Talking in Front of People

Tonight is the night that I get up in front of the staff of a local cafe that I did a customer service evaluation on.  Hope they don't spit in my coffee next time I come (that will be tomorrow).  I was honest but also gave much praise.  I'm a bit scared but I'm not dwelling on it because than I will stress and when I stress I tend to over think then its all bad.  My report is done, bullet points on what I want to talk about, and the next step is to decide on what to wear.
The cafe I did this for is an awesome place that I've been going to for a long time (ok 2 years) because it's by my kids school.  I've held book clubs, parent meetings, business meeting, breakfast with kids and always enjoy my experience but there is that "extra" care that is needed.

My close friend told me the other day she doesn't feel "cool enough" to go in this cafe and I go in because it's so cool!  Not every cafe is going to fit you...weird to think like that but its true.  I don't enjoy going to Starbucks or Peets to hang out but give me a lil hole in the wall and I'm there for hours!  Don't get me wrong I LOVE Starbucks and Peets coffee just not the "feel" of the spot...very clinical/corporate- that's where I don't feel I'm cool enough to be. 

Wish me luck to tonight that I don't spit on someone while talking or worse case just go blank!  I'm going to try to hit them with some humor too just to make sure they know I'm there to help not tattle. 

Spring Bazaar- Fun Family Event

Wimpy Kid Teacher Appreciation and Mother's Day Card made by Ronnell

Their Table:

We held a Spring Bazaar at our school yesterday and my kids had a booth.  Ronnell made the above cards and Sahara she made Tie Dye Shirts and they had a blast. 

Even Hubby ( http://mrairbrushhands.com/) was out there airbrushing: 

This is the shirt he made for me to wear to the bazaar. LOVE IT!

We had a great family day with some awesome friends.

Now on to Teacher Appreciation Week (this week).  I sent out a flyer on ideas on what to do each day....keeping fingers crossed that teachers got flowers today.  Both my kids had their vases in hands when they left for school.

Also this week I need to sit down and plan the Book Fair.  I have help this year (woohoo) and look forward of letting this project go.  I just have the admin responsibilities this year..that's a even bigger WOOHOO!  So I guess I better get off this blog and work on the 10 projects I have going on this week. 

Sibling Rivalry- Getting On My Nerves!

First, I need to say SORRY to my mom because we put her through some crap with all our fighting growing up. It is coming back and biting me hard in the ass. Karma I know. I was horrible to my brother from the moment he was born-sorry bro! 

Anyways, my kids are driving me crazy with the FIGHTING.  My daughter loves to pick on her brother.   My son is patient to a point then he just looses it and then it gets downright UGLY!  My daughter tries all of our patience every day and the "No, I don't have too, who cares, and blah blah blah" are her favorite phases lately plus the rolling of the eyes and the head swaying needs to STOP!  She is 7 not 17!  When they spend too much time together it is horrible.  They don't use their words (like I tell them all the time) but they hit and pick on each other.  Someone is going to get hurt someday and I keep telling them that.  I tell my son hitting girls is wrong...he comes back with "she is my sister not a girl"!  Plus its usually her hitting first. 

The older they get the harder to discipline them...it was easy to take away toys, video games, or just put  them in time out.  Now they don't care..."so what"  is what I get.  Luckily they don't do this everyday because I think I would have to become a drinker again.  I'm saying that with a smile :) 

How do you settle/deal with sibling rivalry? 

My kids and their Book Clubs

Loving the fact that they enjoy  READING!  As a big reader my whole life I'm a proud mama when my kids wanted to do these book clubs.

My 9 yr old son has 3 close friends and they decided to start a book club last month and their first book is Harry Potter.  The first meeting took place at a cafe and we kept getting these weird looks so I decided the next meeting we can do at the school. 

My 7yr old was at the first book club meeting but she isn't at the Harry Potter level so she didn't participate but played Angry Birds on my phone.  When we got home she came up and gave me a big hug and buttered me up with all love then she said "Mom I want to have my own book club and can it be a Dr. Seuss book"  Couple of the kids in Lil Man's book club has siblings so why not!  I told her YES.  She was so excited and even made invites to who she thought would love to the book club.

Today is BOOK CLUB day and so lets see how both clubs go!  I'm just there, the kids run their own meeting...I might step in and help lil mama's group but I'll see. 

KIDS AND READING ROCK!!!

Love My Kids BUT.....

I am SO HAPPY they are going back to school today.  They are at the age they need to be doing something every minute or I get to hear those lovely words I'M BORED.  As a mom I think WTF.. with all the toys/books/bikes they have how in the heck can they bored.  Oh yeah...its because Mom isn't playing with them or we aren't on an adventure.

I enjoy my kids a lot (ask anyone) but I need my space and they don't really allow that when they are at home.  I have work, housework, laundry, cooking to do on top of being my kids personal play-date.  Sounds like I'm bitching but I'm not its my reality.  I can't play with my kids 24/7!  Money doesn't grow on our trees in the backyard like my kids thinks it does.  Mama needs to make the money too!

