Happy Mother’s Day!-What I’ve learned.

I have the world’s best parents and the world’s best parents-in-law. You may think you do, but I would challenge you to arm wrestle competition to own the title. And since you’re there at your computer and I’m here at mine-let’s just call it a draw, shall we?

Anywho-it’s obviously Mother’s Day and I want to praise the woman the raised me (Mom) and the one that raised the man that I’m deeply, passionately in love with (Connie-Mom).

I would like to share a few things that these ladies did well in regards to being a Mom. And, I hope to encourage all of you that may be-even right this moment-frazzled, worn out, frustrated and re-thinking that whole “mom” thing.

The biggest thing that I learned from my mom was:
1. Consistency is paramount in regards to both love and discipline. I knew that if I crossed the line, I would be punished for it-often by writing inches out of the dictionary or the Bible. I do give a tip of the cap to my mother for “allowing” me to have such an expansive vocabulary. I also knew that when my jacked-up, gymnastics-back was keeping me awake at night, mom would come into my room and rub my back until I fell asleep.

2. Choosing to make life fun is an intentional decision-it doesn’t just happen. And “fun” doesn’t have to be expensive-fun comes by catching lightening bugs, making pizzas, playing board games and taking bike rides. As a family, we never went on a cruise, visited exotic places or went on ski vacations. Those things aren’t bad to do-they just weren’t an option when I was growing up. Instead, my best memories consist of sitting around the fireplace, drinking Five Alive, eating popcorn and playing Sorry.

3. God comes before everything-even before me. My mother has had a consistent quiet time ever since I can remember. I knew not to interrupt her and I knew it was in my best interest if she spent time with God before conversing with humans.

4. Dad and Mom presented a unified front, one that us kids knew we couldn’t break apart.
Once a decision was made, I never thought to try to continue to get my way. Well, maybe “never” is a strong word. How about, “most of the time”. At any rate, I knew it was futile. Those parents of mine were resolute.

I love you so much, Mom. Thank you for being consistent, fun, Godly and resolute. I hope I can be half the woman you are, someday.

Getting my Cheap Thrills on TV

Dearest Readers:

Unbeknownst to you, I’ve been berry, berry sneaky. I kept a secret from all of you-which is very hard for me to do.

Completely unrelated, set your DVR to record Fox 23’s “Great Day, Green Country” this morning at 10 am. 

That is a direct order.

I suppose I did ok?

You know how I’m always sweating it up while being taped LIVE on Fox23’s “Great Day, Green Country“? I’ve surmised that the producers of the show got wise to my pit sweat and-instead of being on live tv-they chose to shoot on location at my favorite vintage store in Tulsa-Cheap Thrills.

Lacey Lett, of “Great Day, Green Country“, and I had a girl’s day last week. We tried on all sorts of fun vintage dresses while being taped for the show that will air this morning. We laughed at the 70’s gold lame pantsuits, we cried when a favorite on the hanger wasn’t a favorite on the body, and we all avoided my awkward pit sweat.

As soon as the video is posted on “Great Day, Green Country’s” website, I will post it right here for your viewing pleasure! But, for now-you have some shopping to do.

♥ ♥ ♥

Here are the links to my other LIVE TV appearances on Fox23’s Great Day, Green Country:

•  Skinny Orange Julius
• Homemade Cleaning Products
• Homemade Beauty Products 
• Homemade Laundry Items
• Homemade Dental Care
• Homemade Crockpot Applesauce
• Non-Toxic Garden Pest Deterrents 

Here are links to my Homemade Household Cleansers and Beauty Products:

• Homemade Hygiene Products
• Non-Toxic Beauty Products
• Non-Toxic Cooking Spray
• Anti-Bacterial Spray
• Easy Laundry Soap
• DIY Brass Cleaner
• Organic Vegetable/Produce Cleaner
• Homemade Household Cleaners

And here are a few Homemade Food Items to easily replace store-bought items:

• Simple, Tasty Granola
• Easy Crockpot Yogurt
• Simple, Homemade Butter
• Cooking and Freezing Beans, avoiding BPA
• Homemade Hummus
• Garden Fresh Salsa

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending time with such a weirdo. Make sure you become a Facebook Fan or a Linky Follower to keep up to date with what this weirdo comes up with next. Have a great day!

Le Garden is in. And so are the bunnies.

Dear Bunnies of Oklahoma:

Right now, you are totally on my naughty list. True-you are really fuzzy and cute. True-you have adorable, tiny noses that spazz out over the simplest smell.

And, true-your jet black eyes make my heart melt.

However, cute little bunnies-after I have tilled the soil…

…planted dainty little plants…

…why do you don ninja masks and incessantly choose to nibble on my plants in the darkness of the night?!

You kind’ve make me feel like this. And I don’t like feeling like this. Don’t make me get the rubberband gun. 

Sincerely-

A concerned gardening citizen

The ROI on kids.

These guys are celebrating today. And so am I.

They’ve been married 36 years. And they’ve been HAPPILY married  for 36 years.

Here are a few things I’ve learned from them:

1. Never fight in front of the kids (or the cats in my scenario-but I’m convinced my cats speak Spanish, so Bicep’s and my “discussions” seem to be lost in translation).

2. Always kiss, hold hands, tell each other you love them until it grosses out everyone else around you-and then some.

3. Put God first, spouse second, kids third and everything else after that. Unless you have cats. Then, it’s a tie for third.

4. If your kids see you reading the Bible every morning, chances are-they’re going to read the Bible every morning. And, if you actually live out what you’re reading, chances are-they’ll do the same.

5. Saying “shut up” is never acceptable.

6. Fining people for filthy behavior (see #5) works only on tightwods (like me).

7. Telling your kids fun stories, roasting marshmallows, camping, catching lightening bugs and taking long walks makes memories. Television does not. (Obviously, unless it’s MacGyver, you are eating popcorn and drinking five-alive).

8. Make sure your pockets/purse contain kleenex, rubberbands, cough drops, paper clips, an eraser, pencils and notecards. These all come in handy when a sermon/lecture/car ride gets too boring.

9. Take an hour out of each week to invest in a one-on-one date with each kid. The ROI is phenomenal.

10. If your kids see you exercising, they’ll want to exercise. And they’ll also want to wear offensively tiny, gray Army-issued shorts, too. Sorry, Dad. It’s just basic math.

Happy Anniversary to the BEST parents this girl could ever hope for. I love you more than coffee, cats, and french fries.