Monday, January 31, 2011

Monday Minute: Just me

I'm trying to start the week of on a good foot and maybe actually get some posting done. I was such a slacker last week and once I missed two days of posting it just all fell apart at the seams. I really don't like when that happens. Especially by the time I was going to write my post for PYHO at Shell's Things I Can't Say it was already Wednesday night and I completely lost track of time and missed all of Thursday blog memes. Boo! So instead of focusing on what I didn't do, I'm going to look forward to a great week! Starting on Sunday with another amazing service by my awesome Pastor James. I love how going to church on Sundays sets the tone for the week. It's so uplifting. Now for some Monday Minute!


The Questions:


1.What's your favorite time of day? The evening. It's quiet in the house, the little ones are sleeping in their beds and it's time to enjoy company with my hubby. We sometimes watch some television if there's a program on that we both watch or I'm catching up on emails, reading blogs or reading a book. If I'm busy with that then hubs is either hanging with his best friend, playing his computer games or "jammin" in his car. ( he loves his mid life crisis sports car)

2.Do you and your significant other send sexy texts? hmmm.maybe. maybe not. I never kiss and tell.
3.
If you got a dream job anywhere in the US and you had to move, where would you choose to move to? I would move to Colorado! I'm sure my cousin is reading this and saying "yes, yes!!". My husband LOVED, absolutely LOVED Colorado when we went to visit this past December and the kids have already asked when are we going back. I hope to go again in the next few years and continue to do so as a regular vacation spot every 3-4 years. Yes, my cousin QB if it makes you happy I could always stay at a hotel next time.

4.What are you wearing? I am wearing one of my favorite pairs of Levi's jeans, and a cute button down dark blue shirt that my hubby picked for me and white socks.

5.If given a choice to skip work for a day, how would you spend the entire day? Well skipping work would mean that I am not spending my day with Little E and running Miss K all over creation. So I would start the day with a mani, pedi and eye brow wax. (well I don't get mine waxed, I get mine done by plucking with strings..forgot what that is called) Then I would go shopping with a friend at the mall, followed by a "grown up" lunch at Olive Garden or Macaroni Grill. Then I would go shoe shopping because shoe shopping is no fun with kids in tow. Then I would hit Border's book store to browse the latest books and pick up a coffee while I'm there and enjoy the peace and quiet of a good book. My day off would be ending soon and it will be time to head home to cook dinner, because I know the hubs will be waiting for me to relieve him of the parenting duties.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Silence is Golden

We were running late to church this morning for the 9:00 am service and I figured we would walk into the sanctuary during praise songs. But as we entered the hallway we were greeted by the sound of Pastor James welcoming everyone to the morning service. We quickly found our seats and I shoved my purse under the pew in front of us, then I remembered that I needed to silence my cell phone.
ItalicI was pretty wise about turning mine off which I always do for church. After our praise song and Pastoral prayer the lights were dimmed and the video screens went black. The word SILENCE flashed white on the screens. Followed my many different scriptures talking about silence and listening to God. Meditation. Being still. Prayer.
It was quite uplifting to listen to only the sound of your heartbeat as these words flashed by. I felt more connected and was intrigued how the quiet can be so reassuring and comforting. The sermon that Pastor James gave really spoke to my heart today.
In today's world we are always distracted by the noise of the world. Whether it's the television, radio, cell phones or people. Then we wonder why we can't hear God. Our Lord is always speaking to us, but how can we hear him amongst all that noise? You have to set aside the time to be in silence when asking and praying to him and wait, meditate and be still. We might pray to God and he hears us, but we're not giving him the time to answer us. What kind of conversation is that?
It touched me because in some small way I know what he's talking about. This past Friday evening during dinner, we ate without the television on. It was an enjoyable quiet. Miss K asked me " aren't you going to turn the tv on? Maybe watch Jeopardy or Wheel of Fortune?" I told her "nope. not tonight. We're enjoying dinner together without tv." She smiled. That was so amazing. We enjoyed family conversation and Miss K was telling us about her day and had to be reminded a few times to eat her dinner. Silencing the outside noise was beautiful. I was reminded of my blessings that evening and God spoke to me.
That will not be the only night of no television during dinner. I suggested recording those shows we usually watch during dinner but the hubs said "no. we watch enough as it is. It's more enjoyable listening to the kids and what they have to say." God is reconnecting us during dinner and it's only the tip of the ice burg.

