Fallen off the blog wagon AGAIN. My excuse is health, but really, I could have had someone bring the computer to the couch and typed from there. But when I feel cruddy, I just want to sleep, or sit in my corner of the couch and be left alone. I am not a person who enjoys others calling or coming over to see how I am. Bobi is the only person who can get away with that. I am finally kind of feeling better, so I really need to get back to doing this!
I read an article this morning about a couple who never had a mortgage on their house as they paid cash that still had foreclosure procedures started by B of A. I loathe B of A. I haven't had an account with them since I married Mr. Vanilla. When we got married, I added Mr. Vanilla to the account I had, which was not new, and had all of the extras. AFTER they added him, they informed me that my account status was set back to new and all of the account extras were taken away, so I now had a basic account. It had to do with Mr. Vanilla not having much of a credit history - not a bad credit history, just not a whole lot on it. I did try to talk to them, but since they refused to give me back the account I had, I pulled out my money (granted, not a lot, but still...) and found another bank.
I still don't like banks much. I have bank accounts, because it makes life easier, but I don't like that nameless people who haven't interacted with their customers in years can make decisions without my input, and decide I owe them extra fees, or I don't really need a service I liked, or that my accounts can be changed to something I don't like because the bank is changing everyone. Notice is always given, but it isn't like the choice is to keep what I like, the choice is always take it or leave the bank. Sometimes I think the under that mattress bank sounds great, but since so much of bill paying is done on the Internet, it isn't the best bank to go with.
Banks were rescued, but it didn't change a thing. I know it had to be done, but some oversight would have been nice. However, politicians are best friends with and elected by special interest groups, and banks are just that. It would be great to see special interest money and lobbyists no longer a part of politics, and actually illegal, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.
I kind of ranted a bit today, but banks just push my buttons. So do politics, but that is why I stay away from politics, so I don't get upset and cranky. My family prefers it that way! Have a Very Vanilla Day!
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Thursday, May 12, 2011
Long Week
It may seem like I have been slacking, since I haven't posted all week. The reality is both girls were sick and at home with me Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. I love having the girls at home with me, however, sick girls is a different story. Besides not getting enough sleep Sunday to Monday, since Little Vanilla does not sleep when she is sick, they needed a lot of attention. We all know getting sick turns us into needy people, but kids just look so pathetic laying on the couch. I could give them some stuff to ease the issues, but I couldn't make it all go away, which is what I wanted to do. It was good to see them start to feel better yesterday, and act more like they usually do. And to get sleep. We actually gave Little Vanilla some Nite Time stuff, since she is now old enough, and it did help her (and me!) to sleep through the night, which in turn helped her to get better. Along with the antibiotics the doctor prescribed for each of them.
So today the house is very quiet. It is a bit strange after not being alone for several days running. Bobi is here though, and we are going to go shopping. She isn't too noisy though. I enjoy my solitude, but I am looking forward to summer, and spending time with the girls. And doing a road trip with all five of us to Minnesota! I haven't been back in about 20 years, so it should be fun.
Have a Very Vanilla Day!
So today the house is very quiet. It is a bit strange after not being alone for several days running. Bobi is here though, and we are going to go shopping. She isn't too noisy though. I enjoy my solitude, but I am looking forward to summer, and spending time with the girls. And doing a road trip with all five of us to Minnesota! I haven't been back in about 20 years, so it should be fun.
Have a Very Vanilla Day!
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Lovely
The new washer and dryer are here, and they are lovely! The washing machine was not difficult to program, and the first load of towels is going. I know it sounds silly, but they are so clean and white and pretty! Really dresses up the laundry room/pantry! I don't remember the last time we had a completely new washing machine, so this is quite the treat.
The delivery did put off my grocery shopping, but Little Vanilla is going to go with me, and have some alone time with Mom. Teenage Vanilla wanted to have some friends over, so Mr Vanilla will be home supervising. And he will be making chicken enchiladas for Cinco de Mayo...after I get back with all of the ingredients. He is a great cook, and enjoys cooking. I have several things I can make, but I don't really get into cooking. I am better at baking.
