A Family That Plays Together...

Who knew a ten dollar game could be such fun?!  My kids received a Pop-up game Christmas past and stayed in the box until February!

We were bored; looking for something to do so we took it out and played it. It turns out it was good for at least 45 minutes of fun. We laughed and cheered.  I screamed when I won. Did you get that? I won.  Insert smiley face here.  All in all it was good cheap fun.

Our family is always looking for ways to spend time together.  With a tight budget you start to get a little inventive. I have actually found that the things that cost you little or nothing are the ones that are more bonding. Here are some of the activities that you can try with your family.

1.  Game Night:  Find a few board games and have fun. If you prefer electronic games, rent or borrow a new game. Family Feud for the Wii is a good one. Split the family into teams. Be competitive, it's fun!

2.  Movie Night:  If you don't have the funds to go to the movies then rent one.  If you are renting make it fun.  Buy some snacks, popcorn, nachos and cheese, and candy. During this time there should be no phone calls, no computer/tablets and everyone should understand that the purpose is to watch the movie together.

3.  Go for a walk/Exercise Together:  When my husband started waking us early Saturday morning for a walk we all went kicking and screaming. Who wants to go walking 5:30pm on a Saturday morning?  After a few weeks though we were all looking forward to it. We walk to the beach and spend 20-30 minutes just enjoying the sunrise while the kids play. If you are not a morning person take an evening walk.

4.  Go Fishing:  I admit I have not done this one yet, but my 15 year old just asked me this week if we could go fishing.  Can't say I am too enthused but it's on the "bucket list".

5.  Play tourist:  Ever took your kids to the Forts?  Yes, you may have driven past them or parked next to them, but how many times have you actually gone and taken a tour? This would be a great history lesson while enjoying the beautiful scenery. The glass bottom boat is another great family activity.

6.  Cook a meal:  This is one of my personal favorites.  Go online and find a recipe.  It could be savory or sweet, but do it as a family.  I choose a day that is stress free like a Friday or Saturday night.  A few weeks ago my son and I made curry chicken roti.  We watched the YouTube videos together (this could be done the night before). Then we went into the kitchen and cooked it together.  He loved it.  So now that as become our thing.  We have done it three times already.

I know our lives are mega busy but family is important.  You would be surprised how a couple of hours of your time can bring the family closer together.  Have you ever thought about setting aside one day a week for family? I know it sounds crazy, but with all of our busy schedules you can easily find yourself living with strangers.

Once your day is set it must be understood by all that anything done on this day, besides work, must include the entire family. This rule gets fun once your kids become teenagers.  Once the family day has been established someone has to be dedicated as "The Enforcer".  In most cases, Mom that's you, but solicit Dad's help.  As I said earlier, they may come kicking and screaming at first, but if you stay consistent it will pay off.

I hope I have gotten your creative juices flowing.  There may be some other activities that may pique your interest.  Try it!  Not every family day will be a success. The important thing is that you spend time together and have fun doing it.  A family that plays together, stays together.

Peace and Love

Ernesta 

Parent Post

Good Morning Beautiful Ladies, 

I wanted to write a parent post for this morning and couldn't think of anything new to write.  Last night I wrecked my brain thinking of what I could possibly say.  The truth of the matter is the majority of what we do as parents is doing the exact same thing over and over again.  

I woke up this morning before everyone else, showered and got dressed. Woke up the kids.  Made breakfast. Placed lunches in their lunch bags. Children got dressed.  Assisted with brushing of teeth. Turned off all the lights, TV, fans, and closed all the doors (yes, I have to close all the doors to the bedrooms and bathrooms before I leave the house because I'm a little OCD that way) and headed for the car.  Sat in a bit of traffic.  Dropped kids to school. And here I am at work.  Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

However, as I was walking into work I witnessed a couple having quite the difficult time with their toddler child.  I work inside a hotel and there is ALWAYS an audience.  It was pretty extreme.  The shrill of the child's scream was as if she was experiencing some sort of physical pain. Onlookers stopped in their tracks to view the situation that had so quickly transpired. From the outside it seemed as if she couldn't get the stuffed animal from the store she and her parents were just in.  Uh-oh and oh dear!  I didn't stick around long enough to see whether her parents were able to calm her down but it made me think about past tantrums with my children and what I would've done in that situation.

All of that led me to ask you to do this,


Complete this sentence... 

"The most embarrassing place my child has ever thrown a tantrum was..."

And what did you do to resolve it?



Signed, 
An exasperated Candilaria

MARRIAGE:'Panty On!'

"To be a good wife and a good mother you must begin by being a good you!" 

To be a good Tiffany my hair has to look right! If I am not having a good hair day, the Hall family is not a happy family. Trivial maybe, but true.

Yesterday I sat at my desk and wondered if my curls would last another day.

Hmmm...


I washed my hair on Monday night and had an exceptional good healthy hair Tuesday! 

Yahooligans!

Since the curls were ringing just right, maybe they could last another day.

Maybe....

Now, there is nothing I hate more than when I wake up and one side of my hair has curls and the other does not.This lopsided hair drama has the potential for happening when I go to be bed with my hair exposed. This is great for my marriage because I look like the women on television who lay on their pillows with loose tendrils. Eric can run his hands through my hair or tug it a little maybe... but nonetheless the loose hair is an attractive accessory with my pajamas.

And so here I am clean face out of the shower, hair wild and free ready for Eric to walk through the bedroom door and utter,"What you saying?"

Ah yeah no!
Are you crazy? 
I can't go to sleep with my hair like this. 

Here's why.

1. My hair will be mashed up in the morning.
2. My hair will break.
3. My hair will be dry.
4. My hair will need styling in the morning.

I have no time at 5:00 a.m. to be hot curling and pinning up. 

So to avoid me having a bad hair day this my dear readers is how I Tiffany go to bed. I have to do this because it works for me. 

Yes I use rollers!
Yes they still make rollers!
Yes rollers are still good for my hair!

Now if you're thinking, jeez this is how she goes to bed with her husband then you will think I am absolutely insane when you see this next photo.

"Is that what I think it is Tiffany?"
You may be asking. Is that a...
Are you serious?

Dead serious!

Yes! I have a panty on my head!!!!!!!

Here is a better view!

When I don't feel like roller setting my hair I wear a pair of lace panties. They are absolutely fabulous for keeping my curls without mashing them up. I pull my curls through the openings for the legs! 

Voila!

When I shared this with a friend of mine she bought me a black bonnet but the bonnet does not work for me. My curls are mashed without a doubt!

Remember you have to do what works for you! And so I sleep with a panty on my head for the welfare of my family!  

Don't judge me! 

Here's my point. In a recent post I wrote about putting your husband on the list. It is important to consider your husband however, you have to consider yourself too. 

Eric knows how important my hair is to me. He knows I can go to bed looking good for him but I will be a grumpy-mcgrumperton the next day when I have a bad hair day. When your husband loves you he will consider your feelings. 

Does Eric like this...hell no but this one is a deal breaker for me. I have to do what works for my hair.

You have to do what works for you too! A marriage will be a more pleasant one with two individuals who respect one another and the quirks they bring to the table.

This is my daughter and I. Look at her face. That is the sign of a happy kid. She is happy because she has a happy mother. She has a happy mother because I sleep with rollers or a panty on my head.

I do what works for me!

Until I blog again,
Tiffany
P.S.


I do my endeavour best to make sure my hair is wild and free for Eric during you know what! Gotta have the curls out for the fun!

The Truth is...

Signed, 
Life is real, Candilaria

EVENTS: The Vagina Monologues Bahamas

Opening Night, Saturday March 15th @ 8 p.m.
Encore, Sunday March 16th 3 p.m.

Tickets $25 
RSVP TICKETS AT BAM.DREAMS@GMAIL.COM (Space limited)

Available at NPCC (Blake Road), Eyecon Bahamas (International Bazaar, Downtown) & Airbrush Junkies (The Mall @ Marathon)

Tickets $35 AT THE DOOR THE NIGHT OF EVENTS

Proceeds to benefit The Bahamas Crisis

The Vagina Monologues is made up of a varying number of monologues read by a varying number of women (initially, Eve Ensler performed every monologue herself, with subsequent performances featuring three actresses, and more recent versions featuring a different actress for every role). Each of the monologues deals with an aspect of the feminine experience, touching on matters such as sex, love, rape, menstruation, female genital mutilation, masturbation, birth, orgasm, the various common names for the vagina, or simply as a physical aspect of the body. A recurring theme throughout the piece is the vagina as a tool of female empowerment, and the ultimate embodiment of individuality.

The Vagina Monologues is an episodic play written by Eve Ensler which ran at the Off Broadway Westside Theatre after a limited run at HERE Arts Center in 1996. Ensler originally starred in the production which was produced by David Stone, Nina Essman, Dan Markley, The Araca Group, Willa Shalit and the West Side Theater. When she left the play it was recast with three celebrity monologists. The play has been staged internationally, and a television version featuring Ensler was produced by cable TV channel HBO. In 1998, Ensler and others, including Willa Shalit, a producer of the Westside Theatre production, launched V-Day, a global non-profit movement that has raised over $75 million for women's anti-violence groups through benefits of The Vagina Monologues.

MARRIAGE: Have You Had That Moment Yet?

'You actually think that we're the same." said Mellie. "When I was faced with the chance to cheat, I kept my knees together and I said no! 
We are not the same!"

www.hypable.com

This was the scene on Thursday's episode of Scandal. 

