Tuesday, February 1, 2011 by karen.

As with the pool, without proper upkeep and love, the dogs become completely unmanagable.  Having 3 uncontrolled border collies will cause a dog owner to go crazy and hate their dogs.  This is why many high maintaince animals are given up. As time goes on, I have forgotten that owning such dogs takes alot of time and patience.  With our hectic schedules, I have left the dogs go on the wayside and we all are suffering.  I feel like I need the Dog Whisperer but honestly, I just need to spend more time with them.

Starting today, my pups have to be a priority again. After bringing out the treats and doing a few simple commands aka working them, I was reminded what wonderful dogs they really are.  I was reminded quickly how smart Piper is, yet very defiant…in a cute-only-a-mother-could-love sorta way.  I remembered that JJ only wants to please me. She’s simple.  And Lukas, just wants to be loved and played with.  They’re not that difficult to manage.  As a family, we all need to see the beauty in our wonderful dogs again and give them the time and attention we vowed when we rescued them. 

I love my dogs!

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

Thursday, August 26, 2010 by karen.

School in disturbia is an entirely different experience than in a rural area. Besides the fact kids walk or are driven to school more than they ride the bus, the teaching techniques are a bit modern. I wish my youngest rode the bus, I think it would be good for him. Isn’t that where we learned most of our social skills, street smarts, etc…? The stuff that only the bus driver would allow? Good times! We’ve had a good start to the year with a 5th grader, 8th grader & 11th grader. No calls on the 5th grader and the 11th grader is finally involved in a physical activity requiring more than just a flick of the wrist….swim team!

Our 8th grader on the other hand has decided to make this year his best yet.  He is planning on trying out for the basketball team, baseball team, obtain better grades (if not A’s) and be in the school musical for the 3rd year.  You could also say he wants to have stud status since he likes having a ‘girlfriend’ which means, he texts her and can change his Facebook status to ‘in a relationship’. Way to go son!  I’ve already received a call from one of his disturbia teachers. The conversation was a bit like this:

T: Mrs. ****

M: Yes.

T: I’m calling you to discuss ****

M: OK

T: Do you know what a few of the boys were doing over the weekend?

M: Uh, well, yeah….but I guess not. What have they been doing?

T: It appears a few of the boys have been lighting themselves on fire by spraying Axe on their skin.

M: Oh yeah. (pause) I know. **** was very proud & showed me. It looked pretty cool.

T: (light gasp) So you know about this??

M: Yeah. He asked me if he could do it and was very persistent. I finally told him ‘ok’ he had to do it in front of me.

(Can you say white trash? “Hey mom, watch this!” sort of thing)

T: I think you should know one of the students has an infection and missed school yesterday.

M: Oh, Ok. Yeah, I know him.

T: This is a serious matter, Mrs. *****. Kids are getting hurt. He had an infection and had to miss school!

M: Ok.

(I got the feeling she doesn’t know what to say at this point.)

T: Do you watch Dr. Phil?

(What?!)

M: I know who he is and I’ve seen a few episodes. Why?

T: I think you and your family should watch him today. I feel you would benefit from him.

M: Ok, why? What is he having on his show today?

T: Dr. Phil is having a discussion about children lighting themselves on fire.

M: Ok, I will look into it.

Are you kidding me???  I’m sorry the boy got hurt, but guess what, he is my son’s best friend and I already spoke to his mom. She was there when my son showed us. What the teacher doesn’t realize is for my son, it’s a magic trick, not ’setting himself on fire’. We are talking about the boy who had a quarter removed from his esophagus when he was 10yrs old for attempting a ‘trick’. My friend was initially upset but now gets a kick out of the situation as she said it best “He’s such a dumb ass”.  

I did the typical mom thing.  I called my 13yr old and cursed at him for making me look bad.  He finally understood I wasn’t upset with him for doing the ‘trick’ but for discussing it at school. I informed him he cannot tell everyone the shit I let them do since many disturbia folks would call CPS on my ass. Trust me, I would have a field day with CPS.

After discussing this with a few people (my rural living sister included), I question if this is really a teacher’s duty? I think it’s a fine line. The ‘dumb ass’ act didn’t occur on school campus or during school hours. Ms. Disturbia Teacher, save your breathe for the incompetent parent or the truly abused child who needs you to step in.

