Friday, July 8, 2011
We're Moving!!!!
I am in the process of moving Live Full over to a new website! I am hoping it will be easier to navigate and I will bea able to incorporate way more stuff into it since my brain is always working. I'll see you there!
Saturday, July 2, 2011
We Took a Trip
To the Austin Zoo! After reading a ton of bad reviews of this place I was really not looking forward to going. Visitors were comparing this rescue zoo to top notch zoos around the country and really not doing it any justice. One thing that really erked me after visiting was realizing that because so many people are giving this place bad reviews ... they are not receiving the funding that they need and deserve .... because people ... like myself .... are reluctant to visit there after hearing nothing but bad things about the place.
I was actually quite impressed with this zoo. They had some very rare animals there that I have never seen before in a zoo. There were monkeys, a black bear, tigers, a lion, exotic birds, prairie dogs, and many animals I can't spell or pronounce. LOL. They also had an area where you could feed farm animals ... including deer ... a deer with fangs ... like a little vampire deer. I let it lick my hand for about 30 minutes. I wanted to take it home with me ... but I knew it was better off at the zoo ... so I let it stay.
Chickens and Peacocks roam free at the Austin Zoo. I followed a peacock around for about 45 minutes trying to get a super awesome shot of it ... but I think it was camera shy.
Another interesting thing is that the animals at the Austin Zoo have been rescued from places such as labs, circuses, and traveling zoos. So every animal has a story to tell.
So ... what I'm saying is ... visit the Austin Zoo! Contribute! These animals are worth a visit! And ... admission is only around $5 a person.
(if you can't make it to the zoo ... you can buy something the animals need from Amazon. Some items are as low as $7)
The Peacock I was chasing
One of the beautiful tigers
Pretty Bird
He's thanking God for the visitors. :)
All images on this post are property of Amanda Howard.
All rights reserved.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
A Toy Series} Our Story Begins
Meet Snickering Toes of the Wangoheema Tribe
Meet Dyneth the Dollartoyasaurus
See Dyneth and Snickering Toes meet.
And so our story begins .....
To Be Continued ...
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Wanna help me continue the story of Dyneth and Snickering Toes? Leave a comment or email me and stay tuned for the next set in the series. :)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Sweet Sushi
Copyright Amanda Howard 2011
Ingredients:
3 tablespoons butter
10 oz Marshmallows
6 cups rice cereal
red or green fruit by the foots
Fresh strawberries,kiwis, or other fruit
Directions:
Make rice krispie treats as directed on the box. Once cooled ...cut half the pan into small rectangles. Place small amounts of fresh fruit on top. Wrap in fruit roll. Use a cookie cutter to cut the other half of the pan into small circles. Wrap fruit rolls around the circles. Place fresh fruit on top. Enjoy! Refrigerate leftovers.
Copyright Amanda Howard 2011
The Daily Do's} DON'T 4 get it!
I'm sitting here sipping on some Maxwell House (po folks coffee) and I think to myself "I owe my readers a post." I do. With the hubs being home for leave it gets a little crazy around here ... meaning I have zero time to break for blogging. Sad ... I know.
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If you haven't noticed ... which I'm sure you have because you are very observant ... there's a little box on the left that is labeled "The Daily Do's". I love The Daily Do's because they challenge me ... each day ...to do something good for myself. A few days ago I painted my nails yellow. I tried alligator .... and it's delish! I've also made a vow to go to yoga classes three times a week. It makes me feel like Carrie Bradshaw. I'm all cultured and exciting now! Bring on the Manolos! << The knock off versions of course.
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If you follow The Daily Do's (even just once) ... and I suggest you Do .... tell me about it in the comments section .. or email me at amandajhoward@ymail.com. I would love to hear from you!
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If you haven't noticed ... which I'm sure you have because you are very observant ... there's a little box on the left that is labeled "The Daily Do's". I love The Daily Do's because they challenge me ... each day ...to do something good for myself. A few days ago I painted my nails yellow. I tried alligator .... and it's delish! I've also made a vow to go to yoga classes three times a week. It makes me feel like Carrie Bradshaw. I'm all cultured and exciting now! Bring on the Manolos! << The knock off versions of course.
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If you follow The Daily Do's (even just once) ... and I suggest you Do .... tell me about it in the comments section .. or email me at amandajhoward@ymail.com. I would love to hear from you!
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Our Homegrown Scary Movie
My kids and I love to watch scary movies together. Salem's favorite is Child's Play 3 and Kaylin and I love any movie with Freddy Kreuger in it. I know some parents are 100% against letting their kids watch anything scary ... but ... I honestly see nothing wrong with it. My girls have never come to me saying they've had nightmares and they know that they are just movies.
