Mommy Update

Day Twenty Three - Seaweed Again

2014-03-23T22:35:00.002-04:00

This has been one of the more difficult days for me emotionally. I have found it hard to focus (though I did get some work done) and hard to manage the many emotions that I juggle every day. I'm not talking about my emotions. I'm talking about keeping the peace among the many family members that seem to be overflowing with emotions every day. I find that I am constantly trying to "keep the peace" and make everyone happy for the day. While this might serve to help everyone manage their day and often is necessary in our current living arrangements, I find that serves me no personal satisfaction whatsoever and only serves to increase my anxiety level.

That said, I find that the evenings are what I look forward to the very most. And yet, there doesn't seem to be much peace there any longer. By the time I finally get to drop dead at night, I don't feel accomplished. In fact, I find that I am in the same situation as I was the day before, but more frustrated because I know it. This is not to say I don't make headway with finding writing gigs and getting the job done. It just means I find very little pleasure in my daily tasks and often forget why I started to write in the first place.

On an up note, although I have not used a scale, I find that I have lost some weight and am more comfortable with my physical feeling. This should be huge for me and is feeling better, however, I still feel like I have lost myself among the mess of life and the chaos and wonder if I will ever find the surface again. There seems to be little time in my day among the many needs of others for me to make much stride toward the surface, like I get caught up in the seaweed along the way every time.

The look in my son's eyes when he watches a movie or plays with the dog is something I can't get past and it is why I.. do it all again, every day. While my 14 year old daughter is giving me a run for my money and is nothing like the child I knew a few years ago, she too is reason enough for me to attempt to move forward every day, even knowing I'm not making much stride forward.

So, hereon day number twenty three of my Goal Challenge, I feel... less than satisfied and exhausted. Tomorrow brings with it a new set of challenges and maybe, if I am lucky, a new set of options. I'll sleep, if I can, and wait for a new day and a new chance to "make change."

Day Eighteen - Big Plans

2014-03-18T20:42:00.001-04:00

Day Eighteen was long and taxing with not as much productivity as I would have liked. Along with dealing with a few unavoidable appointments tomorrow, there are several things I will be accomplishing from the day.

1. Earn at least $100 for the day.
2. Write the text for my children's book.
3. Start a sketch that includes all of the characters for the book.
4. Update my comprehensive list of writing hubs and their related information.
5. Update profiles on the many writing hubs that I am already affiliated with.
6. Compile a list of potential writing hubs I want to sign on with or investigate.
7. Create a list of all print opportunities and magazines I would like to send samples to.

These are all of the work related goals I have for tomorrow. There are some other goals relating to learning patience with my children and organizing my weeks a little better.

All in all, there is a great deal to do and not much day to accomplish it in. I guess I better get some sleep.

Day Fifteen - Acceptance

2014-03-15T16:31:00.001-04:00

So, today started out the same as usual, me wanting to accomplish a large list of things to move forward and make money. But it also started with a throbbing pain in my hand that threatened to make it hard to make my milestones. So what did I do, showered of course. Clearing the cobwebs was essential. The things I accomplished today began by taking on a writing assignment that was a mental roadblock for me. One of those things that you just simply can't move past. Well, I moved past it. Yay for me!

The next thing that I tackled was the mess that surrounds me everyday and derails my focus. I sit at a dining room table and have to relocate everything at dinner time every night and replace it all in the morning. while this is acceptable it can also be a little daunting. So, I cleared out things that didn't need to be here to simplify my world just a little.

I then tackled trying to get my couponing binder in some kind of order, if only to remove all of the dead material, print new dividers and an index and start to print some coupons I will be needing next week. Unfortunately, the new printer I finally gave in and bought a few weeks ago (I love it) ran out of ink. Another moment when I realized how badly I procrastinate. I knew it only came with a small ink cartridge to encourage people to buy more, and intended to do just that getting the extra long yielding cartridges. Did I? No, no I did not. So now I am faced with no ink and having a teenager that needs to catch up on homework over the weekend for which she needs the printer!

