for a much needed week long vacation. So until I return here is my favorite video and ballad from my favorite rock group of all time.
Enjoy.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Thursday, June 19, 2008
This Past Week
It's been a sad week for me. At the risk of sounding like the rest of the country I am going to join in and say I was really sad to hear that Tim Russert had died unexpectedly. But since then I have really reflected on a few things in my own life that I feel could be fine tuned. I can always be a better this and a better that and so have thought a lot about how I want to make myself better and also about the legacy that I want to leave behind when I am called home just as Tim was last week.
At first I liked Tim Russert because I loved watching his show "Meet The Press." I was a faithful watcher each week and I always felt that I learned so much from his questions and answers. I really don't like those shows where the hosts scream or are condescending or create spin. I just want to hear the truth and I felt that Tim Russert worked the hardest at getting to the truth without injecting his own opinion. In addition, it was really because of his ability to simplify the issues and explain them in common every day language so that those of us who are not as politically savvy can understand and participate. So for that I thank you Tim Russert for helping me engage.
But even better than that I have been inspired this week by the personal side of Tim Russert. The devoted husband, father, and Irish Catholic that he was. I never realized he was raised by the nuns and the Jesuits and grew up as an Irish Catholic. He dedicated his life to his political and journalistic passions and lived every day to the fullest. He cared about people and lifted people up. Mario Cuomo said of him that "a day spent without real enthusiasm is a sadly lost opportunity." Such true words that I want to live by.
So as I woke up this morning, I quietly said a few prayers for those in need today. Some of them I know and some of them I don't. I dropped my kids off at preschool and sat with my princess while she drank her juice. I talked to her classmates who were all preparing for a bowling field trip today. I thanked her teacher for being so wonderful to her. I then dropped off my little man to his little class and sat with him. I offered to help his teacher pass out cereal cups for the little ones. I hugged one of the new kids in the class who was missing his dad. I stopped by the front desk and asked the ladies if they needed a Starbucks run. I feel enthusiastic and good today. It's going to be a day well spent.
Thank you Tim Russert.
At first I liked Tim Russert because I loved watching his show "Meet The Press." I was a faithful watcher each week and I always felt that I learned so much from his questions and answers. I really don't like those shows where the hosts scream or are condescending or create spin. I just want to hear the truth and I felt that Tim Russert worked the hardest at getting to the truth without injecting his own opinion. In addition, it was really because of his ability to simplify the issues and explain them in common every day language so that those of us who are not as politically savvy can understand and participate. So for that I thank you Tim Russert for helping me engage.
But even better than that I have been inspired this week by the personal side of Tim Russert. The devoted husband, father, and Irish Catholic that he was. I never realized he was raised by the nuns and the Jesuits and grew up as an Irish Catholic. He dedicated his life to his political and journalistic passions and lived every day to the fullest. He cared about people and lifted people up. Mario Cuomo said of him that "a day spent without real enthusiasm is a sadly lost opportunity." Such true words that I want to live by.
So as I woke up this morning, I quietly said a few prayers for those in need today. Some of them I know and some of them I don't. I dropped my kids off at preschool and sat with my princess while she drank her juice. I talked to her classmates who were all preparing for a bowling field trip today. I thanked her teacher for being so wonderful to her. I then dropped off my little man to his little class and sat with him. I offered to help his teacher pass out cereal cups for the little ones. I hugged one of the new kids in the class who was missing his dad. I stopped by the front desk and asked the ladies if they needed a Starbucks run. I feel enthusiastic and good today. It's going to be a day well spent.
Thank you Tim Russert.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
The Coach Purse
I had a stage moms meeting yesterday at my princess' dance studio for the upcoming recital. I love volunteering for this. Anyway, the meeting last about 30 minutes and there were about 50 moms there.
When I came home my better half asks me how it went and were there any dumb questions asked (long story for another day). I said "No but there were at least 7 Coach purses there."
I don't know why I am fascinated with the Coach purse but it seems that wherever I go I have to count how many I see. (It reminds me of when I was a kid and wanted to buy a Camaro when I got older so I decided to count Camaros during the course of any given day). Anyway, I am into counting Coach purses.
What is it about the Coach purse that everyone has to have one? They are pretty, indeed, but $400-$800 pretty? When I think that the money to buy one is equivalent to the cost of one month tuition at my son's high school, I shudder. I see so many people with them. I see a lot of people with them who I KNOW cannot afford them. So what is it?
