Reason #53 Why I Do Not Work Outside of My Home…

I have decided I am not a good part-time mom.

It is very difficult for me to transition back into Mom-mode when I have been out of it for a while. So when I go shopping by myself, or running errands alone, or going out of town alone or with Hubby, it takes me a while before I can be my usual super-mom self (yes, I do tend to be delusional once in a while).

I am just much more relaxed with the kids, calm tempered, happier, etc., when I am around them more.

Maybe it’s because I don’t feel rushed to try to spend so-called “quality” time with them when we are together, and I just get to BE with them. Maybe it’s because when I am gone I feel out of rhythm with what is going on in our home. Maybe it’s because I feel guilty about being away from them.

Whatever the reason I hope it lasts, because, honestly I don’t want to be out in the work place right now! I love it here!

When the Bee Stings…

I am just now realizing that I have a lot of pet peeves. Enjoy my complaining!
(In no certain order…)

*Commercials in which people yell. (Why is it they feel they need to yell? Is it supposed to make me excited for their product? Cause really it just makes me want to change the channel.)

*Sales people who follow you around the furniture store. (They are like stalkers! It is scary. I just feel so intimidated by their never-ending presence that I just can't buy anything there. I do like those stores that let you browse on your own, that's where we've bought the bulk of our large furniture purchases.)

*My unmade bed. (On those days that I just can't get around to doing getting it made, it drives me crazy all day. There is just something about a well-made bed. It makes the whole room seem so much better.)

*People who swear in public (where my children can hear them, especially if they are swearing at their children.)

*Beer at baseball games. (I am just so frightened it is going to spill all over the diaper bag, or the kids, or me.)

*The phrase “24/7.” (I was really hoping that phrase would go the way of all annoying phrases, but it has stayed put over the years. And unfortunately is expanding! AHHHH! Is anyone else sick of it?)

*News that isn’t news. (I am sure you know what I am talking about. Those "news" stories that they think everyone needs to know but really is either glorified gossip or some sort of scare tactic. I don't need to hear most of what they have on the news these days.)

*Bloggers who are so clever and amusing that I can't stop reading. (I just know I will never live up to them.)

...But, I Love You!

I once heard a speaker at Time Out For Women talk about perspective. She briefly mentioned this idea about what you say to your family. Most often we say something like "I love you, but, you're driving me crazy!" But wouldn't it be more effective if turned around: "You're driving me crazy, but, I love you!" The ending of the sentence becomes the most important part of what you are communicating.

On that note:

#4, it drives me bonkers when you grab my hair when you have messy, food-slimed hands, but, I love you!

I hate when you throw your sipper across the table, splattering milk everywhere, but, I love you!

I really don't like tripping over the tupperware obstical course you make around the house, but, I love you!

As you can tell, I had a frustrating day with #4.

He must be a full-on toddler now.

Yummy In My Tummy

Usually I don't like making or eating soup in the summertime, but this stuff is just too good!

We've had it a couple times now and it is so easy and so worth the heat. It is a great meatless meal (something we are always looking for in trying to live the word of wisdom), it is full of yummy, healthy veggies, and the kids even eat it! Try it sometime!

Minestrone Soup

4 Tbsp butter 1 Tbsp tomato paste
¾ cup chopped onion 1 ½ cups cubed potatoes
¼ cup chopped celery 4 cups chicken broth
½ cup chopped carrots 2 cloves minced garlic
1 19 oz can cannellini beans 2 Tbsp dried parsley
½ cup shredded cabbage 1 tsp salt
1 15oz can stewed tomatoes ½ cup elbow macaroni

Melt butter in a heavy pot over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and carrots; sauté for a few minutes.
Add beans, cabbage, tomatoes, tomato paste, potato, broth, garlic, parsley, and salt to the pot. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat. Simmer for approximately 1 hour until vegetables are barely tender.
Add pasta, and simmer for 30 minutes more. Correct seasoning and serve hot with grated parmesan cheese.

My Inner Snob

Next Friday I am leaving town! WooHoo! All by myself! WooHoo!

I have to get to the airport early and feel bad making Hubby and the kids drive me when #1 and #2 have school that day. I suggested that I could take a shuttle or a taxi instead. Then, very reluctantly, and with a sour look on my face, I suggested I might, probably, perhaps even be able to (gulp) take the bus (?)

I have taken a public transportation bus a total of 3 times in my life (and I wish it were less than that). One day in junior high I took the bus with a friend to get home (usually I was picked up). I took the bus to the airport with Hubby a few years ago on our way to Longbeach when Mom came and watched the kids for us. And while in Longbeach I took the bus to get from the hotel to downtown a couple of times (I mostly walked to and from though.)

I love that Hubby takes the bus to and from work. It saves us on gas, we can survive quite well with only one car, he can read and have down time on his way home afterwork (which means when he is home he is ready to be Dad and Hubby) and occasionally he can nap.

But I just don't like taking the bus.

Call me a snob if you must, I will no longer shun that part of me.

Project X

I am in need of some accountability for all the many, many projects I have taken on recently, or have started planning. So I thought if I posted the list here I would then be accountable for actually finishing them!

-Sew a skirt for #1 (this has been going for a while, but the fabric is difficult to work with. PLEATS! AND ZIPPERS! AND BINDING! Oh, my!)

-Clean out and de-junk all bedrooms and closets (another long term project, right now I have left my closet, the file bin (yikes), my bedroom, and, worst of all, THE GARAGE-daunting I know!)

-Finish reading the Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander (Loving them! I am on the 2nd right now [there are five], it is just taking forever since the only time I have to read normally is right before I go to sleep-and then I just fall asleep!)

-Sew quilt for #4 (well, I haven't even started this one and it is low on the priority list.)

-Make homemade Christmas presents for all kids (I am coming up with ideas, a rag doll for #1, and hobby horses for the boys, any other ideas?)

-Finish Family Finances course (almost there, I have two lessons and two tests to go!)

-Start Teaching Children to Read course (I had to register since the class is being done away with soon, but I am so looking forward to it.)

-Iron my clothes! (I am such a procrastinator if I don't like doing something! I have a pile of clothes [well, okay, not a pile, they are hanging nicely in the closet] just waiting to be ironed.)

Whew! I better get to work now.

Bring On The Guilt!

I have never been a tiny woman (or a tiny girl for that matter). And having just finished nursing my last baby and not needing those extra calories anymore I am afraid it is time for me to cut back on what I eat.

Now you have to understand that I love food.

I especially love food that isn't so good for me (chocolate, bread, cheese, pasta, etc.) I also enjoy many vegatables and fruits and other healthy foods, but those just aren't as comforting for me.

It's those foods that remind me of growing up and spending time with family that are particularly enjoyable and help me relax from a long day. It was a simpler time back then when I didn't have to make all the decisions, pay the bills, do all the work, or worry so much.

Even now when our family gets together there are usually at least 10 gallons of Mom's potato salad to consume while laughing it up and playing Mahjong. How do you resist that?

So on this quest I worry that I will often mess up and feel those pangs of guilt that are already an everyday occurance (by the way, is that just me?)

But I guess so long as I am trying, that's the important thing. And those guilty feelings will just spur me on to try harder.