Nouveau Mommy

Scraping Out of Debt

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 19:44:00 +0000

Wow did I just waste an hour of my life trying to figure out this medical bill with the hospital and collection agency. These medical bills have been piling up and I've gone back and forth about these. Turns out, we don't even owe for the bill! What a pain!

Would've been easier to have a unified communications platform to teleconference with these different companies to get it figured out quickly, with all parties involved actually involved at one time!

When my husband lost all his hours at work awhile ago, medical bills got tossed in the bottom of the pile for payment so we could afford to pay our house payment and put food on the table. I've spent the afternoon trying to figure them all out and making payments on them, or setting up payments with our online banking over the next couple months.

It sure feels good to feel like we're getting out from underneath them though. Even if it was all a pain today!

Husband = Toddler ?

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 21:25:00 +0000

Well, I had a chat with my husband about him keeping his paws off my guitar (see a previous post). I had to lead him a little bit to get him to figure out for himself what he did wrong. He didn't get it. Our teenager, who didn't know what was going on, guessed for him. Hm, I guess if a teenager can figure it out, dad should've been able to? I think he knew but didn't want to admit he was wrong.

I gave him something else musically related to do so he'd stay out of my stuff. I told him to find Zildjian Drums stuff so we can check out birthday present ideas for our drummer son. That should keep his paws off my guitar for a little while! He's like a toddler - I corrected and then diverted his attention. It worked...just like it did when my kids were all two years old.

Girlfriend Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 13:59:00 +0000

The house right next door to us is going up for rent at a time when a good friend of mine is looking for a house to rent. Bonus! I am hoping she gets the house. Her daughter is best friends with my daughter. Her youngest two are friends with my middle child. I'm friends with her. That'd be awesome!

I am already looking at best girlfriend gifts for a housewarming for her (I'm really hoping). I've looked at personalized cutting boards but am leaning towards a wine holder. I won't drive after having a glass of wine so we could never sit at each other's houses before and just veg out with a glass of wine. If she's right next door, we can do that and I can just walk home! I'm liking the wine holder idea more and more!

Paws Off My Guitar, Husband!

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 13:15:00 +0000

Yesterday, I found my husband changing the guitar strings on MY guitar to the guitar strings HE likes. Really? He has his own johnson acoustic guitars, among others, and he's going to mess with mine? I like Silk and Steel strings. He put something on there that will rip my fingers up until I get used to them.

If I thought he was changing the strings for ME, it'd be different but he's been trying to get me to give him that guitar for awhile now. This is his way of slyly taking it over.

I don't think so!

Unless he plans on giving me his super nice Johnson acoustic, I think that husbands need to keep their paws off their wives' guitars!

Asthma Treatments

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:07:00 +0000

As a mom, I am very thankful to have a nebulizer at home for breathing treatments when my kids have needed them. I used to rent them but with asthma, it really is worth it to have your own at home. I had to use it myself this morning for my own asthma! Makes such a huge difference!

If you have asthmatic children, I would talk to your pediatrician about how to buy your own nebulizer (some insurances might cover them). Much better than renting from the pharmacy.

Investing for Future Savings

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 16:59:00 +0000

I am thinking about getting into investing. I know there are risks but there can be good return on investment as well (and so far, the tax rates on the gains are acceptable though don't know how long that will last). I also hear gold is a good investment and have heard people talk about how to buy gold online.

I was thinking about starting small - penny stock it is called. My brother invests and does quite well. I bought a book not to long ago (a "dummy's guide" to investing) to learn the basics and then move on from there. I need a "dummy's" guide to teach me in the simplest terms possible!

Adult Bullying

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 01:05:00 +0000

As a mother, nothing bothers me more than somebody hurting my child. The cheer coach at my daughter's high school is a bully. She and I had it out Friday night after the game. I think it's time to talk to the Athletic Director.

I really want to expand my business and move out of this school district. I need to look into triangle direct media about doing that. We live in an area that reminds me of that movie - Stepford Wives. I feel like I'm living around a bunch of clones who are dependent upon following the people with the right last names or being friends with those people with the right last names. It's getting old and the bullying this year of my kids - unacceptable!

