Out of Place Controversy.

     I need to get off topic here (I know this is a mommy blog) but I, as well as many other people, experienced an event that has been on my mind. Now, please (and I mean please) do NOT consider my a conspiracy theorist. I do not consider myself one. All I am trying to do here, is get off of my chest, some of the things that I find slightly worrying about the Times Square bomb.

     While I do not think that our government would set out to hurt the innocent people of this country, I do believe that one or two sneaky things have happened under the government's watchful eye. I am not setting out to invalidate the severity of the current events, or the war against terrorism in which many of our loved ones fight in, have fought in, or have even died for. What I am targeting (if you so choose to think that is my intent) is specifically the bomb in Times Square, NYC. I am elaborating on a suggestion made to me by a friend that the bomb left in Times Square could have been a hoax (for lack of better words) in order to raise and maintain awareness of terrorism, and to re-validate the country's slipping support of the war in which we are fighting.

     My personal opinion, as well as the opinion of some other intelligent, level-headed people I know, is it is completely feasible that the bomb left in Times Square was not the work of Faisal Shahzad. Before you dismiss this post as anti-American rhetoric, I would appreciate if you can read what I write here with the understanding that I am basing my OPINIONS on published (from well known sources) documents, and can, and will, post links referencing all of the facts stated below.

     Now, I cannot say with certainty that I believe this was the work of our own government; what I can say is that I cannot believe with certainty that it was not. One of the first things that I noted as being "fishy" is the fact that the bomb in the Pathfinder did not go off. (This is an undisputed fact, and I do not feel this needs to be cited. If you would like proof of this, by all means, you should perhaps dismiss the rest of this post.) The problem that I have with that (not that it is a problem, thank goodness no one got hurt) is that according to CNN,

"After receiving explosives training at a camp in Pakistan's region, returned to the United States via a one-way plane ticket February 3, the court documents say, citing Customs and Border Protection records" CNN Web Article, paragraph 12.

Now, OK, I have to assume that a terrorist with explosives training would have the ability to rig a car bomb that would go off. For me to think that a Pathfinder full of explosives, packed by the trained hands of Shahzad would end up being a dud and not go off, is a reach. Again, I am grateful no one got hurt.

     Another part of this even that strikes me as a little askew, is that within 54 hours the  accused terrorist was not only apprehended, but our government, as well as the media, knew everything about his history. "and city detectives helped the FBI wrap arrest Shahzad within 54 hours." NY Post: Paragraph 4 (keep this open if you wish, I will be referring to this article again.) While this is not completely impossible, I do think that it is a very difficult task to accomplish. Does this prove anything? Not particularly, but again, it is just another thing that bothered me a little bit.

     The last thing that I will mention here, (there are a few other, much smaller aspects and details I could go into) and perhaps the biggest part of this event that stands out in my mind, is a Headline from The New York Post. NYPD Spared Cuts After Terrorist Bust. If you choose not to read the article, which is fine with me, I will outline some of the biggest problems I have with this article. Prior to the bomb, over 900 police officers were due to be laid off. An officer who can only be described as "jubilant" by the Post was quoted saying that the failed car-bomb "is a perfect excuse" (that can be found in the opening paragraph of said article). Now, I really do not feel the need to go on and on about the remainder of the article, nor do I wish to dissect this article and point out all of the things that do not sit right with me. I will plainly state that given Mayor Bloomberg's budget adjustments, I cannot help but feel that the dud car bomb as planted to reinforce the need for police officers, and the ongoing War of Terror, which is losing support from Americans.

Bloomberg's 2011 executive budget, being unveiled today, "won't include a reduction in the number of police officers out on our streets keeping New York City safe," said spokesman Stu Loeser." (paragraph 2 of the same article.)

     In closing, I would appreciate a little open-mindedness when processing this post. Please, feel free (in fact, I encourage it) to respond to this, regardless of your stance on my opinion. Just keep in mind, this is my opinion only, that is all I have the right to discuss, I am in no way trying to sway any one's judgement and beliefs in the government, I am not trying to start of conspiracy theory, and I am my NO means Anti-American.

     On that note, I promise I will post some mommy stuff another day, this is a mommy blog after all. I am hoping that everyone is having a good time momming and I hope you are gearing up for Mother's Day!

Chrisis Finally Averted!

     Just a quick follow-up for my last post. The terrified screams seem as if they have been passified by none other thannnnnn (drumroll, please) her blanket. No, I'm not kidding. Gave her back her blanket (it used to belong to my mom, it's fuzzy with Halloween skulls all over it) and she rubbed it on her face, giggled, and layed on it. Puth er to bed that night, she waqs out by 8:15 as if nothing ever happened. Go figure. Security blanket at 9 months old? Guess so.

