Category Archives: In My Opinion

Dad’s Harsh Facebook Parenting Too Far?

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This video of a father choosing to use Facebook as a means of discipline has been circulating the web this morning like someone lit it on fire and yelled “hot potato!”

It has received a variety of reactions, some using words to shake their finger in the fathers face, others offering written high fives. Here are just a handful of the comments prompted by this extreme video:

“If my parents had done this to me I would have swallowed a bottle of pills.” -grasshopperddr

“You are my hero. I have a child and see nothing wrong with what you did. You warned her multiple times what would happen. Kids need to realize that having all these things, phones, laptops, iPods, are a PRIVILEGE not a right. It is a parents job to teach their kid how to behave properly. My mother didn’t believe in being paid for chores either. If you live in a home it is your responsibility to help take care of it. If more parents were like him, our country would be a much better place.” -logankrbsmom

“we sit together with our arms around each other, we LOVE each other, This guy does not truly love his child, all I have to say about this guy and has never been said better than in “meet the fockers” “ASS–HOOLLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” -acet4s

“As an 18 yo girl, I approve. What must parents these days don’t realize is that even if we get caught, getting facebook and our computer away will just make us angrier: in other words, we just do stuff like this again. Maybe he should have sent the laptop to charity, but the pubic humilation lets her knife he’s serious and insures she won’t be doing that again.” -Lynnthoria

Where do I stand? Well, Facebook Dad, I offer you a high-five and a chest bump. See this for more about my feelings on society’s expectations of parenting today.

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At Least I’m Not Scrubbing Horse Shit

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You know those days that you take a good, hard look at your life and wonder, “Now, where did I put that tiara my dad promised me when I was 8?”

While asking myself why there wasn’t a horse and carriage parked in my driveway this morning, I concluded that the tiara must have been lost down the drain during one of the umpteen times I ferociously washed my hands trying to remove the persistent poop smell as a result of potty training Sophie… more pottying than training, really.

I’ve always found comfort in knowing that one day, when I “grow up”, I’ll know exactly what it is I want out of my life and, myself. Now that I have – and I say this loosely – grown up, it’s like I’ve finally cranked that handle on the Jack-in-the-Box long enough and out popped a big, “Surprise! It’s not about what you know you want. It’s about knowing what you don’t want.”

It could be worse – I could have been scrubbing horse shit off my hands this morning. See. It’s about knowing what you don’t want.

What I’m coming to realize is, happiness comes from setting standards. For my life, for myself, for those I choose to have around me. Not “I require a palm tree fan and grapes hand fed to me” kind of standards, although I’m sure I could rise to the challenge if give the opportunity, but these kind of standards: I deserve to be treated well. I deserve to be loved. I deserve to be adored. I deserve to respected. I deserve to be successful. I deserve to be cared for. I deserve to be trusted. I deserve to believe in myself. I deserve to be hopeful. I deserve to be comfortable. I deserve to be content.

The natural strength and need to nurture that most every woman comes equipped with often results in taking on anything that comes her way with the intent to fix it. Knowing that she can fix it is powerful… knowing that she doesn’t have to is liberating.

Good call, Jack.

Wells Fargo – Bigger Than The Law?

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Those of you that know me know that I have very conservative political views. I believe in capitalism, business, and working hard for what you want. I have nothing against big business in fact, I believe without it we would have no chance of digging ourselves out of this mess of an economy we have. With that said, I don’t appreciate being told to bend over and take it up the you-know-where by anyone. Not my husband, and not YOU, Wells Fargo.

Allow me to clarify: As much as I believe that American’s should be able to work hard and profit, it must be done with a certain level of decency, morals, and respect for your customers and fellow citizens.

