STILL NEEDING A COSTUME?

Let it be said I HATE HALLOWEEN!!! I even hate "Harvest Parties" which has been and continues to be the Chrisitan alternative to this evil [insert shiver] celebration. In the past I have absolutely loathed this whole time of year, but now I'm more relaxed about these silly kinds of things. Rather than loathe, I simply hate... or better yet, mildly dislike. But I do get a kick out of costumes... hee!

So, if you are stumped...

grab your black umbrella, some cutters and a black hooded sweatshirt.










Once you've put your domestic engineering skills to work and everything is attached in its proper place, it will look something like this:

As you can see, there is a nice wing span.











Here we have the lovely long ears.











I would not suggest climbing any tall buildings to test things out.




If you want authentic instructions you can check out the evil mad scientist's site. But I say, keep it simple and use scissors and duct tape. Just an idea. And oh, there are plenty more ideas in my back pocket if you're interested.

WRITING CONTEST STATUS

Submissions for the contest are flying in--so keep them coming. Send your entries to karenkool@optonline.net by sundown Thursday 11/02/06 (or midnight would be fine, just keep in mind I leave my house early Friday morning for work).

Here is one testamonial (there were several) of how this writing excersize has been quite a special experience...

Dearest Karen, I used to write for a living and have authored several horror novels that have become best sellers, but for three years now I've had "writer's block." When I read about your riculous contest and started thinking about writing something--I don't know how it happened--I was struck with heavenly brilliance. I may have created my best work yet. I won't be submitting it, but thank you for hosting a non-threatening (except for the Stolmit fellow) writing contest. The dark cloud that hung over my head has broken and dispersed.

(OK so I made that up--but I could have happened).

Good luck. Find that creativity. Dig deep!! You can do it!!!

WARNING! PAY ATTENTION! WARNING!

 We have this ongoing problem lately, and it can be said in one word: TEENAGERS! Don't get me wrong. They're great kids and all (especially my own) but sometimes the patience wears thin with the friends. Our kids have (pretty much) grown accustomed to the house rules and (usually) abide by them consistently. There are a few of the friends whom I adore. They are very considerate, polite, caring and they listen! It may take a few mistakes, but when they get it, they get it! Why can't those friends be the ones who are here ALL THE TIME???

Then there are... the others. The GRACE GROWERS!!! They don't understand boundaries. They don't seem to know what it means to respect authority (mainly ours). Their shoes are always dirty!! And it seems that their house is haunted because they NEVER go home!!! Is it a case of Pippy Longstocking?? No she was much more resourceful!! I don't want to get nasty or name names (although the picture may give a bit of a hint) so I will simply make a list of rules--CLEARLY SPELLED OUT!

HOCHSTEDLER HOUSE RULES FOR TEENAGE GUESTS

#1 GO HOME DAMMIT!!!

#2 Take your garbage with you--at least to the garbage can.

#3 Before leaving, empty all your pockets of the school snacks you snagged from our cupboards!

#4 Is that dirt coming from your shoes? HERE'S THE VACUUM!

#5 Do not come back in two minutes saying you forgot something

#6 No, you cannot borrow Jennah's CD player after she's gone to bed

#7 DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT! try latching it closed for once, so that the wind doesn't blow it off its hinges.

#8 NO YOU MAY NOT come around the house to sneak back into the boys' room through window after we sent you home to bed.

#9 DO NOT spray that cologne ONE MORE TIME. It's burning my eyes. If you're using it as air freshener because of someone's skanky farts--then send that someone TO THE BATHROOM and make them stay there until they finish their business!!!! You boys are gross!

#10 PLEASE FLUSH the toilet paper down the toilet rather than throwing it in the garbage can. We live in the USA. The pipes can handle it. But if you happen to be an excessive paper user, try flushing at the half-way mark of your "duty," and then, by all means, flush at the end!

I guess it's what I always wanted--my house to be the "hang out" house. There are usually about 5 or 6 teenagers trapsing in and out every day after school and all day on weekends. It's not even a tag-out thing. It's just a mob ALL of the time!! I'm even MEAN...

...and yet they come! 

NO PRESSURE...

but... one of my readers who also happens to be the only submission to my contest so far, has an opinion. S/he says, "What a bunch of weenies on your blog. No one even wants to try." (It's not Mitch either).

Do with it what you will. I call it a challenge.

