Cookies

Both of my girls are in Girl Guides. I purposely put them in as I thought it was an opportunity for them to try new things, meet new friends and learn about goals. My eldest seems to be enjoying it and has continued for her 3rd year.

My youngest just started tonight and she has been so excited about going! Especially seeing her sister in guides, she couldn't wait.

But the one thing that I know is a "must have to do" is something that I don't care to do. Help the kids sell cookies. OMG. I know it's important...but now that both are in guides, I have close to 100 boxes to sell. Yeah, 100 boxes of mint cookies. That's a lot of fricken cookies.

And in an age where almost everybody is on some type of gluten free, sugar free, diabetic, no carb, no treat, Weight Watchers, South Beach, Atkins, or cleanse, it makes it a little hard to sell cookies.

Well, here's to hoping that they sell all 100.

China

My dad has been going quite regularly back to China to meet up with his old school buds. I love it. I've always told him, there's no need to "save" the money for me as he's worked hard for it and he's had some pretty tough points in his life. He should enjoy what his money can do for him...especially travelling. He's still healthy and able to enjoy travelling.

He mentioned a tour that he was planning to take next year and it piqued my interest. 8 days in Beijing and then he'd tack on a couple of extra days to go to Hong Kong. So I'll say 14 days in total. My stepmom would go too. And I was really thinking of going so I asked him more about it.

I still have to work out some logistics. But I think I'm going to do it and go. It's an opportunity to travel with my parents and see the country in their eyes. As well, I want to go to Hong Kong. I was born there and I've always said I wanted to go home. This is a great chance. And my parents can tell me and show me about where I was born, meet with relatives, and just check out where I could have ended up.

I'm excited about the possibility!!! Let's hope the logistics work out!

Bamboccione

A bamboccione is basically an older male that lives at home with his mom. And why am I yapping about this? Well, I was listening to the radio this afternoon and one of the DJs mentioned this word. She mentioned this because she read an article about a 41 year old guy in Italy that is basically getting kicked out by his own parents. And if he doesn't leave, they're going to a lawyer and escalating this matter. OMG. A lawyer?!

She then asked Vancouver who they knew was a bamboccione and how old these males were that were still staying at home. I didn't think there would be too many calls.

It started off with callers saying their brother is 36 and still at home because he's lazy. Then it was a friend who called in about their 44 year old best friend. She couldn't understand why she was dating him because if they ever get married, the guy will expect her to be the same as mom. I thought those stories were pretty good.

Then I heard stories of even older guys staying at home and basically mom was doing laundry, cooking for them, making lunches for them, waking them up for work, etc. Really?!! Why?! Moms already did their job raising these children to adulthood.

One of my goals as a mom is to make my kids independent and for them to leave home at some point. I know that when they leave home, I will be crushed. But as my dad says, you need to teach your kids to fly. And yes, they will learn to fly as much as I want to shelter them.

So to all those bambocciones out there, time to give mom a break.

MYOB

MYOB. Yeah, mind your own business. Seriously, some people have too much time on their hands or they just like to be in other people's business way too much.

I'm selling stuff on Craigslist these days as I'm trying to get rid of my baby stuff. Sales have actually been pretty good. And everyone I've sold to has been great...showed up on time, gave me cash. Easy transactions.

But today, I get an e-mail from what I thought was a potential buyer. Basically, she writes me and tells me I won't get what I'm asking for. I had to laugh and snicker. Seriously. You take the time to write a stranger saying that they're not going to get an asking price, that I'm asking for too much and that I should lower the price. She says that I'll be lucky to sell the item.

Honestly, it's Craigslist. I could be selling my sweat for a million bucks a teaspoon...but that's my choice. Too much? Then go to another person. Fine by me.

And I get that it's a public forum and people can respond with whatever they want just like this woman did. Good for her. But what a waste of time. Of course, I'm not going to bother responding because it's not worth my time. I know who she is as she was "smart" enough to sign off with her name. But my ad doesn't have my name nor will I respond to give her my name.

How sad that someone has that type of time and to get into my business. Then it made me think of other people in this world that are constantly in other people's business for no reason. Seriously. Get a life.

Next Stage

Well, I'm there. While on my holidays, one of my main tasks was to start organizing the basement. And part of that organization is sorting all the toys to get them ready to sell. It's that time where my kids are too old to play with the toys downstairs or use any of the equipment.

Part of me is so excited as there will be space downstairs! I'll also be using part of that money to use on our upcoming trip. SWEET. Really liking that.

But part of me is so sad. That means that those young years are over. As crazy as they were, they were very memorable. And as I sort through the toys, the equipment, the clothes, etc...some of the items I will not part with as they do hold some very special memories.

I hear this is quite freeing. Eeep! I'm a little scared! Though I already sold my first item so I'm hoping that the rest of the sales go smoothly too.

Well, life keeps ticking along whether or not you're ready for it. =)

1st week

Just like that, the first week of school is over. Sweet. It was a good transition week. The youngest had no problem with kindergarten. More like...why isn't this class longer? She seems to like the kids in her class. Yay! The eldest is enjoying her friends and classes too. Good. If they enjoy going to class, that's half the battle.

And this also signals the end of my holidays. Back to work on Monday. Am I bit more refreshed? Yes. Could I have more time. Absolutely. Did I do everything I wanted on my break? No...but I did get lots done. So not a bad break.

Though, I'm sure my first day back will erase any memory of a holiday.

Labour Day

I cannot believe that it is Labour Day. Last day before school starts for the kids. My youngest will be heading into Kindergarten and I can't want to take her! It's going to be great. She's so ready and extremely excited. Yes, I'll be there with a camera in hand.

I honestly am not ready to have school start. The summer has been awesome. The schedule, much more bearable. But come September, full force with their schooling, activities, etc. I'm not saying single people are not busy, but parent schedules can be on the brutal side!

So, time to put my game face on.

Supressants

My daughter was watching me play some game on Facebook. And sure enough, she sees an ad on there about the top appetite suppressants. She asked what they were and I explained it to her. I didn't want her taking them, but I wanted her to understand what they were.

I'm one of those parents that truly feels that if you make something forbidden or don't bother explaining why something is bad, kids will gravitate towards that and decide to try whatever it is.

They really understand that smoking is bad (heck, my youngest loves wearing her "no smoking" pin everywhere!). They seem to get the idea that drugs are bad too. Good!

I keep saying...if I can raise kids that are happy, resilient, make good choices for themselves and don't get drug addicted and are true contributing members of society, I've done my job as a parent.

Trophies

My kids love playing outdoors...like any other kid. But getting them to do team sports? Yeesh. Let's just say my kids have other talents. We will not be the family with a ton of sports trophies. Good on those other kids.

But I do have hopes for my eldest in running. She seems to enjoy that. My youngest, I have hopes for her in swimming. But again, these can be solitary sports which is fine.

So I'm hoping for other types of awards...I'll hold out on hoping for the sports ones.

TVs

My husband has a fascination with tvs. Seriously, must be a guy thing. BIGGER, the better. So everytime there is a flyer for some tv/electronics store, he's scouring the ads. He looks through the sony lcd tvs...woooooo....55 inch tv. Really? Do we really need another tv THAT big? And really, I'd rather spend that money on something else on the house/vacation/savings...whatever. Call me the Asian in the family.

Well, he can dream of a bigger tv. No one said he couldn't do that.