KIDS in the WHITEHOUSE

I read an article in the paper, the other day, about some of the kid's who have lived in the White House. I was shocked. I laughed. I said a silent prayer giving thanks that I have not had to raise my children in the "public eye"!

According to Valerie Strauss of The Washington Post, there have been some wild times in the "First Families" house.

Tad Lincoln (son of Honest Abe) would "bomb" the door of the Cabinet room with his toy cannon, while dressed in a miniature Union uniform. On one occasion, while his mommy was giving a tour, he came sailing through the East Room being pulled by two goats tied to a chair.

Quentin Roosevelt (youngest of Theodore's 6 little darlings) preferred roller skating, to walking, the halls of the house. He also ran a toy wagon through a full size portrait of former first lady, Lucy Webb Hayes. Priceless - the painting, not the incident. Quentin also sneaked a pony up in a elevator, to cheer up his brother, Archie, who was sick at the time.

Alice Roosevelt was a "corker". She was seventeen when daddy took office, she smoked, played poker, brought a snake with her, when she attended parties. Okay fool me once shame on your, fool me twice shame on me - If she brought a snake to my party she would NEVER get invited back! President Roosevelt made one of the bests statements ever, by a President of the US of A. He said, and I quote " I can be president or I can control Alice, but I can't do both!" I like a man who knows his limitations.

John John Kennedy would hide under his father's desk - even during important business meetings, and Macaroni - Carolyn's pony, roamed freely through the White House grounds.

Susan For drove off in her car (when a teenager) ditching her secret service detail. Amy Carter played in a tree house, and Chelsea Clinton got cooking lessons from the head chef, before heading off to college.

Geez - my kid's were a handful - but luckily we never had any goats! And to think that I used to get embarrassed, when my little angel's picked their noses in public.

What embarrassing things have your kids done in public? You know you want to tell me - and we all want to hear!

SCHOOL & SPORTS

This seems to be what's most important to my son - and to a lot of the other parents at the school he attendends. In order for the kid's to participate in extracurricular activities they must maintain a 1.5 GPA. That's a D average. I find this appaling. I want my son's education to be the number one priority.

I've been really afraid to ask, where all the $$$$$$$$$$$$$ comes from, that is used to support the basketball team and their activities. My DH says that "it must come from the teams Parent Backers." I certainly hope so, cause if I knew that it came out of my taxes, I'd develop an aneurysm and it would BURST. So far this year, Big J has come home with:

1. A pair of very expensive basketball shoes.
2. A team jacket.
3. Two team "polo" shirts.
4. One long-sleeved, 3 short-sleeved, and two sleeveless, t-shirts.
5. Three pairs of shorts.

My son isn't even on the basketball team as a player. He is a co-manager. Said child has struggled so far this year to maintain the 1.5 GPA needed to keep him eligible for participation in extracurricular activities. His 1oo% in PE each grading period, has kept him afloat. ( In his "favor" I will say, that he has been doing very well in Biology - I think that the group dynamics and open book learning style of his biology (coach) teacher is a good fit for J.) But his other academic classes are, to put it indelicately - in the dumper.

Is it just me that has a problem with this picture? Am I just being an old "stick in the mud", when in comes to my child's education? Tell me people - is there a reason for my concern?

The Great Cookie Swap

Yum Christmas Cookies! If anyone is interested in participating in a cookie swap, Click here for details. Spread the joy - and tell Cindy that I sent you!

DAYDREAMING

Do you ever find yourself daydreaming? I tend to do this a LOT. Do you want to know what I daydream about? If not - you might as well go on about your business. If you do want to know, then by all means, read on.

1. I daydream about being THIN!

2. I daydream about food ( do you wonder if maybe this is why I often daydream about being thin?)

3. I daydream about what I would do if I were RICH!

Now - If I were rich...

...I wouldn't care about having a bunch of fancy cars, diamond jewelry, or expensive clothes and shoes. I don't really care about traveling to exotic places. I don't care about going out to eat, or going to entertainment venues., as I'm happy to stay home and cook simple meals, and read books, and watch TV - BUT...

...I would pay off all of our debt, have money in the bank, and have investments - "safe" investments. (Is there really such a thing?)

I would pay off all of my children's debt - and make sure that they had money in the bank, and "safe" investments.

I would donate to all the charities that truly touch my heart.

I would buy a HUGE house, so that all my children could come and visit at the same time, and they could each have a wing with enough bedrooms and bathrooms to accommodate their families.

I would have someone change my sheets every day. It is so wonderful to crawl into a freshly made bed with "just laundered" sheets.

I would have a craft room, the likes of which would impress even Martha Stewart.

I would have dozens of dogs. Pugs, Greyhounds, French Bull dogs, Mutts from the local rescue.

Oooooooh maybe, I would start my own animal rescue...

...If the above isn't enough I would be able to have a private investigator find out where The Pioneer Woman lives. And then I would pay her to be my best friend, so I could stay in The Lodge, and get photography lessons, and eat lots of her yummy food (see daydream #2) and be a contributor to her blog.

Yeah - that's what I would do if I were rich - and my daydreams came true!

What about you? What do you daydream about.

Divorce Humor

Have your kids flown the coop? Want to see them during the holidays - up close and personal? Maybe you might want to give the following a try:


An old man in Phoenix calls his son in New York the day before Thanksgiving and says, "I hate to ruin your day, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are divorcing; forty-five years of misery is enough."

"Pop, what are you talking about?" the son screams.

"We can't stand the sight of each other any long, "the father says. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Chicago and tell her."

Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this."

She calls Phoenix immediately, and screams at their father, "you are NOT getting divorced. Don't do a single think until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow, Until then, don't do a thing. DO YOU HEAR ME?" and hangs up.

The old man hangs up the phone and turns to his wife and says, "Okay, they're both coming for Thanksgiving and, they're paying their own way."



If you decide to try this, maybe you should call a few days ahead of time. Getting last minute flights can be tricky during the holidays - give the kids a little break!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE

It's hard to believe that my little girl, is all grown up. She's now a woman with 'babes" of her own. In a blink of an eye, she grew from a baby, to a toddler, to a school girl, and now an adult.

Stephanie - Ilove you! I am sooooooooooo proud of who you've become. You are my daughter and my friend. I enjoy your company & the "company you keep". I Hope and Dream and Pray for you, and your children. You deserve the very best. I send you my Birthday Wishes (and Prayer's) for a lifetime filled with, good health, good friends, good fortune, love &...

...A GOOD MAN WHO WILL LOVE, CARE FOR, AND TREASURE YOU, FOR TIME AND ALL ETERNITY! (Is it too soon for me to start shopping for a Mother-of-the-Bride Dress:-) ?

Take A Look

It's been a long time since I've been able to buy gas this cheap. You better believe that I filled the car up!