What's your Take?

Okay, so now that there is a woman running for VP, and we've had a couple of weeks to digest it all. Does it make a difference to you? Do you like it? Do you like her? Do you care? Do you think it's just vote pandering?

How Do You Handle IT?

Okay, by now if you have at least two kids (not necessarily if you only have one, because they may be a perfect kid, but I am convinced that no one has two amazingly gifted in a row)--you have had to deal with the one-up-manship between moms. "Oh, so and so was walking at six months, and your's is how old and not walking yet?" Or "I had junior potty trained at eighteen months and yours is three!!" or how about " I don't know, I guess he just does what I tell him to and he listens, you just need to be more firm..." and on and on and on. I have to say, sometimes I've been lucky enough to have the kid that is "good enough" but a lot of times I have felt like I'm the parent who is at the wrong end of the comparison. I think we all have been on both sides. How do you handle it when other mom's compare your kids to their kids or when they compare your parenting style to theirs (emphasizing how your way is the WRONG way)?

To be a little more specific, would you talk to the person face to face, ignore it, or handle it differently? And honestly, I have been guilty of comparing too. I try not too--but when you've been the one who's has the crazy kid and you finally start having some good behavior luck come your way, sometimes it's easy to bask a little! (thanks to Cecelia for the idea).

Mom Question

Okay people, apparently there aren't too many readers out there....j/k. Actually, until I joined a book club I really hadn't spent much time reading in a few years. When you have kids and all the other stuff going on it's hard to fit reading a good book in there! Well, I thought a good question for this week would be: What is the hardest part of your day? Share.

And yeah, that's how little miss picky HAD to sleep for about the first seven months of her life! Swaddled up tight, one arm free, and paci in!

Your Favorites

What are three books that have had an impact on you (excluding the standard works)? What do they mean to you? How did they change your life? Or, if books haven't had a huge impact on you, what are some of your favorites for a good read? If you don't have three then just say one. Do you read? If not, why?

Here he is...

Okay, sorry that I put a picture up of my dad and my sister instead of my sister and her new spouse. So here is the best one I could find for anyone who cares! Meet Tim.

What do you do for you?

Mom question: What are the things you like to do when you have time for yourself (as rare or frequent as that may be)? What are your hobbies? What are your goals? ps--the above picture is my room-mates and me...five years later!

Tips please!

So how does everyone manage to save money these days? I heard on the radio the other day that consumer inflation in the month of June was 1% the largest monthly increase in over 25 years! Usually in a whole year we experience 4-5% inflation. So things are looking a litttle grim! So how to you fight the rising cost of goods and gas? Do you have any tips about conserving/preserving in general??

Why and why not?

Okay, I think this is the easiest way to go about this. If you spank why? If you do not spank, why not? If you do not spank, what consequences do you use instead? If you do spank, do you ever regret it? I also think we should be able to ask our own questions about this. So if either side of the fence has a question for the other. Go ahead and ask.

What makes you a snob?

So what is it in your life that has to be "just so." Are there lots of things that have to be exactly right in your life for you to be happy??? Or are you just plain not picky at all? Does it bother you if other people don't do the things you are picky about?

What I learned on my summer vacation!

So basically I've been out of town for the last two weeks to Kentucky and Utah. Two weeks before that we had all the family in town for Emma's (lil' sis) high school graduation so I've been busy! In the last month I've been to two weddings, a family reunion, a room-mate reunion, a graduation, and had to say goodbye to my grandpa. It was all so amazing but, we're back now and ready for the rest of the summer! The biggest thing that happened was of course Andrea getting married. I had so much fun spending time with Andrea, Tim, Heather, and Greg. I was sad last year when I barely got to see my brother and sister-in-law, but the last month has pretty much made up for it!!! Andrea looked just gorgeous, and everything was so perfect!! But the best thing of all was that she married a man who is perfect for her! I know Andrea reads this occasionally so I'll just go ahead and say that I love Tim, and I think you guys are going to have a great life with each other. And Tim, if you ever read this (which I think is significantly less likely unless Andrea tells you so)--you did get very lucky, and don't forget it!!!

