I have the up most respect for people who babysit children full time. I know that sounds strange coming from a full time mom, but babysitting is stressful. It’s not your kids, they belong to someone else. It’s not your kids mess, it’s someone else’s kids mess. Ya’ get what I saying?
Earlier this week, a friend of mine ask me to babysit her daughter for a few days. I truly did not mind keeping her, but having a extra child with you that is not yours is traumatic. I have had to watch what I say and do. I have not been able to run around in my pajamas all day. I can’t even leave the door open when I go to the bathroom. It is total culture shock! Maybe I’m crazy and maybe I’m the only person who feels this way, but babysitting is too much like work.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
What Not To Wear
Carter started tennis lessons today and that opens a whole can of worms for me to write about. Now, I have a few theories about fashion that I try to live by.
(Stay with me, point coming…)
1. Always dress for the occasion
(try not to look like your in your pajamas)
2. If you participate in a sport or activity, dress for it
(it does not matter if you are any good at it as long as you look good doing it)
3. At least try to look like you saw yourself in the mirror before you left home
(make sure you shoes match each other and your hair is brushed)
Today we are focusing on theory number 2.
All the kids at tennis this morning looked so cute. They had their little outfits on and their little rackets in their hands. Precious! However, I noticed something disturbing with the other moms. Nine out of twelve had on tennis skirts. Now, this is not a “Mommy and Me” tennis lesson. I also know that the women’s tennis league at the Country Club wasn’t playing this morning. So I have to ask myself, “what’s with the skirts? I am not against a good tennis skirt and I have several myself, but I wear them when I play tennis. It is very rare that I have ever felt uncomfortable about what I was wearing, but today I felt out of place. Is there a new rule I don’t know about? Am I suppose to dress for the sport my children are doing at that time? Does this mean I will have to wear a leotard to Kate’s dance classes? I am so confused!
Don’t let it be said that I can’t “go with the flow”. I came straight home from tennis, went to my closet and got out my best tennis skirt. Tomorrow, I too shall look prepared to play a little tennis game if necessary. I now know what not to wear!
I wonder if I need to bring my racket too?
(Stay with me, point coming…)
1. Always dress for the occasion
(try not to look like your in your pajamas)
2. If you participate in a sport or activity, dress for it
(it does not matter if you are any good at it as long as you look good doing it)
3. At least try to look like you saw yourself in the mirror before you left home
(make sure you shoes match each other and your hair is brushed)
Today we are focusing on theory number 2.
All the kids at tennis this morning looked so cute. They had their little outfits on and their little rackets in their hands. Precious! However, I noticed something disturbing with the other moms. Nine out of twelve had on tennis skirts. Now, this is not a “Mommy and Me” tennis lesson. I also know that the women’s tennis league at the Country Club wasn’t playing this morning. So I have to ask myself, “what’s with the skirts? I am not against a good tennis skirt and I have several myself, but I wear them when I play tennis. It is very rare that I have ever felt uncomfortable about what I was wearing, but today I felt out of place. Is there a new rule I don’t know about? Am I suppose to dress for the sport my children are doing at that time? Does this mean I will have to wear a leotard to Kate’s dance classes? I am so confused!
Don’t let it be said that I can’t “go with the flow”. I came straight home from tennis, went to my closet and got out my best tennis skirt. Tomorrow, I too shall look prepared to play a little tennis game if necessary. I now know what not to wear!
I wonder if I need to bring my racket too?
Who Says You Can’t Go Home Again
We’re baaack! Our family getaway is over and I can’t say I am sad about it. I know that sounds bad, but you’ll understand why by the end of this story.
We left Thursday morning about 6:30am even though the condo was only 3 hours away. Mark’s theory is no matter where you are going, it’s always better to get an early start. I tend to view things a little different than he does when it comes to getting up early. We had a good time and everyone got along great (even Cater and Kate) until Saturday. That is when it all fell apart.
We woke up Saturday morning to the sound of rain on the patio. It was the kind of rain that makes you want to sleep all day, but not MY kids. The weather made it hard to do anything but shop, which just so happens to be my favorite sport. By the end of the day the kids were crying, Mark and I were arguing and we were all ready to go home!
Did I mention that our condo was on the top of a mountain? Yep! Way up high! Saturday night before we started up the mountain, Mark said we had a quarter of a tank of gas and that should be plenty until we start home in the morning. Sunday morning came and we could not get the car packed fast enough. We started down the mountain and the fun began. We had begun our decent when Mark took note that the gas hand had moved considerably. I told him it was because we were going downhill and it would adjust. He rolled his eyes at me. It was MY car we were driving and I do know a few things about my own gas gauge.
The further down the mountain we got the paler Mark’s face got. I told him not to panic and then I said the famous six words, “the gas light isn’t even on”. At the very moment the bell dinged and on came the gas light. I could not help but laugh. So then, Mark gets mad at me. Why? I do not know. I told him that I’m not the one who decided not to get gas until we left. His response was simple “because it’s your car”. Whatever!
Halfway down the road, he turned off the air conditioner in the car (trying to save gas, no doubt). So down came the windows and out came my giggles. I could not help it and I was out of control. When I finally caught my breath, Mark had picked up speed and was now going about 45 mph through the Smokey Mountain National Forest. I know that does not seem very fast, but remember we’re talking about a mountain. As if the situation wasn’t funny enough, the following conversation came pouring out of the backseat. Kate “Brrrooother, what’s haaappening?” Carter “Daaaddddy neeeeds toooo saaave gaaas!” All of this and their hair blowing in the wind and their eyes watering! It was too much, so the giggles started again!
We finally made it to the bottom of the mountain and to the first gas station we could find. Mark looked over at me and said “I am glad you find this so funny”. I simply said “Yes, and I am sorry you were the only one not laughing”!
It’s good to be home.
We left Thursday morning about 6:30am even though the condo was only 3 hours away. Mark’s theory is no matter where you are going, it’s always better to get an early start. I tend to view things a little different than he does when it comes to getting up early. We had a good time and everyone got along great (even Cater and Kate) until Saturday. That is when it all fell apart.
We woke up Saturday morning to the sound of rain on the patio. It was the kind of rain that makes you want to sleep all day, but not MY kids. The weather made it hard to do anything but shop, which just so happens to be my favorite sport. By the end of the day the kids were crying, Mark and I were arguing and we were all ready to go home!
Did I mention that our condo was on the top of a mountain? Yep! Way up high! Saturday night before we started up the mountain, Mark said we had a quarter of a tank of gas and that should be plenty until we start home in the morning. Sunday morning came and we could not get the car packed fast enough. We started down the mountain and the fun began. We had begun our decent when Mark took note that the gas hand had moved considerably. I told him it was because we were going downhill and it would adjust. He rolled his eyes at me. It was MY car we were driving and I do know a few things about my own gas gauge.
The further down the mountain we got the paler Mark’s face got. I told him not to panic and then I said the famous six words, “the gas light isn’t even on”. At the very moment the bell dinged and on came the gas light. I could not help but laugh. So then, Mark gets mad at me. Why? I do not know. I told him that I’m not the one who decided not to get gas until we left. His response was simple “because it’s your car”. Whatever!
Halfway down the road, he turned off the air conditioner in the car (trying to save gas, no doubt). So down came the windows and out came my giggles. I could not help it and I was out of control. When I finally caught my breath, Mark had picked up speed and was now going about 45 mph through the Smokey Mountain National Forest. I know that does not seem very fast, but remember we’re talking about a mountain. As if the situation wasn’t funny enough, the following conversation came pouring out of the backseat. Kate “Brrrooother, what’s haaappening?” Carter “Daaaddddy neeeeds toooo saaave gaaas!” All of this and their hair blowing in the wind and their eyes watering! It was too much, so the giggles started again!
We finally made it to the bottom of the mountain and to the first gas station we could find. Mark looked over at me and said “I am glad you find this so funny”. I simply said “Yes, and I am sorry you were the only one not laughing”!
It’s good to be home.
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
The Night The Lights Went Out In Georgia
I need a job and ya’ll are going to daycare! I yelled that statement more than a few times yesterday. A trend has begun in our household and it is really beginning to get on my last nerve.
Carter and Kate are fighting like cats and dogs. There is no happy medium with these two. They are either loving all over each other or scratching each others eyes out. I knew that someday I would have to breakup fights between them, but I really thought I had a few years before I would have to say “leave your sister alone” and “get off your brother”. The sad thing is that Kate is usually the one who hurts Carter.
Late in the afternoon they started to calm down. “Alvin and the Kickmunks” as Kate calls them had came on TV and all was right with the world. Don’t judge me, I do not use the TV as a babysitter, but simply a moderator. My kids are not as mesmerized by the TV, but they do watch it early in the evening before “bath and bed prep” begins. It’s their security blanket.
Peace had spread throughout the land and I began to cook dinner. I noticed that it had gotten darker outside (it was 5:15) and it looked like it might storm. Mark got home about an hour later and we had dinner. Again, it was peaceful and the world was at rest. Little did I know it was the calm before the storm, literally!
Around 7:30 it began to get even cloudier and darker outside. To quote Garth Brooks, “The thunder rolled and the lightning strikes”. About fifteen minutes later the power went off. I expected it to come back on quickly, but forty five minutes later, I gave up on that theory. The first hour was great. We all gathered in the living room and I told the kids stories by candlelight. Soon I began to wonder how people ever survived without electricity.
We are obviously not the poster family for the www.ready.gov website. We had one candle in the house and one flashlight with no batteries. I think we took the batteries out and put in one of the kids toys last Christmas. An hour and fifteen minutes had passed and the fun was over. It was dark, hot, and we were all on the edge of sanity. Kate was whining for the “Kickmunks” and Carter was beginning his role as the antagonist. Where is Mark during this whole “family reunion” you might ask? Asleep on the couch! The man could sleep through anything!
Finally, I gave up! I ordered everyone (under 4’ tall) to bed. Carter and Kate piled in the bed with me (we left Mark on the couch). Twenty minutes later the kids were fast asleep and two hours later the lights came back on in Georgia!
I will never take my electricity for granted again. God Bless Benjamin Franklin and his kite!
Carter and Kate are fighting like cats and dogs. There is no happy medium with these two. They are either loving all over each other or scratching each others eyes out. I knew that someday I would have to breakup fights between them, but I really thought I had a few years before I would have to say “leave your sister alone” and “get off your brother”. The sad thing is that Kate is usually the one who hurts Carter.
Late in the afternoon they started to calm down. “Alvin and the Kickmunks” as Kate calls them had came on TV and all was right with the world. Don’t judge me, I do not use the TV as a babysitter, but simply a moderator. My kids are not as mesmerized by the TV, but they do watch it early in the evening before “bath and bed prep” begins. It’s their security blanket.
Peace had spread throughout the land and I began to cook dinner. I noticed that it had gotten darker outside (it was 5:15) and it looked like it might storm. Mark got home about an hour later and we had dinner. Again, it was peaceful and the world was at rest. Little did I know it was the calm before the storm, literally!
Around 7:30 it began to get even cloudier and darker outside. To quote Garth Brooks, “The thunder rolled and the lightning strikes”. About fifteen minutes later the power went off. I expected it to come back on quickly, but forty five minutes later, I gave up on that theory. The first hour was great. We all gathered in the living room and I told the kids stories by candlelight. Soon I began to wonder how people ever survived without electricity.
We are obviously not the poster family for the www.ready.gov website. We had one candle in the house and one flashlight with no batteries. I think we took the batteries out and put in one of the kids toys last Christmas. An hour and fifteen minutes had passed and the fun was over. It was dark, hot, and we were all on the edge of sanity. Kate was whining for the “Kickmunks” and Carter was beginning his role as the antagonist. Where is Mark during this whole “family reunion” you might ask? Asleep on the couch! The man could sleep through anything!
Finally, I gave up! I ordered everyone (under 4’ tall) to bed. Carter and Kate piled in the bed with me (we left Mark on the couch). Twenty minutes later the kids were fast asleep and two hours later the lights came back on in Georgia!
I will never take my electricity for granted again. God Bless Benjamin Franklin and his kite!
Sunday, July 20, 2008
It Is All In The Follow Through
This weekend has been exhausting. I don’t know what has made it different from any other weekend, but it’s been crazy. Carter and Kate have had Mark and I so nuts, we could have thread a sewing machine with it running. I think my parents being on vacation might have something to do with it.
Typically we all go on vacation together, but my niece was playing in the Fast Pitch Softball World Series in Florida this past week and my parents went to see her play. Her team won 2nd place, yeah! My parents (a.k.a. my neighbors) got back into town this morning, thank GOD!
