Mirror, Mirror on the Wall...

The saying "a chip off the old block" comes to mind when I think of my daughter.  So does the sentiment that a mother's greatest revenge comes to fruition when her daughter has a daughter. 
It's really quite remarkable considering how different Charlotte's upbringing has been compared to mine thus far.  She was toted around a college campus as an infant and attended numerous lectures.  She lived with 4 other non-parental adults for the first 2 and a half years of her life and learned quickly to wield her charms to get someone to bend to her will.  Those are just 2 of the major factors that caused her childhood to be very different from my own.  And yet, she truly is a reflection of me.
Of course, she has her own personality and unique style, but the underlying current is becoming more  akin to my own every year.  She certainly has my stubbornness, or shall we say strong willed determination and my creativity.  She has my desire to read and write and curiosity for nature.  Those make sense considering how I spend my time.  What baffles me is her frugality that is showing at such a young age.  Oh sure, she would still easily spend money at a store if she could, but every year I see her becoming more aware of the cost of things.
This started innocently enough with my fondness of clearance endcaps and tendency to wander stores walking the back ends rather than the front and my ritual of the holiday 90% clearance runs.  At first she began to say things like, when these shoes, doll, game, etc is on sale, can we buy it?  This progressed to when it is on clearance.  Mind you, I appreciate this awareness of cost and realization that if you only wait a little you can purchase the item you want for 75% less than the original cost...  It's the next step that is troublesome.
I am frugal.  My husband would probably say frugal to a fault.  I double coupon, shop clearance and frequent garage sales and thrift stores.  I am appalled when a thrift store overcharges for items ($3.99 for a shirt!!!) and would rather eat in than out most of the time.  That said, I also have a difficult time enjoying things that cost money.  For example, the last movie I saw in the theater was The pirates that don't do anything.  This was seen during a $2.50 with popcorn admission - special family showing.  I also struggle with things like haircuts - why waste my money on a cut I won't like when I can cut my hair myself and get similar result?
My faulty frugality came to realization last week when I was forced to see my reflection quite clearly.  I promised Charlotte that we would have a mom/daughter date.  I had even priced out manicures at the local beauty school and planned a trip there.  We decided that if I passed my personal trainer certification, we would splurge and get mani/pedis.  And we did.  What a waste!  I was sorely disappointed in the overall experience.  Granted, this was my first pedi and only my third mani, but really I expected more.  The "massage" portion was very short and the nail polish was goopy. (They tried to thin it out with nail polish remover, but it was still awful!)  They also were awfully quick with Charlotte.  We had the services side by side and hers ended over 30 minutes before mine.  They just skipped a lot of the things on her.  She was bored and disappointed in the polish.  When all was done and we went to check out, my sweet daughter said "you have to pay for that? by mom, they were late!" (our appointment had started 20 minutes late and Charlotte had been ready to walk out and do something else instead.)  Then on the way to get ice cream, she commented that it's way more fun to paint our nails at home... and it's even free!
While I whole heartedly agreed with her, I was saddened by the realization that she may well face the same difficulties I do in splurging.  You see, I am the person who finds a grocery store as soon as we arrive at a destination.  I will walk 3 miles to the closest Starbucks that charges $1.95 for a tall iced coffee (with free refills with a registered card) rather than buy it in the hotel lobby for $3.95.  I am the one who, when eating out, thinks of how much cheaper and often better the dish would be made at home.  I never order anything to drink other than water at restaurants and very rarely order appetizers or desserts.  I split a meal with someone.  Even though i love massages, and really do need them because of my profession, I dread the cost and limit myself to 1-2 per year.  I will see something in the store that I really want... and wait, hoping it will still be around when it hits 75% off.  I shop the clearance racks, but only the 50-75% off ones.  The 30% are not worth my time.  I balk at garage sales when the shirt I want is more than $1.  And really, even $1 is a little high unless it's maternity or new with tags.  I am frugal... to a fault.

