Jill Kemerer: moms

Showing posts with label moms. Show all posts

Friday, November 14, 2014

My Ideal Holiday Schedule

Holiday schedules? Already?

Yes! Thanksgiving (for my American friends) is less than two weeks away. And Christmas? Rolls around about four weeks later.

Did this cause panic to rise within you? It did me!

I started thinking about the upcoming festive season, and instead of excitement, I felt a bit of dread. Who wants to dread the holidays? NOT ME!! I realized if I had a solid plan, I'd anticipate everything more.

First, I needed firm dates for all the parties. After talking to both sets of parents, I had a better idea of when we could celebrate Christmas with them all.

My husband and I then had our annual argument--oops! I mean discussion-- about where and when we were celebrating all of these Christmas parties. This year was pretty easy, and knowing the parties were on the schedule took a lot of stress off my shoulders.

I moved on to Thanksgiving and planned the dishes I was making, even purchasing several ingredients on sale while grocery shopping last week. I jotted down a shopping list for the rest.

Once Thanksgiving is over, I plan on putting up our Christmas decorations and making a list of everyone we buy presents for to brainstorm possible presents. This will be done before December 1. After that, I systematically tackle gift shopping, sending cards, and planning food for all the parties.

I don't like shopping, so if my husband and I can buy every gift before December 14, I'll be thrilled!

One thing I refuse to do is focus so much on the preparations that I miss the things I absolutely adore about December. Our zoo has an amazing Christmas light show open every night. I'm hitting that! There are several original Hallmark Christmas movies I'm dying to see. I want to enjoy a hot cup of coffee at the bookstore and browse all the fabulous books. My preschool class will be dressing up for our Sunday School church service, and I'm bursting to see them sing.

So my ideal schedule involves pre-planning, buying gifts ahead of time, and enjoying the things that make the season wonderful.

What does your ideal holiday schedule look like? Take half an hour to brainstorm it and you might be surprised what you learn!

If you haven't signed up for my newsletter, you can do that HERE. I'll be sending out a Christmas newsletter soon! All you need to do is provide your name and email address, and you can unsubscribe at any time!

Have a fantastic day!!

What Excites This Busy Woman

The calendar has been winking at me for over a month. One day stands out with its arms open wide.

Yes, I am over-the-top excited for this Saturday!!

You might be wondering what event could possibly be this momentous for me to anticipate it for so long.

It's a FREE day!!

Yes, that's right. I have NOTHING scheduled for Saturday. No cross country meets, no traveling, no visits, no meetings--nothing but 24 hours of unscheduled bliss.

I have big plans for it, too. I'm listing them in no particular order:

1. Yoga pants. All day.
2. ESPN's College Gameday. Hours of commentary while I sip coffee and smile.
3. Dips, dips, and more dips to snack on while watching college football games. (I'm thinking hot black bean dip, buffalo chicken dip, and maybe some guacamole. All to be eaten while I'm in my yoga pants.)
4. A random nap. Maybe two.
5. No chores. Repeat that. NO CHORES.
6. Snacking on Halloween candy.

I might catch up on my reading. I might not. All I know is I haven't had a day off in months, and I'm super excited to make the most of this one.

Do you have big plans this weekend? Share!!

Have a terrific day!!

What's for Dinner? Crock Pot Roast Pork

Now that school is back in, I plan one or two slow-cooked meals each week. When I create our meal list, my mind blanks. I can think of one recipe, tops. Well, I'm not making the same Crock Pot meal every week! But what to make? My recipes use only a few ingredients and are simple to prepare.

Today's dinner is Crock Pot Roast Pork with carrots, onions, and potatoes.

Unlike good chefs, I do not brown my meat before popping that bad boy in the slow cooker. Nope, I toss a bag of baby carrots into the Crock Pot, chop an onion and throw that in too. Sometimes I peel and slice potatoes and add them to the mix. Then I shake salt and pepper over the raw roast, place it over the veggies, add 1/2 to 3/4 cup of water and a chicken bouillon cube, cover it, set the heat to low, and walk away for 8-10 hours.

