So the rain came down and Miss Missy didn't get to go to the pumpkin patch with her class this year. I was looking forward to it, but after having to cancel for the second time, I'm sure they won't be rescheduling since pumpkins represent Halloween and Halloween is in like 3 days. So I told Miss Missy that we'd take her to a pumpkin patch and that seemed to be okay with her.
We haven't carved a pumpkin this year. For me, carving pumpkins is traditional. I ALWAYS carved pumpkins when I was a kid, at least that's the way I remember it. When you're a kid, it's so much fun, regardless of the grossness of the oowey goowey insides.
********************************
Did I mention that I think that Miss Missy's teacher has some kinda girl crush on me? Okay, she's married. And I'm not saying it's like some kind of lesbian crush (although I think I might be just that stunning!) What I'm saying is that you know how... well, I think Beyonce' is hot. I like her because she's modest and sweet and kindhearted. And well, let's face it the girl is HOT! I'm envious. She looks damn good and I'd tell her so if I ever met her. I'd probably be all googly-eyed too! Not because I swing that way, but because she's just one of those people who stand out in my mind. And well, I WANT HER LEGS!
Okay, well, I'm no celebrity, but I have to say, Miss Missy's teacher sure makes me feel like one! She speaks to me every morning before I even get the classroom door all the way open, and that's before she greets Miss Missy! She makes sure that she comes clean from the other side of the room to say hello. She compliments me everyday, no matter what I have on. Well, I have to admit that I do go up in there most days lookin' like a superstar (yeah right), but today I have on am old sweat suit, ready to go walking when I got back home and she comments on how nice it was.
Okay, I know what you're thinking. Maybe she's just a really nice person. And she is, but I've spent a lot of time in that classroom and NONE of the other parents seem to get as much attention from her as I do. None of the other moms get compliments on their busted sweat suits, nor do they get greeted at the door, but instead a "HELLO" from across the room. I feel a little strange when I go in there because she stops what she's doing in class and comes to talk for a few minutes, always Always ALWAYS telling me how nice I look.
Perhaps I should just take the compliments for what it probably is, say thanks, and keep on truckin'. I mean, I'm a pretty good lookin' chick and have never lacked attention, but I'm also one to shy away from comments a little. I tend to change the subject when all eyes are on me. BUT I still make sure that I maintain myself so that peoples' impression of me don't change. I like looking cute and I like people seeing me lookin' cute. I don't wanna look like an average everyday Plain Jane mom. I don't wanna be out in sweats and a ponytail everyday. Yes, dealin' with kids makes you wanna just be comfortable, but for me, it's like, just because I'm a stay-at-home mom, doesn't mean I have to look like I STAY AT HOME!
So, I guess I can understand why Over Eager Teacher might feel the need to compliment me. Maybe it's not just a "girl crush". Maybe it's my style!
(ha ha ha ha ! Never had one of those before!)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
They don't look like me..
Halloween is right around the corner. Whoo HOOOO!
The Party City flyers have started coming every week. This week, Miss Missy decided to look at it together at the kitchen table as she enjoyed her afterschool snack.
Party City has a lot of costumes on display on the front page.
"I like this one, mommy." She was referring to a Snow White costume.
"But you already have that one. You just wore it on your birthday."
"Yeah, but it's old already. I need a new one."
"Hmm. What about this cat costume. You said you wanted to be a cat, right?"
Yeah, but that cat has pink on it. I want my cat costume to be all black. Cats don't have pink on them." Okay, so the pink fur around the head, arms and legs, down the front and the tail was a bit much. But it was meant to be cute. I thought she loved cute!
After looking through the flier a few minutes more, she says to me, "Mommy, there aren't any brown people on here."
"You know, baby, you're right. There aren't an brown people." I was surprised she'd noticed. I mean, I'd noticed the same thing on the previous flier, but for her to notice was a surprise. She's 5 for goodness sakes.
"There should at least be some brown or black or light brown people that look like me and you and daddy on here. That's not fair."
"It's not fair, Hunny. Perhaps we should write them a letter."
"YES WE SHOULD."
She marched off to get her construction paper and crayons.
********************************************************
Dear Party City Advertisers,
I have purchase a costume from your company every year for the past 5 years. As an African American mom, I was perturbed by the fact that my 5 year old was able to realize the lack of African Americans (people like her) wearing costumes in your advertisement. African Americans and other races purchase costumes and may see it as biased that people of color are not featured.
In the future, I'd like to see more variety, as our world consists of an assortment of races and backgrounds and we all wear your costumes.
Thanks,
Kay and Kennedy
P.S. If you are in need of a beautiful face of color for your next advertisment, I have the perfect Little Miss who would look absolutely adorable in a Princess Tiana costume!
The Party City flyers have started coming every week. This week, Miss Missy decided to look at it together at the kitchen table as she enjoyed her afterschool snack.
