WOMEN AND PUBLIC BATHROOMS

The office hallway seemed never ending as I quickly scrambled to the communal bathroom while trying not to have a complete breakdown of the bladder...

I twitched around a corner and lunged into the door hoping that my violent push didn't whack another woman into unconsciousness.  Unfortunately, the stench I walked into almost knocked me down for the count. Nothing wrong with taking a morning to do but dang, walking in the waft of a fresh sh*t first thing in the morning isn't necessarily the way you want to begin your morning (and before your morning coffee/tea too!?).  It's a sure way to set your mood right off.

But that's not what really set me off. 

So I busted through the door and began unbuttoning my pants immediately on my way to the stall.  A swift kick to open the stall door and what do I see? Something that looked like a total eruption of someone's intestines inside the toilet with a side of tinkle all around the toilet seat! (Yes, I must be graphic) Seriously?! Is this how we grown women are carrying on? This is straight up nasty!!

This could be a sensitive topic for some or one that some may think is too crass to talk about...but, seriously, we all think it.  I'm just saying it out loud. 

I personally dislike using public bathrooms. Sometimes you just don't know what conditions you will meet.  The built up anxiety of whether you will step into a fairly decent stall or a straight up sh*tty one (pun intended) is a feeling no one should have to go through!

But what leaves me completely baffled is that women continue to contribute to this nasty trend!  Women aren't nasty, right?!  We keep our houses and whatever areas we are in charge of clean, don't we? I would like to think so!  So why in the world do I meet urine all over the toilet? Do you not see it before you leave?! Or am I missing something? 

Something is always going wrong in the Women's bathroom for management to place the 'out of order' sign on the door and an HVAC on the floor. Overflowing due to clogging from too much tissue, or sanitary napkins, and whatever else women toss down there.  Why women? Why? I encounter this too often and is something I just cannot wrap my head around.

If you have to assume the squat stance and know you are a sprayer, well dammit clean up after yourself! It's YOUR PEE!  Flush the toilet if it's working! If it isn't, help to put a sign on the door to warn others and do the right thing and report it. Just don't leave it expecting someone else will take care of it.

How do we go from taking care of house and home to being completely inconsiderate in public bathrooms???

Maybe because we have to clean our own bathrooms that we don't care to be mindful of what we do in other bathrooms?  We just know that someone will take care of it and we're just glad it isn't us? (Hmmmm...although, when I think about that, it does sound like a good arrangement)

Just some thoughts for you today.  Do you wipe the seat if you are a sprayer? Please tell me you do!



Have a happy Friday with clean toilets!

Signed, 
I need my own bathroom, Candilaria

PARENTING: Life Lessons

courtesy of lookingflyonadime.com

Many years ago a dear friend shared a true story. 

During high school, Chelsea earned 'A' and 'B' grades. She was a good student. One semester she failed to be so successful. She was distracted with being a teenager. She brought home a report card filled with 'C' and 'D' grades. 

courtesy of www.daviddrury.com

Sigh...

One day, Chelsea's father told her to go into her closet and pack up her 'A' and 'B' clothes. She obeyed, not quite sure of her father's plan. He packed her clothing in suitcases then ordered her to get into the car. "Where are we going?" asked Chelsea. Her father did not answer. They drove in silence until they arrived at a thrift store. "We are here to buy your 'C' and 'D' clothing. When you earn 'C' and 'D' grades you wear 'C' and 'D' clothes. I'll give you back your 'A' and 'B' clothes when you earn 'A' and 'B' grades.

Chelsea lives in America and attended a school that did not require wearing a uniform. As a teenager, you can imagine her dismay going to school wearing her 'C' and 'D' clothing.

What a consequence!

Needless to say, a semester later Chelsea received her 'A' and 'B' clothing. Lesson learned! 

Well, my daughter is five years old and in Grade One. She has received excellent grades on every report card she has ever received. She has received high praise for her effort and achievement from all of her teachers. That is until last week. Last week, her Grade One teacher sent me an email describing a talkative student who is is not completing her work. She has been kept in during lunch and after school. She failed to attend a library class at one time as well. Why? Talking. 

Oh hell no!

I am a teacher. I spend all my days asking students to stop talking. I was disappointed to learn my 'good child' was talking in class. Channing's grades have remained superior because of her teacher's tenacity and basic care for my child. As her parent, I need to match that tenaciousness!

But how? Pardon my grammar but....'She five!' She has much more schooling to go! I don't want her to be overwhelmed!

Channing, she deserves to be kid!

Now please understand I am not one of those parents who is focused on grades. My concern is the disrespect, not following instructions, the talking.

And so, what did I do? I remembered Chelsea's story. Eric and I decided to let Channing live a 'talking in class type of life'! For the past week there has been less computer time, less television time, less craft time with Mummy and the most drastic was no gymnastics. Here is my thought. Why should I spend money on an extra-curricular activity? This is extra, not a necessity. Talking does not earn extra!

I want Channing to understand her choices determine the quality of her life!

Here's the thing though, is it too early to teach her this life lesson?

When should parents start to teach life lessons?

My children, Channing and Chase in my classroom.
Five and three years old respectively, very inquisitive about this thing we call life!

As a teacher I see the countless students who are rewarded for mediocrity! Students receive bad grades yet they have all of the latest gadgets. Homework incomplete, missing assignments, teacher complaints yet these kids are not concerned with their lives being altered. What is this? I remember on report card day as a child we didn't breathe easy until the envelope was opened. Talk about 'waiting to exhale'! Today report card day is a regular day. These students are not concerned.  

Who can blame them if there are no consequences for mediocrity?

And so, Channing is five years old. I want to begin early. My plan is to teach as much as I can before she becomes a teenager and discovers her long eyelashes and declares 'I am causing her stress'! (Smile Mummy)

But with that said, is five years too early to take away gymnastics and she get the message? Will Channing understand there is a consequence for every action? Will she digest her behavior at school affects her life at home?

Who knows? But I know one thing.....I have to do something because excessive talking in class which results in incomplete work is sooooo unacceptable! 

Until I blog again,
Tiffany

MARRIAGE: Who Knew?

imgflip.com
Images like these make women believe
men don't have emotions!

For those of you who may not know, I am presently in my second marriage. I remember the exact day during my first marriage I realized that men have emotions too. Amazingly, it was after we were separated.

Way back in 1996, without any notice I checked into a hotel for the night  after an intense argument. (This was while we were dating .....yes I was shacking up!) I returned home the next day to a boyfriend giving me the silent treatment. In the days that followed we eventually starting speaking but we never discussed my field trip to The Hilton!

After my marriage dissolved and we were living in two separate states , my ex husband was in my city for a visit. He bumped into me at a club, I was looking sexy as ever which led him to give me a call. He invited me to the movies. Of course I went. Afterwards, I dropped him to his hotel. While sitting in the parking lot, five years later in 2001, this man opened his heart to share his hurt over my choice to leave our apartment in 1996. He had never forgiven me for leaving him. FIVE YEARS LATER......SERIOUSLY!

I thought women held grudges?!! Apparently we aren't the only ones!

Despite this revelation being five years late, it was very sincere. I remember gazing at my ex husband in amazement. He was hurt all this time? I hurt his feelings? He didn't seem hurt... angry but not hurt! I know I know I know, anger is an emotion but I was 23 years old at the time. At 42 I know now that anger is repressed hurt. Anger is an emotion!

kenmcphail2u.blogspot.com
I got this image from an actual post written by a man....check it out!

Fast forward to today to my marriage. My husband is presently 'going through some things' that were not caused by me! As events unfolded he continued to function. He worked, he smiled, he walked, he smiled; to any onlooker including me he looked fine.

Until one day, out of the blue he revealed he was in the midst of processing his emotions. Thankfully on that day I was a soft place to fall ... because I confess I am not always soft!!!!!!!!!!

As I listened I felt guilty. Guilty because I did not recognize or rationalize my husband, the man I share a bed with was hurting. Had I seen tears maybe I would have been alerted! If he refused to get out of bed maybe I would know 'something was wrong'! When his appetite went missing I thought it was 'a bug' making him ill not ever considering he was 'feeling some kind of way'!

I was oblivious. It was easy to be so clueless. Men don't process their emotions like women. With that said, men still do in fact have emotions. Are they equally emotional as us...I have no clue but they feel. If pricked they will bleed.

As a wife I know this is an area I need to improve upon. I need to be more aware of my husband's emotions. Without a doubt I am his cheerleader, I need to be a better friend.A girlfriend of mine was sad the other day, she was sitting at her desk. I saw her countenance and immediately knew something was amiss. Can I confidently tell you I am that aware when my husband walks through the door at the end of each day...yeah if nothing else is going on, but on most days I am distracted by life....'I ain't checking for him'! Damn that's horrible! 

I write this post as a confession. I forget to honor my husband's emotions. His feelings are as real as mine whether they are visible or not. Eric is very attentive to my every inhale, he deserves the same. Maybe yours does too. 

So this evening when your husband walks through the door, when you talk to him on the phone or as he gets dressed in the morning, look at his gait, watch how he moves, listen to his voice, focus on his breathing, examine the bags under his eyes...watch and listen. 

He may need you and you not know.

Until I blog again,
Tiffany 

P.S. "My apologies Nags...."

Married Working Mothers ON THE RUN!

