This and That

Christmas is over...

2011-12-28T17:54:00.002-05:00

So it’s time to prepare for a New Year and though I enjoyed being with family and friends over the holidays, I am ready to embark on the New Year and be done with the entire holiday hubbub. Much money was spent to ensure that no one was forgotten on my ever growing list of people to remember this time of year. (Anyone reading if I missed you, I am sorry, I am sending you my happy holiday cheer thoughts as I type) In addition, to the gifts, the cards that were sent and the donations for various causes, I am happy to say that this chick is done for the year! No more shopping, just relaxing….

My living room is overrun with Thomas the Train toys and items from the movie Cars 2. I feel very blessed this year with my family and friends love and support. Though I lost someone very special from my family this year, she still lives in my heart and will not be forgotten. It’s always hard to lose a loved one this time of year. However, as I look around and remind myself that this madness of toys etc is a reminder of my family and what we have to be thankful for and fills my heart with joy.

Hubby and I don’t spend a lot on each other at the holidays, because we are firm believers that this is the time of year to do for others and make Christmas fun for our little boy. However, he did spoil me with the grand daddy of Keurig’s this year (he gave it to me early), right after my grandmother had passed away (as I was pretty down and out). And can I tell you that I LOVE this coffee maker!! It has made the month of December easier on my life in general. Sad what one appliance can accomplish. I love that no matter how little time I have in the morning, I still always have time to make coffee now. That makes this mama very happy!! (As well as less trips to Starbucks in the morning…easier on the pocket book too)

So what was your favorite thing you received or someone did for you for Christmas that warmed your heart or coffee mug?

I'm Back! -- First topic: My parenting choice

2011-12-27T17:48:00.001-05:00

It has been a long time since I have posted to my blog… but I am back and ready to start sorting through life again. The time away has brought so much to my life. I have become a mother (best gift of my life) and keeps on giving each and every day. I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Business Management…something that I have wanted to achieve for a long time, but put on the back burner for who knows what reason. Did this with honors might I add, while also working full time and having a little one! I have had various ups and downs just like anybody else and I continue to grow and learn from my experiences each day. So speaking of becoming a mother, I would like to share a little story that keeps coming up in my mind, especially lately while I am questioning my profession and time away from my son.

What mother doesn’t like being told they are doing a good job raising their child? Who tell me, who doesn’t like to hear that? However, what I don’t care for is when someone gives a back handed compliment for being a working mom, because that, my friends, really gets me going!
I remember when I was about six months pregnant, someone asking me at a baby shower for someone else if I planned on going back to work after my child arrived. In my head I was thinking REALLY you are asking me this now? I still have three months to go, plus maternity leave OH and the fact that I am almost done getting my degree at that point… My quick response was, “I am not putting a whole lot of thought into it right now.” Their response, “You’ll never regret staying home and raising your own children.” Hmmm. Ok- please step down from the soap box for a moment and realize what you are saying to this hormonal woman in front of you. Who by the way would have a whirlwind birth followed by two weeks afterwards that felt like time was standing still…but that is a different story for another time.

Agreed, I enjoyed my time off immensely after all the craziness after birth. However, so much else is implied in that comment that day. And it actually still sits with me now as my child is 3.5 years old. Like my working mom friends are going to regret having the daycare provider raise their kids?? Does the daycare provider get the grocery shopping done on the weekends or weeknights when I am burnt out, all the while with the little person in the basket telling you fun stories? Get up in the middle of the night to reassure them that they are safe when something wakes them? Read to them at night when they can’t sleep; love them every moment that they are not with them? Make their house a home? I don’t think so.

Perhaps we forget as a society that leans so heavily one way or the other on parenting is that no choice is the right one all the way around. It’s about what is right for the family. I’ve known plenty of working mothers that went back to work and became amazing working moms, who were happy, balanced, and attentive with their kids when they got home. That is my focus each and every evening when I pick up my little man. For the record, this mom still has a hard time dropping her child off for daycare. I cry still on days that I would just love to be at home with him. So no, that pain doesn’t go away, however he is learning things there that I can’t teach him at home alone. The social interactions, the friendships with others his age and unique perspectives from others that can help shape him as a person.