Posted in parents, school, kids | Print | No Comments »

Monday, March 8, 2010 by karen.

I just heard about a school in Denver that is rejecting a preschooler due to the fact the child has 2 moms.  http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/22769137/detail.html

I understand the catholic religion pretty well and while same-sex relationships are deemed inappropriate along with many other lifestyle choices, it just seems ridiculous.   I attended catholic school for 8yrs and was raised catholic continuing to attend mass into my mid 20’s.  I was married in the catholic church and had my children baptized.  I was also one of 3 sisters to become pregnant before marraige.  We were still accepted into the church and our children were accepted as well.  Even after a divorce, the church accepts you.  I remember attending school with kids who’s parents were divorced or going through a divorce but they were still able to attend the school.  I am confident there are lesbian/gay teachers in this country working at catholic schools but perhaps the demand for quality teachers is so high the church over looks them.  Where do they get off to simply choose who they are going to throw stones at?   I assume divorce is so common that it is simply accepted in the modern church.  How long until same sex marraiges/relationships are allowed in the catholic church?

Lesbian moms, why even bother to enroll your daughter at a catholic school?  You should know better.  Perhaps the education quality is the reason, but there are many other high-priced education facilities for your child to attend where you and she will be accepted. 

Posted in Sex, parents, school, kids | Print | No Comments »

Thursday, March 4, 2010 by karen.

Public school in Disturbia isn’t quite the same as in a rural area.   Modern school, itself isn’t the same as it was 15yrs ago. 

My 4th grader has racked up 24 tardies this year.  Many are to be blamed on myself, however, it shouldn’t be overlooked that regardless of who’s fault, that number is absolutely absurd!  Today would have been #25 but he just stayed home instead.  I believe I was ‘played’ by him.  I understand he didn’t feel well upon waking up most likely due to the abundance of sugar he consumed yesterday.  It has been determined he has a sensitivity to sugar and highly processed foods.  He was up way past his bed time due to having trouble sleeping from the sugar.  Congrats to him for baking the cake on his own and making the frosting from scratch.   Kudos to me for actually having all the ingredients in the kitchen! 

He informed me he wishes to be home-schooled again and questioned why everyone in school is so immature.  I chuckled as he is probably the most immature boy in his class but I quickly learned his view of immaturity is quite different than mine.

In AZ, the schools are required to submit the students to standardized testing known as AIMS.  His scores last year were good.  I want to see what his scores are this year before deciding to home-school again.  I suspect they will not be as good as last year’s.  I am weighing the pros and cons.    

My goal as a parent is to raise my children to be happy, self sufficient and successful in their future whatever that may be.  I do not measure success in dollars. 

Home-schooling isn’t just a way to ‘get by’.  He was learning more last year and retaining it. The AIMS scores proved it.  Home-schooling has a stigma but it is becoming more & more common due to resources making it easier. 

Posted in parents, school, kids, Disturbed | Print | No Comments »

Tuesday, September 1, 2009 by karen.

While browsing facebook this morning, I come across a poll on suggestions that would make Ahwatukee better.  While I do think some retail would be good, is that really what is going to improve our community?  I believe several restaurants have been suggested including more fast food joints.  Because that will make our community better???  Hmmm…what about batting cages, a bowling alley, I even suggested an entertainment complex, a gun club, etc…  Or better yet, a co-op farm.  Clearly, the community wouldn’t go for that but when someone is asking what will make the community better…the last thing I think of is more retail outlets when we already have so much.   The retail options would simply add a convenience but not improve the area.  They would create more jobs, but so would other options.  What would you do to improve your community???

Posted in Uncategorized | Print | No Comments »

Thursday, June 4, 2009 by karen.

I grilled steaks last night from my favorite butcher shop in Chandler.  Shade had a friend over and they were setting up the tent to ‘camp’.  It was very fun for them.   The dogs were out with us completely enjoying the cool weather and playing.  When our dogs play, it consists of Piper and Lukas wrestling while JJ runs in circles around them barking.  JJ loves to bark.  Perhaps we are just immune to it.  When she really needs something, she jumps at us or whimpers.  I guess the neighbor isn’t immune to her barking yet.  I heart a man yell ’shut-up’ and I had to do a double-take.  I thought to myself, ‘are you talking to me?’.  Then I quieted JJ and heard the neighbor out in his backyard.  I am aware that a dog barking can be annoying…hell, I do get annoyed with it myself.  I took the ’shut-up’ comment very personal.  Seriously, you are my neighbor and you could very easily look over the fence to see if everything is alright or simply ask me to quiet my dog.  Yelling in your own backyard to ’shut-up’ my dog does absolutely nothing.  If the kids were playing loudly I am sure you would owe them that.  Yes, I just compared my kids to my dogs.

