The Common Sense Mom

McPalin

The Common Sense Mom — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 13:51:04 GMT

I watched the RNC last night. I was looking forward to hearing Sarah Palin. I must admit that I was not disappointed. She definitely has grit and will prove to be a capable candidate (did you hear her rip on Obama?).

After listening to her speak, you could understand why McCain chose her as his running mate. She, unlike a male running mate, can attack Obama without being considered a racist. She is, after all, a minority herself.

With all of that said, however, I still have my reservations. I don't care what anyone says, her family life will suffer if she is elected VP. There are countless statistics that show how important the role of mom is to a young child. A father, although he is also vitally important to the rearing of children (in a DIFFERENT capacity), is not an appropriate substitute to mom's role in the family.

Maybe Sarah needs to give me some organizational pointers on how she runs her family so effectively and also takes on the role as governor. I'm lucky if I can get 2 loads of laundry and the kitchen cleaned in a day. Theodore alone takes up much of my day. I spend most of it feeling like a glorified milking cow.

Can a woman work outside of the home and raise her family? Of course it is possible. But let's not sugar coat one important fact: it is a very difficult thing to do and highly stressful! And that is just your "average" mom in an "average" working environment...not VP of the USA! Don't be fooled to think it won't affect her family life. Conservative talk shows today are going nuts over her and buying into the watered down feminist ideals, making it palatable to their conservative tastes. There is a time and a place for everything. A woman can certainly have her successful career and a family, just maybe not at the same time.

Pumped for Palin?

The Common Sense Mom — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 11:00:55 GMT

Am I pumped up about Sarah Palin as McCain's Veep pick? I'm not so sure.

I've been trying to put my finger on why this choice hasn't just made me as happy as some others are about the VP nomination. This is what I've come up with so far.

Ever since I've become interested in politics and current affairs, I've never had a high opinion of John "Maverick" McCain. I don't trust him. He doesn't just reach across the political isle, he goes all the way over and camps out there. What is perceived as cutting edge politics to him is lukewarm conservativism to me.

His pick of Palin is another such example. The Democrats weren't bold enough to choose a female VP, but Maverick McCain is! It bothers me that if McCain becomes president the next two in line for the presidency are females (Palin then Pelosi).

Why does this bother me so much? I guess I see the pick as a watered down version of feminism. Does it benefit women that stay at home with their children by having these women in such high offices? I think not. Call me old-fashioned, but it goes against the grain. Those of us that choose to stay at home already get the "second class citizen" glares. We are not "strong" like the other women that have their kids AND work outside of the home.

I believe firmly that there is a price to pay for women that work outside of the home when they don't have to. I've been in a position where I've had to do it and I can see how it has affected my oldest daughter. She had to grow up too quickly.

The bottom line is this. There were plenty of capable and better choices for McCain's VP that were men. (I personally lamented hearing Fred Thompson last night giving his speech at the RNC). He would've been a great pick...although probably a better presidential choice, in my humble opinion.

I'm going to listen to Palin's speech tonight. I want to like her. I think she has a good political record. I'm just not excited about her being the VP nominee.

What a Trip!

The Common Sense Mom — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 23:37:03 GMT

We always have a story to tell after a trip out of town. This time is no exception.

We traveled down to Paul's home town to say good-bye to Paul's friend, Henrik, who passed away last weekend after a long struggle with a brain tumor. The funeral went well given the untimely death.

We had experienced some difficulty with our van right before our trip. We took it in and had it repaired and ready to go. On the way to our destination, however, we had increasing car troubles. The van kept stalling at red lights and was driving rough. My only prayer was that we could make it into Pittsburg safely. My poor stomach was in knots the entire ride down (the kids were not behaving very well in addition to the van woes). God answered my prayers and I was glad of that. The bad news was that it looked like our transmission had gone out. We couldn't drive it one mile more. The cost to rebuild the transmission was not worth the cost of the vehicle.

After the funeral we immediately went looking for a new ride. We ended up having the van towed during the night to the car dealer where we spotted a Suburban we liked. We thought it would look bad having the van towed in broad daylight.

To make a very long story short, we ended up purchasing the Suburban after much dickering with the "pesky" car salesman, countless calls to other dealers in the area, and a trip to another dealer to check out a different vehicle. The salesmen had us and they knew it. Oh well, I guess they did us a favor by taking the van off of our hands.

The trip back was much more enjoyable. The kids had more room so we were able to switch up seating arrangements. We actually were able to laugh about our adventure. Twenty years from now it will be a great family story.

Many thanks to my wonderful mother-in-law who watched the kids for us while we were trying to make quick decisions. Without her help it would have been a much more difficult situation.

So now we are proud owners of a gas hungry Suburban with tons of space and no doubt will make mince meat out of any deer that tries to get in our path! I can just feel my carbon footprint growing bigger by the minute!

