Moms of Boys: Leading By Example

We are all trying to raise our boys to be decent, hard working, respectable young men.  Well, most of us.  Some moms are just trying to raise them not to fart in public, belch the national anthem at the ball game, and not to become serial killers.  That's okay too.  We all need to have attainable goals.  I don't judge.

Some moms of boys do though.  They judge everyone, and harshly.  I get it!  Our little boys will always be our little boys.  We want them to stay that way.  We want to keep them young, innocent, and fun  loving.  We want them to have some form of a moral compass to follow.  Most of all we want them to be respectful of and courteous to women.

Me and my sweet boys

"Respectful of and courteous to women." is the key phrase here.

How do our boys learn how to be respectful of other women?  That's simple.  Their mothers teach them.  I find it funny though.  Why? you ask.  Well, because women don't seem to know how to be respectful and courteous of each other. 

We are their mothers.  We are their example of how to act toward one another.  Yet, we are always talking down to, being critical of, or judging each other on every move we make.  Then we wonder why men are such jerks.  We give them the example.  We show them how to treat us.  They have learned to treat women by watching how women treat each other.  This isn't fair to our children.  It is not fair for us to raise them to see all of the hate women spew toward one another, and then scold them when they mistreat a women.  

We all need to stop, take a deep breath, and take a good hard look at ourselves.  We need to watch our mouths when we harshly and openly judge other women. No matter the age.  We need to watch how we talk about young girls as well.  Little snarky comments can be misconstrued by young boys.  Sometimes we don't even realize we are making them because it comes so naturally to us.  Woman gossip, and whisper, they give cruel or hateful looks, and demeaning glances. We shun each other when we disagree.  We comment on clothes, hair, nails, makeup, money, houses, cars, who has the smarter, more gifted or cuter kid. We do all of this without thinking about the effect we are having on our young boys.  

We should stop doing this in front of them.  We should be more aware.  We should realize that raising boys is a HUGE responsibility.  We turn our boys into men, and if we do it wrong, there will always be those moms of girls out there judging us.  So, let's open our lives up to understanding, compassion, forgiveness, kind words, loving hearts, and SECOND CHANCES.  Lord knows, we all make wretched mistakes, an we will all continue to do so.  We will all slip up.  Let's try to learn from our mistakes, and pass that wisdom on. Let's stop telling young men how to treat women, and start teaching them, and leading by example.  Let's SHOW them how we want to be treated.  

I'm not just a mom of boys, I am a mom a a little girl, who will one day meet, fall in love, and marry one of your little boys, and I can't stand the thought of her calling me crying that she married a "jerk".  I also can't stand the thought of raising one of those "jerks".  

My Princess deserves a Prince, and I owe it to other mothers of girls to
make sure my boys are not the frog to their princess. 

Let's be teammates, NOT opponents!

I love my boys!

4 ingredient Fiber Packed Smoothie

 I've been needing to add a little color to my life and for my health.  What better way to do that then a yummy nutritious (hardest word I've ever had to figure how to spell, by the way) Smoothie!!  

Now, If you are like me and have gained a few pounds and you aren't a huge fan of veggies....or fresh fruit AND you are lazy and don't like to put a lot of effort into your healthy eating  (I know, I totally suck in the healthy department)then this is the perfect smoothie for you.

NOT JOKING!!!!!!  SIMPLE, YUMMY, HEALTHY!  

Ready for it?

Are you??

OKAY!  HERE GOES!

Tia's Healthy Smoothie (yep I created it with all of my amazing craftiness)

2 cups Pomegranate Blueberry 100% JUICE V8 V*FUSION
3 cups of mixed wild berries (raspberries,blueberries,&blackberries)
1 heaping handful of kale or spinach 

1 packet of Turbinado Sugar (I use SUGAR IN THE RAW)

BLEND UNTIL SMOOTH....you know..since it's a SMOOTHie. 

I drink the whole blender full and it keeps me nice and full and gives me energy! 

It is a total of 460 calories in the whole blender.  But they are healthy bulky fiber filled calories, not icky empty bad calories.

If you break it down we are looking at

460 calories
0 yes 0 ZERO grams of fat
180 mg sodium
100 carbs
80 grams of dietary fiber (which for non diabetics this can cancel out 80 of those carbs)
vitamin A 36%
vitamin C 206% (oh yeah, hello happy immune system)
Vitamin E 20%

This also provides more than a full daily serving of fruit and a full daily serving of veggies recommended intake of veggies.  

4 simple ingredients is all it takes

My Top 10 Elf on the Shelf Adventures

The top 10 ELF-TASTIC Adventures our Elf on the Shelf, Cornelius has been on.

