Because momhood brings out the crazy...

The jump from womanhood to momhood can be a challenge to your sanity.  It’s hard to sort out the pieces!  We’re full of empathy, with stories to read, tools for survival, and help for the hard changes.   Join us and get started!

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Latest News Archive
Saturday
Sep042010

In the Zone

I do miss the midwestern sky I grew up with … I came home from vacation determined to stay calm.  I was reasonably relaxed, though stiff and sore from sitting in cars, strange beds, long runs, and too many restaurants.  We’d done the usual “clean up while packing” frenzy that I’m prone to, as I hate coming home to a mess-strewn house.  So we returned to a never-this-tidy apartment, and I put stuff away as soon as possible. 

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Thursday
Sep022010

Would You Like Some ... Fresh Salsa?

It’s rather hard not to make salsa this time of year, with tomatoes overflowing everywhere, fresh onions, and hot peppers ripening on the back porch.  We had tacos tonight, and it was the perfect topper.   Every year it’s part of my canning job, which has been pared down to two things … whole tomatoes, and salsa.  The salsa is so easy to make it’s a crime not to if you can find a spare hour, has infinite variations, and can be kept in the fridge, frozen, or canned … whatever you have time and space for.  I canned some tonight, using up the rest of the bushel of tomatoes that I (for some unknown reason) thought it would be easier to buy on vacation and haul home, thanks to our minivan rental and cheap Ohio farmer’s markets.  I didn’t factor in the need to can them as soon as I got home, on top of unpacking from two weeks, and the other jobs filling my plate at the moment.  I won’t regret one iota of lost sleep however, when I open a jar of fresh tomatoes in February!

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Wednesday
Sep012010

Q of the Week : Best part of your summer?

While summer isn’t quite over in these parts, as it’s meandering into a very hot September, it’s still a great question … what’s been the best bit(s) of your summer?  We just got back from a 2 week road-trip, and I’m asking myself the same thing.  I’d have to say it’s been the slow times around the ‘hood with my boys, at the park and pool … taking it easy and not rushing from one thing to the next.  I’m notorious for rushing, but enjoy so much more when I slow things down. 

Seeing a bunch of family in the last two weeks was great also, especially my 94-year old grandma who can still tell stories of her childhood even though she can’t remember my name from one second to the next.  Seeing my boys with her was priceless! 

What have been your highlights? 

Sunday
Aug292010

Two Quick Things ... 

One … enter NOW to win free coaching from My Mama Mojo!  Don’t miss a chance to recover your mojo now that the kids are back in school, and fall is just around the corner … just comment here for a chance to win!

Two … we’re not quite finished with our vacation after all, and are taking one more day to get home … look for a newsletter on Tuesday and hope your week gets off to a great start!  It’s been a true getaway with hardly any time “plugged in” and it’s been wonderful. 

Until Tuesday …

SaneMom

Friday
Aug272010

BREATHE Coaching for (In)Sane Moms

You love being a mom, but you love other things too …
You sometimes feel like your life’s been hijacked, and you’re not sure who you are anymore.
You get it, but you’re never quite on top of it …

For the mom that was a woman first.
You have days where you feel like you’re a bit lost, ungrounded, and flapping in the breeze …

Give yourself a chance to catch your breath and find your heart again!

Welcome to BREATHE : Group Coaching for Moms

PRESENTED THIS SEPTEMBER BY HEATHER of MY MAMA MOJO

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Monday
Aug232010

Recession-Lessons = Stronger Smarter Family (by Darah)

Image courtesy of MyEyeSees, via FlickrEverybody is pouting about the Recession and how it has negatively impacted their lives. I get it. Perhaps I am no longer moping since we were the Recession Pioneers; we actually began downsizing our lifestyle twenty-seven months ago, were “beaten beyond recognition” and now have only one direction to go from here- UP!

Nevertheless, our sulking time is long gone!

Being such “Seasoned Veteran Recession-ists,” our family’s coping methods have evolved over time; now they’ve become the quintessential Recession Survival Skills.

Here is a concise list of some “Recession-Lessons” learned that have unexpectedly enhanced our family life and continues to school our kids in business …

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Monday
Aug162010

Coach of the Month : Meet Heather!

