As another school year begins, I find my Facebook feed clogged with pictures of people's kids heading off to their first days of school. Normally I browse, think how nice and then move on. However, lately I've been noticing a number of kids that are youngest than my oldest daughter headed off to their first days of preschool and it's making me mad.
Why? Well, in most parts of MA you can't start kindergarten until you're 5 by August 31st. So, for my daughter that means she can either do 2 years of preschool or start preschool when she's 4, almost 5 and then start kindergarten when she's 5, almost 6. Preschool isn't free in my town - or any other town for that matter - and I can't afford the tuition for 2 years of the same program. Because of that, she's only going for 1 year of preschool.
However, you can apparently go to free or a severely reduced price if you are on some form of assistance. Lovely.
I am sick and tired of seeing people on public assistance getting to send their kids to 2 years of preschool for free simply because they are low-income. Before they qualify for preschool they send them to early intervention programs. Speech therapy. All kinds of things for absolutely free. Meanwhile, my kids can only go to 1 year of preschool because I simply can't afford 2 years of tuition for each of them.
I'm middle class. We are struggling like everyone else, but because we aren't below some arbitrary threshold we get no assistance while it seems like everyone else that has made bad life decisions gets everything for free. I'm not talking about just education. I get that not everyone can afford college, though to be fair, it wasn't free for my husband and I either. We each came out with thousands upon thousands of dollars of loans. Between the two of us, we have about $150K in student loans to pay off.
The bad decisions I am referring to is having children out of wedlock - often multiple children. There are numerous women that I know that have delayed getting married because their combined income with their partner will disqualify them for benefits. So rather than saying, "I do", they simply live together. The woman qualifies for free health insurance, food stamps and everything else while the man supports the family the same way my husband supports our family. The difference is that we got married before having kids, so we don't qualify for anything.
How is that type of backwards policy building strong families? If anything it's encouraging people NOT to get married before having kids. It's encouraging broken homes, children out of wedlock and supplementing your income with government handouts.
I get that there are people who really need this type of assistance, but there are sooo many more who simply work the system to their advantage. Maybe if there were less takers and more givers, those of us who have done everything "right" won't have to struggle so much to pay for those who want everything for free.
Just a thought.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013
Pregnancy Journal: Week 7
Today is Labor Day and my husband managed to scrape in a 4 day weekend by taking last Friday off. Woo-hoo for him! It's also the beginning of week 7 (or possibly the middle since I'm not too sure when my last period was...). Anyway, week 7 has some exciting things happening.
First, we are telling our parents. We actually told my husband's mom last weekend, but everyone else is learning this weekend. My parents came over on Saturday and we (reluctantly) shared the news with them. I say that because my mom is the queen of bad reactions. With my first, I got pregnant 10 months after we got married. My mom said to me, "Are you sure this is what you really want?" Bit too late there mom... then she complained that we told too early, though I was 8 weeks pregnant at the time. The next time through the gates we told them at 13 weeks. My oldest had just turned 1 when I got pregnant. Again, my mom had a great reaction, "It's too soon. You'll never be able to handle it." followed by complaints that we told them too late. So, you can see why I wasn't thrilled about spilling the beans about B3 to my dearest mother.
Fortunately, I was completely wrong. My parents were actually happy about it. My mom happily chatted about due dates and how she "knew" I was pregnant weeks ago. Apparently she had a feeling or something and told my dad she thought I was pregnant again and they were just waiting for the official announcement. The weird part is that she seems to be convinced I'm really a month farther than I am because I looked different the last time she saw me, like I had the "glow" which was 9 weeks ago. I'll be seriously weirded out if she winds up being right, though I highly highly doubt it.
Now, today we get to tell my husband's father and his girlfriend about it. That should be a blast... no, realistically I don't think his dad will be unhappy, but I don't think he'll be happy either. Neutral at best... he doesn't really get excited over babies and whatnot.
The reason we are telling everyone now is because the next time we'll see them will be at my youngest daughter's 2nd birthday party in 2 weeks and we want them to know before then in case it's obvious. It's already getting hard to button my pants, so who knows... in 2 weeks I may be in maternity pants. I'll probably be busting out those next week at home just for the sake of comfort.
Other than that, I'm really digging cheese lately. Also, my husband felt bad about me not being able to drink caffeine anymore and he went to the store last night and bought a ton of caffeine-free drinks. Then he set up a little beverage fridge in the living room (our house has a weird layout and the kitchen and living room are on opposite ends basically) so the drinks are more handy and I'm more likely to consume them. I have problems drinking enough while pregnant, so he's trying to stop that before it starts.
First, we are telling our parents. We actually told my husband's mom last weekend, but everyone else is learning this weekend. My parents came over on Saturday and we (reluctantly) shared the news with them. I say that because my mom is the queen of bad reactions. With my first, I got pregnant 10 months after we got married. My mom said to me, "Are you sure this is what you really want?" Bit too late there mom... then she complained that we told too early, though I was 8 weeks pregnant at the time. The next time through the gates we told them at 13 weeks. My oldest had just turned 1 when I got pregnant. Again, my mom had a great reaction, "It's too soon. You'll never be able to handle it." followed by complaints that we told them too late. So, you can see why I wasn't thrilled about spilling the beans about B3 to my dearest mother.
Fortunately, I was completely wrong. My parents were actually happy about it. My mom happily chatted about due dates and how she "knew" I was pregnant weeks ago. Apparently she had a feeling or something and told my dad she thought I was pregnant again and they were just waiting for the official announcement. The weird part is that she seems to be convinced I'm really a month farther than I am because I looked different the last time she saw me, like I had the "glow" which was 9 weeks ago. I'll be seriously weirded out if she winds up being right, though I highly highly doubt it.
Now, today we get to tell my husband's father and his girlfriend about it. That should be a blast... no, realistically I don't think his dad will be unhappy, but I don't think he'll be happy either. Neutral at best... he doesn't really get excited over babies and whatnot.
The reason we are telling everyone now is because the next time we'll see them will be at my youngest daughter's 2nd birthday party in 2 weeks and we want them to know before then in case it's obvious. It's already getting hard to button my pants, so who knows... in 2 weeks I may be in maternity pants. I'll probably be busting out those next week at home just for the sake of comfort.
Other than that, I'm really digging cheese lately. Also, my husband felt bad about me not being able to drink caffeine anymore and he went to the store last night and bought a ton of caffeine-free drinks. Then he set up a little beverage fridge in the living room (our house has a weird layout and the kitchen and living room are on opposite ends basically) so the drinks are more handy and I'm more likely to consume them. I have problems drinking enough while pregnant, so he's trying to stop that before it starts.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Recipe: Canned Tomatoes
It's the time of year when the garden is really producing and there's just more food to be picked and consumed than is humanly possible. We planed 14 tomato plants this year and had a few extras pop up from gardens gone by, so as you can imagine there are a lot of tomatoes to be eaten.
Whatever we can't eat, I can and save for the winter. Fresh canned tomatoes are just soo much better than the store-bought variety and really it doesn't take a lot of time or special equipment to do it. Below is a recipe for how I do my canned tomatoes.
Ingredients/tools:
-Tomatoes
-1 large sauce pot
-1 small sauce pot
-jars, lids and rings
-2 large bowls
-ice
-Fresh basil
-Salt
-Lemon Juice
-Vinegar
-Water bath canner
-1 bottle tomato juice
Directions:
Fill your water bath canner and put it on to boil. At the same time, put your jars in the dishwasher and hit the sanitize button. You can boil the jars if you want, but I find the dishwasher to be much easier.
While the water is boiling and the jars are santizing, put your tomatoes into the sink and cover them with water. Splash a little white vinegar into the mix and swish them around. The vinegar will remove dirt, leaves and other nasties from the outside of the tomatoes.
Next, put about 3 to 4 inches of water in your large sauce pot. Turn it on to boil. While it's coming up to temperature, fill a large bowl with ice and add a small amount of water until it is no more than 1/2 full.
Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, then choose a tomato from the sink and cut an X on the top with a knife. Drop the tomato in the water and repeat the process with several others. After several seconds you will notice the skin of the tomato begin to loosen and peel back around the X. Remove the tomato from the water with a slotted spoon and transfer it to your bowl of ice water. Continue until all tomatoes have been moved.
Choose a tomato from the ice water and simply pull the skin off with your hands. Dice the tomato on a cutting board and deposit it into the remaining large bowl. Continue the process with the remaining tomatoes.
Once the tomatoes are finished, empty the water from the large sauce pot and replace it with a couple cups of tomato juice. Bring the juice to a boil. Place the jar lids in the smallest sauce pan and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat. While the juice is boiling, carefully prepare your jars that were sanitized in the dishwasher with 1 basil leaf, a 1/2 tsp of salt and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Add diced tomatoes to each jar, then pour in tomato juice until 1/4 inch head space remains. wipe the rim and add a lid from the small saucepan. Tighten the ring onto the jar and set it aside. Continue with the remaining jars and tomatoes.
Once all the jars are prepared, check to see if your water in the canner is boiling. If it is, add the jars to the canner and process for 15 minutes. Remove the jars from the canner and allow to cool to room temperature. Press on each lid to ensure they sealed.
That's all there is to it! Once complete, you'll have a nice selection of canned tomatoes to use throughout the winter. Use them in sauces and other recipes that call for canned tomatoes.
Whatever we can't eat, I can and save for the winter. Fresh canned tomatoes are just soo much better than the store-bought variety and really it doesn't take a lot of time or special equipment to do it. Below is a recipe for how I do my canned tomatoes.
Ingredients/tools:
-Tomatoes
-1 large sauce pot
-1 small sauce pot
-jars, lids and rings
-2 large bowls
-ice
-Fresh basil
-Salt
-Lemon Juice
-Vinegar
-Water bath canner
-1 bottle tomato juice
Directions:
Fill your water bath canner and put it on to boil. At the same time, put your jars in the dishwasher and hit the sanitize button. You can boil the jars if you want, but I find the dishwasher to be much easier.
While the water is boiling and the jars are santizing, put your tomatoes into the sink and cover them with water. Splash a little white vinegar into the mix and swish them around. The vinegar will remove dirt, leaves and other nasties from the outside of the tomatoes.
Next, put about 3 to 4 inches of water in your large sauce pot. Turn it on to boil. While it's coming up to temperature, fill a large bowl with ice and add a small amount of water until it is no more than 1/2 full.
Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, then choose a tomato from the sink and cut an X on the top with a knife. Drop the tomato in the water and repeat the process with several others. After several seconds you will notice the skin of the tomato begin to loosen and peel back around the X. Remove the tomato from the water with a slotted spoon and transfer it to your bowl of ice water. Continue until all tomatoes have been moved.
Choose a tomato from the ice water and simply pull the skin off with your hands. Dice the tomato on a cutting board and deposit it into the remaining large bowl. Continue the process with the remaining tomatoes.
Once the tomatoes are finished, empty the water from the large sauce pot and replace it with a couple cups of tomato juice. Bring the juice to a boil. Place the jar lids in the smallest sauce pan and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat. While the juice is boiling, carefully prepare your jars that were sanitized in the dishwasher with 1 basil leaf, a 1/2 tsp of salt and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Add diced tomatoes to each jar, then pour in tomato juice until 1/4 inch head space remains. wipe the rim and add a lid from the small saucepan. Tighten the ring onto the jar and set it aside. Continue with the remaining jars and tomatoes.
Once all the jars are prepared, check to see if your water in the canner is boiling. If it is, add the jars to the canner and process for 15 minutes. Remove the jars from the canner and allow to cool to room temperature. Press on each lid to ensure they sealed.
That's all there is to it! Once complete, you'll have a nice selection of canned tomatoes to use throughout the winter. Use them in sauces and other recipes that call for canned tomatoes.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Facebook Yardale Woman...
