A Thankful Heart is a Happy Heart

Thanksgiving is not only a time to spend with family and friends and eat delicious food. It's the time of year where we pause our busy lives and stop and think about what we are truly thankful for.

This past year has been a year of growth for me as a person as well as our family. Last Thanksgiving we were still new in town. Just settling in and just starting to get to know some people who I am happy to this year call my friends. I had just started a new job in September and the kids were settling into their first full year at their new school.

This year has been a whole different story. We've made friends with some of the people who last year we were just starting to get to know. One thing I truly missed when I first moved here was having girl friends to call up to see a movie or grab a cup of coffee with. This year in addition to all my best friends back home who I still talk with often, I have a handful of women who I have gotten to know better over the last year and am thankful to call my friends.

I am thankful the kids have settled into their school here in Maryland well and are excelling in the gifted and talented programs. While I may not agree with everything the school does they seem to be providing challenging work for my kiddos who in turn are doing well.

I am also thankful the kids and hubby have made friends here in Maryland and everyone seems more settled.

I am thankful for my job. I love those two girls a ton and truly enjoying playing and learning with them each day. I am also thankful for the additional income I can bring to our family to help us meet our financial goals. I am thankful my job allows me the flexibility to spend no school days and summer vacations with my own children.

I am thankful for hubby's job. While millions of Americans were laid off this year, including several people at hubby's small company, Nate still has his job, a fact I do not take for granted.

I am thankful for our house and our neighborhood. We may lease not own but our house is adorable and suits our family of 5 perfectly right now. We have fabulous neighbors including several of the kids friends. Our street is a dead end with only six houses so the kids can ride bikes and play out front. We live close enough to the school that the kids can walk every single day. These are all things I am thankful for.

I am thankful for my family, both immediate and extended. My kids are wonderful, smart, caring, helpful kids and I really couldn't ask for more. I love you kids! My hubby is also fabulous, my best friend, someone I truly enjoy spending time with and miss when we're apart, he goes out of his way to do nice stuff for me all the time. Each day I am truly thankful that God brought the two of us together to share this life together. I am thankful for our extended families. While some relationships may be close and we talk often, others may not but I still think of all of our family often. A lot of things in life come and go but family is forever.

I am thankful for the ability to travel and pursue hobbies and interests that make me happy. This year we traveled a lot and there are very few things I enjoy more than traveling. I start planning our next trip before we've even left on our next. Running is a love I found this year that I never thought I would have. We've also spent plenty of time outdoors this year, camping, hiking, rafting, all things I am thankful for.

So everyone, what are you thankful for?

Worst Soccer Mom Ever

I am the worst soccer mom ever! First off I hate the term soccer mom. I don't fit the bill. I don't drive a minivan. My children are not in 1 million different sports and their sports are not my life. I do not live or die dependent upon whether I make it to every game or practice. I do not care if my kid's team wins. Sure, winning is fun but learning the game, teamwork, sportsmanship, dedication, and perseverance are much more important than winning.

I don't even stay for most of the practices. This year the soccer Gods shined down on me and both my girls practiced at the same time at the same place. Hubby and I used this gift of one hour of time with only one child to go for quick runs most weeks.

Soccer takes over our entire family schedule for several months out of the year (and when we lived in Colorado twice as long). Most years we have soccer 4 days a week for 10-12 weeks during soccer season. In Colorado that is spring and fall. In Maryland it is just fall. This makes juggling 5 people's schedules challenging.

Hubby even coached FiFi's team for 3 years. He had fun and FiFi loved it but man are other parents demanding of volunteer coaches. The snack schedule isn't right, practices aren't held at the right time or place, our team didn't win enough. I of course was my hubby's assistant since organization and planning are not his thing. When the complaints started rolling in it always took all my will power to not snap back, "you realize my husband is volunteering his time and energy to coach your child, if you think you can do a better job, feel free to volunteer!" Thankfully hubby resigned his coaching position this year by not volunteering again.

And the most persuasive evidence yet that I am the worst soccer mom yet is below. Soccer season is now over. We took photos and videos of my older daughter playing soccer and enjoying her soccer party. Hubby was not able to make it FiFi's soccer tournament so I brought my camera and FLIP video camera to document the fun. Guess how many photos and videos I have of FiFi playing soccer this year? None, zero, zilch. Wow, I suck!






