Sparklers and luxury

Go America!

Despite our family and nation's economic and social problems, I am proud and grateful to live in the USA. Considering the options around the world, any of us with the ability and luxury to be posting on a blog are exceptionally lucky people, indeed.

And nothing screams "Patriotic Americans" louder than giving your 10 and under offspring flaming fireworks...
Father looks on proudly. Mother stands behind him, trying not to wring her hands. Instead, I document it for the internet to judge me on...

Always in battle and ready to defend.

I'm thinking her "Dorothy" dress isn't flame retardant...

After this past month, I really needed the relaxation that last night and this weekend brought. We attended a FREE neighborhood carnival, which allowed my kids the ability to enjoy the freedom of wandering the fair without actually being in thousands of people. Justin and his buddy got to wander for hours on end, feeling as though they were "on their own" when I could easily spot them at any given moment. I'm sure he'll remember the fair for the feeling of freedom he got. Add to that, an impromptu sleepover and then a spur-of-the-moment fireworks show in our front yard (nothing illegal... I don't think. Mostly sparklers!) and you end up with me feeling pretty relaxed.

I'm trying to adopt the "don't worry about what we can't change" mentality that Patrick has. Without dwelling on our finances too much, let me just say that they are NOT GOOD. As in, well, Bad.

On the brighter side, though? We sold an extra stove that was in our garage for 4 years. Grocery money! And Patrick has someone interested in a random musical apparatus that has been collecting dust in our basement. Gas money! We're now looking into the rest of our extra crap to see what might be worth some dough. Basically, cleaning our closet for cash. Killing two birds and all.

Another relief for my psyche is the abundance of products I've been reviewing. You can benefit too, as I have giveaways for each new item! Please check them out, as I think you'll like them. Stainless steel water bottles and organic snacks, anyone?

Rum and Coke.

Actual post from my Facebook profile:

Is it just me,or is the man's voice on "Bejeweled Blitz" really appealing? "ONE MINUTE. GOooOOOoo..." And then, when you're doing well? He COMPLIMENTS you! And the voice is so deep and resonating, that you turn the volume up to make the air vibrate around you even though it draws the kids into the room asking "What is that noise?" And you're all "QUIET!!!! I'm trying to break my record! Sparkly jewels! Porno voice! " Just me?

(Just in case the post below was too depressing.)

This is what I actually type on Facebook. This is the kind of update that regularly occupies the profile of my full name. Little Mini-posts (like Twitter! Only they last longer! And I understand the layout better!) about lightning bugs, liquerererer (how you spell? hic.) and my sleeping habits. RIVETING stuff.

The site that has former teachers, parents of my Cub Scouts, and my mother-in-law reading (Hi Gerry!). I actually write this stuff down and leave it out there for all the world to see and remember.

All class.

This proves that I will most definitely embarrass myself at BlogHer this year. Without a doubt. But going into it, expecting to make a fool of myself, is a bit liberating! It's ok! I'm that blogger who gets off on the Bejeweled guy!

That said, I need your comments, people. I want to know each and every one of you who are going to be at BlogHer in some shape or form. Come out, come out! Wherever you are! I am going to be busy this weekend, so I fully expect to see lots of little voices below telling me who's going, who's stopping by, and whose heart is broken that they can't meet me in person because they love me to pieces. I want my list of faces to be looking for. And I want it NOW.

Commence with comments.

I Am.

It has come to my attention that my children have been placed above myself in my life. It has come to my attention that this is no longer a situation I can be content with.

Does that sound horrible?

Hmmm. It may be. But it's not meant to be.

I mean only to say that they are extremely important to me, but should not completely define me. And I fear that this is what has happened. I fear that I have become "only Mommy". And while Mommy is wonderful and beautiful, and something I want to retain as an integral piece of myself, it is not the complete picture of who I am.

Nor should it be.

But how do I attain the peace within myself? How do I nurture my own heart and emotions without neglecting those of the children I am to be raising? How do I connect with my husband in our extremely sparse time together? Is it even possible to have more than 1 or 2 aspects of my life flowing somewhat smoothly simultaneously? Must one portion always be forced to lie fallow so that the others may prosper? Must my own personal growth and contentment be the weakest link in this pecking order?

And yet, how can I fully devote any attention or passion for my children, home or marriage if my own desires are so subdued that they are practically non-existent?

