10 on Tuesday: Things We've Forgotten Since Kindergarten

Many, many years ago (24 ish) a man named Robert Fulghum wrote a book called "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten." In this book were essays and pieces of life advice that most of us learned at a very early age.  The problem, I have noticed lately, is that many of us seem to have forgotten these very important life lessons.  We've forgotten how to treat others and how to live in a world that we all must share.

10 Things We've Forgotten Since Kindergarten

1. Share- I am okay with people working hard to get what they want, but I have a problem with some people amassing more than they can possibly use in their lifetimes while others go without.  Wouldn't the world be better if we could all remember to share?
2. Put things back where they belong-This includes putting away your toys and other items, but it also means recycling when possible and certainly means not littering!
3. Live a balanced life--Work hard when it's time to work, play hard when it's time to play.  Remember to do a little of both. Too much of either one has bad results.
4. Draw and paint and sing and dance--It's important to take time to do things that are enjoyable just for the sake of doing them.  Too many people think that growing up means being serious all the time.  Not true!  Try getting a little messy every once in a while.  Sing loudly and don't worry if others can hear you.  Stop worrying so much about what others think and just have fun!
5. Take a nap--Nobody deals well when they are cranky.  Sometimes you just need a nap.  If you can't take a nap, at least take a break and try to recharge.
6. Say you're sorry--We all make mistakes. The world would be a better place if we all owned up to them and used them as learning experiences, instead of trying to backpedal, blame shift, or cover up.
7. Wash your hands before you eat-Mostly because it's healthier that way, but also coming to the table well groomed is a way of showing respect for the person who prepared your meals.  And showing respect and using manners are always good things to do.
8. Warm cookies and milk are good for you--in moderation, of course.  Don't be so extreme in your diet that you can't leave room for a little fun once in a while. Don't go so overboard in your snacking that you don't have room for healthy stuff.
9. Flush--OK, I'll admit we're still working on this at my house.  But it's good to have goals, right!?!
10. When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together--What if we all helped each other and looked out for each other instead of delights in the misery of others?   What if we all played this game of life as if we were all on the same team?\

What would you add?

Ten Phrases that are Almost Never Good News

I've been having fun lately with my Ten on Tuesday lists!  I had "one of those days" last week that just screamed out to be included in a list, so here it is:

10 Phrases that are Almost Never Good News

1. "We need to talk"  Whether this is from your spouse, your child's teacher or your boss, you are rarely being invited to talk about good news.
2. "Wait til you hear what junior did/said today!"  Sometimes this is a slight variation of the above, it has been known to occasionally herald good news or a funny story.  Occasionally!
3. "Where's the shutoff valve for the water??"  When asked in a panicked voice, this usually means something is flooding somewhere!
4. "That's gonna leave a mark!"  Usually said after someone and something collide in a violent manner.  
5. "I found that {lunch box, sippy cup, coffee mug} we've been looking for!"  If you hear this within a day of looking for said object, it's not too bad.  If you hear this a week or two after the item went missing, just toss it in the trash.  You don't want to even think about looking inside!  P.S. The sippy cup is almost always under the bed.
6. "What's that smell?!?"  This one totally depends on the tone and facial expression. The younger your children, the more likely that this statement is not good news.
7. "Why is this wet?"  Spots on the floor, counter tops, furniture...it seems like I am always asking this question in my house.  And even if it's only water, it's still in a place that shouldn't be wet!
8. "I forgot my {homework, soccer cleats, ballet shoes, etc.}"  I don't know about your house, but this phrase is almost always uttered withing 2 miles of the destination.
9. "PAPER TOWELS!!!"  In my house this is what an emergency request for cleaning supplies sounds like.  Doesn't matter what the mess is, apparently if you yell "paper towels" at the top of your voice (as opposed to, you know, going to get some yourself...) all messes will be taken care of.
10. "oops"  Yeah, this one is never good!

10 Things that Never come out Even

I was making a last minute dinner of spaghetti and meatballs last week and I ended up with too much sauce.  It seems to always happen that way or the other: too many noodles.  It got me to thinking about other things that never come out even.  It used to annoy me about hot dogs and buns too, but apparently those manufacturers got together and finally sorted that mess out!

But there are still quite a few...

Things that Never come out Even

1. pencil/eraser--I usually use all of the eraser before I run out of pencil.  I guess that's why they sell all those toppers.
2. chips/dip--Did you know you're supposed to pour some chips into a bowl and some dip into a separate bowl for your late night snacking?  It's bad for your diet if you just take the whole bag and dip container to the couch!  Either way, one always runs out before the other.
3. spaghetti/sauce--The dilemma that started this whole line of thinking.  In this case, I ended up making a meatball sandwich the next day that was pretty good!
4. chores/time--Actually, I'm not sure that I've ever finished *all* my chores and had leftover time...
5. shampoo/conditioner--You buy a matching set in your favorite scent.  And then one runs out.  You can't buy just one, but if you buy both again you'll be stuck using the same scent forever!
6. gas in rental car/vacation--The goal here is to return the car with exactly as much gas as they gave it to you with, but that never happens, right?  You either have too little and have to pay $10 a gallon for them to fill it up; or you top it off and leave them with extra gas that you don't get credit for.
7. cake/frosting--Not that having leftover frosting is necessarily a bad thing.  I mean, you'll have to eat it to save room in the fridge, right?  And everyone knows that calories don't count when you're just cleaning out the fridge!
8. quesadilla filling/tortillas--Another dinner problem.  I don't mind extra tortillas because I can make sandwich wraps, but what do I do if I run out of tortillas and still have filling left?
9. popcorn/soda--I try to space it out so that I have one last sip of soda after the last nite of popcorn, but that never actually works.
10. ice cream/chocolate syrup--Why are so many of these things food related!  Remind me not to blog when hungry!!

