Surrey Salute!

Experiences shape our lives, and although our 5 month detour was unplanned, it held many blessings.  Lexi was embraced in a wonderful school with caring teachers and administrators.  It brought brings me to tears to be thanked for sharing my precious daughter and to hear how she impacts others.  

We don't always know what God has planned for us - sometimes those surprises leave an everlasting imprint on your heart...and the hearts of others.

Surrey Salute Pictures

Stand Your Ground!!

When I initially heard this story, I thought justice was swift.  As I learned more and saw the video footage, I had second thoughts.  Oklahoma has a "Stand Your Ground" law, protecting a home/business owner's right to defend themselves.

Here's the news report of the charges being filed and the store's surveillance tape.

Pharmacist Shoots Robber  a news article (includes a shorter video)

I'm conducting my own poll...what do you think?

Self-Defense?
	Self-Defense
	1st Degree Murder
	Undecided
pollcode.com free polls

Poll will close on Saturday.

Dear Jon Letter

Last night, Lexi and I watched the Jon and Kate Plus 8 season premiere.  Hoping the rumors floating around were just malicious gossip, we were disappointed to see the stress.  We've watched these kids grow up the last few years, yet now there appears to be serious trouble in the Gosselin home.  

Of course, in retrospect, the signs were there.  Kate, in her blunt, overbearing way, treated Jon more like wayward hired-hand than a partner.  Their styles are opposite - she's detail oriented to the extreme, he's a free spirit.  Kate is abrasive, Jon is apologetic.  Those qualities are a ticking time bomb in most marriages.  Sometimes, love does prevail, but more often resentment quietly builds.  As their fame and fortune escalated, Kate was elevated to Momma Goose with her adorable little ones in lock step.  Jon was relegated to the background, eventually losing the elements of a man's identity that are important to his self-respect.

Dear Jon:

Step up and be the man, husband and father your family deserves. Running away is a cop-out. You've allowed your family to become this train wreck. Yes, you're married to a strong woman, a quality that has most likely come in handy raising eight children, but one that you have fostered and hidden behind.  Yes, she's married to a gentle, kind man who just wants everybody to be happy - pleasing others to the extent you've lost yourself.

Jon, I encourage you to fight for your wife and children.   It will be a change for Kate - she's grown accustomed to leading the charge. You both claim that the kids are your priority - yet there is a very self-centered divide.  It doesn't matter who's at fault for what - move forward. Two loving parents are the best gift you can give your kids - find that place again.    Work together, communicate, find a loving, respectful solution that makes each of you a whole partner.  Get into counseling.  Do what it takes.

Find yourself Jon - don't waste precious time.  Look into the eyes of your children and know where your heart belongs.  Fall in love with your wife again.  Change what needs to be changed.  Be the leader God intended you to be.

Sincerely ~ MomUnscripted

I write that because I have a little Kate in me and there have been times in my own life when my headstrong personality gets me into places I don't want to be.  I'm married to a good man whose greatest desire is for me to be the happiest woman on earth.  That can be a fatal combination when it gets out of balance with daily reality.   Kate doesn't need a letter, she needs one word, the same as I often have to remind myself:

RESPECT

I doubt we will continue watching Jon & Kate Plus 8.  Gone is the peek into the life of raising multiples - replaced with the tabloid nastiness that destroys families.   Behind the reality television show are hurting people - and innocent children.   We will be praying for them.

Weekend Stuff

Morning!  We've had a quiet, peaceful weekend so far.  

Keith and I attended the 2nd class of Financial Peace University - and reinforced our belief in chores with a payplan.  When we implemented the FP for Kids last year, we attached $ to chores that were not optional.  Room cleaning, dishwasher duty, laundry responsibility - is mama enforced.  So that didn't work.  This summer, we're going to establish some extra jobs for the kids to earn money.   We are scrutinizing our budget to maximize our savings ability.  I sometimes feel there are no more areas for us to be frugal or cut back, yet there continues to be opportunity.   It's amazing how mindset changes perspective.

Last night we hung out with friends and participated in the All-American Sport of Eating.   The kids went swimming and then the big boys of the group provided guitar and piano entertainment.  

