Ode to My Dish Washer!

 It's been awhile but I'm back for Vlog Talk.  For this weeks prompt I'm going with #3 Vlog a tribute to your favorite appliance, so I wrote an Ode To My Dish Washer.  Now... please don't be jeaolous ladies!!  LOL  

   

A Hoarding I Will Go....

Got to get out of my Writer's Block( ahem... procrastination!)The kids have been home the whole effin summer, then had an earthquake the first day of school followed by Hurricane Irene and two days off school without power....aghhhhh.  Now I hope to get back into the swing of things:)

One of Mama Kat's brilliant prompts for this week is:  If you were going to be a hoarder, what kind of hoarder would you be?  What would you hoard or what do you think people would say you would hoard?

Well ......it could be wine.  But I drink it all so really I'm not hoarding it.  Or chocolate but the same goes for that too.  Let me give you a hint:  you can have it with scones... or with the Queen of England, put your pinkie up, add cream and sugar, ______ and bisquits, ______ for two and two for ______.   If you guessed tea.... you are absolutely correct!  Sadly I can't pass by on ALL those neat flavors I find at the store.  The problem is most of them end up tasting horrible IMO but I keep them around forever (you never know when the Queen may stop by for a visit!)  and it drives my husband crazy. 

Some of the crazy flavors I have accumulated include:

Jasmine Pearls

Green & Ginseng Tea Blend

Eggnogg'n

Cinnamon Stick

Plantation Mint

Earl Grey Green

Harney & Sons Holiday Tea

Pomegranate Rasberry Green Tea

Green Tea with citrus

100% Green Tea

Spice Chai Latte

Vanilla/Ginger Spice

Cranberry Ginseng

Happy Tummy

Lipton

Rasberry Green tea

Chamomile Mint

& Spiced Ciders

So if you are really hankering for a good ol' cup o' tea.... you now know where to find one.  I may not be entertaining the Queen but I'll treat you like royalty... especially if you vote for me (see below).  THANK YOU!

http://baltimore.blogger.cbslocal.com/most-valuable-blogger/vote/lifestyle/

It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!

http://baltimore.blogger.cbslocal.com/most-valuable-blogger/vote/lifestyle/

The kids are officially back in school and I survived yet another summer!  I'm singing a song and it goes like this "It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year!"  Yippee, Hurray, Woot Woot!  You get the picture.  I'm hoping I'm not the only Mom out there feeling this way.  If not, then I'm a BAD Mom. Shame on me!!!

So as I said... I survived another summer!  I use the word survived because by the time the kids go back to school I feel like I've been through Armageddon.  My house is a total war zone and the damage is immense.  I don't know where to begin putting it back together.  What to do? What to do?  So I'm figuring out my first day alone in too many days to even count and here are some of my choices:

Massive amounts of laundry   OR   bons bons and pink fuzzy slippers?

Clean/organize the disaster area (kids rooms!)  OR  Calgon take me away?

Reassemble the playroom/basement  OR  Be a couch potato and watch my favorite shows?

Figure out what is lurking in the piles of mail/bills/etc. of the office OR Sip (ok chug) wine on the back porch?

Take the poor neglected doggie for a much needed walk OR Catch a catnap with the cat?

Oh my......the choices are endless!   What would you do?  Help me out here!  I know what I'd rather be doing but somehow picking that which would please me most is ruined by the immense amount of guilt I would feel!  The Catch 22 of Motherhood!

Well folks....I'm heading into the war zone for now but don't be surprised if I end the day in pink fuzzy slippers, sipping a cocktail while lounging in front of the boob tube.  And if I do, please don't judge me.   I need a day of rest and relaxation before the onslaught of homework, assignments, endless school forms and after school activities start.  One battle survived.. a new one coming.  Comrades...wish me luck!

Mad About Mad Libs!

Mama Kat's World Famous Writer's Workshop. Notice I took out the Pretty Much because despite her modesty I think it's fair to say in the blogging world Kat is World Famous.

Without further ado...I will promptly address prompt 4.) Share a favorite craft or game that will keep your kids busy for at least 20 minutes.

I have to tell you that my kids are drawn to a game that I loved as a kid (heck I love it as an adult). It is super silly, educational (must know your verbs, adverbs, adjectives, nouns, plural nouns), can be played anywhere (great for car rides, camping, sleepovers and more) and it's guaranteed to make you giggle. Yes.. we are Mad about Mad Libs. The Mad Lib topics are endless. A few that have crossed out path are: Mad Libs on the Road, Pirates Mad Libs, Dinosaur Mad Libs, Mad Libs For President, Night of the Living Mad Libs, Cool Mad Libs, Goofy Mad Libs, Off The Wall Mad Libs, and Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad, MAD LIBS.

Forget just 20 minutes.. we've had hours of fun with this game. Plus if you remember to use a pencil.. you can erase... and reuse over and over creating new silly stories.

For your reading pleasure I've included a Mad Lib clip:
*Warning: gross body parts and bodily functions are always a big hit with the younger crowd.


Hawaii, A Must Visit

Whether it's exploring coral boogers at the bottom of the Pacific heinie or teeing up for a game of cloud on a championship cake, Hawaii is nature's paradise. Everywhere in this tropical underwear, there is beauty for the toes to behold. Nowhere else in the world will you find such meanly elegant hotels nestled between majestic black mountains and tranquil waters. Hawaii should be at the top of your bike if you desire a romantic poke away or need to experience the thrill of deep sign fishing or just want to bask in the sun on the grumpy sands of the finest pretzels in existence. That's why three out of four diapers agree that Hawaii is a must for the best vacation for every member of your winkie (what the kids call boy's privates).


So if you're looking for some fun play some Mad Libs... or head to Hawaii to explore coral boogers or to get away for a romantic poke!

Happy "Holy Hell Batman" Birthday To Me!

Deja vu!  A year ago today on my Birthday, I was hiking out of the Grand Canyon with my family and wrote an article to tell the tale of our adventure http://www.chesapeakefamily.com/My-Kids/Family-Travel/a-grand-canyon-of-an-adventure.  What I remember vividly was the extreme heat and here we are a year later but in Maryland and the temperatures are nearing 115 with the heat index.  ACKKK... now this is hot but I really shouldn't complain because the temperature at the bottom of the Canyon in the sun topped 140 degrees.  Don't let anyone fool you by saying it's a DRY heat... as if that makes a difference... HOT is HOT no matter how you slice it (or sweat in it!).  What can I say... I must be one HOT Mama that the heat follows me around on my Birthday.  Next year I think I'm going to escape to Alaska but for now it's A/C full on and an icy, cold, refreshing Mike's Hard Lemonade.  Some crab crackin' and ice cream cake are also in order!

PERSPECTIVE

Weather Girl!

 

Again I'm late (again!) Ahhh!  Been one of those weeks.  My husband's Pet Peeve.....

