One Lump or Two? or Three?

25 Random Thoughts...

2011-03-13T13:03:00.000-07:00

1. I love my Mother!
2. I am sooooo lucky to have such a wonderful husband.
3. My dog is a Suzy.
4. My children are unique.
5. Some people just don't have a filter between their brain and their mouths.
6. Midnight shift sucks!
7. The fires of my life have forged a strong woman.
8. Blessings come in all shapes and forms. We just have to recognize them.
9. My step-father is a great man. I am grateful that he loves my Mother.
10. Thank you Mother for teaching me to have "Cooth".
11. Love is something we can never have enough of...and the best part is that it's something that grows infinitively (is that a word?).
12. Without rain, we couldn't have flowers.
13. My cousin's filter is a funny one.
14. You don't always have to like someone to love them.
15. No one can love you if you don't love you first.
16. Teach me, don't do it for me.
17. Being a parent is the hardest thing I'll ever do.
18. The importance of Family is something we should never lose sight of.
19. You should have fun at least once a day.
20. Laughing is just as important as breathing.
21. Snuggling with my husband recharges my batteries.
22. If you're quiet, you can listen to your own heartbeat.
23. The world is never silent.
24. Hugs don't cost a dime but they enrich your life.
25. Perception is the word of the day.

Just Around The Corner...

2011-03-02T05:21:00.000-08:00

It's been a long hard Ohio Winter! Every time I think it's over (BAM) it scores another direct hit... in my face!

My favorite time of the year is Spring. I love to see the buds unfurl and that "new" green glowing when the sun shines threw the leaves. My heart skips a beat just thinking of blue skies, fluffy clouds and warm days.

We're half way there today. The sky is a crisp, clear blue, teasing me with its clarity. My senses want to believe that if I walk out the door I will be greeted with a warm gentle breeze, but my brain knows better!

Just a few more weeks, I can hardly wait!

Your actions should reinforce your words...

2011-02-28T07:54:00.001-08:00

Actions should reinforce words. This is not always the case.

My darling tells me how much I am loved and appreciated. The next day my darling makes breakfast and doesn't clean up. Now this is partially my responsibility. Why? because I have not taken the time to explain to my darling how this makes me feel.

I took ownership of my mistake yesterday. When I brought this to my darling's attention I was accused of trying to start a fight. I replied that , "No, I wasn't trying to start a fight." I then told my darling that, "You tell me that you love and appreciate me, but your actions negate those words." His anger subsided. He had felt that I was being mean and petty, after all, he'd only left a cup on the counter. He thought he was being nice by bringing it in to the kitchen rather than leaving it lay about the house and I did appreciate that. Unfortunately, the cup came at the end of the second round of cleaning up. The first round took 1 1/2 hours and the second another 30 minutes.

Now I tried to do the FlyLady thing and be thankful that I have a darling to clean up after. I've done this for 10 yrs and my darling still hasn't become Flywashed. I should be used to it, right? NO. FlyLady tells us not to whine. I didn't. I calmly explained why I was upset to my darling and once he understood that I was not trying to fight with him but tell him that my feelings were hurt, he calmed down and thought it through.

To be truthful, I let the kitchen go the night before which made for a bad start to my day. Regardless, being considerate of one another is a very important part of a healthy marriage. I believe that we are blessed to love each other, thankfully, he feels the same.

He is a thoughtful man. I know that our conversation left an impression and next time he will think about how his actions reinforce or negate his words.

I know that I will think about how my actions speak for me.

On Giving...

2011-02-02T11:58:00.000-08:00

I've been reading about giving today. How giving brings us closer to our spiritual self. Giving brings happiness and joy.

I am a selfish person. My focus centers upon my family and myself...not necessarily in that order.

I need to think more of others and less of myself. To be happy or come closer to happiness, you must be a giving soul.

This brings me to clutter: Having clutter IS the opposite of giving. Holding on to things stifles the soul. Having less opens up doors to opportunities. If I have less "stuff", I spend less time caring for "stuff"...and more time giving to others.

