Parenting 101

I feel like I may be at this point I can honestly offer some parenting advice. Gone are the days of chasing toddlers and wiping noses. I still have days of watch your mouth and is your homework done, but for the most part my days are filled with conversation and laughter. A lot of laughter. We are a pretty funny bunch. So as I think back over the years, here are a few of my helpful hints.

1) Boys and girls are different. My daughter loved on babies, dressed them, hugged them and named them. My boys put theirs in a toaster oven and melted it. The fire was quickly put out, and the toaster was thrown out as well. I learned a valuable lesson on keeping up with small children in the process. But basically, little boys want to build, destroy and build again. There are bad guys to capture and cars to race. My daughter, regardless of how much of a tom-boy she is, still wants her hair done and nails pretty.

2) Encourage them to be theirselves. Alex likes a good day of hard work. Drake wants to fix computers, Jacob runs around filming things and Lynsie reads how the brain works. I don't see any lawyers in our future but I do see four young adults who are able to embrace their own actual goals. I never tried to fit them into my mold, but helped pushed them along to better fit into theirs.

3) Listen. I know more about Doctor Who, various computer games, xbox and a fair share of bad jokes because I took the time to listen. Do I have an actual interest in these? Not really, but I do care about those I have birth to.

4) Be a cheerleader. Thankfully as a parent this doesn't require pom poms and a short skirt. Attend games, competitions, or whatever else your child is into. Even if your child fails be there to tell him/her how awesome they are. 

5) Stop raising children. There are enough grown children in the world. Instead, raise adults. The goal is for them to grow up, be responsible, move out, start their own lives. If you are raising spoiled brats, life will kindly give them a slap into reality. I have no tolerance for bratty children or adults.

6) Talk. About everything. Answer the questions that make you turn beet red. Answer the ones that make you cry. Tell them if you don't know the answer. It's allowed. This is coming from the woman who had to explain what an orgasm was to 11yr olds.

7) Embrace your beliefs with them. Whatever they are, but don't be surprised if they question them.

8) Work ethic. Chores will not kill your child. They may think they are dying, but pushing a broom, scrubbing a commode and doing laundry sets the foundation of a good work ethic. My boys can work on cars and change a dryer plug. All of my children could survive without me. They know how to pay bills, comparison shop and the best part....they know how to ask.

9) Discipline. No body wants to be around a hell child. Get a grip, a handle. It may be cute at two, but by the time they are sixteen, cute is long gone. And I don't care what type of problems they have. Quite raising them by a label. My son is AH/AD but that was never a reason to let him act a fool. My goal was to raise adults, which meant he had to learn self control.
10) Do stuff. Any stuff, all stuff. Every but of day to day living is an adventure. Let your child be part of it. Embrace all teachable moments. Even now, rarely do I go some where without a young adult. We play, we work, we cry and we laugh together.

I could keep going, but will stop for now. If you gained anything, I hope it was number ten. Being together makes the biggest difference.

Meme overload

In the world of technology as a form of communication, the meme had taken over in making a concise point. Some I enjoy. Some are just stupid. Some share love and others hate.

Each of us have our own values, morals and beliefs. Most of you reading this live in the U.S. with me and as free Americans we are all insured equal rights. Granted government has been a bit slow on the inclusion factor but slavery is now illegal and women can vote.

I have a very hard time understanding why equal rights issues have to be based on religious convictions. Equal is still equal. If you don't want gay marriage, then don't have one. Why do you care if Steve and John want the same benefits you do. Insurance etc. They work and pay for it just like you do. Marriage in our government eyes is not about biblical ideas but about a piece of paper that generates income for the county.

Being gay does not make anyone less human.

As for guns, if you don't like them, don't but one. Yes there are crazies in this world but I assure you guns, even if banned, will still find there way into the wrong hands. Drugs are illegal but yet they still manage to surface in society. Just because you don't like guns does not give you the right to remove them from responsible adults.

A lot could be said for the human race of they answered in love instead of hate.

And as for Christians, I assure you posting tons of memes a day does not make you a Christian. People want to see your life as that reflection.

On a personal more, I have my own values, beliefs and morals. I have my thoughts on hot button issues, but when it comes to social media, I am there to share my life with you and some how be a part of your life. I want to know if you are doing well. Are you happy? How are your children. I want to rejoice with you, be sad with you.....I miss those days of social media.

I have something to say

I am already sick and tired of the pro and con gun propaganda that is sweeping our nation. On December 14, 2012 twenty six children and adults lost their lives to a crazy young man. Sadly, we may never know why he did this. 

My facebook page is filled with gun control issues. I have seen quotes by those who say the children got the best Christmas gift ever, meeting Jesus. We have the Westboro idiots thanking God for his judgement, but all I can think about is those families. 

