Showing posts with label Guest blogger. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Guest blogger. Show all posts
Friday, October 21, 2011
Cara: Guest Blogger
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Cara
I so enjoy the Guest Blogger. I have people tell me all the time "I should put that on your blog" and I am always like Yes!! Please do!!! But then they chicken out. Not sure why. I will always do my best to keep your identity somewhat secret. I love to have a different "voice" on here now and again. So if you ever need to vent or have something you think is worth sharing please don't hesitate to let us know. We don't edit(although I will have to fix a typo if I see it otherwise I will get rash). And we don't even have to agree (much)...always keeping it real.
So today I am happy to have Rosie the Riveter back as a Guest Blogger.
So today I am happy to have Rosie the Riveter back as a Guest Blogger.
Square Pegs.
No, not the '80s TV show that launched SJP (although, that was good too) but kids. You know the ones I mean, the square pegs in a world made up of round holes. I have one like that. He is special. All three of my boys are special to me, and all so different, but there is one.
You see he has always been special. Every circumstance of his life has had a certain wow factor. He is a twin. Multiples by way of modern science is not that uncommon in this day and age but this is the child who was no where to be found at that first sonogram but miraculously was there a week later. A tiny little heart beat, just as strong as his brother's. Where did he come from? Where was he hiding the week before? “I can't believe we missed that” said the doctor, but there he was. I knew then he was meant to be mine and was catching the last bus. This was it, the last chance. After almost 7 years of trying to complete our family this was the last try.
That was only the beginning of his magic tricks. You see, the boys decided that 27 weeks was long enough of the ride on that bus and were getting off at the next stop. So early and so tiny what would be the next trick. Well my little square peg began having complications. Serious ones. Complications that required surgical intervention, IV feeding and tons of medication. They told us to prepare ourselves, he may not make it. The doctor stood at his incubator for 24 hours straight. Watching. Waiting. Then a week passed and he improved. Then 2 more weeks, then a set back, a stroke. Would he be normal? They couldn't say, just wait and see. Three more surgeries and months later, he finally came home. My little square peg, just not quite like his brother. He had beat the odds and was healthy but now what.
Well the square peg forced his way through his infancy. Fighting withdrawal symptoms from medications and fighting to grow and precisely measured feedings, physical therapy and specialists. He wowed them all. Made every milestone, grew and thrived but always in his own way. The golden blond in the a family of brunettes, carried sunshine with him wherever he went as well as a dose of mischief. The duct-taped diapers, the Allen keys sticking out of outlets, the Houdini impression escaping the crib tent. Just not your average baby.
Well the not average baby is now your not average kindergartener. Kindergarten is a child's first real exposure to the world of round holes. He is doing well and learning. He gets along with the other kids for the most part but just doesn't seem to fit the mold as far as the teacher and bus driver are concerned. Now for the dilemma, I love my square peg just the way he is. He is a fighter, a survivor and an original character. I want him to enjoy school and learn what he should but I do not want him to stop being himself in order to make things easier for the teacher. He should behave and not be disruptive.
I am at an impasse on this one. I do not want him to stop being himself, the world is a better place with him in it but how do I get him to the place where his corners are a little smoother and maybe the holes are a little squarer? Any ideas?
Cara's two cents: Well first I must say I do love this square peg (and his two rounder peg brothers as well of course"). He is very funny. When else can you reminisce about duct taped diapers?? He has complimented me about my nail polish, jewelry and red hair since before he could talk. Who can resist a man that showers you with compliments? I love to have him come over and swim in my pool and go see him play football even if he walks off in the middle of the play because, well he was just done playing for the day. He will give you a run for your money and melt your heart at the same time. I have known this square peg since before he was born and even though he is in a roundish hole world, something tells me he will figure it all out. He has defied the odds before and I don't think anyone has begun to see what he will accomplish.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Cara: Advice from a Tree
Normally I would have made my friend "Buddy" post this under Guest Blogger. She is not one for the spotlight, but I could not take credit for finding this. She and I both have a penchant for great quotes, plaques with great sayings or books that make you
I have issues with change and the change of seasons no different for me. This reminds me to embrace change, be it from sitting by the pool to walking through crunchy fallen leaves. Or letting one of my birds out of the nest out into the world. The summer contentment thing I got down pat. Maybe just maybe this year when Old Man Winter comes and sits himself in my lap I will remember these words about winter. For now I think I will try the fall "wisdom to let go" on for size. Thanks Buddy. You always know when I need you.
