madameblogalot

I get a weekly parenting newsletter. This past week the author had a little tidbit inserted that caught my attention. She said “There’s a statistic I once read which stated that your child will confide in you at the age of seventeen 10% of what he’d shared with you at age seven.”

I don’t know if I agree completely with that. I think it’s likely less than 10%! Maybe that is because my seventeen year old is a boy. Maybe it’s because at age seven he was homeschooled and home with me all day. Maybe it’s that I’ve pushed too hard or he is just testing his wings. I don’t know.

But I do know that there is a very big difference in 7 and 17!

In training for our triathlon, my husband and I are using different methods. Since I cannot do any running until I get my orthotics, I am using the elliptical machine for my run training. My husband, who is now suffering from shin splints, uses the treadmill regularly. While I don’t favor the treadmill except on very cold or rainy days, it is a very valuable tool for those who use them.

Treadmills are great for training when the weather outside is not good for running. It is good too for those like my husband who cannot withstand the daily pounding on the concrete. Many folks love the treadmill so much that they invest in buying one for their home. If you are looking to Buy Cheap Treadmills you have a couple of options. The cheaper treadmills I’ve heard about are the foldable type. These are easier to store away but do not provide the reliability and functionality of the fixed treadmills. For me, I think the fixed treadmills would provide more of the function I would look for. And since we would use it nearly every day, we would likely go with that option if and when we ever choose to purchase a treadmill for our home.

As for now I will continue training on the elliptical in hopes that will keep my endurance up until I can get back on the run!

I always find it funny to explain words to my kids and then hear them learn to use them. I told my daughter that something was “sappy” the other day. She’d not heard that one and asked what it meant. Like any good mom, I told her to look it up (which is really easy on the new computer!) Here is what she read out to me:

“sappy-oversentimental, mawkish”

I liked the description and told her that I did want to “mock” the thing I’d been talking about. She corrected me then and told me the word she’d read out was m-a-w-k-i-s-h. I didn’t know that one. So…we looked it up too. Here is what we found:

“mawkish-sentimental in a feeble or sickly way”

She loved it! She said she can’t wait to use it the next time she sees any PDA going on!!

I have a friend whose brother met his wife through a internet site. I find that very interesting. Especially since these two individuals are from different countries. I wonder just how that would work in a relationship. It seems that I am not the only who would wonder such a thing. I read a quick overview of a research review Oxford University Internet Institute conducted on meeting, dating and marriage in the digital age. It addresses the ins and outs of building intimate relationships based on online social networks. As the internet plays more and more role in our everyday life, I think studies like this will bring out some interesting finds.

In my latest Mac class, I learned that to highlight the entire URL you need to click three times. I’ve also learned that you need to properly eject items plugged in like flash drives and mp3 players. I have now set up four accounts on our one computer, basically allowing us four unique work stations. I have learned several new things, but there is still much to learn!

We have always worried about money. But the end of the year always seems to magnify these worries. And with college looming on the horizon, the worries seem to be more frequent. As if that is not enough, one worry that we always face is no retirement. There is no retirement plan for those in my husband’s chosen life work (at least not a physical retirement plan!) So when we think of our years left on earth after we get through raising kids, it seems fairly daunting. I have heard about Annuities. Since I don’t understand what they are really all about, I was glad to find a website to help explain them! I was even able to see the different annuity calculators they provide. I think it will take more time for me to understand this option, but at least I can browse the site at my leisure. It even provides the disadvantages some face by using annuities.

Do all parents feel “blue in the face” at times? I cannot believe how much my kids “forget” or “don’t hear”. Maybe it really is just ineffectual parenting skills. But recently my brother-in-law said something interesting. He said you really cannot convince someone of something, no matter how long you talk. The more I think about that, especially regarding my kids, I am inclined to believe he’s right!

I can lecture and talk and persuade and cajole and beg all day long. But can I ever really convince them of the thing I am talking about? From large things to small, from the virtues of making their bed to making good grades to saving sex until marriage, just how much influence does all my talk and teaching gain in respect to their chosen behaviors?

And if that is the case, why I am wasting my breath? Yes, I believe it’s my responsibility, my obligation to teach them what is right, what I value, what I believe. But in the end it is up to them to choose for themselves and act upon their own choices. So just what is the role of teachers, preachers, parents, mentors?

I am still struggling with that theory. As for now, I see that my kids’ behaviors are their own and they are making their own choices no matter what I teach them. As for me, I guess I will still keep talking until I am blue in the face.

I asked my son and husband about the upcoming fight scheduled between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao. It was a big hype and would be a good match and bring in a lot of money. My husband then told me the fight has been cancelled. In looking for info on it, I have found that it is cancelled for now, but likely will be fought later this year. Another fight will likely be scheduled on the original date for this fight. So if you were looking to get Mayweather/Pacquiao tickets for March, you will likely have to wait a little longer for this one.

My friend Marathon Bird did a great little new year project and I thought since the year is still new enough I would join her! She did a blog year in review where she copied the first line from the first post of each month. I love the idea, so I am going to do the same here. If you like the idea, join in and review your blog posts from last year.

JANUARY
I did it!

This line is in reference to what I did first thing last year. I finished my first half marathon! wish I was able to have done it this year too. Hopefully I will overcome my injuries and be back to it soon!

FEBRUARY
I knew it was time for Hit or Miss: January.

This is in reference to Shelly’s monthly reading list. Even though I know I can’t keep up with her, I’ve joined her in sharing my reading each month.

MARCH
I have not had much time to do much reading (including my favorite bloggers!)

Same as last month.

APRIL
In exactly one month, my daughter will turn 13 years old.

I think it’s obvious what this is all about!

MAY
A few weeks ago, Merry tagged me to write a post on what being a mother means to me

This one was actually a hard one for me. But I finally got it done.

JUNE
For the month of May I did not seem to be doing much reading outside of trying to catch up on some Bible reading for a family Bible study!

Again, about what I had read the previous month.

JULY
I cannot believe how tired I have been.

This one is actually a paid post for an eye cream!

AUGUST
I recently found a (legal) way to make $20,000.

This one sprang from an ad I saw for surrogate mothers. Generated some good discussion in our home!

SEPTEMBER
Yesterday was busy.

Referring to a lot of things I had read about, particularly politics in our country.

OCTOBER
My reading is not at a very high level these days, but at least I got some done this past month!

Again, the reading list.

NOVEMBER
On Monday and Tuesday of this week, I was blessed to be cast as an extra in a local shoot done by Nike!!

Yes, it’s true! The final cut is pretty cheesy, but I am in it!!

DECEMBER
Hm, I went back through thinking I had not done any reading, at least not finishing anything and I had not!

again, sharing my lack of reading.

I enjoyed this little project. Many of my first month’s posts were about reading lists (and how little I did!) but I’m glad not every one was. It was fun reviewing the year this way. Thanks Marathon Bird! (And maybe we’ll get to do the New Year’s run again sometime!)

I’ve already seen all the Valentine’s Day displays going up in stores. I heard a caller on the radio New Year’s Eve. When asked what she was doing that night, she said she was having to get the Valentine’s Day items ready for display! Today on the oldies radio station, the DJs were talking about Valentine’s Day and how all the holidays are for women! They decided to dedicate this month for men and to celebrate with hunting and meat! They are calling it “Manuary”.

So what are you to do as soon as Christmas is over? If you want, you can start thinking about your beloved sweetheart and that special gift to give on Valentine’s Day. Ideas range from cards, love poems, chocolates, flowers to seiko diamond watches, luxury automobiles and exotic vacations.

Or you can just sit back with a hunk of meat and celebrate Manuary.