What's the best advice you have ever gotten?

This was a question from one of Carmi's beading friends I thought it was worth a post. By my mentioning my kids so often you must think I like them. I'm guilty. If I could choose between doing my house work and watching cartoons or other crap with my kids I would. So it stands to reason that advice in that regard would be something I would have heeded. When my first baby was born I was bombarded with advice from every woman who had ever had a baby and crossed my path. I think the one that sticks in my mind the most is "enjoy them now, because they grow up so fast." I did and do enjoy my kids. But, I always thought I would actually get to relax and enjoy them as well. Well they've grown up, and they don't really want to go to the movies with their mom. They'd rather have a date with them. They don't really want to go shopping with me, they'd rather go with their friends. They don't really want to go on vacation with me either, they want to do the white water rapid thing, instead. They always complained that I made them learn things even on vacation, limited as they were. So Aren't I glad I did what I could afford with them when they still wanted me.

When you thought I wasn't looking!


A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.


When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.


When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.


When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, you fixed my pond so it would be great!

When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking!

Beautiful Beautiful Boy

Nineteen years ago today I gave birth to a perfect little boy. He had orange hair. He cried a lot. He snuggled a lot and it was wonderful. I am so proud of him I could burst. He is my Tech support all the time, and generally a great kid. He'll make a wonderful husband and father. When he finds the perfect woman. He'll be a successful author someday or something else, but he'll always be a nice guy. Happy Birthday Sasha. I can't say anymore other than you are a

Rain, Rain go away...

The last four days have been clean up days. Those of you who are familiar with my housekeeping will know that I don't worry about a little mess. I have certain criteria, NO BUGS, not too much dust, clean towels, sheets and dishtowels (especially dishtowels). When my husband is home I must use 12 dishtowels, during a one day, for some reason he thinks they are paper towels. Since I'm attempting to be environmentally friendly I don't use paper napkins or paper towels. So I wash a lot. Beyond that if my kids are fed and loved I'm happy. My friend read someplace that you should clean for 45 min. then take a rest for 20 min., and then45 min. work again and so on. Being the godmother of our resident scientist, I decided to experiment. It is supposed to be most efficient. I'm trying really hard to keep the schedule. During my rest periods I have tried to hoe out my excesses of magazines, paperback books, and sort through paper. Because I find this task very relaxing I did it during my rest period. WELL!
I discovered a leak in my studio. Now all of you who know my husband, know he will not hire someone to fix-it. So that means I have to move everything within 50 feet,( even though the room is a max of 12ft. x 18ft.) because you all know I will need new dry wall and carpeting, and possibly new electrical and plumbing work. So off I go moving all this fabric, wood, paper, paints, canvas, tables, upholstery projects etc. Since it's been raining pretty well the last few days we thought we would be able to narrow down where exactly this leak is. By now all the ceiling tiles are moved (in no orderly fashion) and there is a garage full of tools on the floor, all around the ladder. Well thank goodness the rain has continued today, and we were able to narrow the drip down to the pipe where my in house plumber used to put in the new taps. He was cutting corners I suppose and needed to put some plumbers crap around the connection. So the drip could possibly be fixed within the next month. Andy time, you know. I did however, in my 45min. work sessions clean an awful lot up. I vacuumed, connected wood pieces to patterns (in an attempt to reduce my clutter). I feel suddenly inspired to make a little girls dress. But first some alterations, I keep growing. So now the rain can go away, I'm ready to pull weeds.