Why you should probably just hang up and text me

I’ve had a couple of people express irritation about why I don’t often answer my phone when they call.  To clear up any questions here is my list.

• With text messages I can control when I reply, so if my son is hitting his head on the floor during a meltdown or the little lady is currently spilling an entire gallon of milk on the floor I can take a moment to control the situation before making a reply.  I WILL forget to call people back all the time.
• I talk too much and will neglect my homework, children, housework, husband etc if I always talk to people on the phone.  I don’t know how to shut up.
• Auto correct mishaps make my day, while freudian slips are also fun they aren’t as common.
• When I’m having a bad day or there is a crisis going on I don’t often want to talk about it, just the opposite.  I may vent online and often find that therapeutic but if you got me on the phone I would clam up or start sobbing.  Or both.
• I may be in the spa or library and talking on the phone is not an option, however texting can be done almost anywhere (as long as it is safe!)
• My memory is terrible but if I know someone sent me a text or email with a time I am supposed to be somewhere I will be more likely to remember.  If you told me on the phone I most likely didn’t enter it into my phone and odds are good I’ll forget.  OR I’ll just text you later to find out when it was.
• I can filter my thoughts and therefore be more productive.  I can also reread what I’ve said to make sure it’s not going to come across in a way I didn’t intend it to.

Now I do believe that face to face and telephone communications are still important in relationships.  It’s not that I never talk on the phone and my poor neighbors know I like to talk face to face.

All this being said I have a huge pet peeve.  Just because you are texting or even writing a facebook status it does not mean that you can’t still use proper grammar and spelling.  I’m not talking about the occasional wrong word or spell check mishap.  If having a consistent conversation with someone via text and I am able to talk I will often call the other person to talk.  I also call if there are a lot of details being worked out or I don’t understand what is being said.

 

Day 24: A movie no one would expect you to love

There are a couple but this one is probably at the top of the list as far as one you wouldn’t expect from me (or that most people wouldn’t).  Thanks to my dad for watching this a lot when I was younger and actually taking the time to answer all my questions about what was happening.

 

Day 23: A way in which you want to be remembered

A loving mother who did her best she could… which wouldn’t be possible without  Jeremy, and this day 6 years ago.

I love you Jeremy, happy anniversary.  Time sure flies when you are with someone so amazing.

 

 

Day 22: A website you like

So many to choose from so I’ll just put my latest favorites:

Room Mom 101 - Great place for school ideas or even just great learning games or fun activities for kids.

Food.com – My go to website when I want to try a new recipe.

Steep and Cheap – They have deals on outdoor gear, sunglasses, coats, etc.

Weight Chart – Great place to track your weight.  No bells and whistles just a chart really.  Good for me to see long-term progress since with my heart I can fluctuate up to 10-12 pounds in one day.

Goodreads – LOVE this site.  You can make bookshelves for your books and rate, review and track what you are reading.  I love it because I can’t always remember if I have read a book before and it also lets me have a list of the books I want to read at my fingertips.  I have a pretty eclectic reading taste so it’s nice to have everything in one place.

 

Day 21: Something you know you do differently than most people

I know you all thought I’d forgotten to finish the “getting to know you” but I haven’t.  I’ve just been stumped about what to say for this one.  I’ve thought about it quite a bit and I’ve decided to write about Disney movies.

I have often heard the lament of people who hate that Disney movies have a happily ever after.  Prince charming swoops in, saves the damsel in distress, and they live with singing birds and chipmunks for the eternities.

I agree that this can give children a warped sense of love and life after the movie ends.  However that being said I often watch these movies and see something else all together, something I hope to show my daughter as she watches the movies, using them as learning tools… let me give you a couple of examples.

Cinderella: Makes the best of her situation, smiling and overcoming obstacles with cheer.  Yes she had to scrub and clean but she often did so with a smile.  It’s also okay to cry when things don’t go your way or you have felt deceived and that a hug from your mother (Fairy Godmother or otherwise) can help ease the pain.  Being a gentle and kind friend will help be a support in your life (even if her friends were all animals, I mean come on they made that dress!)

Belle: Loyalty to her family and love and respect shown for her father always touched me.  The optimism and praise she gives her dad when he is working on his inventions was genuine and sincere.  She shows that a girl can be smart, and does not have to settle for the first man who comes along, even if everyone else thinks he is a catch.  Also shows that beauty is more than skin deep, she did after all fall in love with a beast.  When he tries to bully her she stands up for herself.  Just because it was implied that she needn’t be educated, read or have ideas she stood her ground.(can you tell this is my favorite)

Tiana: She not only wished on the star for her dream, but she also worked very hard to make it happen.  She learned to balance not only hard work but enjoyment in life as well.  She learned that having those she loved around her would make her dream that much better, and all the hard work that much sweeter.

