals onto the conveyer belt, Michael STILL screaming and crying. Snotty was STILL talking smack the next aisle over. I’m betting she has exactly ZERO kids of her own.
So I make it out of the store and to the van. It is then that I am visited by the Three People of New Year’s Eve (like the 3 Ghosts of Christmas, get it?).
As I’m struggling to get Michael into his carseat, my brother-in-law Ray comes up to the van just to say hi. I wish to GOD he had been in WalMart when I needed him because he’s a tall, strong guy and would’ve scared the pants off Snotty.
Next (do I have a sign on my van that says Open For Visitors????) comes the woman who offers Michael M&Ms as he’s screaming. I told her, “Go ahead and try to REWARD his bad behavior, but he’s not going to want them … he’s in an alternate universe right now.”
And did the M&Ms work? Let’s see. His MOTHER said they would not work. His MOTHER who is with him 24/7 and knows him better than anyone in the world. WHAT DO YOU THINK? (Sorry to yell at you, Reader.)
Michael is STILL struggling with me about the carseat issue, still screaming.
The final Person of New Year’s Eve is an ACTUAL child psychologist (fast forward to 2021, when I am updating this post, and Michael, who is 18 now—I kid (!) you not—wants to be a psychologist).
She goes,
“I saw what happened in there. You did everything right. Ignoring versus beating him is a much better alternative. That woman in there was just mean. You’re a good mom. Keep it up.”
And the sun's rays shone up my minivan, and then angels sang happy songs over the validation of me trusting my instincts as a mother and trying to do the best I could by my kids while also obtaining some good deals.
And the sun's rays shone up my minivan, and then angels sang happy songs over the validation of me trusting my instincts as a mother and trying to do the best I could by my kids while also obtaining some good deals.
Isn’t it strange who God sends you when you are at your lowest point? Just a few simple encouraging words, and I suddenly had the strength to buckle that carseat and be on my way.
Here is my awesome, well-adjusted family today, July 2022
Monday, November 10, 2008
Happy Birthday to Aron/Woodworking Projects
Today my super-sweet and hot husband turns 42. So I’m doing a tribute to his woodworking skills. Of course, if you see a piece you like, he can make it for you. The TV stand, for instance, would retail for about $500. It even has adjustable shelves and slam-proof doors. Callie told him, “Oooh. This furniture here is beautiful.”
No, I’m serious. You should see how much love and time and energy and perfection he puts in to each piece. I wish to God I had that kind of dedication to something. As you can tell from my recent typos (which my parents and cousin Zee tell me about) in this blog, I’m kind of in a hurry to pop out my opinions and move on to the next 463 things on my list.
Here’s a shelf he whipped out so I could put things by the door so I wouldn’t forget them (like the kids ... haha):
This isn’t actually woodworking but shows how cool he is; on two levels he put double banisters so shortie kids can use a handrail going up and down stairs.
And here’s one of his two speaker stands, which are a bitch to dust:
Here's the cool table he made for me:
And a neat-o set of end tables, one of which is below for your viewing pleasure
And, of course, the deck, which he designed and built himself (with some help from friends, brothers and dads). Oops, never mind on the photo of that one. Don’t need more stalkers coming around.
He also cooks, cleans, dances, fixes plumbing and electrical stuff and works on my car. And never forgets a holiday or special occasion. And lets the kids put mud footprints on the ceiling.
And NO, you can’t have him or even rent him. HANDS OFF. (This little rant doesn’t apply to his cousins who read the blog cuz that would be just gross.)
No, I’m serious. You should see how much love and time and energy and perfection he puts in to each piece. I wish to God I had that kind of dedication to something. As you can tell from my recent typos (which my parents and cousin Zee tell me about) in this blog, I’m kind of in a hurry to pop out my opinions and move on to the next 463 things on my list.
Here’s a shelf he whipped out so I could put things by the door so I wouldn’t forget them (like the kids ... haha):
This isn’t actually woodworking but shows how cool he is; on two levels he put double banisters so shortie kids can use a handrail going up and down stairs.
And here’s one of his two speaker stands, which are a bitch to dust:
Here's the cool table he made for me:
And a neat-o set of end tables, one of which is below for your viewing pleasure
And, of course, the deck, which he designed and built himself (with some help from friends, brothers and dads). Oops, never mind on the photo of that one. Don’t need more stalkers coming around.
He also cooks, cleans, dances, fixes plumbing and electrical stuff and works on my car. And never forgets a holiday or special occasion. And lets the kids put mud footprints on the ceiling.
And NO, you can’t have him or even rent him. HANDS OFF. (This little rant doesn’t apply to his cousins who read the blog cuz that would be just gross.)
Friday, November 7, 2008
Converter Box
I told you about the ordeal of BUYING the converter box, but not how I feel about the addition to my home.
All I want to know is: How did the government know I needed yet another remote control? I now have a grand total of FOUR, and that’s because the $100 one is lost.
Hooking it up was no problem. I even did a happy dance because we get EXTRA channels! Kid channels, no less, like Qubo 24 hours a day! It’s like getting more free babysitting! Then you realize that if a channel doesn’t come in PERFECTLY, the whole screen freezes. Not like the old days, when if the rabbit ears weren’t positioned well you could still kind of see your program.