So, what I have learned from today is that I have to take the small successes and try to improve on where I fall down. Running out of ink wasn't where I fell. Purchasing the ink when I could afford it and fully intended to was where I fell down.

Though the day is not complete, I am about to tackle dinner and am looking forward to enjoying a meal with the kids. I think I'll let someone else make the extra trip to the kitchen tonight.

Day Fourteen - Small Blessings

2014-03-14T20:07:00.001-04:00

Well, here I am on Day Fourteen and I am a little disappointed with my standing as of today. This was a day that started of slowly with achy joints and muscles and a headache. A slow start physically meant a slow start mentally. It also meant getting very little real work done for the day. I did manage to fit in some errands and getting groceries. Even that wasn't as satisfying as it should have been because I did very little couponing.

By dinner time I had run out of day, but still had plenty of items on my intended task list to complete. Arguing with my teenage daughter and trying to get my suddenly rebellious five year old boy to "chill out" where challenges that all met with my losing. The final straw of my day was when I was running around trying to do five hundred things as usual and tripped slamming my hand into a hard door jam. My first instinct from the pain I was feeling and from the feeling that it just was all wrong, was to run for ice and remove my ring on that hand before it got stuck there. I refused to even look at the hand because I was terrified that I would find it a total mess. Instead I threw a frozen bag of chopped green pepper on it and looked away. Tears came, part from pain and part from the panic that if it was broken I would find myself in a huge mess being unable to write or bring in an income.

After some time I finally looked. Swollen, some shade of blue and a little odd. Painful to bend, but pretty sure not broken. Most importantly, though painful, I can move it to type. Small blessings.

So, in closing for the day, I'm exhausted and feeling a little beat up by the day. However, I am ready to take on tomorrow. Until then, I hope anyone reading has a great night.

Checking the Task List

2014-03-12T19:58:00.001-04:00

As my friend pointed out, I'm six days late writing my blog posts. I am inexcusably easily distracted and that is something I need to work on. So, to anyone that is reading, I apologize for falling down on the job and not getting the posting done.

I have new things to report today that are a big step forward in getting where I need to go. I accomplished a couple of things in the last couple of days that should have been done a long time ago. I made an appointment with a new doctor for two weeks from now to manage my health a little better. This is a good thing that I need to make happen. I need to get a better handle on my thyroid issues and other problems that have been plaguing my every day function lately.

I started working on assignments that require more of me, but that pay me for the effort. This is a tough one because it means I really need to stay focused when I am working. Around here that can be challenging as the days are filled with distraction. I started getting up a little earlier to take advantage of that time before my son is up. Big help.

I also contacted a tax professional regarding what steps I need to take to get back on track. Since 2005 things have been a little crazy with my financial life because of investment losses, job losses and a general change in everything about my life. I need to take hold of this so that I can move forward with my life and remove that looming mess. The road ahead will be complicated and I'll need to take it step by step in order to get through it in one piece, but I can do it.

I've realized over the last few days that I seem to have completely forgotten what I want in life and have been so focused on making money to pay now bills that I haven't moved forward. I did some soul searching in the last few days and decided I still love the same things I once did and I know that when I put my mind and effort into those things I can do them well. I believe that if I put my efforts into how to turn what I love into an income I will do well. It worked in the past when my mind was clear.

Things that I love include:

Writing children's stories
Investing in real estate
Educating others on these topics
List making (shocking I know)
Taking photographs
Cooking
Travel
Hiking and enjoying the outdoors

Now I just need to manage to find parts of this list that will help me in my business and put them into action. Stop thinking and analyzing and thinking some more and move it.

As my friend Jennifer Uhl from Change My Stars said to me recently, "make change or shut up about it."

Day Five - Time Escapes Me

2014-03-06T09:48:00.001-05:00

So as Jennifer Uhl of Change My Stars and I work through our 90 Day Goal Challenge, I am realizing how easily time and other things in my life seem to escape me. This is obviously not productive and I'm not clear yet on how to make adjustments to keep from derailing myself. Most of the tasks or items that come up that help with time consumption are necessary, albeit unexpected. I need to learn to adjust on the fly so that I am not only accomplishing those unexpected tasks, but also staying on track with my planned goals for the day.

