Jan. 14, 2008 - Lessons Learned in the Laundry Room

originally from http://www.mops.org/page.php?pageid=...e=body&src=647

Lessons Learned in the Laundry Room By Lori Poppinga

We recently bought a new washer and dryer. I had only done a load or two before I realized the bell signaling a completed load of laundry sounded pleasant. A gentle ding dong … ding dong … ding dong … one note slightly higher than the other, loud enough to not be ignored but pleasant, almost compelling. Come to … the dryer … fold clothes … load more. I actually didn’t mind progressing from one phase of laundry to another.

My old dryer’s alarm sounded harsh and abrasive. A loud continuous “blaaaat” screamed to me, “GET IN HERE NOW AND DO LAUNDRY.” Not inviting in the least.

After comparing my old dryer signal with the new, I wondered what type of signal I send my children when chores need to be done.

Was I sweet and melodious, enticing them to complete chores in a timely fashion or harsh and abrasive, demanding action now? I didn’t like the answer. I start out sweet and melodious only to digress into harsh and abrasive when chores aren’t accomplished quickly.

I also noticed the children wait for the harsh tone before responding. They knew I wasn’t really serious until I changed my approach, but by that time neither one of us was happy about chores: with the children mumbling about how I always yelled and with me grumbling about asking them three times to complete their tasks.

We seemed to be at an impasse.

I looked to my laundry room for answers and found four things I could implement:

Lesson #1: The persistent attention grabbing tone only beckoned to me if I were within hearing distance. I realize this one might seem obvious, but I have had children tell me they did not hear my directions when standing three feet from me. Were they lying? Probably not. They were simply focused on something else at the time. I needed to get their attention and then, let them know what needed to be done.

Lesson #2: The pleasant tone of the dryer encouraged me to do laundry. I need to keep my tone pleasant so my children will associate a pleasant attitude with doing chores. Like it or not, my children exhibit the same attitude towards chores as I do.

Lesson #3: The dryer didn’t change tones if I didn’t get the clothes folded immediately. I would simply receive another ringing reminder in ten minutes. My dryer gave me more grace than I gave my children. I need to step back and give them time to obey after making sure they heard my instructions.

Lesson #4: If I didn’t get the clothes when the dryer dinged, consequences occurred. My clothes would get wrinkled if left in the dryer, stinky if left in the washer and not done at all if I didn’t move them from the laundry basket to the machine. Likewise, my children need to experience real consequences when they do not complete their chores.

Now every time my dryer beckons me to change another load with the melodious ding dong, I remember the laundry room lessons, “get my children’s attention, speak sweetly, give them time to complete the task, and follow through with consequences when the work does not get done.” Simple? Yes. Easy? no!


A pastor’s wife from Northwest Iowa, Lori and her husband, Jeff, have eight children ranging in age from three to 15 years old. Lori attends the local MOPS group in Rock Rapids with her three-year-old daughter, Selah. She recently completed her first freelance project with Group Publishing, Inc. and has had articles accepted by Proverbs 31 Woman and Hearts at Home.

Oct. 1, 2007 - Selling on eBay

Wow!  I can't believe it's been over 2 months since I last blogged.  WHERE HAVE I BEEN?!?!

I started working at Winn Dixie (a grocery store chain down south) in March.  I recently got promoted to one of the cashier managers, so I've been pretty busy with that.  When I took the job I only expected to be working 18-21 hours a week, but now I work closer to 24-34 hours a week.  I took the job to help pay for some stuff around the house, like getting our leaky roof repaired, putting sod in the front yard, and helping pay for my husband going back to school.  Between him doing school work, and me working (when he's home to watch the kids) I don't much time to see him anymore, but it's not about the quantity, but the quality... right?  right?

And in my "spare time" I've recently decided to put a long-time hobby of mine to work on eBay.  I'm selling handmade floral barrettes.  Here's the link to the listing of all my barrettes.  Of anyone's interested, I can do special orders, like for birthday party favors, weddings, or anything!  Just send me an email either on here, or through eBay and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZegghead96

Jul. 17, 2007 - Tag... I'm It

Here's my Tag Info..... Below that you'll find the "official rules of tag"

1.  My 4 y.o. son got 2 stiches TODAY on his forehead for falling down in the street on the way to see our neighbor's goat.

