Did I seriously walk Bean in his jogging stroller to pick up Monkey?

When I was still in the busy working world, I would often find myself, well...screwing everything up. I had this saying in reference to my forgetfulness that "if there is too much going on up there...something is going to start to fall out." This of course was my rational for having absolutely zero time management skills. Did I just say "time management skills?" Urgh!

My job was amazing and I got it right out of college, but it was hectic and demanding. Not the type of job for a mother of two small children. I would relish the thought of getting to get out of work early enough to actually pick up Monkey from school. So lame right? I would make a mad dash from the office to the school while checking the iphone to make sure there were no "new message." I know....negligent driver!

I remember getting to the school out of breath, sweaty, and dressed in my stuffy work clothes and high heels. I would always just make it in time, and it use to make me sick to see the SAHM moms who were always casually walking on the sidewalk, chatting it up with the some other SAHM while pushing the stroller with one hand and sipping a diet soda with the other. They were soooooo freaking annoying and perfect that I wanted to scream! I hate them! I hate them! I hate them! Wait, all I have to do is remind myself that I am a successful career woman and look damn good in these heels! Okay, so maybe it was a short term fix but it helped me sleep at night.

Today, I did it. I totally sold out! I decided to walk the couple of blocks we live from the school to pick up Monkey. I tossed Bean in the jogging stroller and took off. I was not even in a hurry, and it was then that it dawned on me! Really? Was this me? Oh well! I guess the flip flop was on the other foot now, and damnit, I'm not changing it back!

Work at Home Now - book review

I really stink at reviews! The book that I read a few months ago is Work at Home Now-The No-Nonsense Guide to Finding Your Perfect Home-Based Job, Avoiding Scams, and Making a Great Living. by Christin Durst and Michael Haaren also authors of The 2 Second Commute.

What do I think about this book?
It is a great guide and does exactly what it says it does. It is a serious resource book that concentrates more on giving you detailed sites and info regarding work at home job listings, and less boring story telling.

Great book, but I must warn you...you will spend an incredible amount of time checking out the websites provided for the different jobs while still reading!!

Just check it out!!

Free2bMommy

Starting a home business in a sluggish economy

I know that many people are nervous about starting a business in a slow economy. It seems like it would not make sense financially. Well in many ways that is true, but in more ways that may not be so true.

You see, the trick is to find something that you enjoy doing, but also something people need right now. We are never without "needs". Those "needs" shift depending on the situation, but think about how many successful businesses became successful based on serving a "need".

I love the WAHM.com website, and it is one of my favorite resources. I found a great article that you might want to check out to help give you ideas of some of these "needed" services you may be able to fill.

http://www.wahm.com/articles/the-best-home-business-ideas-for-a-slow-economy.html

Free2bMommy

WAHM day #1

So, I was thinking about what I was going to write about and thought that it would be neat to chronicle the next 30 days and see how I feel at day 15, 28, and especially day 30.

Of course this will not be the only posts. Some days I am sure will be ridiculously boring, sending you a "sorry about that" way ahead of time.

Day #1

So far so good. Woke up at 9:00 and cut Bean a green apple. I tried to give him cheerios and a sippy with milk, but he soon rejected that attempt by throwing every last one of the cheerios onto the floor.

I don't think that you ever stop questioning your decisions until you see the results of them. So even though I am a little apprehensive about not having my "official job", and I cannot say that my heart does not start to pump like its going to pump itself right on out when I think about this. I cant deny that I have thought about the fact that almost everyone I know is at work and I gave it all up to stay at home with Bean! It literally started to race just talking about it racing! Anxiety table for 1 please! Please bring extra bread!

I think its important that no matter what type of decision you make, when you begin to ask yourself if you "made the right choice", you really need to think about all the reasons for that choice. I personally just have to think about a couple of reasons and the ticker goes back to its normal working mode. I can even smile when I think about those reasons. I become enthusiastic once again about all of the great things I will be able to do because of that decision and I am again in home mommy bliss.

Thanks for the therapy session!

Free2bMommy

The stuff I wish I could have for my home office

I felt like compiling a list of the things that I would get for my home office if I was rich...okay maybe not rich, but you know what I mean...

I am totally piggy backing the "splurge vs. steal", but I dont care!

Okay we will start with the desk...