Carter has been especially rowdy since they have been gone. He is quite the Nana’s boy. So, we got home from church and my mom met us as soon as we arrived. Carter immediately wanted to go to her house. He has a bad habit of trying to keep Nana all to himself and away from Kate.
My mom and dad went back home to unpack and they told Carter that he could come over and help them take care of the pool when Kate took her nap. Kate is a little too “creative” to be helping with such a chore. Well, needless to say, Carter went nuts! He wanted to go right then and he would do any means necessary to get his way.
This is where my bad parenting comes into play. He starts to through a little fit and goes into his room and slams the door. Yes, my five year old slammed the door! Being the stern mother that I am, I told him that he could not go to Nana’s because of his little fit. Well, that’s when the crying started. The big huge crocodile tears started to fall and I could not contain myself. So then I go into my “if your good from now on I’ll let you go” mode.
Yes, it’s true. I am really thinking that I can not get him over there fast enough because he is driving me crazy! After several more moments of bad behavior and idol threats by me, Kate went to sleep and I sent Carter next door as fast I could get him there.
My mother (and the Supper Nanny) has always said that discipline is all in the follow through. I am sure they are right, but for now my house is quiet and that only happens once in a blue moon, so I think I will take a nap.
Typically we all go on vacation together, but my niece was playing in the Fast Pitch Softball World Series in Florida this past week and my parents went to see her play. Her team won 2nd place, yeah! My parents (a.k.a. my neighbors) got back into town this morning, thank GOD!
Carter has been especially rowdy since they have been gone. He is quite the Nana’s boy. So, we got home from church and my mom met us as soon as we arrived. Carter immediately wanted to go to her house. He has a bad habit of trying to keep Nana all to himself and away from Kate.
My mom and dad went back home to unpack and they told Carter that he could come over and help them take care of the pool when Kate took her nap. Kate is a little too “creative” to be helping with such a chore. Well, needless to say, Carter went nuts! He wanted to go right then and he would do any means necessary to get his way.
This is where my bad parenting comes into play. He starts to through a little fit and goes into his room and slams the door. Yes, my five year old slammed the door! Being the stern mother that I am, I told him that he could not go to Nana’s because of his little fit. Well, that’s when the crying started. The big huge crocodile tears started to fall and I could not contain myself. So then I go into my “if your good from now on I’ll let you go” mode.
Yes, it’s true. I am really thinking that I can not get him over there fast enough because he is driving me crazy! After several more moments of bad behavior and idol threats by me, Kate went to sleep and I sent Carter next door as fast I could get him there.
My mother (and the Supper Nanny) has always said that discipline is all in the follow through. I am sure they are right, but for now my house is quiet and that only happens once in a blue moon, so I think I will take a nap.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Accept No Substitute
Yesterday, I laid down the law. I decided that Kate was drinking too much juice and I cut her off. I started giving her water in her sippy cup. Keep in mind that Kate is a HEAVY drinker. She even takes her cup to bed with her.
Kate’s drink of choice even over juice is none other than Diet Coke. (She is her mother’s daughter.) I have never just given her a Diet Coke and said here ya’ go, but she has sampled mine on numerous occasions. From the day of her first sip she was hooked. You can not leave one sitting around because if she finds it, it will be gone. If she sees them in the pantry she will beg for one. Therefore, I have to hide them.
Now back to yesterday. She was OK at first, but as the day went on she began to get whiny. I was beginning to get a little whiny myself. You see, I felt bad for cutting her off so I too stuck to only water. Typically that is not a problem, I drink water all the time except first thing in the morning. Diet Coke is my coffee! Around 3:00pm I was desperate for caffeine, but I could not let Kate know I was falling off the wagon .
While Kate was busy playing, I tip toed into the pantry and got my can of “mojo” and took it into the laundry room. Our laundry room is on the other side of the house and I had a load of laundry on the spin cycle. There was no way she would hear the can open. I popped the top and began to pour when suddenly I heard the pitter patter of little feet coming through the kitchen. Busted! I quickly hid the can and turned the light off. Kate said “ Can I have some Diet Coke?” Forgive me Lord for lying, but I said “Kate, mommy does not have any Diet Coke.” She looked at me rather sadly, lowered her head and walked away.
Yes, I feel horrible and yes I drank the Diet Coke!
