tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31967981633420739782024-03-19T04:26:03.358-04:00MomginerdMom, Engineer, Nerd
<a href="http://pinterest.com/momginerd/"><img src="http://passets-cdn.pinterest.com/images/follow-on-pinterest-button.png" width="156" height="26" alt="Follow Me on Pinterest"></a>Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.comBlogger47125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-15555224491729997702017-02-09T12:46:00.002-05:002017-02-09T12:46:56.619-05:00Millennial is not a bad word<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjYIoRZ40DqdgsgfbvcJigrWrufa4GBQDtzQHoj13xBVYWw_ESEddm6d3oXSjBupclK409YSm0r2CvLfK6KmwpDuH6BojXf8csFBPbtSHKfpRIYWhBPozeDvRv3q64aL8LcM1JGlOovo/s1600/millennials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjYIoRZ40DqdgsgfbvcJigrWrufa4GBQDtzQHoj13xBVYWw_ESEddm6d3oXSjBupclK409YSm0r2CvLfK6KmwpDuH6BojXf8csFBPbtSHKfpRIYWhBPozeDvRv3q64aL8LcM1JGlOovo/s1600/millennials.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you hear me now? No, Please text it to me.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8W5AW-iUDH0LEj4_RTb7yEw1lH5aFGzt2-athb6VY_ETlvtysKgpNUAO9CLzYhK-004ZdHEnllOxbaLb_rZ4H0Ri1kI2ThLjXMF9NdrE48sTGpRfe1FReUE8tsxmRtsiQFRNml2tJDc/s1600/neanderthal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8W5AW-iUDH0LEj4_RTb7yEw1lH5aFGzt2-athb6VY_ETlvtysKgpNUAO9CLzYhK-004ZdHEnllOxbaLb_rZ4H0Ri1kI2ThLjXMF9NdrE48sTGpRfe1FReUE8tsxmRtsiQFRNml2tJDc/s320/neanderthal.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">R U getting this? No? TTYL8R!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8W5AW-iUDH0LEj4_RTb7yEw1lH5aFGzt2-athb6VY_ETlvtysKgpNUAO9CLzYhK-004ZdHEnllOxbaLb_rZ4H0Ri1kI2ThLjXMF9NdrE48sTGpRfe1FReUE8tsxmRtsiQFRNml2tJDc/s1600/neanderthal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8W5AW-iUDH0LEj4_RTb7yEw1lH5aFGzt2-athb6VY_ETlvtysKgpNUAO9CLzYhK-004ZdHEnllOxbaLb_rZ4H0Ri1kI2ThLjXMF9NdrE48sTGpRfe1FReUE8tsxmRtsiQFRNml2tJDc/s1600/neanderthal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji8W5AW-iUDH0LEj4_RTb7yEw1lH5aFGzt2-athb6VY_ETlvtysKgpNUAO9CLzYhK-004ZdHEnllOxbaLb_rZ4H0Ri1kI2ThLjXMF9NdrE48sTGpRfe1FReUE8tsxmRtsiQFRNml2tJDc/s1600/neanderthal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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So recently and not so recently, I have seen a lot of
complaining about “millennials.” Hell, I
have made some comments myself. However,
if you truly pay attention to them you may be surprised. Sure, they spend all their time on their
phones/laptops and sometimes conversations with them are less forthcoming and understandable than a Neanderthal, but they seriously have some fantastic morals and awareness
that I know I did not have at their age.
For example, almost every one of my oldest’s millennial friends were
extremely aware of the election as the platforms. Even though most were not old enough to
vote. They had interpersonal debates, discussions and delved deep into public policy, women's rights, consumerism, and foreign policy. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1VTXo6M1Qa0unp_kt7iHMh9H6EQhthyp09SKefxequkifkTWs6H9SIAdQ2rL2Bu2E8cA-DfuAmLc0mvlHnSdDvuEqxC06jztVjV5-rEohgaOU4Y6HQh7slwa66DozBvVuYIdhqkFphA/s1600/recycle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja1VTXo6M1Qa0unp_kt7iHMh9H6EQhthyp09SKefxequkifkTWs6H9SIAdQ2rL2Bu2E8cA-DfuAmLc0mvlHnSdDvuEqxC06jztVjV5-rEohgaOU4Y6HQh7slwa66DozBvVuYIdhqkFphA/s200/recycle.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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They also have
a true touch on the future of the planet.
You know the one WE are supposed to be protecting for them? THEY may end up saving it for us! We call my kids the recycling nazi's because they will honestly chastise me if I put the wrong bottle in the wrong bin. My son and daughter even compost in the summer! </div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3rxScfpKU54nmhv-kfWd6qZEDuQWJwod17xSlxAK3lvW6vn6gqksOnOCXFZ57-s3nLdQyGCunS25vFDznl4eu2Uz4-Mjh-PbVyko4NGvyTSZyP2ISiYrcflNa-HBMIaIU4Zb117JWck/s1600/empathy-definition.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3rxScfpKU54nmhv-kfWd6qZEDuQWJwod17xSlxAK3lvW6vn6gqksOnOCXFZ57-s3nLdQyGCunS25vFDznl4eu2Uz4-Mjh-PbVyko4NGvyTSZyP2ISiYrcflNa-HBMIaIU4Zb117JWck/s320/empathy-definition.png" width="320" /></a>Another thing I have noticed about Millennials is that they genuinely love “people.” By this, I mean they are open minded, forgiving and accepting. Empathy is valued more than criticism. I have witnessed open and honest conversations between teens
that have deep tones of empathy for each other….yes, they are done via Snaps,
Lines, MMS, etc and not face to face, but they are doing it. And this isn’t just girls, it is the boys
too. The millennial young men I have
known are not afraid to express themselves and their feelings. They stand up for themselves and do not
discount their or their friends’ feelings. They not only accept individual differences, but truly seem to embrace and make efforts to understand the "why" of differences. </div>
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Some may call them "liberals" in a snide or dismissive way. Or say that they are unrealistic and romanticizing real life. However, historically speaking, they said the same thing about flight, women's rights, and autonomous cars....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5U_qJBBxUU6fyk0QDWYbhlpCFQQ7lf0B7BMGmdEtTuv7SptPFVT6CHQQX3UyFBGPjnRcNcrRIfDcn8QHRRQ3we3G6G_vBl2GX-72wQk1FNVrI5kEUIQDEv8iuEVj5-smN2dRMzR69TMY/s1600/phone.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5U_qJBBxUU6fyk0QDWYbhlpCFQQ7lf0B7BMGmdEtTuv7SptPFVT6CHQQX3UyFBGPjnRcNcrRIfDcn8QHRRQ3we3G6G_vBl2GX-72wQk1FNVrI5kEUIQDEv8iuEVj5-smN2dRMzR69TMY/s200/phone.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Millennials have a lot to say and a lot of it is awesome. Maybe we should stop criticizing them and </div>
start listening. We may need to adapt to the new genres of communication and not expect them to go back to telephones with 5foot cords in the kitchen. We may just learn something important. <br />
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Cheers!</div>
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Momginerd</div>
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<o:p></o:p>Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-60793965490372794562017-02-01T08:42:00.000-05:002017-02-01T11:17:56.358-05:00That one time my kid yelled Cock in public....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let this cute face fool you</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Today I am going with Minion 1 to a Chinese New Years celebration. It is going to be great fun and educational and I am really looking forward to the event. However, I can't help but recall when we went for a family dinner at our local favorite Chinese restaurant about 6 years ago. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: small;">Princepessa was about 5 years old and just mastering the art of reading. We all sit down and there are Chinese zodiac placemats on the table. Which, as a parent with 3 small kids, are a good way to distract them from trying to stab each other with chopstick until food arrives. We are all reading them and discussing the different characteristics associated with each sign. Well, eventually we get to determining which animal is for each of us.</span></div>
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Audrey and I are both year of the Rooster. However, this restaurant has a cock as the title. Which in this day and age RARELY refers to the king of the hen house. So, Princepessa sees this, and YELLS! Mom, I have a Cock! To which all the neighboring tables begin to giggle. Which (as any parent will attest) only encouraged her. I mean she is the 3rd child so attention was a bit thin for her....<br />
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She continues to read the dates and asks me which year I was born. When she looks it up she yells, even louder now she has an audience....YOU have a cock too! But yours must be bigger because you are so much older than me!!!<br />
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<a href="http://www.thechinesequest.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Chinese-Zodiac-Placemat-Chinese-New-Year-Animals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for chinese zodiac placemat" border="0" height="207" src="https://www.thechinesequest.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/Chinese-Zodiac-Placemat-Chinese-New-Year-Animals.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I was literally torn between hiding under the table in embarrassment or to hide the laughing to keep from encouraging her more. The poor waitress saw our distress and amusement and was giggling as well. I could hear her telling the story back in the kitchen. The owner of the restaurant came out and gave Princepessa a high five for her reading skills....and a free meal. <br />
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Which only encouraged her more....<br />
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For the next couple months every flying animal was a "cock."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image result for robin" height="232" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ4-YoeKWqhAomDS0QUR6rnXZj3B0-JJXZl2uPd0iHBWgzI_S3HwA" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look mom! A red breasted cock!</td></tr>
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And it kept on going....<br />
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twubFNLJXhvapRwdvirCjzx67sDHNy8OCYqL73X6DU0Jvc2bUKX880TgnAG7qfOoVqn3pi/a0fMalXJQhQBQEFqrb7PG3JKvnzgj6p7JfP3fGo115bJNp5n31ExqWDIuU6FFhoC3nHlBAUoJB7uep91VtsnLKR6PvI0o6pFavVpcst4EGe4ju7FKcYO8FJAyU+eOR7xUtw0vDEK8atPVE67k/bLHd4kmxKRKbCCH2HiHG3E8cK9DzweRgHA4rttF5RASqVoNVFjoXO06jhXYulpCWYy1fNsFAK0LxnsgepJ5KSOoyMAJOemcor50pU5YOBhuTCeUxb2mFSXnC0IDSwtLwzneojhA25ClYHj6VhZTN3iS3ZX9WXgLadgIlmdKfdC5klvIbUU/RbbT5AknPiSfhrJ52JFvTx43sjlvWk7pp8xXp4YLbq0AFt0EpURu2kdcjn04rScGkSKVzCo9KGZoBTg7MNLWjLzO7anOU5JI9BUO1z3ppfY7vf3jYq4KIKAKAr2sVlEeDgJwqXtVkeBac6eRzio135TJVos1PvqhRX+W5b3o85kAuRpKVgK6KHIKT6EHHxqrtpYkehlTVSLg/U89UWq6XqwMaolOMLUEJxGjt/xTHUd7JKiN2SPqjOcdKs5RclqZAt6sKVXul8/eL1ZPjXNE5l60lBk2Nq4vXQJgKKmmtssFIWnO5SfXI/frjrBYKu5mpuKjuVaXJetd4ni2ywW3QtkOtOb9zK/q7vdgVq20yTGEZ01qR3aU05MvalvsOCO2wobHlNb0l3ghOP1j4BIJrMY53NK9aNNaeTo1HeLxcrjEtt77JMi3vLQtLRGN5IzwCUg8Y4rWrJ4aYt6MILXH1GNoFxLS29zgRueZSM/WJJ4HvqHa+aZv14F+o16uCiCgCgILVmREjkZx7Rg4/sLH31Gu/JZJtPNEvq0Zgv8AjhQP6wqpt/aPSrYirNfnVRo1juU5yPZS9ukLbB7Qt45byPqE+HmSasoT/wAWQ69usurFeIsOqdH293U0CLpyU1EmSAXi3uHZMoSMhYKeQcgDjOTk8AV2lBZ2INK5koPWsoibhZ9YzLlHts15Dq7lhlCu2SUr2JC8K+sMDnkePrWGpPY2pzt4rUlwaRdFiBqy22rU7gaYmBWww3QdygcbMq6cjy5yAPTCp4e5vO7zTcqfodGq5p0bf5DGmJbSI0loB+JnelpYHBx4KHCgc5BBzW0noexypQ7+OZrg30UI35BfmrdhC5LkuNJck7S4kFKTvBJz4q556+dc5ew2bzy6yj6Fw0Mke1tbgjcH2yM9Qeenr1qDZ71Wd+0H+XsNerkoQoAoCC1bt9jY3f1/Hv2LqPd+SyTaeahO31sPNPNq6K4z5c1T0PaR6KUsRycF20YiJcbbFauSdlwcU2hTzYAbwPrEHk8jjA61aOkkyDC9c4ybXALs180Vf4AtMuLNmS21JZS2Nw2hQ6hWMc8/Ct8OL2OTq0q8HqWEgvkrUUTUtlVPTBQ5F2sxFoKiysHCSVDdkDHB6dOBWzbyjlThTlTlg5taSLvfrtb0XBUJTgaKW1Rm1oQ2ncclRVkjGCr0HNYk22b2+iEHIi2NOlV4jQFP5bfKx2iUcpWgZWjaTkEHjn0PjWunc69+lBySO120s2q/ojMLWsJayouEE7tykkDAHHdrhcrETpbVHUWWMXRG/wBtYCM7faEbseXNRrPPei/x3e42auigCgCgIHV4zAjnykD/ACqqNd+SyVZ+aKt6BJuLrzMRpTrgSSUpICsemfGqmhFuWxfVZxhHMiNu0uOlURx+6zw606HGGp7A7i9wSTuwDwFlWdx+j8RbNlZFS3wvkbTQzdLrEuY1BaUvw1EtKeTtCghRIB7+cZJPQdeM1tzuc14E46XueThkSrw3Il3aGJUTdHZQWgFuIW0VEHDv0gFlI72c+JrPqaJpQaS5PSaROkw37jqO2f8ATyEPJ2hJQVKxkjc5ynujwHIOQBzT9TMWoppRZGsxIVx7Zy43V5b0R1bbPsLA29kcqCiptB2g5Uehx3uM8VrjPJ0c3D2Vs+pmLZbnGkLlSm3REb2sMqeV3gkZwnacHj3AVGuU9JMt5wbwuS/6IBTOjAZ5fQDjywo/v+4qPZeYY7QWaY1auShCgCgIbVHZ/k75wK4cynaeh2mo13juWSbTPerArLpaJaVqDbfa57w7HKiBxz5/WFVUaUlui9VeD52IFOro8YpjvQ5kdtBUlxDUoqC04Kfor4HI8PI+6rNVNllEOVm3umjLeqbMtzMtVyWDxlyJFWQnPnjJPXrWynE5ztquPT5kNC1Ay/DWxdzsSF72kxYLauSrd13px3sHHP3HKkZlQafhJFnVFvbI/wCquACc5Sm3RUBwHgjPeIJHHj76KSObt6nQ5ZGqIS1FSRdJLziezcDj7bW9I4SMtpB6FYx+dTWbfh5euD301Dl3ee7Mjw3A26slJK1LAGDnvqOT0J6+dRK8ZS4RMpzhSW7GRp1hVvuMBuZhDjskJSjqd2xXkcefn08652sXGrhnO7feUm4+iGZVuUQUAUBC6q/m4f3n+lVRbzyZEqz81CpfmyYriyw8tPJGM5GM9MGqmlUlHhl9OlCS3RXJGp3IqkQnYTDrUZ9biTvIPeCxxu3AY7TjgjgcVYwqeFZRHnaZbknycj18sz856U7a+6phDaGClJSggjJBGOfpHJ9B0rrqT3OKo1VHSn9TlduFi/8AynG7YvtY4QmWhWNkgAcnhXXPPh65pmJnRW3WeT0N006XZC3LK4sqSkNKSsN7cNbSSkHbnd3unP25zmJooV0sajv/AIbeyFpFogobaS2ArtcJyvKcr7vntJ69VnjgU7xI1VpKXLJyLqCXNZZebSIYIJCWFHoc+PlyeOBz04FQq9aTeETKVrCK33JrT7m6/WNJJ704nJPX5pdcrTesb3bxbz+H8ob9XZ5oKAKA4LzGMqC6hIyoDckeORXGvDvKUoo60J6KikxLXtKo760rBwTkHwqhhlbM9NGSlHKKPfE7ZZX/AFgz933VPpPKMZ2IlRxXZI4yeDBOa2NcmKBHvHSFvNoyE7lBO4+GTWsuDqsIu0FKW0IaQDtSAkVAm/U6RZd9BwTN1Aw9sJbtyVOKX4BxadqU+/aVH7PMVJsKbcnN8EHtGqo09C5f0GpVqUQUAUBg9DQFX1Lo9m7oUuOUtOnJKVDuqJ8fQ/b7qiVrSNR6lsyZb3k6Wz3Qrb1om5w1LEq2vLbH0XGm+2Hv7uSPiBUZ0KtPhFjC7pT4ePiUq5Wb2ZRw80n81xW0/prpGT/yRvq1cbkK4C2raSk+oUD+yuvJo20e0VsPKwXm0eh5J+ArDyuEZU+parNYZr+0W21zpiz9dMVSU/4lAAfbXLuqk2YlcQjyxhac+Tu7OqQ5dVtwGgclttQceUPLP0U+/vVtGyTfiOE+0YpYgsjLtNrh2mGmJBYS00k5wOSo+KiepJ8zU6MVFYRWTqSqPVN5Z21k0CgCgCgCgNfE1lGrIm//AEU1o+TtHgUt6/lp95/ZXJ8nSJdNI/ydn+0a6rg0lyX3yrY5epmgCgCgCgP/2Q==" 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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cock Sauce</td></tr>
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So, today as I attend this dinner my number one goal is to not laugh during any cock related zodiac stories. <br />
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Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-29473252326648812542017-01-25T10:43:00.001-05:002017-01-25T11:27:26.251-05:00I am a moderate, and that is OKAY!<br />
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<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvzl7rgf_ZEjjWfQSHGz7kLhVYA_LRFHuwKW8YZpFJ2aSF9soE" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for being moderate funny" border="0" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQvzl7rgf_ZEjjWfQSHGz7kLhVYA_LRFHuwKW8YZpFJ2aSF9soE" /></a></div>
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Hello Momginerdians, </div>
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If you are like me, your Facebook is either filled with a bunch of political posts, or you have unfollowed every person you used to enjoy and are looking at cat videos, memes and recipes (I am the latter). We all get it, you are upset/happy about the new POTUS. It is the end of days/beginning of a new era. And, frankly, I am about done with it all and am about social-mediaed out (shh, it's my blog, I can make up words). </div>
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Am I happy about the current political state of this country? Nope. Have I lost all hope? Nope. And that's okay. And what is even BETTER is I have as much RIGHT to this opinion as you do to yours. I will guarantee you 1 thing: Ranting, swearing, doing EXACTLY the same thing to men that you are against them doing to women will never ever change my mind. </div>
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<a href="https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/pics/Persuading.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Image result for good negotiation skills" border="0" height="203" src="https://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/pics/Persuading.JPG" width="320" /></a>I am all for standing up for your beliefs, but I do also believe there is a way to present them that doesn't have to be filled with foul language and abusive context. Another thing that will never change my mind, is celebrities. Especially ones who have garnered their career over objectifying others (men, you are included here) or being overtly sexualized to make profits. Back in the day there was this word for people who sold their bodies for profit.....It is escaping me now. ;-). </div>
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Now before ranting about me being entitled/white/privileged, etc starts, I can assure you I am 1 of 3. I worked for my education, I work at a job (historically dominated by men), and I have been harassed/abused/discounted. But, I still do not blame a whole gender for this. I blame our culture which continually finds ways to divide us as humans. Color, Race, Sexuality, Socioeconomic status, Gender, Body Shape, Address, Education, Career, the list goes on and on. </div>
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A president isn't going to fix those. Could he/she make it worse? Absolutely. Do you have to accept it? Absolutely NOT. But, being an ugly butt about it isn't helping your cause. Do not present data as facts based on 3 second video clips, or quotes starting with "..." those little dots mean that something totally different may have prefaced the comment. Remember: All things you see on the internet are not truth. CHECK your facts before reposting, it saves me the time, lol. </div>
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If we want change we have to be the change. Be a motivation for my son and daughters, not someone I have to unfollow for fear my kids will see it, or change the channel because I am embarrassed by the rhetoric/vileness/crudeness. </div>
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And if this post pisstified you, good. Now you know how I feel when I can't even enjoy a good cat video without cringing as I scroll through my feed. And, y'all know, Momginerd is no stranger to swearing. But, sometimes a message comes across better if you don't lower yourself to the oppositions standards, especially when you are trying to influence change. Then it just becomes a pissing match and, ladies, we are missing something that will could ever allow us to can win a pissing match. </div>
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Oh, and if you are going to protest something, here is a friendly tip: Check your spelling! I will not judge you for your views, but I will judge your spelling.</div>
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Kisses,</div>
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Momginerd the moderate not liking Trump or Hilary but really hating the division and ugliness being broadcast to me without my choice right now person. </div>
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Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-47011952877686741872017-01-23T13:47:00.000-05:002017-01-23T13:47:19.847-05:00Do these memories make this meal taste better?Hello Momginerdians (Yeah, I just made that shit up...Let's start our own nerd revolution)! <br />
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So, recently I joined a facebook group dedicated to using cast iron skillets. What is so special about that, you ask? Well, for me it is because they are the same pans that I received from my grandmother.<br />
