I realized something Wednesday as I walked back to my van after walking Riley into school. This is the first year that I actually don't feel overwhelmed and don't dread the holiday. In fact, I actually told someone "Happy Thanksgiving" yesterday - and I don't remember saying that at ALL [...]
Check over at Scrutiny, where I'm giving away a Wii Fit board and the newest Jillian Michaels Wii game.
There are also several new reviews up there.
There's a new post at Zwaggle, talking illness in your house and giving you some great ideas for homemade playdough.
AND. As if that [...]
This is the first of many questions that you all were so kind to leave for me.
Melissa S asks: I always wonder what the grocery list is like for a family of 8. I know you posted the kids' annotated list a few weeks ago, but how 'bout posting some of your shopping [...]
I've done day one and day two of the Couch to 5k program.
Shh, but...
It's not as difficult as I remember.I'm afraid to say that, because I'm SURE that day three and above will smack me right.back.down where I belong.
But it's a good start and I'd highly recommend it, especially if [...]
Neil, over at Citizen of the Month, did a great experiment last year, titled The Great Interview Experiment. History and a more elaborate explanation can be found here, but the basic gist is that every one, every blog, has a story to share. Sign up and you will interview [...]
Some days, you'd never know that my kid has an "issue". Something that places her on the autistic spectrum. Often, people express surprise when I tell them - and I am not a person who imparts this information all that early in a relationship. "She's so quiet - she must [...]
The idea for this blog post came from Twitter...
Do you like the following...
Nutella - NO
Wine - NO
Beer - NO
Bacon - NO, NO, NO
There you have it. Now you know how officially weird I am.
I'd love to know your answers to the above.
[...]Rant of the day:
Commercials are, I'm told, a necessary part of television watching. I understand that. Most of the time I ignore them. Some of the time I watch them. Occasionally I laugh at them. Super Bowl Sunday I'm obsessed with them. Some of them, though, I hear beginning [...]
But, whatever. It was for a good reason. The 14th was my birthday and I had grand, grand plans, y'all. They involved taking a Muay Thai class, shopping for clothes and taking a nap - all before my enormous birthday party.
You know what they say about making plans, right?
After my [...]
When I was a kid, I thought 40 was as close to death as one could be without actually being, you know, dead.
That was when I looked like this.
But now I'm older and maybe, just a teeny bit wiser. (I'm typing this while I listen [...]
When I let my trainer go, I decided that I wasn't going to give up on working out - and I haven't, but it's been hard for me to stay motivated and really whip my arms into the shape that I'd like. Finally, I decided that enough was enough and [...]
It's not yet over. We are still in the middle of it - so say the doomsday reporters on the television. Here was our first day of riding out the storm, Masses style.
The reports began, I think, on Monday, forecasting the "STORM OF THE CENTURY!" with flooding rains and [...]
Since we've had so much drama and more than one heavy subject over the past week, let's change it up, shall we?
My dad and his wife breed puppies. Cute, cute puppies - who happen to need homes.
Now, [...]
Hey, time's almost up to win a $100 gift card! Check out my Ragu Review and leave me your comment. I don't know anyone who doesn't like Italian food and couldn't use $100.
Last night, my son Gabe came into my room at 3:17. In the morning. So, not last [...]
Because, really, nothing says Merry Christmas like my kids being silly.
My husband hates almost every picture I took. :)
This weekend was the end of season tournament for Mackenzie. It consisted of two games on Saturday - 9 and 5 - and at least one game on Sunday, two if they won the first three games. I love the team she plays on, the girls are friendly and warm [...]
I was prepared, somewhat, for the amount of laundry and the cooking. I knew that, realistically, I'd be stuck in the laundry room and the kitchen. I was ok with that - I like to cook and don't mind the laundry, except for the folding part. (That gets me every [...]
Jennifer asked: Hi Carmen, two ideas I'd like to hear about.. You've said before that your husband has other children. How do you handle being a step mom? I'm not a stepmom, but a step daughter and would be interested to hear how you work with that. And the other idea: I know [...]
My phone rang at 9:45 and it shocked me.
Ok, so, technically, 9:45 isn't THAT late. But it's late enough for me.
When my daughter answered the phone - for, really, if the phone rings it MUST be for her, especially since she's grounded (again!) and can't use her cell phone [...]
With party planning, that it. After all, I'm only turning 40 once. And this is my first birthday party since, well, I don't even know, and I'm not planning on having another until I turn 50. (If I live that long.)
So I'm planning.
I've already picked your brains regarding the [...]
Monday looked like this.
Breakfast - 2 crunchy granola bars, a cut up apple and coffee. Lunch, whole wheat penne with sauce (not the best choice) green beans and bread (see also, not the best choice - look no further as to why the black jeans of choice are beyond tight), [...]My favorite song from my favorite musical SPAMALOT
Well, hello, there. I'm not quite sure that anyone even reads here anymore - I mean, I am so sporadic here that I had my ads pulled for a while. But putting on my winter pants this week has snapped me back to [...]
Effective IMMEDIATELY, the following things are on notice with me:
sickness, illness, and any derivation thereof. For the first time in two weeks, EVERY kid is going to school - do not trifle with my enthusiasm. I'm looking forward to peeing in peace tomorrow. Mouths on children that are better suited to [...]Day "I lost track of all the numbers because it's been so long" of the PIGGY FLU continues. Emma's fever finally broke, after 7 days, but she's left with a horrific cough and sounds like she's about to hack up a lung. Mackenzie fell Thursday and has the same cough. [...]
It's here! It's here! My very exciting news that I can't wait for you all to see! I'm pleased to be partnering with Diets In Review to publish the Mom 2 Mom newsletter! Written by a mom for moms, the newsletter will focus on the four things a mom [...]
I'm thinking about my upcoming 40th birthday party, while I'm holding down the fort with my trusty selection of Tylenol, Motrin, tissues and the thermometer. Oh, yeah, baybee - we are still sick like pigs over here.
I want to create a playlist of music to run while the party [...]
So, it's been five days of two kids being down. Under the weather, if you will. I briefly alluded to the roaming illness a few posts ago - when it had only hit my two oldest - who can pretty much manage on their own. Allegra missed three days of [...]
His was supposed to be my easiest birth. After all, at 36 weeks, I was 4 cms dilated and 80% effaced. The doctor raised her eyebrow at me and said, "Don't make any plans this weekend. I won't either and we will almost certainly see each other before Monday!" With [...]
If you'd like to see what I've been eating for the past week, check out my DietToGo Roundup for Week One. They provided me with two weeks worth of meals in exchange for an honest review.
I found this little gem at Left of Ordinary. I first "met" [...]
Otherwise known as, Oh, My God, My Preshus, Preshus Baybee is a High School Senior!!!! If I was dramatic. Which I'm not. :)
Have you checked over at Scrutiny by the Masses recently? I'm reviewing the Shark Ninja - the trip to NY last month - The Children's Place Halloween Outfits (with TWO chances for a gift card!), and there are still two Visa gift card giveaways active.
I guarantee there's at least [...]
My kids came home from the mountain trip with their Nana. They LOVED it. She takes a grouping of them every year - it rotates depending upon who wants to go and who is old enough - and they stay at the same place. It's great fun for them and [...]
I went to the mall today for a new blush. Somehow I lost my old one, about a month ago. The stars of "having a spare penny" and "time to go to the mall" as well as "freedom from little people" aligned perfectly and today was deemed the day. I [...]
...send 4 of my kids off for two fun filled days with my mother
...go back to bed for a nap...eat a healthy breakfast AND lunch prepared by someone else - I'm [...]
Because, whatever Loralee sez, I so do. She decided that a meme was cool, and since I've always liked memes - well, adding the finishing touch of Loralee's approval was all it took. Thus, I present my own version of the ABC's of me.
THE ABC’S OF ME
A – [...]
In order to help the kids feel like they matter - and, really, who am I kidding, to keep them from bugging me insanely - I put a grocery list on the refrigerator for them. I told them that they should feel free to add whatever they wanted to the [...]
Lots of things happen.
Not laundry things. Not cooking things. Not dishes things, no vacuuming, no dusting, no cleaning at all. And DEFINITELY not homework.
Instead, people decide to color on paper towels with an entire rainbow of Sharpie markers.
On top of the wooden finished kitchen table.
Exhibit A:
OMG. Is this child going to be the DEATH of me.
Do you see anything different about her from the last time you saw her?
She now has bangs. Honest to God bangs - and she did them herself. Take a solid look at that picture.
This is [...]
She'll sit and stare at it for five minutes.
She'll try to think of something funny from the day before. She'll fail.
She'll try to think of something profound. She'll fail.
She'll check her stats and referrals to see if there's a good story.
Seeing the stats will depress her, and there's nothing in [...]
An intrepid reader asked me, a while back, if I'd write out my day - she wanted to see what a typical day was like for me. So, I picked today. It's a super long post. It's also bound to be the MOST boring thing you've read, um, ever. I [...]
Cross posted from Mom to the Screaming Masses
Way back in the day, I hated PE class with the passion of a thousand burning suns. It was no fun. I especially REALLY hated the stupid President's Physical Fitness tests. I think that the President should stick to foreign policy and not be all [...]
Way back in the day, I hated PE class with the passion of a thousand burning suns. It was no fun. I especially REALLY hated the stupid President's Physical Fitness tests. I think that the President should stick to foreign policy and not be all bothered about how many sit [...]
When I was a kid, we went to Busch Gardens somewhat often. There used to be an area that was set up as a Renaissance Faire, complete with festival games and prizes. I always wanted to compete but I was never very successful. Ok, well - I was never successful [...]
While I'm driving people to soccer - she's still there.
As I sit in traffic, listening to bickering from the back seats - she's still there.
Walking through the grocery store, tossing in the oft requested Hot Pockets and other necessities - she's still there.
Going over homework, teaching concepts foreign to the [...]
Two days ago, I tossed a load of clean wash into the dryer, started it, and walked away. I returned an hour later and opened the door.
The clothing was still wet, and I noticed that something looked off. Odd. I put my hands in and noticed that a kitchen [...]
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
In honor of this, I've joined DietsInReview's second annual Blogs Against Breast Cancer donation drive. During the month of October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, if you publish this “My Blog Cares” button on your blog or Web site, [...]
Please to go over to DietsInReview - I have a kickin' article up on breakfast cereal (discussing how my mom was RIGHT all those years ago!) childhood health, and there is a great wonderful giveaway for a grocery list makeover going on. Go on, click - I'll [...]
I needed a lip wax.
In the interest of full disclosure, I will share two things - I often need a lip wax, being a hairy, hairy beast of a woman, and I hate to get a lip wax, simply because I am a whiny, cryie baby and it hurts so freaking bad. [...]
So I've almost completed week two of the couch to 5k program, and I don't know if I'll go further.
I wonder if there will ever come a day when I'm not battling an injury, using a foam roller, icing a sore spot or begging for a massage from my [...]
quote attributed to Rich Gold
I bought the newest Diana Gabaldon (An Echo in the Bone) right before my trip to New York. I was delighted to grab it, and even more delighted that I had saved a gift certificate and had a return credit and that, coupled with the [...]
Amy - a faithful reader - left me a great comment that she agreed I could post for you all.
The motivation to get out of the house? Don't think about it. It's easy to excuse yourself out of it. Focus on how it feels AFTER you're done. Seriously nothing feels as good [...]
In Feb, when I tore my calf muscle and wore DAS BOOT for 14+weeks, I decided, after drowning my sorrows in cupcakes and coffee for a week, to send out 75 query letters for my manuscript. (It's a diet/exercise/weight loss type memoir thing.) Of those 75 letters, I received about [...]
This week is Autism Awareness Week at DietsInReview - how exercise and nutrition can help manage the disease. There will be fresh posts each day from parents and professionals alike. I'd also be pleased if you could click over and read what I have to say on necessary [...]
Not painting. I don't paint. I don't like to paint. I like it when it's done, but I don't do it. So anyone who guessed painting was wrong.
The entire saga began Wednesday morning. My daughter couldn't find some piece of clothing - I don't remember which it was [...]
I'm going to attempt the beginning of the coach to 5k program.
My piriformis (butt!!) muscle is still really wonky, so this should be really, really brilliant.
Hold me, oh Internetz.
[...]Tell me what this picture signifies. Tell me what I did with six hours of my life that I will NEVER EVER get back.
[...]New post up at Zwaggle - this one with a Starbucks card giveaway - and my opinion on the new Smart Choices grocery program.
I come from a family that has a fair amount of pessimism. I married into a family that has a fair amount of pessimism. I [...]
There's a LOT here in this post. Maybe get a drink or a meal while you read.
One thing I struggle with, besides being optimistic, is being organized. I consider myself to be moderately organized but know that there are miles of improvement possible.
One thing that I find with having a [...]
There's been a teeny little, well, not a storm, more like a disturbance going on other places - other blogs, twitter - that I've been following with more than a little interest. Shawn of Backpacking Dad wrote about Feminism and Being an Immersed Parent. In his post, he talks [...]
Ok, this was truly truly odd. I took the guys name out in order to kind of protect myself from a google search - I just thought this letter was, um, interesting - I wonder if it was a prank? What do you think?
A message for Carmen, the "Mom to [...]
An anonymous reader left a bit of a comment - ironically enough - on the comments post. There's no usable email to reply to, so I wanted to take the time to answer his/her questions here, since I think that some of the questions apply to lots of readers.
There are [...]
I spent a lot of time during the month of August trying to get school supplies together. For my elementary and middle school kids, this was no trouble, as I had the supply lists ahead of time. The only trouble that I encountered was the ability to pay for said [...]
Well, duh. Despite the fact that I can't afford him - and I haven't been able to for quite a while. In fact, in order to offset the cost, we gave him our elliptical machine in exchange for training sessions about a year ago. But I used his services much [...]
Note: I have FULL permission from my daughter to post this. I'm leaving out her name, although I'm sure you can determine who she is in about .12 seconds. She just didn't want her name associated with it, and the name of another person in the story - but she [...]
It's been two weeks of school for five of my kids. Of course, I was concerned about how each of them would do - it's my job to worry. I don't worry to the point of extreme - I like the school my kids attend and have confidence in my [...]
A loyal, faithful and intrepid reader has a dilemma. She came to me for advice and after I told her what I thought, I offered her the option of posting her question here for you all to chime in. I've taken out all identifying characteristics. If you are so inclined, [...]
For years, I've heard the adage: Try something new. It might be a new sport, a new food, a new way to work.
I'm one of those people who has some fairly stringent food likes and dislikes. There's not many things I dislike - beets and organ meats top the [...]
Is how it turns on a dime, often in the same day.
You can have a day where absolutely nothing is going right. Everyone wakes up grumpy and cranky and the drive to school is interminable. Your trainer bugs you with a voice that is too loud, too strident, too wrong. [...]
I have been nominated for a "Love This Site" award at Divine Caroline. The site with the top number of votes from now to December 4th will receive a $250 Visa Gift Card. If you like this site, would you mind registering and voting for me? Registering [...]
I was reading over at Motherbl*gger and she had an awesome post about things that she no longer needs to purchase. As in, she has enough to last her until the end of time or the apocalypse - whichever comes first. With a list comprised of things like applesauce [...]
Just to lighten things up a bit.
Not sure where these originated, but it's awesome. Thanks for sharing Scott! I always thought you'd been good for something all those years ago!
----------------------------------------------------------------I took Emma for a haircut this past weekend to get ready for school. While we were there, I saw that the grocery store next door was setting up a large black tent outside. I'm always one for a free giveaway - hey, maybe it's a sample!, I thought to [...]
This week I did the following for exercise:
Sunday I walked for 45 minutes. Monday - worked out with my trainer and did weight work and took capoeira Tuesday - nothing. I was grumpy and irritable because what I planned didn't work with the back to school drama Wednesday - worked out with my [...]I went to the mailbox yesterday and noticed a package. I was just a wee bit grumpy, having addressed the topic of why don't you have a job to help your husband? and was desperately hoping for something more exciting than overdue bills and unsolicited catalogs. There was a small [...]
This is heavy and deep. I'm requesting that we all remember to wear our big girl panties and speak civilly and respectfully to and about each other at all times. Comments that do not follow this request will be deleted.
Some of you know that I received a comment [...]
With mad apologies before I even begin. Fashion is such a sensitive issue, I'm BOUND to ruffle someone with this post - and it's SO NOT MY INTENT.
My husband has pretty decent fashion sense. He looks, well, pretty good most of the time. He dresses for work every day, most [...]
In bullet form.
I sliced my pinky open while at the LaGuardia airport yesterday and it stings every time I type. Also, it bleeds randomly and I've cleaned the keyboard twice. While I listen to Emma and Riley cry for Daddy in their bedroom. Where they were sent for punching each other. And pulling [...]I'm exhausted. I'm posting this at 1:15 a.m. from New York City. I'm on a 24 hour trip that I'll be reviewing in the next couple of days over at Scrutiny by The Masses, and I had, as my normal habit, a TERRIBLE flight experience.
Seriously. I'm not exaggerating. One [...]
Twelve might be your best year yet.
What can I say about you, Mackenzie? You are a funny kid, always cracking jokes and playing pranks, and those are characteristics that will help you later in life - even if your mom doesn't always recognize said humor as [...]
Every morning, I wake up with incredibly vivid dreams coursing through my brain. Let's take this morning, as a happenstance.
In my dream, I'd overslept and I woke up knowing that my kids were going to be late to school. I ran downstairs to find that my husband had taken everyone [...]
Going along with this theme is my latest over at Diets In Review - how can a person eat healthy during the school/sports shuffle that happens for most of us? Come on over and give me your thoughts. And over at Zwaggle, read how I'm making it through [...]
Psst - did you happen to check out Scrutiny by the Masses this week? I'm giving away a laptop, AND I took the Blogher and Crystal Light Water Way Challenge - today was the last day, and there's a chance to win $1,000! Go enter - no, wait - [...]
I had to go to the grocery store today to buy cookies - we had a birthday (birthday post coming tomorrow, I pinky promise - I've been computer-less for most of the past 24 hours) and the kid wanted to bring a snack to soccer practice. I offered to buy [...]
Caught this on Twitter last night- mad hat tips to Yvonne, who got it from Oh! How Lovely!
It's a list of things I just don't get.
People, like one of my kids, who don't like CAKE Drivers who think that they own the road and try to drive you off of [...]I feel like I'm going insane. Mad as a Loon, Crazy as a Hatter, eyeballs popping and tongue wagging. Certifiable.
And before you get all up in my grill, I don't mean that my BIRTH family is crazy. I mean that my NUCLEAR family is MAKING me crazy.
Warning - this is [...]
I feel like a failure.
I was afraid to go to Blogher this year. Not because I was nervous to see people, or afraid to speak.
I was afraid because my weight is up. And I was afraid that people would talk, and people would criticize.
Fourteen weeks of wearing the boot, 6 [...]
My little girl has had impetigo for months. It's been in small places on her face and it's easily healed with a dab or two of neopsorin. About a month ago, she showed up with a few spots one morning and I dosed them as usual. But they didn't go [...]
Want to do a girl a favor? I'm profiled on About.com this week. Click on this link Mom to the Screaming Masses to see my answers.
I've written here a time or twelve about my love of reading. Love, love, LOVE to read. I read all the time. I read [...]
Many,many thanks to the lovely ladies of Blogalicious, who introduced me to such wonders as pink fizzy Bath Bombs:
Soaps that you cut off in 1/4 pound increments from enormous bars
And, last but not least, Happy Pills
I realized something about myself while I was away this week. I need time alone.
Wow. That's not so amazing and introspective, I'm sure. I mean, I've said that many times on this here blog, ranted about the feeling of being trapped and closed in, in need of a change [...]
