Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Procrastinate & GIVEAWAY


This is the view from one of the two computer desks in our home. Each have bulletin boards loaded with random pictures and notes for all to see. One is in my office, one is in the kitchen. Both have one thing in common, and it's hard to miss.....

This note--

Godson wrote it years ago when he was old enough to play games on our computers.

He was not happy about writing himself a reminder like this because it was proof-- with no wiggle room, that he was not allowed to so much as touch my computers until his homework was 100% done.

Godson is the master of homework procrastination.

Three times a week, homework is done at my house before his Mom arrives to pick him up after work. It's a push/pull hour or three, but together we've managed to always get the job done with a minimal amount of bribing on my part.

When homework started being assigned in the second grade, I made it clear that it was HIS homework and responsibility, not mine. Godson's Mom agreed and shared with him that she had no problem having a 30 year old second grader, if need be, so he got the "just do it" homework message loud and clear from the start. We also reminded him that we would not be missing recess for unfinished homework, he would.

But he still procrastinates like there's no tomorrow.

First it's the "I'm starving to death" snack necessity, followed by a call to both his parents--multiple times. Next there's usually something fascinating happening outside that he simply must show me. Then it's the backpack clean-out that leads to a lengthy debate about something totally riveting like the color of zippers. Occasionally he gets unusually creative and requests a hot bath-- Like that's going to happen!

But eventually the excuses come to an end and the homework is finished relatively quickly but with a big sigh asking why I made it take so long. Then, the now 7th grader, parks himself at the computer desk oblivious to life around him until his Mom arrives.

Today as part of Godson's procrastination attempt, he proudly announced that he's a whopping 4' 8" tall and that I need a new computer set-up-- a bigger desk and chair-- to suit his ever growing 80 pound body. I reminded him that I'm several inches taller and more pounds heavier than I'd like to admit and the desk and chair suit me just fine. He gave me a head to toe once over, realized he was busted on that approach, and went back to his homework.

Life is pretty simple when you're 13... Unless you procrastinate the day away.

********

Remember last week when I mentioned a GIVEAWAY??? Well here it is....

Thanks to the nice folks at CSN Stores, I'm giving away a $60 gift certificate good at any of their more than 200+ online stores. They have over 1 million products like shoes, furniture, baby and kid stuff, cookware, sporting goods, outdoor decor and did I mention shoes!!! So I'm sure you'll find something you can't live without!

I'm throwing in an additional $25 Amazon.com Gift Card because I love you all so much! (One drawing-- winner takes all!)

Entering the Giveaway is easy:
--Leave a message on this post and/or ANY of my NEW posts between now and Midnight Pacific Time, May 30, 2010. One entry per post but the more you read and comment on new posts the more entries you'll receive.

--Blog about the Giveaway (linking to THIS POST) and leave one additional massage on this post with your linking URL. (Good for one extra entry. Please, if you have more than one blog, only post about the Giveaway once.)

--You must have a blog to enter. No exceptions.

--Make sure your comment links to your email or leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

--As for Following-- That doesn't get your extra entries, sorry. My hope is that if you come back and enter multiple times you'll get to know me and decide if you really want to be a Follower or not. I hope you do!

Note: This is a one-time use $60 gift certificate from CSN Stores. CSN will email the Gift Certificate directly to the winner. CSN Certificate applies to merchandise only. Shipping is additional. Usual terms and conditions apply to Amazon.com Gift Card which will be emailed by me to the winner. Drawing will be random and results are final.

Remember, Leave a comment on this post and all my new posts between now and May 30th. The more new posts you comment on the more chances you'll have to win!

Good luck!
Welcome to www.TheFiftyFactor.com - Joanna Jenkins
Photo Credit: Joanna Jenkins
Disclaimer: I did not receive any compensation for the CSN Giveaway. I was given the opportunity to provide a giveaway for my readers and I jumped on it.

76 comments:

  1. I wish I could procrastinate the day away!

    Count me in for the giveaway!

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  2. You must have so much fun with your Godson! I know a little about procrastination!

    Your desk looks just like mine!

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  3. Great post! I live this daily with our soon to be 12 year old.

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  4. I love the message your godson wrote. That child writing is so sweet! He sounds like a pretty typical boy!
    What a great giveaway - thanks for doing it!

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. omg that would rock my socks off! And your Godson sounds like a God Send in many a lives he touches!!! <3

    I will blog you too!

    Happy week!

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  7. I raised 2 boys so I understand procrastination....

    Thanks for the giveaway...that's awesome.

    You know where to find me. :)

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  8. You are such a nice grandma!! So far, I only have granddogs but one son got married May 7th...wedding post here -
    http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2010/05/here-comes-bride-mr-mrs-alexander.html#links.

    I would love to win that giveaway...nice prizes. Folks could use that give card to buy my
    new poetry book which is coming out in a couple of weeks!! FINALLY.

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  9. As a procrastinator, I should post a sign like that.
    You are serving him well Joanna.

    and if this giveaway applies to bloggers from Canada,
    then thank you for the chance, how generous of you!!!

