17 ways to treat yourself on Mother's Day

17 ways to treat yourself on Mother's Day


What would Mother's Day be without pampering and indulgences? Don't limit yourself to just one day of the year, though. Sure, you're running a household, taking care of your kids 'round the clock, and perhaps pulling down a paycheck. But don't forget to make time to take care of yourself, too. Some real-world ideas — from other time-starved moms — for indulging yourself on Mother's Day, or any day:

A taped escape "I never have time to read, and I really miss it. My library has a great selection of books on tape, and I've gotten a lot of 'reading' done while running errands, doing household chores, and even trying to fall asleep at night."— Nancy Pankey Colon, mother of Phillip, 6, Andrew, 4, and Eloise, 1, Monmouth Junction, N.J.

Treat those tootsies "I get a pedicure. It's a great time to read a book and let someone else rub my feet. Plus, my toes are ready for sandals now!"— Kay Kay Sharp, mother of Katie Beth, 11 months, Columbia, Tenn.

A "date" with a friend "I send my daughter to her grandmother's for the day, and I go to a long, lazy lunch and a good movie with a friend. We get exactly what we want to eat, no matter what the price or the fat grams. We sometimes even have a couple of cocktails or dessert. Then we slip off to the movies, where we indulge in popcorn and Twizzlers."— Maribeth Langford, mother of Kate, 7 months, Lanett, Ala.

Girls' night out "I make plans with my childless college roommates to go out on the town and sleep over at their apartment in the city."— Melissa Nordstrom, mother of Nicholas, 17 months, Manalapan, N.J.

The clean team "I have a cleaning service come in once every two weeks. What those three ladies do in 90 minutes takes me three days! Now, I can spend weekends with my son instead of dusting, vacuuming, and scrubbing floors."— Shawn Gisi, mother of Jack Anthony, 11 months, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

A day on your own "Every Friday, I hire a babysitter for the day. It enables me to run errands and do small things for myself (like get a haircut or shop) without worrying about naps, moods, or feedings."— Dianna Cutler

Saving memories "I'm addicted to scrapbooking. During my free moments, I love to work on my scrapbook. It gives me a chance to reflect on my memories."— Beth Karmis, mother of Cameron, 9 months, Wheaton, Ill.

Shop till you drop "My cousin and I went on a 24-hour kid-free shopping spree — antiques, arts and crafts, and the new outlet mall in our area. Our husbands kept the kids, and we stayed at a bed-and-breakfast. Even though I called home every three hours, it was awesome trying on clothes in a dressing room that doesn't have to accommodate a double stroller, not stopping every few hours to feed the baby, and not lugging the diaper bag around."— Darla Ringer, mother of Ian, 2, and Peyton, 8 months, League City, Texas.

A spa retreat "My three sisters and I leave the children and husbands at home and head to a spa. We get an affordable package that includes a sauna, a mineral bath, and a massage. Then we head to our favorite diner for brunch. We have one rule, too: No complaining about work, husbands, or kids."— Karin Plumadore, mother of Mark, 6 months, Troy, N.Y.

A movie matinee "Once a week, I go to a matinee that begins at my baby's nap time. During the previews, I nurse him in the dark, and he's usually asleep on my lap by the time the movie begins. Then I sit back and relax for an hour and a half."— Joanne Corrigan, mother of George, 11 months, Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.

Sweet dreams "I take a hot bath, read a new magazine, and go to bed by 9 o'clock, letting my husband listen for the baby until 1:30 a.m. That way, I'm guaranteed a few hours of deep sleep."— Beth Bamberger, mother of Samuel Sebastian, 9 months, Russell, Pa.

Ice cream and must-see TV "My husband and I have a ritual: Wednesday is TV and ice-cream night. We make an evening run to Dairy Queen, then I kick back to watch The West Wing with my hot fudge M & M-topped sundae."— Andrea M., mother of Joel, 5 months, Martinsburg, W.Va.

Class act "I take adult education courses at night that enable me to make things with my hands, which is very therapeutic for me. I took a woodworking class and made a huge, cherry-framed mirror which now adorns our wall, for instance, and I just finished a crochet class."— Leslie Zales, mother of Gracie, 1, Belmont, Mass.

