Lemons VS. Money

I’ll take a lemon over money, almost any day.

There was a time about 12 years ago when I was selling real estate, that life was good.

At least I thought it was the good life. I was making more money than I had ever dreamed I would in my life. On a really good month, I could make $30,000. I never had to stress about paying a bill or worry about making ends meet. When I was on top of my game, it was like everyone knew who I was. It felt somewhat like being a celebrity. When I went to the store, people recognized me and would stop to tell me how they saw my signs everywhere.  I am not telling you this out of arrogance, I promise there is a point.

Last night I was sitting on my back porch with my husband talking about the good days of real estate. As a single woman, I had my own home, rental property, and a couple of cars that were paid for. But I told him how it is so odd to me that even when I was making that kind of money, that I didn’t make extravagant purchases. I do not remember going on a single vacation back then. I didn’t blow money on spa days or jewelry. I did not use it to enjoy life. To be honest, I don’t know where it went. I have a much better quality of life now, with about 1/4 as much.  I paused for a moment feeling like I had been hit by a truck.

I realized what I said was true. I am so much more blessed now than what I was before. WOW! I have spent a lot of time feeling sorry for myself and missing the good  days of rolling in the dough. I’m not sure how, but I have a nicer home and things now. But more importantly, my life is more genuine. I am so fulfilled by my charities that I have started. I am perfectly happy sitting on the back porch reading while my husband sits across from me listening to music and our dog, Syrus is chasing a bird. I feel like I finally have made it. The only thing I had back then that I don’t have now, is the time with my son. If I could have my son here, there would really be nothing else I need.

It was such an “Ah Ha” moment. I have often said I feel like, after years of being recognized when I went out to no one know who I am, that I am the Valerie Bertinelli of the 2000’s! I used to think that now being a Lifetime Movie Network star, was the best I was going to be again. But you know what, I’m OK with that. After last night I will never long for those empty days ever again.

God truly has a way of knowing what we need and providing for us. I am still just somewhat in shock of how clear this became to me  after all these years of grieving for my lost career. That is  a big item to check off of my “things I need to let go of from the past” list.

I am thinking about getting a lemon tree to look at everyday to remind me that not all lemons are bad! If you would like one too here is a site to order one and all the info you need to be a successful lemon grower.

http://www.fast-growing-trees.com/Improved-Meyer-Lemon-Tree.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=base&utm_campaign=BASE&utm_term=%7Bkeyword%7D&gclid=CN3u-pOvorcCFZJj7AodtBEA3Q

Until next time- Safe Picking!

Tammy

Self Confidence is Sexy

How many can relate to this hairstyle? How about the Jelly shoes, Risky Business glasses or the eel skin purse? These are definitely some trends I personally am glad are over. In high school, having the same purse as everyone else, the coolest shoes that are the latest rage or your hair styled as high as the other girls can make a difference in your high school experience. Even if you did not like the trend, most of us followed along just simply because it made life easier.

As adults, it has changed some, but not a whole lot. You are critiques on whether you have a smartphone (and what OS). We are judged by whether we drive a mini can or an SUV. Are we still wearing our hair curly or using a flatiron everyday.

  

Does your ponytail sport a scrunchie or just a simple hair band. Do you refuse to give up your cobalt blue eyeliner or have you moved on to the natural look. My point is, to a certain degree, most of us are still trying to fit in. I don’t stress about brand name clothing anymore, but I do want to be stylish, even wearing Merona

But what if you were self-confident enough to wear ANYTHING you wanted to? How about your hair color, would you try a crazy color?

 

Would you cut it all off and try the sassy short do? I have always felt like some women have either the self-confidence, the “I don’t care attitude”, or possibly a certain male anatomy to pull off some things that I never could.

    

 I’m truly jealous of those who are comfortable enough in their own skin to be whatever they wanted without regard to what others thought of them.

I would love to try a cool red color with the chunky blonde streaks. What would you do or be if you had no one watching? Would it be something as simple as a hair color or a whole different life? Let’s all try to take that baby step toward loving ourselves enough to not worry about if we are going to fit in with the “in” crowd. Make your own team, set your own rules, and be unique!

Until next time- safe picking

Tammy

Mother’s Day for moms and non-moms

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a very special and can be emotional day. Most of us women are saps. We get all sentimental and emotional around these holidays. We have been raised with the Hallmark expectation of how these holidays should go.

