Need Advice?

Today I have been thinking about what all it has been to be a mom.  25 years to reflect on.  And it makes me really wonder what I wish I had to help me along the way.  You know the 'how to' books that you could have used way back when. Yeah, when I thought I knew it all!

Well as we all know babies do not come with owner's manuals.  Heck we never read the one on our new cars so what makes us think we would if it was issued at birth.  But sure enough we all need one.  Well Quirk Books has one that is just like that.  The Baby Owner's Manual gives you just what you need.  How to operate, trouble shoot and maintain for the first year.  Darling to put in the diaper bag for a new mom and dad's Christmas present or baby shower gift.  It looks much like a info graphic in book form.  Easy to understand and handles about every situation.  There is even an app, The Baby Owner's Data Tracker,  you can download so you have the answers right at your fingertips.

Well once we get on past the baby stage then we have to look at raising our child.  Parenting is a nerve wracking concept yet we all muddle through it some how.  Of course some of us are better than others.  And we all have those 'ah ha' moments that keep us trying our very best.  What I would have loved having is "The Best Advice I Ever Got on Parenting" to help me see what I could focus on doing better.  I will tell you that everyone gives you advice, some good and some not so good.  But to have some of the best all in one place makes a better 'bathroom reader' than anything else.  Why a 'bathroom reader'?  Well as any parent can tell you, it is the only time (maybe) you can have time to read!  I will pass on my sage advice.  Remember first and foremost you are raising a future adult!

Well I raised my daughter from a babe to a child and on to a young woman.  But what would I want to pass on to her for advice most of all?  How about what it is to be a woman.  I tried to explain to Dear Hubby woman are a whole different race than men.  We are the energizer bunny without the cute floppy ears and tale.  Yeah that had him thinking of an entirely different bunny right off the bat! But the next biggest issue is remembering your a Woman! not just a mom.  It is often confused.  Not Your Mother's Book...On Being a Woman is a great collection of stories from real women on being US!  From pajama jeans to hot flashes to less than perfect boobies, we all have those moments of real life.  Here is story after story of the great realizations that come to us during them. Also pop over and see new titles coming up in the series.  Why?  Well they are accepting submissions for stories.  I know the bloggers around here have more than one tale to tell.

So what is left.  How about what we forget about as moms.  That we are also wives.  Or better yet lovers, friends and sage buddies as time goes by to our darling hubbies.  Yes our focus for years is raising our bundles of joy into amazing people.  Then we find we succeed as they go off in the world.  As we slowly turn back into our homes we find this man who has been waiting on us to return.  Oh how our marriages need to be nurtured just as much as our children.  How do we do it?  Well do it all?  Why not follow The Best Advice I Ever Got on Marriage as a guidelines?  This is the one we should be reading while we are waiting to get the kids from school, in line at the beauty shop or sitting in the doctors office.  All those times when we are wondering what is coming up next we could be planning it out ourselves.

So yes, how to books, advice books, story books....all one in the same.  But oh my they could very well be the extra lil bit that makes your life from one of duty to one of achievement.  It just is a matter of what we are looking to achieve I guess.  I am thankful to have all four now from the publishers to share with you.  All I want to know is why did I not have them 25 years ago.  Don't wait around like me.  Add them to that to do list....yeah right at the top!

Needing a lil Jolt in Life

Whoot!  We are off to house/dog sit again for the next 4 days.  And then 10 days starting next week.  It means we have to pack up and move out (sorta) but also we have our own staycation too!.  This time no grandbabes but we will have College Girl out with us.  I am excited about that.  Time for me and her to rest, unwind and do a lil girl time.  But I promise the coffee  pot will be with us there too.  My goal of going without any coffee or soda for a week did not make it.  The 'no-caffeine' headache was too much for me to bear.

There will be some back n forth of caring for our own animals too.  I am sure that between Dear Hubby coming into town for work, college girl stretching her wings daily and Granny M all can be accomplished.  Mr C will be visiting family this weekend too.  I am hoping to do some cooking that I miss doing here at home in this heat.  Also a few books I want to finish up too.  Do you have multiple books that you read or are you a one at a time type?  I go back n forth.  Currently I am finishing up on two.

Jolt! is quite relevant for today's world.  It seems to have a non-stop go switch on.  Not much in pause these days.  And it becomes very overwhelming for most of us.  This year there was the “Disconnect to Reconnect,” the 24-hour challenge that asked dads to unplug on Father’s Day this last year.  To turn off all cell phones, computers, video games and the such.  Instead to connect with their families for the whole day.  And to realize the difference in life when we are not 'plugged' in.  I feel that some when I am doing this house/dog sitting.  Why?  Well our cell phones do not reach out there.  And even with my lil pink net book I feel like not being on as much.  It is small and takes more time.  Instead I find that I sit back, read, unwind and take pleasure in the day.  The way it should be at home! 

