Green & Cheap - Just the Way I Like It!

 For all of my Green-initiatives. I wish to share. The more who make little changes - the greater the overall good! The more eyes who see things like this - the more opportunity to initiate those little changes through expanded knowledge~ Cheers!

Green & Cheap Tips - from Oprah.com

The Age of Innocence

I've come to the conclusion that my favorite age of children is probably ages 2-3. 
Addie is 2 - and she is probably the cutest damn thing I've ever experienced :) She's spunky, needs some reassurance at times, but is otherwise independent and curious to try things and see what comes of it. She's still so innocent, but gathering info and processing it like a sponge - learning and developing. Each time she learns something new - it's just too cute! She's able to communicate her needs pretty effectively, but still hasn't quite got the hang of speaking outside of phrases. This is the most fun time to interact with them - during this phase. While she does occasionally let her frustration get the better of her - and often becomes distraught over her sister's insistence upon doing things her way - she's sweet, and thoughtful, and likes to just have fun! This is what is meant by the term "she's 2." When struggling to convey a desire/ refrain from losing favored toys, etc, to the bigger sis, she is merely trying to express herself thoroughly, and proclaim her new-found independence. She won't let her sister walk all over her just because she's littler. (I have to actually say I'm proud of that spirit within her!)
Terrible-two's?? Nah. Not unless we're referring to terribly-cute, terribly-funny, or terribly-sweet!

TIP: Stop hurrying, and do less worrying; Revel in all of the little moments, and smile :) 

A QUOTE: “A babe in the house is a well-spring of pleasure, a messenger of peace and love, a resting place for innocence on earth, a link between angels and men” ~Martin Fraquhar Tupper

WHIDFML:  Opened-up my upcoming mommy-day for whatever appeals to me at the time... A nap? Sure! Some tube? Maybe (...if it continues to be a soaker!) Some reading? For sure! Some home-made hot-chocolate? I'm thinking YES! A fire in the fireplace? This is a serious probability! All of the above?? Quite possibly!

Happy Birthday to All the Mommies?

'Twas the first year that Myla actually understood some of the meaning behind the celebration surrounding Mother's Day... We met up with the fam for food, drink, laughter, dessert, and gift-exchange. When the DQ cake was unveiled, Myla did whisper in my ear inquiring, "Mommy - when are we going to sing happy birthday??"

However, the highlight of my day was receiving a very special hand-made card from my sweet girl! It is pink (no doubt), and came adorned with darker-pink hearts and flowers. She had carefully selected their location, and glued them on all by herself. She even drew the stems and leaves, and completed the look with a few sparkly 'diamonds' affixed to the card's interior. My sis had thought to write the words I (heart) U Mommy in pencil, and then Myla traced over the pencil with a (you guessed it, Pink!) marker. Adorable!! I had to fight back a few tears, especially with how excited and proud she was to show me her work of art. (Rather impressive, too, I might add!)

So Happy birthday Mother's Day to all of you fellow-mommies out there! Hope it was special :)

TIP: 3-year olds have a hard time keeping secrets. ;) She did mention before mother's day that she had a 'surprise' for me - and that it had a pink flower glued to it... But alas, I still could not have been prepared for such a beautiful and heart-felt gift! And she didn't give away all of the details!
A QUOTE: “Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up.” ~Pablo Picasso
WHIDFML: Re-potted all house-plants in GOOD soil, and moved the herb-garden pots to the living-room bay window... (SOUTH-facing! Further research alerted us to the fact that herbs need lots more light than they'd have received facing Nort~) 

Sometimes... Seeing is Believing

Okay - So I've made mention of my "silver lining" (think hair) in a previous post or two now... And actually - it never bothered me much. But it's spreading, and one particular "patch" is now of greater concern since learning from my beloved that it "ages me by about 10 years". Say whaaaaat???????

Turns out, he didn't really believe me when I told him it was under there... He thought I was exaggerating to make a point about my need for greater balance again (read: serious stress). I've noticed other things over that time-frame; A more frequent migraine pattern, some minor belly-bulge (only place there is something remaining from child-bearing) still just hanging on 'round there, some mood-swings, more regular difficulty with sleeping solidly, higher blood pressure at the doc at last visit, and more frequent patterns of fatigue. Evidently, my mood and general demeanor weren't tipping him off - which says that it wasn't outwardly as prevalent as I had been feeling inside. That's a good thing!

