I Used to Skinny Dip, Now I Chunky Dunk.

     Love the title, I saw that on a bumper sticker or a t-shirt or something once. Anyway, I have decided to kick this extra mommy belly I still have hangin' round (yes, I meant to put it that way). I figured, already having to be on a high protien, low carb diet when I was pregnant (I had Gestational Diabetes), it shouldn't be too difficult to give it a whack again.

     My Goal here is to lost 25 pounds, how hard could that be? Fameous last words, I know. I would really like to be down to about 125 by the time the wedding comes around, so I figure I have TONS of time before that happens.

     I am encouraging any new moms (and those veterans out there, too!) to go on this little adventure in weight-loss with me. I will be updating with some (hopefully) encouraging words as they come around. Anyone who would like to join me is encouraged to as well.

     Tonight's dinner: Lemon Chicken on my George Foreman and some Tabouli! Yum, yum.

(thanks ottiesdesigns.com!)

On Mark Harmon and Keeping Busy.

     Well, I know I haven't written anything lately, but you'll have to excuse me, I've been a little busy lately. Responsibility, woman! Yeah, yeah, I know. But here's what's been going on:

     Tax return came back (hello car shopping!), and bills have to be paid. That's one day right there. I was feeling poopy. Yeah, and I know that's a lame excuse, but to be honest, I slept a lot. I can go on about some other stuff that not even I care about, or I can get to the real time-eater here: I got ENGAGED! Yep, I did. We went to Atlantic City (Always Turned On) for dinner, left with 600 dollars I won at the three card poker table and an engagement ring! It was a good night.

     Anyway, Now that that has been said (I'm expecting congratulations, by the way... yeah, I'm that kinda person), I'm moving onto my topic of the day: Mark Harmon. No, I'm not kidding.

     Who hasn't seen NCIS? I don't think there's anyone out there who hasn't. Whether you are young or old, a fan or not, you know who Mark Harmon is: Gibbs. Younger kids out there who know the show can respect Gibbs for who he is, but it's the older ladies and gent's out there (maybe more the ladies than the gent's) who can respect Mark Harmon for who he is.

     Perhaps it's just me, I'm only 21, but I don't really know Mark Harmon before he was Gibbs, so I set out on a mission; BOY was I surprised at what I found. Here's a few things I didn't know (thanks to IMDB):

* Sister Kristen Harmon (on Biggest Loser) is (now ex) wife of Ricky Nelson making

   Mark the uncle of Matthew and Gunner (of Nelson) and of actress Tracy Nelson.

* He worked as a carpenter before he "hit it big".

* He once risked his life saving two teenagers.

* Mark Harmon was named People Magazine's Sexiest Man alive in 1986.

     Now, I had to see this one for myself. Anyone who has seen NCIS and knows the character Gibbs, surely cannot imagine such things! I cannot imagine young Gibbs, so again, I set out on a mission, and again, I was blown away. Here's what I found:

    

   connect.in.com                      people.com       

        

  

      ioffer.com                             manolomen.com

     Right about now, you're either drooling, laughing, or gasping (or maybe all three). I just figured I would share some of the insight I gained all thanks to Google and IMDB. Click here for more info on Mark Harmon at the Internet Movie Database (imdb).

     Until next time folks, happy hunting and happy momming!

The Great Meatloaf Massacre

     Well, normally Mike has been working 3pm-12am shifts, which leaves me by myself for dinner (dinner, admittedly, has been left overs and Chinese food). Yesterday, however, he worked 6am- 3pm (bad for him, great for me). Because I was SO happy to have him home for dinner, I decided to make us a nice big home cooked meal consisting of meatloaf, mashed potatoes, gravy, and a nice salad. Go me.

     So, I'm mixing this meat concoction with the herbs and the eggs and the parmesan cheese and whatnot and by the time I'm done, I'm thinking to myself "Geez, this meatloaf seems a little wet... and I definitely thought I had more meat than this... Oh well." NOT. Let me tell you something, when things look a little askew, sit back and ask yourself... "wtf?", because I can guarantee there's a good chance you're right.

     All observations aside, I make my meatloaf and potatoes and gravy and the little happy salad and plop it (and myself) at the table and we begin our dinnertime festivities. Potatoes are, well, potatoes, and the gravy is... brown, but good, and the salad was to die for; the meatloaf was... well just okay. The whole time I'm (unsuccessfully) trying to figure out what's up with this loaf and then like a voice from God himself, I hear the following question from across the table:

"How much breadcrumb did you put in here? Because I think you should have added more."