Decluttering, enables me to give my abundance to someone who has need of it. Giving opens my heart to others, thus bringing joy to me....happiness. Is happiness a selfish pursuit? lol catch 22.

Setting Financial Goals

2010-12-29T05:00:00.000-08:00

Ok...this is sad but true. I am 44 yrs old and I finally have managed to have a 200.00 cushion in my checking account for end of year. I've maintained this cushion for over 6 months. I am now a grown up.

So...Now that I've reached grown up statis what is the next step?

Well, I've been brainstorming strategy. After much deliberation, I realized I am in the position to pay all of my bills out of the first paycheck of the month. Hmmmm....What to do with the second paycheck? Once a month grocery shopping and a large chunk will go to savings!! WOOOT WOOOT!! I have a plan! AND it is do-able.

Now, I make a modest income. Take home is approximately 1200.00 a month. I was horrified to see that I was litterly blowing 400.00 a month and for the love of Pete (Puma), I couldn't tell you where it went!

So how to accomplish this amazing thing? There is a wonderous invention called....drumroll please... a CALENDAR!!!! In the words of the ancient Pharoah's...."So it is written...So shall it be done!"

My first paycheck of 2011 is on the 4th. That day will be a day of celebration. I will take the cushion and 100.00 from that check and open a savings account. WOOT WOOT!! I've already set back 1/2 of the bill money so there will be a small surplus and enough to purchase groceries until the second paycheck. During the 2 weeks between I will work on a monthly menu plan.

I am all powerful! Mwahahaha I will call this "The Money Plan". Budget is such an ugly word.

Have a great day!

Losing weight....

2010-05-08T06:49:00.000-07:00

In March the employees where I work took up the Biggest Loser challenge. So far I have lost 13 lbs!! Total Company pounds lost=191!! I've been trying to keep it at a steady rate. I am looking at this as a life style change not a diet. I'm feeling stronger and my confidence in myself and abilities is soaring!

It's amazing what you're capable of when you look at things with a "CAN DO" attitude! I've learned from last year that I have to look at the big picture! If not, I will gain all the weight back and add more to what I lost. Last year I lost 16 lbs. I gained that and 5 back.

I joined the YMCA and have been using their "Technogym"...awesome! I can't wait to go! WoooWHooooo!

Meet Petunia

2010-05-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

Thursday the dh and I went to a car dealership and purchased an Aveo 5 (Chevy). I am in love! sigh....

It's a small 4 door w/ a hatchback. It looks small from the outside but it doesn't feel small when you're in it. The dh actually gets claustophobic in little tin cans but he was fine in the Aveo. I got a stick cause I love the control it gives you. With a 42 mile round trip 5 days a week, I really need a car that's good on gas and this one gets 35mpg.

We'll see how good she does. I've named her Petunia after my "inner princess". It's her reward for not spending money we needed for the down payment! I guess you could say it's my way of reminding myself that saving money brings good things to us...me and that little child inside that I used to let boss me around. I know that anyone reading this will think I've finally slipped 'round the bend, but hey...if it works who am I to mess with it! ROFLMAO

My Work Is Done!

2010-04-12T09:33:00.000-07:00

Some things just drive me crazy! One of my favorite things that drives me crazy is my 14 yr old son. I love him to bits. His name is Matthew, which in Hebrew means " Gift from God". He is that and so much more to me.

He's at that age where he "KNOWS" everything. Yeah! My work is done. I can sit back and enjoy the fruits of my labors...ROFLMAO. I can't wait until he hits 18 (literally hits it like a semi doing 70 mph thru a road block) and discovers the "I DON'T KNOW SH*T STAGE", otherwise known as the "I want my Mommy" Stage...giggle

A few days back he decided to make French Fries for lunch. Well, thankfully, I was downstairs and smelled something cooking. I went to the kitchen and discovered the hot grease cooking fries all by itself....simply AMAZING...no cook. Can we say, "NOT HAPPENING"!!!

