...no really, happy holidays.
This is a very bipolar time of year for me. I love the holidays, the wonder, the joy, and the outpouring of support for those less fortunate. I hate the holidays, the money, the awkward forced family moments, and the greed.
Think of all the people who get injured, trampled, or even shot over a pair of 1 dollar flip-flops. What the hell is this country coming too? I mean really, is it worth going to jail or the hospital so you can have the latest video game? Is this what the holiday season has come to?
While our economy is still recovering from a nose-dive, we seem to find a way to spend 500 bucks on an XboX, Playstation, or iPad. Incurring debt for something that's going to have the "newer more improved" come out for the next holiday.
My kids want all of that stuff. My boys are older, so one big ticket item and then a few smaller, more practical things for Christmas, but Santa still exists for my little girl. While I know the "reason for the season," kids are still kids and they want stuff. It is what it is.
I see these wonderful stories of people teaching their children philanthropy, giving, and sacrifice. They're the perfect parent I always wanted to be, but couldn't quite get to. We talk about it, and, when I can, I donate to causes, but it's so hard.
That being said, I think I'm going to have to pull up my boot straps and stop being all whiny and get this season rolling.
I don't spend nearly enough time with my mom, even knowing how limited my time with her is. The holidays are a time when that happens a lot more. That's the thing I'm thankful for. As far as family, outside of my husband and my kids, she's all I have. She's the person I know I can count on, will bend over backwards to make sure I'm happy (still), and she will ALWAYS tell it like it is (whether I want to hear it or not).
The holidays always bring about a modicum of sadness for me. I miss my dad. It's another time I'm reminded he will never meet his son-in-law or his grandchildren. It's huge gap in my life that will never be filled.
The holiday season, for me, is a lot of reflection.
~Kim
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Thursday, November 21, 2013
The key to life is...
letting go.
It's not easy. "They" say worthwhile things never are, but in this case I think "they" are right.
I find myself so angry sometimes, then I sit down and realize I'm angry because I can't let go. I can't let go of a lot of things. I can't let go of my dad, even though he's been gone nearly 30 years. I can't let go of the dysfunction in my marriage. I can't let go of trust issues. I can't let go of fear. The list of things I can't let go could go on for pages.
So now that you know I'm guilty, it's ok for you to admit you can't let go of things either.
Really, it's ok. We're human, every single one of us. We all have faults, they're all different, but they exist.
I hear a lot of "Let go and let God." That bugs me. It's probably because I'm not a particularly religious person. I have trouble with faith. Turning my worries over to an existential being seems far fetched, to say the least. I had my faith shaken when I was very young, and it's never been the same.
I've hit the point of "who gives a fuck." I'm indifferent or angry. I can't remember the last time I felt true happiness. Sure, I smile and laugh with my friends, but, unfortunately, it's a band-aid.
So here I am, a self-aware woman, with no solution. I know the problem, but I cannot figure out how to solve it. I read things, I think about things, hell, I even try to do things once in a while, but I can't find the solution.
I feel broken.
I haven't lived a particularly hard life. I grew up upper-middle class. The hardships I did have (with the exception of my father's death and some of the problems in my marriage) were brought on myself. Poor choices and immaturity took their toll.
As I mature (and yep at almost 40 I'm still maturing), I find that I know what the problems are, but I sit empty handed on fixing them.
I like fixing things. When I can't fix something, I usually take a hammer to it to break it the rest of the way. Realizing that isn't a "healthy" solution, I'm stuck.
Life is like a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of my shoe, my shoe can never completely never let go of the gum.
~Kim
It's not easy. "They" say worthwhile things never are, but in this case I think "they" are right.
I find myself so angry sometimes, then I sit down and realize I'm angry because I can't let go. I can't let go of a lot of things. I can't let go of my dad, even though he's been gone nearly 30 years. I can't let go of the dysfunction in my marriage. I can't let go of trust issues. I can't let go of fear. The list of things I can't let go could go on for pages.
So now that you know I'm guilty, it's ok for you to admit you can't let go of things either.
Really, it's ok. We're human, every single one of us. We all have faults, they're all different, but they exist.
I hear a lot of "Let go and let God." That bugs me. It's probably because I'm not a particularly religious person. I have trouble with faith. Turning my worries over to an existential being seems far fetched, to say the least. I had my faith shaken when I was very young, and it's never been the same.
I've hit the point of "who gives a fuck." I'm indifferent or angry. I can't remember the last time I felt true happiness. Sure, I smile and laugh with my friends, but, unfortunately, it's a band-aid.
So here I am, a self-aware woman, with no solution. I know the problem, but I cannot figure out how to solve it. I read things, I think about things, hell, I even try to do things once in a while, but I can't find the solution.
I feel broken.
I haven't lived a particularly hard life. I grew up upper-middle class. The hardships I did have (with the exception of my father's death and some of the problems in my marriage) were brought on myself. Poor choices and immaturity took their toll.
As I mature (and yep at almost 40 I'm still maturing), I find that I know what the problems are, but I sit empty handed on fixing them.
I like fixing things. When I can't fix something, I usually take a hammer to it to break it the rest of the way. Realizing that isn't a "healthy" solution, I'm stuck.
Life is like a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of my shoe, my shoe can never completely never let go of the gum.
~Kim
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Don We Now...
...Our gay apparel.
One small change can cause an uproar (just ask Hallmark).
I was raised in an era where everyone that wasn't hetero was in the closet. I never understood why it mattered. I suppose it's the same reason I never understood why it mattered what color your skin is or what country you come from.
We all bleed red. Everyone looks the same on the inside. We're all human. I've heard these arguments again and again when it comes to the recent human rights fight.
What I haven't heard is other than religious beliefs, why it's so bad to be gay (blanket term here covering lesbians as well).
"Because God said so," isn't a valid argument when it comes to human rights, especially in the United States. This union was formed because of oppression, so why do we continue to oppress?
Degrading a human being because they are different than you are is something that God would condone? Hello? *tap tap* Is anybody there? Did I lose you?
I'm all for everyone having an opinion on the matter. Absolutely, but can't we all agree that hurting another human being, regardless of differentiating views, beliefs etc., is wrong?
Does it directly affect you if two men or two women want to marry? I don't understand the ostracizing of other people for any reason. Any.
If it is so that people choose to be gay (which by the way I disagree with) and by that definition, can be changed, it's the same with everything. I choose to be spiritual, but not go to church. So if you sent me to a "camp," I could be changed to go to church every day. Would it be because that's what I wanted or would it be because I've heard it so much that I gave in to it?
This post has a lot of talk about religion in it because I've never heard an argument against gay marriage that wasn't related to a religious belief.
Maybe I'm too laid back. Maybe the thought that EVERYONE deserves happiness is out of left field.
As a nation of free thinkers, why do we think everyone should be the same? How boring is that!
~Kim
One small change can cause an uproar (just ask Hallmark).
I was raised in an era where everyone that wasn't hetero was in the closet. I never understood why it mattered. I suppose it's the same reason I never understood why it mattered what color your skin is or what country you come from.
We all bleed red. Everyone looks the same on the inside. We're all human. I've heard these arguments again and again when it comes to the recent human rights fight.
What I haven't heard is other than religious beliefs, why it's so bad to be gay (blanket term here covering lesbians as well).
"Because God said so," isn't a valid argument when it comes to human rights, especially in the United States. This union was formed because of oppression, so why do we continue to oppress?
Degrading a human being because they are different than you are is something that God would condone? Hello? *tap tap* Is anybody there? Did I lose you?
I'm all for everyone having an opinion on the matter. Absolutely, but can't we all agree that hurting another human being, regardless of differentiating views, beliefs etc., is wrong?
Does it directly affect you if two men or two women want to marry? I don't understand the ostracizing of other people for any reason. Any.
If it is so that people choose to be gay (which by the way I disagree with) and by that definition, can be changed, it's the same with everything. I choose to be spiritual, but not go to church. So if you sent me to a "camp," I could be changed to go to church every day. Would it be because that's what I wanted or would it be because I've heard it so much that I gave in to it?
This post has a lot of talk about religion in it because I've never heard an argument against gay marriage that wasn't related to a religious belief.
Maybe I'm too laid back. Maybe the thought that EVERYONE deserves happiness is out of left field.
As a nation of free thinkers, why do we think everyone should be the same? How boring is that!
~Kim
Monday, November 4, 2013
Wow, Sometimes I...
...amaze myself. I've been writing (albeit sporadically at points) for a little over a year now, and I still keep writing.
The reason it's so amazing is because I'm TERRIFIED of failing.
Of course, I write for myself, but I write for others too. I write with the hope that I can touch someone's life just when they need it. I have no idea if I do or not, but honestly, I need that gratification.
We all need gratification. Everyone needs an "attaboy" once in a while. It's how we know we've succeeded. Helps justify our hard work, boost our confidence, as well as our self esteem.
Regardless of what people say, we DO care what other people think. We DO need approval. When we don't get it, we think we've failed, regardless of the truth to the situation.
I love to write, it is my joy. It's fulfilling and it's an outlet for my brain (which never ever seems to shut up). It's not the only thing I'm afraid of failing at. I'm afraid of failing as a parent, a friend, a wife, a daughter. I hold myself to a pretty high standard, but rarely do I feel I hit the mark.
There are shining moments of "I'm so proud of you," or "I love you, Mom!" (this is a bonus I get from my oldest once in a while and it gives me the warm fuzzy of success), but there are also so many moments of silence.
