Just had to add a happy note---Shellie just saved a baby bird!!!
No Mom, she did not touch it in any way.....
She went outside to swing and the baby had fallen from the nest in the tree right next to her playset. She came running inside to tell me, so I went out to look. Then I had her run back in a get her dad, while I cast a shadow over the bird----time of day when sun is extremely strong there. He came out with sterile gloves on, looked at bird, got the ladder and put the bird back in nest with its 3-4 siblings. Then put ladder up, stripped gloves off and put in garage trash and came back in to wash hands thoroughly.
Plan on monitoring nest to make sure momma still feeds baby, if possible, without disturbing it.
Yay Shellie!!!!!!
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Why I will never do business with DISCOVER card....
Between you and me, I know that most people are just trying to do their job. Even telemarketers. But when I have personally picked up the phone and requested to not be called again---even calling the toll free number on my caller ID to have this done, even when I have been given the recorded option of pressing 2 to have this number removed from the calling list, then something is screwed in (pick your location) when I continue to receive calls from that organization.
This has been going on for about a month or so. Phone rings, I check caller ID. number appears, with "unknown caller" under it. So I usually let it go to the machine. But one day, knowing all the bills were caught up and that I am on the federal do not call list, I picked up just to see who had to get in touch with me so badly that they were calling at least twice a day. Notice I said at least.
It was Discover Business cards. Could they talk to ---- I still do not know to this day-- so I asked what this concerned and they asked, rather snottily, if there was someone here who could make financial decisions for this business. I told them this was not a business and she said she would call back another time, at which point I began the "please add this number to your do not call list" and she hung up. Pissed me off no end........That particular conversation was about 3 weeks or better ago.After I had played the press 2 game........
So I have consistently tried to get Discover to drop my number. Don't want the card, never wanted the card. Don't believe in credit cards---been there done that had the tshirt ripped off my back when behind on payments. Haven't had any card for years except debit from my bank account. Yeah I know they are handy, but that's the trouble, they are too handy for everything under the sun.
Yesterday morning it hit the fan. Phone rang midmorning, same number again. BTW it is 866-722-4215, if anyone is interested. I picked up, ready to do battle. Now I am already stressed over work, as well as other personal issues in the family--nothing major, just irritating. So not cooperating with me is not a good idea.
I got a real person on the line, and explained once again, this is not a business, never had anything to do with Discover card, never even applied for one, don't want one. Please take my number off your calling list. She demands my name and phone, which I question rather vigorously----after all, her computer is probably displaying that as we speak. Deciding cooperating to a point might get me what I want, I play along until she informs me that it will take up to 30 days before I stop receiving calls.
Ummm NO!!!! What part of do not call this number ever again do they not get? So I told her that was unacceptable, and that if I received one more call, I would contact my state attorney general. At which point, since she had already told me she had put my number on the do not call list, I hung up.
Went to work, came home about 10pm, noticed the number again on the caller ID. Now Ron does not ever pick up on unknowns unless he just wants to tell them to go to hell for the fun of it. But I was tired of this so I told him that if that number called again to feel free to pick it up and tell them to do whatever he felt like telling them to do. I can only imagine what he would say....LOL...
This morning while I was out replacing tires on my car, they called again. So I called the 866 number back and again tried to explain that I am on the federal do not call list and have never had any kind of a relationship with anything to do with Discover card, so each call they made to me was in violation of FTC rules. She said, NO WE ARE NOT. At which point I told her that I didn't care what she thought, I was tired of the phone calls, I considered them harassing, and would be contacting my attorney general. She said that it would not do me any good, as they were not in violation and the only way to get the calls to stop was for her to put me on their list. I told her I had just been thru that yesterday, yada yada yada. The process began again, and we had just gotten as far as my name when the power went out for a second here in the boondocks. Which of course ended the call, as I was on the cordless at the time. So I called back on the corded phone and got a very nice, patient lady who listened to me, went thru the process again, and then also directed me to Discover's main phone number to further facilitate the matter. I thanked her for being the only human, basically, although that wasn't how I phrased it, at that call center.
