Woman to Woman

We'll be discussing the next topic on August 14th, and here it is: dealing with aging parents. There are many women who still have one or both parents living. As our parents age and move into their 80s and 90s, they often need a family member to care for them. Are you currently the caregiver for a parent? Perhaps you are the caregiver for a beloved grandparent. What have you observed through this process and how have you worked this caregiving into your family life? What difficulties have you encountered, and how have you resolved them? What has been successful for you?

Stop by next Tuesday and share your insights, observations, concerns with us. There will be a place for you to sign your name and link us to your post on the subject. You'll also be able to visit other participant's via their links. And if you'd like a button to label your post or place in your sidebar, email myself or Morning Glory.

Fake it til you make it!

I love being a mother, but some days it might not be so obvious. I might be lucky to get out of bed before 9, feel snippy for most of the morning, and frequently "daze out". We all have days like this. You don't always have the 100% you wish to put into your job. Since there are no sick days or vacation days in the call of motherhood, here are some tips that will help you look like you've got it together when you don't.

1) Let a few things go. I always say, if my kids feel just as loved today as they did yesterday, then it is okay that we skipped baths, stayed in our pj's until 10 am and ate cookies much too early in the day.

2) Don't complain. The best way to mask your "off" day!

3) Stay organized (not a thing to let go). As tempting as it may be, don't let the kids run amok and wreck the house. That will just mean more work for you when you really need less.

4) Prioritize! Perhaps the dusting can slide, but if you don't spend time with your children, you'll really be feeling like a slacker.

5) Make an appearance... Whatever it is you're involved in: church, volunteer work, community, school, you may not be able to take on the next big project, but pop your head in and show your loyalty.

6) A few neurotic symptoms go a long way. It's no secret that motherhood pokes holes in your brain. In order to keep from letting things slip your mind, make LOTS of lists (and update those lists) and stay on top of your calendars!

7) Take a break. Prevent the overload. Call a sitter or arrange some time in the evening to get out of the house and catch your breath. You'll be much more likely to wake up feeling like your old self again. :)

5 questions, 5 answers, starting now

I got tagged by Lucy to do this meme, and it's a fun one!

1. If you could change one part of your body, what would it be? This bald spot at the nape of my neck! Lol! It appeared after the birth of our 4th child... and this is not just typical post pardum hair loss. It's like all that new pregnancy hair growth fell out of just this one spot on my head! And it's not filling back in like it usually does; I always get and then lose a lot of new hair at the nape of my neck and around my hairline. The spot is only noticeable when I pull my hair up high on top of my head (which is, well, never, because it's NOT the 80s). But still, I know it's there and is freaky.

2. How much money do you think you need to make to be "really comfortable"? (Think annual salary). For me and my family of 6, really comfortable means being debt free, having an adequately growing savings, living in a home with room to spare and not worrying about the coupon section in Sunday's newspaper. Here in Texas, I'd say that's about a $140,000/yr salary.

3. What is your greatest God-given talent? Music. I began studying violin at the age of 8 - with a variety of teachers and under a variety of methods. I climaxed under the tutelage of a professor at Rice. When I turned 15, I began studying the viola as well, with a professor from the University of Houston. I became much more serious about music at this point, practicing multiple hours day, becoming active in the city's reputable youth symphony and joining my performing arts highschool's symphony (where I was already enrolled for dance). Until my senior year, I was torn between my love for both music and dance. After auditioning in both these areas for a number of university scholarships, it became obvious to me that music was where I had my edge, and I chose to pursue a degree in viola performance and pedagogy at Brigham Young University. Since graduating, I have had some incredible experiences... touring Central and Western Europe, performing with the Utah Ballet and Honolulu Symphony, teaching both at a private academy and private lessons, and recording for movies/soundtracks. But greater than the blessing of ability itself has been the blessing that no matter how much time passes between musical opportunities (which have become fewer and fewer as I've had more children), I've never felt as if I've lost that edge. I truly believe that the Lord has given me this gift as my reward for dedicating myself to motherhood. It is amazing that it took so many hours of fervent practice to get to where I am, and yet I have maintained myself with very little effort.

4. Winter Olympics or Summer Olympics? I'm torn! Growing up, we always watched the Summer Olympics. We'd be on vacation in Galveston at a beach house and watch gymnastics, primarily in the afternoon/evenings after we'd been sunburned and exhausted. The family I married into loves to watch figure skating, and it wasn't until then that I began to pay attention to the Winter Olympics. Of course now I have children and never have time to watch tv. Or, I guess I'd rather be blogging. ;)

5. If you could have any career, and you were GUARANTEED success (no tests to get in, no auditions, no worrying about daycare, or money or time) what would you do? For a long time, I have toyed with the thought of opening up a performing arts school. I'd love for it to be public - open to anyone who qualifies (by audition). I'd want not only to be the administrator, but to teach as well - to choreograph, conduct the orchestra, teach an art class. I can't think of any other environment in which I could be involved in all 3 of my biggest passions. Maybe this isn't far fetched, but it's what I really want to do.

Now for my questions and the people I want to tag.

1) What has been your greatest accomplishment?

2) Name one book that has had a profound impact on your thinking.

3) Do you have any guilty pleasures?

4) What need does blogging fulfill in your life?

5) What is one thing people can appreciate about you?

I invite Meta, Kasie Sallee, Michelle, Lara and An Ordinary Mom to answer.

*you might notice a few changes to my blog over the next little while. it's going to look patchy until i decide what exactly i am doing. lol! i welcome comments on the new look as it progresses!

Big, fat parenting myths

I took Sasha to her 1 year well check this morning (albeit a month late). She hasn't really gained much in the last couple of months, and "only" grown an inch. She's still transitioning to table foods, and is still breastfed. The pediatrician (not her regular one) told me that I should be pushing whole milk - 16 ounces a day - and get a blood test to see if she was becoming anemic. We all know that breastfeeding (as well as many other personal mothering choices) brings with it a vast range of opinions, but what? Huh? This got me seriously thinking about my own private parenting myths. And the validity of my my parenting instincts.

Now. I am not all knowing and I'm not gonna toot my horn here. Sure, I think a little tv doesn't hurt, McDonald's is sometimes the perfect solution, and that all kids misbehave. And I am pro-breastfeeding. Those are a few of my humble standpoints, which may or may not make a difference in someone else's mind. But I want to know what myths you've uncovered since becoming a mother. I'm certain that somebody out there is just waiting to hear that it is okay that their 13 month old is still drinking from a bottle.

And that they should trust their instincts on that.

I hope you are all enjoying my new playlist. I must say, I never expected to draw so much attention to my blog just by my musical selections, but I appear to have built up a reputation. And I aim to please. So I present you with a new "women that rock" mix, and must say, it is spectacular. I've enabled the shuffle mode so that you'll always be surprised... like a box of assorted chocolates, I hope that fills you with the delight of anticipation each time you visit (and out of curiosity, tell us what you're hearing in the comments section right now). If you like what you hear, you can view the artists' names and song titles by clicking on "View My Playlist". If you don't like what you hear - well, that is what the "stop" button is for. :)

*I put a little Dido and Jonatha Brooke back in there just for Scribbit and The Smiling Infidel (who have a similar discriminating taste).