don't be a Drag, just be a Queen: Renee

Queen #6: Renee

Renee is one of those ladies that you wish you could find a hidden USB port into their brain and download as much awesome material as you can. A good way I gauge my love of someones blog, is how often I feel the need to read it out loud to Adam. Her mutant comedic superpowers and loveable dorkiness make her clever blog posts some of the most treasured golden nuggets of my weekly reading (and Adam's listening). Janeane Garafalo meets Tina Fey if you will. Despite the fact that she's certifiably blind (not crazy eyeballs blind, but rather owns-walking-stick-to-avoid-falling-down-flights-of-stairs-blind) Renee always sees the rawest forms of what makes motherhood so irreverent and yet ironically edifying. She has been here before and she will most likely be here again because she is hilarious and sweet...and she absolutely rocks. Enjoy her "drag free" take on motherhood with me:

"I just read about a study that says that adults without children are happier than adults with children. Something to do with how Americans have kids later in life than we used to, and how kids no longer plow the family fields, so instead of being commodities, they just sort of drain our resources and leave Otter Pop wrappers everywhere, and make us all Walking Sad-Faces with yogurt on our pants.   

WHAT?!??

My kids are not easy, by any means.  Harrison nearly broke his neck racing down a hill on his trike a couple of days ago, and Lennon recently told her first grade teacher that there are two kinds of periods:  One you put at the end of a sentence and the other... well, you know...  They do stuff that makes me wince, and cry, and constantly question myself (seriously, how does she know about periods??)

...But I am definitely happy.  My kids give me a reason to celebrate just about every day.  If it's not Christmas, Mardi Gras, or National Ice Cream Day, maybe it's the day they lost their first tooth, or the day they learned how to pour their own bowl of cereal.  Sure, I could celebrate these days on my own, without kids, but there's just something to be said for sharing the Magic of the simple joys with people you love. 

And then there's the Magic they bring.  My kids are kind to animals, and have incredible empathy.  My son is quiet, but he is so expressive, and I am so impressed with his humor and determination.  My daughter finds ways to show her love in even the smallest of opportunities.  She sees beauty all around her, and she tells wonderful stories.  They are gorgeous, and goofy, and their laughter is effortless and pure.    

Now, the last thing I want to be is one of those parents who thinks their kid is the Greatest Thing Ever, and feels that Parenthood Is More Important Than Anything You Ever Did. But there's another end to that extreme, and I'm just not cool with denying that it makes me happy to be a mom, even if that is the trend these days.  I don't feel like I'm inflating the experience, in order to justify the expense, as leading psychologists suggest.  I just really like my kids, and I've spent enough time with them to know they are worth it. 

I think this is why I love reading the blogs out there that do this right.  When you love your kids, we all see it.  But when you really, really enjoy their company, we all feel it too.  When I read a blog post, I'm looking for reality, but I'm also looking for the love..  So I'm challenging myself, and you too, if you're on board, to express kind words about your kids today, if you haven't done it already, or if it's been a while..   Blog posts about broken macbooks and snotty noses have their place (see, my blog in a couple of days), but today, it's about love. 

Let me know if you're in.  Let's make the Studies and Leading Psychologists look like the WalkingSadFaceYogurtPants for once." 

- Renee

team Boo ♥'s you

Don't be a drag, just be a Queen: Abby

Queen #5: Abby

I don't know how i first came across Abby's blog, but i do know that it was her calm wit and simple charm that drew me in. A "delightful" combo of a romantic heart, girl next door appeal and endearing delivery of thought. One thing that truly stands out with Abby is how approachable and humble she is. The more i read the more i love her perspective on life. It would be easy to simply admire the cover of her life's book: she's beautiful and stylish, her husband is sensitive and handsome, two cute kids and bunch of great pictures of family and island adventures to show for it. But there isn't an ounce of pretentiousness about her and that is what crowns her as my latest drag free Queen. Her story about motherhood is a perfect example of her humility:

"We spent the first half of 2010 living in the West Indies. In other words, a really really really small island in the Caribbean. Sounds like a dream right? My husband was in medical school and he generally left the house before our two kids woke up and returned long after they were asleep. The school provided transportation for students and I can still hear the HOOOOONK of the taxi bus as it roared down the tiny street to our house at 7 each morning. It meant that I was a single mother for the day. A single mother without a car and without a clue. Thinking about the honk of that bus still gives me a little stomachache.