2.  I can flare my nose.

3.  My dream is to become a writer or an editor.

4.  My husband is writing a screenplay for Spiderman.  He basically has it done, he's in the finaly stages of typing it out.

5.  I hate folding socks... it was almost a punishment for me growing up, so I still dread it to this day.  Right now I have a large laundry basket full of socks waiting to be folded.

6.  I live about 30 minutes away from the beach but rarely go... Last time I actually walked on the beach it was over a year ago and on my wedding anniversary.

7.  I love sunflowers, they make me happy.

8.  I watch Sesame Street so often with my children that when I hear some songs on the radio I sing the Sesame Street version instead of the original... anybody familiar with Alicia Keyes' "Falling" or better known on Sesame Street as "Danicin"????

______________________________________________

1. If you're tagged you must post the rules

2. You post your 8 random facts

3. At the end of your blog, you tag someone else and they must post thier random facts

4. You leave your chosen people a comment telling them they've been tagged

Jul. 13, 2007 - Tiny Bubbles

You and your child can send clouds of tiny bubbles skyward with this quick trick.

CRAFT MATERIALS:

Drinking straws 

Tape 

Dishwashing liquid 

Light corn syrup (or glycerin)

TIME NEEDED: 30 Minutes or Less

1. Instead of a traditional bubble wand, use a number of drinking straws bound together with a few pieces of tape.

2. Dip one end of the bundle into a shallow dish of bubble solution (you can make your own by combining 1 cup of water with 1/3 cup of Dawn or Joy dishwashing liquid and 2 tablespoons of light corn syrup or glycerin), then blow through the straws, being careful not to let the solution run down the straws to your mouth.

3. The cluster of straws will produce scores of diminutive bubbles 

** This information taken from http://jas.familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=11202

Jul. 6, 2007 - Total MOMsense

Here's a pretty funny bit - available on www.anitarenfroe.com. It's everything a mom says in 24 hours condensed to 2 minutes and 55 seconds and sung to the William Tell Overture. Every mom does this same "song - just probably not quite this fast.

See the video on YouTube at http://youtube.com/watch?v=VlY8STkhopc   SOOOOOO FUNNY!!

Jul. 5, 2007 - An Encouraging Word

Psalm 7:8-9

“The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me.

Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end: but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.”

From Today’s Christian Woman- Encouraging Words  www.TodaysChrisitanWoman.com

Nothing is hidden from God—this can be either terrifying or comforting. Our thoughts are an open book to him. Because he knows even our motives, we have no place to hide, no way to pretend we can get away with sin. But that very knowledge also gives us great comfort. We don't have to impress God or put up a false front. Instead, we can trust God to help us work through our weaknesses in order to serve him as he has planned. When we truly follow God, he rewards our effort.

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Jul. 2, 2007 - How to Coupon Effectively

About 6 months ago I heard of a man who conduct an experiment to see how many free samples he could get from companies. He sent out letters to every manufacturer he could think of and requested that they send him some coupons or free samples. After reading of the success of his efforts, I conducted my own sort of experiment and was surpirsed by the results.

Since I'm the type of person who will do anything for a deal, it didn't bother me to write letters to companies and request items frome them. After all, the worst thing they could do is say "no" to my requests, or just ignor them all together. I've found that many companies desire to gain loyal customers, and they will often send out tokens of appreciation for consumers who enjoy their products.

Here are my tips for individuals wishing to contact companies:

- Snail mail is an option, although it will obviously cost you the amount of a stamp, paper, enevelope, etc. And I found a few times that the coupons companies sent me didn't get me any profit. Why should I be excited about a 35 cent off coupon when I spent 41 cents on the stamp? That's why I suggest emaling or telephone calls.

- Emailing is a simple and easy way to contact companies. Often major companies will have their company websites printed on the container. Simply find the "contact us" page and you will be ready to send an email.

1. Be sure to including your name, address, and phone number in correspondance. Not all companies will have a fill-in form for this.
2. Be bold! Ask for the moon and stars. I've requested coupons, free samples, receipe booklets, and promotional materials. While not every company is as generous as the next you can get some great items. I've received pens and flashlights from Dr. Pepper, 4 tubes of chapstick from the Chapstick company, and Free item coupons from Mission Foods (makers of tortillas, and chips).
3. Finally tell the company why you like/dislike the product. If you haven't ever tried the product before be honest and let them know you'd like to try it but want an incentive.

- Sign up on websites for their clubs and newsletters. Often you'll be the first to receive coupons, learn of promotions, and be entered to win prizes.

- Join online communities of other couponers to find out about promotions, free products, and swap coupons. I've saved several hundred dollars this year alone thanks to the loyal friends I've made on www.vickysdeals.com

 

While advice listed above may sound time-consuming it will benefit you greatly when it comes time to go shopping at the grocery store.

May. 31, 2007 - Unwritten

I am unwritten, can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning, the pen's in my hand, ending unplanned

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your innovations

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

I break tradition, sometimes my tries, are outside the lines
We've been conditioned to not make mistakes, but I can't live that way

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten

Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words that you could not find

Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inner visions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins

Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten

May. 25, 2007 - No Bowls About It

May. 25, 2007 - Tossed Salad

May. 10, 2007 - Why We Love Cinderella

Apr. 27, 2007 - Still Waters Run Deep

Apr. 27, 2007 - A Woman Jesus Can Teach

Apr. 26, 2007 - I'm Baby Stepping

I met with a counselor today. He was so good. Getting me to talk about certain things, helping me to understand other things. He said something that really hit home-- Paradigms. I grew up in one paradigm and my husband grew up in another paradigm. Since I was basically unaware that my husband's paradigm existed I didn't know how to handle it. Could I trust it. Actually hearing that there could be a family unit that actually did love unconditionally was amazing.

You see, when I grew up I was the type of person that didn't rock the boat. So basically, I didn't know if I could be loved unconditionally, it wasn't proven to me. Based upon the actions of my parents I'm not loved unconditionally, otherwise they would treat me differently. My husband's family DOES love unconditionally and shouts it from the roof tops. They ask about feeling and things like that all the time. Because I'm not used to that background I'm unsure and untrusting of it. My goal know is to try and realize that my husband's family is actually an example of a HEALTHY family, instead of some foreign concept.

If you have ever seen the movie What About Bob? with Bill Murray and Richard Dreyfuss then you understand the phrase "Baby Steps". In the movie the phsychiatrist tells Bill Murray's character to not worry about getting from point A to point B, but rather take each step one at a time.

That's what I have to do right now. Look at where I'm coming from and where I need to get. How I get there might take a little time, but as long as "I'm doing the work" as Bob puts it, I WILL make progress. I CAN do this.

Apr. 19, 2007 - "Me and God" by Josh Turner

Josh Turner – “Me And God Lyrics” (feat. Ralph Stanley and Diamond Rio), from the "Your Man" album

Streaming audio available at http://countrymusic.about.com/od/audiovideo/a/jt_meandgod.htm

Lyrics courtesy of http://www.seeklyrics.com/lyrics/Josh-Turner/Me-And-God.html

 
There ain't nothing that can't be done
By me and God
Ain't nobody come in between me and God
One day we'll live together
Where the angels trod
Me and God

Early in the morning talking it over
Me and God
Late at night talking it over
Me and God
You could say where like two peas in a pod
Me and God

He's my Father
He's my friend
The beginning
And the end
He rules the world
With a staff and rod
We're a team
Me and God

I am weak and he is strong
Me and God
He forgives me when I'm wrong
Me and God
He's the one I lean on
When life gets hard
Me and God

He's my Father
He's my friend
The beginning
And the end
He rules the world
With a staff and rod
We're a team
Me and God

He rules the world
With a staff and rod
We're a team
Me and God

We're a team
Me and God

Apr. 18, 2007 - "Tough" by Craig Morgan

I heard this song on the radio yesterday and just had to share the lyrics.  I wish I was as strong as the woman in this song.

