Working out. Is it?

💕Dear Fat, I am used to you being with me all the time. But could you, just for a while, go away and leave me trim and thin like when I was 5? I know, not gonna happen. But don't we just wish this sometimes?📝

💬I have some little residual fat pockets on my self, a few more than I'd like to have, and no matter the cause, I am still not happy with them. As I age, they aren't cute or accepted like when I was having cute little babies. Now that I'm headed toward grandmother world, I am more  concerned about these little residual fat pockets on my self. Hmmm, what to do? Maybe I should include a workout idea here along with my other mentoring ideas. I won't today but it's a thought turning into reality some time in the near future. I will be working out, the idea and my self to see if I can minimize my little residual fat pockets I am not longing to keep.

🍒Meal Tip: Since I am getting more conscious of my little residual fat pockets on my self, I am trying to eat more "clean." Clean eating means less process foods, less white sugar, bread, rice, and more natural foods like raw veggies or blanched/roasted with little spices, low salt, no sugar and MOST of all, a healthy amount of carbs, not "no carbs" diet. So try this yummy lusciousness of a dinner/lunch/breakfast idea: Chicken Tostadas

https://ifoodreal.com/chicken-tostadas/

🏠Household Tip: Take a room, move the furniture around. You'd be surprised how much you'll like it, or realize you like it where you had it. Leave it that way for a month, if you can. Put it back if you really dislike it. You never know, you may see the world differently with the new arrangement. And of course, there comes some extra dust bunnies and pockets of dirt; you may even find that missing sock or earring!

🌼Parenting Tip: Screen time. Well, we all do it, just do we limit for ourselves like we limit it for our children? They do mimic us, remember that from parenting classes or from Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil? So maybe the screen time adjustment needs to happen for us more than for our kids. I am getting back to reading a book, a paper one. Try it. The library is still there and still smells great, quiet and welcoming for you. I sometimes like to spend all my spare time there, not wanting to leave. Nothing bad happens in the library (or the gym, where I am right now).

Bye Warm, Lovely Summer. I miss you already.

two thoughts into one, accusation and forgiveness

💕You have never been accused of wrongdoing until you understand your intentions are so misunderstood that someone close to you thinks the worst. Intentions are what drive us but what is viewed by another, the truth that is twisted so far from the truth, is what gets noticed. It is terrible and many times irreparable. It's when others, not involved, who believe the misconception. It's hurtful and forgivable. The takeaway? Believe the best about others even when it appears they meant harm because they didn't. 📝

💬Things that are forgivable leave scars on the person who was hurt. It's inevitable. They move on but there is always that scar that is numb, tingly, tough, and can be painful at times. Forgiveness is the only option to move on though. It helps with learning to trust again, and again, and again. We all try and go forward with life, but that accuser who was so very wrong, still has an effect on us. Maturity has a way of including these scars. How we get along and move forward is what makes or breaks us.

🍒Meal tip: It's the end of summer, enjoy the fresh food in this recipe:

https://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/garden-fresh-grilled-veggie-pizza/



🏠Household tip: Clean a flat surface, one that is by the front door, in a bedroom, or even the garage. Put everything away, not just in the room where it goes but completely put away. If there are some things to donate, put them in your car! Trash things you can and don't pull them back out later, :^0 hehehehehe

🌼Parenting tip: Discover something funny about yourself. If it's an expression, do it often and make those around you laugh. Your kids will think it's so funny, at junior high age they'll roll their eyes but still smile, and when they are adults, they will laugh even though it's not that funny anymore! Use it when you are separated  from your kids in public but they can still see you-and when you do it, they just shake their head and smile. It's your little secret to make them laugh and smiles are awesome.

vacations

💕Have you taken a vacation this summer yet? If you haven't, you've missed out on a great time to unplug, relax, do something adventurous, spend time with special loved ones, or just opportunity to leave the routine for a time.📝

💬I know it's hard to leave responsibilities, believe me, I know. It's expensive, that I also know. But this year, I took a vacation with my oldest child and her husband. Delightful young adults who are so amazing, they exemplify that the future is bright for our country. I am so proud of and had so much fun with them. It was a vacation I will always remember with a smile. Start planning now for next summer and by that, I mean start saving, deciding on a destination, and inviting someone to go along with you. You will always remember it, with a smile.

🍒Meal tip: Tonight, I'm going to post the meal we ate. It is called stuffed shells. Some of you might be familiar with it. My daughter serves it often so we ate with her and her husband. The only thing we changed was that we used marinara sauce instead of tomato sauce, and it's meatless. Enjoy!

https://www.savvysavingcouple.net/perfect-fall-meal-idea-healthy-stuffed-shells-recipe-pastafits-mc/



🏠Household tip: It's summer...it's hot...it's women's winter (freezing in air conditioning)...and it's fun! So get out of the house, go to your back or front yard and change something. Add a plant, a succulent, or a tree. Move things around, sweep well, and maybe even power hose the areas. New look! Yay you!

🌼Parenting tip: On my vacation, I noticed many kids. They were all wonderful and had such awesome age appropriate responses to the world around them. Sorry, that was my sociologist coming out, but it is true. Kids are kids, they don't manipulate as much as they just act their age. So think of that before you buy tickets to the opera, or make a day of it at Great great grandma's house. Boring. Go yourself, but PLEASE leave them home or at a friend's house where they'll be happier and you will enjoy your event more. Also the other people at the event will be glad your kids aren't there talking, squirming, or complaining; they are trying to enjoy it and perhaps paid big bucks to see it. I tell you 'thank you' in advance for all of us who love your kids but know they're happier elsewhere.

Is it really how it appears?

💕Sometimes people see something that appears to be something it isn't. Has that happened to you ever? Recently? My church's pastor once did a sermon on believing the best about someone or a situation.📝

💬It is difficult to believe the best about others, but with our hearts in the right place, we can do it. When you walk into a room and notice the conversation ends just as you enter, don't assume the conversation was about you. Also, when you see someone whispering, assume they are just being discreet about a personal matter, not telling a secret about you. To believe the best is a continuing struggle because we tend to do the opposite due to our own insecurities. Even if all the evidence points to believing the worst about someone, try to see what is really there and draw no conclusions that would be a detriment to you if you announced it and it was revealed you were wrong.



🍒Meal tip: Summer Clean Food...don't you just love it and feel so good after eating it? Here is a terrific meal idea:

https://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/red-wine-marinated-steaks-grilled-vegetables

 

🏠Household tip: You know, it's summer. What house cleaning do we like to do in summer? I like to clean out closets. I know, it's so time consuming but it really does a body good to see the finished product. So choose your worst closet (or your best closet to ease into this task) and let's get started.
(we will do another closet next time until all of them are done, so don't avoid it 😇)
1. Look at what is in closet.
2. Determine if that is what you still want the closet to store. Or change it to be a functioning one.
3. Pull out what doesn't fit into your plan of the space.
4. Refold or reset what you leave in there. If you're especially ambitious, remove everything and put back only what you want to keep.
5. Sweep, dust, wipe whatever is dirty or needs refreshing. Don't forget the ceiling and corners.
6. Put in an air freshener that has a clean scent like linen or cotton.

Does it look like this?!! Help!

🌼Parenting tip: I have a tendency to support a child rather than punish them. See what in the child's life that needs tweaking or determine what season this child is about to face. Since it is summer, there will be a change in the child come fall. Freedom of time and space makes a child's imagination and personality develop. Summer provides this if the parents haven't scheduled too much time doing commitments. Camping in the backyard, sleepovers, craft projects, random fun and summer excursions broaden a child's development and encourages confidence. Choose a day, close to the end of summer to have a private, sit down talk about the summer and discuss what to expect for the coming school year. Make sure they know you have their back no matter what they do and how good or bad they behave. Enjoy the summer with your child. Know you are blessed.

Rain, Rain, go away

💕It's raining, again. Weird because where I live, there is usually a drought. So for the last 7 months or so, it has been gloomy, rainy, very cool, and just not fun weather. We like to live outdoors and have most of our activities, work, play, parties, meetings, meals, and even sleep in our great outdoors is normal, but for some reason our Sunny Days have not found their way here, yet. 📝