I spent a lot of time hand washing dishes while staring out the window at cruise ships, hanging laundry on the clothesline, and sweeping great masses of ants out the door. (The ants were out to get me.) My kids watched many a classic cartoon on the only kids channel we had. I can still hear the theme jingle for that channel in my mind. It also gives me a little stomachache. A girl can only take so much Scooby Doo.

During this time my husband was incredibly stressed with school. This made me incredibly stressed. This made my 4- and 2-year-old incredibly stressed. My son started peeing his pants and the bed. He'd also raid the refrigerator every two minutes. It became this power struggle between us. I'd often sob in front of him after he'd wet his pants for the second time that day, or when he'd demand we "go back to the United States." We'd go to the grocery store in a taxi and the kids would beg for sugary cereals that cost the equivalent of $10 US, or or a jug of juice that was $7 (and, oh-by-the-way, totally expired.) They'd throw fits when they didn't get them. Oh man, it was ugly at times. I truly would have staked my life on the fact that I would never miss this time in our lives. And I really began to hate myself as a mother. Cue the stomachache.

The second half of 2010 found us back home again. My husband and I had weighed our options when the semester had ended and found through prayer and many, many tears (surely the Caribbean's salty waters rose a few inches that spring) that going home would be a good idea. It has been. There's pain and embarrassment in letting go of some dreams and admitting a sort of failure, but now I have such a different perspective on those five months. I think about the many sweltering afternoons at the breathtaking beaches, teaching Sunday School to the children at church and joining our voices with theirs in song, picking the most delicious ripe mangoes straight from the trees, proudly figuring out how to handle the many roundabouts while driving on the left. My parents came to visit and we packed that week full of every adventure we could- hiking the volcano, riding the sugar train, ferrying to a nearby island, and visiting the 400-year-old British fortress. Really wonderful times. And there's not a day goes by that I don't think of the wonderful friends we made there. Some were temporary visitors like us and some will never set foot off that little land. I cherish them all so dearly. I also surprisingly (to me) cherish the horrible days because it means I survived them and left a different person. Out of a lot a pain mixed with some joy, out of a really difficult experience, came a treasure.

My kids still throw fits at the grocery store. I still sometimes cry in front of them when I'm having a bad day. Instead of ants, I battle with the bone-chilling cold and snow of January, February, and March. (Those months are so out to get me.) In other words, life is still hard! Even on the mainland! Even when I get to see my husband for more than an hour a day! And the common thread is motherhood. Being a mother is so hard. So hard! Some days there is really no difference between "stuck on an island" and "stuck with two crying kids." It can be a remarkably similar feeling. But I know some day I'll see these young mother days as really beautiful. From "our really expensive Caribbean vacation" I learned that most life experiences require some time to mature- to soak, to steep, to marinate- before they become palatable to the soul. I'm busy enjoying everything in my life, especially young motherhood. Before long, it will taste so sweet.

-abby"

thanks abby!

team Boo ♥'s you

the sunshine stand

{via the sunshine stand}


I am a total freak when it comes to taking over what should be a kid friendly activity. Like when Sheamus was all into the movie Cars, and Adam would make fun of me and say that collecting the figurines was actually my hobby cause i got all excited about finding the "rare" ones at the store.  Or when the kids and i played this game. Or when i got busted selling my daughters girls scout cookies at our garage sale (that she was gone for) when one lady was like "um...where's the girl scout?" so i slapped her and told her to get the crap off my property.


So when i got an email from some fellow AZ mothers* who go all out with a tricked out lemonade stand to make their kids spring break memorable (before the summer heat melts our faces off) i've just got to support that jazz. I'm not kidding when i say this lemonade stand is legit (and definitely the cutest i've seen)...they sell lemonade with your choice of fruit syrup: mango, raspberry, or strawberry, assorted candy, they have a blog...and a facebook page! So....If you are in the AZ east valley go check it. So cute.