Matthew got Middle named.... For those of you not familiar with this term, that means both his first and middle name were in play when I called him to the kitchen. Middle naming is a common activity for Mother's round the world. More serious events, such as a kitchen fire, would have resulted in a FULL NAME-ing incedent.

When I asked him why he'd left the hot grease unattended, he replied, "But I just checked on
it." Oh, right! That makes everything OKAY. Truthfully, he is smart. He thinks outside of every box I've tried to put him in. His life experiences just need to catch up to his IQ.

I brought up previous events to remind him that yes, bad things can happen. Like the time his father sat down on the couch to wait for the grease to heat up and fell asleep. Thankfully, he smelled the smoke before the fire got out of control. Or the time his sister poured cold water onto an overheated pan of grease and it splattered all over her hand and wrist causing 2nd and small 3rd degree burns (same sister has hit the "I don't know sh*t stage recently--grin).

Of course, none of this had any relevance to his experience. I have no idea what made me believe any of it would.

Anyone out there have a brick wall I can borrow? I really need to bang my head against it!

This one incedent alone would cause some concern, however, just last night he walked away from the tub while it was filling for his bath. You guessed it....it rained, conveniently, just below the bathroom into my foyer. I have a rug scrubber. Did he think to use it to clean the water up? Nope....all my clean white towels and some buckets to catch the drips.

Do you know what this feels like? Recall Lucy and Charlie Brown...ya know when Lucy pulls the football back at the last second and poor CB lands flat on his back...that's how this feels.

I keep repeating, "this too shall pass". I know, one day I'll look back and laugh. I'll let ya know when that happy day comes. lol For now, I guess I'll pray he doesn't hurt himself and that he learns from these experiences. A mom can only hope.

He's The Most Wonderful Man In The World....

2010-04-12T07:17:00.000-07:00

I have the most wonderful dh. He gave me my birthday present 6 months early! What did he get that has put me over the top of the world? A LAPTOP!!!! I am sooooo happy :) Yes, even happy enough to use silly little side-ways smiley faces! So happily ecstatic that I'm doing the lap-top happy dance...nooooo, I did not say lap dance... snicker LAP TOP!!

Now I can blog to my hearts content about life. Could get interesting. I wonder if anyone will ever read it but me? Lots to do...gotta run.

Bashing on Scam Artists....disgusting

2010-04-04T18:34:00.000-07:00

I have been dealing with the lowest life-form there is for more months than I care to think about...the slug (sorry little slugs) called a Scam or Con-Artist. Why are they called that? As if Lying and Cheating old people on fixed incomes out of their SS checks is some kind of Art Form to be admired.

REALITY CHECK: Con Artists are THIEVES not ARTISTS!

Ex. # 1 May I speak to Fill in the blank? He/She has won a cash prize. We just need you to send a check for Fill in the blank to cover our processing fees.

Ex. #2 May I speak to ? This is about fraudulant activities on her FILL IN THE BLANK account. This one does sound reasonable...that is until you ask for their name and the agency they work for. I will happily forward their info to so and so, but I will not give them so and so's phone number. The slug wouldn't give me his name or the name of his agency-- claiming privacy for so and so. BTW...after agreeing to give me the requested info...name, phone number, etc...the slug hung up on me.

In ex. # 1 It's fairly obvious how they get money from the victim. Ex. # 2 is a bit more complex. They talk to the victim and trick them into "confirming" their bank or savings account information. Next day Granny doesn't have any money left in said account.

Just last night, I was called a Lying F'n B for telling the scummy slug that my MIL doesn't live with us. She doesn't. She moved out last summer.

How professional is that?

I guess I have done my job! I have frustrated him to the point that he resorted to name calling. Darn, that just hurts my feelings. lol

Watch out...they could be after your Granny next.

