To Love, Honor and Vacuum

The Prodigal Son and What Not to Wear

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 07:02:00 +0000

I just love the show What Not to Wear. I love Stacey. She tells it like it is. I love the guests, who seem so shy and timid at the beginning, but just shine at the end. And then one day I was reading the story of the Prodigal Son, and it struck me that it's a big What Not to Wear episode. There's a lot about clothes. There's a lot about transformations. And grace. And accepting grace. And as much as God wants to give it, we have to be the ones to accept it, just as those women have to accept the makeover. Accepting can be hard, if we've grown accustomed to thinking of ourselves in a certain way. But God doesn't want us limited; He wants us to live a big life with Him. So if you're stuck, and you need a pick-me-up, listen in to this quick explanation of the makeover that God wants to do in our lives--and that we need to accept!

How Much Does Working Cost?

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:22:00 +0000

You think you should get a job because your family really needs the money. But here's a question: have you factored in how much it actually costs to work? In this podcast, I walk us step by step through the calculations of how much your job may cost you, so that you can make an informed decision for your family! All of this information is also included in my book, To Love, Honor and Vacuum! Find out more here!

Stay at Home Moms--You're Worth It!

Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:17:00 +0000

Have you ever felt discouraged as a stay at home mom? There's no one around to tell you that you're doing a great job. All you have is kids who need you constantly, dishes that are never done, and an endless basket of laundry. It's easy to feel that we're not getting anywhere, and that we're just spinning our wheels. If you're feeling like that, you're not alone! And I'm sure you need some encouragement. So listen in to this quick podcast to hear why we often feel so discouraged--and why what you're doing is really worth it in the end!

Teaching Kids to Do Chores

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:00:00 +0000

I don't mind doing laundry, but I hate mopping the floor. I'm not big on dishes, either. Or cleaning toilets. Luckily, I have children. And they are perfect for such tasks! In this podcast, I talk about the necessity of teaching kids to do chores. Not just because it gives us a break, but also because kids need to be taught to be independent. Listen in as we talk about the philosophy behind chores--and why teaching them to do chores will actually boost their self-esteem (and their chances of marriage)! It will also help those marriages to be far more successful. It's only 5 minutes long, but it can motivate you to make necessary changes in your parenting! And then maybe you won't have to do all the mopping after all.

Keeping Your Sanity When It Comes to Kids' Activities

Tue, 22 Sep 2009 09:13:00 +0000

Let's say you have three kids. They're each involved in two activities a week: swimming, karate, gymnastics, skating, hockey. That doesn't seem too bad, does it? Every kid wants to do at least two activities. But add that up, and it means you're never eating dinner together as a family! You're spending your life on the road, grabbing take-out food. Is gymnastics really worth losing your family over? And what about your own activities? Are you getting so busy with your own stuff that you have no time for those around you who need you? Listen in to today's podcast, and figure out how you can reclaim your family--and your sanity!

Mom's Desperation Guide to Cleaning Quickly!

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 10:21:00 +0000

Few of us wake up in the morning and say, "Wow! I can't wait to do housework all day!" It's not exactly high on the Fun-o-Meter. But it does need to get done. There is a certain level of cleanliness that we all need, and no one wants to fear catching a communicable disease in one's kitchen. But that doesn't mean cleaning has to take a lot of time! Listen in to this quick podcast where I share my best cleaning tips on how to get housework done in a flash! It's the beginning of the new year, so let's start it well with new routines that help us get organized and feel more in control--so that we have more time for what really matters! And don't forget--my book, To Love, Honor and Vacuum, which this podcast is based on, is on sale this month! More here.

Putting Kids to Work This Summer

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:19:00 +0000

Summer has hit; school is almost out; it's time for vacation! But if you're not careful, you could get into a bad routine where you chauffeur kids, buy kids ice cream, cater to kids, and work for kids, but you never actually ask them to do anything in return. It's easy during vacations to want to make it as fun as possible for the children. But let's remember that the whole reason we have summer vacations is that kids were needed to work on the farm! There's nothing wrong with teaching your kids to clean a toilet this summer, or asking them to help you clean out the garage. In this week's podcast, I help you find ways to get kids working this summer--so that they enjoy the fun times even more!

