I loved Saturday Morning Cartoons with my sister. We would sit about 3 centimeters in front of the 22 inch TV screen in our nightgowns on the cold floor with our chins on our knees stretching out the front of our pjs over our legs. We would break during commercial for cereal and milk! (except for the unexpected morning Dad said, "Let's get donuts" and the cereal AND milk were poured back into the box!) We would run right back to watch the Smurfs or Muppet Babies, by the time my brother woke up and decided it was his time to watch HeMan, GI Joe, or other such nonsense we were typically bored and ready to get dressed to run around outside.
However, all was not lost on those days in front of the tube, I learned some things that I would never forget, maybe you had the same Saturday education....
or this one, the VERY popular government video:
one more, this one is my favorite, must be the English teacher in me:
Speaking of interjections! I uttered some last night as I watched an opossum eat our cat's food! But that is for another post.
And just because I have 70's and 80's TV on the brain how about one last stroll down TV memory lane, we can all sing together!
Have a great day and try not to whistle Conjunction Junction what's your function!
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
October 8, 2009
October 3, 2009
Count your blessings....really
One thing this year has taught me is to count my blessings and to thank God for all of them, even those things that are often overlooked - like those nifty seat warmers on a cold morning! So today I'm taking a moment to think about those blessings that have enriched my life. Funny how many we have when we stop and think about it. Have a great weekend!
September 23, 2009
September 22, 2009
Irrational..part 2
See how irrational I am with this fear...it took me a week to gather enough time gumption to get back to the story! So where were we....oh yes, I was pounding on the bathroom door for dear life!
Well my pounding and screaming was pointless - NOBODY could hear me (except for the vending machine guy who decided it wasn't anything worth checking out!!!)
I was guarding the door so that if someone came in we wouldn't both be locked in, after about 20 minutes I gave that up because at the other end of the bathroom there were some lockers. I was hoping I could look and see if I could find something to help me break OUT of the bathroom. As I was inspecting these lockers I saw a door at the end of the hall. I prayed then I checked to see if it was unlocked, it was! It opened into a HUGE, DARK gymnasium. I thought if I get locked in this gym that is it I'm done for.
By this time I had been gone about 25 minutes and I was ready for this adventure to be over. I just decided to hope the gym doors were unlocked. I pushed they opened and I was spit right out into the foyer. Just like that I was back in the land of the living and it was GREAT!
The first person I saw I wanted to hug because I was ALIVE! It was the vending machine guy who I told my plight too (I just wanted to know if he had keys to UNLOCK the bathroom) he said, "Oh so that was you, I just thought it was some kid screaming!" Thanks mister, then I didn't want to hug him anymore!
Next I saw a custodian to the building and I said, "Sir I was just locked IN the ladies bathroom, could you please go and unlock it so NOBODY else gets locked in." He assured me he would immediately take care of the problem - he didn't!
The next person I saw was dear Auntie who looked at me quite quizzically, in a way, I promise, only she is capable of. I spilled the whole story and in true Auntie fashion she took off to find the powers that be and tell them to unlock their bathroom. They said, "thanks for telling us!"
So one vending machine dude who is so busy with his coke he doesn't care about the world, one nonchalant power-that-bes, an MIA custodian, an incredulous Auntie, and a slightly unnerved me. Auntie and I sat in silence for a bit, then alternated with nervous chuckles, then silence, then the "what if it was one of our kids...".
FINALLY it was time to leave and I just couldn't leave the public nuisance alone. I made our whole group trek over there and go into the bathroom, shut the door and see if they could get out. They couldn't! I felt validated and let them out!
Then I saw a lady apparently working on her bible classroom. I thought I would have a chat with her:
ME: Excuse me.
HER: Yes
ME: I just spent about half an hour in your bathroom
HER: (nervously looking at me) Ohhhhh yeah...
ME: YES! I was locked in there
HER: (nervous look dissipated to reveal disbelief) REALLY
ME: Yes, look at my hands (they were literally bruised from beating on the door -remember irrational fears)
HER: I'm so sorry
ME: Yes, can we please get the problem fixed because I have told several people and they haven't fixed the issue
HER: Ok let's go see what we can do
So I follow her until she finds a second sweet custodian (here fore recognized as 2SC).
HER: oh, hi this lady was locked in our bathroom
2SC: huh??
