All posts by Monna

Jun 19
0

A House Built With Love

By | Uncategorized | 5 Comments

I’m trying hard to keep it organized 

but it’s never fancy

or decorated

like my sister’s house

 

she has impeccable taste

 

The morning sweeping 

and bed making

got me to thinking about it

 

We’ve only bought a few items

ourselves

A bed

some chairs

and shelves

for our thousands of books

and old school cd’s

 

Everything secondhand

So babies don’t ruin anything

too important

and so we can afford it

 

But this morning

as I look around my house

I realize that

I see love wherever I look

because most of it

has been given to us

by people who love us

pack-n-play from Chelley

rocking chair from my mom

bedspread from Auntie K

innumerable gifts of clothing

from Grandma

and Judy

and Christy

and Lo

and Naynay

and Suz

and Becky

and Amber

and those I can’t even remember right now

 

Piano from Jim and Colleen

“sold” so inexpensively they nearly gave it

computer built by John

Troubleshooting by Eric

Cooking knives by Sam and Pam

and steaks

Food from Scott and Dani

Cooking by Robert

 

Complete and utter house destruction daily

by my kids

Cleanup by me

and the kids

And so many more things that

I don’t even remember

 

Lots of crazy 

and joy

and fun

and yelling – honestly!

and love

have lived here

because of that generosity

 

And I am thankful

To be so blessed

 

What fills your heart with thanks today?

 Want to keep giving thanks with me? Subscribe here.

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Jun 07
0

You Can Have It All. (Or Can You?) A “Working” Mom’s Perspective

By | Honest Mothering, Uncategorized | One Comment

My friend Erin authors the blog Just Call Me Mayhem, where she writes about motherhood and living life with refreshing candor and not a little humor. Today, she’s agreed to share a very honest post about motherhood from a working mom’s perspective. As I read it for the first time, it pulled at my heart because I know it’s where so many moms are right now. It seemed perfect to share the perspective of a mom who works outside the home after my latest post about being a stay at home mom. ****SPOILER ALERT: We ALL feel like we are dropping the ball somewhere at times.****

I am convinced that in order to become the best versions of ourselves, we need to share real life with each other. Sharing reassures us that we’re not alone in our deepest struggles, gives us the opportunity to laugh and encourage each other. Somehow, the act of encouraging another person gives us the focus and strength to change our own lives for the better. Now that is powerful!! Solidarity, people. It’s what life is all about.

Erin, thanks for your honesty and willingness to share your life in these lines. 

Readers – add your encouragement or experiences in the comments. 

p.s. just to clarify, The only reason the word “Working” is in quotes in the above title is that this post is about a mom who works outside the home. I, of course, believe that all moms work. Duh.

People say, “When life hands you lemons, make lemonade.”  Well, lately, mine has been needing a little vodka in it. 

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been seeing blogs and Facebook posts and articles about how women today balance life, children and work and I keep thinking, “how in the hell can they possibly achieve any kind of balance?”  As you may or may not know, I am the mother of 2 1/2 year old twin boys, a wife and the general manager of a winery in WA.  The only thing I don’t have in my life is balance!

And I have no idea where to begin to find it.  My job is a salary position, so as you may imagine, I put in a lot of hours. It’s gotten to the point now that my sons express genuine surprise at me when I come home from work and they are still awake. I hear a lot of, “Mama, you home now?” With raised eyebrows and very incredulous looks.  Heartbreaking.  Mother of the year award–yeah, right.

Thankfully, I am married to the most amazing man who is not a stay-at-home Dad, but is so hands on, I cannot believe my fortune in finding him. Right now, as I write this, he is giving the boys a bath. That said, I feel untethered.

I’ve said to Chris that I am a stellar employee, a mediocre mom and a shitty wife.

And, I guess, my biggest issue is not that I want to be home with my kids all day every day–I’ve worked hard over the last 13 years in the wine industry to get where I am and I’m really good at what I do–but that I can’t even figure out where to begin to stake a claim back on my own life…

Is there a way to leave work at work?  

