tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post8092842628292999838..comments2024-03-27T19:04:31.290-05:00Comments on The Amazing Trips: totally random tuesday thoughtsThe Amazing Tripshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-899341210389494072009-12-24T16:04:09.247-06:002009-12-24T16:04:09.247-06:00Glad to hear you're also a 3day - Sister! I wa...Glad to hear you're also a 3day - Sister! I walked a few years ago and it was one of the most important emotional journeys I made. I was dealing with grief over losing a parent to cancer(renal), trying to make sense of my mom loosing her 4th sister to cancer (breast, ovarian, leukemia, & lung), and celebrating my Mom for being a 1 year survivor and MIL for 20+yrs BC survivor! Whewwww! Needless to say I was questioning my own life span and have been very proactive in my own health w/ Mamo. at 32 and every year after. My new Doc wanted me to see a genetic Counselor and since my Mom does not have the bc gene, that whole nasty side of my family tree is scratched out for me! I have met and know several women in their 30's who were diag. as stage 4! It's incomprehendible not to get ALL women the screening they need to save their lives!<br /><br />I could comment on the other news flashes, but breast cancer is close to my heart and Tiger Woods is not! :)Angelahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18125931870470150067noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-28088173162465978262009-12-17T21:20:22.907-06:002009-12-17T21:20:22.907-06:00I just wanted to share that I really don't und...I just wanted to share that I really don't understand the decision to pay a sitter less if your kids are sleeping. Surely , you expect them to meet your kids' needs if they should wake up. No matter what, they are still responsible for your kids while you are gone.<br /><br />Maybe if my kids were older, I would feel differently? Mine are 2 & 4.Stephaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11419385275719839363noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-86483412044231428322009-12-17T19:53:16.033-06:002009-12-17T19:53:16.033-06:00Rachel: What I write and what I would probably do ...Rachel: What I write and what I would probably do are two different things. On Sunday night - I had it in my mind that we'd pay our sitter $25.00 for the entire night but when we got home, it was my decision to give her $30.00. <br /><br />When Charlie and I have gone out a couple times before (I was wrong to say we've never left the kids) we've asked our neighbor to come over and sit with the children. While she tells us that she wants to do it for free, we've always given her at least $20.00. And we've never left the kids with her when they were awake. For her it's a great situation to make a little extra money - for us it's a great situation because we know the kids are safely in bed we can have a few hours out. <br /><br />I'd feel comfortable paying a sitter $12.00 an hour when the kids are awake - $8.00 an hour when they are asleep. Or, keep it easy and pay them $10.00 an hour. <br /><br />ALTHOUGH, if the kids are already in bed when the sitter arrives and they're just sitting in the house when we run out for a few hours, I think $20.00 for an evening is perfectly acceptable. Especially if the sitter is someone from the neighborhood who just walks over to our house and volunteers to do it for free, in the first place.The Amazing Tripshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-86680294794097480012009-12-17T18:59:33.901-06:002009-12-17T18:59:33.901-06:00I agree with the sentiments of several other comme...I agree with the sentiments of several other commenters... I think $25 an hour is absolutely outrageous, and I posted my thoughts on that before. But at the same time, $5 is unfair. Especially for four children, regardless of whether or not they are in bed. $5 is well below ($3 below!) minimum wage in California (I had to look that up by the way) and also well below the federal minimum wage. <br /><br />I do realize that babysitters are often considered overpaid in this day in age, but a lot of people will tell you that the reason for that is because families do not want to lose their truly good teenage (or older) babysitters to other jobs. <br /><br />Honestly if you were to offer me $5 an hour to care for your children I would kindly turn you down and tell you that it wouldn't be worth my time or gas money, and my guess would be that most teens would do the same. And it's not because they're greedy or rude, it's because it's the truth. Why babysit for that little when any job out there is guaranteed to pay you more than that?<br /><br />$5 an hour was plenty when I was a teen... it was also minimum wage. It's simply not anymore. <br /><br />If you want to offer $10 an hour when the children are awake and $8 when they're in bed... then I would think that would be more like it.Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17378832548853576521noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-67347839072437972472009-12-17T14:13:18.328-06:002009-12-17T14:13:18.328-06:00Enjoyed hearing all your thoughts, and I love the ...Enjoyed hearing all your thoughts, and I love the sweet comment from your mom at the end! <br /><br />I did have my son vaccinated for the flu & swine flu this year - both vaccines were pediatric, preservative-free, and therefore did not contain the two ingredients I was concerned with: squalene, and thimerosal. Some swine flu vaccines for 4-5 yr-olds do contain thimerosal this year, though, and I would have to think long & hard before letting my son have one of those. Thimerosal is not approved by the FDA, except in this once instance, they are making an exception for this year's swine flu shot - and I'm not sure that risk is worth it. <br /><br />That mammogram thing is crazy, because you're right - MANY of the breast cancer survivors or people I know who have died of breast cancer were under 40, and I can't imagine recommending to women to ignore their health in this area! <br /><br />I also thought the stat was interesting about couples only talking for 37 minutes a week - we only have one child (and a baby girl due any day now), but we put our son down at 7:30 & that gives us 2 or 3 hours together at night. I attempt to get the chores done during the day so that I can spend that time with him - and it doesn't cost us a cent as far as a sitter. :)Carriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10702958291049563341noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-75368512895610852772009-12-17T08:31:19.088-06:002009-12-17T08:31:19.088-06:00Jen, the previews said that a family from CA with ...Jen, the previews said that a family from CA with 2 year old triplets were going to be on Friday.Michele Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15061520456909635254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-37211972506158659882009-12-17T02:34:56.227-06:002009-12-17T02:34:56.227-06:00Michele - He won't be on until January 15. I t...Michele - He won't be on until January 15. I think...The Amazing Tripshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-34130463637611727362009-12-16T23:29:25.294-06:002009-12-16T23:29:25.294-06:00Is Charlie going to be on the SuperNanny on Friday...Is Charlie going to be on the SuperNanny on Friday?Michele Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15061520456909635254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-45090405244719145002009-12-16T19:56:33.780-06:002009-12-16T19:56:33.780-06:00Topic 1 - we live in the SF bay area gas here seem...Topic 1 - we live in the SF bay area gas here seems to be higher than anyplace other than Hawaii and funny the Chevron refinery is right here in our area.<br /><br />Topic 2 - I can't even leave a comment on that one because it would violate offensive standards. But I do hope and pray that EVERYONE serving in these F&#King wars returns home save and sound and that our country does right by them. Many of them will have horrible medical and mental health issues. If they volunteer to protect us, the very LEAST we can do is take care of them and their families.<br /><br />Topic 4 - Tiger let his fame and ego take possession of his brain. I remember telling Larry if he ever cheated on me I was out of here. My first husband cheated and there is little more painful than having you trust betrayed. No I would not be able to find the grace in my heart to forgive Tiger.<br /><br />Topic 5 - As a breast cancer survivor this one sends me over the edge to the extent that I cannot even discuss it in a rational manner. Let's just leave it at that.<br /><br />And a final note that is a perfectly angelic picture.winecathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07033530470009978632noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-11704050572053105522009-12-16T19:46:34.924-06:002009-12-16T19:46:34.924-06:00Topic #1: Gas in Greenville, SC as of this morning...Topic #1: Gas in Greenville, SC as of this morning... $2.34.<br />Topic #2: Ditto!! Ya'll are awesome! Thank you!!<br />Topic #3: Did it.