Toothbrush Duty!!

A post on a board I recently joined reminded me about something I used to do with my daughter, Toothbrush Duty. Toothbrush duty is when you get in trouble and mom hands you a toothbrush and a gives you a job to clean.

Kiddo's mouth and attitude really stink lately and I've been pulling my hair out. Duh' toothbrush duty time has been needed for a long time here now. I need to get a little more creative though now that she is older. The toothbrush hung for far too long.

Do your kids respond to chores as their discipline? Really, she has a set of chores that I expect her to do when told and oddly enough she doesn't give me much lip about that. She may moan and groan and say 'but we just did that last week' (or yesterday, or whatever), as if it never needs to be done again. She really used to loathe toothbrush duty and I forget why it went away, maybe she got better and I got lazy after that dunno, but its coming back.

What do you do for the mouthiness? Further, does it work?

Flex Spending

One of the first orders of action of getting my life under control is taking care of myself. Since I now have a horrible health insurance plan I haven't been taking care of myself like I should. So I am investing quite a bit into my flex spending this year. Of course that includes off the top the $500 portion of my share of this years payments towards my kiddo's braces. It also includes a $500 temporary repair to my tooth until I can afford the permanent repair which is $3k and is not an option but can wait a tiny bit longer. So those are two planned expenses as it is, then my deductible is $400 another pretty much planned expense and then there is some unplanned money there too for rx's, co-pays (which are exorbitantly high) and other such things.

Now the money will be there without me having to do much to make sure it is. I just have it directly taken out of my check and put into flex spending. They give me a niffty little card I can use it without even having to worry about being reimbursed, me likey that.

More financial stuff to come but I figured I'd start a little blurb

Procrastination and happy holidays!

So I'm an expert at procrastination. It really is an art form, or a sport... whatev' I'm good at it.

Thus so I've been meaning to post some things that I haven't done so, some are in my dashboard, others (most of them) were in my head... all of which I've promptly forgotten.

One big thing is I think I'm going to finally start my financial portion of this blog. See I had every intention of making this blog my life but also having special spotlights on dating and finances (as mine are a mess and I've slowly been working at it). I figured those were two spots in my life that are always chaos and I could use the reflecting back and the discipline in finances and just the reflecting in the dating portion of my life. Since I found someone to be serious about it will mostly stick to finances I guess *shrugs* who knows what the future brings.

So I don't keep procrastinating on that portion of my blog I posted.

Oh, and yes... Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year. I will be working but I hope you all enjoy yours!

ETA: Oh, and yes... I have not forgotten the meme Jeanie ;)

She likes a boy

she won't tell me much but his name. I won't share though.

Darn kid told me she'd tell me a little each day because she's embarrassed about it.

I wanna know all about this boy.

I think I hate middle school now!

I really do have the best daughter ever!

I have to brag about Sabrina, she is really the best kid ever. Those of us in tween hell will appreciate that this is a rare occurance, because while we love our kids, sometimes it is really, really (no I mean really) hard to like them. I think they do stuff like this to keep from being killed before they turn 18. Whatever it is she is saved from tweenicide for now.

Something must be right about the parenting she receives.

I'm sick, sick as a dog. It was 'just a cold' that moved to what is likely a sinus infection. This will likely move to bronchitis because I will not make time to see a doctor and it will spiral. Also I'm miserable and I don't wanna go. I'm done with the sickness (ha like that spin?) ewwww wha wha haha. Okay I'm done being dorky and being all ADD getting all side tracked (oh... look a kitty).

Okay, in all seriousness. My kid is awsome.

Yesterday was her second time staying home alone while I worked. She did everything asked of her, she cleaned the living room and did the dishes and showered. YAY!! She went above and beyond that though too, she ran the vacuum in the living room, and made the bed. She finished all of her homework while I was at work all before turning on the television or the Wii.

I get home, and I make dinner. I force my sick self to eat. I promptly get sick. Kiddo calls her step-mom to come and get her as I'm supposed to be dropping her off there. Step-mom agrees but asks if 8pm is too late, no, no it isn't. All the while Sabrina is bringing me blankets, and hot cider, cleaning up dinner and the dishes, and taking care of her sick ole' mom. I'm wondering where my kid is but I won't ask for fear that the aliens might take her back, so I enjoy it.