Splurge
Desk- Pottery Barn Bedford Small Desk Pricetag- $449.00



Steal Target Braxton Trestle Desk Pricetag- $127.49

Target-Seville Classic 2 pc baskets Pricetag- $14.99


Next up the chair...
Splurge
Pottery Barn Swivel Chair Pricetag- $399.00


Steal Target Armless Bankers Chair Pricetag- $119.00


Other things I luv!!

Pier one Logan 4 Tier book Shelf $169.95



Anything from "Made By Girl"! Love her and her work!! Please check her out, and you will love her too!!


Awesome lightage by Chandeliersandmirrors.com


More fab home office stuff to come...

More then you want to know...

Urgh, I really need an "about me" page!! I really am not too "look at me! Look at me!" okay well maybe sometimes, arnt we all?

I started this ridiculous trip to adulthood as a spunky, argumentative, and little child! I was always the smallest in the class but the one with the most spunk! "Feisty" is what many referred to me as. I argued about everything as a child! My mother was so sure that I would turn out to be a Lawyer. She said on numerous occasions that if someone said that the sky was blue, I would argue that it was actually a soft shade of grey and baby blue. She had her nerve!

Well this hard time with authority and lack of any self control led me to the train wreak of a high school student I ended up being. I made horrible choices in boys and partying which led to a questionable reputation at an extremely conservative Lutheran school. I was nominated "Biggest Party Animal" at prom and didnt even win that! Blah!

After finishing the social trap of high school I went on to study at the University of Houston DT and later graduated with a BA in Communication Studies, a 4 year old we call "Monkey", and a hubby. WTF? How did that happen right? More on that much later...

I built an AMAZING resume and finished school with accomplishments such as Deans Scholarship Recipient, National Honor Society member, over 200 hours in community service, and a great internship. All this prepared me for working for one of the largest and most known non profit health organizations in the nation and maybe even the world. Not too shabby for the "wild kid" in high school.

Skipping right along, I added child number 2 aka Bean to the family, became the owner of Just Between Friends of West Houston, and decided almost four years later after my start date with my dream job, that my time there had run its course. I put my 4 weeks notice in with a heavy heart, and started to embark on the journey I share now, as a full time WAHM. I have been juggling work, small business, and family life, for too long now. My final official date is March 12, but I have been using personal time off for a couple of weeks now and preparing myself for months. I will return on Friday to "pack it up." To be continued...

Thanks for reading. Free2bMommy

In case you wanna know...

With the recent increase in interest in my blog and what I share about WAHM's, I figured I would share a little bit about me and my purpose with Free2bMommy.

I am a work at home mom, or WAHM, Mexican-American Latina mommy of two Brown Sugars I lovingly refer to in this blog as Monkey and Bean. I do not fit the conventional "model" of a WAHM, and that is why I created a place to share my perspective, ideas, and activities, with other moms who are like me. I spent a great deal of time finding up to date WAHM info that I could relate to, so while looking at WAHM websites, reading WAHM books, and talking with other WAHM's, I started to think "would'nt it be helpful to share this info as I find it with other perspective WAHM's and share my journey in the process?" So the creation of Free2bMommy!

I think its important for "mommy bloggers" to create more blog content then just about being a mommy, but rather who we are as women. I love the "mommy blogs" that share stuff such as their lives outside of just being a mommy and how all of these separate successes help to make them an even better person and in turn a better mommy.

So...it is possible to be savvy in love, culture, family, friends, work, life, and Free2bMommy! Are you free2bmommy?

I am super excited about being in the top 100 of the top mommy blogs! Please help me stay there and click below. Plus you can see all the top mom blogs for some great reading!

Thanks!
Free2bMommy

Taking the plunge into permanant blogdom

I did it! Decided to go "official" with my blog and have it designed by someone who actually knows what they are doing and does an amazing job in the process! I am going to get some custom work on my blog and get a new header and layout! YAY!! I am the most excited about getting a button with the code so that my blog friends can share my blog with others. I love doing that for other blogs, especially when the button rocks!



Who is my blog savior? None other then The Frilly Coconut! I love her work and am ridiculously excited about her doing it. It is sooooo worth the wait! (I am on the waiting list for my turn).



Not just because she is my choice of designer, but because she has super cute work, I suggest you check her out when you are thinking about a "redo", or in my case a "newdo!"

Making the decision on someone to do the "newdo" for my blog was difficult because there are many great blog designers out there. My second choice was Blogs by Leslie-Custom Blog Design. Her portfolio is amazing and the best thing is that her prices are really reasonable for the quality of work. Check her out!