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As many of you know who have been following me for a while, my childhood was, well, pretty much sucktastic. But, the best parts were going in the summer to visit my Mamaw and Auntie down in the mountains of Virginia. This lonely only child, who many times had oatmeal alone for dinner since my dad was always working, would have 3 square home cooked meals a day and a bunch of cousins to play with.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;">I LOVE BREAD!</td></tr>
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I was FASCINATED by my mamaw and aunt's cooking. I mean, my mamaw could make perfect biscuits by hand without a rolling pin or round mold. She would just pinch her hands together and each and every biscuit was perfectly round, brown, flaky and scrumptious...in her cast iron skillet. <br />
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We would make homemade jams and jellies, fried apple pies, fried chicken (yeah, you get the picture...yummy fried deliciousness), macaroni and cheese, corn bread, chicken and dumplings...the list goes on an on....all in her cast iron pans. The skillets were as much an extension of her arms as they were her cooking vessels.<br />
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In later years my beloved Mamaw developed Alzheimers disease and the days of being awakened byt he sound of iron pans banging together were past. My aunts and dad had the sad task of closing her household when she was no longer able to live alone. The kindly asked all the grandkids what (if anything) they would like from her home. I immediately knew I wanted at least one of her skillets. I was fortunate enough to end up with 5 of them! Some of them were in perfect condition, and some I had to give some TLC to bring back from oxidation and lack of use. But, all were much appreciated and wanted by me. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made in the antique skillet</td></tr>
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My joining the cast iron cooking FB page encouraged me to post a picture of a meal I was preparing for my family. A pretty simple meal for a busy work/school night. Sauteed cabbage with bacon and onions. I served it with smoked sausage, and the minions had rolls too. It went cast iron viral! Almost 400 likes/shares/comments. The popularity of the post got me to talk to my kids about it and tell them about my memories of my mamaw and her cooking and how every single time I cook with these pans I think about her. Just the smell of the pans heating up bring back memories of my time with her. <br />
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The kids seemed impressed and enjoyed the stories. I felt like mom of the year for not only preparing a home-cooked meal, but instilling a little family history at the same time.<br />
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We went about our business of cleaning/homework/gaming/etc. Until about an hour later I heard my pans being shuffled around in the kitchen. I went to investigate, only to find my offspring inspecting all my pans and negotiating for who gets which pan......when I die. <br />
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Me: Well I am still using them, you know. <br />
Princepessa: Well, we are just being prepared, you know you are OLD mom!<br />
Me: You get the ugliest one. <br />
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What type of family heirlooms do you have that have surprising meaning to you? <br />
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Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-10685894209696261842017-01-04T13:02:00.000-05:002017-01-04T13:04:33.988-05:00The road less traveled<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year marks the last year my oldest will officially be still a "child." She is now 17 and a senior (WHUCK!) in High School. She will soon be making her final decisions about college and then will be off for her new adventure in life. I wanted to make this Christmas about more than gifting. So I got her (amongst other things) the necklace above. But, I also had it wrapped in a letter. I am re-posting the letter here (with her permission).</div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Dear Daughter,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me this is
a bittersweet Christmas. It is, in fact,
the very last Christmas before you are officially an adult. This coming year is filled with many firsts
for you. You will be leaving home and in
charge of your well being without having me or your dad here to catch or assist
you daily. You will make decisions that
have a long term effect on your entire life.
It is stressful. But don’t let
stress guide you. It is easy to pick the
simple path of least resistance. But
what happens when that path is chosen?
You lead a simple life. A simple
life isn’t a negative in and of itself, but it is the life you want to lead? You are adventurous, righteous, curious, and
brave. These are the characteristics of
change makers, not path followers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My wish for
you (besides figuring out how not to spill on your boobs) is for you to <b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">BE HAPPY</span></b>.
To be happy you need to start figuring out what it is that will make you
happy. And not happy for now, but for
the long term. My task for you is to
realistically look at where you imagine yourself say at my age, or even at
30. Take some time to yourself and
meditate on this. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Think of these things:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Will
I be married?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Will
I have children?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What
do I like to do for fun?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Do
I work to live or is work my life?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->What
makes me get up every single day and move forward even when I don’t want to?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Once you start
figuring out these things, or even have some semblance of an idea about what
you would answer for them, you will begin to understand what truly makes you
motivated. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">For me, if YOU
are happy, fulfilled and proud of yourself, then I will be too. Whether you are an MD, PA, RN, JD, MS or any
other myriad of letters you can accumulate after your name. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I picked this
necklace for you because not only is it a symbol for woman power, but because to
me, it represents not limiting yourself.
The world is filled with glass ceilings, but you are strong enough to
break any of them; even if your ultimate goal is to not be a career woman but a
mom and partner. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">No matter your ultimate
path, know that you can make your life as meaningful and fulfilling as you want
and are willing to break ceilings to achieve.
I hope this necklace will be a reminder to never ever limit yourself
based on outside expectations. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I love you so
much it hurts some days. I feel blessed
to be not only your mom, but to see how our relationship is maturing into a
friendship. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With more love
than stars in the sky for you now and forever,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mom</span><span style="font-family: "tahoma" , sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-90981483288343260212016-07-13T08:06:00.000-04:002016-07-13T09:34:06.604-04:00Gary Won't Be BackHello Momginerd fans. First off, I want to say it is good be back in the blogosphere. I had a looong dry spell of total lack of motivation and interest in writing. Recently, I have felt motivated again. Not sure how often I will post here, but figured it was better than writing books on Facebook. haha!<br />
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So, I am an engineer. In this function usage of a laptop is integral to my job. Daily. I sometimes have 6-7 Excel spreadsheets, Layout files and PowerPoint documents open at any one time. For you non-nerdy people, this takes a LOT of RAM and generally needs a decent sized monitor. My company, although awesome, is stingy with computer updates. My current laptop is over 3 years old. Which in digital terms makes it align with the Tyrannosaurus Rex or maybe a car with crank windows. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Actual keyboard I use daily</td></tr>
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Luckily, I received an email notification that I was (finally) due to trade in my lapasaurus for a brand new shiny Yugo version computer. I was very excited and followed the instructions; happily picking my engineering mobile workstation from the 3 approved choices allowed. I received confirmation that said a mobile workstation with UPGRADED RAM would be delivered when I returned from our annual vacation. Yay me!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hello Momginerd, I am here to make your dreams come true!</td></tr>
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Fast forward to day of the great upgrade. First off, I was scheduled for 8:00 AM and arranged my calendar accordingly to allow for no access for the 2 hours they allotted. When I log in, I see that they have moved the appointment to 3:00 PM. Strike One. </div>
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3:00 rolls around and Gary the IT guy rolls in with a big smile. I smile back and am dreaming of uber fast processing speeds and a new sleekly designed laptop (shhh! I am a nerd, we like these things). Then, I look at what he is holding and it looks like something from my nightmares. It was a tiny Disney princess tablet looking thing! Those of you who know me, can imagine my response. For those newbies, I will give you some highlights.</div>
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Me: Um, I think you have the wrong computer. I need an engineering laptop.</div>
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Gary (not his real name): No Momginerd, here is the invoice right here that has your name on it.</div>
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Me: NO, here is the email I received and as you can see it clearly outlines the specs for an ENGINEERING laptop. I show him my card: Momginerd, ENGINEER <span style="font-size: xx-small;">EXTRAORDINARE. </span></div>
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Gary: Let me talk to my manager.....</div>
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Me: Yes, you do that. (strike two)</div>
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15 minutes pass.....</div>
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Gary: (who has now started to twitch a bit upon approaching me) Momginerd? Umm..I talked to my manager....</div>
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Me:........</div>
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Gary: Well, you see, ummm, he said that this is your new laptop.....*blushes profusely</div>
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Me: No it isn't. </div>
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Gary: Well, you know, ummm...I have heard of this happening a lot lately...but ummm this is your laptop (he is backing away only to be trapped by the corner of the cube farm).</div>
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Me: Well Gary, you have just admitted to a flaw in your system. If a lot of people are saying this is a mistake, then surely you understand my inability to further the problem and enable future victims by not accepting this laptop. I will keep my lapasaurus until this is figured out. </div>
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Gary: Let me go talk to my manager........</div>
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Me: You do that.... (strike 2.5)</div>
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15 minutes pass</div>
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Gary (who is now sweating profusely and seems to have lost the ability to speak without stuttering): mmmmooomm gi gi gi gi nerd? Um. he like said you like have to like take it.</div>
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Me: No I don't, because if I log in to it even one time it becomes an asset assigned to my name, so I refuse since it is not technically MY laptop but a mistake. </div>
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Gary: ummmmmm.....well, ummm....hmmmm...</div>
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Me: Thank you for your time (not really). But it is now time for me to leave. Have a great evening. (strike three, I am outta there)</div>
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I then proceeded to pack up my lapasaurus and leave him standing alone in my space. I thought I smelled a slight odor of urine as I walked by.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcpgfHjv8iCS2OUd_X6vc-wuD0HG9lNsCn5_hczSqd9nUe5Qb_vK__kWLJ8asSIrCxN-TTigHMDeIvW9QqjwPY_WCoNyG6c579GKwP01XklAZ0wrVo93j_FvmuTYlYG-Dou6UdF0S5k4/s1600/betting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbcpgfHjv8iCS2OUd_X6vc-wuD0HG9lNsCn5_hczSqd9nUe5Qb_vK__kWLJ8asSIrCxN-TTigHMDeIvW9QqjwPY_WCoNyG6c579GKwP01XklAZ0wrVo93j_FvmuTYlYG-Dou6UdF0S5k4/s200/betting.jpg" width="200" /></a>Today I logged into my email and found an email. A scheduling appointment for a 15" ENGINEERING laptop. I will name her Lola and we will make many happy spreadsheets together. </div>
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Bets are on as to which IT tech will come to deliver it to me. My bet is it will NOT be Gary.</div>
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Happy to be back, please like/share/comment if you enjoyed this!</div>
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Momginerd</div>
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Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-88990937184842786622013-01-11T12:01:00.002-05:002013-01-11T12:28:52.398-05:00Things Kids Say, pt 2Like most families, our schedule is very chaotic and overwhelming. One thing I insist on is everyone sitting down together for dinner. Of course, this means sometimes we eat dinner at 4:30 PM, and other times at 8:00 PM. I do this because I think it is a great time to commune over food and really get to have the kids attention. There are just a couple of rules we enforce for our dinner:<br />
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1. Use your manners. Practicing at home means you will not forget them when you are out at a restaurant or eating at a friend's house.By manners we mean, no elbows on the table, chew with your mouth closed, and keep bodily functional noises away (and I have a BOY, so farting and burping are things he takes great pride in doing well).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5X4Z9ePLc2UXczu5YWGiSZNZ1Q9TW3MkGlH1O82ZzGMzV1dic9nqyvqnag91JEZidsZ727WePT3qXh5L24JDJBKvjO-zEMEBiOxFksPp_eUUW2RikUhA2nA6UmtWfbGCsnnaB-E2cKw/s1600/dinner.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-5X4Z9ePLc2UXczu5YWGiSZNZ1Q9TW3MkGlH1O82ZzGMzV1dic9nqyvqnag91JEZidsZ727WePT3qXh5L24JDJBKvjO-zEMEBiOxFksPp_eUUW2RikUhA2nA6UmtWfbGCsnnaB-E2cKw/s320/dinner.png" width="320" /></a>2. Take what you get, and don't throw a fit. I work hard all day and make concerted efforts to cook at least one thing per meal that everyone will enjoy. It takes a lot of coordination and planning to make a healthy family dinner after a long day at work. I will not tolerate bitching and complaining about WHAT I have prepared. If you don't like it, don't eat it....but there will not be any dessert or snacking later. And being Momginerd, yes, I have an APP for that. It is called <a href="http://evernote.com/" target="_blank">Evernote</a>, and it ROCKS!<br />
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Last year I started a tradition where we all go around the table answering 1 question. This has led to some pretty funny responses from the offspring. <br />
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Me: What do you want to be when you grow up? <br />
Princepessa (7): I want to be a millionaire pet shop owning artist.<br />
Me: How she will you BECOME a millionare?<br />
Princepessa: Marry someone rich, duh. <br />
Me: Why don't you earn your own money?<br />
Princepessa: Because if a boy is dumb enough to give me his money, why shouldn't I just do what I like? Me: "crickets"<br />
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Me: Bubbie, when do you want to get your hair cut? (His hair is pretty long, and he has even be mistaken as a girl on occasion).<br />
Bubbie (9): I don't.<br />
Me: Why not?<br />
Bubbie: The ladies love the locks, mom.<br />
Me: Okay then......<br />
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Me: Manudo, put down those electronics and come to the table.<br />
Manudo (13): grumble, grumble grumble.<br />
Me: I don't understand why you kids are so ADDICTED to those electronics! When I was a kid we used to go OUTSIDE and play with other real life people!<br />
Manudo: Looking over at my 2 lap tops, iPad, Kindle, iPhone "Jeeze mom, I don't know where we get it from."<br />
Me: "............."<br />
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Nic<br />
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<br />Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-53123090469338930822013-01-03T11:10:00.000-05:002013-01-03T11:10:37.133-05:00Things that make me want to stab myself in the eyeSoooooo....I was going to resolve to be less sarcastic this year, but then I didn't. Life is just to damn stressful and quirky to not allow oneself some small self-gratifications. Sarcasm is my coping mechanism. I wish that my sarcasm was paired with a better self-filter sometimes, but most of the time the people who are around me know how to take me. While perusing the web I was inundated with different images that made me want to stab out my own eye. I just couldn't help but say to myself "Whuck the hell were you thinking?"<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7isrBE76VqnGlPq6lkS64ePB4kgM22DHplXbJP-ytTI7gYgnXNpI5lClR6dfMHjtC4giygvQkNoH0M3TVPOQ9kgibHEeaumUi56OkSKX5CnJeGfrzg50QCnsiXiwz9fzK0ZbQHJZENs/s1600/nails.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7isrBE76VqnGlPq6lkS64ePB4kgM22DHplXbJP-ytTI7gYgnXNpI5lClR6dfMHjtC4giygvQkNoH0M3TVPOQ9kgibHEeaumUi56OkSKX5CnJeGfrzg50QCnsiXiwz9fzK0ZbQHJZENs/s1600/nails.jpg" /></a></div>
