This week was my first official week as a "couponer."
Yep. I'm pretty sure I'm on the verge of becoming one of those crazy coupon ladies who get totally high off of free groceries...
Unless I totally flake out which is totally a possibility since I pretty much stink at commitment.
Unless I do so fantastical that I get to quit my job because I somehow miraculously figure out how to feed my family organic food for free every month...
Wednesday I went online to Coupon Closet and perused the match ups for the Homeland flier. Basically, this saint of a woman named Carrie clips coupons religiously. She takes the Homeland sale bill (Homeland doubles coupons up to a dollar every day) and matches up online and paper insert coupons for items that are free or extremely cheap.
Since I do not subscribe to the paper, and had only purchased one paper, I was limited to clicking on her links (seriously, she has a link that you click on and then just print the coupon) and using those coupons. If you are at all interested, the thing I must tell you before you go visit her and start clicking and printing is that you should create a coupon email address so your inbox is not flooded with other junk. She gives this advice and it seems very wise. I ended up wasting lots of time signing up for some name brands to send me emails to my new coupon address so that I could get online coupons for peanut butter and waffles and such...
I went to Homeland on my way home from work Thursday. I had $17 dollars worth of coupons, printed strictly online and I refrained from printing anything I classified as not needed or just pure junk. I was strangely nervous.
I didn't have a Homeland card. I didn't know if the checker would really double the "do not double" coupon. I was afraid I'd get the wrong item and then I'd be stuck with name brand stuff when off brand would be cheaper and on and on and on...
I stopped at the eggs. I had a coupon that I could use to end up getting them for $0.45 each. I noticed a lady perusing her printed coupon and the eggs at the same time as me...
I wandered over to the lunch meat. The same lady was grabbing some lunch meat with a printed coupon. We each got a 12oz shredded turkey pack for $0.50.
We stopped at the yogurt. The display with the valid coupon was empty. My heart thumped. My palms started sweating. What was I to do? I really, really, really, really WANTED that free yogurt. I eat yogurt nearly every day. My daughter packs it in her lunch...My first failure as a couponer was looming at me, and I was uncertain of what to do next.
"Are you looking for the YoPlus yogurt?" she asked.
"Yeah. I guess it's all gone. I'm new to this coupon thing. How do I get a rain check?"
"I don't know. I've only been doing it about 3 weeks, and I've never needed to get one. I guess we just go ask customer service." And then we totally launched into a conversation about Coupon Closet (she even had her handy dandy shoebox with her, complete with scissors, I noted) and her various trials and successes with couponing. Apparently she has a coworker who is hooked as well, and now they both swap coupons every Monday morning and share shopping bargain stories with each other.
I swear, by the time I walked away, I felt like I had made a new friend who I knew was trying to pay off two cars that will be paid off hopefully by the end of this summer. She works, but is trying to convince her husband that she can quit after they get their cars paid off and if she does REALLY good couponing...
Basically, I just met a soul sister in the dairy aisle at my local Homeland.
After I hugged her, kissed her on the cheek goodbye and had a moment of prayer over her desire to quit working*, I skipped down the aisle to Customer Service to get my Homeland card and rain check for my free YoPlus yogurt....
I happily checked out for $5 even, with $16.79 worth of groceries. And $3 of that was for cheese, which I did NOT have a coupon for! I felt like that was pretty good for my maiden voyage into the land of couponing...
As I gently laid my eggs on the floor of my back seat I realized I forgot to ask for my new soul sister's number before we said goodbye.
Perhaps we will meet again in the frozen food aisle as we scavenge for our favorite frozen pizza that we will inevitably be getting for free.
Or perhaps the whole hugging/kissing/prayer thing totally freaked her out and she will never visit that Homeland again as long as she lives.
*Please understand, Gentle Reader, I'm only kidding about the hugging/kissing/prayer thing. It sounded like a crazy thing I'd do, and I might have if I hadn't been in such a hurry to get home!
Monday, February 28, 2011
Saturday, February 26, 2011
A New Washer and a New BFF
So you heard all about getting the washer home a few days ago...I am sure you have been waiting for me to tell you how I came to own my very own front load washer, right?
Well, you see, it all started with a trip to Kohl's a few months ago. I took some Christmas money with me. I needed new jeans, you see...
Yada yada yada, I ended up only using a small amount of Christmas money, and the rest I put on me debit card...
Why yes. Yes I did catch some grief from my husband regarding that shopping spree. My only justification was that I was saving money for new floors. And keeping my Christmas money for that endeavor seemed like a totally logical idea. Never mind that I spent the money regardless, the green paper money stayed in my cash stash, so in my mind it was never spent!
I am nothing if not completely logical at all times...Unless it suits me to be illogical, and then I can totally justify that illogical thought process.
Fast forward to last weekend.
My favorite husband announced that Ultimate Electronics was going out of business and they had everything on clearance. He wanted to go get a new washer. I threw on my socks and shoes, grabbed my cash stash and headed out the door in my yoga gear sans makeup. I was in the passenger seat with the garage door opened in 2 minutes flat. Strangely, it seemed as if the rest of my little clan took forever to meander out to the car.
