National Earth Hour Day

National Earth Hour Day came about to bring attention to climate change.  Earth Hour encourages participants to turn off all non-essential lights for one hour.

The event, which began in 2007 in Australia, is organized by World Wide Fund for Nature.  It has become quite popular over the years and has spread to over 4000 cities around the world.

This year, Earth Hour will take place today, March 30, from 8:30pm until 9:30pm.

White House Attire

For Spring Break, we decided to head to Washington D.C.  We scheduled a tour of the White House and the whole family decided to come along for the fun.  Along with the regular tour, we have a special tour, just for us.

For the "Special Tour" we must be dressed nice (no jeans, t-shirts, gym shoes, etc.).

You would think this would be easy, now that the kids are older.

One child is going to wear his suit.  We shall call him the angel child.

The next child asked if he could wear black jeans....  If they say, "No jeans," that includes black jeans.  He then went on to ask if he could wear his work boots.  I told him to find a pair of casual pants, button-down collared shirt and dress shoes and pack it.

The third child balked at having to wear a blouse.  She also wanted to wear her white gym shoes.  (she insists that they are just shoes)

RT said he didn't realize how difficult it would be for the kids to dress nicely.

To me?  This is all normal stuff I've been dealing with for many, many years.  I was just hoping that with time and an increase in their ages, this would have gone away.

Wishful thinking.

Purse

It's that  fun  time again.

Purse shopping!

Most people love purse shopping.  Most people probably have multiple purses and can happily and easily select a new purse to purchase in a matter of minutes.  Maybe they can do this in only one shopping trip, too.

I'm not one of those people.

I am very  picky  selective when purse shopping.  I believe I have purse commitment issues when it comes to buying a new purse.

I had to throw away two purses.  That might not seem like a lot, but, when you only have a few purses in your collection, it doesn't leave you with many choices (except a couple that are summer purses).

Bella told me to just go and buy one.  She doesn't realize that I have to be totally committed to the purse before the purchase.  You know, go out and have coffee, first.  Then, maybe a lunch here, a dinner there.  You know...go on dates with my potential future purse.  I can't just jump in full force and buy one.  That's a little too crazy for me.

I have been woo-ing a potential purse.  I think I'm at the next stage of our relationship.  I'm a little nervous, so, thoughts and prayers are welcome.

Can Opener

The never ending can opener saga.

You may remember the last post I wrote about this subject.  If not, I'll give you a little refresher.

When RT and I first got married, we got a nice can opener as a shower gift.  That one lasted until Nick was old enough to use a can opener and somehow it mysteriously broke.  This happened with each child breaking at least one can opener.  Our last can opener died in April of last year.

I usually have a back up can opener on hand, because I know the main one could be broken at any moment.  The last can opener (the one we used after the April "incident") is the latest can opener to kick the bucket.

I just want to add that my parents had a can opener (hand held) that they probably received as a wedding gift that lasted, well, probably into my childhood or teen years.

My brother did try to fix the can opener, but, then my child got a hold of it, and...well....

I did purchase a backup a few weeks ago and it's on its last few turns.

I have decided that I am going to purchase a can opener for myself and hide it.

By the way, how is my hot stock tip (buying stock in companies that make can openers) working for you?

National Puppy Day

Today is National Puppy Day.

I had to look up why this is a National Holiday.  I mean, we spoil our pets every day, do we need this special day set aside to give them more attention?

I found that National Puppy Day started to bring attention to orphaned puppies.  It was also brought about to get people to adopt puppies and not buy them from puppy mills.  Oh, and it's also a day to celebrate all the love that puppies bring to our lives.

Pippen isn't a puppy anymore.  Well, sometimes he acts like a puppy, and then there are times where he acts like an old man.  I still refer to him as my puppy.  So, I guess this is like every other day in our house.   I'll be giving Pippen an extra cookie and lots of love today.  He's so spoiled.

My Weird Dog

When Bella and I got up early for the dance competition, Pippen was a little confused.  He had his "sleep face" on and gave us a look that said, "Go back to sleep!"

When we got home, Pippen was happy to see us.  Well, I think he was happy just to see me.

RT told me that when he got up and came downstairs, Pippen was sitting in front of the window, looking for us.

I really think Pippen's clinginess is getting worse as he gets older.

Dance Mom

I had my big opportunity to be a Dance Mom last weekend.  Bella had her first dance competition and, let me tell you, it's pretty crazy!

I first had to apologize to Bella for not wearing  an obnoxious  a glittery, sequiny (definitely a word) "Dance" or "Dance Mom" shirt.  I also forgot my sweatshirt with a HUGE picture of her on the front. You know, so they know who I belong to in case I get lost.

We also didn't have the large piece of furniture  luggage bag for her costumes and makeup.  Instead, we used an old dance costume bag.

The killer was getting up at 5AM to get ready and drive to the competition.  We had to be there 2 hours early, which is great, because then you get to sit around and wait until your dance time.  While you are waiting, you can sit in the auditorium and watch other dancers perform.   After your dance performance(s), you wait around until award time.  So, basically, you are sitting around for 7-8 hours.

If you know me, you know I have a hard time sitting for long periods of time.

Bella has one more Dance Competition in a month.  I told her that gives me enough time to get my "Dance Mom" act together.  (She's hoping that I don't)

I don't know if I will survive many more of these competitions (if she decides to do this next year).  I might have to make RT a "Dance Dad" glittery shirt so he can take my place.