Saturday, December 25, 2010
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Resolutions
As December winds down and Christmas draws to a close I like most of you I am sure find myself thinking of how to make next year better than the one that is ending. 2010 was an interesting year to say the least. I watched my children become a year older, my oldest went from elementary into junior high school, my baby not only started school but thrives there, and my husband became temporarily (thank God) unemployed. He is back to work now which is good but timing as always has a way of biting me in the rear & he will miss Christmas again this year. I have done good on some of my goals. We have whittled down our debt by paying off 2 credit cards & paying down another. But this still seems to be taking a toll so we have decided to make bigger changes. We stopped paying Child support in April so now we have some extra room in the budget to start snowballing things. We've also decided to give up tv beginning in January. Next will be our landline in Feb & reducing our cell phones in Feb too. I also have my van up for sale and if all that goes as planned we can put close to $700 more a month to our debt. I know the mortgages won't get paid off sooner but I am not concerned with those. I just really want to pay the credit cards off completely.
Also, I'm coming up with a new business venture which may allow me to keep the van & to have it pay for itself. In the new year I will be a personal grocery shopper. I even have my first client lined up. I think this will be a great idea. I am really excited. I think there are people who will pay a reasonable fee to have someone do their grocery shopping for them.
I don't really have any resolutions....I am not saying I am resolved to be/do this that or the other but I do have goals which I will be writing up for another post & I will be printing them & posting them in my home to help hold myself accountable. I look forward to announcing wheneve a step has been accomplished towards my goals.
Do you have goals or resolutions for 2011?
Also, I'm coming up with a new business venture which may allow me to keep the van & to have it pay for itself. In the new year I will be a personal grocery shopper. I even have my first client lined up. I think this will be a great idea. I am really excited. I think there are people who will pay a reasonable fee to have someone do their grocery shopping for them.
I don't really have any resolutions....I am not saying I am resolved to be/do this that or the other but I do have goals which I will be writing up for another post & I will be printing them & posting them in my home to help hold myself accountable. I look forward to announcing wheneve a step has been accomplished towards my goals.
Do you have goals or resolutions for 2011?
Monday, September 13, 2010
The day B ran away.
So....my baby....my beloved B who is 3 decided that she did not want the dinner I prepared. She was adamant about going to nanny's house. (My mom.....grandma) So while at the table she kept asking to go. I told her no we would go another day. So....she rebelled the way 3 year olds do....she pushed her plate away, then spilled her drink then the final straw was when she flung her fork on the floor.
My husband who at this point had had enough took her to the front door.....opened it up then told her to go. Which she did. I couldn't believe my baby walked out the front door barefoot I might add...& started down the steps. My husband (cold hearted compared to me) shut the door. Of course he watched through the glass. She climbed down the steps & down the walk. When she got out of sight I told him to go out & watch her. (We live in the country & have snakes in the yard often) He watched her go down the drive (now...to set the scene our driveway is gravel & about 1500 feet long) all the way to the end where the road is. She looked up at him & he pointed toward the direction of nanny's house. She stood there uncertainly as birds tweeted & squirrels scampered. Those seemed to scare her so she told them in her big girl voice to be quiet. Her dad asked if she still wanted to leave.....she said no & walked back to where I was hoovering. When I asked her if she was ready to come back home she said "Nanny's house far far away.....get car"
Lol....my turkeyhead.
My husband who at this point had had enough took her to the front door.....opened it up then told her to go. Which she did. I couldn't believe my baby walked out the front door barefoot I might add...& started down the steps. My husband (cold hearted compared to me) shut the door. Of course he watched through the glass. She climbed down the steps & down the walk. When she got out of sight I told him to go out & watch her. (We live in the country & have snakes in the yard often) He watched her go down the drive (now...to set the scene our driveway is gravel & about 1500 feet long) all the way to the end where the road is. She looked up at him & he pointed toward the direction of nanny's house. She stood there uncertainly as birds tweeted & squirrels scampered. Those seemed to scare her so she told them in her big girl voice to be quiet. Her dad asked if she still wanted to leave.....she said no & walked back to where I was hoovering. When I asked her if she was ready to come back home she said "Nanny's house far far away.....get car"
Lol....my turkeyhead.
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
Open House.....a guide
Oh my. Last night was the open house for my oldest child's school. While some of it was very informative some was quite boring & could therefore be skipped. I don't understand why they send home information about programs then talk about the same thing they wrote about on open house. The only issue I really had can not be solved & its not a huge issue so I am not concerned. All of her teachers were super nice & I am sure my child will have a great year.