The dogs are a bit freaked out at the new washer and dryer. They didn't want to walk around them to get to the doggie door, and I had to go first. They are very spoiled! I didn't even put them outside while the machines were delivered; I put them in Little Vanilla's room and they lounged on her bed until I let them out again.
Until tomorrow, have a Very Vanilla Day!
The delivery did put off my grocery shopping, but Little Vanilla is going to go with me, and have some alone time with Mom. Teenage Vanilla wanted to have some friends over, so Mr Vanilla will be home supervising. And he will be making chicken enchiladas for Cinco de Mayo...after I get back with all of the ingredients. He is a great cook, and enjoys cooking. I have several things I can make, but I don't really get into cooking. I am better at baking.
The dogs are a bit freaked out at the new washer and dryer. They didn't want to walk around them to get to the doggie door, and I had to go first. They are very spoiled! I didn't even put them outside while the machines were delivered; I put them in Little Vanilla's room and they lounged on her bed until I let them out again.
Until tomorrow, have a Very Vanilla Day!
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Spring
It's spring, and that means allergy season. Mr Vanilla and Little Vanilla are the ones who get hit the hardest. Little Vanilla's cough came back last night. It was our night for no activities, so I could give her the prescription cough syrup early, and then again before I went to bed. She fell asleep on the couch next to me before 8p. She slept through the night, which was good, but I still hate to hear that hacking cough once she gets moving in the morning. She gets Delsym during the day, and it seems to work fairly well. I love to cuddle with Little Vanilla, but I prefer when it isn't because she feels icky.
Tonight both girls have cheer practice, and since Little Vanilla has had the same coach for 3 years, I don't have to worry about her having issues with her cough. She coughs, she sits, or she just marks her spot. I really like our cheer gym. Some club cheer gyms expect cheer to be what life is about, which just won't work for us, and our gym understands other things go on in life. I also like what the girls learn from being on the teams. As an adult it really hits home that in the workplace, there is always someone a bit difficult to work with, and sometimes more than one. Not that there are girls that seem extra difficult, but it has taught them skills for working with others who they don't have a lot in common with - I've seen a lot of adults who don't have those skills. The girls self-confidence also benefits from being on the team, and from what they can do. Besides being limber, and able to be very physically active, they are also very strong. Whether they are lifting someone else in the air, or Teenage Vanilla is being put into the air, it takes muscles. They don't look like they could hurt a fly, but they are both really strong.
I get the new washer and dryer delivered tomorrow. I will know by 9p what my 2 hour window is. I already have another load of towels ready to to in the new machines. I'm even going to use the dryer, to see how well it works.
Have a Vanilla Day!
Tonight both girls have cheer practice, and since Little Vanilla has had the same coach for 3 years, I don't have to worry about her having issues with her cough. She coughs, she sits, or she just marks her spot. I really like our cheer gym. Some club cheer gyms expect cheer to be what life is about, which just won't work for us, and our gym understands other things go on in life. I also like what the girls learn from being on the teams. As an adult it really hits home that in the workplace, there is always someone a bit difficult to work with, and sometimes more than one. Not that there are girls that seem extra difficult, but it has taught them skills for working with others who they don't have a lot in common with - I've seen a lot of adults who don't have those skills. The girls self-confidence also benefits from being on the team, and from what they can do. Besides being limber, and able to be very physically active, they are also very strong. Whether they are lifting someone else in the air, or Teenage Vanilla is being put into the air, it takes muscles. They don't look like they could hurt a fly, but they are both really strong.
I get the new washer and dryer delivered tomorrow. I will know by 9p what my 2 hour window is. I already have another load of towels ready to to in the new machines. I'm even going to use the dryer, to see how well it works.
Have a Vanilla Day!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Laundry Day
Monday is my laundry day to to my clothes, Mr Vanilla's clothes, and towels. The girls clothes are done on Sunday. The new clothesline was put in Saturday, and today was the first day I got to use it! I had been using the pool fence, but needed more room, so got one of those five sided clotheslines you can spin, and that have multiple lines on each side to hang clothes on. As of right now, having hung the first clothes out around 2.5 hours ago, I really like it! And, since after the party almost every towel in the house needs to be washed (swimming), I need all the drying help I can find.
