3 key words for times like these... Let it Go.

Fellow blogger Mommy Meryl came up with the idea of "Let it go on Tuesdays" and after Monday's financial meltdown combined with a Twofer meltdown, I just couldn't resist jumping on this "Om" bandwagon. For me, if this to really work, I have to list exactly what it is I want to let go of for today, if not longer. (This might just replace my Weekly Worry List!)

1. the nation's financial mess
2. the presidential election
3. the fact that HBO canceled Tell Me You Love Me
(I know, old news, but I'm not over it yet)

So I encourage you all to leave a comment (you're so good at sending me emails but I need you to comment here so that I feel legit) and tell me what you are letting go of today.

Ommmmm,
ScaryMom

Unfinished Business

Here is a brief list of things I've started over the past 5 years, and never seem to get back to:

1. Jewelry making

2. The Twofer's baby books - not to be confused with...

3. The Twofer's scrapbooks

4. Sorting, framing or otherwise storing the BEST of the Twofer's artwork

5. Stamping a collection of gift tags (so I always have one)

Notice the craft theme here. This is the short list. The list I have in my head goes on and on. For 5 years (not a coincidence the Twofer is 5) I start projects and then never find the time to get back to any of it. Until, hopefully, now.

I was talking with a few friends of mine recently and discovered I'm not the only one with this problem. In fact, I'm not the only one with a supply of beads, tools, scrapbook paper, stamps, etc. Combined, we could fill a small garage with our "collections".

Jewelry making mess

That's when we came up with the idea of picking a monthly date when we get together and DO some of this! It would give us an excuse to get together and catch up, plus we might actually feel a sense of accomplishment.

Scrapbook/photos/artwork mess

And once we've completed our own crafts, I found a great website for suggestions so we can continue these monthly meetings til the kids are in college.

Twofer Thumbs Up to Kiddio.org, a weekly collection of ideas and links from all over the web. From crafts (mini notepads that looked easy peasy to make) to cooking (make your own toaster pastries) to fun stuff to do with the kids (bubble painting) kiddio has an ever-changing list of options.

I'm looking forward to this new excuse to visit with my friends and have a glass of wine and I can't wait get my crafty on!

Now all we have to do is pick the date. Let's hope that doesn't take another 5 years.

Committed to crafting,
ScaryMom

Free answers to all those $%&* questions

There area good days, and there are bad days.

Yesterday was one of those bad days. I was woken up at 6:00 AM with a little voice asking me...a question. I mean at 6 in the morning I don't care what the freakin question is - it's annoying and way to early to be in my room!

But what makes a really bad day is when the questions continue...all...day...long.

While I'm fumbling around the kitchen getting their lunches together, "Mommy, why are some people small and some people big?" On the walk to school, "Mommy, what makes a flower smell?" On the way to riding lessons, "Mom, how do the builders make roads?"

After a day like that I feel frustrated AND dumb. But now when I'm out of answers and feel the real Scary in me coming out, I have a resource at the tip of my fingers

I no longer have to reply with 'I don't know', or 'Ask your father' or 'That's a great question for your teacher!'

I can simply go to Chacha.com or text 242242 with the question and get an answer within minutes, if not seconds! And, it's free - text charges apply of course.

Here are two questions and the answers I received in under one minute:

Q. What is the E in 'Chuck E Cheese' for?
A. "The 'E' in Chuck E. Cheese stands for entertainment. The company that owns it is CEC Entertainment."

Q. Why is the sky blue?
A. "A cloudless sky is blue because molecules in the air scatter blue light from the sun more than they scatter red light."

How do they do it? Chacha.com hires guides ...blah, blah, blah. I don't really care!
The fact that they give me a logical sounding answer and I don't have to use the brain power to even be creative and come up with one of my own is what is important here.

Try it next time you want to impress your friends, quiet your kids, or resolve that argument you've had going for years with your husband about the most economical temperature setting for your HVAC...you get the idea.

Twofer Thumbs Up to Chacha.com!
ScaryMom

The Wonderful World of Woogi

Imagine, if you will, a place online where where kids are encouraged to do good deeds and where their efforts pay off in the real world...what? Yes: play online, do good deeds, get rewarded in real life.

That place is Woogi World.

Woogi World gets a big Twofer Thumbs Up from me for these reasons:

It is a world where kids learn about internet safety as well as how to find a balance between time spent on the computer, with time spent doing other important things.

Kids are rewarded when they watch videos that discuss real world values.

