Tuesday, March 29, 2011

My Jim is GREAT!

I just had to clarify a few things…

My Jim is great. I really don’t mean to complain about him- I guess you can say that the only reason why I do it is to ‘vent’, but that’s only ‘cause we (women) need to let off some steam once in awhile and I don’t want to blow off my steam to my oh-so-wonderful husband. And who else do I have that I can talk to? YOU! J

The truth is. I love him- I do. Yes, I wish we were a little bit more lovey dovey & more respectful of each other, but all in all- we are a pretty amazing pair. You see…

My husband takes care of me and his kids. He’s our protector and provider. He loves me, he loves his family and in everything he does he thinks of us first. In return I take care of my husband, I love him and I take care of our home (to the best that I can) and our children. In everything I do -I think of him and the children first.

Sometimes I think we both forget that it takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice to raise a family like ours. (4 kids ranging in different ages, blended but simple) There are days that I am at my wits ends and I wish I had more time, energy, help and LOVE! But on the whole, I muster up my will power to be the best wife and mother I can be.

I am not surprised by the hours it takes to wake up, dress the kids, go to work, come home, feed, play, bathe, clean and yes, sometimes I cook too. What I am surprised by is that my hubby’s there to help me with every bit of it. Plus, I am so grateful and surprised that he doesn’t get overwhelmed too often. I am also in awe that in this day and age I have a man who loves and protects his family so selflessly and joyfully.

He is a husband and dad that arrives home from work ready to ‘get the night started’. Some days he has a relaxing break from the work day, for at least a little while, but some days there is no such thing. When the kids and I walk in the door- most days, we’re laughing and he gets to see a pretty wife with happy kids. But other days, he witnesses crying fits and it’s a frazzled who wife greets him. In both scenarios, he jumps right in to whatever the evening has in store like he’s hard wired to do so. He is a dad that: changes diapers, wipes noses, takes the trash out, does the yard work, mops & vacuums floors, reads stories, budgets the bills and cleans up the kitchen too! He is even a dad that helps cook dinner on a regular basis. (And he’s a darn good cook I might add.)

So- just to put him in the light of a more ‘loving’ vibe… my husband is a wonderful father and helps me tremendously on a daily basis. I know how easy it can be get carried away when we start complaining about our loved ones, so I just wanted to balance it out with the silver lining of our marriage.

Thanks for reading. See you around soon, I’m sure.

Monday, March 28, 2011

We lost her!

Jim went to wake Brooklyn up this morning (our usual weekday routine) and she was MISSING! - * - * - * - WTF?
Where could she have gone? He checked downstairs, her brother's room, the closet... she was no where to be found. I rushed out of my shower and went searching with Jim (while in my towel... that's how worried I was) and as soon as we went back into her room and called out her name, we could hear a wimper. It was Brooklyn! Phew... she had fallen asleep UNDER her bed. And not just any bed, she was under her 'low-to-the-floor' toddler bed! Poor thing... I tried asking her why she was under there, she didn't know why. Thank goodness she was SOMEWHERE tho! :o)

Monday, March 21, 2011

101 Ways to Clean Out the Clutter - by Emilie Barnes

Starting today, I will be reading each "way" to clean out clutter and also doing my best to put each suggestion to use in my real life.

  1. Why all that clutter?
  2. No more Piles
  3. Remove the unused
  4. Tools of the trade
  5. It’s a family matter
  6. Labels are helpful
  7. A place for everything
  8. To-Do Lists
  9. No more excuses
  10. New items in-out items out
  11. Unfinished business
  12. The 80/20 Rule
  13. Accordion files fit the bill
  14. Managing the mail
  15. Juggling the junk mail
  16. Break it up
  17. Practical Expectations
  18. When are you most productive?
  19. Prevent Interupptions
  20. Today is the day!
  21. The family communication center
  22. Purge the paper piles
  23. Smart storage solutions
  24. Filing financials
  25. Get motivated
  26. Stick a label on it
  27. Tips to tackle the garage
  28. The drop off and pick-up place
  29. No more lost keys
  30. A tote for household tools
  31. Phone calls take time too
  32. Don’t delay small tasks
  33. Be my guest
  34. Little tasks take time
  35. Just give it a try
  36. A chance to change
  37. Do you reall need it?
  38. Sell? Donate? Toss Out?
  39. Breaking down the big ones
  40. The paper shuffle
  41. Distribuiting the mail
  42. Filing the files
  43. Evening… a time to clean up
  44. Beware of procrastination & laziness
  45. Why so many?
  46. Clear the clutter in child’s room
  47. The closet of mystery
  48. The messy medicine cabinet
  49. Broken and outgrown toys
  50. Do the worst first
  51. Friends help friends
  52. Learn to let go
  53. Hydrogen peroxide has many uses
  54. Shopping tips
  55. Keeping a tidy home
  56. Store items where needed
  57. Be a good steward
  58. Find another use
  59. Simple ideas make easier days
  60. Unused electric gadgets
  61. Watch for hidden costs
  62. Plasticware everywhere
  63. Paper bags, newspapers, bottles & cans- oh my!
  64. Freezer food fuss
  65. Use it or Lose it
  66. Share your heirlooms now
  67. Use up the leftovers
  68. Speed Cleaning
  69. Is the box half full?
  70. Great gift ideas
  71. When giving gifts
  72. Those old trophies… dust or discard?
  73. Choose people, not things
  74. New life for old favorites
  75. Pace yourself
  76. Why so overstuffed?
  77. Make a date
  78. Evening efforts ease morning’s rush
  79. The idea jar
  80. Common items gain novel purposes
  81. What to begin with
  82. Time to get organized
  83. Creative ways to make storage
  84. Begin a better way today
  85. Tricks to tuck it out of sight
  86. Made in his image
  87. Too many books?
  88. Sell it
  89. Put away, throw away or give away
  90. You cue to clean
  91. Monthly and quartly chores
  92. Develop your own style
  93. The annual paper purge
  94. Freedom from clutter
  95. Practical and creative solutions
  96. Good reasons to use good china
  97. The must-have junk drawer
  98. Sorting laundry the easy way
  99. Think double duty
  100. A goal for the whole family
  101. Your home… A Lovely Reflection of you

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Poet for Hire!


Some might say I have a knack with words

You might say that 'writing is for the birds'.

So that is why I'm here for you...

Just call on me if you need a word or two.

For a special event, service or present

Be totally wealthy or even a peasant.

'cause my charges are fair at less than thirty

but I won't be crude, raunchy or dirty.

Yes I do love to rhyme,

And not just any old time!

I can do Romantic or Gory;

Just tell me, what's your story?

Do you need a Resume or a letter?

Trust me, no one can do them better!

You could even be in Timbuktu

and I'll just email it straight to you.

You won't have to pay a thing

until you hear the fat lady sing.

That means pay me when I'm done.

Are you ready? Now let's have fun!