There have been some things that I have said or have done in my past that were not the kindest or well thought out. Usually I feel a great deal of remorse and regret for putting those ugly or stupid sides of me out there.
I would guess that most people in the world could write a statement like that and it would be true about themselves. But how often can we say that we feel that much remorse and regret for doing something truly out of the kindness of our hearts?
Recently I believe I might have hurt someone close to me. My intentions for the gesture were good, honestly good. But sometimes even a well intention-ed gesture can be an offensive one.
This is something that I like to say from time to time when the situation suits, "You're not really helping if you're not really helping."
What I mean by that is ... if you don't help people the way THEY need help, then you are not really helping them at all.
It's hard to know how to end this post because I still feel so bad ...
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Friday, August 19, 2011
Mommy Meanie
Last night Tim took us all out for Maggie Moo's! Best ice cream in town. Another family came in after us to order some ice cream. Mom did not look happy and was using some very harsh tones with her boys. She raised some eye brows and created some awkward tension in the little shoppe.
I used to look at those moms through judgmental glasses and vow that I would never become a mother like that. Well, now that I have children of my own, I no longer think badly of those tired, stressed and overwhelmed moms. Instead, I sat there thinking, "Is that what I really sound like at home when I am talking to my kids?"
I want my children to grow up reflecting me (and Tim) and how we chose to raise them. That includes their tone of voice with others when they are tired, annoyed, irritated or upset. So this one goes out to the mom at Maggie Moo's.
Thank you for reminding me to always smile before I open my mouth, no matter how I'm feeling, and plant seeds of kindness and cheerfulness, even when I am correcting.
I used to look at those moms through judgmental glasses and vow that I would never become a mother like that. Well, now that I have children of my own, I no longer think badly of those tired, stressed and overwhelmed moms. Instead, I sat there thinking, "Is that what I really sound like at home when I am talking to my kids?"
I want my children to grow up reflecting me (and Tim) and how we chose to raise them. That includes their tone of voice with others when they are tired, annoyed, irritated or upset. So this one goes out to the mom at Maggie Moo's.
Thank you for reminding me to always smile before I open my mouth, no matter how I'm feeling, and plant seeds of kindness and cheerfulness, even when I am correcting.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Pick a Hobby, Any Hobby
I am a project person. Since I quit my job, I dove into my list of house projects and realized that one day, my projects would be finished. Is that even possible? Out of sheer fright that one day I would become bored, I decided it was time to pick a hobby that might outlast my house projects. So, my hobby of choice? Sewing.
I know, it sounds old maid-ish. But I think it suits my personality. I like artsy, crafty type things and I tend to lean toward more of the geometrical, left brainy type artsy crafty. Which is sewing, I think. And it's practical. Windows should have curtains, pants need to be hemmed (because manufacturers still think most people are tall), babies need blankets and .... I need something to do!
Anway, I went to the store and picked up a cross-stitch kit and found that hobbies are not just something to do. They help create a simpler, calmer, quieter life. When I am concentrating on getting this cross stitch pattern right, I forget about things that stress me out or drama situations that could make me upset. I just sit quietly and focus on what I'm doing. It's a lovely distraction, beautiful escape.
Tim surprised me with a sewing machine today. It's a Brother brand, computerized. I can't wait to start using it.
I know, it sounds old maid-ish. But I think it suits my personality. I like artsy, crafty type things and I tend to lean toward more of the geometrical, left brainy type artsy crafty. Which is sewing, I think. And it's practical. Windows should have curtains, pants need to be hemmed (because manufacturers still think most people are tall), babies need blankets and .... I need something to do!
Anway, I went to the store and picked up a cross-stitch kit and found that hobbies are not just something to do. They help create a simpler, calmer, quieter life. When I am concentrating on getting this cross stitch pattern right, I forget about things that stress me out or drama situations that could make me upset. I just sit quietly and focus on what I'm doing. It's a lovely distraction, beautiful escape.
Tim surprised me with a sewing machine today. It's a Brother brand, computerized. I can't wait to start using it.
Monday, August 15, 2011
No Such Thing as a Rotten Banana
There is (almost) never a time when you should throw away a banana.
