Today marks my first vlog in over a year AND the first Face-to-Face Monday here at High Impact Mom. Today, I am giving you a look at what I spent my entire day doing {while the kiddos were at school and Stef’s}. In an effort to turn our Family Room into an office Jon and I are moving all of the girls’ toys into their rooms. The problem? They don’t fit. Who are we kidding? They didn’t fit when they took up most of the family room and ALL of their bedrooms. As part of the rearranging I knew there would need to be some major, and rather difficult, choices made…ones I was better off making sans kids. So today I packed KJ up and sent her to Stef’s so I could work unencumbered….6 hours later there is still much to do..but as you can see I made a lot of head way. All of the toys I separated from the pack will go to help families in need through shelters, the state police, and women’s shelters. Anything I have left afterward will be donated to GoodWill of KY. How do you deal with the overflow of toys?
Dear Reader: Head Check
**UPDATE: I took KJ to the doctors today. Turns out I’m insane and the spot is a Birth.Mark. No I am not kidding. I have inflamed it by applying all this lice prevention stuff to her head. But Hey! I’m thrilled it’s not lice 
**
What’s up?! Do you remember saying that when you were younger? Heh. I do. Then of course, it morphed into that atrocious “Waaazzzzuuuuppp”…but I digress…that’s honestly not at all what I had planned to write about. No. Instead I’m going to write about a subject sure to make your heads itch. It has mine.
You see this story started some time ago….
I’m a member of a social media group on FB and about two weeks ago I approached them with what I consider an emergency. You see, I received a phone call from the parent of one of KG’s friends, seems the little person had a case of the “unwanted visitors” {no, I don’t mean in-laws…I kid, I kid}.
Immediately my head starts itching and I start panicking. I can barely hear the child’s parent anymore over roaring going on in my head, I numbly get off the phone and kind of sleep walk into the bathroom. At this point my hands are numb and my knees are starting to give out. Lice. At Christmas?! Heaven help us! I could see the visions of our “perfect Christmas” going down the drain with the treatments that were surly to follow.
I dazedly call KG into the bathroom to commence straight away what I know is going to be a very long night of head searches. Now, I don’t know about you, but when I’m looking for tiny bugs anything my eyes start playing tricks on me. I start questioning what my eyes are seeing…if they’re seeing anything at all. Finally marginally convinced that the girls have nothing worse than a case of dandruff, I call Jon to apprise him of the situation. Jon takes it calmly, much like he would take any other news, and attempts to convince me that I’m overreacting. Who me?! Never!
{is your head itching? Mine sure is now!}
After consulting some trusted advisers, I decided preventative treatment was the way to go…but I didn’t want to submit the girls to the chemicals if I didn’t have to. So after some arm twisting Jon met me at Walmart after he got off from work and we stocked up on shower caps, alligator clips, and olive oil. {Can I just say…that olive oil in the hair stuff? Nasty.} The next morning we washed it out about 10 times and threw out the pillows they had been sleeping on. Ruined. The plastic shower caps slide right off of sleeping 7 & 3 year olds apparently.
So for the last two weeks I’ve been kind of obsessively checking their heads, all the while speaking only positive things about them {I started reading the teachings of Florence Schoville Shinn about this time}…which might have been redundant. I dunno. I haven’t found a single louse or nit on them {however we were recently reintroduced to an environment that was infected…again}. We have been shampooing with Tea Tree Oil Shampoo and spraying with an over the counter lice-prevention spray each day then finishing with hairspray.
HOWEVER…..now KJ has a red inflammation and possible rash on the back of her head {ya know, where lice would usually be}. She’s been scratching at it, prompting me to take a look, and the red place is warm to the touch. I’ve been spraying the lice-prevention spray on her head in that spot along with the new hairspray, so I’m thinking it’s probably an allergic reaction to the sprays. I made her a doctors appointment for in the morning.What do you think it is…or what do you suggest I should do in the meantime to easy the itching?
