Mission Motherhood

Giveaway! Pink Pineapple Prints & Design!!

2010-02-12T12:13:00.001-05:00

Giveaway at Pink Pineapple Prints & Design!

FACEBOOK

BLOG

I Need and Overhaul From My Overload

2009-06-16T21:47:00.004-04:00

A quick hello to all my blogging friends. I am here. I am alive. I am in one piece. I am however completely overloaded. Overhaul please!

Sweetpea is finished school and she and Bunny are loving summer life. Isn't the summer supposed to be carefree? Yes, I thought so too. But no. In addition to suddenly having the two of them attached to me at ALL times, I am in the midst of chairing a rather large fundraiser that is very close to sending me off the deep end. I should share that this event is not happening until November. Yikes. So much to do, so much to get ready. I have moments where I start to feel like I am in over my head. I totally neglected my kids ALL day yesterday while I made calls, wrote letters and begged for corporate sponsorships. How professional can one be while asking for the big bucks, when a certain Bunny is circling your legs and attaching pieces of wikki stix to your knees. Not pretty.

I also took on a new position in a volunteer organization as Communications Chair for the 09-10 year. So, now you know why I have not been twittering or blogging about my own life. It is because I have been twittering, blogging, website managing, press releasing, updating, Facebooking and training for this other group. Hmmm...

We did spend another weekend at the beach which was relaxing until I figured out how to status update from my iPod Touch. Now I'm really connected. I am not sure that is good. Please note my status was not updated. If it was it would have read- I'm off to the Nuthouse!

I really don't want this post to sound like a "woe is me", "do you want some cheese with that whine" post. I like what I do. I love volunteering. It makes me feel good and complete and happy. It is just that my overload is catching up with me and my dream of a lazy, hazy summer is turning, well...hazy.

Oh well, better luck next summer! ;) And with that, I am off to log out of this account and back in as another!

Promises of Ice Cream

2009-05-22T09:52:00.005-04:00

Bad blogger, bad! I feel like my life has been complete chaos recently. That is my excuse for my lack of blogging. And since we all live in our own form of chaos from time to time, I know it is a good excuse. In fact I am not entirely sure what business I have sitting in front of the computer right now, when I have a "to do list" as long as the line in front of Walmart on Black Friday.

But, I told myself I would get on here today, even if brief, to say hello to everyone and bid you a happy Memorial Day weekend. This is it for me, the weekend I live for. The glimpse of a splendid summer ahead after a long winter and spring. A summer stretched out with promises of ice cream, Ferris wheels rides, strolls on the beach, no schedule and late evenings drinking cold beer. I love it! We are heading to our Jersey shore home in a matter of hours, as we do each year on this weekend, to kick off the season. It is so close I can taste it!

BUT...

that takes me back to my list. The list that is growing and growing. My lovely summer fantasies are stuck blending with the loose ends of the school year and my regular life- end of year picnics, teacher gifts, packing, getting the girls' haircuts, etc. I will not bore you with the list but it is a nice one. Chock full of crap that I don't feel like doing; meetings and appointments, errands and pit stops. All I want to do is sit on the beach with my book and a drink. Ah soon enough...

And while this weekend will be a brief touch on my summer happiness, I will be back to my list on Wednesday. I think adding a pit stop to visit and post to my blog to my list is not a bad idea! I also think I will bookmark this post because as much as I love the summer and all its fun, Fall is my true love. But, I'll save that story for another time.

Before I go, I would like to thank Elizabeth at Type A Mommy for giving me the fabulous Lemonade Award!!! Wow! See what I miss when I'm in chaos?! So very honored, thank you Elizabeth. Elizabeth has a cool ass blog right HERE. Please visit her and say hi!

Here are the rules for the Lemonade Award

1.Put the logo on your blog or post (check)

2. Nominate at least 10 blogs that show an attitude of gratitude (cannot wait to do this, but it is now on my list!! Ahhhhhh!!)

3. Link to your nominees within your post (on my list)

4. Comment on their blogs to let them know they've received this award (on my list)

5. Share the love and link to this post and the person who nominated you for the award (check!)

6. Tell us how you've come to have an attitude of gratitude (sheesh, on my list and definitely my next post!) Stop back for my attitude of gratitude post. Because Lord knows, I'm super grateful!

Have a great weekend!

Why Can't We Just Live THERE, Mommy?!

2009-05-01T17:20:00.007-04:00

Kids really do say the funniest things and often the most accurate. Honestly. I was driving in the car with the girls and we were listening to the Barenaked Ladies, Snacktime album.

It really is one of my favorite kids' CDs. Not only are the songs awesome and keep Sweetpea and Bunny rockin' and smilin' in their carseats, but hearing those voices brings a smile to my face and elicits memories of my glory days of college. One of the best times of my life was at a BNL concert at the PNC Center in NJ. Now THAT was a good time. Good friends, good beer and BNL. Nothing was better... Ok, I'm in the car going to preschool, sorry. Anyway, we are listening to the CD...wait one more tangent, just the other day I learned that the front man for BNL, Steven Page parted ways with the band after twenty some years! NOOOOO!!! He was the "voice" of the BNL! Well, they say they parted ways but apparently, the guy is really a coke head and they kicked him out. NOOOOO!!! So unfortunate. Whatever, I'll still let Sweetpea and Bunny listen to them, coke head singing or not. Ok, I'm in the car going to preschool, sorry. Anyway, we are listening to the CD, Pollywog in a Bog to be exact and there is this cool steel drum part of the song.

Here is the video. I didn't even know there was a video. Cool huh?

My girls love those drums. See, they are my kids after all. Well, Sweetpea starts asking all sorts of questions about steel drums and the Caribbean. I LOVE the Caribbean, (I know, dumb, who doesn't) so I was more than willing to share tales of the gorgeous beaches, the awesome food, the constant sun, the fun in the water, flip flops everyday, the laid back atmosphere, etc. with the little ladies and they were all ears. Bunny was chiming in with her usual "Beach, beach, I go to the beaaaach with Papa!" routine. That kid loves the beach (I know, dumb, who doesn't) but I thought it was particularly adorable to hear during this car ride and during this particular conversation, rather than while I'm in the middle of a phone call with the eye Dr. or something. Sweetpea, got very quiet and I could tell her wheels were turning. Spinning in fact. After some time she smiled and narrowed her eyes.

SP: Mommy?

ME: Yup?

SP: If the Caribbean is so great...Why can't we just live THERE, Mommy?! Can I ask Daddy if we can live THERE!?

Ahhhh, they really do say the most accurate things sometimes don't they? I wish. But really, and I ask this seriously...Why can't we just live THERE? Wouldn't it be nice? Please? I'll be good.

Do I have Swine Flu? Check here.

2009-04-30T15:33:00.005-04:00

I could not resist the double post today. I am probably jinxing myself with all my Swine Fluiness and will promptly come down with a fever of 105 tonight. Oh well.

Go here to see if you have Swine Flu. Trust me. Oink, oink.

http://doihaveswineflu.org/

And if this is the first time visiting today, make sure you visit the next post down. The photo is in fact priceless.

