Where Will They Be?

I often think ahead to the future; as 5 years ago, I wasn't sure I would have one. Now, I allow myself the chance to wonder where I might be in 10, 20 or 30 years. I wonder where my children will be their lives. I wonder what they will be doing, where their paths in life will have traveled. Will they be working? Will they be married? Will they have children?

I think sometimes people expect pony rides and clowns to be available at their convenience. Parents don't want to tell their child "no," because God forbid we stamper their dreams or squash their self esteem. What happened to the word no? I've met so many parents who just allow their children to do whatever they want. I don't know if it is because they feel guilty about working, so they make it up to them by allowing them to do whatever they please and never say NO to the child? The parents go the store, and "Little Billy" gets whatever he wants; and believe me, "Little Billy" learns very quickly how to play the game.

I believe that kids need to help out in the home. I know that I, along with my brother and sister, did our share of chores. We had to clean our rooms, put away our laundry, fill the woodrack, clean the dinner table, cut wood, help out at the barn next door, mow the lawn (all 5 acres) and perform other tasks around the house. Geeze, we didn't even get an allowance (gasp!) Why did we do it? Because it was part of our jobs, part of being a member of the family. Did we bitch? Heck ya.. Did we do it? Yes we did. Did I enjoy it? Well, lets not get crazy...

Now that I think about it, I had it pretty good. I had a nice house to go to sleep in, I had nice clothes, I never had to worry about food. My parents did a darn good job, and I thank them for that. I actually belong to the group known as the "Orphan Club," so I just have to believe that somehow, someway, I thanked them previously for their gifts, as I can't do it in person now.

When I look at this picture, I wonder where my child will be in the years to come. I hope I've given her a solid foundation to do what she knows is right. I hope I've given her the skills to function in society. I hope I've taught her right from wrong. Most of all, I hope my kids are happy and glad that I was their mother; the big meanie who made them clean their rooms, mow the lawn, take care of the pets they begged me to bring home, wash their clothes and clean the litter box. I hope I've not spoiled them too much.

Like a Kid in the Candy Store

Yesterday Barb, Kendall, Carly and myself were in La Jolla California visiting the tide pools, the children's pool and all that La Jolla had to offer. While browsing the streets of La Jolla, Kendall and Carly were insistent that we visit Powell's Candy Store. We must have spent almost an hour in the tiny store but we discovered many, many varieties of candy. There was taffy, gumdrops, Pez dispensers, buttons, CHOCOLATE, gobstoppers etc. Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory was playing on the TV (which is my favorite movie of all times.)

There were items I remember as a small child and some that were new to me. I definitely did not need any candy but these things were not just candy but necessities for my life. I could not go without...

Here are a few things that really jumped out at me and right into my shopping basket.
After visiting that "time" in my mind, I decided to go forth and see what else I might need to purchase for use at a later time in my life. You know, I need to be prepared.
That purchase, of course, led to this purchase....
We had a blast in that store and bought a variety of items. I have to wonder, was it bad for me to allow Carly to purchase these?
Don't get all crazy on me with the cigarettes, if you look closely, the girls actually have them in their mouthes backwards! TOTALLY CLUELESS

I'm getting a visitor....

I've come to realize in my "old" age that good friends are definately hard to find. I mean a true friend, one you can not talk to for 7 years and then have contact with them and your friendship can pick up where it left off.

My friend Barb (some of you know here as Mrs.4444 is coming for a visit with her daughter. The last time I saw Kendall she must have been about a year old, so its been quite a while. I told them to bring their Thelma and Louise hats and rent a convertible to drive up and down the west coast! I've already enlisted my son Nick (see above) to teach Kendall how to surf. We've lived here in California for less than 3 years and for some reason we've aquired 5 surfboards not including our boogie boards, skim boards so we have plenty of beach "equipment". Don't worry, I will try to keep our guests safe - honestly there have been no shark sightings since the last episode (see about 4 posts ago).

Psych!

Road Trip

This summer, we are headed back to NY to see our family and friends we ditched when we relocated. Around Christmas 2007, I started thinking of what I could get for my husband for a special gift. I knew we were going "back east" in the summer, and I knew that this was to be the last year in Yankee Stadium. So I devised a scheme to have all of Chuck's family (around 22+) meet us in NYC to see the Yankees. I have to admit, it wasn't too hard convincing them, as they are all diehard fans. I couldn't keep a secret too long, as it was difficult to convince Chuck that we really needed to fly into JFK and not Rochester or Syracuse. I think he was actually still surprised just a couple months in advance.

Although I had lived in NY for over 40 years, I have never been to the "City." I have passed by NYC on my way to Long Island but never actually been in the "City." So, we will be tourists from California in July - I can gawk and take pictures and enjoy myself. I just hope we don't get mugged.

I'm definately over budget

For those of you who know me - you know how cheap I am.

I'm the lady who reuses plastic ziploc bags, refills water Dasani water bottles, cuts coupons and loves to dumpster dive. My husband is the type of man who begs me to go shopping, go to a real store and purchase items. But I rarely do, because I am so cheap. I am so cheap that years ago, when Mrs4444 and I lived near each other, we split the cost of a newsletter called "The Tightwad Gazette."

Today, I am definately over budget, as I spent $41,357.97. I have never spent that kind of money, unless you count my 2nd and 3rd house. My first house was $50,000.00 - it was actually $5.00 cheaper each month for me to own a house, rather than rent. The house was very small, 800 square feet - no basement, no attic and definately not a garage. It was a two bedroom, two story Cape Cod, and my middle child was conceived and brought home to that house. My second house was about double that both in price and square footage. The house I'm in now - well, I won't even go there, but its a bit more.

So, to say I spent $41,357.97 today is, for me, overwhelming - but I spent it anyways.
I bought a pool! Well, I bought the labor and materials for a pool, so technically, I did not buy a pool, although I do have one that I purchased 2 years ago on the side of my house that is held together with duct tape. We are all so excited! I grew up on Oneida Lake (near Syracuse, NY) and my husband grew up on the Hudson River - water is in our blood so to speak. My two oldest kids are lifeguards, and my youngest is on the swim team at the local Y.

After speaking to the salesman, I asked silly questions, like what color light I could get in the pool, but one of my main concerns for the structure of the pool was for my dog, Stella. She loves to swim, and I had steps put in just for her - I so love my stinky dog. Stella, like myself, could use the exercise. She's over 100lbs of love.

We all can't wait!!