We went to Ultimate Electronics. They had two Samsung washer right next to each other. Only one was like $600 more. I asked my helpful sales associate, Harvey what the difference was. He was wonderfully honest and told me that the other had a steam cycle that most people would not use and was therefore probably an unnecessary expense for us.
He was instantly my best friend.
Sadly, his status as my BFF did not last long. The only washer they had in that particular model of washer I had picked out was the one on the floor. What you need to understand, Gentle Reader is that I have no problem whatsoever buying floor models.
I once bought a floor model dishwasher that had recently had the front panel changed, for $150. It had a $100 mail in rebate for Maytag at the time, so I walked away with a brand spanking new dishwasher for $50.
I bought a new stove several months ago. I also got the floor model for this stove, as they had recently changed all of the burner grills to cast iron, and this particular stove still had the porcelain coated burner grills. I happily bought it for $400 less than the newer model, with an additional 20% off for taking a floor model.
I am doing a little happy dance right here on my couch as I type this blog thinking about my bargains...
I am sure my whole face lit up when good ole Harvey told me he only had the floor model left...
"Well, since this is the floor model can you take any more off of the price?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am. We are being liquidated by a liquidating firm, and I can't give you an additional discount. In the past I would have been able to offer a deeper discount for floor models."
Now at this point my darling husband tells me my shoulders slumped and my face fell. I'm tellin' ya. I was like a little kid who's had his candy taken away! I literally had to walk away and think about if I really wanted to buy a washer that I could not get a deeper discount on!
Obviously, I opted to get it. My on again off again BFF Harvey told me that he could get me one still in the box from another store if we would go get it. We opted for that one since he couldn't give me an extra $120 off like I had been secretly hoping for...
He also told me not to look at dishwashers yet as they were going to be marked down more and that he would give me a call if a black one came in (they had at least one more shipment of those coming) so I could look up the model online and see if I was interested. He took my name and number with the promise to call me when the next shipment of dishwashers came in if I felt the price was low enough.
That Harvey. He knows me so well.
No wonder he's my BFF.
Well, you see, it all started with a trip to Kohl's a few months ago. I took some Christmas money with me. I needed new jeans, you see...
Yada yada yada, I ended up only using a small amount of Christmas money, and the rest I put on me debit card...
Why yes. Yes I did catch some grief from my husband regarding that shopping spree. My only justification was that I was saving money for new floors. And keeping my Christmas money for that endeavor seemed like a totally logical idea. Never mind that I spent the money regardless, the green paper money stayed in my cash stash, so in my mind it was never spent!
I am nothing if not completely logical at all times...Unless it suits me to be illogical, and then I can totally justify that illogical thought process.
Fast forward to last weekend.
My favorite husband announced that Ultimate Electronics was going out of business and they had everything on clearance. He wanted to go get a new washer. I threw on my socks and shoes, grabbed my cash stash and headed out the door in my yoga gear sans makeup. I was in the passenger seat with the garage door opened in 2 minutes flat. Strangely, it seemed as if the rest of my little clan took forever to meander out to the car.
We went to Ultimate Electronics. They had two Samsung washer right next to each other. Only one was like $600 more. I asked my helpful sales associate, Harvey what the difference was. He was wonderfully honest and told me that the other had a steam cycle that most people would not use and was therefore probably an unnecessary expense for us.
He was instantly my best friend.
Sadly, his status as my BFF did not last long. The only washer they had in that particular model of washer I had picked out was the one on the floor. What you need to understand, Gentle Reader is that I have no problem whatsoever buying floor models.
I once bought a floor model dishwasher that had recently had the front panel changed, for $150. It had a $100 mail in rebate for Maytag at the time, so I walked away with a brand spanking new dishwasher for $50.
I bought a new stove several months ago. I also got the floor model for this stove, as they had recently changed all of the burner grills to cast iron, and this particular stove still had the porcelain coated burner grills. I happily bought it for $400 less than the newer model, with an additional 20% off for taking a floor model.
I am doing a little happy dance right here on my couch as I type this blog thinking about my bargains...
I am sure my whole face lit up when good ole Harvey told me he only had the floor model left...
"Well, since this is the floor model can you take any more off of the price?"
"I'm sorry, ma'am. We are being liquidated by a liquidating firm, and I can't give you an additional discount. In the past I would have been able to offer a deeper discount for floor models."
Now at this point my darling husband tells me my shoulders slumped and my face fell. I'm tellin' ya. I was like a little kid who's had his candy taken away! I literally had to walk away and think about if I really wanted to buy a washer that I could not get a deeper discount on!
Obviously, I opted to get it. My on again off again BFF Harvey told me that he could get me one still in the box from another store if we would go get it. We opted for that one since he couldn't give me an extra $120 off like I had been secretly hoping for...
He also told me not to look at dishwashers yet as they were going to be marked down more and that he would give me a call if a black one came in (they had at least one more shipment of those coming) so I could look up the model online and see if I was interested. He took my name and number with the promise to call me when the next shipment of dishwashers came in if I felt the price was low enough.