💬We moved our family to this city because of the weather. Sunny, mild, low humidity, dependable outdoor activities. Not lately though. I love warm weather, sunshine, and the ability to plan outdoor things with little worry of precipitation ruining the event. There are joggers, walkers, dog walkers, dreamers, readers, students who study outside, vacationers, strollers, runners, bikers, motorcyclists, open convertible top cars, and sun-setters (those who watch the sunset). I really love the climate here and enjoy the outdoors so much. We can eat our meals outside, have coffee outside, and relax outside. But when it rains, the whole thing changes. Don't get me wrong, I love the rain, but too much of a good thing is no longer good, my opinion. And on so many days, it is not normal here. I believe it is normal in Hawaii for it to rain almost every morning, and the there's Oregon. Lots of rain there. Just not here. So instead, I am mopping, ducking in and out of my car when I go places, and I constantly am wearing a jacket or coat/sweatshirt to make myself not shiver in the chilly weather. It's now a habit. I miss my summer dresses, shorts, and cute tops, not to mention my array of summer sandals. Do you like the weather where you are? Tell us why or why not!

🍒Meal tip: CHILI time! So for cool weather, clouds and rain included, let's do a meal that is something we can heat up for the next day or two. I have this great chili recipe for those of you (and me) who do like the spice but NOT the heat. It is my mom's recipe. She had made this for decades and never wrote it down until I asked her to do it so then I could make it. I'm not a chef, only a cook that can follow a recipe.
1Lb ground beef, lean like 7% fat, put it in a pan and break it up by adding water and stirring it to make tiny pieces. Immediately add 2T chili powder, 1T onion powder, 1 whole green pepper, cut up small or pureed, 1 large can of crushed tomatoes, 1 tsp cumin, 1T salt, 1 tsp black pepper, stir well and cook on medium heat until meat is browned. Add 1 cup broth, vegetable or chicken, boil for about 10 minutes. Add 1 large can of chili beans. Stir well, taste. If it needs salt, add some. Same goes for any other ingredient. If you like the heat, add a jalapeno pepper chopped up small. It is better the next day, so make it a day early.



 My mom's Chili recipe, enjoy!








🏠Household tip: Find a messy drawer, Dump it out, Wipe it out. Put back only what you want, use, and need. Throw away the rest, or donate it if you think it's something from which someone could benefit.

🌼Parenting Tip: If you have something you need to talk to your teenager about, please do it with maturity. If they notice you are treating them with respect and trust their judgement, they are more likely to converse with you regarding the something you need to address. Hear them out, ask important questions, and try to come to the table with an objective point of view. Don't have a hurt mom or dad mentality because they made a decision you don't think your little boy or girl should've made. Mentor them, don't whine and plead or make it an issue about you. Listen, encourage, list what you see they did right.

Believe the Best

💕I start my blog with this symbol, two hearts, every time for a reason. Life is better when we share and do it together. It helps when we are feeling down, even when we are feeling up. We can share in our down times when life throws garbage our way and we can help others, too, while we ourselves are having an up moment. 📝

💬If you haven't heard the saying, Life is Better when we do it Together, you have missed out. This is an idea people have played with for centuries but it has never been put into words until lately. Having community, another cliche we use today, keeps one happy, grounded, and accountable. When we are connected to something or part of something, studies have shown  that we are more likely to be honest, giving, and supportive of others. I specifically remember a speaker I heard last year who focused on Believe the Best: of others, yourself, and even strangers. To live in fear or hate, or even indifference, to those who are in our community is not a good thing. For example, when you see someone whisper and then stop when they notice you noticed, do you think the worst? Or perhaps you have "proof" of someone's wrong doing and then you think, hmm, I wonder what they're up to? Maybe they are planning a secret party, maybe they are just speaking to another person about a problem in their own life and want it kept confidential-having nothing to do with you. But when you notice these little things, why do we often think the worst and not the best? I think it is because people lose faith and trust in their community. But if we don't have faith and trust in those who are supposed to support us, then we have no one. Can we change and trust, Believe the Best? I decide to, how about you?

🍒Meal tip: For healing the soul, try some comfort food. Mine? Well, it's chicken noodle soup. Here's the recipe I used the other day. Pretty yummy! "Grandma's Chicken Soup with homemade noodles" (or you can find these noodles in the freezer section of your favorite grocer)

https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/231666/grandmas-chicken-soup-with-homemade-noodles/?lnkid=usspnt

🏠Household tip: This is a more backyard patio tip...move all the furniture and rugs, hose off with a power washing setting on your garden hose. Also hose off the patio. Let it all dry over night and then put it all back, maybe rearrange it? Now it'll be all ready for any summer get-to-together ⛱.

