All the Small Things

It's the holiday season  Christmas time and it seems that most of the world starts to love each other a little more. Sure, there's the crazy stories of people crushing other people in efforts to get the perfect Black Friday sale item, but the stories that come more frequently (and the ones on which I choose to focus), are the stories of goodwill toward men.  

Last week one of the locals here went on his second annual quest to make December 1 "Pay it Forward" Day.  I love that he is trying to make life a little more loving and I definitely participated, but I think we should remember to pay it forward more often than just once a year.  Now, I know for some people, one day of paying it forward is a stretch and making it a specific day gets those people to think outside their comfort zone and do something a little different, but I imagine that all of you reading pay it forward a little more frequently than just once every 365 days.  So, what do you do? 

How do you decide when to do something? Do you pick one specific day a month or do you do it everyday? Or maybe you just do it when the time is right and it hits you that you should do something.  That's generally the way I do it, but I find that I go through spurts of giving, sometimes doing it a lot and sometimes forgetting for days at a time.  I also tend to neglect those times when I might give just a small bit of my time and not consider that as paying it forward.  But, you know what?  Just a simple smile to the mom whose demon spawn child is having a meltdown, might be the best thing you could ever give her that day.  

So today, almost a full week after "Pay It Forward" Day, I challenge you to do a little something for someone else for the next 7 days.  It could be as big as paying for the groceries for the person in front of you or it might be as small holding the door for open for the parent with the stroller.  And you should feel good about whatever you do, because I've been that parent before and I promise ~ holding the door open for me when I'm trying to finagle the stroller through it is one of the best presents you could give me.  

Will you take the Pay It Forward 7 Day Challenge? 

The Bathtub Diaries

So this is what it comes down to:  the only time I have to blog is when my child is in the bathtub.  Now, before you go and judge me as a terrible mother because instead of playing with my child, I’m instead blogging, let me make you aware of a few things. 

1.     1. Bath time is one of the very few times during the day when the Monkey has active, independent play.  I’ve try to encourage many small periods of independent play during the day, but she always wants a playmate (Partly because she’s an only child? It’s a theory I’ve considered, at least.).  When we realized over the summer that she plays happily and independently in the bathtub, we ran with it.

2.     2. I'm sitting on the bathroom floor watching her in the tub and I do talk with her.  I’m not that neglectful.

3.     3. Because of the Monkey’s skin condition, she must take a bath every single day (No matter what. Seriously.) and it has to be a MINIMUM of thirty minutes, but forty-five minutes to an hour is really better.  Okay, that’s a long time to be in the bath tub and it gets a little boring. 

Now that you know the full story, feel free to judge away.  (Keep in mind though, that means I can judge you next time…)

Back to my original point though, how is it that the only free time in my day is during bath time? I think it’s time to go back using the system I discovered in Managers of Their Homes by The Maxwells.  I encountered a small amount of criticism from other moms when I first started using it because you literally schedule everything during the course of your day (with the only exception being bathroom breaks).   Those who criticized felt that too much emphasis was placed on the timing of the day and that there was no spontaneity in it.  I found that it worked really well for me because there was a good amount of “found” time in my day this way.  When I originally used the program, I was able to schedule an hour long nap for MYSELF every day, have myself in bed by 10pm (which I love because I function better the next day), and even found time during the day to be a little crafty.  All of those little scheduling perks happened in addition to my regular duties that occur during my day as a domestic goddess and personal assistant to a two year old.


Regardless of where we "find" the time, I think it's important that everyone takes at least a little bit of time for him or herself each day.  Even if we find that time in the bathroom...

Dr. Drew, how I love thee.

Dr. Drew is on Conan tonight. Oh. My. Hotness.  The problem is Conan comes on at 11pm and in an effort to not be a lazy waste of space, I need to be in bed by 11pm.  Have no fear, technology saves me once again.  Do I have my DVR set so I can watch it tomorrow? Is Pink too school for cool?

