Are You Getting Out of the Boat?

We all have our own reasons as to why we do the things we do or don't do.  And we don't always necessarily see eye-to-eye with all of our family / friends on the actions in which we choose to do.  One topic that comes to mind regarding different points of view is religion / church.  *Gasp*  Now, don't go clicking out of here thinking I'm going to be discussing why one denomination is better etc., because I'm not.  In fact, I'm not going to sit here and preach about why I think you should all attend either.  I'm just going to raise a few questions and discuss a sermon I recently heard that has been stuck in my brain now for several weeks.

I was raised in a small farm town in Illinois.  It was a rule in our house that every Sunday, you were to go to church with the rest of the family.  I never remember it being an argument, it was just what we did, no questions asked.  So when I left home and started living on my own, my days of going to church were very limited.  They were limited so much in fact, that I usually only went to church when I'd go back home from college etc.  As I became older, I started going a little more, but even then, my attendance was definitely nothing to 'write home about'.  And now, throw in that sweet little Muffin of ours, and I have since attended more Sundays than not since she's been born.  I go to a church I absolutely love.  I'm not sure how he does it, but the preacher is somehow able to take stories out of the bible from thousands of years ago, and correlate it to everyday life AND keep my attention!

I find it ironic that when things are going so well in people's lives, they look around and say "look at what I have done."  They take credit for all the good things, boasting and gleaming because their hard work has apparently paid off.  But when the situations are up-side-down, and something bad or negative happens, you hear "how could God let this happen".  So why is it that in time of need we turn to Him, or when something goes wrong we blame Him?  But when things are going great we pat ourselves on the back at the great work we have done.  Believe me, I've been there in the slumps of life when the only thing that makes me feel better is going to church.  But I've also been sitting in those same pews just thanking God for all he has blessed my life with.

JB doesn't always attend, but I love and appreciate when he does.  His idea is: "Jace, I can pray wherever I am, I don't have to go to church to pray."  And although I don't disagree with this comment, because I know you can pray wherever you are and He is listening, I do remind him of this:  'JB, there are so many hours in the week that you do what you want to do.  You take an hour here and an hour there to do things you enjoy.  So why can you not take an hour out of your entire week to focus on something other than yourself?  Yes, you can pray where ever you are, but when you do this, you are once again, focusing on You and what is convenient for you at that time.  There have been many times in which we have prayed about certain situations, and left them in God's hands.  But had our parents never instilled faith into us, and taken us to church to teach us about the great works of Jesus, then we would never have the comfort of placing these situations in His hands'.  So, I feel like it is my same responsibility to teach Amlin to walk as a child of God.  As our parents did for us, we shall do for her in instilling that same faith that has often been the only thing that gave us comfort.  But as for JB's attendance, I never harp on him about not going.  He knows the time of the service I attend, and he comes with us when he wants.

So a few weeks ago when I was sitting in church, the gospel that day was from Matthew 14, the story of the disciples who had gone ahead of Jesus to cross the Sea of Galilee.  While crossing the sea, they ran into some weather issues in which they were frightened.   Jesus appeared to them walking on water and they were in disbelief.  It was Peter who said to him 'Lord if it is you, tell me to come across the water to you'.  So the Lord told Peter to "get out of the boat" and come to him.  It's described in the bible that Peter did as he was told and got out of the boat and starting walking on water to Jesus.  As he was walking towards Jesus, he took his eyes off of Him and began focusing on the wind and waves.  As he did this, he began sinking into the water and the Lord saved him.

So as the pastor starts discussing this story that day in church, he spoke about how Jesus was there to save him when Peter lost faith.  He didn't let him drown, he held out his hand and helped him.  The pastor then correlated it to our lives.  WE look in other directions, WE lose faith, and/or WE start sinking,  and He is still here for us.  He hears our every word and knows our every need.  But then the pastor also started speaking of how we are to others.  Maybe not so much from a faith standpoint, but from the point of helping other people in times of need.  He asked 'do you get out of the boat'.  If there is someone in your life needing help, are you helping them?  Whether is be physical, emotional, or financial support, are you lending your hand?

I went to work the following week and for some reason one of my friends and I were talking about this sermon.  She had said that she was in a Wal-Mart within the past few days and a gentleman, cleanly dressed, had asked her to buy him laundry detergent, that he had no money to buy any for his clothes.  As she grabbed a container of off-brand laundry detergent, he corrected her in saying "I like to use the Era kind".  So, she picked up a container of Era and headed with him to the register to pay.  On the way to the register, he also asked if she could buy him a bar of soap, and so she did.  Once she payed for the man's two items, he left, on his way.  As she stood there briefly discussing with the cashier before returning to her own shopping, the casier told her that he would probably return those items for cash in which he would use on alcohol.  The cashier said 'they do that stuff all the time around here'.