Party City has a lot of costumes on display on the front page.
"I like this one, mommy." She was referring to a Snow White costume.
"But you already have that one. You just wore it on your birthday."
"Yeah, but it's old already. I need a new one."
"Hmm. What about this cat costume. You said you wanted to be a cat, right?"
Yeah, but that cat has pink on it. I want my cat costume to be all black. Cats don't have pink on them." Okay, so the pink fur around the head, arms and legs, down the front and the tail was a bit much. But it was meant to be cute. I thought she loved cute!
After looking through the flier a few minutes more, she says to me, "Mommy, there aren't any brown people on here."
"You know, baby, you're right. There aren't an brown people." I was surprised she'd noticed. I mean, I'd noticed the same thing on the previous flier, but for her to notice was a surprise. She's 5 for goodness sakes.
"There should at least be some brown or black or light brown people that look like me and you and daddy on here. That's not fair."
"It's not fair, Hunny. Perhaps we should write them a letter."
"YES WE SHOULD."
She marched off to get her construction paper and crayons.
********************************************************
Dear Party City Advertisers,
I have purchase a costume from your company every year for the past 5 years. As an African American mom, I was perturbed by the fact that my 5 year old was able to realize the lack of African Americans (people like her) wearing costumes in your advertisement. African Americans and other races purchase costumes and may see it as biased that people of color are not featured.
In the future, I'd like to see more variety, as our world consists of an assortment of races and backgrounds and we all wear your costumes.
Thanks,
Kay and Kennedy
P.S. If you are in need of a beautiful face of color for your next advertisment, I have the perfect Little Miss who would look absolutely adorable in a Princess Tiana costume!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Most Embarassing Moment
So, Sass had to dig deep to figure out her most embarassing moment. I decided to dig deep to find mine. Like Sass, I don't embarass easily. I laugh too much. If I do or say something stupid, I laugh at myself.
But there was a time...
(cue the swirly lines that indicate a daydream)
I was out chillin' with some friends. Had to be about 16 because I was dating Blackness, the ugliest boy in the school. We had our teenage selves out hanging out at a playground. I was swinging and talking and laughing with the other juvenile delinquents I frequently hung with (when I wasn't on punishment). And then I got this bright idea to swing as HIGH as I could and.......... JUMP!
While in my mind I was flying through the air with a perfect land, looking super cool in from of my boyfriend and friends, reality jerked me back. Well, my jacket jerked me back as it got caught on the chains of the swing and instead of gracefully landing in the sand, as my body left the swing, I was immediately jerked back and landed flat on my back under the swing.
Laughter roared from all who were there too see and Blackness came over to help me up and asked me what the hell I was doing. I wanted to cry, because my hip hurt like crazy and my jacket was ripped and people were still laughing, but I started laughing to play off my embarassment.
It was certainly time to go. The street lights were coming on anyway...
Saturday, October 24, 2009
My soldier is HOME!
Hubs is Home!! There's a soldier in my house again. There's an adult-size body in my bed again! There's someone else to keep the kids in line. There's someone to share the responsibilities... someone to do laundry!
Hubs is home for a short time. I'm going to enjoy him while I have him!
Friday, October 23, 2009
The N Word Hurts
Is there an event in your life where, if given the opportunity, you'd go back and change or do differently?
There is one that stands out with me.
I was about 19. Working full time at Dress Barn, a retail clothing store. I liked this job. I mean, customer service came natural to me and I liked helping people find clothes and accessories that made them or their loved ones look beautiful.
Yeah YEAH sure SURE! It was a JOB! It was something to put a few dollars in my pocket so that I could pay my parents' water bill and put gas in my hooptie so that I could ride out with my girl to the Starlight Club on the weekends!
Anyway, there was one day that stands out above all the rest of the two years I worked there.
This place was right off the highway and was always filled with old people. There's something about an outlet that attracts old travelers. I think that once people get old, their trips take longer because they stop at every outlet they see off of the highway. It could be that when you get older, you just have more leisure time, or it could just be that you have to stop to pee more often and not rely on their Depends... I don't know.
An old couple was in the store. They had to be, I don't know, 70ish? The wife was a sweetheart and I just remember her taking a ton of clothes into the dressing room to try on. Good for me, because, although we didn't work on commission, our sales were tallied and we were recognized for what we were able to convince folks to buy.
WELL, while the wife was in the dressing room, this nice old man turns to me and says, "You know, my best friend is a nigger, too."
He must not have noticed the shocked, appalled looked on this young girls face because he didn't miss a beat as he continued, "And he was one of the nicest people you'd ever meet." He went on to talk about how this n-i-g-g-e-r was a good guy and blah blah blah. He lost me somewhere in there because all I could think about how insulted I was and how I just didn't know what to say or how to respond to such complete ignorance.
I mean, it was 1997! It wasn't 1935. It was obvious to all of the world that it wasn't okay and it was total disrespect to call a black person a NIGGER! And really, it shouldn't have mattered how old this old fart was. EVERYONE who had half of a brain knows that it's not okay and so absolutely offensive to use the N-word!
I couldn't say anything. I just stood there. Quiet and in disbelieve. I didn't defend myself in anyway. I simply smiled and continued to work.
In all do honesty, that is the one moment in my life that I wish I'd spoken up, the one time in my life when I wish I'd stood up and made it known what I was feeling. I didn't. I don't know why, but I was jut dumbfounded and bothered but did. not. say. a WORD.
What do I wish I woulda said?
I'm sorry, Sir, but I'm not a nigger. Nor do I know anyone who is. Nigger is quite derogatory and offensive to me and to any black person. We were called niggers in slavery, when white men owned us. This word is used by people who are deliberately intending to be offensive now. The definition of this hateful word is a person of any race or origin regarded as contemptible, inferior, ignorant, that which I am neither. Do I look ignorant to you, sir? Do you feel me to be inferior? Your age is no excuse for your ignorance toward me or your so-called friend. With friends like you, sir, I'd hate to see what kind of enemies that poor man had. I, sir, am no nigger and I am deeply offended by being referred to as such!
If given a second go around I probably still wouldn't be able to think fast enought ot spit all of that out, but I would certainly saw something. Something to let him know that I was offended and hurt by his actions. Of course, I may have been fired for speaking out, but I would feel as though I defended myself and stood up for who I am!
There is one that stands out with me.
I was about 19. Working full time at Dress Barn, a retail clothing store. I liked this job. I mean, customer service came natural to me and I liked helping people find clothes and accessories that made them or their loved ones look beautiful.
Yeah YEAH sure SURE! It was a JOB! It was something to put a few dollars in my pocket so that I could pay my parents' water bill and put gas in my hooptie so that I could ride out with my girl to the Starlight Club on the weekends!
Anyway, there was one day that stands out above all the rest of the two years I worked there.
This place was right off the highway and was always filled with old people. There's something about an outlet that attracts old travelers. I think that once people get old, their trips take longer because they stop at every outlet they see off of the highway. It could be that when you get older, you just have more leisure time, or it could just be that you have to stop to pee more often and not rely on their Depends... I don't know.
An old couple was in the store. They had to be, I don't know, 70ish? The wife was a sweetheart and I just remember her taking a ton of clothes into the dressing room to try on. Good for me, because, although we didn't work on commission, our sales were tallied and we were recognized for what we were able to convince folks to buy.
WELL, while the wife was in the dressing room, this nice old man turns to me and says, "You know, my best friend is a nigger, too."
He must not have noticed the shocked, appalled looked on this young girls face because he didn't miss a beat as he continued, "And he was one of the nicest people you'd ever meet." He went on to talk about how this n-i-g-g-e-r was a good guy and blah blah blah. He lost me somewhere in there because all I could think about how insulted I was and how I just didn't know what to say or how to respond to such complete ignorance.
I mean, it was 1997! It wasn't 1935. It was obvious to all of the world that it wasn't okay and it was total disrespect to call a black person a NIGGER! And really, it shouldn't have mattered how old this old fart was. EVERYONE who had half of a brain knows that it's not okay and so absolutely offensive to use the N-word!
I couldn't say anything. I just stood there. Quiet and in disbelieve. I didn't defend myself in anyway. I simply smiled and continued to work.
In all do honesty, that is the one moment in my life that I wish I'd spoken up, the one time in my life when I wish I'd stood up and made it known what I was feeling. I didn't. I don't know why, but I was jut dumbfounded and bothered but did. not. say. a WORD.
What do I wish I woulda said?
I'm sorry, Sir, but I'm not a nigger. Nor do I know anyone who is. Nigger is quite derogatory and offensive to me and to any black person. We were called niggers in slavery, when white men owned us. This word is used by people who are deliberately intending to be offensive now. The definition of this hateful word is a person of any race or origin regarded as contemptible, inferior, ignorant, that which I am neither. Do I look ignorant to you, sir? Do you feel me to be inferior? Your age is no excuse for your ignorance toward me or your so-called friend. With friends like you, sir, I'd hate to see what kind of enemies that poor man had. I, sir, am no nigger and I am deeply offended by being referred to as such!
If given a second go around I probably still wouldn't be able to think fast enought ot spit all of that out, but I would certainly saw something. Something to let him know that I was offended and hurt by his actions. Of course, I may have been fired for speaking out, but I would feel as though I defended myself and stood up for who I am!
Friday, October 16, 2009
The Princess's Day
So my baby is 5.
Isn't she beautiful??
She had a wonderful birthday, and yes she did go to school in her Snow White dress, per her insistence!
Signing the letter L. not calling her teacher a LOSER! LOL!
This little girl has been such a joy.
Even her labor was easy (8 hours, as compared to the boys at 36 & 24!)
She has always been the most quiet and the most well behaved child I have ever known. I can't say that she went through a terrible 2 stage, as even her tantrums were mild and few. Up until her entering pre-k this year, she has always been my road dawg. I never minded having to take her anywhere because I never have to scold her for anything.
There just aren't children out there like her. In her 5 years, she has bought her father and I so much joy.
Here daddy fell in love with her from the beginning. When she was a baby, he use to come home from lunch just to see her. I mean, I literally got jealous because he'd walk in and say, " Heeeyy, Miss Missy!" (he uses her real name, of course), and I'd be standing there like DO YOU SEE ME HERE? LOL!
She changed him because he was nothing like that with the boys. They were just the boys and she came in and melted his heart.
Having a girl is so much fun and she is absolutely the GIRLIE GIRL! Something I never was! She is all about dress up, all about nails, all about picking out her own clothes. If it frills, flows or sparkles she is on it!
She's learning to read and that, in itself is a proud moment for me because she is doing so faster than her brothers.
This little thing loves to smile and loves to make sure that I know how much she loves me. She also want to make sure I love her, and hopes to hear that she is number ONE and loved even more than the boys. She loves me more than the WHOLE BIKINI BOTTOM and she is MY FAVORITE... DAUGHTER! LOL!
It was her day, and even though she still has a whole another party waiting for her at the end of the month, her birthday couldn't have been more special as she was treated like the princess she truly is!
Happy Birthday, My Little Princess!
Her Birthday Dance!!Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Birthday Prep
One day left until Miss Missy's birthday!
My baby is turning 5.
It's a little bittersweet because she's growing up so fast.
I ask her everyday who told her she can grow so much? Why are her legs getting so long? Are her clothes shrinking? Is she going to grow too big to be my baby?
She says that she will always be my baby and that she will never leave me.
These are wonderful words coming from such a little angel. I better cherish them because teen years are not far off!
********************************
Her Pre-K field trip to the pumpkin patch was cancelled today. I was looking forward to it probably as much as she was. I've never been to the pumpkin patch and since I love the fall colors, I was looking forward to snapping some pictures.
Rescheduled!
********************************
So, in preparation of Miss Missy's 5th, I have to go order some cup cakes for her class tomorrow. Pink and white... and purple per her request. She also wants a tiara and a wand, but I don't know if that's gonna happen.
Did I mention that she plans on wearing her Snow White dress to school tomorrow? Did I mention that she takes the "princess" thing seriously? She's expecting a crown to wear with it and some dressy red or black shoes. Hmm. I know it's her birthday, it's her special day, but how are the teachers gonna feel about her being dressed in costume all day? It's sure to make some too cute pictures, though!
********************************
This year, I 'm not going all out and planning a party for her at home, although I have tons of wonderful ideas. Last year, she had a tea party. I loved doing that party. I was all girlie and frilly and just too cute!
This year, we're holding off until the last weekend of the month, Halloween, to have her party, with very good reason.
This year, it's Chuck E Cheese, also per her request.
But that's not the reason I agreed. As much as I love the creativity of an at-home party, and as much as I DESPISE the CEC place with all of it's germs and rude kids stepping on your toes and sneezing all over the salad bar, I'm having a pre-planned party simply because I don't want to have all the extra work of preparation and cleaning on my hands. You see, I really won't have time to do all of that because I'm trying to spend my time with a very special person during that time.
HUBS IS COMING HOME! Yep, around the 24th we will be expecting our soldier to be home for R&R, his two week visit from Iraq, his mid tour. (Mid-tour, my tail! He just left at the end of August and here they are sending people home ALREADY? What in the world? THEY JUST LEFT!!! I certainly would have preferred a return for Christmas, or my birthday in January, or even Valentine's Day, but now, once her returns, He'll be there for 9.5 months. 9.5 months without seeing his family again. Terrible!) The kids don't know yet, so this will be a complete surprise to them as they are expecting his visit in January. I'm so excited for them!
So, during that time, I'm sure that you can understand why I don't want to be tied down with the planning of a creative, spectacular home party. I have better things to do with my time ;-)
My baby is turning 5.
It's a little bittersweet because she's growing up so fast.
I ask her everyday who told her she can grow so much? Why are her legs getting so long? Are her clothes shrinking? Is she going to grow too big to be my baby?
She says that she will always be my baby and that she will never leave me.
These are wonderful words coming from such a little angel. I better cherish them because teen years are not far off!
********************************
Her Pre-K field trip to the pumpkin patch was cancelled today. I was looking forward to it probably as much as she was. I've never been to the pumpkin patch and since I love the fall colors, I was looking forward to snapping some pictures.
Rescheduled!
********************************
So, in preparation of Miss Missy's 5th, I have to go order some cup cakes for her class tomorrow. Pink and white... and purple per her request. She also wants a tiara and a wand, but I don't know if that's gonna happen.
Did I mention that she plans on wearing her Snow White dress to school tomorrow? Did I mention that she takes the "princess" thing seriously? She's expecting a crown to wear with it and some dressy red or black shoes. Hmm. I know it's her birthday, it's her special day, but how are the teachers gonna feel about her being dressed in costume all day? It's sure to make some too cute pictures, though!
********************************
This year, I 'm not going all out and planning a party for her at home, although I have tons of wonderful ideas. Last year, she had a tea party. I loved doing that party. I was all girlie and frilly and just too cute!
This year, we're holding off until the last weekend of the month, Halloween, to have her party, with very good reason.
This year, it's Chuck E Cheese, also per her request.
But that's not the reason I agreed. As much as I love the creativity of an at-home party, and as much as I DESPISE the CEC place with all of it's germs and rude kids stepping on your toes and sneezing all over the salad bar, I'm having a pre-planned party simply because I don't want to have all the extra work of preparation and cleaning on my hands. You see, I really won't have time to do all of that because I'm trying to spend my time with a very special person during that time.
HUBS IS COMING HOME! Yep, around the 24th we will be expecting our soldier to be home for R&R, his two week visit from Iraq, his mid tour. (Mid-tour, my tail! He just left at the end of August and here they are sending people home ALREADY? What in the world? THEY JUST LEFT!!! I certainly would have preferred a return for Christmas, or my birthday in January, or even Valentine's Day, but now, once her returns, He'll be there for 9.5 months. 9.5 months without seeing his family again. Terrible!) The kids don't know yet, so this will be a complete surprise to them as they are expecting his visit in January. I'm so excited for them!
So, during that time, I'm sure that you can understand why I don't want to be tied down with the planning of a creative, spectacular home party. I have better things to do with my time ;-)
Monday, October 12, 2009
I saved a kid's life... maybe.
I've been walking in the mornings for about 4 weeks now. Me and my neighbor, who has been a great motivation and who is moving in a few weeks, have been doing a two mile walk. Yes, it is a walk, and yes it is at times a slow leisurely stroll after concuring the first mile, but it is exercise non-the-less. It is a step up from my zero exercise days. Okay, so it's not every morning, but it again it's better than sitting in front of the computer blogging every morning.
And we're both pushing strollers. That's a huge help. She has 3 little ones (and two in school) that are along for the ride so she pushes the double stroller and I push the single.
Well, it's funny how things happen because when we were just about to get our walk on, a neighbor stopped by to "check on me" as we hadn't talked since Hubs left and she wanted to make sure I was maintaining my sanity. (What little I do have)
So while I was talking to my visitor, my walking partner pushed the two youngest toward my house while the older Power Ranger pushed the empty single stroller. When we were ready to get on our way. Big Power Ranger was told that he needed to sit in the stroller so that mom could get exercise rather than waiting on him to explore and slow down our pace.
When he pushed the stroller back to me, I saw something black in the seat. After taking a closer look, I saw that it was a spider. And not just ANY spider. It was a Black Widow. It was HUGE! It has made a web in the seat and was just waiting for a bite!
Okay, now I'm not telling you all this so that I can prance around proudly in my Super Mom cape, although I'd love to do that. I'm sharing this because I know that many of us prop our kids in their strollers and car seats with checking them first. MOST of us do. I mean, who woulda though that a poisonous spider would set up shop where it did. The bite from that size spider could have certainly killed the 2 year old that usually jumps right into that seat on our walks. I just thank God that I saw it before either child sat down. I'm thankful that the Check on Me Lady came by when she did because things may have played out differently.
So I just want to raise awareness in you guys that a quick check of the things that your children use, especially if you store them in a garage can save your child's life. Take just a few seconds to just look because you really never know where something harmful might hide.
And we're both pushing strollers. That's a huge help. She has 3 little ones (and two in school) that are along for the ride so she pushes the double stroller and I push the single.
Well, it's funny how things happen because when we were just about to get our walk on, a neighbor stopped by to "check on me" as we hadn't talked since Hubs left and she wanted to make sure I was maintaining my sanity. (What little I do have)
So while I was talking to my visitor, my walking partner pushed the two youngest toward my house while the older Power Ranger pushed the empty single stroller. When we were ready to get on our way. Big Power Ranger was told that he needed to sit in the stroller so that mom could get exercise rather than waiting on him to explore and slow down our pace.
When he pushed the stroller back to me, I saw something black in the seat. After taking a closer look, I saw that it was a spider. And not just ANY spider. It was a Black Widow. It was HUGE! It has made a web in the seat and was just waiting for a bite!
Okay, now I'm not telling you all this so that I can prance around proudly in my Super Mom cape, although I'd love to do that. I'm sharing this because I know that many of us prop our kids in their strollers and car seats with checking them first. MOST of us do. I mean, who woulda though that a poisonous spider would set up shop where it did. The bite from that size spider could have certainly killed the 2 year old that usually jumps right into that seat on our walks. I just thank God that I saw it before either child sat down. I'm thankful that the Check on Me Lady came by when she did because things may have played out differently.
So I just want to raise awareness in you guys that a quick check of the things that your children use, especially if you store them in a garage can save your child's life. Take just a few seconds to just look because you really never know where something harmful might hide.
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Deployment List
With a deployed husband, you'd think that I'd have all the time in the world.
People have asked, "What are you going to do?"
I think those people tend to forget that I have 3 kids that lead very active lives.
Yet, I do feel as if with Hubs being gone there are things that I want to get done during this employment. So I have decided to come up with a list of Deployment Do's.
1. Make Curtains for the kitchen.
2. Re-upholster the kitchen chairs.
3. Crochet a blanket. (this is very relaxing to me)
4. Make the kids a pair of pajamas and a pillow. (because I'm crafty like that)
5. Paint the computer room. It's the only room in the house that's still white.
6. Redecorate the computer room, make it into a guest room.
7. Finish painting the butterfly border I started in Miss Missy's room 2 years ago.
9. Have a yard sale.
9. Lose at least 20 lbs.
10. Repaint the master bath room. There's just something about the color in there that I don't reall like.
11. Become more organized. (long shot, but it's worth puttin' on the list.)
12. Start sewing dresses for Miss Missy.
13. Make at least 1 purse.
14. Make a trip to Connecticut to visit my mom. (again, a long shot, but would be nice!)
15. Become a better wife.
Okay, so there we go. Nothing on here is unaccomplishable, right? Everything is doable and all is doable within the time it takes hubs to return. I'll check these things off my list as I complete them. As the time goes on, feel free to push me on the things that I haven't made happen. It's gonna be a long year!
People have asked, "What are you going to do?"
I think those people tend to forget that I have 3 kids that lead very active lives.
Yet, I do feel as if with Hubs being gone there are things that I want to get done during this employment. So I have decided to come up with a list of Deployment Do's.
1. Make Curtains for the kitchen.
2. Re-upholster the kitchen chairs.
3. Crochet a blanket. (this is very relaxing to me)
4. Make the kids a pair of pajamas and a pillow. (because I'm crafty like that)
5. Paint the computer room. It's the only room in the house that's still white.
6. Redecorate the computer room, make it into a guest room.
7. Finish painting the butterfly border I started in Miss Missy's room 2 years ago.
9. Have a yard sale.
9. Lose at least 20 lbs.
10. Repaint the master bath room. There's just something about the color in there that I don't reall like.
11. Become more organized. (long shot, but it's worth puttin' on the list.)
12. Start sewing dresses for Miss Missy.
13. Make at least 1 purse.
14. Make a trip to Connecticut to visit my mom. (again, a long shot, but would be nice!)
15. Become a better wife.
Okay, so there we go. Nothing on here is unaccomplishable, right? Everything is doable and all is doable within the time it takes hubs to return. I'll check these things off my list as I complete them. As the time goes on, feel free to push me on the things that I haven't made happen. It's gonna be a long year!
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Explaining Divorce... by a 7 year old.
Miss Missy: Mama, did grandma in Connecticut and Grandpa here ever sleep together?
My mind went to places that I know her young mind couldn't travel as I could help gaggin' on my Popeye's chicken dinner with the thought of my parents sleeping together. Eww!
Sir-Talks-A-Lot saves the day, because mama was speechless: She means before they were divorced. Did they every sleep in the same bed. Miss Missy (of course he doesn't call her that), grandma and grandpa got a divorce, but of course they use to sleep together because they were married. All married people sleep together.
Miss Missy, looking at me: What does divorce mean?
Sir-Talks-A Lot: Well, divorce means that you are married and then you fight and you don't want to be married anymore. I mean, they still talk (referring to my parents, which is where I had to just think really?), but I don't know why they got divorced. I guess they just didn't like each other anymore. Well not didn't like, but just not want to be married. I don't know. I don't understand why people get a divorce.
Me neither, Sir-Talks-A-Lot. It's one of those things that just isn't easy to explain to kids. One of those things I hope I never have to explain to mine.
Speaking of which, have you seen the tabloids about Jon and Kate? He withdrew all the money from their joint account, won't let the camera crews on their property and doesn't want his kids to continue with the show. Wow, divorce can get pretty ugly!