I don't feel needy. I don't think I'm high maintenance. I think I've become so low maintenance that I stopped seeking acceptance. I've drawn so far inside myself that functioning has become a job in itself.
I wrap myself in my kids, their activities, their education, like any good mom should. The difference is, I'm ONLY Mom. I'm not Wife (like I should be), I'm not Daughter, but most of all, I'm not Kim.
Finding joy is hard. Failing is even harder. I suppose when we fail, it's merely the universe telling us that's not what we're meant for.
I've got a flashlight, and I'm searching in the dark for success.
~Kim
The reason it's so amazing is because I'm TERRIFIED of failing.
Of course, I write for myself, but I write for others too. I write with the hope that I can touch someone's life just when they need it. I have no idea if I do or not, but honestly, I need that gratification.
We all need gratification. Everyone needs an "attaboy" once in a while. It's how we know we've succeeded. Helps justify our hard work, boost our confidence, as well as our self esteem.
Regardless of what people say, we DO care what other people think. We DO need approval. When we don't get it, we think we've failed, regardless of the truth to the situation.
I love to write, it is my joy. It's fulfilling and it's an outlet for my brain (which never ever seems to shut up). It's not the only thing I'm afraid of failing at. I'm afraid of failing as a parent, a friend, a wife, a daughter. I hold myself to a pretty high standard, but rarely do I feel I hit the mark.
There are shining moments of "I'm so proud of you," or "I love you, Mom!" (this is a bonus I get from my oldest once in a while and it gives me the warm fuzzy of success), but there are also so many moments of silence.
I don't feel needy. I don't think I'm high maintenance. I think I've become so low maintenance that I stopped seeking acceptance. I've drawn so far inside myself that functioning has become a job in itself.
I wrap myself in my kids, their activities, their education, like any good mom should. The difference is, I'm ONLY Mom. I'm not Wife (like I should be), I'm not Daughter, but most of all, I'm not Kim.
Finding joy is hard. Failing is even harder. I suppose when we fail, it's merely the universe telling us that's not what we're meant for.
I've got a flashlight, and I'm searching in the dark for success.
~Kim
A little more about Amanda...
...the author of Welcome to Africa, the featured blog this week.
Q:Tell the readers a little bit about yourself:
Amanda: I grew up in South Bend and lived there my whole life. I never had any interest in Uganda or Africa growing
up. I studied Spanish in college and
taught high school Spanish for 2 years before moving to Uganda. I loved Mexico and had travelled there
several times and thought I would end up there.
I grew up believing in Jesus but didn’t give my life to Him until I was
27. I love to hear people’s stories and
my favorite books are always biographies.
Q:How did you find the calling to go help these boys in Africa?
Amanda: I wasn’t happy the whole time that I was teaching and was
starting to look for a way out. I
decided on going back to school for a PhD so I could work for a large aid
organization. I was originally
interested in hunger issues and peace studies until I heard a former child
soldier speak. I was so captivated by
him and after reading his book (A long way gone by Ishmael Beah) my heart
broke. I realized it was the people that
poured into his life and helped him to escape the war that made the difference
for him. I started researching child
soldiers and came across Uganda. For
some reason, Uganda stuck and I became obsessed with going. A little while after, a girl from Notre Dame
came to my classroom to speak about her study abroad experiences and mentioned
she was in Uganda. I told her I wanted
to go and she put me in contact with a girl she knew there that was working
with streetkids. The original plan was
to go for a month just to see if I liked it.
Many things happened that year of teaching and during the summer and I
felt like God was confirming that I should quit my job, take a leap of faith
and go. So I decided to go for a year
and left November 2010. I still was very
much interested in child soldiers and was planning to make the connections once
I got in country. However, once I
started working with the boys on the street, there was no going anywhere
else. I fell hopelessly and madly in
love with them and knew I needed to do something more. Most of the boys I connected with were older
and no one was doing anything for them.
Once a boy is 12 or so on the street, his chances of ever getting off
almost completely disappear. I knew that
I couldn’t come back to the States and leave them on the street when I had the
chance to help them. I forgot about
school because I realized I didn’t need another degree to do something good
with my life. So I left after 10 months
to fundraise and start paperwork for a nonprofit in the US. I officially opened the home in January of
2012 with 8 boys, but now we have 23.
Q: What is the biggest thing you learned about yourself through your adventures?
Amanda: I learned how completely helpless I am. I learned that I cannot rely on my own
strength because at the end of the day, I will screw it all up. I love the boys more than anything but I do
the wrong things, say the wrong things, alone I am not enough. I learned how to completely surrender
everything over to God and see miracles as a result.
Q: What is the one thing you’d like people to know about your work there?
Amanda: I want people to know that these boys are just kids, even
though they are older. Just because they
are not cute babies or the next big movement, doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a
second chance or help. There are so many
street kids all over the world but even though they are kids they have somehow
become invisible and expendable. I don’t
think it should be ok with any of us that there are children sleeping on the
streets alone, with empty stomachs, wondering if they will make it through
another night. These boys were robbed of
their childhood and suffered more than most people can ever dream. They had to raise themselves on the streets
and quickly learn to survive or else parish.
They have been hurt and disappointed so many times in their short lives,
but still they are willing to love. It
has taken a lot of time and patience to build relationships with these boys but
it has been worth the effort. I cannot
imagine doing anything else with my life. I feel like I am the lucky one to have them in
my life because life is so much better with them in it.
Q: What is your favorite thing about Africa (aside from the boys)?
Amanda: There are so many things that I love but one of the best is
people’s hospitality and helpfulness. If
you are lost on the street and ask someone for directions, it is not unusual
for the person to stop what they are doing and take you to the place you need
to be. Also to be super clichéd, I love
looking at the sky especially at night.
The starts are so bright and so many.
I can just look at it forever and marvel that God created something so
beautiful and placed each star in the sky, yet He loves me even more.
Q: Pick one thing that you think would make the world, as a whole, a better place:
Amanda: I think the world would be a better place if people cared
more about people than they do things.
If we cared that there were people suffering all over the world, even in
our neighborhood, and not about having the newest car or electronic gadget,
there would be less people suffering.
There are enough resources in this world to take care of everyone, but
we don’t like to share. If we did, the
world would look very different.
Author's note: All interview answers are left uneditted and are straight from the "horse's mouth" so to speak. It's absolutely amazing where our lives take us, no matter how we get there. I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did!
~Kim
If You're On The Back Burner...
It's time to light a fire under your ass.
I find myself putting everything before me. EVERYTHING.
Of course, there are somethings that I can't avoid, but putting myself close to the front of the line isn't my strong point.
With the hustle and bustle of daily life, sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. We forget that we have emotional, physical, and spiritual needs that have to be met. The biggest problem with that is by the time we realize we've ignored those things, it's very difficult to get them balanced again. Overwhelming, even.
It takes a lot of time and energy to focus on our own needs, which is usually depleted by focusing on the needs of those around us.
I can hear you saying, "I don't want to be selfish!" It's not about being selfish, it's about making sure you're the best person you can be for the people in your life.
It's okay to take some time away from your family once in a while. It's okay to be needy when it comes you emotional support. It's okay to have a spiritual check up. It's also okay to say "No" once in a while.
I have a problem with all of those things. I tend to over extend myself a lot. I know why I do it. I play Mom and Dad most of the time. I'm an involved parent. I'm also the wife of a man who, despite our issues, I love and want to support in everything he does. Unless I cannot function, my physical needs are not met, at all.
I'm not going to proclaim that I'm going to change all of those things, but I hope that I can give myself a break once in a while (and that you can too) now that this is out there in the universe.
The Invisible Man is invisible, not invincible.
~Kim
I find myself putting everything before me. EVERYTHING.
Of course, there are somethings that I can't avoid, but putting myself close to the front of the line isn't my strong point.
With the hustle and bustle of daily life, sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. We forget that we have emotional, physical, and spiritual needs that have to be met. The biggest problem with that is by the time we realize we've ignored those things, it's very difficult to get them balanced again. Overwhelming, even.
It takes a lot of time and energy to focus on our own needs, which is usually depleted by focusing on the needs of those around us.
I can hear you saying, "I don't want to be selfish!" It's not about being selfish, it's about making sure you're the best person you can be for the people in your life.
It's okay to take some time away from your family once in a while. It's okay to be needy when it comes you emotional support. It's okay to have a spiritual check up. It's also okay to say "No" once in a while.
I have a problem with all of those things. I tend to over extend myself a lot. I know why I do it. I play Mom and Dad most of the time. I'm an involved parent. I'm also the wife of a man who, despite our issues, I love and want to support in everything he does. Unless I cannot function, my physical needs are not met, at all.
I'm not going to proclaim that I'm going to change all of those things, but I hope that I can give myself a break once in a while (and that you can too) now that this is out there in the universe.
The Invisible Man is invisible, not invincible.
~Kim
Bullying is...
what you make of it. There's bullies raised by bullies. There's people who say mean things because that's what they hear at home. There's bullies who hit people because that's what they see at home.
There have been bullies since the beginning of time. What needs to change is how the victims of bullying deal with being bullied. Obviously, we can't expect our schools (in the case of children) or workplaces (yes, there are adult bullies too) to take care of them. Zero tolerance policies in schools are laughable, and quite frankly, adults should be able to handle themselves.
My son often comes home complaining of kids making fun of his last name. I always cheerfully explain to him he has a last name that can be funny and people will tease and joke about it the rest of his life. It's just a name, no big deal. He also has "friends" that say things to him that are mean spirited and when we talk about it, I always ask him, "Are you those things?"