Forgetting passwords....sigh

2010-02-18T05:28:00.000-08:00

Passwords...we all have them. They drive me nuts! I'm constantly having to reset the buggers as I forget them before I'm even done typing in the newest submission. errrrr....

Password roulette....hmmmm.....interesting

Random thoughts...random passwords...I wouldn't know if I were coming or going! Life is confusing enough without adding more to it!

Just my thoughts for the day.

Frugal Thoughts

2010-01-23T20:41:00.000-08:00

I am a frugal soul by nature. I thank God for the internet whenever I need to find new ways to save money!! For many pinching pennies has become an artform...Personally, the more ol' Abe screams the happier I am!

So on that thought I would like to list some of my favorite frugal things to do!

1. Use rubber tubs for dish washing, thus using less water than my double sink holds.
2. I then use the clear rinse water to either flush the camode or add it to the laundry.
3. Use old shampoo to swish my toilet...as Marla Cilley say, "Soap is soap."
4. Use a hand pump to dispense dish soap....cuts the usage in half!
5. Take short bathes...about 1 inch of water in tub. If I want to pamper myself, I'll take a
nice hot deep bath...but for a quick get ready for the day, a small bath is all that's needed.
6. Set a timer to remind you to get the clothes from the dryer....saves putting it back on to get
the wrinkles out.
7. Cook double meals and freeze half.
8. Use your left overs.
9. Use a push brush (I have a Bissel) between vacuuming to pick up pet hair....Saves electricity
and ware and tare on your vacuum.
10. Hang clothes to dry when weather permits...or use indoor wood clothes wrack.

Well...that's a good start. I'll add more as I think about them. I know I do way more than these.
Goodnight...

Rant....errrrrrrrrrr....

2010-01-19T10:19:00.000-08:00

I've gone back to work full-time per necessity. After a year and an half, I have finally gotten my home back to "part time employment" cleanliness. It's not Perfect, it's FLYing... If you haven't a clue about FLYing...click the link at the side :) Even Born Organized people may benefit from this wonderful program!!

I have not whined (much), though I have drug my feet a time of two...or three...hehehe

All I have asked my DH to do is make sure DS cleans up the kitchen after dinner when I am on Afternoon or Midnight shift....Shift work sucks! I will happily make sure they have dinner in the oven or crockpot if I don't have to clean the kitchen when I get up or before I go to bed.

It seems to me that they don't care who does it...so long as it's not them.

I'm feeling whiney and I don't care who know's it! They will be cooking their own dinner tonight and I'm not saying a word. Let them figure it out....I quit!

I'm going against every fly principle I've been taught...I'm suppose to FLY for me...well I'm not here for dinner so I'm not cooking!

In the immortal word's of Marion Cunningham as she thunks frozen meat and lettuce on the table..."Here's your roast(dinner)...Here's your salad....LIVE IT UP! Hopefully that's close enough...you get the pic.

Reguarding Online Dating...

2010-01-17T07:39:00.000-08:00

How can "Online Dating" be considered actual dating? When did Bits and Bytes become maps to the soul? You can't gage some one's character by their keystroke. There are no visual or audio cues to help determine some one's honesty and integrity and yet people still try to "DATE" online.

Some would argue that web-cams solve the visual/audio problem, but I say nothing can take the place of actually sitting down with another person--watching their responses and allowing your inner intuity to guide you.

I can be anyone...do anything online and no one knows if what I type is true. Too many individuals take advantage of lonely and naive women because (let's face it) most of us want to see only the good in others. There is nothing wrong with looking for goodness in everyone we meet. However, reality is seldom as wondrous as the fantasies we create for our invisible online-friends.

Preditors count on our taking them at face value...It's human nature.

Afternoons, please....

2007-09-30T19:55:00.000-07:00

As a six year Flybaby, I have discovered what works for me and disregaurded what doesn't. I insist on taking care of Mom so that she ( I ) can take care of everyone else. I work part time and my schedule is predominantly afternoons by choice. Many don't understand why I choose not to work daylight shift.

