Friday, December 31, 2010
New Year's Break
I am off on a short break for the New Year.... Some things to look for in the upcoming year - we'll be back on January 2nd with a NEW contest! A new redesigned blog will be coming hopefully by month's end and many more things to come. See y'all in 2011!
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
New Year's - To Resolve or Not?
Every year I set out with the best of intentions creating resolutions of things that with steely determination, I resolve to do for myself in the new year. The resolutions always stick for 0.26 seconds before I inevitably break my first one. I surely cannot possibly be the only human who faces this annual resolution battle. Do I or Don't I? How do I choose the proper resolution? Am I going to work on superficial self-improvement or seek something much more visceral this year?
Last year, I managed to stick to my resolution for the first time ever. I resolved not to resolve anything. It worked well for me. There was no stomachache of defeat come January 2 or even February 1 from having thrown in the towel yet another year. So, New Year's is right around the corner and I am now struggling to choose - do I actually stick with a resolution that works or come up with a reasonable list of resolutions?
Shockingly, I am going with the latter this year. And I am going to try my hardest not to break them. Some are really important to me.
1. We are reinstating family dinner time. I work 14 hour days and my husband's commute can take up to two hours one way. Family dinner has gone by the wayside in the name of just getting the kids fed. However, I think kids eat healthier and in general thrive a little better in a nurturing household where we all sit together and share a nightly meal. I am willing to take my chances that an appetite may be a bit ruined from a carrot stick snack to tide one over until a parent gets home, but I think it's important we come back to the family dinners.
2. To seriously train hard for the marathon. This takes work co-ordinating two runners and three kids, plus life. But I want to run 4 days a week, period.
3. To screw the Joneses. I am in the best place of my life, with a fantastic husband I still somedays I can't believe is mine and three beautiful children. Enough with the mental insanity I can cause myself and my darling husband trying to keep up "appearances". Love me for who I am or don't love me at all.
If I can't stick to these three, than I guess in 2012 it's back to the non-resolution resolution. What about you?
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
What would you do if....
I have indulged in a little dreaming of what I might do with such winnings. I used to take the high road and say I would never quit my job, but I think being honest with oneself requires the ability to recognize I would actually take some time off and indulge myself in a fantasy career. You know, something that involves the major your parents probably would never have let you pick in college. We would upgrade to a house with a garage, one where every boy would have their own bedroom. Maybe even a man AND woman cave. There was a conversation about not having any servants, but I suspect a chef every evening would find their way into our home as well as a quality mother's helper.
We love our minivan, but the sedan would go by the wayside in a New York minute for an SUV. And we could quit worrying about both the college expenses of three boys in addition to our retirement. I could stop stressing about the grocery bill and screw the BGE bill - let them charge whatever they want. I am done messing with that damn thermostat in the winter and freezing my hiney off!
But in terms of shopping, it would be different. We like what we like, and to suddenly start shopping uber-designer just because we could seems strange. Not to mention with three small boys, wearing anything beyond wash and wear is just plain foolish and begging for trouble.
I suspect the one big extravagance would be for us to indulge in a personal trainer to help us get ready for marathon day. Not really a necessity, but would be a huge asset to us mentally.
So, another day comes and goes and I am still not a multimillionaire and far from the dangers of ever falling victim to the lottery winners' curse. But I wonder what others would do with the money should it fall into their laps?
Monday, December 27, 2010
Customer Service with a Smile
Over the holiday weekend my fun-loving family of five; myself, the husband and the three boys found ourselves out and about around the town. We ultimately were headed to a seconds Christmas at my mother-in-law's, but it's not an uncommon sight on a weekend for all 5 of us to go off and do errands together on a weekend to begin with. The boys are well behaved in public unless we are asking them to complete their 8th hour of scooting about while tired and hungry. And I even get a bit childish and surly at that point.
But I digress. So, on errand number two, for which we had a scheduled appointment, all hell broke loose. We're not even talking with the kids, either. After checking in, I was told we could have a seat, for several people were in front of us. When inquiring about our scheduled appointment, I was told the appointments were merely "guidelines". The girl behind the desk did not even bother to deny my statement that I basically made an appointment for no reason at all. She did offer to get the manager to discuss the matter further, and of course, I agreed, thinking we could then be seen according to our appointment and be done with the matter. How silly.
