Everyone plays the waiting game...it is perhaps the most torturous game of all. It seems that I play the waiting game at least once every day. Sometimes it's waiting for the baby to go down for nap time. Sometimes it's waiting on the bus to drop the kids off after school. Sometimes it's counting down the minutes until the babysitter arrives. I think the point is that the small things are simply exercise, training methods to prepare us for when the big games are on the line.
My family and I are currently engulfed in the real estate market. The timing and patients required for this specific game is immense. To remain patient through this process is somewhat of an unachievable goal, at least for me. I am not sure what is more frustrating...cleaning like a crazy woman, vacating my home with 4 kids and dogs in tow, or if it's hearing the not-so-kind feedback from the people that have come through my home. Then the waiting game comes in to play again when my family and I are expected to tour other home. When we find the perfect one, we are forced to sit back and watch someone else snag our great deal. It is frustrating to say the least. Perhaps the biggest game of all when it comes to real estate is the process of writing a contract. In today's market everyone expects to get a great deal, and thanks to the foreclosure rate, this has become more achievable than ever before. There are deals to be had everywhere. Hopefully, I will exhibit nerves of steel and the patients of a saint when our family has reached this point, and hopefully we will be at that stage soon....because I am beginning to become impatient!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Hiccups
There is a lot to be said for hiccups...they are annoying little intrusions into our lives. Ones that we do not ask for and ones that are not a welcome part of our everyday. We all experience them from time to time, and they always sneak up when we are not expecting them.
The thing that makes them the most frustrating is that once they arrive we obsess about how to get rid of them. Everyone has an idea of what makes them just go away. Hold your breath, drink water, scare them away, stand on your head, etc.
When one actually examines what a hiccup is they then are able to see the solution. According to Google a hiccup is the "spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm that repeats". It is caused by an upset in the rhythm of normal breathing patterns.
So, this information lends itself to the question...how does one get "rid" of the hiccups? I think this is the most important part of the entire discussion. One can not simply get rid of them. They are a fact of life, everyone has had them at some point. The only way to get through it is patients and understanding the problem. When one takes time to see the bigger picture it becomes much easier to see that there may not be a fix, simply a readjusting until the problem works itself out. Personally, when there are hiccups in my life I find that if I step back and take slow steady breaths I eventually get back to where I need to be. After all, isn't it the moments that take our breath away in one way or another the ones that make us appreciate the roller coaster of life?
The thing that makes them the most frustrating is that once they arrive we obsess about how to get rid of them. Everyone has an idea of what makes them just go away. Hold your breath, drink water, scare them away, stand on your head, etc.
When one actually examines what a hiccup is they then are able to see the solution. According to Google a hiccup is the "spasmodic contraction of the diaphragm that repeats". It is caused by an upset in the rhythm of normal breathing patterns.
So, this information lends itself to the question...how does one get "rid" of the hiccups? I think this is the most important part of the entire discussion. One can not simply get rid of them. They are a fact of life, everyone has had them at some point. The only way to get through it is patients and understanding the problem. When one takes time to see the bigger picture it becomes much easier to see that there may not be a fix, simply a readjusting until the problem works itself out. Personally, when there are hiccups in my life I find that if I step back and take slow steady breaths I eventually get back to where I need to be. After all, isn't it the moments that take our breath away in one way or another the ones that make us appreciate the roller coaster of life?
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Funny Mommy-Moments
I love that we all have those old sayings in the back of our heads. You know, the ones your parents used and you swore as a child that you would never repeat them to your own children.
"Life is not fair"
"Because I said so"
"Some day you will thank me for this"
"There are children starving in China, finish your vegetables"
These are a few examples of the ones I heard frequently...a little more frequently than I would have liked. The funny part is that I have repeated every one of these, and most of them, on a daily basis. This morning as a rather obese raccoon was picking through the trash in the can I found myself preaching to my kids. I couldn't help but let them know about the overpopulation of certain species in our neighborhoods. The problem that comes from little kids that don't eat all their food, the food gets thrown away, and the "wild" animals come to the neighborhoods (where it is not safe for them, or us) to eat the food. The greatest part came just as I was finishing my sermon. My three year old looked at me with his huge blue eyes and said with child like wonder
"Mommy, can I go outside and pet him, he can be my friend. I will feed him all my food!!"
I couldn't help but giggle. Moments like this are ones that will never be forgotten. In fact they will be treasures that I will always hold dear~!
"Life is not fair"
"Because I said so"
"Some day you will thank me for this"
"There are children starving in China, finish your vegetables"
These are a few examples of the ones I heard frequently...a little more frequently than I would have liked. The funny part is that I have repeated every one of these, and most of them, on a daily basis. This morning as a rather obese raccoon was picking through the trash in the can I found myself preaching to my kids. I couldn't help but let them know about the overpopulation of certain species in our neighborhoods. The problem that comes from little kids that don't eat all their food, the food gets thrown away, and the "wild" animals come to the neighborhoods (where it is not safe for them, or us) to eat the food. The greatest part came just as I was finishing my sermon. My three year old looked at me with his huge blue eyes and said with child like wonder
"Mommy, can I go outside and pet him, he can be my friend. I will feed him all my food!!"
