Sweet 16

I have been so silly busy these days. I know I sort of alluded to it in the previous post, but really, been busy.

How busy have you been??????

Sooooo busy that I am dove tailing erin's blog post about the two girls I heart. How do you like that for la. zee.?

Not just any ol' person's blog.....but the coolest, etsy shop owner in all the land. She is actually cooler than all of the cool stuff in her etsy store....and blog....and tweeter...

she does live in Pittsburg though.......

oh well, it doesn't matter..... ;)

Go and check out her blog, her post and more importantly her art!!!!!!!!!!!!!

OMG

I am alive. All is well. Thanks for the search party everyone, but I am just BUSY. I miss y'all though. I miss being the blogger and bloggee. There are plenty of awesome blogs that I have not read in a long time.

In a nutshell....

Found a house
Bought a house
Got a part time job
Left other part time job
Got sick
Got better
Enrolled Athena in Tap
Enrolled Saylor in music class
Lost my mojo
Will find it soon, *crossing fingers*
Needing halloween costumes for girls
Using last year's costumes for girls
Buying furniture for new home
Decorating new home
Watching Dexter on Netflix
Spending money on etsy
life
life
life

So, I just wanted to check in and say that I will be back soon. I have had many thoughts and want to share but it will have to wait :(

Oh and best news of all (being utterly sarcastic) is that our new house does not have dsl, or cable, or FIOS. It only has...are you ready.......

Omunky see Omunky do

As all of you know, this blog is about hearting two girls, hearting motherhood, hearting randomness(gosh, I really love this stuff) and hearting new, fun, and familial businesses.

My blog, my fodder, right? Soooooo, I wanted to let you all on a little secret. There is a new start up business in town(well, NY to be exact)named OMUNKY and it is an online apparel store that embraces the new environmentally friendly world with awesome looking clothes made from Eco-friendly material such as recycled-cotton! All of us know how great organic/recycled cotton feels on our skin. OMUNKY chooses to provide the world Eco-friendly gear not because it is popular, but because it is the right thing to do.

The designs (and earthy colors) are the cutest (and very unique), with a nose picking (or Rodin inspired) monkey as it's logo, and a side kick Hippo. Let's not forget my favorite, the hitchhiking gorilla....don't we all feel like this sometimes? There are also a couple of belts that are pretty hip. All in all, OMUNKY has the comfort, cost, custom designs and consciousness that we are all wanting.

So, as any good blog entry where I mention a new biz, there is a *perk* for the readers of said blog.

IF YOU ENTER THE CODE WORD "TWOGIRLS" AT CHECKOUT YOU WILL RECEIVE A 15% OFF discount!!!! This deal is a limited time only and will expire on Thursday the 15th of October.

Is OMUNKY On Facebook? Yep. www.facebook.com and search OMUNKY or click directly from his website

Is OMUNKY Twitter friendly you ask? yep.... www.twittwer.com/omunky

Got his own blog??? yep..... www.omunky.blogspot.com



Have fun and let me know what you think :)

'Sis different now

Today started like any other day. Athena yelling from her room saying "I gotta go pottyyyyyyyy" and Saylor hearing her sister's voice from her own room and then saying "doown....dowwn". Athena had asked me to let her go into saylor's room to get her up. As I was rubbing my eyes and peeing on the toilet, I mutter "fine". She opens the door and saylor is smiling and then laughing while athena grabs toys for her that have fallen out of her crib for her. Saylor is then picked up by me and put on the floor.

The girls "hugged" and went running out of the room. And yes, it is barely 7am at this point (for those of you keeping track).

*********this is where is all changed*******************************

Athena and Saylor went into Athena's room and closed the door. They were relatively quiet and played in there, for 30 minutes together. This may sound like nothing to some of you, but to those of you that were impressed with this, you know why. I heard Athena reading a book to her, then I heard the railroad track being built, then the maracas and drums were being played and then some animated toys were turned on.

All of this was going on and the girls remained happy and without getting hurt.

I was able to 1. make and drink coffee, 2. have a breakfast bar, 3.check email, and 4. write this blog post. Of course I keep anticipating that someone is going to run out of the room in tears or blood, but I am still writing.

I came to the realization that my daughters may be becoming the bffs that we hoped they would become. It also brought to light that I may not be their sole entertainer! So this is why I found this to be so fantastic this morning as I had my brekkie and blogged.

Of course, now that I have actually written this out for the universe to read, they are going to come out of their room running screaming like banshees.

It's gone from this.....



to sometimes being this.....

Peep Show and Tell

So, now that Athena is in her Montessori school, there are certain things that are expected of her. One of these wonderful activities, that she will need to actively participate in, is Show and Tell.

I asked the teacher about it and she said "she can bring in anything she wants, but it cannot be a toy". Ok, great. There are some parameters, but, nothing too daunting.

Please listen in to our conversation about what to bring in.......

Me- Babe, it's your turn for show and tell on friday. What do you want to bring in?
Athena- Bring in? To tell about?
Me- Yes, what do you want to bring in to your classroom to tell your friends about?
Athena- My train set. The one with the bridge.
Me- oh, sorry, love, it can't be a toy.
Athena- No, not a toy, my train set.
Me- Well, your train set is a toy, because you can play with it. So, what do you want to take in to school from your room?
Athena- My hippopotamus, Gloria.
Me- Well, that's a toy too.
Athena-I don't play with it, I sleep with it.
Me- ok, this is sorta hard to understand huh? Ok, what can you take in to your classroom that you don't play with, but would like to show your friends?
Athena- Ummmm. The "something I didn't understand"
Me- The what?
Athenn- The "something I didn't understand"
Me- The outkast cd? What? we don't even have the outkast cd. what?
Athena- Momma! the owl cast!
Me- The owl cast, owl, cast? Omgosh....The Owl cast?
Athena- Yes.
Me- Ummmmm. ok.


This, my friends is what my daughter wants to take into "show and tell" on friday.........

Yes, my belly cast. I will have to turn off my cell phone and have Michael pick her up from school.

I soooooo wish she could take her train set.

1st day of school's Power Lunch

Me -hey, athena, what did you have for lunch today?

Athena- nothing.

Me- what did you eat today for lunch? (you know that special rephrasing for 3 year olds)

athena-french fries.

me-french fries and what?

abba-that's it.

me-that's it???????

athena-and chocolate milk.

me- oh good *rolling my eyes in the driver's seat*. french fries and chocolate milk. Listen, tomorrow, can you choose the other milk?

athena- the other milk?

me- yeah.

athena- ok. I don't like strawberry milk.

me- fucking el *in my head*.

me- athena, please choose the white milk.

athena-yes, white milk. with french fries.

*sigh*

Blowing Barbie

Ok, well, 35 is well on it's way. Here I am *wishing* that I was a better blogger.

Oooops, shouldn't have told you that. Damn.

Back from Bloggy staycation and "More Consistent Blogger" coming to a theater near you.

Eyebrow Seamstress

First off, I am sorry that 1.) my posts have been so scant and 2.) that they will again be about hair .

I have recently discovered (funny, how this is an ancient technique, yet, I just realized where to get it done) eyebrow threading. It is incredible.

If any of you actually know know me, you know that I have thick and bushy eyebrows that are maintained and manicured by waxing and tweezing. Tedious, and painful. I discovered threading at the mall of all places, a kiosk in fact. A pretty little east Indian lady was sitting there, threading another lady's eyebrows. It was fascinating. She looked like a slow, human sewing machine. Both her hands and her mouth were used to pluck these hairs. I was intrigued. I hovered over the other lady (who had her eyes closed so she was unaware) and wanted it done on my eyebrows.

I sat in the chair ready for it and realized early on that I was going to be doing this from now on. Not only is the pain less than tweezing, but also better than the brusk act of waxing. When she was done with my brows, she asked (politely) if I like (the mess we call) my upper lip done too, I said "yes, please". It was precision personified. She dealt with each hair, but pulled it in a manner that somehow didn't really hurt. When I looked at the mirror she handed me, I was throughly impressed and very happy with the results. It had dawned on me that I hadn't asked her the price yet. I mean, whatever it was I would have to pay it now, but I asked her anyhow. Do you know that it was cheaper than my waxing salon???????? $10 for brows and $5 for upper lip.

Anyhow, I am sold and I thought I'd share.

Here is an example of what I speak of.

Epi(scream like a banshee)Lady

I was in bed and having a slight bout of insomnia and the thought of the epilady comes to my mind. I didn't want it there but it was there and it lingered around for a while.

I was remembering how badly I wanted this little machine. It was the bees knees back in middle school and I had it on every "wish" list I could muster.

One Christmas, I finally receive the epilady and thought it was so cool.

I was so cool.

I mean come on, I had the power of an electric hair removal system in my hand. It looked smart, it was ergonomically designed to feel smart and the commercial was awesome. I was so stoked, I pulled up my pajama pant bottom and looked at my hairy leg. I was so excited to (in a circular motion) to remove my unwanted hair.

*******This thing was barbaric.*******

I did not know about wine and percocet at age 12, but, I think you truly would need this when using. The pain (to me) was enormous. For those of you who don't remember (or have blocked out of your memory), this thing had a coil like this...

and it would rotate around and "catch" the hairs and pluck them out for you. It was like a tweezer on a treadmill (not sure how that would work, but you get where I'm going). You went too slow you would be in agonizing pain, you went too fast you would just graze over your hair. Moving the rotating spring across the skin caused the hairs to be "caught up" in the spring and pulled out the hair. Ugh, I cringe just remembering that thing.

I used it for a good 34 seconds and promptly put it back in the box and swore I would try again. I had to. It was an epilady folks. I knew I needed to use after bath or shower, pull skin taught, start slowly, go in direction of hair growth (did this even matter), and use moisterizing cream.

I never touched the thing again.

I was terrified.

That thing sat in it's box with all of it's bells and whistles forever. I have no clue what ever happened to that epilady, I just know that I hope some of you remember this and can share your experiences with me.

You do remember right?

I need to go to sleep.

Two Thousand Word Thursday (on a friday)

1.



2.

Sorry, I couldn't get to the computer yesterday to play TWT on time :(

Comment on what you think the subjects are thinking or saying.
You can do both, either or neither.

I love thursdays....er....fridays two.

FB etiquette

There has to be some rules, somewhere. I swear, I feel so old and not "with it" when I am on facebook. The funny part is that everyone else is as old as me and probably less with it, kwim (know what I mean...for those of you less cool).

It is a place where you want to be you but realize that most of these people don't really know you because you have befriended half of North America. You have to censor your comments, remarks and pictures b/c there are ALL SORTS OF people on here. So when you are commenting on your "friend's" pictures and you really want to drop the f bomb (because it really is the right expletive) you don't b/c you don't know if this person has their mother, father, children, co workers, bosses, children, teachers, babysitters, in laws, etc etc etc on their friend list. This personal and professional site is a tough dance for me.

Now the actual procedure of "Friending" is where I get super frazzled. Let me walk you through it. I get a friend request from someone. There is no message attached to the request. I either 1. just know who you are because you went to school with me, 2. are a friend of a friend that I went to school with, 3. realize that I have met this person ONCE, or 4. have no clue who you are. I have a hard time with each of these. First off, would it kill any of you to put a little message on the friend request? I mean a short "great to see you on here" or "met you at the playground last tuesday" or "used to work with you ten years ago...I sat down the hall in a whole other department....but I want to be your friend on facebook". You know, something like that.

Secondly, why do you want to be my friend anyway? We didn't really care for each other in high school or college, why would it be different now? Or, I don't even know who you are. All of this promiscuous friending can lead to weirdness later. And if you are desperately trying to get to a "number" of friends to feel good about yourself or to feel popular, you are truly jacked up.

