12 kids + Me

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Seriously...

I know what you're thinking.  This young, lovely, smart, and humourous (;P) lady is inviting 12 children to sleep over...is she nuts?  Yes Possibly No - although that feeling will hit me an hour after they arrive!  It is Peach's 10th birthday party...so this supposed "epic" party (description courtesy of my daughter) is taking place tonight.  So....the reality I have no time to blog - yet here I am. 

I thought I would share with the parents the reason their kids may be bratty come Saturday morning at pick up:    Junk Food....staying up late.....gossipping....junk food....waking up early....junk food...and, well their tween age doesn't help matters when it comes to being bratty!

Cookies and Cups.comThis is a sneak peek of the desserts I am whipping up (courtesy of an awesome foodie blogger that I like to check up on!!)

I can believe it but...I have 12 kids coming in 4.5 hours!!!! Help!!!

Pray for me....

Kathy Pettit




 

 

 

 

Halfway to 70...Luckily 70 is the New 40!

Grandparents are awesome to have when you are my age!  When you are young and you hear the stories of "old times" - it is hard impossible to understand what that really means.  I look around at the changes that have happened since my own childhood and marvel at what we have now.  Imagine being on this earth for the last 80 years...and reflecting back on your youth....then looking around you at this moment.  I LOVE to hear about how they lived...and worked...and managed.  At this stage of my life I can appreciate their input and advice.  They offer it from a place of experience, laced with love.

My lovely grandfather pointed out to me that I was halfway to 70!  Ouch...man...I've got some serious living to do!  Halfway to 70.  I gotta be honest and share I made up the second part of the title.  I am hoping by the time I am ancient older that will be the truth.  How did I get to be this age without knowing where the sands of time have fallen?  (Although pure speculation tells me they have fallen on my floor and whenever I think I have it swept up, it magically ends back under my feet!)  If the next half of my life moves as quickly as the first...I better enjoy every waking moment (and, well I love snuggling in my cozy bed so every sleeping moment too!).

Soooo for all of you other halfway to 70ers...please share your secret on how you plan to spend the next half of your life.  Will you be kinder, laugh more, eat more, eat less, tickle strangers, drink more coffee, more wine, eat chocolate with every meal, get to know your neighbours, pinch the bum of a stranger (ok - don't do that last one - you might get hurt!)?

I can't believe it but...I'm closer to being a senior than not!   

Happy living readers, happy living!

Kathy Pettit

Pepper Spray, Stun Guns and Sugar Free Fudge!

Only in America!  Don't get me wrong - I love the USA.  I love the shopping (hehe I accidently typed the shpooing but corrected it - I get the giggles easily!), the food, the people. 

Myself, Hubby, Peach, Pickle and Coconut just spent the last few days in Erie Pennsylvania - shopping!  And this store, across from our hotel was Kali's Candy (http://tinyurl.com/cqektzz).  It is a Jelly-Belly outlet (mmmm...I likey the Jelly Belly...), only the sign stated the aforementioned (big word, I know - look it up if you need to!) along with, "Pepper Spray, Stun Guns and Sugar Free Fudge."  Really?  'Cause when I'm out lookin' for stun guns, I may be diabetic and get a hankerin' for some sugar free fudge?  (And let's have an honest moment here - is there really ANY value in a fudge that is sugar free?)

There is a ring of truth to the expression "jack of all trades, master at none."  This saying can be a guide in our professional lives, as well as our personal lives.  Over-extension is the enemy to being really great.  This is where a little focus can really help you to master whatever it is you are hoping to accomplish.  What is your speciality?  Are you using it?  I am sure this store is filling in the niches that are obviously missing elsewhere in this community.  But I have to wonder...if they focused on a particular area (i.e. self defence OR candy) would they become a master of their domain (no Seinfeld pun intended - again...giggling!!)?

I was guilty of it myself and took on too many things in my volunteering world, and felt I had let people down unintentionally.  I had good intentions...but I was spread so thin that I couldn't give 100% to anything.  I suffered, my family suffered, my work suffered, the organizations I wanted to be involved in probably suffered as well.  My intentions were good - but my performance was very much "jack of all trades."  My goal now is to focus on what I can do effectively.  I also had to practice saying the word, "no."  Although my kids will tell you that is my area of expertise...I struggled with it.  I encourage to you to take on what you can handle, focus on your passion, and let go of things that you are not successful at.  Drop them.  Like hot potatoes.  Revel in your success, and accept that whatever you put your mind to you will be master of.

I can't believe it but...somehow Seinfeld got drawn into this crazy post!!

Happy shopping!

Kathy Pettit

Coffee, Friends and Garbage Grabbing!!

This morning, over coffee, I was reminded of the strength of my friends.  In this instance, I am referring to physical strength....not the mushy kind!

Speed walking has been a a big part of my life for the last year, as I am trying to be more physically active and fit.  Luckily there are a group of women in the neighbourhood that join me on my sweaty adventures!  A few months ago, 2 friends decided to come along.  I don't want to use their names (in case they aren't real friends and sue me ;P), but the important details are this:  One of them is maybe 5ft tall, while the other one is maybe 100lbs - soaking wet, after eating at a buffet!  You'll see the relevance in a minute.

Sundays are the best days to walk in our neighbourhood!  Monday is garbage day.  Luckily, I am blessed to live in such a great neighbourhood, that people put some pretty nice stuff at the side of the road, before garbage day - thinking someone may find use for it rather than having it end up in our local landfill.  Well, as we come around a bend I see a solid round wooden table.  Right away, I said I planned to bring it home.  Home is 2km away.  Being such good friends, they immediately said they would help.  So, my tiny friends and I took turns carrying this piece all the way home.  For 2 kilometres.  I think we burned a billion calories that day.  Our arms all burned....and we were exhausted.  When I look back and think about what they did - I am touched.  They didn't have to do that - but they did without question.  And I would do the same for them.  Gladly.

That is what friends do for each other.  They will gladly carry someone elses' garbage for you.  They will lighten your load or burden out of compassion.   They will sit with you over coffee and motivate you (to write -thanks, Diana!), offer advice - and make you laugh. 

If your friends won't participate in garbage grabbing for a hidden treasure with you, or help you carry your burden - lead by example.  Be the friend that you would want to have.

I can't believe it but...I just admitted online to garbage grabbing (I'll call it re-purposing so I sound all eco-friendlyish!)! 

Happy Dumpster Diving Re-Purposing!

Kathy Pettit