Re-inventing me?

"Comparison is the thief of joy."  Theodore Roosevelt

I'd like to ask a  question:  If you could see the way others see you, what do you think you would look like?  I know, what others think about us shouldn't matter, but deep down, sometimes it does.  Whether you were the kid in school that was bullied and taunted, like me, or maybe an overheard conversation, or the voice in your head that is less than positive.  I struggle with self-esteem.  When my kids were teenagers, I felt dumb - maybe they were really slipping those imaginary "stupid Pills" in my tea, I'm not sure.

Me Net, the Super mom

I have been called Supermom.  Nope, that doesn't fit me at all, though I wouldn't mind having the cool costume and Wonder Woman figure.  I watch other people's kids, but I don't work miracles. There are so many people out there that blow my mind at what they accomplish or what they know.  Yeah, I stopped using my degree a decade ago.

How I really feel & look

Sometimes I think we give the wrong impression by making sure we put our best foot forward. While I would love for everyone to believe that I've got it together and I don't screw up, but I do.  Daily.  My home or family will never be featured in a glossy magazine, and I'm great with that.  Sometimes, I wish we had fewer dust bunnies and more finished things on our do list, or we had a little more updated or cohesive look, but I don't see it happening anytime soon.  Oh, and don't even get me started on the the space that outwardly resembles a garage.  Ugh!   I've often tried to express this, but never found the right words, but this morning, I was reading a friend's blog and I think she said exactly the way I want.  So if you'll follow the link to Diary of a Quilter, you'll see that it's "not always pretty and perfect."

So this week, let's allow others to see the not so pretty and perfect and maybe, just maybe, you'll find less pressure on yourself, and more bunnies on the ceiling fan. It will be okay.   

"You can't live a positive life with a negative mind." 

Guest "chef"

One handed egg cracking

 Last week, Youngest and I were discussing skills he needs when he grows up, cooking being one of them, especially for a new Eagle required MB (merit badge) for Boy Scouts.

"Oh, I don't need to learn how to cook. When I go to college, I'll live at home and eat your food, like Oldest and Only do. Then I'll get married, and my wife will cook. If she is ever gone, I'll eat sandwiches, cereal, and microwaveable meals," he says with a smirk.  Note: Making Mac and Cheese in the microwave, fixing a bowl of cereal, and using an MRE while on a Boy Scout campout, does not count as cooking. 

Only's spaghetti

Youngest went on to dig himself a deeper hole and before he knew it, he was suddenly in charge of dinner: pancakes from scratch, bacon, making the buttermilk, making homemade maple syrup, and scrambled eggs. For his first REAL meal, he did okay. None of us died.  He learned how to crack eggs with one hand and admitted "It's really hard to multi-task when cooking!"

Youngest's Popcorn chicken

Before the end of the meal, each child picked a night they would cook for the family. They just have to get a list of their needs to me. Dave said he was going to get his mom to make his, but we told him that was illegal and against the "rules."  Ha!  So far, the kids have done well with minimal help (not counting cooking instructions with Youngest), but it's really hard to sit back, wait until they get home from work and start cooking, but they have met the challenge well.  Only made homemade spaghetti sauce  and Oldest did some searching on his own and came up with his own menu and found a recipe he wanted to use. Only protested he chose fish because she can't stand it, but I reminded her that if she refuses to eat what someone else has prepared, it can be offensive and rude.  All she has to do is try it, and she can always refuse seconds or request a small portion. She ate what he had prepared.

It has been rather interesting to see my boys in the kitchen.  Things I assumed they would know because they grew up here, they don't.  Makes me feel like I've really messed up because I've not done this sooner or required them in the kitchen more regularly. Only has been in the kitchen with me regularly, she usually comes in to see how she can help, so she knows what it really takes and I have much confidence and appreciation for her.

