Businesses and discrimination

I know that most people think that businesses shouldn't be allowed to discriminate based on gender, sexuality, race, religion (or lack thereof), but wouldn't it be kind of fun to find all the closeted bigots?  You know, it would be nice to see a large sign above the local corner shop, boldly stating, "No ________ allowed" so I could take my business elsewhere, to someone more deserving of my hard-earned money.  If I'm spending my money with a business, I'd like to know if they're going to spend their profits on klan robes or markers and poster board to protest the next gay pride parade so that I can be sure to avoid making donations.  I'm not saying they should beat people with the big racist stick, just a sign in the window will be enough.

Oh, you don't like a specific ethnic group, Mister Hateful McRacistpants?  Fine, enjoy your going out of business sale.

I avoid Bank of America because they support the Humane Society of the United States, a so-called charity that wants to end ownership of exotic species.  I don't shop at or donate to the Salvation Army.  Let me see your hate so I can avoid supporting your cause.

Just saying.

Phone calls

What is it about a call to customer service that brings out the worst in my children?  I made sure all of their needs were met before dialing, yet the minute I got an agent on the phone, my kids all felt the need to find danger in different corners of the house.  It's happened twice today.  During that last call, I'm pretty sure the agent didn't need to hear why putting random objects in the microwave, poking people with thumbtacks, and climbing closet shelves are bad ideas.  I'm hoping that she's already figured these things out on her own.

Tanith sometimes grabs her play phone during these calls and (loudly) makes her own calls to customer service.  You should hear her pretend to use an automated system.  It's almost as hilarious as using an actual automated system.  Hearing a three year old repeat the word agent is worth every second I spend on hold with Charter Cable.

Migraines suck.

I'm on day two of a migraine here and it stinks.  Remember how I was complaining about how I couldn't sleep a couple of days ago?  I slept until a blissful 7:18 am yesterday and woke up feeling like the sugarplum fairies were dancing on my brain.  The headache and nausea have teamed up to make me miserable.

It's a wonderful day outside.  My mom took the kids after we finished today's lessons.  I could be sanding down the new cage or hanging Christmas lights, maybe even scooping the mountains of dog poop.  Nope.  I'm sitting around and watching a documentary on Pompeii.  I really hope the movie doesn't suck, by the way, because the real thing is pretty fascinating.

I could be sewing, knitting, cleaning, reading, or a great number of other child-free and creative things.  Nope.  I'm watching documentaries while my pet robot terrorizes my pet mammals.  Oh, how I'd love to put Pugsley Poodle back in his little coconut helmet and teach him to ride on the robot.  He could be the keeper of clean, defending us from all things dirty.  If he wasn't terrified of it.

And this concludes the most boring blog post in all of history.

About that robot vacuum cleaner

Yeah, about that robot vacuum. . .

It is (high pitched voice) awesome! It might not get everything spotless, but I really don't care.  I'm not a spotless person.  My house is lived-in and I'm on day two of a vicious migraine.

I turned it on and it went two feet before picking up a rainbow loom hook.  I extracted it and explained how these things work.  My kids have now named it Floory/Wally/Zoomy/Botbot/Rosie and have decided that it eats dog hair.  They don't want their new robot pet to choke on small things, so they're rushing around to pick up all their toys before it gets to them.  They've decided that he or she is a desert robot and can't get wet so that Tanith doesn't try to water it.

My kids are cleaning their rooms without being bribed, begged, or told to clean.  It's a freaking Christmas miracle.

I'm just sitting here drinking tea and typing with my pinkies up like a lady while the electronic servant does my bidding.  Living like Jane Jetson.

A vacuum for my birthday?

My birthday is Friday and my dear darling husband got me a vacuum.  But not just any vacuum.  A robot vacuum cleaner.  It's like I've suddenly moved to the freaking space age and I have Rosie the freaking robot living in my house  I can see people on my phone and it's not even a booth like the Visaphone.  I'm living like Jane Jetson over here.  This is awesome!

I know most wives would be disappointed to receive a vacuum as a gift, but I think it's great.  Not only did I get a gift, I got something I want, something I will use on a regular basis, and something that will make my life easier.  I don't worry that I'm thought of as a household appliance because I value myself more than that.  I run this house, raise three awesome kids, own a business, and occasionally work a side job.  A new appliance that will lessen the workload thrills me.

Robby, if you're reading this, for Christmas, I would like The Jetsons' Foodarackacycle.

Let's Talk Christmas.

Those of you with kids, what do you buy them?  We haven't ever really been able to go all out, but I've noticed that my younglings don't pay a lot of attention to the smaller stuff, so we're doing away with stocking stuffers, other than a big bag of fruit and Trader Joe's candy.

We tend to follow the WNWR format: something they want, something they need, something to wear, and something to read.  This year, we're following it a little more closely. They receive so many small things from family members that I don't want to flood them with more toys.  In addition to the WNWR,they're also getting a microscope as a family gift and I'm pretty excited about it.

Today is Cyber Monday, and I'm only lacking a few books, a toy for Tanith, and the edible goodies I'll get later. I still have to buy for a few extended family members, but I want to keep Christmas affordable and less stressful this year.