WW: Oreos or Blacktop? {Linky}

Whenever I see a crushed up blacktop think it looks like crushed up Oreos. I'm like, "Dang I'm hungry! Not so much that I want to go to the store just for Oreos, in this pandemic though." Does a crushed up blacktop look like crushed up Oreos to you?

They need to be a little more crushed up, but you get the point.

4 Tips for Guiding Your Teen through Difficult Behavior

There is no escaping the fact that the teenage years can prove especially trying for both the teenager themselves as well as their parents. From peer pressure and experimenting with drugs and alcohol to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety, there are likely to be several challenges along the way. The question is, how do you, as a parent, effectively guide your teen through this challenging behavior so that they come out relatively unscathed on the other side? Here are a few tips.

Keep lines of communication open

Your teen will likely start becoming more secretive about their personal lives, the older that they get. Do not pry or try to force them to open up to you. Instead, let them know that your ‘door’ is always open and that you are happy to listen without judgment if ever they need to talk.

Try not to take their behavior personally

The chances are slim that their behavior is the way it is simply to upset you. So, try your best not to take it personally. If you do, you are almost certain to respond in anger, which will only push your teen further away.

Seek help when necessary

It is essential to seek out professional assistance if ever you worry that something is not quite right with your teen. This may mean that you suspect that they are addicted to drugs or alcohol, or that they are suffering from an eating disorder or anxiety and depression. Regardless of the problem at play, the point is that neither you nor your teen will be adequately equipped to ensure a swift and full recovery. The good news is that there are several drug treatment centers for teens in the USA. Ignite Treatment Centers are an excellent example to consider.

Avoid being too restrictive

Almost every teenager will rebel against authority at some point or another. In most cases, this rebellion takes place simply because they want to prove their independence and go against the rules. This is why being too restrictive on their behaviors and lifestyles can have the opposite effect than you intend. By forbidding them from going out with their friends, there is a higher chance that they will sneak out of the house to do so anyway. By banning them from touching alcohol, they are more likely to engage in excessive underage drinking behind your back.

Instead of telling them what not to do, focus your attention on giving them guidance to behave decently. For instance, do not tell them not to go near drugs. Tell them that a clean and sober mind is key to excelling in school and making smart decisions. Instead of telling them that they cannot go out, tell them that you have great trust in them and that you know they will be home by their curfew.

You will be amazed at the difference that this particular approach to controlling your teen has on both your lives.

Implement these tips, and you are sure to have a much easier time in terms of helping your teen to navigate their way through these difficult years. Best of luck.

Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall #covid19 @nexoutlets

I just want to cry about this. Nebraska reopens an outlet mall in the middle of numbers rising - during a pandemic!

Source

According to our governor Pete Ricketts, the mall was never asked to close in the first place. He of course isn't going to tell them what to do. He just wants us to be mindful, and take precautions. Basically have common sense.

The mall stores will have thermometers, people are asked to wear masks, and only 10 people can come in at a time.

One argument for them - How is this any different than a grocery store being open?

My argument against them - All these stores have online websites. If people want to shop, shop online. I do realize that there are people needed in warehouses, and package deliverers. But it still is less interaction than a variety of people shopping in stores.

Money shouldn't matter more than lives. Our numbers are rising, durning this pandemic. Stay home, if you can.

In the U.S. I feel like too many leaders have the mindset that money matters more than lives. There isn't a lot of talk about the people that suffer, the families that lost a loved one, how fast this is spreading. Instead it's bump in the economy!

This outlet mall opens, so we can conveniently spend our government check! People are bored. Let them be! Find a hobby! The land of the free has become the land of I can do whatever in hell I want to. We have a moral obligation to protect the workers that have to be out, weak, and elderly.

I really felt pissed off when I found out that the owner of the Outlet Mall is Rodney Yates. He's a Trump supporter big time. Ok, support who you want. I don't care what party you are for. It just seems to me that money to all that's mentioned in the post matters more than lives. Trump has backed the way Pete Ricketts has handled Nebraska. "Use your common sense Nebraskans." - Ricketts

Source

Ok, I can back that common sense thing. I have common sense. I will stay home because I now can. I want to protect those that have to work, elderly, pregnant, and sick with something else people. Not everyone is doing that, nor do they have common sense.

What really bugs me is that this outlet mall is case study, for Trump, Ricketts and Yates. Seriously read here.

Look at the history of New York. So many people got the virus because they are in a tight area, where they travel out, and back in. This outlet mall sits in between Omaha and Lincoln. Two of Nebraska's largest cities.