Why a clothesline? Well, with our tri-level house, once the Arizona heat begins to hit, we have no choice but to use the air conditioning, or the bedrooms, which are upstairs, are just too hot to sleep well in. We also have a large diving pool, and our summer electric bills are killer. So, instead of using the dryer, last summer we started to use the pool fence near the end of the summer, and it did help. So this year I started to ban the dryer as soon as the weather warmed up. I don't use the time of use plan, although I am considering it. When I was working it was a pain, because I always wanted to use an appliance when I wasn't supposed to turn them on.
Teenage Vanilla thinks the clothes are too stiff, but I really like the smell when I bring the laundry in the house. And, just shake the clothes, and they aren't as stiff. She did hang all her clothes out yesterday, so she is going with it. Little Vanilla doesn't care how her clothes get dry, which is good. I am also finding there is something soothing about going into the backyard and hanging clothes out among the bushes and trees. I might not feel the same way in July, but I am going to enjoy it while it lasts!
Teenage Vanilla's party was a hit with the kids (according to text messages and FB), and from the parent perspective, the 18 kids who descended upon the house were good. If we needed to ask them to stop something we didn't have to ask twice, pretty much all of them talked to Mr Vanilla and I a little bit, and none of them tried to really get away with anything. They were there to hang out and have fun with their friends, and they did just that. They swam (and it was fairly cool that evening and windy), they threw a football, played Foosball, listened to music, watched a scary movie, and talked non-stop. Since I want the kids to feel comfortable here, and to want to make our house their hang out place, I was very happy with how things went. The only thing Mr Vanilla and I would change is how late they stayed. I took the last teenager home at 12:30a, and I realized Wow, that is late for me! Next time I would have them come earlier and leave earlier. I don't care that they come over for six hours, just that the six hours end a little earlier.
Today I have to price new washing machines and dryers. Sigh. My washer barely agitates anymore, and is about done with what it does. I probably could stay with the dryer I have, especially since I don't plan to use it during the summer, but Bobi said we should just get a new set of the energy efficient ones, and then we won't have to worry about them for a long time. I can't even remember how old this washing machine is, or what house we got it at. The dryer either. So, I am armed with Consumer Reports, and the Internet, and hopefully I can find a great deal and have a new set here for next weeks laundry.
Have a Wonderfully Vanilla Day!
Why a clothesline? Well, with our tri-level house, once the Arizona heat begins to hit, we have no choice but to use the air conditioning, or the bedrooms, which are upstairs, are just too hot to sleep well in. We also have a large diving pool, and our summer electric bills are killer. So, instead of using the dryer, last summer we started to use the pool fence near the end of the summer, and it did help. So this year I started to ban the dryer as soon as the weather warmed up. I don't use the time of use plan, although I am considering it. When I was working it was a pain, because I always wanted to use an appliance when I wasn't supposed to turn them on.
Teenage Vanilla thinks the clothes are too stiff, but I really like the smell when I bring the laundry in the house. And, just shake the clothes, and they aren't as stiff. She did hang all her clothes out yesterday, so she is going with it. Little Vanilla doesn't care how her clothes get dry, which is good. I am also finding there is something soothing about going into the backyard and hanging clothes out among the bushes and trees. I might not feel the same way in July, but I am going to enjoy it while it lasts!
Teenage Vanilla's party was a hit with the kids (according to text messages and FB), and from the parent perspective, the 18 kids who descended upon the house were good. If we needed to ask them to stop something we didn't have to ask twice, pretty much all of them talked to Mr Vanilla and I a little bit, and none of them tried to really get away with anything. They were there to hang out and have fun with their friends, and they did just that. They swam (and it was fairly cool that evening and windy), they threw a football, played Foosball, listened to music, watched a scary movie, and talked non-stop. Since I want the kids to feel comfortable here, and to want to make our house their hang out place, I was very happy with how things went. The only thing Mr Vanilla and I would change is how late they stayed. I took the last teenager home at 12:30a, and I realized Wow, that is late for me! Next time I would have them come earlier and leave earlier. I don't care that they come over for six hours, just that the six hours end a little earlier.
