Mom vs. the Dot: Making it COUNT!

Are you familiar with the Hunger Games?  Whether you watched the movies or read the books, you may recall what it meant to be "A Career" when it was mentioned in this series of stories.  In the case of the storyline, it meant that certain people were chosen from a young age and trained exclusively to dominate and win in the Hunger Games, whatever the cost.  They were representatives of their community trained to do one thing - WIN!!  (at the cost of all others) When I think of being a Career Mom, the goals are not as easily defined.  I was not chosen when I was young to pursue this profession.  I was in my mid twenties when I first became a mom, and after the first few weeks, I thought: "Wow, this job stinks!"   There are no breaks.  There is no pay.  No pats on the back for a job well done.  Just sleepless nights, zombie days, and more and more work piling up with no end in sight.  I wondered, "Who in their right mind woul...

I just finished reading A Light in the Wilderness by Jane Kirkpatrick.  I was inspired by the fortitude of the main character, a woman who had been freed from slavery.  She fell in love with a "white man" and they secretly married.  On the Oregon trail, she had to pretend to be her husband's slave.  They both thought it best to do it that way, for her safety.  During the exhausting journey, she gave birth to their first child.  A few hours after labor, she was walking behind the wagon. I can't imagine doing that, but that's just the way it was.  A 5-hour trip with my kids in the car is currently my limit, and I can't imagine giving birth without an epidural, in the comfort of a clean hospital bed, surrounded by medical personnel.  This woman has inspired me! Not to travel across the country in a Conestoga wagon, nor to give birth then walk several miles. When they arrived in Oregon, they staked a claim and started a nice little home...

Thanksgiving Checklist: Baked pies (or bought them at Eat N Park). Check. Made the side dish, Check. Now you are getting ready to head out the door to the family Thanksgiving. Do you dread getting together with your family? I wouldn't say I exactly dread interactions with my extended family.  I am leery of going, however.  You never know when a relative will say something completely inappropriate, awkward, or just plain rude.  You may be anticipating family friction or an encounter with someone who has a grudge against you. And of course there is always the possibility of being judged. So, Thanksgiving isn't so much about food...it's about survival.  Instincts.  When to respond and when not to.  Who is safe to talk to and who to avoid. Why is it like this?  Why can't it be simple like the Peanuts gang singing, "Over the River and Through the Woods?"  Then enjoying a turkey dinner and pie, and going home happy? I think the family...