Too Stupid To Quit!

My hat goes off to all of the specialists across the United States who teach 

manners and etiquette to our youth! 

Each with a different approach in presentation, but the message always the same.

Common Courtesy,  Polite and Civil behavior toward others.

When children are toddlers we have fun teaching manners like please and thank you,

but what about the treatment of friends, family, coworkers, neighbors and strangers?

We have to communicate to our children as early as two years old that we have

expectations for their behavior and teach them how to behave or they learn from 

children who may not get the same support at home. 

Our children need to be reminded on a daily basis to be aware of their impact on 

others through lessons, conversations and good examples at home.

Easier said than done in a world where negative and sarcasm is the norm.

Based on feedback from others, the concept of a storefront classroom is a great idea 

and very needed.

I thought everyone would run to sign their children up! 

Now I know why it was such a unique idea!  Most classes are taught in restaurants,

community centers and private homes. 

My experience has been that most people think it's a great idea for 

someone else's children!

I thought that if I was sincere and worked hard I could make it work.

I'm not one to blame others or play aint it awful, but coming in future blogs I plan to 

share some of the roadblocks and setbacks that helped create a recipe for failure. 

Much of my own, but still!

For now,  the focus is on liquidating the inventory and working on a new marketing 

strategy for onsite classes. 

I am grateful to those who have been supportive, encouraging and 

believed in the message!  You continue to inspire me.

Stay tuned....

"Too Stupid To Quit"!

Tracey Wormsbacher

Fate or Choice? Come along with me as I try to find the answer...

There is no question that I believe in making good choices. In fact, If you ask anyone that knows me they'll describe me as "someone who tries".

I am driven and motivated to do the right thing!

Come along with me while I try to answer the question:

Which has more impact on the outcome of life CHOICE OR FATE?

I'll be sharing stories about myself and others to determine if the outcome is a result of choice or fate!

You'll have the opportunity to comment, give advice or ask questions!

Tracey Wormsbacher

"Live2Inspire"

A Prayer for my Son

Last week we were shopping for school supplies for our son who just started 

his sophomore year in high school. It occurred to me how important this

year would be and how fast it will go by.

I always give him the talk about remembering where he is why he's there. 

We talk about how focus and effort equals success. He's so nonchalant and 

easy going it frustrates us as parents because we never see any highs or lows. 

Oh he's happy and social, he just doesn't seem to be in a hurry or have any 

urgency for anything but text messages or the next meal!

Knowing what lies ahead of him, that worries me. I talk to other parents with 

the same worries which usually calms me a bit. Sometimes I get lucky and talk

to parents with sons who have already graduated from college and they laugh 

and tell me that their son was the same way and they found their way!

As parents, we do the very best we can encouraging, supporting 

them and giving them opportunities. And then they have to take the wheel. 

Then it's time to pray!

So, today I wrote a prayer for my son.

I hope you enjoy it and pass it on... 

A Mother’s prayer for her son

I pray that you understand the importance of this part of your life and how it 

           will impact the rest of your life.

I pray that you have the confidence and motivation to make the most of this 

           time with friends and community.

I pray that you have the strength to walk away from things that you know 

           are wrong.

I pray that you know that in order to be respected you must respect others.

I pray that  you think about  choices you make today because they determine 

           your tomorrow.

I pray that you take your responsibilities seriously and put first things first.

I pray that you take a stand on positions instead of standing for nothing.

I pray that you find your gift and give it with passion.

I pray that you learn to show compassion and empathy for those who have 

           less than you.

I pray that you find joy in a hard day's work.

I pray that you work as hard as you play.

I pray that you find your voice when it’s most important for you to be heard.

I pray that you always put your best foot forward in spite of the risk of failure.

I pray that you have enough self-respect to always look your best.

I pray that you always put your best foot forward and know that your best 

           is good enough.

I pray that you know that to attract ladies you need to treat girls/women 

           like ladies.

I pray that you know that if you act like a gentleman you will be treated like a

           gentleman.

I pray that you grow into the man you would like your daughter to bring home.

I pray that you never underestimate the power of a good handshake, a good 

           haircut, well-groomed hands, a white shirt & tie and polished shoes.

I pray that people remember you because of your kind and gentle ways.

I pray that you can give without being asked to.

