More Than A Mom

The Eyes

2009-11-10T18:15:00.001-05:00

My eyes are wonky again. When I was pregnant with Ava in 2006 I had to leave six weeks prior to my due date because I'd go home and be physically ill after a day on the computer. My eyes gave out. That was the longest time waiting for Ava to be born (and then having her 11 days overdue!). Not only was I physically uncomfortable, but I also wasn't able to read or watch television or do much except for lay on the sofa. What a boring time.

I'm not bored this time around with the lot of kids about but I am starting to have trouble concentrating on the computer and reading and knitting. Luckily I can touch knit and crochet so that is at least something I can do this time around while toddlers swarm around me.

This is just a warning that I might not get on as often as I like to the blog either but I will try my best.

Interview with My Mom

2009-11-08T10:00:00.002-05:00

Mama's Losin' It has another assignment I'd like to tackle. I realise this was an October challenge but, after FINALLY watching the trailer for the movie Motherhood (see below) I was inspired.

I haven't heard about this movie in Canada but I sure hope it comes out. When I watched the trailer I had both understanding and anxiety as I am in those footsteps daily! And I think I dress that frumpily these days too with the extra 25+ pounds I am trying to lose - and have been since June 2009 but have so not been motivated to get off. That's another post though. For today I am going to interview my mother.

Me: How has motherhood changed you?
Mom: Motherhood has taught me patience and unconditional love.

Me: How has being a grandmother changed you?
Mom: It has brought joy to my heart.

Me: What ages were your favorites?
Mom: Infancy to kindergarten.

Me: Do you miss having kids in the house?
Mom: Yes (and no ~ the peace is nice).

Me: What was the most difficult part of being a mom for you?
Mom: I didn't find it difficult; I found it fulfilling.

Me: What was the most rewarding part?
Mom: Watching you guys grow up into wonderful adults.

Me: Have I met the expectations you had for me when I was born?
Mom: Oh, you exceeded them ~ which I knew you would.

Oh, and if you want to check out the woman the Motherhood movie is based on, check out Eliza's blog here.

Love Letter to the Anthony Wiggle

2009-11-07T11:00:00.003-05:00

Occasionally I find the opportunity to sit down and to the assignments from Mama's Losin' It. Today's challenge is to write a love letter to the object of your affection.

Dear Anthony Wiggle,

My children have made me fans of yours. I watch you over and over again on VHS and DVD. Your singing and quirky ways melt my heart. And the fact that you have made millions in your creation of the Wiggles and other endeavours has nothing to do with it! Your Australian accent is pretty hot too. Now I find out you used to be a Cockroach (rock band) in the 80s and that just makes you that much more fun to watch jumping around in your blue skivvy. It doesn't hurt that my daughter's favourite colour is blue just like you. She wears blue every day and I think of you.

Thanks for creating the Wiggles. I will be watching you multiple times a day.

Is it wrong for a Mommy to crush on her kids' idol?

Crushing Mommy

Friday Fill In #149

2009-11-06T19:00:00.001-05:00

1. Plans and schedules have gone by the wayside and it's only the start of the weekend!

2. I'm happy when things work out so that I can go to the gym and resist junk food.

3. The last thing I drank was chocolate milk.

4. One of the most valuable things in my life is my family.

5. I like spinach, cheese, tomato sauce and ham on my pizza.

6. Dear November, please don't bring too much snow.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to Ghost Whisperer, tomorrow my plans include Weight Watchers meeting, swimming lessons and depositing my pay cheque and Sunday, I want to enjoy family time!

Check out what others are doing or link yours at Friday Fill-Ins.

Ten Tasks In Ten Days

2009-11-05T10:00:00.004-05:00

The Shabby Chic Cottage has a fantastic idea to complete ten tasks in ten days. I believe it's over now but I thought I'd like to join in on the getting things done. My list will primarily include Christmas gifts I need to complete but it's decorating, right?!

Join me and The Shabby Chic Cottage. Here are my ten tasks ...