HER: yes, she said she was locked in, can you fix it
The 2SC goes to the bathroom in question and opens the door an then turns to us and says, "It is not locked"
At this point a little bit annoyed I said, "NOO, The inside!"
2SC jiggles the inside handle and says, "OHHHH YEAH, it IS!"
I said, "yeah, I know!"
Well my pounding and screaming was pointless - NOBODY could hear me (except for the vending machine guy who decided it wasn't anything worth checking out!!!)
I was guarding the door so that if someone came in we wouldn't both be locked in, after about 20 minutes I gave that up because at the other end of the bathroom there were some lockers. I was hoping I could look and see if I could find something to help me break OUT of the bathroom. As I was inspecting these lockers I saw a door at the end of the hall. I prayed then I checked to see if it was unlocked, it was! It opened into a HUGE, DARK gymnasium. I thought if I get locked in this gym that is it I'm done for.
By this time I had been gone about 25 minutes and I was ready for this adventure to be over. I just decided to hope the gym doors were unlocked. I pushed they opened and I was spit right out into the foyer. Just like that I was back in the land of the living and it was GREAT!
The first person I saw I wanted to hug because I was ALIVE! It was the vending machine guy who I told my plight too (I just wanted to know if he had keys to UNLOCK the bathroom) he said, "Oh so that was you, I just thought it was some kid screaming!" Thanks mister, then I didn't want to hug him anymore!
Next I saw a custodian to the building and I said, "Sir I was just locked IN the ladies bathroom, could you please go and unlock it so NOBODY else gets locked in." He assured me he would immediately take care of the problem - he didn't!
The next person I saw was dear Auntie who looked at me quite quizzically, in a way, I promise, only she is capable of. I spilled the whole story and in true Auntie fashion she took off to find the powers that be and tell them to unlock their bathroom. They said, "thanks for telling us!"
So one vending machine dude who is so busy with his coke he doesn't care about the world, one nonchalant power-that-bes, an MIA custodian, an incredulous Auntie, and a slightly unnerved me. Auntie and I sat in silence for a bit, then alternated with nervous chuckles, then silence, then the "what if it was one of our kids...".
FINALLY it was time to leave and I just couldn't leave the public nuisance alone. I made our whole group trek over there and go into the bathroom, shut the door and see if they could get out. They couldn't! I felt validated and let them out!
Then I saw a lady apparently working on her bible classroom. I thought I would have a chat with her:
ME: Excuse me.
HER: Yes
ME: I just spent about half an hour in your bathroom
HER: (nervously looking at me) Ohhhhh yeah...
ME: YES! I was locked in there
HER: (nervous look dissipated to reveal disbelief) REALLY
ME: Yes, look at my hands (they were literally bruised from beating on the door -remember irrational fears)
HER: I'm so sorry
ME: Yes, can we please get the problem fixed because I have told several people and they haven't fixed the issue
HER: Ok let's go see what we can do
So I follow her until she finds a second sweet custodian (here fore recognized as 2SC).
HER: oh, hi this lady was locked in our bathroom
2SC: huh??
HER: yes, she said she was locked in, can you fix it
The 2SC goes to the bathroom in question and opens the door an then turns to us and says, "It is not locked"
At this point a little bit annoyed I said, "NOO, The inside!"
2SC jiggles the inside handle and says, "OHHHH YEAH, it IS!"
I said, "yeah, I know!"
September 13, 2009
Irrational....
Have you ever had an irrational fear? I tell my kids all the time there are no such things as: monsters in the closet, ghosts under the bed, or zucchini in the muffins. Those are things not to fear, but I have been dealing with claustrophobia since I turned 32. Maybe it had been there longer than that but the first time I ever noticed it was on the submarine ride at Disney.
My then 10 year old DD and I went on her 10 year old trip and she wanted to ride the newly opened and very popular Nemo submarine ride. So it was the end of the evening and the line wasn't too long so we decided to go on it. We got on and toured the under land attraction and then were preparing to ascend. No big deal, but we stopped....underwater, there was some sort of submarine traffic ahead. The college girl running the ride kept making underwater stop lightjokes remarks and I started getting cold sweats. My mind kept racing about how I didn't like this and I wanted off RIGHT THIS MINUTE; however, my daughter and about 15 other nearby children kept me from losing it and trying to remain composed.