Advice From a Tree
Dear Friend,
Stand Tall and Proud
Sink your roots deeply into the Earth
Reflect the light of your true nature
Think Long Term
Go out on a Limb
Remember your place among all living beings
Embrace with joy the changing seasons
For each yields its own abundance
The energy and Birth of Spring
The Growth and Contentment of Summer
The Wisdom to let go like the leaves of Fall
The Rest and Quiet renewal of Winter
Feel the wind and the sun
And delight in their presence
Look up at the moon that shines down upon you
And the mystery of the stars at night
Seek nourishment from the good things in life
Simple pleasures
Earth, fresh air, light
Be content with your natural beauty
Drink plenty of water
Let your limbs sway and dance in the breezes
Be flexible
Remember your roots
Enjoy the view!
~ Author Ilan Shamin
Monday, February 7, 2011
Cara: Guest Blogger
I do love the guest bloggers. Not only cause it gives me a day off but, I love to have a different point of view other than mine and Jenn's. Today we have our mutual friend who will now be fondly referred to within, as Rosie the Riveter. (pictured above) For those of you not familiar with Rosie, she is a feminist icon in the U.S. She represented the American women who worked in factories during WWII, replacing male workers who were serving in the military. There was a song written about her back in the day that went something like this:
"All the day long, whether rain or shine, She’s part of the assembly line.
She’s making history, working for victory, Rosie the Riveter."
She’s making history, working for victory, Rosie the Riveter."
That pretty much sums it up for me.
Without further adieu I give you our guest blogger....
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Nobody asked for my opinion but the bloggers in residence have allowed me the opportunity to reply to Parenting 101, so with the utmost respect for them, here you go....
Thanks for the notes but...
I guess I was absent that day...not that I wasn't schooled but I was home schooled. I had wonderful fantastic parents that did not suck in anyway. They were giving, patient, loving and tried very hard to do what they thought was the right thing. They were even certified by the state (I am adopted). They set a great example as to what parents should be, but they, like the rest of us, were not perfect so neither are their children, especially me.
First let me say that I agree that there are parents that suck. The mother who left her 12 year old home alone to go across the country to get married, she sucks. The parents I know who drank, gambled and did drugs while their 2 sons struggled, they suck. The mom I knew as a kid who sat in her living room doing crossword puzzles all day while her 5 kids ran rampant, she sucked. But I digress, we were talking about Parenting 101.
Should you live vicariously through your children? Now this is a matter of perspective, isn't it? Now don't get me wrong, like everything else there are extremes when it can be detrimental but trying to keep your child from having your same regrets is different. If there was a sport you loved as a kid but chose what you thought might be cooler, like hanging out on the corner, you'd wouldn't want your kid to make that same mistake. Your child shows a talent or a passion for something but doesn't recognize it, you should encourage them, right. If you missed out on opportunities, you want to make sure your kid doesn't miss, is that living vicariously through them or is it encouraging them in the right direction and having pride at their successes? I don't know, having kids is kind of a do-over, I know I could use a do-over for some things, don't you?
If you are not paying your mortgage so you can buy things for your kids, you are an idiot and have bigger issues than can be addressed here. If you are in a position to buy stuff for your kids, good for you, that is your prerogative. Just like it is mine to teach my children that you need to live within your means, earn what you get and that doing without will teach you resourcefulness. I have had this conversation with my 8 year old many times. When he asks why don't we have...? I remember to list the thing he does have, like our family, parents that love each other and him and that whatever things we do have mean more to us because we earned them. Not an easy lesson but one that should be taught.