Now....onto the informative side. I have some tips for people to follow when you attend open house for your child. Most people will not have any problems following the rules but there are a few that need these tips but unfortunately because I am not Dear Abby they will not read this.
Tip #1 I know retro clothes are in....but if you wore it the first time it was in fashion you are to old to wear it again. (Which is why sadly I can't wear leg warmers again...lol) Case in point....high waste jeans.....cute when you were 20 not so cute now that you are 50. Pass them to another girl & wear age appropriate clothes.
Tip #2 Just because you can fit into it doesn't mean you should wear it out of the house. Mini skirts & belly shirts should not be worn by most women period. ESPECIALLY when you are over 30 & for absolute sure after you are 45. Which brings me to my next tip...
Tip #3 Do not shop for clothes in your daughter's or Lord forbid granddaughter's closets. If you want to know why refer to tip #2.
Tip #4 I do not care how in love with your husband, boyfriend, significant other you are open house is not the time for large amounts of PDA. (I am talking about the parents unfortunately) Actually keep PDA to a minimum. Handholding is fine.....sucking face not so much.
Tip #5 Please....if you can...leave infants at home or with a sitter. It is very overwhelming to them to have 600 kids in their face, it is LOUD, & there is no room for strollers. I know when you are single its hard but if possible leave the baby at home with daddy.
Tip #6 Try to leave grandparents & great grandparents at home. Same reasons apply to them as infants. To many people, very loud, no room for wheel chairs & its fast. We had 3 minutes between classes. I found it hard to keep up so I know that some of those people were winded. Bring them to assemblies where there isn't as much walking to do.
Hope you enjoyed reading these tips as much as I had fun writing them.
Have any tips to share?
Now....onto the informative side. I have some tips for people to follow when you attend open house for your child. Most people will not have any problems following the rules but there are a few that need these tips but unfortunately because I am not Dear Abby they will not read this.
Tip #1 I know retro clothes are in....but if you wore it the first time it was in fashion you are to old to wear it again. (Which is why sadly I can't wear leg warmers again...lol) Case in point....high waste jeans.....cute when you were 20 not so cute now that you are 50. Pass them to another girl & wear age appropriate clothes.
Tip #2 Just because you can fit into it doesn't mean you should wear it out of the house. Mini skirts & belly shirts should not be worn by most women period. ESPECIALLY when you are over 30 & for absolute sure after you are 45. Which brings me to my next tip...
Tip #3 Do not shop for clothes in your daughter's or Lord forbid granddaughter's closets. If you want to know why refer to tip #2.
Tip #4 I do not care how in love with your husband, boyfriend, significant other you are open house is not the time for large amounts of PDA. (I am talking about the parents unfortunately) Actually keep PDA to a minimum. Handholding is fine.....sucking face not so much.
Tip #5 Please....if you can...leave infants at home or with a sitter. It is very overwhelming to them to have 600 kids in their face, it is LOUD, & there is no room for strollers. I know when you are single its hard but if possible leave the baby at home with daddy.
Tip #6 Try to leave grandparents & great grandparents at home. Same reasons apply to them as infants. To many people, very loud, no room for wheel chairs & its fast. We had 3 minutes between classes. I found it hard to keep up so I know that some of those people were winded. Bring them to assemblies where there isn't as much walking to do.
Hope you enjoyed reading these tips as much as I had fun writing them.
Have any tips to share?
Sunday, August 29, 2010
The Clampets survive a hurricane
So....on the 5th anniversary week of Hurricane Katrina I thought I'd write a little about my experience living through it.
The day before it was supposed to make landfall we rolled out in the early morning hours. And when I say we I mean WE. Our cast of characters included in our caravan... In the lead car was my mom, dad, & 78 y/o grandma with a bad bladder & hip, next we have my brother, his wife, his 3 y/o son, & 10 week old daughter, and 2 dogs, then we had his mother in law with her husband, 13 y/o daughter & 3 week old daughter, then we had me, my sister, & my daughter who was 6. (My husband was offshore in another country & could not come home). Also in another caravan we had about 8 more family & friends including another 3 week old who was on an apnea monitor for SIDS & a 3 month old & 2 more dogs & a cat. Yes....we were the Clampets take a vacation.
So....our caravan goes from Se La all the way to El Dorado Ark only touching an interstate somewhere past Monroe La. Oh my freaking lord we went through some pig trails.
Now my sister who is not a morning person decides to nap. Fine....good thing for you to be doing. So she gets her pillow then decides the sun is to bright so she rolls up her blanket into the window. Hello?? I can't freaking see out my front passenger window....so I snatch it down which ensues a fight. (TOUGH) So then she complains about my music choices. (Hello....we are in the backwoods...be happy its not the theme song from Deliverance) And what is wrong with Def Leopard???
