It's OK

Time for some grumbling, snarkiness, and maybe a little bad attitude...

So who came up with flowered scented dish soap?  Someone who drinks perfume?  This is just so gross. Really.

Why must the good foods be fattening?  Why is Coca Cola bad for your weight, health, teeth,etc. but so good for your mood?  I would say that it is just me but the fact it is a billion dollar industry would contradict that, just sayin.

Why did God not give me the love of cooking to match my love of eating home cooked foods?  

Where do all my socks go? Really, my house is not that big.

Is it really necessary to get hot sweats at night?  Wouldn't society be better if the menopausal women at least were well rested? 

I think I need a snickers, I am definitely in Diva mode today!! 

Friday's Fav Five

Today I am joining it with a new link up for me.  It is hosted by Living to Tell the Story.  

My Friday Fav Five list goes something like this...

1. My three older girls were still up watching television together when I went to bed last night.  My room is right next to the living room so I could hear their conversations.  Although I wasn't ease dropping, I did start to listen.  They were talking about casual and personal things.  I realized that they are all growing up and their conversations with each other are growing as well.  It was like listening to a group of 3 women talking over coffee.  My heart wanted to burst and I may have teared up or actually cried..... maybe. I am so thankful for this wonderful bond they will have with each other for the rest of their lives.

2.  I am just thankful it is Friday.... we have had snow and strep throat at our house this week.  I am ready to shut the books on this week and look forward to a fresh start next week.  I am so thankful God gives us a new day each morning to move forward.

3.  Our pets.  I saw this funny on Facebook and it reminded me of our pets.  The dog actually looks like one of ours.  We got Fred after he was found cold and wet wandering the streets.  His family was located but they didn't want him.  He is such a blessing to our family and we love him so much.  Our other dog Chloe was given to us when her owner just couldn't take care of the needs of a puppy. She was well taken care of but not a good fit there but has been for us.  She is quite the diva but that is ok with me, we have a lot of diva's in our house :) And then there are the Kitty Girls.  They were supposed to be cats for the farm but you can't get a box of kittens and then move them away to fend for themselves after you have fallen in love.  Three of the five moved out this summer (I guess cats do that) but these two are here to stay.  One even follows the girls to school sometimes and has been known to show back up to visit at p.e. time during the warm weather.  Yep, the neighborhood knows our pets as well as our children...

4.  The Shamrock shake is back at McDonald's.  I have not had one yet, but will soon :)  One of my springtime favorites...

5.  Make up.  I started my Ipsy bag subscription back up this month after taking a few months off.  I realized I love happy mail and I love trying new products.  What I don't like, I pass on to one of my girl's who are more than excited about that.  

So there you have it.  Have a wonderful week and be sure to link up and read some of the other links.  I love making new Blogging friends!! 

Unleash Your Power to Respect

It is time for the 3rd Thursday Blog Hop with Jill Savage from Hearts at Home....

I found this quote and used it on another post about a month ago, but it is fitting for this one as well...

Every individual has a place to fill in the world, and is important in some respect, whether he chooses to be so or not. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Respect truly is a super power some days.  Especially on those days when you have to deal with individuals who you don't feel are deserving of your respect.  I know as an adult I struggle with showing respect when other people are being less than respectful of me, but can you imagine how our children feel most days?

More so than when I was younger, adults are becoming more and more disrespectful to our children.  Mostly because they themselves are acting more and more like children.  Why is this?  Why are adult men and women resorting to childlike behavior?  As a parent, I witness teachers, friends and their parents, and authority figures being completely immature.  They are throwing bratty fits, allowing their own children to rule the roost, and involving themselves in their children's lives in unhealthy ways.

Recently I have had many incidents with parents and my children's friends that have brought this to a more glaring light to me.  Parents not only allowing but condoning their children's disregard of other children's feelings.  As a parent, we need to encourage our children to consider other people's feelings and not their own selfish desires.

