My Journey Through The Mother Land

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Free Free Free

Since I committed to following a budget, I have to admit it's been kinda fun to find some creative ways to have free fun.

My mother always told me I could take a pile of junk & make something neat out of it (THANKS MOM!). **She said it much nicer than that

So after we took the swing set items out of their massive boxes I saved them for future projects.

If anyone remembers my kite experience, you know this could get interesting.

Today, I took one of the larger boxes and constructed this tunnel. I quickly ran & grabbed the camera before it fell apart!

Swing Set Satisfaction

As I am sure you know by now, I don't have patience for craft-like things. This includes reading instructions.

For my son and daughter's birthdays this year we combined all the money they received from loved ones (THANK YOU!) and purchased this awesome swingset I won't have to refinish each year.



So when it arrived via big big truck, I skipped out to meet the truck driver. And as required; had my brother help me carry the massive thing in the back yard. I warned Mr Thurgood and Uncle ahead of time that they would have to assemble it together--if I had picture proof of some of the items I've tried to assemble you would know why.

So there the swing set sat in a box in our backyard and I just stared at it. It was then that I decided to have my brother help me move it to where it would actually stand for the duration of it's life. He complied.

Now I stood looking at it all cramped up in its box where it would eventually be able to stretch its wings. I then looked at the time (approx 11:20) and did the math in my head (shocker, I know). Mr. Thurgood would be home @ 6PM that night. Good gracious that was a long time for the playset to just sit there.

Yes, you guessed it. I sent my son (the one that can guilt trip uncle the best) to ask my brother to put up the swing set with me. He complied again :) I was elated!

Now you must know that Uncle's patience for assembling things is similar to mine (must be on my Dads side of the family. Dad?) So picture us on one of the hottest days of the week....outside, READING instructions and actually trying to follow them!

Its was quite the comical experience. We know that if we were ever on a reality TV team, we would be America's favorite!

Our little jabs at one another. Our jokes...laughter, frustration, arguments about which piece the instructions were refering to, and the victory dances we performed for whomever was right, was truly a sight to see!

The highlight of the assembly was the point at which Uncle suggested that we just throw out a piece that just wasn't fitting right! I envisioned my children trying to swing and the whole set falling down on them.....so that didn't last long.

But my dear friends 5 HOT SUNNY HOURS LATER we finished!

Earth Day: Garden in a Glove

For Earth Day we made Garden in a Glove

With a plastic food-handling glove, we placed wet cotton balls in the fingers and thumb of a glove. Then placed one seed in each section. We tied the end to ensure the seeds didn't become lunch and set them out to soak up sun & heat. Within a few days the little guys started budding....if I could keep them alive, we would have planted them. .....may they rest in peace!

FREEZER frenzy!

Thanks to my friend Stephanie, lunchtime pasta requests are made easier!

I always seem to have leftover pasta from dinner. It usually sits inside the fridge until it goes bad.
Now I place my leftovers in a muffin tin and place it in the freezer. Once frozen I take it out and place it on the counter for about 10+ minutes (just enough to thaw a little).

I turn it upside down and slap the bottom of the tin and TA DA!

Almost instant pasta for my little ones lunch!

REHEAT
THROW SAUCE ON IT
& SERVE!

This has actually inspired me to plan breakfast meals for each day of the month. So I'll only repeat those meals once every month (excluding weekends).

I came up with this idea as I saw one of my neighbors make a large batch of pancakes and freeze the remaining items for later!

Since I was fortunate to take these ideas home & better my meals I'll share the Monday-Friday breakfast meals that will be whipped up or reheated in our household! (subject to change as I find awesome breakfast additions)
** Note: only certain items will be frozen :)

Bon Apetit!

Eggs & Bacon
Swedish Rice
Pancakes
Toast & Fruit
Bagel & Smoothie
Scones
Oatmeal
Waffles (or as call them, "Wamples") with homemade syrup
Fruit Salad
Raspberry Turnovers
Omelet
Peaches & Whip Cream (to resemble a sunny side egg)
Quiche
Bacon, Egg, & Cheese Bagel
Muffins
Eggs and hash browns
Cinnamon Rolls
French Toast
Breakfast Casserole
Yogurt & Fruit

Friday, April 17, 2009

How Do You Rate As a 1930"s Wife??

Thank you something marvelous for posting this awesome quiz!

It peaked my interest and OF COURSE I took it.

Side note: I find it interesting that some of the point values equate the importance of "Being able to carry on an interesting conversation as being equal in points to squeezing the toothpaste at the top!" :) Makes my giggle and shake my head

I'll babble blog some time later about adapting the positive aspects of the early 1900's into my life :)

But for now, check this out:

A wife rating scale from the 1930s:

Apparently, the full scale had 50 merits and 50 demerits of differing value which were subtracted from each other to give the final score.

94

As a 1930s wife, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!


"This test represents the composite opinions of 600 husbands who were asked to list the cheif merits and demerits of their wives. They talked frankly. I have summarized the most frequently voiced falws and virtues and have weighted those items which, in my judgement as a psychologist and a physician, are especially important in marriage. I commend this test to the attention of all intelligent women who aspire to make their marriages both permanent and happy. Young women contemplating matrimony might very profitably use this test as a practical guide." --Dr. George W. Crane

I have to scratch my head as to why Dr. Crane felt "wearing red nail polish" or "eating onions, radishes, or garlic before a date or going to bed" Seemed to be such a naughty gesture in marriage! Oh the disgrace :)

I had my husband take the test and died with some of his questions! He was off the charts with his test.....I doubt he would be called World's Best Husband (like he is today) back in the 1930's..pretty sure the men folk would've pulled him off to the side--telling him he'd better stop doing so much around the house before his wife expects it!