When they do not turn out that way we are disappointed. I think all of us mothers go through years of changing diapers, potty training, temper tantrums, countless hours of running them to sports and dance, and years of eye rolling just dreaming of the payoff we will get. At one point or another, we have all envisioned Mother’s Day, when our kids are grown, and they come home to say “thank you” for all you did, or “mom you were right about everything you told me”. Face it ladies, that fantasy is right up there with your husband telling you to enjoy your one night with Channing

But, it can be a let down whew it doesn’t work out that way (the kid thing, the Channing thing will always be a let down).

This part was inspired by a letter that I read on Facebook. The following is a letter to a preacher that brought me to tears. Please take a moment and read this if you haven’t

Dear Pastor,

Tone can be tricky in writing. Picture me popping my head in your office door, smiling and asking if we could talk for five minutes. I’m sipping on my diet coke as I sit down.

You know that I’m not one to shy away from speaking my mind, part of the reason you love me (mostly!), so I’m guessing that internally you brace yourself wondering what might be next.

I set my can down and this is what I’d say.

A few years ago I sat across from a woman who told me she doesn’t go to church on Mother’s Day because it is too hurtful. I’m not a mother, but I had never seen the day as hurtful. She had been married, had numerous miscarriages, divorced and was beyond child bearing years. It was like salt in mostly healed wounds to go to church on that day. This made me sad, but I understood.

Fast forward several years to Mother’s Day. A pastor asked all mothers to stand. On my immediate right, my mother stood and on my immediate left, a dear friend stood. I, a woman in her late 30s, sat. I don’t know how others saw me, but I felt dehumanized, gutted as a woman. Real women stood, empty shells sat. I do not normally feel this way. I do not like feeling this way. I want no woman to ever feel this way in church again.

Last year a friend from the States happened to visit on Mother’s Day and again the pastor (a different one) asked all mothers to stand. As a mother, she stood and I whispered to her, “I can’t take it, I’m standing.” She knows I’m not a mother yet she understood my standing / lie.

Here’s the thing, I believe we can honor mothers without alienating others. I want women to feel welcome, appreciated, seen, and needed here in our little neck of the body of Christ.

1.Do away with the standing. You mean well, but it’s just awkward. Does the woman who had a miscarriage stand? Does the mom whose children ran away stand? Does the single woman who is pregnant stand? A.w.k.w.a.r.d.

2. Acknowledge the wide continuum of mothering.

To those who gave birth this year to their first child—we celebrate with you

To those who lost a child this year – we mourn with you

To those who are in the trenches with little ones every day and wear the badge of food stains – we appreciate you

To those who experienced loss this year through miscarriage, failed adoptions, or running away—we mourn with you

To those who walk the hard path of infertility, fraught with pokes, prods, tears, and disappointment – we walk with you. Forgive us when we say foolish things. We don’t mean to make this harder than it is.

To those who are foster moms, mentor moms, and spiritual moms – we need you

To those who have warm and close relationships with your children – we celebrate with you

To those who have disappointment, heart ache, and distance with your children – we sit with you

To those who lost their mothers this year – we grieve with you

To those who experienced abuse at the hands of your own mother – we acknowledge your experience

To those who lived through driving tests, medical tests, and the overall testing of motherhood – we are better for having you in our midst

To those who will have emptier nests in the upcoming year – we grieve and rejoice with you

And to those who are pregnant with new life, both expected and surprising –we anticipate with you

This Mother’s Day, we walk with you. Mothering is not for the faint of heart and we have real warriors in our midst. We remember you.

3. Commend mothering for the ways it reflects the Imago Dei (Image of God) by bringing forth new life, nurturing those on her path, and living with the tension of providing both freedom and a safety net.

I know I might be an unusual one to be speaking about Mother’s Day; but maybe that’s why so many talk to me about mothering, I’ve got the parts, just not the goods. Thanks for listening and for continuing to mother us in a shepherding way. Even though I’m a bit nervous to come on Sunday, I will be here. But if you make us stand, I might just walk out =).

Warmly and in your corner,

Amy

I have been many years to my church on Mother’s Day and stood up when asked. It is the kind of situation that I can imagine would not feel good to those still sitting. Mother’s Day is very tough for me and has been for years. Some of you may know my situation and that I have not gotten to spend Mother’s Day with my son for several years. It doesn’t look like I will be either for a long time. It is usually a very sad day for me.

Don’t get me wrong, I love celebrating my mom. She is the one who gave me the strength and taught me to deal with so much. I think some women feel their intention of our creation was to bore children, and when that doesn’t happen, it can be devastating to some.

