MOMania

By deidre_NC

August 16, 2008 8:54 AM | Link to this

i grew up in a sports addicted family—dad was a coach at decatur high school forever..also coached all us kids teams..if you didnt play sports you were kind of out of the club..it really sucked in a way..but the whole extended family was this way. i mean ALL sports even GOLF!!!! ugh. my advice is not to complain around the kids too much. when they get old enough take them to the games…at least its only UGA football…while they are young get a babysitter for some of the games and go with your husband. when you dont go make the time special as you seem to have plans to do this year. heck…get a babysitter and make it a girls day for you and other football widows…you may as well accept it and plan things that you like to do when he is at the games…what i hated most of all was all the family dinners…with grandparents-aunts uncles etc…eat then the men go watch tv games..i hated that…so boring for us kids..

By FCM

August 16, 2008 9:30 AM | Link to this

You don’t want to hear this: You married Michael knowing that he was a MAJOR sports person (it’s his job). You might have missed the fine print in the vows…you heard for better/worse, foresaking, etc….did you hear “take me as I am today and who I grow to be tomorrow?” You have written many times how he (and yourself) attended the games all the time. Perhaps you feel left out, that is natural. I understand why you cannot join him. How about hosting a few UGA tailgates in the backyard during away games?

Second thing you won’t want to hear: “As Michael counts down the days until kickoff, I’m counting down the weekends that I have left to get him to reorganize the laundry room, clean out the basement, clean the carpets and repaint the bathrooms” Where is the you and Michael time in there? Where is the Michael and kid time in there? Do you really only want him home on the weekend to do chores?

When you look back at these years of your young family what do you want to remember?

“am planning activities for the kids and me so we don’t just sit around bored and angry about being left behind.” You get to chose how you approach this, if you let anger in it will feed into other parts of the marriage and create more issues.

“Maybe we’ll leave the kitchen messy for Michael to clean up after the game.” VENDICTIVE? Sheesh, what would be the point of coming home.

My father traveled 80-85% of the year. I asked Mom how she handled that, she said she found that making sure that each time he left, making sure he had good reasons (thoughts and feelings, etc) to come home….so that he hated to leave and WANTED to come home helped…..She did not hit him at the door with a Honey Do, Laundry List of Compaints, or a pile of chores. My Dad on the other hand made sure he was home he planned at least one activity where we kids were with him (and Mom could go if she wanted) AND one that was adults only (besides the obvious one)….To this day my parents are best of friends, enjoy being around each other, and take life as it hits them (divorced kids, grandchildren, loss of jobs, children moving, children out of work, deaths in family, etc). Mom was a football widow, she &6ched about it to me all the time. However, she didn’t &6itch to/at him.

“My mom and I may take on those bathrooms while Michael is in Athens — if my dad will watch with the kids.” Very Healthy. Aim for more of this.

Your telling Michael what he is missing out with his children when he goes to the games will NEVER WORK. Make sure the kids (AND YOU) have lots of fun and great things to share with him when he gets back….He may just realize that he is missing a great deal and CHOOSE to skip a game……I know if it were me, I would consider skipping a game to do something fun with my kid than I would to paint a bathroom!

By FCM

August 16, 2008 10:08 AM | Link to this

How is the family doing with the Olympics, or are they on too late for anyone to care? My children are basically “phelps orphans’ right now…..I love the swimming/diving events the most. Recall watching Luganis (sp?) doing his dives. AMAZING! Watching Phelps in the water (with last nights photo finish!!!!!) WOW!

Oldest daughter likes watching the Volleyball—-Another amazing game last night….I was clapping, cheering, screaming, biting my nails.

How can I like sports and hate playing them?

By kristy

August 16, 2008 11:11 AM | Link to this

I love THEM DOGS and so do alot of other people. I even tried to think of a way it included Uga in my daughters name but it just didn’t work

By MA

August 16, 2008 11:17 AM | Link to this

I am not a UGA or football widow. I am a hunting widow. But, it is okay, because I know that if my husband gets a buck or doe we will have meat in the freezer for the year. I just find things to do on my own weekends. Usually laundry, cleaning, shopping, or just relaxing with my computer and books. And, I love college football but not the GA teams. I watch and cheer my home state, born a Husker, die a Husker, when I can find them on t.v. or follow on the computer if not on t.v. So, whether you are a football widow or a hunting widow, you just have to find things to do yourself.

