I couldn’t help myself

Have you ever done something that you know is wrong, but you just can’t help yourself? I know what you are thinking: Here comes a juicy confession. Not really, just an interesting story.

I had to meet Husband at the human resources department of his previous job to fill out some paperwork. I got there a little early and waited in the car for him. The weather was nice, so I rolled the window down about halfway, turned the engine off, and just enjoyed a nice quiet moment.

This all came to an abrupt end as two people began a heated conversation right in front of the car. I tried to distract myself. It was awkward to just sit there and be in the middle of something like that. I started to clean out my purse, but the more of the conversation I heard, the less I wanted to distract myself. And so, I eavesdropped. That’s right, I put my purse aside and became the “fly on the wall.”

I have to admit, it went from awkward to interesting. I had met these people before; they were Husband's co-workers. I knew the people they were talking about. I took it all in, until Husband pulled up in his truck beside me. I was hesitant to give up on the conversation. I thought for sure as soon as they saw us, they would quiet down and drop the argument to say hello.

Nope, they kept at it. We walked into the building and closed the door and to my delight, we could still hear them yelling. I quickly took the seat closest to the door and continued listening. I chuckled aloud a few times Husband gave me “that look.” You know the one that reminds you that you are being a little too obvious. As we finished, I saw the two individuals leaving in separate cars and I could tell that the argument did not end well.

What is about situations like that? You know it’s wrong to listen, but it is just so interesting! Please tell me I am not the only person that would have listened in.

The Fruits of Preschool

I knew putting Son into preschool would be interesting. One of the main reason we put him in preschool was to provide more opportunities for social interaction with other children his age. Here’s an example of what he is learning from these “social interactions.” Boy = the kid in his class that he mentions.

Tonight I took the kids on a walk around the neighborhood to look at the Christmas lights. The following conversation ensued:

Son: Mom, do coyotes and snakes live in the wash?

Me: Probably. It might be their home.

S: Boy says if a coyote comes into my yard at night, I should call him right away.

M: Really? Why?

S: Because then he can bring over his gun and shoot the coyote.

M: Hmmmmm. (Actually, I was glad is was dark and Son couldn’t see the shocked look on my face.)

S: Yeah, he said you have to shoot him in the forefead (supposed to be forehead) to make sure they are dead.

M: What’s a forefead? (This is my attempt to buy myself some time so I can gather myself.)

S: You know, the forefead; right between the eyes. That’s where you have to shoot him.

M: Wow! (That’s what came out of my mouth. You can just imagine what is running through my mind.)

S: Yep, that’s what Boy told me.

As with most things, preschool included, you take the good with the bad.

I Need an Editor

Seriously. I am confirming some of your suspensions? That sounds like a serious personal problem. (See previous post) Yikes! I need someone to read these things before I submit them.

Twilight Confession



Apparently, I am a nerd. Some of you out there already knew this or maybe I am just confirming your suspensions. And now, I have a nerdy confession. I am a Twilight fan. I know, what is a 30 year old mother of two doing getting into a teen fiction?

A couple months ago, a friend gave me the first book. I knew very little about it, but she said it was good. I am not much of a fantasy reader. I’ve read the Harry Potter series as well as the Eragon series, but that’s it. So, I thought I’d give this a try. I had seen people, especially on Facebook, passing around pins with all sorts of stuff about vampires. Seriously, how good could a vampire book be?

REALLY GOOD! I flew through the series. I love the storyline and the complicated relationship between Bella and Edward. And, let’s face it Edward Cullen is a pretty appealing character. So, I patiently waited for the movie. I saw it opening night and absolutely loved it. Have the soundtrack – love it.

But don’t worry, I am sort of a closet Twilight fan. I don’t plan on wearing my, “I’m in love with a vampire,” t-shirt (outside of the house) and I won’t put that “Edward Cullen is the love of my life,” bumper sticker on the family car. I will listen to the soundtrack (a lot), possibly check some Twilight blogs for updated information about the next movie often (I know this one is super nerdy), and purchase this movie as soon as it out on DVD.

Thanks for humoring me with this post! Anyone else want to confess that they are a Twilight fan? How about you Miss Maggie? You are the one that started all this!!!

Questions to Ponder

Serious moral problem: Is it wrong to take Daughter to the post office armed with a McDonald’s toy that cries out loudly, “I like to move it, move it,” over and over to make sure the line moves quickly?

What is the downside of listening to Amy Grant’s Christmas cd over and over? (Husband swears that it can’t be good.)

If I stop cleaning the bathrooms, what will happen? How long would it take to make them uninhabitable?

Why is there always someone talking loudly when I am trying to write? I feel like a loud-talker magnet.

Why does the man in our neighborhood throw dog food over the side of his fence every morning to feed the birds? They don’t even have a dog.

Is it possible for Son and Daughter to ask everyday until Christmas if Santa is coming tonight? So far, for the month of December we are 3 for 3.

Why do people cut in line? (Another post office incident. I have to admit, for a while it was entertaining.)

And so, there it is. That’s what’s going on in my head this morning. (Actually, this was yesterday morning. It just takes me a while to get things up and running.)

Confessions of a Soccer Mom

I have become the dreaded soccer mom. I don’t want to admit it. Everything within me rebels against the title. Seriously, how much worse could it get?

Son has been playing soccer for a couple of months now. He loves it. I hate it. Husband is thrilled. When Son was born I began a secret mission: to help Son choose basketball over soccer.

Husband is a huge soccer fan. The kind that watches the Spanish channel to see a game even though he can’t understand a word they are saying. All I see are people running up and down a field with very little pay off. The points are minimal and all that running looks like a waste of time. When Son first began to walk, Husband got him a soccer ball. It was downhill from there.

When I went shopping for Son, I would always pick to t-shirt with the basketball instead of the soccer ball. I would play basketball with him. Encourage and cheer for him when he tried to dribble the ball.

But, it was all for naught. My heart was heavy as we signed him up for soccer. I put on the happy mom face, but inside, I was crying out, “Not soccer! No, anything but that.” I would have been moaning and weeping those words aloud, but I thought it might cause too much commotion at Peter Piper Pizza.

So far, we have had several games and practices and I admit it. I am having a good time. Son loves running up and down the field, even if it is the wrong way. He loves the practices and the coaches. He loves the friends that he is meeting. There is something about seeing Son have such a great time that makes me think that being a Soccer Mom isn’t all that bad. As long as he is happy and loving it, I am too.

However, don’t think this means I am purchasing a mini van with a giant “Soccer Mom” bumper sticker. I have to draw the line somewhere.

I am Becoming My Grandfather

Lots of times, I hear people say, I am becoming my mother or, I sound just like my mother. Don’t get me wrong, I too am headed there. I hear myself say something to my kids and I can just picture myself being the recipient of said comment.

However, this is much more disconcerting. I am becoming my grandfather, Pops. Case in point, my home is stockpiled full of food. The only thing I am missing is the handwritten inventory taped to the panty door. If there were a major catastrophe, (God forbid!) I fear people would be running to my house for refuge because they know I have enough food to feed an army for about a year. I can’t help it. It’s a compulsion. Part of it comes from the couponing hobby and the rest of it? Who knows?

It gets worse! The other day, (part of me does not want to admit this) I was speaking to the tv. That’s right, as if the people I was watching could hear me. Pops does it all the time. He watches the judges every afternoon and insists on throwing out commentary for all to hear. I think he wants the judges to take his opinion to heart before they make a decision. While he was out here with us, it became endearing.

Now, it has become contagious. A few nights ago, I was watching Dancing with the Stars. (I am not a fan, I was just checking in to see who was still in it.) Lance Bass was dancing with his partner. (I am not a fan; I don’t know her name.) I tried to just sit back and watch without saying a word, but the desire to speak to him through the tv overtook me.

(Here's the rest of the story. I accidentally left it out!)

“Seriously, you were in a boy band! You are embarrassing them. Please, exit stage left before the train wreck gets any worse.” (Did I mention I am not a fan?)

As soon as the words escaped my lips, I knew exactly who I had become. Pops. The only things missing were some dentures and a trucker hat.

Solutions to the Cutbacks: Husband's Help

No, getting rid of a husband doesn't really help. (Especially if he is the bread-winner. Just had a funny story to share.

On the way to preschool this morning, I ask Husband if he has an ideas on cutbacks and something that I can write about as an alternative. He looks like he is thinking really hard about it. Then, his face lights up and he says, "I've got it!"

I'm thinking he just came up with a brilliant idea. I eagerly await his idea, only to hear this: "How about to save money on food, be sure that you are friends with someone who owns a restaurant and likes you a lot?"

Ah, to see the world through his eyes. He then proceeded to "crack himself up."

On another note, Husband had wonderful customers that used to own a restaurant here in town. It was hands down our favorite restaurant. Nona called yesterday and asked Husband to come by. When he did, she handed him a TON of food. Homemade baked ziti, tortellini alfredo (that one was especially for me) and dressings for a salad.

So thanks Nona and Papi!

An Open Letter to the Man Speaking Extra Loudly at Barnes and Noble

And now, an excerpt from the “Evil In My Heart” Journal

I am sure this moment has been highly anticipated.

Dear Loud Mouth,

We can all hear you. You have made your presence known. There is no need to speak any louder. There is no need to speak and look around the café to make sure that we are looking at you. We are.

We can tell that you believe that the volume in your voice directly relates to your importance in life. Apparently, you are VERY important.

While I truly appreciate that you want to figure out this difficult “math issue” with your companion, I hope that you will be able to appreciate where I am coming from.

Tonight is my Mommy Night Out. I am here to escape little people who believe that the world only revolves around them. The only difference between you and the infant and toddler that I am spending my days with would be that they have enough sense not to use the questionable language that you are.

It is apparent that you are trying to appear “hard” or “tough” by the words coming out of your mouth, but I have news for you. You are a scrawny, older man with a receding hairline. I have no fear. In fact, if I saw you alone in an empty parking lot at night, I would worry for you more than I would worry for myself.