This week I'm needing to regroup and get back on schedule.  I'm going to be setting up my home office with a friend of mine.  We are going to brainstorm and go into business together- just need to narrow it down and move forward. 

Off to make breakfast and lunches for my beautiful children that are going back to school...can you see the smile????

Kmart Deals ~ April 24th-April 30th

Buy XBOX 360 250GB with Kinect System, receive $60 Gaming Credit valid on next purchase 4/24-4/30

Online Only! Up to 70% off Fine Jewelry + EXTRA 10% off Jewelry orders over $75 4/24-5/7

ALL Furniture, Area Rugs and Accent Rugs on sale; 50% off Essential Home Voile Sheers 4/24-4/30

ALL Microwaves and Coffee Makers on sale 4/24-4/30

Online Only Savings! EXTRA $5 off $50 on Kmart.com with code KM2011 4/17-12/31

Online Only Save on Toys! EXTRA $5 off $50 code KTOYS5; EXTRA $10 off $100 code KTOYS10 4/3-4/30

Weekends...Loving Them

Wow.....I've been really missing out on FAMILY TIME when I worked on weekends.  The past couple weekends that I've been home (since quitting the cafe job of 12 yrs) we have got a lot done around the house.  It makes me feel good to see projects that I've wanted to be completed get done!!  The kids are a big help too.  They love spending time (well thats what they say now) with us and so when I said "Hey Ronnell lets go weed the garden" I got pure excitement and "Let's Go" from my 9 yr old who would rather play video games over any housework....wonder how long this will last.  Well however long I'm going to enjoy it! 

Yesterday,  I cleaned out the fridge....pulled out everything and cleaned all fridge pieces.  It looks brand new but now it looks like we have no food.  The kids BOTH cleaned their rooms with no talking back.  Then we just kicked back and had fun.  Later on we made cupcakes.  I also cooked a bomb a** spaghetti dinner, I felt like Suzie Homemaker. I need a cool apron though.  I think I'm going to design one and have hubby airbrush it.  Simple things..I know, the thought just came to me so I needed to write that so I don't forget.  Mom's Day is coming up.

Today I'm cooking breakfast and Easter dinner.  So Martha Stewart step aside Pam Allen is in the house!  Keeping fingers crossed that I get help with dishes (not my thing LOL).  Hint hint to hubby! 

Also on our schedule today is Easter egg hunt outside, bowling with friends, and getting ready for SCHOOL!  Spring Break is DONE kiddos....time to get back on schedule and Mommy can get some work done. 

Shout out to my readers!

Spring Break 2011

We have a BUSY BUSY week ahead of us and I'm already tired. 

Monday it was raining so we stayed in the house but I cleaned so no relaxing there- oh right it's not my spring break. 

Tuesday was fun filled full day at Lawrence Hall of Science http://lawrencehallofscience.org/

This was a big cement whale they could climb on outside

Floating Globe that showed all kinds of cool weather stuff

The view from LHS.  Little foggy but still beautiful.

The kids had a blast there were so many thing for the kids to do.  After 3 hrs at LHS we went and got pizza then headed to a park to play for 2 hrs.  It was a LONG FUN DAY!

Today we are going to OAKLAND ZOO with some friends. 

Tomorrow is Sahara's 7th Bday and she is hasn't let us forget it either.  For 2 weeks its been a countdown.  And this week all we have heard is "This is my bday week so deal with it"  OH MY!

So tomorrow the plan is movie, pizza, books, ice cream and then party at my friends house (her hubby has the same bday) and then a sleepover.

Friday I'm hoping CHILL DAY!  But with these two kids not sure if that's going to happen buy hey its there Spring Break.  What about your kids Spring Break?



Market Monday~ Mom Etsy Pages

I have a couple friends who have Etsy pages and I want to share their pages with my readers today! 

Mara's Maples: http://www.etsy.com/shop/marasmaples

Maple Curry Cashews these are my FAVORITE item to buy! I don't share with anyone either :)

Chewy Vanilla Granola with Spiced Pecans...  YUMMY YUMMY YUMMY...this might be my favorite too!

Mara's Maples where all the snacks are made with all natural ingredients, Real Maple Syrup, have no added oils or fats, and are completely vegan!  If your interested please visit her Mara's Maples Etsy Page or become a fan on her Facebook Page.  You will love her snacks!

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Mrs. Maintenance's Frames & More: http://www.etsy.com/shop/mrsmaintenance



This art frame is titled "Autism Awareness." This is an 7.5"x9" photo frame, matted with a handmade art mat for a 5x7 photo. This frame has a theme of autism awareness, with a red, yellow, blue, and teal puzzle pieces, and a red heart on a linen background with subtle hints of silver, and framed in silver. This frame is a tabletop frame. I start with frames purchased at thrift stores, and give them a new coat of paint and a decorative touch to give them a brand new life as Rees-Cycled Art by Anna Rees.

25% of the purchase price of this frame will be donated to autismspeaks.org.


Please visit her Etsy Page plus 15% off anything in her shop using code POETRY.