By FCm

August 16, 2008 11:44 AM | Link to this

Ok, I have another one that just burns my butt:

“My kids won’t know the simple pleasures of apple picking in Ellijay or the spectacle of the Georgia National Fair in Perry. It’s too difficult for me to take the baby and the other two on trips like that,”

What would you do if God forbid you became a widow?

Should JJ have sat home forever? Should I? As single parents we have to do these things EVERYDAY…..who gives me a break? Who do I get lean on when a child is running 102 and my report is due the next day, and failure to have that report might mean failure to keep a roof over our head? Whom do I get to curl up next to night after night?

Instead of lamenting about whether the chores get done, appreciate what you have.

Be daring, take the kids apple picking, yes it is HARD work…I have not found a single part of parenting that isn’t. You’ll find that the effort was worth it, and it’s just the kind of thing Michael needs to hear about later from the kids “Daddy, Mommy took us apple picking and it was so much fun…you should have seen Lili….blah,blah. Take LOTS of pictures, then the kids can show him the FUN he is missing….

Most of all FILL HIS TANK…..5 Love Languages.

By Theresa

August 16, 2008 1:44 PM | Link to this

Hey FCM — I don’t have long to write so can’t respond to everything — I don’t want him at home to do chores - I want him at home to take care of the 17-month old baby who is into EVERYTHING so I can get some big tasks done —- I am deep cleaning the carpets today which you cannot do with a baby at your feet on wet, chemical carpet — Last night I finally got a large portion of the baby stuff carried from the unfinished part of the basement to the car while he played with the kids— I can’t do that with a17month old — you can’t be digging around in the unfinished part - she’ll follow you — and you can’t go back and forth from basement to garage carrying large objects with a baby following — dangerous!! plus she’ll climb out of pack n play so I need help to get some things done —- on the apple picking — the difference between being a real widow and a football one is this is his choice — obviously if God forbid my husband died or left us we would have to move on — but i would rather do family things as a family not as a single mom — he is choosing football over us — I am dealing with it but that doesn’t mean i have to be thrilled about it

By DAWGinKY

August 16, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this

I’m just as bad as my husband when it comes to DAWG football. Since we now live out of state, we don’t get to many home games. We do have friends over to watch some of the games. And the kids watch with us at times. (4 yr old twin boys and 8 year old girl) They cheer just as much as hubby and I do when the DAWGS play well. When we lived in GA, we had season tickets and went to most of the home games. We would take our daughter to at least one game a year. The boys were not old enough (by our standards) to take before we moved. We were fortuante that we had family that always wanted to watch the kids so we could go to the games. I look forward to the short drive to Lexington in Nov to watch my beloved DAWGS play football. GO DAWGS!!!!

By momtoAlex&Max

August 16, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this

Well, my husband is not into sports AT ALL, so I cannot really relate to this. However, I think I would have an issue with the sports widow thing.

Theresa, if it is any consolation, I’ll tell you this: most of our fall Saturdays get pretty booked now that I have 2 sons in sports (2 games each Sat until Halloween).

I found this: Fall is by far (FAR!) my most favorite season of all. Starting Sep until New years I love everything about the fall. So we decided to skip church a couple of times this year and do the apple pickings, the pumpkin farms, all those fall things that I absolutely adore. So even though I for us (and I think for you too) church is VERY important, sometimes there are things that only come around once a year that might be worth it!

By FCM

August 16, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this

Theresa—I am sure that both the carpet and the basement are better done without a 17 month old….Most of the tasks I do are better left without either of mine around, but were certainly worse when they were that small.

I knew it wasn’t what any of you want to hear, but the way it was written was more about bitterness and wanting some work done.

Trust me, if any can understand needing ‘down time’ it’s a single parent where the other person is unable/unwilling to help.

I was hoping to help those in this situation realize that really, you have it better than you think. You also have the choice to decide how you want to feel about it. That may sound odd but you do.

By fer

August 16, 2008 6:42 PM | Link to this

I was all set to make some comments, but FCM, you’ve said it all! You go, girl!