Ok, you’ve already met her thanks to her writing here, but now I’m featuring her as the Coach of the Month, and wanted to give her a chance to tell you a bit about her coaching background and services.  She’s also got a great new workshop starting up which I’m involved in a bit, and a fab giveaway so please do check it out!  Thanks :).  SaneMom.

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When Heather became a mom over 5 years ago, she completely lost herself.  She was in total shock and was left feeling isolated, guilty and confused.  She was consumed with being “mom” and didn’t know who she was anymore.  As Heather started to slowly re-claim and re-create her mojo, she began to hear a calling (more like a loud roar) to support other women who were struggling with identity, guilt, stress and a general lack of passion as she once did. There didn’t seem to be many outlets to talk about the dark moments of motherhood, so she created one.  She combined her counseling background, her new coaching education, and a side of her own postpartum hell to birth My Mama Mojo, a life coaching service for moms.  Happy women make the best moms!  She now encourages other women to reflect on, “Who are you in addition to mom?”

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Monday
Aug162010

Q of the Week : When do you let yourself ask for help?

At least they sometimes help each other … The wording of this question is the key.  When do you allow yourself to ask for help with things?  I’m betting it’s more complicated for some than others, and I’m currently scrambling to get things done before leaving on vacation but have yet to ask for much help.  When will I think it’s ok?!  I hate obligating people, or being in their debt (yes it’s part of my control issues!) so I always prefer to do it myself if I possibly can.  I like helping others though, so why would I assume they enjoy doing the same?  Riiiight.  Silly question. 

So, when do you ask for help, and with what?  Please share!

Friday
Aug132010

Friday Roundup

I’ve come across some great stuff in the last couple of weeks, and as I didn’t do a roundup last week, here’s a bigger list than normal.

  • 47 Things to do Before My Kids Hate Me … from Julie Power via Moms to Work, and inspired by running up against the teenage sneer.  47 things she wants to make sure she gets in before they’re too old, a great list to remind me to slow down and enjoy!
  • The How To Series from Marta Writes … simple, clear, and suck-you-in-because-it-looks-so-easy kind of stuff.  Most of them are uber practical, like How to Thrift Shop, and How to Host a Children’s Birthday Party
  • Soda Pop from Not Dabbling in Normal … home-made soda anyone?  I love soda but rarely buy the Cokes of the world thanks to the sugar/caffeine issues.  We love kombucha, and this looks like a great addition/companion to that.  Summer’s not over yet! 
  • Briar Haven, Part I - The Demon Lives at 7 … DaMomma hits it out of the park, again, with a gut-wrenching look at her life-changing experiences at age 7.  This hit so close to home with me, as my demons show up promptly at the same age, and are still haunting me.  Be sure to read the follow-ups, it’s a beautiful story.
  • A Little BPA Along with Your Change? … Yet another source of BPA is now coming to light, and it’s definitely worth becoming aware of, no need to get any more exposure to it than necessary. 
  • Parenting on Empty from Picklebums … We have ALL been there, many times, and she gives some helpful ideas at the bottom.  Read it BEFORE you’re on empty the next time!  I should have read it just about every day this week …
  • What? We Can’t Say Vagina? … Lissa Rankin via Owning Pink, and some grat thoughts on the banning of the word vagina in tampon commercials. Make sure to watch the UbyKotex commercial at the bottom, I found it hilarious!
  • Where I’m From, a poem by George Ella Lyon … This will likely reappear as a blog post/question soon, but it’s too good not to share here.  Sweet ending to a crazy week.  

Have a great weekend!  I’ll send out a newsletter on Monday before I hit the road.  Packing tips anyone?!

Wednesday
Aug112010

Would You Like Some ... Dill Pickles?

This super-fast recipe from Catherine Newman is a big hit in this house.  Honestly they’re soooo easy, and my farmer’s market has big boxes of little cukes that are perfect for it right now. For about $2 I can make a big quart jar of delicious home-made dills in about 5 minutes.  You don’t have to be pregnant to enjoy them :).  The basics are below, visit the original recipe here for all the details.

World’s Best (and Easiest) Dill Pickles

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