Sunday, August 31, 2008

Shock for Mom

How do you know when your child is really trying to be an adult? Today, I got that kind of shock.

I walked past Dear Daughter’s bedroom (radio blasting) and into my own where I found the back door open wide. I called DD and got no answer. I close the door (to keep the cool in and the heat out—Arizona, remember) and go to her bedroom, calling her again.

[Mom Reasoning] No Answer=Assumption Made=DD Has Left The Building!

Soon Dear Husband comes to the bathroom door and tells me that DD is in the laundry room DOING LAUNDRY! (It’s good I was sitting down at this point) When I came out of the bathroom, I had to see for myself just HOW she was doing washing.

Apparently, it is a good thing to leave ”How To Clean” books laying around the house for adolescents to find. They then discover how to sort laundry, the proper temperature to use, etc. Upon making such a discovery, they then need to test it. This is the same theory that leads them to try lighting the air behind them as they pass gas. As you can see, using this theory can lead to good results and painful results, depending on what newly found knowledge they are testing. (It is important to remember that during the adolescent years, all ability to make “wise” decisions is no found their body. It has a lot to do with the raging hormones they deal with at this stage of development.)

Back to the laundry room

DD had put all the clothes from the laundry basket into the washer.
DD -- “I don’t need any help Mom.”
Mom – “I just had to see this for myself.” (Notice grin trying to hide on DD’s face)

DD proceeds to add laundry detergent and try to figure out how to set the machine. I admit that I did give a couple of tips here BUT I DID NOT TAKE OVER! (That is a big step in the growth process for mothers. ”No Touchy”) This is where mother has to issue approximately 10 positive comments quickly. This helps to reinforce the behavior just shown.


As we came into the house, DH was unloading the dishwasher!! Without the moans & groans that usually accompany this activity. [More compliments given]

DH fills water dispenser from the distiller in the backyard. [More compliments given]

DD claims the job of filling the ice trays. [More compliments given]

DD suggests Mom put this on her blog so every one can read it!

DD proceeds to clean mirrors, TV screen, and her computer screen. [More compliments given]

This is where we are right now. She is still cleaning the mirrors.

I just may run out of compliments today. This is not the “normal mode” in our home. This is rare. This is a blessing. This is WONDERFUL.

Don’t pinch me! I don’t want to wake up.

Friday, August 29, 2008

Poor Me

My two oldest grandsons are a year older! They are 1 year and 2 hours apart. E is 5 and H is 4. I didn’t get to see either one. Poor Me.

I miss my sweet grandchildren. I have 4, two with my son & two with my older daughter. They are growing so fast and learning so much; and I don’t get to see any of it. I get a few pictures and talk to them on the phone, but it isn’t the same as getting to see them occasionally. It all goes back to $$$. Living month to month is just not fun! In any way, shape or form.

Are you picking up on POOR ME aspect of this post? Some days you just feel it more than others. Today is one of those days.

I don’t’ even have current pictures of them. (That is a hint to my children) Poor Me.

All of you know that the list of complaints you feel on one of these days can go on and on and on. But in the interest of keeping a few friends & relatives, I am NOT going to list any more.

This also happens to be in my own best interest too. Poor Me.

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Wednesday, August 20, 2008

The List

I have seen this on a number of blogs and thought it was a simple way to tell more about myself. It also gives me a list of things I could still do--if I wanted to!

The * indicates that I have done that particular item.

1. Touched an iceberg
2. Slept under the stars*
3. Been a part of a hockey fight
4. Changed a baby's diaper*
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity*
7. Swam with wild dolphins
8. Climbed a mountain*
9. Held a tarantula (never even seen one, well, pictures)
10. Said "I love you" and meant it*
11. Bungee jumped (and never will!)
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Stayed up all night long and watched the sun rise* (not on purpose)
15. Seen the Northern Lights
16. Gone to a huge sports game *
17. Walked the stairs to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown and eaten your own vegetables*
19. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope*
20. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment* (scared my daughter)
21. Had a pillow fight*
22. Bet on a winning horse
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill*
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb

26. Gone skinny dipping* (don’t ask, because I won’t tell)
27. Taken an ice cold bath (shower, yes)
28. Had a meaningful conversation with a beggar
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Ridden a roller coaster*
31. Hit a home run
32. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking*
33. Adopted an accent for fun*
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors*
35. Felt very happy about your life, even for just a moment*
36. Loved your job 90% of the time*
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied*
38. Watched wild whales
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Gone on a midnight walk on the beach
41. Gone sky diving
42. Visited Ireland
43. Ever bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited India
45. Bench-pressed your own weight ( are you kidding??)
46. Milked a cow*
47. Alphabetized your personal files*
48. Ever worn a superhero costume
49. Sung karaoke*
50. Lounged around in bed all day*