Federal Government's Health Insurance Program

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 21:51:00 +0000

Anybody concerned about all the new health insurance mumbo jumbo the federal government is enacting? There is just so much to it that I don't understand a lot of it (maybe that was their point). What does it mean for office visits, coverage on major illnesses or diseases, Doctors Malpractice Insurance, etc. once it is all enacted (or will it be squashed before that).

I follow politics but this health insurance program is beyond me. I wonder if the people who wrote it understand it.

Kids with Musical Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 18:29:00 +0000

I am so proud of my kids! My high school freshman plays the flute and she sits in 3rd chair in the high school band. She beat out every freshman, every sophomore, every junior but one and every senior but one.

My 7th grade son is in first chair for percussion in a 7/8th grade band. He beat out his own classmates plus every 8th grader as well. So cool!

My 5th grader was looking at clarinets (I played clarinet in school) or flutes and she decided on flute as well. She has only been playing a couple months with the 5th grade band and we can tell she will be advanced musically as well.

Now I wait to see if my youngest daughter will choose clarinet or flute in a couple years. We seem to be a woodwind type of family (except for the boys).

My kids are awesome (yes, I'm bragging). They have a gift with music. They make me proud!

Bathroom Shower Plumbing

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:44:00 +0000

We redid the plumbing to our shower last week. We didn't plan to have to do that but when things crack, what are you going to do? We bought more CVPC pipe and all the connectors that go with it, opened up a wall (by sawing through the back of a brand new cabinet - eek!) and redid the plumbing. We looked at copper and I asked what teflon hose was but neither was something we needed. I am definitely not a plumber.

I have new shower fixtures out of it! Yeah me.

People Who Don't Deserve Children

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 02:41:00 +0000

Last night, I saw a mother spank her one year old so hard, she would've did a face plant into the floor if her mother hadn't had her by the arm. That poor kid's pelvis went flying forward. The mother had her dressed in these little heels - real stable and then she smacks her. All because the little girl was crying after an hour of school band concerts. How much of an attention span did she really expect a baby to have?

I also saw a mother attend the concert for her son and then leave without him. He looked for her outside, in the rain, at two different entrances of the school. She'd left him!

What is wrong with people?

Family Camping

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 20:15:00 +0000

Our family is going to try camping next spring/summer for the first time. I've never camped in a tent before and neither have any of our kids. It'll be a new experience for all of us. I am hoping my teenager can leave her flat iron behind and doesn't try to pack it in the osprey packs to go camping with us.

I don't like bugs. I can't stand spiders - so terrified of them. Gnats make my nose itch. I can handle a weekend of camping in a tent...I hope.

Flooding From Rain

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 19:25:00 +0000

It's December and instead of a ton of snow, we're getting flooding right now from rain. Oh joy.

I can't stand snow but snow would be better than this constant rain that is causing the river to overflow onto people's farms and into town. This is the second time this year. I am thinking somebody better

jump on their skid steer and start building up the banks of the river a bit?

Maybe all this precipitation now will mean a dry winter? I'd love to not see any snow this winter (as long as it means it's not rain). I'm asking Santa for a dry winter this year. We really need to dry out!

Dear Santa,

Please take all the precipitation and send it to somebody who has been experiencing drought right now.

Sincerely,
Syn

Long Marriages

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 22:12:00 +0000

Happy 16th anniversary to me next month! 16 years of marriage - two stepkids, four "ours" children, several moves and jobs...wow! Will have to pull out the wedding video and pictures and remember back to the day when I was naive enough to think blended families could all work out well despite difficult ex's and spoiled children. Oh well, the trials actually made the marriage stronger - a little bad for a lot of good! The ex is still difficult all these years later and the stepkids - well, they're a product of being used by a parent. Sad for them.

Very thankful for my family today. My children are awesome!

New Mom Struggles Managing Work and Children

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 17:31:00 +0000

Juggling work and a new baby is a big stress for new moms. My experience wasn't any different than most new mothers, I believe, who need to work but have a baby. I needed to care for my child while retaining the respect, reputation and integrity at work, around the daily care of my child, illnesses, etc.

