You would think that I would learn to set better expectations after being a Mom for 5 years.  I was in the basement with Tyler when Jeffrey went upstairs, to get a drink.  After a while, I noticed that he still was upstairs so I called for him.  He came downstairs with a half eaten granola bar and a glass of water.

Me:  Jeffrey, you shouldn’t be eating a granola bar before asking me.  It wasn’t snack time.

Jeffrey:  It’s almost snack time and I was super hungry.

Me:  I understand that you were hungry but I don’t want you to spoil your appetite.

Jeffrey:  O.K Mommy.

About a half hour later I went upstairs and noticed 3 other granola bar wrappers and an empty apple sauce container on the counter.  I questioned him about it, explaining about eating healthy and not spoiling your appetite on granola bars, etc…

Jeffrey:  But that’s why I also ate some apple sauce.

Back in September I had mentioned that my husband decided to leave the job he was working at to work for another company.  He was romanced with strong promises, more money and a promising career.  When he started, he was pleasantly surprised at how many opportunities were presented to him.

About 6 weeks after he was hired, the company restructured and eliminated 20 regional managers, one of them being the person who recruited him, his boss.   With his new boss came a new culture and and a work environment he grew to detest.

For the last 3 months, I can not think of a day where he came home and felt it was a good day.  Our conversations were mostly about his job and all the issues he was having with it.  He was miserable at work and I was stressed watching him go through this.

He debated about going back to the company he left back in September.   I encouraged him to call his previous boss and test the waters.  The District Manager at his old job LOVED the idea and welcomed him back.  One catch, his position (General Manager) was no longer available, but there was an availability for the Assistant Manager’s position instead.  Of course, this meant a cut in the salary he use to make with them.

He asked me my opinion.  If you remember from my post in September, this was a job he loved.  I didn’t have to think about it.

Me:  That would be amazing to be able to work at (company) again.  You loved it there.

Hubby:  It would be a cut in salary and a lower position.  But my District Manager assured me that if there were any expansions in the future, I would be first in line.

Me:  We will adjust to the difference in salary.  If this is what you want, I support you.

Hubby:  Really, even if it means that I left for more money and now am coming back 4 months later with a lesser position and less money than I made when I first worked there?

I answered him and I meant every word, “I have no issue whatsoever with that.  I want you to be happy”.

Yes, his salary just got cut by 24% but if that means that he is passionate about his career and where he spends 9 hours of his day every day, I’m all for it.

I think we both learned an important lesson from this experience.

Guess which day is notoriously one of the busiest days for toilets?  SuperBowl Day.  Think about all those snacks and drinks being eaten and drank during the game.  Did you know that during half time, 90 million toilets will be flushed?

That’s why 2000 Flushes has picked a great time to hold a Sweepstakes.  Who better to host such a Giveaway.  They help take some of the load off your hands when it comes to  your toilets.  Every time you flush, 2000 Flushes cleans and deodorizes to keep your toilet fresh and clean, making your scrubbing easier.

I’ve been using 2000 Flushes for years now and I have always been a satisfied customer.  With two young boys at home, keeping germs and bacteria away is a priority.  My favorite is the Blue Plus Beach.  Not only does it deodorize and kill bacteria but it keeps my bowl sparkling blue.  This way I know it’s time to buy more when the blue starts fading.  If you want to know more about the brand be sure to check out 2000flushesbrand.com.

Now through March 1st, 2010, you can Enter to Win.  All entries will go towards the Grand Prize, weekly winners will be drawn on the following Friday (weeks defined in official rules)

Prizing:

•     (1) Grand Prize – $10,000 Bathroom Makeover

•     (99) Weekly Prizes of free product (coupon for free 2000 Flushes product)

•     A $1 off coupon is also available to download from the sweepstakes site

I can already visualize how I would redo my bathroom if I won such a prize.

Distribution of products by 2000 Flushes, a WD-40 Company, to Participating Parties (media, bloggers, or other third parties or individuals) for the purpose of review and/or endorsement are done so in faith that the Participating Parties will be in compliance with FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION 16 CFR Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising and other related regulations, applicable statutes, regulations, or requirements of any government authority as they relate to subsequent posts or promotional material featuring 2000 Flushes or any of its products resulting from distribution by 2000 Flushes.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of 2000 Flushes. All opinions are 100% mine.

