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Putting a Stop to Unwanted Wedding Help!

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Flipping channels this morning, I came across yet another reality show…”Momster of the Bride”.  The name says it all.  I watched the show in it’s entirety, becoming more and more disgusted with the behavior of this so-called “parent”.  I was reminded of the situation a friend is in regarding her wedding, and her mother’s desperate need to control it.

So far, my friend has compromised on the location of both the ceremony itself and the reception.  She’s been almost harassed by her mother’s side of the family regarding religious views and traditions, and she’s been challenged down to the contents of the guest list. 

Remembering my own wedding and the compromises we made (although not for my mom…she was great), I started thinking about alternatives to the traditional wedding that causes so much stress. 

  • My friend mentioned above has just found out that the all inclusive resort they booked for their honeymoon offers a FREE beach wedding in Mexico.  That’s enough to make me get married again!
  • My mom heard of a couple inviting all of their friends to a huge barbecue.  When the guests arrived, they were told that they were to be witnesses to the host’s wedding!  What a perfect way to alleviate the pressure from the control freaks!
  • Many couples opt out of a traditional wedding ceremony and simply get married by a Justice of the Peace.  They use the money saved on either a big honeymoon or a fun reception…or both!

As the big wedding season approaches, far too many brides are more anxious to get the ceremony behind them, feeling way too much pressure and conflict.  If this is the case, consider a different approach.  It is YOUR day.  Enjoy it!

Photo by Johnny Jet via Flickr Creative Commons.

 

 

 

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It’s Difficult to Share Family Time with Strangers!

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Just over two years ago, when my husband was presenting all the “perks” of owning his own business, the idea of having more time as a family really appealed to me.  It was probably the biggest selling point my husband could present.  I don’t believe that either of us were prepared, however, for sharing our family time!

Yes, I admit, we do spend more time together as a family.  But very rarely do we do anything or go anywhere without my husband’s phone ringing.  Nine times out of ten, it’s a business call that he “has to take”.  At restaurants, movies, the park, family gatherings…EVERY CALL COUNTS. 

One evening had been particularly rough, and the two of us were just sitting down to watch some of the many shows we’d recorded on DVR.  About 15 minutes into our first show, at around 11:30pm, his phone rang.  To say I was irritated is putting it mildly.  He answered to find a very intoxicated man requesting a quote for a windshield replacement.  Being the good businessman that he is, he looked up the part and price, and gave the man a quote.  The man scheduled the job for the next day.  My husband called me after doing the job to inform me that he had met his first customer who actually jumped up and down with excitement about having his windshield replaced!  Yes…he was still drunk.  But he was a happy customer, and we made money we wouldn’t have made if Patrick hadn’t answered that call.  EVERY CALL COUNTS!

I am constantly reminding myself that the decision “we” made (in quotes because I only take responsibility for it when it’s good!) to become business owners requires us to be on call all the time.  If we miss a call, the next glass company may get that job.  And in this economy, we can’t afford that! 

This is why Patrick carried his phone into the ocean this past June…he was waiting for a call.  The call came, but several hours later when the phone was being eaten alive by the salt water after the largest wave EVER struck my husband…and his shirt pocket (where the phone was nice and safely waiting).  By the time Patrick could get back in touch with the caller, all eight jobs had been contracted out to another company.  EVERY CALL COUNTS!

So, do we enjoy our added family time…YES.  Do we like sharing it with strangers?  Not really!!!  But we have learned rather quickly that owning our own business is not an eight to five gig!  It’s all day, every day.  The key is learning to appreciate what it means.  Our business is growing.  We’re making more money.  We’re a step closer to reaching our goals.  We’re succeeding!

Photo by Mykl Roventine via Flickr Creative Commons.

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Children Appreciate the Little Things

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Photo by KOMUnews via Flickr Creative Commons. 

