This weekend was very busy with family events and even some time out for Mama. After reflecting on the weekend I've come to some realizations that I feel I must share.
Saturday night my husband had a great handle on the kids and suggested I go out to see friends. I met up with some old friends and spent time at a local bar with them. It was like they were frozen in time. They were still the same old people, doing the same things over and over again. Frozen in some kind of drunken cycle with no real direction or goal in mind. These women are now in their 40's and they have not made any changes for the better. They have the same problems, same addictions and same stand still lives. They didn't have anything new to tell me and they didn't really want to hear about what I've been up to. This was a kick in the butt moment, will I be like them? Will I still be sitting in the same spot 5 years from now having not made a single change? When I look back 5 years ago I still had the same goals I have now...because I haven't acheived any of them. I haven't made any of the changes I've desired for years. So if I don't get moving I will be those women. I will be frozen in time with no real direction. The twenties disappeared, my thirties are flying by and time is flying away from me.
Another fun tidbit about the weekend, a close friend confided in me some things that pretty much make me think she is about as awful a person as she can be. I shouldn't be surprised, this woman has shown me who she is time and again. She is broken and insecure and a lifelong addict (one thing or another). We were friends before I had children, spending our time in bars or hopping from one party to the next. When I had my children everything (EVERYTHING) changed. I see this person in a whole new light, the light that eminates from my children. She is a bad influence, she is a terrible mother and she is married to a bully.
It's time for me to clean house. It's hard to take out the trash when you don't really have anyone new to rely on. But I suppose new people (who support me and have similar views about life) can't come into my life if I don't make room for them right?
Peace.Love.Freedom.Happiness.
Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live, it is asking others to live as one wishes to live.
~Oscar Wilde, The Soul of Man Under Socialism
Monday, April 30, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Is it me???
Some days I just don't know...yesterday I had a lively discussion with a friend about schooling and the value of standardized testing. I could not believe that an intelligent mother in this day and age doesn't understand the problems with standardized testing. She blabbed on and on about how important the testing is to find out if the kids are learning or not. We discussed other things about school and how kids are often times either way ahead or behind their peers and the additional stress this causes (boredom for the advanced kids and frustration for the kids who are a little "behind"). She didn't get the idea that schooling is not child or family friendly. She also did not understand why someone would homeschool when schools are provided and spewed out a lot of untrue things about homeschooling in our area. I let her blab on and corrected her a couple of times when I could get a word in edge wise. She is a very overbearing person as a whole so I didn't bother getting into detail with her.
How do people not know these things? Why don't they think about these things? Why don't people question the system?
How do people not know these things? Why don't they think about these things? Why don't people question the system?
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Tonight I managed to finish a pair of Big Butt Baby Pants for Little Chief. Can I tell you how much I love the Big Butt Baby Pants pattern from Made by Rae? Suffice it to say, I love it! Little Chief has three pair of pants now and I have already cut out pieces for more!!! He loves them too, they are so comfy.
I also made by first pillowcase dress for Little Miss, it was so fun that I'm sure it won't be the last.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Tonight I have decided to answer 20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection as written by Tsh Oxenreider
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
I gave birth to the Little Chief in May
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
The most challenging was adapting to having two children, each with their own set of
needs and wants.
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
I found joy in my home, I really came into my own as far as homemaking and accomplishing
goals for our nest.
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
There are always unexpected obstacles, this year I found that caring for two children and
letting go of my expectations for things was probably the biggest. Also, my husband was laid
off right before Christmas (with no timeline on returning to work).
5. Pick three words to describe 2011.
accomplishment, growth, change
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2011 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
change, learning, crafty
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2011 (again, without asking).
unlucky, parenting, work
8. What were the best books you read this year?
With two little ones it's hard to read. I managed to work through a lot of Feeding the Whole
Family and The Rhythm of Family
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
I consider all of my relationships valuable.
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
My biggest personal change was moving into adulthood for good and realizing that what I want and need for my family is the most important thing.
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
I'll have to think about this one.
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
I came to terms with my adult version of spirituality and let go of expectations that friends
and family have. It's okay that I don't believe what everyone else believes.
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
Unfortunately I grew in weight.
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
I have learned to communicate with other people on their emotional level and to let them
know that I may not understand their current emotion but that I will stand right beside them while they work through it (as opposed to trying to "fix").
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
Honestly, the most enjoyable part of my work is that when times are slow I get to surf the net and check my fave blogs (don't tell).
