As I mentioned briefly in my pulse last night; Josh and I are once again butting heads. Shocking, isn't it?

Due to the continuing overflow of my kitchen sink in the mornings, I explained to the kids that if it didn't stop they would all be held accountable for it. My thought process was that by having them all responsible for the mistakes of one I would alleviate the whole "that isn't mine issue" that always arises. It matter not whose it was, they were all paying the consequences. The consequence was going to be the loss of all things electronic for one week. This included television, phones, ipods, radios, hand held games, PS 2, and the most heart wrenching; no computers.

Yes, it sounds drastic, but I have been having this problem for more than six months and I was tired of it. I needed to do something drastic to make my point. The rule has been in place for about a week and thus far they have all been good about holding one another accountable.

Last night Jake noticed that Josh and Liz had failed to remove their glasses following dinner. I will not remind them because I want them to learn to be responsible for their own actions without constant reminders. Jake went and told them both to come wash their glasses because he did not want to lose his internet for a week due to their irresponsibility. Liz came right in and washed hers with no problems. Josh was of course another story.

In his "I am badass and don't have to follow the rules" attitude he walks in and with me standing not two feet away says; "Maybe I don't feel like washing my glass. I don't  care if we lose the electronics for a week. It is a stupid rule." I just looked at him in disbelief and asked him to repeat what he had just said. In his typical fashion, he refused and said he was "just kidding". Um, no you were being disrespectful and I am so beyond sick of it.

Matt was of course in the shower so he missed the entire episode. I, for many reasons, feel helpless when it comes to dealing with this situation.  I did mention to Matt that there had been a problem and his immediate response was "Josh isn't even in here." Not exactly an opening for a discussion. I just put it aside and went to bed.

This morning I decided to email Matt explaining what exactly happened. It seemed to work. I stated very clearly how frustrated that I am with all of this and how I really needed us to get on the same page. His response was a positive one and I am hopeful that perhaps a bit of progress has been made.

Keep your fingers crossed and keep the tequila coming.

My daughter's boyfriend, Travis. Please forgive me while I rant to the sniffling little asshat for just a moment.

Travis,

You are a small, small little boy and I hope you feel like shit for what you did last night. I trusted you to take my daughter out for a night of trick or treating and you bailed on her like the pussy boy that you are. Did you feel like a big man when you left her half dressed in that parking lot with no way home? (Side note, she was dressed in a very skimpy costume, he didn't steal half her clothes)

I believed you when you said you would make sure she got home safely. Getting home safely does not mean leaving her in a dark parking lot scared out of her mind and not knowing where you went. You didn't even have the courage to answer my multiple phone calls. You knew that I would tell you what a lowlife human being you are and you didn't want to hear it. Well, hear it now asshole.

You owe Whitney an apology. You owe this entire family an apology. Do you have any clue what could have happened to her last night in the time it took me to reach her? Thank God she did the right thing and called me the minute she realized you weren't coming back. It still took me almost fifteen minutes to reach her. Fifteen minutes that could have meant someone else walking up and doing heaven knows what to her. Do you not remember the girl that disappeared from this area not even a year ago? They are still looking for her. Is that what you wanted for Whitney??

I lost any respect I had for you last  night. You screwed up and I plan on making you realize that for some time. You took my most precious item and you threw it away like yesterday's trash. Karma is a bitch and I hope it bites you in the ass very soon.

Signed,

Your worst nightmare

Now, for those that are going to read this and think; "Wow, coming down hard on the boy, but Whitney was at fault as well." Yes, yes she was. I yelled at her in person all the way home last night. She screwed up big time and she is paying for that mistake dearly. I took this outlet for the asshat only because he is to chicken to man up and take my call. All in all, they are both two stupid teens that made some really stupid decisions last night that they both regret, but if I don't get my anger out, I am going to kill him when I do see him.

End rant.

Happy Halloween from the newest addition; Hayven!!

Growing up in a Christian home, some might find it surprising that Halloween was one of my favorite holidays. I had never heard it was some evil thing that all Christians must shun. Honestly, many of my church friends were the very ones I went trick or treating with each year. It was fun. You dressed up in silly costumes and you went door to door getting free candy. How could you go wrong?

My parents never made an issue of it. It wasn't the "devil's holiday". It was free candy night and oh did my  mother love candy. I can still recall watching her inspect my candy and suddenly discovering an "open" bag of M&Ms. "Oh no Ange, you can't have those. They might be poisoned. Here, let mom try them out." Woman, I was onto you by the time I was four.  

It wasn't until I was a married adult that I first learned the supposed horrors of Halloween. Pun intended. My husband and I were attending the church that he had grown up in. This was the same church that wanted to punish a boyfriend of mine for attending my high school prom. Not exactly the most forward thinking churches around. I will admit though that I was shocked when I was told Halloween was a big no no. The church did a big "harvest festival" instead. The children could come dressed up as their favorite biblical character. Seriously.

I, always a bit of a rebel, refused to be stopped and took my kids out trick or treating. They got free candy, had some laughs, and enjoyed the night. I had more than a few church friends look down their nose at me for my choices. Did they honestly believe my children were going to break out in horns for walking up to a neighbors door and saying "trick or treat"? Some did.

Now, I remain a strong Christian woman, but I want to tell some of my fellow Christians; this is where we lose people. Taking the most innocent of traditions and turning them into satanic worship doesn't exactly help the cause. Halloween is a fun, safe, kids holiday. Loosen up and stop making everything such a big deal.

That is all.

April, this made me think of you. LOLOL