The holidays are here and the most popular way of shopping is to order online. Is this really the best way?
The Internet and a credit card is all you need. Just a few clicks and your shopping is done. All you have to do is sit back and wait for them to arrive.
Then suddenly you get an email that one of your gifts has been back ordered and will be shipped out in a few weeks. That is fine. It should still get here in time. It will only take a few days to get here. No big deal.
Then one package arrives on time. But wait, it only has a couple of the items you ordered. The packaging says packaged and shipped separately. Again, it should be a problem. You will get the other package in a day or two.
A day or two has gone by and still no other packages arrive.
Finally you decide to make a desperate phone call to the company. They assure you that the package will be mailed out by the end of the week.
Still, you should receive your package the weekend before the holidays.
So, you wait. And wait. And wait.
Still, you have no package. You apologize to your family and friends and tell them as soon as you get the package they will get their gifts.
Three days after the holidays and your package arrives.
You think to yourself. It would have been a lot easier to have just drove to the mall and got your shopping done.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Children Listen...Really!
Everyone says that children don’t listen or they have selective hearing. Well, there are wrong. Children listen to everything being said around them. The parents may not realize it, but they are. I know this because of the word usage my son uses.
We have four cats and my parents have three. Both my parents and I take really good care of the cats and make sure they along with their litter boxes are clean.
While spending an afternoon at my parents, my father was telling me about an incident with their cats. The boys were on the couch with their faces glued to the television. We were at the kitchen table that is not too far away from the boys.
“Let me tell you what that cat did this morning,” Dad said.
“What did he do know?” I replied.
“He came out of the bedroom and instead of walking to the door to go outside he climbed up in your mothers plant and took a huge shit!” Dad said.
“It’s poop, dad,” I said.
“Oh whatever. They aren’t even listening,” He replied.
So, I took the boys home that evening. We had our dinner and baths. I got the boys ready for bed and they were on the couch watching their bedtime Scooby-Doo show. I took this opportunity to get on my computer and attempt to finish some homework.
Then the interruption came.
“Mommy,” I heard in a loud voice.
I got up and walked out to the living room.
“What, Isaac?” I asked.
“The kitties took a shit. I smell kitty shit,” he exclaimed.
I am sure my face turned bright red. I was trying not to laugh or scold him.
“Honey, that isn’t the kind of language we use,” I explained.
“Fine. Poop. I smell kitty kitty poop,” he said.
So, even though you think your children are glued to the television or are too wrapped up in their puzzles and activities think again. They hear every word that you say.
We have four cats and my parents have three. Both my parents and I take really good care of the cats and make sure they along with their litter boxes are clean.
While spending an afternoon at my parents, my father was telling me about an incident with their cats. The boys were on the couch with their faces glued to the television. We were at the kitchen table that is not too far away from the boys.
“Let me tell you what that cat did this morning,” Dad said.
“What did he do know?” I replied.
“He came out of the bedroom and instead of walking to the door to go outside he climbed up in your mothers plant and took a huge shit!” Dad said.
“It’s poop, dad,” I said.
“Oh whatever. They aren’t even listening,” He replied.
So, I took the boys home that evening. We had our dinner and baths. I got the boys ready for bed and they were on the couch watching their bedtime Scooby-Doo show. I took this opportunity to get on my computer and attempt to finish some homework.
Then the interruption came.
“Mommy,” I heard in a loud voice.
I got up and walked out to the living room.
“What, Isaac?” I asked.
“The kitties took a shit. I smell kitty shit,” he exclaimed.
I am sure my face turned bright red. I was trying not to laugh or scold him.
“Honey, that isn’t the kind of language we use,” I explained.
“Fine. Poop. I smell kitty kitty poop,” he said.
So, even though you think your children are glued to the television or are too wrapped up in their puzzles and activities think again. They hear every word that you say.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Ex In-Laws
Divorced families have it difficult especially when there are children involved. There are custody issues and visitations schedules. It is hard to keep track of everything.
