Like one rotten potato in the bag

        A rotten potato is not exactly the nicest image, but we all know what it does to the rest of the bag.   I am often guilty of being that rotten potato.   Just call me Mrs. Potato Head.

     A bad attitude spreads like fire and for some reason it's often me who starts the fire.   The reasons aren't really important right now ... Exhaustion, frustration, PMS.   The point is that it is highly contagious! For example, I was so frustrated with our broken faucet in the kitchen that I blurted out in anger, "if this isn't fixed by the end of the week I'm hiring someone to fix it!".   Well, that certainly put Matthew in a bad mood.  Matthew is not a fighter ... he's a builder.   So a wall went up between us. Talk about one comment being a rotten potato!  I argued my case for awhile .. "well, it's true.  I have asked over and over and it has to be fixed."   Didn't take me long to realize my motives were not right.   Let's face it, I could have hid behind my points, but the truth was I was threatening him.  I wasn't really going to call someone.   I was just mad and I wanted to blame someone.  After the walls came down I learned that Matthew had a plan to get help to fix it next week.  Fortunately we removed the rotten potato before it spread to the little Miss Potato Heads.

      I was watching a show the other day where one person in the family had a bad attitude.   It slowly spread to the entire family.   The Mother stepped in and explained how sometimes you have to just choose to be in a good mood.  The whole rotten potato thing works the other way too.  What happens when you pass sugar around?   Everyone gets pretty happy pretty fast.  I decided to try this theory out.


     JJ had been whiney for awhile and it was getting tiring.  I decided I wasn't going to tell her, but show her what I wanted.  I quickly and calmly explained how things were going to be.   I then got my broom and started sweeping.   I quietly started singing a song I know she loves.   The next thing I know she's joining me in cleaning the house!   She actually was becoming proud of her accomplishments!   I couldn't believe it worked.  Now of course it took Tee 3.5 seconds to undo our hard work .... which is another story for another time.


     We have a lot of power to influence people with our words and actions. I was in the store the other day and a lady asked if she could get by.   I barely had time to position my feet before she moves my cart, mutters, "or not" and stomps off.   I don't even know this lady, but she put me in a bad mood pretty fast.   I actually tried to follow her hoping we'd butt heads so I could confront her.  I realized pretty fast that was a stupid idea.  No need to throw another rotten potato in the bag.   On the flip side,  we were driving home one day and I was blankly starring out the window.   I didn't even register what I was looking at until suddenly at a stop sign a young girl on the sidewalk smiled at me.  So small, but sweet.   She probably didn't even realize she was spreading sugar.


     I certainly don't want to run around with sunshine coming out my butt.  That could be very annoying.  We have to be real ... we are human.  I do however need to be aware of how my attitude afftects others.  I suddenly have the urge to go look in my cupboard to see if I have any rotten potatoes.

Super Cool person of the week

This week's super cool person is .....

Renee

Renee is my sister in law.  The first time I met her I could see her sizing me up.  I must have passed the test because I was allowed to marry the youngest member of the Dickey kids.   I jumped into a full family with lots of kids.   It didn't take long to form a special bond with her.  We have so much in common.  We are a lot alike and we married brothers who are very much alike.  Sometimes I have to giggle ...it's not hard to tell our husbands are related. It's nice to have a similar couple who are a few years ahead of us.

Renee is hard working and gives all of herself to her kids, friends and loved ones.  I also love her spunk. She will start dancing to any song!  She is always looking for the good in situations and has a lot of determination.  She is a fountain of knowledge and wisdom.

I think you're awesome Renee.

Livid: adj. - Extremely angry; furious

JJ: "Mommy, you have a big tummy"
Matthew: "JJ, that is not something we tell people.  Go apologize to your Mom."
JJ: "Mommy, I'm sorry you have a big tummy."


.... Okay, I did laugh a little at that one ...  despite that fact that it was her 8 lbs. 9 oz. that helped create that pouch.

Anyone else ever been just plan mad?  That was me.  I have been working out for over a year and a half and my scales have definately been affected .... the wrong way! I generally try not to weigh myself, but whenever I'm feeling good and noticing a difference I hop on.  This was me a few weeks ago.  After eating really well and adding an extra workout I was sure I'd lost weight .... nope, scales are up. A year and a half of workouts and my results ....6 pounds gained.  Ya, so worth it.


I made the mistake of watching myself workout ... I looked like a house on stilts! Matthew says to think about where I would  be if I didn't do these things ...oh great!!! So really I have no choice! I better pass on dessert so I only gain 1 pound instead of 2.  I suppose I could quit eating, but let's face it, I want to enjoy life too!


I have calmed down some since this time and can think a little clearer.  The 6 pounds may be a good thing.  My clothes fit better, my muffin top is smaller and my arms and legs are rippling with muscles ...  okay, my legs are still pretty skinny, but there is some bulk there instead of hallow pockets. The stilts holding up the house have turned into little poles.... I'll give it that. Muscle does weigh more than fat right?  Still it would be nice to see the scales go down.  

I also have to be careful with the way I react infront of the girls. I want them to develop healthy lifestyles, but I also don't want them to learn from their mother about a negative self image. Why would they want to exercise if they hear me complain about it all the time. Matthew and the girls have never complained about the way I look (except for the one comment awhile back) and I should be proud of my determination instead of throwing a temper tantrum.   In the mean time I'll continue to eat healthy, load up on the summer fruits and veggies, keep working out and staying active with the girls.  


Sometimes JJ will randomly tell me I'm beautiful ... that's the way I want her to see me.  It's not because I'm thin and stunning ... I think what she really means is, "I love you".  Maybe I should focus more on why she loves me instead of how I look. I want her to love me because I don't give up, because I try to do things with her and because I set a good example for her ... not because I'm super skinny and don't have sticks for legs.  Perhaps I should workout my actions and my muscles.  I'm never going to be a model, but I can exercise being a better parent.


And so I continue with 6 extra pounds of what is hopefully muscle.

Puppy Princess Party

This weekend was our annual party for both the girls.  JJ's birthday is in June and Tee's birthday is in August so in July we invite both families to help us celebrate our two little puppies.  Last year was Princess fairies and this year's theme was Puppy Princesses.  I went to the party store looking for help, but they had no ideas so I got busy looking on the internet and coming up with my own ideas.  Here's what we came up with ...

First you have to have a cake ....

Then you need puppies!

And decorations ... we painted doggie bones and covered them in glitter

You also need Doggie tags so that no one gets lost and Doggie dishes to serve the food ...

And of course .... Guests!

 

Happy Birthday to the two cutest puppies in the world.  Happy 5th JJ!  Happy 3rd Tee!  You are two very loved little puppies.  Thank you everyone for making it a special day for them.

Justine and Jessica ... Cray Cray Girls

This blog is dedicated to two super awesome girls.  You asked for it, so here it is .... I asked my mom not to tell you, but I write blogs.  Uncle Matt tricked me into doing it when he married me.

J-Jolly
U- Unique
S- So chill
T- Text crazy
I- Intelligent
N- Not fat
E- Extraterrestrial


J-Just right
E-Excitable
S- Silly
S-Sweet
I-Interesting
C-Crafty
A-A monkey

Nutritious and Delicious

Who said healthy has to taste bad??!  A friend told me about spaghetti squash and I had to try it.   First I made some homemade skeddie sauce.  I'm not good at following directions so I didn't use a recipe.  It's pretty much blended tomatoes, ground beef, finely chopped veggies (I really like the peppers, asparagus, carrot mix) and onions.  I then added a container of low fat cottage cheese and spices to taste.

We cooked a spaghetti squash in the oven (cut in half) for about 45 mins.  In case you didn't know, spaghetti squash is the actual name ... I didn't know that.  It's the yellow one.  Once it was cooked I scraped it out with a fork and it made tonnes of "noodles".  Poured the sauce over it and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese.  Yummy!

I think it would be fun to put the "noodles" back into the yellow squash rind and serve it like it's a bowl.  I think it would be fun and exotic looking! To our next future dinner guests ... this is probably what I'm serving ;)