• Mom, we don't have any black pepper  (it's in the pepper grinder for fresh pepper, not in a McCormick jar).   
• Where do we keep the big flat cooking things?  You know, the things you put cookies and bread on.  (Oh, you mean a cookie sheet?).  
• How do I broil something.  Isn't it the same as baking? 
• Where is the salt container and how do I fix rice? 
•  There's a difference between dry and liquid measuring cups! 
• You mean I can't use the same cutting board for meat as I do for veggies?
•  How am I supposed to measure the pepper from the grinder (as he attempts to shake the pepper from the grinder into a measuring spoon)? 
• Oops!  Guess we're having really brown bread - wasn't thinking to check it.

 I have learned a few things: My family has much to learn, we hang out in the kitchen more while the guest chef prepares the evening meal, and they seem to actually look forward to when they cook!  If I do help, it is to as an assistant or to answer questions. I hope to move them into doing grocery planning and shopping on a budget.  I've clearly begun this a little too late in their lives, but it will be okay. 
 

Oldest Fish Dish

 I had to laugh when a friend of mine told me about her son who is in the Marines: 

 Sounds soooooo familiar! Then i got calls from my new Marine, Mom, how do you: cook tuna out of a can?, cook a precooked chicken breast, make mac-n-cheese....scramble eggs! I LOVED Laughing a full minute before I would tell him how!  Celeste

 

Did you teach your kids how to cook, do you feel they are prepared or on their way to being prepared to be on their own, and how did you do it?  What age were they when they joined you in the kitchen?  Is there anything you would have done differently?

I love it when

I love it when Only gets all comfy on the couch, with phone and book in hand (sometimes her laptop), and calls "hey, you wanna watch a movie with me? It's a really good one!"

Tonight it was "The Blind Side," which we've seen more than a dozen times, but still cannot decide which one part is our favorite. It was good to laugh and remember, to be sad, and to learn. But must important we sat together to enjoy.  There have been times I've walked into the livingroom to see all three kids laughing and talking, watching "The Blind Side," "Remember the Titans", or "Facing the Giants".  It's not that we are huge fans of football movies, but these are tried and true favorites.

Last week, we watched "The Help" for the first time. And we cried and laughed. What matters and what I love is the time spent together and the laughs or tears... Well, those are just extras cause "You is smart... You is kind... You is important." so many lessons to be learned from that Movie. But those chocolate brownies where a HOOT!

Couple weeks ago we watched Mamma Mia again... Now that movie makes me want to get up and dance (but I don't)!  We love watching the DIY Network with all their Crasher shows (Bath, Kitchen, Yards, Room...)  What a time to dream!  It's the time we spend - that's what I love. If we pick a chick movie, the guys steer clear!!! Our time together to talk, laugh, cry, be comfy, and veg.  Love spending time with my girl. Times to treasure.

This week, we coloring each other's hair. Only will cover my gray, I'll re-highlight that which has grown out on hers.  Usually we have quite a few laughs, but it always makes me a big scared that I'll do something wrong it will turn out really weird. 

What kind of activities do you do with a specific person in your house - maybe a movie, or talking while fixing a meal, going for a soda, or just being there?

Lynnet

My blue-eyed Boy

I remember the first time I held him

When he was twelve days old...

 My finger traced the Deep angry scar on his chest

 his eyelashes swept upward.

Looking deep into those blueberry blue eyes

 I whispered and professed my eternal love

Last night, as he sat in a kitchen chair for his haircut, 

his jokes and goofiness, unique personality came through. 

As I gelled his hair and snapped his picture, 

I looked deep into those blueberry blue eyes, 

I whispered and professed my eternal love 

as tears welled and pooled, 

poised

 waiting for a opportunity to roll.

 I do love this boy, whom is poised on the edge I manhood. 

"I wuv you Mommy!" 

he proclaims
with a goofy grin

"I Like my hair."

High end? Guess not!

Last weekend, with all the cleaning, organizing, and building of Only's loft bed, I was sure I had that cleaning bug "out of my system.".

Seems not. I was trying to find something to wear for a date with Honey and more often than not, my closet was packed with clothes

1. I don't wear,
2. A decade old
3. The wrong size
4. Not a style I should be seen in
(Honey's too small shirts)

Before I knew it, my bed had more clothes than my closet. Must say it felt pretty good to do that! Thought I would take it to our local popular resale shop and make some money. Turns out, I have a handful of items that were acceptable, but felt so disheartened, embarrassed, and low when I left because our things were not "High End." Not sure why it really bothered me, but it did. I do have things with nice brand names on them, and nothing I took inside the store was ready for Goodwill (I left those in the car).

