Suzy’s Place

We’re going through a struggle in our home right now with the concept of responsibility with MsGeek. She’ll be turning 17 in just a few short weeks and has yet to start driving.

I’m very adamant that my kids will have a job before they even learn to drive. Nowadays the cost of driver’s training is close to $300, car insurance rates are shot through the roof with teen drivers, and the price of gas? We’ll just leave it at that.

But the main reason I’ve set this “rule” in place is for the simple idea that in order to drive, you need to be responsible. To prove responsibility (and the sheer desire to want to drive), you should have a job.

MrJ is convinced that MsGeek completely lacks responsibility! No, she hasn’t bothered looking for a job during the entire year that she’s been “employable”. Does that make her irresponsible? I don’t think so.

MsGeek is the queen of the tubas in her high school Marching Band. She takes this commitment seriously, has never missed a scheduled function or practice, and as section leader does her job very well. She cares for her instrument, her uniform, and her team.

Being that I work at home and conduct conference calls and webinars in the evening, MsGeek is always willing (when she’s able) to help with her little brother and sisters - making sure they stay out of trouble, etc.

When it comes time for her to “hang out” with her friends, I don’t worry about her. She has a great head on her shoulders, conducts herself in an appropriate manner and makes smart choices for herself and her friends.

Doesn’t all this add up to being a responsible young lady? I think it does. Is she ready to drive? No. She knows the “rule” about having a job, and if she doesn’t choose to have a job, then she’s choosing not to drive. Sure, it makes my life a little harder in carting her around to band practice and such, but I’m kind of enjoying being the “band mom”.

I often wonder if it’s a matter of the differences between the way MrJ and I grew up. I didn’t start working until I was 17, and didn’t start driving until I was 19. MrJ on the other hand started working with his father at the age of 12 and was driving the old pickup truck around his grandpa’s farm at about the same time.

What is your definition of “responsible” when it comes to your children? How much should we expect of them at this age? Does your experience as a teenager affect the way you define responsibility? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Suzy’s Place is essentially a mommy’s blog, hosted by me, Suzy.  Here I share my thoughts and views on life as a mom, being a wife, working at home, and various other insignificant things that happen within my insane life.  If you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it, I encourage you to get your daily dose of insanity by subscribing to my updates!

There are those in my life that I consider to be the epitome of goodness. There is one woman, whom I have known since I was 12, that I have always looked up to and admired. In fact, I really want to be her when I grow up!

TheCap’n and I have been friends for what seems to be forever. There are days that I simply sit back and contemplate my good fortune. I don’t know how it is that we have stayed friends, as we truly do live on completely different planes of existence… she’s like my miracle.

She has been in the military for quite a while now, and is currently serving our country in Iraq. MrJ and I had the opportunity to fly out to Tahoe over the weekend to surprise her, and hopefully help in giving her a little R&R. She’ll be returning to work in another week, but I’m hoping that our couple of days together will help her get through the next little stint until she’s able to come home again.

Whether you agree with the situation in the Middle East or not, our troops are over there doing what they can in support of our country. Take a moment to show your support to them, our American soliders, by sending them a message of thanks at: AmericanSupportsYou.mil.

To TheCap’n (you know who you are) we love you and send all our happy thoughts with your throughout your journey.

I have been introduced into the life of Bella, a “misfit” teenager struggling to find balance (quite literally) as she falls in love with the most beautiful boy in school - who happens to be a vampire.

While Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight saga falls more into the “Young Adults” category, I have to say the story intrigued me. It was a little hard to find the rhythm of her voice at first, I chalk this up whole-heartedly to being too involved in JD Robb’s stories.

However, it didn’t take long for the story to grab me and pull me through rather quickly. In fact, I have found myself losing sleep the past few nights as I was too captivated to put them down. I managed to read all three of the books within the series in one short week. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the fourth and final book, Breaking Dawn, which will be coming out on August 2nd.

Stephanie Meyer - Twilight

Stephanie Meyer - New Moon

Stephanie Meyer - Eclipse

Preparations have begun as our family starts to plan the Fourth of July festivities. Potatoes are boiling, steaks are marinating, and the buzz in the air is all excitement as the kids anxiously await the fireworks displays.

Holidays for me have always been about family… except this one. Yes, we take advantage of the beautiful weather, spend time with our extended family, cook-out, play games, watch whatever sports the men deem necessary. But this holiday is about more for me. It’s Independence Day.

It seems like a lifetime ago, but it’s only been 8 years. July 4th, 2000 stands out in my mind so clearly, because it was MY independence day. It was my celebration of having broken out of a marriage that had changed me so completely, I was lost in the dark. It was the day I celebrated finding the light again. The day I realized that I was truly free… truly independent.

So while I celebrate with my family, there’s always an added light on this day, Independence Day, as we rejoice in the anniversary of our country’s, and my personal, freedom.

What does Independence Day mean to you?

What a klutz. I’m almost embarrassed by this, but I think we all have those moments, don’t we?

We’re rebuilding the porch steps. It’s been a long time coming and I finally convinced MrJ that it couldn’t be put off any longer.

So MrJ and BamBam are working on the steps, and of course I choose that moment to go and tend to Sally the Duck. As I’m trying to climb around them, I step down into a hole that the lovely dog has left right next to the steps, twist my ankle, and slam my butt into the corner of the steps.

