Bribery.. It Works!

I've been staying with a friend, and I occasionally "steal" her children and take them with when I go on errands. The munchkins love it, and I get a little buddy (or two or three) to visit with on the drive. The other evening, I needed a couple things from the store.

"Do you mind if I steal one of the girls to go with me to the store?"

"Sure."

"Which one has been the best, most obedient, most helpful?"

"Hm..."

Daddy interrupted, "None of them."

I thought a moment and then headed in to the play room. "Did either of you do your homework?"

In stereo from the older two: "No..."

"Hm, well, I need to go to the store, and I was gonna take whoever did their homework."

Ensued the hilarity- the older two came tearing past me to get their homework done. Number 2 paused, to beg, "Wait for me?"

Good thing 1st and 2nd graders don't have much homework, eh?

Mom watched the hustle and bustle, wondering. I sat down by her, and explain what I'd just told her little ones.

I know kindergarteners don't generally have much homework, but I felt Number 3 needed to have the chance to earn the privilege, too: "Do you have any homework?.. anything you can do for school?"

Number 3: "Read a book?"

"Good deal- find a book and you can read it to me."

So while Number 1 and Number 2 worked fratically to complete worksheets, Number 3 read a book with me, Number 4 looked for shoes, and Mom and Dad.. and I just laughed

Once the three older ones had done their homework and everyone had shoes and a jacket on, we piled into the van, and went to the store.. to get all of three items I needed for a project the next day.



Moral of the story:
Bribery works!

I'm in.. Like?

After the fiasco that was last week's blog (seriously, some people.. *sigh).. I thought I'd go with something a little lighter. So here's a comedic look at love-

Twiterpation!

 

Yeah, that's about all I have for now....

Unless you know what comes next.. Suggestions?

Don't Compromise.. Unless it's in my Favor

I've talked a little in the past about the difference between dating as a grown-up and dating as a teen.

One of the many differences I've noticed- The Deal Breaker.

By definition, a deal breaker breaks the deal. True deal breakers aren't just pulled out of the air, or made up to be difficult. They are a product of our preferences, values, and tolerances.

Some women find body hair on a man completely revolting!
Hairy chest = deal breaker

Some men simply can't handle a high-maintenance woman.
Hair extensions, nails more than likely indicate a deal breaker

Some women are natural mothers and desperately want children.
Vasectomy = possible deal breaker

Some guys gotta have a girl as passionate about adventure as he is.
Home-body = deal breaker

The reality is that we all have deal-breakers, for every relationship, not just the romantic ones. We know on a visceral level when we have reached a limit.. and each time we come up against something we just can't cope with- that's where we discover our deal breakers.

The trouble comes when someone else doesn't like your deal breakers. They take offense, or get judgmental, or start calling names. There are broken hearts, frustration, anger, and tears. Sure, they love you and want you to be true to yourself. Some eventually accept where you are coming from, even insist you not compromise. But some insist that compromise is necessary for any kind of relationship, but only in their favor-

You're just as broken as I am...

Well, you're just being discriminatory...

But that's not fair- (insert some excuse for why it's unreasonable to ask that).

Credit

The thing is- trying to change deal breakers is easier than getting a tiger to change his stripes, but not by much. Changing deal breakers requires changing the very nature of the person- their bone-deep values, goals, and dreams.. changing who they are. Yes it can be done, but its not simple, easy, or quickly... and to be honest, its not really fair to ask someone to change like that.

What are your deal-breakers? What responses have you gotten to your own deal-breaker issues?

Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice

So yeah, this is what I'm doing this weekend- 4 hours yesterday, 4 hrs today. Feeding my soul- good stuff!

Come, listen to a prophet's voice, and hear the word of God,

And in the way of truth rejoice, and sing for joy aloud.

We've found the way the prophets went who lived in days of yore.

Another prophet now is sent this knowledge to restore.

The gloom of sullen darkenss spread through earth's  extended space

Is banished by our living Head, and God has shown His face.

Trhough erring schemes in days now past the world has gone astray;

Yet saints of God have found at last the straight and narrow way.

'Tis not in man they put their trust nor on his arm rely.

Full well assured, all are accursed who Jesus Christ deny.

The Savior to his people saith,"Let all my words obey,

and signs shall follow living faith, down to the latest day."

Then heed the words of truth and light that flow from fountains pure.

Yea, keep His law with all thy might till thine election's sure,

Till thou shalt hear the holy voice assure eternal reighn,

While joy and cheer attend thy choice, as one who shall obtain.