<br />Topic #4: Tiger. POOH!!!!! <br />Topic #5: RUN!! There's an opening in SC. Last I heard our governor was on a yacht w/some famous golfer heading to Argentina!! <br />Topic #6: If you lived in SC - you wouldn't have to pay for a babysitter. There's plenty of free ones here. <br />Topic #7: Love, love, love the picture!! Marg. (from SC)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-79020018576062324482009-12-16T19:34:52.043-06:002009-12-16T19:34:52.043-06:00I enjoy your Blog and appreciate your endless ener...I enjoy your Blog and appreciate your endless energy.... Sounds like you had a lot of inspirational brain time on the drive -which is always good for big fat posts! But probably the first comment that comes to mind is that I think your date night was WAY TOO short!cindy shakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01353820195984269329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-86587386260667596442009-12-16T19:18:24.545-06:002009-12-16T19:18:24.545-06:00I Know in our family, ML found her own lump after ...I Know in our family, ML found her own lump after she had had a Mammogram---so I think education is primary. <br />Tiger has not only deceived his wife, but he has marked his children for life that he is not a loyal man. If he wanted to run around, he should have told her and been honest and she would have let him go. <br />Lets hear it for all the service people that are defending out country and their families.<br />MomAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-12184343914131908742009-12-16T18:51:08.025-06:002009-12-16T18:51:08.025-06:00Even if the kids are asleep don't you think yo...Even if the kids are asleep don't you think you should at least pay minimum wage? I know that when I was in high school many of my friends did not get allowances of any sort, and used their babysitting money to buy their school lunches, pay for their school parking passes, gas and other expenses that came up. Also, we were all CPR and First Aid certified and those classes were paid for out of our own babysitting money.The idea that teenagers "don't need the money" is a little harsh. Not all families can afford to buy their children things they would like to, and if teenagers can earn extra money for some of those small things it means a great deal. Wouldn't you want your children to be paid at least minimum wage if they were watching someone else's kids? I used to babysit in order to pay my car insurance so I could drive to college. Without that money I couldn't have attended full time. <br />Just something to think about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-75431703722891910822009-12-16T16:44:20.182-06:002009-12-16T16:44:20.182-06:00I believe in second chances and I definitely belie...I believe in second chances and I definitely believe in forgiveness. I have a hard time, however, believing that Tiger Woods can change his behavior. If he had ONE mistress with whom he'd cheated I'd think he was able to change; but the number of women with whom he cheated on his wife; and the length of time during which it happened, makes me think this man will not be monogamous.HWhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09260566913424446132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-73760531507282757302009-12-16T16:28:24.601-06:002009-12-16T16:28:24.601-06:00On the Vaccination topic:
We are delaying/selecti...On the Vaccination topic:<br /><br />We are delaying/selectively vaxing our daughter. She will, eventually, receive most vaccinations.<br /><br />She's 27 months old and will not receive either the regular flu shot or the H1N1 shot this flu season, baring some horrid drastic uptic in the mortality rate. I'm not really concerned about the process behind the flu shot, as noted above, it is the same process as the seasonal flu shot. For her to be vaccinated, she'd need 4 doses of the shot btw the two types. There have been no studies on the possible side effects of giving that many doses, that close together - or on the possible side effects of all the other crap that is in the vaccine being administered 4 times that close together.<br /><br />SarahAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-69216262818660288712009-12-16T15:05:24.492-06:002009-12-16T15:05:24.492-06:00Topic I: I pay over $7.00 a gallon for gas. And ...Topic I: I pay over $7.00 a gallon for gas. And we have to warm our cars up for about 20 minutes before we can go anywhere...<br />Topic II: I'm an ex-navy wife. Sigh...<br />Topic III: My kids are "not on the list" for H1N1 shots, so therefore they don't get them...not sick enough throughout the year I guess.<br />Topic IV: NO.<br />Topic V: AK Natives get free cancer screenings for whatever they want. They only need to make the appointment. So, because I'm native, and I'm 32, I can get breast cancer screenings if I want to. They are only required after age 40. Or age 30 wtih a family history.<br />Topic VI: FINALLY, an update. Move to Alaska and go out for free all the time. Although you'll probably just spend all your babysitting money on winter clothes!<br /><br />Love the picture... Keep your Chin up...read my blog during the middle/end of October if you want to see some weird disease ravish my once fully active body. :)<br /><br />Maija.Finnskimohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15796494092961147276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-82431506525642643032009-12-16T15:00:32.948-06:002009-12-16T15:00:32.948-06:00H1Ni: Austin and I got vaccinated yesterday, when ...H1Ni: Austin and I got vaccinated yesterday, when he had his normal well check appt. I didn't plan on it, but it was free.<br /><br />Tiger: I would totally pretend I forgave him, then I would stay with him for 2 more years, get my 30 million and kick his sorry ass to the road.<br /><br />Babysitter: Good for you! That sounds perfect!Michele Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15061520456909635254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-88758213423206531392009-12-16T12:49:15.588-06:002009-12-16T12:49:15.588-06:00-Thank you. My little brother is in Afghanistan s...-Thank you. My little brother is in Afghanistan serving his first tour. Its harder than I can explain having him there for the holidays, or just having him thee in general.<br /><br />-Tiger is a creep. I can't hardly stand to look at him anymore. And no, I would never forgive him. Whats the count up to now? 13 last time I checked.<br /><br />-My kids got vaccinated until they were 6 months old, and then after reaction after reaction from one of my twins, I stopped.Christinahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03133112426691403173noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-1424861563832742022009-12-16T11:41:21.376-06:002009-12-16T11:41:21.376-06:00I am young-ish (23) and having just finished my ba...I am young-ish (23) and having just finished my babysitting years, I think that what you paid her was reasonable... You have 4 kids. 4! I babysat for four kids for approximately $5/hour when I was 16-17. I felt like I was being ripped off, one, because it was below minimum wage, and two, because it was 4 kids. I know you are somewhat used to the chaos, but suddenly having that many mouths asking questions, that many eyes crying, that many hands grabbing things, that many kids asking for piggy back rides... I did it because I felt the family couldn't afford to pay more. I still feel like I was being taken advantage of because of my age. Bottom line, if you are capable of paying a reasonable amount, pay it... Otherwise your babysitter will refuse to get over it and look for any chance to vent, apparently :)<br /><br />With that said, Merry Christmas! I love your blog and have been reading it for at least a year now and still look forward to checking it daily :)Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08944118550799702233noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-7154026955351959902009-12-16T11:21:48.364-06:002009-12-16T11:21:48.364-06:00I like what you said..if they take it great if the...I like what you said..if they take it great if they don't you'll stay home...because if you can't afford a babysitter then why get one?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-18198294635706257692009-12-16T11:05:31.924-06:002009-12-16T11:05:31.924-06:00I like this random thought post! Maybe you should...I like this random thought post! Maybe you should do one once a week - it certainly gives the rest of us a lot to comment on.<br /><br />1) I always get my gas at Costco. And when driving to my in-laws (2.5 hours away), we always gas up beforehand, because getting gas in their tiny little town and the surrounding locale is always more expensive.<br /><br />2) I shall pass along your thanks to my brother (Captain in the Army, 2 tours in Iraq) and my brother-in-law (Captain in the Army, one tour in Iraq). There is nothing harder than to know that someone you love is far away at Christmas, or other big occasions - my brother missed the birth of his first child during his second tour.<br /><br />3) Since I am six months pregnant, my OB was able to give me the H1N1 shot. I had my kids vaccinated for regular flu, but I wasn't able to get them the H1N1... and then they both came down with it - at least, that's what my doctor thinks. Fortunately, they took it well and are just fine now. But after that, I'm probably not going to bother with getting them vaccinated.<br /><br />4) Tiger, if you want "Privacy" (which I believe is the name of his yacht) and to not drag yourself and your family into the public eye, then, um, DON'T INVITE OTHER WOMEN INTO YOUR PRIVATE LIFE. I think that he will professionally recover - I'm not sure that his family will.<br /><br />5) My OB was diagnosed with Stage 0 breast cancer last year because she was setting a good example for all of her patients by getting a mammogram. I believe that she is 47 years old. If I want to watch her absolutely explode, I'm sure all I'll have to do is ask her about these new "guidelines." She is fully recovered now, having had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, and managed to avoid chemo with the early detection and surgery.