Kate’s drink of choice even over juice is none other than Diet Coke. (She is her mother’s daughter.) I have never just given her a Diet Coke and said here ya’ go, but she has sampled mine on numerous occasions. From the day of her first sip she was hooked. You can not leave one sitting around because if she finds it, it will be gone. If she sees them in the pantry she will beg for one. Therefore, I have to hide them.
Now back to yesterday. She was OK at first, but as the day went on she began to get whiny. I was beginning to get a little whiny myself. You see, I felt bad for cutting her off so I too stuck to only water. Typically that is not a problem, I drink water all the time except first thing in the morning. Diet Coke is my coffee! Around 3:00pm I was desperate for caffeine, but I could not let Kate know I was falling off the wagon .
While Kate was busy playing, I tip toed into the pantry and got my can of “mojo” and took it into the laundry room. Our laundry room is on the other side of the house and I had a load of laundry on the spin cycle. There was no way she would hear the can open. I popped the top and began to pour when suddenly I heard the pitter patter of little feet coming through the kitchen. Busted! I quickly hid the can and turned the light off. Kate said “ Can I have some Diet Coke?” Forgive me Lord for lying, but I said “Kate, mommy does not have any Diet Coke.” She looked at me rather sadly, lowered her head and walked away.
Yes, I feel horrible and yes I drank the Diet Coke!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Winner Takes All!
As I predicted, the battle is over and Mark has accepted defeat. We are going on vacation! After careful plotting on my part, he gave in quite easily. There was no need for a hissy fit or any other drastic measures on my part. I am looking forward to spending time with Mark and the kids.
Honestly, this is more a vacation for me than Mark. The kids are all about daddy when we go away, so I get a little time to myself. Daddy carries their toys to the beach, daddy plays ball with them, daddy gets water for their sand castles, and mommy lays on the beach and works on her tan. When I think about it like that, no wonder Mark did not want to go. Ha! Ha! Sounds like the great American vacation to me. We have a week before we leave so I am sure that I will have much more to report before we go. In the mean time, I have some shopping to do….
Honestly, this is more a vacation for me than Mark. The kids are all about daddy when we go away, so I get a little time to myself. Daddy carries their toys to the beach, daddy plays ball with them, daddy gets water for their sand castles, and mommy lays on the beach and works on her tan. When I think about it like that, no wonder Mark did not want to go. Ha! Ha! Sounds like the great American vacation to me. We have a week before we leave so I am sure that I will have much more to report before we go. In the mean time, I have some shopping to do….
Monday, July 14, 2008
Vacation Planning 101
I just do not understand it. I do not understand how one man can be so frustrating. As I have said before, Mark is cheap. He is the cheapest of cheap and now I have the story to prove it.
Mark works all the time. So needless to say it is very hard to get him to go on vacation. Please do not misunderstand me, I know that Mark working long hours is what allows us to live a good life.
Our typical vacation consists of the kids and I going with my parents on their vacation. Don’t get me wrong, once in a blue moon Mark will cave in and go on a real live family vacation. Just last year we took the kids to Disney World. It was like pulling teeth to get him to go, but he did and he had a great time.
So anyway back to my story. We were eating lunch after church yesterday, and Mark suddenly decided we should go away for a long weekend. After my initial shock, I did a little happy dance and got straight to work on the “planning” phase. After all, he wants to go in just two weeks. He said he would like to go to the coast and that works for me. It is July so any kind of vacation for me needs to involve water and sand.
As my planning went further, I realized we were in major trouble. Our normal condominium on the coast was all booked up and everywhere I checked required a full weeks stay in July. I spent three hours on the internet looking for a place to stay. I finally surrendered to Mark's second idea of going "the mountains". I pulled all of my information together to make my “presentation”. You see when you are trying to convince Mark to spend money it requires a full blown presentation.
After all of the work I did, he looked at me and said “I don’t think this is such a good idea”. Seriously? You have got to be kidding me. He decided that he just did not want to spend the money. Seriously? Did he think it was going to be free when he came up with the idea?
Of course I handled this in a very mature manner. I cried! I was so mad that is all I could do.
We are now on day two of this vacation planning mess and we are no better off than on day one. Mark seems to be leaning toward going, but only because he is afraid of retaliation from me. He might actually have to eat bologna sandwiches for a week and do his own laundry. Ya’ know I do feel a sick headache coming on…
I just need a vacation!