Having buried a child a Christmas, I can assure you they probably would rather have their child then hear about how exciting it is their dead child is at Jesus' birthday party. My guess is they want to hear their laugh, see their smile, hug them once again. As they lower their child in the ground they are probably not thinking about gun control but are feeling their hearts, their lives, their very beings breaking into a million little pieces.

I am not saying gun control issues, school safety issues etc...dont need to be addressed. But as a nation can we please for once, not make it an issue just yet and simply love these families. Can we stand beside them, pray for them, bow our heads just for a moment in grief and not use this opportunity to fuel our new lastest agenda??

I already know the answer, but just once it would be nice if people came first. If love came first....

Vintage...

Our duplex, isn't so small, was built in 1972...the same year I was born.  Sigh!  I don't think the place has been updated since.  Maybe a few things here or there, but mostly not.  Thankfully, it came with a few modern conveniences of its time.  The gas fireplace is nice but we have to buy a key to use it.  However, the intercom system has been a joy.  And fun.

The first time Jacob was in the house, we thought we would have to ban the intercom because he was singing in it and driving us all crazy.  It is not the best in the world but it still works in the rooms and plays the radio throughout which is a nice way to pipe music through out the house and wake everyone up.  Simply because I am mean like that!

Today I am painting the kitchen to help update its look but the one thing that will not change is the intercom/radio, which shhh don't tell also has a knob where I can listen and see what is going on in all the rooms.  Pretty nifty!!

So before I crank up the volume, which means my daughter will have to get out of bed and turn her's down because it freaks out her rats...I thought I would jot a few thoughts on our little system and share a pic of it.  Not to worry the wall around it will soon be a nice red.

It reminds me of the Brady Bunch! LOL

A jump at life

There is something to be said about watching Felix Baumgartner take that first step out into the wild blue yonder, with Earth just a fuzzy image of blue and greens below him.  I have to confess it made me catch my breath a bit.  We watched as a family as he free falled down to Earth and then watched as he righted himself and opened his shoot.  We were amazed at how perfect his touchdown (not sure if that is the correct terminology) and he just walked a few steps before dropping to the ground.  The whole 5+minutes of the fall were amazing.

But then I had to stop and think.  The man just fell 23 miles from the sky.  His family watching, the world watching.  And he just did it.  Yes, he had a few set backs, weather, equipment etc..  I can only imagine the weight of the world he felt as he fell.  It was a big step...not only for himself, but also for the people of this world. 

He chased his dreams.  Not granted my dreams are not to plument 23 miles with only some material slowing me to a stop on the Earth.  But I do have dreams.  A lot of them.  And the thing about achieving your dreams is...it is not always easy.  There are set backs.  People watching.  Some people hoping for the bad and some rooting you on for the good.  Now granted, being grounded here on Earth does provide a bit of a safety net and none of my dreams are actually life threatening, but still they are a big step and require me to step out on simple belief that I will succeed. 

I have to ask myself, am I willing to just step?  Just to take off, take that step and start falling towards to my goal.  I am.  So thank you Felix for giving me a bit of hope and motivation I needed today.  I may not be making a big as step as you did 23 miles above Earth, but still in my world, they might as well be.  So Felix while you celebrate with family and friends this afternoon.  I will be working on jotting down my goals and working on meeting them head on.  I may not be jumping as you did, but am taking a big jump in my personal life.  Thank you Felix and godspeed.

Some times life isn't fair

Well I always enjoy a good curve ball that life throws my way, but sometimes, they are just aren't that great! I have spoken about this because to be honest I was really upset.  I mean, REALLY.  And if you know me, you will know I am not one to get that upset about stuff.  I mean, I may have a tantrum or two, but to feel borderline depressed is just not my thing.  But here it is in a nutshell.  We moved.

So much for the big pretty house.  Sigh.
She sold it.  We were to live there while repairing Mr. Looks Good in Wrangler's credit.  Then have the option to buy.  It was to be our forever home.  So apparently forever was really quick!  Three months.  I hadn't even finished UNpacking from that move. 

So we went house hunting.  Finding NOTHING!!  We did find a duplex with really sweet landlords.  And we have our lease in hand (a problem we had with the nice house lady) I haven't lived in a duplex in ages (okay so like 20yrs) 

The kids call it a cave.  We only have four windows.  The garage is in the front (hey I still have a garage) and the front door is to the side of the garage.  The two bedrooms upstairs each have a window.  Weird going from a house full of windows to only four. 

For all intents and purposes, this house serves us better.  The living room is HUGE.  We still have a fireplace.  I think every place in Lubbock has a fireplace.  We have a large dinning room and the best... a HUGE kitchen.  REALLY huge kitchen.  Trust me, I am VERY happy about the huge kitchen.  The other one bugged me!  We have two large bedrooms upstairs and two bathrooms.  And one VERY large finished basement with a closet downstairs.  The boys (all three) sleep down there. 

