Flying With Kids

A few weeks ago we took our first flight as a family of four. From the time we entered the terminal with our double stroller and bags, it was obvious that other passengers were not too happy to see us.

Passengers sighed heavily as they waited for us to fold our stroller for the security checkpoint. As we approached the gate, many passengers had the “I HOPE they are NOT on my flight” look. Defeat was written all over the faces of other passengers headed to Ft. Lauderdale.

We were able to board pretty effortlessly and since we were first (definite perk of traveling with kids!), we got to enjoy the sighs of relief from other passengers when they realized they weren’t sitting near us. We also enjoyed the sighs of disgust from those not so lucky.

After everyone was onboard, the flight attendant actually offered my husband ANOTHER SEAT. I guess she thought he was the unlucky soul that was seated with the “mom with two kids.” I politely smiled and said, “That’s okay, he’ll be fine – she’s looking forward to sitting with him (pointing to my oldest daughter).” She politely offered apologies and walked away.

We take off, no problem. My girls are fine the ENTIRE flight. They talk for a little while and then they go to sleep. See people, all of those looks for nothing.

But this is where my husband and I got our “ain’t karma something” joy. A GROWN MAN sitting behind us SNORED most of the flight. And I’m not talking about a “breathing heavily” snore. I mean one of those “A TRAIN IS COMING!!! A TRAIN IS COMING!!!” snores. We could barely contain our laughter.

Yes, stereotyping is never good…

Towanda Long aka mscafe

2008 – The Halfway Point

Today marks the halfway point for 2008. And while I’m always grateful, days like this put me in an especially good mood.

 

I know how I’m celebrating, but if you don’t have ideas (and even if you do) here are some suggestions:

• Look at your list of New Year’s Resolutions. Now either a) congratulate yourself with a piece of chocolate or b) laugh hysterically and then get a piece of chocolate.
• Do something daring. How about signing up for a belly-dancing or boxing class?
• Have Christmas in July. Treat yourself to something nice (I see new shoes in my future…)
• Watch the evening news and be happy you’re not on it.
• Call your parents, a close friend, etc. just to see how they’re doing.
• Let your children play until dark and then have cookies and ice cream for dinner.

Enjoy your day!

 

Towanda Long aka Mscafe

Thursday’s Afternoon Laugh Break: Office Worker

Today’s clip is proof that common sense is just as important as book smarts… 

Cup Holder 

Happy Thursday! 

Towanda Long aka The Café Lady

Thursday Afternoon’s Laugh Break: Children and Cell Phones

To celebrate the last Thursday in March I’m giving you TWO clips. 

Cell Phone Karma & Cooties. 

Enjoy!

Towanda Long aka The Café Lady

Thursday Afternoon’s Laugh Break: Very Funny Ads

To say this week’s feature is funny is an understatement! As I type I’m in tears from laughing so hard. 

 Toyota Ad 

In addition to this featured Toyota ad, check out the other ads found in the right sidebar. 

Enjoy your break!  

Towanda Long aka The Café Lady

Thursday Afternoon’s Laugh Break: In The Motherhood

This week’s feature is In The Motherhood. Here you’ll find short web episodes based on real mom stories. Jenny McCarthy has been added to the cast, and all I can say is it is HILARIOUS!  

It’s none of the cutesy stuff of motherhood. As a matter of fact, it’s mostly embarrassing or “I can’t believe…” moments. Trust me, you’ll laugh (and if you’re a mom you’ll relate…).  

What’s great is that the episodes are short and engaging (you won’t spend all afternoon watching clips instead of doing your work).  

What’s even better is it proves Supermom is a myth… 

And if you’re inspired to share one of your stories, there’s a place for that too!  

Towanda Long aka The Café Lady

Pet Peeves of Pregnancy

Here’s a post I wrote a few years ago. However, I’m reposting because it is still VERY truthful. Enjoy!

I loved being pregnant, and I couldn’t wait to meet my mini-me. However, I do have a few pointers for people that gravitate towards bellies, both with their hands and unsolicited advice. First of all,PLEASE BEWARE! And this is a biggie…

DO NOT touch my belly. It is uncomfortable when strangers touch me. At no other time is this seen as acceptable. And since pregnant women are very cautious with their bodies, why would you venture towards my unborn child?

2. I DO NOT need to hear daily comments about my size. I look in the mirror everyday. I see that I’m growing. I see that my regular clothes don’t fit and constant reminders from you do not make it better.

3. I understand that seeing a pregnant woman reminds you of when you were pregnant. BUT, I am in the grocery store. I’m exhausted and I just want to get this shopping over with. I really DO NOT want to hear your 9-month synopsis of pregnancy and I definitely don’t want to hear about your excruciating labor. Is it your practice to find vulnerable women in vulnerable situations and torture them? Don’t you remember what pregnancy felt like?

4. DO NOT make me feel bad if my symptoms are different from yours. Not every woman gets sick, not everyone swells. But, trust me, we all have our battles to bear during this time (see 1, 2, and 3).

And finally,

5. PLEASE, DO NOT take it personal if I do not follow your advice. First of all, I didn’t ask for it. It’s unsolicited. Do you like when telemarketers call you? Well, your advice is kind of like that. Do you understand how much advice I get on any given day? I can barely keep it straight. After all, I’m pregnant, I’m exhausted, and I just want to sleep. I appreciate that you mean well. But, you have to understand my point of view as well.