(*but don't tell my kids or else they will know how lame i am)


team Boo ♥'s you

don't be a drag, just be a queen: Kelly

"Queen" #2: Kelly 

(a story of patience)

Alright this may be narcissism at its finest...me choosing a "favorite" mother of mine who happens to look like me (freckles, bangs, brunette :) As you guys all may have guessed I do enjoy myself a good laugh, and Kelly over at Whoopsy Vaisey is about as entertaining as they come. Get ready...she also births her babies at home AND makes her own baby food! Holy crap, right? But you won't catch her thinking she's a mothering profesh (although she is the queen of word shortening) for she has moments like the rest of us. But instead of begrudging her job as a mother, you'll more likely catch her making silly stories to go along with her crazy daily scenarios and being her own perfect combo of wit and wisdom..and that is why we love her so!

"I could come up with something profound and heartfelt, sincere and sentimental to say about motherhood and it would be easy to do. About how it immensely changed my life and made me want to be a better person (all those things true). But let's face it, most of my days are heavy and thick and full of bodily fluids, whinny voices, sibling WWF, a crying baby and tornado-like atmospheres. On the day to day scale of motherhood I found sometimes my only sanity is to laugh and breathe through it (and take lots of pictures!). 

Anyone who claims motherhood is a bon bon-eating errand-running breeze is drinking their bath water, but it has been and continues to be the very best ride of my life." -Kelly 

 Kelly's 8 step tutorial: What to do if your three year old comes prancing gleefully down the stairs covered head to toe in the entire contents of your makeup bag...

Step 1: Walk quickly out of the room to gather yourself and get a grip on the surge of rage charging through your being (I mean, you knew she was capable of such things, but still, somehow, some way, you find yourself surprised again and again at the catastrophes she masterminds).

Step 2: Come slowly back to the room to hear her say, "Don't I look beautiful, Mom?" At which point your red face slowly turns back to pink and you (might) chuckle at the display before your eyes. It's a sight to see after all: That rose colored bod and those mid 90s Brooke Shields brows.

wow.

(You take pictures because, as mad as you are right now, you're going to want to remember this one.)

Step 3: March her little fanny right upstairs and throw(help) her in the tub.

Fill the bath with less than comfortable waters (because THIS is not a fun bath)and commence scrubbing. At first realization that there is no way this stuff is coming off without a fight, head back downstairs for the grease fighting dish soap that is Dawn Dish Detergent and proceed to scrub. And scrub. And scrub. And scrub.

Step 4: It's out of the tub with her and into a towel, tears and all.

Once again, you pull out the camera to capture the aftermath that is the shame ridden face and the rose-tinted bath waters. You're trying to speak sternly because, this is no joking matter. (If you find yourself feeling very confused emotionally at this step, that's normal. Laughing hysterically, crying, feeling the need to stab yourself in the arm- all acceptable forms of emotion for such an occasion).

Step 5: Dress the offender.

Send her to her quarters with a light spank on the buns and a good talkin' to. (this could be replaced with other things such as: sending to the corner, a slightly harder spank to the bare buns, a toss out the window... whatever you and yours have come up with.)

Step 6: Asses the damage: It's medium to heavy.

Peering meekly into the room in which the crime took place, you behold the destruction: Tubes of oil-based cover-up and foundation coated and squeezed to the last drop, the last of the bronzing beads each broken and embedded strategically into the carpet, mascara carcass lying about with hair entangled in its semi-dried out wand, blush- obliterated (Deep breaths are helpful and may become necessary in step 6).

Step 7: You're almost finished (and so is your precious afternoon).

After closely capturing on film and surveying the damages, you make a list of the new makeup you will be in need of purchasing. Then you take the remains to the sink and commence scrubbing once again. As for the carpet where the dead makeup lay: make a mental note to buy a better stain remover (because chances are, you're going to need it in the future)

Step 8: Retrieve the perpetrator from punishment.

A kiss and a hug and an "I'm sorry" can go a long way. And if you've learned anything here today, it's patience. Patience and love for your little human that is begging (sometimes non-stop) to be disciplined and taught. Give yourself a pat on the back, because you just dealt with one (unscheduled for) doozie of an afternoon.

You survived! (Better yet, she survived and still loves you)

And best of all you learned that you ARE capable of being patient given you've had the right amount of practice. And lets face it, you've had plenty of practice.

