I'm In Love With George.....

This year I once again started a diet new way of eating... I am a major carbohydrate addict.. I love pasta.. bread... chocolate... rice.. but my body does not appreciate the carbs that I have been eating on a daily basis... So in the middle of January - I stopped cold turkey.. No more bread.. No more spaghetti.. No more white rice.... No more candy... I just had to say NO... In the first two weeks - I lost 12 pounds and my lower back pain has gotten a lot better...

Target had the new George Foreman grill on sale... I went out and bought it... It was $35 well spent... Tonight I am making sliders with blue cheese... Very yummy... Tomorrow - jerk chicken... The next night -I'm not cooking - my main man (not George) is taking me out - It's our 22 year wedding anniversary....

The grill is the perfect size... It cooks everything evenly.. it's fast and the best part it's easy to clean... I have to say that George is making this way of eating much more easier and Fun...

Love you George Foreman!

Moms Have A Very Full Plate

I think the "job" of a woman and mom has increased considerably over the last couple of decades... In the 60's and 70's - a woman got married .. quit her job... had kids... sent the kids off to school... had coffee with the other "house wives" ... came home.. cleaned house... made dinner.... tucked the kids in bed... took a shower... put on something "non-motherly" and.. well you know....

In the 80's and 90's - women were expected to get married.. have kids... after a few weeks off.. bring the kids to daycare.. go to work... pick up the kids from daycare (right before it closed).. rush home.. feed the kids... feed the husband... tuck the kids in bed..... clean the house.... take a shower... and "you know" but more often than not - she went to bed to sleep..... and the divorce rate increased... I think the reason for the divorce increase was that- the wife/mom would be resentful of her husband because many times when he came home - he was tired.. but still expected dinner on the table... the kids in a happy mood for him to enjoy... the house and clothes to be clean.. Many husbands just took things for granted and did not take into consideration that his wife worked all day too..... I really am not bashing husbands here.. Mostly because when they were growing up their moms did stay home and take care of the family.. and that expectation followed them into adulthood... And if a woman decided she wanted to stay home with the kids - many of her friends would look down on her.... and many times the "mom" would feel like she gave up "her life" because she wanted to be a "full" time mom...

Now in the 2000's - things started kind of reverting back to stay at home moms.. Many women gave up their jobs because they believed it was the right thing for their kids... And many times it definitely was... Another thing that really took off was home school... Out here in bloggy land - I have met so many moms who home-school their children... I recently spoke to a fellow blogger whose son was accepted into Duke University... he had started home school when it was frowned upon... Now look at him... It's amazing to me how things evolve....

Even though many moms have chosen to stay at home with the kids... Many of them have found out that they still need to bring in some income into the family... One working parent may not be enough for some families.... Many blogging moms and moms in general are starting up "at home" businesses... The Estsy on line shops are a big one... Blogging is another biggie.... I am a stay at home mom and I am also a self employed mom... And many times I find it so difficult to find a balance...

The cycle is again revolving.. or evolving however you may look at it... I personally see a very full plate for moms... Take care of our kids at home.... Keep the house clean... ( I do have help here every other week).. Make the meals.. Home school our kids (some of us).. AND bring monies in to help support the family.....

How Full Is Your Plate?

Dear Daughter Of Mine.....

Dear Dear Dear... daughter of Mine...

Although you are a teenager and now know much more than I do... I have to say that no matter how "dumb" I appear to you - I will love you... no matter how many times you snarl... no matter how many times you roll your eyes... no matter how many times you talk back.. I will love you...

I know that you believe that you do not need supervision.. but as I am "dumb" and can not remember this... I will continue to supervise... I will continue to know who your friends are... I will continue to require you to answer your cellphone when I call... I will continue to monitor your computer usage.. I will continue to ask you questions and I will require an answer back... preferably with as few grunts or "I don't knows" as possible...

I am fully aware that you don't need me to keep you on track with school work and grades.. But because I am a slow learner... I will check your grades... I will also get "in your grill" about studying.. I will expect you to give 100% in all that you do in life... anything less is not acceptable...

I know that you think you are too mature for public displays of affection from your mother - but because I love you so very much - you must excuse my over the top enthusiasm when I give you a hug.. or a smile... or heavens forbid.. I might even talk to you (in front of your friends)... I am proud of you and sometimes it just has to come out....

I know you like to pretend that what I say or think does not matter and I will continue to play this game with you... But thankfully I do know.... the secret you try to hide behind your teenage facade.... You know how I know???? Because I was once you... and now....

I've Become My Mother........

Friday Blog Hop

Well this has been a super duper crazy week.....

Monday - both girls got braces...



Monday - my oldest started independent study - high school at home..

The rest of the week was spent passing out Motrin for the braces pain... Helping my eldest setup and adjust to a new way of doing school... Praying for my mom and her new battle with breast cancer.. Keeping up the house.. Keeping up with my job... and Making the meals (I am having my family "fast" from fast food for two months..)

This is one mom who is looking forward to the weekend.. so I can collapse...

Cancer Is Attacking My Mom!!!!!

Years ago my Uncle Kenny made this comment to me: "In our family it's not IF you get cancer BUT when you get cancer..." Even though Uncle Kenny is not a "blood relative" to my mom - His comment is true about ALL of our family..... Last Friday Mom received the call that Every woman is in fear of one day getting... The call telling her that the mass that was found in her mammogram is breast cancer. And I have to say this completely Sucks....

My dad passed away a couple of years ago - He had suffered from oral cancer and had his tongue removed - shortly after he lost his tongue -he developed congestive heart failure... My mom was his caregiver for several years - She helped him to clean out his tracheotomy tube (He could no longer eat) - She helped him feed himself through a stomach tube... She basically was his at home nurse... In addition to taking care of my dad - She worked full time at a doctor's office... She was a very busy lady and through all of it -She never complained... She never felt sorry for herself... I think she just accepted it and that was that.... Since my dad has been gone - She has taken ownership of her life - She is bursting out and is living her life on her terms.. It is a beautiful thing to watch.... She has:

Retired and is enjoying traveling
Decorated her house the way she likes it -
She is spending time with her daughters and grand kids -
She accepted Christ into her heart.
She is an active participant in Bible studies and church activities.
She goes to the movies with me and we laugh ourselves silly..

She has had many hardships physically since she took over her life... She was diagnosed with diabetes... Her pelvic is cracked (no idea how or why) and she has a hard time keeping up with the activities that she wants to do... And NOW - she has been hit with yet another zinger... Breast Cancer... My questions is this - "Why is all this medical crap hitting her just when she was getting her life the way she wanted it?" I am so mad about this... If anyone deserves a bit of happiness it's my mom... I have no doubt that she will kick cancer's butt... She will continue to be full of laughter, wisdom, and will always be a lady... I just wish this did not have to happen.... I want her to have a life full of rainbows and lollipops like Leslie Gore described so many years ago....

So Here's To My Mom - A woman who I love... Who I admire.. Who I respect and Who I know will kick cancer's ASS.... Love you Mom!