Dear Facebook yardsale page woman... you suck. You know who you are, you're the broad that comments, "interested" on every item regardless of what it is and then follows up with "would you take ____"? with half the asking price. Then, whether or not the seller agrees to your ridiculously reduced terms you back out. Unless it's something totally awesome and brand new that was a steal to begin with - then you accept and re-post on another site.
You suck.
I'll say it for everyone else on the site. Whenever we see your name pop up in our notifications we cringe inside and see what ridiculous "offer" you have made. I'm tempted to block you, I really am. One more comment on something of mine and you're done.
You see, I've done this dance with you before. When I was new to the site you once commented on an item I was just looking to get rid of and offered half of the asking price. I accepted (though not enthusiastically) and asked you to message me to arrange a meeting place. You didn't message me right away, even though we both know you are hardwired to Facebook. While I was waiting for the message to come through, 2 other people became "interested". Now I had the comment feed showing your ridiculous offer with 2 other individuals that wanted it. You backed out and I was forced to sell at the lower price because everyone had seen I had agreed to sell it to you for that. The site forbids bidding, so I couldn't even ask if either of the interested parties was interested in paying the asking price for the item since I had effectively lowered the price with you.
Bitch.
Now that I've been on the site for a while I see that this appears to be a game you enjoy playing with people. You comment, they comment, you get the item for a lower price. Sometimes you buy it, though more often than not you don't and the price gets lowered. Then you post something like dirty underwear and get indignant if someone tries your own tactics on you.
Guess what sister, the game is over. OVER! You just commented on two of my items that are brand new in the boxes with a combined retail value of $80. You offered me $15 when I was only asking $30 to begin with. $30 is a steal for $80 of brand new kitchen appliances! Why offer $15? Why be insulting? Rather than take the $15 I'd rather just give the items as random Christmas gifts to someone I'm not really close to and have no idea what to buy.
Seriously though, if I wanted $15 for them, I'd have listed them for $15. Duh. Look at the price, pay it or go home. At this point I feel like I have to list them at $60 if I want $30. Now, don't get me wrong - I've haggled as well, but only when it says $XX/OBO and only when the item is not new. If it's brand new, I am willing to pay 50-75% of the retail price depending on what it is and where it is located. If the price is significantly more than I am willing to pay (like double), I simply pass on it without commenting or "like" the picture so the seller knows that I like their item, but don't like their price. There will always be another time.
As I was typing this, the person that commented got back and said they would pass on the items since I was unwilling to reduce my prices by half. So sad! I am tempted to get off the site all together - it's much more of a headache than it is worth. Especially with people like the super commenter making me look bad on everything because I won't lower my prices to half for her.
You suck.
I'll say it for everyone else on the site. Whenever we see your name pop up in our notifications we cringe inside and see what ridiculous "offer" you have made. I'm tempted to block you, I really am. One more comment on something of mine and you're done.
You see, I've done this dance with you before. When I was new to the site you once commented on an item I was just looking to get rid of and offered half of the asking price. I accepted (though not enthusiastically) and asked you to message me to arrange a meeting place. You didn't message me right away, even though we both know you are hardwired to Facebook. While I was waiting for the message to come through, 2 other people became "interested". Now I had the comment feed showing your ridiculous offer with 2 other individuals that wanted it. You backed out and I was forced to sell at the lower price because everyone had seen I had agreed to sell it to you for that. The site forbids bidding, so I couldn't even ask if either of the interested parties was interested in paying the asking price for the item since I had effectively lowered the price with you.
Bitch.
Now that I've been on the site for a while I see that this appears to be a game you enjoy playing with people. You comment, they comment, you get the item for a lower price. Sometimes you buy it, though more often than not you don't and the price gets lowered. Then you post something like dirty underwear and get indignant if someone tries your own tactics on you.
Guess what sister, the game is over. OVER! You just commented on two of my items that are brand new in the boxes with a combined retail value of $80. You offered me $15 when I was only asking $30 to begin with. $30 is a steal for $80 of brand new kitchen appliances! Why offer $15? Why be insulting? Rather than take the $15 I'd rather just give the items as random Christmas gifts to someone I'm not really close to and have no idea what to buy.