Mommy 911! Requesting backup at Crib! Outside resources needed!

     Well today is kind of an emergency day. Not like, 911 emergency, but still. Well it WAS a 911 emergency when Haley decided to dial 911 and hang up (oh, hello officer.... yeah, no emergency here... yes I'm sure). No, this emergency is particularly urgent because, well honestly, not only is it unnerving, but it's a little ittitating after a while (sorry, Hal).
     Well, last night, around 11:30pm or so, I hear Haley moaning in her sleep on the moniter, nothing new here... After a few minutes of that, all of a sudden a SCREAM! And I DO mean scream. It was immediately followed by that "I'm terrified" cry that all mom's know so well. Of course, we ran in there to see what was up; of course, nothing. So After a few intense minutes of calming her down and rocking her to sleep in my arms, we were finally able to go back to what we were doing before (you know, parent time... no not that! Get your mind out of the gutter, there are children present!). Anyway, she woke up an hour or so later, but I gave her the bottle while she was still in the moaning stage, no problem. Around 4:30 in the morning, we wake up to the "terrified" scream and cry over the monitor. Again, we both went in there to make sure nothing was going on (it wasn't). This time though, the only way I could get her to go back to sleep was to leave her bedroom door open with the hallway light shining in. Went back to bed around 5 and she was fine in the morning, playing in her crib for about an hour or so before making a peep.
     As hopeful (or nieve) as I am, I figured this was a one time thing, perhaps a nightmare that she had twice or something of that nature. Put her down for a nap, she fought me more than usual on it, but still went down relitively hassle-free. Tonight though, is a different story. Bedtime is at 8pm for her, everynight. She knows that, and will usually get cranky if she stays up much later than that. We get her all changed (on the changing table that she freaks out on... every time, for a week or so), and she was ok afterwards. As soon as she hit her mattress, SCREAMING. Non-stop, red in the face, sweating, the whole nine yards, again sounding terrified. We took her out, brought her into the living room for a while, and tried again (and again). Well finally, around 10:30 or so, I had had it. I was so ready to put my fist through the wall. Any wall would have been fine (hey, I'm a mom, not a saint!). I tried to put her in her little bouncer (the only that looks like a clamshell... yes, you know what I'm talking about), and she screamed the same way as soon as I put her there too. (F!)
     Finally, I decided I no longer cared about anything but getting this kid to sleep. So we took her and put her in our bed and I layed down with her. Mike decided to get her old convertible co-sleeper and set up the playpen part of it so that she can sleep in our room so she doesn't have to be alone until whatever is going on passes. Yeah, no that didn't work either. Same screaming when we put her there too! The only solution was to put her in our bed and hang out with her until she fell asleep (and you KNOW I fell asleep too!). I guess when we go to bed that we can try to move her to the co-sleeper since it is right next to the bed and there will be minimal sleeping baby transportation.
     The emergency part of all this, is the face that I have NO idea what is going on with her... None at all! I'm thinking it could be her teeth, and fro mthe pain came the need to be held and comforted. I have no idea. I am really hoping, though, that that is not going to be a long term thing, where she will be sleeping in our bed and putting up a fuss everytime she sees her crib. I don't think that babies her age (she's 9 months old now, holy crap!) have the capacity to be afraid of the dark, since they really have no concept of anything they can't see hurting them. I guess I could be wrong. If anyone has ANY kind of input, any at all, please, please, please pass it along. I don't know how much longer I can see her like this. I am absolutely starting to worry for her. I'm hoping that nothing serious is wrong with her. I just need some help here. Thanks in advance (feel obligated yet? Because that phrase always makes me).
     Until next time, Happy Momming! (happier momming than mine)

Mommy, Baby, and Friends.

