Mistakes in Motherhood

The other day I was grocery shopping and I overheard a middle age woman comment to a young mother with a large family “you know what causes that, right?” I should have said something, I felt bad for the mom who seemed taken aback by the comment. I did not understand why the older woman felt like sticking her nose into the mother’s business.

All 5 of the young children were healthy, clean, well mannered and the mom, though still being frugal about it, made her purchases with cash, not WIC or a state issued food assistance card. I don’t think the mom had these children because she was too stupid for birth control, they seemed naturally spaced, the youngest child contently nursed from his mother’s breast while being worn in the sling… Oh my, nursing in PUBLIC?? What would the older woman say if she noticed that??

This got me thinking to inappropriate comments I have received, specifically referring to my three sons. I can’t tell you how many times I am asked if I plan on trying for a girl… when did boys become the consultation prize? Did G-d put a child into my womb and say “Sorry, you did not win the prize this time, but take what is behind door number two so you won’t be sent home empty handed”. My usual response is that if we decide to have another it will be to have another baby, not play Russian roulette and only want one specific gender. The most offensive was when I was pregnant, the cashier asked if I knew the gender of the baby (as she is scanning 100% blue clothes, blankets, etc) and when she heard it was another boy she looked at my other two sons and said “Are you guys sad you are having a brother? I mean sisters are so much better, wouldn’t you rather have a sister?” Yeah, because *I* was the one who chose their genders, but come on! My oldest son was hoping for a brother, but my middle son was licking his wounds from being wrong on his guess and at the time was hoping for a sister. Anyways, I digress.

When did society think that the store was an appropriate place to lecture someone about reproduction? Obviously the young mom had read page one of a parenting book if she knew her kids needed to eat. I know people who are not that sophisticated. Also, it is not like this mom was at the drive through window with grubby kids screaming for a soda pop and fried chicken nuggets. If the store was the place to lecture parents on birth control, wouldn’t you think Planned Parenthood would have rented a pagoda at the front of the store? Maybe the wife could look over to her husband and say “honey, can you go pick up paper towels, and while you are on isle 7 get that vasectomy we have been wanting?”

To the woman at the grocery store.. please save your breath, find another medium for your cause. Volunteer at the woman’s shelter, help families in crisis, send an article into the newspaper about the importance of reducing your carbon footprint, or help raise money for a family who has an ailing family member and needs money to pay for cancer treatment. I don’t believe you said what you did out of malice, but it was in bad taste and only served to annoy the mother and other patrons in the store. Cut the mother some slack, her 5 kids were so much better than a lot of families I see with only one child. If you want to see some bad kids, go shop at Walmart, you will be running for the pharmacy section and popping headache medicine faster than you can say “wear a condom”.

To everyone else, think twice before you make “harmless” comments to mothers, our hearts are fragile from countless sleepless nights, an infinite number of kissed boo-boos and “I love you’s”. We have to deal with our children’s tears of disappointment when they don’t get what they want, lose their best friend, break up with their first crush, and get teased by the neighborhood bully.

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Now playing: John Mayer – Dreaming with a Broken Heart
via FoxyTunes

2 Comments | In: This is how I roll | tags: A lot about nothing, Controversey, Family, Parenting, Public Service Announcements, Something Worth Mentioning, Tirade. | #

Today on the Science Channel I watched the coolest show called Eco-Tech, which is all about reducing our strain on the environment. This episode was about building homes that reduce your carbon footprint and save the planet. Since I tuned into the show a little late I have only been able to tour three different homes/concepts. The first was a wooden home with a house within a house that allowed the sun to heat the main wall and release the heat through the day to keep it hot in the winter, and in the summer it causes the heat to circulate through the attic and pull up the cool basement air. The homebuilder brags an 80% reduction in utility costs.

Even cooler were these biotectures called Earthships. These unique homes are made of earth and tires and bottles to make fully self sufficient homes that use about $100 a year in utility costs. These homes are completely independent and use no city utilities. It makes it’s own power, recycles rainwater, takes care of sewage and heats/cools itself.

The next thing they showed was paint that could last for 1,000 years, resists graffiti, mold, and breaks down carbon monoxide emitted from cars. They also showed windows that could control how much sunlight would be allowed through them and green rooftops on skyscrapers (rooftop gardens) which would reduce wastewater put into the sewage system, as well as lower the temperature on the roof and make the air conditioner work more efficient, as well as reducing pollutants in the air.

