Author Archives: Carol Paxman

She Still Needs Me

This is such a strange time in my life. When I got divorced I tried dating and decided that what I really wanted to do was focus on raising my daughter. Now, she is nineteen and married. I thought I had more time, I didn’t realize that she was really grown up. Well, not really, she just thinks she is. So I’m settling into this life of what to do after the kids are raised. If I had younger children at home I’m sure it wouldn’t be so bad but she was my only. Now she no longer lives here. … Continue reading →

When A Bargain Is Not A Bargain

I love getting a bargain. My house is mostly decorated in early yard sale, late thrift store. I’m seldom opposed to buying or receiving something used. I like the character that comes with an older table or dresser. Chairs that are a different style and can be painted to fit in with my eclectic decorating style are always a favorite. As are little odds and ends that you can’t find anywhere else. No matter how much I love a bargain there are some things I will not buy used, it’s not worth the risk. When it comes to children’s safety, … Continue reading →

A Good Cry Is What You Need

I love being a mother. There is nothing I’d rather do than parent my daughter. I feel that she is truly a gift. I wouldn’t have chosen to be a single parent but that’s the way it happened. I try to be positive, I want my daughter to always look on the bright side. Yes, sometimes life is hard, but that doesn’t mean you have to let it defeat you. I am always the first to say, keep your chin up, do it for your kids. Sometimes, I forget to take my own advice. Sometimes I feel sorry for myself. … Continue reading →

Buying A New Roof

When I bought my house the inspector said the roof was leaking. Being the optimist I am, I thought a little roof tar and I would be good. That just shows how little I knew about roofs. After waking up to a steady stream of water entering my attic I found I had a lot to learn. Once the rain stopped I patched the roof but knew I had to do something about this aging roof. I did some research online and since the roof was the original one on the house, it was time to replace it. Asphalt roofs … Continue reading →

Cleaning Or Playing, Decisions, Decisions

No one wants to live in an overwhelmingly messy house. For me, it’s stressful if the house is a mess. It’s also stressful to always be nagging my daughter about picking up after herself. I did feel it was my job to teach her to clean up after herself, I just never enjoyed that particular battle. When Hailey was small I had to accept that my house was going to have that lived in look. There are just not enough hours in the day to do everything. One lesson I learned early in my single parenthood was to pick my … Continue reading →

Welfare And Drug Testing

I’ve been seeing it on Facebook for months. States are going to start drug testing welfare recipients. My initial gut reaction is that this is a good thing. Why should my tax dollars support someone who sits home, does drugs and keeps popping out babies to get a check? Then the nice side of me gives me a little slap upside the head and points out that stereotypes such as these are why there is so much hate in the world. No, I don’t want to help support someone who is a drug addict. The flip side of that is … Continue reading →

Time To Date, Again

When I was first divorced I dated, quite a lot. I didn’t know how to not be married so I wanted to get right back out there and find someone to love. When you are a single mother it’s much more complicated than just finding someone to love. You have to find someone who not only loves you, but your children. Then you cross your fingers and hope your kid likes them as well. This did not work out so well for me and after a couple years I thought I should just focus on raising Hailey and worry about … Continue reading →

Wedding Guest Book

There have been a lot of weddings in my family lately. I love weddings, so beautiful and emotional. My favorite part about weddings is how each bride puts her own spin on things and makes this special day her own. One area that I’m seeing more and more originality is the guest book. Seems no one wants a guest book that sits in a closet and never gets looked at. My sister Terrie wanted something original. The idea for this was all hers, I just put it together since she was overwhelmed with other wedding duties. Materials Large painters canvas … Continue reading →

Preventing West Nile Virus

Every day we are faced with the challenge of protecting our homes and families from pests. Every year I battle ants, spiders and bees. Right now, it is prime mosquito season here in Utah. We are luckier than most places because it’s such a dry climate but that doesn’t mean we are immune. Mosquitoes can carry West Nile Virus so it’s important to protect your family. In most cases the infection is mild, but one in five people develop severe symptoms. Most of us take the usual precautions. Bug spray, citronella candles outside, wearing long sleeved shirts and long pants … Continue reading →

Freedom of Speech

If you haven’t heard about the Chick-fil-a controversy, you’ve probably been living under a rock. Chick-fil-a is a Christian based company that supports the biblical definition of marriage as only between a man and a woman. More importantly than what they believe or what I believe is, what are our children hearing? What do they believe? As a single mother I’ve had a fair amount of control over what Hailey is exposed to. I censor TV, movies, books, social media, to protect her. I’m not trying to protect her from differing opinions or lifestyles, once she leaves my home she … Continue reading →