All poetry and/or song lyric submissions should be emailed to karenkool@optonline.net by sundown 11/02. I will post the entries anonymously for the casting of your votes. There are no rules!!!

THIS JUST IN...

Since we're on the subject of super human strengths, dreams of becoming a Luchador, and pep rally spirit week... I thought a few readers would be interested to see what our Long Island students are up to these days. The principal sent three girls home after seeing their rather creative Captain Underpants super hero costumes. BAHHAHhahahahhaaaaa. Check out the article in Newsday.

My friend said that if those were her kids, she'd be proud!

TAKE IT EASY!

Nacho Libre. Check it out. It was quite hilarious!! I think Jack Black is brilliant--hee! Especially in his newest movie. Why does this particular character strike me so funny? I must just be a sick sick person.

It makes my heart glad to hear my kids going around singing these lyrics:

I ate some bugs,
I ate some grass,
I used my hand
To wipe my tears...


Ahhh yes... they've got a good sense of humor! (Which is very important to me).

As a tribute to and inspiration from my comedic friend, JB, I would like to ask you--my readers--to consider submitting your very own home-grown, hand-written poem and/or song lyric for a CONTEST. Please send your creative work to my email address

karenkool@optonline.net

by sundown next Thursday 11/02. I hope to receive more than two entries by then and will post the entries for viewing. (DISCLAIMER: I hereby retrain the discretionary right to decide what poems ultimately get posted--because it is MY BLOGSPOT). We will hopefully select a winner together. And remember, there will be a mystery prize (but its not money)!! So be sure to send your name and shipping address along with your entry. [snicker snicker snicker]

I'M JUST SO HOT!!

OK! Those of you who know me know I'm only joking. I never even think about being "hot" I just AM! [shrug] Well I can't help it if heads turn and tongues wag whenever I pass strangers and aquaintances on the street--but I don't even notice! I've gotten used to it. When you're HOT like me you just have to ignore the stares and simply smile at the world.






Ok, enough already. I'm just kidding around! Don't even ask why I posted this--LOL! Some of you know...

Having strangers think I'm hot doesn't excite me anyway. I kind of think its ridiculous actually. I wish they'd all stop (;-P). Well, Terry thinks I'm hot!! Now THAT excites me!!

PET PEEVES and other nonsense...

 I can endure annoying things for quite some time... before I snap! Eventually I just have to say, do, change, confront, tackle, fix, threaten... something (or someone). Know what I mean? For example, when we moved into our house about 6 years ago it was just before Christmas. Lo and behold, amid the moving flurry and unpacked boxes we decided to run out and purchase a balled Christmas tree to celebrate. Yes! And after Christmas we would plant it in the yard for a beautiful reminder of the first Christmas in our brand new home. We decorated that blue spuce sweetly (and OUCH was it prickly)... celebrated Christmas... undecorated it after 2 days and quickly moved it outdoors to insure its future life.

Well... this tree happened to sit outside for an entire year without ever being planted. Sure, I was careful to water it especially once summer came around. It survived quite well. By the following Christmas... BINGO!!! We already had our tree! Nice plan. We brought it in for the second Christmas in a row--decorated it (OUCH), had celebrations for a few days, quickly undecorated it (OUCH), and placed the tree safely outdoors again.

Finally the day came where our dear landscaper friends did some wonderful things with our property and actually dug a hole for that Blue Spruce and allowed it's roots to meet the earth again!!! The tree was happy. It grew. It made it through a third Christmas, only to remain outside adorned by nothing more than snow.

Something dreadful happened. I think it was late the following fall. Some very intense rain fell for about 5 or 6 days and the gutter drained somewhere very close to our beloved Spruce. Although our soil is quite sandy... another shock to the tree must have been one too many. By the spring half the tree had turned brown. In a few months the entire thing would be DEAD! {sniff sniff}

What do you suppose happened next? NOTHING! This lovely dead tree remained in it's spot for those next TWO YEARS--maybe we were praying for its life to return. No! It was just another item on the honeydo list that no "honey" wanted to do. It began to bother me more and more every day. I planned on digging it up or having one of the lazy boys dig it up before we had our kick off party the following summer... but never got around to it. Nope... we went right ahead with our little party and celebrated all around the dead tree. Finally, a few weeks into the summer, Terry and I did our annual perrenial plant shopping(haha). This fine July day would mark the day the dead tree was finally removed. It was bitter-sweet. HAHA NOT! The Spruce could have been pulled out of the ground by a 4 years old. The roots were gone. Now it remains in the back woods of our yard along with about three other Christmas trees (those were cut trees, mind you). Some day we'll get a chipper over here and get rid of all the excess brush and former Christmas trees ...in another 5 years or so.

