Or however you spell it. So here we are at the end of yet another year. How we got here I couldn't tell ya. All I know is it's about to be 2009 and I'm not quite ready.
In 6th grade my Occupational Investigation teacher (I love you Mr. Mayfield. I pray that you are frolicking with angels and watching your family with love) showed us a quick video done by a comedian that basically said when you're a kid, life is so slow. But once you hit about 30, everything moves in super speed. Well, I'm passed 30 and life is moving in SUPERSPEED. That video has stuck with me all this time and it hits me every now and then. I look at my kids and gasp at where they are in the life circle.
We are done with our first half of school. When it started it seemed like it would never end. We had a huge curriculum that I thought I was crazy to have tackled. But we got through it. Sometimes not well, and sometimes not pretty, but we got through it.
I realized that I took on too much. Not just school, but dance and co-ops and JAM. Not that we wouldn't have done it anyway, but the manner in which I did them was too much. We are in town four days a week for dance. There are four of us dancing and we each have a different day. Sometimes two co-ops a week. And a very full Wednesday. But here's what I've learned, and how we will do things differently.
I can no longer take on so much responsibility at JAM. It was too much for me and too much for my kids. We were at church some weeks four and five days, just trying to coordinate JAM stuff. I cannot do that anymore. The kids suffer, their school work suffers, and I suffer. I get stressed out, which I take out on the kids. I'm not always available to help them with problems in their school work. We'll do it later became my mantra. They shouldn't be doing work at 6 at night because I had to run to the church and do one quick thing that actually took 2 hours. So although I am not resigning, I will not compromise my children's work and their self esteem to do one more quick thing. That will have to be done by someone other than me.
Our co-ops are fun for the kids, and for me, too. But now our days will not be as work intensive as they have been on those days. We get done what we get done. If all the math problems don't get done, we'll work around it. Do you have the basic concept? Can you demonstrate that concept effectively? Then only do 10 problems instead of 25. That is a fantastic flexibility that I refuse to give up. If you know something, you don't have to show me 25 times that you know it. And whatever needs to get done, will get done. That means I take my time for myself during non-school hours. Like that's a big change.
And I have learned not to expect so much of myself. If the bathroom doesn't get cleaned twice a week, stressing about it doesn't get it cleaned. It will get that way again. And delegation is crucial. The big girl started hanging up all her own clothes. So that's one more person that puts away their own laundry. And one more chore off of me. My shoulders feel a little lighter already. The baby started cleaning her own room. The big girl helps sometimes which takes a huge burden off me. I can spend that time eating bon bons while laying on the couch watching soaps all day. Hold on, laugh break. Just let me wipe my tears of laughter and blow my nose real quick.
So hopefully, 2009 will also bring insight into myself and the dynamic of my family. 2008 was good and fruitful and brought lots of opportunity for love and laughter and joy. I have a small party planned with a very handsome man and three of my favorite little people. Maybe smallish people, because they are not as little as they used to be. Enjoy your celebrations, whatever they may be. And may the new year bring new and joyous opportunities.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
Funny strange or...
funny ha ha? God sure has a sense of humor. And sometimes I'm the butt of the joke. That's the part that I don't like. But let me start at the beginning.
Hubby has been dealing with a new computer system at work. The system wasn't meant for telephone work. It has been rearranged and reprogrammed and all kinds of fun things just for his company. The test markets didn't test well. That should have been clue number one, but when trying to sell a company, instead of focusing on the positives of the company like the work force, the company tried to get automated and look high tech.
It didn't test well because the techs in the test areas didn't want the system. They complained and complained, productivity went down, and major problems insued, one being a total revamping of the system. But instead of finding out why, the company proceeded to launch the new software.
Now I should preface any further remarks by saying that stupid is as stupid does. And higher ups that are stupid really piss me off. Don't get me started on the bailout that I didn't want. Anyway...
There have been so many complaints about the new system that I think hubby's boss stopped taking phone calls and asked for emails. I can understand. That way he has them all in one place and can access them instead of trying to remember everything or finding all his post it notes. Been there, done that. And still the bugs are rampant. I could fix the system, but nobody wants to listen to me.
The system can extend your roster, or the time that you are supposed to clock out. That means if there is overtime available, it will let you know automatically. Only it hasn't been. Well it almost did. It would extend hubby's time, but then there wouldn't be any jobs available. So he would call up the dispatch people and they would tell him no jobs. Only when he got to work the next day, they had carried over 4, 5, or 6 jobs. But the computer and the dispatch people didn't see them. So hubby has missed out on several hours of overtime this week.
We shouldn't depend on overtime, but we do. We need it to make the mortgage, pay the bills, put gas in the cars, buy groceries. You know the drill. Without overtime, we sink. We don't even have lifejackets. So because of this crazy system, we are floundering. Until tonight.
It seems that the powers that be are trying to get a handle on things, finally. So hubby is working at least until 7. Yeah, overtime. But here's where the story gets really good.
My friend Scott wrote a blog the other day called "Colds are Icky". And guess what? I have a cold. I have a one runny nostril, one clogged nostril, settling deep in my chest cold. I just want to take a hot bath, curl up in my pj's, and pull the covers over my head cold. But hubby won't be home until late and somebody has to take care of the kids. But why me today? Oh, yeah, I'm the mama.
So tonight it's fingerling potatoes baked in the oven, a Pillsbury French loaf, left over penne and broccoli from last night, and a veggie with fake Salisbury steak. The left over penne because if we don't eat it tonight, I'll probably end up thowing it out, and it was too good to throw out. Fake Salisbury steak because I just thawed some hamburger, browned some patties, then added 2 cups of water and a packet of Lipton onion mushroom to make gravy. I also added some fresh mushrooms because I had them and onions because why not. Put the lid on and let it cook for about 30 minutes. And microwave a veggie. Then I'm making some plates for the kids and falling back on the couch.
So God is laughing because I was complaining about no overtime. And now it's here and I want hubby to come home early. I have a cold. And owls are assholes. You have to read Scott's blog to appreciate it. It's an older one, so scroll through. At least the kids have been outside most of the afternoon playing. So they should eat good, shower well, and sleep even better. Whoo!
Hubby has been dealing with a new computer system at work. The system wasn't meant for telephone work. It has been rearranged and reprogrammed and all kinds of fun things just for his company. The test markets didn't test well. That should have been clue number one, but when trying to sell a company, instead of focusing on the positives of the company like the work force, the company tried to get automated and look high tech.
It didn't test well because the techs in the test areas didn't want the system. They complained and complained, productivity went down, and major problems insued, one being a total revamping of the system. But instead of finding out why, the company proceeded to launch the new software.
Now I should preface any further remarks by saying that stupid is as stupid does. And higher ups that are stupid really piss me off. Don't get me started on the bailout that I didn't want. Anyway...
There have been so many complaints about the new system that I think hubby's boss stopped taking phone calls and asked for emails. I can understand. That way he has them all in one place and can access them instead of trying to remember everything or finding all his post it notes. Been there, done that. And still the bugs are rampant. I could fix the system, but nobody wants to listen to me.
The system can extend your roster, or the time that you are supposed to clock out. That means if there is overtime available, it will let you know automatically. Only it hasn't been. Well it almost did. It would extend hubby's time, but then there wouldn't be any jobs available. So he would call up the dispatch people and they would tell him no jobs. Only when he got to work the next day, they had carried over 4, 5, or 6 jobs. But the computer and the dispatch people didn't see them. So hubby has missed out on several hours of overtime this week.
