ThOuGhT fOr ThE dAy (post 250)

J. Lamb 2011

"No bubble is so iridescent or floats longer than that blown by the successful teacher" ~William Osler

As a parent you are indeed your child's teacher and such a job shouldn't be taken lightly. You teach then to walk and talk. You teach them to be kind and to love. You teach them the difference between right and wrong. You teach by example and even if you don't think they are watching, they are. They learn about the world through you. Think about it before you say an unkind word or curse someone out or give up without trying, someone is watching and learning. Just a thought...

Sew a little more love

Yup, I'm still sewing! This week I made some adorable cute pillows for my (ex) in-laws. They are awesome grandparents to my kids, supportive, loving, always there for them and since they are snowbirds, they will be leaving this weekend. I had heard mention that Grandma loves the pillows I make and wondered if she could have one too and I thought I'd whip up a couple of them as a surprise! I actually picked up both the pillow forms from the thrift store for 3 bucks and the plain material I had in my stash. The patterned material I actually picked up at the thrift store! I get these huge bags of remnants for 5 dollars a piece and I have found some of the most fabulous knits and patterns and I even found enough material in one bag to make curtains! So cool! The felt for the lettering was all leftovers from other projects so we're talking well under 5 dollars a piece for each of these! I love, love the tractor material for Grandpa's pillow! It is so him! ;0)

If you remember, I made a fabulous dress for my daughter from a thrift store find (see here) for Easter. Well, I decided I needed one too! I started with a tank top I bought for four dollars and the white material for the skirt I had in my stash. I went and picked up the purple material for 3 bucks for the sash and ruffle. This just took a couple of hours to complete even, I love how feminine and girlie it turned out! I wore a short sleeved white sweater over it and didn't we all look dapper in our shades of purple and gray? ;0)

When you aren't helping

I like to be helpful, don't you? Providing a service or a listening ear or kind word is so gratifying in so many ways. Do you know one of those people who "think" they are being helpful when they really aren't? Yep. I know people like that too. Unfortunately, you'll come across these kind of people from time to time in life but, what to do about it? What's worse, what if you are one of those people? Read on and see how to deal or change your thinking:

The negative Nellie.

You know who I mean, the kind of person who only finds the bad in any person/situation. "You're doing that all wrong, but I'm just trying to help." Yeah, yeah Mr. Down-in-the-dumps needs to lighten up. Try saying something like, "I know I did my best and I'm okay with that" or "Thanks for your concern, but I think I've got it handled". Ward of the gloom with a little ray of nonchalant positive energy because we all know the sun will dry up any puddle eventually. ;0)

The talk behind your back-er.

Sugary sweet while you're there, points out all of your flaws as soon as you leave. Honestly, I don't expect EVERYONE to like me, but I would much rather you were upfront about it instead of complaining about me when I can't defend myself. I think of people like these as large poultry, hen pecking and too chicken to say it to your face! The very best defense in this situation is to just plain ignore it. You can't live life with such a huge need to be loved by all, it just isn't practical. People are all different in so many ways, you are bound to offend someone somewhere. If you keep hearing about what "so and so" is saying from someone else, ask them not to tell you. Hey, sometimes ignorance really is bliss. ;0)

The overly opinionated.

"This is what I think you should do". Blah, blah, blah. We all have opinions about how the world should revolve, right? Okay, maybe I'm not the best example in this case...I do write a parenting blog and all. You all can choose to read or not read this though, so I guess I'm okay! Unless you are asked, keep your opinions to yourself, period. More than likely if you have not offended someone already, you will be doing so shortly. Not everyone thinks the same, feels the same, wants the same things you do. If you haven't been asked, don't tell. What to do about an opinionated friend/relative/acquaintance? "Thank you for thinking of me and if I need help I'll know just who to ask" or even a simple "I'm good, thanks" will stop them short.

Think about the "nonhelpers" out there like this; either you are super popular and people feel the need to talk about you or maybe they really care about you and only think they are being helpful. I guess either case could be true! ;0)

TiP fOr TuEsDaY (post 249)

Got chores?

Are you like me? Do you have to bargain with yourself to get things done? Ha! I have never been one of those spotless clean type A moms, but it is clean. Sure there are crumbs under the table as we speak, my current sewing project spread across the family room rug, and I can see several Lego's and a couple of dust bunnies under the couch. The way you think about the chores is key though. There are many things I WANT to get done today and of course there are many more things that NEED to get done. So how do you strike that all illusive balance and maintain yourself (and your sanity)? Perhaps a little organization is needed here.