     So, things have been a little sedentary around here lately. Well until last week. Haley was pretty sick so we ended up taking her to the doctors. Turns out she has allergies and got a bronchial infection from them. All I know is that I want to find out who came up with the idea that we should give all medicines to infants via medicine spoons, and have a serious chat with the guy. Further, why did I not think to use the dropper instead of the spoon earlier than I did? Anyway, after a few days of meds (and cursing said guy), she is starting to feel much better.
     Also, Haley is finally crawling! I have been waiting for her to finally get it, and after about a month or so of almost crawling, she finally started crawling! We have been really excited. I have to say, it's pretty cool to watch her learn the art of movment. You don't really ever think of movement as something you have to learn, it's sort of one of those thing we take for granted, most of us, anyway.
     Further, Hal and I have made friends! We started hanging out with a friend of mine who I have known for a long time. I hadn't really talk to her since we were in Junior High, but then all of a sudden, thanks to Facebook, we started talking. Turns out she has a son one month younger than Haley, and is also a stay at home mommy! Who would have thought!? So there areeeee more of us out there... Needless to say, things have been going a lot smoother for me personally having someone around who is in the same boat (or baby tub), so to speak.
     I am definitely encouraging everyone out there, SAHM, or not, to try to link up with some other mommies who have kids the same age. I underestimated the effect of common ground and friendship on stress. Anyway, I am going to go ahead and sell out to "the man" and recommend my favorite Haley toy on here and link to Amazon. Personally, it doesn't matter to me if you buy or not, I'm just sharing with you some of the things that make my life a little easier.

Playing Catch-up.

     Well, what can I say? I haven't written anything since March 21st. I suppose I have been busy, though I'm not quite sure with what. Anyhow...
    
     Haley is starting to crawl (finally!), and I have to confess, watching the learning process is somewhat funny. She is getting all over the house without actually going through the motions of defined crawling. She will go on hands and knees, then hands and feet, then roll around, then sit up.... oh it goes on and on. I was scouring the internet for any helpful websites for crawling and found this to be pretty helpful. There's also a video out there of early stage crawling, but unfotunately I can't find it (sorry, guys!).

     Doing the whole SAHM (that's Stay At Home Mom for anyone acronym(ly?) illiterate) thing has been ok lately. I know I was having some trouble adjusting there for a while. I am finding that once everyone settles into schedules, it's really not so bad. I actually held a Partylite party at my house last night, and even hosted Easter Sunday here this year! As it turns out, having the time to be home and care for your kid as well as your house, itsn't as daunting of a task and I have been making it out to be. Now, I am, by NO means, dismissing the work and stress and effort required of SAHMs, because I know that sometimes it just gets to be too much. All I am trying to say is, finally, after 8 months, I am settling into a routine.

     CONFESSION TIME: A little while ago, I find Haley in her crib after her nap, soaking wet. I really do hate going in there to a pee covered baby, but what can you do? So I change her and get her all dressed in her second cute outfit, pick her up and bring her in the living room to play, and realize by the time I get there, my arm and chest are soaking wet. Well, apparently in my own haste, I forgot to put a diaper on Haley. Yeah, that's right. So that was my fun time, I guess.

     Another thing I noticed: As Haley hit the 8 month mark, she sort of boycotted her sleep schedule, as well as one of her naps during the day. I am wondering if there are any other babies that did this around this age? She is no longer sleeping through the night (yeah, that lasted about 3 weeks) and now she will usually only take one nap a day, some days it's almost non-existant. I have to idea what's going on with this sleep thing, but I do have to say that it is messing with my schedule, and that I am finding it increasingly difficult to get anything done during the day.

     Well, I guess that's about it for now. Mobile baby means not too much time for the computer anymore (or anything else for that matter). Although we DID manage to finally put our mailbox up! Take that township plowers! Until next time folks....

     Happy momming!

Afterthoughts.

     A few afterthoughts from my previous blog post:

1. the title most certainky reminded me of my grandfather, who used to lick his finger and make tally marks in the air to cement a point.
2. The Suzanne Summers Diet (I believe...) works with your glycemic index to help lose weight, and might be a good place to start for any diabetic newbies out there who need help figuring out what to eat.

That's about it. OK, I'm really going now. Haley's little raspberries she's blowing tell me she's getting bored.

Me: 1; Diabetes: 0

    As many of you don't know, I was a gestational diabetic while I was pregnant with Haley. For anyone out there who was as well, you know how terrible it is to crave peanut butter ice cream and NOT eat the entire pint (yeah it's bad). Well, I don't know how things work up here in NJ, but in SC where I lived when I was pregnant, if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, you have to go to a few diabetes ed. classes. There, I learned that you have a decent chance of developing type 2 diabetes if you don't lose your baby weight (also depending on your pre-disposition to getting it in the first place), which is an additional reason why I am so bent on losing weight. WELL… looks like I MAY have been a little late.

    I recently took my blood sugar, something I have done intermittently since delivering, and got an abnormally high reading (uh-oh!). Since then, I have been monitoring my blood sugar and it appears to me that I have (hopefully) pre-diabetes (as opposed to full-fledged type 2). Big deal? Well, kind of. Devastated? Eh, sort of. Defeated? Absolutely not! Although I am thoroughly disappointed (helloooo, I LOVE to bake!), I am deciding to take a positive approach.

    Essentially, good eating habits for diabetics means almost no carbs (boooo!). The good side? Well a low carb, high protein diet combined with my new (and effective!) work-out routine means hello wedding weight loss! ALSO, coming to terms with my lifestyle change (not diet) will mean that I will, hopefully, maintain to good weight for the rest of my life. Now, just hope I keep this positive outlook. On the more honest side, it is bad, and I'm hoping that I have only pre-diabetes and that with diet and exercise I can treat it.

    So, how do you know if you are at risk? Well you can click here to look at common risk factors. Also, feel free to browse the website for more information! I am promoting Diabetes awareness, since I am very thankful that I became aware of my possible condition very early. As long as diabetes is caught early and addressed properly from the beginning, the effects will be minimal.

    I will be going to the doctor's tomorrow morning for a general check-up and to have blood tests ordered to confirm my suspicions. Hopefully everything will work out for the best, I think it will. I promise to keep this updated as soon as I find out what's really going on. The hardest part will be keeping to the diet. I am already quickly learning what I should and should not eat based on my readings after meals. Interested? Click here for a chart on glucose levels. (my highest this week: 216, lowest: 98)

    I know that I am not the only person on earth with diabetes.

United States


In 2005, people with diabetes were estimated to account for 7% of the US population, or approximately 20.8 million people.Rates of diabetes are increasing worldwide. At least 171 million people currently have diabetes, and this figure is likely to more than double to 366 million by 2030. The top 10 countries, in numbers of people with diabetes, are currently India, China, the United States, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, Brazil, Italy, and Bangladesh. The greatest percentage increase in rates of diabetes will occur in Africa over the next 20 years. However, at least 80% of people in Africa with diabetes are undiagnosed, and many in their 30s to 60s will die from diabetes there. Of these 20.8 million people, 14.6 million have a diagnosis of diabetes, and diabetes is undiagnosed in another 6.2 million. Approximately 5-10% have type 1 diabetes, 90-95% have type 2 diabetes, and 1-5% have other types. Additionally, an estimated 54 million people have pre-diabetes.

Pre-diabetes, as defined by the American Diabetes Association, is that state in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It is presumed that most persons with elevated glucose levels approaching the level needed for the diagnosis of diabetes will subsequently progress to diabetes.

(source: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/766143-overview)

     So, I have decided to post a few links for recipie websites/ recipies that I am particularly interested in trying. Hope you enjoy! (anyone out there with some others to offer, please pass them along!)

• All Recipes
• Diabetic Recipes
• Angel hair with spicy shrimp!
• Baked Chicken Parm

     Well, until next time everyone! Happy momming!

    

Confession: I'll Take my Juice To Go, Please.

     So we're rounding the corner of eight months into mommydom. As many of you with kids know, this is where this starts to get fun. Well yes, Haley is trying to crawl, and as of the other day, walk too. She tries to talk and make words, she said "Bob Bob" the other day when asked if she wanted to see SpongeBob, as well as tried to say "Yeah" in reply to me saying "oh yeah?" to her. Also, "Baba" is officially her first word. Cute? Of course.

     Let me get into the not-so-cute part of this new régime: the screaming in objection. Part of growing up is knowing what you want; I get that (really, I do.) But, and here's the big one, this screaming when she's not getting what she wants thing, well it just has to go. Now go ahead, veteran moms, laugh it up, but my sanity is on the line here, people!

     The other day, I decided I deserved a shower, I mean, I DID clean all day and yadda, yadda, yadda. So I continue on to put Haley's jumperoo is the doorway to the bathroom with a toy, cookie, and her apple juice a la Sippy cup (same as every other day I take a shower). Well as soon as I get in the shower, the screaming starts. So I poke my head out, and she laughs. OK, another disaster averted. No, no. The screaming continues the second I step back into the shower and am out of sight. Well, by now, I am thoroughly aggravated with the situation and decide that a shower doesn't take that long, and this is just one of those times where she'll just have to cry it out. Again, no.