Take inventory kids craft supplies
Reorganize the kids craft supplies to make them better accessible
Sew Christmas apron (gift)
Sew apron for me
Mend
Knit sweater for Travis (gift)
Find paint supplies for front door (this could take a whole day to locate)
Paint front door, garage door, outside door (if not too cold)
Winterize front hall closet
Organize linen closet

The Tongue Family

2009-11-04T10:00:00.002-05:00

I was looking at photos taken this year that I just uploaded from my camera. I suppose the kids and their father got on it one Saturday morning while I was sleeping in.

This is what I found ... do you think they are related?!.

Patchwork Afghan

2009-11-03T10:00:00.003-05:00

I did it! I finally finished the afghan I've been working on for the past month. I think it turned out nicely and masculine for the man on my Christmas giving list.

My daughter insists it's for her "Uncle P" so we'll have to see when all is said and done who it goes to.

Oh, and thanks to my hubby for arranging all the squares. It was overwhelming for me after crocheting all those granny squares.

It Seems I'm Not the Only One in a Funk

2009-11-02T10:00:00.001-05:00

I can SO relate to this post by Mama's Losin' It about how her "life has become a cycle of poopy diapers, reality television, and making friends with people who may or may not be who they say they are" and that she is "in a serious housewife funk...either that or I'm in the pre PMS stages...either that or I'm pregnant...either that or I'm menopausing."

Here here, sister! She's even a daycare provider ... her life is parallel to mine. If only she lived closer and we could do play dates and get out of our funk ... or PMS, pregnancy or menopause together.

Menu Plan Monday ~ November 2 - 8

2009-11-02T09:30:00.001-05:00

This week I need to focus on what I am eating. I need to lose some weight and it is only by forethought that this has any hope of happening.

I eat boring lunches (tuna and salad or microwave dinners) most days since I have a home daycare and cannot get that creative BUT dinners I can prepare in the afternoons during nap time so I'm going to try to be more creative there (and then have better lunch leftovers too!).

Monday: Maple Salmon and Tuna fillets served with Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes and steamed carrots and Cornbread

Tuesday: Chicken Broccoli Divan served with whole wheat noodles and salad

Wednesday: Makeover Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

Thursday: Leftover buffet

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Rotisserie-Style Chicken served with mashed potatoes and veggies

Simple Supper Sunday

Check out more menu plans at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

Fall Projects for the Home ~ List

2009-11-01T10:00:00.002-05:00

Thanks again to List Plan It for a great list of fall projects for the home.

Rake the leaves from the yard.
Put outdoor toys in storage.
Clear the leaves from the gutters.
Have furnace/chimney cleaned and serviced.
Put up storm windows.
Winterize sprinklers and indoor pipes.
Have carpets cleaned for fresh holiday festivities.
Prepare for patio/deck winter storage.
Give landscaping a good pruning.

My Princess and Prince

2009-10-31T10:00:00.003-04:00

Being Halloween and all, I thought that I would post pictures of my kiddies playing dress up.

We got a fantastic princess treasure dress-up box from our neighbour and all the kids love to dress up.

I won't tell the boys that it's princess dresses ... I just tell them they are princes or sultans.

And yes, they are wearing skirts as head dresses.

Here is my ballerina on her first day of dance class and my bruiser ~ the kid seems to always have some sort of lump or bump or black eye on his face. That's what happens when a one year old CLIMBS every single thing you can (and cannot) imagine. I do supervise but he still gets into everything!!

Friday Fill Ins #148

2009-10-30T10:30:00.002-04:00

1. It was a dark and stormy night, but thankfully it happened AFTER the trick or treaters were safely home and in bed.

2. My husband was in the hospital having surgery, so I offered to take the books myself.

3. Rushing out, I realized I forgot the extra pair of pants after a pee pee accident from the toddler.

4. What was that?? ...I think I heard a howl!

5. Shhhh... if we stay quiet maybe the kids will go back to sleep.

6. Trick or treat, smell my feet, give me something good to eat!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to pizza night, tomorrow my plans include swim lessons and trick or treating with the kiddies and Sunday, I want to chill out!

