Spring in Arizona is a slice of Eden. The weather is perfect, the Sonoran desert is in full bloom, and there's not a cloud in the sky. So what person with half a mind and relatives in Arizona wouldn't come for their own lovely spring break? We are lucky enough that every year like migrating geese my sister-in-law and her husband come stay with us for three weeks. It is pretty much my hap-happiest time of the year. For reals the quality of my life improves dramatically. To the point where I weep every time they leave.

By Bev Brakeman, for CTWorkingMoms.com

How is it that as I find my own hormones waxing and waning I am perpetually subject to the radically unpredictable and unwieldy hormones of 2 teenage daughters?  That’s a rhetorical question of course because exactly 13 and 17 years ago respectively I willingly walked (so to speak) myself in to this life of hormonal captivity.

Lately my stress levels have been out of c

On my thirty-seventh birthday, I celebrate with my usual long run, during which I will undoubtedly pass by some farm animals.  I always manage to either live or work in a town within running distance of farm animals, horses, cows, bison, perhaps some quail.  Luckily, my school is near a large body of water, which to us water sign babies is always a renewing sight. During the second mile, as I close in upon the banks of the Salmon River, five deer cross my path, unmolested by truck or tractor.

Let's be clear that I am writing this post at 9:30 on a Sunday morning and I am totally blowing off church. Yes I am a sinner. A sinner raised by an atheist mother and a father who believes life after death is one long dirt nap.

Interestingly enough it was my non-believer father who inspired toady's post. Last night we had some family over (including folks from out-of-town) to celebrate my youngest son's birthday which was, as you moms all know, a circus.

There's a saying about when things are good, they're good and when they're bad they're horrid...let's just say that pretty much sums me up these days!

When I am organized I'm good. When I'm not...watch out! It's a scary sight, and chances are you will get sucked into my vortex as I pass you by!

Can we just work this out, please?

Does your body talk to you in this way?  Most of us have an entire community of internal physical advocates urging us to strengthen, tone, elongate, stretch and lift.

Every so often the Cheerleader will flip her ponytail around and chirp; “Hey there cutie, wouldn’t it be awesome to do a push up or two?  Look at me do the splits!  Remember when you used to be able to do that?”

It’s hard enough to drink limited caffeine and still remain active and alert all day. Then you add in the high likelihood that you will have to leave work mid-presentation due to nausea especially if the meeting is between 9 am and any time of day. Next, add in the annoyance that no clothes fit “right” even if you are lucky enough to not gain weight during the first trimester. Being at the office is hard when you are trying to hide an early pregnancy.

I’m taking the Worry out of this year, and so can you!

What are you worried about?

Would it be easier if I asked you what you aren’t worried about?

If you are anything like me (God help you!) you could be worried about a myriad of real or imagined things, at any given time.

Holidays send me over the edge. And not because I am known to be shopping for presents on Christmas Eve (truly I work best under pressure) but because as a mother to two young children every holiday requires that I make a sad clown attempt at being crafty. The cute and kitschy are not my forte. Creating an adorable Halloween vignette at the front of my house with handmade bats, ghosts and the perfect carved pumpkin is literally beyond my capabilities - by a lot.

And it's not just holidays. Children's birthdays are the worst.