Prince Charming was just making fun of me as I got hot and bothered thinking about Dr. Drew.  He said, "Oh yeah.  Isn't he your 'wanna be boyfriend'?"  I replied with nothing but the truth: "He IS my boyfriend.  He just doesn't know it."  He asked if he should be jealous, but I told him there's nothing to worry about because Dr. Drew and I don't get to see each other very often.  Don't you hate it when your boyfriend isn't as committed to the relationship as you are?  It's okay, Dr. Drew.  I love you no matter how committed to me you are.

And now I have a little something for you as I head off to bed.  How can you not have sweet dreams after looking at that?  Mmmm.

Lazy Days of Winter

Today I was less than productive.  You  might even say that I was a waste of space.  Or perhaps the best way to term it would be to say I was lazy.  Yup, I was All-around, Grade A, 100 proof, L-A-Z-Y.  Not something to be proud of, but necessary every once in awhile.

However ~ It is now 4:43pm and I am freaking out over my little non-expenditure of energy during the first part of the day.  I'm thinking about all of the things I needed to do when no one was home that still need to be done now that everyone's home.    At least a little bit of motivation has jumped into my pants to finish off the day.  And by the amount of things left to do, my day will be ending around 2 a.m, thus restarting the vicious cycle of not getting enough sleep, being lazy in the morning, and freaking out in the afternoon.

But...
- The child went to school with the required milk in her lunch, so I didn't receive a note from the school discussing my child's lack of dairy (...again).
- I completed Christmas shopping for all family members with the exception of The Monkey and Prince Charming. (Thank you, Cyber Monday!)
- The bed got made...eventually.
- School uniforms for The Monkey are clean for tomorrow and Prince Charming currently has at least one clean pair of underwear for work tomorrow.

Perhaps I wasn't a total waste of space after all.

2010 Christmas Card

Bright Merry Cheer Christmas 5x7 folded card

Get custom photo Christmas cards online at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Shutterfly's Super Holiday Cards

I love the holidays.  I decorate. I shop. I purchase baked goods at the grocery store then put them in my own containers to play it off like they're my own.

I especially love to send and receive Christmas cards.  Photo cards are my favorite to receive, so that's what I send. I first started making photo books on Shutterfly a few years ago.  When the thank you cards I created after Cate was born were such a big hit, Shutterfly was an easy choice to create this year's Christmas cards. 

I truly believe the hardest thing about using Shutterfly's card maker is choosing a design!  There are over 350 designs for Christmas and Holiday cards ALONE - I am having such a hard time deciding!!  Luckily uploading photos and inserting them into the cards is super easy!

I am LOVING that Shutterfly offers Erin Condren cards! Top Ten Moments is a serious contender for this year's card.  Its bright colors are fabulous and I love that I can personalize it with what we've done over the last year without all of the 'blah blah blah' of a Christmas letter. 

My other top choice is Partridge Pear Tree by Yours Truly.  It's simple, it's eye catching and I love it!  I really like the red background and the big bold writing.  I definitely think that sometimes simple is better.  

Are you a blogger? Want to receive 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly?  Rush over to http://bit.ly/sfly2010  to signup for the Shutterfly Holiday Card Collection promotion. I don't know how long it's going to last, so make sure you do it soon!

Disclosure Statement:

This post is part of a series sponsored by Shutterfly. Participating bloggers are reviewing the new Shutterfly cards and sharing their faves, and have been compensated with coupon codes for 50 free cards.

Top Two Tuesday : Fall!!!

Top 2 Favorite Things About Fall

1. THE WEATHER!!

Yes, I just wrote that in all caps because I yelled it.  I freaking LOVE the weather in the fall.  It's crisp, it's cool, it's jeans and hoodies.  There's not a single thing about fall weather that I don't like.  There's nothing to complain about there. 

2. The Smells & Sights

Pumpkin, Cinnamon, Apples, Cool Air, What doesn't smell good in the fall?  Seeing the beautiful leaves, the scarecrows.  Breathing in the crisp, cool air with a hint of cinnamon.  Fall is by far my favorite season and there's not a single thing I don't like about it!

What are your favorite things about fall?

Miscellany Monday: Labor Day Edition

Want to participate in Miscellany Monday?  Head to lowercase letters where you can grab the button, write random and link up! 