Seriously? Whuck!?! Why the hell would anyone WANT these nails? How in the hell does she wipe her ass or wash her hair? I am guessing she thinks she has some really cool nails, but no one can get close enough to her to check them out because of her overwhelming stench. Is that middle finger supposed to be a bottle opener or something? Is the thumb a corkscrew? Because if so, THEN I can see the practicality of those nails!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9lbBjstLWCdPH745cIRYU9NFv3hQBdnOyuzs4dbC-bYHG9ZwIdwSMVDdYelIdnNLrAUW_MVkyb_3X9rpltY9scOa4hXi7ejlaSxjoH5sI9eHEIP6mF50vzmJqIsjFfyBo7JTuOl9gR8/s1600/tattoo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_9lbBjstLWCdPH745cIRYU9NFv3hQBdnOyuzs4dbC-bYHG9ZwIdwSMVDdYelIdnNLrAUW_MVkyb_3X9rpltY9scOa4hXi7ejlaSxjoH5sI9eHEIP6mF50vzmJqIsjFfyBo7JTuOl9gR8/s200/tattoo.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
And here is the next submission to WHUCK are you thinking? Unless this man is independently wealthy, I am guessing his career choices are severely limited. I mean, I wouldn't even want him to make my burrito supreme from Taco Bell. What if something fell out of that hole in his nose into my food? I only hope he is a tattoo artist or something. If not, I am sure his parents are still bugging him to clean his room in the basement. Momginerd is not against tattoos, in fact she even has TWO, however, she also believes in the fact that to be successful you pretty much have to not scare the shit out of old people and young children. Hell, this guy scared the shit out of me even with that pleasant dreamy smile on his face. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNc9HgJAB7HBhHqZdUK4WaPy2IUnomJW9AlJetA-ey2W2YH4n1YuxcgLHJnsZQbKCJJcumlv_4m1SQJltSSqwXPpCqjN7EnYDlRIgn8z0k82B_yf5m_Mzvo3WiQw8jN-0xCy-3ICAgbo/s1600/backboob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNc9HgJAB7HBhHqZdUK4WaPy2IUnomJW9AlJetA-ey2W2YH4n1YuxcgLHJnsZQbKCJJcumlv_4m1SQJltSSqwXPpCqjN7EnYDlRIgn8z0k82B_yf5m_Mzvo3WiQw8jN-0xCy-3ICAgbo/s320/backboob.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look again, this isn't porn!</td></tr>
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Now, I am all for keeping cool when it is hot, but I am also for not making people think they are looking at something pornographic when really it is just an assault to the eyes. Whuck was she thinking? Didn't the dude shopping with her have an opinion What is with the tie holding the straps together? Is that to offer more support for her backboobs? I can't stop looking at this picture and wondering how the hell did she get her backboobs to do that? Where are the nipples was my next thought. <br />
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Happy New Year!<br />
Momginerd<br />
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<br />Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-86984981395689014712012-11-19T11:22:00.003-05:002012-11-19T13:13:55.591-05:00The good news is your son doesn't have dyslexia...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My son Bubbie has been struggling in school. Not your normal "Your son is slightly behind," or "Your son is fidgety and disruptive" kind of struggles either. Bubbie can not write. You can BARELY read his own name when he writes it down. He also can not spell....not even simple words like "the." He is in 4th grade, so this is totally unacceptable. I have been to numerous meetings with the school, but was told that because his <b>overall</b> academic performance fell within the "normal" range he was ineligible for services. In my heart I knew something major was going on. Bubbie is a people pleaser by nature and was very depressed and self-critical over his academic and sports performances. He WANTS to do well and he just couldn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took him to be independently tested by a Developmental Neurologist. She ran her tests and came in and said: I have good news and bad news. The good news is Bubbie doesn't have dyslexia. The bad news is he has Dysgraphia, fine-motor dyspraxia, severe vision disturbances, and ADHD. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was floored. All these years I have been telling everyone that would listen that there is more going on with Bubbie than just ADHD. But it was falling on deaf ears, or if his teacher KNEW that Bubbie needed special help his hands were tied by the fact he did not have any formalized medical diagnosis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Dysgraphia</b>: <span style="background-color: white; color: #2d434a; line-height: 18px;">a learning disability that affects writing, which requires a complex set of motor and information processing skills. Dysgraphia makes the act of writing difficult. It can lead to problems with spelling, poor handwriting, and putting thoughts on paper. People with dysgraphia can have trouble organizing letters, numbers, and words on a line or page. This can result partly from:</span></span><br />
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<ul style="background-color: white; color: #2d434a; line-height: 18px; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 700px;">
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.ncld.org/templates/ncld_2009/images/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; list-style-image: none; padding: 0px 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle; width: 700px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Visual-spatial difficulties: trouble processing what the eye sees</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #2d434a; line-height: 18px; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 700px;">
<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.ncld.org/templates/ncld_2009/images/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; list-style-image: none; padding: 0px 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle; width: 700px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Language processing difficulty: trouble processing and making sense of what the ear hears</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #2d434a; line-height: 18px; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 700px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #2d434a;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #2d434a; line-height: 18px; list-style: none outside none; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; width: 700px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal;"><span style="color: #2d434a;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">Here is what Bubbie's writing looks like:</span></span></span></ul>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VXRHZ7_8x-g9plcVYoNdTII0RIW_kzDTF0cq-yFYIm8oUPFFEHwMZL1Ld71WnS6iZQPHovj9-IsSdzDe25uIheESRQwF49KjA9cxFURIErO5aDJDObYNWUWoFAAsPQa3MLjUl9OPdnk/s1600/Writing_3.GIF" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_VXRHZ7_8x-g9plcVYoNdTII0RIW_kzDTF0cq-yFYIm8oUPFFEHwMZL1Ld71WnS6iZQPHovj9-IsSdzDe25uIheESRQwF49KjA9cxFURIErO5aDJDObYNWUWoFAAsPQa3MLjUl9OPdnk/s320/Writing_3.GIF" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Most times he can't even read it</span></i></td></tr>
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<li style="background-attachment: scroll; background-color: transparent; background-image: url(http://www.ncld.org/templates/ncld_2009/images/bullet.gif); background-position: 0px 7px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; list-style-image: none; padding: 0px 0px 5px 10px; vertical-align: middle; width: 700px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #2d434a;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Dyspraxia</b>: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px;">a term that refers to a specific disorder in the area of motor skill development. People with dyspraxia have difficulty planning and completing intended fine motor tasks.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 15px;"> </span></span><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; color: #333333; line-height: 13px; padding-bottom: 10px;">
<li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.ldonline.org/themes/ld_main/images/bullets/list_grey.gif); padding-bottom: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coordination difficulties can be particularly problematic in physical education classes and other sports activities.</span></li>
<li style="list-style-image: url(http://www.ldonline.org/themes/ld_main/images/bullets/list_grey.gif); padding-bottom: 5px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Writing difficulties such as poor letter formation, pencil grip and slow writing can make school work frustrating.</span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqyO-6CN7458jOv61G9khiKmRuMsRn3rGSUVHEZXnoxL_mZT7rhNyftpTunyBB6iW2N4ADN-eBfal95-TDqTB0yNPWbNXP_lPn7TsC47HrwuFBdnycptJbsrn78dm99Uu2f2pVTZDsAU/s1600/eye+teaming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqyO-6CN7458jOv61G9khiKmRuMsRn3rGSUVHEZXnoxL_mZT7rhNyftpTunyBB6iW2N4ADN-eBfal95-TDqTB0yNPWbNXP_lPn7TsC47HrwuFBdnycptJbsrn78dm99Uu2f2pVTZDsAU/s1600/eye+teaming.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 13px;"><b>Visual Disturbances</b>: Bubbie has visual disturbances both in eye tracking and eye teaming. In a nutshell, this means that his eyes do not work together. So for him, most writing looks like the bottom line to the right. This means that his brain then has to decode what he sees and/or decide which eye is going to dominant, neurologically shutting down all inputs from the non-dominant eye. Because the brain does this, he is unable to track moving objects in his field of vision. So, for example when playing sports he either sees 2 balls coming at him, or he can not "follow" the person carrying the ball.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUno2Vgtua8R0Hah-mCGzTvBj4rq8h6e1_o_lj16PtmY4hQIL-8D7eQvAQT1-OzBi3Ze23m-NAHDcBWagnMm4XtBtEGC6ECT9EEGCrPHmbHmh_LE6Mn2SOHF9r9gThfRioy1zSWLyjow/s1600/gatorade+Chris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUno2Vgtua8R0Hah-mCGzTvBj4rq8h6e1_o_lj16PtmY4hQIL-8D7eQvAQT1-OzBi3Ze23m-NAHDcBWagnMm4XtBtEGC6ECT9EEGCrPHmbHmh_LE6Mn2SOHF9r9gThfRioy1zSWLyjow/s320/gatorade+Chris.jpg" width="269" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Bubbie the next Gatorade spokesma</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Add </span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ADHD </b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">into the mix described above, and basically it is a miracle and a testament to Bubbie's intelligence level and temperament that he has achieved as much as he has both academically and physically. He has played football (not well, but not horribly either) for 4 years. He played baseball for 4 years and actually made some pretty good catches and plays this year. He reads above grade level and can do long division in his head (even though he can't write down his answers). He is well liked by his peers, and his classmates actually protect him and stand up for him. He does have a lot of anxiety and frustration levels, but has been working really hard to be in "better control" as he calls it. I am so VERY proud to have this wonderful child in my life who is teaching me that when life hands you lemons you make lemonade. I strongly feel that BECAUSE Bubbie has had to overcome so many obstacles as a child, he will be a very successful adult who will not quit or give up when presented with seemingly insurmountable problems. He will have the skills to break them down into manageable parts and realize that he can DO ANYTHING he sets his mind to achieving. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is a lot of hope and hard work in the next couple of years for Bubbie. He will finally be getting and Individualized Education Plan through his school. This means he will be getting occupational therapy, assisted technology (laptop or tablet), as well as any accommodations he needs to reach his full potential academically, interpersonally and physically. He will also be going to occupational therapy to help him train his right and left sides of his brain to communicate with his body (he can't skip, or successfully touch his right hand to his left foot, for example). He will also be seeing a developmental optometrist to work on the eye teaming and tracking. Of all the developmental concerns he has this one is probably the easiest to overcome through vision therapy. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best news is WE FINALLY have a diagnosis and are working on a plan! It is like a huge boulder has been lifted from my shoulders. Bubbie is also relieved to know that all of his academic problems weren't "because he didn't try enough." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To all you parents and families and individuals that struggle with learning disabilities, I salute you and have much respect for the paths that you have forged allowing my son to be able to get the help he not only needs but deserves!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">With much gratitude to medical science,</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Momginerd</span></div>
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Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-60047071714723912022012-10-15T11:05:00.002-04:002012-10-16T08:04:28.834-04:00Stop and THINK before you post!Warning, this is a rant post. If you are here today for some humor, you will most likely be disappointed. Granted, there may be snippets of sarcasm, but this is a subject matter that is serious and deserves a serious post.<br />
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Recently I posted a link to a YouTube video of a very pretty, talented and sad girl named <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=vOHXGNx-E7E" target="_blank">Amanda Todd</a> on my Facebook page. Since then (and NO I am not taking credit for the blow up, lol, I am sure it was coincidental), there has been a lot of discussion about this young lady and her tragic story which ultimately led to her suicide. Her story has gone viral, and I see at least 30 - 40 people re-posting either the original video or links to a page dedicated to her on my oldest daughter's Facebook page. Does this girl deserve to be remembered? YES! Does my heart break for her? ABSOLUTELY! Do I think she could have avoided what happened if she had the ability to think of consequences? Maybe. I urge us all to look at the entire story and the circumstances that went into what led to her ultimate decision to take her own life. Use this not only as a lesson about what impact there is when a child is bullied, but as a lesson to teach our children that there are consequences for their digital actions. Stop and THINK before you post!<br />
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I am CONSTANTLY telling Manudo to think not once, not twice, not three times, but 100 times before posting a photo of herself on any of the multitude of social networking sites to which she currently belongs. The list includes: Twitter, Facebook, GifBoom, Skype, Instagram, etc. Some of these give the false impression that if you post something, decide it is inappropriate or you don't like it, that you can choose to edit or remove the content. I have news for you: Once something is on the Internet, it is there FOREVER. All it takes is for one person to save that image to their personal computer and repost it...just like what happened in Amanda's case. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzf2ONCtXxpCD3pWS3tLbyvdCRIc2Jkksye4440-DK5AyHhlI1-ygUlK0gMfPXpO8smdzo7BfPqxYj0hlitO-UApIl5AZ44BgyKKLd_5na0LMT4wxOhRIdMRzPCO8HaOTIEkxWXj24kU/s1600/picture+daily.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzf2ONCtXxpCD3pWS3tLbyvdCRIc2Jkksye4440-DK5AyHhlI1-ygUlK0gMfPXpO8smdzo7BfPqxYj0hlitO-UApIl5AZ44BgyKKLd_5na0LMT4wxOhRIdMRzPCO8HaOTIEkxWXj24kU/s400/picture+daily.png" width="400" /></a>If you have kids in the 12 - 17 age range, I am sure that they have at least a Facebook page. My challenge to you is to log into your child's Facebook page (and if you don't have access to your minor child's page, then shame on you), and look at what they are posting, Instant Messaging, and HIDING from you. Also, look at what their so called friends are posting. I will guarantee you that you will find any number of inappropriate posts/pictures/comments that will make you want to wash your eyes out with bleach. On my daughter's feed I have seen "friends" calling each other: Gay, Homo, Loser, Ugly, Bitch, Slut, Dick, Asshole, Stupid, Thug, Retard, Nigga', Butt Buddy, Fat, Anorexic, Pimple Faced, the list goes on and on and on. Seriously, if you have "friends" who do this to you what would your enemies be saying? What is even more disturbing to me, as a mother, is the way that girls and boys are constantly "pimping" themselves out there by asking for "rates" on their photos. Some will take multiple photos daily and post them to the site. Not even an hour will go by and they post they are depressed because their photo didn't get as many "likes" or comments as they felt necessary to make them feel like a worthwhile human beings. I have seen 12 and 13 year old girls posting pictures of their "cleavage", full length bikini pictures (with the caption, do I look fat?), pictures of their asses, and sexually suggestive photos of themselves. I have seen 12 and 13 year old girls posting about liking sex, wanting to "blow" someone, and pictures of themselves kissing and making out. Whatever happened to the saying "Pretty is as Pretty Does?" And the girls aren't alone, boys are doing just as inappropriate texting/posting/etc.<br />
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I was very surprised, and impressed, when one of my daughter's friends posted this picture:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithI_IK-wpqnrFgB4k0tu2esOMQZzgmJKEwarYQb0xt1_9Pit591nnrMqCeEyRO2KHUfEQwRGnEbA5NOkMNKFpCdXfV5CiMqcGyICHqHaMx7VLH6D89B9B4dW-OGMrf27gzZ00SmZVXjs/s1600/A5LgBzZCMAAjdWQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithI_IK-wpqnrFgB4k0tu2esOMQZzgmJKEwarYQb0xt1_9Pit591nnrMqCeEyRO2KHUfEQwRGnEbA5NOkMNKFpCdXfV5CiMqcGyICHqHaMx7VLH6D89B9B4dW-OGMrf27gzZ00SmZVXjs/s400/A5LgBzZCMAAjdWQ.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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BOTH stories are sad, but, could one have ended differently if they thought about the consequences of their actions? Bullying is a very serious issue. I also know I have been guilty of thinking "Well, I was bullied as a kid, and I grew up and was fine." However, kids who are bullied today face the fact that their torment is documented and shared virally, while the rest of us older than 20 only had to make it through the day at school. These poor kids are stalked in ways we can only imagine. It makes me nauseated to just think of it, and even more ill to think of how I would handle it if my child was the target of such bullying as Amanda or any number of other children who are just trying to fit in today.<br />
