Oh my word.

I was never a person that yelled. I can remember the first fight with my husband where I yelled and it felt so foreign. Like I had used muscles I had never used before. I have to say I don't like it. I don't like to raise my voice and I'm sure that I don't look very attractive when I am yelling. However, since having children I have found that I must raise my voice on different occasions mainly for their protection but also I must admit because I was down to only one nerve and I will be if they didn't get on it and do the hokey pokey.

Tonight was an evening like that. My first born is not in this at all it is all my second. The boys are watching football and so she wanted to do something girly so up we went. I tried several things none of which were acceptable so after a few I told her to choose and she yelled at me. Now. Have I yelled at her before? Yes. Not in excess but yes I have. Do I allow a child to talk to an adult in that manner? No. No I do not. So, I calmly explained that her behavior was unacceptable and that I would be in the next room until she decided to calm down so she screamed at me to go downstairs with the others and leave her alone and then commenced bawling sobbing if you will into her pillow.

Now, I am a firm believer in the only reason you cry is if you are physically hurt or someone has died. If you are crying to manipulate someone's feelings you are not going to get my attention. At least not my positive attention. So, after enough bellows and tears to start some sort of tidal wave I got her out of bed and washed her face and brushed her hair explaining the reasons to cry and was she either A. Bleeding or B. Dead. She looked at me very strangely and said no. So, I knew we were back on the right path.

What is it about children that you can love them so much and yet they can make you so completely crazy?!

This is another reason in a very long list that I decided to start my diet regime after the kids are back at school. I would be completely tiny if I weren't an emotional eater.

My sweet boy!

I wanted to write about my sweet son. I hope to never forget how he is at this age , but just in case I wanted to write it down.

If you were to meet my son in public he would probably not talk to you. It would be head down and if you asked him a question a mumbled answer would be the best you would get. However, the second that he is around familiar people it all changes. Little Mr. Introvert becomes a huge extrovert the second he is comfortable in his surroundings.

He loves to play and watch any kind of sport or competition. He listens to instruction and is militant about following it. He loves to tell jokes that are rarely funny or make sense. His handwriting and schoolwork are impeccable. He loves rules and follows them to the T. He loves all holidays. Especially Christmas!

The day after Thanksgiving he begins asking when we can start decorating for Christmas and on goes his ratty (I need to get him a new one) Santa hat. He wears it everywhere! He sings Christmas caroles constantly and if he doesn't know all of the words he makes up new ones. He takes great pride in finding the perfect gift for each and every family member and gets upset if he can't find it. This year we were looking for something Green Bay Packers for his Uncle Will. Just so you know the only thing in the entire town was a baseball hat (Uncle Will is not the baseball hat type) a girl's tshirt (I stress UNCLE Will) and a pair of children's tennis shoes. That was it. Online you say? No, it is all about the hunt or game or competition to find the best present ever.

I asked him once which was his favorite of all the holidays and of course Christmas was his answer. I worried that it was because of all the wrong reasons. I asked him to tell me why it was his favorite and all of his answers had nothing to do with getting. His answer was I love to decorate and everyone seems so happy and the baking and the time with family and the candlelight service at church and it is just so much fun mommy! So, this year I am proud to say that I learned from my boy. I didn't let the season stress me out. I just let all that is Christmas happen and it was wonderful. Merry Christmas Everyone! and Happy Birthday Jesus!

Like little snowflakes from heaven!

If you're reading this and don't know me I need you to understand something about me. I am not a splurger by nature. I am a clearance rack lovin, deal findin', cheap mama that knows a good thing when she sees it. So, when I first heard about this place that only sold cupcakes and said cupcakes were $3 a piece I was all about running my mouth and saying $3?! $3?! You have got to be kidding me why would I pay $3 for a cupcake when I can make 2 dozen for about the same price.

Now, my mama raised me right. When I am wrong I admit that I am wrong and that is why I am writing this lovely confessional today. A couple of months ago someone had brought these little round treasures to a class party at my children's school. Now, kids not knowing a good thing when they see it had a couple leftover and they were sitting in the teacher workroom all creamy and beautiful like. They had come from this store called "The Cup" some might remember it as the Cupcakery it is on Kingston Pike in the Bearden area and they are about to open a new location in Turkey Creek, but never fear if you don't live in Tennessee there are more locations than just this look it up on line.