Can you relate to any of these?  Any other pairs that don't come out even?  

10 on Tuesday: Things I am Behind On

10 Things I am Behind on This Week

1. Writing this post (since it's Wednesday and all...)
2. Laundry
3. Restaraunt database for fundraisers
4. Typing minutes from last PTA meeting
5. Ordering supplies at work
6. Sleep
7. Money
8. My Bones episodes
9. My daily steps
10. Blogging in general

10 Things Tuesday-Good Habits

Since last week was "Make Your Bed Day" I am making a list of

10 Good Habits We Have Started Recently

1. 30 minutes of cleaning every night
2. 1 load of laundry every day
3. Pre-Made dinner menu 
4. Eating breakfast at the table together
5. More fresh fruits and vegetables
6. Alternating TV times with chores for the kids
7. Better brushing and flossing
8. More walking for Mom
9. Packing lunches for school
10. Less computer/iPad time in the evenings

We still falter on most of these, but we keep going. It makes our house look better, our bodies feel better, our money go further, and our relationships work better. I also hope that I am teaching my kids good habits that will serve them well in adulthood.

What good habits are you working on?

Next week: 10 Bad Habits You are Trying to Quit

10 Things Tuesday-10 Fall Ideas

10 Things to do This Fall

Carter's Mountain last year

1. Pick apples at Carter's Mountain
2. Go to the Pumpkin Patch as a family
3. Get Fall photos done 
4. Celebrate Frances' birthday
5. Jump in some leaves
6. Go for a hike
7. Take a walk at the Arboretum
8. Make a fun wreath for our door
9. Plan our Halloween costumes
10. Make homemade soups and chili

 What are your favorite Fall traditions?

10 Things Tuesday-Patriots' Day

10 Things I Love About America

 

1. Free speech-I may not like everything other people have to say, but I honor their right to say it. Alternately, I appreciate being able to share my true feelings about a matter without fear of punishment. Consequence, yes. Punishment, no.
2. Religious freedom-I can go to church and worship as I please. Or I can choose not to go to church (just don't tell my mom).
3. The right to vote-I have a say, however small, in the direction of this community, this state and this country.  And so does everyone else (who is over 18, not a felon, and a legal citizen).
4. Diversity- We live in an incredibly diverse country. I notice this as I pick up my kids from school and walk around our neighborhood.  I also noticed it during the Olympics.  The Chinese national teams were full of Chinese people. Teams from the continent of Africa were all dark skinned.  But the American teams had all different skin tones and facial features.  I thought we looked awesome up on those podiums!
5. Music-You have to admit; whatever your style, America has some pretty awesome music!  I tend to like the Christian, classic rock, and country styles. But there are lots of other kinds for people to like, and you are allowed to like whatever kind you want!
6. Food-We have some awesome food here too! When my older brother, John, was little he was apparently a picky eater. The story goes that he once told my dad he did like foreign food. "I only eat American food, like pizza and spaghetti."  Ha! Good one, John! Really, the food here is as diverse as the people, and it's all delicious.  (Except for the okra.)
7. Geography-We've got a lot of neat geography in the U.S.  Mountains, valleys, deserts, lakes, oceans, icebergs, volcanoes. Some I've visited, some I'd like to spend more time in, and some I could probably do without, but it's nice to have the diversity.
8. Brotherhood-We pull together well in this country.  We may disagree on a lot of points, but when it comes down to it, people are proud to be American. When there is a national disaster, people come together to donate their times, skills, money and blood to help out. Locally, if there is a fire or other tragedy, people donate money , food, and clothes to help out the victims.  It is heartening to see people pull together in tough times.
9. Disagreements-Think how boring facebook would be if we all agreed all the time! But, really, think of all the growth that has come out of healthy disagreement.  You might sway me to your opinion; I might sway you towards mine, but either way it makes us think and thinking is good. It leads to new ideas and new perspectives. As long as you can disagree in a civil way, I say bring it on!
10. Government-I might really be starting something here, but I like our government. I may not always agree with what the government does, but I truly believe that it is aimed in a generally positive direction with mostly good intentions.  I understand that government is made up of fallible humans who all have different viewpoints. I understand that some people in government do some bad things and make bad decisions, but I think in general our government is looking out for us and trying to make life better for us. 

How about you? Why do you love America? 

10 Things Tuesday-Back to School

Ten Things I Want to Do This School Year

Last year at the Pumpkin Patch

1. Go on field trips
2. Eat lunch at school with my kiddos
3. Make sure their teachers know how much I appreciate them
4. Volunteer for the Christmas Knight Bucks store
5. Get involved with the PTA
6. Make a new parent friend
7. Establish good homework routines
8. Pack healthy lunches
9. Help in the classroom (or outside the classroom, if it's something that can be sent home)
10. Pray more often for my kids, their classmates, and their teachers

What are your big plans for this school year?