Plans for 2012

I could make a hundred resolutions for 2012... but I guarantee I'd break them all... relatively quickly..

So instead, we're making PLANS..
or maybe we could even call them goals...

There are several things that I've decided need to be altered or even changed completely in our lives.. most of these are financial...

Then there are the things that we, as a family would like to see happen...

I figure that if I put it all here.. in a list.. and attempt to update on the progress of each at least monthly.. then maybe I'll be more likely to stick to making them all happen... nothing like a little accountability.

So here we go...

1. Spend Less: I have a sever shopping addiction.. Shopping is literally my hobby. I'm not a fan of buying expensive things at all.. I prefer multiple trips each week to the thrift store to see how much I can come home with.. or some unnecessary trips to Target here and there. The plan is to not spend unless it's a necessity... and then to take any money that would have possibly been spent, and put in away to be SAVED.. or applied to paying off my car.

2. Stop Eating Our Money: Our weekly grocery costs are minimal.. but that's because we eat out at least 3 times a week... at least. This seriously needs to stop. We have at least 2 weeks worth of food in the freezer right now.. this is proof that we have plenty of food at home that we already spent the money on and should be eating. The plan is to only eat out once a month... This will probably be the hardest of all.

3.Vacation in San Francisco: We've spent the last 3 years in Las Vegas for our vacation.. it's time for something new. Drew absolutely refuses to get on a plane, so we're sticking to somewhere in driving distance that neither of us has ever been to. I'd like to spend no more than $700 on this trip.. so it's time to start saving and researching for this trip now.

4. Stay Home: This will be another hard one for me.... When we're home Drew wants to play video games.. I hate video games.. and I'd rather just lay in my bed and watch tv.. but I get bored easily, so every weekend we end up going out somewhere and spending ridiculous amounts of money, just to get out of the house. It's time for us to start enjoying our home.. and spending more time in it.. and maybe getting some projects completed while we're at it.

5. Pay Off The Car: Technically my car is scheduled to be paid off in March 2013... but that's too far away for me.. and I hate making that payment every month. So I've decided to try to pay as much extra towards the principal every month and get this thing paid off my the end of 2012.


There are a few more things financially that I'd like to adjust, but I'm waiting till my raise kicks in next month and I find out what my tax return amount will be so I can adjust accordingly.

Here's to a less expensive year!! Cheers!

Christmas 2011

Another Christmas has come and gone... 

I can't begin to describe the joy of having spent every single Christmas Day of my life with my HUGE and incredible family... 

And I love that my son can say the same... every Christmas of his life.. in that same room...

Seeing the smiles on his face with each gift makes all the debt I acquired to produce them, well worth it..

Family is everything.... not just on Christmas.. but ALWAYS.

Love my "not-so-little" nephew.. and all that he taught me without even knowing it... 

Another Christmas... has come and gone... 

But I will continually be thankful for my little "gift"... my amazing son who I can not begin to imagine life without... I love you my sunshine... Forever, For Always & No Matter What!

Toothless Joe is Spoiled

This boy and his teeth. 


When he was five we used to wonder if his teeth were ever going to fall out. The other kids in kindergarten had already lost a tooth or two, but not my little man.


Fast forward a couple years, and now we can't seem to keep the freakin' teeth in. 

First we have the top two teeth that fell out in February and refuse to come back in.... 

Then last night he pulled out the bottom one. That tooth had been loose for weeks, but I forced him to keep it in at least until they took the school pictures. So last night when I saw that the tooth was barely hanging in there anymore, I made him pull it out. I say MADE because this drama-child of mine who's been begging to pull this tooth out seriously cried and almost threw up when I told him to pull it out. He is his mother's child.... 

So now he is known as Toothless Joe.. 

And around here Toothless Joe is currently being extra spoiled. His birthday is at the end of the month, and last week we officially started the countdown. 

Last year I made him this birthday advent box so we could count down the days till his birthday. Each day he gets little things like candy or a dollar, and some days there are notes that say "Open a gift" or "Donuts for breakfast". 

This way we get to celebrate his birthday all month long. He loves this box and it's the first thing he asks to do every morning when he wakes up. I sure do love seeing that smile... missing teeth and all. 