It's funny, but my inability to enjoy the "finer things in life" never bothered me much until I saw myself reflected in Charlotte.  I want her to be cost conscious, but not quite as frugal as I am.  As she grows I wonder what other personality traits, mannerisms, habits I will see magnified by her.  What else will make me cringe inside?  What will make me smile and say "Atta girl - just like mom."

I suppose they're right when they say that the mother's greatest revenge occurs when her daughter has a daughter.  I have a better understanding of what I put my mother through when I was Charlotte's age.  What they fail to mention, however, is that a mother's greatest joy can also come from her daughter.  Some of the similarities bring us closer. We are, at times, part of our own secret society where the boys in our family couldn't possibly understand what we do.  I will continue to look through my looking glass with a little trepidation, but also hope that my better qualities will be reflected as well.

Zumba Rant

I love Zumba.  The music (though not always the lyrics), the dance moves, the fitness component... it really is too much fun to be considered a workout.  And yet, if I take a class, I expect a workout.  I expect to sweat and feel great afterwards.  I expect to be physically and creatively challenged.  Unfortunately, classes rarely meet my expectations.

It's strange that the Zumba classes in Florida (where Zumba originated) are amazing and become less impressive as you move farther away.  I know that each instructor brings his/her own style to the class.  I've been told that I have a more physically demanding class than most in town.  Yet, shouldn't we remain true to the Zumba formula? Fun and Fitness...
I was very hopeful for classes in Anaheim, CA.  I thought that classes in sunny California would be amazing, high energy, kick your butt - and leave you smiling - classes.  I was sorely disappointed.
First, finding a Zumba class is difficult here.  I was surprised at how few places offer Zumba... and then it's only one class a week.  I located the closest class and signed up.  When I saw the instructor I was hopeful.  She appeared in good shape, mid 40s, high energy.  Then class started and her first action was to remove her shirt.  In my experience, this is a bad sign.
There is a strange phenomenon among Zumba instructors when they decide to teach bare bellied.  The fitness portion disappears.  Perhaps it is because less than perfect abs (I personally would not have bared her belly in her case) will jiggle if you move too high energy.  And crunches will momentarily accentuate rolls.  Well, this class was no different.  We spent 60 minutes watching her caress her body and occasionally remember to add a few steps.  Her eye contact rarely faltered from her own reflection and "be sexy" was her motto. 
To her credit, and to all instructors of her ilk, there was more than just the striptease, burlesque quality to her class.  She did do the basic dance moves and cause some participants to sweat.  However, the focus was definitely not fitness.
When I take a Zumba class, I expect a workout.  If I wanted to spend an hour watching a scantily clad woman dancing in her own "sexy" bubble, I would go to a strip club.  I beg instructors to remember - you teach in a gym.  We want to sweat.  We want to "feel the burn."  We want a workout.

That said, if you want a high energy dance workout, I teach 5 times a week.  I teach at the Womens Fitness Center (WFC) and New Self Renewal Center (NSR).  Monday night at 5:30 pm (WFC), Tuesday morning at 6:30 am (WFC), Tuesday night at 5:30 pm (NSR), Thursday morning at 6:30 am (WFC) and Thursday night at 5:30 pm (NSR).  My class does make you sweat.  We'll do ab work, squats, lunges, kicks, "quick feet," jumping jacks , punches and more.  Be prepared to have fun, to sweat and to feel fantastic.

Hilton Hotel Review

I have stayed at two different Hilton hotels in the past month due to my husband's work travel.  I have to say that overall, I am very disappointed.  Hilton hotels seem to pay attention to counters in the bathrooms, but neglect the tub/shower areas.  Service varies, of course, as do amenities.  That said, I have no desire to ever stay in a Hilton again.

