This Says It All

 

Need I say more?

Gigi

Now I Can’t Even Buy Underwear Right.

I yearn for the good old days.  The days when I could dress my boy any way I wanted – because he was too young to care – or at the age when he really didn’t care.  When the only requests where that the shorts/pants had pockets (for his rocks and other treasures) and snaps not buttons (because those chubby little fingers had a hard time with the buttons).

Then there was the period when he’d only wear basketball shorts and tee-shirts that never matched.  Even this was an easy time.

In middle school he had a uniform – so there were no requests to be made.  He wore a polo with the school emblem and khaki pants or shorts.  Easy.

Even last year there wasn’t much fuss.  His school’s dress code requires khakis, collared shirt (tucked in), and a belt.  As long as I didn’t buy polo shirts in “girlie” colors it was all good.

But this year it’s a different story.  We went through all his school clothes and discovered, of course, that he’s out-grown everything.  Fine.  So off I go to the mall, which I hate especially on tax-free, back to school shopping weekend.  I only go because Man-Child asked that I get him some clothes from a specific store.  Okay – not a problem as said store isn’t too terribly pricey.

I have to fight through crowds trying to pick what I think MC would like and look good in.  I stand in line for about 30 minutes with only three people in front of me because the clerk is offering some kind of deal to each and every person.  Sign up today and get so much off your next purchase kind of thing.  And people were taking them up on it.  Who cares that the line is practically out the door?  And that it’s hot in that store?  And then when the guy pulled out his checkbook – well, it was all I could do to restrain myself from beating him about the head with my shoe!  Really, a checkbook?  Anyway, I digress . . .

So I get home and give Man Child his new clothes.  He okays most of them without any real enthusiasm – but the one shirt that I really liked and knew would look good on him was nixed.  Because he said it make him look like a zebra.  WTH?  Fine, I’ll return it.  I’ll brave the damn mall again and try not to maim people with checkbooks or silly clerks who offer things when the line is out the door.

Then I asked Man Child if he needed any basics – you know socks, tee-shirts, underwear.  He said yes, he needed it all.  Okay I’ll pick them up next time in Target.  He then informed me that I can’t buy his underwear without him.  Apparently, I can’t even do that right anymore.  Hello??  It’s undies!  But according to him, the last time I bought them – which took forever because he wants boxers that have a closed flap (do you know how long it took me to find those?) – the material wasn’t right.  The material?  We are worried about the material??  He said it wasn’t “boxer” material.  Is there even such a thing?

Oh.my.hell!

Once again, I am thankful he’s a boy – what kind of holy hell must the mothers of girls go through at this time of year?

 

Gigi

Tags of 8

I've been tagged by Chic Mama

(who is so awesomely chic) in a tag of eights. The rules are:

The rules are:
- Mention the person who tagged you. (check)
- Complete the list of eights
- Tag eight others and let them know.

1) Eight things I am looking forward to :
-School starting
-I can't believe I'm saying this: football season to start - I'm ready to see my boy play!!!
-MC getting his driving permit (it will scare me to death - but make me proud at the same time)
-Watching my children grow up
-Getting the *&^$*&*% outbuilding - I'm tired of the garage looking like crap!
-Getting the *&* &%&^%#& outbuilding so I can actually park inside the garage!
-Fall - I'm getting kinda tired of being hot; but not ready for the cold!
-Next weekend - so not ready for the work week!

2) Eight things I did yesterday:
-Spent money I shouldn't have.
-Ate chocolate I shouldn't have.
-Had wine I shouldn't have.
-Wondered about a friend, that I shouldn't have.
-Put off cleaning house; again.
-Stayed up too late.
-Had junk food
-.Did gardening - it was way too hot - could have gotten sick.

3) Eight things I wish I could do:
- Go on a cruise
- Go ANYWHERE w/hubby
- Get a degree
- Live at the beach
- Win enough at the lotto to not have to worry about tuition
- Make certain people see that negativity/drama is not the way to live life.
- Ensure that my boy grows up to be the man that he definitely could be.
- Ensure world peace

4) Eight places I would like to travel to:
-Alaska
-Mexico
-Italy
-Australia
-Ireland
-England
-France
-Switzerland

5) Eight places I've travelled to: (yeah right! Have you met my husband, Mr. Go Nowhere??)
-Virginia
-Pennslyvania
-Florida
-Kentucky
-Alabama
-Various places in Texas
-West Virgnia
-Mississippi

6) Eight people to tag: ( do I even know this many people in blog-land?)

-Queen Bee

-http://chapmancrazyhouse.blogspot.com/ (i'm praying really hard for you!!)

