Reflections on Homeschooling

It's summer so currently I am reflecting on the pros on cons of homeschool. Today I'm leaning with the cons. (click on cartoon to view full size)

When parenting turns on you.

So we all tell our kids they shouldn't lie. I think most of us parents are guilty of a fib or two. Well now that I have a teenager, he has decided to teach me a lesson about all my lessons. Practice what you preach moms, practice what you preach. Your excellent parenting will come back to haunt you.
I think this cartoon pretty much sums it up.

The Devil might just be in the man in charge at Hostess

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Got an e-mail from The Devil Himself Hostess today. I signed up to get the free monthly coupons on the usual goods, Twinkies, Ho Ho's and the like. Only everytime I go grocery shopping once and a while, as a treat, I will get a box for myself my son. Usually, I'm not a huge fan of the Twinkie. I watched some random Discovery channel show about how since they are not actually any sort of real food, they can last 7 or 8 years in your pantry. Actually, I considered at that point including them in my earthquake survival supplies. Then I realized that I don't actually have an earthquake survival kit ( it's on my list of things to do). But HoHo's??????...Well, those are quite another story. I find the trans fat in the partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, frothed up to look like real whip cream, in the middle of cake and more partially hrdrogenated vegetable oil with chocolate flavoring acting as the frosting quite simply....irresistable. However, I have been able to control myself for quite some time now and just skip even printing a coupon, which in my world equates to not buying them because I will only by things like that if I have a coupon. Well, my giant ass might be encountering a growth spurt soon. Hostess has come out with " A sweet new spin on summer snacking" Strawberry & Crème Twinkies and HoHos. DAMN........nom nom nom ...........YOU .... gulp .... nom nom.......... DEVIL.

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For you other savvy savers who enjoy strawberry flavored partially hydrogenated vegetable oil....heres a link to save .75 cents.

http://www.hostesscakes.com/100/coupons/

Fun FREE Summertime Stuff

Summertime can be expensive. It seems like since we can't say "Oh... you're bored? Well, I'm sure you have some homework to do". It is now up to us to keep our kids entertained all summer long. A couple of summers ago, I learned about a fun and better yet, FREE mid week movie night on the beach. Its called Alfredo's Beach Club and is part of the Long Beach Sea Festival summer programs. http://http//www.alfredosbeachclub.com/seafest-movie.html The movies aren't new but they are family oriented and watching them while on the beach with the faint roar of the ocean in the background....well that's just plain awesome. Tonights Movie is Brewsters Millions.Free parking & free popcorn . Also, a BBQ dinner plate is available for purchase for very little money. Follow the link, hope to see you there.

Happy 4th of July...and a playlist to go with it!!!!

Play list removed due to being exrtemely annoying after the 4th of July.

Because Being A Mom Isn't Enough...I'm a bank Robber

Ever since Chase took over Wamu I have felt totally inferior. I use WAMU to cash my child support checks. I go in person rather than my own bank two times every month for various reasons. Mostly because in the last 7-8 years, funds from my ex haven't always been available ( bounce bounce bounce) and rather than mess up my personal banking account, I would rather cash them out right. Truth be told I really don't have to explain this to anyone, least of all the bank. My first visit to WAMU after the Chase take over they asked for me two forms of ID ( Drivers license and Credit card) and my Social Security number. I admit, I flinched a little being that I have been told you really should never give out your SSN for any reason except when actually applying for credit or social security. I am, however, a realist and knew that debating this with the teller was just going to delay me. My second visit after the take over, now that they had my SSN, they asked for my maiden name. I told the teller I felt this was a little odd being that I was merely cashing a check, not actually applying for any account. She replied "Yeah, just new policy now that we are with Chase." Okay...I get it, I'm not trying to make anyones job more difficult. Over the following months I have been asked my drivers licence #, my birthday ( even though my ID was in front of them) my mothers maiden name and other various personal questions. It seems like no matter how much or how personal the information is, it's just not quite good enough. I have grown ever more aggitated with every passing encounter. I mean what's next my medical records? Does Chase want my last gynocologist name and appointment date in order to cash my check? So today the teller asked me the same question as a different teller asked me last time. "What is your occupation"? I took a breath and said " The teller asked me this last time". " I don't work, I'm just a mom". And because being a mom isn't enough the snotty obviously childless teller told me this " You know that until you give us your REAL occupation, we are going to ask you the same question everytime." OK thats it...I had enough at that point. Fully knowing I was going to stir up some shit and actually looking forward to it at that point I asked for a manager. So the teller in her 20 something mode of "OMG this lady is such a bitch" mode including the obligatory 20 something eye roll, went to find her manager. I stood at her counter for first 3, look at cell phone now 5 and then finally a little over 7 minutes before she came back. All the while in my pissed off state of mind these were the occupations I decided I was going to tell the manager I held in order to just cash the stupid check. At first, I was going to get creative with the truth , then of course being me .....only sarasm appeared.