Step-mom picks my daughter up and they go on their merry way. Sabrina must have told her step-mom how sick I was because about 10 mins later in comes Sabrina again with Vernors (ginger-ale for non-Michiganders) for my sick self. This is super cool because I asked my mom to bring me some and she refused, Sabrina had wanted to take her bike in the snowy cold rain and get me some but I said no.

I must be some kind of sick to get this kind of treatment. Normally if I am not feeling well she rolls her eyes at me and huffs and puffs if I so much as ask her to clean up her own plates, or bring the kleenex. This she did mostly all on her own. Either that or meebee its the impending holidays and the fact that she knows mom is Santa now so she wants the good gifts. Nawww she's a good kid, but this isn't normal for her and it was a nice surprise.

So another night out... with a picture of the new man and me.

So yes, now I look like a complete party animal lately. I really don't know why, because I am, but I rarely get to do that.

Also drunkeness... it doesn't become me at all. This particular night (last weekend), little ole me got into a bar fight. Who does that at 30? Me and my 35 year old dear friend do apparently. We whooped arse if you really wanna know, this will be the story to tell for many moons to come because well... we don't get to get out often and we rarely oh so rarely have good stories to tell anymore. Anyway this girl stole my purse, my phone, my money... I confronted her in a polite way I might add, she got lippy and I gave her choices. Her choice was a fight... so it was what it was. It was so funny, I gave her choices like I would my 11 year old (heck for all she looked all of 17 herself and got lippy like a 17 year old anyway).

So in this pic, T thinks I'm being all friendly when in reality I know I look like crap especially because I'm drunk, and I don't want my mug showing all that much in the picture soooo I kissed him for it so my ugly mug doesn't look so ugly. Shhh don't tell him that... we'll let him believe I was being all friendly ;) So anyway this is the new man, I like bald men what can I say?

A night out.

So was it last weekend? No the weekend before definately the weekend before. My friend threw a party for her fiance since he is turning 40. It was a surprise party.

We had a blast and I thought I'd share some pictures.

Last one. My cousin Dawn, Me, my friend (and old roommate) Erica, and my cousin Nicole

2nd one... me and Carol's (one of my closest friends) mom.. doing the hustle, she's old and blind and was on cloud nine when I took her out to dance.

First one, me and my friend Jeff, who is hot (at least I think so). We used to DTD but not anymore (not for his lack of trying though). He told my old room mate (Erica) that night he wants to marry me. Told me that since... WTF ever dude!! He's a good guy, but a whiny man (like overboard) too I can't handle him but in smallerish doses. He's a day late and a dollar short anyway... there was a time I would have entertained the notion of a Jeff and Kari, but alas not anymore. Not just because I am not in the market but the idea of spending the rest of my life with Jeff or someone like him... UGH Jeff helped to pull me out of a funk last year. At the same time, Jeff has his own funks like ALL.The.Time. I try to help him where I can without wearing on my own mental health.

Might I say I really don't like the way blogger does pictures?

Rejection.. I hate it

So, I've been avoiding the rejection of the guys I needed to let down. Two of them went away on their own when I flaked out on them.

M, I didn't really flake out on because he wasn't contacting me and when he did it was a text here or there inquiring about how I was doing ect... We are both single parents, he is primary and sole of his two children and we are both very busy. When we met ages ago we just wanted to date and date other people. He lives an hour away in another state so we texted and talked only occassionally and then went out even less than that as our schedules allowed. We had great fun together but I never felt any chemistry with him, who knows maybe he didn't either and felt we were just friends too.

Anyway, Monday he called and wanted to get together sometime this month and also wanted me to go with him and his kids and some others to go see a Christmas lights thing next month (he invited Sabrina too). Boy, he asks early lol but he understands the schemantics behind being a parent and getting out. He's a really great guy, just not for me which sucked when I realized that but he was a great companion and provided great company.

So I sent him an email (cringe, I am a coward what can I say?) in response to his text yesterday that I never replied to and told him my battery was dead (great now I'm a liar too).. Why is it that when you have the most men at your disposal is when you don't want them there? So is an email okay for this purpose?

Here is what I sent:

Hi M (name removed obviously),

How are you?

I got your
text messages late last night but I was exhausted and went to bed since I had to
be up early for work today. My battery was dead most of the day and my charger
was at home so I didn't get them until I charged it and was ready for
bed.

