Babysitter-free-zone.

We have crossed the line – into the no babysitter space. Davis took the certification class. It’s the weirdest thing, just saying goodbye and going out for a bit.

Sure, we need someone here if we’ll be out long or late. But in general? This is a babysitter-free-zone.

And now that Davis can babysit for others, he gets asked what he charges. He has found that he makes more money if he doesn’t give a price – parents who want to get some kid-free time seem to be willing to shell out the bucks. Even for a 12-1/2 year old. And besides, don’t you remember how hard it was to tell someone your price at that age? Yikes.

At any rate, I came across this the other day: A teenage babysitter in New York City charges an average $14.84 per hour, reports the Wall Street Journal. Sitters in Dallas, TX average $7.33 an hour, Washington, DC $9, Chicago $8.67, and Los Angeles $8.64.

I was surprised to find that LA is cheaper than DC or Chicago. How can that be? The cost of living there is so high.

And then, I started thinking about Dallas. I bet the parents in Dallas go out a lot. Hey, it’s a 50% discount over NYC! Being the geeky researcher that I am (hey, just being honest here), I decided to find out the difference in cost of living between NYC and Dallas. Here goes:

Salary in New York (Manhattan) NY: $100,000
Comparable salary in Dallas TX: $45,557.59

If you move from New York (Manhattan) NY to Dallas TX…

Groceries will cost: 31.004% less

Housing will cost: 79.834% less

Utilities will cost: 24.399% less

Transportation will cost: 10.716% less

Healthcare will cost: 21.9% less

And evidently, babysitting will cost 50% less. But, considering the salary is almost 55% less, it’s not the bargain I originally thought.

But Los Angeles, on the other hand, is the deal of the century. Consider this:

Salary in New York (Manhattan) NY:$100,000

Comparable salary in Los Angeles-Long Beach CA: $73,953.31

If you move from New York (Manhattan) NY
to Los Angeles-Long Beach CA…

Groceries will cost: 12.533% less

Housing will cost: 31.437% less

Utilities will cost: 33.376% less

Transportation will cost: 5.349% less

Healthcare will cost: 13.665% less

And here’s the clincher – Babysitting is 42% less. Compare that to the measly 26% decrease in salary and it’s hello nightlife!

You might wonder how I have time to figure all this out. It’s simple, my friends.

I’m on deadline.

Yes, deadline for a huge project. One that will be virtually impossible to finish in time. So, as is true to form, I have found something else to do. Something that will lead me down a road to eventually misery.

Procrastinating.

It’s a great tactic.

It might not help me get my project done. But I’m sitting here with a nice cup of zinger tea and typing away.

Happy.

Read on.

46% of parents read to their children less often than their own parents read to them, according to Kelton Research.

Is that sad, or what? (don’t you dare say, “or what!?”)

At our house, reading to the kids has always been a priority. We’re all readers anyway and the boys love to be read to. I used to dread the day that they didn’t want me to read to them anymore. Fortunately, it hasn’t come yet.

These days, we choose a book together and read a chapter or two every night. We’re on the 2nd Alex Rider book now. I expect we’ll go through the whole series. Andrew and I take turns – it’s a coveted job around here. Lately, even the cats cuddle with us at reading time.

Oh, and I have to add that there is serious disappointment if we can’t make time for it – like if we were out late or something.

I know my parents read to me. But I can’t remember what they read. Honestly, I can’t remember them reading to me. But I know that they did. (Mom?)

But I will never forget the books of my boys’ younger years. Some I won’t forget because I read them a trillion times and some I won’t forget because they got to me somehow. Maybe they were funny. Or maybe touching. Or some? Just plain odd. Here are some highlights:

• The Giving Tree
• Welcome to Dinsmore, The World’s Greatest Store
• Seven Silly Eaters
• I Love You the Purplest
• My Big Dog
• Officer Buckle & Gloria
• I Love You Forever (I really dislike this book, but it’s very memorable)
• Bone Poems
• Encyclopedia Brown books
• Just Plain Pets
• Moe the Dog in Tropical Paradise
• We’re Very Good Friends, My Brother and I

There are so many more. What are you favorite children’s books?

TFG.

I have a love/hate relationship with our local grocery store, Giant Food. Actually, it’s just a hate relationship. I misspoke.

So when this tidbit of research crossed my screen, I was intrigued:

Nearly half of Americans (46%) feel antagonistic toward their grocery store because it falls short of their expectations, according to IBM. (source:EPM)

So, evidently, I’m not alone.

Our store used to be a small, local chain. We shopped at one when I was a kid. It was THE grocery store. They were a full service store with great selection and terrific, smiling employees. Maybe my childhood screen is overlaid here, but I don’t think so. I really think it was nice.

But then they were bought. And bought again. Now they are owned by Royal Ahold. Seriously, I recognize it’s not an American company but did anyone think about that name?

At any rate, my Giant has deteriorated in so many ways. Where shall I begin?