Don't forget to do your Friday Fill In!

Halloween Stories for the Kids

2009-10-30T10:00:00.000-04:00

To get you into the Halloween spirit, check out these fun stories. Thanks to Picture Book of the Day you can get daily updates on cool books to check out with some activities to do with the kids after reading them.

Get Your Car Ready for Winter ~ List

2009-10-29T10:00:00.002-04:00

Thanks to List Plan It for a list of ways to prepare your car for winter.

Get your car ready now while the weather is still decent so you are not caught stranded and unprepared.

Find your scraper and put it in a convenient location.
Locate your windshield wiper fluid or stock up at the store. Works great to remove a layer of frost in the mornings. If you live in a place that ices their roads, then you will need a heavy supply to clean off the gunk that coats your windows in the winter time.
Put together an emergency winter weather kit to store in your car. Get a crate or a medium plastic box and fill it with the following: blanket, extra gloves, small snow shovel, flashlight, and a box of crackers or snacks.
Replace your windshield wipers. They will be put to the test throughout the winter and you need them to work as well as possible.
Check the tread on your tires. Replace tires that are becoming too worn for safely driving in winter conditions. If you live in a place that gets a lot of snow, you may want to consider snow tires.
Don’t let your car get too low on gas. Try to get in the habit of filling up once you reach a quarter of a tank.
Check your anti-freeze. Top off your radiator with a mixture of half coolant and half water.

H1N1 Vaccination

2009-10-28T09:30:00.005-04:00

Flu season has arrived and so has the issue of vaccination and the new string of H1N1. Reports of deaths related to the H1N1 virus on the news have already started. Is this media hysteria or legitimate cause for concern? Should I vaccinate my young family or let my body work it out should we come across this virus? How else to protect myself?

I received this email that seems to explain H1N1 and how to prevent contamination should we be exposed to the virus.

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible not coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is. While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted as official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't under estimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.

4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at using a Neti pot, but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton swabs dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

The Whale

2009-10-17T10:00:00.001-04:00

If you read a recent front page story of the SF Chronicle, you would have read about a female humpback whale that had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, and a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farallon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed an environmental group for help.

Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her.

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles.

She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed them gently around ~ she was thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth said her eyes were following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.

And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

Friday Fill-In #146

2009-10-16T18:30:00.000-04:00

1. So are we going to calm down at all, children?

2. Bedtime is what's up ahead.

3. I love to boogie (thanks to Billie Elliott).

4. Sleep of some sort.

5. I walk a toddler's pace most days.

6. Nothing tastes like thin feels is the true elixir of life!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to the kids going to bed and to watching Ghost Whisperer, tomorrow my plans include weighing in @ Weight Watchers, taking the kids swimming, and perhaps check out sweaters at Northern Reflection and Sunday, I want to sleep in and then wake up 30 pounds lighter!

Now go an do your Friday Fill-In.

October Marches Onward

2009-10-15T10:00:00.001-04:00

Egad! I blinked and then it was the second half of October ... what the heck?! I have been so crazy with the kiddies that I've been falling into bed at the end of the night, quite literally, and so the computer has been the very furthest thing from my mind. I'm so pooped that I have been lax on my Christmas gift creations and emails. I suppose this happens to the best of us - even with a young family. I will do my best to be more consistent.

Becoming Financially Independent: A How To

2009-09-30T10:00:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I wrote My Life's Purpose: A Revelation. Part two of this is the how I am going to do it inspiration I received from "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin.

Here is a summary of their steps that I am following and am getting great benefit and goal-setting in place for my husband and I to acquire financial independence in the near future. You may want to check out the book (I got my copy from the local library) to get more details on the steps.