When I DO befriend you, you never write me, or comment on my pictures, or my status. What is the point here folks? Are you an acquaintance, lurker or snooper? This should be coined so. I would be ok with this b/c at least I would know what to expect from our "friendship".

All of the requests for pokes, games and trees and hugs. I don't get them, I don't play them. I don't really care what kind of cleaning detergent you are, ice cream flavor, which song you are, or what drink you are. Aren't all of you supposed to be working? I am a sahm, I am expected to be on the computer all of the time. These things make me laugh and I also laugh at the typos (grammatical and spelling) involved by the authors of the quiz.

All in all, I do happen to LOVE facebook. Most of it anyhow. I have just always pondered these questions and have wondered if any of you have too and what you have done about it. Are you "accept" happy or "ignore" happy.

Anyhow, as always, I have found a video on you tube to illustrate my point (or lack thereof).

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

It's thursday again!!!! Wow does time ever fly by when you get old.
Thousand Word Thursday- Caption picture and what you think subjects are saying/thinking.

Thank you for your support (in a bartles and james way)

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

Thursday already? Yikes, this week has flown by!

Ok, so it's TWT and I have gone old school. This is Athena with her old bff Aidan. *sniff*

Comment on what you think the subjects are thinking/saying.

Happy Thursday (and holiday friday)!!!!!

Wanna be a mommy or daddy? Try this.

I got this as an email forward and was laughing my arse off...

MESS TEST
Smear peanut butter on the sofa and curtains. Place a fish stick
behind the couch and leave it there all summer.

TOY TEST
Obtain a 55-gallon box of LEGOs (or you may substitute roofing
tacks). Have a friend spread them all over the house. Put on a
blindfold. Try to walk to the bathroom or kitchen. Do not scream
because this would wake a child at night.

GROCERY STORE TEST
Borrow one or two small animals (goats are best) and take them
with you as you shop. Always keep them in sight and pay for
anything they eat or damage.

DRESSING TEST
Obtain one large, unhappy, live octopus. Stuff into a small net
bag making sure that all the arms stay inside.

FEEDING TEST
Obtain a large plastic milk jug. Fill halfway with water. Suspend
from the ceiling with a cord. Start the jug swinging. Try to
insert spoonfuls of soggy cereal into the mouth of the jug, while
pretending to be an airplane. Now dump the contents of the jug on
the floor.

NIGHT TEST
Prepare by obtaining a small cloth bag and fill it with 8-12
pounds of sand. Soak it thoroughly in water. At 3:00 p.m. begin
to waltz and hum with the bag until 9:00 p.m. Lay down your bag
and set your alarm for 10:00 p.m. Get up, pick up your bag, and
sing every song you have ever heard. Make up about a dozen more
and sing these too until 4:00 a. m. Set alarm for 5:00 a.m. Get
up and make breakfast. Keep this up for 5 years. Look cheerful.

INGENUITY TEST
Take an egg carton. Using a pair of scissors and pot of paint,
turn it into an alligator. Now take a toilet paper tube and turn
it into an attractive Christmas candle. Use only scotch tape and
a piece of foil. Last, take a milk carton, a Ping-Pong ball, and
an empty box of Cocoa Puffs. Make an exact replica of the Eiffel
Tower.

AUTOMOBILE TEST
Forget the BMW and buy a station wagon. Buy a chocolate ice cream
cone and put it in the glove compartment. Leave it there. Get a
dime. Stick it into the cd player. Take a family size
package of chocolate chip cookies. Mash them into the back seat.
Run a garden rake along both sides of the car. There, perfect.

PHYSICAL TEST (Women)
Obtain a large bean bag chair and attach it to the front of your
clothes. Leave it there for 9 months. Now remove 10 of the beans.

PHYSICAL TEST (Men)
Go to the nearest drug store. Set your wallet on the counter. Ask
the clerk to help himself. Now proceed to the nearest food store.
Go to the head office and arrange for your paycheck to be
directly deposited to the store. Purchase a newspaper. Go home
and read it quietly for the last time.

FINAL ASSIGNMENT
Find a couple who already have a small child. Lecture them on how
they can improve their discipline, patience, tolerance, toilet
training and child's table manners. Suggest many ways they can
improve. Emphasize to them that they should never allow their
children to run wild. Enjoy this experience. It will be the last
time you will have all the answers

Take 2

Well, you all remember my post baby body break up right? Well.....we didn't completely break it off like I said I had. I was ashamed to admit it but the constant emails, texts, flowers (cookie bouquets of course) and all out reconciliation attempts finally got to me. We got back to together.

But, I am here to say that we have broken up for good this time. For reals. She has moved on to someone who really appreciates her and needs her (someone who doesn't know what a drag she really is yet). Someone else, not me.

What am I doing to remind myself that what we had together was just an illusion, a mirage, a downright downer you ask?????.........roller derby boot camp of course.

Yes, tonight I begin exercising with the Machete Betties. 2 hours of hard hitting fun. I will learn basic skating skills and derby skills such as falls, stops, and contact. I am in for a raucous good time, I just know it. I will need skates, pads (elbow, knee, and wrist), and a helmet. Doesn't that just scream fun?

Anyhow, I am going to try it out and try to get in shape with these gals.

Don't they look sweet?

If I don't make it back to the blog, you know what happened.

Yoo-hoo???....it's *still* a Beach

I am from Miami, my children, are not. We live *near* Galveston Beach, Texas.
This is not like a beach from Miami (please, don't be mad at me Texans).
I am not dogging the beach, or trying not to anyway.
Anyhow, it doesn't matter, look at them....they don't seem to care that they are swimming in yoo-hoo.

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

TWT game- Leave a comment with what you think the subjects are saying/thinking.

Happy Thursday.....sorry I was so late today :(

It's in the jeans

My daughter eats and loves pizza, the same way I do. It is my favorite food, actually it is my comfort food (as Carolina and I were discussing the other day). It is my "go to " food when I am happy, sad, angry, pms'ing, menstruating, ovulating. You get it.

I am convinced that in the first picture she is saying "why did I get this plate, I won't be needing it"






Doesn't she just look like she is enjoying this piece of pizza immensely? Yep, my daughter alright.

What is your comfort/go-to food?

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

I lied, I guess I haven't jumped back on the blogging horse just yet. Argh. I want to and will. In the meantime, here is this week's twt. Thanks Cindy for request. She is a long time listener, first time caller.

Caption the picture with what you think the subjects are thinking or saying or both.

Happy Thursday!!!!

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

Thursday's TWT game :)
Caption the picture and what you think the subjects are thinking or saying.

PS....these are girls I heart too.

Big Love

We have HBO's show Big Love on our Netflix queue. We have been getting it now and have watched all of season 1, we are about to begin season 2. Fascinated (even though it is a show I believe loosely based on real life, I also believe creators did a lot of research on it)about the idea, practice, or divine calling which is polygamy (the practice or condition of having more than one spouse, esp. wife, at one time).

There are moments in the show, when I am like...."yes, totally into polygamy" and other times when I am like "Oh Hell, No".

Yes times-

*other people cooking for me
*other people taking care of my kids
*having time alone every three nights (read a book, or chat with friends...new, friends. sister wife friends)
*great looking family photos
*always someone to talk to and vent to
*I could be first wife
*great blog fodder

Hell, No times-

*sharing husband, I guess this is the really big no
*fighting with other women who are as smart and as "womanly" as you
*dealing with other people's pms other than mine
*cooking for many other people
*taking care of other sister wives' kids
*if I were second or third wife
*having to consult 10 people for anything we do
*having to lie to everyone we meet and not being able to have anyone over to visit because we have a plural marriage and household.

So as you can see, luckily, we don't live in Utah, and are not Mormons. I would have said "no way jose" before seeing the actual show, and now, I will just say "No, thanks".

There are also times when Michael says Yes! and No!!!! to the idea of polygamy. We can all imagine what his list would look like.

You take the good, you take the bad, you take 'em both and there you have.....polygamy, polygamy.

Clown Bear Escentuals

You see the commercials, you see them at the cosmetic counter, you see them at target, you see them on your friends......so you give it a try.

Am I the only one who does not know how to actually wear mineral makeup? I find that no matter how minuscule the amount that I manage to pick up with my brush, I end up looking like Mimi from The Drew Carey Show. Not only is it difficult to put on for me but it leaves a hell of a mess on the counter, sink and my clothes. I like the concept and I appreciate how concentrated the product is, but, let's face it, operator error.

So what does a girl in the 2000s do to get educated about a subject? Class? Yes, you in the back? Exactly, get a Youtube tutorial.




Ahhhh, I should swirl it in.

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

Let me know what you think the subjects are saying/thinking in this picture.

Have fun, I do :)

Happy Thursday www!!!!

Blogging Hiatus

Sorry for the reprieve, but, between busy holiday weekends, my j.o.b., and lack of bloggy mojo, I have been away. I hope all of you are great (we are doing awesomely). I will begin to catch up with my bloggy friends soon and catch y'all up on the BAMS and the girls I heart.

I also want to say that the winner of the super cutey shoes(using random.org and applying the "credits" to each of you accordingly) is ........................

BECCA at Deatons in Hong Kong

Go visit her and tell her how happy you are that she won these great little shoes ;) These shoes will potentially be walking all over hong kong and the coolness that is that city!

Bec, I will be contacting you with the Bugaloo contact information.

Now, back to your regularlly scheduled blogging......

Bugaloo Giveaway 4 U

i heart 2 girls was approached to do product review by the cutest. shoe company. ever.

Bugaloo.

I haven't done a product review on purpose (since mami skincare)even though I have been approached before. I wanted to make sure I would be able to love it and scream it from the rooftops. I happen to think that these shoes are really really cute, well made, fashionable, affordable and did I mention CUTE!

This review will be straight from the horse's (or pony's rather) mouth.....

These shoes are cute, comfortable, and they do not slip off of me. I have yet to lose one. They hold steadfast to my fat little feet, yet, come off easily with precise movements from my mom.


They are easy, cute (notice the details?), and cost way less then R......z. Shame on those people for charging so much for their shoes. These are also leather, with the characters being just as cute (if not cuter), but for much less. So many styles and colors schemes to choose from too.

Here I am feeling them out. Yep, leather, and sturdy.

I walked around and they really felt nice on the soles of my feet and with my size WW pillowy foot, it was nice to not have any straps or buckles digging into me. Did I mention the inside of the shoe is lined? (nodding) lined.

Now, if that wasn't enough to make you all go out and buy them, I want to tell you what Bugaloo does with 5% of each purchase. It is donated to the International Justice Mission, an agency that secures justice for victims of child slavery.

Oh and I forgot to mention that if you buy three pairs you get FREE SHIPPING! Even internationally.

Soooo, you get the gist right? We love the shoes. And you now want a pair, right?

Welllllllllllllllllllll, I can hook you up!

Bugaloo is giving away one pair of shoes for one of my readers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yep, you read right.....you can win a freeeeee pair!

Here is how...........

So what we are going to do is 1. the website viewing. Come back and tell me which adorable shoe was your favorite and what size you will be needing that in. That move will get you ONE entry. If you are already a follower or become one, you get TWO entries and if you blog about my contest on your blog, then you'll get a whopping FIVE entries.

I will be using random.org and choosing a winner in one week and a day. Tuesday, May 26th.

Have fun and good luck :)

The website is www.bugalookids.com

Massage, Mani/Pedi and an MRI

You read right. M. R. I. Magnetic Resonance Imaging. I had one this morning. Not for anything too scandalous, just to figure out the vertigo I have been feeling as of late. (the above picture is not of me, even though, I did need to go get my facial hair waxed).

It. was. fabulous. I know I sound psychotic, but, I have not been this relaxed in a long time. After the prep, it was all smooth sailing.