My mind went to places that I know her young mind couldn't travel as I could help gaggin' on my Popeye's chicken dinner with the thought of my parents sleeping together. Eww!
Sir-Talks-A-Lot saves the day, because mama was speechless: She means before they were divorced. Did they every sleep in the same bed. Miss Missy (of course he doesn't call her that), grandma and grandpa got a divorce, but of course they use to sleep together because they were married. All married people sleep together.
Miss Missy, looking at me: What does divorce mean?
Sir-Talks-A Lot: Well, divorce means that you are married and then you fight and you don't want to be married anymore. I mean, they still talk (referring to my parents, which is where I had to just think really?), but I don't know why they got divorced. I guess they just didn't like each other anymore. Well not didn't like, but just not want to be married. I don't know. I don't understand why people get a divorce.
Me neither, Sir-Talks-A-Lot. It's one of those things that just isn't easy to explain to kids. One of those things I hope I never have to explain to mine.
Speaking of which, have you seen the tabloids about Jon and Kate? He withdrew all the money from their joint account, won't let the camera crews on their property and doesn't want his kids to continue with the show. Wow, divorce can get pretty ugly!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Reading to them lasts a lifetime!
Miss Missy is home for the second day from her beloved Pre-K class. I know she's sick when she doesn't argue about having to stay home. She loves school. Her teacher is always letting me know that she is very smart. They are impressed with her, always telling me that she's the smartest one in the class. What can I say? She get it from her MAMA!
And here I was thinking that she wasn't going to be much of a scholar. She wasn't anything like the boys. She wouldn't sit through a whole bedtime story and wasn't constantly bringing me books to read to her.
She didn't catch on to recognizing her letters as quickly at 2 as they did and she just didn't seem that into sitting down learning like the boys were.
But here we are! She's starting to read and it's only 2 months into pre-k. I'm proud of her as we sit down to read A House For Little Red by Margaret Hillert and she can recognize so many of the sight words that we went over in the summer time and is almost reading the book to me! Here I was thinking that she was gonna be slacking in comparison to the boys and she is actually excelling.
Runnin' Man, who everyone praises for being so smart, didn't start reading until Kindergarten. I remember very well because the first one he read to me was the same one that Miss Missy and I are practicing reading together. A House For Little Red. I love Margaret Hillert books. They are an easy ready for beginners. Easy and repetitive.
When I was a kid I always wanted my mom to read to me at night. She doesn't let me forget that my favorite book that I ALWAYS chose was Hiram's Red Shirt. I don't remember the author, but it was A Little Golden Book and I had her to read it to me all the time. Snippety Stitch, Snippety Stitch. A little from here makes a little for there! LOL! It was about a farmer who found out that the things that you love don't last forever. Poor Hiram cut up his favorite shirt to patch other parts of the shirt until there was nothing left, which is probably how I read that book! Until there was nothing left! I wish I still had it to read to my kids, though they probably wouldn't love it quite as much as I did.
My mom use to get so tired of me choosing that book, but she was trooper. She'd always read it to me anyway.
I have to get better about reading to my kids. They ask, but a lot of times I just don't make time to do it anymore. It's a big job getting them down as is and a story would just add to the chaos. But I have to make the time. I truly believe that reading to your children broadens their imagination. This is where their love of reading starts. I don't even think they can say that they have a favorite book that they could just read over and over! Oh yeah, I gotta get better!
I mean, I complain about Runnin' Man not liking to read, but I'm not helping the situation. This is why, along with skipping out on church on Sundays because I'm tired, I also have set Sunday's aside as a day to have Power Reading Hours with the kids. During this time, we turn off the TV's and video games and all get in my bed and read a book. I like to choose books that don't have a lot of pictures, where they are required to use their imagination, but right now we are working on the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The boys love the series, but Miss Missy is waiting for the princesses and tea party chapter.
Power Reading Hours are the best time of my week. It's a time when I'm not yelling, not chauffeuring, not cooking, not fussing, NOT STRESSING. Just doing something that I love to do anyway, with my children who love the idea of just spending the time together.
Now, if I could only squeeze in those darn bedtime stories!
And here I was thinking that she wasn't going to be much of a scholar. She wasn't anything like the boys. She wouldn't sit through a whole bedtime story and wasn't constantly bringing me books to read to her.
She didn't catch on to recognizing her letters as quickly at 2 as they did and she just didn't seem that into sitting down learning like the boys were.
But here we are! She's starting to read and it's only 2 months into pre-k. I'm proud of her as we sit down to read A House For Little Red by Margaret Hillert and she can recognize so many of the sight words that we went over in the summer time and is almost reading the book to me! Here I was thinking that she was gonna be slacking in comparison to the boys and she is actually excelling.
