Momisms

I've been seeing this blog called Rocks In My Dryer linked in various places, but I never visited before tonight. I wanted to. I mean, with a title like that, how could I not want to? It looks like I'll have to go back. This post on momisms or The Beauty of a Catch-Phrase is just so true and so funny. Run on over and see if you don't recognize a few of these.

Cedar Ridge Farm

My brother Darryl and his family - and my parents - live on 57 acres in Kentucky. I wish they lived closer. We might get to see them more often. However, they love it down there, so I'm happy for them.

One of Darryl's major projects on his farm in Kentucky, is building a house for his family. He is detailing the entire process on his blog - Cedar Ridge Farm. Mom told me about this blog a while back, but all the detail of tools and how to cut a dovetail tenon (whatever that means) and other stuff like that, just wasn't something I was extremely interested in. I mean, he uses words I don't understand. Now, when some of his kids slip into the pictures, then I'm interested. Also, I will enjoy seeing the pictures as the house actually goes up. He has set the raising day for September 2, so those pictures should be coming soon.

I'm thinking Fred will enjoy reading this, because he will understand exactly what is going on, so I wanted to make sure you knew about it. I also wanted to keep track of it myself, since I keep forgetting to go back and see how things are coming along.

Are We Ready for Ecommerce?

Wednesday night we had a Band Boosters organizational meeting to try and figure out what is happening with band this year and how the Band Boosters can help. I am trying to get a blog together for communication between the band director and parents and also between the Band Boosters and parents. Hopefully we can get more parents involved. Wouldn't that be nice?

One of the big things the Band Boosters do, besides help with uniforms and field trips, is to run fund raisers during the year. One of our moms mentioned the possibility of selling some of our t-shirts and other band products online - through our blog. So I started looking for some kind of shopping cart software, otherwise I have no idea how we could do that. AShop Commerce would be one possibility. It looks like it is supposed to be really easy for anyone to set up. You can put together an online store, provide customers with an online shopping cart, and accept credit card and PayPal payments all in one place. They have different package levels, based on the number of products you want to sell, your bandwidth needs, and web space needed.

For a business, I think their prices are quite reasonable - though I haven't actually looked into anything like this before. However, I don't think our Band Booster Association will sell enough items to justify doing this. I guess we'll have to stick with good old-fashioned selling face-to-face. We're just not ready for ecommerce software.

Friday's Feast #158

Appetizer
Who is the easiest person for you to talk to? Jeffrey - he's been my best friend for so many years!

Soup
If you could live in any ancient city during the height of the quality of its society and culture, which one would you choose? I honestly have no clue. I know I studied some ancient cities in school, but I can't remember any of them capturing my imagination and making me wish I was there.

Salad
What is the most exciting event you’ve ever witnessed? Once I was on the street when the Olympic Torch went by - carried by a runner, of course. That was pretty exciting. I like the Olympics.

• And I'm adding, because I didn't think it through until I started reading other people's feasts: Of course, the births of both my children were way more exciting than that. It is such an amazing thing to give birth to a brand-new person.

Main Course
If you were a celebrity, what would you do for a publicity stunt? I would like to do something different than your average everyday celebrity - like actually help some everyday people. There has to be publicity value in that. I certainly wouldn't go out partying with no underwear!

Dessert
What do you consider the ideal age to have a first child? I had my first child at 25, and that worked for me. I think it all depends on the person, but I don't think I would have been ready before that, and waiting any longer, you're already old by the time the kids leave home.

Friday's Feast is a meme of five questions cooked up by the chef each and every week. Enjoy!

Inside Every Woman

In a recent post I mentioned that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up. I've enjoyed the whole wife and mother thing and dabbled in a little of this and a little of that, but I haven't found a career that I want to pursue. I'm not sure if reading this book will help me decide what I want to do or just help me achieve it once I decide, but Vickie L. Milazzo has written a book for women listing 10 Strengths every woman can use to get the career and life she wants now. I really do like Promise 5: "I believe as a woman I really can do anything." And I'm interested in learning what these 10 Strengths are that I don't know I have. I bet I really can do anything.

Get your free "Inside Every Woman" bookmark by emailing your request to Vickie@InsideEveryWoman.com. The first chapter of the book - "5 Promises: Make These Promises to Unleash the 10 Forces Within You." - is also available for free on the website.

How Smart are You?

Cory and I were watching the Jeff Foxworthy show Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? tonight. We've only watched it a few times, but it always amazes me the simple questions some of these people miss. Like tonight, this woman had the question, "How many US States border the Pacific Ocean?" She got it wrong. Luckily she got to cheat off her 5th grade helper, who got it right. That seems like a pretty simple question, right? Oh, there was another one - "How many teaspoons in 5 tablespoons?" The guy who had that question missed it, but his 5th grade helper got it right. Do you know the answers to those questions? I got those right, but there were others that I did not know.

At some point in time, I realized that someone can win a million dollars on this show - if only they can answer these questions - things they should have learned in elementary school. On the other hand, we have the show Who Wants to be a Millionaire? On that show, someone can also win a million dollars. The difference is, those question are hard. Well, the big money questions, anyway. That doesn't seem fair somehow. Cory said it would be better to be on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? because you wouldn't feel so bad if you missed a hard question than if you missed one that even a 5th grader could answer. I think he's probably right, because I feel kind of dumb when I can't answer some of these 5th grade questions.

American RVs in the UK

It's been a while, but something Jeffrey and I like to do every once in a while is to go to an RV show and walk through the motorhomes. Yes, we dream a little bit of retiring, getting a motorhome, and traveling around the country. Of course, by the time we retire and are ready to travel the country, the Tumbleweeds will be tired of traveling - and I volunteered us to use their trailer. That trailer is nice!

What I didn't know, until tonight, is that American motorhomes are sold in the UK - since the late 1970s. Travelworld RV sells both new and used RV's. People interested in buying one can either visit their showroom, browse through the RV's listed on the website, complete with pictures, specs and floorplans, or sign up to get regular stocklists via email. If you're really in the market to buy a motorhome and travel in the UK, that would be a really good way to keep up with what is available. Also, it's really nice to be able to see a lot of detail on each available RV. These things look so comfortable!

What I don't like about the site, and a lot of sites are this way, is that you have to scroll down on every single page to get to the actual information on that page. It would be nice if that top section with the links and pictures could somehow be combined so that it was half the height. Less scrolling. Easier to access information. It's good that every page is consistent, just maybe it could be smaller. Also, on the front page, I wasn't sure what they were telling me because there's a missing word:

by selecting the (missing word) you will open full listings of all in stock RV's.

What am I supposed to select? I did manage to find the listings - under RV Sales - and I enjoyed browsing, even though I don't plan to buy an RV any time in the near future. I can still dream, right?

They Loved My Review

You know I've been getting paid for some of my posts for a while now. While I enjoy earning some extra money and watching my PayPal account grow, I also enjoy knowing that they like what I do. PayPerPost has a system where advertisers can vote and rank the bloggers who have taken their opps. They can rank you on a scale of 1-5 tacks. I've currently got a 5-tack rating, but I don't actually know who voted or even what I specifically did to get those votes. I just try to do my best for every post. I guess I'm doing something right.

Recently I wrote this post for a site called regonline. Along with paying for bloggers to talk about the site, this advertiser also promised to list some of their favorite posts in their blog. Imagine my surprise today when I found out they had linked to mine! You can read the blog post here.

How cool is that?

Orquesta Veneno

Our high school band director not only teaches class and directs our band, she's also in a band. (She's the blond trumpet player - the only girl in the band) We went to see them a couple of years ago at Summerfest - didn't understand a word because all the words were in Spanish - but really enjoyed the show anyway. They're playing at Fiesta Boricua this weekend. We live near Milwaukee. There's an ethnic festival of some kind every weekend.

Here's the press release she forwarded:

The Gentleman of Salsa" Will Headline Fiesta Boricua 2007
at Milwaukee's Summerfest Grounds

MILWAUKEE - The sixth annual Fiesta Boricua will round out the list of ethnic festivals held on the Summerfest grounds when the celebration of Latino culture kicks off its day-long fiesta at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Sunday, September 2, 2007. Fiesta Boricua is a cultural celebration of Latino music and food from Puerto Rico and the Caribbean.