51. Gone scuba diving
52. Kissed in the rain*
53. Played in the mud*
54. Gone to a drive-in theater*
55. Done something you should regret, but don't*
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business*
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Been in a movie ( I guess you don't mean home movies?)
60. Gone without food for 3 days
61. Made cookies from scratch*
62. Won first prize in a costume contest
63. Got flowers for no reason*
64. Been in a combat zone (do siblings and children count?)
65. Spoken more than one language fluently
66. Gotten into a fight while attempting to defend someone
67. Bounced a check*
68. Read - and understood - your credit report*
69. Recently bought and played with a favorite childhood toy
70. Found out something significant that your ancestors did*
71. Called or written your Congress person*
72. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
73. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
74. Helped an animal give birth (watched but didn’t need to help)
75. Been fired or laid off from a job*

76. Won money
77. Broken a bone
78. Ridden a motorcycle*
79. Driven any land vehicle at a speed of greater than 100 mph
80. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon
81. Slept through an entire flight: takeoff, flight, and landing
82. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
83. Eaten sushi
84. Had your picture in the newspaper*
85. Read The Bible cover to cover
86. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about*
87. Gotten someone fired for their actions
88. Gone back to school*
89. Changed your name*
90. Caught a fly in the air with your bare hands*
91. Eaten fried green tomatoes
92. Read “The Iliad”
93. Taught yourself an art from scratch*
94. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
95. Apologized to someone years after inflicting the hurt*
96. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language*
97. Been elected to public office
98. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
99. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
100. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you

101. Had a booth at a street fair
102. Dyed your hair*
103. Been a DJ
104. Rocked a baby to sleep*
105. Dropped a cat from a high place to see if it really lands on all fours
106. Raked your carpet * (I loved to do this when I was a little girl)
107. Brought out the best in people*
108. Brought out the worst in people*
109. Worn a mood ring*
110. Ridden a horse*
111. Carved an animal from a piece of wood or bar of soap
112. Cooked a dish where four people asked for the recipe*
113. Buried a child
114. Gone to a Broadway (or equivalent to your country) Play
115. Been inside the pyramids
116. Shot a basketball into a basket*
117. Danced at a disco
118. Played in a band
119. Shot a bird (shot AT a pidgeon)
120. Gone to an arboretum
121. Tutored someone*
122. Ridden a train*
123. Brought an old fad back into style
124. Eaten caviar* (once is enough for me)
125. Let a salesman talk you into something you didn’t need*

126. Ridden a giraffe or elephant
127. Published a book
128. Pieced a quilt*
129.Lived in an historic place
130. Acted in a play or performed on a stage*
131. Asked for a raise
132. Made a hole-in-one
133. Gone deep sea fishing
134. Gone roller skating*
135. Run a marathon
136. Learned to surf
137. Invented something
138. Flown first class
139. Spent the night in a 5-star luxury suite
140. Flown in a helicopter* (it was GREAT, thanks son)
141. Visited Africa
142. Sang a solo* (of a song I wrote)
143. Gone spelunking
144. Learned how to take a compliment*
145. Written a love-story*
146. Seen Michelangelo’s David
147. Had your portrait painted
148. Written a fan letter*
149. Spent the night in something haunted
150. Owned a St. Bernard or Great Dane

151. Ran away
152. Learned to juggle
153. Been a boss *
154. Sat on a jury*
155. Lied about your weight
156. Gone on a diet*
157. Found an arrowhead or a gold nugget
158. Written a poem*
159. Carried your lunch in a lunchbox*
160. Gotten food poisoning*
161. Gone on a service, humanitarian or religious mission
162. Hiked the Grand Canyon
163. Sat on a park bench and fed the ducks*
164. Gone to the opera
165. Gotten a letter from someone famous
166. Worn knickers
167. Ridden in a limousine
168. Attended the Olympics (every one—in my living room)
169. Can hula or waltz*
170. Read a half dozen Nancy Drew or Hardy Boys books
171. Been stuck in an elevator
172. Had a revelatory dream*
173. Thought you might crash in an airplane
174. Had a song dedicated to you on the radio or at a concert
175. Saved someone’s life