That Harvey. He knows me so well.
No wonder he's my BFF.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A Mother's Wisdom
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| My beautiful Mother and Grandmama. Two women who have given me more wisdom than I ever asked for. |
I FINALLY GOT A NEW WASHER!!!
Can I get a Woot! Woot!
I was telling my mom ALL about it on my way in to work on Monday morning.
Me: So, he got home with the washer that evening, and we started to unload it. Now, he had asked a friend to help unload it, but Larry had knee surgery at the end of November, and I wasn't sure he should be lifting it. And I'm pretty strong, y'know, so I decided I could help him. Only I couldn't get a good purchase on the box it came in. He told me to go ask the neighbor, Colby, to help unload it. I said he needed to ask himself. Which he flat refused to do. Men! They are so stubborn. I suggested we get Molly to help, as she was just sitting in the recliner watching Disney and he scoffed at that too. Finally, we decided to take it out of the box because then maybe I could grip it better. So we took it out of the box, but it was still ungainly, and I was afraid I'd drop it. I enlisted Molly's help. Studmuffin said he'd get it from the front if we'd get the sides. And then he lifted it. But we didn't really have a good grip on it, so we ended up just moving our arms into different positions as he muscled it from the back of the truck to the ground. After he sat it down commented how heavy it was. Molly & I nearly wet our pants laughing at our uselessness....
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| I imagine this was my facial expression... |
Wait a second here, Gentle Reader. Did she just interrupt my ongoing ramblings to criticize my always carefully thought out actions?
Me: Well, like I said, if you had been PAYING ATTENTION I couldn't get a good purchase that way. But it's okay because Studmuffin got it out, and I'm pretty sure the damage he did to his shoulder was only minimal.
Mom: Well, let me tell you what your dad would have done. He would have gotten some boards and made a ramp off the back of the pickup, and then slid it to the ground.
Me: Mooooom! Why do you have to be such a know it all!?
Mom: Cackle, cackle, cackle, cackle!
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| The farm wife in all her practical farm wife-ish ways. |
Me: Mom! Nobody likes a show off!
Mom: Cackle, cackle....
And I would like to present to the audience that it is indeed true that a mother's wisdom, imparted after a bout of stupidity is NEVER appreciated.
The End.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Red Neckedness
Last Friday, at roughly 6:45am when the sun was just starting to give some light to the world, I heard Kelsey begin to bark. It was her "I'm a big dog and you better watch out because I can totally take you" bark. Or something like that...I don't actually speak dog, but if I did, I'm pretty sure this is how she'd talk.
I was standing at the sink in our kitchen, admiring the view out my front yard waiting patiently for my cup of coffee to finish. My mind was wandering.
"I'm really glad I bought that three dollar tube bird feeder to hang out this window. It seems to make the bird seed go further. And I get to watch birds directly out my window. I wish there were birds out there right now. I wonder when the hummingbirds will come back? Where will I hang this feeder when I put out my nectar feeder? It will have to be some place that I can see easily. And Kelsey can't catch the birds. That limits my possibilities...."
I heard Studmuffin come through the living room, and say something to me, in a hushed voice. I didn't bother to turn around as I heard the back door open and close. I was pretty sure he was going to tell the dog "shut up" and I had not been awake long enough to engage anyone in conversation.
I am NOT a morning person.
Just as I picked up my fresh brewed cup of Donut Shoppe coffee, I hear "Bam! Bam!" What in the world? I turned around, cup of life's blood thankfully unspilled, and firmly grasped in my hand to the back door opening. My husband burst through the door, with his gun on his hip...
"What are you doing? You don't even have shoes on!"
"I woke up to Kelsey barking, looked out our window and four coyotes were in the yard. I thought I'd try and shoot them before they were gone."
I perused his appearance...
"Do you think you could at least have bothered to put some clothes on?"
Yes, Gentle Reader. I know you find such shenanigans distressing and that you are clutching your chest in shock and bewilderment. My husband went out to shoot at coyotes. At 6:45 am. Without his shoes on. In his UNDERWEAR!!!
"Did you at least shoot one?"
"Nah. It was too dark. I couldn't see them through the scope."
Strange that. He couldn't see the coyotes at dawn in a scope that is not night vision...In fact it is a scope that he bought at Gibson's in 1984. Or somewhere around there. Either way.
That thing wasn't helping him bring down any predators at 6:45am.
In his underwear.
Oh, and I know you are just dying to know what he loudly whispered to me: You're gonna want to blog this!
He knows me so well.
I was standing at the sink in our kitchen, admiring the view out my front yard waiting patiently for my cup of coffee to finish. My mind was wandering.
"I'm really glad I bought that three dollar tube bird feeder to hang out this window. It seems to make the bird seed go further. And I get to watch birds directly out my window. I wish there were birds out there right now. I wonder when the hummingbirds will come back? Where will I hang this feeder when I put out my nectar feeder? It will have to be some place that I can see easily. And Kelsey can't catch the birds. That limits my possibilities...."
