What is That?

My youngest child has a new favorite phrase. She walks around the house or the neighborhood asking quite intently "What is that?" and then she will gleefully tell you exactly what that is most of the time. This really is akin to the "Why?" phase that most children go through. There is no end to this constant inquiry and I often find myself irate with the frustrations of hearing those little words over and over again. I have to remind myself how important this phase is to our parent / child relationship.

Her: "What is that?" (imagine a toddler with a southern drawl...)
Me: "A car."
Her: "What is that?"
Me: "A car."
Her:"What is that?"
Me: "I don't know. What is that?"
Her:"A car." (very self satisfied that Mommy did not know and she did)

Five minutes later

Her: "What is that?"
Me: "A car."
Her: "What is that?"
Me: "A car."
Her:"What is that?"
Me: "I don't know. What is that?"
Her:"A car."

It would be very easy for me to declare a cease fire to the questions and simply refuse to respond to the constant chattering that declares an unreasonable need to know "What is that?" every time I turn around. However, I recognize that this early game of chatter does lay a path for future communications. If I turn her away now, when she so readily accepts conversation and discussion, then I turn her away from communicating openly later when it really matters. If I exhibit patience (somehow) and answer frequently and even play along by asking her the same question when I know she'll have the answer, then she learns that I am open to discussing issues that may not always be fun for me.

Now, I suppose I should tell you that my child does not fully understand the dynamics of this game of communication. She only knows that she enjoys asking me over and over and over and over and over and over...ahem... sorry, I digress. To her, this is just great fun. Yet as I respond to her questions, while she secretly giggles because she already knows what that is, I show her that I am willing to be available and answer her questions no matter how silly those questions may be.

Well, it's been fun visiting with you today. Unfortunately, I must go identify common everyday objects for my incorrigible 2 yr old.

"What is that?"

Just for Pet...

I was visiting Petula today and saw that she had another one of her tag posts up. She didn't actually tag me this time, probably because she knows how crazy my life is right now and figured I might not ever get around to looking at her current posts.

Well, just for Pet I decided to answer her questions because I know how much she enjoys it when I do this (and I'm running a bit low on ideas right now with my current state of mental and emotional overload.)

I did see that I'm supposed to only use one word to answer these questions. However, since this is an unofficial tagging - I'm not bound by the rules, so I'm choosing to ignore that.

1. Where is your cell phone? Right beside me

2. Where is your significant other? At his mom's house spending the night with her because she had a heart cath today and needs to have somebody nearby "just in case."

3. Your hair color? blond

4. Your mother? Helping me a lot right now. She comes and helps with laundry and dishes and other stuff. She cooks for me and brings food so I don't have to stress so much about keeping up with everything.

5. Your father? He just stopped by a couple of hours ago to visit the girls. Odd - really...but hey, just go with the flow...

6. Your favorite thing? uncontrolled giggles from little girls

7. Your dream last night? I don't recall.

8. Your dream/goal? I want to publish a book based on my blog content.

9. The room you’re in? Dining room

10. Your hobby? Reading, Scrapbooking, Sudoku, Blogging,

11. Your fear? Losing my children

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? I don't really know.

13. Where were you last night? Home - except for a short time when I drove over to Randall's carpool buddy's house to take her some Salmon Loaf that I cooked for dinner as a surprise.

14. What you’re not? Complicated and High Maintenance

15. One of your wish-list items?

16. Where you grew up? Georgia

17. The last thing you did? Put a movie in for my non-sleeping children

18. What are you wearing? Clothes

19. Your TV? Inherited

20. Your pet? Cats - too many

21. Your computer? Acer Laptop and a Gateway desktop

22. Your mood? Exhausted

23. Missing someone? Missing quiet...missing sleep...missing simplicity --- yeah, maybe even missing somebody...

24. Your car? Mazda5

25. Something you’re not wearing? Socks - bra - watch - makeup - jewelry (not even my rings right now)

26. Favorite store? Dollar Tree

27. Your summer? Stressed

28. Love someone? Of Course

29. Your favorite color? Blue

30. When is the last time you laughed? Today

31. Last time you cried? Today

The Hard Decisions

Randall and I were talking last night about certain issues that are often difficult to discuss. It occurred to me that it would be a good idea to talk about the information here, as well, because parents do find it hard to consider what may happen if they are no longer around to care for their children. And yet, being prepared for that possibility is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. Parents have a responsibility to make decisions about their lives and the lives of their children in the event of unforseen incidents.

First, you and your partner need to have a Living Will. It may be uncomfortable to discuss these issues and consider the possibility that you may one day be in the position of dealing with the irreversible illness of you or your partner. This important document dictates what will happen to you should you be placed on life support without any chance of recovery. Having this document can save your family a great deal of heart ache and hassle. It also prevents your partner from having to make the decision on his or her own because you've discussed ahead of time what you would want to be done in this situation. There are many sites that can help you create your own living will without any cost at all. After you have this document, you need to make sure a copy is given to your medical providers.

Second, you need a Power of Attorney. Having a power of attorney will determine who you wish to have control of your money and your care should you become incapable of making these decisions on your own. This document has to be completed prior to the time when it is necessary because if you are unable to make decisions about your health and money, then the courts will not recognize your ability to decide who should be in charge. The result could easily be a lengthy battle between relatives to determine who will be in charge of you and your money.

Third, you need a will. You really, really need to have a will when you have children. If you and your partner were to be involved in a fatal accident, the custody of your children is determined by the courts unless you have a will that indicates your wishes. Of course, the courts can still award custody to someone else if they deem your choice to be unsuitable, but it is far more likely that the person you would choose to raise your children in the event that you were gone would get to fulfill that task if you have it in writing. While considering your choice, be sure to include a second and third option just in case your first choice is unwilling or unable to be appointed as legal guardian.

So - if you haven't already - go talk to your partner and make some tough decisions. You do not need a lawyer to create a living will and a power of attorney. These documents can be done online and then printed and notarized.

The Mom Song

THIS video is absolutely hilarious. A friend of mine directed me to the video while asking me to help her figure out how to get it posted. Well, in order to be able to give her the proper directions I have to refresh my memory. Lucky me, this is worthy of hanging around. Enjoy!

Favorites - Updated

I've decided to do an updated post about Kira's favorites. Here are her favorites as of today. I thought you might enjoy seeing how these things change. I'm also doing this as a way to preserve these changes for my own sentimental purposes.

Color - purple

Shirt - any purple shirt

Shoes - purple flip flops

Book - Pony book

Song - pony song --- (anybody have any idea what that is?)

Movie - My Little Pony movies

Food - Macaroni & Cheese

Drink - Grape Juice

Toy - Ponies

Pet - Turtle

Place - The store with the rides - where Santa Claus lives. That would be Santa Town at Lake Lanier.

Person - Grandma Janet - I suppose I've been replaced by the Grandma. I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later...

Bug - Lady Bugs (At least some things are still the same.)

Flower - Daisies

Cat - Coco

Monetize Your Blog

Don't we all want to make a little extra money?

Wouldn't it be nice if you could do that by just doing what you do anyways?

I've noticed that many of my blogging friends have been talking about how to make extra money through their blog. Well, I'm a member of http://www.triond.com/ where I write articles for pay. One of my friends on triond wrote an article about making money on blogs. Well, I like the article and the videos so much that I feel the need to share this with you.

Take some time to visit the article - Blog Monetization: How to Wring Money From Your Blog - and watch the videos and such. You may find something useful. I know I have found these videos to be useful.

Money Making

I've been thinking for a while about how I can take my artistic talent and put it to good use. I have a great deal of artistic energy with no real useful outlet.

Well, my dear readers, I have come up with a few ideas. You get to be my critique committee. Don't you feel so lucky? I've decided that I may be able to turn that energy into cold hard cash, well, at least a little bit anyways.

First, I'm going to start making gift baskets to sell. I believe there is a good market for this type of product. However, in order for me to succeed I need to get the word out about my new venture. I will be posting pictures soon for you to review and pass the word around about. If you know anybody who would be interested in ordering a custom made basket for a special gift, please send them my way. I have experience in making gift baskets

Second, I crochet baby blankets. I believe I'll start trying to make those and sell them, too.

Third, I make hand made purses. Some of you even have a purse or two. Did you notice how I included an extra purse for you since you all had to wait so long to get your prize? Feel free to tell all your friends where it came from and how to order their very own. I have multiple designs and colors and no two purses are ever exactly alike since they were all made by hand by me. (Now that you have it in your possession, perhaps you could tell me what you would be willing to pay for something of that nature if you saw it at a craft show... )

Fourth, I would like to try to venture into scrapbook services for those moms who want their memories preserved in a scrapbook but have no time or artistic energy to devote to such a task.

You may wonder why I'm posting all this here. I know I have many regular readers who know and love me and will be more than willing to help me spread the word. I also know that you will give me honest feedback on the realistic nature of my plans. If you don't think it will work, you will tell me. (You will, won't you?)