Low Risk, High Return Investments

An investment company, etrade or ameritrade (?) broadcasted a commercial that caught my attention. It went something like this: The narrator (a Law & Order actor) seriously described a seemingly happy couple, "both 30-years-old, just finished graduate school with 2 kids." He posed this question noddingly, "behind?". Taken aback by his matter-of-fact tone as he explained how without a sizable "nest egg" for retirement they (meaning me) shouldn't, couldn't, wouldn't be satisfied with life. Despite the twisted message, it was terrific marketing...preying on the insecurities of my family's financial future.

Truly, I'm disturbed by the thought that the way to "catch up" in life is to "live" for the future. Nothing against a cushy savings in stocks and bonds, I mean, I prefer to save, not spend myself. But there's something wrong when, "Look, Mommy bought you the new gadget of the month!" is code word for "I Love You". Thankfully, I know that money isn't everything and is so unreliable and uncertain. The only real investment worth the time and effort are my relationships. Spending my interest with those I love boasts both low risk and high returns. I'd like to see ameritrade try to match that!

Yes, They're All Mine!

I have 5 kids. I know because I take a head count every time a waitress asks, "How many in your party?". It really doesn't seem like a big deal until a curious bystander asks, "are they ALL yours?". Lately, I've been annoyed by those oh-so-witty observers who've brilliantly deduced that, "they don't look alike". Right, is there an award for: My mama ain't never teach me no tact! If there is, I'd like to order a case. I don't know, maybe the media's to blame since families are usually portrayed in a one-dimensional order (Mom, Dad, 2 children, living life).

As I explain to Ms. Trying-To-Be-Nice-But-Just-Plain-Nosy that some of my children are adopted, I'm overcome with a sense of regret. With the general public breathing down my neck in the grocery line, I feel the obligation to dispel the accusations that play in my head... Somehow, by explaining my "noble" choices of adoption, I'm not involved in a "condemnable" game of musical daddies. But, I realize that while I dodge the arrows of scrutiny at the check out counter, I myself, fling dagers of judgment on other moms trying to do right by their kids. Besides, who am I trying to impress? First hand experience teaches me that life doesn't fit neatly in a box labeled PERFECT.

In our rudely interrupted public appearances, I've realized that you can never take a person for face value. We all have a story. I don't have to explain myself for what I believe to be your approval. Or step on you so that I can boost myself up. I know my story and, "Yes, They're ALL Mine!"

Mind Tactics

In efforts to prevent my already squishy brain from becoming a complete mound of mush, I'm beginning this blog. It's weird to start something like this because it's part of something so profoundly global when I'm probably the only one that will ever read this. Even so, the pressure is enough to prod me to at least write legibly. Hopefully if this blog lives on through the cyber ages of my children they'll be able to scroll through and see what Mommy thought about before she lost her mind...