Just a little curious as to how "Compares wive unfavorably with his mother or other wives" is only 5 demerits! That's grounds for automatic FAILURE!

At the same time, "Gives wife real movie kisses not dutiful "peck" on the cheek." Should be far more than 1 merit in my opinion.

138.5

As a 1930s husband, I am
Very Superior

Take the test!


Thursday, April 16, 2009

Rest Assured Restroom Experience....


Its obvious by now that I worry like a schizophrenic. So its no wonder as we were ALMOST finished grocery shopping my son starts doing the pee pee dance. The faster the dance, the less time I have to prepare!

I quickly start talking to him, trying to distract him as I bee-line my way to the nearest restroom....AND?

Closed for maintenance and cleaning! My mother & husband can attest that this particular grocery store is ALWAYS cleaning their bathrooms at the worst possible time!

I used the only other option I had left: the men's room.

My darling freshly 3 year old hopped out of the cart and in a loud voice (standing next to the opening of the restroom) I announced to him, "Hurry and use the potty and if ANYONE touches you--yell for mommy & I will help you!"

After he was out of site I felt like saying, "if you even think about touching my kid I'm gonna snap you in half!"

My adrenaline was pumping overtime and I was ready to go....

Through my deafening heartbeat I could detect that my son was alone, and sensed relief pouring over me. But I wish I could have seen what I looked like to the male passerby's with an aura that must have screamed, "Next bathroom, buddy!"

It was a successful public bathroom trip for my son, and frankly I was exhausted. So, I can rest for now, that is, until the next worse case scenario enters my mind!

Monday, April 13, 2009

Code Adam

Back in my college days I worked at a local retail store. We were trained to search for a missing child matching the description when,"Code Adam" was paged over the intercom.

The announcement over the intercom always sent my heart racing, and I immediately stopped what I was doing to search for the missing child.

My heart raced more rapidly then in previous years this past weekend as a quick run into a store with my 3 year old turned into a search and rescue. The run into the store was supposed to be quick. Because of this I decided for one of the first times, NOT to place my son in a shopping cart. Mistake #1 for me. I had the little wanderer with me as I approached the checkstand. Another sales clerk flagged me over to their register so that I would not have to stand in line and poof...the tiny toddler was gone.

I called for him and looked in the surrounding area, but nada! So of course I panic..it literally was seconds. I run outside to see if I can see anyone in the parking lot with my child...nothing. So the associate calls for a "Code Adam".

Code Adam is actually an internationally-recognized missing child program. Started by the store I worked for in college . Its named after John Walsh's (Americas Most Wanted) late son.

Companies that do implement the program generally place a Code Adam decal at the front of the business. Employees at these businesses are trained to do the following six steps according to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children:
  1. If a visitor reports a child is missing, a detailed description of the child and what he or she is wearing is obtained. Additionally, all exterior access to the building is locked and monitored; anyone approaching a door is turned away.
  2. The employee goes to the nearest in-house telephone and pages Code Adam, describing the child’s physical features and clothing. As designated employees monitor front entrances, other employees begin looking for the child.
  3. If the child is not found within 10 minutes, law enforcement is called.
  4. If the child is found and appears to have been lost and unharmed, the child is reunited with the searching family member.
  5. If the child is found accompanied by someone other than a parent or legal guardian, reasonable efforts to delay their departure will be used without putting the child, staff, or visitors at risk. Law enforcement will be notified and given details about the person accompanying the child.
  6. The Code Adam page will be canceled after the child is found or law enforcement arrives.
I was asked by the sales associate to describe what my son looked like. DUH! I was NOT prepared for this question as my mind was in a state of shock. I listed off his clothes and the color of his skin. The associate asked me to wait by the front door. Which makes sense, but didn't make me feel as though I was doing all that I could to find my baby!

I was lucky...the little turd headed back to the toy area and was found by one of the associates who gathered together to find him.

I tried not to scare him once we finished our business and left, but explained as best I could (without bursting into tears) how sad I get when I don't know where he is etc. etc.

I learned a ton from this experience:

a. my children will remain in shopping carts until their 30 yrs. old
b. I will do better at discussing the responsibility that comes with the freedom of walking and not sitting in a cart (age 31+)
c. I failed to mention how old my child was. or the fact that he had a painted bunny face on. I didn't mention eye color, his name, or any permanent information about him that a perpetrator could not disguise quickly.

I have a Child ID Card for each member of my family, but it is not enough. I am going to write down a list of identifying questions that I can answer information about and keep a wallet-sized version with me. I was lucky this time, but will take measures to prepare myself even more.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Let the Memmy Awards Begin...

During my daily mommy routine I often come across a product that is WONDERFUL and think to myself "life would not be the same without ____."

It is from this I have been inspired to start my own "Memmy" Awards (Mother's Emmy's). Basically, I'd like us to recognize excellent products that make mothering just a tiny bit easier--something you think you wouldn't want to travel through the journey of motherhood without.

So to start out this segments "Memmy Award" I'd definitely nominate the Baby Bjorn Bib. Thanks to my darling friend Hannah's advice I purchased one of these bad boys and haven't looked back since.
The material with which it is made from makes for a rinse-off and go clean-up. And it catches my little picasos droppings from the hole in her chin :). Mine has actually made it through two children. I've tried the other products with plastic etc. and nothing is as easy as the Baby Bjorn Bib. Thus the reason I am nominating this item.

I'd LOVE to hear from fellow caregivers out there. Nominate product(s) that have been awesome for you. They're all winners of the Memmy Award!