Learn to be Eco Friendly

Of course, there are many ways to be more environmentally friendly. It seems like a daunting task, and often times making the changes require a considerable price hike up front for savings of resources AND personal savings in the future. Most people would agree, that it is best to stop stressing about making EVERY single change, and to do what you can.

For my part, this holiday season, I plan on shopping homemade and vintage. Check out http://www.etsy.com/buy.php for tons of homemade goods. I have been on the prowl for customized mommy jewelry (I have a gift card that is burning a hole in my pocket, and may start incurring fees if I don't use it soon) AND homemade Christmas decorations (I really need a new tree skirt).

Happy shopping, and remember (contrary to Kermit the Frog) "It's Easy Being Green"

Learn from the Non-Mommy

Before I react to something that has been done or said to offend me, I always pause to consider why someone would do or say such a thing. It is very helpful to forgive, if you can try to understand why something has occurred. Of course, being an eternal optimist, I usually give everyone way too much slack.

So last night, my family and I were out to dinner. A quick meal at the gourmet food court in Westfield San Francisco Centre http://westfield.com/sanfrancisco/. I ran off to get my choice in cuisine as Aaron and Adam decided on Japanese food. I got beef and noodles at Out The Door (new website coming: http://www.outthedoors.com/) and a very strong Vietnamese coffee, YUM!

It was at Out the Door where I was verbally abused by the "non-mommy." It started when I was ordering and her rather attractive hubby walked over and admired Jamison in the ERGO baby carrier. Jamison couldn't have cared less, as she was nodding off. The husband went on and on about what a beautiful baby she was. After a few minutes, his wife who was quite attractive came over. He continued to gush, and she was not as interested at all. He said "Honey, isn't she adorable" and she hesitated with a non-enthusiastic "Yeah, she is cute." I had to say something now, it was getting awkward. I asked "Oh, do you have any children?" She said "No" and I said "Oh, well that means you have some time to enjoy yourself still."

I was trying to highlight the positives of being childless, since her husband was still admiring Jamison and I was still feeling weird. And then, she said it...and I struggle to understand why any woman would say something like this. She piped in (even when I was ALREADY trying to make her feel good about herself) "Oh yes, I have plenty of time." And as she looked up at me with a menacing smile, she continued "I can even put on make-up and blow dry my hair." Ew...how hateful!

As I headed back to my family, I struggled to walk for a moment in her shoes. Maybe she really wants kids, and can't. Maybe she doesn't want kids, and can't stand them. Then Jamison woke up and stared in to my eyes, and simultaneously Aaron and Adam came in to view. They were smiling and enjoying Japanese food together...I thought "You know, I don't care why she would say such a thing. I would rather be make-up free with my naturally curly, air-dried hair any day, if I can continue to have moments like this with my family." It is so worth it...

Learn to laugh with your kids

As I sat there trying to nurse my infant daughter, my son decided he needed to crawl right up next to us. We never need to turn on the TV, because my 2 year old is all the entertainment I need. Adam proceeded to include me in his imaginary world.

Adam: "Look over there Mommy, the for fust aminals"
Me: "What are you saying Adam?"
Adam: "The for fust aminals are over there by the bookcase"
Me: "Ah, the farm animals are over there?"
Adam: "No Mom, the forest animals"
Me: "Oh, forest animals (now I am laughing). What kind of animals are there?"
Adam: "Um, a bear. A deer"
Me: "Oh, I see"

As I am trying to focus on feeding my daughter, Adam starts in to a full fledged conversation with his forest animals, and he is almost in hysterics.

Adam: "Stop forest animals, that is my cake"
He repeats this several times then "Mommy, tell them that's Adam's cake"
Me: "Stop forest animals (now this is getting real crazy) that is Adam's cake"
Adam: "Stop animals, stop!!. That's mines, that's Adam's cake"

Adam is getting louder and louder, and more upset by the moment. His sister, Jamison, is having a hard time focusing on nursing because Adam is going crazy. I am laughing so hard, I can't blame Jamison for being distracted from eating.

Adam: "Aw man (Adam finally calms down, now he speaks slowly). The forest animals ate my cake"
And he finishes off like any son of mine would "Dammit"

I am now rolling with laughter. And I vow, I must buy a journal to write down these wonderful, and hilarious jaunts into make-believe my son takes me on.

Learning how-to myself...

I have a ton of information to share, and will be updating my site much more frequently, once I figure this blogging life out! I have a domain name where I will eventually move, so stay tuned for more info.