I heard Studmuffin come through the living room, and say something to me, in a hushed voice. I didn't bother to turn around as I heard the back door open and close. I was pretty sure he was going to tell the dog "shut up" and I had not been awake long enough to engage anyone in conversation.
I am NOT a morning person.
Just as I picked up my fresh brewed cup of Donut Shoppe coffee, I hear "Bam! Bam!" What in the world? I turned around, cup of life's blood thankfully unspilled, and firmly grasped in my hand to the back door opening. My husband burst through the door, with his gun on his hip...
"What are you doing? You don't even have shoes on!"
"I woke up to Kelsey barking, looked out our window and four coyotes were in the yard. I thought I'd try and shoot them before they were gone."
I perused his appearance...
"Do you think you could at least have bothered to put some clothes on?"
Yes, Gentle Reader. I know you find such shenanigans distressing and that you are clutching your chest in shock and bewilderment. My husband went out to shoot at coyotes. At 6:45 am. Without his shoes on. In his UNDERWEAR!!!
"Did you at least shoot one?"
"Nah. It was too dark. I couldn't see them through the scope."
Strange that. He couldn't see the coyotes at dawn in a scope that is not night vision...In fact it is a scope that he bought at Gibson's in 1984. Or somewhere around there. Either way.
That thing wasn't helping him bring down any predators at 6:45am.
In his underwear.
Oh, and I know you are just dying to know what he loudly whispered to me: You're gonna want to blog this!
He knows me so well.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Chocolate and Tattoos
I have so much to tell you about!
My new washer, nursery drama, redneck moments...However, today I will just give you a blip of the stuff jostling in my brain to get out.
First, I will share an epiphany with you. I have a frequent flier patient who is 25 years old. He has kidney failure, lung problems, and circulatory issues, and he is a train wreck. He likes heavy gold jewelry. You know the kind with giant links and huge crosses? That's his type of jewelry. He is covered in tattoos. He has a Nike swoosh on his back and lots of Chinese emblems, and of course a barb wire around his bicep. The PA Sonya asked him about the one on his right pectoral the other day as she was preparing to place a catheter to drain a fluid collection from around his lung...
"It says destroy. Because my body is destroying itself."
He has no tendency towards drama or neediness.
Oh. Did I mention he is blind?
Why would a blind man cover himself in tattoos? How does he know what he's getting? How does he know what they will look like? And what is the deal with the heavy gold jewelry? How does he know what it looks like?
I gotta say, he is one strange skinny white guy...
I got invited to a bunco group tonight as a sub. They had bowls of snack food at each table...I ate 4 caramels, a handful of M&Ms, some chocolate pretzels, and even a few Twizzler licorice bites. Then they served a giant slice of chocolate cake with fresh fruit...I opted for strawberries.
I feel great right now.
But I'm pretty sure I will be hung over tomorrow.
Did you know i have reactive hypoglycemia? This is a condition where your insulin release is okay, unless you eat a huge abundance of sugar or refined carbohydrates. Then your pancreas has a massive overreaction and dumps insulin like crazy. The result is a huge sugar crash...Which makes you want more sugar...
I remember the first time a physician told me I had reactive hypoglycemia. "You made that up. I am just fine." And I walked away from that know it all nephrologist and went about my work. A few weeks later I had a cardiologist mention the possibility of it to me following a discussion on why I loathe donuts...I sneered at him (behind his back) and returned to work, disgruntled that he could not be bothered to bring me a breakfast burrito.
However, this time I went home and googled it. And I decided that those quack doctors may actually know what they are talking about.
Shocking, I know.
Tomorrow when I wake up with a splitting headache and generalized crummy feelings...I will bemoan those dang doctors who pointed out the cause of my post sugar irritability.
Because I'm pretty sure it's their fault.
My new washer, nursery drama, redneck moments...However, today I will just give you a blip of the stuff jostling in my brain to get out.
First, I will share an epiphany with you. I have a frequent flier patient who is 25 years old. He has kidney failure, lung problems, and circulatory issues, and he is a train wreck. He likes heavy gold jewelry. You know the kind with giant links and huge crosses? That's his type of jewelry. He is covered in tattoos. He has a Nike swoosh on his back and lots of Chinese emblems, and of course a barb wire around his bicep. The PA Sonya asked him about the one on his right pectoral the other day as she was preparing to place a catheter to drain a fluid collection from around his lung...
"It says destroy. Because my body is destroying itself."
He has no tendency towards drama or neediness.
Oh. Did I mention he is blind?
Why would a blind man cover himself in tattoos? How does he know what he's getting? How does he know what they will look like? And what is the deal with the heavy gold jewelry? How does he know what it looks like?
I gotta say, he is one strange skinny white guy...
I got invited to a bunco group tonight as a sub. They had bowls of snack food at each table...I ate 4 caramels, a handful of M&Ms, some chocolate pretzels, and even a few Twizzler licorice bites. Then they served a giant slice of chocolate cake with fresh fruit...I opted for strawberries.