I've pondered this sermon and these 'happenings' for several weeks now.  The whole Wal-Mart situation made me think even more about 'getting out of the boat'.  So I asked my friend "how do you know"?  Because you see, when she told me this story, part of me got really angry and annoyed at this man.  I was annoyed because he didn't seem appreciative of the laundry soap she was going to buy him, but yet had to ask for something better.   I was annoyed because as if one item wasn't enough, he asked for a second item, being the bar of soap.  I was angered saying 'why don't you get your own job and pay for your own stuff'? And the 'icing anger on the cake' was the cashier saying that he'd return those items for alcohol money.  And whether or not that's true or not for this particular individual, it has obviously happened in the past.  So, how DO you know when to 'get out of the boat'.  I mean, how do you know when the 'right time' is to help someone out or when whomever is just taking complete advantage of you?  And you don't even have to consider yourself religous to 'get out of the boat'.  There are several people in this world who don't go to church, maybe don't even believe, but are still givers of their things or time.  But unfortunately, through the years, we as society have witnessed people taking advantage.  People lying, cheating, and stealing to get where they are today.  And because of this, we question every.  single.  thing we do.  It's unfortunate we have become this way.

So, speaking with my friend I asked her 'what made you do it?  What made you buy this stanger these items when there are so many people who take advanage of situations and  advantage of kind people such as yourself?'  Her answer:  'Because I followed my heart.  Because I felt like that was the right thing to do.  What he does with it, that's his business, but I did what I thought was right and what God would want me to'.  

I continue to think of this situation, and I often times have to remind myself that it IS okay to 'get out of the boat ' and not be so guarded.  And getting out of the boat doesn't mean just giving things, but it also means giving time, or an ear to listen etc.  Even strangers sometimes just need to hear 'have a great day'.... someone to be kind to them and 'get out of the boat' because maybe they just lost their job.  Or maybe they have someone sick and dying at home.  You never know what situaiton they may be in.  I will continue to ponder this sermon.  I know I was sitting in those pews that day to hear a message I quite frankly learned I need to work a little harder on.  I needed to be reminded to reach out and lend a hand no matter the situation.  I needed to be reminded not be so judgmental and just help someone in need.  I'm not here to judge, but I am here to strive to be the best person I can be.  I'll leave the judging up to Someone else.

So my question(s) to you:  Are you getting out of the boat?  Are you living the life of a giver... or do you take all and give nothing?

If You Say You Like Cleaning, You're Lying.

Okay everyone, listen up!  Who likes to clean?

Ummmm... for those of you who answered 'yes,' close out of this right now, walk to the bathroom, and rinse your own mouth out with soap.  For lying.  In my 31 3/4 years of life (with a birthday coming up next month, I'm hanging on to 31 as long as possible), I've never met anyone who has said they like to clean.

The only part of 'cleaning' I actually enjoy doing is laundry.  Yes, call me crazy, I like doing laundry (but no ironing.... Thank God my husband was in the military).  But as for the dusting, mopping, sink/shower/toilet scrubbing, baseboard wiping, window cleaning, I despise it.  ALL of it.  But, since I don't have a magic little fairy that lives in my closet, I am the one who waves the wand is responsible for keeping our household a dust-free, non-germ infested palace.

Let me preface this blog by saying VERY rarely will you ever read of me boasting about products.  Sure, I may share some of my personal favorites, but to actually use a whole blog to talk about a product is very unlike me.  So as you read, I don't want you to think my blog is becoming some advertisement piece to sell various products.  But, as I am sure we all agree, anytime we can make the cleaning process go faster without spending a ton of money, we'd be interested.  And in fact, when you find out you can actually save money, make a better living environment for your family, and still have just as clean of a house, then you're even more interested right?

I recently was invited to a home party for a company called Norwex.  My friend 'E' invited me to her party telling me the party was about learning to clean with these 'magic cloths' or so she said.  So, out of friendship, I went to her home party to be supportive.  I thought for sure there would be something fairly cheap that I could purchase and probably never use, but I'd go to be supportive and that would be the end.  Wrong.