We shouldn't depend on overtime, but we do. We need it to make the mortgage, pay the bills, put gas in the cars, buy groceries. You know the drill. Without overtime, we sink. We don't even have lifejackets. So because of this crazy system, we are floundering. Until tonight.
It seems that the powers that be are trying to get a handle on things, finally. So hubby is working at least until 7. Yeah, overtime. But here's where the story gets really good.
My friend Scott wrote a blog the other day called "Colds are Icky". And guess what? I have a cold. I have a one runny nostril, one clogged nostril, settling deep in my chest cold. I just want to take a hot bath, curl up in my pj's, and pull the covers over my head cold. But hubby won't be home until late and somebody has to take care of the kids. But why me today? Oh, yeah, I'm the mama.
So tonight it's fingerling potatoes baked in the oven, a Pillsbury French loaf, left over penne and broccoli from last night, and a veggie with fake Salisbury steak. The left over penne because if we don't eat it tonight, I'll probably end up thowing it out, and it was too good to throw out. Fake Salisbury steak because I just thawed some hamburger, browned some patties, then added 2 cups of water and a packet of Lipton onion mushroom to make gravy. I also added some fresh mushrooms because I had them and onions because why not. Put the lid on and let it cook for about 30 minutes. And microwave a veggie. Then I'm making some plates for the kids and falling back on the couch.
So God is laughing because I was complaining about no overtime. And now it's here and I want hubby to come home early. I have a cold. And owls are assholes. You have to read Scott's blog to appreciate it. It's an older one, so scroll through. At least the kids have been outside most of the afternoon playing. So they should eat good, shower well, and sleep even better. Whoo!
Monday, December 22, 2008
Merry F-ing Christmas
I always wonder what about this time of year turns people into raving lunatics. Is it that they place too much emphasis on finding just that right present? Or is that they place too much emphasis on things? I think it's a combination of alot of things, but that those two figure pretty high in the balance.
We had to run some errands today. We did the bank, library, post office, and Wal Mart. We should get it straight right now that I have started avoiding that big box store unless I absolutely have to go. Every time I go I feel like screaming "I hate this store!" Anyhoo, all of our errands involved getting out of the car. But my kids were troopers. But some people we ran into were just serious bah-humbugs.
There was a lady at the library who had the look. You know the look. The one that says she just smelled something bad. And it's her. Yeah, not nice. My kids were kind of staring, and I had to refocus their attention on something else. I have also decided that the boy is not allowed to check out books unless they are previously approved. He has been getting books that are well below his reading level. And most of them were read by the time we got back to the house. But the clerk was nice enough and even wished us Happy Holidays. I always say Merry Christmas back. I don't really care if they celebrate Kwanzaa or Hanukka or whatever. They can say that and I would still respond with a Merry Christmas.
The clerks in the post office were a little rude. I understand that they are butt slamming busy this time of year, but really. I didn't ask you to take this job. You accepted this position when it was offered to you. Get the hell over it. I wanted the clerk to run my last minute cards through the happy postage machine and then I would pay for it. She didn't. She handed me 11 stamps. Thank you for letting me play stickers with my kids. I let the kids help and then we all put them in the slot. "Next!", she yelled before I had even put my change in my pocket. And Merry Christmas to you.
And the parking lot at Wal Mart was horrible. The traffic alone to get into the parking lot was miserable. People just don't want to wait. And if they do, they don't want to wait for long. I had two people do the daredevil pulling out in front of me stunt. I told the kids, stay close, it's a madhouse. The boy was funny. We had been in the store all of 2 minutes, when he said he thought it was just the parking lot. But the store was crazy, too. He makes me laugh. I told him that's why I wanted him to stay close.
And nobody had any patience in the store. People were just running their carts wherever they could, not giving anyone an inch. My poor kids. At one point they had to let go of the cart to get through a small space. Then somebody got between us. I pulled over until they could catch up, which got me a couple of rude looks. They're lucky I didn't push all the carts out of the way to get to my kids. It wasn't the baby, though. She stayed with me.
And speaking of the baby. She copped a little attitude with her brother at one point. But don't feel bad for him. He has a tendency to treat her like crap, so sometimes he gets what he deserves. Unfortunately, when it was time to say goodbye to the lobsters in the seafood department, she didn't want to go. I had to literally drag her back to the cart. Then the litle bugger let go of my hand and tripped on her shoe. Her sprawling out in the middle of the floor of WalMart made me look really bad. Then as I'm trying to talk to her about it, some old guy starts "Oh, poor baby" crap. Dude, I do not need your help. I really hope I don't see it on the news. I don't have time to go to jail before Christmas, because it looked like I flung her to the ground. Great.
And the cashier. She was another one that looked like she smelled something bad. No personality, no smile, no nothing. The boy was loading the cart for me, my big helper. When I asked him if that was everything, she barks, "That's it." Okay, and thank you. And Merry Christmas to you. And the parking lot was no better on our way out than in. People still trying to pull out in front of me. As I was backing out, a car stopped to get my spot. They could have stopped a little sooner and actually given me room to back out. I had to do a three point turn. Merry Christmas.
And through it all, I just smiled. My Christmas shopping is done, Santa is coming, and I get to open my big box in two days. And God gave us a Savior in his son Jesus. Aaahh!
I know why people get stressed out during this time, and I can say I have to try really hard not to give in. But common courtesy and a smile seem to get me through. That and blogging about it. Thank goodness for a blog.
If I don't blog between now and Christmas, have a great one. Please read the Christmas Story, Luke 2:1-20. Also read about the angel's visit to Mary in Luke 1:26-38. Matthew 1:18-25 is Joseph's story. I urge all of you to focus some time on the real meaning of Christmas and to keep Christ in Christmas. Enjoy the fact that we have a Savior that was sent to us. And enjoy your time with those that you call family.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We had to run some errands today. We did the bank, library, post office, and Wal Mart. We should get it straight right now that I have started avoiding that big box store unless I absolutely have to go. Every time I go I feel like screaming "I hate this store!" Anyhoo, all of our errands involved getting out of the car. But my kids were troopers. But some people we ran into were just serious bah-humbugs.
There was a lady at the library who had the look. You know the look. The one that says she just smelled something bad. And it's her. Yeah, not nice. My kids were kind of staring, and I had to refocus their attention on something else. I have also decided that the boy is not allowed to check out books unless they are previously approved. He has been getting books that are well below his reading level. And most of them were read by the time we got back to the house. But the clerk was nice enough and even wished us Happy Holidays. I always say Merry Christmas back. I don't really care if they celebrate Kwanzaa or Hanukka or whatever. They can say that and I would still respond with a Merry Christmas.
The clerks in the post office were a little rude. I understand that they are butt slamming busy this time of year, but really. I didn't ask you to take this job. You accepted this position when it was offered to you. Get the hell over it. I wanted the clerk to run my last minute cards through the happy postage machine and then I would pay for it. She didn't. She handed me 11 stamps. Thank you for letting me play stickers with my kids. I let the kids help and then we all put them in the slot. "Next!", she yelled before I had even put my change in my pocket. And Merry Christmas to you.
And the parking lot at Wal Mart was horrible. The traffic alone to get into the parking lot was miserable. People just don't want to wait. And if they do, they don't want to wait for long. I had two people do the daredevil pulling out in front of me stunt. I told the kids, stay close, it's a madhouse. The boy was funny. We had been in the store all of 2 minutes, when he said he thought it was just the parking lot. But the store was crazy, too. He makes me laugh. I told him that's why I wanted him to stay close.
