Deck the Halls with Boughs of Kleenex

I am thinking some of my stock market investment should include Kleenex.  Kid #4 has had a runny, sniffly nose for so long now I KNOW I should be part owner in the company.  She keeps her chin up through it all, but it has got to be aggravating to have a constant drip and sneezing attack.  The doctor is on the agenda after the holiday to see if it is allergies, or something more.  But until then.....Fa La La La La, La La Achoooooo!!! 

I hope everyone has a great holiday, whatever holiday it is you celebrate.  We celebrate Christmas in our household.  To hear kid #4 speak of being thankful for God and her family tells me wonderful hubby and I must be doing something right.  Now if I could only get the mean ladies in the store to quit pushing me out of the way or cutting eyes at me because I got to the Kleenex first, life would be grand!! (And yes this really did happen the other day)

Day Late and A Dollar Short

So, this weekend we went searching for our Christmas tree.  Not far from home is a new tree lot in an old long ago abandoned post office.  The couple selling the trees were following us making small talk as we studied and decided on a tree (I was very happy with the tree by the way).  They proceed to tell us how they are converting the place into a new store for all things locally made.  Are you kidding me????  I have had that thought as a business concept.  There have been quite a few ideas I have had for a business venture and they end up coming to fruition, just not by my own hands.  I have got to learn to just quit thinking so much and act on my instincts.  Now, to just come up with that next great thing now that all my old ideas are taken....

I am the Walrus!

Okay, so maybe not the walrus, but I think I am the auction hunter!  Went to my first auction this weekend, and let me tell you, I think I got bitten by the bug.  That was so much fun.  A local farm here has an auction every year, and basically you can consign anything you want.  There were holiday crafts, old farm equipment, animals.  You name it, it was auctionable (is that even a word?).  I ended up getting into a bidding war with a woman over some Adirondack chairs and matching table.  I WON!!  I ended up getting two chairs when I thought I was bidding on one, so there was an oops on my part.  It was like a scene right out of the show, and I was the star!!  Quite cool, in my humble opinion.

So there you have it!  Maybe I have found my niche.  In my quaint little corner of the world, maybe I can make a few dollars buying dirty old storage units and reselling what I can.  I am going to head out and start looking at storage units to see if it is worth it.  I am not opposed to doing a little dirty work when needed.  I mean if I can handle messy diapers and vomit, I think I can handle a dusty unit with a few cobwebs.

The holiday season is upon us!!!

Back by popular demand.......THE HOLIDAY SEASON!!  So starts the whole frenzy of holiday mayhem and cheer.  I am going to take a break from the whole career search thing that I have been doing this year and focus on my family more.  This is the time of year to show thanks and cherish what you have.  Kid #4 has had a bit of a rough time the past couple of weeks.  She is hanging with me and going thru this process with grace and patience that I clearly don't have.  So I give thanks for my children and my husband.  They each bring something to my life that keeps me balanced.  When I lose my way, my husband is the one that somehow steers me back to the calm, cool, collected person he knows I am.  Otherwise I would be known as the crazy lady of the county (and I may already have that title...not entirely sure!).

Holiday time is also a time for us parents to shift into teaching mode more so than usual....in my humble opinion anyway.  It is our job to take this opportunity to allow our children to enjoy the fun and happiness of the season with all the gifts and parties, etc.  But we also have to use this time to teach them the true meaning behind the holidays.  Why Thanksgiving is so highly celebrated.  Why Christmas is so important.  The time to teach our children to not pass judgement on others for their differences.  Now I know some are saying we should be doing that already.  And you are right, but I feel like the holiday season is a good time to really hone in those values of judgement because of all the different ways the holiday is celebrated by the different cultures, etc. 

This is what I think....if we would all teach a little more tolerance at this time of the year, wouldn't we all feel less stress to be something other than what we are....ourselves.  We are humans, we are not perfect, but I can take a little of the bad with the good in people.  What I cant tolerate is when my turkey comes out overcooked and the mashed potatoes are lumpy beyond all getout.  There is my line in the sand!  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Trick or Treat

Once again, time has flown by so fast I cannot believe it has been so many days since I last posted.  Also I cannot believe it is Halloween and the holiday season is starting!  At this point in the game I only have one kid that does the Halloween thing....kids #4.  The cute six year old that is being a ballerina, that's her.  The long steeped family tradition of trick or treating with the kids may be winding down soon for us.  She is the last of the children to want to wander in the dark of the evening looking for candy that I could very easily just buy at the local drug store.  I am at that point in life wondering why we do these things?  It is chilly outside.  It is dark and drivers don't always pay that close attention to all the little ones and big ones running around the streets looking for that perfect candy to get thrown in their bucket.  And being as old as I am and being on kid #4 doing this, I am just ready to retire from the trick or treating thing.  Maybe I can bribe her by just buying her a bag of her favorite candy and calling it done next year!  LOL  Of course I jest.  I would never NOT do for kid #4 that I have done for the other three.  I am just ready to move on to the next level of parenting with kid #4.  That and the fact that Halloween has never been my favorite holiday may have something to do with it also.  I would much rather exert my energy on the rest of the holidays that are upcoming.  They are more meaningful than this one in my opinion.  I will save all my rantings on the rest of the holidays for later posts.  For now, I must venture into the depths of the evening to search for that elusive perfect piece of sugar for a very special six year old!

Time flies when you are having fun!

I can not believe, six years ago tonight I was on the verge of having my baby girl.  She is now in elementary school, playing soccer, longing to play basketball, and ballet, gymnastics.  The list goes on and on of what she wants to do and it is my job to try and make as much of that happen as I can.  Limitless ambition is what she seems to have and while some days it is a bit trying, I can not hold back that type of personality trait.

This weekend also is important because it is homecoming weekend for kid #2 and kid#3.  Now kid #2 is a sophomore so that is old habit for him.  Kid #3 is a freshman so this is her first big high school event.  Kid #2 is very much an athlete, social outgoing type, and a good-time charlie.  He can walk into a room and just start chatting with whoever is there and have a good time.  Kid #3 is a bit more reserved.  So I am really excited for her because I think she will be stepping out of her comfort zone a bit.  She is my creative hippy.  Artistic flare abounds in this child. 

Time flies by so quickly.  All my kids I have very specific memories of each of them at different moments in life.  The one that really sticks out at this moment is when all four were together for the very first time six years ago.  That is a very specific moment that wonderful hubby and myself will never forget and no one can take it away.

Where is my paycheck???

You know, I have been debating about doing this segment for awhile now.  But I think it just needs to be said or vented, however you want to take it.  I have something I have to admit to.  I am a........Stay At Home Mom!!!  THERE....I said it.  Now let the shock and horror wear off then continue reading.  The comments and statements made to me when I state I am a Stay At Home Mom are.....I don't know whether to laugh at them or be offended by them.  Since when is being a Stay At Home Mom a bad thing??  A scarlet letter on my jacket (right next to the food and mucus stains)? 

Now in the art of full disclosure, I was not always a Stay At Home Mom.  I did have a career before having kids.  In fact when I had my first child, I only got to stay home for the first two years then HAD to go to work.  I did not WANT to go to work then, but necessity called for it.  When will someone give me a valid reasoning as to why I SHOULDN'T be home raising my own kids, my own way, with my own values, and not the values and quirks of a stranger???  Now I am not knocking working moms.  As I have said I HAD to work as a mom.  But my wonderful hubby affords me the opportunity to be able to stay home and raise all our children, why shouldn't I take advantage of this opportunity?  I get told things like "I would go insane staying home"....or...."I want my own career".....or....."what do you do at home?"  Really????  A lot of people in my generation had their moms home growing up.  Didn't you like knowing Mom was there waiting for you with your snacks and eager to hear how your day went?  I did.  Wouldn't you like having those daytime hours to get your regular household chores done and then have your weekends to yourself to do what you truly would LIKE to do and not what you HAVE to do? 

Again, I will admit, I am currently trying to figure out a career path or opportunity to make money at home.  Yep, I am.  I do like having money to spend.  Don't we all?  But I have a higher value to my family being home to get all the kids to where they need to get to so that my wonderful hubby and the kids' other parents can work and not have to worry about taking time off from their job to get whichever kid to whichever appointment or practice.  Its covered by the.......Stay At Home Mom.  Do I miss conversing with other adults.....most definitely.  Do I miss the intelligent conversation.....yep.  You know what though, my day will come where I will be back out there working.  But I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to watch my children grow up with my own eyes. 

So this is what I think.  I think my paycheck currently comes from watching my children become the people they are going to be.  My paycheck is not a monetary one, but definitely a spiritual one.  I value every moment I get to have with my kids, because the path to having kids was not an easy one for me.  And maybe the powers that be did that on purpose to make me appreciate them just that much more.  Being a mom has been really the only thing I wanted out of life.  I already feel that if it is my time to leave this earth I get to leave having fulfilled my dream.  I will feel like I have a full life.  I will now step off my soapbox and get back to scrubbing the juice stains out of the carpet next to the dog prints made to mud!.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

What is going on with people in the world these days???  No one has respect for others anymore it seems.  Why is that?  We all have emotions.  Imperfections abound in all of us in one way or another.  But what makes one person feel they are more superior to judge and pick on another, or tell tales on someone?  Ultimately we all just wanted to be accepted for who we are, as we are, with no conditions, right?  Kids being bullied to the point of suicide is very distressing to me.  I was raised with a parent that had a physical disability that showed, and if we even remotely made a comment about someone that looked a little odd or different we were punished on the spot.  It was unacceptable....no questions asked.  And so from an early age I learned to look past those things and look for the person inside and decide from there.

Respect also goes for the elderly.  Why do we as a society make our elderly feel like they are in the way or a nuisance?  I think they are treasures we should value for their knowledge, experience, diversity.  I love my little old people.  I seriously think they are near the tops of my list of things I should do with myself.  I really feel like I have a lot to offer them in the way of support and care. 

I had a conversation recently with a friend and we were discussing things I should do with myself.  She suggested looking into helping the sick.....like hospice care.  I really think that is an avenue that I am going to explore, because I think I have a lot to offer. 

So this is what I think.  I think that people need to get their heads out of their asses and pay attention to their children and what they do to others around them, because we have a problem and no one seems to be trying to address it.  As well as I think we should give better care and respect to our elderly and sick.  These are all people that want the same things we all as human beings want.....love, respect, and companionship.  I dont think that is too much to ask is it?

Earthquakes, hurricanes, and cancer...oh my!

Hello again!!  I am still here everyone!  Life is absolutely so chaotic now with all kids in school, all kids involved in things, parents needing help, animals needing tending to, it just doesn't slow down.  I have truly missed this blog that is for sure.  I have so many things to go on about, I can not wait to get them all down on here for everyone to enjoy and laugh at with me.

The summer was hectic, again with the kids involved in different things and trying to do a small vacation of some sorts, but we got it done.  THEN came the earthquake.  I cannot believe that this is my memory of the earthquake of 2011.......I didn't feel it!!!  Everyone else in the area felt it, but wonderful hubby and I were with child #4 at her open house at school.  Nothing....nada.  The only earth that moves under my feet is when wonderful hubby does a house chore that I don't have to remind him or nag him about. 

Then came hurricane Irene.  Now that one I experienced.  Boy did I experience it.  We had just a bunch of yard debris to clean up, but no damage to people, homes, cars, etc.  I had relatives that had a bit more extensive damage from the storm, but again, they are all intact, and everything is fixable.  We lost our power around 8 p.m. Saturday.  We had our little hurricane party for a bit in the family room then we all decided to go to bed.  The storm continued getting stronger late into the night.  Around about 1 a.m. I found myself awake....feeling a little out of sorts.  Goodness gracious was I out of sorts.  I developed the flu at the height of the storm.  What fun it is to be sick as a dog, bailing water out of the bathtub (which I don't normally fill the tub, but this time I chose to...foreseeing doom maybe??) to flush the toilet, in the dark, in the midst of the hurricane!  That is my memory of Irene.  I was sick for two days.  I couldn't help wonderful hubby clean up anything.  The power came back two days after the storm.  Woo hoo....what memories!

Now I have two relatives that are very close to my heart that have cancer.  I can't comment what the prognosis is for either one of them, because I honestly don't know.  It is serious, but they may be able to get out in front of it.  We will see.  They say the good Lord does not give us more than we can handle, but man oh man things are feeling a little heavy at the moment. 

So this is what I think.  I think there is a message somewhere in the recent turn of events going on in the world and in my little world.  I don't know that I have figured out exactly what the message is, but I am definitely thinking on it.  We should value what we have and more importantly slow down and enjoy our families, ourselves, our spiritual beings.  And from now on make sure the tub is full of water when natural events are impending.  Have a good day people!!

Help!! I have teenagers and I dont know what to do with them!!

I love my kids!!  All of them!  But why oh why don't they do things the way I try to show them as the easiest or best way I know how to do them?  Case in point; kid #3 is about to finish 8th grade and move on to high school (which is hard for me to swallow because kid #3 is my oldest biological child), so the big DANCE is tomorrow night.  We have the dress, the shoes, the nails are to be done, the hair will be done, the makeup will be done, and the ticket is bought.  But the ticket is missing!  And you cannot buy them at the door, only in advance.  The frantic search begins along with the attitude and the huffing and puffing that comes with the unwanted parental involvement.  Needless to say, after 45 minutes of searching, a phone call to her father to look at his house, and then the revelation of this little pocket that she puts important stuff into, it is found!

Now how many times have I told her, as well as all the kids, put important stuff in a safe place that you will be able to find it easily.  I suggested for her to tack it on her memo board hanging in her room.  Did she do that.......NOOOOO....that would be too easy to listen to mom.  We all know that Mom is ignorant when you are a teenager.  She is learning the hard way that mom is not so dumb and that Mom makes sense after living thru the ordeals that said teenager tries fighting about.  Its not just her though,  the other kids have done that too.  I have been told quite a few times "you were right.  I should have listened to you".  Or "you called it perfectly".  Duhhhhhh!  (how is that for an old school throw back phrase!)

This is what I think.  After dealing with three teenagers so far (and still another child to get to the teen years with), I can say that I do not have the patience to be an organizational coach or consultant.  When people do not listen to me, ESPECIALLY when I am asked for help, I get very irritated and my customer service training would go by the wayside at that point.  So I think we can cross that career choice off my list. 

I am BACK!!!!

Life is finally back to normal for me.  The first half of this year has been very busy and hectic to say the least.  AND I had to do it all without my life partner for a chunk of time.  But the children were all taken care of, and all the animals are still here (though I did try to get rid of one, but to no avail), and I didn't lose my mind.  Now it is time to focus on summer activities.  Kid#1 is off in college for a summer course (and with a part time job too, FINALLY..lol) so check.  Kid#2 is trying to get a part time job for the summer, check.  Kid#3 is volunteering one day a week and getting involved in extra curricular activities at the school, check.  Kid#4 is not set up with anything yet.  She is all about sports so it will just be a matter of finding the right thing to get her signed up for.

I have plenty to chat about but, I will pace myself with how much I toss out here so as to not overdo it on one posting.  Maybe in the process I will learn how to do more on this thing other than just type.  This blogging thing is so new to me, but I sure do enjoy it.  I lay in bed and ideas just come to me.  I have started jotting ideas down so I can elaborate on them at a later time.  Once all the kiddos go back to school in August, then I should really be able to turn it on.  So bear with me while I learn the ropes of this thing called blogging.  Happy trails for now my friends!

Reality Check

I really feel out of sorts at the moment.  Typing on this blog almost feels like not the appropriate thing to be doing in light of the current situation in Japan.  I mean, there are people that cannot find their family members and have absolutely nothing but the clothes on their back.  So I am feeling a little selfish just yakking on and on about what I want to do tomorrow.  And can I just say, I give kudos to the Japanese people.  They have not once been shown to be looting, or inciting any kind of violence amongst one another.  I think we can learn a lot from them.  They stand in lines quietly for hours at a time to get their ration of food and they don't complain one bit.  I know of a few Americans that would not be half as gracious if the roles were reversed.  I admire the Japanese for these traits they have.

But alas, my life has to keep going.  I feel what I feel for the people, and I can try to help in the ways that are available to me, but my life has to move on forward.  I have kids that still need to be tended to and cared for.  I have a husband that is working massive amounts of hours at his job (which just happens to be in the nuclear industry, go figure), and he needs me to keep him on the straight and narrow during this hectic time.  I still have all my bills and responsibilities that I have to take care of.  But at least for the moment, I go about my day with a little different view of things.  The issues and complaints, and discomforts to my daily comings and goings seem to be having a little less sense of irritation to them.  I look at my kids a little less harshly because....they are here in front of me, and not everyone unfortunately has that luxury.  I still have my cozy little home to walk into and change my clothes and get a drink of water, all at my own pace and on a whim when I feel like it.  There are others that don't have these luxuries at the moment.

So this is what I think.  I think we should take a moment and rejoice in the glory of life and liberty and happiness, because not everyone in the world is enjoying these things at the moment.  I think we should take a closer look at ourselves and really evaluate if our lives are as bad or underwhelming as we are currently perceiving it to be.  Not a sermon, just a thought.

We will resume regular blogging next time.  : )

Birthday week

Well it is birthday week in my house.  Wonderful hubby had his earlier this week; although he is working the yucky hours still, he only slept , woke up, looked at the cake I made him, and left for work again.  Happy birthday!  My birthday is next and I will be so busy taking one kid to school and picking up, then getting another kid from after school band to THEN quickly feeding said kids a quick dinner to run over to the high school for orientation for the next up and coming high schooler on our list.  My day wont end till probably 10 p.m. Happy birthday to me!  Honestly I am not complaining though.  Wonderful hubby always works on our birthdays (its just the way his company schedules yearly work), so I have never expected anything on my birthday....not that I have ever expected anything anyway, but you know what I am saying.

I did make hubby a birthday cake, as I always do.  Lets just say, if I am going to do cake decorating as a profession, I better get to practicing.  Somehow I allowed this house to run out of butter.  How in the world did I allow that to happen?  Strike 1.  The cake I wanted to make I did not have the proper cake pan.  Strike 2.  Made Royal Icing and beat it for a bit too long and it was like squishing cement thru the piping tube.  Strike 3.  But I did not give up.  I scrounged up just enough butter to make a small amount of frosting to put on the cake that ended up being made in a bundt pan.  And I was able to squeeze out just enough royal icing to put a few rosettes and a colorful base on this cake to show a little creativity.  And of course my little helper had to add her little touches of colored sugar and such.  Suffice it to say, its not the prettiest cake, but I made the attempt.

Kid #2 has a birthday coming up later in the month so I will have yet another chance to practice.  I really am enjoying it....it will just be tweaking and practicing that needs to happen.  Also Kid#1 will be coming home for spring break, so there will be yet another opportunity to make something beautiful.  Practice makes perfect!!

It's a gas gas gas!!

Yow!!!  Gas prices are going through the roof!  How am I going to be able to start a business if I am not going to be able to afford to drive my people mover anywhere?  I am still giving the cake decorator gig a lot of thought and I am liking it more and more.  I will be able to control how much work I take on, when I take it on, how far or how close to home I want to go.  It is a win win it seems.  So what is the next step?  There is a lot to do to get something started.  You have to first LEARN how to decorate cakes professionally, so I am thinking a class or two may be in order.  Then you have to start MAKING cakes for people to sample and critique and perfect.  Then you have to SELL your new wares so that you can start making money on them.  Lots of steps to get to making money to put four kids through college and maybe a take a small vacation once in awhile.

Well, even if cake decorating doesn't turn out to be my thing, it may at least be the jumping off point for me.  I am not going to know if it what I want to do if I don't at least try it right?  I have read that many successful business people started up like three or four different businesses before they found the successful one that was for them.  So maybe this is where I should start.  They say do what you love and I love to cook and bake and do almost anything with food.  I mean, I started this blog and had never done anything like this before, and I am enjoying it, so cakes may be something I enjoy also.  And I can always make it a family affair also.  Kid #1 can be my sous chef and creative chef.  Kid#2 is my muscle man so he would be my helper in transporting and moving and all that guy type stuff I would need.  Kid #3 is here full time so she also could be a sous chef and creative consultant and maybe even a helper with making flowers and characters and such.  She is very artsy and crafty that way.  Of course Kid#4 is going to need jobs to do as well, so we will find things for her to do as well.  Wonderful hubby will be off doing what he does.....work.  But he will be my chief taste tester.  He is as vanilla as they come so he is sensitive to flavors and will point out what he tastes and if it is too powerful or not enough.

So this is what I am thinking....I need to start making cakes and telling the world all about it.   I have a big mouth and am loud, but I am not very good at selling myself to the world.  But I have friends and family that are good at getting the word out so maybe I will put them to work as well.  Lets hop on this ride and see how it goes!!!!!!

Okay, so I haven't been on here for a short while now.  My life has been temporarily turned upside down.  Its all in a good way I guess you could say, but it is definitely messing up my schedule and getting things done.  I am a creature of habit, and when my routine gets changed I don't usually adapt that well.  Wonderful hubby's work schedule is changed for a short time so he is here when he normally would be gone and that creates havoc in our routine in this house.  And I am one of those wives that actually likes being with her husband, so him not being as available doesn't make me happy either.  But without him, I would not be able to sit here and think about what job or career I want to embark on.  So I don't complain much...he works his ass off to make sure we are all taken care of.  So I guess I should stop making this all about me.

Speaking of careers....I may have come up with something that is definitely doable for me.  I am giving some serious thought to making cakes!  I made a cake for my youngest daughter's 5th birthday that wasn't just a round cake or 13x9 pan cake.  It was a doll cake.  This doll had her big dress on with dots, and frills, and everything on it.  If I could ever figure out how to post pictures on here and NOT have them show up sideways, then I would show my pictures to you.  Just know that I was proud of that cake.  And my girl loved it!!  I do enjoy cooking, just ask anyone in my family or circle of friends.  I would have considered catering, but where I live is a bit too rural and there are a bunch of caterers.  So suffice it to say that industry is wrapped up.  My mother in-law made cakes for years and put two kids thru college doing it....so why can't I??? 

I will do more and more and probably some more research into this and see if this is something that I really want to get into.  But I do know that I really enjoy cooking or baking....just being in the kitchen quite honestly is where I most comfortable.  But do I want to put myself into a career path with that and make it to where I HAVE to go cook every day because my job depends on it?  This is one of those questions that I need to really think on and answer before I can really move forward.  The experts say to do what you love and food is definitely something I love.  So I will have to do a little more thinking and soul searching, but I may be on to something here.

Is there a financial advisor in the house?

Alright, this post is going to sound a bit more soapboxing (is that a word?) than anything today.  A financial advisor is yet another idea I have had for myself as a career choice.  Not too many years ago I took a personal finance class.  I really enjoyed the class and learned a lot.  Most of it though, to me, was common sense stuff.  The teacher of the class even came to me at the end of the session and told me I should consider becoming a financial advisor because of my savvy for the stock market, handling money, etc.  I was flattered by the compliment, but at that time I had a 4 month old at home so that was not an option.

Now, here is where I step up on the soapbox.  Here is a question I have.  Why is it that ordinary Joe Schmucks like myself have limits?  We can only borrow so much to buy a house, a car, a credit card, etc.  We actually hit a point where the financial people say that's it...you  can not handle anymore debt....you don't make enough money to cover your debts.  Why cant the same be done to the government?  Financial experts say the way to get ahead is to live below our means.  Why doesn't the government do that also?  If we over extend our credit in our personal life we would be cut off and made to live C.O.D. (that's Cash On Delivery for all you youngsters that haven't ever heard that term).

Why cant we make the government live up to that principle?  The government has for the last 30 years lived on and spent the money in the next 30 years.  I wold like to have the money that I am going to make in 30 years right now to spend.  But then that would mean there would be nothing on the back side for me to spend later.  And its not like the American public hasn't made it known to the government that we want change. 

