A Family Quote

Image by State Library of Queensland, Australia via Flickr

The family. We were a strange little band of characters trudging through life sharing diseases and toothpaste, coveting one another's desserts, hiding shampoo, borrowing money, locking each other out of our rooms, inflicting pain and kissing to heal it in the same instant, loving, laughing, defending, and trying to figure out the common thread that bound us all together. ~Erma Bombeck

Create Special Memories

Image via Wikipedia

Every year my daughter creates a memory book for herself that is put together by each person invited to her birthday party. Last year she had two poster boards and created people using individual parts to create a person. Each of these poster boards with random faces and bodies are now hanging on her wall as a memory of her friends on her tenth birthday.


This year she made an actual magazine that each friend designed by cutting and gluing magazine pieces together. Each girl created her own page and signed it to ensure my daughters delight each time she looked through her birthday magazine.


A memory is the mental capacity or faculty of retaining and reviving facts, events, impressions, etc., or of recalling or recognizing previous experiences. If our children learn to create and preserve such special figures at an early age they will indeed recognize how amazing life can be knowing they have been special to more than one or two people. 


Life is a special memory, and everything we touch, feel, and speak of can be too.

Alcohol & Legal Drinking Age

Image via Wikipedia

Kids seem to experiment at such an early age nowadays; it makes me wonder if we should change our ways. While on the Eurotrain from Paris to London we sat and talked with an English family. They have grown children, and stated that their kids all became "drunks" when they turned 18. They said that if England followed the wine at the dinner table at an early age like neighboring France, maybe less binging would go on.

It really did make sense. The same drinking binges happen in the United States. Kids hurt themselves or others from the effects of drinking. Is this a simple solution?

My city just made a new Social Hosting Ordinance that will charge any adult hosting an alcohol party/gathering for minors. This is great considering our new city name is "Party City" to the teens near and far. 

Unfortunately, I do not have a solution, but I do know that my own children are spoken to early on. We share stories about drinking, and the effects it can have. We can only do so much, but I can tell you this... With open communication, and having our home open to their friends; we can help them become a little more responsible.

Parent Position Open

Image via Wikipedia

   PARENT - Job Description 

This is hysterical. If it had been presented this way, 

I don't believe any of us would have done it!!!!

POSITION : 

Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma 

Dad, Daddy, Dada, Pa, Pop 

JOB DESCRIPTION : 

Long term, team players needed, for challenging, 

permanent work in an often chaotic environment. 

Candidates must possess excellent communication 

and organizational skills and be willing to work 

variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends 

and frequent 24 hour shifts on call. 

Some overnight travel required, including trips to 

primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities! 

Travel expenses not reimbursed. 

Extensive courier duties also required. 

RESPONSIBILITIES : 

The rest of your life. 

Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, 

until someone needs $5. 

Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly. 

Also, must possess the physical stamina of a 

pack mule 

and be able to go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat 

in case, this time, the screams from 

the backyard are not someone just crying wolf. 

Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, 

such as small gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets 

and stuck zippers. 

Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and 

coordinate production of multiple homework projects. 

Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings 

for clients of all ages and mental outlooks. 

Must be a willing to be indispensable one minute, 

and  embarrassment the next. 

Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a 

half million cheap, plastic toys, and battery operated devices. 

Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst. 

Must assume final, complete accountability for

the quality of the end product. 

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and 

janitorial work throughout the facility. 

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT & PROMOTION : 

None. 

Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, 

so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you 

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE : 

None required unfortunately. 

On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis. 

WAGES AND COMPENSATION : 

Get this!   You pay them! 

Offering frequent raises and bonuses. 

A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because 

of the assumption that college will help them 

become financially independent. 

When you die, you give them whatever is left. 

The oddest thing about this reverse-salary scheme is that 

you actually enjoy it and wish you could only do more. 

BENEFITS : 

While no health or dental insurance, no pension, 

no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and 

no stock options are offered; 

this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, 

and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right. 

Forward this on to all the PARENTS you know, in appreciation for everything they do on a daily basis, 

letting them know they are appreciated 

for the fabulous job they do... 

or forward with love 

to anyone thinking of applying for the job.

Meal for Thought

Image via Wikipedia

Earlier this month my husband and I were fortunate enough to take the Eurostar (Train) from Paris to London. This is no ordinary train ride. You travel through the English Channel to the beautiful countryside of England. I only wish the tunnel through the channel was clear like you were at the shark encounter at Sea World.


On the ride we were served rather nice meals. My husband and I had already selected the vegetarian meal. We were offered wine, beer or soft drinks along with a warm wash cloth to clean our hands. The meals came and we were very impressed with our delicious mushroom and cheese tortellini. Sides were to perfect as well as the dessert. Now the others on the train had their choice of beef or chicken. The family across from us chose beef. Well needless to say my food looked far better than what ever they were eating. 


I'm not putting down the selection that was offered, but always think that a vegetarian meal may be a great choice. 


I will always remember the Eurostar as it took me to one of my (now) favorite places.