Don’t be offended. I can tell by the way that you are dressed this evening that you do not have anyone in your life being brutally honest with you right now. Consider this some friendly help from someone who has a serious interest in your volume reduction.

Sincerely,

Anonymous Patron

Solutions to the Cutbacks: Manicures

Everywhere I look, people are cutting back. I have read tons of blogs recently about curtailing spending, saving more, and living a little more within our means. I love reading about this stuff because much like other people, we are doing the same.

My frustration comes from reading about many suggestions of things to cut without any alternatives offered to compensate for what is gone. As a mom, I feel like I am always the first to give something up. (I know, just let me have my pity party moment. (pause and a sigh) Okay, it’s over.) It’s hard to explain exactly what I mean, so let me give an example.

Obviously, Starbucks Chai tea is pretty important to me. Instead of giving up Chai tea completely, I have found an alternative. I can make Chai teas at home. Granted, there is some cost involved in making them at home, but I am not forced to give them up completely.

And so, I am on a mission to come up with some alternatives to things I am giving up or cutting back on. I would love your help on this one, and so any ideas that you have would be welcome!

Today’s cutback: Manicures
Today’s solution: Incoco Dry Nail Applique

Crazy name; super cool product. I found them at Walgreens and of course, there was a coupon right in front of the display. ($1.00 off) They are about 5.99, but compared to a manicure ($25-$30) they are a great deal.

How It Works:
You peel the backing off the color (or in my case, the white tip of the French manicure). It sticks to your fingernail like a sticker, but with the heat of your hand, it molds to the shape of your fingernail and looks exactly like you just polished them. Then, you put a clear coat on the top and you are set to go.

Positives:
Saves Money
Can be done anytime (no more appointments)
Takes much less time
Can be paid for with Register Rewards from Walgreens

Drawbacks:
Still cost money
I was a little off on my first attempt, so I am currently walking around with a semi-crooked French manicure
Color selection (I am not ready to try the gold or silver glitter color)

For me, this is so worth it! I’m typically more of a pedicure girl, but having cute looking fingernails is nice for a change.

The Barnes and Noble Starbucks – Not a “Real” Starbucks

While this has no real bearing on life, I thought it was pretty interesting. About two weeks ago, I went into Starbucks to pick up, you guessed it; a Chai tea. The girl at the register ruins my day as she says words that I dread hearing.

Starbucks Worker: We are all out of Chai.

Me: What a national emergency! How could this happen? Who is responsible for this lack of planning? I know I have been cutting back on Chai tea, but seriously, this is an epidemic. (Just kidding, but I was thinking all of that.)

Me: (Really) No problem. I will just head to the one down the street.

As I turn to go,

Starbucks Worker: Actually, they are all out too.

Me: NOOOOOOOOO! (with much wailing and screaming) (Okay, maybe not, but can’t you just picture it?)

Me: (Really) Bummer. Do you know if the Barnes and Noble Starbucks is out of Chai as well?

Starbucks Worker: (with a serious look of disgust on her face) I have no idea. We didn’t call them. They aren’t a real Starbucks.

I wanted so badly to ask if they were just a “pretend” Starbucks, but I was fearful of having one of those moments where I am the only person laughing aloud about something that I said. You know, an “I crack myself up moment.”

Interesting isn’t it? I wasn’t really sure what to think about this interaction. I never really thought of the Starbucks at Barnes and Noble as inferior or any less that the others. How ironic, that even corporations have people with this type of attitude.

We run into people like this all the time. Here’s the irony. That night, the Barnes and Noble Starbucks received $4.08 from my checking account and the other store did not. Who was the “better” Starbucks, the “real” Starbucks?

Not trying to change the world with this one, just something interesting to think about. I guess I should have started this one out with . .

And now, Deep Thought, by ThisRealMommy.

Out of the Mouths of Strangers

I keep hearing from family and friends that I need to teach a class on saving money couponing. Each time someone asks, I think it sounds like a great idea, but I never really pursue it.

And so, Sunday, I am checking out at Walgreens and the cashier is watching all the items that I am buying and the amount that I am paying. (Lots of items – for very little money) She insists that I teach a class to show other people how to do this. I just smile. She keeps at it. She talks about all of the people that she things would benefit from it (i.e. the retirement community down the street) and talks about the economy and how important this information is. By the time she is done talking, I am inspired.

So, thank you Walgreens Beauty Counter Consultant. You have officially inspired me. I am putting together the presentation (with the help of my super cool sister who is awesome with a computer!) I am planning to take over the world, one couponing class at a time.

Back to Reality

I am back from vacation. (I know, I know, I have actually been back since Friday evening.) I love going up to the Lake. There is no cable, no internet, and cell phone service is iffy. I didn’t take my watch and we just spent all day every day dong fun things. What a vacation! We are planning to head back up there for Veteran’s Day and maybe after Thanksgiving.

Kroger (Fry's) Gift Card Giveaway

Check out Stretching A Buck (http://www.stretchingabuckblog.com/2008/10/kroger-gift-card-giveaway.html) for a giveaway of a Kroger's gift card. I really love reading about all of her deals and all of the ways that she is working to save her family money!


Sorry that I can't get the link to work. You can just cut and paste. I'll work on it when I get back.

Going on Vacation Again

I know, I haven’t been posting as much as I should. And, it gets worse; I am leaving for vacation on Monday and will not be back until the end of the week. I am headed off to a place that has probably never even heard of wireless Internet. Still, the laptop is going with me.

And so, in my guilt, I have decided to get out a few quick stories from the past two weeks. And these are not just the run of the mill stories. These are nice and embarrassing. I hope you enjoy!


Our first “up the nose” incident occurred last week. We were just leaving soccer practice and Son had some type of small cracker type snack. In the car, I glance over my shoulder and see Son picking his nose. Of course, I have to explain that “Picking our nose is very gross and there in never a reason that we need to do this.” I start looking through my purse for a tissue when Son says, “But what if there is something up there and you just want to get it to come out?”

I knew we were in trouble. I thought about it for a minute and told him I had a better idea to get it out. (By the way, Husband is driving. No need to imagine me doing all this while steering our car on the road.) I plugged up one side of his nose and asked him to blow. Sure enough, out popped a little snot-covered cracker. Moral of the story: Now that we have experienced that dreaded item “up the nose” incident, I am hopeful that maybe we will be able to avoid this in the future with Daughter. (I know, probably not!)


Sometimes, we say things around our children, even joking, that we wish they would never repeat in front of other people. I am glad to say that this one comes courtesy of Husband. Sister-In-Law came over for a play date last week. She has an adorable infant girl (we will call her Cousin.) So cousin had a dirty diaper and her mommy was changing her in the playroom on the floor. Son walked up to check out what was going on. He proceeded to announce that the baby had “dropped a deuce.” Oh yeah, you read that right. He thought it was the funniest thing ever. Meanwhile, I am standing there with a look of horror on my face. Needless to say, Husband refrains from saying that anymore!

Momstown Update

I'm sure you've noticed that we have taken a little break from Momstown. A few of you have mentioned that you are behind in the chapters and the reading. Don't worry, I am too. I still want to go through it, but I don't think it is worth it to just rush. I don't want to miss things because I am feeling obligated to keep a time schedule.

Here's what I was thinking. Let me know if this will work for the rest of you. I was thinking that we could work on the chapter about Mommy's Mind all of next week and then progress from there.

How does that sound to everyone?

The Student Has Become the Teacher

So my friend (code name: Martha Stewart) did an amazing job at Albertsons today. I have to admit, I was checking out beside her in line and it seemed like she paid less and less out of pocket each time. I am so impressed, that when she emailed me her totals for the day, I had to see if it would be okay to post them for all to see. And so, here are the deals she got today at Albies. What an amazing job!!

Her email:


Ok I went to Albertsons today. One has self check out so you can do as many transactions you want. Here is what I found out. The $5 OYNSO (on your next shopping order) is only for the items in the fold out
section of the ad. You can roll the coupon.

This was my plan
trip 1
2 boxes Multigrain Cherrios 4.00
8 Yoplait yogurts 4.00
- 2 cheerios coupons -2.00
- Yogurt coupons -1.00
- Powerade coupon -4.00
total $1
Printed $5 OYNSO

trip 2
2 Pillsbury cinnamon rolls 3.00
8 Yoplait yogurts 4.00
- Pillsbury sweetroll coupon -1.00
- Yogurt coupons -1.00
- Albertsons coupon -5.00
total $0
Printed $5 OYNSO

Trip 3
6 Veggie steamers $6.00
-3 veggie steamer Coupons -$3.00
Total $3

trip 4
2 Pillsbury cinnamon rolls 3.00
8 Yoplait yogurts 4.00
- Pillsbury sweetroll coupon -1.00
- Yogurt coupons -1.00
- Albertsons coupon -5.00
total $0
Printed $5 OYNSO

trip 5
2 Pillsbury cinnamon rolls 3.00
8 Yoplait yogurts 4.00
- Pillsbury sweetroll coupon -1.00
- Yogurt coupons -1.00
- Albertsons coupon -5.00
total $0
Printed $5 OYNSO

trip 6
2 progresso soups 2.00
8 Yoplait yogurts 4.00
1 candy bar for Bella .50
- Progresso soup coupon -.50
- Yogurt coupons -1.00
- Albertsons coupon -5.00
total $0
Printed $5 OYNSO

Trip 7
7 veggie steamer $7
-3 $1 off 2 steamer coupons -3
-1 $1 off 1 veggie steamer coupon -1
Total $3.00

Trip 8
4 boxes Multigrain Cherrios 8.00
2 Pillsbury cinnamon rolls 3.00
2 Betty crocker Muffin Mixes 4.00
2 Pillsbury cookie dough 4.00
1 5lb ground beef 3.75 (I had a rain check)
- 4 Cherrio coupons -4.00
- Pillsbury sweetroll coupon -1.00
- Betty crocker Muffin mix coupon -1.00
- cookie dough coupon 1.00
- Albertsons coupon -5.00
Total 10.75
Printed $5 OYNSO

So I spent a total of $17.75 But I have a $5 OYNSO coupon left.
I got
48 yogurts
13 Veggie steamers
10 pillsbury cinnamon rolls
6 Multigrain Cherios
2 progresso soups
2 cookie doughs
2 muffin mixes
1 candy bar
1 5lb of of Hamburger

Almost all the coupons I used were out of the pillsbury coupons to got
from albertsons a few weeks ago. The only extras I used were $1 off
veggie steamer, $1 off 2 progresso soups, $1 off 2 pillsbury cookie
doughs.