The little girl and her mother sitting next to me were having this wonderfully entertaining conversation that WASN'T helping:
girl: So are we really underwater
girl's mom: yep
girl: so we are waiting underwater and if I opened this window water would pour in
girl's mom: yep
girl's brother: in WWII some poor soldiers died like that
girl: really, Mom is that true?
girl's mom: yep
At this point I had my forehead pressed to the 12 in porthole that had been Disney's view for my underwater attraction and I was praying for dear life to keep my composure and not grab the college girls leg and beg to be let off. Finally we did ascend and once on dry ground I was much better and was berating myself for How Silly I Was.
Fast forward a year and I found myself in another situation. I visited my sweet sister in law and nephews in Fort Worth. It was summer on a Monday and it was hot and sticky so we all decided to go to a play place in a church building (we could never attend a place like that - we would never worship - we would all be playing in the foyer ) to beat the heat. So we go and the cousins are playing and auntie and I are sitting and I told her I would be right back I just needed to go to the bathroom. She said no problem, pointed me in the right direction and off I went.
Then dear auntie waited and waited and waited. I did not come right back and she just didn't know what to do. She thought it is NOT POLITE to go into a bathroom and say ARE YOU DONE? Our family has been known to have a stomach issue or two (well the men have)...Plus she was watching the kids and she didn't know if she should bring them all down and take them with her, she also knew that I had been sick and was dizzy the day before....OK she decided to give me 5 more minutes then she was coming to investigate.....
In the meantime in the bathroom, I would have said, "5 minutes NOTHING COME LET ME OUT!" I would have said that if I could, but I couldn't, because I was locked in the bathroom.
Give you a second to digest that....
In one of those HUGE MEGA CHURCH bathrooms!
The kind that was granite inside so when you screamed it just echoed right back at you! (Ask me how I know that!)
The kind with the 20 inch thick doors that laugh at you when you pound on them to let someone know to LET you out!
So you can just imagine my state of mind. I went to the bathroom, washed my hands, turned the handle to leave and NOTHING. No budge, no nothing
Want to know what happened next...... part 2 tomorrow.....
My then 10 year old DD and I went on her 10 year old trip and she wanted to ride the newly opened and very popular Nemo submarine ride. So it was the end of the evening and the line wasn't too long so we decided to go on it. We got on and toured the under land attraction and then were preparing to ascend. No big deal, but we stopped....underwater, there was some sort of submarine traffic ahead. The college girl running the ride kept making underwater stop light
The little girl and her mother sitting next to me were having this wonderfully entertaining conversation that WASN'T helping:
girl: So are we really underwater
girl's mom: yep
girl: so we are waiting underwater and if I opened this window water would pour in
girl's mom: yep
girl's brother: in WWII some poor soldiers died like that
girl: really, Mom is that true?
girl's mom: yep
At this point I had my forehead pressed to the 12 in porthole that had been Disney's view for my underwater attraction and I was praying for dear life to keep my composure and not grab the college girls leg and beg to be let off. Finally we did ascend and once on dry ground I was much better and was berating myself for How Silly I Was.
Fast forward a year and I found myself in another situation. I visited my sweet sister in law and nephews in Fort Worth. It was summer on a Monday and it was hot and sticky so we all decided to go to a play place in a church building (we could never attend a place like that - we would never worship - we would all be playing in the foyer ) to beat the heat. So we go and the cousins are playing and auntie and I are sitting and I told her I would be right back I just needed to go to the bathroom. She said no problem, pointed me in the right direction and off I went.
Then dear auntie waited and waited and waited. I did not come right back and she just didn't know what to do. She thought it is NOT POLITE to go into a bathroom and say ARE YOU DONE? Our family has been known to have a stomach issue or two (well the men have)...Plus she was watching the kids and she didn't know if she should bring them all down and take them with her, she also knew that I had been sick and was dizzy the day before....OK she decided to give me 5 more minutes then she was coming to investigate.....
In the meantime in the bathroom, I would have said, "5 minutes NOTHING COME LET ME OUT!" I would have said that if I could, but I couldn't, because I was locked in the bathroom.
Give you a second to digest that....
In one of those HUGE MEGA CHURCH bathrooms!
The kind that was granite inside so when you screamed it just echoed right back at you! (Ask me how I know that!)
The kind with the 20 inch thick doors that laugh at you when you pound on them to let someone know to LET you out!