And nobody had any patience in the store. People were just running their carts wherever they could, not giving anyone an inch. My poor kids. At one point they had to let go of the cart to get through a small space. Then somebody got between us. I pulled over until they could catch up, which got me a couple of rude looks. They're lucky I didn't push all the carts out of the way to get to my kids. It wasn't the baby, though. She stayed with me.
And speaking of the baby. She copped a little attitude with her brother at one point. But don't feel bad for him. He has a tendency to treat her like crap, so sometimes he gets what he deserves. Unfortunately, when it was time to say goodbye to the lobsters in the seafood department, she didn't want to go. I had to literally drag her back to the cart. Then the litle bugger let go of my hand and tripped on her shoe. Her sprawling out in the middle of the floor of WalMart made me look really bad. Then as I'm trying to talk to her about it, some old guy starts "Oh, poor baby" crap. Dude, I do not need your help. I really hope I don't see it on the news. I don't have time to go to jail before Christmas, because it looked like I flung her to the ground. Great.
And the cashier. She was another one that looked like she smelled something bad. No personality, no smile, no nothing. The boy was loading the cart for me, my big helper. When I asked him if that was everything, she barks, "That's it." Okay, and thank you. And Merry Christmas to you. And the parking lot was no better on our way out than in. People still trying to pull out in front of me. As I was backing out, a car stopped to get my spot. They could have stopped a little sooner and actually given me room to back out. I had to do a three point turn. Merry Christmas.
And through it all, I just smiled. My Christmas shopping is done, Santa is coming, and I get to open my big box in two days. And God gave us a Savior in his son Jesus. Aaahh!
I know why people get stressed out during this time, and I can say I have to try really hard not to give in. But common courtesy and a smile seem to get me through. That and blogging about it. Thank goodness for a blog.
If I don't blog between now and Christmas, have a great one. Please read the Christmas Story, Luke 2:1-20. Also read about the angel's visit to Mary in Luke 1:26-38. Matthew 1:18-25 is Joseph's story. I urge all of you to focus some time on the real meaning of Christmas and to keep Christ in Christmas. Enjoy the fact that we have a Savior that was sent to us. And enjoy your time with those that you call family.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Clearing the air and other misc.
I've been asked some questions about my blog topics and my stance on those topics. So I thought I would take a minute to clear the air. Enjoy! And I do welcome questions. If you don't understand all my ramblings, I am always here for clarification.
I am pro-choice, not pro-abortion. There is a difference. I believe that the option needs to be there. I believe that God gave us free will, which includes making a choice. As I have previously stated, I know several people that have done it. Although I do not believe in the procedure, I understand the reasoning behind it. And in most cases I sympathize with the painful decision. And it was a decision that was made after serious thought and debate. But in the end, it is not my choice to make. I do not think that it should be used as a form of birth control. That, to me, is an "abuse of power" if you will. There are other options. But, again, not my decision to make or support.
And no man should tell a woman what to do with her body. It is her body. It is the woman that will have to change her life for the care of the baby, not the man. It is the woman that has to deal with all the changes to her body, not the man. And no other woman should make that decision for anyone either. The only one making that decision is the woman who is pregnant. The best thing that I can do is listen with an open mind, ear, and heart. And if my opinion is asked, I'll give it. But I can always say "I will pray that you make the right decision." And then pray. And ask if she wants to pray with me. And then pray. That may seem passive, but having been in the situation, that was the best thing I could do for my friends.
I am very much for gay marriage. I have friends that are gay, and they are judged from every sector of the community. And why? Because they choose to love someone who is the same sex. And that is bad how? Aren't they experiencing those things that most people want to experience? Don't we all want to find that one person in our lives that we can share with? Have a family with? And call our own, our family? Why should it be different for a man who loves a man, or a woman who loves a woman? They are people, too. We all bleed red, we all breathe the same air, and we all need the same things to live and thrive and survive.
I do not agree with constitutional amendments that prohibit or define marriage. That is not what an amendment is for. An amendment is for how our government should act and operate, not who our citizens should marry. To me an amendment like that goes against the grain of what this country has stood for for so many years. Haven't immigrants been coming here to pursue a dream?
And yes, Virginia, there is a difference between a pedophile and a homosexual. So please do not leave any comments about homosexuals stalking our young children and trying to molest them. Or trying to turn our youth of today into homosexuals. Have you been in the hallways of a public high school? Society and the media are doing a fine enough job of exploiting yet another segment of our society. Don't blame that on homosexuals, blame that on the media.
And I really don't care to hear, "Well if gay marriage is approved, then that opens the world up to all kinds of marriage, like adults and children." Are people really that stupid? Molesting children is illegal, homosexuality is not. Interracial marriage was shunned for decades, and now look. I am the product of an interracial marriage, and so are my children. We need to get over our self righteous attitudes.
Which brings up topic number 3. I am very much a Christian. But I am also a pretty liberal Christian. Growing up outside the church, in the world so to speak, my opinions don't necessarily follow the path. I have to reconcile my ideals with the ideals of the church. But the thing that comes up most often is the love of Jesus Christ for us. So Jesus doesn't love everyone, just people he likes? Not according to what I've been taught. Jesus loves us all. And God made and formed each and every one of us. He knows the decisons we are going to make, the thoughts we are going to think, and the actions we are going to take before we ever do. And thank God that He is there for us at all times. When we make a good or bad decision, He is there. We just need to open our hearts and minds to Him and listen to the good words He has for us.
Having said that, I will restate a previous opinion. Get the church out of politics. Our government is there to protect the majority of the people. The saying "You can't please all the people all the time" should apply here. The government is here to do what is right for the people, not the church. If we had politicians that were in it for the people and not themselves, I think we would see that the policies and laws would follow what God wants for us. But when you have shove it down your throats, super Christians trying to make policy instead, that convulutes the process. They are lobbyists, they just work for a different team. Most lobbyists are just leeches anyway. Pushing an agenda for a self absorbed, self involved entity just leads to laws that no one wants and no one needs. Digital TV? What was so wrong that Congress had to make a law that we needed digital TV? And if we need it so bad, why are we being charged for the converter box?
And now to degrees. I do not have a degree. Several of my friends do, and are working very hard on continuing their education to attain more degrees, or a higher level degree. I don't have a problem with that. I have even thought about going back to school to finish my degree. Or just to get one. My problem is with those that have one and seem to think that because I don't, I'm not as good or as smart. Yes, I know that it is tied to my abandonment issues and feelings of inadequacy. In my dealing with the medical community, there are several people that treat others like dirt because they do not have letters behind their name. I do not have letters behind my name. But if you count the apostrophe in my middle name, I have 26 characters in my name. Does that count? We all have an area of expertise, whether or not we have a degree or certificate or whatever.
And when things get a little further along in our homeschooling adventure, I would also like to get back to school for myself. I am seriously thinking about a degree in nutrition. I'm thinking about becoming an herbalist of all things. I have really enjoyed our explorations into the world of nutrition and herbal remedies and supplements that hubby and I have been taking. It fascinates me that something as common as ginger and peppermint can have so many different uses for our bodies. I really want for my family to eat better and feel better and get away from the over preserved and over processed foods that are on our grocery store shelves.
I hope that I have cleared up some things. I probably made some even muddier. But I am an evolving person still, as we all are.