Giveaway Winners

Here are the numbers chosen by Random.org.

Here are your random numbers:
5 14
Timestamp: 2008-09-29 03:58:23 UTC


The timestamp is a little late because we were at the park playing as the giveaway was ending. Thanks to all who participated. The winners are:

“Gritsgirl” and “april, kevin, amelia, tessa”

Thanks again everyone!!

Quaker Moms Care Program


I joined Quaker Moms Care a while ago and was surprised to receive a package from them the other day. The kids have already tried the Protein Granola Bars and Life cereal is a favorite around here. It also came with some information about hosting a Birthday Party with a Purpose. (What a neat idea!)

You can sign up here for the Quaker Moms Care program.

P.S. The cute flowers that you can barely see in the background were not from Quaker. (Ha, Ha)

Walgreens $5/$20 Coupon


This Walgreens coupon
is good Friday, September 26th and Saturday, September 27th. Perfect for the overlap days!! I will try to get a post up by the end of the night with an explanation of overlap days as well as some scenarios I am working on with the coupon.

These coupons provide a great way for people to get started with the EasySaver Rebate program Walgreens offers. If you want to post any scenarios that you are going to try out, that would be great!!

Priceless Prizes


Okay, so the retail value may only be a couple bucks, but it’s like the commercial; Internet service: $33 a month, the laptop: (cost more that I would like to admit), the first giveaway on the blog: priceless.

Of course, it had to be something from Starbucks! Here’s your chance to try the newest addition to the Starbucks’ menu, the “Perfect Oatmeal.” I have two coupons for free oatmeal that expire 11/03/08. The contest will close on Sunday, September 28, 2008 at 6:00pmMST(I’m going to try to use Random.org to generate random numbers to determine the winners.) On Monday morning, I will email the winners.


Here’s the plan. Leave a comment here and you get one entry. Subscribe to the blog and post a separate comment letting me know that you did and you get another entry. Post this giveaway on your blog with a link to mine and again, you guessed it! You post a separate comment letting me know and you get one more entry into the giveaway. Make sure to leave an email address with your entries!!!


Thanks for participating!!

Saturday, September 27, 2008 is Free Museum Day

Check out the Smithsonian website for information on how to print out tickets for you and a guest to go to a museum in your area for free!

Martha Stewart's Blog Contest

From Martha Stewart’s Blog:

How to create your own blog and enter my blog contest!
UPDATE: Bloggers! Please leave a comment on this post with your name and blog address, make sure to add a link on your blog to mine (you must do this to be reviewed!) and I will pick several of YOUR blogs to be featured on The Martha Blog!

Check out Martha Stewart’s blog and let me know what you think!

Wish me luck!!

How To Post A Comment on this Blog

**This morning while walking with my mom, I mentioned that I had written something about how to post comments on this blog and that I would be posting it just for her and ACDC. Please note, she figured it out herself and posted comments on the entry below. This is what I get for using sarcasm with my mom.**

Apparently, there are a few of you out there that can’t figure out how to leave comments. You know who you are. You keep emailing me and letting me know that you can’t figure out how to leave comments. And so, here is my solution. Here is:

Leaving a Comment on a Blog 101

1. Click on the link that has a number and then the word comment at the end of a blog entry.
2. Leave your comment by typing letters that will form words which will then create sentences in the box to the right.
3. When you are done, you can choose which “identity” you want to use to post your comments. You may want to sign up with blogger and create a profile. You can also select Name/URL and put your name. (P.S. Mom, please don’t put Mom. You have to put something like “This Real Mommy’s Mom” or “The Original Real Mommy” or you can be wild and crazy) ACDC, you have already been given a name. Just use that one.
4. Then click on Publish Your Comments.

I have been told that some of you are clicking on Comments, but nothing is coming up. In that case, I think it is your computer or the network you are on. In that case, please call the IT department at work and let them know that you are having a technical crisis and you need to have something fixed by the end of the day.

Week Five: Mommy Einstein - From Mush to Matter

Yipee! I loved this chapter. I actually felt like there were some things that I was doing well with. This was especially nice considering that last week was all about exercise and working on our bodies and that is so not my forte. (By the way, I did get to walk three times last week and I have three walks scheduled – yes scheduled this week. To make it even better, I am walking at 5:30 am, so I will be up early and ready to face the day.) I have also been working on having a positive attitude about things. Can you tell?

I have a lot of journal writing to complete this week and the book provides a great sense of direction. I think the prompts given will help me think about things that are important to me and my mental well-being and how to incorporate those things into my life.

In order to aid my analysis of this chapter and where I fit in, I made a list of things I do well and those things I need to work on. I think it was helpful to have a clear picture that encouraged me and kept me accountable with a direction for improvements. So, here goes:

Things I’m Doing Well

1. The Awareness Thing. So far, so good. I leave the kids with others to take time out for myself (and time with Husband). I give the kids space to fall down, play sports, etc.
2. I recently joined a Mom’s group. (Don’t be too impressed. I attended with a friend so I would at least know one person.)
3. I get the newspaper daily and one “current events” magazine weekly.
4. I have a library card and I love checking out books for myself. I usually try to have one fiction book and one “other” book going at all times. Lately, that “other” book has been MomsTown or a parenting book. (I am a fan of ANYTHING by Dr. Kevin Leman)


Things I Need to Work On
1. I need to not feel bad when I say I am a SAHM in a social setting. I still participate and enjoy parties, etc. but I should be less worried about what people think about me being a stay at home mom. I need to be more confident.
2. I need to be more outgoing when I meet new people.
3. See number three above. I rarely read the paper (I just get the coupons out) and I don’t take the time to read all of the magazine articles. Just some here and there.
4. I need to improve my vocabulary. Check out
Word of the Day Blog
. I just subscribed so that I would at least see one new word per day.

Let me know how things are going with you . .

This Real Mommy vs. Carrie Bradshaw

I just finished up writing in my Mommy journal. (I know, be so impressed. There are parts of the Momstown book that I am really dong well.) I was thinking about all of the things that I wanted to be when I grew up and what I love to do in my spare time. Obviously, writing came to the forefront.

I love to write. I promised Husband (many years ago) that we would be able to retire after I had written a few books. So far, I haven’t gotten very far, but I think there is hope. The blog is really showing me that I had a lot more to say than I realized. So, as I was sitting around thinking about these things, Carrie Bradshaw (Sex in the City) came to mind.

Of course she did! She makes a living writing. She writes about her personal experiences. She makes people laugh and cry with her perspective. Who wouldn’t want to be living that crazy life filled with interesting stories, crazy friends, and perfect one-liners? As I was thinking, I realized that I have that life, just a little different version.

My friends lead crazy lives. One is a high-powered accountant who works like crazy and wants to take over the corporate world. One is crazy – seriously. One is going though a major life change right now. One is balancing both a career and motherhood. One is a mother who (and I kid you not) is like Martha Stewart – only friendly and she hasn’t done jail time.

My life is exciting. My schedule is filled with all types of fun activities. Instead of fashionable parties, I have play dates. Instead of one night stands, I have date nights with Husband. (I think they are just as hot!!) Instead of brunch with the girls at and expensive restaurant, we meet at the Starbucks. Instead of Manolos, I have the cutest set of patent leather wedges that I got on sale at Macy’s for $15.00.

My one liners are great to. Here’s an example. Does Winnie the Pooh have a hiney? Yep, Son asked me that one the other day. Here’s another: Can poop fossilize? Daughter has been taking her diaper off in the crib. I guess a little bit of it fell behind the crib and missed out on the clean up. Or how about this one: Why is picking your nose bad? Again, Son was the culprit.

I am not missing out on anything. While I may have a different audience than Carrie Bradshaw, and I may lead a little different life than Carrie Bradshaw, I think I will take my life, This Real Mommy’s life, any day of the week.

A Table Prayer

This afternoon, we all sat down for lunch. I asked Son if he wanted to say the blessing this time. He was excited to give it a try. So, I tried to help him with some of the words. I started out, “Lord, thank you for our food.” Immediately after, I heard a perfect copy of what I had just said. The second line, “Please bless it to our bodies.” Again, he said it perfectly. Finally, “And bless the hands that prepared it.” His version, “Bless the hands that have to repair it.”

Apparently, I am not quite the gourmet chef I thought I was.

Free Photo Prints

The very first blog, I ever read was
One Money Dummy Getting Smarter
. This is by far my favorite blog of all time. You really want to look back into the archives and check into some of the things she has written about. You can also read/see more of her work on the PYP blog. My favorite is A Penny Saved is About 1.5 Cents Earned.

Today, she posted about a way to get 1200 photo prints for free. For some of you with kids (especially little ones) this is a great opportunity. Check out the link and let me know how it worked out and if you acutally had 1200 prints to order!!

Week 4: Getting a Life and A Body Attitude to Match

Did you think I had fallen off the face of the earth? I have to admit, there were a few times this week, when I thought maybe I had!

I am back and ready to catch up. So, here we go. I have to admit, I have sort of been dreading this chapter. Isn’t there another way? Can’t I just will my body into being great? Isn’t there an easy way that requires less effort? Already my attitude is not matching up with the chapter.

Okay gals – inspire me . . .

Here are my goals for the week:

1. Work out three times. One – walking, Two and Three – yoga at home with the tape. (I used to walk a lot more, but preschool has gotten in the way. I know, I know, no excuses, but I just wanted to let you know J) Also, as an added bonus, if I am feeling wild and crazy – at least one workout on the WiiFit. (Again, I know, I know, I have the coolest way to work out ever and I am not using it. I need a lecture!!!)

