Random Saturday

Today is Saturday... again.
Last night, or yesterday, we got snow... yes, snow... in March... in Wisconsin... SURPRISE!
Anyway, I cleaned off the car this morning and my son was going to shovel - he gets paid for it.
I really think we need to definite the word "shovel"... such as... more than a path from the door to the driveway, more than a path down the porch steps, more than TO the driveway and then out to the sidewalk... skipping the WHOLE driveway in between. Yes, he shoveled the path on the sidewalk, walked across the snow-covered driveway, and shoveled a path on the sidewalk. What part of this just seems WRONG?
So, guess who SHOVELED the DRIVEWAY, and DIDN'T get paid?
Can ya guess? You know who it was? Any clue...
Yup, sure as hell wasn't him!

Sundays...

I know this might be random and I know that, while growing up, I was taught that the three things you don't discuss are: money, politics, and religion...

Okay, this isn't really talking ABOUT religion, but a random venting thought on my mind.

My son has been baptized and confirmed in our church. My dad never attended church except for my Christmas Pageants. My mom, on the other hand, made me go every Sunday. I had to literally be dead to stay home... but that is another topic.

Anyway, my son comes with me to church and doesn't mind it. I don't have to fight him to get dressed, I don't have to argue with him to get going. He is involved in some areas, such as sunday school, watching younger children, helping with the sound system, so it's not like this is going to kill him.

So many parents of the church have kids and they do not come to church. So many do, but the kids are drawing or playing on their ipods (why are those in church?)

I mentioned that my son comes to church and a council member replied with "but he doesn't sit IN church". Okay, what the hell is up with that? He is sitting out in the fellowship area, right outside the sanctuary, because I am out doing my duties. He doesn't want to sit alone in church, as neither did I when I was younger. We wanted to sit out by me. He listened to the service, was not on his phone and was not playing with his ipod. He was in the walls of our church and could hear the sermon. We have other members who don't sit IN church. Why is he different? At least he is there, on his own free will... no, I did not have to hog tie him and strap him to the roof of my car to get him there.

I just had to vent. My son does a lot with church and loves to be a part of it, and loves our pastor, so as long as he is willing to be there, I am happy.

Thank you for listening. The statement that was made just kinda hit me wrong and has been on my mind. Needed to vent. Thank you for listening.

Random Conversation with a 14-year old

Last night, we were in the car, heading home. We passed a church with a lit up cross on the steeple (I think it's odd, but who am I to say...).

Anyway, he said "it reminds me of Vegas, all neon"

(mind you, he has never been to Vegas... and neither have I).

Then, he said "kinda like those drive-thru marriage places".

(WHAT???)

"Are they real? Do they really do that?"

Me: "I don't know... I have never been there and will probably never use one of those anyway..."

"Never use a drive-thru church or never get married again?"

Me: "Never a drive thru church... and who knows about getting married again. Did it once... isn't that enough?"

"Don't you want to get remarried? Don't you want a boyfriend?"

Me: "Have to have a boyfriend to get married. Have to go on dates to find a boyfriend. Have to find time to be able to go out on dates"

Okay, so this conversation took the total 360 spin-out-of-control during our 20 minute drive home.

I got out of the car, walked in the house, and really had no idea how that whole conversation even came around... except that the cross on the church was lit up.

RANDOM!!!!! (note to self - don't get yourself into captive-audience conversations that could potentially spin out of control..)

Christmas today

Today is Christmas. I went a little over with what I bought my son, but hrs appreciates it because he knows I don't have a lot of money.

I bought him an electric griddle because he loves to cook... and I am happy. He loves to fix night breakfasts and make desserts,  so I will give him the tools.

I also got him a new digital camera (his previous ones have been my hand-me-downs). He has been playing with all the features.

He didn't get much,but he appreciates what he did get. He has showed everyone and has thanked me many times. Appreciation means more than anything for something like this.

It's Monday morning and I am still coming off the weekend.

This weekend was a zoo. Friday I worked late, came home, made homemade pizza, did homework and watched a little tv. Saturday morning I got up, we went to a Christmas breakfast, and then I had to go help with our Sunday School Christmas Pageant practice... so we had 30+ kids running through the area, trying to sing, find their costumes, and learn their lines. By the time I helped fold costumes and clean up the lunch remnants, I went home and decided to take a nap, but first, I had to find that the cats knocked over our lamp and broke it, along with the screen on my son's cell phone. I went to bed, pulled the covers over my head, and said "GO AWAY!" I slept 2 hours, but that was useless. My son and I then went to visit a good friend for an hour and then we came home and had dinner. I did more homework and that was the end of me. Yesterday, I woke up early, had to be to church early, to open the doors and prep for the service. I then had to help with coffee hour, the christmas pageant, confirmation class... and the new problem of cyber-bullying on facebook, of my son. So, I was sending emails, along with running like a chicken with my head cut off. By the time I got home, I had such a headache. I send emails out and hit my facebook parents with a post, asking them to make sure their children aren't victims... or being the bullies. My brain hurt. I took another nap, with the cats. I did a little homework, but I preferred to have a meltdown instead. I cried and got angry. I am trying to be a good single mom, I am trying to protect my son, I am trying to go to school, I am trying to be supportive, I am trying to work hard, but I feel like I'm failing at everything. Melting down was definitely what I did. Then this morning I got up, came to work and then the phones quit working and the school already called me to handle the bullying... since it is internet-based, they are involving the police officer on campus. As I have told so many, this mama bear can be patient, but when she gets mad - watch out. And when anyone (at all) messes with my baby bear, there will be hell to pay. I am not a mama that gets mad - I get even... and I have claws...I am sooooooo ready to crawl back under the covers and call it a week... because tonight when I get home, I have to take a final exam for school. SHOOT ME NOW!!!!!!