I removed my nose ring, earrings, and ring ring. I was covered with a nice cozy and soft blanket and I had to lay completely still on this sliding table thingee. My forehead was strapped down and was instructed to "not move, or breathe too deeply". If I moved, they would have to start again. I was told the first one would be for 25 minutes and then they would pull me out of the machine and inject me with gadolinium (a contrast material to help see the issues better) and then put me back in for ten. I was then handed ear plugs to help keep the noises that whirr around you lowly. Finally, I was handed this button to press if I completely wigged out.

I asked all of the pertinent questions 1. "well when you say move do you mean like move move?" he answered, "if you need to move, you can move your big toe, slightly", 2."can I blink?" he answered "softly", 3."What if I need to cough?" he answered "swallow gently", 4."an itch?" he answered "tough titties" (he really didn't), he said I would have to "weigh out the consequences of scratching", 5."how long is this going to be again?" 25 for the first one, injection then 10", 6. "will it hurt?" he said "no". Then he asked "ahem, can we get started"?

Strapped in, arms crossed (with panic bulb in them), feeling cozy, we started. I immediately closed my eyes and started to hear all sorts of noises. They were like humming, knocking and low vibrations. Can you say "sleepy time". I was being shushed to sleep. I knew I didn't want to sleep b/c of the fear of snoring or twitching or moving but I also knew I could be alert and waiting b/c the 25 minutes would drag on. So I hovered in the weirdest, most relaxing little place. I let my mind float around and I ran through all sorts of lists and situations and scenarios. I watched my breathing but allowed myself to go from thought to thought. It was quiet, cool, I was still. It was so relaxing. After becoming a mother, these moments are so few and far between. Listen to how relaxed I was that he peers in to the machine and says to me, "I will be pulling you out now but DO NOT MOVE. I will inject you and place you back in". I didn't answer him or nod or really anything. I was pulled out, vein was found, needle put in, eyes tightened a smidgen, and I was placed right back into the vessel. 10 more minutes and voila, done. I was so relaxed. He said I did great and the pictures were "great and very clear". I was happy to hear. And relaxed.

So, next mothers day, ask for the mani/pedi/MRI special. If you're like me, you'll be happy you did.

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

We've gone old school at TWT.
Comment on what you think these subjects are thinking/saying.
Happiest Thursday and sorry for my absence :)

Cinco de Mayo

How did we celebrate cinco de mayo this year you ask? Well, with cupcakes of course. Some people do tequila, some do margaritas, some do mariachi. We, did cupcakes.

It is Athena Blaze's official half birthday!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, Sassafras turned 3 and half.

So, what does a newly branded 3.5 year old get to do that day?

Yep, have cupcakes with pals at 3:30pm.

Happy Half Birthday Boober!

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

Sorry for forgetting yesterday and thank you for reminding me!!!!! How could I forget one of my favorite activities throughout the week. When I started TWT in August of last year, I never thought it would get to be so much fun. You all are hilarious, and always have me chuckling, laughing or guffawing. You girls are creative, and each of you see something different. Anyhow, I digress.

It's always hard to find a picture b/c I am snapping all of the time. This week's was taken by Sarah, a friend of mine :)

You know what to do ;) Happy Thursday!!!!!

Chocolatier's Profiling, 6 hrs a week

Working smack dab in the middle of the mall, you see and hear, a lot. Not only with the customers that actually come up to the store but also the ones just fluttering about. Never having worked in retail really, and certainly never having worked in "food", this has been oh so entertaining for me. I am infinitely amused by people, and their behaviors, reactions and interactions with others. So, of course, I am selling chocolate but also analyzing the crap out of them. How is the saying.......You can take the therapist out of the therapizing, but you can't take the therapizing out of the therapist. Yeah, I just made that up.

Mentally, I have broken up my customers into some categories.

I have customers that come allofthetime. These are what I like to call my "frequent fatties". Most of these are well, robust, and of a sturdy weight. They are great. They look at the chocolate case with complete abandon and borderline lust. Listen, it's chocolate and I get it (I do!) but really, with these folks, you almost don't want to interrupt. These folks eat the chocolate almost before you are done ringing them up and they eat it fast. They complain a bit about the price and how little they get for it. Sometimes, I think to myself that they should be buying a hershey's king size bar and be done with it. Sorry, my blog, my thoughts ;)

People that ask me specifics about the nutritional values of the truffles and chocolate. Making me read calories, fat, and sugars. Breaking down the serving size, saturated fat etc, I call these "the buzzkillers". Taking all the fun out of it. It's chocolate, not jenny craig or wholefoods.

Coming only to ask "do you have samples today" and then not buying anything. Those are my "pretenders". Even though, I too, have done this and will continue to once I leave this job. It's still funny. They pretend to be interested and even comment on this or that, but they walk away....slowly....lingering at the chocolate case pretending to think about it. Nope, I'm on to you.

And then my favorite, we will call them "the connoisseur". This is the customer that asks how they are made, what percentage of dark chocolate is in them, what style of ganache, what is our new pieces, how one piece differs from another. I love having these convos with these folks. It is fun and we both are engaged.

The "storytellers" are the ones that have lived in Europe (germany, belgium, sweden) and have a story about the chocolate "over there" and how much better it is and how they used to love walking through towns and buying fresh choclate etc. These are fun to listen to.

Then we have the "lady's choice" customers. These are people who ask me my favorite and leave it up to me to choose for them. Even though this is fun, choosing chocolate for someone is really not easy. I know what I love but it might not be what you love. The difference bewteen Dark, Milk and White chocolate is immense (I know, I am being dramatic but it's true) so it is really nerveracking for me to do this.

Finally (for today anyhow) there is the "BTDT (been there done that)" customers. These are customers that come with another person. This other person has never been to Godiva and the btdt person is their "guide". Stuff they say is "this is their signature chocolate", "you'll love this one", "they do this one really well", "this one is my favorite", "you just have to try it to really see", "this isn't like other chocoalte you've ever had", etc. etc. etc. Fun, but obnoxious.

Anyhow, I will keep an eye out (of course I will) for new profiles of our chocolate customers. I hope no one from corporate gets wind of my talking smack about the peeps that come to the store. I haven't given anyone my blog (not that they are even one bit interested) at work, so I think we're safe.

This concludes this installment of Chocolatier's Profiling...back to your regularly scheduled blogging.

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

What are these subjects saying/thinking? Welcome to Thousand Word Thursday, TWT

Happy Thursday and Happy Commenting ;)

My IRL Conversations (while children are awake)

Me talking....to Karen(names changed to protect the innocent) and the girls

"Hey, nice to see you Karen...what's going on"?

"Keep it down Athena, remember momma said to be quiet while she talks to Karen".

"Yeah, good to see you again. How is Kaitlyn"?

Athena says...."excuse me momma. excuse me momma. excuse me momma. Can we go in there?"

No, we can't go in there Athena. "waa, waa" Saylor, hold on baby, I will find your bottle in this purse.

"So, what's up Karen"?

Yes, we can go in there Athena. Listen, did you say hi to Kaitlyn? Say hi. Thank you.

"Oh Karen, Kaitlyn looks so big. How is she"?

Saylor is toddling around, aimlessly and I am nodding and trying to maintain eye contact with said friend as I walk backwards with my knees bent toward the baby. When I finally catch her, I attempt to carry her and her 25 lbs of love and realize that she is lunging off of me.

"Did you want to sit down somewhere so we can chat"?

Saylor is snotty so I pull out the boogie wipes to give her a wipe and then athena wants a "drink".

"So, how are you Karen"?

Athena wants to play with whatever Kaitlyn has and tells on her saying that she doesn't want to share. Karen intervenes rapidly talking to Kaitlyn about sharing and the need to let other children play with her stuff...yadda yadda.

"they love that toy don't they? It's a favorite around our house too"

"hey, so, fill me in on your life, friend"

by this time 30 minutes have gone by, athena needs to go potty, saylor is whiney and wanting to run onto oncoming traffic, they don't want the snack that I packed for them (that they loved yesterday), and the other mom is going through the exact. same. thing. on her end.

We look at each other and *sigh*. We talk about getting together without the children so that we can have a continuous, unfragmented conversation, and so that we can actually find out HOW THE OTHER IS.

This is the secret to Moms Nights Out. It is really to finish the thirty seven conversations that we start at the playground, playdates, zoo, museum, etc..

Godiva Giveaway

because really? what's the point of working there if I can't hook bloggy sistahs up? I have decided that I will be sending out a surprise to the winner. Just know, it will be chocolate and it will be Godiva. Really a win/win if you ask me.

Now, I have decided that I want this to be interactive this time. I want to ask you all some questions (that the answers can be found in the blog somewhere). They won't be hard but it will be fun. At least for me :)


What is the cost of most of my favorite things?

Am I pregnant?

If so, how far along?

What color hair did I have and for how long?

How many children do I have?

Gender?

Their names?

Following me?

If not, get thee to the "follow" button stat.

Then random.org can do the rest.

And this old school rewind is just for S & G's.

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

Happy Thursday.....Happy Commenting.......Happy TWT ;)

What a bright Ikea

Well, as you know, I have a couple of rug rats running around here. I am always looking for creative things to do with them that are easy, free, and fun. I have a mental list of things 'round town that we put into the circuit o' fun throughout the week. Zoo, Museum, McDonald's Play zone, Playdates etc. All of these things are fun and Freeeeeeeeee. Love me some free.

Well, add a new one to the mix. Ikea. Yes, the swedish-particle-board-hard-to-assemble- mecca, Ikea. It has a a playground called Smaland. Cute right? Well, you have to be potty trained...check, between 37-54 inches tall....check, and agree to pick up your child in one hour....check (can we negotiate on this one? I can't really navigate my way through the window less labyrinth that quickly). You are given a buzzer like the one at large chain restaurants and are *buzzed* when their time is up. Best of all is that it is....say it together now....Fa. reeeeee.

Athena loves it. She jumps into the ball pit (yes, she is deloused and disinfected upon leaving), colors, swings and watches whatever movie they have playing at the time. We usually have lunch there (cheap, cheap brekkie!!!!) and then she goes to Smaland. Saylor and I are left to see what is up in the land of the umlaut. It is a fun couple of hours. We all dig it.

What are some ideas for fun, and freeeeeeeee for toddlers and preschoolers?????

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

Every Thursday I will post a picture up on my blog and let you all comment on what you think the subjects are saying/thinking. This is TWT.

Happy Thursday!

Really? You're 15 months already? *sniff*

My gosh. Time really flies when you're having fun.

Pictures taken by The Shannon

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

You know what to do.

If not...

Game. Every Thursday I will post a picture up on my blah blah blahg and let you all comment on what you think the subjects are saying/thinking.

Silent Ode to Baby Legs

Well sort of......





Every single time I put these on Saylor, I sing this song. Every single time.

She wears them a lot.













www.babylegs.com

TWT

Happy Thousand Word Thursday Y'all.

Happy Commenting :)

Oompa Loompa's Pyramid

Ever since I started at G spot (a mere week ago), I have taken this new view on the food groups. Incredible how I have been able to incorporate chocolate in them all throughout my day. I work a couple of evenings a week (I started a freakin' week ago). I have managed to taste many flavors and to take home the fruit that they will discard.

It's not just me, but Athena has had a chocolate covered strawberry for breakfast everyday this week. What sort of chocolate elitist am I raising here? *sigh*

My pyramid looks a little something like this.......

Protein-Macadamia Mosaic, and Almond Bark
Dairy-Caramel Embrace (and it sure does feel like a hug)
Vegetable-Pumpkin spice Truffles
Fruit-Chocolate dipped Strawberries, Key lime truffle, mixed berry basket, and glazed apricots.

I *think* the top of the pyramid says Fats, Oils, and Sweets, Don't Spare Usage.

