Gamma

From the messy countertop of the Lazy Housewife...

Go, go, go! No, not like the energizer bunny. Get out there in the world and know you aren't alone. If you don't work outside the house, you might feel a little trapped. Raising kids is tough and you need to commiserate with other parents - not just the spouse.

Here are some suggestions to help you get out there and mix it up with kindred spirits! TIPS:

• Playdates - Aren't just for kids. And you can trade off running errands sometimes too.

TMNT! (circa 2004)

• Classes - Gymboree, Tumble Bees, community center, the library, preschool, church. Do it for their social development and for your sanity.
• Malls, Parks, McDonald's, the POOL - all places where mommies gather. Just bring sanitizer.
• Grandma! - If you have nearby relatives, be thankful. Not all of us do and would kill to let Grandma babysit once in a while.
• Vacations - just planning a trip can be a stress reliever and it's something to look forward to. Go somewhere and get a break from the monotony. (more tips on planning & packing later)

More G TIPS: Give - remember that whatever you give always comes back to you, good or bad. And donating is also a stress reliever!
Go outside - nature is refreshing. It renews mind and body, lowers blood pressure, and makes sick people heal faster (from Prevention, Jan 2013)

And a Gun pole (from SELF magazine) I was surprised by these results:
81% said they could use a gun to defend themselves or family if needed
72% said guns are good for self-defense
62% said recent violence has made them think about getting a gun or gun training (if you get a gun, you DEFEINITELY NEED gun training!
51% said guns are not dangerous to have in the house

Editing Tips

Grammar - use your Word Processor's help, then use your best judgment. This is where I depend on CPs and editors.

commonly confused "G" words:
gray (American) / grey (British) - either is acceptable
gauntlet (a glove) / gantlet (a test of endurance or ability to bear pain)

BONUS - G compound words
G-string       gearshift       getup (n)       get up (v)
get-together (n)       giveaway       goings-on      
goodbye       good night       goodwill      
goose bumps       great-grandmother       god-awful

Find more A to Z posts here, LOTS more!

Phi

From the messy countertop of the Lazy Housewife...

Food! I hate cooking. Well, I like to cook, but deciding what to make for dinner and forcing us all to eat healthier is exasperating! And cooking is another under appreciated bit of hard work, with preparation and clean up taking 5X as long as the consumption.

Okay. Enough complaining. Here are the TIPS:

• Grocery shopping - planning meals in advance makes shopping more efficient (fave LHW word). I only go once a week because I don't have time to run to the grocery every day. I also have a pre-printed list in store order (yes, I need organization)
• What's for Dinner? - I jot down meals (from above) so when I am constantly asked this question multiple times, I point to the list. 
• Appropriate portions - don't over eat and don't skimp on the good stuff. ** TIP: ever use individual fruit cups? I have stocked up - they are awesome for dipping (from ketchup to syrup to ranch dressing) and perfect for portion control (and they keep the veggies from touching the meatloaf)

 

• Party Time! - I love potlucks. I get to try out new recipes on my friends, the guinea pigs. If they like it, I claim it!
• Substitution - use your cookbook or the internet - if you don't have certain items, most can be substituted and you don't have to tell...
• Crock pots - use them! ** TIP: did you know they make liners for them now? easy clean up!
• Helpers and Cookie Dough - these are total time savers and usually taste pretty good. Unfortunately, they aren't the healthiest choices, so read labels and don't use all the time.
• Music! - to make food preparation more pleasant, I listen to my music (I also listen to my ipod when I grocery shop - everything is better with music!)
• More food tips with other letters

Editing Tips

commonly confused "F" words:
farther (implies physical distance) / further (advancement along a nonphyscial dimension; to a greater degree)
faze (v. to disturb) / phase (n. a stage in a series or cycle)
fiancee (female) / fiance (male)
florescent (adj. referring to the satte of flourishing) / fluorescent (adj. brilliantly colored and giving off light)

BONUS - F compound words
face-off       facedown       farfetched       fever-pitch    
fiberglass       firepower       flip-flop       full-blown

Find more A to Z posts here, LOTS more!

Epsilon

From the messy countertop of the Lazy Housewife...

Eliminate. Expunge. Eradicate. Extinguish. Expel. I don't know about you, but I don't have any more time to do any more stuff. My dance card is FULL! And yet, more stuff comes along and I squeeze it in. But that means something else has been eliminated. This leads to Efficiency. With tight schedules, we have to set priorities, and eliminate the unnecessary. Decide what really deserves your time!

Another form of Elimination is getting rid of useless items. Purge the clutter! (One man's junk... ) Here are some TIPS:

• Clothes - I go thru closets in the Spring and Fall and make piles - Donate / Hand me Down / Toss - this goes for mom's closet too! Haven't worn it in two years? Give it up.
• Toys & Misc - Same deal. When we switch out bins of winter toys and summer toys in the garage, it's a perfect time to purge what we don't use or is broken. (Bonus, my hub built some sturdy shelves above our garage door to store out of season stuff - very handy!)

• Kitchen and the rest of the house - Not as often, but we all need more storage room. Especially in the kitchen. (Curious - anyone still have a wedding gift > ten years? I do, but not much)
• And so many charitable organizations will pick up your stuff from your porch! (Mama J reminded me to add that valuable lazy tip!)

More E TIPS: Eliminate Stress with Exercise & Eating well!
(repetititve? yes, it is! I need it repeated!)

Editing Tips

Ellipses... - in the sentence, three. end of the sentence, three and one to end on.... Use sparingly!

Em Dash-- double dash with no spaces before or aft. Shows interruption. I usually use commas, which are also acceptable.

commonly confused "E" words:
earth (dirt, ground; or used in idiom) / Earth (the planet)
elusive (adj. tending to avoid or escape) / illusive (adj. unreal or misleading)

Find more A to Z posts here, LOTS more!