I Resolve To Not...

I don't really make resolutions. But I do make a list of things I resolve NOT to do. You're welcome to join in. I promise, it's much more exciting than making resolutions.

I resolve to NOT...

.....stop loving Walt Disney World. Some people are all, "Oh, that's for kids." No it's really not. But it's okay if you think so, you stay home, less people! 

....give up Diet Coke. I say this every year. I see people boast that they are giving up soda for the year and that's amazing for you, but nope, never for me. Even if you keep sending me links to how diet soda will destroy my insides. 

.....stop trying out new junk food. When something new comes out, like this Reese's Peanut Cup with pretzels inside, I am going to try it. (And it was delish! If you like the sweet and salty taste, you'll enjoy it.)

....to stop thinking Grogu AKA Baby Yoda is adorable. I think he's cuter than human babies, I won't even lie.

.....give up my belongings. I know it's the thing to be minimalist, and that's wonderful if you're happy with 1 notebook, a painting of a feather on your wall, and white furniture with no clutter to be seen, but I'll pass. I can't live in a home that doesn't look, well, lived in. 

.....stop wearing my mask until it's safe. I admit, I do go out to stores, but I always have a mask and sanitizer. 

What are some of the things you resolve NOT to do?

What Happens When You Have Older Kids On Christmas

When your kids are older, I find Christmas isn't as chaotic. Christmas can be a little different.

Let me explain the ways.

1. You have to wake them up. It was about 830 and both kids were still passed out.

2. They'll mostly get things like video games. This is a plus because you don't have to put toys together! Or take them out of their packages.

3. And tons of food. My son eats all the time, so he got a bunch of chocolate and snacks. They'll be gone in like 3 days.

4. But if you have a girl, it might be makeup. I don't understand makeup, so I have her show me what she likes before Christmas so I know. 

5. Oh, they'll also have to post photos of their gifts on social media BEFORE they open them. Yup. Gotta get those new shoes on Snapchat! 

6. Batteries will still be forgotten. I have tons of AA ones, but naturally this requires Ds. Naturally.

Things are certainly different when kids are older. But personally, I prefer it. Still messy. But not so intense. 

Hey, It's Okay

I got this idea from Glamour magazine. You can link up any day of the week. All you have to do is make a list of what you're okay about. Simple! Please do not link up a post that has nothing to do with Hey, It's Okay. It's rude and I'll delete the link.

Hey, It's Okay.... 

....to have loved the final episode of The Mandalorian. I won't spoil anything, but I will say that it was spectacular and made me cry.

.....to have ordered lumpia from someone in my neighborhood, and I am so excited to get it. I love lumpia but I am too lazy to make it. 

.....to be going to see Wonder Woman 1984 over the weekend. It looks like it's going to be a great movie.

.....to wonder why everyone is suddenly obsessed with cocoa bombs.  

......to have found little outfits for the guinea pigs at PetSmart. Mr. Business is wondering why Cheddar gets the nice hat. 

The Trials Of Getting Holiday Photos With Moody Teens

So in my head I would buy matching Elf costumes for my kids and I'd get amazing photos. I mean, two kids in Elf costumes? How cute! How precious!

However.

I was all, "Could you look happy?" and, well, my daughter Natalie was in no mood. I had pulled her away from texting her friends. 

Honestly, I had to pay her in Robux to even agree to wear the Elf costume and take photos, I'm not even going to lie. 

I wanted to get some fun jumping photos, and the kids were like, "bye."

I reminded them that I was paying for this, thanks. Robux and food for my son Tommy. If you promise him cookies or something, he's good to go. 

I wanted to try to get a better shot, one that wasn't blurry.

"Now your hair is in your face, can we try again."

"NO!" 

They were both irritated.

"At least pose together. And look HAPPY." 

"Can I just get--"

"I was in the middle of a conversation with my friends," Natalie reminded me. 

"Please. Let me guess. Talking about how great Billie Eilish is or how you're all sick of boys wearing Champion clothes," I answered. "What a stimulating conversation."

Gosh, teens are fun, aren't they?

I let her go. She wanted to go do a Tik Tok dance. 

I asked Tommy if he could take some photos for me and he was like, "Yeah."

"Tommy, it looks like you're possessed. Could you take it down a few notches? The power of Christ compels you."

"Now it looks like you're trying to dance. You look like me in a club."

"I just...I mean, better?"

"I like this one, Tommy. You don't look so crazed."

