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 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 said 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 shit in the car on the way home. It dawned to me to stop at the store to pick up 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........

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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?

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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....

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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 :)