I needed to let you know though that I have been dating and
have decided to see where it goes with one person in particular. I'm not sure
where it will go for sure but I wanted to give this a chance and decided not to
date other people anymore. That doesn't mean I can't have friends, but I need to
be clear as well to be fair.

If you still want to talk on the phone
and be friends let me know, if not I completely understand that as well. I have
enjoyed your company and you are a really nice guy, it would be great to remain
friends as I think we both have a bit we can support each other on (parenting
for one thing).

I hope this message finds you well and I'm sorry
that I didn't respond last night.

Talk to you soon!

Sooo was I wrong to do it this way? I just sent it so no going back now.

Tell me, what have you done in the past?

My child

I haven't blogged on her in a while. I've been focusing on me in this blog for whatever reason that is. Maybe it is because my whole life is her and it is nice to have this little space on the internet that is just mine. However, I am a mom too so she is part of who I am.

My 11 year old child is playing the clarinet as I type this... gone are the days of the screaching instrument (mostly) and she is getting quite good at it. Despite that her report card says she needs more practice.

Since I mentioned the report card I must RAVE that her most recent one (minus band) was fabu. She's doing beautifully in middle school. So much so I haven't even logged onto that parent connect website they mailed us about yet. Must put that on my check list of things to do soon.

She's doing great with her braces and I expect her treatment time to be minimal. Her next appointment is during Christmas break.

Her sassiness and moodiness still leave quite a bit to be desired though. Ahhh the perils of tweenhood.

I made a mean lasagna that even her royal pickiness couldn't complain about last night. *note to self, make this more often and sneak in stuff her royal pickiness complains about eating*

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.. and other things

So things with T are going smashingly well.

We spent a good portion of the weekend together and it was blissful. I was just in the hospital recently so we just watched movies and ordered pizza one day and another one we went to the movies. It was just nice to cuddle on the couch.

He held my hand, put his arms around me all the nice stuff that I really enjoy and that most men I've been with lack in. I let him know how much I enjoyed it so he continues lol He is very very attentive. He sang to me in his not so nice singing voice but it was sweet anyway (and funny). We just had a lot of fun getting to know more about one another.

He called me his girlfriend so we had a talk about that (YAY, I didn't have to be the one to bring it all up).

I'll stop the gushing stuff to tell you that this man is so respectful. This morning he texted me, like he does every morning to say good morning, but today he let me know he forgot to charge his phone last night. Why is that important to me you might ask?

Well.. I've come used to hearing from him through out the day with little things like "how is your day?" or what not. My most recent ex (and yes I'm going to compare here but I do that so little... I think), would let his phone die and we lived in separate areas in a long distance relationship. The problem was I would worry and he had no one in his area. Anyway it ended up being a big issue because it was happening too often one time it happened for 2 days because... well that's not important. This ex and I were talking marriage so it isn't like I was being a psyco (although I did for other things lol). Because this was a big issue, it is now to me. T and I haven't talked about it or anything we aren't at that point yet. I thought though it was really cool that he thought of me to tell me with the last of his battery that basically I'm sorry I won't be texting you today, and this is why. When things get even more serious between us it will be important to me that he respects me enough to let me know say he's going to be home late or something like that. I was impressed... or maybe I'm looking to far into this lol

I am proud

Hi all, I have been sick (and hospitalized) so this is the first I can post on the election since the results.

I have to say despite the nay-sayers. I am proud today to be an American. History has been made and there is no denying that. I am proud American's stood up and were counted and we elected a half black man into presidency. In other countries this might not have been such a remarkable and historic event but here it is. This marks how far this country has come.

Despite your political beliefs, your disappointment in the election results, or ecstasy this is monumental and we should rejoice in the event. As Americans we should be proud of how far we have come.

It's a rainy day!

It is no secret to most of my close friends that I love the rain. Today is a rainy and stormy day. Those are my favorite days. I wish I’d have known in enough time, I might have called in to enjoy my rainy day. Maybe that is a good thing, I did take a mental health day not all that long ago.

Let me explain a bit. I find rainy days cleansing. It rains, it storms and it washes everything away. I let the rain cleanse my soul. Usually this will bring all sorts of feelings to the surface I never allow out there otherwise. I won’t pretend to be in total control of my feelings; I am a woman after all. There are certain feelings though that don’t come out so easily and I can control them from surfacing. It is when it rains I allow those to come out and deal with whatever issues are causing or have caused them.