As the party opened up, we went around telling what our biggest cleaning challenges were.  As each person spoke about glass shower doors, dog drooled floors, and smeared up windows, each issue was addressed with a product from Norwex.  And not only were most of the products cloths, you were to use these clothes with just water to get the illuminating results.  That's right, cleaning with just cloths and water.  Simply put, the idea behind the company is to radically reduce the amount of toxic cleaning chemicals used within our housholds.  So the consultant went on to describe most of their cloths as being antibacterial and having silver in them.  That's when the light bulb went on.  Because, you see, the company I work for just recently picked up a new wound/incision dressing that is silver plated.  And as you look in medicine and the history of silver, it is known that there has been silver used over many, many years to help heal some of the hardest to heal wounds.  For all of you science gu-ru's out there, the dressing that I sell has multiple level-1 peer reviewed studies showing that the use of this silver plated dressing decreases infection rates. So, Norwex consultant, you're telling me there's silver in your cloths and I'm suppose to clean my house with nothing but this cloth and some water?.... I think you may be onto something, but tell me more.

So, as the home party progressed, she then held up a cloth and said "whoever is willing to take off their make-up here with this cloth and this cloth only, can have it for free."  Of course, guess who volunteered?  Yours truely.  'Yes, I'll take off my make-up for this free cloth, but I'm sure this cloth won't get all my make-up off and will leave me with racoon eyes...but I'll give it a whirl'.  Wrong again.  All it took was a little water and wiping and wha-la, make-up off and my face felt just as clean as if I had washed with soap and water.  And keep in mind, I wear a gel eye-liner from Bobbi Brown... not the easiest stuff to just wipe off.  So, at this point in the party I'm becoming a believer... but maybe only by 70%.  I mean, yes I was sold on the face cloth.  But you're still telling me I should clean my house with only a cloth and water?  Did you know that I have a 5 month old and that I'm a little OCD about the clean environment in which she lives in?  Did you also know that I have two little muts barking fur-friends too?  And did you know too that I have a husband that likes to bring tools in from the garage and lay them on my kitchen counter... the very same place I prepare our meals?  All of these things which require me to get the clorox wipes out and wipe down anything and everything that may have came into contact with any of the above said situations.  So, said Norwex consultant then took a piece of raw, yes RAW chicken and wiped it in an area on the countertop.  She then took a pharmaceutical protein swab and showed the area had been contaminated.  Next, she wiped the area just ONCE with the enviro cloth and re-swabbed.  CLEAN, the area was CLEAN, I kid you not.  She then took that same 'contaminated cloth' and wiped down another area of the counter and re-swabbed.  Clean again... showing that the nasty chicken bacteria had not been transferred.  Okay... now I'm sold.

As I spoke more with the consultant and looked more into the company, I began to realized how much we, as consumers, do flood our lives with toxic products.  We associate certain smells with being clean.  But, have you ever thought about what all those smells are doing to us?  Certainly something is creating that 'smell' so what it it?  Is it healthy?  Are these the reasons why today's population have more prevalant health issues to include allergies, GI issues, cancers, etc.  And are these products we're using really doing what they say they are doing?  I urge each and every one of you to go to this website which many of our household cleaning products are given a grade.  I think you'd be surprised at how many 'f's are given to very popular products which I myself have used.  And not only are we flooding our body with toxic chemicals, but how much money do we spend on cleaning supplies per year.  I saw one estimate that the average household spends about $600 on cleaning supplies per year to include:  mops, sprays, laundry detergent, dryer sheets and the list goes on and on.  So let me ask you again:  if you could reduce the amount of toxic chemicals used around your family, and save money, would you be interested?

Let me introduce you to Norwex.  The more I learned about this company, the more excited I got.  And the more ways I realized how I can do better things for my family both from a health and a financial standpoint.  And I became SO interested and motivated to make these changes within my own household, I decided to become a consultant myself.  I truly feel the products do sell themselves, and for being a person that sells stuff to make a living, I'm not the easiest person to convince.  I'd love to teach / tell anyone who is willing to listen more about Norwex and the wonderful products they offer.  I believe much of ones success in sales comes from honesty, so I'd be lying if I told you that I use everything of theirs exclusively.  But I am finding more ways than I could have ever imagined to better our living quarters, have a wonderfully clean home, and stay BELOW my budget.  If you'd like to know more, please feel free to contact me.  I'd love to help you create a clean and healthy environment for your own loved ones!

xoxo
JS

Everyone needs a CF... Or two!

How do you describe a cousin, who is your friend?  And not just any friend, but one of your best friends.  And not just a best friend because you're around the same age and your parents made you hang out together, but your best friend because over the years, you have continued to choose to hang out and grow the friendship.  This, my friends, is called a CF, or Cousin-Friend, and I happen to have two of them.  And yes, we refer to each other as CF's quite frequently.

