My B-day Shoes

For my birthday, I decided to buy some expensive, frivolous shoes. I wanted them to be fun first, and not necessarily functional. And I planned to spend more than I usually do on shoes...it was my birthday, after all. But when I went shopping, I was overwhelmed. It had been so long since I bought shoes just for fun that I didn't even know what I liked. DSW and Off Broadway had so many styles to choose from, but nothing jumped out at me. I left without new shoes.


But while shopping for Reagan at Ross, I decided to check out their shoes...and I found these:


You may not be able to tell from the photos, but they are fabulous--and ridiculous! They have a bit of a platform, about five inch heels, peep-toe, and they lace up the front. They are houndstooth plaid and black patent leather. Yet, here's the funny thing, they're actually rather practical. I've worn them several times already. They can be worn with jeans and dress pants or with dresses and opaque tights. And they're not terribly uncomfortable--not bad at all.


Here's the best part: they were cheap (about 1/3 of what I was planning to pay). Happy birthday to me! :)

When I Grow Up...

Recently at Awana, the kids got Fun Fair points for dressing as what they want to be when they grow up. I felt certain that Reagan would either say a princess or a ballerina, but no. I guess starting kindergarten has had an impression on her, because Reagan chose to dress as a teacher. She comes from a family of teachers (Grandma and both her sisters are teachers, as is Reagan's Aunt Sharon), so it's probably in her blood. In case you can't tell from the photos, she's holding a ruler and her grade book/lesson plans. She also has a very grown-up hairstyle--a low ponytail with a sort of French twist in the back.

Reagan has been playing teacher at home quite a bit too. She loves bossing Presley around. I've learned which kids in Reagan's class must get in trouble a lot, too, because Reagan calls on her imaginary students and has them "take a break" (time out) or put their names on the board. There are a few names that just keep coming up.

More Funny Things She Says

This morning on the ride home from dropping Reagan at school, Presley points out the window and says,"Look! Starbucks! Let's get coffee!" When I didn't go for it, she said, "There McDonalds. Go there." Do I need to remind you that this two-year-old can't read? Yet she knows every logo out there!
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Two nights ago, at the dinner table, Presley was having a slice of American cheese (seriously, the kid would live on cheese if we let her). She put the half-eaten slice of cheese flat in the palm of her hand and said, "Do you want to listen to my iPod?"
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Mama got her hair cut this week! When I came home from the salon, I asked Reagan if she liked it and she did. I asked Presley the same thing, and she said no. Later that evening, as I was getting Presley into her PJs, she said, "Haircut." So I said, "Yes, Mama got a haircut." She then said, "I don't like it. I don't like it. I don't like it," emphasizing the "don't" each time. The next morning, I got a repeat performance: "Haircut. I don't like it."

5 Things I Hate about the Car Rider Lane

1. Having to arrive 30 minutes before school gets out. Seriously, if I don't do this, I end up in the street...and Reagan panics and cries.
2. Parents who leave their cars in the lane unattended. This causes those of us behind you much grief. Do we pull around? Wait for you to return and then move up? Will you return before school dismisses? WHERE ARE YOU!!!
3. People who smoke. If I have to sit for 30 minutes with my windows down (because I can't afford to idle my engine for that long!), why must I breathe in your disgusting habit?
4. Entertaining the two-year-old. I usually bring snacks (which invariably end up all over the car seat) and let Presley watch a DVD while we wait, but she still gets rather restless.
5. The busy-body mom who thinks she's the traffic director. She will literally come to your window and ask you to start up your engine, put it in gear, and pull up exactly 17 inches. I am not even kidding. Hey, I appreciate the fact that there are people in the street--but I'm not willing to risk my bumper to see that they get in the parking lot. Furthermore, if everyone would stay by their cars (unlike you, who are at my window!--see #3) we could all pull up completely at the start, and this wouldn't be an issue.

