I Don't Think This Was OK

I was approached the other day by someone who asked if the cute blonde was my daughter. He also wanted to know if I'd like to get her into modeling and he'd be happy to shoot photos for me. Um, no thanks dude. I don't know you. Oh wait, did I mention this encounter was at Chucky Cheese? This is creepy right?

You've been chosen to take a survey

It seems like everyone these days wants you to take a survey about their store or product. Sorry, but I'm not going to call you Taco Bell and tell you that my taco didn't have enough cheese but the cashier was friendly. I just don't care. Yes, I know, I might win $1,000 if I call in. But who are we kidding...I'm not going to win. Therefore, I'm not going to call.

HOWEVER

Gotta love Chick-Fil-A. All January, they were giving away free breakfast items. One day was free chicken and biscuit day. All over that!! Not only did I get a free sandwich, but I was chosen for a survey. Almost threw away my receipt for $0 until I read "ENJOY A FREE CHICK-FIL-A SANDWICH ON US!" Finally, a survey worth taking...and I did. Thank you Chick-Fil-A for realizing that people like free stuff and will do most anything for it.

Honorable mention goes to the GAP for offering 20% off my next purchase. That's tempting. Haven't called yet, but I just might.

Things I can SERIOUSLY do without

Title explains it all, so here we go:

1. Blowing my nose
2. Potato, chicken, or egg salad
3. Hippies (except my friend stacie)
4. Law and Order
5. The smell of clothes accidentally left in the washing machine in the summer
6. Food that used to live in the water
7. Cats
8. Guys that grunt so loud in the gym everyone turns to look and I have to fight hard not to laugh
9. Those people with booths at the mall that insist you try their samples and claim they'll give you a special deal. Oak Park Mall isn't an Jamaican bazaar
10. Family Guy and Family Guy fans
11. Wasps
12. Country music
13. When people don't flush in public restrooms
14. Joy Behar
15. When I pick up dumbbells (at the gym) off the rack & the metal is still warm from someone else using them.
16. Waiting in the line at the store watching the other lines advance while I stand there
17. Monday mornings
18. Flat pillows
19. WWE Smackdown
20. The greeter at Wal Mart. I'm already annoyed that I'm at Wal-Mart...Pleeease leave me alone.

One of many ways Americans are different than the Brits

I was watching Cash In The Attic on BBC today (Google it) and the host got ridiculously excited about a wooden box with some metal work on it. It wasn't even that old. Thinking back (I've watched this show more times than I'd like to admit)wooden boxes have been a popular item in other episodes. I can't for the life of me understand the fascination with these things. And don't get me started on their love of boxes made out of silver or tortoise shell. They go craaazy for those, especially if they are miniatures. If that wasn't bad enough, I started thinking about all the figurines that have been on the show...birds, dogs, clowns, rabbits, ladies in party dresses, I could go on but you get the idea. The Brits love figurines! I don't really even know where I'm going with this. Just wanted to share my observations. In summary, the Brits love tiny things, wooden boxes, and replicas of living things.

I'm being serious today

Sometimes a good friend or two can make all the difference in the world. If you don't have one, get one.

It's That Time Again

I haven't done a "random thoughts" blog in a while, so I'll crank one out. I haven't given any thought to this, I'm just gonna start typing and go with it.

1. If you don't like something change it. It's really that simple. It might be hard to do, but yet so simple.

2. Why do diapers cost so much? You can get a cell phone free with a mail in rebate, but 60 diapers cost $15 bucks?? Really?

3. Miley Cyrus has a horrible song on the radio

4. Johnny Dare, is he really blue collar/one of the guys, or just a poser taking home a paycheck.

5. David Beckham, wasn't he supposed to be the soccer savior...that really happened!

6. The older I get, the older I get.

7. Did Fear Factor get canceled due to ratings, or did they exhaust the list of disgusting things to eat on TV

8. I think I should be more vulnerable and don't pretend like I'm always fabulous. Hmmm, I'm going to think about this one some more.

9. I wish fruit lasted more than 3 or 4 days. Sometimes I'm just not in the mood for a peach, but when I am I don't prefer mold on it.

10. Although it's really pretty cool to have, money will never MAKE you happy.

11. Babies are so overrated. Kids don't really get fun until they are about 2.

12. Chocolate cake w chocolate icing is the greatest food invented. If you ever need an eating buddy, I'm your girl!!

5K

Just ran a 5K with Audrey Miller...my first one. Finished in the top 30%. I'm awesome

Things could be worse

Perspective is an interesting thing. A situation can look completely different if perspective changes. For example:

I was running late today...that sucks

As I was about to run out the door I noticed my rott, Macy pooped on the floor ...now running late wasn't so bad.