-Liz

- Madmanicmamas

-Mama@livelaughpullyourhairout

-Awomanofnoimportance (who, of course, is terribly important!)

-Life with Kaishon

-Sandy

Also, I'd like to give a big shout-out to A Woman of No Importance (who so is) for becoming a friend! Thank you!

Shunning truly works . . .

at least for my kid. 

I discovered last night that it really seems to work.  But maybe that’s for only children who are used to all the attention from their parents.

Last night, MC didn’t get home until late from football practice (which is absolutely killing me!  I mean, really?  Who the hell practices until 8:00 pm?  Way past time to get ready for bed in my opinion!).  So dinner for MC didn’t happen until after 9:00.  At which time, I’m crawling up the stairs (because, yes, I’m getting old!).

As I’m crawling up, I croak out – don’t forget the kitchen and tomorrow is trash pick-up.  Thinking in the back of my mind – he’ll totally forget because he’s so wiped and HOW THE HELL will I deal with this tomorrow?  Because as a responsible mom (even though I know he’s wiped) I have to deal because otherwise what kind of adult will he become?  The kind that ends up on street corners?????

So, eventually, I pass out fall asleep. 

When I wake up, I stumble downstairs – desperately searching for coffee – because who the hell can manage the morning without the nectar of the gods? – and find . . .

a totally spotless kitchen.  And . . .

the trash has been taken out!

What kind of 4th dimension have I awoken to?

I gleefully take my coffee and paper (which I totally misread because I hadn’t had adequate amount of caffeine yet) out to the back porch.

After properly waking up – I empty the dishwasher and go about getting ready for “work.”

Later in the day I get a call from MC – who proceeds to ask me who emptied the dishwasher.  I replied that I had – and that if others do their part then other things can get done.

I do believe it has begun to sink in (crossing fingers; rapping on wood – whatever it takes!).

There is a GOD!

Gigi

Whew! That was close.

Well, I almost lost what little credibility I have today.  I came this close to writing and posting about this 19 year old state trooper who apparently has been fired for placing an obscene picture in the bank canister along with his id and a check to be cashed while in uniform and in a marked patrol car.  He claims it was just a joke.   What kind of a joke is that?

I was going to rant on and on about stupidity, poor judgment, blah blah blah. 

Then I was going to further rant about why in the world the State Troopers would even hire a 19 year old?  Think about it – would you want a 19 year old State Trooper running around?  With a gun?  With no real life experience?  Seems crazy to me.

Thank goodness I went back to read the article before writing and posting. 

Turns out the State Trooper wasn’t 19 years old.  He was a 19 year veteran. 

So while I could still go on an rant about stupidity, poor judgment, etc.  I think instead I will go back to my little corner and absorb this lesson – from now on I will always make sure I’ve had at least one cup of coffee before I start to read the paper in the wee hours of the morning.  Otherwise who knows how badly I could misconstrue say, I don’t know, the proposed healthcare plan (yeah, like I even read those articles).

Gigi

The Pressure is On

I was utterly, utterly delighted to log in to this humble little blog this morning to discover that overnight I had acquired, not one, but TWO new followers. I even did a little happy dance right at my desk. Yes, my co-workers looked at me a little funny – but you know what? They do that even when I am behaving perfectly normal.

After the initial glow I started to get anxious. I mean OMG!! Now I feel like whatever I put down has to have meaning! What are their expectations? What if I get ::gasp:: blog-block? (Try saying that one fast three times!) What if they realize that whatever I have to say is utter dreck? That I’m not as cool as I like to think?

When I started on this lovely adventure, I never expected anyone to find their way to my little world. And now, I have FOUR followers friends. Oh, the pressure!

Does this mean that I have to say something every, single day?

After my mini-panic attack (and hyperventilating) I calmed down enough to ask myself – Self, what is your problem? Why are you getting so worked up? What did you start blogging for anyway – fame, fortune, recognition? No (although a little fortune wouldn’t be a bad thing!). Self, you began to blog because of all the words in your head had to go somewhere. And yes, maybe some of those words might do some good to someone.

And then I began to realize that these lovely people are following along because they want to. Apparently, whatever I have to say is at the very least, minimally, interesting to someone other than myself. And that is utterly AWESOME!

So before I go off to my little corner and begin to worry some more – because yes, I am insecure; I would like to throw out a great big welcome to my new friends – Moms Web and to Sandy. Thank you so much for venturing into my crazy little world. I also want to thank Liz and Chic Mama for tuning in as well. You guys are great and I really appreciate you being here.

Gigi

Something I Made By Hand

This post is in response to Mama Kat’s assignment posted Tuesday, which was inspired by Texan Mama.  So here goes.  Prepare to be amazed.

