Archive for the 'Life' Category

Hope...Joy and a Few Little ThoughtsRecently I was asked to review a book on teenage pregnancy. Although I was married and my pregnancy was planned, I was a teen mom. I’m also the mother of a 13 year old daughter. When I learned that the book, “Hope…Joy (and a Few Little THOUGHTS)™ for Pregnant Teens” was written to inspire and give hope to young mothers, I knew I had to read it.

Something else that impressed me was that the author, Rachel Brignoni, wrote from experience, not just opinion. Rachel herself gave birth to a son at the age of 17.

Simply stated, this book offers hope and encouragement to pregnant teenagers and teen moms. Which, unfortunately, is not typically easy to find in our society.

Rachel suggests ways of helping to change negative thoughts into positive ones, creating a happier, more confident person. She also includes exercises in the book to put readers on the path of finding out who they are, what they want from life and how to set–and attain– the necessary goals to turn it into a reality.

One of my favorite quotes from the book (which can be applied to all of us) is, “Your perceptions of your situation, positive or negative, have the power to shape your experience.” In my opinion, this is absolutely true, and all the more reason that pregnant teens–or anyone going through a difficult situation–should be surrounded by as much positive influence and encouragement as possible. This book should definitely be a part of that network of support.

Included with the book is a cd entitled “A Whisper of Hope.” (Click on the title to be taken to YouTube to see the video and hear the song.)

If you know any teenagers who are pregnant or have recently become mothers, please consider recommending this book to them. It’s currently available through the publisher’s website: Hope…Joy (and a Few Little THOUGHTS)™, as well as Amazon.com (see below).

Send me a cup of java!

(Not so wordless really.)

Tim and I took the desk out of the other bedroom and brought it into our room (aka: “Command Central”) this morning. I actually have an office-like space now! With room to work! (Which I will surely appreciate even more when I start school in September!)

We worked our butts off for about three hours, rearranging, organizing and cleaning. Our efforts definitely paid off though! Thank you, Sweetie! I owe you another massage. ;-)

My Desk

Send me a cup of java!

Pierced!

March 18th, 2008
Posted in Kids, Life | 21 Comments »

Well, we did it. I took B yesterday to get her cartilage pierced. She’s thrilled! (For the background on this saga, read this.)

Just before getting her ear pierced (sorry for the blurry photo, used the camera in my cell phone):

Pre-Piercing

This is right after. See the pretty new earring? And the BIG smile?

Pierced!

We’ll see what the fallout from her father is at the end of the week (if he notices!). But, B is happy, and that makes her mom happy! :-)

Send me a cup of java!

Change

March 10th, 2008
Posted in Life, Love | 13 Comments »

“Giving up doesn’t always mean you are weak; sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go.” ~Author Unknown


Butterfly

“If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies”. ~Author Unknown


“Build Me Up Buttercup”
Why do you build me up (Build me up) buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (Let me down)and mess me around
And then worst of all (Worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (Say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darlin’
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (Build me up) buttercup, don’t break my heart”I’ll be over at ten”, you told me time and again
But you’re late, I wait around and then (Bah-dah-dah)
I run to the door, I can’t take any more
It’s not you, you let me down again(Hey, hey, hey!) Baby, baby, try to find
(Hey, hey, hey!) A little time, and I’ll make you happy
(Hey, hey, hey!) I’ll be home
I’ll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooo-oo-ooo, ooo-oo-oooWhy do you build me up (Build me up) buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (Let me down) and mess me around
And then worst of all (Worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (Say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darling
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (Build me up) buttercup, don’t break my heartTo you I’m a toy but I could be the boy you adore
If you’d just let me know (Bah-dah-dah)
Although you’re untrue, I’m attracted to you all the more
Why do I need you so(Hey, hey, hey!) Baby, baby, try to find
(Hey, hey, hey!) A little time and I’ll make you happy
(Hey, hey, hey!) I’ll be home
I’ll be beside the phone waiting for you
Ooo-oo-ooo, ooo-oo-oooWhy do you build me up (Build me up) buttercup, baby
Just to let me down (Let me down) and mess me around
And then worst of all (Worst of all) you never call, baby
When you say you will (Say you will) but I love you still
I need you (I need you) more than anyone, darling
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (Build me up) buttercup, don’t break my heartI need you (I need you) more than anyone, baby
You know that I have from the start
So build me up (Build me up) Buttercup, don’t break my heart

Send me a cup of java!





From the talented and creative Becca at BeccA’s Buzz, it’s time once again for “Give Me 5 Monday”!