Rewards for community service happen in real life with letters of recognition from state governors and senators (this is a first I believe).

There is the opportunity to start learning financial responsibility without risking real money. (This excites me because I'm tired of watching them blow what little they have on stupid plastic stuff that breaks and makes a mess within hours!)

Plus, it's fun! The Twofer loved picking out their personal Woogi World character and checking out their Wigwam, then exploring the neighborhood and playing games too. Next we learned that we cannot afford to adopt a pet and that motivated them to get going on earning (and saving) some Watts (Woogi money).

I disabled the chat feature until they get a better feel for the site. I'm not opposed to it because it's set up to be ultra safe. I just don't want them distracted from learning how to be an active participant in the Woogi World community. (See, times like these and I start to think I'm not so Scary).

The best part? Most of this is FREE with the basic membership. Just go to Woogi World, sign up for the free basic membership, and start playing!

Meet us at the Shark game!
ScaryMom (L and M too)

Special thanks to Mom Central for another really cool opportunity!

Our Little House on the Prairie Night

Oh don't get your knickers in a bunch. I'm ScaryMom - so it's not gonna be all "Night Maw, Night Paw", but it was as close as I'm ever gonna get and here's why: the TV was off the whole evening, I was NOT on the Mac (until now) and we spent about 3 hours outside...talking to each other!

I know, I know. Crazy right?

A few weeks ago I bought a fire bowl thing for our back patio and tonight was the first fire!

L and M getting ready to burn things

Things that made me feel like Laura Ingalls Wilder:
1. We burned things.
2. We "cooked" s'mores over the fire (if you count chocolate in one hand, graham cracker in the other and a burnt 'shmallow in your mouth a s'more).
3. We told scary stories.
4. I saw 2 shooting stars.

M & L with S'mores fixins

Things that kept me from donning a bonnet and a hoopskirt:

1. The stories quickly turned silly and disgusting with lots of potty-mouth words that I'm sure Maw and Paw would not have put up with.

2. For the first time I heard the racket that the crickets, frogs, and whatever else that lives in my backyard make and I can't fathom how anyone gets to sleep when camping.

3. The glow from Mr. Scary's laptop was somewhat distracting, but hey - at least he was out there and managed to be part of the conversation!

4. The booming voice of the announcer and the faint cheer of the crowd at the local high school football game brought me back to reality quickly.

All in all it was quality time together and the fact that we all smell like roasted pork is a small price to pay when your kids go to bed saying "that was the best night ever".

Charred but smiling,
ScaryMom

Mmmmmm mashed potatoes in minutes

I am a skeptic...blame my mother (sorry mom but you're used to getting thrown under the bus by me I can't change just because it's in a blog).

I am also a mashed potato snob of sorts.
I like to put mine through a ricer, then hand mash them, THEN take the hand mixer to them for light and fluffy homemade mashed potatoes.

I often don't like the restaurant versions that everyone else does and feel I can make them better. I have made mashed potatoes flavored with garlic, Monterey Jack & sour cream, dill, chives, etc. but prefer plain with light salt.

When I'm in a rush, I have my own version of "instant": microwave, peel, and mash with just the hand masher and some milk and butter.

I came up with this method only after trying all the others:
boxed, frozen, refrigerated...and "doctoring" them up to taste a little better.

So when I saw the new Ore-Ida Steam n'Mash potatoes I just couldn't believe it would taste as good as homemade. I read the ingredients and liked it -potatoes, salt, and something I can't pronounce but basically keeps them fresh. The directions were easy too...similar to my quick method but without the peeling...the part I really hate!

And the taste? Well, when I asked the Twofer they said "39 thumbs up!". Why 39? I have no idea. Mr. Scary liked them as well and as for yours truly? A big Twofer Thumbs Up to Ore-Ida Steam n' Mash potatoes from this tater snob! They tasted like real potatoes (they are real potatoes so that's no huge surprise). Had a light and fluffy consistency (and I didn't bring out the ricer or the hand mixer!). And were ready in 13 minutes!

For the record, I bought the plain kind but they come in cheese, garlic, and sweet potatoes too.

I also have a small stack of coupons for $1.00 off for the first 8 people to leave a comment! So if you want one, let me know (and tell me where to send it if you don't live near me).

Mmm eating the leftovers,
ScaryMom

Third week of school, first phone call from the school nurse.

It is the reason I keep my cell phone with me at all times: work, running errands, at yoga (silenced of course), on a walk, even at home!