🌼Parenting tip: Boundaries, create them and then stand up for them. Have certain consequences for different offenses. Also, think about intent, what you thought when you were that age, and then offer grace, understanding, and compassion. Don't rule out the consequence but do it with maturity and not emotionally. Be calm, be the adult, be kind.

Fear?

💕Some Questions...Ever have a fear of something you can't shake? Do you fear a situation? Maybe fear making a mistake or fear rejection, loss, and heartache? Have others in your life, or in your past, done something  to make you fear them or a situation you had with them? It's not a matter of forgiveness, but just a memory tough to re-live or face. Perhaps you fear fear? 📝
 
💬 I believe fear can be called many different things, apprehension, frustration, mistrust, loneliness, walls up mentality, and even sadness. I have felt all of those things at one point in my life. Many times it was after something bad happened but sometimes it was just a misunderstanding on my part. Either way, fear crept in without my permission! I think my biggest trigger to fear is when someone I trust doesn't come through, doesn't have my back when there's a conflict, and mostly when the unknown takes me by surprise, you know, those good ole expectations.

🍒Meal Tip: I have been eating chicken grilled or baked with steamed broccoli and brown rice. How many ways to make those three things is a challenge. I've done barbecue sauce on the chicken and butter on the rice, teriyaki sauce on the chicken and added steamed cabbage and carrots to the broccoli, even done the rice bowl with gravy. All are fabulous. Anyone have any other ideas, please post your recipe!

https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/quick-easy-chicken-broccoli-brown-rice/

🏠Household Tip: I moved the pictures around on my walls in the house. It was fun rearranging the pictures, the memories and people to places where I'd see them in a fresh new way. Be daring, explore new possibilities, make new focus points in your rooms. You'll be happy you did!

🌼Parenting Tip: Kids tend to fear many things, or some kids fear nothing. It is our job, as parents to address both attitudes. My mom-in-law warned me that her son (my husband) was so fearless, he almost drown in a pool, chased a ball into the street, and jumped off high places. I had 5 kids and none of them were like that, until my last one. He walked off a pool deck and sunk to the bottom of a 5 foot deep swimming pool. My oldest child was afraid of the rain because when it did rain, we ducked down and made a dash for it. Eventually, we got our kids some umbrellas and we went out in to the rain and sang, strolled, and sometimes splashed. It eventually helped our oldest child get over her fear. Boundaries, bring them in when needed and roll them out when needed.

Are you Ready?

💕Are you ready? I am speaking of challenging yourself to do something you haven't done in awhile or doing something you have never done, ever. This blog is my challenge. I am not concerned who reads it or if anyone "likes" it. I just want to write and encourage you to do something too.📝

💬 The name of my blog, Momma Ready, is something I came up with using the inspiration of a Women's Church Camp I attended in the spring of 2017. The camp's theme was Battle Ready, a spin on  the idea of being ready to battle an adversary who might challenge your intentions and beliefs. The theme was also supported by a book, Battle Ready, by a terrific author, Kelly Balarie. She also blogs. Hers is called, Purposeful Faith. Look her up sometime.

🍒Meal tip: Do you like Asian Cuisine? Try these meal suggestions!

Teriyaki Night- - - -🌾

https://www.brit.co/teriyaki-dinner-recipes/

🏠Household tip: Look up, clean what you see, lights, chandeliers, ceiling fans. Feel refreshed and know your not going to have to do that again anytime soon. Great job!

🌼Parenting tip: Has your child ever asked, "please?" Mine have and each and every time, I struggled to  make a wise decision. I always, 100% of the time, wanted to give them what ever it was that they were asking for. I loved them that much and I couldn't resist that word, please. Somehow, by God's grace, my kids turned out okay and they are healthy and happy. Whew. So, going forward, when it comes to parenting, always look on the bright side of things, please?



I love the smell of fresh cut grass...enjoy

Do religious rituals really matter?

💕I was wondering if the rituals we do at our churches really matter. I believe they matter to traditionalists who are of the older generations. It is up to you if you feel you are of that group or not, I am not. 📝

 💬For my church we did not cross ourselves, wear little caps, or do communion just because it is the first of the month. We did learn to love, care, give, and trust. God, that is.
There was a song sung on the ACM Awards this month, The Daughters, by Little Big Town. It talks about how girls are raised to be women and how society sees women, as trophies, don't be weak or strong, etcetera. It s beautifully sung and explains my upbringing very well. Living today with rituals and society rules can be confusing and annoying, impossible really. I feel most comfortable hanging around people 15-20 years younger than I because of the expectation difference. In my line of work, being relevant and current is the culture of the workplace, not a patriarchal run society anymore, thank God.

🍒Meal tip: I was thinking about grilled vegetables, roasted vegetables, and raw vegetables. Of course you have to like vegetables to do these options. So I thought, just make some chicken in the oven with some BBQ sauce dribbled on top to go with the vegetables. (Bake chicken breasts with salt and pepper, onion powder and garlic, too, if you'd like that, and cook at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or so until the chicken is no longer pink in the middle, add BBQ sauce and put back in the oven, turn off the heat, just for 5 more minutes) For the vegetables, cut up and serve with Ranch dressing or alone. Or cook them this way:

https://www.gimmesomeoven.com/easy-grilled-vegetables/

https://www.mccormick.com/grill-mates/recipes/salads-sides/roasted-garlic-grilled-vegetables

🏠Household tip: Top of Refrigerator day! Woo hoo. If yours doesn't need cleaning, pull out the stove and clean the sides of it and the floor behind. What fun, right?!!

🌼Parenting tip: If you have rituals that you do because they mean something to you, then explain that reason to your kids if you want them to continue the ritual. It won't seem like such a ritual if there is family, emotions, and/or a great memory tied to it. Make it optional so they won't misinterpret your intentions.

Link to The Daughters song...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPfHdJyd_IE








 

Faith.

💕I am so happy to see you today! What happened this week that made you smile? What made me smile is my one of my children, who was so brave this week to speak their mind and let me know how and what they were feeling. The conversation was difficult for that child, not so difficult for me, but I respected their perspective and we both realized we are people, not just mom and child.📝

💬In this deeply spiritual and traditional time of the year for our country, I am reflecting on what traditions and beliefs I was brought up with in my family as a child, and what traditions and beliefs I continue today that are my own choices. Do I continue with my family's or just start my own, abandoning everything I knew and understood? One particular tradition I was brought up with and still continue today is attending a local church. I go every Sunday and it keeps me grounded in what is really important in my life and what is just average living. My church has Saturday afternoon/evening services so sometimes I go on Saturday, go to the beach afterwards, and peacefully watch the sunset. I really enjoy the down time and can really reflect on what my life's purpose is, and will be, as I go forward. The church service is fun, informative, lively, reflective also, but most of all, it is relaxing and, I find, very supportive of what I have chosen to have faith in, in these days and times of our country. I have faith in God, Jesus Christ, my leaders of this country to direct us toward kindness, and also for the solidification of us as a country, not one evolving, but of one that now exists, had its own traditions, and history. I am so proud to be an American, or a United States-ian that I thoroughly believe we are the greatest country in the world. As I have faith in these things, I realize I do not continue some things of which my family showed me. One in particular is going to a cemetery to "visit" passed loved ones who have died. This is still something of great importance to my parents and they go to the local cemeteries often to place flowers and other mementos on the graves. I don't mind going with them, but I rarely go on my own.

🍒Meal Tip: Really, Really good hamburgers! Check it out!

https://www.foodandwine.com/slideshows/burger-recipes

🏠Household tip: Today is the day. Yes, it is. You will find things you didn't know you'd lost. It's couch cushion day!! Remove the cushions from all your sofas, chairs, and other sitting places. Wipe down, vacuum, dig out, and dust the sofa/chair as best you can. Move it to the side and clean under it. If able to, tip it on its side and clean the bottom of it. Put it back. Clean, wipe, wash, or dust the cushions, replace back and sit down-Read a book! 😄

🌼Parenting tip: Touch your kids. Maybe they shy away, maybe they jump on you. Either way, makes sure you touch them everyday when you see them. It doesn't have to be a hug, could be a high (or low) five! You are amazing and your kid is amazing. Love being a parent and enjoy this season of your life everyday.

Time off!