That, and you need to find a higher, harder-to-reach spot for your new makeup.

team Boo ♥'s you
(and the Vaisey family)

sonny: child star

Ever heard of the Tie Chair? (a genius creation for a "highchair" on the go that fits any chair and locks that kiddo down ;) Well my good friend is the inventor of its cuteness, and today my little goo is featured in an advertisement for it on Babysteals.com. Check out his camera "what the hell" face. i guess even babies get stage fright...

team Boo ♥'s you

p.s. Please excuse my absence. baby is currently the sickest boy in all the land :(


p.p.s. Does anyone have a good recommendation for mascara that won't make me look like a  crazy drunk lady by 3:00? (with all the smudgy black residue under my eyes) I just use the classic hot pink and green kind cause its cheap and because i don't have the money to waste trying out new kinds. That's where you come in! leave me a comment and i will love you foreverrrrr!!

famewhores unite (again!)

Things got extra hot and heavy here last post, but i am SO glad and i'll tell you why: It seems there were more than one of you who were pickin' up what i was puttin' down.  So thank you for allowing me to spill my guts to you. They are hopeful guts...guts that truly want you to be happy, guts that are glad you're here.

wait...what's that? you couldn't stop my guts even if you wanted to? 

Well then I guess we're all clear who's the boss around these parts (hint: it isn't Tony Danza).

Speaking of "pickin' up what i'm puttin' down"...don't i look a little like a street walker here??

 (a "private dancer" in neon lights if you will. Which is incidentally also a song by the unmatched Tina Turner, not to be confused with Sir Eltons John's "Tiny Dancer"...that i can't help but sing the substitute lyrics "hold me closer Tony Dan-zaaaa." Count 'em, that's two tony Danza references in one blog post, totally unplanned...weird.)

And speaking of "whoring oneself out" (for lack of a better term)...

I wanted to let you know that I have a new little brown button in my left sidebar. It's a blog that showcases baby and mommy blogs from all around the web (who am i kidding, it's a site where mommy bloggers exploit themselves to get their name in flashing lights). If you feel so inclined, click on it each day you're here...and then click again in the link to vote and show your team Boo support :)

Also, here's proof that I wasn't "hooking" on my free time...

...just a harmless date at the movies with team Boo :)

team Boo ♥'s you
*and can somebody please come confiscate all my belts for a little while!? 
can we say "DE-NI-AL"? sheesh.

Happy Birthday Ma!

This post is mostly for family, so beware of its long winded nature.

Actually, my mom doesn't even read this blog (or any other for that matter) Not because she doesn't want to, but because her computer skills peaked in the 80's, so she's pretty worthless at using the internet. It still kind of blows my mind that it's all still so confusing to her, but i suppose that is just part of what makes her adorable.

Bear with me while I share a few memories here about my sweet mother who is one year wiser on this day in September:

-First, i must point out how obvious it is from this picture, my mom's playfulness with my kids. She is  genuine in her interest in kid board games or a slow quad rides, a silly song, or some other game with my kids that I'd rather punch myself in the face than play one more time.

-As for memories, Sheamus and i were exchanging stories today (i told true ones from when i was little, then he shared ones from when he was 11 and could use his spidey strings to jump up to heaven?) One that I told was in about 5th grade when my friend and i thought it would be funny to hide in the back of the car while my mom ran errands. About half way through, and i'm pretty sure while on the road, we snuck up from the back of our Astro van and scared the bejeezus out of her. We thought it was SO hilarious, but I'm pretty sure she was mad, and rightfully so. Not only did she not escape for some precious time to herself, but we had freaked her out while she was operating a 2 ton death machine. I HATE being startled...like, i want to round house kick the person in the face cause i hate them so much for the first few minutes.  This makes me a bad sport when someone scares me for laughs.  I got my jumpiness from my mom. So the moral of the story is how much I appreciate her composure when i probably would have impulsively driven us all to our death, by choice.

-She was never very strict. She gave us opportunities to prove that we could be trustworthy and make good choices. I know its probably cause i was such an angelic child ;) but still, it was awesome.

