Comment

Comment by swim4life on August 16, 2011 at 11:03am

about hiring help...I've had people come in and help with the house at times (like after one of our children was born) and the yard (when we'll be on vacation, or during July & August in Memphis when its 115* with the heat index) but usually I try to do everything myself.  I must be one of those compassionate employers, because even when the guys came over to do the lawn, I would take the 3 of them a cold soda from the fridge...I think you have to treat people as though they are people. first.  Here's a funny story, though...When we moved to Memphis (we're in a nice, high end area) I was out mowing the lawn and a kid on his bike stopped.  He was trying to ask me a question, so I cut the engine so I could hear.  He said "Does your husband MAKE YOU mow the grass???"  to which I replied... "Does yo mama MAKE YOU ride your bike??"  he said.  "NO!  wait... What????"   I started laughing and walked away and went back to work.  The question was wrong on so many levels, where would I start??  I have always considered work a privilege, and of all the things my parents taught me, being able to work hard was perhaps the most important.  LOVE YOU GUYS

Comment by Bandito's Mom on August 16, 2011 at 12:03am

We always warned my son that once he was out of the house, don't expect to move back in.  He has a 30+ cousin that is still living at home and son always says that he doesn't want to be like ..... 

But I think this philosophy has really hit home recently.  My work needed to bring up an employee from our Australian office and they didn't want to house her in a hotel.  So, we boarded her for 2 months.  When son came home for dinner, the new "family member" was in his old dinner place.  LOL,,,,,, Only child definately not used to having a sister.

As to housekeeping and lawn work, we hire both.  I really would rather work and earn the money to pay someone to clean the house then do it week in and week out myself.  The housekeeper only comes every other week though, not a daily maid like I think was happening in the 50's.  And, we live in a complex where the gardening is provided for all public spaces.  Our house has one of the biggest front lawns, so to us, it is really worth the HOA fees.  I do a little bit of gardening in our back yard patio, but glad that I don't have to spend major hours working on the lawn and garden.  (hubby is allergic to grass-or so he says-LOL)  I really don't feel guilty about these choices.   I do think fair wages are being paid. 

Comment by Michimom (MM Nuke Mom) on August 15, 2011 at 10:26pm

Wow--so much to catch up on when you've been gone a few days. 

 

Drama--yes, love DCI!  I do miss marching band so much now that I no longer have kids doing it.  :(

 

We are so much enjoying our time with our sailor.  He and his sister are behaving like normal siblings--needling each other, arguing over the best superheroes and villains (?? go figure), getting on each other's nerves.  Fun.  We're in NC now and doing more sightseeing tomorrow before we head to Cedar Point later in the week and then home.  It will go by waaay too fast.  Oh, well, we're enjoying our family time while it lasts.

Comment by Kat (MM Nuke) on August 15, 2011 at 9:37pm

Lisa, yet, there are things we just won't do ourselves, but many more that we will.

 

Sherri - that is great that your family is that way with the housekeeper and yard work.  I totally agree with being fair.

Comment by Emily-aaronsgirl11 on August 15, 2011 at 9:36pm

Jaranda- Kat is right. He won't truly know until he gets his orders to his first duty station. Which can be days before Prototype graduation. I'm going to say that *most* sub vols are stationed on subs. However, if it's the needs of the Navy. I saw one wife who's husband put in for a sub in Washington and got a carrier in Virginia.

Comment by Kat (MM Nuke) on August 15, 2011 at 9:33pm

Jaranda - I don't think they know what they will get until close to the end of prototype

Comment by Sherri_M on August 15, 2011 at 7:08pm

Kat, of course I know the area...and my family have pool guy, housekeeper and yard service...I mean, they don't even have hardly any grass!!  it's all rock.  But, I must say, they do pay very, very good.  And the housekeeper comes like 2 times a week, to do touch ups, I think.  I do know one housekeeper they had, came like 2 or 3 times a week and swept, did windows, bathrooms, stuff like that, she was the only one in the family that worked.  She was from Mexico and her hubby left her once they came to America--had 3 or 4 kids.  They were legal, so my aunt really took them in and did alot for them.  She helped her go to school to get an education, so she could do better for her kids.  It was a sad story really.  I know she was glad to be able to help someone in need.  I think really that is why her and my great aunt have housekeepers, and yard service, to help others pay their bills.  Of course, my great aunt is over 90 too. 

Comment by Lisa (MMNuke Mom) on August 15, 2011 at 6:56pm

Kat - I completely agree. I mow my own yard, and actually like doing so. I became a single mom of 3 kids under the age of 8, and still managed to buy my own home (without any help) 2 years later. When the guys at the oil change place tried to rip me off (oh, this is bad, it's gonna cost alot to fix - scam) I learned how to change my own oil and spark plugs on my car, and when my oldest started learning how to drive, I taught him how to do it too. I think we should all be as self-sufficient as possible (and yes, my dear teenaged daughter, you DO need to know how to clean a toilet! ) Of course, there are things I'd rather pay someone to do than do it myself, if I can afford to, but it's good to be able to do them, even if you don't have to do them anymore. I actually broke up with a guy once because at the age of 26, he didn't have the slightest clue how to change the oil on his car, and didn't have the desire to even learn. Guess part of that comes from having a dad who is the ultimate handyman.

 

Comment by texasmom Prototype on August 15, 2011 at 4:24pm

Hi!  I just heard from my son and they just finished and they have their grades.   We had a bad connection but he said that a group of them were going out to celebrate later today.  Yeah!  I didn't get the details if everyone passed or not.  My son is in the ET class too.  Can't wait to have him home for a bit.

Comment by Kat (MM Nuke) on August 15, 2011 at 2:03pm

PollyAnna - the impatience that you talk about is like we were saying a couple of days ago, the younger generation and understand how they work.  they all want the instant gratification because they is how they are raised in today's world.  Not necessarily by us, but by society, technology, etc.  it's very difficult to deal with and I'm sure it really affects how successful you were in helping them.  They just don't understand.  I get fearful for my children's future because they just don't seem to get it that you don't need the fancy cars, fancy clothes, every modern comfort and convenience to have a good life.  But, it was kind of nice to see my son post on facebook a couple of weeks ago, when he was getting ready to have a melt down, that all he wants is a simple life, he doesn't need much to be happy.  Ha.  I am hoping that somehow he remembers that in the future and starts putting money away rather than spending every dime he makes.

I think I would definately hire a housekeeper, if I had the money.  But that is the point, having the money to pay them fairly and not taking advantage of them.  Around here so many people we know have cleaning ladies, pool guys, yard guys.  I don't know if that is fairly normal around the country, but geez, can people really not go out and mow their own lawn?  heck, most people around here don't even have grass in their front yards (we do because I insist on it), and we certainly don't have super huge yards.  and right now we are physically able to do stuff for ourselves, so we do. 

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