Going, Going...Gone!

by Kristen

Okay everyone are you ready to try something new and fun? How about some "economy shopping"? Thanks to Tiffani at http://paulandtiff.blogspot.com/ for sharing this! (I copied it directly from her blog).

Video Courtesy of KSL.com

What is a nickel Auction? Watch this video to find out.


Here are the rules that they listed on KSL under the video:

Those attending can bring whatever they want to try to sell (items you are going to give to goodwill, grocery items you really aren't going to consume, bottles of lotions or bath essentials, partially used scrapbooking supplies, clothing, books, home décor, etc.)

Since all good gatherings require good food, everyone brings a potluck dish to share.

As you arrive, you sign up for a selling slot.

Participants sell in the order they arrive. Each seller has a 10 minutes time limit. All bids start at five cents and bids need to be dividable by 5 (no 38 cent bids, here!). You can jump the bidding, but the amount must be dividable by five. The bidding can go as high as the bidders are willing to go, no limits. *Some auctions opt to allow the seller to set a starting bid.

For timing purposes, no commentary about the item being sold is allowed (Example: "I bought this three years ago, my daughter loves it," etc.)

Once the item is bid out, toss the item to the winning bidder and someone (working as scribe) writes down the name of the person and the price they committed to.

Then the next item starts, same process!

When that seller is all done, the scribe shouts out the totals for all the winning bidders, they put their money in a bucket of sorts that gets passed around the room (like a collection plate) and it all goes to that seller.

The next seller starts.

So do you wanna give it a try?

Reading the comments about this on KSL was very interesting.

Mother's Day Miscellany

by Emily

I've been a mother for a few years now. Nothing compared to my sisters' experience as mothers, and especially nothing compared to my mother and mother-in-law's experience. [I can't imagine what it will be like to be mother to older children, and I DON'T want to imagine it! Wah!] Still, I spend a lot of time thinking about motherhood. What it means to me, how it changes a woman. I read books about it.

I am it, I guess.

This is just to say to my own mother and other mothers out there, I love you. My appreciation and understanding of the magnitude of your sacrifice, love, service and devotion, and priceless worth grows deeper each year.

Some women hate mother's day. I think I can understand the complexities it holds for many of us, mothers or not. I can imagine the many ways it could be a rough day for people with different experiences than mine. It makes me ache for them.

This year I am helping organize a small gift for all the women who go to church on Sunday. It is small. But just planing this makes me excited and gets me thinking about all the women I know and love, and their unique role in my life. I love being a part of this gesture to honor them, mothers or not.

I am looking at mother's day this year as a way to show honor and reverence for the role of mother. I am thankful for a loving God whose plan included mothers. I am thankful for the mother He gave me.

I wait with anticipation for my sister-in-law Erin to become a mother. There is something so special and magical about that first time, the transition into Motherhood. I think Erin may very well be the best mother I'll ever know. First of all (not first in importance though), she is pretty, and beautiful, and cute.

Beautiful, Radiant, Gorgeous. Woman!

[ It is so gratifying to look at your mommy and feel that she is "the most beautiful girl in the whole world". I always felt that way about my own mother, still do.]

Second of all Erin is giving, kind, generous, selfless, nurturing, thoughtful, cheerful, long suffering, fun, loving, beloved, love, love, love ,love, love. She really is all those things. All those loves.

Sometimes she asks me for advice, and that makes me feel good.

I know what I am talking about because I have a wonderful mother.
I love you, Mom. I don't know if I can do it as well as you did it, but I keep trying.

Pee Pee Face

The other day, Rocio, my wonderful housekeeper, told me that I need to have another baby and then right after the baby is born, for 2 months, put my pee on my face to get rid of my sun spots. She said she did it and it worked. But only right after the baby is born. Actually, I wasn't sure if she meant my pee or the baby's pee (language barrier) but I am pretty sure she meant that I should use my own. Pee. On my face.

She also told me she can get some cream from Mexico for me that will make me look like a bloated monster for 3 days but then after a month my skin will all fall off and then I will have gorgeous new skin. Only $100.

This was unsolicited, by the way. I was minding my own business, it's not like I asked her "what do you think about my skin? Do you think it needs some pee?"

I have heard lots of crazy folk wisdom, especially when I lived in Russia, but this may top them all.