I'm hoping each store chooses to stay closed. I, like many people need to shop. Mica's grew, and his pants look short. I'm holding off, and if I have to I'll shop online.

Random Tid Bits

1. I've had these sitting on my desktop, for awhile now. I've been amused by any meme that comes up for the Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. I don't know that much about her, other than the memes. They just crack me up! I'm right in line with her. A few things I had to look up.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   I didn't know what "Bugchasing" meant. It's seeking out sex with someone that has AIDS.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. I've had so many people here try to tell me COVID-19 is no big deal. With having blogger friends that live in places around the world, I knew otherwise. I'm not trying to be a person that's like, "I told you so!" It's more, "Please be safe, for yourself, and others around you! This is not a joke!"
   
   
3. I finally started working from home on Monday. The Governor of Nebraska basically said, "If you can work from home, do so!" My boss listens to the Governor, so I emailed to get the ball rolling. It worked.
   
   It's gone ok, except for the boy's fighting, Isaak doing nothing/being lazy, and them playing on the PS4 for their cousins. They forget how loud they talk.
   
   
4. Isaak's getting his with puberty. I remember Mica just being an ass when he was about to turn 12. Isaak turns 12 on May 19. The moods are strong with this one. Isaak's a different than Mica. He's slightly ass like, but very entitled baby like. They all go through it, so I'm not trying to pick on him. It's just hormones.
   
   Who knows before too long the family will have to put up with my hormones. I'm sure I'll go through menopause before too long. I'm mid 40's.


5. Isaak had a some days of waking up with his eyes all crazy like. Last night it was his lip that swelled. Say what?! I was thinking the eye was just environmental allergies. Now I'm wondering if he's allergic to Sunny - the Gecko. He washes his hands frequently, but sometimes not right away. I don't really know. What's something odd that you're allergic to?
   
   
   
   
   

Dandelion Flower Muffins

I've pinned so many recipes, for Dandelions. Last year I made Dandelion Salve, it smells a bit funny according to the boys, but works on Travis' muscles and Isaak's dry skin. I also made Dandelion Flower Muffins, but I couldn't find my recipe on here at all. I must of only posted it on facebook, and not on here. They are really good, and easy too!

It's so wonderful to have 1 free ingredient from what most people consider a weed. I'm all about cheap or free right now; being in the middle of a pandemic.

I gave Mica the responsibility to make them. He said, "Eww gross!" when he made them. When it was time to eat them, he wanted two, and asked for a third. I said, "Two is enough." Isaak asked for two as well.

I tried almond milk last year, it worked just as well as cows milk did this year. I used 1 cup all purpose flour, and 1/2 cup gluten free all purpose flour - Costco's mix. What I'm trying to say is that this recipe can be altered to your needs.

Dandelion Flower Muffins by AlissaSpiehs-Apel on Scribd

Have you ever made anything with dandelions? Every part of them can be consumed. I love Dandelion Root Tea!

WW: Fools {Linky}

April Fools Day came and went. I always do something harmless, that doesn't cost a lot of money. Usually I give my students a fake assignment. Art students do not like papers, so that's what I flock to. I have a handout, and sometimes a PowerPoint to give them. I blame it on Administration.

Since COVID-19 is stressing people out, I decided a fake assignment would be too much for them, and me.

Instead I showed up on their Zoom video like this:

I didn't say anything. One girl didn't even notice. Ha! I must me that funky looking all the time. 

We didn't do much for our own boys. Well I did tell Isaak that he had to clean the bathroom floor with an old toothbrush. He bought it because we do use an old toothbrush to clean small, in the crack things. Before he got to the task I said, "April Fools!"

My husband brought up a floppy silicone thing that looked like the boy's plastic snack plates. It was from a mold he was making. I said, "Stick it in with their snack plates. We'll see if they say anything." They kept shoving it aside. Around April 3rd I put part of Mica's breakfast on it. Most of the way through his meal he finally said something. 

Did you skip April Fools Day this year? What's the best trick you've ever played on someone?

Feeling Happier and Healthier With FeelinGirl

Stress is something that I think everyone has right now. It's hard to not feel it when many people's lives have been altered. A simple hiccup in your and my routine has an impact in how we feel. If you watch the news it's both good and bad. Good because you know more of what's going on. Bad because much of it is negative. Then people disagree. It's good to find ways to combat those negative vibes.

How do you stay feeling more positive? 

