One option vs. the other option...

Well, it's that time of year again.  Time to buy school supplies.  And my daughter is going into the first grade, so I was dreading even looking up the supply list to even see what was on it, especially after her list for kindergarten.  Last year, the list was almost 2 pages long and it cost me $100 to get what was needed to start off.  And that didn't include what I spent during the year after notes would get sent home by the teachers asking for this or that.

Sooo....my daughter and I decided this past weekend to try to get the things needed on her list.  I know school is still 2 weeks away, but I refuse to wait till the 'tax free' weekends.  That will be COMPLETE chaos that I want absolutely no part of!

Okay, in the little town I live in, we have a Wal-mart....I mean, doesn't every small town have them?  So, we walk in, grab a basket (gross), I pull out the list and we head in to begin the daunting task of searching for these supplies.  And when I say searching...that is exactly what I mean.  The Wal-mart near me has about 4 small isles in the very front of the store this time of year dedicated specifically to school supplies (they change from season to season).  By the time we got there, the shelves had been so picked over, it was ridiculous.  I can't seem to find half of the stuff on the list which is very frustrating.

The request for the vinyl folders w/ brads and pockets (in blue, yellow, green and purple) says in the quantity column 4 each, but in the description column it says 1 of this color, 1 of that color and so on.  So, I guess that could be taken either way.  I decided to take the 'better safe than sorry' option and go for the 4 of each color.  Well, thus began the steam from my ears.  Not only could I totally NOT find half of the items on the list, I also had to deal with 1,001 people searching for the same things and all of them are on the same isle at the same time.  And not a single one of them wants to move for fear of someone else finding what they are looking for and grabbing it b/c it's the absolute last one on the shelf.

*SIGH*....after about 45 minutes of dealing with this, I lost my patience with it.  I grabbed my child, left my basket where it was and walked out of the store.  I decided that I was going to try Target in hopes that I would have somewhat better luck there.  Now, it's about a 20 minute drive from where I live, but in most cases, so totally worth the drive.

When we pull up to Target, I notice that it seems pretty crowded (by the amount of cars in the parking lot), but I decided to go ahead and try my luck anyways.  We walk in, grab a basket and head towards the back where the school supplies are (I know this b/c I'm a huge fan of Target).  Anyways, we were in and out of there in less than 20 minutes, and get this....we got EVERYTHING on the list!!

Please forgive the poor lighting!!

Yes, you read that correctly!  We got everything on the list and it only took me 20 minutes!  I didn't have to deal with people hogging isles.  I didn't have to deal with the shelves being picked over.  I didn't have to deal with rude people!  Yes, I was a happy camper.  All this for only $47 (that's w/ tax) and we even managed to pick her out a cute lunchbox, too (that's it on top of the Kleenex boxes)!  And the best part, besides the price, was that I didn't leave mad or frustrated.  Nope!!  I left happy!

And what made my day even more was that she got a really cute backpack from the YMCA for FREE (b/c I signed her up for after school care).  So, I didn't have to buy that.  Although, to make it a little different from the couple hundred they gave out, I took it to have her initials monogrammed on it.  It's cute and should last her until at least Christmas (the kids are hard on backpacks).

So, ladies and gentlemen...this is one happy momma!  From now on, for me, it's definitely Target over Wal-mart any day!!

God Bless!!

To love...or just for the fame?

If you know me at all, then you know that I'm not the kind to get into any show called The Bachelor or The Bachelorette.  Mostly because I believe these people go on these shows just for the fame of it.  You instantly become recognizable on the streets of your town.  And if you are lucky enough to last any length of time on there, then you are pretty much recognizable anywhere and everywhere you go.  But I also believe that if you have to go on a TV show to "find true love", then you are probably the kind of person that thinks you are too good for the "average Joe". 

Now, I can remember watching the very first season of The Bachelor back in 2002 and by the time the show was over, I swore I'd never ever watch another episode as long as I lived.  I couldn't get how so many girls wanted to come on the show, first of all.  And secondly, how absolutely crazy they made themselves look by the way they were acting with the petty cat fights, bickering, etc. 

Then, ABC announced the introduction of The Bachelorette.  It was just another stupid spinoff of an already horrible show.  Needless to say, I held true to my word...up until this season of The Bachelorette.  And watching it just reinforces why I haven't been watching all these years. 

