Food Lessons Learned at #IHOP

I took my five kids plus Jake to International House of Pancakes for their 57th anniversary and 57-cent short stack of pancakes recently (and then our friends the Joneses also came with their dad). Being on Weight Watchers myself, you would think a place like this would be like a landmine field for me. But it was fine. Here's why and some lessons I learned about food I want to pass on to you:

1. Plan. I had planned for this visit for a few days so I had time to prepare in my mind what I was going to eat. If I had just been dropped into an IHOP by an airplane and had been starving and unprepared, I would have definitely ordered one of everything on the menu. But that wasn't the case, thankfully.
2. Treat. I didn't deprive myself. I was there for the short stack, after all, so I decided to figure out the Points value of a pancake (4) plus syrup and have one. I took the other two home to Mr. Kerrie.
3. Know. I got a side of scrambled eggs for some protein and to offset the sugar. I find that when I eat pure carbs/sugary items I can feel my mood change and I get grumpy. I also got some bacon for the kids so they could have some protein.
4. Stop. When I was done, I stopped eating. I couldn't eat all the eggs so I passed the rest on to one of my kids who wanted them (usually my 14-year-old growing-like-a-weed son!).

Eating out can be a real challenge but if you plan ahead you can handle it!

Business Cards and Other Great Supplies for My Direct Sales Businesses and for My Life as a Busy Mom

Okay, so it's pretty common knowledge around here that I am a Jamberry consultant and also a Younique independent presenter. I am also an author and a proofreader for hire. And a mom of five. And a wife. And a blogger. That's a lot to fit onto one teeny, weeny, tiny business card. I've been doing it this way but have seen people get out a magnifying glass to read all my tiny text on my card.

Just kidding, but you know what I'm getting at.

I've been seeing this Moo business card all over Facebook and wondered about it so I went to check it out and turns out I can get a biz card of a LARGER size in a cool square ... to fit all my fun on there. Then I can put a cool image or graphic on the back and BAM! I am good to go as far as selling myself and my products. And my big card won't be forgotten, either ...

Oh, and if you want something even more different than their square card, they also have mini options and luxe versions. Lots of options besides the same old, same old. Check it out, no matter what your lifestyle is like!

Runs/Walks in Kansas City: Leawood Labor Day Run September 7, 2015

Before I was the homeschooling writer mom of 5, I used to love to walk all the time as a stress reliever and to stay in shape. Walking is something you can do as a parent anytime, but now that my youngest is 5 and my oldest is 14, it's a lot easier for me to fit in time for my own fitness. Over the winter I walked some at the gym on the treadmill and track. Now I can walk the neighborhood or the field at the school by my house. I'm not a jogger or a runner yet ... but might be someday! For now I walk in my OOFOS sandals because they are the most comfy thing I have ever worn and work perfectly for summertime.

What: Leawood Labor Day Run

When: Monday, September 7, 2015 at 7:30 a.m.

Where: Leawood City Park, Leawood, KS

Fun facts: my uncle used to coach track at a high school in Lee's Summit for many years and my dad has taken up jogging ... it's in my blood! (Happy birthday to my dad today, by the way!)

Check the link (above after WHAT) for more info!

P.S. I get my info from the fabulous KC Running Company website.

On a personal note, here's my walking story for National Walking Day a couple of years ago with an update.

When you're all done, you'll be hungry! Grab a copy of my Tater Tot Casserole Cookbook and whip up a batch of happiness for dinner!

Kerrie Debates a Popular, Viral #Motherhood Graphic

When I first saw this graphic on Facebook I was like YEAH! RIGHT ON! WOO HOO. IN YOUR FACE, people who don't like my messy house!

Then I was like, hmmmmm. Let me think about all that for a moment. So I shall pick it apart for your reading pleasure.

1. It's not just moms who have messy houses. I was a super pig before I ever had kids, and you can verify that with my parents and my husband.
2. So my house won't be too spotless. I don't want it that way anyway because then I'll be all anal and mean when the grandkids get a muddy shoe on my rug and I never want to be like that. I never want my grandkids to feel like they are a pain in my ass or that they are intruding on my quiet time.
3. It probably won't be too quiet because I like to have a radio on and I will also be talking off Mr. Kerrie's ear like I like to do. He loves it.
4. I hopefully won't be lonely because I will hopefully still have Mr. Kerrie, assuming he puts up with me that long.
5. I'm an only child so lonely doesn't scare me. Bring it on.
6. I bet the kids will come around sometimes so I won't be lonely 24/7. I bet they bring girlfriends, boyfriends, friends, spouses and eventually kids.
7. Even if I live in the country there will be neighbors and friends and townsfolk (like that word?) who will yack my dang ear off most likely.
8. My parents had me young and I'm their only kid so I bet you 5 bucks I get to help take care of them. They are divorced, so that means double time for me, dammit.

Pretty sure I won't be too lonely or bored when the crazy kids are gone, but I will miss these times with a heartache like no other, that is for sure. You might find me scrapbooking and also looking at old scrapbooks while crying because I am missing my kids being little so badly.

Then I will hop a jet to Italy to take my mind off the sadness.

This ends another episode of Kerrie Dissects a Popular, Viral Graphic. Please join us next time.

This is a Normal #Kansas Weather Day

So here are my girls on a regular Monday in July. One of them is heading to sewing camp, which you can read about here.

Then I took the other kids plus some friends to the pool. Sunny and gorgeous.

After the pool the sky got darker and tornado sirens were going off, which is rare in our part of the city. So I got all the kids to the basement. Look at how they are smiling! That was BEFORE the power went out.

Then I got their butts under heavy things like tables and shelves and away from windows.

The sky was creepy and it was super windy.