Friday Inspiration…It’s All Good

All week I’ve been planning a photo shoot with my partner’s son’s mother (doesn’t that just sound better than “ex wife”—how I detest derogatory titles?). We’ve been in communication about everything from what to bring on our picnic, to the all important, “will the rain hold off until…” Needless to say, the rain did not hold off.

No sooner than I was just a bit over half way to where we were to meet, it began. To top it off, it wasn’t warm outside at all! A glimmer of hope flickered as we arrived, but was quickly doused by rather large, cold raindrops falling on our heads (you know you want to sing it). We must have been a sight to anyone watching; two women walking hurriedly, carrying various bags, a chattering baby, with three other children in tow, trying to avoid getting poured on…too funny! If they only knew.

Nevertheless, we were not to be deterred; we were on a mission. One, I might add, we successfully accomplished. Amanda took some wonderful pictures of our four beautiful children. I am so excited, and can’t wait to see them. I am also very happy to have shared some time with another mom and a delightful woman. I am fortunate to have such a splendid connection with another human being…not many of us can say that these days.

I have listed a link to her blog site under “My Blog List". Her photographs are as lovely as she is. Enjoy!

Easter Basket Cupcakes...Today's Adventure

The day has finally come to accept that two of my four children are getting too old for Easter Baskets and the like.  They'll still get candy (or I'll never hear the end of it) and we'll likely still dye eggs, but this year, I decided I would try something a little different.  So, I made some cute little orange cupcakes with yummy frosting, coconut and jelly beans on top; the handle is a sour straw.  They're super simple and delicious! 

House Cleaning Made Easy (or at least less of a pain)

I consider my home to be above-average on the clean scale (most of the time), especially for a woman with four children ranging in age from 12 years to 8 months. But, for years, I’ve driven myself insane wondering how on earth my grandmother was able to keep her house so absolutely spotless in spite of children running in and out with muddy creek feet all summer long. In spite of the children having regular chores (yes, even in 2011, I still put my children to work around the house) and, in spite of being a stay-home-mom (I rather prefer “Domestic Engineer” if a title is required) I STILL can’t manage a dust free, clutter free, spotless home. Needless-to-say, this drives me NUTS! While I was lying in bed, no doubt obsessing over the last load of laundry I didn’t manage to get folded and put away, I had an epiphany. She must have had a mental list for so long that it just became habit. I am aware that this isn’t much of an epiphany, but at 1AM it certainly seems like one. Luckily, much like my grandmother, I too have a wonderful partner who is willing to share in these domestic duties without the weight of gender roles hindering our progress (not to mention catering to my slight OCD). Sooooo….I have managed to put together a list to aid those of you (male and female) who also wonder how your home is a mess in the morning when you wake up when you were sure it was clean when you went to bed (darn those messy house elves). Hope you all find this helpful.

Clean up the house before bed. (20 minutes - tops)

• Living room: Pick up and put away things, magazines, dishes, clothes, shoes.

• Kitchen: Clean it up, shine sink, lay out clean dishcloths, and run the dishwasher.

Think about tomorrow, today.

• Check/update calendar and/or planner for appointments.

• Start a "To Do" list for tomorrow.

• Think about: What can I do tonight that will make tomorrow morning easier? (make lunches?)

• Gather up items that you do not want to forget and place them in a spot by the door. Make sure you can see them before you walk out.

• Make sure children (and you) have their things gathered up and put away/ clothes ready for the next day.

• Lay out clothes for tomorrow

• Feed/water cats/dogs/birds etc.  (if you don't have these, one less step for you!)

By the way, don't buy into that "28 days to form a habit" rubbish.  Anything that we find pleasurable or associate with pleasure can become an habit after doing it only once or twice. That is how people become addicts. It feels good. There has to be emotional buy-in so that we believe the new habit is going to be better than the old one. We do what is "comfortable",even if we don't like the end result most of the time. It is familiar and safe. Consider how good it will feel to have a less cluttered home.  Ahhhhhhh......
 

Things I love Tuesday

A positive outlook in my own life doesn't come naturally or easily to me. It's something I have to work at every day.  I’m very good at helping other people see their “silver lining”, but I have a tendency towards seeing things in a negative light when it comes to me.   This is neither helpful nor is it healthy.  It’s time for a change.

One of my new goals is to identify 100 things that bring me happiness.  I have been inspired by a wonderful friend who sends out regular text messages containing a list of things she for which she is thankful. I'm starting my own version of this today (“Things I Love Tuesday”) and will update with 10 things each Tuesday for the next 10 weeks. I’m pretty certain that we all can benefit from soaking up all the wonderful little things in life whenever we have the chance to. Enjoy.

  1.  My friend, Michele’s, ever inspiring text messages

  2.  Sunshine

  3. Movies I’ve seen a hundred times

  4. Being called beautiful, even when wearing sweat pants and a t-shirt

  5. French pressed coffee (who cares if the coffee pot died)

  6.  John Saul books

  7. Chatting with a friend (if for only but a moment)

  8. Fresh fruit and fresh flowers (at the same time is best!)

  9. A toothless baby smile in the morning (it won't last forever)

10.  Feeling “normal”

Hello Spring! So Nice to See You Again.

To begin my very first blog, I thought I would welcome Spring back into my life.  Apparently the groundhog knows NOTHING!  We're beginning another hectic week here, but the saving grace is Spring Break, and not having to wake the children up at o'dark-thirty.   Other than a few scattered appointments and deadlines this week, I plan to enjoy strolling with the baby, soak up some sunshine with the kids and keep the windows open all day (and night if I can get away with it)! Spring! Finally, there is light at the end of the very long tunnel that is winter.

Fresh green grass, blue jeans and baby toes.

Flowers in the front yard.

Dogwoods with more blooms than leaves.

Pretend play.

Fluffy contrasts.

Black cats ARE good luck.