Why I do what I do

I've never been much of a writer. Never, ever. I have never been one to keep a diary or a journal -- although I do remember YEARS ago as a young child I threw a fit in a store because I wanted a "dairy." (Yes, I pronounced it dairy and not diary...I was probably 6 so cut me some slack.) Don't ask me what happened to it -- my parents did buy it for me...anything to ease the embarrassment of a screaming child in a store, I guess -- I'm pretty sure I never did use it for it's intended purposes.

But, I digress...

I have been blogging for the last couple of years -- off and on. I would say that in the last year my blogging has really taken off and I am finding that I am logging into my blog nearly every day. Apparently, I have a lot to swirling in my head that I just need to get out. My first foray into the world of blogging basically came about because a friend of mine said she had an online journal. I thought the idea of an online journal was pretty intriguing and suddenly found myself setting up a blog. After a few posts, I became hooked and it really became an outlet for me to bitch, moan, complain, praise, wonder, vent, recommend, brag, etc.

So, here are MY reasons as to why I do what I do:

• Blogging is fun - plain & simple.
• Blogging is not only a creative outlet for me, but it's also an emotional outlet - sometimes, it's better to type what I'm feeling rather than to say what I'm feeling because people don't always like to hear someone else bitching all of the time. :)
• By blogging, I get to share things with people - friends, family or anyone else in the online community.
• By blogging, I feel that I can relate to so many other moms out there and that they can relate to me.
• My blog sometimes walks a fine line between sane and scandalous - yes, this blog has irritated a few people at times and, you know what, I'm proud of it. If you don't like what you're reading, go to another website.
• Someone else said it, too, but I am my biggest fan - the instant gratification I get from just seeing my latest blog entry posted is enough to make me feel accomplished & put a smile on my face.
• I enjoy reading other people's blogs and I hope they enjoy mine, too.
• Blogging helps me pass the time.

I am sure that I could keep going on and on about why I blog, but why don't you share with everyone else why YOU blog?

Fingers & toes crossed...

...that the stupid Internet Explorer error stops showing up when I try to view my blog.

I just hope I didn't jinx myself.

Frustrated!

I'm sick & tired of seeing that little window pop up that tells me that Internet Explorer cannot open the website for my blog so it's going to abort the operation. Argh!

I don't know if it's something wonky with IE...it wouldn't surprise me one bit if it was. Maybe it's just because it's only been one whole day since I purchased my domain name so things just aren't quite right yet. Or, perhaps it's just an easy to fix issue.

All I know is that it pisses me off that I can't see my blog...even when I click on "View Blog" while logged into Blogger! Ugh!

OK...I'm done bitching about it. I just had to get that out.

A Saturday at the mall.

After Malia & I had our hair cut yesterday afternoon, we ventured over to Lynnhaven Mall. Much to Aidan's dismay, we were there to shop -- the kids both needed new shoes and I had Gymbucks to redeem at Gymboree. All Aidan wanted to do was have lunch at McDonald's and we did...after we shopped for shoes.

Good thing he wanted to eat at McD's because Stride Rite nearly broke the bank. Anyway, we went to the food court and passed the next hour eating Chicken McNuggets and people watching. Well, the kids at the nuggets and I did the people watching. The mall on a Saturday afternoon is not a fun place to be...especially in the food court. But, it was fun nonetheless.

I sat and watched groups of kids hanging out. I watched families with young children walk around. I even saw a woman carrying a small dog in her jacket. I wonder if she bought him/her from the new pet store at the mall (don't get me started on that, please). The teenage cliques cracked me up the most. They were just hilarious to watch. The girls checking out the guys. The guys checking out the girls. The giggling and finger pointing. Of course, there was some cursing and "bad ass" attitude, but I guess that just goes (unfortunately) with the territory. I was a teenager once who hung out at the mall. I remember getting dropped off at Lynnhaven Mall years ago -- either with my girlfriends or on a date with Adam. We did the same things those kids did -- shop, eat at the food court, watch movies and just hang out.

Of course, we didn't dress like today's teenagers did -- OMG some of the crap they were wearing! I swear, if my daughter even attempts to leave the house in a dress that barely covers her tush I will flip out! Back in my day, even though there were some scandalous ones out there, more was left to the imagination -- I guess you gotta thank the Seattle grunge scene for that. We also didn't have cell phones -- heck, pagers weren't even cool to carry back then yet.

It's just amazing how much difference a few years makes -- OK, more than a few years. But, still. I guess it just goes to show that kids really DO grow up fast these days. Don't believe me? Then hang out at a mall on a Saturday afternoon. You'll see...

It's still not snowing...

...what a big surprise. It's funny how we get all pumped up for some snow and then nothing happens. Don't get me wrong, the forecasters are STILL calling for 1-3 inches of the white stuff, but the weather certainly hasn't panned out like they said it would yesterday.

But, in good ole Tidewater fashion, schools are closed today. It's quite amusing to think that we haven't even seen one flake of snow, but the schools (as well as courts, certain office, etc.) are closed. I suppose this shows proper planning and consideration for the children and employees. I remember all too well being in school and having to go home early due to inclement weather. I'm sure that it can turn into quite the cluster fuck when you are trying to coordinate the safe transfer of students in high school, middle school AND elementary school from school to home. That's not an easy task. And, I'm sure working parents, while school closings are inconvenient at times, are appreciative of the heads up on the closing rather than having to deal with childcare arrangements during the work day when their children are sent home early.

Thank goodness for VBCPS's new alert system. Our phone rang this morning just after 6am and the telephone recording notified us that Virginia Beach City schools and administrative offices were closed. Soon after, my cell phone rang and I got the same recording. Then, while checking my email this morning I noticed a similar message. Let me tell ya...their new notification system is a God send...it's a pain in the ass to try and read the list of closings at the bottom of the television screen on the different local news channels. I remember doing it as a kid growing up and I remember having to rely on that list on the news even as recently as last year! I sooooo prefer a phone call at 6am over having to squint my eyes and read fast that early in the morning...this chica doesn't function well at the crack of dawn especially if there is no caffeine involved.

Well, with that being said the kids are with me today at the office. My stress level is already through the roof and it's only just after 9am. God help me. If they keep bickering over the damn portable DVD player I'm going to, as Adam tells Aidan from time to time, "turn green and grow big muscles."

Please, please, please snow.....the weather needs to do something in order to justify this day off from school!

my cell phone can do what?

I really, really, REALLY need to learn how to use my cell phone to it's fullest potential...you know, so that way I can justify the really, really, REALLY silly payment.

I'm lucky I know how to answer a phone call and text people. Don't ask me to do anything else with the darned thing.