Why do we wait so long for the simple joys of life?? 

WHAT MORE COULD ONE WANT?

 I'll tell you what... A NEW OVEN, that's what!!! And make it gas please! I know, I know. I've been getting a lot lately. I got recessed lighting, a new chandelier, more countertops and cabinets, wainscotting, color on the walls... Terry is even building a new farm table from some gorgeous antique oak planks. (You will see those fine results in the enxt couple of weeks--woohoo). My kitchen has been transformed.

When we bought our house we were really thrilled with being the recipients of some brand new appliances i.e. Maytag Plus refrigerator, Maytag front loading washer and dryer (yea baby) all for the low price of $360. Sweet!!! BUT... I had to endure the absolute lowest ranking dishwasher imaginable. Whenever we ran a cycle, which was quite often being a family of 8, it was so freakin loud that you had to leave the room to have a conversation. When the entire top rack began falling off the tracks everytime you pulled it out, my lovely husband switched it our for the used Maytag dishwasher that happened to be sitting in our garage for 2 years. It is a delightful piece of equipment. But about the oven...

A few years ago while some friends were visiting, we were making Mexican food. The three small burners and one large burner (yes, only ONE large burner) were all being used. The ONE large burner decided it was time to go! It went out in glorious sparks and flames. Luckily it didn't blow out the entire oven--only itself. That ONE large burner was unplugged and left useless for... oh... about 6 months before I decided to go ahead and replace the ailment. Once we recieved the online replacement order, my father-in-law graciously wired it up and the ONE large burner was back in business. YESSSS!!!

After a few times of removing the ailment in order to clean the oven, it began to have somewhat of a loose connection. The setting on High would not work at all and if you happened to change the temp setting during cooking it may decide not to work. So you jiggle and shake the knob and it comes back on. How delightful. There was one time when I was trying to plug the ailment back in after a cleaning and I landed a shocking little surge of electrical current. NICE!!! Needless to day, I WILL NOT clean that burner anymore. I don't care how disgusting it may get. The food will burn up eventually.

This whole thing has started to become a burden! So I told Terry last night that I was really frustrated with the stupid idiotic stove! So he says, "When's your birthday?" That's our little joke that my dad started many years ago. And its especially funny when your birthday just passed a few weeks back.

Well, I guess I won't be cooking until I get an oven the works!!! 

SOME OF MY FAVORITES--part 1

If you have time to waste... check some of these out. They are weird, amazing and hilarious links, but mostly stupid!

If you like weird stuff: We Like the Moon

If you really like Chuck Norris: A Few Chuck Norris Facts

If you like Jack Bauer even more: A Few Jack Bauer Facts (warning: F-bomb alert)

A must see for everyone: The Honda Choir

If you like dog kisses and computers: Clean Your Screen for Free

Ok, this one's just wrong! Hee: Trouser Shouts

For my teenage boys (although possibly rated R). They need an education!!!: Dumbass Stunt

You'll want this video for your own library: How to Dance Like White Guy

Unbelievable!: When Animals Attack in High Speed Chases

A must see for all you single woman...: Mahir's Blog

WHERE'S THE PEACE?

 Where's the tranquility?? Life can feel like one scary, slippery slope! I didn't sleep too well last night. Ever have those nights where certain challenges you are facing will not leave you alone to rest? After thinking for a while, you detirmine that the particular problem is nothing you can control. You put it to rest so that you can finally fall asleep, and *PING* A stupid thought enters your mind, "OH NO! What are you going to wear when you go into the city tomorrow?" [Thank you Terry for asking that ever-so-important question earlier in the evening!] So you try and try to get your mind to stop, but it just keeps on repeating itself, "You will be on your feet all night. So what... are you really gonna wear flip flops?" Aghghhhh Shut up! Shut up! Shut uuuuup!!!!

This morning I am tired! And my mind continues to harass me with worry!

"...Foley and a page boy? What is he thinking? Agh politics today..."

"...Hey Karen, are you ever going to get rid of that muffin top?" [Mommy Pants to the rescue]

"...What is going to happen to our world with all those psycho terrorist scheming out there?"

"...Look at that! You have really dry skin!"

"...Messy bedrooms again?? Now what are you going to do?"