Time Issues

The Common Sense Mom — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:08:40 GMT

This past weekend we were invited to a wedding and reception. Paul and I took Theodore with us and Susan babysat Lizzy and Martin. Plenty of time to get ready...in my own little happy world. We got out the door on time and arrived at the church 20 minutes before 4 pm. Funny, though, everyone was LEAVING the church instead of ENTERING the church. It turns out that I read the time of the church service wrong. I thought the wedding was at 4. The wedding was at 3. WAY TO GO, AMY!

Hey, at least we made it to the reception!

Seinfeld moment

The Common Sense Mom — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 17:50:45 GMT

Paul and I had to go run some errands this morning. We are starting to look at a bigger van (still in the very preliminary stage) for our "huge family" so we decided to drive through the car lot where we bought our van to see what they had.

When we bought our current van we learned a lot about the car buying experience. We mostly learned that we hated it. I think it ranks right up there with getting teeth pulled (although the laughing gas is not so bad!). Anyway, as we were pulling onto the lot we saw two salesmen standing at the entrance. I quickly advised Paul, "Don't make eye contact!" As we made a quick roll through the dealer's lot we could see those pesky car salesmen heading straight for us in their revved up golf cart...they don't even hunt you down on foot anymore! "DON"T MAKE EYE CONTACT!" I said.

I think Seinfeld should have had an episode on used car salesmen. This was our Seinfeld moment...anyone else want to share theirs?

Back to routine

The Common Sense Mom — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 08:49:46 GMT

It has been a busy week getting the girls back into the school routine. Now it is just me and the boys at home. Poor Martin keeps asking how many more days it will be before he gets to go to school. Because his birthday is in October, he will have two more years at home with me.

Theodore is really walking now and getting into EVERYTHING! He is also trying to master his climbing skills. My world revolves around picking up blocks, pots, pans, and anything else he decides to put his little hands on. It's hectic, but fun.

I'd really like to start working on a good and effective cleaning schedule now. It's so hard when you have little ones. Paul and I are beginning to tackle our basement and get it straightened up. We worked on it this past Monday (his day off) and made some really good progress.

Ahhh, the life of a housewife and stay-at-home mom! Gotta love it!

Eye Exams and Dental Appointments

The Common Sense Mom — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 08:59:14 GMT

I can tell it is getting close to school. Time for dental check-ups and eye exams! Martin got his teeth cleaned for the first time yesterday. He was so brave! He came in while I was having my teeth cleaned and decided he would try it. He got a cool pair of sunglasses to sport. For some strange reason, though, he does not want to take them out of the package and use them...he is content to just carry them around. He said he will open the package up tomorrow.

Elizabeth and Susan both had eye exams. It seems that Susan needs reading glasses. We got her some almost two years ago and she destroyed them. I hope she shows a little more responsibility with this new pair.

Elizabeth had her eyes checked for the first time. She doesn't need glasses and said that she liked going to the eye doctor. She had to get her pupils dilated. When she was talking about it later that day she said that she had her "peep holes" dilated. It was too cute!

Today we will register Susan for school at the new Jr. high she will be attending. Another school district combined with ours due to low student numbers. Our Jr. high students will go to their facility and their high school student will come to ours. I hope it will work out well. There are benefits to this agreement like better curriculum, better hours for extra-curricular activities, increased friend choices, etc. The only downside is transportation. Now Susan and Elizabeth will be at different schools and they need to be at school at different times. Susan will be transported via bus, but we still have to get her to the pick up sight where all of the town kids need to meet. I'm sure it will work out.

Sex sells

The Common Sense Mom — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:41:55 GMT

Everywhere I turn my eyes are met with sexual advertisements. I can't watch television without a Cialis commercial popping up (no punn intended). I open up my Real Simple magazine to get tips on organization and a girl advertising Olay body wash with a slim ribbon covering her essentials pops out at me. Greenpeace has a new ad that shows tree branches caressing knobby parts of the trunk.

It is so frustrating! Products that have nothing to do with sex weave it into their commercials and advertisements. Why? Because sex sells! The subliminial message is if you buy this you will be sexier, thus, more appealing to those around you.

I know I'm not coming up with anything new here but I just had to have a quick rant about it. I don't like it one bit.

Toddler stage...here we come!

The Common Sense Mom — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 20:32:54 GMT

Theodore has officially entered toddler phase of development. Today he walked about 7 feet without holding on to anything! Now the fun begins. Last week he mastered the art of clapping and waving hello and good-bye. Last night he decided blowing kisses was so much fun!

What a great time in little Theo's life...I'm blessed to be a part of it.

Now, I just need to stock up on Neo-to-Go for all of the bumps and scrapes he will encounter!