First stop - Hilton, Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Thankfully, I didn't have many expectations at this hotel.  The price was reasonable and it was in North Dakota.  The lobby was very nice, breakfast was reasonably priced and decent and they had free wi-fi.  This was an okay hotel.  My main complaint here was the bathroom.  The sink was great, the free shampoo, conditioner, lotion, soap and mouthwash ( a nice touch) was Neutrogena and pretty nice.  The shower - ugh.  The shower head had very little water flow or pressure. (Think of taking a shower with less pressure than produced by a water bubbler.)  This was coupled by the cool temperature of the water.  Then, and this was the part that really got under my skin, I there was the tub.  It didn't drain properly, and had a rough plaster bubble on the bottom.  The repair work was dreadful.  It was larger than both feet when standing on it and had an uncomfortable give to it.  If my tub at home needed to be repaired as badly as that one, I would replace it.  Apparently not the Hilton hotels.  I assumed this was because of the location.  Lower expectations in North Dakota.  I was wrong.

Next stop - Hilton Anaheim, California.
This hotel was expensive. (over $200 a night after "resort fees" and taxes).  The lobby was stunning.  The rooms looked decent.  Nothing too special, though the beds were quite lovely for hotel beds.  But again, the bathroom - ugh.  Poor water pressure, cool water temps, and a disgusting tub.  Brown discoloration marred the bottom of this already "by the hour motel" quality tub.  I was immediately thankful we hadn't brought the kids with us because I would not have wanted them to bathe in that tub.  Gross!  Then the tissue box was nearly empty (and was completely empty by morning).  Please people, they change the color of the tissue for a reason.  Put in a new box or at least leave a new box next to it!  Then came the shock of a lack of amenities.  I admit, I didn't scrutinize the website for the hotel.  It was booked through a conference and I expected the basics (coffee maker, refrigerator, microwave, wi-fi and a fitness room).  Not so.  There was a coffee maker, but no refrigerator or microwave present.  Big bummer, but not a total show stopper.  Then the fitness center.  You had to pay by the day.  The did have their bundle deal, however.  For a mere $15/person/day you could have access to the fitness center as well as wi-fi (yes, you have to pay for wi-fi here.)  Not going to happen.  An already over priced hotel wanted me to pay to access wi-fi and their gym.  Please.  There was also the $6 bottles of water in our room for our convenience.  We wondered if we would find a charge on our bill for using their coffee maker and tripled checked it for a price tag before using it.  Then we looked at the breakfast prices.  Outrageous.  For a mere $7 you could order 2 eggs any way you wanted them.  Feeling like toast - only $4 more for 2 slices.  Wow.  They did have the convenience of a Starbucks in the lobby.  Thank goodness, we thought... until we saw the prices.  a tall coffee (normally $1.50) $2.95.  Apparently there is a surcharge for being associated with the HIlton.  I  thought I'd find a redeeming quality in the concierge service.  After all, for $200 a night, they could at least offer directions and a city map.  Um. no.  They had a rather useless map of the surrounding 6 streets or so.  When I asked for directions to a grocery store or Trader Joe's, she asked if I was walking or driving.  I replied walking and she replied that both would be too far to walk.  Ugh.  I had to find a Target to get decent directions.  By the way - not too far to walk.  Rather pleasant, actually.

Bottom line - both experiences at Hilton hotels were disappointing.  I've found more convenience, comfort and yes - luxury (think bathrooms) at cheaper hotel chains like the Best Western and Comfort Inns. 
Hiltons overcharge and underdeliver.

just give me an apple

For those of you who don't know, I homeschool my 3 kiddos.  My oldest is 7 and technically in 1st grade.  Next is my 3 year old, followed by my 2 year old.  I am often asked, "Why do you homeschool?" and "Isn't it hard?" or "How do you do it?"  For anyone who's ever considered it, I hope this helps.

Why? 

I always had an easy time in school and was often bored.  In fact, as soon as I was able I started skipping days (w/ my parent's permission of course).  It got to the point that I skipped over 80 days my senior year.  From middle school on, I was pulled out of classes to help other teachers - sometimes subbing for them.  Needless to say, I didn't want my daughter to deal with this.  My husband was homeschooled until high school and loved the experience.  Our two backgrounds made homeschooling an option worth considering.  But could we do it?

