Bless This Mess

by Campbell-Slan, Joanna

• ISBN13: 9781930500068
• ISBN10: 1930500068
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2001-10-01
• Publisher: Efg Inc

Summary

This unique book is an interactive guide to feeling good for working moms the world over. We're all familiar with this woman. She carries a briefcase that doubles as a diaper bag. She collects business cards and report cards. She carries a Franklin planner that reminds her to send out birthday cards to all her friends and family. She's the woman who strives to bless the mess--the unruly threads of life lived fast forward with kids to love, pets to feed, kitchens to clean and a car with two old orders of McDonald's french fries stuffed under the seats. She's also the person most likely to buy a self-help book--particularly one written just for her. Bless This Mess is a rich patchwork quilt of stories of women from all walks of life, paired with journaling prompts to help readers find their own ways through life's complex journeys. Bottom line: Joanna Campbell-Slan inspires moms to feel good about the lives they live.Joanna Campbell-Slan is a regular columnist in Creating Keepsakes and Personal Journaling magazines. She is the author of I'm Too Blessed to Be Depressed and her stories appear in Chicken Soup for the Soul at Work, A 4th Course of Chicken Soup for the Soul and Chocolate for a Woman's Soul, among others. She lives with her husband and son in St. Louis, Missouri.

Table of Contents

Welcome: When Mama's Happy, Everybody's Happy	6	(4)
Hectic Households
Mom Advice... Asking for help from other moms	10	(6)
The Well-Run Household... Realities and myths	16	(5)
Get Wise: Margaretize... Organizing and simplifying tips	21	(5)
Tackle the Fleas... Taking care of the little messes	26	(3)
Too Much Mrs. Nice Guy... Learning to say ``no''	29	(7)
Entertaining Guests
A Guest is a Gift... Focusing on what's important	36	(3)
Home for the Holidays... Starting your own traditions	39	(4)
Why Great Danes Don't Eat Dip... Finding humor	43	(5)
Hoosier Hospitality... Food as part of your culture	48	(5)
The Handyman's Special... Look what's dropping in for dinner	53	(5)
Kid Stuff
All Children Need Comforting... Seeking comfort from friends	58	(4)
Rocking Around the Clock... The joys of young children	62	(3)
Geez Louise!... Finding outside support	65	(4)
Glimpses of Who My Child Will Be... Finding courage	69	(4)
My Whole Life... Helping children through difficult times	73	(5)
Unexpected Gifts
The Great Grape Adventure... Stains hold memories	78	(3)
Because I've Had You... The teaching power of children	81	(3)
A Birthday Gift of Grace... Asking for prayers	84	(5)
Olivia's Potato Salad... Appreciating other's abilities	89	(3)
Your Essential Nature... Celebrating your unique gifts	92	(6)
Perfection Correction
Flower Power... Is it perfection or is it plastic?	98	(6)
Happy Trails are Filled with Poop... Stresses	104	(4)
Find Ways to Win... It's a matter of attitude	108	(4)
Thanksgiving at Cracker Barrel... Changing traditions	112	(4)
You Don't Have to Carve the Pumpkin... Simplifying	116	(3)
Of Centerfolds and Casseroles... What recipes mean	119	(5)
Real Worlds
Moving Forward with Faith... Keeping on keepin' on	124	(5)
The Case for Hiring Help... Valuing your free time	129	(4)
Lose Those 10 Pounds... Is it real or is it attitude?	133	(2)
Throw Out a Lifeline... Helping others	135	(3)
Nell's Garden... Enjoying your contributions	138	(6)
Nurture Yourself
You're Out Too Far... Setting safeguards	144	(4)
Comfort Me... Learning to comfort yourself	148	(3)
Callaway's Rule... Having fun	151	(4)
Guilt, The Gift that Keeps on Giving... A perspective	155	(4)
What Makes You Happy?... Getting what you need	159	(4)
Be Reasonfull... Getting support for outside endeavors	163	(5)
Taking Charge
In the No Phone Zone... Taking control of the time	168	(3)
Why We Unplugged the TV... Taking control of values	171	(5)
Wash Your Car... Improving your sense of order	176	(3)
What I Like Best... Getting onto a positive focus	179	(4)
When All Else Fails... Sending a prayer	183	(4)
Pockets of Joy... Filling your pockets with gratitude	187	(5)
Bonus
The Four Basic Food Groups... Finding Joy in gift giving	192	(4)
A Note from Home... Handling a situation with humor	196	(4)
Blessings Journal... Save your own list	200	(6)
Other Books from Joanna... Start scrapbooking	206	(2)
A Gift... Staying in touch	208