I am pro-choice, not pro-abortion. There is a difference. I believe that the option needs to be there. I believe that God gave us free will, which includes making a choice. As I have previously stated, I know several people that have done it. Although I do not believe in the procedure, I understand the reasoning behind it. And in most cases I sympathize with the painful decision. And it was a decision that was made after serious thought and debate. But in the end, it is not my choice to make. I do not think that it should be used as a form of birth control. That, to me, is an "abuse of power" if you will. There are other options. But, again, not my decision to make or support.
And no man should tell a woman what to do with her body. It is her body. It is the woman that will have to change her life for the care of the baby, not the man. It is the woman that has to deal with all the changes to her body, not the man. And no other woman should make that decision for anyone either. The only one making that decision is the woman who is pregnant. The best thing that I can do is listen with an open mind, ear, and heart. And if my opinion is asked, I'll give it. But I can always say "I will pray that you make the right decision." And then pray. And ask if she wants to pray with me. And then pray. That may seem passive, but having been in the situation, that was the best thing I could do for my friends.
I am very much for gay marriage. I have friends that are gay, and they are judged from every sector of the community. And why? Because they choose to love someone who is the same sex. And that is bad how? Aren't they experiencing those things that most people want to experience? Don't we all want to find that one person in our lives that we can share with? Have a family with? And call our own, our family? Why should it be different for a man who loves a man, or a woman who loves a woman? They are people, too. We all bleed red, we all breathe the same air, and we all need the same things to live and thrive and survive.
I do not agree with constitutional amendments that prohibit or define marriage. That is not what an amendment is for. An amendment is for how our government should act and operate, not who our citizens should marry. To me an amendment like that goes against the grain of what this country has stood for for so many years. Haven't immigrants been coming here to pursue a dream?
And yes, Virginia, there is a difference between a pedophile and a homosexual. So please do not leave any comments about homosexuals stalking our young children and trying to molest them. Or trying to turn our youth of today into homosexuals. Have you been in the hallways of a public high school? Society and the media are doing a fine enough job of exploiting yet another segment of our society. Don't blame that on homosexuals, blame that on the media.
And I really don't care to hear, "Well if gay marriage is approved, then that opens the world up to all kinds of marriage, like adults and children." Are people really that stupid? Molesting children is illegal, homosexuality is not. Interracial marriage was shunned for decades, and now look. I am the product of an interracial marriage, and so are my children. We need to get over our self righteous attitudes.
Which brings up topic number 3. I am very much a Christian. But I am also a pretty liberal Christian. Growing up outside the church, in the world so to speak, my opinions don't necessarily follow the path. I have to reconcile my ideals with the ideals of the church. But the thing that comes up most often is the love of Jesus Christ for us. So Jesus doesn't love everyone, just people he likes? Not according to what I've been taught. Jesus loves us all. And God made and formed each and every one of us. He knows the decisons we are going to make, the thoughts we are going to think, and the actions we are going to take before we ever do. And thank God that He is there for us at all times. When we make a good or bad decision, He is there. We just need to open our hearts and minds to Him and listen to the good words He has for us.
Having said that, I will restate a previous opinion. Get the church out of politics. Our government is there to protect the majority of the people. The saying "You can't please all the people all the time" should apply here. The government is here to do what is right for the people, not the church. If we had politicians that were in it for the people and not themselves, I think we would see that the policies and laws would follow what God wants for us. But when you have shove it down your throats, super Christians trying to make policy instead, that convulutes the process. They are lobbyists, they just work for a different team. Most lobbyists are just leeches anyway. Pushing an agenda for a self absorbed, self involved entity just leads to laws that no one wants and no one needs. Digital TV? What was so wrong that Congress had to make a law that we needed digital TV? And if we need it so bad, why are we being charged for the converter box?
And now to degrees. I do not have a degree. Several of my friends do, and are working very hard on continuing their education to attain more degrees, or a higher level degree. I don't have a problem with that. I have even thought about going back to school to finish my degree. Or just to get one. My problem is with those that have one and seem to think that because I don't, I'm not as good or as smart. Yes, I know that it is tied to my abandonment issues and feelings of inadequacy. In my dealing with the medical community, there are several people that treat others like dirt because they do not have letters behind their name. I do not have letters behind my name. But if you count the apostrophe in my middle name, I have 26 characters in my name. Does that count? We all have an area of expertise, whether or not we have a degree or certificate or whatever.
And when things get a little further along in our homeschooling adventure, I would also like to get back to school for myself. I am seriously thinking about a degree in nutrition. I'm thinking about becoming an herbalist of all things. I have really enjoyed our explorations into the world of nutrition and herbal remedies and supplements that hubby and I have been taking. It fascinates me that something as common as ginger and peppermint can have so many different uses for our bodies. I really want for my family to eat better and feel better and get away from the over preserved and over processed foods that are on our grocery store shelves.
I hope that I have cleared up some things. I probably made some even muddier. But I am an evolving person still, as we all are.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Shoulders as Earrings
Do you ever feel that way? Like you're wearing your shoulders for earrings? I get that way, but mostly it is self induced. It comes mostly from those stupid abandonment issues I have.
Sometimes if a group I belong to has a function that I don't know about, and then I hear about it later, I think,"Why didn't anyone say anything to me?" It has nothing to do with the group, just me. I have the devil sitting on my shoulder telling me that nobody likes me. Nobody wants to be around me. They tolerate me because of my kids. They tolerate me in spite of me. I could go on and on, but I would rather brush him off my shoulder.
That's when I have to open my ears to really listen to the angel that sits on my other shoulder, the one that tells me taht I am worthy of love. The one that tells me that my family and my friends love me. The one that says that just because I wasn't invited, that doesn't mean that I wasn't thought about.
We had a really great night tonight. It was chili dog night. I like mine with onions, sauerkraut, cheese, and chili. Mustard is alright, but in the grand scheme of things, I can't taste it. So I just don't bother putting it on sometimes. I made homemade french fries and they were so good. It was one of those nights that had me thinking how blessed I am. Do you ever have those? I am married to the best man in the world (my blog, my opinion counts), my kids are phenomenal, and I am able to stay home with my kids and teach them all the wonders of the world. I could not have a better life. We finished our latest Christmas book, which means a trip to the library, because I'm all out.
And then I get on the internet. I won't even tell you what has the shoulders hitting the high ground. It's stupid and childish and I refuse to give it light. But there I went, shoulders up. And over stupid shit. Some of you may have an idea, and you're probably right. So I'm hoping that by revealing my Achilles heel, I can finally let stuff like this go.
Instead I will count my blessings. I will take inventory of the positive things in my life. I will be grateful for the small things and the big things. I will be thankful that we have presents under our tree. I went a little more extravagant than I was meaning to, but I did. And I paid cash for most of it, so I feel better about that. I will be thankful for my friends that I have and my family that I love and loves me. And I will have my husband help me take my shoulders off my ears.
Sometimes if a group I belong to has a function that I don't know about, and then I hear about it later, I think,"Why didn't anyone say anything to me?" It has nothing to do with the group, just me. I have the devil sitting on my shoulder telling me that nobody likes me. Nobody wants to be around me. They tolerate me because of my kids. They tolerate me in spite of me. I could go on and on, but I would rather brush him off my shoulder.
That's when I have to open my ears to really listen to the angel that sits on my other shoulder, the one that tells me taht I am worthy of love. The one that tells me that my family and my friends love me. The one that says that just because I wasn't invited, that doesn't mean that I wasn't thought about.