Next time you see someone with flawless skin, remember: they may be a pee pee face.

Gracias!

by Melissa
A few years back, someone came to visit our family. They generously brought gifts for my children. As the kids opened them, I sat waiting, and waiting, and waiting....thinking, I'm sure I'll here that "magic word"... I don't want to tell them to say thanks! I kept waiting. The silence was deafening. I was certain our guests had concluded we were raising snotty, snooty little thankless children.

From that day on, we've started something new. We practice being awesome receivers.

First we talk about how exciting it is to get a gift, how curious you are and the many ways you try to figure out what is inside...
Next, we talk about the last gift they gave, how fun it was to pick out that Tinkerbell make up set, or the Star Wars Lego set... We talk about how fun it is to give a surprise and how anxious the giver feels to know if the "getter" likes what they chose. We imagine how it would feel to watch their friend open the gift and toss it aside. Yuck! That is awful! Then, we imagine how it would feel to watch the "getter" open the gift and shout "Wow! How did you know I love Tinkerbell! Is this makeup? I love getting glitter all over me! Terrific! Thanks!" Wow, that feels cool huh? This brings up the point that gift giving takes 2, and both people should enjoy the unwrapping/surprise opening part.

Last of all, we practice. We decided the nicest thing to hear was something great about the gift, or what the "getter" liked about it, we focused on finding something positive in everything. So, what is a great response for fun gifts and not so exciting gifts...

• Computer game? "Awesome! This will be fun to learn how to play!"

• Clip on earrings? "Oh Terrific! I've really wanted my ears pierced, these are great!"

• Books? "Wow, you must know how much I like to read!"

• Underwear? "Wow! I can always use new underpants!" (I think one of them once said, "Cool, my bum just keeps growing!") (nice.)

• Socks? "Goodness, I will really use these, Mom never folds the socks!"

• Barbie markers for a 10 year old boy? "Cool, I can share these with my sisters!" :)

You get the idea. Another important thing we talked about, is that sometimes, you don't know what it is! You open it, and everyone is watching you and you are madly trying to figure out what you are holding--- but you have to say something. Starting out with WOW always works for our kids. It buys you time to figure out what is in your hands and think of something positive about it!

• Shampoo? "Great! I wash my hair all the time, I bet this smells yummy!"

Teaching my kids "auto-responses" for gift receiving has relieved a major panic attack waiting to happen as well as relieved the pressure they feel as the "getter" . Plus, they actually do it on their own pretty well now, and they don't have to say lame things like "Wow! Green pants. That will match--- the grass."

A few questions...

by Kristen



We Bossy sisters have our own little forum just for keeping in touch with each other. We discuss things our Bossy audience may not be interested in, and perhaps might be TMI to share with everyone. A few years ago, one of the Bossy sisters posted these questions to get our feed-back. I was just rereading some of our posts and came across this and thought it would be interesting to get our reader's insights. I have added a few questions as well as the originals.


Please share your thoughts on these issues (or just the ones you want to address):



How do you feel about 2 piece swim suits? Is there an ok age and a not ok age?



What about tank tops or sleeveless dresses?



What about toe rings, anklets, or excessive jewelry?



How old is old enough for ears pierced? (obviously a girl, but you can tell me for a boy too.)



When did you tell your children how babies are born? Did you go into the conception process or just the birth thing?



Is soda ok? Caffeinated?



Rub on tatoos? or is that Rub off tatoos? :)



How old for make-up and shaving legs?



Should you ever interfere with or address your children's music preferences? Why or why not?



How do you address teenage modesty for boys (i.e. 6 inches of underwear showing above the waistline)?



Do you or would you ever read your kid's journal? Why or why not?



Do you cater to picky eaters?



I can't wait to read your comments!

Say What?

by Emily

Can you relate to this story?



I'm 30 years old, and today--just today--I realized I've had it wrong all these years. Stay with me here. Today I was at Big Lots, and I saw something kind of like this
<----------------
And it reminded of me of this story.










When Robin had her first baby (sweet Hannah!) she hung in her nursery a tole painting that said:

"Love Bears All Things"
and I remember there being little teddy bears painted on it.

I thought, "Oh, it is cute because it is baby-ish, and teddy bears are cute." But I also, secretly, thought it was kind of stupid.