Growing up in a dysfunctional family as well as a sordid childhood I learned to shut things out and off. I find that allowing me a time to let go is actually healthy. Rain and stormy days don’t always mean doom and gloom sometimes I can allow myself to rejoice in something I haven’t allowed myself time to get totally excited about.

Today would have been a perfect day to open the blinds, get a cuppa, sit on my couch with a good no brain needed book and allow myself to think, giving myself time to sort through everything in my head. Not necessarily a ‘feeling’ day but a sort it out day.

So I sit here in my office, with all the rain and storms outside, the airport will run as usual (unless it gets too bad out there), and I have no windows. I just would like to say that most days I enjoy this… watching planes all day long gets boring but on days like today a window would be nice. The good thing is that I only have 5 more hours left and I get to leave. I’m making chicken and dumplings tonight I think… good soul food, oh and a pot of chili to freeze (YUM!!).

Fishing was fun but...

It would seem on the surface that casting my pole into the sea roused up several fish. I let some go right away; a few were tossed back after getting to know them via the phone. There is one I’m still needing to let go but not entirely sure how, and then there is M as well… need to let him go but he’s from ages ago and I think we are just friends but he invited me for dinner and a movie at his place… that’s not a friends thing is it?

Anyway that brings me to T, T was my date who was a friends neighbor. The date that has turned into 5 dates and the reason I need to let go of J (tossed back though about a week ago), M, N and probably remove my POF profile. This is something I will be bringing up during our next conversation. Although, I’m not sure how well in the hurt feelings department that is going to go. See I’m pretty confident that all along I’ve been T’s only fish. I will gently remind him I guess that we never discussed commitment further than we both were looking for that.

Now is the time to have a discussion I think, because… well because I think you can all guess why. SEX. Yes, I’d like to have sex with this man. I don’t mean I have to right now but eventually I’d like this man in my bed doing the deed. I don’t think I am capable of having sex with one man while I date a multitude of others. I’ve been quite the promiscuous little vixen in my life but I decided that was behind me a while back and I’ve mostly stuck to it. I feel that T and I have a connection, the dating is ready to take to the next level, and I see it going somewhere (he does too he has said as much). T has put everything in my hands, has been patient and understanding and has said that I am in control. Way to put the pressure on T!! Thanks ;)

Now, all of this being said: I have also felt myself get giddy over this man, that stupid giddy feeling that I dread with a passion. Giddy makes me stupid!! The man causes those stupid butterflies that every girl it seems swoon over and I roll my eyes at. I’ve gotten caught up in giddy before… it leads to trouble lemme tell ya. So I’m trying to be rational through the butterflies and giddiness and keep my head on straight. I don’t want to be the girl that calls every hour and says “ohhhh I miss you boo boo so so much” like an hour after he leaves. That is just barftastic. I’ve been there before; I have no plans of going back. I think it is relatively normal to feel giddy and therefore want to act in stupid ways especially for women. I think I’m doing fairly well at combating that desire to act like some swooning, smitten, school girl. Even if secretly I am a swooning, smitten schoolgirl (hey and I’m in college so I can claim schoolgirl easily).

Run in with an ex... sort of....

Okay... so more later I've written this 3 times and it keeps erasing on me.

This is also why you haven't seen any posts from me lately the erasing keeps happening. UGH!!!

Let the games begin... or not.

Really the games is not what I'm looking for but what can I say? It was the title that popped in my head.

I've changed my mind about dating. I've decided it will be fun to go out and date, so I have a date for Friday night. Something a friend set up. He's short she says... but he's funny and she thinks I'll really like him. So I'm going, what the heck right?

I need to do some things for me right now, for too long I've let guilt get in the way of being a happy person. No more... or at least until I change my mind again. I'm ready to be happy, with or without a man. I am happy without one, but it would be nice to have someone to spend some time with. I have no grand illusions that some perfect prince charming is out there. No one is perfect.

I am very critical of men though and I hope I can let some of that go. I even got on a dating website and updated my profile and made it public again.

This fish is in the water and casting her pole.

This is not the post I was going to make... but....

I just thought of it and will elaborate more later.