Spending Mother’s Day without your child or a child can be very lonely. Let’s go a step further and talk about women with no children. Just like the lady in the letter, it can feel alienating. To the women who can’t conceive, has miscarried, or lost a child, these things are just another reminder of their loss.

I think we should change it to Wonderful Woman’s Day!! Let’s celebrate all women for what they do. I’m certain that 90% of women either have/had a child, husband, animal or relative they have cared for in a motherly way.

Also, in the slightest chance there are any men reading this- Mother’s Day is for anyone who is a mother, not just your mother! Do not forget your wife just because she is not your mom (I’m stepping off my soapbox now).

Sunday let’s show our appreciation for all women!

Until next time- safe picking!

Tammy

Don’t leave me alone with this person!

Have you ever had to be around that person that just makes you crazy? You know, the person who is boring to talk to? The ones who whine and complain everytime they open their mouth. Or, how about the girl that is always on drama overload? You can not understand how one person could possibly have so much drama in one lifetime. It could be the person who is always making excuses for everything from being late, to quitting work because the people were unfair to them to skipping their workout with you because they were bloated. I think all of us have at least one person that we have to take a deep breath to just be around.

Now, let’s see how honest you can be with yourself- what if you are this person? Take a moment to let that sink in…….. Do you enjoy your own company? Can you spend an entire weekend with you? Are you a good dinner date with yourself? When you have those internal conversations, are you whining and complaining? Do you make excuses or take responsibilty for you life? Do you always require that everyones attention be on you?

Of all the things I am, I am brutally honest with myself. Some things I can’t admit outloud but I am fully aware of my shortcomings. Just to get you all started on this self evaluation, I am going to admit, for the first time to someone other than me, some things I don’t like about my company. #1- (I’m taking a deep breath here) I’m not a highly motivated person. I would give my right arm to be. I am controlled by sleep. I will procrastinate to the ends of the earth for 5 more minutes of sleep. Sometimes it’s a problem. It makes me late, then I hate myself the rest of the day for not being more disciplined. I wish I could be one of those people that put in 4 hours worth of chores before 9am. The second thing that makes me tough to live with is, I always interrupt people. I know I do it, but can’t stop. I have analyzed it and come to the conclusion that I am afraid the other person is not going to think I have anything valuable to say and will simply walk away when they are finished speaking and not hang around to hear what I have to say. Yeah, I know, pretty honest huh?

But overall I enjoy my own company. I truly like spending time alone. It has taken a while to get here though. I can even go eat by myself. For along time I worried so much about what people thought of the pathetic girl eating alone. I don’t care about that anymore and like spending the time alone with my own thoughts. I do not need other people’s voices to drown out the bad thought stuff in my head anymore. I even start to get antsy if I have not got to spend time with me in a while.

I am really working on not waking up with someone I’m not happy with (meaning me). If this can’t be corrected you may as well go ahead and get a lemon tattooed on your back. I challenge you to look long and hard at yourself and determine what things you need to change. What could do do different to make you not dread spending time with you? After all, if you don’t like your company, odds are no one else will either.

Until next time- enjoy some YOU time an safe picking!

LEMON DONUTS

Light and airy, yeast-raised doughnuts were a favorite growing up, especially glazed ones with sprinkles. As an adult I became more partial to cake doughnuts. The sturdier construction ensured it stood up well to a few dunks in a mug of coffee. The problem, though, is those calories were much easier to burn as a kid than as a busy mother of two—chasing after a toddler is workout of another kind.

Recently I found an easy solution to marry all my cravings into one perfect doughnut—light enough to defy gravity, but enough heft to stand up to a dunk or two, and with a lot less calories than traditional fried doughnuts. Baked doughnuts are not only a healthier alternative to satisfy cravings, they’re also ready in less than 10 minutes—just the amount of time you need to get a hot cup of coffee brewing.

Lemon Buttermilk Doughnuts makes 6
1 cup (4.65 ounces/132 grams) whole wheat pastry flour 1/4 cup (2 ounces/56 grams) natural cane sugar 1 teaspoon (5 grams) baking powder 1/8 teaspoon (1 gram) baking soda ¼ teaspoon (2 grams) sea salt Freshly squeezed juice and grated zest of 1 lemon Scant 1/2 cup (110 ml) buttermilk, well-shaken 1 large (50 grams) egg 1 tablespoon (14 grams) butter, melted Confectioners’ sugar, optional

1. Preheat oven to 425ºF. Coat one 6-doughnut nonstick baking pan with cooking spray; set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and lemon zest.
3. In a measuring cup, use a fork to beat the lemon juice, buttermilk, egg and melted butter until well blended. Pour over the flour mixture and use a wooden spoon to stir together until just combined. Evenly spoon into the prepared doughnut pan and bake for 8 to 9 minutes, until doughnuts are golden and spring back when touched.
4. Remove from oven and let cool for 2 minutes in the pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Use a small strainer to sift Confectioners’ sugar over tops before serving, if desired.

Would make a preacher’s wife say a four letter word….

 



We all know a few four letter words, but what makes you say them? This is a story of a very dear person to me. She is the sweetest thing ever next to Mickey D’s tea.\

 

                       

Have you ever had that conversation with someone and all the sudden, they drop a the four letter word? Some people it’s every other word. But there are some that if they were to say it, it would be like six legged lizard walking in front of the TV during Greys Anatomy. You would think “where in the world did that come from?” The first time I was talking to my sweet friend and this happened I was in the car and about ran off the road. Hearing that word from her was as foreign as hearing the Pope say it. It kinda made me chuckle.

 

 

But my thought is what got this lady, a former preachers wife who normally would not say a cross word, to the point that these words can just flow off her tongue so easily? I have a feeling that it was a four letter word that got her to this. L.I.F.E. Life has a tendency to change who you are.

 



 

 

 There obviously have been a lot of lemons between the role of wife of a preacher and mouth of a sailor with lipstick. The cool thing is that this sweet lady recognized what was happening and decided to control her life instead of her life controlling her. I think her moments of turrets came from feeling out of control. She is back to being her charming southern better self.

 



 



 

If you do not learn to deal with these lemons life hands you, you could ended an old bitter prune.

Everyday she is making the decision to do one thing differently to take back control of her life. This is just a speed bump in her life. If we can identify these things, whatever it be that is keeping you from being your best “you”, recalculate as our GPS would say and take another route.

 

 

 

 

 

So, I thought I would help out with a list of acceptable four letter words just for the fun of it

 

LOVE     HUGS

LORD     HOLY

CAKE     BUTT

BARF     WINE

CASH     NONE

BOYS      DUMB

 

Just seems like these fit together. I’ll finish off with this photo I found and just love the message and the colors, and also with another use for those lemons that do come your way.

 

 

 22 THINGS TO DO WITH A LEMON PEEL

 

 

Until next time- do not let life control you, learn to control your life!

Safe Picking!

 

Tammy

 

 

 

 



Lemon scented sweatpants

PART A- Ah, sweatpants. The fabric equivalent of chicken soup and a roaring fire. Nothing feels better than coming home after a long stressful day and shedding those heels and spanx and crawling into our fav sweats. For some it may be a pair of shorts, a moomoo or a faded gown. I too love coming home, ditching anything that is confining, putting my hair up and letting it all hang out.

I leave for work after my husband and typically make it home before him too. So, on one of my normal days of doing my comfort routines when Hubby came home and kinda frowned when he saw me. I asked “what in the world is wrong with you”, in my head, but my mouth said “what’s up babe?”  What he said blew me away. Basically he said that I’m in my pj’s when he leaves for work and in my comfy clothes when he gets home. He said he feels like the rest of the world gets to see me dressed up. I got to thinking about how much sense that made. If our husbands  only see us in our comfy clothes but see other women all day long dressed to the nines, no wonder he made that face when he came home.

Now before I start getting hate mail about how they are suppose to love us no matter what, just hear me out. Reverse the situation. If everytime we were at home with them they sat around in their tighty whiteys with holes in them scratching themselves, we would probably wish they would take a little more pride when they are with us.

Both men and women should always respect their spouse/significant other enough to be presentable to them at least some of the time.

PART B-  So you finally get him to help around the house……

We all know that women are perfect. Everything we do is perfect and there is only one way of doing things- our way. This my friend is another little lesson that Hubby taught me. He actually does laundry quite a but at home. I remember the first several times I would go in behind him and fuss and grumble because he didn’t fold things the way I do. Then it occurred to me, who am I to determine the proper folding technique of a towel? Im certain a lot of women would love for their husbands to fold the towels the wrong way. I was even crazy enough to almost correct him once for the way he unloaded the dishwasher.

None of us make the rules about how the correct way to do things around the house is, unless you are Martha Stewart. SO, next time you start to tell him he is doing it wrong, remmeber the words of Dr. Phil “do you wanna be right or do y0u wanna be happy?”