<br /><br />6) I forgot to say in my earlier comment that I always cut the rate in half if the kids are asleep. And I am upfront about that. If the kids are not conscious, then I am not subsidizing your TV watching or computer usage.<br /><br />7) Your mom is so sweet. My best to "keepinchinup" as well.Deannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264388274486422686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-26059589529080844032009-12-16T10:46:02.267-06:002009-12-16T10:46:02.267-06:00Monkey Momma: You're totally right. The famili...Monkey Momma: You're totally right. The families holding everything together at home are amazing. I'm not sure I have the moxie either, but then again - you do what you have do. <br /><br />Midori: If I was Tiger's wife, I would have a TOUGH time forgiving him. While cheating is cheating and cheating is bad - the MAGNITUDE of the cheating that he did, with two babies at home, is absolutely DESPICABLE. I'm sure it would take some serious amends and a lot of time for me to grant him forgiveness (and I would NEVER forget), but I'm not saying it's impossible. The heck with his career - this is about salvaging his FAMILY which is eternally more important than any career. He's got his work cut out for him and I wish him and his wife the very best. <br /><br />Carolyn, Matt, Dean and Caden: Duly noted about Charlie needing time away now that he is home with the kids full-time. But the truth is, when I was out on maternity leave and *I* was home with the kids full time, I was perfectly content to stay in rather than go out for a date. Charlie gets plenty of opportunities during the day (since I'm working from home) to jet out and run errands or have some time for himself. And we have several hours of "quiet" time when the kids are in bed asleep. Frankly, I'm just a lot more comfortable when I'm home than out. <br /><br />Regarding the mammograms and the age of 40 topic: Based on the rising incidences of breast cancer and the penetration of YOUNGER people who are being diagnosed, more attention needs to be drawn to this cause, not less. My fear is that if the advisory council suggests that mammograms aren't necessary until 50 and then every two years thereafter, a lot of people are going to assume that breast health isn't as critically important as it IS.The Amazing Tripshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13761348688069779544noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-36866709872785364152009-12-16T10:19:32.899-06:002009-12-16T10:19:32.899-06:00I know I'm old (51), but I made 50 cents/hour ...I know I'm old (51), but I made 50 cents/hour when I first started babysitting (I think when I "retired" it had doubled to a dollar an hour, but still).<br /><br />I also washed dishes, fed kids, etc. When I had my own kids, they were already in their pajamas and all the sitter had to do was watch TV with them and maybe read them a book before putting them in bed. One time I got them McDonald's for dinner, and when we got home the sitter hadn't even bothered to throw away the empty bags!Bobbienoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-81261012357125576892009-12-16T10:02:36.567-06:002009-12-16T10:02:36.567-06:00Phew! That WAS a long post!
Let's see...
Topic...Phew! That WAS a long post!<br />Let's see...<br />Topic III<br />Yep, vaccinated the one who could safely be vaxed, the other two are scheduled to have it done in the allergy clinic in January. I just read an article that while the cases of H1N1 are falling, the deaths from it are climbing, especially among the 18mo old set. Darn straight I'm gonna vax.<br /><br />Topic IV<br />I used to think there would be no working it out if my husband cheated but now that we have a family and have been together a while I think it would take a LOT but it could be worked out. Tiger can be forgiven if he makes the change NOW.<br /><br />Topic V<br />Ridiculous, a travesty. But no government agency is enforcing these recommendations (the SG isn't adopting them) so hopefully we will keep checking and keep checking and keep checking!<br /><br />Topic VI<br />$30 is completely reasonable.Just Vegashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09851077598314983920noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24756113.post-7669441839489694272009-12-16T09:45:26.347-06:002009-12-16T09:45:26.347-06:00Beautiful post. Topic V really set me off when I ...Beautiful post. Topic V really set me off when I first heard about it few weeks ago. What a great mom you have to reach out to a stranger that way!Gigihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05467164195744234746noreply@blogger.com