**As a side note and for those of you wondering: I drank coffee today. I just get too little sleep to give it up totally.**
2011 High Impact Mom Editorial Calendar
As promised I wanted to share with you the new direction High Impact Mom will be following in 2011 with my new editorial calendar. I’ll still be posting the sporadic posts about our silly family, offer tips on parental engagement, have guest posts, and more….but I wanted to have a more structured set of series’ that you could follow along with. That’s what I’m listing here. Below you will find the what and the when of High Impact Mom’s new features, take a look, sign up for our RSS feed, and get ready for the fun in 2011!
Monthly Features
Feature – 1st Sunday of the Month – This is really more of a continuation of what I started some time ago and it has evolved into something else. When my Features page started it was dedicated to strictly mom-owned businesses as a way to offer free advertisement and raise awareness of other amazing mom-owned businesses, in the past year it’s grown to more of a space to share what companies are doing to give back. In the coming year it is my goal to see this page become a beacon for more. More. More charity, more giving back, more impact on communities. Each month I plan to feature a company, non-profit, organization or individual that is giving back to their communities and offer ways for you to use their example to do the same. If you would like to nominate someone to be featured shoot me an email to features(at)highimpactmom.com
Money Games – 1st Monday of the Month - Follow our family on a journey to save money and still have a good time. We’ll be trying one activity from MONEY GAMES: 85 Fun Ways To Save Money And Attract Abundance
Vlog – 2nd Monday of the Month – Vlogging Monday gives you a face-to-face {ish} look at this rural mom and get the inside scoop on what’s going on in the High Impact household. I want to leave this more unstructured so we can talk about whatever is going on, later I’ll ask you to submit questions, comments, and your own videos!
Social Media Saturday – 2nd Saturday of the Month - Social Media Saturday was created to give me an opportunity to share some of my favorite social media tips from the experts , including myself, with some of my favorite people, you. I’ll work all month to bring you a collection of social media blog posts, tips, and real-world strategies you can use. If you stumble across something you think I just have to see, feel free to email it to me at Amanda(at)highimpactmom.com
Recipes- 3rd Monday of the Month – Family Favorites, Country Cooking, Desserts, etc. Looking for a recipe that will feed your family, taste great, and still fast {because we’re all pressed for time}? I’ll be sharing my children’s snack recipes, Crock-Pot recipes, desserts, and family favorite recipes each week.
Monthly Run-Down – 4th Sunday of the Month - This is where I’m going to gather up my favorite posts of the month {yours and mine} and share them with you. That way if you’ve missed any of my posts this month you’ll have a central location to find them and you’ll get introduced to some other cool bloggers.
Mamarazzi Monday – 4th Monday of the Month – Are you like me? Taking hundreds of photos of your kids {or the outdoors, or yourself, or whatevs}, but never actually having the time to edit them all? MmmmHmmm, I thought so. Well, I’m making a date with you {no need to bring flowers} for the last Monday {that would be January 31st this month}. I’ll be picking one photo a month to edit and share in this space; it’s my hope that you will do the same. I’m thinking I’ll throw a Mr. Linky (or Linky-alike) up each week with it. Ya know that way if you do decide to play along you can share. But no pressure.
So whatdya think? Do you see something that really interests you? Or is there something missing you were really hoping I’d start writing about?
2011 Brings a New Year and a New Focus
Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Yeah, me neither. Well…this year I am. Kinda. What I’m really doing is choosing some goals I would like to accomplish through the year {yes, I know that is the definition of a resolution}…through focus. Following Mari’s lead, I have chosen a key word to focus on for the coming year: Focus.
Rather than do a regular resolutions list that will be forgotten I wanted to share with you a look at my goals and the affirmations that will lead to success.
2011 Personal Goals and Affirmations
- Healthier Living: Affirmation – I am healthier than I have ever been and am a healthy weight.
- Prosperity: Affirmation – I enjoy a financial life of ease and am free from worry.