{1} sixteen
The number of hours I was in labor with Cate.  (I looked it up to make sure I wasn't exaggerating the length of time, but indeed, labor begins when you begin dilating, so I began labor at 10am and moved from the labor stage into the delivery stage at 2am, making it 16 hours.  Ugh.)

{2} 12:15
The time at which my water broke, about 2 seconds before the midwife broke it herself.  I'm guessing my placenta saw the oddly shaped pointy object coming towards it and decided to just go ahead and break on its own.

{3} one
The number of times I peed on myself before I was catheterized.  All I have to say is that I told the nurse I had to go to the bathroom; it's her fault she didn't let me go.

{3} two
The number of times I got an Epidural.  The first one didn't work.  They believed me when the nurse walked in and said, "Sweetie - you shouldn't be in THAT much pain when you've had an epidural!"  Yeah, thanks.  That's what I thought.

{4} three
The number of pushes the OB alloted me before I was to be rushed in for an emergency c-section.

{5} two
The number of pushes it took to get Cate out because I'm damned stubborn and wasn't going in for a c-section.

{6} zero
The number of times I pooped on the table while I was pushing.  THANK GOD.  This was something I was very concerned about, thank you Jenny McCarthy.

{6} unknown
The number of times the umbilical cord was wrapped around Cate's neck.  Ahhh... so that's why she didn't want to come out.

{7} kajillion
The number of stitches I received post-delivery.  All Brian could tell me afterward was that it was over two hours of stitching.

{8} infinite
The number of times I'd do it all over again to have my precious girl in my life.

Post-It Note Tuesday

Here we go... my second week linking up to Post-It Note Tuesday and subsequently the last week it will be hosted over at Supah Mommy's blog.  No, the two probably aren't linked, but hey, I like the word subsequently.    Anyway, PINT will continue, just not on Supah's blog.  Next week it will be somewhere else and you can count on me to tell you where it is!  Here's what I have to say today:

Post-It Note Tuesday

This is my first week linking up to Post-It Note Tuesday over at Supah Mommy.  What do you write?
As Supah says, 

Why bother spewing verbal vomit when you can sum it all up in one neat little post it note? 

They can be fun, lighthearted, notes to self, to do lists or just plain bitch notes left for others. Your choice. Get creative.
Want to get in on the action? Click on her button above!

Letters of Intent 8/13/10

Dear Child,
I know you are 150% convinced that you have a brother and sister, but you don't.  It's cute to hear you talk with them on a regular basis, but they can't save you from taking your nap as you have requested.  Also, please stop telling people that you have a brother and sister; they are getting confused.

Much love,
The mother of an only child

Dear Child Who Is Not Napping,
Go to sleep.  You are tired. You will be cranky for the rest of the day if you don't sleep now.
{Oh, and Mommy needs you to nap so she can blog...}

Love,
Mommy who thinks it cute to listen to you over the monitor but would really just prefer you sleep

Dear Drivers on Post Rd,
Once again I feel the need to inform you that the speed limit is 55mph.  If you can't read the speed limit signs, you shouldn't be driving in the first place.  The next time I'm stuck behind you and you are only driving 35mph, I will sic my cranky, hasn't had a nap two year old on you.  There.  You've been warned.

Signed,
Just trying to drive the speed limit

Letters of Intent

It's time for Friday's Letters of Intent.  Have an issue that needs to be addressed?  Head over to Julie's and write your own letter!

Dear Drivers on Post Rd.,
It's been awhile since I've made this public service announcement, so here you go.  The speed limit on Post Rd. is 55, people. Fifty-five! Not 50, not 45, and God knows, it's not 35.  It's not even 35 when the school lights are flashing!!  Do us all a favor and actually drive the posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour so I don't have to drive Big Blue into your trunk.  None of us really want to have to call the police because I deliberately drove into the back of your car, do we?

Dealing with my road rage {but not well},
Sam

Dear MonkeyPants,
I'm glad you're feeling better.  I'm sorry you had a crummy week of feeling yucky but I'm glad I got to get extra snuggle time because of it.  Snaps to you for lowering the number of terrific two's tantrums in the last few weeks, too.  (Yes, I noticed.)
xoxo,
Mommy

Dear Musical Musings,
You've been missed.  I'm glad you got some away time with The Boy, but it made for a weak week of reading.  Now, spill your guts in your quite hilarious way.  (And is it time for Facebook Funnies yet? Those things are awesome!)
Still waiting to hear if you got your chargers,
s

That's it for today's letters. A little sappier than I usually like, but apparently I'm feeling nice today. Have a GREAT Friday everyone!

