Confessions from Householdsix » people

Nutritional Advice from the McDonald’s Drive Thru

Amanda — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:42:58 +0000

After Zach got his allergy shots today, I took the kids to McDonald’s to grab dinner. Not high on the nutritional priorities, but it’s hot, McD’s is fast, and once in awhile it won’t kill anyone. So I go through the drive thru and order. Then I pay. Then I get to the window where they give me my food. A girl leans out with the big sweet tea cups and says, “You aren’t going to give these to your kids are you? They’re like five cups of sugar each.” I said, “Yes I am. The Hi-C has just as much sugar, and also red dye which makes my kids off the charts hyper. They’re lactose intolerant, and they can’t have the milk. I’d prefer they not have soda. They don’t need Vitamin Water. So yes, I’m letting them have sweet tea, and yes, I’m letting them get the gigantic cups. Think of it as their Starbucks.” She then tried to tell me again about all the sugar in the sweet tea. So I had to explain, “I’m not exactly here because McDonald’s is known for its health food. It’s fun for the kids now and then.” I really wanted to say, “Shut up and gimme the damn tea. I’m thirsty,” because I had ordered one for myself. She kinda rolled her eyes at my health food comment, but really. You choose to question a mother giving her kids the sweet tea (albeit the gihugo cup size they offer), and not the chicken nuggets or fries? Really? Even McDonald’s salads are laden in calories (and a preservative that if you’ve had your gall bladder out will make you learn every public bathroom between the restaurant and your house). If I want to eat healthy, I’ll stay home and cook.

Grocery Shopping Tips

Amanda — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:16:02 +0000

Why is it that when people grocery shop in a store that offers a kids’ place they still tote their 4 kids under 5 around with them? PUT THEM IN THE KIDS’ PLACE, please. It does us ALL a favor. My kids are either there or at home for a reason. Shopping with them is annoying to me, so it has to be annoying to other people. The stores have these places for a reason. Better for the kids to be there and having fun, than for me to run your kid over with my cart because they don’t know enough to not treat the store as a playground.

Another thing, DON’T SHOP WITH A STROLLER AND A CART. That’s even more annoying than your kids running everywhere because you hog up the whole aisle as you push the stroller and your significant other pushes the cart side by side. This is the equivalent to the family of four getting a shopping cart per person to fill with groceries and clogging up the produce section.

Lastly, and this mostly pertains to the big box stores, TAKE YOUR SCREAMING KID OUT OF THE STORE. If your child starts producing blood curdling screams because you won’t buy him a toy, don’t continue to shop for the next fifteen minutes. If he won’t calm down after a minute or two, for the love of all that is holy, LEAVE. Even my kids will look at you funny when you go all through the store with a screaming kid. They don’t like it any more than adults do. All the adults in the store secretly want to slap you, the parent(s), for not having a lick of common sense or courtesy.

*I obviously need to stop running errands on weekends. People who shop during the week usually have more common courtesy than those shopping on weekends. These conditions seem to exist whether a store is crowded or not.

Why They Shouldn’t Cut the Defense Budget

Amanda — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:16:22 +0000

When anyone brings up how large our nation’s deficit is, the first battle cry is “Cut defense spending!” Here’s why that’s not a good idea. The Department of Defense rarely cuts the budget where they *should* trim the fat. Usually it’s all our military families who lose out. The services we have that are contracts get re-bid to even lower bidders. This equal even crappier service. This would happen to our health care and housing to name two big ones.The cuts always seem to affect the families first.

We already see the effects of this. For example, our house is slated for demolition. When? No one knows. Whenever they get the money to continue the project. In the meantime, it can be like pulling teeth to get things fixed. The attitude is that the house will be torn down anyway, so why bother? Um, hello? We still have to live here in the meantime. What about hiring QUALITY contractors so the job gets done right the first time? This would save much more money long term than to hire the cheapest bidder who slaps up about 24 new housing units in seven months, and the very first residents of those houses say they have a lot of issues as well with their houses.

The kids are affected too. There are hardly any programs for kids under 10. For some reason on our post, preschool was moved to the afternoon last fall. What would make a person think that trying to have any semblance of order among the three year old set from about 12-3pm would happen? Silly me, I prefer as a parent to have a child who has napped, and even then the mood swings are variable.

My point is before people just generally cry “Cut the defense budget!” Let’s look at the whole budget and see where the fat can be trimmed. Defense isn’t the only area where our country perhaps overspends. Read bills and referendums before you vote on them. Write your Congresspeople to tell them how you feel as a voter on the issues. There’s a lot of special interest money flying around DC as well that gets attached to things you wouldn’t think it does.

Rain Makes People Cranky

Amanda — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 12:51:54 +0000

While grocery shopping, I learned rain makes people cranky. I was in the parking lot trying to find a space near a cart return. With my fibromyalgia, I know that by the time I get out of the grocery store after a weekly shop, my body has had it. With the rain, I already had knots I could feel around my hips, so I knew yesterday would be ugly. Cue parking space not only by a cart return, but also fairly close to the doors – bonus! The people were closing up the back gate to their SUV, and getting in to leave. I had my turn signal on. From the other direction, an old bay (only because she was so rude do I use this term) pulled around the SUV as it was backing up and took the spot. For the record, she didn’t look that old.

The rudeness continued in the store. There was a whole family in there with several members and four shopping carts clogging the produce section. If you all have to shop together, please be mindful of the other shoppers and don’t stop and clog up the aisles with all your carts and people by the mushrooms. Thanks.

I also noticed the staff wasn’t as cheerful as they usually are, and the pleases, thank yous, and excuse mes weren’t as plentiful among patrons.

To top of this lovely trip, I forgot where I parked and it was raining significantly harder when I left the store. It’s always fun to try and find your car in the rain.

The day wasn’t all bad. I stopped into Bed Bath and Beyond for some kitchen and bath storage solutions and everyone I encountered there was kind and courteous. I even had someone let me out of the aisle of the parking lot to make my left turn which is always nice.

If I Were a Virginia Voter I’d Be Ashamed

Amanda — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 13:09:05 +0000

I’d be totally ashamed of myself if I lived in Virginia and had voted this asshat into public office. Bob Marshall of Manassas opposed state funding for Planned Parenthood because, “The number of children who are born subsequent to a first abortion with handicaps has increased dramatically. Why? Because when you abort the first born of any, nature takes its vengeance on the subsequent children.” Mr. Marshall further explains that first born children are “dedicated to the Lord,” hence our punishment. Is anyone else tired of people hiding behind their religion as an excuse to be an asshole?

I have news for you Mr. Marshall. My first born has Asperger’s. He is considered special needs. I DID NOT have an abortion prior to conceiving him. Explain that one. Or is it that we womankind as a whole must be punished for our sisters’ sins? You know, because we women also caused Katrina and 9-11 too. We have chosen such atrocities as working outside the home to do horrific things like put food on our families’ tables. Yes, as Lewis Black said (with his great sense of sarcasm), “God looked into the kitchen and there was no stew on the stove,” so he smite us all.

Let’s Try Parenting

Amanda — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:15:00 +0000

Am I overly crazy because I expect other people’s kids to adhere to some form of decorum? You know, I thought living on an Army post that the kids would have some basic manners and self control. I was sorely mistaken. Some of the same kids who my husband just reprimanded a few weeks ago for throwing apples were knocking and running over the weekend. Not only did they knock and run once, but they were dumb enough to wait for me to turn off my porch light and do it again. Little did they know I was lying in wait on the other side of the door ready to chase them down – which I did. Then I made them do the walk of shame to their parents.

All the parents had to say was “It was all in good fun,” and “Did you apologize?” Seriously? That’s it? Maybe I’m from a different time, but if a neighbor brought me home, there were consequences. Not only that, but they don’t know who’s on the other side of that door. I have anxiety issues about stuff like that because in high school I’d get these phone calls from a familiar voice I couldn’t quite place saying all kinds of nasty things to me or detailing what I wore to school that day. They even would talk about watching me walk home from school. When we got caller ID to see who it was, it turned out to be the next door neighbors’ 20-something son who still lived at home. So excuse me if I’m a little jumpy, especially with a husband in the field for the weekend. Not to mention I had a 3yo trying to get to sleep. Are they going to deal with my child when he can’t sleep because their kids are little assholes?

What really appalls me is it’s not the teens in our neighborhood. It’s the kids in the 8-12 range that have this sense of entitlement, attitude issues, and general lack of respect for others. What are these kids going to be like as they get older? Of course I suppose I shouldn’t really expect much from people who can’t even keep their cats and dogs where they belong. If people can’t even follow leash laws, then why would they pay attention to their kids’ whereabouts too?

Small Talk Six – Don’t Say as I Say

Amanda — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 08:17:00 +0000

I have to admit I busted a gut when I saw what this week’s topic is. I don’t have the cleanest mouth East of the Mississippi. “6 things you say, but wouldn’t want your children to repeat.” I’m adding a disclaimer right here and now. I have never claimed to be politically correct.

1. “You can’t fix stupid.” – Ron White said it, and it’s just so true.

2. “Damn kids.” – The kids now in their late teens and 20′s are annoying (in general). These Millenials or Generation Y is all about them. What’s in it for me? And they can be rude with their texting and cell phone use when not appropriate. And no matter how cool the guys think they are with their little Hondas with the sub woofers and the spoilers on the back, you’re not. You want to impress a girl, get a real sports car. Go take that money you spent on that Honda and the upgrades and go get a Camaro, Trans Am, or even a Mustang.

3. “Damn woman drivers” – I know this is a stereotype, but I see it SO often. A woman in her minivan or SUV talking on her cell phone in la la land while driving and almost causes an accident or 3. Drives me insane. Or even take the phone out of the equation. I’ve just noticed that when I’m near a driver who isn’t paying attention to the road, it’s usually a woman for whatever reason.