Come to think of it, maybe I should stop giving him candy in that box and maybe his teeth might stay in a little longer!

The Joys of 3rd Grade

I miss 2nd grade.... 
Not my 2nd grade class, but my son's.


I was not a fan of his year spent in 2nd grade... but right about now I'm missing it. 


Homework is harder... spelling tests are not given on Fridays... there are new kids in this class that I don't know... my kid is expected to be RESPONSIBLE. 


Now I'm all for kids being responsible.. especially mine... but as much as I wish he were, Drew is just not the responsible type... he's never really had to be since his mom is super over involved in his life. 


I like the notes that came home in 2nd grade that gave me at least a few days notice before supplies were needed for a project. I miss the daily conversations with his teacher and review of his classwork so that nothing was ever left incomplete. 


Last night after dinner while we were just hanging out, Drew asked if he could use the computer to print some stuff. I said sure and asked what he needs to print.... 


Drew - "I need to print some animal pictures for my diorama."
Mom - "Ummm... what diorama? When are you guys starting those?"
Drew - "Well some kids started there's today, but I need to bring in a shoe box so I can start  mine."
Mom - "Wait a minute... when did you find out about this project and why haven't I heard about it yet?"
Drew - "Well she told us the other day and I was supposed to bring a box today but I forgot to ask for one at Dad's last night."


This kid is SOOO not ready for verbal instructions that he's supposed to remember to relay to his mother!! I need notes send home.. or emails.. or reminders posted on the door at school.


And in case that wasn't enough... on the way to school this morning he blurts out "today is Mrs. Williams' birthday."


How in the world am I supposed to be super-mom and bring the teacher an awesome gift with 3 minutes notice?!?!? 


Responsibility at age 7 is non-existent... 
But he turns 8 in twenty-two days, so maybe there's hope.


And then we have the "situation"... not the Jersey Shore kinda.. butt none the less, a situation.


Drew says his project partner in class is having a situation. 
I guarantee I gave him the most confused look imaginable.. and then I asked for details. 


Apparently this kid keeps finding other peoples's belongings in his desk and backpack. And of course this kid has no idea how these items got there. The teacher doesn't want to come right out and declare the kid a thief... which he obviously is... so she's labeled it as a "situation" that they're dealing with. 


I automatically give Drew a lecture on stealing and how a thief would be dealt with in our house. Drew automatically jumps to the kids defense and says "well Mom, we don't even know that he stole the stuff".... my poor gullible boy... 


So for now I am not a fan of third grade... hopefully it improves.. and soon. Until then I'll continue to scramble for last minute project necessities and label every possession in my kids desk and backpack. 

Death Should Be Illegal

And while we're at it.. can we please ban all negative emotions?


I think handling death well is impossible. I tried this weekend... and failed miserably. 


Saturday morning my best friend's mom passed away. 


I had had the pleasure, the honor to have known this woman for 18 years. Since the day I met her, I called her Mom.... as did the friends of all her children. She was just Mom. 


She battled brain cancer for 17 months. To say she was strong and brave is a huge understatement. 


Knowing for 17 months that someone is going to die soon does not make it any easier. I thought maybe it would, you know, having that chance to prepare your self.. to say goodbye... but it doesn't. 


Losing Mom is beyond words. It hurts. 


But for me, the hardest part of dealing with her death was watching her children go through this. 


Saturday afternoon I joined the family in her home. I watched her kids (all 5 are grown adults by definition.. but it's still hard to imagine any of us old enough for this). They cried... they shared memories.. we talked... we cried.. they were angry... each of them felt guilty in some way. 


That was one of the hardest times in my life. My heart literally hurt for them. I can not even begin to imagine what they're feeling.... what in the world do you even say?


I don't handle emotion very well AT ALL. 


Knowing that Mom no longer has to suffer.. isn't in pain... doesn't have to depend on anyone for her every need.. is finally at peace, helps a lot. I absolutely hated seeing or hearing her go through the awfulness that is cancer. She held on for a long time.. made every attempt possible to prolong her beautiful life... and not for her self. She did everything for those kids. She didn't want them to lose their Mom. She didn't want them to go through everything I watched them go through on Saturday...