Then I called 1-800-DISCOVER. Lady immediately puts me thru to her supervisor, who explains yet again the 30 day thing. I very politely told him, not my problem. I am on the do not call list, etc etc. And that in this day and age of computer technology, I failed to see why they could not just bring up my number and slap a do not call note on it, or remove it entirely from their system. Isn't that what their IT dept is for? He was patient, I'll give him that, and I did not scream and yell, although the temptation was great, but he said that they have to print off pages and send them to various depts. Again, not my problem. Get it done. Do not call me again. Do you want the number of the harassing call center? I can happily supply it, as I have called it numerous times trying to take care of this.
I understand they have their policies and procedures. I understand there is a script they follow, etc. But when you are faced with an extremely irate person, who is not even your customer and never will be for any reason now, I mean, at least do something besides repeat the party line.
Oh yeah, and that number called again this afternoon. I picked up and said hello very sweetly---not a peep on the other end. Shellie was in the room or a word or two might have been said. I just hung it up, but I am tempted to put Shel on the phone and let them try to deal with her 6 yr old logic, or just to answer it and let it sit until they hang up.
Then there is also the attorney general's hotline-----and as I told the supervisor, it won't take me 30 days to file a complaint and have their lives made difficult by being investigated by this state.
Well off to make dinner.........
update, 6 pm........I contacted the FTC by phone and filed complaint and was also advised to file complaint online, which I have done. Guy at FTC call center scratching his head over why Discover thinks they are not in the wrong on this.........me too.......if anything is done, and I am notified of anything, I will update accordingly..........
This has been going on for about a month or so. Phone rings, I check caller ID. number appears, with "unknown caller" under it. So I usually let it go to the machine. But one day, knowing all the bills were caught up and that I am on the federal do not call list, I picked up just to see who had to get in touch with me so badly that they were calling at least twice a day. Notice I said at least.
It was Discover Business cards. Could they talk to ---- I still do not know to this day-- so I asked what this concerned and they asked, rather snottily, if there was someone here who could make financial decisions for this business. I told them this was not a business and she said she would call back another time, at which point I began the "please add this number to your do not call list" and she hung up. Pissed me off no end........That particular conversation was about 3 weeks or better ago.After I had played the press 2 game........
So I have consistently tried to get Discover to drop my number. Don't want the card, never wanted the card. Don't believe in credit cards---been there done that had the tshirt ripped off my back when behind on payments. Haven't had any card for years except debit from my bank account. Yeah I know they are handy, but that's the trouble, they are too handy for everything under the sun.
Yesterday morning it hit the fan. Phone rang midmorning, same number again. BTW it is 866-722-4215, if anyone is interested. I picked up, ready to do battle. Now I am already stressed over work, as well as other personal issues in the family--nothing major, just irritating. So not cooperating with me is not a good idea.
I got a real person on the line, and explained once again, this is not a business, never had anything to do with Discover card, never even applied for one, don't want one. Please take my number off your calling list. She demands my name and phone, which I question rather vigorously----after all, her computer is probably displaying that as we speak. Deciding cooperating to a point might get me what I want, I play along until she informs me that it will take up to 30 days before I stop receiving calls.
Ummm NO!!!! What part of do not call this number ever again do they not get? So I told her that was unacceptable, and that if I received one more call, I would contact my state attorney general. At which point, since she had already told me she had put my number on the do not call list, I hung up.
Went to work, came home about 10pm, noticed the number again on the caller ID. Now Ron does not ever pick up on unknowns unless he just wants to tell them to go to hell for the fun of it. But I was tired of this so I told him that if that number called again to feel free to pick it up and tell them to do whatever he felt like telling them to do. I can only imagine what he would say....LOL...
This morning while I was out replacing tires on my car, they called again. So I called the 866 number back and again tried to explain that I am on the federal do not call list and have never had any kind of a relationship with anything to do with Discover card, so each call they made to me was in violation of FTC rules. She said, NO WE ARE NOT. At which point I told her that I didn't care what she thought, I was tired of the phone calls, I considered them harassing, and would be contacting my attorney general. She said that it would not do me any good, as they were not in violation and the only way to get the calls to stop was for her to put me on their list. I told her I had just been thru that yesterday, yada yada yada. The process began again, and we had just gotten as far as my name when the power went out for a second here in the boondocks. Which of course ended the call, as I was on the cordless at the time. So I called back on the corded phone and got a very nice, patient lady who listened to me, went thru the process again, and then also directed me to Discover's main phone number to further facilitate the matter. I thanked her for being the only human, basically, although that wasn't how I phrased it, at that call center.
