Category Archives: Ponderings

Snowed Out

Well, we are getting a bit of snow, and it is supposed to get down to -7 tonight. Since we had extra kids here sleeping over, we have to take them home. Then we are going to share New Year’s Eve with friends, so we could possibly get snowed out instead of snowed in. But, hey, at least we will be having fun with friends, right?

Hope you are enjoying the weather wherever you are, “weather” it be hot or cold. 😀

5 More Things About Me

Robert Hruzek tagged me in a meme that asks you to list seven things about yourself, but since he couldn’t count, I decided to only list five like he did, so he wouldn’t look as silly. 🙂

I have done a meme similar to this one twice before. Since I don’t want to be redundant, and I know you like reading my blog so much, I will give you the opportunity to go back and read 7 Things About Me and Five Things That May Surprise You. Just don’t forget to come back. 😉

Now that you’ve caught up, I will tell you five more things about myself. If, after reading those two posts along with this one, you still don’t know quite enough about me, go ahead and do your own list of five (or seven, if you can count) things about yourself and re-tag me. 🙂 Here’s my list.

  1. I don’t quite own “on.” Being from the south, I used to think that both on and own were pronounced “own.” When I tried to correct my pronunciation, I went a little too far. Now they are both “on.” And even more mixed up than that is that sometimes I will say, “I did it all own my on.” Maybe this little mess-up in pronunciation is why…
  2. I like to write. Now I don’t mean that I like to write short stories or poetry. I mean I literally like to get out a piece of paper and write.  It is also important to have a pen that I thoroughly enjoy writing with. If the pen isn’t write, the righting experience isn’t as good. 🙂 It might even make my hand fall asleep. Speaking of which…
  3. My head has fallen asleep. My head has literally fallen asleep on one side, and it was the weirdest sensation. This topic came up with when I tried to have a coherent conversation with Luke after falling asleep on the couch. Speaking of sleeping, I need to start saying goodbye soon. But here’s a little something to wake you up until the end of my post…
  4. I like mixed drinks. Now, don’t come to any conclusions until you have read more. I like mixing different juices together (with no added “ingredients”). Apple-strawberry is good, but my favorite is orange-apple-pineapple! Other mixed drinks I have been known to drink are peanut-butter-chocolate-milk and coffee-tea. Speaking of mixed drinks a cup of tea (regular mixed with sugar cookie sleigh ride) sounds yummy. Talk to you guys later….What? Oh. I’m only on number 4? There’s one more? Guess I really can’t count!!!
  5. I always say “goodbye” 3 times. My mom pointed this out to me when I was a pre-teen. I began to pay attention to myself, and sure enough, I always tend to say “goodbye” three times before I actually mean it.

So, there you have it. Five things about me that you were just dying to know. Now it is my turn to tag 5 people. I choose as my victims…

Good bye!

Pass the Generosity, Please

I have been the recipient of the generosity of others on many occasions. Today while riding the bus was one example. Because a stroller is so bulky, it is necessary and required to fold it up and carry both the stroller and the infant onto the bus. This takes a bit of maneuvering!

Today three different people noticed my bulky situation and lent a hand in carrying my stroller onto the bus for me! Three people! That means I only had to carry it onto the bus myself one time!

That may sound like a small act of generosity, but for me it was HUGE! First, they actually noticed that I could benefit from a bit of help. I have noticed that someone needed help before but noticed too late to actually be helpful instead of more of a burden. Also, I have noticed someone needed help and was too chicken to step up and say, “here let me help” (I know that is awful, but I’m being honest here). Generosity takes more than just noticing someone needs help!

Secondly, not only did they notice I could use a little help, but they were bold enough and kind enough to add one of their hands to my two, leaving only one for themselves. The fact that three people noticed I needed help and then acted was an amazing blessing!

I found myself wanting to do something in return to those people who generously helped make life easier for me, but honestly what can you do for a total stranger that you will only see for a few minutes on the bus? Say thanks. That’s about all you can do for that person, but it isn’t all you can do for others.

Chances are that the person who is generous has been on the receiving end of it at some point. The best thing you can do for a stranger who shows kindness to you is to keep the generosity going. When you see someone who could use a helping hand, offer yours.

This is my entry for this month’s “What I learned From” group writing project at Middle Zone Musings.

