Go Girl Scout GO!

Well on Sunday I dropped of my little girl and her camping buddy Nevaeh to Camp for the week. These girls have been camping together every summer since they were 5-6 years old.  Nevaeh's mother Tyceia & I got emotional walking the girls to their cabin as it hit us just how much they have grown. We stopped and took lots of pictures along they way in all the same spots we did on their first trip and I can't wait to compare just how much they have grown from then till now. I am so proud of these girls for being such great Girl Scouts through & through. They push themselves to try new things and this year felt adventurous and signed up for Water Camp. They will get to water ski, white water raft, white water kayak, tubing and even possibly parasail! I've never even tried any of these things, except 1 time going rafting! I am grateful that Girl Scouts has given these girls the determination to push their boundaries and courage to try these new things and brought these two together!  I'm grateful to Girl Scouts for opening up the world to my child and to me!

I'm also very grateful that we live in an age of digital technology and even though I'm over 2 hours away I can get to peek at the girls through Facebook and see just how much fun they are having! As an adult volunteer it's easy to lose sight of the girls amongst all of the drama created by other adult volunteers but it just takes 1 picture, 1 experience to turn it all around and make things crystal clear of why we do what we do!.. Here's a little peek into Camp and what my Girl Scout is doing

That's my girl up on those ski's! GO GIRL SCOUT GO!!!!!

What Girl Scouts and a Cookie Can Do!

I was never lucky enough to be a Girl Scout as a child. I did get to go to one Brownie meeting at someones house & I remember loving it, but for whatever the reason my Mom never took me back. When my daughter Gabby started Kindergarten and we were signing up on enrollment day I remember making a beeline for the Girl Scout registration table. I signed her & myself up as a leader without a second thought. I was excited for her to experience what I considered to be a fun, well rounded organization. I never imagined how much Girl Scouting would change my life. I've learned more patience, to be more diplomatic, to try new things, concur some of my own fears, to be a better leader, to be a better public speaker, to deal with conflict much better and the list goes on.  Fast forward 6 years (where did that time go) Gabby & I are still trucking on. I know that most people don't think about the actual Girl behind the cookie but let me tell you what I've experienced. As a leader I've had some great girls come in & out of my life. I always wondered if I impacted their lives as much as they have mine. I've had girls with eating disorders, been the victim of sexual abuse, girl with severe mental, behavioral and physical health disorders, daughters of drug addicted parents, daughters of deployed military parents, girls pulled between divorced parents, latch key kids, daughters of type A families, daughters with affluent parents, daughters of very poor families and daughters of struggling single parents. I am very thankful of the courage and strength of our Founder, Juliette Low. What she started 100 years ago has continued on to touch my life and the life of my daughter forever!

The one thing all those girls have in common with each other and from the girls 100 years ago is a desire to fit in, to feel needed and important, to learn and to have fun to be equal. I've have done what I feel to be the very best I can do to live within the Girl Scout Law and Promise and set an example for these girls. In some cases I'm the only woman role model they have that's caring, actually talks, has a desire to get to know them for no other reason then liking them and helping them to realize they are important & that they matter. I want to teach them that the world is wide open to them, that no matter what these girls can achieve whatever it is they set their minds to. One of the ways I do that is by taking a big trip once a year, which is paid for by our cookie and other fundraisers! I know some of you are thinking how can a Girl Scout trip to go sight see and have fun  or even a camping trip impact a girl or make a difference in her life well here's where I want to tell you what buying one box of cookie can do! I've been blessed to be there while these girls experience a LOT of their firsts in their life. Seeing the joy & excitement in their faces and how each girl grows more confident and stands a bit taller I make sure to tell them that all this was made possible by them & their hard work selling cookies that they can do all, we can go anywhere if we work together. I know that trying these things will NOT be their last!!

I've taken girls out of the state/county for the first time in their lives.
Went to the beach and saw the ocean for the first time
Took them on a boat for the first time
Stayed in a hotel for the first time
Ate FRESH fruit for the first time
Baked for the first time
Cooked dinner/breakfast on their own for the first time
Learned to do laundry for the first time
Went to a musical for the first time
Went to a live theater for the first time
Went on a hike for the first time
Went on a picnic for the first time
Did a service project for the first time
Discovered their future careers through programs during trips
Learned basic etiquette lessons
Learn to work together as a team
Had a birthday party for the first time
Learned to sew for the first time
Met people from other countries and became friends
Was able to be a group leader for the first time
This list could go on all day!

