“I am the parent, you are the child. Things are not equal.”
My children hate when I say that, and I say it more than I’d like to admit. I couldn’t stand hearing lines like that from my own parents when I was a kid; I wanted to do things my way. I still want that, but with maturity comes the realization that you can’t have everything you want, and it can’t always be your way.
It can’t, unless it’s February 17th and you use your imagination. Today is My Way Day, some random title given by a random person and posted on the Internet. So it must be true.
If I had my way…
1. Chocolate would have the nutritional value (and calorie count) of kale.
2. It would be unacceptable to wake up before 8:00 a.m.
3. Wishes made when the digital clock says “11:11” would always come true.
4. Vaguebooking would result in immediate banishment from Facebook.
5. High heels would be as comfortable as sneakers.
6. I’d earn frequent flier points for every mile I put on my car.
7. My son would take off his clothes right-side out, and take the underwear out of his pants before he throws them both in hamper.
8. The penalty for misusing the word literally would be a huge wedgie.
9. Bleu cheese dressing would cease to exist.
10. Intolerance would be replaced with acceptance, and compassion would flood the Internet.
Mo at Mocadeaux says
Vaguebooking was a new term to me, also. Something we’ve all seen but I never knew there was a name for this annoying behavior. Congratulations on being featured in Mamalode. I loved your post!
Dana says
Thank you Mo!
Debbie @ Deb Runs says
Loved this, but had to look up Vaguebooking. I agree, it should be banished from FB! Have you noticed that it’s the same people that use it over and over?
If I had it my way, mint chocolate chip ice cream would be a superfood!
Dana says
Ooh – yes! Baskin Robbins MCC is my very favorite.
Kimberly says
And socks!
Put them socks the right side out!
Confession: I had to look up vaguebooking.
Dana says
Yes, socks too! I recently learned that vaguebooking was a word, and I fell in love with it.
Kim says
Down with bleu cheese and the misuse of literally! I’d also love to give wedgies to those who cannot use you’re/your correctly, especially people who say they are writers. Get it right, damn it!
Dana says
Yeah! I always double check because I’d be horrified to accidentally use the wrong term. It’s and its is hard – my fingers want to put the apostrophe in automatically as I type.
Rabia @TheLiebers says
#7!! Wouldn’t that just be the most awesome thing in the world!! And they complain when their socks don’t feel clean because they went through the washer in a ball!! Argh!
Dana says
I know – or the socks don’t dry because they were in a ball. Sometimes I have half a dozen socks hanging over my banister drying because of that. It’s a real home decor statement.
Jennifer Pitt says
Substitute my husband for #7, and I am all over this list. Love it!
Dana says
Yes, my husband does it sometimes too. And I leave his clothes that way.
marisa says
the 11:11 wish is a good one, of course clothes in the hamper right side out would definitely have to make the list – I am so looking forward to Friday. Chocolate should be nutritional…I know it makes me happy!!!! 🙂
Dana says
Shouldn’t things that make you happy be good for you? I think so.
Charlene @Teacherbytrade-Motherbynature says
#2, #3 & #10 🙂 YES! Before I had my son, I didn’t really function well before 10am, now I just have to ride with it, waking up anywhere between 5:30-7am. Wishes at 11:11 would be AWESOME! 🙂 and YES YES YES to #10…so much negativity in the world today! It saddens me!
Great list Dana! I didn’t even know that there was such a day before I did this link up! My Way Day – 17th February is in my calendar for next year…I plan to have a REAL MY WAY DAY (maybe accomplishing a few of the things that I mentioned in my list :))
Dana says
I think that is an excellent idea!
Shay from Trashy Blog says
If I had my way, my comments would appear on your blog and not go straight to your spam…I used a different e-mail address this time…FINGERS CROSSED!!
Dana says
Still went to spam, but I caught it. There are a few other bloggers who always go to spam too, so I check it regularly. I’ll always fish you out. 😉
Gracielle says
I hate vaguebooking and vaguebookers! LOL I didn’t know there was a term for that. I totally agree with you on #1. I would be soooo heathy if that were true!
Dana says
The world would be a better place, wouldn’t it?
Gingi says
I HEARTILY AGREE with #1… I have been CRAVING chocolate so bad, I’ve actually been munching on baking chips for lunch. *blush* But I’m pregnant, so it doesn’t count right… right?!?!?! – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Dana says
Well, I do the same thing, and I am most definitely not pregnant! I think you get a free pass.
Tamara says
Wow. This is one time in which I fully agree with all ten things on a Tuesday Ten! Deeply. And eww to bleu cheese. I hate when you think you’re getting a big bite of ranch, but it’s bleu cheese dressing. That goes double for thinking it’s a piece of fresh mozzarella when really it’s feta.
Ew!
But.. everything else you said is very powerful. Chocolate!
Dana says
Oh no….ranch is almost as bad as bleu cheese for me. Almost.
Kenya G. Johnson says
Today I did laundry and I asked Christopher to bring me all his white clothes. The next load was colored clothes. When he bought be those, all his white undershirt were still inside the shirt! UGH!