     It didn't take long to realize that our daughter was very smart, with a high aptitude and appetite for learning.  Even so, I was a little hesitant.  So, we did a trial run of preschool.  We sent her to a well respected Christian preschool when she was 4 years old.  What a disaster!  It only took a few weeks for her to stop learning.  Before preschool, she was always asking questions and taking pride in counting higher and higher, showing off for family and friends.  Then, she came home saying things like: "Mom, my teacher says I don't have to learn how to count to 100 yet.  I only need to count to 20." (She had been counting well over 50 at the time!)  We also received comments from her teacher that irked us. "She's a wonderful help in class." "She can help the other kids learn so much."  My daughter also frequently asked if she could stop school.  As much as I wanted to say "YES!" and pull her out, we made her finish as it had been her choice to go to preschool.  We felt it important to teach her that we follow through on our commitments.  Meanwhile, this experience solidified our decision to homeschool.

How?

Kindergarten is a great year to test drive homeschooling.  Why? Well, it's not mandatory, so even if you taught nothing, your child would still not be behind.  Second, kindergarten is a tough transition for both mother and child. Somehow you are supposed to go from having your child home with you all day to having them gone at school all day.  Most of the moms I've talked to have hated the kindergarten transition.  Their kiddos have to get up early and come home cranky and exhausted.  Worse, they often have to deal with bullying issues.  And yes, bullying is very real in our schools.  We are now in an age where name calling seems minor.  Now our kids face sexual, verbal and physical assaults as young as kindergartners. (I can't tell you how many stories from friends have made me cry and thank God that I have the ability to homeschool.)

     So, maybe homeschooling sounds appealing, but doesn't it take a lot of time and preparation?  In short - no.  Again, kindergarten is a great time to try it out.  There are many curriculum options out there to make this an easy transition for you.  If you like everything in one neat package, Sonlight curriculum is a great way to go. See these links for some examples.  They also have a grade by grade kit that you can purchase.  Sonlight Introduction to World History Part 1 Instructor's Guide with Binder & Tabs   Sonlight Beginning to Read(1) Language Arts Instruction Guide 

That said, these programs are pricey.  They were not a viable option for us.  Instead, I found workbooks.  I highly recommend the Brainquest workbook series.  For kindergarten, this was my base curriculum (although I used the 1st grade book).  I added math worksheets from this site  ( i'll add the link when i am able to get to my computer) (free!) and a map quiz here (also free!). We also read a lot of books from the library and scoured garage sales for cheap workbooks.  

     For first grade I used Brainquest second grade, this fantastic map book, a bible curriculum and a multitude of spelling, reading comprehension and math workbooks.  I also loved using the "what your ___ grader needs to know" as a reference.

Okay, I have the materials, now what?

I love the Charlotte Mason theory of schooling.  It basically involves short lessons to accomodate for your child's attention span. Our lessons are short and largely child directed.  In total, we spend about 3 hours of active school each day.  We have copywork (practice coping a few sentences with perfect letter, capitalization and punctuation), bible reading, and math every day.  History, spelling, geography, music and art appreciation, arts and crafts, american and world history, science, german and reading comprehension are included 2-3x per week. (I adore the magic school bus books for science starting points!)

Testing?

I'm often asked how I know if she's learning enough.  Well, test!  I use the what your ___ grader needs to know series to be certain I've covered the basics and then this test prep book to test her knowledge and acclimate her with testing.  Keep in mind, if your child excels in an area, move ahead!  My 7 yr old is doing the second grade test prep book and the brainquest book.  She's in 3rd grade math and is using the 3rd-5th grade maps and geography book.  My 3 yr old is working on the Brainquest preschool book and can already write most of his letters.

But I have young kids too!

What if you have younger kids too?  Most of your "lessons" are great for all ages.  My kids love to listen to me read the magic school bus books and going on field trips.  Arts and crafts can be tailored to everyone and when reading and science involve baking, everyone takes part.  There are really only a few things that require me to sit down one on one with my 7 yr old or 3 yr old.  Also, my 7 yr old helps teach my 3 yr old.  Part of her schooling involves working on the alphabet, counting, colors, shapes, etc with her brothers. Both boys love to learn from her.  Sometimes our reading lessons involve my 7 yr old and I reading a play to the boys or playing matching games or bingo games with them for phonics.

