Moms Don't Get A Sick Day!

My only wish for 2011 is to not be as sick as I was in 2010.  My hope is that my entire family will not suffer through as many colds, viruses, sinus infections, ear infections, vomitting, diarrhea, trips to the ER and urgent care as we've all had for the past 364+ days.  But well, I suppose that's a pointless wish because it's unlikely to come true. 


I had hoped to write a Christmas recap and to share some great photos from our holidays by now.  But frankly I don't have the energy!  We've all had a very bad cold (possibly the flu) since the day after Christmas.  Kirk, Vivian and I have all been dealing with chills, fever, snotty noses, coughs and more!  It has been miserable! 


One thing that you don't realize (or I didn't, anyway) as you enter parenthood is that you NEVER get a sick day again!  Ever! 


You don't want your child or children to be sick but it's even worse if you feel awful as well.  Because when moms feel crappy, they still must keep going! 

Even though I have 100 degree fever and diarrhea and feel as if  I've been run over by a truck, I still somehow have to manage the following:

• wiping the butt of my three year old multiple times per day
• doing some laundry once I realize I'm all out of towels
• giving myself and my child a bath because I've been sweating out fevers and also have a little bit of puke in my hair
• placing the dog outside to pee and poo at least three times a day
• intaking liquids so that means mustering up all the strength I have just to open up that bottle of Gator-ade
• brushing my teeth because my mouth is a disgusting cess pool of germs
• washing the sheets because the sweat stains on them just don't make sleeping comfortable anymore
• forcing ourselves to eat a few bites of something every few hours, even though we have no appetite and no taste buds either
• walking around the house searching for tissue, because we keep moving it to wherever we change lounging around positions
• and finally, hoping that my eyes don't cross and my brain doesn't rot from doing nothing but watching endless hours of television and movies since I have the strength for nothing else!

Kudos to all you parents out there who never get a sick day!  Special awards go to those of you with several kids.  I know a few of you have four kids and more.  I don't know how you do it!  I wish I could give you a sick day off!


So, Happy New Year!  Let's Hope It's Mucus Free! 

Hopefully when I return, I'll be healthier and more creative with thoughts.

If The Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future Were To Visit Me....

Various film versions of the Charles Dickens' classic tale "A Christmas Carol" are being flashed all over the screen these days.  Most recently there has been a Jim Carrey cartoon version of the story.  I own the Muppets take on it and watched it with Vivian and Kirk a week ago.  You gotta love Gonzo as Dickens and Rizzo the Rat as his sidekick. One of my personal favorites though is "Scrooged" - the one with comedian/actor Bill Murray in it.   The list goes on and on. 

I was thinking yesterday about the notion of ghosts visiting me: the ghost of my Christmas past, the ghost of my Christmas present and the ghost of my Christmas future.  What would these unexpected guests show me?  What would I learn from them?  Let's pretend for a moment, shall we?

The Ghost of Mandy's Christmas Past
The past would begin with me at age five.  I would look like this:



(Are you loving the puffy sleeves or what?)

I am receiving a new bicycle for Christmas.  A beautiful shiny bike that will take me quite a long time to ride and cause myself and my parents many hours of frustration.

Two years later I receive a bloody nose at my second grade holiday party.  I had on this little white dress with a green Christmas tree on it.  Only the dress didn't stay white for long.... the blood from my nose would soon be splattered all over it.  I would end up in tears being hugged my Mrs. LeBlanc, my second grade teacher.  This was just the beginning of my bloody nose phase. 

At ages 7 - 12,  my mom was always fussing my brother Stuart and me, telling us to be thankful and grateful for any and all Christmas gifts we receive, even socks and clothing.  "That's just what I always wanted!" she'd force us to say to each aunt, uncle and cousin who offered us a present.

I think back to all the must-have gifts each season: Cabbage patch dolls.  The insane prices and fighting crowds over those hideously ugly dolls that came from a vegetable garden!  The pound puppies, the Barbie dolls, the pogo sticks and more!  I was one lucky kid and never felt abandoned or unloved on the holidays. 

I remember Maw Maw Ethel's house, a tiny home that would pack in way more people than a fire marshall would allow.  So many folks that when one person left their seat to go to the bathroom, someone else would quickly grab it.  Otherwise you were stuck sitting on the floor.  I recall Great Maw-Maw Louise turning red and getting tispy because my dad and my uncles spiked  her egg nog and holiday punch.  This house had the best spread of desserts anywhere -- from rum balls to chocolate cake to turtle candies to homemade fudge and pralines. 

I recall the holidays on the Kelpsch side of the family where each year we gained a new family member or grand kid or great grand kid.  Soon we couldn't even remember some of the names of the attendees.  I loved how everyone pitched in pot luck style.  From chicken wings to macaroni and cheese.... from gumbo to Mexican doritos casserole.  We had a little bit of everything and it was all good stuff!

I laugh remembering the first Christmas (in 2001) when I brought Kirk along to meet my family.  We were not even engaged yet.  My brother and he kept drinking wine for several hours.  Soon Kirk was feeling dizzy and I had to drive us home that night. 

I hold my stomach as I recall my first Christmas in Ohio, in 2005, the very first holiday without my family.  I was living 8,000 miles away from every tradition I had known.  I became violently sick, caught a stomach virus and spent the entire day sleeping on the couch or vomitting in the bathroom.  In between puking though I did manage to watch "It's A Wonderful Life" for the first time ever.  Kirk took care of me and held my hair back too.

I think back fondly to the first Christmas after Vivian was just born, in 2007.  She was just two months old and the holiday took on a much greater meaning with her in our family.  Beautiful tiny Vivian and her strong hands and the beginnings of a smile!





These are just a few of my Christmas pasts.  And I'm so happy that they are part of my life, even the not so great ones!  My memories are part of my personality and values.


The Ghost of Mandy's Christmas Present:
The present would include many pleasant surprises.  I want to pinch myself most days to make sure I'm not dreaming. 

This year has brought me many joys and reasons to celebrate.  I'm happy to be a current stay-at-home mom, spending time with this diva daughter of mine every day:




Together we explore our community of Pensacola, Florida.  We have great friends in our lives.  This year, my parents will be visiting us for the holidays.  We have a trolley ride with Santa and his elves planned in two days.  We're also going to order out dinner - a holiday ham and sides from a local restaurant.  It should be stress-free and full of fun! 

Vivian is now three years old and she is so much fun to be around.  It will be a great time seeing her open presents and witnessing her reactions to the things we have for her - a bicycle, a train set and much more!   She's so expressive and delighted to see things like the holiday decorations, tree and lights.  What fun it is to see Christmas through a child's eyes like hers!



Kirk already received his main present, a new flat-screen TV for our living room.  He's very happy with that.  I have two more small stocking stuffer surprises for him though.   For my Christmas, I received most of what I wanted already - new kitchen gadgets, clothes and a few odds and ends.

Best of all, I surprised myself this year with a book that I wrote and self published.  I completed a lifelong dream of mine.  The book is now being distributed to family, friends and referrals.   Next week I'm receiving my own feature in a local newspaper.  I even had my first photo shoot yesterday.  I couldn't be more thrilled!




I plan to relish in this special holiday season.  To relax, be merry, drink and just enjoy this precious time while it is happening!  I have much to be cheerful about and to be thankful for!



The Ghost of Mandy's Christmas Future:
This is the tricky one!  I have no clue what the future holds for me.  The unknown is often a scary thing too.  

Will I turn into the cranky, ungrateful old lady Maxine whose every word creates a negative feeling:

That is a possibility since both of my grandmothers often don't view life on the bright side.

Or will I be happy - dancing, having fun and throwing myself a parade like only Liza Minnelli could do?