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
The most challenging work was at home (where I take my work seriously). Trying to be the best mama and wife possible and sometimes forgetting what is most important.
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Computer time (by far)
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Crafting, canning and spending time with family
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
Our little family is perfect for us and we have everything we need.
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.
The Year of Family Adjustments
1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?
I gave birth to the Little Chief in May
2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
The most challenging was adapting to having two children, each with their own set of
needs and wants.
3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?
I found joy in my home, I really came into my own as far as homemaking and accomplishing
goals for our nest.
4. What was an unexpected obstacle?
There are always unexpected obstacles, this year I found that caring for two children and
letting go of my expectations for things was probably the biggest. Also, my husband was laid
off right before Christmas (with no timeline on returning to work).
5. Pick three words to describe 2011.
accomplishment, growth, change
6. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe your 2011 (don’t ask them; guess based on how you think your spouse sees you).
change, learning, crafty
7. Pick three words your spouse would use to describe their 2011 (again, without asking).
unlucky, parenting, work
8. What were the best books you read this year?
With two little ones it's hard to read. I managed to work through a lot of Feeding the Whole
Family and The Rhythm of Family
9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?
I consider all of my relationships valuable.
10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?
My biggest personal change was moving into adulthood for good and realizing that what I want and need for my family is the most important thing.
11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?
I'll have to think about this one.
12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?
I came to terms with my adult version of spirituality and let go of expectations that friends
and family have. It's okay that I don't believe what everyone else believes.
13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?
Unfortunately I grew in weight.
14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?
I have learned to communicate with other people on their emotional level and to let them
know that I may not understand their current emotion but that I will stand right beside them while they work through it (as opposed to trying to "fix").
15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
Honestly, the most enjoyable part of my work is that when times are slow I get to surf the net and check my fave blogs (don't tell).
16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?
The most challenging work was at home (where I take my work seriously). Trying to be the best mama and wife possible and sometimes forgetting what is most important.
17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?
Computer time (by far)
18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?
Crafting, canning and spending time with family
19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?
Our little family is perfect for us and we have everything we need.
20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2011 for you.
The Year of Family Adjustments
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Moods
Ahhh, moods...often uncontrollable and usually undesireable (at least if anyone is taking the time to notice). I started in a funk on New Years Eve and have been somewhere between grumpy and angry ever since. I've taken more vitamins and I've been drinking more water which seems to help but not quite enough. I have snapped at my children, flipped off other drivers and just generally been unkind. What does one do when it feels as if the moods have taken over her will. I want to be peaceful and happy. I want to be an uber-understanding super mama who doesn't care that it takes 3 hours to get ready to leave the house (with a 3 year old and a 7 mo old). My patience is thin and time seems so short. I don't want to miss one moment with my children and now I find myself rushing them, telling them to move along and hurrying them through every moment that should have been enjoyed.
I need to take back these moments and find something inside to help.
I'm planning to participate in the 10 day family re-charge. If you're reading this I hope you consider it too!
I need to take back these moments and find something inside to help.
I'm planning to participate in the 10 day family re-charge. If you're reading this I hope you consider it too!
Friday, September 9, 2011
First Year of Canning
So as I wrap up my first year of canning I want to remember a few things.
*can more salsa (and when you think you're done, can more)
*can more tomato sauce (and more)
*make more strawberry freezer jam at the peak of the season
*you cannot make too much salsa
*Farmers Market!
*plan to can
*need another big stock pot
*need jar lifter
*dehydrate some
*plan for gifting too!
The food tastes so much better, it's so worth the effort.
This year I made 7 pints of salsa, 4 peach salsa, 1 pint & 2 1/2 pints peach freezer jam, 8 1/2 pints strawberry freezer jam, zucchini pickles, cucumber pickles, 6 pints apple pie filling, 4 1/2 pints raspberry freezer jam, 4 pints tomato basil sauce.
Still need to freeze basil and cilantro.
Friday, September 2, 2011
Fall, Please Come Soon
Yum! I can taste and see the sights of fall already. My husband and I were just talking with Little Miss about autumn. Autumn is our favorite season. We love the warm drinks, baked goods, hearty meals, family times and warm fires. I will be in pure bliss right up until the world becomes red and green with Christmas (my most dreaded time). Give me your browns, your oranges and your goldenrods…my eyes will drink them up. I love nature walks in the fall. Little Miss loves gathering pinecones, seed pods and all things natural in the fall. Please come quickly fall!
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