Monthly Archives: January 2013

January Thoughts

Posted in Life Lessons, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

I spent the last day of January 2013 in the most peculiar way.  I attended a family funeral, visited my Nonno (who continues to inspire me every single day),  participated in a round of hilarious email exchange with the only six people in this world who could understand the banter and went shopping at WalMart with the kids.

And that folks, is a pretty good indicator of what the entire month has been like.  photo

Some days felt as if they blew right by and others seemed they would never end.

I decided to train for a 5K and my son confronted a bully.

My daughter started learning cursive writing and it was 68 degrees for almost 18 hours this past week.

I finally finished putting together our 2012 photo album and projects at work had my head spinning.

Tomorrow when we wake, it will be February and if it’s anything like January ……..hold on tight!

 

A Mother’s Worst Enemy is Another Mother?

Posted in My Mama Friends, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

“I hate these full-time working moms”

One sentence.  One thought – made by one mother about another mother.

Last I checked, we are living in the year 2013.  We live in a country were we value freedom of speech and as tragic as it is to admit, this sentence – which appeared as a Facebook status – is the opinion of a mother who has the right to express this opinion.

However, this one simple ignorant sentence is explosive and hurtful to working mothers, stay-at-home mothers, part-time working mothers, small mothers, tall mothers, white mothers, black mothers, any and every mother. Why?

Because that one sentence pits us against each other.

I am not friends with the mother who posted this comment.  I only know that her statement bothered a friend of mine.  I am taking the time to write about this today because I want to implore to you (not just mothers, everyone) to do the following:

MH910216391Support each other and the choices we make. Set aside your jealousy of what you can and can’t accomplish and learn from each other.  You are the people who are guiding and teaching our future leaders.  Your actions mold these little people who become the big people who will lead our country.

I’ve written this post a number of times since beginning this blog.  I have learned that sometimes the most arrogant people are the loudest and most uniformed.  I feel sorry for the person who wrote that post on Facebook and I do hope that she – whatever  her situation may be – is content with her life.

To all the other mothers that are reading this post, I commend you for being fair and honest and human with each other. Share this with post with those you know and love and respect and show your support of each other’s choices.

Homework without Acne is Just as Bad

Posted in Parent Dilemma, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

Last time I had homework, I had acne.

Fast Forward to present day.

Rule of thumb (I have been told) is ten minutes of homework per grade.  Therefore, in first grade, children should have ten minutes, 2nd graders should have 20 minutes, 3rd graders should be complaining with 30 minutes and – well you get the idea (not looking forward to having a 5th and 8th grader, but I digress).

photo(17)Four nights a week, my daughter is responsible to come home from school and complete her homework under the supervision of whichever grandparent is in charge.  After dinner, I review the worksheets, ask questions about what she has read and help with any studying that is needed.  On nights where there are after school activities, this proves tricky, but doable.  Luckily, it’s only my oldest doing homework and my youngest coloring in his coloring book longing for homework.

However, at the half way mark of the school year, homework seems to be increasing and my youngest is getting his wish.

Little Man is learning to read (proud mama) and is asked to read and reread a story each week.  After he reads this four-page / one-sentence per page book, we sign to ensure it was read.  Once he reaches five signatures he returns it to school for a sticker.  We are also given a list of topics to discuss with Little Man which most often take all week to complete.  Did I mention he is in Kindergarten?

Now, include additional computer homework to the list of assignments plus the occasional project and homework is suddenly taking over.

And just like that, homework is again something I need to deal with – only this time without acne.  AND it still sucks!

 

 

 

Mean Lean Beef Stew

Posted in Crock Pot Thursdays, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

Picture this:  Racing home to pick the kids up from the bus stop, to immediately turn around and drive one child to ballet and the other to soccer.  Repeat in reverse order and return home.  Almost 6pm, kids are beginning to work on their homework and Hubby is about to walk through the door.  What’s for dinner is on everyone’s hungry mind?

Unless I was Iron Chef-ing (the practice of cooking up meals all on one day for the week ahead) the previous Sunday, it’s either a quick pasta with butter or sandwiches on a defrosted hamburger roll from last summer.   All the while, my crock pot sits in the cabinet.

