Federal Government's Health Insurance Program

Anybody concerned about all the new health insurance mumbo jumbo the federal government is enacting?  There is just so much to it that I don't understand a lot of it (maybe that was their point). What does it mean for office visits, coverage on major illnesses or diseases, Doctors Malpractice Insurance, etc. once it is all enacted (or will it be squashed before that).

I follow politics but this health insurance program is beyond me.  I wonder if the people who wrote it understand it.

Kids with Musical Gifts

I am so proud of my kids!  My high school freshman plays the flute and she sits in 3rd chair in the high school band.  She beat out every freshman, every sophomore, every junior but one and every senior but one.

My 7th grade son is in first chair for percussion in a 7/8th grade band.  He beat out his own classmates plus every 8th grader as well. So cool!

My 5th grader was looking at clarinets (I played clarinet in school) or flutes and she decided on flute as well.  She has only been playing a couple months with the 5th grade band and we can tell she will be advanced musically as well.

Now I wait to see if my youngest daughter will choose clarinet or flute in a couple years.  We seem to be a woodwind type of family (except for the boys).

My kids are awesome (yes, I'm bragging).  They have a gift with music.  They make me proud!

Bathroom Shower Plumbing

We redid the plumbing to our shower last week.  We didn't plan to have to do that but when things crack, what are you going to do?   We bought more CVPC pipe and all the connectors that go with it, opened up a wall (by sawing through the back of a brand new cabinet - eek!) and redid the plumbing.  We looked at copper and I asked what teflon hose was but neither was something we needed. I am definitely not a plumber.

I have new shower fixtures out of it! Yeah me.

People Who Don't Deserve Children

Last night, I saw a mother spank her one year old so hard, she would've did a face plant into the floor if her mother hadn't had her by the arm.  That poor kid's pelvis went flying forward.  The mother had her dressed in these little heels - real stable and then she smacks her.  All because the little girl was crying after an hour of school band concerts.  How much of an attention span did she really expect a baby to have?

I also saw a mother attend the concert for her son and then leave without him.  He looked for her outside, in the rain, at two different entrances of the school.  She'd left him!

What is wrong with people?

Family Camping

Our family is going to try camping next spring/summer for the first time.  I've never camped in a tent before and neither have any of our kids.  It'll be a new experience for all of us.  I am hoping my teenager can leave her flat iron behind and doesn't try to pack it in the osprey packs to go camping with us.

I don't like bugs.  I can't stand spiders - so terrified of them.  Gnats make my nose itch.  I can handle a weekend of camping in a tent...I hope.

Flooding From Rain

It's December and instead of a ton of snow, we're getting flooding right now from rain.  Oh joy.

I can't stand snow but snow would be better than this constant rain that is causing the river to overflow onto people's farms and into town. This is the second time this year.  I am thinking somebody better 

jump on their skid steer and start building up the banks of the river a bit?

Maybe all this precipitation now will mean a dry winter?  I'd love to not see any snow this winter (as long as it means it's not rain).  I'm asking Santa for a dry winter this year.  We really need to dry out!


Dear Santa,


Please take all the precipitation and send it to somebody who has been experiencing drought right now.


Sincerely,
Syn

Long Marriages

Happy 16th anniversary to me next month!  16 years of marriage - two stepkids, four "ours" children, several moves and jobs...wow!  Will have to pull out the wedding video and pictures and remember back to the day when I was naive enough to think blended families could all work out well despite difficult ex's and spoiled children.  Oh well, the trials actually made the marriage stronger - a little bad for a lot of good!  The ex is still difficult all these years later and the stepkids - well, they're a product of being used by a parent.  Sad for them.

Very thankful for my family today.  My children are awesome!

New Mom Struggles Managing Work and Children

Juggling work and a new baby is a big stress for new moms.  My experience wasn't any different than most new mothers, I believe, who need to work but have a baby.  I needed to care for my child while retaining the respect, reputation and integrity at work, around the daily care of my child, illnesses, etc.

After my firstborn was born, and maternity leave was over, it was a mad dash in the a.m. dressing (putting on a $300 suit and hoping baby didn't spit up on me on the way out the door) to day care to work and then again in reverse when the day was over. I was thankful I had an employer who understood the demands of mommy-hood and I made sure not to take advantage of them. Still, it was hard to receive a call from day care telling me my child had a fever and to come get her when I was in the middle of an important project for the President & CEO of the company.  No matter how much my employer understood, I was still inconveniencing them.  I was pulled in two different directions - the maternal MUST to care for my child and the need to keep the paycheck that put diapers on her and food in her belly while feeling important and necessary to my employer.  I felt like I needed flex-time or the ability to work from home when I had a sick baby but that employer went above and beyond for me.