Mark works all the time. So needless to say it is very hard to get him to go on vacation. Please do not misunderstand me, I know that Mark working long hours is what allows us to live a good life.
Our typical vacation consists of the kids and I going with my parents on their vacation. Don’t get me wrong, once in a blue moon Mark will cave in and go on a real live family vacation. Just last year we took the kids to Disney World. It was like pulling teeth to get him to go, but he did and he had a great time.
So anyway back to my story. We were eating lunch after church yesterday, and Mark suddenly decided we should go away for a long weekend. After my initial shock, I did a little happy dance and got straight to work on the “planning” phase. After all, he wants to go in just two weeks. He said he would like to go to the coast and that works for me. It is July so any kind of vacation for me needs to involve water and sand.
As my planning went further, I realized we were in major trouble. Our normal condominium on the coast was all booked up and everywhere I checked required a full weeks stay in July. I spent three hours on the internet looking for a place to stay. I finally surrendered to Mark's second idea of going "the mountains". I pulled all of my information together to make my “presentation”. You see when you are trying to convince Mark to spend money it requires a full blown presentation.
After all of the work I did, he looked at me and said “I don’t think this is such a good idea”. Seriously? You have got to be kidding me. He decided that he just did not want to spend the money. Seriously? Did he think it was going to be free when he came up with the idea?
Of course I handled this in a very mature manner. I cried! I was so mad that is all I could do.
We are now on day two of this vacation planning mess and we are no better off than on day one. Mark seems to be leaning toward going, but only because he is afraid of retaliation from me. He might actually have to eat bologna sandwiches for a week and do his own laundry. Ya’ know I do feel a sick headache coming on…
I just need a vacation!
Saturday, July 12, 2008
The Great Yard Sale Debate
I got out of the bed this morning thinking it would be a quite Saturday morning. That was my first mistake. We got up early and went to Target and this is when the morning started to unravel.
We were driving down the road and everyone in the car was minding there own business, when Mark (my husband) takes notice of the numerous yard sales (that is southern for garage sales) that were taking place this morning. Now, a little background on Mark. He is an accountant, in other words he is cheap! If you stuck a lump of coal up Mark’s booty, in two weeks you would have a diamond. The first question out of his mouth was why have we not had a yard sale this summer. I could feel the tension begin to rise.
In my opinion, the sole purpose for a yard sale is getting rid of unwanted junk. I don’t particularly care for yard sales. I do not like having them, nor do I like shopping at them. Now, I am sure I have just offended those of you who love a good yard sale, but I am just being honest. If I want to buy something, I prefer doing it in an air conditioned mall surrounded by the smell of new shoes fresh out of the box and the lingering aroma of a Starbucks.
In Mark’s opinion, the sole purpose for a yard sale is making money. He gets a natural high from just the thoughts of having a yard sale. The worst part is, he not only tries to sell our junk, but he will go to his parents house and bring there junk too. Of course no one ever buys all this junk, so it ends up in my garage. Then we have to keep it and try to sell it again.
He actually admitted to me today, that he would like for us to try and have a yard sale two weekends out of EVERY month. First of all, I ask him what he put in his coffee this morning and then I ask him what in this world did he think we were going to sell for two weeks out of EVERY month. He told me not to worry he would go out and find us stuff. He has LOST HIS MIND or maybe he just has too much free time!
My response to Mark’s “business” idea as he called it was very simple. I went straight into my “momologue”. I am sure you have heard this one before, it goes a little something like this:
1. I have household to run
2. Carter has tennis lessons
3. Kate has ballet
4. Groceries have to be bought
5. Laundry has to be done
So one and so forth…
Once the “momologue” started, Mark completely shut up about yard sales. It works every time! So for now, the great yard sale debate has been put on the backburner. I am now reloading my “momologue” for the next time I need it.
We were driving down the road and everyone in the car was minding there own business, when Mark (my husband) takes notice of the numerous yard sales (that is southern for garage sales) that were taking place this morning. Now, a little background on Mark. He is an accountant, in other words he is cheap! If you stuck a lump of coal up Mark’s booty, in two weeks you would have a diamond. The first question out of his mouth was why have we not had a yard sale this summer. I could feel the tension begin to rise.