Yesterday was Day Five and I am writing this post a day late. Seems to be a trend of late. I have only one thing to say about yesterday, organization and coordination are things that I need to work on so that I can adjust when there is an unexpected factor thrown into the mix. While I multi-task well, it seems that I hyper-focus on goals as well. This means that when a new goal or task interjects into my plan, all else goes out the window while I focus on it.

Adjustment in goals:

Find the energy and strength to push through with original goals when blindsided by life.

Until next time, what are your goals for the future and how do you plan to reach them? What are you waiting for?

Day Four - The Rabbit Hole

2014-03-04T14:53:00.001-05:00

Day 4 of the 90 Day Goal Challenge is wrapping up. I failed to keep up with things yesterday when I wasn't feeling well and never got my post for the day. Sorry for anyone following the status of this project. Yesterday was not overly productive and ended chaos.

Today, I felt much like Alice falling down the rabbit hole. Things have been a dizzying array of frustrating tasks, few of which provided me with any personal satisfaction or momentum. I spent much of my day helping a grandparent to get her bills, taxes and other things in order. This didn't leave me much time to spend on my own goals. This said, there have been some organizational tasks dealt with today and I got a few of my own financial issues pointed in the right direction. I did not, however, bring home the bacon as they say. Relative to writing goals for the day, today so far has been an "epic fail" in the words of my 14 year old daughter.

Tomorrow I plan to stay on point and follow a list, which will include a fair sized grocery shopping trip. This is a time consuming process and will take a good part of the day because I intend to do so as an avid couponer, but it will be well worth the effort and will layout the foundation for getting more done. Multiple trips to the grocery can be taxing and expensive.

So, in summary, I feel as though the day has gotten away from me and I am going to work hard to turn the remainder of the week around. Wish me luck and stay tuned.

Realizing the Hurdles

2014-03-02T11:05:00.000-05:00

The power of accountability is unmatched when it comes to taking action. Here we are on day 2 of our 90 Day Goal Challenge. So far I have done the exercises I agreed to do and I'm working on my blog posting. I have work set up for the day and I'm fully ready to jump in. Now, if I could just get my brain and body to work with the part of my soul that is motivated to make it happen!

One thing that I'm realizing as we jump into this challenge is that I truly am the type of person that must have organization and a task list to accomplish the goal. While I love being free spirited and doing things on a whim, there is something to be said for list making. I am a 'list checker' and it is the only way I accomplish goals. This said, I'm going to develop a solid list today that I can check off regularly.

I have found that I am a very organized person, for everyone except me. I was a paralegal for many years; a job requiring organization. I have a few factors that I need to deal with in this challenge, that are only things that need to be considered, but should not be factors that stop me at all. I have adult ADD, which contributes to the many ways that I derail my own success. I know this, and I simply have to use this to my advantage when working toward my goals. I know there are positives in having ADD and I just have to utilize these creative abilities and insane need to multi-task to my advantage.

My weight, exhaustion, aches and pains and many other symptoms that make reaching my goals problematic, develop from thyroid disease. This is not a new issue to deal with, it just seems to have evolved into a bigger hill for me than in younger years. Education seems to be the best way for me to climb this mountain successfully. I will continue to learn and evolve to deal with the issues at hand.

There are a large number of hurdles related to my financial situation and I have to take them on one at a time. This begins with taking control of my work and creating a financial security for my family that will keep me from making the same mistakes that got us here.

All in all, there is a great deal to do, even in the 90 days ahead. One day at a time and a well developed plan, are the only way to get from point A to point B here. On with day 2 of this journey. I wonder how my partner in this challenge, Jennifer Uhl of Change My Stars, is doing so far today.

2014-03-01T16:35:00.001-05:00

Every year people make New Year's resolutions that they fully intend to stick to. Unfortunately, most of us fail to keep up with these well intended sentiments and fall behind. The date is March 1, 2014 and I am going to try something a little different. I am going to make action out of intention and set some goals with another lost soul on the path of change, Jennifer Uhl of Change My Stars.