It's beautiful. A fully-cooked meal awaits us that night. The meat falls apart--so tender and delicious. I use a slotted spoon to transfer the vegetables to a bowl. Often I make a quick gravy with the juice, just depends on how I feel.

Other slow-cooked meals I adore? Chili (which takes a little more time to prepare since I do brown the meat!), chicken thighs, roast beef, pulled pork, sloppy joes, turkey breast, and saucy pork chops.

What are you making for dinner? Do you ever use a slow-cooker?

Have a terrific day!

What I Learned From The Color Run

My teenage daughter runs cross country every fall. Before the official start of the season, she decided to participate in The Color Run with a girlfriend. She'd been looking forward to this for weeks, but deep muscle strain in her foot forced her in a "boot" and on the couch for two weeks. No race for her.

The ticket was non-refundable, so I had it transferred in my name. I figured I could walk it. I couldn't find a friend to join me on such short notice. My hubby agreed at the last minute, but registration had closed. Thankfully I was able to register him when I picked up my race packet!

We didn't get as much color as many racers--we opted not to join the color explosion after the race!

Did my husband want to run this 5k? No. He took one look at the shirt, headband, and temporary tattoos and blanched. He wasn't a happy camper. I tried on my gear, at which point my daughter forbade me from wearing the headband. Naturally, I wore it anyway.

Race day came Saturday morning. I'm a little spazzy so I insisted we leave over an hour early to get a parking spot. When we arrived downtown, we missed our planned parking lot, got a little chippy with each other, drove around, and finally parked. Our neighbors parked there too! A quick round of picture-taking ensued before we headed to the starting point.

The first thing I learned was people take their attire seriously. Tutus, striped socks, colored tights, pigtails--you name it--runners had their happy clothes on! Everyone wore the headband. Yay! I fit in!

The next thing I learned? A good friend warned me not to do the pre-race Zumba. I mean, it was early, cold, and we were preparing to run a 5k. More exercise? No thanks. :)

I left most of my belongings in the car, but I needed my phone in case our kids had an emergency. Wish I would have thought to slip it in a plastic baggie, though.

As the start time approached, my hubby and I joined the crowd in the street. We whooped and yelled with everyone else. Our plan was to walk the entire thing, but most participants started the race running. We opted to alternate between jogging and walking.

We loved the low-key vibe. After the initial surge, most people walked the course. And having colored powder flung at you? Pretty fun! Music blared throughout the race, and it was really cool to see the gorgeous architecture in downtown Toledo.

Five kilometers flew by. Yes, my legs grew tight from lack of stamina, but my hubby and I were proud of ourselves for pushing through and running roughly half of it. After we crossed the finish line, we met up with our neighbors again and took pictures. I'm so proud of next-door neighbor (and good friend!) for running the whole course! Yay, Debbie!!

The biggest thing I learned from running The Color Run? How fun it was to do something new with my husband. We both had a blast. We even enjoyed the "happy" clothes and paint being tossed at us. This was hands-down my favorite date in years. I can't wait to do it again next year, and this time, we're training for it!

Have you ever run a 5k race? If yes, what did you like about it? If no, would you consider running one?

Have an amazing day!

School Starts Next Week

This summer felt like a bust. We didn't go on our annual camping trip. The weather has been lukewarm all month. Sports' practices have prevented us from sleeping in for six weeks, maybe longer. What's summer without going to a pool and getting extra sleep?

All this adds up to me desperately clinging to the last bits of summer. I don't want it to slip from my grasp! When I do? Fall will be here (and I do love fall), then cold weather, Christmas, and a long, long winter. I'll miss our days full of sunshine and flip-flops.

Anyway, the impending school year means shopping, registration, pictures, meetings, worries about classes, and more shopping. If you have younger children at home, it also means sibling fights of epic proportions and a general desire to ship the kids to boarding school for the year.

I always, always sigh a huge sigh of relief the first day when I have those glorious silent hours back. And much as I dread leaving lovely summer behind, I'm ready to get back to my schedule. Call me selfish, ambitious, dedicated--whatever!--but I miss being alone to work on my writing.

In the meantime, we'll visit the ice cream joint, fit a few fun things in the afternoons, and relax. Summer isn't over yet!

Are you ready for a change in seasons?

Have a terrific weekend!!

Did Summer Derail Your Writing Progress?

Has it been weeks since you added words to your novel? Or revised? Or started a story idea?

Is your heart racing? Does a feeling of dread at your lack of progress eat at your stomach?

I know. Whenever I take more than three days off from a writing project, I panic. Let's just say I've been high strung a lot lately! My usual summer writing schedule hit the skids in early July due to new sports' obligations. My daughter joined a runner's group. My son started weight-training. And now that August is here, they both have mandatory cross-country and football practices every morning.

Instead of acting like a normal human being, I had a series of ridiculous thoughts looping around my brain constantly.

I'm wasting my whole summer in the car and I have nothing to show for it!
I should be working on a new plot.
I should be scheduling my day better.
The house is a disaster. Why is the house always a disaster??
Why is there an appointment/meeting/practice every five minutes?
I'm getting nothing done! And I'm not even having fun!

After about a week of that nonsense, I mentally slapped myself. Then I wrote down every writing-related thing I'd accomplished since June 1. I was shocked at how much I HAD gotten done! And knowing I'd completed quite a few tasks gave me the push I needed to start a new project.

This week has been crazy. But I brainstormed character names during a walk Wednesday night. I squeezed in three short sessions of Pinterest searches for the right hero and heroine. I told myself five to fifteen minutes here and there are better than nothing.

Thankfully, I had three full hours yesterday afternoon to relax and work. Did I take a twenty-minute nap? You betcha! Did I work on my new plot the rest of the time? Yes!

Next week will be busy too, but I'm setting small goals for each day. School will be back in session before I know it, and writing will take top priority. Until then? I'm trying to chill out!

Do you get more done in the summer? Less? What season seems to be the best time for you to work?

Have a fantastic weekend!

Where Do You Shop for Home Decor?

Yesterday I cleaned. Not the kind of clean where you sit back and smile, thinking how wonderful everything looks. No, I cleaned one wall of cupboards inside and out from top to bottom. Then the floor was so disgusting, I couldn't take it, so I swept and mopped. The dust made me cringe. I vacuumed and dusted too.

This is always a good reward for cleaning. :)

I sat down, looked around, and started mentally redecorating. We recently remodeled our half bathroom, and it has bare walls. A pretty picture would make a world of difference in there! Our living room feels a little stale. Some inexpensive accessories and this place would shine.

Which led me to wondering where to buy these items. I'm pretty hit or miss about shopping. It's rare for me to actually go out and shop with something in mind for the house. I tend to fall in love with an item when I'm shopping for the kids.

My favorite decorations have come from Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, TJ Maxx, and Hobby Lobby. One day soon I'll take a few hours to shop. In the meantime, I'd appreciate suggestions. Any fresh ideas for me? Thanks!

Where do you shop for home decor?

For my American friends, have a wonderful Fourth of July!! I'll be taking a blog break until next Wednesday. See you then!!

Overwhelmed on Monday

Things have been piling up at my house. Magazines. Bills. Dishes. Outgrown clothes. Beach towels. You name it, we have a pile for it!

Then there are the to-do's. The laundry. Groceries. Returning the library books. Sports' practices. Dog vaccinations. You know what I'm talking about!

I let a lot of things simmer on the back burner last month, and this morning they all glared at me. Accusations whispered, "How could you let so much dust settle? The ridiculous pile of junk mail and bills must be conquered immediately. And don't even think about relaxing until you get groceries. You need to get everything done. Today!"

But...but I can't get all that done! Not without my coffee!!

My day planner and a mini-yellow legal pad sits next to me. I'm not wasting another minute beating myself up about all of the waiting chores and tasks. And I'm not trying to get it all done in one day, either. No, I'm scheduling it all. And I'm delegating anything I can!

See? Now I can lounge on the couch for an hour with my dog and my coffee, guilt free! Ahh...

Do you get overwhelmed on Monday? How do you get through it?

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I Know School's Almost Out When...

I know school's almost out when...

1. I debate if the kids really need a lunch before slapping peanut butter on bread and tossing random pantry items into the bag. These meals aren't good, folks.

