Tagged, Part Deux

It seems I never have time to exercise anymore. Between hectic projects at work, homework, family and social commitments there is just never enough time for ME! So, this week I've been spending thirty minutes a day running around the backyard with my son playing his new favorite game: FREEZE TAG!


I. AM. SO. OUT. OF. SHAPE. Let me tell you just how pathetic I am: I kept making sure to position myself near a patio chair so that at the precise moment he "froze" me I could have something to sit/lean on. Ha ha!

At this moment, the freeze tag game has commenced so, I have to run (literally)! Find a way to incorporate some fun with the kiddo's into your exercise regime too!

Tagged

This is the first time I’ve ever been tagged! Thanks Hunnie!

The Rules:
1. Link the person who tagged you.
2. Mention the rules in your blog
3. Tell about SIX unspectacular quirks of yours.
4. Tag 6 following bloggers by linking them.
5. Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged.

Here we go!
1. I have mini-panic attacks when I can’t find my Carmex.
2. I clear off my desk everyday at work. Even if I’m working on something, I stack it up and place it in a drawer out of sight.
3. I’ve just recently started plucking my eyebrows.
4. I leave myself voice mails at work as reminders to do stuff and I always end the reminder with, “Okay, bye”.
5. I don’t really watch t.v. anymore. Don’t know what’s going on on Idol. Never seen an episode of Lost or Desperate Housewives. HOWEVER I am a huge fan of The Game on the CW Network. I. Love. That. Show! The only show I actually watch on television.
6. I'm obsessed with blogs. I can be in the middle of a project at work or doing homework at home and I take a 5, 10 or 30 minute break and just catch up on my favorite blogs.

Because it’s considered RUDE not to play the game if you’re tagged, I happily obliged. However I am not going to tag anyone for two reasons, one being the nature of my blog is more for sharing the parenting experience (or my own personal experience within the framework of parenting) not necessarily to get too personal about ME (there are some things a girl only shares with her therapist). The second reason is because I am such an avid fan of blogs I happen to know just about e’rybody and they mama have been tagged already so, there is really no one for me to get! But this was fun!

Childhood Aspirations

I copied this from the Parents magazine web site. A list of things kids should do before they turn 8. The original list contained 44 items but I picked my favorites. The contributors to the list were various people like Donald Trump, Allan Houston, Maria Shriver, etc. Print out a copy for your child and get started today!

1. Learn to manage your allowance, and think of the best ways to use it.
2. Run in the sprinklers. And make sure at least one of your parents runs with you.
3. Take part in a march for peace. Or something else you believe in.
4. Ride a roller coaster.
5. Play tag in the rain.
6. Watch tadpoles hatch into frogs.
7. Catch and eat your own fish.
8. Learn a bit about astronomy and observe the stars.
9. Attend at least one -- or more -- professional sporting events.
10. Learn how to ride a bike. I'm talking a two-wheeler without training wheels and extra points for gears.
11. Learn Pig Latin
12. Raise money for something or someone you care about.
13. Befriend a kid whom others are making fun of.
14. Realize your parents are just some old kids trying to act grown up.
15. Learn how to pour a bowl of cereal and turn on the TV. (So your parents can sleep an extra 30 minutes on weekends.)
16. Realize that you should never outgrow hugging your parents.
17. Figure out how to tell a joke that doesn't involve poo, pee, or butts.
18 Discover that bleeding owies can make you look tough even though they hurt briefly.
19. Learn to give a good handshake. No bone crushers or limp fish.
20. Hold the door for someone at the mall.
21. Clean up your own room.
22. Learn how to make lemonade -- from real lemons.
23. Break up a fight between two younger children.
24. Start a collection of something. It could be anything -- model cars, baseball cards, sand from different areas.
25. Try at least five different types of food -- Chinese, Greek, Mexican -- you pick the other two. 26. Read a newspaper with a parent.
27. Look through a microscope and a telescope.
28. Help serve or deliver food to the needy on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
29. Hand-write thank-you notes for birthday and holiday gifts.
30. Open a savings account.
31. When greeting an adult, learn to look him in the eye and introduce yourself.
32. Make sure you've had enough piggy-back rides.

Copyright© 2007. from the March 2007 issue of Parents magazine.

March of Dimes

Today was the March of Dimes "March for Babies" in the Houston area (previously known as Walkamerica). The walk raises money to help the March of Dimes improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Unfortunately I did not participate in the walk today but all month long I have supported the organization through various initiatives at my job including helping my department construct three themed baskets that we raffled off.

It is such a worthy cause and one close to my heart because I was a premature baby. Please contact the March of Dimes and make a donation today!

