Brag Alert!

Brag Alert! Brag Alert! Brag Alert! Brag Alert! Brag Alert. Brag Alert!
*******************************************************************************

My life isn't usually that exciting. Not in a bad way. In a good way. Friday was like any other day. I babysat for my someone in my babysitting co-op. I took the kids to WALL-E. We then came home and then I checked my Google account to read my comments on my blog.

I love any and all comments. I get excited whenever I receive one. But on Friday, one completely shocked me. I was surprised to read that Tory Johnson stopped by and left a comment. I mentioned her in my post about a part-time job. Do you know Tory Johnson? She is the founder and CEO of Women For Hire and is on Good Morning America often. I am a huge fan of Good Morning America (love Diane and Robin). Anyway, as I checked my Google I was shocked to see a comment from Tory Johnson. I could barely read it I was so excited.

This is what she wrote:

Indy...what a fun blog you're writing. Think of small steps to reach a big goal. It's easy to come up with all the reasons why you can't or shouldn't do anything -- and they're valid reasons. But where there's a will there's a way. If you really want to make money at home, you can find the time to reach that goal. Is it easy? Of course not. But it's definitely doable. Maybe you set aside 30 minutes a day to select, photograph and post things on eBay. (All the money won't go to taxes, nor will it go to a sitter!) Or think of a skill you'd love to use again while working from home. You don't have to earn thousands of dollars overnight to make it worthwhile. Start where it's comfortable and build from there. I'm rooting for your success.

A huge thank you to Tory for stopping by my blog. And just a side note to Tory, I am doing just as you suggested. I am selling items on EBay and have my used books up on Amazon.com. I am taking small steps to make financial changes for our family. One example is my use of a babysitting co-op instead of a paid babysitter. We trade hours instead of money. Thank you for all of your words of encouragement. I will continue to watch you on GMA and read your magazine. Wow! Thank you so much for stopping by. You made my day and week.

Wow!

Needs Versus Wants

I had a crazy thought yesterday. I somehow thought I was going to apply for a part-time job. I would work from home to help with our budget and pay for the extra things. I spent most of lasst night, searching for a reputable company. I have seen Women For Hire's Tori Johnson on Good Morning America. It all sounds so good. She has great suggestions. But for those of you who know me, I know what you are thinking. Where would I find the time? Really. I have to sleep sometime and my house can't clean itself.

I have worked in Student Affairs after graduate school. But, I can't work away from my home right now. It just wouldn't work for us. When visiting my dad today, he helped me figure out that I would make nearly nothing after taxes if I worked part-time. Man. Bummer. Then there is the problem with childcare. If I ever pay a penny for someone to watch my children, it would be a wash. I wouldn't make a penny.

I need to remember that I have a job. My hours are intense. My boss isn't so good about letting me eat my lunch. My boss barges in on me in the bathroom. I can barely get a shower without my boss asking me a question. I don't get many vacation time at this position. I am not allowed to call in sick. The days are long.

But, I am paid in smiles, giggles, hugs and wet willies. There will be no extra part-time work for me right now. Instead of thinking about my wants, I need to be more grateful. We can afford what we need. We have everything we really need and more. Life is good.

Cheapie Carpet

Our house was built 10 years ago. This means our carpet is 10 years old. It is really showing its age. When it was new, it was still cheapie carpet. It was chosen by the builder and every house around here has the same carpet. I often wonder why would they put such a light carpet in this house? Who can live like this? Maybe someone without children. Or pets. Or grownups.

I am not ready to buy new carpet at this time. But, my carpet is getting gross in some areas. I have a great carpet cleaner. But, some of it needs professional help. When I have had it professionally cleaned in the past, I was amazed at how good my carpet could look.

Here's the problem. Do you have to go with a name brand carpet cleaning company or will any local guy do? Local companies are so much cheaper. I have tried to research this online. Consumer Reports recommends Stanley Steamer. That's all I could find online. I have had no luck. So, I thought I would ask my readers. I have used Stanley Steamer in the past. Have you tried the no name companies? What was your experience? Does it really matter? I know Stanley Steemer would say it matters. But does it really?

Why Do We Wear Bathing Suits?

