20 Things you need to share with your middle school / high school child:

I saw this on a friend's Facebook page, and I felt I had to share it here... 

1. Yes, your freshman year counts towards your GPA for college entrance. Screw it up and you’ll work for crap wages your whole life.

2. No means NO. In every possible circumstance.

3. Join every sport, every club, every after school activity no matter what the cost. It’s cheaper than bail.

4. Repeat after me: I am never in that much of a hurry…I am never in that much of a hurry. Now say that every time you get behind the wheel. It will save your life and that of your best friend in the seat next to you.

5. Don’t smoke pot. It ruins your short term memory. (Did I already say that?)

6. Don’t ever get a credit card. Ever. You earn it or you live without it.

7. If I yell at you, it’s because I love you. And also, because you pissed me off. To avoid the latter, stop being an idiot.

8. Make a vivid picture inside your head of every great moment of your childhood. You’ll need those to get through adulthood.

9. Make snow angels as often as possible.

10. Stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves.

11. Be always benevolent. Yes, that’s a word. Look it up.

12. Call me for a ride even if you are so drunk you barely know my number. I’ll probably be mad for a while but I’ll respect you for calling and I won’t kill you. Riding with someone who is drinking will.

13. Be a leader, not a follower. Unless you are doing stupid things, then follow the kid with the highest GPA.

14. Love your siblings, even when you don’t like them. Some day you will be trying to get them to take care of me in my old age. If they are mad at you, you are stuck with me.

15. I’ve been there, done that on more things than you can imagine. I’m not stupid and I know what you are doing. I was once you (times ten).

16. Work hard at everything you do. Anything worth doing is worth doing your best at.

17. Cover it. (Enough said.)

18. When I tell you to clean your room, do not point at my messy room and raise your eyebrows. I’m trying to raise you to be better than me.

19. Learn to type; to budget; and to pray. All are equally important.

20. Never be sedentary. Some day soon you will no longer be able to move like that. Enjoy it.

Love

It's got to be THE hardest word to define... with words.

With as many "failed" relationships as I've had over the years, I've often wondered if I even know what it means.

Then I look at my children...

Christian on Career Day

...and I know I've got it figured out.

My Gabi Girl

Get To It, Mickey!

I am convinced that these people who "ask" me to do things for them have never done a spot of manual labor... in. their. lives.

Clearly, they think I snap my fingers and things hop to it as if I was a mouse in an oversized red robe ordering brooms and buckets o' water around.


No, readers.

I am not said mouse.

But it would sure be ah-mazing if I could snap my fingers and things just be done.

{now where did I leave my pointy cap??}

Ms. Mia Chambers

I am HIGHLY disappointed that my daughter and I were completely blown off at the MAC counter by Ms. Mia Chambers last night when I tried to take her to have her makeup done for her birthday - even after I reassured shim TWICE that I know how much MAC costs and I had planned on making a purchase.

"I think you'd do better over at Clinique."

Um.

Seriously??

I went ahead and took her to the Clinique counter, where she didn't get the "fun" makeover she wanted, b/c they don't have the vibrant colors and style that MAC has... Gabi's makeup ended up being pretty and all that (at Clinique), but the gal didn't do what Gabi was asking... She wanted vibrant/funky colors.

It's not like I was getting her set up on a skin regimen (which the Clinique lady was totally trying to push) and regular daily wear makeup... She's only 8 for crying out loud!! Gabi wanted something like, blue and purple eyeshadow with bright lipstick for FUN.

Update:  Just talked with the assistant manager, and my girl has an appointment set to have her FUN makeover at MAC {done just the way she wanted} next Thursday! :) She's gong to be so excited!! I can't wait to tell her!

Update2:  The assistant manager did my girl's makeup... just the way she wanted! She mixed a bright lime green with some hot pink (to match Gabi's outfit) for the shadow, then brushed on some even BRIGHTER pink lipstick and blush. heehee

Gabi prolly looked a bit like a hooker going to work... but it was FUN, and she loved feeling all dolled up for her birthday (even if it was a week later).

There I Go Again

It's been over a month, and I haven't come up with ONE clever/witty/enticing/boring thing to say??

That's definitely not it.

I've just been crammed full of things to do: photoshoots, weddings, kids, real job, vacations, family reunions, etc. etc.

It's all just too time consuming!

And I really don't have time to be blogging now, as I type...

But I did want to get on here and wish my girl the happiest 8th birthday ever!!

Her birthday was yesterday {we took over the hibachi restaurant}, and the excitement continues today {she and her bff "school sister" will be going to get makeovers}!!

Off I go....

Tah Tah

Painting EXTRAVAGANZA!!

Last weekend my new {& wonderful} friends came over for a Painting EXTRAVAGANZA.

- yes, that word MUST be in ALL CAPS, as I feel like it must be SHOUTED any time it's used -

So back to the EXTRAVAGANZA:

Mitra, Mina, Lil & B joined Gabi, Christian & I for some painting fun. We decided on a fish theme, in hopes that everyone (even our Boy) could get into it. I was attempting to make it like an Easely Amused / Cocktails & Canvas class (minus the cocktails... kiddos were present), but I customized each piece for the individual artist(s) with his/her initial. 

I don't think I succeeded, though. 

I ended up taking too long to draw everyone's letter and koi (our chosen fish), and my class got hungry.

On top of that, I think I made the pictures too difficult for the lil' ones, as they were pretty much over it after the background color was painted. They retreated to the den to watch Beetle Juice while the "grownups" stayed and painted. 

All & All, though... I loved it, and I think the kids' paintings turned out so cute!!

StarYUCKS!!

It's tough being the second pickiest person in the world {second, only to my child, who is the reigning champ}.

You see, ladies & gentlemen of the blogger... This is what happens when I decide to venture out and try new things:

I thought I'd give Starbucks' frappuccino in a bottle a go, since I ADORE their mocha fraps (with no whip) at Barnes & Noble so much - and because the lady in the McDonald's drive through now recognizes me and commented yesterday that I must "really LOVE those mocha fraps". And, what the hey, I'll even save a dollar!

But, No. I did not save a dollar. I ended up wasting $2.02!

YUCK! Not only did this bottle of cold crappuccino taste bad, it even SMELLED bad!!

You have failed me, Starbucks.