My son stepped in it smearing Macy's warm poo all over the floor and his shoe. Now the initial poop on the floor wasn't so bad, and running late certainly wasn't a big deal.

What sucks for you right now? Think about how things could be worse and be glad they aren't. A new perspective may be all you need to change your outlook and put a smile on your face!

Random Thought Night

I don't really have much to say, so I thought now would be a good time for another random thought blog. Here goes:

1. I hate label/store name droppers. For example...My new seven jeans are in the wash, or, I left my Mac makeup in the car. I don't care if it's Walmart or Tiffany's. Why do I care who made your stuff??

2. I don't get drinking soda. It's nasty for your body and it makes you belch.

3. I think it's nice to hold the door open for people at the store, even if they are a few steps behind and ESPECIALLY if they have kids.

4. Just saw The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It made me think, a lot.

5. I haven't told enough people that Family Guy is the worst show ever. Solidified by the fact that I saw a guy wearing a Stewie hoodie the other day. I tried to accidentally spill something on it, but it didn't work out.

6. I really like faux croc purses

7. I realized today that my daughter is now old enough to get her feelings hurt. Unfortunately, I can't always be there to protect her.

8. Life is too short to be unhappy. If you aren't, do something about it, now!

9. Don't ever think you are better than someone else. You're just different. We are all great in some ways and suck in others.

10. In sports news: I'm really hoping the STL Cardinals pull off anther World Series win this year and I hope Anderson Silva and GSP fight

OK, 10 seems like a good place to stop. I have plenty more, but I'll save 'em for another time.

Funny Bumper Stickers

I saw this picture on a friend of a friend's facebook album. I thought it was funny and it reminded me of two other bumper stickers I've seen:



Avoid circumcision, bring the WHOLE baby home
&
Jesus was breastfed

To me bumper stickers are similar to tattoos. I'm cool with both, but don't really have anything so important to me that I want it permanently attached (to me or my car). However, I do enjoy a good one. If they ever make a "Family Guy is and probably always will be the worst show ever" bumper sticker, I may reconsider

An insult to TV watchers everywhere

Am I one of the few sane people left in Kansas? Family Guy is one of the worst shows ever, yet I continue to hear people say how funny they think it is. I won't even waste my time detailing why it's so stupid. Please tell me you agree! (and please don't compare it to South Park or I will block you from reading any future blogs)

A must see

For all of you who haven't seen me in my helmet, I though you might enjoy (and by enjoy I mean laugh). I like to pretend I'm pretty hard core, but we all know how ridiculous that is!

What fills you?

Before going back to work, I was drained. Staying at home for the last 4 years was starting to wear me down. Great kids, but each day was just more of the same with little mental stimulation. I knew I needed something else, and going back to work seems to be it. Part time gives me the best of both worlds and the variety from day to day works for us.


Orin and I talk about what drains us and what fill us. Life is too short to be draining constantly. Fill your life with things that make you happy, confident, and fulfilled. It makes the tough stuff easier to face.

3 Tips on being a good mom

Although my kids are still young, I wouldn't consider myself a "new mom" anymore. I certainly don't consider myself an expert in parenting, nor do I have everything figured out. But, having gone through my experiences, and talking with other moms I know this:

1. You can't be the best mom you can be unless you're good to yourself. Don't fall into the trap of feeling you always have to do for others and put yourself last. Take care of yourself, feel good about yourself, and have some fun. You will be a much better mom, I guarantee. There is nothing worse than a frazzled unfulfilled mom. Don't you think your kids deserve to see their mom happy!

2. Your kids don't care if the house is dirt free and all the toys are neatly in the toy box. If you are one that is constantly cleaning evaluate how much time is spent on this and the reasons why (although I'm not advocating you live in filth!). Is it stressing you out or are you burning yourself out? Take a little time to forget the mess and go outside and play, or go somewhere fun. The house will always be there, but your precious 2 year old will be grown up before you know it. Give them fun memories that will stay with them.

3. You can never have it all and don't kill yourself trying. I don't know anyone who has perfect kids, a perfect house, lots of patience, a perfect body, the perfect job, and a perfect marriage. Don't beat yourself up over these things. Everyone I've met who seemed to have it all together slowly became a "real person" as I got to know them. Some of us hide our imperfections and shortcomings very well. Or, maybe our issues aren't visible at all. Maybe you are a spendaholic, a TVaholic, a closet eater. If you have a problem, work on it. But, don't compare yourself to others unless you are using them as a model of where you want to be.

Being a mom is tough whether you stay at home, or work outside the home. I don't think we'll ever feel 100% adequate. However, if we feel we are doing our best, that's all anyone can ask for!

Hi Ho Hi Ho, it's off to work I go...

It's been about 4 1/2 years since I "retired." I had worked almost 5 years for XenoTech in Lenexa and quit my job to focus on other ventures. Fast forward to today, and I have two kids that are wonderful, but deserve more than I can give them at home. Brooklyn needs preschool! I always wanted to be a stay at home mom, but realized this past year, that I'm not quite cutting it.

Here's some examples. For starters, I hate how the constant demandingness (spell check is contending that's not a word, but I'm leaving it in) of the kids is wearing me down leaving me with little patience most of the time. Not their fault, mine. Secondly, I can't tell you how many times a day Brooklyn asks to watch TV. OK, she's bored, I get it. Lastly, my email checking is out of control...wondering every 30 minutes or so if there is an adult out there that has something to say to me. I think we all get the picture here.

So, on the Aug 25th, I will go back to XenoTech on MWF's servings as an executive administrator to the CEO, CFO, and COO. I will be working with a great group of people and am quite looking forward to it. I'm sure there will be days I'll wonder why I ever decided to subject myself to the early mornings and daycare routines, but I really feel I'm doing the best thing for our whole family. Besides, I'm using it as an excuse to buy some new clothes! I doubt swishy pants and running shorts will be acceptable in the office.

Another chapter ends

For us, moving to our new house was the end of one chapter in our lives, and the start of a new one. This was planned and we felt good about it. Unfortunately, we had something sprung on us recently. The death of our 96 Jeep Cherokee that we purchased in 1998. Despite cosmetic issues and pending transmission work, we planned to keep it several more years. However, long story short, it took a turn for the worse a few weeks ago and we had to sell it...for scrap. Life sure throws out curve balls sometimes. I agree this wasn't horrible, like a sickness in the family or loss of a job, but it was money we hadn't planned on spending. The end of the story is that we now have a new Toyota Yaris which "sips" gas (this term is laughable to me because it's 2008 and cars get the same mpg as they did in the 1980's) and should be a reliable car for years to come. Only problem, it's a stick, and I don't know how to drive one. Haven't been very successful the few times I've tried years back. I'm sure that will be a blog sometime in the future! Until then, I'll let Orin enjoy his new car!

The First Day

Let me put out a disclaimer that this won't be the least bit interesting unless you:
1. Are a mom
2. Are a dad and have a child between the age of 1 1/2 and 3
3. Are related to Brooklyn

After coming to the conclusion that Brooklyn will not be in diapers forever and I'll just wait for her to decide when it's time to be potty trained, she had a dry pull-up for half a day. So, we took a trip to Target and she picked out Dora underwear. She wore them all day long today with no accidents.

This all came out of no where. Just a few days ago, she was just fine sitting in a pee filled diaper watching Dora on TV. Now she has Dora on her hinney. My how far we've come this week. Hopefully it's not a fluke!

Hellpful Hint

I came up with this one all by myself!!

If you are out in public and think you have something stuck in your teeth, but don't have a mirror I have a solution for you. Take out your camera phone then snap a pic of your teeth... assess the damage.

Pillow Tent

This is the newest Daddy/Brooklyn creation. Thought I'd share

The First One

With the exception of a few myspace blogs here and there, this is my first real blog. Honestly, as a stay at home mom I sometimes wonder if I have anything interesting to say that doesn't revolve around poop or household cleaners. Until I think of something worth sharing, I'll just jot down some stuff that I'm thinking about lately.

1. I wasn't able to vote in the presidential caucus, and I wish I could have. I bugs me when people say their vote doesn't count. It's so small minded to think this, much less say it. Enough said.

2. I am anxious for the writers strike to be over. I miss new episodes of The Office every Thursday.

3. You should do something nice for someone every week.

4. Having kids is awesome, but is so much work. Why didn't anyone explain this to me in a way I could understand. I've watched my mom's roots get more and more gray throughout the years, but I never put two and two together, haha.

5. I hate that when I eat something sweet, I crave sweets the next day.

6. I am determined to get vegetables into my kids even if they don't like them. If you need any tips, let me know, I have a few.

7. Have you every wanted to buy something really bad, but it was just slightly out of your reach/budget. It's a frustrating experience. I'm usually a pretty content person and try not to complain, but I've had a tough time lately with this one. In the large scheme of things we're so blessed to have a house 2 cars, 2 TV's 2 refrigerators... It's so easy to want more. It's a mature person that can be truly content with what they have even as they are in long term pursuit of more, or a "better life." Make sense?

8. Have you ever seen Making the Band on MTV? I think he's "made" 3 bands now, but still the show continues. I think a proper title would be "Making Diddy Money" or "Making a TV Show."

I think that's plenty of my insights for one evening.