President Obama’s speech: Much ado about nothing

I don’t know whether my first-grader watched President Obama’s speech to students today.

That’s because the brouhaha that swept the nation about a president addressing students directly seemed to blow right past Elyria. I didn’t get any notice from the school, but in truth, I hope it was shown in her classroom after reviewing the positive (albeit long) message he delivered.

Given the state of our schools and the struggles of so many youth today, I’d gather they need all the encouragement they can get. What he was saying is what I always say to my daughter (although not nearly so eloquently), but I figure having a president deliver the message might carry more weight.

But apparently, that wasn’t the opinion of a lot of folks across...

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The news is a scary place for parents

In the news business, we get a first hand view of some pretty terrible stuff.

Back before I was a mom, many of the stories were just that to me — my job for the day. They didn’t carry the emotional weight of being a parent and seeing something terrible happen to another family that easily could have been your own.

But after my daughter was born and I returned to work — at the Akron Beacon Journal at that time — I truly thought I was going to have be medicated because I was convinced every horrific story I read might very well happen to my cherished little one, regardless of how many times it was pointed out to me that more children grow up to be fine than not.

It took a while, but I finally managed to calm down, although Lew and I both remain...

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Gotta love the military

There are many times when I curse the forwarded e-mail. I get a ton of e-mails at work each day, and I just don’t have time to spend perusing even the silly or thoughtful sent to make someone giggle or think.

That said, I did just that today, and you know what? I’m darn glad I did. …

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No car for a week? Surely, you jest

It was supposed to be one day of temporary inconvenience. At least, that was my assumption.

But that one day without my 3-year-old vehicle with a whopping 32,000 miles on it is being stretched to a week for a big repair.

Ouch.

How does one live without a car? I know, I sound spoiled and whiny  given that there are a whole lot of people trying to make ends meet who cannot afford a car and do without every darn day.

My problem is that I’ve had a car since I was 17 and well, I guess I am spoiled.  (And no, my teenage car wasn’t some fancy vehicle my parents bought — it was my mother’s castoff, a very old car that had floorboards so rusted that I had to carry a jug of water to extinguish the smoking carpeting.)

But the logistics...

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Two new bloggers join us; others are welcome

Did anyone happen to notice that we’ve had some new and interesting voices on Lorain County Moms?

Welcome to Melissa Linebrink and domesticextraordinaire, two moms who’ll provide some welcome change to our regular lineup.

So keep reading, and if you are game for some interaction with other moms, start writing, too. We’d love to have more moms join us. (There’s a welcome to blogging link on the site, but it has proven a bit difficult. E-mail me at jwallace@chroniclet.com  if you want to blog and run into troubles.)

–Julie Wallace...

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Today show wants to hear from Elyrians

Hey readers, we need your help. Or rather, the Today show needs your help.

The show is putting together a package about communities across the country that are cutting fireworks to balance budgets.

The story organizer, Barbara Lowe (who I’ve talked to and can vouch that she’s legit) is interested in talking in families who generally attended the Elyria fireworks and now have to go elsewhere or skip them altogether.

Interested in sharing your opinion with Ms. Lowe? Email her at barbaralowe@ameritech.net.

Here’s the catch: You need to write ASAP. She’s putting this story together in the next couple days, and she really wants to hear some Elyria voices. So write her, and her write her quickly!

–Julie Wallace...

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A perfect first day of summer

Sunday was the first day of summer and, according to my daughter, a perfect day.

But heck, why wouldn’t it be for a 6-year-old?

We started by wishing Daddy a happy father’s day and presenting him with his gift. In our daughter’s world, father’s day somehow rose to magnificent proportions and she talked about it like it was going to be Christmas or something like that.

Then, we made a breakfast of her choice — French toast this week, but usually pancakes — and got dressed to go buy flowers to plant by our pool. Mal told her teacher “her dream” was to make flowers, so a visit to Petitti’s in Avon is like going to heaven, I think.

I actually was going to go somewhere else — not because I don’t...

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Kids camp at Pat Catan’s

OK, if any of you have read my previous posts, you know I simply want to sign my daughter up for this. Heck, I sign her up for everything. But I can’t. But that doesn’t mean you can’t … it sounds fun!

Julie

KIDS CAMPS 2009

“Jungle Safari!”

Pat Catan’s in North Ridgeville and Amherst will hold their “Jungle Safari” Kids Camp on July 6-10 with morning sessions.  Children will create a different jungle-themed project each day of the week.  Cost for the camp is only $3 per session, and includes all craft supplies and a snack.  For more information contact:

Pat Catan’s Craft Center

33799 Center Ridge Road

North Ridgeville, OH 44039

440-353-1772

Pat Catan’s Craft Center

1955 Cooper...

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Schedule overload: Mommy needs to get a grip

Yesterday, I had to call and pull my daughter out of her first set of swimming lessons.

The problem was simply overload: This week, had she attended them, she’d have been doing cheerleading camp, swimming, soccer, and T-ball.

May I remind you all that she’s 6?

Ask anyone who knows me, and scatterbrain probably will be among the adjectives used to describe me. I can focus on work and do well, but then the schedule for the rest of my life falls apart. Switch focuses, and the other side suffers. (Go back a few posts — I am the person who forgot to pick up my daughter at kindergarten, and the same person who drove away from a gas pump with the hose still attached to my car!)

Given that work pays the bills, my focus rightly so tends to stay...

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Join us, fellow moms (and dads)

OK, readers of Lorain County and Medina County Moms. It’s time to quit being just a reader and write with us, too.

The whole premise behind the sites is to let moms swap stories, share screw ups (come on, we all have them!) and generally, realize that the experience of being a mom is a shared one and we all can learn from the experiences of others.

So don’t be bashful — click on the box to the right and start writing. We welcome you and all you have to share.

Julie Wallace...

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