- Business Expansion: Affirmation– I have a wonderful business, in a wonderful way, and I give wonderful service for wonderful pay.
- Family Harmony: Affirmation – I have a wonderful family that is happy, healthy, and prosperous.
- Positive Thinking: Affirmation – I feed my body and subconscious only positive thoughts and expel negative feelings.
What are your goals for the new year? Do you make resolutions or just forgo it?
Tomorrow I’ll share my tentative editorial calendar for the next year.
The One Where I Write About Being Too Tired To Write
I’m exhausted. Really and truly exhausted. I’m not sure why…maybe it’s a lack of nutrients in my body or maybe it’s a lack of real sleep. Whatevs. I’m tired. And thus I’m not going to get to do the writing that I desire to get done tonight. I want to tell you all about my awesome Christmas holiday, my New Year’s Resolutions (yes, I’m making them this year), and some of the awesome things I have planned for the year. But it will have to wait. In the meantime I wonder what your Christmas/holiday/time-off was like? And if you have anything you’d like to see on my blog? Recipes? True Confessions of a Rural Mom? Really, I am an open book. You request it…I’ll think about doing it.
But now? Now I’m going to fall into my unmade bed, possibly with my shoes on, and likely with whatever t-shirt I sleepily put on this morning before my meeting.
I’m starting a new devotional tonight. I really wanted to have a fresher mind…or spirit, but then again maybe the lack-there-of is what drives me…
My 468th “I suck at blogging” post of the 2010 year
So I know I’ve been MIA a lot lately…hell…who are we kidding? I’ve been MIA a lot this year. And I know I’ve said many (MANY) times that my post frequency is going to evolve and I’m going to post daily (or 2x/week…whatever), but the truth is I’m not sure I can make those promises. I don’t know when I’ll post or how often. I definitely have some clear goals and plans for 2011, but can’t say for sure that I can be consistent (a huge bloggy no-no) but I’ll be here. Some. If by some miracle you’ve held out with me this long and aren’t already signed up for my RSS feed I would love for you to do so. That way you can stay up-to-date with the High Impact Family quickly and easily and you don’t have to wonder if you’re missing a random post from me.
Please Help
I’d love to know if there is something you wish I’d blog about…or regular features for the coming year…I’m going to be all professional and efficient (and follow the advice I give every single client I have) in 2011 with an editorial calendar. (We’ll see how long I’m able to follow it.)—Was just interrupted by a screaming kid (clearly I need more to do) – I want to write what YOU want to read. As I am now writing 2000+ word papers for college courses I am no longer eager to sit in front of my laptop and belt out blog posts that no one wants to read. I want to know what you want read about.
The Moral of this Story
Obviously I love this blog. And I love you, my readers. Truly I do. I’m attending 2 (probably 3) blog/social media conferences next year (which I am paying for OOP (out of pocket) for the first time ever!) and I am devoted to continuing this blog, and our dialogue, as long as you guys keep coming back. BUT I’m busier now than I have ever been in my entire life. Seriously, no joke…and it has little do with the holidays….it’s just life. I love my career and the companies (and consequently the people) I work with, I’m focused on finally finishing my degree and providing a better future for our children, I’m active in my PTSO (though will not be Secretary next year…more on that later) and our church, and I’m still mom to two amazing girls and wife to a super supportive guy.
Why not work at night?!
You might ask. Well, it’s complicated really. Or not. I’m in class (right now) every Monday and Tuesday, I moderate #ptchat at 9pm on Twitter every Wednesday night, by Thursday I need a break and every other night I’m cramming to get all my homework/work-work done.
I’m not making excuses.
I’m just telling it like it is for me right now. I love this blog. I do. And because I love this blog I want to make it work and am in the process of devising a plan to make it happen. Just bear with me (please) and sign up for the RSS feed (so we can stay in touch). In the meantime you can find me on twitter and facebook.
Thank you all for making this blog great and for making me feel so loved.
