Happy Mama!

It's the age old saying . . . When mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. Well, I'd like to reverse that today and say . . .
WHEN MAMA'S HAPPY - EVERYBODY'S HAPPY!!!

After my escape from reality yesterday, I felt so rejuvenated! I don't think I'd been in quiet and solace in a LONG time. Although my weekend retreat with my hubby was nice, it wasn't the alone time that every soul needs from time to time! I got 3/4 of the way thru my 'new' book. I even burned a log in the fireplace and cuddled up on the floor with pillows and blanket to read. (I'd have taken a pic but not pretty! I was in sweats and glasses and not a stitch of purtiness to be seen!) I enjoyed 2 cans of the carbonated goodness on my Sonic ice. I ate turkey/cheese/crackers and 2 bags of my 100 calorie Oreo bags. It was delicious and oh, so relaxing! Only thing better would have been snuggling with the hubby, or sitting in a hot tub.

About 2:00PM I arose from my resting spot and proceeded to clean up the evidence of my enjoyment. I turned on my cell phone - to find 12 voice mails! (Reality hit me hard - it is this reason I dread teaching privately!) I checked the house phone, which I had on Do Not Disturb. (The BEST thing ever invented on phones these days!) Only 2 messages from my sisters about piano lessons today. I quickly returned the calls and jumped in the shower. I returned myself back into clean sweats and a sweatshirt - didn't feel like squeezing into any jeans for the remainder of the day. I blowdried my hair, minimal makeup and even put some Easter decorations out. And I finally got my flowers glued into it's pot. I purchased them some time ago and they've been sitting around waiting for me to do it. I think it turned out nicely.

Kids got home. I was happy to see them and I listened to them talk about their day. Students showed up (3 voice and 5 piano) and I didn't even mind teaching the piano thing today. I normally DREAD it - even though they are my niece and nephews. Although I am much more patient with them, I have issues with piano. Just NOT my thing. Although I know I'm a good teacher, if they don't practice - what can you do with them for 30 minutes?!?! Review what you did last week? And if they didn't practice for 2 weeks? Review again? UG! You get behind in one book and all the other books have to wait for you to catch up. Just DUMB! WAIT! I was being positive, right? Right.

Well, after I finished the bulk of my lessons (only 1 voice left), I had a 30 min. break. I used this opportunity to throw dinner on the stove and rice in the cooker. We had beef and broccoli over rice. The kids seemed to like it - "homemade Panda Express" is the comment I heard. Geoff loved all the extra rice I made - he likes it with butter and salt/pepper. YUM! I finished up the last lesson and sat to relax on the couch while the kids finished up showers, homework, etc. A knock came at the door and it was Sis. VL. She was asking if I was available to come to a meeting at 8:45PM for the Laurel Retreat. Sure! It only gave 45 min., so we quickly had Family Prayers and I gathered my things, said my goodnights with hugs and kisses and left. The meeting was very productive and emotional! These girls have no clue how much their leaders care for them and are so in tune to their needs!! I am so blessed and honored to be part of the planning and on the committee!! At 11:15PM I left the mtg (I know! Late but such fun!) and came home to a dark and quiet house!! With Geoff having to be up at 4AM, he goes to bed with the kids now. A nice but odd change for him, who usually is the night owl up til the wee hours of the night. I grabbed my purse and headed out the door to Wal-mart. Kylee reminded me that she had a field trip today and she needed lunch. I am the cool Mom and always get them a Lunchable for these kind of things. They eat it and don't waste - that's important to me. If I pack them a lunch - no can do. I also grabbed some cereal, dinner for tonight (I still have yet to get to the store long enough to get groceries! I don't have a car during the day and need to just spend 2 hours with my list and stock up. Oh well.) and some other snackage for after school and stuff. I went to the candy aisle because Geoff requested the flavored Tootsie Rolls but they didn't have any! WHAT!?!?! I guess I''m gonna have to go back to Target and get some. Sometimes Wal-mart just stinks. But I did get some Robin Eggs and that will suffice me for the time. I grabbed a pkg of Reeses' Peanut Butter Eggs for Geoff at the register. They aren't handy like the Tootsie Rolls but they'll have to do. I got home way too late and unpacked the groceries to yet again a dark and quiet house. I left the cereal on the counter for the morning and put Geoff's treat on the front seat of the van with an "I Love You" note. I took out my contacts and brushed my teeth and crawled into bed.

It was a fulfilling day and I know now that these kind of mornings are going to have to be part of my monthly ritual! No tv, no computer, no radio, nothing - just me and my book and my brain! So nice!!

The sound of silence????

There are many things that distract us from enjoying a moment of quiet! I really relish when the kids head out the door to school and I can have a few moments of quiet. Life seems to come at you so fast and furious and LOUD these days! As I thought of what I was going to do today (before I have to teach this afternoon) I was craving something sweet to munch, a good carbonated drink and my new book. Curled up on the couch in a blanket (my favorite, whether it's hot or cold - must have covers!) with my "treats" and the sound of silence!

Don't get me wrong, I have my moments of sitting and listening to my kids playing - It makes me smile! But it's the overstimulation that amazes and scares me. They complain about kids being "sound saavy" but so are adults - iPods, Blackberry's, etc. etc. etc. I am just as guilty but sometimes I love to turn off the phone, turn off the tv, kids are gone at school and sit with a book. Enjoy the sound of silence!

As I searched for pictures of noise-causing items, I was again, overwhelmed with the number of items I though of! It's all around us and I don't think we can't escape it somedays. But today I'm going to attempt it! Today is that day!

Goodbye cruel world - I will return in 6 hours!

Dr. Phil - I'm a 49!

Dr. Phil's Test: Here you go. Try this!

Below is Dr Phil's test . (Dr. Phil scored 55; he did this test on Oprah - she got a 38.) Some folks pay a lot of money to find this stuff out!

Read on, this is very interesting!


Don't be overly sensitive! The following is pretty accurate and it only takes 2 minutes. Take this test for yourself and see!

Answers are for who you are now --- not who you were in the past. Have pen or pencil and paper ready.

This is a real test given by the Human Relations Dept. at many of the major corporations today . It helps them get better insight concerning their em ployees and prospective employees. It's only 10 simple questions, so grab a pencil and paper, keeping track of your letter answers to each question.

Ready??

Begin.


1.When do you feel your best?

a) in the morning
b) during the afternoon and early evening
c) late at night


2. You usually walk...

a) fairly fast, with long steps
b) fairly fast, with little steps
c) less fast head up, looking the world in the face
d) less fast, head down
e) very slowly


3. When talking to people you.

a) stand with your arms folded
b) have your hands clasped
c) have one or both your hands on your hips
d) touch or push the person to whom you are talking
e) play with your ear, touch your chin, or smooth your hair


4. When relaxing, you sit with:

a) your knees bent with your legs neatly side by side
b) your legs crossed
c) your legs stretched out or straight
d) one leg curled under you


5. When something really amuses you, you react with...

a) a big appreciated laugh
b) a laugh, but not a loud one
c) a quiet chuckle
d) a sheepish smile

6. When you go to a party or social gathering you...

a) make a loud entrance so everyone notices you
b) make a quiet entrance, looking around for someone you know
c) make the quietest entrance, trying to stay unnoticed


7. You're working very hard, concentrating hard, and you're interrupted...

a) welcome the break
b) feel extremely irritated
c) vary between these two extremes

8. Which of the following colors do you like most?

a) Red or orange
b) black
c) yellow or light blue
d) green
e) dark blue or purple
f) white
g) brown or gray


9. When you are in bed at night, in those last few moments before going to sleep you are...

a) stretched out on your back
b) stretched out face down on your stomach
c) on your side, slightly curled
d) with your head on one arm
e) with your head under the covers


10. You often dream that you are...

a) falling
b) fighting or struggling
c) searching for something or somebody
d) flying or floating
e) you usually have dreamless sleep
f) your dreams are always pleasant


POINTS:

1. (a) 2 (b) 4 (c) 6
2. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 7 (d) 2 (e) 1
3. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 5 (d) 7 (e) 6
4. (a) 4 (b) 6 (c) 2 (d) 1
5. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 2
6. (a) 6 (b) 4 (c) 2
7. (a) 6 (b) 2 (c) 4
8. (a) 6 (b) 7 (c) 5 (d) 4 (e) 3 (f) 2 (g) 1
9. (a) 7 (b) 6 (c) 4 (d) 2 (e) 1
10. (a) 4 (b) 2 (c) 3 (d) 5 (e) 6 (f) 1
Now add up the total number of points.

RESULTS:
OVER 60 POINTS: Others see you as someone they should "handle with care." You're seen as vain, self-centered, and as one who is extremely dominant. Others may admire you, wishing they could be more like you, but don't always trust you, hesitating to become too deeply involved with you.

51 TO 60 POINTS: Others see you as an exciting, highly volatile, with a rather impulsive personality; a natural leader, one who's quick to make decisions, though not always the right ones. They see you as bold and adventuresome, someone who will try anything once; someone who takes chances and enjoys an adventure. They enjoy being in your company because of the excitement you radiate.

41 TO 50 POINTS: Others see you as fresh, lively, charming, amusing, practical, and always interesting; someone who's constantly in the center of attention, but sufficiently well balanced not to let it go to their head. They also see you as kind, considerate, and understanding; someone who'll always cheer them up and help them out.

31 TO 40 POINTS: Others see you as sensible, cautious, careful & practical. They see you as clever, gifted, or talented, but modest. Not a person who makes friends too quickly or easily, but someone who's extremely loyal to the friends you do make and one who expects the same loyalty in return. Those who really get to know you realize it takes a lot to shake your trust in your friends, but equally that it takes you a long time to get over it if that trust is ever broken .

21 TO 30 POINTS: Your friends see you as painstaking and fussy. They see you as very cautious, extremely careful, a slow and steady plodder. It would really surprise them if you ever did something impulsively or on the spur of the moment, expecting you to examine everything carefully from every angle and then, usually decide against it. They think this reaction is caused partly by your careful nature.

UNDER 21 POINTS: People think you are shy, nervous, and indecisive, someone who needs looking after, who always wants someone else to make the decisions & who doesn't want to get involved with anyone or anything! They see you as a worrier who always sees problems that don't exist. Some people think you're boring. Only those who know you well know that you aren't.

Early Easter

My family is faithful about meeting on Fast Sunday every month. We trade off houses and enjoy dinner and dessert, celebrating whomever's birthday is in the month and the holiday. Well, it's March and Easter is early. So, we decided in order to not conflict with in-law plans and individual family plans, we would go ahead and do Easter yesterday. We met at Uncle Ben/Aunt Sherri's house and had a ham dinner. YUM! It was complete with 'funeral' potatoes, green beans and rolls. The kids played outside on their "playground" while the adults visited.









Then the Mom's hid the candy-filled eggs.


After that the kids hit the ground running, looking for eggs! Candy, candy, candy!










They checked out their loot -




Grandpa gave the girls their "magic Easter rocks" -

We enjoyed "upside-down" Kisses (there were about half the bag that were wrapped upside down!) -

And had fun watching the ck'ns and rabbits, including the new "Easter baby bunnies" -









FUN NIGHT and best part - home and in bed ON TIME! :)