Small-claims court

I remember being completely addicted to those shows, like "Judge Judy," or "Cristina's Court," but I stopped watching them, because I really didn't have the time to watch TV once I got better from the surgeries and chemo treatments. Today I watched "People's Court," just because it was on, and for old times sake, and I really couldn't handle watching it. Our world is full of complete idiots! I guess I liked watching it before because my self-confidence was low and I felt better knowing that at least I'm "not as bad as they are." Really, it's sad, but I'm not to be pitied, I'm really pretty embarrassed that I used to watch that crap so much!

What's up?

This morning, a few minutes ago actually, I saw a preview for a movie "Julie and Julia," based on two true stories, and I teared up a little bit. It looks like a movie that will truly touch me though. "Julie & Julia" trailer.

The Mom's "Salary"

Stay-at-Home-Moms are seen differently by different people. On Bravo we learn about "Real Housewives," that aren't really housewives, and NOT real just portrayed a certain way for TV. I am told often, by different people, about how great the sacrifice I'm making by staying at home to care for my children. This is what I think though, as soon as I made a salary for what I did as a real stay-at-home-mom, I would not be appreciated and probably resented. According to a story on Yahoo! , I would make about $122,000. I think (just my opinion, BTW) that the same people who say we should be paid for what we do would jump up and say that we shouldn't be paid for what we do because it's not really that much work. To tell you the truth, I would like to make money so we could have a second income - it would be really nice in the current economy, but I think about what I would have to spend my money on. I would have to hire a babysitter, a cleaning service, if not a cook then we would have to buy our meals somewhere, a seamstress (since I have started sewing the kids clothes), a personal assistant to attend PTO and room mother meetings, and possibly a massage therapist because I would go crazy and be very tense. If I made my own money I would want to be able to buy myself new clothes and shoes and spa appointments. If I had to pay for the stuff that I do now then I may think it's not done to my approval, so I would feel like I was doing twice the work, just for the second income. Money doesn't buy everything, and I guess not my sanity.

Sewing

I have just started sewing, and I love it. I find that it is the best therapy ever. I am able to think and be productive unlike running which is just thinking with no productivity. I know that if my feelings are hurt then I close myself off, and avoid all confrontation because I don't want to cry. Sewing has helped me spend less time on the computer, which I find very unhealthy if you spend a lot of time without other adults to keep you company, as most stay-at-home-moms will do. I have been able to make two dresses (so far) for both of my children, I'm currently working on the third in a different more complicated style. I was going to not sew today because my "teacher" and I will usually sew together on Tuesday and Thursday when both kids are in school. I am thinking though, that with some left over fabric I may try making a skort for little princess since I am borrowing that pattern. I spent too much time on Facebook this morning, which lead me to read other stuff on other sites and I need to take a break again. I have thought about going unplugged for a week, but my idea was quickly shot down from other family members, I may have to get that idea going again. We can all use our creative juices and not watch TV or "play" on the computer. I feel domestic on a whole other level when I sew, I was able to see talent in my work right off (not to toot my own horn), unlike cooking which always seems like such work to me. I am proud of the dresses I have made for my kids so far, and that just makes me feel good. There are times when I feel like the worst mom ever, and I compare my own mothering to other peers of mine, but this makes me happier, and therefore I feel like a better mother for it. Now, I'm off to sew! :)

Speaking of learning the hard way...

Last night I watched the movie of the Natalee Holloway case on Lifetime Movie Network. I found it very disturbing, not just because of the tragedy their family endured, but also because of kids traveling abroad without their parents. When Mommy and Daddy aren't there, you do feel a sense of freedom, you can get away with a lot more, the same rules you have at home don't apply here. I was reminded of when I took a student trip to Russia after my junior year. Beth Holloway now goes to different schools and talks to kids about how you need to have a plan to get home, and don't change your plans, always stay with your group and have a plan to get back home. Thank you "N" for making sure I got in the same cab as you when we were leaving that restaurant where I drank entirely too much vodka in a foreign country where I didn't know how to speak the language that well. I haven't done the 12 steps, but I know that if I did, when I got to step 8, I would definitely appologize to you because I put you in that position of responsibility when we were in Russia.