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All I know is I am and WILL monitor my children's social media until they are 18. Our deal is if you want access to these sites, you have to give me your log-in information. Same rule applies to cell phones and texting. It isn't because I am nosy and do not respect my kids privacy, it is because I am their mother and my first job is to protect them, not FRIEND them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_cklT0KkFvVIxAs6hKpIDDT7eYl0WquBm4_bpYSyu1S7-6PP3sU8n3qIf2YmhyzhBsJJw_hbBTwQ1tsPw7SxHoTbqiTkTjHiYfhnlXWx7PIMWnmPW4iKe3nYnTM6YBMm6d_x2uKEtm4/s1600/stalking.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV_cklT0KkFvVIxAs6hKpIDDT7eYl0WquBm4_bpYSyu1S7-6PP3sU8n3qIf2YmhyzhBsJJw_hbBTwQ1tsPw7SxHoTbqiTkTjHiYfhnlXWx7PIMWnmPW4iKe3nYnTM6YBMm6d_x2uKEtm4/s320/stalking.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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Rant over. I am sure many of you disagree, but if you think I made any valid points, please talk to your kids and better yet, share this post with your friends.Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-47091934864123084612012-09-13T09:56:00.002-04:002012-10-16T08:05:38.102-04:00Anxiety....Why do things have to come out?<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJddSRI1GWaai3jpBy47Ou1_soTM91veV9GJGVd5jH0XeVQAvSxjyAzEGvU68HKErf_sD7FqaksME6JxtHzsuZ_K69g2odlSMS3KhDHJzOH600ai2G4EicaLjVppe642VN3vSOFbx0KY/s1600/anxiety.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbJddSRI1GWaai3jpBy47Ou1_soTM91veV9GJGVd5jH0XeVQAvSxjyAzEGvU68HKErf_sD7FqaksME6JxtHzsuZ_K69g2odlSMS3KhDHJzOH600ai2G4EicaLjVppe642VN3vSOFbx0KY/s1600/anxiety.jpg"></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">We all have anxieties or things that make us feel anxious. I have quite a few, but none are as embarrassing as my fear of things that come out of the human body.</span><br>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One of my biggest ones is lutropublicaphobia (OMG, I want to use that in words with friends so bad). This is the fear of "going" in public restrooms. I really don't have a problem with using a public restroom....it is I just freak out a bit if ANYONE else happens to be in said restroom. AND, I get uber-panicked if I don't have to just pee.</span></span><br>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMGvS4A0cwe5FpxDr45RUiWdeVNRqEr5IK3QtVbm7FQcSQzUdoptvbVFV6i-Ghw3a2_uftvOBqSEa1MKIiMkxAsftg6AFQvO_lQoaKzCz4oFPaPlM8nJ2vmbm9zD8-GULpsF94SBRnt4/s1600/bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMGvS4A0cwe5FpxDr45RUiWdeVNRqEr5IK3QtVbm7FQcSQzUdoptvbVFV6i-Ghw3a2_uftvOBqSEa1MKIiMkxAsftg6AFQvO_lQoaKzCz4oFPaPlM8nJ2vmbm9zD8-GULpsF94SBRnt4/s200/bathroom.jpg" width="200"></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>My favorite type of bathroom...NO stalls!</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="line-height: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There have been more instances than I can ever count when I have to "go" so I head to my work restroom. All the while I am PRAYING and talking to myself that there PLEASE not be ANYONE in there when I open the door. Most of the time, if some poor soul has had the gall to actually use MY bathroom, I will simply leave and then stalk the door waiting for them to leave. </span></span><br>
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<a href="http://momginerd.blogspot.com/2012/09/anxietywhy-do-things-have-to-come-out.html#more">More</a>Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-17777004481720372342012-08-16T12:20:00.001-04:002012-08-16T12:43:39.187-04:00They Call Me Mama Bear<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFukk88gsazbi_81TsnB0F6zudC60RNDvcyMBb3XSGTVWcIRah4nYgbgY5wMQh_OyNfgvVZP7cBlXDXtjgKWsRc4f0J8OH6RoUwQyEE44azLvM-5btzcUWtZt6-sAukEGSkYAy1zVXcM/s1600/mama+bear.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSFukk88gsazbi_81TsnB0F6zudC60RNDvcyMBb3XSGTVWcIRah4nYgbgY5wMQh_OyNfgvVZP7cBlXDXtjgKWsRc4f0J8OH6RoUwQyEE44azLvM-5btzcUWtZt6-sAukEGSkYAy1zVXcM/s200/mama+bear.jpg" width="200" /></a>Kids and sports is always a hot topic. Especially when it is YOUR kid playing a sport, and you (the parent) feel your kid has been wronged. Let me preface this rant by setting the facts:<br />
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<ol>
<li>My kid is small...like 25% for height and less than that for weight small.</li>
<li>He plays tackle football, some of the kids are DOUBLE his weight or more.</li>
<li>I do <b>NOT </b>want him to play, he is the one who is insistent and always ready and anxious to go to practice.</li>
<li>He has not missed a single practice and is there giving his best 10 or more hours per week.</li>
<li>He is no where near being the best on the team, nor is he the worst. But even if he was the worst, he still loves to play and deserves a fair chance.</li>
<li>I have never, nor would I ever, even dream of telling a coach how to teach the game of Football to his team. I know NOTHING about it other than the fact that the helmet and pads are pains in the ass to get on and off.</li>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EYrrxPsendwB-py9P8-HIbDEvd2sdCXAlQ0RPa0Uq2bAVcEAmh0Oru806BOBUqG-gmRiyNJN3Vedi80LXzNNryWJ3YrsKF_z8jQJHd-q2sMs7nh9DXPvf7DMyIScjicTf_AOPpkDHoc/s1600/runner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_EYrrxPsendwB-py9P8-HIbDEvd2sdCXAlQ0RPa0Uq2bAVcEAmh0Oru806BOBUqG-gmRiyNJN3Vedi80LXzNNryWJ3YrsKF_z8jQJHd-q2sMs7nh9DXPvf7DMyIScjicTf_AOPpkDHoc/s200/runner.jpg" width="172" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Olympic runner
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; text-align: left;">Oscar Pistorius</span> </i></span></td></tr>
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Now, I DO know some things about motivation from my past as a children's counselor and my present as a team leader at work. Here are some of the truths that I believe, as a leader and as a parent, that are a MUST to be a successful role model/leader/coach.</div>
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<ol>
<li>When kids are young, they respond to positive reinforcement. Ignoring or exclusion is NOT the way to get them to do their best for you.</li>
<li>At 12 years old and younger it is MOST important to teach kids the fundamentals of the game, the value of team work, and to do so in a way that raises their confidence levels and allows them to have some fun.</li>
<li>Winning is NOT everything. At young ages it really <b>is </b>more about HOW you play the game.</li>
<li>Not everyone deserves a trophy, but everyone deserves an <b>equal and fair </b>chance at earning one.</li>
<li>99.999% of the kids on pee-wee leagues will never ever be good enough to get college scholarships for sports, much less play in the pros. However, the confidence and lessons they learn from being valued as a team member MAY help them to become future leaders and successful in their careers.</li>
<li>Focusing on a perceived negative feature of a person will not help them to overcome their fears. If a kid has determination and desire, they have the ability to overlook their short-comings and work through them. Do you think Oscar Pistorius' coaches focused on the fact he was a paraplegic, or do you think they focused on ways to help him be the best in spite of his limitations?</li>
<li>Singling out a child in a negative way will ALWAYS backfire on you, especially when the child did NOTHING wrong. It is noticed not only by the child being singled out, but by every other kid on the team.</li>
<li>Breaking or bending the rules to fit your needs as a leader will always be noted and unfavorably received by your team. What is good for YOU and YOUR child, better be just as good or better for the rest of team or you will suffer great criticism.</li>
<li>If you do make decisions that will make a child upset, have the courtesy to explain the reasoning behind your decisions. Kids are smart and they know when they are being discounted or underestimated or disrespected.</li>
<li>If a parent comes up to you with a concern, DO NOT <b>LIE </b>to them. Trust me, they have been watching and for every one concern they bring to your attention, they have held back 100 for fear of retaliation on their child.</li>
<li>Parents of other kids do respect and have gratitude for what you do....even more if you do it in a fair and equitable manner.</li>
</ol>
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Rant over.....for now!</div>
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Nic</div>
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If you want to read more about my adventures in team sports, check out this blast from the past: <a href="http://momginerd.blogspot.com/2011/10/true-story-about-bubbie-football-and.html" target="_blank">True story about Bubbie, Football and Bugs</a></div>
Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-4990601901020037922012-08-02T09:25:00.000-04:002012-11-13T11:45:36.139-05:00What the Hell?<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do not label myself based on politics. I may be labeled a liberal by conservatives or a conservative by liberals, but I really do not give a rat's ass. What I am is a self thinking adult, I like to call myself a Humanist. I do not blindly follow ANY doctrine just because it is affiliated with a certain party/religion/group. I try to base my decisions on rational facts. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I look at the pros/cons and then I make my own decision....some of which are based on emotion, I will confess.</span> <span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> For example, I do not, will not ever, shop at Wal-Mart. I would rather spend extra money at another store, or drive extra miles than to give my money to them. I base this a personal decision on their policies towards women, benefits, and "take over the world" mentality. Hooters is another establishment that doesn't get my money. It isn't even based on fact, but just my emotional feeling that women shouldn't have to dress provocatively to make money. Do their wings taste bad if the girls aren't in hoochie clothes? The difference is I have the right to choose who gets my money, but I do not think that companies can morally say who they can take their money from. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIX1u_9lw4g8RTyCR1Jd6OGhe56xGggJZNTzk9IKA8In5JwMbJRXRbKVeZAul6OQPcWMytlLf9aUzaAurNItkos74mef2x_fDXQuvErT_yx6rUZgE_RzFyHvMgneI5yLGOfhEPunI59Oo/s1600/chicken.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIX1u_9lw4g8RTyCR1Jd6OGhe56xGggJZNTzk9IKA8In5JwMbJRXRbKVeZAul6OQPcWMytlLf9aUzaAurNItkos74mef2x_fDXQuvErT_yx6rUZgE_RzFyHvMgneI5yLGOfhEPunI59Oo/s1600/chicken.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Recently all the hoopla about Chick-fil-A has been making me confused and angry. I do not know if it was a brilliant way to get fat, lemming like Americans to eat more Fried Chicken, or if the ownership of that company really does not like 1/10th of the human population and feels that their money isn't good enough for them. Whatever it is, I will NOT be eating there (although admittedly I don't know if I ever have eaten there). To PROFIT off of alienating a group of people who just want to live their lives is shameful. I thought being a Christian meant that you have love and forgiveness for ALL people? I thought that being an American means protecting the rights of all? I don't even care that they label themselves as a Christian establishment and are closed on Sundays. What bothers me is that they label themselves a Christian establishment and PROMOTE the hatred of human beings who are different. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>When did Americans get so sanctimonious?</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Statue of Liberty tells us: "<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;">Give me your tired, your poor/ Your huddled masses yearning to breath free/ The wretched refuse of your teeming shore/ Send these, The homeless, tempest-tossed to me/ I lift my lamp beside the golden door!" I do not see anything in that statement about not letting in someone based on their sexual orientation. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I get that people join certain organizations (and I am pretty upset with the Boy Scouts right now, but that is a rant for another day) because those organizations are in line with their personal belief systems. However, an establishment that is for profit really should be open to ALL people, and their policy shouldn't be to not hire/serve/cater to humans who are different. Would it be okay to start a restaurant that says no one with Autism can eat there because they may disturb the other patrons? It would be wrong because people with Autism are born that way....Just like people who are LGBT. Would anyone choose to be something that they know will result in them being the target of hatred, fear and persecution? Not if they have one ounce of intelligence in their brains. A better idea would be for Chick-fil-A to limit their service to obese people, however I guess the part about gluttony being a sin doesn't matter as much to them as other passages in the Bible.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have friends who I adore, love and cherish who believe differently than me and have different lifestyles than mine, and that is Okay! I would never base my friendship on if someone believes like me or agrees with me. I welcome their differences and always learn something or think about an issue I have not had to face before. I have friends that are gay, friends that are tea-baggers, Muslim friends, funny friends, serious friends, friends that are liberals, and friends that are just as confused as I am. It makes my life more enriched and allows me to better formulate my own personal opinion based on FACTS and not what I see on the news or am "instructed" to believe by politicians and other organizations. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 16px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Life is only black and white until you are forced into the gray. Usually you are forced into the gray because someone you love and adore goes through something that makes you open your eyes and have empathy. I hope for my children that they are not gay, because every parent does not want their child to be persecuted. However, if one or more of them are, I will still love, support, and make my own damn fried chicken for them!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">I encourage you all to think about if someone you love dearly was told they were wrong/sinful/an abomination because of a circumstance of their birth. Does any other human being really have the right to judge? And, if we are judging, shouldn't we judge on all criterion not just the ones that suit us and allow us to feel superior to others? Pride from </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; line-height: 16px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">self-righteousness</span> <span style="line-height: 16px;"> is a sin too.......</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 16px;">Rant over...sorry if anyone was offended by my opinion. That's okay if you are different, I will love and respect you anyway!</span></span>Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-12529011290398042752012-07-19T10:01:00.000-04:002013-03-24T23:14:50.595-04:00No, I am not the stripper, I work here!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPVgLqmwa7IxnYSAXafX-PtD7iRY9Q8RemQV1IGXHLxLvgrOyvAjPySmIUeYGGHOgvH2EB2jNNV8zl-xdrW-RuZePk3HOrMnavE5CETXC9xv7uJIgIXAjUGxUzUSUjef5qj4N_tA7Shg/s1600/turd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPPVgLqmwa7IxnYSAXafX-PtD7iRY9Q8RemQV1IGXHLxLvgrOyvAjPySmIUeYGGHOgvH2EB2jNNV8zl-xdrW-RuZePk3HOrMnavE5CETXC9xv7uJIgIXAjUGxUzUSUjef5qj4N_tA7Shg/s1600/turd.jpg" /></a>As most of you know, I work in a traditionally man's job. I am a facilities engineer/energy conservation champion for a 2.4 million square foot manufacturing plant. I have worked at manufacturing plants as an engineer for over 12 years. I like it, I really do! There are times when I hate it, but isn't that pretty much every person's job? I was first introduced to the "joys" of being a female in a plant environment was when I was 18 going on 19. You see, Momginerd wasn't ALWAYS the biggest studious Nerd I grew into. I had a short period in college when life was more about boys, partying, sports, and anything BUT studying. I was lucky in high school in that I made really good grades with minimal effort. However, the rigors of a challenging college where everyone was intelligent was a different experience for me. All of a sudden, I was making letter grades that I had never even seen before! I got a C on my semester report card, and a bunch of Bs but the usual A's were woefully missing.....in my family an A- was questioned, so you can imagine how a C went over like a turd in the punch bowl.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">"Nic, clean all of these with toxic chemicals and a paint brush"</span></i></td></tr>
