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My Do-Overs

7 Jul

If I knew then what I know now I would have:

  • Worn a bikini more than I did
  • Kept my hair long for longer (I wasted so many “young” years with a short ‘do)
  • Not jumped out of that moving car that one time
  • Taken a home economics class so I would know how to properly set a table
  • Said no to that perm I got in 7th grade
  • Paid more attention to the breathtaking cross-country road trips I got take with my dad, Kris and Mel
  • Learned how to properly apply makeup so I wouldn’t be clueless at age 32
  • Not wasted so much time worrying about certain boys
  • Cut back on the brewskies during the Ben Folds Five/Beck concert so Andrew could see Beck (sorry about that Andrew!)
  • Paid more attention during my Spanish classes (the cheat sheet didn’t help either)
  • Worn a bikini more than I did (this sentiment is the inspiration behind this post)

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Livin’ for Friday – Already?

12 Mar

Working for the weekend, it’s such a common thing: Is it Friday yet? It’s almost Friday. Just two more days until Friday! Don’t worry about your bad day – it’s Friday! T.G.I.F.!

There’s really no harm in it. What’s so wrong with looking forward to the day before your days off? Can you remember when you first started cheering for it? It seems it starts younger than I thought/remember.

The kids are already being trained to have those same feelings. If Nate gets through the week with good behavior, he gets to bring something for show and tell on Friday. Friday is shop at the junk “store” day in Nia’s class. Friday is no homework day. Friday is stay up late(r) day.

I can’t really explain why (and it’s not a major deal) but it made me feel a little sad for them. I just want them to grow up looking forward to each new day. Not just the end of many days.

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First Grade Feelings

1 Aug

Super Excited!

Don’t let the picture fool you. Our little Bean was not very boisterous about visiting her first grade classroom. Sure, she gave the teacher a sweet little hug good-bye and she loves that she’s going to get to sit in the front of the class, but she was extremely shy the whole time, barely answering the teacher’s questions and definitely not talking to any of the other children who were checking out their desks.

All of those children seemed to tower over her too. If she’s not the tiniest first grader I’ll be surprised. She still looks like a Kindergartner and I guess I still wish she was one.

This is scary and I’m nervous. I just want her to be ok. I am fearful about what this first grade year will hold for her. Will she be shy the whole year?  There is only one kid in this class that she had class with last year and according to Nia, he wasn’t nice. I know I can’t protect her from everything. I know she’s going to have hurt feelings, have to deal with mean kids and learn by making mistakes but I just want her to be ok.

Despite the shyness, she still seems happy. That should be good enough for me, right?

Nia's Desk is in the Front

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Swing Sets are So Worth It

28 Apr

Ever since we moved from Savannah, we’ve been wanting to get an outdoor play set for the kids.  It was a decision that didn’t come lightly.  Andrew really wanted to make sure he was getting one that would last.  He did online searches, he ordered the catalogs, he researched the wood used to make different ones – this was not a spontaneous purchase.

Yay!

Some of the sets we saw cost thousands of dollars (quite a few cost more than both of our cars!).  Of course, we weren’t going to get one of those, but we wanted what those offered – installation and a good warranty.  In the end, we found one we all liked –

It’s the baby of all the Rainbow play systems and it’s perfect for us!  It has all the features the kids love and the peace of mind and quality that Andrew loves (it’s also made in the USA and plants 5 trees for every one they use).  I’m just happy the kids finally have a fun outdoor place to escape to and enjoy.  I love that Nia and Nate can just walk outside whenever they want now and swing their little hearts out!  Mom and Dad can even get in on the fun – it’s built to hold the “big kids” too!

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Shhh! Don’t tell Victoria!

20 Sep

I have a secret to share and it’s not for all to know.  Trust me.  You will not want to read past this sentence if you don’t want to hear about my new love of Target bras.

I’ve been a Victoria’s Secret shopper for as long as I’ve been able to pick out my pretty things by myself.  Now though, I’m loving me some Gilligan & O’Malley.  They are comfortable, pretty, flattering, easy to adjust and are much, much cheaper than my former fave.  (I got my G&O for $11.99 compared to the usual $35ish at VS.)

Now, I will still turn to my girl for the sexier things but as for the day to day, it’s Target all the way.  Even Consumer Reports says you should consider a Gilligan & O’Malley.  Their report was the reason I experimented and I feel so smart and economical now. Oh yeah, and uplifted if you know what I mean.

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Donkeys or Elephants – It Doesn’t Matter

14 Sep

It’s no secret, I’ve always been a very wishy-washy person when it comes to politics or controversial issues.  It drives Andrew crazy because he wishes I would just take a stand on something.  Well, it seems I finally have formed an opinion and I’m actually going to put it out there for all to read and judge.

It all involves the coverage concerning the election.  People rooting for Obama are pleased as punch when journalists “tough” question the McCain/Palin camp. “Yeah!  Go get ’em Campbell Brown!  Woo hoo Barbara!  That’s the way to put them in their place!”  Those for McCain get disgusted and cry out that “It’s not fair!  They didn’t question Obama that way!  Wah!  Don’t be mean to Sarah!  What did she ever do to you?”

Well, it’s all crap.  It’s one thing for these “journalists” to want answers so they can better inform the public, it just doesn’t seem like that’s what they are really doing to me.  In almost every Big Media-McCain/Palin interview I’ve witnessed, the reporter/anchor was rude, argumentative, confrontational and almost certainly showed which candidate they really want to win. (Which I was taught was a no-no for journalists but maybe they are teaching something else these days.)  To me, it feels like these particular journalists are acting like the fans of a winning team that’s letting the lead slip through the cracks.

Does that mean I think McCain is going to win?  I have no idea.  Does it really matter?  Are you serious?  Haven’t we learned anything from history?  It doesn’t matter who has the title of President before his (or for some of you *gasp* her) name, it will always be the fault of the person who previously bared that title and for those who supported that person, it will be their gain when the current titleholder earns praise.

None of these candidates are perfect.  None of them are the answer to all that ails our country.  Do people really believe that any of these people are going to make it all better?  Or that they will make it any worse?  It is my genuine feeling that it does not matter who is elected.  We will still have problems.  We will still have positives.  We will still have struggles.  We will still have laughter.  We will still have debates.  We will still have agreements.  We will still be going through the motions.  We will still adjust to change.  No. Matter. Who. Is. President.

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Things Not to Say to a Mom Who’s Going back to Work

30 Aug

The following comments all come with a hint of snootiness from Stay-At-Home Moms I’ve come to know around town.  They make it pretty clear that I’m no longer in their “club.”

“Oh, you’re putting the kids in child care?”

“I guess you just have to do what you have to do.”

“That drive is awful.  I hated it and my kids were always so exhausted when I picked them up from day care.”

“You’re thinking about that day care?  I’ve heard some unsettling things about that day care.” (FYI – We didn’t pick that day care.)

“My daughter didn’t like that After-School program.”

“You are going to hate it when it rains.  The drive is even worse when it rains.”

“You’re going to leave for work that early?”

“You’re going to get killed on gas prices.”

“Well, if you say it’s worth it.”

“You have to drive how far every day?”

“Wow.  That’s going to be a really long day for your kids.”

“I’m sure you are going to miss all that quality time you get to spend with Nate.”

As if I didn’t feel bad/guilty/unsure enough about going back to work. Thanks for pointing out the obvious and for the support.  It would be different if they said what they said because they were genuinely concerned.  They aren’t.  They say it as they look down their nose at me.  I try to tell myself that they would do the same thing if they were in our position and given this opportunity.  Of course, I’m sure they would disagree.

 

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It’s not your cooties I’m worried about…

23 Apr

Teaching Nia about germs has turned her into more than a germophobe – she’s a misunderstood germophobe.

According to Nia, a little girl she didn’t know (let’s call her Sally) called her mean.  Nia says it’s all because Sally wanted to play with Nia’s new My Little Ponies but Nia told Sally she didn’t want to let her play with them because then she would get Nia’s germs.

I mean, Nia was just looking out for Sally’s well-being right?  It wasn’t like Nia was saying, “Ew.  I don’t want you to touch my ponies because you got cooties.”

Maybe Sally’s mom/dad still have to teach her about how to be a proper and considerate germophobe.
 

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Season of the Kirby

3 Mar

How many times in your lifetime should you be visited by a Kirby salesperson?  Maybe two or three?  A lucky few may live their whole lives and never know what the experience is like.  Others, who like me are at home during the day, aren’t so fortunate.  Today was my second visit in 32 days!