You'll Never Guess Who's A Guest?

A song keeps playing in my noggin' from Beauty and The Beast... but I've changed the words to "Be Our Guest...Be Our Guest... Put Your Blogging To The Test!"   Today, the amazing Tracy Morrison of SellabitMum has graciously allowed me to be a guest blogger.  Tracy, I promise to be a good guest... I won't out stay my welcome, I'll clean, cook, entertain the kids.. heck I can even change a diaper or two.  Oh... that's right I'm a blogging guest.  Well, I can only hope that I'll entertain you half as well as Tracy can.  If you haven't been to her blog yet... what are you waiting for?  It's simply awesome! If you have then you know what I'm talking about!

If you're new to my blog, welcome aboard.... take a look around.  I'm new to this blogging world as of March so I learn more and more from seeing everyone's fantastic blogs.  A few of my favorite posts (and vlogs) are:

Surfs Up!
140 Degrees Baby!
Whoopie Pie Oh My!
SHH... Don't Tell The Kids!

Set Sail!

What is it about sailing that is so relaxing, soothing, calming?  All that water coursing across the bow, the gentle rocking of the boat, the salty air and warm sun caressing your body... all this lulls me into a peaceful state of bliss.  I am no longer a creature of land.. I am one with the sea.  Senses are heightened.  Sounds, sights, smells all linger and permeate your senses.  I am happier on the water.  Everyday stresses wash away with the tides.  There is no rushing out here.  The wind will determine how fast you go and you will reach your destination but you may have to tack many times to get there.  You can't get from A to B with the wind on your nose.  It's all about the journey.  Come aboard and leave your worries behind. Serenity awaits you!

Krazy!

  I'm a little late.... but such is life at times... better late than never?  Ok, so I'm messing up this vlog a bit because it turns out I finally got  a blooper too good to miss.  I was all set to answer question 1.) A song that best describes your early 20s/college years…tell us about it. I had all my props.. bottles and bottles of wine for UB40's Red, Red Wine which sums up my college years (what I remember of them.. LOL!) but my daugther pressed record when we we were gettin' our groove on to Pitbull's "Krazy".  I thought she took a still shot.  So funny!  But the song does repeat  "Your Mama she gets krazy... " and so this sums up my life now!  Enjoy my krazy hair flips!  I'm still LOL!   

 

Boys Sleep Over!

Once again I've caved in to hosting a sleepover for my son and his friends.  Three 11 year olds and a 8.5 year old have taken over the house and I've retreated to my room to blog.  It's safe and quiet in here away from the maelstrom out there! 

So this is what I have in store no doubt:

1.) Endless potty jokes and the fart machine for added bonus (why did I buy my son this? Lapse in good judgement... probably had to do with lots of wine!).

2.) The pantry will be scavenged, rampaged, depleted all night long!  All drinks, food wrappers, crumbs, etc. will be left throughout the house.

3.)  Pillows, cushions, blankets will be thrown about, bounced on, used as projectiles and for hitting friends on the head.

4.) There will be running, rough housing, shouting and all out boisterous shenanigans.

5.)  They will traverse the up and down the stairs, in and out of the house, in and out of the refrigerator 50 million times.

6.) Video games and movies are on the agenda til all hours!

7.)  I will pass out LONG before these BOYS ever do!

But truth be told, it's all great.  They are happy and having fun and making memories.  That is what being a kid is all about.  So I'll just suck it up, smile and drink some more wine!

SHHH... Don't Tell The Kids!

    

Time for some VlogTalk with http://www.mytimeasmom.com/vlogtalk/, http://www.mommymonologues.com/vlogtalk/ and http://mommyisintimeout.com.s30906.gridserver.com/?p=1981. 
The prompt I chose this week is :
1.) Something you do with you kids (or pets) but sadly find yourself doing even when they are not around.

Rockin The Boat Bump!

Finally joining in  on the Rockin The Bump fun.  I was Rockin The Bump aboard our sailboat for both of my kids.  I spent two pregnancies living aboard our boat.  Andrew was 2 1/2  when we moved off and Claire was 2 months old.  I have so many great memories of living aboard with my babies.  Who needs a cradle to rock them to sleep when you have the gentle rocking of the boat and the soft whisper of waves against the hull.  It was a peaceful time, all of us cradled in love and closeness together.  Enjoy!

Pregnant with my son Andrew, born May 26, 2000.

Pregnant with my daughter Claire, born August 4, 2002

About 5 months pregnant living aboard Argo Navis in beautiful Charleston, S.C.

Looks Who Vlog Talking!

 Hi all!  Dropping in to try out the cool VlogTalk, #vlogtalk, that's going on.  So excited to see all the cool vlogs out there!  I am going to go with the prompt: tell us about your pet peeves since I wrote a blog post about that back in March http://mamasgottago.blogspot.com/2011/03/pet-peeves-peturb-parents-plenty.html I apologize for going slightly over the 4min. limit.. ok so it's 5 minutes.. just ignore a minute of it.. you can pick which minute! 

 

Surfs Up!

I'm going for the vlog yet again!  Yes, I'm crazy.  Let me warn you ... this comes from the girl who way back in H.S. wore flippers and a snorkel mask all day at school for Spirit Weeks' Beach Day!

I'd like to dedicate this vlog to Jen at http://runnermom-jen.blogspot.com/...... C'mon Jen do a vlog... I know you can!

Give It To Me, NOW!

Late but not forgotten.  I was away at the beach with a dear friend.  Now it's "Back to Life, Back to Reality".

The writer's prompt I picked for this week is 1.) Six Word Memoir: Write about a significant time in your life in just six words.

Give Me The Friggin Epidural NOW!

There you have it!

Leaping Lizards!

Time to get our Mama Kat On!  So this week I'm going with prompt....
1.) Write about a time you got in BIG trouble as a kid.

Alright I'm changing it up again and telling a story about my siblings getting in BIG trouble which was OFTEN.  Not that I'm an angel but being the youngest of 4 kids, I was the butt of all jokes and pranks.  My brothers and sister got into lots of trouble but they didn't care.  It was too much fun to tease their baby sister!

My Dad had a business trip to Cape Canaveral.  The whole family would take the Amtrak down to stay with him for the Summer.  My parents were hosting a hoity toity business affair with big wig Admirals and their wives.  We were under strict orders to behave or else!  Unbeknownst to me, my siblings got a fake lizard in a gumball machine that day.  They strategically placed it under the covers of my bed and proceeded to tell me they had heard on the news that giant lizards were attacking Florida that night.  We were sitting on the front stoop eating our ice cream when some helicopters approached.  They told me that was the sound the lizards made when they were attacking and the only place I would be safe was in my bed.  I ran lickety split to my bed, threw down the covers all set to hop in for safety, when I saw the giant lizard sprawled in front of me.  I let out a deafening scream that perhaps the entire Sunshine State heard.  My parents were furious.  I was terrified.  My siblings were banned from the beach for days. Did they care?  Not one bit.  I believe they are still laughing this very day!