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My wise father decided that it may be time for me to learn a lesson. I do not come from a family of Office Workers. My grandfather was a Coal Miner, my grandmother a Seamstress, my dad started his career as a skilled trades worker, and continued to work in automotive manufacturing for over 35 years. The value of hard work was one that had been instilled in me my whole life...second only to the value of the dollar and the importance of an education. For Pops to believe that I was wasting all 3 of his hard taught lessons led him to scheme the ultimate revenge: He arranged for me to work in a machining shop for the summer....not in the office, but actually IN THE SHOP, as the only female. Mind you, this was quite a few years ago, and this was an "old school" shop that was not unionized (thus how he could arrange for his 18 year old daughter to work 72 hours a week, I am sure). I worked 12 hours a day 6 days per week. I wore: Safety glasses, long sleeves, long pants, hair in a bun, mesh gloves, and steel toed shoes. Isn't that the ultimate outfit for a cute little 18 year old to wear? Oh, and in case you don't have the full picture of this "opportunity," I had to drive about 30 minutes each way for a start time at 6:30 AM and there was NO <span style="background-color: white;">air-conditioning in the shop. Not only did I look gorgeous, I smelled FANTASTIC by the end of the day.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7e97CZg2PnRe8O982YIMhoJZJnMPMvIl1t1Vc19G1pd3q43t7YlUuKkCRX58kfdl5zgFNCo1X_H-k-MLgA_bpxowCkpPgHWRMfeOa0XRfgdxNwIT41Q2NsYvjSFwox44TXqQayiSV1o/s1600/press.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju7e97CZg2PnRe8O982YIMhoJZJnMPMvIl1t1Vc19G1pd3q43t7YlUuKkCRX58kfdl5zgFNCo1X_H-k-MLgA_bpxowCkpPgHWRMfeOa0XRfgdxNwIT41Q2NsYvjSFwox44TXqQayiSV1o/s320/press.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>This is an industrial press similar to the ones used in my shop</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Since I obviously had no skilled trades experience, I was informed that I would be the shop machine cleaner, and if I was really lucky, I could work my way up to loading/unloading parts from the presses. Oh Goody! Anyway, I show up for my first day with my required safety equipment and my brown bag lunch. On that first day, my start was later than normal since I had to go get a physical and drug test prior to starting. I walk into the shop and a guy comes up to me and says: "Oh you must be here for the retirement party!" I replied, "I don't think so...." My confusion was at a high level at this point. He then escorts me to an area of the plant and asks me, "Where is your boom box?" Confusion mounting even more, I replied, "I really didn't think this would be the sort of job where I would need one." Now, he is looking at ME very quizzically. We continue walking through the plant, and I notice </span><i style="background-color: white;">I</i><span style="background-color: white;"> am getting a lot of very "interested" stares, and the guys are following along like I am the Pied Piper or someting. Now, this was not normal for me at all, but I was beginning to think I may like working there! We finally reach the back of the plant and everyone starts gathering around and staring at me. I was thinking, "Wow! they must be SO happy to have a fresh face in here, look at how eagerly they are looking at me!" So, I said, "Thanks for gathering together to welcome me here, do you know what I will be doing?"</span><br />
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At that point, 45 men started realizing that there may be some confusion as to who and what I was doing there. One of them, after a very long pregnant pause, said, "You aren't here to strip for Fred on his last day of work?" I then stammered, with much embarrassment, "Um, no, I am your new employee." That response was met with many people talking at once. Some of the snippets I remember included: <br />
1. WTF? A GIRL in here?<br />
2. Ummmmm.....where IS the stripper then?<br />
3. She won't last 2 days after this! (I detected much glee with this one)<br />
4. Who did she piss off to have to work here?<br />
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The stripper did end up showing up about 15 minutes later, much to the relief of the guys and the mortification of myself. I oftentimes wonder what the hell my dad thought of the fact that his lesson led me to be mistaken for a stripper....I do chuckle, now, but at the time you can believe the lesson was learned, and I can honestly say all that hard earned money, stripping machines of their grime, not me of my clothes, led to a marked improvement in my study skills and grades. Lesson learned, Dad!<br />
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I think the funniest (Now, not then) days must have been when my dad or uncle would visit the shop for business and see me working covered head to toe in metal shavings and grease. I literally had to strip to my skivvys at the entryway to the house before my parents would let me enter. I spent much time that summer with a needle digging out shavings from my hands, face, scalp, neck, etc....If nothing else, that experience taught me to work smarter not harder, and to dress ALWAYS in a way to NOT be mistaken as a stripper!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Nic<br />
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Please leave a comment or share this story with your friends! I LOVE visitors!Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-80414579204904789112012-06-21T09:31:00.000-04:002013-04-05T12:09:05.004-04:00Giving birth does NOT make you a mother!This is not going to be my usual informative or quirky post. I recently went through an emotional trauma, and need to voice my rant. If you are offended, I will apologize in advance. If you are moved, saddened, irate, etc, then I hope it moves you to be more aware that you should be kind to all, for everyone is suffering their own battles. This is also the hardest post I have ever written, since I have made it my policy to not bare myself emotionally naked to anyone. <br />
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My birth mother died 3 weeks ago today. She was never a "mother" to me. She was guilty of atrocities that in today's society would warrant her losing parental rights and perhaps even being charged with neglect/abuse. This post is not about MY history of abuse. It is about breaking the chain and putting on your big girl or boy underwear and moving on. It is not easy....not by a very long shot. Everyone can't do it either, I know this and I accept that fact. I consider myself one of the LUCKY people. I have always had a brain that divided everything up into "logical" and "illogical." Sometimes, that made it even harder to deal with. I mean, what little girl doesn't want her mommy to love her? To buy her Christmas or Birthday Presents? To hear the words "I am proud of you?" Those are things I never received from my birth mother....and now, the little girl who still resides way deep inside her armoured house has to deal with the fact she never will. But, the "logical" part of my brain accepted and embraced that I was better off without her in my life. I have a wonderful life with a loving Partner, and 3 talented, beautiful, and kind children. Am I perfect? No, I am far from it...I do know that I have some lasting psychological damage from my early childhood that I fight daily...I am insecure, defensive and hold people at arm's length. I strive daily to overcome these, and frankly, I believe that almost everyone who KNOWS me would be surprised to hear about the circumstances of my childhood. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVA4AhTQFiN6N_oIz2whSqVTDdMChBYxFhZIe5UN2qFwUA078KtUlxcJ8TWtPNTiIPKhcp_NrE1c9f1fyi3uqMyaX9lfMuRxY2bE346R25P-KRCEvDnfZWPR5uOxmt5O2FkTlg2ZZL-6s/s1600/Child_abuse_by_sarcastic_bastard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVA4AhTQFiN6N_oIz2whSqVTDdMChBYxFhZIe5UN2qFwUA078KtUlxcJ8TWtPNTiIPKhcp_NrE1c9f1fyi3uqMyaX9lfMuRxY2bE346R25P-KRCEvDnfZWPR5uOxmt5O2FkTlg2ZZL-6s/s200/Child_abuse_by_sarcastic_bastard.jpg" width="177" /></a>I firmly believe I was saved because SHE did manage to give me up to my Dad when I was 8. This must have been a huge thing for her....not because she harboured of any love for me, but because of the money she lost from child support. I am sure that could have purchased her a lot of booze and drugs, because heaven knows she never spent a cent of it on me when she did have custody. She made the decision that she wanted to run off somewhere (Alaska, I think), so she gave up custody to my dad. Thankfully, my dad was, and is, a wonderful person. He was hard and had extraordinary expectations of me, but I know it was because he was fearful that I may become a lot like Her. And truthfully, I am still unsure of if he even knows everything that SHE did to me when I was with her. She would threaten me with even worse torture if she ever found out I told anyone. And I believed her....who was I to not? She was my supposed "mother" after all.</div>
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Unfortunately, the circumstances of HER death were horrific. She was murdered by a 23 year old drug addict in her own bedroom. Because of these circumstances, the police and DA from her area have found and contacted me as her "next of kin." I find this very ironic, because honestly, if you would have asked me 4 weeks ago where she was or if she was alive, I would have had no clue or care. In my mind, she was dead to me over 20 years ago when she dropped off the face of the earth. Now, however, I have had to deal with the police, the morgue, the coroner, HER family (most of whom never attempted to contact me either), the mortuary, the victims of violent crimes task force, and best of all the damn media...all over a person who didn't give two shits about me. You cannot imagine the awkwardness of the conversations with these people who are looking for information, of which I have none. Hell, I think I only have 1 or 2 pictures of her and they were from when I was an infant. </div>
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The DA even mentioned that I may be subpoenaed for his trial. I couldn't keep the sarcasm out of my voice when I asked "as a witness for the defence or the prosecution?" I had to honestly tell him that any testimony he received from me would most likely not garner any sympathy for HER from the jury. I told him that I want justice, as I would for any stranger who died in those circumstances, but that as far as personal investment in the case, I would give it as much effort as she gave to being a mother to me. I somehow do not think I will be subpoenaed any time soon. Yes, this sounds harsh, but I have worked hard to have a "normal" life, and more importantly to create normalcy for my precious children...none of whom she ever even saw a picture of and probably didn't know existed...just like they don't know about her. I will continue to work hard to protect them from her and her "family" for as long as I live. My kids deserve happiness and the confidence gained by being loved unconditionally, and not to be like me and always waiting for HER words of "You are a ugly horrible person and no one will ever love you" to come true in my life. </div>
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At the end of the day, I firmly believe I have thus far lived my life in a way to make my DAD proud. I KNOW that when I die, people will not be fighting over who HAS to take care of my remains, and I will not be a burden that no one wants to shoulder. My epitaph will hopefully read: Here lies a woman who brought joy, love and humor into the lives she touched. And, hopefully, it will be a big party with lots of wine, laughter, and joyous stories of experiences shared and enjoyed. </div>
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So, I guess this turned out to not really be about being a mother, but more about accepting that your past does not have to be the mold for the rest of your life. Accept that it has happened, figure out what works for you, and then move on to become the best authentic person you can. There will be obstacles in the path, but if you keep you eye on your goals, you can get there....With some help from friends, loved ones, and perhaps a little vino wouldn't hurt either!</div>
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Nic</div>
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P.S. If you are one of my wonderful in real life friends, I'd appreciate your discretion about this when I am with my kids. </div>
Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-13803850263629614832012-05-24T08:27:00.001-04:002012-05-24T08:27:32.664-04:00Kids say the Darndest Things!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am sure all kids do this, and I love hearing the stories about how they were coined. My kids have all made up words that have become part of my family's everyday conversations. In fact, I have even heard some of my kids friends' parents use some of them on occasion. Shouldn't my kids get royalties or something?<br />
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Here are some of the more stellar words:<br />
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1. Yesternightago - Sometime in the past couple of days. Manudo coined this when she was about 2 years old. She would use it to recall some event that had occurred somewhere between 2 - 3 days in the past. "I took a bath yesternightago, so I must still be clean!"<br />
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2. Mahtato - Some genetic cross between a potato and a tomato. Princepessa does not like tomatoes, she loves potatoes, but mahtatoes are just okay. WTF?<br />
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3. Jenky - Something that has a flaw or defect. "Mom I booted up the computer, but the screen looks jenky." At this point it was giving us the famed "blue screen of death."<br />
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4. Ogrit - Yogurt in a tube, preferably with Shrek on the packaging...lmao.<br />
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5. Aberolli - Like ravioli, but with pesto sauce instead of red sauce.<br />
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6. Bombfire - A really BIG bonfire. Bubbie is always asking us to make a Bombfire in the back yard. <br />
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Of course there are the words that they just plain said wrong growing up too. <br />
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1. Bubbie called a Truck a Fu*k for about 2 years.<br />
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2. All my kids called spaghetti Pahsghetti.<br />
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4. Bubbie was actually coined by Manudo who instead of calling him her little brother called him her little bubbie and it just stuck!<br />
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5. You don't take a vacation, you go on becation.<br />
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6. Princepessa once told a waitress at a restaurant we stopped at while driving to my parent's house for becation that we were going to see Grammy's Vagina. We were travelling to Virginia!<br />
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What are some of the funny words your kids have made up or mispronounced? I'd love to see your comments!<br />
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Nic<br />
<br />Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-39808258456446799312012-05-01T10:31:00.003-04:002012-05-01T12:14:54.094-04:00Things overheard by my offspring lately.....So, as you may be aware, my offspring/demonspawn/trolls/angels/kids (all depending on the day), have had the misfortune to develop my sarcastic sense of humor. Recently I have overheard them say the following things to each other:<br />
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Bubbie to Manudo: "I am so sorry that it didn't work out with that boy. I hope you don't become an old lady who cleans houses and has like 90 cats and lives in a creepy house (Manudo is 12, btw)". After I recovered laughing hysterically, I realized he was referencing the term OLD MAID! When I asked him why he thought that she would be someone who is old, cleans houses and has a lot of cats, he responded: "Well she does seem to like cats more than me, and if she treats her boyfriends like she treats me, no one will want her, and she is so much better at cleaning the bathroom than me!"<br />
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Bubbie to Princepessa: Hey, did you know you are adopted?<br />
Princepessa: You are such a liar, I know for a FACT that is not true!<br />
Bubbie: REALLY? How? <br />
Princepessa: Mom already has said, 100 times, that if she didn't give birth to me she would have sold me on eBay!<br />
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Bubbie: *crickets*</div>
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Manudo to Princepessa: Why are you so annoying?<br />
Princepessa: Because one day you are going to be grown up and move away, and I am making sure you remember me!<br />
Manudo: Aren't you going to grow up and move away too?<br />
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Princepessa: No, why would I? Mom is here to cook all my meals, drive me everywhere, and clean up all my stuff!</div>
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Princepessa to me: Can I have some bacon?</div>
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Me: Sure, why do you want some now? (It was 1:00 PM)</div>
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Princepessa: Bacon makes all the world's troubles go away!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAecUvmNPomMA_9JaW8KulC4b9FL0p7y9WZrUOeUc6bzesktDHvw3seeFyqi-TU_JrKdSCqhQOp74_t68iQF7YFUfNHfnJxiJNvOhnBIpKl4huIIxVCPdJzpgfj6j5qRKQuzFb1QDwVPY/s1600/bacon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: right; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAecUvmNPomMA_9JaW8KulC4b9FL0p7y9WZrUOeUc6bzesktDHvw3seeFyqi-TU_JrKdSCqhQOp74_t68iQF7YFUfNHfnJxiJNvOhnBIpKl4huIIxVCPdJzpgfj6j5qRKQuzFb1QDwVPY/s1600/bacon.jpg" /></a></div>
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Me to Bubbie: Get in here and pick up this mess, NOW! (after the 3rd nicer request)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvurzfJLGeCW3eXzBI6ceV_oJnkju_xHCD-BvQOeKk73S6ghyxudk2Sj4Xa2VoavO0lYQpcv-O92NFFWzz3KelNc_wehbBMJR6UWnWXpE9MVFXOHoiBbhCf_J6LEp_fdBnpf8QfjgRJs8/s1600/Meow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvurzfJLGeCW3eXzBI6ceV_oJnkju_xHCD-BvQOeKk73S6ghyxudk2Sj4Xa2VoavO0lYQpcv-O92NFFWzz3KelNc_wehbBMJR6UWnWXpE9MVFXOHoiBbhCf_J6LEp_fdBnpf8QfjgRJs8/s320/Meow.jpg" width="283" /></a>Bubbie: Meow!</div>
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Me: Who are you saying "Meow" to? Me?</div>
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Bubbie: Because you said it first! (I am now thinking I have stepped into some Laurel and Hardy routine)</div>
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Me: No I didn't! I said clean up your mess NOW!</div>
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Bubbie: Meow</div>
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Me: What are you doing? Go clean your room!</div>
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Bubbie: Stop saying for me to clean my room "meow" because you know I can't resist meowing back when I hear a cat.</div>