In my opinion, the sole purpose for a yard sale is getting rid of unwanted junk. I don’t particularly care for yard sales. I do not like having them, nor do I like shopping at them. Now, I am sure I have just offended those of you who love a good yard sale, but I am just being honest. If I want to buy something, I prefer doing it in an air conditioned mall surrounded by the smell of new shoes fresh out of the box and the lingering aroma of a Starbucks.
In Mark’s opinion, the sole purpose for a yard sale is making money. He gets a natural high from just the thoughts of having a yard sale. The worst part is, he not only tries to sell our junk, but he will go to his parents house and bring there junk too. Of course no one ever buys all this junk, so it ends up in my garage. Then we have to keep it and try to sell it again.
He actually admitted to me today, that he would like for us to try and have a yard sale two weekends out of EVERY month. First of all, I ask him what he put in his coffee this morning and then I ask him what in this world did he think we were going to sell for two weeks out of EVERY month. He told me not to worry he would go out and find us stuff. He has LOST HIS MIND or maybe he just has too much free time!
My response to Mark’s “business” idea as he called it was very simple. I went straight into my “momologue”. I am sure you have heard this one before, it goes a little something like this:
1. I have household to run
2. Carter has tennis lessons
3. Kate has ballet
4. Groceries have to be bought
5. Laundry has to be done
So one and so forth…
Once the “momologue” started, Mark completely shut up about yard sales. It works every time! So for now, the great yard sale debate has been put on the backburner. I am now reloading my “momologue” for the next time I need it.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
What Are Little Girls Made Of?
People have been telling since I was pregnant with Kate (my two year old daughter) how different siblings can be from one another. They were not joking. Carter (my five year old son) is an angel. He was a great baby and was surprisingly good even during the terrible twos. He is polite, well mannered and seemed to know things “not to do” by the time he was old enough to walk. I have decided he will either be a Southern Baptist Preacher or a Politician.
Kate is a different ballgame all together. She had colic and cried from 10:00pm until 2:00am every night for three months. She hated riding in a car until she was around 20 months old. She has been going through the terrible twos since she was 9 months old! She loves dirt (wearing it, eating it, either way is good for her). She eats money (she prefers pennies). She loves to play “princess”, but would love it even more if it involved mud. Bottom line Kate is just plain NASTY!
Her latest love is water. She loves to play in liquid of any kind. So I am thinking “YES!” this is a perfect opportunity for hand wash training. Washing her hands is not what she has in mind.
Tonight, I learned just how far she would go to “support her habit”.
I was sitting in the living room watching Grey’s Anatomy reruns when I noticed Kate in the kitchen stomping on the tile floor. I went into the kitchen and saw that she was “dancing” in a puddle of pink liquid that was later identified as Kool Aid. Here is were the nasty part comes to play. She did not pour the Kool Aid from her cup. “How did she get it in the floor?” you ask, she SPIT it in the floor! She would sip it from her cup and spit it out in the floor. Again I say, she is just plain NASTY!
Kate is a different ballgame all together. She had colic and cried from 10:00pm until 2:00am every night for three months. She hated riding in a car until she was around 20 months old. She has been going through the terrible twos since she was 9 months old! She loves dirt (wearing it, eating it, either way is good for her). She eats money (she prefers pennies). She loves to play “princess”, but would love it even more if it involved mud. Bottom line Kate is just plain NASTY!
Her latest love is water. She loves to play in liquid of any kind. So I am thinking “YES!” this is a perfect opportunity for hand wash training. Washing her hands is not what she has in mind.
Tonight, I learned just how far she would go to “support her habit”.
I was sitting in the living room watching Grey’s Anatomy reruns when I noticed Kate in the kitchen stomping on the tile floor. I went into the kitchen and saw that she was “dancing” in a puddle of pink liquid that was later identified as Kool Aid. Here is were the nasty part comes to play. She did not pour the Kool Aid from her cup. “How did she get it in the floor?” you ask, she SPIT it in the floor! She would sip it from her cup and spit it out in the floor. Again I say, she is just plain NASTY!
For Every Blog There is a Reason
Hi! I am a 34 year old stay at home mom. I have two beautiful kids. They are the most remarkable children in the world. Blah! Blah! Blah!
Let's get to the point. Why did I start this blog? I was sitting in my living room one day after a trip to Wal-Mart with my kids and I thought "my life is hilarious" I should write a book. Then I realized that I am not motivated enough for that, but a blog would work.