The Preamble says this nation's government was founded by, of, and for the people.  Since the Democratic party state that they strive to protect and support this, AND since we have a Democratic president in office....shouldn't they be listening a little closer to the people that put them there??

Not a sermon......just a thought to ponder on.

I would LOVE to help balance the money for the government.  I am such a cheapskate that I would have money saved in no time!!!  Or so I would like to think I could anyway.  A girl can dream cant she???

The freelance writing is on the wall....maybe.

Okay....so I am doing my whole research thing in search of the "thing" that is right for me to jump back into the work world.  Freelance writing jobs came up in my searching the other day.  Now I have never considered myself a writer.  I do like details and I do like doing research, but I have never been eloquent with my delivery.  Ask any of my friends and they will tell that bluntness is one of my attributes, whether it is a good one or a not so good one, it is there.  So does that make a candidate to write?  I am definitely opinionated.  Politics, world news, food, children, marriage; these are just a few of my many opinionated bits of knowledge I possess. 

I will admit, this whole blogging thing is turning out to be a lot of fun for me.  As I have said before, I have plenty of things to comment on.  If I don't have a comment at that exact moment, I will do my research and THEN make my comments and opinions known.  But is it enough to compete with copy editors, writers, freelance writers, editor type people.  You see my conundrum.  This feels like an elite group to try and jump in with.  Just as I decided to jump into this blog thing, maybe I should just jump in and start doing this writing thing and see where it leads.

I love my grandmother

I love my grandmother.  She is 86 years old.  She can recall the Great Depression and World War II.  She has been thru quite a bit of adversity in her years on this earth.  She still lives on her own, and very independently I might add.  She is the last of her family and friends that is still on this earth.  The love and admiration I have for her is beyond description. 

One of my thoughts on career choices have to do with helping the elderly.  I love old people.  They are cute (most of them anyway), full of life lessons and wisdom, and in need AND deserving of a little help from those of us that are younger.  They deserve more respect than our society shows them.  That is a whole other subject I will hit on another day.

So when I was visiting with her the other day, I had a question for her.  I asked her if any of her friends or acquaintances would pay to have someone (ME, ME, ME) help them out with errands or work around their homes, that type of thing.  My grandmother in her loving fashion pointed out to me that, while it is a good idea, most people can not or will not pay someone to do those things for them.  Many of them will feel they cannot afford it, and the ones that will pay won't pay what you feel would be appropriate.  Hmmmmm....food for thought I guess.

So this is what I think.  We need to utilize the people in our lives for feedback, support, and honesty.  How am I going to find that "thing" that is right for me if I don't ask for input and opinions?  Who better to give insight and opinions than someone that has lived a fuller life than myself?  I love having my grandmother in my life for her love, support, insight, and opinions (and she does have plenty of opinions).  I think everyone should take advantage of what the elders in our lives have to offer us.  Other societies value their elders and hold them in the highest regard.  We should be doing the same for ours.

Tax Time Tax Time Tax Time

You make my head numb!  I love that statement from a popular commercial on TV.  Right now I am working on gathering my tax stuff so that we can get our taxes done in a few days. My head is definitely going numb. Yes it is early, but I have to due to my wonderful hubby's work schedule...it gets crazy for a little while.  I spoke with my tax lady the other day to ask a few questions and she told me how well organized I am.  HA!!!!  I laugh at that statement.  She obviously has not seen where I have been piling up all my receipts and tax forms.  You name the corner that's where I found it.  My only saving grace is that my memory is such that I can still remember which corners I stuffed them in.  When I lose that, THEN I am going to be in trouble.

It is absolutely insane how the tax system works.  I have sat down and read the IRS.gov website for multiple topics (haven't I told you I am a geek...if I haven't, yes, I am a geek), and it is so convoluted that I can not believe I actually took college courses with the intention of becoming an accountant.  I like money.  I also like saving money.  But this IRS stuff makes it not so fun that is for sure.  Maybe that is where I should start looking to dive into a career....how to make tax time a little less painful of a process.  Why can't we all just know that when tax time rolls around we all have to sit down and figure out if we have paid our flat rate of say, 15% taxes on our income for the year.  I think my calculator and I could handle figuring that out and letting the IRS know the answer to that.  I know I am oversimplifying things, but a girl can dream can't she?