By FCM

August 16, 2008 7:44 PM | Link to this

I don’t want him at home to do chores - I want him at home to take care of the 17-month old baby who is into EVERYTHING so I can get some big tasks done

How about a babysitter. Hire a tween/teen (8th grade) to come play with the baby for 2-3 hours during a Saturday. I am currently looking at doing this myself so I can run some errands and keep my sanity….The kids don’t want to run errands.

By JT

August 16, 2008 9:49 PM | Link to this

Theresa - Just wait. While you are now a DAWG widow, wait until your kids are older.

I have 3 - ages 16, 14, and 11. One is in Marching band (which is three practices per week plus football games on Friday, concerts, and competitions), one plays baseball (Fall, Spring, and Summer (All-Star)), and one that is involved in Softball and starting band in Middle School.

When your 3 get older, your husband will have to spend more time at home to be a part of all of these things. However, you still won’t have time for all the items you mentioned.

I love the mountains in the fall but have not been there in years!

Have you ever thought about asking your husband to have people over to watch the game on TV? When my kids were younger, this was a great way for all of us to spend time together but for him to be able to watch and be part of the game.

My mother was a hunting widow - but now that my dad is older, she gets upset that he does not go as often. She got used to having “her time”.

By DB

August 16, 2008 11:38 PM | Link to this

You are not a “football widow” unless you embrace the role, Theresa. Park the baby if she is too young, and at least take the older kids out on some of these delightful excursions you mention. Perry is not too far for a road trip, if planned carefully. Give the kids memories that they will hold for the rest of their lives — not just memories of waving goodbye to Daddy as he goes to yet another football game.

Michaal is the one who is missing out, you know — I probably wouldn’t mind the home games, but as far as I’m concerned, TiVO was invented for away games :-) Can you make a deal with him — you will cheerfully support home games if he works around the away games? If you’re bitter enough to make a column out of this, I suspect this is a real bone of contention for you. Also, I don’t think that paying a mother’s helper for a few hours on a Saturday so you can things done is out of line — it’s got to be less than the cost of season tickets for five people! (I am completely with you on taking small children to a miserably hot football game — miserable for them, and miserable for everyone around them!)

By Band Mom Gone Wild

August 17, 2008 2:31 AM | Link to this

JT, I am totally with you regarding Marching Band! My husband and I both know that during the fall we are at the mercy of the marching band schedule. The house looks like crap, our nutritional intake sucks, but we wouldn’t trade it for ANYTHING! Spending time with our daughter, seeing her have fun with friends, watching proudly as they perform… it’s just all awesome!

Hang in there Theresa! The little one won’t remain little for ever.

By Brittany's Dad

August 17, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this

In the words of Trace Adkins…. “you’re gonna miss this, you’re gonna want this back, you’re gonna wish these days hadn’t gone by so fast.”

Don’t get so wrapped up in what you’re missing that you totally miss what you have.

By deidre_NC

August 17, 2008 10:06 AM | Link to this

ok..first i have to say-it doesnt sound like michael is missing out..a few sturdays a month to take time to do what he enjoys is not so bad. theresa, you need to find something that you like to do and then go for it. there are babysitters-if yall can afford tickets to several away games for michael then you can afford a babysitter for you to do some thing you enjoy. one reason marriages split upor get awful and full of resentment is just reasons like this topic. everyone has to take time for themselves and leave the guilty feelings at home. there is nothing wrong with you taking time to do things you like. im sure there is something you have left behind since getting married and having kids. men are going to do things like go to games and hunt-etc…women seem to feel guilty or something if they take time to do things they enjoy-this only leads to resentment. heck-pay someone to clean while you take the kids somewhere. or pay someone to babysit while you do the cleaning. whatever you want to do -you N do it. just dont let this sports stuff cause such a rift in your marriage that it becomes full of resentment. michael deserves to take these times and you deserve to take some time also. just do it. think back to before the kids-or even before the marriage-what did you get peasure out of. too many women wrap up their whole world in their husbands and kids and have nothing left for themselves.. that is a shame. do you like museums? ballet? anything-you are an intelligent woman-im sure you have some interests that have probably gone by the wayside—get them back. i know it seems like you owill forever be a prent of small kids-but the time goes fast and soon you will have kids who dont need you all the time like they do now. then you will be resenting them cause you are left alone. dont let that happen. renew your interests and hire a babysitter and go do something productive for your spirit. this poem says it all..you HAVE to feed your soul. no one else will.

