by Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com on December 26, 2011
I feel like I have been neglecting this blog lately and it doesn’t feel very good. I have a thousand excuses as to why I haven’t written, but none of them seem good enough right now. As usual, I have tons of ideas and even several posts that I’ve photographed, but have to write up and edit before they can be “live” for you to see. I hope to get some time in the coming days to get back to blogging. It’s something I really love to do — I just let all of my “to dos” take over.
I hope that you have enjoyed your holidays this year and that you are working toward new things in 2012. Right now I’m relaxing and contemplating ways to streamline my blogging process (mainly with photo editing!) so that I can post more often. At this moment, I am printing a baklava recipe that I think I might try to make this week. I need a creative outlet that will get me in the spirit of writing and photographing. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
If you ever miss me here, you can always find me on Facebook.com/balancingmotherhood. I’ve been trying to keep up with that even if I haven’t made time to do full posts here. And, I am updating Facebook with blog posts once they are up so it’s another way to find out when something is current here.
I’ve had two people in the past few weeks write me and tell me they made one of my cakes … SO exciting for me! I love to hear that something I did inspired someone else.
Thanks for reading.
by Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com on December 5, 2011
I’ve noticed this post coming up in my top posts so I thought I would get it out there again for people who aren’t aware it exists. This is truly the best Christmas stand you can ever buy. I don’t really need to say anything else, but it truly is. One person can put the tree up with this baby. Check it out. — Alicia
The other night as we were putting up our Christmas tree I was reminded of the best 50 bucks we’ve spent in years (now, it’s down to $39.99) — on the Swivle Straight Christmas Tree Stand. Truly a life (um, marriage) saver when it comes to putting up your tree. Here’s how it works – There’s an oval piece of the base that is not attached — you screw that onto the bottom of the tree trunk, then you put the tree (with the oval piece) into the base on the floor. At this point it may be crooked. Don’t fret. Now, just hold the top of your tree with one hand, put your foot on the pedal located on the base of the unit and rotate/tilt/move the tree to the desired position. Let go of the pedal. Viola! You’ve got one straight tree — without all the swearing!
Since we purchased this stand several years ago we have never had a crooked tree — or an argument. People, if you want to make this Christmas easier go out and buy this tree stand. I’m pretty sure you can get it at most large Target-like stores.
by Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com on November 30, 2011
I got a recommendation to pick up a copy of “Press Here” so I quickly put in an order at my local library. It’s a simple, yet clever book that pokes fun at how interactive our lives have begun.
“Press Here” starts with the cover: a yellow dot appears and this is where the experience begins. Each page contains a simple instruction to press a colored dot, blow on the dots, shake the book or some other whimsical direction that causes a reaction on the following page. My two year old doesn’t quite get it, but my 6 year old thinks it’s hysterical.
For a book that only contains pages with colored dots, it’s quite brilliant. Parents will love the ingenuity of the content and watching their children’s faces light up when they start connecting the dots — literally!
Check it out, you won’t be disappointed.
Here’s a great article from Publishers Weekly talking about the book and a possible mobile app based on the book.
by Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com on November 28, 2011
I can’t believe that Christmas-time is here. It can’t be December in just a few days, can it? This year is going by so quickly … as they all seem to do these days. Once I became a mother it seems that time sped to warp speed. Just yesterday, I thought, I had my son. The reality is that was six years ago. WHAT?? Say it ain’t so.
It’s hard as a working mother to reconcile these thoughts — of kids growing up before our eyes. Should I be trying to find a way to spend more time with them? They are only small once after all. I don’t have the answers to the questions that swell in my head. Especially in today’s economic climate where it takes so long for the unemployed to find work. I am thankful for a great job that provides for my family.
I’m not sure what I’m saying here, except that I want to concentrated on making this holiday season meaningful. And memorable. To slow down and enjoy the month. To make memories that my kids, my husband and I can take with us for a long time.
How do you slow down to enjoy the season?
Photo credit: Pingu1963
by Alicia at BalancingMotherhood.com on November 21, 2011
I’m smelling the sweet embers of a campfire as I type this this early Monday morning. On vacation in the mountains. No cell service, but there is wi-fi! Being in a place so quiet where you can hear the clicks of the rocks under your feet and the caw of the birds as they get up to rise for the day sometimes is the only time that I can slow down.
Even though there is wi-fi, it’s spotty and slow. It’s not possible to be on Facebook all day long. Instead, I check in once or twice to see what is happening. To check on a little girl who had a heart transplant a few years ago, but still has to be cautious. She got sick last night and has to go to the doctor today. It may have been a trip to the ER. That’s what Facebook is for.
But, now I sit and try to relax and not worry about work. Not worry about if my house will ever sell. Not worry about having to keep the house clean for the potential buyer who will call at the last minute, “I’m in the area. Can we stop by in an hour?” “Sure, I say. We have two little kids and toys EVERYwhere, beds are not made and there are dirty dishes in the sink.” After I hang up the phone I rush around to clean everything and let the potential buyer in.
But today, I dont’ have to do any of that. Today I am going to enjoy the outside and the quiet. I will enjoy just being. And I’m thankful for that!