When you buy too many bananas (which is inevitable from time to time) and there is one or two that are past 'good for eating', toss the aged bananas in a ziplock bag and keep them in the freezer. When you have 3 or 4, you are ready to make banana bread ... with perfectly aged bananas. This is a great way for a homemade snack without spending any extra money because often times you have all the ingredients for the bread laying around your kitchen.
In case you didn't know, aged bananas are perfect for banana bread because the older the banana the sweeter they are.
This isn't all that clever or original, but any tips and tricks help, right?
I got this idea from a friend who had a similar idea. She bought a container that would hold just the right amount of vegetables for vegetable soup. So whenever she has left over vegetables, she tosses them in the container. When the container is full, she knows it's time for soup.
Here is my grandmother's recipe for banana bread. I am open to trying other banana breads and have tried many, but this one is always number one on the list.
Grandma's Banana Bread
(tweaked a little by me)
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
3-4 bananas, mashed
2 eggs
2 cups flour
5 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Cream shortening and sugar together.
Add all other ingredients.
Bake in greased loaf pan at 375 for 1 hour.
Note: If you think the shortening is gross, reconsider eating anywhere like Panera, who uses shortening in almost all their breads.
When you buy too many bananas (which is inevitable from time to time) and there is one or two that are past 'good for eating', toss the aged bananas in a ziplock bag and keep them in the freezer. When you have 3 or 4, you are ready to make banana bread ... with perfectly aged bananas. This is a great way for a homemade snack without spending any extra money because often times you have all the ingredients for the bread laying around your kitchen.
In case you didn't know, aged bananas are perfect for banana bread because the older the banana the sweeter they are.
This isn't all that clever or original, but any tips and tricks help, right?
I got this idea from a friend who had a similar idea. She bought a container that would hold just the right amount of vegetables for vegetable soup. So whenever she has left over vegetables, she tosses them in the container. When the container is full, she knows it's time for soup.
Here is my grandmother's recipe for banana bread. I am open to trying other banana breads and have tried many, but this one is always number one on the list.
Grandma's Banana Bread
(tweaked a little by me)
1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
3-4 bananas, mashed
2 eggs
2 cups flour
5 tsp baking powder
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla
Cream shortening and sugar together.
Add all other ingredients.
Bake in greased loaf pan at 375 for 1 hour.
Note: If you think the shortening is gross, reconsider eating anywhere like Panera, who uses shortening in almost all their breads.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
Camera Blues
I consider myself to be a very responsible person, but you see, when you have children you lose part of your brain. It can't be helped.
Last summer I got sand into my little Canon Elph and two weeks ago, I threw it in the diaper bag, where it drowned in bug spray. Since then, I have been in a panic trying to figure out how I was going to get a (good) camera (fast). Meanwhile, praying that nothing picture worthy would happen until I got one.
It's amazing how life seems to create the most magical moments for a camera when you don't have one.
I started shopping and discovered Panasonics newest SLR (which means you can change the lens) the Lumix GF3. My two thoughts behind wanting this camera were 1. I wanted a really nice camera to learn on and 2. I wanted to have pictures where the object was in focus and the background blurred. My thoughtful and generous Dad offered to pay for the camera. I ordered it and then promptly returned it.
I missed having a zoom. To buy the lens that zooms would mean shelling out another few hundred dollars (making the camera almost a $1,000). Not practical.
In the short time I had with the GF3, I must have screamed at my daughter for even looking at the camera a hundred times. Not fair to her, I brought the object into the house. I quickly realized, this is not a product for mothers with children.
So for those of us that enjoy photography but don't have the time for the professional level or are able to foresee the future and know that our children (or husands-unintentionally) (or yourself) will ruin it, try the Lumix ZS7.
I read up on this model including many articles written by professionals that this is their new favorite. Picture quality is superb. The zoom is smoother, faster and farther than the other brands out there (including Canon). The features on the camera can keep up with most SLR cameras. A friend of mine (who has the older version - ZS3) and her dad who has a very good SLR, both took a shot of a starry night sky. The ZS7 came out much clearer and crisp than her dad's SLR.