Runnin' Man, who everyone praises for being so smart, didn't start reading until Kindergarten. I remember very well because the first one he read to me was the same one that Miss Missy and I are practicing reading together. A House For Little Red. I love Margaret Hillert books. They are an easy ready for beginners. Easy and repetitive.
When I was a kid I always wanted my mom to read to me at night. She doesn't let me forget that my favorite book that I ALWAYS chose was Hiram's Red Shirt. I don't remember the author, but it was A Little Golden Book and I had her to read it to me all the time. Snippety Stitch, Snippety Stitch. A little from here makes a little for there! LOL! It was about a farmer who found out that the things that you love don't last forever. Poor Hiram cut up his favorite shirt to patch other parts of the shirt until there was nothing left, which is probably how I read that book! Until there was nothing left! I wish I still had it to read to my kids, though they probably wouldn't love it quite as much as I did.
My mom use to get so tired of me choosing that book, but she was trooper. She'd always read it to me anyway.
I have to get better about reading to my kids. They ask, but a lot of times I just don't make time to do it anymore. It's a big job getting them down as is and a story would just add to the chaos. But I have to make the time. I truly believe that reading to your children broadens their imagination. This is where their love of reading starts. I don't even think they can say that they have a favorite book that they could just read over and over! Oh yeah, I gotta get better!
I mean, I complain about Runnin' Man not liking to read, but I'm not helping the situation. This is why, along with skipping out on church on Sundays because I'm tired, I also have set Sunday's aside as a day to have Power Reading Hours with the kids. During this time, we turn off the TV's and video games and all get in my bed and read a book. I like to choose books that don't have a lot of pictures, where they are required to use their imagination, but right now we are working on the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The boys love the series, but Miss Missy is waiting for the princesses and tea party chapter.
Power Reading Hours are the best time of my week. It's a time when I'm not yelling, not chauffeuring, not cooking, not fussing, NOT STRESSING. Just doing something that I love to do anyway, with my children who love the idea of just spending the time together.
Now, if I could only squeeze in those darn bedtime stories!
Sunday, October 4, 2009
Think God will understand that I'm tired?
It's been a busy busy weekend. I hope this is the last one of it's kind. It started Friday night with our school's first chili cook off.
Okay, that wasn't my chili display, but it made for a great photo op. That was the "Best Presatation" Winner.... and Runnin' Man.
This teacher won Best Overall. Hmm, I didn't agree, but what do I know!
The principal, who was one of the judges, stopped to let me know that the cook-off was a WONDERFUL idea and that we should do it every year (yea me!) and she also, yet again, let me know how much she and the staff loved the school shirts this year (my idea as well. I'll have to check my archives to see if I've told the story behind that yet). So I feel accomplished with PTO right now, even though I have taken it easy this year.
While I was at the cook-off, I only had Runnin' Man with me as Miss Missy was visiting a friend in order to stay out of my hair while I worked and Sir-Talks-A-Lot was attending a birthday party.
So after the cook-off, it was off to pick up Miss Missy and then off to pick up Sir-Talks-A-Lot about 20 minutes away.
The party was all STAR WARS and Sir-Talks-A-Lot had a ball. I was the last one picking up because of the cook-off, but when I got there he was not ready to go.
Have you ever gotten a compliment about your kid that made you just know that you had to be doing something right?
The party was for one of the school's coach's son. (is that grammatically correct?). He said to me that Sir-Talks-A-Lot was the most well mannered kid that he has ever taught in his, I think, 8 years of teaching. And he said it with a straight face! He even repeated it. It blew me away! I mean you always try to teach your kids to me good and well mannered and respectful. I don't know about you guys, but I put the fear of God in my children if they go somewhere and are not good. But honestly, I wasn't ever really sure how well they take head to what I say. I mean, they're not that great for me. Manners seem to get lost a lot in the house.
Just hearing that makes me know that I am doing something right with that boy... and the other two. That's probably the best thing I've heard in a very long time!So the rest of the weekend was a blur. When we got home, the boys had a sleepover for Runnin' Man's best friend that, even though he was being punished for a bad grade on a test, I let them go....2 hours late.
They came home from the sleepover about 8 the next morning and it was a mad dash to get ready for Sir-Talks-A-Lot's football practice at 9am and Runnin'Man's football game at 10.
They tied 7-7, ONLY because they gave up not one but TWO touchdowns with penalties!From there is was off to finish up the day with an FRG fundraiser at an all day boyscout event.
I'm tired all over again just writing about it!
I know I'm wrong for this excuse, but this is the reason I have been skipping out on church since
Hubs has been gone. Sunday is the only day where I can rest. I know it's bad to give time to everything else all week and choose to put the Lord on the back burner, but I pray that he understands. That's why they have Joel Osteen and Creflo Dollar preachin' on Sunday mornings, right?
There are some things in life that stick with you and you never forget. Certain memories from your yound life that never leave you. This might be one for them.
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