Let me explain....

Hold on a minute....before I get any more comments on my previous entry let me clarify something.

If you want to spend $3000 on your kids for Christmas....be my guest. I wasn't saying it was wrong....but the woman on the Dr. Phil show had to refinance their home to pay off the credit card bills, and is still using them, putting themselves deeper into debt. Not only that, the husband's point of view was that he wanted the kids to go to good schools, and to be able to save for their college education. And at the end of the clip, she gave the little 2 year old the credit card and said, "What do we do with this?" and the little girl swiped it and said, "CHARGE IT!"

If you have the cash to pay for it....fine. But these people obviously didn't have the cash. I wasn't saying that it is wrong to spoil your children every once in a while....as long as you are able to provide your family with the necessities of every day living.

(I guess I should have explained the entire show! LOL)

 

How's that workin for ya?

Did anyone happen to catch Dr. Phil last night? There was a woman on who spent over $3000 on her two year old at Christmas. It took the kid three hours to open gifts. She said that she buys her child whatever she wants and rarely looks at price tags. She likes the way her daughter's eyes light up when she gets a gift. And she says her daughter knows her abc's and how to count to 30 because of the educational value of some of the toys....to which her husband replied, "I think we could have taught her how to count and say her abc's without toys to help us." (You GO dad!). Am I the only one here who thinks this is a bit, ummmm, NUTS? No matter how much I love my children, and I LOVE my children, I am not about to give into their every whim, or spend that much on Christmas.

We have an understanding in our house. Each of my kids gets three gifts for Christmas, and a stocking. My theory is that if three gifts were good enough for our Lord and Savior, then it should be good enough for them. I have never, ever had a problem with this. From the time they were small, they have never asked for more....as a matter of fact, last year wee one said to me, "Mom, Santa brought me four gifts....we are only supposed to have three!" (I tried sneaking a dvd in her stocking, but I guess it was too much like a real gift). Now, tell me that little girl isn't going to turn out expecting everything to be handed to her. The mother said she was too young to realize that and she will stop when she gets older.....lol. Yeah, great plan there.

Parenting is such a complicated thing. We want to give our kids everything because we love them....yet if we do that, we will create children who don't want to work for anything. I don't want my girls to graduate from college and then say, "Okay world, here I am.....where's my paycheck?" Betsy and I had a tough time last week. I had to talk to her and set some things straight. One of the hardest things I had to say to her was that I have to be her parent first, and her friend second. I love goofing off with her, and I'll admit, I probably let her get away with things that I shouldn't. (the occasional cuss word, a randy joke, slacking on a chore or two) But, recently I've realized that I wasn't doing her any favors by treating her as an adult or friend. I need to be the parent for her, and for myself. Although she probably doesn't realize it, I am showing her more love this way, than by letting things slide. I suppose it's the proverbial "you'll understand when you are older" theory. However, she will....and she will be a better person for it. I just hope this woman wakes up before it's too late.

Okay, enough of that. What is on the docket for today....hmmmm, well, Betsy reminded me that her prescription is ready at Walgreens, I just put the last roll of tp in the bathroom which means I need to re-stock, I have pictures at Wal-Mart that haven't been picked up since buying my digital camera.....you see a pattern here? I guess I will be running errands today. It figures, I'm low on gas, have to spend money and payday is next Friday....sheesh. I also have to finish some sewing, two more loads of laundry and pick dd up at 4:30 from poetry club. Of course, in 8 1/2 days I'm going to be wishing for this kind of day....I should probably pick up some ear plugs while I'm out, since my ears will soon be bombarded with the "I'm bored, there's nothing to do, why don't we have anything good to eat, it's too hot out, I don't want to go to the beach again, how many days till school starts" song.

One more Monday to go....

