Christian Brothers Automotive

Yesterday was a busy day for me which is why I failed to post a review. I had to get my state inspection done on one of our vehicles. A chore I dread. In fact any job having to do with cars, I put off for as long as I can. I started saving them for those days I need a shave and a shower. I put on my baggiest clothes, pull my greasy hair into a pony tail and walk in wearing my high-waisted mom shorts and about a weeks worth of growth on my legs. You'd think it would be a deterrent.

I took the opportunity to patronize a new place of business. (Well, new to me.) I ventured down the road to Christian Brothers Automotive. The parking lot was full when I drove in, which is either a good or bad sign depending on which way you look at it. I pulled in thinking, "They must be good at what they do, but dang it! I'm going to have to wait forever!" Surprisingly the lobby was empty. I don't know where all the other car owners were, but they weren't waiting impatiently inside.

I was greeted very promptly and very professionally by the manager, Mike. He warned me that it may take a while before they could squeeze me in, but I was expecting to have to wait anyway so all was well. I'd like to say that I waited until the end of the month to get my state inspection done just so I could squeeze it in when everyone else was trying to squeeze theirs in and see how the business handled the pressure, but, the truth is, I'm just lazy. And forgetful. At any rate, Mike promised to have it done as soon as possible and offered me a  cool frosty beverage.

One thing that I noticed about the lobby was that there was no television, very few magazines and copies of the New Testament on the tables. Everything was clean and actually didn't smell like grease monkeys. I settled in with my water and proceeded to read and play games on my Kindle. A little while later a young mother and her toddler walked in for a scheduled repair. Mike the manager was right on top of things. A part hadn't been ordered correctly, but rather than reschedule the customer he got right on the phone to have it delivered immediately and made arrangements for mom and son to go home and relax while the repair was being made. While doing this another, less agreeable, customer came in to inquire about why he was still waiting. I was really impressed with the way in which both situations were handled. The phone conversation with the shop was put on hold and the grumpy man was taken outside to, I assume, explain his situation. Then Mike returned and continued his phone conversation ordering parts. The customer was put first. In fact the shop was run so efficiently that my car was fit in during a stopping point during a brake job and I was in and out with my new inspection sticker in about 30 minutes.

And not once did anyone hit on me, try to look down my shirt, or offer me a 'discount' on a service I didn't need. At least I've been smart enough to say that I'll have my own mechanic look at my car before I have any work done. Not to be sexist, but I know as much about cars as most other women do. And have about as much interest in learning. I can check my fluids and air pressure and I can change a tire, but that's about it. I might be more inclined to learn if I didn't have to get so oily.

The Verdict

Definitely a 5/5 for customer service. I will go back there again when I need anything else done and tell you how it goes.

As they Grow

This past weekend we joined millions of others in celebrating Memorial Day by going to a pool party and eating bar-b-que with friends. The company was great and a good time was had by all. While everyone was sitting around the pool I couldn't help but take in the sight of my three kids playing and splashing in the water, getting along for the first time in weeks. I remember what it was like to be a child and make friends for the day. Today we're besties, floating and diving and making up rules to our own games. Tomorrow we're sunburned, tired and happy. Nothing but the memories of a good time to get us through the last few days of school.

I love the age that my kids are now. Old enough to be on their own but still vulnerable enough to need the watchful eyes of their parents. Tim is 12 and is awkward, funny, and always just outside the group. Rebecca, at 10, seems to get along with everyone whether she wants to or not. She is too nice to say no to others even at a cost to herself. Diana, 7, is independent and voices her feelings without a filter, happy to play on her own or with others. As they splashed and laughed I observed and smiled, grateful for the opportunity.

There were kids of all ages at the gathering. I found myself being thankful that I no longer have to hop in the pool to insure their safety. I don't have to feel like the meddling mom, constantly checking on her brood. I can stay on the sidelines, within reach, and still answer the call, "Mom, watch this!" Or swim and play with them because they want me to, not because they need to.

I'm not even sure I miss those days. I loved having my babies. I loved carting them around, bathing them, clothing them, wiping away tears and cleaning boo boos. I would never trade it for anything. But I, much like my kids, have grown and changed. I have matured and am still working on becoming the mom I want to be. Every once in a while I still get to wipe away tears, but it won't be long before it's due to broken hearts or fights with friends instead of trips and falls. Boo boos are coming fewer and farther between and I've learned to treasure the time I have. I still sneak in their bedrooms at night to stroke their hair, kiss their cheeks, pull the blankets up a little higher. That is the one vice I will not give up.