     DAMN! I forgot the breadcrumbs! You're kidding, right? No. So for dinner last night, I made my love a giant hamburger (with a delicious parmesan crust... WASTE), some potatoes (with gravy) and a yummy salad. Good thing for the gravy, not that the meatloaf tasted bad, mind you, but it certainly added some much needed moisture to my baked, seasoned, parmesan crusted..... sigh... hamburger.
     Well, that was my story for the day (and everyone else's, because you KNOW I had to share). So I urge you to share with me your mean-time mess-ups (it will make me feel less stupid.), since we All have 'em. Get in touch with your inner spaz... go on ahead now... don't be shy!

     Until next time, folks!

TGI....T?

     Thats right, people, it's Thursday! Time to celebrate! Why Thursday? Well because everyone celebrates Friday. Thursday, perhaps one of the most unrecognized days of the week, deserves just a little commemoration. For those of you out there thinking "What gives? TGIF... F... Friday!" Well yes, Friday does mark the beginning of the long awaited weekend, but Thursday offers that little light at the end of the tunnel. (One more day then we're off!)


     Realistically, Thursday is the last day to really get things done at work or at home. Nothing gets done on Friday. As a matter of fact, Friday ought to be renamed "water-coolerday", since the normal Friday workday consists of cleaning the week's coffee mugs,planning out the work-free weekend, and a TON of chit-chat. Sure, some last minute e-mails are hastely typed and sent, and some quick phone call are made (before 3:00pm, of course). But for the Stay at Home Mom, Fridays are usually pretty useless. Calls made to public buildings are never answered during nap-time, and office workers are usually too busy trying to make an early escape to really provide the help needed.

     So here's to Thursday! Get out your phone book, make your calls, feed your kids, and be thankful there's only one more day left of the week!

     Celebrate this Thursday with my a nice, deserved, glass of the Wine of the Week:

Luna di Luna Pinot Grigio/Pinot Bianco

A bright and versatile wine with a savory side that’s always the life of the party. With floral scents and a crisp finish, this blend of Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco is a unique alternative to the usual white wine. (about $9.00 - $10.00)

     Happy Thursday everyone! Enjoy the weekend, enjoy Sunday (Valentine's Day), enojy life, and expecially enjoy with wine!

An Ode to All Things Convenient

I feel it is incredibly important to tip my hat to all things that make my life a little bit easier:

*First off, a tip of my hat to you, Mr. Coffee. Without your wonderful brewing power, my household would never function. You give everyone the energy to face the day. You never comment on the fact that I come to you, desperate and discheveled, and you never refuse me service. As a matter of fact, you provide the pick-me-up I need to continue with my daily happenings.

*Secondly, I would like to mention my baby moniter. All mothers (and plenty of people who aren't mothers) know the importance of this handy little device. Inexpensive monetarily, you are priceless to me. Without you, I have to quietthe house when Haley takes a nap, and worry that she will wake up and I won't hear her. Your cordless capabilities let me roam my kingdom carefree. Awesome, and thanks, Safety 1st.

*I would also like to thank my dishwasher. As old as you are, you are a fiesty little machine. You power away all the dirty parts of my life, allowing me to sit with my feet up. You make me feel like royalty!

*Further, I would like to ask, where would I be without my Shiatsu Massage pillow?? In tons-of-pain-ville, that's where! Portable, yet dependible, you massage away my aches and pains (boy, do babies come with a lot of aches and pains...), and I never feel pressured to talk to you about my day. I don't have to pay for my massage everytime I want one, I never have to book an appointment, and I do not have to travel far to reap your rewards.

*And finally, and most importantly, a tip of my hat to all of my closest friends; near, far, old, and new. I know that I do not live close to many of you any more, some of you I never lived by, but I know that you are always a phone call away (or a wall post, or comment, or so on... thanks social networking!). Mike, my wonderful partner and friend, Dan, Naomi, Ryan, Nikki, Kristy, Jenna, Josh, Danielle, and Steve, just to mention a few... I can tell all of you anything (and I do!) without judgement, or fearing a break of the good ol' trust branch!

Once again, I felt it was important to list a few of the things (and people!) that make my day to day life a little easier. I encourage everyone to do the same. Appreciation is not assumed, it is shown; without it, bonds fade. Cheers to everyone I love and all of my wonderfully convenient modernizations!

Beat Moody Monday Blues.

Well everyone, it's Monday, and everyone knows what Mondays mean. Tired, cranky, and that overwhelming urge to punch your alarm clock (not so much for me since Haley is my alarm clock). Well I was thinking: there's got to be a way to beat these Monday Blues.

Since putting Haley down for a nap, I have been sitting on the couch (still listening to the Disney Channel), looking around at the mess in the house. I mean, come on, really? Not cool...