Do you think that you could give up something that is noise in your day to day life to reconnect and listen to God? You never know, you probably won't miss it.




Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

Friday, January 21, 2011

5QF:01/21/20111

Ahhh, it's Friday and it should be a great day! But I am sitting at the Honda dealership with my Odyssey waiting to see what is wrong with it. I noticed a soccer ball sized puddle under it in the driveway. Well, the technicians find nothing. So now I am stumped,,, why is it when your car does something at home as soon as it gets to the service center it stops???!!! Grrrrr!

So I am keeping my mind busy with some 5 Question Friday!!!!




1. Where did you meet your spouse and did you instantly know it was love?
I was a senior in high school and my hubby was a junior. At the time I was dating his friend who was also a senior and it was Senior early release day. My boyfriend at the time was having vehicle problems so he asked his friend(hubs) to skip school and go with us. They were going surfing at the beach and I was pretty much tagging along. While the guys (there were five of them) were surfing, I was so bored in my cute bikini( yes,, the last time I ever wore one) I decided to walk into the waves and cool off. Or get some one's attention. And low and behold I get stung by a jellyfish! That crap hurt!! So I head back to the pickup truck and sit there, practically in tears and (hubs) saw from the ocean that something was wrong. My boyfriend could have cared less. So my "knight in shining armor" comes in to see what happened. We spent the next few hours chatting and enjoying each other's company. I was interested at ALL. Just friends.
A few weeks of "just friends" and talking on the phone I fell for him. And the rest is history. This year we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary! We've been together 18 years!!!!

2. What is your favorite room in your house?
I love my family room. It's where we as a family spend most of our time playing games, reading books or watching movies together. It's the place in our house where besides the kitchen we spend most of our time being a family.

3. Can you wiggle your ears?
Uhhhh, no. Not without moving my jaw. Which really hurts right now. It's raining and the barometric pressure is killing my head.

4. What is your evening ritual?

Dinner, bath for one child, shower for the other, brushing teeth,taking vitamins and allergy medicine, reading a bedtime story, chasing one kiddo to bed(he loves it) and lights out for kids. Once the kids are in bed, the hubby and I might watch some tv (depending on the night), I check email, facebook, my blog, write a blog post, edit photos, and read a few chapters of the current book I am reading. Depending on what I am doing my hubby my play his online game, or PS3. he has been busy with his MacBook lately. Our nights are random on what we do after the kids go to bed.

5. How many hours of sleep do you need to function?
To function I need at least five. I would love to get more and actually get about seven on Saturday's. My body is so accustomed to getting less sleep that if I get too much I have a headache ALL day.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Writer's Workshop- Let them be little

If you choose to accept this task of writing for Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop you will be expected to choose one or more of the writing prompts. I chose #3 this week. I love writing when some one else has good ideas, not like I don't have great things to write about, I just seem to forget them a lot of the time.

3.) It has been said that kids these days are pushed into too many extra-curricular activities and are not given the freedom to play and be bored and to use their imaginations. Is this true?

I wouldn't say ALL children fall into that category but a lot do. In my opinion most of these children would probably be happier if their parents didn't sign them up for football, baseball, guitar lessons and soccer all in one season. Do those kids really need all that extra activity in one day after school and on weekends? Not really. Kids need to be kids and enjoy playing make believe games and exploring the outside world. An eight year old child moderately riding their bicycle for an hour will burn 136 calories. Think about when you were a kid and you used to ride your bike for hours on the weekdays after homework was done and you would ride your bike to your friends house three blocks away and you guys would jump on your bikes to ride to your other friend's house. That would be at least 300 calories burned on one Saturday alone.

I'm not saying that joining extra-curricular activities is bad, but all in moderation. If your daughter likes to dance, then join a few classes a week putting in 4-5 hours a week. But don't add cheerleading which leads to cheering at games on the weekends and night practices along with her dance class schedule. Where does that leave time for family interaction during dinner? It doesn't. You'll be eating dinner in your mini van, grabbing McDonald's or Wendy's or maybe even some Chick Fil A and eating on the run.Well you might as well discredit the activities as being for weight loss. Your child will only be burning those fast food consumed calories and fat. We won't get into how many calories are in those chicken nuggets.

I agree that kids need interaction with other kids in an activity that they love, whether or not they are good at it. But all in moderation. Let kids be kids, they're only little once.