I made these two items for a girlfriend’s baby shower.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

These two items have all my friends thinking I’m very crafty – which I’m really, truly not.  I do have all these fabulous ideas floating around in my head – but they never actually come out looking like I pictured.  These two things are pretty much the only crafty type things I’ve ever done that worked out okay.  Hmmm, that might be because I followed the directions . . . what do you think?

Have you guessed what they are yet?

Yup – that’s right.  It’s a diaper wreath and a diaper cake.

It actually didn’t take too long to assemble either one and I must say the guest of honor loved these items long after the party was over and the baby was born.

Of course, I guess technically, this isn’t something I personally made by hand – since I didn’t actually create the diapers and gee-gaws on it.  But I assembled it.  In my mind that equates to making it by hand.  At least I didn’t buy it fully assembled.  So that counts for something, right?

Oh, and by the way, if you would like to create one of these lovelies and have all your friends think you are Queen Crafty; here are the directions:

http://entertaining.about.com/cs/showers/a/diapercake.htm

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Diaper-Wreath

Gigi

School Days Rant

Many, many thanks to Texan Mama for the inspiration of this post.  Yup, just blame her after the dust has settled; because she is the one that reminded me how much this topic gets my dander up.

It’s the public school system.  Particularly here in our area.  First things first, I DO NOT have a problem with our teachers.  All the teachers that Man-Child has had while in public schools were phenomenal.  And I can honestly say, that our public school teachers are not getting paid for what they are truly worth.  It is true that he no longer attends public school – but there were other factors that prompted this – not the teachers.

For the past three years or so I have been active in the Harvest for Teachers program.  This program partners businesses in the community with needy schools.  Basically the businesses allow flyers of “wish lists” and provide boxes for donations to the schools.  Recent studies show that the average teacher spends about $1,200 out of pocket for school supplies.  This is an outrage.  To be fair, here in our school system we had a program that provided first year teachers $400 for supplies – it has been cut.  So I ask you, how can a first year teacher (who most likely a graduate with mega-loans, etc.) be expected to come up with that kind of cash for supplies – especially if this is their first job?  Even if it’s not, the salary of an average teacher cannot possibly be able to sustain that kind of out of pocket expense.  This is a fabulous program and I support it whole-heartedly.

But what truly chaps my hide . . . okay one of the many things about our school system that chaps my hide, is the fact that we are throwing good money after bad into the system.  Last year alone the 2008 operating budget for the country school system was $546,412,884.00.  That’s a lot of dinero, my friends.  But yet they can’t provide the basic supplies for students?  On top of that is the state lottery.  The way it was presented to the voters, it was to be an education state lottery with proceeds going to the schools.  Well, it doesn’t work the way that it was perceived to work.  Most thought that the proceeds would head to schools on top of what the federal/state/county gave to the schools.  No.  Whatever proceeds went to the schools from the lottery the federal/state/county deducted that amount from what they gave.  So in reality, the schools aren’t getting anything extra.  And on top of that, our governor recently took money from that lottery account for another use.  Granted we are in an economic crises – but that kinda shoots the bird at the voters doncha think?

And then, when I actually look at the schools I have to wonder where the money is going?  A lot of our students go to schools that are extraordinarily old and in disrepair, where there are leaks, mold, where AC and heating work only sporadically.  A lot of our students go to class in trailers.  I am not a CPA (hell I can’t even balance my checkbook); but it seems to me that there is a lot of waste going on and somebody needs to look into this.

Don’t even get me started on the whole “teach to test” crap that is going on!!  Man-child’s second grade teacher actually told us at the beginning of the year that all they would be doing that year is preparing them to be able take the state-mandated EOGs (end of grade tests) the following year!!!!  Are you freaking serious?  I’m going to stop here, otherwise this post will go on forever and your eyes will glaze and you will slip into an information overload coma.  And I don’t want that on my conscious.  So I’m done; climbing down off my soap box to slink off to fume in silence.

Gigi

How Do You Like the New Look? (and other side notes)

As you can probably surmise by all the changes around here that it has been another slow day at the office!

I certainly can’t do it at home with the Man-Child hovering in the background wondering if I’m done the computer. When I tell him no he goes away for a bit but drifts back. It’s just easier to do it when he’s not around!

It was a rather nerve-wracking experience, if the truth be told – SINCE I DON’T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT WHAT I WAS DOING. Every time I tried to upload the new template it kept telling me that I was going to lose my widgets! Didn’t want that to happen – that would mean my blogroll, etc. would have to be re-built. Thanks to the world-wide web, I was able to find a way to circumvent the problem – thank goodness.