2. My pale skin scares me in the mirror. Haven't had time to soak the Vitamin D in, but summer clothes are on my body. It's like staring at a car accident. Can't look away, but you're cringing the whole time.

3. I ask, "Do you have homework?" and walk out of the room before they reply.

4. Bedtime for my youngest pushes back so far, he's staying up as late as I am.

5. I actually considered not setting the alarm last night. As if it's an option? Where is my head at??

6. I'm mentally planning all our day trips to the beach, an afternoon at the zoo, a tour of the art museum, but forgetting all the "I'm bored" declarations coming soon.

7. The stack of books and magazines I bring home from the library is twice the normal size.

8. Every meal involves the crock pot, a sandwich item, or comes from a freezer bag. Baseball. Summer. No time to cook.

What says School's Almost Out to you?

Have a fantastic weekend!!

The Teavana Incident

My daughter and I had a rare free Saturday so we decided to drive up to Ann Arbor (home of University of Michigan--Go Blue!!) for some shopping. I scored a sundress from the clearance rack in the first store, and we continued our quest, stopping for free samples at Teavana.

I've never walked into a Teavana store before, but when workers start handing out tiny cups with tea, I'm in! We tried four or five teas, oohed-and-ahhed over the adorable teapots and cups--okay, I was the one oohing over them--and shuffled to the back to buy some loose tea.

We'd tried these little tea balls that blossom into flowers when you brew them. Flowers unfurling with hot water? Oh yeah! They were adorable!

I asked about the prices. The little peach flowering balls were $18.98 for the minimum purchase of two ounces. I'm "frugal" (aka, cheap!), so there was no way I was spending twenty bucks for roughly eight tea balls. We really enjoyed some spicy Oprah tea. The clerk held a canister that said $6.98. I could do that. We ordered the minimum and searched for disposable tea bags.

Five minutes later we were checking out. The price seemed higher than I expected, but I had a stroller bumping into my leg, so I signed for it and accepted my receipt.

$14.98 for the tea? What??

I asked about the price and didn't understand the explanation. We took our teensy-tiny bag of tea and left. My daughter and I immediately went into sleuth mode, trying to figure out how seven dollars worth of tea became fifteen. She's urging me to return it, I'm telling her no, but I WILL complain about it for a good five years. Maybe more!

We laughed and complained about that stupid tea the rest of the day. When store after store yielded only high-waisted short-shorts and tribal shirts, we both got discouraged. I declared it our Teavana Attitude.

I'm still shaking my head at spending a small fortune on tea, but it gave us some good laughs.

Have you ever paid a much higher price for something than you planned? Did you get over it?

Have a fabulous day!

Mother's Day Guilt

Should be so simple, right? Honor the moms in our life one Sunday each May. Easy!

Well...

My life hiking in front of me. I'm always a few steps behind!

This holiday is a toughy. On one hand I'm blessed with an incredible mother. My mom and I have weathered a lot this year, having to make hard decisions about my dad and navigate the life upheaval that comes with it. The sacrifices she's made, the love she's filled with, and her strong faith impress me every day. And I'm blessed with a wonderful mother-in-law who has always gone out of her way to make me feel loved. The moms in my life deserve to be honored!

But we live a few hours away from both sets of parents. We also have sports and church commitments most weekends, making it difficult to visit. Therefore, we sent our moms cards this year and called them. Do I feel guilty not taking them out for a big breakfast, showing up on their porches with pretty hanging baskets of flowers, and giving them hugs yesterday?

Yes!!

Then there's the other guilt-inducer surrounding this holiday. My peers. Yes, I've been beyond blessed with two children. One even got her driver's license last Friday. My kids are growing up but they'll always be my babies. However, I'm all too aware of friends who struggled with infertility or lost precious babies to miscarriages. Worse, there are parents in our area who recently lost teens. I can't imagine the pain they're suffering.

While we're on the subject, Mother's Day can be brutal for anyone who has lost a mother or is estranged from a mom or child. I wouldn't blame someone for spending the day in bed.

I'm saluting all the women in my life. Single, married, moms or not--you all make my life better and I appreciate you!!

Do you suffer from Mother's Day guilt?

