Chronicles of Mommyhood

Spring has Sprung

Well the weather (and my mood) have improved a whole lot since my last post.   I am so happy about the change of seasons.  Last week I did some spring cleaning and we have been spending almost every evening outdoors. 

Not much else going on in this neck of the woods.   Just thought I would drop in and post, even though I don't have much to post about. 

What Happend to Spring?

I had to turn my heat on tonight!   It's May 21st and I had to turn my heat on.  It has been raining like every other day in this neck of the woods and to be honest with you it is really REALLY getting depressing!  I really feel a difference in my mood. I don't want to get up in the morning, I want to climb in bed as soon as I get home, I am easily agitated.   I am just not myself.  Spring is usually my favorite time of year, but it is hard to get excited about it when the sun refuses to shine.   It's like I have this weird extended PMS. Is this what they call seasonal depression? 

"Don't Sit Down and Wait for the Opportunities to Come.  Get Up and Make Them!"

                                                                     Madame C.J. Walker

Never to Early to Learn About the Rewards of Saving

Yesterday Gavin brought his first scooter.  Yes you read it correctly he brought it with his very own money.   For the past few months Gavin has been saving money in his green piggy bank for a new scooter.  I am not sure where he even got the idea that he wanted a scooter but he did so Cle told him he should put his money in the piggy bank and when he had enough he would be able to buy a scooter.  I was really surprised at how diligent he was about saving his money.   Every time he found change he would say "this is for my scooter.   If some one would give him change or if you would dare leave a quarter on the kitchen counter he'd claim it.  So this week he cashed in is bank, $59.83!   Toy's R Us was running a sale so he was able to buy his very own Spiderman scooter AND matching helmet and pads!    I am so glad he was able to grasp the concept of saving so early.  I really feel this is a great lesson for him to learn so early.  Maybe he will have a greater appreciation for his scooter as well. 

Watching him ride the thing is a totally different story!   I get so nervous!   I think I would feel a little better if he were riding a bike, but he wanted a scooter and Daddy seems to think he'll  be just fine.   

 

Baracky

Today is the PA primary.  I finally get to vote!   Check out this hilarious Youtube video framing the PA Primary through campaign speeches and the movie Rocky. Includes video from Friday's Obama rally in Philly, which drew an estimated 35,000 people!   

http://www.philly.com/philly/hp/news_update/Obama_vs_Clinton_BARACKY.html

Conversations with the 3 year old

I am constantly amazed at the conversations I have with the 3 year old MAN who lives in my house.   It's like his little brain is developing right before my eyes, and the funny thing is, he knows it, and he thinks he is smarter than we are.   Friday, I locked out cat Dusty or Dougie as Gavin calls him out in the sun porch by mistake so as I let him in I'm apologizing right, "Oh Dusty I am so sorry I did not mean to lock you out"   Mr. Gavin stops what he is doing to watch me as I pick the cat up and continue to talk to him, nothing new about that, we always talk to the cat.  Well Mr. Smartypants 3 year old says to me

"Mommy, the cat can't talk, HE a Cat"

My response to Mr. Smartypants "Gavin I know that, but I was talking to him" 

Mr. Smartypants "BUT......he a cat"

Me:  "You mean HE'S a Cat, use correct grammar if you are going to correct your mother, HE's a CaT"

Smartypants:  (repeating after me) "HE's a cat and HIM can't talk"

Me: (correcting him):  HE can't talk

Smartypants:  (frustrated and wide eyed) "RIGHT, HE a CAT!"

I guess I've been told. 

Gavin Update

It seems like it has been a while since I did a Gavin update.  I have received a few e-mails requesting Easter pictures.   It has taken me a while to get around to downloading the few shots I got of Gavin in his Easter suit.  He usually loves taking pictures but he was not to happy to take pictures on Easter, we had to bribe him with candy, and that didn't even work later in the day!    But her are a few shots of what seems to be becoming his traditional Easter suit and sunglasses pose. Here is a shot of '07 I believe he had glasses in 'o6 as well, no glasses but here is '06 Easter sunday morning.

10 Tips

Sorry I have been MIA for a while.  I have been helping a good friend plan her wedding, working on a project for church and trying to boost my vitality and make the best use of my time    Over the past couple of weeks, I have been confronted with a quite a few situations that have reminded me that I have been not living up to my word for the year Vitality.  In January I waxed all philosophical asking my self what do I need to do to boost my vitality what large life changes do I need to make in order to live a more purposeful and meaningful existence?    Recently I haven't really felt full of mental and physical strength and vigor.  I've felt like I am always rushing around and always tired.  I realized that planning was really the key to this whole vitality thing.   With coordinating the wedding, I didn't feel as stressed because I took time to plan and set aside time.  But with my other projects and home stuff I was running around like a chicken with her head cut off!    The I ran across this little list called 10 Tips to Boost Your Vitality.  Some one emailed them to me so I don't even know where they came from.  I just thought I would share them here because they have been really helpful to me.

1. Try a cup of tea in the afternoon - it can revive and refresh you. (I did this for a couple days instead of coffee and really felt the difference, I like Kalahari Red Tea)
2. Plan meals so your leftovers can be used to create interesting dishes and lighten your cooking over the course of the week.
3. If you find your produce going bad, try buying frozen vegetables and fruit without sauce to stock your freezer - they’re just as nutritious as fresh.
4. While lying in bed, concentrate on your breathing and relax one part of your body at a time. This form of meditation can help free your mind from the stresses of the day. (I've been doing this every morning instead of bolting out of bed in a mad frenzy)
5. Park your car as far away from the door as possible when going to work or to the store. It will add a little extra exercise to your day.
6. Invoke a positive memory daily - recall the sights, smells, and sounds to bring it to life. (nice during that little afternoon tea break)
7. Boosting the nutrients in your food can be easy - try whole wheat pasta instead of enriched white pasta, add a handful of vegetables to your sauce, or use lean ground turkey instead of red meat.
8. Get your family involved with chores at home to alleviate some of your workload. (yeah I don't see this happening anytime soon)

9. Spice up your food with chili peppers. They have the phytonutrient capsaicin. Phytonutrients are being studied for their ability to reduce risks of the diseases of aging. Red chilis are also rich in vitamin C and vitamin A..

10. Take a minute to organize your day by making a list of the things that you must do. This sets priorities and helps you identify the tasks that can wait until tomorrow, leaving room for accomplishing the things you enjoy doing as well.(THIS is a LIFE SAVER!  I try to do this on the train ride to work in the morning. When I write it all down I don't forget, and prioritizing keeps me from feeling bad about the things that get left undone, especially when I complete the important stuff).

It's Like Having a Maid Just for Your Shower.

A few weeks ago my boss told me about this website called Bzz Agent.  Bzz agent basically helps marketers market products based on word of mouth feedback on products.  You fill out series of surveys and they send you free stuff  matching your interest and lifestyle.  Your only job is to tell your friends and Bzz Agent about how great or bad the product is.  I am all for getting free stuff.  Free is like one of my favorite words!  No hidden fees, postage, nothing.   

So I took the time to sign up and just the other day I received a Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic shower Cleaner.  Honestly this is something I probably would never buy, but it is GREAT!  I will totally be buying refills (did I mention that the starter kit comes with 2 large bottles of cleaner).  You just click a button and it cleans your shower it's awesome.   The Bzz Agent people describe it has having your very own maid, just for your shower.  LOL!  I've always wanted a maid. So go and check Bzz Agent out!