Then I called 1-800-DISCOVER. Lady immediately puts me thru to her supervisor, who explains yet again the 30 day thing. I very politely told him, not my problem. I am on the do not call list, etc etc. And that in this day and age of computer technology, I failed to see why they could not just bring up my number and slap a do not call note on it, or remove it entirely from their system. Isn't that what their IT dept is for? He was patient, I'll give him that, and I did not scream and yell, although the temptation was great, but he said that they have to print off pages and send them to various depts. Again, not my problem. Get it done. Do not call me again. Do you want the number of the harassing call center? I can happily supply it, as I have called it numerous times trying to take care of this.
I understand they have their policies and procedures. I understand there is a script they follow, etc. But when you are faced with an extremely irate person, who is not even your customer and never will be for any reason now, I mean, at least do something besides repeat the party line.
Oh yeah, and that number called again this afternoon. I picked up and said hello very sweetly---not a peep on the other end. Shellie was in the room or a word or two might have been said. I just hung it up, but I am tempted to put Shel on the phone and let them try to deal with her 6 yr old logic, or just to answer it and let it sit until they hang up.
Then there is also the attorney general's hotline-----and as I told the supervisor, it won't take me 30 days to file a complaint and have their lives made difficult by being investigated by this state.
Well off to make dinner.........
update, 6 pm........I contacted the FTC by phone and filed complaint and was also advised to file complaint online, which I have done. Guy at FTC call center scratching his head over why Discover thinks they are not in the wrong on this.........me too.......if anything is done, and I am notified of anything, I will update accordingly..........
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
by popular request--the dog blog
Thank you thank you very much. I try to honor requests so here goes, as tanstaafl has requested a dog blog.....
Monday, I worked late shift, which means I had to be at work at 1 pm, Which means leaving abut noon to take Shel to Mom and Dad's so I can get to work on time. Now I had no real reason, once I got up that morning, to open my front door. I could tell it was sunny, knew it was going to be warm, so Shellie and I went about the business of just hanging loose til time to go.
As I was putting my shoes on, Shellie opened the front door and said,"Mom, why is there a dog on our front porch?" Well heck if I knew, and told her so. But sure enough, between the step and the porch swing, there was a yellow dog, maybe a retriever or something, and he/she did not look good----I did not get close enough to find out the male/female thing. Well Shellie had startled it when she opened the door, and it stood up and looked at us. It's right ear was crusted with mud or blood---it was dark looking and I really couldn't tell. But I could tell it was alert, but not in good shape, panting and not able to walk too well. So I closed the door back and went to the phone to call my husband. I told him what was going on and that I was running late anyway, I was going to give the dog a bowl of water and would he check on it when he got home that evening. No problem.
By this point the dog has laid down in the corner behind the porch swing, so I set the water down in front of it and we walked to the car. As I was getting in the car, my neighbor stopped as she was leaving and asked if we had a visitor on our porch. I said yeah and told her and she said she had already called the pound on it, that she thought maybe it had been hit by a car or something. I said ok and we left too, thinking it would be gone by the time any of us got home.
Now don't get me wrong--I have great compassion for animals. I just do not care for dogs too greatly. I couldn't just blindly walk away from this one, as it planted itself on my porch, but I don't have pets for some very good reasons----no time to take care of them properly, allergies, and I believe in feeding my kids before feeding the animals. Not exactly in the animals best interests. But this one was obviously not in too great shape, so I did leave it some water.
Well, husband got home around 5ish, I guess and dog was still here. He got it off the porch and cleaned the blood, mud and maggots off its ear and realized that the dog was hurt, but not how. The neighbor that earlier had called the pound had called them back later and told them she had found the owner, a person living down the road, who had assured her that she would be by to get the dog. As of 8pm she still had not shown, and that was when I had called my husband to see if it was gone yet. He said he and neighbor's husband had checked the dog over and, though not vets, knew enough about dogs thru raising them over the years, to know this one was not much longer for this world.
As husband and I both had to be at work early the next morning, the neighbor said they would call pound again. When Shellie and I got home about 4:30pm or so, the dog was gone, so we went to neighbor's house and their daughter said she thought someone had come and got the dog. Cool by me.