The manager took 30 minutes to come speak to me, and all the while, we still hadn't been to our appointment. When I finally spoke to the manager, she just acknowledged that her business was extraordinarily busy that day and that despite having made an appointment, we would just have to wait. I brought up the fact that we schedule appointments due to having children and the need to work within a reasonable timeframe to keep them happy and non-disruptive. She actually told both myself and my husband that we should learn to leave our children at home and not take them in public. WHOA, sister! Slow down! 1. They were not being disruptive by any stretch of the imagination as we were still on errand two and 2. It's not as if we were hanging out at Morton's or the Ritz-Carlton.
Needless to say, we were furious at the gall of a customer service manager to say such an unprovoked statement. We left without completing the errand, not to mention corporate got quite the phone call from my dear husband. But it's not the first time by far that customer service experiences have been lacking or even prejudicial against children.
I don't understand how the service industry has moved so far away, from well, service. How doing their job for the consumer and keeping them happy and willing to earn their return business has become such a beast of burden. It's bizarre to me. Has a move toward automated hotlines/assembly lines/outsourcing suddenly made everyone less culpable for their day to day interactions with actual live humans? Or do they think that there are not enough folks like myself and my husband who won't tolerate poor service and an inability to smile along with some critical thinking when dealing with the public?
As for the manager we dealt with; she would do well to remember a couple things at the end of her day: (1) She's probably a parent too. (2) She probably would never stand for someone to talk to her about her well behaved children like that. (3) More flies are caught with honey than vinegar.
Swell. Now we can all play nice in the sandbox.
But I digress. So, on errand number two, for which we had a scheduled appointment, all hell broke loose. We're not even talking with the kids, either. After checking in, I was told we could have a seat, for several people were in front of us. When inquiring about our scheduled appointment, I was told the appointments were merely "guidelines". The girl behind the desk did not even bother to deny my statement that I basically made an appointment for no reason at all. She did offer to get the manager to discuss the matter further, and of course, I agreed, thinking we could then be seen according to our appointment and be done with the matter. How silly.
The manager took 30 minutes to come speak to me, and all the while, we still hadn't been to our appointment. When I finally spoke to the manager, she just acknowledged that her business was extraordinarily busy that day and that despite having made an appointment, we would just have to wait. I brought up the fact that we schedule appointments due to having children and the need to work within a reasonable timeframe to keep them happy and non-disruptive. She actually told both myself and my husband that we should learn to leave our children at home and not take them in public. WHOA, sister! Slow down! 1. They were not being disruptive by any stretch of the imagination as we were still on errand two and 2. It's not as if we were hanging out at Morton's or the Ritz-Carlton.
Needless to say, we were furious at the gall of a customer service manager to say such an unprovoked statement. We left without completing the errand, not to mention corporate got quite the phone call from my dear husband. But it's not the first time by far that customer service experiences have been lacking or even prejudicial against children.
I don't understand how the service industry has moved so far away, from well, service. How doing their job for the consumer and keeping them happy and willing to earn their return business has become such a beast of burden. It's bizarre to me. Has a move toward automated hotlines/assembly lines/outsourcing suddenly made everyone less culpable for their day to day interactions with actual live humans? Or do they think that there are not enough folks like myself and my husband who won't tolerate poor service and an inability to smile along with some critical thinking when dealing with the public?
As for the manager we dealt with; she would do well to remember a couple things at the end of her day: (1) She's probably a parent too. (2) She probably would never stand for someone to talk to her about her well behaved children like that. (3) More flies are caught with honey than vinegar.
Swell. Now we can all play nice in the sandbox.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
The After Christmas Bargain
Perfect time to stock-up on items from a catalog / website which I adore, but can't / choose not to afford all year long. They are featuring Sale of The Day items, as well as discounting prices throughout the day further than already deeply reduced prices. I found many can't miss items and under $10 to boot. (Men's Patagonia socks and women's twill capris for summer). HUGE under $50 section chock full of items for the whole family both for now and later. I stocked up on work dresses for winter and summer - most for under $25 each!