Make a list. Be it mental or written/typed down and track the things that need to get done and what you want to get done. Think of housework like your job. You don't get paid to goof off all day! No, you have to get some work done too!

Need to do                                     Want to do

A couple of loads of laundry                    Work on sewing project
Pick up/drop off kids                               Blog             
Run the dishwasher                                  Nap (oh, haha!)          
Soccer game                                           Computer research
Kitchen cleaned
A little exercise

Even though there are many things I would LIKE to do, I know I have to get the need to do things done first! I started the laundry, cleaned up the kitchen and ran the dishwasher before I started my sewing project and blogged. You see? I got to work on the need to do list first. Make the need to do list a priority and make sure all of it gets done and continue with want to do list throughout the week.
So, what if you never get anything done on your want to do list? Then that's where shifting of the priorities comes in to play. Unless you have people coming over on a daily basis, you don't have to clean everything daily (keep the kitchen tidied up as you go). Rotate them around. Take Tuesdays and clean the bathrooms and try to do a couple of loads of laundry a day or at least dedicate a couple of days a week to do all of it (folding and put away included). Implement a shoe-free home and cut your vacuuming time down to once or twice a week (I do this and it's awesome!)
Shoot, no one is going to blame you for putting on a movie for the kids and taking a few minutes for yourself. The kids will not be irreversibly damaged either, I promise. It's even beneficial to the kids too (see? check it out!).
Okay, I think I've used up all my "want to do" time for the moment and it's time to get back to the "need to do"! That's your TiP fOr TuEsDaY! ;0)

tHiS iS wHaT i LiKe (post 248)

Earth Balance Natural Buttery Spread

I'm a little behind today as to make up for the weekend and the kids are out of school again today (yay), but Happy Monday folks! I trust that everyone enjoyed their Easter? Good! We did too! ;0) We searched for Easter bags hidden through the house, ate lots of candy, sported our matching Easter attire, and ate lots of yummy food with G'ma and G'pa! What helped make it so yummy you ask? Ah! That would be our favorite buttery spread, Earth Balance!
Not only do we have a gluten-free eater at our house, he is also allergic to dairy. This makes things difficult (as you can imagine), but with some great products (such as Earth Balance) meals are definitely manageable. What makes Earth Balance so different? It's made from soy (and other good stuff, see here) no dairy, no gluten, and it's vegan too! Wait, it has to be gross then...nope. Tastes just like butter! For Easter dinnerwe had Jennie O turkey ham, gluten-free pasta salad (with homemade Italian dressing, yum!) mashed taters with Earth Balance, a little soy milk, garlic, dill and mustard powder and fresh steamed Asparagus with a little Earth balance and garlic and onion powder. You see? Earth balance to the rescue! I cook with it and use it for spreading and my gluten-free eater loves it over air popped popcorn, yum!
Thank you to the makers of Earth Balance for making such a rock on, fabulous product! This is definitely "what I like"! ;0)

ThOuGhT fOr ThE dAy (post 247)

J. Lamb 2011

                     Peace begins with a smile.  ~Mother Teresa

I imagine that inner peace would begin the same way, with a smile. Smile for those who love you, smile because there is no one exactly like you, smile for you and share another, smile for life is good, full of experience and wonder. Smile for peace within...just a thought. ;0)

Sew a little love

 

Today is my sister's birthday (yay!) and I thought I'd show off what I made for her! She recently got a new couch in a brick red and I thought I'd whip up a couple of monogram pillows to put on it. The pillows on the inside looked like leftovers from someone's 90's bedroom (a shade of dusty pink), but with a little wash they made perfect pillow forms! The rest of the colors in my sisters room are gold and navy and her house is a little bit country cute! ;0) I had a great time matching up patterns and colors to go together. The plaid is a broadcloth that had natural tucks random  in it, but I love how it looks with the gold calico and the navy rose material. Since they were a present for my sissy I didn't go all out cheap, the pillows were a couple dollars a piece and I spent about 5 dollars in material for the rest. Okay, so it was still cost effective! I love you sissy and have a happy birthday! ;0)