I am always a little shy about my body the first day of spring when I wear shorts or the first trip to the pool. I get over it but I go through a little shock slipping on the bathing suit and taking a look in the mirror. Today we visited the pool. It was extremely crowded when we got there. I looked around. I recognized some people. There were a lot of people I didn't know. I saw a lot of skinny moms in bikinis. Of course I thought evil thoughts.

So, as I attempt to not be noticed in my post-pregnancy body in my fat sucking one piece suit, I sit down and help the kids with their shirts. We arrived at the pool break so it was pretty quiet and people were just waiting to go in. I kept saying to myself "Just blend in. Just blend in, Just blend...." and over the intercom I heard "Will Indy Notmyrealname please report to the guard tower?" Oh man. No. I can't do this. I now have the whole pool looking at me and I have to walk over to the life guard station in my bathing suit to claim my drivers license from the front desk. I wanted to die. DIE!

The kids want to go to the pool again tomorrow. I can handle the second day at the pool in my swimsuit. Just not the first. And thank goodness, they do not need my drivers license tomorrow.

(A little afterthought-no I didn't even think to wear a cover-up or grab a towel. Too mortified to process any thoughts.)

What a Way to Spend the Day

Ryan, we're going on a boat today. We're meeting Papa and Grandma there.

We are? For how many days?

Just today.

Just today? How many pools does this boat have on it?

No pools Ry. It is a pontoon boat. Not a cruise ship.

(Last year, we met my parents in Miami for a Carnival cruise. We had a wonderful time and it was a great experience for the kids.)

******************************************************************
This past Sunday, we celebrated Father's Day a week late. For years, my dad has wanted to rent a pontoon boat and spend a day on a quiet lake with his family. We talked about it and tried to figure out how to rent a boat. We had never been to Atwood Lake and had no idea that pontoons were everywhere and it would be simple to rent them. My poor sister tried to do it via phone and online. The day started as a disaster. We were lost. Mapquest directions were awful. We were in the middle of nowhere and no one's cell phones worked. My husband's GPS on his Blackberry didn't even have a connection. We barely made it. Once we got there, we realized that this lake was HUGE and difficult to get around. Meeting up was going to be a challenge.

But once we made it, we realized that it would be a day we'd always remember. Even though the boat didn't have a pool.

So Underrated

Caviar. Lobster. Steak. Doritos?

I love food. All kinds. I even eat airline food when they offer (thank you Continental). I have high standards for some food. Sometimes I like cheap, crummy food. My husband and I were tearing into Doritos last week and one of us said "Doritos are underrated." They really are. You will not find them at a fancy cocktail party. You won't find them at a dinner party. But if you did, people would eat every last one of them. They don't get respect but most everyone loves Doritos.

Every now and then, we like to come up with foods that no one really gives any props to but really deserve some attention for being yummy. Please no comments about unhealthy food choices or allergies. I hear you. I am not talking about. I am just saying. Relax.

Our list in no particular order:

1. The peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Cheap, easy to pack, no refrigeration necessary. So easy. Love it. I eat one every morning for breakfast. Really.

2. Grilled cheese or toasted cheese. Yummmmmy. Perfection.

3. Pizza rolls. If you ever make a batch for visiting friends (like my husband's old law school buddies) they will disappear as fast as you can make them. Well, you have to wait for them to cool a little first or you will seriously burn your mouth. "Lava hot" as we call it here. But once they cool, they are gone in a flash.

4. Any sort of macaroni and cheese. Homemade or Kraft. Love it all. Could there be a more perfect use of cheese?

5. And finally...drum roll please...chicken nuggets. If you have ever swiped one off of your child's plate at a restaurant, you realize that there is a reason kids order this everywhere they go. It is good stuff. A lot of times, I secretly think my child's meal is better at the restaurant than mine. I would never have the courage to order "chicken strips" at a restaurant. But, I'd probably be a little more satisfied at some restaurants if I did.

So there you have it. Our list of underrate foods. I am off to make some PB & J's for the pool. Maybe we'll have mac and cheese for dinner. Please feel free to add some suggestions to our list of underrated foods. Cheeze whiz? Spam? Ritz crackers?

Happy Day!

I just read that today is considered the happiest day of the year. I believe it. I love summer. My last post was so depressing that I had to replace it with at least this link. Get away from the computer. I dare you. Walk away. Get outside and enjoy the happiest day of the year!

Now go!