Let me tell you a story that began about 2 1/2 weeks ago in the little town of Ketchum, Idaho, and continues to go… and on… and on here in Boise. Like most families, Scott and I live pretty much paycheck to paycheck. By the time pay-day comes around, we’re nervously biting our fingernails waiting for that deposit to be made. This last pay period was no different. Our deposit was made at the Wells Fargo branch in Ketchum, Idaho on Tuesday, October 4th. Like always, it was deposited by Scott’s employer. His company does not offer direct deposit and being that the main office for the company is in a different town, this arrangement works well for both parties. Equipped with a voided check of ours to ensure correct account information, the money was put in the bank. Or, so we thought. It never showed up in our account. After verification from the employer that the money was deposited, I put in several calls to Wells Fargo – To no avail.

The following day we received the deposit receipt in the mail from his employer, as always. It was then that I realized what happened – The teller put the money in the wrong account. An account that I had prior to marriage, and account that has been closed for years, an account that Scott isn’t on (his paycheck, remember?), an account that doesn’t even have our last name on it – it had my maiden name. I quickly called the branch once I realized what happened. They owned their mistake, apologized – and apologized – and apologized. I was assured that the money would be credited to our account THAT night.

The next morning, when the money wasn’t there, I began calling around 8:00 am. The local branch was closed, so I started with the customer service line. That was a waste of time. To avoid making this story as agonizingly long and painful as my last few wweeks have been, I’m going to cut to the chase. The money was not credited to my account until that following Friday. The week was full of endless phone calls to Wells Fargo here locally, in Ketchum, and the call center. The reason it took so long? I’m told it was because, instead of them pushing that money back to the depositor’s account, they put it in some “catch all” account that Wells has set up for misc money, and there is endless amounts of paperwork that needs to be done to get it out. SHOULDN’T BE MY PROBLEM. You lost my money – give it back to me, THEN do what you need to do on your side.

Well, the ordeal was FINALLY over – right? NO. That next Monday I went to the grocery store. With a cart full of food, 3 kids running in circles around me, and the “please God, just let this be over” look on my face, I run my card at the checkout. DENIED. I pull up my account on my phone right there. The money had been taken back out. The Ketchum branch was already closed, but my local branch was still open for another 5 minutes so, I called them. And called, and called, and called. Couple days later, I was told that the credit made to my account to “fix” the problem was done incorrectly by their branch manager – So, they took it back during processing. Now, don’t forget – time didn’t stand still during all of this, I have stuff coming out of my account – FEES, FEES, FEES.

What I haven’t seen come out yet? My rent check that was dropped off the Friday the first credit was made to fix the problem. I called our landlord and asked if she had deposited the check. YEP. It was deposited the Monday after she got it – The Monday that I went grocery shopping and the Monday that the money was taken back out by Wells Fargo. This phone call took place a week after she had deposited the money, so I was extremely concerned. I went back over my now clusterfuck of an account and couldn’t find any evidence of that check having gone through. No pending, no fee, no nothing. I told her that if it came out of her account to let me know, but for now let’s just wait and see if it comes through on my end. We waited, and waited, and waited. Fast forward to now – our landlord called, saying that the money came out of her account and she is now overdrawn, too. Still, no evidence of it ever even hitting my account on the day it was deposited (and that the money wasn’t there – because of the manager’s error). Thanks, Wells Fargo.

Let’s talk about the fees:

Now, for those of you that don’t know, banks manipulate transactions to maximize overdraft fees. Sorry – NSF fees. Since overdraft fees are now “illegal” they had to change the name so they can continue the practice. For example, you make 3 charges over the weekend in this order: one for $3, one for $5, and one for $100. When the charges are put through for processing Monday night, they change it to read $100, $5, then $3. That way, if your account is going to be overdrawn, they get 3 NSF fees, instead of just 1 or 2. Judging by the amount of law suits filed, fought, and won in regards to this matter, it’s safe to say that it’s been deemed unconstitutional. So I ask you, why is it still common practice for big banks? Or, an even better question, why is it still being allowed by government? I don’t believe our government has a right to run big business, but the ONE thing that is undeniably their job is to ensure that our constitution is being upheld. Right??

