Susiej

Is bedtime the highlight of your day? Or do you wish it were? If it’s stressful, this page can help – a lot. It’s full of relaxation CDs – someone else, someone “calm” talks your children to sleep. Donice knew I had this list, but I’ve never formally created it, until she suggested it to a friend. So thanks to her, it’s here.

These may not always send your kids to lullaby land instantly, but for some, they do the trick. But, if they can work in a house full of 4 boys (not always sleep, but calmer) — I don’t know what more recommendation you need.

Even if sleep isn’t the instant result, these tapes send powerful messages of comfort, peace, and love, while giving positive affirmations. The subconscious mind picks up the messages and internalizes them. And an added benefit — the mind is much more receptive to suggestions right before it falls asleep. If they do fall asleep, keep the CD on, as the messages will still seep into their subconscious.

For stressful days, I play these during the day, while we’re eating, driving in the car, or screaming — they help. You might be able to find many of these at your LIBRARY!!!! That way you can try them out first.

Audio CDs:

Indigo Dreams: Relaxation and Stress Management Bedtime Stories for ChildrenA very, very slow, calm, yet strong female voice commands your attention. Soothing music, barely audible. She talks about a boy and a bear, a caterpillar — strong messages of positive affirmations. Uses stories to teach kids how to breath deep, relax, and see the beauty in their own abilities.

Indigo Ocean Dreams: 4 Children’s Stories Designed to Decrease Stress, while Increasing Self-EsteemThis series uses animals in the water to teach kids the message of letting go of anger.

Indigo Dreams: Garden of Wellness Stories And Techniques Designed to Decrease Bullying, Anger, Anxiety & ObesityThe bubble blowing technique teaches kids how to blow away anger. The perfect club presents solutions for bullying, and the caterpillar teaches kids how to make healthy food choices. These complex messages still come through in a soothing way, and my 8-year-old falls asleep during the CD.

Good Night No picture available. Jim Weiss is a master story-teller, and a genius at tricking kids into falling asleep. His soothing voice draws your child into the beautiful story, full of lush imagery that really stretches the imagination. Wonderful.

Sweet Dreams: Enchanting Story Visualizations With Sleepytime Music Again, by the same author, Jim Weiss, more stories, just like the one above.

The Velveteen Rabbit Book and CD Imagine Meryl Streep’s pristine voice, and George Winston’s soft and lovely piano music, combined, to lull your child to sleep.

For harmony. Follow the grumbling bear as he withdraws into his cave and hibernates into a deep sleep, and lets go of all the needs of the day.The Way of the Bear

From a Grain of SandFor happiness. Listeners learn how to identify emotions, and learn how to create peace.

Good NightTo help them fall asleep and relax. Breathing exercises and how to let tense spots in the body release.

Energy & MeTo help overactive kids calm down.

The Healing HeartExtra comfort for tough times.

Wanka, The Caring ElephantCaring. More guided imagery that shows kids how caring for others is truly a gift to themselves.

These are books that I highly recommend that accomplish the same purpose:
Moonbeam: A Book of Meditations for Children Maureen has written some fascinating meditations for kids. These guided imagery journeys are whimiscal, and take you inside a wolrd of animals, people and places.

Starbright–Meditations for ChildrenMore meditations for children — you can read these during the day to help kids get centered. This was the first guided imagery book I bought for my children. As I started to read the exercises aloud, my boys were instantly drawn in, as these “stories’ are not told in the typical way they are accustomed. That instantly got their attention. As they were drawn in, they learned very quickly how to absorb these stories, and many of the themes began to be integrated into their play.

Baby Buddhas: A Guide for Teaching Meditation to ChildrenLisa Desmond has copyrighted this method of teaching meditation to children 18 months to three years old. Very simple, straight forward techniques that are easy for busy parents to try with their children.

Inspired by Wife Mom Maniac

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Filed under: Life, boy, health by SusieJ - 2 Comments →

I’m sure now; a Man invented this tape. I’ll start with a warning; if you are ever in a position in which you need to use this tape, allow yourself plenty of time. Better yet, buy yourself any extra box so you can practice before your big night.

First the good news — the box is fully loaded with tape — there is no scrimping on the product here. The tape is double-sided. This unfortunately means that peeling the backing off both sides, without twisting the tape into a ball, and without ruining your manicure at the same time, is quite a feat.

Once the backing is off, you’re faced with the problem of where to put it — I mean — where exactly do you position the tape? I started by putting it on my skin first — but then it’s a crapshoot to make sure the dress will fall in that spot. I put the tape on the inside edge of the dress, only to find that this is a spot where the dress gaps — my skin doesn’t touch the dress here. So the tape is not doing it’s job. Nothing is lining up right. But I kept trying. The box, once so full, is dwindling down.

Me. Before the invention of boob tape. Notice the smile.

I began to worry how long the tape will hold. Will I need to re-apply after sweating and dancing? Will I have enough tape to get me to the ball and back? I kept repositioning the tape, and instead of cleavage, I ended up with pink marks all over my chest from pulling my skin to get the tape on and off and repositioned just right.

And then I realized that the clock is ticking, my sister-in-law was on the other side of the bathroom door waiting, along with my brother-in-law, my husband and all the seven kids — all wondering what is taking me so long. What are they going to say when I walk out of the bathroom and they see my chest all pink? I had nothing but edges of double sided tape peeking through the entire neckline of my dress, and no cleavage. And, I had not even started to work on my hair and lipstick. I worked to get all my stuff into the dress and felt confident enough to be able to hold my head up without wondering if anything was falling, or could, fall out.

It was a humbling moment: To think that after all of this planning and shopping to find the perfect dress, that it all could be ruined by a single piece of tape that doesn’t do it’s job. Maybe, looking back, I think now, I should have skipped all of this frilly tape, and just made do with duct tape, just like a man would do.

I did my best. Everything was all stuffed in, and I looked myself in the eye in the mirror and vowed not to drink at the party. I had a job to do – I had to keep watch over that tape. I must be vigilant.

The ball itself was complete with “dance cards,” drinks that included Lite Up Party Ice Cubesand lovely people — and none of them saw my boobs. Later that night, my sister-in-law looked at me and said, “I’m curious. How did you get your boobs to look so big?”

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Filed under: Laugh, Life by SusieJ - 4 Comments →

In 3 hours, I bought one cocktail dress, one pair of matching shoes, a wrap, and two pairs of jeans – that fit. For me, that’s pretty fast. My fashion consultant, (let’s just call her Georgie), saved me money, time and taught me a few lessons. And I’m ready for the black-tie event this Saturday.

She gave quick comments about each dress I tried on, and there were 2 finalists. She directed me to the one that will stand the test of time: Here’s the dress, but my version is black.from BCBG. What you can’t see in this picture is that there is a little champagne color peeking through the sheerness of the dress. We’re playing that up with the shoes – I would have missed that entirely, and just went for black. The dress demands virtually no undergarments, so it will require Boob Tapeto hold everything in place. (My husband is curious about how this works.)

Here’s how she saved me some money: The dress needs a wrap. The clerks at BCBG brought out very luxurious, gorgeous black wool wrap. I melted in it; it’s warm, soft, and you can wear it with jeans, a skirt, pants, or an evening dress. (By the way, if you’re nursing a baby – get this and snuggle you and the baby 24×7.)

But what I couldn’t see, and my fashion consultant could, was that it crushed the dress in the back, and the dress looked frumpy. So, this $188 investment was not for me. Georgie found a champagne-colored one at Macy’s for $15. And she found it fast – we didn’t spend 45 minutes going from store to store looking for one that did the job.

After trying on 30 pairs of jeans, I scored two that make me look taller and 5 pounds lighter. In the two stores we visited, Lucky and Buckle, Georgie used the sales clerks to her advantage. She gave them information about my measurements, and where my curves are. They fetched, (there were very knowledgeable about their product) and she stayed with me, analyzing every one of the 30 pairs I tried on. Each pair carried its own problems: waistband gaps in the back, too long in the inseam, too short, not wide enough in the hips. We settled on these two from Buckle, 100% cotton, (no lycra, real jeans)Buckle also carries free alternations, and one pair is currently getting the tricky hem. Don’t forget to ask for this if you love a pair of jeans, and they’re too long. It’s usually free.