#1 I'm a homeschooling mom....(does that count since it takes up all my living and breathing hours?)

#2 I'm a Couponista ( those that know me might not even dispute this)

#3 I'm a secret shopper that gives bank employees secret reviews. (that came to fast and easy must think of others)

#4. "I'm a princess." ( didn't my diamond tiara give me away?)

#5. " I'm a robot. " ( said in of course my best computer voice) followed by 'domo orogato" once I had my hands on the money.

#6 "I'm a bomb sniffing dog." followed by "Do you have any scooby snacks?"

#7 by now I was more than irritated # 3 "I'm a prostitute and your husband was excellent last night".

# 8 "I'm a bathing suit model" ( this is truly funny in person as once you see me in person I'd like to see her or anyone else process this information)

#9. Quoting my favorite line from Goldie Hawn in the movie Overboard...."I'm a short, fat slut"

And finally

#10 with visions of Thelma and Louise running through my brain as I neared the 7 to 8 minute mark I decided I would fully say :

"I'm a bank robber" ( I actually pictured myself in the mask, black outfit, and waving a gun around all willy nilly like I know I would if actually holding a gun and robbing a bank ) . I was kinda looking forward to the looks on their faces when my fantasy was interrupted.

Well well well....... wouldn't you know that when she came back after speaking with her manager( other 20 something agreeing what a bitch some people are), she just found out that the policy had just just changed YESTERDAY (imagine that). They dont really need to know all those personal facts after all.

Oh and they are "Sorry" and "Would I like to open an account with them directly"?. Hmmmm Megan? Mehgan? Meagan? Is that your name? What do you think ?

4th of July

Okay, so being the homeschooling mom that I am, I spent the better part of this last school year learning oops I mean teaching, yes teaching my son about American History. We learned about how we stole errr.... um .....I mean liberated the land from the Indians, how we colonized and created new towns, and how we created our new government. Part of the lessons were about the obligatory and yes useful knowledge of our Declaration of Independence. A beautiful document written by men who of the time could have had no perception of what the future would be. I don't imagine they had any idea of the social liberties that we would all become accustomed to. All they were worried about at the time was finding a way to tell England that enough was enough and the new land created a new opportunity for the people to govern themselves in a way they saw fit. Taxes being the main issue....hmmmm perhaps it't time for another oh nevermind. Anyway,

So as we all know being signed on July 4th , 1776 we became a nation unto our own. Ever since we have celebrated with family and friends the birth of our nation. I have explained many times the signifigance of this to my 14 year old son. How it is important we honor our forefathers and the country on the 4th of July by just plain and simple being thankful and grateful we live in the land of the free. Usually, I felt he got it. Then today we went to our local Rite Aid for a few things. The store was packed. Not with people but with about 25 pallets of beer. Then and there on the spot...my 14 year old son said " Mom, I know you think the 4th is about being patriotic and everything but I have to tell you, the real reason is this........(hand rolls out like a Price is Right model) BEER!!!!!!

**** stopped me in my tracks, got out cell phone, take picture, decide to blog about this LOL***********

I guess even Benjamin Franklin might have gotten a laugh at that, so yes son among other things the 4th of July is also about Beer.