Seriously though, if I wanted $15 for them, I'd have listed them for $15. Duh. Look at the price, pay it or go home. At this point I feel like I have to list them at $60 if I want $30. Now, don't get me wrong - I've haggled as well, but only when it says $XX/OBO and only when the item is not new. If it's brand new, I am willing to pay 50-75% of the retail price depending on what it is and where it is located. If the price is significantly more than I am willing to pay (like double), I simply pass on it without commenting or "like" the picture so the seller knows that I like their item, but don't like their price. There will always be another time.
As I was typing this, the person that commented got back and said they would pass on the items since I was unwilling to reduce my prices by half. So sad! I am tempted to get off the site all together - it's much more of a headache than it is worth. Especially with people like the super commenter making me look bad on everything because I won't lower my prices to half for her.
Monday, August 26, 2013
Pregnancy Journal - Week 6
This marks to beginning of my 6th week of pregnancy. A lot has happened in the last week - not really in terms of the fetus, but in terms of doctors. I have yet to have my first visit and I have already changed doctors.
Yep. You read that correctly.
No, I didn't not up and switch practices in a fit of hormone induced rage. I actually was spilling the beans super early to a close friend and then the story of my last pregnancy came up. I told her about how after the baby was born I wound up with an abcess and how I'm worried about managing 2 kids in the waiting room for the obligatory hour long wait.
She was confused. Apparently not every OB charges you $25 if you're 10 minutes late to your appointment, yet feels justified in making you wait for at least an hour past your appointment time to see the doctor. Weird, right?
Then she told me how her doctor doesn't breeze in and breeze out like you're some sort of cow pushing out #3 (she has 3 kids herself). They treat every pregnancy like it's new and answer questions and take time with the patient, even if this isn't their first trip to the rodeo.
Amazing.
Of course I immediately asked for the name and number of this mystical OB while contemplating if it's weird to have the same vag doctor as my friend. In the end, I wound up calling her doctor and making an appointment. It then took me 2 days to cancel my first appointment with my old OB (that was my "official" doctor for my first 2 pregnancies, but only delivered 1 child and only saw me twice with another). Sometime around my 15th call to try and cancel I was convinced I was doing the right thing.
Other than that, last week all that happened was I got a blood test to confirm pregnancy. Shock of all shocks, it came back positive. Oh, and I may be getting some super cute maternity clothes from a yard sale site (see my previous posts... I am a bit obsessed with it). We also started looking at girl names since those are impossible. I liked Hope, Gia and Scarlet. The hubby liked Jenny. We vetoed each other's choices.
Yep. You read that correctly.
No, I didn't not up and switch practices in a fit of hormone induced rage. I actually was spilling the beans super early to a close friend and then the story of my last pregnancy came up. I told her about how after the baby was born I wound up with an abcess and how I'm worried about managing 2 kids in the waiting room for the obligatory hour long wait.
She was confused. Apparently not every OB charges you $25 if you're 10 minutes late to your appointment, yet feels justified in making you wait for at least an hour past your appointment time to see the doctor. Weird, right?
Then she told me how her doctor doesn't breeze in and breeze out like you're some sort of cow pushing out #3 (she has 3 kids herself). They treat every pregnancy like it's new and answer questions and take time with the patient, even if this isn't their first trip to the rodeo.
Amazing.
Of course I immediately asked for the name and number of this mystical OB while contemplating if it's weird to have the same vag doctor as my friend. In the end, I wound up calling her doctor and making an appointment. It then took me 2 days to cancel my first appointment with my old OB (that was my "official" doctor for my first 2 pregnancies, but only delivered 1 child and only saw me twice with another). Sometime around my 15th call to try and cancel I was convinced I was doing the right thing.