What exactly are my desires? Good question. I ask myself that very thing, every moment of every day...

To be loved. (which I am)
To be truly desired.
To catch his eye, and catch my breath.
To be free enough to dance in the summer night.
To be acknowledged for my talents, accomplishments, and abilities.
To discover for the sake of discovery.
To perform on stage.
To move people to tears.
To be moved to tears.
To have him reach for my hand, before I reach for his.
To write with abandon and without interruption.
To know that I am living my life fully, and without regret...

Will Write for Popsicles

pant. pant. pant.

Have I mentioned it is suddenly summer?Yep. Hello humidity! It's like a free sauna treatment! The backs of my thighs have been exfoliating on the kitchen chairs all day long. Getting up from the table has never been more thrilling!! Rrrrrriiiiippp!!!!(This one's for Stacey. Cuz I know that you know that I know that you know that I love ya...)

Thank God for the pool. Even when we had to squeeze 2 pools' worth of swimmers into one pool when the first pool had to be evacuated. I quietly asked why it was closed of the girl who was calmly telling us that "the pool's closed. This pool's closed..."

"Do I want to know why it's closed?" I asked, grim-faced and ready for the ole 'poop in the pool' explanation.

"Oh. Um. Somebody threw up..."

Nuff said! "GET OUT!" I shouted to the kids as I held my own stomach's contents back. "Get OUT NOW!!"

Good times.

Our 3 year old neighbor boy ran away from my neighbor while we were catching the kids as they jumped into the pool. She and I both awkwardly swam/clambered after him while shrieking his name as he teetered near the 5 foot section beside a girl who was so into her own conversation with the gawky teenage boy that she was oblivious to our plight. In the process of trying to rescue him, we abandoned my 3 year old and her 4 year old (but left them in the steadfast care of her other young children.) Brilliant parenting moment! We came home with all kids accounted for, but she and I have sworn to share a drink sometime soon...

(Side thought: Am I having a midlife crisis in that I suddenly have the desire to "get inked?" I have always been adamantly against the idea of a tattoo (or "tat" as my dear hubby fondly refers to them) but today, as I was reading a book I'm reviewing (AWESOME book. Love it!) I had the craving to copy the author's mother and get a tattoo, too. I haven't finished the book, so I don't know the final result of her decision, but, well. There it is. )

(Of course, it could just be the lack of oxygen to my brain. pant. pant. pant. )

Have I mentioned our brilliant plan to keep the a/c off because the money, she is slim right now? Tonight we will be having a slumber party on the family room floor! Such fun! We're making it into a par-tay with popcorn and a movie because the 88 degrees at 9 pm is only on the FIRST FLOOR of our home. I don't even want to consider the temp upstairs...

pant. pant.

Just now:

"Mommy, can I cuddle with you?"

HELL NO! Not unless you want to be connected by the melting skin. Love you, girly, but step away from da mama...

Ending with some eye candy...

On swim wear...

Here's some basic recommendations on choosing a swimsuit. I pray that some younger readers find this and take it to heart, to save the world from the horrors of an improper suit choice:

1. Wearing a suit with a skirt doesn't mean that we can't see your butt. So when you're standing in front of me (and my view of my swimming kids, thanks) and bend over just a bit? And your suit's underwear part is in a severe wedgie? So it looks like your ass is NAKED? Well, let's just say the skirt isn't helping anymore.

2. Just because you can make the material of a size 3 string bikini cover the parts that need to be legally covered, doesn't mean it FITS YOU. I am all for being happy with our bodies, no matter what their shape. But the attention you're getting as you thrust your size 20, barely covered body in our line of sight? It's not the kind you're hoping for. It's NOT. There are suits that are appropriate for everyone. A string bikini is rarely appropriate, let alone desirable.

3. If you have breasts? Then please wear something to cover them. Women are forced to. I believe men with large boobs should have the same consideration for the rest of us.


It's going to be around 90 and humid today. FINALLY, it feels like summer. Not that I want to endure the stickiness of the heat, but our neighborhood has a pool, and we have only used it about 3 times so far! I have a feeling that I will be less tempted to sit at the computer with its additional heat that radiates from it, and more time lounging by the pool, enjoying the breeze from the lake...

Can't wait to see the suit choices today!

Just Another Giveaway...

I have a new giveaway! Anyone with little kids in Illinois should click over to my review site and see what I have to offer....

Winner!

