It's About Respect!

A pet peeve of mine has risen to the surface lately. How many times have you heard someone on TV or in life around you complain about being called 'maam'? I know, for some reason people equate that with age, feeling old. But, that really shouldn't be the case. I think using the term 'maam' is showing respect. On the one hand, it is proof that I have earned that respect, through the passage of years or otherwise. On the other hand, maybe you've simply encountered a person who is, brace yourself here, POLITE! A well-mannered person should be ENCOURAGED to show respect, not discouraged because of a petty ego-induced self-delusion of youth. There are simply not enough out there. Look at the bulk of todays youth. Self-indulgent, disrespectful, and irresponsible teens lead to self-indulgent, disrespectful, irresponsible parents who complete the circle and teach their children to be the same.

For instance, when I was a child, my parents taught me how to answer the phone. Does that sound weird? We learned how to speak clearly and politely, how to greet the person, and identify ourselves. We knew how to take a message. We also knew what NOT to say, 'my mom's in the shower!' LOL. Well, as a result, people who called our house understood what we said, and knew their message would reach the right person. As an teenager and young adult I have been hired for good jobs based on my phone skills. Another result is, now my husband and I teach our children the same. I can't count how many times we and our children have been complemented about that. Dean and I recently discussed how it's a shame that this stands out so much. Is it really so hard? So, in closing I'd like to say, you can call me 'maam' anytime you want to. I don't care how old I am, I'm honored to be treated with respect by you or anyone else of any age!

Doesn't he have the face of an angel?

This afternoon I laid down with my 3 1/2 year old son for his nap. We were laying there quietly. He was playing with my hair. It felt good and I started drifting off...but then he started getting a little rough and I asked him to stop now and go to sleep. He said, " But mommy! I can't find the booger!"

The ABC's of Me

This was in response to a blog challenge on TwoPeas. I must say this was an interesting challenge! I wasn't going to do it. I thought it would be too difficult to come up with something for every letter in the alphabet. (and it was!) But, I also have a tendency to only list my negative attributes and have a hard time listing my positive ones! But I do have them! So, I decided to take the challenge, for my sake really, to make me think about what's good about me instead of always dwelling on what I need to fix! In all fairness, I did have to add a few negatives, though, because that's just life. I'm not perfect. Not yet, anyway! ;)

Angie
Brunette
Creative
Dreamer
Expressive
Florida born
Geek
Humble
Impatient
Jesus follower
Kitten lover
Loquatious
Musical
Night-owl
Often Online
Perceptive
Quiet seeker
Reader
Sci-Fi Chick
Tall Thirty-something
Undisciplined
Voluptuous
Wife
X-rayed
Yellow-bellied
Zaboni's mom

Why, why, WHY?!!

My husband has had the same car for about 12 years. I drive it, maybe 5 or 6 times a year. Three times in those 12 years, there has been something wrong with the car that is ticket worthy(late registration, headlight out, etc.). But does Dean in all his 12 years of driving EVER get pulled over? NO! ALL 3 TIMES it was ME in one of my rare uses of his car that gets pulled over! WHY ME? It's not fair! (whine) Ok, I'm done. Wait, when I got home, I broke a glass. At 1 AM. Ok, now I'm done.

Today we finally got to have Alyssa's birthday party. We went to Saluda Splash for a Luau. The girls all had grass skirts and we did the Limbo, and of course played in the water. ) Alyssa always invites the same girls to her party. They are her friends from Ben Lippen. They don't see each other all year, but on Alyssa's birthday, they act like no time has passed at all. So sweet. Kai and Roan came along and had fun, even though it was a GIRL party! (says Kai) It was perfect weather, too, with a high of 83! Unfortunately, when we got home I had to go to work, but no biggie. Here are a couple more pics of the Luau:
This evening we had our 'family movie night' and watched 'Superman The Movie'. Sunday after church, we are going to the pool. Fun family weekend. Let's see, any more tidbits? Dean ran 19 miles this morning. He's officially started intensive training (after a short break after the May marathon he ran) for the marathon in December where he wants to qualify for the Boston Marathon. I do realize my blogs have been very 'Alyssa' lately, (and that I am currently rambling) but now that her birthday is out of the way, I promise to make every effort to show off my boys a bit! I think that's it for now, happy Sunday!

The 4th on the 3rd

I am usually a stickler about celebrating the holiday ON the holiday. Therefore, for the last several years we have been unable to enjoy our usual July 4th pastimes because all the big stuff has started celebrating on Saturday whether that is the right day or not. HOWEVER. This time our favorite 4th activity took place Monday night on the 3rd. What the heck, close enough! So, we went to Fort Jackson's Torchlight Tattoo. We hang out for a few hours on the lawn of Hilton field, eating our picnic dinner, playing cards, soccer, or blowing bubbles, while watching thousands of soldiers filing in. It's really cool! It is also sobering. We noticed that the troops all had new fatigues. They are now dessert gray instead of the green camoflauge. We looked into their faces and knew where they were going. I was happy the kids could be there. We talked a lot about the meanings of the songs, the symbolism, patriotism. The 282nd Army 'Victory Band' plays a patriotic salute to the 50 states, 5 territories and the District of Columbia with a presentation of the flags and a cannon salute for each one. By then it was fully dark and we enjoyed the best fireworks in town! Happy 4th of July on our nation's 230th birthday!