I hope I will be the perfect balance of them both.  I'll have Maxine's spunk and sarcasm along with Liza's booty-shakin' skillz and optimism.  After all, she's not given up on love yet. 

I dream that my future will include hopefully another book or literary project of mine.   I'm not quite sure exactly what I want to do next....  But I think it will just come to me, when the time is right. 

I hope that my future includes a younger sibling for Vivian.  It's funny how unsure I was about her for the first year (even two years).  It took awhile before I really liked her as much as I knew I loved her.  Now, I just can't picture my life without her and I dream of giving her the opportunity to be a big sister.  Time will tell what happens in that department though. 

I want the Christmas future to include more growth opportunities and success for Kirk at his job.  But hopefully less demands and stress on him too.   He's so talented and wonderful.  I know he can do anything!

I really hope the future will include more family fun, vacations, and laughter.  More anniversary outings and couple's dates would be nice too.  Kirk and I hardly get the chance to see movies or eat out alone. 

I hope that at a Christmas in the near future, I will be reunited with Maw-Maw Ethel and the Babins' again.  And I hope to have another potluck holiday function with the Kelpsch family too.  It has been five years since I have celebrated a Christmas with everyone in the extended family!  It would be great to see them all in one room again.

Hopefully the Christmases of my future will be joyful, merry and celebrated with those people that I love and cherish most!  Because that is what life is all about!


What would your Christmas past, present and future look like?  Share a memory or a wish in the comments section.  Or better yet, play along by posting this game on your blog between now and the New Year! 

Merry Christmas Everyone!  I hope it's a great one for you! 

Lots of love and Seasons Greetings!  

Excited, Nervous And Happy These Days!

So many wonderful things are happening lately.  I'm a bit afraid to talk about them here, scared that I may somehow jinx them from coming true. 

Yet it's hard to contain my excitement and nervousness too.  I've been interviewed by a local news publication about my cookbook.  Their publisher also wants to do a photo shoot with me, possibly next week.  I'm thrilled and terrified!  I just know I'll wake up with a pimple on that morning of having my closeup.  Or I'll run right smack into the wall and bruise my nose again, just like I did last week when I stood up from peeing on my toilet.  (Um, yeah, wish I was making that up but I'm not!!)

Hahaha!  I can't believe that I'm even news-worthy.  Me?  Mandy?  Just plain Mandy.  It must be a slow week in the news or something.  But I'll take the opportunity to share my story and my book with others!

I've already had the honor of being featured in my Louisiana hometown's newspaper a few weeks ago.  That was thanks to my dad writing a letter to the editor about me reaching a lifelong dream of mine.  Since that publicity, my parents have written to every food network and talk show host that they can find!!  My mom is standing up in church and in shopping malls practically giving speeches about me and holding up my cookbook.  It's amazing and humbling.   I just can't express how grateful I am to have parents who are so supportive, so loving and so proud of my achievements! 

The funny thing is that I was just sitting down yesterday in a bagel shop wondering about my future.  I overheard a conversation two tables over from mine.  A sales rep, one that I presume works for a local radio station, was pitching broadcast advertisting ideas to the bakery's manager or owner.  As I listened to the lady's perfectly rehearsed speech, I wondered if I could ever give a sales pitch like that?  I wondered if I could sell myself and a product or company in the same poised, confident manner that this smiling woman nearby did..... 

Then a few hours later, a reporter called me at home.  She began asking me questions about my cookbook, what made me write it and how I went from using packaged foods to cooking from scratch.  Suddenly I was spewing out words and babbling non-stop about my writings and misadventures in the kitchen.  LOL!  I guess I can give a sales pitch, at least one about myself and a product that I care about (my book).