I decided to wander into a Coach store at my local mall one afternoon. I had one of my teens with me who also indicated he was not sure why the Coach purse was so popular. So inside the store we went. First stop was the section with coin purses, you know, those little tiny purses that are so small that you can't even put credit cards or bills in...they literally only hold coins. It went for $250. I had to scream out "WHAT?" My teen echoed "that's equal to three pairs of D.Wade shoes" which in my opinion are ridiculously over-priced.
Anyway back to the Coach store. I tell my teen that if he thought the $250 coin purse was expensive maybe we should wander on to the regular purses as I am sure we would get an eyeful. Sure enough those were double and triple the cost of the little cheap coin purse.
I then looked around and did a double take. The store was mobbed with people seeking out these purses and I scratch my head to figure out why.
So until I can figure it out, I will continue to count them and marvel in what makes this purse so special.
When I came home my better half asks me how it went and were there any dumb questions asked (long story for another day). I said "No but there were at least 7 Coach purses there."
I don't know why I am fascinated with the Coach purse but it seems that wherever I go I have to count how many I see. (It reminds me of when I was a kid and wanted to buy a Camaro when I got older so I decided to count Camaros during the course of any given day). Anyway, I am into counting Coach purses.
What is it about the Coach purse that everyone has to have one? They are pretty, indeed, but $400-$800 pretty? When I think that the money to buy one is equivalent to the cost of one month tuition at my son's high school, I shudder. I see so many people with them. I see a lot of people with them who I KNOW cannot afford them. So what is it?
I decided to wander into a Coach store at my local mall one afternoon. I had one of my teens with me who also indicated he was not sure why the Coach purse was so popular. So inside the store we went. First stop was the section with coin purses, you know, those little tiny purses that are so small that you can't even put credit cards or bills in...they literally only hold coins. It went for $250. I had to scream out "WHAT?" My teen echoed "that's equal to three pairs of D.Wade shoes" which in my opinion are ridiculously over-priced.
Anyway back to the Coach store. I tell my teen that if he thought the $250 coin purse was expensive maybe we should wander on to the regular purses as I am sure we would get an eyeful. Sure enough those were double and triple the cost of the little cheap coin purse.
I then looked around and did a double take. The store was mobbed with people seeking out these purses and I scratch my head to figure out why.
So until I can figure it out, I will continue to count them and marvel in what makes this purse so special.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
My Gift
Five years ago I got a special gift. It was a total surprise and shock. I had never had one like it and when I received it I had no idea what I would do with it. I never thought it would look the way it looked or sounded the way it sounded. I didn't know what to call it or how it would fit into my family. I prayed for most of my life to have a gift just like this but never thought my prayers would have been answered so perfectly. The gift was not purchased in a store but was more beautiful than the most precious diamonds in the world.
Now that the gift is five years old it has reached a very important milestone today.
It graduated from preschool and what a beautiful site she was.
Now that the gift is five years old it has reached a very important milestone today.
It graduated from preschool and what a beautiful site she was.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Old Friends
I got an email the other day from an old friend from high school. It flooded back so many memories. I think she may be lurking around my blog so I decided to make a mad dash back to 1982. I am sure she will get a kick out of this....
I remember playing Missile Command on your brother's old Atari.
Do you remember the night that we were supposed to go to see the Osmonds in concert but then it got cancelled because of poor attendance?
When we were juniors we spent the night of the senior prom together at my house crying because the guys we wanted to go with never asked us.
I remember swapping one of my shoes with you and walking around all day with one of your shoes on and one of my shoes on. You did the same thing.
I never loved purple but I liked it because you did and we were....friends.
I will never forget the horrified feeling inside when we threw a surprise birthday party for our friend and when I was driving her over to your house she told me that she figured it out. I made her promise to act surprised.
You liked Barry Manilow and so did I. End of story.
I knew I could count on you all of those days during junior year when we spent more days crying over the boys that we liked but you were the one who helped me through it.
I remember playing Missile Command on your brother's old Atari.
Do you remember the night that we were supposed to go to see the Osmonds in concert but then it got cancelled because of poor attendance?
When we were juniors we spent the night of the senior prom together at my house crying because the guys we wanted to go with never asked us.
I remember swapping one of my shoes with you and walking around all day with one of your shoes on and one of my shoes on. You did the same thing.
I never loved purple but I liked it because you did and we were....friends.
I will never forget the horrified feeling inside when we threw a surprise birthday party for our friend and when I was driving her over to your house she told me that she figured it out. I made her promise to act surprised.
You liked Barry Manilow and so did I. End of story.