💕Well, I took some time off. Have you done it lately? You should!!📝
 
💬You know, statistics show a little time off makes one much more productive after some R&R (rest and relaxation). I went to the beach, shopped at a terrific outlet mall, bought a few things, including some chocolate! Think about the last time off you took. It has to be on a regular day, not a scheduled day off, but a day you TOOK off. Let me know where you went and what you did, along with who you went with, or maybe you went alone for some peaceful time. I look forward to hearing from you.

🍒Meal Tip: It's a weekend. Maybe cooking out on the grill would be fun. Here's some easy recipes!

https://therecipecritic.com/top-summer-grilling-recipes/

🏠Household Tip: It's springtime so time to clean the front door area. Sweep first. Vacuum if you have  the capabilities to do so. You can either hose down the doors and the stoop and the area around or just wipe with a good clean cloth and some soapy water in a bucket. If you're feeling daring, repaint the front door another coat of paint and if you are even more daring, try a new color! Fix any loose boards, bricks, or missing stucco. Take pictures before and after and post them here! Have fun.

🌼Parenting Tip: Go with it. You know, whatever your child wants, just go with it. Unless it's harmful of course. If she wants PBJ for all three meals today, just do it. (and do it with a smile.) Enjoy the funny things he chooses to do, wipes his face with his shirt sleeve, burps, giggles until milk comes out his nose. Have a food fight. Do something crazy that you'll probably regret later! It's really true, YOLO! 

Finally, no rain!

💕Hello and may I say, Happy Friday, NO RAIN today! The sunshine is out and we are having a wonderfully warm day. All I can say is, "it's about time." I sure missed you, sunshine! Have you lived in a place where the winters are more harsh and you don't see the sun for weeks? I have and I definitely prefer the sun. Even if it's cold outside, the sun makes everything more cheerful and optimistic. I am a very optimistic person, been called perky many times over the years, and feel that my sunny disposition can help others when they are feeling down. So cheer up y'all! 🌞🌞🌞📝

💬My post today will be mostly directed at moms with grown children, living in the home or outside the home. These moms have a very important role in their children's lives and many don't see that. Support from family is so vital in this day with all the changes, almost daily, in social etiquette, technology advancement, budget ideas, partner challenges, aging fears, job searches or performance to name a few. 
With my "little ones" who are now all taller than I, I try to tell them what I wish my mom had told me. Whether it is blunt or subtle, I want them to know what I already know so they don't make the same mistakes but progress on with their own futures. Even my married child, I ask questions and see what their answers are as we discuss situations they've never faced before now. As I listen, and listen fully, with an open mind, I make sure to praise them for some of the  decisions they make. Everyone needs to hear an "attaboy" when they're doing their best to navigate in this world.
So the other day, my adult child, now living at home after receiving an undergraduate degree, is beginning a new job, full-time and pretty high salary, on Monday. On Sunday, we are going to present to this child, who is 24 btw, that their phone portion of our family bill, their car payment, gasoline, and tiny rent for their bedroom will be expected each month. I am expecting a fuss but we shall see what that fuss will entail. Wish my hubby and me luck! 🍀

🍒Meal tip: Try this recipe, it's awesome! Thai Chicken Stirfry
https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-thai-ginger-chicken-stirfry-recipes-from-the-kitchn-189644

🏠Household tip: Remember that place in your home you noticed the other day just walking by? Go to it and fix it. May take an hour, may take a few seconds. But since you noticed it, fix it. Mine? It is a very dusty top and the underneath shelf of an antique table. We have it there for pretty, not used much so it gets dusty, very dusty often. So I will dust the top, the shelf underneath it and then the floor around its three legs. (We have wood floors). So go!!


 🌼Parenting Tip: Listen. Don't speak. Listen. Don't anticipate their ending of their ideas, listen. Really listen. Take notes, record what they say, repeat back to them what they said and make sure you hear and understand their point of view. It's very important. Even if  they're 2 years old. Believe me, they'll trust you forever and that is a very important part of parenting. If you disagree, let them know and make sure they know you are only disagreeing, not right. No one is right. Just listen. Listen.

 

Mentor/Womentor?

💕We are in our new month and I am appreciative of how you all have responded to this blog! Enjoy!📝

💬I am working with some volunteers this week. They are so excited and willing to help. I am encouraged to work with them and guide them to get some things accomplished that will benefit the clients. No matter the circumstance, being positive and seeing the good in someone always brightens their day. Sure there is always something to nit pick on but for the most part, being friendly and kind is the best way to communicate with others. Smile too.

