My Mother’s Day Expectations
Vodpod videos no longer available.
What I REALLY Want for Mother’s Day, posted with vodpod
(RSS readers – please click over to watch the video)
My vlog response:
Please note: When I mention in the video that I have a good life, I do not mean I have a perfect life. By “good” I mean, Kevin and I are older, we’re more established in our job situation (well, he is, I’m working on my situation), we’ve been together for nearly 21 years and we’re comfortable with each other and our boys are teenagers, i.e. semi-independent. Please do not think we haven’t struggled or worked our butts off to get where we are and don’t have room for improvement. We do. We always will. Just wanted to clarify that. 🙂
Aloha Friday: Back-to-School
Aloha! Kailani is the brain-child behind this fun Friday meme. If you feel inclined to answer my question, please post your answer in the comment section. Sound fun? Of course it does! Want to answer more questions? Hop over to An Island Life and play along!
(Please feel free to answer the question below, even if you’re not playing Aloha Friday!)
My question:
Will you ever go back to school? Why or why not?
Is college a ripoff? I’ve written about this subject before and wow, I just don’t know. I suppose it depends on the person and what his/her personal goals are.
For me, I definitely plan on going back to college to earn my Master’s degree in writing. Since I plan on paying for it as I go, as opposed to taking out loans, it’ll be slow going and I won’t be able to start until our current financial situation evens out a bit. (Gotta love this economic “recovery,” right?) I personally love learning and I have to reiterate that old saying, “knowledge is power.”
Because it is. It truly is.
Friday Craft: Homemade Mother’s Day Cards
Did you guys see these cute cards on Family Fun?
Well, let me tell ya …
I love this first one. So cute. And how many moms love tea?? This would be a great chance for mom to try that new tea she’s been wanting to try. (There are always new teas to try. Am I right?)
With its soothing, tucked-in treat, this greeting is brimming with thoughtfulness.
Materials
* 8½- by 11-inch sheet of card stock
* Pencil
* Scissors
* Tape
* String
* Stapler
* Glue
* Tea bag
* Printable template
Instructions
1. Fold an 8½- by 11-inch sheet of card stock in half widthwise. Draw a teacup along the bottom (download our template) with the handle touching the fold (right). Cut out the cup, leaving the fold at the handle uncut.
2. Open the cup. Add a tag by taping a 2-inch piece of string to the left half of the card. Write a message on a small piece of card stock, then staple it to the other end of the string.
3. To form a pocket for the tea bag, trace the cup on the remaining card stock and cut out the shape. Glue the bottom and sides of this cup to the inside of the card (right). Add your message.
4. When the glue is dry, tuck a tea bag in the pocket.
This fold-open bouquet card is a standout for almost any occasion.
Materials
* Card stock (assorted colors)
* Decorative Scissors
* Glue
* Stapler (optional)
* Envelopes
Instructions
1. To make the base, fold and cut an 8½- by 11-inch sheet of card stock in half lengthwise (we used decorative scissors for our scalloped look).
2. On a short end of one strip, fold over a ½-inch tab. Fold the resulting rectangle in half widthwise, then fold it in half again. Unfold the card stock. Glue the tab to the opposite end of the rectangle, forming a box.
3. Make the center flower support by cutting a 3¼-inch-wide section from the other strip of card stock. Fold a ¼-inch tab on each long end, as shown.
4. Cut flower centers, petals, stems, and leaves from card stock, trimming the stems to fit inside your envelope. Glue the flower parts together. Glue or staple the stems to the back of the support, placing them on either side of the center line so that the card will easily fold in half later.
5. Glue the support’s flaps inside the center of the box. Write a message on a colorful piece of card stock, then glue it onto the panel. (If you prefer to write message directly on the panel, do so after you unfold the card stock in step 2.)
6. When the glue is dry, flatten the box along two of its creases.
7. Fold it in half along the remaining crease and insert it into an envelope.
This fancy, one-of-a-kind handbag holds just what Mom needs this Mother’s Day or any day: a message of love and a new bag.
Need a great gift that Mom will love? We’ve got it in the bag. This fancy, one-of-a-kind handbag holds just what Mom needs this Mother’s Day: a message of love.