Yes, it does feel good to get this off my chest. Moms-to-be, feel free to forward this.

 Towanda Long

Chuck E. Cheese: A Parent’s Nightmare

It’s official. Parenthood is about sacrifice, and I don’t mean the sleepless nights kind of sacrifice.

I mean, REALLY, how else can you explain Chuck E. Cheese.

A few weeks ago we were invited to a birthday party, and though I’d heard horror stories I figured it couldn’t be that bad. Oh my, was I wrong.  While this place may be ecstatically fun for children, for parents it’s right up there with getting a root canal sans anesthesia.

For starters, it’s LOUD. You’re greeted in the lobby by the sounds of a ticket munching machine. The play area, a mix of an arcade and video games, is full of screaming children vying for their turn on the various games.

And as if this is not bad enough, some of the kids are unattended, so imagine 4 and 5 year olds trying to figure out who’s next on the horse (yep, it’s a disaster!).  

Secondly, I was surprised at how many parents do not realize they can’t leave small children (and by small I mean 3-6 year olds!!!) by themselves. The kids were FIGHTING – punching, pulling, biting – in the tubal slide/ball pit. This made the shoving at the carousel horse look like nothing. 

Third, Chuck E. now has live back-up dancers/singers. On paper this was probably a good idea. However, in reality, not so much. The back-up staff looked like Chuck E. had roughed them up in the dressing room before they came on stage.

They were sullen, moved mechanically, and were not at all into the show. I felt bad for Chuck E. because he had to carry the whole act (unless he really did shove them around in the dressing room…). 

And my last pet peeve was the parents. Let me just say this, it is TOTALLY inappropriate for anyone to wear his/her “night on the town” outfit to Chuck E. Cheese. Children are here and the stripper-like tops and spandex bottoms are really out of place. A t-shirt and jeans will work just fine, really.  

Whew, it does feel good to sound off every once in a while. 

Towanda Long aka The Cafe Lady

Pet Peeves of Driving in New Jersey

According to a recent study, Miami has the rudest drivers. Those surveyed mentioned people running red lights, talking on cell phones and cutting them off as top offenses. Well, I figure they haven’t been to New Jersey, because those things are the norm. It’s the other stuff that causes road rage here. 

1. Rubbernecking. Nothing gets my blood boiling quicker than sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic for an hour, and then realizing the cause of traffic is an accident on the OTHER SIDE of the median. People please! What’s the likelihood that you will know the people involved? Very little. But it is very probable that you have now contributed to the already bad, rush hour congestion.  Not only that, but you’ve now made spectacles out of everyday people that really don’t want to be gawked at by nosy strangers. Be considerate and keep it moving.
2. Coming over to the left to make a right turn. Really people, there are two lanes for a reason. Why must you come way over here to make your right turn? We are in the left for a reason, mainly because we want to avoid those making a right turn.
3. Waiting until the last possible second to get in the right lane for an exit. There was a sign TWO MILES back announcing your exit. But, just in case you missed that, there’s another one at one mile. So, do you really need to stay in the left lane until the last possible minute and then cross over all three lanes to make your exit? No, you don’t!
4. Ignoring the fact that all cars come with signal lights. There is a valid reason carmakers splurge for these. It gives the rest of us sharing the road with you an idea of where you are going. For instance, if you want to get in the right lane and put on your signal light, I am more likely to let you in front of me. And if I am behind you and you are going to make a left turn, it helps me know that before you slam on your brakes, stop abruptly, and wait for the other lane to clear.
5. Slowing down on an interstate entrance ramp. Okay, this one really gets me. Don’t you realize that if you slow down you will never get an opening? But not only that, you have now messed it up for all the people coming behind you. In case you missed this part of driving class, you are supposed to merge with traffic. Do not stop and wait for an opening. It doesn’t come; that’s why all the people behind you are screaming, cursing, pointing, etc.
6. Driving slowly in the left lane. Left lanes are for the faster drivers. Enough said.
7. Hitting brakes excessively. PLEASE do not ride your brakes. Either stop tailgating, get in another lane, or realize that if you get off the gas your vehicle really does slow down on its own.
8. Waiting until the traffic light turns yellow to use the gas pedal. I am always amazed at the people that are sightseeing while they are driving, totally oblivious to the green light. But, as soon as it turns yellow, they suddenly remember the speed limit. Let me give you a hint: if you are developing a long line of people in your rearview, it more than likely has something to do with your slow driving. SPEED IT UP!
9. Cutting off other drivers and then forgetting to use the gas pedal. This is similar to #7. If you knew how to get in front of me, can you please remember to drive the speed limit? Besides, if you did not have anywhere to be, why didn’t you just wait and fall in line behind me?
10.   Buying a car with horsepower and then not driving it. Cut it out already. If I see a minivan or an older person I have an idea of your driving style. However, if you have splurged for, let’s say, a BMW Z4 or Porsche Roadster, I’m assuming you can handle driving the speed limit. It’s false advertising. STOP IT!

If you want to read an article on the study I mentioned at the beginning, here’s a link:http://www.reuters.com/article/lifestyleMolt/idUSL1413867020070515?pageNumber=1  

Towanda Long, the Café Lady