I sat there for awhile watching the box, finishing my task at hand. I finally stood up and walked over. There were two left. I decided to not be greedy and cut one in half loudly proclaiming how I would never spend $3 on a cupcake but since they were free....ONE BITE. One bite is all it took to change me from skeptic to believer. It took every ounce of control that I had to not go back and grab my other half and the other leftover to boot, but I didn't. Mainly because my loudness had called others to the wonderfulness and they were gone.

The second thing you need to know about me is when I obsess about something it is not a pretty thing. So it wasn't long before I had to see it for myself. The shop is absolutely adorable. Tranquil and serene with people that work there that understand the art of customer service. They actually talk to you and smile! Of course, why wouldn't they, they work in a cupcake shop if they didn't smile I would truly be worried about them. My first visit was just an excuse to see, a box of 6 for a friend. My second visit was a field trip with my kids 3 cupcakes and 3 glass bottle cokes. Are you kidding me? Glass bottle cokes! Does this place know my every thought? Glass bottle cokes are another one of my happy places but that is another story all together.

So, if you are down, or happy, or mad, or whatever your emotion is this place is going to do you good! I even took myself because I was a good girl at the doctor's office. The white, silver and pale green interior with clean lines and sweet smells is just what the brain needs to reboot. Go by yourself, take a friend, take a date. Believe me people I wouldn't steer you wrong. The Cup. You seriously need to go there!

What role were you cast in?

Have you ever thought of your life as a made for TV mini-series? Well, depending on how long you live I guess it would be more of a trilogy type movie thing but you get my drift. If you had a camera following you around every day of your life what role would you play? Now, it is all about you so you would automatically assume that you are going to be the lead. Not so fast Roger it might not be like that at all! You will be in every scene sure but you might be more of an extra or possibly a lamp. Depends entirely on you!

Are you the victim? The one that, in your mind only, no one likes, everyone hates, everything always happens to you? Well, that is your choice! I say pick something else. Let's see who is in this flick...

The blonde buxom bimbo. You could be her! You don't even really have to dye your hair or be big chested or for that matter be a bimbo. It is all acting!

The hero! Everyone wants to be the hero! You could be the coffee hero! Show up a little early to make sure the coffee is made for your coworkers maybe even bring in some special flavorings or sprinkles to make everyone's day a little brighter. Make it a weekly thing where you have a theme. Island - coconut Holiday - peppermint Monday - straight up caffeine!

The fairy. Do little nice things without people knowing it was you. Clean up the restroom area maybe bring in nice lotions or tissues for others to enjoy. Put dry ice in the toilets for a creepy effect. (Don't do this. I tried it. While it is hysterical every time you flush I'm pretty sure it messes up plumbing.)

The mother. Keep a first aid kit or candy on your desk so that people know if they need something you are more than prepared. If you like to cook do a theme thing. Have fun with it. Where I used to work we would sign up for breakfast fridays and everyone would bring something in. A single guy, on his morning, brought cold pizza and root beer. YUM!! and hysterical!

Just pick something. If you are going to your work, doing your job, leaving and wondering why you have no friends and everyone hates you WAKE UP!! They don't hate you they don't anything you. People don't have time for that stuff! It takes everything some people have to get dressed and going in the morning and yet they can still be pleasant and not make every little thing about them!

Let's say the world is a boat and the boat is sinking. There are lifeboats and people are helping other's into them out of the water. Now, are you waving your hands and saying HEY! Look over here. I'm freezing and about to drown? or are you just bobbing there on the wave waiting for them to come over to you and realize that you need help? I have news people they think you are dead and they are looking for survivors!

Take today. Imagine that it is a movie you are watching. Would you change the channel?

I'm still big.

So, the whole do a 5K by New Years thing is not going so well. You know how people that drink are really fun to be around until they stop drinking? Well, that is me with food. You take away my sugar and I am not a nice person at all and the headache that I am having is not a fun ship cruise either.

