No, thank you.

Why is it that everyone expects me to do everything for them?  Daughter... Mom, can you get me an eye appointment? But, don't get it on a day that I work. Or, if I have school that day. And, not to early in the morning.  Son....Mom can you sign me up to volunteer at the Purdue game. But make sure I work at the same time as my friends. And, can you pick me up some new clothes, just the things I like.  Other son...Mom I need to earn some money. I need new clothes. Ones that fit. Will you get some good stuff when you go to the store? Husband....Can you get me an appointment with that one doctor? And, can you sign Nick up for pitching lessons with that one guy.  Make it sometime in January. On the weekend. Preferably Sunday. And, what are we getting the kids for Christmas? And, did you make vacation arrangements for Christmas break?  DO IT YOUR SELF!!!
Who do they think does all my stuff? I am not here to do your dirty work! Wash it yourself. Call them yourself. Pick it up yourself. Sign up yourself. Pick it out yourself. I don't like to do it any more than you do. And, I have enough to do already.

What to do

My son has a good friend that he has been hanging around with for about 6 years. His parents are divorced. He lives with his mother. Since I have known him he has lived in about ten different places. A little over a year ago his mother found out she had cancer. This weekend he told my son they gave her 4 months.  He is a good kid. To talk to him you would never know that his home life was not an ideal one.  I don't even know where to go with this. I feel helpless in every way. He stays with us a lot and knows he is always welcome. We have told my son he can live with us if he needs or wants to. But, other than that, I remain clueless as to what we can do to help him.

Snow

It snowed today. Not a lot. Just enough to cover the ground. The wind was very cold. I do not like cold. And, it gets dark so early now. I was trying to think if I would like it better if in the summer months it got dark early and stayed light later in the winter months. The answer was "No." I do not like cold and I do not like dark. But, I especially do not like cold and dark together. I think about living where it is warmer. I want to be able to work outside all year. Or, at least most of the year. Maybe I should hibernate. I wonder why the animals don't get all stiff and such when they sleep all winter. If I stayed in bed all day I probably wouldn't be able to walk. Well, on the brighter side...in four months it will start getting warmer. And, then spring will be here. I love spring!!!

Outdoor Christmas Decorations Amuck

When decorating the outside of your house, I beg you to remember, Less is More! Every year  I am reminded of the fact that not everyone can decorate with good taste. Just because you are crazy enough to have 50 plastic  figurines stored away all year so that you can put them in your front yard for one month , doesn't mean they will look good. And, it doesn't mean you win because you have the biggest display. What it means is you will have the biggest electric bill. And, you will have this big bill at a time when you will already be stretching your money to cover all the bad gifts you will probably buy your family so that you can "wow" people with the number of gifts you bought this year.
One manger scene is really sufficient. Four mangers in different sizes doesn't make the story of Christs birth come across any better. You will not convert any non believers because you have 4 sizes! And just because you think it looks good in the day does not mean it will look good in the dark of night. The lights dragging from one bush to another can be seen from the road! It is okay not to put up strands of lights just because you have them. Really...... So, I beg you,  put a few of those plastic dudes in the recycle bin. Let them  be reborn into something with a little more dignity!!!

Entitled???

So, my youngest, who is 15 told me he thinks I should park my car outside the garage and let Nick, my other son, park in. Because, he explained, they leave for school at 7 in the morning and I don't have to leave until 11.  I told him it didn't matter. Even if I never drove my car.  I earned my place in the garage. I paid my dues and worked long and hard to be in my position. As he walked away I followed him and continued my lecture. I tried to think back when I was living in my parents house to remember if I had felt that way. The answer was no. I never thought My mom should let me park in the garage. And, she never worked outside of our home. I wonder if it's just my kids who think they are entitled or if it is this whole generation? If I had a "parent rule book" I would look that question up!

Shoes!!!

So, after the bout with planters fascitis the foot doctor told me I would have to wear only shoes with good support. And, use inserts. The chiropractor said I would have to do stretching exercises three times a day. My head told me that something else had to be wrong. I started taking a multi vitamin and I got instant relief from the pain. And as for the shoes, yesterday I wore my cool purple boots and today I wore my lime green high tops! No inserts. And I am feeling no pain! I am back in the game......

Holidays

One down, one to go. That is holidays. Today is black Friday. A dismal name for a day driven by consumerism.
I have been known to partake in such ventures. But, I was not driven by the idea of "shop til you drop." I merely wanted the cheaper price. Go in get the one deal, then get out. Christmas was a magical time when the kids were young. I prepared all year, stashing  things  for that day. We were on a tight budget. Because, I chose to be a stay at home mom. But, now that they are older, I don't want them to think that they will receive anything they want just because it's Christmas. Sometimes we go on a vacation together or they get one or two things. After all, they are definitely not doing without much. It's funny, now the money is more easily attained but, the need is not as great. Maybe it is better that I didn't have the money when they were younger because, I had to be more resourceful and crafty about Christmas when the kids where small. And, that makes for better memories!