100th Day of School

Today is the school's 100th day of school.  My oldest son has his first dance today too.  Appropriately called "The 100th Day Dance."   He was kinda nervous, but he hasn't said so.  You can just tell.  He did wear his favorite button up shirt, it's a Orange County Choppers shirt LOL.

I hate to admit this, because I was such a huge butt about them returning to public school.... BUT  I'm actually glad I did.  Things have calmed down.  Both me AND Hubby have become more involved.  Making most all activities and becoming more of a voice for our children.  Instead of immediately taking the defense, we're opening a dialogue with the staff.   It's helped.  We're working on a great relationship with the principle especially. 

I'm very happy now because a lot of the feedback isn't negative about the kids.  We've addressed my sons ADHD and went about making sure his learning isn't compromised because of it.  My youngest is getting the hang of things too.  When at first it was very apparent he wanted to be home schooled, he's loosened up.
All 3 boys are involved with after school activities, so they're not home til 5:30pm.  Much needed break for me, and hugely needed interaction for them.

I'm glad we didn't give in and gave this a serious try.  I can't believe how far the school has come to meet us half way.  And vise versa.  Ultimately the children's education is what encouraged us all to play nicely.

So far so good.

I still really miss them.  It stinks that they come home with all these new ideas and learnings and I'm not the one responsible for it.  But that's my ego I think.   I still have the kids do projects with me.  Printouts and such on the weekends or breaks.  So I still have that little bit in my life.

Bitching and Hopping

I had my first "real" one on one with my sons teacher.....ugh!  I'm so damn frustrated.  OK my 1st grader really hated that he had to go back to school.  I didn't know this until lately.  I'm not sure if it's the environment, being away from me, having to be on a set schedule. I don't know.  But lately it's all he's done is complain. 

I've been getting notes sent home to me about his performance.  He can't spell simple words. ..... uh yea he can!  He can put words together to make a sentence...uh yea he can!  His writing is that of a Kindergartner ....uh OK yea it is.  But we're working on it.  All these complaints right.  So, when I get his work I look at it and I'm thinking this has to be from another student I know MY kid can spell that!  So I quiz him on the words.

On his paper it say "ur" {It's suppose to be for}  So I say spell "for"  he replies: F. O. R.

I say spell can, the, is, may... I go thru the whole dang thing asking him to spell them for me.  All but one he gets correct.

OK, so maybe he's not understanding the teacher, or her annunciation of it.  {She wear braces and has a lisp}...

Well, this continues for the next week so she asks me to come in.  Meanwhile, I'm like asking people to ask him random words to spell.  He does fine.  He reads the little books, does great.

So I get into his class and I'm ready to shut this lady up right.  I get him over and have him spell the same words he's been spelling to me...and he's like the dang frog from that cartoon that dances for the guy and then "Ribbit!" for everyone else.

He gets them all wrong!  UGH! So looking like a liar and a bad mom, I sit and listen.  While she brings in another teacher...  They all know they came from being home schooled so I feel like they're attacking the job I did.  Her excuse she kept using, "He's too young for the class.  He's the youngest in the grade, Oh well he's just young." 

I know he can do better and he does, only problem...  it's just with me.  I've had fellow home school moms say he wants me to take him out.  He misses me and he thinks by doing this, I'll school him again.   

So beyond frustrated!!  Ahh!  But I walked away with some nice advice how to help him and maybe hopefully by me being there more often it will help him.  I don't know.  It may hurt him more than help. 

Oh and hi!  if your new here from the hop.  Yes this is me :) I bitch and moan a lot. LOL  Read the "about me" if you'd like to know who what and why i am the way I am.  LOL Leave me a comment and ill be sure to visit you too!
{Psst. sometimes I'm funny too, }

SodaStream Review

I was given the opportunity to review SodaStream and as a huge soda lover, I was in heaven!

Product Info:

Making carbonated water and soft drinks is simple! Turn tap water into sparkling water in under 30 seconds, with no clean-up. Enjoy the freshness and convenience of homemade soda and protect the environment at the same time. No heavy bottles to carry, store at home or throw away. Fizz to your taste and add the flavor of your choice to make your favorite drink. Simple to clean and reuse. With a variety of colors and silhouettes, you'll be sure to find a soda maker to match with any decor.

Awesome Points:

25 cents /can of soda
25 cents/ liter of sparkling water
NO PLASTIC BOTTLES IN LANDFILLS
Fresh soda when ever where ever

How it Stands Up:

	Calories	Carbs	Sugar	Sodium	Caffeine
Pepsi®	100	27g	27g	25mg	25mg
Coca-Cola®	100	27g	27g	35mg	23mg
SodaStream Cola	34	9g	9g	2mg	15mg
7-UP®	100	26g	26g	50mg	0mg
Sprite®	100	26g	26g	45mg	0mg
SodaStream Lemon Lime	36	9g	9g	25mg	0mg

My Review:

When I received my package I couldn't wait to open it!  I don't think UPS was out of my driveway before I had it opened! 

I received 9 bottles of syrup,1 carbonator, 3 my water flavors, 2 1 liter reusable carbonating bottles and 1 soda stream machine.  It is so purdy!

OK so here's my take on it....

I loved that there's absolutely no electricity needed, perfect for camping and RVing, and you wont have a mess of cans taking up space.  I love that you can make small quantities, so everyone can have their favorite flavor and you don't have to spend a bunch of money.  Its simple enough for kids to use it, and safe for them to do so.  As for the overall family, they love it. I even took it over to my parents house while my sister and her kids were there to "show it off".  (Very easy to transport by the way)  Oh the kids had a blast!  Making "suicides"(mixing all flavors) it was honestly a great party topic. My mom, who is a diabetic, really shouldn't have sugar, loved its taste. (She had the diet cranberry raspberry made with Splenda)  Loved the variety of flavors.  She never heard of a carbonated Lemonade, none of  us had!  But boy its good.  I think it's my favorite!

Points not so in love with:

Carbonating it to a level that can stay fizzy is a problem.  2-5 pumps is what is recommended.  But I still find doing 5 pumps leaves my soda flat after a bit.  And I know this should be a good point but, with SodaStream it's half Splenda half sugar for the regular cola.  I'm not a big fan of that.  It sort of tastes diety.  I don't really like diet drinks.  Also there is only one store 57 miles from me where they sell everything and have a carbonator exchange. 

Overall:

I would have to say I give this product a 7.  Yes, I would buy it.

FTC Compliant: I received SodaStream Soda Maker free of charge for reviewing purpose.  I was not compensated in any way.  These are my thoughts and feelings and were in no way influenced.

2012 The Movie

STARRING:
John Cusack, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Amanda Peet, Oliver Platt, Thandie Newton, Danny Glover and Woody Harrelson
Rated: PG-13
Opens: November 13, 2009
To see Trailer: LINK

What is 2012? According to Astronomers on the winter solstice in 2012 the sun will be aligned with the center of the Milky Way for the first time in about 26,000 years!! Which would mean that energy will be disrupted on 12/21/12......

Whether you believe the Mayans were on to something with it being the last day...Or a more biblical thinkng of it being the start of 1000 years of Hell on Earth or your just into the whole World blowing up thing, this movie looks to me like it will pay off.

I'm not real sure if I "believe" in an end to our World, it's kinda difficult to see that. But the Earth has "started over" before and thats what gets me. If it were to happen all I can say is get straight with the Lord. ♥

Seriously WTF??

There is so many things wrong with this I don't even know where to begin....

I'm talking about the Apple App "Baby Shaker". Yea sounds fun don't it....
Game is: Baby cries, you shake your iphone til "x"'s appears in the babies eyes????? Wow, how this was ok'd by any human being is beyond me... I'd love to meet that giant ass.

ReadChicago Tribune
"On a plane, on the bus, in a theater. Babies are everywhere you don't want them to be! They're always distracting you from preparing for that big presentation at work with their incessant crying. Before Baby Shaker there was nothing you could do about it," the app's introduction read.

So for 99 cents you can shake your troubles away.....?

Of course many complaints were made and they have removed the app. But it was already downloaded to many iphones.

I was just appalled at the whole thing. Who'd think this was fun to play?




I'd like to know did this sick bastard have kids?? As a parent I'm shocked anyone would even give APPLE business now.. This wasn't just poor judgement it was a complete and utter fuck up.... Whats next rape little Timmie? Push the old lady down the stairs?? Great now I've given them ideas. Am I missing something here, is this what passes for entertainment?? Because people did download it...Maybe I've been out here in the sticks too long.
What ever happened to Donkey Kong, Frogger, Pac man ..

I've Loved Every Product I've Ever Used!

Of course that statement is false. But apparently now they will be monitoring what we mommy bloggers say about products. Because as many of us know if something we buy is a waste of money for what ever reason we're gonna say it loud and proud. They say on average if a person likes a product or service they maybe tell 3 friends. But if they dislike them they tell all. Which I can see as being true.

I've offered up my blog to advertisers, as you can see on the left hand side. But heres the thing you get like pennies to do so, if I absolutly can not find one good thing to write about their product I'm not going to applaud it. I think I speak for most bloggers. We aren't going to lie to our friends blog or not. Paid or not. Period.

Now, I heard on a "news show" (I won't name)this morning, they will be checking mommy bloggers for positive reviews. And stop us if we don't?? I went to their website to gather more info on this and like always I can not find it! I even scanned the web to see if anything popped up and nothing... I know I heard what I heard.

Anyone else hear anything on this??

You've Awoken A Sleeping Giant... "MOM'S"......

And we don't get much sleep to begin with so watch out!


I received this email today:


Dear Parents,

You have probably seen the news that the State of Arizona is facing major budget shortfalls and the state legislature is in the process of cutting the state’s budget by $3,000,000,000. That’s not a typo it is $3 billion in cuts, with a hefty amount targeting education spending.

There is something you can do about it.

On Tuesday April 21st, concerned parents just like you are holding a rally at the State Capitol to let our lawmakers know how important it is to fully fund distance learning in Arizona and to not cut our funding.

I strongly encourage you to attend and to bring your children to this very important event. There will be free t-shirts and lunch all provided by Arizona Parents for Education. Our state lawmakers will also be there and they need to hear our voices.

To RSVP click this link:
blah blah blah! I received it from my kids virtual academy....


I don't understand what the heck they're doing over there?? Education is the last place they need to cut from. Right? I guess its so the next generation is too dumb to question the big guys. So while my kids are dumming down, CEO's are having big bonuses and lavish weekend getaways!

While the pen is mightier than the sword, having my butt have to wake up extra early to drive to Phoenix is well.. you can imagin.

What are we soppose to do, roll over and say "thank you Mr. Government sir."

And that "stimulus" misleading piece of toliet paper, why didn't EDU get a piece. It's not like they didn't know they might fall short on the budget, or maybe it was just for the "special needs" group. Cause I'll tell you Barney Frank seems real "special needs" if ya know what I mean!

So while Obamas out "campaigning" or apologizing for the big mean bully (U.S.) or denouncing our faith as a nation we're here losing our future....


What happened to "promote the general welfare"?







So that leaves me with also mentioning this:

You've probably already heard of it. But just in case, I thought this would be a good place to share it.



Just some facts:
Tarp = $750 Billion
Stimulus = $870 Billion
2009 Deficit = $1.75 Trillion
U.S. Dollar = WORTHLESS!


You might also want to check out my ticker..Right hand side.

Thanks for letting me rant I was so steamed ♥

Mr. Tax and His Family

This is a story about the ever so used, ever so popular, ever so needed "Mr. Tax" and his family. The Tax Family begins their journey in a forest. The worker who cuts down the tree has Tax come out of his check. This is Payroll Tax. The company that hired the worker had another one of his family members taken away he is Business Tax. Again we see Payroll Tax when we meet the trucker who delivers the tree to a plant. And once again we see Business Tax and Payrol Tax at the plant. Once the lumber is ready to be delivered to a site we see our old friend Payroll with the other truck driver. Finally it's at the store ready for the builder and we meet Sales Tax. Once the finished house is ready, we meet another Tax, Real Estate Tax. Are we done yet...of course not, more of Mr. Tax's Family awaits....When the homeowner receives a yearly letter we meet Property Tax. And finally when we die we'll still have a Tax to see... The Death Tax.