• I actually hear the employees complain. To me and to each other. WTF?
• They shelves have huge gaps where product should be
• They stopped carrying many of my favorite brands
• SKUs are greatly reduced
• More and more Private Label branded items, many of which I’m not interested in considering
• The deli counter used to have some pre-sliced meats. Not any more. It takes an eternity to order and get product. At least it gives me time to text my friends
• When I actually took the time to go to customer service to ask about a specific product, I got a shrug. Yup.

Unfortunately, this store is very close to our house. So, for a quick item, it is extremely convenient. I hate giving them the business! So this past weekend, I went to Costco, Trader Joe’s and Safeway. Seriously. All three. I stop at Bloom if I need an item on Sunday because it’s near my kids’ religious school.

Sad, but true. I am willing to make four trips to avoid the Giant. ON A WEEKEND, no less.

Funny thing is, I am absolutely sure it’s not just me. I hear people say these things all the time. So why do they still frequent the place? Convenience. Sigh.

There are plans to build a Wegman’s about 10 minutes from here. Local merchants (including Giant) are fighting in. They should be scared, very scared.

Plus a Harris Teeter is opening in a few months just a bit farther away.

If I was management at Giant, I’d be busting butt to improve service and quality today. In a few months or a year? I don’t think they’ll have the chance.

Do you like your grocery store? Do you just shop there because it’s close? Inquiring minds want to know!

It appears she’s not a mouser.

Boy, I sure know how to procrastinate. But having a kitten on my desk is very distracting!

You can do it.

There’s a new contest for The Home Depot!­ The best YouTube video describing the home improvement projects you’d like to tackle around the house wins a $25,000 Gift Card! (I know how much some of you love being in front of the camera.)

Contest started November 10 and you can submit entries until December 15.

(full disclosure: I do work for the agency that put this together….)

Going back to school.

Seriously, this came in this in the mail. It’s a seminar from Careertrack. “Never again fall victim to those who love to make life miserable for the rest of us…” is what the headline says. It’s only $99 and it ‘guarantees’ results.

This just struck me as particularly funny!

I was tagged.

I have been tagged by DJ Kirby to write about certain topics in blocks of 8. It’s very exciting (okay, maybe not)…

8 passions in my life
Andrew
My boys
My family
Our cats
My work
Writing
Chocolate
Wine

8 things to do before I die
See the world
Learn to cook
Relax
Have grandchildren (I hope!)
Write something lasting
Have more time with my BFF
Learn to say no
Read more for myself

8 things I often say
‘Love you’
Do your homework
I’m the luckiest mom in the world
459A
Be respectful
Have fun
I miss you
Yes

8 Books I read recently
Drowning Ruth
Return on Customer
Night
Something Under the Bed is Drooling
Open Wide the Freedom Gates
some Michael Connelly book
The Romance Reader
The Glass Castle

8 songs that mean something to me
Ripple
Seasons in the Sun
Brown Eyed Girl
Cassidy
I Was Born to Run (Emmylou Harris)
Ring of Fire
You May Not Be My First Love But I’m Sure You’ll Be My Last
The Story

8 Qualities I look for in a friend
Honesty
Kindness
Independence
Intelligence
Sense of Humor
Discreet (not gossipy!)
Modest/Humble
Good parent (if a parent)

8 people who I’m passing this on to
Jinn
Kristin
Fightin’ Mad Mary
Maven
Steakbellie
Jenne‘
Katie
Melissa

What are you afraid of?

Growing up, I probably had all the regular fears. But I don’t remember them. I only remember one.

I was terrified there was someone hiding in the bathtub.

The bathroom that was next to my room (that all the kids shared) was cheery. There was typical late-60′s, early 70′s flowered wallpaper in blue tones with some red. The vanity and cabinets (which were kind of neat and now, very retro) were speckled in a robins-egg-blue. I liked it.

The shower curtain was more of a royal blue – like the biggest flowers in the wallpaper. And the toilet sat right between the vanity and the tub.

Every time – and I mean every time – that I sat down on that seat, I’d pull back the curtain and peek into the tub. I was considering telling you that it was just at night, but that would not be true. But it is true that at night, I’d check more than once.

This is all perfectly normal for a young child, right?

Here’s the rub. I checked behind the curtain until I left for college.

And

when

I

came

back

to

visit.

Actually, until my parents sold the house.

I knew it was irrational. I really don’t even remember still being scared that someone might be in there. And yet, I continued to check. Every. Single. Time.

A very close friend of mine (who shall remain nameless for obvious reasons, though I have permission to write this) has been married for about 15 years. The marriage is very happy, they have healthy happy children. Sure, there have been ups and downs. She is a bit sensitive and maybe a little neurotic and he is a little stern and sometimes moody. But they are happy and have built a wonderful life together.

My friend is afraid that it won’t last.

There is nothing to base this on. Every time there has been an issue in their life together, they have dutifully worked through it. Together.

And yet, the fear remains.

I suppose that we all have irrational fears.

Want to share yours?

Look what’s under my desk!

And I don’t even want to hear about how messed up my wires are!

Ginger.

As you can see, I’ve been too busy to write today.

Isn’t she cute? I’ll catch up with y’all soon….

(Thanks for voting. Molly was the clear Mid-West winner. China Cat Sunflower did really well. But she really does seem like a Ginger to me. Or maybe Mary Ann….)