gobruno! i decided i would change my mind on the (not very inexpensive) sofas i was about to order ...when i was on the phone with the salesperson! there i was, notes in hand looking at my fabric and layout and WHAM! all of a sudden i heard myself say, "let me call you back!" and i was back online looking at more sofas. and then i did it again ...changed my mind on the banquettes for the breakfast room AND THEN i moved on to my BED! it's a really good thing those are the only pieces i'm getting right now otherwise i'd be nowhere. i'm sure i am settled on the furniture for now and will order NEXT WEEK. ...i think. and i was just thinking this past week i should learn to sew! i'm not convinced i'll be good enough to want to sew my own curtains (always had them made and professionally hung) but then i tell myself "i'm not stupid. surely i can operate a little machine with a foot petal" ...but i have no patience which could impede my ability to take my time and do a good job. at least this was my experience when i had "home ec" in the seventh grade. we made gingham book bags and embroidered our initials on them. THAT is the extent of my experience with a sewing machine. old dog, new tricks? i dunno... how's the sewing going for you???

When I get home for Christmas I will find the house filled with every kind of rich, store bought sweet imaginable bought by my diabetic mom! She always buys way more than they need, and my dad is one of those people who wolfs down food so potato chips or italian wedding cakes all taste the same to him. What I try to do is pick one thing to savor with mom over afternoon tea. That tradition goes way back in her family and I grew up with it. So when I see something around that would pile on the calories if I ate it mindlessly, I tell myself "You can have this with afternoon tea, won't that be nice." You can do the same with some yummy dinner treat you love but is very rich, just eat light the rest of the day. It just takes planning. Mitchdesj, I totally hear you on that one!! That's why I love the holidays, lots of friends and family visits allow me to unload some of the goodies I love to bake. Also I now put a lot of stuff in the freezer. But I don't bake as much as I would like either. Luckily, my new obsession with the breadmaker and the 350 recipes in my new bread machine cookbook are filling the gap. It goes well with my jam obsession. So I don't miss the baking that much, lol! It takes a lot of willpower though for me to go to the farm market and pass by all the goodies. The only positive thing about being broke is it is a powerful incentive to avoid bakery and deli items! But I don't think people should beat themselves up about holiday treat eating, it takes all the enjoyment out of it. That's why I liked this post so much, I think it is a good recipe for truly enjoying food and traditions. Also I totally get stressed around the holidays sometimes and that is when I just grab something quick or available, which is usually not something I even WANT, and usually also not healthful. This year I'm trying to live by the mantra "Don't sweat the small stuff." (And almost ALL of it is small stuff when you get down to it.)

We're going on ten years this summer, so I don't know if I qualify to answer, but I'll do it anyway. :) One, make sure you cultivate at least one major interest that you can share and participate in frequently. Besides raising the kids, that is. Two, cultivate friendships with people in similar situations, and share friendships with those who aren't. What I mean is, it's wonderful for us to spend time with other couples with kids similar in age to ours, because we're dealing with the same issues, our kids can play together, and we encourage each other. DH has single guy friends too, but I consider them just as much my friends as his. So their issues are mine too and it's never them vs. me. Three, don't fall into the trap of believing that sex "isn't that important." Of course it is. Sex is never just a physical thing, after all. It's tied up with ego, self-esteem, emotional intimacy, and is a great indicator of how things are going otherwise. Four, don't get caught up in dramatics. Always think of the outcome before the process. If you're angry, think first of the result you want before reacting. Five, and perhaps the most important - remember that your spouse is not psychic, and that he/she may forget things. If you want jewelry for your birthday, tell him. If you want him to put the kids to bed when you're tired, tell him. Don't expect him to "just know" that you wanted jewelry because you saw an ad and said "that's pretty", and don't expect him to "just know" you're too tired to tackle bedtime and be generous enough to volunteer. Don't be resentful when he doesn't pick up your cues. Yes, he may be ignoring them on purpose, but so what? Make demands. Six: Pick your battles. Sure, it may bother you to no end that he won't put his underwear in the laundry hamper twelve inches away from where he drops them, but is it really that important in the long run? Hm...that's a good question ;-)

Are you a stay-at-home mom? Yes If so, a) what age was your child(ren) when you began to stay home with them? since birth. I graduated nsg school 6 days before she was born but I've never put it to use YET why do you chose to stay home with your children? I find being at home keeps me very busy & fulfilled. I've never understood SAHM who claim they are bored. I have 1 daughter, 3 dogs, a home & my husband's business I do much of the work for plus I made sure to start involving myself & my daughter in school & plenty of activities. Gosh if I never have to work I would be so happy BUT chances are that when the last of my kids is in fulltme school I'll at last work part-time. are you financially secure enough to be home and not work? Like everyone else we could always use the extra $. We don't have a retirement a/c set up, we have to buy our own very expensive health ins., we havn't been on a great vacation in several yrs, we no longer go to fancy dinners, our home could use allot more remodeling, our cars are old but in good condition & paid for & I am always comparison shopping BUT we have no debt despite every month praising when we've paid the last bills. Our daughter is in private school & already takes 4 sets of lessons at age 3 & when we have our day trips or do happen to go out we truly go all out & enjoy, plus since I have no family help at all I have been lucky enough to be able to pay for a mothers helper or sitter for those times I need to catch up on the home, errands or the business paperwork or go to my many medical appts (I was diagnosed with MS a yr ago). All in all I'm happy, but my husband is self employed & he'd like to make a switch right now & he can't b/c we don't have enough $ in the bank nor another income. I had a stay at home Mom when I grew up & feel there is nothing better. I think that while kids are young I prefer being aorund for safety & to be involved in all the firsts, then they start activities & who else is going to chaperone them everywhere & then later on I want to be around so they have support & hopefully I can prevent them from making some bad choices that they might make had they not had any parent at home during the day after school. what are the ages and gender of your kids? daughter age 3 & working on #2 Michie