You want it, earn it! That's my motto ;)

I don't like to write a blog post unless I really have something to write about.  Which is why it doesn't happen very often.  Though it's been a long while.  There's been a lot going on and all of it could easily be shared with those who actually read my blog ( and I say this knowing full well that's like 10 people).  But most of it is extremely personal and I'm still having a hard time with it.

Today, though, I bring you something that's been bugging me for a few weeks.

I've noticed a trend lately concerning gofundme.com.  Before I start on what will probably end up being a rant.  I will say this.  Some people need the money.  They end up in a circumstance they can't control.  However, I was raised not to ask anyone for anything.  You need money, you find a way to earn it.

So why are people using gofundme.com as a way to raise money for things they should obviously be saving up for?  You want something, you give up another luxury to get it.  Or you save a dollar a day, everyday until you have enough money to pay for what it is you want.  Asking people to pay for your adoption is ridiculous.  You want to adopt a kid, you need to save that money up your ownself.  I don't care if you really want kids and are unable to have them.  Do you honestly believe you are the only person out there who can't have children and are unable to afford adoption?  Let me tell you, you aren't.

Maybe that makes me heartless, whatever.  You're entitled to your opinion, I'm entitled to mine.  I helped my husband get through undergrad and podiatry school.  The only luxuries we had were cable, internet, Netflix and cellphones (which we didn't even get until we'd been married about 3 years and they weren't smart phones, we did not have a texting plan).  It was basic and we made do.  When we needed clothes for our newborn child, I went to outlet malls on holiday weekends and fought for all the clothes that were under $5.

Never once did I ask people for money.  So we didn't go on fancy vacations.  We didn't go to magical theme parks.  We didn't go to plays or see musicals or go to the movies.  I was out of work and my husband was in school.

We did get to go to the zoo often.  Every Monday was free to residents of Cuyahoga county when we live in Cleveland.  So on Monday's we went to the over crowded zoo and walked around and looked at the different animals.

We didn't go on dates, because a babysitter was a luxury that we couldn't afford.  My husband worked hard and he got a job on top of going to school.  So we afforded ourselves a bit more luxury and would go out to eat occasionally.

We didn't have gofundme.com and even if we had, I never would have used it to ask people to pay for luxuries.

I see it as a good way to help others, sure.  You can set up an account to help a family who can't afford a funeral for their lost child.  Or to help someone in need pay their medical bills.  But don't ask me to pay for your education, IVF, adoption, date night, special gift, etc.  Save up your own money.  Forego your other luxuries if they're that important to you.  This whole idea that society has where everyone should be paying for me is wrong.

I think part of the problem is the ideology that if we want something we should just ask for it.  Yes, when you're a kid and you live at home with your mom and dad, that reigns true.  Though a lot of the time, mom and dad will make you earn it.  When you are no longer living at home and you are on your own.  Well I'm sorry, that time is over.  You want it?  Earn it!  We should be working for ourselves.  Saving up our own money and not asking others for their money that they've been saving up.  If you work hard, one day you'll be in a position where you won't have to sacrifice one luxury for another.

Heck, I'm not setting up a gofundme.com account to get people to fund my down payment on a house.  Sure it'll take longer until we're in a position to buy a house, but I'd rather pay for it myself than beg others for money.

All that said, if I've offended any of you, well you're just too sensitive. ;)

Potty Training

IT FINALLY HAPPENED!  It was the first week in December (yep, nearly two months later and I'm posting about it now!).  Naturally she hadn't decided on her own.  But I finally dropped the diaper, doubled up on training underwear and she was peeing in the potty after a few days.  It was a struggle to lose the diaper at first, as we put them on right before bed.  Now it's a struggle to put on diapers right before bed.

It's come down to it, I did what I could, but I ignored advice and went my own way.  In the end, with a stubborn toddler(and boy is she stubborn), you have to do what is going to be the best way for them... and your carpet ;)  Also bribing them with their favorite candy works too... and potty charts.  The toys sat on my counter for three months... but she was happy to get them when she did no.1 and 2!  We aren't completely accident free, but we're down to about one accident a week and accident free while we are out and about.  And I call that great!

Lice II : Revenge of the Louse

I'm pretty sure I wrote of our last infestation.  How I had to wash every little single thing in my house because, lets face it, nits were probably everywhere.  My head itched for a week after that and I did not have lice.  I still have no idea where they came from.  But I it was over!  That was in November 2012, I remember because we'd gone apple picking with our friends, none of whom got lice either, so yay!

Let me tell you, just when you get comfortable and think, "the lice problem is over, I totally took care of it!"  THEY COME BACK!  But instead of on your now seven year old, who was six at the time, it's on your three year old!  Who you have to bribe to sit still for longer than five seconds.  Thank goodness her hair is a ton shorter!  This time instead of three hours of scouring a head for lice I spent more like 15 minutes.  My youngest only had one bug and less than 10 nits.

If you've dealt with lice, you'll understand my relief to know that I caught it early.  If not, let me tell you.  I DON'T HAVE TO WASH EVERYTHING!  I washed what I know she touched, or sprayed it with Provent-A-Mite--courtesy of our snakes.  I only have to throw out my flat iron and hair brushes.  (Unfortunately she was playing with my flat iron yesterday :( )

We are well on our way to being lice free once again.  As long as no one else in the house gets it... otherwise it'll be World War Louse in this house!

My latest projects that I've undertaken

In no way do I consider myself a seamstress. Every time I pull out my dusty sewing machine, not only do I need to blow it off like the great big wolf, but I have to read the instruction manual. I always keep it close or I end up tearing my house apart looking for it, which I did do for some ribbon and ended up finding my missing thread and all my fabric for skirts I intended to make but never got around to making... because I was sure my sewing machine was broken.



Turns out, I just put the bobbin in upside down and threaded it wrong... oops. That's all fixed now and my sewing machine is working. I found that out then I finally sat down to work on sewing the material for the snake costumes.

To the left is the material my oldest daughter picked out for the costumes.  Yes it's plural.  I figured I better make two if I'm going to make them, that way there is no chance of fighting.  My two lovely young ladies fight over everything.  Though it's not as bad when there is two.

 

We found the fabric at Jo Ann's and it wasn't super thick, which is great for sewing, because it's less chance of a needle breaking.  (I have had many needles break on me... though I wised up and bought the strongest ones they sell at a store)

 

Anyway, we went back later to get thread (as I couldn't find mine at the time, it's been found now that I don't need it anymore) and they had this fabric in a sky blue color!  Needless to say she asked for it and I had to tell her no.  We already had everything for the red and I'm not going to cater to every whim.  She'll have to live with being a red and black snake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was able to finish my toddler's costume first as she was home and I could measure the straps on her shoulders.  Plus I already had the tutu you see in the picture.  She's just wearing black leggings that we already had.  My oldest daughter's top is complete except for the straps and she refused to have her picture taken without the straps and tutu.

 

Last night I finished my 7 year old's tutu, while watching Apollo 18.  I was grateful for the distraction or I wouldn't have been going to sleep last night.  The only thing left is to sew on the trim and it'll be done!

 

That is the second tutu, it's all just tied to the elastic band.  I sewed the elastic together with my machine.  And then to help out my next door neighbor I made her a set of bows last night for her daughter's soccer team.  Kathy is on a different team than her, but they're BFF's.  Anyway I made them to help her out in the only way I could think as I know they've got a lot on their plate.

 



That's a few things less to do!  And I'm grateful not to be running around so much.  With a break from swimming... I wonder if I should sign her up next month... I'm enjoying not having to worry about it!  I'm just glad things are starting to die down a bit, because that means I can get back to writing!



Why I wish I had more time to write...

Yes, I realize how long it's been since I've posted anything.  I was trying to be good, posting at least once a month, possibly every other month.  Then school was let out and I was on get-me-out-of-this-house-before-I-am-arrested mode.  Which is basically me leaving my house as often as possible so my children are less likely to fight with each other.  It worked out pretty well.

But summer wasn't the only thing that got in the way.  I also moved, not really far.  Also I can't use that as an excuse because I was settled within a week... I don't like to sit in a boxed up house.