One of my CF's grew up about a mile from me.  For all you city folks, she literally lived clear on the other side of town.  And yes, that just happened to be One. Whole. Mile.  We're about 4 years apart in age, me being the elder, which made her a Freshman when I was a Senior.  I 'babysat' her when we were younger (although looking back I think it was more 'we occupied each other's time') and drove her to school once I got my license.  She is now married and a 5th grade school teacher.  Unfortunately, we are separated by a little over 500 miles and 3 states.

CF number two grew up in Florida.  Although by all 'technical terms', she'd be considered my step-cousin, she's Nothing less than my blood cousin, just as my other CF.  In fact, she's been around so long I can't even remember when she joined the family.  I want to say when she was about 6 or 7... but regardless, she's been around for as long as I can remember.  We're two years apart in age and 850 miles in distance.  She earned her PhD and is a college professor at a state university.

From the time I can remember, we've been inseparable when we were together.  Make sense?  Probably not.  I mean, anytime CF2 came up from Florida, the three of us spent the majority of her visit together.

 This is us - Circa 1988??

Out of 10 cousins in our generation, we are by far the closest.  But what was once cousins growing up and playing together because we were all at the same place etc., has become so much more.  You see, over time, as we've become adults, it's been our choice to remain close.  It's been our choice to stay friends.  Yes, we're cousins, but we're friends.  We share in each other's joys & triumphs, frustrations & sorrows just as friends do.  We're the type of friends who will never let each other forget our most embarrassing moments.  We can tell each other anything and know that it's not going to be repeated... ever.  We're real... many times never sugar coating anything, but being honest about our thoughts and ideas whether we agree or disagree with one another.  There's a mutual respect that we can all voice our own opinions and no one gets their 'panties in a wad' etc.  

WTH... that's all I can say.  1995

1998?

Once we were old enough to make our own decisions, we continued to choose to see each other.  And as we progressed through our twenties, what was once playing beauty shop then became a raging party.  No matter what state we decided to meet in, we left that place like something just slapped it with a wet wooden spoon.... it didn't know what hit.  We had a tendency to get over-served on several occasions, and although you'd think we'd learn what caused this from visit to visit, it never stopped us.  On these same trips, we would spend many quality mornings, sitting in whatever kitchen nook or deck just sipping on coffee and chatting, well into the afternoon.  These weekends would be full of laughter & fun, and as we would part ways, we'd always discuss when the next possible meeting would be.

2001?

As we continue to 'grow-up', we still make it a point to get together.  And although it may be only a couple times a year, it always seems that we're able to pick up right where we left off.  During the week, we're professionals, put us together on a weekend and that's a whole other story.  The professionalism needs a break... We may be fairly crude, say cuss words, and still have a tendency to get over-served. But that's us.  

         Ph.D. Graduation Party - 2011

So, this past week, our house was graced with the presence of my two CF's.  It was the first time we've all seen each other since Amlin was born.  There was no doubt that we would have just as good of a time this time, as the hundreds of other times we've gotten together over the years.   I knew things would be a bit different and a little more slower-paced, but I couldn't wait to see them and share with them my new joy of motherhood.  Although neither of then have their own children by choice, they have been so overjoyed and supportive of JB and I's new role as parents.

Although I did not partake in the extra circular drinking festivities, we still enjoyed all the time we spent together.  At one point on the morning of the 4th, we were all sitting around the kitchen table.  I made the comment about how I loved no matter where we met, we always ended up around the table, picking/painting our nails, listening to CMT, drinking coffee, and talking.  This morning 'ritual' was once a 'pick-me-up' from the night before, reminiscing about the prior evening's events and now has become something we still continue, even with a new 4 month old attendee. 

My how times have changed over the years.  From being those little girls who played together when we were young, to the party animals that we were, to now sharing in the joys of career triumphs, and motherhood.   I was reminded of how blessed I am to have two wonderful women in my life who I am so lucky to call my friends.

Happy Birthday America!!

I absolutely LOVE the 4th of July! Yes, I may, okay I AM that mother who dressed her child in something red, white, and blue, every day this week.  

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

I love the cookouts and the time away from work.  I love the time with family and friends, the celebrations, and the fireworks.  Since red happens to be my favorite color, I love all the red displayed as people decorate for the holiday.  But you know what I love the most?  The patriotism.  I love that no matter what age, race, political views, or religion, that on this particular day, we as Americans are united in celebrating our freedom.

