Six Word Saturday

Last week, Diva Nana pointed out (in that way that only Mothers can) that I may be missing the point of Six Word Saturday if I need a pre- or post-paragraph to explain things.

I told her it was the control freak in me.

But of course, like most of the time, Mom was right. So, for your interpretation, I give you...

Shortened week and yet, still nutty.

Unreal TV

I can't stand it any longer. I'm caving to the popular (or unpopular) opinion. This will be the first and last I will say on the Gosselin debacle that is playing out in the paparazzi, press, and reality television.

Initially, I was taken with the TLC show, Jon & Kate Plus 8. Who wouldn't fall in love with the sweet little faces of all those kiddos? Jon was a hard-working father, providing for his suddenly expanded brood, and Kate was a self-proclaimed OCD Mom who ran her houseful with a heart of love and iron-clad agenda.

As the seasons progressed, I became more and more irritated with Kate's nagging and constantly berating her husband. The show became less about the day-to-day adventure of raising "2 six year olds and 6 two year olds" and more about what the family could "get" from the publicity, such as free vacations, ski equipment, spa treatments, etc.

I quit watching the show over a year ago, when the couple started talking about their faith and raising a Christian family. I just couldn't reconcile my thoughts about a "Christian" family with what I was seeing on television.

When the current controversy over marital fidelity hit the press, I don't know that anyone was really surprised. Some viewers are on Jon's side, saying that it's no wonder he allegedly strayed, given Kate's constant berating and nagging. Others are on Kate's side, saying she's the rock of the family, and only has the best interests of her children in mind.

Others, like me, are just tired of the whole story. I do find it interesting that they are "soldiering on" and trying to avoid the paparazzi, but yet have made no mention of quitting the show.

If you're even remotely interested, check out The QC Report and her take on J&K+8. Unless you're a big fan of Kate. Then just go back here.

I promise you a less controversial post soon. It will involve two active boys, a long road trip and an unexpected stay in the hospital.

And a snunk.

Six Word Saturday

Four days. Chatty children. Good times.

We're up in the Great North Woods of Wisconsin for our Twelfth Annual Memorial Weekend "Go Visit Grandma" trip. For the second year in a row, Diva Nana joined us for the six-hour road trip, as she is a glutton for punishment enjoys spending time with me and the boys, and the "Grandma" in question is the Diva Nana's Queen Mum.

Back to School

A friend of mine here at Diva U. is an elementary school teacher. Her class has their own blog and would LOVE it if you'd stop by and say hello. They're working on memoirs right now and are looking for input from their readers. They love to see folks from all over the country and the world!

I'm pretty sure these kiddos are headed for greatness! :)

The Champions of Room 101

And I Was Doing So Well...

My disciplined blogging sort of fell by the wayside. But just to show you I've not totally gone off the deep end, I'm spreading some linky love today! :)

In another lifetime, I was a high school teacher. I had the privilege of teaching some wonderful kids who, not surprisingly, have grown into wonderful adults. Through the magic of Facebook, I've reconnected with a lot of them, and some of them have homes on the Interwebz!

Like photography? Check out Leslie's amazing work at Keough Photography.

One plus one equals four, or almost four. Angie recently started a fun family blog. Her little Ava's a dolly and life will certainly change for the Barnes Family when Baby Boy Barnes arrives!

A laid-off lawyer who discovered she has a thing for writing, roller derby and lipstick, Karen Lynn O'Brien loves life in the Windy City.

Busy girl Gwyn is a graduate student who works full-time in University Conference Services, has her own business as an amazing baker and blogs about life with her hubby and kitties. If you're local to the Dayton area and are in need of some fun cakes or cookies, check her out at The Fox's Oven

Beth is a dear heart on a journey. In her words, "out of the pit and on to the Rock". She's desperately in love with Christ and working every day on her journey. She's on the brink of a big move and I love reading about the changes that God is working in her every day at Preserved by a Promise. She's also a talented photographer.