I guess for those "seasoned watchers", they know all about this season's choice for "The Bachelorette".  I, on the other hand, don't know anything about her.  I've read a few articles and heard a few stories.  My understanding is that she was the final girl to be turned away on last season's The Bachelor.  It is also my understanding that while on The Bachelor, she didn't look anything like what she looks like on The Bachelorette.  I've been told that she seems to have had several cosmetic things done such as boobs, acrylics on her teeth, lipo, nose job, etc, etc (that's just hearsay, tho).  I guess only her and her doctors know the truth. 

Anyways, I'm not sure what drew me to watch this season's show except that maybe as I was flipping channels, I happen to land on ABC about the same time that Sean Lowe stepped out of the limo to greet Emily.  Yes....I put the remote down at that time.  I was instantly intrigued.  I wanted to know more about this mysterious bachelor.  I think his eyes are what caught my attention. 

As the show went on, I kind of felt myself "falling" for this guy (if that's even possible to do over the TV).  I liked how shy he seemed, how heartfelt he was in the things he said and did, how comical he was.  Out of all the guys, I felt he was the most sincere.  Yes, I know...I still believe the show is a joke, but what can I say. 

So to get down to the final 3 guys and you just know that she will pick Sean as one of the final 2, I sort of had a smile on my face b/c I just knew it was going to happen.  Then....whaaa...whaaa...whaaa.  I think the whole world was shocked on that one.  You could just see the disappointment in his eyes. 

And for a minute, I honestly felt sorry for him.  But then...I wised up and remembered that she is in it for the fame.  And if she had chosen Sean, then he would want to settle down away from the piercing eyes of the world and have a cute little family. 

I think in the end, she will either chose to be alone or she will chose Arie.  Why Arie...well, b/c he is a race car driver and he is already in the limelight, so that would be perfect for her.  It's just right up her alley.  She won't chose Jef b/c he is this sweet and innocent guy and not "bad enough" for her. 

So to Sean...you know, if you happen to ever read this:  I think you are such an incredibly sweet guy (just from what I've seen on TV, of course).  And I want to wish you the best.  I believe you are going to make someone very happy one day.  And it will come in due time.  Fame just probably isn't the best way to go after it, though! 

God Bless!

What does being a single mom truly mean?

Well, for me, being a single mom means having to work twice as hard!  Don't get me wrong...I'm not complaining.  I've been a single mom for almost 3 years now and to be honest, I think it's one of the best decisions I've ever made.  Yes, there are days that I could eat those very words, but all in all, I'm happy!

With being a single mom, I'm the only one around to do things, so I'm doing it all!!  From baths, to washing clothes, to cooking meals, to cleaning, to helping her with homework, to playing games with her, to taking her to do special things, to making boo boo's better, to making sure we eat healthy to stay healthy, to working a 40+ hour a week job, to training for a marathon, etc, etc.  I always feel like I'm being pulled in a million and one different directions.  I'm always tired.  I hardly ever sit still.  I go to bed late almost every night b/c I'm trying to get things done so I don't have to worry with them the next morning, like picking out clothes and making sure they are ironed, making lunches, etc.  I think this is mostly why I run so much...so I can have a little time to clear my head and focus on running.  

My daughter is at an age now (6 yrs old) where she is back talking and VERY nosey!  She will smart off to me sometimes and it takes everything I have in me to keep it together.  One of these days I'm going to be strong enough to string her up by her toes and hang her upside down from the tree in my back yard.  But for now, when she gets sassy with me, to the corner she goes.  She hates it and as long as she hates it, I'm going to continue to do it.  Trust me...it's way better than what my mother did to me growing up. 

For the most part, my daughter is so sweet.  She colors pictures for me all the time.  She laughs so hard while telling me about silly little things they do throughout the day at summer camp.  She wakes me up on the weekends with a kiss on the cheek (although, I still have yet to figure out why I can't hardly drag her out of the bed before 7am during the week, but she's up bright and early on the weekends).  I generally don't get an argument out of her about the clothes I ask her to put on, but I know that time's a coming.  She eats her veggies and likes most of them (b/c we eat TONS of them at my house).  And she loves to snuggle up together to watch a movie when we get the chance.