“Why don’t you just get cable, you cheap [fill in the blank]?!” you may ask. Well, first of all, I AM CHEAP. Have you not met me? Are ya new to this blog? (If you ARE new to this blog, I apologize for yelling at you, but you may as well get used to it.)
Plus if I had cable I wouldn’t have time to entertain YOU with this blog because I’d be watching TV about 10 hours a day … cooking shows, news shows, etc. I don’t need all that extra crap in my poor small brain! My mom tapes a very elite group of shows for me, which I can take or leave depending on how much time I have.
Which brings me to taping shows using a converter box. Yes, you read that right. I typed the word TAPING. Anyway, I can’t set up to tape anything anymore because:
1. The converter box automatically shuts off after a few hours.
2. How does my old VCR know WHICH Channel 19 to tape (there are 4, named 19-1, 19-2, etc.)? It is confused.
Y'all yell at me for being stuck in the ‘90s, but I’m telling you I like being different. Mark Twain said that whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
All I want to know is: How did the government know I needed yet another remote control? I now have a grand total of FOUR, and that’s because the $100 one is lost.
Hooking it up was no problem. I even did a happy dance because we get EXTRA channels! Kid channels, no less, like Qubo 24 hours a day! It’s like getting more free babysitting! Then you realize that if a channel doesn’t come in PERFECTLY, the whole screen freezes. Not like the old days, when if the rabbit ears weren’t positioned well you could still kind of see your program.
“Why don’t you just get cable, you cheap [fill in the blank]?!” you may ask. Well, first of all, I AM CHEAP. Have you not met me? Are ya new to this blog? (If you ARE new to this blog, I apologize for yelling at you, but you may as well get used to it.)
Plus if I had cable I wouldn’t have time to entertain YOU with this blog because I’d be watching TV about 10 hours a day … cooking shows, news shows, etc. I don’t need all that extra crap in my poor small brain! My mom tapes a very elite group of shows for me, which I can take or leave depending on how much time I have.
Which brings me to taping shows using a converter box. Yes, you read that right. I typed the word TAPING. Anyway, I can’t set up to tape anything anymore because:
1. The converter box automatically shuts off after a few hours.
2. How does my old VCR know WHICH Channel 19 to tape (there are 4, named 19-1, 19-2, etc.)? It is confused.
Y'all yell at me for being stuck in the ‘90s, but I’m telling you I like being different. Mark Twain said that whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Animals in Strollers and At Work
So you already know I have a “problem” (meaning I don’t really care all that much because it doesn’t hurt me none) with animals in strollers. But what about kids who are, like, TEN years old in strollers?
I don’t even want to get into the whole pacifier-at-age-four thing OR the nursing kids til they are 47 months old because I personally sucked my thumb until the double line showed up on my pregnancy test when I was 29.
I’m talking about consistently seeing older kids who can’t walk-and-rest like the rest of us. Most of the time my head is up my butt, so the reason I even NOTICE these kids is because they are usually having a full-on hissy fit of some variety. Hmmm, don’t act like a baby, kid, yet sit in a stroller til you move out of the house.
And what’s the deal with my “dependent” kids being insured on my medical policy until they are 25 years old? Does “dependent” mean they live at home or that I am footing the bill for their whole life OUTSIDE of my home (college, parties, transportation)?
First of all, no wonder insurance is so expensive if a kid is a kid for 7 years longer than it used to be. Second, why are we trying to get our child through their Master’s degree before kicking them out of the house, off the boob, and off insurance? Get a job like I had to, child! Starbuck’s offers insurance!
So we are taking care of our kids until they are a third of the way through their life, yet at the same time letting our daughters wear short-shorts with words like “princess” and “hot” on their ass. Oh, and they get cell phones, unlimited Internet access, cable TV in their bedrooms and $100 portable video game machines when they are like five years old now. Good Lord, how confusing is that?
And don’t even TALK to me about how I nurse too long or how I smother my kids by homeschooling them. We are ALL guilty in some way, no?
I don’t even want to get into the whole pacifier-at-age-four thing OR the nursing kids til they are 47 months old because I personally sucked my thumb until the double line showed up on my pregnancy test when I was 29.
I’m talking about consistently seeing older kids who can’t walk-and-rest like the rest of us. Most of the time my head is up my butt, so the reason I even NOTICE these kids is because they are usually having a full-on hissy fit of some variety. Hmmm, don’t act like a baby, kid, yet sit in a stroller til you move out of the house.
And what’s the deal with my “dependent” kids being insured on my medical policy until they are 25 years old? Does “dependent” mean they live at home or that I am footing the bill for their whole life OUTSIDE of my home (college, parties, transportation)?
First of all, no wonder insurance is so expensive if a kid is a kid for 7 years longer than it used to be. Second, why are we trying to get our child through their Master’s degree before kicking them out of the house, off the boob, and off insurance? Get a job like I had to, child! Starbuck’s offers insurance!
