Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Small world, new friends

I didn't post today because I was busy meeting Julie and her adorable family.

I couldn't wait to pick the brain of a mom who gets the whole family to enjoy cabbage-and-lime-flavored fajitas--and she didn't disappoint, sharing all kinds of mom-tips on Papasan swings and praying for sleep.

I also begged her not to tell the Internet that I bought my kids Lunchables for the pool.

23 comments:

Lunch Buckets said...

Lunchables? No judgement here. I used to buy them for field trips. My kids thought those were the coolest things ever. Major Mom points there :)

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a fun day, Meredith! And your friend, Julie, sounds fun, too! I sometimes randomly click on the names of the ladies who comment on your website (always such good comments...wonderful ladies read this blog!), and I just went to Julie's site for the first time the other day. It's like meeting a friend of a friend! I'd love to see some pictures from the day if either of you took any!
Susan

Debra said...

My name is Debra and I sometimes buy Lunchables. I have to say that I thought I would never do it but here we are. It is a 'treat' - and I am sure your kids loved them at the pool. I keep saying 'it's okay every now and then'. :) Mom deserves a break when she needs it!

Julie Clark said...

Ha! And then you told everyone your own self, silly! :lol

We had so much fun today. It's so nice to meet folks in person and have them turn out to be as wonderful as you thought they'd be!

Stephanie said...

Lunchables? I'm shocked! hey you gotta do what you gotta do! my kids always beg for those and the one time I did give in, they wouldn't touch them...go figure.

Lizz @ Yes, and So is My Heart said...

Oh, I think we all know about the occassional Lunchable.

Glad you had a good time.

Indie Pereira said...

Last night my 5-year-old asked for seconds on the cabbage salad. I was amazed at my husbands ability to turn cabbage into something good. But I think the farm fresh stuff is better anyway.

Julie Clark said...

Hi Susan,
We both vowed not to take any pictures (maternity suits, postpartum suits, are you kidding?) so... you're out of luck! :lol

But just *imagine* 2 mamas chatting away realizing at about every turn in the conversation that we had a connection somewhere. And imagine our oldest kids playing and fighting over floatie toys but then working it out and playing some more. And imagine our 2 year olds just hanging out and being sweet. And imagine my 11 week old asleep in the wagon in the shade and my husband sitting by chiming into the conversation every so often realizing that he, too, knew friends of friends.

Too bad we didn't take pictures because it was a picture perfect day!

Anonymous said...

Glad it was a good day. I'm not sure what to do with that bombshell you dropped on us, though. Lunchables?....really? Oh alright, I promise not to breathe a word of it if you won't tell that I recently bought my kids a fast food lunch with coupons they got at school. :o)

Brenda

Anonymous said...

And you are how far along pregnant?
I wouldn't worry till after your baby is born, you are doing the work of 2 right now.

Renee said...

Hey sometimes the lunchables can make kids into angels. Especially when they see that shiny white plastic divider full of crackers, lunchmeat, cheese and the occasional treat. Did you get them on sale? Only kiddding

You do a very fine job in your mommy skills. Look at it as a treat.So nice to hear how you had a nice time with Julie.

Renee

jay n tricia said...

I know that this conversation is banter and hopefully done in jest. But I think sometimes we moms need to stop and think about our motivations behind certain attitudes. Am I really the only one here who feels like the statement "if I serve Lunchables/fast food/store-bought cake/fill in the blank to my family, I must not be a good wife and mother" is just completely ridiculous?? What gospel are we preaching to ourselves here? Stewardship of our resources is appropriate and needful. But it seems to me that we have elevated certain activities to a place they do not deserve; we have assigned them a morality based on what we think is right. It may help puff up our pride to pat ourselves on the back over all the wonderful, made-from-scratch food we feed our children, but I don't know that it serves to promote Godliness in our lives. I don't know about y'all, but I am much more concerned about the language and heart attitudes I serve up to my family than the food I offer to them. Just my two cents.

Nancy said...