What about socialization?

Wow.  This is a HUGE misconception about homeschooling.  My kids socialize!  I'm involved in a mom's group at church which allows for playdates.  My kids are in swimming and soccer.  This summer my 7 yr old is taking gymnastics with the local rec department.  We go to libraries and met kids, we go to the gym and have playdates with neighborhood kids.  We've also tried a homeschool gym class.  You can going homeschool groups for field trips and advice.  In fact, I've found it difficult to choose which avenues to take for socializing, rather than being unable to find any!

Bottom line

Homeschooling is a huge blessing in our family.  My daughter gets to be a child longer, learn in depth about topics she loves, teach her brothers and be involved in our family life.  At least once a month she tells me that she's glad I homeschool.  When it's nice outside, we have the ability to work on school outside.  We bake to learn about measurement, go on nature scavenger hunts for our nature studies read books and discuss them or create alternate endings, and of course, garage sale to solidify money math.  For the amount of effort I put into organizing each semester, I receive a tremendous amount back.  Just the fact that I can hug my daughter at 11am or 1:30pm  instead of having to wait until the 2:30pm school pick-up is priceless!  Homeschooling does take work, but the benefits are astounding.

Groups

FISH - a christian based homeschool group out of Sun Prairie, WI

CHEA

WPA - Wisconsin parents association

(I'll post more when I'm at my own computer)

Conferences

CHEA - May 20th-21st - Oconomowoc

WPA - May 7th and 8th in Oshkosh

These are great opportunities to ask questions, look at curricula and meet other families!

Fishy Diapers!

Okay, I have never been a big fan of cloth diapers.  I have nothing against them and am thrilled with the movement, but it has never been something I have considered using myself.  Just the thought of all of the extra laundry, the rinsing, etc.  Ugh.  No way. Not for me.
Until one fateful day when my husband and I stopped in a Minnesota Costco.  There one display were cloth diapers.  I have a friend who is pregnant and insists on everything natural, so I thought I would check these out.  My husband was even more skeptical than I...  but about 5 aisles later he asked how  much we spend on diapers each month.  Then he whipped out his cell phone, did some quick calculations and we were walking back to the cloth diaper table.
We are now the proud owner of 6 cloth diapers: brown, green, blue, green patterned, white and blue striped and of course, fishies!  While I am still not totally sold on the practicality of using these for a potty training toddler, my son loves them.  He is ecstatic about picking out the diaper each morning.  Though this does not prevent him from pooing in it.  I suppose if Thomas and Lightening McQueen didn't warrant a trip to the potty, fishy diapers won't either.
Anyway, they seem to work fairly well.  They come with liners to catch most of the solid waste (totally flushable) and we bought two waterproof bags for trips out.  While I am hoping the potty training finishes quickly so I don't need to use them much longer, I am curious to see how I like them with the new baby.
The brand we bought were Cutey Baby Diapers.  If they come out with a pull-up version, I'll be the first in line to try them!

Super Freebies at Sentry

Ah, I only have a few minutes, but didn't want to let this go unnoticed!  Sentry has continued double coupon days!  Sat and Wed.  Their ad, however, has changed so that it starts on Thurs and continues through Wed.  This week you can get Free Farmland Breakfast Sausage, Free Farmland Breakfast sausage links, free Yoplait YoPlus yogurt and Free Fiber one yogurt, and Free LifeSavers rings and strings (at the checkout).
I also scored banquet meals at 30 cents each (they are on sale for 80 cents, there was a coupon for $1.00 off four) and old orchard for 50 cents each (on sale for 1.00 and coupon for 1.00 off 4)
Score!  In addition, something went screwy at the lanes and after bag discount we only paid $2.87 for:
6 boxes farmland links
6 farmland sausages
4 old orchard juice
12 banquet meals
4 yoplait yogurt
1 fiber one yogurt
2 packages farmland thick sliced bacon (2/6 less $1 off 2 coupon)
2 packages lifesavers rings and strings

Awesome deals!
I haven't taken the time to scour for coupons due to studying, but I'm sure you can find more great deals with on-line coupons! Enjoy.

