2 Busy 4 Ur Own Good

In No Particular Order:

Planning Too Far Ahead??? -
I know we are all busy and important but I see a disturbing trend. In order to catch up with a friend or business acquaintance, I've been having to schedule a date that is 2 or 3 weeks out. Only to have that breakfast or lunch rescheduled 2 or 3 times.

I just had my 2nd-last-minute-cancellation/reschedule for this week due to pressing work issues.

What ever happened to "spur-of-the-moment"? This is why I don't like to plan too far out.....

Linkin' Up

LinkedIn is not FaceBook people. If you don't know me, don't send an invitation to connect without a valid explanation WHY. I will ignore you!

Come to think of it, I won't accept you as a friend on FaceBook either!

Returning Calls & Emails

When I am a Volunteer for your community project, I expect my calls and emails answered within 48 - 72 hours at the latest. I need answers so I can do my committee work properly, and on a timely basis. I often have others that are waiting for your information. We are all busy. I hate that I am turning into a "stalker". I would like to be paid... With Respect!

Do you ever wonder why good volunteers are hard to find? Or why you can't keep Committee Heads?

Social Media Sheep

Retweeting a comment or post or re-posting someone else's content or "Liking" something on FaceBook does not make you a Social Media Guru. More like a Social Media Sheep...

I find it irritating when I find I am the only one commenting on a business post while there are dozens of likes or retweets.

Fortunately while this is common on the Business-side of SoMe, I rarely see this with personal blogs.


Whew. Rant over and back to work. Thanks for letting me vent here. Where the real source of my annoyances won't see this post!

First Flowers of Spring

I Scream, We all Scream!

Today was a balmy, 86 degrees; the first really nice, sunny and unseasonably warm day of Spring. After a trip to the garden store, I spent a good chunk of the day cleaning up some of my flower beds and planted a few flowers to add some color to my planters.

Later in the day, I took 2 of my boys, Devon and Colin, for Rita's. (Italian Ice). Alex was out with a friend.

Even though I was hot & sweaty, and not looking my best (or even close), I had Devon snap a photo with my cell phone. I wanted to remember my favorite pair of vintage sunglasses. I discovered they hold a secret power over my middle-son.

The Power of Embarrassment!

I was at a track meet earlier this week, and I wore the sunglasses in the above photo. My favorite pair of shades has a lens that popped out and my second favorite pair was m.i.a. I was able to find a vintage pair that I haven't worn for a while.

After the meet was over, Alex pulled me aside and in a low voice, said "Mom, you might want to wear another pair of sunglasses next time."

"Why?" I asked "Do these embarrass you?"

"It's just that people may stare and talk about you" he explained.

"Good thing I don't care!" I replied back, flashing a big, goofy grin as he tried to hide his mortified expression. As the boys get older, I have less control over them. The "Power of Embarrassment" is one of my few superpowers left.....

One boy down, two to go.

Get Up, Get Moving

Earning My Moniker

The boys have been taking piano lessons for just over three years now. This is usually the time when music students tend to drop off. My boys would quit if we'd let them. They don't know this but their Dad would allow them to stop their lessons. I, on the other hand, refuse to let them give up. We bought our piano after six months of lessons with the understanding they would stick with it.

My boys are used to school (especially math) coming relatively easy to them. They like to get by with bare-minimum amount of work possible to achieve good grades. As they progress with their piano lessons, the music becomes more challenging and requires more practice time. It is a struggle to get just a half-hour a day, which isn't really enough time.

Lately, I have been pushing for not only more time at the ivories, I have been tying in a reward/consequence system. Which helps keep me a "Bad Momma".

Colin let me record him for YouTube if I let him wear a fake mustache (part of a set I brought home from work). I find the boys are more motivated to practice if there is a performance involved.

How long should kids be pushed into lessons? What would you do?