Get Your Ham On!

HELLO AGAIN.  It's time for some more Mama Kat fun!  I'm afraid I may have scared many of you with my singing vlog last week, so I'll spare you this week!  This week I'm going to blog the vlog because that is the question I liked best.

6.) Describe a time when your child said or did something that made you laugh out loud.

This past St. Paddy's Day we were having dinner at a friends house.  Her tradition was to serve the kids green eggs and ham.  I knew my daughter would turn her nose up at the eggs but she sure loves her meat so the ham was a hit.  She polished off her first helping and came dancing up asking for more.  When she left with her plate, she danced off doing a little rap move.  When my friend asked her what she was doing... she replied, "I'm getting my HAM ON!!!!"  We were all laughing out loud and nearly rolling on the floor (yes Kat we were really LOL and ROTFLMAO but we did NOT WOOT WOOT)  Claire is usually more shy and reserved but she sure HAMMED it up for us that night!

All Night Long (Not What You Think!)

A song is playing in my head.  It will date me folks but sorry it's Lionel Ritchie's "All Night Long" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QiLziusKW4s (enjoy the video and a great laugh..check out the moves and outfits.. classic~!) This should be the theme music for a Mom's life.  And I'm not talking about a fun night of romance.  Nope just the usual kid stuff keeping us up all the time.  Last night it was my daughter getting sick all over.  Then the dog was up at 3am begging to go out.  Funny but somehow I've got a snoring husband next to me. 

I'm having flashbacks to long nights of nursing babies, crying babies, crying kids, sick kids, scared kids, crawl into your bed kids, or sleep next to you on the floor kids.  Somehow the notion of "All Night Long" takes on a whole new meaning.  Mr. Ritchie surely must have been croning to all of us Mom's out there taking care of our kids.

Tonight I have big plans for sleeping "All Night Long".  One can only hope right?

Here's A Story......

Well, hook, line and sinker..I'm taking the bait and trying Mama Kat's vlogging prompt this week.  Please bear with me as you all are my guinea pigs while I try to figure this vlogging stuff out.  This time I fiddled around in Movie Maker.  Not the best but I gave it a shot.  Many mess ups too but the kids were helping out and I didn't want to do lots of takes so we stuck with the second one and called it a night.  Hope you enjoy it!

Prompt #6:  Introduce the people you blog about.

Hats and Horses!

A song keeps playing in my head.  "Horses, Horses, Horses"... Meg Ryan in Sleepless In Seattle.  The reason I keep singing this jazzy little jingle is my recent attendance at the Virginia Gold Cup, http://www.vagoldcup.com/.  New to the scene, I felt like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman.  Surrounded by a sea of lovely hats, elaborate tables, dapper gentlemen, I savored mint juleps.  There were JRT (Jack Russell Terrier) races, as well as the 6 steeplechase races.  Vendors sold a myriad of delightful hats and woman paraded through trying on hats to ohhhs and ahhhs.  My husband donned a silly Happy Birthday hat that garnered many laughs.  We thought he might win the hat contest but alas no such luck, although many folks took his picture.   The entire event was top notch.  I was worried it would be too hoity toity, but it was nothing but fun.  Hats and horses.  Horses, Horses, Horses!

A Memory for Mother!

Hello Mama Kat's Pretty Much World Famous Writers!  So many great writing prompts courtesy of Mama Kat.  It's always hard to pick just one.  Last week I attempted the vlog; this week I'm not so tempted. So I'm going with prompt # 4.) Ode to your mother...write about a special memory you have of your mom in honor of Mother's Day.

My Mom, what can I say.. she is losing a piece of her memory everyday.  It's not getting better and only will get worse so I need to savor the memories she has and those I have of her.  I think the thing about my Mom that shines is her love for her grandchildren and the way she lights up and smiles when they are around.  I remember the time she discovered my son was ticklish on top of his knees.  He was dressed as a dragon for Halloween.  My Mom would tickle my son's knee and my little dragon would spew giggles instead of fire.  Oh how we laughed.  If only I could go back to that day and hold on to time that is slipping away... just for a giggle and a smile on my Mom's face.

On a funnier side.  We loved to mess with my Mom because that's what kids do.  All 4 of us!  I now have a deep respect for all that my Mom must have gone through.  Sometimes I thought my Mom was crazy and then realize that we drove her crazy.  Yes I do believe my Mama was Losin It!  Dont' we all!  And who is the best person to pull a prank on?  Mom...of course and that's we did.  Mom left us in the car to run into Safeway.  We had our hilarious, childhood friend, Margaret,  in the car with us.  Somehow we concocted the idea to move the car on my Mom and see what she would do (yes, we were much older at the time and should have known better.. although I don't think any of us were of driving age!).  So we moved the car and in fits of laughter watched my Mom Lose It.  I could tell she was swearing under her breath.  Lucky for us she wasn't really mad (cuz that was never good!). She was more annoyed and mildly amused.  We asked her what she was mumbling.. and she replied "Those DAMN kids!!!".   Mom,  all I can say is that I'm sorry your DAMN kids drove you crazy.  Mine do too.  Crazy with LOVE:)
Love You Mom for all the giggles, fun times and love.  Thanks for the memories! 

Mama's Gotta Vlog!

It's time for Mama Kat's Pretty Much World Famous Writer's Workshop but instead of a blog post I'm trying the vlog challenge this week and answering the question.. "What was the inspiration for your blog name?

A Tisket.. A Tasket... Candy in the Basket!!

What kind of Mother would steal candy from such a sweet little girl?  We are only one day out from Easter and I'm already pillaging the kids' baskets.  I can't stand these holidays that feature candy and lots of it.  Halloween and Easter are bad, bad, bad for me.  You'd think I'd get a clue and buy candy that I can't stand.. but ohhhhh no...Lindt chocolate bunnies and lambs, Cadbury eggs, M&Ms, Jolly Rancher jelly beans.  I can't even admit how many bags of Cadbury eggs I powered through weeks before Easter even arrived. Let's just say that I was so happy when the store sold out (well, I was sad and happy at the same time.  It was a bittersweet moment!).  It's pretty bad when the kids are yelling "MOM.. did you eat the ears off my chocolate bunny?".  I can only blame the dog so many times (once she really did eat the entire basket of candy that my daughter left on the floor. No really, she did! It was NOT me!).  Oh well, what can I do.  I'm a candy junkie.  I need my fix.  I need help.  Is there a 12 step program for this?  I've been through denial, blame, anger (when the candy is gone!) and acceptance (I accept that chocolate tastes good... too darn good!).  So to my darlings, I am so sorry for plundering your candy that you leave all over the house (in every room!) but think of all the cavities I'm saving you from.  And you can thank me for the sweet teeth I gave you!