So you can just imagine my state of mind. I went to the bathroom, washed my hands, turned the handle to leave and NOTHING. No budge, no nothing
Want to know what happened next...... part 2 tomorrow.....
September 12, 2009
What did you do on....
July 10, 2009? I went to CFA with my best buddy and her kids! It was great to make a fool of ourselves together all in the name of free food cow appreciation!
September 8, 2009
Mid-day funny...
The 4 year old dear girl is just full of little funny tidbits lately. Today we were discussing Nicodemus and how he visited Jesus at night, this led into a discusion about how to become a Christian and how to get to heaven. This is a typical conversation in our home, so I asked my kids to explain to me how to get to heaven. Little 4 yo pipes up and says,"First, you die!" We all had to giggle and told her that FIRST you had to obey the gospel and then you were free to die.
August 28, 2009
Well hello out there....
So it has been awhile since I have had anything to say in this little corner of my life. I was without direct internet access for the last 7 months and I tried to find times to type at the library and other places (thanks Shan!) but after awhile I just didn't have it in me to try to keep up and it was a blessing (more on that later!)
But for the 411 on our life. We never went to Alaska, I was sad but it worked out. My husband found a job in April in Texas and it was a great fit for him so he accepted it and stayed on instead of making a trek to the other part of the world for a 3 month adventure - how responsible of him!
My kids became very involved with the local ball teams and that was a new experience for us. They had a great time learning new skill adn I navigated my way around the political arena otherwise called "Little League!" It was an overall great experience and we will be doing it again in the spring.
We went to Napa for my newest sister's wedding and it was perfect! We had a great time and we enjoyed visiting our family that we hadn't seen in a long while!
For more recent news...we bought a house. The benefit of leaving CA for TX was the cost of housing. We never owned a house out there and now we have our own home that I could paint the walls purple with yellow polk a dots if I wanted too. It is a lot exciting and a little unnerving all at the same time. I didn't realize how much I loved the idea of being able to change my life at a moments notice without any permanent ties and now I feel like my wings have been clipped a little, but mostly it is great and it is time to grow up a little! We found a great house for a really great price and it has lots of room for our family!
We had been in our travel trailer up to this point so when we moved into the house the kids couldn't imagine the space they had, but even so they now reflect nostagically for our little trailer and when we talked of selling it they all said, "NO!" I find that a little sweet and confusing because I would never want to do that again, but it served its purpose and it was another adventure I can say I did and survived! I look forward to filling everyone in on my 5 month hiatus and on our future adventures. Glad to be back!
But for the 411 on our life. We never went to Alaska, I was sad but it worked out. My husband found a job in April in Texas and it was a great fit for him so he accepted it and stayed on instead of making a trek to the other part of the world for a 3 month adventure - how responsible of him!
My kids became very involved with the local ball teams and that was a new experience for us. They had a great time learning new skill adn I navigated my way around the political arena otherwise called "Little League!" It was an overall great experience and we will be doing it again in the spring.
We went to Napa for my newest sister's wedding and it was perfect! We had a great time and we enjoyed visiting our family that we hadn't seen in a long while!
For more recent news...we bought a house. The benefit of leaving CA for TX was the cost of housing. We never owned a house out there and now we have our own home that I could paint the walls purple with yellow polk a dots if I wanted too. It is a lot exciting and a little unnerving all at the same time. I didn't realize how much I loved the idea of being able to change my life at a moments notice without any permanent ties and now I feel like my wings have been clipped a little, but mostly it is great and it is time to grow up a little! We found a great house for a really great price and it has lots of room for our family!
We had been in our travel trailer up to this point so when we moved into the house the kids couldn't imagine the space they had, but even so they now reflect nostagically for our little trailer and when we talked of selling it they all said, "NO!" I find that a little sweet and confusing because I would never want to do that again, but it served its purpose and it was another adventure I can say I did and survived! I look forward to filling everyone in on my 5 month hiatus and on our future adventures. Glad to be back!
January 12, 2009
What I learned from TeenBeat....
When I was about 22 or so I went to my parent's home to help them pack up all of their belongings from our family home and prepare for it to be moved to their city of choice for retirement. I have a sneaky suspicion that the invite was also a ruse to make sure that I removed all of my high school memorabilia, as it was packed up in a box marked, "TAKE THIS TO YOUR OWN HOME!" I don't know WHY they didn't want to store my homecoming mums or Letterman jacket, but alas they didn't and I had to decide what to do with it.
