To pay, or not to pay…THAT is the question.
27 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment
in Children, Deep thoughts by Mo Strickland
I have talked about the show ,Wife Swap, before. For some reason, that show really gets me thinking. Sometimes about the fact I didn’t realize there were people actually out there like some of these people…and sometimes it makes me think about the way my husband and I do things.
Of course, I usually think our way is the best…but then again, I guess everyone does. But this past episode touched on a subject I have discussed with many-a-mother. Whether or not to PAY your children for doing chores around the house. This is a question I have struggled with for years now. Dave and I made the decision a while back to pay our children, we have them on a “chore list” with each chore getting a certain payment…if it’s done well, I sign off on that particular chore and at the end of the week, they get paid in cash for what they did.
They have to decide then what to do with their money. Automatically, 10% HAS to go into the “GIVE” envelope. As a Christian family, we believe in paying tithes….so we teach our children the same..and they put that in the offering as their own money they give. Then, they have to decide, what they want to spend now, and what they want to put in the “SAVE” envelope, if they are saving for a particular thing they’d like. My children have a VERY hard time saving for anything…I still haven’t gotten them to want to put much in their Save envelopes..but I still try.
Now, some other people, and as with a couple on Wife Swap, believe that you should not pay your children chore money. They live in that house, and should help out – and this I agree with also….but my question is – how are you going to teach your children how to do a job, do it well, and get rewarded, like “the real world” will be? So, there is my struggle…to pay, or not to pay…I still do…until someone can convince me differently.
Ready, Set, Go!
12 Jul 2010 1 Comment
I have always wanted to help others in need…it’s been bred into me from my loving parents, and the fact that we were about as poor as they came when I was little, and know somewhat what it was like to not have much. I have always said…if I had the means to help others, I would….well, I do now.
I have said before, that while I’ve been very ill, I have had so much time to think of what I could do for others when I got better. Although I am still not completely healed yet, I am able to do some of what I had thought of.
There is such a need in the town close to where I live, so many homeless…and in this day and age, not because they “messed up their lives”, some lost their jobs, families, or abused and on the run with their children. My husband comes home all the time from business trips with countless shampoos, condiditoner, soaps…and I used to put them in the guest bathroom and save them for guests…but then it just came to the point where we had so much…and here’s where the brain started to go….yes, it does work on occassion! 
(close your mouths…it’s not THAT big of a surprise is it?)
I thought “I bet there is a huge need in the homeless communities, or shelters that could use this stuff!” Then, the thought came to me that others might have accumulated this stuff on their travels too…and what if, just what if, I could get the word out for people to bring home their unused toiletries from their trips, I could arrange to get them, and give them to these people in need?!
I just put a simple little post on FB to ask if people knew where there was a need…and bam, emails, FB messages and posts started flooding my inbox. There is obviously a huge need for this stuff…from the homeless to the military.
So, if you are reading this blog right now, and you think you have some of this stuff at home, and/or you know someone or people that do a lot of traveling and can help with this ministry…let me know. If you’re local…I can arrange to get it from you! I think every little bit will help!
Thanks so much for helping me get this ministry off it’s feet…if we can make a difference in just one person’s life…what a blessing that would be!
War, what is it good for?
08 Jul 2010 1 Comment
I am convinced that there are certain things that are just against every man’s religion.
I have been with Dave for 23 years, and married for 18, and there are things he STILL does not do unless I get after him about it, or what usually happens is, I just end up doing it myself, so I don’t feel like a nag.
For example, this is a picture of the top of our shredder. The machine that is in DAVE’S office, the machine that lies not 2 feet away from where he spends a vast majority of his daily life. When I go thru the mail, I will put a pile of things that need to be shredded on top of the shredder…it will pile up, until I finally will just put something on the TV, sit on the floor and shred. How does the mess not bother him, how does it not scream, “Get rid of me…I look like a big pile of garbage over here!”?
Another example, what the heck is up with things like visiting a friends house? All the women flock to the kitchen, helping to cook and set the table, while the men relax on the couch or outside, just having a good ‘ol time…then, time to eat, they go to the table, have their meal, and then quickly get back to what they were doing while the women are back in the kitchen cleaning up. By the time we women get to the couch, we’re exhausted, and not ready for much more. Who is responsible for this madness? I want to know!