Still, I just can't put my five-year-old on a bus. And so...I wait...

Ashley Update

I received another email update on my neighbor, Ashley. (If you're not familiar with her story, you can read this post http://valsmomblog.blogspot.com/2008/07/pray-for-ashley.html.) Today's update came from her sister Alli, rather than Judy, her mom. I think this is in part because Judy recently had her own cancer surgery, but mostly because she just isn't emotionally able to put everything into words right now. The situation is dire, to say the least. And yet, as always, Ashley's faith remains strong. They truly are an amazing family. I wish you could all know them personally!

In my last update, I mentioned that they were raising funds to send Ashley to Oasis of Hope in Mexico. The money came through with amazing speed, and Ashley was able to go and receive treatment. Certainly the doctors there were hopeful, but also realistic. Only time will tell if Ashley's body has enough fight left in it--although her spirit certainly does!

Here's sweet Alli's update:

Dearest Friends and Family,

When peace like a river attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well with my soul.
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well with my soul.

I love the verses of this song…and I don’t think I could have come up with greater words than these to describe the spiritual condition of our family right now. Mom is usually the one to give these updates, but I (Alli) will do my best. As many of you know, Ashley has taken a physical turn for the worse. I say physical, because her spirit is still fighting this battle! Her tumors have increased in size and number in the past several weeks. he result of these increases is greater pain throughout her body. It’s as if a firing squad has been given random orders to fire merciless shots throughout her body. In addition to pain, she has almost completely lost the strength and feeling in her legs leaving her frustrated, immobile and in need of a great deal of assistance. After spending a week at Vanderbilt Hospital for pain control, Ashley’s doctors felt that it would be more comfortable for her to come home under Hospice care. On Friday they moved her home with a hospital bed, wheelchair, unbelievable amounts of pain medication, and around the clock nursing staff.

This has been a bittersweet transition for all of us. Bitter, because of the implication that exists with a move to Hospice care, and sweet because we are all here together and friends and family can come and go as they please. It will still take a little “getting used to.” Mom is still experiencing considerable pain from her own surgery, but I’m not sure that it can compare to the pain she is feeling in her heart right now. I suppose if God would just lay his hand right on her chest…it would pretty much cover all the right areas! She is having a hard time being physically weak when she wants to be strong. There is one thing she just can’t seem to get off of her mind though…Thank You Notes! I know…crazy huh? Every day I hear, “Alli, there are just so many people that have given so much. I need to thank them. I can’t forget to write!” So I figured I would just take care of that little job for her by writing to you.

This Paragraph is devoted to you “saints” that have been praying and serving our family for so many years… Someone asked me the other day, “Alli, how are YOU doing through all of this?” My answer was, “I think a lot of people must be praying, because I’m doing OK.” I hope you all know that your prayers are not hitting the ceiling! They are flowing straight up and into our home. I know for a fact that we would be falling apart without the spiritual support that we receive from you, our dear brothers and sisters in Christ. God is good! He always provides for us. I am convinced that every time you have whispered a prayer on our behalf, an action has been carried out in our lives. When you asked God to give me strength, I probably made it up the stairs one more time with a plate of food. When you asked God to give Mom rest, her best friend flew in from Illinois. When you prayed that Dad would be less stressed, he got a different job! You see! You are all warriors fighting this great battle right along side of us. Thank you notes just wouldn’t be sufficient. I think crowns would be much more appropriate! We have put in a large order to heaven, and you will all be receiving one when you get there!

God has blessed us with such wonderful support. He has kept us fed, clean, and emotionally stable through the hands of His children. Though our hearts are breaking right now as we find ourselves standing in our very own “Gethsemane” asking God if there is any other way, we can honestly say that it IS “well with our souls.” It is well because God is in control. It is well because He loves us more than we could ever know. It is well because He loves Ashley more than we do. It is well because His plan is perfect. It is well because He WILL BE GLORIFIED!