I am not dating for now. Unless mister right comes waltzing in my life on some white horse, I'm just not into it at the moment. I'm too busy, too distracted, and too stressed to worry about dating and men at the moment.

Also, I have concluded that I don't attract the stalkers, the creeps, the jerks... they attract me. They are all out there where the nice guys just sort of sit in the shadows waiting, never to be discovered by a girl like me... unless I make that so. At any rate I don't have time to weed through them all.

Excuse #1: Why I haven't been blogging

Well, really it will turn into more than one excuse this is just my first time excusing myself for not blogging. There are several factors

1) Nursing a sore child after extensive (and expensive) orthodontia work. Oye vey is what I say to both the extensive part and the expensive part. This is tiring for moms too let me tell you.

2) Work, work, and a little more work. I wish all that OT would get me out of the financial hole I am in but alas that only happens after some time. My some time isn't served yet apparently.

3) Stress!! Yes ladies and gents (well really I think I only have two readers so ladies ha ha ha), stress will cause you not to blog. Which actually brings me to another thought to blog about: finances... *said in my best TV announcer voice* please stay tuned to my local blog for another blog topic I may need some ideas here and I have lots that I am rolling off the presses.

Well that's it for now because work calls.

A to Z - Some A Me too *wink*

A to Z- Some A Me

I shamelessly copied this from Jo's Life with Heathen's Blog I thought it looked kind of fun. Of course I can never be as witty as Miss Jo but I'll give it a shot.


Accent: One of my BFF's says I have a twang... what twang? I thought that was for Southerners.. I tell her so too and her husband who has lovingly adopted me as his wifey #2 and reminds me often I am shirking on my wifely duties aaaahahahahaha

Breakfast or no breakfast: no breakfast... but that won't work with the diet I'm trying to do so I'm trying to be a good girl (not sure the bad can be removed though).

Chore I don’t care for: Can I choose all of them? I didnt think so, damn!!! DISHES!! I loathe them. That and folding and putting away the laundry

Dog or Cat: We've got no animals at the moment I love them both but mostly a dog person.

Essential Electronics: It is a tie... computer and cell phone... the jury is out.

Favorite Cologne: I think as cologne as a man thing and that would be Burberry for Men, on me I like Love Spell

Gold or Silver: Silvahhhh

Handbag I carry most often: Right now? This beautiful Coach bag I got as a gift... I'll never in this lifetime see another one of those.

Insomnia: Insomna what? I'm too tired to say ;)

Job Title: The official is MOM then student then CSR

Kids: She's around somewhere... wait... I don't hear her attitude, maybe she fell asleep *snicker*

Living Arrangements: What is that? Crap-hole!!! I let the kid live here even with her attitude, she's pretty funny sometimes she'll earn her keep one day *sigh*

Most Admirable Trait: Ironically it is also my downfall but I care.

Naughtiest Childhood Behavior: Getting drunk for the first time at age 11 probably wasn't a good girl thing was it? (sorry Jo I had to steal this... we really are too much alike). *crosses fingers that it really isn't true that your kids give it back ten-fold*

Overnight hospital stays: IDK how many the last one was for pneumonia

Phobias: something happening to my daughter, claustrophobia

Quote: "Life is like a game of cards. The hand that is dealt you represents determinism; the way you play it is free will." - Jawaharal Nehru (somedays though I just want to fold)


Reason to smile: Today it is hard to find a reason, my only one is my kiddo

Siblings: I have some

Time I wake up: It really depends

Unusual Talent or Skill: Everything about me is unusual... hello... my blog name is not-so-normal-girl

Vegetable I Refuse to Eat: Okra, bleh!!!

Worst Habit: I'm not telling!!!

X-rays: Too many, I've been in a severe car accident years ago ahd many X-rays, MRI's, Cat-scans....

Yummy Stuff: Cheesecake. It's the nectar of the Gods I tell you!! (and I have to agree again Jo).

Zoo Animal I Like Most: Just went to the zoo... sans child if you can believe it.. usually it is the Gorilla but this time it was the Giraff.

So try it... come on I dare ya!!

Middle School: Week 2

So we got through our first week of middle school. It seems to be going well... most of the questions I ask though I get shrugs and "I dunno" but I hear that is pretty common and it has been a common response her whole life anyway ha ha ha.

She is enjoying band still, and she says she's been late to gym almost everyday due to logistics... we'll see how that reflects on her. I'll actually mention it at open house next week.