Anyway ... Kaylin decided that she wanted to direct her own scary movie. She wrote a script and I was the camera lady. Here's the result.
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Thirsty?
So, I finally broke down and bought a sprinkler for our yard ... which is already dead. It turns out the grass wasn't the only thing that was thirsty.
Copyright Amanda Howard 2011
Nom, Nom, Nom
copyright Amanda Howard 2011
Are YOU lookin at ME??
Copyright Amanda Howard 2011
FLASH!
Copyright Amanda Howard 2011
Thank You ... Thank You very much
I must now exit the premises
Copyright Amanda Howard 2011
Free Custom Desktop Organizers
Out of sheer and total boredom this morning, while I was drinking my coffee, I got creative ... and I'm passing my creative awesomeness on to you!
Download your free template here
These templates are made for pc screens with a resolution of 1366x768 or lower. Please let me know if you need a different size.
Instructions:
1. Download the template.
2. Right click on the photo and set as wallpaper
3. Move your desktop icons around as you wish.
Voila!
Background purchased from Sassy Designs
Embellishments provided by Rita at the Coffeeshop Blog
Monday, June 13, 2011
Forgive Your Flare - Ups
"Becoming a more peaceful person, especially around the familiarity of the home, is a process, not a destination." ~ Richard Carlson
... and that is no lie. Since beginning this project I've made a vow to be less reactive and more responsive in my household. I have come to the conclusion that I am not necessarily an angry person ... I just have a very low tolerance for stressful situations. Coupled with the fact that burning the bacon in the morning could stress me out, well, it pretty much equals at least a couple of angry outbursts a day. Oh, and let's not even mention my reaction when someone interrupts my concentration ... on anything. I wish I could say that I'm always patient, that I never raise my voice to my children, and that I'm slow to anger. I wish I could say that ... but I can't.
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The truth is I get mad, I lose it, I raise my voice, I throw up my hands in disgust, I rant, I rave, and I've even been known to break things. And then ....I beat myself up over it. How could I be such a bad mother? How could I get so mad? Why can't I be more patient? Why can't I just be normal?
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Getting mad is normal. Everyone gets angry. Everyone throws fits. Everyone has a limit to how much they can take before they explode. Some fuses are shorter than others. However, it is important that I learn to forgive myself for my spats. After all ...self-defeating inner talk never accomplishes anything positive. The best I can do is to remind myself that I am human, forgive myself, and vow to become a more patient individual. Don't sweat the small stuff ..... remember?
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It is definitely a process. As of today I remind myself moment by moment to be more patient. I try to recognize my anger and then respond to the situation rather than react to it. It's been a roller coaster for the past few weeks. Some days are better than others, and I still beat myself up over my outbursts. However, it's a step in the right direction and I plan to remain on track.
... and that is no lie. Since beginning this project I've made a vow to be less reactive and more responsive in my household. I have come to the conclusion that I am not necessarily an angry person ... I just have a very low tolerance for stressful situations. Coupled with the fact that burning the bacon in the morning could stress me out, well, it pretty much equals at least a couple of angry outbursts a day. Oh, and let's not even mention my reaction when someone interrupts my concentration ... on anything. I wish I could say that I'm always patient, that I never raise my voice to my children, and that I'm slow to anger. I wish I could say that ... but I can't.
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The truth is I get mad, I lose it, I raise my voice, I throw up my hands in disgust, I rant, I rave, and I've even been known to break things. And then ....I beat myself up over it. How could I be such a bad mother? How could I get so mad? Why can't I be more patient? Why can't I just be normal?
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Getting mad is normal. Everyone gets angry. Everyone throws fits. Everyone has a limit to how much they can take before they explode. Some fuses are shorter than others. However, it is important that I learn to forgive myself for my spats. After all ...self-defeating inner talk never accomplishes anything positive. The best I can do is to remind myself that I am human, forgive myself, and vow to become a more patient individual. Don't sweat the small stuff ..... remember?
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It is definitely a process. As of today I remind myself moment by moment to be more patient. I try to recognize my anger and then respond to the situation rather than react to it. It's been a roller coaster for the past few weeks. Some days are better than others, and I still beat myself up over my outbursts. However, it's a step in the right direction and I plan to remain on track.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Saturday, June 11, 2011
You Should've Seen the Before
My girls are seriously cleanliness handicapped. Salem can't go a day without hiding food and old sippy cups under her bed, and Kaylin's definition of cleaning her room is shoving everything in the closet. When I started the Don't Sweat It project I made a vow to keep things in my house organized and semi-clean. I can vibe with that. It makes me feel good and less chaotic. Inside and out.
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I figured the best place to start would be the worst place in the house ..... the kids' room. It's still not finished, but I think I have a pretty good start.
Since Salem is only two I made sure to put all of the toys she was allowed to play with out and within reach. I put all of the toys that require supervision on the top shelf in the closet (crayons, makeup, etc).
My husband and I took an old table and cut it in half. We also sawed off the legs. Then I painted one half pink & green and the other half red & green. We mounted the pink one to the wall in the girls' room. It makes a great custom made desk. We mounted the other half in the kitchen for use as a little breakfast table. I was inspired by an article in Better Homes and Gardens magazine and this project cost around $100 for two custom made desks/tables.
My girls have a ton of stuffed animals ... and they keep rolling in. I bought toy hammocks and chains from Walmart and they work great for keeping them up and out of the toy boxes. They're also decorative. For two sets it cost around $24 and I've downsized from four toy boxes to one! We also have a new rule in our home. Every time the girls get a new toy they have to give an old one to charity.
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So there it is. I still have plans to finger paint the walls, hang up numerous posters and cutouts from the Education Outfitters store, and buy some rugs and other things. When I'm completely finished I don't think the girls will ever want to leave!
Friday, June 10, 2011
Frugal Father's Day Ideas
Father's Day is just around the corner and I'm broke. However, I do like to make my hubby feel special on Father's Day. So eventhough I can't afford to buy him a Nook or the latest video game I plan to make the most of celebrating the fact that he is a wonderful father. It's a good thing he doesn't read this blog because I'm about to tell you everything we have planned for his special day.
1. Clean out His Car ( I am planning to wake up earlier than he does on Father's Day and have the kids help me clean out his truck. When we are done I think we will leave a note on the steering wheel letting him know what a great daddy he is)
2. Homemade T-shirts ( I am going to buy a pack of plain white t-shirts and let the girls loose painting whatever they want to on the front and then put their handprints and their names on the back)
3. A Gift Basket from the Kitchen ( I am going to buy a few packets of those cheap Betty Crocker cookie and bread mixes, some slim jims, make some homemade salsa, and possibly a few other things and load up a basket, wrap it up, and hand it over)
4. A Day Off ( In addition to all of this Daddy will have a whole day off. Trust me ... he will enjoy this one. )
Here are some other ideas just for you and yours!
1. Crown him King Dad ( Have your children make a crown and decorate it and then on Father's Day have a special ceremony and crown him King Daddy)
2. Photography ( Go to a professional or take photos of the kiddies yourself and then have the children decorate special frames just for Dad to display the photos)
3. Start a Fund ( Most of us have the thing that we've always wanted, but could never afford. Have your kids decorate a mason jar with acrylic paints, cut a slit in the top big enough for change to fit through, donate some money, and present it as a savings bank towards that truck or boat that your dad has always wanted!)
4. Lunchtime Goody Bags ( If your dad takes his lunch to work everyday make up a week's worth of goody bags for him to take with him to work everyday. You can include cookies, candies, trail mix, soda, or any of his favorite snack foods.)
Happy Father's Day!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
The Bored Box
At our house there is not a day gone by that my kids don't approach me with the ever popular "Mommyyyyyy .... I'm booorrrreeedddd". If you're anything like me you know that those words can be exhausting....especially when you're busy tending to household chores and what not. My response use to be, "I'm not your personal party planner .... go play ... use your imagination ... do something!" Well ... that never works. So, Kaylin and I created what we call The Bored Box. It's just a decorated shoe box that I keep playtime ideas in for when the kids are bored or it's a rainy day.
What You Will Need:
* An empty Shoebox ( you can have your kid (s) decorate it if you wish)
* Small pieces of paper or post it's
* Ideas
Instructions:
*Write your ideas for curing boredom on the peices of paper and put them inside the shoe box. When your children are bored tell them to grab a peice of paper from the bored box and have them hop to it! I always keep ideas in the bored box that I know will require little to no supervision from myself. That way, if I am busy with other things, the kids will be entertained and I will still have time to get my to do list checked off.
Here are some ideas out of my our bored box
* Office Play ( I set the kids up a little office with an old phone, paper, paper clips, and things that you would find in an office .. .let their imaginations do the rest. This usually keeps my kids busy for at least an hour)
* Dress Up ( I have a box dedicated to old clothes and makeup that I think the girls would like to play with. They have a ton of fun with it)
* Campfire Play ( I set up a little play tent, grab a few sticks and rocks from outside for the fake campfire, I set up a blue blanket with little stuffed ocean pets for the lake, I set other stuffed animals up around the room for the forest, and tell the girls to grab their flashlights and pack their backpacks, and then every once in awhile I come in and flip the light to imitate daylight or nighttime. It takes a little bit to set up, but it keeps them entertained)
* Scavenger Hunt ( I usually just print a quick list off of the internet and set them loose)
* Story Time
* Hide & Seek
* Move Time w/popcorn and pop
That's just a few of the things we have in our bored box. You can add your own or look up inside playtime ideas on the internet. Feel free to let me know how things go or ask me any questions in the comments section. I would also love to hear about the ideas that you put in your own bored box!