Lord, please let me tire of chocolate soon.

If not, there will be a spare tire embracing my middle.

Please?

Pretty Please?

With a Cherry Cordial on top?

2 Thousand Word Thursday (2TWT)

1.


2.


Sorry for posting two of them. I couldn't decide. Hey, I heart 2 girls ya know ;)

Post what you think these subjects are saying/thinking

Happy Captioning! and Happy Thursday!

New J.O.B.

As most of you know (especially the oldies but goodies), I applied, interviewed, accepted and started a part time job at Godiva Chocolatier last night. Needless to say that I romanticized this idea, to the hilt. I said, "I will be working a couple of nights (6-9pm) a week, mingling with customers, talking about truffles and having some 'adult time'".

WTF was wrong with me? It is a job. However you slice it.

I got there and was greeted by two (mental note *do not give blog address to coworkers*) aprons named "Da Homey" (yep, I'll wait.) and Ginnifer. I was "taught" (I use this word loosely) how to tie ribbons on boxes, food safety rules (you know, gloves on, gloves off), how to sort chocolate, where the garbage was, and where the stock room was.

Where was my mingling with customers, my guffawing with truffle jokes, my discussions about technique and origin, my personal favorites disclosures, where was the hype I had created?

I was asking so. many. questions. (I am VERY INQUISITIVE by nature. This is the primary reason for having become a psychotherapist in the first place...people pay me to ask questions?....where is the sign up sheet?) I got this weird look from them. Like..."why the hell are you asking so many questions lady....it is a JOB". I then made the mistake to ask an apron why she decided to work there. She shrugs her shoulders and said, "they were hiring" and "I like sweets so I applied". Ok, fair enough.

I think they hate me. I made the analogy earlier to some friends about me being that older lady in the front row in your college classes. You know the one. The one that answers all of the questions the teacher asks, does the extra credit, optional readings, etc. I use this analogy not b/c I am old but b/c I have that second wind. I have grown to have work ethic and to care about what I am doing. I have also "chosen" to work. So, yep, they hate me.

Anyhow, I won't bore you about the rest of my night. I did however have quite the smile as I was mopping the floor thinking that the lady who cleans my house just did this today. I wasn't even going to tell my husband about this. I guess it's too late now. I think he reads this jibberish :)

I know this was only the disillusion of my "idea" of how it would go. I do look forward to working again believe it or not. I enjoyed being looked at like a real woman and not just a mother and all of the assumptions that are rolled into that. I do look mighty cute in that apron if I may say so myself. Oh wait, it's my blog, I can :)

I do have to say that it was all made better when I was handed a tray of chocolate dipped strawberries upon my "shift ending" because they were going to throw them away because they were there for 6 hrs. Um. Yes, please.

Evening Wood

What did you think this post would be about?

Michael and I had an adult outing the other night. It was great. We were invited by our friend, to her husband's exhibit, at their home.

Omar is an artist that works with wood. I won't post much more about materials and process because I don't want to make it seem less fabulous than it was and I know I will just splotch it up if I was left to my own descriptors. Check his website out!!!!!!!!!

His stuff was beautiful and incredibly sexy. What a talent. Seriously, if we had two pennies (maybe a few more than that) to rub together and we didn't have a 3 year old and 1 year old that perpetually have a crayon/marker/pencil attached to their hands I would soooooo be buying his art.

Spring Fling Winner?

"Lucky" Official Video With Colbie Caillat

Hi there everyone!!!!!!! In honor of St. Patrick's day tomorrow, I posted one of my favorite songs as of late!!! And of course this song cleverly ties into the Spring Fling Winner of the 12 glorious pieces of GODiva chocolate box.

I have soooooooooo enjoyed reading all of your comments and I didn't realize how many of you adored chocolate. I wish I had more chocolate to give away. Srsly. The good thing is that now I know that this is a stellar idea for giveaways which will happen often! They are so much fun.

Are you feeling lucky?

After tabulating all of the entries. Putting it in a spreadsheet. Cutting up the papers into little strips. Placing the strips into my cowboy hat (Texan much?). I pulled out our winner. I was going to youtube all of this (like I did the mami skin care post) but quickly realized y'all didn't really give a damn how it was done, just that it was you or wasn't you. Know that this technique was followed by the letter of the law and no animals were harmed during the picking of this winner (now children are a different story).

Without Further Freakin' Ado......

That Godiva Chocolate Box Winner is.......

nikkicrumpet at Blah, Blah, Blah, blog. Please go and find her and let her know you're *happy* for her ;)

No really, now that I have the part time at the joint, I will having many more giveaways for you! I am excited.

Anyhow y'all, thanks for playing and happy blogging!

Thousand Word Thursday (TWT)

First of all...whew. Spring has flung at SITS and I am exhausted. What great fun it was. I am loving all of the new blogs that I have gotten to read and I love that there were so many awesome visitors to mine.

I also wanted to add that I will be choosing (by old school random.org fashion.....you know, putting everyone's names on strips of paper and pulling out of a hat) this Monday (the 16th) to give people an opportunity to enter and to become a lemming.....er...drink the kool aid....er....follow :)

Task at hand...TWT. This is something I came up with to , well, entertain myself really. It is a game where you tell me what the subjects were thinking or saying.

Examples are here, here, here and here. It is my favorite day of the week.

Have fun :) I know I will.

Spring Fling!!!!

The sits girls are at it again with their awesomeness. If you don't know who the sits girls are shame on you. Srsly.

This time they have gotten all interactive and stuff. Not only are they giving away a prize every hour!!!!! but, they have encouraged and linked up members to do the same!!! So what that means is that if you check out all of the links posted on their site, chances are you'll win something or at least be introduced to some stellar blogs. And yes, the girls I heart will be neglected today. All in the name of giveways :)

What is my contribution you ask?????????????

My giveaway (as supermommy called it) is a godiva truffles box (this one..the 12 piecer). Yep, you read right...GODiva. Oh and to my avid readers....yes, I got the part time job. Yay for me :)

Back to the task at hand, How do you get a chance to win you ask?????????

Leave Comment, 1 entry
Follow this blog, 3 entries

Easy Peasy.

Have fun and I hope you enjoy all of the possible winnings and all of the new blogs.

Hip Hip Hooray for SITS.

This really takes the cake.....or the potatoes.

When I first had children I never realized how having them could change every fiber and facet of my being. It changed me physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, perceptually, and thoroughly. So many aspects and habits and rituals changed for me, for us. Today though, really takes the cake. I am impressed or ashamed even for me.

I have two daughters. They are in two car seats. When we arrive at a place...any place, it is a big deal. I either wear the little one and grab the big one's hand, or both go in the shopping cart, one goes in the basket and one in the cart, well you get all of the variations of this combo. The point always remains the same though, it is a hassle to do it, so you better make your car exit count. Well, I am foreshadowing a bit but a I would like to add some background history. I went grocery shopping two days ago. I got everything I needed. So I thought.

Apparently the potatoes at my house were growing sprouts. We use them mostly for that curry dish that we adore. Michael had specifically asked me to make it for dinner because he had a hankering for the dish. As a good domestic goddess *cough*bullshit*cough*, I oblige. Well, there weren't any potatoes for our dish. I said, "forget it, I'll go to the grocery store with the girls".

We go out and meet some friends at a park and we have a picnic and have a great time. I over extend the girls b/c we are having so much fun. As any parent knows, your child could be the carefree, happy go lucky, commercial child and then turn on you. A complete 180 degree turn, in a flash. This, my friends is exactly what happened. Both girls lost their stuff in the car on the way home. It dawned to me to stop at the store to pick uo the damned potatoes but then I QUICKLY talked myself out of it.

Do you know what I did instead?

I drove through Wendy's and picked up 4 baked potatoes for the dish. 4 of them. Not only did I pay 1840's Irish prices for them at $1.29 a piece!!!! but I couldn't actually believe I was doing it. I was quite chuffed with myself and I immediately thought of how I needed to blog about it. I needed to confess and purge myself of this.

1 potato, 2 potato, 3 potato......Frosty?

Happy Thursday Y'all,

Be back next week for thousand word thursday :)

Go Diva!

5 Benefits of Dark Chocolate

• Studies have shown dark chocolate to lower blood pressure
• Studies have also shown dark chocolate to lower bad cholesterol (LDL)
• It turns women on more than a passionate kissing session (no wonder they want it for Valentine's Day!)
• Contains serotonin, a natural mood-boosting anti-depressant
• Stimulates pleasure-inducing endorphin production

Reading this you say.....how can this be true? How could the oompa loompas and Willy been right all along? Really, this list triggers a bunch of questions right?

Well let me share a story that will show you how truly committed I am to my health.

I was at our fabulous mall the other day. I was with a girlfriend and just strolling in and out of stores. It was nice, I had only one of the daughters that I heart with me so it was quite manageable. We meandered into the chocolatier named Godiva. What a great place; it smells and looks divine. The truflles are precisely placed within the glass case with the utmost of care, making them look more like jewelry and less like "just" chocolate. The gold boxes and ribbons strewn about are very inviting and just scream luxury and decadence. I start to chat it up with the sales girl and and begin to discuss chocolate and flavors and the such. All of a sudden (don't know if it was the endorphins running amuck), almost as if it was an out of body experience I ask her "are you hiring"? She smiles and says, "why, yes we are". She continues and says "only for part time though. I am looking for someone just a couple of nights a week". I smile wider and say "may I have an application please?" I take it and put it in my purse. As I walk out of the store, I realize that I could potentially be working there.

I get called for an interview the day I turn in my application. I excitedly agree and set up the time. I get dressed for the interview and try to get my head around what questions they will be asking. Thoughts run through my head...I have not worked for the past 4 years,....when I did work it was in mental health and in management....I only worked retail for a few years in college. I feel like I am a bit rusty. I go to the interview anyway.

We were enthralled in conversation and the interview felt like it was going great. I didn't realize how many many skills are transferrable. I also had to use examples from Mommy groups and Blazing Cheesecakes to complement my "tell me a time when you..." examples.

We wind down our convo, she seems happy with the way it went, she asked other pertinent questions like availability and stuff. I say that I am willing to work a couple of nights a week. I start to think that Michael will have to do the dinner/nighttime routine by himself and then I feel bad for him. Then I quickly remember that I would be missing out on the chaos and fun. Then I remember that I will be missing out on the chaos and fun.

I hope I get the job ;) It will be fun to mindlessly sell chocolate and all of the benefits of it :) Of all of my ideas though, I do find this to be one of my most awesome, brilliant, and superb AND moronic, nonsensical, and imbecilic ones. Being around chocolate, and not just any chocolate, Godiva chocolate. Tasting and "training" on all the different types and flavors. Sampling, "learning".

I should have found a job at the gym, or nutrisystem or Jenny Craig.

Oh well, IF I get the job, I will surely let you all know how it is going.

Thousand Word Thursday

Bag Lady

This is a game that I have neglected to play b/c I just hadn't had the "time" to take pictures of my bag. I was tagged three times by three hot assed bloggers, Rachel, Katy, and Aubrey and it is time to divulge what's in the bag. Michael calls it my Monty Hall purse. I agree, but, I did need to clean it out recently so, here is the efficient version of my purse/diaper bag/back back/holder of any and all things.

Here is the my $22.99 Target purse in all of her glory....




I have taken a picture of it's contents for you. I did not, however, include the itty bitty pieces of papers, wrappers, coupons, random business cards, marker tops, rubber bands, pens, and stray tic tacs...even though I should have.