Yes yes yes to #1. I’d definitely have a bowl of M&M’s for breakfast and I’d use a spoon. And OH have you eaten M&M’s on popcorn? Oh and M&Ms with red wine. And M&Ms for snack. Yum. Clearly I could eat a big bag in a day.
I don’t know if you saw Kate Hall’s FB post about her 9 year old over & wrongly using the word literally. Christopher went through that phase too. So bad that I think I don’t know it’s real meaning. LOL!
Ok so what’s vaguebooking? I’m going to guess that it’s when someone posts something like there’s something majorly wrong but they don’t post what happened?
Dana says
I didn’t see Kate’s post – I’ll look for it. And that’s exactly what vaguebooking is – status updates like “Feeling sad” and that’s it.
Christine Organ says
YES to all of these! Especially #1, 4, and 8.
Dana says
I knew I liked you, Christie!
Tara Newman says
Yes to #1 and #7. It’s quite possible I would get a wedgie for #8. I have to be more mindful to make sure though. Vaguebooking. LOL.
Dana says
I give you a pass from the wedgie, Tara – but only because I like you. 😉
Roshni says
ooh!! What an excellent way to feature our cause, Dana!! Loved it!!
Dana says
I haven’t really plugged it yet, Roshni, so I thought this would be a good way.
Kim says
I loved your piece about finding joy in the gray:)
My boys used to put all of their clothes in the laundry inside out. I was wasting so much time fixing it that it irritated me so I started charging $1 per item that I had to fix – in over 5 years I’ve made less than $10 and most of it was from Chris (husband) not the boys!!!
Dana says
That’s smart to charge them…I just fold it the way it comes out. My son doesn’t complain, so I guess he just turns them right-side out before he gets dressed.
Lindsay Klein says
Thanks for the good laugh, especially the wedgie!!!!!!!! I always say whomever made the work week five days is a dingleberry! Five days, two off?! 😉
Dana says
Very true, Lindsay. I wish you’d get your way on that one!
Kristi Campbell says
I’m literally going over to Mamalode as soon as I finish typing this comment and asking what the heck is vaguebooking???
Dana says
Posting vague status updates on FB, like “Feeling sad…” without saying why. It’s basically fishing for interaction, and it is annoying as hell.
Tammie S says
YES! to #4. Vaguebooking is just being a drama queen and seeking more attention than necessary, Because people are going to ask “what’s wrong?” and Blue Cheese is just nast!
Dana says
It really is – I can’t do any smelly cheese. I’d starve in France, I think.
Mike says
Most definitely on #2, 6 and 10! I had never heard of vaguebooking until I read this!! Learned something new 🙂 And #7 made me laugh out loud…literally 🙂 Have a great day, Dana! 🙂
Dana says
I’m happy to make you laugh, Mike – just don’t make me give you a wedgie!
Mike says
I have a case of nonstop giggles after reading that now, Dana!! 🙂
Dana says
Giggles are good!
Akaleistar says
Yes to all of these! It sounds like if you had your way the world be a much better place 🙂
Dana says
It would be for me, anyway!
Cassandra says
A huge yes to all of those rules. But particularly #7. The lengths I have to go to just to get my son’s dirty close into the washer are ridiculous. While you’re at it, make one about getting all of the stray socks INTO the laundry basket.
Dana says
Definitely! And of course the stray socks are inside out.
Sarah says
What’s your beef with Bleu Cheese?
Dana says
The smell is nauseating to me, Sarah. I cannot be sitting next to someone eating wings – it turns my stomach.
Leslie says
I’m with you on all of these (including Bleu Cheese dressing). My five year old has been pulling the underwear and pants off bit, which is just SO frustrating. Hopefully you get at least one or two of your wishes. Can’t wait to read more about #11!
Dana says
I just fold the laundry the way it comes out of the dryer – he can pull the pants inside out when he wants to wear them. But it still drives me crazy!
Allie says
Number 6 YES PLEASE! Number 9 – NOOOOOO! Congrats on Mamalode!
Lisa @ The Golden Spoons says
Yes! Yes! Yes! to all of these!!!!! I said chocolate would have no calories, but didn’t think about actually giving it nutrition – that’s genius!!! 🙂 And, #6 – I could travel around the entire globe for free 10 times if that were true!
Dana says
I know – I think most moms could. Chauffeuring my kids everywhere racks up lots of miles!
normaleverydaylife says
#1, 4, and 7! Please!! 🙂
Dana says
You have an inside-outer too, Marie? I bet it’s a boy, right?
Janine Huldie says
Yes so much to #2 and now if only my kids got the memo!!!
Dana says
They will in time, Janine!
Bev says
HUGE yes to the last one, followed next in agreement by #8. I had to look up vaguebooking — I had never heard the term before!
Dana says
I hadn’t either until Tamara used it in response to my Pet Peeves post – it’s the perfect term, isn’t it?
Allie says
OMG #7! My kids do this at 5 so I’m guessing it never ends. Awesome.
I also really would love the frequent flier mile per car mile. I could be in Italy right now…