What Works For UsWhat Works For UsMom is a Software Engineer recently turned SAHM. A journey through family, financing and Freudian slips. And Mom usually doesn't know what she's doing. Either. 
Articles
Haiku - Hopeful
2007-12-21 21:54:00 Animal Shelterhere we come to donate food.My heart melts like ice.yes this pup needs a home Copyright ©2007-2008 What Works For Us. All Rights Reserved. More About: Haiku , Hopeful
Trifecta
2007-12-21 04:23:00 I interrupt this normally scheduled BORING post to share good news. You know the saying about luck running in 3's? Nah, me neither.1- My dear friend, Tommie, finally welcomed her hubby home from his Iraq deployment today. Does it get any better than that before Christmas? 2- Another dear friend, Ana, gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Having followed her pregnancy, I'm elated (even though I lost the contest).3- My Mom had a 6 month cancer check-up today and it hasn't spread. This is VERY good news. Our lives are on pause waiting for results.Thanks for listening. Please continue with your daily blog post reading. Copyright ©2007-2008 What Works For Us. All Rights Reserved.
Snowed In
2007-12-03 20:14:00 Yes, we visited Santa. Unfortunately, even Rima's excellent advice of backing him in didn't work. Within a nano-second of hitting Santa's velvet pants, he screamed his head off. However, the elves said we have an excellent chance at winning The Best Screaming Shot of 2007 Award. Sa-weet!When the forecast called for 12 inches of snow, I was initially irritated because we were forced to cancel all our plans and stay in this weekend.Hello, stupid.We got our Christmas tree decorated.We played outside until our extremities froze.And we watched the best Christmas story ever for the 102nd time.May you all get snowed in soon. And often.
Haiku - Santa's Wet Knee
2007-12-01 03:35:00 Santa, here we come.First trip to get a photoI hope he smiles.When I was a kidI was terrified of Claus.Even wet his knee. More About: Haiku
What NOT To Put In Your Holiday Letter
2007-11-29 20:29:00 We don't send holiday letters but we receive far too many of varities that induce either drowsiness or the gag reflex. Inspired by actual contents.1- I didn't exercise all year and am still a size 0!2- Billy is still a straight A genius (like us).3- We replaced our water heater.4- We received the biggest bonus EVER this year.5- We just returned vacationing from Tahiti, Greece and Spain.6- Next year we're traveling to Switzerland, Italy and Australia.7- Fido had bowel surgery this year.8- Enclosed are 14 samples of our children's artwork.9- Ellie May won a 4th grade jump rope contest.10- We didn't visit our Vail vacation home this year.11- Fluffy vomited at least 100 hairballs this year.12- Jim finally got that vasectomy this year.13- We finally traded in the BMW for a Benz. More About: Holiday , Letter
The Gift of Trash
2007-11-27 20:34:00 While waiting in line to checkout this weekend, I struck up a little witty banter with the lady in front of me. She asked if I liked Rachel Ray. I nodded. Who doesn't?She showed me her cart contents. She had 3 Rachel Ray Garbage Bowls (retailing at $20 each) for each of her daughter-in-laws. A garbage bowl. A bowl to throw trash in while making dinner. For $20. Each. That's $60 worth of trash bowls.Does anyone else find that a tad bit amusing? She inquired if I would like one for Christmas."Oh, I just use grocery bags or a plastic bowl and "She cut me off mid-stream and started to chuckle. An evil, deep cackle.The cashier asked if she wanted gift reciepts. She declined. And grinned.The garbage bowl episode is still making me giggle 3 days later. I wonder if she really liked the bowls or really dis-liked the daughter-in-laws.Let the Holidaze commence. More About: Gift , Trash , The G
Lightapalooza - Cast Your Vote
2007-11-26 20:30:00 Lightapalooza has officially started. We're stringing the lights and hating every minute of it. Each year my husband feels the need to drill me with the same question. In which I reply with the same answer. Each year. Every year. "What difference does it make if we mix clear and multi-colored lights?"I'm all for multi-colored lights on 1 side (or room) and clear lights on the other; but not together. And certainly, horror of all horrors, not strung together on a single tree! It's like wearing brown shoes with a black outfit. Be still my logical heart. Perhaps I'm wrong (yet again). Help me settle this once and for all. Do you think clear lights and multi-colored lights can be mixed together? More About: Vote , Cast , Palo
Haiku - Black Friday Insanity
2007-11-23 20:12:00 I am a nutjob.I am shopping Black Friday .I hope I return.Some profanity.A lot of insanity.For cheap vanity.What am I doing?If I never blog again,I was trampled on. More About: Haiku , Insanity , Black Friday
Bliss Like This
2007-11-20 20:48:00 My son and I were jamming children's tunes, knee-deep in toys when the phone rang. Caller ID alerted me it was my previous employer. Should I. Or shouldn't I. I answered. Arriving directly out of left field, he curtly asked what it would take for me to return to the office. Since quitting, there are days I do miss work, the social interaction, the traveling, wearing something other than yoga pants and the mental floss.As he continued to talk and butter me up like toast, I felt my ego inflating like a Macy's day balloon. What would it take for me to go back?I drew a complete blank. I glanced at my son. He was dancing, giggling and signing 'Mama'. I wanted to reply with something (preferably semi-intelligent). But there was only 1 cognitive thought running circles in my head.The wheels on the bus go round & round. Round & round. Round & round.He asked if I needed some time to answer. I politely declined. Me thinks me and the office are not quite ready for a re-union.