New Header

Well, what do  you know?  As soon as I asked for help, I figured out how to do it myself!  Apparently I just needed to be humbled in to asking for help and my brain figured it out.  What do you think about the new header? I like it!  I also have a new header and design over at the family blog, so take a look!

In Search of Design Help

Okay friends.  After 2+ years of the "I can figure it out on my own" blogging attitude, I'm ready for help.  I have a vision in my head for my blog (both this one and the *ahem* much neglected Family Blog) and I don't know how to make it happen.  I actually think at this point it may be time to {heaven forbid} pay someone to do it for me.  Thoughts? Comments? Wise cracks? Suggestions?

Throw 'em at me!

Lost in Bloggy World

I follow a good number of blogs.  By follow, I mean I have them in my Google Reader and every once in awhile remember that I'm supposed to look at it.  Now that's not entirely true for all of them, because some blogs I remember to look at regularly, but I'm not going to lie and say that it's that way for all of them.  For example, I have 294 posts in my Reader to take a gander at.  Guess what?  Not gonna happen.  I'll skim, but that's about it.

As with everything in life, I go through ups and downs with my reading {and apparently, writing, ahem} blog posts.  Most blogs I read are crafty blogs and I'm in need of some serious craft-spiration right now, but it seems to be eluding me.

I'm having some difficulties in balancing the many things I'd like to do in my life.  Don't get me wrong ~ I'm not in that out of control, how can I deal with everything in my life spin, in which I sometimes find myself ~ but I haven't found the right combo yet.  It'll come in time.  Anyway.... one of those things is crafting!  I want to craft, but I haven't balanced it yet.  I also haven't figured out what I want to craft.  SOOOOOO many ideas and I just don't have that push to start any of them.  As Bravo says, "Watch What Happens!"

Hellooooooooooooooo!

Hello faithful followers!  As promised, I have returned!  Apparently my staycation lasted a little longer than one would have expected, but I'm here now, so never fear.

Spring Break totally rocked.  We had a blast hanging out with the A's and learned more than we ever needed to know.  (Um, hello??  Who knew Uncle Richard had a 12" Italian sausage?!?!)  We went to the Cook's Warehouse, where Cate was proud to announce "I went poopy!," as well as Total Wine, where I was proud to announce Justen was in the bathroom (not sure if he went poopy or not...).

We spent a day in Athens with the fabulous Kristi & her partner in crime Randi.

Randi provided those in my van with the "Politically Incorrect Tour of UGA" and she was HILARIOUS!  I may have gone to the University of Georgia for a year, but I have never laughed so hard at some of the Athens stuff she said.  Way to go, Randi!  {I'm also happy to announce to all of you in bloggy-land that Randi has NOT walked under the arches.  She just may graduate with her happy, musically-tinted, speech-pathology degree one day soon!}

What else did we do?  Well friends, we drank a lot of wine.  It's wasn't a bad thing.  It was a family thing.  The food was abundant, the wine poured freely and the conversation was fabulous.

We're planning a trip to NY in June to see the fam again.  Yup.  We like them that much.

Don't leave!

I know you're wondering where all of my sharp witticisms are this week, but you'll have to wait just a smidge longer, because I'm on STAYCATION!!

Brian's fantabulous Aunt Gayle, Uncle Richard and cousins Justen, Dana, Jesse & RJ are in town from New York this week and we're playing with them every day.  Today's actually the first day I've even turned the computer on for almost a week and that's because I had to do some work for my j-o-b.  I figured now would be a good time to jump on here and say "Don't leave me!"

Stay tuned, I'll be back!

True Friends

So, tonight's post was supposed to be entitled 'Facedumped' and was to chronicle the lessons I learned during my Lenten sacrifice of Facebook, however...

I have learned a very important lesson regarding friendship over the last few days that especially touched me tonight.  I decided to forgo the Facebook post until tomorrow and go with my friendship lesson tonight.  I hope it touches you in some way like it did me.