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Me: Jesus Christ! Just go clean your room THIS INSTANT, please.</div>
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Bubbie: My name is NOT Jesus, I thought you would have known that by now, mom.</div>
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Me: You have until the count of 3, 1! 2!</div>
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Bubbie: sounds of muttering accompanied by opening of drawers.</div>
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Me to spawn: What is the matter with you guys? Do you need written instructions on how to change the toilet paper roll when it is empty?</div>
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Manudo: Only if it has a flow chart and pictures, please. </div>
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Me: GRRRRRRRRRRR</div>
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What gems have you overheard lately? </div>
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Nic</div>
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<br />Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-55769616112455955732012-04-19T18:38:00.002-04:002012-04-19T18:38:40.045-04:00Household items I would rather sell my children for than live without (not really, but maybe somedays)Since I have been in "list mode" lately, I decided to add just one more (for today...shut it, I like lists).<br />
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Here is a list of my favorite gadgets that are not games/phones/etc, or battery operated and no this isn't a post about B.O.B.s!...let's step UP to the gutter folks!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqj6Gw4dlxbmwlALgiswCW99H-yNfh1yY6L15YXRExqB5VFszruVMYtv0EM1qxYIzsKCyAJr7iOVg18hzKlwWwtGElJFqbp5ntoVPOoAYqq-ex96SaWzK6I9L5Qxq9O_iVzUeLAhBGFXk/s1600/rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqj6Gw4dlxbmwlALgiswCW99H-yNfh1yY6L15YXRExqB5VFszruVMYtv0EM1qxYIzsKCyAJr7iOVg18hzKlwWwtGElJFqbp5ntoVPOoAYqq-ex96SaWzK6I9L5Qxq9O_iVzUeLAhBGFXk/s1600/rice.jpg" /></a></div>
1. Rice Cooker. We LOVE rice. Brown Rice, Basmati Rice, Jasmine Rice, Spanish Rice...they all are in regular rotation in our menus. In the past, I found making rice on the stove top to be hit or miss. Sometimes the rice would come out okay, but most of the time it was either too mushy or too dry. I purchased a Rice Cooker a few years back and now we have PERFECT rice every single time. You can do other things with the rice cooker, like steam veggies and the like, but I use mine for cooking rice...duh. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2ogckO1CnW5IYSUea-9UjpqHJmLbnWuvOuV5ciUDv1osR_9XKqKivD3k-XWyRaqwsMj5-A02eTfdNIpfdDcN2b_Oh37vLw9RsHFB6Rz6QBH2rFZpsPmRS4-sS2C7W33rokAEO3u2qr0/s1600/pressure.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm2ogckO1CnW5IYSUea-9UjpqHJmLbnWuvOuV5ciUDv1osR_9XKqKivD3k-XWyRaqwsMj5-A02eTfdNIpfdDcN2b_Oh37vLw9RsHFB6Rz6QBH2rFZpsPmRS4-sS2C7W33rokAEO3u2qr0/s1600/pressure.jpg" /></a></div>
2. Pressure Cooker. I grew up with the sound of the pressure cooker hissing in my mom and mamaw's kitchens. Older versions have this counter-weight you put on the pressure valve, and when the pot reaches pressure the valve swings back and forth making a sound similar to the sound of cicadas in the Summer...anyway, I have a newer version and it saves so much time cooking. You can cook a pot of green beans in literally 5 minutes! You can make a whole pot roast in less than 30! It is a working and/or just busy parent's savior. One of the added benefits of the pressure cooker is you use very little water when cooking veggies/meats so that means many of the good flavors and vitamins are locked in via the steam pressure. Roasts come out fork tender...I kid you not! It does take some getting used to, because I am a pot-peeker. I like to open the lid, sample, and peek at what is cooking. You have to learn to TRUST the pressure cooker, there is no peeking or opening the lid to check it out. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnrLd_R8rrvBARcmGZMT9-9oSMX86LsibK_74Plx7A_m3q7SBv_r8kBsD_nncvb_V5bw9DW2daIHF-3h8346I5QYj1XJotL1SJrFN5kYPZOT2BkflTm52iwce5ttMkjgfPAB9B-lyRFQ/s1600/trampoline.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGnrLd_R8rrvBARcmGZMT9-9oSMX86LsibK_74Plx7A_m3q7SBv_r8kBsD_nncvb_V5bw9DW2daIHF-3h8346I5QYj1XJotL1SJrFN5kYPZOT2BkflTm52iwce5ttMkjgfPAB9B-lyRFQ/s1600/trampoline.bmp" /></a></div>
3. Trampoline. YES I know how unsafe they are...yadda, yadda, yadda. I also know that my kids saved up their money for a whole YEAR and paid for 75% of the trampoline. It is used within sight of an adult and with rules. We also researched (you are shocked I know) and found the "safest" one we could buy. It is not the $150 special, trust me. Anyway, my kids LOVE the trampoline. They have had it for about a year now and have spent countless HOURS jumping away. They get lots of good cardio, and mommy gets to drink her wine and watch them...just kidding...sometimes I don't watch them. <br />
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4. DVR. I adore my DVR. There are some shows (Have you checked out <a href="http://www.aetv.com/duck-dynasty/" target="_blank">Duck Dynasty</a> or <a href="http://science.discovery.com/tv/an-idiot-abroad/" target="_blank">An Idiot Abroad</a>?...hilarious), that I really enjoy watching. I am also very busy running mom's taxi service, so I don't really have a lot of time to watch said TV. So, I rely on my DVR. It is also awesome for recording kid appropriate shows, although mine is usually so full of episodes of Game of Thrones, True Blood and other things there isn't room for kid shows. Hottie Husband and I will usually pick a Sunday every few weeks and call Pajama Day. We all keep our jammies on all day, eat breakfast food and get caught up on our shows. I call Pajama Day a day in HEAVEN! The bestest feature of all on the DVR is you can fast forward through commercials, so you can watch an hour show in about 42 minutes!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZGRuZbDOveNk6PUwPtGeWn7S5qK6vNDrssdRPOIDXm1qcT7NNyMh_DWUPAIIbH6abhPRCvvMVBQSZZP7bPVs7VTAuOi7ABqB8Fjbhay-wPZ0D1qAwtuF6P6PQZ9B3BnFL2SBBNAuPmM/s1600/pop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZGRuZbDOveNk6PUwPtGeWn7S5qK6vNDrssdRPOIDXm1qcT7NNyMh_DWUPAIIbH6abhPRCvvMVBQSZZP7bPVs7VTAuOi7ABqB8Fjbhay-wPZ0D1qAwtuF6P6PQZ9B3BnFL2SBBNAuPmM/s1600/pop.jpg" /></a></div>
5. Whirly Pop. This is a stove top popcorn popper with a paddle in it that you spin to keep the popcorn from burning. I can't stand microwave popcorn, and this makes the most awesomist popcorn. This thing should be plated in gold and given an award. I kid you not! I got mine from an Amish store many years ago, but I now see they are readily available from Amazon.com and other places. We have a local popcorn distributor and if we are feeling really gourmet, we will go there and buy different types of popcorn (did you know they have BLUE popcorn, and popcorn with no hulls?). <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPzxZec1p1twRe5hwV1I-ezVEUbAH4HFZJIejv4-X2d6uKrqh-YEfJwZY3-p5-bzT2GwHQO9XIsHBrY6X_tf_6dZ7skx9rBk2udNmFIg9wVcnSF9nMKR2v1PYVLq-tjJjbo6RKaaHaGk/s1600/kitchenaid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAPzxZec1p1twRe5hwV1I-ezVEUbAH4HFZJIejv4-X2d6uKrqh-YEfJwZY3-p5-bzT2GwHQO9XIsHBrY6X_tf_6dZ7skx9rBk2udNmFIg9wVcnSF9nMKR2v1PYVLq-tjJjbo6RKaaHaGk/s1600/kitchenaid.jpg" /></a></div>
6. Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. I cook a lot. I looked through the calendar and in the last 60 days we have gone out or had take out only 3 times. Cooking is almost like therapy for me. Unfortunately, with working full time and running Mom's Taxi Service as a second job, I do not have as much time in the kitchen as I'd like. So, I love my stand mixer because it does a lot of the work for me. I have the meat grinding, pasta making, and slicing attachments. I can get an indentured servant (kid) to do the grinding/slicing/kneading while I am doing something else towards the meal preparation. When we remodeled our Kitchen (see remodel from Hell parts <a href="http://momginerd.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-9-circles-of-hell-summer-pt-1-of-3.html" target="_blank">1</a>, <a href="http://momginerd.blogspot.com/2011/08/kitchen-remodel-circles-of-hell-pt-2.html" target="_blank">2</a>, <a href="http://momginerd.blogspot.com/2011/08/9-circles-of-hell-kitchen-remodel-pt-3.html" target="_blank">3</a>), I took the measurements of my mixer with me when working with the designer. I had to be SURE that my mixer would fit exactly where I wanted it on my counter top.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV0HZUDKi_eoF8PxQLtDpGvNg_X6veUTUyeHZkG0dQ3ka1Yn3_xHFBMhrNJyJYmYJ6iC8a4VQjoYVmycbcQ3dL2zYGYc97LuIIMk9DgvtIe_Pp-SqrmZWTYj9ZAnHYMzgcfCf0H6grN0/s1600/keurig" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGV0HZUDKi_eoF8PxQLtDpGvNg_X6veUTUyeHZkG0dQ3ka1Yn3_xHFBMhrNJyJYmYJ6iC8a4VQjoYVmycbcQ3dL2zYGYc97LuIIMk9DgvtIe_Pp-SqrmZWTYj9ZAnHYMzgcfCf0H6grN0/s1600/keurig" /></a></div>
7. Keurig. OMG, the only thing that keeps me going is coffee. The Keurig makes the BEST coffee I have ever had. It even has a timer on it, so the water is ready to brew my first cup of awesomeness as soon as I come down the stairs in the mornings. I do not even miss what used to be my almost daily trip through the Starbucks or Big B coffee stands anymore. As a bonus, I have more money to spend on k-cups and get to work 15 minutes earlier every day!<br />
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Until next time,<br />
Nic<br />
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P.S. Did you know there is a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Momginerd/281047078574992" target="_blank">Momginerd FaceBook page</a>? Also, some of my best sarcasm can be found on my <a href="http://pinterest.com/momginerd/momginerdy-stuff/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>!Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-85999320234649319012012-03-28T10:16:00.003-04:002012-03-29T12:10:46.023-04:00My Favorite "Time Fillers"<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aZxhGJYa32Q_08veg2OPqpeHrC5mtcGY12l0rIDwMhiqybl3q-FIZh2Qh4bmr06LEX0evgcdnwXPx3qP5gQloMoCWWfRn0OQqGaSqJlau2EaNd0t964mtNqVv2r0CTKDPXHhoEuD9Ak/s1600/yoda2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1aZxhGJYa32Q_08veg2OPqpeHrC5mtcGY12l0rIDwMhiqybl3q-FIZh2Qh4bmr06LEX0evgcdnwXPx3qP5gQloMoCWWfRn0OQqGaSqJlau2EaNd0t964mtNqVv2r0CTKDPXHhoEuD9Ak/s200/yoda2.jpg" width="200" /></a>I have the sort of job where it is either running at full tilt in a total panic....or waiting. I have to say I much prefer the panic days as the work hours go by much more quickly. Unfortunately, there are periods of waiting for a purchase order or similar that can last a week or longer. During those periods, I try to do work related research...but, honestly I also spend time on some of my favorite time filler websites and aps. Since I started using my iPhone, I have found that there are really cool time-fillers in the form of Aps and Games. I am not putting the ususal suspects like FaceBook or Twitter, but more of the places/Aps I personally like that may be new to you.</div>
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Here they are, in no particular order (again, lists rule my life)</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_1159537780" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="124" src="http://8.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/angry-birds-space-600.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="http://8.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/angry-birds-space-600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></a><a href="http://space.angrybirds.com/" target="_blank">Angry Birds:</a> Pretty much any version of this game will suck me in and make me beg one of my children to defeat a level for me. Lately, I have been on the Angry Birds Space edition. It is SO awesome because you have to take into consideration the orbit and gravity. </div>
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2. <a href="http://www.shitmykidsruined.com/" target="_blank">Sh*t My Kids Have Ruined:</a> This is a website dedicated to users uploading pictures of items in their households their children have either destroyed, ruined, or added some artistic flavor to with their permanent markers. This website is definitely not to be used as a parenting manual, but it has some truly epic parenting FAILS that will make you laugh till you pee on yourself (okay, maybe not YOU but I have had 3 kids so don't judge).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://d2i3ex9tw9q4i6.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/photo1-300x225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="150" src="http://d2i3ex9tw9q4i6.cloudfront.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/photo1-300x225.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am sure the dog didn't mind...NOT</td></tr>
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<a href="http://static.regretsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Screen-Shot-2012-01-06-at-12.39.34-PM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="200" src="http://static.regretsy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Screen-Shot-2012-01-06-at-12.39.34-PM.jpg" width="181" /></a>3. <a href="http://www.regretsy.com/" target="_blank">Regretsy</a>: Oh my Maude, if you can look at some of the craptastic stuff on this site and not go WHUCK? Your brain is made of different stuff than mine. This site puts up REAL items that are for sale by<a href="http://www.etsy.com/" target="_blank"> Etsy</a> or <a href="http://www.ebay.com/" target="_blank">eBay</a> that truly show how some people will call anything Art. Even what looks to me like a bunch of melted wax vaguely resembling a nose with light bulbs for boogers. The biggest shocker is this was SOLD to someone. Who, what, where....I don't even think I want to know the type of person that would put a light bulb booger blowing nose up in their house. I am sure someone in that house is instructing it to put the lotion on.....</div>
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<a href="http://www.27bslash6.com/images/missing_missy2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="200" src="http://www.27bslash6.com/images/missing_missy2.jpg" width="141" /></a>4. <a href="http://www.27bslash6.com/missy.html" target="_blank">Go Away</a>: This is a blog by David Thorne. This blog will make you laugh until you cry. He basically makes it his mission to use sarcasm and wit to annoy his co-workers. Please be sure to check out his post called "Missing Missy." I love that post so much that I actually read it aloud to my department and showed the pictures....Unfortunately, they really didn't understand what I was saying because I was laughing so hard my words were unintelligible!</div>
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<a href="http://www.o2oblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/definition-of-pinterest-300x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" dea="true" height="200" src="http://www.o2oblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/definition-of-pinterest-300x300.jpg" width="200" /></a>5. <a href="http://pinterest.com/momginerd/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>: They need to call it CRACKerest, because it is that addictive. I have the mobile ap for my phone, a "Pin it" button on all my browsers, and check in on my pins or pin something almost as much as I check my FB account. It is an invite only type thing, but they aren't too picky (obviously since I got an account) on who they let in....if you need an invite leave me a comment and I can send one to you. It really isn't only a waste of time, because I use it almost like a virtual post-it note. If I am looking for ideas for my garden, I will pin the picture to refer to later....same goes with recipes to try, places I'd like to travel, etc.... If you have never been to this site, please consider this your warning to check out a 12 step program prior to becoming addicted ;-).<br />
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6. <a href="http://www.damnyouautocorrect.com/" target="_blank">Damn you auto correct</a>: I have to put a disclaimer that this is not an at work time filler. Big Brother blocks it, and it is a good thing, because most of these contain strong adult language. However, it is SO funny. I don't even care if they are all fake, I enjoy them just for the laughs. Anyone who has ever had a smartphone and likes to text has been the victim of autocorrect. Personally, my autocorrect kept turning the my Hottie Husband's name into the word Tuna, so now his poor kids are known as the Tunas in our house (not to their faces, but as in "what time are you picking up the tunas?").<br />
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7. <a href="http://www.wordswithfriends.com/" target="_blank">Words With Friends</a>: LOVE this ap on my iPhone which is also linked to my FaceBook account. It is scrabble that you can play with your friends (duh!). I usually have 6 - 8 games going simultaneously and have learned so many new words that I just thought I made up, but were actually REAL words! Did you know that "Metope" is a REAL word, and not just a cool way to use the letter P (turns out it is an architectual term for the distance between 2 tryglyphs...now I want to use tryglyphs in Words With Friends!)?<br />
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What are some of your favorite time fillers? Not that I need another addiction, but I am always on the look out for a great laugh!<br />
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Until next time....you can follow me on <a href="http://pinterest.com/momginerd/momginerdy-stuff/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/momginerd" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and check out my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Momginerd/281047078574992" target="_blank">Momginerd </a>FaceBook page!<br />
Nic<br />
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P.S. If you like this blog, can you do me a favor and hit the "like" button over on the left and share it with your friends?</div>
Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-50572610939235695842012-03-16T08:59:00.003-04:002012-03-29T12:20:27.514-04:00Gadgets and Aps that Make My Life Easier<div style="text-align: right;">