If I didn't stipulate my hours, I would be working 2-3 shifts all in one week. Now it's hard on your body to work 3 shifts in 3 weeks let alone in one week. It reeks havic on your health and I refuse to allow my immune system to get wrecked! As I cannot request steady daylight (it's just not done--management would howl uncontrollably), I chose the other route. Occassionally, if needed, I can be persuaded to do the odd midnight shift or an emergency 4 to 1pm shift--but only in emergency situations.

This schedule allows me to have the quiet solitude I crave, take care of the daily needs of my family and take care of personal needs such as Doctor appointments...etc. I work less than 20 hrs a week so I still get to have time with my family, as well.

It didn't used to be this way. Everyone else was more important than me. I was raised to martyr myself. "I'm tooooo tired", was my pat answer to everything. Now I listen to my body and don't allow others to abuse me (I see being taken for granted as abuse, too) I am a much calmer, more relaxed and yes, healthier person. Everyone should remember to take care of themselves. Loving yourself is something that you must do before you are capable of loving others.

Thanks, Marla

Decorating Affects....

2007-09-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

I've spent the last 6 weeks painting and cleaning my home. Preparing for a party. I made an amazing discovery (at least to me) about how decor affects mood. Now, I've known that color plays an important part in mood. Warm colors energize us and cool colors calm us. But I hadn't given much thought as to how prints and patterns affect us.

The previous owner had wall papered the entry, stairwell and dining room with verticle stripes that stopped halfway up the wall and then finished with a paisley border. It was a very traditional, formal decor. They had also papered the 1/2 bath a disgusting yellow with sea shells...ugh After I stripped the wall paper, I painted the rooms white. I like color, but I wanted a "cheap" improvement and I found paint clearance down to 4 bucks a can....what can I say?

I LOVE IT!! The visual CHAOS is gone. I enjoy being in these rooms now. Before, I would rush through them as quickly as possible. I finished my decorating spree by repainting the kitchen a teal that just makes the woodwork SING! I think having these rooms white just makes the kitchen even more impressive....BAM as E would say.

Gram

2007-08-09T04:27:00.000-07:00

Today is Gram's Funeral. I woke to a huge T-Storm. Gram would have loved it.

Yesterday was hard. To see her body and not the Soul that drove it was painful. Gram was ready but we sure aren't.

In Memory Of My Frugal Hero...

2007-08-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

Maybelle Hester
May 26, 1926 - August 5, 2007

Her dash (-) touched and inspired all who knew and loved her. God took her to be with Gramps this morning. She went the way she asked to go--in her sleep . She had 5 syblings and attended her last sybling's (Earl) funeral just this past week. They were very close.

Gran lost her own mother at the age of 4 due to complications of asthma (pneumonia set in after getting caught in the rain). This, I believe, had a profound impact on Gram. Why do I say this? Because my father was not her son by blood. She took my father in when he was 3 weeks old and half dead from neglect and mistreatment. She was an unmarried woman at the time and worked as a housekeeper. Although she never legally adopted my father, he was her son in all but blood. I owe my very existance to this woman.

She later took a job at a local pottery to provide for herself and Dad. During that time (and w/o a high school diploma) she went to school and graduated, took her boards and became a Registered Nurse. For years my Gran owned and operated a nursing home. Her residents were well cared for and she was loved and respected for her generous heart.

Gran was human, too. Before Dad came into the picture, she and 2 friends, known as the Golden Girls, loved to party. Gran loved to laugh. I think the only time I ever saw her w/o a smile on her lips was when Grandpa died.

Gran met and wed my Grandpa while she worked at the pottery. He was 20 years her senior and I never saw a couple that loved each other so well. Grandpa was born in 1904 and passed on December 15, 1990. They had two boys and 2 girls. Gran sold the nursing home when Grandpa died.

Grams favorite color was red and she loved broaches. I seldom saw her without an apron or a smock (her at home work uniform). Gram was a frugal diva. She loved to cook and bake. What I remember most about Gram....She left a huge Santa up year round. This was a reminder to always keep Christmas in her heart through out the year. I asked.. :o) also, it wasn't Thanksgiving unless you ate at least one Cranberry!

At the age of 81 she still cooked and cleaned in her own home. My Aunt lived with her the last couple of years but not because Gram needed her too. But because she liked the company.
Gram is survived by 3 sons, 1 daughter, 6 grandchildren, 18 Great and 1 Great Great Grandchild.

I was priveledged to know and love my Gram for 40 yrs. and her greatest gift to me was to remember to live life in your own style and never take love for granted!

I feel better for having written this. She lived thru A LOT of history and loved to talk about her life as a girl and the differences of then and now. She was an amazing woman and I only wish I had known her better than I did.

I love you, Gram!
Lorrie

Kid's Pranks....Not Funny!

2007-08-04T10:21:00.000-07:00

The day started well...Then MIL called and Dh said, "Yeah, I'll be right over." The front door banged as he left.

One minute later....Dh comes back in the house swearing loudly! Kids egg-ed his new truck during the night. He's had this truck for a little over a year and it is his baby.

I wanted to report it to the police but he said they won't do anything.

What makes kids think that destroying property is in the least bit funny? My husband works hard for what he has. He had his last truck for 12 yrs--bought new and taken care of. He kept it so nice that it was used as a trade in when he bought this one.

I'm not being self-righteous here...I didn't do stuff like this growing up. So I really don't understand why?

Two weeks ago, the police pulled over teens who were driving past our home...high/drunk and carrying a gun. They went past our home yelling at our daughter and some of her friends. They stopped (the teens) a neighbor boy and he saw the gun. The police were called and they were arrested. How scary is that?

I live in a SMALL town. Violence is spreading. Who has answers? Anyone?

I'll Save This For Birtha....

2007-08-04T08:17:00.000-07:00

I'm sure millions of 40yr + women have looked in the mirror and said, "THAT'S NOT ME!" Where did that young vibrant woman go? You know who I'm talking about! The one who could fit in a size 9/10 without laying on the bed and pulling up the zipper with a pair of plyers. Not a pretty picture, I'll admit...but I've seen it.

Where did she go? The attractive woman who wore make up and fixed her hair. Who took the time to choose and wear nice clothes--not the woman sitting at this computer in a pair of mans striped boxers and an A-shirt, ratty hair in a lopsided pony tail with yesterdays make up raccooning her eyes. At least I haven't lost my fashion sense...the A-shirt color co-ordinates with the boxers...lol ;0)

Am I sliding into a mid-life crisis? Uh....if you call what I saw in the mirror a mid-life crisis...then yeah...that's it. Personally, I see it as a wake up call!

It really started last night when I got home from work. My Dh (He's not perfect but he's the perfect man for me) had saved me a plate of dinner--Spagetti. He'd piled it high. All I could see was Mt. Fanny gaining girth and attitude. In self-defense I plunged my fork into the very heart of Mt. Fanny and twirled the spagetti into it's tines. I then said, "Thank you, but I think I'll save this for Birtha!" and plopped it back into the pan.

Who is Birtha? Birth-a-me and I can't wait to see how she turns out!

Hoarding....

2007-06-24T09:00:00.000-07:00

I have been a Fly Baby for 6 yrs. Follow the FlyLady link to discover the joys of Flying (Finally Loving Yourself). A testimonial was sent out today about Children of Hoarders, along with a site that helps these children deal with their parents hoarding. It was a frightening thing to see.

When I looked at video's posted by these adult C.O.H.'s, I saw what my life could become without flying. Those videos seem to shortcurcuit my brain. I lost 2 hours of my life just looking and feeling overwhelmed by someone elses hoarded clutter. Paths thru clutter to a made bed (slightly rumpled)--Mountains of junk mail, piles of books and magazines that had tumbled to the floor--Piles of clothes that were a fire hazard...the whole place was a fire waiting to happen.