So....after getting turned around a few thousand times my brother in his infinite wisdom decides to take over as point car. He takes us to a freaking park.....along a marina...& finally back to the main highway where my dad overtakes him & regains lead. (My dad lived in El Dorado my brother never has)
We finally arrive at the hotel.....now....before you start thinking about nice hotels w/ restaurants STOP. Because it was about 2 steps up from the kind of hotel that rents rooms by the hour. No restaurant but a Huttle House (like a Waffle House) across the street. But there was a pool thank you Lord. A nice pool. And they had Internet & set up a computer for the guests to use for free which was very kind of them.
Oh yea....I forgot to mention.....we could only get 3 rooms. Yep....you do the math.
The reason we went there is we have family in El Dorado. Now....we go to visit my grandma's sister who is 80ish & has no central air. But she has tv. The other forms of entertainment in El Dorado is the Walmart & pizza hut type place. That is all.
So we came back home on Tuesday. Drove all day to get back. My dad had went back on Monday w/ the guys to check on our homes. All homes were standing but had a lot of trees down. I had no power & no generator so my sister & I stayed at my parents. Luckily they had a window unit in the master bedroom so we all slept in there. It was not a bad experience. My sister & I already knew how to cook some things on the propane burner so we cooked. We spent a lot of time outside playing cards or dice in the evenings. For lunch we had MREs. We'd go to the ballpark & get water & MREs from the National Guard. They were very nice men who we met. Always smiling with the kids & giving them candy.
When Walmart opened that was an experience. First waiting in line for an hour, only being let in 10 at a time for 20 min. (You really didn't need long as there was hardly anything there) and having the National Guard standing there armed with machine guns. Waiting in your cars for an hour or longer to get gas. Oh boy....the things I never imagined I'd see.
How was your experience?
The day before it was supposed to make landfall we rolled out in the early morning hours. And when I say we I mean WE. Our cast of characters included in our caravan... In the lead car was my mom, dad, & 78 y/o grandma with a bad bladder & hip, next we have my brother, his wife, his 3 y/o son, & 10 week old daughter, and 2 dogs, then we had his mother in law with her husband, 13 y/o daughter & 3 week old daughter, then we had me, my sister, & my daughter who was 6. (My husband was offshore in another country & could not come home). Also in another caravan we had about 8 more family & friends including another 3 week old who was on an apnea monitor for SIDS & a 3 month old & 2 more dogs & a cat. Yes....we were the Clampets take a vacation.
So....our caravan goes from Se La all the way to El Dorado Ark only touching an interstate somewhere past Monroe La. Oh my freaking lord we went through some pig trails.
Now my sister who is not a morning person decides to nap. Fine....good thing for you to be doing. So she gets her pillow then decides the sun is to bright so she rolls up her blanket into the window. Hello?? I can't freaking see out my front passenger window....so I snatch it down which ensues a fight. (TOUGH) So then she complains about my music choices. (Hello....we are in the backwoods...be happy its not the theme song from Deliverance) And what is wrong with Def Leopard???
So....after getting turned around a few thousand times my brother in his infinite wisdom decides to take over as point car. He takes us to a freaking park.....along a marina...& finally back to the main highway where my dad overtakes him & regains lead. (My dad lived in El Dorado my brother never has)
We finally arrive at the hotel.....now....before you start thinking about nice hotels w/ restaurants STOP. Because it was about 2 steps up from the kind of hotel that rents rooms by the hour. No restaurant but a Huttle House (like a Waffle House) across the street. But there was a pool thank you Lord. A nice pool. And they had Internet & set up a computer for the guests to use for free which was very kind of them.
Oh yea....I forgot to mention.....we could only get 3 rooms. Yep....you do the math.
The reason we went there is we have family in El Dorado. Now....we go to visit my grandma's sister who is 80ish & has no central air. But she has tv. The other forms of entertainment in El Dorado is the Walmart & pizza hut type place. That is all.
So we came back home on Tuesday. Drove all day to get back. My dad had went back on Monday w/ the guys to check on our homes. All homes were standing but had a lot of trees down. I had no power & no generator so my sister & I stayed at my parents. Luckily they had a window unit in the master bedroom so we all slept in there. It was not a bad experience. My sister & I already knew how to cook some things on the propane burner so we cooked. We spent a lot of time outside playing cards or dice in the evenings. For lunch we had MREs. We'd go to the ballpark & get water & MREs from the National Guard. They were very nice men who we met. Always smiling with the kids & giving them candy.