I hate death. It sucks...


That night, after having spent a few hours with the family, I left to pick up my son and take him home. When I got to my sister's to get him, I was a mess. I tried to explain the awfulness that I had just experienced... I tried to describe how much it hurt to see those kids miss their Mom SOOO much. I told my sister about each of those kids is their for each other.. how they are the only ones who know exactly how the other ones feel... I told her that I don't ever want that day to come for us... I don't want us to have to be there for each other in that way.. EVER. 


Then I told her how sad I feel for Drew... when that time inevitably comes he won't have that support system. Sure he'll have his cousins and friends... but he won't have a sibling who knows exactly what he lost.. exactly what he's feeling at that time. He'll have to lose his mom alone. I can't begin to describe how much that hurts me... 


I didn't know it at the time, but Drew heard my crying rambling rant to my sister that night. Last night when we were going to bed, he asked me if I could give him a little brother or sister. I laughed and asked him why he all of a sudden wanted one now when he's always been so adamant about me never having other kids... He said "so I don't have to be alone when I'm older.. you know, like you were telling TeeTee the other day... "


I hugged my little man super tight... and cried us both to sleep.


I know that death is inevitable... for all of us. 
I just wish the pain that comes with it wasn't .... 


Rest in peace Mom... we love you forever. 


**Side note: Now both of my BFF's have lost their moms this year. First my BFF from high school.. and now my BFF since I was 11... again, death sucks! 

In The News

Family news that is...

-Drew is still missing his top two front teeth. They fell out in February and have refused to come back in since. This irritates me to no end...

-He now has a loose bottom tooth and I told him there's no way he's pulling it out until one of the other teeth come back in... I can not have a toothless kid!  (I can almost guarantee that tooth will be out before the weekends over.... )

-I have TMJ... and have had it for about a year. It sucks and there is no technical cure for it.... Lovely!

-We have ZERO plans for the weekend and I couldn't be more excited about that. October, November and December will be complete chaos, so I intend to enjoy this carefree weekend to the fullest.

-This morning in the car, Drew decides we should each list our strengths and weaknesses... he's 7 and I have no clue where he comes up with this stuff. He listed "being single" as one of his strengths... I burst out laughing... He is definitely Mama's Boy

-I drive a Ford Focus. Nothing overly spectacular, but a great little car for us. Great on gas and I haven't had any major issues with it. However.... when I'm on a thrift store shopping spree, I often have to remind myself that we do not own a truck. In the last week I have had the thrift store employees force 3 large objects into that poor car... a Gazelle (exercise equipment), a HUGE dog house (for my 2 tiny chihuahuas), and a desk. All three were done separately... and when I got them home I had an awful time trying to figure out how to get them out of my car....

-I have watched 17 hours of tv shows (Love me some Hulu), read 4 books, watched 2 movies and played endless games online this week at work. Yes, it's a tad slow here.... boredom is very boring. But getting paid for it does make it kind of worth it.

-Drew has had a hard time deciding whether he wants an Ipod or an Xbox for his birthday. Well last night he came up with a solution. He says he'll take an Ipod for his birthday and just ask Santa for an Xbox for Christmas. I couldn't help but laugh.... This poor kid has no idea that after buying his birthday present, "Santa" will be BROKE when Christmas comes around. Last year he asked Santa to give all of his presents to the homeless.... guess this year he's feeling a little less charitable... poor me.

-Today is the first day of Fall.... normally I am not a fan, but this year I'm kind of looking forward to it. (remind me of this when the temperatures start dropping... )

My Idea of Happy is Way Different Than Yours

What do you want in life?
What do you want out of life?


Other than a happy and healthy son, I couldn't really care less. 
Oh wait, except I do want a house on the beach. 


My family is always asking me about my plans for the future.. and what I want in life. This seems to me the kind of thing you ask a kid that's getting ready to graduate high school... not a 29 year old mother who's been living a happy and healthy, very fulfilled life for the last 8 years.


They ask me these things because I don't live their idea of a normal... traditional life. 


Here are the facts that disturb them:


-I'm 29 and single. Completely single.. no, I do not date. At All.


