Teaholic not quite anonymous

http://www.fisher-price.com

Every morning I work out in my spare room. Normally I work out early, just when the sun is coming up about 6:20 or so. It's a nice way to wake up, albeit, I don't get the best work out. My muscles are still tired that early and I'm just happy I make it through the 30 minutes. But after a shower and getting dressed I really feel ready to start my day. It's a nice wakeup call.

I usually just watch the world wake up out the spare room window. It's fun to watch the world get brighter and people start moving about. Well, I was examining Maddy's new toys yesterday morning. (I have them in there, since I want to give them to her a little at time.) I was looking the Little People House and chuckled a bit and then thought to myself how interesting it was. Take a good look at the picture in the corner. Do you notice anything interesting about it?

The Little People House is something out of the 1950's. Not the house exactly, although it is the traditional white house with the picket fence. But I'm looking at the mother and father. Mom is holding a bottle, while dad is holding a newspaper and glasses. What is UP with THAT?! What year are we in? Must not be 2007. I've found other pictures that show dad with nothing in his hands so this must be a new change in the Little People House. These items are not removable as well--so there they sit, every time Maddy will play with them. I think that women are, by nature, better nurture tthan men are, on the whole. There are exceptions, of course, but overall, I agree with that. But I don't understand why mom is the only one holding something to do with the kid. Couldn't dad hold the diaper while mom holds the bottle? How come mom isn't holding flowers or a coffee mug if dad gets to hold the paper and glasses? How come mom doesn't hold the paper? Or how about the remote? Or computer mouse? What, she doesn't need to be aware of global news just because she stays home with the kids (as evidenced by the bottle, otherwise she'd have a bottle and a cell phone/blackberry in the other hand)?

Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not an ultra-feminist. I think that would be pretty explanatory since I did decide to stay home with Maddy and quit my job as a teacher for a while. I was fortunate that I was even able to make that decision. Not all women have the financial opportunity to stay home. Although, I disagree with ultra-feminists who say that I am squandering my opportunity for something they worked hard for. No, I thought they worked hard to give me the CHOICE of working, working part time or not working outside the home while raising a family. I thought choice was what it is all about. And darn it, I'm making my choices.

But anyway, I was working out and I found that interesting and thought I would share. (Reminds me of those two books about 'what I can be when I grow up'. I bought both the girl and boy book because Maddy will not be limited by stereotype. She can do whatever she wants.)

So this morning Matt, Maddy and I went to Lowes and picked up flowers for our garden. I bought purple and white petunias and gold and red marigolds. I bought WAY too many! I just grabbed two flats of each and didn't realize how many were in each. So Matt is borrowing my neighbor's truck to go get some pavers (we're paving a small alleyway between our house and our neighbor's house that really we can't plant in) so I gave him a flat of petunias for letting us borrow his truck. So at least we get use out of them and we get to 'pay' them for using their truck. I think I will stick the remainder of the marigolds in some pots and put it on the pavers next to the house.

Maddy had a fun time this morning with daddy visiting our neighbors. We have really nice neighbors for the most part. She had a great time wandering around with daddy while I planted flowers. Everyone is outside working on their yards or gardens.

Speaking of yard plans--I'd still love to buy some Holly bushes for next to our house, I want to break up some dirt and replant the grass, things like that. But honestly, I'm just thrilled the garden is done and that our alleyway will be done soon, too.

Well, I'm off to get a couple things done around here! Have a good one!

Tea of the day: Gloria Jeans Cinnamon Spice tea
WO of the day: Planting the garden!! :)