Help

I had a little help at the office today. She's the best kind too. She didn't argue about anything, took all her aggressions out on her monkey and was only there for an hour or so while her mommy took her brother to the vet doctor.

Just gotta love that sweet face.

Irrational Rage....Oh dear!

Source

Just a quick pop in to say all is well and busy.  Also, that I have bawled my eyes out, watched again screeching "Say it ain't so!" Bawled some more and am now at the stage of irrational rage.  There are no spoiler alerts here because I'm not going to give anything away. I don't want to mess it up for anyone who hasn't watched it yet, but seriously?  I am heart broken and angry.  So there!  Because I know Julian Fellowes cares so much about what I think. Errrhg.  I will recover eventually.  Just know you are not alone. Oh! The travesty!

Email me if you want an explanation of what the devil I'm talking about ;)

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!

Oh that baby smell!

Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

Chips

This is Kale...CurlyLeaf Kale at that. I'm not sure how you eat it, but I like it lightly coated with olive oil, bakes in the oven then topped with a little garlic salt...kale chips. I prefer non Curly Leaf Kale for chips, but since I am still able to get Kale from my CSA, I'm not going to complain...Beggers and choosers and all that.

Doesn't look much different does it? But it tastes delish....so much so that Number Two Son gobbles it right up. How cool is that? What? Something healthy going into that seventeen year old body? Crazy, right? Just a bit of advise...when you go home for lunch and you munch on a few of these with your sandwich, be sure to brush your teeth before you go back to work. Fortunately, because of the garlic salt, I thought it might be a good idea and boy, am I glad. Those curly little bits love to make a home in EVERY little crevice between your teeth...not pretty.

A Mother's Wisdom

 

Ha!  I just had to laugh after I typed that title because seriously, how much do we really know?  I've been a mama for almost 20 years and I still don't have this stuff figured out. And just when I think things have settled down and I'm getting the hang of it, one of them throws me a curve ball.  And the thing is, I have good kids.  I'm not just saying that because this is happy blog land and I want everything to appear perfect because let's face it ladies, it ain't.  But, if I do say so myself, those boys of mine are good kids.  I just have to remember that they are kids...regardless of the fact that they tower over me.  Even at ages of nineteen and seventeen, there is still so much they have to learn.  I'm 44 and I still have so much to learn. But I digress.

Having good kids doesn't mean that they don't screw up and here lately, it appears that the learning curve is getting pretty steep.  They are saying things, doing things and asking things that I think they should know better than to say, do or ask.  But again, what do I know. I have to constantly remind myself that just because they've been told doesn't mean they've listened. So that's why I'm here today.  Maybe some of you Mama's of littles will read this and remember it later and someone will benefit....fingers crossed anyway.

** Whenever you need to have a serious conversation with them, particularly if they've misbehaved, tell them to sit down. This way, as they get older, they will know when you are serious.  Also, as they get bigger than the mama, if they are sitting down, they still have to look up at you. And make sure there are no distractions like TVs, phones, etc.

** Regardless of how stupid their behavior may be, don't tell them it's "stupid."  Words like that hurt more than we even realize.  They don't hear that the behavior is stupid. They usually hear that they are stupid. Not cool.

** The madder you are, because they will make you REALLY mad at some point, stay calm.  Try not to yell (this is easier said than done, I know.) If they see that they can get a rise out of you then they might find that useful in the future and try again.  Remember that you are the mature one.  Don't take a juvenile path.

** If need be, walk away.  Let them know that "this isn't over" but it might be a good idea for everyone to take a step back and put everything in perspective. Blowing up all the time loses effectiveness. 

** Stick to your guns.  If you've said "You're grounded for a week" then they need to be grounded for a week.  If you reduce the sentence at a later date, then you lose authority.  On that same token, keep the punishment reasonable.  Grounding someone for a month because they forgot to take out the trash is a little over the top - in my opinion.

** Be creative with punishments.  Sometimes being stuck at home isn't such a bad thing.  Taking away a particular activity that they love might be more effective....like removing the power cord from the Xbox...ahem.

** Breath.  When all else fails, breath deeply.  That old adage of "count to ten" is popular for a reason.

That's what I'm doing right now.  Breathing. 

It's all good and sometimes these mistakes that they make are also necessary to teach a lesson that they wouldn't otherwise have learned.  And I breath deeply....so I don't throttle them.

This is the wisdom I have - what I've learned.  Hope you benefit from it.  Feel free to add to the list because us Mama's can use all the help we can get!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!