Materials
* 8 1/2- by 11-inch piece of heavy paper or card stock
* Acrylic paints (optional)
* Ink pads (optional)
Instructions
1. To make one, first decorate both sides of an 8 1/2- by 11-inch piece of heavy paper or card stock–one side for the outside of the purse, the other for the lining. We used acrylic paints to make fashionably bold stripes on the outside and stamped geometric shapes with light-colored ink pads and small stamps on the inside. Allow the paints and inks to dry completely.
2. With the liner print faceup, fold up the bottom 4 inches of the paper, then draw a purse body shape on the doubled portion and a handle on the remaining single layer of paper.
3. Cut out the shape, then cut along the arc just below the handle (leave the bottom intact) to form the purse’s closure flap.
4. Use tacky glue to attach plastic jewels to the handle, as well as a single jewel to the flap for a latch.
5. Allow the glue to dry, then write Mom a Mother’s Day message on the purse’s liner before folding the card closed.
Mom: Here’s a gift that serves as a lasting reminder of your family’s affection: a flippable compilation of inspirations and love notes personalized for you.
Kids: Binder rings make it easy to turn messages, drawings, favorite memories, or quotes into a homemade tribute to Mom.
Materials
Colored 3- by 5-inch index cards
Hole punch
Scissors
Card stock
Small metal binder rings
Instructions
1. Fill a number of colored 3- by 5-inch index cards with poems, drawings, and heartfelt messages. Use a hole punch to make 2 holes at the top of each card, making sure the holes in all the cards line up.
2. To prepare a stand (above, right), cut a piece of colorful card stock into a 5- by 10-inch rectangle, then fold the rectangle in half widthwise. Punch 2 holes just below the fold, using one of your punched index cards as a guide. Fold each end of the card stock 2 inches in from the edge, then use scissors to cut a 1-inch slit in the center of each flap.
3. Stack together all of the cards, placing the folded card stock at the bottom of the pile, then bind together all of the pieces using 2 small metal binder rings (available at office supply stores). To set up the flip-book, just interlock the slits in the flaps of the card stock to create a triangular display stand
Kids can pledge to lend Mom or Dad a hand around the house with this flowery card.
Materials
8 1/2- by 11-inch sheet of heavyweight paper
Construction paper or card stock
Glue
Con-tact paper, optional
Instructions
1. Fold in half an 8 1/2- by 11-inch sheet of heavyweight paper so that the shorter ends match up.
2. Cut a flowerpot shape from colored construction paper or card stock and glue it to the lower portion of the card face. Attach only the bottom and side edges and leave the top unglued.
3. Cut out a bunch of colored flowers and thick green stems and then glue the stem tops to the backs of the blossoms.
4. Once the glue dries, print a different chore (such as “fold the laundry” or “walk the dog”) on the back of each stem.
5. Inscribe the inside of the card with the words “Pick a flower and you will see the jobs you’ll pick this week for me” and sign it. All that’s left to do is to “plant” the flowers in the pot and present the card.
Tips: Laminate the card and flowers with Con-tact paper to make them longer lasting.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Taking Credit, Cashing In, and Leaving Thousands Unable to Read
Warning! Political stuff.
Forgive me, but I read about this stuff, think about this stuff, see what others write about this stuff on Twitter and if I don’t write out my thoughts and feelings on these issues, I’m fairly certain my brain will explode all over your monitor.
If you don’t agree with me politically (I’m a moderate conservative [I’m pretty sure that’s an oxymoron]), then please skip this post. Thanks.
Interesting news day. While the Obama administration scrambles to figure out what exactly happened with the bin Laden event and then how to spin it to the rest of the country (I believe we’re on, what, version 13 or 14 now?), here’s what else is going on in our country right now.
Are you paying attention?
http://twitter.com/#!/writefromkaren/status/66161703624257536
The Obama administration has floated a transportation authorization bill that would require the study and implementation of a plan to tax automobile drivers based on how many miles they drive.
The plan is a part of the administration’s “Transportation Opportunities Act,” an undated draft of which was obtained this week by Transportation Weekly.
The White House, however, said the bill is only an early draft that was not formally circulated within the administration.
So … not only will we have to pay taxes on the gas we buy, we’ll have to pay taxes on the miles we drive while being stuck in traffic burning more gas.
And then, AND THEN …
http://twitter.com/#!/writefromkaren/status/66208128840110080
Workers would be able to divert a portion of their paychecks into an untaxed account that can be used to pay for gas and other fuels under new legislation set to be introduced in the Senate this week.