I love you and I am so blessed to have you in my life. Thank you for your prayers and support during this time. Please continue to pray for Ashley’s physical restoration, and Gods will to prevail!

In Christ Jesus,
Alli

Minimum Wage vs. Living Wage

Maybe once this election is over, I'll stop all these political posts. But right now I have the proverbial "bee in my bonnet," and I can't help myself.

We've all been hit by the tough economy. Gas reached the $4 mark in some areas, milk is hovering around $3.50 here in Nashville, and every time I visit my salon, it seems the price of a haircut has escalated. So, why don't I support Barack Obama's plan to raise minimum wage to $9.50/hr. by 2011?

First, let's look at the current minimum wage: $6.55 since July 2008. A person working 40 hours a week for a full 52 weeks (hopefully getting a week or two of that in paid vacation time), would earn $13, 624 before taxes. I certainly don't disagree that a family of four can't live on that wage! (But I will counter that in 1994, when I moved here, my first full-time job paid only $12,240/year, and within three years I was a homeowner--on my own and without financial support.) Still, Obama's plan would earn that same worker, working the same hours, only $19,760. And, of course, this will be in 2011--no telling what inflation will have done to us by then! My point is, this increase won't do much to help families being supported by one person earning minimum wage.

Minimum wage is just that: the minimum. And, I propose, it is designed for "minimum" employees. It is meant for low-commitment jobs with little or no training, where the expectations are low. And there's nothing wrong with that! If I were still a teenager and wanted some spending money for the weekends, I'd probably seek out a minimum wage job. Or if, say, I was retired and wanted something to keep me busy for a few hours each day without a lot of stress or commitment, that would be a great fit. And, hey, if I liked it, and I did it pretty well, I would expect to be compensated a bit more as I got some experience under my belt. But, still, I'd be in it for the short-term. When it stopped being fun or profitable, I would walk away.

Minimum wage jobs are not intended for the primary bread-winner of the family! It is not meant to provide the so-called "living wage." And if you're next counter-point is about those who can't afford an education, let me stop you right there. There are decent-paying jobs out there, even for the under-educated, if they're willing to work. And I don't necessarily mean tough labor, either. I mean, if they're willing to work on themselves--to smile, be friendly, use good manors, study, etc. For example, who makes more money, the server who grumbles about their station in life, is unwilling to make an extra effort, or the one who smiles and speaks warmly, and does whatever it takes to make his or her guests happy? Duh! If you're working for tips, this is a no-brainer.

Still, outside of restaurant service (which, by the way, IMHO is under-paid, as the federal minimum wage for servers has been stuck at $2.13/hr. since 1991), there are other industries that reward effort. Sales is a great example--and the US average income for a sales rep or manager is around $48,000/year! No degree needed. Food prep is another area where skill and ability can often trump education and experience (who cares, as long as it tastes good, right?). The national salary average for a food prep supervisor is a respectable $35, 964.

Here are some other jobs that don't require degrees (although some require training), but pay rather well:

• Air Traffic Controller ($102,030/year)
• Storage & Distribution Manager ($66,600)
• Sanitation Worker ($32,000-59,000, depending on experience; $65,000 in California)
• Funeral Director ($79,517)
• Police or Detective Supervisor ($64,430)
• Transportation Manager ($66,600)

And, as an aside, although I usually take advantage of free babysitting from family members, when I do pay a babysitter, I pay $10/hour--more than Obama's proposed change for 2011--because I don't want a "minimum" babysitter.

To sum up, if you want to earn a living wage, you need to be more than a minimum employee. Do your homework, make the effort, and seek gainful employment in a field that can provide for your needs. Even then, I know many families have financial struggles (I could go on and on about living within your means, but that's another post entirely). But struggle is the sign that someone is trying . . . trying really hard to get ahead. I can respect struggle. I can even support it.

