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!