This is my first attempt at linking to 7 Quick Takes at Conversion Diary (one of my favorite blogs). As I make the attempt to be both topical and random, bear with me.
1. I need a job, y'all. Chickadee #2 will be in school full time (8 to 3) next year. For the first time in 9 years, I'll have days free. I would love to find a local or work-from-home job writing, particularly about subjects in which I'm interested. I'm currently (as in, right now while I'm blogging) working on a report, my only task for a great employer. But it is boring boring boring (sorry, but true) and doesn't give me enough income (last year, I made less than I had in my work study job freshman year of college). Any thoughts, leads, advice? I'm also a great editor, if I do say so myself.
2. I love 80's music, of a certain type. I usually listen to Pandora Radio, a station of my own creation (The Psychedelic Furs Radio) while I'm working on my report. Right now, Duran Duran's "Save a Prayer" is on. Many moony hours were spent watching videos at my uncle's house (the only relative who owned a VCR in those days -- thanks, Uncs!). My grandmother, who lived with my uncle and his family, was offended that her "stories" were preempted by Simon LeBon. I miss you, Nan.
3. The school year is coming to a close. What the heck am I going to do this summer? I've instituted rest time every day. I think it will help me not get so crazy by 4 pm. Pray for me.
4. I found out last week (via Spectracell micronutrient testing) that I'm seriously deficient in many nutrients, particularly the B vitamins and calcium, and some other things. Nutritional supplements are in my future, which I hate because I don't like taking what I term "horse pills".
5. I'm not losing any weight, but not gaining either. I plan to go to the pool a lot more this summer. The chickadees are no longer in imminent danger of drowning, so I can actually deep water walk while they splash. That will help.
6. I am in love with Dr. Ray Guarendi. I heard part of his radio show a few weeks ago that has seriously changed my life (changes were coming anyway, but something clicked as I listened to him). A woman had called in about her 8 year old son, who was constantly defying her and not accepting her discipline. She was going crazy and the younger children were imitating the older child. It sounded so much like my situation with Chickadee #1 that I listened closely. He told the woman that her problem wasn't that her son misbehaved -- all children misbehave -- but that he didn't accept her authority over him. She needed to assert that authority. The woman used a "time out" technique with her kids of making them rest their heads on their arms at the dining room table for as many minutes as they were old. The 8 year old was either not doing it or was complaining through it or trying sneak out of it (by reading or drawing within his circled arms). So, Dr. Ray told the woman -- it's okay to have the kids put their heads down if that works for you, but if they don't, tell them that they don't have to do it, but that everything stops (e.g., snacks, privileges, driving to activities, even school) until the discipline is carried out. So simple. So effective. My children are actually obeying me a lot more and putting their heads on the table gives them, and me, a chance to calm down when things get heated. Thanks, Dr. Ray. I have claimed my authority as a mother. Since Chickadee #1 just turned 8, it only took me 9 years. Whew.
7. I made agreat recipe the other day for some friends -- Slow Cooker Butter Chicken from Canadian Living magazine. Tasty and healthy. Success!