This should 'Jolt' you. Did you know that:

**65% of North Americans spend more time with their computer than with their spouse.

**45% of workers say they can’t go more than 15 minutes without an interruption.

**50% of people leave their mobile phones on when they go to bed.

**Workers report that they leave their mobile phones on during movies, church & even sex.

Seems we are needing to really work harder on our people skills and rely less on staying 'connected'.  Will you pick up that challenge?  If so how?  What are you willing to pull in order to stay connected to your family?  What seems to be the one thing you just can not do without?  Would you put it up for 24 hours? 

The other book I am working on is 'Ben Behind His Voices' which is the story of a family working through the challenges of schizophrenia.  Now with the fact that I deal with mental illness already, you can see why I would be drawn to this book.  Thankfully this is not one of the issues I have to deal with.  But oh how I can see the way it would pull a family apart.  It is so hard to explain to others what is going on in my head.  And why my emotions do not match others.  But to have to explain that what I hear, sense and feel are not even real.  Well, ok real to me but not to others.  How hard that is to do.  I am finding that I do have much in common with the way 15 year old Ben feels though.  I have had my own life spin out of control.  And have hated the effect it had on College Girl when she was much younger.  I can not imagine how hard it would be as a parent to have to experience this in your child.  What a helpless feeling it would be.  I love how this book shows hope and humanizes the problem of finding the right help for your child.  I do know it helps show the true courage of all those who fight mental illness. 

Thanks also to you for listening to me.  I have to say having this blog helps me more than you would ever guess.  It gives me a voice.  A chance to get out of myself at times.  And a connection to others.  You have been my life line many times...more than you would realize.  I also wish to thank those who send me these great books.  I love the reviews and more so I love getting to read.  What a wonderful way to have my own lil bit of therapy.

Spontaneity is in the Bag

Summer fun is coming up.  We are gearing up around here for time with our grandbabes, Princess Emma and the great nieces and nephews to visit.  Of course we do not have kiddos in the house every day so there are a few things we need to plan for.  Along with lil road trips that we will get to do from time to time.  I have been so lucky as to have some great ideas shared with me.  So of course, I am going to share with you too. 

First I loved getting a spontaneity bag ready for the car. Convert a hanging travel cosmetic case into a case full of fun and hang it from the seat back in front of the kids’ seats.  We filled it with travel packs of crayons, coloring books, mini toys (like from the fast food joints), snacks that can handle hanging in the car and bottles of water with sports tops on them.  Some of the snacks I included were Twizzlers Candy or Twizzlers Nibs Candy since they are one of our favorite non fat candies.  There are also Lances Peanut Butter and Cheese Cracker packages too.   I have to giggle as I have seen the grandbabes trying to make different 'works of art' with the pull n peel Twizzlers.  Have you ever done this?

I also have short day trip ideas on a note pad in the glove box.  There are kites in the trunk along with some great kick balls.  I have looked up online all the different things we can do in this area.  So yes, there is the local park.  But we can also do the lake for a day swim trip.  Pop over to a local dairy to see how it works and they also make cheese there.  We have a several big game sites in this area too where we can see wild animals that are uncommon for the area.

Parenting expert Colleen Burns was kind enough to talk to me recently.  It was even video taped.  So I will let you see her great tips for yourself.  She was willing to answer my questions for simple games and outdoor activities on a budget.  Colleen also explain how to prepare a “spontaneity bag” for spur-of-the-moment summer fun and she  gave tips for getting my kiddos out into nature whether it’s in the backyard, the neighborhood or off the beaten path.  Thankfully we currently have all the grass out of our front yard.  So it is a massive dig site for the kids.  Tons of buckets and shovels are on the porch with the ever present sidewalk chalk and bubble toys.

Here is Colleen.  Yes, that is my funny twangy voice on the phone with her.  If you want to try and win your own Lance sponsored Spontaneity Bag, pop over and share your own tips with them.


By the way I am entering a contest for a Twizzlers Landmark Summer promotion prize pack as a member of the Mom Bloggers Club.

Perfect Pairings: Blue Eyes

For this Sunday's Perfect Pairings (link along with That's Baloney), I wanted to share a child's eyes with you. And the verse I have for it is:

And the Lord appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day. He lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, three men were standing in front of him. When he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them and bowed himself to the earth and said, “O Lord, if I have found favor in your sight, do not pass by your servant.  Genesis 18:1-3 ESV

This is Princess Emma, I know you all know her.  And her lovely shining blue eyes!  I have to say that this lil lady has made my world one of joy that I could have never realized.  As I have said before she is my College Girls lil sissy but not my daughter.  She is the daughter of my Ex and JenJo (my friend and love).  And the group of us make a wonderful happy family.  Just goes to show that divorce does not mean all those horrid images at all.  But can be done with love and kindness.  Remembering it is the children who always come first.