I do not have the talent Georgie has to buy clothes. In fact, I think I know much less than I thought!! But I’m learning. Georgie doesn’t want to be my shopping partner forever. She’s trying to educate me about my body, so that I can do this for myself. But, for me, right now, it’s kind of overwhelming. She knows a lot. And I think it’s important for me to learn how to make good investments in the small amount of time I have.

Now, I found this great website, Between my Peers, and Rachel runs articles, with pictures, like “Should I Keep It,” and you can even send her pictures of your stuff to get her opinion. She also has pages of information, such as “The Basics,” “What to Wear to Church,” and “Frugal.” Great place to go for answers. She also lets you know when and where the sales are.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Filed under: Life by SusieJ - 3 Comments →

Remember the You Tube video of my cute boy getting dressed in the Tuxedo? Here’s part II. Click here to watch the You Tube Video. Did you see that — his older brother, at the end, who just couldn’t keep his hands off him? I deal with it all the time.
Speaking of getting dressed — things are much better in the What Not to Wear area. I had a VERY productive day with my fashion consultant, complete with Boob Tape and will report back to you soon — with pictures!

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Filed under: Laugh, Life, You Tube, boy by SusieJ - No Comments →

I know, two posts in one day. First, to those of you who need to laugh at me and couldn’t find my My What Not to Wear Post, it’s still there. A post on Troll Baby asked us to find/share a new blog. I’m here to introduce you to Confessions of a Pioneer Woman. Why do I like her? I don’t live in the West, nor on a farm. But, as I write this, I’m seeing a connection — beside my desk sits a Western Saddle, circa 1950. It was my Mom’s, and her horse’s name was Spring Design. My entire life, this saddle sat in our attic, as we made several trips to the attic through the years to pull out Christmas decorations, store winter coats, or pull out suitcases. The saddle stayed there, untouched. My Mom did tell me stories about the races she was in (she had some fire), and how Spring Design threw her once, and she had two broken arms– at the same time. Western movies were her favorite, and they were the ones I saw as a child. She did get back in the saddle — but not long enough. Once I was born, the saddle was put away, and she was too busy to ever ride again.

I can’t put it in my attic and let it sit again. So it sits in my office, and I don’t have any idea where to put it. (Ree, do you have any ideas?) But I keep it as a reminder to live — in spite of being a Mother. Ree, (my Mom would have loved you), lives voraciously in the moment. I guess that’s why I love visiting her blog so much. So go find out about Marlboro Man, and see what I’m talking about.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Filed under: Life, Tears by SusieJ - 2 Comments →

“I don’t want anyone touching your hair. Just wear it curly until I get back.”
This, I hear from my hair stylist, when I learn he will be in Vegas for a hair show — before the black tie event on Saturday. My hair looks good – when the wind is blowing just right. Except for the crush he has on my husband, Lanny is vital: he has for ten years consistently NOT given me that “just had a haircut look.”

I just don’t have time for all this “fashion” stuff. Not interested. The other day – the day of my 12 things I don’t like about Motherhood day, (I guess I won’t be getting that Mother of the Year Award afterall), I looked for a shirt for 10 minutes before giving up. I found it later, when I was THANKFULLY, putting on my PJs. I had been wearing it the entire day.

Nothing fit my in-between size 6-8 petite frame at Banana Republic. If my fashion consultant hadn’t been there to tell me No, I would have bought those jeans that were too short, just so I didn’t feel as if I’d wasted a trip to the mall. See, she’s already saving me money.

My own What Not To Wear saga continues on Wednesday, when I meet my fashion consultant again to find that perfect suit. And now, we have to add the problem of finding this cocktail dress, and shoes — before the black tie event on Saturday. (I don’t think any of my maternity gowns will cut it this time.) My friend Jen gave me a gorgeous, flattering halter dress to borrow – but it’s too big. Too bad, it would have been fun to wear it and remember her at the same time.