The mistress or 'sweetheart' accused the wife of the man she is sleeping with of having an affair with another man. The wife then checked the 'sweetheart' and informed her...no no no babes...me and you ain't alike! I kept my cookie in the jar unlike you...

tvline.com

I remember watching the scene and I empathized with Mellie again. I related to her because I am a wife. I related to her because I have self control. I related to Mellie because no...I am not like other women who have crossed the line and been unfaithful to their husbands.

Later on in the episode that all changed...

Mellie lost her self control.
Mellie kissed another man!
Mellie was unfaithful!

It was then the idea of this post hit me. 
Does every married woman have the moment when they lose self control?

Have you had that moment yet?

Have you had a moment where you submitted to temptation and kissed or slept with a man that is not your husband?

Let's face it, we all have ex-boyfriends, male colleagues or neighbours. We are tempted by beautiful teeth, a great body or charisma just as our husbands are enticed by high heels, a slinky  body  or a flirtatious laugh.

Women cheat too!

On the show Parenthood, the character Julia is separated from her husband because she kissed another man!

www.thejennyevolution.com

Regular everyday wives and mothers are cheating. Since this in fact is so, I pondered the million dollar question.

If this can happen to other women why can't it happen to me?

Truth be told...it can!

As much as 'We are not the same', when I compare me and cheating wives, we are the same in a very important regard, I am human too. The difference is choice.

Faithfulness is a choice! We make a choice not to send an illicit text. We make a choice to decline meeting after hours. We make a choice to stay away from a person who tempts us. These are daily choices. Faithfulness is a daily choice!

Based on two television shows, it is extremely possible to be in the perfect environment to cheat.

www.cdmdirect.com

Have you had that moment yet when you had to choose? I believe we all will be faced with that choice. If you are married, you will eventually. We are all one moment away from infidelity!

How will you choose?

Me? 

Today I choose my character. I choose to be faithful to Eric because I fight for my character. I need to be able to look in the mirror and stare into my eyes, the windows to my soul and be pleased with the woman I have become.

No make up but naturally me

It's hard I know. Trust me I know! (Insert blank stare here) But I fight today to not have that moment. I haven't met any man who is worth risking my honor. This isn't about how good or bad or what type of husband Eric is. This isn't about putting Eric on the list or having the perfect marriage.

This is all about me!

We celebrated International Women's Day recently. Our accomplishments mean nothing if we have no honor. Our accolades are trivial compared to character.

Here are two things I believe to be true. As a wife, you will have that moment. As a woman your character is worth the fight! One day, one moment, one choice at a time.

Ladies, I implore you to fight for good character. Fight and fight hard!

Fight!

Until I blog again,

Tiffany

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY: WHAT IS OUR VALUE?

Each year International Women's Day (IWD) is celebrated on March 8. The first International Women's Day was held in 1911. The economic, political and social achievements of women are marked by thousands of events around the world. Organisations, governments, charities, educational institutions, women's groups, corporations and the media celebrate the day.

So today is Women's Day and it forced me to ask this question, "Are we any happier than we were more than 60 years ago?"

I keep bringing this up because my constant fatigue keeps it alive in my mind. Just the thought of having to wake up on Monday to start the daily grind all over again makes me want to bang my head on a concrete wall.  Yep, I'm already thinking about Monday!

Again, why are we working tirelessly instead of being fabulous stay-at-home moms? 

Listen girls, I'm telling you, the women in the 1950s were misguided! 

I am proud of and commend those women who started the long journey towards equality. I appreciate wholeheartedly the opportunity to choose to pursue an education, and job/career.  Without it, I am sure I wouldn't have been afforded half of the privileges I take advantage of today. However, I can't help but to feel that it's a fight that went in the wrong direction. In my opinion, we went from one extreme to the next. 

Instead of fighting to demonstrate our “value” by proving to men that we can do what they do, what we should have spoken up and fought for was respect for who we were and what we did.  Being a woman (however you define it). Simple as that. 

Did we not value ourselves sufficiently?  Did we not value raising children and taking care of the home? We allowed the men of that era to define what our value was. We showed up for the right fight, but in the wrong arena. 

We have now created new stereotypes.  It seems these days in order to be respected, we have to be a super career women all while balancing both children and home. We even have the super career women turning their noses down at the stay-at-home women.

Fist pump to all the ladies who love their jobs and love building their career. Keep at it!  

Fist pump to all the ladies holding it down at home and raising little people that will grow into big people and will become sensible contributors to society.  

Both women are equally as important in shaping the world around us. 

But I don't sense that we are happier. According to research done by Stella magazine in the UK, a whopping 82% of women say the number one challenge they have today is balancing their working life with that of their home life. 56% have a challenge raising happy children and 52% have a challenge finding time for themselves.

So I ask the question again, How far have we really come? Are you happy? Have we created inequality among women?