-She was very good about signing us up for all sorts of things to try growing up. T-ball, gymnastics, choir, plays, softball, talent shows, soccer, clogging, karate, brownies, cheerleading, clarinet, sign language...you name it, she always encouraged to try it all and never forced us to do them, or only ones she thought were best (like how i cringe when Elyott tells me she wants to play the flute). We might have always been the last kid waiting in the parking lot until dark, or the annoying one who always needed a ride from the coach, BUT she was always willing and good about getting us signed up. I cherish all the opportunities she made happen as a kid even if we didn't have much money to spare. Now that i have my own i realize how hard it is to remember and coordinate, but that never stopped her. And what did she get? freaking talented children, that's what :) Thanks ma!

-I love how she always laughs so freely (not to mention her beautiful smile). Sometimes i feel like a stone wall. It's not that i'm not laughing inside, its just i cant get my face to give in to the feeling. Thats why i don't usually buy it when people say LOL. But I like to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume its more like a QIC (quiet inside chuckle) or something. (I do believe when my sister Lisa writes it though, she got her laughter from my dear mother. She not only types LOL but she'll add about 15 exclamation marks and i believe every one.) Wait who are we talking about again??...Oh ya, mom! Oh how i wish she had passed this trait to me instead of the giant feet. Actually my dad's feet are crazy too. i was pretty much doomed.

My mom has always been affectionate in every way. I remember her letting us rock with her on our maroon rocking chair, even when we were too big to sit on her lap. She is understanding and supportive, generous and sentimental and so many things I hope to be to my kids. Thanks ma for being so motherlicious. Happy Birthday! I love you forever!

team boo ♥'s you

(and her mom)

all you need is love.

Most of us, if not all, can relate to the love hate relationship with the blogging world. The unique people (love) the fakeness (hate) the talent and inspiration (love) then feeling like a lame-o (hate) the great stories (love) the rude comments (hate) the hours of entertainment (love) how much time I can waste on the computer (hate) making connections (love) feeling plain or inadequate (hate) the creativity (LOVE) the "competition" (hate) the opportunities to learn (love).


The slipperiest slope of all for me though is the "wanting." Wanting the stuff I don't need, wanting to be somewhere I'm not. Wanting to be a little more stylish, beautiful, wittier, more interesting, talented or whatever. What I really want is to be happy to LOVE and grow. I truly do find so much inspiration daily of ways to find and create the joy in my life through the people in the blog world.  It is a tough balance to not get carried away with "missing out" on the things I wish I were or had. 


Today Megan took the words right out of my mouth. It is no secret I have a huge crush on her beautiful Anne of Green Gables meets Pippy Long Stocking soul (thanks robin for helping me find that marriage). Sorry Megan, but i have to gush...you are just so fantastic. And i mean that in the most encouraging way.  So uninhibited and playful and not afraid to show vulnerability. Her admirable initiative and humble approach to life puts her at the tippy top of the blogs that inspire me. Not to mention she is a clever little amateur filmmaker. Just look at this video she made in an attempt to defy her feelings of wanting....and totally nailing it!


In the end, i mostly just love to blog. even when i hate it, i love it. And I want to help you appreciate and love the simple things in life just like megan does for me...for that is what this blog is supposed to be all about: LOVE! Albeit unconventional or awkward at times (like, not the deep mushy gooshy kind). Its definitely sprinkled with lots of teasing and sarcasm (okay, so i get a little carried away with that, but how can i not? Life is funny.) Its about loving my family, remembering to love myself, spreading the love of motherhood, and learning to love moments more than things.

team boo ♥'s you

painting the roses red...

....and doors blue.
[from dusty purple]
which i did last week:

ah new beginnings.
fresh paint and fresh starts.
Like me here with you. again. finally. and some new faces even!
sheesh...you guys sure make it easy to suck at documenting my life ;]

like how Sheamus calls the suction end of his coveted happy face toothbrush "f*%ktion cups"
[shocking from such a sweet like munchkin voice just minding his own bidness in la la land]

fake girl scouts with my sweet Elyott who cant commit to anything I officially sign her up for to save her life. Instead we sew our own brown sashes and tell regular girl scouts to suck it.
[except not when it's cookie season ]

adopting out my stray molester cat and her kittens.
sweet. but still cats. no way around that.