Corky on the mend

The Common Sense Mom — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 22:00:52 GMT

I took Corky into the vet last week after our vacation. He was having some obvious itching problems and wasn't acting like himself. It seems that he had some sort of allergy. My gut feeling is that it was the new dog shampoo I was trying. He had scratched himself raw in some places and he looked pathetic. A staph infection had also developed, due to the itching. This was probably why he wasn't acting his normal chipper self.

Fortunately, they gave his some anti-itch meds and some antibiotics. I also got some special shampoo to help with the skin problem. I bathed him today and he was so sad looking. It's funny to see a pomeranian with wet hair, it makes them look really skinny. He avoided me for a little while after the bathing experience, as is his custom.

Hopefully he is on the mend, and Ang, don't feel bad--you did nothing wrong, I just had to write about poor Corky!

Who Am I?

The Common Sense Mom — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 17:09:38 GMT

I was watching Oprah as I was nursing young Theodore. She had an exclusive interview with Maria Shriver. I found it to be yet another hour of feminist bull. It was absolutely amazing to me to listen to these women talk. I must be missing something.

The general theme of the hour was basically women losing their sense of identity once they marry and have children. Then life becomes all about everyone else and you, as a wife and mother, are considered nothing, a nobody. The question is then, who are you? What have you become of yourself outside of the home?

To me it was quite offensive. Is it not enough to be wife and mother? Why is it that women feel the need to make their mark outside of the home, when the most important imprint they can make in society is the offspring they rear and nurture? Oprah, Maria, and the other guests that were featured obviously don't think that is enough.

The "everyday" women that were interviewed talked about how it was their time to be who they wanted to be. I could just hear what their minds were really saying to their husbands, "Screw you...now it's all about me. It's my turn."

It just proves that feminism is alive and well. So, I guess I will be a "nobody" and continue raising my family.

Rocky Mountain Oysters and Kid Sickness Pills

The Common Sense Mom — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:00:08 GMT

While we were visiting my brother's place we ate at many restaurant establishments. One thing that kept popping up were Rocky Mountain Oysters. Not knowing what they were, I had to ask (inquiring minds want to know). It turns out that they are actually bull balls that are quartered, breaded, and deep fried. I, of course, had to try them. They were pretty good. It was a cross between shrimp and gizzards served with cocktail sauce. Susan, who tries anything, refused to eat them.

One final thought about the trip. All in all, it was a great one. We are glad to be back home. There is one critique, however. I think they need to develop a pill for parents called Kid Sickness Pills. You can take one whenever you are sick and tired of their complaining and you instantly forget their behavior. I think the drug companies would benefit from such a product. Oh, wait, they may have already done it...it's called Xanax.

So, it's back to home life. I refuse to let our luggage sit in a corner for two weeks before getting desperate and cleaning it out. That is my goal for the day. I also need to pick up Corky at our friend's home. I'm sure he will be happy to see us, Smokey certainly was. Corky decided to mark his territory in Tom and Angie's home (they have two dogs to compete with) and I'm feeling very bad about that. I hope it was not too big of a problem!

Vacation continues; brother ordained

The Common Sense Mom — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:48:31 GMT

Our family vacation has progressed fairly well. We traveled through the Badlands...very pretty scenery, visited Wall Drug, and got to see Mount Rushmore. They have really updated it since I was there in 1979. You can take a trail down to the base of the mountain and look up at the faces (I didn't spy any boogies ). It was just a neat experience.

Yesterday, my brother became ordained as a Lutheran pastor. It was such a special event. My parents, sisters, and long time friends and mentors (Pastor Ledic and Pastor Obersat) were all present. We were able to spend some time visiting and catching up on everyone. It was a fun and relaxing time.

The kids still fight and complain (mostly Lizzy and Martin) but I guess they do it at home, too. There is just more space for me to escape their fighting at home. There is no place to escape in the van.

I forgot to mention...there was this darling little place in Redfield, SD (where Paul's sister lives) called Simply Charming. It is a small coffee shop and decor store. I think it would be fun to open something like that up someday. Paul treated me to an iced coffee for all of my hard work last week while tending to the sick kids...it was greatly appreciated!

Some Vacation

The Common Sense Mom — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 23:10:36 GMT

Well, we are visiting Paul's family up in South Dakota this week. The last time we went for a visit, Martin was almost a month old and was a holy terror. I was looking forward to showing off my well-mannered 10-month-old. This, however, was not to be the case. It seems that Theodore picked up Elizabeth's strep throat and has been just miserable. Luckily, the doctor gave me scripts for all my kids when I took Lizzy in last week so we have saved on the copays. Today, Martin woke up and was burning up with fever and complaining of his throat really hurting. So, off to the pharmacy we went (again). Three out of the four of my kids are sick! It has not been much of a vacation for Paul or me...yet. I'm just praying for wellness for my family.