Gilberto Santa Rosa, known throughout Latin America as "The Gentleman of Salsa," will headline the Latino festival on the Harley Davidson main stage. Santa Rosa, an international superstar, will be making his first appearance in Milwaukee.

Sponsored by the Latino Community Center in Milwaukee, Fiesta Boricua grew from a small street festival into a major musical and cultural celebration that attracts thousands locally and nationwide. In 2006, nearly 7,000 loyal supporters attended Fiesta Boricua in the rain.

The day-long musical lineup also includes special performances by local favorites: Frankie Sabath, Alberto Rivera and his Old School Salsa Band, Sergio Poventud y su Orquesta Veneno, Cache, Rey Rios One Man Band, Trio Puerto Rico, Clave Y Afinque, Orquesta Nabori and Milwaukee Public Theater. A special production of Christian music (English and Spanish) will be held from noon until 4 p.m. featuring Jose "Papo" Rivera directly from Puerto Rico.

Santa Rosa has recorded numerous albums in his 30-year music career. He sang lead vocals with several orchestras, including El Gran Combo - an act that spurred excitement in Latino community at this year's Summerfest. He began his solo career in 1986 and was the first singer of tropical salsa to carry out a concert at the Carnegie Hall Theater in New York City.

The Latino Community Center serves young people and residents from throughout the city of Milwaukee through programs in education, recreation,technology and environmental awareness; attracting well over 3,000 youth each year. Proceeds from Fiesta Boricua help support the center's youth programs.

Advance tickets are $13.00 or $15.00 at the door. Children under 10 years old are admitted free when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets are available at all four El Rey Grocery stores, Pueblo Supermarket, Pyramax Bank, E&J Records and the Latino Community Center.

Ring Sizing

Beth woke up this morning and said her ring was too tight. The guy at the jewelry store didn't take into account the fact that we were in a very air conditioned, very cold mall. So, any time she's somewhere that's a normal temperature, the ring will be too tight? I hope not, but we do have the 3 year protection plan. That's supposed to include one free re-sizing. I don't think that includes the first sizing. We'll just have to see how the ring's going to fit. My fingers are usually kind of swollen first thing in the morning, so maybe that's all it is and she'll just have to take the ring off before bed. Better not to have it so loose that it flies off when your fingers are cold. That happened with my wedding ring once. I gestured with my hand, the ring went flying, and we looked and looked before finally finding it. I was at work at Kohl's - in the air conditioning. I didn't fling my hand around so wildly after that.

I also lost a thumb ring once. I bought it at the fair, when my hands were hot and kind of swollen. I didn't think about that, just bought the ring to fit. Afterwards it was always kind of loose, but I was usually aware of it in some part of my mind so it didn't slip off. Until one day I was helping Jeffrey out in the yard. Somewhere along the line, somewhere in the yard probably, it slipped off, never to be seen again.

Smorty

I originally started my blog because I saw someone else's blog, and I liked the design. I wanted one just like it, and it was free, so I signed up. Now, of course, I don't want my blog to look like anyone else's, and I know there's more to blogging than just having a pretty page.

Recently I found out that I could get paid to blog. Imagine that - I get to look at websites and products, post my opinion, and I actually get paid for blogging! I figure I'm already all over the Internet looking for good stuff anyway, so why not get paid for it?

This week I submitted this blog to Smorty and just got approved. Smorty is a service that brings advertisers and bloggers together. Advertisers want bloggers to write about their services and link to their sites. Smorty emails qualified bloggers (yeah, that would be me!) letting them know about the ad campaign. (I really like the idea of having them email me when something is available that I qualify for.) The bloggers write and submit their opinion posts, and get paid for blogging - every week. Sounds easy, right? It is - go check it out.

New Ring for Beth

Beth got a new ring today. Her freshman year, when it was time for her class to order class rings, she decided that she didn't really want one. Considering how she 'hates' school, that was probably a good decision. Why would we want to spend that much money on something that wouldn't mean anything to her anyway? So, her dad said that he would buy her another ring instead, if she could find something she liked. Of course, she wanted a sapphire ring because her birthday is in September, and that's her birthstone. We looked at several different jewelry stores, but she never found anything that she really liked. We had pretty much given up, but a few weeks ago when Jeffrey and I were at the mall, I found one I thought she might like. I liked it, anyway.

So, this past weekend we were at the mall. She was with us this time, so we had her look. No. She didn't like it. We then walked past a jewelry store, where she had seen one she thought she liked last winter. She looked at that one. She kind of liked it, but then she saw another one that hadn't been there before. This one she liked. She finally made up her mind. So, that's the one she got. Jeffrey had to go back after work tonight to pick it up since it had to be sized. She ended up needing a 4-3/4. Did you know that was even a size? I didn't realize her fingers were so small. I wear a 6.

It's a really pretty ring. I went to the jewelry store website to try to find a picture, but they didn't have it on there. Otherwise I'd show you.

Instructional Sports Videos

Neither one of my kids is into sports. Beth played basketball in 7th grade, but her coach didn't know what she was doing, and the whole experience turned Beth off to organized sports. I think it's a shame, because kids can learn so much by being involved in some kind of sporting activity. Maybe it would have helped if her 7th grade basketball coach had known about PlaySportsTV. Coaching is not something you can just jump into without having a clue what you are doing. This coach had no clue. She was a teacher at the school. The team needed a coach, so she got the job. She and the girls could have benefited from the many instructional videos on this site, and I would have loved to have her read the article on 10 Tips for Working With Players, to start with.

Truthfully, I think I could learn a thing or two from these videos. Not only does the coach explain things and have the kids demonstrate - in this case I watched the basketball video on 'shooting basics' - but there is also a still picture slide that goes along with it. The slide shows exactly what the coach was talking about, and puts his words in writing. For people like me who need to see it in writing, that is perfect. I wish I had had someone break sports down and teach me the basics when I was a kid.

Now, even if the coach doesn't exactly know what she is doing, there is help.

Tagged - About Me

I've been tagged by Mom Knows Everything for another meme. I tried it, but I wasn't getting anywhere. You noticed the name of my blog, right? Beth & Cory's Mom.

No, that's not all there is to me. I'm a real person, too, and I do know who I am and what I like. But ask me to sit down and actually define it and spell it out? That's when I have problems. That's probably why it's good for me to do these things. It makes me sit down and spell it out.

Ok - let's try this again:
Some Facts About Me:

Three names you go by?

1. Anna
2. Mom
3. Honey

Three physical things you like about yourself?

1. My eyes
2. The way my butt looks in jeans
   
3. I'm flexible
   

Three physical things you don't like about yourself?

1. My hair
   
2. I still get zits
   
3. Certain parts are too big and need firmed up.
   

Three parts of your heritage?

1. I
2. Don't
3. Know (yeah, I should've paid attention when my parents talked about this)
   

Three things you can't stand?

1. People who smoke in public places
   
2. Being lied to
   
3. Hearing so many people say, "I could of went." all. the. time.
   

Three things that scare you?

1. That something will happen to my husband
   
2. That something will happen to my kids
   
3. Looking stupid
   

Three of your favorite shows?

1. 24
2. Good Morning America
   
3. CSI

Three of your favorite Japanese Anime?

1. I've never even looked at it.
   
2. My son likes some
   
3. What is it, again?
   

Three of your favorite current songs?

1. Find Your Own Way Home - REO
   
2. Don't Blink - Kenny Chesney
   
3. Nothing Better to Do - LeAnn Rimes

Three movies you watch over and over again?

1. Dirty Dancing (though I haven't in a while)
2. Men in Black
   
3. you know, I have a hard time watching the movies we have even once.
   

Three movies you would like to watch?

1. Freedom Writers
   
2. Deja vu
   
3. Wild Hogs (I'm waiting on all these from the library, so I'll see them eventually)
   

Three of your everyday essentials?

