The Sky is Blue

I enter this new week a little tired, but smiling.  Why? No drama this weekend.  We had sunshine, and sports, and cuddle time--- less the drama.  Most families don't experience the intense level of emotions that the Rhodes clan does. Sure, they have the hectic life of families, perhaps some fighting, the normal mess--- perhaps a little teen hormone induced drama....but we have drama of a different kind in our house.  The kind of drama caused by a brain that is shooting off crazy chemicals induced by years of trauma.  When our son Victor is home, the whole world is a great big land mine.  Saying the wrong thing, calling him out on behavior, or even suggesting that he not eat a 4th serving of ice cream can cause the the peace to recede, and for chaos to ensue. He is now in a boarding school for kids with emotional issues.  As sad as it is that our family isn't all together--- I must admit that the peace in our household is a welcome blessing. ...

This small phrase is pure wisdom.  A Wife and Mother's state of mind, is hugely influential in the peace and happiness enjoyed in a family.  Just ask my husband of 22 years, lol. When I am in a groove where I am enjoying creative endeavors, doing enjoyable volunteer work, contributing to the families financial bottom line, and feeling happy and healthy----- we all win. In a houseful of boys, I feel like I am providing my sons with an education on living with Women.  We are beautiful loving creatures--but I don't know a single woman I like who doesn't have a bit of crazy mixed in.  Seriously, do you?? Not to alarm my feminist friends, but hey-- it is at least partially hormones.  It is biology. It makes our emotions go whack.  Hormones can heighten our emotional sensitivity creating virtual land mines for those around us.  Don't kid yourself, it happens to you too. We are not always easy to live with.  The same emotions that make us sometimes v...

Not long ago,  I was a LOVER of fragrance.  My husband enjoyed jaunts to Nordstrom to choose new fragrances for me each year. I would scan websites to find my fave, discontinued fragrances. I found perfume delightful. One day, I was at a Women's Retreat with friends, and I was introduced to my friends Mom.  She has severe reactions to fragrance.  As I went to greet her with a big hug, she stepped back and said " You smell like a french Cathouse!"  I chuckled, mildly insulted, but more amused.  I though she was just eccentric.  My fragrance was expensive, and lovely,  it was part of my personality.  Ask anyone, lol. In an effort to be considerate, I would forgo the perfume when I knew I would see them.  I didn't want to cause my friends Mom discomfort, as her allergies are severe. I got to know my friends Mom in the upcoming months, and she made an effort to share the real dangers of fragrance with me.  She shared her story, sh...

In an effort to remove our blinders, lets take a challenge.  How many products do you use on your body every day?  I took the challenge, and I hit 21 products before my first cup of coffee.  I encourage you to do this yourself.  then take a look at the image below, to see how the products you are using are impacting your body.  Let's start the conversation. Add your results to the comments. #noway #seriously #ewwww #toxins #youmatter How many Products do you use each day? 

I have been on a journey of awareness over the last few years. I met with a friend of mine a while back to who shared information about the products that we use  every single day--- and the toxic ingredients they have in them. I am not just talking about cleaning products, and and the scary stuff you find in processed foods. I am talking about the products you use on your infants, your children, yourself. I thought diet soda, and Fast food were the primary threats--- we eat organic vegetables, we clean with essential oils, we even make our own toothpaste and deodorant in our home-- but still we are exposed to a slew of ingredients linked to cancer and a host of other diseases. I have learned through this Ah-Ha moment, to become a label reader. Labeling in America is not trustworthy. "Natural", does not mean safe. "Fat Free" does not mean it won't make you fat. "sugar-free" does not mean healthy. We cannot trust the large personal products companies, ...

On the way to school this morning my sons were chatting about it being the end of school.  Summer is the best, but wow, it is here already?  This summer will look a bit different for our family.  I work now, so no slow down for me-- though it will be nice not to have 3 drop offs before work.  My husband works from home, so he now has the joy of having everyone playing and laying about while he tries to work.  I am trying to convince Nick that camp is fun, but he isn't hearing it. Our two college age sons, have yet to secure employment for the summer, so their relaxing ways are already on hubby's nerves.  I am considering a low handed tactic of changing the WiFi password, and the Netflix password daily until the boys are gainfully employed.  Not nice, I know-- but I have already tried nice--- it's not working.  They are good humans, but the job thing is a point of contention. So if anyone is in need of big strong boys to help move, do work arou...

Lit tle humans defy explanation. Just how do genetics, parenting, socioeconomic factors, and the many unknowns--mix and bubble together to form a personality? Even kids born of the same parents, brought up in the same environment, are often very different. Mix in a little neglect, abuse, and mental illness, and the picture gets even more convoluted. Life is challenging enough under the best of circumstances, but this--- this, is something altogether more draining. I am the  first to share the wonderful story of how our family was made. A conscious decision to grow our family, bringing in little souls who might otherwise be lost. We now find ourselves in the position of trying to save a lost soul who has been given a family, a safe and loving home, has all of his needs met.... and is still so lost. We are watching him free fall. Despite every effort to get him the help he needs, he slides further and further out of reach. It is overwhelming for every person in his orbit. He...