Even though I'm not sure what is next for me....even though I'm not exactly doing what I thought I would be at this stage in the game (and at my age), I keep thinking about the song lyrics by music artist John Mayer. I've been listening to his "Continum" CD all week long.  I've hitten the repeat button on this tune a dozen times:

"Pain throws your heart to the groundLove turns the whole thing aroundNo, it won't all go the way it shouldBut I know the heart of life is good"


Those words keep echoing over and over again in my head.  I know the heart of life is good.  I've had struggles, disappointments and failures in the past.  But my life is good.  And I know that the heart of my life has always been a wonderful thing for me.

Therefore my only resolution for 2011 is to remember those words.  And to keep living that sentiment each day! 

Cheers!

Little Glimpses

Call me the absent-minded blogger.  I have not made the time or the effort to write (or read) a real blog post or update in days.  The holidays are such a hectic time.  I cannot seem to focus on my writing but maybe that is because my head is still buzzing around with lingering thoughts on my cookbook.  Then I'm wondering what new project I should take on next as well.  But these are all good problems to have. 


Still there have been a few things worth mentioning - little glimpses of life that I do want to remember in the future.  And that is my main reason for this blog - to be my memory when I seem to forget.  Here is what comes to my mind (before the experiences and thoughts leave my brain, that is):

1.)  I only enjoy shopping in a mall or outlet type store a few times a year.  Even when I am by myself without a tantrum-driven toddler.  I don't remember when aimlessly walking into shops lost its luster for me but it has.  However I will admit that I when I bought three pairs of blue jeans recently, I didn't cringe like I normally do.  I knew my size (6) and I was fine with it for the first time in a very long time.


2.) I've been going out for coffee two times per week lately.  Something about the colder weather and all the festive holiday flavors has me craving Starbucks, Panera Bread or whatever java shop comes across my path.  I know I could try to make them at home but where's the fun in that?  Plus the smells are much more inviting at those places!


3.) Our family took a weekend trip recently to attend Kirk's grandmother's 82nd birthday.  Kirk's mom is one of fourteen brothers and sisters.  She has a HUGE family.  It is a lot of fun being around them and watching them interact.  I wonder what it was like growing up with that much entertainment and noise.


4.) I'm a little bit embarassed to say that I have read and liked "Twilight" by Stephanie Meyer.  A friend mailed me her copy and the second book (sequel) in the series too.  She really wanted me to read it even though I wasn't very interested in the story.  I even hid my copy in a plastic bag and tried to conceal it in the coffee shop where I sat reading it, wanting to finish the chapter I had started.  I don't normally read love stories or literature about vampires, zombies, scary people, etc.  So far, I have not seen the films. I don't really have a desire to view them either.  I am enjoying Meyer's writing and details though. 


5.) My parents have been the most amazing and surprising Marketing Managers of the cookbook I wrote.  My father has written to every newspaper where I have lived (or live now) to tell them about my story and the work I've written.  My mother is calling my former elementery teachers and even standing up and making speeches about me at her retirement teachers' events.  I'm so humbled, honored and proud to have such adoring fans! 


6.) Vivian experienced her first hibachi at a Japanese restaurant this week.  She was both frightened and intrigued at the chef preparing food at our table.  Viv continued to ask, "Who's that man?  What's his name?" And after I would say his name, she'd wave at him and say "Hey Man!"  I think she had a fun time even though she'd only eat her peanut butter and jelly sandwich and kernels of popcorn.  No worries though because I ate enough for the both of us.  That shrimp and steak was so delicious! 


7.) I've been listening to music artist John Mayer all week.  I find his voice and his songs very comforting.  I bought his album "Continum" several days ago.  I don't buy CD's very often but I bought three the other day - his, the Nat King Cole Christmas album and a classic Frank Sinatra one too.  I must be in an easy-listening kind of mood. 


8.) I had my hair darkened last week to cover my grays!  It was long over due.  I don't go to a salon very often but when I do, I simply love the pampering that takes place.  When someone is shampooing your hair and running their fingers through your scalp, that is just pure heaven!  I went about two shades darker.  It is always a bit of a shock when I do something like this.  My face becomes even paler but then I love it.  I really do enjoy being a brunette.  I feel like it's just who I am. 


9.) I have become an expert butt wiper.  I make going to the potty so much fun that now I have the privilege of using toiletries on most of Vivian's stuffed animals.  We take turns doing the sound effects and cheering for each one after they make pee-pee or poo-poo.  After Viv goes number 2, I pick her up and treat her like an airplane.  While I'm holding in my breath, trying not to become too close to the stinch, she's laughing and pretending that she's gliding in the air.  These are things that are not discussed when you take birthing classes by the way!


10.) I'm becoming this strange, domestic woman.  I hardly recognize myself some days.  Especially when just over a year ago I was working 50+ hours per week and traveling several times a year for my job.  It's crazy to see myself as this stay at home mom and wife!  But I'm falling into my role a little more easily and comfortably now.  I cook and I like it.  This morning I even cleaned and almost enjoyed it.  That was because I decided to make my own carpet freshener (using 1 cup of baking soda and 1/2 tsp of peppermint extract -- now my whole home smells fresh and minty, a lot like Christmas!)  I suppose the secret (for me) is to put my own creative stamp on whatever I'm doing.  If I can tweak a recipe, a job, a chore, a relationship or a part of life with my own tiny flair, then I feel productive and meaningful. 

And as long as I'm bringing some special meaning to my day or to my family, then life is so much sweeter!  I can rejoice in it. 



Now it's your turn - leave me a comment that shares a small glimpse into your life these days!  What have you been up to or thinking about?

The Negotiator

No one told me that you needed lawyer skills in order to be a parent?!  Why is it that kids, even toddlers, just know how to manipulate and negotiate at such a young age?

Example: 

(Scenario: We are leaving the house to go to a store.  This is always a challenge to get out of the door without my three year old wanting to take half the toys she owns.)
Vivian: "Elmo and Abby can come to the car too!"  (which is her way of saying she wants to drag two stuffed animals into the car)

Me: "No, we're not bringing animals into the car.  We are going to ____ today."

Vivian: "Have one, mommy" flashing me a big smile. (which is her way of asking to bring one animal instead of two.)

Me: "No sweetie, no animals.  We're just taking a short ride."

Vivian: "Hug, mommy!  Give me a hug!" and she flashes a huge smile at me and embraces me. 

Me thinking to myself: I will not fold.  I will not fold.  Okay, maybe she can bring just one animal.....

Vivian thinking to herself:  I've got mommy right where I want her....

And guess what?  Elmo did come into the car with us. 

This is just one tiny example of her amazing skills too.  The same thing happens at dinnertime, bedtime, when she wants to watch a television program or movie, play a game or whatever.

Dinnertime is usually when I get the most hugs during the day.  It goes something like this.

Another Example:

(Scenario: Dinner time.  All three of us are sitting at a table.  Only Kirk and I are eating though.)

Me: "Vivian, take a bite."

Vivian: "Hug mommy!"

Me: "After you eat!"

Vivian: "Kiss mommy!" 

Me: "I'll hug and kiss you all you want after you take a bite."

Vivian takes a tiny bite of food but purposely spills most of it.  Then the conversation repeats.

Sigh! 

I never dreamed I'd be such a softie and cave in as much as I do.  I can be the tough, mean mom when I need to be.  But on a day to day basis, I just do what it takes to keep things peaceful and light.  I'll probably pay for it later on when the "diva" is in full swing. 

How do you say no and stay tough all the time when you stare at a face that looks like this every day?   Could you do it?






If you are a parent, how do you stay tough and when do you cave in?  If you're not a parent, do you think it would be difficult to be the "tough, mean" one?

Giveaway: My Cookbook!

Hooray!  Are you feeling lucky? 

I'm giving away a FREE copy of my cookbook that I wrote.  The details for it and how you can enter to win are posted on my other blog -- http://learn-laugh-cook.blogspot.com/






Go here for your chance to win!  Good luck! 

And a Happy Early Holidays from me!