 I have many specific examples from my 18 plus years of parenting that I could share on this subject.  As a society, we have become self centered and narcissistic.  Respect will definitely take a downward tumble as this continues to snowball.  As parents, we have to unleash this super power of Respect in order to raise men and women who will not only give but get respect in their relationships with others.  Being an example is the first step in the right direction.

Daybook

Linking up The Simple Woman's Blog with my week's plan

 Week of February 16th....

Outside my window... Snow. 

I am thinking... that I can handle the above mentioned snow since we are on the tail end of winter.  Yes!!

I am thankful... that I have a warm home, a loving family, and enough of everything I need.

I am wearing... the same thing I wore for Valentines Day with my hubby.  My black sweater and red scarf.  I did wear something different yesterday :)

I am creating... nothing.  I am pinning like crazy, that is my hobby as of the past few weeks.  I guess I could call it "planning", but really it is mindless entertainment.

I am going...to get that laundry caught up.  Someday.  Like when the kids are all grown and out of the house.  Like in 10 plus years.  Like in time for them to start doing mine.  Hahahaha. 

I am wondering...if Lucy will ever truly forgive me for slamming her cat's tail in the garage door.  By accident.  It was a rough Saturday afternoon.  The cat snuck into the garage behind me and I didn't notice until I had slammed the door.  The tip of her tail was caught.  I broke the tail and now we have to wait for it to possibly fall off.  She is not acting like she is in any pain, but poor Lucy is taking it hard. I am feeling so horrible :(

A few plans..Outside of a couple of games, not much on the calendar this week.  

I am reading... Tattoos On The Heart.  It is a book about a ministry in Los Angeles that works with Gangs.  It is such an eye opener as well as a heart opener. I used to work with the mentally ill and have had gang members as clients before.  It is a subculture that is hard to understand until you get to know the members as people instead of the stereotypes in your head.  I am really loving this book.

I am praying... for my nephew who I love so much.  He could use your prayers as well if you would please.  

I am learning...God has bigger plans than what I see for myself.  

In the kitchen... I am just not feeling it so far this week.  Doug made an amazing bacon wrapped pork loin on the smoker last night.  I would be happy to just make Ramen noodles tonight....just kidding...kind of.

  

Daybook....

Good Morning, I am linking up with The Simple Woman's Blog for the weekly Daybook

For today... February 9, 2015

Outside my window.... Chilly (in the 30's for a high) but no snow.  Most of the snow has melted from the warm temps this weekend.

I am thinking... that I had a great, great weekend with my family.

I am thankful... that my children view each other as important.  We had to plan Lucy's birthday celebration around Katie's work hours because she just started her new job and can't request time off.  Lucy would have never considered celebrating her birthday without her big sis present.

I am wearing... my sparkly sweater again.  I must need the sparkles to handle a Monday morning.

I am creating... nothing at the moment, but do have some unfinished projects.  My mind has been exhausted lately and I am just chilling and puttering around.

I am praying... for a family decision that could make a huge difference in our lives.  I see so many pro's and am trying to decide if the con's, though few, are too big to tackle right now.  I am also praying for a family member that has my heart heavy right now.  I love him so much and he is making such poor decisions.

In the kitchen... I made homemade mostaccioli and Italian beef this weekend.  It was soooo yummy.  I am thinking about some potato soup for a night this week, and I am super hungry for some grilled cheese.  Only one game to work around this week and that isn't until Friday.

A few plans...Doug is working on making our garage a "man cave" so I have decided to work on making my front porch more of a "mom cave".  I am wanting to make it kind of craft/work/library area.  I won't start until Spring since it is not heated, but I am getting my ideas together.

A peek into my day.... this is my favorite part of my job, reading to children.

Friday Favorites- Pintrest

So today I am linking up and sharing some more Friday Favorites.... I decided to do a Pintrest Edition.  Hopefully all  the links work.  I am a little addicted to Pintrest to be quite honest.  I have said before, it is like getting to form and edit my own magazine :)  I love to look back through my pins and see if I feel if it actually represents me, and it does.  Feel free to check out my Pintrest link on the sidebar if your interested in learning more about the things I love!

This quote!  It is taken a number of years to get here, but I feel I am making outstanding progress!

pintrest

Everything about this outfit from the bun to the shoes (I have a similar pair from the clearance at Payless).  I will probably never grow my hair long enough for the top knot but I do like to wear my hair up a lot (usually ever 3rd day to get one more wear before washing, #dirtyhairidontcare)

pintrest

I love the colors and the retro look of this pin.  I have always wanted a gumball machine.  I love, love. love antiques and bright colors.

pintrest

I feel this way when people decide to gossip about me or my family.  We stay pretty drama free but living in a small town you eventually make the coffee talk for something. 

pintrest

This was revolutionary for me.... I love white owls.  I only have one white owl bowl and all other owls are usually painted.  I never thought of painting them white (too easy for me).  So, Goodwill here I come! 

pintrest

Thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful weekend! 

Thursday Thoughts

Happy Thursday...

So what has been on my mind this week?  Child Care.  Not for my family, at least not on a daily basis.  I am now in the blessed season of all my children either in school or old enough and out of school to fill in the gaps.  In fact, a few weeks ago, Katie was able to take the three younger ones to their dental check ups and I didn't even have to take a sick day from work.  Do you think I may start building sick days? Who knows.  I do know I have learned to work while wishing I was home in bed resting because taking a sick day for me being sick is usually just not feasible because you know one of the four gals will come down with something.  The life of a working mom...

In my profession there is a huge push for Quality Child Care.  I whole heartily agree with this.  However, I feel that sometimes our moms and dads get lost in the shuffle and no longer feel like the "expert" on their own children.  This is very sad to me.  As a mother, I feel like I know my child better than anyone.  I was given this child from God because he entrusted me with them.  I believe we as parents still need to read up, maybe take a training (though not necessary) and seek guidance from experts in the field.  But when it comes down to it.  Listen to your gut instinct or the Holy Spirit (as I refer to it as).

We live in a day and age when two income families are not just a choice but many times a necessity to keep your heads above water.  When it is a choice, please determine if child care is the Best Choice.  I am a firm believer that parents are the best choice if at all possible.  I may have made some waves with some people, but with all the child care that I experience, my convictions are strong in this area.  

A Little Inspiration In The Day to Day

(I am already looking forward to some green grass and farming season to resume)

Do you ever have those people in your life that seem to be there just to drive you crazy?  Not saying I ever do... but remember....

Every individual has a place to fill in the world, and is important in some respect, whether he chooses to be so or not. ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

What's going on around here....

 

I am joining up with The Simple Woman's Blog to bring you my weekly day book.  Link up and share yours and read the other links....


 
 

 

 

For today...February 2nd (Groundhog's Day) 6 more weeks of Winter was the prediction.

 

Outside my window....Snow.  We got enough to cover everything, but not the storm that was predicted.  I can handle this.  I will admit, snow is beautiful the first day before it gets slushy and dirty.

 

 

 

I am thinking...how nice to have the day off.  Sometimes using a vacation day to hang out around the house is worth it.

 

I am thankful and in gratitude for... an older daughter who is responsible and can run the house and the family well when left in charge for a few days.

 

I am wearing...my pajama pants and an Oklahoma Sooners hoodie, this may be what I stay in all day long :)

 

I am wondering....if raising teenagers will turn me completely grey in the next few years.

 

I am reading... I am finishing up Screens and Teens and am still reading Own Your Own Life.  After this I plan to read something non fiction for fun.

 

 

 

I am learning...that life really does go fast.  Lucy is turning 9 this week.  She is my baby....sniff sniff.

 

One of my favorite things from the week... I spent 3 1/2 days in a vehicle with my man.  We went to Texas to pick up a pool table he bought.  We had a wonderful time enjoying each other's company, eating snacks, singing to the radio, talking, going out to eat, and just reconnecting. I really loved this time we had together and he did as well.  Where to next babe?