Natalie walked by then. 

"Oh sweetie, can I take a few more--"

"No."

"So, okay, Tommy, it's still just us, how about we get a few more?"

"Okay, we're back to being maniacal, fabulous."

"I'm Buddy the Elf, what's your favorite color?"

"I just don't see why I have to take math when I want a degree in video cinematography. It has nothing to do with my degree."(He does this rant at least once a day.)

I spotted Natalie messing with some branches. 

"Hi sweetie, do you want some more photos?"

"Never mind. Hi again, Tommy."

"I like this one, Tommy!"

And oh, I managed to get another shot of Natalie, but you can tell she was irritated. 

And I did get another great shot of Tommy:

So yes. It can take lots of patience taking photos of teens. And sometimes, payments. 

How To Get Rid Of Stains With Kids 'N' Pets

**This is a compensated post. My opinions are my own**

 

Yes, kids and pets are cute. But sometimes they are messy. 

Ruby is slightly embarrassed. 

But it's okay Ruby, because there's Kids 'N' Pets Instant All-Purpose Stain & Odor Remover. 

Max, our other cat, is like, "Ooo I like how Kids 'N' Pets is non-toxic, safe, and natural."

Yes Max, it's true. Kids 'N' Pets is all of that. It's also cruelty-free and biodegradable. 

By the way, there are also two guinea pigs in the house named Cheddar and Mr. Business:

Plus the two kids. 

They all make messes. Which is why I'm glad I discovered Kids 'N' Pets. It's helpful for the following: urine stains, carpet stains, bedwetting stains, upholstery stains, laundry prewash, detergent booster, carpet cleaning machine, and an air freshener for the litter! Plus so much more. 

Check out this stain. I don't know what it is. With kids and pets, stains can be a mystery. I sprayed and let it soak for 10 minutes as instructed on the bottle.

Look, it's all clean. How? Well, enzymes. It naturally tackles stains and as mentioned before, it's non-toxic, natural, and safe for everyone in the house, which is a plus for me. 

So if you have kids and pets in your home, or maybe just one and not the other, pick up Kids 'N' Pets. You can buy it in many stores, including Amazon. 

To learn more about Kids 'N' Pets, you can check them out at the following:

Their Website

Instagram

Facebook

YouTube

Pinterest

Do you have any pets?

Being Terribly Awkward With Christmas Carolers

So, okay.

Carolers are awesome and such, don't get me wrong, but what do you do when they come to your door?

Source 

This happened to me a few days ago. I had just washed my hair and I air dry, so it was wet. I was in my pajamas with no bra on. I was reading a book. (Every Breath by Nicholas Sparks.) The rest of my family were upstairs on electronics.

The doorbell rang.

I shouldn't have answered. But supposed it was a package? There's a rise in porch pirates, so I couldn't leave it sitting out there.

So I answered. With dripping hair. In my pajamas. Without a bra.

A boy dressed as Santa stared back at me. I jumped. He jumped and nervously handed me a wrapped chocolate pretzel rod and a mint.

"Oh," I said, startled. "Thank you." And I went to shut the door because again I'm standing there with dripping hair, pajamas, and no bra. I didn't want to scar the lad for life. He couldn't have been older than 10.

But then he said, "Wait! We're going to sing for you!" and my heart dropped. I hadn't noticed before, but there was a group of people at the end of the driveway. Staring. At me. With dripping hair. Without a bra.

Would it have been rude to run into the house? Probably, yes. So I stepped out on the porch. It looked like it was a bunch of high schoolers, with some adults and small kids mixed in.

Source

I stared awkwardly as they began to sing. A few looked shocked to see me because when my hair has just been washed, I sort of look like a wet dog.

Source

Still, the show must go on, so the group sang "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town" while my hair dripped on my bare feet. I crossed my arms over my chest so no one could tell I wasn't wearing a bra.

It is so terribly, terribly awkward to have a group of strangers sing at you, I'm sorry. I don't know the rules here. Do I join in? Dance? Am I supposed to offer them a treat? I didn't have enough to feed a group. The only cookies I had in the house were stale Oreos because no one likes to bake here.

I stared as they sang with what I hoped was a normal looking smile on my face. I worried I looked like this though:

The song seemed to go on forever. I surreptitiously tried to get a family member downstairs.

"Kids?" I hissed from the side of my mouth so as not to interrupt. "Anyone?"

No luck.

It was only me. In my pajamas. With no bra. And dripping hair.

I was so worried they'd start singing another song, so when they finished, I clapped enthusiastically and went, "Thank you, thank you, you did great!" and turned to head inside.

But really, was I supposed to tip them? I have no earthly idea.

I think it's a sweet thing to do, spreading Christmas cheer and all, and yeah, maybe you just don't open the door if you don't want to hear singing, but again, I thought it was a package.

"Merry Christmas," I told the group as they moved on to the next house. I swear I frightened some by my appearance and for that, I apologize.

So what do YOU do if carolers come to your door? And if you are a caroler, what do you expect from the people who you sing at?

Hey, It's Okay

 I got this idea from Glamour magazine. You can link up any day of the week. All you have to do is make a list of what you're okay about. Simple! Please do not link up a post that has nothing to do with Hey, It's Okay. It's rude and I'll delete the link.

Hey, It's Okay.... 

....to almost be done wrapping presents. Yay!

....to have thought I had won a prize when I found Lysol Spray in the store. I haven't seen it on shelves since January.

.....to be proud of my son for finishing his first semester of college. It was all virtual, and he did so well keeping everything organized and turned in on time. I know it's not easy going to Zoom classes. 

......to currently be reading No Offense by Meg Cabot (yup, the author of The Princess Diaries!) It's about a librarian who finds an abandoned baby in the bathroom. She has to answer questions given by the town sheriff, who yes, is single. Will they get together/ Whose baby is it? Da-da-DUN.

......to also think it's sweet that my son bought Natalie the stuffed dog she wanted. She ran out of money (as she usually does because she spends it as soon as she gets it) and Tommy said he'd buy it for her (he saves his money for the most part!) Natalie was very grateful. 

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Why I'm Fine With My Teen Loving Billie Eilish

 

A few years ago, my daughter discovered an artist by the name of Billie Eilish. She didn't bother me. But I realized she bothered other parents.

"She sings that all good girls go to hell," one mother stage whispered to me, and I had to stifle my laughter. 

"I think she's a positive influence," I answered. "It probably helps that I'm not religious though."

The mother did a small shudder, as if this were contagious. "She has a bit of a filthy mouth though. My daughter played me one of her videos on Instagram, and you wouldn't believe the words that she used." If she had been wearing pearls, I imagine she would have clutched them. 

I chewed on my lower lip. I nearly said, "You wouldn't believe the words that fly out of my mouth when I drive." But I swallowed it down.  

I can understand why some parents are wary about Billie. She does have a filthy mouth. But so do a lot of people. She did sing that all good girls go to hell. But. 

She also encouraged people to vote. 

She encourages people to stay in but if you need to go out, wear masks. 

She uses her platform for good. Maybe her advice is laced with the s-word, but you know, I consider them sentence enhancers. 

She isn't stick thin as so many other artists out there are. Not that being skinny is a BAD thing, but it can sometimes send confusing messages to other kids. Billie is unapologetically herself and sadly, when she does go out and show skin, the media jumps on it and people call her fat.

Hence why she normally looks like this with layers of clothes:

Source

Or when she does videos on social media, you only see her face.

My daughter has learned to stick up for others because of what happens to Billie. A friend of hers was mocked for wearing a shirt that appeared to be too small. But her friend felt confident in it--until she was called fat. Natalie was there for that friend and defended her both in person and online. 

Billie is also talented. I mean, duh. Did you SEE all the awards she has won? You know the newest James Bond ballad? That was from Billie and her brother Finneas, who is also a singer. (Yup, Natalie loves him too!) They write all their songs together, so Billie comes from a tight family. Another plus in my eyes. (Also, she's vegan. We are not. We like meat. However, Natalie is a big fan of veggies and healthier foods. She did not get that from me.)

So yes. My daughter is allowed to listen to Billie Eilish. Honestly, I like her. I watch her videos on Instagram, and they make me chuckle. Also, her mother seems like a nice woman. She homeschooled her children which means she probably has more patience than I do, because when my kids were distance learning, it wasn't pleasant. I would ask her all sorts of questions about having patience. 

Also, that lopsided stick figure on most of Natalie's clothes? Yup, Billie designed that. It's her logo. Natalie has many, many, MANY items with this logo on it. (I feel like Billie should offer a rewards program for her website Blohsh, where you can buy her merch, and let me tell you, I've bought a lot of her merch for birthdays, holidays, etc..)

Anyway, do you know who Billie Eilish is?