I've seen them be brave and concur their fears, try new things and really flourish. I've seen girls who didn't say more than one word for the first meeting come out of their shells singing & dancing and leading a patrol. These girls are learning responsibility, independence, gaining life skills, realizing their self worth and making memories to last a lifetimes! So please support your local Girl Scout because you never know who that little girl is behind the cookie.

Signed a devoted Girl Scout Leader

Thatmommy's 5 Basic Rules of Ettiquette and life skills for living in today's society the next generation should learn

#1 Kindness: A smile, kind word or greeting can go a long way in improving the relationships around you from your family, friends to the checkout cashier. Everyone appreciates and is uplifted when they encounter a kind person.

#2 Respect: Every person walking the earth deserves the respect even if it's just for being a human being. You can never tell what problems someone is having or what's behind their mood or bad attitude but everyone deserves respect, even if you display that respect by walking away, choosing not to engage or put someone down. One of the best gesture to show respect to a difficult person is just accepting or agreeing to let them have their opinion no matter how it differs from yours. It not only shows you respect them but also yourself for not allowing them to bring you down. *Side note- young ladies, you need to respect yourself and your body everyday. You do that by not allowing men to degrade you or degrading yourself with how you behave, dress and speak. Young men, learn what it is to be a gentleman and treat each woman you meet with the respect you would want given to your Mother, sister or daughter.

#3 Integrity and work ethic: these things to me go hand in hand. To have integrity is to stand by your convictions and beliefs, to be an honorable person with decent morals, honesty and pride in themselves. Do what you say and say what you mean. Learning a good work ethic is something most people with integrity have. They take pride in what they are doing. If their name is on something, make it be your best not half ass. I don't care if your cleaning bathrooms. Do the job well, it will be noticed by someone and good things will come from it. A good worker is almost extinct and has been replaced with lazy, disrespectful, no caring people who have a huge sense of entitlement. If you don't do the job your hired for well- trust me someone else will, do it better and for less pay so wake up! The quicker you realize this the better! Ps- If you have a job dealing with the public see rules #1 and 2!!

#4: addendum to work Ethic; if you are having a bad day, personal problems, say you just broke up with your girl/boyfriend. Leave it at home. NO ONE wants to hear about your personal problems at work and no one wants to be on the receiving end of a negative conversation. Leave your cell phone in the car, your pocket or purse and LEAVE IT THERE!! Do not keep customers waiting while you sort out your love life. Trust me if he or she is worth it they can wait till the end of your shift. If they can't take a personal day to handle your business but be smart enough to know if it's worth losing pay or risking your job! Be smart enough to call in before taking off and give as much notice as possible, go to work if you have the sniffles you can make it without dying (wash your hands a lot for the germaphobs).

#5 Basic Manners: this is hugely important. Your Mama should have taught you but in case you forgot you say Please when you want something, thank you when you receive something, do not interrupt without saying excuse me. Men/boys hold a door open for a lady. Ladies say thank you when someone opens the door for you. You give up your seat for a pregnant lady or elderly person (yes ladies this means you too). You offer to help someone when you see they are struggling to carry or drop something. Do not eat dinner until everyone is served unless told otherwise by the person cooking your meal or the person waiting on their food. Stay seated at the dinner table till everyone is done eating. Cell phones, put them on silent when eating dinner and DO NOT check them- give your attention to those who have chosen to give you their time. Whatever it is it will keep for an hour- trust me the world will not explode or end if you don't get back to Shaniqua's urgent text! There won't be a FB post that you miss that's more important than giving your family or friend the time they deserve- See rule # 1,2 ALSO- PLEASE learn decient phone manners- these are simple, ring ring- pick up and day Hello. (Do not confuse this with hey, what,yo,Sup) if the call is not for you or if you do not know how it is just ask politely, " Who's calling please?" If your taking a message write down the name and number of who's calling and say, "thank you I'll forward the message or I'll give the message to so and so." If you're leaving the message or calling start with, " Hello may I speak with Shanequa? This is (who are you)" (Idk why that name is stuck in my head tonight!! Haha) If Shanequa is out politely ask to leave your name and number. Crazy right?! People actually use ceLl phones to make real phone calls not just text or surf the web!!