Hope you all enjoy this little tour. Happy Tuesday!

Six Word Saturday

On a college campus, comings and goings are par for the course. This time of year is all about the going. Lots of Commencement speakers talk about how the word symbolizes a new beginning, the start of something big, so to speak. But for a lot of the students (and faculty/staff), it's a bittersweet time...

Commence: to end and begin again.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

I'm pretty sure this post will fall into the same category as the "when I was your age..." stories, but hey, I'll hit the big 4-0 this year, so I suppose it makes sense! :)

When I was a kid, most of the adults in my life had some sort of title. Mrs. Smith, Mr. Jones, Aunt Jane, Uncle John.

You get the idea.

When I had SS#1, I began referring to adults in the same manner, so he would learn. Then we met SuperNanny.

SuperNanny was the home daycare provider we chose for SS#1. She was incredible. When we first met her, she referred to herself as "Miss Super." As much as I kept trying to call her Mrs. Nanny, she kept correcting me.

Now, understand that SuperNanny hadn't been a "Miss" in more than a few years. Nearly old enough to be my own mother, I felt uncomfortable calling her by her first name, let alone with my child learning to call her "Miss Super".

I got used to it, because it seems to be the trend. Now, I understand that in the South, it's not uncommon for adults to be called by a title and their first names. But this isn't the South, and I didn't grow up in the South. What happened to the simple term of respect where children used titles for adults? My nieces call my by my first name because that's what their mom calls me. SS#1's friends call me by my first name. Their parents let SS#1 call them by their first names.

And it raises my hackles whenever they do. I must really be old if I would PREFER to be called "Mrs. Diva" by an elementary school aged student. For me, it's all about Ms. Franklin and her words...

Champagne Wishes and Peanut Butter Dreams

Like so many others, our family's been impacted greatly by a depressed economy. The Diva Husband's company closed in December and being in retail management your whole working life does not bode well for the current job market. With many folks going back to school (in lieu of being able to go back to work), my position is relatively stable.

Of course, this means, like so many others, frugal living is in the forefront of our minds.

I was listening to NPR yesterday on my frugal search to find a burning bush plant and a reasonably priced belt for Sweet Son #1. They were discussing the January/February 2009 issue of Elite Traveler Magazine.

Now, before I go any further, I feel some background info is necessary.

Prior to yesterday afternoon, I'd never heard of Elite Traveler. This is most likely because, even when my husband and I were BOTH employed, our income was a drop in the proverbial bucket, compared to the "private jet" target audience of Elite Traveler.

The average household income (that would be the "mean" income for all you statistics buffs) of the readers of Elite Traveler is $5.3 million.

Five point three million dollars per year.

We don't come anywhere near the "point three" part.

But I digress.

The focus of the story was the letter that Elite Traveler's President and Editor-in-Chief Doug Gollan writes for each issue. More specifically, the letter that he wrote for the January/February issue. With the economy in such a slump, apparently the ultra-wealthy have felt chastised by the mainstream media for continuing to spend, apparently frivolously.

Gollan writes:

"It's only excessive if you can't afford it. At least that's my belief. As we enter 2009, it's amazing how the general media has tried to shame wealthy individuals into not spending. The fact of the matter is that the economic slump was not caused by the wealthy; it was caused by aspirational consumers who took out bigger mortgages than they could handle, leased cars that they couldn't afford and took vacations that they shouldn't have."

In my business, I know that perception is everything. It doesn't matter if you're a budget conscious event planner or a budget conscious mom. Planning a successful meal often means getting the most "bang for your buck", so to speak. The special event and hospitality industries have seen a major downturn with the depressed economy as people look for ways to save money.

Good for the budget. Bad for the industry.

So why in the world should anyone feel that they have the right to chastise the ultra-wealthy for spending their own money on perceived luxury? Don't get me wrong. Part of me wants to say that there are far better ways to spend that money. Charities could use it. Churches could use it. Schools could use it. I know of a little village on the southern peninsula of Haiti that would be blessed with even a small portion of that money.