Mom is still a little bit crazy but she is doing better too.

Guilt... no guilt... guilt?

I guess the point of taking a mental health day from work would be negated by any guilt I will probably feel for calling in sick to work right?

Yeah... I thought so.

Middle School is tough on mom.. I plead temporary insanity

So my daughter started her first day of middle school today.

This is so much harder than Kindergarden was. In kindergaren I knew she was the wee little one but there were so many people that thought awww they are so cute and took care of them. In 6th grade though... yeahhhhhh not so much.

They are given a tour of the school quickly then given their schedules and they are let loose. No one shows them to their buses or even directs them where to go.

I have a hard time letting go so I went up to the school early before dismisal and watched from the parking lot to make sure my wee little 6th grader knew what she was doing without knowing mom was actually there. My attempts to go all incognito failed and I was busted!!! Ahhh we'll get to that in a bit.

Anyway I spot my 6th grader coming out of the school, she's totally petrified and alone. Try to imagine all this with me fellow mothers. I see here frantically looking around for the right bus, and she can't find it. I can see her classic fidgiting signs that mean she might loose it at any moment. I am sitting in my car with tears streaming down my face as I watch this because I know in my head I can't rescue her. All my instincts tell me to go run to her as fast as I can and rescue her from the pits of middle school and all the scary things. All of a sudden I can't see her... I know she must have gotten on "a" bus... but which bus? Oh no!!! A new set of panic sets in... what if she got on the wrong bus? All of this knowing full well she has a cell phone in her bag and can call home. The thing is does she know when to call home or will she panic like mom? Who knows unless we test it out.

See before all of this I find out there is major bus trouble and that on the first day of 6th grade my cousins son got all messed up for the same reasons and didn't make it on the bus home. This added into first time middle schooler mom and the panic I saw in my daughters face as well as the tears she fought back after she thought I left her in this big bad school this morning to fend for herself.

As well it wasn't that long ago I was a new middle schooler entering the sixth grade. One of the benefits sometimes of teenaged motherhood is that I KNOW when things are going on with my kid because it wasnt' that long ago that I was there. I'll know if she tries to get high, or she sneaks out, I know all the tricks. The downside I remember still all those feelings and I have moments of insanity where I think I can spare her all that somehow.

Oh and that I was busted note up there somewhere. It was confirmed my daughter was on the correct bus when she got off of it because she saw me and was confused. I directed her to get back on the bus, and to go to her father's as planned. I had to go to work.

Lesson here... it is likely much harder on mom when she makes it harder on herself. I'm sure my daughter would have been fine and I wouldn't have caused myself the emotional upheavel if I had just stayed home.

Stay tuned... for more middle school stories... especially from this week as somehow I think it will take mom that long to adjust along with daughter.

Hey, at least I wasn't that mom that I saw taking pictures in front of the entire Middle School of my new middle schooler's first day of school talking about how cute it was. That mom fer sure embaressed her kid.

I'm so tired of the campaigning

I know who I want in office... lets get to it already.

I'm tired of the mud slinging.

I'm tired of people being at each others throats and personal debates that turn into hurt feelings. Why do politics always do that anyway?

I've researched, I encourage others to do so as well. I try to veer away from providing that research to others because people who don't want to be swayed won't be and those that don't care don't read it anyway.

I can't help myself sometimes though, I'm so excited about the canidate I support that sometimes I just have to let anyone who talks about the politics know especially when they mud sling at him.

Where did my baby go?

You all get to sit and read/listen to me go on and on about my kid growing up.

I just can not believe that come Tuesday she will be starting middle school, with a locker and switching classes and everything.

Then in about 3 weeks she's going to be getting braces. Brace!! How can she be old enough for braces? How can it be that all of her baby teeth are gone?

She's even got a new later bed time. Oh, and keys... keys to the two homes, and a cell phone to call in an emergency or to check in.

Oh and she's been in band for a year... how can I forget band. Next year she wants to play softball (which for anyone that knows my child knows this is a HUGE thing for her to do).

She's hormonal so I'm sure that other changes are just around the corner.

Where did the time go? What happened to the toddler with the big fat baby rolls who'd say with her index finger pointing in the air (instead of a thumbs up) 'du dude' (which meant cool dude)?