We had a really great night tonight. It was chili dog night. I like mine with onions, sauerkraut, cheese, and chili. Mustard is alright, but in the grand scheme of things, I can't taste it. So I just don't bother putting it on sometimes. I made homemade french fries and they were so good. It was one of those nights that had me thinking how blessed I am. Do you ever have those? I am married to the best man in the world (my blog, my opinion counts), my kids are phenomenal, and I am able to stay home with my kids and teach them all the wonders of the world. I could not have a better life. We finished our latest Christmas book, which means a trip to the library, because I'm all out.
And then I get on the internet. I won't even tell you what has the shoulders hitting the high ground. It's stupid and childish and I refuse to give it light. But there I went, shoulders up. And over stupid shit. Some of you may have an idea, and you're probably right. So I'm hoping that by revealing my Achilles heel, I can finally let stuff like this go.
Instead I will count my blessings. I will take inventory of the positive things in my life. I will be grateful for the small things and the big things. I will be thankful that we have presents under our tree. I went a little more extravagant than I was meaning to, but I did. And I paid cash for most of it, so I feel better about that. I will be thankful for my friends that I have and my family that I love and loves me. And I will have my husband help me take my shoulders off my ears.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Lap Books
Here are the pictures of the lap book that I completed. It was so much fun. We are taking the kids a little at a time, but we should be done by Thursday. You'll get to see theirs then. My favorite part was putting the mini books together. And when I say mini books, I mean little, tiny books. They are folded different ways, have different info, some you write on, some you color. There is so much you can do with a lap book. Enjoy!
Sunday, December 14, 2008
Weird science
Hubby and a friend that he works with have been looking at some really funky websites. I think they're weird, even if the boys don't. Apparently, there is a planet that has quite the elliptical orbit and it is heading this way. It only comes this way every 3600 years or so. Frankly, how "they" (the scientist) know this, I don't know. But you should see the number of websites out there that support this theory.
Frankly, I don't believe it. But I guess in a couple of years if the government tells us that a planet is headed this way and on a collision course, I was wrong. This planet hit us once before, and that's what made this planet liveable, "they" say. I want some of what they are smoking. But just a little, 'cause it is some freaky shit.
Apparently, and I don't know where hubby gets this except those tabloids at the grocery store that declare women are having alien babies and weird stuff like that, psychics can't see further in the future than 2012. That's a little disconcerting. I was hoping for grandkids one day. I want to spoil the little buggers silly and send them home with my kids. That's the way of things, isn't it?
This planet is called Nibiru. Or you can Google planet x and see the thousands of websites that pop up. It amazes me that people have time to spend on stuff like that. But I guess we all have our priorities. Mine are a little cooky, too.
I've been downloading activities for a Christmas lap book. One of the homeschool moms in my group sent an email with these great activities, and I saved it. Or so I thought. When I went to pull it up today, I only had one page. I emailed her to resend it, but I also googled Christmas lap books and got a ton of hits. So I spent some time going through some different sites and getting some great ideas.
For those of you that don't know what a lapbook is, let me explain. You take a manilla file folder and fold it. You take the two outside flaps and fold the outside edge into the main fold. Then you fill it with information about a certain subject. Google it and you'll see. The are really cool. This will be our first one ever and I am really excited. I want to do a couple with our science next year, animals, and this will help get our feet wet. You can make little mini books to glue inside or big pages. You can have fold over flaps. You can do all kinds of things. Two of our homeschool moms did a workshop, but I wasn't able to go. We had just gotten back from vacation and I just did not have the time. But this will be quite the learning experience. And hopefully, the planet won't come to an end before we get it done.
There was a website link on one of the sites that hubby went to that said we are in the sixth seal already. The book of Revelation is actually quite interesting if you have never read it. I have read the "Left Behind" series, so I was a little reluctant, but hubby has been reading it and is loving it. I have a friend that says she finds it very comforting. I just need to shake it off and read it. Get rid of the fear and just go for it. Maybe I'll post some thoughts about it and we can read it together.
I think I have exposed you to enough new things tonight. So here is your challenge. Read Revelation, and Google lapbooks and Nibiru and Planet X. Report back here with your findings. I'll be waiting here while I finish my gin and ginger ale. Happy Googling!
Frankly, I don't believe it. But I guess in a couple of years if the government tells us that a planet is headed this way and on a collision course, I was wrong. This planet hit us once before, and that's what made this planet liveable, "they" say. I want some of what they are smoking. But just a little, 'cause it is some freaky shit.
Apparently, and I don't know where hubby gets this except those tabloids at the grocery store that declare women are having alien babies and weird stuff like that, psychics can't see further in the future than 2012. That's a little disconcerting. I was hoping for grandkids one day. I want to spoil the little buggers silly and send them home with my kids. That's the way of things, isn't it?
This planet is called Nibiru. Or you can Google planet x and see the thousands of websites that pop up. It amazes me that people have time to spend on stuff like that. But I guess we all have our priorities. Mine are a little cooky, too.
I've been downloading activities for a Christmas lap book. One of the homeschool moms in my group sent an email with these great activities, and I saved it. Or so I thought. When I went to pull it up today, I only had one page. I emailed her to resend it, but I also googled Christmas lap books and got a ton of hits. So I spent some time going through some different sites and getting some great ideas.
For those of you that don't know what a lapbook is, let me explain. You take a manilla file folder and fold it. You take the two outside flaps and fold the outside edge into the main fold. Then you fill it with information about a certain subject. Google it and you'll see. The are really cool. This will be our first one ever and I am really excited. I want to do a couple with our science next year, animals, and this will help get our feet wet. You can make little mini books to glue inside or big pages. You can have fold over flaps. You can do all kinds of things. Two of our homeschool moms did a workshop, but I wasn't able to go. We had just gotten back from vacation and I just did not have the time. But this will be quite the learning experience. And hopefully, the planet won't come to an end before we get it done.
There was a website link on one of the sites that hubby went to that said we are in the sixth seal already. The book of Revelation is actually quite interesting if you have never read it. I have read the "Left Behind" series, so I was a little reluctant, but hubby has been reading it and is loving it. I have a friend that says she finds it very comforting. I just need to shake it off and read it. Get rid of the fear and just go for it. Maybe I'll post some thoughts about it and we can read it together.
I think I have exposed you to enough new things tonight. So here is your challenge. Read Revelation, and Google lapbooks and Nibiru and Planet X. Report back here with your findings. I'll be waiting here while I finish my gin and ginger ale. Happy Googling!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Guilt by Association
The big girl has gotten "hooked" on a show. And of all things, it's "Wife Swap". Now normally that is not a program that we watch. The name alone is enough for me to send the kids out of the room when it comes on. But she has me hooked on it as well.
For those of you who have never watched or don't know what it is, two women trade families for two weeks. The producers usually pick people from two different life styles. And usually the life styles are way different. And there is always some kind of conflict. But I can understand that.
When hubby and I first moved here, we lived with his oldest brother. I could not find a job to save my life, so I was home all day. And it sucked. Target wouldn't hire me to answer the phones, and that was with 5 1/2 years of retail experience, with at least 3 in management. They thought I would be bored. No, I needed a paycheck. But I digress. I did finally find a job. I worked 4 days a week in the office of the temp agency I applied at. And I loved it.
After we had lived here a year or so, hubby's brother started dating the woman that would become his wife. She practically moved in after their first date, but to each his own. Hubby and I only knew each other 6 months before we decided to get married. But again, digressing. Friction occured when I started feeling like she had come in and tried to take over a role I had been playing for quite awhile. It is hard to have someone come in and tell you that you suck at whatever it is you are doing. And some of that friction is still there today after all years, but that is so another blog.