Have a wonderful day!

What Are You Waiting For?

Five romance novels, seven extra pounds, a stack of magazines, dirty kitchen cabinets, a messy office, winter shoes, a manuscript to polish, my daughter's drive time to qualify for her license--last week I stared down many things I planned to "get to" at some point last month. Yeah, my life has been crazy lately (what's new?) with extra responsibilities and not enough time or energy for the regular routine, let alone the additional tasks. But did that mean I should completely give up? Pretend the to-do's on my list didn't exist?

Of course not!

I'd read a book on organizing my life earlier in the year, and some of the advice roared back. Life wasn't going to accommodate me with big chunks of time. I was going to have to chip away at the issues.

The first thing I did was ask myself what was bothering most on the list? Easy! Two things jumped out at me.

1. My weight
2. My manuscript

Next up?

3. Drive time for my daughter
4. Romance novels (I'd agreed to read each of them)
5. Everything else

I work on my manuscript every weekday, but I mapped out a clear end date with target goals for the remaining steps I needed to take to finish it. As for my weight, I want to be toned, so I committed to twenty minutes of exercise six days a week.

Then I smooshed the other things into the days I don't have to drive my son to baseball or my daughter to track. A few of them I haven't gotten to yet (winter shoes and dirty kitchen cabinets might wait a long time), but I feel so much better now that I'm making progress, I'm okay with having a few danglers!

Sometimes I get behind because life overwhelms me, but when I make a plan and tackle things a little here a little there, they get done. We don't have to wait for a huge block of free time. Let's face it, that big old hunk of time might not happen for months! The slowly-but-surely method works great. Try it!

What are you waiting for?

Have a terrific weekend!!

Spring, Sports, and Sweat

Gorgeous weather in April? Yes, the weekend was marvelous, windy but warm. Birds sang, daffodils waved, and bunnies darted about in our backyard.

Since summer and *gasp* shorts are right around the corner, I added jogging to my exercise routine. I say routine lightly because it's more random than an actual schedule. It depends on the weather, the day, who needs to be where when, and if I'm exhausted or not. I power-walked and jogged twice this week. Not great, but something. :)

Last week kicked off both my kids' spring sports seasons. My daughter runs track, and the first meet was Tuesday night. At home games, I usually volunteer, and I was on stopwatch duty. Let me tell you, timing to place is a lot harder than timing a lane. It stressed me out!

I had to time the fourth place runner, which means trying to figure out the fourth person who crosses the finish line. The 100-mile dash? Horrifying! All the runners cross the line together. But the other volunteer parents made the event fun, and I got through the three hour meet with only one mistake and my lower back in knots.

My son's first baseball game was Saturday. The team we played had a big opening day ceremony for their program. They had the Toledo Mudhens mascot, Muddy, come out to throw the first pitch, someone sang the national anthem, and they introduced all of the players on each team for all four fields. We had a terrific time!

If you're a sports mom, you know the mom-jitters a new season brings. I always enjoy week two a bit more than week one, and by the last game of the season, I'm more than ready for a break. Being gone up to four nights a week and every other weekend gets hectic. Sometimes I hope for thunderstorms so we can have a normal night at home. That's terrible but it's true!

How was your weekend? Does it feel like spring where you live? Our temperatures are going to drop to the high forties, low fifties the rest of the week, so I'll be back in my sweaters.

Have a terrific day!

Rainy Days are Good Days

Last Thursday around 11am ~

Raindrops splash against the pavement, compose a drum solo against the roof of my car. I'm in the high school parking lot, waiting for my daughter to finish track practice. I've called my mom, texted a friend, and sketched out my plan for the day. Stan Getz plays mellow jazz on my stereo.

Although a dozen to-do's clamor for top billing in my head, I tune them out. There's something lovely about a wet, early spring day, and the way brown and gray branches contrast with the drippy white of the sky.

I imagine steaming mugs of coffee or tea, cozy blankets, cracks of laughter with my sister. A fluffy cat on my lap, the latest Karen Witemeyer novel in my hand.

