Paper or Plastic?

I just returned from the grocery store. I am deeply offended at the price of groceries. I know I shouldn't take it personally, but it really hurts my feelings. How do these certain government-assisted families with NUMEROUS children afford to live? I realize the economy is all whacked out these days and all, but COME ON!!!! We've got to eat! Although I did learn something very valuable the past few months: Never take your child to the grocery store. It saves a lot of money AND it's so much easier to concentrate. But about these grocery prices.... WHAT THE......?!

My Strong-Willed Child.

My house has been totally redecorated! Free of charge and no strings attached. By my three-year-old. My pillows have been rearranged, my pictures have been rearranged, even my bedroom has been rearranged. Why? Because MY stuff gets in his way. My son has his very own bedroom AND playroom WITH a television and DVD player all to himself. The only thing that is NOT his in his playroom is our computer. Which has been known to also get in his way. For some reason my child finds it necessary to drag ALL his toys in the living room, dining room, kitchen and mine and Chad's bedroom. Even our bathroom. His stuff is everywhere. I am a dog chasing it's tail. I pick up THIS room and turn around to clean up THAT room when THIS room is back to the way I found it before I cleaned up. I promised Chad that if I ever became a
stay-home mom we would have a spotless house 24/7. Not only was that before I had a child, but I was also very optimistic of my future. I TRY to be laid back about the situation, after all, it's not like I'm expecting company anytime soon, but I just can't let it go. I TRY to tell myself there are more important things, like letting my son enjoy himself and not be a nagging mother, but it's easier said than done. Here's another thing I have a problem with: When I work, my mom keeps my son. (That's not the problem). Apparently there are rules that don't apply to your children's children that DO apply to your children. I remember having a very clean and neat house growing up. Don't get me wrong, I'm very thankful that my mother keeps my son while I'm at work, and I don't want it any other way, but how come my child doesn't have to do what HER child had to do while in her care? I guess that when you become a grandparent there are certain boundaries you don't touch. Let Mommy and Daddy be the bad guys. MiMi gets to go home and laugh. So, apparently my son thinks he should get the same treatment from EVERYBODY. Even Mommy and Daddy. But, that just doesn't happen here.

This conversation happens at least twice a day:

Me: Brennan, we need to clean up your toys and put them where they go.
Brennan: I don't want to.
Me: I didn't ask if you WANTED to. I told you to. There is no option.
Brennan: I not going to pick up right now.
Me: You don't pick up NOW then we will go to time-out.
Brennan: I don't want to go to time-out.
Me: Then pick up.
Brennan: Don't want to.
Me: Then we're going to time-out.

Believe it or not folks, I do follow through and make him sit in time-out while he cries his head off. It wouldn't be so bad if he would get just a couple of toys out at a time. Instead he gets through playing with one thing and moves on to another and so on and so on. It's a vicious cycle. VICIOUS.

Conversation this morning:

Me: Brennan, Mama doesn't feel very well, so can you be really sweet for me today?
Brennan: Yes, Mama. I be sweet.

Five seconds later:
Me: Brennan, can you throw this paper in the garbage for me? It's your trash so you need to throw it away.
Brennan: I don't want to. You throw it away.
Me: No, I told you to.
Brennan: Mama, you throw it in the garbage!
Me: No Brennan. You tore it off your toy, so go throw it away!
Brennan: Not right now, Mama.

At this point it would've been easier for me to get up and do it myself, but then it just became the principle of the issue. Eventually, after arguing a little longer he finally gave in and threw it away. Strong-willed child and a vicious, vicious cycle. Am I going to make it to his first day of kindergarten?!

The Spirit of the Marathon.

I almost forgot. Chad and I went to see "The Spirit of the Marathon" along with many others of you marathoners last night. What a great documentary. So many things were so perfectly said in that movie. A lot of things were put in perspective. Even Chad enjoyed it and he has no desire to ever run 26.2 miles. I loved the way someone in the movie said the marathon does something for the person's spirit and how crossing the finish line, whether you're the slowest person or the fastest person, truly changes your life. There were a couple of times during the movie that I wanted to cry, because I know just how that person felt. It made me remember the nervousness we all felt when we got up to 18, 20, and 22 miles. We all kept telling ourselves, "Just two miles longer than last time". Then you begin to realize how much longer two miles really is. Kind of like that .2 at the end of 26.2. Although, a part of me got just a little sad because I kept telling myself that just a few months ago I was in the best shape of my life getting ready to run Chicago and now I would collapse at mile 13, if not before. But there are other things that are now a priority in my life. The marathon will always be there for me later. That is, if I ever get the urge to do something that crazy again! But, I hope everyone else enjoyed the movie as thoroughly as I did.