Of course, I was seeing the teddy bears, and therefore reading it like this:
Love bears, (notice the assumed comma) All things

I thought a lot about this as a 9 yr old. I wondered, "But does one really love bears? And if one does, is it accurate to assume that the love of All things will then follow?" And then I would conclude, "That's just stupid."

Maybe I need to read this book. Though mildly humorous sounding, I mostly think it would be boring to read now. I don't want to read a large book about comma use.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things...

That's not stupid at all. It's beautiful. And today I just figured that out.

Cheap Date Part 2: Poisson et Snowflake Addiction

Last week I shared some fun, free things to do with the family. Today we're headed to the World Wide Web to have some more free fun.

First, for the little kids:

Around here, we love noggin.com. It's entertaining (features all of your little kids' favorite TV characters) and it's safe for your children, educational and free.

A screen capture from poissonrouge. Every single item is clickable and leads to a game.

We also love poissonrouge, which is a great French site (and you don't need to speak French to use it). Poisson Rouge means Red Fish, fyi.

Starfall is a great educational site. Fun games teach letters and reading. They also have printable material and you can order teaching materials from them, too.

Now for the adults. Make-a-flake! Technically, your kids can do this too, but you will love it and get addicted. (You will know you are too into it if you feel annoyed when your children make inferior snowflakes, and you can't wait until it's your turn.) Give it a try. See if you can cut shapes, letters, etc into the snowflake. It's an excellent way to put off housework.

We are always looking for new babysitters educational sites for the kids and better ways to put off housework, so if you know of any, please share.

To Vax or not to Vax

By Melissa

Last week, I sat in the pediatrician's office, watching my 3 healthy children play with blocks. I was hemming and hawing about which shots, if any, we should get during this "well child" visit.

My first few children were vaccinated on the recommended schedule. Never any real worries, just sadness over the pain. I'd done a lot of reading and concluded it was right for us. Eve came along with a special set of worries and we did her shots a bit different, making sure she had what was most critical and delaying the ones that might cause problems or we deemed least necessary, but she ended up getting everything over time.

FF to Lily. At 20 something months she had a set of shots. Nothing seemed wrong, no obvious fever, but when she woke from her nap she wouldn't stand, at all. She wouldn't bear any weight on her leg. No walking, no crawling, hardly any moving her leg... I was freaked out! (Of course, it was a Friday afternoon. Why do all things questionable happen on Fridays?) Anyway, we kept a close eye on her. 2 weeks later she was back to walking but still limping and our doctor suggested we not finish up that series.

So here I sit, watching my sweet Henry, who at 18 months has only had a handful of shots (and a minor (major to a mother) reaction with the last set) and I concluded-- no shots today. (again!) We'll start to catch up next time... with this baby, the maternal instinct has been loud and clear-- hold off, go slow! My doctor has been understanding, and even supportive. I love her.

When the doctor came in, she looked over his records. I told her my plan: MMR at 2. I can do that. I'm comfortable with that. She then said, in the way a friend talks to a friend, "Melissa, I admitted a child for Mumps this morning. A child who was out, playing with those same blocks in the waiting room. ---And the next county over has an Measels outbreak! Measels Melissa!"

And I looked at my baby. And I panicked. What is worse, worrying about possible side effects to vaccinations given to millions of kids, or worrying about my son getting a serious illness I could have prevented. I started to sweat.

I suppose this post could be about determining the voice of fear vs trusting your instinct or listening to God Given Promptings... It is about figuring out what is right for your baby. It isn't easy.

We got an email this week about Gardasil, and it made me wonder how I'll handle that one when the time comes. Hopefully, I'll have answers and be able to listen for them.

And, for what it is worth, I'm not providing any support either way. On purpose. After doing hours and hours of research, I have yet to find a good, solid, unbiased source pro-vax or anti-vax. I'd love to hear your take on it, and what helped you decide... however, all the discussions, IRL and online have been heated. Let's be civil. :)

And the WINNER is....

by Emily

Remember my cool friend Chiska and her awesome give-away?

...drum roll please....

...watch this inspiring YouTube video entitled "CREATE" while we draw a commentator's name out of a Top Hat...




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...and the Winner is...............NICOLE!

