Fun Friday – All in a day’s work

photo credit

Have you ever had a day where you just didn’t feel like going to work? It happened the other day. My son called me late afternoon and said, “Hey Ma, whatcha doing?”

“I’m working, what about you?” I said.

“Just got out of class…I don’t feel like going to work.”

“You’d better got to work, it’s a short shift for you.”

My son sighed into the phone, “I know.”

While he was hemming and hawing, the light bulb came on in my head. I said, “You know what…my grass needs to be cut and the basement can stand reorganizing.”

I heard his voice perk up as he said, “I can’t do it today, I’m on my way to work.”

Dental Visit

During a recent dental appointment, my dentist asked me, “Has anything changed since your last appointment?”

“Yes…menopause,” I said.

“Oooo, that does cause a change in your teeth and gums.”

After a heavy sigh, I responded. “Give it to me straight doc, how much time do I have left with this set of teeth?”

I left that visit smiling as much as I could, while I still have all of my teeth, minus a few wisdom teeth.

Has anything funny happened to you recently on the job?

Wordless Wednesday - Humor at church

YouTube Video Credit:thoushaltlaugh4

YouTube Video Credit: Codeblack Comedy

Muffins with Mom - The gift

You have been asked, “What’s the best gift you ever received and what made it stand out?” How would you respond? I was working on a writing prompt and the aforementioned, was one of the questions. It was a tough question for me.

It was hard to narrow my answer to one gift. For the sake of this blog, I chose a gift that is related to parenting. It was a soft furry, red teddy bear. The bear wore a shirt with lettering that read, “You are a great mom. Hang in there.”

The gift was from a good friend and came at a time when I felt at my wits end with something my boys were doing. It has been over ten years since I received that gift. It is memorable because it was an unexpected gesture that came at a time that I needed a word of encouragement.

Often, we receive blessing in unexpected ways. Maybe it’s a kind word or a gesture that brings a smile to your day. Don’t discount the little things, they can speak volumes. Accept your gift, and pay it forward when you have an opportunity?

What gift have you received that made a positive impact on you in some way?

Fun Friday – The lighter side of parenting

Guess who?

“A smile starts on the lips, a grin spreads to the eyes, a chuckle comes from the belly; but a good laugh bursts forth, from the soul, overflows, and bubbles all around.”

                                                                                                                              -Carolyn Birmingham

I participated in a pageant recently. There were many days of rehearsals and outings with the other ladies. My mom was excited about my journey as a contestant. One day she was talking with an acquaintance about the pageant. She told the woman, “My daughter is in a pageant.”

The woman said, “Oh, how old is your little girl?”

My mom said, “She’s 51.”

The Birthday

A friend recently celebrated her birthday 40 something birthday. On the morning of my friend’s birthday, her twelve year old daughter burst into her bedroom.

“Guess who’s turning 45?” her daughter said.

“Not me,” my friend said. “I’m 44.”

“Mom, I thought you were 45. I guess I messed that one up.”

“Yes, you did. You can run back over to the door and start over.”

Aging

The last time I had to renew my drivers’ license at the Secretary of State office. The clerk had me read an eye chart. She could clearly see that I was wearing glasses, so why put me through the torture of squinting and trying to read those little letters? But she did.

I pressed my forehead against the desk top machine and tried to adjust my eyes in the appropriate lenses (glasses on). The letters were fading in an out and looked like they were floating. I read them aloud very slowly, A….E…no, B. She stopped me and said, “thank you.”

She took out her industrial sized stamper and stamped my paper work. When I looked at the paper, the large red words read, CORRECTIVE LENSES. I could have just told her that I need my glasses to drive.

Find something today that makes you grin, chuckle or just burst out in laughter. Remember that a smile increases your face value.

Words of Wisdom - Inspirational Quotes

YouTube Video Credit: allgreatquotes

Muffins with Mom – Motivation Monday – Follow your bliss


“Make your life a masterpiece; imagine no limitations on what you can be, have or do.”

Brian Tracy

Is there something that you have wanted to do, but have been putting it off? The time is now. Follow your bliss, your happiness. My son has always wanted to play college football. He made it happen with commitment, determination, and tenacity.

My son played in his second college football game recently. After a significant loss with the first game, my son was excited about their win. He sent me a text that read, “We won, and I did good! I balled out tonight.” Simply put, hard work pays off.

I too, am learning to follow my bliss. This past weekend was the culminating event for the Ms. Black Fit and Fine Pageant in which I was a contestant. The journey began six months ago when I attended an informational meeting about the pageant.

The pageant organizers were friendly and encouraging. The materials stated that the pageant was more than just a beauty pageant. And it was more. It was about self-improvement and doing your personal best. I had been doing the same fitness routine for the past few years and wondering why the results were not different.

Once I signed on the dotted line to become a contestant, I made other changes. My workout routine changed. I joined a new gym – A-Train Super Fit, Belleville, MI (just a commercial break). The personal trainer encouraged the group to push past any excuses.