I thought I better go through the box and purge a little before I hauled it home. So I tore into the time warp from the early nineties and meandered down memory lane. Somewhere in between my withered corsage from my first date and a MASH game with a favorable outcome, I found an old TeenBeat magazine.
On the cover, the one and only Scott Baio!
The cover also teased of a personality test inside. Well, since there was packing to do, my sister and I decided to take the test.
It was a test that would resonate with me (what does that say about my life - TeenBeat resonated with me - you would be hard pressed to find that sentence anywhere else in the world!) There were 4 possible outcomes all in the form of shapes. Your personality would either represent a squiggle, a square, a line, or a triangle.
My sister went first and she was a line (not much of a shocker there!) My sister is such a point A to point B person. She is always on the ball and very efficient at whatever it is that needs to be done. She will arrive at her destination early, looking like a million bucks, and very prepared! Yep, I'm jealous!
I went second; I avoided the triangle, which I believe was reserved for the truly weird (think Trekies) and the rectangle which was for the most concrete thinkers (this was heavy stuff - I mean it was TeenBeat). However, I landed on the squiggle.
Hmmm....let me see what does that mean? You will arrive at your destination in life at your own speed, on your own terms, and with many side trips! I wasn't too fond of that - nope - not one little bit! I wanted to be a line! I wanted to be efficient and early and....not gonna happen (especially the early part).
So fast forward 10 or so years and I look at my life and I think about that test and it is so true. I'm a squiggle. I'm pointed in the same direction as my line counterparts, but it will take me longer to get there because there are so many scenic side trips to interest me. Every time I have tried to be a line I just felt like an impersonator. I'm learning to accept that and embrace it and realize it is fun but quirky. (My stomach is lurching b/c I'm waxing poetic about TeenBeat!)
Some "lines" that I have met in my life have a hard time with the "squiggle". The looks of, "are you just a little different" don't escape me, because I know it well, it is the same look I give the "Triangle Trekies."
December 31, 2008
Goodbye 2008...
I can't say that I'm too heartbroken to see this year come to an end, it was one of those hard, wear you out, test your strength, and grow in wisdom years. One of those years that are so necessary for the refinement of our souls but are so heartbreaking and consuming. However, amongst the trials there are always blessings...my 2008 blessings:
blessed by a happy soul
blessed by a perfect 6th birthday
blessed by a mother/daughter weekend! 
blessed with a new niece!
blessed by our freedom
blessed by joyful moments
and carefree moments
blessed with sweet fellowship
blessed with a new sister
blessed with the new ages and stages of life
blessed with a rock solid, God fearing husband
and finally we were blessed with indescribable love
and the blessing of countless others whose images I did not use b/c I didn't have expressed permission!
December 24, 2008
Merry Christmas
I want to wish everyone a merry Christmas! We are anticipating the day to share it with family and friends! The kids are getting the "it is almost Christmas" glow and we are getting the "the chaos is about to ensue" feeling, but in a good way.
Physically I am feeling much better and am able to feel like myself again. Emotionally we are still taking it one day at a time and sometimes I'm overwhelmed, but it it getting easier to get through the days. Afraid of forgetting Timothy is the looming cloud, but I will always carry him in my heart and he left his mark on his Mama's heart just as his siblings have, so that thought carries me through as well.
It has taken me awhile to be able to post again, but I think I will be able to write with more frequency now, I feel stronger - at least I do today!
Enjoy your families and have a wonderful holiday season!!!
Physically I am feeling much better and am able to feel like myself again. Emotionally we are still taking it one day at a time and sometimes I'm overwhelmed, but it it getting easier to get through the days. Afraid of forgetting Timothy is the looming cloud, but I will always carry him in my heart and he left his mark on his Mama's heart just as his siblings have, so that thought carries me through as well.
It has taken me awhile to be able to post again, but I think I will be able to write with more frequency now, I feel stronger - at least I do today!
Enjoy your families and have a wonderful holiday season!!!
April 22, 2008
Just checking in...
I'm just popping in to say 'HELLO!" We have hit our busy part of the year. We have books to finish up to turn in to our ISP for school so they can tell the state "they learned something this year!" I have to finish up attendance sheets (seriously - I keep trying to figure out how they could possibly be absent, but as of yet I keep coming up with all present and accounted for! Maybe they should ask if the teacher is present!) Everything is trying to be all wrapped up with a nice pretty bow so that we homeschoolers can be presented in a nice tidy little package! He he he....
