A to Z Challenge

Monday, March 18, 2013



My top ten movies...that's really difficult to choose. I know once I publish it, I'll think of another that I would choose instead. But, off the top of my head, which is still reeling from the greenish festivities of yesterday, here's my list.

1. Raider's of the Lost Ark
2. Willow
3. The Princess Bride
4. Wizard of Oz
5. The Lord of the Rings
6. Dead Poet's Society
7. A Christmas Story
8. Star Wars
9. 300
10. A Knight's Tale

Well there you have it. I know these films generally aren't the critics choices, but what can I say. Generally I like films that either make me laugh, take me to another world, or keep me on the edge of my seat with lots of action.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Flash Fiction - A woman knows

Today, I thought I'd share a little seventy five word story, hope you enjoy!

“I’m not surprised. I knew this day would come.”
“You knew? How? I was so careful.”
“A woman always knows when her man is cheating…”
He chewed his lower lip. “Honey, your just imagining things.”
“Should have told her not to call the house…she left a message. You didn’t pay her last week.”
He cringed. “God, no! It isn’t what you think.”
She smirked, “So how many boxes of Girl Scouts cookies did you buy?”


Monday, March 4, 2013

Teaching Respect - Part One

Okay, so what do I have to bring to the table as someone who would write about parenting? Nothing but my own humble opinion. I am fortunate to be a stay at home/work from home mom. Because of that, I have spent many hours involved in my daughter's schools and outside activities. I helped a friend run a very large girl scout troop for many years. Just like most everyone else in this world, I have two eyes and two ears and I observe.

As I was plopping myself into bed last night, I started thinking about mommyisms, which can be daddyisms too, I am not thinking these are things only for mom to take care of, nosiree! It's just that these are my opinions - so my mommyisms. There are things that I notice watching and interacting with the kids at my daughter's school. These things I've been noticing for years, but it seems to me they are worsening. Somehow, parents are seriously falling down on the job, in my humble opinion and missing out on teaching their children about respect.

Respect, to me, is a huge topic with many facets, today I only want to tackle how children talk to their parents. This is where learning respect starts. If you have no respect for your parents, why should you respect any other person?

I once witnessed the most adorable little girl at the park turn into a little banshee of a beast. She sat in the swing, legs pumping, her mother pushing her from behind. Mom stood chatting with her friend, while pushing her daughter. The little girl decided she'd had enough and said, "I'm done. Stop pushing me." Her mom, engaged in conversation didn't hear and gave another little shove. That little towheaded cherub turned her head around, scrunching her face into the ugliest gargoyle grimace and screamed at the top of her lungs, "Stop pushing me! I told you to stop!"

My jaw dropped. This little tyke looked to be around 4 years old. I couldn't imagine any of my children EVER screaming at me, unless they were hurt or scared. The mom, still in conversation with her friend, stopped the swing, and let the child run off to play. No words of admonishment, no look of horror, nothing. It dawned on me that this is an everyday occurrence for this family.

Watching that unfold before me, I felt saddened. This little girl never said please, never said thank you, and screamed at her mother! How will she behave with her teachers? How will she talk to other children's parents when she is allowed to visit at their homes?

This is just one example. I see it all the time, children bossing their parents around and parents blithely obeying their child's demands, or looking embarrassed by their child's behavior but not doing anything about it. You are not their friend, you are their parent! Take charge and teach them a valuable life lesson.

I dunno, maybe it's just me, and I've already become an old fuddy duddy. Back in my day, (Yikes, I am getting old) I would never have raised my voice to my parents, and not because I feared a belt to my backside either. It was just something taught, something expected. Respect is a retro concept that I would love to see come back in fashion.

I have two daughter's that are now college age. You know that old "Ugh, teenagers," thing that lots of people say, with a roll of their eyes? I never felt that way about them. Not to say we always see eye to eye, or have our disagreements, but they are never sassy with me. Or, if they forget themselves and start with words or tone of voice I find objectionable, all I have to ask is, "Who are you talking to like that? I'm pretty sure you didn't just speak to your mom like that." Every time, they get a sheepish look and apologize. They have a boundary, and realize when they cross it. Now, this goes both ways. As a parent, I do not use a snotty tone of voice with them, nor do I yell at them. I expect them to treat me similarly to how I treat them, with love and respect.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Mommy daughter dolphin date



I shared with you Sierra's special weekend with her dad. Well, I thought I'd just pop up a couple photos of something special Sierra and I did last Friday.

The Six Flags near us, in Vallejo, California, has a dolphin experience. I'd been wanting to get Sierra over there for some time, but it just never happened. They offered season pass holders a 1/2 deal. So, for two for the price of one, we both got to enjoy a magical afternoon with two special dolphins, Bodie and Cortez.



That beaming smile warms my heart.



I even got a little kiss. How lucky am I?

Aw shucks - for me?




I'm feeling all warm and fuzzy this evening. I was given an award! The lovely Tara Tyler took notice of my humble ramblings.

I am hereby ordered to tell you seven things about myself.

1. I don't always like to follow the rules. And, I can be a bit snarky. Hmm, is that one thing or two? It's under one number heading...

2. Being a wife and mom is the greatest job in the world! I love my family with all my heart and they mean the world to me.

3. I'm sponsoring a writing contest at my daughter's elementary school this year. I'm thrilled that the kids will get to see their writing and their names in print!

4. I have 6 sisters and 4 brothers. I'm the baby of the family. And, I'm spoiled. Yup.

5. I have two children in college and don't think that should be possible. Where the hell did all the time go?

6. I went to high school at a boarding academy. I wonder what percentage of Americans go to boarding school? It wasn't because we were rolling in money either...remember those 10 brothers and sisters? Going to a boarding school is a unique experience with mostly happy memories, though many times I felt like the guy from Papillon.

7. I wish there were a few more hours in the day, because I never seem to get everything on my list done and so many things have to wrap around to the next day...or the one after that.

8. Because I like to break the rules, I thought I'd just add a number eight. I don't think I even want to tell you anything else. Oh, who am I kidding. Of course I'll tell you something else. I own a very large Doberman puppy. He's nine months and weighs 90 pounds or more. And, he's currently sleeping at my feet. I'm going to have to kick him out of the room though, because he keeps creating SBD's that curl the nose hair.

Wow, now to nominate 15 more bloggers...
1. Barbara Brown
2. E and K
3. Author Wodke Hawkinson
4. Gale Martin
5. Ruth Long
6. Connie Jasperson
7-15. Your name here...You get the award! Yes, you the one with the squinty eyes. You're reading it correctly. The award belongs to you too! Don't you feel all warm and fuzzy now?

I'm sorry, I know I'm supposed to nominate more folks, and really there are so many who deserve acknowledgement, you know who you are. I'm pretty sure you don't need little old me to tell you how awesome you are.

Here are the Rules of the Award Blog:

Display the award logo on your blog post.
Link back to the person who nominated you.
State 7 things about yourself.
Nominate 15 bloggers to the award.
Notify those bloggers of the nomination by linking to one of their specific posts so that they get notified by ping back. (I probably didn't follow this rule, either)!