I don’t know, the deeper I get into this, I think wearing yoga pantsall day is the way for me. They’re not just for yoga – they’re black, they hide all the dirt from the 4 boys, and they stretch when I’m chasing them around the house. Suits me.

But I’m running out of clothes. But I do like the idea of having fewer clothes – paring down to just a few that fit me well – if only I could find them at the mall.
Instylesays most designers swear by this underwear? Cosabella Low Rider Thong?They say it builds a solid foundation for a flattering fit. Hmmmm.

Lucky for me, there are blogs to help guide me. Here’s an article that sounds intriguing: Looking great and feeling great at 40+. Don’t you just love the sound of that? I’m reading that. And I do like the way the Urban Socialite mixes the latest fashion with current events and art.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Filed under: Laugh, Life, Yoga by SusieJ - 6 Comments →

1) Putting a mitten back on a toddler after it’s fallen in the snow. And Ohh, the whinning.
2) One toddler wants to go back inside, while the other wants to play in the snow on the street. (You figure it out, I’m too tired.)
3) Snowsuits
4) How do you make hot chocolate while you’re pulling off boots and fixing broken snaps with safety pins?
5) The whole bag of marshmallows was eaten in secret while you were busy folding their laundry.
6) Breakfast dishes are still on the table because of distraction that occurred when 4 children opened the closet and tried to figure out which snowsuits fit which legs.
7) It’s been 3 hours since you all came back in, and you’re still wearing you coat and hat. Not a minute to spare.
I’m hungry, and I just want to eat that roast - - but I have to make it, and I’m still working on the hot chocolate.
9) I forgot to buy onions for the roast when I was at the grocery store.
10) Buying groceries.
11) Being in charge.
12) Those handfuls of cereal they’re always grabbing, and the leftover parts that are left on the floor.

Because once you’ve landed in Mommy Kingdom, you suddenly become able to “create your day.” Create the family meal; create the family memories, and the family scrapbook, and the family movies, and the hot chocolate. Even that gorgeous catch of a husband you found, that used to cook his own meals in college, becomes a helpless child once you become “the Mommy.” What do you hate?

It might be obvious to you now, that my husband has been gone all weekend, and I, worn from being outnumbered with 4 boys, would like to have someone else be in charge. I need to be more like Redneck Mommy, and let the kid come out sometimes. I guess the joy is in the creating – and letting go of the outcome. Enjoy the process, not the result?

It’s a good thing they’re so gosh-darned cute.
Does make being a Mommy easier, even if it’s is the hardest job you’ll ever love.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Filed under: Laugh, Life, boy by SusieJ - 4 Comments →

I do have a happy ending to all of this Motherhood guilt stuff. I can say it in just a few words; Our kids are bigger people than we give them credit for. Here is the explanation of Motherhood Guilt, Part II.

Think about all of those cute Grandmas you’ve met. Do you really see them moping around about all the mistakes they made with their kids? They don’t do that. They’re happy, and there was a time when they thought they were doing it all wrong too.

What switched? Perspective. Here’s how it happens: I did not have the greatest relationship with my Mom —
in fact, there were times in my life that I distanced myself from her, just so I could stay sane.*

But when she became very, very ill, and I thought I might loose her, her faults, and all of those horrible fights turned into sand that just blew away. All that was left was the love that stood between us. I was actually quite surprised to learn how much I loved her. When my Mom died (and no, she did not regain conscious, and no, I did not get to say I love you to her open eyes), I ached, I lost a Mom. And, I lost my chance to give love back to her. I felt cheated.

I couldn’t explain what I was feeling until I found this beautiful blog, Time Goes By, and it all became crystal clear. Here are the words I found on the entry, Mother’s Final Lesson:
“In her last, most important lesson, Mom gave me the greatest gift of my life: She taught me about my own goodness…. So it was a surprise, while caring for Mom, to realize I was the happiest I had ever been. Not lighthearted or joyous and certainly not carefree, but fulfilled and complete, at one with myself.” (Read her entire entry here, Mother’s Final Lesson)

That was it. I was greiving for the “lost chance” to care for her. But her death did teach me this: our kids are bigger people than we ever imagine. (I am a bigger person than I thought.) Kids do want to be loved, but more than that — they want the opportunity to express their own love, and have it “received.” It’s hard for them to feel free enough to do that when we feel guilty about something they’ve already forgotten.