His answer is usually no. Then we talk about how if somebody is trying to hurt you by saying things about you that you're not, you need to learn to just let it go. You know the truth and that's all there is to it.
So when someone says something about you, ask yourself, "Am I those things?" If the answer is no, then why do you care? If the answer is yes, then it's time for some introspection.
Most of all, (especially in the case of children) they need to talk about it. They need to talk to someone that they trust and someone who won't go nuts with the "I'm gonna beat someone" attitude.
Be proactive, not reactive. Learn how to deal with negativity, teach those around you how to deal with negativity. TALK TO EACH OTHER.
We're losing that in our society. No one wants to talk to each other, they'd rather talk AT each other. Learn how to listen.
There's something to "Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
~Kim
There have been bullies since the beginning of time. What needs to change is how the victims of bullying deal with being bullied. Obviously, we can't expect our schools (in the case of children) or workplaces (yes, there are adult bullies too) to take care of them. Zero tolerance policies in schools are laughable, and quite frankly, adults should be able to handle themselves.
My son often comes home complaining of kids making fun of his last name. I always cheerfully explain to him he has a last name that can be funny and people will tease and joke about it the rest of his life. It's just a name, no big deal. He also has "friends" that say things to him that are mean spirited and when we talk about it, I always ask him, "Are you those things?"
His answer is usually no. Then we talk about how if somebody is trying to hurt you by saying things about you that you're not, you need to learn to just let it go. You know the truth and that's all there is to it.
So when someone says something about you, ask yourself, "Am I those things?" If the answer is no, then why do you care? If the answer is yes, then it's time for some introspection.
Most of all, (especially in the case of children) they need to talk about it. They need to talk to someone that they trust and someone who won't go nuts with the "I'm gonna beat someone" attitude.
Be proactive, not reactive. Learn how to deal with negativity, teach those around you how to deal with negativity. TALK TO EACH OTHER.
We're losing that in our society. No one wants to talk to each other, they'd rather talk AT each other. Learn how to listen.
There's something to "Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me."
~Kim
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Life is a highway...
filled with prioritizing.
Everyone's priorities are different. There's one priority that should top everyone's list: Being Happy. People tend to forget that one. It gets lost in things such as; money, relationships, or stuff.
Most people feel that in order to achieve the goal of being happy they need money, relationships and stuff. I'm in that category too.
Even though I consciously know that those things don't make me happy, I still strive for those things.
There are so many things we "have" to do that the things we "want" to do get pushed to the back burner.
For example, I find my happiness in writing, but I have three busy children. It makes me happy when they're happy, but making them happy (and keeping them that way) is an exhausting process (and usually cuts into what I need to make myself happy). I spend most of my time frustrated because things didn't go the way I had planned and one (or all) of them are unhappy.
This makes me realize that my happiness CANNOT be dependent on someone else's, even if they're the loves of my life.
The other conundrum is: You cannot make other people happy if you're not happy.
It's true.
Making other people happy might work for a short high, but eventually you're left with yourself.
There are ways to your own happiness, but no one can tell you what they are. Soul searching is the only way.
If your number one priority is your happiness, all of the other priorities in your life will fall into place.
Every cloud has a silver lining, just remember that silver is the best conductor of electricity; results may be shocking!
~Kim
Everyone's priorities are different. There's one priority that should top everyone's list: Being Happy. People tend to forget that one. It gets lost in things such as; money, relationships, or stuff.
Most people feel that in order to achieve the goal of being happy they need money, relationships and stuff. I'm in that category too.
Even though I consciously know that those things don't make me happy, I still strive for those things.
There are so many things we "have" to do that the things we "want" to do get pushed to the back burner.
For example, I find my happiness in writing, but I have three busy children. It makes me happy when they're happy, but making them happy (and keeping them that way) is an exhausting process (and usually cuts into what I need to make myself happy). I spend most of my time frustrated because things didn't go the way I had planned and one (or all) of them are unhappy.
This makes me realize that my happiness CANNOT be dependent on someone else's, even if they're the loves of my life.
The other conundrum is: You cannot make other people happy if you're not happy.
It's true.
Making other people happy might work for a short high, but eventually you're left with yourself.
There are ways to your own happiness, but no one can tell you what they are. Soul searching is the only way.
If your number one priority is your happiness, all of the other priorities in your life will fall into place.
Every cloud has a silver lining, just remember that silver is the best conductor of electricity; results may be shocking!
~Kim
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
A Letter To....
The woman called "Cheryl" who plans to accost small children whom she opines to be "moderately obese."
I suppose you have a right to celebrate Halloween anyway you see fit.
What I fail to see in your "plan" of giving whom you deem "moderately" obese a letter instead of candy is going to do other than completely shatter the self-esteem of an unassuming child. Regardless of stature, children want to be accepted and fit in with the peers who, all different shapes and sizes, will all be out trick or treating.
I mean, are you going to be standing out there with a BMI measuring device to devise who is your idea of moderately obese? What if their stature is due to a medical condition and this is one of the only nights of the year they can get out of the house and not be stared at by other people? What if they only food they get comes from a food bank or donations? What if this is the only day their parents take them out of the house and they live a miserable life stuck inside?
You seem to be forgetting that not all children are over weight due to circumstances their parents, or they, can control. For you to make the assumption that a child is your idea of overweight because they have lazy parents or are lazy children is not only asinine, but hurtful as well! You could very well be creating an eating disorder in several children as you shoot down their self esteem with words of hate.
SHAME ON YOU!
~Kim
I suppose you have a right to celebrate Halloween anyway you see fit.
What I fail to see in your "plan" of giving whom you deem "moderately" obese a letter instead of candy is going to do other than completely shatter the self-esteem of an unassuming child. Regardless of stature, children want to be accepted and fit in with the peers who, all different shapes and sizes, will all be out trick or treating.
I mean, are you going to be standing out there with a BMI measuring device to devise who is your idea of moderately obese? What if their stature is due to a medical condition and this is one of the only nights of the year they can get out of the house and not be stared at by other people? What if they only food they get comes from a food bank or donations? What if this is the only day their parents take them out of the house and they live a miserable life stuck inside?
You seem to be forgetting that not all children are over weight due to circumstances their parents, or they, can control. For you to make the assumption that a child is your idea of overweight because they have lazy parents or are lazy children is not only asinine, but hurtful as well! You could very well be creating an eating disorder in several children as you shoot down their self esteem with words of hate.
SHAME ON YOU!
~Kim
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
If You're Disrespectful And You Know It...
Read this post.
It's amazing. The mean words I see traveling through cyber space amazes me. It's so easy to be mean and nasty if you aren't looking someone in the eye. It's creating a society that's plain old nasty.
I'm all for being truthful and speaking your mind, but there is something to be said for censoring yourself.
The big problem with this is that it is teaching our future world leaders it's ok to be disrespectful, as long as you don't have to look someone in the eye.
One of my favorite movie quotes is from Lethal Weapon 2. "So you're a telephone tough guy?" That's what we are turning into, telephone tough guys.
There have always been mean people in the world. It just seems now, everyone thinks it's ok to be mean.
It's not.
I'm guilty of it too. Absolutely. I post things on Facebook I would not say to someone if I were face-to-face with them. I try not to, but sometimes, I do. I usually feel guilty later, but it's out there. Not to mention, it's out there forever.
Think before you type/text/speak.
~Kim
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Dear parents...
of only children,
I appreciate the fact that you are a parent, but I have no sympathy for your complaints of the day to day difficulties you have (unless of course it's something serious then I do). I have three children. I have to divide my time and attention between three kids EVERYDAY. I have to make sure they ALL know that I love each one of them equally. I have to ensure the safety (both mental and physical) of them all. I have to address three different types of personalities and all of their individual issues that go along with them. Their ages vary, so every explanation that I have to give for every major event in life has to be catered to their level of understanding. And of course, one of them has special needs, so dealing with that along with the day to day needs of his siblings is a challenge.
So pardon me if your feelings of woe aren't met with the type of vigor you were expecting. I'm probably too busy thinking of how I can help all three of my kids grow into loving, caring human beings without screwing them up too badly (or one of them is interrupting our conversation).
Don't get me wrong, not all parents of only children are complainers, as a matter of fact I know several who are wonderful parents that do give their undivided attention to their child without the facade that it's a job, or even so much as a "look at me!" I'm talking to the ones who talk about how much work parenting is, but can't turn off the video games, computer, or phone long enough to actually deal with their child, and then wonder why their child is the way they are.
Take your problems, multiply them by three, then talk to me.
~Kim
I appreciate the fact that you are a parent, but I have no sympathy for your complaints of the day to day difficulties you have (unless of course it's something serious then I do). I have three children. I have to divide my time and attention between three kids EVERYDAY. I have to make sure they ALL know that I love each one of them equally. I have to ensure the safety (both mental and physical) of them all. I have to address three different types of personalities and all of their individual issues that go along with them. Their ages vary, so every explanation that I have to give for every major event in life has to be catered to their level of understanding. And of course, one of them has special needs, so dealing with that along with the day to day needs of his siblings is a challenge.
So pardon me if your feelings of woe aren't met with the type of vigor you were expecting. I'm probably too busy thinking of how I can help all three of my kids grow into loving, caring human beings without screwing them up too badly (or one of them is interrupting our conversation).
Don't get me wrong, not all parents of only children are complainers, as a matter of fact I know several who are wonderful parents that do give their undivided attention to their child without the facade that it's a job, or even so much as a "look at me!" I'm talking to the ones who talk about how much work parenting is, but can't turn off the video games, computer, or phone long enough to actually deal with their child, and then wonder why their child is the way they are.
