Random Thoughts- Oct. 6, 2010

So, I felt a little proud of myself for making an apple carmel pie the other day. Sounds yummy, huh? Actually it was, and it helped make up for the fact that family home evening did not go the way I had envisioned, oh well. Apple carmel pie and hot spiced cider makes everything better. Speaking of recipes, that was a new one, and I'll admit it, I used a store bought pie crust, but the truth is, without it, the pie would probably have remained just a nice thought. Sometimes I wish I was more of a kitchen person than I am- but I'm not, and that's okay- nobody has starved yet. The next new recipe to try?? Stuffed pepper soup- I had a sample of this one morning at the Farmers Market and thought it was delicious- and better yet, Richard liked it too. So, I have a new recipe to try- who knows if it will taste like our sample, but I hope so!

Kids and Sports! I have debated in my head and to those who would listen- my dilemma about attending every sporting event. Yes, I think it's important to support your kids in their activities, however, I have also come to my own conclussion that if attending a game an hour away is going to make you a grouchy mom, that sometimes its okay to say "not this one". I think my kids would appreciate it more to have a happy relaxed Mom than a crazy strressed out one. Plus there are certainly times having 3 kids that more than one kid needs a parent at the same time- thankfully there are two of us! Naturally however, this year and last I believe Whitney has chosen to score her first time of the season when we were not there! Hmm, maybe she does better without us anyway!

Politics- I'm not against old people,education, young people or the arts- however, I am against uncontrolled spending that is burying as a nation. Along with the sense of entitlement that it seems to breed. In high school I did a paper on Confucius and he had a quote that has stuck with me ( or the idea of it anyhow, it was quite long)- it had to do with for someone to govern a country that first they had to be able to govern themselves, and then their family and on up the line. Looking at political candidates- I feel that many are stuck on step one- the governing of themselves. Geesh! Is all I have to say.

Cookie dough, girl scout cookies, wrapping paper, magazines- all things that you could probably buy from one of my kids right now! Yep, it's fundraising season. As a parent I'm not a fan of, but is it a necessary evil? Two of my kids are trying to earn money for school trips- totalling close to $1000 this year. Honestly, I don't have that in my budget right now. But would people rather donate $10 to a trip or spend $15 on cookie dough where the child gets a$5 credit. And it does seem wrong to ask random people for $10 for a trip, but not so bad to say hey would you like to buy some chocolate- but they are usually just buying it to be nice anyhow- hmm... the dilemma. In some ways I think it is good for social skills, but I hate the "prize incentives", where a little girl begins to think they could sell 400 boxes of cookies without a problem, and if we didn't have these prizes would cookies be less expensive, would people buy more????

Time to finish up- about time to head to work

Trying to read: The Book Thief - however I believe it is hiding somewhere in my house?

And so it goes...