🍒Meal tip: This is a Thursday and I wanted to share this recipe which is awesome and easy. Chicken and Rice, yummy.

https://ifoodreal.com/healthy-chicken-and-rice-casserole/

🏠Household tip: Choose a window in your home. Wipe the sill, dust the webs, wipe or dust the louvers or wash the curtains. If you have a vacuum with an attachment, use that on the screen. If you are able, wash the window too. Tomorrow, do another window and so on until you have them all done.

🌼Parenting tip: I base this tip on what I was confronted with during the week. For this week, I had a mom so upset in the lobby of our church that I asked her what I could do to help her. In the city where I live, people don't interfere with other people so no one had stopped to talk to her. She was trying to not cry and I could see she was struggling with something that meant a lot to her. I asked her if she had a parenting issue and she shared with me what was going on in her family. I told her to trust her gut and do what she felt she needed to do. I could share more details but it seems you can get the jest of what I'm explaining. The point I'm making here is support. We can always support the moms who are working hard to be what their children need. No matter the smiling faces and the seemingly all-together appearance, moms can always use an attaboy! 

Terrific Tuesday

💕Tuesday it is!📝

💬I have had quite a trying week but today it's better. I know we all have these days but never forget, there's always a good day a'comin.' It helps to take a step back, see things from another angle or perspective, and  get a perhaps get a different point of view of your situation. This is what I had to do to get through these 3 days of difficulty. Sometimes it just takes a pause and a deep breath, but other times it needs a step away, a loud sigh or a "hmmmmm," and then, and only then, are we able to step back in to get through it. Now that it's past, I reset. I even took a day off of work to reset.

Think about what sets you right, get a sitter then go...a journal entry, a walk to the park (maybe some jumping jacks while you're there), or a drive to nowhere particularly. If you're more extroverted, a visit to the gym, speed walking in the mall, or a crazy loud party! You do you. No judgement or criticism. We all have those days but it's where we are when that is over that counts. Personally, I am having a great day, home and recharging. My employer is none the wiser but knows I am home and will be back tomorrow. My tomorrow will be awesome, better because I took some time.

🍒Meal Tip: Tuesdays are leftover days. From the weekend, use something you cooked and reinvent it. Don't serve it the same way you did the first time. Check out this app to find what else you can make with those leftover ingredients:

https://www.bigoven.com/recipes/leftover

🏠Household tip: Baseboard Day!! All you need is some paper towels and a cleaner with or without oil depending on your baseboard's material. Locate a good starting point and start scooting around the perimeter of your home, may find some things that have been missing, may find a spider web or two, or if you're really lucky, a small, frightened or friendly critter! I also take a small trash bag with me.

🌼Parenting Tip: I was thinking this morning about laughter. No matter what your child does, try to laugh. I found myself dealing with disobedience and rebellion, but all the while tried to find humor in what was happening at that moment. It kept my anger in check and my face not appearing too disappointed. Deep breaths, and laugh! It all begins with a smile.

 

Happy You're Here!

💕I'm so happy you're here. I have been thinking about you. If you have a minute, reply back to me what is your high and low for this past week. I'd really like to hear what is going on in your life.📝

💬Pacifiers. Have you used them? Did you have one as a child? Can you not live without them or would you never, ever use them? It's not a big deal but has been a controversial subject among parents for a long time and appears it is not going to be resolved any time soon.

I, personally, never used one and have never offered one to any of my 5 children. They did not suffer or have any fits of crying or fussiness due to nothing to suck on. None of my kids had ear infections, teething problems, trouble falling asleep, or a hard time waiting for their next meal. I simply didn't want to fuss with them as I had seen all my friends do and they are something I didn't want to pay for either. I did check with my awesome pediatrician and he had no problem with me not using any pacifier. Matter of fact, my family never even thought about pacifiers much at all.

Just as anything in my writing, no judgement. If you love pacifiers and all that comes with them, then by all means, please use them with my blessing. 

Check out this link from Mayo Clinic: Pacifiers, Are They Good for Your Baby?