So it’s 2015 and it has been a year since I started my fitness goals and I am proud to say that I have stayed the course. I managed to tick off the mini goals I set for myself and what a great feeling it was!  I admit towards the end of the year, I encountered scheduling challenges as we had to let go our housekeeper and if you know anything about losing a housekeeper you know just how much of a nightmare life can be afterwards…(Yes, I know…I’m #spoiled #firstworldwomanproblems #Iamnotashamed #Ineedhelp #lifeisn'twhatitusedtobe) AND of course we went through the holiday season so we know how that one ends…heehee.

I decided not to run the half marathon (in #marathonbahamas) this year, and unfortunately I don’t really have an excuse why.  But let’s just stick to it being due to scheduling issues.  Last weekend, Sunshine Insurance held its annual Marathon Bahamas here on New Providence island and I saw so many amazing Married Working Mothers posting pictures of completing either the half marathon, relay, or full marathon on Facebook, and it made me think.  Just how many more Married Working Mothers want to make running the half marathon (or marathon if you’re really brave) a goal? Or to simply start running, a goal?

What if we, Married Working Mothers, began a running group?!  No experience needed.  More often than not we all need some inspiration and motivation to reach our goals, especially fitness goals.  Why not create a support group just for that?!!  While the real training for the marathon will begin later on in the year, it is important to just start.  What do you say?!  Make it your goal!  Dedicate at least one day in the week with the intent to add more runs later on.  It’s a great way to kick start any health and fitness goals you may have given yourself for 2015.

If you are interested in joining the MWMs running group, please e-mail us at marriedworkingmothers@gmail.com.  Let's motivate each other!

Signed,

Running still, Candilaria

One Word!

I confess, I did not make any New Years Resolutions. None, no not one! 

Did you?

Honestly my life is too busy. I don't have any available minutes in any of my days to add another task. My 'Guilt-o-meter' is measuring past its maximum capacity, I refuse to add another responsibility to feel guilty about when I fail to to achieve it. Sadly, all of my thoughts are taken, I can't think one more thought, my brain is full! Only pre-existing thoughts are allowed.... Potty training, early school dismissals, body rashes, inappropriate dance moves learned on the playground. 

Chipped nails but they are painted nonetheless...
Jeez my fingers look fat!

And so I have no resolutions. I am not surprised. Two years ago, I only had one resolution. My resolution was to keep my nails painted. Here is a picture of what my nails look like today. I am still attempting to keep that resolution by the skin of my teeth!

Upon returning to work after the Christmas holidays, my administrator (I will love her forever, you know who you are), mandated her staff to choose one word. She emailed a link about a book written by Jon Gordon which suggests a simple act. 

Click on the link below.

http://getoneword.com/todayshow/

For those of you who may not be able to watch the link, the author Jon Gordon suggests we choose one word that will guide all of our actions for the entire year.

Courtesy of www.barnesandnoble.com

Courtesy of itunes.apple.com

It took me a few days but eventually I decided on a word. My word is (insert drum roll here)...

Courtesy of drmsales.com

Courtesy of lowe-mark.co

Like all of you I have many roles. Each one of my roles has many responsibilities. On any given day I am overwhelmed. 

At 4:45 a.m. when my alarm goes off I function in my role as woman. This means I do what it takes to get dressed and look like a woman, hair, makeup, appropriate clothes etc. At 6:00 a.m. I function in my role as a mother by getting the kids up in order to prepare them for school. At 8:00 a.m. I transfer into my role as teacher, specialist team leader, colleague and friend until 3:15 p.m. I look forward to the minutes from 3:15 p.m. to 3:35 p.m.. This is when I enjoy my role as woman as I blast rap music  on the way to picking up my children since this is the only time alone in the car. I satisfy my role as mother and housekeeper until 7:30 p.m. as I balance homework, laundry, sweeping and tidying up. At 9:00 p.m. I muster the energy to perform in my role as wife wondering if I can somehow find more time to be Tiffany the woman! (I need more rap music in my life!)

Clearly my roles aren't going anywhere. And so I decided that instead of dreading the roles just fulfill them....I mean really fulfill them. I fulfill my roles because I try to do what it takes to be a good wife, mother, teacher, colleague etc. but there are days I do it grudgingly. My one word fulfillment means I want to function in each role to the best of my ability until it is time to function in another role. When I am with my husband I want to experience fulfillment as a wife. When I am with my children, I want to feel the rewards of being a mother. When I am at work I want to experience fulfillment as a teacher, truly enjoy the process of teaching and inspiring young minds. And most importantly, when I am alone I want fulfillment as a woman, be Tiffany, have fun with Tiffany.

I summarize this desire with the following poster.

Courtesy of www.motivationblog.org

Whatever I do I want to do it hard!

Click below and dance with me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3QzCWsOdHs

What about you? If you haven't made any resolutions try just one word for one year!

Happy 2015!

Until I blog again, 

Tiffany

P.S. Wiz khalifa has a hot song too.....