What You Will Need:
* An empty Shoebox ( you can have your kid (s) decorate it if you wish)
* Small pieces of paper or post it's
* Ideas
Instructions:
*Write your ideas for curing boredom on the peices of paper and put them inside the shoe box. When your children are bored tell them to grab a peice of paper from the bored box and have them hop to it! I always keep ideas in the bored box that I know will require little to no supervision from myself. That way, if I am busy with other things, the kids will be entertained and I will still have time to get my to do list checked off.
Here are some ideas out of my our bored box
* Office Play ( I set the kids up a little office with an old phone, paper, paper clips, and things that you would find in an office .. .let their imaginations do the rest. This usually keeps my kids busy for at least an hour)
* Dress Up ( I have a box dedicated to old clothes and makeup that I think the girls would like to play with. They have a ton of fun with it)
* Campfire Play ( I set up a little play tent, grab a few sticks and rocks from outside for the fake campfire, I set up a blue blanket with little stuffed ocean pets for the lake, I set other stuffed animals up around the room for the forest, and tell the girls to grab their flashlights and pack their backpacks, and then every once in awhile I come in and flip the light to imitate daylight or nighttime. It takes a little bit to set up, but it keeps them entertained)
* Scavenger Hunt ( I usually just print a quick list off of the internet and set them loose)
* Story Time
* Hide & Seek
* Move Time w/popcorn and pop
That's just a few of the things we have in our bored box. You can add your own or look up inside playtime ideas on the internet. Feel free to let me know how things go or ask me any questions in the comments section. I would also love to hear about the ideas that you put in your own bored box!
Think Like A Child
"Children intuitively understand that life is a series of present moments, each meant to be experienced wholly, one right after another, as if each was important" ~ Richard Carlson
In other words ... children live in the moment. I know my children most certainly do. Salem could be wailing over a broken toy one minute and be completely content going outside to play the next. I have always attempted to implement this strategy into my adult life ... and have consistently failed ... miserably. The fact of the matter is that as an adult I have responsibilities and worries. So how I would I even begin to live in the moment?
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Essentially I need to put less mental emphasis on worries, what needs to be done, the past, the future, mistakes I've made, regrets, concerns, and things that bother me. I simply need to live life now, today, in this moment ... without letting my mind carry me away to thoughts that are removed from the present. After all, isn't it true that happiness can only be attained in the now?
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So how do I (an adult with children, bills, responsibilities and worries) effectively do this? Well ... my plan is simply to work on it. To try and remind myself in the moment, when my mind starts to wander, that I need to be here ... now. There is a time to worry about bills, tackle to do lists, and voice concerns. However, that time is not boundless. I will be taking lessons from my children.
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UPDATE : Operation CAPE (Create a Positive Emotional Environment) has been satisfactory over the last couple of days. The house has stayed somewhat clean. It's by no means a page out of Better Homes and Gardens. It's lived in ,as my mom would say, but it's comfortable. I have been steadily unpacking boxes and organizing. We will be building shelves and toy boxes for the girls' room in the very near future. I have not squawked one time and Kaylin has been keeping her voice down as well. Salem ... is two ... so ... yeah. We have been moving slower and enjoying our days more. It will take time, but we're getting there.
In other words ... children live in the moment. I know my children most certainly do. Salem could be wailing over a broken toy one minute and be completely content going outside to play the next. I have always attempted to implement this strategy into my adult life ... and have consistently failed ... miserably. The fact of the matter is that as an adult I have responsibilities and worries. So how I would I even begin to live in the moment?
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Essentially I need to put less mental emphasis on worries, what needs to be done, the past, the future, mistakes I've made, regrets, concerns, and things that bother me. I simply need to live life now, today, in this moment ... without letting my mind carry me away to thoughts that are removed from the present. After all, isn't it true that happiness can only be attained in the now?
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So how do I (an adult with children, bills, responsibilities and worries) effectively do this? Well ... my plan is simply to work on it. To try and remind myself in the moment, when my mind starts to wander, that I need to be here ... now. There is a time to worry about bills, tackle to do lists, and voice concerns. However, that time is not boundless. I will be taking lessons from my children.
