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Wednesday, April 28, 2010

For once, stay out of it

I couldn't believe I was giving this bit of advice to my daughter, given how nosey reporters are, but true enough, I told her to leave this one alone.

To back up, her b-friend had been on a bus ride home, when the best-friend of her ex best-friend fell asleep and left her cell phone unattended. So Jennifer's boyfriend started looking at her text messages (I mean, the phone flipped open in front of him after all).

He discovered that this girl had been making out with the ex-boyfriend (recently dumped) of Jennifer's ex-best girlfriend (still following me). So, should she tell the now secondary girlfriend of the treachery?

"Really, Jennifer, there's no way you can come out looking good in this. Stay out of it. A. is no longer your best friend. She's no longer dating this guy. And yes, the current bff is making out with A. ex-boyfriend, but that is their trouble now."

"That's what Adam said."

"Well, for once you should listen to him."

Okaaay. We'll see if she sticks to her non interference agreement.

Monday, April 26, 2010

Gifts for no reason at all

Jennifer came out with a big red bag today, walking hand-in-hand with her b-friend.

"What's that?"

"Stuff"

"OK, I'll play the game, what type of stuff?"

Apparently, for no apparent reason, Adam had given Jennifer a pic and a stuffed toy. How nice. And people do compliment them on how they treat each other (when they aren't fighting) and give each other stuff for no reason at all.

I think my hubby could take a few tips from Adam. Ok, he does give me flowers every once and awhile, but they are always carnations...always. Never the sunflowers I want.

Sunday, April 25, 2010

I want to buy a book

That declaration in itself took me by surprise. But maybe Jennifer knew that if she said that I'd practically be throwing the car keys her way to go to the book store.

She came back with Pride Prejudice and Zombies for me, and The Last Lecture for herself. Oh, and conned dad into buying her a $60 pair of tennis shoes after her org. pair were stolen last week out of her locker at school.


Saturday, April 24, 2010

Wake me up early

I've realized that this means something different to my daughter than it does to me.

She wanted to get up today to get ready to go over to her boy friend's brother's b-day party where the whole clan was showing up. We told her she had to finish up her homework, which she did last night AND clean up her bathroom. The bathroom clean up didn't occur, but when I popped in at 8:45 am (vs the usual noon) to tell her to start getting ready, she shooed me out. She was thinking more like 11 a.m.


Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Pass by a gay guy

Adam, Jennifer's b-friend, is getting into shape for wrestling again, and he's busy bragging about his body to her, so much so, that she's tired of it. But others a noticing too, as a gay guy at school came up and asked Adam out. He declined.

Maybe grabbing A's butt was not the best way to say hello.

However, J was having others do double takes at her today. At Starbucks in Kent, I was busy talking with a friend, and Jennifer was doing her homework at the another table. One guy walked by and looked at her. Fine, she's a pretty girl.

But then he walked by 2-3 more times, giving her the "look" each time. One more time by MY table and he was going to get a iced latte poured over his head to cool him off.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Giving the daughter the car keys for the day, part 2

Rather than deal with a 3-hour commute, in total, I'm just going to work from home and give Jennifer the keys for the day. It's easier that way, and I spend more time working and less time on planes, trains and automobiles.

Monday, April 19, 2010

What do you mean journalists don't lie

Somehow lying came up on the way home.

Adam, Jennifer's b-friend, took one for the team, when he told his mom that he has spent the night at a friend's house, not realizing that said mom would check. He didn't, he was on our couch again because both friends had bailed on him at the last minute, and his mom and dad were out of town. Or at least that's the story we got.

Anyway, when Adam's mom found out he was not at friend #1 house, he lied again and told her he was at friend #2 house, and went out partying instead. For some reason she didn't check and just grounded him.

So for now, we're not scum and she continues to think that Jennifer is wonderful. However, I told Jennifer that I would not lie to her if asked a direct question. I'm a lousy liar.

"What do you mean, I thought you did that as part of your job?"

"What, lie?'

"Yeah, I thought journalists lied all the time."

"Bluff, yes, Lie no. Don't believe the Glenn Becks of this world darl'n"


Sunday, April 18, 2010

Heron hunting

It was time to take my daughter's new camera out for a test spin, so we headed up to the Black River Heron Rookery in Renton to see if we could spot any of the majestic birds, and maybe get a closeup shot.