-My idea of going out is a trip to Target or Ikea... there are no bars or clubs in my life.


-Cooking & cleaning are things I dread... apparently you're supposed to love it if you're a mom.


-I genuinely enjoy my time ALONE.


-My practically 8 year old still sleeps in my bed.


-My wardrobe consists of 72 tank tops... dressing up is NOT my thing at all. 


-When Drew's not home, I will go an entire weekend without talking to a single person. I am not a fan of people.. what can I say?


-I don't have the slightest career ambition. Zero desire to be employed in any way shape or form..... however, I am realistic and a mom, so I do work a full 40 hours every week.


-I have very few friends. Friends require time & energy that I don't have.. and when I do, I'd just rather spend it alone.


When I tell people that I am happy... truly happy with my life, most don't believe me. They can't begin to imagine how that's even remotely possible since I'm not sharing it with anyone.... except Drew. I hate this... I am sharing my life with the absolute most important person in the world to me... and people can't see how that makes me happy. 


I adore my son. I love him more that he'll ever know. And yes, he makes me happy... Every.Single.Day.


And while my choices in life make others question my sanity.... I have to admit, I often question the life choices of every person I know.


For me, the idea of putting on dress clothes 5 days a week to go to work is insane. Skipping my son's awards program at school because I have a meeting at the office or an out of town business trip are things I will NEVER do. 


Let's not even talk about dating.... People bug me. I interact with them when and how I feel like it... that's as close to "dating" as I ever plan to get. If you want your thoughts, feeling and opinions to be taking into consideration by me.... it's never gonna happen, unless you're Drew.


How in the world are so many of you people in relationships... or even married?!?!? Compromise, commitment, expectations, sharing, and obligation are things that will never make sense to me. If someone wants to spend time with me, I want them to do it because they genuinely want to... not because we live together and they feel obligated to come home. I don't want someone to assume or expect that I will attend a wedding with them simply because they've given me the title of "girlfriend". I will always be a CHOICE... not an obligation.


Everyone has their own version of happy. Different things make different people tick. People's wants are different... as well as their needs. 


My life may be different than yours... but it's mine and I'm HAPPY. 


Your life sure is different than mine... and doesn't make sense to me... but if you're TRULY happy... then I am happy for you. 


Maybe one day my family will see it that way too. Maybe.... 

The Great Remodel of 2010 Continues.. in 2011

Back in April 2010, the remodel of my house began. 


(work being done by my landlord (AKA- my grandpa) and my uncle who does the work in his spare time... if he has any)


I asked for wood floors in my living room and dining room. 


What I got was an ENTIRE house remodel. Every single room, every single wall, floor and window. 


While I appreciate all the nice new stuff.. and how great my house looks now... the problem is, it's still not done. 


My room, the living room, dining room, hall and bathroom have been done. Only took a year to get those done.... 


But now they have officially moved on to the end (I HOPE) of the project. 
Drew's room.... the kitchen and the laundry room. Oh, and last minute they decided to rip down the fence in my backyard and build a new one, and add a slab of concrete for the storage shed they think I need (ummm, yes, I do have a lot of crap Grandpa, thanks for noticing!)

This part of the project has actually gone along pretty quickly over the last two weeks... until this weekend. My uncle was there both Saturday and Sunday working on Drew's room. Walls have come down, flooring has been ripped out and drywall is everywhere.

And while my uncle was working away inside... my cousin was outside in my grandparent's backyard (just on the other side of my back yard) putting in ANOTHER bathroom. Yep, a bathroom in the backyard... (of my grandparents house, not mine.) This was all fine and dandy and didn't concern me one bit, until they mentioned that they were connecting it to MY plumbing (but they pay my water bill so what do I care?) Oh, and there was a problem with one of the pipes so they wanted to replace the whole line.... That runs under Drew's room and my kitchen.

We are SOOO lucky that they were working on both projects at once because my cousin had to come in with a freakin' jack-hammer and dig a huge hole through the width of Drew's room and right down the middle of my ENTIRE kitchen.

Horrible lighting, but that's the whole in the floor

of Drew's room looking in from my kitchen.

And I know you can't really see it here, but this 

is my tiny kitchen with a massive hole in it.. and tarps

covering my countertops.

