No Average Mom

Someone very close to us is having a ton of work done to her home. Some of these renovations were definitely a long time in coming. Other aspects of her home overhaul make no sense at all to me. She lives alone in a very large house and comments frequently about wanting to downsize. She has mentioned looking into condos for sale or a smaller home because hers it too much to take care of. This week I drove by her home and noticed an addition being built on the house. Why would you spend the money to make a house bigger is you already thought that it was too big? Oh well, it isn’t my money so I guess I should concern myself with it.

Our 14 month old has one of the strongest wills I have come across. No matter how many times I tell the child or redirect him if he wants to keep doing something that he will. For instance his favorite activity is turning the television on and off. It doesn’t matter if someone is watching it or not he will spend a countless amount of time engaged in doing this. Short of getting a tv lift we have yet to find a solution. It is clearly just going to take some creative techniques and consistency with this little guy to teach him the meaning of the word “no”.

Life is full of tough calls. Have you ever just known in the pit of your soul that someone needed serious help and just couldn’t see that fact? After numerous restless nights pondering what to do about the situation I made one of these “tough calls”. Making this call someone left me more unsettled than all the restless nights looking out my window wondering what would happen next because of my decision. Hopefully, the people so desperately in need of help actually get it and the system works the right way this time.

Living in my neighborhood lately has been like living in a real life episode of cops. I am really starting to wonder just how safe we are in continuing to live here. Having mortgage life insurance is some reassurance should anything happen. The reality is that the neighbors on either side of us are living crazy lives that put everyone around them in danger. Saturday night the police were called to the houses immediately adjacent to us on both sides. One of the houses received a total of 3 visits from the police in one night. Even the police said that where we live is a nice neighborhood and we should not have to tolerate people who choose to live outside the law. I am very much hoping that we are able to move in the next year or at least one of these families does.

For the last several weeks I have been trying to come up with a way to encourage an acquaintance to seek help for drug addiction. Not being familiar with what a person experiences as a result of addiction I have been researching the topic. In my journey to learn more about addiction I have been reading a very enlightening blog called Drug Rehab Mobile. This blog contains an extensive collection of posts that depict individual experiences with drug addiction, drug rehab, and the journey to sobriety. One thing I really appreciate about this blog is that it offers a varied perspective about this challenging topic. Drug addiction is not a problem that only effects the person who uses drugs but has far reaching implications. It is clear from my reading that no two people experience this problem in identical ways and everyone has to find their own path to recovery. I would love to think that getting someone the help they need to would have a simple solution but clearly this is as complex as the problem itself. As I learn more about drug addiction and recovery, on Drug Rehab Mobile, I am comforted to know that others have faced this problem and a through great deal of hard work found a way to lead a drug free life once more. Hopefully, this will be true for the person I know should they choose to face their addiction and begin to work towards getting clean.

Even very young children are capable of helping a little to accomplish tasks around the house. It really is important to begin assigning chores when your kids are little if you expect them to help as they get older. So many kids grow up as if they living at the Rio Las Vegas hotel. This is to suggest that their meals magically appear before them along with clean laundry and an exquisite living environment. One mommy I know complains constantly about the state of her home and how exhausted she is yet her children have never been required to lift a finger. You simply can’t hand out privileges without having some expectation on behalf of your children. Try making things like watching television contingent upon a clean living room prior to turning on the set. We don’t have formal chores list in our house but there is the expectation that if you are asked to do something it will be accomplished. I think this is a great way of preparing children for the real world.

Another week has passed and it is once again time for a quick meal recipe. When the end of the week rolls around there is nothing I dislike more than spending hours in the kitchen. With quick and easy recipes like this one that is not something I have to do. Enjoy!

Tomato Tortellini
Cook frozen tortellini according to package directions along with frozen stir-fry peppers and onions. Drain and stir into heated spaghetti sauce. Top with Parmesan or Romano cheese.

Add some nice bread and bagged salad and you have a meal the entire family will love.

Our oldest is making his stage debut in a couple weeks. Actually he will be making his debut with dozens of other aspiring violinists when Barrage comes to town. The Suzuki violin students in the area have been invited on stage to play a song with Barrage. Today we received our package of tickets that we are required to sell for the performance. When my son was handed them he was as happy as if someone had given him Super Bowl tickets. I have to say I am excited for him because the theater where they will be performing is beautiful and seats about 1400 people. For a second grader I would say this show definitely qualifies as a momentous occasion. I only hope it is as exciting as he envisions it will be.