Why I Blog – 100 Day Blog Challenge – Day 95

Why I Blog



It’s hard to believe there are 5 days left of this blog challenge.  It’s been an amazing journey.  I won’t reflect just yet since this isn’t my 100th blog. 

So, why do I blog?

I originally started with the intent on getting more into blogging and generate a new fan base.  I also love to write and share my thoughts on paper.  I’ve started so many journals over the years; some would stick, some would be sporadic.  The one commonality in all my journaling = I love to express myself through writing.

This is very therapeutic.  A way to express my thoughts and/or let out some frustration or just be funny.  It’s a trip down memory lane when you look back on your work.  I can’t help but smile, cringe and say, “What the heck were you thinking?!?!?”

It’s fun.  I have fun when I blog, and I plan to continue as it’s part of my routine.

Why God Made Moms – 100 Day Blog Challenge – Day 68

Why God Made Moms

The boys were being a little rebellious tonight about going to bed (at least 2 out of 3) and it’s especially challenging because I’ve got an early start in the morning.  Anyhow, I got to thinking and remembered an email I received a while back that was pretty darn funny and could not stop laughing. I re-read it again and, yep, it’s still hilarious.  

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the  following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She’s the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1.  He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3.  God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1.  God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2.  They had to get their start from men’s bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1.  We’re related.

2.  God knew she likes me a lot more than other people’s mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1.  My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2.  I don’t know because I wasn’t there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3.  They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1.  His last name.

2.  She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3.  Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1.  My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.

2.  She got too old to do anything else with him.

3.  My grandma says that mom didn’t have her thinking cap on.

Who’s the boss at your house?

1.  Mom doesn’t want to be boss, but she has to because dad’s such a goof ball.

2.  Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3.  I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What’s  the difference between moms and dads?

1.  Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.

2.  Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3.  Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power cause that’s who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

4.  Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1.  Mothers don’t do spare time.

2.  To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1.  On the inside she’s already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2.  Diet. You know, her hair. I’d diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it  be?

1.  She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I’d get rid of that.

2.  I’d make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.

3.  I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

WHEN  YOU STOP LAUGHING — SEND IT ON TO OTHER  MOTHERS,  GRANDMOTHERS, AND AUNTS….and anyone else who has anything to do with kids or just needs a good laugh!!!!!!

Making the Adjustment – 100 Day Blog Challenge – Day 62

Getting Back into the Routine

First off, I just realized I am about 2/3 done with this blog challenge.  How did that happen?  That’s pretty exciting and the finish line is starting to emerge.

So, today was the first day back to our old routine of being a part-time single mom.  I think, no I KNOW we got spoiled and was so glad and used to having hubby/dad home.  It’s going to be yet another adjustment for all of us, but, we’re doing what we have to do to move forward.

Today was a bit of a challenge for all of us.  From getting them to pick up their toys to making their beds, to turning off the Wii, it was as if they turned off their “listen to Mom” switch or something.  We made an attempt to have an outing, and it was a case of Murphy’s Law.  Looking back on the whole experience, and after venting to my hubby, a lot of it could have been avoided and handled differently.  Hearing him say, “You kinda created your own mess” was a hard pill to swallow, and very true.  As much as the boys would like to have the dog on an outing to the Boardwalk, it just might not happen.  So, tomorrow, if the weather is nice again, we will wake up early and go for that bike/walk.  And that’s a BIG if!!!

The boys are asleep now, and it’s funny how things seem to come together AFTER they sleep.  I was about to share some pet peeves I have on raising boys, but that gave me an idea and I’m saving it for another blog post.  Today’s reflection for me is to take it one day at a time and each day will get better.  We’ve done this before and came out fine on the other end.  We will be fine once again this go around.

Keep moving forward!!!

First 30 Days Done, and On to the Next 30 – 100 Day Blog Challenge – Day 31

Introduction



Well, I am not one who jumps on the bandwagon.  Sometimes, it even takes me a while to get things.  In any case, I recently found a 31 Day Blog Challenge with specific topics for each day, and I thought, “What a cool idea…wish I had seen these when I started.”

Oh well, no time like the present, right?

So…..here goes.

My name is Dionne Tuplin.  I am married with 3 boys and I live in Canada.  I decided to start this blog challenge to help me get better at blogging as well as improve my writing.  It’s also a way for me to channel some of my thoughts that take residence in my head.  This is a great outlet for me, and I am having lots of fun, even on those days when it seems like I’m writing a whole bunch of nothing.  It’s my hope that after these 100 days, not only has my writing improved, but my blogging becomes second nature.  While I may not blog every day, it is my hope that the content I do put out there makes a difference even in one person’s life.

So, that’s a little introduction about who I am, and I hope you’ve been able to learn about me from my first 30 entries.  This next journey looks to be exciting, challenging and everything in between.

Hello, it’s me!!!

Now, the other piece to today’s task was to share a recent photo of me.  While this is not a recent photo, it is one of my favorites, and I am NOT one to be in front of the camera.  So, here I am.  Nice to meet you.  Take care, and have a great day.

Some Things are Better Left Unsaid – 100 Day Blog Challenge – Day 29

It’s Happened Again…

Yep, this about sums it up!!!

I just thought this was funny.

While I wouldn’t call this a case of writer’s block, I just don’t know what I would like to share today.  It was a fairly productive day, for a rainy Sunday, but I’m just not sure what or if there is anything worthy to share.  There are quite a few topics running through my head right now, and believe me, if you were to see what’s running through this noggin of mine, you’d go running for the hills.

That’s a lot of running, huh?

Anyhow, I do have somewhat of a big day tomorrow and I’m looking forward to it.  And that’s all I’m gonna say about that.  Just keep your fingers crossed, prayers and wish me luck for a successful outcome.

So, I think this is all I have that’s fit to print, and it’s done before the clock turns 12, and I turn back into a pumpkin.  Take care, thanks for reading, and make each day count.

Being Coachable and Learning When to Step Back – 100 Day Blog Challenge Day 7

The Teacher and The Student

Last night, before they went to bed, I asked my boys what they wanted for breakfast. They all said “Pancakes and Bacon.”  This morning, my 8 year old said, “Mom, would you teach me how to make pancakes?”

They’ve asked me all the time, they get all excited with the measuring and mixing, but then they would usually get tired or bored and go off to do something else.  Today was different.  My oldest REALLY wanted to learn, but I was still a little scared.  But, why?  I mean, when I was his age, not only was I in the kitchen cooking with my Mom, but I was helping raise my younger brother.

So, I willingly allowed him to help, and boy, was he eager.  He got out all the ingredients, the bowl, measuring spoons, pans and whisk.  He was on a pancake making mission.  Things were going really well – he did great with the measuring and he wanted to do the mixing.  I was a little hesitant, so I started it off.  I mean, the batter was full and some of it was stuck to the bottom – he may have had a hard time getting it all mixed…

One is ready to grow up, while the other is just not quite there yet.

The time came to start cooking the pancakes.  He didn’t want to pour the batter in the pan, but he wanted to do the flipping.  He did his first flip, and part of it landed on the edge of the pan.  He got upset.  I told him, it was fine, he did a good job and the pancake was still edible.  We went through this process for a bit, and by the time all was said and done, he managed to flip 12 pancakes with some minor hiccups.

He was proud of himself for helping, and I was proud of myself for not being too controlling.  My 5 year old wanted in on the action as well, so he got to flip the last pancake and the look of joy on his face was just priceless.

When all was said and done, we made 20 pancakes, scrambled eggs and turkey bacon for Saturday breakfast.  It was a joint effort, and a fun time was had by all.  They loved it so much, they wanted breakfast for dinner.  There’s nothing left of that food.

I just wish I had taken a picture of it all.  Oh well, next time.

This experience got me to thinking about what it means to be coachable, willing to learn and allow others to do for themselves.  As a Mom, I know that as my boys get older, they will be able to take on more responsibilities around the house, including cooking.  The fact that they are so eager to learn makes the process a little easier, but that protective instinct in me tends to kick into overdrive on some occasions.

I don’t want them to get hurt – or in this case, burned.

It’s difficult in the beginning.

It can be overwhelming.

They will make mistakes.

They will learn from those mistakes.

They will get better each time.

For my oldest, when he flipped that first pancake and it didn’t come out perfect, he was devastated.  To him, it was the end of the world, but I had to keep reassuring him that it was fine and he did a good job.  That little bit of encouragement made the difference and he did get better along the way.  He was also real excited because he got to turn on the burner.  That was like the Holy Grail of cooking for him at that point.

In life, we are always a work in progress, and we should be willing to learn from others.  As adults, this can be a challenge, for some. We’re set in our ways; we’re used to doing things a certain way; we’re in a rush and want to get it done right now.

Wait a sec…it’s the same mentality kids have.  

When you are open and willing to be coached by others, you gain the knowledge and skills necessary to move forward.  Whether it’s tying your shoe laces for the first time, cooking, reading, writing, starting a business, whatever it may be – as long as you are truly willing to be taught, you will go far.

It’s a matter of giving up control for just a little bit, taking the time to learn, being patient, making mistakes, and having fun along the way.  Then, once you’ve learned, you’re able to turn around and teach it to others.  The duplication process at its best.

This morning was a lot of fun for all of us.  We all learned something about ourselves today.

Now, if I can just get them to put their toys away on their own…