Daughter's Letter to her Mom

My 6 year old daughter was angry with me today for sending her to her bedroom after she decided to hide from me when it was time for her to come in from playing – she also encouraged her 3 year old brother to do the same thing. While she was in her room thinking about what she had done wrong, she decided to write me a note and it said.

“Dir MoM
Sats U Ban So Min I D SIDiDDiD to snicaw t”

Needless to say I needed some help in deciphering her message to me. She had intended to say “Dear Mom, since you been so mean, I decided to sneak out.” Just like a 6 year old to tell on herself. I explained to her that if she ever sneaked out that she would be grounded for a month, not just 15 minutes or an afternoon. She thought about it and said “I don't think I'll sneak out”.

I'm sure I'll have my hands full with her as she reaches the “teenage years”. If there is anyone out there with suggestions on how to get a 6 year old to listen - I am waiting to hear something that will actually work.

A Day at Phipps Conservatory

Sunday, March 28, 2010


Today was my first full day of restructuring and prioritizing my life. I didn't start the day out too great, I slept in until about 10am. I am usually up no later than 7am. My husband and I decided to take our children (3 and 6) to the Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh since we are a member. Today was a very rainy, dreary day and it seems as if everyone else in Pittsburgh had the same idea to find some nice indoor activities to do with their family as well. A good day for Phipps, but I enjoy it more when there are fewer people.

We stopped on our way to Phipps Conservatory to get some quick food for the kids since it was lunch time for them. Stopping at a fast food restaurant was not my idea, but after taking one look at my burger, I literally laughed until I couldn't breath anymore, with tears streaming down my face and my husband thinking I'm going bonkers. Because a description of how pathetic the sandwich looked is just not enough, I took a picture of it which made my husband think I was even crazier. I lost my appetite and could not eat it.

The ball of lettuce was just too funny on my hamburger from a well known fast food restaurant.

We finally made it to Phipps after missing the first turn and ended up entering Pittsburgh from the opposite side of the city through the Fort Pitt Tunnel (which the kids loved – and I was less than enthusiastic due to the rain slicked road and the traffic). I only grabbed the “oh shit” handle a couple of times and hit the “right sided brakes” a few times, but I feel I did a great job of keeping my comments to myself. My husband can get a “little” upset if I say anything about the traffic. All things aside we had a great day at Phipps Conservatory (what a wonderful place that would be to work). I have some pictures, although I didn't have my Sony Cyber-shot (battery needed charging), and my Pentax K20D does not have a macro lens for close-ups of individual flowers.

Overall, I think I should get a C+ for the day on my assignment to improve my life and my position. The activity did keep me away from the computer games and I really did not miss it that much.

You can check out Phipps at http://phipps.conservatory.org/

Notes from March 11, 2010

1. Eating small amounts every hour will keep your body from crashing - allowing it to break down the sugars throughout the day.

2.  Fruit breaks down more slowly than a lot of foods, keeping you feeling full longer.

3.  People with rich social lives have less than half the rate of memory loss (Dr. Edward M. Hallowell, Harvard).  I guess I need to get out more...

Did You Know?

Did you know that a 2% drop in your bodies H2O can cause a decrease of up to 20% in your energy levels.1

Another great reason to ensure that you are drinking regularly throughout the day.  Often 8 - 8 ounce glasses a day are recommended.

1.  source:  www.spryliving.com
Photo by Jorge Barrios http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain