I did it!
Yes sir re bob.
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
This mama of three, got mad and changed the world.
Well in a very minute way anyway.

As you may recall my faithful reader, the events that transpired on the morn of October the 1st in the year of two thousand and seven.

That was the day that my little Simon got transported via ambulance to Maine Medical Center because of a collision with the concrete floor that graces the ground at Half Foods. If you want the dirty little details about that ordeal, you will have to go back into my archive and read. Not a funny story, but lively little details that you don't want to miss.

But today I am proclaiming victory. One feisty mom can make a difference. Every time (seven or more visits) that I have visited Half Foods, since that fateful day, I have inquired about the progress of providing a few carts that fit more than one child. I was nice. I was losing patience on the inside, but it came out more like, "No, no, I understand, these things take time, I'm sure you are doing your best."

Then there was Tuesday, as in two days ago.
Mama was in a mood.
Mama is off her meds.
Mama is not to be messed with.
So it went something like this:

"It has been 4 months, I have provided you with the web address of the company that sources the carts for Hannaford. This is ridiculous, I want the carts, and I want them now." For good measure I threw in this little ditty: "Don't make me mention the "L" word, I'm not that kind of girl".

And I'm not, and we would not have a legal case anyway. Ruben made the cart fall over. I take responsibility for that. I could have chosen to stop shopping there altogether. But being the aspiring June Clever that I am, I try to purchase Organic foods whenever possible, and I'm addicted to their Petit Ecolier ripoffs.

So it seems that bitching and moaning has gotten me somewhere. Becky, a manager from the store called today, yup just 48 hours later, and said she has placed the order. She was the first person there that I felt listened and took the request seriously. It should come as no surprise that Becky is a mother.

Now all of you moms and dad's can enjoy your shiny new WHOLE FOODS carts, arriving sometime in the near future. You can shop with ease and know that you will leave with your WHOLE CHILD fully in tact. I guess I ought to call them by their real name now.

I told Becky that if revenue increases dramatically due to the sudden onslaught of moms of more than one shopping there, that she can just put the proceeds on a gift card, I'll pick it up at the service desk next time I'm there.

Its' so quiet in here right now that I almost fear the sound of typing will wake my family. Today was a good day, a balanced day I'd like to proclaim, as that has been in short supply lately.

I got this new year "idea" thing, not a resolution, cause I just think that "R" word in and of itself sets you up for failure.

I discovered that I was horribly out of balance right about Monday the 22nd, the MLK holiday. I took a yoga class, and at the end of it I was bawling. Why? I have not taken care of my SELF, in oh I don't know, about 5 years.

I am talking full neglect here folks, I've been pill popping (antidepressants, they give em to all us mothers) and trying to find a solution that would be the loophole to jump through. Something, anything, to make this job easier!

What have I found? Well just like everything else, it comes down to more hard work. I need to take care of myself. Like I don't know maybe eat right and exercise. What a concept eh?

But you know what the thing is, no one tells you that! They say things like "take it easy" and they mean well I know. But how does a Mom of three little ones take it easy, if she doesn't make it a scheduled event in her day? So that is what it will take.

I'm reading an excellent book at the moment that has greatly empowered me as a person and a mother. It's called "Perfect Madness: Motherhood in the age of anxiety". There is some strange stuff going on out there in the motherland.

Take this for instance, I befriended a woman at the doctors office that I go to. Our relationship has never gone beyond that context, but I like her very much. Her two children are 8 & 10 years old. She remembers having young ones and she always asks about my boys.

The other day she tells me she was having this weird hot flash, she knows it is not menopause, so she starts thinking, and realizes that she has not eaten at all that day. It's 3:00. She jokes with me, saying, "you understand, you're a mom." Like it just the silliest thing in the universe that this grown woman has not eaten all day. She's just been treating her body and mind like a machine and expecting that it would just keep going.

Guess what? I have done the same thing. I no longer think it is funny. I think it is a unique sort of warped motherhood martyrdom. I think it's kind of stupid, and irresponsible. What I have come to understand is that I am not a MACHINE, and I can't do it all, at least not well. The #1 killer of women is heart disease. Mark my words, it has much to do with the fact that we do not take care of ourselves.

I'm hitting the mat, (the yoga mat). Back to basics if you will. I'm thinner than before I had my children, but I am the most out of shape. I used to be able to slide into the postures like there was no tomorrow, on MLK I was unable to find my balance and hold the pose. I was ashamed that this was where I was. I am not beating myself up about it, I am just changing it.

I will not model this craziness to my boys as an example of exemplary woman hood. I want my boys to know that in addition to being their number one fan; I am also a lover of life, a writer, a dedicated steward of my body.

Self sacrifice is overrated. My new mantra is what every flight attendant will explain to you. In the event of an emergency, you must first pull down the oxygen mask and administer it to YOURSELF. Only then will you have the where with all to take care of your children.

Life has a way of handing you a new leaf and saying here, "turn this over." My husband's job has been removed, as a part of a consolidation effort at the bank that he works for. While we weren't planning on it, we are actively searching for a new job.

I say we, because what ever happens in his world of work, affects the rest of the family. It's interesting because up until recently, I did not have to care about anyone else but myself. Then we grew a family and well, I'm still trying to figure that out honestly. Look for a future blog about balance, if I ever find it.

You ought to see me, I'm on the computer looking for jobs for him, using keywords that I have no idea the meaning of. "Hey honey they need you to have your GTFC certification, do you have that?" I must be doing something right because I got him the job he has now.

So the thing here is, that Maine is not exactly a place for a professional of his caliber. It took us two years to find this job. Sure there are jobs, they just don't pay enough to feed the kids, a thing we find mildly important. God help us when they all hit puberty around the same time. I think I will have to either have 3 refrigerators, or go to the grocery store daily. We're saving for it now.

So the search is on, we have considered moving to Europe, to be closer to his folks. We are looking into telecommuting positions. But right now I am obsessed with moving to Austin Texas. Why? well the music scene is amazing. My very own Patty Griffin moved there. I say my very own, of course I'm just another adoring fan of hers, except I have met her brother, which of course means that I have .... absolutely nothing.

I already have an old friend there too, which to me makes it a real possibility. Without her there, the city would not seem like an option.

So we shall see, in the meantime I am trying to enjoy the snow, I'm failing at that by the way. When it's painful to go outside, you've made umpteen snowmen, the cold makes your nose bleed, your kids are climbing the walls, you think to yourself; maybe it's time to turn over that new leaf.