Later the neighbor said that they had not been able to get thru to the pound that morning, so we are hoping the owner came and got it. If she did, then I am semi-sorry for saying the things I did about her the night before---about how people should take care of their animals and so on. They should, and then this poor dog would not have been on my porch in the shape it was. If you cannot or will not take care of your animal then give it to someone who can. Don't just let it run over top of other people for them to take care of.
And yes Mom and Dad, we did check around the house looking for places it could be hiding----no sign of it.
So there is the dog blog............
Monday, I worked late shift, which means I had to be at work at 1 pm, Which means leaving abut noon to take Shel to Mom and Dad's so I can get to work on time. Now I had no real reason, once I got up that morning, to open my front door. I could tell it was sunny, knew it was going to be warm, so Shellie and I went about the business of just hanging loose til time to go.
As I was putting my shoes on, Shellie opened the front door and said,"Mom, why is there a dog on our front porch?" Well heck if I knew, and told her so. But sure enough, between the step and the porch swing, there was a yellow dog, maybe a retriever or something, and he/she did not look good----I did not get close enough to find out the male/female thing. Well Shellie had startled it when she opened the door, and it stood up and looked at us. It's right ear was crusted with mud or blood---it was dark looking and I really couldn't tell. But I could tell it was alert, but not in good shape, panting and not able to walk too well. So I closed the door back and went to the phone to call my husband. I told him what was going on and that I was running late anyway, I was going to give the dog a bowl of water and would he check on it when he got home that evening. No problem.
By this point the dog has laid down in the corner behind the porch swing, so I set the water down in front of it and we walked to the car. As I was getting in the car, my neighbor stopped as she was leaving and asked if we had a visitor on our porch. I said yeah and told her and she said she had already called the pound on it, that she thought maybe it had been hit by a car or something. I said ok and we left too, thinking it would be gone by the time any of us got home.
Now don't get me wrong--I have great compassion for animals. I just do not care for dogs too greatly. I couldn't just blindly walk away from this one, as it planted itself on my porch, but I don't have pets for some very good reasons----no time to take care of them properly, allergies, and I believe in feeding my kids before feeding the animals. Not exactly in the animals best interests. But this one was obviously not in too great shape, so I did leave it some water.
Well, husband got home around 5ish, I guess and dog was still here. He got it off the porch and cleaned the blood, mud and maggots off its ear and realized that the dog was hurt, but not how. The neighbor that earlier had called the pound had called them back later and told them she had found the owner, a person living down the road, who had assured her that she would be by to get the dog. As of 8pm she still had not shown, and that was when I had called my husband to see if it was gone yet. He said he and neighbor's husband had checked the dog over and, though not vets, knew enough about dogs thru raising them over the years, to know this one was not much longer for this world.
As husband and I both had to be at work early the next morning, the neighbor said they would call pound again. When Shellie and I got home about 4:30pm or so, the dog was gone, so we went to neighbor's house and their daughter said she thought someone had come and got the dog. Cool by me.
Later the neighbor said that they had not been able to get thru to the pound that morning, so we are hoping the owner came and got it. If she did, then I am semi-sorry for saying the things I did about her the night before---about how people should take care of their animals and so on. They should, and then this poor dog would not have been on my porch in the shape it was. If you cannot or will not take care of your animal then give it to someone who can. Don't just let it run over top of other people for them to take care of.
And yes Mom and Dad, we did check around the house looking for places it could be hiding----no sign of it.
So there is the dog blog............
Sunday, June 22, 2008
the reason we don't go the theaters.....
We just returned from a pilgrimage we make about twice a year, on average (last year was a banner 3 times)---a trip to the local movie theater. The big one, not the discount one---which is where we will be headed from now on, it looks like. Last time we went to the movies was for National Treasure 2, which we loved---at $4.50 per person with 6 people equals $27, right? Then I supplied the movie theater candy boxes from my store, at 80 cents apiece after my discount for 4 kids. So that is $3.20 plus tax. Then we split 3 Lg popcorn/drink combos, and buy 3 more drinks--small for the 6 yr old bladder...... So yeah, we drop a bit a money, but it is only a couple of times a year.