Today I have to price new washing machines and dryers. Sigh. My washer barely agitates anymore, and is about done with what it does. I probably could stay with the dryer I have, especially since I don't plan to use it during the summer, but Bobi said we should just get a new set of the energy efficient ones, and then we won't have to worry about them for a long time. I can't even remember how old this washing machine is, or what house we got it at. The dryer either. So, I am armed with Consumer Reports, and the Internet, and hopefully I can find a great deal and have a new set here for next weeks laundry.
Have a Wonderfully Vanilla Day!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Stupid Gas Stations
Yesterday was one of those days I should have stayed in the house. I do grocery shopping on Thursday, and I also needed gas yesterday. So, I head out for stop one, the gas station at the grocery store. I go there all the time, have for years. But, for some reason, starting about 2 weeks ago, on the day that Mr Vanilla's paycheck is deposited, the debit card won't work at the gas pump. It will work in the store, at an ATM, at other gas stations, but not this one. And, since I wasn't sure how much gas I needed, I didn't want to give the cashier an amount to put on the debit card, and then have to go back and add more or have her put money back on the card. So, I had to leave with no gas.
No problem, I'll go down the street to the Shell by the house, and head to Wal Mart from there. I see the gas price advertised is $3.69, fine, same as grocery store gas. But, when I pull up to the pump and get out, I see a piece of paper taped (yes, taped) to the pump, showing the advertised price is only for cash, and if you are paying by debit, it is $3.79. REALLY!!! Stupid idiotic false advertising! Back in the car I go, on to do the grocery shopping.
I eventually got gas for $3.71 at QT before I picked Little Vanilla up from school. It just shouldn't be this hard!
Then, at the grocery store, I kept dropping stuff, knocking stuff over, had the produce bags ripping open...bad karma day! Ad matching amazingly went fine, and I had a super nice lady behind me who didn't glare, huff, or make comments, which was nice. Do I like ad matching? No, not at all. Have I cut my grocery bill by $400 a month using it and coupons? Yes. So, I make myself do it. But it can be challenging to unload the cart, especially with my OCD. I put all the ad match stuff out first, so we can get it out of the way, and then everything else behind it. But I usually have to stop unloading, ad match, finish unloading, and grab all the bags that have taken over the bagging area. I shop in the late morning, and never use an express lane. Also, you can see I have a full cart. So if you have 10 items, and you choose to get behind me, don't mutter and glare at me - it is a Thursday morning, and there are 5 fast lanes open, use one of those!
I think my favorite memory is of the guy who got behind me with more that 10 but less than 25 items. He got behind me while I was still unloading the cart, so he could see what he was in for. When I started ad matching he got upset, glared, huffed, reloaded his cart and went to a different line. Fine by me. When I was done checking out, I started to walk out and saw this same guy JUST FINISHING CHECKING OUT! Serves him right for glaring and huffing at me. I have to save money where I can, as do most of us, and I am going to ad match, take my time, and use my coupons.
Tomorrow Teenage Vanilla is having what sounds like all 17 members of her freshman class over to swim and hang out in the evening. Little Vanilla has a friend coming over to keep her company. I have my good friend Bree coming over with her little son to both help keep an eye on the teenagers, and to keep me laughing - and Mr Vanilla laughing. We've had most of the kids over several times, and they are all pretty good kids. They did play spin the bottle truth or dare, but the most I saw was garbage can licking (ick!), and later heard that was the worst, so I'm not going to get my panties in a bind worrying about what they might do.
I know a lot of parents might think my attitude is too casual, but really, if kids are going to do things, they are going to do it regardless of the policing us parents provide. Next year at the Charter school both girls attend the new campus will be grades 6-10 (currently one campus is PK-6, the other is 7-9), with plans for it to be grades 6-12 by the time Teenage Vanilla is a high school senior. She loves that she will always be top dog! I have heard several 5th grade parents are concerned about the 6th graders being at the same campus with high school kids, even though 6th grade will be in a separate area. I decided not to take offense to parents making the high school kids sound deviant even when they know one of them is mine. One thing I keep hearing is kids are making out under the stairwells! Really?! Hmmm
I don't know that I'll blog over the weekend, but after the party, I might want to! Have a Very Vanilla Day, and Weekend Too!
No problem, I'll go down the street to the Shell by the house, and head to Wal Mart from there. I see the gas price advertised is $3.69, fine, same as grocery store gas. But, when I pull up to the pump and get out, I see a piece of paper taped (yes, taped) to the pump, showing the advertised price is only for cash, and if you are paying by debit, it is $3.79. REALLY!!! Stupid idiotic false advertising! Back in the car I go, on to do the grocery shopping.
I eventually got gas for $3.71 at QT before I picked Little Vanilla up from school. It just shouldn't be this hard!
Then, at the grocery store, I kept dropping stuff, knocking stuff over, had the produce bags ripping open...bad karma day! Ad matching amazingly went fine, and I had a super nice lady behind me who didn't glare, huff, or make comments, which was nice. Do I like ad matching? No, not at all. Have I cut my grocery bill by $400 a month using it and coupons? Yes. So, I make myself do it. But it can be challenging to unload the cart, especially with my OCD. I put all the ad match stuff out first, so we can get it out of the way, and then everything else behind it. But I usually have to stop unloading, ad match, finish unloading, and grab all the bags that have taken over the bagging area. I shop in the late morning, and never use an express lane. Also, you can see I have a full cart. So if you have 10 items, and you choose to get behind me, don't mutter and glare at me - it is a Thursday morning, and there are 5 fast lanes open, use one of those!
I think my favorite memory is of the guy who got behind me with more that 10 but less than 25 items. He got behind me while I was still unloading the cart, so he could see what he was in for. When I started ad matching he got upset, glared, huffed, reloaded his cart and went to a different line. Fine by me. When I was done checking out, I started to walk out and saw this same guy JUST FINISHING CHECKING OUT! Serves him right for glaring and huffing at me. I have to save money where I can, as do most of us, and I am going to ad match, take my time, and use my coupons.
Tomorrow Teenage Vanilla is having what sounds like all 17 members of her freshman class over to swim and hang out in the evening. Little Vanilla has a friend coming over to keep her company. I have my good friend Bree coming over with her little son to both help keep an eye on the teenagers, and to keep me laughing - and Mr Vanilla laughing. We've had most of the kids over several times, and they are all pretty good kids. They did play spin the bottle truth or dare, but the most I saw was garbage can licking (ick!), and later heard that was the worst, so I'm not going to get my panties in a bind worrying about what they might do.
I know a lot of parents might think my attitude is too casual, but really, if kids are going to do things, they are going to do it regardless of the policing us parents provide. Next year at the Charter school both girls attend the new campus will be grades 6-10 (currently one campus is PK-6, the other is 7-9), with plans for it to be grades 6-12 by the time Teenage Vanilla is a high school senior. She loves that she will always be top dog! I have heard several 5th grade parents are concerned about the 6th graders being at the same campus with high school kids, even though 6th grade will be in a separate area. I decided not to take offense to parents making the high school kids sound deviant even when they know one of them is mine. One thing I keep hearing is kids are making out under the stairwells! Really?! Hmmm
I don't know that I'll blog over the weekend, but after the party, I might want to! Have a Very Vanilla Day, and Weekend Too!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Lullaby
When Teenage Vanilla was around three, the bedtime routine evolved into a series of songs to put her to bed. Because she kept adding songs, I came up with a lullaby that contained all the songs, but only the first few lines. It also included a mantra to keep monsters, bad things, bad people and scary people away. Little Vanilla was also put to bed with this lullaby, as the girls shared a room until Teenage Vanilla was 9, and Little Vanilla was 5. That was when we moved into the house we now live in, which had a bedroom for each girl. Eventually they each grew up enough to not want the lullaby, and while Little Vanilla still likes to be tucked in, and hugged and kissed, Teenage Vanilla goes to bed after Mr. Vanilla and I, so I give her a hug and kiss (which, if she is cranky with me, may not be welcome, but too bad, I am hugging and kissing anyway!). I am a firm believer to always tell your loved ones you do love them, and that kisses and hugs are good to give at bedtime, no matter what age one is.