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UPDATE : Operation CAPE (Create a Positive Emotional Environment) has been satisfactory over the last couple of days. The house has stayed somewhat clean. It's by no means a page out of Better Homes and Gardens. It's lived in ,as my mom would say, but it's comfortable. I have been steadily unpacking boxes and organizing. We will be building shelves and toy boxes for the girls' room in the very near future. I have not squawked one time and Kaylin has been keeping her voice down as well. Salem ... is two ... so ... yeah. We have been moving slower and enjoying our days more. It will take time, but we're getting there.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Easy Chicken Marsala
Photo Copyright Amanda Howard 2011
INGREDIENTS:
4 Chicken Boneless half-breasts -- pound 1/4" thick1/4 cup Wondra flour (I used regular flour)
1/2 teaspoon Salt
pepper to taste
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
4 tablespoons Oil
4 tablespoons Butter or margarine
1 cup Fresh mushrooms -- sliced
1/2 cup Marsala wine ( I used the wine I had on hand. It was less than $10 and a little dry)
PREPARATION:
Combine flour, salt, pepper and oregano and blend well. Heat the oil and butter in a skillet until bubbling lightly. Dredge the chicken in the flour and shake off the excess. Cook the chicken on medium heat for about 2 minutes on the first side, until lightly brown. As you turn the breasts to the second side to cook, add the mushrooms around the chicken pieces. Cook about 2 more minutes, until lightly browned on the second side. Stir the mushrooms. When the second side is lightly browned, add the wine around the pieces, cover the pan and simmer for about 10 minutes.
Photos Copyright Amanda Howard 2011
I am absolutely in love with the Olive Garden. However, every time I go there I do order the same thing. The Chicken Marsala with Garlic Parmesan mashed potatoes, a peach tea, and that yummy lemon dessert. *drool*. Fortunately (yes I said fortunately) we are too broke to splurge at the Olive Garden so I Googled the recipe. I cheat! I cheat! As it turns out ... it's really simple to recreate the recipe. I also made a couple of substitutions and it turned out delish! Garlic Parm mashed potatoes are super easy too. Just make the mashed potatoes as you normally would and add minced garlic and grated Parmesan cheese to taste. Enjoy! This is gonna make your taste buds smile.
Painting With Marbles
Being someone who loves to paint I almost always have acrylic paints on hand. They are super inexpensive and so fun to play with. This project is super easy, and just a little messy.
* Newspaper
* Blank Paper for painting on
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Lay the newspaper down to protect the floor.
2. Place the paper inside the shoe box
3. Squirt a few different colors of paint on the paper
SUPPLIES:
* Acrylic or Kid Friendly Paints. Crayola Finger Paints will work as well.
*Marbles or Bouncy Balls
*Large Shoeboxes. ( I used large cardboard serving trays leftover from a birthday party.)
* Newspaper
* Blank Paper for painting on
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Lay the newspaper down to protect the floor.
2. Place the paper inside the shoe box
3. Squirt a few different colors of paint on the paper
4. Drop 1 or 2 marbles inside the box and roll them around the box. Let the marbles do the painting for you.
It's that easy! My kids had a ton of fun with this project. The paintings they created are now on display in their room as well. We got alot of laughs in whenever the marbles would out of the boxes. LOL. Acrylic paints will wash up with soap and water ... so no worries. Have Fun! Let me know how it goes in the comments below. :)
Monday, June 6, 2011
Operation CAPE ... or Part 2
Well ... the last few days have been interesting to say the least.
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First of all, let me just tell you that in order to maintain an environment of relative calm (which is my ideal emotional environment) there are four daily goals that I determined I have to strive for.
*1. Speak softer
2. Encourage my children to speak softer
3. Keep things organized
4. Keep things clean
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Easy enough, right? .... Wrong. The first day I attempted to set this 4 step program into motion ... it was GREAT. The kids listened better when I wasn't yelling. I didn't feel like ripping my already chemically damaged hair out. The house was on it's way to cleanliness. All this and it wasn't even time for Dr. Phil yet. I was doing great ... and so were the kids. Okay ... so we'll dub the first day of Operation CAPE a success. Mission Complete.
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And now for day two .... it's now the weekend and the Hubby is home. Although I love his face and miss it when it's gone ... I realized that I might want let him in on my little project as well. He came home in a not so great mood and ... well ... Day 2 of Operation CASE: Fail.
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So now the weekend is over and I am attempting to get to that positive emotional environment once again. So far today I have accomplished cleaning, got started on organizing, but as as for speaking softly ... eh ... not so much. Salem is still in that infinite crying phase, Kaylin does not take kindly to not getting her way ... or her sister at times, and frankly I get irritated with them and downright pissed at times. So ... there has been some yelling, crying, and basically talking loudly all day. Aye yi yi.