True friends...

...are there for you when you need them - whether you know it or not.
...know that sometimes you just need Mexican...even if it is just a reason to drink a pitcher {or two} of frozen margaritas.
...know how to listen, even when you can't talk.
...celebrate your badges - and have their own.
...send the text they know you need - even if you don't answer it.
...celebrate you for who you are right now, not who they want you to be.
...give you a bloggy award - because you're funny, but also just because.
...notice when you're missing.
...call when they get your cryptic email - even if they're busy.
...keep on you because they know you have 'star potential,' could be 'red hot,' or are a 'shining star' in the making - you just need to see it.
...smile with you when you're happy and cry with you when you're sad.
...understand that sometimes you have to 'buck up.'
...keep calling - even when you don't return their phone calls.
...understand that a relationship is reciprocal and cyclical.  It's not all about you and it's not all about them.
...are comfortable saying, 'I don't know what you're going through, but I'm here for you.  No matter what.'  Because that really does make a difference...
...totally understand that your kid just doesn't eat, or just has dry skin, or just doesn't sleep, or just can't run fast because that's the way they were made...and that's okay.

Thank you, true friends... for being there, for loving me, and for making me love myself.  I can't always be there for myself, so thank you for doing it for me.  I love each of you.

He's Baaaaaack

Dad's back in Georgia.  Currently at our house.

Well, shit.

Off the Island

I think I'm being voted off the island.  This makes me sad because I happen to like this island and its inhabitants, but I'm trying to remember that there are other islands in the world and I'll eventually get over it.

My request would have to be that we speed up the kicking off process if that's where we're heading because the stress of not knowing is kind of getting to me.

Just let me know island gods,
S

Letters of Intent

I found Friday Letters of Intent through He & Me Plus Three and wow - how therapeutic!  This just might become a regular Friday installment on my blog.  I feel a whole lot better now that I'm finished typing it all out.  As a matter of fact, I'm even smiling!  Read on, friends and have a great Friday!
~Sam

Dear Kohls Checkout Lady,

In case you didn't notice on your own, I would like to bring to your attention that you lost ALL of my business earlier today when you wouldn't work with me.  Therefore instead of simply loosing the $1 {yes, ONE FREAKING DOLLAR} that you were trying to get from me, you lost ALL of the money you would have received from my purchase.  Please note that I will shop at one of the other four Kohls in the area from now on and never return to your location to contribute to your store's revenue.  Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

Not So Sincerely,
The woman with the screaming two year old


Dear Screaming Two Year,

Do you think we could just skip the Terrible Two's?  I'd totally be okay with that.  In fact, Mommy is not above bribery to make this happen. Have your people talk to my people and maybe we can get this worked out.

All my love,
Mommy-About-To-Pull-Her-Hair-Out





Dear Friends Who-Are-About-to-Say-"Terrible Two's Are Nothing, Just Wait For...",

Don't even go there.  I will cut you.

Thanks for the thought though,
Sam

You Like Me!

I am proud to announce that I am a DOUBLE Facebook Funnies Award winner this month over at Musical Musings.  Su-weet!  I feel even more special since I was only on Facebook posting status updates for ONE WEEK during this month's contest because, well, Lent happened.  {Speaking of...Oh my goodness.  I'm not entirely sure Jesus could have given Facebook up for all 40 days of Lent.  He would have peeked every once in awhile, I know it.}

Kristen has some VERY funny friends.  I was laughing so hard when reading the winning statuses that I was literally crying.  I was going to write my favorite one right here, but I can't pick one; you really must check them out for yourself.  

As for me, well...You like me, you really like me!

Grrr.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!



That is all.

And the Winners Are...

GAH!  I didn't post the giveaway winners yet!  How could that have happened?  I ended up picking two winners, because, well, two people entered.  See, here at The Answers Are Simple, EVERYONE'S A WINNER...literally!

Many congratulations to

1. Kristen 

and 

2. Jen

for winning a set of chargers (and no Kristen, they are not San Diego Chargers, though they might be more fun to 'play' with if they were!).  Email me addresses ladies, and I'll get these puppies in the mail.  I'm actually hoping to see Jen turn them into something even cooler over at Tatertots & Jello {*hint, hint*} but either way, it was fun to give something away!