"...Wow, you have a lot of friends who are hurting. You should probably make some phone calls. As a matter of fact you never did return that one phone call from a couple weeks ago {shame on you}."

"...You haven't gotten your class ready for Friday yet. It's probably going to suck big time."

"...The media really knows how to screw with the minds of an entire nation. We'll probably eventually lose all our freedom because of it."

On and on and on. The big things truly concern me and the little things deeply irritate to no end!! But to top everything else off...

My 8th grade son wants to be homeschooled again. [GASP]

I have not taught homeschool for 5 years now and back then I ended that scene when they hit grades 5th, 3rd, 2nd and kindergarten. But 8th grade? On into HS? He seriously wants this. Can anyone out there give me some information... or suggestions... or just shoot me now!!! SHOOT ME NOW!!! 

WHITE AND NERDY

White and Nerdy

??? (Lord Jesus please...)

Uh... THE MOTHER WISHES NOT COMMENT!

TWO LOVELY BELATED BIRTHDAY GIFTS

 One of my long time friends, whom I may have mistakenly referred to as bogus in a previous post, really came through for me yesterday. She not only gave me the loveliest of gifts (belated though they were) but was able to purchase them from a church yard sale to support missions in India. Glory!! Yes, indeed.

As you can see proudly pictured:
A gorgeous gold-quilted, SASSY POCKETBOOK with fabric running through the long golden chain/strap, including a fabulous gold tassle. And a delicately painted, clay sculpture; hand-made (by an alzhiemer patient) of an ice skater. It's a piece I can proudly display on my living room mantle.

I feel blessed to have such wonderful friends. Although Precious Moments underwear would have also been nice. 

HICKORY DICKORY DOCK...

 Well, it looks like we're gonna need to get a new house! Why, you ask? Because this morning as Caleigh was waiting for her bus, our canine was sniffing around in a little hole in the ground just outside the door. I said, "Noah STOP!" (he can be quite the digger when he's bored). About 5 minutes later, after he wandered away, this little gray mouse came out of that hole and ran right through the open door into the house. Yikes! It hid somewhere under the radiator. GREAT!!! So now there is a MOUSE in the house. I never saw it again, and I wasn't about to poke my tasty fingers around in dark little spaces trying to find it. So what to do? I just shrugged and considered that maybe I should pick up some sort of trap this next week.

Today after school, Elizabeth--in the picture--(see her Ginger) was doing her homework when Caleigh asked me if that mouse was still inside. Elizabeth's eyes grew WIDE as she asked, "What mouse?!" Her little sister proceeded to tell the story. Elizabeth quietly went into the other room mumbling that she didn't want to stay in the house if there was a mouse in it. That's when Caleigh announced to me that we needed a new house. "Elizabeth doesn't want to live here anymore." 

A GREAT PARTY RECIPE... YUM!

KITTY LITTER CAKE

CAKE INGREDIENTS:
1 box spice or German chocolate cake mix
1 box of white cake mix
1 package white sandwich cookies
1 large package vanilla instant pudding mix
A few drops green food coloring
12 small Tootsie Rolls or equivalent

SERVING "DISHES AND UTENSILS"
1 NEW cat-litter box
1 NEW cat-litter box liner
1 NEW pooper scooper

1) Prepare and bake cake mixes, according to directions, in any size pan. Prepare pudding and chill. Crumble cookies in small batches in blender or food processor. Add a few drops of green food coloring to 1 cup of cookie crumbs. Mix with a fork or shake in a jar. Set aside.

2) When cakes are at room temperature, crumble them into a large bowl. Toss with half of the remaining cookie crumbs and enough pudding to make the mixture moist but not soggy. Place liner in litter box and pour in mixture.

3) Unwrap 3 Tootsie Rolls and heat in a microwave until soft and pliable. Shape the blunt ends into slightly curved points. Repeat with three more rolls. Bury the rolls decoratively in the cake mixture. Sprinkle remaining white cookie crumbs over the mixture, then scatter green crumbs lightly over top.

4) Heat 5 more Tootsie Rolls until almost melted. Scrape them on top of the cake and sprinkle with crumbs from the litter box. Heat the remaining Tootsie Roll until pliable and hang it over the edge of the box. Place box on a sheet of newspaper and serve with scooper. Enjoy!