To say that it was a LOUD, filthy and eventful weekend is a huge understatement. 

I am not looking forward to cleaning up after this mess. The plan is to finish Drew's room completely before working on the kitchen. So they will be putting down a temporary floor until they're ready... at which time I will need to empty my kitchen completely in order to clean all the DUST and debris that has worked its way into my cabinets and every dish I own. 


Fun times!

3rd Grade

It finally happened. 


I've known the day was coming for awhile (almost 8 years actually). But with this being our first full year in a private school with a year-round school schedule, it seemed to take forever. 


This morning my little man.. love of my life.. my son, my moon & my stars... started THIRD GRADE.

He's just so freakin' cute, it's kills me! (Yes, very proud Mama)

I had to force him to take the obligatory first day of school pictures before we left.

He's going to do GREAT. This boy is beyond ready for third grade... but he was still a bit nervous today. Right now I love knowing that my son's biggest fears are cursive & fractions... oh to be young again... 

Bring it on 3rd grade!! My boy can handle it.. and hopefully I can too. I'm anxious to hear how his first day went.... and to see how many stains I need to remove from his precious white shirt. 

And let me just add... that this is the first year that I didn't cry on the 1st day of school. 

Wow... WE really are growing up. 

The Randomness That is Us...

* How in the world is it already September?? Anyone want to tell me why 2011 is flying by?


*We had orientation for little man's class last night. Third Grade... don't even get me started on how my itty bitty is even old enough for 3rd grade... 


*I truly feel sorry for his teacher.. she will have to deal with me.. daily.. for the ENTIRE year. Yes, I am THAT Mom. The one that knows her child is the best thing to ever happen to the world, the mom that requires notification if her son so much as sneezes during class, the mom that needs to know 3 months in advance if there will be any field trips, class parties or projects. 


*Drew's room is currently under construction. While I am SOOO glad that this project has FINALLY been started, and involves my minimal involvement... It still stresses me out because I know that I will eventually have to put everything back in there. We have never moved since Drew was born so I had no idea how much STUFF that kid really had. It's a lot.. too much really. 


*And since my kid has sooo much junk... I might just have myself a little yard sale this weekend. Maybe... it's still supposed to be in the high 90's outside... and I really don't do outdoors unless it's at the beach... and I'd be doing it all alone.. so probably not.. but maybe.


* I have every intention of doing some unnecessary shopping this weekend. Old Navy has their NFL stuff out now and we both need new team shirts (Go Cowboys!!!), and Michael's just sent me come coupons in my email so I'm sure I'll find a few things I need there. 


*We have ZERO plans for Labor Day... but I'm thinking we'll either hit the L.A. County Fair... or hang out by the pool. Every intention of enjoying our last day of Summer. 


*Drew lost one of his baby teeth on February 15th... and it still hasn't come in yet.. and there is no sign that his adult tooth has any intention of coming in any time soon. I think 7 months is WAY too long for a tooth to come in.. I think a trip to the dentist is in order. Oh, and the tooth next to it came out in April.. and hasn't come in yet either. My poor toothless baby.... he has another tooth loose right now and I told him there is no way I'm allowing another tooth to come out before those top two come in. (note to self: stock up on superglue!)

He Isn't Even Slightly Phased By You

Oh to be young again. 
Carefree.. without a worry in the world.


Ok, wait.. he does have worries. He worries about when he will get to play the Wii next. He cares if we have dessert each night. And he definitely cares if he's getting shots at each of his doctor's visits.


But my son... my gorgeous and intelligent little 7 year old.. doesn't care what people think. 


When I tell him to get his clothes ready for school, he simply grabs the 1st pair of shorts in the drawer without considering the color or pattern. Then he goes to the closet and grabs the 1st shirt he sees... not stopping to think if it will match his shorts or if it even still fits him any more. 


He doesn't care. Appearance means NOTHING to my son. 


He sees nothing wrong with giving the toys he no longer plays with to his friends for birthday gifts. He does not see the need for the toy to be in it's original package.. unopened.. un-enjoyed. NEW is not important to him... and he doesn't think it matters to other people. He would be excited to receive a game from his friend... not ever looking to see if it's ever been opened or where it came from.