1. Exercise - Even if it's as simple as going for a walk


2. Read - Something short and motivating


3. Clean - It helps to get just one medium to big project done a day


4. Create - Paint, craft, make up the words to a preexisting song


5. Relax - Take a shower, or take a bath


6. Drink - Up your intake of water, find a relaxing tea you like, and have one small glass of wine a day if it's something you can drink


7. Routine - If you used to get up at a certain time, still do that

I just started working from home. It's a transition, for sure. At lunch time I'm used to going for a half hour walk. When I'm at home I find that getting lunch ready for the family is my number one priority. It's important to take care of myself. My family is all old enough to take care of themselves. I need to keep going for a walk, wearing a shapewear panty. We all should break up our day with some form of exercise. 

As many of you know my sister Terra is pregnant. She's over half way through the pregnancy. So far she is really healthy. The girl does not go anywhere. I really like that FeelinGirl has Mama Maternity Pregnancy Shapewear Mid Thigh Shaper. She could wear this at home, to exercise. I think it is stylish, sexy, and comfortable looking. 

I do not wear leggings all the time. With exercise FeelingGirl has the best leggings for women! My husband likes ones that still show my belly button. I'm more of a fan of the high waist ones. They stay up! What type do you prefer?  

FeelinGirl also has add ons to help with weight loss. I simply love the red color. My mid section is where I need to loose weight the most. They have many others to choose from. 

What are some ways you combat stress?

Disclaimer: This may be a paid post, and has affiliate links. This was written and edited by me. 

Happy Easter!

We stayed home for Easter, which is where we belong right now.

My parents were nice, and brought cinnamon rolls over yesterday. They literally set them on our steps, texted Travis to come grab them. I didn't have to make the coffee cake I planned to make.

I did a scavenger hunt, despite Travis feeling done with such nonsense. I think as long as the boys enjoy things like that, I'll do it. Usually it's Mica that struggles with the clues. This year it was Isaak that struggled with them. The first was, "5 blue eggs are hidden where a spin cycle happens." Isaak's like, "A spin cycle?! I don't know what that is." Mica's like, "The washer has a spin cycle Isaak." I was vague with some clues on purpose. The last one ended with a pun, "You'll have to weight for your last clue." All the remainder eggs were hidden by the weights.

Truth be told I got 3 different types of M&Ms after Valentine's Day. At the time I felt cheap, now I feel it was really practical.

We spent the majority of the day watching Stranger Things 3. We don't have Netflix, and that's one show we love. I got it around Valentine's Day, for them to get it for Easter.

After we were all done watching Stranger Things 3, we had a quick make shift lunch/dinner. 1/2 a baked potato with cheese, fried ham, and a dollop of plain Greek Yogurt, green beans out of a can because I was out of fresh ones, Travis made a dip with chips. Poof the quickest meal made ever. 

We had a zoom meeting with my sisters and parents at 7. 

That was Easter. What did you do for Easter? Who did you spend the day with?

Random Tid Bits

1. I really wish Nebraska would take this virus really seriously! As of right now our governor talks about working from home, keeping social distances, and using common sense. I think he's forgotten that many do not have common sense. There's no order to stay at home. BUT the mayor of Omaha did put in an order to close all the parks. That doesn't include places with trails. Places with trails have been so busy.


2. Someone that used to work with me made a parody with his family. I love it! Go give it a thumbs up if you like it too!




3. I started wearing a mask in public. It's just hard because I struggle from breathing anyhow. With fabric and a coffee filter over my face it makes it even harder. I remind myself that it's better than getting COVID-19!


4. I started thinking about my sister that's pregnant. She's due in August. If COVID-19 is still very powerful, it might be awhile before I get to hold my future niece.


5. In Omaha a distillery had to shut its doors. In order for the owners to stay afloat they decided to turn the place into a hand sanitizer distillery.
   
   Another place in Omaha makes leather aprons. They noticed their sales plummeting, so they decided to start making filter masks.
   
   I noticed a place in Maryland is collecting old breast pumps to convert to respirators. They only have drop off at the facility right now. I enquired about it because I still have a pump from when the boys were babies. I've kept it because I didn't know what to do with it. I heard one can recycle them, but I never knew where or how. I still have it. If I could follow the engineers directions on how to convert it to a respirator, I would. Ya know for me, if our hospitals get crazy!
   
   Another good thing happening...people staying home = less pollution in the world. I wish they'd get the memo when they go to stores, and leave their nasty gloves in the parking lot.
   
   Good things are happening. Problems are being solved. What is something good that's happening around where you live? I believe when there's a storm of bad, something good has to come. 

WW: Self-Isolate {Linky}

I kind of wish I was stuck on an island, with just healthy people.

It's too bad this is just bird shit.