We recently shared Beautiful Blue Eyes with Princess Emma as her newest bed time story.  It is another of the books by Marianne Richmond.  She has put out many wonderful children's books. Her career was launched by accident; she was diagnosed with a brain tumor (thankfully benign), the cause of numerous epileptic seizures through her childhood. During her five-week recovery period, Marianne created hand-painted thank you cards for her many well-wishers. With Jim’s, her then new boyfriend, and friend’s encouragement, she decided to launch her own greeting card business, Marianne Richmond Studios, Inc. As distribution for her cards increased, she decided to try her hand at writing a book, honoring her biggest fan, her now-husband Jim, with The Gift of an Angel.  Her books have continued and this is the latest one.  To celebrate that Blue Eyed child in your life.

She says in her book:

“I watched, and I waited 
as your eyes chose their hue,
deciding in time
on their beautiful blue.

Blue as a butterfly
or the sparkling sea.
Blue as the bluebird
who sings in her tree.”

Isn't that musical?  I love it and plan on sharing it with my other blue eyed beauties, my grandbabes!

And as always, I do not get paid for book reviews.  I just get to enjoy them.  Isn't that lucky?

Getting Serious

 First I wish to remind you that you have a chance to win 1 of 3 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping the New You books right here. Easy, Smeasy. Just click and comment!  Make sure you do that as there are few entries.

It is February and time to get down to business.  My family is already coming to me to do their taxes.  Oh how I hate this time of year.  I have to figure out ours too.  And of course there is the FASFA to do for College Girl so she can continue with her education.  Oh and let's not forget renewing of financial forms for our medication providers too.  This gets me all bogged down.  I hate being the one who has to do the budget, pay the bills and be responsible all the time.  AARRRUUUUGGGGHHHHH!

Well in the mean time, since I am having to be the adult around here.  And because I do research on everything, I figure it is time also for me to find some ways to help out myself and my family.  The bills here are killing us.  And it is not going to get any easier.  Now we are a family that really lives very low on the grid.  We do not have a single credit card for anyone here.  Yes with Granny M all the way down to College Girl there is not a single one.  We do have a mortgage that should be paid off in 9 more years.  That is before I am 57 so that is good.  It was a late start on buying a home and we are doing it in 15 years so we are content there.  But other than cutting off the heat or air and going with out phones or television, what can we do to cut cost?  Or better yet budget better?  In The Real Cost of Living I am seeing that I still have some decisions to make.  I can't control all of College Girl and I do believe she is right to be in school.  I am unsure as to what her degree is going to do for her though.  And she is piling up a great deal of debt that I pray she will be able to get out from under in years to come.  But we have to make decisions as in do we prepay the mortgage or is the degree worthwhile and do we work from home or should we buy that latte?  So many ways to look at what we are doing.  I do agree with the fact that money is not going to bring us happiness.  Instead it is what we do with our lives that will make us happy.  Or as the poster in my room says, "The best things in life are not things."

So how have you made those decisions?  Do you work from home?  I know many bloggers are moms who have learned how to take the corporate world home with them.  And now have business lives right in their living rooms.  Did you know on February 21st there is going to be the 'bathrobe holiday'?  Yeah!  And you can join in.  It is to celebrate those work at home mom's and dad's.  “It’s a national day to support entrepreneurs everywhere who are taking their work and paychecks into their own hands,” says Kristie Rimmele, co-founder of WebMomz.com.   Doing business in your Bathrobe Day is a great way to tell others about the benefits of working at home.  You can pop over and check it out.  They are going to have prizes and of course you can also win a new bathrobe.  I know I could use one.  But more so you can also read more in I Love My Life! which is a mom's guide to working from home.  With all the time I put into reviews here and my own life of taking care of everyone else, I feel as if I have an at home business.  And it may not be one that draws a regular paycheck but it does help me balance the bills some.  How?  Well I use coupons to help with the food budget.  I am sure you do too.  Well how much time do you spend getting those coupons?  That is a business transaction to me.  And of course we all find ways to work together.  I may pick some watermelon from a friend who has too many.  There is some for me and my family but the others I pass on and give to the local food bank.  That is a way of  'purchasing' food yet not being out any cash.  Yes the ol trade and barter system is still alive.  But also how many of y'all have home based businesses?  Did you build them quickly or over time?  And how successful has it been?  Share with others at webmomz.com.  You know your a bathrobe boss but there are many just like you on the other side of this screen. 

There a good many dad's out there too.  Some who are at home and raising the kiddos.  And even those who are doing it alone.  My own brother in law raised his two children and if I say so myself has done a pretty good job of it.  Even when he had to move to Germany the kids went too.  Of course they learned so much more having the opportunity to travel like that.  Later on both of them joined Job Corp and built upon the skills they learned there.  Traveling to different places is nothing new to them now at all.  But how does a single dad know so he can raise his own kids to be healthy and happy.   I mean most programs and support is geared toward single women doing this job.  I mean there is not a manual out there you know!  But wait there is now!  Yeah Craig Baird did just that.  He wrote A Complete Guide for Single Dads:  Everything You Need to Know about Raising Healthy, Happy Children on your Own

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

Healthy Me, Healthy You Giveaway

I have had it with everyone being sick this winter.  Running from one doctor visit to another.  Loosing months of work.  The horror of not knowing what is going to happen next.  It has been just too much.  So I am taking control of my family and their health.  We have already started with some little things that can make big changes.  Grandma M is in Cardiac Rehab right now.  Dear Hubby is getting out of his walking boot this week and has promised to walk with me every night.  I am back at Curves working out at least 3 times a week.  We jump, run, jive and twist on the Wii in so many different forms and fashions.  I am working on changing to a heart smart diet as I purchase new food each time.  But I think there are more things I can do.