We are setting out on our 90 Day Goal Challenge and plan to take actions to make changes each day. The only requirement of our challenge is that we blog each day about our challenge. So consider this my first blog on the first day of our 90 Day Goal Challenge. While I might slip along the way, or I may find road blocks that prevent me from reaching my goals in the time allotted, I plan to diligently pursue taking action toward my goals each day. Here are my goals for this challenge:

1. Reach a weight that makes me comfortable in my own skin.
2. Improve my business and thus my finances.
3. Put my truck back on the road.
4. Finish writing and publishing one book.
5. Put money into savings.

Anyone want to see how I do? Come on, follow me on my journey. Set a goal challenge of your own up!

Parenting Perspective

2014-03-01T10:55:00.000-05:00

While we all love my children more than words can express, there are times when you simply have to take a step back and think about yourself for a little while. I recently went on my second date in 6 years with my husband. It was a good way to connect and to remember what we are all about. As parents who love their children and want to do the best we can for them at all times, it is easy to forget our own personality and take on the strict role of being a parent. I no longer have things that I "do in my spare time for fun." I don't seem to remember what it is that I love to do just because I want to do it. I think that this can add to the fuel of stress that is in everyday life as a parent.

So readers, this is my advice to every parent out there, whether you are a single parent, the parent of one or a parent of six children who you love dearly. Take a break. Find yourself and your partner. You will not only be doing yourself a favor, but you will also be bringing something to the table of parenthood that you might have left behind; passion. If you work for yourself and work from home, this is ten times as important. Love them enough to get some distance.

Life in a Revolution without Technology. Where would your children be???

2012-10-11T14:00:00.000-04:00

I'm going to talk about something I rarely bring into my writing but, is always on my mind. I have recently fallen into a television series called Revolution. While the thoughts of this series, being life without power and technology, are something nobody wants to think about, I have long embraced the thought. Whether this makes me crazy or prepared I don't even venture to think, but frankly there are times when I wonder if we (our children) wouldn't have a better grounding in life if this was the circumstance. Yes, I know this make me seem perhaps a little nuts, I see a great advantage to children who don't EXPECT everything to be handed to them and those who have a sense of discovery and survival and frankly, an appreciation for what they have. What would your children be able to handle if you were not there and they had to face life without technology??

Lego Therapy

2012-09-20T21:47:00.000-04:00

Taking advantage of the time I have with my children should be the easiest thing in the world, but that just doesn't seem to be the case most days. It's hard in the hustle of every day, even as a work at home mom, to stop and smell the Oreo's. Learning how to make the most of my time with my children while still being productive has been a real learning curve. Here is a tip I have learned from some other work at home moms that I trust. Break it all down into smaller pieces. Small bits of time with your children between projects for work mean the world to them and really help you to stay connected. Break up your day into components that your kids can rely on and you will find them to be much more responsive when you need to take time to do your work. Taking time to works of art in macaroni and Popsicle sticks can change your outlook on your work and will make a big impact on your small fries!

Revolving Refrigerator

2011-07-21T22:49:00.000-04:00

Have you ever noticed that the fridges in most homes with work from home parents in them is like a revolving door. My work space is currently my kitchen table and I never noticed how often that door swings open and closed in a day until recently. It is far too easy to simply go to the fridge and pull something out for everyone in the house. My 2 year old has even gotten in on the act when he says "juice" and proceeds to the fridge opening the door and removing the container of juice. I'm usually so busy rushing to make sure it doesn't end up on the floor that it never occurred to me how easy that was for him to do and how often we all do it throughout the day as we spend most of it together.

Taking into account how much time we spend in the house I suppose it is not unreasonable to assume we would be in out and of the big box frequently throughout the day. I wonder if this has an impact however on how much we eat. Are we going to it because it is there and easy to access? I also wonder if perhaps it isn't time for a new fridge, one with a bit of a better efficiency on my power bill. Thanks to some great new refrigerators you can actually open just the section that you need and not the entire fridge. This is great in our house and would probably save me a ton of money. The things you learn when you work from home.