Bullying

I have made my name known.  The school is aware. I have sent a message out to all adults on my Facebook as a sign to stop this.

I just want the world to know that bullying is not acceptable!!!

Stop Cyber Bullying - My child is a victim!!!

Spread the word...

feeling old... but just not sure

I was in the car with my son, who is 14. I was flipping through the radio stations,  which is normal when he's in the car. One of the big songs by Journey came on the radio. He sang every word... EVERY WORD! I don't even have one of their albums. They are so before his time. I was floored. And then he asked me of that was journey.  I stuttered and said "yes".

Wow....  ?!?!?!?

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Not your mother’s daughter…how do you parent differently than your mother did? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?

Mama Kat's Writing Prompts 11.01.11

My mom is older. She was almost 40 when I was born, so she was considered "old". My friends didn't come to visit because that was how I felt. She wore polyester... and dressed me in polyester and hand-me-downs also. We didn't go to the mall and we didn't buy Levi's. I worse Tough skins and Geranimals. Credit card shopping revolved around Sears. My mom is a great person, but she was never the motherly type. When mom said no, Dad always said yes... and then there was hell to pay. I got a tv for my room before mom got one for their room... she was not impressed. Mom said no to the gum, Dad bought me seven packs so I could send in the wrappers for a prize. My mom wasn't one to bond with me and take me places. I take my son places and try to do things with him, that he would enjoy, We go places, do things, and eat strange foods. I guess my mom was protective and that was good, after raising two boys, but I only wish we could have bonded more. She let me get my ears pierced, but then (at my ripe old age of 40-something), she still complains about my belly ring and my tattoos. My son has all his fingers and toes, he isn't tattooed or pierced, and he still speaks English... with no criminal record. This is good, right?

Traveling and Planning

Okay, so I am going on a trip... a vacation... first one in... well, let's just say "many" years.

I am one who has to plan - I am far from spontaneous. Drop everything and go? Only if I can make sure I have it planned. Anyway, we have had tickets for months now and the flight is around the corner. I know what I need to pack and know what to bring, but getting it from my list and brain into the suitcase is a whole different story.

(Unfortunately this is a part of my many flaws... I can plan and plan... and then power it out the 25th hour... just like Christmas shopping or planning a party... know it's coming, have all the plans, wait until the last minute to finish everything!)

Okay, anyway, back to the vacation on the horizon. This is my son's first trip and he is so excited that he is driving me crazy. He is packing and unpacking, counting hours and minutes, making lists and checking them twice, along with asking a million questions.

I, on the other hand, am stressing... making sure we have everything, making sure we won't have trouble getting through security, making sure we have enough money, making sure he has everything, hoping he has a good time, making sure everything gets done at work before I walk away from my desk for a few days... I stress over these things.

I just want everything to be perfect. I know I can't control EVERYTHING, but I like I think and hope I can. I just want him to have a good time and remember this for the rest of his life.

My biggest stressor is worrying about everyone else and hoping they have a good time. I don't worry about me... it's the rest of the world I worry about.

I just hope we have a good time... and I don't give myself an ulcer over all this!

sushi is...

I have found a love for sushi... I am not big on the things like eel or raw tuna, but shrimp and salmon is good. I like Cali wraps and like spicy crab and shrimp. Mix it with wasabi and soy. Even my son, who is a teen, loves this stuff. I can eat this every day...

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halloween

Halloween is coming. Today I took my son to Halloween Express and Bartz's. My son likes skeletons, Gorey masks, large furry rats, and giant spiders. I, myself, am not a big Halloween fan.I never have been big on it. I don't like haunted houses either. I will watch some scary movies, but that's about it. Today I bought window clings and lights.

I hope my son enjoys Halloween, even though I can live without it.

Before I was a mom...

I worked, I lived, and that was it. Nothing special, nothing important, nothing drop-dead fabulous. Just a working stiff since high school, still with no popularity, and truly no social life. I was just a face in the crowd. Now my son, fourteen years old, is the center of my world. He has pushed me and challenged me, forcing me to step outside my comfort zone and be a little spontaneous. I also know, that as a mom, I don't sleep well or even through the night. I wake to every sound... The thunder, the sleep-talking, the 5-lb snoring and wheezing cat. Yep, I am a mom, running on no sleep, and loving it anyway.

aarrgghh... school is starting

Well, my son's 9th grade year will be starting in only a couple weeks. We have had an orientation and this week is registration. Already seeing triple digit fees! Why would he have to find the expensive classes???? Figures!!! Oh well. That's life. As long as he passes, I won't bitch too loud!

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what a day

This morning, my son and I had a battle on the way to church. Talk about a screaming match... lucky it is only a 10 minute drive... what a way to start the day! Should have stayed in bed!

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time (and space) to myself? nope!

Being a single mom leaves me exempt from my own time and space. I can be laying down and watching TV, when he comes in and just stands at the foot of my bed. "What do you want?" I ask. "Nothing" he answers and then just stands there. "Aarrgghh - just go away!" I want to scream, but I can't. Let us not forget that I can be sleeping (or napping) as my eyes are closed. He will wake me up to ask me if I'm okay... at least he doesn't ask if I'm sleeping. That would drive me even crazier! I love him to death, but there are times when I'm not sure who will win this battle - him or me...