Owner: I Choose Sanity URL:http://www.sanechoice.blogspot.com Join Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2007 21:40:34 -0600 Rating:0 Site Description: An at-home mom expresses joys and defeats raising 2 kids and keeping a good marriage on track...with a smile! Site statistics:Click here
I'm Here...Finally! 2008-03-22 20:24:00 So we've had some major computer issues. I've missed writing so badly my journal is loading up quickly, but I guess that's not such a bad thing. But I'm back, and I'm so glad I am!
The hair...we've tried a few things out, a mayonnaise deep treatment (questionable at first but when I started styling it and it dried, it was sooo soft and sooo curly! wow). But today I had my mom twist my hair up Read more:Finally
Empire State Enlightenment 2008-04-08 14:17:00 Well, life has been a little crazy around my way, how about you? The fam and I just returned from a week-long trip to New York City (by way of Springfield Gardens in Queens) and it amazes me how enlightened I become when I am away from it all. It's as though all of the hustle and bustle of my life can be so blaringly overpowering of my own voice. In the midst of the city noise, which I liken to Read more:Empire
, State
, Enlightenment
, Empire State
The Swing of Things 2008-04-21 21:36:00 I'm back and committed, again, to cranking out some kind of blog entry on a daily basis. Some days will be far better than others, but I've got to work myself back into a place where I'm confident about my writing. NOT writing does not build confidence and it sure as heck doesn't help the "practice makes perfect" concept, so here goes.
Some days my husband needs me more than usual. Other days
Just a Closer Walk with Thee 2008-04-23 13:57:00 I started a 5-day fast with my dad's church this Monday because I have been feeling a strong desire to grow closer to God. I prayed the Thursday before that God would guide me in my desire to know Him better and a day or so later my mom told me about the fast. We could choose different time frames in which to fast, so I chose the shortest as I've never done this before. My dad, especially, has
What's with your hair ANYway? 2008-04-22 21:07:00 In November 2007 I was finally ready to cut off my chemically straightened hair to wear my own, God-given curls and coils. People still wonder what on earth I was thinking, afterall, black girls simply do not go cutting off 8 inches of their hair! Our hair doesn't grow quite as fast as other races so the length we do acquire is cherished.
For some reason I cherish my 4 inches far more than I
Making parenthood worth the effort 2008-04-25 21:05:00 Becoming a mother at the ripe old age of 22 was, in hindsight, not the best time to take on the full-time, all encompassing work a child requires. But because she was growing inside me, unless God took her away from me before her birth I was going to be a mommy sometime around Valentine's Day 2001.
At 22, you're supposed to be selfish, you're supposed to stay out partying all night long only to
Eggs, Gas and Milk 2008-04-28 12:57:00 When families start considering a part-time job to buy eggs, gas and milk, you know our economy is in a bad way. I don't know the particulars of what makes a recession a recession, I'm sure Babe does, but my wallet is getting a clearer idea.
When I have to reconfigure my usual grocery list and literally map out an airtight menu for the week I realize that America is, at the very least, close
Music Today 2008-04-29 14:48:00 Just typing the title "MusicToday
" makes me feel like my parents when they would complain about all that "hippity-hoppity", the language of 'gangsta rap', and the booty-shakin' half-dressedness of the R&B and pop musicians. I suppose I'm old now, in terms of my opinion of today's musical talent - or lack thereof.
After raving reviews from my sister about Leona Lewis I decided to listen to her
Swimming isn't just "for" white kids 2008-05-05 12:05:00 Today after my first jaunt back to the gym after being a bit under the weather, yet again, I read an article about a young, black world champion swimmer Cullen Jones. Jones is involved in the "Make a Splash" organization that teaches minority kids to swim. It was intriguing to me because I don't know how to swim and I desperately want my babies to be like little fishies to water, plus Babe and Read more:Swimming
Nas is back on the preschool track 2008-05-06 14:21:00 Yesterday was a really good, albeit busier than sin, day. Nas, my brilliant, funny, extremely active 3 year old started preschool - again - and it seems my assumption about our relationship was accurate. Have time from child, enjoy being around child more. I had three fabulous hours to fill anyway I saw fit and last night as we neared bedtime that kid didn't annoy me the way he often can.