I feel great right now.
But I'm pretty sure I will be hung over tomorrow.
Did you know i have reactive hypoglycemia? This is a condition where your insulin release is okay, unless you eat a huge abundance of sugar or refined carbohydrates. Then your pancreas has a massive overreaction and dumps insulin like crazy. The result is a huge sugar crash...Which makes you want more sugar...
I remember the first time a physician told me I had reactive hypoglycemia. "You made that up. I am just fine." And I walked away from that know it all nephrologist and went about my work. A few weeks later I had a cardiologist mention the possibility of it to me following a discussion on why I loathe donuts...I sneered at him (behind his back) and returned to work, disgruntled that he could not be bothered to bring me a breakfast burrito.
However, this time I went home and googled it. And I decided that those quack doctors may actually know what they are talking about.
Shocking, I know.
Tomorrow when I wake up with a splitting headache and generalized crummy feelings...I will bemoan those dang doctors who pointed out the cause of my post sugar irritability.
Because I'm pretty sure it's their fault.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Fear of Commitment and Distraction.
I didn't always have this problem.
I blame it on nursing school.
Or, more specifically, my bowing to pressure and deciding to run for our chapter of the National Student Nurse Association President. Let's just say it lead me to understand that I NEVER want to be in management, meetings with the Dean of Nursing are not all they're cracked up to be, and that if you want to KNOW something is done, you've got to do it yourself, or nag, nag, nag to be sure it's getting done!
Now I get itchy at the thought of truly "committing" to something. Like taking call. Or agreeing to a full time position at work. I don't CARE if I'm working 32 hours, and four more makes me full time! The label FULL TIME gives me hives...
Literally!
I recently started helping with our ladies ministry at church. I stated that I feel very lead to help women connect and feel welcomed in the church. I asked if I could be given the names of visitors, prospective members, or new members so that I can contact them and say "hello." I have a hard time spotting new faces since I am in the toddlers in Sunday School, and I am in choir during the welcome time.
Guess what? I am now over the Hospitality committee! YOIKS! I immediately started scratching my neck and saying, "Well, okay. I guess that's what I was wanting to do anyway. And heaven knows I can talk to strangers...Or posts...Or whatever." But actually being responsible for hospitality. That makes me a little sweaty. I totally want to do it, I just don't want to be committed to doing it...Kapeesh?
Oh, and speaking of toddlers, that class is a classic example of why I fear commitment. Studmuffin and I decided we wanted to lead an older kids Sunday school. Like 4th grade and up. Well, it was spring time of 2009 when we approached our children's minister with this, and she said that she had a spot coming open in August, but could we fill in for the two year old class in the mean time?
Well, we are still in the preschool area. Another couple came and asked to do the 4th grade, and since they DID NOT want to do preschool, we ended up moving down to the 18-24 month class.
SHEESH!
So. We decided to take a six month hiatus starting in September. Only our replacement ended up having knee surgery, and nobody else wanted the class, so we figured, "What's going back a few months early matter?"
A lot. Now, we are about to start a second toddler class, as our baby classes are bursting at the seams, and I am seeing no light at the end of the tunnel for some time...
By the way, if you happen to go to my church, and you read my blog, and you are looking for a place to serve, might I suggest toddlers? I happen to know a great class you can step into IMMEDIATELY. They really truly are the sweetest kids. But I am longing for an adult Sunday school class...
As you can tell, lately I've been having LOTS of commitment issues. I hesitate to agree to sleepovers because I'm tired. I balk at the thought of going out. I'm tired. I am crunching numbers, trying to figure out how I can work less. I'm tired.
Our church offered a coupon class last night. I went into it with all sorts of a crappy attitude. You see, I've found that in the past, I would never have bought the item I just got if I hadn't had a coupon. Or the off brand is still cheaper. Or the item with a coupon did not meet my nutrition standards.
Obviously, I was desperate if I was going to a class I was pretty sure was a complete waste of my time.
But go I did! And, let me tell you, the things she had to share were amazing! She went from spending $1000 per month on groceries (she has 5 kids aged 5 and under) to budgeting $250 for groceries! That includes food, toiletries, cleaners, diapers, etc.
That was pretty inspiring!
However, I am still not convinced. You see, in order to coupon, one must actually get a Sunday paper, so one can actually have coupons to clip!
Earth shattering, I know.
However, If I subscribe to the paper and fail to clip my coupons, then I will be mad at myself for wasting money on the paper!
I hate when I realize I'm not doing something well...Because then I just tend to give up! I realize that's not a pretty attitude, but it's the truth!
And, hey...I admitted to crushing on Steven Tyler, which virtually all of you found revolting, so we can all be pretty sure I'm truthful about who I am!
It is so dramatic to be me. Pity my husband.
Seriously.
Did you know we took a class at church to help us find our place in ministry? It was a hoot. I found out all of the wonderful things about me that I already knew... Even the things I'd like to pretend I didn't know. Some of them pretty painful...
