Wednesday, January 30, 2013

To Tweet or not to Tweet???

I have an unfinished post in my queue contemplating blog popularity vs. compromising the core purpose of my blog.  (It should be finished and posted soon.)  In the meantime, here's a little food for thought.

In researching ways to increase a blog's following, every source of advice recommends using social media.  Well, I have a Facebook page for my blog.  I also pin posts or pictures to my Pinterest page occasionally.  That's about the extent of my social media savvy.

I have been considering starting a Twitter account for my blog, but I have hesitated because I am not familiar with it and I'm not sure I would actually utilize it effectively.  Then, I read this article from one of our local news stations announcing that Justin Bieber has just surpassed Lady GaGa and become the most followed person on Twitter.  Really???????


The article goes on to list the Top Ten most followed people on Twitter and how many followers they each have.  The list is as follows:

1. Justin Bieber — 33.333 million
2. Lady Gaga — 33.329 million
3. Katy Perry — 31.4 million
4. Rihanna — 27.9 million
5. Barack Obama — 26.1 million
6. Britney Spears — 23.3 million
7. Taylor Swift — 23.1 million
8. YouTube — 22.2 million
9. Shakira — 19.3 million
10. Kim Kardashian — 17.2 million
Again, REALLY?!?!?!?  The only person on the list that truly has any effect on the daily lives of American citizens is Barack Obama and I highly doubt that he is actually sitting in the Oval Office tweeting from his iPhone.  #8 isn't even a person!
So, yeah - If Bieber and Gaga are #1 and #2 (and considering that Kim Kardashian rounds out this stellar top ten list), I'm not sure that Twitter is a bandwagon I want to jump on.  Then again, if 33+ million people have time and interest enough to "follow" an 18 year old pop star with baggy pants and shaggy hair, surely at least a few people would follow The Golden Spoons, right??
What about you??  Do you tweet on Twitter??  Have you found it to be effective/helpful??  More importantly, are you one of Bieber's 33.333 million followers????? 

Monday, January 28, 2013

48 Questions

Ami, over at Bunkers Down, stole this list of questions from someone who had stolen it from someone else who had stolen it from someone else, etc. etc.  Since I am always looking for a fun writing prompt and because Ami asked that someone continue the cycle, here you go - 48 random facts you probably never wanted to know about me!
1. WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?
Yes.  My middle name is Elaine which is my mother's name.

2. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED?
Last Saturday (Jan. 19) because Rachel was on her trip to D.C. and I missed her :-(

3. DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?
No.  I wish it was neater.

4. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE LUNCH MEAT?
Turkey.

5. DO YOU HAVE KIDS?
3 daughters
6. IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU?
Depends on who else I was.  If I was a famous celebrity, probably not.  If I was another mom, then definitely.


7. DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT?
Not a lot, but some.

8. DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS?
Yes.  But no wisdom teeth or gall bladder.

9. WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?
Absolutely NOT!  I do not like heights or anything that has a higher than average probability of ending in my death. 

10. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CEREAL?
Special K Red Berries 

11. DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?
Nope

12. DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?
Physically, Mentally, or Emotionally?  Either way - yes.

13. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ICE CREAM?
Chocolate or Butter Pecan or Turtle

14. WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE?
It varies - just depends on what stands out to me

15. RED OR PINK?
I say pink, but my closet says red

16. WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF?
My lack of self confidence in my appearance

17. WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST?
My MamMaw (grandmother on my Father's side)

18. WHAT IS THE TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?
Swimming

19. WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?
Tan bedroom shoes with white fuzzy trim - hubby says they are a bit redneck; I say they are warm!

20. WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?
A scoop of double chocolate ice cream

21. WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?
Big Bang Theory on T.V.

22. IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?
Purple

23. FAVORITE SMELLS?
Hubby's aftershave :-) - Fresh, clean sheets - cookies in the oven

24. HOW IMPORTANT ARE YOUR POLITICAL VIEWS TO YOU?
Moderately important

25. MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?
That's a tough one - I grew up near the mountains, so I love going back.  However, I also love the beach.  I would be happy with either one!