A compact digital camera perfect for me to learn on and yet practical enough for me to keep in the house.
Can't wait for it to come ...
Here are some pictures I took with the GF3:
Obviously I still have room to grow ...
Last summer I got sand into my little Canon Elph and two weeks ago, I threw it in the diaper bag, where it drowned in bug spray. Since then, I have been in a panic trying to figure out how I was going to get a (good) camera (fast). Meanwhile, praying that nothing picture worthy would happen until I got one.
It's amazing how life seems to create the most magical moments for a camera when you don't have one.
I started shopping and discovered Panasonics newest SLR (which means you can change the lens) the Lumix GF3. My two thoughts behind wanting this camera were 1. I wanted a really nice camera to learn on and 2. I wanted to have pictures where the object was in focus and the background blurred. My thoughtful and generous Dad offered to pay for the camera. I ordered it and then promptly returned it.
I missed having a zoom. To buy the lens that zooms would mean shelling out another few hundred dollars (making the camera almost a $1,000). Not practical.
In the short time I had with the GF3, I must have screamed at my daughter for even looking at the camera a hundred times. Not fair to her, I brought the object into the house. I quickly realized, this is not a product for mothers with children.
So for those of us that enjoy photography but don't have the time for the professional level or are able to foresee the future and know that our children (or husands-unintentionally) (or yourself) will ruin it, try the Lumix ZS7.
I read up on this model including many articles written by professionals that this is their new favorite. Picture quality is superb. The zoom is smoother, faster and farther than the other brands out there (including Canon). The features on the camera can keep up with most SLR cameras. A friend of mine (who has the older version - ZS3) and her dad who has a very good SLR, both took a shot of a starry night sky. The ZS7 came out much clearer and crisp than her dad's SLR.
A compact digital camera perfect for me to learn on and yet practical enough for me to keep in the house.
Can't wait for it to come ...
Here are some pictures I took with the GF3:
Obviously I still have room to grow ...
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Catching Up
Daniel Fast
I never finished the fast. I found out I was pregnant during the fast and the food made me extremely nauseous.
Housewife
Me: Tim, I'm an official housewife.
Tim: Just don't become desperate.
(Probably not as funny as I thought it was.)
It's true. I quit my job and I am home now raising my children (and actually giving them baths), making dinner, keeping house and taking better care of myself.
In today's day (whatever that means) it's hard for a family to live on one income. So I feel very fortunate to be in my position. My aunt said to me when I shared the news, "This is a decision you will never regret." And I don't think I ever will.
So Soph, what have you done in the last week since you've had off?
Thanks for asking such a fun question. Well ...
I've reorganized and cleaned my kitchen cupboards.
Filed, organized and tidy-ed the office room and stuff.
I've started clearing out our storage area. (We couldn't even open the door the whole way.)
My children have (almost) gotten a bath every night.
Ruined my camera with bug spray.
Got a new, nicer, better one as a gift.
Anyway, so here begins a new fresh start on blogging. An outlet for times when I feel deserted on an island in my home. (But at least it is a clean and organized island.)
I never finished the fast. I found out I was pregnant during the fast and the food made me extremely nauseous.
Housewife
Me: Tim, I'm an official housewife.
Tim: Just don't become desperate.
(Probably not as funny as I thought it was.)
It's true. I quit my job and I am home now raising my children (and actually giving them baths), making dinner, keeping house and taking better care of myself.
In today's day (whatever that means) it's hard for a family to live on one income. So I feel very fortunate to be in my position. My aunt said to me when I shared the news, "This is a decision you will never regret." And I don't think I ever will.
So Soph, what have you done in the last week since you've had off?
Thanks for asking such a fun question. Well ...
I've reorganized and cleaned my kitchen cupboards.
Filed, organized and tidy-ed the office room and stuff.
I've started clearing out our storage area. (We couldn't even open the door the whole way.)
My children have (almost) gotten a bath every night.
Ruined my camera with bug spray.
Got a new, nicer, better one as a gift.
Anyway, so here begins a new fresh start on blogging. An outlet for times when I feel deserted on an island in my home. (But at least it is a clean and organized island.)
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