Swine Flu Prevention

2009-04-30T11:08:00.001-04:00

The CDC recommends that you don't do this:

Stay safe, healthy and Swine Flu free.
XO

Another One Bites the Dust

2009-04-23T15:44:00.008-04:00

Well, my darling Bunny has made a move to the big leagues- the toddler bed. Yup, another one bit the crib sleeping dust this week. Kind of sad, huh? I know, I did almost shed a tear as I disassembled that mother f***er of a crib for the 5th time. (We renovated a few years back and had to move the crib from room to room while work was going on. And OF COURSE the crib was .25 inches to wide to fit between the door. So, needless to say, I am a skilled crib put togetherer and take aparter.) I posted about Bunny's move on Facebook and my friends actually noted that "it must be time for another one" and "uh oh, better get moving on #3". What? THAT was not a prerequisite of the move to the bed. I mean, as noted here, we are considering a 3rd, but ummmm, not right now. Thanks.

Anyway, this whole thing came about rather quickly. You see, Bunny became an advanced, Olympic level gymnast almost overnight. While she did fall out twice earlier in her daredevil life, those falls did in fact scare her enough to not try again (at least for another few months). However, a few days ago after about 2 weeks of nightly gymnastics routines, visits to our room, Polly Pocket playdates at 3am in Sweetpea's room, getting up to help her, yelling for me at the gate I installed at her doorway, bad sleep for everyone and a final maneuver that resulted in a very close call with a foot stuck in the slat and an almost broken ankle, I had finally had enough and decided a bed was the only way to go.

Now Bunny really has been giving me a run for my money lately, so I was pretty much anticipating the worst once we made the big move. I had visions of whining and wailing in the wee hours for nights on end. Naps that would cease to exist. Havoc being wreaked in her bedroom. But, it had to be done, she was on the verge of a potential ER visit.

So, the next day I went online to see where I could get one of these bad boys.

I did find one I liked at BRU and also one at a local children's furniture store, but it was about $30 more than the BRU version. Of course my BRU did not have it in stock, so we were going to have to drive 40 minutes away to the next BRU that apparently had aplenty. Damn. My husband decided it was worth the $30 and off we went to get the local store. When I arrived they told me the one they had was new but not new in a box. In fact there was no box. Ok, whatever.

Me: Is it broken? Is it damaged? Does it have all the pieces I need to put it together?

Nice Lady in the store: Yup!

And bonus, they were giving it to me for $100! Yippy skippy! So, I loaded it into the back of my SUV and headed home with Bunny and Sweetpea to put it together. I would like to note it was deluging that day. We arrive home and I run the pieces into the house and out of the rain. The three of us truck upstairs to Bunny's room and I start assembling. Easy enough. But then, crap- no more of those round nut thingys that fit into the holes for the screws to go in tightly. WTF? AND, I noticed a large piece of the wood finish is missing. This was freakin' broken, damage AND missing parts. So, I get my mean Mommy voice on that phone pronto and tell that nice store lady this piece of junk is on the way back. Thanks for the discount but no thanks. I'll get a new one for $100, 40 minutes away.

I pack it up, then call my husband.

ME: Guess what Sweetheart! You are off to the 40 minutes away BRU.

He's thrilled. He finally arrives home with Bunny's new bed and I ship them all off to watch Max and Ruby. I needed my bed crafting privacy. When I summon them all back for photos and the big "first sleep", I am a nervous wreck. What will this kid do???

This is what I was imagining this:

or this:

But...

wait for it...

wait for it...

she went to sleep. Just laid down and went to sleep. Of course, I should have know Bunny would just love this bed concept. I should have had way more faith and the hutspah to make the leap to a bed sooner. Geeez. She looks like a precious little doll in her doll bed. She will rearrange her stuffed animals and maybe look at a book but basically she puts her head on her pillow and just goes to sleep... and praise the good Lord, I am still getting 2-3 hour naps from her too! I need those naps as much as my wine.

Give Whatcha Get

2009-04-21T15:34:00.005-04:00

Ooops! So I just realized I never passed on the gift I got! Last week, Beth over at Be Careful What You Wish For gave me this:

Awwwww!!! So nice! See I posted about it here. Anyway, I was so wrapped up in my own glory, I forgot to pass it on to someone else! Whoops. Yes, I am a teeny bit self absorbed. Sorry. I guess it is not as much of an Oops as this, thank God.

But, I am back to bestow two lucky hot blog Mamas with the the Kreativ Blogger Award. I cannot remember how many I was supposed to give out. I confuse easily. So, two it is.

Drum Roll....

*Shannon at Where Is My Freakin' Mind? - I love this girl. She is funny, smart, pregnant and uses bad language. Everything I love in life. I really do love being pregnant. Except for no cocktails, then my bad language escalates.

* Jenny Penny at Welcome to My Momplex - I literally laugh right at the computer screen and sometimes spit things out when I read her posts. Today she used her eyebrows to send a message to her daughter. Love it. She is also trying to sell her house if you need one. ;)

Thanks for making me laugh girls! Please enjoy your cyber award and display the award proudly because I am a Mom and I said so. Also, when you discuss your award you must share 7 facts about yourself. I shared 9 because I am a punk ass bitch sometimes. You can be one too and share more. Enjoy!!

Shaq Attack

2009-04-20T20:48:00.003-04:00

Oprah, you crazy capital letter using do gooder. Damn Honey, get a Twitter life.

I'M TWWWWITTTTERRRINGGGGG!!!

Lots going on but I just had to share this. I seriously love Shaq. I hate basketball, but damn do I love Shaq. He is one funny man. Take a gander at this twitter update from her highness, Oprah and then read Shaq's response. Hysterical.

Oh, and by the way, can someone help a girlfriend out and explain exactly how one responds on Twitter. I'd hate for Shaq to pick on me next. Thanks much.

The Devil Made Me Do It

2009-04-16T21:13:00.000-04:00

This week has been a killer. As I sit here, dinner is finally in the oven and my monkeys are watching the quality programming of Wow Wow Wubzy, but unfortunately I look the same way I did after I returned from the gym at 7am (and I can pretty much guarantee when this is finally posted around 8pm I will still look like this). Yes, I am still in my nasty, gym clothes. I know, gross. I know, my poor husband. I know, my poor kids. Let's face it, I am definitely not ready for Miss America. But as I mentioned, this week has been a doozie, so don't I get a "no showering after the gym" pass?

It seems like the Devil himself rode in on a flame, laughed at me and made this week complete chaos. Outside of our normal drama of drop offs, pick ups, tennis lessons, volunteer meetings, etc., etc., etc., there were a slew of other non typical events to make for some crazy days. I will spare you the details of all my extra curricular chaos (as we are all busy Moms) but just imagine throwing in organizing and running a 50+ person luncheon...Mexican Fiesta style for example. Got it? I know you do.

The Devil also appears to have scooped up my sweet Bunny and FedExed back some look-alike trained to behave just like his spawn. Bunny really took my chaos to a whole new level this week. Do you ever have one of those whirlwind weeks where the days whip by and you can hardly keep track of where you have to be and when and then an unruly toddler tailspins you ta boot? And I should mention it all culminates tomorrow with "Devil Bunny's" 2nd birthday. That's right she is really ushering in those terrible twos with a ton of style. I give her a 10 just for the effort.

Before I take you on a tour of Bunny's chaos at work, I would like to share one of the brightest moments of my week. This was sent straight from a harp playin' angel- my first blog award! Yeah for me!!

I was given a Kreativ Blogger Award by Beth at Be Careful What You Wish For. Whelp, Beth read my mind, because I was wishing and I was careful (except for that one time in college after too many Natty Lites) and something good came my way in the midst of my crazy week! Hooray!! Beth, you are a peach and so are those 5 kids of yours! Your blog is a hoot and a half and everyone on the Internet should be reading it. Thank you, thank you for the award! I am so honored. I don't reveal too much about myself location wise, but since Beth is SO sweet I will disclose that we may in fact share the same love for the same World Series winning baseball team! Go Phillies! There. Now you might know my region. Bet y'all thought I was a southern belle. But alas no, just a cranky Yankee (yet NOT a Yankees fan for sure). But that's it, no more details. ;)

I think part of my acceptance speech for sed award is to rattle of 7 facts about myself. Hmmm...now this could be interesting. Ready?

1) I like to eat ice cream with milk poured on top the way you eat cereal.
2) I was a 1st grade teacher in my former (pre babies/SAHM) life. I do not miss it one ounce.
3) My husband and I are college sweethearts. There is no one I would rather be with at all times than my husband, but I don't think he knows how true that is.
4) I used to love coffee, now I need it. Cream no sugar. I would marry it.
5) I have a thing for Bloody Mary's- the hotter the better. I would leave coffee and run away with a Bloody.
6) My husband and I like to think of ourselves as French Onion soup connoisseurs. We try it anywhere they serve it and then "rate" it. We are still looking for the perfect crock.
7) I am a teeny bit superstitious. I eat pork and sauerkraut on New Year's Day, always knock on wood (even wood grain in the car) and pray that I can blow out all my candles in one puff.
8) (because I am a control freak and like things my way) The best day of the month is when my Real Simple magazine arrives.
9) (because my week was from the Devil and I love this story) My Dad put my childhood crocheted dog puppet, Pupsky in the pocket of his tuxedo on my wedding day. When I was little, my Dad would drive me to preschool and Pupsky would "talk" to me and let me know the day ahead would be great. Pupsky lives in the drawer of my nightstand now.

There you have it. Great huh?

OK, onto Bunny's week. Let's call it a "Week In Devilish Pictures", shall we?

First, and I don't have a photo of this, God help me, but Bunny can now vault herself in and out of her crib. Does this mean a move to the big girl bed? Good God, Sweetpea was just shy of 3 when she made the move! I'm not ready! Anyway, her pattern this week was: put her to bed, she jumps out and greets me downstairs, repeat, and repeat. At anywhere from 2:30-3:30am, Bunny arrives in our room and demands a hello. Back to the crib, repeat between 6:30am and 7:30am. Pfft. This is getting on my nerves.

I would also like to share that I may have performed the grossed mother trick outside of wiping snot off your kids nose and then smearing it down your pant leg (come on, we've all done it). I picked up Bunny's be quiet pop (lollipop to keep her quiet while I check out at the register) off the parking lot ground (ewww), licked it and gave it back to her. I know, gross. Grosser than me not showering? Maybe. But, way better than trying to entertain her when I am paying.

Anyway, onto the photo show-
Why can't she sit like this

all the time and watch this without moving

while I am in the kitchen trying to finish stuff like this

and these (cute huh?, I know, I'm super proud that I pulled them off)

Not to mention, who ever told her this was acceptable? And next to my beautiful Mac no less.

Or who would think it would be OK to do this

to your sister's slinky that the Easter Bunny just left in her basket no more than 5 days ago?

What would possess someone to do this to their eating area?

Oops, looks like she is having the same kind of week I'm having.

She must have dropped over when she noticed Bunny doing this

That was it, we went outside so she could do this

and this
In closing, I would like to say how stunned I am that she is going to be 2. She is my sweet little Bunny and even if she does crap like this

on my antique Oriental rug, I still adore her to pieces. Happy Birthday Bunny! I love you.

Overflowing Toilet Leads Me To Overflowing Heartache

2009-04-14T09:41:00.000-04:00

I decided I would share a very, very recent Sweetpea predicament...

Sweetpea; my dear, smart, funny Sweetpea,
Where to begin on this story...

A couple of months ago on a Monday Sweetpea was home sick from Kindergarten. She was pampered with Chicken and Stars soup, ginger ale, a twisty straw, bed pillows on the couch and the down comforter from my bed. She watched Disney movies and Saved By the Bell.

(This was my selection while she was sleeping. How could this not be included on a sick day agenda? How could you resist the healing powers of Zach Morris?) She was living the good life of a "sick kid home from school" that was straight out of my dreams. She went back to school on Wednesday. She was not happy. She cried. She would not get out of the car at carline. I had spoiled her. Her teacher and I struggled with her desire to be the "sick kid home from school" for the rest of the week. She missed me...or the sick kid attention. I'm going with the former, but I knew it was the latter.

Fast forward a few weeks and she is fine. Back to her normal school lovin' self. Skipping up the sidewalk into the building and bringing home "hard work" with a big grin. I wiped my brow- whew, that was a close one. Then things went downhill fast.

The carline teacher loaded her in the car a few weeks ago and mouthed, "She had a very, very sad day today." Huh? Why? The carline teacher just kind of shrugged as to not embarrass her. Damn she had no answers.

On the way home I asked Sweetpea, "Sweetpea, are you sick?" She started to cry. I pulled over to the curb, leaned over the seat and said, "Let me feel you head. Nothin', cool as a cucumber." (My mom always said that, so I think I'm supposed to). For the whole ride home I drilled her on her health. She seemed fine.

But, that next morning she cried and was refusing to go. Now, hold the boat girlfriend, what is wrong?! WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? (I tried to say this is my sweetest Mommy voice, but I just know it escalated and came out in a scary, I'm about to lose it Mommy style.)

Me: What is the problem?

SP: Nothing I just miss you.

Me: Don't you like school?

SP: Yes, but I just miss you.

Me: You must go to school. You aren't sick and if you stay home, then I am being a bad Mommy.

Sp: But I'll MIIIISSSS you.

Flattery. It usually gets ya far (well it does for my husband), but this was different. I felt like I was being played. An evil, evil trick. Headline: Happy, school lovin' girl makes Mom crazy with talk of missing her. Eeeek!

Me: Let's go. I love you, but let's go Sweetie.

SP: **tears galore**

Me: in my brain- Oh my good Lord, I am the worst mother sending her to school like this!

We arrive and park. There is no way I am taking chances in carline. Sweetpea grips onto me for dear life at the door. Thankfully, her dear sweet teacher takes her and I leave, this time with tears in my eyes.

This continues on and off for a while, weeks even. How annoying. I was beginning to have nightmares. Bullying, isolation, trauma. What the heck was going on?! I started noticing a trend. On Monday and Wednesday she stays for a longer day. I picked up that the days she had to stay for lunch were extra horrendous in the morning.

That was it, someone was bullying her- I just KNEW it. A mean, nasty, overly large, smelly boy was picking on her at her peace, love, happiness Montessori school---uh... OK, not likely. But I was convinced. I confronted her.

Me: SP, is someone bothering you at school? A mean kid?

SP: Mommy, no silly. (laughs at me)

Me: Are you sure?!

SP: Yup, I just miss you.

Sheesh. WTF- and I like to say it Double U, Tee, Effff

Last week, I pick her and her little friend up in carline. It is reported to me that apparently another sad/bad/making Mommy crazy day. Crap. Half way home, she starts yelling, "I HAVE TO GO!!, QUICK MOMMY, I HAVE TO GO!!!!" STOP!!" He little friend chimes in with a comment about eating fruits and veggies so your poopy comes out. Geez. TMI. We detour to our house so she can go. It then occurs to me she had been holding it. Hmmm...

After we drop her little friend off, I challenge her to a game of yes or no. She happily agrees now that her bladder is empty.

ME: Do you like school?

SP: Yes

ME: Do you like staying for lunch?

SP: Yes

** I will not bore you with our entire yes/no game, but this is where it gets good...**

ME: Do you use the bathroom?

SP: ~silence~ (I'll take that as a no.)

ME: Did something happen in the bathroom?

SP: ~silence~ (I'll take that as a yes.)

ME: Did something happen to the potty?

SP: **tears** BINGO!

ME: Tell me please.

SP: You'll be so mad.

ME: No, I promise I won't. Please tell me.

SP: The potty overflowed on my shoes the day I was working on my 5th map. I ran out and didn't tell anyone.

ME: (Should I smile from relief or cry from sadness that this kid has been holding her pee in for WEEKS? 5th map?! Geez, it really had been weeks. That thing came home a while ago.)

We pulled in the driveway and I unbuckled her and gave her a big squeeze.

ME: Tomorrow, I am going in an having a conversation with that naughty potty! I love you Sweetpea. You don't need to worry about that potty. Daddy overflows them too. No one is mad.

Sweetpea; my dear, smart, funny Sweetpea, it was not your fault you have been acting weird for weeks. I would have been in a school funk too if a toilet overflowed onto my shoe and I was holding my pee in for hours on end.

Let's Get It On...Giraffe Style

2009-04-09T20:38:00.008-04:00

Ewww. Ewwwwww. Ewwwwwwwwwwwww!

I took Bunny and Sweetpea to the zoo today. It was delightful. Gorgeously perfect 68 degree weather, blinding sunshine, met up with great friends and their well behaved, darling little girls. We saw the elephants, went into that smelly reptile house, gazed at the sweet little pygmy monkeys, ate a lovely picnic lunch, stopped by the big mean looking rhino and then the fun came to a halt.

We rounded the corner to the giraffes. Yipppeee! The giraffes! These animals are my favorite. So graceful, so elegant, so zooish, so, so, so HORNY! Oh my good God above those freakin' giraffes were flippin' GETTING IT ON. Wowza! As I was taking my quintessential giraffe photo (with my cute little Bunny hanging from the railing in the foreground) I caught a glimpse of red. A rather big glimpse of red actually, protruding from that sex crazed boy giraffe! Ewwwwww! But as if that was not enough of a site, that bad ass started coming at that sweet girl giraffe from behind. My eyes grew wide as he began to mount her and there was a collective gasp from the large crowd of onlookers. "Mommy, what is going on?!", Sweetpea asked as she was trying to see by standing on tippy toes from behind a woman and her son. Whew! That was close. I was so not down with her seeing the red wonder attempt to slip in. Thankfully, my friend stepped in and announced "The giraffes we playing tag!". Good one. And with that I whipped around and alerted our group, "Off to the Ostriches!" My other friend jabbed me in the side, raised her eyebrows and said, "Welcome to Springtime at the zoo!" Oh. My. God. I was SO not in the mood to see giraffes procreating.

If it looked like this I would have been just fine... but they did not look like this!

It was like this!!!

Eeeek! Oh and for your information, that is a red cucumber. A delicacy in the Himalayas of Sikkim and Nepal. Sir Joseph Hooker first discovered it in the eastern Himalayas in 1848. Here is part of what he wrote about it: "So abundant were the fruits, that for days together I saw gnawed fruits lying by the natives' paths by the thousands, and every man, woman and child seemed engaged throughout the day in devouring them." Ummm... is it weird that that description gives me the heebie jeebies?!
Ok, back to giraffe sex...

Believe me, I know, I so obviously KNOW this is a completely normal, naturey, peace, love, go for it and procreate kind of thing. I know it would have been a great opportunity to gaze in awe at life in the animal kingdom. I know Sweetpea probably could have, maybe could have handled a better explanation than tag (brother/sister giraffe fighting would have been a better option for sure). But no, I could not. I could not handle giraffe sex. Maybe it was the gasp from the crowd and the exodus away from that exhibit, or the few weirdos that were drawing in for a closer view, pointing and getting ready to go in depth about making babies (with their children no less, who were definitely of the age to believe they were just playing tag), or the fact that I could not get past that weird red thing wielding its way toward that poor girl giraffe who wanted nothing to do with that horn dog male. Ewww. Ewwwww! Ewwwwwwwww! Get me to the freakin' ostriches STAT! Whatever it was, giraffe sex is not high on my list. Is that OK? Ewwwwwwwwwww!

Whatever Martha, It's a "Good Thing"!

2009-04-07T18:03:00.000-04:00

All is quiet on the home front...the cow's in the meadow, the sheep's at the corn, it's naptime for Bunny, the dishes are loaded and Sweetpea is at a playdate. I hear the washer on the spin cycle, dinner's in the slow cooker and I just put on my 2nd pot of coffee for the day. I made a few phone calls, scheduled myself for volunteer hours and miraculously have approximately 27.3 minutes to myself before Bunny wakes up and we are on the move yet again. Hmmm...what to do with those precious minutes?

Well, I know EXACTLY what I am going to do. I'm going to sit my butt down for the first time all day, with my afternoon coffee and flip on the TV. Luxurious, I know. Slightly guilt ridden, yes. But, I have DVR'd something very special that will fit perfectly into my meager 27.3 minutes and will make all of my guilt go away. It is my decadent TV pleasure (and no it is not porn), Whatever Martha.

Now, I am sure many of you have caught this show on The Fine Living Network, or as I like to refer to it, The Faaaaaiiiinnnee Livvvvin' Network. But just in case, let me introduce you to my two, new best friends, Alexis and Jennifer. Together they keep me laughing so hard that I need to hold in my pee (which is no easy feat ever since I birthed Sweetpea and Bunny). You know a show is funny when you have to do kegels just to be able to watch it. See, no guilt.

Here are my friends:

Aren't they dolls?

One is Martha Stewart's daughter, Alexis (the tall, beautiful blond) and the other is her friend and the daughter of the Chairman of Martha Stuart Living Omnimedia, Jennifer (the gorgeous red head).

I like these two fine ladies for a few reasons, the first of which is their sense of humor. They are dry, off the cuff, witty and sometimes a little raunchy--- see I knew you'd want to be their best friend too. They just tell it like it is and that's that. And they will go after anyone, from a nerdy guy who collects twine to a total freak of nature lady that actually came on Living to do a segment on washing the dishes. Yes, WASHING dishes, Dish Washing 101, Dish Washing for Dummies, the most mindless task in the universe, perhaps galaxy. I guess this was an area Martha felt her audience needed to step up their skills. It is particularly hysterical to hear them talk right over the clip (a la Mystery Science Theater 3000) ripping apart the content the guests are presenting or stringing Martha up for daring to clean a pair of gardening shears in "mom jeans". They also spend some time bantering with one another and will make fun of themselves and their quirky habits. Alexis even gives us a glimpse into her childhood with Martha, often complaining of NEVER being permitted to eat a cupcake, as she is attempting to ice one the way her mother demonstrated on the TV.

Since the entire premise of the show is based on picking apart clips from The Martha Stewart show, Living circa 1993, etc., ultimately the girls spend most of their time mocking the one and only jailbird, Martha herself. I love it. LOVE it. I really do like Martha (I'll even pop her current morning show on occasionally), but she has this uncanny ability to make me feel like a complete loser if I can't hand craft these

or paint this

or bake and decorate this or this

or keep a house like this.