If I can indulge you guys with a little story, I'll let you know how I discovered that they were perfect for each other...The night before the wedding all Andrea would say she wanted to do on her honeymoon night was watch a Veronica Mars dvd. I was thinking...come on! It's your HONEYMOON!! That night Tim came over to see if the dvd had come by Netflix. Here's the thing...he was just as dissapointed as she was when it wasn't there! He wanted to watch it just as much as she did. That's when I realized that they were meant to be. Oh well, I'm sure they found something else to do that night....


On another note, everything else was wonderful and we had so much fun with Erick's family. As far as blogging goes, I will try and keep things interesting, and I hope that those of you who read this and don't comment will have the guts to stick your toe in and try out being a part of the discussion. I have also made a resolution to try commenting more on all of your blogs. I do read them, but I need to comment more and WILL. Anyways, have a great summer, I know mine has been!

New Posts coming soon!!!!

Hey everyone. If you couldn't tell...I was taking a break!!! Not that blogging takes up all my time or anything, It's summer and I like many of you have had a lot going on lately! I will be posting new stuff come the Sunday after July 4th. So check it out. I'm coming up with lots of thought provoking questions and yes the big Spanking question will be in there somewhere. If you have any ideas send them my way. In the mean time I have found a hilarious blog that I think many of you would also find funny. It's called: www.stuffwhitepeoplelike.wordpress.com. I wish I knew how to make that into a link...but I don't. Anyways, have a good summer and see you soon!--Maurine

One to hold us over: cute kid question

Okay, I just don't have time this week to post new questions, and I think we may be able to flesh out the questions from last week even more, so keep going! But to give us one question that we can all add to whenever: What cute/funny thing did your kid do or say today? Yeah, it's not a deep one, but sometimes it's hard to come up with questions that make us reflect and grow and all that.

Think back...way back

Okay, remember when you were 18? I guess I've been thinking about change...well, a lot lately. Sometimes I think about how much I've changed since then, and I feel like a completely different person. And then at other times I might find myself thinking about how people I knew back then used to be...and I guess I wonder if they've changed too, or maybe not (no, I'm not thinking about anyone here or necessarily anyone in particular)? So here is the question: How have you changed as a person since you were 18. I don't mean environmentally speaking, or the fact that you have kids now, I mean who you are as a person. What's different now?

Mom ?????

So all the mom talk about TV got me thinking about how we as mom's creatively keep our children occupied. Let's face it: the days can get long sometimes! And TV can be quite tempting! So what are the creative things and ideas you have to entertain and teach your children???

She's got pizazz! (I hope this makes sense somehow)

Katie's comments about being obsessively in love with her son really got me thinking about...people. You know--the way we are. How everyone is either a detail person, or a worry wort (those two often go hand in hand), or maybe they never notice a thing. Or how about the first thing we notice about someone else. Is it their eyes, clothes, hair, teeth? Or is the way they talk? Or do we just not pay attention at all? What do you think about way to much? I guess the question that I'm trying to get at is what is the thing that you obsess over? What characteristics about people do you notice the most? Do you pay attention to your surroundings? Or are you a people watcher? What catches your eye? What do you think about when you can't fall asleep at night? I know this seems confusing, but I guess I'm asking a lot of questions but trying to come to one conclusion...what are those tiny little personality characteristics that make you who you are--love it or hate it! And while we're at it feel free to add any of your personality traits that drive you crazy!

Mom ?????

What has been the biggest surprise for you about motherhood? Have there been any big dissapointments? To go a little more in depth, I've been reading a book called "Raising Your Spirited Child" to help me understand my little guy and be a better parent. In the book it talks about how sometimes we have to let go of those images of the "perfect child" we had before we got a little "spirited" child. It was always my goal to let my child be who they were and to not try and force them into any role, so I don't feel like I went through a grieving process or anything, but things are sometimes very different than I thought they would be. I now have a "typical" baby (aka. Cora), or so I think, and it's so interesting to see how different they are. Anyways, let's discuss all the surprises, good and bad, all the dissapointments; let it all out.

One for Fun

If you could live in any home on a TV series, which would it be? Let's think it out.

Some politikin'

So how does everyone feel about McCain? A lot of conservatives say he's too far center, or even left. A lot feel like he doesn't represent conservative beliefs at all. If you have an opinion share it. If not, you should go get one and come back when you do. Also, what is important to you in this election? Can changes be made?

Mom question....Advice!

For those of us who are married, I don't know about you, but when I became married, and even more-so when I had kids, I became the constant target of advice. Advice on everything one could imagine! So the question is, what is the best advice you have received, or even better, what is the best advice you have to give about marriage and kids. Have fun!