I completely agree with 'jay n tricia'. I know that all of the lunchable comments here are made in jest but that isn't always the case in real life. I'll admit that my kids have had lunchables/juice boxes/happy meals, etc. Not daily but on occassion and that's ok with me. They (kids) know that's not the norm but a 'treat.' Don't we as adults give ourselves 'treats' on occassion?? Mani/pedi, dessert, night out w/hubby, cocktail, etc.?
Several years ago I had a neighbor who was a good neighbor but she always gave off the impression that her way was the only way and DH and I were lacking in the parenting department. We had our 2 girls and they were young, probably 3 and 6. I took the oldest one out for some school shopping and left DH and the 3 year old at home. DH called her by our oldest daughter's name on accident...I mean come on, what parent that has more than 1 kid hasn't done this at some point. She overhead and said to my DH, "If you'd stay home with your kid more often, that wouldn't happen." Of course she only had 1 at the time. Now she has more. Wonder how many time's she's said the wrong name now?

Janette said...

Lunchables?
They are what my children survived on while we served in Hong Kong. We would go to the "store" and the only "American" thing they could find was lunchables. They were the envy of their classmates:>) It is funny -the smallest things flood back the memories of 18 years ago!
The pool, good conversation and lunchables- my children's idea of a perfect day-lol

Meredith said...

First of all, I'm not going to let this conversation devolve into a debate over the morality of Lunchables and the holier-than-thou attitudes of people who don't like them.

Do I like 'em? No. They're expensive. They're not filling. And they make it hard to go back to regular PB & J the next pool trip.

What I really object to is the discussion sparked by a throwaway bit of humor. You see, when I meet someone who has been reading my blog, I am very self-conscious that I might not be the person they thought they were reading all this time.

It's a real pressure, even though I try to be myself and hope the people who know me in real life think it's a good reflection of me.

So for Mrs. Brownbag to bring Lunchables to a 1st Internet meeting was a little shocking! And so I made a joke about it that I thought you all might get too.

Feed your kid Lunchables, or don't. I don't care, and I don't think it's a measure of your worth as a mother or your worth as a Christian.

I'm not trying to cover up some dirty secret or glorify a housekeeping standard even I can't meet 100% of the time.

This is my personal blog. I write about the challenge of living well on one income. This is how I do it, and I do it without trying to shame or cajole you into doing the same.

I hope you understand!

Anonymous said...

you better go girl! Testify!
lunchables are a working mama's and SAHMs dream sweetie... Continue to Do you!
That's what I like most about you -
You being you!

working mama in the nw
latrice

Anonymous said...

Oh, for the record, not only do my kids enjoy lunchables, but when I was prenant with my son, Honey I ate lunchables discreetly IN CHURCH- i loved how they give you just enough in those small packages- no one knew but my hubby - perfect for the traveling pregnant woman too! PRAISE THE LORD (with cracker crumbs 'round my mouth!)

working mama in the nw
latrice

Anonymous said...

Laughing about Lunchables--I think it is actually good for the kids to try these things. See for themselves what all the other kids are living on. When they are used to the good stuff from home, the fascination with that sort of thing doesn't last long once they are past the novelty and they are honest with themselves about how it tastes. My 16yo son is just amazed he ever even consented to eat such things, much less ASKED for it when he was younger. (I admit I have kind of enjoyed them myself though, from time to time...)

Anonymous said...

Meredith,
I think people need to just move on if they can't take a bit of humor!
A Luncheable? I bet the kiddos were happy as clams. What do they care? The pool and meeting with friends is what was important.
Keep on doing the great job you're doing friend!
Dawn in SC

Shannon said...

I think, as moms, we all might need to work on keeping our sense of humor a little sharper. If we can't laugh about our frugal heroine showing up with Lunchables, what can we laugh about? :)

Tubo Family said...

LOL--because you wanted to break the story? Oh you crazy bloggers!

Anonymous said...

Meredith, I'm shocked!! I thought for sure you were the type of homemaker who would have taken your wheat berries and grinder to the little get-together, raised the bread dough in the warm sun, baked it under a rock, slathered the fresh bread with freshly picked berries, and smiled gleefully all the while. (Okay, everybody, This Is a Joke!!) You're a spunky but gracious lady. No offense intended to any of the commenters. (Smile)
Mrs. L.

Anonymous said...

You know, when I read "Julie'' and "adorable family'' I knew it was the Julie I know. How cool, you guys!