SUBWAY SAVVY

 My boy from DA HOOD! Don't even get me started. We think the fads in our day were hideous... (sidenote: can someone tell me why my son, who is totally a Mets fan, is wearing a Yankees shirt)? Anyway, they go to the city to go shopping for cool clothes. It's always quite interesting to see what they come home with. Last night they came home with two pair of boxing gloves. Oh JOY! They've decided that whenever there is an argument about something--anything at all--they will choose to take it outside or to the basement with the gloves. Of course they failed to buy any protective head gear. Hmmmm! No head shots!!!

Back to what I was going to say... I can hardly wait for my sons to look back years from now at the fads they so vehemently embrace!! Oh the money and time they have spent... the infamous haircuts that they have driven 90 minutes (there and back) to have, the saggy over-sized pants with boxers hanging out, the 10 pairs of sneakers which prevent the closet doors from closing, the jackets with fur-lined hoods, the baggy pants (or did I already mention that), the huge 20 ct. "diamond" earings, the body deoderant spray... i.e. mixing jag and axe together as they try to cover over the locker room smell that wafts from their room. At least the jag/axe stage has seemingly passed. Who knew I was in for this back when I was having those adorable cowboy birthday parties with an authentic treasure hunt to boot? (They still recall that as one of the best parties ever). Who knew?

Well, I do get a kick out of watching them grow up. It's fun! And even pleasurable at times. My boys are great ki... er... young men! 

GO METS!!!

 My husband is very happy! Each year that we've lived on Long Island he has become more and more of a Mets fan. When you are a New Yorker you must choose whom you will serve--Yankees or Mets. They play in two seperate divisions for the regular season only to meet up for those special "subway series" events. But now that its post season the excitement has increased. The Yankees and the Mets each won their division... which meant (up until last night) there was a possibility of the Mets meeting the Yankees in the World Series. Woohoo!

Last night Terry and I went out to dinner with some special friends for my post-birthday celebration. (Yea... some of my BOGUS friends stood me up--but whatever!!!) Anyway, as we waited for our table we were catching a little of the Yankees game because the place was too loud to have a conversation. Deep on the inside, Terry was quietly feeling that growing sense of joy--The Yankees were behind. Please understand. You can't just be a Mets fan or a Yankees fan. You have to LOVE one and HATE the other!! It's a true rivalry here in NY. Terry wanted the Yankees to lose. If they lost last night's game they would be out of the running for the World Series.

So, we have our delicious dinner and are heading home. Mitch is in the car listening to Terry mention how he was feeling quite good that the Yankees lost. Mitch asks how he knows they lost since we've been at dinner the whole time. Terry says that he glanced at game a few times [Mitch and Terry had been mocking each other all day about being consumed with sports or celebrities] so this got Mitch's attention. The jibes and laughter began. Terry defensively and jokingly stated that he sat in a chair NOT facing the TV so he wouldn't be distracted. He continued to emphasize to Mitch, who is laughing hysterically, the enormous sacrifice he had made this night. He had given TWO HOURS of important game-time to be with friends. We should be praising him.

CAN'T BEET 'EM

 The juicer-cult has begun rioting. They need to know what things I may be juicing in my new Breville!!! Oh the concoctions are endless!! Wonderous!! Tremendous!! And might I say... FABULOUS!!!! Each day brings a new adventure; a new love for whole foods.

Today my concoction consisted of:
1/4 of a fresh pineapple,
3 carrots,
1 small bunch of romaine lettuce,
1 stalk of celery,
2 macintosh apples,
1 anjue pear,
handful of mint leaves,
a 1/2" piece of ginger root,
and my favorite (because it turns the juice a beautiful shade of purplish-red)...
1 (or 2) nicely sized beets with leaves and all.

AHH BEETS! Rather than drinking something that is a funky greenish-brownish-orange color, my beloved beets have brought great delight to my in-most being; nutrition, taste and color. What more could one want? My heart draws near to the Lord. The beet is a fine vegetable. Word of caution and don't be alarmed! It not only turns your juice a purplish-red, but your pee as well. 

TOP TEN BATHROOM "NO-NOs"

 

10). Leaving your dirty clothes on the floor after showering with the "bacon strips" facing up

9). Leaving the toilet seat in an upright position for the females to get a little unsuspected hiney dip

8). Dripping pee on the floor around the toilet and leaving it for "the maid" to clean up

7). Using the bathroom and not washing your hands before leaving (Yea I'm sure you DIDN'T touch anything, but wash 'em anyway)!