It reminds me of the Griswald's family vacation on National Lampoon's Vacation with Chevy Chase. What more could go wrong? I know, alot, but I'm knocking on wood just in case.

Time to relax

The Common Sense Mom — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:42:05 GMT

The last couple of days have been busy. LOTS of laundry completed (even folded AND put away in the proper drawers), dishes completely cleaned off the counter, van vacuumed, and bags packed!

What time is it? Summer Vacation 2008! Destination: South Dakota and Nebraska!

Family Dinner

The Common Sense Mom — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:55:57 GMT

We went out to eat tonight at J Dogg's, a local restaurant and bar. They have all-you-can-eat chicken on Wednesday evenings. Good food at a reasonable price.

While we were chewing away on our chicken bones, my husband pointed out to me a table of older men and women. There was one man, in particular, who seemed quite intent on breaking the second commandment (Lutheran style) frequently. I will not bother giving you the specific words he used. Let's just say it was highly offensive.

Did this man know how bad he sounded? Why in the world did he have to use such language in front of those women sitting at his table? Why didn't the other men at the table ask him to restrain himself in the presence of their wives? I don't think my kids caught on or even knew what he was saying...thankfully.

This is just one example of how our society has shifted from proper social decorum to lack of respect (and this language was coming from a guy who was old enough to know better and whose mother was probably turning over in her grave at that moment).

Etiquette has been flushed down the toilet and that man needed a good mouth washing with some soap and water!

Just as I suspected...

The Common Sense Mom — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 16:56:53 GMT

My husband looks great with his new eyes. He thinks he looks older (because you can see his laugh lines around his eyes) but I think he looks distinguished!

Seeing my husband with "new eyes"

The Common Sense Mom — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 15:36:04 GMT

Paul's frames broke on his eyeglasses. He needed new ones but our insurance plan is not a good one and he would have to pay full price for a new pair. He could, however, get fitted for contacts and get a discount.

Yesterday he went in to get fitted. The catch is that you have to be able to take the contacts in and out independently before you can take them home.

He had a bit of trouble with it. He doesn't like anything near his eyes and struggled with the process. He came home upset, with puffy, red-rimmed eyes, but no contacts.

So today he went back in to practice. I was the cheerleader telling him he could do it! I just got a call from him saying he got them in and he's coming home. Yay, Paul!

I can't wait to see how he looks. He has worn glasses since fifth grade. He has got lashes that would make any women jealous and big green eyes with the best laugh lines...ever! That was one of the first things I noticed about him when I first met him.

Now...maybe I can get lasik done!

Family Day

The Common Sense Mom — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 22:23:30 GMT

My husband went off to work in his study this morning. It was going to be just your average day with a renewed attempt on my part to overcome the household clutter. Then I got a call from my husband. Stop what you're doing, it's Family Day!

We got the kids fed, dressed, and ready to go. Our morning consisted of playing tennis--or at least trying to play tennis. We mostly just hit the ball around. Susan tackled tennis with her "Can-do" attitude and wants to continue practicing. The other kids took breaks and found things to occupy themselves. Elizabeth monitored an inch worm she named Inchy. Martin used up the wet wipes cleaning the van. Theodore chewed on a tennis ball and played on a blanket under a tree.

After that we went to Subway and then to Wal-mart for some new storage crates and much needed light bulbs for the hallway. We also picked up some car wash sponges--thanks to Lizzy's suggestion to wash our vehicles-- and some squirt guns. I got more wet wipes that I kept far away from Martin.

We proceeded home with the promise to wash the van and car after a nap. Once everyone was fairly rested we washed the vehicles and had some fun with the squirt guns that broke after about 10 minutes of play time.

We grilled pork chops for dinner and I made some killer salsa (my jalepenos are doing well from my garden).

We sat around this evening reading some books and the paper and talked.

What a great day! My house is still cluttered but I feel refreshed, thanks to the thoughtfulness of my dear husband!

Party Poopers

The Common Sense Mom — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 23:23:19 GMT

My husband and I attended a 50th wedding anniversary party with our 3 youngest children on Saturday. All was going well. We sat down with our punch and pieces of cake--traditional anniversary party treats--when our daughter, Elizabeth, said she needed to go to the bathroom. Martin, of course, wanted to come along. So, Paul kept tabs on Theodore as I located the restroom. Both Lizzy and Martin sat down to take care of business and both proceeded to go #2 (luckily, there were two bathroom stalls). Lizzy was still deep in concentration so I went to take Martin to Paul, assuring Lizzy I would be right back. I met Paul in the hall. It seems that Theodore decided to soil his diaper as well (he actually did it twice in the time we were there).

I guess this gives new meaning to the term "party poopers".