Of course, considering today is the SuperBowl, I couldn’t pass up on sharing some Football jokes.

Praying for Overtime
My husband, a big-time sports fan, was watching a football game with our grandchildren. He had just turned 75 and was feeling a little wistful. “You know,” he said to our grandson, Nick, “it’s not easy getting old. I guess I’m in the fourth quarter now.”

“Don’t worry, Grandpa,” Nick said cheerily. “Maybe you’ll go into overtime.”

Football Makes Sense
A guy took his blonde girlfriend to her first football game. They had great seats right behind their team’s bench. After the game, he asked her how she liked the experience.

“Oh, I really liked it,” she replied, “especially the tight pants and all the big muscles, but I just couldn’t understand why they were killing each other over 25 cents.”

Dumbfounded, her date asked, “What do you mean?”

“Well, they flipped a coin. One team got it, and then for the rest of the game, all they kept screaming was, ‘Get the quarter back! Get the quarter back!’ I’m like, Hello-o-o? It’s only 25 cents!”

Introductions
The night before she was to attend a celebrity golf tournament, my friend Irene went to a party in honor of the event. Several of the famous athletes who were playing in the tournament were at the door greeting guests. Among them was Joe Montana, the pro football Hall of Fame quarterback and Super Bowl winner. Shaking my friend’s hand, he said, “Hi! Joe Montana.”

She didn’t know Joe Montana from Joe Six-Pack, so in all sincerity she extended her hand and said, “Irene. Minnesota.”

Number 1
At five-ten and 114 pounds, our son, Dan, is the skinniest player on his high school football team. During one of his games, I remarked to a cousin, “I wonder why they gave him the uniform with the number 1 on it.”

“It’s probably the only one that fit,” she said.

SuperBowl Husband

A guy named Joe receives a free ticket to the SuperBowl from his company. Unfortunately, when Joe arrives at the stadium, he realizes the seat is in the last row in the corner of the stadium, he’s closer to the Goodyear Blimp than the field. About halfway through the first quarter, Joe sees through his binoculars an empty seat 10 rows off the field right on the 50 yardline.

He decides to take a chance and makes his way through the stadium and around the security guards to the empty seat. As he sits down, Joe asks the gentleman sitting next to him, “Excuse me, is anyone sitting here?”

The man says “No.”

Now, very excited to be in such a great seat for the game, Joe again inquires of the man next to him, “This is incredible! Who in their right mind would have a seat like this at the SuperBowl and not use it?!”

The man replies, “Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. I was supposed to come with my wife, but she passed away. This is the first SuperBowl we haven’t been together at since we got married in 1967.”

“Well, that’s really sad,” said Joe, “but still, you couldn’t find anyone to take the seat? A friend or close relative?” “No,” the man replies, “They’re all at the funeral.”

The role of Father has changed significantly over the generations.  I remember growing up, my father worked a lot of hours, came home late and didn’t really play the role of nurturer.  He played the role of disciplinarian more than anything else.  I love him with all my heart but growing up, our quality time together was limited.  When he did take vacations, we usually took a two day trip as a family.  Those vacations are one of my favorite memories growing up.

Today, we are hearing more and more stories about Fathers playing a participative role in parenting. Raising a Father, a book by Arjun Sen is filled with such stories.  Arjun had a successful career in the corporate world, finding himself quickly rising up the ladder.  One day, he begins to realize the sacrifices he was making in order to achieve this success.  He began to visualize his role as a father being reduced to obligatory phone calls on Birthdays and Father’s day.  He then decided to focus on what was really important in his life.   This book is his journey to becoming a real Father.  Sen discusses how he now measures success differently.

It is also a story of how Sen’s daughter Raka uses all her charm, patience, love, and caring nature to teach her father how to be a better dad and person.

I absolutely love the concept of this book and am looking forward to reading it.  I think many parents struggle with the balance between work and life.  Speaking as a mother who recently returned back to work, I understand the importance of this balance.  I even plan to give this book to someone who would benefit from receiving it as a gift.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Raising a Father. All opinions are 100% mine.