I am a Sanguine/inspiring personality. How about I list some of the traits of that personality?
bubbly, carefree, changeable, charismatic, compassionate, childlike, expressive, extroverted, friendly, spontaneous, warm, people-centered, ...
Doesn't that sound like a wonderful person? How about I list some of the more, shall we say, ugly truths...disorganized, easily distracted, exaggerates (to that I say NEVER!!!), impulsive, impractical, restless, superficial, undisciplined,...
I also learned that while I'm really great at coming up with ideas, I lack the follow through to get them done! Hey! Lucky me, I married a melancholy/conscientious personality, and they are guhREAT at follow trough! Woot! Woot!
Confession: If I want something done, but don't particularly want to do the task I need completed (like replacing the kitchen back splash) I simply start it. I don't even have to be starting out well. You see, my husband is a SUPER perfectionist. He will take over within no time at all! He very firmly believes that if he wants something done right he better do it himself.
And while I realize many of you think that is a very sneaky tactic to take, it's really no secret around here! It drives him crazy when I start something haphazardly with a half formed plan in my brain, (which is how I start every project) so he takes over, draws out a blue print, develops a plan of action, makes forty dozen trips to the store and gets it done in twelve times the amount of time it would have taken me...
But I didn't have to do it! And to that I say, AMEN!
I also learned that people with my personality need to "learn the thinking arts of reflection and self-examination to combat their tendency to distraction, tangents, and shallowness."
Oh, how that makes me laugh...I am sooooo distracted and tangentish...And probably shallow. Shallow in the sense that in the moment of you sharing your tragic moment with me, I'm totally there with you, but I will easily forget and move on. That's probably part of me being a great nurse. I am genuinely caring about my patients and their plights. But I can easily leave it behind when I'm at home.
Another statement that was painfully dead on: Emotions are fleeting, and I's frequently experience quick reversal of feeling. They may go from sulking to elation....tend to be talkative, extreme, vivid, and emphatic.
Oops
That emotions are fleeting thing makes me think of high school. Remember the silent treatment? I was TERRIBLE at that. I would forget I wasn't "speaking to her" or I was totally bewildered how someone could ever stay mad at me! I just didn't have the stick-to-it-ivenes to harbor that anger or resentment!
Okay, so now that we've established I'm shallow, forgetful and distracted, unreliable, and easily charmed, is it any wonder that I get all itchy when expected to make a commitment?
However, if I'm lucky I can talk really fast and use my charm and exuberance to convince you to do the job I just signed up to do, and let you have the blessing of finishing it...
And I will use my extreme talkativeness to cheer you on!
I blame it on nursing school.
Or, more specifically, my bowing to pressure and deciding to run for our chapter of the National Student Nurse Association President. Let's just say it lead me to understand that I NEVER want to be in management, meetings with the Dean of Nursing are not all they're cracked up to be, and that if you want to KNOW something is done, you've got to do it yourself, or nag, nag, nag to be sure it's getting done!
Now I get itchy at the thought of truly "committing" to something. Like taking call. Or agreeing to a full time position at work. I don't CARE if I'm working 32 hours, and four more makes me full time! The label FULL TIME gives me hives...
Literally!
I recently started helping with our ladies ministry at church. I stated that I feel very lead to help women connect and feel welcomed in the church. I asked if I could be given the names of visitors, prospective members, or new members so that I can contact them and say "hello." I have a hard time spotting new faces since I am in the toddlers in Sunday School, and I am in choir during the welcome time.
Guess what? I am now over the Hospitality committee! YOIKS! I immediately started scratching my neck and saying, "Well, okay. I guess that's what I was wanting to do anyway. And heaven knows I can talk to strangers...Or posts...Or whatever." But actually being responsible for hospitality. That makes me a little sweaty. I totally want to do it, I just don't want to be committed to doing it...Kapeesh?
Oh, and speaking of toddlers, that class is a classic example of why I fear commitment. Studmuffin and I decided we wanted to lead an older kids Sunday school. Like 4th grade and up. Well, it was spring time of 2009 when we approached our children's minister with this, and she said that she had a spot coming open in August, but could we fill in for the two year old class in the mean time?
Well, we are still in the preschool area. Another couple came and asked to do the 4th grade, and since they DID NOT want to do preschool, we ended up moving down to the 18-24 month class.
SHEESH!
So. We decided to take a six month hiatus starting in September. Only our replacement ended up having knee surgery, and nobody else wanted the class, so we figured, "What's going back a few months early matter?"
A lot. Now, we are about to start a second toddler class, as our baby classes are bursting at the seams, and I am seeing no light at the end of the tunnel for some time...
By the way, if you happen to go to my church, and you read my blog, and you are looking for a place to serve, might I suggest toddlers? I happen to know a great class you can step into IMMEDIATELY. They really truly are the sweetest kids. But I am longing for an adult Sunday school class...
As you can tell, lately I've been having LOTS of commitment issues. I hesitate to agree to sleepovers because I'm tired. I balk at the thought of going out. I'm tired. I am crunching numbers, trying to figure out how I can work less. I'm tired.
