Fundraisers

Yep, with the beginning of school and extra curricular activities comes fund-raising time. My least favorite time of the year. I HATE these things with a passion.

First, I get bombarded all at once. I currently have no less than 3 fundraisers going right now between my two girls. At least they're selling different things unlike last year when they were both selling from the exact same booklet. How am I supposed to do that without appearing to like one child better than the other? It's become a tightrope walk deciding which child gets which grandparents, aunts and uncles while attempting to predict what those people will buy so that I can keep the dollar value somewhat even. Nightmare I tell you! And for what?

Crap no one really needs or wants. Sure, we all need Christmas wrapping paper, but I can get it a heck of a lot cheaper from Target. And having tubs of cookie dough in the freezer sounds like a great idea until the power goes out for 4 days and that $40 goes into the garbage. Donuts, nut tins, candles, car decals, overpriced tchotchkes no one needs. Do you know how hard it is to look your mother in the eye and try to convince her she needs yet another candle?

I just can't do it. And what chaps my ass about it all is that they hook the kids with these elaborate programs to kick off the fundraiser, telling them all about the prizes and parties they're going to win if they sell. And then tell them they can't really sell because going door-to-door like we did as kids is verboten. Guess who gets to sell? And disappoint the girls when I have to tell them there's no way I can sell enough to get them both to that amazing party at the end.

I hate fundraiser time. I honestly would just rather hand the school a check for what they'd earn. I will say that Sweet Pea's school has begun something I rather like. They hold a back to school party the Friday before Labor Day. They rent 20 inflatables, sell pizza, drinks and snacks. And make money hand over fist. The kids have a great time. I don't have to sell shit. And the school makes money. Win, win, win!

Are you in the middle of fundraisers? What's the worst thing you've been asked to sell? Do you have a closet full of wrapping paper you'll never go through before the Apocalypse? Have you ever bought something you didn't want or need because you felt guilty?

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Birthday

Yeah, so my birthday is coming up next Tuesday. It's not a big one...at least not one of the 0 or 5 ones I tend to dread for no good logical reason. It's just a birthday, but I'm really not looking forward to it. I'm tired of not just growing older but growing up. I wanna know who said I had to start acting my age?

I still shop in the teen section because their clothes are so much cuter than the ones in my own section. The problem is they aren't exactly cut for someone who's been through childbirth twice... Part of me realizes that I'm getting too old for this, that forty is around the corner and I do not want to be the woman everyone says dresses inappropriately for her stage in life. (Although, hey, I could consider it research since I'm working on a YA) But I'm just not ready to let go of my teenage/twenty-something years! They were fun. I was fun.

I'm not ready for my girls to get older either. I'm happy with them being cute, sweet, appreciative, polite 9 and 6 year olds. Me getting older means that the teenage years and endless months of rebellion, sulking and hormonal temper tantrums are right around the corner. I'm. Not. Ready! I'm not ready for the day they come home and want to spend time in their rooms with the doors closed instead of telling me about their day. I'm not ready for Zilla and I to become less and less important to their daily routine. Yes, I realize that's what's supposed to happen...I'm just not ready for it.

So, yeah, I have a birthday next week. It isn't a major one but apparently seems to be sending me into a tailspin none-the-less. I'm not sure what to do with that. It's surprising. I don't think I've ever had this response to a birthday. I've still got 6 years before 40 but I can suddenly see why so many people go through mid-life crises. If this feeling is going to get worse and worse for the next 6 years I'm going to end up jumping out of a plane (with a parachute of course) by the time 40 actually gets here just for that rush of adrenaline.

So, anyone else got a birthday coming up? Is it wigging you out or is it just me?

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Addictions

And no, I don't mean the illegal drug, hit rock bottom, ruin your life kind of addictions. I'm talking about the I've discovered these mini cupcakes that are amazing and relatively good on the grand scale of things until you eat the entire dozen kind of addiction. Or the I bought yet another pair of shoes online today because I was bored and they were so pretty addiction. Yeah, the kind that won't ruin your life...but you can't seem to build up the willpower to resist.

I'm telling you, these cupcakes are awesome (and so are the shoes). They're two bites so they're small. The icing on top is perfect - not too sweet, not too bland, not too grainy. They taste like heaven and because they're so small you don't feel guilty after you eat one. However, I'm here to attest that you do feel guilty after you eat ten. I start with two (because I know I can't just have one). And then five minutes later find myself back in the kitchen. I have no idea how I got there. Or what I came for. But, hey look, there are those cupcakes. A couple more can't hurt.

They're small and that's how they get ya. (They're also available in the bakery section at Publix for anyone who wants to join my addiction).

So, I'm going to go first. Hi. My name is Kira, and I'm a mini cupcake addict. (We won't mention the shoes). They say the first step is to admit you have a problem. Although, I think my real problem is going to be step two which I'm assuming is giving up the object of your addiction. In fact, while everyone else shares their own addictions, I'm going to the kitchen for another cupcake. I promise I'll be right back.

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