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Seriously, email clutter has taken over flyers in my mailbox! And now I enjoy the newspaper flyers more than I do deleting too many emails. Everywhere you go now they want to join their email list! NO MORE! I’m going to Email Detox my inbox! Too many coupons for things I don’t want or need!

BUT… here is one that you do NEED. It’s got it all!! From great tips to funny stories, to great product ideas and saving tips… it’s SavvyMom. I LOVE my http://www.savvymom.ca tips and ideas! An article from this week was my favorite. It made me laugh out loud… as I related to The KidDictionary. Here’s an excerpt from the SavvyMom article:

“This must have been what Eric Ruhalter, author of The KidDictionary, a book of words parents need but don’t have, was thinking. He took all of his valuable lessons and documented them into a (hilarious) new language.

GARBOFLAGE (v): To hide kids’ artwork under other trash in wastebasket so you don’t get caught chucking it.

SHIRTURBED (adj): Annoyed state of a child who just received an article of clothing as a present. ”

Read the full article here.

I especially love GARBOFLAGE. I’m SO guilty of that! Thank you SavvyMoms for articles I can relate to, and you don’t clutter my inbox with JUNK!!

As for the rest of you JUNK EMAILS… I’m done with you! No more as I click “UNSUBSCRIBE”!

BONUS CODE: JUNK

Radio in the morning! Here’s a tour of what happens around here early in the morning. I love being back to my regular shift, keeping you company while your work. But while I was filling in on the morning show with Terry Reid, you get to see so many great people at work. We work with 660 News, The Fan 960 and Jack FM. Here’s my tour.

From top left to right: Ted Henley is the Morning Anchor on 660 News. Read More about Ted Followed by the lovely Cindy White, also Morning Anchor on 660. Learn more about Cindy Next is Kevin Usselman who has been with the station for over 20 years!! And on the Jack side, the adorable Eric Francis. So great seeing Eric as we used to work together many many moons ago. But the day I went in to say hello to Eric, his partner Matt O’Neill was on holidays. Little did I know (okay I did know) that Calgary Flames Craig Conroy was co-hosting with Eric. So I got a “sqeeze” from Craig. Thanks Craig!

So if you’ve ever wondered if working in radio is fun… the answer is YES! And it’s my pleasure to hang out with YOU everyday!!

Christina

BONUS CODE: RADIO

The only way I can seem to have a smooth week is if I do a weeks worth of food planning… But I get bored with my ideas! This usually consists of Steak, Pork Chops, Chicken, Sheppard’s Pie, and Pizza. Thanks to Darlene who emailed me this to “spice” up my menu. Thanks for sharing Darlene. Send me your favorite dishes christina.rowsell@rci.rogers.com

Darlene’s Peachy Pork Picante:
Here’s one that’s easy and pretty fool-proof. If you like spicy
slightly sweet main dish, you’ll love this!

My husband and 2 children (10 and 14) have loved this for years!

PEACHY PORK PICANTE
1 lbs boneless pork loin
1 Tbs taco seasoning mix
1 Tbs vegetable oil
1 cup chunky salsa
1/3 cup reduced sugar peach jam

Cut pork into 3/4 inch cubes. Combine pork with taco seasoning in a
re-sealable plastic bag and knead to mix. Let marinate in the fridge for
an hour or 2.

Heat oil in a large skillet over med-hi heat. Add pork. Cook, stirring
frequently, until pork is browned on all sides, about 10 mins. Stir in
salsa and peach jam. Reduce heat to low and cover skillet. Simmer,
stirring occasionally until pork is cooked through, about 20 min.

Spoon over cooked rice or corkscrew pasta or egg noodles. Enjoy!

Serves 4

* You can make this as spicy as you like depending on the heat in the
salsa you use.

Have a great day Christina!

BONUS CODE: PORK

Dear Christina,
My son is almost 8 months old, and I’ve just been offered a job that I can’t possibly turn down. But I have some friends who are making me feel bad about going back to work so early, when “they” say I’m entitled to the full year of maternity leave. Why would I want to go back so soon? “They” tell me that I’ll be missing out on the MOST IMPORTANT time of my son’s life. I was shocked to see so many of my friends being negative about this wonderful opportunity for me and my family. You have two kids, and work, how did you decided to be “okay” with it?

Any thoughts would help.
Thanks,
Kerry

Hi Kerry,
Wow! Those are some tough friends you have. At the end of the day, you really do have to decide for yourself, and no one else! Your friends are just trying to “care”, but they may not have the same opportunity as you. Going back to work after having a baby is NEVER easy. No matter what GREAT opportunities are out there. You have changed in so many ways. You are now not just one person; you’ve become a mother, a caregiver, and a supporter.

With my first, I came back to work when my little boy was just 6 months old. I cried for a week at work. (Only once with my microphone on). But as time went on, that’s when I realized that I was a better mom for going back to work. I took a job that had great hours, with the flexibility to be there for my kids if need be.

That’s what you need to do. Sit down with your family and decided what is best for YOU and your family. If you think taking this opportunity is the best decision, then do it. (After all, it’s just a job, and if it doesn’t work out you can change your mind!!) But for some, it’s not a choice. Financial strain has mother’s going back to work as early as possible. We have to remember how fortunate we are sometimes with the “options” we’re given.

As for your friends, if you decide to do this, you need to let them know how you’re feeling. Say “thank you for your opinion, but this is the best choice for ME”. Ask them to support you, rather than bring you down. For some mother’s, staying home and taking care of the family is the best decision for THEM, and support that.

The first year is VERY important to be with your child, and so is the 2nd and 3rd and 4th and so on and so on. My decision to be “okay” with going back to work was the fact that I can get away for a while to still be “me” and I come home looking forward to being with my boys! I believe we have better quality time together now with me being able to step out for a few hours a day.

Kerry, I hope your friends come to understand YOUR choice. Not everyone is going to have the same opinion as you… just wait until your son is 3 years old and still sucks on a soother… you’ll get all kinds of opinions… and from people you don’t even know.

Thanks Kerry for letting me share your story!
Christina

BONUS CODE: WORK