An unhappy post.

Last night we went to an awards banquet for my oldest son's swim team. We sat by this family that had children who LIKED each other. It was very odd. (Although, I secretly wish my children liked each other and were friends). Anyway, she said something that stuck with me and has really been bothering me: They moved to the area we live because they only have one chance to raise their kids the right way.

It makes me wonder what I am doing, besides missing out on the kids' activities. I need to be home more, I need to spend more quality time with my kids. I need to go to more than one part of one swim meet. I think this is either my last semester at school or I am going to have to quit work. I will see at the end of the semester. My dream would be to quit work and continue school. I really don't want to quit school. For the first time in my life I am succeeding in school and I love it. Unfortunately, right now, it doesn't seem like I am getting the chance to really follow my dreams. It seems like all I can do is what HAS to be done with no time for dreams.

Hopefully, this will change.

As the ceremony went on, I realized what a loser parent I have been this last year and a half. I used to go to all sorts of activities with the kids. I never missed anything they were in or played in. Now, I miss EVERYTHING. I used to help out and functions and at the kids school. Now, nothing. I can't even let the kids do the activities they want to because it interferes with either school or work, usually it's work that gets in the way.

I am so utterly unhappy with the way my life is right now. Something has to change.

My ADHD

As some of you remember, my 8 year old was diagnosed with ADHD. Two of my older ones have signs of it, but they have been manageable-I don't feel the need to have them diagnosed. I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was 16 years old and my 4 brothers and sisters have all been diagnosed with it. Lucky for us, it all stems from our mother, who has also been diagnosed. :)

For years, my mother told me to try medication for it. I didn't because I honestly did not see how ADHD was affecting my life. I thought I had a handle on things. Until recently. In November, my doctor gave me Adderal to see if it would help with studying. What's great is that it has helped in all areas of my life. There is a night and day difference in me when I take it vs. when I don't. When I take the meds laundry stays caught up, the house stays picked up, I can study (and not have to read the same page 50 times before I just give up), and I don't feel as foggy minded. Everything seems more clear and things are getting done. (Don't get me wrong, I still have a problem with procrastinating and the house is not as clean as I am making it sound. I mean, our Christmas tree just came down two days ago! ;) But, things are definitely better.)

Another bonus? I have had an anxiety disorder since I was 19 years old. When I take the Adderal, the anxiety is mostly gone. It sure doesn't attack me like it used to. The doctor says it's because the meds help me control my thoughts and they aren't so out of whack. I don't know, but I do know that I feel much better.

What do you tip?

I have noticed more and more that people don't tip what they should. Maybe it's the economy, maybe they are cheap, or maybe they just don't realize what it's like to live off of $1 per person tips. My hope is that people just don't realize the protocol. And because we have to live off of tips, undertipping irritates me pretty bad.

In my area, I have had servers tell me that most people tip about $1 per person, no matter what their bill is. Tipping should be done based off of your bill. Now, I know I tip a bit higher than standard because I understand the amount of work a server has to do for me to enjoy my meal. I start my tipping amount at 20% when I sit down. If the server is good and attentive (not annoying) they will get the full 20%. I go down from there. 10% is the lowest I will give. The only time I will leave $0 is if a server is so bad I had to talk to the manager. This way, the server knows it was about their service and not about me being cheap.

As I was thinking about all of this, I started wondering what the right tipping protocol is for other types of places.

So, I ask you. (Although, I know a lot of people have quit reading :) What do you tip your hairstylist? or the person who makes your coffee at Starbucks?