Finally!

Welcome to Planet Earth!

We are so happy to welcome the newest "little B.I.T." (Biscuit in Training) to Planet Earth. You have a bunch of crazy aunts beautiful little Bella! Mama Biscuit Nicole is doing great.

Isabella Grace born at 7:42 am, 1/15/2012.  19.5 inches long and 6 lbs and 10ozs.

Would someone please tell me who that woman is with the double chins? Yikes!

A Good Yarn

I haven't posted much yarn goodness here lately. What with the Christmas knitting/crocheting, I had to be careful.  I never know when the stray family member might pop in here to see what was going on. But that's done with for the year, so here we go....get ready for some really crappy pics :)  We had some rain this weekend so....

The pattern is Saroyan by Liz Abinante.  It's a freebie on Ravelry.  The yarn is JoJoLand Fantasia in the Blooming Garden colorway.

Can I just say that this yarn is GORGEOUS!

I bought it a couple of years ago at TNNA.  Dawn and I both saw it, gasped and bought it so fast it was crazy.  It's 100% Wool Superwash and it's super soft and springy.

I'm halfway through and this knits up beautifully and quickly.  I know I'm late to the game and tons of people have already knitted this one up and I know why. This pattern is a dream.  It's one of those patterns that looks so impressive but is really quite easy as long as you pay attention to what row you are on. However, I do believe that blocking that leaf boarder might be a bit tricky.  We'll see.

As you've probably guessed, this is what I worked on this weekend.  We had a quite one. Watched some movies, though nothing spectacular.  I recorded Downton Abby and hope to watch it tonight.  I wanted to watch the Golden Globes and I have to say that I was so totally impressed by Jodie Foster.  What a class act! I also think that Tina Fey and Amy Poehler did a great job.  They were funny without being too insulting. Other than that, I pretty much just puttered around the house and complained about my winter disappearing.  Seventy degree weather in January?  Really?  I know that it will get cold again but this kind of weather always throws me for a loop.

Number Two Son starts exams this week so things will continue to be quiet around our house.  Hopefully, Number One Son will be making a trip home this weekend.  We'll see.

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoyed their weekend!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!

The "Biscuits"

Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

Hello!

Well hello there!  We've met before, right?  It's been a while...I believe the last time we had a halfway decent conversation was in 2012.  Hmmm...last year.  So how are things?  2013 treating you well?  We've been fairly busy. 

Aren't they cute?!

Number One Son is back at college now and registered for a new semester.  It was so wonderful having him home. We had his girlfriend visiting for a bit as well and she is a sweet girl....he picked a good one.  It's so interesting to watch their relationship.  Once minute they are picking on each other like siblings and the next they are bickering like an old married couple.  I also had the opportunity of meeting Number One's Girlfriend's mother, Rhonda, as well.  We got to spend a little time together and I now know why her daughter is so sweet.  Rhonda is an absolute delight and guess what?!?!  She plays with string and hooks and is now adding sticks to her repertoire....we might have a biscuit in training here folks! Rhonda is staying in the area for a bit, so we'll see.

Silly boys on New Year's.  I gave birth to the one in yellow, but I claim them all.

Number Two Son is back in school as well. I think he's having a bit of trouble getting back in the groove of things.  But he's trying.  Last night he was sitting at the island in the kitchen studying Physics...yikes!  I asked him how it was going and he said he wanted to back to last week.  He'll be getting his license soon and wants to get an after school job.  He told me his plan.  He wants to put 10% of his paycheck in a savings account that he doesn't touch and then some in an account to save for a senior trip.  I wish I had done that when I was his age.

I'm back at the old grind and since it's a new year, I am busier than all get out.  Tons to do and not enough time to do it in.  Car Guy is gearing up to start traveling again.  On the horizon are trips to Venezuela and Los Vegas. 

So that's what's been going on.  Hopefully things will settle back down a bit and I'll get into some sort or routine.  I don't know why that's been so difficult this year. Hope you are doing well and 2013 is treating you well so far!

This Moment

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. Happy Friday!

Me and Car Guy

Inspired by Amanda Soule - Feel free to join in and share a link to your moment.

Wisdom

A friend sent this to me and with the arrival of the New Year, I thought these are great little reminders.

Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer Newspaper, Cleveland, Ohio.

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short - enjoy it..

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it...

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to be happy. But it's all up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23 Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive but don't forget.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does..

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Enjoy every moment because they don't last....I think I'll use the good china tonight, kiss my kids and surprise my husband :) Happy New Year!