Only once did I get the call when the Twofer was in preschool. M had an earache and by the time I got to the school (30 min. post phone call) she was in agony and completely melting down in her teacher's lap.

Today I got that call. Just after yoga while I was in the grocery store and had luckily turned the ringer back on.

M somehow hit her head on the monkey bars (Aren't those the things you hang down from? How exactly would you hit your head ON them?)

So yes, she's fine and still in school. Part of me felt like a cool mom in the grocery line, taking a call from the school nurse, and brushing it off like an old pro.

The other part of me had a very strong urge to visit the school and see how big the bump was and do that eye test to make sure she doesn't have a concussion....you see how easily the neurotic in me creeps up?

Update: When I picked up the Twofer from school I got 2 completely different versions of what happened.
And so it goes...
SM

Save your money or find an agent and put that drama to work!

How timely. Right on the heels of talking about responsibility, The Parent Bloggers Network has a contest for those who write about when to teach kids about money (prize: an iPhone).

In addition, Capital One has launched a new online Moneywise eLearning tool
to help families learn about managing money including ways to bring their kids into the discussion.

Well, we here in the Scary household recently did just that - we talked to the Twofer about money and we came up with a way to teach them about it....we put them to work!

OK, Ok really, we assigned chores to them and started tracking on a weekly basis. It is somewhat coincidental that around this time we made the decision to pay the Twofer a weekly allowance...but they are not actually getting paid to do the chores (that's my story and I'm sticking to it).

The Twofer turned 5 this Spring and after asking around, we decided to give them each $1 per week. We actually give them $2 a week and $1 of that goes into our "charity bowl" and they get to keep the other $1. The "charity bowl" will be opened closer to Christmas and together we'll decide how to donate that money (and hopefully teach the Twofer just how lucky they are to have what they have).

Why pay?
I really do believe that kids should help out around the house not for money, but as members of the family. We also wanted them to start learning the value of money. Not how many quarters are in a dollar, but what a dollar can get you...or these days, can't get you.

In short, we wanted them to understand why they don't get an ice cream every time we're at the pool.

Lessons learned.
Now when we're out at a store and they see something they want, we say, "How much money do you have?"
They are learning that the neighborhood ice cream truck is a ripoff ($3 for a bomb pop) compared to the snack bar at the pool ($.80 for an Italian ice). And that a Hannah Montana magazine provides hours more entertainment than a necklace that breaks within 5 minutes of wearing it.

Oh don't worry. I'm not that Scary. I treat them to an ice cream sandwich now and then and of course provide them with the necessities: shoes, clothes and riding lessons (I gave in to that because we are no longer paying for school).

The fact remains: learning about money, it's value, and the importance of saving is a lesson that can't be learned too early.
Check out the Capital One tool and fingers crossed that I get one of the 3 iPhones!

Saving it for later,
ScaryMom

Now this got me thinking....

We've been working to teach the Twofer what it means to be responsible. Some of the things we came up with:
1) As a member of this family you have certain chores you have to do.

2) As a student, friend, and sister you are responsible for your actions. Treat others the way you would like to be treated.

3) As a family that has so much to be grateful for, we put money in a "charity bowl" every week and together we'll decide how to donate that at Christmastime.

4) As the Twofer of a neurotic mother with co-dependent tendencies...we've learned that when all is said and done, you don't have control over any other person, place or thing*. The only thing you can control is yourself. (*If you'd like to weigh in on this statement see my Poll to the right)

My Biggest Responsibility
(L & M at 6 months)

So when Mom Central gave me the opportunity to learn about the Liberty Mutual Responsibility Project and share it with others, I was thrilled.

When I got to the site an started watching the short films, I was completely wowed.

And when the Twofer watched one of the films, they told me about a saying at school: " We are Responsible, Respectful and Ready to Learn". Interesting.

This project started when Liberty Mutual ran a commercial showing "people doing things for strangers". They received thousands of emails and from that came the idea for the website and a series of short films to get people thinking and talking about responsibility.

The Films

• Very web friendly
• Most are 3-8 minutes long
• Professionally produced and directed

Some, like Hot Seat, had me laughing out loud! (If you've ever worked in an office and got stuck with the bum chair you'll be chuckling too.) Watch them with your family in place of game night, or have a screening with your friends.

The Blog
Here you'll find great topics about responsibility to generate a lively discussion with your kids, co-workers, students, bookclub, in-laws and anyone else you care to engage.

