Month: October 2012

Dear Presidential Candidates

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Dear Presidential Candidates,

I know you are busy strutting your stuff on stage, and arguing why you are the better option; but I have something to say. I am not really a person of note, and I can’t claim to have the education and experience as you. What I do have is something you do not; a perspective from the working class.

Each of you claim that you will improve the economy, boost jobs, and decrease debt. I am sure your plan sounds great, and looks even better on paper. I am sure that you are going to do everything in your power to make this country better. I do not doubt your intentions at all. What I do doubt is your ability to listen.

Take a moment to step down from your pedestal. Just a small moment, that is all I ask. I want you to think like those of us that work day to day, living from pay check to pay check. Lets say last year I was making $20 an hour. I got a raise of $0.06 an hour. That is an extra $2.40 a week. However, my healthcare costs increased by $7.20 a week. Gas has increased by $.42 a gallon, as have about 95% of food costs, retail costs, as well as service costs, i.e. cell phone, cable, internet, etc. I am effectively working for less money this year as I was last year. And costs are just continuing to rise.

Why is the middle class shrinking? Because your forcing them into poverty. Open your eyes and pay attention.The corporations outsource our jobs, then whine about decreased sales. Well if they take away someone’s job, obviously they are not going to be buying as much, thus the economy will fall. I understand they can make that T-Shirt for $.03 over in china, then sell it here for $29.99 which increases their profits. It is business sense, totally understand. The thing is they then give a nice hefty big bonus to their head honchos. Do I think Executives should be paid well? Yes I do. Do I think they should be given million dollar bonuses while they have to cut raises for the lower workers because of lack of profits? No.

The fact is, you cater to the rich, assist the poor, and forget the working class. I am not saying that I would rather be in poverty. They have struggles too, and I am glad that those who need the assistance get it. However that doesn’t change the fact that those of us who do work our butts off to stay out of that have it easy. Get your stuff together and fix this country. Help all of your citizens. Don’t preach about what your doing or going to do for them, as chances are you won’t. Instead, why don’t you show them? Why not prove that you are going to make a difference.

If this post is out of line then I apologize. I am currently sitting at my desk waiting to see if I get laid off. So far, many of my coworkers have. Why don’t you, Presidential Candidates, come and sit at my desk. Playing the waiting game might make you remember that you have a responsibility to the people. Stop strutting, stop arguing, and start listening.

Sincerely,

An annoyed middle class citizen

Evening: A Thought of Family Moments

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As the glow from my wedding, and relaxation from my honeymoon begin to fade, I am once more introduced to reality. Last night, I clung to the hope that my vacation could last forever, but alas the stack of bills neatly piled on my counter top near glared at me for even thinking such a thing.

Come morning, I would once again dive back into the daily grind; heading back to work to an unspeakable amount of emails, none of which were particularly pleasant. So to help alleviate that awful thought, my little family and I decided to bust open that top tier of our wedding cake that were were supposed to be saving for our first anniversary. Lets face it. That is just plain nasty. Even my aunt, who is a pretty fantastic lady, said it was absolute disgusting. So in order to make sure such wondrous cake did not go to waste, we sliced it up and devoured it. Our timing was not the best, as it was around 8:00pm when we decided to stuff our faces with sugary goodness. As one can expect, this did not bode well for my little one’s bed time. This little oversight turned into our first, post-marraige family time.

We curled up on the sofa with our bundle of sugared up energy and put on a movie. Safely tucked away in a nice warm blanket, She cuddled between us as watched Puss in Boots. The movie was pretty bad, but the moment was incredible. She laughed, excited over the kitties, and giggled whenever they meowed. She thought Humpty Dumpty was a “white poopie” for a little while, but after a few stifled giggles we explained to her that he was not a poopie, but an egg. She didn’t buy it.
Movie time is something that we have done many times. In fact, we generally try to do it every week. I don’t know why, but there was something special about it last night. Perhaps it was because I was looking for something incredible to wrap up my vacation, but I strongly believe that it was because it was the first time we had done it as a family, bound in love and marriage.

Then of course, her daddy farted and Kayla and mommy quickly relocated to the other side of the couch. While it lasted, it was a truly amazing moment.

A Note From the White Mountains

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It is done. I am officially a married woman. My husband (So weird to say) and I journeyed up to the White mountains for our honeymoon. It may not be as glamorous as our first option, which was the Bavaro Palace in Punta Cana DR, however I am thrilled with our choice. We are staying in an absolutely stunning little townhouse with a full kitchen, cable television, internet, multiple bedrooms, and a cozy little fireplace. Oh and guess what… We are staying here for FREE. Yes, you heard me correctly. Free. It has been an amazing time. Here are some fantastic pictures of our adventure.

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Toddlers: A Thought on Birthday Parties

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Handling a birthday party that is not your child’s: Not fun.

My daughter is two, actually she is two and a half! As such, there are a few universal qualities that one can expect. First and foremost, everything is hers. If she likes it, its hers. If it’s purple, it is most definitely hers. If she, at one time in her short life, touched it, then its hers. As much as I try to dissuade this behavior, it seems stubbornly imprinted in her genetic code.

The birthday Girl: Kylie! Isn’t she just too cute?

Today we had a party for my wicked cute niece who turns two next Saturday. We had her party this week because her big obnoxious Auntie (or Tee Tee as she calls her) is selfishly getting married on the most sacred days of her little childhood. Yes, I am that cruel. In all fairness, I did buy her an adorably cute little cake that matched the top tier of my wedding cake with a pretty pink K scrawled on it, so I am not totally heartless. Anyhow, back to my original point. There were presents at this party, presents my beautiful little two and a half year old could not keep her hands off of.

“No no, Kayla those are Kylie’s presents!” Yes, there names are close, blame my sister. Then again, I have an older niece Kiley and I named my daughter Kayla so I guess you can blame me too. Getting derailed again, man I am bad at that! Despite the constant scolding, my daughter needed to get into the presents. She also just had to have the birthday girl princess tiara. Luckily Kylie was not a fan of things on her head so she did not object to my daughter swiping her crown.

My beautiful little thief with her stolen crown 🙂

Then it came time to sing happy birthday. Kayla loves when people sing happy birthday. Actually, let me correct that. Kayla loves when people sing happy birthday to her. She did not like singing to Kylie, which was shown when she burst into tears. Of course everyone thought it was because we were singing loud, but I know the truth. She didn’t get to sit in front of the cake, and everyone wasn’t singing to her. For as shy as my daughter is, she certainly likes attention if it concerns birthday. That could be cause she associates birthday with birthday cake. Seriously. When she sings happy birthday, its not Happy Birthday to you!” its “Happy Birthday Cake to you!” (but she totally means happy birthday cake to me). Yeah I know, she’s wicked cute.

After the cake fiasco passed, we came to the dreaded time that had my skin crawling from the beginning, the presents. Now I refuse to be one of those parents that goes and buys a gift for their kid simply because its another kid’s birthday and they will be getting a ton of presents. So this is how the present opening went.

Kylie opens present. Kylie gets excited for presents. Kylie opens next present. Kayla swipes recently opened present. Kylie wants swiped toy back. Mommy interferes and gives Kylie her new toy back. Kayla has a meltdown. Kylie forgets toy as next toy is opened, and conveniently so does Kayla. Then we repeat.

It was only through great patience, and quick moving parents that we were able to stop a full on toddler brawl. Well except for the plane fight, that one just sort of happened. No bruises though, and thirty seconds later they were happily playing together with all the toys. They are like sisters, Kylie and Kayla. They have a love hate relationship that looks eerily similar to the one I share with my own sister. Luckily, we have moved past the point of fighting over things… most of the time.

 

Have you experienced this issue with your children? What is the best way you have found to surpass the EVERYTHING IS MINE, MINE I TELL YOU, MINE! stage?