"If tomorrow all the things were gone, I'd worked for all my life."  Do these words ring a bell?  They should.  They are the beginning lyrics to the song God Bless the U.S.A. written by Lee Greenwood, a favorite by many Americas, and one of my personal favorites.  As we go through this weekend continuing to celebrate our nation's birthday, I hope that each and every one of you have taken the time to think about those who have/do/and will continue to fight for our nation to give us the luxury of freedom.  Yes, that's right, I said luxury.

Too often, we get carried away with our daily lives; tasks, finances, places to be, people to see.  We get so wrapped up in cramming as much as possible in each day that we overlook the simple, but SO valuable fact.  The fact that we have the ability to do all these things.  The fact that through the history of America, many lives have been lost and blood has been shed to allow us the luxury of Freedom.  The fact that in many other places in this world people are dictated and told, ruled and mandated.

As we celebrate this holiday, I can't help but notice all the American Flags that are up and flying proudly.  Flags in places which you don't normally see them; in courtyards, along streets etc.

(courtyard of a facility I frequent several times a week)

Since the time most of us were young, we have learned to love and respect our nation's flag.  What one foreigner could merely describe as 'strips of material sewn together with stars placed on solid blue in the upper left corner', to you and I it means so much more.  But, what does it mean?  Sure, we all know the story of Betsy Ross sewing the first flag in May of 1776.

But if someone came up to you today, could you explain what today's flag resembles?  Could you explain what the colors represent?  I don't think I'm unlike many in saying 'no' to answer these questions.  I may be able to fumble my way through the thirteen colonies and 50 states explanation, but shouldn't we, as Americans, be able to explain and describe without question?  I mean, the flag is our most notable and respected symbol of freedom.  Unfortunately, over the years, what we once learned in American History is no longer with us.  Of course this doesn't mean we respect the flag any less, but maybe it does mean that we need to take a bit of time to slow down, especially over such holiday as Independence Day.  We should allow ourselves to be reminded of why our flag looks the way it does.  

Instead of fumbling through old history books, and filtering through thousands of websites which Google so easily found for you on this 'history of the American Flag' quest, I've made it even easier for you:  

According to a USA Flag History Site:  

"Today the flag consists of thirteen horizontal stripes, seven red alternating with 6 white.  The stripes represent the original 13 colonies, the stars represent the 50 states of the Union.  The colors of the flag are symbolic as well:  Red symbolizes Hardiness and Valor, White symbolizes Purity and Innocence and Blue represents Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice."

And why stars and stripes?  Why not hearts or diamonds, squares or circles?  According to yet another site:
"The star is a symbol of the heavens and the divine goal of which man has aspired from time immemorial; the stripe is symbolic of the rays of light emanating from the sun."

So, as you continue to go about celebrating over this holiday weekend, remember what we're really celebrating.  We're celebrating freedom.  And yet we're also remembering those who have sacrificed so much to allow us that freedom.  So thank a veteran, and thank a solider who is currently serving.  For without them, we would not have the one thing we often take for granted:  Freedom.  And as you see all those American Flags proudly displayed, remind yourself of what it truly represents, and all the blood, sweat, and tears that have been shed to defend those beautiful colors.

Celebrate Safe!
xoxo
JS

I'm a Cheapskate

Yes.  There, I said it.  I'm a cheapskate... although I don't even like that word.  But how else do you describe someone who whips out their calculator to calculate pennies saved, right in the middle of a store isle?

Now, don't get any crazy ideas in your head, my sense of being cheap could NEVER land me on one of those reality TV shows like Extreme Cheapskates (TLC).  I mean, I don't reuse my dental floss, I flush the toilet every time I use it, and I don't eat roadkill.  For those of you who haven't seen this show, the things I just mentioned have ALL been done in various episodes.  My cheapness doesn't even compare to their's.  There's something about good and healthy food, and personal hygiene that I'm a huge fan of.  

But let me give you some examples:

1.  I know we spend 22cents/diaper on Amazon.com.  Last time I had a coupon with purchase along with a store add going on at Target, I got diapers 1/2 off.  320 diapers for $35!

2.  I know that even when Hy-Vee has their 12 packs of Diet Coke on sale  for $11 (making them 23 cents each), I can get it cheaper still at Costco (14 cents each)

3.  I know that if I buy formula in the double pack vs. single, that over the course of feeding 1,000 ounces, I save $40.  Now fortunately, Amlin is still getting 1/2 breast milk, but even with that, 1,000 ounces is drank in no time considering she still consumes about 70 ounces of formula per week

4.  I use to use Lancome face moisturizer and loved that stuff!!  But it's SO pricey.  So, I started using Kiehl's.  I can get about THREE times the amount for the same price, and for a company that's been around since 1851, I'd say they're pretty reputable!  