What makes me the angriest is the guilt tripping, reminding me of how so many consider working to be the “lesser choice” and how “other people” stay at home? Why would this be a bad choice? Since when is providing for my family, while keeping my home clean, family fed, bills paid, board member at my church, volunteering to make other peoples’ lives better all while being a working mother be a bad choice? Why would we do this to moms who are just trying to make a difference in this world? Who are happy and fulfilled in their work (most of the time), and have spent a lot of time choosing a place for their child to be cared for, not raised?

I firmly believe that quality, not quantity, makes a child and parent relationship. I speak from experience because my own father who raised me worked all of the time to makes ends meet, however when he had downtime it was absolutely NO time for the kids. It was all about him.
My husband works just as much as I do, but the time we spend as a family really matters to him. And he makes it count. I know I’m a better, more patient mom because I appreciate each and every moment I am given to be MOM. I know hubby is a great dad for the same reason.

All I ask is that if you don’t like or agree with another’s choice to work or stay home, ask them why they made it. You may be surprised to hear the valid reasons, struggles, or various passions behind their choice. Then move on and focus on the right choices for what life has handed you and not worry about that pregnant lady and all the choices she will need to make in her future.

For those of you dealing with others who judge your choice, hold your head up high and always remember that what you are doing is right as long as it works for your family. I am proud of the love that my family gives me and the parenting choices that I have made. We are all stronger because of it.

Springtime

2007-04-24T16:23:00.000-04:00

I haven't had a whole lot to say lately....I have myspace that I chit chat with friends on, but I do miss my blogger account sometimes. I hope all is well with everyone. I love this time of the year. As I sit here and post there is a nice warm breeze coming in and I can hear the birds chirping away. So peaceful.

Have a great day everyone.

Myspace

2007-01-06T23:43:00.000-05:00

After much persuasion from a good friend I am going to Myspace. I am not doing a whole lot with blogger, but maybe that will change. Now I will have a myspace account too! If anyone cares to visit me there it's...

http://www.myspace.com/141154398

My shopping trip

2006-11-07T07:38:00.000-05:00

Well, my shopping trip is over and I am left with some goodies! I am very excited! The only bad thing I have to say is that I love pink so much and this is not really the time of year to be wearing light pink. However, the darkest pink purse I will use anyways!! Our trip to NY was an interesting one, but fun at times. My husband was able to see some things from the double decker tour bus we took in the city. It was his first time there, so we were trying to pack in as much as possible. I was able to pack in 2 hours of shopping. I think we will be planning a trip there by ourselves next time. So today was an early morning for me. I have voted and I am about to get ready for work. Far as I am concerned that is quite a bit for 7:45 in the morning. Well.....at least for me. Have a great day everyone!

A little extra time

2006-10-30T22:36:00.000-05:00

I have gained some time for myself due to setting the clocks back. This weekend was actually very productive. Usually, it's easy for me to give in to my husbands whims and just go to a movie instead of cleaning the house and doing laundry like I do every weekend. With us both working all day Monday through Friday, it leaves little to no time for other things. I am very proud of myself. I have joined a gym, and have been actively going. Time for those extra bits of me to be gone... As for the Halloween candy in my house, it needs to be trick or treat time already, so I can get those out of my house!! I have to say, I have only had two pieces....and out of nine bags that's pretty damn good! I have to credit that to moral support. I have a nice group of friends that work out with me, and eat well along the way. All is busy around my house. Hubby and I are going to New York this weekend. A little shopping spree.....hopefully many designer purses for me. The only pitfall I have with shopping.....I LOVE THE PURSES. Anything else I could care less....clothing etc.....well I do love shoes. Nothing compared to purses though! It should be tons of fun. A group of us are going by tour bus, so I am getting my IPod full of music and TV shows to keep me busy. Enjoy Halloween everyone! Eat some candy for me!

Another birthday come and gone....

2006-10-26T22:24:00.000-04:00

Quote of the Day

"When you get into a tight place and it seems that you can't go on, hold on — for that's just the place and the time that the tide will turn."

– Harriet Beecher Stowe

Trip pics

2006-10-24T17:56:00.000-04:00

Just a couple of pics for now..... the Mackinaw Bridge as we were driving over. This was actually after the picture below, which was blizzard like!!