 

      

Until next time- safe picking!

Tammy

by Shugary Sweets

Ingredients

For the Loaf:

• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp baking soda
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 5 lemons, zested and juiced, divided

For the Simple Syrup:

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup reserved lemon juice (from fresh lemons above)

For the Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp reserved lemon juice (from fresh lemons above)
• 2 Tbsp heavy cream

Instructions

Zest and juice all five lemons. Set aside.

In medium bowl, mix flour, salt and baking soda together. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter with sugar until fluffy (about 2 minutes). Add eggs one at a time, beating until fully incorporated. Beat in lemon zest and 1/4 cup lemon juice (about two lemons worth of juice). Beat in flour mixture and sour cream alternatively until fully combined. Pour into a 9″x5″ loaf pan that has been coated with baking spray (I line the bottom of mine with parchment paper as well, as an extra precaution).

Bake in a 350 degree oven for 65-70 minutes. Cover with foil during the last twenty minutes to keep the top from browning too much.

Remove from oven and let sit in pan to cool about 15 minutes. Remove to wire rack.

To make simple syrup, whisk together 1/4 cup sugar and 1/4 cup lemon juice (juice of about 2 lemons). Heat in a saucepan on low until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from heat.

Poke holes using a toothpick into the top of your warm loaf. Spoon simple syrup over the top of the bread slowly until all dissolved (this makes the bread so moist)! Allow to cool completely.

For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream and remaining lemon juice. Add more cream if necessary to get desired consistency. Pour over cooled loaf. Allow to set (about 15 minutes). Slice and enjoy. This bread is delicious after refrigerating as well!

Rock, paper, scissors, words

If you had to choose your weapon from rock, paper, scissors or words, which would your choose?
Remember the old saying when we were kids “sticks and stones will break my bones but words can never hurt me”? But as it turns out, words can be the most dangerous weapon of all these things.

A lemon was handed to me as a very little girl. I was probably about 8 yrs old. The rodeo had come to Townsend and it was very exciting. When it was time for the calf run I was ready. All you had to do was chase the calf and pull the red ribbon of its tail and you won $5.

Well I did win that $5. When I made it back to the stands where my dad was, he made a comment about how I ran funny. Back then my dad was a completely different person (see “is everyone addicted to something” post for more background).

I never forgot those words. When I was in middle school and high school the thought of gym class and doing any kind of sport around a crowd was paralyzing to me. I somehow made it through 4 years of high school with going to one single gym class. I would get physically ill about it.

I know to some this might sound a little extreme, but you never knew when your words can affect someone in this manner. Especially a child.  Our words should do nothing other than build their self esteem. No one has the right to degrade no matter if you are a child, adolescent or adult.

I do ride a bike now and snow ski some. But even now not hardly a day passes that the little girl in me does not hear that voice. I missed a lot that I wished I had been brave enough to try. Hopefully the pain of that can open someone else’s eyes to make them more aware of what a dangerous weapon the tongue can be.

Now, I know that my daddy is my biggest fan and he loves me no matter terrible I am at sports.

Until next time- safe picking and safe speaking

Tammy

Since this blog is all about lemons I have decided to add some ideas of what you can do with these lemons that come our way to the bottom of my post.

Please share on Facebook and Twitter.

 

43+ Uses of Lemon Essential Oil

Did you know it requires about 3,000 lemons to make one kilo of lemon essential oil? Or that lemon has been used throughout history to fight serious diseases, such as malaria, typhoid epidemics and scurvy?

187

 

http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/lemon-essential-oil.html

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Because I am a Queen

 

First of all let me apologize that I have not written anything in a couple of weeks. I tripped and fell into my “big dark hole” as I call it. Then someone pushed an elephant in that landed on my chest. On top of that they tried to fill the hole in with a load of lemons. I ate my way through the elephant and planted the lemons in my garden and I am back.

I have this video that a friend sent me that is on my mind that I would like to talk about. I feel, as women we have become conditioned to not be able to accept a compliment. If we say we like something about ourselves we are being conceited. Think about it, if someone says “I love that dress”, most of the time, our response is something like, “this old thing” or “I got this for $10”. What happened to just simply saying thank you. I feel, for me at least, if someone compliments me and I do not brush it off that I am appearing as though I am superior, or ahead of them or more cool. However you want to word that.