The sun hit my shimmering natural highlights just right during one ripe afternoon spent outdoors. He brought it to my attention as though I'd never even hinted about its presence previously. I looked at him with my "d'oh" face - saying, "Yeaaaaah... That's the 'grey hair' I was referring to when I once expressed that our kids are expediting the aging process..." "There's kind of a lot there!" Came his response. "Thanks for finally noticing!" I said with a smile. At this point, I began to wonder if the shock in his expression was because it was not exactly eye-candy - or whether he was really just that tuned-out when I expressed concern over my body's stress-responses some many-months prior. And, it still hadn't really bothered me... until~ that comment about how many years it added to my face.

Of course, NOW I'm thinking the look on his face is mortification! REALLY? "So - does it look that horrible???" I inquired, "Your face says it's pretty much freaking you out. I thought maybe I looked more my age, rather than 10 years younger?!" (Still feeling okay about it - but somewhat more uneasy...) "No no - It does make you look older than you are though... But I'm actually more concerned about your stress level. Is that legit, that it turns hair grey - or is that one of those myths?" I honestly didn't know for sure - but it would seem a rather sizable coincidence that I had a patch while working at the job I hated most... that later disappeared, only to reappear again after baby number two's arrival... I'm no scientist, but I'm thinking there's a direct link here.

Isn't it funny - that I'm not only an open book, but a big-time communicator, and yet - even amongst my attempts at direct-dialogue about such issues, he didn't catch on until he could visibly SEE the signs for himself?? 

Well, needless to say it brought about very healthy, motivating, and forward-thinking discussion regarding how to best tackle the remaining problems with my lacking balance. I was able to reassure him - about all of the things that I'm grateful for every day; Two healthy, amazing little girls/ our own health/ his job - with it's flexibility and his natural instincts for it - as well as his growing rapport with the awesome company he's with/ our supportive and loving families/ our friendship and amazingly strong connection/ our ability to get back on track financially after an unpredictable blow/ Our home - and it's location - amidst the tranquil woods and water/ my drive for life/ my passion for what I do and my ability to work for myself in the process - and be home with our daughters/ our new-found parenting techniques that have been working wonders/ the fact that we know ourselves well, and have established priorities at a time in our lives when we needed to most.... I'm not sure I could compile a list that would adequately portray the depth of my gratitude. 

In spite of all of the good in our lives, and my positive attitude and determination to find the good in all things ~ there is still a lack of true balance. He thought of one brilliant little adjustment that will work wonders in that department! (Two minds = always better!) We will from now on, do any necessary errand-running, etc - together as a family in the evening hours during the week. That will free up lots of time on my Wednesdays (Grandbaby-Days with the retired in-laws) - allowing more time on those days for me! FAB. I also needed, as it turns out, a bit of reassurance that I'm handling things the way I should be during the day while at home with the girls - in order to maintain all of the goings-on: child-rearing/ interaction, house-upkeep, the photography work (namely photoshop hours and client-interaction), as well as incorporating couple time and family time when Joel is home. [Keep in mind, Myla doesn't nap any longer. Combine that with the inevitable, ever-changing shifts to every-day life that accompany growing children, and you have a requirement to regularly re-think your current routine(s) to effectively maintain (or re-instate) a sense of balance!]

All-in-all - I've never felt lighter, or more eager to push forward again. And, I've taken to a cheap DIY means of adding some auburn undertones in the form of spontaneous low-lights to cover those age-distorting greys. Hey, I don't know about you - but time already moves too quickly. And now that I'm feeling more like I'm 'recovering', and my efforts to maintain a true sense of balance are beginning to pay-off with higher yields - for $3 a box - why the heck not? :)

TIP: Did you know that adding half-cup of liquid hand soap to a gallon of water, poured over the tops of them, will rid your yard of ant hills and their inhabitants without the toxic chemical residue that sprays will leave behind?? 'Tis the season!

A QUOTE (or 2): "Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you perform better when your thoughts, feelings, emotions, goals, and values are in balance." ~Brian Tracy

"I'm not suggesting you deny or suppress your emotions, but just discover for yourself what it takes for you to handle your emotions and stay balanced." ~Wendy Hearn,

WHIDFML: Joel and I really figured out a few things that we could do differently to tilt the scales a bit closer to balanced again... including some long-term, and short-term, goals & trips that we've been longing to accomplish!! No more, "We'll figure that out [later]..." giving things time to build-up... Nope. Now, we tend to the regularly-evolving needs as they occur. 