4. “At least we pay attention to our kids.” – when we see very young children (think preschool and toddlers) running amok with no adult supervision outside in the neighborhood.

5. “Do you have sand in your vagina?” – Muttered under our breath or when said whiny child has left hearing vicinity. Will say it to a whiny adult’s face.

6. “Whose dick did they suck to get that?” – usually in reference to a person (male or female) we know who isn’t good at their job, but got a higher position in the Army.

*To view more Small Talk Six lists and participate yourself, head over to MomDot.

He’s Only 2!

Amanda — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:11:00 +0000

Yes, I’m quite aware my son is gigantic for his age. I’ve become much more aware of this in recent weeks while meeting my boys’ fall clothing needs. My son who is two requires size 5 clothing and size 12 shoes! He’s two! TWO! TWO! And I don’t need the questions from strangers asking how tall his dad is. He’s 5’9″ in case you feel you need to know. I’m 5’6″. We’re not a tall family. Just average. And yes, my boys come from the same set of parents. Not that that’s any of your business either.

Don’t get offended when you ask him questions like “Are you in school?” and he answers with “School!” Like I said, he’s two. And don’t give me dirty looks because he still has his binky. He won’t be going to Kindergarten with it. Yes, it’s a habit. Don’t you have any habits you’d like to break? Yes we’ve tried to break him of it. His personality is his mama’s, and quite frankly he’ll give it up when he’s damn good and ready. We’ve tried to take it away, but it only makes him cling to it harder. Not that that’s any of your business either.

People shouldn’t be so quick to judge based on appearances alone. It doesn’t always tell the whole story. There are worse injustices in this world than a much taller than average toddler still using his binky as a comfort item.

Small Talk Six – Lazy

Amanda — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 12:12:00 +0000

This week’s Small Talk Six topic is “6 things people do that you think are beyond lazy.”
I have to admit I think of my oldest son on this one. He’s always one to take the easy way out, or what he perceives to be the easy way out.

1. Shoving toys out of the way to get coloring books out when it’s just as easy to pick the cars up and throw them in the basket.

2. Parking in the areas that have the diagonal lines and aren’t really spaces because you’re too lazy to walk and/or go find a real space.

3. Expecting your 8yo child to watch your 1yo toddler outside while you’re in the house.

4. Not giving up your seat in a public place to an elderly or pregnant woman when you’re abled.

5. Leaving one store in a strip mall, getting into your car, and driving to park in front of the store next door. Park in the middle and walk.

6. Leaving food wrappers in the living room and then going to the kitchen to get a drink. Take the wrappers and throw them away!

*If you’d like to participate in Small Talk Six, head on over to MomDot for the linky and details.

Small Talk Six – Get a Clue

Amanda — Sat, 16 May 2009 09:36:00 +0000

I think Karen said it best with her intro this week. I’m not going to mess with perfection. From the hosting blog, MomDot:

Today’s topic is “6 pieces of advice that you think are obvious, but some people just need to hear.” You can answer this with a list of 6 words, 6 phrases, 6 sentences, 6 paragraphs, 6 photos, 6 videos, etc . . .

It’s going to be tough to answer this week’s question without sounding judgemental, condescending, and sarcastic. Please be respectful when visiting and commenting on the other participant’s posts. Remember that everyone has the right to express their own opinions on their own blog.

1. Kids need rules and boundaries. If you’re a very young parent, you’re not there to be their friend. If you’re an older parent, you need to suck it up and discipline your out of control child. If you’re too tired or too immature, then maybe you shouldn’t have kids. I’ve seen way too much of both lately.

2. Call when you’re running late. Stuff happens, but it’s the right thing to do.

3. Listen to what other people are saying, and don’t hear only what you want to push your own agenda. It’s highly annoying. The same goes for reading. Pay attention to the details. When I say I want a leather sleeper sofa, don’t try to sell me a daybed because you see commission dollar signs.

4. If you have an abundance, share with those who do not. This does not apply to that zucchini that went out of control in your garden or children.

5. Keep your word. Do what you say you’re going to do. People are counting on you, and trust is a hard thing to earn back once it’s lost.

6. Be responsible for your pets. This is to my neighbors who let their cats wander, and dogs poop all over and don’t clean it up. If I wanted to step in dog poop, I’d get one. If I wanted to have an allergic reaction when I sit on my patio furniture, I’d get my own cat and let it rub all over the cushions.

Sadly I could probably come up with about 10-20 things if you include all the fashion faux pas I see walking around now that the weather’s warm. I am going to add just one more though.

7. Pull up your pants! No one wants to see your thong, crack, boxers, any of it. You look ridiculous no matter what age you are. When I see a butt crack hanging out I have an overwhelming urge to spackle it.

*For more Small Talk Six fun visit MomDot.com*