A hotel away from home "Once, when having two kids under the age of 2 got to be too much for me, I packed an overnight bag and went to a hotel. Uninterrupted, I read a magazine while listening to instrumental music on the radio, had a drink, took a long, hot shower, and got a full night's sleep. It was a little bit of heaven."— Barbara Torrey, mother of Shane, 2 1/2, Ashley, 15 months, Lincoln, Neb.

Coffee break "If I have a rough night or morning with the baby, I stop for an iced mocha on my way to work. It's my treat for when things get stressful."— Tricia PaulsenGo soak yourself"I fill my home pedicure tub with hot water and sit in the bathroom and read, all alone. No one else is allowed in until I'm done."— Stacy Charlesbois, mother of Nathalie, 9 months, Farmington Hills, Mich.

Tea time "I love to sneak away for tea at an elegant hotel. I get to valet park, sit down in a room with adults, and have someone wait on me for a change."— Mary Benson, mother of Brendan, 8 months, Fla.

HAPPY 40th Earth Day!

Celebrate Earth Day-everyday!

World Autism Awareness Day!!! April 2, 2010

In honor of World Autism Awareness Day and my good friend Lynette Louise's birthday...

please check out her website at http://www.lynettelouise.com and buy one of her CD's!

Lynette's intention is "to enrich the world ... one autistic child at a time."

In 2003 Lynette Louise became the only professional from the Autism Treatment Center of America to be certified in two modalities: Option Process Mentor Counselor and Child Facilitator. Lynette has been practicing the Option Process since 1997 and working with autism since 1983, when she first began adopting children (four of whom were diagnosed on the Autism spectrum).

Having helped hundreds of adults and children with a combination of playroom, dialogue, and family dynamics counseling, in 2004 Lynette began using Neurofeedback as an additional therapeutic modality for healing the brain.

Formerly of The Brain Injury Therapy Clinic in Westlake where she worked closely with Dr. Burke chief scientist for EEG Spectrum, Lynette has successfully helped clients with Bipolar Disorder, Cerebral Palsy, Alzheimer's, Parkinson’s, Tourettes, Seizure Disorders ADHD, Depression, Addiction, Sensory Integration Dysfunction, and Traumatic Brain Injury.

If you would like to see videos that parents and friends have put up on you tube of Lynette working with their children you can click on the links below:

Marina
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5NofvYC9pxc
Justin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_LrViU_O5E
Armand
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKYhA1sYXf4
Harry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChaxliC8yNw

Luby's Cafeteria 2 Combos for $20 and kids eat free with purchase of adult meal

For a limited time, select Luby's Cafeteria locations are offering a delicious deal with double the value. Every day after 3:30 p.m., select any two combos and fountain drinks for only $20. Combos include an entree -- ranging from Chicken Fried Steak to Pan Grilled Tilapia -- and a choice of two Luby's signature sides, bread/roll and a beverage.

Plus, every Saturday kids eat FREE with purchase of an adult meal. This special works in conjuction with the 2 for $20 deal-so you get 4 meals & 4 drinks for only $20!!!
Kids meals include a choice of entree, 2 sides, bread/roll, beverage and jello!

"The company is excited to offer such a tremendous value to our guests. Our combo line-up is full of variety, freshness and flavor and the portions, as always, are generous. Couples, friends, families and co-workers are invited to hurry in and enjoy the savings and taste of this offer," said Chris Pappas, President and CEO of Luby's.

I learned how to wrangle my kids at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo...

(free pics provided by Reliant Energy)

STATE OF MIND

Unhappiness exists
either as a regret about the past
or a worryabout the future.
The cure: be present.

Reprinted from Out-Smarting Your Karma Copyright ©1996 by Barry Neil Kaufman. All Rights Reserved. Published by Epic Century Publishers.

Spring Break

My sister and brother-in-law offered to take my two kids camping for Spring Break-along with their three kids!
My sister and her husband are brave indeed and incredibly kind. I am currently working on a big project as a contractor and taking vacation time is not easy or a good option financially. Instead of getting a break from work-I am getting a break from the kiddos. And I miss them terribly!