Just open up – and let them in, so they can love you. That’s the greatest gift we can give our kids.

Books to review:
The Myth of the Perfect Mother: Parenting Without Guilt
Motherhood Without Guilt: Being the Best Mother You Can Be and Feeling Great About It
Motherhood: The Guilt That Keeps On Giving
A Woman’s Spiritual Retreat: Teaching, Meditations, and Rituals to Celebrate Your Authentic Feminine Wisdom

(*I do not want to belittle the emotional trauma that some Mothers impose on their children – there is a time and a place to do that healing/recovery – and it should be done.)

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Filed under: Life, boy by SusieJ - 4 Comments →

If you want to see the picture of the black, furry, slimy thing — who woud? — I know curiosity. I’ve loaded it here, bottom of the page. By the way — it just kind of rolled apart in several pieces when we tried to grab it.

Bookmark to:

Hide Sites

Filed under: Laugh, Life by SusieJ - No Comments →

This is the expensive Christmas gift I received that I’m learning to “accept”.
1) My husband’s Hanes T-Shirts are not fashion accessories.
2) The one and only pair of jeans I own do fit – but are not cut for my body type.
3) The black-angora sweater from Henri Bendel my husband bought me when he proposed is staying in my closet; although it is not longer in. It’s staying along with my Grandma’s nightgown that smells like her, and my Mom’s washcloths that I pulled out of her house when she died. It smells like the home I can never visit again.
4) The first dress I bought at Express that I could fit into after delivering a baby 11 years ago is “not a keeper.”
5) Many of the items I’ve been wearing as PJs, are actually fashionable everyday clothes.
6) The black velvet floor-length skirt with the elastic waistband that I used to wear to parties while pregnant is “not a keeper.”
7) It’s one thing to know what’s in; it’s another to know what your body type is.
Just because I do yoga once a day does not mean I need to wear my yoga pants all day.
9) Wash new clothes in vinegar to “set the dye” to help prevent fading.
10) It’s not cheating to take digital pictures of your outfits and look at them before you get dressed.

The only reason I have some of the clothes left in my closet is because I need something to wear until I go shopping.

And about the guilt I’m feeling about all of this: I do hate shopping, and I never buy things for my self. However, I love the German Girl’s attitude when it comes to pampering Mom. She writes about her recent MOM’s group meeting, complete with a fashion consultant, massage therapist and hair stylist. (You should read about what she learned about shampoo.) Put your own oxygen mask on first. How can we pamper others when we learned how to do it for ourselves? No more playing the martyr. I have a life to live.

How fitting that my favorite newspaper, The Wall Street Journal, www.wsj.com
wrote an article about fashion today. In an interview by ALESSANDRA GALLONI with Miuccia Prada “On Conquering Fahion Probia.” She says, “Some say it’s about seduction, but I think that’s limiting. What you wear is how you present yourself to the world…”

The typical next step is to go to a better department store (Not Victoria’s Secret) to be fitted properly for foundation pieces – bras, undergarments. However, I have always had my bras fitted properly, so I get to skip that step.

So next, the consultant will take me shopping for my all-year lightweight basic black wool suit. It will, and should, eat most of my wardrobe budget. But this is something I will wear often, for two-three years, in differing forms. Our first stop is Banana Republic, and we’ll move on from there.

MORE Pinkerton Files Blog explains virtual shopping in the future, with 3D body scans. An eye-popping story about shopping for the perfect size “0″ in Asia where “eating disorders are a legitimate form of weight control” on Ranting on the ROK.

Books to Review:
What Not to Wear
Dress Your Best: The Complete Guide to Finding the Style That’s Right for Your Body
What You Wear Can Change Your Life

Bookmark to: