Southern Manners

I recently received an e-mail from a young lady moving from the mid-west to the south. She was excited about moving, but unsure as how to address adults in the south. Her question:

Miss Wendy, 

I'm 15 and we are moving to the South. I have a question on southern manners and thought you could maybe help? Do adults expect to hear yes or yes ma'am when being answered? I heard it a lot when we visited. I want to baby-sitt and  wanted to know how best to respond.

Thanks!


So, I really had to think about this one, actually. Having always lived here, it's not uncommon to hear or say yes yes ma'am and no ma'am, yes sir and no sir. But lately I have noticed a decrease in the use, as more and more people move to the south from other areas.

I was taught at a very young age to always say yes ma'am/sir to my mother and father, grandparents and my elders, so it's never been anything I've really ever thought twice about. We teach Walker to say the same, and Mike is actually more adament about it than me.

But when he was in preschool, it wasn't something that was expected of the children, and it isn't enforced in school now. So sometimes it's hard for children today to get into the habit of using it because it isn't expected everywhere.  I'd say that there's such a mix of people from different areas that don't use this same form of respect, it isn't enforced. But if you're talking to a person that was born and bred in the south, they will appreciate being addressed this way.

Some people take offense to the term, often during those awkward years in which we aren't sure if we're a young and exciting adult, or a more serious, boring sort of grown-up. Example: when the college intern says yes maa'm to you when it was only just five years ago when you were the college intern.  That's when you say, "oh, don't call me maa'm - that makes me feel old." And they don't, but they giggle behind your back because they do think you're old.

It may be a form of respect that is old-fashion and dated, but my mother still says yes sir to her father, and so do I. And we'll expect it from our son as well.

The Old Book Smell

New print in the shop inspired by a quote I came across online. Who knew? Perfect for that book-lover in your life, or to hang in a library or office!

My Loves

Happy Valentine's Day to my two boys! Love you very much!

This morning, I drew hearts on Walker's waffles with syrup.

He said, "Mom, did you get that idea on the computer?"

I responded, "No, I came up with that one all on my own."

Maybe I need to step away from the Pinterest boards? Ha ha ha...

Boy Valentines

If you have a son like me, he's pretty weary of the whole Valentine's day thing, so something mushy just isn't gonna fly. He's in that stage when any mention of a girl embarrasses him to no end.

And if you are like me, you'd prefer not to buy the pre-made character Valentines in the store just because you need another excuse to get your craft on. In fact, I've avoided the Valentine aisles completely to avoid the tug-of-war that could ensue if Walker were to see the Star Wars section.

After some pinning and searching on good old Pinterest, I finally landed on the perfect idea for a Valentine via Dandee Designs - bugs, jars and hearts. She has a template for the jars posted on this link, but I made mine a little larger so I could add two bugs. I actually picked the bugs up in the party favor section at Wal-mart, so they aren't hard to find at all.

Check them out, officially Walker tested and approved...

Meow

Have you seen that new show "My Cat From Hell" on Animal Planet? Although Reese looks so angelic here, we could seriously use help from Jackson Galaxy (The Cat Whisperer) in our house. 

My best friend refers to him as the Devil Cat. 
As in, "Hey, is that Devil Cat of yours still alive? When is it going to die?"

He doesn't like people too much. Really doesn't like my mom. He hisses at her when she comes around. And he once chased a friend of ours out of the house when he came over to feed him when we were out of town. 

And don't put him up against a dog. He would probably take em any day. 

He has mellowed a little in his older years. The last couple of weeks, he's actually started sleeping at the foot of the bed instead of in the closet. He really can be sweet, but I think he mostly just chooses not to. 

Reese actually sat still long enough for me to take his picture the other night. Fifteen years old and I've finally captured some good pics of him. 

Because Sometimes They Need a Little Nudge

Dear beautiful, loving, wonderful mother-in-law,

I know you'll read this before anyone else, so I'd like to take this chance to put a bug in your ear to put a bug in your son's ear about my requirement to adorn my demure lobes with something to make them a bit more adventuresome and bold. I think it's a supreme tribute to our love and would go beautifully with a note in which he confesses he unending love for his bride.

AKA: I need some new earrings. Tell Mike for Valentine's Day.

Love you!

Me

P.S.: They can all be found at Nordstrom.

MBA in Mothering

2012 has been much better related to behavior. It goes to show sometimes we really have to work to be a great parent, and we don't always have the answers.

I don't know how many people I talked to and consulted with and asked for advice about how to ensure this little cutie would be a better listener, respect adults, control his compulsiveness and respect personal space. I read books, blogs and I prayed... and prayed... and prayed.

And so far, his precious, patient teacher has said he's having a great 2012.

I've seen more smiles, I've had more patience and we're certainly seeing results.

It's been a learning experience for me for sure. I grew up thinking that how to be a perfect mother just magically comes to you - something that every mom has in her. To an extent, I think that's part true, but I also think we can always become better at everything we do. 

And I guess, before the Internet, books, close neighbors, Facebook and blogs, generations before us just figured it out on their own and it did just "come to them." And we turned out just fine.

But good Lord, how in the world did they do it?

Not To Leave You Hanging...

Sorry I'm just now getting back to y'all on the results from my second mammogram last week. I have been so busy the last couple of days I haven't even had time to check in.

To start, I'm fine. Everything is OK. It was a bit nerve-wracking and VERY eye-opening, but I'm OK.

I showed up for the second, more intensified scans of my right breast Friday, where they found an area on the initial baseline scan. I had to wait forever. That was so not fun.

When I was called, I went through the steps, had my boob squished for a short bit for pics, and then I had to wait.

The nurse was so wonderful. I'm sure she's been present for the delivery of news from both sides of the spectrum. So she was very sensitive to every word and every move I made. She said, "Now I'm going to go meet with the radiologist. Don't be scared or get nervous if it takes a long time. That just means I have to wait a little and he's busy."

So I waited.
And I flipped through a People magazine.
And I waited.

Then the nurse came back with the radiologist. She said, "Everything is OK but the radiologist just wants to talk to you some more and do a physical exam in that area."

First I hear everything is OK, then I hear but...so that made me nervous. He then explained basically what they saw, "You have what we refer to as an asymmetrical density in your breast tissue, which means you have an area that is denser/thicker on your right side vs. your left side." Evidently your breasts are supposed to be mirror images of each other as far as their density, but in 20-30% of people that's not the case. So basically, I'm no longer a specimen of perfection. Oh well...

He did a quick exam and said I was good to go and that he was just being extra cautious. I have to go back in 6 months just to be sure nothing changes, and if everything looks good then, I don't have to go back again until I'm 40.

This growing up thing is for the birds.

On another note but still a little related...I whipped up some cupcakes for a bake sale the Pink Pacers hosted along with a health fair to benefit the Get Real and Heel breast cancer after-treatment program. I saw a cute idea to place the cupcakes in a clear plastic cup for presentation.  I dropped a cupcake down in one cup and gave it to Walker to try, and realized it was very messy to get it out to eat. So I found some plastic forks and decided to tie them on the top as well, which turned out cute!

The Real Me...

Some fun things I've found on Pinterest that are totally me, and maybe I'm a little embarrassed to admit...but hey, we're all friends here right?

What about you guys? Feel like admitting to anything crazy about yourself? Come across any great Pinterest finds that totally nailed your personality and/or quirks??

And, another thing, I didn't create any of these, so evidently there are some other similar souls out there just like me!

Wordless Wednesday: Will Someone Please Play Ball With Me?