What you think does matter

Funny How You Keep Me in a Constant Flux of Confusion We are sitting in the kitchen, my wife, son, his friend Pate and I. We’re eating the wonderful meal the wife has prepared for us when suddenly my wife begins to explain how she cannot simply stand the smell of ketchup - that is why she can't it ketchup. She then says, that she eats ketchup with her white rice but the rice has to be hot or very warm in order for her to be able to eat the ketchup. Of course my son who does not clearly understand the delicate intricacies of his mother’s way of thinking quickly pointed out: Mom, if you hate the way ketchup smells how can you eat it in your rice? She then quickly tries to explain that it is not the same thing, that she can eat it because it is on the hot or warm white rice. My son being his mother’s son, rebutted: But Mom, the smell didn’t change, it still smells the same way, nothing changed. If you can’t eat it because you hate the smell – then why are you eating it? ...

OK I do this every once and awhile on Facebook because life is strange and some of the conversations that happen in my house, well, are odd, strange and downright hilarious. But yes, like I said, I do it on Facebook because it’s an interesting way to share my funny personal life without feeling like I am sharing too much. So I am going to try it here with you. Here we go. Mom: Son go take a bath. Son: Why? I just want to sit here next to you. Mom: Son, I said “go take a bath” now! Dad: Do what Mommy said. Son: OK, OK you don’t have to scream… Mom and Dad look at each other wondering – who was screaming? Son goes into the bathroom – five minutes pass and Mom and Dad notice that there is no sound of running water. Mom: son what are you doing? Son: I am pooping. Mom: What is taking you so long? Son: Because pooping is relaxing…. Mom looks at Dad: What did he just say? Dad: I think he said that popping is relaxing (then Dad laughs out loud). Tell me you got it. Tell you ...

Personally I do not believe we can prevent bullying - like I told my children when they were young and still tell them today, some people are just darn mean. They do it for a lot of reasons, they are mean, bad, been hurt, or mentally ill. In either case you (my children) will need to learn when to walk away, when to stand up (fight, defend and even yes hurt this person - even if against school rules) and above all, understand that you need to come talk to me (parent first, unless the need requires an immediate teacher intervention) then teacher (school). Why Parent first, because I want to calmly talk to my child and get the facts, have it brought up to the schools attention and follow up on it - schools can fail and have failed when dealing with 500 plus students. So I want to be informed, involved and ready to act if need be (as in calling police or other measures). I am human, a parent, which makes me partial to my child so I try to keep my emotions in check. For this reason, I agr...

Are you Stupid, Dumb, Ignorant, foolish or Retarded? I had an interesting conversation with my children and some teens the other day. I asked them what the following words meant to them: Stupid, ignorant, dumb, foolish, and retarded. It was really fun to watch them try to explain each word and how the discussion quickly became an argument over how each word basically meant the same thing - you are calling me stupid, that I am not smart. After one or two minutes had passed I politely interrupted and I said: “I believe that you guys are all ignorant of the true meaning of each word I presented you with.” They all turned to look at me, each with a disgusted look on their face. I asked them “What, what did I say?” My daughter was the first to speak up – “I am not stupid!” As I tried to keep a straight face I asked her “when did I call you stupid?” “Just now, you said I was stupid...” My daughter’s friend hastily jumped into the fray “Yeah, you just called us all stupid.” She sa...

Ever felt like you were drowning? Like the odds were stacked against you and nothing you did could change the outcome. Life is a struggle, it can swallow you up and spit you out after it has ground you up into little insignificant pieces. Harsh isn’t it? But that is how I feel. I’ve had so many things go wrong lately – well I shouldn’t say lately; it has been months and more that I have been dealing with some very difficult things in my life. I tell my children that they need to think positive, never give up and even know when all you can do is ride the wave because there is nothing within your power that can change certain circumstances. But here I sit, thinking about my mother and her second battle with cancer - and she doesn't look good. I’m thinking about all the bad luck I have been having lately. I’m thinking about my most recent troubles that have arisen one right after the other and what do I get from my wife – “You have to live what you preach. You tell the kids th...

A ten year old boy earns $1,000 every weekend. I love reading and sharing stories like this with my children. Life can and is difficult – no doubt about it. But if you have an open mind, are willing to think outside of the box and the courage mixed with a bit of determination – you can accomplish much. I am the first to say success is a mixture of hard work, dedication and luck. No one can deny that there is a bit of luck involved in success, especially when the odds are stacked against you. But this pint sized CEO is living proof that it can be done. Who knows maybe you fail, but there is also that chance that you are the one to succeed. This story is awesome; it makes me want to tell my children to stop whining about how difficult things can be and just do it. This kid is doing nothing special – I put it in this way because children, people are always saying this can’t work. People have tried it and fail, it’s too simple an idea – and they go on and on with the excuses. But this ...

Pet costume – Star Wars craze click to order Dart Vader Now I have seen it all – costumes for your pets and to top it off, it’s Star Wars costumes for your pets. You can dress up your loyal best buddy up as Dart Vader or my favorite, as Yoda. The force is strong with this one it is. Yep, your friendly four legged friend can dress up for Halloween as one of your favorite Star Wars characters. Now I have to hand it to the person who came up with this idea, I am sure that my dog wouldn’t stand being all trussed up as my favorite star Wars character, but then again I no longer have a dog. It’s a shame though that they don’t seem to have these pet costumes for cats – is it some form a petcism, are dog considered better than cats, should we be rioting in the streets for equal rights? Probably not but who ever came up with this idea, You have won my respect, this is probably one of the craziest ideas I have seen but I am sure that they are making a boat load of money. This is goin...