Yes, I am a thrill seeker!

There is no other way to put it: I love me some adventure.  For whatever reason, I have always enjoyed a good adrenaline rush.  From climbing rooftops as a kid in the city to skydiving as an adult, I have always loved the excitement of doing something daring.  And let me say this: whitewater rafting is a great way to satisfy that lust for adventure.

Each time I go whitewater rafting, I know I want to go back.  Unfortunately, sometimes life just gets in the way...or other things come up that I also want to do!  This year, however, I was able to go!

And it did not disappoint!!!

Our rafting guide, Scott, was awesome: great sense of humor, friendly, and fun...with great leadership skills.  The company was fabulous!  Catching up with a former student is always awesome...and meeting our raft buddies - a family of four - was fun.  We all had a good time, joking around and playing in the water! The rapids were great.

But the best part was being able to go with my daughter.  I'm so proud of her.  She has been showing so much more independence recently.  She is willing to try things she wouldn't have been open to earlier, even if it sounds challenging or difficult or scary.  Even when the rapids were looking "scary," she was giggling, overcome with excitement, and bouncing up and down on her seat (of course, while holding onto one of the straps!).  She was so comfortable that during the rapids, once she spotted the camera, she even raised her hand to give the peace sign and a cheesy smile!

I can't wait to go back again...with my daughter.  Maybe this will be an annual mother-daughter trip.  How fun would that be?!  I had a blast with everyone.  Thanks for the fun time!

We dared...and we conquered!

This past weekend, my daughter and I joined another mom-daughter duo in the Urban Dare competition in San Francisco.  Having competed in The Great Urban Race with a long-time friend of mine last month, I knew what to expect about a scavenger/adventure race overall.

However, this time, I have to admit this fact: prior to the race, I was worried whether or not we would complete the race on time. I wasn't sure a team that included two tween girls and only one city native (me, a person who hasn't lived in the city since the 80s, mind you) would be able to finish the race on time.  Okay, I take that back.  I knew it was possible, but I had my doubts as to whether we would go stir-crazy and/or give up before then.  Or whether *I* would go crazy before then. I am not known for my patience, you see - one of the many perks of being me. HAHAHA.

Seriously, even the most compatible pairs on the Amazing Race seem to have their issues.  And while my daughter and I get along, we definitely have our own communication issues.  Plus, my daughter's complaints of being starving (as if we don't feed her...haha) or getting cramps (while running) are the norm.  Throw in another mom-daughter combo and even more variables and personalities are added.  Fortunately, we all went in with the same positive attitude and outlook: the goal is to HAVE FUN and try to finish before time ends!

We did encounter a few bumps in the road (using cell phones are not as speedy as friends with internet connection on the phone lifelines, getting a wrong location, and not knowing what hotel had to do with Charles Dickens' novel), but fortunately, they weren't game-enders.  We got into the groove and not only finished but were the FIRST FAMILY TEAM to arrive.  We were exhausted at the end of the race, but the four of us worked as a team and our teamwork was acknowledged with a plaque!!! 

Go Team "Partners in Crime"!!!!!

A Yard Sale Tale or Two

We did it!  We had our yard sale!  After not enough preparation but plenty of stuff, my daughter and I went ahead with our yard sale.

I awoke to the sound of my annoying alarm and looked out into the darkness.  ANNOYING.  Who wakes up on a Saturday before the sun comes out?  Crazy people!  Fortunately, I did get to bed early (for me) and managed to sleep for 6 hours - not too shabby for a night owl like myself.

After a shower and some tea, I woke up my daughter and we went to set up the stuff. We had a couple hours before it officially started, right?  No.  I think my first "customer" arrived at 6:45am.  WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?  Why do people willingly wake up so early?  Anyhow, they purchased $35 worth of stuff.  Mind you, while I probably could have asked for more, I was just happy to rid of it; and to be honest, aside from my daughter's scooter, a candle set, and a couple items of clothing, I have NO IDEA what the heck they put on the table. 

And we all know what that means, right?


I didn't need that crap in my garage or the shed, anyhow.  $35.00 for crap.  Go me!

Anyhow, our friends showed up shortly after our "first sale" and starting setting up their stuff, too.  It is always better to have yard sales with other people: aside from having more for potential buyers, it also makes the "downtime" go a lot faster.

At the end of the day, my daughter and I came away with about $200.  I don't know the exact amount because I don't know how much I grabbed from the house for change, so I can't recall the start amount.  Like I said, I wasn't all that organized this time. HA.  But that's okay, I will be more organized for the next one.

Yard sales are a little addicting, if you can get past the downside.  It's addicting because getting rid of unwanted or unneeded stuff while getting some money in the process is always a good thing - a cleansing AND financially beneficial undertaking.  I mean, who turns down extra cash?  However, the downside of yard/garage sales are the rude people who assume the sellers are morons and don't deserve the asking price. 

For example, I was selling a "like new" Step 2 Push Around Buggy, the one Amazon.com is selling for $55.00 right now.  I didn't think asking $25 was too much, primarily because most of these types of items sell for half price on craigslist.  She said, "That's too much.  How about $10?"  I replied that I was sorry, but it did cost over $60 when I purchased it after taxes/shipping and I wouldn't sell it for less than $20.  She snapped, "Well, it's USED NOW!" and walked off.  Um, okay.  Rude much?

And guess who had the last laugh?  Me.  That's right.  I sold it for $20.  So screw her.


I'm not exactly sure why yard sale buyers think they will be the only customer and that's it is the seller's loss if the bargained-down offer price isn't taken.  I mean, please.  I'd rather give it away than sell it to an a-hole.  And I have. I've actually told someone I wouldn't take her offer and then chose to give it away at the end of the day. HA.  But I'm stubborn like that.
 

The best yard sale tale is from a couple years ago.  I was selling a Little Tikes desk, originally priced at $50-$75.  It had a working light table, drawer, crayon holder, and chair.  It was fabulous and in great condition; we were only getting rid of it because our daughter had outgrown it and we were unsure about having a second child.  I had it out at a yard sale with a sign stating it was $25.  This lady said she'd give me $20; I said, "No, sorry.  The price is $25.  I feel that's a fair amount."  She left.  About an hour later, she came by again and said, "You still won't take $20?" and I said no again.  Shortly after that, another buyer came in, said it was a good price and paid the $25 asking price with no bargaining.  Toward the end of the day, the first lady came back (yes, for the THIRD time) and looked crushed when she noticed the desk was no longer there.  She asked, "How much did you sell it for?"  I said, "$25."  I've always wondered if she spent $5.00 in gas, driving to my house THREE TIMES.  Lame.

It's always like that, I suppose - there being positives and negatives of any experience - but if the upside results in over $100 in cash for getting rid of stuff, I'm all for enduring rude, annoying people asking to give me 50 cents for a porcelain doll my daughter was trying to sell for one measly dollar.  (!!!!!!)

At the end of our yard sale yesterday, we were exhausted but $200 richer and deserved a treat, so my daughter and I went to get pedicures.  The yard sale paid for pedicures...and will be paying for a movie day, too.  Not too shabby!  Plus, we'll probably still have a little leftover money.  How should we spend it?

Well, that's a tale for another day!

Got Allowance?

Growing up, my mother gave me $5.00 a week to do my chores, which included vacuuming and dusting our home once a week, which happened to be a 3rd floor flat. This meant, there were something like 30-50 stairs in addition to the two bedrooms, living room, and family room, that all had to be vacuumed. I also had to take care of the dishes (though I don't think this was all the time) as well as clean my room.

If I remember correctly, and I could be wrong (since I'm getting "up there" in age), I was 10 when this arrangement started. I never got a raise, but then again, I'm not even sure how consistent I was with my chores.


Regardless of that, I do believe it helped me learn the importance of saving. When I was 12, I started babysitting and earned an additional $5.00 for the week. So, my mother also took me to the bank and opened a "kid" account with me, so I could put money into my savings. I was so proud when it got to $200.


My daughter turns 11 next month and I want her to feel that pride of knowing she can save enough money to buy something important. I want her to learn the importance of saving, not the art of begging.   Up to this point, we have been massively failing in this regard.


I admit it. We spoil our children, not rotten, but to a degree we probably shouldn't. The other month, my husband bought our son a cheap $10 train set at the grocery store because our son was crying for it. When I went after-Christmas shopping for some work clothes, I picked up several puzzles for my son and a few outfits for my daughter. Why? Because I thought they'd like it. Yes, they were on sale, but did they *need* it? Most definitely not. We have just been in the habit of buying them stuff if it felt like it "had been awhile" since they last got something new. Clearly, we shouldn't do this and quite honestly, we can't afford it right now.