Learned the hard way

Many of life's lessons I have learned the hard way. The lesson I learned yesterday, was no exception. I have been warned, in fact by a fellow blogger I'm a Mom?!, to not take my kids to school in my pajamas. I still told her, that I would because it's not like I would have to get out of the car, and she still warned me that maybe I haven't *yet*. Well, yesterday was the exception.

I left the house with plenty of time to get dressed, but I thought better of it, I can just take Big Girl Princess to school, drop her off then take a shower and get dressed, go to Pilates class, and get on with my day. I just put a sweatshirt on over my pajamas, and wore some flip flops and was out the door. Well, on our way there, I was thinking that my car was making weird noises, but I just went on ahead, I'll fix it later, whatever it is. I got on the street that her school is on and my car starts shaking, and I'm sure something is terribly wrong. I was able to make it to the drive that goes into her school parking lot, turn my hazard lights on and pull over. I stepped out of the car, and walked around to the other side to see that the right front tire was flat, and we're talking FLAT! Well, now I'm shaking, trying to call the husband, to tell him, and find out how I get that road side assistance that comes with our car insurance, but he didn't answer his phone so I left him a voice mail. I then realized that I still needed to take Big Girl Princess to her school safely. She couldn't just walk across the parking lot by herself, so I walked with her, and with Baby Princess, who was also in her pajamas, to the sidewalk in front of the school building and sent her on her way. I walked with Baby Princess back to the car, where I got her back in her seat with the seat belt on, and proceeded to go ahead and change the tire, since husband still hadn't called back, and I was still unable to reach him by phone. Another mother drove up and asked if I wanted some help, kidding that we need to find a man to help us. I told her that I was just going to change it, and she was telling me that I didn't have to do that, but I asked her if she ever had to learn how in her drivers ed class, to which she said she did. I continued to get the jack under the car, to change the tire and there she is right next to me wanting to help. I felt like this was so nice of her, and then another mom showed up to help out. This is one thing I love about where I live and where my daughter goes to school, I have met some very, very nice people there. Another mom even stopped to see if I was okay, I actually know her, so I thanked her and sent her on, since we (me and these other two stranger moms) seemed to have it all covered. We were successful in changing the tire, all three of us, so I then got home and dressed and went off to get my tires looked at and had to replace both front tires, but they wouldn't be ready for another few hours. This gave me and Baby Princess some time to meet some friends for lunch.

I think this is why we have friends, to make us smile even when we have a day as tragic as this one was. Yankee Belle and I met up and let the kids play while we ate lunch and I was able to tell her about what happened, which as it turns out is a pretty funny story. I'm safe, my kids are safe, my car still runs, we're all good. I was talking to YB about my blog, and my latest post being about Evolution vs. Creationism, and we realized that I pissed off God, and he was showing me who was boss by flattening my tire! I'm just joking - I don't think God works like that.

a touchy subject...

I didn't want to go here, but I have been thinking a lot about it. I heard a story on NPR about it and husband told me today about a debate he has been having with some friends about it. Evolution vs. Creationism.

I believe in God, and I'm comfortable with my belief, it's something I've always had, and it makes me feel good. I do believe though that there is more fact in science. The way I see it may be a little too tidy but I like it. I believe that billions of years ago God created the world we live in, it looked much different that it does now, because of evolution. He made the world before dinosaurs and everything. I believe that human beings are the most intelligent life form now through evolution. Human beings are capable of having (maybe creating) a god, or a higher power and having/writing a Bible to get the story of creationism. I think that what the Bible holds are stories. If we really all came from just two people in a garden somewhere we would all be related, it is not possible with our DNA for us to be intelligent people capable of learning, communicating, believing in a higher power, and writing a book called "THE BIBLE" if we were all cross-bred. I like this belief. That's just what it is though, it's my belief, I can see where both would work.

I do not think that creationism should be taught next to science unless it was a parochial school. I went to a Catholic school, and learned both, but I think that in public school, students should be taught science. Not everyone believes in God, and that's okay. Our first amendment right, in our American Constitution gives us a freedom of religion. Not everyone is Christian, so I don't think we need to worry about teaching any kind of religious point of view to public school students.