Take your problems, multiply them by three, then talk to me.
~Kim
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Your call...
cannot be completed as dialed, please try again.
That's how my brain feels today. We're getting back into my busy season. Between wrapping up the school year with the kids, starting little league season, my new job, and my other commitments, my brain has decided to disconnect itself from my body.
Yeah, I feel really disconnected, unmotivated, and distant. I'm in an area in my life where something's got to change, the problem being that I don't know what that "something" is.
All the sadness in the world is really weighing on me. Although none of it has affected me directly, it still affects me.
I'm going to be 40 next year. That's a big number (all the "0" years are). A milestone birthday. I'd like to be happier on my 40th birthday than I am right now. I want to feel good about life again. I want to view the world with my 20 year old eyes again, anything and everything is possible.
I've got to let go of the past, change the present, and charge into the future with the same ferocity I had in my younger years. I still have the imagination and the eternal optimism I've always had (sometimes it drives people nuts), I just need to start utilizing it again.
I'm tired of being angry all the time. Letting other people steal my happiness is no longer an option. The big difference is, any decision I make also affects 3 other people (sometimes 4 if you count my husband). Fear of failure is HUGE.
If you've met me, you know that I come off as a confident woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to do what she needs to do to make it happen. If you know me beyond just a few meetings, you know that's bullshit. Don't get me wrong, I can be a tough bitch, but there's SO much more to me than meets the eye.
So, here I am...at a crossroads...and my car seems to be running on empty.
~Kim
That's how my brain feels today. We're getting back into my busy season. Between wrapping up the school year with the kids, starting little league season, my new job, and my other commitments, my brain has decided to disconnect itself from my body.
Yeah, I feel really disconnected, unmotivated, and distant. I'm in an area in my life where something's got to change, the problem being that I don't know what that "something" is.
All the sadness in the world is really weighing on me. Although none of it has affected me directly, it still affects me.
I'm going to be 40 next year. That's a big number (all the "0" years are). A milestone birthday. I'd like to be happier on my 40th birthday than I am right now. I want to feel good about life again. I want to view the world with my 20 year old eyes again, anything and everything is possible.
I've got to let go of the past, change the present, and charge into the future with the same ferocity I had in my younger years. I still have the imagination and the eternal optimism I've always had (sometimes it drives people nuts), I just need to start utilizing it again.
I'm tired of being angry all the time. Letting other people steal my happiness is no longer an option. The big difference is, any decision I make also affects 3 other people (sometimes 4 if you count my husband). Fear of failure is HUGE.
If you've met me, you know that I come off as a confident woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to do what she needs to do to make it happen. If you know me beyond just a few meetings, you know that's bullshit. Don't get me wrong, I can be a tough bitch, but there's SO much more to me than meets the eye.
So, here I am...at a crossroads...and my car seems to be running on empty.
~Kim
Monday, April 15, 2013
What kind of world...
are we living in?
30 years ago, when I was a small child, you didn't worry about being killed at school, but today, I spent the day holding my breath, hoping that nothing would happen while my kids were at school.
Then, while I was driving to pick them up, 2 explosions went off near the finish-line of the Boston Marathon. Last I've read, there were 3 dead and hundreds injured.
Both of these things occurred on the day North Korea had threatened a nuclear attack on either Japan or the US.
Despite all of this, I'm not scared. I'm angry. Angry that there are so many people out there with no other goal in their small lives than to hurt or kill as many people as possible. Angry that there are people out there who take pleasure in instilling fear on innocent people. Angry that I have to have conversations about people killing children with my own young children.
Between the theater in Colorado, the college campus in in Texas, the elementary school in Massachusetts, and the marathon in Boston, we wonder if we can be safe anywhere.
There needs to be some MASSIVE overhauling of our mental health system. As a society, we need to remove the stigmas attached to mental disorders and get these people some help. Doctors shouldn't have to FEAR admitting patients who exhibit mental issues. Parents shouldn't have to FEAR asking a doctor for help when they see signs of mental illness.
Shit happens. It happens everyday. Why is it okay for someone to seek cancer treatment so they can live a long healthy life, but not for someone who exhibits signs of mental illness (or their family members for them) to seek the same kind of healthy life? They didn't ask to have the
illness thrust upon them, just as people with horrible physical illnesses didn't ask either.
I'm not saying "commit them all and throw away the key" by any means. I'm saying "GET THEM HELP!" Getting these folks help could prevent so many tragedies. Not just the massive killings, but the suicides, the single homicides, a WHOLE plethora of terrible incidents.
I'm also a proponent of "an eye for an eye" when it comes to terrorism. I know people always scream "violence only begets violence," and I agree, but I also think, "You've got to speak the same language to resolve a problem."
The status quo isn't working. Looking out for just ourselves isn't working. Look out for your neighbor. Look out for your neighbor's neighbor. Look out for your neighbor's neighbor's neighbor.
Don't live in fear of anything, especially change!
~Kim
30 years ago, when I was a small child, you didn't worry about being killed at school, but today, I spent the day holding my breath, hoping that nothing would happen while my kids were at school.
Then, while I was driving to pick them up, 2 explosions went off near the finish-line of the Boston Marathon. Last I've read, there were 3 dead and hundreds injured.
Both of these things occurred on the day North Korea had threatened a nuclear attack on either Japan or the US.
Despite all of this, I'm not scared. I'm angry. Angry that there are so many people out there with no other goal in their small lives than to hurt or kill as many people as possible. Angry that there are people out there who take pleasure in instilling fear on innocent people. Angry that I have to have conversations about people killing children with my own young children.
Between the theater in Colorado, the college campus in in Texas, the elementary school in Massachusetts, and the marathon in Boston, we wonder if we can be safe anywhere.
There needs to be some MASSIVE overhauling of our mental health system. As a society, we need to remove the stigmas attached to mental disorders and get these people some help. Doctors shouldn't have to FEAR admitting patients who exhibit mental issues. Parents shouldn't have to FEAR asking a doctor for help when they see signs of mental illness.
Shit happens. It happens everyday. Why is it okay for someone to seek cancer treatment so they can live a long healthy life, but not for someone who exhibits signs of mental illness (or their family members for them) to seek the same kind of healthy life? They didn't ask to have the
illness thrust upon them, just as people with horrible physical illnesses didn't ask either.
I'm not saying "commit them all and throw away the key" by any means. I'm saying "GET THEM HELP!" Getting these folks help could prevent so many tragedies. Not just the massive killings, but the suicides, the single homicides, a WHOLE plethora of terrible incidents.
I'm also a proponent of "an eye for an eye" when it comes to terrorism. I know people always scream "violence only begets violence," and I agree, but I also think, "You've got to speak the same language to resolve a problem."
The status quo isn't working. Looking out for just ourselves isn't working. Look out for your neighbor. Look out for your neighbor's neighbor. Look out for your neighbor's neighbor's neighbor.
Don't live in fear of anything, especially change!
~Kim
My brain...
Is constantly going.
Between personal issues, world issues, family issues, and relationship issues, my mind is always going. The problem with my mind going is that my mouth tends to go too.
I'm a talker. I speak my mind. While I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I think everyone is entitled to my opinion too. I have absolutely no problem telling someone when I think they're being ridiculous (or stupid or an idiot or wrong).
Trying to find out if that affects my relationship with people is difficult as well. I'm definitely a "what you see is what you get" kind of person. The problem with that is I live in a world that operates like a high school.
My mom always told me, "High school is nothing like the real world."
Well, Mom, you were wrong.
It's exactly like high school. There's drama, I still have to sit in one place for long periods of time, and I still have to answer to someone in "higher authority." There are still cliques of people who hang out together and exclude people, talk about people behind their backs, and turn around to that person and talk like nothing was wrong.
It's human nature, it is what it is.
It's time to talk about it. It's time to be real. If everyone was genuine, the world would change. If everyone would stop worrying about what they have, or what they don't have, the world would change. If people would start talking to each, instead of ignoring important things and pretending they don't exist, the world would change.
How do you plan to change the world?
~Kim
Between personal issues, world issues, family issues, and relationship issues, my mind is always going. The problem with my mind going is that my mouth tends to go too.
I'm a talker. I speak my mind. While I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I think everyone is entitled to my opinion too. I have absolutely no problem telling someone when I think they're being ridiculous (or stupid or an idiot or wrong).
Trying to find out if that affects my relationship with people is difficult as well. I'm definitely a "what you see is what you get" kind of person. The problem with that is I live in a world that operates like a high school.
My mom always told me, "High school is nothing like the real world."
Well, Mom, you were wrong.
It's exactly like high school. There's drama, I still have to sit in one place for long periods of time, and I still have to answer to someone in "higher authority." There are still cliques of people who hang out together and exclude people, talk about people behind their backs, and turn around to that person and talk like nothing was wrong.
It's human nature, it is what it is.
It's time to talk about it. It's time to be real. If everyone was genuine, the world would change. If everyone would stop worrying about what they have, or what they don't have, the world would change. If people would start talking to each, instead of ignoring important things and pretending they don't exist, the world would change.
How do you plan to change the world?
~Kim
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Yeah I know...
I blew my New Years resolution out of the water. In my defense, I do this for free, I do it for pleasure, and I do it in my free time. There wasn't a lot of free time over the last couple of weeks where I had something to write about.
"Really?" you might say. Yep. Unless you wanted to hear me whine about barf, fevers, and the flu, I promise, you didn't miss much!
