Dads 3 Chicks

Lazy Days of Summer

Thu, 12 Jul 2007 21:14:47 GMT

Yes, yes it has been awhile since I blogged. My bad. I just kind of go through stretches where I don't have much to say.

Well it is summer in full swing. We have been to Kentucky for a family reunion. My grandfather's (my Mom's Dad) siblings children and grandchildren. My Grandfather was 1 of 14 - the last sibling just recently having gone to be with Jesus. There were 92 Morrows at the reunion!~

I have a lot of second cousins who play musical instruments. They brought them along and played at the reunion, which was cool. We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, and they played in the breakfast room at night, and in the conference room. We were kind of like the Darlings from Andy Griffith only not as seedy.

After the reunion we ventured to Cave City KY and spent the night at the Wigwam Village Motel. We have passed this place since I was a little girl, and I always wanted to take the girls there. So, this time we did. It was pretty cool.

And info about Wigwam Village:

http://www.wigwamvillage.com/

Then, off to Louisville and my Mom's house. We went to the Louisville Science Center, and my sister and I did our annual shopping and lunch outing. It was a lot of fun.

Back home to NC, and then John had to head to Boston for a business trip. The girls and I went to VBS at church. Our theme was the Incredible Race. Being in the midst of NASCAR country it was a very appropriate theme.

Katie and I just got back from Mother Daughter GA camp at Mundo Vista. This was the last year we can go as mother daughter. Katie will go on her own next year. I have a year off and then 3 years with Amanda. Mundo Vista is the hottest place on the face of the earth. But, I did start walking in February and was able to walk the hills without almost passing out this year!

The outdoor chapel at Mundo:

The trek to the pool:

Learning to sign to "Holy is the Lord"

Me and my girlie:

Camp was truly a blessing for me this year. The theme was Live Out Loud, something I need to strive harder to do.

Bronchitis, Pet Peeves & naps

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 13:11:46 GMT

Well, I have somehow contracted a nasty case of asthmatic bronchitis. I started feeling yucky last Weds. on the way home from the Y. Thought it was allergies. Then I thought it was a cold. I had a doctor's appointment Monday for a med follow-up. She determined I have bronchitis. I got a nebulizer treatment in the office, antibiotic and an inhaler. Katie thinks my having an inhaler is cool.

The subsequent coughing and wheezing has made it hard for me to sleep. Thus, this morning my patience is thin. I have a real pet peeve about people who pass over the double yellow in front of the entrance to out neighborhood.

Our neighborhood borders a state highway, a connector between 2 interstates. We have a double yellow in front of the turn in to our neighborhood, but people regularly pass me when I am turning in. It really, really tees me off - not to mention it is ILLEGAL!

So since I am already testy this morning I thought I would list my pet peeves:

~ people who drive in the rain and fog with no lights or their parking lights on. HELLO?! They are PARKING lights!

~people who zip up a right turn lane to get in front of traffic going straight. Where is the cop when this happens?

~people who are impatient. We have inherited a lot of northerners here in NC. They regularly honk, and gesture at those of us who actually obey the traffic laws.

~resealable cereal bags. Great idea in theory. Why don't they make it resealable all the way across the top of the bag. That way, when my kids tear the bag open all the way across I can still seal it!

~Why are there no comfortable bras? Or comfortable ones that are also affordable?

~Why are milk and gas so expensive?

Okay, I am going to stop now.

Spring Break Day 5

Fri, 06 Apr 2007 17:07:07 GMT

I can tell Spring Break is nearing an end because my girls are fighting like cats and dogs and my last nerve is about to snap! I love my girls. Really. I do. I love having them home. Really. But this picking, and fighting just drives me nuts!

We have gone to the Y three mornings this week, to the indoor water park one day, to a movie one day, to McDonald's a couple of times. I was going to teach Katie to sew this week, but once again have let that slide. I am hoping I get around to teaching her before she is in college.

It would help if I could actually get to my sewing machine without having to step over tons of junk. We have been moving rooms around for about a year now. The girls can't decide which rooms they want. They can't decide if they want their own rooms or to sleep in the same room.