Home sweet home

2006-10-18T22:32:00.000-04:00

Rain, sleet, snow, hail you name it, we encountered it. I am home!

Vacation

2006-10-13T14:03:00.000-04:00

I am off to vacation in just a couple of hours. We are going "up north" where it's cold, snowy and COLD! I am excited though, it's always fun to visit family. Stay warm!

I love to cook!

2006-10-09T16:26:00.000-04:00

This past Friday (after I got home from going out with friends) I came home and sorted out Pampered Chef orders. Last week, I had a Pampered Chef party. I love to have people over, and the demonstrations with food are even more fun. So Friday is when the UPS delivered all of the orders to my house! Too much fun! The best part is all of the free stuff you earn from your friends ordering. I grew up with a grandma who loved to bake, and a father who loved to cook, so I am always up for doing either. Unfortunately, in my house there is just my husband and I and we are never home. When we are home, he is a picky eater....so that leaves myself to eat whatever I feel like whipping up that's out of the ordinary. None the less he is getting better with trying new things and I am learning to be more patient with him! I grew up in a house where you ate anything. Where in his house if it looked weird or they just plain didn't want to try it, his mom just gave in. All of the kids are horrible eaters. The oldest one has since gotten past this habit, but she is a business women in Chicago that has to eat with other business people all the time. She says that this has helped her broaden her horizon.

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I am excited that vacation time is almost here for hubby and I! We are going to visit my dad. He lives quite a ways away from us, so we only get to visit a couple times a year. This year we are traveling up with his girlfriend who lives closer to us than to him. We always have a great time together and we are looking forward to it! Usually a stop at the casino is in store for us and of course lots of sight seeing. My dad lives right on Lake Superior, so it will be a cold and windy visit, but it's always a beautiful stay.

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I am off for Columbus day today and normally I would do something fun, like shopping with friends and going to lunch. However, today I am at home sick. Just a cold, but none the less not fun! Hubby says better now then when we are on vacation. We leave at the end of the week, so that should give me plenty of time to get better. Well, that's all from me. Time to go warm up the couch.

yay!!

2006-09-24T10:23:00.000-04:00

It's all fixed! I can finally leave comments on blogs again. I get down on the dumbest things, because I haven't done anything to my blog since the whole beta thing!

Out of the loop

2006-09-18T17:44:00.000-04:00

I feel out of the loop lately. I switched to the new blogger beta so I could make changes to my blog. Well, now that I have it, it doesn't allow me to leave comments on other blogs who do not also have blogger beta. It gives me an error message every time I try and tells me that "blogger is working on updating the beta version and soon you will be able to leave comments". So in the meantime I feel like I can't even keep in touch with those who I don't get to talk to very much. Oh well! It is a gloomy cloudy day here today. It must have compelled me to vent just a little.

Oh my gosh

2006-09-05T17:43:00.000-04:00

I was e-mailed a link to this from a friend today....just watch it. I normally don't keep stuff like this, but I was rolling after I watched it!! I can gladly say I have never done this. Enjoy.

http://www.planetvids.com/html/Drunk-In-The-Police-Station.html

The drive in

2006-09-03T10:19:00.000-04:00

So yesterday was the hubby's birthday, and we racked our brains of something to do that we have not done before. After about six hours and aimless driving around town we came up with the movies.....well not movie theatre, but the drive in movies. It is a 40 minute drive from our house and we had the rest of the day to prepare for it. We had a nice linner we call it (late lunch early dinner) and then went to the store to buy snacks for the movie. When we finally left for the movies, we got there a little early. The second car in line to be exact, but that's ok it gave us 45 minutes to sit there and talk. Which is something we have not had a lot of time to do lately. When they finally opened the gate there were probably 20 cars behind us, and a lot more on the way. So we found a good spot for viewing and claimed it. It's funny the place looked really old (obviously), but after we were there half an hour, all three screens were pretty much sold out! It was such a fun time! Despite the food and drinks we brought, we broke down and went to the concession stand for hotdogs and pretzels! Oh well all in fun on the birthday right! We ended up seeing a double feature for the price of one movie. This is normal at this drive in. Too fun! Below is a picture of where we parked, we were the first ones to park for this movie, so no one is in the picture yet. Just a beautiful night and a blank screen.

Happy Birthday Hubby!