I have been so damn tired from all the sick kids in my house, it takes me 5 minutes just to figure out where the hell I am most of the time.
I figured you got enough coverage of the "Manti Te'o Scandal" to hold you over until I had something brilliant to say.
My brilliance for today. Does anyone really give a flying fuck about whether or not Beyoncé lip-synced (synced? sank? sunk? whatever) the National Anthem? Does it matter? Will millions of puppies and kittens die if she didn't sing the song live? Uh. NO!
Do I have a problem with sex-offenders being able to go incognito on social media websites? ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY!
That's like putting a skilled deer hunter in the middle of a deer refuge with a loaded gun.
Neither scenario is going to end well.
Common sense government? We don't have that here. Now I'm well aware there are different types of sex offenders. There's the 19 year old kid that stuck his wanker into a 16 year old girl and her daddy got pissed and called the cops. I also know that they rate each sex offender differently. Regardless, There's NO WAY IN HELL sex offenders should be allowed to have accounts on social media. Not even if they were required (HAHA) to have a "sex offender" tag on their accounts.
I cannot POSSIBLY understand how the hell that is unconstitutional; not letting sex offenders have social media accounts. Quite frankly, I don't think they should be allowed to use the internet, but the regulation of that is near impossible, since the government has a hard enough time getting them to keep up with their current address registry.
You can microchip a dog or a cat, but you can't microchip a criminal? Seriously? Oh right, because they earned a FREE college degree (that any other upstanding citizen has to pay through the nose for) they're changed people.
BULL SHIT!
Well, I guess I did have something to say (maybe it's not brilliant, but it is what it is).
~Kim
"Really?" you might say. Yep. Unless you wanted to hear me whine about barf, fevers, and the flu, I promise, you didn't miss much!
I have been so damn tired from all the sick kids in my house, it takes me 5 minutes just to figure out where the hell I am most of the time.
I figured you got enough coverage of the "Manti Te'o Scandal" to hold you over until I had something brilliant to say.
My brilliance for today. Does anyone really give a flying fuck about whether or not Beyoncé lip-synced (synced? sank? sunk? whatever) the National Anthem? Does it matter? Will millions of puppies and kittens die if she didn't sing the song live? Uh. NO!
Do I have a problem with sex-offenders being able to go incognito on social media websites? ABSOFUCKINGLUTELY!
That's like putting a skilled deer hunter in the middle of a deer refuge with a loaded gun.
Neither scenario is going to end well.
Common sense government? We don't have that here. Now I'm well aware there are different types of sex offenders. There's the 19 year old kid that stuck his wanker into a 16 year old girl and her daddy got pissed and called the cops. I also know that they rate each sex offender differently. Regardless, There's NO WAY IN HELL sex offenders should be allowed to have accounts on social media. Not even if they were required (HAHA) to have a "sex offender" tag on their accounts.
I cannot POSSIBLY understand how the hell that is unconstitutional; not letting sex offenders have social media accounts. Quite frankly, I don't think they should be allowed to use the internet, but the regulation of that is near impossible, since the government has a hard enough time getting them to keep up with their current address registry.
You can microchip a dog or a cat, but you can't microchip a criminal? Seriously? Oh right, because they earned a FREE college degree (that any other upstanding citizen has to pay through the nose for) they're changed people.
BULL SHIT!
Well, I guess I did have something to say (maybe it's not brilliant, but it is what it is).
~Kim
Monday, January 14, 2013
Dear Gun Carrying Friends...
I appreciate that you value the right to bear arms...I really do..
But holy shit, does it have to be "no more gun laws" all the time? I'm all for keeping guns if you feel safe. I really am.
I grew up around guns. My dad was a cop and a hunter. I got my first BB gun at 8, and got gun safety education, learned how to use them, and learned to stay away from them unless I had adult supervision.
I saw first hand what a gun could do. It scared the hell out of me, but I respected it.
I also understand, gun laws don't take illegal guns off the street.
That being said...I don't think if you have a mental illness, you should be allowed to own a gun. I also don't believe if you have someone living with you that has a mental illness, you should be allowed to own a gun. (Yeah I hear you screaming about keeping guns locked up but seriously?)
It is definitely people killing people. Guns only kill something if someone pulls the trigger (or in some cases some idiot leaves the safety off in their purse and some random object trips the trigger).
Shot happens. Load responsibly.
~Kim
But holy shit, does it have to be "no more gun laws" all the time? I'm all for keeping guns if you feel safe. I really am.
I grew up around guns. My dad was a cop and a hunter. I got my first BB gun at 8, and got gun safety education, learned how to use them, and learned to stay away from them unless I had adult supervision.
I saw first hand what a gun could do. It scared the hell out of me, but I respected it.
I also understand, gun laws don't take illegal guns off the street.
That being said...I don't think if you have a mental illness, you should be allowed to own a gun. I also don't believe if you have someone living with you that has a mental illness, you should be allowed to own a gun. (Yeah I hear you screaming about keeping guns locked up but seriously?)
It is definitely people killing people. Guns only kill something if someone pulls the trigger (or in some cases some idiot leaves the safety off in their purse and some random object trips the trigger).
Shot happens. Load responsibly.
~Kim
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Children are gifts...
or are they a cosmic practical joke?
I love my kids. I can prove I love my kids because they are still walking around this planet.
There are days where I shake my head in wonderment as I try to decipher where they came from.
They day they are born, you learn a love like you could never imagine before that moment in time. They then start walking and talking and you wonder why nobody warned you what was coming.
You have to remind yourself kids are kids. They're going to do weird things, they're going to eat weird things, they're going to say weird things, and then they're going to do things like you do. That's when you scratch your head going "do I REALLY do shit like that?" Then you realize, you do.
Suddenly,you realize all those times your mother said "I hope you have a child just like you" has come true and in some cases, many times over.
What you don't realize is that your spouse had the same conversation with his/her mother. So not only do you get children exactly like you, you get them exactly like him/her too.
Double whammy. When you come to this realization is when you find your addiction in life. For some it's booze, for some it's books, or painting, or running away from home, or the computer...the list goes on and on.
Don't shake your head like you don't have one. You do, you just haven't realized it yet.
It's ok. It's how you get through the multiple stages of their lives and come out on the other side still alive.
Keep finding ingenious ways to keep your sanity!
~Kim
I love my kids. I can prove I love my kids because they are still walking around this planet.
There are days where I shake my head in wonderment as I try to decipher where they came from.
They day they are born, you learn a love like you could never imagine before that moment in time. They then start walking and talking and you wonder why nobody warned you what was coming.
You have to remind yourself kids are kids. They're going to do weird things, they're going to eat weird things, they're going to say weird things, and then they're going to do things like you do. That's when you scratch your head going "do I REALLY do shit like that?" Then you realize, you do.
Suddenly,you realize all those times your mother said "I hope you have a child just like you" has come true and in some cases, many times over.
What you don't realize is that your spouse had the same conversation with his/her mother. So not only do you get children exactly like you, you get them exactly like him/her too.
Double whammy. When you come to this realization is when you find your addiction in life. For some it's booze, for some it's books, or painting, or running away from home, or the computer...the list goes on and on.
Don't shake your head like you don't have one. You do, you just haven't realized it yet.
It's ok. It's how you get through the multiple stages of their lives and come out on the other side still alive.
Keep finding ingenious ways to keep your sanity!
~Kim
Friday, January 11, 2013
Ignorance is..
not bliss...
I can't STAND morons who get on their soap box and bitch and complain about something and do absolutely nothing to change it.
They usually try to sound intelligent by using big words (usually incorrectly) and talk in circles, trying to cast the light somewhere else other than right on their ignorance.
How is it possible to complain about something, but not act to change it (Unlike me complaining about people's ignorance and being unable to change it other than having fun making them look more ignorant in public)?
You CANNOT say "You're doing it wrong," with out showing someone how to do it correctly (unless of course you don't know how to do it correctly and think that bitching about it will disguise this fact).
Put up or shut up is my theory on the subject. Don't think the louder you talk in circles the more people will back you. It's usually quite the opposite. They'll start talking louder about you behind your back.
If you don't like something and can't change it, please shut the fuck up and move on. I mean seriously, what do you hope to accomplish?
Don't try and impress me with your knowledge of what's wrong, impress me with your knowledge of how to do something better!
Oh, and make sure you know who you're talking to when you put something out there in public. You're likely to piss a lot of people off by thoughtless comments and rude insinuations.
Again, put up or shut up!
~Kim
I can't STAND morons who get on their soap box and bitch and complain about something and do absolutely nothing to change it.
They usually try to sound intelligent by using big words (usually incorrectly) and talk in circles, trying to cast the light somewhere else other than right on their ignorance.
How is it possible to complain about something, but not act to change it (Unlike me complaining about people's ignorance and being unable to change it other than having fun making them look more ignorant in public)?
You CANNOT say "You're doing it wrong," with out showing someone how to do it correctly (unless of course you don't know how to do it correctly and think that bitching about it will disguise this fact).
Put up or shut up is my theory on the subject. Don't think the louder you talk in circles the more people will back you. It's usually quite the opposite. They'll start talking louder about you behind your back.
If you don't like something and can't change it, please shut the fuck up and move on. I mean seriously, what do you hope to accomplish?
Don't try and impress me with your knowledge of what's wrong, impress me with your knowledge of how to do something better!
Oh, and make sure you know who you're talking to when you put something out there in public. You're likely to piss a lot of people off by thoughtless comments and rude insinuations.
Again, put up or shut up!
~Kim
Thursday, January 10, 2013
I think I can...
I think I can...Damn, I hope I can!
I'm starting to see a little more traffic to my blog (thank you!). I'm getting really excited. I love to write and have been told I have a unique outlook on life.
I really hope this translates here. I hope one visit turns into "Let's see what the crazy bat has to say today" or "I am SO glad I'm not the only one who thinks that way!"
Hopefully, you'll find something that resonates with you, or makes you think of a friend. If not, then just read for the craziness.
I am, however, getting nervous (yeah the loud mouth does that sometimes). I hope I can live up to my own expectations (and yours because if I don't live up to yours I'm writing just for me and that's boring).
If you don't want to follow the blog directly, I link all of my posts on Mordant Matriarch on Facebook as well as Google+.
Welcome to the Matriarch's world.
~Kim
I'm starting to see a little more traffic to my blog (thank you!). I'm getting really excited. I love to write and have been told I have a unique outlook on life.
I really hope this translates here. I hope one visit turns into "Let's see what the crazy bat has to say today" or "I am SO glad I'm not the only one who thinks that way!"
Hopefully, you'll find something that resonates with you, or makes you think of a friend. If not, then just read for the craziness.
I am, however, getting nervous (yeah the loud mouth does that sometimes). I hope I can live up to my own expectations (and yours because if I don't live up to yours I'm writing just for me and that's boring).
If you don't want to follow the blog directly, I link all of my posts on Mordant Matriarch on Facebook as well as Google+.
Welcome to the Matriarch's world.
~Kim
Sleep deprivation...
sleep deprivaaaaaa-aa-aa-aation...is making me craaaaaaanky.
Yes yes it is.
I am a lot of things. A morning person is NOT one of them. I'm stuck in perpetual night owl mode.
You know the 10 year old that wants to stay up all night, only to find out in the morning that it wasn't a good plan? That would be me.
My kids have made being a morning person a necessity. UGH! It's not fair!
I've tried to take a nap after I get everyone off to school, but that just doesn't work. It's like trying to make a 5 year old go to bed at 8 o'clock during daylight savings time. It ain't gonna happen!
So I live in a state of perpetual exhaustion. I am SO tired all the time.
I know I'm not the only one going through this, but it doesn't matter because, quite frankly, I'm the only one I care about going through this.
And it's not even fun staying up late anymore. I'm not going to bars and partying until the wee hours. Nope, I'm sitting on the couch or in front of the computer watching TV or playing around on Facebook (the only fun thing I do is mess around with my blog and it is SO fun).
I mean if I was out showing my boobs for beads, I might be ok with being a night person. No one wants to see my boobs anymore...they might throw me a towel and say "cover that up!"
Gravity is not my friend and neither is the Sandman.
Curse you cruel world!
~Kim
Yes yes it is.
I am a lot of things. A morning person is NOT one of them. I'm stuck in perpetual night owl mode.
You know the 10 year old that wants to stay up all night, only to find out in the morning that it wasn't a good plan? That would be me.
My kids have made being a morning person a necessity. UGH! It's not fair!
I've tried to take a nap after I get everyone off to school, but that just doesn't work. It's like trying to make a 5 year old go to bed at 8 o'clock during daylight savings time. It ain't gonna happen!
So I live in a state of perpetual exhaustion. I am SO tired all the time.
I know I'm not the only one going through this, but it doesn't matter because, quite frankly, I'm the only one I care about going through this.
And it's not even fun staying up late anymore. I'm not going to bars and partying until the wee hours. Nope, I'm sitting on the couch or in front of the computer watching TV or playing around on Facebook (the only fun thing I do is mess around with my blog and it is SO fun).
I mean if I was out showing my boobs for beads, I might be ok with being a night person. No one wants to see my boobs anymore...they might throw me a towel and say "cover that up!"
Gravity is not my friend and neither is the Sandman.
Curse you cruel world!
~Kim
Wednesday, January 9, 2013
Hook me up...
with the coupon sites!
Following is a list of coupon sites. Most of the time you can print out 2 coupons per device (ie I have 4 computers there for if I choose I can print out 8 of each coupon). Also included in the list below, I have included some of my favorite blogs and websites that show deals, scenarios, and coupons almost as soon as they pop up.
Coupon Sites:
Coupons.com - great every day coupons
SmartSource Coupons - more great everyday coupons
RedPlum Coupons - more great everyday coupons
CouponNetwork (aka Catalina) - coupons and deals
Money Saving Blogs/Websites:
Freebies 4 Mom - Great site to find free samples and daily sweepstakes (sweeps)
Coupon Divas - Find store/sale/coupon match ups
Money Saving Madness - Great site for deals, coupon alerts, and other money saving tips
Common Sense With Money - Another great site for deals, coupon alerts, and other money saving tips
Happy Saving!
~ Kim
Following is a list of coupon sites. Most of the time you can print out 2 coupons per device (ie I have 4 computers there for if I choose I can print out 8 of each coupon). Also included in the list below, I have included some of my favorite blogs and websites that show deals, scenarios, and coupons almost as soon as they pop up.
Coupon Sites:
Coupons.com - great every day coupons
SmartSource Coupons - more great everyday coupons
RedPlum Coupons - more great everyday coupons
CouponNetwork (aka Catalina) - coupons and deals
Money Saving Blogs/Websites:
Freebies 4 Mom - Great site to find free samples and daily sweepstakes (sweeps)
Coupon Divas - Find store/sale/coupon match ups
Money Saving Madness - Great site for deals, coupon alerts, and other money saving tips
Common Sense With Money - Another great site for deals, coupon alerts, and other money saving tips
Happy Saving!
~ Kim
Better to be a smart ass...
than a dumb ass....Right?
This coming from me is only slightly ironic. Considering I'm a HUGE smart ass.
I'm an adult. I know when it's acceptable to be a smart ass and when I need to curb my enthusiasm, so to speak (usually that's when I shoot a text to a friend saying what I'm thinking).
Kids these days are learning the art much too young. My own kids are guilty (go figure huh?). The difference is, I try (yes try because I'm not always successful) to teach them when sarcasm is appropriate. Sometimes that means a monotone voice saying "What you just said is inappropriate and I will deal with it when you get home. So you better just stop talking before you get into more trouble" through clenched teeth and a smile so the surrounding parties don't realize that my kid is lucky they didn't get a slap upside the head.
The problem I have is that I cannot control other people's children. Now before you start getting all "I NEVER let my kids talk like that" on me, think for a minute. I may NOT be referring to you, but odds are if you're thinking that, your kids do that and you just don't want to admit it.
I remember before I had kids I always looked at parents in different situations and thought "Oh I'll NEVER let my kids do that" or "My kids won't act like THAT in public."
Then I had kids.
First lesson learned, kids are going to do what they're going to do. You have limited control over how your kids behave. They're kids. It's how they learn.
I've been the parent that people looked at and thought "I can't believe she just snatched that child by their arm like that!" What they don't realize is that 15 aisles ago, he knocked every single fucking can off of a shelf and I had to spend 10 minutes picking it up and the things he's touching this time are glass.
My daughter has a screaming problem. She screams about EVERYTHING. Good, bad, traumatic, E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!
There's nothing I can do to stop her. I've tried every thing. Shock tactics, sending her to her room, grounding, slap upside the head, it's just not happening. I've started to remind her every time she opens her mouth that we are in the same room and there is NO need to yell. It stops her 1 out of 10 times. Maybe.
Buying earplugs. New, not used please.
~Kim
This coming from me is only slightly ironic. Considering I'm a HUGE smart ass.
I'm an adult. I know when it's acceptable to be a smart ass and when I need to curb my enthusiasm, so to speak (usually that's when I shoot a text to a friend saying what I'm thinking).
Kids these days are learning the art much too young. My own kids are guilty (go figure huh?). The difference is, I try (yes try because I'm not always successful) to teach them when sarcasm is appropriate. Sometimes that means a monotone voice saying "What you just said is inappropriate and I will deal with it when you get home. So you better just stop talking before you get into more trouble" through clenched teeth and a smile so the surrounding parties don't realize that my kid is lucky they didn't get a slap upside the head.
The problem I have is that I cannot control other people's children. Now before you start getting all "I NEVER let my kids talk like that" on me, think for a minute. I may NOT be referring to you, but odds are if you're thinking that, your kids do that and you just don't want to admit it.
I remember before I had kids I always looked at parents in different situations and thought "Oh I'll NEVER let my kids do that" or "My kids won't act like THAT in public."
Then I had kids.
First lesson learned, kids are going to do what they're going to do. You have limited control over how your kids behave. They're kids. It's how they learn.
I've been the parent that people looked at and thought "I can't believe she just snatched that child by their arm like that!" What they don't realize is that 15 aisles ago, he knocked every single fucking can off of a shelf and I had to spend 10 minutes picking it up and the things he's touching this time are glass.
My daughter has a screaming problem. She screams about EVERYTHING. Good, bad, traumatic, E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G!
There's nothing I can do to stop her. I've tried every thing. Shock tactics, sending her to her room, grounding, slap upside the head, it's just not happening. I've started to remind her every time she opens her mouth that we are in the same room and there is NO need to yell. It stops her 1 out of 10 times. Maybe.
Buying earplugs. New, not used please.
~Kim
So ya wanna clip coupons...
well here we go!
There are LOTS of ways to come across coupons. Before you delve in, think about some things first.
How much time are you planning on putting in every day. (Yup, I said every day because new coupons become available daily and most have print limits so you don't want to miss out) You can put in anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours a day. You're going to get out of it what you put into it.
If you want to be an Extreme Couponer, just walk away, this isn't for you. I will NOT teach you how to hoard (hilariously I typed horde, anyone who plays World of Warcraft will get that) thousands of items that your family will never use, but you bought just because they were free.
Ok, that little disclaimer out of the way...Let's get down to brass tacks.
So you have your organization system planned out, but it sits there empty. How do I fill it up, you ask?
Well, let me tell you! (I'm really good at bossing people around so you should listen to me!)
First, you want to get all the coupon policies for the stores you plan on shopping at. (I'll make a separate post with a bunch of store links to their coupon policies so you can find them easily) Print them out and keep them with your coupons, so if you run into issues at the register you have them handy to resolve any problems.
Now, it's time to start looking for coupons. There are sites and sites that have coupons. Manufacturer sites usually have coupons, free samples you receive by mail usually have BIG coupons, the Sunday paper and there are at least 3 coupon sites where you can get coupons. (Those links will be in the post as well)
There are a bazillion sites out there that will tell you how to get coupons, what sales they match up with, and when you should use them. There are stores that double coupons, there are stores that let you stack coupons, and there are rewards from stores you can use to get free stuff.
For example, Target does not double coupons, BUT they have store coupons that you can use in conjunction with manufacturer coupons AND they often offer gift cards with certain items purchased. So technically, you could use a manufacturer coupon and a Target coupon on a sale item with a gift card and get the item with an overage (as in you actually come out ahead on the transaction).
More to follow! Don't get overwhelmed, it's worth it in the end!
~Kim
There are LOTS of ways to come across coupons. Before you delve in, think about some things first.
How much time are you planning on putting in every day. (Yup, I said every day because new coupons become available daily and most have print limits so you don't want to miss out) You can put in anywhere from 15 minutes to 3 hours a day. You're going to get out of it what you put into it.
If you want to be an Extreme Couponer, just walk away, this isn't for you. I will NOT teach you how to hoard (hilariously I typed horde, anyone who plays World of Warcraft will get that) thousands of items that your family will never use, but you bought just because they were free.
Ok, that little disclaimer out of the way...Let's get down to brass tacks.
So you have your organization system planned out, but it sits there empty. How do I fill it up, you ask?
Well, let me tell you! (I'm really good at bossing people around so you should listen to me!)
First, you want to get all the coupon policies for the stores you plan on shopping at. (I'll make a separate post with a bunch of store links to their coupon policies so you can find them easily) Print them out and keep them with your coupons, so if you run into issues at the register you have them handy to resolve any problems.
Now, it's time to start looking for coupons. There are sites and sites that have coupons. Manufacturer sites usually have coupons, free samples you receive by mail usually have BIG coupons, the Sunday paper and there are at least 3 coupon sites where you can get coupons. (Those links will be in the post as well)
There are a bazillion sites out there that will tell you how to get coupons, what sales they match up with, and when you should use them. There are stores that double coupons, there are stores that let you stack coupons, and there are rewards from stores you can use to get free stuff.
For example, Target does not double coupons, BUT they have store coupons that you can use in conjunction with manufacturer coupons AND they often offer gift cards with certain items purchased. So technically, you could use a manufacturer coupon and a Target coupon on a sale item with a gift card and get the item with an overage (as in you actually come out ahead on the transaction).
More to follow! Don't get overwhelmed, it's worth it in the end!
~Kim
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Save some cash...
in a way that fits you.
First thing you need to do is decide what kind of time you want to put into saving money. Take it from me, you'll start out all gung-ho, armed with fists full of coupons and a closet full of free samples. Eventually, you'll even out and find out what kind of saver you are.
First and foremost, once you decide you want to be a saver, make an alternate email account. You do not want to sort through Aunt Beckie's recipe for oatmeal cookies PLUS all of the email you'll be getting with money saving deals in them, it's just not practical.
Second, you'll need to find a way to organize your coupons. There are several different ways to do this. You'll need to find the one that works for you. Putting them in a pile doesn't work, I've tried that.
My organizational skills suck. No, really, they do. I found myself wandering isles of grocery stores cutting out coupons as I shopped because I was too incredibly lazy to sort them. I started out gung-ho (told ya), had a binder with baseball card holders (PRIMO way to organize coupons by the way), separated by department and then alphabetized by brand name in each department (I was a coupon badass). That lasted about 2 months, tops.
I'm heading back that direction, but I've enlisted the help of my kids. They think it's cool to don pairs of scissors and cut on the dotted line.
Another option is to use an accordion file and sort that way. You can Google coupon organization for other ideas.
Once you're organized (or at least have your organization system set up) the one must do is make SURE you get the Sunday paper. You can buy it from the store (you'll pay for it in a couple of coupons), but even better is having the subscription sent to your home. You can usually get a better price AND you don't have to get out of your flannel pjs and bunny slippers!
So that's the beginning. Stay tuned for more today to get you rolling onto saving!
~Kim
First thing you need to do is decide what kind of time you want to put into saving money. Take it from me, you'll start out all gung-ho, armed with fists full of coupons and a closet full of free samples. Eventually, you'll even out and find out what kind of saver you are.
First and foremost, once you decide you want to be a saver, make an alternate email account. You do not want to sort through Aunt Beckie's recipe for oatmeal cookies PLUS all of the email you'll be getting with money saving deals in them, it's just not practical.
Second, you'll need to find a way to organize your coupons. There are several different ways to do this. You'll need to find the one that works for you. Putting them in a pile doesn't work, I've tried that.
My organizational skills suck. No, really, they do. I found myself wandering isles of grocery stores cutting out coupons as I shopped because I was too incredibly lazy to sort them. I started out gung-ho (told ya), had a binder with baseball card holders (PRIMO way to organize coupons by the way), separated by department and then alphabetized by brand name in each department (I was a coupon badass). That lasted about 2 months, tops.
I'm heading back that direction, but I've enlisted the help of my kids. They think it's cool to don pairs of scissors and cut on the dotted line.
Another option is to use an accordion file and sort that way. You can Google coupon organization for other ideas.
Once you're organized (or at least have your organization system set up) the one must do is make SURE you get the Sunday paper. You can buy it from the store (you'll pay for it in a couple of coupons), but even better is having the subscription sent to your home. You can usually get a better price AND you don't have to get out of your flannel pjs and bunny slippers!
So that's the beginning. Stay tuned for more today to get you rolling onto saving!
~Kim
Painted ladies...
feel bolder!
So in light of my recent epiphany, the one where I discovered I'm hitting my mid-life crisis, I've started to do small things I haven't done before.
I painted my fingernails.
It sounds insignificant, and in reality it probably is, but it made a difference!
Before I painted my nails (a bright freaking pink) I looked at my hands and thought, "Holy fuck, my hands look SO old!" And they did. My hands look like a (almost) 40 year old's hands.
So I started scrambling, thinking about what I can do to combat that. Started going through the usual suspects, lotion, gloves, other hand remedies. To which I immediately thought, "There's no way in hell I can do those things every day."
I spied a bottle of my daughter's bright pink nail polish sitting on my desk. I picked it up and looked at it and decided I was painting my nails.
Now to give you an idea of what my nails look like.
I have the nails of a 12 year old boy. Short, down below the finger tips, and uneven.
BUT I painted them anyhow. I looked at my hands today and they already look younger! I was SO excited.
One small accomplishment for me, one giant leap to a younger me! (ok maybe not a GIANT leap, but it sure feels like it!)
~Kim
So in light of my recent epiphany, the one where I discovered I'm hitting my mid-life crisis, I've started to do small things I haven't done before.
I painted my fingernails.
It sounds insignificant, and in reality it probably is, but it made a difference!
Before I painted my nails (a bright freaking pink) I looked at my hands and thought, "Holy fuck, my hands look SO old!" And they did. My hands look like a (almost) 40 year old's hands.
So I started scrambling, thinking about what I can do to combat that. Started going through the usual suspects, lotion, gloves, other hand remedies. To which I immediately thought, "There's no way in hell I can do those things every day."
I spied a bottle of my daughter's bright pink nail polish sitting on my desk. I picked it up and looked at it and decided I was painting my nails.
Now to give you an idea of what my nails look like.
I have the nails of a 12 year old boy. Short, down below the finger tips, and uneven.
BUT I painted them anyhow. I looked at my hands today and they already look younger! I was SO excited.
One small accomplishment for me, one giant leap to a younger me! (ok maybe not a GIANT leap, but it sure feels like it!)
~Kim
Like to save money...
well then come on in!
I like to save money as much as the next person.
Because of my ADD nature, I bounce in and out of couponing, BUT you don't have too.
Tomorrow I'll be posting some beginning tricks to couponing, plus (possibly) some of the blogs and websites that I use to save money.
If you've seen Extreme Couponing on TLC, let me tell you this: THIS IS NOT IT!
I've managed to save about 70% on some of my grocery trips. It's easy, but does require some time and a little bit of organization. There are some things (if you're willing to put in the time and effort) that you can do to save your family money on things they use every single day!
Have your pens (keyboard/crayons/markers whatever you can find) ready, so that you can start your journey to saving some money (and even getting some free stuff!).
Pinch a penny or rub two nickels together or find a pot to piss in. The sky's the limit!
~Kim
I like to save money as much as the next person.
Because of my ADD nature, I bounce in and out of couponing, BUT you don't have too.
Tomorrow I'll be posting some beginning tricks to couponing, plus (possibly) some of the blogs and websites that I use to save money.