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  10. hey there Joanna! I'm so sorry I haven't been here in awhile, I'm finally back to making my rounds again. your posts are always so uplifting and entertaining!

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  11. "requests a hot bath" - that's a great one. Good for you to make him stick to getting it done.

    I'll admit that I procrastinate. I think Ellen DeGeneres said
    "Don't wait procrastinate now".

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  12. oh do I need to ask to be entered or is that a given?
    Yes, please I can use an online shopping card.

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  13. I can't believe that Godson literally asked for a hot bath! What boy wants a bath instead of doing some homework? (One that wants to get out of doing homework, of course!)

    What a wonderful giveaway!

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  14. I am guilty of procrastination, so I identify with Godson (such a cool name) - nice giveaway too.
    Best,
    Colleen

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  15. Oh I so recognize those procrastination techniques in my own boys when they were younger.. and occasionally in myself. :)

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  16. I'd take a hot bath over homework anyday. It sounds like he's got your number....but maybe you have his too, so it works.

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  17. I procrastinate by 'working better under pressure.' HA! It's getting harder all the time.

    Great giveaway, BTW. Hope I win.

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  18. YES!!!! This giveaway is open to everyone! Just remember the CSN card does not include shipping.

    Keep those card and letters coming!
    jj

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  19. Oooo, I guess your giveaway is even for those who live outside the US?

    Love your procrastination story... sounds like my kids when it's time to brush teeth and go to bed!

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  20. That sounds EXACTLY like homework with my 13 year old son!

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  21. what a sweet post. How wonderful of you to be able to have a boy like that in your life.

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  22. Hi Joanna...I did post the news about your fabulous giveaway on my blog tonight in conjunction with my Alphabe Thursday post:

    http://rnsane.blogspot.com/2010/05/r-is-for-alphabe-thursday-may-20-2010.html

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  23. Carmen at RNSANE-- A million thanks for the shout-out and CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR BOOK BEING PUBLISHED!
    j

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  24. I so remember procrastinating on homework. I hate it now...not homework...procrastination.

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  25. Thanks so much, Joanna...the title is "Life's Journey" - I'm just waiting to get the final proof copy back ( this will be the 3rd )
    - each time, I found a couple of tiny corrections. I thought I was done, then I had my son go through the last copy and he picked up a couple more things!

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  26. i loved this! how i´ve missed your fun observations. wish you were with me in morocco- your running commentary would have been brilliant. sending you a big hug hello!

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  27. Hey, I can procrastinate for Africa and I'm a teacher! Although I mainly procrastinate about such delights as ironing, cleaning out the pantry, changing the dead lightbulb..... Always love your posts Joanna!

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  28. I still procrastinate!!! LOL!! I need someone like you in my corner shooting down all my lame excuses so that I will get down to work!!
    Great post and a wonderful giveaway!! Definitely count me in
    Hugs
    SueAnn
    slommler@gmail.com

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  29. hehe, he loves being at your place, Joanna.

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  30. That vintage homework reminder created by Godson is precious!

    Kids never run out of fuel when it comes to trying to pull one over, do they? Too funny!

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  31. This is hilarious and the kid is a genius! What creative thinking!!

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  32. Godson sound like my son. "I need a snack! I need to rest after school! Are there any chores you need done first?" (WHAT?)

    and...I love giveaways!

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  33. Goodness, I didn't realize your godson is 13 already. I can just see you standing firm on the distractions he presents. Good thing you and his parents are on the same page with his procrastination. I know how much you truly love being part of his life and he is fortunate to have special time with you so often. I will put up a post about your giveaway and be back to let you know when it is up. Probably tomorrow. I'm so glad you like hubby's music and thanks for putting up the link to where people can listen and buy his CD. This is indeed an honor to have his picture and link on your blog.

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  34. LOL I'm already a follower, so the giveaway is a bonus (well, if I win...) for me.

    I'm a real type A, so generally I try to do too much, although I do have days where I simply crash and put EVERYTHING off.

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  35. Oh, and I blogged this give-away on my review and give-away blog: http://fab50review.blogspot.com/2010/05/fifty-factor-procrastinate-giveaway.html

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  36. awsome!
    count me in for the giveaway!
    louiewindom@gmail.com
    Loui♥

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  37. I blogged and here it is :)
    http://sassypantsfreckleface.blogspot.com/2010/05/awards-links-and-thanks.html
    Happy Thursday!

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  38. I love the cool reminder Godson left himself! Oh yes, homework and procrastination go together like spaghetti and meatballs!

    Woohoo!!! Ya know how much I love a great giveaway. Count me in!

    Ya'll have a terrific day!!!

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  39. Poor Godson, I was just like him when I was a kid. Cool giveaway, please put my name in the hat.

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  40. Oh, I am still your 13 yr old son. "housework first!" before blogging.

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  41. Thank you for your lovely comments lately Joanna! You are truely one of the sweetest people I've met via Blogland.

    I am trying to catch up with you! Hope you are happy and well.

