Replacing TV with Nipple Cream and Basket Baths

Several weeks ago our pediatrician recommended we watch less TV. My husband and I agree we have really gotten lenient with the girls schedule and my son watches way more TV than the girls did at his age. I stay home with the kids so I decided to cut back a little at a time. They were watching almost 4 hours of TV before nap time and the TV was on from the time they woke up from their naps until bed time. I know it really does sound like a lot.

So..... how are things going. I was really motivated the first day. We woke up got dressed ate breakfast, played games and made art projects. That took up most of the morning. The girls decided to entertain themselves while I was making lunch. They usually watch Sesame Street. Instead, they washed each others hair with a tube of lanolin cream!! and the baby figured out how to squeeze through the baby gate.

 I had to chase my son and put him back in the living room probably 50 times before I figured out a way to barricade the gate so he couldn't get out.

We watched a little TV after nap time than it was time for dinner. Did I risk another another debacle with nipple cream or  turn on the boob tube? I turned the TV off!

I kept poking my head out to see what the girls were up to. They weren't  fighting and that can be dangerous. They were pretending to give each other a bath in the wicker basket I keep in the den. Suddenly Sofia appeared with an ice cream bucket full of water. Where, How, I have no idea but apparently it was not the first bucket full of water.

She had managed to give Abby a bath in the den. I had to mop up water from the bathroom to the den, change their clothes, serve dinner and OH YES take care of the baby. Geez and I wonder why we started watching so much TV.

The Problem With Sterotypes

The problem with stereotypes is that they are always wrong. You can’t assume someone is a certain way because of the color of their skin or the clothes they wear.

 I am pretty sure I’m going to blow a gasket the next time a Walmart cashier assumes that I am on welfare or WIC. 

We braved Walmart yesterday with our three small children. The place was overcrowded with impatient people and frustrated employees. We grabbed a few items, my husband took the baby to the car and I stood in line with the girls. Our cashier was flustered and having some difficulties with the cash register. She scans the line and shouts back “I’m sorry my register won’t accept WIC or Welfare cards right now”. I look around; everyone seems to know she is talking to me. I’m not sure if is my brown skin, three small children or the fact that I was wearing a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that made her assume I was on government assistance. I resist the urge to chew her up and spit her out. I guarantee it would a conversation she would never forget but I’m in the holiday spirit. I look at her and smile “oh honey I’m not on welfare, nor have I ever been”. 

You can’t judge a person by looking at them. I don’t have a problem with welfare, some people really need it but I do have a problem with people judging me. You will never know that I have saved a few lives or that I was entrusted with the lives of Soldiers by looking at me. You will never know that I struggled to have my children, that I left a career to raise my babies.You will never know that I am one of the toughest, strongest, and most determined women you will ever meet.

I look at the women scanning my items. She has a tired face, and overworked hands. I want to make a snide remark about her being the one working at Walmart but I don’t know her story. I want to make assumptions about this women that I’m sure wouldn’t be right. Instead, I look her in the eyes and wish her a merry Christmas.

How To Organize Without Spending Money

I was reading a few blogs the other day about organizing and decorating your home. I am obsessed with trying to get the kids stuff organized. They are always outgrowing or destroying something. I have to admit I was a bit envious of all of the pretty bins, baskets and caddies I was seeing all over these blogs. I really don't have the money to spend on those things.

Here is how I curbed my craving for neatness without spending any money.

 We recently moved the girl's plates to the bottom cupboard because they insist on picking out their own plates for meals. They don't stack nice and neat and the whole thing was a mess really!

 I had this metal rack with a draw in the pantry. I was using it for baby food but  I thought hmmmmm I wonder if the kid's plate will fit in there.

 I am so pleased at the results. The plates are neat, organized and the girls can still reach them.

I also put an old Fisher Price baby food jar lazy susan to good use. Most baby food comes in those neat little containers now so I had this in the garage sale pile. The small spices fit perfectly. The larger ones don't fit quite right but it is so much better than the way it looked before.