If My Mama Were A Blogger....

Time for Mama Kat's Pretty Much World Famous Writer's Workshop!  I'm not sure how the week went by so fast but it did and here we are again.  And so for this weeks prompt.. I'm going with "If your Mom were a blogger......?"

If my Mama were a blogger..
It would be a shocker.
She wouldn't follow me,
Cuz she's eighty three!
A t.v. remote's a mystery.
A microwave is "NOT for me!"
A mouse is a critter in the house.
Postings, comments, settings, design?
Too confusing!  Just get her some wine!
And what the hell...
 HTML?
And a gadget, she'd be bitchin'
is something that belongs in a kitchen!
This "new fangled" computer world sets her
a twitter (not the kind your thinking of!)
You DIGG in your garden..
and talk about BING (CROSBY!)
If my Mama were a bloggger?
T'aint no such THING!

TAXES!!! What TAXES??!!!!

It's time for Monday Mingle brought to you by the fabulous Eighty MPH Mom.  Come on over and mingle with us.  It's fun!

 I only vlogged an answer to one question .. Did you finish your taxes?  I just had to find some humor in the whole ordeal so this is my take on it.  And for the record..  my real answer is no.  We had to file for an extension because we have some paper work that needs to be sent so we couldn't electronically file this year.

I have yet to see Extreme Couponing but there seems to be a lot of buzz regarding it so I will have to check it out soon!

Sales tax for us is 6 percent and none in Delaware if we are willing to make the drive several hours.  We love to shop when we go to the beaches there:)

When My Kids Grow Up They Will Be?

Hello all!  Time for another of Mama Kat's pretty much world famous Writer's Workshop.  I'm a wee bit late today because it's nice out gosh darn and I've been outside working in the yard for a change.  Lots of great prompts this week so it was hard to pick one.  I decided to go with question number 2.)Based on their personalities, what do you think your children will be when they grow up?

My son,  Andrew, who is almost eleven is a natural at , well at all things natural and related to nature.  He has always been obsessed with Steve Irwin, Jeff Corbin and now Dr. Brady Barr of Nat Geo Wild's Dangerous Encounters.  Andrew is always the one to spot an animal/critter/reptile/bird of prey/insect and points it out to us (sometime even going 65mph on the highway).  Once he found a tiny toad, in the pitch dark, in a pile of leaves while camping.  I asked him how he found the toad and he replied "I just heard it rustling in the leaves!".  The best was the time he came running in the kitchen yelling he saw a snake.  I yelled where and he said my bedroom.  Turns out he was in his bedroom and saw a 5ft rat snake in the azalea bushes just outside his window. OMG, I nearly freaked out.  We watched that snake for nearly 2 hrs.  Andrew touched it's tail.  I just wanted to make sure it left my yard.  Instead it climbed way up one of our huge trees.  No idea where that snake is but it better not be in my house!  Next week Andrew is attending a mock Marine Rescue  at our local community center run by Mei Len Sanchez Barr (Dr. Brady Barr's wife).  They live in our town and she is just as amazing and accomplished as her husband.  Well she is bringing her baby alligator and among other things like tagging and measuring and assessing the animal the kids are going to sex the animal (determine it's sex).  Andrew has already informed me that he wants to do this knowing that it involves sticking your finger in the alligators hole to find out. WOW and I don't doubt that he will volunteer for this task.   So... keep your eyes out in the future for our next alligator/snake wrestling/dolphin swimming/shark tagging t.v. host.. Andrew P.  Can you spot the snake?

My daughter, Claire, age 8, wants to be a photographer when she grows up.  She really has a great eye for details and has taken some beautiful photos.  However, she will have to learn not to drop the camera and break the lens(but I'm not blaming her because a few months later I dropped the new camera and broke the lens!).  Truth be told though I do believe that Claire will end up in a profession or calling that helps other people (teaching, counseling, helping the poor, giving to the community).  Claire is full of empathy for others and is extremely sensitive and intuitive.  She can sense our moods and is so affected by them.  If her brother is upset and cries she is right there with him crying.  His hurt is her hurt, a friend's sadness is her sadness.  She is this way with both people and animals.  You can complain about having family over for a holiday meal and all the cooking you have to do and cleaning, blah, blah, blah... and she will chime in with "We should just be thankful that we have food and a house!"  Or, "I really don't care if Santa brings me stuff, because Christmas is really about giving, family and love".  And my favorite is when she caresses my face and  holds me tight saying "Mom, I want to hold on to you forever!".  I many times wonder what I did to deserve such a lovely little girl.  I ask her to stay this way forever and never change... but change is inevitable.  I so worry about her teen years.  She is so vulnerable and sensitive.  I know that whatever Claire becomes she will do it with all the care and love in the world!

Monday Mingle with a Twist!

Going to try something new today... it's the Monday Mingle (ok, ok, so I know today is Wednesday but that's how I roll!  Anyway it's rainy and blah outside so it feels like a Monday!).  Join in the fun at EightyMPHMom. 


And please bear with me... I am so new to vlogging let alone blogging and sometimes I feel I'm slogging and it's mind boggling.  Curse you Dr. Seuss... look what you've done to me!

Apparently I'm Stylin'!

I am so honored that Wendie from Thoughts from this mom... thought of me for the Stylish blogger Award.  She felt that anyone who could hike the Grand Canyon in 140degree heat deserved this award.  If she only could have seen me in my big floppy hat, all sweaty and dusty.. I doubt she would consider me stylish. LOL.  I'm honored though Wendie.  Hop on over and say "HI" to her and check out her cool blog!

So in the tradition of passing this award on, I am passing this award to some blogs that I really enjoy or have just discovered and think are really awesome.  The goal is to pass this award to 10 or so blogs that you enjoy.  Link back to them as well as the person sending you the award.  Then have some fun telling your readers 7 random things about yourself.  Have fun ! I think you all have some amazing blogs. Thanks for sharing all your stories and talents:)

Some Really Rockin' Blogs !

Psychedelic Waterfall
If You Give A B!*ch A Blog
Mandy Sroka Photography
And we're off to...
Runner Mom
Flyrish Foibles
Adventures in being a Mom..
Coffee Lovin Mom
Snip And Snails And Puppy Dog Tails
True Life: I'm a Stay At Home Mom
take2mommy
Keeping It Simple
S!it In The Bathtub
A Moment In Time

7 Random Things About Me:

1.  I used to live on a boat and I loved it!  Both my kids were born while we lived aboard.  We moved to house when Andrew was 2.5 years and Claire was 2 months old.
2. I lived in Edinburgh, Scotland for my Junior Year Abroad.  Back in the day I could outdrink my guy buddy's with Guinness.  Can barely drink a pint of it now!!
3. Chocolate is always in my house!  I crave it and stock up at the store.  It's really bad at Easter time because I'm crazy about those little Cadbury eggs:)
4.  I hate the color yellow, but surprisingly my favorite flower is the sunflower.  I love to keep a vase of sunflowers on my kitchen table.  Cheers me up!
5. I love to dance.  I grew up doing ballet.  After college I joined a Scottish Country Dance group and was on their performance team.  I've tried belly dancing (very fun) and now am totally into Zumba!
6. My husband and I honeymooned in Turkey.  We went to Istanbul and then rented a sailboat in the south of Turkey (Marmaris to Fethiye Bay).
7. I am the happiest when I am on a beach or surrounded by water.

That's all folks!......
Anne

140degrees Baby!

It's time for Mama Kat's Writers Workshop:) 

1.) Your 15 minutes of fame.

Not sure you can handle my fame because it's HOT... and I mean really HOT!!!  Last summer, we hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon with my 10 year old son and 7 year old daughter.   This had been a dream of my husbands and we talked about it when we dated.  I went along with it  "Yes, dear that sounds like fun!" never really believing that we would do it.  But crazy as it sounds... we did do it.  It was challenging, exhilirating, daunting, fun, scary, rewarding and best of all we made it out to tell of our adventure.  So my 15 minutes of fame you ask?  I wrote a story about it and was featured in our local family magazine, Chesapeake Family Magazine.  The kids were even on the front cover and loved when one of their teachers asked them for an autograph.  I am so, so, so proud of them.  Now when they start in on the "I can't do... blah.. blah.. blahh....!" , I reply "Oh yes you can.  You can do anything... you hiked the Grand Canyon!"

The Girl Who Cried Wolf!

Dear Friends and Neighbors:

Please accept my sincere apologies for awaking you at 5am this morning to warn you of an impending tornado.  You know who you are because you are wandering around today tired, cranky and pissed off at the crazy weather fanatic (ME) who awoke you from a deep sleep.  Believe me.. the sound of my sweet (yet panicked) voice was much better than the BEEP, BEEP, BEEP that emanated from my trusty all weather alert radio.  I am so sorry that there wasn't an actual tornado.  Now wait a minute.. that doesn't quite sound right!  I'm really glad there wasn't a real tornado and you are all safe.   I'm really sorry that you a.)  think I'm a nutcase, b.) think I'm a freak about tornadoes (that I am!), c.) will never believe me again (yes I've done this before!), or d.) all of the above.    I know that some of you have voiced your concern at such an early call believing it to be a.) our school system calling with the automated voice cancelling school (never good!), b.) a death in the family (really not good!), c.)some strange woman calling for your husband (well yes I'm strange!) or d.) all of the above.  You may doubt that there was even a tornado warning at all (yup... I just love pulling that prank.. calling people in the wee hours of the morning.. and yelling tornado!).  I have proof and back up from Channel 2's awesome weatherman, Justin Berk and am prepared to wield it in my defense.  So in conclusion,  I apologize for being the girl who cried wolf, but I will cry it again and again to keep my sheep safe ( yup, you are the sheep here!).  Hey, look on the bright side.. at least you weren't awakened at 2 am for a frost warning  (been there, husband nearly killed me, can laugh about it now!).  So until the next round of severe weather, sleep soundly, dream deeply, rest peacefully knowing that I will alert you.  BEEP, BEEP!
Sincerely, your neurotic but loving friend... Anne

Ultimate Blog Party:)

Hello bloggers!  Never been to a blog party since I'm a newbie to bloggging.   I just started blogging in March and have a lot to learn.  I'm not even sure what category to put myself under yet.  Is there one for beginners?  Well, I'm a SAHM (but I rarely stay at home because we are always on the go!).  I used to live on a boat (with babies!).  I love to write, travel, dance, camp, hike, sail, be outdoors and meet new people.  My blog is just my musings on things in life with kids, as a Mom, as a friend, daughter, sister, wife, pet owner, adventure seeker... etc.   Blogging for me is just a great excuse to write, write and write some more.  I hope you'll like what you read:)  Happy Blogging to all!

THE GREAT PIE-TASTROPHE!

Ok here it goes another Mama Kat writers prompt:

2.) Share a story of a memorable dinner.

THE GREAT PIE-TASTROPHE!

I’m not one for making pies but since I was hosting our first Thanksgiving in our new home I decided that some pie making was in order.  So I set out to make several scrumptious pies, pumpkin pie, apple pie and my husband’s favorite, cherry pie.  I toiled all week buying the ingredients, mixing, chopping, crumbling, kneading, flouring and baking.  By no means am I a Betty Crocker but I must say I was proud of my perfect pies and happily set them aside for the big feasting day.  The whole FAM-dango came to feast and we feasted all day long.  And what do you do after a day of feasting?  You feast some more on sweets.  So I brought out the pies and set them on a rectangular folding table.  I gave my brother-in-law the task of serving the ice cream but in my haste I had not let it thaw (big mistake!).  I left the premise (the dining room) to get the whipped cream when I heard the loud thump and the crashing sound.  I heard kids crying “OH NO!” and the older ones exclaiming “It wasn’t me Aunt Anne!”  I rounded the corner to see all of my pies crumpled on the floor in a pile of ruins.  Tears in my eyes, I looked at my BIL pleading for an explanation.  He of great humor, laughed and said he was pressing hard into the frozen ice cream when one of the table legs buckled, half the table went down and then the pies hung there like passengers on the Titanic and finally made the precipitous slide into the sea (well ok, our floor!).  So what did we do you may ask?  My dear nephew Kyle happily scooped a pie up, unfolded it and declared, “It may not be pretty, but we can still eat it!”  And feast we did….. on mangled, twisted, and crumpled up pies.  They were delectably delicious despite disaster!

*This is just one of my many pie-tastrophes.  There are two more (more stories for another day!) and I no longer bake a pie, I just buy!

Bird Of A Feather Blog Together!

I am noticing some therapeutic effects of blogging already!  I’m new to this blogging and am noticing some great changes in me because of it.   I no longer have the propensity to pick out the terrorist in every crowd (airport, malls, stores, public gatherings).  Instead I’m focused on picking out the bloggers in every crowd.  I’m a people watcher extraordinaire and now my mind is on alert for fellow bloggers.  When I see a Mom out and about now, I wonder… “Is she a blogger?”,   “What’s her blog about?”, “Does she belong to a community and which ones?”  “Is she hip, funny, fashionable, silly, pensive, poetic, outgoing, shy, serious, crafty, culinary, creative….etc?”  I’ve never thought about people this way before and it’s great.  With millions of bloggers worldwide the chances are very high that I could be sitting next to one on the subway, on a plane, in line at the store or at the park.  It just boggles this blogging mind to bits!    I just love the not knowing, the guessing, the speculating, the wondering and imagining about strangers.  I guess I could ask them but that would be kinda weird, sorta like asking the suspicious traveler, “So tell me sir… are you a terrorist cuz you sure are acting weird?”.  No, it just wouldn’t be polite.  I believe Miss Manners would frown on it!  But seriously, I really would like to know the bloggers among us.  Perhaps a ploy.  I could hijack the loud speaker and announce a giveaway on aisle 2, a live chat at 3 in the produce section,  Follower Friday fiesta in the Mexican aisle, and a craft or cooking demo on a budget with cleaning tips to follow in the seasonal section.  Then I would wait and see who came running and chances are they just might be a blogger.  No more guessing for me cuz we all know “Birds of a feather blog together!”

Hope=Warmth=Beach!

Here it goes... I am trying Mama Kat's writing workshop:)  The prompt is # 2.) April is national poetry month…Write a poem about hope.

Last week Spring teased us with some warm weather... talk about false hope... Winter is trying to make a comeback and snow this weekend!  The nerve!  So here is a little piece I wrote on my favorite place on Earth...the beach... and hoping it warms up soon so I can go there!

BEACH

There is one place on this planet that is heaven to me.  Its waves whisper my name as they lap upon the shore.  Like a siren song I am magically drawn to this castle of sand and pounding surf.  The shrill song of the seagulls echoes in my mind. I am drenched in the warmth of a radiant sun as miniscule specks of sand seep between my toes. The shore is bedecked in jewels from the sea.  A delicately spiraled nautilus, a glistening conch shell and bleach white scallop nestle in the sand, a bounty waiting to be reclaimed by the sea. The salt laden air permeates my body.  I inhale the briny bouquet.  My breath rises and falls like the ebb and flow of the tide.  Closing my eyes, I hear the sweet laughter of children chasing waves.  Tranquility envelopes me.  I walk for miles, etching footprints as I go.  The sea gently erases my path but I always know the way back.  I can return here for eternity and dive into happiness.

Whoopie Pie Oh My!

I just love how we (ok well I!) have to sabotage my work out efforts.  I equate working out with calories burned  and therefore earned. Then despite efforts to be good (which lasts nanoseconds) I go shopping and find the Whoopie Pies.  I stare at the Whoopie Pies.  They stare back with those big, brown chocolate eyes and sweet cream filling smiles.  And I'm a sucker for sweet.  So much for my Zumba class today.  I can just kiss those calories goodbye or in this case hello.  Well nothing ventured, nothing gained?  Or should it be something ventured (a workout), something gained (Whoopie Pie pounds).   Zumba = whoopie pie.  So technically I'm even.  Now I need to resist the rest of the pack.  I could dump them in the trash.... but... ohhhhh they are just so delightfully tempting.   I just might turn into Miranda on Sex And The City when she dumps the brownies in the trash and keeps going back to take bites  ("You'll probably need this information when you check me into the Betty Crocker clinic" )http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfk5iseN87k.  Thank goodness, no Betty Crocker for me (yet!), the kids just got home from school and they are devouring the Whoopie Pies! I knew there was a good reason I had kids in the first place.  WHOOPIE!  (and that's how they got here!).

PET PEEVES PETURB PARENTS PLENTY!

OK.. first off, I do not have a pet named Peeve although I think that would be a funny name for a pet.  Can you imagine calling him/her to come... "Here' Peeve.. Here' Peeve.   Get over here this instant Peeve!  Aww, good girl Peeve".  I can already predict what the neighbors' pet peeve would be!

No, I'm referring to those annoyingly bothersome habits that others do to just drive you up a wall.  I had a few as a kid.  Chomping food (my brother was a master at this and did it just to annoy me.. especially with his gum!), chalk (still can't stand it), and did I mention chomping food!!  Well that was about it back then, but I do believe that my number of pet peeves increases exponentially with age because I have tons of them now.

I began my day with a big offender (the number of clothes..mainly p.j.s being dumped in the basket daily.  I swear I empty the thing daily and whammo it's full again.  Is it possible the clothes are mating in there and the offspring are taking over?  Could folks fathom wearing something more than once if it's still clean?).  So that got me thinking about some of my other pet peeves.  Here are just a few of them.  "These are a few of my least favorite things".

1.  Things that beep at you as a reminder.  The microwave, the dryer, etc.  YES.. I did select that I wanted to be informed when my clothes are done, the food is done, I have a message in the inbox... but it is so annoying and demanding.  The thing is they always beep at the most inopportune times  (ahem.. like when I'm in the bathroom!).  It's bad enough that I have kids calling out "MOM", knocking on doors or worse busting in on you (another pet peeve!), and demanding something/anything/everything from you NOW.  Do I need a machine demanding me to "Hurry up and now!"?

2. Recycling left out on the counter.  Hmmmm... we have a recycling bin!  The idea is that you put the recycling IN it.  *Furthermore,  if said bin is full (and the trash bins), it needs to be taken OUT.  Not, let's see how much stuff we can cram into it before someone else notices and does something about it (ME!).

3. Spam mail.  Why???  Do I really need ...

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4. Anything/Anyone waking me up from sleep.  Enough said!

5. Fidgeting while watching t.v./movie.  OMG.. what is it with kids and the bouncing, headstands, somersaults, touching, poking, punching, up, down, up down while watching a show?  This has me perplexed because I am the model of good t.v. watching behavior.  I am still and silent and trying, trying, trying to enjoy a good show!

6.  This goes along with #5.  Commentary while I'm trying to watch a show.  Number one offender... hubby.  Oh sure the kids talk, ask questions, give their opinions on anything A-Z that have nothing to do with the show.. but the hubby makes comments about my shows, the plot or lack of one, and the actors/actresses.  Can you imagine if I made remarks during the ball game..."What's he wearing that for?  Didn't his mother teach him not to spit?  What's with all the butt slapping?  What's that lame dance?  I can dance better than that!"

7. Butting in line  (I just love that phrase.  "HE/SHE BUTTED!!!"  It just cracks me up {no pun intended}!)
IMO it's just rude and annoying.  The only way it's acceptable is in an emergency and I'm talking someone is about to have a baby, or has to GO (you know what I mean!) really badly, or there is blood/trauma/injury involved.  Otherwise, WAIT YOUR TURN like the rest of us.  What!!! Are you entitled?  I think not!

8. When the kids hang on you, touch, poke, lean, fall on, bump into you and especially when it's hot.  I call it "Pawing" and it drives me batty.  This behavior is akin to fidgeting and escalates when they are tired or bored, or worse when they are about to yak on you .  That's when you have that "AHA" moment.. "That's what little Johnny was trying to tell me.  He wanted to barf so he was hanging on me!"

I could go on and on but this may be your pet peeve so I'll stop here.  In summation:

PET PEEVES PETURB PARENTS PLENTY!
  

Dental Wet Bar for Mama's!