April 11, 2008
To be content...
I have discovered that I am not a content person! This is a very sad revelation. How can I not be content in whatever state I find myself (Philippians 4:11), speaking of the emotional state and not the physical state of course! It is also a startling discovery as I have always thought of myself as a happy and cheerful person.
My hubby is 85% sure that we are moving - something that I have desired along time! As soon as I hear the news I immediately start to wax nostalgia on everything California!
Then dear hubby is 50% sure we aren't moving and then I think, WHAT - I was so excited about moving!
Then dear hubby is back to 85% sure we are moving and I decide that there is something wrong in my thinking that must be fixed!
We have a family that is split in location, half in California and half in Texas. If we move to one state we miss the other and vice versa. However if they were all in one state (and I follow my current way of thinking to its logical conclusion), I would probably want to live in another state until I moved there.
I don't want to be a NEVER HAPPY person. I need to figure out how Paul was content even in chains. So that is my search to be content. Have any advice?
My hubby is 85% sure that we are moving - something that I have desired along time! As soon as I hear the news I immediately start to wax nostalgia on everything California!
Then dear hubby is 50% sure we aren't moving and then I think, WHAT - I was so excited about moving!
Then dear hubby is back to 85% sure we are moving and I decide that there is something wrong in my thinking that must be fixed!
We have a family that is split in location, half in California and half in Texas. If we move to one state we miss the other and vice versa. However if they were all in one state (and I follow my current way of thinking to its logical conclusion), I would probably want to live in another state until I moved there.
I don't want to be a NEVER HAPPY person. I need to figure out how Paul was content even in chains. So that is my search to be content. Have any advice?
April 10, 2008
What an amazing outlook...
I saw Randy Pausch on the Diane Sawyer program last night. The man has a very positive outlook on life even though he is at the end of his. I thought if any were interested you can catch up on his story here. You can also look on the Amazon website and look at The Last Lecture . There is a video clip on the page where Dr. Pausch gives the readers a synopsis of his book!
March 25, 2008
Just a question...
for you more seasoned moms. Do children ever remember to brush their teeth on their own?
March 18, 2008
How sweet!
I saw this today and got teary eyed when they were singing "It Had To Be You"! Now that is romantic!
March 2, 2008
Conversation with a 2 year old.
2 year old DD got into the car and we got her all buckled up and started down the road. Then the following conversation began:
Her: Mommy my back is leaking!
Me: (thinking Oh No I didn't bring a back up change of clothes for newly potty trained 2 yo) Oh no, honey wait just a minute and I will help you.
Her: Mommy my back is leaking! I don't like it!
Me: Did you have an accident?
Her: NO (said quite indignently) I SAID MY BACK IS LEAKING!
Me: Well did you spill something?
Her: NOOOO!
I then asked 9 yo DD to please look and see what was wrong with her. She started to giggle and pronounced that sweet 2yo was sweating!
Her: Mommy my back is leaking!
Me: (thinking Oh No I didn't bring a back up change of clothes for newly potty trained 2 yo) Oh no, honey wait just a minute and I will help you.
Her: Mommy my back is leaking! I don't like it!
Me: Did you have an accident?
Her: NO (said quite indignently) I SAID MY BACK IS LEAKING!
Me: Well did you spill something?
Her: NOOOO!
I then asked 9 yo DD to please look and see what was wrong with her. She started to giggle and pronounced that sweet 2yo was sweating!
February 29, 2008
The balance between me and them!