Other than that, last week all that happened was I got a blood test to confirm pregnancy. Shock of all shocks, it came back positive. Oh, and I may be getting some super cute maternity clothes from a yard sale site (see my previous posts... I am a bit obsessed with it). We also started looking at girl names since those are impossible. I liked Hope, Gia and Scarlet. The hubby liked Jenny. We vetoed each other's choices.
Friday, August 23, 2013
Fall Organization Goal
With the seasons changing and the impending arrival of my 3rd baby, I thought it was high time I got a little more organized. One thing I've always wanted to change was my house - I never feel like it's clean enough. With that being said, the chores can sometimes get overwhelming since I'm the only one that cleans here. So, to help relieve some of the burden, I've decided to make myself a monthly chart and routine.
I first listed every room in my home, and then made 3 columns for each: daily, weekly and monthly. Then, I started listing tasks that I do with those frequencies. Anything that's less than monthly I put down as monthly because lets face it - the cabinet fronts could stand to be washed more and I really do need to stay on top of cobwebs a little better.
Then I made some blank calendars and I will mark down each room at various points - weekly and monthly to know what to do and when. Hopefully this helps streamline my cleaning routine to leave more time to play with the kids and get work done. :-) I'll let you know how it goes!
P.S. - Does anyone have a home command center? Like a place for grocery shopping lists, cleaning lists, contact numbers, etc? I'm thinking of making a binder for one to keep everything in one location.
I first listed every room in my home, and then made 3 columns for each: daily, weekly and monthly. Then, I started listing tasks that I do with those frequencies. Anything that's less than monthly I put down as monthly because lets face it - the cabinet fronts could stand to be washed more and I really do need to stay on top of cobwebs a little better.
Then I made some blank calendars and I will mark down each room at various points - weekly and monthly to know what to do and when. Hopefully this helps streamline my cleaning routine to leave more time to play with the kids and get work done. :-) I'll let you know how it goes!
P.S. - Does anyone have a home command center? Like a place for grocery shopping lists, cleaning lists, contact numbers, etc? I'm thinking of making a binder for one to keep everything in one location.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
Blood
Does anyone else feel queasy when they get blood drawn? Just knowing what's going on over there grosses me out to the point where I feel nauseous. The weird part is that I am totally fine watching someone else get blood drawn, it's only an issue when it's me.
That probably won't bode so well with the whole being pregnant thing... As I recall, once you get knocked up, all medical professionals suddenly become ravenous vampires that are hell bent on draining you at every opportunity. Not fun.
I'm also trying out a new OB - I used the same Dr. for my first two pregnancies, but was not impressed last time, so this time around I'm trying someone new. She came highly recommended by friends and that was good enough for me. On a side note, what's up with male obstetricians? They skeeve me out in the worst way... what type of man would choose that as a profession? They may all joke about it, but the ones that really go for it must be a special kind of perverted. I'm sorry, but if you are a dude, you have no business elbow deep in vag all day. And don't even get me started on birthing babies. If you've never given birth and lack the capability to give birth, you have no idea what it's like and therefore when in labor I don't give a damn what you have to say. Tell me not to scream and to breathe through it... let me slowly cut your balls off with a dull knife and we'll see if you can breathe through it without screaming....
That probably won't bode so well with the whole being pregnant thing... As I recall, once you get knocked up, all medical professionals suddenly become ravenous vampires that are hell bent on draining you at every opportunity. Not fun.
I'm also trying out a new OB - I used the same Dr. for my first two pregnancies, but was not impressed last time, so this time around I'm trying someone new. She came highly recommended by friends and that was good enough for me. On a side note, what's up with male obstetricians? They skeeve me out in the worst way... what type of man would choose that as a profession? They may all joke about it, but the ones that really go for it must be a special kind of perverted. I'm sorry, but if you are a dude, you have no business elbow deep in vag all day. And don't even get me started on birthing babies. If you've never given birth and lack the capability to give birth, you have no idea what it's like and therefore when in labor I don't give a damn what you have to say. Tell me not to scream and to breathe through it... let me slowly cut your balls off with a dull knife and we'll see if you can breathe through it without screaming....
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