Friday, January 12, 2007

Cheap entertainment.

Being a stay-at-home Mom (I used to refer to myself as 'Stuck-at-home-Mom' because it was too much effort for me to strap 4 kids into carseats and then drag them anywhere in public by myself) means that I have had to be creative in life, besides through scrapbooking. I have gotten fairly good at 'games' and on-the-spot improvising...like doodling on the shower doors to keep my girls happy while I clean up.
I recently found out that iDog (the dancing, musical, light-up pet that Bella got from Santa) does its best lights and motion dance when I vacuum nearby. I guess it has to do with rhythm and vibrations...which is not surprising, I guess. I mean, don't you all want to get down like Nia Peeple's Dance Party when you get out your Dirt Devil?! =)
Besides iDog's new moves, I also have been enjoying the 'telephone game'. Actually, the kids are getting a kick out of it, and I am hoping to make a point. Probably not my nicest side to show you, but here is the truth. Despite trying to call the number to be taken off the telemarketer's phone list, we get a number of unsolicited calls each week. Seriously, I have had 4-6 calls a day several times the past few weeks. I know they are telemarketers because they call me "Mrs." and they always butcher the last name. Otherwise they are asking for Chip by his 'real' name...and nobody calls him that.
So, when one of these calls comes in, occasionally I am pleasant and tell them I am not interested and then I hang up. However, when my kids are around, or beat me to the phone, I hand the receiver over and let them chat awhile. Bella is especially good at this. She will tell you all sorts of interesting details of her life, such as her favorite color, what she ate for lunch, what letter she wrote on her pages at school that day, a favorite knock-knock joke, that her sister is an angel in Heaven, or what the weather is like at that moment in time.
Ava is trying to keep up. She will jabber, but most of the time you would need an interpreter to figure out what it is she is saying. Wyndham holds the phone and smiles the whole time.
The real fun of the game is for me to check the little timer on the handset when the telemarketer finally hangs up. That's the thrill of the 'game'...to see how much of their time we can actually waste for them. Bella has the longest running time, which currently stands at 4:38. Not bad.
I'm really just a Mom who doesn't care to hear about how low of an interest rate you can get me if I refinance my home, nor do I need an estimate on new siding, windows, or a roof. But, if you still insist on calling my home, I hope you know that you are adding to the fun and games in my kids' life.
I know. I know. You should have guessed that I could put a spin on something as annoying as telemarketer calls, huh? I'm telling you...if you haven't gotten the message of my life yet, it should be crystal clear for you today. Yep. There is a silver lining to everything in life. Even if you have to create it yourself.

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

I too used to be a "stuck at home" mom when it wasn't reverred to be that so I thought it was demeaning and not good. However being a "stay at home" mom is the highest calling any mom can have!! I only wished I'd known that back in the day!
As for the phone calls...we don't get those anymore due to (praise the Lord) the "do not call" list!!! When we get a call we know it will generally be someone for those living here.
I love to read about your creativeness with the kiddos!! Keep sharing!!

Christal said...

I SO wish I had your phone number.... Just so I could hear them talk away... LOL I love how kids are on the phone. Our youngest who turns 3 on Valentines day doesnt talk.... just jibberish but can sign me things I cant even keep up with I have only learned more, please, eat thank you and juice milk and such... This stinks at times and when he gets on the phone he just jibbers... people can get so mad too... But it is SO cute!

Carrie said...

I love it! That is hilarious! I should tell my mom to let her telemarketers talk to her parrot...

Anonymous said...

Jody,
You are too funny !

Actually, I have witnessed my teen-age nephews doing this very thing...carrying on a conversation w/ the telemarketers & heavily annoying them...but, for toddlers to chatter & babble....that has to take the cake !
Ha ! Happy Telephoning !!

Anonymous said...

I know from reading this that Jody cares as do so many others of you. I just found out about another family who is suffering and you can read about them on www.noahsteven@blogspot.com Very sad! I don't know the whole story but this is a family who is hurting and could use alot of prayer at this time!

Anonymous said...

Too, too funny! Brilliant idea!
You are one clever gal!
GO JODY!

Anonymous said...

I like that idea! Although my three-year-old would probably just giggle and say something to me and give away the fact that I'm standing right there. LOL.

Anonymous said...

that is hilarious

Anonymous said...

This is priceless!!! I don't get too many of those calls but I'm certainly going to try this. Thanks for the great idea!! --Amy

Anonymous said...

This is too funny! I am going to have to do this next time. LOL!!!!

Anonymous said...

That is to funny I would love to see the look on there face when your kids talk away to them. We don't get many of these call because I tell them that the a harasing me and I will be doing something about if they don't stop calling!

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the encouragement about starting every day new. I will try to keep that in my mind when things feel overwhelming. Your family is beautiful!
Rachel

gloria said...

i want you to be my mommy.
i could use a fun spin on things like vacuuming and telemarketers!!
'nuff said.

Anonymous said...

Too Funny! I will let Cole try this out - He would have a blast and tell them all about his Disney friends and Spongebob's ripped pants - goodness knows what else he will come up with. My hubby's favorite is to pull the Seinfeld thing where you ask them for their home number so you can call them back, because you're busy right now. And they say "Oh I can't give you my home number" and he says "Why not?" and they say we don't want to get called at home and he politely says "Me neither!" and hangs up! I would love to be a fly on the wall of THAT cubicle! Telemarketer beware - the Ferlaak's are on the loose!!

Anonymous said...

I thought that is why the telemarketer’s call is for our amusement. I usually keep them on the line to amuse myself, but I like your idea of letting the kids in on the fun.
Anyway I was just checking in to see what is going on with your life.

Anonymous said...

I love it!!! Do they ever call back again?

Anonymous said...

Could anyone get the noahsteven link to work? If so, what is the address again? The phone thing is a riot!

Sarah in VA

Anonymous said...

http://noahsteven.blogspot.com