When Walmart opened that was an experience. First waiting in line for an hour, only being let in 10 at a time for 20 min. (You really didn't need long as there was hardly anything there) and having the National Guard standing there armed with machine guns. Waiting in your cars for an hour or longer to get gas. Oh boy....the things I never imagined I'd see.
How was your experience?
Friday, August 27, 2010
Coupon preview for 8/20/10
Click here for a preview of what inserts SHOULD be in the 8-29-10 edition of the Times Picayune. There should be 3 inserts, a RedPlum, a smartSource & a P&G so this week is a good week to buy extra papers to stckpile.
Happy couponing.
Happy couponing.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
When to stock up
Thanks to The Krazy Coupon Lady for this comprehensive list of products. This is a great reference to use for when you want to know when to stock up or when something is going to go on sale. Now....some things vary by region. (Example we have Mardi Gras so there are usually sales that time for things like red beans, rice, zatarins mixes, etc) When these things are about to go on sale you MUST get your paper for your coupons. If its full of things your family uses regularly & you have room for it AND it won't go bad consider buying multiple papers & stockpiling. I have room for a few things but not everything so I pick what I can store. I will not be one of these people whose house looks like Wal-mart threw up in their home. Hope this list helps.
January: Oatmeal, diet foods, Superbowl Sunday items (chips, drinks, snacks), oranges, pears, carrots, spinach, Christmas items, cold medicine & vitamins
February: National Canned food month, national hot breakfast month, valentines candy, Chinese new year, potatoes, carrots, spinach.
March: Frozen food month, lemons, limes
April: Easter items, ham, eggs, some baking supplies, chocolate, Earth day, organic foods, energy saver items, beets, cabbages, mushrooms. Stock up after Easter on clearance items.
May: Memorial Day, BBQ Items, paper products, insect repellent, sunscreen, Cinco De Mayo, salsa
June: National Dairy Month, (sometime a free milk catalina wyb 3 or 4 cereals), end of June is gearing up for 4th of July, blackberries
July- 4th of July items, national ice cream month, blueberries, 4th of July clearance items
Aug. Back to school items, school lunch items, office supplies, apples, plums
September: Back to School sales, Labor Day items, BBQ & summer clearance, diabetes awareness, oranges, grapes
October: Halloween candy, start of baking supplies, adopt a shelter dog month, dog food, Halloween clearance
November: Baking items, canned foods, pears, end of the month Thanksgiving decorations
December: holiday dinner food, baking supplies, canned food.
This is just a guide....not a complete list. Good luck.
January: Oatmeal, diet foods, Superbowl Sunday items (chips, drinks, snacks), oranges, pears, carrots, spinach, Christmas items, cold medicine & vitamins
February: National Canned food month, national hot breakfast month, valentines candy, Chinese new year, potatoes, carrots, spinach.
March: Frozen food month, lemons, limes
April: Easter items, ham, eggs, some baking supplies, chocolate, Earth day, organic foods, energy saver items, beets, cabbages, mushrooms. Stock up after Easter on clearance items.
May: Memorial Day, BBQ Items, paper products, insect repellent, sunscreen, Cinco De Mayo, salsa
June: National Dairy Month, (sometime a free milk catalina wyb 3 or 4 cereals), end of June is gearing up for 4th of July, blackberries
July- 4th of July items, national ice cream month, blueberries, 4th of July clearance items
Aug. Back to school items, school lunch items, office supplies, apples, plums
September: Back to School sales, Labor Day items, BBQ & summer clearance, diabetes awareness, oranges, grapes
October: Halloween candy, start of baking supplies, adopt a shelter dog month, dog food, Halloween clearance
November: Baking items, canned foods, pears, end of the month Thanksgiving decorations
December: holiday dinner food, baking supplies, canned food.
This is just a guide....not a complete list. Good luck.
Monday, August 16, 2010
Coupons
For some of my friends who are new to coupons I thought I would write a post of coupon terms so you can get familiar with them.