I'm not giving up don't get me wrong. My doctor has informed me that if I will just eat less and exercise more I should be okay.....DUH!!!! I wanted to ask him if he paid all that money to learn that in medical school because I could have given him that semester for free!!! It is not that easy!!! It is a whole chemical, emotional, stressful conscious decision to eat better and take time out for yourself and if you are a person that is not used to doing that it is not easy!!!

I am going to try again this week. I want to be better. It isn't just about being slim it is about feeling better and being healthier. I would pick the holidays to start...stupid...stupid...stupid. Wish me luck!!!

Stress Much?

You know when you are a stay at home mom you forget just how different people can be from you. When you are in the throws of raising small children you are either at home by yourself with your children or you are at a playgroup with other mom's that you hand selected to play with your children or you might be out in the big wide world but it is rare....very rare that you actually get to speak to another human for any amount of time because your children are trying to dismantle a bomb or better yet build one and you can not pay attention to the conversation long enough to get into it too deep.

Mine are both in school this year so this has given me a much different perspective than I have had for the last 9 years. I forgot about the mean people. The ones that are mean just to be mean. I understand that there are days when you can be off or have a headache or even not be feeling that well and you might seem a little grumpy...that is not at all what I am talking about. I am talking about the ones that talk loudly on their cell phones oblivious to anything around them. The ones that flip you off for waiting for the old lady to get out of the crosswalk. The ones that are so much more important than you are that they cut you off in traffic and after doing so making a gesture as if to imply that you are an idiot. Who are these people????!!!!

Why is everyone in such a hurry? Don't be a jerk, just plan better next time. Why does everyone think they are so important that they have to constantly be on their phone either talking or texting or connected in some way?!

News Flash: that is part of the reason that you are so stressed!!! Disconnect. Stop the madness that is ringing in your purse. That person can wait until you buy the stress relief scented lotion and mood altering candle. I can alter you mood. Sit down. Don't think about anything that you have to do. Look at some Christmas lights or make small talk with a stranger...breathe. I can guarantee one thing. The world will not stop turning. Things will work out. Now, if you have to pick up your kids go do that and take your break tomorrow but everyone else relax. Christmas is not a game of who can get the most stuff. It is the celebration of the birth of our Lord! If you are so crazy you can't see straight get everyone a gift card and be done with it then plan better next year! Sit on your couch in front of your Christmas tree with a quilt some Christmas music and some hot chocolate. Go outside look up at the stars and remember that it was a night like this that the sky was filled with the Heavenly host singing praises to our King. Listen to the stillness. Breathe. It is all going to be okay.

My mother.

My mother's birthday was on Monday. We had a dinner party for her and she enjoyed her day. I want to tell you about my mother because she is very special. Not just to me mind you but to many many others.

My mother is a very selfless person. She is never so concerned about her own feelings as she is of those around her. My mother married later in life and moved far from her parents to forge her own way in the world. She was a youth minister. She has always been interested in Children's ministries. She becomes involved in her student's lives and even takes them for a cone of ice cream or goes to have lunch with them at their school or both.

Her home is always immaculate although she would disagree with me on this one. She sews, she gardens,

This is reminding me of a verse in the bible. Proverbs 31:10 Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels. 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. 12 She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life. 13 She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands. 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. 15 She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her servants. 16 She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. 17 She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. 18 She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. 19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20 Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. 22 She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23 Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land. 24 She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. 28 Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: 29 "Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!"

This verse is my mother. Okay, she doesn't have sons she has 3 daughters but we can rise up and call her blessed with the best of them, and I'm pretty sure she has never dealt in real estate but she could if she wanted too!

My mother is a funny kind wonderful person. She has the ability to crack me up with the simplest of statements. My mother was going with me to look at condos when I was newly out of college and we went to one that was still under construction. There was a porta potty out front and the door was cracked so my mother could see inside. She said, Well, those aren't all that bad! They even have a little sink for you to wash your hands. Now, I haven't graced many porta potties but I'm pretty sure I have never seen one with a sink so I had to see this. I looked for myself and could not stop laughing. My sweet little momma thought the urinal was a sink.

I love my mother. She is not only my mother but also my friend and I am a better woman for having her in my life!