Endless Pursuit for Mom of the Year

I always say shopping is cheaper than a psychiatrist.   ~ Tammy Faye Bakker ------------------------------------------------------------ Ah, Black Friday shopping.  By now, I'm sure most everyone has read an article, seen a news story, possibly even watched a You Tube video that shows the insanity that consumes some shoppers on this day in the hunt for the really good bargain.  It's pure insanity at its best!  My family has been black Friday shopping for some time now.  I know we didn't always do it and I can't quite place when exactly it started.  We don't always go for a deal (sometimes we do).  We don't always sleep before we go (certainly didn't this year).  But most of all, we go for the entertainment value it brings.  We've been known to sing songs, show customers where to find the product they are looking for, hold a place in line while someone runs for that one item they forgot, even fake labor.  No, we didn't...

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~ Dr. Seuss --------------------------  I'm amazed by the lessons handed to us in everyday life.  I believe that most people walk through life completely unaware of these lessons.  Your eyes must be wide open.  Your ears must be ready to listen.  Sure, some lessons are hard.  Others, are simple.  After this week, I find myself more keenly aware to those who have either not heard or seen the lesson, or are simly just too stubborn to find the value.  I also believe I've found a connection between not learning the lesson and lacking in self-awareness.  Ah, that's awfully deep for this mom of the year, right? Daughter of the year #1 joined a Brownie Troop.  She's only had a few meetings, but already knows many of the girls.  She had a meeting last week and while I didn't stay for the meeting, I understand quite a t...

Live in such a way that you would not be ashamed to sell your parrot to the town gossip.  ~ Will Rogers ------------------------------------------- I start many blog posts this way, but I'll say it again.  Those who know me best would know that I live life with few regrets.  I am who I am and I know that can't be changed.  I'm funny, a little bit crazy and, at times, a bit inappropriate (just ask my mother).  The biggest difference is that I know these things about myself.  As I said, I am who I am.   However, it never dawned on me that a simple t-shirt could embarrass daughter of the year #1 in such a big manner.  I bought the t-shirt above the minute it hit the racks where I work.  It went nicely in my closet with my "Sarcastic Comment Loading" t-shirt, which hangs by my  Wizard of Oz shirt that says "Did the Wizard ever get back to you about that brain?"  Folded near them is my "Motherhood is not for sissies" t-shirt, ...

Men are simple things. They can survive a whole weekend with only three things: beer, boxer shorts and batteries for the remote control. ~ Diana Jordan ----------------------------------------------------------- I've said it before and I'll say it again - men and women are just completely different creatures.  For instance, I had the day off work today.  I would have loved to spend it watching old episodes of Say Yes to the Dress, or the  mounds of things on our DVR or even, (gasp) a chick flick.  Instead, I spent the day going room by room, and cleaning our horrendously dirty house.  What would dad of the year have done?  Definitely DVR!  Now, I'm not complaining and I'm not faulting him for his choices.  There are days I do partake in the lesser of the domesticated duties and spend my afternoon with my feet on the coffee table watching a movie like Letters to Juliet and crying my eyes out.  Have I mentioned I'm a sucker for chick fli...

Three can keep a secret if two are dead. ~ Benjamin Franklin ------------------------------------ Secrets.  They are a funny thing sometimes.  Especially when a child has been asked to keep one and, before you know it, they are rattling it off in their complete, matter-of-fact way, as if to say, hey, it's no big deal.  Some of the conversations that make me tense up most are the ones that contain the words, I told my teacher today about that funny thing you did.  Eek, what had I done that was funny?  Maybe the bigger question is, what had I done that was appropriately funny.  Oh boy! Any attempt to protect the innocent in this post is impossible.  The story is simply just so hilarious, I had to write about it.  My apologies to grandpa of the year in advance.  We sure do love you! On the way home tonight, I took daughter of the year #1 to buy a birthday present for daughter of the year #2.  As we headed home, I realized my ca...

We've been playing games with each other. We've been trying to see who can outsmart each other.  ~ Sugar Minott --------------------------------------------------- We play lots of games in our house.  Anything from Monopoly Jr to garbage, Uno and the Fancy Nancy Posh Bedroom game.  We love playing games.  Recently, daughter of the year #2 took to playing hide and seek.  I'm not sure when it started but I'm guessing it is something her sister taught her.  However, she is sneaky!  Her amazing stealth mode and knack for being very quiet (obviously taught well by her sister) created a tiny panic for this mom of the year.  It went like most other nights when we all get home from work/school/daycare.  Partially through preparing dinner, dad of the year realizes that he hasn't heard daughter of the year #2.  That most often equates to trouble, or coloring on the wall.  I didn't panic until I heard him call her name a bit mor...

The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears. ~ Unknown ------------------------------------------------------- Daughter of the year #1 came home tonight and we had the typical "how was your day?" conversation.  I got the usual response.  But, today is Wednesday.  Ever since our troubles with bullying, she has been seeing the school's family resource counselor once a week, just to talk about how to use words to cope with the mean people we encounter in our lives.  Therefore, I probed a bit more about her meeting with the counselor as she looks forward to her time with her.  I'd had a tough week, perhaps she could teach me a few things.  Little did I know.  "We read a book today, mom," she said.  "What book did you read?"  I asked.  "It was about a rainbow fish," she said.  Now, when daughter of the year #1 talks about a book, you rarely get the feel of what the book is actually about.  We've heard lots about...