Congratulations! Nicole said:
"I am happy to know I am not the only one with projects that are not finished! I have been inspired to dig some of them out and maybe start something new. I love seeing the things really creative people make! It makes me think in a whole new direction."


Nicole, hopefully you'll enjoy the little crafty gift Chiska will be sending your way. Can you make yourself known? Do you know one of the Bossy Sisters? If so, email one of us, so that we can get your address to Chiska for a package of cheer to be sent your way.

Nicole's comment was linked to a great recipe blog called Recipe Box. Check it out!

Thank you to everyone for your comments. Remember, Comments = Chocolate for bloggers

Know My Struggles - Know Me

by Kristen

I remember someone once saying that you don't really know another person until you know what their struggle is. I think there is a lot of truth to that. Well, I won't bother you with all my struggles, not only would you not want to hear them, I don't want to share them all. But I will share one struggle; the one that has probably taught me the most as a parent thus far (of course, I am learning new lessons daily with a 16 year old in the house now).



This is my son, Rocky.

He is an amazing child! He is funny, happy, hard-working, independent, and confident. Now. But he wasn't always. In fact, for most of his younger childhood he was clingy, insecure, and frustratingly moody. I confess that when he was about 3 years old, I couldn't stand him. Literally, I had moments where I truly felt like I hated this child. Pretty strong, huh? Well, that was it, it was a strong and disturbing emotion that was intertwined with a deep, nurturing, and heart-breaking love for this struggling little boy.

He was a child who would stand in line to ride the merry-go-round at the fair for 20 minutes, then cop out at the moment it was time to get on the ride. He was a child who would only wear "lightening" socks from Shopko and they had to "feel" just right. We went almost two years where he wore nothing but blue jeans and a plain white t-shirt (ages 5-6). He was the one who would get ready for school, then just as the bus came around the corner he would get all morose and drag his feet till he missed the bus. In fact, as he got older, he sabotaged all efforts to get him to school, including undressing in the car on the way to school. I remember him saying one day that he wished his school would explode and that he would die and the whole school would just die. He was only in 4th grade.

The winter of 2006 I noticed him washing his hands an extreme amount and his hands were red and bleeding. We had taught him to sing the "ABC" song twice while he lathered his hands, and he was consistently obedient about that.

One morning I just observed his behavior, it went something like this. Woke up, went into bathroom, washed hands ("ABC" thing), went to bathroom, washed hands, got undressed for shower, washed hands, got towel ready on rack, washed hands, took shower, got out and dried off, washed hands, brushed teeth, washed hands, got dressed, washed hands, came downstairs, washed hands, got breakfast cereal, washed hands, ate breakfast, washed hands, etc. You get the drift. I called the school nurse and she referred him to the school counselor. Later that day the counselor called me and said she had visited with him and thought he might be depressed. "WHAT?!" "No", I thought, "he might be compulsive, but not depressed." That night I googled "childhood depression". The page said that if your child displays 3 or more of the 14 characteristics for more than 3 months, they may be depressed. Rocky had 11 symptoms, and had had them for most of his life.

I took him to the doctor. I took him to a child psychologist. We got him on Zoloft. Three months later while at a med check, I told the doctor what an amazingly different child he was! The doctor said, "Let me introduce you to your son." This is who he is, if his brain produced and held on to the correct balance of chemicals for the correct amount of time, this is who my son would be.

Rocky is a joy in my life! I am amazed by him and the things he does now. Bossy sister Robin can attest to the day we went skiing and Rocky got on the chairlift, by himself, and I stood in the lodge and cried. I couldn't believe his growth and independence.

Now our lives are richer, happier. He is confident and outgoing. The winter "blahs" are still very real in our home, but we are better prepared to cope with them.

Here are some of the things we have enjoyed in the past few years:

Lake Powell with friends.

Wake-boarding

Swimming in Florida, with the sharks (no kidding).

Boating and wake-boarding with friends.

Universal studios where Rocky rode "The Mummy" (awesome ride!) and convinced me to ride "The Hulk" with him.

Bridge-jumping at the cabin.

Oh my! That's a long drop!

Riding the ferris wheel at Santa Monica Pier.

What I have learned is this, we must keep our minds open to the amazing potential our children have, even when they struggle and seem to be lost causes. Utilize the resources available to us, love them, and embrace every good moment!