Please welcome Jana, from An Attitude Adjustment.

Jana constantly has a book (usually fiction) on her nightstand or coffee table, loves red wine, and enjoys spending time with her son, daughter, and husband in suburban Philadelphia. She began her blog, An Attitude Adjustment in January, and has been addicted to blogging ever since.

Over the past month, I’ve had to look for a part-time job. The prospect invaded my dreams. I’ve established a routine in my house with my three-year-old and eight-month-old, I routine I’m loathe to change. I enjoy quiet mornings sipping coffee and reading blogs, catching up on the laundry. I’ve started to write more, something I’ve longed to do for years. Would I be able to maintain the needs and desires of my heart if I had to give in to the needs of my wallet?

In the past when I’ve looked for jobs, I let my ego take over. In the effort to get a job, I have lost sight of what it is I’m looking for in my career, what kind of place is a good fit for me. I just wanted to succeed, to score. And too often, I’ve let money get in the way–a job that pays well, or at least better, must be the better job, right? Wrong.

After two or three weeks of soul-searching and job-searching, I finally, and thankfully, reached an equilibrium. I’ve been fortunate enough to return to being a college adjunct (part-time instructor), a job I had two years ago when my son was a baby. The pay is awful, but I love what I do. I engage with adults of all different ages and cultures, talking about fiction, poetry, and life, while reluctantly sharing my expertise on MLA format (snore!).

I started my blog, An Attitude Adjustment, back in January, and I am often astounded by how much my attitude really has changed. Perhaps, as my yoga instructor said, setting my intention is the key. From the time I lost my full-time job last year (truly, a blessing), I have decided to look on the positive side of life, to appreciate the many things for which I have to be grateful:

• I could have complained about having to get a part-time job, but I trusted that I would find something that still allowed me to put my family first. And I did.

• I am teaching a night class, something that a couple of years ago, I might have dreaded. Usually, my peak energy is in the morning, and goes downhill from there. Nights are my time to relax, to sip wine and read or watch a movie. But I recognize that by teaching at night, I have no childcare costs for when I work. What a relief! (Also, I’m shocked by how many people are actually out and about at night. Did you know that not everyone is curled up on the couch by eight o’clock?)

• Looking for a job has made me more appreciative of the mundane, yet special moments throughout my day. While a couple of years ago, I felt weighed down at the prospect of being home all day, alone, with kids, I now feel uplifted. I approach domestic tasks cheerfully (truly, a shock for this feminist). I look forward to my cup of coffee and a playdate or a walk to the park, a trip to the library. Looking for a job, even a part-time one, has helped me reflect on my priorities, and I know I am exactly where I want to be.

I am truly thankful.

And thank you, Alli, for sharing your space with me!

What are you thankful for this week?

Link up and share your Thank You Journal. Please make sure that you link back, or even better, use the Thank You Journal button. See all of the official rules.

P.S. If you find a post that really speaks to you, share it on Twitter with the hash tag #ThankYouJournal. Please help spread the word about my new blog carnival.

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Looking on the Positive Side of Life {Guest Post} is a post from: Alli 'n Son

P.S. I’m blogging over at Justine’s place today. Stop by and check out a snapshot in the life of raising a boy.

When I was pregnant, we decided against knowing the gender of the baby. Well, by we, I meant me. I didn’t want to because I romanticized the notion of a surprise, but My Guy compromised with a “Fine, you get the first, but I’ll get the second” as if we were trading chores – You do the dishes this time, I’ll get the next round. The entire time I was carrying my baby, many seasoned moms and grandmas alike swore that I was having a boy using extremely accurate and scientific predictors: belly’s bigger from the side than the front, carrying the bulge lower, ass isn’t widening as much, my preference for lemons over ice cream, etc. – that last part was made up. (But then again, aren’t they all?)

As far fetched as those methods were, I started to believe them myself. In fact, up until the very end, I expected to be greeted by a penis, I mean a boy. So much so that when the baby was finally out, My Guy and I had neglected to inquire about the gender. For the first few postnatal seconds, we were just so elated to see our baby and hear the healthy set of lungs that it didn’t occur to us to ask or to look down there.

When the doctor announced, “It’s a girl!” we were both momentarily stunned. What?! And then we yelled for joy. We might have also given each other a high five. I think I was secretly relieved – I might have willed myself to expect a boy because I was afraid that I might be disappointed if it wasn’t a girl. It’s not that I have a preference; I just thought I would already be in familiar territory with a girl so the parenting gig would be easier. Hah! How naive I was. Now that I remember my own girlhood, I’m beginning to have second thoughts about raising one.

As a lover of lists, here’s my Top 10 Challenges in Raising a Girl (in no particular order):

1. I am not a fan of pink. And while we don’t frequently opt for things of that color, others, like friends and relatives, do. If you’re an “other”, please note: orange and green are nice too. Plus they match our furniture better.
2. Cell phone overages – my cell provider only has a 5,000-minute max for nights and weekends; judging from my teenage years, I know that’s not going to be enough. She’s going to need to get a part time job just to cover the bill. But since she won’t be old enough to drive, I will have to shuffle her back and forth to support her habit.
3. When we’re finally the same size, we will have to share our clothes because I have to be frugal for her college education. (Read: I will borrow her uber hip jeans and too-cool-for-school t-shirt on the sly, and she’ll yell at me for showing up at her school dressed that way.)
4. She will demand to know why I’m the only mom who doesn’t allow her to paint her nails at age 5, and I’ll always use the same flimsy excuse, “we’re Asian, that’s why!” in place of the real explanation, “because I don’t like it (and my mom didn’t allow me to do it either).”
5. Preposterous wedding costs – I don’t understand why we still have this archaic practice where the parents of the bride have to pay for the wedding. I mean, I have to spend all this money for someone to take my daughter off my hands, but what if I like having her around (because she does the dishes, laundry and yard work)? Shouldn’t the groom and his family be the ones to pay me for her years of experience in child labor that will benefit their future home? Clean dishes, immaculate clothes AND a well-manicured lawn? Come on!
6. I have to behave role-modelish, and that’s so not my style. But I am beginning to realize that parents are often damned if they do and damned if they don’t. If I’m perfect, she will resent me. If I’m imperfect, she will resent me. If I’m normal, she will resent me. If that’s the case, why sweat something I’m bound to screw up anyway?
7. As if an insolent tween isn’t difficult enough, I will have to deal with her pubescent angst AND the monthly spike in mood swings and hormonal outbursts. It’s a really good thing that these teenagers…that they… I’ll get back to you on this one. Still struggling with the silver lining here.
8. She will date at age <insert any number here>, and I will think she’s too young, but she will pretend she isn’t dating, and I will feign ignorance. Then she’ll come home with puffy eyes and listen to ungodly loud music one day to drown her sorrows from the first/second/third breakup. And I will have to console her without knowing why, even when I do.
9. I will also be worried about certain questionable characters she’s dating, but if I said anything, it will just increase their appeal to her by 83 percent. Consequently, I will stress about my indecision – Should I say something? Should I let it go and see what happens? - and no matter what I end up doing, it will be the wrong thing.
10. A boy (or a girl – it doesn’t concern me either way) will someday NOT break her heart and she WILL tell me all about this person; I will then see the happiness in her eyes and realize the time has come for me to let go. I know this will happen if I have a son too, but when it’s my daughter, there is a need to panic – who will lend me their my jeans when she leaves?!

The list may seem exaggerated, but remember, I am the same woman who convinced herself she’s having a boy so she isn’t too disappointed if it isn’t a girl. Similar theory here. (You can call me ridiculous; I’d like to think of myself as complex, even enigmatic). Truthfully, I’m just doing what I can to prepare myself for when she leaves our nest because I know when that time comes, my heart will break into more pieces than I can count to see one of the best things that ever happened to me go.

But I suppose once I re-purpose her bedroom into my hobby space and take that long-overdue Mediterranean cruise, I’ll get over it.

This post is proudly linked up with Seven Clown Circus, 5 Minutes for Mom and It’s a Blog Party.

I Wish I Had a Baby Boy {Guest Post} is a post from: Alli 'n Son

It’s kind of quiet over here today. That’s because I’m busy blogging it up over at Coffees and Commutes.

Stop by and read all about the Lonely Stay-at Home Mom. Leave a comment or two. Show me some love.

Nobody’s Home is a post from: Alli 'n Son

I was so excited when I discovered Alli-N-Son. Why? Because there are few other moms out there who understand both ends of the stick: being a full-time working mom and being a stay-at-home mom. When I first stumbled upon this site, I was still on the full-time working mom end, but knew my time as a SAHM was on the horizon. Now I’m three months into this new gig. And oh, has it been something else.

On my own blog, I shared my Top Ten Surprises About Becoming a SAHM. With any new situation there are expectations–and expectations unmet. Amazingly, once I was at home full-time, I didn’t become June Cleaver. I was honestly surprised by that revelation. (All this in spite of the fact I KNOW I am a stinky housekeeper–hence the tag line of my blog: trying to be the housewife I’m not.) Neither did I find myself becoming eternally patient, crafty, a selfless wife, or able to keep up with the dishes any better than I did before.

What I have found, though, is that I love it.

I love knowing what my daughter is eating and when. I love knowing her little habits and which toys she’ll go to first and the other children with whom she is interacting. I love washing her curly little head and smelling the enchanting scent of Aveeno baby wash for hours afterward. I love that she is seeing me do housework, read, cook, exercise—all places where I hope she will learn by example. (I need to work on that exercising part more…)

When I was working, I knew in my heart that my place was at home. It just wasn’t an option with my husband still in graduate school. And for awhile, when we didn’t know WHAT his job situation was going to be come August 2009, we talked about me staying at my job. I was heartsick over the option.

When I am so frustrated at the toddler antics, the pulling all my cutting boards out of the cabinet, the crying and whining and throwing, the so-little-me-time I could scream, I try to sit, breathe, and remember that feeling. I loved my job, but I just knew it was not where I needed to be at this time in my life. At home is where I need to be right now. With this crazy, tear-inducing toddler. Who loves to give kisses and giggle and say “hi” and “bye” to anyone who will listen.

I love that we have an online community to support one another as we try to learn to be the best SAHMs, or WOHMs, or WAHMs that we can be. Alli’s been a great model for me during this new phase of life; and I hope I can be a mentor to someone else who’s considering the transition.

Show Jessie some love, leave her a comment or two.

From Working Mom to Stay-at-Home Mom (Guest Post) is a post from: Alli 'n Son

The first time I came across Allison’s blog, I nearly cried. Not because of her awesome writing or the adorable pictures of her son (both of which are in fact awesome and adorable), but because it gave me hope.

You see, my daughter is about a year younger than Allison’s little guy (actually, I think they have the same birthday), and the first day I found her blog I was at work wishing I wasn’t. On that particular day, instead of doing actual work, I was distracted by my desire to be with my daughter and was Googling something about wanting to be a stay-at-home-mom.

That’s when I read her post announcing that she was leaving her job soon.

It could have been written by me. I could relate to everything she had said. About how something seemed to snap after she had her son and work just didn’t seem as important as it once was. It didn’t give her the satisfaction it once did.

Believe me when I tell you I am there.

It came as a surprise to me at first. I didn’t really anticipate ever being a real SAHM. Work part time for a while, sure, but actually staying home – not something I really envisioned for myself.

But that all changed after I became pregnant and welcomed my daughter into the world.

The only problem is, we’re not really in a place where I can leave my job yet. And it breaks my heart. Like Allison shared about her own experience, I definitely have a hefty case of momma guilt. I hate thinking about what I’m missing while being at work. Of worrying if she’s ok. And while we’re fortunate enough to have wonderful, amazing family who watch my little girl twice a week, and she goes to a great day care the other two days, I can’t help but feel like I’m not doing right by my family.

And I won’t even get into the constant rat race that is life as a working mom. I feel like I’m always rushing to catch up with something — a work assignment, doing laundry, cooking dinner, an early morning meeting – and never quite getting there.

But one day, after reading Allison’s post and living vicariously through her as she transitioned to being a SAHM, I realized it doesn’t have to be like this.

Please don’t take this as a post bashing working moms. I am a working mom. I am the child of a working mom. I have nothing but the utmost respect for any momma who works. Whether it’s by situation or by choice. You have to do what you feel is best for your family.

But you also have to do what’s best for yourself.

For me, staying at home with my daughter is what I believe is best for both myself and my family. And I finally realized that while it’s not in the cards right now, it doesn’t have to be completely out of the question.

Heck, Allison didn’t leave her job until Eli was 18 months. Who’s to say I can’t be doing the same thing by the time my munchkin, who just turned one, is that age?

I had a new ambition and fresh inspiration to try to make that happen.

We started cutting back our spending. I realized what we could do without. My husband, who had already been looking for a new job, increased his efforts and a few months ago, succeeded in getting a new job.

We’ve been making big changes in our lives. And in the short-term, it hasn’t happened yet, but I’m confident that with enough time and effort, it will. And that is enough to get me through the momma guilt.

Even better, I’m enjoying the challenge of it all.

I like the fact that last week I went grocery shopping and came in $25 under budget! Every success like that is a step in the right direction and it gives me encouragement that maybe we can make this thing work after all.

In the meantime, I’m going to do two things: enjoy every second of time that I do get to spend with my little girl, and have fun! I’m not going to allow myself to get hung up on the failures. It’s too easy to get discouraged by what hasn’t worked. Instead I’m going to focus on what might.

So eating hard-boiled eggs for lunch in an effort to save on lunch spending hasn’t panned out (and why on earth did I think it would because we don’t even really like hard-boiled eggs that much – especially the yolks?). Maybe lentil soup and quesadillas will.

And you know what? In the long run, I’m actually kind of glad that I have this time to be a working mom. Not only because I will know what it is like on the other side of the fence, but because it’s allowed me to value even more each and every moment that I do get to spend with my little girl.

Yeah, my house might be a mess right now, our lives could be described as slightly chaotic and it’s possible that a person could get lost in the pile of laundry in our basement, but I took time away from that to play with my daughter today. I hugged her and kissed her, read to her and sang songs. I kiss her cheeks every night before I go to bed, long after she’s fallen asleep, and just listen to her breathe. I appreciate every moment with her because we don’t get to spend them all together. And it will be a great thing to remind myself someday when we do.

When the temper tantrums and the food rejection and the rebellion wear me out and make me feel like I’m losing my mind, I’ll always be able to remind myself that I could be dealing with this and the temper tantrums of bosses and clients too.

When I feel sorry for myself and wish that I could splurge and buy an expensive pair of shoes and hot new outfit, I’ll be able to look at my daughter and know that this time with her is worth more than all of the shoes in the world. More than any outfit and better than any job out there.

Now, I’m certain that being a mom is what I want to do. It’s what I feel like I need to do. And I know I will be able to do it. It might have taken a bit longer than expected, but I’m confident that we’ll be able to make it happen because, well, I am a mom. And we moms, we can do anything we set our minds to.

In the meantime, I’ll continue working towards that goal, and of course living vicariously through the experiences of SAHMs like Allison.

To follow the progress of this momma and read other tales of her triumphs and tribulations with motherhood, check out her blog, Doing the Mom Thing, where she chronicles it all.

A Matter of Hope (Guest Post) is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Growing up my family ate dinner together almost every night, right until the day I left home. To this day I look forward to a Sunday dinner invite from my mom and dads. It’s comforting, it’s tradition, and I think it made a difference in our house, a difference in the adults my siblings and I would become.

That’s why I’m keeping up a Sunday dinner tradition with my own children. But I’ll be honest, I haven’t been very good at it so far. Whether it’s because my children are still young and hardly eat a thing I make, or perhaps it because life is so busy that making a traditional Sunday dinner can feel like another pressure in an already hectic week, what I do know  is that I feel an intense desire to do this for my family. I believe the argument that dinner with the family helps children grow into healthier, well-adjusted adults.

You can imagine my relief when I read this this Time article which showed that family dinners get better with time. The argument is that “the less often a family eats together, the worse the experience is likely to be.” Makes perfect sense, of course. Like anything, practice makes perfect. Families who actively spend time together are more likely to be comfortable with each other.

The research isn’t conclusive about why family dinners work, but one thing is for sure, they do reinforc a whole host of family values and habits. I think it sends a message to our children that they matter, that the family matters. So much so that parents make protecting time together a priority, time that is as free as possible from outside distractions and pressures.