MrJ turns around quickly ready to ream me for hitting him (like I could help that in my not-so-graceful moment). BamBam freezes in shock that Mommy is not as talented as he thought. And MiniMe starts to stutter… wondering if she should open her mouth to ask if I’m okay. All the while I’m not sure if I’m ready to cry because I’m embarrassed or actually hurt.

Now, I have a sprained ankle on the left side and a bruised butt on the right. I can’t walk well and I can’t sit straight… oh those precious moments that our children will probably never let us forget

Got an embarrassing moment you’d like to share?

MsGeek and I just got back from meeting with a representative of NMU (that’s Northern Michigan University) to talk about the possibilities of MsGeek heading off to college there.

We still have a year to go, but it’s time to get serious about making these decisions. I’m torn between excitement for her and knowing that my little girl is growing up on me. I’m hoping that I’ve done everything I can to prepare her for the real world, and knowing that a year is not enough to catch everything I may have missed.

I’m happy and sad and excited and scared… and I can’t show it all. I want her to be excited. I want her to be pumped about the whole idea and I want to do everything I can to support her. But she’ll be so far away!

Aren’t these milestones bittersweet?

I am taking the plunge and diving into the world of video podcasting. A little nervous about it, but as you’ll hear in the video, a definitely “must” for work.

Enjoy!

Watch Now:

 Suzy's Podcast Debut: Play Now | Play in Popup

MyBackyard
Originally uploaded by SuzysPlace

I love living in the country - and this is one of the reasons why. Just a common raccoon playing in my backyard, but hey, I’m a born city girl, so things like this thrill me!

He was actually up in a tree that is directly out of the living room picture window, but had crawled down by the time I got my camera. Guess that’s my lesson learned that the Flip Video should remain within reach at all times… just never know when you’re gonna need it.

I am an avid reader by nature.  I have always enjoyed reading.  It almost becomes an obsession - like everything else I do! 

The flavor of the month is J.D. Robb and her "In Death" Series.  This is a series where the main heroin is on Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYPSD.  The setting is fairly futuristic, taking place in 2058 where interplanetary travel is a way of life and everything is handled digitally.  For being futuristic, it’s definitely believable!

Eve Dallas is part of the homicide division, and in every book of the series, there is another murder to solve.  On top of everything else, Dallas has her own demons to battle and perhaps a knight in shining armor to help her?  Not likely.  Her personality is more the type to knock the knight on his butt before she’ll ask for help.

You need to start reading with Book One.  The personal aspects of the story build upon themselves and starting in the middle of the series may throw you off.  I’m on the 20th book right now - but there are several more for me to read so I plan on having reading material for the whole summer.  Chances are I won’t review every book as the entire series has been a great read for me, and I’d be afraid of giving away any of the personal elements that build up. 

If you like murder mysteries and heroines with a kick-butt personality, these books are a must read!

Suzy's Place is essentially a mommy's blog, hosted by me, Suzy.  Here I share my thoughts and views on life as a mom, being a wife, working at home, and various other insignificant things that happen within my insane life.  If you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it, I encourage you to get your daily dose of insanity by subscribing to my updates!

Confess!  Go ahead!  We all do it! If you're a parent, when your first child was born, you swore you wouldn't be like your parents.  Hey, I admit it.  I did the same thing.  My parents drove me crazy at times, and there were very specific things that I swore I wouldn't do.

The first thing that comes to mind is the "Because I said so!"  I admit, I've done it.  It just gets to the point that you don't have an answer that a 5 year old will find logical.  So we revert to that ever handy declaration that I'm the boss, and you're not, so just listen to me!

Another thing I decided to do differently was to have a reason before I just said no.  And as MsGeek and MiniMe reach their teen years and have more going on in their lives than I do, I find this one a challenge at times.  Am I saying no simply because I'm too tired or lazy to deal with the logistics of hauling a group of their friends to the movies?  Or is there a real reason buried in there? 

I take this one pretty seriously and think before I say no.  They still  don't like the "no" answer, but I think this strategy really helps in minimizing the rebellion.  I usually have good reasons when I do say no, and it's not just "because I said so."

For instance, MsGeek wants to go to a sleep-over birthday party for her friend who is turning 16.  Well, I know her friend and her family, so we need to find out some details.  For instance, are there going to be boys there?  If so, when are they going home? 

Well, come to find out, the boys are spending the night, too.  Granted there’s a mother-in-law house in the back that the boys are "supposed" to sleep in.  But like I said, I know the family and I can’t say they’re the more "alert" when it comes to this type of thing.  So MsGeek and I had to have a long talk… about sex of course :)  And I pointed out to her that the main reason that girls her age have sex is because the opportunity is there.  (I’ll get into this in another post).

She was disappointed, but she understood there was a valid reason for me to say no, so she got over it.

What’s the one thing you do differently as a parent than your folks did?

Suzy's Place is essentially a mommy's blog, hosted by me, Suzy.  Here I share my thoughts and views on life as a mom, being a wife, working at home, and various other insignificant things that happen within my insane life.  If you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy writing it, I encourage you to get your daily dose of insanity by subscribing to my updates!