2006-09-02T07:53:00.000-04:00

Today is my husbands birthday. Right now, I am trying to be as quiet as possible so he can sleep in. The problem is that the kitties like to follow me around and meow or try to walk on the keyboard while I am typing! We are doing what he wants today. Maybe a movie, some shopping for guy stuff and a nice dinner. I have not been blogging lately. We hustled to get our bathroom done (there is still crown molding to put up, and a little touch up painting), and we had company from Florida. The company was my brother and new sister in law who were married here. There was so much to do to get ready for the wedding, and hubby and I were in the wedding too! So, now that our lives have slowed down a little I can take a deep breath. We had our real estate agent come over Thursday to take a look at our house since we moved in. A tremendous amount of work has been done, and a lot of money invested. We just wanted a professional opinion to make sure we are not wasting time and money. Good news is that we are not! She was so nice, and complemented on everything (I know she is our real estate agent, and that is her job), but I also believe she wouldn't lie to us. So all in all that went very well, and now we can take in the information that she gave us. Well, it's Saturday and I am looking forward to a long weekend!

Summertime

2006-08-26T09:25:00.000-04:00

AHHHHHH

2006-08-08T21:21:00.000-04:00

I am in a horrible mood today! I come home every night and have to park down the street (far down the street and walk home). My neighbors and I are the only people on the street that do not have a driveway. My husband and I work all day and when you come home the little things in life like....well... being home, make your day. My neighbors a family of 6 have one...one I repeat van, but they have family members a husband and wife that come over every day. The thing is that they both have a vehicle and they both park in front of my house EVERY DAY. Now the thing that irritates me (and it shouldn't....I try to let this go) is that like I said before we are the only two homes on the street without a driveway....SO PARK IN FRONT OF SOMEONE ELSES HOUSE THAT HAS A DRIVEWAY AND DOESN'T NEED THE STREET PARKING!!! Let the people without a driveway park in front of their home. These neighbors (and their family) do so many other mean things, but this one seems to bother me the most. I think it's the part where I have to help my husband carry drywall from down the road, or 10 bags of groceries on a 90 degree day. I need to be more patient, but today they stuck me the wrong way!

Ruby Red Martini Quest

2006-08-07T20:49:00.000-04:00

Ok...so ever since I have been back from my summer trip to Denver I have been on a quest. The girls on my trip and I of course enjoyed the BEST martini I have ever had. Hands down. The problem is that my sister in law Cathy and I want to make them for the next big family get together and we don't know how to make them??? I know they had absolut grapefruit vodka in them and possibly cranberry juice (a tiny amount) for the color and an orange liquor (maybe)??? This link is the closest that I have found to the recipe, but it is too red looking and it needs to be more like an actual ruby red grapefruit color (not clear looking). http://absolutdrinks.com/drink_recipe_absolut_red_ruby_4505.html Someone reading this, please, I beg you please send me a recipe. I have googled it, I have looked in my husbands bartending books, but no such luck. I am at the point where I am about to call the restaurant we ate at and ask them to get the bartender on the phone! It was the perfect summer drink. Well, quest called off....I think I stumbled upon the recipe, after I put the link in my blog for the first one. Please check this link out (I haven't made the recipe to confirm this is what I was raving about), but if it is and you have the means to make it at home. I fully encourage it. Especially, when it's a hot summer day! End of rant. :-) http://absolutdrinks.com/drink_recipe_rubytini_5207.html

Tile mania

2006-08-05T18:59:00.000-04:00

So today the hubby and I went to a tiling class (not like he is letting me help doing any of the work, but I went too). I am the clean up crew so he says. Anyways, we are ready to go on the next to final step of getting the bathroom done! The whole idea of being able to put muddy adhesive on the walls and then sticking things to it really seems fun to me....well maybe for now. Once, this is done we can do the new flooring and bring in the vanity, toilet and other bathroom accessories. We are both a little relieved that it is coming to a close.

My favorite brother is getting married two weeks from today(he and his fiance are in the middle of this picture, which was at our wedding). We are so excited for him, since he is marrying a wonderful person. We are both in the wedding, best man and matron of honor. So it has been a little hectic between alterations, fittings and house projects, but it is great to see it all come together.

The drywall

2006-07-28T18:59:00.000-04:00

The drywall is almost done. Thanks to hubby for all the hard work, cause you know I had nothing to do with it. I keep asking him if he needs help, but the manly manly that he is keeps refusing my help! Oh well, I am glad that he knows how to do that kind of stuff. It would cost a lot more to hire someone to do it. Well, pictures to come.......hopefully I can start priming, painting, laying flooring and finishing that darn room soon. The worst part is coming home from work every night and working on the room too and staying up on all the other household chores....oh well.

Remodeling!!!

2006-07-23T13:23:00.000-04:00

When my husband and I were on our honeymoon (2 years ago) we thought, hmmmmm.....we should buy a house. So that's exactly what we did, the next week! At the time we lived in a large home in Heritage Hills, right next to the mayor. We loved that house, so we wanted to get something like it, but in our price range. So we went out and found and old home not too far away. It has all hardwood floors, original woodwork and lots of character. Little did we know, that the previous owner did a lot of work on the home, but didn't do most of it right. Lucky for me I have a father in law with lots of building experience (and the tools to do it), and a husband that has the knowledge and works at an architecture firm. So we jumped on in and started doing projects. One by one we fixed and fixed and... well you get the picture. Every $10 project was $50 and every $50 project was $200. Finally though, we felt like we were making progress. Until recently... A tile fell off the wall in the master bathroom. Something behind it was black and furry......Apparently the person before us had mold and decided to cover it up with tile. The tile was done to look like wainscoting, and appeared to be fine (it was just a really ugly bathroom anyone can clearly see that....oh, the yellow!!). To our defense we did work on the bathroom last year. We painted it and added new light fixtures and towel bars etc... I really liked the aloe green bathroom. Oh well, so back to the current story, we now we have to go and buy a mold testing kit and find out what kind of mold we have. Fifty five dollars and 48 hours later the mold test results come back and it's not good! Apparently it is pretty common in older homes especially in bathrooms to have mold. Our homeowner's insurance doesn't cover it, but our agent told us explicitly what we have to do. It sounded like a whole lot of work, so Scott checked with some guys at work, and they said the same thing as our agent. So off to Lowe's we went. Our list consisted of a tyvek suit, respirator (everyone said to never clean mold out without this), plastic sheeting to close off the room, large and triple thick trash bags and anti-mircobial bleach. Well, that is just the beginning.....Since our house is older there's no drywall, the walls are all plaster. So we had to break out the sledge hammer and crow bars and tear down the walls. Right down to the studs! Then and only then are you supposed to clean with the bleach. This is how you get rid of the mold. Hmmmm makes sense I guess, just start all over. So this is my bathroom...(see below) for now. I have company coming from out of state in 3 weeks, so I am in panic mode today (I tend to worry too much). Well, at least we are done demolishing what was left of an ugly bathroom and now it is time to start the drywall. So I can at least say something was done right from the begining in this house! As for me I am stuck to using the 1/2 bath and the stand up shower in the basement!

Extreme Chicks!!

2006-07-14T07:12:00.000-04:00

Well, maybe not that extreme....This is the group of women for the, "girls trip 2006". I am very lucky to be a part of this group. You see, my husbands sister, makes this whole thing possible. She is probably the most generous person I know. Every year the group talks about where in the U.S. we would like to go, and then Chris (the sister in law) makes it all happen. This year the mile high city had us coming their way! There is one activity planned that is usually something most of the group has never done. This year it was white water rafting. We had a great tour guide, and the rafting company we went with was so organized! http://www.raftecho.com/colorado-rafting-trips/raft-n-rail/ We spent 2 hours going down the river (it had rained before we arrived in Colorado, so the river was up and extra crazy). Then we had a nice lunch on the riverbank. After that, we changed and hopped on a train and went through the mountains. It was awesome!! I have never done anything like that before. All is well, no one fell out of the raft, not even my mother in law. Cathy my other sister in law, and I must have steered that raft ok! Way to be daring girls!!

2006-07-13T20:07:00.000-04:00

Well this is it, I finally set up my blog....................hmmmmmmm......what to start writing about. Oh, well. It will come to me eventually. This is me....and my Angel. She is my baby. Lucy is my black cat, he of course is not in this picture. Yes, I meant to write Lucy is a he....yeah...