26. FAVORITE SPORTS TO WATCH?
Basketball or my girls on horseback

27. HAIR COLOR?
Blonde - dark, sandy blonde

28. EYE COLOR?
blue

29. DO YOU WEAR CONTACTS?
No

30. FAVORITE FOOD?
Pizza

31. SCARY MOVIES OR HAPPY ENDINGS?
Happy Endings (as long as they aren't too sappy).  Scary Movies - NEVER!

32. LAST MOVIE YOU WATCHED?
Wreck It Ralph

33. WHAT COLOR SHIRT ARE YOU WEARING?
Gray

34. SUMMER OR WINTER?
Winter - Can't stand to be hot

35. FAVORITE DESSERT?
cheesecake or anything chocolate
36. STRENGTH TRAINING OR CARDIO?
Niether - Hate to work out.  If I had to choose, I'd pick cardio just because it feels like I am burning calories and actually accomplishing something.

37. COMPUTER OR TELEVISION?
Computer 

38. WHAT BOOK ARE YOU READING NOW?
Mark's Gospel From Scratch (reading it for a Bible study group in which I participate) 

39. WHAT IS ON YOUR MOUSE PAD?
Don't have a mouse pad

40. FAVORITE SOUND?
silence

41. FAVORITE GENRE OF MUSIC?
Country (I grew up in the South; don't judge) - I also listen to some pop.

42. WHAT IS THE FARTHEST YOU HAVE BEEN FROM HOME?
Paris, France

43. DO YOU HAVE A SPECIAL TALENT?
Only thing I can think of is this: Sit on the floor with your legs straight out, heels on the floor, and toes pointed upward.  Now, curl your toes toward the floor without lifting your heels or bending your knees.  (Go, on  - try it. You know you want to!)  Can your toes actually touch the floor??  Mine can.  I never realized it was anything unusual until my hubby flipped out and said it was gross (before he was my hubby).  15+ years later and he still can't stand it!

44. WHERE WERE YOU BORN?
Hickory, North Carolina

45. WHERE ARE YOU LIVING NOW?
Greensboro, North Carolina

46. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR HOUSE?
Light green

47. WHAT COLOR IS YOUR CAR?
Burgundy

48. DO YOU LIKE ANSWERING 48 QUESTIONS?
Yes!  Did you like reading them???

Thursday, January 24, 2013

My Little Engineer

 When I wrote Letting Them Spread Their Wings, I mentioned that I look forward to seeing what my girls will be when they are all grown up.  I wonder what careers they will choose.  Currently, Rachel has plans to become a zoologist.  Megan wants to be a teacher.  Emily has only said she wants to be a princess and/or a mommy.  However, I think she will most certainly become some sort of engineer.  She is very creative and frequently comes up with ideas and "inventions."  Then, she figures out how to make them.  A year ago, she was not fond of any sort of fine motor activity - writing, coloring, cutting, etc.  But, my oh my, how that has changed!!  Here are some of her most recent creations:

While I was taking Rachel to D.C., Emily and Megan stayed with my in-laws.  While there, she made this superhero cape and mask.  She said that MawMaw helped her with the strings, but she did the rest of it.  When she wears it, she says she is pink and purple Supergirl.

A couple days ago, after she had been playing in her room alone for a while, she came downstairs and asked specifically for 9 pieces of paper.  When I asked, "Why?" she replied "I'm going to make a dance floor!"  And, that's exactly what she did!  She colored each piece of paper, covered them with clear Contact paper, and taped them to her floor.

Another recent creation is this ticket jar.  At the girls' school, they use a positive behavior reinforcement system in which the children are given tickets when they are "caught" being good.  They write their name on the tickets and drop them in a jar in their classroom.  Periodically, teachers draw tickets from the jars and, if your name is drawn, you get a prize.  Emily asked me for a jar, but when I didn't have one, she quickly went to plan B.  She grabbed this soda bottle out of the recycling bin, peeled off the label, and had her Daddy help her cut off the top.  Then, she cut pieces of paper,  handed out several "tickets" around the house, and placed them in the jar.  Later in the day, she took the lid that had been cut off and taped it back on in a hinge-like manner.  She even decorated the bottle!

Emily got this wooden butterfly as a Christmas gift form some of her aunts and uncles.  Originally, it was white with the heart, flower, etc. shapes outlined in black.  Over 3 days, she spent hours coloring it.  She paid attention to the example, but carefully put her own touches on it.   Now, it hangs proudly in her room.
 This is one of her creations from some time ago.  Again, she used a bottle from the recycling bin and turned it into a person.  She cut strips of paper and taped them on for hair.  Then, drew on a face.

And, remember this post about the new friend Emily made herself last summer?!?!

Finally, in the vein of creativity, here are some of Emily's latest art creations that she has proudly hung on the mantle.