I think I have a crush on Obama too

I heart Obama too. This man is/should be our next US leader. The man has everythign within him to invoke change. Not convinced yet? Watch this msnbc video if it is no longer on the front page look for the video titled Obama: 'We can not turn back'

Oh and for my one friend so far who is reading... did I do that link right this time?

I really hope my country does the right thing in November.

In case you don't know why I've titled my post as it is watch the youtube video Obama girl

America, it is time for change!

Getting ready for camping

Is hard work!

I'm sure I've forgotten something major. I wrote no lists to pack I just quickly tried to get it together. At least it won't be too bad I do know I remembered to pack clean underware for both Sabrina and myself. One time I forgot mine and had to go out and buy some while camping. That wasn't so fun.

Why is it that camping involves packing so.much.stuff? I feel like I packed for an army for 4 nights. Clothes, shoes, towels, toiletries, pillows, sleeping bags (oh shoot... did I remember mine? yes check that off... only if I had a list lol), drinks... yep got those, food was someone elses responsibility thankfully. Then Sabrina has her bike, roller blades, baseball and mitt... hopefully my cousins kids brought their bats because my kid hasn't gotten to the store yet to buy hers (read mom has had no time).

I forgot for certain a disposable camera but I can't run out and get one as I have no car until after we get back, which really stinks. My car is in the shop for another repair, but we'll save that for another blog day.

We are going camping at Higgins Lake you can check it out here http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=496&type=SPRK the waters are crystal clear and breathtaking. Here is a wiki link about Higgins lake http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higgins_Lake

We will be driving about 3 1/2 hours North of where we live... that should be interesting with my ADHD child who hasn't been in a car that long in AGES. I've got lots of things packed for her to do while in the car she shouldn't get bored... too quickly and the rule in my car

1) Go to the bathroom before we leave
2) NO asking if we are there yet

A little tidbit about Higgins Lake it is reputed to be the 6th most beautiful lake in the ENTIRE world. Amazing that this gem is so close to home. Hopefully while I'm typing this I can find a beautiful picture online to share. Here we go http://www.higginslakehomes.com/asp/homes/2815%5C720184_8226090.jpg ... take a look at how blue and clear that water is.. it doesn't get much better than that without venturing to the carribean.

Michigan is home to the United State's most fresh water. Michigan owns over 90% I believe it is of our nations natural water resources... pretty neat when you think about it. Looking at a map of Michigan you see the Great Lakes but you don't get to see all the large and small lakes inland. There aren't many places you can go inside of Michigan in either Pennisula where there isn't a body of water within a few miles.

I'll probably have many exciting things to be told when I get back. We'll be out on the boat and tubing and loads of other things as well.

The Blame Game!

I get really tired of the blame game.

This is something I am working on striving to help my daughter overcome. I am constantly hearing "it is not my fault". I hear this phrase even when I don't do the deadly mom death stare, raise my voice, or otherwise scold her for something. This phrase now makes me automatically assume it is indeed her fault.

I tried to grasp why my daughter feels nothing is really her fault... like EVER! I don't understand it. I have decided that I need to point out some of mom's flaws and when things are my fault... like forgetting to turn down a road... maybe I need to voice out loud that it was my fault that we have to turn around now. I'm not sure what the answer is but it is worth a try at least.

I started to ponder this whole blame game thing because I notice more so that there are many adults that do this. It isn't my fault thing. While an entire situation might not be 'your fault' maybe take a step back and find what you could have done differently to obtain a different outcome. Often times you'll find that in part at least it really was 'your fault'. Just own up to it and move on, and if you can fix it.

The point of this post really is because no one ever seems to own up... it is always a blame game and a point your finger game. Stop it, change what you can, own what you can, fix what you can, do what YOU can and stop worrying about what... you can't do, what you can't change, who you can't change... let's face it the only person you can change is YOU. Is that really so hard to do?

Who am I?

That's what I'd like to know. Really...

I am...
a mother
a daughter
a friend
an employee
a student
a driver
a renter
a consumer
a soon to be ex-smoker
a Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-day walker
a woman
a survivor of many lifes bumps in the road
and many other things

I enjoy what I can out of life. I hope to blog just to blog and read other blogs as well as have mine read too. I'm sure as soon as I hit submit there will be some new revelation of what I should have included so watch the blog for more to come.