But I'm in a parking lot, and I don't mind. I'll spend a focused hour later to catch up on my revisions. My son will go laser-tagging with a bunch of buddies, and I'll drive my daughter to the mall. We've been cooped up all spring break, and we're eager to escape.

For now, I relax into the music, watch the rain, and breathe.

Do rainy days speak to your soul?

Have an amazing Monday!

Saving Money at the Warehouse Club

As a stay at home mom I'm always looking for easy ways to maintain our lifestyle while saving money. One tool in my frugal kit is the warehouse club. We are members of Sam's Club, but I've been a member of Costco too, and I find them to be similar in price and products.

Sam's Club typically costs $45/year for a basic membership, while Costco is about $50/year.

I don't have a scientific method to my madness, but I do have a head for numbers and a desire to get a good deal. Prices fluctuate around the country. Something that is a bargain for me might not be a bargain for you. The key is to price check at various stores.

An assortment of items at the warehouse club are great values while many others cost more than the grocery store. Yes, you're buying in bulk, so if you don't bake much, the ten pound bag of flour won't make sense for you. Also, you need a place to store your overflow. If storage is tight, a warehouse club is not your friend. (I recommend Aldi's as the best quality and cheapest bare-bones grocery store for non-name brands.)

What I buy at the warehouse club:

1. Spices and baking supplies. Corn starch, bouillon cubes, flour, sugar, vanilla, taco seasoning, chili powder--I buy it all here for about half the price of the local grocery stores.

2. Toilet paper and paper towels. If you have a coupon and hit a sale, you'll find these products cheaper at your local grocery store. But if you're busy and want a high quality product, buy the warehouse brand (Kirkland or Member's Mark). I like their brands better than the store brands!

3. Razor blades and shampoo. Addicted to your Venus razor? The razor cartridges quickly sent me into sticker shock. Buying them in bulk at Sam's costs half of what they run at our local grocery stores. Half!! Razors alone pay the cost of my membership within a few months. Also, shampoo and conditioner is way cheaper if you buy the big bottles.

4. Trash bags, laundry detergent, dishwasher tabs. The savings isn't as great as on the razor blades, but it's still worth it.

5. Butter, cheese, cream. I bought four packages of butter (four sticks per package) for less than $7.49 yesterday. One package is $2.99 around here. That's a savings of $4.47.

6. Ground beef, chicken breasts, other meats. This really depends on the area you live in. Ground beef is a dollar per pound cheaper and chicken breasts are about forty to fifty cents a pound cheaper. The meat is high quality too.

7. Drink boxes. Capri Suns (in a four pack) average $1.65 a box. Our grocery stores sell them for $2.00 and $2.19. It adds up.

8. Name brand coffee. I grind my own when I'm there. A 2.5 pound bag of Bigby coffee costs a mere $12.98. That's a lot of coffee for the price.

9. Frozen snacks. If you have a house full of growing kids and teens, check out the frozen snack section at the warehouse club. Pizza rolls, hot pretzels, Bagel Bites, corn dogs--everything unhealthy and yummy--can be found cheaper here.

10. Magazines. Like to buy individual magazines? They're 30% off. Score!

While there are tons of great deals, there are also plenty of items that cost more.

I don't buy:

a. Soda. Way more expensive to buy name-brand soda at the warehouse club. Hit the sales at your grocery store.
b. Bakery items, except for homemade buns or french bread.
c. Fruit. Fruit looks wonderful at the warehouse club, but it's usually more cost-effective to buy this at your local market.
d. Bread and bagels. Maybe my perception is off, but our grocery store sells these products cheaper even when they aren't on sale.
e. Anything in a large package that I won't use. What good is a vat of salad dressing if I have to throw 3/4 of it away?

When my kids were babies, I bought diapers at Sam's Club. I don't know if they are still less expensive at the warehouse club or not. You'd have to look into it.

I'm sure I've missed things! If you're strategic, compare prices, and buy what you know you'll use, a warehouse club membership can be a terrific addition to your frugal toolbox.

Do you ever shop at Sam's Club or Costco? What are your tips?

Have a great day!!

One Minute Vacay: Private Oasis

Every December I'm giddy about Christmas, but I'm also overwhelmed by all the extra tasks on my to-do list. I find myself needing more breaks. Less frenzied hours. Do I actually take these breaks? Debatable.

