Jack of all trades

No requirements needed. On-the-job training with 24 hour shifts and always on call. A job called "MOM" will turn anyone into an expert. Whats a moms top skills ? A flexible team player, leadership / management skills, goal-driven, organizing, problem-solving, reasoning, creativity, positive attitude and, excellent at juggling multiple projects. *JOB DESCRIPTION: Daycare, Teacher, Driver, Housekeeper, Cook, CEO, Nurse and General Maintenance , laundry machine operator, janitor, facilities manager, psychologist.*PROMOTIONS and BENEFITS: hugs and kissesSo whats your job worth? According to Salary.com a stay at home mom is worth $130,000.

Disturbing the Peace

Their is always so much anticipation for the first snow here in South Bend, Indiana, and we like to listen to people who have lived here most there life, believing they are experts at predicting the weather. Of course our elderly have been living the longest and we pass along what they say, just in case.

Adjacent to our home, are three little houses and in each house lives an elderly widow. Each with her own gruesome story's and always told to me when I least expect it. Story's that catch you off guard. Disturbing story not told about them self but only about the old woman waving to us both from her porch only 10 feet away. During the long months of Summer, I have witnessed many times one of them dumping things like bacon grease and kitty litter over the fence, into the others back yard. After a windy day branches and arms full of leaves are flung over the fences of the other. Amazingly for being so hunched over and and have to be pushing 90, the only way this is possible is shear will power.

There has been many arguments over stray cats. A dilemma for them as who gets to feed the cats. Story's of someone kicking a kitty dish off the others fount steep and saying things like "she thinks she owns all the cats in town" are only too common. One lady enjoys sitting and feeding the squeals. One day she had a sqirrel eating out of her hand, just as the other old lady was on her porch rocking and petting her stray kitty. Now there are many versions to the story, the cat ether leaped off her lap, or the cat being thrown off the porch and grabbed the squirrel and took off down the street.

As for the weather one old woman said to me "I have been living in this house all my life. I have had 5 husbands each one has died, and one I found hung himself in my basement. I have always enjoyed watching the squeals but never in all my life, have the squirrels acted so strange. It's going to be a long, bad winter this year, you will see". So after creeping me out again, I thought I would pass it on, just in case.

Ugh, Flu Season

It finally snowed on Sunday and white new fluffy flakes covered the town. Residents that have not bagged their leaves are relieved that they can now wait till spring. The roads are slippery, and the local news media can't stress it enough. They retell the story of the women who slid off the bridge into the river on her way to town. So now drivers are driving slower and drivers who already drive slow are now, driving even slower.

On Sunday we came to the conclusion our 3 year old had the flu. Rattling our brains, we came up with a short list of child visitors who may have left us a virus. Of course notty children were at the top of the list. Realizing later, tomato soup was a bad choice for dinner, the flu bug had been caught by our 8 year old. Shortly flowing our 1 year old who's second birthday was on Monday and celebrated only with saltine crackers and orange gatorade. Towels and wash buckets were being switched, and the washer was running nonstop. The familiar smells of flu season were quickly swapped with a linen scent, Lysol. With the never ending battle to fight off the germs by washing our hands and not kissing the children, my husband Glen and I , pale white went on pretending we were fine.

Glen went to the pharmacy Monday night in spite of the roads being so slippery and reminding me the woman who slid into the river did in fact survive. He came back with 2 different flavors of children's Pepto watermelon and cherry. Possibly hungry from not the traditional birthday cake, we found the now 2 year old eating the watermelon pepto at 4:30 am on Tuesday morning.
Calling the 1-800 number on the box, a womans voice said "hola"! Passing the phone to Glen, I glanced out the kitchen window. The moon was shinning in snow and I could hear the sounds of the baby asking for more, and Glen asking in a irritable tone "English por favor"? Thinking of the eight year old bottle of Ipecac Syrup on top of the refrigerator that I received for a first baby shower gift. I was Dreading having to use something that clearly read expires Jan. 2002. Glen put down the phone, "Well, good news. The doctor said he's ok and might just get a little backed up ." So putting the Ipecac Syrup back in it's spot, I tucked the baby back into bed. Singing him a quiet "happy birthday to you" then kissed him goodnight.

The Perfect Christmas Tree

Not in this house! Every year I have tried to have a beautifully decorated Christmas tree, but now with the boys ages 2 and 3. Being so interested in gravity, last year the tree was pushed over just about twice a day. Most of the ornaments were destroyed, every time the tree fell an angle lost it's wings and head. We got smart this year and put plastic ornaments up, but not too much later I've been finding the kids playing kick ball with them. Luck fully only one trip to the emergency room this Christmas, Baby ran into tree branch and pocked his eye. Today I really don't mind an ugly tree, I pick up the ornaments and just put them in the toy box. Still a star at the top and, hanging in the branches a bunch of wire hooks and knotted string.

Dirty Dishes Pile Up

Can't find a clean spoon? Guess it's time to do some dishes. An old dish washer will have you pre-washing and then rewashing . Growing up, my mother taught me don't mind a broke dish, as long as it is dirty. One less to wash can put a smile on my face.
My Mother also taught me about JUSTICE...
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you." But now that I have three just like me she's since apologized.