He knows that I buy clothes for him at the thrift store whenever I see something cute in his size. Clothes that have been previously worn by another child... clothes without their tags on them... and he doesn't care. The only thing he questions at theses times is why I keep buying him clothes that he doesn't need!


My son is not phased by labels. He couldn't tell you who any of his shoes were made by. The only labels this kid cares about are Wii and Xbox.. his two best friends. (And I guarantee if there was a knock-off video game brand I would have bought that instead of the Wii.... and he wouldn't have cared one bit.)


My son cares about people's feelings... when it comes to them being sad or happy. He just doesn't care what they think about him. He's a kid.. of course he wants to be liked by the other kids on the playground... but he's not on a mission to impress anyone.


He's a practical and resourceful little man. He will think of a way to re-purpose ANYTHING I want to throw away. He could live on mac & cheese and chicken nuggets daily, and thinks I'm wasting money buying anything else. 


The world hasn't corrupted my baby yet. He hasn't been impacted negatively by TV advertising and celebrities. Greed hasn't taken over his pretty little mind.. yet. 


I am realistic and know the day will probably come. The day when he HAS to have the latest Nikes... or HAS to buy his friend the new video game for his birthday.... The day might come.... and he might start to CARE...


But until then, I will enjoy his innocence and lack of concern. 


And I will wish that I was more like him...... 

Vegas With My Baby

After very little discussion, Drew decided we'd be going back to Las Vegas for our vacation this year. This makes 3 years in a row.... The only other place he even considered was Miami... to see a Dolphins game. And since I knew there was no way I'd be able to save up $3,000 in a few months, we settled on Vegas. 

** Don't mind my horrible pictures, we are in desperate need of a new camera**

First off, Vegas is HOT.. ridiculously HOT. at 8:30 in the morning it was already 99 degrees... YUCK. We stayed at the Monte Carlo again because we LOVE their pools. The wave pool, lazy river, and regular pool. Drew would have gladly stayed out at the pool all day, every day... but even for this Summer-lovin' Mamma, it was just too stinking hot. 

We pretty much spent our mornings at the pool, afternoons napping in our room, and nights on the strip. 

Our lives really aren't all that hectic and crazy... but we both really needed this vacation. 3 days away from everyone we know.. no work.. no school.. no computers, video games or phones (except one call from his Dad). We just needed a break. 

On our last night there we went to see The Tournament of Kings at Excalibur. 

I was kind of hesitant to take him since it was completely new to him (and he HATES new things), and they warn of smoke, fire and loud noises (all 3 things that he HATES)... but I've always wanted to go, so we gave it a shot. He was pretty reluctant... but once he accepted that I was making him go anyway, he was fine. 

And I'm SOOOO glad we went because he LOVED it!! All he's wanted to do the last few days is have sword fights and joust in the living room. There were moments (fireworks and cannons) that freaked him out, but he handled it really well. And the food... oh I was nervous about that too. This kid is a super picky eater.. and the idea of him eating without utensils was kind of funky to me... 

But once again, Drew surprised me. He loves "Chicken on a bone" (drumsticks) so he was excited to rip them off the chicken and gobble them up. Of course the brocoli was never touched.. but that was to be expected. It was really a great night there. We loved the show, the food was great and we had a blast.

On our last day there Drew asked if we could go to the Wax Museum. There weren't that many "people" he recognized.. but he enjoyed seeing the ones we did. And since we were the 2nd ones to enter that morning, we pretty much had the place to our selves... and were out in less than 20 minutes.

Of course Michael Jackson was his favorite... but he was a little nervous to stand next to him.. Some of those statues look so real it's creepy. 

All in all it was a good little vacation for us. But once we got home we both agreed that we'd had about enough time alone together... so he went to school the next day to play for a couple hours while I ran some errands.. alone. Guess some times you can have too much of a good thing. 

School Shopping Jealousy

Growing up, I LOVED back to school shopping. (I was a kid and Mom was buying me stuff.. of course I loved it!!)


