Nesting Like Crazy

Is it just me or are any of the rest of you nesting like nuts? I am in EXTREME de-clutter mode. Maybe I’m mentally preparing to visit my mother who is the Queen of Clutter. In anticipation of ripping out carpet and putting in a new wood floor – I just cleaned out the China cupboard. What a bunch of C-R-A-P I have in there! Today Mommy is going to play keep-or-toss with many glass, metal, and ceramic goodies. Yard sale anyone?

What are you doing to get the new year started off right?

Best Homemade Gift Ever: Rice Sock

When I was pregnant with my daughter, my doula made me a rice sock. This is one of the best gifts I have ever received. I understand physical therapists recommend these a lot. When you heat the rice in the microwave, you get moist heat that lasts quite a while. I use it every time my neck or back is hurting. Even if I’m just cold I’ll nuke it up and put it in bed while I’m brushing my teeth or wrap it around my neck while I’m working at the computer. (It really is best that I work at home now.)

My sock is kind of skanky. It’s only the second one I’ve had since my daughter was born eight years ago. I’ve been thinking about making a new one, and then I read this post about making rice socks from finger tip towels instead of socks. And then I thought about the Linens and Things next to my house that’s going out of business. But THEN I remembered the handy remnant box at my favorite fabric store!

Don’t you think some great chenille would make the BEST rice socks ever?
And seriously, do you think that’s a good gift? Or will people just think I’m a freak. And cheap?

This post was inspired by Klutz for Parent Bloggers!

What Did You Do Today?

As a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom, I have to admit it can annoy me when my husband innocently asks ‘What did you do today?’ My mind immediately tries to find things that sound productive. Where are my results? Sometimes I find myself at a loss for words (no, really). What did I do? Exercised, wrote, cleaned, fed people. I worked! Of course, it also annoys me when he doesn’t ask about my day… Oh, the joy of hormones.

Today I am ready:

• folded laundry
• spot cleaned the carpet
• wrote about smooth mornings
• went to the eye doctor
• made smart remarks
• took a dance class
• worked on the novel
• helped with homework
• made dinner

What did YOU do today?

What Gets You Through?

Parent Bloggers Network is asking bloggers this weekend what they can’t live without. What are the modern conveniences that get us through the day. Honestly, I’ve been thinking about it and there are just too many to mention. I would say the microwave, but then where does that leave the crock pot? And my coffee maker – really, where would I be without that trusty friend? In a heap on the couch watching Joy rip Elizabeth a new one that’s where!

A friend of mine in Houston is suffering the after effects of Ike. She still doesn’t have electricity. I guess that’s sort of a must have. Modern conveniences are so pervasive, I can’t pick just one. However, because they’re promoting Yoplait yogurt, I’m going to go with a food theme. So here’s my list of must haves:

• tortillas and shredded cheese (because mama don’t like to grate) – these simple ingredients plus the aforementioned microwave mean equals independent after school snacking
• string cheese – the girl will not touch any kind of cheese that is touching something else, but cannot live without tubular mozzarella
• Wal-Mart pizzas – these are the best you can buy from the store, just as good as delivery and about a third the cost. I always have a couple on hand – for Friday nights when I don’t want to cook.

I’m off to the driveway!

Please write and tell me your must have conveniences. I need ideas!

By the way, you can get a coupon for $1.50 off a six pack of Yoplait here! Sweet deal!

Create More Habits

They say it takes 30 days for a behavior to stick, to become a habit you do without thinking. I can attest that some habits – like grabbing a handful of Doritos every time you pass the pantry – take considerably less time. However, the healthy and productive ones tend to take longer. Here are my top ‘created’ habits that get me through the monotonous motions of the day:

1. Get dressed in workout clothes.
I am at least 75% likely to exercise if I’m actually wearing the clothes. Otherwise I end up like today – it’s noon, I haven’t broken a sweat, and I’m embarrassed to check the mail because I’m still in PJs.

2. Empty the dishwasher and the dryer.
This is so cornbally/housewifey that I hate to admit it. The first thing I do in the morning (in my workout attire) is empty the dishwasher. That way the dirty stuff doesn’t land in the sink all day. I check the dryer. (The habit I haven’t yet mastered is to check the washer before bed to make sure I don’t leave stuff in there overnight to cultivate the mildew farm that is my laundry room.)

3. Clear to the granite.
I used to have a pile of permission slips, receipts, lip gloss, library books, and confiscated Nintendo DS’s on my kitchen counter at all times. It hid the pretty granite that accounts for at least $50 of the monthly mortgage payment. My habit? Clear off the landing pile every night as part of cleaning the kitchen. I so rock the housewife gig.

What keeps your life on track?

What Passes For Funny These Days

Last night my 10-year-old son put a post-it on his dad’s back while we were cleaning the kitchen.

Kick me.

Some jokes never get old. And they work at different levels. The kids think they are the originators of this hilarity and I get to crack up at my husband, who doesn’t yet know what’s going on, but is laughing at me laughing. We all get to kick.

Then we take turns with the post-it, slapping it on each other’s backs and wrestling it off. And kicking.

Of course, these things often don’t end well.

Settle down now, kids, my husband finally says.

Mom’s gonna pee.

Are You Ready?

The Bedding That Cost More Than My First Car

I have been spending my pin money lately making my humble home ever more homey. This is the bedding that cost more than my first car. While that’s not saying much, throw in the curtains and I’ve surpassed what I spent on my first two cars combined. That’s custom panels, dust ruffle, and Euro sham, plus coverlet and standard sham from Pottery Barn, and sheets from Bed, Bath, and Beyond – vs. one circa 1962 Datsun hatchback-that-didn’t-hatch (and only ran in fall spring) AND one circa 1971 Honda Civic that was more Bondo than paint.

On the bright side, the gorgeousness of this ensemble actually inspired my daughter to make her bed today – bed stripping Monday – sans sheets. Just because it’s pretty. I’m She’s worth it.

Overhead at Home: Shower Schmower

Me: Can you go take a shower now?

The Boy: Another one? This is ridiculous!

It’s the unreasonable things I demand – like more-often-than-once-a-month showers – that have contributed to my reputation as Mean Mom. Long live Mean Moms.

Some Women Even Fix Cars…

What can you do just as well as, if not better than, your man?

When I read that Parent Bloggers Network was looking for posts on this topic, I was like – what can’t I do! The list is long. For the last two years my husband has been traveling – a lot! I’ve had to take up some serious slack. I’ve been the sole provider of rides to hockey, piano, and golf, declined countless invitations to Girls Night Out, and even gave my son the birdy-bees talk. I have changed light bulbs and treaded the aisles of Home Depot for picture hanging hardware. I even bought a car without my husband. But one thing I would never ever attempt is vehicle maintenance. I realize I have it good. My husband takes care of the cars. If I had to learn how, I’m sure I could. I’m not sure I could say the same for my husband’s ability to plan menus, shop for groceries, or keep us all in clean clothes. (I’m such a housewife!)

For those of you who want or need to know how to take care of your auto, check out Ask Patty’s My Car Page. And pray for me that I’ll never have to use that link. There are not enough hours in my day.

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