December BlogHer Prompts

Friday, December 13, 2013
George Bernard Shaw said, "Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance." Do you agree or disagree?

Okay, so I know today's date is not Friday December 13th...I am behind on my December BlogHer prompts. I could have picked up today's prompt but I kind of liked the prompt from Friday and since I did not answer on that date I will do so now.

I love the quote from George Bernard Shaw! I think false knowledge is dangerous. Have you ever tried to convince someone that something they knew to be true was actually false? How did that turn out? So often we convince ourselves, for whatever reason, that we know something to be true...this can be so dangerous for not only ourselves but for others that may be involved. At times, when I am ignorant of a situation I at least can be educated. If I believe I already have the knowledge, and I am wrong, it will be hard to teach me the correct thing.

This quote reminds me that I never want to stop learning; but I also want to think about what it is I Think I already know.

Would you rather

Thursday, December 12, 2013
Would you rather have one more hour with someone you like, or one fewer hour with someone you can't stand?

I at first thought wanted another hour with someone I like...but after today I've decided on the other. I would like one fewer hour with someone who drives me wild. Here is how I came to this conclusion. I enjoy most people; I can however tire easy. So the good times I share with people that make me happy carries me over and last in my heart and mind. Those that drive me wild tend to do the same. If I spend time with some one I'd rather not be around I tend to hold onto those negative feelings, I re-feel them and experience the emotions from the time spent during later times. This December prompt is encouraging me to let go of negative comments, feelings, and moments spent with people that bring me down. Instead of spending time thinking of these negative experiences I need to let it go and move on. Hmm...something more to work on!

path less traveled

Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Tell us about a time you took the less traveled path.

Now is a time I am taken the less traveled path. Writing a daily blog or a regular blog even is a less traveled path...for me. In the past I have longed to do something, dreamed of doing and for what ever reason taken a different path. Passed on joining a group, or been to scared to try out for a play, or felt to inadequate to enter a writing competition...what ever I have taken a comfortable path and opted out. So, this little unread blog, for me, is a time in my life when I am taken the less traveled path. It is not comfortable all the time, it is a little embarrassing, and that is okay. I am not making a huge difference in anyone's life but mine and that is okay too! I am learning about myself, learning about others, and learning to stick to things that are important to me. I do hope to become a better writer, a blogger, and parent and this blog just might help me with all three of those things. I am doing something I enjoy and even if I do not accomplish much I am taken a step on the right path!

How good are you of placing others before yourself?

I am learning to think of myself more...to put my needs in front realizing that when my needs are meet I am able to help those around me that really need help. The quote shared today in BlogHer's prompt is one that is easy for me to understand. C.S. Lewis said, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it's thinking of yourself less." I struggle sometimes without meeting my needs; I am quick to say "yes" to request from those around me but not always so fast to stop and think about what that "yes" may cost me. I believe we should think of others and not so much about ourselves but I am also trying to learn that I have to take care of me. I have to be healthy, and mentally okay before giving of myself to others. So with this in mind I am trying to put some me time in each day so I can be ready when those around me are in need.

I got that anxious feeling

Monday, December 9, 2013
If you could banish one thing from this earth -- tangible or intangible -- what would it be?

I'm feeling pretty selfish right now so I'm going to go with anxiety. I would rid the world of anxiety. My life is filled with anxious feelings lately; not the good kind like you get when you are waiting for a loved one to arrive but the nasty anxious feelings when you can hardly breath and your body just won't calm down. I have been so anxious lately that the doctor prescribed something for me to take during my little moments of anxiety filled panic attacks. Now, let me say I'm so against ME taking prescription pills but the anxiety I've been feeling becomes so bad that I find it hard for me to calm down. I do have several stressors in my life and at this bah humbug moment I do not see these stressors slowing down any time soon but I need to learn to deal with these stress with out feeling anxious. So, if I could banish one thing from this earth...today I would chose the feeling anxiety.

More Peace, less chaos!

The feelings I'm feeling are not easy. I am feeling overwhelmed and out of control. I have not had the best week and cannot seem to shake this feeling of gloom hanging over me. I pray that this week as we start a week of Peaceful devotion I can find my peace with in and enjoy this time of year with my little ones. I pray that God gives me the strength and patience I need to relax and be a good parent. I want so badly for this to be a peaceful time of year and I know for my house that peace needs to begin in me. My prayer this week is that the Prince of Peace bless me and my family with an uneventful week, a week filled with joy laughter and peace!



Isaiah 9:6-7
"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."

Blah Humbug

 I am trying to be in the holiday spirit...I had all plans of being festive, happy, and productive and after the week I've had I'm struggling to stay or get in the spirit of Christmas. My little ones are full of energy and I am not so this day is not going so well. I want to take a long shower and watch a good Christmas movie...or at this point even a bad one would do. They want to rec havoc in this little old apartment of mine, fight each other, break ornaments, and fight each other. I have to try and find a way to get out of the Bah Humbugs and enjoy this Christmas month because I don't want to loose this wonderful time by focusing on negative feelings.

I am turning on Christmas music and making myself dance until the blahs run right out of me or I crash into the tree and give up (hey with the way this week is going who knows what the rest of the day will hold).

Mommies out there...HELP! How can I have less of the blahs and show my little ones more of  what this season is really all about?