It's a Head Thing! How Our Sex Drives are So Different

Thu, 11 Jun 2009 09:19:00 +0000

It's 10 p.m. He wants to start snuggling. You want to start snoring. How do you break this impasse? In this hilarious podcast, I show how intimacy, for women, is really "all in her head". It's a head thing! I talk about how easy it is for us to get distracted or to lose focus, and give some tips for how to talk ourselves into the mood--and stay there! You won't want to miss this one! And remember, you can get the full talk as my special Download of the Month right now! And the book, Honey, I Don't Have a Headache Tonight is on sale too!

This Ain't Grandma's House!

Tue, 26 May 2009 20:46:00 +0000

Have you ever wondered why with the microwave, washer and dryer, cars, vacuum cleaners, and wrinkle resistant clothing, our lives are still so busy? Why don't these time savers actually save us time? Why is that we work almost as hard as our grandmothers did?
I think the answer is that standards have completely changed. But we don't realize it. We don't realize that the way that we do home and family now wasn't always the way we did home and family. At one point, the family was much more cohesive. We all worked together. Now Mom almost always works on her own, trying to keep her brood together!
If you're tired today, listen in on this podcast to give you a new perspective on our homes! And don't miss the special pointer I have at the end which can help us out of our feelings of defeat and give us a feeling of purpose once again!
This goes along well with some of the thoughts I've been having lately, about the difference between dedication and discipline. If you haven't read that, do it now!Finally, if you enjoyed this podcast, remember that it's a condensed version of chapter 2 of my book, To Love, Honor and Vacuum, which is 25% off for the month of May! Find out more here! You can also purchase the 45 minute version of this talk for just $2 here!

Diagnosis: Exhaustion

Thu, 14 May 2009 11:41:00 +0000

They say that women's number one health complaint is exhaustion. We are all simply too tired. And as a mom, it's easy to feel tired. We work hard, lots of people rely on us, but frequently we don't get a lot of positive feedback. And that's when it's all too easy to sabotage ourselves. We turn to time wasters to escape from how tired we feel. And in the process, we make ourselves even more exhausted! In today's podcast, listen as I diagnose why it is that we moms frequently feel like we're just spinning our wheels. The answer may surprise you! And then learn the secret to feeling more energized. It's not getting more organized. It's not getting more self-controlled. It's not adding more to our plate. It's something far deeper. You won't want to miss it! And don't forget my Mother's Day gift to all my listeners! My book, To Love, Honor and Vacuum, is 25% off for the month of May! Learn more here!

Mother's Day: Are You Spinning Your Wheels?

Thu, 07 May 2009 15:18:00 +0000

Mother's Day is just around the corner, but sometimes we feel too much like we're spinning our wheels! We work constantly, but are we heading in the right direction? Are we really getting anywhere? In this podcast we look at a specific way to measure whether what we're doing is really God's best or not. When we focus on what He wants us to do, we'll always feel energized. If we fill our lives, though, with the "merely good", we'll always feel drained. So listen in to this encouraging podcast! It may just help you to aim for the best, and feel more purposeful in the process!

How to Stop Kids from Complaining!

Wed, 29 Apr 2009 11:13:00 +0000

Last week was Complaint Free Week at my To Love, Honor and Vacuum blog! We talked all about how to foster an attitude of gratitude, rather than an attitude of complaining all the time. It's great to move ourselves to more gratitude. But what about our offspring? Often we raise them in such a way that we make complaining more likely. We think we're making their lives easier, but really we're harming them because we're not teaching them gratitude. In today's podcast, I talk about how to combat complaints with real-life lessons. I hope you enjoy it!

Complaint Free Week: Attitude of Gratitude

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 08:41:00 +0000

I'm Sheila, and I'm a complainer. But this week, I'm making a conscious effort to focus more on God and less on finding fault with others. Will you join me? In this podcast I look at practical ways we can become more grateful. And I look at some really inspirational Scriptures that can refocus the entire way we pray! And don't miss my key to unlocking gratitude! Join me on this complaint free week, and see your whole attitude transformed! You can sign up for Complaint Free Week here!

What Throws Us Off Track

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:00:00 +0000

When my children were little one of our favourite read-aloud books was "Going on a Bear Hunt". Remember that one? "Going on a bear hunt. Going to catch a big one. We're not scared!". And then all the obstacles hit: "Oh, no! Mud. Thick, oozy mud. Can't go over it. Can't go under it. Guess we'll have to go THROUGH it! Squelch, squirch, squelch, squirch, squelch, squirch." I think the Christian life is like that sometimes. We want to move forward, but our feet are weighed down. We're slogging through mud. And the sad part is that more often than not we do it to ourselves. If you're feeling like you're not growing, my new podcast today can give you a quick, 5-minute push in a different direction, AROUND the mud, rather than through it. I identify the main reasons we can't see to focus on what God wants, and how to get rid of those defeating ideas from our lives. Listen in on this quick, short warning about what throws us off track. It's fun, and it will give you some food for thought for today!

Does Parenting Make You Happy?

Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:59:00 +0000

Of course we all want to be happy! We want blissful family lives, easy relationships, and lots of hugs. But there's a problem. If we're having kids in order to make us happy, we're likely to be very miserable indeed. Listen in on this podcast as I talk about the dangers of our quest for happiness, and remind us that maybe God wants something far deeper for us! And you can listen to the rest of this talk, too! This month, my complete talk, "Don't Worry, Be Happy?", is available for only $2 as an audio download! Don't miss it!

Who Should Clean the Toilets? Getting Husbands Involved in Housework

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:15:00 +0000

As I speak at women's conferences and marriage retreats, it seems that one of the biggest problems that many women have is that they feel taken for granted. They do absolutely everything at home, and he barely picks up a mop. So what should he do? That's a tough question, and one that doesn't have a ready answer. I think it varies depending on each family's situation. But in this podcast I try to put it into some perspective, and help us all figure it out! And if you want a great resource to go along with it, here are some free household organization charts you can use, including a chart to help decide who does what! http://sheilawraygregoire.com/freehouseholdorganizationchartsp345.php Hope you enjoy listening!

Parenting with the Long-Term in Mind

Tue, 24 Mar 2009 07:32:00 +0000

As a parent, it's easy to get caught up in the day-to-day stresses. You just want the house clean, the kids to behave, and maybe some peace and quiet. And you'll do what you need to to accomplish that. But that's not always the best thing for our kids. As a parent, we need to remember that the goal is to raise independent, godly, responsible children--not to just make them act right on the outside. It's the inside that counts. Today's podcast relates a story of a mom who kept that in mind--and encourages us to do the same thing!

When Passive Won't Cut It--Stopping the Initiation Wars

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 13:20:00 +0000

Okay, ladies. Let's talk about my favourite subject: sex. For those of you who find this an issue in your marriage, I'll bet one thing that really gets you upset is when you're tired, and grumpy, but you agree to make love anyway. But then that's not enough for him. What is wrong with him? You gave him what he needed, right? Wrong. In today's podcast I share a hilarious story from earlier in our marriage, and help us see sex in a different light. It's quick. It's funny. And it's helpful.

Season's Greetings vs. Merry Christmas

Tue, 02 Dec 2008 11:27:00 +0000

I haven't actually done much Christmas shopping yet. I don't have much to buy, because I've decided not to get much for the adults in our lives this year, so I can afford to wait a bit. But last night I was shopping for regular things--some office supplies, drug store stuff, etc. Thus I was at the mall with all the crazed people. And I counted how many times I heard or saw "Happy Holidays". It vastly outnumbered "Merry Christmas". And whenever anyone said Happy Holidays, I said Merry Christmas back, really loudly. I've never understood why people want to pretend it's not Christmas. After all, in this same mall was a line up to see Santa that would rival Disneyworld. Santa is a big deal, and Santa comes at--what's the name of that holiday again?--oh, yeah. Christmas. Now we don't do Santa because I always thought it took away from the central message, and Santa defies the laws of physics anyway. But let's face it: people who see Santa do so because they're celebrating Christmas. And the songs are getting silly, too. I check out the Christmas CDs at the counters of all these stores, and not one had a genuine carol. But increasingly they're even getting rid of ones that mention the word Christmas, in favour of "Winter" songs. If we're going to celebrate a season, we should celebrate summer, not winter. It makes no sense, unless it's a vast plot to cover up the fact that it's Christmas. But why do stores participate in it? The reason sales go up this time of year is because we're all buying Christmas presents. So why are they so scared to acknowledge that? Those who don't celebrate Christmas aren't shopping much, anyway. Why don't they reach out to those who do? And who do they think buys all those ornaments and wreaths, anyway? It does drive me nuts, and if you want to hear more about it, I went on a big rant for my podcast this week on how politically correct Christmas is becoming. You can listen in here. But in the meantime, MERRY CHRISTMAS! (Note: mypodcast.com crashed in March 2009, erasing the archives. I've reloaded these podcasts, but the download numbers are way off, just FYI!).

