Now we know what makes all those crop circles! It's Anna! (we have no alien smiley?) That's actually very clever. I wish I could do that, but I have too many tree stumps that I have to carefully mow around.

it's a good thing hubby's job has picked back up to normal because allie came home with a backpack full of demands for $$ courtesy of the school. The cheerleading program she's been dying to join is signing up Sunday...$60, and limited space so if she doesn't get there that day she's out. School night at Papa's Pizza, which I never take her to because come on, who needs a buffet of pizza? Definitely not me! Well, tonight they are having the little blue choo in the parking lot and my kids love that stupid little train so I got the full on guilt trip: "all my friends are going. I'll be sooo sad if I can't go. mommy pleaaassseee," she even offered to give up cheerleading to go, but I compromised and told her we would go pay the $2 for the train ride, but not eat...Tyler has a pizza party for his Tball tonight and he'll sneak her a piece there, she's happy with that...not like she had much of a choice though, I was not buying pizza buffet tonight

They also want to know how many people are coming to the end of the school year party at the country club, and we have until next wendsday to pay for each person coming, child included...$3 per person for a stupid hot dog and small drink, unreal. Get this...I dont' want a hot dog (yuck!) but the only way to "reserve" that I am coming with her is to buy one I'm sending a note to her teacher tomorrow about it, I don't want a hot dog I jsut want to be there to a few pics of her, sheesh. Then there were notes about a book sale and a couple other fundraiser things...all this in one day, i felt like I had bank stamped on my forehead, and it's been this way all school year. I'm wondering what the heck my tax dollars pay for

Okay enough ranting! oh, and Allie was complaining they didn't give her ice cream today because I didn't send the $$..well, they do ice cream on Wednesday and Friday, and this is Thursday, but apparently they did it again today without warning parents so now she's whining she didn't get it. She does not need ice cream 2 times a week!!!!! Even when I don't send the $$ intentionally sometimes they still give it to her, who knows who pays for it...and even after I ahve told the teacher repeatedly that I limit her sugar because she can't handle it, they still fork it out to her

Okay, enough ranting. I am paying out for her cheerleading but I'm not paying for the rest of this crap, sorry school!

Theresa - At least you can look at it as cheerleading is a physical activity, and not a food-related event? Dunno is that helps or not? The amount of fundraising kids have to do these days is unreal.

WOW! That's awesome. I don't think I've ever seen that idea used before!

We just have a regular yard and backyard, so I'm not too concerned about it being too big to mow in one day. Thanks for the responses, it's encouraging to know that people at least try it (even if various DHs end up taking pity and starting up the gas mower).


purple - $3 for a hotdog? Try $3 for a pack of hot dogs... Where's that profit going? It does seem awfully inconsiderate of all types of people that you can't reserve a place without paying for a hot dog. If they wanted to charge $3 for entry they should just say you have to buy a $3 ticket and you get a free hot dog inside. I don't have kids yet but I worked in an elementary school for a year and boy, do they get sugar pushed at them from every direction! Makes you wonder... sugar makes kids pretty crazy, why would they inflict that on themselves??

I don't mind the cheerleading so much, she takes gymnastics twice a week just dreaming of cheering...it does keep her active, but we are jsut getting back on track from the big slow down so I'm really hoping the $60 is a one time fee. What bothers me is the constant asking for $$ from the school, just the amount I send weekly is pretty high for the extras that they throw in, and if i don't send it she's the only one in th class without and feels left out. Then like with Papa's Pizza night, they get them all worked up at school about it so she comes home expecting to go, and so excited...kinda upsets me because what about parents who can't afford it, then have to pop that bubble and tell the kids no. With all the fundraisers, there have been so many of them i am just drained, and they again get the kids all worked up giving them candy if they bring the forms in with $$, just making it so hard on parents who can't participate in all this stuff. I have done about all the fundraisers, but right now with all the other stuff they want me to pay I am just not going to do it...and I definitely am not paying for a hot dog I will not eat. This started out as free end of the year party, then they said there would be a nominal charge if you eat, then now it looks more like a cover charge.

No last hurrah here...I went way, way off plan on Saturday and paid for it all day Sunday. Totally reminded me why I stopped eating all that junk!

This was one of the reasons that we homeschool. One, I don't think it is appropriate to turn children into salespeople. Two, often they are selling things that are inconsistent with my values. Three, it is ALL FREAKIN' YEAR here. Four, many schools in our area also fundraise for the local children's hospital. It is not even for their school!

The elem. that Will would be attending had Spirit Night every Friday in March at Mc D's. We are one of the fattest states in the nation, and someone thought this was a good idea. Will would have alienated half the school, parents, student AND faculty, explaining why that was a stupid plan. I just cannot accept that as an appropriate environment.

My mom, dad and sister are all in or retired from public schools. I understand the necessity. I just think there has to be a better way.

How does that work? I gotta get creative on how to make more $ I think!!

Jillybean - I like the flexibility of weighing in on different days also!

It's a little like living with The Nutty Professor here.

That's too funny about the lawn mower! Does he sit in a lawn chair and watch it go?

No, he weed eats, usually. We have four circles, but one has to be attended on one side pretty heavily b/c of the playset. He usually pushes the kids and guides the mower for that one.

OK....now I'm bored. The boss is on vacation, and I have eaten all my snacks for the day. I should have brought an extra banana. Raiding the little snack cart would be bad...So far today I had once can of Diet Coke, 40 oz. of water and I'm on my fourth cup of hot tea, so running to the bathroom should start occupying my time any minute now.

GirlyGirl - I hear ya. I can plan anything with the best of them, it's the execution I get bored with. I have no words of wisdom, I can only comiserate.

Purple - Sooo much to say on how much public education costs families nowadays...don't get me started.

Dixie - Let me know what you think about Bob's book, I'm still on the fence. Also, I am having a terrible time getting my macronutrients in line, any suggestions?

Nori - How was the class at the gym? Which one did you take?

Onthetee - That's pretty ingenious....think DH could convert my Subaru to PHEV? These manufacturers need to get off the stick and start delivering the plug ins.

Running to the bathroom....well, at least you have a plan!

I think my DH could do anything. I am very biased that way. He could not do PHEV, but PEV would be possible:

http://www.evconvert.com/

If you have not seen Who Killed the Electric Car, you should. It is a great documentary. It explains why we don't all have electric cars.

http://www.whokilledtheelectriccar.com/

Vanetta - I think it was 24Pump? Something like that. Amy taught it. Have you been to that one? I wish I knew who you were, but I don't think we are usually there at the same time. Anyways, the class was complete with bars and hand weights and benches. It was good. I was sweaty. The only thing I don't like about the classes is how popular they are and how you have to get there 15 minutes early to claim your spot. So, I basically waste that time with the girls already starting their 2 hour limit in the kids room and me not burning any calories. According to my HRM I did burn approx the same amt of calories as I do on my own doing weight training. So that was good!

Anna - I first read "he eats weed". I've only technically eaten weed 1 time - baked in brownies...

I ordered a new purse yesterday - Haiku ToGo bag in bamboo green.

Yep, I've seen that...All the manufacturers are talking about this test and that test, blah, blah, blah...Just deliver that dang vehicle ! ! Not everyone can afford a $200,000 Tesla, and the 3-wheel cars are not to confidence inspiring when it comes to safety.