Being MOM is a Tough Job

With all that goes on in the world today, I think one of the toughest jobs out there is MOM.  Everything in a childs life depends on MOM. From food and care to learning to be strong and independant. The ability to love and show love and being kind and respectful.  That is alot to put on one persons shoulders but since the beginning of time.....that is how it has been and for good reason. We as women are more patient and better equipted for the day to day care of such precious cargo. All that being said there are the days when I wonder   " How much can one person take?" I was reminded of something my Gram would say to us when things just looked to big to handle, " God never gives us more than we can handle."   A friend on Facebook and fellow crafter had a post on this just today   The Grahn Homestead: Say What You Mean and Mean What You Say! thegrahnhomestead.blogspot.com
All of this was very reassuring after a few bad days with teens at our house.  My kids are all grown but I am raising three great grandkids. But, like most kids there are days when you want to ask...What happened to the kids?  Someone has taken them over, they are possesed.  Some say give in and quit but I think it is my job to stand firm and guide them through these rough patches to be great young adults. Not to take the easy way out and let them run the house. Hopefully I am right becasue I am not backing down. I am not their friend but Gramma and responsible for them.  I WANT them to be not just good kids but good people who can think and resolve issues and I can boast about at every turn.
 I was so upset yesterday that I thought I could have eaten a vat of triple choclate brownie icecream. After hubby brought it home, I was so upset I could'nt swallow a bite. Grammas get hurt feelings too. Kids can be thoughtless and down right rude. I have brought all this to the table and want changes made and NOW. I want better treatment and ...want it NOW. So, until they get home and I see if this happens I am consoling myself with two little grandsons who love me unconditionally and making and taste testing oatmeal cookies.


"Better than Grandma's Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies"
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
2 Cups all-purpose Flour
•1 teaspoon baking soda
•1 teaspoon baking powder
•1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

Wet Ingredients
•1 Cup Unsalted Butter (I have used "regular" butter with great results too!)
•1 Cup Sugar
•1 Cup Dark Brown Sugar (firmly packed)
•2 Large Egg
•2 teaspoons Vanilla

Then Add
•3 cups oats (NOT instant)
•1 & 1/2 cups raisins
Directions
1.preheat oven to 350 degrees f.

2.whisk dry ingredients together, set aside.

3.combine wet ingredients with mixer on low speed to combine; Turn mixer speed to HIGH and cream together until color lightens and the mixture is light and fluffy.

4.Stir the flour mixture into the creamed mixture until no flour is visible (DO NOT OVER MIX!!)

5.Add Oats and raisins and stir to combine.

6.Drop Approx 2 tablespoons of dough onto a greased cookie sheet spaced about 2 inches apart.

7.Bake 11-13 min (on center rack of oven) until golden, but still moist in the cracks.

8.cool on cookie sheet for approx 2 min before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

9.ENJOY!!    http://homesteadinghousewife.blogspot.com/2009/02/sorry-grandma-better-than-grandmas.html

The cookies are helping some, but I could use some prayers.  Maybe there is an Irish Blessing for raising teenagers. If so, please send it my way.

Grouch Day

  It is finally Friday....this week has gone so slow.  All of the orders for Green Bay Packer hats have been made and sent, bread was baked, the charter school board meeting was attended and now FRIDAY.  My husband says I   ( shoot myself in the foot ) by making plans for the day.  That may be true. Last night I had what I thought was a great plan.  Get up early, get the kids off to school and then QUICKLY get the housecleaning done and work on new hats.  Get some photos taken and posted on Etsy before the weekend.    Sounds like a do-able plan.  Not so much.
  When I woke this morning I found a grandson and friend asleep on my living room floor. They had been out late.  So much for early cleaning in there. My daughter back in bed, not much help there and one granddaughter who because she attended the school boad meeting was allowed to go into school two hours late.   The internet was not working, so no uploading pictures for the Etsy listings. ughhhh    
                                    So much for plans. 
      It is now a little past eleven now and I finally have the living room done and the internet is back up and running. Grandson and his friend are awake and now playing video games.....in the living room. The daughter who was going to be so helpful has awaken and run to town to the bank and wherever else.  Granddaughter taken to school. So much for help.
    I need a new plan, I used to think it would sound selfish to others but here goes.  I need some me time. Time to get my things done and maybe just catch my breath. I tend to take on many things and with eleven people in the house at any given time, I just need time to be me.. not Gramma, or wife, or MOM  but ME.
   After my plan going south quickly I find myself getting crabby or GROUCHY and then the whole day seems to go bad. Someone suggested I find something I like to do and set a timer and just take that time for me. The family will get along just fine on their own for that time and I will feel some accomplishment and stress released.  Right now as I am typing this three dogs are chasing around the dining room and barking, all in good fun but oh the noise. Two big boys are quietly playing video games and I have put on a second pot of coffee as a treat for myself.  I am going to get out some pattern books, take a look and find some new fun things to do before conquering the kitchen. This is against everything I was trained for. What if someone drops by and I am sitting reading patterns and my kitchen isnt clean?  Hopefully no one comes because as much as I would lik to say WHO CARES, I would be devastated. Old habits die hard and things taught as a child come back to get me every so often.  But, if I wait until everything that should be done is done, will I ever get to find a pattern of make a hat?  Good question, right now I feel like NO.  So, as I get off this computer and sneak off for coffee and pattern searching PLEASE do not come knock on my door, I would be horrified. But, I need a few minutes for me.

Have a Nice Day  from Grouochy Me

Happy New Year

With the New Year knocking on our door, I have decided to make alot of changes to my home, family ,but most of all myself.

I tend to be a control freak and take on alll the tasks but then am angered by the lack of time I have to myself to do things I would enjoy.  Yes, this is mostly my fault and on the top of my FIX list.

I have 3 teenagers in the house who for their own good need to step it up and become more helpful.  This would be a big help.  With a one income household we need to learn to conserve electric so my bill comes down, when I checked it last month I thought I was powering Time Square.  Back in the day, as a teen I had everyday chores, no questions asked you just new what to do.  You knew dinner was at the same time every day and NO meant NO. I need to get back to that, I take complete responsibility for pampering and allowing things to slack off.  But, all that will come to and end tonight at midnight.  I cannot assure everyone will go along without kicking and screaming but, I plan to have a much calmer, less stressed new year and this is a starting point for me.

I also need to learn to allow myself a spot and the time to get my etsy shop worked on and get some new ideas worked up and listed in the shop. ORGANIZE is my new favorite word!

Something can be said for the MOMS of the 50:s who had a time for everything, got it done and had time to have coffee with the neighbors.   What a concept!

With the addition of my two little guys at least four days a week, I need to have more help just to function. I have myastenia gravis and know if I burn the candle at both ends too often I will be like a jelly fish in no time. Weak muscles, drooping eye lids and even trouble with breathing and swallowing.  I have in the past let myself get in that situation, and each time it is harder to get back to my normal. Also normal is never as good as it used to be.

So no more whining about all that needs to be done, I am making lists , assigning chores, setting time for myself and getting us all inline for a much better new year.

My wish for all of you is a healthy , happy, more prosperous new year.

CHEERS