Give me 5 ways you like to de-stress, relax, wind-down or kick back:

  1. Take a nice, long, hot bubble bath
  2. Get lost in a good book
  3. Take a walk
  4. Pamper myself: do my nails, go get my hair cut, treat myself to something chocolate
  5. Go shopping (it’s been a while since this tactic has been used though… See previous post!)

The ‘Give Me Five’ Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple, short list! Here’s how it works: Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn’t have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified.

Sign up for weekly reminder emails at beccagirl@charter.net.

Send me a cup of java!

Will Work For … ?

March 10th, 2008
Posted in Career, Life | 5 Comments »

Hard-working, mature, intelligent person seeking employment.

Prefer to work from home, but willing to face the cold, hard world too.  Part-time or full-time.

I know my way around a computer, have 20+ years of retail experience (including management) and can handle stress and deadlines without losing it (I am a mother of four after all!).

So, who’s hiring??

Send me a cup of java!





It’s time for Scrolling Saturday again! The topic this week: Should I go back to school?



Too Cool For School–At 40?


Last summer, I decided I was going to attend the local community college. In a short period of time, I applied to the school (and was accepted!), applied for financial aid and took my placement test. Then, life just seemed to get in the way, and I never enrolled.

Lately, though, I’ve been thinking more and more about getting that fire going under myself again.

As far as I’m concerned, my career has reached a dead end. My background is in retail, and I just don’t have the energy to do that anymore. I want to do something different–perhaps even something meaningful.

I want to get my Associate’s Degree as a Human Services Technician…I think.

I’ll be 40 years old in just two months. Am I crazy to be considering starting all over at this age? Or is it never too late to improve your life?


Two months after writing this, I’m still undecided. Any advice from the blogosphere?

To see all the participants of Scrolling Saturday, or to join in the fun, visit THIS PAGE.

Scrolling Saturday was created by Melissa at Such Simple Pleasures and Coleen at Manners and Moxie. Be sure to stop by and show them some bloggy-love!

Happy Saturday!

Send me a cup of java!

Speedy Delivery!

March 6th, 2008
Posted in Family, Health, Humor, Kids, Life, Love, News | 15 Comments »

Warning: This post is not for the faint of heart! Proceed at your own risk! LOL!

The other day, I saw a news article, “Pregnant woman uses train toilet, baby slips out.” In Ahmedabad, India, a pregnant woman gave birth while sitting on the crapper on a train.

According to the article, most of the toilets on Indian trains are merely shoots that empty right onto the tracks. (How disgusting is that?!) So, yes, you guessed it, the baby girl was found lying on the train tracks!

If you’ve been reading my blog for any length of time, you know I like to write about these crazy kinds of stories, but this one is even better!

You see, my daughter, B, almost had the same fate!

No, she wasn’t born on a train. She didn’t end up on train tracks. And she wasn’t born in India.

B was, however, thisclose to being born in a toilet!

It was March of 1995. I was at the hospital and in labor with baby #4. I remember saying to myself, “Oh shit, I remember what this feels like now!” as the contractions got stronger.

My doctor had stopped in and checked on me at some point, and told me I had a ways to go. He was going to drop his wife off at the airport and come back. Neither of us knew then that he wouldn’t be back in time.

One of the nurses measured and said I was only x centimeters dilated. (Another one who believed I had a ways to go.)

I was in pain, tired and pissed that I had a ways to go–and did I mention the pain?–so I told them I wanted drugs.

Nurse informed me that I’d have to have an iv, so I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed again. As I’m not very fond of bed pans, I opted to use the restroom one last time before they hooked me up with my liquid relief.

*** This is the part you may want to skip if you’re at all apprehensive of hearing about using the toilet or the nitty-gritty details of babies almost being born. ***

Within seconds of me sitting on the commode, Nurse walked by the open restroom door, and asked, “You don’t feel like you have to push, do you?”, when I felt the baby’s head! So, a very surprised me responded, “Uh, yes!”

I don’t know where they all came from, but there were suddenly about six people in the room, getting me back onto the bed, my feet in the stirrups and telling me not to push. Heh!

One of the associates from my doctor’s office came rushing down to someone’s rescue (cuz I certainly wasn’t going to hold that kid in much longer–hello?!), and delivered my beautiful baby girl. The doctor’s shirt got ruined because (bless him!) he didn’t even take the time to throw scrubs on.

Being just shy of 13, B doesn’t quite see the humor in this story yet. She will.

Send me a cup of java!



Give Me 5 Monday


Becca from BeccA’s Buzz has done it again! Another great Give Me 5!

The ‘Give Me Five’ Monday meme is designed to share fun information with each other in a simple, short list! Here’s how it works: Each week, I will put out a random topic from my list of topics and you share 5 answers of your choice on the given topic and link back here! You can add photos, links or stories or just a simple list of your own of 5 things that relate to the topic as it pertains to you and your life experiences. It doesn’t have to be in any order of importance unless otherwise specified.

Sign up for weekly reminder emails at beccagirl@charter.net.

THIS WEEK’S THEME:  GIVE ME 5 LINKS TO YOUR OWN PAST BLOG POSTS THAT ARE MOST MEMORABLE FOR YOU.

1-  To Pierce or Not to Pierce (12/27/07)~  Guess I like this post because I decided to stand up to my stbx.  For years, he controlled me (or tried to), so it’s empowering to do what I think is right, whether he agrees or not.  Her birthday is in three weeks!

2-   Another Form of Family (12/16/07)~  This one is near and dear to my heart because it’s about my friends and how important they are to me.

3-  Perfectionism (12/12/07)~  I battle with this way too frequently.

4-  Teen Alcohol & Substance Abuse (1/25/08)~  Important info here!

5-  Top 10 Sex Myths Debunked (1/21/08)~   Found some entertaining stuff in the article that inspired this post.

Send me a cup of java!

I’m feeling loved this week! I’ve been tagged again–and again! :-) First by Colin at Life for the “Knowing Me, Knowing You” meme–go say hi to this great guy! And then by Ash at Paisley Goddess for the “Refrigerator” dare meme–take a minute to visit her and let her know I sent ya!

KNOWING ME, KNOWING YOU

Copy this entire list of questions and change all the answers so that they apply to you. Then tag and pass it along to other blogging friends. Let’s see how well we can get to know one another!

1. What is your occupation? At the moment, I refer to myself as a “Domestic Goddess”.

2. What color are your socks right now? White (and I’m only wearing them because it’s Winter and I’m freezing!).

3. What are you listening to right now? My computer (it’s loud) and the washing machine (refer to #1).

4. What was the last thing that you ate? If I could remember, I’d tell ya.

5. Can you drive a stick shift? Yes. (You didn’t ask if I can do it well though.)

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? That’s easy, purple.

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My friend/sister, Vicki. :-)

8. Do you like the person who sent this to you? He’s freaking AWESOME!

9. Favorite drink? #1: Coffee; #2: Diet Pepsi.

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? Naked male mud wrestling (this should produce some interesting Google searches, eh?). That is a sport, right?

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? A time or two… ;-)

12. Pets? Yes. Oh, did you want to know what? Well, I think you all know Madison!

13. Favorite food? Pasta, I could eat it every damn day.

14. Last movie you watched? “Maid in Manhattan”.

15. Favorite Day of the year? Any day that doesn’t involve a crapload of stress or bull$hit!

16. What do you do to vent anger? Write. Cry. Or both.

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? See #4.

18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? Spring. New life, Spring Cleaning… @@

19. Hugs or kisses? Depends who they’re from!

20. What kind of pie? Don’t really like pie. But I can make ‘em pretty good!

21. Do you want your friends to email you back? No. I so thoroughly enjoy writing emails so they can be ignored. Don’t you?

22. Who is most likely to respond? Me, myself or I.

23. Who is least likely to respond? Jimmy Hoffa.

24. Living arrangements? My guess is that my living was arranged by my parents? Am I close? ;-)

25. When was the last time you cried? Last night when T told me I had to finish my dinner in order to get dessert. I’ll have the same tantrum again tonight.

26. What is on the floor of your closet? How long have you got?

27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? Haven’t decided who I’m going to torture tag just yet.

28. The friend you have known the shortest amount of time that you are sending this to? That’s easy–Paisley Goddess!

29. Favorite smell? My man, fresh from the shower! Mmm!

30. What inspires you? My insatiable desire to be Root, biotch! (Just for you, T!)

31. What are you afraid of? Bugs. But T found a cool way to help with that, a Bug Sucker! (It’s on my birthday wish list!)

32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? I love to be cheesy!

33. Favorite car? My Oldsmobile Intrigue. It was black, cool looking and fast!

34. Favorite cat breed? The kind that says, “Meow.”

35. Number of keys on your key ring? 3? 4? 5?

36. How many years at your current job? I’ve been a “Domestic Goddess” since I was 18. Before that, I was in training.

37. Favorite day of the week? Friday. Goes back to the days of school and waiting for the weekend.

38. How many provinces have you lived in? Who me?

39. How many countries have you been to? Does the one I live in count?

I am going to tag:
Judy, Ash, Kelly and Jill.

As always, you do not have to participate, the choice is yours.


And now Ash’s Fridge Meme. The deal is you must post a photo of the front of your refrigerator without cleaning it off first! (Oh, joy!)

Refrigerator

Send me a cup of java!

Real World Mom
©2007 Real World Mom Enterprises ™
All Rights Reserved