Basketball season for my son starts in a few weeks. Do you think there is any chance I'll be a better basketball mom? No, I doubt it ;-)

The Art of Dressing Up

Is it a lost art in modern America? Certainly not in my mind but I have been stunned on several occasions on what others chose to wear to what I would consider semi-formal events.

Last weekend hubby and I attended a bull and oyster roast put on by the PTA from our children's elementary school. The event was held at the local Elk's lodge (not necessarily formal but can be dressed up) and we paid $35 per person for dinner and unlimited drinks.

This is what we wore and we were by far the most dressed up people at the event:

Here is what the other people wore (not actual pictures of people from the event):

The dressed up jeans and t-shirt. I don't have a problem with this look if you are picking your kid up from school or taking them to soccer but to a $35 per person event? (Photo credit Google images)

There was one other guy wearing a sport coat and tie besides hubby. The third best dressed guy had a dress shirt on and cargo pants and army boots. I am not trying to rag on anyone, cargo pants and army boots are ok but for a $35 per person event? And he was the third best dressed guy in there. (Photo credit Signal One)


The woman were especially lacking. I don't think anyone else was even wearing a casual dress. I saw 2 women with outfits like this, dress slacks, nice top, accessories, well pulled together. This I can live with for the type of event we were at. (Photo credit Express)

Is fashion like politics were everything is local? I didn't grow up here so maybe no one dresses up but I have run into this all over the country as well. When I lived in Colorado I was appalled how few people wore dresses to annual work Christmas parties, although everyone did look very nice and no one wore jeans. Last year hubby and I spent a long weekend in New York City and while there saw a Broadway show. Hubby wore almost the same outfit, I substituted a knee length black halter dress with gold shoes and accessories. We were some of the most dressed up people at the show! On Broadway for goodness sakes. If no one dresses up for a Broadway play these days, when do they dress up?

It isn't about cost either. Both the dresses I described cost $20 each, 1 from Dress Barn and 1 from Target. With both outfits I spent more money on my shoes, $40 each pair from Off Broadway. After investing say $80 total with dress, shoes, and accessories, I have worn each outfit at least 5 times and will continue to wear the outfits for years to come.

So what is it? Am I old fashioned? Has dressing up gone "out of style"? I feel like in my everyday life as a mom and nanny I don't spend much time on myself. I relish the few opportunities a year that I get to get dolled up and truly look pretty. Do other people not feel this way?

Don't even get me started about people wearing jeans to weddings and funerals. That also makes me crazy but is a whole other blog post.

Flying Solo

As most of you know, I'm divorced, and while B's dad has not played an active part in his life, B is still close to his biological dad's family. When we moved to Maryland his grandma asked if he could fly unaccompanied, to which I firmly said no. He was 9 years old, not an experienced flier, and was not ready.

Fast forward 18 months, B is now 10 1/2 and will be flying unaccompanied for the first time over the Thanksgiving holiday. I am not excited about it but after discussing it with my hubby we both decided we thought he was ready and it was time to let go a little bit.

I know I can't keep my kids young forever and I know I need to let them grow up, little by little. Growing up meaning becoming independent, being responsible, and I know that kids cannot become both independent and responsible while being smothered by their parents.

A major reason for me coming to my decision is the fact that once he is 12 years old flying as an unaccompanied minor isn't even an option. Once he is 12, if I want him to fly without me he is totally on his own. Since we live across the country from all our family I definitely wanted him to have 1 or 2 practice runs, flying as an unaccompanied minor before he turns 12 and would have to fly completely independent.

Another reason I decided it is ok is because he is on a non-stop flight and a flight attendant will at least be available if he needs anything. I've been on flights with unaccompanied minors before and I am not fooling myself. I know the flight attendant will not be babysitting him but if he asks for something, they should get it for him, and they should check on him a few times throughout the flight.

I will also go with him through security, to the gate, and watch his flight take off. With his flight being non-stop all his grandma has to do is arrive early enough on the other side to get through the ticket counter and security and it should go off without a hitch.