I pray that you understand the value of being organized and prepared.

I pray that you know that you will only be judged on your failures if you 

           don’t try.

I pray that when you fail you find the lesson.

I pray that your failures don’t make you give up.

I pray that you never have fun at the expense of another person.

I pray that you search for the good in people before you judge them by 

           their flaws.

I pray that you know that there is a difference between questioning authority

           and disrespecting authority.

I pray that you feel my love and know that you take a piece of my heart 

           wherever you go.

I pray that God keeps you safe and guides you in a path of happiness 

           and success.

The true meaning of "Simple Acts of Kindness"

In my  heart of hearts I believe that when you do something kind for others
it always comes back! Of course this shouldn't be your motivation for doing
nice things for people, it should be a need you have. It doesn't always come
back right away or in the way you might expect, but it will...

The last 10 years have been a struggle for us in our personal lives with
financial  problems that has led to strain on relationships with people
we've known for years and even new acquaintance's.

So for the most part we've tried to keep a low profile, take care of our children
and do what we need to recover. I think it's called "Survival Mode"

Recently our situation seems to have gone into the valley of doom, feeling
like nothing could make things worse.

I'm the kind of person who searches for blessings every day as a coping
mechanism. Blessings like, the day went well with the kids or  I was able to
have my hair done after cutting it myself for a year.  I learned how to
cut hair when I was a teenager. I used to cut all of my friend's hair.

This week was full of blessings.

We closed on our home and came away with a small check to get us to point b.
My mother in law seems to be improving after a nasty fall down the stairs.
During all of this I see my daughter growing leaps and bounds not physically,
but as a person. She has been an angel cooking, cleaning, packing and pushing
us to spend more time with Grandma and being so kind and gentle with her.

Another blessing came from a tragedy. On Wednesday I came home from work
and found my husband very distraught. He explained to me that our son's
best friend's home had been hit by lightning that morning and had burned
the top floor. Instantly, they were homeless.

My instinct kicked in and I called to see if I could lend a hand. Naturally,
they were in shock and very emotional. I offered our (sold) home up for
anything they needed laundry, sleeping, food storage etc...
Since those things put you in a tailspin they didn't even know what they needed.

The only thing that I could do for them was to have them over for dinner.
We got groceries before work, worked from 11 to 3 and came home to cook dinner.

Suddenly, my mood changed.

When our 5 guests arrived I went to greet them with a sense of strength
I thought that I had lost. Our friends needed us. As they described the event
there were tears but as we ate and talked the conversation turned from the
tragedy to sharing stories about every other thing besides the tragedy.

By the end of the evening there were smiles from the kids and they were sharing
stories as well! We all hugged and said what a great time it was. Our friends were
very grateful to have an evening where they didn't have to think about their loss for a while.

We finished cleaning the house and as we went to bed we felt very grateful ourselves
that we were sleeping in our own beds and if only for this day we were putting our
efforts on someone else's troubles and not our own!

This is the true meaning "Simple acts of kindness"

Kindness Inspires Kindness

"Kindness Inspires Kindness"

We're touched by acts of kindness every day. 

Do we recognize kindness? Do we pay kindness forward? 

As a part of the manners and etiquette classes for children I explain the difference between kindness and helpful and we work on examples for both.


"Being Helpful makes another person's life easier"

"Being Kind makes another person feel good"

Kindness and Helpfulness work hand in hand!

You can teach children the same principles by sharing when you do 
something  helpful for another person or when someone does something 
helpful or kind for you.

Explain what motivated you and what the reaction was by the other person. 
Include your children and let them take part in it. 

Ask your child to give you an examples of things that he or she can do for 
others that is helpful or kind.

Many of us do this naturally however, it's  important to make a conscious effort to include your children so that they see the benefits and the valuable lessons that come from a

"Simple Act of Kindness"!

"Family Dinners"

In the past I have talked about the importance of family dinners. Last night my daughter's good friend joined us for dinner. Which by the way was prepared by the two of them. Since Casee is a foody and pretty close to a gourmet cook, it was delicious. Parmesan Pesto Pizza and Salad with carmelized onions, red pepper, feta and balsamic dressing. It's common for Casee to come up with these combinations.

We had spent the summer in 2006 learning to cook by watching Food Network and spending hours looking through celebrity cookbooks. Cooking and food has been a passion for Casee since then.