What's Your Policy?
We are asked, "What's your idea of a responsible _____" and the blank can be filled in with things like friend, athlete, celebrity, parent, school principal, and currently the most discussed - chef.
Really? Yes!
Apparently people feel very strongly about giving their opinion on how to be a responsible chef! (My theory? Everyone has done their "time" in a restaurant and we know you NEVER send food back. Not if you plan to eat it again!)
Once you give your opinion, people can agree with you, or you can agree with someone else's statement.

Check it out www.responsibilityproject.com and feel free to vote in my Responsibility Poll on whether we are responsible for other people's feelings.

Here's big Twofer Thumbs Up to Liberty Mutual for recognizing the need to continue the dialogue that started with their commercial, and for developing a fun, entertaining way to do just that.

Responsibly yours,
ScaryMom

This post sponsored by:

Twincident #144...they try to burn the house down

Full disclosure:
1) I have not really kept track of every Twincident. I started this blog way too late in their lives and I had to start somewhere. (I like the number 4 and I know there have been more than 100 over the past 5 years and so I'm starting here with #144. Some day I'll count back to 1 and list all the other twincidents.)

2) In case you haven't noticed, I can be a little dramatic...they weren't actually trying to burn the house down. But that doesn't mean they couldn't have done it!

It all started with 2 brand new matching Penguin Webkinz, given to them by a friend of mine (who is also very understanding and will not at all mind finding out about her gift by reading it in this blog).

The Twofer wanted to warm up one of their chilly little friends and decided the top of the light in their room would be just great! So there Fluffy sat...for what I can only guess is at least 2 hours. When they remembered he was on there and pulled him off, a little patch of fur stuck to the bulb and Fluffy felt like a loaf a bread just out of the oven!

Fluffy and the lightbulb

Thankfully Fluffy wasn't left long enough to ignite, and after a real ScaryMom moment in which my voice shrilled high enough to attract the neighborhood dogs, we all learned a lesson. I will remember to do a quick walk-through the house before leaving for the day to turn all lights off. And the Twofer will not experiment with anything they even think might be hot, or electrical.

This Twincident is dedicated to GrandpaScary who is also our Guardian Angel and has saved the Twofer and our family from certain disaster over the years. It is also dedicated to Great-GrandmaScary who insisted I learn how to sew and thus is responsible for Fluffy's repair job that I will perform later in the week.

Peace,
SM

Send in the Clowns!

It is a fact, that no matter what your age, the circus will bring out cheers of amazement, and sighs of wonder.

This year we could no longer ignore the whining, the begging, and the pleading...of my mother.
She hadn't been since I was young and didn't want to miss out when the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus came to our town.

And so we treated her to near front-row seats, and she treated us to cotton candy (that came with a hat)! The clowns made the Twofer giggle. The acrobats gave us chills. And the husband and wife team getting shot out of the cannon left our eyes wide and our jaws slack! (Now that's a marriage.)

For those lucky enough to live in the following cities, you can now save 20% on Ringling Bros. tickets by using the code MCC from our friends at Mom Central. Simply plug in your zip code and when you go to purchase the tickets be sure to reference the code: MCC.

Valid cities:
Indianapolis, IN - Sept. 4-7, 2008
Kansas City, MO - Sept. 10-14, 2008
Grand Rapids, MI - Sept. 18-21, 2008
Denver, CO - Oct. 2-13, 2008
Boston, MA – Oct 8-13, 2008
Cleveland, OH - Oct. 24 - Nov. 2
Chicago, IL - Nov. 6 - 30, 2008
St. Louis, MO - Nov. 6-9, 2008
Auburn Hills, MI - Nov. 12 - 16, 2008
Highland Heights, KY - Feb 27 - Mar. 1, 2009
Cincinnati, OH - Mar. 4 - 8, 2008

Plus, the Baby’s First Circus program allows babies to receive a free ticket voucher that can be exchanged for a free ticket to any Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey performance, anytime, anywhere. No expiration date.

For me, the circus was an opportunity to make new memories for me, my children, and even my mom. Three generations enjoying something together. Throw in the fact that Mr. Scary was enjoying himself and we have quite a success story!

Now if I could just get him to commit to a Hannah Montana concert...

ScaryMom

This post sponsored by:

Football Sunday and our Wall of TVs

kickin' back, watching the games

Football Sundays: these are Sundays between September and mid-January when Mr. Scary spends the entire day watching football. It is his ONE THING. He doesn't golf, ride road bikes, or even go out much with the guys. He loves football and I have learned to compromise.