If of thy mortal goods thou art bereft, and from thy slender store Two loaves alone to thee are left, Sell one, and with the dole Buy Hyacinths to feed thy Soul

good luck!

By Mike K.

August 17, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this

Have to agree with FCM and deidre Theresa. The fact of the matter is that you’ve known that this was one of the most anticipated seasons by all the UGA fans since the Sugar Bowl. You’ve had eight months to plan around six Saturdays the stuff that needs to be done around the house.

But this is the real reason you’re upset: “he is choosing football over us .” So I guess your blog entry back in May-about the “me” time-only wives are allowed that? Just because you can’t/won’t take some time off for yourself doesn’t mean he has to do the same thing.

By Lori

August 17, 2008 2:08 PM | Link to this

You married a loser. If the two of you can’t spend Saturdays together, then you might as well get divorced. And then you should take him for all of his money and his season tickets!

By FCM

August 17, 2008 5:15 PM | Link to this

I don’t think she married a loser. She did marry him. They did decide to have 3 kids. She knew after Rose (and certainly after Walsh) the ‘lay of the land.’ This goes back to the women saying if they knew then what they know now they may not have kids.

Certainly one of the ways I contributed to the demise of my marriage was nagging him to do more ‘family’ stuff. In fact, the man I have been seeing made it clear he values his schedule over me. So he is gone now too.

By Judy

August 17, 2008 7:20 PM | Link to this

I am a computer widow most of the time. haha But years ago my mom told me that I should stop complaining - it could be worse. He could be hanging out at bars or chasing women. As it is, he is home, and can help out whenever I need it. Sort of puts it in perspective. :)

By Elisabeth

August 17, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

Go to Athens and find a tailgate party to go to with the kids. They are more fun then the games (at least in my opinion). If the games are something you used to do together as a couple, try to figure out a way to do it as a family.

By Elisabeth

August 17, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this

Go to Athens and find a tailgate party to go to with the kids. They are more fun then the games (at least in my opinion). If the games are something you used to do together as a couple, try to figure out a way to do it as a family.

By Karen

August 18, 2008 1:57 AM | Link to this

Get a babysitter for a couple of those games and go with your hubby and have fun.

Seems you count on the inlaws to do your babysitting and if they can’t, you are stuck.

Hire a sitter. Go to the games with him or take 4-5 hours and do something you want to do for yourself!

The kids will survive.

By becky farmer

August 18, 2008 7:13 AM | Link to this

Good Heavens - God gave you a brain, talent and the ability to take your 3 children, I also had 3, anywhere you want to take them. Stop the whining already. If I hadn’t have had the week-ends alone with my 3 girls from the time they were litte, my husband tn football, I would not have the memories and the best 3 girlfriends I have today. Did they miss their dad, yeah a little, but we gained so much more between the 4 women we are today…GROW UP.

By lakerat

August 18, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this

You know, I started reading this blog about a month ago - two weeks ago you whined about going to the beach; now you are whining about football season. Does anyone else see a connection to that, just possibly, you are a whiner, no matter how good you have it?

Just hang in there and in a couple more years you will know whether married a loser or not, when your kids are playing sports on Saturday in the fall, and their daddy has to decide between doing the “right thing” or going to see the Dawgs - then you will know!

By JJ

August 18, 2008 7:43 AM | Link to this

Theresa have you ever thought about going to pick apples with some girlfriends who also have kids?? That’s what I would do.

Don’t sit around and mope that your hubby is off having fun. You go have fun too. There’s no reason why you have to sit around. I’d be calling my girlfriends and saying “ROAD TRIP”!!

By Becky

August 18, 2008 9:09 AM | Link to this

Teresa, I have taken my twins to do just about everything on weekends without my husband for years..They are 6 now, but if he had to work, I just loaded them in the car & we took off..We’ve drove to Washington DC, we’ve been camping, we’ve been to the mtns. If they want to do it, house cleaning will wait..We only have them on the weekends (mostly) & I’m not wasting any time that I have with them worrying over dirty carpet.. We also have a trip planned later this year to do apple picking..Was it always easy, NO..But we did it..So plan something & go for it.. Aren’t your 2 oldest in school during the week? Hire a babysitter for the youngest & do some of your “to do list” then..