Well yesterday Ron and I decided that after he got off work today---on my day off---we only had Shel and Kate so why not go see the new Indiana Jones movie? After braving the electrical storm that was brewing on the way into town, we parked at the parking garage---$1 for 4 hrs, plenty of time for the movie. Then rode the escalator up to the theater and paid $24 for 4 people---they raised their prices to $6 per person for the kids/matinee price. Hmmm---our snacks were less than that, and they had been more by a little bit. So needless to say that $1.50 per person price jump is making movie rentals look much better. Even buying a sure thing movie for $15-20 bucks when first released is sounding much better, especially when we keep microwave popcorn and pop/water on hand at all times.
This after the $4/gallon of gas----the theater was always a luxury item for us with the number of kids in our home anyway. Now it is unreachable.
At least until the next Harry Potter comes out.
Somebody find the app for the 2nd mortgage!!!!!!
Just kidding, Mom!!!!!!!
Well yesterday Ron and I decided that after he got off work today---on my day off---we only had Shel and Kate so why not go see the new Indiana Jones movie? After braving the electrical storm that was brewing on the way into town, we parked at the parking garage---$1 for 4 hrs, plenty of time for the movie. Then rode the escalator up to the theater and paid $24 for 4 people---they raised their prices to $6 per person for the kids/matinee price. Hmmm---our snacks were less than that, and they had been more by a little bit. So needless to say that $1.50 per person price jump is making movie rentals look much better. Even buying a sure thing movie for $15-20 bucks when first released is sounding much better, especially when we keep microwave popcorn and pop/water on hand at all times.
This after the $4/gallon of gas----the theater was always a luxury item for us with the number of kids in our home anyway. Now it is unreachable.
At least until the next Harry Potter comes out.
Somebody find the app for the 2nd mortgage!!!!!!
Just kidding, Mom!!!!!!!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
happy father's day
I would say my hubby had a pretty good father's day-----gifts at what for him is the crack of dawn---a Miami Ink tshirt and a tshirt with guitars all over the front, a Nicholas Cage 3 pack of movies, and a Tom Petty CD. Plus at my mom and dad's he got a steak and baked potato lunch, and the all you can eat buffet at Golden Corral for dinner. Plus he did not have to work today. Unusual---but this year it is the last day of vacation. Back to the grind tomorrow, bright and early for both of us.
The only rough spot was taking Katie back to her momma and then on the way home from that, the car in front of us hit a deer, lost its front bumper in the process, and we were unfortunately treated to the death spasms of the deer as it struggled on the opposite side of the road, as I try desperately to shield Shellie's eyes, hollering "Look thataway!!" as we manuevered around the bumper that the lady left laying in the middle of the road. Stopping to pick it up was not an option, as it was right next to the deer we didn't want our 6 yr old to view.
Let me tell you, the lady in that vehicle drove quite a bit slower after that---she had been tailgating the pickup in front of her,and if she had been a little further back from that truck, she would have had time to stop and would not have hit that poor animal. Her tailgating the truck after we watched her push her way into the line of traffic as lanes merged together just past the mall was one of the reasons I was staying off her rear end driving out this country road. Not to mention the fact that I hate it when people ride my rear, I tend not to do it to others. As it was, at the first opportunity--the next church lot up the road, I had to pull off and let Ron take over, as my stomach was not feeling so good after that, and I felt hot and lightheaded, like I do before I pass out.The good thing was Shellie said all she saw of the deer on the ground was its head, before I yelled to look away, so at least she was spared that.
Guys, I know we all tend to speed at times, especially on the back roads, but please keep in mind that we are not the only ones who use the roads----all kinds of animals do too. And when you are talking deer and such----a wreck like that could kill you too, not just the deer. So watch what you are doing, and stay far enough back off the person in front of you, so that if they have to brake suddenly, you have time to react and be safe. The rule of thumb, and most driver's manuals will mention this, although I have found that the local school's driver's ed program doesn't seem to, is a car length plus for every 10 MPH you are traveling. So if you are going 55 you must for safety be a minimum of 5 1/2 car lengths off the rear of the vehicle in front of you. More if it is foggy, rainy, slick for any reason, if your vehicle is larger and requires more stopping distance, such as the big rigs do.........your condition is also just as important as the road conditions---if you are impaired for any reason, including tiredness or illness-----stay the hell off the rear of the car in front of you----it could save both your lives.
Sorry, did not mean to make this into a diatribe. Couldn't help but air my thoughts, though.
I do hope everyone has had a great Father's day.......