Finally They Get It!

2011-07-01T19:48:00.000-04:00

I am sure you are all much like me and find yourself after each child wondering when the pounds are going to finally come off and bring back my tummy. They have a couple of great new products out now to help those of us who need the extra help. One great development is a tummy control swim suit. This is a great concept for those of us who need a helping hand when taking the kids to the beach. The styles that are coming out these days are geared more toward those of us suffering with a normal figure. For example I recently found this amazing plus size sequin dress. Now years ago you never would have found something so creative in a bigger size.

In addition to catering to the slightly larger size of many of us busy moms they are also developing some pretty creative ways to combine the common sense necessity of a mom with style by creating things like a lunch bag purse. For great control and a beautiful look no matter what you are doing with the kids they make a great lace cami bra that will go with just about anything. This gives you the fast change over from mom to date night in minutes. The world has come a long way to catering to the busy mom who wants to also feel like a woman.

It Comes Full Circle

2010-06-09T20:54:00.000-04:00

There are things in life that just always seem to come full circle. Do you remember as a child watching favorite shows like Sesame Street. Well, here I sit with my son early in the morning and what one thing is he completely absorbed in doing right at this moment? Watching Elmo on Sesame Street. There are those things in life that just always will be it seems, and isn't it comforting.
I watch my son looking on with awe as Elmo talks to Dorothy and asks her questions only she can know the answers to and remember when my daughter did the same ten years ago. Then I wonder if I had that same expression of sheer awww at the wonder of every puppet.

There is no doubt about it, the repetition of familiarity is so very comforting. Who doesn't love for their children to be as thrilled about the same things you were thrilled about when you were a child. There are some things that just are always a steady comfort, like Winnie the Pooh and Mickey Mouse and of course, who could ever forget Big Bird and Clifford and then there is always Curious George. Some things stay with us always and then our children. Is this branding?

Branding is an amazing concept bringing riches to many who learn how to use it properly. When you think of refrigerators what is the first name that comes to mind? Do you know why? They call it branding and it can change the way people choose services and goods. Without branding you are just another fish in the sea. Can we use branding when it comes to a career in writing books? I think that John Grisham and R.J. Rowling both would agree that yes, we can.

Learning about branding is just the tip of the iceburg I am finding as I head into the world of professional writer and hopeful author. Every step we take to make ourselves known in a huge field is one we need to accomplish our end goal. We sell books based on our writing skills sure, but we sell more books based on the memories of our past writing skills and the popularity of our materials. Marketing is not to be taken lightly in the world of writing, whether we write fiction or non-fiction, our success in becoming a well known and sought after author is based on our popularity and the popularity of our material. These two are not necessarily synonmous.

The Journey Continues

2010-04-22T18:34:00.000-04:00

So here we are well into our fifth month of being at home together and I am still learning how to manage meeting my children's needs during the day while following my own course. I am having trouble finding the balance between my writing being productive and my home life being productive. I have moved into a new phase of this successive process though. I seem to be savoring all of the little moments such as my son dancing and clapping to music that he hears. Something I am lucky enough to be with him for. I have been privileged to see him blow kisses for the first time to his sister when she heads to school and watched him make car noises as he moves a toy car on the floor, something I didn't realize he knew how to do. I had the chance to be completely in amazement when he figured out, AND REMINDED ME, that the dog's collar was supposed to be removed when he was let back in the house. The most recent moment of great job I was party to was my son participating in giving a "high five" upon completing a task.

These moments are things I would not be privileged enough to experience if it was not for my recent upset in my career.

That having been said, I am still in great need of figuring out how to balance getting anything in the freelance writing world accomplished worth doing as well as being able to figure out a way to go back to school. The longer I put off starting classes for nursing, the less likely the change will be.

So Readers, if any of you have any terrific ideas for organizing my writing so that I am able to do those assignments that pay best while still being able to help my daughter learn to deal with and work with her ADD and my son grow and socialize, please feel free to chime in.