Easy Nutella Brownie Recipe

I decided to try the 3 ingredient Nutella Brownie Recipe I have been seeing all over Pinterest. Did they change my life? OH YES! are they absolutely delicious? OH YES! Are they as easy as they look? OH YES! The original blogger of the 3 ingredient Nutella Brownies is scoochmaroo over at the blog Instructables. I have to admit I was a little skeptical. The recipe calls for three ingredients.

1 Cup of Nutella
10 Tbs. of flour
2 Eggs

I read a few of the comments before whipping up a batch. Some people were asking about substitutes for the Nutella because it sells for about $5.00 a jar. We absolutely love Nutella. I was so lucky to purchase a dozen jars for $1.50 from a Big Lots that was relocating. They sale a knock off Nutella spread called coca and hazelnut spread. It taste just as good as the real stuff and sells for about half the price. 

The Pralinutta is the hazelnut from Dollar General that also taste fabulous at a fraction of the cost.

I decided to use my silicone cupcake pan to make the Nutella brownie bites. I think I will use a mini cupcake tin next time. My pan looks a little rough but it bakes great!

Simply mix the three ingredients, fill the cupcake pan and bake.
22 minutes in a 350 degree oven for a regular size cupcake tin or 30 minutes for a mini cupcake tin.

The texture of the brownies is amazing. They are crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. They weren't as sweet as our usual brownie recipe but the hazelnut more than makes up for sweetness. Our family gave these Super easy Nutella brownies a 2 thumbs up!!

President Barack Obama 2012

I woke up yesterday to the results of the 2012 presidential election. President Obama will be our president for the next four years.

I was so disappointed in the comments of so many of my friends. I understand the passion behind politics but I wish they had the same passion for this country. It angers me to hear the comments that this nation is failing, that we will not survive, that we are doomed.

America remains one of the greatest nations on earth. Hundreds of troops put their lives on the line because they believe in our great country. Our country can not be destroyed by a thousand men, a hundred men and certainly not by one man.

I want to raise my children to believe in this country despite the flaws and the hardships.

Change cannot happen without hard work and perseverance. Stop complaining and make a difference in the lives of those around you. Make it a better world for the future of your children. Do not expect one man to solve all of your problems.

How Do You Stay Positive During Tough Times

My husband and I have been experiencing some tough times in the last few weeks. It seems like everything in the house has decided to break at the same time and the hospital bills keep rolling in. It is so important to stay positive and proactive during tough times. It is so easy to let yourself feel defeated, especially so close to the holidays.

I  continue to make a little money from home. My Squidoo articles have earned a total of $24.00 in sales last month and I am positive this month will be even better. I have already made $25.00 this month. I cleaned up some of the kids old toys and sold them at a local consignment sale and made an extra $50.00 and my husband has worked 2 overtime shifts this pay period. I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. God willing we will pay off the medical bills with our income tax check and start putting some money back in our savings account. Keep your head, stay positive, the tough times shall pass.

How do you stay positive during tough times?

Surviving The Holidays Living Paycheck To Paycheck

My family is going through some rough times. I am sad to admit that we are living paycheck to paycheck after so many years of working, planning and saving. We had to take the computer in to get fixed after it crashed last week. I wasn't able to work on my Squidoo or anything else for nearly a week. The icing on the cake was waking up to a fridge full of spoiled food and receiving a $700.00 medical bill in the mail that our insurance doesn't intend to pay.

We have drained our savings account and my husband had to get on the overtime list. I called my mother in desperation.

She was quick to remind me of my blessings "These are hard times, nothing more. Pick your head up and look around. You have three healthy children, snuggled in warm beds in your dream home". She is right!! Many people will be in much worse situations this holiday season.

Here is what I am doing to help our situation:
I am earning gift cards on Swagbucks to use for Christmas I also joined Jingit. It is a website that pays cash for watching videos and scanning products at the grocery store using your smart phone. I am selling most of my winter blouses to a local consignment store.

Squidoo continue to be my obsession! I am finally starting to see a few sells this month. My Minnie Mouse Children's Chairs website seems to be very popular so I plan to keep building more websites with Minnie Mouse. Who new the little mouse would give me so much hope. 

Minnie Mouse Children's Chairs and Room Decor