The Girl in a Whirl by 'Dr. Sue'

If you, or someone you know has ever felt overwhelmed by all they feel they need to do, Vickie Gunther of Redlands , California , wrote a hilarious poem, Dr. Seuss style, about how much LDS women try to take on. David B. Marsh used it at Women's Conference, and Vickie has given permission to share it.

The Girl in a Whirl by 'Dr. Sue' (a.k. A.. Vickie Gunther)

Look at me, look at me, look at me now!
You could do what I do if you only knew how.
I study the scriptures one hour each day;
I bake, I upholster, I scrub, and I pray.
I always keep all the commandments completely;
I speak to my little ones gently and sweetly.
I help in their classrooms! I sew all they wear!
I drive them to practice! I cut all their hair!
I memorize names of the General Authorities;
I focus on things to be done by priorities.
I play the piano! I bless with my talents!
My toilets all sparkle! My checkbooks all balance!
Each week every child gets a one-on-one date;
I attend all my meetings (on time! Never late!)
I'm taking a class on the teachings of Paul,
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I track my bad habits 'til each is abolished;
Our t-shirts are ironed! My toenails are polished!
Our family home evenings are always delightful;
The lessons I give are both fun and insightful.
I do genealogy faithfully, too.It's easy to do all the things that I do!
I rise each day early, refreshed and awake;
I know all the names of each youth in my stake!
I read to my children! I help all my neighbors!
I bless the community, too, with my labors.
I exercise and I cook menus gourmet;
My visiting teaching is done the first day!
(I also go do it for someone who missed hers.
It's the least I can do for my cherished ward sisters.)
I chart resolutions and check off each goal;
I seek each "lost lamb" on my Primary roll.
I can home-grown produce each summer and fall.
But that is not all! Oh, no. That is not all,
I write in my journal! I sing in the choir!
Each day, I write "thank you's" to those I admire.
My sons were all Eagles when they were fourteen!
My kids get straight A's! And their bedrooms are clean!
I have a home business to help make some money;
I always look beautifully groomed for my honey.
I go to the temple at least once a week;
I change the car's tires! I fix the sink's leak!
I grind my own wheat and I bake all our bread;
I have all our meals planned out six months ahead.
I make sure I rotate our two-years' supply;
My shopping for Christmas is done by July!
These things are not hard; 'tis good if you do them;
You can if you try! Just set goals and pursue them!
It's easy to do all the things that I do!
If you plan and work smart, you can do them all, too!
It's easy!" she said and then she dropped dead

cooking for 8 different tasters

I have discovered that cooking for 7-8 people for most meals can be quite frustrating if you give into every one's likes, and dislikes. So to simplify meals, and snacks I came up with some, mostly, stringent rules. I am only lenient if someone is sick. I have three major rules when it comes to mealtimes. 1. They can choose to be picky about one item (sour cream, raw tomatoes, oatmeal, and celery are ones that 4 of my kids chose, and the item chosen can not change day to day, that doesn't mean I make something separate for those that don't like celery in the celery, chicken casserole, they are just aloud to pick it out). 2. If you don't like what I fixed you go without ( I am not totally ruthless about this rule, because I generally make things that everyone already eats well). 3. Lastly if I hear whining about the menu the whiner gets excused from the meal ( they really have to be throwing a tantrum though to get sent away from the table, this one got put into affect after a Thanksgiving meal that Eric, and I made, and they totally turned their noses up at it! We don't generally get together with family so we cook all the traditional things plus some of our own recipes. We really make it a big deal). It might sound harsh, but for the sake of keeping my sanity I had to come up with some rules for everyone.
I try and keep a simple but tasty collection of recipes that everyone can enjoy (maby not favorites, but they will eat it). I have found also that if they help make it they will eat it. Then every once in a while I will slip something new in, and continue to slip it in until it becomes a regular. If I am making something I know they do not like I make sure the side dish is popular.(like last Thursday I wanted to try out a kabob recipe, I knew they wouldn't eat the bell peppers, & mushrooms, so I made a rice dish I knew they liked for the side, they also have to at least taste everything). This way they don't go to bed hungry. My kids have a hard time getting to sleep, and staying asleep on an empty stomach. I definitely don't need more bedtime stress, but that's another blog. ;o)