I remember the lists of school supplies. Stuff my sister and I would NEED for class. (Besides pencils and paper, most of that stuff was never NEEDED... just sayin')


I remember all the new clothes I planned on getting.... until Mom brought me back into reality by informing me we were only buying clothes I NEEDED... not a single thing just because it was cute... ok, this part I didn't love so much.


When my son started Kindergarten 3 years ago, I was super excited about school shopping. I was looking forward to the list of classroom "necessities" and putting together endless adorable outfits for my little man. 


At Kindergarten registration I was told that there wasn't a "school supplies list". I was told that the school didn't expect the children to bring a single thing to class...... I believe the look I gave the secretary was one of utter SHOCK. What the heck was this lady talking about? Kids need stuff for class... at least some freaking pencils or something?? She told me I could check with the teacher at orientation day, but she doubted I'd get a different answer. 


At orientation I was again disappointed. The teacher didn't want them to bring anything... NOTHING. At this point I was strongly doubting whether I was sending my kid to the right school. What kind of place was this? His teacher explained that all supplies were already provided and they didn't want to put the burden on the parents. Ok, now that was pretty nice of them.... however, I was looking forward to the burden.. I WANTED that burden. 


So I did what any other sane mother does.... I ignored them completely and bought my son every school supply that walmart offered. He was loaded up with a backpack, binder, folders, paper and a full pencil box. My son was prepared for any scholastic emergency that should arise. And of course he was decked out in an awesome new wardrobe. 


By the second week of school I realized I had just wasted money... a lot of money. Not a single item in his backpack had been touched. The only time he even opened the thing was to take out his lunch. And the clothes... oh those adorable clothes... were a disaster. Kindergarten boys get DIRTY... very easily. Why they even make white shoes and white shirts in toddler sizes is beyond me. Every single day this kid came home with a new grass, mud or ketchup stain. 


The next year he went back to that school for first grade. I had officially learned my lesson... well, pretty much. He got a new lunch box and backpack... but that was about it. He was getting new clothes only to replace things he'd outgrown.. and this year we were shopping at the thrift store. I was still bummed about missing out on the whole back to school shopping experience... but at least I wasn't going broke. 


Last year my little man switched school to a private school in our area. I thought FOR SURE I'd be getting a supplies list this time. Nope... instead I was given a bill for "Materials Fee"..... a $310 bill..... Now can someone please tell me  what in the world my second grader would possibly need $310 worth of supplies for? Were they going to give him a new backpack, binder, lunchbox and calculator? Nope. By this time I had given up. I accepted the fact that Back to School no longer meant the greatest shopping trip ever like it used to... 


Yet for some reason I still can't stop going down the school supply isle at every single Target and Walmart I walk into. My son has zero desire for any school stuff. I asked him to pick out a new backpack and he says "why?, the one I have is fine"... I try to convince him he needs a new lunch box, and his response, "Mom, we already have 4 at home." Who's kid is this????? He certainly didn't get his shopping instincts from his mother... And don't even get me started on his clothes. This kid couldn't care less about what he wears. Doesn't care if it matches or even fits him!! He could probably keep all the clothes he has for the next 2 years without asking for a single thing.... except a new Miami Dolphins jersey.. necessities. 


So while everyone else is complaining about the ridiculous supplies lists they're required to shop for... and all the new clothes their kids need after growing 3 inches over the summer... This mom is completely jealous.. and will just have to learn to start shopping for herself =)

Living By The Clock

Not really sure when or how it started. I swear I don't remember always being this way. Maybe it happened when I became a mom... 


I am EXTREMELY conscious of time.


All day.. every day... I have to know what time it is at every moment. 


There are certain things in my life that are planned for specific times of the day. Actually, 90% of my day is scheduled. I know exactly what I'll be doing at 6:45 am on the weekdays. I have to leave the house at a specific time every day. The entire drive to work is spent glancing at the clock, and figuring out how many minutes until I get there, and approximately what time I will arrive. Crazy!!


Breakfast, lunch and dinner are at the same time EVERY day. At 11:20 am, I am sitting at my desk figuring out what I need to get done in the next 40 minutes because everything stops at 12:00 for lunch. There isn't a strict rule in the office about lunch time.. but for some reason there's a strict rule in MY head. 


