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:Random thoughts from a Renegade Mom:
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Saturday, July 23, 2005Fire raining from the sky No posts today, I was trying to get my youngest to take a nap this afternoon, when I heard loud cracking coming from the window and red flashing lights. I look out and see our electrical pole (yes the one with the high voltage wires on them) on FIRE. Seconds later big chunks of flaming "stuff" fall from the pole and the electric goes out. No electric in 100 degree weather. Yah, I'm glad we live close to my parents. Gina froze in time on 8:06 PM [ | ]
Friday, July 22, 2005Married life and other punishments Marriage is hard. It's really hard to live with someone day in and day out with out conflict. Well, we've had our monthly big fight here about the usual; responsibility, expectations and child care. My husband works hard and I really do appreciate how hard he works. That's one of the main reasons I do most everything around the house, but some times it just really irritates me when he doesn't help...Ah alas these are my issues. I do think men are stupid, and women forget this (no offence boys). I get mad and tell my husband to do stuff (ie tonight I told him "fine, if you don't want to talk about it, why don't you leave and get yourself dinner!!") Now I told him to do this, but was still really ticked when he kissed the kids by and went off to get dinner before he had to work. WHY did he do this (yes I know I told him to, but didn't he know that it would make me mad!!!) Like I was saying, marriage is hard. Being "happily married" is on the decline according to a study: people claiming they were "very happy" went from "69.6 percent for men (68.6 percent for women) in 1970 to 64.6 percent for men (60.3 percent for women) in 2002." Statistically though divorce rates have been on as steady decline since the 1980s, but so have marriage rates. That doesn't mean that there aren't the same number of "couples". Nearly 5 million couples live together outside of marriage (YA for living in sin) and nearly 40% of those "co-habitating" have kids. What does this mean? I'm not sure. I know "co-habitors" with children and I can't say that they are any happier or less happy then we are. On a side note, I was on eHow.com looking at some parenting stuff and strolled over to the "marriage" section. It cracked me up that under Resolving Conflict they had "Choose a Divorce Attorney" Well I guess that is one resolution. :) Gina froze in time on 8:06 PM [ | ]
Thursday, July 21, 2005How Costco Became the Anti-Wal-Mart How Costco Became the Anti-Wal-Mart :We love Costco. I shop there all the time and after reading this I'm going to shop their even more. But you know, it's the "market analyst" that ruin a good thing. They are now complaining that they treat their employees TOO WELL. "Costco's average pay, for example, is $17 an hour, 42 percent higher than its fiercest rival, Sam's Club. And Costco's health plan makes those at many other retailers look Scroogish. One analyst, Bill Dreher of Deutsche Bank, complained last year that at Costco 'it's better to be an employee or a customer than a shareholder.'" In their defense they say that "Good wages and benefits are why Costco has extremely low rates of turnover and theft by employees" and that "Costco's customers stay loyal because they like that low prices do not come at the workers' expense." Can I get an AMEN! This is how our family runs their home health agency. They don't make the big profit, but they are very comfortable and they have staff that loves them. Their turnover is low and their employees bend over backwards to help keep the business running. I really wish more business were interested in their employees and a little less on how much they can squeeze out of the business. Even though their prices are a tad higher their mark up is still very low. "At Costco, one of Mr. Sinegal's cardinal rules is that no branded item can be marked up by more than 14 percent, and no private-label item by more than 15 percent. In contrast, supermarkets generally mark up merchandise by 25 percent, and department stores by 50 percent or more." I mean you can't beat 60 oz. of Salad dressing for $6! You can even buy a casket here! got to love the warehouse stores! Gina froze in time on 8:37 PM [ | ]
Potter Reviewed (discussion of major plot points...SPOILERS) So I finished the book on Monday and have been "processing" it, along with reading other's reviews. Here are my thoughts. First, in general, I found the book to be a bit choppy. I could see in my mind how she was pulling all the necessary back story and characters into the final position to start the last book. I'm a little disappointed with that and think if J.K. hadn't put her foot down on seven books, she could have done this over two book and had a more cohesive story. But even with that, I really like it, but I do think that was mainly because this is book six and I have a "relationship" with these character. Furthermore, I also found that the book was a bit predispose. I knew (between two characters) who was going to die by the sixth chapter. Also I figured out who the half-blood prince was right away. That being said, it could very well be that over the series, I've gotten to know not only the characters but also Rowling's writing style. Now major plot point: The death. I'm not overly upset about it. I'll miss the old guy, I loved his character, but I think it moves the plot along and give Harry a chance to "fly" on his own (a true coming of age). Yes, I do think he's really dead. Snape's involvement. I don't think he's the villain. I think he was instructed to do this by the Dumbledore. I really got this impression as Harry was chasing him calling him a coward and Snape screamed "don't call me coward!" It was the most upset he had gotten and the only time he struck out a Harry, the rest of the time, he had just deflected Harry's spells. I think he's really on the good side. That loving feeling. Okay, so they are hormonal teenagers now. Ginny and her parade of boys, fine. Ron and his girl, fine. But I was unhappy with the "transition" Ginny made to Harry. It was sudden and awkward. Also I hated Tonks and Lupin. Not that I don't think they pair up nicely, but it was like an after thought. What I missed. I missed a lot of the characters that were in OoP (book 5) I would have liked to see more of Tonks and Lupin. Also I really think that Neville and Luna could be a great "redeemable" character that rise to the occasion and over come their "issues". R.A.B. Much speculation that it's Sirus' Brother. I think this sounds logical. I have the need to read book 5 again to pick up on those clues. Over all I liked the book. I really has thing set for the final "chapter" in this story. Looking forward to that. I really hope it turns out great. Gina froze in time on 7:40 PM [ | ]
Witches rejoice over bill to repeal Australian anti-sorcery law Witches , sorcerers, fortune-tellers and other pagans will be able to cast their spells without fear in the Australian state of Victoria after local authorities moved to repeal a 200 year-old anti-witchcraft law." ( in Australia).It really cracks me up, these old laws that are still on the books.