Time More Important Than Talent

Trying to balance your home and using your time efficiently, not so easy. Time wasted is life wasted . To effectively managing our time we need to get organized. Accomplish everything we want to do in a day can be summed up with a simple list . Don't forget to Identify your time wasters. The average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day 28 hours a week.
We use on average 15 hours a week on the computer . Think she has more talent than you? Not so fast, the only way to be good at something is to take the time to do it.

Family Dog : Disturbing Appetite

Duct tape ,String, Yarn ,Grass ,Barbie Leg ,CD's ,Lincoln Logs, Fuzzy Plastic Cat, Most of the Thanksgiving Turkey , Blocks , Collage Books, Arm of Leather Chair, Remote Control, Rat Poison,$80.00 Work Boots, 2 Day old wrist watch, Refrigerator Magnets, Dirty Diapers, and a Hammer.
What do these items have in common ? A puppy can destroy much of your beautiful home but with lots of patients you may one day have a faithful friend. From killing a mouse to barking at strangers. The day will come when you say '' Good Dog''!

OH CRAP!!

I got a e-mail from my cousin I read "I had my sonogram monday,baby was stillborn". Oh This is so sad. I called my mother and sister and told them the sad news. All day I thought of what I could write to make her feel better. I couldn't put it off, so I got up the courage to write her back. This was the hardest letter I ever had to write. " Dear Cousin, I am sorry for the loss . It must be very disappointing for you and your family. Don't be discouraged. Love has no boundaries . You are in my thoughts and prayers." People don't like sending cards for such things It's too hard to know what to say. By the way ... latter that night I read the sad letter to my husband "I had my sonogram monday, baby was stubborn".

CRAZY KIDS !!

Yesterday morning the baby got into the refrigerator again and took all the caps off the milk and orange juice and brand new grape juice. I caught him just before he dumped any. So anyway, during lunch the kids all wanted grape juice to drink. Poring everyones cup I herd " clunk" . "Wow sounds like ice, this fridge must be too cold''. The kids ran off to play and I went about cleaning off the table. Putting the top back on the grape juice and about to put it away and "clunk". "What is in this'' ? Lifting it up and looking close through purple drink...
Floating in the bottom were the toe nail clippers.

Christmas memories

Making wonderful memories of Christmas for your children this year with a little planning. Remember making out long wish lists and circling pictures in the toy section of the newspaper. Making Christmas ornaments , singing Christmas carols together and opening presents all form lasting memories. Food always plays a part in these memories. Many families have their own traditions that are recreated every year. If your family doesn't consider starting one! Handing down a tradition to your children can be a perfect gift in this fast paced world. Think of some ways to give your child wonderful memories of Christmas and what traditions you would like to hand down to them.

The Perfect Mother

One thing that makes a mother perfect, is her love. There is a little bit of our mother in us. Look for similarities between you and your mother . What are her values,fears, political ideas, types of friends, mannerisms, gestures, physical features? A mother is always a mother The relationship between a daughter and a mother can be loving and sweet . No one can take the place of our mothers and no one can take the place of us as mothers.
1927:The 'Perfect Mother' Test
WASHINGTON: Four affirmatives to these questions will make you a perfect mother from the Government's point of view. Is the food served nutritious, varied, appetizing, and suited to each member of the family? Is the artificial illumination of your home so arranged that everyone has a well-lighted place to work in? Does your cleaning remove not only the visible dirt, but also dust which becomes suspended in the air? Is the mental atmosphere serene so as to encourage the best type of work or play by all?

What is self kindness?

Self kindness is the process of simply being kind to yourself. Self kindness is merely asking "what is the kind thing to do?. Learning to treat yourself kindly. Kindness becomes the basis of your relationship with yourself. The more you extend kindness to yourself the more it will become your natural response to others. How will you be kind to your self today?

How to Do It All and NOT Be Exhausted

1. Be clear about what you are trying to achieve.
2. Take time at the beginning or end of each day to plan.
3. List everything you want and need to do.
4. Number each item in order of priority.
5. Lose tasks that do not help you achieve your goals . Place a value on your time, value your time at $25an hour.
6. Do one thing at a time, and see the task through to completion before starting something else. Switching between tasks can be a huge time waster.
7. Attack the tough top priority jobs first. Most people have a tendency to do all the little tasks first so they can get them out of the way. It is more effective to start with the highest priority task. Ask yourself, “What one task if completed would have the greatest positive impact on achieving my goals?” Try completing this task first.
8. make a decision and act on it immediately.
9. Don’t take on more than you can handle. If you can’t fit it in, say no.
10. Enjoy a little quiet time and Plan to spend a few hours away from the house each week - alone. simply go for a walk, you have to make the time.

The Miracle of Forgiveness

If you haven't forgiven yourself of something, how can you forgive others? The supreme act of courage is that of forgiving ourselves. That which I was not but could have been. That which I would have done but did not do.Forgiveness is not an occasional act. It is a permanent attitude.To forgive is the highest, most beautiful form of love. In return, you will receive untold peace and happiness.
What will you forgive yourself for ?

How to Be the Perfect Housewife

How to Be Perfect.Lessons in cooking, sewing, ironing, dressing, folding napkins, serving a formal dinner and adding feminine flourishes to a home, flowers in the bathroom and initials embroidered on the towels.

The Key to Success

The meaning of life is to give life meaning. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. What do you love about your life and why do you love it ?