Do I really need a reason to want a cookie? I say no. Who am I kidding? A single no isn’t strong enough. It’s probably more like how my kids say no when I announce that it’s bedtime… “NOOOOOO!!!” Darth Vader ain’t got nothin’ on them, y’all. And an oatmeal chocolate chip cookie… well, they […]
Health
First Aid 101: Tips, Tricks, & a Complete First Aid Kit List
Have you ever **really** listened to the words in those children’s rhymes and songs we teach our children? The old man who bumped his head, for example? Yeah. He smacked his head and then he couldn’t wake up in the morning, y’all. That song now teaches me two things… First, that poor old man just […]
3 Reasons Why Your Kids Love that Bedtime Routine
Sleeping kids are the cutest. And knowing that your kids will suddenly transform into the cutest, quietest, most-asleep kids ever means that the bedtime routine is the signal that any parents’ day is about to get even better. But that’s parenting 101, right? In any case, let’s talk about 3 reasons why (or how!) your kids love […]
Home & Garden
When 10X or 4X Restore Goes Bad – and How to Avoid it!
While I’m all about doing a job well, I don’t want to get stuck having to do that job any more frequently than I have to. Restaining a deck every year? Um, that’s not on my list of favorite things to do. So when we decided to use Restore 10X to restain our deck, I […]
My Review of Restore 10X and 4X for Deck and Concrete
You know those home projects that need to get done? But you’re too busy living life, so you do whatever you can to avoid doing that project? Well, at our last home we finally had to address a huge, discolored eyesore attached to the back of our house: the back deck. It’d been on the home and […]
Humor
How I Use Humor (and anxiety) to Plan a Family Vacation
Today while the baby napped, I thought (for the eleven billionth time) that we should think about scheduling a family vacation for next year. Because, you know, parenting at home isn’t hard enough – let’s do it on the road. Oh, dear… yeah, that’s a little bit of humor and even some sarcasm dripping from […]
One Simple Phrase to Brighten Your Day: I love you Mom
Mornings are controlled chaos, as I juggle getting breakfasts made, lunches packed, and kids dressed. And yet as I watch my kids – whether they’re playing, settling down for naps, or begging for another round of “crack the egg” on the trampoline, I realize how much I love this parenting gig. Because even on the […]
Inspirational
Why Having a Baby Girl Reminds Me Things Will Work Out
Several months ago, I became a mom for the fourth time. This time, to a beautiful baby girl. Growing up, I’d always thought I’d have all boys. Probably because I have so many sisters… (and I love them all dearly!) But for whatever reason, I had it in my head that I’d be parenting four boys. And I […]
The Best Way to Cure Mom Guilt Instantly
Last week, we had all sorts of grand plans to take the kids to a get a special treat. However, then reality (and the mom guilt) hit. My husband came home from work to an exhausted wife, and a screaming, overtired baby girl who desperately needed a nap, and his 3 sons who hadn’t quite […]
Parenting
Here’s Why Science Says You Need to Set Screen Time Limits
Don’t get me wrong, y’all. I’m not against devices or screen time – for our kids or ourselves. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. I’m all for them. But I am a strong proponent for setting some screen time limits. Because when you don’t set reasonable boundaries, you’re gonna get walked all over, y’all. That’s parenting […]
How to Talk to Your Kids about the Flu Shot
While I worked in the Emergency Department, I was required to get a flu shot each flu season. Okay, I could have skipped it and worn a mask each shift, but I’m pro vaccines. So I got the flu shot each year, and our family continues to get it each year. Every year, though, we have […]
Good Eats
Cooking with Food Storage – Transforming Wheat into Meat (or Seitan)
If zombies took over tomorrow, meat would become scarce fast, y’all. And while I’m definitely not a “prepper”, I am a fan of preparedness. Yes, I do like to be prepared for emergencies that are actual possibilities. That means I’ve got a first aid kit, a few extra supplies in the storage room, and some […]
Homemade Cinnamon Swirl Bread Recipe
There’s nothing better than fresh, homemade bread… unless it’s also cinnamon swirl bread, of course!
Making a cinnamon swirl loaf isn’t as hard as it sounds, I promise. In fact, it’s not all that different from making homemade wheat bread. It just has a few extra steps.
Writing
Why You Need Your Own Custom Search Engine – and How to Make One
As I’ve dived more and deeper into the layers of SEO (search engine optimization), I’ve realized what a rabbit hole it is – and how much fun it can be, too! One of my new favorite parts of it is the custom search engine because it’s a quick, easy, painless way to do so many wonderful […]
How to Avoid ‘the Perfect SEO’ Monkey Trap
What if I told you there’s an online trap that’s so good that it’s snared countless thousands of business owners and bloggers? Well, there is. And it’s so effective that it’s a huge drain on productivity and bottom lines everywhere. What is it? It’s the SEO monkey trap. Now, because your business has to be online, […]