When the company was sold (I was on maternity leave with my second child at the time), I permanently left that company since my boss was leaving as well. I wasn't going to get the flexible work schedule and understanding.  I needed to know I could both care for my babies and work; the confidence in the new owners just wasn't there. I went searching for a more flexible job that would allow me flex-time, part-time hours with good pay, franchise opportunities for my own business (what better boss for myself but me) or the ability to work at home like workingmums.co.uk offers.  Four children later, my large family is doing well.

Working Mums was founded in 2006 by a mom of two who needed more flexible hours but wanted to stay challenged in her work. Working Mums works with both small businesses and large corporations (and employers in between) to match professional women searching for work (who register for free) with employers (who pay a small fee) looking for professional employees at Working Mums. 

There are also self-employment and franchise opportunities for those who want to be their own boss or expand their brand.  I would enjoy being my own boss. 

Working Mums is not just for mothers though. Dads and other flexible job seekers may look for jobs at Working Mums, franchise opportunities, or utilize the information found at Working Mums that can help them find what they are searching for in a career. 

Working Mum offers years of experience in their Sales, Marketing, Web, Events, Finance and Support Team. This is a great company that has a good backbone of professional staff to help you find that flexible job, a franchise opportunity, or offer career advice and support. 

Working Mums Live in London on March 27, 2012 

I love the flexibility my job offers. My job allows me to put my kids on the bus and be here when they get off the bus.  My schedule is completely my own and I love that. I am raising my children and providing for them at the same time. They are thriving and happy.

The other day, I was complimented by a friend about how well I have it all together and raise my children.  Their behavior is complimented when we go out in public and from teachers at school.  They are genuinely great children and my husband gave me the credit for that recently.  He told me that they are good children because of me.  That was the sweetest thing to hear coming from dad.  I can give my children my time and still help provide for their needs with a flexible job.  Nothing better!

If you are looking for a flexible job, or if you are an employer who can offer flexible job opportunities and want to post them, check out Working Mums. 

Best Jobs in this Economy

My sister went back to school when the economy tanked.  She was in automotive (quality assurance) but she went back to school for computers (I think for a Programmer job, not Computer Operator Jobs...I think).  There will always be a need for computer help.

I think nursing would be a great field to be in right now.  It seems like nurses are always needed.  My oldest is considering nursing after she graduates.  She's not sure yet - nursing or animal vet care.  Guess it depends on how long she wants to go to school and whether she wants to deal with people or animals.

Pool Safety for Children

The American Academy of Pediatrics has an online resource for pool safety rules for children.  You can find it here.  One point is it recommends no pools in the yard until a child is older than five years old.  That makes sense because any younger than that, they wouldn't comprehend the importance of rules or understand the consequences very well.  Even older than five, I think you would have to be very strict with children and pool rules.

All my kids are now over five years old (never thought we'd be done with changing diapers) and we've thought about a pool.  The fear of a child drowning is so intense that I shy away from it.  I would definitely want a locked fence around it and alarms.  If you're looking for pool fences, look up "pool fences" or "fences" with your city, or the largest city near you.  For example, if you're in the Houston area and in need of safe pool fencing, check out houston fences online.

A pool in my yard is something I'll definitely have to think about a little more.

Crazy Teen

My almost 15-year-old daughter wants us to have another baby.  Is she nuts?

Stainless Steel Appliances and Fingerprints

How hard is it to keep stainless steel appliances clean from little fingers?  I am looking at whirlpool refrigerators and love the look of stainless steel. My kitchen cabinets are only a few years old and I'd like to update the applicances as well.  With all my kids though, it might be mean a lot of cleaning of little fingerprints.  Is stainless steel harder to keep clean?

Wet (but pretty) Weather

It's turned into a very wet Fall.  My son will never get his soccer season finished this way - - the fields keep getting waterlogged and they get rescheduled...and rescheduled...and rescheduled.  It makes for pretty pictures though when it does dry up - fall colors on the trees and green grass.  Very nice.

I need to check out power supplies while I'm thinking about it to protect my computer with these storms. That's all I need is to short my computer! I'd cry.

Floral Arrangements

My husband and I are going to renew our vows.  We'll be married 16 years this December!  I am trying to figure out details and right now, I'm working on floral arrangements. I want something a bit different.  I don't have a favorite flower so that's no help at all.  I don't want the normal, average arrangement yet I have a budget.  Any ideas?  I need a unique bouquet for myself, bouquets for my girls to carry, and table centerpieces.  I love nature and was thinking about doing a blooming plant for the centerpiece that can be taken home and replanted.  Then our love would bloom year after year (was that too sappy?).