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In conclusion I have realized that Operation CAPE is going to be an ongoing project. It took us awhile to create the current home environment and it will take us awhile to recreate it. I have faith just knowing that I am trying .. and I will be talking to the hubby about my project as well. I will keep everyone posted on Operation CAPE as we as a family progress. As for today .. it's not over yet ... and I will be talking in a softer voice for the rest of the day.
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First of all, let me just tell you that in order to maintain an environment of relative calm (which is my ideal emotional environment) there are four daily goals that I determined I have to strive for.
*1. Speak softer
2. Encourage my children to speak softer
3. Keep things organized
4. Keep things clean
*
Easy enough, right? .... Wrong. The first day I attempted to set this 4 step program into motion ... it was GREAT. The kids listened better when I wasn't yelling. I didn't feel like ripping my already chemically damaged hair out. The house was on it's way to cleanliness. All this and it wasn't even time for Dr. Phil yet. I was doing great ... and so were the kids. Okay ... so we'll dub the first day of Operation CAPE a success. Mission Complete.
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And now for day two .... it's now the weekend and the Hubby is home. Although I love his face and miss it when it's gone ... I realized that I might want let him in on my little project as well. He came home in a not so great mood and ... well ... Day 2 of Operation CASE: Fail.
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So now the weekend is over and I am attempting to get to that positive emotional environment once again. So far today I have accomplished cleaning, got started on organizing, but as as for speaking softly ... eh ... not so much. Salem is still in that infinite crying phase, Kaylin does not take kindly to not getting her way ... or her sister at times, and frankly I get irritated with them and downright pissed at times. So ... there has been some yelling, crying, and basically talking loudly all day. Aye yi yi.
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In conclusion I have realized that Operation CAPE is going to be an ongoing project. It took us awhile to create the current home environment and it will take us awhile to recreate it. I have faith just knowing that I am trying .. and I will be talking to the hubby about my project as well. I will keep everyone posted on Operation CAPE as we as a family progress. As for today .. it's not over yet ... and I will be talking in a softer voice for the rest of the day.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Creating a Positive Emotional Environment ...
... is apparently easier said than done, especially when you have two small children at home and summer vacation has just begun. It's 11:00 a.m. ... I'm a late sleeper .... coffee please.
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Okay, coffee break's over , let's begin
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I think I would be speaking for most mothers when I say that my home is where I spend the majority of my time. Since I, as the mother and the wife, am the heart of the family so to speak it is my responsibility to ensure that, first and foremost, I am happy and comfortable in the home environment. I mean, we all know if Mother is not happy ... no one is happy. Therefore, I know that my home needs to essentially be the ideal environment not only for my family, but for myself. Someplace I can thrive in, relax in, and feel absolutely one hundred percent comfortable in. So, I spent the day yesterday rolling this notion around my head and I realized that in order to begin creating the prime emotional environment for my family and I, I needed to ask myself two questions.
1.) What kind of person am I? This is not the easiest question to answer. Mostly because a person never really knows how they look through anyone else's eyes, and if you ask you are more than likely going to recieve a generic answer that doesn't include the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So, instead of asking others what kind of person they think I am ... I figured ... I'm doing this project for ME so I will answer the question MYSELF.
Well, apparently Myself did not want to delve too deep into those waters just yet, so for the sake of creating a positive emotion climate .. which is what I am working on ... I came up with this.
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I am creative, easily stressed and quick to anger, clean (most of the time), and sometimes lazy. Simple right? Well, I know that there is much more to me than just that ... but I will keep it gradeschool for now.
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2.) What type of environment do I enjoy and thrive in? This one is easy. I thrive in environments that are calm, quiet, clean, and organized. Easy enough. And then I look around my house. Crying children, clutter, dirty dishes still in the sink, nowhere to put anything (especially since we just moved into a smaller house), and the list goes on. Bottom line ... this is not the ideal environment for me ... or anyone else to thrive in ... or even be comfortable in. I must ensue a POA.
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And so begins ... Operation CAPE (Create A Positive Emotional Environment).
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To Be Continued ...
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Okay, coffee break's over , let's begin
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I think I would be speaking for most mothers when I say that my home is where I spend the majority of my time. Since I, as the mother and the wife, am the heart of the family so to speak it is my responsibility to ensure that, first and foremost, I am happy and comfortable in the home environment. I mean, we all know if Mother is not happy ... no one is happy. Therefore, I know that my home needs to essentially be the ideal environment not only for my family, but for myself. Someplace I can thrive in, relax in, and feel absolutely one hundred percent comfortable in. So, I spent the day yesterday rolling this notion around my head and I realized that in order to begin creating the prime emotional environment for my family and I, I needed to ask myself two questions.
1.) What kind of person am I? This is not the easiest question to answer. Mostly because a person never really knows how they look through anyone else's eyes, and if you ask you are more than likely going to recieve a generic answer that doesn't include the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So, instead of asking others what kind of person they think I am ... I figured ... I'm doing this project for ME so I will answer the question MYSELF.
Well, apparently Myself did not want to delve too deep into those waters just yet, so for the sake of creating a positive emotion climate .. which is what I am working on ... I came up with this.
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I am creative, easily stressed and quick to anger, clean (most of the time), and sometimes lazy. Simple right? Well, I know that there is much more to me than just that ... but I will keep it gradeschool for now.
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2.) What type of environment do I enjoy and thrive in? This one is easy. I thrive in environments that are calm, quiet, clean, and organized. Easy enough. And then I look around my house. Crying children, clutter, dirty dishes still in the sink, nowhere to put anything (especially since we just moved into a smaller house), and the list goes on. Bottom line ... this is not the ideal environment for me ... or anyone else to thrive in ... or even be comfortable in. I must ensue a POA.
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And so begins ... Operation CAPE (Create A Positive Emotional Environment).
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To Be Continued ...
Friday, June 3, 2011
The Ultimate Spaghetti
I am so making this for dinner tonight. Only ... I'm substituting the mostaccioli with spaghetti. It's going to be yummy and make me smile. Like this :D
25 25 50
Courtesy of http://www.tasteofhome.com/
Mostaccioli Casserole Recipe
25 25 50 Ingredients
- 1 package (16 ounces) mostaccioli
- 1-1/2 pounds ground beef
- 1-1/4 cups chopped green pepper
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 jar (26 ounces) spaghetti sauce
- 1 can (10-3/4 ounces) condensed cheddar cheese soup, undiluted
- 1-1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
Directions
- Cook mostaccioli according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the beef, green pepper and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, soup, Italian seasoning and pepper.
- Drain mostaccioli. Add mostaccioli and 1-1/2 cups cheese to beef mixture. Transfer to two greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dishes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Cover and freeze one casserole for up to 3 months. Cover and bake the remaining casserole at 350° for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until bubbly and cheese is melted.
Courtesy of http://www.tasteofhome.com/
Mostaccioli Casserole Recipe
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Rage .... or why I picked up the book in the first place.
After staring at the screen for an eternity and juggling different ideas on how to begin this in my head ... I've decided to start simple. The Happiness Project is something I really want to get started on, however, it's also very complex and something that I want to approach logically, with a full understanding of what direction I need to take to satisfy my resolutions. Therefore, I am beginning with baby steps and focusing on Not Sweating It.
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Let me just begin by saying that those of you that know me on very personal level know that I am quck to anger. Have you ever read anything about the rage? Yes .... that is me. I anger easily. More easily than I should. Although, I am quick to forgive and forget, my actions ... or reactions rather ... in the moment of anger are for the most part inexcusable. This is something I have struggled with for quite some time. Only now ... it's not just me struggling with it .. it's my loved ones as well. I am attempting to make myself more aware of when I am getting angry and to calm myself down before I react. I have been put on anti-depressant meds as well, and they help, but they do not eliminate the issue. I need to learn to be angry in a healthier way and to control that anger.
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This very issue is what led me to the bookstore one afternoon, no children in tow, just time for moi. As I sat sipping my cinnamon dulce and reading through the newest Candace Bushnell I looked up and realized that I was directly across from the self help section. I thought, "that is what I need .... self help." So I grabbed my books and my coffee and sat directly in the middle of the aisle. I pulled and thumbed through around a dozen books while sitting there. Chicken Soup for the Military Wive's Soul, The Secret, some Dr. Phil jargon, and then I noticed a group of tiny little books with the title, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff." That was interesting. I thought ... maybe that was IT. Maybe my anger was so intense because I stress out over absolutely EVERYTHING. I rubbed my index finger along the title of the different books in the series and found, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ...With your Family". I picked it up ... opened it somewhere in the middle ... to a page that read in big bold letters Forgive Your Outburts. We had a winner!
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Since I brought the book home a little over a month ago I have to admit ... I haven't read much of it. I occasionally pick it up ... put it down ... reread what I've already read ... and so on.
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Do I think that this book is going to be the resolution of my anger problems? That would be ridiculous. However, it is a start. For the next few weeks, months, or years (Hopefully Not) I am going to be taking each chapter of the book and breaking it down. Incorporating each idea into my own personal life and then reporting ... on this blog ... my successes, my failures, my experiences, and my thoughts. If not for your entertainment, then a way to evaluate myself and progresses. A way to make it real. Put it into action.
