Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
More Observations and Events
The camera is still not working (I guess that means I have to bring it in to get looked at - like who has time??). Anyway, you'll just have to suffer through my words alone for now.
This last week was fairly uneventful aside from a few observations and events.
Bill and I went to see Juno on Sunday. I think I would have been better off seeing it before all the hype, but we definitely enjoyed it none the less and I would watch it again for sure.
I went back to the restaurant after a 2 week break from serving and decided I have never shared my thoughts on that whole thing since I started this blogging business.
I really like my Saturday nights because it gets me out of the house and in to a fun environment and also provides a nice extra little bit of cash every week. I wouldn't want to do it anymore than my one night a week, though. The hours are long and I think it would take the fun out of it.
But before I let this topic go I would like to point out that I obviously make my money off of tips from the customers. There are quite a few people who work there that live off of their serving job alone (which I did for years in college!). My theory on tipping is as follows: Tip on service. If your server sucks, so does their tip. If their service is so-so or excellent, so should be their tip. A "good" tip is 15%. That is typical. A tip that we are grateful for is 20%. Anything over that will make your servers whole night. If you are in a big group you need to either let your server know ahead of time that you want seperate checks or just be a grown up and split the bill with your friends and/or family. I mean, is it really going to kill you if you end up buying Aunt Susie's cosmopolitan? If your food sucks it is not your servers fault and you should not deduct from your tip. If the manager or establishment takes something off of your bill you should still tip as if you had the full bill - after all, your server did still bring it out to you, back to the kitchen, etc, etc. Lastly, if you are sitting at a table for 3 hours but don't have a large bill you should tip extra for taking up a space that could have been filled at least once or twice by more paying/tipping customers.
There! My own personal tipping guide. And, since this is my blog these are obviously my opinions and you are always welcome to agree or disagree.
I have so much more to touch on - like Cecelia's need to ask a million questions lately and Delaney's desire to comb her hair with her fork, but since I took up more time than I thought on the whole waitress thing I'll have to get back to you.
This last week was fairly uneventful aside from a few observations and events.
Bill and I went to see Juno on Sunday. I think I would have been better off seeing it before all the hype, but we definitely enjoyed it none the less and I would watch it again for sure.
I went back to the restaurant after a 2 week break from serving and decided I have never shared my thoughts on that whole thing since I started this blogging business.
I really like my Saturday nights because it gets me out of the house and in to a fun environment and also provides a nice extra little bit of cash every week. I wouldn't want to do it anymore than my one night a week, though. The hours are long and I think it would take the fun out of it.
But before I let this topic go I would like to point out that I obviously make my money off of tips from the customers. There are quite a few people who work there that live off of their serving job alone (which I did for years in college!). My theory on tipping is as follows: Tip on service. If your server sucks, so does their tip. If their service is so-so or excellent, so should be their tip. A "good" tip is 15%. That is typical. A tip that we are grateful for is 20%. Anything over that will make your servers whole night. If you are in a big group you need to either let your server know ahead of time that you want seperate checks or just be a grown up and split the bill with your friends and/or family. I mean, is it really going to kill you if you end up buying Aunt Susie's cosmopolitan? If your food sucks it is not your servers fault and you should not deduct from your tip. If the manager or establishment takes something off of your bill you should still tip as if you had the full bill - after all, your server did still bring it out to you, back to the kitchen, etc, etc. Lastly, if you are sitting at a table for 3 hours but don't have a large bill you should tip extra for taking up a space that could have been filled at least once or twice by more paying/tipping customers.
There! My own personal tipping guide. And, since this is my blog these are obviously my opinions and you are always welcome to agree or disagree.
I have so much more to touch on - like Cecelia's need to ask a million questions lately and Delaney's desire to comb her hair with her fork, but since I took up more time than I thought on the whole waitress thing I'll have to get back to you.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Moorhead
We made it to Moorhead this weekend to see baby Alex - look at that hilarious picture of him!! He is soooo adorable and a really good baby.
The older kids had fun too, although Delaney's nose turned in to a faucet the minute we got there and Cecelia was all of a sudden a cough machine. I'm sure the house was bleached and lysoled to death after we left!
We had a good trip, good car ride, good weather, all that. I got to see some other friends and their little ones as well which is always a total bonus. As said before, it sure would be nice if we all lived closer.
We're all home now suffering from more sub zero temperatures. I am SO SICK OF IT ALREADY! The weather is making me hate everything and turning me in to a crabby monster. I hate boots, I hate hats, I hate mittens (like anyone keeps them on for more than 5 seconds!), I hate coats, I hate wind and snow and my breath being taken away the minute I step outside. And mostly, I hate carseats and having to stand in the cold to buckle everyone in.
Dare I say, I mean, actually say that it's time for the dreaded MINIVAN? I swore to never own one but that theory only works if you live in Florida.
Anyway, there's my rant for the day. Supposedly it's going to warm up starting tomorrow. I mean, is it too much to ask to just be able to go for a 10 minute walk?
Stay warm and think spring.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!
Well, my camera is NOT cooperating with me today as I have been trying to take pictures of the girls in their matching brown cordurey Valentine outfits. What's the point of having them "matchy-matchy" if I can't share their cuteness with the world??? Anyway, I'll keep trying, but no promises. Again, darn technology.
Also this week I had another doctor visit to check up on the bun. 152 beats a minute - and loud! Mom has gained 7 lbs this month! (could it have been the buffets in AZ?). Blood pressure is extremely low - as usual (something like 80/60, I don't really get the numbers). And, the triple screen blood was drawn as well. Most exciting was the scheduling of the ultrasound. March 3rd people! I can't wait to see the babe, to see that all is well, see who's nose he/she is wearing and maybe, just maybe, finding out if it's a Bill or A.J. junior. The anticipation should get me through the end of this miserable month.
I am feeling great - still - and the kids are doing great as well. Bill is taking good care of me which I appreciate more than he knows. Nightly backrubs, cleaning house, wearing the kids out, the list goes on and on. It's nice to know that he's at least trying to sympathize with something that he can never fully comprehend or understand - third time around or not.
Kids are now watching a Barney Valentine movie, we've finished our Valentine projects and they are now drying upstairs so they're ready to show off for Mom and Dad at pick-up time.
We're off to Moorhead this weekend - weather permitting - to meet Alex. Can't wait!!! Baby fever!!
Also this week I had another doctor visit to check up on the bun. 152 beats a minute - and loud! Mom has gained 7 lbs this month! (could it have been the buffets in AZ?). Blood pressure is extremely low - as usual (something like 80/60, I don't really get the numbers). And, the triple screen blood was drawn as well. Most exciting was the scheduling of the ultrasound. March 3rd people! I can't wait to see the babe, to see that all is well, see who's nose he/she is wearing and maybe, just maybe, finding out if it's a Bill or A.J. junior. The anticipation should get me through the end of this miserable month.
I am feeling great - still - and the kids are doing great as well. Bill is taking good care of me which I appreciate more than he knows. Nightly backrubs, cleaning house, wearing the kids out, the list goes on and on. It's nice to know that he's at least trying to sympathize with something that he can never fully comprehend or understand - third time around or not.
Kids are now watching a Barney Valentine movie, we've finished our Valentine projects and they are now drying upstairs so they're ready to show off for Mom and Dad at pick-up time.
We're off to Moorhead this weekend - weather permitting - to meet Alex. Can't wait!!! Baby fever!!
Monday, February 11, 2008
We're Ba-ack!
So, yeah, as you can see the weather was BEA-U-TI-FUL in Arizona! As someone who suffers from self diagnosed S.A.D. this is just what the doctor ordered. I got to shop, swim, sleep, read, eat and relax. As much as I missed the girls I am a better mother for the time I spent away.
I think I have Bill almost convinced that this is where we will be buying our next home (that is, one the kids have graduated and we can have a MN home as well - we can dream can't we??).
It was pretty cool to be back in a place I was once so familiar with. Even though it's been many moons since my stint there in college it felt quite a bit like another home. Some good memories and good friends were made there.
The pictures above are of the view from the pool (including the mountains and the golf course), the pool itself, and Bill and I doing our very best tourist imitations.
I want to extend a VERY SPECIAL thank you to my aunt Minda who had the girls for the entire weekend! My Dad and Marilyn could not make it out of Fargo on Saturday due to bad weather. So, thank you Minda, we owe you big time.
Now, when's the next vacation...........................................................................................................
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
"Parenting" Tips
No, not directly from yours truly! My cousin was kind enough to get me subscriptions to both Parenting and Parents magazine. Sometimes I flip through and don't find a ton of interesting material, but my latest Parenting has some good stuff that I thought was worth sharing.
"Kids and Germs:"
Giving your child something that has fallen on the ground is no worse than if it had fallen on a countertop when it comes to catching the latest cold or flu virus.
Skipping the bath is not only OK, but maybe suggested. Apparently we tend to overbathe our children so a bath and hair wash once or twice a week is sufficient (before puberty, of course).
Urine is sterile. Not changing the bathwater if they pee in it is perfectly safe. As is the public pool.
A sleeve for a hankie will not spread germs. The dried-on crusted stuff really cannot infect.