When I look at my kids, do I wish they could have more stuff? Of course I do but it is my job to make sure they don't care what the neighbors have, that life is not a competition with another person, you should only compare yourself to yourself and be a better you not better than, whoever.
I agree that being age appropriate is important, however I think you need to remember that my due time may not be yours. I think 8 is too young for a child to have their own computer, but there are parents, parents that I respect, that have given their 8 year old their own computer. They have their reasons I am sure, but that doesn't work for my household. I know 9 year olds with cell phones, I think its nuts but I am sure their parents have their reasons. Would it make things easier for me if there were some sort of universal age limits for everything, like drivers licenses? Yes. Does it makes it harder for me to explain to mine that he will need to be 12 before he gets one? Yes, but that is up to me. I need to teach him he needs to be responsible enough to handle it, that is my job as HIS parent. That is my opportunity to teach him that you need to earn it to get it, here in my little world.
Dealing with competition is hard, some people are more competitive than others and we live in a world were everything is a competition, right? Teaching your child to try to be first is natural, I think. It starts at mommy and me. Johnny is talking already, Janey is walking already. We all do it. Especially with our first child. Now I do not think that stepping on people to be first is to be encouraged but I do think that encouraging your child to TRY to be first is OK and if they step on somebody on the way up I am sure they will meet them again, on the way down. Like the windshield and the bug, they will be on both ends of this particular conundrum, I am sure. As hard as it may be for you when your kid is the bug, chances are it will bother you more than it bothers them and the real trick is to not let them see that. If it does bother them, then teaching them to use that as inspiration to work harder next time is not a bad thing, is it? Look, I understand that you don't want to crush your 8 year old but if he is not on the superstar team because he is not as good as some of the other kids, it really doesn't matter what you call the team, does it? Don't you think he knows? Mine does. Here's the thing, if you are going to play, sometimes you win and sometimes you lose.
Parenting. An Independent Study.
You see, I have a parenting style that may offend people or make them think I don't care and it goes without saying that I adore my children. They are special, amazing, miracles to me. To me, but not necessarily to the rest of society and I am a true believer that nothing in life is guaranteed. When I woke up one day to find myself with 3 sons I was painfully aware of the great responsibility to create 3 men. Not just men I would like to be around but men that would go out into the world and not be an entitled punk, not be a self-entered lazy person, not be a guy, be a man.
You see when I remind my kids that the rules apply to them, I do so because the example is easy to see of people who park wherever they want, drive wherever they want, cut lines, don't do their homework because they were busy or their parents think its stupid. When I tell my kids they are not special it is not to irreparably damage their self esteem. It is to remind the that they are not better than anyone else any more than anyone is better than they are. I believe true self esteem doesn't come from empty compliments, telling him he is wonderful just because he showed up, getting a participation trophy or bragging to other parents. True self esteem comes from personal victories, true accomplishments. If I puff my children up like balloons by telling them everything they do is wonderful they are ripe for the popping. If they earn praise they will have true confidence that can never be taken away.
So as for me I will continue to tell my kids they are not special, that the rules apply to them, even when they don't like it, that your only competition is yourself, and that the best reward is knowing you have done your best, even if nobody else notices.
In the end, how someone parents their children is as individual as fingerprints, even for each of your own children. The only prerequisite is to love them, try to do your best as much as you can and teach them that although someone else's rules are for them, my rules are the ones that count for my kids, for now.
Because I am the parent, self taught.
~Rosie
Jenn's two cents: I never did well at independent studies. Although my page is somewhat different than others, I try to keep it all the same. What works for one child does not always work for others and sometimes you change the rules in the middle of the game. My older kids complain that my youngest gets things way before they did (i.e computer at age 8 - my oldest was 12, my middle was 11) but just like my oldest waited until he was 5 before he has a lolly pop or candy or juice box and I made all his baby food, the age just seemed to change as his sisters came along - Lu had a lolly pop at 2 and baby food out of a jar. We all start out thinking we should be this or that kind of parent - but really at the end of the day we do what works best for us and our family. Thanks for the post Rosie!
Cara's two cents(ok more like four!): Well then. Great post and great comments. My two cents is this: While my previous posts about parents who suck and parents who need to get a clue where written perhaps in the heat of the moment, when things were really getting to me, I agree with a lot of what everyone said. I agree that a parent needs to be their child's advocate and biggest cheerleader. I can think my kids are the best things in the world but I surely don't expect you to. And I surely don't expect them to think they are better than everyone else. Are they better at some things than maybe the next guy? Sure. Is the next guy better at some things than them? Of course. That's life. I think rather than other people's parenting skills or lack thereof being my issue, because I agree we all do things differently, it's when their nonsense affects my life or my child's it causes me to get my back up. Ignore them? Yeah, well good advice unless it's always in your face. I do expect parents to act like adults, not children. I do expect them to remember it's children we are dealing with here and leave their issues, insecurities and political ambitions at the door. I know I do. I am not saying I don't have issues, but at least I know what mine are and keep them in check. And I would NEVER belittle someone else's child just to make my kid feel better. I always told my kids "Don't make yourself feel better my making someone else feel bad" Make yourself feel good by your own hard work, or God given talents. Never take any of that for granted because if you do everything for the right reasons with a kind heart, you will deserve all the blessings that come your way. I think we all need to remember we are in it together...going through the trenches like everyone else. There will come a day when things don't go your kids' way or things go exactly they way they wanted. Either way they need the tools to handle both the right way. I can honestly say, it's great when someone says to me "your daughter has a beautiful voice" because she does (God given/developed over the years talent) but it makes me happier when someone tells me, "your daughter was so kind to the girl that was crying at play practice she is a wonderful person, you should be proud". I am. Very. I do think we are raising adults. In the end, when they leave the nest...are they well grounded, loved, self-confident, good people that make you proud? If so, mission accomplished.
~Rosie
Jenn's two cents: I never did well at independent studies. Although my page is somewhat different than others, I try to keep it all the same. What works for one child does not always work for others and sometimes you change the rules in the middle of the game. My older kids complain that my youngest gets things way before they did (i.e computer at age 8 - my oldest was 12, my middle was 11) but just like my oldest waited until he was 5 before he has a lolly pop or candy or juice box and I made all his baby food, the age just seemed to change as his sisters came along - Lu had a lolly pop at 2 and baby food out of a jar. We all start out thinking we should be this or that kind of parent - but really at the end of the day we do what works best for us and our family. Thanks for the post Rosie!
Cara's two cents(ok more like four!): Well then. Great post and great comments. My two cents is this: While my previous posts about parents who suck and parents who need to get a clue where written perhaps in the heat of the moment, when things were really getting to me, I agree with a lot of what everyone said. I agree that a parent needs to be their child's advocate and biggest cheerleader. I can think my kids are the best things in the world but I surely don't expect you to. And I surely don't expect them to think they are better than everyone else. Are they better at some things than maybe the next guy? Sure. Is the next guy better at some things than them? Of course. That's life. I think rather than other people's parenting skills or lack thereof being my issue, because I agree we all do things differently, it's when their nonsense affects my life or my child's it causes me to get my back up. Ignore them? Yeah, well good advice unless it's always in your face. I do expect parents to act like adults, not children. I do expect them to remember it's children we are dealing with here and leave their issues, insecurities and political ambitions at the door. I know I do. I am not saying I don't have issues, but at least I know what mine are and keep them in check. And I would NEVER belittle someone else's child just to make my kid feel better. I always told my kids "Don't make yourself feel better my making someone else feel bad" Make yourself feel good by your own hard work, or God given talents. Never take any of that for granted because if you do everything for the right reasons with a kind heart, you will deserve all the blessings that come your way. I think we all need to remember we are in it together...going through the trenches like everyone else. There will come a day when things don't go your kids' way or things go exactly they way they wanted. Either way they need the tools to handle both the right way. I can honestly say, it's great when someone says to me "your daughter has a beautiful voice" because she does (God given/developed over the years talent) but it makes me happier when someone tells me, "your daughter was so kind to the girl that was crying at play practice she is a wonderful person, you should be proud". I am. Very. I do think we are raising adults. In the end, when they leave the nest...are they well grounded, loved, self-confident, good people that make you proud? If so, mission accomplished.
Friday, April 30, 2010
Cara:Friday Farrago ~ Guest Blogger
On Wednesday my post was "Be a Man". This inspired my favorite man to write his own post. I knew he was secretly dying to be a Guest Blogger. The nice parts of my post were most definitely inspired by him. So without further ado I give you today's Guest Blogger fondly referred to within as TP or Hubby.....
No one can truly prepare a boy/girl for the challenges that face him or her in the journey of life. You can’t be taught all that is required, as you are faced with obstacles unforeseen in your youth or for that matter, by the mentors before you. Today’s world is not the one that our mentors traversed in their journey, yet it also can sometimes be very similar.
Simple core values guide us as we look to make the decisions that will impact our future as well as those coming up behind us. Here are some core values that I believe have made my path more often than not the right one:
Unselfishness – Doing right by others before yourself, not for the glory but because it is right
Politeness – There is a difference between a man and a woman and you need to treat each differently
Loyalty – As long as it is not at the expense of others. Support the people who are family and friends
Kindness – You always get more with sugar…a smile usually gets you what you want.
Laughter – Always enjoy what you are doing and those around you.
Teach – If you see an opportunity where some experience can help, tactfully impart knowledge.
Strive – It is okay to lose; it is not okay to participate halfheartedly
Mimic – Follow the example of those before you, who have performed successfully.
This is just a short list of what I learned from my parents. I recently had an opportunity to tell my dad that I didn’t give him enough credit as a dad when I was growing up. I told him that it is a lot harder than I thought it was going to be, and I appreciate all that he did for us. Perhaps we should all add thankfulness as a core value as well.
Monday, March 29, 2010
Cara: Guest Blogger
I am very excited to have our second guest blogger, Cowgirl! I have made mention of her many times in my posts. She had emailed this recipe to us and our friends. Then I asked her if I could put it on the blog and maybe she would want to be a guest blogger that day as well? She agreed! Please feel free to send some comments her way!
So making her blogging debut I give you:
When I became a mom I knew that there would be things that you had to teach your children. You had to teach them their please and thank you’s, help them with their school work, teach them to be nice to their friends, respect their elders etc. But I never thought I would have to teach one of my kids how to be social. You know, things like how to interact with the other kids or how to come out of their shell.
I have to say this so far, has been the biggest challenge for me. First problem - I am an outgoing person. I don’t have problems interacting and talking to people, therefore, my child is a mystery to me. I’m not sure what to do. How do I help him open up and not be so shy? How do I teach him to speak up for himself? Second problem- I think I taught him too well how to be a good boy and follow the rules! He doesn’t come out of his shell sometimes because he doesn’t want to get in trouble. OK, yeah me! (I think.)
As with everything else in my children’s life, I will rise to the occasion and help him the best I can and grit my teeth along the way! After all, it could be worse.
But why does it have to be this hard?
Cowgirl’s Chicken and Rice Soup
I made this soup tonight and it was really good and EASY!!! Thought I would pass along for when anyone has leftover chicken and doesn't know what to do with it!
2 TBL butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 (32 oz) cans of low-sodium chicken broth
1 can of cream of chicken soup
2 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1 bag of frozen mixed vegetables, thawed
1 packet of Knorr chicken-flavored rice
Salt & pepper
In a large pot, melt butter over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until tender. Add broth and soup, whisk to combine. Stir in chicken, vegetables, rice, salt and pepper.
Cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-high heat for 15 minutes.