Oh the old See-Saw, what a wonderful thrill when I was a kid! It was so wonderfully predictable: what goes up - must come down! It was great to fly high and see it all and then come gracefully floating down contemplating what you saw (not that I was that deep of a thinker as a child - but it was a nice word picture!) Then sometimes there wasn't anyone to play with so you would just stand right in the middle of that piece of wood and see if you could balance both ends perfectly by yourself! I really believe that life is like that one person see saw game and you have to get it just so....I recently started exercising again (walking 3 miles around a golf course) and of course I have the little ones with me in the jogging stroller. The other day, day 2 or 3 of my new found regimen, the girls were fussing and squirming and generally displeased with this new hour of their day. I tried to make it fun for them with snacks, baby dolls and coloring pages - I guess I figured the more I put in the stroller the more fat I will burn - but I digress. When they were fussing and whining I was ready to say that I guess this isn't working and I will have to try something else. (balance going down) Then I stopped myself and thought, so I will add on another 10 pounds and feel bad because I don't exercise! That wasn't going to work this time either! That is when I made a CONSCIOUS choice to let this time be important ! I need this time and the girls are going to have to learn to enjoy this time too! (balance going back up)
Sometimes it feels so selfish to think this way. It really did bother me for awhile to take this attitude with my little ones. I wrestled with it and decided that in the end it was the best decision and now I guard that time like I do with my quiet time and church attendance. I decided that it was THAT important to me. (balanced??? hmm not quite sure!)
It is so easy for a mom to put everyone else in the household ahead of her, because her needs can wait! I think this overall attitude of selflessness is a preservation of the family unit, a working family shows a lot of selflessness. We all know the mom who doesn't mind putting herself first. You know, the mom who annoys her husband with all of her silly little notions and we just want to shake them and say seriously, DON'T TAKE HIM FOR GRANTED. We as a collective group typically just shake our heads and know she doesn't get it - definitely not balanced!
But on the other side of the coin there is the mom who gives it all! Then one day she wakes up and realizes that her toenail polish is growing out, her fingers haven't seen a file in weeks, the last time she moisturized was during the Clinton administration and her last haircut was before the writer's strike! Then out of no where
I do not want to live my life like this, it isn't good for me or anyone in my family. However the true rub of this realization is that when I do something good for me the mommy guilt starts, case in point the exercising guilt in the above narrative. I needed to do something for me without the excess baggage. I am a living person with needs all my own, taking care of those needs isn't self indulgent it is a necessity. (up and down/up and down - do men take themselves this seriously!)
So I will purpose to take care of myself with one extra a week, what ever it may be a mani/pedi, haircut, new pants or blouse, shoes or eyebrows. One thing a week I can do without feeling guilty, who knows maybe one day I will work up to two! I'm pretty sure most husbands would love the balanced wife over the martyr. So I challenge you all to do one thing for yourself this week; unless you are the dear girl with the nitpicked husband then maybe you should do something for him. Whatever you decide lets just try to make sure we are part of the balanced life. Hugs everyone. Liz
February 24, 2008
I'm Alive...
sort of, still feeling a little under the weather! A big thank you to Aimee, the most wonderful friend in the world, for filling in!
Pro 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
So while I have been under the weather we have been eatingpb&j light; so as I started to feel a little better I decided it might be nice if I actually served a dinner that actually involved dicing, sauteing, or a little effort. So I relied on an old standby, but I made a zestier version of the rice. It was delicious! It is actually my hubby's grandmothers recipe, it is a crowd pleaser for sure.
Spanish rice
1. Start with a small amount of oil in the skillet. Add 1 diced bell pepper and onion, saute. To this add 3 cups of rice - let it brown, but not burn in the skillet (If it looks to dry add a bit of butter to cook in)
2. In a stock pot add 6 cups of chicken broth (or water with boulion or Better than Boulion - my first choice if I don't have any leftover broth.) Add the rice mixture and stir, then add in one small can of tomato sauce! Let it simmer with the lid on until it is done - you will need to stir it occassionally so the rice doesn't stick to the bottom and watch the water level add some water if the rice isn't done but is starting to run out of liquid.
So there you have my favorite rice in the world. I grew up with beans and cornbread, but in this neck of the woods it is beans and rice - Ole!
Pro 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
So while I have been under the weather we have been eating
Spanish rice
1. Start with a small amount of oil in the skillet. Add 1 diced bell pepper and onion, saute. To this add 3 cups of rice - let it brown, but not burn in the skillet (If it looks to dry add a bit of butter to cook in)
2. In a stock pot add 6 cups of chicken broth (or water with boulion or Better than Boulion - my first choice if I don't have any leftover broth.) Add the rice mixture and stir, then add in one small can of tomato sauce! Let it simmer with the lid on until it is done - you will need to stir it occassionally so the rice doesn't stick to the bottom and watch the water level add some water if the rice isn't done but is starting to run out of liquid.
So there you have my favorite rice in the world. I grew up with beans and cornbread, but in this neck of the woods it is beans and rice - Ole!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
LinkWithin
