Hip Mom's Guide to Valentines' Day

Ok, hip moms, it's time to start thinking about Valentine's Day. We always think it's our husband's job to romance us. Maybe it's time for us to start sharing the love too. A good friend of mine gave me an idea one time that was really fun. She told me to get several red balloons and place a small note in each balloon saying something that I loved about my husband. Then I blew the balloons up and placed them all over the bedroom. I did it on Valentine's Day years ago and it was so much fun to watch my husband pop each balloon and read the note I had written to him. Believe me, men LOVE to be praised. Don't we all!

It's always nice to receive flowers and enjoy a meal out, but let's make this year's Valentine's Day extra special. Let's share ideas of how to make it "over the top". Also, don't forget to schedule babysitter's before they are all taken...

- Barbie Schowalter

Ahhhh, Snow Days

Snow. For those of us who live in the northern states, this can be a beautiful time of year. The snow blankets the grass, glistens in the sun, and tree branches droop heavily under the weight of the pretty white stuff.

Of course, with snow comes the occasional snow day - celebrated by northern children everywhere. With errands planned and lunch dates made – or, the boss waiting in the corner office – what do we do with snow days? Most working moms have some sort of back-up plan, if only because this has happened before. You won’t get through a winter up here without having school called off for at least one day. For the moms who stay home (whether it’s because we do or because that is our back-up plan) snow days can be fun, disastrous, or some of both.

Here’s how to make the best of it:

1. Acceptance is key. Realize from the get-go that your day as you initially planned it is over. O-V-E-R.

2. Come up with Plan B. Letting the day dissolve into a mess of unplanned “fun” is a slippery slope. What seems like a good idea at 8AM, will guarantee ringside seats to the slugfest that will happen at approximately 10:42AM. Make a plan.

3. Be prepared to deviate from your great Plan B. The important thing is to have a general idea of the day will look like: sledding, snowman building, hot cocoa, TV time, book time, snacks, etc. But if you’re kids are totally into sledding, you’d be nuts to stop the fun in order to move the Plan forward. Let them play but use your super-powers to anticipate when fun is about to deteriorate into mayhem. Then announce the switch.

4. Forget about broccoli today. Snow days call for a little relaxation....and if you are the Rule Enforcer all day long, you will not be relaxed. Bring out the Oreos and kick back.

5. Go a little crazy. Try to think of something your kids will enjoy that’s not on your usual docket. Jump in the sled with them, rather than watching. Invite friends over for an inside picnic, complete with ice cream. Have storytime in sleeping bags. Whatever floats your boat. A change of pace will do you all some good when you’re stuck at home for eight or more hours!

6. Imagine life 15 years from now. Staying home for a snow day can feel overwhelming – everyone needs you, all day long. But in fifteen years, we’ll be lucky if our kids need us at all. We’ll have plenty of personal time then. And if we’re really lucky, our kids might even admit that they still need us just a little.

Enjoy the snow! -Kirsetin

P.S. Yes, that is my 12-year old lab, Tucker, enjoying our most recent snow day.

Did You Vote?

As many Michiganders will tell you, our state fumbled the primaries. If your kids ask what reading Shakespeare or Greek Mythology has to do with life today tell them this: Hubris’ siren is as loud and tempting as it ever was, and it still destroys. Voters in our state who wish to have a say in the Democratic race are basically out of luck. We can blame hubris: Our state officials moved the primary date earlier– essentially because they wanted to be more important players in the political arena – and angered the national Democratic players (it’s so like high school). As a result, our Democratic votes have essentially been rendered unimportant. Republicans have a full slate, but knowing what the Democrats are suffering, it just doesn’t seem right.

So, did I vote? Yes, I voted. I always vote.

Reason #1: I vote because for so very many years, women in America could not. Not smart enough, too emotional, not relevant – a few of the irrational reasons we were given. But mothers, daughters, and sisters fought for this right. They gave of their time and their resources. They sacrificed relationships with family members and friends, who vehemently disagreed, in order to win the right for themselves and for me – not just my dad, husband, and sons - to have a say in the government of our country. And so I vote simply because I can.

Reason #2: I vote because so very many women in the world, today, right now, in 2008, don’t have this right or many others. You can’t logon to CNN.com or read Oprah Magazine without hearing about some new atrocity against women somewhere in our world. The sad truth is that my dog has more rights than some of these women: he has better health care, never goes hungry, and can choose where to sleep at night. He won’t be denied coverage, have to forgo food so other dogs can eat, and he certainly won’t be stoned for choosing the wrong bed. And so I vote, because so many others can’t.

-Kirsetin 

Looking Great in 2008...

Hello Again...

The Holidays are wonderful, but it's also nice to have some good old-fashioned down time after all of the craziness! I, for one, am looking forward to reading a few good books, accomplishing some tasks around the house and working on my New Year's Resolutions. Like many others, one of my resolutions is to lose weight. If I actually lost all of the weight that I have resolved to lose over the years, I would weigh about 5 pounds...haha! So, what's going to change this year? How am I actually going to lose those 10 pounds? Well, that's where this discussion begins. I thought it would be great to share ideas of how to lose weight. What has worked for you? What are you going to try in 2008? What is an effective, yet manageable exercise program? Which diets have worked well for you? My plan is to start with healthier eating. I am going to try to cut out the white breads. Believe me, this will be no easy task, as I am a big fan of all things bread-related. As for exercise, I'm going to try to work out at least 3 times per week. Oh no... i guess it's time for the weigh in...yikes.....

Hope to hear input from all of my fellow dieters....