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The First Step .... Creating a Positive Emotional Climate. See you tomorrow. :)
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Let me just begin by saying that those of you that know me on very personal level know that I am quck to anger. Have you ever read anything about the rage? Yes .... that is me. I anger easily. More easily than I should. Although, I am quick to forgive and forget, my actions ... or reactions rather ... in the moment of anger are for the most part inexcusable. This is something I have struggled with for quite some time. Only now ... it's not just me struggling with it .. it's my loved ones as well. I am attempting to make myself more aware of when I am getting angry and to calm myself down before I react. I have been put on anti-depressant meds as well, and they help, but they do not eliminate the issue. I need to learn to be angry in a healthier way and to control that anger.
*
*
This very issue is what led me to the bookstore one afternoon, no children in tow, just time for moi. As I sat sipping my cinnamon dulce and reading through the newest Candace Bushnell I looked up and realized that I was directly across from the self help section. I thought, "that is what I need .... self help." So I grabbed my books and my coffee and sat directly in the middle of the aisle. I pulled and thumbed through around a dozen books while sitting there. Chicken Soup for the Military Wive's Soul, The Secret, some Dr. Phil jargon, and then I noticed a group of tiny little books with the title, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff." That was interesting. I thought ... maybe that was IT. Maybe my anger was so intense because I stress out over absolutely EVERYTHING. I rubbed my index finger along the title of the different books in the series and found, "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff ...With your Family". I picked it up ... opened it somewhere in the middle ... to a page that read in big bold letters Forgive Your Outburts. We had a winner!
*
*
Since I brought the book home a little over a month ago I have to admit ... I haven't read much of it. I occasionally pick it up ... put it down ... reread what I've already read ... and so on.
*
*
Do I think that this book is going to be the resolution of my anger problems? That would be ridiculous. However, it is a start. For the next few weeks, months, or years (Hopefully Not) I am going to be taking each chapter of the book and breaking it down. Incorporating each idea into my own personal life and then reporting ... on this blog ... my successes, my failures, my experiences, and my thoughts. If not for your entertainment, then a way to evaluate myself and progresses. A way to make it real. Put it into action.
*
*
The First Step .... Creating a Positive Emotional Climate. See you tomorrow. :)
Some People Know You Better Than You Know Yourself
Okay so ... upon reading Kimberly's latest blog post ... I suddenly realize .. DUH! What I am missing is happiness and self love. Isn't that what this project is suppose to be about? Finding happiness and learning how to love myself. How could I have been so in the dark? I guess I must have began without really evaluating myself.
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Therefore, this blog is about finding that "something missing" which in turn happens to be happiness and self love. What a refreshing discovery.
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Therefore, this blog is about finding that "something missing" which in turn happens to be happiness and self love. What a refreshing discovery.
Don't Sweat the Small Stuff } Intro to Live Full
Do you ever feel like life is just ... passing you by without even doing you the courtesy of flipping you the bird on the way? My bet is you're one of many ... including myself. There are nights that I find myself lying in bed thinking WTF am I doing, where am I going, is this IT for me? The fact of the matter is I am actually fairly content with my so called life, however, I am consistently searching for that "something more" that so many people have referenced before me.
This blog is going to be my dedication to finding that "something more" that I find myself in such desperate need of. It will be a journey as I am starting from scratch having absolutely no idea how to begin. I am basically beginning with the ingredients that I THINK will work well together in order to make me full. Therefore, this blog could quite possible end up being sporadic posts of self help projects, rantings, craft ideas, recipes, personal adventures, etc. Think of it as a manuscript of my life's trials and errors. My goal is to post everyday but this blog may dwindle to a little more than one post a month. That's the fun part ... it's spontaneous ... I simply don't know .. and neither do you. ;)
Last but not least I must give credit where credit is due. Live Full was inspired by a friend, who was inspired by The Happiness Project, who in turn inspired me to be inspired by a book call "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" ... which is where we will begin.
Thank you Kimbo.
This blog is going to be my dedication to finding that "something more" that I find myself in such desperate need of. It will be a journey as I am starting from scratch having absolutely no idea how to begin. I am basically beginning with the ingredients that I THINK will work well together in order to make me full. Therefore, this blog could quite possible end up being sporadic posts of self help projects, rantings, craft ideas, recipes, personal adventures, etc. Think of it as a manuscript of my life's trials and errors. My goal is to post everyday but this blog may dwindle to a little more than one post a month. That's the fun part ... it's spontaneous ... I simply don't know .. and neither do you. ;)
Last but not least I must give credit where credit is due. Live Full was inspired by a friend, who was inspired by The Happiness Project, who in turn inspired me to be inspired by a book call "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff" ... which is where we will begin.
Thank you Kimbo.
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