I couldn't help but giggle. Moments like this are ones that will never be forgotten. In fact they will be treasures that I will always hold dear~!
Friday, January 1, 2010
Happy 2010!!
I have made the decision to not make empty and meaningless New Year resolutions. It seems every year I make a resolution that I know I will not be able to follow, and then once I fail, I tend to think "Oh well, I knew I wouldn't do it anyway."
This year, I am going to change things up a bit! Instead of restricting the things that I can't do, I am going to make a resolution to increase the things that I can do!! For example, Instead of saying that I am going to give up a bad habit, I am going to do more of the positive things in my life.
So, here it goes:
1. I am going to laugh louder, smile bigger, and love deeper!
2. I am going to be more forgiving, understanding, and courteous.
3. I am going to be a better listener, a better friend, and better mother.
4. MOST of ALL....I am going to be me, I am going to look deeper and find more of the real me, and let her just be authentic.
I wish everyone a happy, safe, and love filled 2010!!!
This year, I am going to change things up a bit! Instead of restricting the things that I can't do, I am going to make a resolution to increase the things that I can do!! For example, Instead of saying that I am going to give up a bad habit, I am going to do more of the positive things in my life.
So, here it goes:
1. I am going to laugh louder, smile bigger, and love deeper!
2. I am going to be more forgiving, understanding, and courteous.
3. I am going to be a better listener, a better friend, and better mother.
4. MOST of ALL....I am going to be me, I am going to look deeper and find more of the real me, and let her just be authentic.
I wish everyone a happy, safe, and love filled 2010!!!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
'Tis the Season...
It amazes me that the Christmas season is already upon us. It also amazes me that at this time of year how Scrooge-like some of us become.
On a recent shopping trip to the local mall, I was not surprised to find that people seem to practice a more Bah-humbug attitude than a kind one toward others. For some reason it is this, the most important of holidays, that seems to bring out the worst in us.
Feelings of pressure, anxiety, anger, inadequacy, and hostility seem to emerge more this season than any other time of the year. I experience a bit of these myself. I find that I get caught up in the whirlwind of the season. Lost in the aisles of the toy stores...trying to find a way to stretch the budget as far as possible. It can be very tempting to purchase today what we cannot pay for tomorrow. For this, our credit card companies are eternally grateful!
Maybe it is just my perception, but it seems that there are an infinite number of toy commercials on television these days. Every one of those commercials are somehow able to convince our children that it is an item that they simply cannot live without. I find this ironic since it is the most influential people in our children lives (us parents) that cannot seem to make our children understand the simple joy in this very important season. Perhaps it is because the spirit within each of us has been lost.
Each year I find myself yelling at a car for cutting me off, or grumbling under my breath because someone didn't say "thank you" for holding a door. It is in that moment that I realize that through example I am teaching my children how to become mini-Scrooges. Anger and greed are much like a cyclone...the more you allow yourself to be taken in, the deeper it takes you. Then, if you aren't careful, you might find 3 ghosts visiting you on Christmas Eve.
Personally, I find that the best medicine for a Scrooge is a smile. The theory of "pay it forward" is needed more this season than any other. It seems that when your willing to give the gift of happiness, kindness, and compassion the recipient is much more grateful than if you would have given them an expensive gift. This Christmas, if you are faced with an eternal Scrooge, the person that is impossible to shop for, or the child that wants everything...try giving a little love, time, and bit of happiness. My bet is that your gift will be the one that they talk about for many years to come.
Merry Christmas! May this season find you happy, healthy, and surrounded with love. :)
On a recent shopping trip to the local mall, I was not surprised to find that people seem to practice a more Bah-humbug attitude than a kind one toward others. For some reason it is this, the most important of holidays, that seems to bring out the worst in us.
Feelings of pressure, anxiety, anger, inadequacy, and hostility seem to emerge more this season than any other time of the year. I experience a bit of these myself. I find that I get caught up in the whirlwind of the season. Lost in the aisles of the toy stores...trying to find a way to stretch the budget as far as possible. It can be very tempting to purchase today what we cannot pay for tomorrow. For this, our credit card companies are eternally grateful!
Maybe it is just my perception, but it seems that there are an infinite number of toy commercials on television these days. Every one of those commercials are somehow able to convince our children that it is an item that they simply cannot live without. I find this ironic since it is the most influential people in our children lives (us parents) that cannot seem to make our children understand the simple joy in this very important season. Perhaps it is because the spirit within each of us has been lost.
Each year I find myself yelling at a car for cutting me off, or grumbling under my breath because someone didn't say "thank you" for holding a door. It is in that moment that I realize that through example I am teaching my children how to become mini-Scrooges. Anger and greed are much like a cyclone...the more you allow yourself to be taken in, the deeper it takes you. Then, if you aren't careful, you might find 3 ghosts visiting you on Christmas Eve.