Free2bMommy

WAHM and the bible??

The book that I have decided to review first is one of my personal favorites, and one I am hoping to have a contest in the future in which I am able to give a copy away...more on that later.

The Book - The Work At Home Success Bible, A Complete Guide for Moms.

Author- Leslie Truex

Who is Leslie Truex?

According to the back of the book "she has been a work at home mom for over a decade. She has worked in website developement and maintenance, writing, and research. She creates and manages four websites, including the popular http://www.workathomesuccess.com/. She has a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Willamette University and a master's degree in social word from California State University. She lives in Palmyra, VA."

Cost- $14.95 US

The book outlines some great information including types of WAHM jobs, and ways to make those jobs a success. I personally love the way Truex is about to cover so many topics without boring or spending too much time on any one aspect. Just when you think you have had enough of one topic, you turn the page and are on to the next concept. I love the way it reads.

Highlights of the book include chapters such as living and working at home, telecommuting, starting a business online, business plans, and marketing plans, to name a few.

One of my personal favorite features of the book is the Home Business Resource section in which Truex creates a list of her top resources and places to access tons of related information.

Final Note: I know personally that it feels risky and uncomfortable to buy a book based on what you scanned over in the index and back cover, so I recognize the importance of book reviews and referrals. I will be choosing another book soon...stay tuned...and thanks for reading!

WAHM Book review

I was thinking about what types of resources to share, and had this brilliant "aha" moment. I have read just about ever book on working from home or WAHM. My favorite so far is one that I will be sharing with you later today once I get more time to sit and write at lenght. Excited??!! Oh I know you are!

More to come soon! TGIF!!

This is not my WAHM life!!

Waking up and realizing you do not have to get dressed in super tight (maybe just mine) and uncomfortable work clothes is like heaven on earth! I have been blessed by the WAHM gods! Yeah right! My hubby and I had an intense conversation yesterday on how we were going to make it all work. His argument is that he wants to make sure that I have some sort of income, and my argument is that he needs to leave me alone and let my business thrive. I mentioned to him that lots of WAHM's do many projects to supplement income and not just one boring part time job. He looked at me like I had two heads.

This business venture that I am working on is Just Between Friends of West Houston Maternity and Children's Consignment event. www.jbfsale.com if you want to lurk for more info. Anyway, my full time job was keeping me from giving my business the attention and leg work it needed desperately to grow and succeed. When you are working 12 hour days the last thing you want to do is work more once you get home! Right?? Okay well, again maybe just me. It feels like after tons of talks and finally getting my husband to agree in supporting me with quitting my full time job to dedicate all my time to JBF as a WAHM, now I have to deal with the third degree interrogations?

What prompted all of this delightful conversation? I called to check out medical insurance options for individuals and forwarded him the ridiculous "rates" via email. Since I have always worked and received great benefits, I had not noticed the magnitude as to skyrocket insurance costs! Naive...I know.

I am left feeling a little tiny bit nervous...but...that works as motivation for me when I need it most! Wish me some WAHM luck!

WAHM daily share

Are you looking for some great work at home (WAHM), resources? My personal favorite link for daily information and great articles on WAHM.com. This website has great articles as well as some great resources for working at home as well as finding work.

Please share with me any favorites you might have!

2 weeks WAHM and counting...

Will I miss the my "safe" job? Sure, I will miss the uncomfortable business casual, office politics, pointless never ending meetings, pseudo conversation, and bully female bosses. Can you hear the sarcasm? Although these things are not rare in most offices, I personally could not envision a permanence working with these toxic elements. In other words, I am over it. WAHM bound! In reality, I need to remind myself that I am not quitting the "safe" job to be a stay at home mom (not that there is anything wrong with that), but rather I am leaving one job for another that just happens to office out of my home. I am going to have the best of both words, and it is something that I have given myself. It is then that I can sleep at night....zzzzzz.

Look what was for dinner last night...

I made chicken flautas with beans...okay the beans were from the can, but I added some mexican cheese to smooth the texture. The chicken flautas were 100% made by me. I cut some avocado slices for the plate with a dallop of sour cream. Yummy! Hubby loved it and so did the kiddos! WAHM did good!

WAHM tips from the experts

Check out this helpful article on tips for working at home with kids. I found it SUPER informative since I soon will be a WAHM myself.

You can never say I am a "Blog Hog" :)