Monday, October 31, 2011

Alabama VS Auburn

In Indiana the big rivalry boils down to Indiana VS Purdue. I hate to admit it, but the state seems pretty lopsided toward Indiana but I believe that proper education may save some of those lost Hoosier souls. At least a girl can dream.
Down here, there seems to be only to teams to worry about too - Alabama and Auburn. However, it seems to be pretty equal in the support all over the state. Everyone asks "Who ya rootin' for? Bama or Auburn?" We tend to throw a wrench into the conversation by answering Purdue. That's all my kids know. My husband and I are proud alums and marching band alums. We tried our best to brainwash them whenever we got the chance. Red and white are evil colors. Don't even have that combination in our home now. Maybe that's why I think we lean towards Auburn in the great debate down here. Their colors are orange and blue. Our banning of red and white can continue.
In fact, my youngest had to write a paper on which school was better - Alabama or Auburn. Her initial answer was Purdue but the Ohio State grad for a teacher wouldn't accept that. So being the inquisitive child that she is, she did research and threw together her paper. Her heart wasn't really in it. Once a Boilermaker, always a Boilermaker. She did end up supporting Auburn just because they have a pharmacy school and the colors weren't red and white. We still have that issue here - we can't bear red and white.
Somehow that child got a great grade on her paper. I have asked her if she wants to be a journalist. Her answer was no - I want to make good money and live in a nice house. Therefore, I want to be a pharmacist, maybe even a research pharmacist. Seems to be more money. She's ten. Maybe she needs to teach the career planning class at the local high school

Fall Festival in Alabama

I moved to Alabama at the beginning of June from Indiana. We are a weird family. We are not military, my husband just took a new job. We have had a few bumps in the road with our transition from our move and have had to use a harsh learning curve.  I hate to say, it's like a new country here. Opinions and thought processes are quite different here.
In Indiana, the schools really couldn't celebrate Halloween. No costumes and only Fall parties. Here, in the Bible Belt, the kids wear their costumes and they have Fall Parties - that look very much like Halloween parties. Who knew? Parents were dressed up and there were many decorations that were very much in the Halloween style.
My youngest couldn't decide what to wear today so she wore here pajamas, a robe and I put here hair in curlers. Not bad for a quick costume. Tonight I think she is going back with the ceiling fan plan. Lucy, my middle child, went as a camper from one of her demi-god stories. She was quite creative with putting feathers on her shoes but mom had to sew on her Camp Half-blood patch on her jacket. Go mom!!!
While watching the kids today during the party. I guess Indiana is very conservative or overprotective. I was assigned duty on the playground with one of the gym teachers. The kids were standing on the parallel bars and jungle gym - all the way at the top. No whistle blown or reprimands heard. These kids are tough. They sometimes got into play fights but nothing was done until it got out of hand. I questioned this but the parents said to let kids be kids. Maybe that's why the SEC is such a powerhouse conference.

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Halloween

I must say that I am blessed to have 3 children who still enjoy participating in the basic Halloween activities. All three of them waiting, patiently, for quite a while for their mom to get her act together to buy pumpkins. Wouldn't you know, the next day the local produce stands cut their prices to over half off. I guess if you want a sale, have me buy it first.
Right now I am roasting their pumpkin seeds. My youngest made a big effort to big all of the seeds out of the goo and wash them for me. Now I am baking them to perfect fall perfection. Their pumpkins are carved and on display on my porch. I am proud to say that there was no loss of limb or any other first aid disasters to speak of.
I am not sure if my neighbors in my new neighborhood even believe in lighting up pumpkins. We are new to the area so I guess we get to figure this out as we go along. I like using that newbie excuse.
There are now running around the house trying to build costumes out of anything. I refuse to buy any items for the costumes. Not a good investment of my money if they only wear them for just a couple of hours. Will be very interesting to see what they come up with. My youngest, Olivia, went Trunk-or-Treating yesterday with my neighbors and she carried a sign that read "Yeah Ceiling". She was a ceiling fan. Got to love creativity.

Let's Start at the Beginning

I have been a stay-at-home mom for over 15 years. I have worked full-time and part-time here and there but nothing has really stuck. You see, my family is spoiled rotten. I enjoy doing my housework and mom jobs around the house and they depend on that. They all get confused when the laundry isn't done, the house picked up or even the groceries bought. I know for many women my age, they don't care who does those chores. For me, I guess I get OCD with what is done and how it is done. I am picky.
I have a BA in Graphic Design from Purdue University which I tend to use every now and then. I have held some graphic design jobs in my past life (before kids) but really have no interest now. I now substitute teach for my kids' school system and I treat that now as a sport. We all remember how we treated our sub teacher back in the day. Things haven't changed. However, I have fun playing with their minds and delaying their homework assignments until the end of class. Oh, class, your teacher said to do this during the class period but since your were busy playing the entire period -sorry for your luck.
I am a Girl Scout leader for my daughters and an Assistant Scoutmaster for my son's Boy Scout troop. For some crazy reason, I even volunteer for the Parent Teacher Association just to take up my spare time.  I firmly believe that I only have 18 years to mess of their lives and my time is now running out. I want to that psychiatrist to have some good material to delve into when any of my kids are seeking therapy later in life.
I started this blog with a big push from my husband. He loves most of my Facebook posts and for some reason things I need to share with more people. I guess this is my start. I will be adding as often as I can and I hope that you come to visit as many times as you can.