Meet our Elf

Doesn't he look sweet and innocent?

Welcome to our world of Elf shenanigans 

Trying to catch some rays.  The north pole keeps him ghostly white most of the year. 

A day at The Snowman Spa.  He ordered the Cocoa Marshmallow Bath package

Dragon Slayer

Bad Cowboy

Trying his hand at saving Gotham City with Batman's Batcopter

Midnight snack

Santa held him hostage during a time when the boys had an exceptionally messy room 

He upset the oldest by climbing the tree and stuffing it with tissue

He managed to get kidnapped and pummeled with snowballs by little Christmas children decor.

And the one that REALLY ticked the kids of

The Great Elf Present Heist of 2011

Even though he is a pretty mischievous elf, we still made him a snack to take back to the North Pole with him on Christmas Eve. 

We made "Elf Doughnuts"  Fun and easy.  They are cheerios covered in vanilla and chocolate candy coating topped with red and green sprinkles.

So, what do you think about Our fun little Elf?  Do you want one?  You can win one by 

                           CLICKING HERE

Clicking above will take you to the giveaway on my blog.  Good Luck!!!!!

Elf on the Shelf Giveaway

Hosted by:

Mommy Needs A Break

Funny Postpartum Lady

My Pleasant Nightmare

That Suburban Momma

Deezy Does It

The Pinspired Mom

Diary of a Fit Single Mom

Momopolize

Unconventional Mommy Tails

Prize:

Description from Elf on the Shelf.com:

Bring the Christmas magic home to your family this year! The original Elf on the Shelf® set includes a magical scout elf from the North Pole and a beautiful children’s story book, all in a keepsake gift box.  When you adopt this special elf and name him, he receives his Christmas magic and can fly to the North Pole—but only when all girls and boys are sound asleep!  At the start of each holiday season, the elf returns to his family’s house to be Santa’s eyes and ears, and every night he travels back to the North Pole to report in.  Families can register their elf online to receive an official adoption certificate and a special letter from Santa!

**Winner will have option to choose race and gender of elf**

Just in time to get ready for the Holiday Season! Enter with the Rafflecopter Below (some entries can be done once a day!)

GOOD LUCK!! 

Need Some Elf on the Shelf Ideas? Check out the post from My Pleasant Nightmare
You can also check out the post from Mommy Needs a Break HERE & from The Pinspired Mom HERE

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to Residents of the Continental US Only. Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.

Winner will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Please note that Mommy Needs a Break  is responsible for the shipment of this prize.

The product provided for the review was free of charge from the company. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge; no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone.

I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.

Must be 18 or older to enter this Giveaway

 

Happy Fall!!! Let's Make a Wreath to Celebrate!!

And super fun DIY Projects

Tomorrow is the first day of Fall!!!!  Squeeeeeeee!!!  I just love fall.  I love the colors, the smells, the comfort foods, and the decor.  So, in honor of the first day of fall I am putting together a "How To" article.  Let me tell ya, if I am putting together a "how to" then it is a simple task.  No, seriously.  My kids could do it.

There are only a few things you need for this, and there is no sewing required.

1. 12 in foam wreath

2. Fabrics with multiple colors and patterns.  You can use 2 to 4 different fabrics depending on how fun you want it.  I'm lazy and buy the cheap pre-cut squares from Walmart.

3.  A wooden meat skewer

4.  Ribbon that matches the fabric you chose.

5.  A fall plaque for the center.  Make sure it has a spot you can later feed you ribbon through.  I found mine for a dollar at The Dollar Tree.  This is optional though.  You don't NEED anything in the center.  It's beautiful either way.

Oh and put on a good movie.  You'll be done with this project by the time it's over.

Here we go!

Cut up a bunch of that fabric into little 2 inch pieces.  Make sure you keep the fabrics separate. Don't mix then all up like a bunch of wild animals.  hehe

After you get everything cut and SEPARATED (I say that loudly because I know that some of you jumped the gun and threw them all in a bowl.  Like I said not to do.) Grab your foam wreath and your wooden skewer.  You are going to grab your first piece of frabric from pile one, lay it on the wreath starting at the bottom end of the top of the wreath.  Totally sounds confusing.  I know.  So I made a picture. Use the skewer to twist the center of the fabric into the wreath.  About half way to a quarter of the way down. If you poke through to the other side, YOU WENT TO FAR. Make sure you're doing this in a straight line from bottom to top, alternating the fabric (seeeee that's why it needed to be separated, so you could alternate.)  Also, make sure you them close enough together that no white shows. I know, I know.  I ask a lot of you all.

Continue doing this pattern all the way around the foam wreath.  It will progress like this.