I have to admit that she gets these engineering tendencies from her father - I certainly don't have them.  However, I do like to think that maybe some of the creativeness comes from me.  In any case,  I love how imaginative she is and I love seeing all her creations!  Who know what she will make next!!!


Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Full of Surprises

I always enter our playroom with trepidation because I never know what I will find out there.  Case in point: I went in one day earlier this week and found this.




When I picked the girls up from school in the afternoon, I asked what was up with the baby in the playroom and the sign about cancer.  Bet you will NEVER guess the explanation I got. 

You see, Megan likes to watch shows like Cupcake Wars and Cake Boss.  It just so happened that she had been watching a Next Great Baker marathon off and on throughout the previous day.  So her explanation was this.  "I was playing Next Great Baker and pretending that we had to make a cake to raise money for cancer research.  I put the baby doll on top of the table and was pretending that it was my cake.  The rubber band is her oxygen tube."  "Did they actually make cakes like that on one of the shows you were watching?" I asked.  "No," she said, "I just thought of it."

I tell you, that girl is just full of surprises.  I'm not sure whether to be a little creeped out that the idea of a cancer cake was somewhere in the depths of her mind OR incredibly proud that she would pretend something so noble.  Maybe I'll put in a call to Buddy Valastro . . . .

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Wing Spreading Update

Last week, I wrote a post titled Letting Them Spread Their Wings.  I thought i would share a quick update.

The whole thing got off to a rocky start thanks to the weather.  We had snow the night before we were planning to leave, so the next morning, the roads were questionable.  We left a little later than we had originally planned, but made it safely and with a little time to spare.

As they say, parting is such sweet sorrow.  We got her checked in and, then, it was time to say our good-byes.  Just as I wrote, I gave her a big hug and told her how proud I was and how much I love her.  With a smile on her face, she skipped off in one direction and I went in the other direction.  I did not cry!  But I was definitely glad I had a friend to keep me company and keep my mind off of Rachel!

Rachel has had an extremely busy few days.  They have been having to get up at 5:15am every morning.  We only get to talk to her once a day - usually around 9:00-9:30 in the evening and she is understandably exhausted by then.  But, she seems to be having fun and hasn't mentioned being homesick or anything.  Last night, however, Emily went to bed in tears because she said she misses Rachel.  Talk about pulling at my heartstrings!!!  All I could do was hold her and tell her that I miss Rachel, too, but that I know Rachel is safe and will be home soon.

Speaking of that, David is driving up later today.  He will spend the night and then get Rachel pretty early tomorrow morning.  They will drive home and, by dinner time tomorrow, we will all be reunited!!!!  Yay!!!!!

For me, the experience has had its ups and downs.  For the most part, I've been o.k.  I have had moments when I just wanted to see her and look into her eyes and know that she was happy, though.  Mostly, it is just weird.  Usually, when they are away from me - at school, with grandparents - I still know exactly where they are, exactly who they are with, and basically what they are doing.  In this case, I don't know the people she is with and I don't know exactly what they are doing.  I can't be positive that she wore her coat or got enough to eat.  That loss of control just feels strange.   I am so not used to this distance between us.  When I do talk to her in the evenings, I can hear how tired she is and I am torn between wanting to know every little thing and just wanting to let her go to bed.

Within 24 hours from now, she will be with her Daddy and I will feel a great sense of relief, I know.  Soon thereafter, she will be back at home with all of us.  I can't wait to hear about all of her adventures and all of the people she met.  But, most of all, I just want to give her a big hug, tuck her into bed, and know that she is, once again, safe at home with me!

Thanks to everyone who has asked about her, asked about me.  Thanks, also, for all the good thoughts and prayers that have been sent our way!!  Keep 'em coming just a little bit longer!!!!  


Monday, January 14, 2013

Letting Them Spread Their Wings

Time passes and children grow.  It is inevitable.  As parents, we often view this process with sadness and say things like "She's growing up so fast!" or "Where has the time gone?"  

I would argue that, although the end of certain stages is sometimes sad, it can also be very exciting.  I mean who could have ever known that this little baby

would turn into this beautiful, intelligent, stubborn, creative, amazing young lady?!?!?!

It's really pretty amazing when you think about it and, even though it is certainly a little sad, it is a transformation I have enjoyed watching.  I could definitely say the same about her sisters, too.  I can't wait to see where their lives take them - what careers they choose, who they marry, what kind of mothers they will be.

The scary part, though, is that as they grow, we have to let go.  We get a little taste of this when we drop them off for their first day of school or for their first sleepover at a friend's house.  This week, I'll get a bigger taste of it as I send that girl up there in that picture off for her first big trip - without me (or any other adult that I know and trust) for five days.

