What Teachers REALLY want for Christmas

 As I am now very active on Pinterest (really, it's bordering on obsession) I've come across a lot of amazing ideas and sites. I love Pinterest because you just keep finding good ideas. And for the record, I have actually made some of the recipes I've pinned and they were (most of them) delicious!

One thing I've seen a lot of lately is gift ideas for teachers. Really cute stuff. Jars filled with candy or homemade somethings that are very sweet and thoughtful. 

                                    

However, I'm going to be honest. Those are lovely gifts. If a kid were to give me one of those, I would love it and give them a big hug and make sure they know that it's an awesome gift. But (here's the honest part) that's not really what teachers want.

The Post about Idleness, Beauty, and Pinterest (the New FB)

You know the awkward feeling when you haven’t talked to someone in a while, someone you were once close with? And you think, I should call them or facebook them, but you keep putting it off? Good, so it’s not just me.

Is it weird that that’s how I feel about this blog?

Why haven’t I been writing? Simplest answer, lack of motivation/inspiration.

What have I been doing instead? Unfortunately, not much. I did have a cold for a week or so (which turns me into a lazy ball of sniffles) but I think that’s on it’s way out. And um…I really can’t think of anything interesting to report.

You know the saying "the road to hell is paved with good intentions"? Well the road to me spending the entire weekend laying in bed on the computer getting nothing accomplished is paved with Pinterest and Youtube.

Because We All Know What's Important In Life...

 
This evvening I popped in a dvd for some" me" time. And lo and behold, before we got to the menu screen, before there was even a movie trailer there was a commercial for a product called Digital Copy*. 

Maybe you've heard of it, or seen the commercials. 

From what I gathered it's a legal way to rip dvds to your laptop or handheld device so you can take it with you wherever you go. Their slogan is:

 

 

Which is great, but what bothered me was during the commercial, this cute little I'd say probably 9ish year old with a lisp and everything says "Yeah and I can put it on my iphone and take movies with me anywhere. To the beach, long car trips, or hanging out with friends." *cue big smile with missing tooth*

I'm sorry...what? You're taking the movies with you...to the beach? You're going to watch a movie instead of building a sand castle? You're going to sit in one place for hours watching a tiny little screen instead of wandering around collecting seashells and enjoying the waves? I mean, I don't even like sand, but really?

Okay maybe not the beach. Long car trips. That's great. Keeps the kids quiet. I'm actually not opposed to this one...unless you just keep switching from movie to movie the entire time. What about reading a book? Coloring? Playing the license plate game? Sing alongs? You get car sick? Three words: books on tape.

But what if you and your friends want to watch a movie? Sure, no problem, you could do that. Or you could ride your bikes, play capture the flag, dig to China, play dress up, or a board game, or with Barbie, or you could build at tent (boys read: fort) WITH ALL THE SPARE SHEETS YOU CAN FIND! 

I dunno, maybe. I mean, I'd just like to point out that there are options. 

So everyone listen up. If you see someone who is letting their kid sit on the beach and watch a movie on his cell phone, please slap that parent. Then show the kid how to use the iphone as a sand shoveling device and help them build a castle, which is a better employment for both the kid and the phone. 

I don't have a problem with Digital Copy, I have a problem with their ad campaign to promote mindless entertainment absorption. (That's not really their goal of course. Their goal is to make money. Still not a good reason.) 


So here’s to parent’s everywhere who would never let their children waste their childhood in front of a screen. I’ll drink to that, yeah-eah.


*The link actually takes you to the advertising group’s site where they explain how they made the commercial using green screens. Which is very cool in media world. Huzzah. While you’re there scroll down to check out all the awesome places you can take your movies when you use Digital Copy.

And for the record, to all the Digital Copy People and their advertising group, you sell an interesting product. I hope lots of people buy it and use it wisely.

For Your Consideration

I submit that this song promotes good mood vibes.



Even though sometimes, I have no idea what he's saying.


Happy October!

A Realization

This blog is not going to be about the thing I thought it was going to be about. That will have to wait. 

Tonight I had a startling realization. It happened when I was unloading the dishwasher.

You see Zach is about to go to bed. And I randomly decided that I would put the dishes away when I noticed a pan he had used a couple of days ago still in the sink, waiting to be cleaned. It annoyed me, that he hadn't cleaned it yet, like it was my job to clean his dirty dishes even though he's been off work for the past two days. He could have done it but he didn't, and part of me wanted to get upset and chide him about it. That's when it hit me. 

It's not his to clean. He's the one with the 9-5 job (sort of). He's the one bringing in most of the income. He's the one who is on his feet for hours a day, dealing with customers. While I sit at home on the computer, or sleeping until noon, before I mosey over to my part time nanny job. He shouldn't have to clean it. I have no right to be upset with him if he doesn't wash some dishes, or if I feel like all the cleaning and laundry falls on my shoulders. So what if the porch didn't get cleaned off yet. He needed the rest because he's the one with a job.

I have nothing else to do. This is my job. I'm a housewife. 

A housewife.


                   


I've never considered myself a feminist, I don't hate men, I wouldn't even categorize myself as a career woman. I don't want to have kids right now because I don't want to have kids right now. Not because I was planning to run the country or anything. But I never depended on anyone else to help me pay the bills. I was raised to be independent and capable. College was not optional. You go to college, get a job, get married fine, but you don't stop working just because you're married. You need 2 incomes to make ends meet, you do something purposeful with your life, you contribute to society. It's ingrained in me. I do not feel like I am doing anything with my life. I expected more. A lot more than dishes. 

Please don't think that this is a rant against my husband. He is absolutely wonderful (just a little messy, not that bad as far as boys go) and has been nothing but supportive and encouraging. My being in this situation has nothing to do with him. But it is a sobering thought. 

I have nowhere else to be, nothing else to do, for the majority of my day. If there is something that needs to be done around the house I might as well do it because I'm not responsible for anything else. If I was raised to be independent and capable then this is what I have to take care of. I have no salary to help pay the bills anymore, I have nothing demanding my time and attention. Sitting around all day wishing I could find a job and feeling sorry for myself is not going to get the dirt off the floor. 

This is my job. My only job.

I have nothing against housewives or mothers for that matter. What you lose in sleep, you make up for in love, I get it. I understand it's a full time responsibility. I just never thought it would become my full time responsibility. 

It's incredible really. I have a new-found sympathy for guys who ask girls out, get rejected and keep trying (strange I know) because I keep trying and trying but can't find a job (Maybe it's a similar feeling? Or maybe I'm just being condescending.) I also realize that as much as I say I would like to, I would never really want to be any character in a Jane Austen novel. Sitting around waiting to be married and then getting married (to a wonderful man) and running a household, with no problems to solve outside of those four walls. I'd go crazy. I am going crazy. I'd much rather be Jane Austen herself, a woman who did something, even though it was the path less traveled by. 



I have no idea if I explained this right. This is just a hard adjustment, mentally. 



Sorry if this is a downer. If it makes you feel any better (like if you're sadistic and enjoy me getting creeped out) I was informed today by the neighbor that there are a lot of tarantulas outside. And then I saw two tonight for the first time ever (live), up close and personal, and consequently have decided never to go outside again.