Supporting local business and the benefit:

Yesterday had my new-to-us couch and love seat cleaned. I was reluctant to do it myself, though it was in need of a cleaning. One of the deacons at our church own a carpet and upholstery cleaning company. I called for a quick quote from a place in the phone book, and while the deacon was higher by about $50 for the cleaning plus scotch-guarding I decided to go with him. My mom gave me the $50 for the scotch-guarding. I had $210 cash for the cleaning and treatment ($90 for couch, $70 for love seat, $50 for scotch-guarding). He only took the $160, stating that he appreciated the fact that we hired him and he called in the parish discount. Of that $50 - I put $25 aside for party boy's pizza pack from Little Ceasar's on Friday and I spent the remainder on the Back to School Roller Skating Party.

Taking the high road: (Disclaimer: non-finance stuff ahead )

I've posted her about my difficult ex-friend who is a busy-body, in everyone's business, has something to say about everyone's business, and ultimately attacking most of my parenting [letting a child "ditch" a school function - the year-end picnic in lieu of a day at the pool with her two friends (other ditchers); letting another child wear a strapless dress to a school function (despite being covered by a shrug), and other stuff]. Actually it was her child who kept throwing up these instances of how "good" my kids have it.

Fast forward to the summer: I took my child to a tattoo parlor for a piercing. [I sort of reside in Peyton Place where everyone knows everyone's business]. Ex friend has some things to say about that. Then she officially snubbed my child yesterday when she was walking down the hall (daughter was walking with a boy, while ex-friend who is all over the school said (daughter recounted it as "gushed") "Well, hello *L*. How was your summer?"] I had to tell my daughter not to let it bother her, ultimately the happiness of her life is not contingent upon the approval of anyone in that particular family, and to always be polite and civil in a Christian-manner.

Back-story to situation: A friend of mine from high school happens to have a son at the same school that my kids go to. He was a photographer for Playboy and happened to have married (and divorced) a centerfold. I was approached by someone I know from the young mom's group (years ago) who came up to me and said, "Oh, *D* is so beautiful and I've heard that she is pursuing a career in modeling. *A* (her child) has had such great luck with this agency - its Christian-based. I've heard you were going to be collaborating with *K* and even have *K* do her make-up. If you need someone reputable, I can give you names and numbers. I'd just be careful who you hook up with."

Turns out she heard it from ex-friend. So I must really be slipping in the realm of good parenting: who knows what I've let my younger daughter pierce? (it was her ear lobes, second holes) and now I'm grooming by 14-year old to turned over to Heff. Take me now, Lord!

The funny thing is: I'm trying to teach my child not to judge. And the other thing is: at my parish, you don't really get much more Catholic that my family. My husband is with the fraternal order and is going to be going into a life of service as a Deacon. I co-coordinate all the summer programs. We're the family that is always together and when one of us is missing we look out of place. I don't even know what to say or think.

Probably should just take the high road and ignore, but really ...