1. Coffee
2. My glasses (can't see with out them)
3. Walking (I end up with a headache if I don't do it)

Three things you are wearing now?

1. Glasses
2. Shorts
3. t-shirt (my walking clothes)
   

Three things you want in a relationship?

1. Trust
2. Fun
   
3. Love

Three physical things about the opposite gender that appeals to you?

1. Eyes
2. Hands
3. Butt

Three bad habits?

1. Expecting too much from people
   
2. Never learning, and always being disappointed when people don't meet my expectations.
   
3. Putting things off until I have time to do them right.
   

Three career you're currently considering pursuing?

1. I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.
   
2. Web designer
   
3. Blogger - (it can be a career, right?)
   

Three of your favorite hobbies?

1. Anything I can do on my computer
   
2. Reading
3. Baking

Three places you want to go on vacation?

1. Hawaii
2. Australia
3. Alaska

Three kids name you like?

1. Beth
2. Cory
3. Elaine

Three things you want to do before you die?

1. Jump out of a plane
   
2. Take a hot air balloon ride
   
3. See my grandkids grow up (eventually when I get some)
   

Three things that stereotypically prove you're a girl?

1. I like guys
2. I love baking
3. I gave birth

Initials of three crushes?

1. S
2. G
3. M (these, of course, are from a long time ago. My current crush is that guy I live with)

How many people was I supposed to tag? Tammy didn't say, so I'll just tag:

• Heart of Rachel
• A Deaf Mom Shares Her World
• Life is a Journey
• meeyauw

See what you get for commenting? If anybody else wants to play, let me know.

Amusing?

Last week when Jeffrey and the kids went shopping, Cory got an official Scrabble t-shirt. It says, "You can't spell awesome without me." Beth liked it. She wanted one too. Only she wanted hers to say 'amazing'

Heads or Tails - Hobby Rhymes

This week's theme is HEADS - Hobby
(OR)
TAILS - Anything that rhymes with Hobby.

---

I call TAILS:

1. Bobby (as in sox)
2. Cobby (as in corn)
3. Dobby (the house elf, of course)
4. Globby (when something globs)
5. Jobby (anything you do which relates to your job)
6. Lobby (please wait in the lobby)
7. Mobby (the way a mob acts)
8. Knobby (not my knees - yours perhaps?)
9. Robbie (what was that guy's name? Robbie something from the teen magazines when I was young)
10. Sobby (yeah, crying too much)
11. Wobbie (what you would call #9 if you couldn't say your R's)

That's all I could think of. I'm sure there are more. If you want to play Heads or Tails, or just read what everyone has posted, head on over to Skittles' Place. It's fun - every Tuesday.

Fake Rocks?

Landscaping around here seems to consist of a lot of rocks, because there are a lot of rocks in the soil. I'm sure it has something to do with the glacier going through way back when, but when they dig the foundations for new houses or anything, a lot of rocks get dug up. Of course, they're not really that big, but they look nice around trees or along the edges of driveways. If I wanted my landscaping to be totally different from everyone else's, I'd need a really huge boulder, like my friends had when they lived in Washington state. It really did look nice, but I'm sure it was a pain to put in place, and then, once it was in place, there was certainly no moving it! I think that some fake rocks might be cool, but I wouldn't want a fake boulder that actually looked fake. That's where the Artificial Rocks Factory comes in. They make fake boulders that actually look real, because they're made from detailed molds of real rocks found in nature. And they're hollow, so they can be used to cover things in your yard that you don't want to look at - like cable boxes. I can't think of anything I'd personally like to cover, but I like knowing that's a possibility. Maybe I could just hide things in there? Don't laugh. I could probably move a 50-60 pound fake rock.

And if I Don't Want to Leave Yet?

Church today. We had a nice discussion on finances and how God wants us to handle money, etc. Afterwards, we had food, like always. We have decided that is is very important to eat together, so we always do. Somewhere along the line Beth started making noises about leaving. We were finishing up eating, and Jeffrey said something about leaving. Earlier, he had mentioned something about stopping by Best Buy on the way home to look at a tv. He's been sorely tempted to buy a nice big tv this week because he could get it for 3 years with 0% financing. So, tonight I thought he wanted to stop by Best Buy and I said, "You can't buy anything until after sunset anyway." It was still fairly early. That's when he said he didn't want to stop at Best Buy. He didn't need a new tv. That discussion on finances, maybe? So, I wasn't worried about leaving.

Peggy and I started playing with texty.com and experimenting with how we can use it on the web pages - specifically on feastgoer. We'd like to give people a little more control over their pages, without giving them access to the server. It's a little late for this year, but maybe next year. For now, we tried it on the Baraboo page so that Peggy can post announcements or whatever, and added a comment box for people to suggest study topics. We were excited about the possibilities and what we can do with texty.

After a while, Beth was getting all upset because I wasn't getting ready to leave. She never specifically told me that she wanted to leave or why. She just started getting mad at me for not somehow knowing. Regardless - even if I did know - why should I drop everything? She seems to be going out somewhere and 'hanging out' with her friends every single day of the week. Once a week, I go somewhere, and I want to spend some time with my friends and do something I want to do. Why should I have to leave before I'm ready just so she can go and do something that she does every other day of the week? Because, after all, she just wanted to make all of us come home so that she could leave immediately and go hang out with Tim. It's not my fault that she didn't see him yesterday - she's the one who spent the night with Kayla. It's also not my fault that I didn't know she thought we were going to leave early so she could do that. She never said anything. Part of that could have been because she stayed at Kayla's last night and didn't come home until after 11 this morning. It's not like we saw her or talked to her or that she let us know what she thought she was planning to do.

Yeah, no matter how often we go over it - for some reason she has this idea in her head that she gets to do whatever she wants to do, she doesn't need permission, and she wishes she didn't even have to tell us. Unfortunately, for some of her friends, that's the way it works. Their parents let them run wild and do whatever they want to do. She sees that and thinks that's how it's supposed to work. I just say, "It's too bad their parents don't care about them more."

Not a Single Book

Did you hear this week about that study on reading? One in four adults say they didn't read a single book in the past year. I don't know why that surprises me. I live with a man who doesn't read. I still don't understand it. How can you not read? I'm a person who feels absolutely lost if I don't have a book going. My son is a big reader, like me. Actually, he's more of a reader than I am. He reads faster. He understands and remembers everything he reads. My daughter, on the other hand, hates to read. (her words, not mine) I catch myself wondering how that happened. She started out loving books and reading. When did she stop? Did she have trouble reading and understanding what she read? I don't know what happened. If it was trouble with reading, I wish I had noticed and thought to find her some Reading Tutors like at SCORE! Educational Centers. She needed someone to make reading fun for her, because it just isn't.

Tagged Again

I was tagged by Mama Pajama for the "8 things about me" meme. I already did it - here. Do you think I need to do it again? It was hard enough thinking of 8 things the first time! Go on over there and read it - then let me know if you haven't done it yet and would like a tag. I only tagged 6 people, so I have room for a couple more.

tagging: Tammy at Mom Knows Everything. I can't wait to read 8 random thing about her!

When Planning an Event

We haven't actually planned a major Feast site for a few years. Last year I put together the teens and parents surveys for the Rapid City site, but we really didn't get that many responses - and then, once we got those responses, we didn't have a good way to sort and use our information. Regardless, we did have a good number of young people there, which was really good for the kids. This year? I don't know.

I'm wondering if using some kind of corporate event planning software would have made things easier. Actually this site regonline would be better than that - there's no software to buy or install. It's all web based. All those things I had to handle myself, like sending confirmation emails, figuring out the cost of housing, and collecting payments? All done automatically. Now they also let event planners build a nice-looking web page (here's an example) to integrate the whole planning and registering process. All the information about the event is organized nicely, with the opportunity to "Register Now" while they are on the web page. I know I would be more likely to get my registration taken care of for something if it was that easy. If I get something in the mail and have to mail it in, I'm more likely to set it aside and then never get back to it. Of course, I do most things online, and I hate not having that option.

