No Snacks for Baseball .. Yeah!

I kind of got my way.

NO SNACKS WILL BE REQUIRED FOR BASEBALL.

A couple of weeks ago, I was complaining and blogging about how I quite dislike having to bring snacks for my children's various soccer/baseball/hockey teams. First of all, I don't think they need the extra junk. Secondly, it's just another thing for me to remember as we rush out of the house.

Anyway, it turns out I'm a big wimp. I never said anything to the coaches about scrapping the snack schedule this season. I'll admit, I didn't want to be "that mom," and I don't like confrontation so I decided to just deal with the treats. Anyway, I'm now on the schedule to bring juice and snacks for our soccer teams.

Baseball is a different story though. Here's how it went down.

Again, I never said anything to the coach, who is also a friend and neighbor. So I went about my business and forgot about my complaints until yesterday when I spoke with the coach. He said something like "Why didn't you tell me about your blog and the snack issue." I was caught off guard. It turns out his wife (also a friend)read my blog and reported my complaints to him. We discussed it a bit more and he told me he decided to get rid of the snack schedule. I couldn't tell if he really agreed with me but he didn't seem to mind. He said only three parents signed up anyway and he'd probably have to pick up the slack.

He did send me away with parting words. He told me, basically, that if I wanted to see change than I can't just blog into oblivion and expect results. Point taken. Maybe next time I'll be "that mom," and speak up.

“What is a rebel? A man who says no”
Albert Camus

Cleaning Out the Dust Bunnies

The yearly ritual is underway in our house. We're cleaning out closets and I've started with my own. It's time to get rid of all those winter clothes I DID NOT wear this year. There are plenty so I've got a large pile forming outside the door of my bedroom. Even though I'm getting rid of plenty, there's still plenty I want to hold onto even though I shouldn't. I can't bear to get rid of that comfortable, yet ugly sweat suit that my aunt gave me years ago. It's huge on me, is the color of bone and my best friend has flat-out told me that I should never wear it again. So, of course, I folded it neatly and put it on the shelf in the back of my closet.

Do you have something you should, but won't get rid of? I swear my husband has shirts and pants in there that he hasn't worn in 10 years. He can't even fit in them anymore yet he won't take them to Goodwill. He's also told me that, under no circumstance, am I allowed to touch them. Fine.

It's Thursday. My favorite day. Have a great one!

"I think housework is the reason most women go to the office." ~Heloise Cruse

No More Snacks!!

Who: Parents whose children play soccer, baseball, softball, any sport.
What: Let's ditch the snack schedule.
Where: Everywhere
When: Immediately
Why: The kids don't need the sugar (especially before dinner). It's another thing for me to remember.

Okay .. this has been on my mind for several years now and I can't hold back. It's been common practice that at the beginning of a new season (soccer, hockey, baseball, etc) a snack schedule is put together by the coach/manager. Parents are given a specific date to bring a treat and all the team members are given one after practice or a game. It usually ends up being a sugary snack (guilty!) with way too many calories. With all the talk of obese and overweight children in our country, doesn't this send the wrong message? Can't our kids run around for an hour without needing a sugary reward?

Don't get me wrong, my three children now look forward to and expect a snack after practice and would be very upset with me if they knew I was calling for an end to the snack schedule. But I can't keep quiet any longer. THE KIDS JUST DON'T NEED IT, ESPECIALLY AT DINNER TIME! And frankly, it's kind of a hassle for me too. I have three children in soccer this year. All of them are in different leagues because of their ages. All of them will be at different fields. I'm not complaining. I love the fact that my kids want to be involved and I enjoy watching them play. All I'm saying is this is just another for me to remember(or forget) as we rush out the door.

Some would probably like to tell me to stop trying to spoil the fun while others may suggest that I simply tell my children that they can't have the snacks. Yeah, right. Imagine that scenario (argument) two times a week. Not pleasant.

So to all the coaches, managers and parents out there, I'm calling for change. Either get rid of the snack schedule or request that parents bring in a healthy treat. Better yet, send the kids off with a nice pat on the back.

Costco - Come to Central Illinois

I want a Costco in Peoria.

Costco is similiar to a Sam's Club in that it's a warehouse store that sells everything from vitamins to food to cleaning products to electronics to outdoor furniture. I visited a Costco in Orland Park, Illinois this past weekend while I was visiting my parents. I loved it. (Hey, I get excited about small things!)

I'm not a huge shopper in that I go out constantly and buy things but I love to stock up on items, especially food. My husband would say that it's a problem I have and that I'm currently working on correcting that problem.

Will a Costco change my life?

No.

But I'd love one to see one in central Illinois. I even sent a letter to the company telling them that I want a Costco in Peoria. You can also go to the website costco.com and make a similiar request.

Come on. Just do it .... for me!

Obsessed .. With the Lottery?

"I WILL WIN THE LOTTERY ... EVENTUALLY!"

I don't think it's any secret that I love playing the lottery. I talk about it on the radio, I think often about what I would do if I won, and I even organized a "Lottery Club" with my friends and family members. There are nine couples, including my parents, who give me money every two months to buy Mega Millions Lottery Tickets. We've been doing it for almost a year now and "NO" we haven't won anything substantial yet. A few dollars here .. a few dollars there. In fact, I've played the Illinois lottery since I was 18 and "NO" I've never really won anything at all.

WHY DO I PLAY THEN?

Some people would say that I'm wasting my money. Others would say that I'm not very smart. That's okay. They're entitled to their opinion. But they'll never be able to take away my ability to dream the American dream. And, hey, I'm not the only one living in LA LA land. Those jackpots get so monstrous because millions of people play. As I write this for all of you to read I realize how ridiculous it sounds. I know some of you want to tell me to "get real." To you I say "no." Why can't I dream? It's not like I'm spending all my money on the lottery. In fact, I spend $8 a month on lottery. That's it. I realize that having a huge bank account can't solve life's problems and won't make you happier. I'm already happy. But winning the lottery can sure as hell allow you to have a lot more fun and adventure!!!!

I bring this up only because for the last couple of days I've been obsessed with lottery winners. I've been searching online for success stories and I've found them. Just reading them makes me a little happier and little more hopeful that one day "I WILL WIN THE LOTTERY!" I can tell you the "Lottery Club" sure hopes so.

Okay, enough of LA LA land .. it's back to cleaning, folding and putting away laundry. Have a safe and happy weekend.

Where did Spring go?

I thought we'd turned the corner but I guess not. I think I heard the word "snow" muttered when the forecast came up today. NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

We had such wonderful last weekend but I guess we'll be stuck inside for the next several days. I even did some yard work last week and I can't wait to do more. Maybe next week.

Enjoy your day!