2. Next Sunday, schedule three workouts in my planner and make them my Hot Iron Task for those days.

3. Next Sunday, meal plan for the week. (As far as this week goes, make a plan for the rest of the week starting tomorrow.)

4. Portion control – Need I say more?

5. Journal about the topics that are listed in the Momstown book.

How is it going for everyone else?

Kiss My Face Update

So I think the link isn't working. Obvioulsy I am not as technically savvy as I would like to believe.

Here is the link:

www.stretchingabuckblog.com and then you can find the giveaway from there. Let me know if this helps!!

Kiss My Face Giveaway!

Okay, I know you have all been waiting for my first giveaway. Well, this isn't it. However, over at Stretching a Buck (one of the blogs I subscribe to) a wonderful opportunity to participate in a giveaway is going on now.

Just read her post and she will let you know how what you need to do. (P.S. It doesn't involve giving up your first born or anything crazy like that. It's easy!) She also has a special code posted if you would like to shop online for some of the Kiss My Face products.

If you do check out her blog, let me know what you think. I can always find useful ideas and deals from her posts!!

The Plague

So that may be a little exaggeration. I am feeling under the weather today. The doctor's diagnosis: a severe sinus infection with a double ear infection. And so, I am going to take today off and maybe tomorrow too while I am waiting for the antibiotics to kick in. I will catch up on this week in Momstown as soon as I can.

Redbox Movie Code for Monday, September 8, 2008

Today's code is:

99ZA7Q

Happy Movie Watching!

Friday's Hot Iron Task

I will be content if I am just still standing at the end of the day! I went to a new Mom's group this morning. I had a great time and met some great people. The kids are down for a nap, but as soon as they wake up, we are off to Grandma J's house to drop them off. Then, back to my house to drop my car off, then out the door with my sister to scope out some purchases for my Aunt's tanning salon/boutique at the Gem Show. I think that is everything.

If I'm on tomorrow, I survived.

Thursday's Hot Iron Task

The kitchen needs a little TLC today. We have preschool this morning and I have to meet a friend for a free stuff pick up (I'll post about this a little later) but I still think I can fit it in.

Caught in the Act

With today’s “hot iron” task being the bathrooms, I had to share this story that happened a few months ago.

I don’t know about you, but the bathroom is the worst part of cleaning my house. It is a chore that I dread. There are only two, but one of them is primarily occupied by a 3 year old boy who is potty trained, but cannot seem to be able to hit that target all the time; especially if he waited a little too long to go.

And so, in true Real Mommy fashion I decided that I needed to make this task more fun and something that I didn’t dread. While the kids were napping, I put my headphones on, plugged in my Ipod, and set up the monitor. I wouldn’t be able to hear them, but I would be able to see the noise across the sensor bars.

If I insist on confessing, let’s make sure I don’t leave out any telling details. I always wear my scrubby clothes while doing this and this day was no different. I had on a tank top and my favorite maternity workout pants. (Yes, the ones that I threw away.) I even had on rubber cleaning gloves up to my elbows. The Potty Princess.

I was listening to the Pussycat Dolls song “Don’t Cha.” And of course, if the music is going to be really loud, I am going to be dancing and singing. I can’t help it. I am sure that you can just picture this in your head. I was actually having a pretty good time. I was singing away and somehow, cleaning the toilet just didn’t seem that bad.

The bad part: I didn’t notice that husband had come home from work for lunch. With the headphones on and the music turned up, I didn’t hear the garage door, him quietly calling me, or the sound of him cracking up behind me. I have no idea how long he was standing there and to this day, he won’t admit how much he saw. Did he see me swaying my hips as I used the scrub brush on the toilet? How about me dancing with the Clorox mop?

I have to admit, this incident has not kept me from cleaning the bathroom this way. Even today, I got out the Ipod, put on the Pussycat Dolls, and turned the volume up. But today, I locked all the doors to the house before I got started.

Wednesday's Hot Iron Task

Today, I want to try to have two "hot iron" tasks. I am trying to make up the laundry deal.

And so, today I am going to clean the bathrooms. (The worst job in the entire world - haha) This is extra fun considering that Son has been trying to play race cars as he pees. He makes the sounds and everything and apparently the inside of the toilet is the race track. You can just imagine how much actually ends up in the potty and how much ends up outside of the track.

Also, I want to put together a package for Pops. Pops is my grandfather who lives way on the other side of the country. Tons of artwork is coming home from preschool and I am sure that he would love to have some for his fridge. I would like to get a card in there too.

I'll let you know how it goes. Anyone else doing something super exciting for their hot iron task?

Wednesday'

Tuesday's Hot Iron Task

Would you believe that I haven't finished the laundry yet? I have an excuse - - but it is a lame one. I went shopping with all my coupons for some killer deals. I know, I know, I still should have done the one thing I set out to do. I am way too easily distracted.

Okay, I am doing all of this on the blog to hold myself accountable, and so, you may now lecture me on seting something as a priority and remind me how important it is to complete tasks. . . .

And so, today I am going to try to finish up the laundry and the ironing. And, if it kills me, I am going to go through the night before routine!

Home Office: Before and After Photos

Here is the before photo: (I know, what a mess!)



And, the after photo:



I still have a lot of stuff on my desk, but at least now, everything has a place.

And now, back to the laundry!!

Monday's Hot Iron Task

Ironically enough, it is the laundry. Here's the tough part - I want it washed, dried, ironed, and put away.

By the way, I took pictures of my messy home office. I'm going to try to post them later today along with the after picture. That's right, I cleaned it already. Nothing like knowing it may be on the internet to motivate me to clean it.

Momstown Week Three: Getting Organized: Get Into the Flow

**I know this is a little early, but the kids are staying with Grandpa & Grandma, so I have to take advantage of the time**

So the first paragraph had my name all over it. I am someone who is always trying to get organized, but I never feel like I accomplish it. I have set aside Sunday as a day that I will spend time getting myself ready for the week.

I feel a little ahead of the game in that I already have a planner, I just need to add some things to it to make it a little more personal and user friendly. I love the idea of the HOT IRON task of the day. (I am so this person: “Often we try to do too much as moms and can fall into the trap of trying to do five things at once and not getting any of them finished.” P. 58) I am making it my goal this week to post my Hot Iron task at the beginning of the day (or the night before) and post whether or not it got done and how it went. Wish me luck on that one.

I am a little nervous about the running task list. I think if I sat down right now and began writing, I would have a million things on there. (Probably a small exaggeration.) By Sunday, I want to have a list of at least 5 things that I think are important.

What do you think about the idea of Mastering the Quarter Hour? This seemed perfect for the life of a mom. There are times when it feels like I only have about 15 minutes before the next event, task etc. begins. This could be something that will help me tremendously.

The idea of a home office made me laugh a little. I have a home office, but it looks like an area of our home that needs some help (think national disaster). I am trying to decide whether or not to post pictures of the craziness that it my home office. But with pictures up, that would provide some serious motivation to get it cleaned up and in better shape.

Which leads me to another idea . . . do I dare post pictures of some of the clutter areas with a goal of having some of them cleaned up by the end of the week? I can’t decide whether or not I am brave enough for this one.

The Night Before routine also seems like something that would make all the difference in the world. I’m excited to see where we end up at week’s end.

My Writing Career

Here I am in the coffee shop again. I would look like most important and aspiring writers if I didn’t bring my laptop into the store in a bag that reads, “My Books are Friends that Never Fail Me” and maybe if my computer screen had fewer Rice Krispie treat smudges. But all in all, here I sit and I am ready to write.

Momstown: Week Two Review

This week, I think things went a little better. The bed was made more and the journal writing is becoming something that is naturally incorporating itself into my routine. I made some notes about what I learned about myself after completing all of the assessments. These were very eye opening.

This week I said no to an obligation. It was difficult but it was worth it. I had to tell a little white lie to get out of it, but I feel better about not needing to go. (I’d love to hear your take on this one. I didn’t want to lie, but it was either that, or I say, actually I just don’t want to come to your party. Is there another alternative?)

I had an interesting take on the whole “husband doesn’t get it” this week. Husband has been home a lot more lately. He has always been very helpful as far as the kids go and stuff getting done around the house, but this week he stepped in a little more and picked up Son from preschool and made breakfast a couple days. Also, having more time together meant that we had more time for conversation.

I threw away the maternity pants. I hope that you are standing in your living room cheering for me as it was a difficult ordeal. They were my favorite workout pants. They were black (so obviously, that means they made me look thin, right?) and they always fit. I said a teary goodbye and dumped them. To avoid the temptation of taking them back, I put them out in the big trash can. They are gone forever.

Husband and I went to the Parent’s Information Night at Son’s preschool. (I know where you think this is headed and no I did not wear and evening gown) However, I did swap out those “mommy” clothes for jeans, a new shirt in a color that I love and some girly sandals. It really does feel different to leave the house in real clothes. When I tell Husband I am leaving the house in real clothes, he always says, “As opposed to being naked?” They really don’t get it.

I did fall behind on writing the article. I know, two weeks in a row. It really is something that I want to get done. Especially after reading page 52 and answering some of the questions. I have wanted to be a writer since the 7th grade. I can remember my teacher telling me that one day, I would be a great writer. I want to get back into this, but finding the time is tough. I need to make it more of a priority. As you can see, I haven’t written much as far as the blog is concerned either.

And so, Sunday begins a new week.

Redbox Movie Code for Monday, August 25, 08

Here is the code for today:

X4N19p


It came through early this morning, so you have plenty of time to pick up a movie.

Happy Movie Watching!!

My Blog: My Voice

I have to admit after reading one of comments attached to It’s Official, I am the Parent of a Preschooler, I was pretty frustrated. I thought about it (way too much) and obviously decided to respond with a comment. That wasn’t really enough as I continued to think about it. Comments like this may be partially my fault in that I haven’t really laid out for everyone what I want my blog to be and what purpose it serves not only for myself but others.