In addition to routine exercise, we always hear that nutrition is important. As the story goes, I made a concerted effort to be more aware of the nutritional value of the foods I ate. Change is gradual and I am still a work in progress.

Being a contestant in the Ms. Black Fit and Fine Pageant made me push beyond my personal boundaries. I was rewarded with a second place finish, but the best reward was that I followed my bliss. At the end of the day, I can say that all the ladies who participated in the pageant followed their bliss and exhibited their personal best.

The time is now. Make your life a masterpiece.

Wordless Wednesday - Scooby-Doo Day

It's Scooby Doo Day, celebrated September 13th. Do yo remember Saturday morning cartoons, more specifically Scooby Doo?

Here's a flashback for you...

YouTube Video Credit: Garlic730

YouTube Video Credit: NukezNirro

Do you have a favorite Scooby Doo Episode? What would you do for a Scooby Snack?

Muffins with Mom – The lighter side of parenting

It was near the end of my work day when my young adult son sent me a text message. I have learned over the years that my boys tend to exaggerate a situation to their benefit. The text message read, “Ma, I’m hungry and there’s nothing in the fridge except baking soda and Italian dressing.”

I knew my son was way off base because I knew for a fact that there was milk in the fridge too. After I belted out a laugh, I told him so. In reality there was food that my son could have eaten, there just weren’t as many choices as he would have liked. I told my son, “You can always go to the grocery store. No need to wait for me.”

It was all a matter of perception. There was food available. My son didn’t like the choices.

School Supplies

My son who is away at college sent me a text message saying, “I need school supplies.” I asked him about supplies before he went away to school, but he wanted to wait until classes started. He had just a couple of requests, so I trudged off to the local store in search of the items.

Once at the store I noticed the usual aisles and aisles of school supplies were no longer there. I roamed around a while longer in a different section of the store. The choices were slim. I sent a text to my son, “You’re out of luck buddy, the school supplies have been replaced with Halloween stuff.”

I told my son that he would have to check for supplies on his own, my attempt was complete.

…and the moral of the stories, plan ahead.

What funny parenting situations have you experienced lately?

Feel Good Friday - National Grandparents Day

Photo Credit: Dekh News

National Grandparents Day is celebrated on September 10^th, what are your plans for this day? My mother has always been excited about spending time with her “grand babies.” Although her youngest grand baby is almost 18 years old, she still welcomes moments of togetherness.

When my children were younger they were always excited about a trip to Granny’s house. They liked going to her house and bouncing on her bed like it was a trampoline. Sometimes they would play card games with Granny or mix up some concoction in her kitchen.

I too, loved going to my grandparent’s house. There was something special and different about doing things with my grandparents. If you are fortunate to still have your grandparents around, National Grandparents Day is a great opportunity do something special for them.

Below are 3 ways you can celebrate National Grandparents Day.

1.      Celebrate with a special dinner – have the kids help prepare a special meal or dessert.

2.      Take a family photo – if the kids are crafty, have them make a special frame for the photo or buy one of those specialty frames that say I love my grandparents.

3.      Visit someone in a nursing home – brighten someone’s day who may not have family near.

Bonus

4.      Spend time chatting with your grandparents, sharing family stories, and reflecting.

What would you add to the list of ways to celebrate Grandparents Day?

Wordless Wednesday - Wisdom

YouTube  Video Credit: inspirationalsayings

Muffins with Mom – Labor Day with family

Photo Credit: Tooele City

Historically, Labor Day has been recognized as a celebration of working men and women. It has also become known as the beginning of the fall season and back to school. Many families make this a time of relaxation and enjoyment of each other’s company. A time to rest from labor.

This year my uncle offered to host a Pre-Labor Day Barbecue. My youngest son was away at college, so my plan was to pick up my mom and ride together to my uncle’s house. That plan was slightly altered.

The day before our family barbecue mom and I spent time together shopping, visiting the library and more shopping. By the time I drove the 30 minutes back to my house, I fell into bed and was sound asleep. I don’t think I was asleep long enough to reach a state of dreaming. However, I heard a voice say, “Ma.”

The voice said something else to me, I opened one eye and screamed. My son who was supposed to be away at school six hours away, was standing in my bedroom. All I could say was, “What are you doing here?” I continued sleeping.

The next day, my son showed me the video he recorded of my surprise reaction to his visit. Loosely fitted upon my head was a bonnet like the one Grandmother wore in the story of Little Red Riding Hood. I opened one eye and started kicking the covers like I was in a fight or swimming.

Although, I was happy to see my son, I’ve decided I need to take away his house keys.

My son rode with me to my mom’s house and the three of us drove to the barbecue together. But not before he entered my mom’s house and yelled “surprise.”

Wishing you an enjoyable Labor Day filled with family, friends and fun.