The only rough spot was taking Katie back to her momma and then on the way home from that, the car in front of us hit a deer, lost its front bumper in the process, and we were unfortunately treated to the death spasms of the deer as it struggled on the opposite side of the road, as I try desperately to shield Shellie's eyes, hollering "Look thataway!!" as we manuevered around the bumper that the lady left laying in the middle of the road. Stopping to pick it up was not an option, as it was right next to the deer we didn't want our 6 yr old to view.
Let me tell you, the lady in that vehicle drove quite a bit slower after that---she had been tailgating the pickup in front of her,and if she had been a little further back from that truck, she would have had time to stop and would not have hit that poor animal. Her tailgating the truck after we watched her push her way into the line of traffic as lanes merged together just past the mall was one of the reasons I was staying off her rear end driving out this country road. Not to mention the fact that I hate it when people ride my rear, I tend not to do it to others. As it was, at the first opportunity--the next church lot up the road, I had to pull off and let Ron take over, as my stomach was not feeling so good after that, and I felt hot and lightheaded, like I do before I pass out.The good thing was Shellie said all she saw of the deer on the ground was its head, before I yelled to look away, so at least she was spared that.
Guys, I know we all tend to speed at times, especially on the back roads, but please keep in mind that we are not the only ones who use the roads----all kinds of animals do too. And when you are talking deer and such----a wreck like that could kill you too, not just the deer. So watch what you are doing, and stay far enough back off the person in front of you, so that if they have to brake suddenly, you have time to react and be safe. The rule of thumb, and most driver's manuals will mention this, although I have found that the local school's driver's ed program doesn't seem to, is a car length plus for every 10 MPH you are traveling. So if you are going 55 you must for safety be a minimum of 5 1/2 car lengths off the rear of the vehicle in front of you. More if it is foggy, rainy, slick for any reason, if your vehicle is larger and requires more stopping distance, such as the big rigs do.........your condition is also just as important as the road conditions---if you are impaired for any reason, including tiredness or illness-----stay the hell off the rear of the car in front of you----it could save both your lives.
Sorry, did not mean to make this into a diatribe. Couldn't help but air my thoughts, though.
I do hope everyone has had a great Father's day.......
Thursday, June 12, 2008
quick update
Home briefly while letting boys shower before heading to orthodontist for final appt before they head to CT tomorrow. They want to camp out one more night, so I am using the opportunity to hit the laundry hard while they clean up so we do not have so much to do tomorrow. Campground is filling up fast with the weekend crowd starting to pile in, and I think we may just come home, all of us, tomorrow. Not sure if my back will take another night on the air mattress--although thanks to my hubby, this one is 500 times better than the one we have used before. Not to mention Shellie gets kind of bored when the teens take off with their friends to bike ride around our camping area. I won't let them go on the main road to go to the other sites, just around ours. She can ride, but they don't like to be held to her pace all the time, and I don't like to let her out of my sight for too long. Well, boys are out of shower and the buzzer just went off on the first dryer load of the day, so I had better get moving........
Sunday, June 08, 2008
observations......
Hmmmmm, just some food for thought........
1. Why did the teachers at my SD's graduation yesterday confiscate the bouncy balls and such that the graduates were tossing around, and not the idiot airhorns that some spectators were using when their friends names were called? To me those were more distracting than watching the kids goof a little. IMHO.
2. If you are driving a pickup truck with a Uhaul trailer hitched to the back, and are so unsure of your driving skills with such that you drive at 30mph in a 55 zone------clear weather, no traffic to speak of, etc......then why bother with it? Get the *^*&&*( off the road or let someone more competent drive.
3. Why cannot people look past others faults----ok, yeah I'm guilty too----actually, why cannot they look past what is normal behavior for 99% of the country so they can make a big deal out of nothing? Neighbors at it again--or at least heading there. One tells someone that he did not take a job out of state because he felt someone needed to protect the neighborhood from another neighbor, since some of us don't have the sense to do so---meaning us. Now, I trust the source who told it to my friend, but the person that told it to her? That may be another story, don't know for sure, and really do not care. Same stuff, different day. I'm going camping and hoping the neighborhood doesn't blow up in my absence.