This blog was designed as a place to document and talk about deals. So many people I know are always asking about the deals and how they work, and I wanted to have a place to record them and provide instruction for others.

This blog was designed to record funny things that happen in my life as a mother. Everyday, something interesting happens. Everyday I find myself cracking up laughing and wanting to share that with someone else.

This blog was designed to help myself and other mothers. I wanted to create a blog that mothers might come to if they needed a good laugh. I wanted mothers to have a place where they could find encouragement; where someone is working to make her life better and they could follow along.

There are so many negative things that pull at us; so many people who are unhappy and want to drag everyone else down with them. Please pay attention: if this is you, this blog is not for you. There are plenty of other blogs people use as outlets for their negativity. Please go find one of those. You will fit right in there.

As for the rest of you: my apologies. I hate drama. I want to avoid it at all cost. This feels like drama, but I think if I don’t address it, it will get worse.

Resort Life

Resort life was awesome! We had such a great time! The time spent at the pool was wonderful! With both kids being able to swim, things were very easy.(I have been meaning to do a review of ISR, but just haven't got around to it yet.) We ordered a lot of room service and had a great time shopping at the mall. There is nothing better than to escape regular life and make time to just relax and recharge.


And so, I am back and ready to tackle the week. How is Momstown going? I'm looking forward to going over week two again. There was a lot of information and a lot to work on. I didn't get my article written (see last weeks goals) but I did find time with the kids to just enjoy the moment and enjoy being with them.

Signing Out for the Weekend

I am getting ready to head out of town for the weekend! Yippee! A mini-vacation. There is a resort, a few pools and room service calling my name. (By the way, have I mentioned that I have the best mom in the world!) She is rescuing the kids and I and my sister and taking us away!

I will be back Monday and hopefully we will all be caught back up with Momstown. In the meantime, I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

It’s Official: I am the Parent of a Preschooler

Apparently, I am missing a large chunk of time. You see, it feels like just yesterday, we brought Son home from the hospital. We drove 25 mph going home from the hospital that day because we wanted to be extra careful. I remember laying him down and thinking that his crib was enormous. The “Little Prince” was the beginning of an amazing life change for Husband and I.

And so today, he went to preschool. From the moment he woke up, he was ready to go; ready to meet his friends; ready to work in the centers; ready to play on the playground. Husband, Son, Daughter, and I walked hand in hand to the classroom. We had taken about 50 pictures this morning. I had to be sure to get every angle of the moment. He looked adorable in his button down shirt with his “big boy” Cars backpack.

We had kissed him goodbye, washed his hands, made sure he didn’t need to go potty. We were all set to leave. I took one last look at him and I had two thoughts: (This is pretty common for me in case you hadn’t noticed)

1. There goes our little man. That tiny little baby we held in our arms. He looks so grown up!

2. He is so smart and witty and I just know that all of the kids and teachers are just going to adore him!

I held my breath as started into the classroom. But he paused for a minute. With a huge smile across his face, he walked right up to the teacher, told her his name and then proceeded to ask, “Hey, are you my girlfriend?” Again, I had two thoughts:

1. I am going to kill Dad (Son’s PaPa) when I see him! (This week he asked Son about “girlfriends” and if he was planning to pick any up at school.

2. Whose kid is that?

And so, our journey begins. I can see many more moments like this in our future.

Walgreens Coupon for 8/22 & 8/23

Yipee! A Walgreens coupon. If you haven't purchases your Free After Rebate items for this month, now is the time to do it.

http://www.walgreens.com/hotbuys/default.jsp?ec=hn571_getcoupon

Momstown - Update

I have heard from a few of you that we may have started out a little fast and some of you need some time to catch up.

What if we plan to start week two again on Monday? Let me know if that will get everyone caught up.

You can leave comments here, or you can always email me at thisrealmommy @ yahoo . com (without the spaces).

Redbox code for Wednesday, August 20, 2008

Today's code is:

JK4HM5


Happy Movie Watching!

From a Husband's Point of View

I just came across this post the other day! It was so funny and so true. I can't wait to send it to Husband to see how much he can relate to. I know that many of you will get a kick out of it too!

I Married a Couponaholic: 5 Ways Life Has Changed ~ Frugal In Virginia

Ragu and Skippy

(It sounds like the title of a cute children's book. Yet another way that couponing and fnding deals could lead to making money.)

This week at Walgreens, you can buy 6 jars of Ragu spaghetti sauce or 6 jars of Skippy peanut butter for $10. After the purchase, you will receive a $4 Register Reward. I added coupons from the paper on Sunday for both the Ragu and Skippy and my shopping trips came out like this:

6 Skippy Peanut Butter $10.00
(3) coupons for $1/2 = $10 - $3 = $7
Register Reward $7 - $4 (to be used on the next purchase – not to be used on the same deal again) = $3 or .50 each

Same exact thing for the Ragu. You can mix and match the two and get the same outcome.

We use a lot of peanut butter and spaghetti sauce (typically not together), so this was a deal worth stocking up on for us.

The “D” Factor

I don’t believe in astrology. However, I am a Leo and Leos are real weirdos when it comes to their hair. If you can believe it, their whole day can be ruined by a bad hair day. On the flip side, a great haircut, great color, and a great style can make everything better. The world can seem brighter if there is no frizz!

And so, I believe that everyone (even if you aren’t a Leo) needs a “D.” She is a lifesaver. She is the person that you can turn to and lay all of your hair problems down. You can cry about them or laugh about them and either way, she has a plan.

When I was pregnant with Daughter, I was really struggling. Let’s face it, no one wants to look fat and waddle around. While maternity clothes have come along way, sometimes it takes all that you’ve got to walk out in those elastic waist pants and not think that the end of the world is near. The tops could pass for car covers and there is just no way to go unnoticed. People look at pregnant women.

And so, I was in the pregnant woman funk. My sister insisted that I go to a “real” haircut place. She saw someone at Toni & Guy and decided that’s where I had to go. Her regular person wasn’t there, but “D” was. I flopped down on the chair and she asked what I wanted to do. I said the magic words, “Just do something to it. I hate it the way it is and I don’t want to look like a stay at home mom.” I vaguely remember her chuckling under her breath and leading me over to the washing center.

When she was done, I was amazed. I was a new woman. I looked modern and had an actual hairstyle! I didn’t look like I had just rolled out of bed. The best part? I didn’t just want to sneak out the door in my comfy clothes anymore. I put makeup on again. I felt totally revived. Can I dare say, “She changed my life!” (Imagine me walking into a salon and handing someone a homemade hairstyle Emmy. Ha ha.)

All of this is to say, that sometimes, it is worth finding the perfect person to transform you. I still see “D” to this day. I had an appointment Saturday. She was just back from maternity leave. It felt great to sit down in the chair, and hear again, “So, what are we doing this time?”

Momstown Week Two: The Gal Identity

My goals for the week:

1. Bed made every day

2. Journal at least three times (in the happy journal)

3. 10-15 minutes each day with the kids (individually if possible) and just realize how much I appreciate my time with them

4. Say no to an obligation

5. Grab a garbage bag and go through the closet and get rid of some stuff

6. Start an anti-clutter list

7. Do a fun activity (without the kids) that I haven’t done in the past two months (I am choosing to write and article for an online site.)

I know, pretty steep goals. There is a ton of stuff in the chapter this week. It took me a while to read over everything and digest it. It was interesting to take the quizzes again. I had marked my answers in the book from the last time I read it. (Son was about 6 months old, I think.) The good news is the some of the answers have changed for the better. The bad news – I have fallen back into some of the old habits.

There is no way that I am posting my scores on some of the tests. A couple of times, my answers surprised me. Again, the good news is that I have a goal and a direction that I need to go.

I hate to admit it, but I have a pair of workout pants that I love to wear. Not so bad right? Well, it is if you just want to wear with all the time when you are hanging out at home. And, it gets worse; they are maternity pants. There, I said it. I feel much better now. I think if they go in the trash tonight, I will be much better off and it will put me in the mindset to go into the closet and make some changes.

I already did the haircut thing yesterday. Cut and some color. It makes a big difference. Everyone should have a miracle worker like I have. I owe her a whole post!!

Anything interesting stand out to anyone else?

The Journal Dilemma

So last week I went to pick out a new journal for the Momstown project. I did not need a new journal. It probably would have been best to use the journal that I started last time. It would remind me every time I opened it that I can’t quit again. But of course, a new one seemed like a much better idea.

So I went shopping. Barnes and Noble had a large selection of journals and I looked through almost all of them. I knew that I wanted lined pages and obviously, one that would be compatible with my larger handwriting. But to me the most important criteria was the outside cover. I wanted something inspirational without being cheesy; something funny, without being stupid; something spunky without being anti-social. It came down to 2 journals and I went back and forth. They were both “me” but displayed different aspects. And so, I decided on both.

And now for the justification: (because obviously, I didn’t need both)

One is a beautiful blue hardcover with this quote on the front: “Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly.” I have deemed this my Momstown journal to record my successes and triumphs. The journal that I will be able to track my progress in and receive encouragement by looking back on how far I have come.

And then, there is the other journal. It’s a soft cover journal with a picture of a woman from the 50’s. (The Donna Reid who vacuums in pearls) She has a white smile with ruby red lips. The caption reads: “high maintenance doesn’t begin to cover it.” I have deemed this the “evil in my heart” journal. All complaining, criticizing, whining, and blaming can be done here.

Interesting, huh? At least I didn’t choose the “medicated and motivated” housewife one!

Momstown Week One – Summary

Saying that I blew it this week would probably be an understatement. I would like to blame it on Husband. (He has been home more than usual, and so kind of throws the schedule off a little), but alas, it is my own fault. Here’s how things have stacked up this week:

1. I did make the bed everyday this week. I have to admit, it does make a difference. It is nice to have one place in the house that is free of toys and clutter and looks complete. Even if the room isn’t perfect, at least the bed looks good. It does provide some time to think about the day and how it is going to go. My next challenge will really be this weekend. Those days are usually lazy days.

2. Here it is; the update post. Check that one off the list.

3. The journal – Okay this one is such a bummer. I wrote on Sunday and Monday, but that was it. This is interesting considering that we have so much going on right now. There is a lot to write about, I just haven’t taken the time. I can’t lie – I want to blame this one on Husband too because he has been home, but it is me. I am going to write tonight. That will put me up to three.

4. So I did the mantra. I am so uncreative when it comes to something like this. I still feel a little silly saying it out loud. I even tested out saying it in front of the kids. Son and Daughter looked at me as if the men in the white coats were coming to take me away to the padded room. It’s a fond memory that I will treasure forever. Anyway, the mantra is, “I have the potential to be everything I dream of being.” (Yes, it is straight from one of the suggestions in the book.)

I loved the “Gal Truths.” I jotted them down in the journal to give me some quick points to think about.

What did everyone else think about the first chapter and the first week?

Momstown Week One: The Gal Starter Tools

So I read through chapter one and set some goals for myself.

1. Make the bed everyday before I leave the room in the morning. (I have been working on this one for about two weeks as I thought about staring this book again.)

2. Post on Friday or Saturday with an update on the goals and opinions on the chapter.

3. (Diary sounds kind of childish – so I just want to call it a journal) Write in the journal at least three times this week. I want to try to write either before the kids get up or after they have gone to bed.

4. Come up with a mantra. This one seems a little tough for me. I know that for it to work for me, it needs to be short, sweet, and to the point. It will be done by Friday or Saturday.

And so, it begins.

My Mosaic


My Mosaic
Originally uploaded by thisrealmommy
To Make Your Own, Answer the Following Questions:

1. What is your first name?
2. What is your favorite food?
3. What high school did you go to?
4. What is your favorite color?
5. Who is your celebrity crush?
6. What is your favorite drink?
7. What is your dream vacation?
8. What is your favorite dessert?
9. What did you want to be when you grow up?
10. What do you love most in life?
11. What is one word that describes you?
12. What is your flickr name?



1. Then type your answer to each of the questions into
Flickr Search.

2. Use only the first page of results, and pick one image.
3. Copy and paste each of the URLs for the images into
Big Huge Lab's Mosaic Maker
to create a mosaic of the picture answers (3 columns 4 rows).

Email me your Mosaic: thisrealmommy @ yahoo . com

A Mother’s Proud Moment

This morning, I heard Son playing in the laundry room. He was pretending to be David from the story of David and Goliath in the Bible. I can hear that he is swinging something over his head and he is just letting that “giant” have it.

My initial thoughts:

One, those bedtime Bible story readings are really working! The information in getting in! We are doing such a good job as parents!

Two, we don’t own a slingshot, so he must have found something else to use. He is so creative. I must have a genius on my hands!

Then, reality hit as I walked around the corner to see what was going on. Son was swinging something over his head; just not what I expected. It was lingerie (and not just a pretty nightgown). Yes, he was trying to put a ball in it and swinging it around. I can only imagine what my face looked like.

Son says, “I found a slingshot Mommy! Can I take it outside and use a rock?”

My final thoughts:

One, can you imagine the neighbors looking over the fence to see Son with said item in his hands, swinging it over his head, filled with rocks, yelling at imaginary giant?

Two, how much is this going to cost me in therapy one day?

The Estimation of the Problem

Dad- This post is just for you. I hate to admit it, especially in writing, on the internet, forever to be seen by others, but . . . . you were right.

If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment.

Marcus Aurelius Antoninus

Interesting, isn’t it? When you really stop and think about what he is saying. We (okay - - I) have a tendency to blame stress and frustration on all types of external things. But that isn’t really where it comes from. It comes from within me. I am the world’s worst at not being able to let things go. If it bothers me, I end up thinking about it way too much.

And so, it isn’t the issues, it’s me. The issues, I can’t change. There isn’t anything else that I can do to fix them, make them better, or change in terms of the outcome . But, I can change me. I can change the way that I look at things. I can change how much time I spend worrying. I can change my estimation of the problem. I can realize that I have the power to revoke it at any time.

Conversation with Son in the Car

Me: “Stupid idiot! Why don’t you learn how to drive?” (said to man who cut me off and then slammed on the brakes)

Son: What did you say to the man Mommy?

Me: I just think he needs to learn how to drive.

Son: Why doesn’t he know how to drive?

Me: I guess no one ever taught him.

Son: Is it because he is stupid?

Me: Son, we don’t say stupid!

Son: But you just said the man was stupid.

Me: Oh.

Son: You should say you are sorry. That wasn’t very nice.

Me: Good idea.

(a short pause)

Son: You should tell him before he drives away.

Me: I’m sorry.

Lesson learned: Mommy needs to have music playing in the car at all times and learn to speak under her breath.

Just an Idea . . . .

Has anyone ever read The Momstown Guide to Getting It All (A Life Makeover for Stay-at-Home Moms)? I started it a long time ago (after Son was born) but didn’t finish reading it and didn’t really give it a chance. I’ve since picked it back up and wanted to start again, but I have run into a little trouble.

In the first chapter, you need to gather “tools” that will help you with the process of getting a life. I am missing my Ethel; someone to be accountable to, someone to be able to share the ups and the downs with. (Just like I Love Lucy) Thus, my idea , , , ,

Maybe I am not the only person having a tough time finding Ethel. Maybe it would be fun to try and read something like this with a group and have everyone be able to add their input and share their opinions about what they are reading. Maybe, this would be the perfect outlet to keeping me accountable to do the reading and actually apply it. I wanted to start Monday (8/11) and follow it through for the whole ten weeks. I can’t decide whether to commit to posting about the book on Mondays and Fridays or just start the book and see where it goes.

I would love to hear everyone’s ideas about this and if anyone else is interested. You can check the book out from the library (free) and I think you need a journal (everyone has some paper laying around their house) so it won’t cost anything.

So, here’s the deal: If you are interested – post in the comments and let me know. I know that people are reading and checking the blog, but not posting comments. No worries, I am a “lurker” on quite a few blogs and I never post anything. If this is you, take the chance!

The Momstown Guide to Getting It All: A Life Makeover for Stay-at-Home Moms by Mary Goulet and Heather Reider

(Miss Maggie & ACDC this is for you) Anyone else have any ideas on a fiction book that we could read, discuss, etc?

Good In Bed

I knew that would get your attention. I am coming back from what feels like a long hiatus and I needed something to get the readers back. I figured this title would help the blog pick up a few more hits from Google. (ha, ha)

During my vacation, I did read Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner. I had never heard of the book before, but came across it one someone else’s blog. I think it was part of their recommended summer reading. I’m glad I went out on a limb on this one.

Just carrying the book around on the plane and in the airport was an interesting experience. The cover is interesting and the title certainly peaks people’s interest. I wasn’t sure what to expect. At first, I thought this would be one more romance novel with a predictable storyline and a perfect ending. That was not the case; all issues were not perfectly resolved at the end.

The book is worth reading just to experience the main characters sarcasm and outlook on life! Here is the summary given by the publisher: (I always give away too much or not enough information)

For twenty-eight years, things have been tripping along nicely for Cannie Shapiro. Sure, her mother has come charging out of the closet, and her father has long since dropped out of her world. But she loves her friends, her rat terrier, Nifkin, and her job as pop culture reporter for The Philadelphia Examiner. She's even made a tenuous peace with her plus-size body.
But the day she opens up a national women's magazine and sees the words "Loving a Larger Woman" above her ex-boyfriend's byline, Cannie is plunged into misery...and the most amazing year of her life. From Philadelphia to Hollywood and back home again, she charts a new course for herself: mourning her losses, facing her past, and figuring out who she is and who she can become.

If you need a good laugh and an easy read, you have to check this one out at the library.

Redbox Movie Code for Monday, August 4, 08

Hope some of you can still use the code, even though it is a little late.

172GJZ

Happy Movie Watching!

Catching Up

Things have been a little hectic around here with tons of things going on! I have not disappeared. I think I am just a little loopy from vacation still. I am looking forward to tomorrow and the beginning of a regular week again.

I'm working on deals for this upcoming week (Walgreens and CVS) and trying to put some things together . . . .

Will be catching up on the blog soon.

A Note to Husband

Just wanted to say, thanks for not drinking the kool-aid any more. (Ha Ha) I am so proud of you and so is the lawyer!

Love,

Me

New Walgreens Coupon for 7/31 ONLY

Here's the link to a $5 of $20 at Walgreens. I will post some of the scenarios later today or tonight. (I'm still recovering from vacation!)

http://www.walgreens.com/hotbuys/default.jsp?ec=hn571_getcoupon

It Was VEGAS!!

I know, I am too cool!! Have many deatils and interesting things to post about. Signing out via remote location.

Big Surprise

A big milestone is headed my way at the beginning of next month. A birthday. A big one. And, as it turns out, and interesting one!

A surprise is headed my way. You see, on Thursday night, my sister will head over to my house and pick up Son and Daughter. They will be staying at her house and at Grandma and Grandpa’s house FOR THE WEEKEND. Then, Friday morning, I am getting up early. My bags will be packed (and not by me) and we are headed out the door; Just Husband and I.

Where are we going, you ask? Good question. Honestly, I have no idea. What a birthday surprise! I know that we will be headed to the airport. I know that I am bringing a swimsuit, two dressy evening outfits, and otherwise vacation clothes. I know that it will be warm where we are headed. I know that we return home late in the evening on Sunday night.

I was not meant to know as much as I do about this, but I can be persistent. And so, I see a mystery in my future. I can’t believe it. While the kids have stayed at my sister’s or their grandparents’ house for a night, this will be the first weekend. I am so excited for them as well. We are so blessed to have this kind of family! My kids will be on their own vacation, staying up late, watching the movie Cars and probably having all types of special treats.

What is the best part of this surprise? I know the trip and the quality time with Husband is going to be awesome, but I think the best part is looking around and seeing my family and how much they care about me. To be willing to take on all that is going with this trip and the kids and the packing (they are packing the kids too!) and keep everything hush, hush is absolutely amazing. I am so blessed.

Walgreens Diaper Deal

This deal came around a couple of weeks ago and I stocked up on diapers. This week, it is here again. So I thought I would share how it is working for us.

Walgreens’ brand jumbo packages of diapers are on sale this week for $5.99. There is a coupon in the EasySaver catalog. (Remember, these are usually at the front of the store by the ads and if you can’t find one, just ask someone! You don’t need to pull out the coupon. Just bring it up to the counter and they will scan it.) The coupon is $5 off the purchase of 2. Because you are purchasing three packages, the coupon ends up taking off $2.50 from each package. Let’s check out the math:

(3) packages of diapers @ $5.99 each = $17.97 minus the EasySaver coupon (-$7.50) = $11.47 (add some tax $1.10) and your total comes to $11.57

If this were the end of the deal, this wouldn’t be too bad for diapers. It comes to about $3.50 a package (before tax). But, the deal gets better. After you have paid, you will receive a Register Reward for $5 off your next purchase. This is like cash at Walgreens except that it has an expiration date and there are certain things you can’t buy with it.

So, what do we do with the Register Rewards? Remember, we want to try to “roll” the deals, creating the least amount of money out of pocket for these deals. You can’t “roll” this RR to purchase more diapers. So, here’s an idea:

If you look in the ad this week, there are some items that are on sale, making them free after the rebate. I purchased Crayola Doodle Markers ($2.00) and Pilot G2Pens ($1.00). I will submit my receipt online and receive $3.00 back in the form of a recharge on my gift card.

Also, there were a lot of school items on sale. My sister is a teacher and always needs items for her classroom. She also has a “treasure chest” as a reward system in her classroom. I scanned the ad and picked up many items that were on sale for 5 cents each including mini composition books, highlighters, etc.

My total came to a little over $5. I used my RR and paid very little. Then, I will take my receipt and enter it online for this month’s rebate. I will receive $3.00 back on my gift card. (Plus the 10% extra for choosing the gift card recharge.)

There are other free after rebate items this month, so I will probably go back, buy more diapers and then turn around and use the RR to purchase rebate items.

If you try this out, be sure and post in the comments about what you did and how it worked for you!

Free Manicure/Pedicure ~ Who knew?

Check out Herbal Essences. The promotion states, “Free manicure or pedicure at participating salons with purchase of 2 specially marked Herbal Essence shampoo or conditioner products.”

At Fry’s, Herbal Essence shampoos and conditioners were priced $2.50 each. (Outrageous if you ask me; they are usually free J) Currently, when you buy 3 Proctor and Gamble items at Fry’s, you get an instant $3 off your shopping order.

Let’s work the math. Purchase 6 bottles of shampoo/conditioner.
Total cost: $15.00.
Then, you would get $6 off because of the P&G promotion.

So far: $9.00

Then, add manufacturer coupons ($3 off two Herbal Essences shampoos or conditioners were in the P&G inserts a couple of weeks ago) If you have 3 coupons, add those to the mix.

$9.00 – (3) $3 off coupons = $0.00

That’s right FREE. So, as I said before, Herbal Essences is running a manicure/pedicure promotion, so I chose the bottles at the store that were marked with the promotions label.

At the end of the day, I have spent about $1.22 (I can’t get around paying the tax for the items) and I will mail in my receipt and receive 2 vouchers that I can use for either pedicures or manicures.

This was a deal I couldn’t resist!!!

Wii Fit

We finally got our Wii Fit today! We had been waiting for a little over a month now. It is just as good as I thought it would be. We are all set up and have done the "Body Test" to see where we are as far as fitness, BMI and weight. Let's just say that it was eye opening and interesting.

The funniest part so far? Son was so excited when it arrived. He had no idea what it was, but he knew it belonged to the Wii and he wanted to try it. My sister came over and we set it up, but it took a little while to figure it all out. Then we started the Body Test and Son was beside himself with excitement.

So, he has a set of cardboard building blocks that we play with often. I pulled out the red one (shaped much like the Wii Fit board)and set him up with it. I put it in front of the tv, right beside mine. Everything I did, he did. It was the funniest thing. I have to admit, I was pretty impressed by how long he could hold himself in the tree position.

Tonight, before bed, he put his block away and let me know he will get out his board in the morning so we can work out.

Daughter was another story. She just wanted to stomp on it. So when she finally realized that wasn't going to happen, she just walked around the family room with her hands up in the air. I guess that was her version of the tree position.

I will get out a full review after we have used it for a while.

"This Real Mommy" come on down!"

I found another talent that comes from couponing! I am pretty sure that I can make an absolute killing on the Price is Right! Seriously, if anyone has any contacts there, you have to get me in! I think I could go all the way!!

Which cost more, the pizza rolls (Totino's) or the Gold Bond lotion? Well, I always get the Totino's Pizza Rolls for free, so obviously, they'd be cheaper! I can just see a Showcase Showdown in my future.

Walgreens August EasySaver Rebate

Just got a sneak peek at the new rebate book! YIPEE!! August will be better than July!

Some other things to think about when it comes to the Walgreens

Can we take it one step further? How would you like to make money on your rebate? Obviously, what could be better?

Coupons
When you use a coupon for a rebate item, you get to pay less for the item, but receive the full rebate for the item. Here’s an example from this month’s catalog to help you understand what I mean:

Nature Made RX Essentials Pack (30 or 60 pack) (rebate up to $9.99) There was a $1 coupon for this item in the paper on the following dates: April 20th and June 1st.

At the register, you will pay $8.99 + tax for this, but when you request your rebate you will receive $9.99

I realize this is not earth-shattering and you will not be able to retire early by making money through the Walgreens EasySaver rebate, however, there is always another way to look at things. For me, it is all about the Venti, non-fat, iced Chai at Starbucks. I just need four deals like this, and a Chai is paid for!!! I think this is a pretty slow month for Walgreens, so usually; there are many more opportunities to save or turn a small profit.

Store Coupons

Walgreens has been randomly been posting money saving coupons on the website. (If you all promise to start participating in these deals, I will start adding links to these coupons on the blog. – I am going to need some serious commitments in the comments section!!!) These coupons are usually something like $5 off a $25 purchase or $10 off $30.

Let’s look at how this would work for us: Let’s say that next month, if you were to purchase all of the free after rebate items it would cost you $30. Let’s add in some coupons and see what would happen. You have (3) $1 off coupons. So your total drops to $27. Then, you add a store coupon for $5 off a $25 purchase. Your total drops to $22 dollars. And, the best part, you submit your rebate and you are refunded the money that the items were worth - - meaning your rebate is $30. You have “made” $8. Also, if you request a gift card, another $3 will be added, making the total rebate $33.

Register Rewards

This one is super special!! I have to admit, sometimes it is difficult to sit back and wait for a rebate to come or that gift card to be reloaded; so Walgreens has come up with a little instant gratification for you. Register Rewards (RR) print out of the machine beside the cash register. (For future reference – at the grocery store, they are called catalinas.)

RR can be used like cash at the Walgreens. They have some limitations, so after they print, you may want to read the fine print. Some say cannot be used with other RRs, some say they cannot be used on gift cards, and some say you cannot use them on stamps. Otherwise, they are good to go.

You earn RR by purchasing certain items of a certain number of items. You can always find out about these in the ads. You can use coupons and still get RR and they provide great opportunities to cut costs. Again, if I get some promises to check the blog and comment and start “Working Walgreens,” I will try to post some of the crazy deals that I am doing with RR.

You can “roll” your gift cards into RR and then turn around and use your RR to purchase the free after rebate items to then have the money added back to the gift card. Does that make sense? If not, read it very slowly and just imagine shopping and going through the motions.

Walgreens: EasySaver Rebates


Walgreens' EasySaver rebate program
is another easy way to save. The monthly catalogs can usually be found at the front of the store near or beside the weekly ads. You can also find the catalogs online.

Walgreens recently updated their program to allow its customers to enter their rebates online. This saves so much time, it is easier to track, and you in some cases you can receive you rebate in less than a week. (This will not be the case if this is your first time requesting a rebate – just to clarify.)

You can start saving by purchasing each of the free after rebates items. Let’s say you wanted to start this month. You would go to the store and purchase the following items:

Therabreath Started Kit (rebate up to $10.99)
Herbert’s Fully Loaded Chocolate Bars (rebate up to 99 cents)
Nature Made RX Essentials Pack (30 or 60 pack) (rebate up to $9.99)

SAVE YOUR RECEIPT! It is very important to save the receipt. Am I repeating myself? You need the receipt to claim you rebate and there is nothing worse than buying these things and then loosing track of the receipt. Did I mention you should save your receipt?

So, now the easy part. You can log onto the Walgreens EasySaver rebate website and create an account. This is very easy and should take under 10 minutes. You need an email address (this is the way they will contact you about your rebate. After creating a username and password, you are ready to log in and enter your receipt. Easy, Easy!

You can add to your rebate as many times as you want during the month; then when you are ready, you can request your rebate. You can request a check, although I am not sure how long it will take to arrive. I can’t remember the last time I requested a check. I usually request my rebate in the form of a gift card because Walgreens will add an additional 10% to your rebate. For me, the extra 10% covers the tax and the gift card is a great idea because I know that I will be making other purchases at Walgreens.

The first time you choose a rebate in the form of a gift card, it may take a little while to come in the mail, but on the upside, when you request your rebate for the next month, you can just have the money added to your current gift card. This can take as little as four days and then, you are ready to shop again. (And yes, if you are wondering, I have it down to a science. I request my rebate and I know just about the exact time that the card will be loaded. It’s part of my job. Ha, Ha)

Playroom Economy Going Strong

Today, I purchased bananas, apples, grapes, bread, juice, milk, eggs, and some cereal for $3. What a deal right? If only the real world ran like the playroom. A little later on, I purchased all the toys in the playroom plus my groceries and the price went down to $2.

Son does a great job as the store owner. The only problem is that every time I go to check out and pay for my purchses, he gives me money back. I think taking him with me to CVS is warping his sense of shopping and money.

A Great Opportunity at CVS

This week is a great time to begin shopping at CVS! Check out these posts to get you started:


How it Works



Keeping the Extra Care bucks Rolling



Maximizing CVS for your family


If you have not started shopping at CVS, this week provides a great opportunity for you to begin! You can get (1) 4x6, 10 page hardcover, Photo book for $3.99 (reg. 5.99-7.99) This is a great deal, but it gets better. After creating the book and paying for it, you will receive $3.99 in ECB, essentially making the book free.

You can also create (2) 6x8, 10 page, hardcover Photo books for $7.99 (reg. 12.99) and receive $7.99 back in ECB for each book.

These books make great gifts and also create an innovative way to display and keep photos. You can find direction in the ad or you can always get help from someone in the photo lab.

Good luck!!!

Testing Out Some New Internet Knowledge

I want to try out a new way to add links to the text. Please excuse the editing and reposting. I am hoping that if you are subscribing, you are only going to get this once, not everytime that I edit it.

Here goes:

Walgreens
has a great rebate program.


My Blog


Yipee! I think I have this figured out!!!

Is An Apology Too Much to Ask?

I hate to complain. In fact, I have been working on a post on complaining and how change complaining into problem solving. However, I can’t help it. I have to address something. We have lost the art of apologizing.

Friday night, I went to check out a clothing store. I wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but that never stops me from shopping. I found a pair of shoes and an amazing dress. When I got home, I discovered that the security tag was left on the shoes. SO frustrating! It was too late to return to the store that night, so I headed over on Saturday.

As if it wasn’t bad enough to have this happen, it got worse at the store. I walked up to the return counter and the security sound went off. I have no idea why it didn’t go off when I left, only when I came back. Interesting. The lady (her tag read: shift supervisor) looks at me, points her finger, and says, “You just set that off.” You think? I was trying so hard to just be nice, and get this over with.

I take the shoes out of the bag at the counter and tell her that the security tag was left on the shoes last night. She takes the shoes out of the bag, takes off the tag, puts them back in the bag and says, “Here.” I can’t lie. I didn’t move. I just stood there looking at her. Part of it was shock, part of it was frustration, and part of it was just good old fashioned anger. That was it. No apology! Not even a lame, “Sorry.”

I think sometimes these things are allowed because managers and people who are in charge don’t realize what their employees are doing. I asked for a manager and explained the situation. There was no need to make a huge deal out of it. It was just a quick 2-minute conversation about what happened and just the fact that I thought it would be nice to just have someone apologize. She agreed and asked who it was. I discreetly pointed her out and went about my way.

Sometimes things happen in life that I think have more meaning than meets the eye. Here are some things I came up with:

We accept being treated poorly and very weak customer service. We don’t have to. This can be addressed with management or in a broader sense, we can chose to not return to these places and spend our money there. (I can’t lie, this one would be so tough for me!!)

When it is addressed, it doesn’t need to be a big dramatic scene. Some people believe that the louder they are and the more outrageous they are, they will be taken seriously. It is unnecessary.

How sincere are we when we apologize? Do we even know what we are apologizing for?

Any other ideas on this topic?

Redbox Code for Monday, July 14, 208

Today's Code is:

83CB4K

It expires at midnight tonight! Happy movie watching!!

Not Your Everyday Author

Ted Dekker. You have to discover for yourself. He is not for everyone.

I try to always have a fiction book and a non-fiction book going at all times. (A little weird, I know, but helpful. They both serve different purposes.) I had read a few of Dekker’s books a while ago and was impressed. I found him through Frank Peretti – another “Not Your Everyday Author.” More on him another day . . .

I was out of fiction to read at home and this means looking for something at the library. I pulled up the online catalog and ended up entering his name to see what was new. As it turns out, I am pretty far behind. He has quite a few books out that I hadn't read. I ended up choosing two: Skin and Adam.

His books are interesting. They are unlike traditional religious fiction in that usually those stories end with everything tied up neatly in a bow. The main characters become aware of the state of their souls and quickly turn toward God. There is nothing left to question at the end.

Dekker’s books leave you questioning your own soul. He directs his reader to look at the world around them in a different way. Things that happen are almost always unexplainable, unusual, and undone. The book may end, but you can’t help but continue the analysis. Often, the story is disturbing.

“Why would I wan to read a book like that?” you ask. He will keep you sharp, keep you guessing, keep you thinking. You will read one and maybe take a break for a book or two and then come back. If you are looking for something different Dekker is not your everyday author.

Books I Have Read:
(The first three are part of The Martyr’s Song Series )
Heaven’s Wager
When Heaven Weeps
Thunder of Heaven
Three
Obsessed
Showdown
House (with Frank Peretti)
Saint
Skin
Adam

Books I Am Looking to Read:
(These first three are part of a series and meant to be read in order. They are complicated. I have started Black. It takes a little getting used to. I love a challenge.)
Black
Red
White
Blink (also published as Blink of an Eye)
A Man Called Blessed (with Bill Bright)
Sinner (to be released September 2008)

Holy Poop Batman!

Potty training is one of those things that we just can’t get out of. I love when parents say that their kids just decided one day to be potty-trained one day and they just never looked back. Right! If we could just be honest, it doesn’t happen that way.

We have been done potty training for a while now. It was an interesting roller coaster ride. I should clarify; when I say potty trained, I mean he sleeps through the night without a diaper and accidents are VERY infrequent.

I can see how mom’s get confused about when to say their child is potty trained. The first time Son peed on the pot, I called my mom and announced that he was potty trained. She laughed at me for about an hour. The conversation continued, but every once in a while, she would just bust out laughing. I now know what it really means to “potty train.”

And so, in celebration of this, I thought I would share a few stories about our adventures. These are all true stories, no matter how odd and unbelievable they sound. Also, a warning: these stories are not for a weak stomach or someone who is grossed out easily.

Son is in the playroom with Dog. He is in big boy underwear and I call him into the other room. He doesn’t answer. (Never a good sign.) I call again and ask him to please come here. He answers this time, but says that he can’t leave. Interesting. This time, I realize that something is going on and it isn’t going to be pleasant. I had no idea. I walked quietly into the playroom (it is always more interesting to see what your kids are doing before they know you are there). I wish I hadn’t. He had his favorite drumstick (from his drum set) and was sticking it into his underwear. Next thing I know, out comes poop. It gets worse. The dog is sitting there in front of him and he is offering it to her. She is licking it off the drumstick. I know, hideous. The worst part? I stop him and he can’t figure out what the problem is. The whole time he is in the tub, all he can say is, “But Mommy, she liked it. I think she was hungry.”

Another time, early into the potty training, we had some friends over for dinner. All was going well. They have a son about Son’s age and they were playing so nicely. Suddenly, Son runs into the bathroom. We know what this means and try to give him some space. He is in there for a while, and then comes out and announces that he pooped on the pot and everyone should come take a look. (He’s really proud of himself.) We all go into the small bathroom and even our guests are clapping for him and telling him what a good job he did. I have to say, it was a pretty proud moment. Until that night. Husband is putting Son to bed and mentions that he is really proud of him putting poop it the pot. He tells Husband, “I didn’t put poop on the pot.” Husband is confused. He tells Son that he did put poop in the pot. “Remember, we all came into the bathroom and clapped and cheered.” Son tells him, “Actually, I just pooped on the floor. Then, I picked it up and put it in the pot.” Thank goodness we washed his hands that night.

And so, if you are in the midst of this crazy ride called “potty training,” hang in there. You will make it! You will survive! And best of all, the things that are happening to you now, will be funny when it is all over.

YRG Yoga for Regular Guys

(I guess this is a little like a product review, but also a way to let you know what is going on with me and something new that I am tryingJ)

I am not a yoga person at all. The thought of doing it makes me laugh and I have to admit, I make fun of it - - often. I can appreciate what it does for you and the flexibility etc., but the thought of all the new age type stuff that goes with it is the real turn off.

Husband went to a meeting at work the other day and was told they would be doing yoga. You should have heard our conversations leading up to the meeting. We were not only making fun, but really looking at it as a waste of time. When Husband came home that night, I was eager to hear about how things went, expecting him to tell a few jokes and make light of the whole experience. Instead, he came home with a whole new perspective on yoga.

The leader for the meeting was Diamond Dallas Page a 3 time World Champion Wrestler. He talked about his experience with yoga and how his DVD and program are different from regular yoga. He lead the group in one of his yoga workouts. Husband really enjoyed it, felt like he had really worked out, and thought I would enjoy it as well. He came home with the DVD.

I was skeptical, but it was interesting to hear what Husband had to say about it. Could he really be talking this positively about yoga? I had to see for myself. We went through the 20-minute workout together and I was so impressed. It was not like any other yoga that I had seen or done before. Each pose is associated with something familiar and the explanations are easy to understand.

The best part - - its just working out. You don’t need any equipment, it takes 20 minutes and you are done. There are two other DVDs that are included, but I have yet to brave them. One is a Fat Burner DVD – 40 minutes and the other is the Fat Burner Plus – 60 minutes (I think). I have yet to venture out to try these two but my sister said they were great.

And so, I have set another goal. I have done it a few times so far and I want to try to incorporate it into my weekly schedule, eventually building up to the next two dvds. Husband is on board to do this with me and tonight, my mom and sister joined me. I guess its fun for the whole family. I am struggling with the balance part. (I keep falling over J)

You can check out the website at http://www.yrgworkout.com/

You have to see the story on Arthur Bowman. You can see his picture in the first row of pictures all the way to the right. What you really want to watch is the video entitled “YRG Helps Disabled Veteran Walk Again.” Impressive!

I will keep you up to date on the progress. So far, so good.