In my own home, I feel like I could be doing so much more to reduce my carbon footprints, yes I use CFL bulbs in almost all my light fixtures. We recycle and we have replaced all our old appliances with new energy star appliances. We use a HE washer and dryer to reduce the water I use, and we use cloth diapers on the baby. I am in the process of switching to all natural cleaning products and laundry soap to reduce the amounts of pollutants I put in the sewer. I know I could do SO MUCH MORE. I have all the supplies to build a clothesline, yet I still don’t have one because my backyard is so smelly from the lack of grass and overabundance of dog pee. I also don’t have a garden because again the dogs make the back yard unpleasant. I also could not justify the cost of a new tankless water heater, so we did go for a more efficient one than the old one, however I think the only way we will ever have higher efficient home is to start fresh and build our own home where we can recycle rainwater for landscaping, incorporate solar panels into the design, have a tankless water heater, use CFL, all energy star appliances, and possibly geothermal heating, cooling.

I think with a little more planning we all could take baby steps to reduce our carbon footprint and all live a little greener with tiny little changes that make less of an impact on our day to day living, but a great impact on the amount of strain on the planet.

2 Comments | In: Frugal, not cheap!, Geek Speak, This is how I roll | tags: House Stuff, Public Service Announcements, Ramblings, Something Worth Mentioning, Technology. | #

With all the buzz about online scammers, hackers, malicious programs, keylogging programs, etc., it is nice to know that there are ways to protect your files and increase your data security. One of these programs came from a surprising source, PKWARE, the makers of the program PKZIP that I used for a great number of years and is the only zip/unzip program that comes to mind.

The newest zip program, SecureZIP is a very simple download, and for a limited time can be downloaded for free; this is the full version, not a trial version. Secure Zip encrypts and compresses files for fast and secure transfer, this program is great for business projects, sensitive files that may have personal information like a social security number or banking information, or anything that you would not want to fall into the wrong hands. This data security program is also great for protecting your own personal files stored on your hard drives, portable media, or laptops. SecureZIP – The next generation of ZIP.

Within two minutes of submitting my email address, SecureZip was downloaded and two minutes later was registered and up and running. The program is easy to use and is also integrated into Outlook Express which makes it super simple to email encrypted files. You also want to check out SecureZIP’s impressive review over at PC Magazine.com, they made 4 1/2 marks out of five marks, and have great raves.

Check this program out, it is a great asset in total data security.

No Comments | In: A lot about nothing, Geek Speak | tags: Something Worth Mentioning, Sponsored, Technology. | #

On the wings of the anniversary of Columbine (A HUGE deal here in Colorado) and with the news that the SWAT team would be investigating all local high schools for weaknesses in case another school shooting… we lose more people to a senseless tragedy. I almost feel like it was worse that the shooter was a college senior… he was almost done with school. What a horrible waste, what a sad loss. My prayers extend to all those who have lost a loved one, to anyone injured and their families, and to all the students trying to heal. May healing come quick to all.

No Comments | In: Uncategorized | tags: Newsworthy, Sadness, Something Worth Mentioning. | #

Ebay has forbid the sale of cloth diapers on their website, lumping it in with used underwear. There is nothing wrong with used diapers, had I not been able to get my initial stash of diapers used, I would not have been so quick to try cloth diapering. Matthew still wears diapers that were used at one time. With proper washing there are no hygiene issues with using used cloth diapers. Please go sign this petition to allow the sale of used cloth diapers again on eBay.

No Comments | In: Uncategorized | tags: Parenting, Something Worth Mentioning. | #

When I took Driver’s Ed in high-school, I was immature and did not take it seriously. I also felt the information was outdated, the actual time behind the wheel was sparse and limited and I was in a class with all my friends and socializing was more fun than learning to drive. The class ended up being a waste of my parent’s money and nothing came from it.

When I was almost 17 I was able to convince my parents to try again, this time at a private Driver’s Training School. I passed with flying colors, however when I took the test I failed… of course the woman who failed me kept saying in a snotty voice “I never drove a B-M-W when I was a teen“, and then at the very last maneuver said I failed for not signaling when I changed lanes, even though the road was widening and I merged right before the lanes actually divided into two lanes. Second time was a charm, new tester and I only was docked 6 points for not being able to parallel park.

I love the idea of a Driver’s Ed DVD that a teenager or adult studying to take the exam for their license, I feel one can never be too safe on the road and any kind of training they can get is positive. It would even make a good refresher for someone who has moved to a different climate and may not know how to handle emergency situations for driving in snow, ice, rain, or other emergency situations.

