The Grass is Always Greener...

Let it be known that we do indeed own a washer and dryer. A very fancy set of front loading machinery that cost much more than a washer and dryer really ought to. With this said, on Saturday, June 13, 2009, Miss Emma Alicyn decided she would like to take a trip to the laundromat. How she knows what a laundromat is, I do not know. All that is known is that for our Saturday activity, we left our comfortable private home to wash clothing in a public place.

I have not been to a laundromat in quite a few years. Things have changed. First, no quarters, instead, a card that you add money to. Like a prepaid credit card. The card costs $1.00. I suppose you can keep it forever, if you are a frequenter of the laundry place. Most importantly though , no quarters. I thought that to be most awesome.

Second, it cost us $2.75 to wash clothes. I thought that to be most un-awesome. That's per load people. Granted, we only did one load of Emma's clothes (You didn't really think I was going to take all my laundry to the laundromat did you?) but still, if I had to take my clothes there weekly, I figure that could get very pricey.

The important thing is that Emma had a great time putting her clothes in the washer and dryer, rolling the laundry cart all around the place doing pretend laundry, as well as pretend folding and ironing (which I thought to be extra cute). She was enthralled by the magic of spinning clothes, rolling carts and strangers doing their own laundry. To her, it was a fun way to spend a couple of hours and it just goes to show that there is no need for fancy toys or video games in the lives of children, they can have fun doing just about anything. It also shows that we spent way too much money on our washer and dryer.

On Why It's Hard to be a Mom

I have to say, being a mom is hard work. Although Emma is by all accounts an extremely brilliant little girl (no bias here), I find that she rarely wants to do the things I want to do. Many dreams I had when that little girl came into the world have been dashed by whining cries of "I don't want to do that!" OR "I don't like that!". Emma has a way of doing things the way she wants to do them, which really, how can I fault her for that? It reminds me so much of someone I know very well. The girl has attitude for miles, for a four-year old, the personality is pretty strong. I find myself at odds with her regularly. Which is, well, just exhausting! I would like to let go and go with the flow, but it's just not in me to do that. My issue I suppose, not hers.

I read so many blogs regarding motherhood, and how much parents enjoy their children. I try, really I do, but I'll be honest, it takes work to enjoy being a mom. Not all rainbows and butterflies for sure!

I have to wonder, did I give my mom these problems? I was an only child after all, perhaps I scared her away from having more. Lord knows I am on the fence. I just don't have the energy to take the task on again.

On a positive note, I do love Emma to pieces and would inflict bodily harm to the one that hurts her physically or emotionally, because I am, after all, still her mama.

All Things Aside

So, not being incredibly adept at all things HTML, I have changed my web banner. I am none too fond, but here it will stay until I can come up with something more my style. That could take weeks, perhaps months. I just can't bring myself to pay someone to do it for me, although, that seems like the most reasonable thing to do, then I could have something that says "la carter" and not "HTML challenged". Do you know how to create fashionable pretty web banners?

Today is Labor Day holiday so Emma is home with me. I haven't figured out just what we are going to do with all this time on our hands. Personally, I would like to catch up on dishes, laundry and vacuuming. I keep thinking to myself that it will only be a few years until Emma wants to go outside with her friends or roll to the mall without her mom, so all the household chores will be put on hold while we take advantage of the beautiful, almost fall weather, by taking a bike ride.

Speaking of almost fall, my most favorite of favorite seasons, I find myself saying goodbye to summer with joy and enthusiasm. It has been long, and hot, and humid. I relish the cooler evenings and crispy air. Yes, I said crispy, as opposed to crisp because fall says to me crispy, and that's just the way it is.

Have a great holiday!

Generations

I really can't believe how much Emma and I look alike. Right down to that little button nose.

(and fiesty little attitude which doesn't seem to translate in photos)