Teach Your Kids to Rock the Vote
Today is Election Day; school is out today and some companies still let you off work today. For one reason: To make sure you face no adversity when it comes to letting your voice be heard; to vote. Did you? Did you take your children with you? I’m sitting here tonight, bundled up in my recliner, thinking about the past 10 years {that’s how long it’s been since I was old enough to vote}, where our country {and government} has been and where it is going, whether my vote {my vote} will really bring around any change {hell…if anybody’s vote brings change}, and about the excitement my 7 year old has about Election Day.
You see, KG is not your average 7 year old. OH no. She’s our budding politico. As soon as the election signs start going up, KG starts asking questions about the different candidates. KG was in kindergarten when President Obama won and was sworn into office…she was crushed to have to go to school that day, but thrilled to find out Principal J was allowing the whole to school to watch it. So when I woke up this morning and the first words out of her mouth were “Are you going to vote today?” I wasn’t terribly shocked.
Now you know I don’t get political on here. We discuss enough politics in my home that my blog {and so my readers} are spared from it. That being said…I do feel it is your responsibility as a parent to vote and to take your children with you. As the old saying goes {kinda}: “You can’t complain if you don’t vote.” But more importantly you should be teaching your children the importance of informed voting, of having your voice heard. Voting wasn’t a huge issue in my house growing up. My dad can’t vote and I never heard any of the rest of my family talk about voting except to talk about the evils of the other side of the political aisle {either the Republicans or the Democrats depending on who’s house I was in}.
At 18, I voted in the Presidential elections for the first time and felt robbed, cheated, and a bit disenfranchised when Al Gore was robbed of the Presidency in 2000 {Thanks again Florida}. After those elections, and the horrific attacks on September 11th, certain members of my family took an avid interest and an extreme stance in politics…they also took to pushing their political agendas over on myself and Jon. In a way it was a good thing, it pushed us to learn more about candidates and forced us to make a choice whether to vote for who our family wanted us to…or with who we felt was in line with our morals and vision for the country. Sadly, for that election there was not a candidate who fit perfectly so we also learned about choosing the lesser of the two evils that year.
Fast forward several more years and you find Jon and I with two daughters and an even clearer view on where our political lines fall {interestingly enough Jon and I are on opposite party lines}. While we may not always agree with the other person’s candidate choice, the one thing we absolutely agree on is the importance of teaching our children to take responsibility for knowing their beliefs, values, and morals and to be thoroughly educated voters.
Voters.
Because whats the point of being educated and having an opinion if you don’t voice it?
I want to raise well educated and informed voters who go out on Election Day and let their voice be heard.
What about you? Do you take your kids to vote? Why or why not?
Did you write a post or an article about this Election Season or Election Day? Leave you link in Mr Linky here and then just link back to this post on your blog.
Fall Festival Fundraising Fun
Wow. How’s that for a title?
Well, I figure since it’s been two weeks since our Fall Festival I owed you guys like a really awesome title. What’cha think?
Today our PTSO board held our annual post-Fall Festival meeting to discuss the final income/expense numbers, to talk over suggestions we have for next year, and generally decompress after the amazingly stressful last 2 months. I would like to say that I was waiting until we had the meeting to write about it, but really…that would a lie. I’ve just been so overwhelmed with work, homework (finals were this week), and life in general that I just couldn’t write. Now that the meeting is out of the way I am feeling a little relieved and more ready to write about it.
Two weeks ago, our awesome little school held our annual Fall Festival to give the parents, students, and teachers a chance to come together, eat some delicious chili, play some games, and raise some money to support our school community. We saw a dip in attendance this year, but thankfully only saw a minor dip in the total amount raised. After all those weeks of stress it was so good to see everything we all worked so hard for come to fruition and know that it was all going to support our children’s educations.
