And I Lo Jacked That Mug!

To piggie back on the fact that I stalked my daughter on the first day of school (giving her years of therapy to pay for), Tuesday we ran to the cell phone store so fast I tore the hinges off that motha (shut yo mouf). Yep, I bought the Princess a cell phone cause I am that mommie (have I told you that before?).

Now, I know that she is my child because I told her that I would pay for the phone as long as she paid for half the bill each month. I told her to feel free to use the resources at her disposal.

So TP spent the last 2 nights calling relatives on her cell phone...and telling them that W@lly W0rld had $10, $20 and $50 pre-paid cards that she could use to pay the monthly bill. And what pray tell, came in my e-mail today? Requests for my mailing address and promises of $50 pre-paid cards from the grands and a $20 card from Auntie Virginia Girl. That can pay her portion of the bill for 6 months!! She works hard for her money folks.

I'm gonna remember this when it's junior/senior dues time AND when the college tuition fees are due. I'll call all of you on her blinged out phone if I have to!

Oh, and to be clear, the pictured phone is not her phone. I thought it wouldn't be right to post an actual picture of her phone.

Especially since we will be making a trip to the mall to get a cover for it - sponsored by Auntie The Sister.

Is Someone Following You?

Go ahead and judge me. I don't care. Really, I don't.

Yes, I followed The Princess to the bus stop and watched from a distance until the bus pulled away. It was her first day. I'm that mommie. It's the last time, I promise.

This week.

No, really. This is our first year at the bus stop. Once we move in a few months, the bus stop will be inside a gate. The current bus stop is on a main highway. Yes, the word "highway" is on the street name. 4 lanes, 45 mph (which means drive 55, 60). It's used as a alternate route when the expressway is being worked on. Guess what happened this weekend? Yep, expressway roadwork. You bet your sweet ass I was watching.

She did well, of course. 2 other young princesses were at the bus stop as well. She gets a big SM 4 star hug today.

What is SM doing to day? Pampering. I deserve it. I spend a butt load of money this weekend on shoes, clothes, 2 pocket, pronged folders, etc. So I'm going to spend $16 on a pedi, $6 on a movie and watch trash tv (I hope 0pr@h is good today!).

A Funny Thing Happened On The Way To The School Supply Store...

I think I've mentioned a time or two that I currently live in a hell hole apartment. Well, it's come to my attendtion that the people that live here are guardians for hell.

Last week I received a note on my door stating there would be a school supply drive last Saturday. We were supposed to meet, grab a list and meet back up the following week. I'm all about the kiddies and school supplies so I got my little happy self to the place. I always spread the gospel about how important it is to support the children, teachers and schools. Remember, I believe the children are our future. Teach them well and let them lead the way. Show them all the beauty.... (sorry, I digress - old Whitney Houston song - before Bobbbbayyyyy!).

So last Saturday I show up for the meeting along with 3 other do gooders. We get a handwritten list and our orders to bring back items during the week. Then the items would be dispersed this Saturday (2 days before school).

That sounds great. I exchange phone numbers with the ladies, take my list and prepare to fulfill my RAOK list. The Princess has extra things like blunt tip scissors and color pencils that I always have on hand and doesn't everyone have stuff on sale right now? What's it gonna hurt to spend an extra fiver on someone else?

So Sunday I purchase a few things and pull a few things from my own stash. I plan to go back to the stores during the week and complete my task. Then yesterday I get this call.

"Hey Super Mommie. This is Neighborhood Naomi. Have you taken your supplies over to Do Gooder Debbie?"

"No, not yet. I'm gonna do that Friday."

"Well, don't."

(pregnant pause)

(( I've always wanted to use "a pregnant pause"))

"I beg your pardon?"

"Don't take anything over. I just came from over there today and found out that we aren't collecting for the apartment complex, we're collecting for Do Gooder Debbie."

(another pregnant pause)

((two in one post!))

"Are you sure?"

Neighborhood Naomi proceeded to tell me that she took her supplies over and DGD told her that she didn't have the right type of dry erase markers. NN explained that all teachers use this kind. Then DGD pulled out her list and said that HER daughter's teacher didn't want that kind. NN asked her who, exactly, where we collecting for. She said mainly her daughter but anyone else that needed supplies could ask her for some.

NN grabbed her supplies and went home to make several irate phone calls. The first one being to the front leasing office.

I'm sure there will be another note on my door today when I get home.

Damn it, I'm ready to move! November can't get here fast enough.

RANT: The Price of School Supplies

SUBTITLE: What The Hell Are You Mad At?

I just finished reading a rant on the cost of back to school supplies. It was a pretty hot button topic. I thought I'd put my 3 cents out there.

Yes, it's pretty darn expensive buying school supplies for a middle schooler. They have 7 classes and they change the rotation 3 times a year. Things like 2 " binders for each class can get expensive not to mention I usually have to buy 10 project boards each year. Reams of copier paper aren't cheap (when it's 1 - 2 reams per teacher) and expo markers, Kleenex and hand sanitizer can break the bank.

BUT...I sacrifice a starbucks latte or two and brown bag some lunches so that The Princess can get her supplies. I spend the extra few bucks and send some extra supplies to the teachers when I can. Yes, I know that it's expensive but guess what? You get what you put into it.

Having children is not cheap and it has never been cheap. Why should school supplies be any different? I understand that there are parents that just cannot afford it. That's why I send an extra case of paper and pencils to school. I'm not fussing at those parents. They are doing the best they can with what they have. But, there are some parents out there that simply believe the school system should do it all. You want to pay less taxes and get free lunch and school supplies? From where?

My aunt was a school teacher for 30+ years and I remember her spending hundreds of dollars on supplies for her students. Hell, she bought a used copier for the foreign language lab. She would spend hours at the school supply store buying flashcards and construction paper because she wanted the best for her students. She spent her own money on markers and pens and pencils. But, you know what? Not all teachers have the extra money that she had.

You don't want to spend the money on school supplies for your kids? Fine. Don't. Petition a local store and see if they can donate to you kid's school or class. Have an extra bake sale or calendar sale to pay for copier paper. Heck, sell cans off the street so that the teachers have expo markers. Don't complain about the cost of supplies and then leave it alone! If you get mad GREAT! Then do something with that anger!!

Call your local representative and get more money in the school budget for supplies. Tell you what. Do one better. GET MORE MONEY FOR MORE TEACHERS! Your anger shouldn't be at the teachers for asking for supplies for your precious children. Your anger should be converted into energy...energy used to attend PTA meetings and parent/teacher/student conferences. I often find that the people that yell the loudest haven't seen the inside of the school building other than the day that you register your kid.

Yep, that's my 3cents. If you agree then by all means post. If you disagree, post - but post decently. If you don't, well sweetheart, this ain't an "equal opportunity" blog. If your comment is rude or nasty - it will not get moderated.

Still mad? Then swing past a local children's home and take a case of school supplies to them.