Your Christmas Present to Yourself!

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 20:32:00 +0000

Okay, ladies. Let's be honest here. Most of us don't look like that Barbie. And most likely we never will! So why do we spend so much of the Christmas season feeling guilty about our weight? We do all that baking, and then we feel like a louse when we sneak some of it. Wouldn't your Christmas be much better if you could concentrate more on the meaning behind the season, rather than feeling so guilty for not living up to an unrealistic ideal? So if you want a funny pick-me-up, listen to my latest To Love, Honor and Vacuum podcast! It's only 8 minutes long, so you can have it playing while you surf the net. And I'm sure it will make you laugh!

REAL Christmas Success

Tue, 16 Dec 2008 19:24:00 +0000

Let's get real here. No pretensions. How often do you judge yourself by how productive you've been? By how much you've gotten done today? By how much you've achieved? We all do it. It's part of our culture. And it can be a good motivator. But it can also wear us down, because ultimately success shouldn't be measured by what we do. It should be measured by our character, and by how much we've been transformed to look like Jesus. That sounds deep, but my podcast is also very funny this week! I'm looking at how we sometimes aim for the wrong thing, both in our lives and at Christmas time. This one's a good one, and you can listen while you search the web!

Making Your Christmas House a Home

Tue, 23 Dec 2008 19:14:00 +0000

Do you spend your Christmas season yelling, "This house is a mess!". How much better to say, "This mess is a house!" In this hilarious podcast, learn how to get perspective this Christmas, so that you remember that it's about relationships, not Martha Stewart perfection.Along the way we'll learn some tips for keeping your home under control. But remember: comfortable is different from perfect. Don't aim for perfect this year, or everyone will think you're Scrooge! This one is a lot like my book, To Love, Honor and Vacuum, and it's based on a talk I gave this year called "My Perfect Christmas Tree". Sometimes we worry so much about looking like we have it all together that we forget the point of life. (Note: In March 2009, mypodcast.com crashed and lost all my archives. I've reloaded them, but the download count is way off, FYI!).

Resolutions You Can Keep!

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 10:42:00 +0000

Have you broken all your New Year's Resolutions yet? I've jogged once, but I'm going to get there. My goal, as opposed to a resolution, is that I be able to run three miles by my birthday in May. I think I can do it! Even better, I think I really am beating that Diet Pepsi habit. I have to get rid of aspartame. But why is it that we often make these New Year's Resolutions that we never keep? And then we feel so guilty? Today, listen in on my podcast when I talk about what's wrong with many of our resolutions, and how to aim for the right thing! It's not too long, and you can listen while you surf the web.

How to Change Your Marriage When You Feel Stuck

Tue, 20 Jan 2009 10:38:00 +0000

Have you ever felt like your marriage wasn't all it's cracked up to be? Have you ever wished that things would just get better? At different times we all have. And today I have good news for you: your marriage can change! It really can. At this point you're probably thinking: "What? You can teach my husband to give me some time to myself sometimes?". Nope. "You can teach him to do stuff with the kids?". Nope. "You can help him be more romantic?" Nope again. I'm not talking about trying to change your husband. I'm talking about changing you. Maybe you think you're not the problem. And that may even be the case. Perhaps you're being as good a wife as you think you can be. But the secret to changing a relationship isn't in waiting for someone else to change. It's to grab the bull by the horns and change yourself, and see what happens! In today's podcast that's what I talk about. It's short, so you can listen while you surf the web, or you can download it to your iPod (if you subscribe by iTunes. Just click on the icon on the right hand column of this page). Listen in. I hope it will inspire you! (Note: in March 2009, mypodcast.com crashed, and I had to reload all the archives. So the numbers of downloads is way off, just FYI!)

Don't Let Pornography Win

Tue, 27 Jan 2009 10:15:00 +0000

I am mad about pornography. Are you? I think we should be livid. It is stealing so much from us. First, of course, are the husbands who become addicted to it, cheating on their wives with airbrushed images. Then it is the men in their late teens and early twenties who become so into pornography that they lose interest in real relationships. And let's not forget the impact of pornography on young people, who see it all too easily when they're just starting to get sexual feelings. Boy, does that mess them up! But it can mess us up, too. (30% of all pornography users are now female). And it certainly messes up men. It rewires their brains so that what is arousing is no longer a real, living, breathing woman, but is instead only an image. And even when the pornography addiction is broken, it's difficult to have a healthy sexual relationship because the wife doesn't seem attractive anymore. In today's podcast, I give a short overview of the issues. Listen in, and then pray! And install parental controls for the parents as well as the kids!

How to Move Your Marriage from Fizzle to Sizzle

Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:06:00 +0000

Do you want to turn the heat up in your marriage? Are you tired of never really being in the mood? Listen to this fun podcast as we talk about how to turn the heat up, and have fun at the same time! It's all based on my book, Honey, I Don't Have a Headache Tonight>. And if you've ever wondered how to break the impasse when he wants to start snuggling and you want to start snoring, listen in!

Valentine's Day: Romance amidst Reality

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:59:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is always a challenge. You want to be romantic, but the kids are still demanding attention, you have no money, and you're tired. Maybe it's time for a laugh! Join me in this Valentine's Day podcast as we discuss the pitfalls of Romance while Married!

What Does Submission Really Mean?

Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:47:00 +0000

What do you think of Ephesians 5:22? You know the verse: Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord? I've heard some pretty wacky interpretations of that. Some take it to mean that husbands can beat their wives. Last week, in Wifey Wednesday, one commenter wrote about a man who believed that because the wife was to submit, she had to understand love in his love language, even if that wasn't her natural bent! Others take submission to mean that they have to submit in the bedroom, even if he asks something bizarre. And then there's the more run of the mill interpretations, which go something like this: "When you can't make a decision, he gets the final say," as if God essentially means submission means he wins in the case of a tie. I don't think any of those things are biblical. I think submission means something quite different. We probably don't all agree; I don't think I've ever met any two women who completely agree on the idea of submission. But I think it's good to think and pray about it, and to see if you're at peace with God about it. So have a listen to my podcast this week: What Submission Really Means. It's short, and I don't deal with everything. But maybe it's a leaping off point where we can start talking about it! (Note: In March, mypodcast.com lost their archives, and I've had to reload all of these podcasts. The download numbers, then, are way off, just FYI!)

What Is Happiness, Anyway?

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 09:26:00 +0000

We all want to be happy, right? But what if happiness isn't all it's cracked up to be? In fact, what if there's something far deeper that is far more satisfying. Let's think about this for a moment: what should the aim of our lives really be? Is it to be happy, or is it something else? And if I say it's something else, does that mean I'll never be happy? Wow, this gets deep the more we think about it. Why not listen in to this quick 5 minute podcast, a clip of a talk I gave on true peace, that tries to sort this dilemma out. (Note: Mypodcast.com crashed in February, and lost all my podcasts. I've reloaded the past ones, but the download figures are way off! Just FYI!)

Till Kids Do Us Part

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 06:17:00 +0000

You'd die for your kids. Absolutely. But would you die for your husband? Well, of that you're probably not so sure. And that's the way it should be. We have a different kind of love for our children and our spouses. But if the love we have for our children overshadows our relationship with our spouse, we're in trouble, and we endanger our kids. The best thing we can do for our children is to love their father, because that gives them the solid foundation they need. In this short podcast, listen as I share my story about loving your spouse, no matter what happens, so that your marriage stays strong. I share our grief about our baby boy who was born with a serious heart defect, and how hard times with your kids can definitely put a strain on your marriage. It's part of a talk that I gave to some pediatric residents at Queen's University, and it was a great chance to share some truths about marriage to those who will be advising parents for their career! Don't forget to subscribe to the podcasts! And visit my blog at To Love, Honor and Vacuum!