This is what I think...I think that the government has lost track of who is doing what and when they are doing it.  There are too many chiefs and not enough little Indians.  Now I could go off on a big old rant about politics, but I will save that for another day.  All I want is for the government to make things a little simpler so that I don't have to carry a briefcase (okay a slight exaggeration, but it makes my point) to my tax lady to get my taxes done. 

Now I must get back to my piles of papers that are surrounding me and try to make sure I have everything I need to get this process done before the dogs coming tromping in here and smear them with mud and muck and whatever else is on their paws.  Like that hasn't happen to anyone else before....you know what I am talking about.

Well here is my second entry into this new venture.  I have had my usual hectic week of carting kids to orthodontist's appointments, practices, games, and such.  It is now the weekend and should be my time (for the most part).  It is SuperBowl weekend and I am looking forward to the game.  I love my football and I am sad to see it end.  But after football is Nascar and that is a good fill in for me. 

So, I am in thinking mode of what I want to be when I grow up.  I have been running up and down the digital highway seeing what is out there that would fit into my lifestyle and be a decent career choice for me.  I am first and foremost a mom.  That is what I always wanted to be and am so thankful I have been afforded this opportunity in life.  But the oldest is off in college and the youngest will be starting elementary school in August.  When that moment comes of her stepping onto that bus the first day of school....it will be just me....all by myself....for the first time in 6 years.  While that sounds like a thrill I have waited for for a long time, that joy will be short lived.  There is only so much reorganizing and rearranging that can be done around this house before I will need something more to do with myself. 

This is where the search begins.  I am a person who wants to fix problems.  I like making decisions.  In fact I feel like that is one of my strong points.  I like learning new things.  I have done research on so many things that most people would probably fall asleep just saying the subjects to them.  Internet research is one of my possible endeavours.  I have researched and read up on the Patriot Act, septic systems, Nuclear Regulatory Commission rules, insects, wage rules, medicines, illnesses, and on and on.  I told you....very eclectic blend of subject matter.  I love to cook, so do I venture down a path to do with culinary interests?  I could go on and on with interests and such. 

So now I am off to do more research and see what I can find as inspiration to put me one step closer to being the next "me".  I am still me, but ready to move on to the next level of "me".  Because it sure is good to be "me".

Hi....my name is....

Hi....my name is...Chris.  I am a full time mom, wife, daughter, and friend.  I am married to a wonderful man who affords me the opportunity to be able to stay home and tend to our four kids.  Kid#1 is off in college doing her thing.  Kid#2 is in high school and the only boy in the bunch.  He is all boy and all athlete.  Kid #3 is my first born. She is in middle school and involved in the band.  She is an exact replica of me in appearance, but definitely her own unique person.  She is creative, hippie-like, and a bookworm.  Kid#4 is our little pistol.  She is 5 years old, very athletic, very girly, and very VERY quick-witted.  Look out world, you don't know what is coming your way.  All four of these kids are unique, beautiful, intelligent, and I am so honored to be their mom.


I am starting on a journey.  I am not sure where this journey will take me, but I think I am ready go.  I have an opinion about almost anything.  I do my research before I make a comment, because I like to understand things and make informed opinions.  I love a good intelligent dialogue on almost any topic....so don't be afraid to engage me.  The time has come, I believe, to start looking for that next step in life.  It is time to start reinventing myself....find my new place in the world.  I think I am at a point in life where I can balance being a mom, a wife, a daughter, and every other hat I wear, but I want something that is all mine.  This blog is that first step for me.  So I will probably start out a little slow and a little clunky in my subjects and storytelling, but it will mine and only mine.  My thoughts, my opinions, my insights, and anything else I want to throw in here...but it will be all me.

This is what I think.  It is going to be one fun ride through this experience.  So please fasten your safety belts, put your seats in their upright position and get ready for takeoff.