By Stop Whining!!!!

August 18, 2008 9:25 AM | Link to this

For the love of God shut up.

I agree about the whole skip Church idea. There will be plenty of other opportunities for people to feed your children lies in order to make them part of the collective…..

By nurse&mother

August 18, 2008 9:26 AM | Link to this

Theresa- I laughed when I saw your topic today. I know exactly where you are coming from! I didn’t realize that there are others wives out threre like us!

My husband and I have had season tickets for about 10 years now. Whenever someone asks me at work if I can switch my scheduled weekend (one weekend a month) with someone else, I tell them I have to go check to see if it is a home game.

My husband has bought season tickets for the children too. He added our son’s ticket when he was a newborn so that he would be insured to have a ticket for him “one day”. I refuse to take my son until I think he can sit through most of the game. He is very high maintenance.

What we do instead is drive to the game (for us it is a 2.5 hour trip) as a family. We tailgate with everybody, but when it is time for the game, my son and I go shopping. I haven’t gone to a game since I was pregnant. I may leave the little one with a grandparent for the Georgia-Tennessee game. My 11yo goes with her daddy. She has gone with us since she was 3 and potty trained (that’s our policy).

If we spend the whole weekend in Athens, then we drive back on Sunday and miss our church service. I do miss that because we miss church during the summer due to lake season.

Oh well. Must go to work today. Ya’ll have fun. Go Dawgs!!

By nurse&mother

August 18, 2008 9:32 AM | Link to this

I agree with FCM. Take the kids with you places. I did and still do. My husband likes to stay at home on the weekends when it is not UGA football. I took the oldest when she was 7 to Disney all by myself. It was a blast. I am very independent, though. I don’t need my husband to do stuff with me (although I do love it when he joins us). I can only count one time that he went with me to Dawsonville to pick pumpkins. Instead I either go by myself, or I invite my mom.

By agv

August 18, 2008 9:40 AM | Link to this

Don’t worry, UGA is going to lose a few early and drop like a rock. They won’t be worth watching by mid-October so you’ll have him back. OVER-RATED!! clap clap clapclapclap

By Jesse's Girl

August 18, 2008 9:53 AM | Link to this

I just dropped my first baby off at middle school for the first time and my last baby off at kindergarten for the first time….I’d kill a small animal to zone out to a UGA football game right now. Realizing you are in the decade of life when your first born will leave home and go to UGA just like her daddy is sobering. Give me a cold, hard metal seat and drunk college kids anyday. Right now, that sounds way better than admitting you’re not ready for your kids to be so dern grown.

By raising brats?

August 18, 2008 10:10 AM | Link to this

Do you ever stop whining? It is not that hard to manage 3 children, unless you are raising wild, out-of-control brats. Yes, toddlers require a lot of supervision, but there is no reason you can’t do all the things you are whining about missing.

By PEACE

August 18, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Let’s see…

You had two kids and elected to have a third knowing the workload…

You knew dating your hubby was a steak head for football…..

He works a good paying job so you can stay at home and raise the kids…

Because of HIS income, you are so lucky to be able to raise your kids and write a blog (again, you are fortunate)….

So if the breadwinner, the man who works and puts food on the table and takes financial care of your family wants to go bonkers on football on a Saturday so be it.

You live an upper middle class lifestyle in a nice suburban neighborhood and you are literally gripeing that the breadwinner goes to football games so you can yearn for trips???

He takes care of your family, he works - leave him alone and respect the lifestyle he has provided for you.

By Jill

August 18, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Geez lady….its a couple of weekends in the fall…

By Numbers Guy

August 18, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

I had a bunch of comments. Typed ‘em out and everything.

Then I heard my mother’s voice, intoning “If you can’t say something nice…” and deleted it all. See y’all tomorrow.

By PEACE

August 18, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this

“Oh, boo-hoo, poor me… I miss trips to NYC and the mountains”

The average income in the USA is $30k a year. 2/3 of all people make less than $50k a year.