That was not to be. Their nests were behind a screen of trees (we could see them flying in and out with twigs or whatnot in their beaks), bit alas, not tests. And we couldn't figure out how to get on the other side of the slough we were looking at. So we had to settle for the in and out traffic, spotting a hummingbird nest, a huge mound of ants, lots of ducks and rabbits. And because she doesn't have a telephoto lens of yet, most of the shots were of dots in the sky.

Still, it was a great afternoon to wander and see what we could see. Perfect Sunday afternoon.

Saturday, April 17, 2010

I'm not a soap opera

So they are back together again. Holding hands, lovey dovey.

Jennifer was telling me all about it, and re-defined the "grabbing her arm" incident. So I'm fine with letting it continue for now. He just stepped in front of her and put his hand on her arm.

However, I told her that the coffee shop where she goes after school if probably looking forward to the next episode in the J and Adam adventure like a daily soap opera.

First they're on, then they're off.

"If they miss their afternoon soap opera, they always have you two," I said.

Glare. Silence.

"I'm not a soap opera, this discussion is over," says she.

Right.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

On again, off again

Jennifer has broken up with her boyfriend again, the second, or is it the third, time in 2 months.

I try to be sympathetic to their bickering, and separate real issues from the drama queen ones, but it's hard. Mostly, I try to stay out of it, since you never know when they are going to get back together again, and you'll regret all those nasty things you said trying to be supportive.

I guess one reason I hope they don't get back together is in the last argument, when Jennifer started walking away in a huff, he grabbed her by the arm. She says she wasn't hurt, and it wasn't hard, but that still gives me pause. There's grabbing by the arm, and then there's grabbing by the arm.j

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Friending on Facebook

My daughter doesn't have a Facebook account yet, but when she gets one, and she will, of that I have no doubt, we won't be friends. As this story shows, too awkward.

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Mom, you'd better not embarass me on the radio

This as we were listening to 93.3 today, Jennifer's favorite rap station, and they were promoting a new iPad,

Jennifer and I both want one badly, but my hubby has declared it a toy, and not worth the $700 asking price.

We still want one.

So, when I hear the song "Money to Blow" I'm supposed to be the ninth caller and get the pad, I think.

"Is it "money for the blow" or "listen to the blow"...and what are we talking here, crack or a blow job, because I'm not sure I want to say that on the radio..."

At this point, she rolls her eyes, and says to forget it, she'll live without the iPad if it means listening to me mangle and stutter over a obnoxious song title on the radio. And besides, I didn't hear the announcer correctly.

"And mom, it's Money to Blow...Money to Blow....get you're mind out of the gutter please. I didn't need to listen to the last part of that comment.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

OK, how long does it take to get to Target and back?

Longer than you think, when you're a nervous mom, waiting for your daughter to return from her first solo flight to Target.

She left to go pick up a gift for a friend. Ten minutes later, I'm waiting for her to come back.

"She's only been gone for 10 minutes," Gary says, as he beats a pot roast into submission.

"Seems like it's longer," I said, still staring out the window, willing her to return.

"It hasnt' been, so calm down. Go out and weed," he said.

So , I did, and soon enough, she showed up again, wanting me to go driving with her down to Kinkos. She's already angling for another solo flight.

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Can I have the car keys please?

Just for a trip to Target,or a trip to her boyfriend's home,which is about 10 minute away.

So far, we've said no, but eventually, probably tomorrow, we'll have to give in. OK, new worries now that she has her license and is insured. So no excluses left.

Thursday, April 8, 2010

Trip to the mall

After last night's fashion stand off, I had promised Jennifer a trip to Aerie, so it was time to deliver.

And actually, we did fairly well, and got out of the store for $38, and out of the mall for that as well!

We actually got discounts of up to 30 percent on some items, reinforcing the concept to my daughter - never pay full retail for anything!

We even browsed through Forever 21 and H& M, and didn't buy anything. I looked at a $60 silk blazer that covered my butt, but it had a smudge or two, and I wasn't willing to pay full price for that.

"Mom, I agree, don't pay $60 for, it, but you have a fine butt, show it off."

OK, almost willing to go back and buy the $50 sweatshirt for that remark. Thank you darlin.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Can we feel better for less money?

I guess J had been fighting with her b-friend all day.

And for some reason, she insisted on going to Pink..TODAY...to buy a jacket she wanted.

When I asked how much it was..silence. Not a good sign.

"$40," she said.

"It better be a really fine jacket," I said.

When we got to the store at the Auburn Supermall, it wasn't a jacket, it was a hooded sweatshirt and a thin one at that. And it was $45 With tax, would have almost been $50.

So, the answer was no. Pout. Then tears.

"Jennifer, look at this, it's thin material and it's a hoody with a peace sign on it...comm'on."

I'd be willing to pitch in, she offered.

Since I hadn't paid her an allowance in awhile, since she hadn't been doing her chores, I wasn't sure what amount she might have. $16

OK,give me that, and you'll have yourself a hoody.

"But I wanted to spend that money on Adam," says she.

"Well, you have a choice to make, either this overpriced hoody or a gift for your b-friend, who you've been bickering with all day...your choice."

Silence. Pout. At the end, no gift for adam, no hoodie either.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010

No more visits to the DOL

She passed.

The minute she got out of the car with the obviously nice tester (he had a good vibe them minute we met him in the Renton DOL parking lot) I could tell she'd passed. They were joking with each other, rather than walking stiffly away or grabbing for handkerchiefs.

However, when we first pulled into the parking lot, we had our doubts.

"Mom, we could get mugged in this lot before we even reach the door," Jennifer said.

Was inclined to agree, but since we weren't switching this appointment,so be it.

Now the wait, first for the driver, then the test (all of 15 minutes, tho it seemed longer) and then a 2 hour wait for a picture for a driver's license (one last torture from DOL) and out we go.

"Now, I have my license, I need a car," J grinned.

Yeah, well, not quite yet. First we have to figure out how to pay for insurance.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Portal of Hell, The Final Chapter

Well, at least I hope so.

Tomorrow, J and I are racing up to mom's, getting her automatic civic, coming back down to practice and showing up at the DOL's Renton office with the hopes of three times will be a charm. It worked on the written, so why not with the driving portion?

And hopefully, we won't get a Nazi for a driving instructor.

At least Jennifer knows she's not alone, thanks to the support of my helpful friends and their own "autofail" stories.

The examples so far include:

Turning the windshield wipers on and off too many times.

Bumping up against the corner on the backing-around-the-corner part of the test.

Failing before getting out the parking lot of the DOL. (no explaination on what this was about)

Going too slowly.

Going too fast.

But I think the all-time autofail came from my friend Steve, who was done with his test, and parked the car via parallel parking perfectly, and then when pulling out, took the back bumper off the car in front of him. Didn't help that the car belonged to the instructor.

You guessed it: autofail. And ahem, could I see your insurance card again?




Saturday, April 3, 2010

Easter, and yes, you promised church, you're going to church

The Easter bunny doesn't come to our house anymore. But I do plan on getting Jennifer a card, and maybe a gift card to shop, the ultimate EB pressent.

But she did promise a few weeks back to go to church with me tomorrow, so I'm holding her to it. I need to get her a top and put my own outfit together (make sure it looks as good as when it hanging on the rack). But otherwise we're set. Hubby, as usual, has declined.

In exchange to not going to church alone, I've agreed to help her check out a Hindu and Buddhist temple nearby.

Friday, April 2, 2010

Peeps

Jennifer went straight to the peeps section of the Easter candy, and decided that she wanted to blow them up in the microwave. So much for coloring Easter eggs.

Her Dad just banned her from this pasttime, and I told her she's having a sleep over tonight, go blow 'em up in that microwave. I personally don't want to be cleaning off the mess. And she'll just have her fun and ignore it.

Dead to the world

Some romantic date. After picking up Jennifer after school today, she and Adam, her b-friend, first went to the jewelry store and then walked around the Auburn Supermall while they updated her phone. Then to McDonalds, and now, they both did a bee-line to the bedroom and flopped on the bed.

Not what you think. They are now sound asleep. OK, fine. I'm a modern mom. I guess I'll just keep and eye on them and then roust them in about 15 minutes to go to dinner.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

Oh, so you're an only child?

So what, your parents decided you were too much of a handful, and decided to stop?

Or you were too wonderful, and decided to stop why they were ahead.

Jennifer was relating this conversation she was having with a sub. teacher today after I spoke about a colleague dealing with an abortion he and his wife chose to have after it became evident the baby would probably be born brain dead. And the type of blasts he's dealing with by well-meaning relatives and people , including the preverbial "it's the will of God."

They have one child now, a son, and will try again, but I got the feeling that they were both wondering if that might be their only child.

And then the questions come on from a society that always assumes you must have wanted it that way. Because who would want just one kid?