Friday, January 17, 2014

"OMG" and Me

Before 2014 is over with, I will turn 50.  Truthfully, on some days my body does feel as if I'm old enough to join AARP, but in my mind, I'm still 21.  Yes, that's it; a wiser & more mature 21.  Except when it comes to all the techno gadgets and their effect on society.

When I first graduated from college and began working, I remember how annoying I found fax machines to be.  Someone from the corporate office could fax you information, and BOOM, you instantly had more work to do.  I can't imagine being in an office today and being bombarded with email, texts, tweets, Facebook updates AND faxes!

I resisted Facebook for a very long time (and my husband still does).  I finally caved 3 1/2 years ago when my great-niece was born.  I knew I would see photos of her much faster if I was on Facebook, and I was correct.  The reason behind my resistance was that I wasn't very sure I wanted each and every person from my past to be able to reconnect with me.  I think it took me almost 3 years before I got to 100 "friends".  However, I must admit that I find Facebook to be a fun way to communicate with people whom I can't see on a daily basis and with those whom I never thought I'd hear from again.  I never dreamed I'd see or hear from an elementary school friend who moved out of state when we were in 5th grade!  Or that I'd be "friends" with people whom I've met through blogging!

Twitter...I've never tweeted.  I don't really understand the point of it for someone like me; although, I can see how it is a useful tool if you own a business or have a product to sell.

Then there's texting.  I didn't begin this form of communication until about 2 years ago.  Why?  Because I can't stand what it has done to the written English language.  LOL, LMAO (ugh), IDK, JK, WTF (bigger ugh) and my personal favorite (NOT!), OMG.  In my old fashioned school of thought, this text talk is just bad spelling!

So let's talk about my personal favorite (again, NOT!); OMG.  Now some people may say it can mean "oh my goodness" or "oh my gosh", but I think we all know it really means "oh my God".  I am a Christian and do not use that phrase.  In the Bible, the third commandment is, "Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." (KJV)  I give my husband and teenagers a hard time if I hear them use the phrase.  And it's definitely not something I want to hear coming out of my 2-year-old's mouth!

About a month ago, the almost 50-year-old in me was compelled to send an email to PBS regarding one of their new children's shows.  I was watching the program with my little guy and enjoying it because it is both cute and educational.  This particular episode featured some teenage characters.  I was stunned when I heard them say, "O...M...G!"  I immediately went online to find out how I could contact the people responsible for the show.  It seemed the best way to do this was to email them, so that's what I did.  My message was brief and respectful; I just expressed my concern over the use of OMG in a PBS children's program.  I pointed out that preschoolers mimic everything they see and hear.  It took a few weeks, but I did get the following response back from them:

A goal of this series is to get children engaged in the content, and build the math skills taught in each episode, by making the program feel relevant and relatable to today’s children.  To that end, the producers have the three older girls, known as “The Teens,” display exaggerated behavior often associated with adolescents, such as loving pizza, texting and using contemporary slang including “O.M.G.,” which the producers felt could also mean “Oh, my gosh.”
 
We are sorry to learn that you are disappointed with this material and have shared your comments with the PBS KIDS staff and the creative team responsible for (name of show here). The response of viewers – both positive and negative – is an important guide for determining future programming decisions.
 
Your interest in our content is greatly appreciated.  We hope you continue to watch and enjoy your local PBS station.
 
I appreciate the fact that someone did get back to me, and that they were respectful and professional in their response.  I have to say though that I don't agree with the producers over what OMG could stand for.  I think we all know what it really stands for.  And I think our Lord knows what it stands for as well.
 
So, do I abbreviate, use acronyms, or simply shorten words when I text?  I didn't at first out of principle.  However, my almost 50-year-old fingers and thumbs began to protest, so I do use such things as "u" for "you" or "ur" for "your" or "btwn" for "between".  I still don't LOL and definitely won't WTF.  And OMG?  Well...hmmm...maybe...since it could mean "oh my gosh"; HAHAHA...JK!

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)." However, I want you to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

Like most of you, I got to "spring" forward this weekend. I also got to get up extra early Sunday morning because I needed to be at church an hour and a half earlier than usual! I ended up taking a nap after dinner Sunday night!

I got to go to the chiropractor unexpectedly yesterday. I had had a headache for three days, so my husband got me an appointment. I hadn't been to the chiropractor since before I was pregnant. It usually feels good, but this time it hurt!! My headache has subsided though. I get to go for a re-check on Friday.

