Appliances I Just Don't Understand

As a mom, I'm constantly looking for ways to simplify. Even 5 minutes of down time can be uber-valuable. So, lately I've been noticing that some of these popular appliances on the market just aren't for me. Three in particular. Now, I may think otherwise in the future, but today these three really bother me:

1. The French Door Fridge. Anytime I use one of these at someone's house I think, "Who has 2 hands free to open their fridge? And who can remember which side of the fridge they put something on every time?" Opening 2 doors is a total waste of time to me, especially when I'm in and out of my fridge at least 40 times a day. And I dislike the way the doors interlock too. That just bugs me. And don't get me started on the bottom freezer. What a mess! I know Samsung is coming up with ways to keep the bottom freezer more organized, but God help me, I need to SEE what's in my freezer without having to dig around in it, especially with two kids at my feet, in my arms, or begging for food.

2. The Front-loading Washing Machine. I was just thinking the other day what a pain it is to load and unload the dryer. I definitely prefer loading and unloading the washing machine (mine is a top-loader). To put clothes in, I just dump them straight from the laundry basket. To get clothes out, with just one load of kid's laundry, I have to reach in the washing machine at least 12 times to get all the little pieces of clothes out. Why in the world would I want to bend over sideways to do this from a front-loading washer??? I wish they'd invent a top loading dryer...  Or better yet -- a top-loading washing machine and dryer with removable baskets so that all you have to do is pull the entire basket out and dump it into the other machine. I think I'm on to something here!!!

3. The Bagless Vacuum. I didn't realize how much I'd dislike this until I bought one myself. Sure, it sounds appealing -- no bags to insert or pull out. They make it seem like it's less work. Now, maybe it's just the vacuum I have, but let me tell you it is WAY more work than my normal bagged one was. In lieu of a bag, I now have 3 filters to clean and replace. Yes, three. And they need cleaned regularly. Not only do these filters help pick up the junk in your carpet, they also pick up the smells from your carpet and carry those around, filling the rest of your house with the lovely odors until you replace the expensive suckers. And the plastic compartment where all the dust and nastiness from your carpet collects -- see through. Whose brilliant idea was that? Who wants to see all the dirt they've just vacuumed up from the carpet their precious kiddos have been playing on and undoubtedly eating food off of? Not me. I empty the thing almost every time I vacuum cause it disgusts me. And that just adds up to more work. (Probably about the same amount of time that's wasted by opening the doors on a french door fridge each day. :)

I know, I know, I'm probably just ignorant. Obviously millions of people have found the positive benefits in these items. But not me. Someone would have to give me a french door fridge and a front loading washing machine for free to try to convince me otherwise.

Now, don't even get me started on mini-vans...
And yes, the title of my previous blog below may be apropos at this point...

Sometimes I'm the one who needs to shut up

I had one of those moments yesterday where I felt like a bad mom.

After a full day of many little aggravations (naps cut short, popcorn spilled on the floor, lots of brotherly fighting -- just the regular daily stuff), everything hit the fan at about 6:00. I was in the bathroom getting ready for our family photo shoot. Kids were already ready (miraculously) and were jumping around the bathroom like wild banshees while I was trying to get ready. Digging in my makeup drawer, spilling loose powder all over the place, breaking the lids off my eyeshadows, spraying hairspray in their faces, tripping over the cord on my hot flatiron (why is that cord so long anyway?). What should have taken 5 minutes was now taking me 25 to get ready.

To top it off, they climbed in the bathtub and one of the little rascals decided he was going to turn on the water (yes, the kids were already dressed for their photo shoot). I know it was just water, but I had had it. "You two shut up and get out of here now!" I screamed. I grabbed them by the arms and swung them out of the bathroom.

My 3-yr old was so taken aback at my anger that he fell on the floor and started crying. So my 2-yr old had to join in too. I looked at my two frightened children and knew I had made a mistake. I felt like a bad mom.

I apologized for getting angry and they moved on to chasing each other around the house. But I learned a valuable lesson: who cares what your Christmas card picture looks like if you hurt your relationship with your kids in the process.

Loving Life Coaching

Have you heard of Life Coaching before? I had heard of it from a few people but had never really considered it for myself, until my neighbor shared the benefits of it with me and offered to get me in touch with a great coach.

After 8 weeks of coaching, I'm a believer. Talking with a life coach has been the best thing I've done for myself in years. My coach, Tina (http://lolcoaching.blogspot.com/), has helped me to put action behind several goals that I had set for myself but had been unable to accomplish on my own. Her positivity and encouragement have led me to not only achieve my goals but also to have a better outlook on life and the challenges I face each day. God knows with kids the challenges are in no short supply.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm definitely Type A and tend to see things on the negative side. Fun is not my middle name, although I wish it were. But after hashing through some recommended books, dusting off an old journal, and learning to see life and myself in a more positive way, I'm a new woman. I would recommend life coaching to anyone who wants to move forward in their life, whether it be in the area of finances, career, relationships, spirituality, or health. And don’t we all?

Life coaching has made a remarkable difference in my life. If you're looking for something to help you move forward, I recommend it. And I for sure recommend my coach too. Sessions are done over the phone, so you can live anywhere and still have Tina as your coach.

Check it out if you want more info (http://lolcoaching.blogspot.com/), and feel free to ask me more!

Too Much Sugar

I hit this wall the other day where I freaked out because I thought Cole was eating too much sugar. He's been getting treats for going potty since May. They say to give them the treats till they forget to ask for them and just go potty without asking for one, so I just kept doing it. I mean, not huge treats, just M&Ms or Skittles, whatever. (Not to mention bribery treats, special outings, etc., but we'll save that issue for another post.)

I didn't really know what to do about it, but I knew it was time for a change when I caught Cole in his room during naptime, treat box in hand, wrappers all over the floor, candy all over Jesse's crib and dribbling out of Jesse's mouth. "What's going on in here?" I said quietly and politely (aka yelled with huge disapproval in my voice).

So at this point I had to do something. Their teeth could be rotting this very minute. My husband and I brainstormed on other options for potty treats: stickers (no, the fun of those would wear off after 1 day), money, little toys. But later that day when Cole went pee I didn't have any substitute treats ready yet, so I just said, "There aren't any more treats for going pee. But you can have a treat whenever you go poo."

"Ok," Cole said, "no treats for pee pee, just for poo poo." My jaw dropped. He understood and was totally ok with it. You've got to be kidding me. It was that easy? Yes, amazingly it was. He must've known he had been milking the system for a while.

So I'm happy to say that was one of the easiest resolutions to a motherhood problem yet for me. I just wish I hadn't waited so long to fix it. Instead of fretting about it every time he asked for a treat, I should've just taken action sooner.

Lesson learned. And glad that challenge is over.

Um, when do things get easier?

I used to ask myself this question all the time. Honestly, I still ask myself this several times a week. It just comes naturally when you have kids running around making life a little more challenging than when it was just you and your sweet hubby enjoying the simple life.

You need to go potty again? Who spilled applesauce on the floor? Ouch - you just gave Mommy a bloody nose! What did you eat that made your puke that color?

But my challenge to myself today (and most days) is to open my eyes and see how absolutely easy our lives are. No matter how many things seem difficult throughout the day, they're really NOTHING to complain about.

The first day that Jesse was in his cast I thought, "God, can I please have my old problems back? They were simple compared to this." Now, I have my old problems back and I'm remembering that feeling and trying to stay true to it.

On top of that, even having a child in a cast is NOTHING compared to the real challenges kids and parents face around the world. We live such comfortable lives and I need to be reminded of that often. This past Sunday I learned there are kids in Brazil whose only hope of survival past age 9 is to go into prostitution. Things like that help to put my life in perspective.

I don't need to list any of the horrific things that go on in the world. We all know they do. For me, I need to remember these things when I'm tempted to think I have it so rough. My definition of "difficult" is what needs to change.

I need to enjoy today, everyday, and live with an overwhelming sense of gratitude. On top of that, I need to teach my family to use the comfort and ease of life we've been given to make a difference and not hoard it for ourselves.