As a long-time member of the PTA, I have sat through more meetings than I can possibly count. This year, I am a member of the executive board for two different PTAs. That is double the commitment, double the interactions, and double the meetings. One thing you should know about me is I like my meetings quick and to the point. If a meeting drags out for too long, I tend to find myself looking for ways to stay amused.

Just the other day, I discovered some really interesting ways to pass the time while sitting through a three hour middle school PTA meeting. I thought I would share some of them with you in case you find yourself stuck in a meeting – any meeting – that lasts too long for your attention span.

Today wraps up a long and more eventful-than-I-would-have-liked Winter school break for the kids. Normally, I am one of those moms who loves the breaks. I like the relaxed flow of the day. I enjoy not being stressed about getting each child from one place to another and actually remembering which one goes where at what time. Yes, for us, a couple of weeks without strict structure helps each of us unwind a bit.

I know it is politically incorrect for a mom to admit that she has a favorite child, but I do. I can't help it. When you have three kids who all have such different personalities, it's only human to have a favorite.

I have a favorite child. But don't tell them.

While visiting my sister over the Thanksgiving holidays, I watched her for hours as she was participating in her new obsession: cutting coupons. Yes, I admit it was much like watching an infomercial. You cannot believe you are watching it, but there really is nothing else to entertain you.

Then she told me she saved over $70 at the store when she used her coupons. My jaw hit the floor. That is a lot of money to save. I could totally get on board with that!

Hello! My name is Jennifer, and I am a catalog-a-holic. I love that this time of year brings catalogs for just about anything you can think of – so many catalogs, I could wallpaper my entire home with them! When these beautiful catalogs arrive in the mailbox, I practically skip up my sidewalk and back to my house to devour them in private.

Yes, I said devour. I pour over each and every one of them as if they hold the hidden key to the universe. Truthfully, many of them barely hold one item that I would consider purchasing or even admit to knowing about. But the fascination is there.