I love the freedom that having kids has afforded me. They made me a better person. I don't feel tied down to them. I feel liberated by what they have given me. I was taught responsibility, how to educate, entertain, and worry. My kids gave me the freedom of choice. What kind of mom do I want to be?

I think the proof was in the pool that day. As all three kids forgot their petty arguments with each other and played uninhibited with a slew of other equally great kids, I felt a satisfaction like none other. Not that mom and dad don't love their dates; we just appreciate them all the more.

Kids grow up and you can't change that. You do have some control over what kind of person they will turn out to be. Nothing is ever perfect, including yourself. Cheers to the bittersweet adventure that children are.

4/5 - Because you can't stop it and you can't change it, even for the better.

A Celebration of Achievement

Last night was the sixth grade awards ceremony for my son's school. In a day and time when children are all given participation trophies and congratulated for not really trying, it was really nice to see a small population of his sixth grade class being recognized for true greatness. Also, we didn't have to sit through a needlessly long event.

My son plays the trumpet in beginner's band. He has been first chair nearly all year long. At the concert at the end of this school year he has told me he will be playing a solo. The instructor expects him to enter Honor's Band next year, pending the end of year audition, of course. Quite an achievement for my little guy. So naturally he was recognized for his accomplishments in band. He also got a certificate for language arts. Guess the love of writing runs in the family. Now if only he would turn in his homework.

The whole ceremony went pretty smoothly. The faculty started pretty much on time and had the whole herd of kids across the stage in 40 minutes. In fact I can't really think of any complaints about the faculty. The kids on the other hand...

When an invitation says, "Please dress nicely" I take that to mean wear something business casual. Not dress like you're about to go out clubbing. Or fishing. I'm not even sure what kind of clubs 12 and 13 year olds can get in to. And I always throw my holey jeans away. It just makes me wonder what kind of example these parents are setting for their children. "It is ok to ignore the rules. It's ok not to look your best when being recognized as a model student. It's not important to put forth an effort when people are trying to make you feel special."

And what is with parents letting their kids do whatever they want while sitting in an audience full of families? The mom behind me had her hands full with three kids under the age of five, one of which was head butting the back of my seat. If you can't control your children in public, don't take them out in public. Additionally, I have a Kindle. But do I use it to distract my kids when their older sibling is being awarded by the school as being a good kid? No. My kids know how to behave because if they don't they get punished. I don't pacify them with movies and games on my electronic devices because I don't know how to keep them quiet for 45 minutes. And even if I did, I would be considerate enough to turn the volume down.

I am a full 5/5 gold stars proud of my boy. Some parents, however, only deserve 1.

Leaving a Job

Leaving a job you really enjoy is never an easy thing. Leaving it voluntarily seems somehow even harder. I have a wonderful job in assisted living working in memory care. But I have some health issues that are forcing me to take a closer look at what is truly important in my life. As a stroke survivor, I have had to learn the very difficult lesson of having to put yourself above all others when it comes to your health.

When my children were young, I fought my husband tooth and nail so that I could stay home and raise them. And I did. I don't want to say that we struggled, but we are definitely not well off. Things could have been much easier if I had gone back to work right after each child was born. As it was, by the time I was ready to go back to work I couldn't find a job. We made the decision for me to back to school. And I did really well. I even substitute taught part time for most of my years in college. I finished my Associate in Science and was working on my Bachelor's Degree when I had  my stroke.

But I still feel like I failed somehow. I accomplished a lot, yes. But I could always have done more. I know you're not supposed to live your life thinking about what else you could have done, but I know I could have done more and I refused. Now that I have the time, I can't. It's so hard not to feel discouraged and wonder where I went wrong.

The worst part about leaving work is the friends that I have made. I am a terrible friend. I don't make them easily and I don't keep in touch. I speak too abruptly and honestly. I hate talking on the phone. I don't particularly like listening to other people's problems over and over. I'll listen once and give you advice. But if you don't take it, don't come crying to me when things don't go right. I forget promises and I lose appointments. In general, I'm afraid that if I don't physically go to work to see these people I may never see them again. And I actually really like a lot of them.

That's not to say that I got along with everyone. No one gets along with everyone. If you're one of those annoying people that thinks they get along with everybody, let me tell you a little secret. Your coworkers talk about you behind your back. They secretly hate you for being so perfect. Therefore - you don't get along with anybody. Conflict is ok. It's healthy to have conflict in any relationship, even working relationships. So I'll miss those too.

My leaving is good, too. I get to stay home. And do laundry. Clean house. Take care of my mother in law.

Crap...

The Verdict

I give this 1/5. If it wasn't necessary, I wouldn't do it.

Review of Les Miserables (2012)

**Contains Spoilers. Do not read if you do not want to know what happens in the movie**

I finally jumped on the band wagon and watched the critically acclaimed Les Miserables. A little background on me: I did theater around the Houston area for nearly 20 years. I am trying to write and publish scripts now and am an avid movie watcher. I don't particularly like musicals, though, because the continuity of acting-singing-acting-singing isn't very realistic to me. I find it hard to suspend my disbelief when someone is on their death bed and breaks into song and dance. But considering Les Mis is an opera, I gave it a go.

So the movie basically stars Wolverine, Gladiator, and the Princess from Princess Diaries. It takes place during the French Revolution and opens with Wolverine as a slave or prisoner or caveman or something under the orders of the Gladiator. Through a bunch of musical scores we learn that he has been imprisoned for nearly 20 years for stealing bread but is now eligible for parole and is set free. He manages to make the Gladiator angry so they vow to always remember each other.

Wolverine moves on to remain a petty thief because (surprise, surprise) no one trusts an ex con. Except the priest who gives him a second chance. This is where I start to have a problem with the character. Wolverine decides to change for the better and hand his life over to God in order to be a better man. But in order to do that, he breaks his parole and lies about who he is which kind of goes against making yourself a better person. In sort of makes you an identity thief. So he tries to be a better man by lying about everything.

Fast forward a few years and Wolverine is now the mayor and no one recognizes him as the ex con that they all shunned. He is a business owner that Anne Hathaway works for. For some reason all the other ladies really hate her. She's trying to make extra money to take care of her daughter, but that is just unacceptable and she ends up getting fired. Now, I know very little about the French Revolution (and most other revolutions for that matter) but instead of trying to find another job, Anne immediately resorts to selling her hair, teeth and body. Needless to say, she is pretty miserable. Wolverine happens to stumble upon her and realizes that she used to work for him. At the same time, the Gladiator finds Wolverine and recognizes him as the con that broke parole and tries to take him in. But Wolverine wants to do well by this poor prostitute he barely knows that is dying in his arms and singing oh so sadly, so he promises to care for her daughter, sight unseen. Wolverine rescues Cosette, the daughter, from her unsavory guardians and takes her into a life of hiding to live with him happily ever after.

Or not. Fast forward a few years later....

Cosette is now an adult and falls madly in love with a revolutionary on the streets just before he goes to battle and she has to go into hiding with her ex con papa again. That Gladiator will not give up! A battle is fought, people die (in fact almost everyone dies), Wolverine saves Loverboy from the grips of death and while en-route runs into the Gladiator. Songs are exchanged and they go their separate ways. At this point, Gladiator feels like a complete failure. One man has escaped him for nearly 20 years. I guess this is the only mistake he has ever made because he doesn't take it well. He jumps off a bridge and kills himself. While singing. And Russell Crowe is probably the weakest singer in the entire movie, in my opinion. I giggled every time he sang. Don't get me wrong; I wouldn't do any better. But I would've played a character you love to hate like Helena Bonham Carter did.

Now you think that everything is going to end happily, right? Wrong. Cosette and Loverboy get married, but Wolverine dies on their wedding night, completely ruining every wedding anniversary for them for the rest of their lives. Anne Hathaway shows up as Wolverine's guardian angel or some such nonsense, which doesn't make sense because they barely knew each other. Of course, he did raise her daughter. But he did it while on the run and in hiding half the time. And he died on the most important day of her life.

All in all, it wasn't as hokey as I thought it would be. And yes, I know that if you loved the movie you'll disagree and if you hated it you'll disagree. But that's the beauty of having an opinion. It's your point of view.

The Verdict:

I give it 3 of 5 whatevers.

A Review on Parenting

"Oh, my God! I sound just like my Mom!" Or dad, whatever the case may be. Has that thought ever struck you and knocked you down? Or is that something that renders a sense of pride in your heart? As we are now a few weeks past Mother's Day, and Father's Day is quickly approaching, we may find ourselves thinking more of our parents and how we were raised. How about our own children and what kind of job we are doing with them? How did you come to be a parent? Are you living up to your own expectations? Are you living up to your children's? Are you a "too many cooks" kind of person or an "it takes a village" kind of person? Do you follow a philosophy like free range parenting or strict parenting or are you a fly by the seat of your pants kind of parent?

I feel that parenting is one of those personal choices that people have to make together. Well, hopefully together. But there are some common threads we can all relate to. Most all kids eat a bug or dirt at some point in time. All kids are going to potty train, lie, make a mess, argue, and do a thousand other things that crawl under your skin. It's what you do about it that makes you a good parent. Likewise, children are capable of great things. They love and understand and give back more than any other adult ever will. Again, it's what you do with it that makes you a good parent.

I can't lie to you. Sometimes being a mom has been horrible. I am never anxiously awaiting the next stomach flu to make a surprise visit to our house. There are some packages you don't want to open. Trust me. Illnesses around my house have been made all the worse because I have a mother in law who lives with me who went through nurses training about a hundred years ago and likes to tell me how to care for my sick kids. But she, too, is a mom. And don't all moms know best? And darn it all if she isn't right some of the time. Plus, it can never just be one kid that gets sick. If you have more than one kid, you know what I'm talking about. A virus will start off with one child then work its way through all the kids until it has morphed into a super bug and attacks the adults in the house. Maybe even the dog and the parakeets. In fact, I'm pretty sure that's how my fish died.

And there's no point in trying to keep a clean house (can I get an A-men?). I will keep my house sanitary and livable. But until these guys learn that shoes do not know how to walk themselves, I am not spending my days not getting paid to be a maid. In fact, I'm pretty sure the whole reason I had kids was to help me clean the house. Of course you can't trust them with cleaners. They'll just make you worry while you're trying to enjoy that mimosa on the couch.

Speaking of worry, have you ever just stayed up watching your baby sleep? Or spied on your kids while they played outside? Or screened their friends before they had sleepovers? Or checked the temperature of their bath water? Blown on their food? Double checked their seat belt? Installed hidden cameras throughout your house and yard? Or any number of things meant to keep them safe and out of harm's way? When does that stop? Granted, my children are old enough to buckle their seat belts and blow on their own food and play outside alone now, but when do we ever stop worrying? Probably about the same time you stop caring. Never.

I love being a mom. Wouldn't trade it for anything. And I firmly believe that my kids are the most talented, funniest, most thoughtful, brilliant, caring, and wonderful children there ever were. But I am far from perfect. I have tried to keep the magic in their childhood as long as possible, but I have made some mistakes along the way. For instance, why did the Tooth Fairy accidentally drop the tooth on top of my dresser instead of carting it off to make Tooth Fairy castles or new baby teeth or Tooth Fairy cocaine or whatever it is Tooth Fairies do with teeth? Our Tooth Fairy is also notorious for forgetting to pick up lost teeth for three days in a row. She should be fired. Seriously. And why does Santa Claus go shopping in department stores? And why doesn't the Easter Bunny take the empty candy packages away? He is a litter bug and leaves them in my house to throw away.

The only other bad thing I can say about parenting also comes with a good thing. I hate having to punish my kids. But if I don't do it, who will? I want them to be responsible, considerate, and conscientious human beings. Not turds with no manners or morals who would rather be lazy and uneducated than productive and motivated. And though sometimes I feel that we are too strict or that sometimes our standards are too high, they always come to understand the punishment. And they still love us. We can still love and laugh and play.

That is the point in my family. Love, laughter and play time. And we have plenty of it.

The Verdict:

I give parenting 5/5 rattles. It's not for everyone, but I commend those that want it, do it and did it well. And those of you raising lazy ne'er do wells, don't worry; we're all talking about you behind your back.

Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.  ~Robert Fulghum 

If you have never been hated by your child you have never been a parent.  ~Bette Davis