What is all of this you ask? Well we'll take it from the top, you have three jewelry boxes that I need to give to a friend that attended my "party", then I have blue panties for athena (really?), boogie wipes (first introduced to me by Katy), hello kitty stationery (yep, mine), a hot pink pacifier for Say, 3 handmade coffee cozies (thanks again Tammy!) for the oh so hot cups o' joe, walmart wipes, hello kitty wipe holder (really a pencil case but I improvised), keys with owl key chain for athena, herbal lip gloss that I bought at Sally Beauty Supply, wallet, sunglasses, and finally to complete my ensemble, a pair of babylegs.

So here it is. The Bag Tag game is now complete, except that I have to choose five people and I say (in a mardi gras voice) "show us yer bags". Don't be party poopers and spoil the fun either ;)

1. Amy
2. Becca
3. Megan
4. Wheezer
5. Amy

Have fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What'd you do today???????

This is an article (more like dear abby style) that was written in the Washington Post in 2007. I dedicate it to all of my childless friends (that I adore) in hopes that they understand how all encompassing all of this hearting two girls really is. Contrary to popular belief, I don't just got to playgroups and Chuck E. Cheese (as they seem to assume I do). So, even though I do not want to use the girls as an excuse, if I do not write, call or communicate more often...feel secure in the fact that it ain't you sister, it's me.

TELL ME ABOUT IT ®

By Carolyn Hax
Wednesday, May 23, 2007; C10

Carolyn:

Best friend has child. Her: exhausted, busy, no time for self, no time for me, etc. Me (no kids): Wow. Sorry. What'd you do today? Her: Park, play group . . .

Okay. I've done Internet searches, I've talked to parents. I don't get it. What do stay-at-home moms do all day? Please no lists of library, grocery store, dry cleaners . . . I do all those things, too, and I don't do them EVERY DAY. I guess what I'm asking is: What is a typical day and why don't moms have time for a call or e-mail? I work and am away from home nine hours a day (plus a few late work events) and I manage to get it all done. I'm feeling like the kid is an excuse to relax and enjoy -- not a bad thing at all -- but if so, why won't my friend tell me the truth? Is this a peeing contest ("My life is so much harder than yours")? What's the deal? I've got friends with and without kids and all us child-free folks get the same story and have the same questions.

Tacoma, Wash.

Relax and enjoy. You're funny.

Or you're lying about having friends with kids.

Or you're taking them at their word that they actually have kids, because you haven't personally been in the same room with them.

Internet searches?

I keep wavering between giving you a straight answer and giving my forehead some keyboard. To claim you want to understand, while in the same breath implying that the only logical conclusions are that your mom-friends are either lying or competing with you, is disingenuous indeed.

So, since it's validation you seem to want, the real answer is what you get. In list form. When you have young kids, your typical day is: constant attention, from getting them out of bed, fed, clean, dressed; to keeping them out of harm's way; to answering their coos, cries, questions; to having two arms and carrying one kid, one set of car keys, and supplies for even the quickest trips, including the latest-to-be-declared-essential piece of molded plastic gear; to keeping them from unshelving books at the library; to enforcing rest times; to staying one step ahead of them lest they get too hungry, tired or bored, any one of which produces the kind of checkout-line screaming that gets the checkout line shaking its head.

It's needing 45 minutes to do what takes others 15.

It's constant vigilance, constant touch, constant use of your voice, constant relegation of your needs to the second tier.

It's constant scrutiny and second-guessing from family and friends, well-meaning and otherwise. It's resisting constant temptation to seek short-term relief at everyone's long-term expense.

It's doing all this while concurrently teaching virtually everything -- language, manners, safety, resourcefulness, discipline, curiosity, creativity. Empathy. Everything.

It's also a choice, yes. And a joy. But if you spent all day, every day, with this brand of joy, and then, when you got your first 10 minutes to yourself, wanted to be alone with your thoughts instead of calling a good friend, a good friend wouldn't judge you, complain about you to mutual friends, or marvel how much more productively she uses her time. Either make a sincere effort to understand or keep your snit to yourself.

Thousand Word Thursday

It is Thursday again....weeks go by very quickly since having children. I'll be back to give y'all an update on our going ons. Anyhow, in the meanwhile, caption this :)

Happy Thursday!!!!!!!

*Two* Thousand Word Thursday

1.)
2.)

I could not decide today. Please choose one or both to comment on. Sorry for the technical difficulties , I just came across the bottom one of Athena at 9 months old and my heart melted again.

You know how to play right? Thousand Word Thursday (TWT) is a game that you add subject's thoughts and/or what they could be saying.

Happy Thursday to you all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Three Way Mirrors.....yea or nay?

There are truly some great arguments, some pros and cons, some good discussion about being able to see yourself in all angles.

We should because.....

1. We can see how our hair looks. Whether it is flat or there is a cow lick.

2. We can see how our ass looks. Whether it is flat or looks like a cows rump.

3. We can see how our back fat looks. Oh yeah, didn't see that when you were getting ready at home with your simple little mirror didja?

4. We can see how people see us in line, walking away from them, walking past them, getting up from our seats, etc.

5. We get a total picture of your being. Wow, that was deep.

We shouldn't because......

1. All of the above reasons. and....

2. We would become obsessed with looking at every aspect of our figure and how we move and how are hair lays and yadda yadda.

3. We would dance around and see how you look doing it. Oh, is that only me who does that?

4. It would take MORE time to get ready then it already does.

5. Finally, you probably would not leave the house.

All of these discoveries came after a recent trip to my dope dealer...er...I mean Target. I went in (ready for this?) with a couple of bikinis to try on for summer. I was taking the mature route and thought I could try these on early and assess the sitch.

Why oh why did I do this? I was feeling good about myself and my new found gym effort. I had broken up with my post baby bod and thought this was a thing of the past. Well, my post baby bod REARED it's ugly head again, in the three way mirror no less. I was like, who is in here with me? I fear my post baby bod texted me. I was going to text back, but I resisted.

I walked out like if I had just seen a live execution.

I pacified myself and said "It's ok Bar-b. It's early. And we are not getting back together, even if it is Valentine's Day on Saturday"

Like I mentioned earlier, I think the mirrors can be used for good and for evil. I will return to target's fitting room after I rent, eat, and digest Buns of Steel thankyouverymuch.

What do you all think of the three way mirror? Friend or foe?

Old School Rewind...

This is Athena and/or Saylor a few years from now, lol.

Oh and I know I have been tagged to do some pretty fun stuff and I promise I will. Promise.

In. Genious.

I feel like I have won a prize or something. I do. I have come across the most obvious answer to my prayers. Firstly, How many of you (mommas, especially stay at home ones) do not get to shower everyday? Can I get an Amen sisters???? It never seems to be the right time to. Someone is either up from nap, about to go nap, in the backyard, wanting to eat, wanting to stop eating, potty training, wanting a new dvd put in or out, etc. Even when I do get to the shower it is lightning fast and I usually forget to shave, or exfoliate or condition long enough. Need I go on?

So showers are left for when they go to sleep at night. The problem here is that I need to wash my hair when I bathe. that means I would need to blow dry it before bed and that just takes up too much time when I could be doing something else. I am also in bed by 9:30pm. Call me what you will but I have to be bright eyed and bushy tailed for the glee club at 7am. Second question... do any of you go to the gym?? Yes, I know a lot of you do (and if you don't now, you will after you read this). I go MWF when I drop off the big kid at her pre-school. Thirdly (I promise I am going somewhere with this), how many of you put your kids in the gym nursery included with your membership?

Ok, so do you see where I am headed?

First answer + Second answer + Third answer = (wait for it) A peaceful, unbothered, shower at the gym with no one tugging at the curtain or calling for you or wanting to jump in and say things like "feels like rain momma".

This is truly a new discovery for me. I have been a gym goer for years and I have never felt the need to shower at there. I was always like "gross, why would I when I could just come home and do it there". Well, the answer is BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T HAVE CHILDREN THEN, BRAINIAC.

Best part is, you've showered and blow dried in peace, your kid is happy as a clam in high tide in the nursery, and you are revved and ready to go. You will be looking good, presentable and fresh on your rounds...target, grocery store, playgroup, coscto, home. rinse and repeat.

So there, you all can take this idea and run (or use the elliptical) with it too.

Old School Rewind...

Hey there sorry for being such an effin slacker these days. I have had all of these random thoughts that I have wanted to put down on paper (or screen) but haven't made it to the old 'puter.

Coming soon to a theater near you....

I heart 2 girls, Bar-b the blogger :)

While we wait for my mojo to reappear, I give you this old little ditty....

Friday, July 11, 2008

Geraldo move over

So I decided to interview the man, the myth, the legend, Yep, baby daddy. He is used to my quirky antics so when I said "I'd like to interview you for the blog, is that ok?", he said "sure", didn't even blink really. Before I started I said, "yes, I am serious and yes I want an answer to all of these questions". He said "ok, ok".

Barbie-B, Michael-M

B- How do you feel about our family blog?
M-repeats question. I feel it is a tremendous expression of how we feel about our family and that we are able to share it with family and friends. I love that you love to share. It makes it easier for me.

B-Do you secretly want your own blog?
M-LOL, No I don't. I love the family blog and love it even more that I don't have to do anything.

B-Ever do the moonwalk just because you can?
M-I do, not very frequently. Once every 3 months. Yep. I will just bust out with a MW.

B-Do you want another baby?
M-very quickly says No. Then we saw tumbleweeds in the background.

B-How do you feel about your dinners?
M-Long freakin' pause- generally pleased. Sometimes tidbit night isn't a big hit.

B-What is your favorite saying of Athena's?
M-Hmmmmmmm. So many, can I get back to you?

B-sure.

B-Words to live by?
M-Repeats question. Do it today because tomorrow it could be illegal.

B-Why are you so retarded (mentally challenged)?
M-is this a real question?

B-no.

B-If you were an animal (other than the primate that you seem to be) what would you be?
M-LOL. Oh God. Ummmm. I think a bird. Maybe an eagle, something powerful within the bird family. That or a T-Rex.

B-Blonde or brunette?
M-Mousy Brown.

B-chuckle. no not you, me, which do you prefer?
M-long pause. Right now I am liking the brunette a lot.

B-Do you think you could come up with an interview yourself???
M-yeah, sure, given some time.

B-Can I have a sample question?
M- No.

B-Any last words?
M-This soup keeps getting better and better.

B-is that a metaphor for our life?
M-No, this (points to an almost empty bowl of soup) soup that you made with love (and that we have been eating for three days straight)...chuckle.

B-chuckle.

Thousand Word Thursday

Comment on what you think is going on or on what subjects are thinking, saying.

Happy Thousand Word Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Aye, Potty Training Matey

I have to start by saying that we attempted potty training 4 months ago (read it here). Got all the accoutrements for the deed. Did it for one day and then said "forget about it". Fast forward to November. Athena turns three. She should be moving up to the class above her in her school.....she can't because she isn't potty trained (insert shamed emoticon here). I choose to wait until after Thanksgiving, Xmas, Family Visiting, and Saylor's birthday...Needless to say she is now 3.16 and we need to finally get her trained. I start to think well what will I do, how will I do it and who is going to tell me how. I start to look online and find this guaranteed "3 day potty training" technique. I am excited, I am intrigued, I am sold. I mean I have heard of people starting when their child is two and they are doing it up until three! This was the main reason why I didn't start earlier, I didn't want to be doing it forever. I had also had Saylor and wasn't in the mood. The problem is that now it was affecting Athena and her learning, soooooo after having said all that I still wait and procrastinate about forking out the money for it (a mere drop in the bucket but I still procrastinate).

Cue in accomplice. I am talking to my friend (who shall remain nameless) about my brainiac and how she desperately needs to be in a different classroom. She looks to her left and to her right and then says to me in a hushed tone "I have a copy of that training manual that another mom gave me...do you want it?" I say "Ahoy Matey, I do! A pirated copy of the training manual is all the booty I be needin'...Arrrrrrg".