I like 'working' from home so to speak.  And believe in the old country wife who could make up those remedies that later science proved worked.  So now I am finding some of my own with "Home Remedies from a Country Doctor".  This has over 200 solutions for those common illnesses.  We all know that they are putting capsaican into creams to help with aches and pains.  Well that came from a lil known remedy of putting hot pepper into a homemade cream.  And Dear Hubby has been belching so much we are thinking he has been eating zombies for lunch.  But now I am putting a bit of candied ginger in his lunch box.  He is chewing it and not only has sweeter breath but no bad gas either.  Even my friends mom told us to cure pain from arthritis by eating 9 gin soaked golden raisins a day.  She swore it helped her and I know she could really get moving around the house.  So I don't see why I should not also take some tips from the ladies and gents before me.  There is a reason those at home remedies are passed around...they work!

Another thing is I am going to start paying attention to those people who never get sick.  And I am one of them.  Rarely do I come down with the common cold lil on the flu or worse.  I know there are things I am very picky about.  What foods I eat and getting to bed early help me, that I know.  Making sure that foods are not out of date or blinky as my Dear Hubby will say.  I do not like, want or even want to be around someone with food poisoning from eating something that seemed to be okay.  Also there is daily exercise, stretching, yoga, strength training...and you can do it in many ways.  I have told you that hanging clothes instead of using a dryer is not only saving electric but gives you time to stretch from your toes to your head.  Gene Stone wrote "The Secrets of People who Never Get Sick" and I have found that there is a large majority of things that I do like these 25 people tell of their lifestyles.  Of course there is more I can do.  Mostly I want to figure out how to help my family change their ways and become healthier.  You know that old adage of you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. 

The worst issue I have is not getting enough sleep.  I toss and turn and turn and toss til I finally give up and get out of bed.  Some times I get 6 to 7 hours of sleep.  Others I am doing good to get 4 hours.  But I hate taking meds to make me conk out.  So instead I am practicing on how to Master Your Sleep.  There are some of the things I can do easily like no exercise 2 hours before bed and to wind down and read before bedtime.  That is the easy part.  But no caffeine 6 hours before bed is really hard for me.  Since I lay down around 9 pm most evenings that means I have to stop coffee or cokes by 3 pm.  GOSH!  I know that water, milk and juice are great for me but I will say I do love my caffeine.  If I prepare for bed at 9 pm and lay down by 9:30 then sleep normally hits at 10 p.m.  So if I wake at 6 a.m. (which is a great time for me) then I will have 8 hours of sleep.  Perfect.  But I need to also learn how to rest when I sleep.  The tossing and turning and bad dreams and such really does beat up a body.  I do use medications some times.  But I want to learn how to rest on my own if possible.  So I now am looking at what my bedtime practices are.  Am I helping to tell my body it is time to rest and relax, not to just crash.  Tracey Marks has many tried and true ways to help you find the rest cycle you need.  Just stop in and read her book to find out.

But my favorite way of helping take care of my family is by introducing a new Chicken Soup for the Soul book to them.  Perfect for a new year is Shaping the New You.  Here I can find many ways to encourage my family to work on their diet, fitness and that happy balance with in.  It never fails to bring a smile to my face when I am paging through a Chicken Soup for the Soul book.  And that is the same here.  I am meeting folks who have changed their diet and exercise after a heat bypass like my mom.  Others who picked up on moving more with walking and finding ways to lengthen the steps they take as I want to do with Dear Hubby.  Here so many share the ways they have found the balance in their life to be healthy mind, body and soul.  So let's help make that so for you too.  Yes, you got it.....I have 3 Chicken Soup for the Soul: Shaping the New You books to share.  It is easy to win.  Just do the following.

1.  Tell me a way you are helping your family to stay healthy.  That is the first thing you have to do to enter.  Make sure I have an email to reach you too!

2.  Want an extra entry?  Follow me on GFC.  If you do....then tell you you do.  Gosh that was easy.

3.  More ways?  Ok follow me on any of the following and tell me how you do it. 
Twitter--@CrazedMind  Leave me a tweet when you follow or telling me your following
Face Book--Lenore Keough Webb friend me, let me know your coming from Crazed Mind!
I will pick 3 winners on 2-15-2011.  Make sure there are emails in your comments!

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copies of these books to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

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Special Visit

I have a special visit today from Other Mom.  This is Princess Emma's mom and College Girl's Other Mom (thus her name).  While I have been away taking care of my mom she snuck in the house and perused my review books.  Having found the ones she wanted to read, she was kind enough to also tell me all about them.  So here is her take on the book Bring Out the Best in Your Child and Your Self.  And yes that is the beautiful Other Mom right over there.  ------->

 

Thanks to my Friend Lynette here at Crazed Mind, I got the opportunity to read a really great book. Bring Out The Best in Your Child and Your Self by Ilene Val-Essen, Ph.D. is a well written and exceptionally informative book on bettering relationships between parents and children.

  This easy to follow book teaches you to be the parent you want to be, to create an environment that brings out the best in your child, how to understand negative behavior and prevent future problems from arising. The book describes the levels of self that we experience and how to stay more centered and calm. It talks about the drive children have to be the best and how to deal with their own frustrations and create a nurturing environment for them and encourage them to do the best that they can individually.

  What I enjoyed the most about this book is that it teaches how to do small changes that give big results, such as picking one week to point out good behaviors and praise those with sincerity instead of just working on negative things and pointing out the bad to your child. Praise the good things and have them see what good people they are already and try to improve from there. It teaches responsibility and consistency; yours and theirs as well as consequences versus punishments. The writer took things we all take for granted and shows you how important every day things can be.

  The lessons are easily transferred to any relationship you have, not just those with children. It is a wonderful and profound book that I have really enjoyed sharing with my family and I think you may also enjoy. It is broken down into 14 chapters each on a different aspect of building and strengthening you and your child's values, understanding and relationships and teaching the importance of really listening and seeing the underlying cause of acting out.

I think a lot of times parents don't take the time to think about mutual respect.They expect the child to respect them because they say so and don't give respect in return. It is refreshing to me to read a book that not only tells you about respect but shows you why it is important to respect your child as well.

  I know with my daughter, it amazes me everyday the sweet and caring girl she is growing into. I am so proud of her and I tell her that, but I also tell her why I am proud. I tell her how beautiful she is and that I am happy that it comes from the inside and shines through.

Even if you do not put to practice everything in this book, the things you learn while reading it will have a wonderful affect on your outlook and it is a very enjoyable read.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

Holidays Over?

Today is Monday and time to get back to business. Of course who wants to do that? No one. It is harder still for me (or so I think). Dear Hubby is still home and will be for another 4 more weeks. That is another 4 weeks of not moving. No walking, standing, pacing....the works. 4 weeks of laying on the couch being a lounge for the cats and dogs as they come and go off his stomach. Poor man.

So while needing to get back into the swing of things here I still feel like life is on a break. Since he is not up and leaving in the morning. Nor is College Girl while she is on her holiday break to. Our house is dead in the mornings. Gosh, (and don't faint) I even slept til 9:30 am today. HONESTLY!  It seems that Granny M is getting up early, leaving for her coffee clutch and then returning to a house of 1/2 dead people.  We are eating meals at off times.  But are having great meals at the same time. 

Tonight we were blessed with home made cinnamon rolls and carmel cookies from Other Mother (Princess Emma's mom).  They brought over a big bowl of each.  I loved the time visiting with everyone again.  That is another thing.  We have had someone over every day for week pop in for a visit.  It has been wonderful.  Gosh no wonder I do not want to get back to work. 

Of course I may not need too!  Today a family friend came by and the sweet young man cleaned for me.  REALLY!  He washed the dishes from lunch, swept and mopped.  Yes, a young man in his very early 20's volunteered to do my housework just because.  That was so nice of him.  Yes, I did check....he did not have a fever either. 

So I know I need to get back to bills.  Get back to my reviews.  Look up my housework.  But I think tomorrow I will take Dear Hubby up to the office so he can say goodbye to a co-worker who is retiring.  Gosh that should eat up 1/2 the day right?  Work will still be here waiting for me.

Baby, Oh Baby Super Giveaway!

I do not have a baby anymore.  And that is OK, I am not one of those let me have a baby all the time people.  But I seem to always have babies at my home.  Currently my great niece at 2.5 months old is here.  Accompanied by her 2 year old sister and 8 year old sister.  Add in her mom and dad (my niece and her husband), our own family of 4 adults from ages 23 to 77, it is a pretty full house.  Oh let's not forget the currently 6 dogs and 5 cats too.  Busting at the seams is more like it.  But we all manage to do and it is actually pretty quiet her a lot of the time.  It is during those times that I have a few magic tricks that I can pull out of my hat.
The easy one is to put in a classic movie.  I say classic because it is in these movies that really seem to captivate a child while still entertaining an adult.  To this day I can put in one of these shows and it will bring College Girl on the run to see it too.  She loves singing along especially.  Princess Emma is the dancer instead.  One of these is the great classic of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.  And it is going to be that much easier soon.  I can depart from my old cranky VHS copy because it is was released again on November  2 (yes this week) on Blu-Ray and DVD twin set.  Another coming out soon is Santa Paws.  On the 23rd of November we can start making it a family favorite too.  Not hard to do as Princess Emma loves the doggies all so much. And it includes a free plush puppy too! I know what will make it to the Princess stocking.  

