mel's blog

Jensen and Maddie are changing so fast and I have to face that they are growing up. It's not going to happen tomorrow but it is happening. There are changes everyday. It's all so bittersweet. What a perfect word. I wonder how many parents have used that very word.

textbookI loved the textbook for my Marital Life Cycle class. Many times I found myself saying "Wow" in the course of my reading. I like to share my wow moments with my friends.

My biggest disappointment with this text is that it has not been updated in many many years but the book is a compilation of different authors work so I guess updating would be very difficult. The text is an "industry standard" for this class. Universities across the nation use it. Moving on.

The Process

Weekly

My neighbor gives me his inserts from the Sunday paper so I can clip coupons. I go through them hunting for the products I use while trying to avoid noticing awesome coupons for expensive products that I won't be able to afford without the coupon. They're so sneaky!

Shopping Day

Coupons: ChoysterI go through my coupon holder pulling out coupons that

• have expired
• are on my list
• will be added to my list
  

I write a note on my list "Don't forget coupons" and put them in my purse.

Moments Before Getting in Line

Sometimes I read something and then savor the WOW of the moment.

Authentic HappinessThe belief that we can rely on shortcuts to happiness, joy, rapture, comfort, and ecstasy, rather than be entitled to these feelings by the exercise of personal strengths and virtues, leads to legions of people who in the middle of great wealth are starving spiritually. Positive emotion alienated from the exercise of character leads to emptiness, to inauthenticity, to depression, and, as we age, to the gnawing realization that we are fidgeting until we die.

WOW!

I had a WOW in my reading today and wanted to share.

A little bit about the terms first. Cognitive complexity is simply the ability to perceive differences among people so cognitive simplicity would be the inability to do the same.

Ok, so now for what made me laugh...

"Research has confirmed personality differences in terms of cognitive style. People high in cognitive complexity are better able to make predictions about other people's behavior. They more readily recognize differences between themselves and others, are more empathic, and deal better with inconsistent information in constructing others than do people high in cognitive simplicity (Crockett, 1982).

I spend so much of my life composing 140 character statements for twitter that my grammar has become atrocious so don't expect too much.

I started my grad school program toward a marriage and family therapy license at the end of April. The first course is successfully behind me. This past Thursday was the 1st class for the second course. I will admit right now that I'm totally freaked out by the syllabus. There's a test every week, a take home quiz every week, a 5-page paper, and a group project in just 5 remaining weeks. *Freaked Out* I'm taking a 5 min break from study right now. No time to reread. No time to concern myself with cool language. Just dropping a line to my blog and anyone that may come for a visit.

For anyone that may be dropping in, how about a little Picture Caption Fun. My sister in law captured the following picture and the hilarious expression on Maddie's face. Think of a funny caption and add it in the comments. Have fun.

The Diva: Lots of pics taken of Maddie in this outfit. She never seemed upset but Chelle definitely caught an irritated moment.

It's Tuesday, the first T-Day of the week. Here are just a few little tidbits I learned today.

[=15]

• A black ceiling with recessed lighting in a dining room looks AWESOME. I saw it on an episode of Color Splash. Episode HCLRS-403 "Dramatic Dining Room." I'm disappointed they aren't showcasing it on the site. I think it really made the room and will look for the opportunity to use that in the future.

30 DaysSPOILERS Alert. I watched 30 Days Episode "Outsourcing" today. I recognize that I have a long way to go before I understand the full impact of Outsourcing. I have strong feelings regarding the loss of American jobs especially now that we are in an economic crisis with no end in sight. I wonder if there is something other than greed that motivates corporations such as IBM and Siemens to take their jobs around the world.

Grilled Steak: posted at MetromixRecently I saw a segment on the Early Show that freaked me out. I've heard the warnings about red meat and cholesterol for half my life but I never really paid attention to any of it mostly because I LOVE red meat! I have low cholesterol so what do I care?

Then the Early Show told me that there is a direct link between a high intake of red meat and DEATH! Ehhh, what? According to the study we can safely consume no more than 5 oz of red meat PER WEEK! Are you kidding me? I could eat that much before dinner.

Routine has a rather dull ring to it, does it not? Routine is so humdrum, so monotonous. Most people start their day with coffee and a shower but I have the coolest morning routine ever. I wake up cranky like most people and stumble to the kitchen for my caffeine fix. Soon after I hear my toddler's shout indicating he's awake and then the fun begins.

Curious George: PBS KidsFirst up, a diaper change/wrestling match followed immediately after with a bowl of animal crackers and a sippy cup of milk. Then JMan and I make our way to the living room to watch an episode of Curious George on PBS Kids. What a joy. The show is so simple and it's lessons are so big.

I’ve been very excited by the prospect of joining the YMCA and Jamie’s new job allows us a few luxuries in the budget so we decided to go for it. As the mother of two small kiddos I’m determined to be able to run around a yard with them without passing out from exhaustion. Thus, exercise is required. That’s great motivation for joining the Y but I’ll confess it is not my primary incentive.

I’ve been overweight (read FAT) for about 13 years now. Yeah, most people don’t realize I used to have a waist including my husband. Still, I’m terrible with motivation. I can’t get started. I won’t get started. I’m procrastinating. I’m lazy. Whatever. I am however not claiming a thyroid problem or that I’m big boned. I did it. I have to undo it.

President ObamaI’ve never been a very political person but like much of the country I’m feeling energized and hopeful about the presidency of Barack Obama. On January 20, 2009, after a long play date with 2 toddlers, I sat down with a cup of coffee in one hand and my remote control in the other to watch the recorded inauguration.

ProcrastinationIs procrastination a euphemism for laziness? Or perhaps it indicates lack of commitment to a goal? Ooo, ooo, I know, it's an illness that we can't avoid.

I've been a procrastinator my whole life. Not about all things. Just about things I didn't want to do. Imagine that! It's time to kick the habit. I'm nearly 40. It's time to grow up. This is NOT a New Year's resolution. It's a life resolution.

So, I'm asking for some help. Share with me why you procrastinate and how you motivate yourself to conquer procrastination. Do the yucky stuff first? Make lists? Ask someone to hold you accountable? What works for you?

Moving on from the riveting baby diaper review let's talk about Gerber baby clothes. You'd think Gerber would know a thing or two about baby clothes. I'm saying "nope" to that. Maddie outgrows every onesie and sleeper made by Gerber weeks before her other baby clothes of the same size.

Thumbs Down: Thumbs DownI recently moved Maddie to the 3-6 month clothes which was very exciting for me. Maddie is 4 months old but she should be small for her age since she was 8 weeks early. At the doctors office a month ago Maddie measured at the bottom of the growth chart for her age which was a shock to my doctor who said Maddie is not expected to even be on the chart until she's much older.

It's a new year and the GRE is behind me so guess what I want to talk to you about? You got it, generic diapers. Well, it's on my mind and you know how I like to share that kind of thing.

There are times in a mother's life when she has to cut corners due to budgetary constraints. Yes, even when it comes to diapers. Obviously this is something she needs to be very cautious about. You buy the tiny package first to test them out then you continue your research with a big value box assuming the el cheapos pass the initial test.

I've tested Walmart, Kroger, and Target diapers. I had heard so many moms praise Target diapers that I thought they were going to change themselves. Um, no. And, they get very lumpy when wet.