My little friend Blakely is celebrating her birthday - and she surprised her mom by requesting a doll!  They traveled to Dallas and Blakely picked out an American Girl and named her Morgan. Lexi and I decided no new mom & daughter duo is complete without matching bags, so I used her Bitty Baby backpack as a guide to create:

Morgan's clothes can be stored in the backpack, and she can travel in the handy little strap carrier (it's elasticised).  I am going to add an additional shoulder strap because she's taller than Bitty and tends to lean forward.   The beautiful lettering is done by my friend Julie Shidell who has her own online shop at:  Poplar Hill Blocks   Check out her etsy shop and tell her I sent ya!

This is me, Blakely and her mom Heidi - a pic we took earlier this year.

Peter, Peter, Pumpkin Eater

My friend Kim, is a mom of 1,2,3,4,5 kids, she homeschools, she's outspoken,  she is a wonderful seamstress, she's from Alabama and talks like a southern belle.  I could go on and on - even though we've never met face to face, I've known her a long time.  I can't remember how long.  Long enough for her to become Kim2 to our mom's circle.  I'm just Kim, because I'm old more mature and we needed to be distinguishable.  We have this love/hate relationship, mostly love, although we don't agree on much.  We make up nicely and actually have a lot in common.  

Anyhoo, Kim2 wrote on her Beautifully Wrecked blog about this pumpkin she sculpted - noting its little blemishes, which I could not see (and I tried!).   The piece was symbolic to her of trying to get things right and realizing the importance of relaxing in the beauty of imperfections.  I relate to that.   Later I learned, and I'm sad to say, her pumpkin got damaged by household rambunction.  

Today, I thought for just one second of being nice to her and offering to send her a replacement. My son finished his pottery class just this morning.  Can you believe he made a pumpkin too? This is one artistic kid - he's good in music, art.....now he's added his flair to sculpting.

Those are arms.  And it jingles.

As much as I'd like to, I simply cannot share it.  I have a special place for in my dresser with a clay ashtray and a glazed bowl that his older sisters created.  It will need to settle in this place of honor.  Hopefully, Lexi will complete the collection before my grandbabies begin creating.

I loved the pumpkin - Max, however, was not impressed.

He is one lazy cat unfazed by the rattling orange jack-o-lantern.

One Dish Happiness

"Best Loved Casseroles" - is my favorite new book. It has words, but so far I haven't gotten much past the pictures. I bought it at the Goodwill store yesterday for $1.49. It is inscribed to Kristen, "Love, Mom". I cannot imagine why Kristen wasn't as absolutely in love with this book as I am, but it has a new BFF in my kitchen.

What I love about it? It uses regular ingredients - stuff I already have or can get at my local Aldi. You won't find your exotic duck confit recipes in this book. Nope, dishes using biscuits and soup, noodles and butter. Chicken Pot Pie. Double Spinach Bake. Yuuuummmmm!!

There are "Food Facts" scattered throughout. Did you know rice was considered the symbol of life and fertility in ancient China? This explains the custom of showering bridal couples with grains of rice.

I'll share as I experiment with the recipes. Any particular requests?

I See Debt People

Mathematically speaking, I've logged 2,670 Mondays.  I think I should be better at adapting to "weekend over" by now.    It seems there are twice as many Mondays as Saturdays.  Getting started is my challenge - isn't that everyone's?  

Ready....

set.....GO!  Happy Monday!!!!

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I love, love, love Dave Ramsey.  We've read his books and went through Kid's Financial Peace with Nicholas and Lexi.   In this economy, I think it is more important than ever to take care of our money and make sensible choices.   Keith and I are participating in the 13 week Financial Peace University and started yesterday.  I'm fortunate to be married to Mr. Money Bags - and he does a good job managing the assets of our family.  He's not quite so fortunate to be married to Mrs. Wants It Now - who has mastered being frugal, but as one of our income streams is steadily increasing, wants to let loose and celebrate.

So, I'm paying attention and I am going to commit to building wealth.  Now, I struggle with even typing the word wealth.  "Wealth" - I conjure up all sorts of greedy images.  But I recognize, wealth means financial security.  I want that.  It is not quick, it is not easy.  But as I've found in my business, it is worth my time and energy to do it right.  A sensible plan to share, save and spend.

I can’t claim that giving is a prerequisite to amassing a pile of money, because there are so many obviously greedy people getting rich.  However, I would never consider these people wealthy, and I’ve seen a lot of them fall hard in the last few years.  As I’ve said before, wealth goes beyond money.  It means abundance and prosperity, but it also means health, happiness, loving, caring, sharing, learning.  It is the opportunity to make a difference.