My kids have only two weeks of school left before summer vacation....where did the year go? Which of course means that I won't have to make a lunch every day for wee one. However, every year the same thing happens....two weeks before the year ends, I start running out of things for her lunches. I am down to my last 3 plastic spoons for her pudding/jello/fruit cups, my baggies are almost gone, I thought I had just enough juice boxes to make it, the salami package only has 5 slices left and two of them are hard....you see what I mean? I hate to go out and restock everything this late in the game. This happenes every year. You would think I'd learn by now.

This week wee one's school is having a special reading program. Parents volunteer in two hour shifts to come in and read to their child's class and any other classes that need readers. I get to read on Wednesday and Thursday. I'm looking forward to it. I love volunteering at school. The kids are so cute and they love it when you recognize them....makes them feel special. Of course, I am talking about elementary school here....God forbid if I ever waved across the courtyard to my dd in high school!
"Why no, I have no idea who that crazy woman is waving at me."

Anyway, I went to the public library and picked out two really cute books to read to the kids. I also get to peruse the assortment of books the librarian will have available to the readers.

Today is "I'm sorry we ran over your lawn so we are sending someone to fix it" day. The sod company will be out sometime this morning to repair our front lawn. We really need new grass out there....I told hubby he should do a few donuts in the yard....maybe they would fix it all. But being the honest folk that we are, we didn't do that.

Wee-one has finished her breakfast of chicken noodle soup, andis now waiting for me to attempt to brush the tangled mess that is her hair....good Monday morning everyone!

 

Mother's day at our house....

And so ends another Mother's day here in sunny Florida. It was a gorgeous day....sunny and in the low 80's with a nice breeze. And to top it all off....no humidity!!!! 

My day started with my little scavenger hunt, coordinated by my wee one. I was then presented with my gifts, which included a homemade book of poems from her, along with a bobbing turtle for the yard, and a sponge painted pot with Hershey's Kisses inside. Betsy got me a bear that smells so wonderful. He is dipped in something....I'm not sure what, and you set it out kind of like an air freshener. You can use a hairdryer on it if it looses it's scent. I've never seen anything like it before. After the gifts, dh and wee one went to McDonalds for breakfast, and we ate together. Afterward, I was asked what I wanted to do. I only took a moment to decide. We spent a family day at home, working on the lawn together. I know, not too exciting....but it was just what we needed.

Betsy and wee one filled in the brickwork together, and I am not kidding, laughed and sang the entire time. I was amazed. They had the 80's station blaring, and sang along with all the songs....by heart! Then, dh and I ran to Lowe's for some flowers and plants, and came home and planted. My parents came over, just as we were finishing, so dh grilled some steaks, and I threw together the potatoes, corn and peach cobbler. We ate, exchanged gifts....I got a Yankee Raspberry Sorbet candle....and visited for a while. They just left, dh is on the phone with the mil, and I am sitting here, relaxing.

I have to say, this was one of the very best Mother's day I've had. The only reason I am able to celebrate today as a mother, is because of my husband and children. This is why I chose to spend my day working with them. I didn't need a fancy dinner out, an expensive shopping spree, or a day to myself. I needed and wanted a day with those who make this day special to me.

I hope that everyone has had a wonderful, and enjoyable Mother's day with their families....

The Queen of Procrastination....

Yes, it is the day before Mother's day and I have yet to shop for my dear mother. Lately, she has been reading this, so I won't go into what I am getting her....only that I am going to have to fight some wicked Saturday crowds/traffic to make my purchase. (Yes mother, you are worth it).  I know, I know....it's my fault for waiting.

My mother, however, has her shopping done. She buys me a present every year, even though I am not her mother. Not only does she buy something for me, but she gets something for the girls to give me. She has done this since my oldest was a baby. Needless to say, my husband adores her. Not just because she buys gifts that are technically his responsibility, but because they get along so well. Many times she has slipped and said, "My son and daughter-in-law...."  They have this wonderful relationship....much like mother and son. Since the day she met him and said, "Uh-oh, we are in trouble....I can tell that he's 'the one'....", they have been buddies. He is the only one that is allowed to call her "ma", as she never did like that moniker. He signs all his cards to her, "from your favorite son-in-law", even though mom has two others. Whenever we have a home improvement project that involves removing walls, or moving exceptionally large pieces of furniture, she is called over....for some reason he doesn't curse like a sailor when she is here. I think because they are too busy laughing and thinking about the task at hand.

