Squeezing into Too-tight Peep-Toe Pumps... Or What I Learned From my Mother

BlogHer has a great tribute to moms Mother Knows Best. Here is my little tribute to both of my wonderful moms.
My own Mother...
Squeeze into those tiny peep-toe pumps even if you feel all blistered because of it... My mom has tiny feet. But she never had a problem wearing my Dad's triple E wing-tips or the neighborhood trophy-wife's peep-toe pumps. In fact she had a whole closet full of shoes she could walk-in.

I remember so many times coming home from school, especially in those difficult junior high years bawling. Sometimes crying because I was so mad, sometimes crying because I was so hurt. Usually I just ran up to my room and shut the door. It was then I would get the little tap on the door, or sometimes a note slipped under...mom was ready to help. When I let her in, I always wanted a "You poor thing, awwwwe..." What I got was so much better.

Instead my mom tried to find every angle she could from the other persons perspective. Even though sometimes it hurt, those shoes of my best friend who I felt had just betrayed me, or my orchestra teacher who I was certain blamed her divorce on me, were an awfully tight squeeze, often I felt pretty blistered. However, I have always been grateful as an adult, she taught me how to put them on, work through the pain, and see what it might be like to be in someone else's shoes.

My Mother-in-Law...
How to Be "The Prince" and Relish it... I always sit back in awe as I watch my mother-in-law play with my children. She sits for hours on the ground, in awkward positions and plays Barbies and Polly Pockets (she can even amazingly get those horrendously difficult PP clothes on). She never complains about being "the prince." In fact, somehow she finds a way for the prince to dance with all the princesses at the ball, and both my girls come away the better for it. Clutter, telephone calls, laundry...they all take a back seat because first and foremost she is a mom/grandma, and she loves it, and that is what I want too.

Thanks to both of my moms, I love them.

Top 8 Reasons I WILL be Caught Dead Driving a Mini Van

We all have to have it at one moment in our lives. A moment of epiphany. A time when we throw out everything we have always held dear. It is in that moment we accept what we always swore in our teens and early twenties we would abhor, the minivan. In my case I had to let go of my beloved subaru outback (oh, I loved that car). But now not only do I drive a minivan, I embrace my minivan.

So here are my top 8 reasons I will be caught in mini van!

8-There is enough floor space to become covered in crumbs so I never have to worry we will go hungry if we somehow become stranded in the desert for days at a time.

7-I can move my sons seat close enough behind my driver seat to hold his nuk in and bounce his car seat with my right hand whilst steering with my other hand. (I don't think they make minivans with standard transmission for this reason alone.) I prayed for a car seat baby, but it was not to be. Again.

6-The acoustics are phenomenal. Who would have thought that Old MacDonald and Michael Finnegan, could reach such decibel levels with my daughters and I belting along to the music?

5-It only costs me $60 to fill up my tank. And yes, you all know that is a bargain!

4-I can open my trunk, car door, hold a car seat in my elbow, and push a shopping cart with two kids simultaneously. (Whoever designed the remote control automatic doors was a genius.)

3-There is tons of cargo room to haul large amounts of cap trappers in the back.

2-My husband feels compelled to wash it for me to save a little face.

And finally my #1 reason...

Lets face it, I just look ultra cool :-)


I guess it doesn't always hurt to totally redefine what is important and what makes me who I am. It can change. It's like that being a SAHM mompreneur. It seems like I better always be open to shifting gears and moving in new directions. That way I won't miss any opportunities. And maybe I'll get to switch to a really fast car soon! Because Ferrari's are pretty cool too.

Diaper Bag: What's in Yours?

So today I was thinking about diaper bags (BTW, I love mine, it is Ju*Ju*Be, I totally recommend it www.ju-ju-be.com, tons of space, antibacterial, and super cool. It was a gift from my husbands awesome aunts and uncles) what we as moms keep in them, and what it says about us. Here is what you will find in mine on any given day:



1-A year supply of fruit leather, of course only our favorite flavors. We promptly recycle the large build-up of raspberry and strawberry as our monthly donation for preschool treats.