#5 addendum: Basic Party Manners- if someone takes the time to plan, host and invite you to a party you should use rules 1,2.. RSVP if it's requested! In most cases it just takes a minute and is greatly appreciated by the host/hostess. In this electronic age if you don't have or want to take the time to make the actual phone call, use that smart phone I know you have and send an email or text. This takes just a moment and is at minimum the least you can do. Always bring a host/hostess gift- if it's a simple informal dinner bring an inexpensive bottle of wine, candle, flowers. Never go empty handed. The more formal the event the higher end of the gift you bring. ALWAYS send a thank you note. (For you kids today that means you'll have to learn cursive- sorry!!! But seriously this is a must- learn it- no one wants a printed letter unless it's from their elementary school kids especially if your writing a love letter- cursive only) My rule of thumb is simple for the Thank you note, if you received a formal actually mailed invitation (these are rare now) take the time to write and mail one back. If you received and email or text it's appropriate to return your thank you in the same manor. You could even take it a step further and send a FREE e-card. Again it's a simple kindness that will not go unnoticed!

These are just some things I have noticed are starting to become extinct in today's society and we need to teach our children this!! Actually most parent's need to learn this themselves first!!

Hormones & Weight Loss

Well it's been a while since my last post. I have been in a slump & quiet. Menopause has officially started to kick in & is wreaking havoc on my emotions. I have been really trying to stay on top of it by being aware but depression has gradually crept in and really threw me for a loop the past 2-3 weeks. Sadly I've taking it out on those closest to me, namely my poor sweet husband Brad. I've been running hot then cold. One minute I am like get away from me you are annoying me, then the next I'm like why isn't he with me, feeling neglected and like he doesn't love me anymore. I've been depressed over my weight, things have been breaking around the house- lost all the food in our freezer after I just stocked it up, Jake & Gabby are in FL and barely call me so all of it's been weighing heavily on me to the point that I was thinking what is the point of it all. Man, this is just NOT ME!! I have never been the moody type so this is really hard for me. Thankfully had a moment of self-awareness yesterday and talked to Brad about how I was feeling and apologized. Ever sweet he replied it's ok, he still loves me, he's noticed & was going to say something but didn't want to upset me so he's just gave me space. :( I've decided to run to the health food store today to buy some Black Cohash and give that a try to see if it helps. As for my weight I've kind of fallen off with my eating and counting calories. The depression side tracked me & I was looking for any outlet to make me feel better- #1 choice FOOD! Damn it.. WHY??!!! ARGH so frustrating. However I have kept up with my workouts, not daily BUT I have been averaging 2-4 days per week and it's really been helping. So at least I haven't fallen completely off the wagon! I aim to get back on track this week, and continue on with no more mistakes till at the very least I leave for Savannah with my girls on June 22. My goal is to have lost at least 10 pounds by then. Just under a month. I know I can do this if I just put my mind to it. These days I'm very thankful for my friend Michelle, she is on this journey with me and has really been keeping me motivated! THANKS MICHELLE!! Her routine check ins and motivating texts have really helped me. I wish I could help her the same way but right now these damn hormones have ruled my world the past few weeks but NO MORE! I refuse to let it continue any longer- so that Black Cohash had better work.

Worst Mother's Day Ever!

All I can say is I must SUCK as a Mother & Wife!! Yesterday was the worst Mother's Day I've ever had. I guess "MY" problem is that I had expectations of being celebrated, spoiled & appreciated. Unfortunately to my disappointment my expectations were as usual set way to high. I had always thought as the kids grew older Mother's Days would keep getting better but apparently not. I was asked a couple times in the weeks preceding what I wanted and I simply replied that I just didn't want to be the one to plan out my own day. Surprise me. I am always the one who plans & executes every event, activity, celebration & party we have! For this one I told my husband I just want to go along for the ride. Well maybe that was my problem. I awoke to find Brad & Gabby making me breakfast at 9am. Crepes! I love crepes! Gabby had made me a beautiful card and typed up a letter w/a home made painting! It was wonderful, touching & I loved it!! I was thinking this is going to be a great start to a great day.. Right? ... nope- this was the highlight although I didn't know it! Bless my husband for trying but he didn't get done cooking till like 11:30am. I ended up with great eggs, ok sausage and burnt unedible crepes. But hey he got an A for effort in my book, and I was not disappointed in the least. I am all about effort, thought an gesture over execution. However he told me what he was going to make for dinner, it's an Italian dish w/home made pasta that he's never made before. Why did he think he could do this now? It's not like it's my favorite dinner or anything. He says just tell me how & I can do it. Well ladies, as you know that's not how it would end up.. If he took on this dinner for which there is no recipe, I would be the one cooking it and I didn't want to cook at all. So I tried repeatedly to discourage him from making this. I was told weeks before that dessert would be my favorite.. Tiramisu.. again my husband has never made this. It's not that I don't think he can do it, I know he can but every time I give him a recipe to follow he takes liberties & tries to make it his own instead of just doing it exactly the way it's supposed to be done. This drives me nuts.. when I love a recipe the way it is.. I've begged please just leave it alone. I told him this ahead of time & he said he would. So I asked about it as I was really looking forward to this dessert (I even offered to make it) but he told me it was scrapped & we weren't doing it! UGH.. that stunk. Last we spoke on Friday he told me he wanted to rise to the challenge of making this just the way I do since I had doubt.. my mouth was watering I was ready for it.. SLAM.. NO TIRAMISU :( Since there didn't seem to be an immediate plan for anything I began laundry, straightening up and clipping coupons. Evan woke up- never said Happy Mother's Day... Jake woke up came in my craft room.. no good morning, no I love you, no Happy Mother's Day.. he just started complaining about the dishes he had to do. Eventually he mumbled a Happy Mother's Day before retreating to his bedroom for the rest of the DAY! Brad came to help me with my coupons but didn't say much about anything. I decided since it didn't look like anything was going to go on I'd go to the store to coupon. I told Brad what I was doing, by this time he was hammering & sawing on a project on the back deck. I thought that perhaps if something was planned I'd hear about it.. It's like 3 pm. Nope.. nothing! I walked upstairs, peeked in on Jake & offered to take him to his girlfriend's house on my way to the store. He had asked me on Sat if he could do this, i figured at this point why not. He wasn't going to be spending any time with me and it was apparent they hadn't planned one thing to celebrate the day. I took my shower and it hit me that they really weren't going to do a thing, no card, no special dinner that I liked.. no dessert, no outing.. nothing was organized.. not one thing. I began to cry like a BIG BABY! It really hurt my feelings. I never expected that, but I guess that was my problem, expectations. I was really disappointed in Brad for not getting the kids together to at the very least make or buy me a card. He later told me that he had planned a picnic and a hike but it rained and no alternate plans ever came about. I went couponing & Jake began to text me apologies about not doing anything.. I told him to forget it. I had my moment, cried and now just to forget it. I really meant it. Last thing I want is a guilt ridden forced pity card or celebration. I got home, no one even helped me bring in the groceries (RAINING PEOPLE) .. (SERIOUSLY.. this is beginning to feel like a joke) No one but GABBY (THIS GIRL IS QUICKLY BECOMING MY FAVORITE PERSON) helped unpack them! At this point everyone knew I was hurt & upset so I just decided it better that I go to my craft room, read & be left alone. Jake ended up typing me up a letter & literally threw it at my face & walked away! (Sorry son- to little to late) Evan told Brad the letter he made me last week was going to be counted as my Mother's Day gift. (this was SO not a Mother's Day gift) Brad made a dinner- it was a good dinner, just not one that I could eat due to my gallbladder surgery. He knew this but apparently forgot or just didn't care. He made a dessert that I'm sure he thought was great but I'd never eat..too sweet & in my opinion wouldn't go together. Walnut brownies w/choc chip mint ice cream sandwiches.. Sounds gross just typing it up.. YUCK! I am trying not to feel like an ungrateful person but like I said I'm more about the gesture & thought not execution.. to me there was NO thought put into this day, this dinner, or dessert. It was nothing about celebrating me as a mom at all. If it was it would have been something I liked - Gabby kept asking me why is he making this dinner it's my favorite not yours? Why did he make this dessert? Honey I just don't know... I ended up making myself carrot sticks & dip cause it was like 8:00pm.. Brad was pissed, skipped dinner and just went to bed. I feel like a gigantic piece of crap! Two conclusions could be made in my opinion of this day.. #1: I am completely self absorbed, have high expectations, am stuck up and not happy with efforts made however big or small. Or #2: am a piece of crap Mom/wife that didn't deserve anyone to take the forethought to plan a celebration or even get a card. Either way.. I SUCK!! I still really feel broken hearted over this and have decided to forever BAN MOTHER'S DAY in my house!! PS.. I do want to give a HUGE shout out to my daughter Gabriella, who's wonderful giving & thoughtful heart is truly appreciated!!! She made me the only card I received, and did her best to dote on me by giving me a pedicure and hand scrub. For the boys in my house they can all suck it!!!!! I love you!! MOM