Step 1
Summary of lifetime earnings
Current list of assets, liabilities and net worth

Step 2
Calculate real hourly wage
Track the money coming in or going out of your life

Step 3
Monthly tabulation ~ convert money spent in each category to hours of life energy using real hourly wage (see Step 2)

Step 4
Three questions that will transform your life to evaluate where and how you spend your money

Did I receive fulfillment, satisfaction and value in proportion to life energy spent?
Is this expenditure of life energy in alignment with my values and life purpose?
How might this expenditure change if I didn't have to work for a living?

Step 5
Create Wall Chart plotting total monthly income and expenses where you can see it daily

Step 6
Minimize Spending

Step 7
Maximize Income

Step 8
Capital and the Crossover

Step 9
Manage Finances

My Life's Purpose: A Revelation

2009-09-29T09:00:00.002-04:00

After a few weeks of an increasing feeling unease and distance from my life (that I am normally very passionate about), I got my joy of life back.

I'm finishing reading "Your Money or Your Life" by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. The book is being ready by the Woman's Money Group I meet with monthly. This was the same group that I read Suze Orman's "Women and Money" book with. I give both these books my gratitude for educating me on personal finance as well as to live and work smarter.

If you follow my blog, you understand that I've had a hard time transitioning from a good-paying job that also represented my identity. I believe the position as Campaign Director illustrated my intelligence and capabilities. When I mentioned that I was part of a team that fundraised hundreds of millions of dollars, I felt awe for what I helped achieve. And then I became a stay-at-home mom.

This new mom role was my dream life since forever. Yet it didn't have the same glamour or respect that I believed my other J-O-B gave me. Even recently I found myself referencing "who I once once" versus my new role as "just a housewife". And then I read "Your Money or Your Life". I honestly don't think I am going to be disappointed or feel redundant in my present life again.

Dominguez and Robin write "when you break the conceptual link between work and money, you give yourself the opportunity to discover what your true work is. ...You may experience a moment (or 3.5 years as in my case) a panic at the emptiness left by even this temporary suspension as your identity-as-your-job. But there are other you's ... of your own life's work." (page 246). I don't know how they pegged it so well, but somebody understands and has made clear to me what has been going on with my identity shift these past few years. Thank you!

With my home daycare, I have been adding more kids to the mix up to the legal maximum because I liked the "I don't know how you do it" statements; not reverently stated, more like "I am so glad that isn't me". I knew I was doing it to be able to afford to stay home to raise our children with our morals and values, but once again Dominguez and Robin gave it more exactly!. "If you chose to work more ...at your paid employment, you would do it only for good reason, since you place a high value on your life energy" (page 247-248). I am doing it to support our values, to get out of debt and develop savings so we can be secure no matter the economic climate plus to become financially independent.

Since I was a little girl, I have always wanted to be a teacher. I now realise that working with the extra children in the home daycare is my "connection to serve my (financial and life's) purpose" (page 248). I want "more money so that I can have more freedom to be (my)self without worrying about money" (page 249).

I am embracing more clients (and more money), "not out of greed or competition but out of self respect and an appreciation of life" to find myself with less debt, more savings, a more satisfied family and more peace of mind" (page 258).

My life, once again, feels purposeful.

Menu Plan Monday ~ Sep 27-Oct3

2009-09-28T09:00:00.001-04:00

Join this week's Menu Plan Monday movement at I'm an Organizing Junkie! Also check out the link for more menu ideas.