While I am researching for my vow renewal, a friend in the hospital would probably appreciate a delivery of these flowers below.  Aren't they great? I think these will pick her spirits up.  Being in the hospital for kidney stones and having to eat hospital food would be enough to bring anybody's spirits down.  I think a pretty floral arrangement would make her happy and brighten up her hospital room.

Auto Collision Repair

Collision repair shops - if you are looking for software for estimates on collision repair, check out Web-Est.com auto collision estimating software. It's for small to mid-sized shops. Their cost is $99.00 per month and includes labor costs, OEM and after-market costs. Auto adjusters and insurance companies may be interested in this software as well. The company is based in Florida.

Two Days Until Healthy Lifestyle

Today was the last day for fast food for me before I start my healthy eating plan on October 1st.  I wish I'd picked a different meal as my "last meal" - - went through a drive-thru where the person had to put me "on hold" to figure out how to backtrack on the POS systems they use to put the order in their computer, they messed up my order (onions are NOT allowed on my roast beef!), and it didn't taste all that good.  That'll teach my to try something new as my last meal!  Should've went with french fries from the golden arches instead - at least enjoy all the fat I was ingesting as my last, unhealthy meal!

Two days until healthy eating time!

Ellos Clothes for the Whole Family

I love shopping for little kids clothes but I find that as my oldest kids become teenagers, it can be really fun to put together a fashionable outfit or two (or five) with them and just have fun with them!  Watching my kids develop their own sense of style, no matter what the other kids are wearing, is great.

Of course, who does not like little kids clothes as well?  They are the cutest!

So, where can you shop to find clothing for the entire family instead of running ragged here and here and there? Well, at ELLOS of course!  You can find everything you need from baby clothes to mens jeans at ELLOS (seriously, lingerie to shirts to jeans to skirts to shoes to accessories). It is all in one place!  It doesn't get any easier than that.  It also doesn't get any better than ELLOS with their great range of fashions at fantastic prices!

ELLOS Denim-Look Leggings for Girls

ELLOS Loose-Fit Jeans for Boys

I am crazy about boots and I fell in love with their boots!  ELLOS has the styles I like in the colors I like.  Check these boots out:

They also carry some very pretty tops that can go from casual to dressy easily that I would love to wear.  For bedtime, a little short nightie would be comfortable for me (and appreciated by the husband).

My husband needs a little wardrobe updating (really bad) so I am online window shopping for clothing for him for Christmas.  I want to buy him a nice jacket with a few pair of mens jeans and you can too with their buy now pay later with Ellos!

Check out the number one mail order brand in Sweden for the whole family and have fun online shopping.  Ellos offers great styles and really reasonable prices.  I know I had fun!

Who Coupons?

Who does coupons?  I've been learning how to do coupons for the past two months.  I didn't realize you can pay little to nothing for things like deodorant and toothpaste!  I can see how it can be a bit addicting - going after that great price on products your family uses.  It's a sense of accomplishment to save that money for your family.  In fact, I'm saving so much on products that I am going to start donating some of what I buy to a local women's crisis center for pregnant/abused women.  From what I hear, they get a lot of donations of baby gifts but very little for the moms themselves.  I think it'd be nice to provide them with the small things.

What are some great coupon sites (if you'd like to share)?

I'm an old new mom!

I'm in "new" territory where it concerns my freshman daughter.  She is well on her way to her first high school crush (and the boy is crushing back on her as well it seems like if homecoming was any indication where they didn't stop dancing with each other for an hour and he asked her to the movies - first time).  The problem is after homecoming - the boy isn't very communicative via text and it is stressing my daughter out.  I think she needs to relax a bit and just continue being his good friend, like before homecoming since being herself is how he fell for her, but she is worried that the connection and affection during homecoming was an oddity and they'll go back to being just friends.  She doesn't want that.  Their school is very strict so it's not like he can hug her at school, like he did at the dance, without getting into trouble and he may have been doing homework or eating dinner when she texted him yesterday.  Besides, boys are boys.  I don't get more than a few words at a time from my husband via texting and we've been married almost 16 years.  She needs to relax.  Telling a teenager to relax and listen to mom - yeah, right.  Pigs might as well start to fly.

She is so stressed she hugged me yesterday and just held on for awhile.  That is out of character for her.  I usually get a quick hug, not a "hang onto mommy forever" kind of hug.

I'm finding no matter how old my kids get, there are always new experiences to struggle with that makes me feel like a nouveau mommy all over again!

New iPhone!