Friday's Feast #2 for me

Appetizer
Say there’s a book written about your life. Who would you want to narrate the audio version?

Ashley Judd - I like her voice, and my husband thinks she's cute. Not that that would have anything to do with it.

Soup
Take the letters from your favorite kind of nut and write a sentence. (Example: Perhaps every avenue needs understanding today.)

Pretend every child attracts new shoes.

Salad
If you could go back in time and spend one week in another decade, which decade would you choose?

I would like to spend a week in a decade when my grandparents were about my age and spend time with them. It would be amazing to learn to know them as people instead of grandparents.

Main Course
Name a song that brings back memories for you.

Sunglasses at Night - Corey Hart Riding home from the beach after the sun went down.

Dessert
Do you prefer to wash your hands in cold water or warm water?

warm water, but not too hot

Join the fun at

Memory Walk Needs You!

Alzheimer's is a horrible disease that steals years from the lives of both the one who suffers from it and from their families. How hard must it be to have the person you love right there and not have them recognize you? My grandma was never, to my knowledge, diagnosed with Alzheimer's, but she did have trouble remembering things in the last couple years of her life. It had to be hard on my dad to go and visit her in the nursing home, only to have his mother complain about how her son never came to visit her. He was there practically every day.

In an effort to beat this horrible disease, people in communities all across America have been participating in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk since 1989. It is the nation's largest event to raise awareness about Alzheimer's and funds for Alzheimer's research, support, and care. Since its inception, the Memory Walk has raised more than $225 million. More is needed!

Typically, a Memory walk is 2-3 miles on a weekend morning in the fall. Volunteers of all ages are needed to participate. Most specifically, they need people to sign up as Team Captains now, so that they have plenty of time to recruit and organize their teams and raise funds. Won't you consider signing up as a Team Captain? Starting a team is easy. Invite three people, and they'll invite three people - and before you know it, you'll have a team. Recruit family, friends and colleagues to join your team - and ask for donations. The tools to help you are available on the website.



ETA: I'm not walking, but I will donate the money they are paying me for this post. So, be the first person to comment here and send me a link so I can donate to your Alzheimer's Walk.

This Little Face is Staring at Me

Tillie
Originally uploaded by bcmom.

I'm sitting here at the desk where I am supposed to be working on getting Quicken updated. Tillie came down the stairs, and I suddenly noticed she was just sitting on the other side of the desk staring at me. She just sat there for the longest time. This kitty is very strange, but probably no more than any other kitty. She certainly is entertaining - and cute. If Beth isn't going to stay home long enough to enjoy her, then the rest of us will. Just as long as Beth is home when it's time to clean up the litter box!

We Never See Her

I know I didn't run around nearly as much when I was a teenager. It's like Beth is never here. We've been teasing her that the cat doesn't know who she is. Tillie loves us and snuggles us because we're home with her. When Beth comes home, she just wants to run off and hide. Tillie, not Beth. Actually, Beth seems to run and hide, too. She spends a lot of time in her room when she is here. I'm not sure how she can stand it - that place is such a mess! She starts to clean it, but it never seems to get finished. The next thing you know it looks like a hurricane or some other kind of natural disaster hit in there. Maybe one of these days she'll learn to clean up. Mostly she just says she doesn't care - she likes it like that. Yeah, right. I think she's just too lazy to do anything about it. Anyway, she begged for a tv in there for the longest time, and I didn't want her to have one because I knew we'd never see her. Then, she bought her own computer and put it in there - and we really don't see her. She hates that I have the router set to kick her off the Internet at night so that she will go to bed and not stay up all night talking to people online about who knows what. I would prefer she not talk to some of those people any of the time, but she's not going to let us pick her friends - and mostly she does talk to people she knows in real life and not some scary stranger she's just met online. She thinks she's too smart for that, but that doesn't stop me from reminding her on a regular basis.

Anyway, she's gone again. Off to see Tim. She thinks she has to spend every possible moment with him, since school will start soon and work will get in the way and all this other stuff... Today she was gone most of the day because she agreed to take her friend Azaria to the doctor. So, she was doing something to help someone else out, and that's a good thing.

I was home trying to get all the receipts and bills and financial stuff caught up. Don't worry, the bills have all been paid - it's the part where I enter everything into Quicken that I have fallen horribly behind on. Yeah, I'm positive I didn't run around nearly as much when I was a teenager. I still don't like running around all that much. Just let me stay home. I can find plenty to do around here.

Life as it Should Be

If you're looking for more ways to waste time on the Internet, I mean, have fun on the Internet, check out the new Coke zero site. They call it Life as it Should Be, and you get to choose a black and white movie scene and put your own dialog in. Then you get to watch your movie, save it, and send it to all your friends. Cory and I were laughing out loud! Then we started watching other people's movies. Too funny!

Coke Zero - they say it's real taste, zero sugar. The movies on this website? Real fun, zero sugar!

Lost Car Keys

Remember the other night when Beth called AAA because her boyfriend Tim locked himself out of his car? Come to find out, he did not lock the keys in the car. He lost the keys. They have looked everywhere and can't figure out where those keys could have gone. It really makes no sense. Unfortunately, there was no spare key so they're going to have to get a new key made. The car does not even belong to Tim. He was borrowing it from the friend he is staying with. Anyway, last night Beth had to work again, and Tim was there too. The car is still there, and he was waiting for a locksmith, or whoever can make a new key, to come. I guess the guy never came, so, when Beth came home she had Tim with her (and Kayla, who was spending the night) and they had to take Tim home.

Sometimes I wonder if all this drama is real or just stuff Beth makes up so she can do things she thinks we wouldn't want her doing. We've tried to be understanding about this boy who seems to be around all. the. time - like every day. It's not like she has to make this stuff up to see him, but it always seems like there's some kind of drama, some reason she just has to do this or do that.

Whatever. Hopefully Tim can get the key situation fixed.

Web Page Updates

I happen to know a little bit about html and updating web pages, so I get to do a lot of web pages on a volunteer basis. Sometimes I just don't have time or it seems like more trouble than it's worth to open the web page program, update the page, and get it uploaded. I think texty.com could possibly help me out.

I was going to say that I haven't signed up or tried it yet, but then, of course, I had to sign up. I sign up for everything. It looks like I can update things on the texty page - first I create the text. Then texty gives me the code to place on the web page. Once I put that code wherever I want it, I can update right at texty.com, and the text will update wherever I placed the code. It would be ideal for announcements.

Oh, I have ideas running through my head for using this.

The Middle Name Meme

I was tagged by Tammy from Mom Knows Everything for the middle name meme. I don't necessarily love doing these things, but I love reading them when other people do - because I feel like I learn so much about them. I guess I'm just going to have to do more myself.

The Rules:

1. You have to post the rules before you give the facts.
2. You must list one fact that is relevant to your life for each letter in your middle name. If you don't have a middle name than use a name that you like.
3. When you are tagged you must write a post containing your own middle name game facts.
4. At the end of your post you must tag one person for each letter in your middle name.. Don't forget to comment them telling that they are tagged and to read your post to get the rules.

My middle name, Louise:

• L - Loves to read! I'm lost without a book.
  
• O - Overly ticklish (thanks to Cory for that one - not the fact that I'm ticklish, but the idea)
• U - Uses coupons on a regular basis
• I - Is really a perfectionist.
  
• S - Suntanning!
  
• E - Exercises every day by walking 2 miles.

So, since there are 6 letters in my middle name, I'm supposed to tag 6 people. If I can find 6 people who haven't already done this, and since they all commented here recently. I tag:

1. Bridget at ..."And Miles To Go Before We Sleep..."
2. Misty Dawn at My Dogs Keep Me Sane
3. Suzy at ~Suzy's bloomers~
   
4. Frigga at Any Apples
5. Vic Grace at Cariboo Ponderer
6. Suzanne at Miss Kitty Fantastico

and, for good measure, I'm also going to tag Ami-chan at ami-chan.net since she tagged me for something earlier, and I never tagged her back.