Mama's Losin' It

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Thank God for the Blessings


There's nothing cuter than a little 3 year old boy who just got
out of the bath tub wearing a froggy hooded towel.

I love my little man who is such a ham.
This little boy who warms my heart every night
when he wants to be such a big boy and try and wash his own hair.
Even after I have suds-ed his head and rinsed him clean
then I find him squeezing shampoo into the tub.



I just love his sweet smile and giggles
when I try to take his photos.
Thank you Lord for blessing me with this sweet little boy.

Sign Language and the Early Learner

After giving birth to your child do you ever think about what the next years will hold? You pretty much are concentrating on feedings, diaper changes and sleep schedules. Once you get the first few months under your belt you tackle rolling over, crawling and solid foods. Not far away your little one will be pulling up on the furniture, walking and babbling. Communication with your little bundle of joy is limited until they can actually speak words.
Most moms begin talking to their unborn babies while in the womb and your child recognizes your voice the moment they are born. But they cannot verbally communicate to you. Did the thought ever cross your mind about signing to them? Even children that do not have hearing impairments can quickly communicate with their parents in the form of "sign".

I was contacted by Emily Patterson about her recent article on Sign Language and Early Childhood Education and the importance of it. I found the article quite interesting and wish that I had known this when I gave birth to my first child seven years ago. I used to think parents who "signed" with their children instead of just trying to teach them to talk were silly. After visiting with my brother and his son this Christmas I changed my mind. My nephew who is 18 months old uses several "signs" that he has been doing since he was 9 months old and has quite a vocabulary and is putting 2-3 word sentences together. It is amazing! I hope you find her article as interesting as I did and consider the positives of early learning.



Sign Language and Early Childhood Education


The ability to communicate articulately in a variety of ways with the widest possible audience, is a skill that can take you far in our society today. Whether you learn a second language for job opportunity or just to become more diverse, it is a great unique ability.

This includes bilingual ability as well as the ability to communicate in non-verbal ways for the benefit of the disabled – primarily the deaf.

Signing Before They Can Speak

Research has shown that the early years of ages 2 to 5 is the best time to educate children in different modes of communication and language. This goes beyond the spoken word (though it is an optimal time for children to learn a second language); many young children have an aptitude for signing as well. This can be taught at home or some child care programs incorporate it into their curriculum.

While teaching a 2 year old a second language may seem a tad early or odd, it's actually been shown that sign language is innate. Many indigenous peoples around the world, including American Indian nations, have used sign language for centuries to facilitate communication with other tribes with whom they do not share a language. Some paleontologists and anthropologists theorize that Neanderthals – who apparently lacked the vocal mechanism to produce many spoken words – depended a great deal upon hand gestures to communicate.

Boulder Daily Camera published an article in 2003 presenting strong evidence that babies as young as six months old communicate with their hands:

"...by 6 to 7 months, babies can remember a sign. At eight months, children
can begin to imitate gestures and sign single words. By 24 months, children
can sign compound words and full sentences. They say sign language reduces
frustration in young children by giving them a means to express themselves
before they know how to talk." (Glarion, 2003)


The Best Time To Start

The sooner the better for children to start. From the ages 2 to 5, the child's brain is most flexible, making it easier for them to learn not only one language, but two or three even. They are able to mimic the signs when learning sign language, and in most cases even create their own in the beginning (which is ok!)

Not only does early childhood education in signing give pre-verbal youngsters a way to communicate, it can also strengthen the parent child-bond. Signing minimizes frustration levels and helps parents to communicate with their children before they can even walk!

It Can Last A Lifetime

The benefits are endless. Incorporating sign language into a child's early education not only optimizes learning potential for children but it helps them in the future as well.

Studies show that young children who are taught sign language at an early age actually develop better verbal skills as they get older. They have higher levels of skill in vocabulary, spelling and music as well.


Co-written by Emily Patterson and Kathleen Thomas


Emily and Kathleen are Communications Coordinators for the Indiana child care facility, a member of the AdvancED® accredited family of Primrose Schools (located in 16 states throughout the U.S.) and part of the network of child care preschools delivering progressive, early childhood, Balanced Learning® curriculum

Home Schooling?