Learning coupon lingo
Sunday inserts (in my region) usually have 1 or more of the following
P&G-Procter & Gamble (usually once a month or less)
RP- RedPlum
SS- Smart Source
Terms
WYB-When You Buy
IPQ- Internet Printable Coupon
$1/1, $1/2- $1 off one item, $1 off 2 items
2/$1, 3/$2, etc. Two items for a dollar, 3 items for $2
BOGO: Buy One Get One
B2GO: Buy 2 Get one
Blinkies: In store coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Cat: Catalinas (they print out at the register w/ your receipts)
FAR: free After Rebate
MFR: Manufacturer
MIR: Mail in Rebate
OYNO: On Your Next Order
OOP: Out of Pocket
PSA: Prices starting At
UPC: Bar code
Tear pad: A pad of coupons that you tear off
Peelie: A coupon stuck on your product that you peel off
Now....some great places to get coupons are not only smartsource.com or redplum.com but the manufacturer's website. So.....like a particular cereal.....check out the website. I know Bettycrocker.com has great coupons. Do you Twitter? Follow your favorite brands as they often tweet about upcoming deals & sales. Same goes for facebook.
Some great blogs are coupongeek.com, moneysavingmom.com, commonsensewithmoney.com. Google for more.
I hope this helps some of you new to couponing.
Learning coupon lingo
Sunday inserts (in my region) usually have 1 or more of the following
P&G-Procter & Gamble (usually once a month or less)
RP- RedPlum
SS- Smart Source
Terms
WYB-When You Buy
IPQ- Internet Printable Coupon
$1/1, $1/2- $1 off one item, $1 off 2 items
2/$1, 3/$2, etc. Two items for a dollar, 3 items for $2
BOGO: Buy One Get One
B2GO: Buy 2 Get one
Blinkies: In store coupon dispensers with blinking lights
Cat: Catalinas (they print out at the register w/ your receipts)
FAR: free After Rebate
MFR: Manufacturer
MIR: Mail in Rebate
OYNO: On Your Next Order
OOP: Out of Pocket
PSA: Prices starting At
UPC: Bar code
Tear pad: A pad of coupons that you tear off
Peelie: A coupon stuck on your product that you peel off
Now....some great places to get coupons are not only smartsource.com or redplum.com but the manufacturer's website. So.....like a particular cereal.....check out the website. I know Bettycrocker.com has great coupons. Do you Twitter? Follow your favorite brands as they often tweet about upcoming deals & sales. Same goes for facebook.
Some great blogs are coupongeek.com, moneysavingmom.com, commonsensewithmoney.com. Google for more.
I hope this helps some of you new to couponing.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Must Read
So I just got finished reading on of the best laugh out loud books I have read in quite some time. It was to cute. The Tile of the book is "Bitter is the New Black" by Jen Lancaster. She also has a hilarious blog that I highly recommend.
I think that if you are over the age of 25 you will enjoy this book. If you read it let me know what you think. I am going straight to the library to check out her other 2 books.
I think that if you are over the age of 25 you will enjoy this book. If you read it let me know what you think. I am going straight to the library to check out her other 2 books.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Attack of the green snot
My poor baby woke up this morning with a bad case of the green snot. I think its allergies but it could be a little head cold. Either way its not fun when a child is sick.
So I told B she had to take medicine. Now, this is the child that cries to take medicine when her sister takes it. So I thought I had a brilliant idea to give her a little water in a medicine cup when I gave it to her sister. My thought behind this was she would not have an aversion to taking medicine & when it was time for actual medicine to be taken it would be a breeze. Well....it was a good theory.....in real life not so much. So I resorted to putting her medicine in her sippy cup with some juice.
Yes....I am a bad mother. With the first child I would force it. Now I am to old to wrestle a small child who is amazingly strong when it comes to not taking medicine so I resort to hiding it.
My name is Angel & I'm a bad mother.....now looking for a 12 step meeting to attend.
So I told B she had to take medicine. Now, this is the child that cries to take medicine when her sister takes it. So I thought I had a brilliant idea to give her a little water in a medicine cup when I gave it to her sister. My thought behind this was she would not have an aversion to taking medicine & when it was time for actual medicine to be taken it would be a breeze. Well....it was a good theory.....in real life not so much. So I resorted to putting her medicine in her sippy cup with some juice.
Yes....I am a bad mother. With the first child I would force it. Now I am to old to wrestle a small child who is amazingly strong when it comes to not taking medicine so I resort to hiding it.
My name is Angel & I'm a bad mother.....now looking for a 12 step meeting to attend.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
My love hate relationship with Menu planning
Ok....I menu plan. Now I've said it & most of my friends will either look at me as if I am some weird Martha wanna be or that my anal retentiveness has been kicked up another notch. Or maybe both. I hate to menu plan but I do it b/c it saves money, helps me grocery shop & saves money in the long run. Now...I am not a menu Nazi. Sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes stores have coupons or sales which change my plans or sometimes I get sick & the hubs is gone & I let the kids eat cereal or raman noodles.
I like to have pretty much the same thing every week. (Stew on Sundays, spaghetti on Wed, etc) Its usually b/c of how my week goes. We have a church function on Wednesday nights so I can make the spaghetti sauce in the morning. I just make it fit my life.
Now the hate part. I really hate having my life dictated to me but....I really like only really having to think about dinner once a month. I love that I can look at my list in the morning & know that everything I need is right there. No last minute trips to the grocery.
I hate those trips. I go in for one or two things & walk out $100 poorer. So I menu plan & I coupon & you can think I am weird that's ok. I still like you...lol.
I like to have pretty much the same thing every week. (Stew on Sundays, spaghetti on Wed, etc) Its usually b/c of how my week goes. We have a church function on Wednesday nights so I can make the spaghetti sauce in the morning. I just make it fit my life.
Now the hate part. I really hate having my life dictated to me but....I really like only really having to think about dinner once a month. I love that I can look at my list in the morning & know that everything I need is right there. No last minute trips to the grocery.
I hate those trips. I go in for one or two things & walk out $100 poorer. So I menu plan & I coupon & you can think I am weird that's ok. I still like you...lol.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Privacy
My husband & I have been married almost 10 years. That is a lot by today's standards. We have been together 12 years & have 2 girls ages 11 & almost 3. Here's the deal....I have NO privacy.
My husband works offshore so he is only home half of the year so he isn't so bad. Its the little ones. Every time I go to the bathroom somebody walks in. I have to wait till the oldest is in school & its the little ones nap time before I can go potty alone. I also love the announcement from my youngest that it stinks. She comes in & says "Mommy stinky." When I tell her to get out her reply "No I sit here" & she perches on the step leading up to the tub. *Sigh* But when its her turn she tells me to get out. Which by the way I do.
The oldest too does not understand the concept of a closed door. And she want to have a conversation between the closed door. Oh for Pete's sake leave me alone. And I don't even want to talk about showers. I usually wait till 10:30 or 11pm to shower when the husband is gone so I can shower in peace.
And don't expect me to answer my cell in there either. That's my time. Leave a message & I'll get back to you. Nothing is that important. It bothers me when people get annoyed that I don;t answer it. Hello people....can't a girl do her thing in peace????
My husband works offshore so he is only home half of the year so he isn't so bad. Its the little ones. Every time I go to the bathroom somebody walks in. I have to wait till the oldest is in school & its the little ones nap time before I can go potty alone. I also love the announcement from my youngest that it stinks. She comes in & says "Mommy stinky." When I tell her to get out her reply "No I sit here" & she perches on the step leading up to the tub. *Sigh* But when its her turn she tells me to get out. Which by the way I do.
The oldest too does not understand the concept of a closed door. And she want to have a conversation between the closed door. Oh for Pete's sake leave me alone. And I don't even want to talk about showers. I usually wait till 10:30 or 11pm to shower when the husband is gone so I can shower in peace.
And don't expect me to answer my cell in there either. That's my time. Leave a message & I'll get back to you. Nothing is that important. It bothers me when people get annoyed that I don;t answer it. Hello people....can't a girl do her thing in peace????
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Travel Adventures
Well last night I had to go pick my husband up from work. This time was a little different as I did not have to go to the airport. His vessel is docked about an hour & a half from our home so I had to drive over there and pick him up. At 7 at night. Needless to say the docks are not the safest place to be at night alone as a woman. So my dad volunteered to go with me. Thank God.
I had an address so we popped it into the GPS & took off. We get there & its deserted. To get there we drove through what I like to call ghettoville. I am not exaggerating. Most houses had boards instead of glass where there windows would be. And there were lots of people gathered on street corners. We get to the dock & its crackville. There is no guard in what is left of the guard shack. The 2 buildings we parked between had been abandon for years. After much trial & error we finally found him. So we get in the truck & get about 3 miles down the road when he realizes he has forgotten his wallet. (*sigh) So we turn around & head back to crackville. This time my husband take my father & I on a tour of the boat & to meet some of his coworkers.
They were all really nice.
So we finally make it home safe & sound. Now....what am I going to do next month if I have to go back?
I had an address so we popped it into the GPS & took off. We get there & its deserted. To get there we drove through what I like to call ghettoville. I am not exaggerating. Most houses had boards instead of glass where there windows would be. And there were lots of people gathered on street corners. We get to the dock & its crackville. There is no guard in what is left of the guard shack. The 2 buildings we parked between had been abandon for years. After much trial & error we finally found him. So we get in the truck & get about 3 miles down the road when he realizes he has forgotten his wallet. (*sigh) So we turn around & head back to crackville. This time my husband take my father & I on a tour of the boat & to meet some of his coworkers.