So back to this Wal-Mart story. For those of you who have never shopped at Wal-Mart (especially a Wal-Mart in the south) try to stay with me. As usual I was in a hurry so the kids and I go zooming through the store at a fast yet respectable speed. I am standing in the juice aisle when I feel something "bump" my buggy (that's southern for shopping cart). I looked up and there is a full grown weenier dog snarling at me from a basket on the front a shopping chair. You know what I am talking about. Those motorized chairs that are suppose to be for disabled people, but for some reason they are always being used by people who are fully capable of walking around and are just too lazy. Well, driving this weenier dog was one of those people I mentioned above. (She just did not want to walk)! She (the driver) was glaring at me wanting me to move out of her way. I'm sorry, but I had a problem with that. I am thinking to myself "GO AROUND ME!". I was making my juice selection and I had just as much right to be there as she did.
Being the nice person that I am I smiled at her and gave her the "I'll be done in a minute" nod. Then it happened, she gave the stare down. It was a stand off right there on the juice aisle. I was not moving and neither was she. Finally out of respect for my kids and not wanting to embarrass myself by going "southern belle redneck" on this woman and her weenier dog, I backed up and went around her.
I continued on with my "quick trip", but I was so mad by then I could not even speak. You see, I consider myself a nice person. I smile a lot (some days it is just to keep from crying), but nonetheless I am a nice person. I think it is just as easy to be nice to someone as it is to be rude so this lady's behavior infuriated me. My son who is wise beyond his five years said "Mom, why are you so mad?". I replied "because that woman is just plain rude!"
As our trip came to a close, we dashed toward the checkout counter. I chose a shorter line and as I approached the turn belt, I looked up and there was my juice aisle nemesis. To my defense she was just as rude to the cashier. My son observed her bad behavior for a second time. As she went speeding away on her motorized chair my son looked up at me and said "Mommy, I think we need to pray for her". I said "yes, we do son she was not very nice". He looked at me and said "I was talking about the dog mommy".
I told you my life is hilarious!!
Let's get to the point. Why did I start this blog? I was sitting in my living room one day after a trip to Wal-Mart with my kids and I thought "my life is hilarious" I should write a book. Then I realized that I am not motivated enough for that, but a blog would work.
So back to this Wal-Mart story. For those of you who have never shopped at Wal-Mart (especially a Wal-Mart in the south) try to stay with me. As usual I was in a hurry so the kids and I go zooming through the store at a fast yet respectable speed. I am standing in the juice aisle when I feel something "bump" my buggy (that's southern for shopping cart). I looked up and there is a full grown weenier dog snarling at me from a basket on the front a shopping chair. You know what I am talking about. Those motorized chairs that are suppose to be for disabled people, but for some reason they are always being used by people who are fully capable of walking around and are just too lazy. Well, driving this weenier dog was one of those people I mentioned above. (She just did not want to walk)! She (the driver) was glaring at me wanting me to move out of her way. I'm sorry, but I had a problem with that. I am thinking to myself "GO AROUND ME!". I was making my juice selection and I had just as much right to be there as she did.
Being the nice person that I am I smiled at her and gave her the "I'll be done in a minute" nod. Then it happened, she gave the stare down. It was a stand off right there on the juice aisle. I was not moving and neither was she. Finally out of respect for my kids and not wanting to embarrass myself by going "southern belle redneck" on this woman and her weenier dog, I backed up and went around her.
I continued on with my "quick trip", but I was so mad by then I could not even speak. You see, I consider myself a nice person. I smile a lot (some days it is just to keep from crying), but nonetheless I am a nice person. I think it is just as easy to be nice to someone as it is to be rude so this lady's behavior infuriated me. My son who is wise beyond his five years said "Mom, why are you so mad?". I replied "because that woman is just plain rude!"
As our trip came to a close, we dashed toward the checkout counter. I chose a shorter line and as I approached the turn belt, I looked up and there was my juice aisle nemesis. To my defense she was just as rude to the cashier. My son observed her bad behavior for a second time. As she went speeding away on her motorized chair my son looked up at me and said "Mommy, I think we need to pray for her". I said "yes, we do son she was not very nice". He looked at me and said "I was talking about the dog mommy".
I told you my life is hilarious!!
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