2011 Mindset List

Thousands of 18-year-olds are packing up and beginning college this year, and that means it's time for Beloit College's annual Mindset List. I always find it very interesting to read. To paraphrase:

The List outlines the events, social forces, and technology that shape the world views of these young adults, most of whom were born in 1989. The 70-item list highlights differences between these newfound adults and those who are older and more experienced. Some are funny, some serious, and some poignant.

Here's the list.

You know, Beth was born in 1990 - so this list is probably pretty close to her world view, too. Do you think it'll help me understand her better?

The Lights in my Bathroom

I glanced up this afternoon and realized that one of the bulbs in our bathroom is burnt out and needs changed. I think there's one in the kids' bathroom that has needed changed for weeks now. Luckily, when we picked the lights for the house, we got bathroom lighting with the most bulbs possible. So, even though a bulb is burnt out, I can still see. Since changing light bulbs falls under the husband job description, I'd like Jeffrey to change the bulbs, though - because I like a lot of light.

When we picked the bathroom lights - all the lights for the house, for that matter - we had to go to a big showroom and pick them all out. I really had no idea what I wanted, so it took a while. Yes, I know, some people have their whole dream house all planned out and know exactly what they want. That's not me. I should have taken some time looking at some light fixtures online and maybe gotten some ideas ahead of time. Maybe I could even have found a site like Lighting Showplace where I could pick my lights, with some help from the Bathroom Lighting Buying Guide, order them, at a great price, and get them delivered without even having to go anywhere. That would have been much less stressful for me.

The Saga of the Yard that Needed to be Mowed

Beth spent the night at Kayla's. She finally got up around 11 this morning and managed to call around 11:30. She was supposed to come home and mow the yard. Remember, she said she'd do it. Well, she thought the grass was too wet so she wouldn't be able to mow, so she didn't come home until 2pm. By then the sun had come out and it was starting to feel rather sticky. Still, she started mowing - not too much complaining, just got ready and went out to mow. Soon, she's back in the house. "It hurts." "I can't breathe." "I can't do this." I think she had mowed about half of the back yard by then. She was supposed to get the yard mowed and then she and Cory were going to go meet their dad to go shopping. He's got a 30% savings thing that expires today. 30% off of any purchase is significant savings, especially if they can find some good stuff on clearance.

Suddenly Beth is all pitiful. She's never going to get the yard done. They're just not going to go shopping. Cory wants to go shopping, so he agrees to help mow - even though he did it last time, and Beth is supposed to do the whole thing this time. It's just really sad how the girl is almost 17 years old, and she just can't mow a yard - never mind the whole complaining thing about how she shouldn't have to mow a yard anyway, especially not with a push mower. She should be in better shape than that! Of course, she says it has nothing to do with not being in shape. I don't know what it has to do with - besides just plain not wanting to do it. Lucky for her she has a brother who will jump in and help her out - sometimes even when there's nothing in it for him. It amazes me the things he will do for her, whether she deserves it or not. I'd love to see her do the same for him. I guess driving him up to go shopping qualifies in some kind of way.

So, they got the yard mowed, both took showers, and left to meet their dad. I can't go because I've got a library board meeting tonight. I don't need anything, anyway.

Heads or Tails - Luck

August 21: TAILS!!! List a couple ways LUCK has played a part in your life.

• Unfortunately, I haven't won the lottery yet - but that's probably good luck, since winning always seems to cause problems for the winners. I'm going to believe that. Don't disillusion me!
• Reading the local advertising paper this morning, I realize that we are very lucky to be in the school district we are in. I think it's good for the kids to be in a smaller school where they don't get lost in the shuffle. Also, even though I have complained about school fees, we really have it good. I was reading the fees for the next town over - the school Beth thinks she wants to go to, but that's another story. Everything is 1-1/2 to 2 times higher there! Especially drivers' ed. Our kids get it for free. Over there, it's about $300.
  
• I think I was very lucky when I had my kids. I hear some people are in labor for hours.
• I know I was lucky to find my husband. Or did he find me? Oh well, he's my best friend, and I love him!
• Also, what wonderful luck to have such a wonderful mother-in-law, and that great guy she married, too.
  

Overall, I don't really believe in luck. I choose to call myself blessed.

Want to join the fun? Head on over to Skittles' Place and play Heads or Tails every Tuesday.

Why Can't She Just Listen?

Beth called from work tonight - twice. First to see if she could spend the night with Kayla, and then the second time to see if she could call AAA because Tim locked his keys in the car. Ummm, she's supposed to be at work. If she's in the car with someone, then she's covered by AAA and can call them, but she wasn't in the car with Tim. He just came by to hang out with her at work. Yeah, she works hard. Both Kayla and Tim are hanging out with her, I guess. Right when she called, Jeffrey had just left to pick Cory up from band practice, so I told her to call him and see what he said to do, but she shouldn't call AAA because she wasn't in the car.

Jeffrey got home later and wasn't sure what Beth had wanted. He missed her call. It went to voice mail, and he couldn't understand what she said. He called her back and still didn't understand what she was saying. Once I told him what she wanted, he called her back - only to find out that she had called AAA already and someone was on the way. Yeah, she listens well. Hopefully AAA doesn't get upset with her and suspend her or whatever they might do. He car insurance is expensive enough - with the AAA discount and the good student discount, which she better earn and keep.

Secure File Transfer

One of the websites I put together required me to use a secure file transfer. I had never used that before, just regular ftp, so I had to go looking for a program that would work. I found one, then I switched computers and had to find another program - mainly because I hadn't done anything with that website in a long while and had forgotten what program I had used. Now I find Sysax FTP Automation^TM for Microsoft Windows^®, which supports secure file transfer, along with a whole lot of things I don't begin to understand. Give me a little time to read about it, and I'll even understand FTP script automation. Reading about it, I get the idea that I could set up and schedule some of the file transfers. That could come in handy. A free 30-day trial version can be downloaded from http://www.sysax.com/.

Win Recess from Campbell's

After my post the other day about collecting Box Tops and Campbell's labels (UPCs actually) I start cutting out coupons and find a mail-in certificate to get 200 bonus points for the school. All I have to do is buy 10 Campbell's products, mail in the UPCs and the receipt, and they'll mail me 200 extra points. Sounds good. Look in the coupon section of your Sunday paper to find your certificate. While you're at it, also go to winrecess.com and enter your school for an all-day recess with the Harlem Globetrotters. No purchase necessary. One entry per person per day. The kids will really love you if they win all-day recess!

Creation Explained

Have you ever heard creation explained quite like this?

In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth and populated the Earth with broccoli, cauliflower and spinach, green and yellow and red vegetables of all kinds, so Man and Woman would live long and healthy lives.

Then using God's great gifts, Satan created Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and Krispy Creme Donuts. And Satan said, "You want chocolate with that?"

And Man said, "Yes!" and Woman said, "and as long as you're at it, add some sprinkles." And they gained 10 pounds. And Satan smiled.

And God created the healthful yogurt that Woman might keep the figure that Man found so fair. And Satan brought forth white flour from the wheat, and sugar from the cane and combined them. And Woman went from size 6 to size 14.

So God said, "Try my fresh green salad." And Satan presented Thousand-Island Dressing, buttery croutons and garlic toast on the side. And Man and Woman unfastened their belts following the repast.

God then said, "I have sent you heart healthy vegetables and olive oil in which to cook them." And Satan brought forth deep fried fish and chicken-fried steak so big it needed its own platter. And Man gained more weight and his cholesterol went through the roof.

God then created a light, fluffy white cake, named it "Angel Food Cake," and said, "It is good." Satan then created chocolate cake and named it "Devil's Food."

God then brought forth running shoes so that His children might lose those extra pounds. And Satan gave cable TV with a remote control so Man would not have to toil changing the channels. And Man and Woman laughed and cried before the flickering blue light and gained pounds.

Then God brought forth the potato, naturally low in fat and brimming with nutrition. And Satan peeled off the healthful skin and sliced the starchy center into chips and deep-fried them. And Man gained pounds.

God then gave lean beef so that Man might consume fewer calories and still satisfy his appetite. And Satan created McDonald's and its 99-cent double cheeseburger. Then said, "You want fries with that?" And Man replied, "Yes! And super size them!" And Satan said, "It is good." And Man went into cardiac arrest.

God sighed and created quadruple bypass surgery.

Then Satan created HMOs.

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Weight Loss with the Lap-Band

The other day on Good Morning America, they had a young girl on who had liposuction at 12 and then a lapband procedure at 13, when she started gaining the weight back. There seems to be quite a bit of controversy over a girl so young having the lap band done. Because she was under 18, her parents chose to go to Mexico to have the procedure done.

I'm thankful that I don't have to make that kind of decision for my own kids. Though they may not be as active as they could be, neither one of them has a weight problem. If they did, would I consider surgery? I don't know. Any kind of surgery seems drastic, but, if it's a health issue and needs done, I like the fact that the LAP-BAND® procedure is an adjustable and reversible weight loss surgery. That makes it seem a better choice than some of the others out there.

Mowing

Cory was supposed to mow the yard the other day. He didn't. His dad was not very happy with him when he got home from work - and he went out and did it himself. The reason Cory couldn't do it by that time was that he had to go to marching band practice. Since he missed last week's practice due to work, he really couldn't miss it this week - though his dad threatened to keep him home to mow. That was Monday. On Tuesday, I told Cory his job was to vacuum the floor. I didn't get much complaining at all. He just did it. I think he realized that when he is asked to do something, that means we want him to do it. Unfortunately, we try to ask the kids nicely when we want them to do something, and they take it as a request and not as us telling them what they must do. We've done some explaining recently about how it is not a request. We just don't want to sound like we are ordering them around - though that would be our right, wouldn't it? I just really want to treat the kids as people - and not slave labor. :D

The yard needed mowed again today. Cory did it. Beth was busy running around with her friend Azaria and then her boyfriend Tim, but she did tell Cory that next time, she will do the whole yard. I just thought I better document that - in case she conveniently forgets when the time comes.

Friday's Feast #156

I haven't tried this before, but I've seen it on other people's blogs and it looked like fun. Looking at the number, you can see that I've missed 155 Fridays.

Appetizer
Describe your laundry routine. Do you have a certain day when you do it all, or do you just wash whatever you need for the next day?

Monday! Every Monday I collect everyone's laundry and wash clothes all day. Of course, since I got the new washer and dryer a couple of years ago, it doesn't take nearly as long as it used to. That washer has some serious capacity. Then I wash towels on Tuesday - a carry-over from the days when it took so long to do laundry (due to the dryer taking forever) that I just could not get to the towels on Monday.

Soup
In your opinion, what age will you be when you’ll consider yourself to truly be old?

I refuse to consider myself old. Ever. As long as I stay active, I think I can get away with that.

Salad
What is one of your goals? Is it short-term, long-term, or both?

Mostly my goals are short-term. Each day I try to decide what I want to accomplish for the day. For instance, today my goals are to get food fixed for tonight and for the weekend. Long-term goals are probably a good idea, but mostly I'm pretty content with the way things are. I suppose that getting the house completely de-cluttered would be a worthy goal. Oh, and to get all the bills and receipts caught up in Quicken. I must do that.

Main Course
Name something unbelievable you’ve seen or read lately.

Beth just gave the kitten a bath. It is unbelievable to see how a fuzzy little kitty can look so small and bedraggled when wet. The poor little thing just shook and shook. But now she's all better - fuzzy and happy.

Dessert
On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how happy are you today?

9 - I'm usually pretty happy, and today the sun is shining, the windows are open, and a nice cool breeze is coming through the house. Time to go cook, though. Cooking makes me happy, too.

Friday's Feast home - if you'd like to give it a try, too.

That'll Keep Her Busy

Beth told me yesterday that, starting the 28th, she'll be working Tuesday nights, too. Currently she 'works' Monday and Wednesday nights from 4-9. I say 'works' because it doesn't sound like she really does much - just hangs around waiting for the phone to ring. She has time to work on wordsearch puzzles and talk to her friends who come by. Occasionally she does have to take orders and actually make some food, but overall it sounds like a real cushy job. And she gets paid to do it. Yeah, she's got it tough!

It does sound like she should be a little busier on Tuesday nights because it's their 2 for 1 night, where, if you buy 1 pizza you get 1 free. So they get more orders coming in. I think I might have to get pizza on Tuesday night sometime. They have some that sound really good.

School starts soon - the day after Labor Day - and I'm hoping she can handle working and school. Of course, her priority is work, because she gets paid for that. School has never been a high priority with her, even now that her grades directly affect the cost of her car insurance. Since she doesn't have a B average yet, she has to pay for her own insurance. You'd think she'd hate to have to do that - less money to spend on clothes and such - but she seems to think that is easier to do than actually do the school work and get the grades.

At least she has some extra time at work, so there won't be any excuses for not getting homework done.

New Jewelry

Jeffrey and I went to the State Fair Sunday, and we looked at everything. There are all kinds of things for sale. You wouldn't believe how many! Well, if you've been to any kind of fair, you probably would.

I tried to look at the belly rings at one booth, but there was a smoker already there looking, so I had to walk away. I just wish those smokers would stay home! Or at least go over somewhere out of the way to smoke. Anyway, I didn't get a chance to see if they had anything I would want, but, luckily, I can always shop for body jewelry online, and the prices are better anyway.

I won't be shopping for nose jewelry, because I can't imagine wearing something in my nose. I just think it would bother me, but I really want to find a nice reverse / top down belly ring - or 2, or 3 - because if I can find $25 worth to order, the shipping is FREE.

I found this site one other time and forgot to bookmark. Not this time. Freshtrends.com - I'm off to browse.

19 for School

19 - that's the number of box tops I collected yesterday and today, along with 5 milk caps, and a Campbell's soup label. For our local elementary school, that equals $2.15 - plus whatever the soup label is worth. Maybe that doesn't sound like a lot, but every little bit helps. It still really bothers me to see how people just throw away money that could be helping the school. Every week, on trash day, I collect whatever I see out of people's recycle bins. I just can't stand to see those box tops, milk caps, and labels going to waste. Why can't people just collect them? Even if they don't have kids in the school, I bet they have a neighbor who does. They wouldn't even have to drop them off at the school, just give them to the neighbor kid.

I'm just collecting things on my regular walking route, so I know there are so many more labels and such in the rest of the village. Imagine what we could do if our entire community saved everything. Why should it just be the families with kids in the school? It shouldn't. Really, it shouldn't, but I just don't know how to get people to care and participate. I think I got one lady, though. I was walking by her house as she was leaving for work yesterday, and I stopped to pull 3 box tops out of her recycle bin. This morning she was waiting for me with 2 more! She says her school doesn't collect them so she's going to start saving them for me. Maybe she just never thought of it before. Maybe most people just never thought of it before - the fact that they can help their local school in a big way, and it won't cost them anything. After all, they are already buying the products. All they have to do is remove the box top or label or milk cap and save it instead of throwing it away.

Perhaps if the school handed out a collection bag to every house in the community? Something. I mean, the kids are always expected to go out and raise funds by selling things that no one really needs anyway. People buy the stuff because 'it's for a good cause' and they want to support the kids. Why not go around, this time not selling anything, but just letting people know they can raise funds for the school without having to buy anything extra? Write down the names of the neighbors who agree to save things and set a date to collect them. It could really add up.

In our area, these are the items to save:

• BoxTops4Education
• Campbell's Label's for Education - take note that they want UPCs now instead of the labels.
• Kids, Caps & Cash (Golden Guernsey and Morning Glory)
• Nickels for Schools (Kemps)
• Nestlé Pure Life Go Play!

I admit that I don't collect all of the water labels because they do not come off the bottles very easily, so it's not very convenient to take them out of the recycle bins. I also hate to admit that one year I collected all the Campbell's labels the old way (just the front part of the label) only to find out that they wanted UPCs now. I felt really bad. At least I tried, but still - all those UPCs wasted.