5.  I also have been known to calculate the amount of money spent vs. saved when using a Keurig coffee pot vs. making a full pot of coffee.  Do that math and you may fall over.  Even if you dump 1/2 the pot that doesn't get drank, you're still saving.  But I do like the convenience of not having to make a full pot etc. so here's my solution:  buy the filter basket for $20 and grind the beans extra fine at the store.  You've only added about 1 minute to your morning routine to fill and then rinse out the basket, and saved yourself oodles of money.  If you want various flavors, buy them and a couple different storage canisters (mine came from Bed, Bath & Way Beyond my budget... be sure to use a coupon :)  

6.  For crying-out-loud, I drove a Mercury with 160,000 that squeaked worse than a mouse getting attacked by a snake, just so I wouldn't have to have a car payment

But, I get it honestly.  First from my Grandparents.  There was this big event in history called The Great Depression, and my grandparents were old enough to have lived through it as well as old enough to remember those times.  With the little amount of money their families had, they  learned very quickly how to conserve, re-use, and the difference between wants and needs.  If fact, some of these lessons learned, still make their ways into daily living.  For example, I have a grandma who re-uses aluminum foil.  Yes, that shiny stuff that you can buy from Costco in bulk, which comes on a roll in various sizes with which you cover food with and it gets all crinkly after one use.  I've seen that sweet, little lady literally straighten it out and WASH it to reuse it.  Kinda like you or I would do with our dirty dishes, except with foil.  It's one of those things that when the family gets together, we scurry around looking for 'the foil stash'.   When we do find the stash, we can't get it to the trashcan fast enough, and little Grandma just shakes her head and smiles.  She knows it's pointless to try and justify it... but it's what she's always done.

My second part of my 'cheapskate' genes comes from my mom.  She's been in banking for somewhere around 30 years and from the time I can remember, she always taught needs vs. wants.  

SO, I knew it was bad when I saw JB (Husband) wearing a pair of shoes the other day that I'd never seen before.  I made the comment about "are those new?" and his response:  "No babe, I've had these for like 6 months.  I just don't tell you I buy things like this because you always say it's not in the budget".  Oh great.  So now I've become 'that wife'.?  The one who limits her husband's spending when he works and provides for our family too?  Don't fool yourself, he does have a Lowe's budget.  If not, he'd buy more tools than our garage can hold and probably not even know how to use half of them.  But other than that, I never put him on a 'budget'... or so I thought.

There are two things I've always said I'll spend good money on.  Make-up and shoes.  I told JB:

 1.  You only have one shot at taking care of your skin.  I'm not trying to look 60 when I'm 40.  So, if I find something I like and it works, I buy it.  

2. I've had surgery on both my feet and bursitis in my hip.   I stand and walk a lot the majority of my days.  $10 or $110, if they feel good, I'm buying them.  And I justify it by the amount of 'wears' I'll get out of them.  A pair of heels that cost $100 bucks and I'm going to wear them maybe twice, NO WAY.  $50/wear is a no go.  But $130 for a pair of tennis shoes that I'll wear 5 days a week for a good 6 months... SOLD.  That's about $1/day.  And that is worth every bit of comfort and then some.  

So, was I bothered about JB not telling me about his new shoes?  Not at all!  I actually found it a little humorous.  But it did make me realize I probably need to loosen up a little on this budget thing.  Yes, I have been known to whip my calculator out and figure the amount per piece of whatever I was purchasing.  And yes, I do want to try and save for our family where I can but geesh, I don't want to be consider that old lady who makes makes gifts out of dead rodent pelts.  

I'm sure in one way or another, we're all looking to save money.  So how are ways you save?  Feel free to leave comment and share.

Have a great day!

xoxo

JS

Picture Perfect

A 35mm what?  A 35mm camera?  Yes, what you're thinking is exactly what I'm talking about.  That 'old' type of camera where you actually had to buy film.  Once you had taken the limited amount of pictures per roll, you then had to take it back to the store, and drop it off.  You placed it into the little packet and tore off the tab so you could have a 'return stub'.  Once you had waited the given amount of days, usually the film being sent to another location for development and then brought back, you could go back and pick up your pictures.  Many times there were pictures in that roll of film that may have surprised you for a various amount of reasons: i.e. accidentally hitting the button and snapping a shot.  But what a bunch of work for pictures, not to mention that you were also always double checking that you had an extra roll of film or extra batteries.