I, as a wife and daughter, have been blessed to watch the relationship between my husband and mother grow and blossom into true caring and love. It's a gift that I am thankful for, every day of the year.

Friday is date night....

It's Friday night once again....date night. A night to get all dressed up, done up, and go out. Of course, for me Friday night means something a little different. Here's a quiz for you....lets see who can get the highest score:

1. After a day of cleaning (yes, that included toilets), laundry (physical contact with pre and post washed underwear), and sewing, dh comes home with:
a. roses
b. diamonds
c. an attitude

2. Sitting at the dinner table, he regales me with tales of:
a. his undying love for me
b. where he would like to take me for a night of romance
c. how he had to sit in traffic for a half hour, only to have to make a u-turn because someone had an accident probably because no one knows how to drive and/or use turn signals in this state.

3. My weekend plans will include which of the following:
a. a night of dinner and dancing
b. a night at the beach, walking hand in hand along the moonlit shore
c. a night of listening to the What-A-Burgers we had for dinner repeat themselves loudly in the general vicinity of my husband.

If my hunch is correct, I think those who have been married over 7.5 years will have the highest scores.

As for the weekend, I don't know what the plans are. Dh votes for boating, the oldest wants to sit in her room and brood, wee one wants a friend over, and I want....well....I'm not sure. I don't usually think about what I want. Well, I think about it, but I don't usually get it....although I think dh is getting me what I really want for Mother's day.

 Mmmmmhmmmm, tickets to see my favorite band in the world. Bet you didn't know sahm's liked "that kind of music" did ya? Well Lisa is a Bon Jovi nut, Kara has her Zep....and I have my Van Halen. Yes, we moms know how to rock.

 

Unorganized....

Today I feel totally unorganized. I know, I know, the queen of organization? Can it be true? Yes....from my purse to my fridge I feel like I need to do a major overhaul. My pantry was bothering me this morning as I made wee one's lunch, my car was mocking me as I haven't vacuumed it in a week, and the fact that my favorite comb is missing has really gotten me upset. It's my pink comb that I use to do wee one's braids, my eyebrows, and occasionally to reach that pesky itch in the middle of my back. Yet, here I sit, at my desk ignoring my work. *Sigh.

Yesterday a neighbor had sod delivered. It seems everyone in the neighborhood is taking on home improvement projects lately, which is a good thing. It's nice to see the neighborhood looking good....however it seems the sod company needs to start making sure that their drivers can actually drive the semi's they send them out in. Dh called me while I was at physical therapy with the oldest to let me know that while attempting to turn around in the cul-de-sac, the "sod guy" pulled into our front yard to complete the turn. He left behind some lovely ruts, pushed up soil and ruined grass. *Sigh. Dh followed him to the neighbors house and pointed out the errors of his ways. A call to the company was made, and they will be out this morning to fix the damage. Apparently this happens a lot. He told us to run the sprinkler system to make sure it wasn't crushed (it worked). I told dh he should have said to the driver, "Leave two pallets of sod on the driveway and no calls will be made...."

Anyhoo, that's it for now. I am going to start cleaning and organizing....I tell ya, the fun never ends around here.

*To all who have commented on my journal, I thank you. I am having a great time being featured on "the list". And to those who have asked, the graphics are from Animation Factory. If you click on one, it willre-direct you to their site.

**I just thought of something. Since my journal is "out there" (no comments, Cheezy!), out-there in the public eye so to speak, I thought I'd mention that I am originally from Indiana, and graduated from Lake Central High School, class of 87. Would love to hear from any old pals!