Driving Me Crazy

We went to my parent's house Christmas day. This is a short fun video I put together of our 15-year old daughter driving us there.

The Right Perspective

I'm not sure where this post is headed, but this is something I've been thinking about for a while, but I keep getting no where. Christmas this year was very different for our family. The economy has affected our lives--my husband doesn't have as much work, my brother was laid off from his job in early December and may end up losing his home and car, and my retired parents are seeing their investments drop monthly (that's what they live on) and we're also seeing our retirement accounts shrinking. We scaled way back this year, and it was still a great Christmas because it was more about the birth of Christ and being together as a family.

What bothers me is seeing some people, seemingly, not affected by the economy at all. People buying Mac laptops for their teens, trading in cars for Mercedes, giving their children hundreds of dollars to spend as they like, frequently eating out at expensive restaurants, and going on vacations. I guess I sound bitter or envious. And, maybe I am. I sure would like to go on a trip for Spring Break and hope that we could go away for a week this summer, but things are unsure.

Even some churches this Christmas went a bit extravagant with their Christmas programs. One church near me hired talent to perform and spent mega bucks--they even wanted to charge people to come to the program. This is a church that also has a congregation with many people out of work. The church members complained about charging to attend and the pastor decided to wave the fee, but he said from the pulpit that next year there would be a charge for tickets.

I need the right perspective on this. Can you help me?

After-Christmas Sale

I ventured out today with my daughter behind the wheel to checkout the after-Christmas sales. (BTW, we made it there and back safely). We needed a new comforter for our bed and I thought the deals at Kohl's looked good, so that's where we went.

The crowds in the store weren't too bad--although, some shelves were bare. They had plenty of comforters--I guess most people were looking for clothes. When we went to check out, at first glance it looked good, then we noticed the roped-off area and the line that snaked around the store. Oh well, the sale was good so we waited in line. There were no carts, so we had to carry what we were buying (one king size comforter set, two blankets, a bed skirt, wash clothes, and underwear.) It's funny how things get so heavy just standing in line. Two registers were open when we got in line, then finally they added another cashier. Two ladies at one register must have been having a problem because they were at that register the whole time we were in line, so it was like having only two registers open. My packages were slipping the closer we got to the end of the line, but I was trying my best to hang on to them.

We looked at the shelves of little gadgets they had and other "stuff" that some people might be enticed to buy while standing in line. I looked over and saw these coasters on sale by Sarah Peyton. Sarah Peyton is selling things now?, I thought. I told my daughter to look at those coasters over there by Sarah Peyton. She said, "Who's Sarah Peyton?" To which I replied, "You know, the lady who ran for vice president." To which she said, "Mom, that was Sarah Palin!" I'm not sure why I'm sharing this, but boy did I feel like a dork!

Anyway, I almost made it to the register without dropping anything, but guess what fell? Yes, the underwear. The kind man behind us came to our rescue and scooped up the panties for us. What a gentleman!

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Driving Lesson With Dad

Yesterday our daughter turned 15. Glenn took her, on her birthday, to get her learner's permit. She had to take and pass a written test and an eye test. She passed and we now have a licensed learner. It was raining yesterday, so he wouldn't take her for a driving lesson. I let her drive me to the grocery store after the rain stopped (and while Glenn was napping.) She did very well! I also made her go in to the store and get the groceries (that was the quickest shopping trip I've ever seen.)

Today the weather was clear and Glenn said he'd take her out for a drive. But, before they could go, she had to find the answers to three questions from the car owner's manual. 1) What pressure do the tires need to be inflated to? 2) Where is the spare located and how do you change a flat? 3) Where and how do you check the oil level? She was not amused, but complied with a good attitude. She not only checked the tire pressure in the car she's allowed to drive (PT Cruiser), but all our cars. She also used Glenn's air pressure pump to inflate the tires to the proper pressure. She crawled under the car to see where the spare tire is located, and checked the oil level. She completed these tasks to his satisfaction and they've just left for Target. I'm sure there will be more stories to tell when they get back.

No more "I Don't Care Hair"

Processing

Oh the price we pay for beautiful hair. Today I had my hair done. I feel so much better. Yes, I color my hair. If I didn't, all you'd see would be gray straw. I found this lady who works out of her house so she can be home with her two young boys. She used to work in a shop, so she's fully licensed and experienced. Let me tell you, I pay about a third of what I used to pay when I went to a salon--and she's good! One day she'll stop working and I'll have to go back to astronomical fees. For now, I'll glory in the savings.

The finished creation

Oh My, Driving Permit Time Looms in the Near Future

In a couple of days, Glenn and I will have a 15-year-old. In Georgia, that means that she is eligible to get a driving learner's permit. I'm not ready for this. She'll have to take a written test and pass it to get the learner's permit. I expect she'll pass. If I just hadn't had hip surgery, I'd feel more confident to take her out driving, when, of course, she would earn her permit.

Glenn and I both come from sports car driving backgrounds. Having worked for MotorWeek TV and for Porsche Cars, North America, I've spent a fair amount of time behind the wheel and on a racetrack. Glenn has been able to enjoy a lot of this with me. We'd really like to be able to take her out on a track and an auto cross course. We'd like her to respect the power of cars and learn how to handle them. All she can think about is getting behind the wheel and going. I guess I was that way, too. I do remember wanting that driver's license in such a bad way.

I still want her father to take her out first. Is that being a big chicken?