After my firstborn was born, and maternity leave was over, it was a mad dash in the a.m. dressing (putting on a $300 suit and hoping baby didn't spit up on me on the way out the door) to day care to work and then again in reverse when the day was over. I was thankful I had an employer who understood the demands of mommy-hood and I made sure not to take advantage of them. Still, it was hard to receive a call from day care telling me my child had a fever and to come get her when I was in the middle of an important project for the President & CEO of the company. No matter how much my employer understood, I was still inconveniencing them. I was pulled in two different directions - the maternal MUST to care for my child and the need to keep the paycheck that put diapers on her and food in her belly while feeling important and necessary to my employer. I felt like I needed flex-time or the ability to work from home when I had a sick baby but that employer went above and beyond for me.

When the company was sold (I was on maternity leave with my second child at the time), I permanently left that company since my boss was leaving as well. I wasn't going to get the flexible work schedule and understanding. I needed to know I could both care for my babies and work; the confidence in the new owners just wasn't there. I went searching for a more flexible job that would allow me flex-time, part-time hours with good pay, franchise opportunities for my own business (what better boss for myself but me) or the ability to work at home like workingmums.co.uk offers. Four children later, my large family is doing well.

Working Mums was founded in 2006 by a mom of two who needed more flexible hours but wanted to stay challenged in her work. Working Mums works with both small businesses and large corporations (and employers in between) to match professional women searching for work (who register for free) with employers (who pay a small fee) looking for professional employees at Working Mums.

There are also self-employment and franchise opportunities for those who want to be their own boss or expand their brand. I would enjoy being my own boss.

Working Mums is not just for mothers though. Dads and other flexible job seekers may look for jobs at Working Mums, franchise opportunities, or utilize the information found at Working Mums that can help them find what they are searching for in a career.

Working Mum offers years of experience in their Sales, Marketing, Web, Events, Finance and Support Team. This is a great company that has a good backbone of professional staff to help you find that flexible job, a franchise opportunity, or offer career advice and support.

Working Mums Live in London on March 27, 2012

I love the flexibility my job offers. My job allows me to put my kids on the bus and be here when they get off the bus. My schedule is completely my own and I love that. I am raising my children and providing for them at the same time. They are thriving and happy.

The other day, I was complimented by a friend about how well I have it all together and raise my children. Their behavior is complimented when we go out in public and from teachers at school. They are genuinely great children and my husband gave me the credit for that recently. He told me that they are good children because of me. That was the sweetest thing to hear coming from dad. I can give my children my time and still help provide for their needs with a flexible job. Nothing better!

If you are looking for a flexible job, or if you are an employer who can offer flexible job opportunities and want to post them, check out Working Mums.

Best Jobs in this Economy

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:46:00 +0000

My sister went back to school when the economy tanked. She was in automotive (quality assurance) but she went back to school for computers (I think for a Programmer job, not Computer Operator Jobs...I think). There will always be a need for computer help.

I think nursing would be a great field to be in right now. It seems like nurses are always needed. My oldest is considering nursing after she graduates. She's not sure yet - nursing or animal vet care. Guess it depends on how long she wants to go to school and whether she wants to deal with people or animals.

Pool Safety for Children

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:43:00 +0000

The American Academy of Pediatrics has an online resource for pool safety rules for children. You can find it here. One point is it recommends no pools in the yard until a child is older than five years old. That makes sense because any younger than that, they wouldn't comprehend the importance of rules or understand the consequences very well. Even older than five, I think you would have to be very strict with children and pool rules.

All my kids are now over five years old (never thought we'd be done with changing diapers) and we've thought about a pool. The fear of a child drowning is so intense that I shy away from it. I would definitely want a locked fence around it and alarms. If you're looking for pool fences, look up "pool fences" or "fences" with your city, or the largest city near you. For example, if you're in the Houston area and in need of safe pool fencing, check out houston fences online.

A pool in my yard is something I'll definitely have to think about a little more.

Crazy Teen

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 16:35:00 +0000

My almost 15-year-old daughter wants us to have another baby. Is she nuts?

Stainless Steel Appliances and Fingerprints

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:39:00 +0000

How hard is it to keep stainless steel appliances clean from little fingers? I am looking at whirlpool refrigerators and love the look of stainless steel. My kitchen cabinets are only a few years old and I'd like to update the applicances as well. With all my kids though, it might be mean a lot of cleaning of little fingerprints. Is stainless steel harder to keep clean?