The Scrunchbump winner is Tara! But I don't have your contact information!! Contact me before Friday the 26th, or I'll have to pick another winner... :(

Congratulations!

Moments to remember...

Evan got "hypnotized" by Papa tonight. Giggling like a maniac, he pretended to do whatever Papa commanded. (Gotta remember that trick...)

Corinne said she didn't miss me at all during her special sleepover at Nana and Papa's house. She had a day with Nana at the mall, "Just the girls!" and got spoiled rotten, simply because she could be. Skipping around in her new dress, she pulled out the cotton candy she asked Nana to buy for her "brudders" when she was at the candy store. Always thinking of them, and wanting to include them in her treats...

Justin serenaded us with "Disturbia" so that Corinne and Evan could do the robot dance that accompanies it. I laughed and snorted till tears welled up... He's so like his dad. Singing, All. The. Time. Now, if I could just get him OFF of this whole "dum, dum, dee, dum" Disturbia stuff, life would be good.

Fast. Too fast. Do you realize that this year was Justin's last year for Cub Scout day camp? (of course you didn't.) Do you realize that this means he is, like, GROWING UP? STILL? As in, he hasn't reached an age that he will stay at. As in, no one reaches an age they stay at... As in, change, change, change...

Too much for my head tonight. Too many thoughts. Too many feelings. Too much time to think by myself...
~~~
We have nothing but wide open days for 4 weeks. An occasional bbq or bridal shower, and then BlogHer! Hopefully the Illinois weather will cooperate and we will be at the pool more than we're home. Seriously. Because if I have to listen to Justin complain about the weather one more time? I will be locking him in the basement until a heat wave arrives...

Ships in the night

I can be grateful for my husband's job while still being depressed that I don't see him, right? One doesn't have anything to do with the other. Because these hours? This opposite schedule, passing on the stairs to the bedroom with a hug and a "Hey, how ya doin?" isn't cutting it. At all.

Believe it or not, I actually LIKE my husband. Love him, even. Kind of hard to get that feeling across when one of us is sleeping and the other's awake. I think it'd be easier if he were just relocated, rather than home but not available. I have all of these conversations that run through my head, all day long. I want to talk about everything and have to wait all day long. I usually pounce on him as soon as he wakes up, babbling on about bills and kids and dishes and schedules...

Yeah. He doesn't take too kindly to being woken up to that. Only problem is that we don't have any time alone to talk about grown-up stuff. To do grown-up stuff. And on those brief moments when we are both awake and the kids are asleep (about once a month)? I generally have my period or he is extremely exhausted from 2 jobs and 3 kids and debt and life...

As I said earlier today: Being a grown-up can really suck.

Queen of Digressions

So, this is what parenting a "pre-teen" will be like?

Nice.

I thought boys were supposed to be easier than girls, though?

Even better. I can hardly wait till Corinne is 10! Just get that yearly subscription to the wine of the month club for me, now!

Just a tad hormonal over here. Add Justin's fluctuating temperament to the financial difficulties and Patrick's problems with maintaining his working hours and you end with a fabulously happy Tracey!

I'm feeling pretty spent. Physically. Emotionally. Financially. Spent. Spent. Spent...

While Justin and I really, truly had a pretty good time at Mammoth Cave, I found myself a bit disconnected. If he was hot and grumpy, I tried so, so hard to remain calm and let it roll off of my back. I actually did a damn good job of it, even when the tent fly got completely twisted on top of the tent, and it was HOT and Justin was whining that we should just leave it and go swimming because, you know, he's HOT and that's not good. We managed to get it untangled with the help of a kindly third person (yes, it was a MAN, but I am not going to say that a guy was necessary for our tent to be raised properly. We did it ourSELVES and only needed the help of someone taller to untangle that darn hook!) . I even let the male angst he had over "stinking at mini-golf" roll off my back, even though this trip was costing more than I had to spend. We were able to manage the vacation only by the skin of our teeth and the extreme generosity of several friends and family members. I wasn't about to let a tiny tantrum spoil it.

But the good stuff? The good stuff made the angsty stuff worth it. He said, more than a few times, "This is the best vacation, EVER! Can we come back? I don't want to go to Florida or Wisconsin Dells; I like this BETTER!" We went swimming and watched a movie in the park. We made s'mores over the campfire that Justin built, all by himself. (This is a big deal. Usually, there are grown men who also like to play with fire that take over. Justin lit the matches, fed the tinder, and built it up. Definitely a growing-up moment...) We went to bed a bit early to read a book together by flashlight. We went careening down a mountain side on an Alpine slide and raced each other around the smallest but most scenic go-kart track I've ever seen. We found a man with cheap firewood and geodes that he had dug out of his property, all for a buck! And we spent over 13 hours in the car together (there and back) just talking, arguing, laughing, reading, and singing...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Ten years ago I was a new mom. I am now entering into a second decade. A bit seasoned, but I still feel too undercooked to be ready for these next stages. Is anyone EVER ready for their kids to move on though?