The guest room (aka Grandma's room) is filled with stuff that is awaiting the decision before being placed. Just thinking about all the stuff that need to be moved makes me tired enough for a nap.

Will I ever get my house back? I keep thinking that maybe, next year when both of them are in "big" school and gone most of the day. But, I fear this is just wishful thinking on my part.

How do people keep their houses tidy? Honestly, I purge junk all the time, and it is still a mess! We go WAY beyond the lived in look here. Of course, we do have places to sit, and can generally walk without having to follow a set path between piles of junk.

But, a little order would be nice. I keep trying to get DH to take the girls and go visit his Mom in NJ and give me a week alone to tackle the mess. I could work at my own pace, get rid of toys without some deeming that one their "favorite". I could actually clean the carpets. Once I can finally see them that is.

I sincerely hope I am not the only one out there who needs intervention....

Love To The Extreme

Tue, 03 Apr 2007 12:39:22 GMT

I was watching Fox News this morning, and one of the news stories was about a 28 year old mom who died from water intoxication after trying to win a contest held by a local radio station - ABC News - Woman in Water Drinking Contest Dies . The gist of the contest was the person who could drink the most water without having to bail to the bathroom would win a Wii.

I suppose I might enter some kind of contest to win something nice for my kids, but I am not sure I would enter a water drinking contest (or a billboard sitting contest or anything extroverted like that.)

And, I am sure that this Mom, or the radio station people had no idea you could actually die from water toxicity. At least I HOPE the radio station people would never hold a contest that could actually kill someone! And, I hope that this mom, or any mom for that matter, wouldn't knowingly risk her life for a game system for her kids.

But Moms do have an innate "Mother Bear" instinct to protect their kids. I have no doubt that if my kids were in danger, I would act to save them without thinking about my own safety first. But would I knowingly go to my death to save the life of someone I did not know and love?

Probably not - even though the Bible tells us to. 1 John 3:16 tells us, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers". Uh-oh. That's a tall order isn't it? My kids, my husband, my Mom or sister - maybe even my best friend. But someone I don't even know?

How blessed we are that our Savior KNEW his ultimate fate, and still took the walk to the cross. Oh, He asked God to "take this cup" from Him. But still, He obeyed. What if Jesus had only laid down His life for those of us who had earned His love? Well, He never would have had to make that sacrifice would He?

But, He gave His life freely, without conditions except that we confess our sins and accept Him as out Savior. Romans 10:9 "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

This week before Easter, let's reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for our eternal salvation. He gave up His life for something much more important that a toy. He gave up His life so that we can live eternally with Him. And more importantly, He arose from that grave 3 days later - that is truly love to the extreme.

Spring Break!

Mon, 02 Apr 2007 17:35:28 GMT

Today marks the first day of Spring Break for my girls. It turned out to be a nice day outside. It rained and thundered yesterday, so I am glad to see the sky.

Everyone but DH slept in this morning. We got up, had breakfast, got dressed and headed to the YMCA so Mommy could workout. It was both girls' first time in "The Ark" - the Child Watch Center at our Y.

I was afraid Katie would be really, really bored since she is 9. But, as soon as we got there, one of the workers was taking the older kids out to play and snagged her to go with them.

This made Amanda a bit sad, because I think she thought she and Katie were going to be together. But, she went on in the room with the other kids, clutching her bear Blueberry in one arm.

I headed on down to start my workout. After I got done with the treadmill, I went to log my time in. As I turned around, I saw one of the other preschool Mommies on one of the weight machines.

We talked a bit, and she was so excited to know Amanda was in the Ark. Her son, Jason was there as well - and Jason and Amanda ADORE one another.

I finished my workout, and went to get the girls. Katie had made a picture, and they both got to play outside. We stopped by the front desk to get a schedule for open swim this afternoon.