So, we started an allowance system. My daughter earns $5.00/week:

• 
  
  40% ($2.25) comes to her in cash and can be spent immediately or saved as she wishes
• 
  
  40% ($2.25) goes into a "long-term" savings, which she can use to save up for larger items (that would cost over $25) and we would match it
• 
  
  10% (50 cents) gets donated to an agency of her choice: Humane Society, the little girl we sponsor in Africa, church, or wherever else she chooses.

I found this "system" online while searching for "do-able" ways to start a child's allowance.  Allowance is based on child's age in half and paid either weekly or monthly, depending on family's financial situation.  While I'd like to just give her $5.00 a month, I'm not sure that's realistic for us.  And like I said, my goal is to help her learn about the benefits of saving money, rather than spending all the time. I also want to try to curb my husband's and my impulse buys regarding the kids.  Even though "it's only" $5 or $20 or $30, those little purchases do add up!

Girl Drama

As women, the majority get caught up in girl drama, even if we try to avoid it. It just happens. Either we get too emotional or we have what we deem "psycho friends" who stir shit up. It is what it is.

Fortunately, most of us outgrow it...or just decide not to deal with that crap anymore and move on. I am one of those "F*** it" type people. I do what I do...and try not to get involved in any drama. So, I thought I was done with all that.

Too bad I forgot I have a tween daughter that will be going through it...erhm, NOW.

Damn.

What is it about females that they have to get all drama-like about friendships. "She's trying to steal my friend." "She's getting all hangy-on with my friend." "I don't like so-and-so, but I know you're friends with her. I don't want to put you in the middle, but I can't believe she did...this...and that...and blah blah blah."

C R A P.

They are only 10. This is only the beginning.

Add puberty, boys, and hormones to this girl drama....and what will I get?

TOTURE. PAIN. HORRIFIC NIGHTMARES TO COME.

Just kill me now. It will be less painful than what the next few years will bring.

My daughter....is like a mini-me. Heaven help me.

My daughter is getting to that age where crushes are pretty common.  She tells me about who has a crush on whom...and in her class, that happens to be a lot.  She decided a couple years ago that crushes were "too much work" and fortunately, for me (and her Daddy), she is still thinking that way.  Our daughter had explained why: "When I was in preschool, I had a crush on Reid.  Katrina also had a crush on him.  And when you have a crush, then you have to try to get his attention.  That's too much work, so I don't have a crush on anyone."

But what happens when someone has a crush on her?  Well, read on.  Today's conversation went something like this:

Daughter: Guess what?


Me: What?


Daughter: Kasie (her friend) has a friend in 3rd grade and her friend told her that a boy has a crush on me.


Me: How did she know that?


Daughter: Her friend heard about it, went up to him and asked.  The boy admitted that he had a crush on me.


Me: Who's the boy?


Daughter: I don't know.  His name is Chris.


Me: You don't know him?


Daughter: No.


Me: Well then how does he know you?


Daughter: I have no idea.


Me: What did you say to Kasie when she told you?


Daughter: So what!?

I sort of feel bad for that little boy.  What attitude she has.  And all my friends can say to me is, "That's you.  She's a little you.  Good luck with that," as they laugh.

Actually, if she keeps on this track, at least she's keeping the boys at bay.  That's a good thing, right?

Kids are growing up so much earlier.  I can't even fathom the thought of a first date.  When are kids starting to date nowadays?  How many more years do I have before I have to worry about her dating?

Love or Money?

A funny conversation with a nine-year-old...

The other night, my daughter and I watched the season finale of Survivor (We Tivo'd it.) and were disappointed when Amanda didn't win. She was more upset about it than I was because she didn't like that Parvati backstabbed her original alliance. 

So, my daughter said, "Aw.  I wanted Amanda to win."


And I said, "Yea, but at least she met Ozzy.  That's a positive."


She said, "Yea, that's true.  Ozzy is nice."


Then, I asked, "What you you prefer: to meet a boy who said he loves you and you like him back...or...a million dollars?"


She looks at me and says, "Well, that's an obvious answer.  A million dollars, of course."

Obviously, it is an easy answer for her considering the fact that she's only 9 years old and boys are still, for the most part, gross and annoying.  But for many, this is still a difficult question.

More Things Kids Say

My daughter rented one of Hannah Montana's movies and was talking about Hannah Montana/Mylie Cyrus. 

I asked her, "Would you ever want to be famous?"

"NO!" she replied.

"Why not?" I asked.

"Well, then I'd never get to sleep," she exclaimed.

A child just like me - protecting her sleep at all costs! haha.