In my quest to make it through this life with some modicum of humor and sanity, I look for the little things that make me smile. On the rare occasion that happens (especially now that I’ll soon be working six days a week), I run across something that makes me shoot the nectar of bliss (beer) out my nose.

Is it a:

Dremel attachment for those hard-to-get-to areas?
Little blue nose picker for the person who has everything?
Pickachu automatic Tampax remover for those days when you have that not-so-fresh feeling?

Imagine my complete surprise when I read a bit further and realized boy, was I ever wrong.

Well, all you other people may use it for its intended purpose, but I’ve just ordered one to use on that brat who works in my office.
Instead of cracking the whip and screaming, “Mush!”, all I have to do now is poke her in her lazy ass and hope the batteries hold out.

Today is Super Tuesday…Happy Voting, if you are in one of the twenty four states that hold a primary or caucus today.  I am, therefore, I vote.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Super_Tuesday

I will be glued to the T.V. for the rest of the night.  Not only do I have to see the election results, if there are any, but American Idol airs tonight at 8.  You know, it is a really good thing that the judges from American Idol aren’t picking the President.  Could you imagine?  Since we the American people are the “judges”, who do you think should win this election, and why?  What issues are most important to you?

The funk is here, it’s the coldest time of the year, and the kids really have no “holiday” to look forward to that helps chase off the blahs.

What do others do in the hum drum time of year while they wait for Spring,
 and warmer weather for the little ones to play in?

I just wanted to be the last to tell you Merry/Happy Holiday (whatever yours may be) 2007. Our day was one to remember this year. It was my youngest son’s first Christmas. It was the first year I prepared Christmas dinner all by myself, complete with Brown Sugar Glazed Ham, herb roasted potatoes, green beans (yes with bacon in them), corn, stuffing, mac and cheese, and rolls. We had to cut a hole in the floor last night to repair a sagging floor (from condensation in the window). The hole was 8X4 feet, and you are looking at dirt. That’s some shit. But, what has equaled even more shit in my mind, as I sit back and reminisce on the whirlwind we call merry? That I got a lot of really great stuff, but the ones that made me excited the most…a bottle of Patron and a crossword puzzle dictionary.   Is that a bad thing?

As many of you know, I am a stay-at-home mom. I also care for two little girls while their mom works. Therefore, I am with four children all day, two of which 24 hours a day, seven days a week. I usually do well with patience. Sometimes, however, I feel like I should be Baker Acted into the nearest mental health facility, with a quickness. When I am frustrated and need a break, I get told that it is my job to do the things I do. I have a good idea that it is normal to need a break away from your kids…right? Okay, so maybe I spread myself a bit thin sometimes. I am about to thin out a bit more…

My Mamaw died almost 3 years ago from cancer. My Papaw died almost 2 years ago from a massive heart attack in his sleep. My little cousin was left with them when he was a baby by his mother (she is my Mamaw’s daughter). After my Papaw died, he got sent to live with his mother, who never had much to do with him his whole life. She committed suicide two months later and left a note blaming my little cousin for what she did. She said he would be better off without her (which is probably the truth). BUT, that left an enormous amount of guilt for this boy to have to deal with…he is only 16. He has no one to turn to. This boy and I had not had a lot of contact in the past. He was my little brother’s best friend (I am 7 years older than my brother and 9 years older than my cousin), but other than that we only had contact when someone in the family died. Just the other day, he started emailing me. Then, last night he called me. I must say, it was weird…and not a little bit, just plain awkward. I want him to know he can come to me if he needs to, but I have no idea where to start this relationship off. He is obviously reaching out to me. Being a mom and listening to the things he says, only makes me want to go to him and hold him tight. I am struggling with the instinct I have and what the situation really is. I am not sure how to help him other than to let him know I am here. I can only hope that is what he needs.

My husband tells me that everyone calls me Big Mama for a reason. I can guess he is referring to the movie Soul Food. In that case, I take it as an endearing term. But even Big Mama needs some help from time to time. So, advice would be appreciated, a good, stout shot of whiskey much obliged, and a call to Dr. Phil might be in order. Here I thought I was in need of a break. This only goes to show that a good mama’s work is never done.

What is all the craze about? Are you like me and addicted to many of the social networking sites out there? Just a few of mine are Cre8Buzz, Facebook, eHow, and even my own social networking site that I run out of my home - it’s for moms in the Kansas City area.  I find myself asking, “how can they all thrive on the Internet at the same time?”  What’s important to realize is that they each offer very different social networking experiences. 

What I am most in awe about is how we all seem to be so into these sites and jumping at the chance to create yet another username on another website.  What’s the curiosity all about?  I think in part we love seeing all the neat little features on sites like real-time blogging, photo capabilities, interactive applications (mostly on Facebook), and even little ranking systems that make us feel oh-so-important in Internet land.

So what’s the future of social networking hold?  Who knows. But what I do know is that it is definitely here to stay.  Enjoy socializing!

Just had a recorded phone call message from the Superintendent stating there has been one confirmed case of MRSA in the district, no details were given to which school or if they intend to shut anything down to disinfect

Here’s some other basic links for more information:

MRSA Wiki

MRSA Mayo Clinic

Newstory

Another News Story

I’m erring on the side of caution until I have more information on what school, and what steps they’re taking for preventing the spread.

My daughter was just on 13 days of antibiotics, 3 days of Amoxicillin (for a dog bite of her lower mouth and face) after which she STILL ended up with a secondary infection and was put on Augmentin for another 10 days afterwards.

My fear is she was just on some pretty strong antibiotics, and I don’t have enough info to feel safe for her.

Do you think I’m being a nut, or would you do the same?

Can someone please explain why my husband would put his shoes in the refrigerator?

I bought something for my daughter for Christmas, and I really need to write about it, it’s a wonderful idea, they have ideas for both boys and girls, and it’s right up any creative kids alley.

The Little Experience

I got the Stitch it Flower doll kit, and I feel it’s priced just right, and a very sweet and memorable project.For boys there are rockets and boats, and stuffed animals they can create as well.

I got it right away, their shipping is great, and it’s a wonderful idea for a kit in the box.

I also found these stuff your own bear kits at our local hobby lobby, I got a few small ones, but they also have huge gift packs of 2 or 3 with endless outfits, if you have a little crafter, there’s a couple ideas to really make them smile.

Another place I look at daily is Etsy I just toss kids in the search box on lazy days and look around for about an hour, they have wonderful and unique hand made items for every kid, we’ve gotten many of the wonderful soaps, and some American doll clothing, barrettes and blankets, this year I’m loving the wonderfully knitted scarves with animals on the ends.

I’m also looking at some of these crayon bags which I adore Crayon bags Seems the crafter who makes these is going out of business due to medical reasons, and having a sale, that’s like giving two gifts, helping her out by buying her products during a troubling time in her life, and a gift for the artist in your life who can’t leave home without their supplies!

What deals or steals or original gifts have you found so far this year? Let me know, I’m still actively looking and buying.Thanks!

Obviously, instructions are not included when you get married or have children. Someone forgot to write THE book. Although, many have tried, only a few have somewhat succeeded in that venture. So, how do you define the roles each partner/parent plays in the home?

The situation can vary from both husband and wife being house-spouses to both of them working outside of the home. Understandably, if both partners/parents work outside the home, the split is a bit easier to designate. Each has a “job” and a set of chores in the home (sometimes one has a “job” and has the majority of chores at home). But, how do you go about setting the distinction when one is a house-spouse and the other has a “job”?

I have many friends that are stay-at-home spouses. Their significant other works outside the home, thus providing the monetary muscle.  Some of them have wonderful family co-founders…the homemaker does all it takes to keep the house running smoothly during the day.  Then, as soon as the “worker” arrives home, the reinforcements to help out with dinner, dishes, and nightly child duties are aplenty.  Yet, there are far more friends of mine that have a much harder go at it.  The “working” partner assumes there is not nearly as much to be done on the stay-at-home partner’s list.  They complain endlessly about the fact that they “work”, and the other doesn’t.  It causes much hardship in the relationship, and puts an enormous amount of unnecessary strain on the stay-at-homer.  Now, they are left to feel as though everything they do is not enough no matter how hard they try.  Sometimes, they may feel as though the outside worker is using the fact that they have a “job” as an excuse to not assist in normal duties, such as helping out with the children or doing the dinner dishes.  And, still the one who has to leave the comforts of home, each and every day, feels shorted, because the financial support is solely up to them to achieve.

So, what is left to ponder is how do you help the “worker” partner to understand all that is done behind the scenes?  How do you go about helping yourself, if you are the household worker, understand all it takes for the out-of-the home worker to go to work everyday, feel like it or not?  How do you arrive at a fair share for everyone?  Once, you get there, is it possible to maintain that so desirable 50/50 partnership?