When I finally sit down at the end of my busy day (and every day is a busy day for me), I think about how glad I am that I am able to raise my daughter being single and happy.  There are times when I do need help with things, but if I can raise my daughter to be a very happy, confident and independent woman, then that makes me smile!

Thoughts for today...

It's been a while since my last post.  Things haven't calmed down any....but that's my life.  So, just a little note of my thoughts for today.

1.  My daughter is on vacation w/ her dad in FL this week.  This is the longest I've been away from her since the day she was born.  I'm glad she's having fun, but I miss her like crazy and I'm ready for her to be home!! 

2.  It's taken quite some time, but her dad and I are finally getting along....errr, we were.  Until I get a call from him this morning.  I won't go into detail about it, but I was none to happy w/ the conversation.  And as always, he was his "usual" self!!  GRRRRRR!!!!

3. Facebook is annoying.  So, I have a Facebook (FB) account and many times over the last several months, I've seriously thought about deactivating it.  I mean, really...what's the point in having it?  Like today, for instance.  It's made national news that Andy Griffith has passed away.  Okay....I'm so sorry for his family's loss, but we get that information from the news station and, of course, 101 MILLION times on FB.  If one person posts it on there, you can bet that there will be 30, 40, 50+ people posting the same thing....no matter what it is.  There is also an awful lot of "checking in" done on there as well.  I mean, do we really need to know where you are at all times?  I surely don't want everyone to know every single thing that I do and where I'm at all the time. They would probably be amazed at how boring I am!  HA!!

4.  Facebook is good for some things. I like being able to keep up w/ friends and family through pictures.  To see how little ones are growing up and adventures they get into.  I've also been able to reconnect w/ people that I haven't seen in a very long time!!  I love being able to see what's new at one of my favorite places - Janie Rose Boutique.  Or even at Kilgore's Antiques.  I also like to see how the dogs are doing at the Tunica Humane Society and who's been saved today!!  I like to be able to post things that I want to sale on there....great way to get the word out about something you no longer want....and it's FREE!!

5.  Pinterest!  Wow!!  I'm absolutely obsessed w/ it!!  I love being able to get on there and find all these AH-MAZ-ING things!!  From DIY, to great quotes, to fitness inspirations, to great kid projects, etc, etc.  If you haven't been on there yet...boy, are you missing out!!!  And no, it's not just for the ladies.  Believe it or not, there are tons of guys on there as well!!  So don't be shy guys!  Be sure you check it out!!  You won't be disappointed!

6.  Instagram.  Hmmm....not sure where to start w/ this.  I have seen so many pics on FB taken w/ Instagram and they all look so cool, but I'm not really sure what the point of Instagram is.  I haven't gotten past the initial sign up.  Can someone please explain it to me??

7.  St. Jude 2012 Marathon.  Yep!! That's right.  I've signed up to run my 2nd St. Jude Marathon!  After running it last year and having so much pain in my knees, I swore I'd never run another one.  It literally felt like someone had taken knives and stabbed me in the lateral side (outer part) of both of my knees and just kept stabbing them over and over and over again.  I probably should have been crying when I crossed that finish line, but I told myself I would have a smile on my face because I knew I had completed it.  And besides...I had shed a few tears between mile 20 and 26 already.  Well, after seriously contemplating it for several months this year, I decided to give it another go.  I wasn't going to let last year's marathon put a fear in me!  This time I know what to expect as far as the course goes.  Weather, on the other hand, is a different story.  I have no control over that, but I pray that this year is like last year!  It was fantastic weather for running a marathon in December.  So, say some prayers for me and the other runners!!  I'm excited and ready!!

8.  Quotes....when I come across a quote that I like, I generally note it somewhere.  So, here are a few that have caught my attention:
     - A runner must run w/ dreams in his heart.  Emil Zatopek
     - Nothing can prepare you for how high you'll soar until you spread your wings.  Anonymous
     - Some birds aren't meant to be caged...their feathers are just too bright.  Red on Shawshank Redemption

That's it for right now.  I know I have more, but my brain is in overload and not cooperating right now.  Hopefully my next post won't be as far away as my last. 

Tootles!!!