All month we'll be taking one minute vacations on my blog, and that's good enough for me!

Up first?

A private oasis. Yes, I fantasize about spending a day, week, or month (take your pick!) in a valley with waterfalls and sunshine. I'm partial to snorkeling gear, comfy lounge chairs, plenty of chips and salsa, ice-cold drinks, and hot, gourmet meals. The meals just kind of appear. Isn't that nice?

And if I'm relaxing in the valley, I'm taking my husband with me. And a stack of books. :)

Oooh, look, a rainbow!

Mmm...romantic!

Photo by portobaytrade

Hey, I'm less stressed already! Here, have a fruity, frozen beverage.

Cheers!
Photo by alexbrn

Ahh...I feel better already. :)

Do you ever dream about a private oasis? What would you take with you?

Have a wonderful day!

Handbag Hoopla! Guest Post by Jenny Sulpizio

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Jenny Sulpizio, author of Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe: On a Mission to Save Sanity, One Mom at a Time. I loved Jenny's book! Funny, faith-filled, with tons of tips--it's perfect for Christian moms. (My review is listed later in the post.) Jenny agreed to share an excerpt. So grab a cup of coffee and enjoy Jenny's advice about handbags!

Handbag Hoopla

(An excerpt from “Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe: On a Mission to Save Sanity, One Mom at a Time.”)

Gosh. If there’s one thing we moms have a lot of these days, it’s got to be an overabundance of stuff. It fills up our cars, homes…and especially those handbags we’re forced to carry. Indeed, our purses have become magnets for lost trinkets, unexplained junk, and loads of other useless items that can’t help but make us wonder how they even got there in the first place.

Chances are, if you’re a purse-toting mom like me, you’ve found yourself bombarded by the overwhelming contents of your oversized handbag on more than one occasion. And with all this junk taking up valuable space within our purse(s), it’s no wonder we can’t locate important items when we need to.

So what are moms like us supposed to do?

In an effort to get our satchels under control, and avoid being swallowed (whole) by the contents within them, check out these tips to get that purse of yours clean, organized, and functional:

1. Go smaller: As we’ve already learned, bigger isn’t always better…especially when it comes to our purses. Think small after all.

2. Clean your clutch: Often and all the time. Rid yourself of old receipts, used tissues (ew!), and the likes. Make it sparkle!

3. Stock it: Stock your purse with only the essentials you’ll need. We’re talking a wallet, cell phone, a feminine hygiene item or two, some antibacterial goo, and that’s it. No more, no less.

4. Pick pocket: Designate specific areas in your purse for holding important items. For example, always place your wallet, cell phone, and keys in their assigned areas. Major sanity-saver here, girls!

5. Go new: If your purse has been to war and has the battle scars to prove it, it may be time to invest in a new one. Or, if your current handbag just isn’t doing the job, looks like it’s time to go shopping. Remember friends--finding a purse that will work for you and your needs is of utmost importance. Don’t be afraid to spend a little bit of money in this area. You’ll be happy you did.

***

Jenny Lee Sulpizio is a wife and mother of three who enjoys writing about anything and everything under the sun, but especially loves to instruct, motivate, and guide other moms with practical advice, tips, and a whole lot of comic relief in the process. Jenny is a contributing writer for The MOB Society and Moms Together, and is the author of the recently released guide for all mamas titled, “Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe: On a Mission to Save Sanity, One Mom at a Time.” To find out more about Jenny or to follow her blog, visit www.jennyleesulpizio.com. Connect with Jenny on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!

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My review of Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe: FIVE STARS!!

The breezy style and solid advice in this self-help book for Christian moms had me laughing, nodding, and taking notes. Ms. Sulpizio shares her struggles, her hard-earned wisdom, and all of her tricks in this lovely book. Moms of small children will appreciate the chapters on finding time for themselves, and moms of all ages can pick up tips about taking care of ourselves, organizing, and saving money.

I appreciated the resources included--websites to help us figure out our body shape, lists of must-haves in the car, etc...

Prayer is a major theme--just as it is in my life. We can't be perfect, but we can take our struggles to God.

Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe is a must-read for Christian moms!

(I received an advanced reader copy with no obligation to review this book. All opinions are my own.)

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Alright, so let’s have some fun. Tell me the first three items you find after reaching into your handbag right now (include your email address) and get entered to win a copy of “Confessions of a Wonder Woman Wannabe.” Ready? Go!

**Must be a U.S. citizen and 18 years or older to enter. Winner will be randomly selected from qualifying entries.**

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Thank you, Jenny, for being such a fun guest!

Have a terrific day!!

Consignment Shop: Fail!

Yesterday, I lugged a few bags of outgrown clothes to two consignment shops. Both are in a plaza about twenty minutes from my house, so instead of going home, I decided to wait out the hour and a half, browsing the other stores.

The first shop accepted none of the clothes. Surprising, since at least two items had been worn between zero and one time. Demoralized, I popped into Little Caesars to grab a $5 pizza (hello, lunch!), and texted my woes to a friend until the other store was ready for me. This time I earned $16.50 for around seven items. One of these was a brand new shirt for which I paid $14.95 pre-tax.

Yes, this was neglect on my part. Let's just say a certain child of mine clipped the tags, decided the sleeves were too short (he has long arms), and rather than promptly return the item, I let the tag-less shirt and receipt languish in my closet until the grace period ended.

As organized as I am, I've had many, many clothing fails for my family. Sometimes I buy the wrong size or style. Instead of taking an hour and returning the item, I get lazy and pretend it will magically skip back on its own. Hasn't happened yet, but I'm still hoping. Recovering some of the money back through consignment seemed like a good idea. It wasn't.

Between the lost time, the cost of the pizza, and the miniscule cash back, I consider the venture a failure.

From now on, I'm donating everything to charity. :)

Have you ever tried to consign items? Do you cringe at the "fails" you part ways with?

Have a terrific Wednesday!

Are You a Morning Person?

I'm starting to think there is a time limit on how long you can try to turn into a morning person. Well, technically I haven't "tried" to become one, but since school forces me out of bed at six am (has for years), I figured my body would naturally switch to liking mornings. Guess I thought wrong!

The sound of the alarm forces me out of blissful slumber and one of two things happen: my eyes dart open in fear or I can't force those babies open for the life of me. What gets me out of bed? The promise of coffee. Lots of coffee.

I enjoy waking up to sunlight. Feeling rested instead of groggy. Not having to immediately hit-the-ground-running. Sitting in my pajamas. Nursing that pot of coffee.

School started yesterday for my kids. Mornings are now a workout in themselves. Get up. Get dressed. Make sure the kids are moving. Do something with my hair. Take the dog out. Start the coffee. Make lunches. Clean any remaining dishes and sweep the floor. Maybe make some breakfast. Maybe not. Remind kids about afternoon events. Wave goodbye to them. Grab my first cup of coffee. Sink into the couch with a smile on my face.

The house is mine again! Silence. Love it!

Maybe mornings aren't so bad after all. :)

Are you a morning person?

Have a fab weekend!!

The End of Summer Tipping Point

All week I've ignored my office. I've also gulped my way through back-to-school shopping. I've tried to soothe my kids' anxieties about a new school year, new sports teams, and various other uncertainties. I've eaten more candy than I should have. Drank a few Cokes too many.

This morning I woke and knew I'd hit the tipping point, the place in my inner-being that yells, "Get it together, woman!"

The dishwasher never fits all the dishes during the summer and a zucchini waits on the sill.

No more fretting!
The piles and dirt in my office can be tamed.
The kids will be back in school late next week and they will be fine.
It may take me twenty-five years to pay off school supplies and I don't care.

The counters always contain bits of cheese, random utensils, and empty containers in the summer. I have no explanation.

Shaking my fist in the air and declaring, "I will prevail," sounds kind of dumb and over dramatic, but I am doing it anyway. The little stresses in life can really add up to a knot in my gut if I don't take action.

God has a better plan! Sheesh!

I get like this every year before school starts. After a summer with dirty counter-tops, piles here, piles there, a constant cycle of dishes and laundry, and a house shared with kids, I'm ready for my quiet routine.