The secret is out!!!!

The March 2011 issue of Martha Stewart's "Whole Living" hit my mailbox today. 

I ordered it back in October and totally forgot about it....  I guess it takes them a while to process these things!

Anyway.

On page 102 they have taken the liberty to set up a hormone scale/menstruation guide for their readers.

OMG!

Why don't they package these hormone scales with the tampons and "sanitary napkins"???

I am going to post this sucker on the bulletin board in my kitchen...  Not only to remind me of the hormonal craziness I am living in 90% of the time but to "gently remind" my husband and children to stay away from me at key points of the month!

As a woman you know how uncontrollable you can feel at any given time of the month.  This little scale literally shows that there are (at best) 8 days of the month where you are feeling like you can take on the world, accomplish your goals and well....smile and have a good day!

8 days... 

Well, isn't that generous!

And lets face it.  Since Mother Nature's little monthly gift started visiting us all those years ago we can pretty much guess that we only have 8 good days.  But here it is.  Confirmed!  The secret is out....

All I can say is THANK GOD every woman's menstrual cycle isn't syncronized or we'd have blown this planet up a long time ago...

Although....

If every woman could syncronize her period.  We could bring peace and prosperity to the world in 8 days!

Hmmmm.....

The joys of parenting....

For every one story or conversation that I have with my 16 year old that is heartwarming and fuzzy, there are a gazillion others that are not....

So, today I thought I'd share one with you...

Me:  standing at stove, stirring rice for supper.....

Mr. 16 & knows everything:  ah, don't even bother asking me if my homework is done, because it is.

Me:  I wasn't going to ask you about your homework.

Mr 16:  and yes, I am probably getting my report card soon so don't even think about not trusting me to tell you when I do get it

Me:  what are you talking about?

Mr 16:  well you've always not trusted me about my report card

Me:  I only not trusted you that one time you lied about not getting your report card because you threw it in the garbage

Mr 16:  well anyway, you don't trust me and you really should trust me and stop holding these things over my head.

Me:  OMG!  you are TOTALLY trying to pick a fight with me and all I want to do is stir my F*&@!$# rice!

Mr 16:  Just shut up and listen to me, God I am so tired of you chirping at me!

Me:  I haven't said anything to you let alone CHIRP.  You totally started talking about your homework and your report card as if you were defending yourself and all I was doing was stirring the rice!

** this is where I start laughing and walk away while he continues to yell at me about what a nag I am **

So, sometimes I feel like I am insane living with this child.  Then I remember what it was like when he was younger. 

Then I realize, that we have ALWAYS behaved this way with eachother.

Like the time when he was 4 years old we were on our way to the cottage.  I was sitting in the backseat with him and we got into a little argument.  I remember my husband turning around in his seat and asking me if he needed to pull the car over and settle the argument for us!  HA!

I don't know what it is, he doesn't do this with his Dad, he specifically waits until he has me cornered and then he starts up.  It's almost like he has all kinds of pent up frustration and this is the only way he feels able to express it. 

All I do know is that every major argument we've had in this house has been the result of him opening a can of worms that really doesn't need to be open.  Then he complains that we're too hard on him.  Hubby and I are almost always left looking at eachother stunned because we don't even know what happened....

Oh the joys of parenting teenagers...

The saga continues......  stay tuned.....

To fear...or not to fear....

In my last blog I talked about being offered an amazing opportunity to take part in a retreat as a presenter.

It wasn't until I declined the offer and had a short discussion with my friends over dinner that I realized that I was feeling scared and intimidated by the thought of presenting in front of all of those fabulous people.  And I was covering it up with all kinds of other excuses.

I want you to know what I did with this situation, so that you know it can be done and hopefully it will help you when you are stuck in fear.

First, I emailed a good friend of mine and admitted to her that I was feeling scared.  She acknowledged what I was saying and added how exciting it would be if I could change my decision and move past my fears.  She also shared how great it was that I was noticing my fears and admitting to them.  (When you admit to your fears, they somehow magically diffuse to a point where you can see a little more clearly and gain forward movement).

I then made the decision to admit my fears to the coordinator of the retreat.  I wanted to be completely honest with her about why I had originally decided to decline her very gracious offer and asked if it was possible if there was still a space available for me to participate as a presenter. 

She replied with an amazing "You're in!!!"

And now....

Now I am planning my "workshop" for that weekend, I am fine tuning my bio and getting ready to send it over to her tonight.

The feeling of overcoming these fears is amazing.  I have been living with them my entire life!

The fears of not being good enough, or of being judged are common amongst women. 

It is however, imperative that we overcome these fears. 

If for no other reason than to prove to yourself that you can!