All those late nights! it just seems to never end, my family and I have been in this pattern for almost 7 years. My husband is taking 2 graduate classes. That means two late nights, where I have to take care of all the dinners and 3 baths… whew… don’t expect to see me too much in the evenings! Well, what can we do, he needs his graduate degree and it won’t be much longer, only 8 months or so. There is a light at the end of the tunnel… I appreciate staying home with my kids and the sponsors that make that possible. Consider visiting the links below.

Thank-you to my sponsor: Navtej Kohli, Best Wishes

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Having a blog is a great way to define your dreams, think about what is important and figure out the best way to get there.

I know my major goal is to be a SAHM as long as I can, hopefully until my kids are out of the house – I know a tall order but I do believe it is possible.  I think the internet is here to stay and it will create more and more opportunities to work from home.  Ideally I would find a salaried job, not working on commission, the job would have to be flexible and suitable to the mommy lifestyle, leaving me plenty of time to get to track meets and play dress up. 

Talking about obligation in my last post, I got to thinking… when I lived in Japan, a big theme of the culture is giri meaning duty or obligation. It’s one thing I think American culture has little of. That can be bad… it leads to an everyone is out for themselves mentality. It seems like the web is more personal than some real life communities which is interesting. Most people would think that the computer is cold and impersonal, in fact I’ve found the opposite true.

People are now surprised when you help them for no reason. For example, I have an elderly neighbor in her 70′s. I take her at least once a week to the Walmart or to the thrifshop. She has a daughter that takes her out on Saturdays, so she really like that I take her out during the week while her daughter is working. I don’t want anything from this lady but she is incredulous that I would go out of my way to try and help her. I feel a certain responsibility to help the older people around me. Often they are grouchy and moody, so it is not always a pleasant experience but I feel it’s important to teach my kids about duty… after all some day they will take care of ME!

I’m not cheap! But one thing I really can’t stand right now is the tip line when you go to a fast food type place! A lot of the places I frequent now I use a credit card, there is often a line for the tip! At a fast food place or drive-thru!! I feel really bad (not bad enough not to do it!) putting my dash or zero in that line. Take out or drive-thru is a service but it does not warrant a tip. What happenned to wages and salaries? This practice is keeping me out of a lot of places but sometimes it is unavoidable.

It is beyond annoying and awkward to put the customer, who should be valued, in the position of looking cheap for frequenting your business. Sometmes I do put in a little something but it is TOTALLY under obligation! Tips for fast food should be only for a customer that comes in so often that the employees do something special for them. That is not the case most places I go, I understand these people just want to make a living, and I commend and support them, heck, I may even join their ranks, but I do not agree with this practice!

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I  got my Bachelors in the Humanities from Southern New Hampshire University in September 2005.  It was such a relief to be “done”.  My educational background includes 2 years (1990-91) at Pace University, NYC, 1 year at the University of Miami (1994-95) finally spending a year and a half going nights and online with SNHU.  Although I’m happy I’ve accomplished this long process I’m looking forward now.  I’d like to get my Masters in something, but what?  I’m not even sure what to get.  I thought seriously about Library Studies, but I’m not really sure if there are enough jobs out there to make it worthwhile, is there a need for librarians in cyberspace?  I’m thinking I’d like to get the degree between now and girl2006 turning 4ish so I could really market myself to work when she goes into kindergarten.  The only problem, money of course…  I’m busy saving for my kids’ college education… although a Masters may up my salary, is it worth the turmoil I will put myself and my family through?  I’m still debating it, and thinking about the direction I need to go in.  Another possibility would be education, teaching might be a good path for me for the hours and vacas. I did dabble in education courses in the past.  On the other hand maybe I could become a full-time blogger and stay at home which would be the BEST!!

My family and I are really into this bird watching thing this year. Girl2006 totally loves the Goldfinches. I keep buying up those sock feeders and they tear right through them. There are at least 7 of them that come regularly, they also like a metal one I put up on boy2001′s window… sometimes he scares them inadvertently but they keep coming back. Girl2004′s favorites are the hummingbirds… these are harder because they are very scary… so she also keeps and eye out for the Cardinals and the Black Capped Chickadees. I’m guessing I’m spending a good $10-$15 a week with this bird thing, that’s of course after the initial investment for the feeders.

I cannot find my camera anywhere! I have so many great pictures on it, I hope I didn’t lose it!

I got some cute shots of mama duck and her 8 ducklings that pass walk down our street, soooo cute, I missed an awesome shot of boy2001′s bus driver waiting for them to cross! it was so cute, I couldn’t stand it!

Anyway, hopefully I will find it soon!

Boy2001 did it! He got through Kindergarten!  I am so thankful that we got through this year.  It was a mixed feeling, I wasn’t really ready for him to be gone every morning (luckily it was only half days!) five times a week.  I am still not ready and in the fall he will be going full days… he asked me the other day if I could homeschool him and there is that possibility.  I think we spend way too much time away from one another nowadays. 

Our goals this summer:

• spend LOTS of time together
• keep the tone in the house happy and lite
• have two “away days” per week (library, Chuckie Cheese, etc…)
• boy2001 read as many Newberry Medal Winners/Books as we can (I will keep a running post on this)
• go to the Amusement park @ Old Orchard Beach
• continue our two lighthouses per year pace

That’s about it for right now, we are headed to Chuckie Cheese right now to celebrate our first day of summer vacation!!

girl2006 is 1 year plus so the gap has made me realize she is no longer a baby. She walks and nods her head yes and no, she eats some table foods and no longer needs me to nurse her to sleep. She sleeps through the night in her crib and plays by herself. Help! my youngest is growing up!
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