     While in the shower, my wonderful daughter throws such a fit that she is screaming and crying, slumped over in her jumperoo, and looking rather pathetic. By now, I'm trying to rinse conditioner out of my hair and I hear her throw up. Yes, that's right, she threw such a fit that she made herself sick. I heard this and furiously get out of the shower, conditioner and everything, clean up her face, and offer some juice to my now, semi-calm kid. I offer juice again and again, and after being metaphorically told to shove it, in a fit of rage, I threw the juice cup into the other room, stomp to the kitchen covered in soap and my towel, try to make her a bottle only to see that there are no clean bottles, and no more filtered water. By this point, I call my aunt (conveniently right up the street) crying and yelling some incoherent rant about dirty bottles and filthy water and my soapy, wet, towel laden self in my kitchen. Luckily, she offered some reprieve.

     This, folks, was probably the first time in a long time that I really lost my cool with her, usually I have a lot more patience, I just really needed 10 minutes to take a shower (preferably in peace). Needless to say, moms, throwing juice is never the answer! Actually it adds to the chaos because now you have juice to clean up. THINK BEFORE YOU THROW!

     And that's about all I have to say for now. Happy momming!

The Intimate Side of Smithville, NJ

     Mike and I decided that since he was off and today is a beautiful day, we would pack Haley up and take a nice day trip to Smithville (only about 40 minutes from here). I knew that there were lots of nice shopes there and that the town was beautiful and historic, but I had no idea what sort of treasures were waiting in this quaint little town.

     Towards the end of the shopping area, tucked inside the "resturaunt district", is a shop called The Pink Corset, run by a wonderful woman named Pesia Romeo (you can read more about her and her shop here). Walking up to the store, I could see that this place had every woman in mind. Carrying a wide array of sizes (yes, even the odd ones), I never once felt discouraged while shopping here. Being shall I say, well endowed, I usually have a difficult time finding any sort of undergarment that fits me well and isn't black, tan, or white.

     Here are a few of the services and items offered at The Pink Corset:

• Proper fitting for bras (yes, my new bra fits better than any other!)
• Bridal make-overs (haven't tried it, but I would certainly trust Pesia, she hasn't steered me wrong!)
• Elle MacPherson bras and lingerie (I bought her cupcake bra!)
• Anita bras (very comfy, I own one already.)
• Bridal lingerie (hello honeymoon!)
• Nursing bras (helloooo mommies!!)
• Bras and lingerie in all sizes! (I mean all sizes, I'm a 36DD - 36E and I found more than one fitting, nice looking bra!)

     I highly reccommend this store to anyone, big or tall, large or small. Pesia will fit you properly and get you in the right direction, all while providing great customer service as well as a wonderful selection! Located right near the corner of Old New York Rd and Rte.9, near the Smithville Inn in Galloway Twp, NJ. (for a map, click here!)




This is Pesia Roman, owner: The Pink Corset

This is the shop located in Smithville

Unplugged.

     Ok, Ok, so I haven't posted anything in a while. Well, I have half an excuse. My charger for my laptop died and left me stranded in my house (now, plus 1 dog) computerless. Well, while leaving the bagel place after breakfast the other day, Mike turns to me and says "let's go buy a computer.", and with that we were off to Best Buy. Like, that was all there was to it? Really? Ok, I guess. So, we get this nice desktop at a good price, come home, I set it up, and we were good to go. Well my mother in law (to be) has been visiting for a few days and the computer lives in my guest room now, so you can guess how that went. Other than that, I have been putzing around and not really sitting on here too much, therefore, not writing anything. This, I'm sure, will change of course, once my replacement laptop charger comes in the mail and my computer in the living room (where I park my big behind) is running again. So there.

     So, I have been begging Mike to let me join a gym. His side of the $150.00 fence is that he doesn't really think I'll use it. He's probably right, but I would never tell him that. Well in lieu of the gym membership, he bought me a stair stepper/core worker-outer (I don't really know what it's called), and the thing came with 2 and 3 pound weights. Well, I actually started using it, and this thing's great! Since I started using it, I can really see results. It seems like working out is, well working out, much better for me than dieting. I don't do well with portion control (I love me some food!).

     Also, since it actually went over 50 degrees today, I took my little one for a nice walk... which ended up to be 2.6 miles. Yeah, apparently, I'm a worse judge of distance than I realized. But, I do have to say that I felt great by the time I got home. I am certainly suggsting to anyone who is on a weight loss kick like me to get either a gym membership or some sort of exercise machine like I did. Check out Overstock, that's where we got mine. The thing itself was only $80.00 and their shipping is always $2.95, no matter what you order.

     Anyway, that's really all I have to say right now, I think the couch is calling my name. It about that time where I relax with my 8,000 HBO channels and whatever else I get from Comcast and maybe catch a few zzz's until Mike gets home from work (I always have been a fan of pre-bedtime naps). Until next time! 

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!