So, just how many law suits for overdraft manipulation have already been filed, fought, and won? Just Google “Overdraft Manipulation” and be prepared to get pissed off.

Mom Blogging – Is It Worth It?

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There are a lot of different opinions floating around the web on this matter. As a mom blogger, it’s nearly impossible not to run into one or two of them on a regular basis. Just like everything else, there are those that say it is worth it, and there are those that say it isn’t. Fascinating, I know.

The opinions range anywhere from “mom bloggers spend so much time mom-blogging that they forget to be a mom.” To, “mom blogging is a great way for stay at home moms to be able to raise their children and help with the family income at the same time.”

Here’s the deal. Mom blogging is time consuming, it’s A LOT of work, and there isn’t a lot in the way of pay. Almost nothing, actually. *Gasps heard around the world.* Unless, of course, you lost your job and have a dog named Chuck. Then, I’d say – hell yes it’s worth it. If you don’t, then I wouldn’t recommend putting all of your eggs in one, blog-sized basket.

You, there. Yes, you, the one with the twinkle still fresh in your eye, a newly purchased domain, and your “favorites” tab filled with the likes of Alexa and Google Analytics. Sorry.

Whether it’s worth it or not, now that’s up to you. First, you have to decide what it is that you’re looking to accomplish by becoming a blogger. Friends? Money? A life outside of spit-up and cleaning pee off of the bathroom floor, walls and mirrors?

Friends? Yep, you’ll make lots of them.
A life? True, you won’t be cleaning pee up while you’re blogging – but you’d better believe you’ll be talking about it…. and poop… and puke… and boogers.
Money? Not so much.

Becoming a blogger is something that has the potential to make money, but if you’re only in it for the dough, then you’d probably be better off reconsidering. Or, be prepared to give it some time. Lots of time.

My Response – Breastfeeding: How Old Is Too Old?

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Okay, so I’ve gotten a lot of tongue lashings for my post Breastfeeding: How Old Is Too Old? There’s been a lot of moms that say “I breastfed my kids until they were 6, 7, 8, etc…” and I’m the best mom in the world!! (paraphrasing, of course.)

So, here’s the deal. I don’t agree with breastfeeding your kids well into school age, but what’s it to you? It’s not like I’m gonna walk up to you on the street and shake my finger in your face… it’s none of my damn business. I just don’t agree with it. Do I cringe? Yep. But, not where you can see me. Just like I cringe at most socialist liberal ideas that are supposed to make the whole world best friends, but do I call up the president and say “hey Mr. President, I’m cringing at you right now.” No. Why? Two reasons: A. He wouldn’t give a shit. B. It’s a waste of my time. I don’t like wasting my time.

I find it laughable that commentors are so fired up about my post that they feel the need to litter my blog with their negative comments toward my beliefs, while all the while trying to make the point that I’m the bad guy here for judging theirs. Hypocritical much?

The truth of the matter is – and I direct this to you, “best moms in the world for breastfeeding your kids before they go out on their first date”, there are hundreds of mothers, fathers, people out there that agree with me in saying that it’s ridiculous. Unfortunately, when it comes to this subject, none of them say anything because you all act like rabid wolves out to catch the only fox in the land when they do. But again… who gives a shit? Right?

Well, you do, apparently.

Oh, and to answer one of your questions: Why do I feel the need to post this on my blog? Well, because last time I checked, the liberals haven’t taken over yet and this is still a free country.

Don’t Blame Them ‘Cause You’re the Dumbass

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ABC News releases story, ‘Mom to Sue McDonald’s in Happy Meal Battle’ today.

According to ABC News, Monet Parham, mother of two and health educator, plans to join the Center for Science in the Public Interest in filing a lawsuit today against the fast food giant (McDonald’s) to force them to either offer lower-calorie meals or get rid of the enticing trinkets.