And now I'll like to give a shout out to the five new followers who've joined this week!  Big snaps for you! Thanks for following and enjoy the ride.

Now... back to work for me.  It is Sunday, which means I've snuck five or so minutes away from my paid job to jump on and make this announcement.  The Good Lord is cracking the whip now and telling me to get back to planning Youth Sunday.  I'm on it, Big Guy, I'm on it.

Peace out,
s

Oh no, she didn't!

Oh yes...  I did!

I took the plunge and am now an official Mary Kay Independent Business Consultant.

Yes, I know what you're thinking.
"Sam?  Mary Kay?  Really?  I'm not even sure she remembers to shower everyday, much less wear makeup!"

First of all, shame on you; I do shower everyday.  Sometimes I don't want to and I have to do it with an audience of one watching {if you don't have kid(s), you can't possibly understand!}, but I DO shower.  But I digress...

Second, and more importantly, I believe in Mary Kay AND the business model, so I decided to take the plunge!  Here are the top five reasons {in no particular order} I decided to become a consultant:

1. MK makes a product with which I can cleanse, exfoliate and freshen my face.  Did you read the part where I don't get to shower without my two year old watching me?  Combining three of the five facial care steps into one is impressive and really the only way I'm going to do any kind of facial care.

2. The opportunity to earn extra money - as little or as much as I want.  No pressure either way. Yes, really!

3. "Me" Perks.  The opportunity to earn rings, pins, earrings, bracelets...okay, jewelry!, purses, trips, home stuff, kids toys ~ sometimes MK chooses what I get and other times I get to choose and go 'shopping.'  There's even a company car that's available pretty early on!
What's the biggest "Me" Perk?  Other strong, confident, successful women looking at me and saying " Good Job! You Rock!"  I'm a pretty strong person, but I live for that kind of praise.

4. The opportunity to get my own products at a discount.  I'm going to buy them anyway, so why not buy them for less?!

5.  Me.  You heard me.  I'm doing it for me.
I already love the women in my unit/area because they get it.  They understand that as women and wives and moms and friends, we not only feel the need {and pull} to do, do, do for everyone else and many times either forget our forgo our needs and wants.  I'm so incredibly lucky that I have an amazing husband who loves me, looks out for me, keeps me sane, tells me not to worry about cleaning... makes sure that my happiness is at the top of his 'to do list.'  I totally understand that most women aren't that lucky and I thank God for Brian each and every day {usually multiple times!} Even so, I want to provide some of that happiness on my own and I want to make it for Brian.  Pretty neat idea, huh?  I'll let you know how it works out, but so far, so good!

That's a little about what's going on with me.  Now my question(s) for you! {Don't even fake like that.  You knew it was coming...}
Want some pampering {because contrary to what you might think, you DO deserve it and you CAN make time for it}?  Want to host a party {and earn free products?!}?  Want to just order some of the stuff you already know you love {Hello - Satin Hands? OMG!!}?  Send me an email or check out the website.  We can have some fun!

www.marykay.com/samz
SamZ@MaryKay.com

Hasta Manana,
s

Sweet!

I have a follower!
You totally rock, Kristen! 8th grade dance photos to come!

Blog Me A Giveaway

I love (or as Thrity Decor Chick would say, "I lurrrrve") when bloggers have giveaways.  One of my fave bloggers is Jen over at Tatertots & Jello (um, hello, have you heard a cuter name?  Okay, have you heard a cuter name TODAY?) has at least one new giveaway a week.  She's a crafting, blogging rock star.  My biggest complaint regarding her is that she never chooses me to be a winner.  She says she thinks she should choose randomly and make it all fair and crap like that.  She even uses random.org to make sure there's no bias.  Whatever.  Just pick me.

Seriously though, she does have some rockin' giveaways.  This week, for example, she's giving a $75 gift certificate to Crimson Clover on Etsy.  Check that out...I'm plugging Crimson Clover's stuff and I don't even know her!  {All kinds of good swag in her store though, so she deserves it!}

Because of this latest, awesome giveaway, it really pushed me over the edge into the giveaway circus.  I really feel that it's time to host a giveaway on  my site.  That's right, I'm giving something away right here on The Answers Are Simple and YOU have a chance to win.