Little Vanilla has been fighting the allergy cough (which, knock on wood table, is about gone). A few days ago she was having trouble sleeping, and asked me to sing the lullaby. Half way through I realized Teenage Vanilla was in the room listening. I can't remember the last time I sang it, but both of the girls seemed to enjoy hearing it again. It doesn't matter how old we get, there will always be comfort in the rituals of childhood. One of the songs in the lullaby, and the only one sang in its entirety, is the one Bobi used to sing to me. It was nice to hold Little Vanilla and sing to her again, and to see Teenage Vanilla coming in to be a part of it.
One of my friends I have known for 23 years had a baby girl in December. She is really a cutie! Mr. Vanilla and I had planned on having more kids, but we are happy to have the two girls, and probably couldn't run extra children around to activities - 7 trips a week to the cheer gym is enough, and then add in Hebrew and Sunday school. But it did get me thinking. I loved the different stages of infant, toddler, and preschool, but the older the girls get the more fun they are. They get really great to be around as they are finding their independence and getting ready to leave. I actually prefer the older stages, and not just because they can get their own breakfast so I can sleep in on the weekend. I like the in depth conversations we have, and with them being older we can do more things. I enjoy seeing how they are evolving, and how they think and rationalize, and how they see the world as their understanding of it grows. Do I miss holding them as babies, and being able to dress them in whatever outfit I like? Of course! But I don't think I would choose to go back, because going forward has been so much fun! Plus, we are out of bedrooms - Bobi has the downstairs bedroom, and it is great for her to be able to spend the night whenever she wants.. And Mr. Vanilla got snipped about four years ago, which we both still think is a good route to have gone.
I love watching the girls get older, even knowing it brings them closer to flying off. But my flying off was a really good experience (I went to college two hours away from home), and I want my girls to have their own great flying off experiences, whatever they may be. I know I will still be a big part of their lives, I mean, look at Bobi in ours. But for now I don't want the minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years to go too fast. I want to enjoy it all, enjoy the girls, and watch in wonder as it all unfolds.
Have a Very Vanilla Day!
Little Vanilla has been fighting the allergy cough (which, knock on wood table, is about gone). A few days ago she was having trouble sleeping, and asked me to sing the lullaby. Half way through I realized Teenage Vanilla was in the room listening. I can't remember the last time I sang it, but both of the girls seemed to enjoy hearing it again. It doesn't matter how old we get, there will always be comfort in the rituals of childhood. One of the songs in the lullaby, and the only one sang in its entirety, is the one Bobi used to sing to me. It was nice to hold Little Vanilla and sing to her again, and to see Teenage Vanilla coming in to be a part of it.
One of my friends I have known for 23 years had a baby girl in December. She is really a cutie! Mr. Vanilla and I had planned on having more kids, but we are happy to have the two girls, and probably couldn't run extra children around to activities - 7 trips a week to the cheer gym is enough, and then add in Hebrew and Sunday school. But it did get me thinking. I loved the different stages of infant, toddler, and preschool, but the older the girls get the more fun they are. They get really great to be around as they are finding their independence and getting ready to leave. I actually prefer the older stages, and not just because they can get their own breakfast so I can sleep in on the weekend. I like the in depth conversations we have, and with them being older we can do more things. I enjoy seeing how they are evolving, and how they think and rationalize, and how they see the world as their understanding of it grows. Do I miss holding them as babies, and being able to dress them in whatever outfit I like? Of course! But I don't think I would choose to go back, because going forward has been so much fun! Plus, we are out of bedrooms - Bobi has the downstairs bedroom, and it is great for her to be able to spend the night whenever she wants.. And Mr. Vanilla got snipped about four years ago, which we both still think is a good route to have gone.
I love watching the girls get older, even knowing it brings them closer to flying off. But my flying off was a really good experience (I went to college two hours away from home), and I want my girls to have their own great flying off experiences, whatever they may be. I know I will still be a big part of their lives, I mean, look at Bobi in ours. But for now I don't want the minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years to go too fast. I want to enjoy it all, enjoy the girls, and watch in wonder as it all unfolds.
Have a Very Vanilla Day!
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