I bring it home, read it over and realize I need to get Michael involved. I say to him "read this" thump. He obliges. We are now ready to do this.

Cue in 3 day weekend (coincidence? I think not.) Saturday morning we do what the lady tells us, and we are now in. We are in this 'till the end. We were homebound FOR THREE COMPLETE DAYS. No car rides, no going outside, no having friends and distractions around. We (either michael or I) sat next to Athena all. day. long. and played, read, puzzled, colored, whatever....as long as it was near her and we had to repeat the same thing to her over and over and over again. The forgotten one (aka..Saylor)was fine. She just watched as we obssessed over the damn potty the entire weekend (long at that).

Do you know what?

She was potty trained...in three days. It is an intense three days, but, if you are committed and consistent, you WILL have a potty trained toddler (or preschooler in our case).
Our daughter is incredible and because this technique involves purely positive reinforcement it was a real pleasure for her and therefore for us.

There you have it folks. The skinny on our experience with potty training Athena.

I really could go on and on about the incredibly funny weekend we've had with her and how she reacted to all sorts of stuff coming out of her, but, I will save it for your imagination and save the potty mouthed tales for another time. For those of you who read this blog that don't have kids, you are missing out on great material ;)

Oh and the answer is Yes. To what you ask? Only if you are asking the question do you understand the answer.

Thousand Word Thursday

Sorry, TWT has been MIA as of late. I know a few of you have asked me to put it back up and of course I oblige ;)

Every (or most) thursday(s) I will post a picture and you can caption it.

Have fun and happy thursday!!!!

Go go gadget Caption :)

It's Me, Not you.

Dear Post Baby Body,

I want to start by saying that I appreciate you having been here with me. You housed my Athena and Saylor before they were born, birthed them (we don't need to go into details as to how you accomplished that) and fed them when they arrived and months there after. You did this all yourself and I look to you with astonishment, amazement and reverence. I thank you.

I am, however, starting to realize that you...... sort of cramp my style. I don't mean that in a bad way, but, I have come to the realization that I don't want you to live here anymore. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't all bad, but, really, you've overstayed your welcome.

I will give you ample time to get your "things"......you know.....the flabby middle, the wider/saggier ass, the untoned arms, and please don't forget to look in the back there and get your back fat....thanks. Call me a romantic but, please leave the stretchmarks.....I don't want to totally forget you and that we were an item.

Listen, no hard feelings right?. I want you to go and know that you and I had some good years together and our memories will last a lifetime. Please forgive yourself, and me, for any 'mistakes' we made along the way... and remember that we both have grown immensely through being together (me a little more than I would have liked even)...but the time has come to move on.

Farwell. See ya...wouldn't want to be ya.

Love,
Bar-b

PS....Don't let the door hitcha where the dog bitcha.

Old School Rewind.....

Tuesday, August 19, 2008

How to go out to dinner as a family of four.....

1. do not always plan on actually getting to the restaurant, that would be first and foremost, just so you don't "set yourself up" for let's say.....dinner as a family of four.

2. pack a change of clothes for each child, a different sized diaper for each, snacks for the toddler (you know, for the 15 minutes it takes to get to the restaurant), juice box for the same ride, bottle of breast milk for baby, formula and scoop for extra (just on case she is hungrier than usual), rattle, space in your bag for the shoes that the baby will kick off, and finally remember your purse so that you have your real items like phone, wallet, etc.

3.plan on what you are having before you get there so that the order can be expedited (please don't think that you can actually peruse the menu leisurely). A part of you wants to phone your order in but another part of you wants to feel as though they are truly dining out so they stop you from doing this.

4.when parking the car ask the question "which kid do you want"? and follow suit. How parents of more than two children or a single parent do this....beyond me (please enlighten).

5. if you can sit outside do it, if not, pick a table that has 1. easy access to bathroom, or 2. next to another family of small kiddos (you won't seem so freakish).

6. when the server gets to the table, apologize ahead of time, and learn his or her name and smile frequently (laying a twenty on the table in plain view wouldn't hurt either).

7. all a blur (you think you ate, you think you drank)

8. you rock the car seat, stick in the pacifier, tell toddler to use her fork, blow on her hot food, keep wine glass away from toddler, keep salt and pepper shakers away too, in fact you have given the server the sugar caddy when you first sat down.

9. ask for the check (now it has been confirmed because you are paying for the alleged food/drink).

10. leave restaurant and talk about how it wasn't so bad and look lovingly into your partner's eyes and say "remember the good old days" and the have you partner say "yes...but these good new days aren't so bad".

11. love your partner more than you did when you got there and realize that the kids will be going down to sleep the second they get home and know that you can then actually have a conversation with your partner.

12. blog about it the next day with a big smile and wonder when we'll be going out to dinner as a family of four again :)

Happy First Birthday Sweet Saylor

What a beautiful year it has been. We welcomed our second daughter, Saylor at 9am on January 5th 2008. Perfect delivery, birth, and addition (completion) to our family. What a ride so far. So wonderful. So much to get used to. We were three for so long and then *poof* we were now "Atkinson, table for four".

She is a glorious little girl. Smiling, jovial and fun to be around. She is a riot. Loves her food and Rip Van Winkle likes her sleep too. Walking around with those two perfect legs with the most delicious of thighs. When Athena and her play together it literally melts your heart. Saylor completes our family.

So I will stop there as it is hard to type with tears welling up.

Thank you Lord for your continued blessings, and for giving us the opportunity to experience our children. It is truly an honor to co-parent them.

Tears.

Crib Fib

So the holidays are over and now begins the mad dash to new years eve/day and then quickly it turns to Saylor's FIRST birthday. In the midst of this we thought it was time to let Athena get to sleep in a big girl bed. There was truly no rush for this because the crib was being used as intended and she was happy in it. She still sleeps 2 hrs in the afternoon and then from 7pm to 7am. Always. I was so excited to finally get her in a big girl bed that I couldn't leave well enough alone though.

We have one of those fancy schmancy cribs that converts to a day bed, twin bed and full bed. I know, it is so weird to try to conceptualize this without the diagrams that come in the book, but, she could potentially be in this thing until she was 15. So off came one of the four crib walls and voila "new bed" for her. We all played into it big time. New pjs for the new bed, new crib sheets er....big girl sheets for the bed, new pillow, the whole bit. She climbed into bed and off to lala land she went. Woke up saying "can I get down now"? Michael and I were so happy. We ran into the room and congratulated her. So much fanfare it was ridiculous, it was like she had just solved the rubik's cube, blindfolded. Nighttime, same thing. We looked at each other and said "this is great".

Fast forward to today. Nap time? check. Toddler in pjs? check. Toddler who sleeps in her new bed and asks to get down? check. whoa. stop right here...shoulda checked twice (santa style)

We have the stealthiest little toddler ever. Quiet as a mouse from the time that I let her crawl into her bed until I went in to check on her and saw that 1. half of her animals were blanketed on the "new bed", 2. the other half were on the floor actively engaging in a picnic, 3. shades drawn up to the tippy top, 4. stacked legs onto towers and buildings, and finally 5. a very quiet little girl coloring in her coloring book. She actually had the audacity to say "momma, where did daddy go in Athena's grey car?" She had seen him leaving from her window. The whole time I thought she was asleep!!!

I just gasped. I really did. I didn't know if to laugh or what. I of course calmly put her back into bed and let her know that it was naptime yadda yadda (I bore myself at times too). I couldn't believe she swindled us like that. Oh well, I am sure that this is just one of the many "tricks" that will be played on us. It's like our incredible babysitter that we ADORE and that Athena adores too. Quiet, punctual, polite, in college with a scholarship, taught at a baptist church. Yeahhhhh (office space voice), she left herself logged into Myspace and I saw what a raunchy skanky ho she truly is. I didn't know if to laugh or what.

Here are a few of my favorite things........

">
Raindrops on filthy car and whiskers on (someone else's) kittens...

Bright copper kettle(bells...which I promise to start using...soon) and warm droollin smittens (saylor)

Brown paper packages tied up with string (Michael's?),
These are a few of my favorite things

When the curry bites....

When El Patron (thanks SM) shot stings'

When I am feeling Baaaad (like phat but different)

I simply remember my favorite things,
And then I don't feel, so bad.

Happiest Holidays Y'all!!!!!!!!!!!

Old School Rewind.....

Once a week I will re-post an old blog entry for your enjoyment(yes, I am trying to pass this off as creative when really it is pure laziness that has prompted the new idea)

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Stop the MamaRazzi

Pictures, pictures and more pictures is what I take of these three (really the two wee ones). I should have the ol' camera surgically implanted just for the ease of carrying. Athena hears the sound of the shutter opening and she looks up to smile. I have to muffle that sound if I want to catch a candid. Saylor is headed in the same path I reckon. I think Saylor is going to be a little more difficult (see how she is flipping me the bird in this one?) She is being subtle, but I can read between the lines.













Saylor is one active little galleta. She is going to be 5 months and she is already scooting, rolling over (both ways...we call that bi-rolling), gets up in the crawl position but doesn't do much more than rocking. If I place her down anywhere she manages to scoot away. I left her in the middle of this mat and went to the bathroom when I came back she was like this. I found her under the futon last week. I didn't take a picture because I freaked out :)

To sum it all up today...there really is no stopping the MamaRazzi. Unless of course my kids pull a Bjork or a Cameron Diaz on me then all bets are off. Oh, who am I kidding...I would still persevere. It's the Italian in me.

Happy Hump Day,
Bar-b

Thousand Word Thursday

TWT Game- Chime in on what you think the subject(s) are thinking or saying.

Happy Commenting!!!!!

I cannot believe it is the 18th of DECEMBER already!!!

And the winner of the giveaway is.........

Well, I would be telling you right now except I am busy putting all of the names in an excel spreadsheet (actually Michael is) and then I will be cutting them and putting them into a "hat" and then picking the winner of the MaMi Skincare set!!!!!!!!! Yes, I know, very scientific. Only the best for my bloggy audience.

I have now just decided to video myself picking the names...I thought it would be fun and interactive. Well, at least from my end.

Here goes....

Thousand Word Thursday

Sorry for the stalled pomegranate post....



TWT Game- Post what you think these subjects are saying/thinking

Happy Captioning!

Oh and don't forget that you have until Sunday the 14th to enter the MaMi Skincare Giveaway!!!!

Whew.....I just ate Pomegranate

We all know the great benefits that is touted by the pomegranate. The list of potential health benefits are endless....antioxidants, vitamin B5, may have antibacterial effects against dental plaque, cardiovascular health, prostate health, and makes one hell of a martini (made with POM wonderful juice)...I mean this is like a superfruit.

I was ecstatic to see them for sale at my local grocery store. 2 for $4...what a steal I thought. All of these healthy attributes....for $2 a pop? Worth every penny, I thought. I have never had one before so I picked two out how I thought you should and headed home. I walked through the door and exclaimed "Babe, I bought Pomegranate!!!". Michael looked at me and said "don't wear any clothes while eating it that you want to keep and don't get it on the counter tops". "Ok, Sunshine". And I was off to eat my superfruit.

I stared at her for a long time. Do I bite it? Do I slice it? Do I peel it? I stopped and looked at it and thought Oh my God, how the hell do I eat this thing. What are you supposed to do with it? No one ever mentioned this now do they. I ended messing up the first one royally. I don't even know what I did but I had all of these beautiful little seeds burst and then the rind was thick and I didn't know if to eat it or what. Wow, I had already invested like 14 minutes in my supersnack and I hadn't even had any yet. So I did what any "normal" person living in 2008 would do. Yep, I You Tube'd it :) I actually had to log onto youtube to figure out how to eat the "anils" and how to place the fruit in a bowls of water for 5 mintues to have it be easier to tear of the rind and pulp from the jewels of these fruit.

The pomengranate needs a better agent. It actually just needs to come with instructions or I need to be around more people that know how to eat it.

So if your new years resolution is to work on your patience or your fine motor skills, or to learn how to eat slower or to lose weight...then the pomegranate is for you. It took me over 40 minutes to enjoy my pomegranate seeds of my second one.

Do you like or know how to eat pomegranate? Do you have any suggestions? Should I just stick with the juice? Oh and I used to think those bottles of juice were expensive...I don't anymore. Trust me, they're a steal.

Secret Ornament Swap...no not the new Fox Show

Julie at Abbily Ever After had an idea for a blogger secret ornamnet swap....I was all over that.
I love surprises (giving and getting). I cannot wait to show you what I recieved from MY secret blogger....

Doesn't this look exactly like the girls I heart?

Doesn't his look like moi? (yes, I rented "buns of steel" from the library)

Doesn't this look like what we don't get here in Houston? Thank God! btw, it is an irredescent glass ornament filled with snow).

Finally, isn't this the sweetest letter written by a fellow awesome blogger ;)

Kristen at Our Army Life was a great secret ornament swapper. She put a lot of thought into her gift and I really appreciate it. It brought a smile to my face to open up the box yesterday. They are very pretty and the penguins really do resemble the girls! Thank you very much, and I will hang these ornaments up as sooon as I get a tree this weekend!

Thanks Julie for initiating the swap and thank you so much Kristen for participating...this was a lot of fun!

Thousand Word Thursday

Sorry about the lag in posting a TWT, but, with thanksgiving and utter laziness...I skipped a couple of weeks.

To refresh your noggins......GAME-add a conversation to this picture. What are the subjects thinking or saying to each other or to themselves.

I love all of your comments they make me smile/laugh. Ok, get to it.

Happy Thursday!

"Where there's a will, there an A"

Remember that infomercial?

Anyhow, it is time to play a game. My blog bud Aubrey at Fam Five tagged me to play this game (actually I think I volunteered) along with her. RULES-She randomly assigns me one of the magnificient 26 letters of the alphabet and I have to then post TEN of my favorite things/words that start with that letter. I was secretly hoping for an X or Q so I could use my grey matter but then I realized that I don't really favor Quills, Quolls, or Quails, or Xrays, Xanax (wait....), or Xavier for that matter so then I sighed relief when I recieved the Flagship letter A!!!!!!!!!!

Here goes....

1. alive, being it is pretty nice ;)
2. attraction to Michael
3. affability (am I making up words)
4. aspirations
5. areolas, mine, glad to have them back after nursing
6. awesomeness (who doesn't?)
7. A1 sauce
8. amazon.com
9. Athena
10. Another perfect daughter :)

If you want to play let me know and I will assign you a letter too!!!!!!!

Merry SITSmas

That's right, the reason for the season...of blogging and commenting that is. These girls out at Secret is in the Sauce are doing it again! They are having a give away every. freakin'. hour. today. I have carpal tunnel just from going onto their site so much today (shhhhh, don't tell the bacon maker that I have done nothing else today).

They have awesome and cool sponsors that are helping a sitsta out ;)

Thanksgiven

It is over. My feelings are bittersweet about it having come and gone. We didn't travel anywhere and we didn't have anyone come over. It was just us four, the BAMS. A newly crowned 3 year old and a 10 month old. It was Saylor's first thanksgiving because last thanksgiving she was cooking...in here......

Best crock pot known to man.....takes a little long, but it cooks perfectly :)

We started out trying to keep it very simple and non-traditional and on the 27th, but it ended up being celebrated on friday and had your typical thanksgiving fare. Except we didn't have pumpkin or pecan pie, I had made a blazing cheesecake for us. A pumpkin cheesecake that was to die for. Yep, homemade graham cracker crust.

Saylor ate like she has eaten like this all of her little life. She has always seemed to hate purees, compotes and baby food and only wanted the turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans and bread. Someone please CC her on the memo letting her know she is a teensy weensy baby and can choke on all of this if she jams it all in her mouth at one time.

Anyhow, it was wonderful to have our little family o' four at the table. It didn't go at all how we had planned and there was no decorations like planned, or saying a prayer as planned or even the seating arrangement as planned, but it was a great dinner nonetheless. When I see Michael on one side of the table tending to Saylor (and letting his food get cold), and I am at the other negotiating with my 3 year old to finish her food, it just feels right, and I well up thinking about all of the wonderful memories yet to come.

Thanks given indeed.

My 100th post

So much anxiety has built up on my hundredth post that I think this might just be it. Writing about my feelings about my 100th post. Sorry if you were hoping for a meme, or a giveaway (we already have one of those), or something to that extent.

All over the blogosphere 100th posts are celebrated, revered, marked as special. All I can say about it is that I can't believe that I have written 100 entries about......? BUT I do plan on writing about......? a lot more.

Thanks for reading, I love sharing. I love your comments and the way that all of you share too. I do hope however that someone (not me or anyone I know) will invent a way to print out blogs or be able to make them into hard copies or something so that when I am old(er) and gray(er) I can keep it. My old arse gets anxious thinking that one day (since everyone is blogging) that the computers will come crashing and my online journal so to speak will go down with it. I guess anxiety is the word of the day...the day of my 100th post ;)

Whew. Glad that's over.

MaMi Skincare GIVEAWAY!!!!!!!!!

First off I would like to say that this is my blog and I use it for what I want and how I want to :)

One of my very good friends, Lee, is launching her new website and business TODAY!!!! When I first heard that she and her husband were going to attempt to go into the skincare business I was excited . I knew how smart, savvy, and selective they were. I listened with open ears. After 1.5 years of research, product testing, website development, focus groups, etc. etc. etc........

MaMi Skincare is open for business! I have used the products and LOVE them and that is all I will use now. I absolutely love the way they make my skin look and feel, who the company represents, and how they operate. I am ecstatic about this and hope you visit their website and take a look for yourself.

In her own words......

With me being a new mom, we developed our business around mom’s unique skin care needs. Thanks to all my mom friends who contributed their thoughts and opinions via the surveys and focus groups - your feedback helped shape our core values.

~We wanted to use natural ingredients that are effective for achieving healthy, youthful looking skin without any harmful additives.
~We wanted concentrated, active ingredients without fillers
~We wanted a simple line with easy application to respect mom’s lack of time and sometimes even lack of hands
~We wanted an environmentally-conscious company that used containers that are recyclable

Our companies’ philosophy is firmly grounded in a belief that purity is essential to our skin’s health. Just as clean air, water and natural nutrition optimize the health of your whole body, your skin thrives on pure natural elements to nourish it inside and out. With this in mind, we created a completely safe and natural line of products that are paraben-free and toxin-free. We did extensive ingredient research and eliminated any ingredients that had potential negative side effects. To make sure our products were both safe AND effective, we partnered with the skin care company my Dad helps to operate, that produces skin care for dermatolists, spas, and beauty experts.

To Mark The Occasion.....

If you go to MaMi Skincare, you can get a 20% discount off our regular pricing when you purchase before December 31 2008. Just enter “Mamilaunch” as the special offer/discount coupon code.

*****Most importantly*****What is a Blog Post without a giveaway????????? That is right, I am giving away a Cleanser and Moisturizer Set to the lucky winner. The only rules to the giveaway is to

1. comment on here for 1 entry,

2.go to the website, browse around and choose your favorite product...come back here and tell us about it, 2 entries.

3. a link back to here on your blog gets you 3 entries, and

4. if you visit MaMi Skincare and buy something I will give you 5 entries.

I will do the random drawing on Dec 15th (just in time for the holidays). I can have these AWESOME products delivered to you or you can have them sent to someone as a gift!!!!!!

Good Luck!

Thousand Word Thursday

Game- Leave Captions/Thoughts on what you think people in picture are saying/thinking.

I love thursdays!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hoopla Over Motrin Ad?

">

As a baby wearer and a complete and utter advocate, I find it to be.......tell you later.

I want to hear your thoughts.....

Shhhh, It's Date Night

When I drive with both girls we usually take turns with choosing songs on the radio. One for Athena and one for Momma. Well, "wheels on the bus goes round and round" was coming to end and I knew it would be my turn next (so sad no?)

I was mindfully listening to NPR on my way around town and caught an invitation to all to an event at our city's urban park in downtown. I was way intrigued, especially when the smooth talking radio host said it was a FrREEEeeeEEeEEeEeeEEE event. You know these are my favorite events of all ;) I called our trusty little babysitter and set it up. Friday night date was well on it's way. What was I all jazzed about you ask??????? Well...let me show you....

">

Yes, the 1925 silent movie, Phantom of the Opera was playing on a beautifully landscaped lawn, while the Houston Symphony played the original musical score. It was a chilly (cover your eyes Canadian and Midwestern friends) 72 degrees and we laid out on perfect grass on a cozy blanket. It was really really cool! You'd be surprised how into the movie we really got. I think the live music and the fact that you really had to pay attention to the expressions and gestures of the actors made it more compelling.

Michael and I had a really nice night and topped it off with Moons over my Hammy at Denny's. I only really remember (vaguely) what Denny's pancakes taste like at 4am. Ahhhh, married bliss ;)

Let me set it up....

Now that Athena is 3 I was remebering all of the stuff she used to do when she was little...you know, 2.5.

This is a repost from June. I got a laugh then and I got a laugh now. A re-laugh if you will.


So, we are grocery shopping. Saylor is in the sling, the Blaze is in the bucket in the cart...strapped in of course. We are singing songs, talking about stuff on the shelf, reciting the name of kids in her class, remembering the animals in the zoo, etc. You know, the things that you do at the grocery store (rolling eyes). We enter the bean aisle, looking for frijoles negros (in a can of course, no one is going to sit there and soak the little effers). I have a lady on my left that goes to get a can of beans, but, the can manages to slip out of her hands and fall on the floor, when she proceeds to say "Ohh, Shit!". (even though Michael and I curse A LOT, we hardly, if at all, curse in front of them). I pay no attention to her. Well I pay no attention to her, but, Ears Malone says "Oh Shit! People Lady, Frijoles on the floor". I didn't know what to do. I was laughing hysterically in my head, but I didn't want to reinforce any unwanted behavior, so I "poker faced" it and continued on as if nothing. Well, needless to say Sweet Athena "Oh Shit" everytime we did something by accident. Bumped the cart, picked up the wrong box of cereal, Saylor drooling, dropped a wipee. I couldn't ignore it anymore. I had to tell her that when we make a mistake what we say is "ooopsie" and I made this super goofball face to accompany it. Athena tried it and it seemed to be sticking. We even made a couple of mock mistakes and "ooopsie" was said. Great! crisis diverted I thought. Whew.

Fast Forward - We get to the cashier and I gave the cashier the wrong credit card and I said..oh wait, sorry. and Athena says "Oh shit momma, Oopsie".

The Family That Exercises Together Stays Together :)

And this is why we don't pick up our phones....

Thousand Word Thursday

Every thursday I will post a picture up on my blah blah blahg and let you all comment on what you think the subjects are saying/thinking. I cannot promise that this will be the only entry for the day, but, it will be the minimum. If I forget, someone remind me, stat.

For those of you who asked if they could pirate this idea...I say Go Right Ahead....royalties (everytime someone comments) can be paid through my pay pal account :)

A blink, a flash, a nanosecond

How does this......

............turn into this?

See this face? This is the face of my new THREE year old. Even though she doesn't officially turn three until 8:10pm...we'll go ahead and celebrate early :)

Happy Birthday Boober, Scoopy, Bo! Happiest 3rd birthday.

We are so proud to be your parents!

Excitement, optimism, hope, elation, warmth, emotion, motivation, urge, and pride is what I woke up to this morning. Watched Obama's victory speech with my new 3 year old on my lap on her birthday.

Love,

Bar-b

Get This...

I wake up this morning and go to my inbox and I see One. Hundred. and TwentySeven emails. I was like "wuh"? I had to look again and then I thought....ugh, I hate "reply to all" replies. Here I'll have to go sifting through "yeah" and "sure I'll be there", or "Johnny has the flu, won't be able to make the zoo". I soon realized that it was not that at all...but comments on the ol' blog.

Could this be true, could I be the featured blogger for Nov 4th...Election Day no less? Yes....I WAS!!! How freakin' fun. I have to let you in on a little secret though. My children (y' know, the two that I heart) yeah (in office space boss voice), neglected. Completely. I have gotten carpal tunnel just reading all of the great blog comment love. Refresh, refresh, refresh. Oh how fun!

I am so sorry I didn't get a chance to clean up, get coffee brewing or go to the grocery store and get snacks for y'all. Feel free to mosey about and peruse the only creative outlet I have, besides raising two exceptional rays of sunshine.

Hope you enjoyed a sliver of our little life. I love SITS and enjoy reading other's blogs very very much.

*See* y'all around :)

5 minutes of my Day

Let me set you up...

Saylor is in her Pack and Play.....packing and playing. At times she sounds like she smoked a pack of cigarettes, rest assured it was not a whole pack. You are so much more lenient with the second one.

At some other points you'll need to take dose of dramamine because of the camera woman...sorry. Oh and I apologize ahead of time for sounding ridiculous but well, I am having a conversation with a 9 month old....how else would you have envisioned it?


All caveats aside, enjoy ;)

Danica Patrick and The Peacock

Here they are...I know they are unrecognizable and all but here are the girls in their costume. We had a great time last night. We went to (as Aubrey from the fab five says) a "destination neighborhood". You know the one......the one with chocolate bars.....brand names, no trans fat and no melamine in their coins :)

We all got into it but Athena was by far the most excited. She had her lines down pat.

Mom (moi) and Athena practiced in the car on the way to the "destination neighborhood"..........

What will everyone be wearing tonight? "costumes"
What else will you see? "pumpkins, skeletons and brujas (witches in spanish)"
Are you scared Athena? "no"

Why? "because it is pretend".

What do you when you get to someone's house? "trick or treat...and then they give you candy and then you say thank you, bye bye"

Daddy was throwing curve balls and trick questions like "if they let you grab from the bowl how many do you get" and aba would say "only one piece of candy at a time". The hypotheticals continued...."if they ask you what you are you say...." and aba answered "a race car driver".

The End...take a bow Saylor er I mean Peacock ;)

Whine and Cheese

Welcome to Bitchfest 2008. As most of you know I am a very positive person (sarcastic and snarky yes, but super optimistic and positive nonetheless) and I don't usually whine and groan about much. So, I felt it was time to get stuff off of my chest once and for all. These ten things run the gamut and are random.

• Houses with Christmas decorations already...no, don't adjust your screen....you heard right, houses with Christmas decorations already.
• Why does my book club have to choose brand new books to read that only come in hardback and a $25-$30 price tag? Not going to it this month out of principle.
• Athena's pre-school watching the clock for pick up. Your going to charge me after school program rate ($10). Really? for 3 minutes? hmph.
• Having to be 3 years old by Sept. 1st to be considered for a program that my brainiac would totally excel in. Sooooooo, kindergarten at 6 years old? Had I known I would have.....oh wait, right she was a surprise.
• Having to input an email address for everything you do, or having to become a member of something just to view pictures or respond.
• Those life like dolls they sell that look so real and they market them and say things like.....anatomincally correct???????? Can someone please tell me what these are used for. Actually, don't.
• Those people on craigslist? The ones that don't know what SERIOUS INQUIRIES ONLY means.
• When people make crafts, signs or cakes and have bad handwriting or things end up crooked.
• I cannot wait for Nov 4th to come and go already. All of these advertisements and freakin' emails have me batty.
• Why deos Saylor have to play with cords, sockets, wires, the CPU and our flatscreen tv. Why not the einstein crap or the fisher price nonsense? Riiiight, b/c she is 9 months old.
  
  Ahhhhh, that felt better, it truly did. So glad I did that.
  
  Oh and Happy Halloween!!!!! be back tomorrow with pictures of expensive costumes that the girls used for a total of 43 minutes tonight.
  
  oops, I let that last one slip out.

Thousand Word Thursday

The Game- Caption the picture with the thoughts or possible conversations within it. Have fun because I know I always do :)))) And yes, I promise to post more often. Sorry, been a bit (more) braindead lately.

Mommy Dating

So I am out there once again.

Yes, I have begun mommy dating. On the prowl. Looking for Mommy Friends. I think it is time, I have been here for 6 months now and I think I need to get over my last Mommies (sadly enough). Any mommy friends at this point would NOT be considered on the rebound. I feel whole, I feel healthy, I am ready to commit to another Mommy or Mommies (nope, I do not live in utah).

I went on a mommy date this morning and it went well (crossing fingers). First date jitters and all and questions abound... "will she like me", "will I like her", "will I like her kid", "will my kid like her kid", "will her kid like my kid", "will my kid bite her kid", "will she be a 'talker' or a 'listener'", "will she get my humor", "will she even have humor". Many questions.

If I like her, how quickly after our playdate do I text/call her? If I don't like her how do I leave the bookstore politely? The kid! yes, we can always blame the baby. "She is so fussy I should go", or "I have to go and buy formula at the store" or "my other daughter's school just called, I have to go". This mommy dating is hard stuff. You don't want to be "that" mom but also don't want to be with "that" mom.

At the end of our date we kind of danced around the whole "so can I have your phone number?" exchange and setting up a future play date. Thoughts go through your head...Do I introduce her to my other daughter? She only has one kid so it is different as I come with "extra baggage". Do I really want to befriend a one kid momma? And the big question "could this mommy friend turn into couple friends? "Will Michael like Mr. Mommy Friend?" and the possible ways that that could go. Oh I know I am rushing into things already. I get so ahead of myself. Sigh.

Anyhow, I think it went well. There were smiles, laughing, lots of head nodding, and baby flirting going on. I think I should get an email or call soon. Right?

Thousand Word Thursday

You know what to do :) Happy Thursday Folks :)))

PDA

Nope, not that kind.

Nope, not the computer kind either.

I am talking about the old school, personal desktop assistant. I have one now courtesy of Michael's job (a little white collar crime never hurt anyone). I am so happy with it. I was actually really stoked to put it up. Michael asked me to please not put it up in the house. I guess I have to agree, it is really ugly, white and looks like the plain ones they give you at your office for your desk. I am so thrilled with it though.

I like to SEE what my day/week/month has lying in store for me. I have tried the leather bound calendars, the dollar store jobbies, the computer ones, microsoft outlook, all of them and I don't seem to get organized. I always seem to be missing some activity, event, birthday, deadline etc.

I actually dream of a big board with dry erase markers where I can put all of our names (think car dealership or nurses station) and what we got going on for the week. It is difficult to manage a household and the appts, birthdays, anniversaries, parties, playgroups etc. With this new calendar I can feel the organization and timeliness oozing out of me. Yay.

Now what was on my agenda for today? Oh yeah, "BLOGGING"- check

Thousand Word Thursday

Game- Every thursday I will post a picture and you can caption it. I always LMAO with y'all...I love thursdays!!!!!!! Have Fun!

*********Don't forget to follow this blog :)))))))****************

Just press on "follow this blog" on the left and you will be privy to when I write a new entry (I know you are all waiting on baited breath as it is). By signing up, you will get coupons in the mail and have the opportunity for early blogger shopping days. Free shipping and gift wrapping for followers too.

Don't wait, Join now.........

The Blogathon

When I started blogging a mere 4 months ago, there was nary a commenter on my blog. I just thought that the blog was supposed to be for family and friends to get a "birdeye" view of my little life. Boy, was I wrong. Apparently, blogs are everybody's business and everybody wants it that way :) I got on to The Secret is in the Sauce and voila I had the vessel in which to visit others blogs (people who wanted perfect strangers to laugh, cry, chuckle, grimace along with them) and vice versa. This site is a group of bloggers who show comment love. The idea brilliant, the membership growing, and the blogs delightful. I have found many of my morning reads here and have visited blogs on days when I was just destined to see what this person wrote about or a comment that someone left.

As part of the blogathon, we are supposed to link 5 bloggers to this post. I have many many blogs that I enjoy immensely. I could only pick 5.

In no particular order.....1, .....love maegan, this is a girl who lives far away from me geographically and her daily life couldn't be more different. She lives in LA and comments on fashion and her dogs and her life working at an art gallery. She rocks. Met her through SITS or an indirect meeting.

2.Happy Meals and Happy Hour, comical, quick witted and on the proverbial ball. Anyone who references the movie "The Jerk" can be my friend. I truly enjoy her posts and she doesn't even know me. Incredible this blogosphere.

3.Kathmandu Mom, no really, she lives there. The stories of her urban life left for this colorful, foreign, beautiful, sad town is awesome. I enjoy her pictures and the comparisons she makes between life in the states and in Kathmandu. Too cool. Would never had found her had it not been for SITS.

4.SuperMommy, just met her and I already know I am going to love her. Has three boys and has a great blog with bad assed graphics! Yep, met her through SITS.

5. And lastly, gourmet mom, fun ideas and family friendly recipes and crafts. I have yet to do one of them, but I still like to read them ;)

I love checking in on the SITS girls and seeing what they have cooked up for the day. I also love to look at the links they have on their blogroll. Overall, it has been a wonderful experience thusfar. Continued success SITS!!!!!!!!!!.

Sister Sister

Athena wakes up and the first thing she says is "Saylors are?" as if Saylor were plural. She wants to go and wake her up (of course we don't allow this) if she isn't awake and go and play with her. She wants to say hello through the bars of her crib and then quickly Athena says "Momma, I want to go in Saylor's bed". There I go lifting Athena into Saylor's "crib". They have a grand ol' time in there. It is really incredible how ABA knows to be gentle with her.

They chase each other around and ABA stuffs toys in her face and wants to ride her like a horse (of course we don't allow this). They are together all day long. Saylor follows ABA all over the house. They go from her room to the living room to the kitchen to the bathroom to the room and start the circuit all over again. ABA knows she must keep the lids on her markers and keep her grapes very far away from "saylor girl". When Saylor pulls herself up in front of our televison, ABA says, "Saylor, No you are too close". If Saylor wants to try something she is eating she says "No Saylor girl, this is too too big. You eat milk and puffs".

Overall they are awesome together and get along smashingly. Michael and I are so proud and love struck. It reminds me of the way I feel about my own little sister. I hope they are as close as we are throughout their lives.

Athena is a stellar big sister and Saylor saves her sweetest smiles just for her.

PS......Next 28 day cycle I will back with more mushy and sappy posts :)


Love,
Bar-b

Thousand Word Thursday

Game. Every thursday I will post a picture and you can add what thoughts or comments you think the character(s) is(are) saying

Please Watch and VOTE!!!!!!

CHALLENGE- Post this video on your blog, link people back to mine or send it to your friends via email.....NOW!!!!!!!!!

Oh and don't worry babe, we know you're Canadian and can't :(

Barbie

Halloween this year?????

Build it and they will come......

Just a quick message to let you all know that I have installed the "followers" section so that you can keep current on the BAMS (even though M stories seem to be scarce....I'll have to fix that) and the such.

Just press on "follow this blog" on the left and you will be privy to when I write a new entry (I know you are all waiting on baited breath as it is). By signing up, you will get coupons in the mail and have the opportunity for early blogger shopping days. Free shipping and gift wrapping for followers too.

Don't wait, Join now.........