Maturity-wise, I definitely know he is ready. I've heard from countless people how mature and independent he is. He is the type of kid that can make decisions quickly and take charge if need be. He won't let people push him around. Yet he is a good listener. He can sit quietly for extended periods of time, reading, and playing his DS.

He thinks he is ready and is very excited to fly solo. This is a biggie for me. To send a scared child on a plane alone seems very unfair. He keeps telling everyone how worried I am and how he is not worried one bit, just excited.

Despite all the logical reasoning I have done to be okay with him flying alone I still have several concerns. My biggest concern is flight time. His flight on the way there is 4 hours. 4 hours is a long flight for me and I start to get antsy after being cooped up in a tight space for 4 hours straight. He tends to want to get up and walk around or have to go to the bathroom a lot when he starts getting bored. I hope he can make it through his flight only getting up 2-3 times.

I am a little concerned about where he'll sit and who he'll sit by. The last flight I was on put the unaccompanied minors in the bulk head seating where they had no access to their bag during take off and landing. This would cause a problem for B. I am going to ask if he can sit up front, but in the 2nd row so he has access to his bag and on the aisle so he doesn't have to climb over people when he gets up. I already reminded him that if he feels uncomfortable with the people sitting next to him he can discreetly ask the flight attendant to move. Generally on flights people are friendly and accommodating but God forbid he sits next to some creep.

I also slightly concerned that the flight attendant assigned to him will be less than helpful. The last flight I was on with unaccompanied minors the flight attendant seemed annoyed she had to deal with the kids and was a bit short with them. If B thinks he is being ignored or wronged by someone he tends to argue, which can get him in trouble. I hope he gets someone pleasant and helpful and that he does as he is told to do.

Lastly I am concerned that the pick up on the other end will not go smoothly. Getting through the Southwest ticket counter isn't too bad but security at the Denver airport can take forever. I've also had Southwest flights land up to 25 minutes early. Add in the fact that his grandma is traveling from about an hour away and needs to allow time to park. The whole equation leaves me a little nervous. There are many spots where she could get tripped up or delayed. If B gets off the flight and his grandma isn't there I know he will not fret and I know the flight attendant or gate agent will stay with him. I just hope she gets there extra early and just hangs out. When he comes back home I plan to get to the airport 2 hours early, even though it has never taken me more than 45 minutes to park, wait in line, and go through security. I would rather be extra early and use that time to read or play on my laptop, than to not be there when my baby boy arrives back home.

So this is the big issue for our family this week. Has anyone gone through this? Does anyone have any suggestions? Things he needs to bring I may not be thinking of? Things I need to talk to him about before he leaves? This mama is worried so even some encouragement would be appreciated. Thanks, you guys are great!

*Giveaway Closed* Review and Giveaway: SmartSeat Chair Protector

The winner is:

Amanda

I could have used those back when we has WHITE cloth seats. What were we thinking?

Random.org

2

Thanks to everyone who entered!

I was recently contacted by Rebecca Rabson from PB&J Discoveries regarding their SmartSeat Chair Protector. Becky is a stay-at-home mom and recently started a small company to manufacture waterproof, stain-resistant, and machine washable chair covers for dinning room and kitchen chairs. I like to try to support small businesses when I can, especially mom-owned so I thought this product was right up my alley.

Becky sent me a chair cover for review and is doing a giveaway for one of my readers!


Review

My original dinning room chair

The SmartSeat installed snugly

Front

Back

Side

Other side

Straps as they are installed on my chair

Pros:

-Protects your chair! This is the biggest pro and by far most important. We got our dinning room set on Craigslist from a family with 4 kids. Our 3 kids have beat it up. The only reason the top picture looks good is because that is our 6th chair that no one ever sits in. When I invest in a good, new dinning room set I will definitely consider some sort of chair protectors, especially for the 3 chairs the kids sit in.

-Attractive. Besides the navy cover shown, there is also a tan cover available. I would suspect either tan or navy would fit into the decor of most homes.

-Easy to install. The chair cover took me less than 5 minutes to install. I skimmed over the instructions, installed as suggested and was done. They also have how-to videos on the SmartSeat Chair Protector website.