Wet (but pretty) Weather

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:36:00 +0000

It's turned into a very wet Fall. My son will never get his soccer season finished this way - - the fields keep getting waterlogged and they get rescheduled...and rescheduled...and rescheduled. It makes for pretty pictures though when it does dry up - fall colors on the trees and green grass. Very nice.

I need to check out power supplies while I'm thinking about it to protect my computer with these storms. That's all I need is to short my computer! I'd cry.

Floral Arrangements

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:35:00 +0000

My husband and I are going to renew our vows. We'll be married 16 years this December! I am trying to figure out details and right now, I'm working on floral arrangements. I want something a bit different. I don't have a favorite flower so that's no help at all. I don't want the normal, average arrangement yet I have a budget. Any ideas? I need a unique bouquet for myself, bouquets for my girls to carry, and table centerpieces. I love nature and was thinking about doing a blooming plant for the centerpiece that can be taken home and replanted. Then our love would bloom year after year (was that too sappy?).

While I am researching for my vow renewal, a friend in the hospital would probably appreciate a delivery of these flowers below. Aren't they great? I think these will pick her spirits up. Being in the hospital for kidney stones and having to eat hospital food would be enough to bring anybody's spirits down. I think a pretty floral arrangement would make her happy and brighten up her hospital room.

Auto Collision Repair

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 20:53:00 +0000

Collision repair shops - if you are looking for software for estimates on collision repair, check out Web-Est.com auto collision estimating software. It's for small to mid-sized shops. Their cost is $99.00 per month and includes labor costs, OEM and after-market costs. Auto adjusters and insurance companies may be interested in this software as well. The company is based in Florida.

Two Days Until Healthy Lifestyle

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:20:00 +0000

Today was the last day for fast food for me before I start my healthy eating plan on October 1st. I wish I'd picked a different meal as my "last meal" - - went through a drive-thru where the person had to put me "on hold" to figure out how to backtrack on the POS systems they use to put the order in their computer, they messed up my order (onions are NOT allowed on my roast beef!), and it didn't taste all that good. That'll teach my to try something new as my last meal! Should've went with french fries from the golden arches instead - at least enjoy all the fat I was ingesting as my last, unhealthy meal!

Two days until healthy eating time!

Ellos Clothes for the Whole Family

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:45:00 +0000

I love shopping for little kids clothes but I find that as my oldest kids become teenagers, it can be really fun to put together a fashionable outfit or two (or five) with them and just have fun with them! Watching my kids develop their own sense of style, no matter what the other kids are wearing, is great.

Of course, who does not like little kids clothes as well? They are the cutest!

So, where can you shop to find clothing for the entire family instead of running ragged here and here and there? Well, at ELLOS of course! You can find everything you need from baby clothes to mens jeans at ELLOS (seriously, lingerie to shirts to jeans to skirts to shoes to accessories). It is all in one place! It doesn't get any easier than that. It also doesn't get any better than ELLOS with their great range of fashions at fantastic prices!

ELLOS Denim-Look Leggings for Girls

ELLOS Loose-Fit Jeans for Boys

I am crazy about boots and I fell in love with their boots! ELLOS has the styles I like in the colors I like. Check these boots out:

They also carry some very pretty tops that can go from casual to dressy easily that I would love to wear. For bedtime, a little short nightie would be comfortable for me (and appreciated by the husband).

My husband needs a little wardrobe updating (really bad) so I am online window shopping for clothing for him for Christmas. I want to buy him a nice jacket with a few pair of mens jeans and you can too with their buy now pay later with Ellos!

Check out the number one mail order brand in Sweden for the whole family and have fun online shopping. Ellos offers great styles and really reasonable prices. I know I had fun!

Who Coupons?

noreply@blogger.com (Syn) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:08:00 +0000

Who does coupons? I've been learning how to do coupons for the past two months. I didn't realize you can pay little to nothing for things like deodorant and toothpaste! I can see how it can be a bit addicting - going after that great price on products your family uses. It's a sense of accomplishment to save that money for your family. In fact, I'm saving so much on products that I am going to start donating some of what I buy to a local women's crisis center for pregnant/abused women. From what I hear, they get a lot of donations of baby gifts but very little for the moms themselves. I think it'd be nice to provide them with the small things.

What are some great coupon sites (if you'd like to share)?