Count your blessing and fall to your knees you married a man with a superior income.

If this is a bad as you make it sound, you don’t have a grip Baby on how most people live in the world.

“Ohhh… I dread going to the beach…” Please, honey….

By HAL

August 18, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this

NO DON’T COME TO ELLIJAY AND PICK APPLES!!!!!!!! STAY FAR FAR AWAY!!!!!!!!STAY AT HOME AND WATCH THE GEORGIA GAME ON T.V.!!

By mom3

August 18, 2008 12:16 PM | Link to this

Good Lord Wendy Whiner! First it was the beach was too much trouble, now football season is too much trouble. Why did you have three kids?!?!?!?

I’m a dawg fan, always have been. I have 3 kids too. I LOVE football season. It is something we all love and enjoy. Here’s an idea - tailgate with your husband and if the game is no fun for the kids - wander around campus (its beautiful), or downtown Athens, or go home and let them take a nap. Or, let them take a nap on North campus on a blanket. Find a way to turn football into a family event. I did, and we all love it!!!!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!

By Amy

August 18, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this

We don’t have children yet but this column still rings true with my husband and me. For example, my friend’s engagement party is during the UGA-SC game, so I’ll be attending alone. Although he doesn’t usually attend the game, nothing else matters if the game is on tv. And don’t forget all the other important SEC matchups that must be watched, and the (seemingly) month-long of bowl games.

I enjoyed going to games when I was a student at UGA but it’s not worth the hassle or cost anymore. I’ll usually watch the UGA games with him, but if there’s something important going on, I’ll usually just leave him at home in front of the tv and go by myself…

By Amy

August 18, 2008 12:32 PM | Link to this

And I really don’t understand why people are giving you such a hard time about this! I know most husbands would freak if their wife disappeared nearly every Fall Saturday, leaving him with the kids/housework. And yes, we know when we marry a football guy but that doesn’t make it any easier!

By Oh Boy Another LAME!!!! Topic

August 18, 2008 12:33 PM | Link to this

I wish I could get paid to come up with retarded topics for people to argue about. Must be nice.

By Proletariat

August 18, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

Perhaps trade places with a mom of three who’s husband is deployed in Iraq for 18 months?

After one tour, you won’t care if he’s going to football games. Too many mother’s carry a far heavier burden than you do - and their husbands volunteer for their service. Be thankful for what you have.

By Stupid Topic

August 18, 2008 1:34 PM | Link to this

Theresa I don’t know how you come up with the topics that you discuss here, but you sure as hell have riled up a lot of people by just whining about trivial nonsense.

By Colleen

August 18, 2008 1:37 PM | Link to this

My husband and I have season tickets, and game days were a favorite “date” of ours for at least two seasons before our daughters arrived. Even then, we had babysitters for certain games, so we could still go together. The tipping point came when our daughters started soccer. Saturdays are now for their games, and my husband is a coach, so he may only get to see 1-2 games a season now. We still get tickets (we’ll never give those up) but we just sell them to friends now. I know he hates to miss games, but he loves being their coach more.

By Michelle

August 18, 2008 1:43 PM | Link to this

Wow, just… wow!

If this isn’t another topic concocted simply to get blog hits, I don’t know what is!

Then again, I just fell for the bait and responded.

By Eve

August 18, 2008 2:27 PM | Link to this

Theresa, did you maintain any hobbies from your pre-pregnancy days? It sounds like you’re maybe slightly resentful of the fact that Michael gets to live his (football fan side of) life pretty much as he did pre-kiddies - an easy rut to fall into, especially if you’re staying home with the little ones every day.

I’m a die hard soccer fan, and my husband was well aware of it when we married. To this day, after having my kids, I still manage to watch the games - either at home, be it on tv or online, or we’ll all go to one of the local Irish or English pubs (where kids are welcome - once they behave). And while hubby might deny it, he’s become a huge fan of the game too, even if it is a rival team of mine. And he’s introduced me to the game of American Football and we make that a family outing too, whenever possible.

Marriage is all about comprimise - you’ve got your vacation coming up, and he’s got his games.