It’s Time to Take a Stand!

I am sure many of you know about Motrin’s ad targeting baby wearing moms and portraying them in a negative way. If you haven’t heard anything of it, Susan at Marketing Roadmaps and Susie at babywearing.com give pretty good summaries.

This new ad really upset a lot of moms who wear their babies. I believe those moms had reason to be upset, and I am glad they spoke out and eventually convinced McNeal Consumer healthcare to take down the advertisement for Motrin (their product).

My goal today is not to bash Motrin any more. Instead, it is about the amazing influence of twitter and personal blogs.

I came across a twitter search today named #motrinmoms. Motrinmoms was a response from twittering and blogging moms across America, who are against the ad by Motrin. There were thousands of responses from Moms!

I was amazed at the response. Something happened that many Americans did not agree with, and through twitter and blogs, those Americans had the power to convince Motrin not only to remove the ad from their site, but to also remove it from all printed sources! What an impact!! Do you get the full meaning of that?

As an American and as a child of God, I am not happy about some of the things going on in America. I am sure Christians across America are not happy about some things in our country, whether it be the content on television and internet or laws that are passed.

Correct me if I am wrong, but it appears that if Christians and moral people across America stood up and spoke out for or against those things they want to change, there is a possibility that they would be heard and that there there could be a lasting impression.

Of course the trick is to be prepared to spread what is going on. If someone twitters for a change you agree with or blogs against something that you also are against, twitter about it too! Blog about it. Don’t think you are being redundant by twittering or blogging about something that has already been addressed. You have a different audience! Get the word out to them that you are ready to stand up for what you believe in!! Maybe they’ll do the same!

I have mentioned it before, but I will say it again just in case some of you don’t know. I am a Christian. I do not agree with several things that are going on in our beloved nation (because they are not scriptural), and I am ready to speak out about it. What good does it do to sit back and complain about it to my friends and then go on with life like I don’t care? I have recently learned that it does no good whatsoever!

I am ready to speak up to both those who agree with me and those who don’t and lovingly say, “I don’t like it!” I don’t hate those who push the things I disagree with. I just want to lift up my voice to declare my thoughts, jus like they did, while I still have the right to speak up.

Tabetha’s Tidbit: 1-Ply or 2-Ply?

Since it is close to Halloween, toilet paper seems like a good topic to post on. I had totally forgotten that yard rolling happens at this time of year and was not reminded until Halloween was over with. So, since it does you no good this year, maybe I can help you decide how to get the most for your money next year. I know you are all going yard rolling next year, right? (Believe it or not, I have never rolled a yard). 🙂

When I first visited Rhode Island, I noticed that everybody was using 1-ply toilet paper. I began to wonder if they even sold 2-ply toilet paper up here! After moving here, I have discovered that they do indeed sell 2-ply. For some reason that I did not understand, everyone seemed to prefer 1-ply over 2-ply.

I grew up thinking that 1-ply was used in stores and schools, but nobody used it at home. Because my parents always used 2-ply and considered 1-ply “cheap,” I always thought it was not worth anything.  It seemed like a waste of money to me because everyone knows that you have to use twice as much 1-ply as 2-ply, right?

Just out of curiosity, I checked the prices here and discovered that 1-ply is cheaper per 100 squares, but that didn’t seem to make it cheaper to use because of the extra amount of 1-ply used. I was not convinced that it was a better deal.

One day about a year ago, because I had plenty of practice using 1-ply here in RI, I realized that I do not use twice as much 1-ply  as 2-ply. I used a maximum of 50%  more 1-ply squares (I counted each and every square – just teasing). 😉 Another thing that ultimately swayed me to the other side was the fact that young children tend to waste toilet paper (at least mine do). Either they roll it off onto the floor or, even worse, throw as much as possible into the toilet. I have decided that I might actually save money with the 1-ply.

Because I was so strongly against 1-ply all my life, I had to do a little test before I was convinced. I went ahead and bought a 4 pack of 1-ply to test. I was amazed at how long that four pack lasted. It lasted twice as long as a 2-ply 4 pack. I was convinced. I have used 1-ply ever since, only now that it has passed my inspection, I buy the 12 pack.

So, now I don’t even notice when Wal-Mart has 1-ply toilet paper in their bathrooms. I believe that, at least here in Rhode Island, 1-ply is the best frugal choice.  Then again, maybe it is the best deal because that is what everyone here prefers.But, hey, it never hurts to check out the price and compare, right?