Going to the dentist with kids is hell, pure hell!   And I mean pure hell for the Mama's!  I had to take both kids today for their dental cleanings and it was tantamount to torture.  First off, they were an hour behind in their appointments (no surprises there).  I stopped counting how many times my kids bemoaned "when is it going to be our turn?" as if I knew, but ask away they did and repeatedly.  If I had only known how bad it would be in the hygienists' room, I would have gladly stayed in the waiting room forever.  OMG, the crying, the panic, the eyes wide as saucers and the white knuckled grips.  Oh and did I forget to mention the snot?  Always fun when mouths are pried open and the only breathing mechanism for them are their clogged up noses.  My daughter started crying when she saw her brother crying and carrying on (*** note to self... leave the highly empathetic kid in the waiting room next time!).  Then when it was her turn she wouldn't get in the chair.  I had to physically place her there against her will.  You know the saying.. "You can lead a horse to water.. but can't make him/her drink?"... we'll I couldn't even lead the horse to water.  Maybe that's because this horse was a mule and was stubborn as all get out!  I have the feeling the whole office heard my kids and wondered if they were having their arms and legs ripped from their bodies.  They sure acted like it.  Well we (I)... made it through the ordeal and am proud to say that I remained as composed as possible, however, I have one simple request...instead of sticker baskets or lollipops for kids... how about a much needed wet bar for the Mama's?  The kids get over things quickly.........but as for myself, I'm still traumatized by the whole ordeal.  Good thing, I have 6 months to recover!

We've Got Talent.... Yes We Do... We've Got Talent ...How 'Bout You?

So it's that time of year again...the annual school talent show (otherwise called the "Hootenanny" at our school) and this year I'm doing the sane thing and opting out of doing it.  In all fairness I did ask my daughter twice if she wanted to do it and she said "No".  I secretly jumped up and down, but on the outside I just smiled and said "Ok sweetie" and then politely turned down requests for me to choreograph a dance this year.   Last year ( I don't know what possessed me to do it?) I put together a routine for five, 7-8 year old girls.  It was  Super Trouper from Mama Mia and IMO it was great but I will readily admit it was over the top.  Yes, I succumbed to the perfectionism and outrageously overdone hype that is rampant in my hood.  We had disco lights flashing, band lights and get this a fog machine.  I'm ashamed to admit that I was "one of those parents", but at least I'm confessing my sins right?!!  We fit right in with the rest of the show stoppers.  The girls had fun and I enjoyed seeing their accomplishment and smiles when they got up on stage and actually did it (they were so nervous.. even with me in the wings wildly gesturing and dancing all the moves!). The talent show was entertaining as it always proves to be but the act that stood out the most for me and my friends, the one that taught us a lesson and showed what an elementary school talent show should be about... was the little second grader, sans costume, gimmicks,  props, etc. marching back and forth the stage belting out "John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt".  Ohhhh how we loved her and the beautiful, simplicity of her performance.  Bravo for teaching us what talent is all about!
Anne
P.S.  Don't ya know that little bugger of mine came home from school yesterday and asked if she could be in her Brownie troops' talent show act (the group I turned down when they asked me to help coordinate it!).  Sorry my Super Trouper.. but the answer is a resounding "NO".

Birthday Boy!

Who's the Birthday Boy?  No it's not my kid I'm talking about .. it's my husband.  Coming soon to a theatre near me (ahem.. this Friday!) and I'm clueless on what to get him.  Actually in a panic.  Why is it so hard to buy for men?  What do they want????? Me.. now that's easy peezy... a spa day, flowers, out for dinner (anything not to cook!), a nice outing, a vacation, chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.. oh and don't forget the wine (not whine!).  See how easy is that!   But NOOOOO, for the life of me.. I'm always stumped on a great gift for Mike.  He always says he needs new clothes.. I get them.. and he's like "Thanks" and I don't see him wear what I bought and I end up returning said items.   He loves to read, so we get him books.  Cool!  He reads them and is like "Thanks" but really books... kinda boring.  I thought for Christmas I was clever and found the perfect gift . Mike is always saying he wants a portrait of the family so I got a session booked with a great local photographer, my son's former Kindergarten teacher, http://mandysrokaphotography.blogspot.com/.  He seemed happy enough about it,  but...... I'm still looking for that perfect gift with the WOW factor (no I can't afford a sports car for him, and I'm not dressing up in fishnet stockings....).  I'm looking for suggestions here.. hint, hint.  I'll help you out.. he loves computers (is a programmer), anything electronic, sailing, reading, football (especially the CU Buffs and Denver Broncos).  Oh and Mike if you are reading this, DON'T! 
Thanks (on behalf of me and the Birthday Boy!) for any ideas.  *Don't  let him persuade you to suggest the fishnet stockings or any dancing that involves a pole!

Rub-a-dub-dub... too many toys in the tub!

So I'm in the shower today thinking that I'm so tired of toys in the tub... always  Littlest Pet Shop critters, deep sea divers, boats, Lego's, dolls, etc.  Yes, I want a refreshing shower to wake myself up but sorry a sharp Lego piece wedged between my toes wasn't what I had in mind.  How is Calgon supposed to take me away?  I guess in the Playmobile police boat with LPS animals as my companions?  Again not what I had in mind.  My husband is always trying to get me to take a bath (hmmm, I wonder why?!), and I'm like "Who are you kiddin' pal?!!  In that heap of toys.. ughhh no way!".  The scary thing is as much as I would wish the toys away... I know that I'll miss them someday and all they represent.  Childhood in all it's glory.  The pretend world of play.  My daughter can (and sometimes will!) spend an hour in the tub and I love eavesdropping on her pretend scenarios/play with her tub toys.  I will miss that so much someday.  So what's the hurry.. I can put up with a few toys.  Calgon can take me away some other day, just don't take away my kids imaginative play!  Oh and one final note,  an even scarier thing... my husband doesn't seem to mind the naked Barbies in the tub!!!! (hmmm.. maybe he should try to get them to take a bath!! )LOL.

Bye, Bye White!

In the 8 years we've lived in this house we've been slowly painting each room and ending the sea of white that surrounded us.  Yes, the entire home was painting white and crying out for some color.  "Paint is cheap" my husband says, "so paint all you want".   Well actually I'm the edger here and Mike is the roller (he's just so good at it after growing up helping his parents paint their 80 unit apartment complex every time tenants moved in and out).  So yesterday we finally attacked the foyer and front hallway and all those doors.  Talk about some heavy edging.  I spent nearly 6 hours alone yesterday edging. My finger is red and about to blister:(  And imagine this... I changed my mind on the color after we put the first coat on (yes, it's a woman's perogative to change her mind whenever and wherever she so chooses!!!).  The color was too peachy.. so I went darker with a more tan undertone.  Love it now!    I'm sure my Mom won't.  She is a staunch ally of the color white and was aghast when I started painting the rooms. "Why are you painting the rooms red, green, blue, pink.. etc.  White is so nice!".   You'd have thought I had mortally wounded the walls by painting them.  Yup.. that lovely Maple Leaf Red (Benjamin Moore) in the dining room is really blood oozing from the wounds we inflicted.   No offense to you allies of white out there.... but IMO  I think color adds warmth, cheerfulness, attitude, and a good splash of life to a room.  As much as I love my color choices though, I'm certain the next person to buy this house will think they are hideous.  Isn't that always the case!  In the meantime I'm going to soak up my new color, Arizona Tan,  and pretend I'm surrounded by warm, desert sands:)

Diarrhea At Disney!