Working Mom: An Absolute Oxymoron

I went to a baby shower today. The shower was hosted by an ex-coworker for one of our mutual friends. To say her house was nice is an understatement. It was like one of those houses you see in those neighborhoods in the movies that you think is probably just a set designed especially for the movie.

The house was somewhat palatial, huge pool with a bricked-in adjoining jacuzzi, inside there was granite, crown molding, ceramic tile, hardwood floors and an eclectic mix of furnishings bought in various countries throughout their travels.

I strike up a "oh-my-god-I-haven't-seen-you-in-ages" conversation with the hostess (in her magazine worthy kitchen) and she proceeds to ask me the following:

Hostess "So, how old is your son?"

Me "Four going on forty,"

Hostess "So are you still working?"

Me "Um- yeah,"

Hostess "But not full time, right?"

Me "Um- yeah,"

Then she proceeded to tell me how after the birth of her daughter (Baby Number Two) that she just couldn't keep up with all the demands of a "working mother" so she quit to stay at home full time. She felt like she was missing out on their lives. Her son is four and her daughter is one. Maybe I'm the one missing something.

Let me pause here to say, I am ABSOLUTELY hating on her. . .and not for being a stay at home mom but because she doesn't HAVE to work! That's my dream job- staying at home. . .but I digress.

Anyway, I have to admit there was a time when I thought I wanted to stay at home with my son on a full time basis. But after a six month taste of it, I found it wasn't really for me. Besides the reality is that regardless to if we (as parents) are around or not during those first few years our children will learn to walk, talk and ultimately not to poop on themselves. In my humble opinion the time to stay at home is after they are old enough to stray.

You've never heard of a 2 year old girl getting pregnant, or a 4 year old boy on drugs or a even a 6 year old getting into trouble for stealing a car. I think children need our attention and monitoring the most during adolescence. And ironically this is the time that they are left to their own devices.

I used to carry around this HUGE guilt complex about not staying at home- correction: not being able to stay home (one income around this camp won't cut it unless somebody's income is doubled) with my son and I bought into the notion that I was "letting someone else raise him". My aunt took care of my son for the first two years of his life while I worked and the love and attention she provided to him in ADDITION to what he received from me has had a lasting effect on him. It was at my aunt's house that he first learned to recognize the alphabet, which started him to writing and now reading. If I had it to do all over again even if I wasn't working I would allow him to spend time with his great aunt so that her love and influence could be felt.

Although I struggle with what I want to be when "I grow up", I actually enjoy working outside the home. It gives me a separate identity from being a wife and a mother and I think it helps me be a better mother because I treasure and appreciate every moment with my son. Besides it's because mama works that he is able to say he's traveled to quite a few places in his short lifetime. Being a mother is hard WORK inside or outside the home but having a good support system in place makes all the difference. As the African proverb states, "it takes a village to raise a child".

No More Drama

Okay, I titled this post "No More Drama" because that is what I wish I could have with my arch nemesis. There has been this ongoing struggle between me and this force of nature that wants the freedom to do whatever it wants to do, whenever it wants to do it- yes, I am talking about my HAIR!!!

ARGH!!! I have tried a myriad of options (fried, dyed and laid to the side) and I'm just at my wits end! Split ends would be a more accurate description. Over the years I've been a devout beauty shop patron but time, space and other complications have caused me to become inconsistent. My biggest problem -with life in general- is that I have NO PATIENCE whatsoever. When I go to the salon and my appointment is at 4:00, I expect that no later than 4:07 you are tending to me in some shape, form or fashion. I do not wish to sit for almost an hour listening to you gossip or watch you eat and all the while you're complaining about being behind?!

Serious work ethic issues. . .anyway, I've been doing the "natural" thing lately where I just wash and go, literally. My hair curls up and is reminiscent of Ola Ray! Ha ha!

What I really wish I could do is just cut it all off. . .a mini 'fro would be ideal. But working in the corporate establishment trying to represent the race makes me a little hesitant. I just hope one day me and my hair can call a truce and work together for the good of all mankind.

Hit it India!

T-Ball Thursdays

My son plays Tee Ball on Thursdays at the YMCA. My son plays Tee Ball Thursdays at the YMCA and his dad is responsible for taking him. I use this day and this time for a little "me time". At first I felt guilty because I thought I was missing out on something or that I should be there to support him. After attending one session, I quickly got over it. Most of the kids are running in circles, kicking the dirt or staring into space.

Now I relish my free two hours on Thursdays to read, watch t.v., shop or do whatever I feel the desire to do without one iota of guilt! I'm happy that my husband and son have this bonding time but I'm even happier that Mama has time to relax, relate and release! When my boys return home I'm refreshed and happy to see them. The best part about Tee Ball Thursdays is that they have a post-game ritual where Daddy takes him out to eat so, I don't even have to worry about dinner!

Ah, Thursdays the BEST day of the week!