One of the moms in an episode we watched tonight homeschooled 4 of her 6 children. Her youngest 2 were running around the house and basically were disrupting the flow of knowledge, but she didn't discipline them or try to occupy them with other things. It was chaos, at least to me. I do not think I could function, or my kids could function, in that type of atmosphere.
The other mom worked a full time plus job, as did her husband. The kids went to school and daycare. They were both very well educated and were trying to provide for the future of their family. I can understand that. I would love for the future of my family to be as financially secure as possible. But what we want and what we get are two different things. We're working as hard as we can to do that.
The friction came when the educated husband didn't understand the point of homeschooling. And frankly, I don't think the mom did a very good job at explaining or demonstarting what homeschooling is about. At one point the dad said that he had yet to see a pencil touch a piece of paper. He even broke one of the new mom's rules and sent the kids back to school.
At the end, the working mom asked what would happen if the homeschooled kids wanted to go to college, but were unprepared. She didn't think that they would be academically ready. It was almost like a comedy show in my head when someone says something and you hear the needle scratch the record. Hold up one minute. So here's where the blog gets good. Are you ready?
There are so many reasons to homeschool, and each reason means something different to each family and person. Our reason was because the big girl could not get a decent teacher in her school. That meant that when the boy got older and into those grades, he would have to cycle through those teachers. That was not happening. So we pulled our kids out and brought them home.
There are many philosophies and ways to homeschool. One very popular way is called "unschooling". To some, this means schooling through real life and not using textbooks, except when absolutley necessary. And even then, an alternative can usually be worked out somehow. The thought behind it is that every day life is used to teach. Grocery shopping can be a math lesson in addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. You could also use it for algebra. Geometry is stretching it a bit for me, but you never know how others do it.
Some rely on books. Not text books, but actual books you read. Wow, what a concept. The art of the written word is such an important one. Sometimes I think that technology just sets us back years and years instead of pushing us forward. The concept is that all things can be taught through living. I admire people that can school that way.
I am tied to curriculum, but at least it's curriculum that I choose. We do as much real life learning as we can, but sometimes, book learning is easier for me. But you would be amazed at what my kids know. They amaze me daily with their abilities and incredible minds. But, there I go again.
At one point homeschool mom was playing musical instruments with her "new" kids while dad was trying to put the baby down for a nap. He asked her at one point to go in the basement with the kids and play. She refused and he had a hard time getting the baby to sleep. He was angry and I don't blame him. She said he didn't get the point about living in the moment. Well, yeah he did. He was living in the moment of getting the baby to sleep. Take your crap and go in the basement and live in the moment there.
I was upset at the end when the working mom said the kids would not be ready for college. First of all, learning is not always done out of a book. Sometimes it's easier to learn by doing. Don't we learn about life from living it? Don't we learn how to act, react, and feel from the situations in our life? Why does all learning have to be done with a pencil and a piece of paper?
I felt defensive with our choice of homeschooling and the example the mom set. Not all homeschoolers are that way. We choose what we do for different reasons. But just because she came off as an idiot, doesn't mean there aren't smart people out there teaching their kids.
Some teacher unions want laws passed that require homeschooling parents to have a degree. I have an IQ of 152. Do I really need a degree, a piece of paper that says I spent a ton of money to get a piece of paper? Now all you that have a degree, good for you. But just because I didn't finish college doesn't mean that I'm an idiot and don't know my kids. It means that life stepped in my way and I took a different path.
I know that I have blogged on the joys and the reasons for homeschooling. But, apparently, I feel the need again. Not all homeschoolers are looking to hole up in a cave, and not be around people. Not all homeschoolers are people that are lazy and just want their kids at home. Not all homeschoolers do it for the same reasons. But don't let one family that is homeschooling one way give others a bad name. Keep an open mind.
For those of you who have never watched or don't know what it is, two women trade families for two weeks. The producers usually pick people from two different life styles. And usually the life styles are way different. And there is always some kind of conflict. But I can understand that.
When hubby and I first moved here, we lived with his oldest brother. I could not find a job to save my life, so I was home all day. And it sucked. Target wouldn't hire me to answer the phones, and that was with 5 1/2 years of retail experience, with at least 3 in management. They thought I would be bored. No, I needed a paycheck. But I digress. I did finally find a job. I worked 4 days a week in the office of the temp agency I applied at. And I loved it.
After we had lived here a year or so, hubby's brother started dating the woman that would become his wife. She practically moved in after their first date, but to each his own. Hubby and I only knew each other 6 months before we decided to get married. But again, digressing. Friction occured when I started feeling like she had come in and tried to take over a role I had been playing for quite awhile. It is hard to have someone come in and tell you that you suck at whatever it is you are doing. And some of that friction is still there today after all years, but that is so another blog.
One of the moms in an episode we watched tonight homeschooled 4 of her 6 children. Her youngest 2 were running around the house and basically were disrupting the flow of knowledge, but she didn't discipline them or try to occupy them with other things. It was chaos, at least to me. I do not think I could function, or my kids could function, in that type of atmosphere.
The other mom worked a full time plus job, as did her husband. The kids went to school and daycare. They were both very well educated and were trying to provide for the future of their family. I can understand that. I would love for the future of my family to be as financially secure as possible. But what we want and what we get are two different things. We're working as hard as we can to do that.
The friction came when the educated husband didn't understand the point of homeschooling. And frankly, I don't think the mom did a very good job at explaining or demonstarting what homeschooling is about. At one point the dad said that he had yet to see a pencil touch a piece of paper. He even broke one of the new mom's rules and sent the kids back to school.
At the end, the working mom asked what would happen if the homeschooled kids wanted to go to college, but were unprepared. She didn't think that they would be academically ready. It was almost like a comedy show in my head when someone says something and you hear the needle scratch the record. Hold up one minute. So here's where the blog gets good. Are you ready?
There are so many reasons to homeschool, and each reason means something different to each family and person. Our reason was because the big girl could not get a decent teacher in her school. That meant that when the boy got older and into those grades, he would have to cycle through those teachers. That was not happening. So we pulled our kids out and brought them home.
There are many philosophies and ways to homeschool. One very popular way is called "unschooling". To some, this means schooling through real life and not using textbooks, except when absolutley necessary. And even then, an alternative can usually be worked out somehow. The thought behind it is that every day life is used to teach. Grocery shopping can be a math lesson in addition, subtraction, division, and multiplication. You could also use it for algebra. Geometry is stretching it a bit for me, but you never know how others do it.
Some rely on books. Not text books, but actual books you read. Wow, what a concept. The art of the written word is such an important one. Sometimes I think that technology just sets us back years and years instead of pushing us forward. The concept is that all things can be taught through living. I admire people that can school that way.
I am tied to curriculum, but at least it's curriculum that I choose. We do as much real life learning as we can, but sometimes, book learning is easier for me. But you would be amazed at what my kids know. They amaze me daily with their abilities and incredible minds. But, there I go again.
At one point homeschool mom was playing musical instruments with her "new" kids while dad was trying to put the baby down for a nap. He asked her at one point to go in the basement with the kids and play. She refused and he had a hard time getting the baby to sleep. He was angry and I don't blame him. She said he didn't get the point about living in the moment. Well, yeah he did. He was living in the moment of getting the baby to sleep. Take your crap and go in the basement and live in the moment there.