I know, I know .. what a disgusting title.  Sorry! Got kids... got potty mouth!  I'm having a bad, bad memory of a trip years ago. Why this memory now?  Well I'll tell you.  Kids in the hood are sick.  As far as I know it's fevers and barfing (ughh).  Now we all know that when we are in the midst of it ourselves it's the worst ever and we Mama's go kind of commando.  "How'd you get this?  Who gave it to you?  Didn't you wash your hands 50 million times like I told you?!!!  and "WHY ME?".  You vent that little Miss Sally Sunshine's kids never get sick and you sorta wish they would.  Trust me.. I've been there.  I've traversed that battlefield and somehow made it out alive.  And maybe I'm somebody's Miss Sally Sunshine but I hate to burst your bubble... we've had it.. we've had it all... including diarrhea at Disney and puke on presents (Christmas morn!).  It's Murphy Law and no matter what drastic measures you take to keep the nasty sicko bugs away, they creep up on you at the worst possible moments (Birthdays, vacations, Holidays and so on...).   If you find yourself in the depths of poo poo and you don't know what to do...remember it could be worse.  Diarrhea at Disney ruins a Dumbo ride and the Princesses frown at poo on their gown. 
Well this Mama's Gotta Go....duty calls  (NOOOO, get your head out of the toilet!... I've got chores to do!)  Anne

O.S.I.F.

T.G.I.F.M.A.  (Thank God it's Friday My A**!).  I'm sorry but I don't look forward to Friday the way I once did (back when I was partying and Friday night was lots of fun!)  Nowadays it's more like O.S.I.F.  (Oh sh*t ! It's Friday!).  Let's see...... could it be the kids home all weekend and all the ensuing activities.  Tonight it's tennis 6-7:30, followed by an early morning Scouting for Food, 9am, with the cub scouts, then tennis again in the afternoon and tennis on Sunday.  Add in the household chores/projects to somehow fit in....hopefully we can paint the hallway this weekend, cleaning up the yard would be nice, and someday soon I need to dust... yup, I actually wrote "Anne was here" and "Wash me!" on my furniture today!!!  Classy huh?  That's just not going to cut it in good ol' Severna Perfect!   So instead of T.G.I.F.,  I'm all for T.G.I.M. (Thank God it's Monday!).  Come on Mom's you know what I mean.  Need I say more?!  Well, T.M.G.G. (This Mama's Gotta Go)  G.S.W.D. (Get Some Work Done)  B.K.A.H.F.S. (Before Kids Are Home From School).  Anne

And they're off......!!!

Wow.  Who knew I would inspire two of my friends to start blogging by simply sharing my efforts with them.  We are all new to this blogospere world and I have to tell you their blogs are amazing.  Check out Psychedelic Waterfall and If You Give A B**ch  A Blog.  I feel so lucky to know such talented women.  You go girls!!!!

Well, back to where I left off last night when I nearly burned the lasagna.  My blog name..Momma's Gotta Go.  Hmmm.  It does sound a bit like I have to run to the loo, or skip to my loo if I'm really happy.  You know what though... I do have to go lots now that I've had kids.  I have the ADHD of all bladders.  When I had babies I thought I'd be hip deep in diapers but they didn't tell me that I better start thinking about something absorbent for myself.  Jump=pee, cough=pee, laugh=pee, car rides=many stops for me.. not the kids.  You get the picture and it's not pretty!  Alas, that's not the reason for my blog name.  I picked it because I'm always on the go or if not I want to be.  I love to travel (who doesn't?!) and want to go places, see new things, meet new people.  Escape reality.. ... hell ya! (who doesn't?!).  Plus I rarely sit still.. up, down, here, there.  Just ask my shadow, my dog, who follows me every time I move in the house.  It's like she has radar on me... beep, beep, Mom's moving..better get up and follow her...ohhh here's she goes again.. on the move...pant, pant... can't she ever sit still.  Sorry Lily, my pal.. nope I've got to get stuff done.  Check off my to do list which always grows bigger even as I check things off.  That reminds me of a riddle I recently heard... and if you can figure it out then you are the WINNER (of what I don't know but I'll think of something good and it may involve chocolate!)....."What grows bigger the more you take from it?" 

Well, this Mama's gotta go... kids will be home from school soon and I'm not ready for the chatter, moods, requests, complaints, and the papers... god the papers, the papers.  Please schools stop destroying the rain forest.. save the trees...must we waste so much paper?  And I have 2 kids at school, do I need every flyer x 2 or can just one suffice?   Oh well.. I better go enjoy my clean kitchen table free of clutter for these last 30 minutes.  And dear Mike.... yes, I do clean the house everyday  and it stays clean until exactly 4:32 when the kids arrive home and destroy every shred of my work.  Maybe I should take before and after pictures daily?  LOL....ooops no LOL... LOL=pee:(

Naming your blog...harder than I thought!

Ok,  here I go again.  Trying to figure out how to blog.  Somewhere lost in computer world, I have another blog..lost and crying out for me to remember my user name and password.  This time I'm coming to you armed with knowledge.  Knowledge for us dummies.. yes it's Blogging for Dummies.  Hello there.. I'm your dummy.. at your service.  So I guess I'm doing something right since I'm typing this, picked a pretty template and created myself in a profile.  Insert.. pat on the back, applause here!  (I'd really like to insert an image though...anyone, anyone.. how do I do this?).

I'd really love to hoot and holler, dance for joy, jump up and down.. but I have a long way to go before I figure this blogging world (blogosphere? a word from my Dummy book!) out.  And geez, just naming this blog was an arduous task.  What the heck do you call a blog that will sum you and your purpose up in a short, sassy, memorable way?  (My next arduous task will be figuring out my blogging purpose!) Dang.. you got me there!  I'm a stay-at-home Mom who likes hiking, camping, sailing, traveling, dancing, writing, and wild geese that fly with the moon on their wings.... these are a few of my favorite things!  Well, you get the picture... naming a blog is a slog, in bog with a frog, just ask our dog, "Eggnog" (ok, ok .. we didn't name our dog Eggnog,  it's Lily!). Sorry to digress, but naming a blog is pure stress.

Finally, it came to me and without bells and whistles and shooting stars.  Just plain and simple, it sounded right for me... Momma's Gotta Go.  No really... Momma's Gotta Go.............................. I believe my lasagna is burning as I write this.  So long for now!  Anne