In today’s busy world, this isn’t always easy to do. Our children are busy, parents are busy, there just isn’t enough time in the day. We head in different directions, face competing priorities and sometimes feel just plain tired. That’s why I think it’s important to cement this tradition while my children are young. Weeknight dinners will be important, and as much as possible we will make it a priority to eat together. But Sunday nights will be protected, everyone will be expected to be home. It will not be optional, it will be mandatory. It was when I was growing up. Not only was it mandatory, it was family-only time. Friends weren’t invited. It was time for just us. It’s a tradition I think is worth the effort and an investment in my family that I believe matters.

Does your family set aside one night a week for dinner?

Sunday Dinner (Guest Post) is a post from: Alli 'n Son

What effect does exercise have on glucose levels?

It is quite easy to manage diabetes when you incorporate a program for exercise in your daily routine. Such exercises have been shown to have positive effects for people who are suffering from diabetes, especially those who have low glucose levels. One example is exercise being able to channel muscle energy, convert it into glucose and then using that glucose as fuel. At the start of it, the body will just use the glucose that has been converted into glycogen from one’s muscles. Glucose is also found in your bloodstream. If you maintain a long term exercise program, it is highly likely that the levels of your blood glucose will not dip. Also, glucagon and other hormones found in your body will also be released. These hormones and glucagon work together and break down all of the liver’s stored fat and then converting such stored fat into more glucose. It is best that you engage in exercise frequently, because your body will improve. It will develop a sensitivity to insulin, as well as help you gain better control of the body’s glycemic index.

Why is the effect of exercise on glucose levels important to those with type 2 diabetes?

Exercise, as mentioned before, has an effect on the levels of glucose. This is important for people who have type 2 diabetes. Many studies show that diabetes patients have better control of their glycemic when they exercise regularly. Those who do not have a regular exercise regimen are not better off. With exercise, your insulin sensitivity improves. This translates to having to use fewer medicines in order to have control over one’s blood sugar levels. Sometimes, people who have type 2 diabetes are somewhat at risk of hypoglycemia, which is exercise-induced. This is during and also after exercise. Then again, there are also some patients who have poor control of their diabetes and are also high risk for hyperglycemia.

Should patients with type 2 diabetes exercise more often or differently than otherwise healthy people?

There are, of course, people who become at risk for hypoglycemia due to the combined effects of their diabetes and engaging in high stress exercise. This happens during exercise and after it, too. If you think about it though, people can also be at risk for hyperglycemia simply for having poor control over their diabetes. Therefore, the leaders in this field recommend engaging in moderate exercise for a minimum of 2 hours and 30 minutes, or 90 minutes if they want to do vigorous exercise.

What type of exercise is best for type 2 diabetes patients?

In light of this, the frequency of the routine is more important that the kinds of exercise one engages in. There are many researches wherein an abundance of benefits result from both weight training as well as aerobic activity.

When should patients be discouraged from exercising?

There are times when you one shouldn’t exercise, especially if you are at risk for cardiac conditions .It is best to start slowly and tentatively just to be safe.

About the Author - Su Rollins writes for hypoglycemic diet plan , her personal hobby blog focused on tips to prevent and cure hypoglycemia using the right diet and nutrition.

Do you have any questions about diabetes? Leave a question below and I’m sure that Su will be happy to answer them.

Little Known Ways to Prevent Diabetes with Fitness – guest post is a post from: Alli 'n Son

You see, I’m kind of a control freak.

Today I’m blogging over at Seven Clown Circus. Stop over and leave a comment or two. You’ll even be entered in a special giveaway.

A Little Thing Called Patience is a post from: Alli 'n Son

Any takers?

Also, don’t forget to enter my current giveaways. You could win an Animal Planet Geko Hoodie, some Mabel’s Labels Mama Cards or a Dapper Snapper.

It’s Time For a Guest Blogger is a post from: Alli 'n Son

New ECO Store Winner

The ECO Store contest needed to be re-picked. Congratulations to comment #109, Lisa (who blogs over at  you are the winner of the $25 gift card! Please contact me within 3 days, or I will need to pick a new winner.

Guest Blogging

Don’t forget that I’m guest blogging over at NaturallyKnockedUp.com Check out this week’s post, all about acupuncture.

Swagbucks

Don’t forget that Swagbucks is celebrating their 2nd birthday. If you haven’t signed up yet, find why you should.

Odds and Ends is a post from: Alli 'n Son