6). Leaving the bottle of conditioner upside-down in order to easily access the remaining last bit for the next showering session, but forgetting to close the tab

5). Letting the bar of soap float around in the bathtub for an hour or more--just shrinking away--while you play with your barbies

4). Getting a new toothbrush out from the secret stash and failing to throw away your old one (which now brings the total toothbrushes in the holder up to 15)

3). Deciding you have to sit on "the pot" half way through your shower, thus wasting 10 minutes of hot water as well as drenching the freshly washed bath rug.

2). Spitting toothpaste into upper back portion of the sink without remembering to rinse it clean

1). Getting out a new tube of toothpaste when the old one still has a enough for about 4 more brushings (especially when there are three "almost finished" tubes still sitting on the shelf)

BONUS NO-NO: Leaving your STUFF in the toilet with no thought of ever flushing it--and then when accused of the foul play yelling, "IT WASN'T ME!!!!" 

I NOW HAVE A BREVILLE JUICER

 I'm finally ALIVE again!!! Let me tell you about it.

It is the cadillac of juicers! Terry gave it to me for my birthday and I am loving it. Although, so far in one week's time I've spent an extra $40 on fruit and veggies. Why must the healthy food cost so much more than the junk food? Oh junk food is cheap i.e. 2 liter bottle of soda--$0.89, large bag of cheetos--$1.29, large box of Fruit Loops on sale--$3.15 and so forth! My kids (the elementary aged ones) are doing this "healthy month" which is being promoted by the school. It's great! They are asking for an apple instead of pizza pockets for a snack. They're eating celery with peanut butter instead of rummaging through their drawers for that hidden lollipop from two weeks ago. They are also asking me to make them a juice concoction for breakfast (although they weren't quite ready for that whammy), but its all good.

Terry is all excited about the juicer too. He was planning to hit it hard. The conversation went like this:

Terry: Hey Hon, why don't you get enough produce for the both of us to juice for dinner all this week?

Me: ehhhh... o... k... um...

Terry: Yea {with great enthusiasm}! Now that we have the juicer I was thinking we could do like a juice fast!

Me: hmmm... yea alright.

[Later that evening as I was making Eggplant Parm for dinner...]

Terry: Well, I was thinking about juicing tonight... but since you've made this wonderful meal... {breathing in the wonderous aroma}

Me: Yea! Well, I've been enjoying juicing in the mornings and I'm not so sure I want to ruin a good thing by plunging right into a juice FAST. But you go ahead if you want. Be my guest!

Terry: I guess it is a little difficult to fast when you have to make meals for the kids anyway.

Karen: Yea whatever! I just don't WANT to fast. Why can't you people leave me alone!!! hahaha

No, I didn't say that last part, but why? Why this pressure? I am enjoying my juicer. I will continue to enjoy my juicer and make it a regular part of my dieting habits, but I'm still gonna have my coffee too, dammit!

And in case anyone else out there is thinking about juicing... beware... it changes your "system" around and you must be sure to have a bathroom nearby when you feel the urge. Sorry for the vague and yet detailed reference, but let's just say... I'm happy a friend forewarned me! 

WHERE'S THE SIDEWALK??

 

TGIM

 I had to change the saying from "Thank God it's Friday" to "Thank God it's Monday!" My Fridays are suddenly crazy and will be for several weeks. I did it to myself. It's fine really! But once Friday morning hits I'm off and running all the way through the weekend. Where is that Sabbath rest???

There are times when I think I should be able to do more i.e. work more, provide more music classes, gather more students for piano or voice lessons, clean and organize my house better, cook more meals, play more with the kids, go to the library (HAH--good one). Oh, the expectations I place on myself... They are ridiculous!!! It's that familiar "Wonder Woman Syndrome" I've fallen succomb to many times before. No one else causes me to feel this way. It's only my own self-judgment (I know that many can relate). Instead of being driven by these behaviors that America applauds, I must remind myself that I simply cannot do it all! I don't have to do it all! And actually I shouldn't HAVE to do it all to feel good about myself. Juggling a household with six kids and a dog is enough in itself. The self-incrimination has no place here. And it's perfectly fine to take Monday to relax and read, or go for a walk on the beach. Oh... but I have to take Luke to the orthodontist at lunch-time, and I have a piano lesson at 5:30, and the kids will need help with their homework, and I have to get out the winter clothes box and start that process of sorting and organizing, and I have the phone calls to still make, and some music to order... blah blah blah... How do you turn this thing off?