Suburban Insanity

I just got hit up for the third time in three years for money to pay for a new Middle School band shirt. When I was in school band in the 1960’s and 1970’s, we wore our Sunday clothes to the two band concerts per year. This created a certain excitement as well as a very festive air. Here in Gwinnett County suburbs, the children must all buy an article of apparel so they all look the same playing their instruments in the gym for the spring and winter concerts. In my sister’s elementary school, in a very affluent suburb on Long Island, the children wear white shirts or blouses and black pants that they own. Why is it necessary for me to pay $80 for clothing that my child will wear for a total of 9 hours, or 3 hours per year? Would anyone be offended if the children in the band were not wearing matching outfits?

When I was in High School and on Varsity Gymnastics, the warm up suits were on loan for the season and returned at the end of the year. I guess that sounds disgusting to a lot of today’s parents. Today heaven help your pocketbook if your daughter makes the cheerleading squad! In fact, in many of the local high schools, the athletes are required to purchase a new uniform each year, even it still fits them and is identical to the one worn the year before.

Often a fundraiser is hidden into the price charged to the parents. It is common knowledge that a tee shirt can be purchased these days for only $2-$3. Yet we don’t cringe when asked to pay $10 for the group’s tee shirt. Be assured that your organization is pocketing the difference.

For many years my sons played Little League baseball. The team uniforms were included in the $150 we paid to join the league with the exception of the pants. The Team Mom always decided that the boys needed fancy pants: those with a double stripe down the side cost $24 a pair as opposed to $12 for plain, non-striped ones. Guess which ones our boys always wore? Guess how long these pants looked good? A lot of parents jump at the chance to open their wallets for the “embroidered name on baseball cap” option. After all when Johnny makes the Majors, his embroidered caps will be worth a fortune. Don't forget the all stars name-embroidered baseball bags too.

Don’t even get me started on the $275 I paid for uniform pieces that my son wore for 3 All-Star games. We needed a home jersey, an away jersey, a practice jersey, UnderArmour (only the brand name would do) and last but not least, the ever-necessary tee shirt with all the boys' names on the back.

Buying personalized apparel for every activity has become the mentality this decade in the suburbs. I feel it is out-of-hand, yet I am powerless to change it. Parents have to eventually realize that their materialistic priorities are totally out of whack. The children certainly don't appreciate it and why should they? It's not special, it's commonplace. Say something about it and risk being called “low-income” and receiving offers of financial assistance. Parents who have lots of disposable income seem to also have the free time to run the committees that are in charge of determining what constitutes necessities. While it is great that they volunteer for these committees, I think the majority of these people are out of touch with the meaning of a dollar. As much as I would enjoy spoiling my kids with personalized, expensive articles of clothing, I am trying to save for their college educations. Call me old- fashioned, but a 7- ear old will ruin those fancy pants in the first game and will be on 15 more sports teams in his youth and does not NEED his name embroidered on his cap. But heaven help the parent who speaks out about these luxury items, which have become considered necessities. So today I shell out another $20 for yet another piece of personalized apparel that is going to wind up with 100’s of others on the Goodwill rack.

The New Dog by the Crazy Poodle Lady

How I got The Nudge

On Monday at the Animal Shelter (see the post below), a poodle was having a terrible time. It seems his sister, who he spent his whole life with, was adopted and taken away from him. He was sullen and shaking and afraid of all the other dogs. Since I have a miniature poodle, they asked if I could bring him home as a foster child, and possibly adopt him.

I introduce to you Andy, better known as THE NUDGE. Here is my little white loving and scared poodle:





He follows me EVERWHERE! The other dog also follows me, so it is a little odd having 8 little pitter patter of doggie feet keeping me company throughout my day. I hope Skippy warms up to him, he is a little jealous and has been kind of mean. But I read that this is normal. He feels like he has been replaced.

The Animal Shelter

It all started when an SPCA Pet Adoptions opened up about a mile away from us. I had been looking into finding a Humane Society for Greg to volunteer at, since he loves animals so much. I inquired if he could be a volunteer and they said to come on over. We arrived and they asked if I would stay too, until he learned the ropes.

There is a room full of about 30 cats, mostly kittens. The first day we sat in that room and played with the adorable kittens. And I mean adorable! We washed the windows. They asked me to clean out the litter boxes, so I did. The next day they asked me to walk 15 dogs, so I did and picked up their poop.

The following day they had me wash dishes, mostly dirty cat litter boxes and dogfood bowls. In the meantime, Greg was assigned to the sole chore of making sure the kitties get socialized.

GREG HARD AT WORK:




So while he is in the cat room playing, I am working my butt off, literally drowning in poop. I ask myself how did I get into this? Then I realize I am doing this for him. I wonder why I am working for no money? I like the animals a lot but it really is a shitty job.

In any case, we go over there 3 days a week and work for about 8-10 hours a week. All kidding aside, I am really enjoying it. The dogs are really hard to handle. They are in cages and kind of depressed.

These are my 2 favorite kittens, Pinkie and Alex. Pinkie is all white, with one green eye and one blue eye. Alex is the most loving, affectionate little kittie I have ever known. He wants to be petted constantly. Both of them usually wind up in Greg's lap within a few seconds of coming in. If you are in Georgia and would like to adopt the world's sweetest kittens, leave me a message!


PINKIE & ALEX