4. Oldest SD getting a taste of adulthood----and how making choices can lead to unpleasantness. She came for my younger son's BD party today and hung around most of the day---no problem. She decided to head out about 5:30 or so and her dad and I asked her to stay for dinner----she even came with me to the store to grab some chicken to grill. While at the store, BF calls and wants to know where she is b/c she had made plans to meet at his house to receive graduation gifts from his family. Ooops... she opts to go to their house, but she worries about ticking off her dad. I told her that as she made the decision, she had to accept the consequences---but not to worry, whichever she ticked off would get over it and still love her. I also told her that it was part of being a grownup to have to make choices, even when it meant someone might be upset, even if it was her. Part of a longer conversation.......
5. My house is clean BEFORE we go on vacation!!!!!YAY!!!!!! Kids didn't want to help until I pointed out that the whole vacation/camping thing was for them before they go to their dad's at end of week. And that I could just as easily and happily sit on the couch in the AC for the next week. Their choice.....they chose camping and cleaning beforehand......Good choice.......
I am sure I had a real point or two to make, but the heat has melted my brain, so I think it is time to turn the laundry once more and get to bed----gotta go get oldest son's photo ID so he can get fishing license. Unfortunately, we did not think that far ahead for younger SD, who is same age, so she can't fish. But I think I will mention bringing her jewelry making stuff, and that should help. Plus we are taking their bikes and the cornhole game..........
1. Why did the teachers at my SD's graduation yesterday confiscate the bouncy balls and such that the graduates were tossing around, and not the idiot airhorns that some spectators were using when their friends names were called? To me those were more distracting than watching the kids goof a little. IMHO.
2. If you are driving a pickup truck with a Uhaul trailer hitched to the back, and are so unsure of your driving skills with such that you drive at 30mph in a 55 zone------clear weather, no traffic to speak of, etc......then why bother with it? Get the *^*&&*( off the road or let someone more competent drive.
3. Why cannot people look past others faults----ok, yeah I'm guilty too----actually, why cannot they look past what is normal behavior for 99% of the country so they can make a big deal out of nothing? Neighbors at it again--or at least heading there. One tells someone that he did not take a job out of state because he felt someone needed to protect the neighborhood from another neighbor, since some of us don't have the sense to do so---meaning us. Now, I trust the source who told it to my friend, but the person that told it to her? That may be another story, don't know for sure, and really do not care. Same stuff, different day. I'm going camping and hoping the neighborhood doesn't blow up in my absence.
4. Oldest SD getting a taste of adulthood----and how making choices can lead to unpleasantness. She came for my younger son's BD party today and hung around most of the day---no problem. She decided to head out about 5:30 or so and her dad and I asked her to stay for dinner----she even came with me to the store to grab some chicken to grill. While at the store, BF calls and wants to know where she is b/c she had made plans to meet at his house to receive graduation gifts from his family. Ooops... she opts to go to their house, but she worries about ticking off her dad. I told her that as she made the decision, she had to accept the consequences---but not to worry, whichever she ticked off would get over it and still love her. I also told her that it was part of being a grownup to have to make choices, even when it meant someone might be upset, even if it was her. Part of a longer conversation.......
5. My house is clean BEFORE we go on vacation!!!!!YAY!!!!!! Kids didn't want to help until I pointed out that the whole vacation/camping thing was for them before they go to their dad's at end of week. And that I could just as easily and happily sit on the couch in the AC for the next week. Their choice.....they chose camping and cleaning beforehand......Good choice.......
I am sure I had a real point or two to make, but the heat has melted my brain, so I think it is time to turn the laundry once more and get to bed----gotta go get oldest son's photo ID so he can get fishing license. Unfortunately, we did not think that far ahead for younger SD, who is same age, so she can't fish. But I think I will mention bringing her jewelry making stuff, and that should help. Plus we are taking their bikes and the cornhole game..........
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
Winding down.....
This school year is almost at an end, and all I can say is Thank God!!!!It has been ok, but the challenges that have faced the kids, and us, just about got us down. With five in school---12th, 10th, 9th, 8th, and K, it got interesting at times. From teachers and what I call their "whims" to scheduling issues on extracurriculars, let's just say we're tired of school.
Of course next year has already reared its head---Ben cam home yesterday griping because he is in all honors courses next year in 9th and it is going to be a lot of work. He is going to have to stay organized and we are all going to have to stay on top of what is due when. The honors program changed and it was not a gradual change--it was BOOM!!! all at once. Now they take the regular class but have to do extra work--a lot of it--to get the honors credit. But I told him it is easier to start out doing the honors stuff, and if it actually becomes too overwhelming, then we can look at backing him off some, instead of him being bored to tears and trying to get him into the honors program later.
