Seriously....people are paid to write this junk for our kids

Why I don't like a certain cartoon character.

Anyone who knows me, knows I use the television for school.  We are fortunate to have the Netflix streaming capability over our TV, and I use it.

Our older kids loves Cartoon Network.  But WOW...have you seen some of those shows lately?  I have actually had to ban them from being allowed to be watched in our house.  I seriously think brain cells are being killed each moment these shows are on!

One of the ones that I really do not care for is The Adventures of Flapjack.  A show that talks about not caring about other people and encouraging kids to eat candy all the time.  WHAT!!!  Yeah, I know the whale is supposed to balance them out and teach them to make good decisions and not give into peer pressure.  But something about that show really grates on my nerves.

I am not saying that all kids programming must be educational, but the last couple months has opened up my eyes to what some of these new shows are really showing the kids.  What habits can be formed very quickly by children who have special needs, who are watching these shows.

I also am not a huge fan of Spongebob.  Some of the things that I have heard them say....it drives me crazy.

Between some of these characters and the constant bombardment of commercials to have thousands of new toys, that are huge pieces of plastic junk....we have started really limiting commercial TV.

I think that is why I don't mind sucking up the extra cost when Netflix had to raise their rates.  For one thing....no commericals!!!!  So we can watch Dora, Backyardigans, and yes the occasional Spongebob without a constant, "Mom...can we get that!"

The kids are not allowed to watch commercial TV in the am right now.  I allow PBS Kids depending on our schedules that day.  They have fun characters that seem to have certain standards that don't encourage too many bad habits, and yet they still show that we are not perfect and can make bad decisions yet still make things right in the end.

What cartoon characters do you not like?

I can't believe my kids like.......

I can't believe that my kids like.......

• Ramen Noodles and they don't like seafood...what?!?!!?
• Gummy fruit snacks...you know the nasty molded plastic cartoon character ones....YUCK!!
• Stupid Cartoon Network shows....seriously a show about imaginary friends....I think we are losing brain cells each time this show is on.
• Swimming in ice cold water....our bodies are meant to be 98.6 degrees F.....and I believe that is what all water that touches my body should be also, warmer even would be nice!!!
• Calling all the monsters....calling....calling....calling all the monsters (need more be said?!?

And here's the one's that I really can't believe......

• I have a daughter that likes brussel sprouts.
• I have a son that likes curly lasagna noodles, but doesn't like curly pasta.
• I have a daughter that will not allow a pickle slice to touch her hamburger, but would eat a whole jar of pickle spears if we would let her.

My biggest can't believe it.......

I have not had a Pepsi in almost 3 months!!!!!!  And I have not had processed food in a year now!!!  Too bad I can't convince the rest of my family to work with me on that!

Where do you hide?

I have no idea.  We are so cramped in our house.  I don't really have a special place to hide.  When we lived in Fort Wayne, I loved to go down the street to a locally owned coffee shop.  They had an awesome turkey/guac sandwich.  Some coffee and I was a happy mama.  But here, well we really do live in the middle of fields.  


I don't really get to take off and do too much stuff just because.  I do get to run errands on my own usually.  So the grocery store, or hobby store even.  But I try to hurry back, because I know how much of a handful our house gets when you are alone.


I think my only alone time is at 5 am when I drag my butt onto the treadmill.  I am usually ok, unless one of the kids wakes up early.  Then it's a constant watching out into the garage to see what mom is doing.  Or requests for hugs....or asking what I am doing.  


Some days I wish I could hide a bit more, but I remember that this is the lifestyle we chose.  And even when I am exhausted and barely able to stand anymore.....I still love them all.  And look forward to the next time I feel like getting on the treadmill!!!

Do you have a Bucket List?

Do you have a Bucket List?

I guess I am so wrapped up in the kids, that I honestly forget about other things that are going on around us.

So I am going to make a short one:

1.  Run a Half-Marathon
2.  Try parasailing
3.  Visit Antarctica
4.  Visit Alaska
5.  Start a successful small business to benefit our kids.  Something that they can work on.
6.  Remodel our home and upgrade it with green resources
7.  Attempt wind-surfing
8.  Drive a race car
9.  Learn cake decorating
10.  Learn how to cook better Gluten Free.