This all seems easy and preferred to a single parent with no help from the other parent. What makes matters even worse is when the in-laws step in and try to take the missing parents place.
Raising children on your own is difficult, but having other people trying to tell you what you should be doing and how you are to do it makes it impossible.
Explaining your wishes to your in-laws is not easy. You need to let them know what you want and how you want to have it done.
The children are yours not theirs. They need to understand this. Grandparents don’t get joint custody with you and they don’t get a set visitation schedule.
It would be in your best interest and your children’s interest if you allow them to see their grandparents, but it should be agreed upon by both parties. They should not talk down to you or criticize you especially in front of the children. You should do the same as well.
Just remember after the divorce they are no longer your in-laws. There is no need to invite them to join in your life. Don’t feel the need to update them on your life. However, they are still the children’s grandparents and they need to be able to spend time with them and it would be nice if they could get pictures of special events and updates on special moments.
This all seems easy and preferred to a single parent with no help from the other parent. What makes matters even worse is when the in-laws step in and try to take the missing parents place.
Raising children on your own is difficult, but having other people trying to tell you what you should be doing and how you are to do it makes it impossible.
Explaining your wishes to your in-laws is not easy. You need to let them know what you want and how you want to have it done.
The children are yours not theirs. They need to understand this. Grandparents don’t get joint custody with you and they don’t get a set visitation schedule.
It would be in your best interest and your children’s interest if you allow them to see their grandparents, but it should be agreed upon by both parties. They should not talk down to you or criticize you especially in front of the children. You should do the same as well.
Just remember after the divorce they are no longer your in-laws. There is no need to invite them to join in your life. Don’t feel the need to update them on your life. However, they are still the children’s grandparents and they need to be able to spend time with them and it would be nice if they could get pictures of special events and updates on special moments.
Finding a Babysitter
Finding a good reliable babysitter that you can trust is becoming a difficult task for parents.
In the past parents were able to use the neighborhood teenager who babysat for all the younger children. The teenager usually was a neighbor and all neighbors got along.
Now neighbors don’t always get along and if you ask most people they don’t even know half of the families on their own block. Teenagers now have a lot more to do and are more untrustworthy. They also don’t have time to babysit.
Now, parents are trying to count on their own families, such as grandparents and sometimes great-grandparents. However, families are starting to migrate to where they can find jobs so using the family might be difficult.
There is always the church and friends that you know through your church. Then what do the parents who don’t attend church do?
One place to start is putting an ad in the local newspaper. Once you get people who answer the ads, you need to start an interview process. Don’t forget to get names of references along with parents that you can talk to.
No matter what avenue you take to find a babysitter always remember to do reference checks and speak to their parents and make sure they are trustworthy and reliable.
In the past parents were able to use the neighborhood teenager who babysat for all the younger children. The teenager usually was a neighbor and all neighbors got along.
Now neighbors don’t always get along and if you ask most people they don’t even know half of the families on their own block. Teenagers now have a lot more to do and are more untrustworthy. They also don’t have time to babysit.
Now, parents are trying to count on their own families, such as grandparents and sometimes great-grandparents. However, families are starting to migrate to where they can find jobs so using the family might be difficult.
There is always the church and friends that you know through your church. Then what do the parents who don’t attend church do?
One place to start is putting an ad in the local newspaper. Once you get people who answer the ads, you need to start an interview process. Don’t forget to get names of references along with parents that you can talk to.
No matter what avenue you take to find a babysitter always remember to do reference checks and speak to their parents and make sure they are trustworthy and reliable.
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Animals
Animals are a wonderful thing. They give great companion ship to all ages. Dogs are great for exercise. Cats are great for needing a loving pet that is very independent. Fish are nice for watching and relaxing.
Human beings are a very nurturing species. People enjoy having animals so they have something to nurture that isn’t as involved as a child.
There is just one problem with animals. There are too many of them. The shelters around town are over crowded. They are tons of stray animals walking around not getting the attention and medical care that is needed. The strays are caring diseases that is past on to pets who have owners and the owners are having to pay a lot of money to treat these diseases.