Parham tells ABC, “I can tell them (her children) ‘No’ all day long, but then they see commercials that convince them you’ve really got to have this.” She then goes on to say, “I object to the fact that McDonald’s is getting into my kids’ heads without my permission and actually changing what my kids want to eat.”

Go to ABC News to read the whole story.

Sure toys make kids want Happy Meals. You’re damn right McDonalds knows it and uses that fact to sell their products, too. Its called marketing and its exactly what every successful business uses to get ahead and be profitable. That is, if they are any good at it.

Big corporations love ignorant people. Parham is their favorite kind. The kind that lacks control of their own life and the lives of their children. I don’t think she is a bad parent, I don’t know her. For me to slap a label of that magnitude on her forehead would be a display of ignorance myself. The truth is, at one time or another, everyone is influenced by a great marketing campaign. Which, by the way, I consider to be a blessing. Mostly because I like my freedom and the ability to operate a successful business if I so choose. Yes, a great product makes a successful business but if no one knows about that product then what the hell good is it?

Taking Responsibility is the only way for an individual to stop from getting sucked into every commercial or banner – or, Happy Meal toy. Telling your child ‘No’ isn’t always easy. Its frustrating to hear the same question 100 times a day. As a parent, its easier to just give in and finally get some peace and quiet. Fine, then do. But don’t blame McDonalds, or anyone else for that matter, because you’re too big of a baby to deal with being a parent.

A Look Back at 2010 With a Tear in My Eye

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As I sit back and reflect on the year 2010, I can’t help but think of the many things that could have been, the things that were, and the things that really never should have been.

As part of the grieving process for getting one year older and therefore developing yet another laugh line – go on, I dare you to call it something else – I felt it would be beneficial to compile a list of these things that I have shed so many tears for in the last few days. A list of which, of course, I will share with all of you lucky bastards.

This is me sharing a little piece of my rollercoaster hormone ride with you. At least this time there isn’t a presidential election during my pregnancy, you should have seen the tears shed THAT year.

Things that COULD have been in the year 2010:

Really, who isn’t still waiting around for this one?

We all know I’ll be jumping on this soul train when it comes back around!

This would do wonders for those travelling with children.

 

Things that WERE in the year 2010:

Good things come to those whose names start with iP.
Side note: Thinking about naming the baby iPearl.

Teeter-Tottering between “Things that were” and “Things that really never should have been” is everyone’s favorite game to hate.

There’s an app for that.

Because everyone needs to get in touch with people from high school that they never liked in the first place.

Admit it, you would have known what this was even if it was just a picture of the bird.

Never text and drive. You’ll crash and die and then they’ll make a movie about you.

Things that REALLY never should have been EVER:

Bet you never thought you’d be begging for baggy ass-hanging-out jeans to come back around, did ya?

To be fair, I rocked jelly shoes and slap bracelets.

Hello Johnathon Taylor Thomas Jr.

What ever happened to “Where the Red Fern Grows” and “Shiloh?”

Speaking of Facebook and Twitter, you should totally be my friends.

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I believe. I think.

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I believe that everything happens for a reason. I think.

I believe that we control our own destiny. Until something happens for a reason.

I believe that there is always someone in the world that has it worse than you do. Everyone except for one.

I believe that we do, in fact, need more then love. Like, food and water.

I believe that world peace is impossible. More than half of us can’t even keep peace within our marriages.

I believe that people can change. Or, at least pretend really well for the rest of their life.

I do not believe that money can buy happiness. However, I would like to test this for accuracy.

I believe that you can have your cake and eat it too. Why spend money on the cake if you can’t eat it?

I believe that size does matter. Everyone takes the bigger piece for themselves.

I believe that nothing in life is free. Paybacks are a bitch.

I believe that nothing worth having is easy to get. I’m not even certain the hard ones are worth having.

Who the Hell Do You Think You Are?

