Get together, Try to love one another...

That lyric has been swimming in my head all day.  It's from the song Get Together by the Youngbloods.  The reason it's been swimming is because the holidays are coming.  For many it may conjure up images and ideals of a Norman Rockwell picture.  For me, it means family.  Family in my little world means stress.  Not necessarily stress for me, but stress for my Grammy. 

When I was little, Grammy's house was where we went for Christmas, Thanksgiving, etc.  It was a big family occasion.  It was FUN!  For the most part, I thank my Grammy as the reason my cousins and I are close.  It's a blessing to be able to call each and every one of them friends. 

Now, for the past several years, Grammy has attempted various gatherings for everyone.  This year, it's Thanksgiving.  I realize that not everyone will be able to attend, but that's not the issue.  The issue is general family bickering.  A lot of  "well, if this person comes my family won't" and "if you invite these people, these people won't show up at all".  Petty, maybe.  Childish, you betcha!  I'm not saying everyone has to like everyone else.  Not even close.  I think it is possible to have an issue with someone, yet still push it aside and be civil, if only for a couple of hours on one day.  I'm going to be realistic here and even say that my Grammy isn't exactly young anymore.  All she really wants is for her ENTIRE family to gather for a SINGLE holiday and BE A FAMILY!!  I get it. 

For an example, Hubs family has a Christmas gathering every year.  His family is huge! (around 60 or so)!  They come in from various places and distances for this one event.  All of them.  Do they fight and argue and have some general unkind feelings with others.  Oh yeah!  There are people in his family who only speak to each other this one day a year.  You know what though?  For this one day Grandma and Pappy have their entire family together.  They sit and look around and smile.  They are basking in the glow of a job well done.  They deserve to have one day a year to revel in the beauty that is family.  To know that their family loves them so much that they choose to put aside differences and just be together.  I have a great respect for that. 

That is all my Grammy (and Papaw, can't forget him!) is asking for when she plans (with help from my aunts) these events.   So, this Thanksgiving I'm going to Grammy's house, along with hubs and our kids.  WE are going to show our respect and honor to a Grandmother who so dearly loves each and every member of her family.  Whether anyone else shows up, especially after reading this post, is up to them.  (Insert large guilt trip here)

I know, I know.  So dramatic.  Yet to me, family is what it is all about.

Mommy Confession ~ Schooling Mom 102

As the picture above shows, this post is all about school supplies.  Or, how little I know about school supplies is more accurate. 

After our fiaso with the school district Schooling Mom 101 post, I thought it might be fun to include my other trials and mishaps as my family and I start the school year.  Onto school supplies. 

I get it, kids need supplies.  Teachers should NEVER be expected to provide students with supplies.  Yet, some things I just don't understand.  Like "brand specific" supply lists.  I personally haven't encountered this, but while chatting with Andrea, she mentioned one of her lists specifically said "Crayola Brand Crayons".  Yes, Crayola does "color my world" and the world of my kids, but what about the kids whose parents can't afford those?  Isn't the store brand just as good?  Is there something so wonderful about Crayola that NO other brand would be suitable?  Is it the smell of Crayola crayons (I *may* have a slight addiction to the smell of Crayolas...seriously people, it's scary).  It was later explained that the brand specific was due to community supplies for the classroom.  Oh, NOW I get it.  NOW it makes sense and NOW I feel like a doofus.  Brand specific school supplies.  Who knew?

My kids lists were pretty easy.  A few rolls of paper towels, some Kleenex, baby wipes, and Ziploc bags were on both of my kids lists.  Those were super easy to fulfill.  Thanks to Target and their wonderful UP and UP brand!  Pencils, glue sticks, and donations of crayons, markers and colored pencils rounded out the lists.  All easy purchases and most are really cheap with all the back to school dollars up for grabs!  That aside, as A and I were strolling down the aisle at Target, I noticed a really frazzled Mom.  She was losing it patiently waiting for her daughter to choose a notebook.  Another was frantically picking through the HUGE stack of spiral notebooks and muttering to herself.  Something about "why must they all be blue?".  I guess, all in all, I made out pretty easy this year.  I know from others that these lists only get longer and more expensive. 

The next supply dilemma I encountered was underwear related.  Did you know underwear is an essential school supply?  I didn't.  I found out it was.  Or maybe it technically isn't.  I don't know.  Anyway, I DO know that underwear is priced really well right now, so I added it to my list (for the kids).  Although, it seems that only girls panties are included in the back to school sales.  Sorry boys, your undies are still full priced.  You must wear you old stuff.  Why retail marketing and pricing gurus, is it only girls panties?  Boys go to school too.  They need new undies.  Also, why do girls get 8 pack panties and boys only 3?  Ahh, the questions that pop into my head.

Lastly, I've been listening to those Moms who have done this school thing for a while and got the coolest idea.  It was Andrea's idea.  I take zero credit for it.  She told me to go and get a plastic school box.  Put inside it a couple of sharpened pencils, a box of crayons, an eraser, and whatever else A may need for Kindergarten homework.  Label it to say "A's homework box" or something like that and put it where she can access it after school.  This way, you're never looking for a supply.  Brilliant!  This one feeds right into my organizing personality.  Love it!

Are you having school supply list issues?  Do you have any suggestions for me?  I'm such a novice it's scary.  Now, onto getting the kids back on a schedule :-/