Word of the Day

The word of the day is.... "Stinky"!
Girls - both alternating silly "stinky-descriptions"... (ie: stinky-car! or stinky-tree! or stinky-birdie!)
Mommy: "I think you are being a couple of silly little stink-butts!"
Addie: "NO! My not stinky! DAD-DY is stink-ing...."
Mommy & Daddy "Hahahahahahahahahahaha!"
Addie: "Sowwy Dad-dy..." 


Can't get much cuter than that ;)


TIP: Record these moments... photos, video, typing a blog, baby-books - whatever you want to use - just record it! (We'll probably need these memories when they're sixteen!)
A QUOTE: "Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see."  ~Neil Postman

WHIDFML: A new (awesome) local restaurant with my fam!

The Truth Be Known!

Myla has been looking forward to "going fishing with Daddy and Uncle Danny in the boat" this season. The other day, my bro and Jenni were over - helping out with vehicle maintenance, and hanging out. She and Jenni are good friends these days. Jenni was a great sport - playing all sorts of make-believe with her while she practiced "driving" daddy's car. During their play time, Myla expressed her excitement about the approaching fishing season to Jenni. "I'm going to go in the boat and go fishing with Daddy and Uncle Danny..." She continued some more after a few questions from Jenni, assuredly stating the stats, "Daddy catches the big fishies... and Uncle Danny catches all the little fishies." (All with a knowing nod of the head and a crinkled up grin!) That produced some laughter amongst the crowd! The funny part is, Danny is the big winner in her eyes - as she is really quite fond of the "little fishies". She prefers them, actually. This one really blossomed into the girly-girl of the fam. Maybe Addie will join Daddy in pursuing those 'big fishies' someday soon! In the meantime, Danny is busted! ;)

TIP: When you've let the kids play in the car, make sure they didn't turn on the dome-lights... You won't notice until A) It's dark, and you happen to walk past the vehicle - or B) your battery is dead! Luckily, we found out via option "A", with enough time to re-charge overnight. 

A QUOTE: "...of all the liars among mankind, the fisherman is the most trustworthy."  ~William Sherwood Fox

WHIDFML: 2 Words: Chocolate Milk... (Made with Midnight Moo - Trader Joe's - all natural/ real ingredients, and really the only "bad" thing in there is a bit of sugar. But that's in the eye of the beholder...) ;) 

"She Couldn't Handle it..."

 [photo by Joel]

 

Kids pick up on the funniest things. The other day while outside with the girls, there was a freshly spun spider-web coveting the interior of the little foot-pedal toy car. Myla was quick to point out the obvious - knowing that I might react with slight panic, followed by cringe, followed by carefully-executed-strategic-planning for exercising the demons. (Spiders = Satan's spawn in my book.) 

I did, without much under-breath cursing, successfully remove the web using a stick. With no demon actually present, I quickly removed any remnants of its home before the girls could commence care-free play. 

However, within about 5 minutes of this occurrence, Myla witnessed some other under-breath mumbling-to-self as I expressed that I "can't handle this today" - while breaking up a very unwarranted and unnecessary screaming-fit between the two young ladies. So much for muttering...

Upon daddy's return home from work, she explained to him that there had been a "big spider web" in her car today. Daddy asked her, "Uh-Oh... Did mommy get it out for you?" To which she replied, "Nah. She couldn't handle it." 
"WHAT?!" I chimed-in, laughing... "I DID TOO take it out - and ya'all should be proud of me for that feat." I proceeded to explain to Joel where she got that from - and we shared a great belly-laugh over it. I still giggle when I think about her matter-of-fact response, (and her weird meshing of the memory of what actually happened.)  

TIP: Keep your cool :) [Parenting with Love & Logic - from a previous post - working awesomely... Myla still outwits us occasionally - but we're working on that! Actually - she wore a HALO for a solid WEEK! A.MAZ.ING. Somehow, my sister seems to bring out the rebel in her... At least she exploded in her presence twice in one week, which would seem like quite the coincidence. Hmmmm.... Gonna have to give that some more thought.]
A QUOTE: “There are things known and there are things unknown, and in between are the doors of perception” ~Aldous Huxley
WHIDFML: Cleared some air about perception, in fact.