Reagan's Prayers

Reagan has really taken an interest in saying her own prayers, both at meals and before bed. They can be quite simple or, at times, rather elaborate. But they are most certainly sincere and heartfelt. Here's a sampling:

"Dear Lord, thank you for our food. And thank you for our beautiful smiles . . . and our beautiful voices--our whisper voices and our calling voices and our singing voices . . . "

"Dear Lord, thank you for taking away my fear in the Halloween store . . . "

"Dear Lord, thank you for a great Thursday! And thank you that you are the best God!"

"Thank you that you gave us Jesus, for Him to die on the cross so that we could go to heaven."

As Reagan would say, it "just swells my heart to pieces" to hear those tiny prayers.

How Big Is Presley? Soooo Big!

Presley is now sleeping paci-free! That's right, folks. Presley has given up her paci, and I can't believe how easy it was! I meant to start weaning her from it last weekend, but I kinda forgot until it was already bedtime--and giving up an attachment like that needs a little mental/emotional preparation. So, I decided I'd try it on naps this week and then start doing it at night on the weekend. Of course, as things usually go around here, I put it off until Wednesday.

At around 9:00 a.m. (early, I know), Presley started saying she wanted a nap. Knowing that she has a habit of asking to nap just so she can have a few minutes with her paci (and then "wakes up" about ten minutes later), I told her she could nap, but she couldn't have her paci. She, of course, protested by repeatedly saying, "I want my paci!" I let her lay in my bed with me a few minutes, but she continued with her whining/crying. So, I put her in the crib and told her she could get up anytime she wanted, but she would not get her paci. After lots of crying, I finally convinced her to get up and have lunch and try again later.

After lunch, I started bribing. I told her she'd get a treat if she took a nap without a paci. And when she has been sleeping without her paci for a whole week, I promised to buy her a toy. After that brief discussion, she went down without the paci and without incident. Ten minutes later, "Mama, I wake up from my nap!" Put her back down. Ten minutes later, same thing. But on the third try (fourth, if you're counting the 9:00 attempt), she went down and stayed. . . for at least 45 minutes! (We're calling that a nap.)

Yesterday, she went down for her nap with no tears or complaining without her paci! She slept for two hours! We were so excited that we decided to ask if she wanted to sleep without it last night. At first, she said no, but then I offered her a treat in the morning and reminded her about the toy I had promised her, and she decided she would sleep without it. Again, she went down with no tears, and we didn't hear a peep out of her until morning!!!

But, of course, the first thing she said to me this morning was, "I want toy!" Hey, what can I say? Bribery works!

Why We Should All Vote

I think I'm finally excited about the presidential election! With the loss of Mike Huckabee (who would still win my vote in a second!) way back when, I couldn't really get behind the Republicans. Oh, believe me, I could still vote against the liberal left, but I just wasn't gung ho about it. Now, with the addition of Sarah Palin to the ticket, I'm finally at peace about my vote. (Say what you will about her family values and having a pregnant teen, but I've seen this happen to families that I respected and would never have thought it possible. The fact is, despite our best efforts, sometimes our kids don't follow our lead.)

And speaking of being excited about voting, my mom sent me an email this week about women's suffrage that reminded me how important it is for us to exercise that right. Most of us think of Susan B. Anthony when women's suffrage comes to mind. We probably think of women in those long, buttoned-up dresses and big hats giving speaches. But women's suffrage wasn't just about a few civic-minded women carrying signs, and it wasn't as civilized as most history lessons would have us believe. Women were wrongfully imprisoned in filthy cells; they were beaten, even tortured, and nearly starved. It's hard to believe that our right to vote is less than 100 years old, but in 1920 the state of Tennessee actually cast the tie-breaking vote in this historic decision.

So if you're looking at the candidates this year, and you're having a hard time committing to one or the other, take a closer look. Do the research and make the effort. Somebody paid a high price for you to have that right. (Cue the music, "And I'm proud to be an American . . .")