Drill Sergeant Duties!

While doing some research at work the other day I ran across this description of a Drill Sergeant As I sat reading it, I was stunned that it mirrored my life and probably the lives of almost every mother in the world. P.S. You can add your own examples!

" A Drill Sergeant is a symbol of excellence in initial entry training: Meaning as your mother I've been through all of this so you should  really listen to my advice!
Is an expert in all warrior tasks: Tie the top of the garbage bag when you take it out so you don't spill it. 
Battle drills: This is what you do, when confronted by _______________(fill in the blank)
 Lives the Army values: Just because Tommy's mother lets him do that, doesn't mean I'm going to let you do that.
Exemplifies the Warrior Ethos: I will always place the mission first, I will always do whats best for our family.
I will never accept defeat: You can pass this class, I will give/get you the help you need.
I will never quit: I will never give up on YOU.
I will never leave a fallen comrade: I will never leave you.
and most importantly is the epitome of the Army as a profession." This is the most important job I will ever have in my life so I will do my best to get it right.

 As a drill sergeant you are responsible for coaching, counseling and mentoring  troops as you transform them from civilians to combat ready soldiers. As a mother you are responsible for coaching, counseling and mentoring your children as you transform them into responsible adults. What you do will impact them for the rest of their lives. 

Ready for my close up!

Greetings family! Hope everyone is enjoying summer. Think about the past east coast winter and get out there and cherish every day. I was able to live one of my foodie fantasies by being on the Dr. Oz show during this summer! http://www.doctoroz.com/episode/how-cheat-your-diet-summer-and-still-lose-weight.  He did a segment on making healthy BBQ choices. The experience was so much fun!  I met Dr. Oz on the way to makeup...very handsome! They selected my wardrobe, rehearsed my segment and out onto the stage I went. I was soooo nervous family. But once the segment started and I said my lines and the audience thought I was funny.....I think I found my calling lol. My segment was probably all of 4 minutes but that was all I needed. I don't think Oprah has to worry or Dr Oz even though I told him to watch my Afro when he was putting an apron over my head!  It did make me realize that I definitely want to explore my foodie path. I am not sure where it will lead but it is very exciting. I recently created an Instagram account...yes that's right...the Pookalita who is not on Facebook. My Instagram account though will be all about food specifically brunch....a favorite meal of mine. Still finding my way but hope you will check me out at @letshavebrunch. I need friends lol! Stay tuned as I travel on my food adventure. Never know where you might see me next. Happy eating!

Less than 30 days left!

Morning Pooka Family!!!  Guess what?  There are less than 30 days left in the “summer of 2014”!  Can you believe it?  This summer is almost over!  So, what are you going to do to make this a memorable summer?  I’ve been inspired by my Uncle Joe and Aunt Marlene who recently came to visit with us from Tucson, AZ.  They are the epitome of people who enjoy life!  Uncle Joe puts together an itinerary of where they are going and what they are going to do and they do it!  They’ve traveled from California to Corsica (a little island off of France), from Atlanta to Antigua and points in between.  He put on their itinerary that they were going to visit the Today Show while they were in NY and guess what, they got on with Al Roker!  I’ve been here for over 20 years and not once have I visited the plaza with Matt and Al. So today, I’m challenging my Pooka sisters that we make the most of these last days of summer.  I’m going to plan something for us to do every week so that we remember our summer of 2014!  You should too Pooka family!! Enjoy your last days of summer!!!

The Stick

Hi Pooka family! So last week I was downtown and parked in a parking lot.  I went for a drink with friends (organic drinks?! of course :-0 ) After a fun evening I went to get my car and head home.  I had pre-paid and I just needed to put my ticket in and wait for the stick to go up.  I did that and when I went to move forward the stick closed really fast!  I just sat there thinking, am I being pranked?!  I chuckled a little then decided to head out again, BUT, I had already put my ticket in, now the lot was closed and I had no ticket to get out!! I thought about all of those action flicks I’d seen and contemplated driving through the stick! (I had visions of fast and furious in my head)  I pressed the button but I was looking at the empty booth knowing no one was there!  I thought about calling 911 so the police could come and shoot the stick or the fire department so they could set the stick on fire and rescue me!  I sat there for about 20 minutes with no idea what to do, now I feel like the stick was taunting me! I actually drove around the lot to see if there were gaps in the gate that I could squeeze...my .....truck through?  I was getting desperate.  During one of my laps around the lot, I pulled up to the booth and saw a very small sign, “In case of emergency call....”  I quickly dialed the number and a person answered, “Hi this is John...”   Now I’m screaming, I’m stuck in your lot, the stick came down, blah blah blah!  I awaited Johns reply, figuring he would tell me where the magic button was to lift the stick but do you know what John told me?  That I had to wait for him to get there and that he didn’t live far! Really!? Is that what you do when the stick comes down on you?! Wait for John to get out of bed?!  Well, it was not the Fireman fantasy rescue I had planned on but John arrived, bed hair and all and let me out!!

To the stick I say.....”We will meet again....”

I told you so!

So recently I took my boys to the park and they wanted to bring their scooters. I said ok, because I  was coming with them, I usually don't let them take them if I'm not with them because I feel that they will leave them or somebody will take them. So of course as soon as we get to the playground they drop their scooters and run off to the swings. I go and sit down with the scooters and before I could get comfortable a little boy walks up to me and asks me can he ride a scooter. I thought for a second and then said yes, just stay in the playground. I mean what could happen? I was there its not like he was going to run off with the scooter, when he so politely asked to borrow it. So the little boy starts riding the scooter around the playground of course my youngest sees this and goes tearing after the little boy, "Get off of my scooter!" I say to Wes "Its okay mommy said he could ride it, I'm right here." Wes is steaming but he lets it go and goes back to play. Meanwhile the little boy is riding all over the playground, making bigger and bigger circles moving further and further away. So I'm watching him close and he shoots out of the other side of the playground moving like a train. I'm like @#%$! I know this kid is not stealing the scooter from me! Just as I get up to chase after him, he zooms back in, and circles the playground again. I call out to him " Don't go out of the playground." In a stern mommy voice, which he doesn't acknowledge. "I'm watching you," I think to myself and as I am he zooms out of the playground again and keeps going! So now I gotta get up and run after this kid without letting my kids see me!  I run over to the other side of the playground and out I'm about to go into a full sprint when the little boy comes zooming back almost getting past me but I stop him and I'm like "Ok you are done, off the scooter." Next thing I know Wes is next to me like what happened? I say "Nothing" just time to go home. I can't be running after people,we will not be bringing scooters to the park anymore.

All things Pooka!

Morning Pooka Famliy!  I hope everyone is enjoying the summer.its getting hot in here!!!  First off we want to thank everyone for coming out and celebrating our grand opening in Newark!  We were so happy to see so many familiar faces and so many new faces as well.  We are extremely blessed to have such a loyal following.  Please continue to spread the word about Pooka!  We are excited for what God has in store (no pun intended) for us at this new location.  We're starting off on the right foot with Dawn's appearance on AspireTV.  If you didn't catch it on Monday, please check it out on our YouTube page.  We have also brought back our noon day workshops.  Come by during 12-1PM and have a light lunch and learn to make a new product each week!  We have so many ideas for this new location but we need you to make it happen so please continue to support and spread the word about Pooka!!!

Tricia!

It all starts tomorrow family! Come on out and celebrate with us!