Please take a moment and listen to this song from India Arie (thanks JB for turning me on to her music)  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_J4zOYEOW5k

The video that inspired me so much has been making its rounds on Facebook. It about how women describe themselves opposed to how other see them. Why must we be so critical of ourselves? And why does our self worth have to be based on our physical self? I have come to the point that I believe Jesus made me with big thighs and who am I to go against what Jesus wants.

Go get some tissue and take a moment to really watch this Dove video. I was squalling like a baby half way through it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpaOjMXyJGk

I think we, as women, should be able to say 3 things that we like about ourselves. I will go first. I like my lips, my small hands and my eye color. It is our job to teach the younger generation that beauty truly is inside, outside and in your actions, attitude and personality. The more we can teach these girls to believe in themselves, the less they will have to depend on a boy to determine their self worth.

I challenge all of you, once a day for the next week, to tell someone that they are beautiful!

Homework assignment #2, come up with 3 things about yourself that you like and leave on my comment section of this post.

Lemons come in all sizes and all sizes come from God. Love what He gave you.

Until next time- Safe Picking.

Tammy

Check out some more Dove beaYOUtiful tips
http://www.dove.us/Social-Mission/Self-Esteem-Toolkit-And-Resources/default.aspx

Also check out this self-esteem test http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/interactive/interactivetests/selfesteem.php

Don’t they know they aren’t suppose to be that happy?

Have you ever seen someone that is either down their luck, have a disability or even very obese and think “man their life must be no fun”. I think a lot of us have been guilty of that at some point of another. We all have this perception of what a great life looks like.

A great life is someone who is in excellent shape with ripped abs. They make a boat load of money and never have a days worth of stress about how to pay for something. They have the 2.5 kids, an SUV and the white pocket fence and live in Wisteria Lane.

They are completely healthy, and have no physical impairments. Their beautiful children are on the honor roll and soccer champs. Of course we think these people should be smiling and dancing all the time. They have no lemons in their lives, right?

I watched a video from YouTube of this obese man doing a Zumba class in a Speedo and it has inspired me. For the few minutes that video played I was so jealous of the self confidence, or either his “I don’t  care what people think” attitude.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1DMF5jDhmkI

This man, who some might think has a lesser quality of life due to his size, could teach us all a lesson. When you see someone who is just enjoying being alive, no matter their situation, it is uplifting. I think if they can smile like that given obstacles they have why can’t I?

Tyler is a friend of mine on Facebook. This young man has more life in his pinkie than most of us do in our whole bodies. I always look forward to his post because I know they will make me smile. I believe his social calendar would probably put my to shame by looking at his photos. He is having way more fun than I am.  I think we could all learn a lesson from this guy about being happy with what we have, be it a lemon or not. Tyler, you are the man! Keep on shining!

We all have different opinions on what makes life great. Sometimes you will come across that person that you may think has nothing to smile about. In fact,  they may be smiling because they think their life is so much better than yours.

Here are a few more just to make you smile
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-67Xt5R8DY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBWEzt2U9RQ

Until next time- give the world your best smile and safe picking!

Tammy

Lemon-in-law

This post was inspired by a very good friend of mine. Actually the title was her idea too.
I think the overall perception is that none of us get along with our in-laws. For my friend, this is exactly the case. Her lemon-in-law, as she calls her, even lives with her. Hence the beginning of “Operation get momma to leave”. This just makes me giggle. This covert operation would make the CIA jealous of the skills this woman is using to rid her home of this third wheel.

 

Check out the mother-in-law song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD0Yav3V2D0

As moms, we are the first woman that our sons fall in love with. I am the mother of a grown son, and it’s definitely an adjustment when you are not #1 in your sons life anymore. Someone else is queen bee, and truly that’s how its suppose to be.

  My husband’s mother past away before we were married. But, I did have a mother in law with my ex husband. To be honest with you, she was an amazing lady. I’m still very close to her. The marriage didn’t last, but that friendship did. Love you Janet!

If you are a trying to find a way to have a civilized relationship with this person that, even though she gave birth to your husband but is trying to rule his life now, be patient. Understand that this is a very tight bond that is not easy to let go of. She could also be you insight to why he does some things he does also.

If you are the mother-in-law, for you own safety, let his wife take the lead that he has chosen her to take. If your son had wanted you to always be in control of his life, he would have never left home and you would still be washing his dirty underwear. She is the gateway to any future relationship you might have with him or your grandchildren.

 

So let’s call a truce and mend these fences so we can all say we love our in-laws instead of

thinking of them as lemon-in-laws!

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-X7C6vZOvo

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKFzmJDPAUc

 

Until next time- Safe Picking!

 

Tammy