I knew I could count on you all of those days during junior year when we spent more days crying over the boys that we liked but you were the one who helped me through it.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
High Cost of Groceries
Stop griping about the high cost of groceries and go here for some awesome BOGO deals starting today. Click on "weekly ad". Strawberries, blueberries, lettuce, ribs, chicken breasts, ice cream, cereal, milk, seafood, frozen veggies, canned goods (for hurricane season), pudding, cheese, chips, toilet paper! It's ALL ON SALE!
If you don't have the luxury of one of those stores in your area, click here for the best deals in your area. You won't regret the savings.
If you don't have the luxury of one of those stores in your area, click here for the best deals in your area. You won't regret the savings.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Time For Mom
My life is usually as busy as Grand Central Station at rush hour. Though I am not complaining and believe I have mastered the art of organization, things still get rough at certain times of the day. Those times are mainly morning rush hour getting myself and all 4 kids ready for the day and off to 3 different schools and then evening as I pick all of them up, homework, sports, and dinner at 6.
When my first baby was born I remember just emersing myself into him. I subsequently had a second one two years later and then I was emersing myself into two small children. They became the center of my world, as they should have but I never knew how to balance their world and my world. I failed at it and that sent me into a terrifying depression that I believe was one of the many reasons that my marriage ended.
In retrospect it was not my children's fault. It was my fault. I didn't have the skills or tools or the knowledge to recognize the problems and fix them. I paid the price (and still am paying) but I like to think I learned something along the way about how to call "time out".
I believe there is nothing wrong with calling on your kids, spouse and family for help. I believe that there is nothing wrong with mommy time whether it is mommy taking a nice long walk, exercising, shopping, reading alone, getting a pedicure, or whatever it is that regenerates your senses and helps to clear your head.
It's not selfish. It's necessary. Taking care of your spouse, children and family is a demanding job regardless if you are a stay at home mom or a working mom. Being Wonder Woman is a myth and a fantasy, in my humble opinion. I have tried it and it didn't work. The expense was and is too great.
I admit to my kids and to myself that I cannot DO IT ALL and I admit to them that I am a human being filled with faults and imperfections. I remind them that I try to make the best decisions based on the love that I feel for them and what I believe is for their well being. But nothing is perfect and if I screw up, I will be the first to admit it.
I try to communicate the best that I can. I try to admit I am sorry. I pray every day that I be the best that I can be and the best that God wants me to be. I pray for forgiveness. I tell my children and spouse that I love them dearly. I kiss and hug all of them as much as I can.
Spend time with your family but also take some time to spend with yourself.
When my first baby was born I remember just emersing myself into him. I subsequently had a second one two years later and then I was emersing myself into two small children. They became the center of my world, as they should have but I never knew how to balance their world and my world. I failed at it and that sent me into a terrifying depression that I believe was one of the many reasons that my marriage ended.
In retrospect it was not my children's fault. It was my fault. I didn't have the skills or tools or the knowledge to recognize the problems and fix them. I paid the price (and still am paying) but I like to think I learned something along the way about how to call "time out".
I believe there is nothing wrong with calling on your kids, spouse and family for help. I believe that there is nothing wrong with mommy time whether it is mommy taking a nice long walk, exercising, shopping, reading alone, getting a pedicure, or whatever it is that regenerates your senses and helps to clear your head.
It's not selfish. It's necessary. Taking care of your spouse, children and family is a demanding job regardless if you are a stay at home mom or a working mom. Being Wonder Woman is a myth and a fantasy, in my humble opinion. I have tried it and it didn't work. The expense was and is too great.
I admit to my kids and to myself that I cannot DO IT ALL and I admit to them that I am a human being filled with faults and imperfections. I remind them that I try to make the best decisions based on the love that I feel for them and what I believe is for their well being. But nothing is perfect and if I screw up, I will be the first to admit it.
I try to communicate the best that I can. I try to admit I am sorry. I pray every day that I be the best that I can be and the best that God wants me to be. I pray for forgiveness. I tell my children and spouse that I love them dearly. I kiss and hug all of them as much as I can.
Spend time with your family but also take some time to spend with yourself.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
And The Winner Is.....
I love this show. I really do. In fact sometimes I watch it at midnight because it comes on at 8:00 pm just at the height of rush hour traffic in my house. But I have never missed a show and every week voted for my favorite, Jason Taylor.
Watch for yourself to see who came away with the disco ball trophy.
Watch for yourself to see who came away with the disco ball trophy.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Poop-ie In The Potty
You know you are far gone when the words "Mommy come see my poop-ie in the potty" bring on the greatest excitement of the day!