If you've seen Extreme Couponing on TLC, let me tell you this: THIS IS NOT IT!
I've managed to save about 70% on some of my grocery trips. It's easy, but does require some time and a little bit of organization. There are some things (if you're willing to put in the time and effort) that you can do to save your family money on things they use every single day!
Have your pens (keyboard/crayons/markers whatever you can find) ready, so that you can start your journey to saving some money (and even getting some free stuff!).
Pinch a penny or rub two nickels together or find a pot to piss in. The sky's the limit!
~Kim
I bleed...
Blue and Gold!
Yep, I do. I've been a Notre Dame fan ever since I can remember.
Living next to the city that houses the storied campus has fed the fever for years. Although I've never been to a game, I feel connected to this team.
This year was special. An undefeated regular season and a trip to the National Title Game. AMAZING!
There are some amazing players on the 2012 Irish football team. Of course there's Manti Te'o. He is amazing both on and off the field. If you haven't heard of him (football fan or not) you must be living in a hole!
Everett Golson, the red-shirt freshman, stepped in to lead the team at quaterback. Watching him grow this year was awesome. He matured so much throughout the season that I know, next year, he's going to do great things.
There are so many players I could mention, so many, but I digress.
I told myself, "Even if they don't win the title, it was an amazing season!" And it was, BUT...Alabama (it kills me to even type that) was, by far, the better team Monday night. They knew how to shut the Irish down. And they did. The score was SO one sided throughout the entire game that I wanted to cry for "our guys."
I suppose the thing that bothers me most about the loss (other than the 42-14 score) is that now all the critics are going to feed off of their defeat. I'll have to listen to shouts of "We told you they had an easy schedule" and "They're not relevant, like we've been saying all season long."
Hold your heads up boys! 12-0 regular season is nothing to sneeze at, but I'll take that tissue to cry over the title loss.
~Kim
Yep, I do. I've been a Notre Dame fan ever since I can remember.
Living next to the city that houses the storied campus has fed the fever for years. Although I've never been to a game, I feel connected to this team.
This year was special. An undefeated regular season and a trip to the National Title Game. AMAZING!
There are some amazing players on the 2012 Irish football team. Of course there's Manti Te'o. He is amazing both on and off the field. If you haven't heard of him (football fan or not) you must be living in a hole!
Everett Golson, the red-shirt freshman, stepped in to lead the team at quaterback. Watching him grow this year was awesome. He matured so much throughout the season that I know, next year, he's going to do great things.
There are so many players I could mention, so many, but I digress.
I told myself, "Even if they don't win the title, it was an amazing season!" And it was, BUT...Alabama (it kills me to even type that) was, by far, the better team Monday night. They knew how to shut the Irish down. And they did. The score was SO one sided throughout the entire game that I wanted to cry for "our guys."
I suppose the thing that bothers me most about the loss (other than the 42-14 score) is that now all the critics are going to feed off of their defeat. I'll have to listen to shouts of "We told you they had an easy schedule" and "They're not relevant, like we've been saying all season long."
Hold your heads up boys! 12-0 regular season is nothing to sneeze at, but I'll take that tissue to cry over the title loss.
~Kim
Monday, January 7, 2013
Caution: Mid-life Crisis Ahead...
and in full swing!
I've surmised that I must be in the beginning stages of a mid-life crisis.
Rather than buying a fast car (which I would totally do if I didn't have 3 bundles of joy who had to fit in it) or trading in my husband for a younger man (they're SO hard to train and WAY too much work!), I've decided that it's time to transform me.
Yeah I know I went on and on about all the things that I wanted to change about myself, but how I probably never would. Well, this is a part of my joyous personality laced with spontaneity and immaturity.
Yep, I said immaturity. I'm a perpetual 20 year old trapped in a (nearly) 40 year old body. I really don't think I will ever grow out of the "hmmm 20 bucks in the bank or 20 bucks for something that gives me instant gratification" stage of my life. Quite frankly, I don't want to.
Hopefully, I can build enough of a legacy, that when I do kick the bucket, my kids will say "Damn my mom was awesome!" instead of "Damn! She didn't leave us an assload of money!"
I mean really, I know it's not financially responsible to not have a padded bank account, but live now, or die with lots of money I can't take with me? I don't ever want to say "I wish I did," I want to say "I did!"
I want my kids to say "I had everything I ever wanted AND my mom made sure I got to see and do everything I possibly could!"
Yeah, I know some day we'll be "retired" and have to have money then, but that's what 401ks and IRAs are for. I'd rather throw 40 bucks in the gas tank and see The World's Largest Ball of Twine than throw it in a savings account and say "I have money in the bank that I'm not going to use so I'll just sit in the same chair in the same house and do the same thing day after day."
As long as there is food on the table, a roof over our heads, and clothes for our bodies, we're ahead of a lot of people in this world.
So my fun-loving spontaneity will never be quelled and my immaturity will never cease. Those things allow me to dance in the rain, sing off key, and embarrass my kids every chance I get (because I mean what fun would having kids be if you can't embarrass the hell out of them by being silly!).
Don't let life stifle you!
~Kim
I've surmised that I must be in the beginning stages of a mid-life crisis.
Rather than buying a fast car (which I would totally do if I didn't have 3 bundles of joy who had to fit in it) or trading in my husband for a younger man (they're SO hard to train and WAY too much work!), I've decided that it's time to transform me.
Yeah I know I went on and on about all the things that I wanted to change about myself, but how I probably never would. Well, this is a part of my joyous personality laced with spontaneity and immaturity.
Yep, I said immaturity. I'm a perpetual 20 year old trapped in a (nearly) 40 year old body. I really don't think I will ever grow out of the "hmmm 20 bucks in the bank or 20 bucks for something that gives me instant gratification" stage of my life. Quite frankly, I don't want to.
Hopefully, I can build enough of a legacy, that when I do kick the bucket, my kids will say "Damn my mom was awesome!" instead of "Damn! She didn't leave us an assload of money!"
I mean really, I know it's not financially responsible to not have a padded bank account, but live now, or die with lots of money I can't take with me? I don't ever want to say "I wish I did," I want to say "I did!"
I want my kids to say "I had everything I ever wanted AND my mom made sure I got to see and do everything I possibly could!"
Yeah, I know some day we'll be "retired" and have to have money then, but that's what 401ks and IRAs are for. I'd rather throw 40 bucks in the gas tank and see The World's Largest Ball of Twine than throw it in a savings account and say "I have money in the bank that I'm not going to use so I'll just sit in the same chair in the same house and do the same thing day after day."
As long as there is food on the table, a roof over our heads, and clothes for our bodies, we're ahead of a lot of people in this world.
So my fun-loving spontaneity will never be quelled and my immaturity will never cease. Those things allow me to dance in the rain, sing off key, and embarrass my kids every chance I get (because I mean what fun would having kids be if you can't embarrass the hell out of them by being silly!).
Don't let life stifle you!
~Kim
Sunday, January 6, 2013
If it ain't broke...
Don't fix it.
Technically, I already broke my New Year's resolution to post every day. Really, I didn't. Yesterday was the day from hell.
We've battled lice four times this year. Ain't that grand.
So finally, I decided this was the last time this year that I was going to deal with it. The shampoos just didn't seem to be working anymore, so I went to battle with an old home remedy. Vaseline and shower caps.
This thrilled my kids to no end. Helping me clean the house while fashionably modeling plastic shower caps was an awesome way to spend the day!
Complaints of "my head is sweating!" and "why does my head weight 10lbs?" rang throughout the day.
This remedy is awesome! No chemicals, no burning scalps, just lots and lots of icky, sticky Vaseline.
What I didn't think about was....how the hell do you get Vaseline out of hair?!?!
I thought it would be easy. Just use some dish soap and viola! No more Vaseline!
Yeah, NOT!
But, thanks to Google, I did find something that works. Olive oil. Yup olive oil breaks down petroleum jelly so that you can wash it out with dish soap. Still don't get how putting oil on your hair makes it easier to remove another type of oil, but that's why I'm a blogger and not a scientist!
So today is going to be filled with Dawn showers to get the rest of the olive oil out, but the good news....no more bugs!
Oh, and laundry until kingdom come...
Exterminator extraordinaire, signing off!
~Kim
Technically, I already broke my New Year's resolution to post every day. Really, I didn't. Yesterday was the day from hell.
We've battled lice four times this year. Ain't that grand.
So finally, I decided this was the last time this year that I was going to deal with it. The shampoos just didn't seem to be working anymore, so I went to battle with an old home remedy. Vaseline and shower caps.
This thrilled my kids to no end. Helping me clean the house while fashionably modeling plastic shower caps was an awesome way to spend the day!
Complaints of "my head is sweating!" and "why does my head weight 10lbs?" rang throughout the day.
This remedy is awesome! No chemicals, no burning scalps, just lots and lots of icky, sticky Vaseline.
What I didn't think about was....how the hell do you get Vaseline out of hair?!?!
I thought it would be easy. Just use some dish soap and viola! No more Vaseline!
Yeah, NOT!
But, thanks to Google, I did find something that works. Olive oil. Yup olive oil breaks down petroleum jelly so that you can wash it out with dish soap. Still don't get how putting oil on your hair makes it easier to remove another type of oil, but that's why I'm a blogger and not a scientist!
So today is going to be filled with Dawn showers to get the rest of the olive oil out, but the good news....no more bugs!
Oh, and laundry until kingdom come...
Exterminator extraordinaire, signing off!
~Kim
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)