Chris is finally going to have a year without his English teacher of the last two years. Thank goodness, and I hope she flipping retires before Ben has to have her or Chris has to again. Sad thing is, as far as challenging the kids and demanding the performance from them goes, she is excellent. But she has the "I am the teacher, you will not question me" attitude, which does not sit well with me. I as the parent have the right to question anything that affects my child, including her grading practices. But I also have tried to impress upon my kids that they have to take responsibility for their grades-----including being prepared for class and doing the best work they can, and there are times they fall short and then expect me to fix it. Ummm, not.
Kris is graduating Saturday. Our biggest disappointment is that she failed to do anything about getting into college---including applying. She says she is going to work for a year and then apply. She says she will not fail to get the papers in on time, that the only reason she didn't this year was that she knew she would not be eligible for aid and she could not go without it. We are still trying to figure out how she knew this without even trying. But it is a case of she made her bed....and she will have to learn. Her dad and I will not let this rest---she must get post secondary education, even if she does as her aunt has done, and take several years a couple of classes at a time to do it.
Kate, we hope passes 9th grade. I am pretty sure she will. She has never been one to be overly concerned with grades, and even though we push for her to live up to her potential, I don't think she gets the same push at home. Plus she was pretty hot an heavy with a guy this year--see prior post---and I think was greatly distracted. Partly our fault for not demanding to see grades, etc.
Shellie has gone from being on the verge of reading at the start of the school year to reading everything she gets her hands on----Little house, Harry potter.........She has had a wonderful kindergarten year and has made a bunch of friends, plus as most of her cousins in the same age range----K-2----are at the same school, she got to know them pretty well and was in Tball this spring with all of them, and just had a great time. Now she is putting off cleaning her room by showing me all the stuff she brought home from school today.
Just a quick update----gotta post and disconnect----storm getting ready to hit!!!!
Of course next year has already reared its head---Ben cam home yesterday griping because he is in all honors courses next year in 9th and it is going to be a lot of work. He is going to have to stay organized and we are all going to have to stay on top of what is due when. The honors program changed and it was not a gradual change--it was BOOM!!! all at once. Now they take the regular class but have to do extra work--a lot of it--to get the honors credit. But I told him it is easier to start out doing the honors stuff, and if it actually becomes too overwhelming, then we can look at backing him off some, instead of him being bored to tears and trying to get him into the honors program later.
Chris is finally going to have a year without his English teacher of the last two years. Thank goodness, and I hope she flipping retires before Ben has to have her or Chris has to again. Sad thing is, as far as challenging the kids and demanding the performance from them goes, she is excellent. But she has the "I am the teacher, you will not question me" attitude, which does not sit well with me. I as the parent have the right to question anything that affects my child, including her grading practices. But I also have tried to impress upon my kids that they have to take responsibility for their grades-----including being prepared for class and doing the best work they can, and there are times they fall short and then expect me to fix it. Ummm, not.
Kris is graduating Saturday. Our biggest disappointment is that she failed to do anything about getting into college---including applying. She says she is going to work for a year and then apply. She says she will not fail to get the papers in on time, that the only reason she didn't this year was that she knew she would not be eligible for aid and she could not go without it. We are still trying to figure out how she knew this without even trying. But it is a case of she made her bed....and she will have to learn. Her dad and I will not let this rest---she must get post secondary education, even if she does as her aunt has done, and take several years a couple of classes at a time to do it.
Kate, we hope passes 9th grade. I am pretty sure she will. She has never been one to be overly concerned with grades, and even though we push for her to live up to her potential, I don't think she gets the same push at home. Plus she was pretty hot an heavy with a guy this year--see prior post---and I think was greatly distracted. Partly our fault for not demanding to see grades, etc.
Shellie has gone from being on the verge of reading at the start of the school year to reading everything she gets her hands on----Little house, Harry potter.........She has had a wonderful kindergarten year and has made a bunch of friends, plus as most of her cousins in the same age range----K-2----are at the same school, she got to know them pretty well and was in Tball this spring with all of them, and just had a great time. Now she is putting off cleaning her room by showing me all the stuff she brought home from school today.
Just a quick update----gotta post and disconnect----storm getting ready to hit!!!!
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