All too quiet on the home front

Ah yes.  The dreaded cold.  Why can't they issue a pill or shot when you become a mom so you can't get sick until your kids are grown and out of the house?  It would really make life a lot easier.  It seems like whenever I get sick, the house is ruled by chaos.  My seemingly sweet children become tasmanian devils leaving destruction in their wake.
Yesterday I was ill.  In fact, I went back to bed after teaching in the morning.  I should have heard the warning bells going off in my mind when I was able to fall asleep, but alas, I was sleeping!  My nearly 2 year old woke me around 10:30 am to "Mommy, need sugar."  Through my blurry vision, I was able to distinguish two multi-colored, dangerous looking hands reaching for me across my newly washed light green sheets. These stainers were matched by a multi-colored face and a huge grin. "Mommy, get up.  Need sugar," he repeated.
Funny how I can go from the peaceful land of nod to mommy in overdrive at the sight of my youngest.  He was immediately tossed in the shower and, much to his delight, the water transformed into rainbow colors after hitting his little body.  One mess down...  now to find the rest.
I left him in the shower and cautiously approached the hallway to the kitchen.  Danger! Turn back!  Ah, if only I had heeded these warnings.  The hall was strewn with several kinds of cereal, an unidentified liquid and blue blobs.  After deftly passing these, I came upon the kitchen.  At least, I'm pretty sure it was the kitchen.  Seriously, it was bad.  The table was covered with cereals, some in globular form.  Milk was spilled (no crying, now) along with what I think was once water.  On the counter was the source of my messy munchkin.  Five Kool-aid wrappers littered the counter along with a pair of scissors, colored powders, a spoon and a cup containing a toxic looking slurry.
Aha.  It all becomes clear.  He made Kool-aid.  He pushed a chair to the counter, climbed onto the counter and somehow reached up to the third shelf to pull down the ziplock bag of Kool-aid.  He then found a scissors, opened them and mixed them with his water.  I imagine it didn't taste quite like what he expected, hence the need for sugar.
Needless to say, the house was once again returned to a normal state before my evening class and the children were cleaned.  I'm still sick, but the warning bells have turned up the volume to prevent the sleep I had found yesterday morning.

Greatest Toy Ever take 2

Wow.  I still can't believe how much my kiddos love magna tiles!  We celebrated my youngest's second birthday over the weekend.  He received a few toys and was interested in them only until he unwrapped a box of magna tiles.  He then went insane!  He tried to bite open the box because he wanted to play with them.  There was hopping up and down and a chorus of "magna tiles!" from all three kids!  They then proceeded to play with them the rest of our stay.
As I was working from home this morning, I could hear my boys playing with the magna tiles in the living room.  Ben was telling Gabe, "one for gabe, one more me.  one for gabe, dis one for me.  an dis one for me... an dis one for me.  dis one for gabe, etc."  It was so cute.  They played well together for over an hour.  they then proceeded to play with the magna tile car set and built cars that they raced around the living room.
Have I mentioned that I love these toys?!?  They are super easy to clean up, store compactly and provide hours of entertainment... even for the adults of the household!  In fact, my daughter is putting her beloved kitchen set on craigslist in hopes of earning enough to buy this set of magna tiles.















She also hopes to eventually buy these













The translucent ones are ideal for "glass" windows and roofs as well as stained glass for the cathedrals my husband builds.  Plus, they are cool to look through!

So, if you are looking for the perfect gift to provide hours of entertainment, a way to learn colors, shapes and architecture, buy these!  We have yet to meet a child who doesn't go home asking his/her parents to buy a set.