There's a little pressure to make sure this is good, since this is my first giveaway, but I think I can live up to your expectations.  This giveaway will go through 10pm on Wednesday, March 17.  Feeling a little luck of the Irish?  There are three ways to enter my contest.

1. Leave a comment on this post.  Yes, it really is that easy.

2. Become a follower of this blog.  Yup, this one right here.  You're already reading it, all you have to do is click the little 'follow' button.  Then leave me a comment saying you're a follower.

3. Follow the link on the right side of my page and become a follower of 'Musical Musings.'  It's written by Kristen, a once lost {but now found} kindred spirit of mine who has the same sick sense of humor.  Not only is she funny, but she uses music to enhance her sarcasm.  Oh. My. Goodness; it's a match made in heaven.  Leave a comment that you're a follower.

Done.  That easy.  You just earned 1 {or 2. or 3.} entries into my giveaway.  And because I'm going to be all fair and stuff, I'll used random.com, to choose a winner, just like Jen.  {Geez... I think I'm getting soft in my old age...I didn't even try to give you an option to buy me off.}

Oh!  I almost forgot! I guess you want to know what you'll win, don't you?!  It's a three piece prize pack, including:

1. The entire contents of the lint trap of my dryer.  There is the potential for some serious kindling in this piece of the prize pack alone, so you should be excited!

2. An autographed picture of yours truly.

3. A sweet set of blue chargers.

 Yes, the picture is pink, no the real prize is not.  They are a teal-ish color blue and I can't find an appropriate picture of them right now, so deal.   Take a chance.  Enter the giveaway.  You'll like them.  

Hasta manana, 

-s

And now you know why...

...Nike wants my body

We're total hotties aren't we?!  Not bad looking for 5:30am!

Nike Wants My Body

This is going to be a short one because it's 8:22am and we have to leave for school in 8 minutes.  That should be enough of a reason to be a short post, but I haven't quite dressed my child in her school uniform yet, so that eats into the  8 minutes considerably.  Oops.

I went for an amazing run this morning... at 5:35am.  Hell yeah, I ran at 5:35am.  If you're a runner, you're totally unphased, but if you're the mother of a two year old you're way impressed.  Or think I'm crazy.  Or both.  Actually, I'm good with both, you're just not allowed to only say I'm crazy.

My running partner in crime Stephanie & I rocked Fieldstone Glen & South Park in a big bad way.  There were times when I thought I was going to hurl onto someone's lawn gnome, but alas, yesterday's 80oz of water stayed down and when we finished our jaunt, I was way the hell impressed with myself.

So after I just reread that last line, I apparently don't care what you think, I'm pretty high on myself today.

I'm such a modest girl.  That's why you like me so much.  HA!

Nike's next running goddess wishes you a happy Tuesday - Peace out!

s

Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift has a song name 'Tim McGraw,' so I'm totally okay with having a blog post named 'Taylor Swift.'

I am on a HUGE Taylor kick right now {I can just call her Taylor, cause we're totally BFFs} and LOVE her music.  {I'm apparently also 13 years old, because I don't know how to communicate without writing in all caps...}

Yesterday I found her YouTube channel and I'm totally hooked because you can see her videos in addition to listening to the music and most of them crack me up.  She says that her music is mostly autobiographical and based on her songs and videos I see a lot of similarities in her and my humor styles.  I'm going to assume that she's like that in real life, too, but not say that I know it because that would be awfully creepy and I'd kind of feel like a stalker.

Take a Monday break and listen to some good music.  BTW, if you turn the radio/computer up really loudly when you're listening to "You Belong With Me," it's physically impossible to be in a bad mood by the end of the song.

Oh, there's one more thing.  I want Taylor Swift hair.  Not blond, but I want those cute curly waves.  Not entirely sure I can pull it off, but I'd like to try.

That is all.  

A Real Housewife

I watch reality tv.  There you go.  I’ve put it out there.  Feel free to disown me as a friend or bump me up a notch higher on the pedestal because of it, but it’s not something I hide.