Google Image Meme

I was tagged with an Image Meme from Tammy at Mom Knows Everything and here are the rules:

1. Go to Google
2. Click on Google Images
3. Type in your name and search
4. Post (with a link) of the oddest, craziest coolest, oldest, etc. person that shares your name. Post multiples if you find a few that you like.
5. Pass it on to at least 5 other people.

Two of them - oldest - A giant of a woman - Anna Haining Bates (1846-1888) and kind of odd - Anna Clynne - composer.

(I skipped truly odd and didn't include Anna Nicole Smith)

Ok - now to tag 5 people:

1. LadyBanana
2. Cory
3. Kimmie
4. bojojoti
5. kikifitz

Have fun! I look forward to seeing what you find.

I Should've Thought of This Before

The other day I realized that I could sign the grandparents up to receive updates from this blog via email. I don't know why it never occurred to me. I've been receiving my own blog updates for quite some time. Yes, I know, it sounds kind of weird to get a feed of my own blog, but I originally set it up in my email client (Thunderbird) with an RSS subscription, just to see how it worked. Then I really didn't think about it any more, though I should stop subscribing to my own blog and subscribe to some other people's blogs.

I forgot that FeedBurner offers the ability for people to subscribe to a feed via email, just by entering an email address. For people who spend most of their time on the computer playing Spider Solitaire, that is ideal! There's nothing complicated about it. So, yesterday I activated the email subscriptions option, added the form to my sidebar, and, to make things even easier, I went ahead and entered the grandparents' email and subscribed them. They don't have to do anything but sit back and read the email as it comes in!

The reason I decided to do this is that, these particular grandparents live far, far away, and they don't get to see their grandkids very often. Now, as a good daughter, I should be sending email and keeping them updated on what their grandkids are doing and how things are going here. But, I don't. What I actually do is post to this blog - so, if they start getting email every day when I post, it's just like I sat down and wrote them an email. At least, that's what I'm going to believe.

Now, should I sign the other grandparents up?

Kids and Money

Quote of the day:

Teenage years are the time to teach kids how to manage money with plastic, because if you don’t, guess who will? The company handing out free T-shirts on college campuses if you sign up for a credit card…

I believe that's true, though I never thought to put it exactly that way. That's why we have decided to give our kids a certain amount of money each month in order for them to take care of their own expenses. Neither one of them is exactly happy about it. They'd much rather we gave them that same money so they can buy whatever they want and go out with their friends and whatever other frivolous things teenagers like to spend money on. Then, they'd like for Mom & Dad to buy the needs - clothes, toiletries, stuff they can't live without. It's amazing how priorities change when they have to pay for their own stuff and realize what that stuff costs! Before, it just magically appeared when they needed it!

There will always be parenting debate about all kinds of parenting issues. I don't think any one way is right, and we, as parents can learn from one another. That's why I'm excited to find out about Earn Smart - Spend Smart, a blog to help parents with the difficult topic of kids, teens and money. I want my kids to learn to handle money wisely, and I want them to learn now, while we can guide them and keep track of how they are doing - not later when they're out on their own in the midst of all those enticing credit card offers.

She Pumped Her Own Gas!

Beth pumped her own gas for the first time ever! I just had to note that. We've been telling her for ages that, if she's going to drive, she needs to be able to fill the car up with gas. Somehow, she's always managed to get out of it - though we have shown her how. Most of the time, Cory does it. He pumps the gas for me. He pumps the gas for Beth. Yep, she's good at getting what she wants from her brother...

Today she was out and needed gas. She didn't have her brother with her, so she had to do it. We really need to get the gas gauge fixed on that car. It's broken, so you never know how much gas is in the tank. It always says empty. The only way to be safe is to keep track of how many miles have been driven since the last fill-up. When it gets close to 350 miles, it's time to fill up. And, like Beth was saying today, she can't just put $10 or $20 in. She has to fill it up, otherwise she won't know when she's about to run out of gas. Yes, we have AAA, but we really don't want her running out of gas. We'll have to get it fixed soon.

Geeky Speaky

I wish I had thought of that title.

Anyway, I just got notified today that my site is listed over there at Geeky Speaky - Blog & Web Directory. Not only can people find my site, which is cool, but I'm really liking this whole list of mom-related blogs. I bet there's some good reading there.

Want your site listed, too? Just click here: Geeky Speaky: Submit Your Site! You can either get a free listing by linking back to Geeky Speaky, or you can upgrade for only $10. With the upgrade, you get a screenshot of your site displayed in the directory as well as premium link placement.

Free Software

I recently came across a site called Giveaway of the Day. Every day they give away FREE software. That's right - absolutely free. You have to download and install it that day. You don't get free technical support or future upgrades, but you do get a licensed version of the program - not a trial version. Cory and I have downloaded and installed several of the programs. Not every one is something that we can use or are interested in, but I've been keeping an eye on what is available every day. I signed up to get the daily email, which tells me what the Giveaway of the Day is. From that, I can decide if I'm interested and want to check it out further.

One of the most helpful things about the site is that people who have already downloaded and installed the program can leave their comments and rate it. Often someone will leave a link to another similar program - usually also free - that they feel does a better job than the one currently being offered by Giveaway of the Day. So sometimes, instead of downloading and installing a program that I might need someday, I bookmark the other ones so I can find them if I ever need them. There is also a guy who posts his 15 minute review of each program for a more in-depth coverage of how the program works, if it works, etc. Very helpful.

I have added a ticker from Giveaway of the Day to my sidebar. Each day it shows the software that is available for FREE, and how long you have left to download and install it. If you see something that sounds interesting, just click and check it out.

Online Shopping Coupons

I think I've mentioned this a few times - I'm really cheap. I hate spending full price on anything. I try to keep up with the sales, clip coupons, and then try to combine the two by buying on sale with coupons. I've also recently become aware that there are all kinds of Online Coupons available. I admit, cheap as I am, I haven't always used coupons when shopping online. Sure, I've seen those little boxes when I check out, asking for a coupon code or promotion code. Where do I find a code to put in there? How much can I save? That's where Rather Be Shopping comes in. Coupon codes from all kinds of online stores are compiled and listed on this site. So, before I check out, I need to visit Rather Be Shopping. Maybe I can save some money, and that's always a good thing. It's at least worth a try.

Please Call the Police

Saturday afternoon and night, Beth went to the State Fair with her boyfriend Tim. Actually, they went to the mall first and bought clothes, but that's beside the point. We told them to be back by midnight. The fair closed at midnight, but we didn't see any need for them to be out that late. Midnight was late enough.

Jeffrey and went to visit some friends and go to dinner. Cory stayed home because he had a date with an older woman - his friend Caro was in town, and they wanted to go get ice cream. Jeffrey and I ended up watching 300 with our friends and headed home later than we had intended. So, about 11:30 I called Cory to let him know we were headed home. Beth wasn't home yet, so I told him to have her call when she got there, so we'd know she was home. A few minutes before midnight, we got a call from home. I was expecting to hear Beth's voice, but instead it was Cory telling me that one of Beth's parents was supposed to call the police department. What? Not what I want to hear. I'm all worried something has happened, so, in the time it takes me to get the police officer on the phone, all kinds of horrible things are going through my head. Is she ok? What has she done?

Come to find out, they had stopped in the park, which closes at 11pm, so Tim could have a cigarette before bringing Beth home. So, since this car is parked where it shouldn't be, the police officer pulls up behind them to see what they are doing. Since Beth is a minor, he had to call us and let us know he had talked to her. Beth called soon after and we told her that we were almost home and would talk to her and Tim when we got home. What does it take to get through to them that, just because they don't have to be home before midnight, doesn't mean that they should try to pull into the driveway at exactly midnight. So you had some extra time. That's good. Being early is good. It shows that you are being responsible. Jeffrey also made sure that Tim understands that, even though he's not allowed to smoke in the house, if he really needs to have a cigarette, he can go outside. No, we don't agree with his smoking, but that's his problem. Just don't put yourself and our daughter into a bad position.

You know most of the problems they get themselves into is just that they don't think things through and realize what the consequences might be for their actions.

Kitten Stuff

There's a kitten on his shoulder
Originally uploaded by bcmom.

The kitten has lived with us for a while now and claimed this as her house. She's a crazy little wild child kitty sometimes - jumping on the furniture the best she can. She's not quite able to jump all the way from the floor to the furniture yet, but she's getting better. Sometimes I worry about her claws on my furniture, but she hasn't started clawing it for fun yet. We told Beth she better buy her a scratching post soon, so she can learn to claw that.

We were thinking that we should get the kitty de-clawed, because we had our first cat de-clawed - way back before we even had any kids. When I started looking to see when was the best time to de-claw your kitten, I found all these pages saying how cruel it is and how no one should do it. So now I'm wondering if we should try something different. We didn't have the Internet and all the resources available with the first cat and I honestly didn't think of it as an issue. No one said anything about it being cruel. While researching the whole de-clawing thing, I found these interesting nail covers for the cats claws. They might be worth a try. Beth, of course, wants to get them in orange and blue. Wouldn't that look cute on a little white kitty?

So far little Tillie has been a good kitten. She loves loves loves to play and will sometimes just purr and purr when someone plays with her. Beth is a little irritated with her at times because she was wanting a little snuggle kitten and this one wants to play. When she gets tired and wants to sleep, she curls up under the couch where no one can reach her - at least not very easily - so she's not all that snuggly. I did have her curl up with me once last week and go to sleep. Of course that meant that, even though I was getting ready to go do something else, I had to sit there with her while she slept.

I had to feed the cat a couple times last week because she decided she was hungry after the kids had already left for work. Beth says she did feed her and she just ate all the food. I don't really know about that, but, once this work at the Fair is finished I will expect Beth to take care of her kitten just like she promised. We've kind of enjoyed having the little thing around so it'd be a shame if we had to get rid of her because Beth doesn't live up to her promises. I bet Cory would step in and have her be his kitty. If need be.

Parent Hacks

I was browsing again - this time on Scribble on the Wall - and found a link to a site called Parent Hacks. What is it? I'll let them explain:

We parents rely on each other for quick, practical advice. Books and magazines are fine, but the real-world perspective of one’s friend, sister, neighbor, or the friend of one’s sister’s neighbor, is often the most helpful.

Parent Hacks is a collaborative website that collects and publishes parents’ tips, recommendations, workarounds, and bits of wisdom – their hacks – in a single pot so we can all partake. Here’s the stuff that would have been left out of the instruction manual...if there were one.

So, if you're looking for a tip or two, or if you have something to share, head on over there.

Need a Surfboard?

I was born in southern California. Though my family moved to Illinois when I was 8-1/2, I still have a love of the beach. Of course, I don't do much on the beach but tan, read, and dive through the waves. I wonder if I had actually stayed and grown up in California, would I have learned to surf, or at least tried it? When I went back to California for college, I made friends with some people who had grown up there. They spent time on the beach. They could surf, or at least ride boogie boards. I have to admit, I was kind of jealous because I never got the chance to try. The closest I ever got to surfing was watching movies about surfing like Blue Crush and Endless Summer II. It certainly looks awesome - or is that gnarly? Ok, so I don't quite have the surfer lingo down, but I do know where to buy anything surfboard-related.

The Surfboard Warehouse, that's where. They specialize in custom surfboards (they ship completely shaped boards to customers within four to six weeks and promise delivery anywhere, even getting boards to customers while they are traveling) and have the best surf gear from the best surf companies. They have the largest selections of fins online - fcs fins and future fins, to name a couple. Also available: board bags, accessories, and t-shirts.

I think I'll have to stick with the t-shirts. I'm too old to learn to surf now, right?

Responsibility

The kids only have two more days of work at the Fair - today and Sunday. Cory hasn't been feeling well for the past couple of days, but he's been managing. Today Beth woke up with serious cramps, and she was wondering how she's going to manage standing and working for 7 hours. If it was just her, she might have considered calling in sick and staying home, but she realized that she's also responsible for getting two other people to work. It wouldn't just be one person missing work. It would be 3. She drank some mint tea, took something for the pain, and just left for work. Today might be a day she wants to come home early.

Shopping for Silver

The kids have been at the State Fair every day, though they've been working the whole time and haven't had time to walk around and enjoy the fair. They did get off early yesterday, so they could've stayed for a while, but they came home. I would've stayed. I love our State Fair. When we lived in Illinois, we never went to the fair, but we've been going practically every year since we moved here to Wisconsin. Jeffrey and I are planning to go Sunday - the last day of the fair.

One of the things I always look at while there is the jewelry. There are all kinds of shops and booths selling all kinds of things - toe rings, body jewelry, rings, necklaces, etc. I can't help myself. I always have to look. You never know what I might find that I just have to have. I was checking out the Celtic jewellery on this website today and found this necklace (see pic) that I really like. It's a sterling silver Celtic style eternal necklace. Very pretty. I'm thinking I should look for something like this on Sunday. If I don't find anything, I can always go online and order it. Even though this website is based in the U.K., they do ship to other countries. I can't get the free shipping, because that's only to U.K. addresses on orders over £60, but I can still get the necklace - or a bracelet, or some earrings. So many choices!

No Popcorn

We really did get a mountain bike! And movie tickets. And a $50 card to spend at the mall, or anywhere that takes American Express. They were out of the popcorn certificates, so no free popcorn. Overall, these were the best gifts we've ever gotten for sitting through one of these things.

The lady called yesterday afternoon and told me I had won. She said it would take about an hour while they explained why they were giving these gifts away. Since Jeffrey is going out of town to play golf for work on Thursday and not going to be home tonight or until late Thursday night, our only available time was last night. I was tempted not to go at all, but Cory has gotten too tall for his bike, and the chance to get him a new one for free was too good to pass up. So, I met Jeffrey there at about 5:30. That's when we found out that it was actually a 90 minute time-share presentation. We really didn't want to 'waste' 90 minutes, but we were already there...

We said no to the whole program and got our gifts. We've done these things before. Usually the gifts are pretty much useless - a 'free' trip that comes with all kinds of restrictions, etc. This time they actually gave us what they said they'd give us - no restrictions. All we had to do was take the certificate to Walmart and pick up the new bike. The lady at Walmart had to fill out some paperwork and get a signature, and we walked out with a new bike. It may not be the best bike in the world, but it was FREE, and now Cory has a bike that fits his growing self better.

Now for that trip to the mall, and to pick a movie to see with our two free tickets. It just might be that Halloween movie because I haven't heard of any other movies coming out that I really want to see.

Rob Zombie's Halloween

I got a call today telling me that I won a mountain bike and free movie tickets and popcorn. I might just use my free movie tickets to see Halloween the movie. Yes, the next Halloween movie, written and directed by Rob Zombie, is coming out on August 31. This year, Halloween comes two months early! I guess that just goes to show that, when it comes to horror movies, you're never safe - no matter what the calendar says. In this movie Michael Myers is accidentally let out of the mental institution and comes back in search of his little sister. Can Dr. Loomis get to her in time, or is she doomed to die? I guess we'll have to watch the movie to find out.

I'm trying to remember some of the scary movies I've seen and liked. I know that the so-called great scary movies like The Ring and The Blair Witch Project didn't do anything for me. Movies like Alien and Aliens - those scare me. They're not really in the true horror movie genre, but they are scary, and people get killed - same as in Halloween the movie. I guess that's the point of scary movies, people die, and you never know who it's going to be. With a lot of scary movies it's all about the blood - people die and no one really cares. That's probably why I didn't like a lot of horror movies - they weren't real movies with a real story. With this movie, Rob Zombie wants you to care about the characters. It means more when they die if you actually care about them, doesn't it?

Of course, the music is what makes a horror movie scary. Just try it sometime - turn the sound off and watch for a while - go ahead and turn subtitles on if you need to hear what's being said - assuming there's a real story going on. It's not so scary without the music. Rob Zombie knows music, and you can't turn it off in the theater, but then, who wants to? You're going to see this movie because you want to be scared, aren't you?

Watch the YouTube trailer now, and ask yourself, "Do you believe in the Boogieman?"