So that brings me to now.  School has started and I have started potty training... which is a total nightmare.  I've tried so many methods.  Potty training in three days, is just not an option, plus everytime I do that, I end up with pee all over the place.  Sorry I'm not going to clean my carpets on a daily basis because my daughter really doesn't care where she pees as long as it's not in the toilet.  It's so awesome. :/

So writing anything has been put on hold.  And I have so many ideas that I would love to put on paper.  But between laundry, cleaning and a toddler who refuses to potty train, there just isn't time.  I think that there should be such thing as a professional potty trainer.  I would totally hire that person to come and do this for me so I can do everything else I have to do.

Have I mentioned I also promised my oldest daughter I'd make her a snake costume for Halloween?  And I also bought fabric to make the toddler a princess dress.  And I have a million patches to sew onto everything (mostly my cub scout leader shirt.  Another thing I am doing).  So writing has pretty much taken a back seat behind all the other things I have to do.

But don't think I'm complaining!  I've been having an awesome time!  I'm seriously looking forward to planning awesome activities for my pack of wolves!  (I just realized I'm using a ton of exclamation points, but I'm really excited :D)  I can't wait to see my daughter's face when I finally finish her snake costume (pictures will follow when I actually get it all done).

Spending time with my family over the summer was the best!  And next week my in laws are coming, so I'm totally going to use that time to get projects done while they occupy my toddler's attention :)

With that little update, I'm out! Places to go, people to see, things to do!  Mostly just the things! ;)

Life Lately

A lot's been happening lately and I haven't really been in the mood to address any of it.  Mostly because I don't want to spend my days, dwelling in despair and sadness.  Plus it takes a lot to talk about ones life, especially when said personal doesn't really like to share with anyone about their feelings (I'm talking about myself, in case you didn't catch that.)

My grandpa passed away over the weekend.  I was told Saturday morning.  He died in his sleep.  The man was 89 years old and he hadn't been doing well.  What I mean to say, is that it wasn't a total shock for our family.  My dad had told me back in the Summer when he was out visiting him that  he wasn't going to live to Christmas.

I did get to say hello to him at Thanksgiving, though I wish that I would have taken more time to call him up and just say hi.  It's too late for should haves, but I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.  I wonder if my grandpa knew I loved him.  I really hope that he did.

Unfortunately I was unable to make it out to Georgia for his funeral, but I really wish I could have gone.  Be given a chance to say goodbye.  To tell him, one last time that I love him.  Instead I'm writing it in a blog, hoping that somehow, he'll get the message.

My Dad, did manage to record the service and post it to FB.  So I was able to watch it and if you would like to watch, I posted it below.

Wearing pants to church on Sunday

I needed a topic to pick me up today.  This one helps a bit to not focus on the otherwise sad news that I'm sure the entire world is aware of today.  So, instead of depressing everyone further, I'm talking about another topic.

Pants at church on Sunday.  Men, I really hope you keep wearing them.  I'm actually begging here.  I don't want to see you cross dressing in your wife's skirt or christmas dress.  It's not a statement, it's a fashion faux pas.  And maybe I'm behind the times and cross dressing is cool now, which I really hope it isn't, but you really should just keep wearing your best clothes to church.  Please let it be pants.

When you hear about women wearing pants to church on facebook, you know it's official.  Being an LDS housewife, I read the whole thing and it speaks to me more like a protest.  For what?  Don't ask me.  I know women who wear nice dress pants to church and hey if that's how she wants to worship the Lord, cool.  But to make it a world wide event?  Sounds like a protest.  But what are they demanding?  I really don't know.

That said, I think you should dress for church, the way you would dress if you were entering the temple.  Why?  Because when you get up on Sunday morning and open your closet door to get ready for church, your instinct should not be what do I feel like wearing?  Or if you're single, what will that cute guy think of me in this?  Here is what you should be asking yourself:  If the savior stood beside me, would I want him to see me worshiping him in this?

You see, when we go to church, we don't go for ourselves or the people we go to church with (ward, for the LDS reader).  We go to church for the Lord.  He commanded us to do it.  So we should dress for him, right?  So instead of thinking of your statement and protest or whatever it is you want to call it.  Please, think of the Lord.  He's the one who actually counts and there isn't a man who respects women and children more than He does.

If this post upsets you in any way shape or form, you're just too sensitive.

UPDATE:
If you're female and you think your pants are your best outfit, then wear them.  I'm just saying, dress your best.  It's the Lord's house, not your own or your neighbors.