He
She's ready so PUSH 2008-05-07 14:01:00 Last night I had an interesting dream. I was in labor with what apparently was my third child evident by the presence of Jay and Nas. It was a long labor that was unaffected by any amount of pushing I did. I recall pushing from my stomach thinking "I'm not doing ab work, I gotta crank this kid out." So I did what I'd heard the nurses on "A Baby Story" tell their patients to do and pushed from Read more:ready
I'm beginning to feel sick 2008-05-30 14:03:00 I guess with the previous post on "pregnancy" and the title of this post, it can seem I've got my mind on the woes of being with child. No, not so much. Been there, done that, got 2 kids to show for it.
I'm referring to the nausea I feel whenever Babe has the remote in hand. Somewhere along the campaign trail he became the 24-hour tracker of all-things political and it is driving me
I'm planning a trip and I'm taking... 2008-06-03 13:40:00 Babe and I need a vacation. The last time we were able to just enjoy being together without the kiddos was...gosh, aside from little overnight stays at nearby hotels and business trips I'd take with him, the last real vacation we had was on the Baltic Sea cruise. That was in 2005, Nas wasn't even walking! So we decided it is time. Once you decide you're going to do it, you have to figure out Read more:planning
What's on my mind? 2008-06-05 16:46:00 I had a strong urge to write here today but I didn't know what to write. Babe told me to focus on whatever is on my mind, but I knew the one thing on my mind and is not all that positive. Not that I'm happy-go-lucky Natalie, I'm pretty cynical and pessimistic a lot of the time, but today I've felt a cloudy overcast and I just need to hammer this thing out. Bear with me.
At what point do you
Goodbye First Grade 2008-06-09 14:48:00 I've been a mommy for nearly 8 years now - including the day I found out I was pregnant - and it still amazes me to see how fast my babies are growing up. With each passing milestone I find it a challenge to let go and let my kids grow into the people God intended them to be.
Today we went to Jay's school for the class party celebrating the last day of school and it occurred to me that this Read more:Goodbye
, First
, Grade
When politics brought me to tears 2008-06-11 13:46:00 I guess there are plenty of opportunities in a week's time to be brought to tears by all that is going on in American politics
- even before all of the campaigning for presidency started. GW has Bushwhacked us in what seems to be every possible way and no one in the current administration appears to give a rat's butt. This current administration is enough to make a girl cry, heck, a horse cry.
Plus size? Since WHEN? 2008-06-16 14:21:00 As I sat on the couch flipping through a magazine I overheard a term applied to a Hollywood actress and I quickly lost focus on the book: ...Plus sized actress America Ferrera. Have you seen America Ferrera? Did you happen to spot her on the cover of Glamour magazine a few months back?? Did you happen to read the article about her in said magazine? Okay, did you notice she's a size 6?
Well if
Pushing 30 - HARD! 2008-06-17 14:03:00 I was born on September 21, 1978, and at no point in my life do I recall age being more than just a number. As I approach 30, faster and faster every day, I don't feel any different about the big 3-0. A friend of mine struggled with her 30th last year, thought her life would be much different by this milestone. But for me 30 just means it's my turn to live life a bit more for myself than I was Read more:Pushing
Can a regular girl find "IT" without traveling the globe? 2008-06-19 13:41:00 Elizabeth Gilbert is an incredibly talented writer. She has a knack for making each beautiful experience your favorite flower and each disappointment your first heartbreak. I've never read writing as solid as hers in "Eat, Pray, Love."
As I read today I found myself wondering how a regular
girl could find her own "EPL" experience. I (and most girls I know) can't afford to t
Back on the wagon 2008-06-23 22:59:00 If you have ever judged someone because of their addiction, try not to do it again. When it occurred to me that I have an issue with food it made it became crystal-clear all that addicts must endure, on a different scale. This week, after far too long, I am finally back on the wagon. And 'rehab' is a bumpy ride.