The place is dated.  Built in 1972 and I don't think it was EVER updated!!  Some kind of funky cloth wallpaper that refuses to be removed.  Brown carpet (barf) and marble looking with gold glitter cabinets in the bathroom.  The landlords are VERY willing to let us do work here and take it off the rent.  Speaking of, we now pay less so that is a huge help. 

My first project is the kitchen.  I will take before and after pics as I work on the house.  But first I need to finish unpacking.  I am determined to NOT leave boxes in the garage.  And thankfully I am almost done!

While we were looking we could not find anything.  Of course the day I sign the lease, we see places pop up everywhere.  Sigh! 

I threw myself a nice pity party, but decided it wasn't worth it.  I lived in a nice house and realized that house, although nice, had its flaws.  Practically white carpet and kitchen.  No grass in the back yard.  And weirdly, Mr Looks Good in Wranglers NEVER felt at home there.  Here, he does.  He seems so much happier with this place.  I am enjoying the lower amount of maintance and I know I will live in a "nice" house again.  But until then I will take what I am given and make lemonaid (with a splash of vodaka.)

Mo' Living

First and foremost I know it has been a bit since I have blogged, but sadly the computer keeled over and I had to send it in.  Thankfully Michael and Best Buy took care of us and little Samsung laptop is back in the Jimerson-Conner estates.

So with that said I have two blogs to post, but I won't do them both today! Aren't you happy???  This one is the most important (to me anyway) so I am starting with it, then will do the other one later.  (its about my bed!!)

So here is the deal, the low-down, the whats shaking.....a year ago on September 1st a good friend of mine was killed in a motorcycle wreck.  I didn't find out until the 14th of September.  I was heartbroken, crushed....I spent the day bawling.  I also bought a fish named Mo who later was found dead (this past May) in the air filter.  I should have been a better friend to her.  She was a dear to me.  She would call, chat, text funny things.  I still miss her.  A LOT!  Her name was Modena Dollison.  Mo for short.  Which is why the fish was named Mo. 

So onto this year.  I have a lot going on in my life. Feeling a bit out of control and not grounded.  I REALLY hate this feeling.  One of things I know to be a factor is my weight.  It's not like any big secret I am a big gal.  I buy my clothes, look in the mirror..I know what size I am and how big my thighs are, my butt is and yes even my boobs (even though having big boobs is awesome and I get free beer..but that is a different story! LOL) So don't act shocked when I acknowledge I am a fat girl.  Medically speaking, I am morbidly obese.  Doesn't that sound pretty?  I am pretty sure they took the two most horribly sounding words and stuck them together so fat people would feel shamed for being fat.  I am not fluffy or thick....I am fat.  There is no other way around it.  Pretty words does not make the stuff jiggling off my body any prettier nor does it make those pant sizes any smaller.  No Rue 21 for this gal.  (I am not even sure at 40yrs old I am allowed to shop in there! Lol) 

Almost 5yrs ago I lost 80lbs.  That is a big number.  I was so proud of myself.  I felt great.  I felt amazing actually.  I could bend my knees.  I could get on and off the floor  I could live and breath.  I was still overweight but getting that much off of me made a huge difference.  I was also that size when Mr Looks Good in Wranglers met me.  I PROMISED him I would never be this size again (a size he never knew me at)  and yet here I am...just 20lbs away from that weight I promised him I would never be again (when he saw the pics) but worse, I had promised MYSELF I would never be here. 

So yesterday, on the one year anniv. of my learning of Modena's passing, I have started my "Mo' living" program.  Simply put, I want to live more, feel better and heck....look better.  No body whistles hey baby to a fat girl...

I downloaded the loseit app.  loseit.com  If you want to be my friend on there I am under robertandvictoriajimerson@gmail.com  I went to the gym and walked and did better than I expected and I am off to do the same thing today.  I feel good after walking.  Amazing how that effects you so quickly!

So just so you know there will be weight loss posts on here.  But still my opinions, my humor, my thoughts and my crafts.....

So the Mo Living Goals:

1.  Be a Wal-Mart (Save money. Live Better.)  this means more eating in and hey, who know not only saves me money but is healthier for me!!
2.  Drop a skinny person.  I want to loose 100lbs in 1 year.  That is about 2lbs a week.  Small steps, small bites.  I got this.  I am just looking at the 2.....not the 100.  That is a big number and I don't like big numbers. 
3. Hang myself out to dry--I am going to post on here so may be SOME ONE might be inspired or better yet be my cheerleader and help me win this!

I may add more goals, but for right now...those are plenty enough. 

Okay enough rambling...but for now, I hear my teenie shoes calling me.  They want to go walk. 

Here is a picture of me working out!