That was just a little side note because I am amazed by my daughter!

The subject was Family Dinners.

During our conversation at dinner, Casee's friend commented how "Blessed" we are to eat dinner as a family. She explained that the only night of the week her family eats together is once during the week she eats with her Mom when she picks her up from dance at 7:30. The rest of the nights she is at dance so late that the family has eaten and makes her a plate or she has something quick while she finishes her homework before bed.

While the observation made me feel good it also made me sad because I know that we are not the norm.  I also know that our family dinners are numbered since my son is about to start driving!

Until then, we make it a point to eat as a family whenever possible.

There are books and articles written on the subject and the benefits. My favorite is a weekly post on the Huffington Post called  "Family Dinner Table Talk". The writer poses a subject for the dinner conversation. The topic may not interest you or your family but it is a great idea!
As usual in visiting the site on the subject I also found a great book "The Family Dinner".

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/tag/family-dinner-download

I recommend that you check out both forinspiration. I love the idea of a dinner topic! It's fun and motivates me to stay on track with Family Dinners. I will be sure to share a topic every week on our facebook page!
The message says to me that the important thing is a sincere dialogue with your family. Whether you're your enjoying a Sunday roast dinner, fast food or cereal for dinner.

Make time to talk with your family, as a family and do it as often as possible, the benefits are immeasurable!

Thanksgiving 2010 Table scape by Casee

New Year's 2009 Table scape by Casee

Christmas 2009 Table scape by Casee

Casee's favorite pass time "Food"

Christmas 2010 Table scape by Casee

Christmas 2011 Table scape by Casee

"Simply Good" Life Lessons

Raising children is the most rewarding and challenging job we have. There's so much at stake.
The experts say that who we are is 50% nature and 50% nurture.
No matter how you look at it, we have a 50/50 chance of raising a happy, well-adjusted child
who will become a happy, well- adjusted adult.

The best opportunity we have in building character is when our children are young and less      influenced by the outside world!

As we go about our daily lives we become so busy that we sometimes miss opportunities to teach

our children some the greatest lessons in life. Lessons about right from wrong, owning mistakes,

or the importance of our choices and simple skills for taking care of ourselves.

I don't hold myself out as an expert. No, I am actually someone who came from an upbringing
in which let's just say I was left to learn these lessons by the grace of God and inner strength.

Not complaining because instead of following in my parents footsteps I somehow managed to learn
from their mistakes. If you have parents who were born in the 30's and 40's you know that this generation was notorious for raising children with a "Seen and not heard" and less seen the better attitude!

There is something to be said for figuring things out on you own. However, I believe that balance helps especially today when information comes at our children at a much faster pace.

This is why I feel so strong about family meals. I am not June Cleaver! But try I very hard to have as many meals as a family as possible. It doesn't matter what you're eating as long as you have some quality time to talk about your day, your feelings and your fears. I can't stress enough how important this is.
It's worth taking the time to arrange things to make it happen!

Which brings me to manners! If you are lucky enough to have a couple of meals with your family I  recommend the following:  Insist on phones and television off! Including Mom and Dad.


Another thing that I am very passionate about is understanding the importance of bonding with your children through hobbies or everyday activities. Children can learn so much about life when you
make "together" time. For a better picture of what I mean take these examples:

A Father fishing with his son is not about the fish!
Throwing and catching a baseball with your son is not about him making the travel team!

Finding a recipe and cooking with your daughter is not about her going to culinary school.
Filing and polishing your nails together is not about the color of the nail polish.

We can teach our children so much about life in our daily routine when we're aware of the benefits!

So I say no matter how old your children are, make a list today and try those things TOGETHER.
    
      Make matching bracelets
      Paint a picture
      Make a paper airplane
      Make a house of cards
      Give the dog a bath
      Teach your child how to clean the floor, toilet or the inside of your car
      Show them how to use the washer and dryer
      Set a proper table
      Make a summer dress on the sewing machine
      Have your child make the grocery list by taking inventory, planning meals and
      let her help you do the shopping from the list.
    
These are the things that you and your children will remember and carry with them throughout
life.  It also gives you the greatest opportunity for influencing them in positive ways!

I call them "Simply Good" Life Lessons.