BUT – I have yet to figure out that top portion where it says “Welcome This is the ideal place to say hello to your Readers and Welcome them...” It won’t let me change that for love nor money. ::scratching my head over this one:: So we’ll just have to live with it until I can figure it out. Also for some reason it wants to paste my profile picture right over the beginning of my profile. Oh well – these are the things you have to deal with when you don’t know what the hell you are doing! :-)

*********************

As for an update on the shunning. It worked amazingly well (for the time being anyway). I wouldn’t recommend it for every kid – but for mine it will probably work if used judiciously.

After chatting with an office friend this morning – it was once again brought to my attention that the problems I have with the Man-Child are soooooo miniscule. She is a single mom and seems to have lost control over her son who is only a year older than mine. He does whatever he wants; whenever he wants and she doesn’t have a clue about how to get a handle on it. She isn’t a firm parent and not having the back up of a husband (or even an ex who gives a damn) is really putting her in a tough spot. My heart bleeds for her – because I don’t know how to tell her to fix it. Eventually, I have a feeling he will get into really bad trouble and then what will she do? Lesson learned – as much as my Man-Child can bug the hell out of me – he’s still a very, very good kid.

Hmmm, wonder if I could convince hubby to go put the fear of God in him?? (Yeah, right!!)

Till later, y’all!

Gigi

Update: OMG! I actually did it. I somehow fixed that Welcome-thingy and it ONLY took me an hour and a half in html-hell!! I think I deserve a celebratory drink for that! Oh wait, I can't I have to go pick up the Man-Child. Damn.

Enough Already!

The dishes. Again! What is so freaking hard about it? Really, it's not like there are ten people in this family. There's three. That means that there aren't that many damn dishes to do. We even have a freaking dishwasher.

I am so frustrated. I just don't know what to do anymore. I left to run errands this morning before he woke up. I told hubby to be sure to tell him that I am angry and not to look at me or talk to me today. Apparently, hubby didn't make it very clear.

As I was browsing through the shoe section - eyeballing a very lovely pair of heels - oh joy! They were on sale! Mine. Ahem - sorry, I digress. As I was trying on the lovelies, the beast Man-Child actually called. I ignored it. Then he called again. So I answered. He asked where I was and I informed him that I had told his father that I wasn't talking to him and said goodbye. I'm sure the older lady across from me was shocked as she turned and hustled out of the shoe department right quick. Any way, I decided that the lovelies were just what I needed to combat the stress of being a mom to a teenage monstrosity.

Once I made it home, the Man-Child came lumbering down the stairs to ask me how my day went. I just looked at him blankly. Very mature; I know. He proceeded to follow me around the house trying to get me to talk to him. He informed me that he had cleaned the kitchen, his bathroom and bedroom and had started his laundry. And that he had done all this to make it better. Give me a break. Those are his standard chores - the chores he is supposed to do anyway! He informed me that I was immature. I looked him dead in the eye and informed him that I was very angry at him and he really, really did not want me talking to him right now. He looked at me like I was crazy and proceeded to spout his excuses. I looked at him and told him that he really did not want to hear what I had to say to him at that moment and to go away. He turned and stomped all the way to his room. Yeah - like that's mature. I felt like sticking my tongue out at him.

Apparently, shunning works very well.

Hubby then came to me and asked what was going on. I told him (like he didn't know! I had asked him earlier what we were going to do about these on-going infractions. He, as usual, had no answers). He then had the gall to ask if I was going to mad at the Man-Child all day! He is not helping the situation. And why, oh why, am I always the disciplinarian? Why doesn't he do it once in a while?

I'm really not angry - like I am leading the Man-Child to believe. But I am frustrated. In my opinion he is being very disrespectful. He knows what his duties are; he knows how I feel about the kitchen being left in a mess. He knows I don't want to wake up to a gross kitchen. But yet, he continues to not do what has been asked of him. What can I take away? He's not driving so I can't take driving privileges. I could ground him - but since he's staying home this summer he's pretty much already grounded as there isn't much for him to do around here and he doesn't know anyone around here.

I know he's a good kid and that I could have a lot more problems with him that I do. I know this! I thank God every day for having such a wonderful boy. But I'm so frustrated with him and at my wits end. He lives here - he has to contribute. We all do.

So for the moment shunning seems the way to go. I think once the shunning is over though I'm going to have him do most of the household chores this week. Maybe that will teach him that the little bit he is asked to do around here isn't so bad after all.

Any and all suggestions would be appreciated!!

Oh, and since I'm sure you are dying to know - here are my new lovelies. Aren't they beyoouutiful?

Gigi