I could go on with about all of the princesses/heroines.  I also love Mulan and Meg for their feisty personalities and fighting spirit.  Nala even fought Simba at one point, telling him to get over himself (essentially).  I am living my happily ever after with my prince charming, and it is challenging but very joyful at the same time.

I grew up watching many of these movies and didn’t feel like I had to be beautiful and all my problems would go away, or that if I just sat pretty I would find prince charming coming around a corner to save me.  I am not saying I wasn’t self conscious at times but I never felt that watching Snow White made me have a poor self image.  My mom and dad raised us to be strong independent women.  There is nothing wrong with being feminine, or feeling pretty.  Guess what, you can be self-confident and smart and still find prince charming.

The point is this.  Even if Disney didn’t make these movies, and have the happily ever after, someone else would.  I like that they usually at least make the princesses intelligent women with good character.  Yes I’m aware of all the things you can throw at me of the princesses being bad examples, but I choose to help my daughter see the good in these fictional women.  The strength, and fortitude instead of the flaws.  The glass is half full kind of approach.  Yes I want her feet planted in reality but that doesn’t mean she shouldn’t believe in love.  I hope that Jeremy and I can show our kids as they grow up that you can have the happily ever after but it does take work.

So I’ll continue to let her dress up, watch the movies and sing and dance to the songs.  I’ll continue to point out the good qualities while she watches them.  Bravery, loyalty, friendship, compassion, understanding, love, service, etc.  Lets face it, in today’s world we could all use a good dose of happily ever after.

 

Busy Mommy

I only had a week between JD going back to school and my starting school again.  I had a list of things a mile long to accomplish.  While I didn’t get everything done, here is what we did finish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now It’s back to school for mommy and with math and chemistry this semester its going to be exciting.

 

Humility during the holidays

Humility is not something that is easy to learn for me sometimes.  After a day like this one Let’s be honest the entire month of December for us, I find myself hitting my knees and thanking the Lord for our blessings.  Today when we took Jeremy’s car into the shop I laughed, I’d finally hit my cracking point.  Finding out that the work needed on Jeremy’s car is about 3 times what we wanted to spend was a hard pill for us… but I’m thankful that we have the car in the first place and need to be more grateful for our blessings.

Has it been a hard month for us? Yes.  Have we seen some amazing blessings through the trials?  Absolutely.

This holiday season we are truly feeling the spirit of the season and the love of the Lord in our home.  I believe sometimes the Lord does give us more than we think we can handle, so that we will turn to him to help us.  We are blessed, and through it all we can’t forget that.

Merry Christmas

 

 

The Muppets Rocked My World

We interrupt “getting to know you” to bring you this movie review:

Yesterday I spent all day at the university library doing homework.  I was able to get a lot done but I could tell around 9pm my brain was slowing down.  My sister (being the superstar she is) decided it was time for a break and took me to the movies.  We decided to watch the new Muppet Movie and laughed so hard.  I even cried a little.

I’ve always loved the Muppets and it was awesome to see them back and spectacular.  There were times that we felt like the only ones in the theater laughing but maybe it is because we were laughing so hard it drowned everyone else out?  It was such a great movie, I would actually go see it again and I can’t remember the last time I went to a movie and loved it so much.  We were laughing all the way home about all the muppetisims and one liners in the show.  I’m sure when we watch it again we’ll see even more we missed.  I suggest it to anyone.  Such a hoot.  Thanks sister!

 

 

Day 20: A food you like and a food you do not like

LIKE

I was going to put an onion as the food I do not like but that’s not fair.  I like the flavor of onions I just can’t stand the texture.  SERIOUSLY can’t handle the texture of an onion.  So I chose this instead:

DO NOT LIKE

Doesn’t matter the brand or even miracle whip, can not handle mayo in any way.  I like my sandwiches dry.

 

Day 19: A talent of yours

Gravy.  This is always one of my least favorite questions.

I have a great imagination.  I didn’t ever think of it as a talent but since we have to pretty much “teach” Deeds to develop and use his imagination I guess that’s a good one.  I love being able to read a book and imagine the world the author creates with their words and just lose myself in it.

I am also very forgiving.  I get it from my dad, thanks daddy.

What are some of your talents?