-Affordable. $14.99-$19.99 per chair cover depending upon how many you purchase.

-Washable. A waterproof chair cover that is machine washable, how great is that?

Cons

-Fit varies from chair to chair. For my chair I used the "small chair" installation guidelines and crossed the straps for a tighter fit. I was able to get the top, front, and back, smooth and almost perfect. The only part that had some gaping was the side. On my chair I think I small piece of scotch tape would do the trick to hold it in place.

-Look. While made to look like original cushion, when looking closely you can tell there is a cover on the chair.

Overall I was very pleased and thought it is a great, innovative product.

Giveaway

PB&J Discoveries is giving one of my readers one of their SmartSeat Chair Protectors in your choice of tan or navy.

First entry: leave a comment regarding how a SmartSeat Chair Protector could help you; tell me how messy your kids (or hubby) are, tell me how you hate your current dinning room cushions, anything. This entry is mandatory and must be made before any other entries will count. Your email address must be in your comment as well.

Additional entries, you must leave a separate comment in each entry:

-Subscribe to or follow my blog. Current subscribers and followers count.

-Follow me on Twitter @dishes_laundry

-Follow PB&J Discoveries on Twitter @SmartSeatCover

-Tweet about this giveaway. Once a day, leave a comment for each tweet. Just copy and paste into Twitter: Got messy kids? Want to protect your chairs? Win a @SmartSeatCover from @dishes_laundry http://tinyurl.com/23eyofz

-Like SmartSeat Chair Covers on their Facebook Fan Page.

-Blog about this giveaway, linking to both There Must Be More To Life Than Dishes and Laundry... and SmartSeat Chair Protectors.

Giveaway ends Monday, November 29th at 9:00PM EST. Contest is open to U.S. residents only. Winner will be chosen via random.org. Winner will be contacted via email and have 48 hours to claim their prize.

Good luck!

Disclosure statement: I was not compensated for this review and all opinions are mine and mine alone. I was sent one chair cover to test out to facilitate the review process.

Thank You To Those Who Have Served

Our country would not be what it is today without the sacrifices you have made, of your time, your time away from loved ones, putting yourself in harm's way, and some of you even with your life. We salute you!

Happy 10th Birthday Wyn!

My middle girl has reached double digits, yay! Happy 10th birthday Wyn. I love you so much and wish all the success and happiness life has to offer. I am proud of the young lady you have become. Enjoy your special day!

Love,

Mom

The cheeseburger grin suited you well at 3.

At 5 you were still as cute as can be.

Your spunk and attitude was with you even at 5.

You were as pretty as can be at 6 at your cousin's wedding.

Before we knew it was 2008 and you were an 8 year old young lady.

At 9 we took a fun trip to Disneyland, here are you and dad at the Storybook Canal Boats.

And now it's 2010 and you've hit the double digits. Happy birthday!

Gone But Not Forgotten

A year ago today a beautiful soul left this earth. Linda, we miss you and still think of you often. Thanks for being a great mom to my husband, grandmother to my kids, and mother-in-law to me. We love you!

When Witches Go Riding, and Black Cats Are Seen, The Moon Laughs and Whispers, 'tis Near Halloween

Author of quote unknown

We like to do things like holidays big around our house. An excuse to decorate and throw a party and dress up, count me in! Here are the highlights from our Halloween adventures.

A glamour witch, a soccer star, and a scary boy is what we had in our household this year!

Have you ever seen a prettier witch?

I don't think soccer star is that far from the truth.

B was some sort of grim reaper, scary guy, and ever other 10 year old boy we know had a similar costume.

We of course made jack-o-lanterns. My kids are getting so big! This year they carved their pumpkins almost entirely independently.

We combined animals and trick-or-treating at Zoo Boo at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.

And we hosted a rockin' 2nd annual Halloween party. That's my handsome husband, Indiana Jones.

Bobbing for apples is always the highlight of the party for the kids.

Bobbing for apples is no easy task and not surprising but no adults gave it a shot. We adults decided to show our competitive sides during our annual Halloween Cranium match.

Don't believe me that bobbing for apples is really exciting? Watch the video and you'll see!

Hope your Halloween was filled with lots of treats and not too many tricks. Happy Halloween!