Sub-Cultures

Every now and then I get an opportunity to get a peak into a new sub-culture of America. Like when my son was playing high school football. Wow, what a lesson that was! Football Mom's are NOTHING like soccer mom's, not to mention football "Dad's". Ok, but that was nothing next to Cheerleader "Mom's", that one was one for the books. A whole new world that I really had forgotten even existed. Kind of like venturing into beauty pagents. Worlds that exist within their own realm.

So, my newest peak is into the world of dog breeding. I know there are many people that think that is just sick and wrong. You should only choose pound dogs. However, I really wanted a small dog that was guaanteed NOT to shed, ever.

Then, the thought occured to me that it was be really awesome, in so many ways, to let this little dog of mine have a darling litter of puppies. So, now I'm learning to not cringe everytime someone say's the word "Bitch" or I see it written in a contract. She's really not one at all, she's a very sweet tempered little thing. However, this is business. "Not like they're ever going to meet in the wild, Mam." So, with everything checked off my list of why to do it and why not, we've decided to try for a healthy litter. I still have a lot to read.

I did find her "Stud" and he is a darling guy, but he wasted no time in getting to "know" her. She looked at me like, I was suppose to save her. I know, I'm putting human qualities onto an animal, but it's the mother in me. I've learned what a "tie" is ~ if you don't, really, don't bother to look that one up.

So, if all goes well, we will have some puppies soon, and hopefully healthy and an uncomplicated "whelping". Man, the jargon of every business!

Cheers!

School Is IN Session

I miss the time I had alone with the baby of the house or toddler. I usually had my mornings with just my little babies and I miss those day's. I would be alone now if it weren't for the dog. Even though I have this time, you would think thinge would feel less stressed. Instead, it's an incredible morning rush to get everyone ready and driven to 3 different schools that begin at 3 different times. Then...my work, papers/bills, laundry, kitchen, floors, and that endless list hits and before I know it, it's time to start the pick-up for 3 different schools at 3 different times. Stay with me here, because I know that all mothers already know this, and that is the afterschool nightmare, of, homework, papers that need to be signed, spelling words, reading, scouting, music lessons/practice, church meetings, sports practices, and then the actual rush to get dinner, to bed on time and remember to brush teeth, etc...

I am now looking forward to my work starting up again next week. Those day's I'll have to get myself ready and Andrew ready for school a full 2 hours earlier than he needs, just so that I can drag him off somewhere to be taken to school for me because I still have to drive downtown and begin my work at 8 am.

I heart goes out to the women, and there are so many of them, that not only do that daily, but have to arange for the pick up of those children, as well as they are responsible for the entire income of the family and all of the yard work as well as in home work. Something has to give somewhere, because I honestly don't know where they get the stamina to do it and they do, some women do it all. I am not one of them, so now I feel guilty for being stressed out. I have no clue what it is like to raise a family alone.

Who are these women that have time to lunch with their friends or shop? Grocery shopping has to be scheduled in my world.

Is anyone else out there feeling like me?

I want my babies back and to be surrounded by unfolded clothes and diapers!

They'll Delete Me if I Quit

The start of school is always an interesting time of year. The kids, no matter what the age, are filled with anxieties, anticipation, excitement, sleep deprevation, shopping and all that comes with the new school year. I think parents have that same list only for different reasons.

Many of our anxieties revolve around theirs; will they be well accepted, will they make new friends, are they up to the task of the next levels and etc... When we have more than one child I think we feel everything doubled for each child. It doesn't even matter what they are doing, are they entering military service, church service, college, AP Highschool classes, Jr. High - yikes, the lone sibling in elementary school? There is just so much to worry about and so I find that I can't think about any of it. I can't change anything by worry and I can't remove the hurdles of lfe. So, I suppose if we just do our best, give advice when asked for it, or not - if they're young enough to not try to stop you. Then ... things will fall where they may and then you work through those.

Sounds like good sound logic to me. I just can't do it, I still worry about everything and everyone. I want to fix stuff, you know? I want to make everything all better and nice. That's not a good thing so I'm sure it's best that it isn't that way, but it doesn't stop me from wishing.

What I like about the new school year, is that for a time again, I get to begin and end in September, just like I spent the first 24 years of my life. I didn't enjoy the January to January thing ~ it's werid.

I'm enjoying the new school year and hopefully this busy September and all of the changes and new things to adjust to, worst of all new time schedules! It will really warm up my October with a sense of order, consistancy and the calm that things are settled down a bit. That with a nice cup of hot chocolate with the first snow or Halloween eveing! Let it Snow!!!!!

Oh, and I'm not loving acorns, dead leaves (love the fall colors, BEFORE they fall), harvest is just at a bad time, much of my garden will go to waste.

"It makes you want to buy a boquet of sharpened pencils" ~ "You've Got Mail" I still have to buy new boxes of Crayola brand crayons, nothing smells better, well maybe a new Pink or Gum eraser!

Children Become Obnoxious So You WANT Them to Fly the Nest!

I did find that a positive attitude can help you find those silver linings. I actually had someone say, "Thank you for putting a positive spin on that, it makes me feel better". It really was a silver lining I saw but, when you're the one in the situation, you're so close, that silver linings are hard to see. So, that was nice and I honestly think things will work out.

I have so many people that I know (some well, most not), that are just struggling in their lives in some way. Not just the financial stuff that is all over the news, but other difficult situations too. Most heart tearing are the problems with children. You would do anything to teach them, anything to help them make their choices wise. The problem is that they don't want the advice and honestly think they don't need it.

Children are the best thing on the planet and they can sure break your heart, usually by breaking their own. To let them be free to choose, to not try to take over their free agency is so difficult - you just want to say, hey, I know something about this and I've had experience here, so this is what you do....

I remember being there though ;) I was really the smartest 16 year old that ever lived. I figured out though, at about 21, that I actually wasn't. Wow, what a disappointment! I wish I were that smart now!

Today, my 20 year old son that is really very excited about going on a mission, decided to shoot my 8 year-old point blank (through his pants) on his leg with an airsoft gun. (if you don't know what those are, they're little plastic beebies and they'll sting, not anything like real beebies or paint balls). Then just to get my goat, he puts the toy poodle in the refrigerator and shuts the door. (she was in for about 15 seconds) but the point. Dog in the fridge - #1 gross and #2 scary for the dog! it's dark and cold. He just thought he was so funny. He likes the dog, just wanted to bug me.

He needs to go...

The sole reason boy's get on your nerves beginning at 18 is so that you actually want them to leave. All of a sudden 2 years is soundling like a nice round number, just enough time. It's perfect! If anyone would have asked that when I only had a sweet 16 year-old so excited to drive or go to their first dance, I'd never have guessed that I would really be happy when it was time for them to leave the nest. 2 years does sound like a long time, it's also going to be a time of peace, I'll know that he is where he is suppose to be, doing what he should and growning emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and even physically.

I'm excited for him! So is our dog Gigi :)

Rhyme and Reason

These so far have had no common thread. Just whatever happens to be on my mind.
My day's though have no rhyme or reason to them either, they are haphazard and I feel like I run from place to place, fight fires and try to be where I'm suppose to be on time and also prepared. Then you arrive home and find 7 boy's all having a great time, laughing and things are good, you just look around and decide that the kitchen really can wait until morning, because it's bound to get worse anyway.

So, I went to my room and tried to go to sleep, until I'm wakened by giggling girls. ok.... where did these come from? At least they stayed in the living room, until they left; good girls.

So, today, yard work, mostly weeding. Going with a friend to an art show show that SHE could buy some art. Home to the messy kitchen, but all is quiet now. Company is gone and quiet reigns. I love Lego's, the sound of boy's digging through them looking for pieces, the quiet, the discovery, so much of the opposite of video gaming.

So, there you have it, an entire "blog" with no rhyme nor reason.

New York City

What is it about New York City? My husband has made me love it! He served his mission there about 28 years ago and has this love for it which is easy to rub off on anyone. Flying in or out the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island is always such a beautiful sight. The theater is just unique there, even if you see the same play in some other city. Ray's pizza is just the only pizza there really is. Should I even mention the stores? Most things I see, I can't afford and most likely wouldn't spend the money on those items if I could, but they are fun to look at or ... try on!

We saw Wicked and Jon (my husband) somehow managed to get 2nd row center seats. It was amazing and I feel like we really lucked out on the cast, I can't imagine the original cast was better. In any case we always have such a wonderful time there. It's truly an amazing city and is the Rome of our time. However, I can't imagine living there with children, of course people with children are quick to point out all of the advantages. I still think my back yard is the best place in the world though.

"Seeing People"

I like to think that I try to be "nice". I know though, that often time's, I'm opinionated and a bit brash :)
One of my neighbors is one of those people that are always thinking of the feelings of others (like my husband does).
She notices when new people are there and makes a point to talk to them, she makes an effort to include people and really listen when they talk. I wish I were more like her and "noticed and saw" the need. I'm often overwhelmed with my own world.
Anyway, she saw a need, so we are having a bridal shower for a girl of a family that is new in the neighborhood. I'm so happy to help, but I didn't "see" the need. I'm hoping I get better.
By the way being happy and positive were very easy for me last week, it wasn't a fair trial. I had one day to pack and then left for NYC to see Jon (positive) the flight crew was most helpful (nice), no bags were lost and we were really nice to a driver that couldn't find out hotel. So, I'll try to post more silver linings.