"Tough" sung by Craig Morgan, from the album "Little Bit of Life"

She’s in the kitchen at the crack of dawn
Bacon’s on, coffee’s strong
Kids running wild, taking off their clothes
If she’s a nervous wreck, well it never shows
Takes one to football and one to dance
Hits the Y for aerobics class
Drops by the bank, stops at the store
Has on a smile when I walk through the door
The last to go to bed, she’ll be the first one up
And I thought I was tough

Chorus
She’s strong, pushes on, can’t slow her down
She can take anything life dishes out
There was a time
Back before she was mine
When I thought I was tough

We sat there five years ago
The doctors let us know, the test showed
She’d have to fight to live, I broke down and cried
She held me and said it’s gonna be alright
She wore that wig to church
Pink ribbon pinned there on her shirt
No room for fear, full of faith
Hands held high singing Amazing Grace
Never once complained, refusing to give up
And I thought I was tough

Chorus
She’s strong, pushes on, can’t slow her down
She can take anything life dishes out
There was a time
Back before she was mine
When I thought I was tough

She’s a gentle word, the sweetest kiss
A velvet touch against my skin
I’ve seen her cry, I’ve seen her break
But in my eyes, she’ll always be strong

There was a time
Back before she was mine
When I thought I was tough

lyrics found on http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/morgan-craig/tough-18380.html

Mar. 30, 2007 - Week 2

Today is week 2 in my adventures in children's sickness.  It's week 2 of my children having a weird stomach virus.  Week 2 of throw-up, the runs, and general stinkiness in the house.

Thankfully it hasn't been a complete 2 full weeks of my THREE CHILDREN AGES 3 1/2, 2 1/2, and 14 months being sick.  Other than the constant diaper/ pull-up changing my children have not really acted as if they were ill.  That's a good thing because I'm not sure if I could handle all three children acting miserable. 

Other than trying to change throw-up covered sheets in the middle of the night without waking up the entire house there have been 2 main cahllanges to overcome: meal-time and the fact that my potty-trained son HAS to wear pull-ups while he is sick.

Let me start out by saying my children eat a ton of food.  They are all really tall for their age, and all look like they are a normal weight (not too chubby, not too skinny).  But they still manage to eat a ton.  Banishing them to bland tasting food like toast and saltine crackers has been particularly difficult, especialy since they love fruits and vegetables.  They are being real troopers about it too.

As I stated earlier, the other main challenge is having to have my oldest son (he'll turn 4 in May)wearing training pants while he is sick.  Sadly we only had Disney Princess training pants in the house (since that is what his sister is using).  He almost cried when I told hom he had to wear the pull-ups.  He wouldn't agree to wearing the training pants until I suggested that we put his Superman underwear on top.  And even then he begged me not to "tell Daddy."

Despite the ups and downs of the past two weeks I take comfort in the fact that my children are generally well.  They haven't acted miserable, and my main mantra is THIS IS JUST TEMPORARY, THIS IS JUST TEMPORARY.

Mar. 22, 2007 - recipe for Electrolyte Drink (similar to Pedialyte)

Mar. 12, 2007 - Sleep, AT LAST!

My 13 month old is FINALLY sleeping through the night.  Okay, so I guess it had to do with weaning him.  He's figured out he's not going to get "any", so why keep waking up?!

It’s doing wonders for my relationship with my DH too.  We’re actually getting to go to bed at the same time, enjoy being in bed (without being interrupted), and wake up next to each other too!  It’s even improving our time together in the evenings, because it isn’t busy trying to get my youngest to sleep… again.  He just stays asleep now!!

It’s also helping me not be so irritable during the day, and helping me not to have as many migraines.  (Of course I think part of the fewer migraines might have something to do with the fact that we are eating less and lighter.  I’ve dropped about 10 pounds and one pant size.  YIPPIE!)

Mar. 9, 2007 - My New Avtar

I just uploaded the cutest avtar, and had to tell you all about it.  The site is http://avatarmaker.abi-station.com/index_en.shtml

To get an idea of how to use it click on the "random" button on the bottom left side.  Or you can click on the options underlined (like body, mouth, eyes, etc) to see options, click on what you want.  It's really cute, and really addicting!  Have fun, ladies!