After that??? It's sold again and we get to meet all those Tax Family members all over again.

One tree. Thousands of dollars.

Google Ads Tracking Us To Target Us?

Ok I just heard this on Fox News. Apparently Google is tracking what we search to better place ads in front of you. I'm not talking about the ones they place on your blog, no they're the ones you just randomly find while your on a site. I was on myspace and I did notice most of those ads were very similar to what I would be interested in. Not sure if they were Google or not.

But, I don't see a problem with that. Why waste Ad space on a person if they would never click on it right??? So, I do understand Google's position. What some are finding as too little privacy, is the problem. But news flash aren't we only guaranteed privacy when and only when the little lock appears on our menu bar. Other than that who knows who's watching what we do. It's the price we pay for using the Internet. That's why everyone is told DO NOT GIVE OUT PERSONAL INFO. Right?

It's sort of like using that savings card at the grocery store. Based on what I buy, supposedly that's why I receive special offers. No wasted paper I think. Plus I do use most of the ones I receive.

Or like Tivo, based on what you record they suggest what you may like.

I've very interested to hear what others think of this new finding. Or just new to me finding.

I'm All For Freedom Of The Press But...........

When exactly did it become acceptable for our news media to single out an individual and just rip them to shreds. Then be "surprised" that said individual is receiving death threats??? It's ridiculous!

I'm sure I could come up with a bunch of examples but I want to focus on this poor woman in California. The woman with the amazing octuplet birth. She didn't ask to be put out all over the news, that was the hospital that leaked that. She didn't go around to church "asking" for donations. That I've heard. While it's not my cup of tea to do what she did, that's her business, not ours. And who are we to judge anyone? Whatever her situation may it be good or bad that's between her and her Lord. Now I have heard only cynical things pertaining to her. Not one positive. "She's trying to look like Angelina Jolie" someone said. Well ya know what she's very pretty and you shouldn't be jealous! "She receives assistance" someone said judgmentally. Well ya know what she has 3 disabled children that's what assistance is for! I've seen plenty of girls with gold bracelets all up their arms and pay with food stamps. I've seen lifted trucks chromed out waiting at the welfare office. Our system has a lot of "free loaders" on it. But this woman is not one of them. She has a legitimate reason to collect. By the way, she doesn't collect welfare just disability for her kids. As tax payer I say that's what its there for.

I'm sure I'm going to tick off a few people with this, but I'm just tired of people getting attacked in the media like this. I'm just as guilty, I watch these programs just like the rest of the mob. But I really don't know how someone could get furious enough to threaten someones life. That I don't get. I may not agree with everything I see on T.V. or someones lifestyle choice, but I sure as heck ain't gonna kill over it. I really do blame the media. They take one side and go with it. Ratings. Ratings. Ratings.

People who could do such a malice thing surely aren't considering the children. She has 14 and some are old enough to hear and understand whats being said about their mom. That's not fair to them. There a lot of parents who had children at times maybe they shouldn't of. Just look at all the multiple birth programs out there. Some of which cashed in when they had theirs. Free vehicles, car seats, food, nannies, the list goes on. Look at Jon & Kate plus 8. Man did they cash in!!! Even before their show on TLC. They just kept asking for more and more donations. The difference? This woman's not married. Or she lives with her parents still.

I saw how upset the mother was about this. But again is it our place to judge? That's a family matter. Why air dirty laundry like that? I'm Mexican so having adult kids at home isn't news to me. Even if they do have a bunch of kids. That's what family is for. You always have a place at home. That's our way of thinking. You don't throw out family and you don't put your parents in homes. You just deal. Because when you need it their there for you.

We don't know the whole story of this woman, and we probably never will. But, she seemed like she had it together and is a pretty decent mom. So just live and let live. If you don't agree there's a bunch of other channels to watch. Before you judge think to yourself of your lowest unproudest moment in life. We all have them. Then picture it being aired worldwide. How great would you come up?