You see, her intelligence, her good character, and her overall charisma have earned her the opportunity to participate in a People to People Leadership Ambassador Program.  (You can read more about People to People here.)  While she is gone, she will certainly be well supervised, but there will be nobody there to remind her to brush her teeth, or to help her find vegetarian options on the menu, or to comfort her if she gets a little scared at night.

She, however, is not thinking about those things.  She is excited - sooooo excited.  She is excited to meet new people, see new things, and to be independent for a little while.  I am also truly excited for her.  And scared.  And nervous.  And proud - so incredibly proud!

She will learn so much during her time away.  She will make new friends and have wonderful experiences.  Perhaps, she will even come back with a little greater appreciation for her family and a little more maturity.  In my head, I know she will be fine.

In my heart, though, it is not that simple.

Letting them spread their wings is hard.

In the end, I'll do what most parents do (and what I know my parents did many times).  I'll smile to hide my fears.  I'll give her a hug that's just a little tighter than usual.  I'll tell her I love her and I'm proud of her.  I'll say "I love you" one more time.  Then, I'll watch as she spreads her wings and gets her first real taste of "freedom."  As I walk away, I'll pray that we've taught her well.  I'll pray for her health and safety.  I'll pray that she has fun and learns a lot.  I'll pray that she truly knows how much she is loved and that that knowledge will be enough to lift her up when/if she needs a boost.

(I'm pretty certain that I will also have flashbacks to my parents leaving me at college and gain a whole new level of appreciation for what they must have been feeling.  I am very certain as well that I will be immensely grateful for my good friend who has offered to be my travel companion.  She, too, has three daughters just slightly younger than mine and will not laugh if I shed a tear or two because she knows she will likely walk this path as well all too soon.) 








Monday, January 7, 2013

Megan's Resolution


I typically don't make New Year's resolutions.  If I did, they would always be the same - lose a few pounds, read more, take more time for myself.  If they are always the same, I must not be achieving my goals, so I figure there's no point listing a bunch of things I probably won't do - again.  It's a bit cynical, I know, but just being realistic.

While my resolutions would be completely uninteresting and not at all astonishing, DW and I found one this morning that was quite unexpected.  As I've said before, my Megan is always full of surprises  - like when I found this Little Gem while I was cleaning her room a few months ago.  This morning, after the girls were off to school, this is what we found - Megan's New Year's Resolution:
Megan is super smart, but she is a bundle of energy and sometimes bounces from topic to topic like a tennis ball fresh out of the can.  For example, she rarely finishes a book.  She reads a chapter or two, then gets bored and moves on to a new book.  We've talked about her  need to be more focused, but have never called it a "resolution" or, to be honest, given her a clear measurement to gauge it.  She came up with this all by herself.

If her goal is to be more focused, I'd say she is well on her way.  She has a clearly defined goal, clear reasoning regarding why her goal is important, and some ideas about how she is going to do it.  I am guessing the "glittered closepin" (clothespin) is something from school (her teacher uses clothespins on a behavior management chart system), but if that is all it takes to motivate Megan, I'll happily be making some glittered clothespins, too!!!

Gosh, I love this kid!!  She drives me bonkers sometimes (just like they all do), but she makes me smile and I just never know what she is going to say or do next!  

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Time Well Wasted

Today was our last day of Christmas vacation.  Tomorrow it will be back to school, back to early morning wake-ups, back to homework and extracurriculars, back to  busy routines.  I think I would classify our Christmas vacation time as time well wasted.  We didn't do much of any thing super exciting.

Of course, we had the usual Christmas festivities and it was wonderful to spend that time with extended family.  Otherwise, our days were lazy and uneventful.  Many days we stayed in our pajamas until noon.  A few days we never even left the house!  Now, there were moments of "excitement" - like when Emily got her fingers smashed in the minivan door; or when I had to take Megan back to the doctor to find out that the antibiotics hadn't cleared her pre-Christmas ear infection that has now turned into to double ear infections; or taking Rachel shopping (the horror!!!); or when we talked DW into taking all of us to a movie.  But, overall the past 12 days have been blissfully uninteresting; wonderfully boring; and fantastically mundane.  We have all been more relaxed and the kids have actually gotten along with each other for the most part.

Tomorrow we'll be back to reality and our days will be filled with busyness once again.  I am so thankful that we had these past 12 lazy days of free time and I am glad that we were able to "waste that time wisely" together as a family.
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