Hello to any of you that still pop by

Life has been hectic, as I’ve stated before.  Actually, let me restate that.  It’s not so much that life has been hectic, but more that I’ve been more purposeful in what I’m doing, more focused, more dedicated.  I’ve been doing this with every little thing….from how I dust a room to how I parent my children to how I accomplish my work.

I started this focused action because I’ve been doing a lot of soul searching this past year.  You know what?  I still don’t have any great answers.  I don’t think I’ve been set on this planet to change the world.  But I do believe that I’ve been commanded to be the best possible steward to my own little universe.  So I’ve been trying to truly focus my efforts and energy into doing everything to the best standard as often as I can.  In the beginning, it has taken away a lot of my creative energy to meet my standard.  Also, I do find that whenever I start on a journey to create something positive, there is a little resistance from the “universe” at first.  It’s as if the forces-that-be want to make sure that I really want to achieve my goals.  I guess that is why when I have sat down to consider writing a blog post, there has been nothing… no free flowing thought.  I’m assuming that the longer I keep at this focused way of living, the easier it will become and then there will be more creative energy available.

Today I was reading one of my favorite blogs, One Louder.  Heather was discussing her own soul searching and brought up this magazine article
from O Magazine.  It’s author, Martha Beck, had this to say about a concept she calls Just In Time Thinking which focuses on the abundance that truly exists when we have just what we need, when we need it:

“I can’t quite explain this; it often seems nothing short of miraculous. Perhaps this is why the authors of the Bible included the story of the wandering Israelites who were given manna from heaven, but only permitted to gather enough to supply their needs until the next manna-festation. Whether you take it literally or metaphorically, this tale was considered important enough to become holy writ. Why? …. The Israelite story-keepers wanted to remind readers that, miraculous as it seems, just-in-time confidence keeps supply lines clear and prosperity flowing.”

It is a great article (you should read it) that speaks to putting confidence in the abundance we already have in our lives.  I loved the use of the word “manna-festation”  I feel that over the last year, that is exactly what God wants me to understand.  When I trust, my life will manna-fest productivity and abundance.  Gosh, I could write an entire blog on the word manna-fest and how it’s anlaogy could pertain to our lives!  I will have what I need, when I need it, as God wants me to have it.  I’m really going to focus on this for the rest of this coming year.  These are scary times.  I have felt a lot of fear and anxiety on the blogs lately.  A lot of doom and gloom and “end days” line of thinking.  I don’t know that any of that is very helpful.  As our nation continues to struggle through this age, we need to focus on our manna-fest.  We need to trust in our God and in ourselves that we will have what we need when we need it.

In her article, Martha goes on to recommend the following exercise.  I am leaving early tomorrow in the morning for an extended weekend, but when I return, I shall start the following reflections on a regular basis.

1. List 10 times you thought that there wouldn’t be enough of something and you survived.

2. List 10 areas where you have too much, not too little.

3. List 20—or 50, or 1,000—wonderful things that entered your life just at the right time, with no effort on your part. Start with the little things (oxygen, sunlight, a song on the radio).

I can’t wait to feel abundance, productivity, peace, competence and security in deeper, more soulful ways!

Enjoy the day!

-The Mom

Sometimes life just needs to take center stage and blogging needs to wait patiently off to the side.

There has been a lot going on at work…good news in the IT Staffing world!  I have a great sense of pride that the work that I do, right now in this day and age, not only helps my clients and the people I find for them, but it also helps my country.  I love getting people off the unemployment lines and back to work!

The Littlest scored her first soccer goal on Saturday….big fun for her!

Is anybody else over the Swine flue hysteria?  A week from Thursday I am flying down to Cabo San Lucas sans ninos! (without kids – in two different languages no less).  Can I just tell you that right now there are 0 reported cases of Swine Flu on the whole Baja Peninsula.  None. Zip. NADA. Therefore, I should be a lot more scared walking around the state of Washington then I should chillin on the beach in Cabo.  Not to mention that I think the constant intake of smallish quantities of tequila will be a very effective method for killing off any possible bugs.  I’m over the hysteria of the media.  It just kills me.  But hey, I guess it is nice to have everybody stressed about something other than the economy.  So there is that, I suppose.

Here is my biggest news….ready….drum roll…. The week before last I had total vindication in family court!  Can I just tell you that it has taken 2 years and I don’t even want to think about how many dollars worth of legal fees to finally have the court tell the X that dads have to pay child support and all the shenanigans he has pulled over the last 2 years in efforts to avoid that obligation aren’t fooling AN.Y.ONE!

My favorite part of the commissioner’s judgment was when she said to him “your ex wife has built a career for herself, with no previous work experience, with no advanced degree (I have a BA but he has a graduate degree), all the while being the primary parent for the children and without the parental support that you, sir, clearly have and yet you are here to tell me that you want me to assign the wage the court uses for the average 40 year old man in the state of Washington with undocumented income?”  (it is a very low number).  Oh it was wonderful.  Even if I never get paid.  The X and his parents had to listen to the commissioner validate little ole me and rake his sorry behind all over the courtroom.  No, I’m not bitter, just validated.  And oh, it feels so good!

Glad to finally see daylight hours extending past 5:00 in these parts.  Welcome Spring!

All in all, life is still good.  And Me and Mine are still OK.