And In the city of St. Louis it is Illegal to have someone pay for the services of fortunetelling, and they really do inforce that law. Just last year they closed down a business up the street from us for offering tarot readings. There is always hope that the laws with "catch up" with the times. Gina froze in time on 7:05 PM [ | ]
Tuesday, July 19, 2005Some day's you're the nail... I'm not a big, "hey guess what happened today?" blogger, but I have had the crappiest day and look it's just after noon, ya only nine more hours to go before I can hide in my bed.The saying that "some days your the hammer, some days your the nail" Well they forgot to add, some days your the BUG being NAILED to the board! I got a summons in the mail regarding our taxes, evidently we were delinquent on taxes for the city in 2003. So today I hauled the kids down to city hall, after a morning of tears and fits and an outright refusal to get in the car, we made it down town. Strapping the youngest in her wrap and arguing with my son to put his shoes, we reached the very majestic, all be it hot, city hall building. In the upper floor, in the furthest corner from where I parked, I paid the tax bill. I promised my son, if he was very good and sat in the seat while I paid, I would get him ice cream. So back to the car we went. When I realized I couldn't find my wallet. Back up stairs we went. No sign there. Back to the car. Not there. Some where between the car and the office I had lost my wallet. So I spent an hour with screaming kids, looking for a wallet...which I did not find. Cancel all the credit cards and hope that I don't get my identity stolen. Although I'd love to see them try, I have piss poor credit!!!! Well atleast there are only six hours until the kids go to bed and I can have a drink! Gina froze in time on 12:40 PM [ | ]
Monday, July 18, 2005For many moms, job is necessity not choice U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum book, "It Takes a Family" a jab at Clinton's book, "It Takes a Village", really irritates me. (as a disclaimer, I have not read this book it's not due out until July 25 and am I not planning on reading it, these are just clippings from the book I've found.)I just love with upper class, white men try and tell me the right way a family needs to be raised. Having really no idea what it is like to struggle every day to make sure the bills are paid and that the kids see enough of their father to make it worth me staying at home, I get irritated when I'm told HOW I should live my life. The book makes some good points, like many families could live on one income, which I believe to be true, but I also know that a large number can not. He also calls for more tax relief for families raising children. But statement's like: Many women have told him that it is more "socially affirming to work outside the home than to give up their careers to take care of their children." Yes, that's true, seeing as SAHM are isolated and do all the drudgery work at the home, we'll never get promoted or get a raise (heck I hardly get a thank you), but it's more emotionally affirming to stay at home and watch your kids take their first steps and pick up new words. Women have"...been poised by a toxic combination of the village elders' war on the traditional family and radical feminism's mysogynistic crusade to make working outside the home the only marker of social value and self-respect." No I don't see this, I see it as an economic force. It was hard, I mean really hard, for me to stay home, at the talk of me going back to work comes up monthly. We pay bills and have money for food and not much more. It's not social value, it's ecomomic survival!
Okay, I'm not sure what planet he lives on, what does he think a low income/low skilled single mother should do, if not try and find a better job. I know he's arguing that single mothers would do better being married, but I mean let's have a reality check. If you have no or low skills and there's not a "man" coming to rescue you...get some education and try and get a higher paying job. Gina froze in time on 7:01 PM [ | ]
Sunday, July 17, 2005Women find it hard to take career break - billingsgazette.comWomen find it hard to take career break :"They are known by some as the Opt-Out Generation - women who give up running companies and flying business class for baking cookies But when they try to opt back in after their hiatus, many hit a wall of resistance from potential employers and recruiters. That's a finding of a study released Friday. It adds more fuel to the debate about how women, whose numbers are at a 30-year high in the workforce, can blend careers and family." I know this is a worry with me, I'm not sure I'll always want to be at home especially when my kids start school, but when you have a 5-10 year gap in your employment, you can face a lot of questioning, "are you still up to the game??", or even the dreaded: "will she be reliable, or run back to her family?" Gina froze in time on 8:07 AM [ | ]
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The chaotic life of a (exausted) mother of
2 little mosters, I mean children. These are my thoughts on life and the world around me, so I can talk about things other than diapers! Current news, health and women's issues.
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