And of course I cannot mention being prepared in emergency situations and not mention the importance of an emergency auto kit, I own two, one for each vehicle, as well as a small tool set with screwdrivers, ratchets, pliers, etc. and a first aid kit. The nice thing about the above kit, is it combines a lot of the items in my above three kits into one, making it a very handy, all inclusive must have for EVERY vehicle.

*This is a sponsored post.

No Comments | In: Uncategorized | tags: Auto Stuff, Something Worth Mentioning, Sponsored. | #

The internet is a great way for anything or anyone to be discovered, if you don’t believe me, take a browse through Myspace. However, I have found a better way to discover new bands and new music; www.unsigned.com.

This website makes it easier to browse for Country Artists, rock, hip hop, jazz, metal, grunge, etc. 2,000 bands have already signed up and is easy to browse for genre of music or search for a band, and listen just by clicking on their profile. This website is a lot more user friendly than the music section of myspace, and great for producers to find hot new talent for these people to break into the recording business.

I honestly expected to click on these profiles and find bad karaoke, or American Idol rejects, but so far all the bands/artists I have listened to sound really good, professional and I really hope they get their big break!

*This is a sponsored post.

No Comments | In: Uncategorized | tags: Music, Something Worth Mentioning, Sponsored. | #

I am a CNA (certified nursing assistant) and I am planning on eventually becoming a Registered Nurse. I cannot stress enough how important Medical Alert jewelry is for almost anyone. Even if you don’t think you are at risk because you are young or healthy. If you cannot give your healthy history to a doctor in an emergency situation, medical alert jewelry can be your voice when you have none. Many of the clients I worked with are alive today because of their medical ID jewelry.

People who will especially benefit from medical alert jewelry are those with allergies (medication, food, insect), any kind of heart, kidney, breathing, seizure, blood, or memory (Alzheimer’s) disorder. Anyone with an impairment, such as hearing, sight or mental, or communication (Tourette’s Syndrome). Anyone with diabetes, cancer, hypertension, a high stroke risk, a transplant or implant, any rare disorder, or special needs children. Anyone on blood thinners, participating in a clinical medication trial, or anyone who takes multiple medications.

Since this jewelry is beautiful and comes in many different types of precious quality medals, and styles (bracelets, necklaces, pendants, watches, and many more) and offer Free personalized engraving, this is jewelry you will be proud to wear because they are both stylish, and could potentially save your life.

*This is a sponsored post.

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My city does not have the greatest reputation of having a night life… in fact if you want to go clubbing, you best take a designated driver and head up to Denver, since that is where you will find the night scene.

The club that is getting all the attention is Cherry Street Live, at 4501 E. Virginia Ave. in Glendale, CO. The neat thing about this club, is that it is in the same location as a historic club in the 80′s and 90′s called the Bangles.

There is a lot of great stuff about Cherry Street Live, which is a giant 3 level club with 2 separate bars, a VIP section, and ample parking. Wednesday nights are Back 2 Bangles night, with beer being either free or $1 depending on the original price, or $4 shots of Jager.

Don’t miss out on January 31st, when Bangles will be having a Slayer after party.

*This is a paid post.

No Comments | In: Uncategorized | tags: Something Worth Mentioning, Sponsored. | #

About a week ago, Bobby and I were talking about Josh Blue, the comedian with Cerebral Palsy who won Last Comic Standing; we were basically wondering what he is doing now. Friday morning we were driving home from dropping off my van, and he was putting gas in the car when I heard an advertisement for Josh Blue, in Concert, Saturday! After securing childcare for the night we were able to get two tickets.

I have to say, I LOVED Josh Blue on LCS, but in person, he is 100x better! For one, he was able to say things he couldn’t on TV, and for two, it was incredible HOW much of his routine is interacting with the audience. There were 2,000 people, but he still turned on the lights and did a Q&A section with the audience so they could ask him questions. He also flirted with a woman in the audience and talked to the baby in the front row. Since Josh is from Denver, we got to see some other local talent from an hour up north… there was a band, and three other comedians… all were great.

Our friends who watched the boys kept Christopher and Austin overnight, and they had a blast. The baby zonked out as soon as we got home, and slept in until 10am. The older two got back around 11 and brought their friend back with them to take a turn sleeping here tonight. Except for getting up twice to take the puppy out, I got to sleep in until 10 and Bobby got up at 9.

1 Comment | In: Uncategorized | tags: Ramblings, Something Worth Mentioning. | #