So therefore, I make my kids do chores, clean up their OWN messes, and help out in the house THEY also live in, so maybe, just maybe, I will have a small part in changing what has become this insane tradition that is men.
There is no greater love…
05 Jul 2010 Leave a Comment
in Deep thoughts by Mo Strickland, Life
You know, I’ve never been really the type of person who was very materialistic, nor am I high maitenence by any means, at least I thought so, BEFORE I got sick. Being sick for 9 (and still going) months has put so many things in such prospective for me. I mean, you hear it all the time, to appreciate what you have, and I really thought I did…but when you actually think you’re dying…well, you realize you REALLY didn’t.
Now, I notice every little thing…the way my children smile all different ways at different things….the way my husband’s sense of humor is always at the perfect tone at the perfect time, to make me bust out with a loud laugh…even the words “I love you” which are said quite frequently to one another in this house, means so much more. I also notice that I have a HUGE desire to want to help others more. While I was in bed, I thought of quite a few things I’d like to start doing. To make another persons day by doing the smallest things, means more to me than just about anything!
Makes me think of how God feels about us…He can do the smallest or even the biggest things for us, but do we notice? Do we stop and REALLY look around us be thankful just at the fact that you were able to get out of bed that day, and feel the hugs from loved ones? Do we shop for things we don’t need or spend unnecessary money on things for ourselves, when we could use some of that to help someone in need?
I can’t imagine loving anyone more than I love my husband and children. I tell them probably at least 10 times a day, but I think God loves us so much more…am I truly appreciating what he has given me and using that for His glory? Are you?
Eating Crow..
27 Jun 2010 Leave a Comment
in Deep thoughts by Mo Strickland Tags: Nutella
My friend, Brian, is what I call a “frequent updater” always Twittering and FB’ing…and quite a few of those posts have talked about this chocolate hazelnut spread called Nutella.
I remember quite vividly, my grandmother ALWAYS having a jar of this in her cupboard, and my mom begging me to try it, and me grossing out just at the thought of it! So when my friend Brian started up talking about how his wife, Sonya, makes this or that with it, and how incredible it was, I would find my self literally cringing…until now.
Sonya put me up to the challenge of just simply trying it. So last week, while waiting for my honey in the dentist office, I came across a recipe for a chocolate hazelnut pie, with that as an ingredient. I decided to write it down. After a long serch for hazelnuts, which came up empty, so I left them out…I got the remaining ingredients and made the pie tonight.
My son has two friends spending the night, I was just finishing up the pie as they walked in, so I offered everyone a try. Within minutes, this pie was almost completely gone! This pie was so fabulous, I think I might have to make it again tomorrow night for our friend get-together.
So Brian and Sonya, I hereby admit (don’t get used to this) I was wrong. Nutella rocks!
My Material Obsessions….Part I
21 Jul 2009 2 Comments
in Life Tags: yankee candles
I have said it before – I LOVE Yankee Candles, There is just something about going to my closet and picking out the “perfect scent” for the day. I don’t know what it is, but the house filled with a great scent, and the calming glow of the candle…just relax me during my what is now become very chaotic days.
The only thing I don’t like about these things, is they seem to always discontinue my fav’s…what’s up with that?
Guess I just have to wait for the next scratch and sniff catalog in the mail and pick out new ones! WOO HOO!
“Walk by Faith and NOT by Sight…”
29 May 2009 1 Comment
in Life
Can you believe that?! There you are God….You ARE listening!
What’s Wrong with this Picture?
11 May 2009 Leave a Comment
in Life
Cute squirrel, you might be thinking. But the real reason I took this shot, well there is a story behind it.
You see, Dave and I REALLY get into our bird watching. We have 3 birdfeeders around our property, and we get the most amazing birds here in the country…but we have a couple little problems…and that is 2 squirrels.
We buy the “songbird” food for the birds, so we get the pretty birds, however, we have psycho squirrels that come and find ways to hang from these birdfeeders and eat all the food up, sometimes within a day of filling them up! So we decided to try birdfood that was guaranteed that squirrels would NOT eat…but ours do.