I was upset at the end when the working mom said the kids would not be ready for college. First of all, learning is not always done out of a book. Sometimes it's easier to learn by doing. Don't we learn about life from living it? Don't we learn how to act, react, and feel from the situations in our life? Why does all learning have to be done with a pencil and a piece of paper?
I felt defensive with our choice of homeschooling and the example the mom set. Not all homeschoolers are that way. We choose what we do for different reasons. But just because she came off as an idiot, doesn't mean there aren't smart people out there teaching their kids.
Some teacher unions want laws passed that require homeschooling parents to have a degree. I have an IQ of 152. Do I really need a degree, a piece of paper that says I spent a ton of money to get a piece of paper? Now all you that have a degree, good for you. But just because I didn't finish college doesn't mean that I'm an idiot and don't know my kids. It means that life stepped in my way and I took a different path.
I know that I have blogged on the joys and the reasons for homeschooling. But, apparently, I feel the need again. Not all homeschoolers are looking to hole up in a cave, and not be around people. Not all homeschoolers are people that are lazy and just want their kids at home. Not all homeschoolers do it for the same reasons. But don't let one family that is homeschooling one way give others a bad name. Keep an open mind.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Group Pictures
Before we left for vacation, there was mention of a family portrait. Once, but not so much after that. Then when we get there, Oh by the way we're taking pictures. Eeerrr. We worked it out and it was something that has never been done, on either side of the family. So Tuesday was the day.
We all had to wear red, white, or denim. Now if I would have been reminded, I had stuff I could have brought. But alas, that was not the case. So off to WalMart on Monday to try to find some stuff. I got a red shirt, hubby got a red flannel plaid, and the boy got a red and black plaid flannel. The big girl got this really great fuzzy white shirt and these really cool jeans that have sparkly, silver pockets. If you know the big girl, you know that she likes anything sparkly. The baby already had a white shirt that I had brought with me.
Tuesday my mom and stepdad had a doctor's appointment that couldn't be rescheduled. That was alright, because it gave us a little time to breathe. When my mom called at 3, she couldn't believe that we hadn't left already. Our appointment was at 5, and we were leaving at 3:30. She failed to mention until then that traffic is horrible when you get closer to civilization. So scrambling around, we finally get ourselves together and head out the door. It was a little crazy, but not as bad as we had anticipated. And boy, did we ever look good!
We got to the mall right on time and actually met my mom and one of my nieces in the bathroom. We all primped a little and out to the photo studio. This should be a warning that all would not go well. And it didn't.
There was only one person working the photo studio. She had to answer the phone, take the pictures, and help the customers in the store. Apparently, her help didn't show. She had placed a call and help would soon arrive, but not soon enough.
We had 13 people (there are 19 on hubby's side) with 7 children ranging in age from 11 to 3. They were actually very good for having to wait as long as we did for the actual picture taking to commence. We didn't get started until after 6. There wasn't that much whining (cringe, cringe), and they all got along really well.
So once the picture taking got started, the fun began. There was blinking, startled expressions, eyes closed, mouths open, heads turned, and who knows what else. We did each family pod-my sister and her family, me and my family. We did all of us together. We did Mermie with her babies. And then there was Mermie and Uncle Jessie. They were great pictures. And to finally have them done was a huge relief.
Hubby and my brother in law took four of the kids with them to a play area in the mall that is free. It is all padded. There is one way in and one way out. And it's free. It's like having a park at the mall, and it was a tremendous help to our children and us. Because that's when the fun really started at the photo studio.
The girl uploaded all of our pictures, and let us look and meander and decide. My sister had called earlier that day and checked on the use of some coupons she had. She made sure that certain ones could be used certain ways and was assured it was so. Until we got there and found out that we couldn't do it that way. I cannot stand that. It took us forty five minutes to figure out the prints, the groupings, the number, the size, the sharing, the giving away, and all the other details that come from a family portrait. And then we were told that we couldn't do it. We wasted almost three hours of our time that we cannot get back only to be told that we couldn't do what the coupons said we could do.
My sister was hot. My mother was hot. And I was, too. I think by that time the poor girl that was working with us was so frazzled by her day she didn't give a rat's ass what we did or what we thought. And we were very vocal about how unhappy we were. Everybody in the studio knew, and so did everyone in the store. We left without placing an order and almost refused to come back.
But it was one of those things that had never been done. And it was one of those things that we wanted. So my sister went back the next day and ordered some prints. We had a buy one get one free coupon that she used. No where on the coupon did it say that you had to order the same print to get a free one. But by golly that was what you were supposed to do. So she did. When we had questioned the girl about it the night before, she said we were expected to know. Yeah, way to advertise. My sister is going to call the customer service number when the order comes in and give them heck. Whoo hoo! Go get 'em, Tiger! When asked if she wanted to pay an extra $3 per sheet to have them printed same day, my sister said she wasn't spending any more money than she absolutley had to.
We will never use Sears photo studio again. Yep, that's who did the pictures, and the round about coupons that were misleading and not clear. That's who, after being over an hour late to take our pictures, gave us the run around and wouldn't work with the customer. But hopefully, we'll get our copies soon and have some to share.
And if we ever do this again, maybe we'll be a little better prepared.
We all had to wear red, white, or denim. Now if I would have been reminded, I had stuff I could have brought. But alas, that was not the case. So off to WalMart on Monday to try to find some stuff. I got a red shirt, hubby got a red flannel plaid, and the boy got a red and black plaid flannel. The big girl got this really great fuzzy white shirt and these really cool jeans that have sparkly, silver pockets. If you know the big girl, you know that she likes anything sparkly. The baby already had a white shirt that I had brought with me.
Tuesday my mom and stepdad had a doctor's appointment that couldn't be rescheduled. That was alright, because it gave us a little time to breathe. When my mom called at 3, she couldn't believe that we hadn't left already. Our appointment was at 5, and we were leaving at 3:30. She failed to mention until then that traffic is horrible when you get closer to civilization. So scrambling around, we finally get ourselves together and head out the door. It was a little crazy, but not as bad as we had anticipated. And boy, did we ever look good!
We got to the mall right on time and actually met my mom and one of my nieces in the bathroom. We all primped a little and out to the photo studio. This should be a warning that all would not go well. And it didn't.
There was only one person working the photo studio. She had to answer the phone, take the pictures, and help the customers in the store. Apparently, her help didn't show. She had placed a call and help would soon arrive, but not soon enough.
We had 13 people (there are 19 on hubby's side) with 7 children ranging in age from 11 to 3. They were actually very good for having to wait as long as we did for the actual picture taking to commence. We didn't get started until after 6. There wasn't that much whining (cringe, cringe), and they all got along really well.
So once the picture taking got started, the fun began. There was blinking, startled expressions, eyes closed, mouths open, heads turned, and who knows what else. We did each family pod-my sister and her family, me and my family. We did all of us together. We did Mermie with her babies. And then there was Mermie and Uncle Jessie. They were great pictures. And to finally have them done was a huge relief.
Hubby and my brother in law took four of the kids with them to a play area in the mall that is free. It is all padded. There is one way in and one way out. And it's free. It's like having a park at the mall, and it was a tremendous help to our children and us. Because that's when the fun really started at the photo studio.