To Cram or not to Cram

I've finally decided to take the plunge.  I'm going for my personal trainer certification through ACE at the end of the month.  I do not study well, in fact, I normally don't study, preferring rather to simply "wing" it.  I had hoped that I could do the same for this exam.  Upon taking a 30 question practice exam, however, I realized that is not going to be possible.  I need to learn a crazy amount of random anatomy information to pass this test!  So, the question is, how much time should I allot?  I would love to take the test on the 21st.  (Need to schedule it at least 15 days in advance, so my deadline is rapidly approaching.)
The ACE site recommends 6 months or more of studying.  I found a site that sold me a 9 day intensive course with practice exams.  Can I do it?  I think I'm going to try!
That said, assuming I pass, I can start personal training or small group classes in May!!!  That means the next big hurdle will be finding a way to make all of my investment worth it before I deliver in October!
Any suggestions or ideas are greatly appreciated.

Grrrrrrr.....

So, I feel the need to rant about Target big time.  Usually I love Target and support going there.  Lately, however, service has greatly deteriorated at Madison's Targets.  For example, a last week I was at the Target on Junction Rd and had a few coupons to use.  The cashier got confused, threw them all in her drawer after only scanning 3 and said that she has no way of knowing which coupons were mine, so she couldn't take off any more.  Frustrating!  I would have liked to have had my coupons back to purchase the items at a different store, then! 

Anyway, on to today.  I had a few returns to do.  I generally let them build up because it is extremely frustrating to stand in line at guest service with three kiddos, waiting for the 2-3 cashiers to finish their conversation before they are ready to acknowledge my presence.  No exception here, except that there were 4 cashiers talking and making me wait before helping me. (This was at the Super Target in Fitchburg.)  The cashier was annoyed by the 4 returns I had.  Really?  I purchased way more than I returned... Okay, focus.  So on one of the receipts, I was returning both of the items I had bought.  I had hoped to get a price match, but to no avail.  I had used 2 coupons on this purchase.  The cashier reduced the price to account for the coupons (not exactly Target policy, but whatever) but reduced them to the point that I got less back than I had originally paid.  I didn't notice this until arriving home.  So Target made out well on that transaction.  Or maybe that is their new way to get money...

Then, I was unable to get the items on my list, because their ad was wrong.  At least it was signed, so I knew before going up to the register.  Still, though.  If I had known, I wouldn't have even bothered going there today in the first place.  

Three cranky kids and one very disappointed mamma later and I am swearing off Target for a while.... or at least until the diapers run out.

You are a $20 bill

I heard a great analogy yesterday on Life 102.5 .  It explained how we are all like $20 bills.  Do you ever feel worthless?  Maybe that is too strong a word.  Sometimes it's easy to feel under-appreciated and to forget that you have great value.  Or perhaps you have made mistakes in your life (I know I've made more than my share) and worry that you could never begin to redeem yourself.  How do you feel when next to someone who seems to have a spotless record.  You know, the person, mom, dad, etc who always seems to do and say everything right?  The practical saint in the neighborhood or the person at church who seems to volunteer for everything.  Do you feel that you are worth the same to God?
It's easy to be told that you are important to God and special in your own way.  It's difficult to really believe that and take it to heart.  This analogy helped me.  The speaker asked if you would take a $20 bill from him that had gone through the wash.  What if it has been stepped on? What if it had mud on it?  What if it was slightly torn and had been colored on.  Of course.  It is still worth twenty dollars!  Now, if you took a freshly minted, crisp $20 bill to the store and your mottled, muddied, colored and torn bill to the same store.  Would you be able to purchase more with the clean bill?  Of course not, both bills were made by the same entity and have the same value.
So are we to God.  God made each of us in his image.  Not a one of us is better than the other or worth more to the other.  We all make mistakes, some of us more than others, but that doesn't change how God views us or his love for us.
So the next time you feel rotten inside, worthless or just not as worthy, pull out your wallet and compare your bills (granted in mine, I'll be looking at $1 bills, not $20 :)  ) and remember that each has an identical value.  No more, no less.  You have the same value to God as any other person.  No more, no less.  God loves you, God made you and you are special to him.