Our church offered a coupon class last night. I went into it with all sorts of a crappy attitude. You see, I've found that in the past, I would never have bought the item I just got if I hadn't had a coupon. Or the off brand is still cheaper. Or the item with a coupon did not meet my nutrition standards.
Obviously, I was desperate if I was going to a class I was pretty sure was a complete waste of my time.
But go I did! And, let me tell you, the things she had to share were amazing! She went from spending $1000 per month on groceries (she has 5 kids aged 5 and under) to budgeting $250 for groceries! That includes food, toiletries, cleaners, diapers, etc.
That was pretty inspiring!
However, I am still not convinced. You see, in order to coupon, one must actually get a Sunday paper, so one can actually have coupons to clip!
Earth shattering, I know.
However, If I subscribe to the paper and fail to clip my coupons, then I will be mad at myself for wasting money on the paper!
I hate when I realize I'm not doing something well...Because then I just tend to give up! I realize that's not a pretty attitude, but it's the truth!
And, hey...I admitted to crushing on Steven Tyler, which virtually all of you found revolting, so we can all be pretty sure I'm truthful about who I am!
It is so dramatic to be me. Pity my husband.
Seriously.
Did you know we took a class at church to help us find our place in ministry? It was a hoot. I found out all of the wonderful things about me that I already knew... Even the things I'd like to pretend I didn't know. Some of them pretty painful...
I am a Sanguine/inspiring personality. How about I list some of the traits of that personality?
bubbly, carefree, changeable, charismatic, compassionate, childlike, expressive, extroverted, friendly, spontaneous, warm, people-centered, ...
Doesn't that sound like a wonderful person? How about I list some of the more, shall we say, ugly truths...disorganized, easily distracted, exaggerates (to that I say NEVER!!!), impulsive, impractical, restless, superficial, undisciplined,...
I also learned that while I'm really great at coming up with ideas, I lack the follow through to get them done! Hey! Lucky me, I married a melancholy/conscientious personality, and they are guhREAT at follow trough! Woot! Woot!
Confession: If I want something done, but don't particularly want to do the task I need completed (like replacing the kitchen back splash) I simply start it. I don't even have to be starting out well. You see, my husband is a SUPER perfectionist. He will take over within no time at all! He very firmly believes that if he wants something done right he better do it himself.
And while I realize many of you think that is a very sneaky tactic to take, it's really no secret around here! It drives him crazy when I start something haphazardly with a half formed plan in my brain, (which is how I start every project) so he takes over, draws out a blue print, develops a plan of action, makes forty dozen trips to the store and gets it done in twelve times the amount of time it would have taken me...
But I didn't have to do it! And to that I say, AMEN!
I also learned that people with my personality need to "learn the thinking arts of reflection and self-examination to combat their tendency to distraction, tangents, and shallowness."
Oh, how that makes me laugh...I am sooooo distracted and tangentish...And probably shallow. Shallow in the sense that in the moment of you sharing your tragic moment with me, I'm totally there with you, but I will easily forget and move on. That's probably part of me being a great nurse. I am genuinely caring about my patients and their plights. But I can easily leave it behind when I'm at home.
Another statement that was painfully dead on: Emotions are fleeting, and I's frequently experience quick reversal of feeling. They may go from sulking to elation....tend to be talkative, extreme, vivid, and emphatic.
Oops
That emotions are fleeting thing makes me think of high school. Remember the silent treatment? I was TERRIBLE at that. I would forget I wasn't "speaking to her" or I was totally bewildered how someone could ever stay mad at me! I just didn't have the stick-to-it-ivenes to harbor that anger or resentment!
Okay, so now that we've established I'm shallow, forgetful and distracted, unreliable, and easily charmed, is it any wonder that I get all itchy when expected to make a commitment?
However, if I'm lucky I can talk really fast and use my charm and exuberance to convince you to do the job I just signed up to do, and let you have the blessing of finishing it...
And I will use my extreme talkativeness to cheer you on!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Quotes
Studmuffin: What's for dinner tonight?
Me: It's Thursday.
Studmuffin: Pizza night?
Bookworm: Praise the LORD!
And she meant it.
Watching American Idol Wednesday Night:
Popcorn: Is that one judge guy a retired rock star?
Me: Steven Tyler?
Popcorn: Yeah. The long haired one.
Me: Baby, there is no such thing as a retired rock star. Once a rock star, always a rock star.
Studmuffin: Your mom is secretly in love with him.
Me: No I'm not. But I have to admit I find him strangely attractive....
This is me. Sorry but it's true....
American Idol Thursday Night:
Popcorn: I'm pretty sure I can win American Idol.
Oh, the confidence of youth!
The kids have been wondering what Steven Tyler sings. Call me crazy, but I haven't whipped out my Aerosmith tapes for them...I shudder to think of them busting out, "Love in an elevator! Livin' it up when I'm goin' down." Or how about "Dude looks like a lady!"