I must glance at the clock about 100 times a day. Checking the time is absolutely the thing I do the most with my phone. 


Routine and schedule are now HUGE necessities in my life. I will seriously stress out if we are not home by 5:00pm so that dinner can by ready by 5:30. Bed time is at 8:00pm on the dot. Maybe even a few minutes early, just so I can be sure we're in there at 8:00. 


I've realized lately that this is a problem. Not everything needs to revolve around the clock. What is it possibly going to hurt if we eat at 5:45 instead of 5:30? Is the world going to end if I don't wake Drew up exactly at 6:10 every morning? 


I stress out about any time conflict and it affects my son. He sees me stressed so he stresses... and he's the one that has to hear me complain or make him rush if we're even running 2 minutes late for the time I have planned to leave for the grocery store. 


It's ridiculous!! I recognize this as a problem... and now I need to find a way to change it. I do realize the importance of structure, routines and schedule for a child.. and even for a family... but that should only apply to the big stuff... like getting to school and work on time. 

No Summer For Us

I absolutely LOVE that it is now officially summer... at least according to the calendar. 


The temperatures have FINALLY risen around here, and we're expecting a high of 93 degrees today.


But there is still no summer for our household. 


School is still in session. 


I still work 40 hours a week... 5 days a week. 


And truth is, this is the way it'll be until Little Man graduates high school. 


Because I work full time and we have no nearby family members to care for Drew, he goes to a year round private school. He's there 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year... unless we're sick or have a random vacation day. 


Right now his school is "off track" which means there's no actual school work going on for the next 2 weeks. But their still open all day and the kids are kept busy with structured learning activities. 


Technically their school year doesn't even END until August 12th (at which point he'll have 3 weeks off track before the next school year begins).


Because I was raised having a traditional summer (for the most part), this is a little tough for me. I feel awful that my kid is stuck at school all day while other kids are at the beach or even at home playing video games. He doesn't get a long break... ever. 


We're planning a little vacation for 3 days in August... but that's about all he gets. I have more vacation time available through work, but I like to keep some of it for the inevitable sick days or personal emergencies that are bound to occur. 


It's times like this that I really wish I could change things. I wish so badly that I didn't have to work full time and that I was available more to be a MOM... so that Drew could have more free time to be a KID.

Why I Love My Job

-40 hours a week I have an obligation and responsibility.
-I absolutely dread a ringing phone from 7:30 - 4:00 five days a week.
-I'm expected to be somewhere at 7:30am.
-My paycheck is never large enough.
-When it's nice and sunny outside, I'm stuck inside where I can't even open a window to get fresh air.
-I get bored VERY quickly at work.
-I do not enjoy the daily tasks of my job.
-Worrying about what to bring for lunch each day, or if I have enough money to buy lunch, is exhausting.


These things actually suck... but despite all of it, here are the reasons I LOVE my job:


-I have never missed a single practice or game of my son's, no matter what sport he's played.
-I am able to take my son to every doctors appointment... scheduled or not.
-Every other week there is a decent enough amount of money directly deposited into my bank account.
-I can bring my son to work with me if necessary.
-I have a great benefits package that allows me to stress less about health and dental issues, money for my future, and vacation, sick and personal time that I can take whenever I want to.
-I work with 9 men... and no women (no drama).
-Making it to parent-teacher conferences, awards assemblies, and Christmas performances on time is never an issue. 
-During my interview for this job I made it a point to explain that my son is my priority and the only reason I wanted this job was for the paycheck... and they hired me anyway... and because of that (they said it showed I had a reason to be there everyday).
-I get to spend my day watching movies, reading books and shopping online since there's no actual "work" to be done.
-I can afford to put my son in private school, chess lessons and any sport his heart desires.
-I am home every night in time to have dinner with my son, do his homework with him, play endless rounds of Boogle, and tuck him into bed (next to me).... EVERY night.


I certainly do not enjoy the daily tasks of my job... but I am beyond thankful for the mother that my job allows me to be. 


Some people go to school for years... spend endless time studying.. to pursue a career that fulfills them, a career where they can use their talents and spend their days doing what they love. 


I am so lucky and thankful to have a job that allows me to be Drew's Mom.