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.

Becoming a Server/Customer Service Consultant

Its been a whole week since I quit my job and I'm still floating on cloud nine! 

UPDATE: An owner of a cafe I go to weekly had a meeting with me on Wednesday and presented a short term project for me do for his cafe.  Several of my customers at the cafe I used to work at go into this one too so he has heard what an AWESOME waitress I am.  Well of course if you been doing this for as long as I have than you tend to be an expert. 
Anyways back on track.... we had this meeting and he wants to PAY (yes money not coffee- which I offered when he asked what I wanted in pay, lol) me to go in to the his cafe 4x- a morning, afternoon, evening, and brunch shift.  I would stay for a couple hours and observe what can be done better, what they are doing great at, and policies or procedures I think he needs to implement for the cafe to run smoother.  Wow, it took me back for a bit because he wants to pay me for my knowledge of something I do very well.  I wrote up a proposal and he accepted and no I didn't ask for a lifetime of mocha's, I need groceries so I did ask for a dollar amount. 

I did a morning shift yesterday and it went very well.  I did observe a lot and actually enjoyed doing it.  Tomorrow, I go in for a brunch shift.  Next week I will hit a evening and lunch shift.  Then I will write up an report, present it to the cafe owner, we will discuss it then I will present it to the staff at their staff meeting in May. 

I might be onto something for the future...Consultant to Cafe's!  I'll google and see what the correct title is here soon.  But YEAH me for landing a short term paid gig in less than a week of quiting....Go PAM! 

Side note:  Ran into another cafe owner today that wants to revamp her cafe and she wants me to come in on May 2nd to TALK....hmmmm lets see I might be on to something.  But I think she is more into hiring me as running the cafe on weekends.  I don't want to go back working weekends but family might because I've been putting them to work.  They used to play video games/tv all weekend but not these past 2 weekends but the house looks awesome :) but they are a lil pissy with me.

5 Silly Things About Me

Some might ask why only 5...well I don't want to look too SILLY, right!  Not sure why this post idea popped in my head but I'm going to ride with it! 

1.  The best part of going to sleep at night is...flipping my pillow over and feeling the coolness of the pillowcase.

2.  I only eat veggies raw...hate cooked veggies.  (Ok take that back I'll eat corn and green beans- they don't taste good raw)

3. Coffee is my choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  I can drink coffee ALL DAY (probably not a good thing) and still fall asleep at 10pm.  Sometimes I throw in some food!

4. I'm 42 and LOVE PINK...oh wait you knew that!  I would so decorate my whole house in pink/black but Hubby says no!  Fine whatever- I'm only allowed (love how I phrased that) pink items on my side of the bedroom.  (who has "his side and her side" we do!!)  Someday I might even take a pic to show you the difference because you can really see how opposite we are.

5. Still thinks she can shake her booty like she is in her 20's!  I was a big clubber from 25-30 (yes my party days) I dance in my house when no one is around. I'm happy no one can see in...and if they could I'm sure I would hear them laughing their ass off!  My kids roll their eyes at me when a song comes on when I'm cooking and I bust out my moves.  My son has asked me not to dance EVER in public....wow a lil harsh dude!  I know I did this with my mom and her singing.

SECRET MILLIONAIRE- I love this Show

First, I'm a big Reality TV fan and probably watch too many of them.   I DVR most of them and watch while my kids/hubby are asleep at night- my guilty pleasure I guess.  Now when shows affect someones life it really tugs at my heart strings and yes I CRY and CRY!

This last Sunday I watched this episode http://abc.go.com/shows/secret-millionaire/episode-detail/ali-brown-venice-calif/749323 and cried my heart out!

If I was able to give back to my community in a big way I would love to open a cafe for the homeless just like the volunteers do at http://www.stjosephctr.org/bread_roses.html  they offer a sit down/take order cafe for the homeless.  I was so impressed because usually its like a cafeteria setting but this allows everyone feel good.  It was so beautiful to watch!  All the charities that were presented were awesome and I LOVE the fact that people are giving to people in need.  I hope this show sparks people who are able to help (in any way) to get out there and volunteer their time and help support their communities! I know it has in me. 

Feel good show!!