Beauty: A Thought on Autumn

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Fall is my favorite time of the year. Not only do I get to dress in my super sexy boots that I seriously spend way too much money on, (according to my hubby at least) but I am also surrounded by breathtaking beauty. You see, I am lucky enough to live in a pretty fabulous region of the USA, the north east. We may be known for our sever road rage, our inability to pronounce our R’s, and for our less than amiable attitude towards tourists; however we are better known for our fall foliage.

Beginning in October, or late September, the leaves begin their decent into fall by changing into various shades of yellow, gold, orange, and red. The impact it has is stunning.

If ever decide to head to Boston, Ma you may want to aim for October. You won’t regret it! My favorite is the tree lined road. One of the things the hubby and I like to do on a Sunday afternoon is take a nice relaxing drive through the backwoods. I am excited because due to the pure awesomeness of one of my friends and her kickass family, my fiance and I will be spending our honeymoon up in the white mountains. Mountains + fall= breathtaking.

 

Pretty right? Now you see why Fall is my favorite season? No? You need more reasons? Well how about the coolest holiday of the year? No I am not talking about thanksgiving. Halloween is by far the coolest holiday ever. Sure Christmas you get presents, but on Halloween you get to dress up like a hooker and not be judged for it.Okay, its mostly the younger woman that dress like hookers, but still we get to pretend we are something other than what we are which rocks. Plus you add candy, spooky movies, and ghost stories and I am a happy lady. Plus, Kayla looks cute in costumes.

 

Little Miss Moo Moo

Cutest Ladybug EVER

Yeah I know, I make cute babies. What is your favorite part of fall?

Mornings: A Thought on Alarm Clocks

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Over the past few weeks my household has gone from normal crazy to psychotic crazy. Even my dog has felt the dramatic change in the air and has become increasingly more demanding of my attention. This, as you can imagine, sparks a war between my pooch Zoey and my daughter Kayla. This battle is never more hectic than in the morning, at 6:30am.

My dog is lazy. There really is no other way to describe it. She sleeps a good portion of the day, and when she isn’t sleeping she is resting. She is a bed hog and always likes to curl up at my feet. During the morning, however, when she knows Kayla will be coming in at any moment she moves and curls up against my back. Then, as my door creaks open and the my little curly-haired clone whispers her normal “Good Morning Mommy Daddy”, the mayhem begins. (yes, she calls us mommy daddy, not mommy and Daddy” ) Kayla comes to the edge of the bed, to which my dog growls and grunts in annoyance. She never snaps or makes any other aggressive move, just growls and grunts. If Kayla persists, as in she climbs onto the bed with us, Zoey then begins to whine. She does not want to get up. Lazy thing.

Then the chaos strikes. Kayla yells at Zoey, “No! No Zoey!” and the dog whines more. Kayla yells louder. Daddy grunts and burrows under the pillows. Kayla starts laughing. Zoey keeps whining. Mommy tries to pretend she can’t hear anything. Kayla starts jumping on the bed. The dog starts growling again. Daddy gets cranky (he is so not a morning person). Mommy finally gets up and begins her day.

I brush my teeth. “Mommy I want to brush my teeth.” Zoey practically sits on my feet.

I brush my hair. “Mommy I want to brush my hair.” Zoey is still sitting at my feet.

I put my boots on. “Mommy where my boots go?” Zoey sits next to me trying to get onto my lap.

I grab a coffee. “Mommy I have some coffee too?” Zoey runs around my feet, causing me to trip.

I put my perfume one. “Mommy me too!” Zoey sneezes like crazy because she never moves from my feet.

I grab my purse. “Mommy where my purse go?” Zoey runs to the door, as long as it isn’t more than two feet away from my current position. By now, Daddy is stumbling out of bed.

I give my daughter a kiss, my hubby a kiss, and pat my dog on her fluffy head. I then try to squeeze out the door without allowing either one to follow despite their best attempts.

What is your morning ritual? If you say you wake up naturally, I will hate you! Just kidding. I won’t hate you. Just mildly dislike!