It is incredibly amazing to me regarding children's reaction whenever you are taking pictures around them.  Whether you're taking them with a phone, an ipod, or an actual digital camera, the minute you snap the shot, you hear these little voices "I want to see"...."let me see''' etc.  And when you try and explain to them that things didn't always use to be the way they are now, they seem to be a bit confused.  'You mean you use to NOT be able to take a pic, and turn right back around a look at it'?

As much as digital photography is a huge convenience and money saver for today's society, it often makes me wonder if there are ever situations in which we have limited ourselves in the sense of true 'candid moments'.   Are we doing the future generations un-justice because we can actually pick and choose what images we want to keep and share with others?  I'm just as guilty as the next person on trying to find that 'perfect shot'.  I often times find myself deleting pics because my face may have looked too 'fluffy', my hair may not have looked right, maybe my position wasn't the ideal look for my body to 'look the best' (let's call it what it is... maybe I looked like I had a muffin top) etc. So, we delete, retake, delete, retake etc.  But maybe if we think a little harder, we're missing the true sense behind the image.  

We take pictures to 'capture the moment'.  To try and keep that image forever in our heads, so not to forget the event etc.  But, if we're so worried about how our hair looks, if we look good enough to not delete the photo, or if we even have make-up on, are we truly capturing 'life'?  Let's face it, we don't always look like we stepped out of a magazine, or just got home from a job interview looking our best.  I believe mothers are probably the worst at this.  Not wanting to be in pics, or deleting the images, because they are too hard on themselves regarding the way they look.... or even what others may think if they would see the pic.  But what true candid moments about life are we capturing if we're only keeping the ones where we look our best?  When our children grow older and there are minimal amount of pictures with Momma in them, are they going to say "it's okay Mom, I wouldn't want those pics anyways if you were looking your best'?  NO!  Just as we all appreciate those special moments caught on camera with our mothers when we were younger, our children deserve that as well... 35mm camera or digital.  Time is a gift, and tomorrow is never promised to anyone.  So make the most of the time we have and create those special memories, savoring every moment, and capturing even the 'bad' images through photography.  I encourage/challenge everyone, especially the mom's out there, to take a minimum of 3 pics a week of you and your children doing whatever you may be doing.  It doesn't matter how they look, don't delete them.  Keep them.  Share them.  Remember the moment for everything that it was... full of love.  And someday, your kids will thank you knowing you were there every step of the way, not just on the 'good days'.

Just to share some of my 'not-so-good' moments :)

Xoxo 

Jacey

Oh the Mom-Guilt

All you mothers know exactly what I'm talking about.  Picture this, you try and try to get pregnant and then you finally turn a positive pregnancy test.  After taking about 5 more tests (just to be sure that pink + you saw was right), you then get into the groove of having a little human developing inside of you.  You give birth, and then yes, those nurses allow you to take that little infant home.  All by yourself.  No round the clock care, no pediatrician coming in to make daily rounds making sure your little peanut looks perfect... just you, your husband, and your newest little love.

So you begin your new life.  Caring for this new little life.  Feeding, resting, changing, feeding, changing, feeding, changing.... you get the point.  As you're trying to adjust into this new life style you question yourself.  You doubt yourself.  All you want for this child is to do everything perfect, but how do you know what 'perfect' is?

Something no one ever told me about was, the overwhelming Guilt that comes along with being a mother.  I often times feel guilty about whether I'm doing the 'right thing', at the 'right time'.  I'll never forget one of my very first 'guilty moments'.  We'd only been home for a maybe two weeks, and Muffin was feeding every two hours.  It usually seemed that she was always up to eat sometime around 5am.  I sent my mom a text pretty similar to this "am I a bad mom that I rocked my baby girl back to sleep so I could go back to bed, instead of getting her dressed and ready for the day...and worry about sleep when she's napping?"   Really?  Looking back now, I think 'for the love of all sleeping creatures'... did I really think I shouldN'T go back to bed?  And did I really think that 5 in the morning would be a sufficient time to get my child's day started?  But Holy Moses, did I feel guilty, thinking I was just trying to rock my baby back into that milk coma just to get some rest myself.  Rest assured, my mom put the sense back into my sleep deprived head stating that she needed the sleep, and that 5 was a little early to be getting any baby's day started.

And then there was another text to mom:  "I feel guilty that sometimes when Amlin is awake, I just let her lay there with her eyes open and am not right there talking to her etc.... even though she's content and not fussing".  Mom to the rescue again.  Her response:  'She's fine,  as long as she's happy.  It's good for her to spend some time by herself, exploring and looking around etc.'  