To survive the next few years would be sufficient enough right now....lol.

Blog Dare 2012--January 1st

Are you a Bloggy Mommy?!?!?!


Take on Blog Dare 2012.  The challenge is to increase the quality of your posts, not necessarily the quantity.  I am up for the challenge...I think..lol.


I to be very honest am still learning all about new social media devices for our blog.  My hubby has been trying to get me to use Google Plus more, but I admit it makes me nervous and I am addicted to Facebook. We do have a Facebook page for the Blog, but I fall behind in updating it on a regular basis.  If not for Networked Blogs, I may not ever get current blog posts on there.


I don't use Twitter, guess I feel out of it for that program.  I wonder what is the point of staying updated on Twitter and Facebook, way too much time involved for me, and I don't have that much time.  


I also recently started using my Pinterest account more.  That website is addictive.  Nothing like a full website of bookmarked cool sites for everything imaginable.  And what you can't find on there, you can add under your own bookmarks.  I am going to start organizing my links on there more, because my Favorites file in my computer is out of control.  I am constantly losing links!


I am sure there are tons of social media outlets available.  But unless it's on Facebook right now or the hubby tells me about it....I just don't know.


My goal for 2012 is to probably use my Twitter account more for our blog promotion of Reviews that we do.  I don't have that many followers on there yet, so hopefully I can gain a few more there.  I also plan on using Pinterest more to organize my favorite links for recipes, educational sites and craft ideas.  I can promote this on our blog then.


Up tomorrow....a walk down memory lane of 2011.....this could make me cry...see you tomorrow.

Snow reminds me of.....

Snow reminds me of .....hot chocolate.
Snow reminds me of......the days of typewriters, lots and lots of white-out
Snow reminds me of......vanilla ice cream
Snow reminds me of......fluffy white kittens
Snow reminds me of......piles of white pillows waiting for my head to rest at night
Snow reminds me of......a warm bowl of soup and corn bread dripping with butter
Snow reminds me of......snuggley, warm & soft blankets
Snow reminds me of......french fries and a frosty from Wendy's (I sometimes miss those days...lol)
Snow reminds me of......a lacy, white wedding veil

Snow reminds me of......freezing cold
Snow reminds me of......slick and icy roads
Snow reminds me of......scraping ice from the van windows
Snow reminds me of......the idiots driving around me very carelessly
Snow reminds me of......muddy, wet boot prints across my kitchen floor
Snow reminds me of......piles of wet snowsuits, mittens and hats
Snow reminds me of......that maybe....just maybe I should stay home and keep warm that day.

I guess there is an upside and downside...lol!!!

My favorite person in my life...

This post will be a combination of the person I am most thankful for and my favorite person.  I am very thankful for my hubby.  Without him, I would never be able to do all that I do.

He is super supportive of all our projects.  And even if he doesn't agree with the choice.....like when we adopted the cats.....he still helps out.  Our tag team approach to our daily challenges is always a work in progress.  But in the end, we come out of it on a daily basis.

We have been together 14 years now, and I am ever so grateful for each day.

I love you honey!!!!

Reality Television

I try....try...and try harder, but I am drawn to reality TV.  I no longer am addicted to shows like Survivor.  But point the way to Storage Hunters or Storage Wars and I could sit and watch for hours....and hours.  My other weakness is Pawn Stars.  I want a Chumley shirt....he just cracks me up!  Of course so does the Old Man.  

But there is nothing like watching some person who wanted to be on the Jerry Springer show taking their frustration out on the poor repo guy as he is just doing his job.  Mistakes happen and people's lives get hard, but does that poor guy seriously need to be beaten with a stick for doing his job.  Do they deserve to be screamed at with obsenities?  Joe and I have both compared those repo shows to a Jerry Springer episode.

I like to watch reality shows like 19 Kids and Counting or even the Coupon show.  I still sit in awe of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar and how they have 19 Kids, and how many compliments they get on the behavior of their kids.  I have read their books, and although I personally will not be having that many children, I do respect their choice.  I like watching what other people are up to, and all the field trips that the family gets to go on.