The legislation, authored by Sen. Mark Begich (D-Alaska), is aimed at lessening the burden of high gas prices on consumers. The bill comes as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are scrambling to do something about gas prices, which are nearing $4 a gallon.
SOOOOO, let me get this straight – -we open tax-free accounts so we can buy gas, then get taxed on gas we buy AND taxed on the miles we drive.
What. The. Hell??
We have GOT to vote these idiots out of office and soon. Why is the government’s answer to ALWAYS insert more regulations when all we have to do to fix these idiotic problems is to restructure, annihilate existing programs?
Also? Two words – domestic drilling. We have enough oil here at home to sustain us for many years. In the meantime, we could develop an effective, cost-efficient energy source to get us off oil and out from under foreign influence.
I mean seriously people, it’s not rocket science!!
http://twitter.com/#!/writefromkaren/status/66174224234057728
The number of people applying for unemployment benefits surged last week to the highest level in eight months, a troubling sign a day ahead of the government’s report on April employment.
The Labor Department said Thursday that applications rose 43,000 to 474,000 in the week ended April 30, the third increase in four weeks. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, rose for the fourth straight week to 431,250.
Rising unemployment applications and other weak economic data this week have prompted some analysts to worry that higher fuel prices may be causing employers to slow their pace of hiring.
Brilliant observation, Sherlock.
This economic recovery ROCKS, doesn’t it?
And speaking of Obama and Ground Zero – does anyone else find it disturbing that he’s passing himself off as some sort of hero about this bin Laden deal when in fact he fought tooth and nail to block the procedures that got us the information to get the man to begin with AND sat on giving the go ahead a whopping 16 hours after he got wind of what was going on only to take full credit and milk it for all it’s worth after its success?
Can you imagine what would have happened and who he would have blamed if it HADN’T been successful?
This man’s ego is seriously unbelievable.
I don’t blame President Bush for declining an invitation to join him at Ground Zero. I also don’t blame 9/11 families for refusing to participate.
This whole thing is disturbing.
And while we’re on the subject of Obama taking credit for bin Laden’s death …
The Obama campaign has purchased the domain: www.gutsycall.com and when you click on it, it re-directs you to Obama’s campaign website. This is the height of douchebaggery, especially since Obama had to be FORCED to actually make that “gutsy call“!
So let me get this right. It was Leon Panetta, not Barack Obama who put this deal together, and made the “gutsy call.” As usual, Obama was voting “present.” The only difference is this time he had a real leader calling him out and forcing him to act.
Let me leave asking this: How do you think the “Muslim street” will feel knowing Obama is using the death of bin Laden to raise money to get re-elected?
I don’t even know what to say to this.
Mr. President, you’re a jerk.
I’m betting you didn’t hear about this little nugget, either.
http://twitter.com/#!/writefromkaren/status/66196443752435712
It’s because the lame-stream media are too busy kissing Obama’s butt and trying to make him out to be a hero to actually report on the actual news.
It’s official.
Home prices have double dipped nationwide, now lower than their March 2009 trough, according to a new report from Clear Capital.
It was inevitable, and it was predicted (by me for sure) that a surge in sales of foreclosed properties and a big push by banks to facilitate short sales would force home prices down dramatically.
Sales of bank-owned (REO) properties hit 34.5 percent of the market, according to the survey, resulting in a national price drop of 4.9 percent quarterly and 5 percent year-over-year. National home prices have fallen 11.5 percent in the past nine months, a rate not seen since 2008. Add short sales, where the bank allows the borrower to sell for less than the value of the mortgage, and prices have nowhere to go but down.
I like how the article makes the banks out to be the big, bad wolf in this scenario. Let’s not forget that the government passed regulations that FORCED banks to loan to people who could not afford to pay their mortgages to begin with. Now that their loans are due, and they can’t pay, the banks are forced to foreclose because HELLO, you can’t live in a house for free.
And because more people are losing their jobs because of this awesome economic recovery that the White House insists is happening, then that means MORE people are being forced out of their homes.
This has nothing to do with the rich versus the poor and everything to do with folks who bit off more than they could chew and a government that helped them get in this situation from the very beginning.
And for the rest of us who are still fortunate enough to have a roof over our heads? This means our homes are now worth even less than what we paid for them.
Sweet.