So, it brings me a great sense of satisfaction when her own flesh and blood admits defeat when attempting to craft, cook or complete a project Martha has made look SOOOO easy on TV. A task she made me feel like I should be able to complete with the greatest of ease while flying on a trapeze with my hand duct taped to my forehead because Martha said it was a "Good Thing".

I have to admit, another reason I love the show is the memories it refreshes me with. I really liked that Living show back in the day and I would like to think I did pick up a few tips here and there (who doesn't need to know how to set up and knock over 1,000,000 dominoes, how to paint a harlequin pattern on a porch or how to host a Bingo party?) Sometimes watching this show will take me back to a carefree time in my life where I was only dreaming of planning my wedding, hosting baby showers, cooking a Thanksgiving turkey or making my own party horns for my child's birthday. I would gaze at Martha with wide eyes only hoping I could measure up and pick it all up. Well, here I sit years later, 2 kids wiser, an experienced baby shower thrower, a decent Thanksgiving turkey cooker and I still getting a kick out of Martha, but from a different perspective- we do the best we can... and that's a "Good Thing". Thanks Alexis and Jennifer!

Here's a clip for your viewing pleasure...doesn't everyone have gingham ribbon strung s'mores sticks?

Your Mouth Will Be In Love

2009-04-05T20:14:00.009-04:00

I just had to share this recipe. My sister in law and I like to make these on our weekends at beach, as they go down delightfully and sooth our ears of screaming kids. (Not like any liquor doesn't but whatever, these are yummy!) They even have the magic power to take me right back to my college formals. However, please note they are not neon green and I am not wearing a tight black dress with glitter on my chest and shoulders and cocktail remnants in my cleavage.

Drum roll please.......
Whiskey Sours (a la Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa: The women I want to be (except not as large. Oh my gosh, was that mean? Sorry.) because I want her house, cooking talents, cool ass grocery store & entertaining capabilities.)

Mix:
2/3 cup simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar- heated and dissolved. I like to store a ton of this in a mason jar in my fridge. I feel a teensy bit like Ina when I have this on hand.)
3/4 cup Jack (As in Daniels. Mmmmmmm... Tennessee Whiskey- come to Mama)

1/2 cup Real Lime (I have bought stock in this stuff)
1/2 cup Real Lemon (you could truly be Ina Garten and squeeze your own juices, but why? Hmmm... maybe that's why I'm not the Barefoot Contessa. I bet it would be delectable with REAL Real Lemon and Lime. More power to ya if you want to squeeze this.)

Stir together

Pour into a shaker with ice. Shake. (duh)

Put one cherry and a touch of cherry juice (The more high fructose corn syrup the better, in my opinion anyway)

into rocks or martini glasses (Put ice in the rocks glasses, none in the martinis. It's all about presentation people. You do not, under any circumstances put ice in a martini glass.)

Pour out your heavenly whiskey concoction.

Drink (sure it's sourish, but it ain't no Whiskey Sweet)

Enjoy in the formal dress of your choosing. If it is pink or unsluttly, you are not permitted to drink this cocktail. Joking... enjoy!!!!

The Candy Man Can

2009-04-04T12:09:00.003-04:00

Who can take a sunrise,
Sprinkle it with dew?
Cover it in chocolate and a miracle or two
The candyman, the candyman can,
The candyman can 'cause he mixes it with love
and makes the world taste good!

Here's my version... I think it is a tad more fitting.

Who can take my waistline,
and expand it an inch or two?
Make me feel all bloated and go up a size or a few.
The candyman, the candyman can,
The candyman is evil and he should go to jail forever and ever and ever and ever
just to make me feel good...

For whatever reason, once the end of March or April approaches I totally morph into this crazy Easter candy eating machine. If I could marry a Cadbury Creme Egg, I would without hesitation. I've already been through 2 bags of Easter M&Ms. You know, the ones with the little bunnies on them. They are SO cute.

I don't even like candy or sweets or chocolate all that much. Well, except for about 2 days before my period where I would give my left arm for my favorite cocktail of a few Reeses PB cups, a bag of pretzels, 3 Excedrin and a regular coke with vanilla vodka. Now that is my idea of great time. Mmmmmm... OK, back to the Easter candy. I am not sure if it is the irresistible combo of pastel colored packaging and candy coating or the cute little bunnies and smiling chicks that does it, but something makes me go into CVS and buy a stash- just for me. I hide it in the dining room china cabinet. Is that a problem?

And the even bigger problem is that I usually think about my stash at that fab time of the day- 8-9pmish. Now if that ain't a killer, I don't know what is. It is so wrong to eat a creamy, highly processed, tin foil wrapped, gooey, heavenly Cadbury Egg at 8:47pm that it's actually right. I am usually on the computer or wiping up the kitchen and my candy alarm goes off! BEEP, BEEP, get to your stash, BEEP, BEEP, get to your stash! I stealthily creep into the dining room to get to the forbidden fruit- my creamy, dreamy Cadbury Egg. And I really do do this in stealth mode because as I mentioned a) it is my stash and I don't share with anyone, including my husband who is usually seated in the chair in the corner of the living with a bird's eye view of the dining room which brings me to reason b). Ok, b) I don't want anyone to know I actually eat this candy. I feel so bad that I am hording/hiding/upping my caloric intake by 300% that I need to hide it. I know, it's a mental thing. But, I also KNOW I cannot be the only Mommy eating Easter candy in private, right?! My husband who is usually watching TV from that chair would probably not make a comment about me eating the candy out loud, but I have a feeling he would be thinking something not right in his head. Something like, "Ouch, I wouldn't eat that if I were you, I can see your thighs becoming even better friends than they are already once that's down the hatch." Well, maybe that's what I'm thinking, but I just know he'd be thinking something not nice too. It should also be noted my husband has low as they go cholesterol, is 6'2 and as trim as a Purdue boneless skinless chicken breast yet eats a entire rail of Oreos from the Costco big box and a glass of Bunny's whole milk without blinking an eye and would never gain and ounce from it. It is nauseating. I would look like a bullfrog if I gave an Oreo a sideways glance.) Ok, crap where was I, oh right- I am in stealth mode for the reasons noted above.

So... in I go, tippy toeing around the corner to the cabinet. I crouch down and pop open the door. There it is! That red and white CVS bag of happiness! This is where it gets tricky, those bags are so damn loud! But, there is the glimmer of the tin foil wrapper. I'm so close to ecstasy! I slide my hand in and pull out the egg. Carefully, I seduce the wrapper off and go in for a luscious bite. Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm... oh, oh, ohhhh the candyman can!!! 'Cause he mixes it with love and makes the world taste good! God I love Easter.

The Great Debate

2009-04-03T15:09:00.004-04:00

Kids...how many should I have!?!? Two or three?! Eeek! Panic! It seems everyone from Grandma to Mrs. Smith down the street to a freakin' Facebook quiz has an opinion, story or anecdote on this topic of how many kids I should have. Lots o' reasons to stop at two kids, lots of good points in favor of going for three. Many a horror story of "that third wild child" and some tales of sadness about the reality of a smaller two child Thanksgiving table 20 years from now. Geez, what's an undecided Mommy to do?? And honestly, what business do I have being this UNDECIDED anyway?