Hoarding isn't exclusive to inanimate objects. The animal abuse stories in the news...homes filled with 70 cats...etc. In one home an elderly lady insisted (while they removed animal after animal) that she only had 7 cats. It was horrific. The smell of feces and amonia overwhelmed the animal rescuers. The health issues for the woman and the animals were incredible.

Hoarding is now being considered a mental illness and studies are being conducted to find ways to deal with this illness. To find out more: www.childrenofhoarders.com

Like many other disorders, it doesn't happen over night...it starts out with "oh, I might need that someday" and then one day you open your eyes to discover your surrounded by a nightmare. Unfortunately, some never wake up from that nightmare. Some are found lying amongst their treasures injured or dead.

Whose to blame....or the old adage...you can lead a horse to water....but you can't make him drink.

2007-06-22T06:53:00.001-07:00

It's the parents fault...God, am I so tired of hearing that phrase! The Education System is NEVER at fault...And lets NEVER blame Junior. Blaming Junior (Holding Junior responsible for his action or inaction) would never do... It could damage his Psyche and we wouldn't want to be responsible for that, now would we? Well that's just, in the immortal words of Vizzini the Sicilian, INCONCEIVABLE !!!

Well, let's just blame the economy....Mom and Dad have to work to support Jr, not to mention "The Joneses" (that's another post in the future). Is it a wonder parents are plagued with high-blood pressure, diabetes, indigestion, hair-loss? Should Junior be held accountable (at the age of 12 and 16) for maintaining his/her grade level? Yes!

I have 2 children. My children are near extremes on the educational scale of effort. Child A only does what's necessary to pass. Child B enjoys learning and manages a nearly straight A status. Both are bright and articulate. Regardless of attempts to help Child A see the necessity of education...the opportunities available if Child A would only grasp them... parental efforts have been fruitless, thus far.

Child A still has time to alter the future. Child B, so long as the current path is maintained, will have many opportunities that will remain out of reach for Child A. Can you feel my frustration? Consequences are set and enforced. Nothing seems to phase Child A.

I am realistic. I don't blame the education system for Child A's lack of effort. That responsibility sits squarely on Child A who knows what is expected but puts everything off to the last minute and then tries to find an excuse as to why said assignment wasn't finished. BTW...Child A says next year will be different. Child A says this every year.

My Children are individuals with unique abilities. Both are equally intelligent and have equal access to opportunities. Each has chosen different paths. I am responsible for guiding them toward their adult life. Ultimately it is a matter of what they choose to do.

BTW...I'm sure I'm not finished with this subject!

Mother, Will you pour?

2007-06-19T08:09:00.000-07:00

Listening to my twin sing lymerics from the other end of the phone. I feel like the sane one....Mother, will you pour? Then she asks... One lump or Two?

Ok...About me?

I'm a 40 and am privelidged to share my life history with a twin sister (Laura). Unique paths that travel and cross each other. The connection is indescribable and I could not imagine my life without her. When I'm being too serious she gives me a swift kick and reminds me to laugh. Twins born librians....Laura mentioned this to me today... she's right--we balance each other. :O)

A few labels (not that I like to be pigeon-holed) wife, mother and amateur portrait artist. When people see my drawings they ask why I work? As any other "artist" will tell you...to pay the bills. I'll never be a Rembrandt, but I have my place in this world.

Wife to Daniel for 6 yrs. I am blessed. A second marriage for both of us. We wish we had waited for each other.

Mother to Emily (16) and Matthew (12). I love them both.

Em can be difficult...what teen isn't? But she has viewpoints that make me think. I watch as she discovers her world. It's scarey at times, but seeing thru her eyes can be exciting. Letting her make her own mistakes is painful. The things you learn as a parent.

Matthew is just discovering himself. Beginning to take tentative independant steps. Sometimes he still wants to hold my hand.

I'll remember these times in the years ahead when they don't need me so much.