It’s inevitable when you’re working for something as important as your child’s education, there is going to be stress. When you add all the background and behind the scenes information {and stress} that I am privy to as PTSO secretary, I am usually a nervous wreck by the time we finally get to Fall Festival. This year, to be honest, I stayed relatively stress-free up and until the last 4 weeks or so {which is about the point when I realized our local donations were way down}. I’m so thankful for the amazing volunteers I have every year who help me solicit and collect donations. Since we feel sending out Thank You cards to our donors is a must, each volunteer is also responsible for preparing a Thank You card for the donors they solicit from {the PTSO pays for the cards, mailing labels, and stamps}. I had to do all of the Thank You cards by myself for two years, so I am especially thankful for their help in that department.
Each year we learn more and more about what needs to be done differently and we make specific plans for the next year. Our PTSO always holds a wrap-up meeting to discuss the board’s perspective on the night, our suggestions, and ideas for the coming year; we also hold a post-festival meeting for the parents so they can come in and give us their suggestion and observations from the night. We do this because for the majority of the evening we {the board members} are running around the school and don’t really get an opportunity to observe the actual festival as much as we might like…but the parents do. The parents are the ones who can tell us if the dinner we served was worth the amount charged, if the games were age appropriate, or if they had any general suggestions or ideas for the coming year.
Despite all the stress, hard work, and long-days that sometimes comes along with school festivals, we find it is always worth the price. Last year, with the money mostly raised from our Fall Festival, we were able to help put airliners {tablet pcs & projectors} in each class room and send the entire school to see a ballet for Christmas. I’m always reminded how “worth it” it is when I walk in our school and see students actively engaged in learning and enjoying it!
In the coming weeks, I’m going to be posting some tips to making your school’s next Festival or Silent Auction successful and (a little) less stressful…so stay tuned!
We Love Face Paint!
Finding a New Balance Between Work and Home
You know how it is, once you find your rhythm…your balance, something changes…evolves, and causes that rhythm to stray. It causes you to take a step back and reevaluate that balance you had before {or thought you had}. Monday was my first “official” day taking on a new marketing position with a local home-building/home remodeling company from home while continuing on with Parentella {and going to school}. First let me say, I am thrilled to be working with this amazing company!! However, as I have been learning this week, working from home can be a struggle. A struggle that makes finding a new balance between working at home and “being” at home imperative and ever elusive.
This week is Fall Break here so rather than one child home with me all day I have two. Though truthfully, I love having her home and having KG here while I work makes things easier for me. She is such an enormous help with her sister. Putting on a movie, playing {mostly} nicely with KJ, and supplying themselves with easy to reach snacks….KG is a great big sister. But I feel guilty, it isn’t up to KG to take care of KJ…it’s my responsibility. I know the first week with a new company on any job is always the most difficult and that I feel so lucky that KG is here to help me. But I want her to enjoy her week off from school too.
So Tuesday, while Jon & I went to see Clutch in concert, KG spent the night at LA’s house and KJ went to Lisa’s. Both of the girls were so thrilled at the prospect of going anywhere without the other they were almost shaking with anticipation by the time I dropped them off. Yesterday it was the same routine {which by the way will change next week when KG goes back to school} and I was feeling weighed down with guilt again. This morning I woke up at 5am, got all of my “work” done and declared today Kid Day.
The girls worked together to explore some new online educational games, made me deliciously multi-colored dinners from Play-Doh, soaked up the Indian Summer sun, and baked Halloween confetti cupcakes to take with them tomorrow.
And while this is a temporary band-aide, sometime next week {the earlier the better} I will have to start working on a schedule, probably the 5am-midnight gig again, that works for me and my family. Because the entire purpose of my working from home was that I wouldn’t miss these amazing moments with my girls.
Do you have a secret to maintaining balance? Share your tips and advice {or struggles} with us!
Today Was A Good Day
Today was a good day.
We harvested what was left of our juicy home-grown pears and basked in the coolness of the Autumn breeze and the warmth of the late afternoon sun.
And after our ears were cold and our cheeks were pink, we re-discovered the joy of Play-Doh and Hungry Hungry Hippos.
We laughed until it hurt today and played until we collapsed.
My house is a mess.
But today was a good day.