Well I am deciding to boost productivity around here (yay!) and clean this place up. So my tips for getting motivated on Moody Monday are:

- Set realistic goals.
-----Don't pretend you're going to clean the entire house, wash the dog, go food shopping, mow the lawn, and hang curtains all before lunch. You just won't. And that's okay. Setting the bar too high will only make you feel overwhelmed and deter you from getting anything done. My goal for the day: Clean up the kitchen after I finish relaxing and writing and before Haley wakes up.

- Structure your day around familiarities.
-----If you tell yourself you want something done by 4 pm, you're going to be stuck watching the clock all day. Now, no one is saying that deadlines aren't important, but if you use you daily activities for setting deadlines you might feel a little more comfortable and less stressed. Today's structure: Get kitchen cleaned before Haley wakes up from her nap. Though I know there is no way to tell exactly when she will wake up, I have a good idea when that will be...

- Be as open to failure as you are to success
-----Everyone is so quick to congratulate themselves for getting everything done, or doing a great job, or just whatever makes them feel proud. In order to fully understand success, you sort of just have to fail every once in a while. I would have to say that one of the hardest things to get used to when I first stayed home with Haley was realizing I wasn't Super Mom. No one is perfect. Don't beat yourself up over a little spilled milk (or formula for those under 12 months!), instead just accept it and continue with your day. By not committing Harri Kiri because you didn't get the cat's nails cut and you really wanted to, you are opening yourself up to the opportunity to try another day. A fear of failure is the best thing to fuel procrastination.

Well, hope that this helps someone sitting home reading blogs on the Internet instead of the normal, not-so-fun, Moody Monday rituals. I, like everyone, have some super fun mommy stuff to get done. Here's to good luck for everyone!

Happy Monday!

Blogging Frenzy

Well apparently, I am really getting into this blog posting business. After getting the lame-O intros out of the way (and that whole Shop Rite thing... it was really weighing in on me), I can finally start with the daily happenings of my humble abode.
So we got hit pretty hard with this snow storm. As a matter of fact, it might still be snowing out there. I get up this morning to Mike, my boyfriend, telling me that we now have no mail box. Ugh... and no, it didn't snow over my mailbox, my mailbox got destroyed. (F!)
That was certainly a.. well say... "poopier" part of my day. On the brighter side, I met my neighbors across the street and they are wonderful people! That is a total plus. AND, all of the road around are pretty well plowed, albeit, we suffered a casualty (rip mailbox, you will be pissed).
In mommy news, Haley is having her first adventures with her sippy cup. It seems to be going well, though if anyone has any tips, they would be much appreciated. Also, I'm having a little trouble getting Haley to sleep through the night (and by 6 months, keeping my sanity). So here's to hoping some all encompassing reader has a little something to throw my way! (hint, hint)
Well, that's about all for now. My life runs is shifts, often referred to naps by those in the industry, and it seems as if my time has run out. Until next time, adieu!

The Shop Rite Massacre

Yesterday, a girlfriend of mine along with our daughters went out for a while to the Mall. Well, this is where the story starts. Haley lost her little chirping bird somewhere in the mall, unbenounced to me. So I go back, no bird... entire mall, no bird. F. Long story short, we head to Shop Rite to replace this bird and to replenish Haley's food supply.
We get to Shop Rite, and right off the bat some guy cuts it a wee bit too close to Haley and I with his car. I say to myself "it's ok, I'll wait, you go first, buddy". This guy must have watched my face or my reaction because after saying this (to myself) my new found friend stopped his car and, well, at that point I knew he didn't want to offer me coupons.
He actually rolled down the window and proceded to scream obscenities at me! IN FRONT OF THE KIDS AND EVERYTHING! I couldn't believe it! And this, my hopefully much more calm friends, makes Feb, 5, 2010 the day of the Great Massacre at Shop Rite. So to the D-bag who decided to make this all happen: thanks man, hope you got your anger out. Next time, don't be so loud, I don't want to explain to my kid (or my friend's kid) what an effing Bitch is, or why that man was so angry.
Another day in the life? I guess so...

A Handshake and a Story.

Well, I believe a breif introduction may be in order. I know what you're thinking, two and a half pages about my second grade tap dance teacher and my issues with criticism. No, no. (I never took tap dancing, by the way.) I'll keep it short and sweet, I have a lot to say after this formality BS.

My name is Emilie. I have a daughter, Haley, who was born this past July. She is the love of my life as well as my obsession at times. I am a stay at home mom, and (sometimes) loving it. I will say, it takes a lot, A LOT, of adjusting to go from working everyday to staying home, working everyday! I have a great man in my life, which I suppose gives me one of those standard American dream lives. Wait no, I have a cat named Buster, and we're getting our dog named Chloe. Which means we have a house, a kid, a cat, and a dog. One white picket fence later, and we're in business!