Chasing Fireflies
Another catalog / website for children that I love, love, love but choose not to afford during the year... However currently the discounts run over 50% with finds such as plaid button downs for $14.99, Henleys for $15.99, Ruffle wrap tops for $19.99, Rocket Floor Quilt $30.00, Pink Marabou Collar $19.99, Grim Reaper long sleeved t-shirt $14.99, Sweetheart striped tights $9.99, T.Rex pajamas $14.99, Suede Fringe Jacket $34.99, and many, many more. This is the one catalog that actually can cause jealousy in the notion that I don't have girls to shop for.
JCrew
Offering 30% off sale items plus free shipping on all orders over $150.00. For all shoppers like me, SA-WEET!
Target
Offering up to 65% off Holiday items. Some cute highlights I found:
- set of 4 Rolling Stone pint glasses $4.98
- set of 3 silver distressed picture frames $7.48
- 225 pc bronze tree decorating kit $34.65, also available in red/gold
- monogram stocking collection starts at $4.55
- gold/silver filler decorative balls $7.48
Nordstrom
Men's half-yearly sale in progress
Neiman Marcus
Offering free shipping at any prices. I found some cute girls' dresses for around $30 in the sale section. I didn't bother torturing myself further - I usually scour the shoe section, but I'm still on lockdown from Bootgate 2010.
Pottery Barn
Great Sale! over 50% off over 500 items, many of which offer free shipping as well on the clearance items. Some highlights I found for the home and holiday:
-Winslow dresser top mirror $39.99
-Vintage music stand $69.99
-Stockings for next year $4.99 - $9.99
-Terra Cotta pots (think spring!) $3.99- $9.99
-Santa's Sleigh Door Mat $19.99
-Santa Hat tree topper $8.99
-Mini pumpkin and gourd vase filler $4.99
-Luggage clock $39.99
-Hourglass salt and pepper shakers $18.99
Happy Shopping All! Hope you have fun with the sales!
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Traditions Old and New
As a person who craves routine, one of my favorite parts of the holidays is the traditions associated with it. The rituals one breaks out only once a year, but you look forward to all year long in eager anticipation. And then when you start a family and have children of your own, the question becomes what traditions do you keep and what do you create to call your very own?
I grew up creating paper chains with one ring for each day prior to Christmas and pulling a ring off for every day complete. Christmas eve always found us carefully putting out cookies and milk for Santa, carrots for hungry reindeer, then opening one present from Mom and Dad before bed. We never traveled on Christmas day, always waking up in our own home for Santa Claus couldn't possibly find us anywhere else. Jingle bells would be scattered by the fireplace, left behind by reindeer taking off in flight. Bites out of those cookies and carrots. The day after Christmas, we always packed up and headed south to the Boston area for a big family fete and celebrate all over again.
My husband also smiles remembering his own traditions. His Christmas eves were filled with fun casual family pizza dinners. And then the ritualistic placing of the cookies and milk for Santa. He and his sisters also never traveled on Christmas day for that ever fear that Santa wouldn't possibly know where to deliver those gifts. Waking at the first light to half-eaten cookies and half-drunk glasses of milk, sure evidence that St. Nick had paid visit to his house and not just mine. And for him, there was always a nap stolen post opening of the presents from the exhaustion of getting up so early in excitement.
So now we fuse our traditions. It hasn't been challenging, since we tend to agree so much on parenting style to begin with. We'll spend Christmas eve eating pizza, and now that the oldest is two, watching the Polar Express and then reading the Night Before Christmas. We've chased that Elf all around those Shelves for a couple weeks now and I'm confident he's told Santa what the whole house wants at this point. We'll set out our cookies and milk and enjoy nibbles while we set up a magical scene for babies and toddlers to feast their eyes on come morning. We'll mix glitter and oatmeal for the two year old to scatter in the lawn and driveway so the reindeer have food and a trail to follow to the chimney. (Why leave such things to chance?) Naturally, there will be no travel and we'll host both sides of the family, enjoying these traditions and more with them now and for years to come.
With these new traditions comes the main cast of characters, our three children. How much fun the years forward are going to be. We hope this phase of Christmas lasts forever, for it will be a sad day when it ends.
Merry Christmas All! See you on the 26th.