"MOP Advise:"
For us Mothers of Preschoolers, I found an article on why our 3-5 year olds may ask us to do something for them that they are fully capable of doing themselves. One reason is that they don't want to get it wrong, another is if they're in an unfamiliar situation, or - more eye opening for me- they're afraid you'll stop taking care of them.
"Video Game Alert:"
For those 5-8 year olds you may be surprised to hear that exposure to violent media is liked to youth violence (as stronly as poverty, substance abuse or abusive parents!!). VIDEO GAMES HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT OF ALL!
So that's it, food for thought.
"Kids and Germs:"
Giving your child something that has fallen on the ground is no worse than if it had fallen on a countertop when it comes to catching the latest cold or flu virus.
Skipping the bath is not only OK, but maybe suggested. Apparently we tend to overbathe our children so a bath and hair wash once or twice a week is sufficient (before puberty, of course).
Urine is sterile. Not changing the bathwater if they pee in it is perfectly safe. As is the public pool.
A sleeve for a hankie will not spread germs. The dried-on crusted stuff really cannot infect.
"MOP Advise:"
For us Mothers of Preschoolers, I found an article on why our 3-5 year olds may ask us to do something for them that they are fully capable of doing themselves. One reason is that they don't want to get it wrong, another is if they're in an unfamiliar situation, or - more eye opening for me- they're afraid you'll stop taking care of them.
"Video Game Alert:"
For those 5-8 year olds you may be surprised to hear that exposure to violent media is liked to youth violence (as stronly as poverty, substance abuse or abusive parents!!). VIDEO GAMES HAVE THE BIGGEST IMPACT OF ALL!
So that's it, food for thought.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Arizona Bound
Bill and I are taking our annual trip to attend his company's annual meeting this weekend. We're flying to Scottsdale, AZ Thursday late afternoon and won't be back until Sunday.
The girls will be in very good hands while we are gone, but it doesn't make my anxiety of leaving subside all that much. I can't really put my finger on the exact reason why I get so uptight. I think it's all the little things rolled up in to one big WORRY. There's the "rules": keeping gates shut, no climbing on furniture, no rough wresting (especially near corners of walls and hard table legs), keeping bathroom doors shut, etc, etc. Then there's the "meal planning": This and that for breakfast (not to forget fruits and veggies), this and that for lunch, dinner, snacks, meal times, where to find cups/spoons/bibs, etc, etc. We have "Laney language 101": Peese (please); could mean all done, more and you have to ask to be sure, Hungee/rubbing tummy (hungry), mook/hand pumping (milk), and so on and so forth. "Routine": bed times, teeth brushing (not to mention where to find toothbrush, who's is who's, etc, etc). But, the biggest of all, "Where's Mommy and Daddy?": The fear that Delaney (not too much Cecelia at this point) will wonder if we are gone for good. Luckily, we have what we call telecommunication or more commonly referred to as the telephone. I hope that hearing our voices will reassure them that we are very much still around and miss them very much! And one more last completely irrational fear of something happening to both Bill and I while traveling. The likelyhood of this happening is zilch, I know, but the thought still crosses my mind.
So, today, not only am I packing for the trip (because it's the only day I have time to do it) but I will also be typing up my overly excessive "How To" manual for our very generous, very kind, and very giving caretakers.
Man, I'm a freak.
The girls will be in very good hands while we are gone, but it doesn't make my anxiety of leaving subside all that much. I can't really put my finger on the exact reason why I get so uptight. I think it's all the little things rolled up in to one big WORRY. There's the "rules": keeping gates shut, no climbing on furniture, no rough wresting (especially near corners of walls and hard table legs), keeping bathroom doors shut, etc, etc. Then there's the "meal planning": This and that for breakfast (not to forget fruits and veggies), this and that for lunch, dinner, snacks, meal times, where to find cups/spoons/bibs, etc, etc. We have "Laney language 101": Peese (please); could mean all done, more and you have to ask to be sure, Hungee/rubbing tummy (hungry), mook/hand pumping (milk), and so on and so forth. "Routine": bed times, teeth brushing (not to mention where to find toothbrush, who's is who's, etc, etc). But, the biggest of all, "Where's Mommy and Daddy?": The fear that Delaney (not too much Cecelia at this point) will wonder if we are gone for good. Luckily, we have what we call telecommunication or more commonly referred to as the telephone. I hope that hearing our voices will reassure them that we are very much still around and miss them very much! And one more last completely irrational fear of something happening to both Bill and I while traveling. The likelyhood of this happening is zilch, I know, but the thought still crosses my mind.
So, today, not only am I packing for the trip (because it's the only day I have time to do it) but I will also be typing up my overly excessive "How To" manual for our very generous, very kind, and very giving caretakers.
Man, I'm a freak.
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