When I found out that my husband was going to be getting a raise that would allow me to stay home with my children I had all these dreams and ideas about crafts, teaching and some sort of home schooling. I bought supplies, reorganized my computer room and tried to mentally prepare myself for what lie ahead.
I failed though. My journey to staying home started over the summer of 2010 and I think the only thing I did accomplish was keeping the kids occupied with reading books, taking day trips to the museum, beach, park and mall like my daughter requested and a few crafts. Once school started and I got a regular routine back I figured I better start some kind of rudimentary schooling for Little E who will be going to preschool this fall.
He is above where he should be academically because he was enrolled in daycare from 8 weeks old to almost three years old and has that advantage. He knows all his colors, shapes, left and right, most of his letters, knows the number 1-9 and can count to 15. He can recognize the spelling of his name but cannot spell it to me.
I figured he might as well continue in his learning until he goes back to school so I bought some alphabet flash cards that have uppercase and lowercase letters. It's funny how he recognizes the uppercase letters but struggles with the lowercase.
I started with the uppercase for now and have collected the letters he doesn't remember. For those letters he struggles with I have started doing weekly projects that include that letter.Last week we worked on the letter R. We colored an "r", we cut out colored strips of construction paper and glued them onto another paper with the letter R and then cut out the R after the glue dried. Giving us a Rainbow R. Little E loved this project. I focused on words that started with R and have found the repetition works best for my little guy. I found this project on Confessions from a HomeSchooler , a fellow home schooler/ bloggers website.
This week we will work on the letter Q. Little E thinks it's an "o" so at least he recognizes the O but we have to get him to pay attention to the little tail it has.


Today I joining Mamarazzi on what she hopes might be a Blogger Revolution to end no-reply blogger comments.


Photobucket

Monday, January 17, 2011

Meeting a Blogger in Real Life

Do you ever look forward to meeting some one for the first time and then after wards you feel like, "why didn't I say this or that?!" I am not really a shy person but for some reason I turned speech less.
This weekend I got the opportunity to take my family to Tampa, FL for a photo shoot with Jennifer McKinney aka McKMama. I was excited to be able to line up a shoot because I found out she was coming to Florida the previous Sunday.
We arrived in Tampa, Ybor City and hour and 45 minutes early on Saturday and I checked Twitter to see if she had changed locations. She was on a lunch break after taking a full morning of shoots. I texted Jennifer to tell her I was there and it was as if we were real friends. We had some silly banter about where she was sitting and locating what vehicle I was driving. I really felt at ease about meeting one of my favorite bloggers and having her take photos of my children.

But after we met and she introduced herself to the kids I really didn't want to get in her way. For me, our time was on a professional level and she was working. We chatted a few times, once about my booking being lucky right before she came to Florida and about how my hubby didn't want photos taken of him. ( We got him to do a few.) But I really wish I hadn't been so tongue tied.
I think I was like in a dream. I know it's corny, but when you actually get to meet a blog writer that you have been reading for quite some time it's surreal. It's like, "wow they actually exist and they are a real person." It's funny how you read about some one's life and you feel as if you know them on a personal level. I really wanted to give Jennifer a hug at the end of my shoot, but I wasn't sure how she would take that. I'm such a worrier.

I was so excited to see her little baby Lachlan and meet her sister, Hillary at the end of our shoot. Her children are so adorable and seeing her newest addition in person gave me that "awwww" moment. I wish the little guy hadn't been so fussy, but he was hungry for his mama. I would have loved to give him a snuggle.

After leaving Tampa and getting back on the interstate to drive the two hour trip home, I had those "why didn't I do this, or say that" moments. I hate that. I wish I hadn't been so speech less.

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Pour Your Heart Out: Hiding Behind the Proud

I know this is a day late, but I wanted to link up this week.


Again, just a brief reminder that everyone linking is pouring their hearts out and we should all be respectful in our comments. ;)




I have avoided posting about this because of fear. Fear about what others might think about me. Fear that I will be judged. But this is who I am and who I was.
Do you what it's like to not be able to control yourself? It starts with something agitating you and then you lose your temper. But it doesn't stop there, it boils over and before you know it everything around you scratches at you and you lash out at anyone in your path. Not physically, but verbally lashing. When it's all over and you've calmed down, you feel guilt. HUGE GUILT. You apologize and those that you have affected accept your apology and you go on. You say it won;t happen again, but it does. Again and again and again.
It gets worse, each time escalating into more. And before you know it, you don't who you are. Who is this person that I am or have become? You tell yourself that you're going to stop being that way. You pray to God that he will give you the strength to control yourself. Then something happens, you're running late to work and you lash out and scream at everyone. You blame God for not giving you the strength and will power to hold yourself together. You blame everyone else for making the problems. If only the kids moved faster and didn't dawdle in the morning. If only that guy in the car in front of you would go faster, you wouldn't have to get mad. It's their fault, not yours. Spiraling out of control you finally break down and go against what you didn't want to do. Get medical help.
After one awful morning of running late, yelling at the kids you finally make the call. Practically in tears with the receptionist you tell them why you want to see the doctor. She fits you an appointment that morning. You breath a sigh of relief that you might finally be able to end the chaos, the rage.
The doctor prescribes you with some medicine and schedules you for a follow up appointment in one month. After two weeks on the pills, you actually feel normal. Things that once bothered you don't seem to matter as much but there is still an edginess to certain occurrences. You see the doctor again and he increases your dosage and adds more pills. After a week of taking the new combination you notice that life is better enjoyed. That your kids don't have that look of worry on their faces when they spill milk all over the table. You actually laugh at the spectacle of spilled milk dripping on the floor.
Is this what normal is? Why was it so hard to admit that I had a problem that I couldn't solve myself? That I needed help. Was I too proud?

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Prayers for Gavin


I believe in the power of prayer. The more prayers being said I believe that God will hear us. One of the blogs that I read posted today about a friend's newborn baby that was born 5 weeks early. This story touched my heart and I am passing this along to my readers. Please take a moment and read the story and pray for Baby Gavin and his family. Let's pray that he leaves the NICU and goes home to his family soon!

Conscience Thoughts

Are you ever presented with a problem or something that you don't agree with that some one close to you is doing or has done? You wish you could say something that let's them know you don't agree but by doing this you risk creating a problem.
I'm not one to create dissension with people and usually just swallow my words. Well that's not wholly true because I am quite outspoken usually when something bothers me. I don't like to keep my feelings in because "bottling things" up will eventually tear you down or worse you will explode with emotions, hate and venom.
This is quite a viscous cycle right now because I can't say what I want to say. Maybe that is just the point and who am I to judge? I am not the eternal judge and that day will come. But ethically what they are doing is wrong (in my eyes) and I'm sure many others and I want to tell them that. I hate dilemmas.
I'm going to take this moment to throw caution to the wind. This is not my problem and I will not let it tear me down. Let their conscience bother them. I'm sure it does but they have chosen to ignore it. Why should I let it bother me? It's not my problem.

Monday, January 10, 2011

A place in my heart



Do you ever wonder who your "real" friends are? I don't think about it too much because it might be just a waste of time. I have had a few recent incidents that gave me reason to reflect on this subject. My sister in law is turning 30 this month and I wanted to make sure the day was celebrated with friends. When I turned 30 four years ago she threw me a party at her house which really was special for me. She invited a few a my friends and several of her friends. I thought the least I could do was try and give her the same kind of thing.
I called her husband about what he had planned and pretty much as far as he had gotten was getting a sitter and going to dinner. I was hoping to keep my ideas a secret but he spoke to her about it. So she and I exchanged some text messages about ideas and she wasn't sure our friends would come. I asked her why not and she said they didn't come to her party last year. I told her " you plan the party, invite them and if they don't come, then eff em." (MY exact words) I told her that they have done the same crap to me. But when the tables are turned and they invite us to something they EXPECT us to show up. And if we don't we get the guilt trip. Friends don't treat friends like that.
I have come to realize, well.. I've known this for awhile...they are not TRUE friends. It really doesn't matter to me anymore. Years ago I would have wept that these people didn't like me and I was lonely and would have done anything to hang with them. Not anymore. I don't have time to waste on petty crap. I think when I met these "friends" that they were different people or at least I thought they were different people and since the years have gone by I have grown apart from them.
It's like that poem..Friends for a reason, a season, a lifetime a year. You know the one? They were stepping stones. They were there when I needed them and they needed me. I have found many more friends and great people from being friends with them. I would not have met two of my best friends if I had not met them. It was meant to be. It's funny how things like that happen.
I have found some real friends through the paths and relationships with other friends. The old friends will not be forgotten, for they will always have a place in my heart, just not on the top anymore.