Sign of the Times

Okay, how's everyone doing on their food storage? Does anyone believe reports that there is a possible food shortage on the horizon or that prices are going to sky rocket? How important is food storage to you? Are you scared? Are you prepared? (thanks steph for the question idea!)

Generics?

Since we're on a food topic here's another one: Do you buy Generic or Name-brand? Do you care? Do you think one is superior to the other? Do you have a childhood complex that forces you to buy one or the other? I'm talkin' clothing, food, whatever? Do you have a preference?

Healthcare for the masses?

Recently it was projected by the federal government that by the year 2017, one out of every five dollars spent in the US will be on healthcare. What do you think about our current health care situation? Does everyone have a right to health care? Do we need "universal" health care? What should we do? Are you worried about it? How do you feel about it?

Money talks

What is the best twenty dollars you have ever spent? Aaaaand on the other hand, what do you waste too much money on?

What's it to you? (Mom Question)

Most of us moms that read this are stay at home moms. So how do you feel about it? What is the best thing about it? What is the worst? Do you ever feel judged? Do you ever judge others? Do tell...

Mom ??? of the Week

So this week we'll focus on the dads. What is your husbands role in taking care of the kids? What should his role be? Does he do enough? Does he do too much? Let's talk about it...

Your Moment of Truth

Yes, I have seen the show practically invented by the devil "Moment of Truth" (mainly because it comes on before American Idol). I can't believe the things people are willing to admit too. I've also noticed that some of the questions would make just about anybody look bad, like asking a woman if she thinks she's a better mom to her own kids than her mom was to her. Whether it's true or not, I think we all try our best, and to correct the things we think our parents might have done...errr not necessarily wrong, but you get the picture. So some of these questions are very difficult for anyone to answer. And some of these questions are just down -right embarrassing for the sake of being embarrassing! Well, to get to the point of all this, the day after I watched the show, I couldn't help but think of some questions that would be funny to hear people have to admit too. So what are some of the most uncomfortable questions you can think of to ask someone taking a lie-detector test? Have fun--and there will be a prize for the person with the best question--I'll even mail it if I need too.

Check Please!

Okay, so we're all getting a bunch of money as part of the stimulus package to save the economy from the government. Wopee! Or not? What do you think about the plan? And more importantly, how are you going to spend it!!! Savings? Big screen? Do tell.

And for us mom's out there...

Here's the woman/mom specific debate of the week...how does everyone discipline their kids??? Is there a right or wrong way? What works/ doesn't work for you? I tend to think that our kids know exactly what drives us crazy so my first defense against bad behavior is to try to not react at all. Kids sometimes behave badly just to get a reaction, so I try not to give any emotional response. Then I take Bryant as calmly as I can to his room. Time out is the ONLY thing that works for us, and yes, I have to lock him in his room. I've tried a wrist slap, but he laughs, I've never really liked the spanking route. What do you guys think?

Organic?

This is another thing I can't make up my mind about. I've heard so much on both sides, but I have seen very little scientific research to show that organic food is actually beneficial to us. I'm leaning kind of toward thinking that it doesn't really make much difference in the long run.

Global Warming

Okay, how many people think humans have an impact? How many don't? I'm still not sure. I feel like there is so much bias and subjectivity in both directions that I haven't made up my mind yet...any opinions?

New Subject....Let's Discuss

Okay, here's an idea. Let's take precious little Greg's idea and flesh it out a little. I don't know about you, but I love a healthy debate. So let's do it. Let's debate whatever--get mean, annoying, whatever. Anything to give us a break from dirty diapers, laundry, or from whatever plagues you. If you have an idea, put it in the comments and I'll post it as a topic. How 'bout it people!!!

I guess this makes me a loser. That's why I'm not telling anyone I have a blog.

I only have this because I really just wanted to post a comment on one of my friend's pages, but in order to do that you have to have a google account. When you get a google account, they ask you to start a blog. What choice did I have? Obviously very little. I suppose I need a place where I can write my thoughts, feelings and other such things. Maybe a place where I can speculate and theorize on things I've been thinking about. Maybe this can be a place where I can form an interesting alter-ego that can be an outlet for things that I can't normally express with my normal voice. Maybe, just maybe. Let us see where this road takes us...