We are far far into this potty training and pleased to say that it has been a nice success so far. Many accidents but I am following my own advice nicely and it's the reason why my stress level has been pretty low so far.
We are far far into this potty training and pleased to say that it has been a nice success so far. Many accidents but I am following my own advice nicely and it's the reason why my stress level has been pretty low so far.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
We Interrupt This Program....
I was watching an online feed from a reporter on site of those horrible Central Florida wildires. My brother and his family are living up there really close. Anyway, the report was giving an update and since I work for the power company in that area I was interested in hearing any updating power company news and news on my brother and his family.
About 30 seconds into the story, the reporter PICKS UP A DOWNED POWER LINE! Now I don't usually scream in all caps on my blog except when it involves something like this. If that power line had been energized, we would have probably witnessed an electrocution on live TV. Coincidentally a co-worker saw it too and called the TV station to let him know what he just saw from the reporter. He suggested the reporter get back on TV and make a disclaimer that you are to never touch a downed power line and that what she did was wrong and dangerous.
Not only didn't they make that disclaimer later in the program but they repeated the same mistake on the early morning broadcast with a different reporter! It's the worst kind of irresponsible journalism ever!
Anyway since I have a blog that has maybe a few visits I feel it would be responsible blogging to post my own PSA. So here is my PSA.
DON'T EVER TOUCH A DOWNED POWER LINE!
I hope that was a strong enough message. But I am serious. Here is what most people don't understand. Many power lines that lay on the ground look unthreatening. They are usually not sparking or making hissing noises. They look lifeless. Therefore must be de-energized.
Not necessarily true.
A lot of times when the power goes out, generators will start up. If the power line is configured a certain way and a generator is hooked up a certain way, a feedback can occur. That feedback of power going back through the power line can be created by the very generators that are running inside a home or business. So the de-energized power line can actually become re-energized by the generator.
So there you have it. Your power lesson for the day. Oh, and before you go please do me a favor and help me spread the message and tell everyone and anyone what I just told you about downed power lines.
About 30 seconds into the story, the reporter PICKS UP A DOWNED POWER LINE! Now I don't usually scream in all caps on my blog except when it involves something like this. If that power line had been energized, we would have probably witnessed an electrocution on live TV. Coincidentally a co-worker saw it too and called the TV station to let him know what he just saw from the reporter. He suggested the reporter get back on TV and make a disclaimer that you are to never touch a downed power line and that what she did was wrong and dangerous.
Not only didn't they make that disclaimer later in the program but they repeated the same mistake on the early morning broadcast with a different reporter! It's the worst kind of irresponsible journalism ever!
Anyway since I have a blog that has maybe a few visits I feel it would be responsible blogging to post my own PSA. So here is my PSA.
DON'T EVER TOUCH A DOWNED POWER LINE!
I hope that was a strong enough message. But I am serious. Here is what most people don't understand. Many power lines that lay on the ground look unthreatening. They are usually not sparking or making hissing noises. They look lifeless. Therefore must be de-energized.
Not necessarily true.
A lot of times when the power goes out, generators will start up. If the power line is configured a certain way and a generator is hooked up a certain way, a feedback can occur. That feedback of power going back through the power line can be created by the very generators that are running inside a home or business. So the de-energized power line can actually become re-energized by the generator.
So there you have it. Your power lesson for the day. Oh, and before you go please do me a favor and help me spread the message and tell everyone and anyone what I just told you about downed power lines.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
How To Maintain Sanity While Potty Training
I have been through this 3 times in my life and about to go through the 4th. I don't think it has gotten any easier and I wonder why not. I mean you would think I would have learned something from the first kid and then had taken that to second but it's strange. All kids are not created equal (at least in their minds) so they all take to the potty differently. The worst so far has been my little princess. Geez, I am ready to wager money that she will be having accidents when she gets into high school!
But I am different now. This is my last one. I want to go out with a bang. I want to pay attention. I don't want to be stressed out over the usual daily accident or poopy pants. I want to enjoy this experience....I know it's hard to imagine enjoying the wild smell of poopy underwear. But it is nice to see the joy on a child's face when he has accomplished something like going pee pee potty.
So now I share my tips on how to make pee-pee potty just a little less stressful.
1. Always have a box of wipes in all of the bathrooms. This makes cleanup much easier.
2. The hardest part about pee-pee potty is taking short trips away from the house. Be prepared and that will take the stress away.
3. Don't ever leave the house without wipes and at least 3 changes of shorts and underwear. Always carry a few ziploc bags with you in case there is a pee-pee accident. You can put the soiled underwear right in there.