-The Mom

My friend The Headless Mom has started a new project that I love! Her debut post offers a freebie that pro’lly every single one of us could use at some point or another.

The thing I love the most? This is a product that I probably would not have the nerve to buy myself ‘cuz I wouldn’t want to risk it, but I would be really wishing I knew if I should be buying it or not.

Enter Headless Mom, stage left! HM tried this product….risked her very own clothes for it….and then wrote a review. Thanks Headless! Now, not only do I know that it is worth the dollars to go get my own, but there is an eency weeny teeny tiny chance that I might be the lucky recipient of my very own box FOR.FREE! You could have the same opportunity if you go check out her new site.

I won’t even hate you if you get it and I don’t. That’s friendship right there. Plus…..this is the internet so you won’t know if I’m looking at you all nasty.

-The Mom

I had a spring break visitor and then I went out of town for a few days and then I took a media break.

I will tell you more about all that later, but today is Make Me Laugh Monday at Jenny on the Spot.

This YouTube video (Thanks Heather) made me smile until I was laughing and full of joy. It comes from Belgium and I wish I had been there to jump in!

Happy Monday! Now run along to see who else shared a funny at Jenny On the Spot!

-The Mom

But I am still too sick to do anything about that so instead I am sitting listlessly at my office desk going through all my favorite blogs and thought I’d share….

I’ve collected many over the last several months.  Some people collect china plates, some collect thimbles, some collect stamps….I’ve been collecting blogs.

I started collecting blogs with authors by the name of Jenny, Jen, Jenn, Jennifer…..but I have added many that also reflect some of my interests.

The Adventures of the Headless Family The first blog I ever commented on that I got a response back!  Headless Mom is a great gal and has always encouraged me with my blog.  I hope to cross paths with her this summer.

Where’s my Damn Answer The crazy ladies here actually asked little ole me to do a guest blog.  They have a mixed bag of stuff, always funny or smart or interesting.

Dealing With Life is my funny new friend making her way through life’s stuff.

The NieNie Dialogues is the amazing story about a mom with 4 kids…she has been part of the blogging community forever but was involved in a terrible plane accident last August.  Read this with a tissue and prepare to be inspired.

Jenny On The Spot is hilarious, and glittery, and the President of the Dance Party and Facebook.

Chased by Children is written by a snarky midwestern broad who I admire and love reading.

Barefoot Foodie should not be read while drinking and you can’t be the type that is easily offended by language or irreverance in general.  If you like to laugh however?  Go now!

The Petersons Go Public is written by a brave, lovely gal who is a fantastically creative writer.

In Three Words is a new site by an established blogger….great concept…interesting results.

For Homeward Bound inspiration I read…..

A Soft Place to Land

Nesting Place

Freckles Chick

Our Suburban Cottage

The Lettered Cottage

My Sweet Savannah

All great places to be inspired to make your own great place!

When I’m stuck on what to make for dinner…..

Ten Minutes to Digest

Bake at 350

Dozen Flours

Smitten Kitchen

OK….so not all of those are for dinner ideas….what?

This gal is going to help me clean out and spiff up my closet

Caridgan Empire

This is by no means my whole collection….and I don’t comment on all of these blogs….on some of them I comment every time they post….some of them I strickly lurk…..but I love them all.

Hope you are fairing this start of spring better than I…..The Daughter just called me as she came home from school….now she’s sick too 

-The Mom

I loves me some good crazy….it makes my world feel more normal

-The Mom

Happy Friday!

-The Mom

But I am angry.  I am angry that he continues to try to control me through the girls.  I am angry that he has the audacity to talk down to me and yell at me when I’m the one that keeps the girls clothed and fed and housed.  I am angry that he hurts them by his selfishness.  I am angry that he leaves me to care for their financial needs all by myself.

I don’t dwell in my anger.  But if I have to think about it or discuss it, it rises to the surface very quickly.   To be really honest, I feel like if I let go of my anger, it will be letting him get away with his behavior.  I want him held accountable.  I don’t know how to walk away from that need.

I realize that my children shouldn’t see my anger and I really try hard to not put any focus on it.  The reality of the situation is that they have a crumb of a dad.  They know it.  I know it.  I try not to stand in the way of their relationship with their dad, but I also struggle with the idea that they might be developing unhealthy ideas about what love is.  I don’t want them to think that they have to accept his bad behavior just because they share his DNA.

For more than 20 years I tried to figure out how to have a relationship with my dad who also financially abandoned me.  I don’t count on him for financial support now, but the same selfish choices that led him to ignore my financial needs as a kid are the one that cause him to emotionally abandon me now.  Oh how I would love to shield my girls from a lifetime of banging their heads against a wall.  I don’t suppose I can though.

That makes me angry too.

-The Mom

But I want to say HI to all the new friends from Where’s My Damn Answer! These lovely ladies asked me to write a guest post over on their blog. If you’re not familiar…..go check them out…they are a great group of gals with lots of fun things to talk about….food, exercise, giggles…it’s all there. Bring your glass of wine or shot of tequila and settle in for some good reads. Oh, and today I have asked the group to help me with a very important question. Go put in your two cents…I need your help too!

In the meantime, I will be snuggled into bed hiding out until this cold goes away.

-The Mom

Happy Monday!  Go check out Jenny’s other funny stuff at Jenny On The Spot!

-The Mom