I especially love to hate to watch “the Real Housewives of Orange County.”  Something about their complete disregard for money and the fact that they live their lives SO incredibly different from the way Brian and I live ours draws me back to it every week like a bad train wreck.  (I’m eventually drawn back again for the mini-marathons, but we’ll need to save that for another post, because that would be more of a rant on Bravo than on RHOC.  Another day, my dears, another day.)

Allow me set the stage for you as I comment on the most recent episode to curdle my milk.  The six housewives are on a girls’ trip to San Francisco.   Over indulgence at it’s best.

Housewife A took a bite of Housewife T’s entrée and proceeded to spit it into her napkin.  This was followed by Housewife V dry heaving [at the table] because she was sitting next to her and was so grossed out.  AT. A. FIVE. STAR. RESTAURANT.

Housewife L told the rest of the women about how her family was just served an eviction notice because her husband apparently hadn’t been paying the mortgage.  (Yes, I wondered why she still made the luxury trip to San Fran, just like you.)

Housewife G began sobbing in the bar after another Housewife V’s daughter began talking about how she might have cancer.  I do understand why she was upset.   Housewife G’s fiancé just passed away from cancer within the last year.  To clarify, she was upset about her last fiancé who died within the last year, not the current fiancé to whom she became engaged within the last year.  Regardless of her reasons for being upset, I don’t necessarily think it was very appropriate right there. 

Actually, I feel quite confident that had Miss Manners been there, she would have told Housewife G:1) to move her little breakdown to a more private location, and 2) her sobs were probably not overly comforting to the poor girl in her twenties who was discussing the fact that she may have cancer. 

Thankfully I’m not Miss Manners, so I have a little more leeway in what I could have said.  I believe that if I was there, tt would have gone a little something like this:“I know you’re upset G, but the waterworks are not HELPING the situation.  Take yourself to the bathroom, get a grip, then you can come back with us.  The poor kid is already on the verge of a breakdown because she might have cancer she DOES NOT need you to remind her that she might DIE and it can be a slow and painfully agonizing death.”

Okay, maybe that’s a little more harsh than what I would have said, but hey, it’s good reading.  Regardless of what I actually would have said, I really would have had her move it to another place.  I felt bad that Housewife V’s daughter (potential cancer girl) was actually having to console Housewife G.  Backwards, much?

            To make everything all better, the Housewives decided to go shopping.  Shopping is what life is all about, right?   At the end of the shopping scene, all of the Housewives are paying for their loot and this gem of a comment comes out:

“Shopping is a just sport.  This is my sport; I’m a sport shopper.”

And now you’re caught up to what got me all fired up.  That comment right there, combined with the visual of Housewife L moseying up to the register to pay for the $1185.00 leather jacket she was buying.  No, the decimal point is not in the wrong place and yes, Housewife L is the one who just got evicted from her house.  Wow.  Are my priorities really that far off base? 

And with that, I say to the “Real” Housewives of Orange County…

            Thank you.  Thank you for filling up my meter with one more week’s worth of love for my home filled with Pulte beige (not designer) walls, my used minivan, my excitement at the prospect of getting to go out for dinner at $1 taco night, the bonding I get to do with my princess as she uses the potty (rather than the ‘nanny’ getting to bond with her)  and my husband who actually pays the bills when he says he does.  Thank you for reminding me who a REAL housewife really is.  I tend to forget to “Focus on the journey, not the destination.  Joy is found not in finishing an activity, but in doing it.”  It’s about letting the house be messy once in a while so I can play with the Princess.  It’s about not spending the money and keeping to the budget, about really ‘living like no one else, so that later we can LIVE like no one else.’   It’s about being there for your family and recognizing that your family isn’t necessarily the people with your DNA, it’s the people who are there for you and who love you when you need them. 

I don’t judge you (okay, I do judge you, Housewife L  a little bit for the shopping thing, but I also realize that you’re probably just a little misguided with your emotions and need a good therapist to help you figure it all out…), but I just know that I want to live differently than you. 

Our little life here in Cumming is perfect just the way it is and I wouldn’t trade it for yours in a heartbeat.  Thank you for helping me remember that.     

First Try

Checking it all out