2-Nukie and Suction-My children have serious pacifier attachment until we drag them to build-a-bear and stuff all the nuks inside a bear. Ellery was 3, but Callista was 2, so we are getting better. 2 of my kids have serious mucus issues so I won't be caught dead without the suction. Although maybe Ellery is getting a little old for that.



3-An extra outfit, because the only time Emmett has blow-outs is when I am in the bank or at the grocery store.



4-Cloth Diapering Essentials, what right eco-minded mom doesn't use cloth diapers? Okay so I know there is some debate on water vs waste. Personally I don't want 1,000's of my kids diapers piled up in landfills. Also who wants to rub nasty chemicals all over their cute little bottoms. My wipe mixture: spring water and a few drops each of chamomile and lavender oil. Complete the set with some nice soft flannel. Check out www.nickisdiapers.com for the best diapers and tons of great tips.



4-Goat and Toad. This is classic, believe me. Well maybe not but it is perfect for Ellery who is just learning "long o".



5-Of course a Cap Trapper. How could any sane mom leave home without one. It provides a perfect activity in a pinch, like waiting forever for a prescription or outside of preschool. And no one wants crayons and markers floating around everywhere in the corners of your bag. A shameless plug, of course. To fit in your purse or kids bags use the little mini pip squeak markers. My girls adore those.



So now you know, I do everything in my power to eliminate refined sugar from my kids diets (why do they have suckers at the bank?). I have strange kids with tons of boogers. We read books about goats and toads (because I am definitely making sure my kids can read by age 2 which is unbelievably crucial, heaven forbid they have time to play). I am mildly fanatic about protecting my kids from yucky disposables. My baby has perfect bowel-timing. And finally, I am ultra-prepared with the best marker case ever my cap trapper! What does your diaper bag say about you?

Doggy for Hire

From about age 7-12 I begged and pleaded with my parents for a dog. But my mom would never give in. She said they were too much work and her own 5 children were enough. Eventually the burning need sizzled out, and now, yep you guessed it, I am the mom saying to my children "no dogs, they are too much work, my 3 children are enough." However, I have the perfect answer to this age-old conflict....Keep reading...

Doggy-for-Hire. Well I guess we don't pay for him but we loan him from my mom who lives 2 hours away. His name is Brim and he is an angel of a dog. In fact, my mom (the same mom that would never consider a dog when I was so pining for one) claims he is an allergy-free pooch, no shedding, no dog smell...I'm not so sure I concur with the "dog smell" but he is a darn good dog. Here's how it works. About once a month, Brimmie comes to stay at our house. My children think they have a dog, and I didn't even have to potty or puppy train him.

After about 4 days, just when the poor thing is so loaded full of doggy treats he can hardly move (it is not unheard of for a full bag of pupperonies to disappear in a single feeding from Callista, sorry mom if you are reading this) and he is cowering under the slide (because let's be honest, the entire neighborhood gang thinks Brim is their dog) we drive him back to grandmas, or grandma comes to get him (usually the case since my mom is an angel herself).

So maybe if your children are begging for a dog, you could work out a doggy for hire with a friend or relative, maybe you and your friends could go in together and buy a dog...possibly my mom should just start a Doggy-for-Hire business (I'll mention it to her) But be forewarned, I think my 5 year old is wising up to my charade, she has started to protest when I say "Of course we have a dog Ellery."

Here comes the far-fetched analogy you have all been waiting for. Isn't it great when people share with others the amazing things they have done; when they are willing to let you be a part of the "perfect dog" they have nurtured, trained, and created after years of hard-work. These are the angels I am looking for to help me as I am clamoring to make something successful out of a business. I have to admit my husband is a pretty expert "dog trainer" which I have totally needed. I'm so grateful for the help of those brave women who have gone before. I am excited to attend a messaging workshop this month put on for free, by an expert. Check out her website www.thewritingway.com Aren't we all lucky some people are willing to share their Doggy-For-Hire with us!