They have chores to do before I will relent and head back there for swimming. Actually, I am awaiting a response from my husband as to whether or not we can go to see Meet The Robinsons this afternoon. We can swim any day, and Katie has been wanting to see this movie.

So, my evil plan for this week is to require my slave labor to do their chores before anything remotely fun happens. Life is tough when you are home with Mommy all the time!

Breakfast With Bears

Tue, 27 Mar 2007 13:13:55 GMT

This morning was one of those mornings every Mom cherishes. Everyone got up without a fight. Katie got dressed without major coaxing and threatening. We actually sat at the kitchen table and had breakfast, instead of wolfing things down in the car on the way to school.

I made bacon, toast and fruit for breakfast for the girls and I. John was already off to work by this time. The girls gathered their bears - Creamy and Blueberry - and their American Girl dolls and sat at the table.

After making breakfast for the bears and the dolls in the play kitchen that resides in our real kitchen, Amanda blessed our food by singing "God Our Father". Then we sat and ate together.

I would love to have this joy every morning, but I suppose it was had it each day, it would be ordinary. These kinds of mornings are the ones that will carry me through when one or both of the girls are being rotten and trying my already thin patience.

And, they are the ones I will cherish and remember when I am an old woman wearing purple. I am reminded of Mary, and how she "collected" memories. They saw her through a time more horrendous than most Moms have to face.

Luke 2:15-19 tell us: " 15 When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about."

16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. " (emphasis mine)

Oh moms, seek each day to fill that treasure box in your heart and mind with the precious moments of your children. One day they may carry you through a valley.

When Mama is Sick

Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:20:50 GMT

Nothing is worse than being a SAHM and being sick. This week has proven this is true. I contracted a lovely stomach virus which no one else in my house seems to have had. Doesn't matter that I have had a fever of 103, everyone still needs my help.

I know that is part of the deal with getting to be at home. Kids still need to get to school, they have to be fed, someone has to meet them at the bus stop. But, once everyone is in the house you would think a little peace and quiet would be in order.

My neighbor came to my rescue by letting the girls come over and play with her kids until DH got home. I wrapped myself in blankets and got on the couch, but didn't really sleep because I could still hear the kids outside playing. My Mommy monitor couldn't truly turn off.

I finally got a little rest when DH and the girlies went to church on Wednesday night. While they were gone I printed off a do not disturb sign for the bedroom door, donned my pjs and buried my shivering self under the covers. When they troops got home, no one bothered me.

But, the next morning required the same carrying kids to school, feeding them, etc. There are days when I think being a WOHM and having kids in daycare might be the way to go. Then, when I am sick, DH could still take the kids to Daycare and I would have the day to myself.

Then I remember that those sick days are few and far between, thank God, and being at home for my husband and kids is worth it all.

Getting Carded

Thu, 15 Mar 2007 12:48:17 GMT

Well, I suppose it had to happen sooner or later. I went to Kohl's yesterday and Wednesdays are Senior Citizen discount days. I went to the check out with my purchases, and the girl asked me "Do you get a discount?".

At first I didn't know what she meant because the scratch off card discount ended the day before. Then I realized, she wanted to know if I was a Senior! Ack! Okay, I am 49 1/2, but I always thought I looked younger! I can generally win a prize at the fair booths where they guess your age.

She gave me the discount. Now, it was nice to get another 15% off my sale items. But, it sure wounded my pride!

I remember when we used to go to the public pool in Louisville. Admission was less if you were under 12. At 12, I looked much older - if you catch my drift. I always had to prove I was only 11. My Daddy could never really remember how old I was. The card to the pool we joined said I was 12 until I turned 16 and got my driver's license.

And how well I remember when it was a hassle to get carded when I went to a bar and I was in my late 20's or early 30's. Then, there came the time in my mid 30's where I WISHED they would card me at a bar.

But, getting carded for a Senior Citizen discount just hit me blindside. It is bad enough that right after my 49th birthday AARP decided to start sending me cards and membership info. I figure that they want you to have a year to get used to the idea.

