Strong Women!

So, I was browsing through blogs today when I stumbled across "Tampons and Chocolate". The title sounded catchy! Reading through just the first page, I was hooked. This very, very nicely written post was at the bottom. I have received permission from the nice, nice lady to copy her very own words. I could NOT put these thoughts into words if I tried... trust me. But, she did. She mastered it VERY well!

If you want to read her entire post, click on the link above... but here is the exert that made me smile and hold my head up!


"Which brings me to my subject for today's post--strong women.

Now, I'm not talking about women who can bench press a horse. I'm talking about women who have strong spirits and are strong willed. Women who know who they are and know they deserve respect. They are women who are smart, proud and confident, and rarely take crap from anyone.

You want to know how to tell if you are a strong woman? Just count how many times you've been called a bitch or at least been told you were acting like a bitch or being difficult and that will give you a clue.

It just so happens that I am one of those strong women and I must say, I am damn proud of it. One thing I am not, however, is a bitch. A bitch is a woman who is overall unhappy and unloving and goes out of her way to make everyone as miserable as herself. That is not me.

That does not mean that I am never unhappy or unloving. I am on occasion. Who the hell isn't? But I am never miserable. Overall, I love my life and I love who I am. During the times when I am unhappy or being unloving, it is usually for one of two reasons--someone has overstepped my boundaries or my crazy hormones are out of whack and I am PMSing.

What I find interesting, however, is just how quickly the man of a strong woman can categorize her as a bitch. Isn't it usually that strong side of her personality that attracted him in the first place? In the beginning, he sees her as sassy and feisty and he just has to have her, no other woman will do. But somewhere along the line, things change and he starts to see her in a very different light.

But the truth of the matter is that she is really no different than she was when he met her. The only thing that changed was the way he thinks about her. Perhaps he needs to be reminded that he chose his strong woman for a reason. Something inside him wanted her and needed her. He should not expect her to be anything but strong...even when he gets out of line.

Yes, when a strong woman fights, she fights strong. When she hurts, she hurts strong. But the most important thing a man of a strong woman needs to remember is that she also loves, and when does, she loves strong.

So here's to all you strong women out there. Be proud, be strong, and don't ever let your man mistake you for anything else."

Changing things up a bit...

Not MY child was created by Mckmama - Check out her awesome blog and all of its followers!

My child would never eat a fruit so high in antioxidants AND enjoy it! Olivia and her first pomegranate.

My child would never grow up so fast that she INSISTS on having her own bowl of cereal, her own pancake, and her very own puddle of syrup. But of course, Olivia would never say "Mama, help" and hand me her spoon so I could PUT the cheerios on it!

My child would most certainly not stand in her highchair while impatiently waiting for Mommy to cook. And never would I ALLOW her to do, so close to the stove and the knife block*! "Hold still, Mommy needs to get the camera!"
(* no children were in any danger in this photo)

Olivia would never sit and hide under the Christmas tree and think it was hilarious. For Heaven's sake, don't you see that UNCOVERED power strip behind her!? I would not put her in ANY danger...ever.

My child would never be so deprived that she had to STUFF her baby doll into the Kleenex box. I would always provide a bed for her baby.

(Notice the baby in its "bed" in the above Christmas Tree picture... placed under the tree.)

Olivia would never venture onto the couch, steal MY blanket, proceed to place it over her head and then roll into it until she was perfectly comfortable. My child would never be so selfish.

And last but not least, my child would never be allowed to wear her hat, mittens, and house shoes around the house all morning. Why, of course, my child is always dressed up and looking perfectly presentable.


These pictures make me laugh hysterically every time I see them. Notice the Kleenex box in the last picture. Thanks to Auntie A who gave me the idea to cut the top out. :)

Dough Making!

Click on the picture to make it larger.

Olivia and I were hard at work today! Thanks to Christina for posting this recipe for us to use! It was so simple! Olivia was not too sure at first.... but she eventually began playing with it. I had my back turned when she took her first taste of the pink dough. I could instantly tell she had taken a bite, because she was salivating heavily. Haha, it has 1/2 c. of salt in the recipe!! She was quickly asking for a drink. I believe they turned out very well! They are still drying, but are turning a lighter shade than I wanted. Oh well, they are cute and personal. :)

Guess How I Feel?

This is how we started out the day....


This is how we ended the day..... Can you guess where we are?Olivia has an upper respiratory infection. She is congested. Her cheeks and eyes are swollen. Her eyes and nose are seeping thick green goop. Bless.her.ever.lovin'.heart.

Started Zithromicin and hopefully will feel much better soon!!

Olivia is Trouble.

So, my daughter is not innocent. She can throw fits that make you want to throw one right back.

If she gets mad at something, she will throw it. If you're near, she will try to hit you. It's bad.

If you tell her "No" or "Do not hit, Olivia"… guess what she does…

She will reach in to kiss you. Not just a regular kiss… she must have your lips!

If she can't reach them, she will bob her head around until she reaches them.

Now, tell me, how in the world do you NOT crack up, smile, or just kiss the little dear back?

Oy…long road ahead of me, you say?

And this fake smile…. PRICELESS!

My Philosophy of Education

We don't need no education
We don't need no thought control
No dark sarcasm in the class room
Teachers leave those kids alone
(yells) Hey, teachers! Leave those kids alone!

Ahhhh… Pink Floyd.

I have been nominated for Tinker Elem. Teacher of the Year.

Woooopeeeee.

I really am flattered but not excited about writing my Philosophy of Education and

my Most Memorable Teaching Experience. Wait, the last one could be exciting.

Like, when I barfed in front of all my students? Or slipped and said that cuss word?

Or how about when I completely give a wrong answer and get caught by that

stinkin' too smart kid in the back row?

Okay, enough procrastinating… back to typing. I'll let everyone know how it turns out!