But folks, the weather is getting cold and the hours between work and after school activities and homework and dinner are short.   Whip out the crock pots, because The Harried Mom and are back – for a limited time and as our schedule permits – for some wholesome, delicious crock pot meals.

For my triumphant return to the Thursday Crock Pot Buddies, I decided to cook A Mean Lean Beef Stew.  Hearty, rich and full of nutritious goodness, this is the meal that keeps on giving.  This meal has comfort oozing with every bite and best of all – feeds a family of four at least twice.

Lean Mean Beef Stew

CrockPot2.13BeefStewIngredients:

2 pounds of beef cubes (filet mignon is the most tender)

4 potatoes cut in cubes (skin left on b/c I am too lazy it that is where all the vitamins are)

1 bag of small carrots rinsed

1 large white onion chopped

1 pint of large cherry tomatoes

8 ounces of water

8 ounces of beef broth

2 bay leaves

salt and pepper

Directions:

Take the meat and place in a large bowl.  Add a dash of salt and pepper and set aside.

Add the remaining ingredients and the meat together in the crock pot.  Take a large spoon and mix everything together.

Add another dash of salt and pepper.

Set the timer to 6 hours and forget about it until then.

The meal is best served with a loaf of warm french bread and some butter.  Suggested sides can include either rice or pasta but the meal itself is just fine without it.  So now hop on over to The Harried Mom and check out what she is cooking.  If you have a blog, link up with us and share your post here.  If you don’t have a blog, post your comments here or on Facebook and remember……

There is Always Time for a Home Cooked Meal!

 

You Made Me Smile

Posted in My Mama Friends, Time Management, Work Mom Balance by

photo(30)Mornings, as many of you can relate, are crazy and hectic.  Who wants what for lunch – Who can’t find their shoes – Who is supposed to be where, when.  AND my personal favorite – “please sign these forms” – as they walk out the door.  But the minute the cherubs are on the bus, there is a sense of calm and peace.  Most mornings, as the children set foot on the bus, I am peeling away from the bus stop en route to work in hopes I am only a “little” late (please note, I park safely ahead of the stop so as not to violate any laws).

One recent morning, as my oldest was about to climb aboard the bus, she froze.   “It’s gym and I am wearing boots.  Mommy Help!”

Instantly, I was in crisis mode. I sprang towards home on foot in very high heel boots and ran.  My neighbor and fellow parent seeing my ridiculous shoes, immediately followed me.  In record time, I ran inside, grabbed the sneakers.  Between my home and the corner where the bus waited, my friend relayed the sneakers to the stop just in time.  Problem was averted and I was delighted.

So on this particular morning, I followed the bus to the light instead of being way ahead of the big yellow bus.   As I pulled up to the light along side of the bus, I could see my cherubs wildly waving and blowing kisses at me.  Without much thought,  I waved and blew kisses back with as much enthusiasm as I was receiving.  The light turned greened and I sent my last kiss and pulled away.   I drove to work that morning, sipping my coffee and listening to my radio and was content.

When I arrived at work – I found this message waiting for me:

“You made me smile the entire drive to work this morning. I was behind you when your Mommy love was showing with the waves and blown kisses. You and I played cat and mouse the way until you broke free and I had to turn. I kept waving at you each time we passed but you were in your mental zone. Mommy hat off, driver and marketer hat coming on. Have a great day my friend. You are an awesome Mom.”

A friend and fellow mom was stopped at that light behind me and had sent the email when she arrived to her office.   I was absolutely touched.  When we met, her youngest and my oldest were in Kindergarten together.  She must have seen that deer-in-the-headlight look on my face that day and took me under wing explaining half-day schedules, bus procedures and everything since.  I always looked up to her as that mom who always knew the perfect thing to say and could juggle even the toughest of schedules.

And with a simple quick email, she made ME smile.   I am very fortunate to have such caring and wonderful women to call friends – Women who don’t judge and don’t gripe; Always supportive and always there.