Black Friday Ads - If You Dare
2007-11-20 08:39:00 Okay, so who is brave enough to go shopping this Black Friday ? Did you know that the Ads are already available online for you to view (organized by store and/or deal)? Check bfads.net and blackfriday.info out to see all the ads and sales. Get your game on and plan ahead. May the sales force be with you. More About: Black Friday , Dare
The Worst Best Week Ever
2007-11-19 19:57:00 You know that saying about the raining and the consequent pouring. Tis true.The best thing about last week is it's over.First, the week started off with a bang with my son's 104.9 fever. Nobody could pinpoint the cause, but he is back to his tornadic self.Secondly, I had to fire our contractor in charge of Operation Toy Room. The walls weren't level, nor were they anchored, so they cracked when the carpet was stretched and installed. The last straw came when the bi-fold doors wouldn't fit because he "forgot" to MEASURE THEM. Forgot. They require 72 inches and the nut job only built 68 inch openings. Then, my Dad wasn't feeling well and ended up needing emergency surgery. Thankfully, he will be okay.Moving right along. I had a dental surgery follow-up. He confirmed I need to rinse and repeat the procedure in 2008. Yipee-kay-yay.And finally, inspired by WhyMommy, I had my annual OB/GYN wellness exam. Nothing spells fun like O-B-G-Y-N. She didn't find 1, but rather 4, breast lump... More About: Week
Christmas Tree Preservative
2007-11-17 05:09:00 Do you have a fresh Christmas tree this year?If you do, you can extend the life of the tree and, perhaps more importantly, reduce the amount of needles that drop off by simply adding a packet of floral preservative or by adding a few drops of bleach or vinegar.It works for me! More About: Tree , Christmas tree , Reserva
Haiku - Baby Smells
2007-11-16 20:22:00 Dreft bottle emptyWill miss the sweet infant smell.Detergent, not poo.And speaking of pooDid you see AFF's mess?Potty training joys. More About: Baby , Haiku
13 Funny Bumper Stickers
2007-11-16 01:20:00 1- If ignorance is bliss, why aren't more people happy?2- 4 of 3 people have trouble with fractions.3- Wish you were beer.4- It takes a lot of balls to golf like I do.5- Can't feed 'em, don't breed 'em.6- Stop repeat offenders, don't re-elect them.7- I'm retired, go around me.8- Don't bother me, I'm living happily ever after.9- Sarcasm, just one MORE service I offer.10- Husband and dog missing, reward for dog.11- C'mon, give me the finger like you mean it.12- Embarassing my children. A full-time job.13- Earth first. We'll screw up the other planets later. More About: Funny , Bumper , Stickers , Ticker , Tick
Strawberry Spinach Salad Recipe
2007-11-15 08:09:00 Karla is hosting a carnival of Thanksgiving recipes and asked that I, of all inept cooks, participate. I was considering posting instructions for Stove Top.I'm not hosting Thanksgiving dinner (whew), but am bringing this (non-traditional) salad.Strawberry Spinach Salad 20 oz fresh spinach3/4 cup whole pecans (toasted 5 min @ 350)2 pints fresh strawberries (sliced)Dressing1/3 C red wine vinegar 1 t dry mustard powder1 t salt1 1/2 T minced onion1/2 C sugar1 1/2 T poppy seeds1 C oilMix spinach, pecans and strawberries in a large bowl. Mix all the dressing ingredients in the blender until well blended. Toss over salad and serve.Come on, join in the fun. More About: Recipe , Reci
Removing Super Glue
2007-11-14 09:14:00 I'm a clutz and recently broke my cookie jar. Since I couldn't duct tape it back together, I used Super Glue. Naturally I got it all over my hands. Here's what I found on how to remove it.Simply peel a potato. The potato juice takes the super glue right off. I've used the acetone and hand lotion tricks before to remove super glue, but the potato trick was far more effective. It works for me!
