This Is The Year

One of the "mean mom" things I do to my kids is make them bring lunch from home nearly every day for school.  I've come to the conclusion that I can pack them a healthier lunch for less money.  Of course I get the cold shoulder on Pizza Day (our lunch "chef" - yes she really is one - is famous for her pizza). Basically they get to take either dinner leftovers (we have a microwave in the cafeteria for students to use at lunch time), or a sandwich, and then I have a variety of healthy sides for them to choose from.  Apples, oranges, cheese, almonds, dried fuit, etc.  I don't buy chips and cookies and such for them to take. Even though they grumble, I have always taken pride in the fact that although I am not a health-food Nazi, my kids are having a healthy lunch every day at school. The other day Pixie was whining about being hungry, and it wasn't dinner time yet.  I told her to have a small snack to tide her over.  She said, "but we don't h...

Seriously.  It never fails.  One of my kids (insert any name you choose) will tell me they are done with a job, only for me to come check it and be blown away at how obviously NOT done the job actually is. For example, the bathroom is clean.  Only when I go check, the garbage can is overflowing, there is toothpaste smeared on the counter, and hair elastics spilled in the sink.  But because they picked up the dirty clothes off the floor, and put away the hair styling stuff off the counter, they think it's clean. This goes for any room they are assigned to clean.  And even if I tell them, you have to do this and this and this in order for it to be clean...they still pull the same stunt the next time!!  So I decided that instead of wasting my breath repeatedly pointing out the things they still need to do in order for the job to be finished, I would make a checklist for each room that they need to mark off before they call the job finished. I decided I w...

It's been too long since I've made some new friends with Friend Makin' Monday , hosted by my totally awesome friend Kenlie .  So I decided to link up today! The topic this week is Current Favorites: 1- Song : All In by Lifehouse.  Fell in love with it the first time I heard it, and it's always in my head right now! 2 - Drink:  I'm currently off Dr. Pepper, and usually if I can't have a DP, then no other soda sounds too appealing.  With one exception - I have been a little obsessed with Sonic's Cherry Lime-aids lately. 3 - Physical feature of the opposite sex:  Eyes kill me every time. 4 - TV show(s): NCIS  (as always), and Ringer. 5 - Actor/Actress: I started watching NCIS because  of Michael Weatherly. Check out those eyes. 6 - Book:  I am currently under a self-imposed reading ban on all novels.  But we are reading the Book of Mormon as a family, and I always love the truths and principles I learn whenever I read...

I confess... I am not good at being sick.  Spending the last 2 days huddled up on the couch under a blanket (or being sick in the bathroom) has not been my favorite thing.  I have too much crap to do! I confess... Feeling better as I type this, and wondering how I'm going to face actually doing all the crap I have to do, now that there's no excuse not to do it. I confess... If I haven't dropped 5 lbs over the past 2 days, I'm going to be ticked. I confess... I think it's hilarious seeing the pins that the teenage girls in my life pin on Pinterest. I confess... Sometimes I see a FB status, and I want to leave a really rude comment.  But I don't.  Because that wouldn't be very Christian of me.  I mean, I know it's not Christian of me to even think  the rude comment in the first place - but I'm still working on controlling that. I confess... I'm sure there are times that people feel this way about my status updates as well. I...

I know y'all love to hear when I do idiot things.  So here's one for ya: As you know I went on my first 2012 soccer date Saturday night.  But what I didn't tell you was that on the way to drop the little girls off at grandma's, I was sorta thirsty.  And I had a bottle of water that I needed to empty cuz the stadium lets you bring in empty bottles to fill at the drinking fountain, but no liquid (to deter people bringing in their own alcohol).  And I'm too cheap to buy their bottled water at $4.50 a pop.  Anyway, I had my phone in one hand cuz I was calling someone, so I stuck the bottle between my knees to hold it while I unscrewed the cap with my free hand. As soon as that cap came off, of course my knees caved in the bottle, causing a volcano of water to erupt all over my, er, lap.   We're talking a lot of water.   I called my mom to let her know we'd be coming in for a few so I could strip my jeans off and stick 'em in the dryer.  When I g...

Unless you're super new here, you know I'm pretty much a walking disaster, and you also know that I am trying desperately to remedy that. I'm about to embark on sort of a big undertaking as part of the process of de-chaosifying my life.  You like that word?  I totally just made it up.  I'm clever that way. Most of you probably know Emmy - an awesome bloggy friend.  She recently went to a Power of Mom's retreat and can't say enough good about the organization.  They have a program called Mind Organization for Moms (M.O.M.).  Emmy kept mentioning it, so I decided to look into it.  It looked interesting.  It seemed legit.  It sounded inspiring, but I just wasn't sure.  I wasn't sure I was willing to invest money into a program that may or may not work for me.  But I kept being drawn to it, and the idea of what they claim it will do for moms. So I reached out to them and told them a little bit about what I am trying to do. ...

So this weekend was packed full of stuff.  Well mostly Saturday. Saturday was Bookworm's violin federation.  He had 3 pieces to perform in 2 different divisions.  One piece he had down.  But the other 2 he's struggled with.  Mostly due to lack of discipline while practicing.  Not working hard enough on his "trouble spots", and just going through the songs repeatedly, without ever taking enough time to focus on those trouble spots.  Also, he was slow in memorizing his required piece for the Concerto division (each of his pieces were 5-7 pages long).  Students aren't allowed to use their music.  They also aren't allowed to stop and start over. We went early Saturday morning for a run-through with his accompanist.  It was brutal.  He choked on his concerto piece.  And once he missed something, because he hadn't memorized it early enough to really have whatever was next come naturally, he just froze and couldn't get back on tra...

I'm so lame!  I totally forgot to schedule this post last night because I was so worked up after attending my neighborhood caucus meeting! But know what isn't lame?  WINNING! And I am thrilled to announce that the winner of the amazing Cursing Crafter/Ribobn Blossoms giveaway mash-up is.... Brandi!  (B) CONGRATULATIONS!! I'll get your shipping info and get it sent out to you right away! Thanks to all those who entered or helped spread the word.  And don't forget to keep an eye on all the cute things we are continually adding to our shops.  There are buttons on our sidebars to help you get there quickly! Have a happy Friday everyone!! P.S. I love teaming up with MiMi - she's so a favorite of mine!  I suspect more collaboration in the future!

I know my post yesterday was super lame (except for the part about my awesome giveaway with MiMi ).  Today I have something much more blogworthy to post about. . I have a little story to share.  It's about 2 very dear friends of mine.  They are the kind of people who you look at and spend time with, and what you take away from the friendship is the desire to be a better person.  Just because of who they are.  Do you know any people like this?  If so, you know you are lucky to know them. Matt and Andrea have had some big trials in their lives, and have handled them with grace and unwavering faith.  I'm only going to tell you briefly about one of their trials.  It is a trial that I have never known.  One that many of us have never known, but that some of you do know. It is the heartbreak of wanting desperately to expand your family and not being able to, while you watch everyone around you continue to welcome new babies into their famil...

This is my third attempt at writing a post. The first two were deleted because I thought they were so lame. I hate when I read over what I've written and think it sounds soooo lame.  Don't you? That probably never happens to you. But it does to me all the time. Unfortunately for you, I usually just hit "publish" anyway. Sorry. So since everything I type turns out so super lame-sounding right now, I'll just leave you with this: Have you entered the Cursing Crafter/Ribbon Blossoms  Amazing Giveaway Mash-up ?  Today is your last day to enter...so better hurry up!  Giveaway closes at midnight!! And that, as they say, is all she wrote.

So, I'm about to show you more humiliating photos from inside my home.  Don't you judge me.  When you have 4 kids who loooove to draw,paint, enter science fairs that they bring home certificates from, inspirations contests that they bring home certificates from, bring home papers for rec sports they want to sign up for, coupons they earned for local attractions, report cards they're proud of, etc.  AND you are an unorganized disaster - well your fridge can quickly turn into this. I know, embarrassing, right?  Also, the top of the fridge becomes a catch-all for crap you know you need, but aren't sure where to put it - instruction manuals, oversized workbooks, craft kits you haven't gotten around to doing with your daughter yet, er...um, mini-propane tanks (???). I also have this adorable personalized magnet reminder board that Tanielle gave me for Christmas.  It is not quite as bad, but still... So I had to get this mess taken care of.  I pulle...

Once upon a time a pretty little shiny red appliance came to live on my counter top.  We'll call her Red. Red was a Christmas gift my MIL bought for herself when she sold her home and also received a small inheritance when her Dad passed away.  She was living in a town home at the time.  Eventually due to some tough times she decided to move into my BIL's home.  BIL's wife already had a fancy Bosch mixer, and therefor Red was not welcome in the new home.  That is how Red came to live with me. Oh the times we had together.  Trying new recipes, making old favorites with so much less hassle than in my pre-Red days.  It was a match made in foodie heaven. But alas, as we all know, all good things must come to an end.  And so it was with Red and me.  At the end of last year my MIL qualified for some really nice, new senior housing that is near her work and moved out of  BIL's house.  And heartbreakingly, she called for Red to retu...

First Kick Can. Not. Wait.

Linking up with Mamarazzi today for Friday Confessional.  You should try it...it's good for the soul. I confess... I've gotten into it online this week.  More than a few times even.  Not sure what got into me.  It started out as defending someone awesome that I love against some completely unwarranted criticism/attacks.  And it just snowballed from there.  I guess it left me feeling combative - because I was jumpin' into "debates" all over the place! I confess... My husband found it somewhat amusing.  Does anyone else find it slightly insulting when their husband is "amused" at a time when you are feeling so worked up about something?  I do. I confess... I'm over it.  The being annoyed at my husband part, I mean.  Because even though he doesn't get as worked up as me, he still supported me in one of my "causes". I confess... I'm a little bummed at the low entries in my fabulously awesome giveaway mash-up with MiMi....

 It's seriously the best mash-up since NKOTBSB (if you don't know what that is, I'm so sorry)!!  I'm talking The Cursing Crafter meets Ribbon Blossoms ! plus     equals:  AWESOME! Seriously what could be better?  Did I hear a NOTHING?  Well that is ALMOST correct.  The only thing that could be better is a Cursing Crafter/Ribbon Blossoms mash-up with FREE stuff for you!! That's right - we're combining our super powers for a totally awesome giveaway!  Here's the scoop:   MiMi (the fabulous Cursing Crafter ) thought it would be a fantastic idea to pair one of her stinkin' adorable  handkerchief dresses with a pair of my ( Ribbon Blossoms ) sassy hair bows.  A match made in Etsy Heaven, right?  So of course I was totally on board.   Do you have a special little girl in your life?  Or know someone who does?  Then you are going to want to win this!  What an awesome Easter present...

Oh yes, Sami and I had just ended Hawaii Five-O night and I was telling you about the rest of her visit.  To read part 1 go here . So we had gotten Sami some sweet new skinny clothes, and now it was time to accessorize! Tuesday we headed to a friend of mine's house because she was selling Paparazzi Jewelry, but has decided to stop selling it and was getting rid of her inventory.  Sami left with some sizzlin' new jewelry to accessorize her new hot wardrobe!  But we weren't done yet... Tuesday night was hair flares!  I know you've heard me talk about them before.  As had Sami, and she was feeling adventurous.  So my stylist friend came over and put some sparkling gold hair flares in for both of us.  Sami's looked awesome because of the color of her hair.  I mostly just got them for moral support, because I knew Sami was nervous about getting them.  And I think her husband was as well!  I told her that when she went home he was eithe...

Blogging has definitely taught me this! Last week I had the opportunity to meet a dear blogging friend whom I have considered a real friend since long before we actually met in person! I went back to try and find the first time I commented on her blog, or she on mine, but then my eyes got tired, and I never figured it out.  Let's just say my friendship with Sami started a couple of years ago when we found each other through blogging, and then you know how it goes - emailing back and forth, exchanging numbers and texting, and finally the actual "voice" interaction! Our first actual phone call happened because I got her hooked on Hawaii Five-O (through a blog post - what else?), and she needed me to fill her in on the story line because she started watching partway through the first season.  Ahhh... such a tender memory. ANYWAY... Sami has sort of been on a blogging hiatus as of late, posting a couple of updates, but really not much action in the way of blogging.  S...

So, forever a little while ago, my sweet friend Tanya over at Frou Frou Britches gave me a little award.  You should seriously check her out - she is so one of my favorites!  And since I have taken forever to post it, and I have missed out on Friday Confessional for too long, I decided to combine them - because I'm clever that way.  I was given the Versatile Blogger award - basically because I am just all over the place!  Here's what it looks like: I'm supposed to tell you 7 random things about myself (are there any left?), which I will do in the form of 7 confessions, and then pass the award to 15 others, which I will do in the form of not doing it, because I'm lazy. Ready?  Here we go: 1 - I confess that I have some FB friends who I would like to delete, only I can't because it would be very obvious if I did, and it would cause hurt feelings and drama.  Don't worry - no one who reads this blog.  I think.  I mean no one who I KN...

First let me say that if you haven't gotten a visit from me very recently, it's not because I've abandoned you!  I have just been hanging with my bloggy turned IRL friend Sami .  And it was awesome.  And I will be posting about it soon.  But not today. Today I'm going to share what we did for a quick, yet heartfelt thank-you a couple of weeks back. You may remember that Bookworm and Pixie performed in the school talent show last month.  Sometimes it's hard to share your talent without the help of someone else.  For example, Pixie had just barely started taking piano lessons, but she really wanted to show what she had learned.  Her piano teacher Lisa (who also happens to be the musical director and Discovery coordinator at our school) worked with her on a new song, AND played a duet with her to help her showcase her talent.  Bookworm needed an accompanist for his violin piece.  It was REALLY fast, and Lisa's sister Emily (who also hap...