Small Peach ~0p

Slim Fast Shake ~5p

Oatmeal Shake ~1.75p

Apple Squash Soup ~3p

Large salad with dressing ~2p

10 Baby Carrots ~0p

Greek Yogurt with Berries, Nuts & Honey ~4.5pt

Broccoli & Cheese Chicken ~3.25p

Zucchini & Plum Tomatoes ~2p

½ cup Frozen Yogurt ~2p

=23.5pts

Small Orange ~0p

2 packs plain Oatmeal ~2p

250 mL Skim Milk ~2p

1½ c Strawberries ~ 1p

Herb Tea ~0p

Roasted Autumn Vegetable Soup ~2p

Large salad with dressing ~2p

2 pc WW bread ~2p

Small Peach ~ 0p

2 Waffles ~4p

Chicken Taco Chili ~4p

Baked Potatoes (no skin) ~2p

½ cup Frozen Yogurt ~2p

=23pts

Small Peach ~0p

Slim Fast Shake ~5p

Oatmeal Shake ~1.75p

1c Crock Pot Macaroni ~4p

Large salad with dressing ~2p

Herbal Tea ~0p

Multigrain Tortillas ~3p

Salsa ~0p

Split Pea Soup ~3.5p

2 Corn on the Cob ~2p

½ cup Frozen Yogurt ~2p

=23.25pts

Small Orange ~0p

2 packs plain Oatmeal ~2p

250 mL Skim Milk ~2p

1½ c Strawberries ~ 1p

Herb Tea ~0p

Barbecue Chicken Wrap ~6p

Large salad with dressing ~2p

Microwave Potato Chips ~1p

Crystal Lite & Water ~ 0p

Baked Chicken Parmesan ~5.5p

Baby Red Potato Salad ~2p

½ cup Frozen Yogurt ~2p

=23.5pts

Small Peach ~0p

2 packs plain Oatmeal ~2p

250 mL Skim Milk ~2p

Oatmeal Shake ~1.75p

Roasted Vegetable Lasagna ~ 5p

Large salad with dressing ~ 2p

Herbal Tea ~0p

1½ c Strawberries ~ 1p

Herb Tea ~0p

Tortilla Pizza ~5p

Southwestern Black Bean Salad ~2.5p

½ cup Frozen Yogurt ~2p

=23.25pts

I've got that feeling again ...

2009-09-25T10:00:00.000-04:00

I've got that feeling again ... the restless feeling.

I need to do or be something. I am considering an online store but am not sure exactly how much work it involves.

I want it to make money or cost nothing but what could it be?

Anyone have any ideas as to what I could do?

The Mess with the House Cleaner

2009-09-24T20:10:00.004-04:00

I feel ill. I have been going through a "he said, she said" negotiation with our cleaning company. The guy I have been dealing with is not very business-minded. We are in a current agreement and have pre-paid for a certain number of house cleaning sessions. Suddenly he claims we have used up hours when I am sure we agreed to weekly flat rate sessions. I even have the receipt that states the $ per cleaning. This has been such a frustrating experience and he has canceled a negotiations meeting and has failed to deliver a proposal for moving forward. He has also been so sneaky as to send a cleaner and then email me suggesting that if I let her clean that this will provide consent for a new agreement. Good thing I checked my emails and didn't get caught in his trap. What a goof.

I am reading "Your Money or Your Life : Transforming your relationship with money and achieving financial independence" by Joseph Dominguez and Vicki Robin. The book discusses life energy and how we choose to spend it. Basically, how many hours of your life remain? Is it worth it to spend my precious life energy making myself sick with anxiety over the cleaning guy? I know the answer but I need to tell my churning gut the answer ... Honestly, I just want it to all go away and have a clean house!

Works For Me Wednesday

2009-09-23T13:00:00.000-04:00

Today I am going to jump in on the Works-For-Me Wednesday band wagon. I LOVE my rubber gloves. Sounds silly enough, however, these babies have saved my hands. I have a home daycare with 5 children PLUS my own two. That is 7 kids under the age of three. By the time I serve lunch, clean hands and wipe down the high chairs and surrounding floor area, my hands are raw from all the washing. Never mind diaper changes and other miscellaneous messes.

So ... Rubber Gloves work for me this Wednesday!

On My Way to Being a Sewer!

2009-09-21T20:30:00.003-04:00

Here is the Christmas apron. I am super excited. It took me a few hours (having to start and stop plus work around the kiddies).

Ava is my model. Keep in mind that she is 3 years old so it would obviously be longer on a "regular sized person". And don't you love her matching pj's? LOL