    Hugs and love,
    T

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  42. Every family has one...in mine it's the oldest kid. He really knows how to stall on the homework front. He'd be great in Congress!

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  43. Great post Joanna, I go through this with my sister kids sometimes, take care. have a great day.

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  44. I must say I was never much of a procrastinator. One of my sisters took up that slack. She isn't so much of one now because of a bout with cancer she has learned to not put off for tomorrow.

    msgb245 at gmail dot com

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  45. It's so funny how kids try to get out of things. Love the note!

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  46. Wow Great job making homework first!!!!

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  47. I'm going to have nightmares about that picture. :-)

    Hey -- will include a link to your giveaway on tomorrow's post.

    Pearl

    p.s. Your grilled cheese sandwich is in the mail. :-D

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  48. Oh cool! I'd LOVE to win this!!!! CSN is awesome!!! I'm waiting for my prize to arrive in the mail. So excited.

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  49. I'd love to win. :)

    And the procrastination thing is soooo frustrating. My husband did it. My son does it now. I just don't get it. I was always a "let's get it over with" kind of gal and typically had most of my homework done before I'd even left school!!

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  50. I love CSN! Sounds like a great giveaway. I thought I had finally found one I was sure to win because I thought it had to do with procrastinating:)

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  51. I'm like your godson, I'm a total procrastinator, and there's always something to distract me, he sounds like a fun kid to be around

    thanks for your visit

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  52. Hubby is a procrastinator...I am not. I've been waiting two years for him to paint the bathroom :-)
    Yikes. Ya' know, I think I'll paint it tomorrow.
    Mary

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  53. Hi Joanna, I have a post up about your giveaway on my blog here:

    http://www.thetechnobabe.com/

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  54. I'm not much of a procrastinator...but I can totally spend hours reading blogs!

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  55. 2nd grader requesting a hot bath? That was priceless!!

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  56. Procrastination is the essence of my life! Happy to post your contest.

    Casey

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  57. I have to admit the kid has style on his procrastination tactics.

    I would love to win, but I hope I'm not eliminated because I'm on a blogging hiatus. However, if people come to my blog they do see you're on my blog roll-- maybe that counts? I know it doesn't, but like your godson, I thought it a creative suggestion.

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  58. You mean if I leave a comment here, I'm entered in the giveaway?

    I would have entered sooner, but I was procrastinating.

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  59. Oh what fun...Add meeeee please will add a link to my big blog:)
    I have a serious "your job" attitude with my kids...if they need help I am there..but if they choose to ignore it ...well.. they get to ignore the PS3 and games and outside fun etc etc..of course the chores are always available LOL!
    I have a friend who is an older mom of one child..our youngest have grown up together..they are now 6. She said to me one day when they were 4..as Nonni was busy loading the VCR and starting a movie for them..why I seldome lifted a hand to do for my kids? She was not being polite..I asked her if her daughter could work the computer, VCR and DVD player all by herself? She said no.... I said who do you think taught them so they could do it all by themselves? She said..."Oh."
    Sounds like you are doing an amazing job with him hon....he is a lucky boy!! Hugs, Sarah

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  60. WooHoo! Count me in :)

    You're a great homework coach :)

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  61. Entering and linking to my blog. Welcome to visit it, too!
    regs,
    Prefecta

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  62. Procrastination. I have quite a problem with that. LOL! I'm working at it though...

    what a great giveaway, too! yay!

    celeste@mail4me.com

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  63. I'm going to leave this comment right now lest I procrastinate and forget to come back! Thanks for the fun giveaway.

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  64. This sounds like my ex, actually! Count me in, please!

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  65. You are such a good person. I learn from you.

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  66. And here I thought the giveaway was the no homework poster! Loved the story - can so relate!
    Now it is me - I need to get my work done before I get on here!
    Great giveaway by the way!

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  67. Godson sounds cute! :) We all procrastinated I think! He is definitely a Master Procrastinator!

    stephanie_dunbar07(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  68. Oooo....Technobabe lured me here with talk of your wonderful writing...

    Your desk looks like mine used to...my walls were covered and it looked like that scene out of A Beautiful Mind (remember the garage??) However I am now starting it all over as I took everything down and painted, lol

    I'll be back!!

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  69. Oh to be 13 again and be able to get away with procrastinating the day away! You sound like you are enjoying him, though!
    digicat {AT} sbcglobal {DOT} net

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  70. I am the Queen of Procrtination and I'm a LOT older than your Godson. I guess you never grow out of some things. I enjoyed your post, reminds me of myself sometimes.
    HobartsMama {AT} AOL.COM

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  71. We just cleaned off our desk! Ha!

    BTW..you also need to blog about my all clad giveaway to be fully entered!

    Like you, I am hoping for loyal readers.

    I am liking your blog..mostly because you had the guts to post that photo of your desk!

    http://www.cookingschmooking.blogspot.com

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  72. THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED! I'LL DRAW THE WINNER SOON. STAY TUNED.
    jj

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  73. Simple? Snicker! That's because you are referring to a Godson and not a teenage girl!

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Thanks for stopping by and commenting, I really appreciate it.