The family is getting a new cell phone plan in November.  I can't wait to get a new iPhone!  I have a 3G now but the Apple iPhone 4 is out and I don't have one.  I tend to want the best cell phones available.  Of course, I hear Apple will have an iPhone 5 soon!  I want one already and I don't even know what else it can do that an iPhone 4 can't.  I'm so bad.

Too Busy

Finding time for our horses is always a major problem once school starts. With school comes soccer, cheerleading and marching band between my four kids.  It's too bad all the different coaches involved couldn't get them all on the same schedule (kidding...but wouldn't that be nice?).  Two have something two days a week, one child has it five days a week, another three days a week - - and that is just during the week.  The weekend is full of two football games for my three girls and soccer game for my son. Our poor horses get shut out for a couple months while Fall sports take over our home so the equestrian riding apparel isn't getting much use at the moment.

I took a pregnancy test this morning being four days overdue.  I couldn't figure out where I was going to find time if the test was positive.  I'm turning 40 next month so an oopsy baby would be a huge, unexpected surprise.  The test was negative.  As much as I love babies and still get that little twinge when I see a newborn, I am just not ready to start over again.  Now to talk my husband into a vasectomy so these scares don't happen!  How many Valium does it take for a man to have a vasectomy? Mine is scared to even think about it.

What they don't tell you about parenting

There is one item that parents are unaware of the vast need for when having children.  It is something a child needs in a majority of their things and something that brings loud complaints when they fail - batteries. If you haven't taken stock out in it yet, you might want to think about it. Batteries are the one thing I always buy extra of because the time will inevitably come when I hear, "Mooooooooom, these batteries don't work."  It happens all the time.

I know about the huge expense for diapers and formula but nobody ever told me a lot of batteries were another required expense of having children.

Kids Swimming Lessons

My six year old has been taking private swim lessons at the local YMCA this summer.  I've tried them in the past and she was too scared of the water.  This year, she puts her swimming goggles on and will get in.  She still doesn't like putting her face in the water but she'll get there.

Yesterday we were at a friend's house and she saw their big pool.  She decided right then that their house was more fun and she would live there.  Cute...but no.

Outgrowing Our Space

We have outgrown our current home and can't move for at least two years and our kids want another sibling.  Another sibling - isn't happening. Bigger house eventually - better happen.

We are going to make do with what we have - rearrange kids in rooms, cosmetic changes to a bathroom so the kids aren't freaked out by it (it's a basement bathroom - tends to scare the kids), perhaps apply a garage floor coating to our garage floor and get some more living space out of what is used just for storage right now.  I was thinking about a concrete overlay system that would make the floor look like cement tile.

I need some good storage ideas as well.  We have small closets and a lot of stuff.  What's the best way to store all this stuff?

Peaceful Home Ownership

Doesn't this look beautiful?  In two years, we will be looking to find our "permanent" home (our house right now was just a temporary stop in real estate ownership until we found what we wanted).  When child support is done, we will be ready to move into a little larger home that our big family actually fits into without stepping all over each other.  I want someplace peaceful like this Branson real estate.  Mornings with this view - awesome!

Earn Rewards While Shopping

I love those store cards where you earn points or get special savings when you use it. If it is something you would normally use, it is like free stuff! If the free stuff is gas, like with this Visa reward card, wow!  Who would not want to earn some money off these gas prices?  I know I do!  I have a lot of school clothes and school supplies to buy, in addition to college books for my husband's oldest child, so earning back something for purchases we have to make - bonus!

Kohl's Coupons

It's been a busy year, but I'm back! My kids keep me jumping and this economy keeps me stressing.  When is it going to get better?  I just ordered some clothes for one of my girls from Kohl's and I used Kohls coupons to save money.  I have become a coupon queen and always look for coupons for whatever I buy.  Clothes are definitely no exception.

Car Insurance with a Teenager

Does anybody know what happens to my car insurance rates once my teenager gets her driver's permit or driver's license? I'm worried they're going to double or something!

My oldest will be going into high school next.  It is hard to believe that over the next four years, she'll start dating, learning to drive, and will become an adult.  Wow!

New Mom Baby Gifts

Every new mom has a standard list of things they need for a new baby.  How do you give the "standard" required baby stuff that every new mom wants but make it unique for mom and baby? 

I know!

Personalized Baby Gift Baskets

Yup, you give personalized baby gift baskets just like the one in the photo above sold by Baby Stuff Gifts.  Isn't it cute?  You can order for boy, for girl, or for twins! 

I always wanted a set of twins.  I thought one of us girls in the family would have them since they run in the family for each generation but it didn't happen.  My little brother is the only one left to have children yet so maybe he'll get the twins!  That'd be funny - the last to have kids would get double the trouble at once.  Love it!