Once you get all the way around, you will just need to ad the finishing touches.  So, grab that ribbon cut of about 2 ft of it.  Fold it in half and tie the ends together in a nice tight knot or bow. 

Now, lay it flat and lay your gorgeous wreath on top of it, with the bottom loop at the center of the wreath.

Now, loop the ribbon through the hole little plaque you chose.  (if you chose one)

After pulling it through the hole, grab the top of your ribbon.  The part with the bow or knot, and loop it through the bottom loop.  

Pull tight!!

TA DA!!!!!!

You'are all all finished.  Well, unless you want to a small accent like I did here:

Now you can hang you pretty wreath on the front door or patio door.  It is a warm and inviting addition to any home this holiday season, and it's so simple you can get your kids involved!!

Spoil Me Giveaway

Hosted by: Funny Postpartum Lady

Sponsored by:

Juvy Jewels

Michele's Thirty One

New Mom Body's Plexus Slim

Katelyn's Perfectly Posh

Get Skinny with Roni

With the kids back in school (for those of us with school aged kids) and the Fall weather starting to show it's beautiful face, I thought it was fine time for a giveaway just for ME! Well, really just for you but you get the sentiment. I have teamed up with some great Sponsors and Bloggers to bring you this FANTASTIC GIVEAWAY! 

What's in it? I'm glad you asked.

From Juvy Jewels:

Mystic Blue Topaz Necklace 

From Michele's Thirty One

Manicure Nail File

From New Mom Body's Plexus Slim:

Trial Pack 

From Katelyn's Perfectly Posh

And from Get Skinny with Roni:

One It Works Wrap


Now, doesn't this seem like a whole lot of AWESOME in one giveaway? I think so. All you have to do is enter the Rafflecopter below, cross your fingers, and then wait for the winner to be announced. The winner's name will be displayed on the Rafflecopter October 1st and they will be notified via email.
GOOD LUCK!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Disclaimer:

• Open to Residents of the Continental US Only. Prizes cannot be shipped to PO Boxes.
• Winner will be selected by Random.org and be notified by email. Winners have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is selected. Please note that the owner/operator of mypleasantnightmare.com is not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. I have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. I will contact the sponsor regarding your prize(s). The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. I will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize. If there is an issue with a sponsor, please notify the blog you won a prize from within 30 days for assistance, after that we may be unable to assist you.
• The product provided for the review was free of charge from the company. The product offered for the giveaway is free of charge; no purchase necessary. My opinions are my own and were not influenced by any form of compensation. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Google+ are in no way associated with this giveaway. By providing your information in this form, you are providing your information to me and me alone.
• I do not share or sell information and will use any information only for the purpose of contacting the winner.
• Must be 18 or older to enter this Giveaway

358bd2167e2f937e8f404fd963949e24ec3ff717e38484b7c0

An Open Letter to Men

Disclaimer:  I do not speak for all women.  SOme are overindulgent and don't mind when their men do these things.  That's okay.  As long as I don't have to do them.

An open letter to Men:

We don't care how loud you laugh at whatever ridiculous thing you are watching on the T.V. when we walk into the room.  It in no way, shape, or form provokes us to want to ask you "what's so funny?"
After a certain amount of time together, women typically learn that it does not matter what you're watching.  There is a 99.9% chance that we will NOT find it as hilarious as your sweet, easily amused, man brain does. This, my dear, is why I quit asking "Hey babe,whatcha laughing at?" when you make that ever so obvious and overly dramatic laugh.
The fact that we KNOW you're dying for someone to  ask, makes us automatically hate what you're watching and triggers the whole "LALALA I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!" reaction.  If someone walks into the room and they're intrigued even slightly by what you're watching, they will ask.  If a woman walks passed the T.V. and doesn't give it a second look, pretend you never saw her.
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT, start laughing super hard just to get our attention and force us to ask what is so damn funny on your lame ass show.
We can usually predict what it will be.  "Hey babe, watch this, you gotta see this!!" Then a dumb ass kid skateboards down a banister and crushes his "nuts".   The only thing funny about that happening is, well, he probably can't produce any children in the future, saving us all from having to watch a second generation of that video.  If you men want to crush your testicles, by all means, do it.  You won't get an argument from me.  Abort all the little swimmers you have.  Just don't make me watch.  It hurts me and I don't even have them.  Oh, and if I have to watch that women dance on that table and crash through one more time, I will scream!!