Freelance What?

2010-04-09T09:37:00.000-04:00

Alright, so I admit, this unplanned change in direction in my life has been a bit confusing. I am thirty something and was pretty sure I knew what I would be doing for a living for some time to come. Then it happened. I lost my job and suddenly I wanted something else. Who Knew!? Well, I suppose if I am honest about it, I knew.

I have decided to take the opportunity put in front of me to take a little change in direction. The basics are simple, provide for my family. Seems easy right? Does this mean I have to do things that don't make me happy to get there? Yes, paralegal work once made me happy to some degree. I loved the challenge. However, I have decided with the paying of bills, the dealing with events beyond our control and the general trying to get through the days with our senses intact, my challenge is keeping my home together.

That having been said, you have all noticed some changes. I have taken on writing again, something that makes me very happy. I also love to illustrate so I have put myself out there for that. While I have faith that all of these things will make me happy and in turn my family, I must be realistic. I need something that moves me physically and mentally and can supply the income I need for my family. Nursing seems to be the way to go. So, while I am writing and illustrating and watching over our children I intend to go back to school, again.

The point of this rant is to let everyone know how imporant I feel doing what you love is. Can you make a career change at thirty something?? Why not? Find what you love and make a plan to make it a part of your life.

LEGOS

2010-04-05T12:29:00.000-04:00

Let's discuss LEGOs. I have come to the conclusion that they are something that should be parent proofed. While opening a bottle of aspirin could be a danger to a child, trying to maneuver around LEGOs seems to have the same fate for parents.

Poor unsuspecting parents, thinking all the LEGOs have been tucked into bed for the night, creep around the room that transforms itself by day into a holding space for erratic toys and by night the supposed living room. Barefoot or sock foot it matters not.

Around the corner you go and BAMM!! The pain pierces through the foot up through the ankle and right into the heart. Where did it come from? It wasn't there before you are very sure. Do they hide beneath the furniture waiting for the opportunity to strike!?

A toy that bring so much joy even to the young should come with a case that has lock and key to ensure that it remains safely tucked away from the parents. There should be a warning label, much like "Do Not Feed After Midnight", but instead saying "Keep Away From Parents" or "Caution: Will Bite".

Have you ever noticed how a box of 50 LEGOs can seem like 100 in no time!! Do they multiply!? And if they do, why are we always buying MORE of them?!

And then there is the JUMBO LEGO, which incidentally, is intended for YOUNG children and yet can be a massive health hazard for adults. You would think their size and bright colors would make them obvious as you stroll through the play area unknowingly.

Makes you wonder how fictional Toy Story really is?!

LEGOs, a danger to parents EVERYWHERE and yet a must have part of childhood.

Conflicting Time Keepers

2010-03-30T11:02:00.000-04:00

I have a child with ADD and I must tell you I have never had such battle daily in my life. It starts in the early morning when I first wake her from sleep. She is asked to get dressed for the day and given a timeline. Fifteen minutes later she still sits on the bed looking around not having moved a muscle and when you ask what she has been doing she replies, "I don't know." This essentially sums up the way the rest of the morning goes task by task until we are both so frustrated our heads are going to pop off.

Mastering a smooth morning is only one of the daily issues we face with this twisted condition. It can take the most intelligent and creative child in the world and present such road blocks over the basic tasks of the day that it turns the child inside out. She has two clocks it would seem. The timekeeper that tells her it is time to move, time to get dressed, time to do her homework, time to move on to the next and there is the other more controlling time keeper that has a different schedule. The controlling time keepers seems to be working on a different time zone all together. Maybe it is in Hawaii enjoying the sun.

My child is smart, funny, ridiculously creative, loving and talented. Unfortunately, she often seems buried beneath a smothering controlling plastic veil allowing me to see her but not quit reach her. The frustration level can be overwhelming for all of us including my suppressed little dress designer.