Joe and I were both addicted to the reality show called The Colony.  We haven't seen a 3rd season appear yet, but wow it made us think, what would happen?  I admit that shows similar to this will really scare some people into hiding.  And we still wonder how the participants were able to think that things were that bad, when they started the show knowing it was an experiment.  I would really like to know how those people are doing now, after finishing each season.  Unfortunately, the reality of that show is that people will be that cruel to each other in order to "survive" themselves.

One other I forgot about was the spouse trading shows.  I mean, come on, were you really expecting that person to come in to your house and do everything the way you wanted it to be done.  You know going in that you will be paired with a family that is exactly opposite of your beliefs and way of life.  It showed that some people were truly open to new experiences, while others had minds that were as closed as locked doors.

Joe and I joked the other day that our life would make a funny reality show.  Never know what to expect in our house.  Things can go from sunny to rainy in the matter of a few minutes around here.  Would I truly want to be on a reality show....no.  Too many bad experiences that I have read about that happen to families, and it's mainly due to the media coverage.  It's a trade that these people and families have to deal with.  Even the Duggars live under a microscope and are ridiculed for their decisions.  And this is a "Christian" family that try to do good for everyone.  So no...don't want a reality show here.

I don't know why I am drawn in.  I'll keep watching reality TV as long as there are shows like Mythbusters and Pawn Stars.  There's some educational value to these programs, and it's entertaining as well.  Now if you don't mind, Storage Hunters is on and I need to watch Daryl and Brandy get into a bidding war again......

10 Things I will Never Do

I signed up for the Blog Dare from Bloggy Mom.  I am pulling an old topic that I missed to blog about today.


1.  Touch a snake.  I am soooo afraid of snakes.  But the girls like to see them.  I hide my fear the best I can, but they freak me out!  I used to have nightmares about them.  Couldn't even watch a scene with a snake in it on TV.  I can now walk through the snake house at the zoo, as long as I don't have to stare into the glass cages.


2.  Climb Mt. Everest.  Please....I hate cold.....I am out of shape....and broke.  Those 3 things alone would disqualify me.  But I do love watching movies and specials about those who do trek up the summit.


3.  Eat soy again.  I used to live on soy.  I love fried tofu.  But after a friend told me about soy allergies and the dangers of soy (I still haven't finished the book yet on Soy dangers), took it out of my diet.  Once I eliminated it, turns out I have an allergy to it.


4.  Run a marathon.  This might be a possibility someday.  But unfortunately....my vision of training for a short marathon is not a reality.  No time to really train.  I probably shouldn't put this under Never...but currently just will not happen.


5.  Understand Autism.  Every time I think I understand something the boys do, it changes.  Nothing will ever be "normal" in our house.  I am pretty sure Norman Rockwell would have turned Jackson Pollock if he was trying to paint a portrait of our daily activities.  I will never be totally used to the daily happenings of our house.


6.  Be completely organized.  I am an organized dreamer.  I try my best.  I have my calendar to keep track of appointments and activities.  I try planning meals.  But still most days I am running around trying to barely keep up with daily life.  


7.  Have a house that will appear in Good Housekeeping.  Seriously!!!....how do people live in those houses that appear in the House magazines?!?!  I cannot be sick for half a day before they go through our house and it looks like natural disasters kept erupting and shaking our house!  I just need to accept that our house will never even be nominated for more than Messiest House in America!


8.  I don't think I will ever get to finish my Education Degree in an actual classroom.  I have part of a Teaching Degree...that's it...just part.  But I am getting a complete education just by homeschooling the kids.  Probably will never be able to teach in a classroom now....principals have a tendency to frown upon such a loose curriculum schedule.  Guess I could be an aid someday, but may just try to tutor kids instead.  Keep me out of the classroom and possibly saying something that will get me fired (lol).


9.  Stop loving field trips.  No matter how much stress and running around that I do....will never stop loving field trips to museums and the zoo.  Field trips are sensory nightmares for our kids.  I will just work harder at watching for the issues that cause the overload and try to control that better.


10.  Eat oysters.  Sorry....this one may bite me for saying.  We have a rule in the house that if we as the parents say something negative about a food that keeps a child from trying it, we have to eat a whole plate of that item in front of the child.  Joe and I have done so far the past 11 years with this.  We even like brussel sprouts now.  But I have to say....the thought of oysters....Yuck!!!  If I don't serve them, they won't know about them.  When they are adults....they can be adventurous about them then.