Amber, This One's for You!

Confession: I watched Teen Mom, the show that came after 16 and Pregnant. The show follows 4 teen moms, invades their privacy, while giving me entertainment. Well, it's not really that entertaining, but the show makes me cry a little. I don't know if I cry because I feel sorry for the kids with some of the parents that they have to grow up with, or for the single moms that think that the only option that they have is to live off the government and stay home all day.

I feel like I am in a lucky situation. I have a kid; it's hard at times, but considering the joy that comes out of having a baby, it's not hard at all. I don't live by my parents or siblings that want to babysit constantly for free. I go to school too (and for more than just a GED). I don't sit at home all week because having a kid means that I need to stay home all day under house arrest. I have fun.

Ready for the part that bugs me? Here we go:

There is one girl on the show named Amber that is in such a closed world. Nothing that she every does is wrong, the entire show is pretty much just in her house because she thinks she can't go out, and she blames everything on just having to take care of her kid all day because that is a full time job. Now, that's true. Taking care of a kid is a full time job, infants take naps at least once a day so you can do some dishes.

Judging? Yeah, my bad. She actually is trying to work hard, but she has an "I can't do it" attitude.

But what can she do? Live off the government. Oh course! Don't contribute to society, your family, or your own needs, just have someone else do it for you!

Why, you say, do I have such bitter feelings about people living off government checks? Well, I was never really that mad when I made minimum wage at a part time job, but things change with real jobs. We are not rich by any means, but looking at my husbands paycheck and seeing how much gets taken out for unemployed bums that don't even care to look for a job, grrr. Now as for that teen mom living off the governments, all I have to say is, "Amber, this paycheck goes to you".

I shouldn't bag on her because she is actually trying now. Just those people who don't try. I'll admit it: I'll live off government assisted programs when my husband is in grad school. No shame in that. We'll eventually pay it back with the money that they'll take out of the paychecks later on. Government checks are temporary, not indefinite.

Anyway, no shame, no shame in taking advantage now. Just make a goal to not make it a permanent part of your future.

Give Me A Break!

Sometimes I think people where I live are just greedy! Of course, all my blog entries come from things that irritate me, so let me tell you the story behind the facts:

I need two things. Well, one is a need and one is a want. Need: bookshelf. I'm moving and the bookshelf in my current house is nailed to the wall. Want: a play mat for Olivia that has an arch of toys. Now, getting these things bran-spankin-new, bookshelf for $35 and play mat for $16. I thought that the perfect place to get these used items would be at a garage sale. Everyone is moving and getting rid of their stuff. If I got these things for a good price, I would just use them for the rest of the time we're in Idaho, then give them to DI when I'm done.

One Saturday, had 9 different garage sales that I wrote down from Craig's list. I went to all of them and even stopped at a few more on the side of the road. You know what?

WASTE OF TIME!

I may be a little more frustrated because every time I get out of my car, I also have to take the kid out too, a little harder than me just hopping out.

Oh, and here's why it's a waste of time. They had the things that I wanted. There are even things that I wanted that I saw at these garage sales, but didn't dare buy. You know that bookshelf I wanted? I didn't find the exact one I wanted, but I sure couldn't find one for less than $30 bucks. Give me a break. I'll spend the extra 5 bucks for a new one that I can transport in a box.

You know who the really greedy people are? College students with little kids! I'm not going to buy a used play mat for just 2 bucks cheaper than original price. Plus, I bet that play mat has been through all 8 of your kids! I'm sorry, but your kid's vomit on the play mat means that you should knock it down more than 2 bucks. Please.

Now, if I were in CA, things would be different. I bet I could find a gently used bookshelf from Crate and Barrel for 5 bucks. And children's clothing, I bet only used for one kid and it's all-you-can-fit-in-a-bag for $1. Now, that's what I call a garage sale.

Don't even get me started on how much they charge for stuff of the school's bulletin board. Man, everyone here is greedy.