Personally, I find that the best medicine for a Scrooge is a smile. The theory of "pay it forward" is needed more this season than any other. It seems that when your willing to give the gift of happiness, kindness, and compassion the recipient is much more grateful than if you would have given them an expensive gift. This Christmas, if you are faced with an eternal Scrooge, the person that is impossible to shop for, or the child that wants everything...try giving a little love, time, and bit of happiness. My bet is that your gift will be the one that they talk about for many years to come.
Merry Christmas! May this season find you happy, healthy, and surrounded with love. :)
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
What is a "Mousewife"
Everyone always asks me "What is a Mouse wife?" My favorite reply to this question is... "one busy lady!" By definition a mouse wife is either a male housewife, or a housewife that spends a lot of time on the computer. Male I am not, so I have to admit that yes, I spend a lot of time on my computer.
To me, a mouse wife is much more than just spending a lot of time on the computer. I consider it one of my professions. First and foremost, I am a stay at home mom. Next, I am a wife and matriarch of my family. Finally, I am an entrepreneur. I am one of the lucky few that gets to enjoy my family, work in the home, and enjoy a hobby that pays. I often wonder if life could get any sweeter?!
To me, a mouse wife is much more than just spending a lot of time on the computer. I consider it one of my professions. First and foremost, I am a stay at home mom. Next, I am a wife and matriarch of my family. Finally, I am an entrepreneur. I am one of the lucky few that gets to enjoy my family, work in the home, and enjoy a hobby that pays. I often wonder if life could get any sweeter?!
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Four little words
I have written several blogs. Most of them tend to be about motherhood and the balancing act that happens in the life of nearly every mom. This time I want to try something a little different.
What does it mean to start and run your own business? This is a question that every new entrepreneur asks themselves as they attempt to compose a mission statement. Everyone wants to have the perfect answer, unfortunately there is no perfect answer. For some I suppose it could be money or control. For others it may be convenience and ease. For me I think I can say that I wanted creative freedom.
My definition of creative freedom means that I can adapt products and ideas into tangible items. I get the freedom to choose the colors, theme, style, and overall appearance of any given item. Sometimes this process is very calculated and exact, other times I wind up with something totally different than my original vision.
I think one of the aspects that I love the most is finished product and the effect that it has on the person receiving it. There is nothing I love more about this job than pouring my heart and soul into an item, loveingly wraping it, and presenting it. Only to see it bring complete happiness to the reciepent. One of my favorite phrases in the world is "Did you make this?" . Somehow those four little words validate what I do. I suppose it's silly to let simple words have such a profound power over me, but when I create a burp cloth, bracelet, quilt, doll, painting, etc. I put my blood, sweat, and yes even sometimes tears into it. Seeing all of my efforts create happiness in someone else makes all of my hard work worth while.
I guess that's where I link the business back to my most important role, which is as a mother and wife to the greatest family ever. I always loved rocking my babies (when they were small enough to be rocked). I would find myself looking deep into thier eyes and wondering what they were thinking and if they would ever know just how much I love them. I'm not sure if they'll ever know but one things for sure the first time I heard each of them say "I love you, too!" changed who I was as a person. Everyday I try to think of ways to be a better person, mother, wife, christian, businesswoman, daughter, sister, friend, etc. No matter how bad a day is or how gloomy things look, those four little words envoke the need for the four other little words. So, for me I guess my business couldn't exist without those four little words, "I love you, too!"
What does it mean to start and run your own business? This is a question that every new entrepreneur asks themselves as they attempt to compose a mission statement. Everyone wants to have the perfect answer, unfortunately there is no perfect answer. For some I suppose it could be money or control. For others it may be convenience and ease. For me I think I can say that I wanted creative freedom.
My definition of creative freedom means that I can adapt products and ideas into tangible items. I get the freedom to choose the colors, theme, style, and overall appearance of any given item. Sometimes this process is very calculated and exact, other times I wind up with something totally different than my original vision.
I think one of the aspects that I love the most is finished product and the effect that it has on the person receiving it. There is nothing I love more about this job than pouring my heart and soul into an item, loveingly wraping it, and presenting it. Only to see it bring complete happiness to the reciepent. One of my favorite phrases in the world is "Did you make this?" . Somehow those four little words validate what I do. I suppose it's silly to let simple words have such a profound power over me, but when I create a burp cloth, bracelet, quilt, doll, painting, etc. I put my blood, sweat, and yes even sometimes tears into it. Seeing all of my efforts create happiness in someone else makes all of my hard work worth while.
I guess that's where I link the business back to my most important role, which is as a mother and wife to the greatest family ever. I always loved rocking my babies (when they were small enough to be rocked). I would find myself looking deep into thier eyes and wondering what they were thinking and if they would ever know just how much I love them. I'm not sure if they'll ever know but one things for sure the first time I heard each of them say "I love you, too!" changed who I was as a person. Everyday I try to think of ways to be a better person, mother, wife, christian, businesswoman, daughter, sister, friend, etc. No matter how bad a day is or how gloomy things look, those four little words envoke the need for the four other little words. So, for me I guess my business couldn't exist without those four little words, "I love you, too!"
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