I suspect it’s just the nature of my job, but I keep thinking that there has to be a way for me not to spend a majority of my time obsessing thinking about my job, working remotely from home on my “days off” and just plain going in to work on my days off.  Maybe it’s a strength of character thing–I need to assert myself better–but I’m afraid of the consequences.

I don’t write this seeking a fix for my issues (pretty sure I need therapy for that!) but, just to put it out there.  

I want to be a better mom.  I want to be a better wife.  I need to assert myself at work more, set boundaries and stick up for the good things I’ve done.  And more than anything, I want to be the kind of woman who does not give up on trying to be a good mom just because work is calling.  I guess it’s all part of the Chaos & Mayhem, but frankly, I’d like to hang on to a bit more of my sanity….

How do you keep “balance” in your life with work and family?

Chaos & Mayhem is about holding on to the thread of sanity amidst the daily craziness that is my life.  I am a heavily-tattooed mom of three-year-old twin boys, a wife and the general manager of a winery in beautiful Washington state.  This is the very real story of our family and my tightrope walk to find some kind of balance.  No filters (except Instagram!) and no gloss.  You get the real me. Hopefully you find that you are not alone in the Chaos and Mayhem.  I’m here too…and I have booze. – Erin

May 19
0

Relieving Mosquito Bite Pain Naturally

By | Natural Health, Organic Mama Cafe | No Comments

Arizona is not plagued as more humid locations with mosquitos but that doesn’t make the bites any less annoying and painful when they appear. Some people just seem to attract mosquitos though I’ve learned a few good ways to repel them. When they bite, they swell fast and boy, do they itch! At Organic Mama’s house, we use a natural, effective remedy for easing the pain and itchiness of mosquito bites. Of course.

The best part is, the secret ingredient can be used for a lot of other things, which I’ll share in another post. This should be a staple in your medicine cabinet!

Here it is. The secret to natural mosquito bite relief…

Bentonite Clay.

I’m including an amazon link but you can also get it at local health food stores. Here in Phoenix, you can find it at Sprouts and probably Whole Foods (though it’s probably pricey there).

Bentonite is a drawing clay, which means it draws impurities out of the skin. It’s aged, weathered volcanic ash. According to Mountain Rose Herbs, bentonite becomes electrically charged when moistened. Then, it swells up like a sponge and draws out whatever you’re using it to extract.

We have used this drawing clay for several purposes but one of my favorites is to treat mosquito bites. When we apply bentonite clay paste on mosquito bites, they shrink and the itchiness subsides significantly or disappears depending on how old the bite is.

I always keep Bentonite in the house. It’s inexpensive and can be used for many other things.

As with most natural remedies, Bentonite’s effectiveness is increased when used immediately after being bitten. However, it will still help, even with a bite that is a few days old.

For an extra healing boost, add a little lavender essential oil to the mixture. It helps when applying to children. We call it “flower magic”.

You can also add a few drops of echinacea tincture. It has long been used to deal with bites and it’s “numbing” effect eases the pain too.

There you have it! Super easy, non-toxic mosquito bite pain relief.

If you found this information helpful, please share this post! I love sharing safe, natural ways to approach life’s pesky problems.

 

Natural Mosquito Bite Relief
Recipe Type: Mosquito Bite Pain relief
Author: Organicmamacafe.com
Prep time: 2 mins
Total time: 2 mins
Ingredients
  • Bentonite clay
  • Glass bowl (Non-metal – remember the electrical charge)
  • non-metal spoon
  • apple cider vinegar
  • water
  • coconut oil (optional)
Instructions
  1. Based on the size and number of bites to be treated, place a few tablespoons of bentonite in a glass bowl.
  2. Add an equal amount of vinegar and/or water. Go slow on this. It’s easier to add a little more moisture than to keep having to add clay. Remember the clay is a little sponge-like.
  3. Stir vigorously till the mixture is a smooth paste.
  4. You want the texture to resemble the consistency of mayonnaise. If it’s clumpy, stir a bit longer and add more moisture if necessary.
  5. Apply to bite and allow to dry.
  6. When the paste is dry, use a fairly damp, warm washcloth to gently remove it from the skin.
  7. Apply coconut oil or other moisturizer as bentonite can be drying.