How do you feel valued as a woman?  Do you feel more respected by having a career? How do you feel women think of you if you are a stay-at-home mom?

Today, on International Women's Day, I ask you to reflect on your own happiness and your value as a woman.  Define it for yourself and for no one else.



Happy International Women's Day Ladies

Signed, 
#Inspiring Change, Candilaria

WHOLE30 WEDNESDAY: RECIPE OF THE DAY

It's Whole30 Wednesday!  Well for me it's Whole30 everyday!  

OK, so I've already admitted that this is incredibly difficult even now into my 5th week. However, I simply cannot deny the way I feel.  For one, I don't bloat!  For us women, we know how it feels to be constantly bloated, right?! The non-bloating feeling has to be the greatest feeling ever and it's all due to the eating.

The challenge forced me to stop eating grains, sugars, dairy, and legumes, all of which have obviously contributed to my swollen self in the past.  

While some of you have expressed interest in doing the challenge, others have simply inquired about wanting to prepare healthier meals based on the challenge.

So today, I am sharing one of my favorite breakfast meals that I swiped from one of my fellow challengers.  A simple flavorful recipe and one that I actually look forward to when I make it. (I had it this morning :))

Scrambled Eggs with Sweet Potatoes

Ingredients:

If you are only cooking for yourself, 

2 Organic eggs (don't beat yourself up if you don't have organic and don't run out and buy them if you don't, use what you currently have)

1 small sweet potato diced into 1/2" by 1/2" chunks (Yay! my life saver)

A handful of spinach

1/2 diced onion

Dash of salt

Coconut Oil [you can use EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) as well]

1.  In a saucepan, add enough coconut oil to coat the bottom of the pan.  On Medium-High heat, place onions, spinach, and sweet potatoes in pan. 

2.  Cook and keep stirring so the sweet potatoes do not stick.  If you need more coconut oil then add a bit more.

3.  Cook until the sweet potatoes are somewhat soft or cooked to your liking and the onions have carmelized. I like them soft (but not too soft) so I cook them for about 10 minutes or so.

4.  In another pan, scramble the eggs how you normally would (in coconut oil).

5.  Add a side of half a grapefruit and green tea and you're good to go!

I hope you try it out and enjoy this one like I do!

Let me know if you do and how it turned out!  Send pictures why don't you!

Signed, 

Helping you make the steps to a healthier you, Candilaria

MARRIAGE: The List

This upcoming week my life is going to change...again!

Last week I lost my housekeeper. This week my two year old son will begin school.

courtesy of todays-quotes.com 

Sigh.....

But change is not the reason I am writing. I am writing because of a conversation I had with my husband regarding the changes.

The conversation went something like this...






"I realize life is about to get busy. All that I ask is that you put me on the list," said Eric.
"Put you on the list?" I asked. "What list?"
"Your list," he replied. "You know, the list in your head of all the things you have to do. Put me on that list with the same urgency as everything else!"

courtesy of www.greatblackspeakers.com

Now I don't know about any of you but the moment I open my eyes every morning my brain starts churning. I literally have to stop and force the thoughts away so I can pray. For example, here is my list for today.

• Get a passport size photo of Chase
• Wash a load of laundry
• Iron Channing's uniforms for next week
• Call prospective housekeeper
• Go to Family Guardian
• Mop

I can go on...

Eric wants to get on that list. Not only does he want to get on my list he wants urgency.

Urgency? Hmmm..

When I get home everyday as soon as I walk through the door I start moving. I have to put things in order, whether it be a toy not in the toy room, a shoe not in the closet, a glass on a vanity or a towel thrown on the bed, I need order. I cannot relax until I can walk around the house and feel like everything is in place. The minute I am satisfied I relax but until then I am relentless. 

Eric wants relentlessness when it comes to my attention to him.

Unfortunately this does not happen regularly because by the time I do all that I feel needs to be done I am exhausted and/or irritated. Who has time to stop for a hug or a kiss? Who has energy for sex after washing dishes?

And so his words are,"Put me on the list?" Make me just as important as the dishes! 

"Jeez already! As if I don't have enough going on!"

Sigh...

But I saw him and I heard him. I need to put him on the list. Today's list needs to be revised.

• Hug Eric
• Get a passport size photo of Chase
• Wash a load of laundry
• Send Eric a loving text
• Iron Channing's uniforms for next week
• Call prospective housekeeper
• Kiss Eric for one whole entire minute not just a peck
• Go to Family Guardian
• Mop
• Rub Eric's back when he gets in the bed

No, sex is not on today's list. That ended up being added on yesterday's list! 

Sigh...

courtesy of bmindful.com

And so, a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

Until I blog again,

Eric and I celebrating being on each other's list
back when life was less busy!

Tiffany

P.S. The moral of the story is put your husband on your list or he may just end up on somebody else's list!