Still a secret.

Everybody be patient..... The good news could always turn out to be bad news...that's why I can't say anything yet. :-) I need an OFFICIAL confirmation. I didn't realize how many people read my blogs!

Stay tuned....

I might have some really exciting news coming up. That's all I'm going to say about it... Stay tuned and find out more.....

Is that SNOW?!

I missed Brennan's first time to see snow this morning, but Chad took these pictures for me since I wasn't home. He came to wake Chad up because he was so excited about the snow!

Two things I wonder how I ever lived without:

#1) DVR. Just like cell phones, where was my life before this? I am amazed at how much easier it is to be able to watch television. If I get interrupted or I know I will not be able to finish a show, all I have to do is either hit the pause button or just record the entire show with just a click of the button from my remote control. Amazing what technology can do these days.

#2) The television show Frasier. I cannot believe I missed out on 10 years of laughter because I did not watch that show. Now I feel like I must make up for 10 years of lost time. I laughed so hard the other day that tears where coming out of my eyes. Funny stuff.

MAMA!!!!

Where are we going? Where is Dixie Kate? Where's my cup? What color is that? Why? Can I have my blocks? Where is my red car? Why? Can we go to Memaw's? Are we going to Memaw's? Can I have that? What is that? Where did that truck go? How many cars are in that garage? Why? Why is that door closed? Is that mine? Where is Daddy? Is Daddy at work? Why is Daddy at work? Does he make moneys? Why? Does Mama have to go to work today? Where is MiMi's house? Why? Where is Brennan's house? Is that Mama's? Where is my blankie? Why? What's in the back of that truck? Why is it in there? Where are they going? Why? Is that a big ol' truck? Can we go over there? Why? Is that where MiMi's house is? Why? Why can't we? Are those Mama's shoes? Does Mama have any moneys? Does Daddy have any moneys to by Brennan some gum? Where did it go? Why?

A typical day in the Miller household. From Brennan's point of of view. Or mine. Whichever you may find more amusing.

Starting Fresh.

A little about the Miller clan:

Chad: Married to a BEAUTIFUL, CHARMING, INTELLIGENT, GODDESS of a wife.(Who becomes more beautiful with each passing day of marriage) And what better to go with the perfect wife than a HANDSOME, INTELLIGENT, PERFECT 3 1/2 year old son. Chad is a C.P.A. who works for the auditing department at a C.P.A. firm in Jackson. Loves to watch football...actually has become quite obsessed about it. Loves the beach, he lives for summer vacations in Destin, Florida. Is very family-oriented spending most all of his spare time with his family. Every now and then, when a good football game is on you will catch him indulging in a little Wild Turkey.... but ssshhhhh, that's our little secret. Mexican food is Chad's absolute favorite thing to eat in this entire world. That and good, Southern comfort food, like homemade macaroni and cheese.

Mandy: Married to a...well, you just read about him. :-) Part-time dental assistant, full-time wife and mother. The ultimate dream is to be just like June Cleaver. Although this IS just a dream because I don't like to wear pearls and high-heels unless absolutely necessary. I just want to be on whatever happy pills June was on that always made her so calm and understanding and patient. And I also would like to have a spotless house 24 hours a day and children and a husband who know how to clean up behind themselves-- WITHOUT ANY ARGUMENTS!!!!! And to be an excellent cook wouldn't hurt, either. Although my cooking isn't THAT bad. I love to drink wine and the occasional margarita.

Brennan: Three-and-a-half years old. Runs the show. Threatens to call Dr. Phil whenever a problem arises and he's stuck in timeout. Mental and emotional abuse is what he considers it. Future politician/millionare/lawyer. He has already excelled in the art of bribery and is showing a few of his friends the ropes. Sly and even cunning he knows when it's time to show off his grin and bat his eyes. He also loves to talk. And talk. And talk. And argue. His favorite song is "Jingle Bells". His favorite food is homemade mac-and-cheese, hamburgers, and pizza, and Cheerios. Milk is his mom's drink of choice for him, but she occasionally lets him indulge with a cup of Diet Root Beer.

Dixie Kate: Jack Russell Terrier. Five years old. Favorite pastime is begging for food and barking at the garbage man and the mean little dog, Oreo, next door. Has her own bed, but she allows Chad and I to share it with her every night. She scares off would-be predators with her protruding underbite. She always looks like she is growling.