Sweet Momma reminded me that I was not the one rejected, but the clothes I rejected or purged from my closet were. Still, my heart was wounded from the experience.

So, we are now having a garage sale this next weekend, saving myself the 20% fee they would charge. Poor Honey wasn't happy about it, but hopefully the money we make will convince him it will be worth it.

Lynnet

I'm still here

I'm here.  Really, I'm still here.  It's been almost a month since I last wrote and there are days that go by that I don't even get to the computer to turn it on.  Overwhelmed at times with feeling like I need to get it all done but realizing that it's okay it doesn't have to be "all done".  I've been here before and I am smart enough to know I'm not the only one.  God gives me moments and answers just when I need them, in His time. 

No one has died or fallen ill because

• the floor wasn't mopped
•  the laundry is still in the basket
• the dishwasher still needs to be emptied
• we had "clean out the fridge night" again. So thankful that we have extra food! 
• the baby toys are still on the living room floor when I go to bed
• the bathroom tub looks "slightly" used this week
• the dog cleans up the kitchen floor when food is dropped

I've been battling with sleepless nights (even with a prescription sleeping pill) and exhaustion during the day.  I've battled with this since college, but seems it has gotten worse With little ones that I care for, sleeping during the day is not an option. After trying Lunesta and still not sleeping through the night or even going to sleep, the doctor put me on a different med and I am thankfully sleeping until my alarm goes off most days.  I'm a much nicer person when I get sleep!

Lady with Miss C

Kids

• Oldest has started college and got his first official job working at Ultimutt Dog Care  as a dog handler. Seems like we see him less, but he is loving having classes finish before 1 p.m.
• Only is in the middle of her senior year just started her first official job at Pizza Warehouse as party and game hostess.  She continues cleaning homes for two families once a week - doing school in the mornings.
• Youngest is in 8th grade and very involved in Boy Scouts. He enjoyed an adventurous summer camp and is involved in a local drama winter production of A Christmas Carol. 
• Little Ones:  I no longer care for Miss H, but have added a new little one, Miss C, who was born the end of this June.  Sweet baby smiles and cuddles are what I love.

I was blessed when Glenda at Notes on the Journey told me I had won a copy of Life: Beautiful (Faith for Your Journey) on her blog giveaway.  It is filled with not only beauty, but inspiration and encouragement in my faith. I have really enjoyed reading through it  - I needed that! 

Adams Photography

We finally had some family pictures taken by our sweet friend and talented photography, Amy from Adams Photography. I'm making a shameless plug for her - she has a wonderful affordable Fall Special going on if you live in my area.
Contact her by:

• Email: maadams0408@yahoo.com
• Facebook

         

Finally comfortable

Our poor German Shepard, Lady had surgery 10 days ago to remove a large vascular tumor, commonly referred to as "The Hangy Downy thing" in our home.  Her incision was 6" long and horribly uncomfortable, but we are thankful to have it done.  Y  We switched vets this year to a clinic closer to home and at this time, we've seen a big blessing financially.  The first day we took her there for a yearly check up (shots and stuff) - I had been saving for the $58 from my baby-sitting checks and God gave us the BIGGEST blessing! Someone came in, while we were back with the vet, asking if we were there, and PAID our vet bill for that day!!!!!  I was in tears when I left! I still don't know who our angel was, but we are over whelmed with their kindness.  Yesterday we had her stitches out and found out the results of the histopathology.  What the vet said just about made me crumble on the floor and cry, but I had Youngest with me,  said the mass was potentially Malignant. I know that says potential, which is a big word, but we have a big God.  I know this is just a dog, but this dog does not leave my side.  For some reason, she follows me around constantly, watching me, dependent on me to make sure she feels safe.  I'm not a dog person and really just tolerate them, but I must say I do love this dog.