New Blog

Hi ALL, I started a new blog yesterday. http://fatmommysbottom.blogspot.com/ WARNING!!! It is UBER sensitive and explicit. It's ugly and not for the light of heart.. well maybe not that bad but it's VERY personal. I think I made the most raw outpouring of my current view of myself as an overweight woman. Let's just say it's not pretty at all. I didn't post it to Facebook because it was hard enough creating that blog & posting it to begin with. I don't know if I could handle some of the people I am friends with on FB knowing & reading all that about me. Yes.. you know them..we've all got those people.. Haters and the Judgmental ones!! lmao Right now I need support and encouragement.. not to feel shamed. Trust me, I do that enough to myself. Nothing can shame you more than and Italian with Catholic guilt and believe me I've got that in spades!! However, as I type this I'm debating on posting this to FB. Maybe yesterday was step one, and I need to push myself to step two. Being honest & facing reality about my current situation. Somehow seeing things in black & white really hits home for me. Then again I am doing that already by just posting this for me to read. Most people read it and my other blog posts & silently judge from their computers. Most do not put themselves out there by making comments. It would be great if they did. I like to have feedback even if it's not the most positive. At least I know my words are causing sort of impact. Is that egotistical? Or perhaps needy? hmmmm.. I don't know. For those that do take the time out of your day to visit my blog, read my posts & take in my ramblings.. THANK YOU! Hopefully I've impacted your day in some little way with a laugh, gave you pause to reflect inward or just a moment or two of mindless entertainment. If I've done that at least it's something.

Teacher Appreciation Week Phooey!!

Well I have to say over the years my disdain & resentment for the made up & forced down your throat week long holiday of "Teacher Appreciation Week" is a bunch of CRAP! Most of the teachers I know earn at least $36,000-$42,000.00 per year, have health benefits and get to sit by the pool for over 10 weeks of the year while still collecting a paycheck. They get spring break/summer break, Christmas break, fall break and snow days!! Not counting the budget they are allotted for supplies (I know some teachers who use this for their own personal stuff instead of for the classroom). I understand the importance of a good teacher, one who is invested in our children's lives and works late to make sure you're child is learning. But honestly to date what I've seen in teachers today is a far cry from the teachers I grew up with. Over the years I've worked for the teachers in my kids classrooms so I'm not blind to what they deal with on a day to day basis. Most have a daily teachers aide's or parents willing to make copies and help with parties (at least in my children's schools), parent's are expected to pay a $75.00 supply fee and still buy over $100.00 of supplies at the beginning of the year which consist of a lot of teacher supplies such as dry erase markers etc. I know how hard it is to deal with large groups of children & in most cases it's even harder to deal with the parents but that's what they signed up for when they became a teacher. I also think that they get off really freakin good with being able to become Tenured!! Most jobs don't have that. It's basically like a do what you want & you can't lose your job card!! It's not fair!! I have met many teachers that use this tenure to behave in a manor unbecoming a teacher but they can still get away with it! They should be able to be held accountable as in other jobs!! Each job has it's perks & problems, in mine it's a perk to be able to help someone get a SSA check, the downfalls are hearing clients crying on the phone who have been diagnosed with a fatal disease, they become homeless or they pass away before they receive a check. It's my job, it's what I went to school for and signed up for. I think it's crap to be handed a list and told that I need to have to provide a gift for each teacher (I have 3 kids- each kid has a min of 5 teachers) EACH day for 5 days!! Where do they get off?? As it is most teachers get a gift from students a Christmas (if everyone sent something in that would be (again in my kids classes) over 26 gifts) Let's just say only 1/2 brought something in that would still be 13 gifts from just ONE of their classes!! That's a damn big haul and in my children's case they don't ever receive a gift back from their teacher! I think teaching is an honorable job and acknowledge that it's not the easiest but it should be one of the most rewarding- shaping lives of our future leaders. BUT BUT!!! so is being a police officer, nurse among so many other professions- do they get a week long celebration? NOPE... I think teachers need to start learning to appreciate those who want to show appreciation without it being crammed down our throats... I know I'd appreciate a thank you more if it was given freely. So let me say Bravo to those hard working teachers who give more than the bare minimum and to the others.. learn to feel appreciated when you're cashing your paycheck & sitting by the damn pool!!! I know I would!!