I grew up creating paper chains with one ring for each day prior to Christmas and pulling a ring off for every day complete. Christmas eve always found us carefully putting out cookies and milk for Santa, carrots for hungry reindeer, then opening one present from Mom and Dad before bed. We never traveled on Christmas day, always waking up in our own home for Santa Claus couldn't possibly find us anywhere else. Jingle bells would be scattered by the fireplace, left behind by reindeer taking off in flight. Bites out of those cookies and carrots. The day after Christmas, we always packed up and headed south to the Boston area for a big family fete and celebrate all over again.
My husband also smiles remembering his own traditions. His Christmas eves were filled with fun casual family pizza dinners. And then the ritualistic placing of the cookies and milk for Santa. He and his sisters also never traveled on Christmas day for that ever fear that Santa wouldn't possibly know where to deliver those gifts. Waking at the first light to half-eaten cookies and half-drunk glasses of milk, sure evidence that St. Nick had paid visit to his house and not just mine. And for him, there was always a nap stolen post opening of the presents from the exhaustion of getting up so early in excitement.
So now we fuse our traditions. It hasn't been challenging, since we tend to agree so much on parenting style to begin with. We'll spend Christmas eve eating pizza, and now that the oldest is two, watching the Polar Express and then reading the Night Before Christmas. We've chased that Elf all around those Shelves for a couple weeks now and I'm confident he's told Santa what the whole house wants at this point. We'll set out our cookies and milk and enjoy nibbles while we set up a magical scene for babies and toddlers to feast their eyes on come morning. We'll mix glitter and oatmeal for the two year old to scatter in the lawn and driveway so the reindeer have food and a trail to follow to the chimney. (Why leave such things to chance?) Naturally, there will be no travel and we'll host both sides of the family, enjoying these traditions and more with them now and for years to come.
With these new traditions comes the main cast of characters, our three children. How much fun the years forward are going to be. We hope this phase of Christmas lasts forever, for it will be a sad day when it ends.
Merry Christmas All! See you on the 26th.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
My Christmas Wishlist
In the spirit of Christmas, being only 2 shopping days away, I though I'd take a moment to reflect on the things I'd really like for Christmas. Not the superficial answers I'll give you for my husband's shopping list, but the deep down to my core items I can only dream about.
Dear Santa,
For Christmas this year I would like
To open my washer and dryer midweek and not find them full of forgotten clothes after a weekend when my husband did the laundry.
To really, really win the MegaMillions. I swear, I won't even be greedy about it.
That all 3 kids would nap at the same time for just one day. Okay, a week.
That someone would come to my home every day and feed me, make sure I took a nap and watched plenty of Bravo.
Having a maid, a butler and a personal chef show up at my door and tell me they are a gift. No salary needed.
That my next big "fun" purchase will NOT be a dishwasher. Or a roof. Or a car.
I'd like to eat unlimited truffles without consequence to my hips or waistline.
That all 3 children would be toilet-trained by New Year's instead of age 3.
To never run to my local corner store and purchase a gallon of expired milk again. I mean, really.
About three more hours in my day - everyday.
A husband whose commute is 8.62 minutes.
So, Santa, I've been a very good girl this year. If you could just make room to squeeze all of the above items into my stocking, that would be swell.
Love,
Ann
Dear Santa,
For Christmas this year I would like
To open my washer and dryer midweek and not find them full of forgotten clothes after a weekend when my husband did the laundry.
To really, really win the MegaMillions. I swear, I won't even be greedy about it.
That all 3 kids would nap at the same time for just one day. Okay, a week.
That someone would come to my home every day and feed me, make sure I took a nap and watched plenty of Bravo.
Having a maid, a butler and a personal chef show up at my door and tell me they are a gift. No salary needed.
That my next big "fun" purchase will NOT be a dishwasher. Or a roof. Or a car.
I'd like to eat unlimited truffles without consequence to my hips or waistline.
That all 3 children would be toilet-trained by New Year's instead of age 3.
To never run to my local corner store and purchase a gallon of expired milk again. I mean, really.
About three more hours in my day - everyday.
A husband whose commute is 8.62 minutes.
So, Santa, I've been a very good girl this year. If you could just make room to squeeze all of the above items into my stocking, that would be swell.
Love,
Ann
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