Medications, we've tried them. We are still trying them. But finding what works and doesn't cause more harm then good seems to be the hurdle there. One is so effective she hyper focuses and another causes her to cry at the drop of a hat and lose weight at an alarming rate.

So what do we do? We move forward and try to put systems in place that can help us avoid the mental road blocks that plague her. We organize and organize again and again until we find the right combination that unlocks the door to "easy" and "effortless" tasks. How do you handle your ADHD/ADD kids? Tips?

Life in the Breakdown Lane

2010-03-29T12:45:00.000-04:00

As life is screaming along we don't think about slowing down to smell the roses. Who has time. We have a job to hold down, family to feed, children to raise and if your lucky a great spouse to share it all with.

Then one day it all stops. Life breaks down. You lose a job and economic times take over. You are consumed with putting food on the table and paying the light bill. You need to find a way, and quickly, to live life in the breakdown lane.

Here are a few tips for making it through the tough times:

First, and foremost, find the silverlining. Find tha feeling and positive that will get you through. For me I am getting to spend time with my children I wouldn't normal get to spend. I get to see my son's first steps, first words and get the chance to feel more like mommy and less like the lady who picks the kids up from daycare and feeds them only to put them to bed to do it all over again the next day.

Here are some silver linings you might also have in common:

* Time with my children
* Save money on childcare
* Save money on gas
* Save money on eating out
* Home projects

Next, you need to find a source of income. There are many online websites that have terrific forums for just this purpose. One of those is http://www.wahm.com/. They have excellent ideas on how to bring some much needed bread money into your home. We will talk about how to come up with some great ideas that fit your life another time.

You need to find a schedule that works. The notion of being at home with your kids and having everything tip top and perfect and time for everything you need and want to do is only that, a misguided notion. Now that's not to say it can't be done, only that you need to be realistic about it and prepare a schedule that works for everyone. The concept of having the freedom to do what you like during the day because you aren't tied down to a 9-5 job is nice, but not real. I have found out the hard way that without some kind of plan for the day, bed time comes quickly and leaves you with an unaccomplished feeling of failure for not accomplishing 1/3 of what you had in your mind for your day. Develop a plan.

Keeping your bills within your new means is something that can easily get away from you. Great, you are saving all this money by not paying for expenses you would be if you were working full time. And believe me when I say that can be a huge savings. For me it was upwards of $1200 a month. That having been said, remembering that there are expenses that you have to be mindful of while you are at home is very important as well. For example, electricity; when I was out of the house all day I wasn't using electricity to run my computer or to power the furnace every time I would turn on the hot water to wash dishes or the television that is on with YoGabbaGabba to keep my one year old occupied long enough for me to write this blog. Be mindful of these expenses because they can sneak up on you very easily.

Get out. Going from life in the fast lane to life in the break down lane can be a lonely place. Find a way to get out for play groups or walk in the neighborhood or in the park. Don't keep yourself locked up in the house. It is physically terrible for you and your children and a complete destroyer of a good mood.

Remember, this is just the next step in your life. Life is all about change. Take this time to regroup and make a plan for the future.

A MOTHER’S SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR AN IMPOSSIBLE ECONOMY:

2010-03-28T10:10:00.000-04:00

The Art of Groceries

We live in a new world. The challenges faced today as parents are so very different than those of generations before us. Keeping your children safe has whole new meaning. We have the responsibility of keeping them safe from disease, drugs, people, themselves and the hardships that come with our economy. Simply providing your family with the basics of a healthy meal, a roof over their heads and clothes on their back is harder now than it has been for generations. These basics have become such a challenge for some parents that it overshadows their desire to prioritize the well being of their children as students and people.

We have a few tips for today’s mothers on how to survive this economy and make the most of your dollar.

Next Generation Coupon Clippers

Remember when your mom used to have the little index card box or cardboard sorter? Do you remember sheet after sheet of newspaper sprawled all over the kitchen table on Sundays, hopefully after the rest of the house got a grip on the sports page and current events?

Not anymore. Gone are the days of tiny left over pieces of clippings all over the place and newsprint smudges adorning the hands and face of mothers everywhere.

There are a multitude of online coupon sites where you can go to select and then print manufacturer’s coupons for your everyday products. These coupons are widely accepted in stores country wide.

Coupons have become so popular again that there are even people who earn money clipping coupons and selling them online. You can find the sale of coupons at most of the online auction sites. Some clippers even have their own websites and have turned the business of clipping and saving an entrepreneurial venture all its own.

Rewarded for Your Time

Another hot way to save a penny here and there is by taking advantage of the multitude of reward systems both online and in stores. Online you can sign up for an infinite number of rewards programs. When you buy a product or conduct a survey you are rewarded with points and once a fair number of points are accumulated the consumer can cash them in for anything from coupons to merchandise and in some cases cash. Similarly, there are chain stores that offer savings cards. The consumer signs up for these cars in the stores and in return you are given “special” discounts on particular items at specific times.

Tried and True

One sure standby for saving money is shopping store flyers. Spending a little time before shopping by sitting down and reviewing the local flyers and utilizing this information to plan out your menu for the entire week can save respectably. Take a few moments to view the flyers and cross reference them with your available coupons. You would be surprised how this little bit of extra time taken can keep some of that hard to come buy cash in your wallet. And whenever possible, purchase the store brand of the products. Label for label the content is typically the same as the name brands and they can be dollars less expensive.

These are just a few ways to save some pennies while in these unstable economic times. Take the time to put these steps into action and combine these with money saving ideas in other parts of your life and you can survive this economic test.

Working from Home with Children

2010-02-07T12:37:00.000-05:00

Today is one of those days that I wake up in a panic, with my head spinning in about ninety directions, not sure where to start. Then it all becomes clear where to start as my son lets me know its time for a diaper change. Where to go next is easy, time for his breakfast followed by cleanup followed by another diaper followed by a change of clothes. Finally we get to a point where I need think about getting started on finding proper advertising for my new business ventures. Oh but wait..stop everything; look he's screaming his head off. The clock says that is because it's naptime. So while the entire house is still sleeping, he is ready to go back to bed for his first nap of the day. So I rock him for a bit and he fights it and about 20 minutes later..we have success. I lay him down on his nap mat and tiptoe into the kitchen to pour what will be my first HOT cup of coffee of the day. The other two don't count since they sat for twenty minutes before I got to sip. As I open my computer and begin to plan out my strategy, the dog barks and growls and barks and won't stop..so guess who's up and grumpy not planning to go back to sleep? And guess where the rest of the house is? Yes, still asleep.

I take a seat with the fussy little man in my lap and I look around. Baby crying, laundry in and out of a basket waiting to be folded and put away for the last three days, toys littering what is supposed to be a living room, dishes in the sink, pet fur throughout the house, a kitchen floor that hasn't been swept in what seems to be days and I think, "why is my home not spotless." I clearly remember doing six loads of laundry just days ago, having done eight loads of dishes, having swept and vacumed every floor in the house, and put away all the toys at least a dozen times. How could it be that things are in this state again.

I have images in my head of how things are supposed to be. I am supposed to be spending quality time with my children, helping my daughter with her studying and my son learning to talk. I am supposed to have the house clean, neat and organized. I am supposed to have the laundry and dishes done all the time. My fridge should be cleaned and neat. I should have my calendars hung, my e-bay products organized, my business materials organized and my advertising up and running on all fronts. I am supposed to be working on my book, my blog, my websites. Reality of a work at home mom is much like that of an air traffic controller hoping that I can keep the planes from crashing into eachother or landing in the ocean. And when the end of the day finally comes and I plan to spend some me time, I am so exhausted all I want to do is sink into my pillow and drift away.

To every work at home mom I have ever met and those I have not, I commend you all for maintaining your sanity and retaining the love and adoration for your family that you all have. You are truly an inspiration.

Welcome!!

2008-09-14T11:54:00.000-04:00

Welcome to everyone. I hope this Blog will connect Moms to be and Experienced Moms alike and serve as a great place for advice, recipes and new ideas to make our lives run a little smoother.

Welcome!!