Mom's Crazy

Guest post written by my buddy Royce Heath

My mother had been cleaning my house for the longest time which just totally didn’t work for us. For one thing, she was always snooping through my clothes and borrowing stuff and I didn’t like her being up close and personal with my house! For another, she didn’t do the best job cleaning so last month my husband and I made the decision to hire a professional housekeeper. My mother had all these concerns, of course, like the http://WWW.SecurityChoice.COM alarm and what if the dog got out but so far the new arrangement has been amazing. I don’t have to worry as much about what’s going to get clean enough for my liking and I certainly don’t have to worry that someone’s going through my things! I guess it goes to show that everyone’s right when they tell you not to mix business with pleasure because there are some things better left to someone else. I don’t like to clean but I sure don’t like my mother cleaning, either, as it turns out!

Glasses Were Not Made to Do That

My teenaged son decided to stretch his eyeglasses for some unknown reason. Can you guess what happened? Anyone who doesn't fall into the teenaged boy category probably knows that stretching eyeglass frames isn't the best thing to do UNLESS you are trying to break them. Well, school starts in a matter of days so I reckon I have to go buy him some more. Oh! I failed to mention that he chose to break them months ago. His punishment was to have him wear them, just short of tape-in-the-middle fashion, until I decided to replace them. Now, let's see if he wants to stretch another pair.

The whole process of deciding where to get the eye exam and purchase his new pair of spectacles is a chore. Back in the day, my parents took us to an eye doctor in Michigan where we had the eye exam and chose our frames at the same location. These days, we have so many options. I used to go to Lens Crafters and some other standard brick and mortar store to purchase frames (and get the exam). This time, I am going to venture outside the box and try one of the online options for his eyeglass frames....and probably mine as well.

In my Spectacle Investigations, I've checked out sites ad nauseum. Here's the deal:
There are two ways to try on eyeglasses online. One way is to use your webcam by clicking on the webcam icon on the upper left side of the virtual mirror. This works just like a traditional mirror. Once you see yourself in the frame, simply select the eyewear you want to try on and move it over your face in the mirror. If you don’t use a webcam on your computer, you can upload a photo to the virtual mirror instead. This works the same way you would upload a photo to Facebook. Once your photo appears in the frame, you can adjust the focal point and size of the picture and then start trying on glasses.

You can also find the frame size you need by visiting your local optical store and try on some frames. Jot down the size of the frame that fits you and then search for a frame online that is close to that size. Lastly, you can check the inside of your current frame for the size info.

So, once you have your prescription from the Optometrist ($30 max), find a frame from the online vendor of choice, click-click and ta-da! Sounds simple enough. We'll see about that.

After much consideration, I will make a choice between GlassesUSA.com, 39dollarglasses.com, and GlobalEyeglasses.com.

Buckle up! Here we go!

School Uniforms and the Stepford Syndrome

More and more school districts are switching over to school uniforms. Navy blue or khaki pants, skirts, jumpers, or shorts and solid colored polos or white button up tops. Although I am a fan of uniforms, I sympathize with the kids who aren't diggin' it. My 7 year old daughter being one of them. She groaned when she found out that her new school has a uniform policy. I feel her pain.

Who wants to look like everybody else? How are kids supposed to embrace and proclaim their individuality? You've seen them. The uniformed students, looking like Stepford offspring, all lined up. Just try to quickly pick out your own child in a sea of Stepford children.

What's a Mom to do? Identify the loopholes, of course! There are a few options. Girls can kick it up a notch and show their personality with their hair accessories and their socks. Many uniform policies do not have a sock or hair accessory stipulation. It may be a bit more challenging for a boy.

I think the sock and hair flexibility has satisfied my little one.....for now. I'm looking forward to catching a glimpse of her fabulous socks and tights in the sea of Stepfords.

 


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*Note: Since writing this post, it looks as if I will be homeschooling my daughter again. Stay tuned!

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And the Countdown to the First Day of School Begins

I homeschooled my daughter last year so I feel as if I may be out of the loop. Is it just me or am I just one of many parents who have a problem with furnishing not just your student, but the whole class, with school supplies? Wait. Let me backup. Seeing that school will be back in session in a matter of days, if not already for many of you, I am certain that your child's School Supply List is in your possession by now. Have you reviewed it? Does yours read like mine?

2 boxes of crayons
2 - 24 packs of pencils
6 glue sticks
3 boxes of Kleenex
blah blah...

Since when does a second grader use 48 pencils and 6 glue sticks in one school year? Yours, maybe. Mine, not so much. If they do that much writing and gluing something is really wrong. But lo and behold, as I scroll down to the bottom of the list, in bold print, I see:

*****All supplies will be shared in the classroom*****

Shared in the classroom? How about I buy my daughter's supplies (and label them) and replenish them as necessary. Like in the old days...when I was a kid. The "sharing" of supplies kinda aggravates me. On one hand, it appears as if, what I believe to be extra supplies are for the teachers' supply closet. On the other hand, if just feels as if I am buying supplies for someone else's child. My niece's Supply List  was just as interesting in that it listed a ream of printer paper as a needed school supply....she's a first grader! So, if a class has 25 students...do the math.

As for me, I am going to be a rebel. What can I say? I will only supply resources for my student. It would be different if they were upfront and simply made an open request for parents to help them with extra supplies. 

The horned dude on my shoulder will persuade my sister to question that one during her Meet the Teacher event.

Open House will be next week. I think I will ask the question at that time. If you happen to be there, don't shrink away as if you weren't wondering the same thing. I mean, what are they gonna do? Make me?

Do you have a different perspective on this? Are you a teacher that can shed some light on this issue? I need clarity.

*As you shop for your supplies, whether for your student or the whole darn class, don't forget the Wal-Mart price match. One stop shopping at its best!

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Back To the Lab Again!

Has it really been this long?!! Oh my! So much has happened since my last post. Let's see....I've expanded my business, temporarily relocated back to Ohio, and lost a few pounds. Yay! And some things have stayed the same...no dates, significant others, or special "friends". :( However, I remain determined to find my jacqpot! Are you still along for the ride?! Well, posse up!