The girl uploaded all of our pictures, and let us look and meander and decide. My sister had called earlier that day and checked on the use of some coupons she had. She made sure that certain ones could be used certain ways and was assured it was so. Until we got there and found out that we couldn't do it that way. I cannot stand that. It took us forty five minutes to figure out the prints, the groupings, the number, the size, the sharing, the giving away, and all the other details that come from a family portrait. And then we were told that we couldn't do it. We wasted almost three hours of our time that we cannot get back only to be told that we couldn't do what the coupons said we could do.
My sister was hot. My mother was hot. And I was, too. I think by that time the poor girl that was working with us was so frazzled by her day she didn't give a rat's ass what we did or what we thought. And we were very vocal about how unhappy we were. Everybody in the studio knew, and so did everyone in the store. We left without placing an order and almost refused to come back.
But it was one of those things that had never been done. And it was one of those things that we wanted. So my sister went back the next day and ordered some prints. We had a buy one get one free coupon that she used. No where on the coupon did it say that you had to order the same print to get a free one. But by golly that was what you were supposed to do. So she did. When we had questioned the girl about it the night before, she said we were expected to know. Yeah, way to advertise. My sister is going to call the customer service number when the order comes in and give them heck. Whoo hoo! Go get 'em, Tiger! When asked if she wanted to pay an extra $3 per sheet to have them printed same day, my sister said she wasn't spending any more money than she absolutley had to.
We will never use Sears photo studio again. Yep, that's who did the pictures, and the round about coupons that were misleading and not clear. That's who, after being over an hour late to take our pictures, gave us the run around and wouldn't work with the customer. But hopefully, we'll get our copies soon and have some to share.
And if we ever do this again, maybe we'll be a little better prepared.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Back Again
Hello, and how have you been? I know it's been awhile, but we were on vacation. And it was just a little inconvenient to blog while I was away. I did one day, but it felt weird on someone else's computer. And I could go on and on about how hard it was to get on a wireless network at the hotel, but that's for later in the blog.
We left for Texas on Saturday and did about 711 miles the first day. We went a different way this time. We felt the need for something a little different, so hubby and I planned a route that took us up the back roads of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. That hooked us up with a pretty major state highway in Mississippi. And that took us to Jackson. Yea for Jackson. That meant we were done driving for the day.
We stayed at a Best Western that was pretty conveniently located. It was on the west side, which meant we were closer to our destination. And there was an Applebee's in the parking lot. There were also a couple more restaurants, but we chose Applebee's because we could walk. And we all needed to walk. We wanted a hotel that had a heated or an indoor pool so we could work out the kinks from the drive, but that didn't happen. What we found out as we were leaving the next morning was that there was a Pizza Hut that had a play land for the kids not too far away. If we had known that, we would have had pizza.
The drive was beautiful and really gave us an appreciation for a time that seems long gone in our hurry up society of today. There were beautiful farms and quaint churches and small towns. It was nice to know that there are still places like that. Some of the country side through our route was very steep land that didn't seem like people could live there. Yet there were houses in places that looked as if the house was about to slide down a hill or steep cliff. It is amazing to me where people choose to live, and where they choose to make a life.
Getting to Texas was the best part of day two. We got to my sister's house and were met by my beautiful nieces. My oldest niece is almost as tall as I am. Not that I'm that tall, but she is twelve(almost). She's not supposed to do that. And the youngest of my four nieces was walking, talking, and whining. She was just a baby that last time I saw her. How does time go by that quickly? I know, tick-tock, tick-tock. It was a glorious week that at some times seemed to fly and others seemed that time couldn't go fast enough.
I got to see my friend Scott. We have known each other for so long and spent quite a bit of time together. It was so wonderful to make a connection again. We have been corresponding through email and blogs, but it was nice to hug him. I think back to the things we've done and said and smile. He has always made me laugh. And he is part of my family. He spent so much time at my house, I thought my mother was going to start charging him rent. He and his partner Jeff brought pizza and soda out to my mom's house. That was no small feat since she lives in the middle of frickin' nowhere with narry a street light around. We were so happy they made it.
And I got to see my friend Ruthie. It was about time for that to happen as well. We got to meet her boyfriend, who is a really nice man. And her son was there as well. I can remember when she was pregnant with him and now he is 15. Once again, how does that happen? I know, you don't have to repeat it. We had dinner at TGI Fridays and went bowling, then back to her house for a little while. The boy was amazed at her son's prowess at Guitar Hero. And it was good to get that hug. It is the physical touch that nurtures us and our souls and makes us feel alive.
I'll post more about our trip later, and more on my other blog. We are so glad to be home in our own beds. But as soon as we pulled out of the driveway at Mom's, the tears began to flow. Some of them were mine. We miss the family, we miss our friends. But we have more memories to add to our stockpile, to pull out when we need a family fix. I hope you all enjoyed your holiday and hope you all continue to be blessed.
We left for Texas on Saturday and did about 711 miles the first day. We went a different way this time. We felt the need for something a little different, so hubby and I planned a route that took us up the back roads of Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. That hooked us up with a pretty major state highway in Mississippi. And that took us to Jackson. Yea for Jackson. That meant we were done driving for the day.
We stayed at a Best Western that was pretty conveniently located. It was on the west side, which meant we were closer to our destination. And there was an Applebee's in the parking lot. There were also a couple more restaurants, but we chose Applebee's because we could walk. And we all needed to walk. We wanted a hotel that had a heated or an indoor pool so we could work out the kinks from the drive, but that didn't happen. What we found out as we were leaving the next morning was that there was a Pizza Hut that had a play land for the kids not too far away. If we had known that, we would have had pizza.
The drive was beautiful and really gave us an appreciation for a time that seems long gone in our hurry up society of today. There were beautiful farms and quaint churches and small towns. It was nice to know that there are still places like that. Some of the country side through our route was very steep land that didn't seem like people could live there. Yet there were houses in places that looked as if the house was about to slide down a hill or steep cliff. It is amazing to me where people choose to live, and where they choose to make a life.
Getting to Texas was the best part of day two. We got to my sister's house and were met by my beautiful nieces. My oldest niece is almost as tall as I am. Not that I'm that tall, but she is twelve(almost). She's not supposed to do that. And the youngest of my four nieces was walking, talking, and whining. She was just a baby that last time I saw her. How does time go by that quickly? I know, tick-tock, tick-tock. It was a glorious week that at some times seemed to fly and others seemed that time couldn't go fast enough.
I got to see my friend Scott. We have known each other for so long and spent quite a bit of time together. It was so wonderful to make a connection again. We have been corresponding through email and blogs, but it was nice to hug him. I think back to the things we've done and said and smile. He has always made me laugh. And he is part of my family. He spent so much time at my house, I thought my mother was going to start charging him rent. He and his partner Jeff brought pizza and soda out to my mom's house. That was no small feat since she lives in the middle of frickin' nowhere with narry a street light around. We were so happy they made it.
And I got to see my friend Ruthie. It was about time for that to happen as well. We got to meet her boyfriend, who is a really nice man. And her son was there as well. I can remember when she was pregnant with him and now he is 15. Once again, how does that happen? I know, you don't have to repeat it. We had dinner at TGI Fridays and went bowling, then back to her house for a little while. The boy was amazed at her son's prowess at Guitar Hero. And it was good to get that hug. It is the physical touch that nurtures us and our souls and makes us feel alive.
I'll post more about our trip later, and more on my other blog. We are so glad to be home in our own beds. But as soon as we pulled out of the driveway at Mom's, the tears began to flow. Some of them were mine. We miss the family, we miss our friends. But we have more memories to add to our stockpile, to pull out when we need a family fix. I hope you all enjoyed your holiday and hope you all continue to be blessed.
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