So what if the carpets aren’t cleaned, or the bathrooms aren’t painted - be thankful you’ve got your hubby by your side, and that your family is happy and healthy. When you look back in ten years, will you remember clean carpets or happy smiles?

By Shogun

August 18, 2008 2:57 PM | Link to this

You married an idiot who roots for UGA, so who is to blame?

By Annie

August 18, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

I wish people would quit saying she married an idiot!

Do you know him? Enough to judge him, based on his choice of college/football team?!

Grow up people, ffs!

By Larry M

August 18, 2008 3:20 PM | Link to this

Here’s a solution that will help everyone - especially your kids: skip church on Sunday and do something positive with your family instead. I guarantee you your kids would rather be out picking apples on Sunday rather than sitting in boring church listening to a bunch of fairy tales.

By Shogun

August 18, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Response to Annie: YES

By Shogun

August 18, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this

Response to Annie: YES

By stop

August 18, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this

It is extremely unattractive to hear someone complain about their spouse in a public forum. It is disloyal to the offended partner, and it does nothing to improve the situation.

By motherjanegoose

August 18, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this

Does it count if you know your 21 year old son, a senior at UGA, ,is SO excited about the games that he has already scheduled off at work for each home game ( he gets 3 weeks paid vacation each year because he has been with the same employer for 5 years) ? I do want him to graduate….LOL.

I hope he remembers to study….hahaha!

I am not a football widow and the closest I ever got to that was when we lived in Texas and if the Cowboys were playing…the TV was blaring. That was 20 years ago.

Here is a question I have for today….and it is not related but I am just wondering…

Am I the only one who feels that shopping at Discover Mills ( today) can be a bit on the scary side? The client base seems to have turned and with the murder at Bahama Breeze parking lot, I am wondering when the retailers might realize that those of us with incomes to spend are not interested in being in a hang out type of a mall.

The Mall of America ( in Minnesota…where I was last week) has had signs posted to instruct parents not to drop their children off. (and let the mall become a hang out where trouble could be brewing.)

I sat next to a business women on the plane ( on Friday)who flies often and also drives from Greenville to Birmingham several times per month. She asked me what was going on with the Mall of Ga and Discover Mills, in that it feels dangerous to be there at certain times of the evening or especially weekends.

Do others feel this way and how can we let the retailers know. With spending being curbed, someone needs to address this problem…thanks for letting me ask a random question.

By dawn

August 18, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this

Just go take the kids and tailgate.

I wish we had a team near enough to do that. I went to a women’s college and my husband’s school is out of state, but if we had loyalties to Tech or Georgia, we’d be there every weekend and if we couldn’t all go in, I’d hang in the parking lot with the kids throwing a ball around and tailgating.

As others have said, you knew who you were marrying. I’m sure you have interests that he’s not that into… like apple picking maybe?

Get your mom or another girlfriend and her kids to go do some of that fun stuff you want to do with the kids. Strap the baby in a Bjorn and take it to the game while the older kids stay with friends for the day.

I just don’t get women who a) don’t like sports and b) complain because their husbands do.

By lovin life

August 18, 2008 9:20 PM | Link to this

Hey Oh Boy I agree that it is not the best topic but did you have to use the R word. It is hate speech, and strikes some of us to the bone. Just a thought.

By SuwaneeMom

August 18, 2008 10:02 PM | Link to this

Goodness Theresa! You sure hit a sore spot with this one but I love the topic. I, too am a Football widow - Georgia Tech. In fact our wedding date was set by the Tech schedule. We had friends who scheduled their wedding on the day of the Tech/Clemson game at home. Needless to say not many people from ATL made their wedding. Knowing this we argued over setting the date until my Mother-in-law pulled out a calendar, asked my soon-to-be husband for the date of the last Tech game (Thnaksgiving Tech/UGA) then said to me, the next weekend is Dec 2nd and that set my wedding date. Too bad it was the day of the SEC Championship…..my UGA loving brother-in-law (and best man) got even with us later and scheduled his wedding the day of the Tech/Florida State game.

By whyamireadingthis

August 18, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this

I would bet that your husband adores your children and loves spending time with them. However, you on the other hand….I’m surprised he hasn’t become a Falcons fan to be gone on Sundays as well.