You never knew there was such a science to something as simple as toilet paper, did you? 😀

I’m Sorry I’m Sorry

Somehow it seems to be a part of my personality to say “sorry,” even when it is not necessary. I think it started out when I realized that I could say it when someone was in a bad circumstance. Of course, I meant that I was sorry the person was experiencing a hard time. Eventually I just began apologizing when it was totally not necessary.

When I moved to Rhode Island, a friend here began right off the bat saying, “You don’t have to apologize.” I actually apologized so much over time that I was able to predict when she was going to say this phrase. Sometimes I playfully came back with, “Oh did I apologize again? I’m sorry.” I was also sometimes tempted to say, “You don’t have to say ‘you don’t have to apologize.'” 🙂

But in reality she really helped me. It has been quite helpful to have her constantly reminding me that apologizing was not necessary. Not only that, but I am suspicious that apologizing constantly gives people the impression (let’s people see?) that I lack confidence.

For awhile, I got around the the reminder not to apologize by saying “starry” instead of “sorry.” She knew what I meant, and also realized that I knew I wasn’t supposed to be apologizing. I believe it is actually saying “I’m starry” (along with my friend’s constant reminders) that helped me to get over my apologetic apologizing because to remember to say “starry” was due to my remembering not to say the real thing. (Wow! Maybe you should read that sentence a second time!) Over time I unconsciously stopped say “I’m starry,” too!

Tonight while chatting with my friend online, I did slip up and apologize, and in so doing, realized how long it had been since I had apologized unnecessarily. Of course, that is not to say that I have not done anything to apologize for. Notice I did say “unnecessarily.” 🙂

The odd thing is that instead of slipping up which causes you to have to apologize, my slip up was apologizing itself! And I couldn’t even apologize for my mistake! Because to apologize would make me apologize for apologizing, which would make me apologize again……..and on and on and on.

And if this post is too long or not exactly what you were looking to read tonight, please forgive me. Does that count as apologizing?

Note: After typing this post, I realized I had unknowingly posted on Robert Hruzek’s “What I Learned From” topic of the month. I had been planning to post and time just slipped up on me. But I accidentally made the deadline. Sorry, Robert, that I almost forgot! 😀 (This is too much fun!).

Which is Best?

Luke asked me in a blog post to choose my favorite post. Unfortunately this posed a teeny problem for me. I could not choose! So here is a list of my top 10, plus a “few” runners up. Which one do you think should be my top post?

Top 10

Mom Can’t Use a Hammer
Phillip’s opinion as he watches me trying to put a nail in the wall

A Great Mother’s Day Gift
Pictures of the kids on Mother’s Day

Almost an Artist
Me learning to make Flag cards

I will NOT mop
A clash of wills between me and the floor

7 Things About Me
A few things about me that you might not know

Peter’s Ponderings
A 3 year old’s perspective

Turn on my Lights
Communication (or lack of) between 2 young boys

Independence Day 2008
4th of July Pictures

Do You Think I’m Pretty?
the honesty of children

Scary Bathrooms
a 2 year olds view of no touch bathrooms

Runners Up

Short Term Toy
11 Ways to Beat Time at His own Game
One More Birthday
Forget Perfection! Give Me Speed!
Disobedience?
A Time to Scream
Pet Pine Cones
Sports and Computer Games

Tabetha’s Tidbit: Where to Park?

It seems to be common among shoppers to drive around the parking lot looking for a space close to the store to save steps, but unless you are only buying a few things, parking close to the store does not actually save steps.

Let’s say you get the very first parking space that is not handicapped. After loading down your cart in the store, you push it out to load it all in your car. After working a miracle getting it all in your car, you are then stuck with an empty cart to put away. By the time you walk halfway down the parking lot to put it away, you have used all the extra steps you thought you had saved by parking close to the store.

If you park halfway down the parking lot, you can grab a cart on the way by and deposit it back in the cart rack after your shopping is done. No steps are saved by doing this, but you might save yourself a little time looking for a space. 🙂

This advice is not intended for those who shop in stores that have cart racks in the front of the store, those who buy small quantities that can be carried out by hand, or those who refrain from returning the cart to the rack.