My magical sisterhood-of-the-traveling-miracle-pants that are finally starting to wear away at the butt....which is super annoying cause mama's not ready to buy new "fat pants"

and of course lil cub and his smiles.
[still his only trick, other than his squealing's uncanny likeness to a baby piglet]

If you have felt abandoned by me, i hope you have found your way in cyberspace here .
...a blog truly deserving of your readership.
If not, you should "go to there" as she is about the sweetest girl I can imagine. 

So, I guess what I'm trying to say is....
Megan.....will you go to prom with me??
or just be my mom?
you choose.

yes, my door may now be blue [cause purple is for cat ladies]....but you are still just as welcome.

team boo ♥'s you

*p.s. thanks for being my new scrabble friends ;)

good old fashioned lover boy

Remember Stacie and Geoff?? (aka "Steoffrey ")

well....just when you thought they couldn't be any cuter....here is another reason to envy their love .  They drew us in with their yellow balloons and wedding headbands and now vow to keep us enchanted by their suspenders and innocent vintage picnic togetherness! It is no secret that I am in love with loving the love of these two...lovers. Or that my mind is (clearly) running on mere fumes every time I sit down to blog, and that the fusion of those two ingredients (not to mention my savage jealousy of all things un-pregnant) makes my brain feel swollen and tired.

Of course neither photo op would have been half as amazing if it weren't for Matt and Angie Sloan, the visionaries that make up Sloan photography (aka "Mangie") whose behind the scenes adorableness is enough to make me want to kick puppies.  And their talent....oh the TALENT!!  Hey Mangie...if you ever have any artistic vision for an out-of-breath-resentful-chubby-girl-in-maternity-pants photo shoot, you know where to find me ;) Or if you just have some advice on how to convince my husband to dress in something other than basketball clothes for the sake of a old world lovers photo shoot, that would work too. Here are a couple gems of inspiration to get to get your ball rolling...

you're welcome.

And Steoffrey...if you ever want to like...hang out, or even just let me sit on your couch while I watch you giggle and make frozen pizzas together...Mangie knows where to find me.

Love, Paper Style...

Behold...my very first guest Blogger!

Meet Renee from Mommy BlogYay 

Here are some reasons why I am honored to post her words here...

-she is hilare.

-her daughter is named Lennon (after a Beatle)

-is known to express herself via barbie dolls and stick people (don't be scared...or do)

-she makes the title "mommy blogger" way more awesome.

-How totally sick are we all of seeing my nerdy glamour shot when my page loads??

...before all this text scares you off, stop acting like you have better things to do

(as my 3 year old would tell me..."FOCUS")

and meet the awesome Renee....

I'm standing in for Team Boo today while our favorite blogger (I'm talking about Carolyn.  Keep up, people) takes a blogging vacation.  It's possible she thought that there only so many ways to keep readers interested in, "I'm stuck in bed, building a baby."  So, let's all laugh at her, because c'mon now.  There are at least seventeen more ways to say that before you have to resort to asking Renee from MommyBlogYay to creep out from the dark, lonely shadows of the far corners of the internet, and come over and muck up your beautiful blog.  Oh also, Hi, I'm Renee, and I have a blog that I muck up pretty regularly at MommyBlogYay, and you should go there (Shamelessness, ACTIVATE!) because... it's a blog? And you're maybe stuck in bed, building a baby?  I really can't think of any other reason.

Have you guys seen Paper Heart yet?  I should disclose that Team Boo does not necessarily endorse my endorsement, but she might.  And if she doesn't, that makes her really dumb.  (I can say that, because she's not here, right?)  If you've seen it, you know that Charlene Yi does a few "home movies" that tell the stories of how some couples knew they were in love, and I was inspired to make one of my own.  Enjoy:

 Love, Bob Dylan Style from MommyBlogYay on Vimeo.

Yes, that was the best I could do, despite a minor in Media Arts, and yes that story is 100% true and 100% as nerdy and awkward as it sounds.  All That You Thought You Knew about me (which probably wasn't much, was it?) has been shattered, hasn't it? Broken into a million pieces and then trampled by a giant buffalo (whose presence, I have to say, HAUNTS me... what does that even MEAN, Carolyn?)

 

It's videos like this that explain why Carolyn gets nominated for blogging awards, and why I am going to slink back to MommyBlogYay and subject my readers to the outtakes.  Amor Fatis, said Nietzche.  