My dogs enjoyed their piece of steak.

Posted in kids, Neighbors, Pets | Print | No Comments »

Thursday, May 28, 2009 by karen.

Most people, mainly my family or folks who reside in a rural area, would laugh at me for complaining about  yard work.  Ha!  We barely have grass.  Yes, it is true, we have a postage stamp sized front yard but the backyard is decent.  What most people don’t get is that because I live in disturbia, I am required to not only mow the yard but trim the shrubs and trees, trim the grass so it is perfectly straight along the sidewalk and (here’s the biggie) DISPOSE of the trimmings.

Today is the day I set aside to do this.  I am finally caught up with my business and school is out so no playing teacher.  I started with the front yard around 11:30am while it was still ‘cool’ outside.  My 12yr old has already informed me he ‘didn’t feel well’.  Ok, he’s off the hook until he comes outside asking me if he can go play with his friend.  “Oh hell no” was my response.  I have one helper now.  :)  My front yard tree drops tiny little leaves similar to the ‘helicopter’ leaves back home.  You know the one with a seed in them and when you toss them in the air they twirl.  These have to be raked up before and after mowing the grass.  I am completely surprised the HOA hasn’t been called on me …again.  In the middle of fighting with the weedwacker/trimmer, my sprinklers turn on so I haul ass around the house to the back to turn them off.  Just as we finish the front yard, my appointment shows up.  She is about 20min early at 12:40.   She said she was impressed that my boys were helping.  I smile to myself of course because disturbia has many spoiled kids.

After my 20min meeting, I go to the back.  Alone.  My trash can is already 1/2 full.  I also still have another trash can full and a large box full of trimmings from weeks ago.   I could hire a landscaper to come do this for me.  My yard would probably look better and I wouldn’t have the debris but I didn’t workout today so I must do it.  Oh, and I would rather pay my out-of-work friends to do it than pay a landscaper. (BTW, people need to think of friends and family first.  Quit taking your business elsewhere!)

Now that I am done, well, done for today, my trash can is full and my face is burnt since I forgot sunscreen. I believe it got up to the 100’s today.  My yard looks nice and I am ready to enjoy it by the pool with a vodka and Go Girl (new energy drink).

Please don’t laugh at me for complaining about yard work even though I don’t have the large yard you might have.  I still work at it and it is still a pain in my ass to do.

Posted in Suburbia | Print | No Comments »

Sunday, May 3, 2009 by karen.

Most people who know me, know I participated in a MILF contest.  Few know I won the contest and am in a calendar.

This evening, we attended the local Ahwatukee ‘concert in the park’ at Desert Foothills Park.  Usually I dress like the typical mom wtih shorts and flips/tennies.  Tonight, I steppedit up and wore wedges with a skirt and halter.  Little make-up and air-dried hair.  This was due to not taking all 3 dogs like normal…we just took J.J.  I ran into friends who I am usually relunctant to approach because of the back-handed degrading I am forced to listen to.  As usual, I made my way to them and was greeted with warmth but later was redirected to my business.  I was introduced as “ahwatukee’s beauty queen” which completely embarrased me.  Then I was dragged to meet a lady who ‘wanted’ a pole dancing party.  While I was excited and ambitious to gain the business, it turned out they really had no interest in it.  So I arrive thinking they are totally into it and make a fool of myself discussing how great it is.  I overhear how everyone thinks ’so-and-so’ should enter the MILF contest but she is shy and says no.  She truly is a milf and has no clue she is ‘hot’.  I comment quietly that she should do it  but then I receive the dreaded looks.  I am looked at as the enemy for encouraging her to do it.

Seriously, I encouraged her and get ’slammed’ for it.  lol

Posted in Suburbia | Print | No Comments »

Friday, April 17, 2009 by karen.

I have been witnessing the affects of the economy.  I have 2 close friends who were laid off several months ago.  Both are still looking for employment, but fortunately one is doing lots of side jobs to make ends meet.  Many local business have also had to close up shop.  I have been shopping mostly at Walmart to save money ourselves but am beginning to rethink this practice.  I was also going to have a garage sale but am donating the items instead.

After going out to Tempe Market Place last Friday, I have taken a better look at our own disturbia, Ahwatukee.  Upon arriving to the first watering hole, we were told in order to get a table outside, we would have to pay $100.  Jokingly, I replied “yes, I heard you tell the customer on the phone 5 times”.  The hostess didn’t think it was funny. I was simply commenting on how frustrating it must have been for her to have to repeat the same thing 4 times.  I was on her side.  We left to go to the less busy bar.  Ok, so we had to wait several minutes before even being greeted by the bartender.  Then when she finally did greet us, she wasn’t cordial.  No smile or ‘Hi, how are you guys?’    A simple, ‘What can I get you?’ was all.  I looked at Dana and questioned why we left our neighborhood to get treated like crap.  Ahwatukee has a small town feel and we get treated well at the local establishments.  Think Cheers.  They all know us or at-least recognize us.  CK’s even has our drinks ready when they see us walk in.

Does staying local help our economy?   I think it does, and we’ll do business more in our own slice of disturbia.

Posted in Alcohol, Weekend | Print | No Comments »

Sunday, November 23, 2008 by karen.

No, I am  not talking about Dana. 

As a follow-up from the Halloween disturbance, we have been threatend  by the nieghbor regarding our so called ‘killer dog’, Lukas. 

Several weeks have passed since Halloween and Lukas has been mostly good.  He scratched Seth, again because Seth still hasn’t learned to not get in Lukas’ face.  On the flip side, Seth and Lukas do get along.  Seth is able to walk by him and even run past him without any chasing.  A huge improvement for both.

The particular neighbor has gotten herself  the Tahoe breed of disturbia, a yellow lab.   Very cute dog.  However, this means we may bump into each other at the dog park.  Here are the rules of the Phoenix dog parks. First off, I do not adhere to the rules myslef 100%. I have a deaf dog so he I can’t maintain voice control over him. haha. But, of course he is always in my site. I do take the 8yr old in with me at times. I prefer not to as he is still learning how to behave properly around dogs. I do however, put my dog on a leash if they become aggressive towards another dog or person.

My neighbor shows up at the park with her 6yr old daughter who we know is very scared of Lukas (as I would expect her to be based from Halloween). After about 15min, Lukas noticed her and ran towards the girl. The same kind of running he does when he sees a little dog he wants to play with. It is soooo unexplainable. He has been around kids but Seth and the neighbor’s little girls are the only ones he seems to act this way around. Seth has overcome it mostly. Lukas doesn’t act this way around the many other kids he comes in contact with. We keep a very close watch on him. His breed is not disturbia friendly but it is better than the alternative.

Most would say “get rid of him”, but it just isn’t that easy. My boys and husband would be crushed. I wouldn’t enjoy it, but due to livng in disturbia, we may loose him to animal control. The neighbor has said she will call animal control if he runs after her daughter again. (She feels humans come before animals. I chuckled to myself thinking ‘only some humans’.) Regardless if it is in the dog park. That is what gets under my skin. Of course, the dog park rules clearly read children under 12yrs old are not allowed in. For a very good reason too. When you can follow the rules, then you can call the authorities.

Upon leaving, I handed her a book, “How to Child-proof Your Dog”. It has a few chapters on how to teach your kids to behave around dogs. I firmly believe, that most bites are probably due to inappropriate behavior around dogs. (Not making excuses, but this shows many can be prevented) Unfortunaely, it is definitely a 2 way street. She is not willing to get her 6yr old less afraid of Lukas and teach her proper behavior but instead reinforces that feeling scared is ok since she has been ‘attacked’ by him. I asked her when she was attacked by Lukas and she said on Halloween. That is funny, she told me he didn’t bite her. I feel sorry for the girl.

Perhaps we have bitten off more than we can chew with him. He fits so well into our small pack. I actually think he is such a learning experience for my boys due to his imperfections and handicap.

Do I owe it to Lukas to send him back to the rescue organization? Or do I put the house up for sale?

Posted in Neighbors, Pets | Print | 1 Comment »