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Quick poll: Is it okay for someone to just MOVE Halloween?
Results: 1 of 1 says NO. I win.

Grab your umbrella, I’m about to vomit my frustration all over you. Meridian, Idaho decided that they’d just go ahead and move Halloween this year because it was inconvenient for some people to have it on Sunday. Yes, you heard me correctly. They moved it. Just like that. Halloween was not on the 31st of October, it was on the 30th.

What is it with the sense of entitlement that society has today? It pisses me off. You can’t just move something that’s been around for centuries… that millions upon millions of people celebrate today and have celebrated in years past… because you don’t feel as though it fits in with your schedule, because it’s not convenient for you. Are you kidding me? Please, allow me to feed you a grape while fanning you with this oversize palm branch.

So, fill me in, Meridian. Is Halloween just going to be the last Saturday of October from now on? I’m forgetful, so I’ll need to change the date on my calendar beforehand. How about Christmas? Should we move that to June so that traveling family members are better accommodated? Or, so that we can open presents while sipping on wine coolers by the beach? Hmmm, actually, I pulled out my planner and June isn’t good for me – I have 3 Botox injections scheduled that I simply can’t work around – how about July?

I took my kids out Sunday – You know, Halloween. Or, what WAS Halloween. Most all of the porch lights were off. Much to my surprise, I didn’t get the “memo” that the holiday had been moved. Some houses even said that they weren’t expecting trick or treaters because they had so many the night before.

It’s bad enough that adults have this mentality, do we really need to be teaching our kids that if something doesn’t “work” for them that its fine to just change it? There is no “bad parent” list that you’ll end up on if you keep your kids up late on a school night once a year. Or, if they don’t get a bath before bed Halloween night. It’s just ridiculous.

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Mom Blogs, Clonky Clogs and 6 Ounces of Hand Cream

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There is something to be said for a mom who blogs. The rawness of it. The ugly and beautiful truth put out there for all to see, to judge. It takes a great deal of courage for a mother to put her deepest sorrows, greatest concerns and most vulnerable moments on display for the world to read. Also, to tell your readers that you just got done bathing your one year old who had diarrhea while in the tub then allowing them to draw their own conclusions as to whether or not that smell can ever truly come off of your hands and clothes. Then, allowing their minds to wander in the direction of your keyboard and giving them the priceless gift of gratefulness that this is a blog and not an escort service.

I believe this is where I feel such a burst of female pride that I am to throw my hands up in the air and yell “You go girls!!” while jumping up and down and blowing a big bubble with my giant wad of gum. Also where I should break into a string of words like OMG, BFF and well, those are the only two I know. Too bad I can only wear my favorite jeans from high school in my best of dreams or I’d totally have those on while doing my cheer, too. Not to worry, the Smashing Pumpkins T-Shirt and knee high rainbow striped socks are still a green light. Well, on my non knocked-up days. Take solace in knowing that I somehow managed to escape the clonky clog phase that also went along with this time period.

Wow. Good thing it was a round trip ticket I bought for that trip down memory lane, it’s quite possible I never would have made it back on my own. I try not to buy one-ways, they prompt extra luggage searches and I have a hard enough time getting my 6 oz bottles of hand cream through security already. I’m quite certain that doubling the approved amount of moisturizer allowed on a plane is a code red security breech. Or, at the very least, they will be confiscated by Mr. Mullet behind the screen who conducts the strip searches and lives with his mother. Not that I know anything about that guy or what he does with hand cream.

Speaking of living with your mother, I have made it a point to make sure that my rule regarding free room and board is quite clear to my children. That’s right, there’s only one. If you’re too cool for school, then you’re most certainly too cool to live with your mom. According to my mother, however, you are never to cool to live with your grandma. Hunter believes he will be moving his wife and children in with his. He also refuses to see why this would create any type of conflict within his marriage. Have fun with that one, mom.

OMG, we should totally be, like, BFF’s.
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