I get to walk five miles today...HA!! I mentioned a few weeks ago that I'm participating in a walking program through my church. I'm supposed to walk five miles a week. Our weeks go Wednesday through Tuesday. Due to my three day headache, I haven't walked even a mile this week, so it's all come down to today!

I've also mentioned before that my oldest son got his permit. I've ended up riding with him a few times, and I know I'll continue to get to do this. Every time I have to ride with him I feel as if my heart is in my throat!! It's not that I feel he's a bad driver; I just don't like not having any control over the car!

Well, that is my "I Get To" list for this week. Remember, try to find the blessings in your "I Have To's" and turn them into "I Get To's"! Please feel free to post your own "I Get To" list and link up here. I would love to hear how you're being "blessed" this week!


Tuesday, March 6, 2012

"I Get To" Tuesdays

The thought behind this is to list a few things that could come under the category of "Ugh...I have to (you fill in the blank)." However, I want you to look at these "have to's" as blessings of "I get to". We all take for granted such things as our health, jobs, family, friends, etc. and sometimes don't appreciate them or see them as blessings as we should. So here are a few things for me this week.

I'm posting this later than usual just because I'm a mom! If you're a mom, you know that your schedule has to revolve around everyone else's day! This week my "I Get To" list includes the following:

I got to take my oldest son to the dentist for a check-up today and pay out of pocket for the appointment...no dental insurance. But at least we're able to pay for this, even if it does hurt the checking account a bit. Plus, he didn't have any cavities!

I get to be a single parent for the next two nights, and Daniel usually is not a happy camper in the evenings. On the flip side, I get to go do something fun with friends on Thursday night! I'm blessed that my hubby is willing to share the child-rearing duties.

We will be "springing" the clocks forward this Saturday night! YAY! On Sunday morning I need to be at church 1 1/2 hours earlier than usual. BOO!

Last night, I got to spend the evening doing our grocery shopping. Ugh...food prices are killing me!! However, I did get some deals like free milk and free oranges! Since CVS is right next door to our grocery store, I went in there first. I actually made $2 buying a bottle of Olay Body Wash! I had a coupon to get the body wash free if I bought an Olay cleanser. Well, I needed cleanser & it was on sale. If you're familiar with CVS's extra bucks, you may have noticed that this week you can earn $2 extra bucks if you buy Olay Body Wash. Even though I had the coupon to get it free, I still technically bought it, so I got the $2 extra bucks too! WOO HOO!! After I went to the grocery store, I went back to CVS and used my $2 extra bucks to buy a 24 pack of water bottles. I only had to pay 44 cents for them! I also made a penny a box on three boxes of tissues due to coupons...go me!

Remember, try to find the blessings in your "I Have To's" and turn them into "I Get To's"! Please feel free to post your own "I Get To" list and link up here. I would love to hear how you're being "blessed" this week!

Monday, March 5, 2012

My New Blog

Well, I'm probably crazy, but I've begun writing a third blog!! My Sonshines Three & Me is where I'll write about being an older "new" mom while mothering two teenagers...the humorous side and the struggles. Please come over and visit!

Thursday, March 1, 2012

My Three Sons and the Furry One

This son of mine turned 17 in January and finally decided it was time to get his driver's permit! He has found that driving isn't as easy as it looks, but he's persevering! (And Mom is having a nervous breakdown as his passenger but is keeping it to herself!)


This kiddo has suddenly gotten into basketball, although, he didn't make the school team (big frowny face). He hasn't hit his growth spurt yet, so maybe next year he'll have better luck. Baseball will be starting soon anyway. He's also getting used to life as the middle child! After 14 years of being our youngest and the youngest grandchild on my side of the family, he has lost his position to his little brother.

As for this little guy, he has been busy working out a sleep schedule, doing some teething (his big brothers got teeth early), and discovering the joys of Sesame Street! He just coos and babbles as he watches his favorite show! (Okay, I know this is kind of bad since he's only 3 months old, but he just loves Elmo!)

Then there is this crazy mutt! He doesn't know what to think of his littlest brother. He licks him as soon as he gets a bath and is very interested in the new baby toys, especially the stuffed animals (which he must also lick)! However, he does make an attempt to share his dog toys with his new sibling!

That's my family update! Praise God that everyone is adjusting nicely to all of our recent changes!