*Shudder*
Friday Morning, rushing around to get to the bus on time:
Popcorn was given the task of feeding the dog and cat, her sister was waiting in the car. I was scrambling about, grabbing cell phone, pager, and whatnot...Popcorn was struggling turning the doorknob with her gloves on.
Popcorn: Curse you gloves!
Really? A nine year old cursing her gloves? I think this may be evidence of avid reading...At least that's what I'm going with.
I am choosing to ignore Dr. Doofenschmirtz role in this whole dialogue. Never let it be said that we watch an excessive amount of Phineas & Ferb..."Curse you Perry the Platypus!"
Now, I know I posted this conversation on Facebook, but it is one of those great mom moments...
We were at a quick stop on the way home from my grandmama's funeral. It had been a long day. We walked into this quick stop and they had one of those little restaurant things that are found only in convenience stores. You know what I mean? They have the big stainless shelves with heat lamps on them, and they hold such wonders as pizza pockets, fried burritos, egg rolls, chicken livers and gizzards...
This particular store even added barbecue sandwiches and a cooler area with chicken salad and tuna salad sandwiches and these gargantuan chef salads. I opted for that ginormous salad. Seriously. It was so good and so fresh and I could barely even finish it!
Popcorn did not want food. She only wanted Fritos. I felt she should learn about the joyous wonders of a deep fried pizza pocket...
Me: Baby Girl, it's been a long day & I'm not cooking when we get home. If you choose to eat Fritos then that's your dinner.
She opted to buy an over priced Lunchable to go along with her Fritos. And can I just say that we still have that dad gum bag of Fritos in the pantry? Oh, and we did buy a pizza pocket and all four of us shared it. The girls agreed that their lives had been sorely lacking without that little gem in their culinary experience.
Yep, that's me! Expanding my kids culinary palate at every opportunity!
Next we will move on to chittlin's and cracklings!
Attention: I do not think I used culinary correctly in this post. At all. But, it is late and my brain is tired...So culinary it is!
But I must ask one burning question: What do they call them in your part of the world? Chittlin's? Chitterlingis? Chittlings? Inquiring minds want to know...
Me: It's Thursday.
Studmuffin: Pizza night?
Bookworm: Praise the LORD!
And she meant it.
Watching American Idol Wednesday Night:
Popcorn: Is that one judge guy a retired rock star?
Me: Steven Tyler?
Popcorn: Yeah. The long haired one.
Me: Baby, there is no such thing as a retired rock star. Once a rock star, always a rock star.
Studmuffin: Your mom is secretly in love with him.
Me: No I'm not. But I have to admit I find him strangely attractive....
This is me. Sorry but it's true....
American Idol Thursday Night:
Popcorn: I'm pretty sure I can win American Idol.
Oh, the confidence of youth!
The kids have been wondering what Steven Tyler sings. Call me crazy, but I haven't whipped out my Aerosmith tapes for them...I shudder to think of them busting out, "Love in an elevator! Livin' it up when I'm goin' down." Or how about "Dude looks like a lady!"
*Shudder*
Friday Morning, rushing around to get to the bus on time:
Popcorn was given the task of feeding the dog and cat, her sister was waiting in the car. I was scrambling about, grabbing cell phone, pager, and whatnot...Popcorn was struggling turning the doorknob with her gloves on.
Popcorn: Curse you gloves!
Really? A nine year old cursing her gloves? I think this may be evidence of avid reading...At least that's what I'm going with.
I am choosing to ignore Dr. Doofenschmirtz role in this whole dialogue. Never let it be said that we watch an excessive amount of Phineas & Ferb..."Curse you Perry the Platypus!"
Now, I know I posted this conversation on Facebook, but it is one of those great mom moments...
We were at a quick stop on the way home from my grandmama's funeral. It had been a long day. We walked into this quick stop and they had one of those little restaurant things that are found only in convenience stores. You know what I mean? They have the big stainless shelves with heat lamps on them, and they hold such wonders as pizza pockets, fried burritos, egg rolls, chicken livers and gizzards...
This particular store even added barbecue sandwiches and a cooler area with chicken salad and tuna salad sandwiches and these gargantuan chef salads. I opted for that ginormous salad. Seriously. It was so good and so fresh and I could barely even finish it!
Popcorn did not want food. She only wanted Fritos. I felt she should learn about the joyous wonders of a deep fried pizza pocket...
Me: Baby Girl, it's been a long day & I'm not cooking when we get home. If you choose to eat Fritos then that's your dinner.
She opted to buy an over priced Lunchable to go along with her Fritos. And can I just say that we still have that dad gum bag of Fritos in the pantry? Oh, and we did buy a pizza pocket and all four of us shared it. The girls agreed that their lives had been sorely lacking without that little gem in their culinary experience.
Yep, that's me! Expanding my kids culinary palate at every opportunity!
Next we will move on to chittlin's and cracklings!
Attention: I do not think I used culinary correctly in this post. At all. But, it is late and my brain is tired...So culinary it is!
But I must ask one burning question: What do they call them in your part of the world? Chittlin's? Chitterlingis? Chittlings? Inquiring minds want to know...
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