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Being a self-proclaimed Mom-Engineer-Nerd (<strong>momginerd</strong>), I am often asked for advice on technological items that I would recommend. Although I am not really an expert on gadgets and tech, I LOVE them. So, I thought I'd share some of the items/aps that make my life easier or more enjoyable and hope that you will add a comment at the end of the Blog on some of the things you like too!<br />
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These will be in no particular order, but I like lists ;)<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">1. iPhone</span></strong><br />
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I used to be a die-hard BlackBerry Girl. I would look down my nose at <a href="http://www.apple.com/iPhone" target="_blank">iPhone</a> or Droid users and think that those are TOYS whereas I have a real workhorse in my crackberry. I liked the blackberry because I could get my work email and calendar delivered directly to the phone. This was HUGE as a working mom with 3 kids, as it gave me the ability to stay in touch with work, while still taking the kids to the doctor, going on field trips, etc. When my company announced they were going to start supporting iPhones with <a href="http://www.good.com/" target="_blank">Good</a> to do the same thing and simultaneously my Bold started acting up (for the 3rd time in a year), I took the plunge and ordered my iPhone. And let me tell you, it has been a double edged sword. Whereas before my phone was used as, well a phone, for email and calendar and texting, that was about it. Now, my iPhone is like an umbilical cord attached to all aspects of my life. Without it I wouldn't remember to take my meds, read the news, or check FaceBook. Because of this flexibility I also have become entrenched in the <strike>Curse</strike> phenomena known as <a href="http://www.wordswithfriends.com/" target="_blank">Words With Friends</a>. I also check <a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Momginerd/281047078574992" target="_blank">FaceBook</a> a lot more since I can now do it on my phone more easily. <br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">2. Evernote</span></strong><br />
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This is an Ap that is available for all smartphones, PC's, and Tablets. It is basically a "get yo' shit organized" Ap that is FREE! In order for me to maintain any semblance or sanity and not lose my schmidt on a daily basis I do a lot of list making, note taking, calendar planning. <a href="http://www.evernote.com/" target="_blank">Evernote</a> works in that I can do this and COMMUNICATE the lists I have made to Hottie Husband seamlessly. For example, HH was grocery shopping (yes, he does this, NO you can't have him), and I remembered I forgot to add kale to the shopping list. I simply went to the Evernote Ap and added it to the list. Meanwhile HH was shopping from his Evernote Ap and didn't even know that I had added this item. This also works for adding things I want but am too guilty to buy (Ice Cream). *Ahem*<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">3. Say Mmmm</span></strong><br />
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This is a website that allows you to plan menus, store recipes and create and organize grocery lists. It has made menu planning SO much easier for me. I religiously plan the weekly menus every Sunday. the BEST part about <a href="http://www.saymmm.com/" target="_blank">Say Mmmm</a> is that it LINKS TO EVERNOTE!!!!! So I can create my menu, look up recipes and then send the weekly menu, recipes and grocery list all to Evernote. I also send it to my kids Evernote accounts and I no longer hear 100 times per day, "what's for dinner." Bonus, bonus, bonus!<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">4. Kindle</span></strong><br />
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This is version of Kindle I currently own. It is my second Kindle. I read voraciously, probably 3 - 4 books per month. I also like to read 2 - 3 books simultaneously. An eReader is a great invention for me, because I don't have to carry around multiple books, just the light and compact reader! Of course now I am drooling over the newest version the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0051VVOB2/ref=famstripe_kf" target="_blank">Kindle Fire</a>. AND here is the thing, I will still be keeping my old one for reading during lunch breaks, taking to kids sporting practices etc. I just <strike>need</strike> want the Fire for the backlit screen, ability to watch movies, play games, and for magazines. Why not an iPad, I have been asked. And for me, it is mostly a matter of cost. Why spend $500 for an iPad when I can spend less than half that on a Fire and have all the things an iPad does? I already have an iPhone, so I just am (for right now) not interested in investing more money into an iPad which is an overgrown iPhone, without the phone. We are already avid supporters of Amazon.com, so streaming movies from their <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/prime/ref=footer_prime" target="_blank">Prime </a>site is very appealing. That is, of course, not to say I would not accept an iPad if it were offered, feel free to let me know if you'd like to donate one to me ;).<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">5. Waze</span></strong><br />
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This is a navigation application for SmartPhones. It is a unique approach to navigation because it crosses navigation with social media. As you are driving, if you see an accident, traffic jam, etc you simply push a simple icon on the screen and it sends your report to all other drivers near you. Every time you stop, it will flash the local traffic issues on your screen. When you use the navigation portion of the application, it will look at your route and suggest alternative routes to save time if there are reported traffic issues. I commute 40 miles each way to work on the busiest roads. This application has saved me countless lost minutes and episodes of road rage already. <a href="http://www.waze.com/" target="_blank">Waze</a> is a must, in my opinion for commuters! I also found this neat <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Roadster-Smartphone-Sticky-Dash-Mount/dp/B004I6F3E0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1331902621&sr=8-3" target="_blank">dash pad mat</a> for my iPhone that allows it to stick to the dashboard without doing any permanent damage. I have been using it for 2 months and it has never allowed My Precious (iPhone's nickname) to fall! <br />
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What are some of your favorite Aps and Gadgets? Any I need to add to my (ever growing) list?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Nic</span>Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-39481616500043506872012-02-27T09:24:00.001-05:002012-02-27T09:24:31.418-05:00Tragedy.......My community has experienced a tradgedy. One of our own has taken his own life. He left behind a wonderful family including a lovely wife and 5 children. This has affected me in many ways, and forced me to take a good long look in the mirror. Why?, you may be asking. My answer is because it is very easy to be irate and sad. Instead, I am forcing myself to try and look to the positive. I know this sounds so very contradictory, but if I allow myself to wallow in the negative feelings, it is easy to ascertain that I too will become depressed and in a negative mind frame....Oh, don't get me wrong. I was there. I was SO very angry for survivors of this tragedy. But, I decided that my anger is misguided. I need to do something to help, because my anger is not going to make this family's struggles any easier. This family is going to have a very difficult struggle not just emotionally, but financially as well. <br />
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I went to the memorial service, and I believe this is where my focus began to change from anger to empathy and compassion. There were SO many people there all there to support the family. There were children, parents, family, friends, clergy, teachers, principals, acquaintances and even strangers. All there to let this family know that WE will not desert them. There were donation cards for a trust set up for the children's education, and when I went through the line, almost all of the envelopes were gone! I am part of a group that are gathering our collective financial and experintial resources to assist the family in getting their home in order. They were in the middle of a major remodel that the husband was doing himself. The remaining family does not have the skills nor resources to complete the job, and I would guess they will not be able to afford to pay a contractor. So, we are gathering money, construction materials and people with experience to go and get the house at least livable. It is a small thing in the grand scheme, but to me, as a mom, having a HOME to live in that is safe and welcoming is an important part of helping this family to heal. </div>
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I am proud of my community. Let's face it, I live in a major metropolitan area, and many of us do not even know the names of the people who live in our neighborhood. Yet, in the face of a tragedy we all came together and took joy in the fact that the family seems to be doing okay, given the circumstances. Also, when a tragedy like th is happens, it has an effect on everyone. </div>
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This family is admired by all who have ever had the good fortune to meet any of them. The children are all gifted in thier own ways, but mostly in their ready smiles, politeness, and uniqueness that has inspired others. Their mother is a saint, I mean, would't you have to be to have 5 well adjusted, well mannered, educationally successful kids? But, if nothing else I have learned that how people appear to casual acquaintences, and maybe even to close friends, is not how people really are behind the closed doors of their homes. All I know is that he was not in his right mind. I knew him as a very loving father, dedicated worker and compassionate partner to his wife...not the type of person who would take his own life. It is so very sad that it took a tragedy to bond us together. We all need to realize that the phrase "one never knows" is so very true. You may THINK you know, but at the end of the day, we are all cluelessly going on with our lives and hoping we are doing more good than harm.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stages of Grief</td></tr>
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This tragedy has opened my eyes to look at people differently, and I think it has had a similar effect on many other people as well. All of us who knew this family are greiving in our own way, but none more than the family. As much as we all want to help, sometimes our ideas of helping are not that helpful. I ran into the mother at the grocery store and she commented to me that everyone is trying to be so helpful, but she needed to go to the grocery on her own because it was "something normal." And I felt guilty, because I was immediately angry for her that she had to go to the store! Talk about opening my eyes, and I am ashamed it took the person most connected to the tragedy to point out to me that for her doing something "normal" is how she is coping. Everyone experiences grief and healing differently, and it is not for us to judge. We need to accept and support, but never ever judge, because at the end of the day, you really do not know HOW you would react to an event of this magnitude unless you have lived the person's life. </div>
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So, I am going to focus on being empathetic and not being angry. If I happen upon any of the family, I will greet them in the same manner I always have, and IF any of them want to talk, hug, joke around, whatever, I will gladly join in without judgement for how they are grieving. Grief is personal, pain is subjective, and healing is individualized.</div>
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Until next time,<br />
NicMomginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-46549198905345825282012-02-03T10:23:00.001-05:002012-02-03T10:48:31.471-05:00Food Allergies, they are real and not just something to inconvenience you<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16mSPXdjhNx_Tt4RE8Yijfw58s5j9yog3Z88vcg56eQ7WmSAAcGtS24muREULD-N-C_MVTqIBB83PaliDb-AQLeiSb7QJQSh4dUsIDRXStV0gA0Hew1eDk6g0jjIw4tUR6GIjvOMkGmU/s1600/food+allergy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg16mSPXdjhNx_Tt4RE8Yijfw58s5j9yog3Z88vcg56eQ7WmSAAcGtS24muREULD-N-C_MVTqIBB83PaliDb-AQLeiSb7QJQSh4dUsIDRXStV0gA0Hew1eDk6g0jjIw4tUR6GIjvOMkGmU/s200/food+allergy.jpg" width="183" /></a>As you may, or may not, know Bubbie had SEVERE food allergies for a long time. Thankfully, he has out grown most of his so we have a mostly "normal" life, now. But before, my life was consumed with worry and guilt. Yes, I was THAT mom who caused all the other parents to have to limit what their kids could have for snacks and treats in the classroom. Of the 8 main food allergens, Bubbie was allergic to six. At one time he could have no wheat, eggs, dairy, soy, peanuts, or tree nuts. He also had oral-allergy syndrome, which is when seasonal allergies mimic food allergies (and if you think this sounds easy, take a look in your cabinet at the ingredients in some of the foods you use daily). During Spring and Summer, he also could have no melon, avocado, banana, apple or pear. </div>
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We found out about his allergies when he was only about 2 months old. I was still breastfeeding and he was not gaining any weight and started having severe gastrointestinal issues. Just imagine you go to change your baby's diaper and it is filled with bright red blood. Bubbie was living in constant pain from the damage what I was eating was passing into his food. He had serious reflux, and no lie, would spit up so violently that it would hit the wall 3 feet away if he was on my shoulder. I kept taking him to the doctor, and they were stumped as well. Finally, they did a scratch test, and found out he was allergic to pretty much everything I was eating "to keep my milk supply up." Talk about mommy guilt. You think you are doing the absolute best thing for your child, only to find out that what you are doing has been slowly killing him. And here's the thing, Bubbie was the happiest baby in the world! Oh, and because he was allergic to dairy and soy, there were no formulas available, so I had to limit my diet of all 6 of his allergens as well. </div>
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When he finally was getting relief from his allergies, he would hit himself. I asked the doctor why, and she said it was because he had never lived without pain, and to him being in pain was NORMAL. Sick, no? I learned more about alternative food sources, reading labels, creative cooking, and recognizing allergic reactions to foods than I ever wanted to. But it was worth it, because this is what Bubbie looked like 6 months after we figured out a good diet that worked. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMKUFGvkRDM3QAglY9OOy1AI7RvM6ZWKKSAT1VlX2xZUDJlv-Zcg-w16GwFE2waZhgNAoTHwQ9mSS92qVErimHqixSb63R24mSkDjxtGc0uXb5pvdeiAzZbT7k_GrDnvjwjOwQe4BlAA/s1600/so+where+did+I+get+these+fat+cheeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRMKUFGvkRDM3QAglY9OOy1AI7RvM6ZWKKSAT1VlX2xZUDJlv-Zcg-w16GwFE2waZhgNAoTHwQ9mSS92qVErimHqixSb63R24mSkDjxtGc0uXb5pvdeiAzZbT7k_GrDnvjwjOwQe4BlAA/s320/so+where+did+I+get+these+fat+cheeks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-size: x-small;"><em>I can't eat many things, but I do eat a lot!</em></span></td></tr>
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I thought that my coming up with menus and foods that would satisfy and nourish him would be the hardest part of dealing with food allergies. But it wasn't. The hardest part was all the other people in the world and their opinion that I was making it all up or overreacting. Restaurants would not allow me to bring in foods or drinks for Bubbie, so we quit eating out. Daycare providers would give him things to eat they KNEW he couldn't have because he begged. But they weren't the ones up all night with a poor child screaming in pain and banging his head on the ground because IT HURT SO BAD. When Manudo had a birthday party at a very popular kid's venue named after a mouse, they refused me permission bring in a cupcake for Bubbie so he could take part in the celebration too (I did sneak that damn cupcake in anyway). </div>
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Friends and family could be a challenge too. Bubbie was not anaphylactic in his allergies. He would suffer mostly through gastrointestinal distress and/or skin rashes. Many times friends and family would make comments asking if a little bite of cookie/cake/pastry/pasta/etc would really hurt that much...the thing about food allergies is they are not like environmental ones. You never ever know when your reaction will change in severity or manifestation. I have a friend who had what he thought was food intolerance to almonds. He would eat them, and have stomach issues, but nothing really severe. One day he ate an almond and went into anaphylactic shock and almost died. Think of food allergies as cumulative and not episodic. Every time you ingest something you are allergic to your body registers it and adds it to the amount. Each individual "bite" is not just a bite, it is a bite added to all the other bites you have ever had and you have no idea where your breaking point for severe -v- mild reaction is located. So yes, just one bite could have hurt him, a lot. </div>
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At the back to school orientations every year, many of the other parents would roll their eyes and complain that they couldn't send peanut butter sandwiches for snacks to school, or cupcakes and cakes for their precious off-springs birthday party in class. I never spoke out, but inside I was screaming "Is your child's peanuts and sweets more important than my child's LIFE?!?" Is it really that big of a deal to read a freakin' label and/or be empathetic or even GRATEFUL that you don't have to feed that kid daily? And, what the Hell is up with birthday parties in school? We never had them when I was growing up, is it part of societies worship of children and everything they do that we must now celebrate their birthdays 3 times (school, friends party, family party)?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JGlzzpjIWK8hOj0-_h6kzIoTBXAgLCG9NO4BmaB9p_-VANnNYsa1IuAnVYRgPjcGFRklgnnxh_VPCwGCrH6LI-i-lOejwA1EQIoCx-N3PcDwSrBPUBwKc6jGy4NNG-LHFBbmeGEkoGM/s1600/Chris+baby+smile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JGlzzpjIWK8hOj0-_h6kzIoTBXAgLCG9NO4BmaB9p_-VANnNYsa1IuAnVYRgPjcGFRklgnnxh_VPCwGCrH6LI-i-lOejwA1EQIoCx-N3PcDwSrBPUBwKc6jGy4NNG-LHFBbmeGEkoGM/s320/Chris+baby+smile.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><em>Your kids peanuts are not more important than THIS kid's life!</em></span></td></tr>