This question of number of offspring (maybe if I speak in a clinical way it will help me make a decision) has been consuming me for the past few months. I tend to be a planner. A surprise pregnancy would never happen to me as I am anal retentive about pill taking and contraception right down to the hour. (I know, I'm a freak. Thanks for noticing.) Anyway, I guess I shouldn't say never, but if that happened let's just say it would be more than a "surprise". It would be more like the shock of a bomb being dropped over my house. So that third "whoops" is not really an option, therefore I would rather make myself crazy with a decision making process.

So, here we sit with two gorgeous daughters (and might I add easy- they both were/are sleepers, calm and very pleasant. I know, hate me if you must. I'm sure you are dooming me for that third wild child boy right about now or at least smirking at the thought of me dealing with daughters at the high school age), an easy breezy life, hardly a care in the world. Should I really rock this boat? But then I ask myself, "What would Marge and Homer's life be like without little Maggie??

Sweetpea and Bunny are over 3.5 years apart, so we took our sweet time the first time around. But low and behold, those thoughts of spacing between children is creeping back into my head like thunder getting louder and closer. Each month that ticks by I calculate the distance if I were to get pregnant right at that very minute. I am rapidly approaching the point at which Bunny and a third will be 3 years apart. Yikes?! Really? So soon? Didn't I just give birth to her? I still have some baby weight on me. (Please note that item is on my list of things to get rid of before I get pregnant again. Hmmm...)

I know spacing is all relative. Some people have kids 13 months apart (God love ya) and other have seven years between kids. In each case people make do with their situation. But actually, while I know I do not want kids too far apart (at least not father than Sweeetpea and Bunny are), my real issue is really whether or not to take the leap- as we all know there is no turning back once the baking has begun...

A few positives to stopping at two kids:

* both of my girls we born and are healthy (I think a lot of people take this fact for granted)

* we're beyond sleep issues (I love sleeping for 9 hours in one shot)
* no new home needed (we live in a 3 bedroom house)
* no minivan (my personal favorite reason- I vowed to NEVER have one)
* one hotel room (I know petty, but seriously, I think of this stuff)
* perfect parent to child ratio
* easier on the schedule
* more money
* I am scared of boys... a third could in fact be one! YIKES!

How about a few nods to the three kid scenario:

* more excitement
* snuggling one more baby
* pregnancy (I LOVE being pregnant. See, I told you I was a freak. Except for the crappy sleeping, lack of margaritas and gain of headaches, I adore pregnancy.)
* big family get-togethers in the future
* more grandkids (I am laughing at that reason, but it is true.)
* we might have a boy! (see I fooled you, you thought I was a boy hater. I'm not, I'm just scared of them. It might be fun to have one.)
* sibling love (awwwww)
* I know I would look back and not ever be able to imagine my life without the third

So what the heck and I supposed to do? My husband and I have a conversation about this topic on a daily basis. I like to say I have two kid days and three kid days. Sometimes I look at my girls and think, "This is it, this is a great life. I love what we are doing and what we can do." Other days I pine for another. Another child to add to the chaos and stir things up! A little fun and zest.

I'm a fun Mommy and a pretty good one (or so I've been told). One of my closest friends has told me she believes there are some people meant to be Moms and have a bunch of kids at their feet. She thinks I am one of those people. She thinks it would be a crime to not have just ooonnnnneeee more. She thinks I can handle three, no problem. PLEASE she begs... I should note she had three boys in three years. Maybe she just wants to see me suffer.

I guess when it comes down to it, the only thing I need to know is whatever we decide will be the best for us whether it is two or three, spaced close or far. In the end that's all we'll know and love...

In closing I would like you to know Facebook recommended that I have two or three kids! Thanks for nothing. Baaaaaaaa!

Gaga for Gaga?

2009-04-02T13:47:00.004-04:00

****American Idol Watch****

As an obsessed AI fan (I might even admit to seeing an Idols Live concert a few years back in AC, might) I felt the need to discuss the oddities of last night's results show.

First, what in God's name was up with Megan Joy?!
While she looks lovely here

last night she was simply strange. Eeeek- from the flying across the stage while squawking to the snippy comment to Simon, her attitude was enough for me to recall my vote! Damn, and I liked her too. It made me sad to see that side but definitely easier to let her go. If there is one thing we learn from this show is don't cross Simon! He will get the last word and you won't get a last chance... Yikes!

Anoop better be on his knees in thanks and also in prayer to have a good week or it is buh -bye.

That will be unfortunate for me because I like Anoop Dog, I've been pullin' for the guy. He reminds me of this nice guy I knew in high school. But geez Anoop, step it up! And I don't mean with another Usher song. Find your groove or you are SOL.

Allison, Allison. Well, that girl can sing.

WHY was she in the bottom? Youth? People really didn't like her outfit? Come on, cut her some slack. I am throwing my vote her way... she is GOOOOOD.

The top tier contestants are really entertaining. But Adam, in particular, has caught my eye. I still can't decide if I like him but, I wait just to see what he'll do. Also his recent cross dressing blurb in US caught my attention. Seriously, would that be a surprise? Sheesh.
Here he is dolled up:

and down:

Well, I guess he is still done up, but...well... whatever, you know what I mean. He is a great performer though... I think the odds are with him as one of the top 2.

Ok... so now for the show's "entertainment", Lady Gaga. Here she is in all her weird glory.

Now, I have to admit her song, Poker Face, is catchy on the radio but I had NO idea what this girl was like until last night. And well... she does in fact seem to be musically talented- legitimately playing the piano and using a real singing voice. Then she took off her clothes, got in club wear complete with a zippered eye and left the audience stunned. I still think she is as strange as all get out, but definitely an entertaining performance.

Perez blogged about it... HERE
You can watch the wackiness over and over. Would you want to? Not sure. I guess that depends on your threshold for the odd or bad accidents.

I think I died and went to Heaven at dinner...

2009-03-25T17:17:00.005-04:00

Oh. My. Good. God. This dinner was FABULOUS!!

Please fly over to the Pioneer Woman's blog (Ree Drummond) ASAP and make this meal of Braised Chicken posted by one of Ree's contributors, Kay. Now, I tell you! (And by the way, that blog is my new addiction! It is way to cool for me to even be looking at, but I do.)

This dinner was a HUGE crowd pleaser as I had my husband, in laws and even Sweetpea raving about it. Bunny nibbled a little here and there in between licking the butter off her bread and dressing off her salad greens. Some Bunny she is. Anyway, Kay posted the most gorgeous photos of this recipe. I thought I would pay tribute and share mine too. These do it NO justice. I am going to have spiced braised chicken legs dancing through my dreams tonight.

Yummmmy! The smell of the spices was to die for.

Served it on this. SO much better than regular rice. And yes, I do know brown rice is healthier. But no, I will not serve it with this dinner. Sorry. I can't hate on delicious basmati.

Is there anything finer...

2009-03-22T15:09:00.005-04:00

than new, smooth, lovely, homemade play dough? I think not. Here is the most fabulous recipe for the most divine play dough you will lay your hands on. I am not kidding. You might even find yourself playing with it while your kids are at school. No joke. I love it! Isn't it pretty?

Look, mushy mushy!

Simply Divine Play Dough

2 cups of plain flour
4 tablespoons of 'cream of tartar'
2 tablespoons of cooking oil
1 cup of salt
2 cups of boiling water
food coloring

That's it! Just pop it all in a mixing bowl and mix!

It looks as though it is not going to mix well at first but hang in there and
keep kneading, and it will come together really nicely.

Hmmm...forgetful?

2009-03-12T10:27:00.003-04:00

So, I just remembered I have this thing called a blog. Ohhhh, here it is! I am not going to get into the yada-yada of a SAHM's busy life and all the 1001 reasons I have not entered anything in ages, but I came across another blog this morning and it rocks! I mean, it really kicks ass... I think I love her, seriously (especially her coffee/I work entry). So, on that note I am up and typing again (inspired by Alecia), right here in my kitchen, coffee in hand, with Bunny standing on the chair behind me "doing my hair". It's great!

I feel like I dabble in so much, as we all do, that I can't keep it straight. Like, literally can't keep it straight. Sweetpea has spring break next week and honestly if it wasn't for one of my friends asking to borrow my backpack for her trip to Florida over the kid's break next week, I would have been rolling up in carline on Monday...all alone. As the words were coming out of her mouth, I just casually said, "Oh yeah, we are just doing some fun day trips- aquarium and the children's museum." Huh? Did I really just make that up on the spot? Yes, I did and Sweetpea was all ears. So now we will be heading to the museum and aquarium next week. Sweetpea is very excited.

I just seem to forget everything from Gymboree class to where I put my measuring cups. I guess I cannot blame it on baby brain since my baby is almost two. I would also like to note that we are highly organized, non-cluttery, neat, clean, always write dates in the calendar type of people. My house is not chaos or messy, just my brain. What can I do to fix this?

I think my real issue is the guilt I feel in being forgetful. I am definitely starting to feel guilty. I don't want to be that slacker/I don't give a crap mom. I should have my junk together, right. I am at home, this is my job. But somewhere between dance class, updating my family blog, board meetings, wiping tushies, chairing community fundraisers, uploading my newest photos to my 365 flickr group, throwing food in the crockpot (love this mom too by the way), doing puzzles, teaching letter sounds, carline, carpool, carwash, sewing up holes in teddy bears, clipping coupons, making playdough and getting to a mommy and me music class, I forget things. Don't I get a pass? My husband doesn't get it. How is it possible for a girl to lose the bottle of pledge she just bought? I don't know, but I do. And I mean come on, seriously, like he could remember all that and more...pfft, whatever.

I wish there was some magic exilir I could take for memory. Maybe I need to invest in a Nintendo DS of my own and get a few brain games because all I know is that my mind is seriously swimming with thoughts. No drowning.

On that note, I really need to go get in carline...almost forgot Sweetpea has tennis today, now where is that racket?

I hate the gym.

2008-06-03T08:45:00.005-04:00

There is really nothing more to say other than that- I hate the gym.

Well I will say a few things. First, reluctantly, I do get up a few times a week before the girls and my husband are up and head out for an hour of torture. Why can't I be one of those people that feels exhilarated by exercise, full of energy and ready to face the day? I dread the nights that I set my alarm clock to get up early the next morning. YUCK. That means I have to go. No turning back. Where does my bad attitude come from?

It is a good thing I pay to go to the gym. It is guilt money. I would NEVER go if I wasn't laying out an arm and a leg to use those treadmills. Even worse is my husband, who on alternating days hops out of bed and runs 2-3 miles. Not at the gym, but on his own accord on the road. HUH? I could never imagine.

Then there are the other girls. You know the kind, all coordinated and trim, doing a million crunches on the mat in front of the line of treadmills without so much as a bead of sweat on them. Then they prance over to the stair stepper and work those buns like it is no one's business. Except it is because EVERYONE is watching their cheeks move at that ridiculously fast rhythm.

Well, at least I go. That is a step in the right direction. I might be sweaty and dressed in my old sorority t-shirt, but I do get there. I do not need to be happy about it though. Maybe someday I will walk through the doors with a smile. Maybe when I look like stair stepper girl. Hmmm... not likely on either account.

I have Craft ADD

2008-05-01T10:55:00.004-04:00

I have just diagnosed myself with Craft ADD. I think I've known it for a while, but I am finally read to come to terms with my condition.

I am so envious of those women on Etsy who are carefully honing their skills in one craft area. I guess after you make 72 chenille "lovies" you can be considered proficient. I guess after the 51st whip stitched, hand embroidered t-shirt you can be considered an expert. I guess after hand painting your 48th name to be glued on a door plaque you can be called the queen bee. I am not proficient, an expert or the queen bee of any one craft. I cannot focus, I cannot commit, I have craft ADD.

I'll admit when I get rolling on something, my projects do turn out quite nicely. That is, IF I finish the project. I am actually the one in my friend group who friends come to for ideas and support in the craft realm. I even get 'ooohs' and 'ahhhs' over my stuff. But I cannot stop switching and I never seem to focus.

One day I am a lack luster seamstress, whipping up baby blankets or an easy sundress. The next day I am back to digital scrapbooking. Two days later I am cross stitching that awful holiday sampler I swore I would finish. Next Wednesday you might find me spray painting an old piece of furniture on the side of the house just after I finished stamping 5 cards. Before Thanksgiving I might dabble with floral arranging. Who knows?

There is a mysterious black hole of a Rubbermaid bucket, a graveyard if you will, for crafts of yesterday or yesteryear sitting in the closet in our playroom. My husband has made the mistake of touching it a few times, even opening it, only to get glaring eyes and a snippy comment from me. "What do you mean THROW it out!? I NEED those random wooden letters P, F and X. And don't even think about touching that pale mint green paint- I am going to paint that bookshelf soon. Ummmm, of course I was planning on using that 3 pack of foam brushes! Yes, those 6 yards of bumble bee fabric have a purpose!" It's true, I get overwhelmed, frustrated, bored or all three and toss the wares into the bucket of doom, never to be seen again except on the year of a garage sale. Please note, I have never given in and let that bucket see the light of day or its contents a new owner. I keep it buried in the closet, my special little treasure.

Please tell me I am not alone. Not in respect to my craft bucket (though I imagine I am certainly not), but in reference to the inability to focus. I cannot be the only loser with craft ADD, right? I cannot be the only one who aimlessly wanders the aisles of AC MOORE thinking and dreaming about what I can get into next and what I can create.

Wait a minute! What's wrong with that? Is there something bad about being a thinker, a dreamer or creator? Maybe I actually want Craft ADD. Maybe I do not need to find a cure for my condition. Maybe it is good and wonderful and I shouldn't be envious of those Etsy people! Who wants to be stuck making 72 chenille lovies to sell? Not me! No, they should be jealous of me- the Craft ADD mommy. Yup, I think I am happy testing the waters in the world of crafts. Sure, I don't get much accomplished and spent way too much money. But, I am enjoying myself and my time. Isn't that worth something?

Wow, I feel better! And I am glad I've talked myself out of getting that prescription to keep my Craft ADD to a minimum. Now pass me that 3 pack of foam brushes, I have some crafting to do!

I Jumped: My Fall Toward "Greendom"

2008-04-29T21:24:00.005-04:00

There's a chance I jumped right off the deep end, but I am going to reveal that recently I made a HUGE change toward becoming green in our house. I literally trashed EVERY cleaning product, soap/lotion/shampoo/etc. and plastic (sippies/bottles/storage containers) I own, in favor of green, natural, glass, BPA free and organic stuff. Am I nuts? Or am I a day late and a dollar short? Maybe neither, maybe both.

I have always been one to shop in the organic aisle. I'd breezily stroll down that "cool person" aisle and grab organic goodies for us. Sweetpea practically spent most of her toddler snack time eating that nasty, puke green, kale Veggie Booty. I buy organic yogurt. We eat organic 100% whole wheat bread. I buy fresh and local. I switched my light bulbs. I taught Sweetpea how to turn the water off while brushing. We recycle (duh.) and try to conserve energy. I have reusable bags. All great steps, right? We were living a happy green (in my mind) life. Well, then I had my, shall we say, "meltdown".

It all began when I started getting a tad freaked out with all the reports on the chemicals in the baby lotions and baby products. How could you not? Then it was the toxins, the BPA ridden plastics that my children were ingesting water and milk from, the hazardous chemicals in the detergents and on and on. I literally just lost it one day and I know, it might have been a bit extreme to run around my house like a nut and get rid of every last chemical containing product in my house, but I was getting really worked up and I figured I'd just go for it. My sister in law is pretty up on this stuff and had made many changes to her lifestyle a while ago that she feels have really benefited her and her family. She has been telling me to get a Sigg water bottle for 2 years I think. I almost feel like a loser that I am only making changes now.

I guess one part of my panicky feeling was related to my fear about what are 'they' are going to find out is wrong with us (meaning our generation). I wonder as we age, as the first generation truly exposed to chemicals and chemically made products for most of our lives, what will they find? What will they tell us? And in turn as things started surfacing about these chemicals and toxins, I decided I wanted to attempt to make a change for the girls. I mean, this stuff cannot be good, right? How dumb was I to think putting chemicals on my kid's head is OK? Ugh.

So, I started looking for lists for BPA free sippies (click here for link) and out went the sippies and bottles. I looked on the bottom of my plastic water bottles and storage containers- triangles with 7s, 5s, 1s, 2s, AHHHHHHH! Not being able to figure that out and remembering heating soup in one, I tossed them all and went to Target to buy PBA free sippies and glass Pyrex storage containers. Then, I threw out bottles of my toxic cleaning supplies. The same supplies that I sprayed on the surfaces where Bunny eats her snack! UGH. I have since stocked up on Babyganics and Citrasolv and plenty of Seventh Generation stuff like dish detergent, laundry detergent and baby wipes. I spent a lot of time on the Cosmetic Database and tossed all my beloved lavender lotions, sweet smelling shampoos and horribly toxic sunscreens and replaced them with and order of California Baby products.

Now that I have calmed down, made my changes and have been living this way for a little bit, I do not miss chemicals and toxins. Did I think I would? I have been perusing lots of neat green mommy sites and the options are truly endless. As I mentioned I found fab products for the girls and awesome sunscreens with no toxicity. My cleaning lady showed up today and I nervously sprung my green concept on her and she was totally with me! By the time she had finished and tested out my new goodies, I think I may have converted her as well! Hmmm... maybe I'm not alone.

I do no want to come off sounding "holier than thou" (because I am not) and I am certainly not knocking anyone who thinks this is a bigger load of garbage than what I just threw out. I am just a mom who had a revelation of sorts. I am just a mom who wants better for my kids. I am just a mom taking it one step (or three trash bags of stuff) at a time. And now that I have come out of the "green" closet, I'm running outside to hug my tree and flip my compost pile. Joking, I do not ever think I will just be that kind of mom.

Jackets

2008-04-24T08:26:00.004-04:00

I am sure if there was a poll taken for favorite seasons, a great number of votes would go to the lovely time of year we call Spring. Thinking about Spring actually makes me giddy, physically excited in fact, especially in March (my least favorite month) when it is so close I can taste it. Come on, imagine it with me- buds sprouting, mulch being delivered, tulips stretching, birds chirping. Nice, isn't it? But, here it is April already and ummmm, did we have Spring? Did I miss it? Where? When?

I am a junkie (read sucker) for many things- the obvious: shoes and bags of course, but also a few more less exciting things: the ribbon aisle at AC MOORE, OPI I'm Not Really a Waitress nail polish and jackets. Jackets, as in the outerwear you wear between seasons, when there is a slight nip in the air. When it is too chilly to go without anything over your arms, but too warm to bundle up.

It seems so logical to me to have these items. I 'scenarioize' all our jacket wearing possibilities. In our part of the country we pride ourselves on having seasons. Really, we do. Fall, Winter, Spring and then Summer. Yes, all four. Why then does it seem like Fall and Spring are such put ons? And therefore, why in God's name am I buying jackets we NEVER wear?

Standing in H&M, looking at the darling, tan, peter pan collared, sailor buttoned size 4 jacket, I pictured Sweetpea at the park running up to the swing, hopping on and smiling as she breezes back and forth, sun on her face, bow in her hair and jacket keeping her warm and complimenting her outfit nicely. Off to the register.

Standing in Carter's, I held a plain white (yes, white of ALL colors) hooded, zippered size 12-18m jacket. I pictured Bunny in her stroller, warm wind moving her hair as we cruised around the block on a walk. Thank goodness she is snug in her jacket! Off to the register.

Standing in Costco, a bargain to be had! Jackets galore, all colors with a touch of fleece for those chillier warm days. I grab 3. Off to the register.

Help, please. Someone stop me.

We do not live in a big house. There is plenty of room for us, but it is oldish and the closets suck. There is no room for our jackets. Poor things. They are stuffed into a hall closet where they share living quarters with a plenitude of coats, the vacuum and its attachments, a few pairs of rain boots (OK, that is a whole other topic) and stray diaper bags/backpacks.

It seems there is never a scenario for jackets. Sad, isn't it? Let's face it, when Fall arrives it is either 78 degrees or 42. What the hell? And when Spring appears it is 42 degrees and then 78 the next day. What the hell? That's it. Jackets are a myth. There is no time for a jacket. I feel like that one 58 degree day we have no longer justifies having 18 jackets.

Now, as May is rapidly approaching, I am panicking about my jacket purchases and am trying to fit all the jacket wearing occasions in before it is too late and the days are long, hot and 90 degrees.

We were off to preschool this morning and Sweetpea says, "Mommy, do I need a coat? I think it's hot out."
Me- "No- it's not. Get your jacket."
SP- "But Daddy said it is hot."
Me- "It's warm, not hot."
SP- "But Mooommmmy, I don't need a jacket."
Me- "Put that jacket on! You'll get sick without one!" (That's my standard threat- germs and sickness.)
I stuff Bunny into her white jacket and Sweetpea reluctantly puts on the tan beauty and grabs Buster, her stuffed dog.

As we roll up to car line, Sweetpea hops out and I give her a kiss and an I love you. I get back in, buckle my seat belt and turn to check on Bunny. Both socks are off and Sweetpea's jacket is wrapped around Buster.

So, I'm a blogger now?

2008-04-23T20:54:00.001-04:00

Hmmm... so, I'm a blogger now. Now what? Well, truth be told this is not my first blog. I have a rather active family blog that is hoot to keep for friends and family, but I thought it was time I delve into the world of "Mommy Blogging". It's not that my life is so interesting or super fabulous. I just think in a Seinfeld-esque way, the mundane occurrences of daily life are often the most interesting. Wouldn't you agree?

Like hearing a story about a 3 year old who was potty trained with a "glitter poopy party" won't peak your interest? Yeah, I thought so. You know exactly what I'm talking about.

In a house with 2 darling girls, a busy dad, a super fab mom and 1 hyperactive dog who has her own prescription for tranquilizers, what could be so interesting you ask? Well, I do get a chuckle out of our daily life- maybe you will too...