madameblogalot

I was thinking of the saying that “all press is good press” and wondering if it is true. I came across a situation in which I was advised not to blog about it because even the “bad press” of a negative blog post (or several from many disgruntled bloggers) would only serve to help the entity being blogged about. I wondered about that. Especially in light of all the “bad press” I have been giving to Comcast in my other blog. It is the only way I know to spread the word about the poor service we have received and also served as a great way for me to “vent” about it. As I was thinking about the “all press is good press” I came across an article on the stage two blog which supports the idea that bad press is bad press-at least for the middle size companies. So in dealing with a large corporation, is it worth it to give “bad press”? Or does it really only serve to keep their name “out there” with most folks blowing off a particular case and only remembering the big name?

I have a couple of traditions for each of my kids’ birthdays. As yesterday was my son’s 16th birthday, I spent the day in concentrated prayer for him and the different needs in his life. I began this tradition two years ago. It has made a real impact on me and has been a source of encouragement for my kids.

Another thing I do on their birthday is to write in a journal dedicated to each child. I began this before my son was born. I do write in the books on occasions through the year, but not usually. It is mostly filled with entries on their birthday (or just past in a couple years.) I am planning to give these journals to my kids, probably when they turn 18, but I have not decided just yet. I can’t look through the journals too often, I get too emotional. I was really good about writing in them when the kids were small. I wrote their likes and dislikes and milestones as well as my emotions. I guess as they got older it got harder to put some of these things down, as my emotions were not always sugary sweet during pre-adolescence and these turbulent teen years. But I think it’s fair for them to know it has not always been easy (I am sure they know it anyway!) Usually, though I jot down how they have grown and some ways they are exhibiting that growth. I think it will be a nice thing for them to read when they get old enough to really appreciate it (maybe not til they have their own child, I don’t know…) I hope to continue these traditions for my kids and that it will continue to make an impact on their lives.

With a teen in high school and one not too far behind, we know that college is looming just on the horizon for us. My husband had to pay his own way through school, and we have pretty well told our kids they will have to do as much. My son is hoping to get as many scholarships as possible. We know a girl who worked very hard to research all the obscure scholarships to get every penny she could. I also read about another teen who spent her summer sending out around 100 scholarship applications. She received 37 of them, not bad I say.

When I came across a site offering free college scholarships, of course I had to check it out. I don’t know a lot about the site yet, but I have checked out how they go about giving their money away. The site sponsors put money into scholarships where students earn points to be put into a random drawing. The only qualifications are that you peruse the sponsor site or perhaps take a survey. Then the student earns points to put his/her name into the drawing. The student must be enrolled in a college as the money won is sent directly to the school. But high school and even middle school students can go ahead and set up an account and begin earning points. Then, when they get to college, they can begin redeeming their points for free scholarship money!

I am trying to get back into my training. Taking off most of the week has driven me crazy. I have done my knee exercises and iced it nearly every day. The swelling has gone down but it still seems a little swollen or something behind the knee. I don’t know if it has been this way for a while or if something is not exactly right. I did a little running on the treadmill yesterday and today I swam ten laps and ran 3.5 miles on the treadmill. So far, it’s not any worse than usual. No pain. So I am thinking I will be able to get back into the training next week (just as the cold weather has set in!) I don’t know if I will be doing another half marathon any time too soon, but am looking at a sprint (short course) triathlon at the end of May. I do like having a goal for my training. It makes it more worthwhile, easier to stick with, more meaning to it and less mundane. I guess that can be said for pretty much anything in life.

Our church is growing. We have lots of new babies on the way. This means lots of baby showers. I am the kind of person who gives every one the same gift. But from time to time I like to add a little something unique along with my standard gift.

I just came across a website that provides items with that unique twist. Retro Baby is filled with clothes and accessories that provide your infant with items from your own childhood. Here you will find items that I doubt you can find anywhere else! They offer lots of baby clothes including tees, baby rompers as well as accessories.

Many of these clothes are laden with cool “labels” from eras gone by. Need a t-shirt sporting Charlie Brown or Sesame Street characters? You can find them here. Holy Robin’s Nest, Batman! You can get rompers with the old school Batman look here, too! But if that is not unique enough, your little bundle of joy can romp around in togs that rock with the Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin, or KISS! I bet you will never find another site offering Popeye, Mr T, or Gene Simmons in the form of a rubber duckie!

On January 1, a group of church members who all live in our neighborhood and one adjacent to ours, held a New Year’s Prayer Walk. We began at the first of fourteen houses with each house assigned a scripture passage and related prayer topic. We prayed for specific groups of people and needs within our church family. These ranged from the elders and ministers to widows and shut ins, college students, our need for fiscal responsibility, raising our families, and being good neighbors. We walked and prayed for three hours. It was fun as we walked about to have families of the homes join in, enlarging our group. We were tired, but it was a time of encouragement and refreshment for our souls.

In going over the new year’s budget, we are trying to figure out how to fit in a family vacation. I have all kinds of plans and dreams that I’d love to be able to do this year. We are hoping to go to Boston in the Spring and maybe a cruise in the summer. Then my husband and daughter are scheduled to travel to Singapore in the winter. I am hopeful that we can all go together.

In looking at family vacation ideas, there are a myriad of options for families in any budget range. Perhaps you want to take a weekend close to home for camping or exploring your own home town, doing things that visitors would normally do. Or maybe you would love to go to a tourist’s dream destination, like Orlando. Here you will find Universal Studios, Disney World and Sea World Orlando. (You can even find discount tickets online!) Maybe you prefer somewhere a little quieter. But no matter what your taste and preference, I think getting away together as a family is important. I have treasured memories of family vacations growing up and cherish the trips we have had now with our own children.

I remember camping in the Rockies, hiking through Yellowstone and even seeing the Olympic games with my family growing up. And with my own kids we have had great times from camp outs, to swimming in the South China Sea, to feeding the Dolphins and riding water slides at Sea World, to seeing the magic of Disney come alive. Finding the time to take a family trip together makes great memories that can last a lifetime!

Earlier this week my son went to spend the night with a friend. He had only been there about fifteen minutes when his friend got in trouble with his dad. My son is not sure what really happened, but decided he would just come on home since it did not look like the situation would cool down anytime soon.

The next morning as I ran past their house, I said a little prayer for the boy and his dad. I know it is hard and I have no idea what went on in their discussion the night before. That got me to thinking about how it is so easy for people on the outside to look at one isolated situation and make judgments about what should have been done or how it should have been handled. I know it has happened numerous times with my own family.

To the person on the outside, they do not know what has happened previously to lead up to this particular moment. I may have said if such and such happened again, there would be a consequence. So a seemingly insignificant matter to someone else could actually be an ongoing problem in my own home. Or perhaps there is a certain thing we are working on and trying to curb in our children. Maybe this child has a particular tendency or weakness for a certain thing. Even well meaning by standers do not know what has been going on and why I may or may not react a certain way. It seems so easy for someone on the outside looking in to tell you how you should have handled it better.

I did it! I completed my first half marathon this morning! I really did like it. It was fun. It was a nice course. There were nice folks and lots of goodies too! My friends are asking me to do another one in March. I am considering it. I know the price increases after today, but I am not sure I can decide until after I get a bit more rest! If you want to read about my experience today, check out my post at Did You Know. Happy New Year!