Another of my favorites is for our littlest guest.  Trying to keep a 3 month old entertained is not always the easiest thing to do.  Especially if your trying to get the finger paints into action for the 2 and 4 year old while making sure the 8 year old is doing her homework. We have a bouncer for her that vibrates.  It is soothing but she loves to play with her Pretty In Pink Chime Along Friend.  It attaches to the lil loops above her head.  And sings to her so sweetly with its lil chime.  Quite a good deal at only $3.99.  And a portion of each sale goes to support breast cancer awareness too!  A double good deal now.    I love that at times like this I can put the lil babe in her bouncer and put on a really amazing DVD just for her.  Baby Kiss & Coo has DVD's that show silhouettes of different items (like pets or fish) while playing soft classical music.  The black shapes across the screen catches the attention of our lil babe very quickly.  And the music (think Schumann, Mozart and Bach) is so comforting.  This leaves me the time to focus on the older children and know that the lil babe is not being totally ignored.  I can see her and she is learning even at this young age.
I do not know if you have lil bitty ones but this is something I wish I had when CG was an infant.  So much so that we are giving away 3 sets of 2 to our readers here.  Just leave me a comment on how your lil bitty one amazes you.  Do they know how to smile yet (no it is not GAS) or have they started flipping over?  What do they see in their world that has helped you see this one so much better?  Make sure you have a email listed so we can contact the 3 (yes 3) winners.  

Now we are not forgetting the older ones.  Nope I want to tell you how I am getting the 2 year old to slow down.  That is by reading time.  You know I am a book lover.  Well we are reading our Potty and Tubby books.  These bright bold cardboard books really do help her focus on time to potty and bath time.  And that is areas we have to focus on right now.   Our other favorite is Miles to Go.  This 2 year old is always on the road to somewhere.  Her life has been from place to place already.  So she enjoys the role playing that she is in charge of the trips instead of her folks.  But we are not forgetting the 8 year old at all.  She has her own favorites too.  Being the big sister here she knows what all it takes to keep an eye on her siblings.  And she realizes it is easier when she can get her lil sis involved in play with her.  Well the same goes for Bink & Gollie.  These two lil ladies share adventures that may start in their backyard but takes them all over the place.  (I love how one's imagination can do just that.)  I am not going to tell you the story but let me suffice to say that it is one that has our 8 year old great niece curled up and reading several times a week.  We even have her a watch with Bink & Gollie on it.  She is learning how to tell time (yes, the old fashion way) with it.
We are also offering a giveaway of the Bink & Gollie book for one of your older kiddos.  That makes an extra nice surprise.  Tell me how they help their siblings or other kids in their lives.  What do they find helps them give that extra hand out to a younger child.  Make sure I have a email in your comment too.
Let me know if you wish to win the Baby Kiss & Coo DVDs or the Bink & Gollie book or both?  I will give extra entries to my GFC followers too.  Just tell me your here.  See this is a super baby giveaway.   
DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copies of these books, DVDs and toys to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

God Blessed Us

Today is my 7th wedding anniversary to Dear Hubby.  I feel quite blessed to have him love me as deeply as he does.  I wanted to share how we started out.  I hope you do not mind.  But for us this was a moment in our lives that God blessed. 

8 years ago, I was married to College Girls poppa.  I was sad and lonely in that relationship and had been for over 10 years.  He was unhappy too.  But we worked at staying together.  Our mutual goal was to make it til College Girl was out of school.  (She was then High School Girl.)  I had been out of town for two weeks with my daughter, visiting my birth father.  On the day of our return I received a call from my mother telling me of a death in our family.  I dropped HSG off for church camp and dashed across Texas again to be by my mothers side.

Image by Camera Slayer via FlickrThe day of the funeral, I was helping my Great Uncle fill his dish at the meal afterwards.  We sat at a near by table and proceeded to eat and talk.  My ears perked up when I heard a warm voice full of laughter.  I looked up and saw a man helping an elderly woman just as I had done with my Great Uncle.  They sat at our table and of course we were all talking soon.  That afternoon I was telling my mother how much I enjoyed just talking to this man.  She knew him and his family and encouraged me to have him come to her cafe and have coffee and more time to visit.  So I called (how brazen is that?) and asked if he could join us.  Well it seems there was a conflict of plans as the annual fireworks show was to be that evening.  He asked if I wanted to join his family as they were all attending.  My mom told me to go on so I did. 

Well if you have seen the large Texas skies you know they go on forever.  That evening laying down and watching the beautiful colors explode across the heavens I was happier than I could remember being in a very long time.  Afterwards I sat in the car and was talking to this enjoyable gentleman.  And we talked about life, family, joys, sorrows and everything that came across our minds.  We talked til we noticed the sun was rising in the eastern sky.  Oh my goodness....we had talked all night long. 