 It’s fair to say that my family has faced it’s share of stress lately.  We have a lot going on, and we’re struggling to keep things as normal as possible for the children’s sake.  So, Saturday evening we sat down with our 2 year old while his sister was visiting her grandparents.  He immediately looked to me and told me that he wanted to play with his sister.  “Emma’s at Grammy’s,” I told him, “Would you like Mommy and Daddy to play with you?”  He looked at me with those big puppy dog eyes (which he was already struggling to keep open), and said, “Dat make me so happy!”  Our hearts melted.  Tears filled my husbands eyes, and of course, I cried like a baby.  We dried up our tears, and the three of us read books and pushed trains on the couch.  Within 30 minutes he was sound asleep, dreaming of his awesome night with Mommy and Daddy! 

We as parents often struggle so hard to make our children happy that we forget just how easy it is!  My guess is that at least 95% of us would look back to our childhoods and agree that our memories are not centered around material things, but the time we spent with family and friends.  I’ve been thinking over the last couple of days of ways that I can offer my children more opportunities for these lasting memories.  I’ve come up with a few.

  • Visit a park for a walk or a picnic…leave the phones and travel video games at home or in the car!!!
  • Family game night…without the tv!  You’ll find you actually have a lot to talk about.
  • Host a barbecue or informal dinner with another family or two.  Hang out outside and allow yourself to breathe in the fresh air.  Set up some outdoor games and include the kids.
  • Cook a family dinner together.  Again, leave the television off.  However, we have fun dancing to loud music when we cook!

There are many ways to “reconnect” as a family.  Remember what it’s all about.  Life is too short.  Take the time to appreciate the little things!  Start now…not everyone will have a smart two year old to remind them!

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We All Have to Learn Sometime

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Here I am at 11:07 on Friday evening showing my mom exactly what I mean when I discuss “blogging” or “posts”.  See, I’m acting as if I know exactly what I’m doing.  In reality, it wasn’t very long ago that I had to learn the ropes myself.  And really, I guess we’re all still learning as we go. 

You know what’s sad, though?  My nine-year-old could probably sit down with me once or twice, take a few mental notes, and take over my job!  They’re just wired that way! 

Looking back at my elementary school days, I can only remember going to “computer” class once every two weeks, sitting at a very large computer and playing Oregon Trail…milk, tea, or coffee?  I always became very frustrated because I was never able to finish my game…because that stupid computer was so slow!  These days my daughter can’t wait the 3 seconds it takes to retrieve a saved file! 

Fortunately, my daughter is a little too young to steal my job, and my mom is still too “clueless” to try.  So, for right now, I’m safe.  Given a few years, though, they may both be my competition!

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“Free” Money to Willing Organizations

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I just returned from training at the Sommet Center (actually it is now officially the Bridgestone Arena) to work concessions as a fundraiser for a friend’s daughter.  What I initially dreaded turned out to be a very informative evening.  75 to 80 percent of the workers in the concession stands there are “volunteers”, working for money that goes directly to their organization.  What a great way to give back to the community.  Some groups have earned over $50,000 in a year’s time.  Yes, it takes a commitment of time and effort (and Advil for the leg and foot cramps from being on your feet for hours), but considering today’s economic struggles, it’s a welcome relief to many people.  I spoke with several parents this evening who said that without this extra “income”, they would be forced to withdraw their children from their activities.  Many thanks to the people who make all this possible.  I guess sometimes it does take a village!

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Is Your Mouse Making Your Computer Sick?

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Did you know that your computer mouse can become “infected” with the same virus that “sickens” your computer?  I found out the hard way.  Last week our desktop acquired a virus, and we have been unable to use the computer since.  As a favor, since I’m not at all fond of the “schmancy” mouse my husband purchased for the laptop, he took the mouse from the desktop and traded them out.  Little did we know we were giving our laptop the virus! 

 I was stunned when my friend Kathy  wouldn’t use her mouse to fix my laptop because she didn’t want it to get “infected”.  Immediately it clicked (no pun intended) that we had spread the virus ourselves! Evidently, since they operate under the same system, they contract the same viruses.  WHO KNEW???  Okay, maybe many of you…but I’ve mentioned my tidbit of knowledge of the day to several people who had no idea! 

So, the next time your computer gets a virus, put it and it’s mouse in quarantine…or you may start an epidemic! 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pasukaru76/3608025579/

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