That compromise comes in the form of a Wall of TVs. One large TV surrounded by 6 smaller ones, plus satellite boxes for each and a mound of wiring that could sink a small ship. All this neatly packaged in a custom-made "cabinet" on caster wheels so you can get behind the Beast if necessary. Oh, and there's a TV in the corner by the pool table too.

If I added up what all the TVs, satellite, cable, and electricity bills cost I'm sure it would be disturbing. However, I cannot put a price on what the Wall of TVs has given me in terms of family time, peace of mind, and general happiness on football Sundays.

You see, Mr. Scary isn't out at a bar all day. He's in the basement basking in the glow of the TVs, often with the Twofer playing down there too. He's got his laptop and his cell phone to manage his fantasy teams and suicide leagues. I get to read the entire Sunday paper (a luxury in most households) AND he's available if I should have to run out for errands, or even if I want to sneak upstairs and watch a movie! So really in some ways, this compromise is more like a win-win situation... and a win-win-win if the Ravens do their job!

NOTE: we had this set up before any MTV Cribs episode.

And so without further ado...let me present
The Wall of TVs.

If I was smart I'd find some way to get Best Buy or Tweeter to sponsor this post.

Happy start of football!
ScaryMom

Milk vs. Juice - A Kitchen Showdown

"Arrrrrrrrre you ready to ruuuummmmbbbbllleeee?"

In the right corner wearing yellow trunks with a picture of fruit we have the defending Lunch Box Champion, our favorite low sugar juice box!

In the left corner wearing red trunks with a cute cow we have the Horizon Organic single serve strawberry milk!

Ding Ding Ding!

The Twofer sits down to decide what they want in their lunch box to accompany a Turkey-and-American-on-Wheat.....they both seem to be reaching for the juice box out of habit, BUT WAIT!

L is now sizing up the Horizon Organic single serve milk.
And now M is eyeing up the Horizon Organic milk as well!

They are picking up the milk folks. They SLAM it into their lunchboxes! It's a huge hit for the Horizon Organic milk team!

ScaryMom takes the juice back to the corner to wipe the sweat and puts it back into the fridge.

We have a clear winner folks... Horizon Organic single serve milk is the new Lunch Box Champion!

In all seriousness though, a big thanks and Twofer Thumbs Up to Mom Central and Horizon Organic for sponsoring this kitchen showdown and for the samples of single serve milk.

As a ScaryMom I'm thrilled because Horizon Organic means there aren't any of those icky pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics in it. As you can guess, I read one article years ago about all the stuff they give to cattle these days and I went organic for meat and dairy practically overnight. The fact that my kids like it is just the cherry on top!

Let me know what you think of the kitchen showdown...I may make it a regular segment.
Scary(organic-loving)Mom

Twofer Thumbs Up:

First we learn to ride a horse, then a bike.

We all knew it was in their blood. What with Mr. Scary's love of thoroughbreds and his occupation which often takes him and the Twofer to the track to visit, feed, and in general talk horses.

ScaryMom and M walking Dallas to the riding ring
(notice the fear in my gritted teeth?)

But was it asking too much to think my kids would learn to ride a 2-wheel bike before learning to ride a beast that weighs as much as a small car???

Apparently so.M riding Dallas like a pro

For years L & M knew that the horse center near us offered riding lessons starting at age 5. And for the past year and a half they have been counting down the days until they turned 5 and could take riding lessons. I successfully held them off through the summer, but come fall, there was no stopping them.

L holding Mozart
(and showing him who's boss)

What I didn't know is that there is a fair amount of parent participation in riding. Oh yes, see I am responsible for tacking up the horse (I don't even know if I used that term correctly). I have to secure the bridal, reigns, stirrups, and girth belt thingy that holds the saddle on. The girls are simply too short to do it right now, but they are supposed to learn by watching me every week. (So really, I'm paying over $300 per kid to learn how to be a ranch hand.)

However you can see that within the first 30 minute lesson, they learned to climb onto, as well as start, stop, turn, and otherwise "drive" their new friends named Dallas and Mozart. And I have to say they walked away with huge smiles, and feeling like they could rule the world...not that we need much more of that in our house but I guess it's good starting at a new school and all.

Giddyup Mozart. Ride 'em L!

Am I crazy to let them do this? Let me know by answering my poll in the column to the right.

I'll check results after I'm done mucking out the stalls.

ScaryMom