We all have our own 'addictions' whether they drive us to steal, overeat, cheat,
Will you marry me? 2008-06-23 17:13:00 On August 31, 2001, Babe took me and Jay to dinner at the restaurant where we had our first date. It was there that he asked me to marry him, in so many words. See, Babe isn't your traditional kind of guy, he prefers to buck the system in most areas of his life and his proposal was no different. Instead of "Will you marry me?" It was more along the lines of, "Will you spend the r
What's keeping me from blogging? 2008-07-16 13:39:00 What's keeping me from blogging these days? I vowed to write daily, DAILY, many a time before but it always seems to be derailed by something.
"I'm too tired, uninspired, busy, tired..."
Those excuses are lame in just about any situation, but this time I have a really good reason for not sitting my buns down to crank out some verbage. I, MrsB, have been....as Nas would say, "Wai
Too much fun in the sun? 2008-08-12 13:39:00 It's been awhile since I posted an entry here, I really must do better. But when something strikes me as "blog worthy", it'll get more action.
This summer has been really good for me. I have appreciated the heat more than I have in my entire life because last winter was so dreadfully long and cold (in my opinion) and I just felt this overwhelming gloom fall over me the way I have the
Like Coffee for Water? 2008-08-16 18:02:00 My mom drank coffee like an addict when I was growing up. My sister and I were wise enough to know not to get too rambunctious before mom's first cup. My grandmother also drank coffee by the gallons, okay not really, but I grew up recognizing coffee breath.
Today I noticed just how much coffee I've been drinking and starting tomorrow I will get back on my water kick. My rule will be to Read more:Coffee
Crisis can bring you closer 2008-09-09 15:43:00 Crisis can definitely bring you closer
to the one you love, but it can also tear at the very fabric that holds your relationship together. In the past month or so I have found crisis is like a fire: either you will pull your loved one out as you save yourself or the fire will separate the two of you in such a way that might leave one (or both) of you permanently disfigured.
In our case, Babe's Read more:Crisis
No title 2008-09-29 12:02:00 Just when it seems my work as a mother goes unnoticed, something like this comes along in my Inbox. I hope it makes you smile, it made my day! Thanks Ms. Korzan.
When You Thought I Wasn't Looking
When you thought I wasn't looking
You hung my first painting on the refrigerator
And I wanted to paint another.
When you thought I wasn't looking
You fed a
Lesson Learned 2008-10-23 17:25:00 Have you ever been so blind-sided by a friend's comments or behavior toward you that you find it hard to just "let it go"? I have, a few times actually. And being the Virgo that I am I mull things over and over and then, just for good measure, I mull it once again. I think that drives Babe crazy because he's only like that about business and money stuff, whereas 'people' seem easy for Read more:Learned
Writing with 2nd Graders 2008-10-22 16:42:00 From the beginning of the school year I wondered how I could help Jay's 2nd grade teacher with classroom parties or with the kids. When I hadn't heard from Ms. P I started to think maybe she didn't need help or maybe 2nd graders didn't want their "mommies" helping in the classroom. Maybe I was already obsolete in my child's eyes. You know, when the kid thinks the mom is THE biggest ge
Nov. 4th is upon us 2008-10-13 13:30:00 In years past I have not been all that into the political process. It was all a big joke to me, it seemed a way to herd Americans to designated polling places just to hear later their vote didn't even count. Democracy at its best. Needless to say I was cynical about the democratic process and to be honest, I still harbor a bit of that today.
But this election is different for me. I have two
Staying on top of it 2008-10-13 09:40:00 The past few days have been cold, cloudy and required we actually (dare I say it?) turn ON the heat. My feet have been cold, my hands and nose have been icy and it seems I'm on my usual track to 'Glum-ville' as the cold weather sets in.
This weekend I could have been found cemented to the family room couch with a comforter nearby for the moment I caught a chill. I slept at least an extra
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