Ch-Ch-Changes...

Life is crazy!

I made another trip to Ikea to get some bookshelves and desks. I am learning to love Ikea! I got 2 bookshelves, 2 desks, a nightstand, and some misc. odds and ends for under $500! The oldest now has a more "college" looking bedroom and the son has a desk that fits in his tiny room. I bought the youngest a desk at Goodwill for $5 and we painted and stamped it together. (A scary side note: we saw the after effects of a motorcycle crash on the way to Ikea.)

The oldest has started college. We went to orientation Sunday and got all oriented then she had 2 more days of orientation before classes actually started. She was a bit overwhelmed at first but she seems to be settling in rather quickly. She already has her work study job lined up. The only remaining snafu is we ordered a bunch of her textbooks online (we saved about $200 this way) and one of them has yet to arrive.

The hubby's job is changing...again. This is a good thing but it has been tricky getting schedules worked out as he is vacillating between 1st shift and 2nd shift for a few days while trying to wrap up the old position and get the skinny on the new position. It will be very nice to have him home in the evenings! I know the kids will like having him around more often as will the Sexy Housewife! ;-)

I have also returned to the working world. It has been a little chaotic adjusting but I am doing surprisingly well with the stress.

The son is already playing football. The two youngest start school next week and they will have to be moving a little faster in the mornings then they are used to. I know they will do just fine but what kind of mother would I be if I didn't worry just a little?

All of this will be good but the transition will be a bit bumpy but hopefully not for too long. I do hope I can still find time to blog.

Tree Tattoos

F Minus

Coming of Age-Drinking

Since it is the beginning of the school year, I have seen a number of news stories about life on college campuses. With a college freshman this year I have some interest in these stories. One I saw this week was about binge drinking and the legal age for drinking. Needless to say, thinking about my 18 year old drinking is a bit nerve-racking. She is very level-headed and may choose to have a drink or two with friends but I can't see her getting totally ripped (maybe I am in denial, I know). I have told her if she ever finds herself in a situation she wants out of, she can call me, anytime. It helps that she is going to school close by and will be living at home for now.

Now, the story I saw was proposing that a lower drinking age will cause less binge drinking. Personally, I don't think binge drinking has as much to do with the legal age but more to do with poor role models and the demonization of drinking. Think about it, when you were younger and some authority figure told you not to do something didn't it make you want to try it? If drinking were allowed at a younger age (like many other countries) it would not have such allure and parents would have the chance to "teach" teens how to drink responsibly. Would there still be people with drinking problems? Sure. But I bet it would be less than we have now.

I have tried to set a good example for my children. Even when I only have a glass of wine with dinner, I don't drive home. I only drink in moderation and I don't get stupid. I didn't let my oldest sample drinks at home during high school because it was against the rules of her school. But recently I have let her have sips of my drinks and so far she hasn't found anything she even likes to drink.

I know some of you will think my position ignorant but trust me, I am well aware of the negative effects alcohol abuse can have on a family. I just think it is better to be realistic. Kids are going to drink. At some time they will reach legal age. Don't we have a responsibility to demonstrate moderation and encourage safe behaviors?

Time for a Real Post

Appearately some of my loyal fans (okay, the hubby's been bugging me) would like a real post from me. I know comics don't count and neither does the hubby's post for my birthday. But I haven't been ignoring my blog. I have been trying out some new things! You can see the evidence on my sidebar...

yeah, it's all over there--->

Plurk
I have seen some of you there. If you haven't experienced this new phenomena it is like a chat room on crack. You post tidbits (like those on the sidebar) and people can respond. You can respond to other peoples' posts and before you know it you are carrying on conversations with a dozen or more people all at the same time. Oh yeah, the more you Plurk the more Karma points you get which allows you special features. So, basically, I have had to Plurk nonstop since I started so I could get enough Karma points to use the cooler smilies. Sound like fun? Click here to sign up!

Inside Crowd
This is a brand new forum tool that I found out about from Busy Dad while chatting on Plurk. I am still trying to work out how it all works. First, I created my own account (it is so new you still have to email the developer) and posted a forum questions. This would be cool enough right there but I can also link to other blogger's forums so their questions show up on my page too. From there visitors to my blog can answer questions or add their own. Right now you have to be a registered user to participate. What to sign up? Email the cool guy that created this at ross_rosen@insidecrowd.net and tell you want to be part of the Inside Crowd!

Blog Catalog
I have seen some of you here too. I thought this might be a good way to attract some new readers and find some new blogs to read (like I have time for that!). Mostly, I just like the little pictures of readers that show up on my sidebar. If you use Blog Catalog, how do you use it? What do you like about it. Want to sign up? Go to www.blogcatalog.com.

What other cool things do you use to help grow your online community? What have you tried that is totally awesome? What has been a total dud?

Sexy Domestic Engineer? I Don't Think So!

Off the Mark

It's Sexy Housewife's Birthday!

Everyone yell happy birthday to SHW!!!

She's 30 something!! Today.

The Hubby