TGIF

Oh my what a week. I just put little man to bed and its so late and I've had a horrible week but as soon as his little stapled head (will share story later) hit the pillow the December blog post popped into my mind. I have set this goal of blogging every day in December and my other plans are not going so well but this one...I'm trying hard to keep!

So, with a flat tire, keys locked in car, money stolen, asthma attack with trip to doctors, and a head bump due to a fall, all happening in one week...I am saying I could use More peace next week and Less chaos. I am trying to focus more on all the people who help me in my life and less on all the people/things that hurt me. I am hoping for more quiet moments and less frantic moments. I am praying for More reasons to write everyday and Less excuses not to!

Goodnight!

Shoes out

Tomorrow is St. Nickolas Day and my children will set their shoes out side the door tonight in hopes that St. Nickolas will visit and leave goodies ("Please, no coal") in their shoes. This is something we started last year and it is just a little extra something to enjoy the Holiday Season.

I will place two quarters, two pieces of chocolate, and a small toy in their shoes. When they wake up they will be more than excited! Since we have an Elf on the Shelf I place Eek, their elf, near the shoes with a note from Santa...this year the notes says, "keep trying to stay on the "nice list" Christmas is near!" Okay, yes I'm the mom that uses "Santa is watching" to get my children to behave but hey sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do.

Happy St. Nickolas Day!

Wednesday, December 4, 2013 How often do you go back for seconds?

Wednesday, December 4, 2013
How often do you go back for seconds?

Well, this is not a prompt that is easy for me. I am an over weight out of shape single mom of two and I have plenty of excuses of why I am in the shape I am in but a major reason is I go back for too many "seconds". I love to cook but my little ones do not always love to eat what I cook and self control is something I am currently following short on. So, with this prompt in mind I am thinking about how I can help myself out on this little problem of mine. I can continue to go back for seconds but the important thing for me is to learn and then teach portion control. I have all the common sense in the world when it comes to the eating habits of my children but when I have an empty plate in hand and more food on the stove I head back for more. I will challenge myself to place food up once food is on plates and then eat what I need and not what I want. 

Tuesday, December 3, 2013 Do you see the glass as half full or half empty?

Okay, so I have been trying to improve my blogging and I love reading other blogs so I'm going to TRY and participate in the BlogHer December 2013 theme: More/Less. There are prompts for every day (except weekends) and the goal is to write everyday in the Month of December. I have some post already planned but on the days I do not I will use the prompts set for this month...a little nervous that someone might actually find this little old blog and read it but excited that I am actually setting a goal and going to stick to it.

Well, here it goes!

Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Do you see the glass as half full or half empty?

My answer: Depends on what I'm drinking! Most of the time I see the glass as half full. I'm, for the most part, a pretty optimistic thinker; however I am drinking from a cup that hasn't been running over for a while and lately I can see things in a negative light. I am trying to learn to see the cup not as half empty or half full but just as it is.... I am not completely out I am not completely full but hey, at least there is something in the cup.

As a single mom I am struggling to be where I want to be and at times I get caught up in what I do not have, what I wish I had, and what I think I should have. Other times I am thankful for what I do have and that I'm not completely rock bottom. Seeing things as they are is my goal... not to optimistic, not too pessimistic but just realistic. Besides my plan is: if the glass becomes too low or too high I'll just get a different size glass!

Elf on the Shelf

I have had an Elf (Eek) for two years and I have not been very clever. In fact I did not know that so many people went all out...the most exciting thing I've done is hide him at Grandma's house. Well, I have done my research and am not going to be too over the top but I am going to have a little more fun with Eek this year.

Let me first explain that we live in a SMALL apartment and I cannot place Eek in low places because I do not have children that will keep hands off...so up and high and hard to reach places it is. Second you must remember I am a single mom with very limited income so I have to be creative but spend little to no money on this. I have written down my plans for Eek's 25 days with us and I will try to update any changes made.

Eek's 25 days of Christmas 2013
Day 1:  Arrival with letter from Santa (On Tree) with NOTE
Day 2:  On top of Fridge
Day 3:  On Bathroom Mirror (with steam message)
Day 4:  In Kitchen Cabinet
Day 5:  In stockings with little treat
Day 6:  In bedroom with NOTE
Day 7:  In pantry with skittles
Day 8:  Reading Bible
Day 9:  On picture of kids (with doodle faces drawn)

Having our Eek bring out the ornaments with a note was a big hit for my three and five year old. My five year old was very excited with the note and she had me read it several times. We then hung the ornaments that Eek brought out and my little ones really enjoyed hanging every ornament and asking all about their meaning or where they came from...oh, I love this time of year!!

How do you hide your elf? What are your Christmas traditions?

Happy New Year

Today starts a new year for the Christian Calendar. As I prepare my heart for the Christmas season I am thankful for so many things. This year has been filled with sickness, loss, and troubles; but during this time I have been blessed with love, support, donations, and kindness from the people in my life. I have been given clothes for my children from those who have children who have out grown them. I have had sitters volunteer to help with my kiddos. People have visited us in the hospital and brought presents for my children. A coworker gave me tires, another coworker a TV and the list goes on and on and on. I am blessed. Times are not easy; but God is with me. I feel His love through those He has placed in my life. I hope this year brings more peace in my life and more health in my children's lives! But I know what ever this year has in store I will not be alone!

Praise be to God!

Ephesians 5:20
"Giving Thanks always for all things unto God and the Farther in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ."