The Kids Are All Right

There's so much hate in the world, sometimes you wonder if you're children are going to turn out all right.

Every day there are newscasts filled with stories of discrimination, abuse, rape and murder. Even at school you hear kids mimic what you can only assume they learned at home.

No matter how much you try to teach your offspring to do what's right, there is temptation out there to go another way. Amidst all this, are any of your lessons getting through?

I'd like to think so. Since I've lost my job, we've had to cut back on certain things, including allowance and things our children are used to getting (like video games). Instead, we split up our change between the children.

My son wanted to know how much he had amassed, so we took his change to the bank and he had a grand total of $15.36. Did he want a video game? Pokemon cards?

"I want to give my money to kids with cancer." I'd say they are turning out all right.

Algebra...Dislike!

I hate math.

It seems like the easiest thing in the world while you watch someone else do it. I leave class pumped, "Yeah *itch! I got this..."

Then I get home - BLANK.

Sigh. I know the solution to my problem: practice, practice, practice.

And a tutor ;)

Killer Cheese

I think my husband is trying to kill me.

Not the "spike my drink with cyanide" kind, but the "I'm lactose intolerant so I'll give you cheese" kind.

It is not entirely his fault. I could have declined when he offered me pizza and lunch-time cheese fries. I could have taken a lactase to counteract the lactose in all that dairy.

Instead I shoveled all that yummy deliciousness into my mouth without a second thought. Who am I to say no to ooey-gooey queso?

As always, I paid a dear price, but this time it was much higher. Not only did I forget to prepare with a lactaid, in addition to all that cheese, there was spicy BBQ involved.

So if I die before the Tums or Alka-Seltzer kicks in, just make sure you tell the police that my husband chose the last few meals and made me eat them...

And they all contained cheese.

Puzzles With Spongebob

After over a week of sleepless nights, full of nightmares and sleepwalking, my son finally drifted off to dreamland. No nighttime death and destruction. Instead it was a world of rainbows and sunshine...in a pineapple under the sea.

I was psyched to hear I was chillin' with Spongebob. As my son and I were putting puzzles together with Mr. Squarepants, my daughter was off playing with Gary, and my husband was mowing the lawn. What was he mowing, seaweed?

Needless to say, I was just happy to be able to have a night of uninterrupted sleep. Granted, my beast of a son was sandwiched between my husband and I, on what seems to be an ever increasingly shrinking Queen sized bed...

No matter. Discomfort is a small price to pay for 8 hours of sleep. Who cares if my neck hurts this morning? Sacrifice is in the parent manual. I checked.

The End of a Wonderful Era

Today is a heartbreaking day.  It is the end of a wonderful era...to me anyway.  It is the end of my mother's visit to Pennsylvania; she flies back to California today.  Sigh.  It was much too short.

I should be grateful for such a visit.  She stayed here for a month and a half, which is a lot longer than most people get to vacation.  Plus, at least I get to see my mom, some folks parents are no longer living.  Yes, I am blessed.

That does not mean I am not sad.  Seeing as my mother lives cross country, I do not get many chances to see her.  The last time she saw her grandchildren was 5 years ago.  A lot of growing up happens in that time. 

Even though I am a "grown-up", I still wish my mother was here.  I miss her like crazy.  I know my days (and hers) here on earth are limited, so does that make me a little selfish wishing she could be here with me?

Yes, but that doesn’t change my feelings.  Anyone with a wonderful mother can attest to the fact that having your mom around is a blessing.  So while she did a wonderful job raising me to be my own person and I am able to survive on my own, I still wish my mom was here…

Crazy Summer Months

Oh my goodness, what a crazy month June has been! It's been a whirlwind of activity that has finally settled down.

It all began with the countdown to my youngest brother's wedding. Since we're not originally from Pennsylvania, we had some family come in from California and Virginia.

You can never just sit when you have family over that you haven't seen in awhile, so cook-outs to catch up and family outings were required. My husband likes to joke that the vacation he took was actually work!

And it was. Preparations for the wedding were insane! Once again I was reminded of how thankful I am for getting married at the courthouse; much less hassle.

The ceremony was absolutely beautiful and the reception a blast. We had so much fun. It's amazing how quick the actual day goes!

Now the newlyweds are off on their honeymoon and I'm in Virginia visiting family. It's a slower pace that is much appreciated.

Not that it is staying that way for long. Today we go out on the town. Stay tuned for the pictures!

NOT A Morning Person

It is amazing what 12 hours of sleep will do for you. 

My siesta last night was absolutely perfect.  After eating tons of carbs for lunch, and another bout for dinner, my eyes were drooping close to 7:00 pm!

This happens to me every once in a while.  Overextend myself and all that exhaustion catches up to me and…BAM!  I fall into a coma.

So at 6:30 am I woke up refreshed and ready for anything! 

Not really.  I still woke up cranky.  I am just NOT a morning person and I don’t think I ever will be.