That being said, Gollan makes a very good point. One that is often overlooked. When those ultra-wealthy plan big parties, they rent properties. Hire caterers, decorators, florists, entertainers. And all of those people hire people.

Still don't get it?

Substitute "pay" for "hire".

Gollan says "according to the (New York Magazine), spending by the top 1% of earners in the Big Apple supports 153,000 service jobs and 50,000 government employees.

That's a lot of people and a lot of pay.

I say more power to them. They can have their champagne and caviar, and I'll plan them the party of the century. Then maybe in a few years I'll be able to afford a few more niceties of my own.

Six Word Saturday

In my job, there are times that I have to work unusual hours, evenings and in some cases, weekends. This is one of those times.

Live to work, not other way.

Travelogue

I love to travel. Maybe it comes from growing up an Air Force Brat, where "visiting family" usually required no less than a 300 mile (one way) road trip. I don't mind driving long distances to see family or friends.

I don't mind flying either, but with small children, I tend to worry more. Of course, my worries usually involve how my kiddos' behavior is affecting the other passengers. SS#1 is old enough that he's a pro at flying (having done two solo trips last year). He flew more in the first five years of his life than I did in my first 30! On one of our last trips to Texas before The Manimal was born, SS#1 settled into his seat (we weren't even moving yet), turned to me and said "So when will they bring me my apple juice?"

Anyone who has traveled with children knows that no matter how stress-free or relaxing your trip is, the child factor will magnify even the smallest, most seemingly insignificant issue, and the best laid plans will unravel at a rapid pace.

So now imagine this. You and your Superstar Husband have three lovely children and you are pregnant with your fourth. You live very happily in the Western United States. Then you decide to move.

To India.

And you give birth there. And you travel some more.

With four children.

Both you and your Superstar Husband happen to be bloggers and photographers. So the Interwebz can share in your adventures.

Rae and Chinua are amazing, wonderful people who are travelers in the truest sense. On Fly, Fishes Fly!, there is a fabulous little iMovie about his rickshaw adventure in Delhi with Kid A, YaYa and Leafy Boy.

And if you want to meet Rae and Solo (the fourth) and see more adventures of this little family, you can meet up at JourneyMama.

Wreck-tastic

One of my favorite daily blog reads is Cake Wrecks. The premise is simple, people send in photos of professionally made/decorated cakes that, well, are wrecks in one way or another. Sundays are just the opposite, where she presents "Sunday Sweets", which are truly amazing cakes.

Here is the "Cake That Started It All" (photo from Cake Wrecks site):


Just in case you haven't had your morning coffee, the instructions to the cake decorator were "...and underneath that..."

Today's Wreck was especially humorous, because we get a bit of the story behind the wreck. And so I present for your consideration...

"Happy Falker Satherhood!"

Be Still Sunday

Six Word Saturday

Today's Six Word Saturday seems to be an oxymoron, yet it's pretty descriptive of how I try to live my life. I don't want to miss anything. Sort of a "life is what happens while you're busy making other plans". I don't want to miss life, but I'm a planner by nature, so it's how I roll. For more Six Word Saturdays, check in with Cate at Show My Face.

Anticipating future, living in the present.

Mayday, Mayday!

Happy May Day! It may only be 50 degrees outside today, but at least it's not snowing!

So I shared with you my nutty next few weeks, and although things will be crazy, I'm pretty excited that I'll be doing a little traveling. They are road trips (which I actually love), not flights, but y'all know I'm a HUGE fan of Southwest Airlines. I "luv" them, as it were.

One of my friends, the Sandwich Blogger, is taking a birthday trip to San Diego. She IS flying (because the drive from Pittsburgh to San Diego's just a bit too far!), but sadly, not on SWA. She did, however, post this fun video.

Another fun reason to fly Southwest!