— Tod Barnhart, The Five Rituals of Wealth

Dave Ramsey's principles and the core foundations of my business work hand in hand.  Having a strategy and game plan to build our income AND establish solid wealth is a sensible answer to today's economy woes.  

Get in Total Attack Mode. All you have to do is execute, execute, execute now.  If your friends that are broke aren’t making fun of you, then you are not on track.  If your family says, “Look, they’ve joined a cult!” then you are right on track.

— Dave Ramsey

Sunday Fun

Funny blog, Cake Wrecks.   Some things just defy explanation.  Jen's commentary is hilarious.

Even after further investigation, this one remains a mystery.

Yes, dear, it's a cake.  

Some are quite innovative - I love this Lego cake.

Some are, just, well.....funny.

Go there and check it out.  Cake Wrecks

Feathered Friends

We have some flowers in our front garden that attract hummingbirds.  Since the blooming season is coming to an end, I bought a pretty feeder to hopefully lure these little critters to stick around.   It's hanging right outside Wilbur's guard territory, so hopefully his menacing glare won't frighten them away.   

Notice he's supervising my labor.  

Book Winner!! ... MomtoJandE ...

KrisAnne, come on down!  You get the grand prize Dr. Oz "You, Staying Young".  If you have that, I have a couple of Jodi Picoult books you can choose from.  She's my fav!  Let me know on FB your choice and where to mail.   Congratulations!!

KISS and STAY YOUNG

My youth was spent moving around the country, I learned to organize and plan.  I spent many years  in corporate management where I mastered being bossy.   During this time, I practiced the skills of  multi-tasking, teaching and encouraging while being a wife and mom.  Now, as a business owner and training coach, I draw on all this experience at one point or the other to help new partners learn the ropes of owning their own business and experience the joy of success.

One key element I sometimes need to be reminded of is the KISS principle.  Keep It Simple Silly. Often we tend to complicate, over think, analyze, pre-judge, decide we need to know or do more, when in actuality we need to just do it, learn from our goofs and move forward.

To illustrate this point, Miss Kelsey Grace is going to demonstrate the fine art of diapering a baby.

Tip 1 - Get the necessary tools of your business properly organized.

 

Tip 2 - Don't get all flusterated if something doesn't go quite right during the process.  Take a deep breath and look the situation over.   Don't give up, just try again.

Tip 3 - Pay attention to the details - you don't want to twist some one's arm or pull some one's leg to convince them.  A proven process will stand on its own merit.  Stay focused on the business at hand and be assured shortcuts can really stink up things.  

Tip 4 - Examine sticky situations carefully.  Creativity is wonderful and encouraged - yet must be balanced with purpose and intent.   Use your tools with integrity.

Tip 5 - Do the right things right and keep the important things close to your heart.

Know that with the right motivation, even a 2 year old can enjoy success!

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To recognize 3 years of MomUnscripted blogging - I am giving away a copy of Dr. Oz's "You Staying Young"  - The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty.   To enter, leave a comment or join as a "follower" of my blog (see right column).   A random winner will be selected and I'll contact you for delivery instructions.  Contest ends noon Friday.  

Ugly Mugly Morning

If you haven't heard, I'm certifiably allergic to grass.  Spring blossoming is so beautiful, but once the grass starts being cut, I am in trouble.  Pollens in grass make my eyes itch and swell, my nose run, my throat hurt.  I sneeze and wheeze.  I take drugs - legal, prescribed ones - although on days like today I will try about anything.  

Notice my eyes are red, watery and filled with grains of itchy sand.

Can't tell? Here, let me dramatize. I greyed the rest of my picture, my eyes look like this!

I look like a criminal. That could be a pose for a mugshot. 

Let's see.

Gazing through rose colored eyeballs, I noticed something amiss in my backyard. Several somethings actually. My handy-dandy tornado warning device did not alert me that gale-force winds were chewing up my trees and knocking stuff over last night.

Then to add insult to my already cranky, miserable morning, Max decided to help himself to my breakfast.  It takes me all morning to eat a whole long john, but I make it my mission to devour the entire thing AND lick the chocolate off the paper.  Since I currently have enough antibodies in my system to thwart most diseases, I shooed him away and scarfed down the licked-on remainder.

Now I'm wondering if pink-eyed drippy nose are symptoms of the pundemic feline flu.  Anybody know?