S.tay A.t H.ome M.om at Work

Need I say more?

Blogging is pretty sporadic lately, folks, sorry for that.  The kids have recovered pretty well from their nasty colds and coughs, but now, it's my turn.  I tell you, it's like I stay healthy until they get well, and then as if justice hadn't been served yet, I come down with it. It's like moving in slow motion.  It's a cloud of fog and dust in my path, obscuring my vision and all my goals and tasks each day.  I found comfort though, and it was sweet and precious, from my little Entertainer yesterday.  These are the moments I hope to capture with blogging, which is why I force myself to type it up even when the tiny pixels before me are blurring in a fog of smoke. Mom:  Honey, why do you have such a sad face on? Entertainer:  I miss you, Mom, when I am at school. Mom:  You do?  Come here, sit by me and tell me. Entertainer comes over, hides her head in my neck, and mumbles:  I miss you. Mom:  What do you miss about ...

I know, I know, it just makes more sense to be on Fridays for me.  Small Successes help to recognize the small tasks we get done, so that we can see one huge triumph as they all add up one week at a time. 1.) Kept emotions in check during very difficult confrontation.  Spoke when necessary.  Was silent when necessary.  Left feeling as though I kept my dignity intact.  That just might be progress on the maturity front. 2.) Prioritized well - Sick kids home meant Mom's plans were cancelled.  Was good decision. 3.)  Learned valuable lesson:  Skipped meals makes Mom very cranky.  Now on 'to do' list:  Strike balance between the busy life, managing weight and keeping a happy home. In Progress: 4.)  Making plan to talk with the children & apologize for said crankiness.....perhaps over icecream. Have some to share?  Go HERE!

pic credit: portrait.gov.au Today was supposed to be filled with appointments and getting so much accomplished.  I was supposed to be tending to scheduled meetings. I had things planned for today.  I was up early.  I was showered, dressed and had my face on.  I even had earrings and a necklace on....hey, miracles do happen when you've got time in the morning. The day was mapped out, and I was ready. Then....life happens.  Two little ones come downstairs only to be measured with temperatures and their nasty cough was enough to keep them home from school.  I made all my calls.  Sorry, I have to cancel today's appointment, I've got a few sick kids home from school. Kids need their mother.  Kids need to know that when they ask for a drink of water, that it will be me, their Mom, that will get it for them, who will kiss their forehead to test for a rise in temp, or rub their back, or simply cuddle on the couch.  This is w...

Let's do a recap.  Do you remember our massive  Purge last summer?  Do you recall our garage sale ?  I tell you, we have slimmed down to the necessary and cleared a large space in the basement.  Since August, this space in our basement is essential to my morning routine.  After running the children to school, Babe and I spend the next hour or so in this new found space.  I exercise, he plays while glancing at a carefully picked out show of his choice.  It's become a daily habit now, and the day just isn't right without that hour down there.  I've come to appreciate how this one hour of my day can change not only my levels of activity or waist measurements, it actually changes my attitude toward the whole rest of the day.  They say exercise releases endorphins.  And I believe it does.  I feel better.  My attitude is one of 'anything's possible' rather than 'it probably won't work'....and that's big for a pessimist ...

You won't be sorry.  These are delicious!! Sarah's Banana Bread Muffins (allrecipes.com) Ingredients 1 cup white sugar 1 egg 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup vegetable oil 3 ripe bananas, mashed 1/4 cup chopped walnuts 1 teaspoon baking soda Directions 1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place muffin cups in muffin tin, or grease with a little butter. 2.Mix sugar, oil, and egg until creamy and light yellow. Add bananas and walnuts. Add flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir until completely smooth. Spoon the batter into the muffin tin. 3.Bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until toothpick poked in center muffin comes out clean. ( Closer to 30 minutes so as to not overcook).

pic credit:  gundluth.org Today is a special day.  I met the love of my life eighteen years ago and we were only 18 years old at the time.  The pendulum shifts.  Soon, I will have known him more years than not knowing him.  What a thought.  We were kids when we met, when I really think about it, but he fascinated me.  Somehow, he separated himself from the pack, as a deeply thoughtful, compassionate and strong man....yes, at 18 he did all that to capture my heart for these many years. But it was more than that, it was more than what you might see on the surface.  We had common ground on so much, and it began with a common Faith.  We met on a Teen Retreat several towns between his home and mine, and watching him teach others about our Faith, lead others to find God for themselves was captivating.  In my heart, I knew, not only could he teach me, he could teach his children. At times, I saw him determined, fearless, yet ready...

pic credit: superstock.com Today, Babe and I worked diligently to remove each ornament, wrap each one in tissue, gather the tinsel, pack the nativities and sincerely waved goodbye to the baby Jesus as he was tucked away for another year.  I thought I just might cry to see this little boy wave his goodbye, and say, "See you later, Baby Jesus."  Sometimes, snowy mornings make for great 2 year old activities. It really does astonish me that Christmas was so quickly here and then gone....as well as ushering in a New Year to boot.  Time is flying.  It always does, and it always amazes me that we somehow get through the month of December with some semblance of sanity.  It's such a crazy month, and it was no different this year. It was time to either buy more diapers in bulk, thanks Sam's Club, or potty train the little boy for good.  We had talked about using the potty for some time, and December, yes, our craziest month of the year, I just had...

(Faith and Family didn't have it up yesterday, as far as I can see....so here's the link to F&F .) I'm late again, I know.  But it is no small success to get posting every now and again....so here we go, Small Successes.....They really do add up to one big triumph. 1.)  Status on Christmas returns/exchanges:  Almost done.  Was denied on only one at Hallmark.  Guess what?  You can't return an unused, perfect condition, Christmas item.  Good to know.  Won't shop there again. 2.)  Bought art supplies for upcoming art competition at school.  Kids are thrilled to paint on such a huge canvas! 3.)  Taught children about not putting clean clothes in the laundry bin.  Each clean clothes item I find, I get 10 cents per.  Enjoying break from laundry.  Why did I wait so long to introduce such a rule? In Progress: New Blog design.  It's slow coming, but so fun!  Look for it!

Take a look - These are great tips, and HH and I have implemented many of them. He's at a 50lb weight loss, and I am at a solid 11 pound loss. It does work. Video from Foxnews.com. Use this link if you have any trouble: http://www.foxnews.com/health/index.html Watch the latest video at video.foxnews.com

pic credit: hzmre.com I tell you, these children amaze me.  Again, this morning during Mass, Thinker and I whispered a theological discussion like no other. It's the Epiphany!  The Magi visit our Baby Jesus, having followed the star from above, laying gifts at his feet.  And for this blog post, I thought it interesting to post the definitions listed for the word 'Epiphany'.....thanks http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/epiphany 1. ( initial capital letter ) a Christian festival, observed on January 6, commemorating the manifestation of Christ to the gentiles in the persons of the Magi; Twelfth-day. 2. an appearance or manifestation, esp. of a deity. 3. a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience. 4. a literary work or section of a work presenting, usually symbolically, such a moment of revelation and insight. Interest...