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/infant-and-toddler-health/in-depth/pacifiers/art-20048140


🍒 Meal Tip: What's for dinner? Tacos. Plain and Simple. 
Taco Shells                                                         1 lb ground beef

1 tsp each of Cumin, Chili Powder, Onion Powder, and Garlic Powder
1/2 tsp of salt, dash of black pepper                   2 T of ketchup
Toppings: green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, black beans, sour cream, onion, shredded cheese
                Put ground beef in a skillet, add all dry spices, ketchup, and 1-2 C of water. Stir well so beef breaks up and simmer on medium high heat; stir often until cooked. Warm taco shells, fill with 1 Tablespoon beef and choice of toppings. Serve immediately with your favorite salsa.

🏠 Cleaning tip: Pick an area in your home you haven't touched recently, a closet, a cupboard, trash cans, fireplace and organize a clean up. This clean up also has to have a time and date to start and end. For fun, take a before and after picture!  📷

🌼Positive Parenting Tip: No matter your feelings on bed time routines, remember to keep the house quiet and calm, even dark or very dim, at least an hour before bedtime. It's difficult to go to bed and lie still, drift off to sleep and get a good night's rest if it began with a party in the house. Do your child and yourself a favor, wind down.

It's Friday, "...because I'm happy" ♪♫♪

💕Welcome to Momma Ready blog! 📃

💬 Being a mom and having so much experience bringing up my kids and mentoring others doing the same, I feel that I can be of some comfort, encouragement, and forgiveness as we do this together. Mom's are not perfect and there's no reason to think we are supposed to be, ever.

I met a mom today, it was pouring down rain outside, and she had 3 kids with her. These children appeared to be close in age and were all under the age of 6. It had been raining for quite in our town and so much rain is not normal. So to have to do regular errands in the pouring rain with little ones can be exhausting. When she came in, she already looked tired enough to go back to the car and go home. 

I walked straight to her, asked how she was and she replied that she was doing fine. That word "fine" meant Feelings Inside Not Expressed. So I asked her a different question, what does she need? Her face softened and she said, I need the rain to stop, and then she giggled. I totally understood her comment! 

My oldest developed a fear of rain because she could tell we were a little panicked every time we carried her from the car to a building, or vice versa. So when she was about 3, I bought her an umbrella, one with pink flowers on it. We walked outside one day with our water proof boots and umbrellas up. We walked up and down the sidewalk together and we used that umbrella for a few years to encourage her to be unafraid of the rain! ☔


🍒Meal Tip: It's TGIF meal day! I found these meals, try one! They look fun. Let me know which one you cooked and post a picture!        
                                 
http://deliciousmagazine.co.uk

🏠Cleaning Tip: Go to someone's closet. Get rid of two pairs of shoes and 4 pieces of clothing. Decide if they can be donated or perhaps it's time to dispose of them. You can do it! It'll make room for the things that person really wears.

🌼Positive Parenting: So for being positive, think about where you'd be without your children. Would you be at work? at the gym? at the bar? Come on, know you are amazing and they are really appreciative of your time. Children are a blessing, we all know that, but remember, you are a blessing, too. Keep up the good work.

Hello and Welcome!

💕Welcome to Momma Ready blog!  📝I

💬 I am so excited to share my experiences and life happenings with you and to offer you encouragement, laughter, friendship, and most of all, a person in your corner.

Being that I was asked over 20 years ago to write a parenting book, I remember more importantly the advice of my mentor, "Wait," she said. At the time, I was a mom of 4 little ones, all born within 5 years, all single births. Perhaps my most blessed time of life was when they were little, whatever that means.

Now, 15 years later, I am prompted by many to write. Now I find myself doing so in a blog. I feel this is a more modern way of connecting with moms (and dads) and know it will be challenging and fun. I will be posting at least 2 times a week and offer you hope that parenting is something rewarding and practical for you.

🍒Meal tip: It's Monday, the day of the meatless meal. Check out these choices for tonight!
https://www.marthastewart.com/274485/quick-meatless-recipes

🏠Cleaning tip: Open your junk drawer (yes, we all have at least one), dump the contents onto a towel on the counter. Make 3 piles-keep, donate, trash. Wipe out the drawer, place the keep pile back into the drawer, replace the drawer. Then box or bag up donate pile, and dispose of the trash pile. Yes you can trash them. Do it!

🌼Positive Parenting: believe in what you cannot see...your strength, power, and endurance