While we are on the subject of your NOT SO subtle hints, I would like to request that you not make the BIG, GIGANTIC, overly DRAMATIC, ***SIGHHHHH***
You ain't foolin' anyone with that.  We have it figured out!  We KNOW you are just dying for us women to say "Oh honey, what's the matter?  Are you okay?"  Contrary to popular belief, most of us don't really care to discuss "feeeeeelings".  When we claim to want to do that, we are usually trying to get you to run the other way so that we can have some alone time to swallow our feelings.....right out of a big bottle of wine.  If your curious, a lot of us women stash our feelings there for safe keeping.  Word of warning, attempting to find our stashed feelings in that wine bottle may result in serious bodily harm, or even death.  Do not try this. AGAIN, DO.NOT.TRY.THIS.

Anyway, like I said, no giant "sighhhhhhhhhhhs" please.  If there is something that a glass of wine or a beer won't fix, then just say "hey babe, can we talk?"  That, my dear, will get my attention.

In short, anything that is an annoyingly loud noise used to manipulate someone into asking you why you are making that noise, is a big NO, NO!

Thank you for your time, and goodnight.
Love always,
My Pleasant Nightmare

Wordless Wednesday: Remembering 9/11

God Bless America

Pumping Iron

well, not that kind

I've had an interesting couple of days.  I have anemia and to help with that little problem, I take an iron pill and get a B-12 shot every week.  I went in on Tuesday for my weekly shot.  I wasn't feeling to hot.  Well, actually, I was feeling really hot.  That was the problem.  My chest hurt and I was having pains shooting down my left arm.  My heart felt like it was pounding right out of my chest.  I wasn't sure what to think.  When the nurse asked me how I was doing, I told her that I didn't feel right.  She told me I looked a little pale and that she would take my blood pressure.

HOLY CRAP!  

It was through the roof.  They worked my right into their schedule and ran an EKG.  It came back abnormal.  The doctor read it and told me that he thought that I may not be getting enough oxygen to part of my heart.  He ran some blood tests to rule out any sort of heart attack past or present and to see how my iron levels were.  

He sent my labs off with a courier and told them he needed them STAT.  It was 2 hours before the courier even showed up to the lab.  Apparently "STAT" is not in his vocabulary.  The lab is only 20 minutes away....

Finally, we got the results.  My iron hadn't budged but on a bright note, there was no sign of a heart attack.  At the ripe old age of 31, I was praying that was the case.  haha

So, we concluded the the lack of iron is the cause of the heart issues.  He said he would set up an appointment for me to have iron infusions done.  This is supposed to speed up the process of getting some iron in my system faster.  I'm also waiting to see a cardiologist.  

Today was my first one.  I was terrified.  I had no clue what to expect.  I hate needles.  The thought of people jamming an IV needle in my arm for hours on end scared me.  It took me a half an hour to get the paperwork completed.  When I got back there, none of the nurses had ever seen an iron infusion and were confused by the orders.  The pharmacy was taking forever to send my test bag up and the nurses didn't understand why I needed to have a test bag in the first place.  I am no medical professional so I wasn't much help.  It turns out, some people have had allergic reactions to IV iron.  Who knew?  They also were supposed to pre-dose me with Benadryl JUST.IN.CASE

So after 2 blown veins, they finally found one in working order.  They flushed that bad boy out hooked up the test bag of iron and started it.  I asked if the Benadryl was in the test bag.  I could see the curse words boiling to the surface of their heads when the realized they forgot the Benadryl and just started pumping iron in me.  I had to laugh at them as they were scurrying to undo the iron and shoot me up with the Benadryl.  Nothing funnier than iron spewing all over the place, and their faces were priceless!

After I was all settled in, I looked over at my roommates.  They were all like a hundred years old.  I figured "Whatevs, I'll deal"  The old lady had control of the remote.  She was watching Jerry Springer.  She was having a good ole time too!  Laughing at the hoochie mommas on the tv with the tight short shorts, low cut shirts, bouncing boobies, and the big jiggly booties, all trying to figure out who their baby daddy was!  This woman was a hoot!  

The man next to me kept snoring and falling asleep.  He was sweet as pie.  He had been going there for 2 years to get blood transfusions.  He was telling them to hurry it along because he had places to be.  They did too.  All was fine and dandy for him.  He got up, called his friends to pick him up, and walked out using his little silver walker.  Then I hear someone screaming for the nurse.  I hear the man saying "calm down.  I'll find her."  He walking back in with blood spewing all over.  His site had not clotted all the way AND he was on blood thinners AND he took his bandage off too soon AND he tried lifting his walker.  Anyway, I was finally out of there around 6 pm!  Yep.  I was there from 1pm to 6pm.  I'm a little nauseous, very tired, and have a horrible headache.  Hopefully it will all be worth it in the end! 

So, if you ever need an iron infusion, this is what to expect.  One infusion down, 3 to go.  I hope next week is eventful too.