When I say psycho, I mean exactly that! They climb up our lanai screen and literally squeel and hiss at my cats, and when I try to scare them away, they have literally went flying over my head, but I think they meant to land on it! (Could have been some great video if Dave was ready for it) They flatten their bodies, and hiss at me and they charge at me. They are nuts! (no pun intended)
But back to the reason that I took this particular photo. Dave decided he had enough of these squirrels and spent the extra moolah on the “squirrel proof feeder”. As you can see from this picture, our squirrels got the last laugh on that one…
Next step…I think these squirrels are gonna have to be relocated if you know what I mean. Game on little guys!
A Night to Remember…
08 May 2009 Leave a Comment
in Life
On Saturday 4/25/09, Dave and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary. We decided about 2 years ago, we would start taking turns planning the celebrations every year. This year, was his turn. We mutually decided not to go away anywhere this year, with so many vacations planned this year, that was enough. So the planning began….
I can’t keep a secret from him about what I am doing, but when it’s HIS turn, he doesn’t tell me anything! It kills me. I mean, I like surprises, but I like them when I don’t know they’re coming 
The morning was taken up by soccer games and swimming lessons, but once we got home, he arranged for his parents to arrive and so begun our afternoon.
He took me for a tour around Orlando…only difference is, it was in the air! We took a helicopter tour that was so incredible…I will remember it for the rest of my life. I only wished it was longer.
Then off for some shopping for a while – can’t knock that…until our dinner reservations. He took me to a place called Roy’s in Metro West. It was the single most amazing meal (with another one with a friend as a close second) I have had in my life!!! If you ever get the chance to go there, GO! We are NOT fancy people (contrary to what my friend Julie thinks) and having someone put a napkin in my lap and go down almost the entire menu and how they cooked each thing (half of which we didn’t understand) was foreign to us.
Anyhow, when I opened my menu, there was a note that said “Happy Anniversary” and a poem. Employees from the restaurant kept stopping by our table to wish us a H.A…and treated us like royalty. The best part…the dessert…The Hot Chocolate Soufle. A chocolate cake/brownie type thing with oozing thick dark chocolate on the inside, on top of a serving of raspberry sauce, and served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The plate had beautiful flowers decorating it, and in raspberry sauce, they wrote Happy Anniversary in Hawaiian (sp). http://www.roysrestaurant.com/roysclassics.asp
It was a night we will remember forever, and will cherish. It also opened up a whole new world for me, because had it not been for Dave’s eye disease, I would have NEVER agreed to go up in that helicopter…Now, I am planning our trip to do it over the Grand Canyon! Maybe Sky Diving will be next…there’s no tellin’!
St. Augustine…
29 Apr 2009 Leave a Comment
in Life
The old jail. They actually kept prisoners in this "bird cage"
Recently, we decided to take a trip to St. Augustine, FL…for a little learning and then a little R&R.
Austin has been learning about the history of FL (and I should say so have I since I learn so much teaching him), so we thought a field trip to FL’s oldest town would be a great place to learn. We took a trolley tour around the city (man, that got expensive since the first time we visited!…if you ever do this, I suggest finding deals before going)
Austin already knew most of the stories they were telling from reading the books we borrowed from the library, but of course, they make it sound so much more interesting. The day was followed by dinner at our favorite restaurant (besides for the Spanish bakery) Saltwalter Cowboys. We spent most of the next day at the beach and just let the kids let loose. Where Dave had a very nostalgic moment (see Dave’s blog).
I love going to St. Augustine, and never tire of it! Places to go when you’re there:
The Spanish Bakery, Saltwater Cowboys, Trolley Tour, Horse and Carriage Ride, the Lightner Museum, Costillo de san Marcos (fort), and if you’re really feeling freaky, the ghost tour (w/o kids) is really fun, even if you don’t believe in that sort of thing. The beach to go to is the Anastasia Island State Park. Don’t waste your time on: The Fountain of Youth…it’s not worth it! Wanna look young, go to Walgreens and get some Oil of Olay, don’t smoke and get too much sun That advice is free…
Now if someone can tell me how to get skinny w/o eating healthy and excercising!