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Anywho, as Bubbie grew older, it seemed like every year he had fewer and fewer food allergens. Just imagine the look on his face when he got to have his very first piece of cake that was made from real ingredients! And here is the kicker, he suffered so much pain as a young child that he was AFRAID to try many of the foods that were deemed okay. We had to go through food challenges where a very tiny bit of the food/allergen was introduced for a week. The next week you added a bit more, the next week a bit more, etc. until you reach the equivalent of a serving. Some of the foods still bothered him, even though he wasn't technically allergic. Those were the days that were tough, here I am telling him "It's okay, the doctor said you can have it," meanwhile an hour later he was curled in the fetal position looking at me with his huge blue eyes like I disappointed or lied to him. *sniff*</div>
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He is now almost 9, and still has oral allergy syndrome and an allergy to tree nuts, but he no longer has to sit at the allergy free table, carry an epi-pen, answer 10000 questions about his medical alert bracelet, or be known as THAT kid. However, in my mind, I still have intense fear for him and watch out for any type of response he may have to what he is eating. I know how lucky he is to have outgrown his allergies, as well as to not have the anaphylactic reactions to his allergies that many children and adults suffer. But he could, and the doctors do say that just because he outgrew them for now, doesn't mean he will be allergy free forever. He could develop them again, or develop allergies to different things. It is like living with a Jack-in-the-box waiting for the new issue to pop up sometimes. </div>
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I will NEVER stop being an advocate for other parents who are going thorough what I did, and I ask, no BEG, you to please think of your own children/grand-children/nieces/nephews and how you would react if a request was made to help them fit in and/or save their lives. At the end of the day, we all love our children, but maybe if we loved other people's children a little more life would be easier for ALL children.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I could be your child, wouldn't you <br />
love me enough to protect me?</td></tr>
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Until next time,</div>
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Nic</div>
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p.s. I would love to hear your thoughts/comments/etc regarding this, or any post I write. Leave a comment!</div>Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-59404931207885734862012-01-20T10:32:00.004-05:002012-03-29T12:11:20.203-04:00Dear Dumbass Manager:<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Not the actual dumbass, but an actor portraying him</span></i></td></tr>
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Dear Dumbass at work,<br />
You are a major f-tard. Just because you screwed up and are now scrambling to find a scapegoat for your misguided actions I will NOT be your punching bag. In case you didn't notice, you are 6'3" and I am 5'3", so it is probably unlikely that I was<i> bullying</i> you when I pointed out the reality of your lackadaisical actions over the past 9 months. Yes, now YOU have some 'splaining to do and I am not going to bail you out. YOU are the one with the 2 fancy lease cars, corner office, and staff. I am the peon that has been going behind you cleaning up your shit-pile like a street sweeper. Is it really my fault that now you are being questioned? Should I just bury my head in the sand like you have, and pretend that it is all going to work out when clearly you have created a big f'n mess? I think not. Oh, and YES I have documented every.single.time you declined to act on the situation, so just try to blame me.<br />
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For what it is worth, you may have felt better venting your pedantic frustrations on me, but you looked like a major ass. All 5 people who witnessed your toddler-like outburst were full of indignation and umbrage after our meeting. As far as your comment that I was "yelling at you", all the while you were standing over me, projecting spittle in my direction and banging the table, next time I will try whispering. Pardon me, I didn't realize that you had such sensitive hearing to rational speech. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHLn3kuP5sSCFSgelZ1m36qultg4DZc1GpOwnd0NL3xbH6OBdw5umhdDgJ5FG_bhwrkwXK9LIzJRiJ8OsBW-3Sr_y9m_r-QpfZm6BlnIBW-Zvg6Z5ARibtlWd1wkdeaplGxF6dBJcVq8/s1600/crash+and+burn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRHLn3kuP5sSCFSgelZ1m36qultg4DZc1GpOwnd0NL3xbH6OBdw5umhdDgJ5FG_bhwrkwXK9LIzJRiJ8OsBW-3Sr_y9m_r-QpfZm6BlnIBW-Zvg6Z5ARibtlWd1wkdeaplGxF6dBJcVq8/s200/crash+and+burn.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #351c75; font-size: xx-small;">Can't wait to see how you explain this!</span></i></td></tr>
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I have decided that passive resistance is the way to go with you. So even though you deserve to be brought to the carpet for your actions, I will be sitting back and watching you crash and burn. I am sure the VP will be happy to know your decisions has cost the company a lot of money! I hope you enjoyed your little venting session, because when you are the PEON next month, I am sure you will be handed your ass to yourself on a shiny platter. Meanwhile, I will be laughing <i>my</i> ass off!<br />
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So, congratulations! You are the idiot of the year.<b> </b> Let me know how you like the reward that will be coming to you soon 'cuz I am sure the company will appreciate your attempt to play hide the weeny with their money!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kDhyAbzu_wmSY36ILhaIf8cZiJVWnulaPAbSeeHh3RqvTtb6oEsUbiwujpBBtdfGWQhYs335eUuYSoPiTr3dZe-AlL1UHfeWwOq8mVOwENYpOeh_UNIzyk_-zHdy0_tSDaZO4necg_M/s1600/letterman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4kDhyAbzu_wmSY36ILhaIf8cZiJVWnulaPAbSeeHh3RqvTtb6oEsUbiwujpBBtdfGWQhYs335eUuYSoPiTr3dZe-AlL1UHfeWwOq8mVOwENYpOeh_UNIzyk_-zHdy0_tSDaZO4necg_M/s200/letterman.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: xx-small;">Even David thinks you are an idiot!</span></i></td></tr>
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Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-26301305637074053932012-01-12T11:19:00.000-05:002012-03-29T12:20:08.794-04:00My top menus that satisfy almost ALL of my offspringBeing a working mom, I struggle with meals. One of the big rules in my household is we eat dinner, sitting down at the table, with REAL plates every single night....even if I don't want to! 99% of our meals are home cooked, from scratch. This mostly started due to Bubbie and his pervasive food allergies, and then just became the way we do things at the House of Chaos. So, without further ado, here are the top meals that are in my rotation that can either be made ahead, made quickly, or put in the crock-pot while I am gone. We only have 3 rules at our family dinners.<br />
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1. We eat what we get and we don't throw a fit.</div>
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- I am NOT a short order cook. I make every effort to prepare meals they will all at least tolerate. I am also fair in NOT putting things on plates if it is something that they have a real aversion against (Manudo: No food touching, Bubbie: No onions, Princepessa: No tomatoes, HH: Triple servings of everything).</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF6gR3lRese4XcYoyAonddOHsIgB7lBkBVF0rp0iMFXJKnBx1M1YaQFvgeCaGzDMIrlCGeQPgeefk0ETYwRw73iRxj7OpMveRXZy9pteur76jI9umqeSV5D_hVhgvZSCRm9CyERTVPrk/s1600/epic-fail-photos-family-dinner-fail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieF6gR3lRese4XcYoyAonddOHsIgB7lBkBVF0rp0iMFXJKnBx1M1YaQFvgeCaGzDMIrlCGeQPgeefk0ETYwRw73iRxj7OpMveRXZy9pteur76jI9umqeSV5D_hVhgvZSCRm9CyERTVPrk/s320/epic-fail-photos-family-dinner-fail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>This is wrong in so many ways...electronics AND </em></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><em>elbows on the table????</em></span></td></tr>
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2. NO electronic devices allowed....not even for Mom and Dad. There is nothing so important that means we have to eat meals while our noses are buried into cell phones, iPods, DS's, TV, etc. No one is going to DIE if they miss a text, I promise.</div>
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3. Family meals are a good time to practice our manners so if mom is nice enough to take us OUT to dinner one day, we won't look like we have escaped a barn.</div>
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Those are the rules, and for the most part the kids and HH don't complain about them. It works for us, so we all make the effort to be sure we are home and present (both physically and mentally) for our daily together time.</div>
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I will try to link to recipes if I have them. If there is a meal you'd like the recipe for, add a comment and I will post it there.</div>
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Homemade Mac -n- Cheese, Smoked Sausage baked in the oven with green onions and mushrooms and Steamed Broccoli with lemon. I SWEAR my kids would eat all of these daily. I know that I am very lucky that they like veggies, and I hope that by typing this, I have not jinxed myself.</li>
<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Breakfast for dinner: Eggs (okay, I WILL make eggs to order...some like them scrambled, some like them over easy), Bacon or Sausage, and a fresh fruit salad. Sometimes I will mix it up with pancakes or French Toast. Let's face it, kids of working mom's don't have the luxury of really good breakfasts on most days, so it is always a treat to have their favorites as dinner.</li>
<li>Crock-Pot Roast, Mashed Potatoes, steamed Green Beans. My kids, and especially HH are huge carnivores. They love meat, even if I don't eat as much as they do. I like the pot-roast because it usually leaves left-overs for HH and my lunches. If I am especially organized, I will pre-boil the mashed potatoes the night before to make it a faster meal.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/new-joes-special-428982" target="_blank">New Improved Joe's</a>, Sweet Potato Fries, Sliced Apples. I had to stop using almost all pre-made canned items when Bubbie was younger, so I came up with this recipe for sloppy joe's using no canned sauces and with spinach for extra nutrients. My kids LOVE it! I have also served it over pasta ala Cincinnati Chili.</li>
<li><a href="http://southern.food.com/recipe/salmon-patties-with-lemon-caper-cream-388612" target="_blank">Salmon Patties</a>, Rice, and Asparagus. I make the asparagus in a pan on the top of the stove with a pat of butter, splash of soy sauce, and 1/4 cup of water. I have a rice cooker, and have found it so worth the investment. Rice comes out perfect every.single.time.</li>
<li>Broiled whole pork tenderloin (just baste with a mixture of stone ground mustard and maple), <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/vanilla-mashed-sweet-potatoes-468737" target="_blank">Vanilla sweet potatoes</a>, and spinach salad with orange/balsamic dressing. I bake the sweet potatoes the night before, and keep the dressing for the salad in a cruet in the fridge at all times. </li>
<li>Tacos, Refried Beans, Spanish rice....need I say more?</li>
<li>Pasta with <a href="http://www.food.com/recipe/balsamic-puttenesca-sauce-409361" target="_blank">Basalmic Puttenesca Sauce</a>, Garlic Bread, and a Salad. When I serve this, I try to keep the olives out of Bubbie's serving :). </li>
<li>Pulled Pork (whole pork tenderloin, favorite BBQ sauce, diced onions, cook in crock pot all day, shred with two forks), Cole Slaw, Baked Beans.</li>
<li>Chili, Homemade Corn Bread, Salad. I mix it up by sometimes doing white chili, beanless chili, or traditional red chili. I like to really spice it up, but keep some extra spices on hand to sprinkle on HH's and mine when the kidlets are around who seem to be opposed to anything spicier than a hot dog some days.</li>
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What are some of your go to meals? How do you save time? I hate feeling like I am in a rut, and I feel that way frequently in the winter when we do not have as many options for fresh fruits and veggies.<br />
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Momginerdhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05866559929554981941noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3196798163342073978.post-3467819240148956392011-12-08T10:51:00.001-05:002011-12-08T11:09:19.025-05:00How My Kids Break the Rules of Logic and Science!There are some things that defy all reason and scientific principles. Most of these are things that have to do with my offspring. Below is a list of things that make me go "WHUCK?" on a daily basis.<br />
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1. Toothpaste and its ability to travel long distances.<br />
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Every single muther furking time I go into the kids' bathroom I find dried crusty toothpaste in the most odd places. Today, I found it on the windowsill, UNDER the blinds, that is approximately 5 ft from the sink and NO WHERE near the towel, which is also covered in a toothpaste/saliva combo.<br />
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<a href="http://respacedpdx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Department-of-missing-socks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="131" mda="true" src="http://respacedpdx.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Department-of-missing-socks.jpg" width="200" /></a>2. Socks and where the Hell do they go?</div>
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I swear to all that is holy I have a basket of single socks that contains more socks than the actual pairs that end up in my kids drawers. Where do the socks go? Is there a black hole in my dryer that ONLY likes kids socks? Ironically, I rarely have an issue matching pairs of mine or HH's socks. So, this black hole is not only a mystery, it is selective!</div>
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3. Pee on the seat</div>
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Bubbie is great at lifting and putting down the seat. It is most likely a long term repercussion (which I am sure will require some sort of therapy when he is an adult) of my fastidious toilet training. Yes, I did encourage him to "blot the tip" while training, and YES he has the cleanest underwear in the house thank.you.very.much to this day! This pee on the seat is about the girls. How in the heck do they manage to get dribble on the seat? Are they hovering in their own bathroom? Are they doing jumping jacks? Did I get confused and encourage them to shake it off while I was teaching Bubbie to blot?</div>
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4. Selective Hearing<br />
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How come I can whisper something about one of the kids from 3 rooms away and they can hear it, yet when I am right in front of them asking something they can't? Should I yell my secret thoughts to HH and whisper my requests to the offspring?<br />
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5. Selective Blindness<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7ysS1FoBv8v53hBKHrgXET5B7UJBbvN7Ai_YOcR9CWfmnaG2zSSxDLnNjiUY3IYHJWKaVRwdmL7I-tyMnHb9RMmQXwVVk3onJ6c8frLEEcJKhxbrwB3xazNap1vtiLSnSvJLZbOKMXc/s1600/please.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" mda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR7ysS1FoBv8v53hBKHrgXET5B7UJBbvN7Ai_YOcR9CWfmnaG2zSSxDLnNjiUY3IYHJWKaVRwdmL7I-tyMnHb9RMmQXwVVk3onJ6c8frLEEcJKhxbrwB3xazNap1vtiLSnSvJLZbOKMXc/s200/please.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><em>Actual sign haning in all offspring rooms</em></td></tr>
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This is the first cousin to Selective Hearing. I find it usually accompanies my request to fetch some object of theirs they are missing. For example, Manudo has selective vision for things as large as her lunch box. I have packed her lunch and remind her to grab it on her way out the door. She opens the fridge, stares RIGHT at the damn thing and says she can't find it! I then will give her detailed directions to the area right in front of her face, and she STILL can't see it! When I point it out, after stomping to the kitchen from the other room where I was importantly updating my FB status, she is all like "Oh....hahahahah....Sorry mom!" Google revealed this is a REAL illness! <a href="http://www.cmaj.ca/content/173/12/1494.full.pdf" target="_blank">Refrigerator Blindness</a>. And we all know, if it is on GOOGLE it must be TRUE!</div>
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6. Ackbassward Sleeping times<br />
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The unique phenomena of kids waking up at the crack of dawn on non-school days, yet having to be dragged kicking and screaming from their beds on school days. Why is it that they go to bed at reasonable times on school days and have a harder time getting up than when they are allowed leniency on the weekends? Perhaps I will do an experiment and let them stay up as late as they want on school days and make them go to bed early on weekends. It would only be fair, since I happen to enjoy sleeping in on my few days off of work!<br />
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These are just a few....I am sure as time goes on and I enter the realm of parenting a teenager more phenomena will manifest!<br />
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Until next time!<br />
Nic<br />
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