And lastly, one more bit of sad, and alarming, news:
Nearly Half Of Detroiters Can’t Read
According to a new report, 47 percent of Detroiters (emphasis added) are ”functionally illiterate.” The alarming new statistics were released by the Detroit Regional Workforce Fund on Wednesday.
“Not able to fill out basic forms, for getting a job — those types of basic everyday (things). Reading a prescription; what’s on the bottle, how many you should take… just your basic everyday tasks,” she said.
This both saddens, and angers, me. This alarming statistic just happens to be in a city where teachers’ unions are very strong. In fact, a lot of the Detroit schools had to close because they couldn’t meet the unions demands.
So you tell me which is the lesser of two evils here – closing schools so they can add to entitlement programs and give fat raises to teachers/staff, or to leave nearly HALF of the city unable to read as a result of kowtowing to their demands.
We live in crazy times, my friends.
The Perfect Couple
The three words to use in a story this week are:
- Grace
- Jitter
- Thin
Thanks for reading.
Most people would be embarrassed to go to Disney World with their parents, but not me.
I had snorted a line of coke before my parents had picked me up. I felt invincible. I felt happy and confident. And I definitely felt like I could handle my parents and their sick, happy lives.
“Grace, you look so thin, are you eating enough?” my mother gently pushed a tendril of hair behind my ear as we waited for my dad to park the car.
I smiled. “Yes, mom. I’m definitely eating enough.”
“Well, I hope you’re ready to eat today because they have all kinds of scrumptious foods to eat here.”
I squelched a chuckle – only my mother would say the word “scrumptious.”
My slightly overweight dad came jogging toward us. I squelched another chuckle as I watched his belly quiver and roll against his waistband. “Looks like dad put on a little weight,” I said, my affection softening the blow.
“Oh poo,” my mother waved her hand and smiled at my father. “He’s like a big roll of squeezable Charmin.”
I couldn’t help it, I laughed.
“All right, ladies,” my dad huffed as he joined us. “Ready to get this party started?”
“Of course!” my mom chimed up.
All I could manage was a smile. I was feeling jittery and I noticed my hands were shaking. I always got the shakes after I did drugs. But I wasn’t worried, it usually only lasted a few hours. I figured I could distract them once we got into the park –they’d never notice a thing, they were too wrapped up on being perfect.
I smirked at my thoughts.
They clasped hands and led the way to the gate. I rolled my eyes behind them. I loved my parents, don’t get me wrong, but their public affection for one another always sickened me.
For I knew what they were really like behind closed doors.
“Honey, are you coming?” my mother asked over her shoulder as she dug in her purse for the passes.
“Right behind you,” I murmured. I began running possible scenarios through my mind on how I could get rid of my parents in the Happiest Place on Earth.
_________________________________
Inspired by this Post Secret.
In My Opinion: May 4, 2011
So I thought I’d resurrect the video meme I started last year. Why? Because I like to vlog but I never know what to vlog about, so … let’s answer some questions.
Don’t want to vlog? No problem! Just answer the questions either in the comment section or answer them on your own blog and leave a link so I can visit.
If you played, please insert the DIRECT link to your video response below.
Here are the questions for this week:
1. Do you think you’ll ever go back to school?
2. What can’t you leave home without? (Either during an emergency or every day – or both).
3. Describe what your handwriting looks like.
And here is my video response to these questions:
I had too much fun taping this and I hope you had fun watching it; I also hope my children/grandchildren treasure it someday. Because really, that’s what In My Opinion is all about – leaving a bit of you behind.
Want to ask a specific question? Leave it in the comments and I’ll include it on the next IMO. (I reserve the right to edit the question for content or not use it if it’s too personal. *smile*)
Ready for next week’s questions? Brace yourself …
1. What makes awkward moments so awkward?
2. What’s the biggest challenge you’re currently facing?
3. What do you do to stay healthy?
Need to know more about this video meme? Check this entry out.
The person (or people, if there is more than one person who meets the criteria then I will draw one person from those eligible), who participates the most (and it must be a vlog) before July 27th, will be eligible to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card! SO, in addition to having fun vlogging, you also have a chance to win a $25 gift card! Sweet!
Here’s a button to use on your site, if you want it. 🙂
__________________
I’m on Twitter – a lot. You can find me @writefromkaren. Please follow me? I’m lonely over there.
Write From Karen 