Friday, January 7, 2011

5QF: 01/07/11

Getting back into the regular routine, or at least trying to I'm feeling like a fresh start on the new year would be to participate in Mama M's 5QF! I have been slacking in the posting department and I've got a whole lotta ideas for posts, but I have to find the time to write them. So getting my feet wet, so to speak, I'm stepping out on Friday! I LOVE FRIDAYS!




1. What is your current favorite book, and why? Simplicity's Simply The Best Sewing Book. I just got this book for Christmas, along with a brand new sewing machine! I have been reading it and can't wait to get to the chapters that get me started on sewing. I attempted to sew some pillows before the holidays and was using a Sewing Genie. What a joke! Now that I'm going to be well read on sewing, I can't wait to finish my pillows and attempt to make my very own apron for the kitchen. Wish me luck!



2. Do you go to the dentist regularly? I actually just started going regularly last year. I went for my first cleaning in almost 15 years. Yep, sad. I went because I was having trouble with a wisdom tooth that needs to be removed and they found a few cavities. So I've been going regularly now.

3. What is your worst memory from High School? I told a deep dark secret (it is now) to a "friend" ad she told other people, one of them being my older brother. He was a senior and I was a freshman at the time. It was pretty humiliating to hear him complain to my mother about it but it was much worse to hear about people gossiping about your secret. Sadly, this secret haunted me all four years of high school. One reason I couldn't wait to graduate.

4. What do you hope to be remembered for in your life? First of all, I hope to be remembered. It's like having a birthday party and no one attending. I know that my family would be there and I know that those are the people that matter most. I want my children to be able to say, she was an amazing, loving mom. That their mother was the inspiration in their lives and was their cheerleader, coach, ring leader and friend. I want them to have the courage to go on when I have left this earth and the good qualities I have taught them to reflect from them.

5. Are you superstitious or do you have any superstitions? Both. I have never broken a mirror for fear of bad luck. Walking under a ladder doesn't creep me out but a black cat crossing my path! Yikes! I've had black cats run out in front of my car going down the road and it freaks me out! Spilled salt on a table? Oh yeah! I definitely make sure I throw some over my back. You can never be too careful. My husband laughs at me when I do that. I've done it in a restaurant and he laughs at me. I gotta watch my back.

Well folks, that's it for Friday! Hope you have a great weekend!

Saturday, January 1, 2011

Read The Sign

Do you ever pay attention to the sign in the ladies dressing room when you walk in? The one that tells you out of courtesy of other guests that you should take out the garments you are trying on and put them back on the return rack. I know I'm not the only one who has ever read it, but lately I feel like I'm the only person who abides by it. No, it's not a law but ladies it is common courtesy to remove the clothing that YOU brought into the dressing room.

I went shopping at my local department store the other day and when I went to find an available dressing room I wasn't sure which ones were being occupied or not because of all the clothes hanging on the hooks. Since I had both kids with me and had contained Little E in his portable stroller I would have normally chosen the handicapped, much larger room. It was pretty busy so I squeezed the stroller, myself and Miss K in a smaller room. I hung the clothes I wanted to try on on the last available hook in the room and was disgusted to find clothes on the floor!

It really irks me that people leave clothes hanging in the dressing rooms but to leave them un hung on a pile in the floor?!! Seriously ladies, didn't your mothers teach you anything? I might understand this coming from the rich, spoiled women in some of the wealthier parts of town but not here where I live. I can only gather that the majority of ladies (well lady, might be even a far cry from what they should be called) in this town are a bunch of lazy ingrates.

Just because there are sales personnel that work in these department stores that are paid to put away the clothes that you didn't want, couldn't fit into or just felt like admiring yourself in doesn't mean they enjoy picking up after you. Have a little common sense and pick up after yourselves! I don't enjoy walking into a dressing room and having to pick up the clothes that you left on the floor, the sitting chair and every available hook.

I had to vent about this dilemma because more and more lately this has been a common problem when I go clothing shopping. Most stores can't employ enough staff to have a dressing room attendant to give you a number and keep track of the amount you take in and out. So it's left up to US to remove what we took in. How hard is that? Maybe this just hits a nerve in me because I have always worked in the retail world from gas stations, jewelry stores, supermarkets and department stores. I guess I just have a heart for the ladies who are stuck cleaning out those dressing rooms.

What is this world coming to today? This is just another one of my pet peeves that I had to get off my chest.