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The Happiness Project

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I started reading “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin a few nights ago. Gretchen is a Yale and Yale Law Graduate, who decided while clerking for Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, that she wanted to be a writer. This book details an experiment she performed on herself, to see what changes she could make in her life to increase her happiness level.

Don’t get me wrong. Gretchen wasn’t depressed, she wasn’t facing a crisis of any kind. She was a working mother of two, and a wife who realized she wasn’t enjoying her life as much as she should. She realized she complained too often and snapped at her husband too easily. Her life was good and she wanted to appreciate and revel in it.

I’m only a few chapters in and I am fascinated. Firstly, because I’m pretty sure my conscience wrote this book while I was sleeping or watching reality TV. The issues she discusses are so relevant to me, and to many moms. Her solutions are simple and well-written, and she condenses extensive research she has completed very concisely.

This morning, I was Woman On A Mission. I cleaned out and organized my closets. I refused to say anything negative or critical to my husband or children. (Which was difficult after Aubrey gave herself and Emma a haircut this afternoon.)

Providing Rubin doesn’t tell me to jump off a cliff or drink the Kool-Aid, I’m in.

I highly recommend her book and blog to all you (click on the link above.) And I’m hoping that maybe I can score a Super Mom interview.

What area of your life would you most like to increase your happiness and why?

Double Trouble: Fun in the Sun

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It’s days like today that make me remember why I love Spring. Aubrey and Emma played outside all day long. Emma didn’t even bother to get dressed. She rode her bike and played in the yard in her nightgown until almost dark.

After lunch the girls started to get whiny and asked if they could come inside to watch TV. I was a woman on a mission today, cleaning out closets and organizing my desk, so in order to keep them outside (out of my way) and happy, I took a quilt and books outside for them to rest. The layout of our house is great for me to keep an eye on them while they are in the backyard, so I thought we had a great day.

The girls had some good, clean fun…and I got some good cleaning done.

So IMAGINE my shock and awe when Emma came inside this afternoon with bangs.

I scolded her several times this afternoon for cutting her own hair.

She apologized.

We moved on.

At bedtime tonight, I brought up Emma’s haircut again.

Me: Emma, is it nice to cut your own hair?
Emma: No, I’m sowwy Momma. Aubrey just cut it..
Me: WHAT? AUBREY CUT YOUR HAIR?
Aubrey collapsed on her bed in giggles.
Me: Did you cut her hair??
Aubrey: Yeah, I’m sorry Momma. I just cut mine a little bit.
I was mad, but I was trying not to laugh because Aubrey was finding herself a little too hilarious.
Emma: Yeah, Momma. My tummy was telling myself that her should stop, but I di’int know what to do.
I looked at Aubrey exasperated.
Me: Aubrey, you know you aren’t supposed to cut ANYONE’S hair. We’re going to deal with this tomorrow.
Aubrey: (still laughing) Momma. It’s sorta funny…

I ran out of the room before I could reward her bad behavior with a laugh.

Don’t forget about the Blog Giveaway!

Blog Giveway! Ribbons & Curls Hairbows

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(The following post is typed in sarcasm font, for those of you who may not recognize it.)

People, PEOPLE.

I am GIVING stuff away. Free stuff. All you have to do is leave comments on posts and sign up as a follower.

That’s it.

And you could win FORTY DOLLARS worth of FREE STUFF.

Aren’t we in a recession? Aren’t you the Alpha Mom? Don’t you WANT to win?

Because right now Rebecca Deans is KILLING you people. All of you.

I might as well change the name to Rebecca Dean’s Blog Prize- cuz nobody else is even trying.

What’s happened to you? I thought you were more competitive, cut-throat, take no mercy kind of people. And let me tell you this…Rebecca doesn’t even have kids.

She’s competing for kids she babysits. Are you going to let a nanny beat you? Are you going to take this? Does she love the kids she’s babysitting MORE than you love your OWN children?

I didn’t think so.

Emma Said: Truck

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This morning we were all back to our normal selves for the first time, in what seems like a very long time. Zeb and I successfully got everyone ready for school, lunches packed and dressed. Today was my day to take Aubrey to school and Zeb was going to take Emma. This is a bit challenging because in case you didn’t know, Emma would go everywhere with me if she could…to the bathroom, to take a shower (she will stand outside of the tub but inside the shower curtain if I won’t let her get in and say “I just watch you Momma.”) to the grocery store. It really doesn’t matter, if I am going, Emma wants to go too.

Zeb: Emma, can I take you to school today? I haven’t taken you in a really long time!
Emma: No, it’s Momma’s turn.
Zeb: Please! I really miss you and you can ride in my truck.
Emma: I can wide you truck? (her t’s are more f’s-but I”m not going there) OK, Daddy! You can take me!

Five minutes later I walked out to my car to get Sadie and Aubrey loaded up and saw Emma and Zeb having a WWE Smackdown. Emma had her feet and hands braced on the outside of the truck and her back was all bowed up. Zeb had her body and was trying desperately to get her hands and feet loose to get her in the truck.

Me: What the???
Emma: DADDY SAID I COULD DRIBE HIS TRUCK (again with the f sound) AND NOW HIM WON’T LET ME!
Zeb: Emma, I SAID you could “RIDE IN MY TRUCK!” Not DRIVE it! What are you thinking?? You can’t even see over the steering wheel!
Emma: I don’t WANT you Daddy! I want my Mommy!

I took Emma to school, but rest assured I was driving and she was in the backseat.


Don’t forget I’m GIVING STUFF AWAY!

PSA: Free BlackBerry Download

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This FREE BlackBerry download saved my life and the lives of countless unsuspecting patients in Urgent Care facilities and ERs across the Southeast. The basic download is free, you can buy additional apps if you want. But while we waited for Sadie to be seen regarding her Piggy Bank condition, I was beyond glad I had something to occupy her little hands.

Thanks to Kathy Buckworth for sharing this site!

Filed Under: PSA

Emma’s Antics : Bird Watchin’

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I snapped this pic of Emma doing a little bird watching over at Sister Wife’s house (that’d be my best friend, two moms are better than one.) We are so excited about the warmer weather. What are you and your kids looking forward to doing now that the weather is warming up?