(Also, if you have not yet made paper dolls of you and your significant other, I suggest you get right on that.  Like yesterday.)

Thanks Renee!

{FYI: you killed that Charlene Yi impression}

famewhores unite.

  

I was nominated for a blogluxe award.

Which in itself makes my palms all clammy with discomfort.  Pitted against blogs with hundreds of readers, some over a thousand. Basically it is too late in the game for me to even come close to winning {seeing as how i have 7 votes and voting ends on the 6th.}  Believe me, I have gone back and forth on posting this button...cause to me {kinda like ginormous t-shirts with bikini bodies printed on the front} these contests exist to torture us all...with judgement. Which is something i welcome about as much as I want a sweaty indecent Antonio Sabato Jr. to demand a piggy back ride.

But as to not overlook the sweet gesture that was the nomination, i am swallowing my pride and posting it anyway. BUT...then i read over some old posts of mine.....

Now i think in general the blogging community is very kind. But I couldn't help but feel that, rather than being "funny" most of my posts read like I was storytelling half way through a mild seizure. Did I sell my soul to the devil in exchange for some awkward poop stories??...most posts are either mom style crazy and/or confusing ridiculousness, which I suppose {at this point in my life} is all i can really ask for.  So even at the risk of inviting drastic comparisons, at least check out some of the other great blogs that were nominated. And regardless if i feel my posts are funny, feel free to vote....for someone {especially NIE!}. I'll just be here...making sure i don't choke on my tongue.

*And, to pay it forward....here are some of my favorite funny ladies. check it...

    

nice booty.

i wanna win this!! 

Three little words bracelet via ohhellofriend 

sweetly crafted by Market store ....

...........................

also here's my newest etsy purchase...

found on the adorable pink needle 

................................

aaaaaaaand a surprise custom charm necklace gift 

{inspired by some of my favorite things} 

from my sweet and creative sister Lisa 

and her revamped vintage jewelry line Buffalo Gal. 

{for ordering info email me at csdike@yahoo.com}

How did i get SOOO lucky?

here's to wearing fancy jewelry with pajamas!!!

summer days...

I have spent so much time lately complaining about the AZ heat, i've in some ways given up on the possibility of enjoying myself at all in the next six months. I have central AC, a basement, a house for heavens sake! Also as i recall, roughly 7 years ago i signed on for a job that does anything but revolve around my personal pity party ;)  

It wasn't until i read this wonderful blog that i had a moment of clarity. When did i morph into such a resentful wank? The heat waves really do a number on my disposition as a mother...but aren't i supposed to be teaching my kids {by example} to make the best of what they have?!? When did i forget that life isn't about living in ideal circumstances, but rather how we fair with what we are given. Frankly i should be ashamed to think that i have a reason to complain. Anyway if you need dose of perspective like i clearly did, read {my newest mommy inspiration} Megan Marie's sweet snippet of ways to enhance the summer months...

{which for me is basically making a long list of whimsical ideas to distract myself from the fact that my kids are not in school anymore and the only way to keep from punching myself in the face is to trick them into lots of sweaty and/or indoor fun. but then there i go again....}

 "I am a tour guide. Each day my babies hear language they don't really understand, and witness events and objects that are completely foreign. Everything is new. In the past I have taught them colors, introduced them to letters and numbers. Taken them outside to name the bugs, the sky, the trees. Why though? So they can recite the names of things back to me? Ever so much more than that! I get to teach them to live!"

A few favorites from her summer "tour" list:

*have a yellow day where we wear only yellow, and eat only yellow food

*make a sand castle and then stomp on it

*roast a hot-dog over a fire

*put on a puppet show

*have a major dance party...with decorations 

*eat a really messy dinner with no utensils

*build a catapult and shoot things

*shadow puppets late at night

*make a gift for a friend and doorbell ditch

*rent a projector and make our own drive in

*go on a treasure hunt

*make bird-masks and wings with feathers and pretend to fly

*record our voices and play them back and laugh at how silly we sound

*have a mud fight

...find the rest here .


Needless to say, i am starting my own list. What do YOU have planned??


FYI...this doesn't change a thing about wanting to move. The second a window opens I'M OUT!!.... just saying ;)