What about the time when we went in for her one month check-up and she'd only gained 5 ounces in 3 weeks (she had gained at her first weight check, which is why we hadn't been back to the doc's office for a bit)  Yes, the tears started flowing.  So now you're telling this new breastfeeding mom of 3 weeks that she's starving her child?  Guilty

Drink a cup of coffee in the morning while still breastfeeding- guilty

Have an occasional glass of wine while still breastfeeding - guilty 

Not read the weather report and dress her too warm / too cold - guilty

Let her sleep in her car seat for 5 minutes when we first get home from 

daycare so I can get changed etc. - guilty

Things that I use to not think twice about making the decision for myself, have now become HUGE decisions since I'm making them for someone else.  Some of the best parenting advice I received from a girlfriend of mine was this:

"you will receive LOADS of unsolicited parenting advice.  Take from it what you like (if any) and discard the rest".  She simply reminded me of this:  the end of the day, I have to do what's right for our family.  And although this may mean that I don't heed to the advice given by whomever, it doesn't make me any better or worse of a parent.  

All we want for her is to be healthy and grow, be happy, and learn.  Learn ethics and morals, learn love and compassion, be educated and productive.  We'll do everything we can to be sure these goals are being met.  Of course this may be a bit biased, but I truly believe there is not a more loved child in the whole world!  And since I've now gotten FOUR whole months of parenting under my belt ;), I have learned to ease up on myself, and not feel guilty about every little thing.  I'm/we (don't be fooled, I probably  have one of the most involved/hands-on husbands ever... I'm so blessed!) are doing the best we can.  And when we see faces like this, I'd say we're doing a pretty damn good job!  

Love to al

Jacey

Just a LONG Hiatus

Hey there!

Yes, can you believe it?  It's me... back on my blog.  I seemed to have taken quite the hiatus from my little corner of the internet.  I'm not sure what really happened... just busy with Life I guess.  But, I've decided to start back up again.   I have a lot stirring up in my head (uh-oh ;), so I'll write about it.  And for those of you who choose to read, I'll share my thoughts.  My goal is once a week.  I'm sure I may skip the occasional week, and there may be some times when I write more than once (on 'those weeks'  when if you don't put your thoughts on 'paper', your head may explode :).  You may find some of my entries funny, cute, serious, touching, or just plain 'ranting', but at the end of the day, it's my opinion.  Therefore, as you enjoy reading, I hope you do appreciate that this is based on my opinion, and that no one takes offense to anything they may read.  If that's the case, you can merely click on that small little 'x' in the upper right corner and shut me and my thoughts out of yours :).  

So, let me catch you up:

Things which remain the same:

*  I'm still married to The Husband (aka Jackie Boy, aka JB) and still adore him, even
     more than when I said 'I do'

*  I'm still working for the same medical sales company.  I just hit my 7th year
     this month with this company, and have now been working in the medical sales
     industry for 8 years.

*  We still have our 2 fur-babies brats who tend to think they run the show

*  We're still living in the Mid-west... same town, same house.... in the same cul-de-sac... AKA
     The Sac... which I'm sure at some point, you may read about the Sac and its members

Things which have changed (okay, so besides my age):

*  I'm a MOMMY!!  We have a Sweet, Beautiful, blue-eyed, baby Girl!!  We were blessed
     with our little Gift on 14 February 2013 and named her Amlin (AKA Love Muffin...or just
     Muffin)

*  My heart!  I'd be a fool to say otherwise. Becoming a mother is the most amazing this I've
     ever experienced. The second I heard that little cry, my heart forever  changed.  I just
     never knew how much you could love someone until our little Heart arrived.  I'm sure I'll
     be sharing lots of my 'blog time' on my experiences parenting etc.... in fact, I'm sure some
     of you tenured parents will find it a bit humorous from time to time

*  We sold the Mercury!  That's right.... she took her final cruise out of the city limits just
     last weekend!  You can read all about her here:  What a bitter-sweet departure (Ha...
     yea right ;).  She left with 162,000 miles on her.  And since I bought her used, we ONLY
     spent 149,000 of those miles together.  Now, THAT'S a bond.  But, with this new
    parenting gig I've been blessed with, our baby girl needed to be toted around in something
    much safer, and much more dependable.... Only the best for her :)

Other than that, we, now a family of 3 (+2 fur-friends), remain status-quo.  I look forward to writing again, and hearing any comments you readers may have.  Have a great weekend!

Until next time,

Jacey