Why DO I Blog?
2007-11-13 18:08:00 This tag is from Trinity - simply answer why you blog. I'll nag and tag Serina (you asked for it), Andrea & Bren. Feel free to opt out.I prefer reading posts to writing them. This is why my Google Reader overfloweth. When I started my blog, I posted a lot (2-3 times daily). Somehow, I got a visitor, a comment and a friend. The rest is herstory. The overwhelming feeling of always being behind on reading and posting sometimes makes blogging feel like an obligation to me. I realize this is probably not a popular thought especially with NaBlog ClogMo going on. But it is my thought. And it is genuine.Some days, I feel like hitting this button because blogging makes me non-productive and steals time from high priority people and tasks (sleeping).Like everything in life (chocolate being an exception) moderation is key. I like blogging more when I do it less. Izzy, Tartx & G already figured this out.I pledge to blog without obligation and "Mark All As Read" without guilt. Back to the tag. W...
104.9
2007-11-13 04:00:00 Our son has never been sick in his entire 15 months of life. Not one fever, ear ache, cold or flu symptom. I credit the breast milk.When I woke up and saw 8:30 on the alarm clock today, I knew something was drastically wrong. He crows by 5 AM each day. Every day. I haven't slept until 8:30 in 2 years.He was sleeping with rosy cheeks and pale skin. He was hot to the touch. We woke him and he was lethargic and lifeless. Naturally, it was a weekend when the Doctor's offices are closed.We cracked open the What To Expect - Toddler Years book (for the 1st time and, yes, we ARE that clueless) and scrambled for a thermometer. His rectal temperature read 104.9. Taking a rectal temperature for the first time may warrant its' own blog post in the future. Oy ve.Enter panic mode.We stripped him of his clothes, gave him liquids, Tylenol and within 15 minutes his temperature dropped 2 degrees. 4 hours later his body temperature was normal. I'm hoping we get through the night okay.I thought wat...
Haiku - Guilt and Cat Vomit
2007-11-10 03:21:00 Can't keep up with blogs'Mark All As Read' clicked oftenI am so sorry.* * *New carpet installed Cat already puked on itRemodeling joys. More About: Haiku , Guilt , Vomit
13 Pet Peeves
2007-11-08 17:10:00 1- The Blue Screen of Death requiring a PC reboot.2- Copy-cats.3- Spam requiring me to turn on CAPTCHA.4- Slow loading web pages.5- Speed bumps.6- Cold calls (via phone or door).7- The tall guy in front of you at a movie.8- People who drive 40mph in non-passable 65mph zone on a cellphone.9- Clerks who ignore live customers for an interrupting one on the phone.10- Grocery carts with 1 bad squeaky wheel or non-working parts.11- Touching a greasy salt or pepper shaker at a restaurant.12- TV ads with doorbells or ringing phones that make me get up.13 - Remodeling projects that never end. More About: Peeves , Pet Peeves
Local Javelin Thrower Needs Your Help
2007-11-07 08:43:00 We're trying to teach our 1 year old toddler son to use an utensil and feed himself. Unfortunately, the fork is usually thrown, chucked or used as a javelin. His precision is remarkably good.Does anyone have any ideas or tips how to teach a toddler to feed himself? Is it too early to teach him this? Have we waited too long? What am I missing?Help! What works for you? Thanks in advance. More About: Local , Loca , Needs
Absolutely NOT
2007-11-06 19:43:00 My husband works long hours at the office. When he gets home each night, my son, my dog and myself are all anxiously awaiting his arrival. This week he's traveling in Texas on business. I so wish I could go along and chat, drink coffee and slam some tea with my brilliant Texan friends.My son wakes up at the @ss crack of dawn by 5:30 AM. When the stars align and the moon is full, he'll nap for 1 hour. He relentlessly crashes at 8:30 pm. So when my husband travels and the days are a bit longer, I have learned to milk the everyday activities. Daily walks turn into marathons. Instead of reading 15 books, we read 45 and very s-l-o-w-l-y. A 20 minute bath turns into 60 minutes of spa-tacular activity. 'Hide and seek' often just becomes 'hide'.Last night my Mom asked if I would mind if they slept over to help out.Do I mind? Let me think about that for 1 nanosecond. Absolute ly NOT!I'm fairly certain I heard "Hallelujah" playing in the distance.
Original
2007-09-29 08:06:00 I shot this enroute to Mt. McKinley (Alaska). Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed. More About: Original , Origin
Haiku Bittersweet Symphony
2007-09-28 20:59:00 Weaning is completeThe fluid bond now brokenMommy bond lives on.Sweetest surrenderGood riddance nightly feedingsSimply, bittersweet.***Bill, Facebook suck rocksAll, so sadly, ignorantClick below and join Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed. More About: Haiku , Symphony , Bittersweet
13 Items Hubby Does While I Blog
2007-09-27 18:57:00 Bless my husband's heart for putting up with me and my little blogging addiction. Here are 13 things he's does while I read your blogs. 1- Asks "how much longer?"2- Asks "Can I borrow the laptop to check ESPN?" I politely decline.3- Watches ESPN, FoxSports and The Golf Channel.4- Reads the sport section in the newspaper.5- Reads books (about golf).6- Gets out his work laptop to check ESPN and the injury reserve lists.7- Looks at me and shakes his head.8- Cleans his golf clubs.9- Calls his Dad to discuss recent sporting events.10- Occasionally reads my posts and, again, shakes his head.11- Downloads Fantasty Football podcasts to his work laptop.12- Reads ESPN magazine.13- Not so patiently repeats "How much longer?"So, what does your significant other do while you blog? Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed. More About: Blog , Items
Keeping Your Stove Top Clean
2007-09-26 05:06:00 The next time your stove top is dirty (like when a pot runneths over when you turn your back just for an instant) - try using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to clean it up. We used to purchase the expensive specially formulated stove top cleaner but really had to work hard to remove the gunk.The Magic Eraser truly works wonders with a little water and WITHOUT needing any elbow grease! Now that's my kind of cleaning! It works for me! Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
My Therapist - Dr. Dyson
2007-09-26 03:49:00 As we all know (and as Bono himself sang) some days are better than others.When I'm stressed out, overwhelmed or even just in a funk, I make a date with my therapist. Often daily meetings are required. I remember coming home from the hospital after giving birth and needing him within a few hours. I also usually rely on him before family arrives. Even cranky baby days will force me to him.Let me introduce you to my therapist. Dr. Dyson . He's dependable. He doesn't talk. And he does the job.Now why I enjoy vacuuming, a completely brainless activity, I'll never know. Yes, enjoy.It started because my golden retriever sheds 14 pounds of fur daily. But now that I actually look forward to vacuuming...well, I'll just chalk it up to "a quirk". Likely one of many.And check this out. I might have to buy this for myself Bear for Christmas. A mini toy Dyson. Oh, if only it really worked. My son already mows the carpet, why not vacuum it! What were they thinking!So come on, what's your bra... More About: Therapist , Thera
An Eagle Landed On My Blog
2007-09-25 08:49:00 Is it just me, or are bloggers receiving as many accolades as actors these days?Brad Egel (a world renowned SAHD) of The Egel's Nest awarded little ole me with a little bloggy bling. Thanks for the assisted hatching Brad!Without further adieu, I am passing the Eagle award onto some new blog friends and visitors. All of which are unique and egg-sellent in their own way. I do sincerely appreciate all your visits and comments! And since I don't keep a blogroll, it is new reader appreciation day. So wear your award and pass it on!In alphabetical order:Alex Year OneBees and Boo BoosGohn CrazyHydes Like UsLaughter, Love, MadnessMagpie MusingMama's MoonOne Day At a TimeOrnery of Miller ManorReality of a BratSAHMmy SaysSara and Jordan UpdatesThe Mother LoadThe Ramblings of a WomanThoughts of an Everyday MotherThis Examined LifeThree and HoldingThree Day Blog Trying To Catch UpTuesday UpdateWhee All The Way HomeYou Bet Your Sweet Bippy Subscribe to the What Works For Us feed.
Get Ready Bdonk-A-Donk Butt
More articles from this author:2007-09-24 21:50:00 Our house is getting smaller and the toys are getting bigger. We need a playroom and we need it yesterday.I'm not sure why relatives feel the need to continually buy us over-sized, non-collapsible toys. My sister, bless her heart not her mind, got our son a full-size tent with connecting tunnels and mazes for his first birthday. Adding insult to injury, he loves the thing.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her sheepishly snicker when we opened the present and realized exactly how big the monstrosity was. It consumes the entire living room.Undoubtedly, she considers it as payback for all the noisy-without-volume-control-containing-1 -million-parts-and-10,000-stickers- requiring-2-days-to-assemble-and-14-batte ries toys we've bought their children over the years.With the housing market being what it is, we've decided to remodel a portion of our basement to add living space rather than look for a new house.And we've decided to do some of the work ourselves. Gulp. This frightens me to... More About: Butt , Ready , Get Ready 1, 2, 3, 4 |
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