4. Put a small towel down in the car seat in case of a wet accident.
5. When you are at home set a timer every 30 minutes that will remind you of pee-pee time.
6. When there is an accident, and there will be many, don't worry. You can clean the floor and even the carpet. I have found that toddler pee-pee doesn't stain or smell horribly so it isn't a real big deal. Just buy a standard carpet cleaning spot remover and that should do the trick.
7. Let your child watch you go pee-pee. I know this sounds really gross but they need to see how it is done. When they master it, then you can talk to them about privacy and closing the door.
8. Never forget to teach them about washing their hands. So important.
9. Let them be a part of the whole process including buying their underwear. Let them pick out the kinds that they like with their favorite characters. Let them enjoy owning their underwear.
Well, that is it for my pee-pee potty tips and tricks. If you all have any to add, please send me a comment and I will be sure to post everything you send me.
But I am different now. This is my last one. I want to go out with a bang. I want to pay attention. I don't want to be stressed out over the usual daily accident or poopy pants. I want to enjoy this experience....I know it's hard to imagine enjoying the wild smell of poopy underwear. But it is nice to see the joy on a child's face when he has accomplished something like going pee pee potty.
So now I share my tips on how to make pee-pee potty just a little less stressful.
1. Always have a box of wipes in all of the bathrooms. This makes cleanup much easier.
2. The hardest part about pee-pee potty is taking short trips away from the house. Be prepared and that will take the stress away.
3. Don't ever leave the house without wipes and at least 3 changes of shorts and underwear. Always carry a few ziploc bags with you in case there is a pee-pee accident. You can put the soiled underwear right in there.
4. Put a small towel down in the car seat in case of a wet accident.
5. When you are at home set a timer every 30 minutes that will remind you of pee-pee time.
6. When there is an accident, and there will be many, don't worry. You can clean the floor and even the carpet. I have found that toddler pee-pee doesn't stain or smell horribly so it isn't a real big deal. Just buy a standard carpet cleaning spot remover and that should do the trick.
7. Let your child watch you go pee-pee. I know this sounds really gross but they need to see how it is done. When they master it, then you can talk to them about privacy and closing the door.
8. Never forget to teach them about washing their hands. So important.
9. Let them be a part of the whole process including buying their underwear. Let them pick out the kinds that they like with their favorite characters. Let them enjoy owning their underwear.
Well, that is it for my pee-pee potty tips and tricks. If you all have any to add, please send me a comment and I will be sure to post everything you send me.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Please Somebody Clone Me!
Have you ever really wanted to be in two places at one time? Well, today is that day for me. You see, I have to take one of my teens to the doctor because he has a really bad-looking (ok let's face it..it's downright pukey looking) rash on his leg and it's not getting better. I called the doctor and she suggested going in to take a look.
At the same time I would be picking up my oldest from school. I LOVE picking him up from school. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Why do I love it so much? Well, because one day he won't need me to do it. One day he will want to do it himself. One day he might choose to go home with a friend or ***dread*** girlfriend. One day he will graduate and no longer need my assistance. Better than that is the way I watch him walk to the car - not yet a full grown man, no longer my little baby- and I watch him laughing with his friends. I watch him carry his books. I watch him. I just watch him and remember how it was when he was in kindergarten.
Today my better half will get the pleasure of picking him up and I will miss it for this one day. I will be back tomorrow but I will feel bad that I missed today.
I could have changed the dr appt time but that would have meant that my little rash boy would have to miss even more school than he needs to. But I will be back in that pickup line tomorrow. Nothing is going to stop me tomorrow.
At the same time I would be picking up my oldest from school. I LOVE picking him up from school. LOVE LOVE LOVE IT. Why do I love it so much? Well, because one day he won't need me to do it. One day he will want to do it himself. One day he might choose to go home with a friend or ***dread*** girlfriend. One day he will graduate and no longer need my assistance. Better than that is the way I watch him walk to the car - not yet a full grown man, no longer my little baby- and I watch him laughing with his friends. I watch him carry his books. I watch him. I just watch him and remember how it was when he was in kindergarten.
Today my better half will get the pleasure of picking him up and I will miss it for this one day. I will be back tomorrow but I will feel bad that I missed today.
I could have changed the dr appt time but that would have meant that my little rash boy would have to miss even more school than he needs to. But I will be back in that pickup line tomorrow. Nothing is going to stop me tomorrow.
Friday, May 9, 2008
My Latest Obsession
My better half will just have to get used to me watching youtube until the next tour.
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