They were all really nice.
So we finally make it home safe & sound. Now....what am I going to do next month if I have to go back?
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Playdates & Mommy Groups
Can I make a confession? I love my mommy friends. I am so glad I found them. I honestly wish I had found a group or groups like I am involved with now when my oldest was younger. When she was little I was pretty much alone. None of my friends or family was pregnant so there was really nobody there to talk to or gripe to or ask questions. I figured a lot out from books and trial & error. I guess that's why I want to give advice to everyone. I was so alone & mad so many mistakes that I really don't want anyone else to make the same mistakes so I try to help but sometimes come off bossy. (Sorry...I don't mean to.)
Anyway I want to tell you about my mommy groups. The first one I joined was MOMS Club. Its Moms Offering Moms Support. Its really nice & there is a large group of us. There are activities planned each month & there is a Person of Contact at each outing. Once a month there is a meeting with a planned discussion topic.
Second there is MOPS. Which is Mothers Of Preschoolers. It meets once a month & is a Christian faith based organization. There are many different types of groups. Ours meets once a month while a friends meets bi-weekly. I enjoy that one too but it is limited for women with children under 5.
The third group I am in I found on Meetup.com. It is a great group of women. We come from all different background & have all kinds of parenting styles but when we come together its just about having fun. Each meetup group is different. Mine meets a few times a week at various locations. Sometimes its at the park or my favorite at a fellow moms house. Or if the weather is to bad we may all just go to McDonald's. The kids burn off some energy while the moms get some adult conversations. Its a great group of women.
So...I have met a lot of wonderful women & I strongly urge anyone at home with a small child who may be going a little nuts to check out some local groups like these. It may save your sanity.
Anyway I want to tell you about my mommy groups. The first one I joined was MOMS Club. Its Moms Offering Moms Support. Its really nice & there is a large group of us. There are activities planned each month & there is a Person of Contact at each outing. Once a month there is a meeting with a planned discussion topic.
Second there is MOPS. Which is Mothers Of Preschoolers. It meets once a month & is a Christian faith based organization. There are many different types of groups. Ours meets once a month while a friends meets bi-weekly. I enjoy that one too but it is limited for women with children under 5.
The third group I am in I found on Meetup.com. It is a great group of women. We come from all different background & have all kinds of parenting styles but when we come together its just about having fun. Each meetup group is different. Mine meets a few times a week at various locations. Sometimes its at the park or my favorite at a fellow moms house. Or if the weather is to bad we may all just go to McDonald's. The kids burn off some energy while the moms get some adult conversations. Its a great group of women.
So...I have met a lot of wonderful women & I strongly urge anyone at home with a small child who may be going a little nuts to check out some local groups like these. It may save your sanity.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Lady Gaga sings
Took my little one to the park today. It was such great weather. We first had a picnic with 3 of her little friends & then walked across to the playground to let them burn off some energy. I love being around little kids because they do & say the funniest & sweetest things. I saw one little boy help another up & brush him off, the same little boy held my daughters hand, & my daughter gave him a hand climbing up the steps. I also love the things that come out of their mouths. One little boy came straight from preschool. He told us his number was one five (15 to you non moms..lol) and his letter was K. I asked him if they had animal Kyle Kangaroo to which he replied "No." So I asked if it was Kevin Kangaroo & he said no again. So I asked what was the animals name. He told me to guess & when I replied I'm out of guesses he said "Well, I'm not going to tell you because you won't guess." LOVE that logic. And one little boy told some random woman "Lady Gaga sings." That was to funny.
Guess its time for stranger danger awareness.
Guess its time for stranger danger awareness.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Manners
I was reading Dear Abby this morning & it got me aggravated. A reader had written in about opening a door for a woman & how the woman had bit his head off for doing so. There was a lot of responses back on both sides of the coin. I didn't write in but here's my viewpoint.
I am not offended when a guy opens a door for me. Nor am I offended when he waits for me to sit down before he sits down. It tells me his momma raised him right. Now...my husband usually opens the door for me especially if my arms are full but on the same token when he is carrying our daughter or has his arms full while mine are empty I open the door for him. Its called common courtesy not chauvinism. I open doors for people all the time. Little old ladies & gentlemen at the post office. Someone with their hands full trying to get it open. Maybe its because I was raised in the south maybe its because I watched Gone with the Wind to many times. I don't know....I just think its common courtesy not a way to make someone feel inferior to another.