Quickly we said our goodbyes and both returned to our homes.  I apologized to my mother for being out all night but told her it was great to have someone I could talk with and just be myself too.  Soon afterwards I packed up my car and started the trip back home.  Mile by mile went by and I became sicker and sicker to my stomach.  I realized how much I did not want to go back home to my husband.  I realized that I woke every day nauseated and dreading the day.  And I realized I had not felt that way the whole time I had been away visiting my birth father and my mother.  Sadness washed all over my whole being.


Image by mikmikko via Flickr


Then I was hit in the head and told to stop the car!  Wait here a moment.  I was alone in that car.  All alone.  But again I heard in a booming voice to Pull Over NOW!  You have to know I did.  And as I did I became calm.  Thoughts were coming at me so quickly I did not know how I could take it all in.  But I very quickly came to understand that I was not on the right path.  No, I was to change all now.  Sitting by the side of the road I paged through the local paper that I had kept with my Cousins obit in it.  In the real estate section I saw low rents that I could afford on my disability check.  With a calmness and peace I never felt before I knew I was to move.

Yes, and move I did.  I finished my trip home.  Sat and talked with my then husband in a very calm fashion.  We agreed that being together was making both of us miserable.  I told him of my events and I wanted to move.  He understood.  The next day I returned to my mom's town, found a place to live, paid all the bills to set up and returned to pack my and my daughter's belongings.  Yes, that quick.  And it all was calm, smooth and felt right.

Soon after wards I met back up with that same gentleman.  We continued to talk, visit and in time grew to know we were so happy with each other.  A little over a year later we married.  Yes, I had found my mate, my partner, my best friend and my darling Dear Hubby.  We are close friends with College Girls poppa to this day.  (As a matter of fact he moved to the same town soon after wards.)  

Now I have taken you through this long dialog.  Well it is because I truly feel that God put us together at the right time.  That we recognized him working in our lives at the same time.  You see, I deeply believe that God does work in our lives in little ways that make big differences.  You can see how he has done this for others in the book, Why God Matters: How to Recognize Him in Daily Life by Kariana Lumbert Fabian and her father Deacon Steven Lumbert. This has the Seal of Approval from the Catholic Writers Guild.  Another lil thing for Dear Hubby and I.  You see he is Catholic and I am Baptist, yet we do not have any discourse in our religious beliefs.  We come together in all areas of our lives so well.  A God thing, I have to say.  I love the way this book shares.  "God is with us always, sometimes in ways we don't even realize. Deacon Steve Lumbert and his daughter Karina Fabian say.  You can share their stories of how God led them from casual belief to deep devotion, and offer tips and exercises to help you see God's hand - and take it." How have you seen God work in your life. Was it a provision that came at just the right moment?  A quiet moment that filled you to the brim?  The work of others to help when you thought you was at the end of your rope?  God is like that.  Sometimes quiet, sometimes booming and always fulfilling.  You may wish to share this book too to see how to recognize those times. 


I do want to say thanks for listening to me.  The happiness that fills my life is very much due to the deep love I have from my Dear Hubby.  His constant reassurance that he will always be here and always love me.  If you could just see the deep love shines through his eyes you too would know this is a blessed union.

 

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Reviewing Family and Life

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Today I am sitting here and crying copious tears. Triggered all by music from John Denver. I love his voice, music, songs and more so his heart. John sang with all of his being while freely sharing his passion for love of this ragged earth.

While listening to these songs I have been filled by my love for my family. I have been reliving so much of my family lately with the help of a simple lil key chain. Really. Sounds corney but I am one of those who can sit and look through photographs and feel like I am surrounded by those I love. I have my walls covered in family photographs. Well now I am able to carry my family all around with me. I have a pink digital photo key chain that shares all those I love with me everywhere I go now. It was so easy to connect with my computer and download all of my favorites. Princess Emma has already discovered that she can see herself and her sissy (College Girl) on there. Maybe I am just in a sentimental mood, but these are the things that help bring joy in my life.

Of course you also know I am more sentimental right now since College Girl is going to be returning to school next week. Thank goodness she is not leaving home this year, but staying with us. She will be so busy with classes and theater. Not much time for home life. But she shared with me the following about having roommates.

So here is College Girl herself.
Hi all! Yeah, I am back on mom's blog. But there is so much to do with the 'back to school' rush. And one of the things that has been on my mind was weather to go back to the dorms or to stay here. I finally decided to stay here...so I think? Pretty sure...but I have learned something I wanted to share with y'all.

If the stereotype is to be believed, a lot of teenagers fight with their parents as they grow up, striving for freedom and independence. Of course, I don't buy in to stereotypes. In fact, I'd think that a lot of arguments could be saved with books like Emptying the Nest: Launching Your Young Adult Toward Success and Self-Reliance. Author Brad Sachs, PhD. does a masterful job of mapping out the many common challenges faced by older teens and young adults ready to leave the nest. He examines every facet, from the family dynamics to the young adult's first tastes of freedom. Using a lot of positive language and careful reinforcement, this book helps make the idea of leaving the nest not as dramatic or scary as it could be. One chapter even offers insight for those who have left and then returned, for one reason or another, examining the different possibilities of mental anguish or encouragement the young adult might be feeling following their return home. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, which was very informative for young adults as well as their parents. Though I'm still home with Mom, I'm ready to try and seek more freedom and explore further in the world outside of my family. The advice offered in Emptying the Nest has given me more confidence and plenty of insight on what other families might face. Maybe the next time I hear a friend complaining about their parents, I can offer some insight and help them understand what their parents are thinking or worried about.


DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book and key chain to facilitate these reviews. No other compensation was provided.

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Dysfunctional Love

See that man in the center of the picture? Yeah the only one not looking at the crowd like every one else. With the cane and 'star wars' boot on. Yeah....that's the one.

Well that is my Dear Hubby on the 4th of July lining up to be honored as a Veteran. His foot is healing up from surgery (even though he already re broke his lil toe). And he is the dysfunctional love of my life.

Today I thought I would share how we got together. I thought it would be a great addition to the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" book "All in the Family" which is the stories of our funny, quirky, lovable and dysfunctional families. I adore these books with their short stories that tug right at my heart and make me laugh at the same time. And this one in particular has had me in stitches. You ought to read about how the father baked MARIJUANA into the stuffing. Oh my! That turned some people 'on'. Of course we could also do like one family and go to the family reunion...you know across the state to get there. Only to find out your with the wrong family. Gosh I think I am related to these people. Same for you? I did relate to the story in there of a mentally ill woman and her worries, more so thinking of how some things look to our family when they seem so logical to us.

But I degress, so back to my Dear Hubby and how we met. Several years ago while I married to my College Girls dad, I traveled to be with my mother. Her cousin had passed and I was worried about how she was going to take it. Grandma does not do well when she looses those she loves. So after arriving and going to the funeral with her we followed the crowd to the local bingo hall where the family meal was taking place. My great uncle was there (he was in his late 80's then) and I thought I would help him get his meal. It is so hard to use a walker and carry a plate at the same time. Also he is a great flirt and story teller, so what a time to share with him. After sitting I noticed another younger man and elderly woman getting their food. But, the woman was helping the younger man get his food. He was quite thin and was using a cane to move, seeming very weak. But he had a great smile all the way up to his eyes. More so was a beautiful voice. (I love voices!) I hoped they would sit close so I could continue to hear him speak. And luck would have it that the did. (Of course we was the closest table to the food too.)

Well my great uncle drew them into conversation and I enjoyed the meal quite forgetting the occasion we were all there for. Then it came to an end and we had to return back to my mom's cafe. I kept thinking of this man and his voice. I really loved listening to him. I asked my mom if it was to forward (remember I was married at this time) to ask him to coffee and continue the visit. She said it was ok in her opinion. So she looked up his number and I called him. He was not in but I gathered my nerve and called again later much to my delight. I asked him to coffee but he turned me down. Instead he asked me to join his family (sister and all) at the local fire work show that night (yes in July!). So I went along to the community event.

We talked and talked so much that everyone moved away from us. Loud I guess. After the fireworks we sat in the parking lot and continued to talk. His family left him there after asking for me to return him home later. Finally we headed out to the lake where they lived. Arriving quite late we decided to sit at the lake and continue our conversation for just a lil bit longer. I told you I loved his voice. Well we did talk, talk, talk, and talk.....all the way til the sun was coming up over the lake. You can say the conversation just took over. Needless to say we seemed to have quite a bit in common.

Well 8 years later we still talk late into the night. And every year we return to the same fireworks show to think of that first night we met. He had taken me to see fireworks then and continues to show them to me on a regular basis.

So where did you meet your darling? I bet not at a family funeral.

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.

Miss Emma is Back

We have Miss Emma back after a long long long break. And it is hard to help her out with some questions she has. Like when will I see Grandmother again? Will she ever wake back up? I miss Grandmother, can you help me find her?

You see Miss Emma lost her Grandmother to cancer this last month. Her mother (College Girl's Other Mother) took a family leave from work to stay with her mother as much as possible. But now it is time to put life back together.

I have a book that may help Miss Emma understand. It is so hard to deal with Cancer at the age of 3 going on 4. You Are Not Alone: Families Touched by Cancer is a book that I want to share with Miss Emma. Here we meet children from around the world who have also been touched by Cancer. And learn ways to deal with the sorrow and fear that come along with this illness. I know that Miss Emma needs answers and having to face such a loss at such a young age is hard to deal with. I feel by sharing this book we can find a way to help her understand.

It did help her understand a lil more as to what Cancer can mean. Emma is 3 going on 4 and not able to articulate how much it helps. But we did read together and then spend time just going through the book with questions and answers. This weekend is the memorial service for her Grandmother. So I feel we will have more observations this next week. When I requested the book I knew that her Grandmother was in her last stages of life. I do feel that it has helped Miss Emma understand a lil better. And to bring a few more answers to her questions

How do you deal with life's hard knocks for your children? What do you do to help them understand the changes that happen beyond our control?

DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book to facilitate this review. No other compensation was provided.