I guess I am entering new phase of getting carded. In a couple of years I expect I will be asked to show my driver's license to prove I am eligible for the Senior Discount. And, then, sadly, there will come they day when they won't even ask anymore.

Wonder if they card you to get into heaven?

One Day 'til Lift Off!

Wed, 14 Mar 2007 15:57:23 GMT

Tomorrow is my annual pilgrimage to Pigeon Forge, TN. I make this trek each year to meet up with my best friend from High School, Rachel. We started this about 7 years ago, and we haven't missed a year yet.

Rachel and I met in 9th grade. We have seen each other get married, one get divorced, then married a second time. We have seen each of us have 2 girls apiece, hers teenagers, and mine children.

Rachel is one of those rare friends who you can immediately feel comfortable with, even though we haven't spoken since last year's trip. It's like we haven't been apart, even though we lead very separate and different lives.

Rachel is a very practical, logical woman. She is a working Mom, and a deacon in her church. I am fairly flighty, creative. I am a SAHM and you couldn't pay me enough to be a deacon!

We started this trip by attending a Women's Weekend Getaway Women's Weekend Getaways , sponsored by Phil Waldrep ministries. It was nice, and we enjoyed the speakers and the music. We did this for two years, then we decided to strike out on our own.

While we loved the Christian environment, we wanted to spend more time with one another, catching up, rather than in a convention hall singing camp songs with women we didn't know.

So, we started booking our own room, and meeting for 3 days of shopping, eating and talking. One time, we booked and extra day and did a "spa day" with massages and facials.

This year we are taking an extra day, but no spa. Just more relaxing. Our motel has an indoor pool. Hopefully, this year there won't be a teen convention staying at the same motel. Last year 145 rooms of the motel were booked to teens! They were quiet, but we just chucked even thinking about trying to get into the pool!

So, it's off to pack for me!

152 Things to Do Before You Die

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:33:57 GMT

Found this at 160 Acre Woods and thought it was fun. Lots left to do before I die - although there will be no bungee jumping!

01. Bought everyone in the bar a drink
02. Swam with wild dolphins 03. Climbed a mountain
04. Taken a Ferrari for a test drive
05. Been inside the Great Pyramid
06. Held a tarantula
07. Taken a candlelit bath with someone
08. Said "I love you" and meant it
09. Hugged a tree
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Stayed up all night long and saw the sun rise
14. Seen the Northern Lights
15. Gone to a huge sports game
16. Walked the stairs to the top of the leaning Tower of Pisa.
17. Grown and eaten your own vegetables
18. Touched an iceberg
19. Slept under the stars
20. Changed a baby's diaper
21. Taken a trip in a hot air balloon
22. Watched a meteor shower
23. Gotten drunk on champagne
24. Given more than you can afford to charity
25. Looked up at the night sky through a telescope
26. Had an uncontrollable giggling fit at the worst possible moment
27. Had a food fight
28. Bet on a winning horse
29. Asked out a stranger
30. Had a snowball fight
31. Screamed as loudly as you possibly can
32. Held a lamb
33. Seen a total eclipse
34. Ridden a roller coaster
35. Hit a home run
36. Danced like a fool and not cared who was looking
37. Adopted an accent for an entire day
38. Actually felt happy about your life, even for just a moment
39.

40. Visited all 50 states (well all lower 49 states)
41. Taken care of someone who was drunk.
42. Had amazing friends
43. Danced with a stranger in a foreign country
44. Watched wild whales
45. Stolen a sign
46. Backpacked in Europe.
47. Taken a road-trip
48. Gone rock climbing
49. Midnight walk on the beach
50. Gone sky diving
51. Visited Ireland
52. Been heartbroken longer than you were actually in love
53. In a restaurant, sat at a stranger's table and had a meal with them
54. Visited Japan
55. Milked a cow
56. Alphabetized your CDs
57. Pretended to be a superhero
58. Sung karaoke
59. Lounged around in bed all day
60. Played touch football
61. Gone scuba diving
62. Kissed in the rain
63. Played in the mud
64. Played in the rain
65. Gone to a drive-in theater
66. Visited the Great Wall of China
67. Started a business

68. Fallen in love and not had your heart broken
69. Toured an ancient site
70. Taken a martial arts class
71. Played Dungeons & Dragons for more than 6 hours straight
72. Gotten married
73. Been in a movie
74. Crashed a party
75. Gotten divorced
76. Gone without food for 5 days
77. Made cookies from scratch
78. Won first prize in a costume contest

79. Ridden a gondola in Venice
80. Gotten a tattoo

81. Rafted the Snake River
82. Been on television news programs as an "expert"
83. Got flowers for no reason
85. Been to Las Vegas
86. Recorded Music

87. Eaten shark
88. Kissed on the first date
89. Gone to Thailand
90. Bought a house
91. Been in a combat zone
92. Buried one/both of your parents
93. Been on a cruise ship
94. Spoken more than one language fluently well enough to have a decent conversation
95. Performed in Rocky Horror
96. Raised (raising) children (child)
97. Followed your favorite band/singer on tour
99. Taken an exotic bicycle tour in a foreign country
100. Picked up and moved to another city to just start over
101. Walked the Golden Gate Bridge
102. Sang loudly in the car, and didn't stop when you knew someone was looking
103. Had plastic surgery
104. Survived an accident that you shouldn't have survived
105. Wrote articles for a large publication
106. Lost over 100 pounds
107. Held someone while they were having a flashback
108. Piloted an airplane
109. Touched a stingray
110. Broken someone's heart
111. Helped an animal give birth
112. Won money on a T.V. game show
113. Broken a bone
114. Gone on an African photo safari
115. Had a facial part pierced other than your ears
116. Fired a rifle, shotgun, or pistol
117. Eaten mushrooms that were gathered in the wild
118. Ridden a horse
119. Had major surgery
120. Had a snake as a pet
121. Hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon

122. Slept for more than 30 hours over the course of 48 hours
123. Visited more foreign countries than U.S. states
124. Visited all 7 continents
125. Taken a canoe trip that lasted more than 2 days
126. Eaten kangaroo meat
127. Eaten sushi
128. Had your picture in the newspaper
129. Changed someone's mind about something you care deeply about
130. Gone back to school
131. Parasailed
132. Touched a cockroach
133. Eaten fried green tomatoes
134. Read The Iliad

135. Selected one important author you missed in school and went back and read their works

136. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
137. Skipped all your school reunions
138. Communicated with someone without sharing a common spoken language
139. Been elected to public office
140. Written your own computer language
141. Thought to yourself that you're living your dream
142. Had to put someone you love into hospice care
143. Built your own PC from parts
144. Sold your own artwork to someone who didn't know you
145. Had a booth at a street fair
146. Dyed your hair
147. Been a DJ
148. Shaved your head
149. Caused a car accident
150. Saved someone's life
151. Finished a marathon

The Times They Are A-Changin'

Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:15:02 GMT

I remember growing up in a home with a SAHM. Oh, Mom wasn't known by that acronym then, she was a "housewife". I also remember the commercials that were on during the day.

Commercials for Tide - telling us how it got out even "red Georgia clay". Ajax with that "white tornado" coming out of the bottle to make the house sparkling clean. Chiffon margarine and it's spokes person telling us it was so good it was like butter "It's not NICE to fool Mother Nature!".

Magazines focused on sewing patterns, rib sticking meals, decorating tips. Mom made our clothes, cooked from scratch, made out birthday cakes.

Fast forward 40+ years and I am the SAHM. The commercials I see on television today are for Medicare supplements, osteoporosis medicines, power chairs & life alert systems!

Oh there are others, the law office commercials. The IRS rescue commercials. Soon it will be the political ads.

I know that the baby boom generation, of which I am a part, has aged and the ads have changed with them. But I think much of this change is what is marketed during the day is on the assumption that those at home are either disabled or retired.

Now, the time that I will be searching out a Medicare supplement is coming all too soon. And, truth be known I probably should start taking an osteoporosis medication. But I don't need the power chair, the life alert, the lawyer - yet.

There are many of us who choose to stay home. This seems to be another area which shows how devalued our roles as SAHWs and SAHMs has become. And it saddens me.

Things You Don't Need to Hear as a Mother

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 21:37:15 GMT

Katie - "Amanda! Daddy, she filled the entire bathroom sink with mud!"

Thank God for our blessings!

Y-M-C-A

Sun, 11 Mar 2007 21:30:47 GMT

We joined the local Y. We had a little windfall and I begged and pleaded that we join. John is not as excited, but ever since the girls found out they can go swimming in the winter they are ecstatic.

Friday I had an appointment with a trainer in the Fitlinxx room. If you aren't familiar, the Fitlinxx machines know you by code, and track your progress, monitor your heart rate, etc. It's really cool.

My trainer, Heather asked my goals. Of course I could stand to lose weight, but that is not my primary goal. As the 49 year old Mom of a 9 year old and a 5 year old, I need energy and stamina. Getting off the blood pressure medicine would be my second goal. Everything else is gravy - okay maybe gravy is not a good analogy here.

I did the recumbent bike and the treadmill for 10 minutes each. Babysteps - still it ended up being close to 2 miles. I am going back in the morning.

Saturday I took the girls to open swimming. They had a ball. Amanda was beaming as soon as she hit the water. Katie took a friend and they were busy trying on flippers.

Besides thinking it was cool to get to go swimming in the winter, they loved the swimsuit dryer thing in the women's locker room. My kids are easily amused.

Katie starts a Kidfit program tomorrow evening. Amanda actually wants to go into the child care room and play. I am thinking a few laps in the pool might be relaxing.

So now, our family has reason so sing "It;s fun to play at the Y-M-C-A!"

Love Thursday

Thu, 08 Mar 2007 13:46:45 GMT

I decided to take part in this since the girls and I are sick today and at home being bums. The head congestion has clogged my brain and I can't think very well.

This is a picture of DH and Katie at their first Daddy Daughter dance at the school. It shows me the love between them, but also reminds me of how special my Daddy was to me as well.

If I believed in reincarnation....

Tue, 06 Mar 2007 15:24:27 GMT

...I would think my DH was a cat in a previous life. He has taken to bringing me gifts - but dubious ones.

Now, I appreciate the thought, I really do. But, it is kind of like when you cat leaves you a dead mouse on the porch :P.

First, he brought home a crock and lid from a crockpot. They had a pitch in at work and someone brought baked beans. Their crockpot thermostat broke, so they threw that part away and just brought the crock. They said they were tossing that too, so DH brought it home. It is too big for my crockpot....

Then, last night as he was leaving bell practice, he ran across some flowers from Sunday's service. They were lovely roses - once. He brought them home and put them in a vase. Poor little things look like they are praying their heads are bowed over.

Gotta love the thought though.....

Moms Have Tantrums Too

Mon, 05 Mar 2007 14:30:46 GMT

My 5 year old is notorious for having a tantrum if she doesn't get what she wants when she wants it. (She is getting better, this generally only happens when she is really, really tired now.)

It was my turn last night. I love being a SAHM. I generally love being the old-fashioned kind of homemaker who doesn't understand the point of microwaveable rice or uncrustable sandwiches.

But, last night I was feeling pretty much unappreciated. Seems like I can work all weekend to try and make our home a haven, and the weekend sees it all undone. I know it is because everyone is home, and I really wouldn't trade that for an immaculate house.

However, generally liveable, and this side of condemnable would be great. Last night I headed to the kitchen because my girls were whining for dinner. Sundays are pretty laid back at our house, and they generally eat sandwiches.

I got into the kitchen to find the sink full of dishes (did I mention that I am currently the dishwasher since ours is on the fritz?), the pantry door was open, the trash was overflowing the trash can, and the silverware caddy was out of the drawer on the floor.

Add that to the mess that seems to gravitate to our bedroom, and the living room mess, and I just lost it. I turned the kitchen light off, and headed upstairs, where I donned my jammies and sat down to read. Then the tears came.

Okay, I admit it was a pity party, but I think I am entitled once in a while. Sometimes it would be nice to hear thanks, or great dinner Mom, or just a hug. Somehow, it feels like disrespect to me that my family takes it all for granted.

The kids have chores, and they are mules about doing them. Dh is not very neat either, so it counts as having 3 kids to pick up after. I am not asking them to clean, just pick up after themselves, take dishes to the kitchen, socks to the laundry room, trash to the trash can, and replace the trash bag when it is full!

I am still a bit put out this morning, but I'll get over it. Moms having feelings too!

Voluptuous Women Unite!

Fri, 02 Mar 2007 13:35:39 GMT

I could stand to lose a few pounds. Okay, more than a few. But, I am tired of stressing over it. Looking at all my aunts, and grandmothers, only one of them was rail thin, and she smokes like a chimney!

So what makes me think I am gonna be skinny? Granted, I need to get in better shape and get off the blood pressure medicine. But do I really need to try and be so thin that I look good in "today's" fashions? (As an aside - most women who wear "today's" fashions DO NOT look good in them!)

And, when I speak of voluptuous, I mean genuine curves. Not man made, man enhanced, man implanted. If they don't fall into her armpits when she lies down on her back at the gym - THEY ARE NOT REAL !

Yes, it would be nice to not huff and puff going up and down the hills at summer Mother-Daughter camp. My goal is to start walking. If I shape up a bit okay - but breathing better is the top priority.

My favorite author - Liz Curtis Higgs - is a voluptuous woman herself. Her own self description is that she is, "A big beautiful woman in a narrow nervous world"! Ain't it the truth!

I have never been small. I have always had curves. When I was in high school and we were all wearing boys Levi jeans (because the girl jean market was not in high gear yet), my jeans were snug at the hips and gapped at the waist. The invention of Lee Relaxed Rider jeans ranks right up there for me with waterproof mascara and chocolate coffee creamer.

When will we stop buying the drivel that Madison Avenue puts out for us? When will we stop comparing ourselves to models and actresses and yes, even Oprah. If I had a chef, a nutrionist, a personal trainer, an assistant and a wardrobe consultant I'd look great all the time too!

Let's remember what God told us in Jeremiah 1:5
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."
Jeremiah 1:4-6. God knew us before we were born. Do we think He didn't know we were going to be Big Beautiful Women?

Neighbors

Thu, 01 Mar 2007 14:03:48 GMT

Remember when you actually KNEW your neighbors? Maybe I am older than most of you, but when I was growing up, we knew everyone on our street. Most of the Moms were SAHMs. Most of our church friend's Moms were SAHMs.

As kids we used to run from one house to the other. In the summer, we were out early and home late. Our Moms never really worried about where we were because we were always under the watchful eye of another neighborhood Mom.

We used to take our bikes and ride all over the neighborhood. We never worried about being abducted or assaulted. Someone's Mom always had an eye out for us.

This is another thing I think we have lost in today's society. With most Moms working outside the home, kids come home to empty houses. Our neighborhoods are sadly lacking in the joyful sounds of kids playing in the afternoon - because they are in after school care.

Okay, okay I am not bashing women who choose or have to work outside the home. But, it is a reality that there are very few kids playing in our neighborhood until after 6 PM. I would venture to guess it is the same in your neck of the woods.

I am lucky compared to most SAHMs I think. I have a neighbor across the street who is home all day as well. Her kids are a bit younger than mine, but they all still play together. We get together for coffee once in a while.

There are 2 other Moms in the neighborhood that I know I can count on. One is next door, and her daughter is best friends with mine. If we need someone to meet one of our kids as they get off the bus, we know the other will do it.

The same with the Mom around the corner. If I need to take my youngest somewhere and know I won't be back in time for the bus, she gladly takes Kaite home with her until I can get home.

When my youngest had eye surgery, she met the bus and welcomed my daughter. Her daughter is the same age, and in the same Brownie troop, so they got to play together.

We borrow sugar, eggs, ketchup. We know what is going on. We water each others gardens when one is on vacation, or check on the pets when someone is out of town. We get the mail, the paper, keep an eye on the house. We share house keys - "just in case".

We care about our neighbors. We had a family on the corner whose child recently died from cancer. The neighborhood took meals, sent cards & gift certificates to restaurants. We gathered with church friends and had a candle prayer vigil in their yard.

I know I am luckier than most. My Mom, who is 86, is blessed as well. She is the last of the original people in the neighborhood. There are new families, with young children in most of the homes now.

But, they check on my Mom. She is still spry and busy, working in her yard, mowing her grass, driving to church and her Friday hair appointment. But, it is comforting to me, 500 miles away, to know that if I am worred about her I can call a neighbor to check on her.

Maybe we need to rethink our "upwardly mobile" view of life. Since we moved in the house in 1993, we have watched 4 families move in and out of the house on our left, 3 in the house on the right. We can count the people across the street in the house down the row, and none but one are originals.

Most of us live miles away from any close family. A friend who was a nurse in a pediatric office once said she got so many calls from new mamas with basic questions, because none of them had the mom or grandma support nearby.

Is it really benefitting us to keep running after bigger and better? What are we losing in this search? Maybe I am a throwback to the 50's, but I miss the idea of home being a haven and our neighborhoods being little communities.

Voodoo, Vacuums & Choices

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 13:23:28 GMT

My girls and I always seem to have deep discussions while we are driving to drop Katie off at school. This morning we discussed voodoo, of all things.

To back up, for Katie's birthday I got her the Mary Frances book of Knitting and Crocheting Mary Frances Book . She took it to school and started reading it yesterday, When she got home, she wanted to make a "Yarn Baby", which is one of the characters in the book. I gave her some yarn, and she went to work.

This morning, she asked me if her yarn baby was a voodoo doll. We quickly dispelled that notion! Then we talked about Native Americans and pioneers making babies out of corn husks. Teaching moments are precious.

Back at the home front, we need a new vacuum. Ours is kaput. It wasn't that great to begin with - I don't think "bagless technology" is all it is cracked up to be. Especially when you have 2 small children, and once had a long haired cat!

So, we are on the hunt for a new vacuum. Well, we are finding that there are as many choices for vacuums as there are for cold rememdies. It sure is hard to choose. But, God works in mysterious ways, because on Fox and Friends this morning, the Consumer Reports segment was on vacuums! Yay! The Sears Progressive Vacuum (canister and upright) got best buy, and best value. Costs more than I would normally pay - but maybe that is the reason I need a new vacuum!

Amanda and I had a talk about choices on the way home this morning. We talked about how she has special gifts given to her by God, and she should use those. I told her she can be anything she wants to be. But, I want her to know that choosing to be a wife and a mom is just a valid a choice as choosing to be a doctor or a lawyer!

Having come of age during the height of the Women's Liberation movement, it was hard to just come out and say, "Hey! I want to be a homemaker!". Anyway, I won't stand on that soapbox today - I just want my girls to know that being at home is just as valid a calling as anything else!

If you are further interested - check out this book - Feminism: Mystique or Mistake.

Springtime in my Yard

Wed, 28 Feb 2007 01:05:29 GMT

It is getting warmer here in NC - in the 60's today. All my bulbs are blooming and the kids played outside without coats. Just thought I'd post a few flower pics to show you what is coming up.

The hyacinths are my favorite. They smell so nice! These are right by my front walkway. They remind me of an old Bette Davis movie where she loses her sight right before she dies. She exclaims "We have to plant the hyacinths....."

The daffodils on the side of the house. I forget every year that I planted these until my kids come up with the ones they have picked!

My crocuses. These used to be by the walkway where the hyacinths are. And, there used to be white and purple ones. I guess the yellows are the hardiest.

One little daff blooming by the bunny statues.

The tulips are starting to green up - I can't wait to see them bloom!