By notevenfunnyanymore

August 19, 2008 7:09 AM | Link to this

You are a miserable human being! All you do is whine. Whether its the beach, the dawgs, the workload of having 3 kids, you are always complaining. On second thought, You type a crappy blog for an irrelevant news organization from home without the slightest bit of talent for writing, I geuss I’d be miserable too. Please quit the blog and keep your misery to yourself and those unfortunate 3 kids of yours.

By JJ

August 19, 2008 8:22 AM | Link to this

I was out yesterday, and I have to agree with some of these posters Theresa. You do seem to complain alot lately. Maybe YOU need a girlfriend weekend. It sounds as though you need a break, get away with from the kids and your husband.

Call a couple of girlfriends, and go rent a cabin in the mountains for a Friday & Saturday night. Forget the kids, leave them with hubby. You did a column on leaving kids with Daddy, so why don’t you take some of that advice and take some time for yourself. I guarantee, you will become a better person. I love my girlfriend weekends. No one tells me what to do, no one judges me, I get quality JJ time, and I come back a happier person. You might want to give it a try. If you need any help, I am available. I have been going on girlfriend weekend trips for 7 years now.

FCM Thanks for sticking up for us single parents…..

By Oh Boy Another LAME!!!! Topic

August 19, 2008 8:40 AM | Link to this

@lovin life

Retard, Retard, Retard, Retard, Retard, Retarded.

It is just a word. If you are offended by a word, that is your problem, not mine. Get over it.

By K

August 19, 2008 9:55 AM | Link to this

Wow. Every time I read your column (today was the last day, BTW), I am appalled by all the whining you do.

Why did you get married? And why did you have kids, THREE of them, no less? Did you think it was going to be a walk in the park?

I agree with the other posters. What about the REAL widows out there, the single moms, and all the women whose husbands are at war?

If you have season tix, your husband obviously makes a very good living, and works hard at it. Let him enjoy the fruits of his labor.

When are you mommy bloggers going to realize you CAN’T have it all? Quit whining, count your blessings, and grow the hell up.

By JJ

August 19, 2008 10:12 AM | Link to this

Mother I’m not real fond of Discover Mills, it looks like Thug Haven. Mall of GA on the other hand, seems to be ok in my book. I don’t go there often, but I live close by.

The Bahama Breeze shooting was drug/gang related. It was NOT random.

By nurse&mother

August 19, 2008 10:21 AM | Link to this

K Are you implying all mom bloggers or did you just mean Theresa. I blog, but you will rarely hear me complain about my life. I am very blessed and am thankful. I think that you meant Theresa, but I just wanted to clarify this. If you did mean “all” mom bloggers, then you need not stereotype people.

By FinanceBuzz

August 19, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this

I love it. She freely admits her husband’s support depends on the level of winning. Sounds like so many of the Bandwagon Bulldog fans these days.

As for longing for the mediocrity of Donnan and Goff, all the other folks in these parts who have to suffer the obnoxious of some (not necessarily your husband) Bandwagon Bulldogs are right there with you.

By slowgun

August 20, 2008 7:46 AM | Link to this

For Shogun: LOL at dissing football fans. Your screen name seems to make you one of those otaku/pervert JP wanna be’s. Do the honorable thing and commit seppuku. (gee don’t I sound smartie lmao)

By Dawg Fan

August 20, 2008 9:42 AM | Link to this

How many times do you ruin his Saturday by whining or delegating chores to him? You have a major attitude problem. I’ll bet his other 40+ Saturdays are a living hell with all the apple picking and BS cleaning you want him to do. Lighten up.

By Rach

August 20, 2008 10:55 AM | Link to this

I can’t believe people would give you a hard time about TEASING your husband and his love for the DAWGS. My husband is equally addicted and my family is a widow also. We even have to go to the Arizona game this year. Raising children is hard and yes also rewarding. I loved your email and saw all your humor in everything you wrote. If only people could be less judgemental in our world. I can’t believe some of the responses. It’s probably people without children….Enjoy our last weekend.

By A

August 20, 2008 2:31 PM | Link to this

I can’t imagine getting all worked up about a sports team. Would it really kill him to miss a game or two? I guess I just don’t get football and don’t get being so obsessed as to have it affect your family.