Now, on the other hand....when I first got married I kind of expected my husband to do the things my father does for my mother. He finds a close parking spot so she doesn't have to walk far, if its raining he gets the car then comes & picks her up curbside, things like that. My husband not so much. Maybe it was because his mother is Asian & was raised to defer to a man, maybe its because he was in the Army where women were treated & expected to be equals. I am not sure. He doesn't do any of those things. But that's OK. Its made me become more independent. Which is great for our lifestyle now. He's gone half of the year. I had to learn how to be independent.
I also think we need to keep teaching our kids manners. My children learn please & thank you and they are also required to use ma'am & sir. If you are an adult my children are also required to call you Mr. or Miss before your first name. My friend is Miss Dana to my kids. Its a form of respect. All this..."children can call adults by their first name so as to not make the child feel inferior to the adult" is rubbish. Children are inferior in a way. I am the adult & I am the responsible one. My children call family members Aunt so & so or Uncle such & such. We've even gone so far as they call their adult cousins Aunt & Uncle. No it does not warp the kid. My Uncle Don is my cousin but I call him Uncle as a form of respect. He is almost 30 years my senior that's just how it works. His kids are called Aunt by my kids....same reason. Adults often ask how we are related & we explain the we are cousins.
I guess my point is manners don't cost anything but the benefits are immeasurable.
I am not offended when a guy opens a door for me. Nor am I offended when he waits for me to sit down before he sits down. It tells me his momma raised him right. Now...my husband usually opens the door for me especially if my arms are full but on the same token when he is carrying our daughter or has his arms full while mine are empty I open the door for him. Its called common courtesy not chauvinism. I open doors for people all the time. Little old ladies & gentlemen at the post office. Someone with their hands full trying to get it open. Maybe its because I was raised in the south maybe its because I watched Gone with the Wind to many times. I don't know....I just think its common courtesy not a way to make someone feel inferior to another.
Now, on the other hand....when I first got married I kind of expected my husband to do the things my father does for my mother. He finds a close parking spot so she doesn't have to walk far, if its raining he gets the car then comes & picks her up curbside, things like that. My husband not so much. Maybe it was because his mother is Asian & was raised to defer to a man, maybe its because he was in the Army where women were treated & expected to be equals. I am not sure. He doesn't do any of those things. But that's OK. Its made me become more independent. Which is great for our lifestyle now. He's gone half of the year. I had to learn how to be independent.
I also think we need to keep teaching our kids manners. My children learn please & thank you and they are also required to use ma'am & sir. If you are an adult my children are also required to call you Mr. or Miss before your first name. My friend is Miss Dana to my kids. Its a form of respect. All this..."children can call adults by their first name so as to not make the child feel inferior to the adult" is rubbish. Children are inferior in a way. I am the adult & I am the responsible one. My children call family members Aunt so & so or Uncle such & such. We've even gone so far as they call their adult cousins Aunt & Uncle. No it does not warp the kid. My Uncle Don is my cousin but I call him Uncle as a form of respect. He is almost 30 years my senior that's just how it works. His kids are called Aunt by my kids....same reason. Adults often ask how we are related & we explain the we are cousins.
I guess my point is manners don't cost anything but the benefits are immeasurable.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Back in the groove
I need to get into a regular routine for doing this. I enjoy it but it just seems that everything else manages to take its place. I saw a church sign that said something to the effect that we make time for what we want to be our priorities. I thought that was interesting & I never really put much thought into. Church attendance is what they were mainly talking about & I understand....there are all kinds of excuses not to go to church & I admit I've used some of them from time to time. But for me I thought of my blog. I really need to get on the ball. While I would like for this to be a daily blog its just not going to happen. So my goal is at least weekly & then I'd like to get into a M-F kind of thing. Maybe even a schedule like some of my fave blogs I've seen.
So here at 10pm is my works for me Wednesday tip.
I am always remembering things to do while in the shower. Maybe its the water or washing hair stimulates brain cells but that's when I have clarity. So....I put a dry erase marker next to the tub. My surround is tile but it should work w/ fiberglass. May not want to try this if you have marble. I write down things to remember then after I get dressed I transfer them to my to do list & wipe it off. Also nice to write down that you need razor blades or shampoo from the store. Anyway....it works for me hope it works for you.
So here at 10pm is my works for me Wednesday tip.
I am always remembering things to do while in the shower. Maybe its the water or washing hair stimulates brain cells but that's when I have clarity. So....I put a dry erase marker next to the tub. My surround is tile but it should work w/ fiberglass. May not want to try this if you have marble. I write down things to remember then after I get dressed I transfer them to my to do list & wipe it off. Also nice to write down that you need razor blades or shampoo from the store. Anyway....it works for me hope it works for you.
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