Airport Etiquette - The Make-Out

MommyGaga

Dear Dramatic,

Kissing your 20(ish) year old, foul mouthed, headed to the Navy boyfriend, in the terminal for 5 minutes straight - while crying, and groping his head, with everyone standing in line ready to board the plane -  really does nothing but prove that...you're desperate, over-emotional, silly and quite immature.  At least, that's what your behavior would make things appear.

A nice kiss, maybe 2,a hug and a few tears with a goodbye are all that are needed in public.  (And you're lucky, in some cultures that's waaaay over the line.)

I appreciate your exuberance and feelings, but next time, say the dramatic goodbye before you go your separate ways.  Or like everyone says, "Get a room!"

Thanks.

Airport Etiquette - Bra Wearing

MommyGaga

Dear Stressed Mommie at the Airport,

If you are very enlarged and engorged from nursing, traveling alone with your baby, hurrying to catch your next flight, and have chosen to NOT where a bra...please, please, please...wear something appropriate OVER your tight, linen tank.  The swinging from side to side, "headlights" and general eye trap just don't add to the sweetness of the mother and baby concept.

I traveled often when my daughter was an infant - by car and by plane.  I nursed my daughter until she was 15 months old, then continued pumping a couple months after that.  I KNOW what it's like to be stressed while on the go with a baby, while nursing.  Eliminating the bra in such a public way, well, is it really THAT much of a hassle to pull up a sports bra when needed?

It's totally your choice to wear or not wear a bra but, if you're not wearing one, save the rest of the people sitting in their terminals at the airport from a site that they will long remember.

Thank you.

**Just my personal opinion, from my personal observation.  *smiles*

Airport Etiquette - Movie Watching on a Plane

MommyGaga

So, as you know, I recently returned home from a vacation.  While on one of our plane rides, the man in the aisle seat, one aisle ahead and to our left (my toddler daughter was in the aisle seat with me in the middle) pulled out his lap top and ear buds and began watching a movie.

Suddenly, scenes of skulls, dead bodies, gyrating bodies, blood, masks, etc. began flashing on the screen.  Images from KISS, Marilyn Manson and other such shock rock concerts barraged the open eye-waves.  Obviously, this was an explicit documentary on a debatable topic.

As soon as I realized what was being viewed, I told my daughter to turn and face me.  Naturally, she was curious about what he was watching and kept trying to peek around.  The couple across the aisle from us saw what I was doing, and peered around the seat to take a gander.  Their eyebrows went up, and I got a nod.

I knew our flight we coming to an end shortly, but was stuck...do I ask the guy to turn off his movie because my toddler daughter was RIGHT THERE?  If she had been sitting straight forward - knees to the tray table, she would have been watching the whole movie.  Instead, I distracted her.  We played with her few toys, the plastic cups and paper napkins.  A stewardess walked by, saw what was going on, and just kept walking.

Thankfully, the "put away all electronic devices" call came about 20 minutes later.  But this incident left me thinking...

• Did he really have the right to watch a "viewer discretion advised" movie on a public plane in front of my innocent daughter?
• Should I have asked him to turn the screen or turn off the movie?
• Was he simply ignorant to this situation or did he not care?
• Airlines edit movies (or at least they used to) that were for public viewing during a flight, so shouldn't passengers, who are subjecting other passengers to their choice of entertainment, also have to follow some guidelines or decorum?  Especially when a minor is clearly able to see everything!
• When I turn on the TV, go to a theatre, etc. I get to choose what I deem appropriate for myself and my child, but on a plane, I'm expected to just accept whatever the guy across from me wants to watch - even if it's not child-appropriate?

Personal stories, ideas, rants...anyone?

Thanks.

FALLowing A Vacation

So part of my silence (again!) has been because I went on vacation!  First to visit with the in-laws and celebrate their 40th anniversary!  (My parents also celebrated 40 years of marriage.  What a blessing for BOTH sets of parents to be together...still!)  Then we traveled next to see my friend and her family - in another completely different State!  Yes - 2 trips, within 2 days of each other.  8 planes later, I'm sooo happy to be home and getting settled in to our old routine.

And on that note...

Why do we ALWAYS get sick from being on a plane?  We used Airborne, saline, extra immune boosting vitamins and lots of hand sanitizer!  *sneeze*

Why does it ALWAYS take my child 2 weeks to re-adjust to life at home?  I know I've heard other Mommies share this same exasperating feeling, but really kiddos...!  *smiles*

Moving on, away from ranting...

Fall was just arriving as I flew to my vacation destination - weather got into the 50's a few nights and stayed in the 70's most days.

I thought I'd share some pictures with you of a bit of "country farm life" we got to experience while staying with my friend.  My daughter surely enjoyed the array of fruit trees and plentiful garden she was allowed to explore and taste!  The goats and calves also added for some new experiences and fun.

Sharpie Tie Dye T-Shirt

So, I was browsing the internet again, and came across this T-shirt project - use Sharpies to make tie dye!  Simple idea that really works!  (HelloGiggles is the originator of this idea and I followed her tutorial.)