Today, I realized that I did not follow my own advise. I usually send a signed & notarized letter stating that I give permission to whomever is watching my kids to allow medical aid in case of an emergency. It's especially important to provide such a letter to alternate caregivers when your children are in another town.
I also include my health insurance information in the letter and an extra insurance card. It's easy to order backup cards online. The letter doesn't necessarily have to be notarized-but it does give the document more merit. Below is a sample of how the letter reads:

Date

To Whom It May Concern:

I, ______________, mother/father of __________________________________ grant ________________________________________________permission to provide medical care and make medical care decisions for my children in my absence.

Thank you,

Name

Health Insurance: Doctor Info:
ID No.:
Group No.:
Claims Phone No.:
Child's SS No.:
Child’s SS No.:


STATE OF _____________ §
§
COUNTY OF ____________ §


BEFORE ME, the undersigned Notary Public, on this day personally appeared ________________________, known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged to me that she/he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed.
GIVEN under my hand and seal of office this ____ day of _____, 20__.

______________________________________
Notary


My sister is very familiar with my kids and being family and all-she already knows my emergency contacts in case she couldn't get a hold of me-but I have provided a document with the following helpful information/instructions to babysitters less familiar with my kids:

Name:
Address:
Phone:
Nearest intersection:
　
Medication
Daily:
With meals:
Bedtime:
　
In an Emergency
　Call 911 or:
Doctor: Phone:
Name: Daytime phone:
Evening phone:
Name: Daytime phone:
Evening phone:
Name: Phone:
　
Additional Information
　

Thoughtful Thursday, February 11, 2010

"I can remember when you fit in the palm of my hand.
You felt so good in it; no bigger than a minute.
How it amazes me you're changin' with every blink.
Faster than a flower blooms, they grow up all too soon.

So let them be little,
'Cause they're only that way for a while.
Give 'em hope, give them praise,
Give them love every day.
Let 'em cry, let 'em giggle,
Let 'em sleep in the middle,
Oh, but let them be little."

-Billy Dean, Let Them Be Little Lyrics

Special Delivery Time Line

I learned the hard way to now ALWAYS check my child's backpack for her take-home folder on Friday instead of waiting until Sunday night...

Recently, I didn't check my daughter's take-home folder until late Sunday night when I was preparing her lunch for the next day. Inside I found a sheet of paper describing a social studies project that was due Tuesday morning. We would have had the entire weekend to complete the project had I opened my daughter's backpack on Friday when she returned home from school.

Coulda, woulda, shoulda...

The social studies project my daughter needed to create was a time line of photos depicting her life from birth to present including dates, places and special memories.

I had plenty of pictures from my daughter's birth to about 4-years-old, but very few current pics as most of my photos are online these days. Luckily, she did have some school portraits and even a sketched photo drawing from Chuck E. Cheese!

What I didn't have at the house was poster board-construction paper was too small and flimsy. I searched the garage and recycling for an unused box big enough to cut up for the base of the time line. I found an empty Red Baron pizza box.
It was perfect! My daughter could cut the edges so it opened up like delivery pizza boxes. Plus, it folded up nicely for her to take to school without messing up the pictures.

It turned out pretty good considering the time we had to complete it.

Most importantly, my daughter enjoyed remembering the activities shown in her photos and putting the time line together!

(Next time my daughter needs something of this sort-we'll have more time to paint the box or cover it with colored paper)

The Return of THOUGHTFUL THURSDAY, Feb. 4, 2010

ASSUMPTIONS

We all have blind spots
but no holes appear in our visual field.
The brain fills in the spaces with the best guess
as to what might actually be there.
What we see is not really there.
We do the same with our assumptions,
believing we know what people think and feel
without ever asking.

What would happen
if we asked?
-Reprinted from Out-Smarting Your Karma Copyright ©1996 by Barry Neil Kaufman.
All Rights Reserved. Published by Epic Century Publishers.

Remember what ass-u-me means! There are no stupid questions!
I believe assuming is the root cause of the misunderstandings and disagreements I'm involved with. Plus, asking questions is a great way to dialogue with your children!
Asking them and then listening to them gives your kids confidence and allows them to know that you care and that you value their thoughts, opinions and feelings!
This works in all relationships too!