(it thickens up a lot so if you want it thinner just add some water)
Serves 8
Friday, February 12, 2010
Guest Blogger - Diva
I have been wanting to start having guest bloggers. I have been telling the Diva that I want her to do one. She had to write an essay for AP Composition Class about having a dream. She had to write her essay in the sense of Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" speech. When she asked me to proof read it I decided to blog it. (with her permission of course!)Crocs are something her and I disagree on. She hates them. I semi-hate them. I have one pair that I wear in the yard or maybe to pick someone up if I don't have to get out of the car. She wants me to wear them well, never.
I stand before you today, in a size eight, two and half inch high stiletto, to raise awareness of the tragic epidemic that is sweeping our nation. I stand before you today, as a woman who knows the pains of "a great shoe" and is not afraid to stand up to it. I stand before you today, to stop the oppression of the women of this nation, as they are faced with the evils of comfort and practicality.
Three long years ago, women walked our streets, their feet dressed in the latest fashion. Stilettos, and boots, and fabulous flats adorned our sidewalks. Yet, look around now. What do you see? You see women falling prey to the ideal of being comfortable. No longer, are we believers of "pain is beauty"! No longer, are women suffering in order to look good in the latest fashions! We are being shackled by the chains of comfort, and brainwashed by the less fashionably fortunate. As a woman of this fashion forward world, you are blessed with the right to dress how you want, and the way you want.
We are not restricted by the manacles of religion, or the ways of society. My fellow women, we are being shackled by the evils of comfort. As seen through the painful demonstration of the new trend that is Crocs. Plastic garden shoes, with "breathing holes" for those tired feet...this must be stopped! My fellow Americans, I stand before you today to urge you to stand up to the temptation, and to look it in the eye (or in this case the feet) and stand strong. Like an unwanted tenant, comfortable shoes have moved into the fashion world. They have come in, unpacked their bags, and hung their pictures on the wall. And they don't intend on leaving on their own accord.
I have a dream, that one day, stilettos and boots that have for so long, solidified the image of a powerful woman, will return. I have a dream that one day soon, we will all live in harmony with fashion and fabulosity. Now is the time to rise above the trend. Now is the time to shelf those comfort shoes and take out the power shoes. From Washington, to Florida...now is the time. Now is the time, to stand proud as a fashionista of America and cash in those practical shoes, for shoes that make you feel on top of the world. No longer are we going to stand for the idea of sacrificing our femininity, for the sheer fact that it's more comfortable. Now is the time, to take a stand! We must fight for the return of the stiletto. We must rally together, and show that women of the world do not succumb to the pressure of "being comfortable".
I stand before you today, tired feet and all, proud to say that we, as American woman, have the power. We have the power to stop this epidemic sweeping our nation. As Rachel Joy Scott once said, "Start a chain reaction". With one change of a shoe, you can change the view of American women across the nation. Show the world, that you are not afraid to sacrifice your comfort, for a beautiful pump, or funky flat. I stand before you today, to urge you to make the switch. Ditch the plastic shoes, and reconnect with those heels. I stand before you today, a woman who knows that pain is beauty, and knows that the shoes on your feet, reflect the strength in your heart. In today's society, your appearance has a direct effect on the way people view you as an individual.
If you want to be viewed as someone who takes the easy way out, and doesn't push themselves, comfortable shoes is the way to go. Yet, if you want to be viewed as a confident, accomplished, and proud woman, you must let it reflect in your appearance. Nothing says more about a woman then the powerhouse heels on her feet. Comfort and practicality are ruining the image of American women. Power and beauty must be restored in every ones shoe closet, and in every ones life.
I have a dream, that every woman will realize that to wear a comfortable shoe over the fashionable one, is to cheat yourself of the last cookie. You know you want to shelf the comfort, and bring on the beauty, but you just can't bring yourself to do it. I urge you to go for it. Your feet may regret it, but your heart won't. Powerful shoes, in essence, create a powerful women, that essence, creates a powerful life. Which, as the story of our favorite shoe fashionista Cinderella goes, is proof that a pair of shoes can change your life!
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