There are several options that people have. For starters if you adopt a pet the first thing you need to consider is spaying or neutering the animal. There are many veterinary hospitals around town that will do this at a very early age. Not only is this good to stop reproducing, it also prevents certain cancers and other problems that may arise in their future.
Secondly, if you see a stray animal roaming around your neighborhood, call animal control and let them pick up the animal and take it to the shelter so that it can get the help it needs.
There are so many animals out there that need loving homes. Educating people on how to take care of their animals is something that this world needs. If you want to adopt a pet start with calling a local veterinarian office and find out everything that it entails so you are fully prepared for owning a pet.
Human beings are a very nurturing species. People enjoy having animals so they have something to nurture that isn’t as involved as a child.
There is just one problem with animals. There are too many of them. The shelters around town are over crowded. They are tons of stray animals walking around not getting the attention and medical care that is needed. The strays are caring diseases that is past on to pets who have owners and the owners are having to pay a lot of money to treat these diseases.
There are several options that people have. For starters if you adopt a pet the first thing you need to consider is spaying or neutering the animal. There are many veterinary hospitals around town that will do this at a very early age. Not only is this good to stop reproducing, it also prevents certain cancers and other problems that may arise in their future.
Secondly, if you see a stray animal roaming around your neighborhood, call animal control and let them pick up the animal and take it to the shelter so that it can get the help it needs.
There are so many animals out there that need loving homes. Educating people on how to take care of their animals is something that this world needs. If you want to adopt a pet start with calling a local veterinarian office and find out everything that it entails so you are fully prepared for owning a pet.
Splash
Finally, she gets the kids in bed. They are not quite asleep yet, but the movie is tiring them and they are actually quiet. The cats are meowing, waiting patiently for their dinner. She fills the cat bowls and heads to grab her pajamas.
She gets everything that is needed for a nice, hot bath laid out and heads to the tub. Everything is perfect and at last she gets to end her evening with a nice long bath. Nothing could go wrong.
Suddenly as she turns the faucet on the water explodes. Water is gushing everywhere and to top it off it is the hot water. She grabs the faucet knob and shoves it back into place, but it isn’t screwing on. She can’t let go.
She hollers for her son to bring her the phone and she calls her father who rushes over to turn
the water to the house completely off. The faucet gets fixed, clothes changed and everyone is calmed down.
She contemplates take her bath, but exhaustion has set in and getting through a shower is the only thing possible.
She gets everything that is needed for a nice, hot bath laid out and heads to the tub. Everything is perfect and at last she gets to end her evening with a nice long bath. Nothing could go wrong.
Suddenly as she turns the faucet on the water explodes. Water is gushing everywhere and to top it off it is the hot water. She grabs the faucet knob and shoves it back into place, but it isn’t screwing on. She can’t let go.
She hollers for her son to bring her the phone and she calls her father who rushes over to turn
the water to the house completely off. The faucet gets fixed, clothes changed and everyone is calmed down.
She contemplates take her bath, but exhaustion has set in and getting through a shower is the only thing possible.
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Trunk or Treat
No more going door to door. No more worrying about the safety of our children. The best part of it all is you get the same amount of candy and possibly more.
Children get to walk through the church parking lot in their costumes. They go from one trunk of a car to the next doing their usual trick or treating.
The cars are usually owned by people who attend the church; however, the event is open to anyone no matter what their beliefs are.
There are even other things for the children to do besides getting candy. There are games for them to play, police cars that they can sit in, bouncers to bounce in and food and drinks.
It is an entire evening of fun in one open ,lighted, and safe place.
Children get to walk through the church parking lot in their costumes. They go from one trunk of a car to the next doing their usual trick or treating.
The cars are usually owned by people who attend the church; however, the event is open to anyone no matter what their beliefs are.
There are even other things for the children to do besides getting candy. There are games for them to play, police cars that they can sit in, bouncers to bounce in and food and drinks.
It is an entire evening of fun in one open ,lighted, and safe place.
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