So we are taking care of our kids until they are a third of the way through their life, yet at the same time letting our daughters wear short-shorts with words like “princess” and “hot” on their ass. Oh, and they get cell phones, unlimited Internet access, cable TV in their bedrooms and $100 portable video game machines when they are like five years old now. Good Lord, how confusing is that?
And don’t even TALK to me about how I nurse too long or how I smother my kids by homeschooling them. We are ALL guilty in some way, no?
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Dads Who Travel and Travel Widows
Aron has to leave town for a measly 3 days this week , but it still disrupts our world. My saint mother (I can hear my dad laughing right now) is going to come over Thursday so I can do a market research thing for an hour that night. She’s watching all 4 kids. She’s spending the night. WOW.
Then Friday is the Dental Appointment (I always have cavities no matter what I do, and YES I am aware that I eat too much chocolate). Aron was supposed to join me on this appointment and have his own, but TRAVEL intrudes. I have had to reschedule his appointment literally 5 times. Mom is also coming to THAT with me … the kids like to play in the waiting area so they can hear me screaming (just kidding).
Last time he traveled was a tiny trip to Chicago. Before that it was ALL SUMMER because some moron quit (again) so MY man got to leave every Sunday night at 5 p.m. and return every Saturday at 1 a.m. for about 10 weeks or so. It was like Chinese Work Torture. Just stay gone for 4 weeks and be home for 4, for God's sake.
I'm not supposed to complain. My dad says it's not like he's digging ditches. I say it's not like I'm staying sane.
Then Friday is the Dental Appointment (I always have cavities no matter what I do, and YES I am aware that I eat too much chocolate). Aron was supposed to join me on this appointment and have his own, but TRAVEL intrudes. I have had to reschedule his appointment literally 5 times. Mom is also coming to THAT with me … the kids like to play in the waiting area so they can hear me screaming (just kidding).
Last time he traveled was a tiny trip to Chicago. Before that it was ALL SUMMER because some moron quit (again) so MY man got to leave every Sunday night at 5 p.m. and return every Saturday at 1 a.m. for about 10 weeks or so. It was like Chinese Work Torture. Just stay gone for 4 weeks and be home for 4, for God's sake.
I'm not supposed to complain. My dad says it's not like he's digging ditches. I say it's not like I'm staying sane.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Halloween Questions and Laws
1. What time do you usually start trick-or-treating? Even if your kids are grown, please answer this question for the past, Mamas or Papas. I view Halloween as a candy-getting sport, so I like to be at it around 6 p.m. Yeah, so Daylight Saving Time is throwing the sunlight off, but who says it has to be pitch-black to get candy?
2. What time do you call it quits? I'm saying by 8 on a regular night; maybe 8:30 on a weekend. Some kid showed up at our door WITH HIS PARENT at 9:45. How uncouth!
3. Do you just want to throw eggs at the cars that race down the street, almost hitting your groups of kids who are crossing in the crosswalk? I didn't have eggs, so I threw my best "Don't mess with a Mama Bear" look and then yelled at the guy that he was "brilliant." (Sorry, but I have a nasty ear infection and was pretty grumpy to start with).
4. I may have to shut you out of the blog if you answer "yes" to this, so think carefully before commenting. Do you ever DRIVE your kids around a normal neighborhood? By "normal" I mean not a swanky neighborhood where the houses are 10,000 feet from each other. Oh, and did I mention the weather was GORGEOUS last night, as well? I saw people pulling up to only the houses with lights on as their kids (and not tiny ones, either) got out to trick or treat. Please enlighten me if you do this, because in my book this is (a) lazy and teaches your kids (b) to be lazy and (c) to be greedy. If I hafta work for MY candy (oops, I mean MY KIDS' candy), you hafta work for yours.
5. Don't you hate when someone's porch light is on and they don't answer? Or when their light is NOT on and they hear you coming and chase you down the street because you didn't come to their house?
Anyone else have any other Halloween peeves?
2. What time do you call it quits? I'm saying by 8 on a regular night; maybe 8:30 on a weekend. Some kid showed up at our door WITH HIS PARENT at 9:45. How uncouth!
3. Do you just want to throw eggs at the cars that race down the street, almost hitting your groups of kids who are crossing in the crosswalk? I didn't have eggs, so I threw my best "Don't mess with a Mama Bear" look and then yelled at the guy that he was "brilliant." (Sorry, but I have a nasty ear infection and was pretty grumpy to start with).
4. I may have to shut you out of the blog if you answer "yes" to this, so think carefully before commenting. Do you ever DRIVE your kids around a normal neighborhood? By "normal" I mean not a swanky neighborhood where the houses are 10,000 feet from each other. Oh, and did I mention the weather was GORGEOUS last night, as well? I saw people pulling up to only the houses with lights on as their kids (and not tiny ones, either) got out to trick or treat. Please enlighten me if you do this, because in my book this is (a) lazy and teaches your kids (b) to be lazy and (c) to be greedy. If I hafta work for MY candy (oops, I mean MY KIDS' candy), you hafta work for yours.
5. Don't you hate when someone's porch light is on and they don't answer? Or when their light is NOT on and they hear you coming and chase you down the street because you didn't come to their house?
Anyone else have any other Halloween peeves?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)