176. Eaten raw whale
177. Know how to tat, smock or do needlepoint*
178. Laughed till your side hurt*
179. Straddled the equator
180. Taken a photograph of something other than people that is worth framing
181. Gone to a Shakespeare Festival
182. Sent a message in a bottle
183. Spent the night in a hostel
184. Been a cashier*
185. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt*
186. Joined a union
187. Donated blood or plasma*
188. Built a campfire*
189. Kept a blog*
190. Had hives*
191. Worn custom made shoes or boots
192. Made a PowerPoint presentation*
193. Taken a Hunter’s Safety Course
194. Served at a soup kitchen
195. Conquered the Rubik’s cube
196. Know CPR *
197. Ridden in or owned a convertible
198. Found a long lost friend*
199. Helped solve a crime

Thursday, August 14, 2008

A Hairy Story


For years Dear Daughter has wanted to grow out her hair until it was down to her waist. We have battled about keeping it combed and neat so many times, I have no way to begin counting them. She found ‘her look’ and was pretty good about keeping it nicely done. She never would let me play with her hair or “do” her hair.


Am I the only mother who likes to play with her daughter’s hair? When I was riding in the car with my oldest daughter and her children, I was gently touching her hair and running it through my fingers. Little granddaughter decided that I shouldn’t be doing that and said “Mom, her’s playing with your hair.” My daughter explained that it was okay, since I was her mommy. It was so funny.


This is one of her "looks".












Then, when younger daughter finally understood why she needed to keep it neat and clean, she decided that she wanted to cut it!

We measured it about a month before it was cut and it was 21” from the crown of her head.

She decided that she wanted to cut it for Locks of Love. Good choice.

They cut off almost 12” and this is how long it still is.


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Thursday, August 7, 2008

Shopping

It is finally time for school to start. The time of year all mothers dream of!! Before we were mothers we would dream of Christmas or our birthday. But once you have children in school, this is what you dream of until your last child graduates from high school. So I have been running around doing all those things you have to do to prepare for a child to go back to school.

  • Checking clothes and Shopping
  • Checking immunization records and making a doctor’s appointment
  • Checking school supplies and Shopping
  • Checking the child’s hair and making a hair appointment
  • Rechecking everything and Shopping again, and again, and again
  • Did I mention I hate Shopping?

I like to do things ahead, but if you want to take advantage of the really cheap school supplies on sale, you have to wait until the last week or two before school starts. There are also a few decent sales on the “in” clothes.

So yesterday, I went and spent $25 for 3 of the long under t-shirts. I had worked myself up to paying full price for these because I knew she would wear them and she is so tall that she really needs them. Did I mention that I’m Cheap?

As I was finishing my list of errands for the day, I found myself close to an outlet store that had been recommended. So, I decided to check it out. By this time, I had been gone from home for 5 hours, just doing errands! I wasn’t in a mood to really Shop. Did I mention I hate Shopping?

I had been in the store for about 10 minutes and had found 2 or 3 things that might work. Then the owner got on the intercom and announced that they were having a sale for that day and the next. BOGO ½(Buy One Get One Half-Price) That’s when I decided that I would get a cart and really Shop.

I walked out of there with 10 items and paid $52. Five pairs of pants, 3 tops and 2 pieces of jewelry. Did I mention that these were NEW clothes and NAME BRANDS? I got Massimo, Forever 21, and more. I paid $2.00 for one pair of Forever 21! I was so excited when I left the store that I started calling everyone I knew that might need school clothes. It is so rare for me to get that excited about Shopping. Did I mention I hate Shopping?

And they all FIT!!! The best part was that dear daughter LOVED everything! Did I mention I enjoy Shopping?

Oh, you want to know what the store was?

Gabby's Outlet (Southwest Corner of Alma School & Baseline)
2043 S Alma School Rd
Mesa, AZ 85210-4002
(480) 839-0880

Mammogram at the Spa

Today was the day for my mammogram. Now you may not think that is anything to blog about, but this one is. I go to BREASTNET, which is located in Scottsdale, off of Shea Blvd & the 101. I love this place. It only took me 7 minutes to get there from East Mesa! I was 45 minutes early.



It’s funny how all the women sitting there were instant friends. Even though we had never seen each other before, we had an instant bond. We visited about things and talked as if we were going to see each other again tomorrow. I was thinking about this when one woman walked out to change back into her clothes. Before she left, she and one of the woman still waiting were talking about golfing in Prescott. They had never seen each other before and probably never would again!

BREASTNET tries to have a spa atmosphere instead of a clinical, sterile office.

The colors are purple and green. Soft, feminine colors.
They have small dressing rooms with lockers.
They give you cute waist length gowns to put on.
The waiting area is wicker chairs with pillows on them.
There is water if you would like some.
There is a restroom right by the waiting room. No trailing down the hall to find it.
There are CURRENT magazines!
THEY GIVE YOU THE RESULTS BEFORE YOU LEAVE!!!