How to Cook and Keep my Sanity

This is how I usually feel while cooking.  Everything is going well, and then it doesn't.  Perhaps someday I'll figure out how to put things together in the kitchen.

Here's a list of all the good things that have happened lately to me and mine because I needed the reminder of positive things.

1. Peaches and Mr O get along (most of the time) and play together.
2. Handsome loves me in spite of my crazy mood swings.
3. At least he says he does.
4. Lemon cake is wonderful.
5. Especially with cream cheese frosting.
6. I like cream cheese frosting.
7. Grahm cracker cookies are good too.
8. Especially with cream cheese frosting.
9. I think that dogs just naturally know how to make "that face" so that you'll give them food.
10. I just got "that face"
11. I was eating Lemon cake and not sharing.
12. Putting up applesauce with the help of two squirts is a lot of fun.
13. Putting sharp knives in the hands of the little squirts so that they can help is a little scary.
14. No animals were harmed in the making of the applesauce.
15. No people were either.
16. Those kids can chop apples like they mean business.
17. I really can never remember how to spell that word: is it buisness or business?
18. I flunked spelling.
19. I love spell check.
20. If I do laundry and dishes is my day considered productive?
21. I may just throw in a few miles on the treadmill just to feel good.
22. The endorphin rush is great.
23. I'm having a hard time believing that my son will soon be 7.
24. Handsome and I have known each other for half of our lives now, married for almost 8.
25. I have beautiful green grass in the front yard and beautiful tall trees in the back yard.
26. Not really sure why but I love the movie "Legally Blonde."
27. It might be because it is really...blonde.
28. If it weren't for the dog hair and dirt, I'd be able to see my floor.
29. That means I should mop.
30. That falls under the category of cleaning.
31. Maybe tomorrow.
32. My mom got me a great book of old words and their meanings.
33. Ever been inside a Kidcote?
34. I'm laughing at you Googling that word.
35. Decided to grow my hair back out.
36. Got my Etsy shop promoted with a little give-away.
37. I really do enjoy the rain.
38. It's a warm rain today, loving, kind, and begging to be danced in.
39. That is why I have a rainbow umbrella.
40. I could list a lot more, but I think I'll quit while you're still interested in reading my blog.
41. Cheers!

Salsa

I think I may have unwittingly offended a few readers with one of my last postings.  I want to assure any and all readers that I'm not pointing a finger at you, I'm not singling you out, and I don't wish to offend anyone.  This blog is my thoughts, my opinions, and my feelings.  It is true, I write "off the cuff" and my opinions and views show.  That being said, I'm not pointing fingers.  My opinions are just that, my opinions.  They don't need to matter to you.  And if I'm talking about a certain group of people, then assume (correctly) that it isn't you.  Unless I ask you for your permission, I will never directly or indirectly include you in my ramblings.  So rest assured that I'm not talking about you.  On a different note: I do want to thank all of you who read my crazy stuff.  I know that I can be a bit weird and whatnot, but you still read, and for that, Thank You.

Secrets to Parenting #6

You remember the Secrets to Parenting #5 that I posted about?  Well...A gallon of lemonade powder just got flushed.  So I think that the #6 Secret would have to be patience.  Lots and lots and lots of it.  Even if you feel like screaming, or laughing, or any of those other not so good reactions to the crazy stuff your kids do, hold it in until you are alone.  Take care of the situation and then find some alone time.  Lock the bathroom door if you need to.  But ultimately, have patience.  Your kids are not trying to drive you batty, really.  They are just exploring, discovering, and learning about the world around them.  I'm sure there was a perfectly good excuse for the lemonade powder, but I didn't hear it.  I was too busy cleaning up and getting a kid into unfortunate but necessary trouble.  So, there you have it.  Patience.

A Summation of Facts

To all those out there who really don't understand what us moms go through, or why we go through it, or whatever, here's a great article that sums up the facts: Carolyn Hax, Tell Me About It.  Most of those who know me personally totally understand that my kids come first in everything that I do, even if it is something that is for "me."  I do personal time so that I have more sanity and patience with my children.  I wouldn't trade my kids for anything, ever, period.  This is just a topic that really gets under my skin because so many people out in public places treat me more or less like dirt when I have my kids with me.  I'm nice and give them the benefit of the doubt in that they may not have any idea how tough it really is to be a Responsible Parent (mom or dad).  The key word there is responsible.  Anyone can be a parent, but it takes a lot of guts, patience, and ingenuity to be a good responsible one.  And I have a feeling that most of those who treat me like dirt when I'm with my kids probably didn't have a good childhood, or perhaps their parent(s) just ignored them, or just weren't taking care of them responsibly.  It honestly saddens me to think that they have such a poor rapport with their mom or dad or both.  It saddens me that a lot of parents aren't responsible for the bringing up of their kids.  Most are willing to drop them off at school and ignore them when they get home.  What those people are missing though is that those kids are so precious, so wonderful, and so amazing.  Kids are a gift.  Childhood is a gift.  One that passes all too quickly.  I'm here to insure that our kids enjoy their childhood, learn and grow, and most of all, love childhood.  Memories last a lifetime, I'm hoping that those memories that our children carry with them are Good ones.

The kids enjoying a ride with a friend from the neighbor.

Gifts

Everyone needs hugs.  Even ponies named Magic.

Thankfully I had my camera and was able to catch this priceless moment of our wonderful boy getting a big hug from a wonderful pony.  Precious.

Secrets to Parenting #5

Expect the unexpected.  Really.  Never ever expect a certain outcome, because you won't get it.  Children are wonderful capricious and smart.  They hold everything, explore to the ends of the earth, and ask questions that can be extremely embarrassing.  Try to keep them occupied with items that will increase their knowledge and increase their desire to learn more.  Yes they throw monkey wrenches.  Yes they can be really crazy.  But really, what would you prefer: a child who is curious and asks out of desire for knowledge, or a kid who is apathetic and just wants to play computer games.  I'll take the questioning child, any day.  I may not have the answers, but I'm honest about that.  If I don't know, I say so.  You don't need to know it all to have the respect of the children in your life.  In fact, they may respect you more because you are honest with them.  Kids know when you are being honest or not and they will pick up on lies faster than you can pick up on theirs.  That and it is just a good example.  That is how kids learn most of what they know, through example.  They do surprise us with crazy stuff sometimes, but ultimately they do follow in our footsteps, or at least along the same path.  Children are constantly learning and growing.  Help them by allowing them to ask those embarrassing questions, and answer honestly.  Allow them to approach the stranger on the street and converse with them (with you there of course).  They will learn so much and grow so much and they will teach you so much.  Just let them be kids.  Wild, crazy, and all that.  Expect them to do unexpected things, and go with it.