My daughter is younger than HelloGiggles daughter, so the art well, turned out differently.  My little one wanted an owl on her shirt too, so we added a stamp to make her happy.  *smiles*

Materials needed:

Pre-washed T-shirt
Rubbing alcohol
Dropper
Colored Sharpies
Cups
Rubber Bands
Foam stamp
Washable paint

Decide on where you want you tie dye circles.
Drape the front of the  t-shirt over a cup and wrap a rubber band around.
**MAKE SURE you put cardboard inside the shirt - when you drop on the alcohol it will leak through to the backside.

**DO NOT USE the metallic Sharpies, the colors don't run.
Skinny lines and little details don't work well, we learned.

Watching the colors spread was so much fun! 

Our little owl stamp turned out pretty cute!

When the Sharpie art is finished,
pop the T-shirt into the dryer to heat set design and dry the alcohol.

Next time, we will do things a bit differently based on what we've learned (and I'll make sure my paint and the Sharpie colors match!)  *grins*

This is a project that could serve many purposes - a zoo outing with school or friends, birthday party, or perhaps a family reunion or girls' sleepover!

UPDATE:: The pastel Sharpies we used DID fade significantly in the wash.  Perhaps the bold colors would do better?  Will have to try this again - such a fun project! - 9.25.12

Accidental Break

Hello faithful readers.  Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything.  Hasn't been on purpose though, just kinda...happened!  Busy summer, concussion recovery, more house unpacking, etc.

Stuff going on with fun pics and projects coming soon...hang in there!

~MommieJoys

Little Messages Through My Child

So I've been musing today.  Can my child "bring" me messages from God?  You know, confirmations or encouragement?  I will give you three personal stories as examples...

Story #1 -

Note:  I HATE public restrooms and usual enter armed with wipes and hand sanitizer and go all Scrubby Bubbles on the joint.  

We were driving home from our family vacation about a month ago.  It was potty break time.  The stress of the trip had brought on an insane concussion related headache, which brought on nausea, shakes, etc.

I entered the bathroom alone the first time - I had to throw up.  Then my little one had to potty, so I retrieved her from her Daddy.  I didn't even wipe down the toilet for her like I usually do.  "This looks like a clean enough place,"  I thought.  I knelt down on the floor while she did her business, another thing I NEVER do.  Me on a public bathroom floor.  *sigh*

My body was shaking, my head was throbbing.  Every smell and echoing noise made me want to scream.  Then my daughter said, "Look Mommy, it's my brother!"  She was point to the picture on one of those plastic toddler seats some restrooms have.  "No Baby, you don't have a brother."  But she insisted, "Yes I do.  The baby that was in your tummy that went to see Jesus.  That's my brother."

Then I started thinking...we haven't really talked about this miscarriage with her.  Only once, when I first miscarried we explained that the baby in Mommy's tummy had gone to be with Jesus, so we wouldn't get to see the baby until we got to Heaven - this was just over fifteen months ago.  We never found out if we were having a boy or girl. (I lost the baby at 12/13 weeks, but it was abnormally small, the doctor said.)

Of course I started to cry.  I'd been feeling like I "made up" this whole losing a baby thing - why was I still grieving my baby?  I felt validated.  Like it was OK to miss my unborn child.  Like Jesus had my baby and was taking care of it.  Like it was a son, I'd always had that gut feeling.

Story #2 - 

Another concussion headache going strong.  It was bedtime a few nights ago.  One side of my head was throbbing that I could hardly see out of that eye.  I told my little one that we'd have to do our night-night routine quickly tonight, because Mommy's head hurt really bad.  She cooperated well.  As I was tucking the blankets around her, she grabbed my arm,"Mommy, don't you worry.  God says He will make your head all better.  Don't you worry."

I smiled, and a bit of tension seemed to leave.

Story #3 - 

Headache for the last three days (a trend, yes) and I'm sick of hurting!  This concussion is really trying to get the best of me.  With potty training coming to an end (whoohoo!) I was helping my daughter finish up in the bathroom.  All done I looked at her and said, "Can you pray for Mommy today?  My head hurts really bad again, and I want to have a good day with you."  Right there, she knelt down, knees on the floor, elbows on the toilet seat.  She closed her eyes and said, "Dear Jesus, please help Mommy's head feel better.  Thank you for Mommy and Daddy.  Amen."

Yes, again this brought tears to my eyes.  She hasn't been willing to pray out-loud too often.  I hugged her and said, "Thank you."  Ya know what?  In about 5 minutes, my headache cut in half!  And as I type, it's nearly gone.

Story 3 is what made me start thinking today.  Our babies are innocent.  Their minds and hearts are pure.   Has God been trying to tell me "It's OK, I'll take care of your concussed head," this whole time but I've so busy worrying and stressing that I haven't heard Him?  How many gentle reminders and bits of encouragement from Above do I miss because I've allowed my mind and heart to be clouded with anger, frustration, uncertainty, and such?

Maybe God sends messages through our kids, maybe He doesn't.  I don't know.  But these three instances in the last month have meant something to me.  It's been special.