I feel kind of bad about my reaction.  Poor girl.  She was just trying to make a buck but I’m just trying to enjoy/efficiently use the hour or so I have to myself during the day. The last thing I want to do is suffer through another Kirby demonstration.  Especially since I know I’m not going to spend the $1500 to buy one, I don’t feel like entertaining and I have a 90 pound dog who won’t stop barking in the other room.

I think what I’m really bothered about is how they get into your home in the first place.  They mumble their way through their introduction and hand you a free gift. This particular salesperson said she had this “free gift to welcome me to the neighborhood.”  That’s the first fib.  How long have we lived here?  Fourteen months.  I should be welcomed by now I think.  They know they can use that line because there are still new homes being built here so there’s a chance I do need “welcoming.”

Fib number two – They don’t tell you they are Kirby salespeople.  Here’s how it went down for me – The free gift is mine to keep but she just needs me to participate in a “short survey” about a “wonderful new product called the Sentria.” She asks, “You know about the Sentria right? You’ve never heard of it?  Oh then, let me just go get it to show you how great it is!”  I tell her no thanks – I really don’t have the time. (I had an appointment with the couch and this computer – I’m a busy girl you know!)  To that she yells back as she is running down the steps to retrieve the product I already detest, “It will only take a few minutes of your time.  Please.  It helps me earn college credits.”  Yes. I fell for that.  I can be such a pushover when it comes to helping other people.  I don’t want to be the reason the young lady doesn’t graduate from college!  How could I live with that on my conscience?

Then, I saw it. One of her fellow salespeople came running up the driveway holding the big box that slyly entered my home the last time.  I acted as though they were going to bring a toxic chemical into my house.

“Nah-uh!  Nope!  No thanks!  No Kirby for me!”

They reacted like, “What? But this is the KIRBY.  How can you turn away God’s chosen vacuum cleaner?!?!”

WHATEVER!  I gave them back the free gift and told them that I was sorry and that I just couldn’t go through it again.  I probably made it seem like the last salesman attacked me with it or something.  I don’t even care. All that matters is that I have my precious moments of peace and another ridiculous memory.  I feel really bad for the next Kirby salesperson that comes my way though!

 

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Why ya gotta diss the mermaid?

31 Jan

Sometimes I just don’t understand people.  They pass judgment left and right but never look at themselves with those same eyes.  Here’s my beef –

I’ve been trying to check out more and more blogs written by moms – partly because I’m looking for people who are going through the same things I am so I know I’m not the only one and partly because I am curious about how other people write about/capture their experiences. (You know, the whole art of it all and stuff.)

Well, I kind of wish I would have stuck to my old reliables!  I feel so dirty to have cheated on you!  And for what?  So I could get all pissed off after reading one mom’s opinions?  In one post she talks about how she’s banned The Little Mermaid from her house because Ariel is an anti-feminist who gives up her legs, her voice and her family after just seeing a man who’s twice her age.  The mom thinks she’s being a good parent to keep something like that from her children.  Fast forward a few blogs later where she posts pics of herself with her laptop on her lap and her sleeping child (appears to be between one and two years old) sleeping on her stomach right next to the computer.  I’m sorry, but before you go and say you are such a good parent by shielding your kids from the bad example that is The Little Mermaid, shouldn’t you consider the example you’re setting by choosing your computer over your child?

Now, I’m not saying using the computer around our kids is wrong.  (Please, I’m totally guilty of that and in some cases, people are paid to have their computers around all the time.)  My main issue with this mom is that she doesn’t see how skewed her thinking/actions are.  It’s cute to have my child drooling on my computer but not cute to have them enjoy a Disney classic? Besides, what about what Prince Eric did for Ariel?  He sacrificed his life to save hers and fell in love with her even when she didn’t have a freakin’ voice!  Now it may just be I’m feeling all passionate about this because I love my girl Ariel!  Sure, there are some days when I wish I hadn’t shared my love of Disney movies with Nia at such an early age (she already has every princess doll) but then I think why not?  THEY ARE MOVIES AND MOVIE CHARACTERS.  I mean, if my child thinks that the only way to deal with someone who is different or a confrontation is by grabbing pitch forks and torches while singing “Kill the Beast!” or the only way to get what they want is by going to see a gigantic witch octopus then I have a lot more to blame than a movie.

What’s really messed up about all of this – if it wasn’t for her dissing my BFF Ariel – I probably would have thought the picture of her child sleeping next to her computer was cute too!  I’m a total psycho!
 

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