~~~~~

Urgghh... Here I go again; "My life isn't perfect and I want to make it slow down and speed up and start over and move on all at the same time and I can't figure out why these desires can't go hand in hand..." Why do you keep coming back to read through my trivial difficulties? I am no different than millions of other women my age. (Dang. I just realized that I HAD to type "woman" as I am 33 and that does qualify me as a real "woman" and not just a slightly older than average 22 year old...) I mean, don't get me wrong, I NEED you to come back and validate me. Obviously I do, otherwise I'd turn off the comments or make this a private journal for only my own evaluations. And my writing is sporadically decent. I may make a good point every 3 or 4 posts, which leaves for a lot of fluff and mediocre posts.

Don't mind me. It is almost midnight and I am unable to fall asleep alone again. Well, I'm not really alone. The kids are all in my room and 2 are in my bed. This does not always allow me to feel like I am ever ALONE, but it does make me think that we could easily move into a 2 bedroom apartment and make it. Why DO we have all of these extra rooms, anyway? To hold all of the stuff that we don't need?!?

Moving along now. It's time to get some sleep before I don my bathing suit in front of parents I know really well from Cub Scouts. This should be fun. It's really the highlight of every summer. Truly! Knowing that people I get to talk to on a regular basis get to see my thighs absolutely MAKES MY DAY.

Night.

Just a tidbit...

Rain.

Mud.

400 boys under the age of 12.

Lots of fun! And we get to do it all over again tomorrow! Jealous, aren't you?

On that note, the house is literally caving in from the clutter, dirty camp clothes, and dishes from a week ago (No joke. I was gone from Friday to Sunday, remember?) so this post is just to let you all know the winner of the Girls' Night In giveaway, sponsored by Tropicana.

And the lucky lady is....

Kristi from Interrupted Wanderlust!! Boy, she can use it, too. Have you read about her struggles with the twins and their sleepless nights? I'm thinking it's too bad that the basket doesn't contain a nice bottle of Kaluha or something!

Congrats Kristi! And wish me luck on the removal of all things smelly from my house...

Lots of winners!

Ok folks. I am really bedraggled and sunburnt after the weekend in Kentucky with Justin (more later) and a full day at day camp with Evan today. So please excuse the HORRID video drawing of the winners for the chemistry set and webcams. Only for you, Internets (i.e. potentially the entire world....) would I allow myself to videotape myself looking so ravishing.

And now, without any further adieu...

Taking a new path

Originally posted at the former Chicago Moms Blog on June 12, 2009

Taking a new path

Sometimes life is funny. I'm not referring to those life situations where you lock yourself out of your own house and have to send your 3 year old through a window, all the while yelling directions from the ground without scaring him, hoping that he'll get to the front door on time before the security system starts to wail (true story). I'm not even talking about the slapstick moments of slipping on ice in front of a school bus of teenagers; arms flailing, whooping like one of the Stooges and, naturally, cracking the ice with a triumphant SPLAT when your graceful ways prove non-existent.

I refer to the situations where you are presented with what appears to be a tragedy. Your life halts, and the path you are on completely alters. What was once paved and gently curving through a park is now covered in loose gravel and seems to be curving down towards a gulch at an alarming angle. Life becomes unstable and managing the basics of your life is almost foreign.

When our family's lives were rocked by my husband's unexpected job loss (thank you, economy!), we were already in the midst of an ongoing conversation regarding another new path for our household (homeschooling our eldest child). With so many free radicals at once, I would have expected for someone to find me curled in corner, unable to focus. I was tempted, trust me. But strangely, enough, I surprised myself. My husband and I joined together. We stayed optimistic that something would come from this upheaval that was better. We were able to see through the unsettled dust to envision a new way of living. One with a closer family unit. One with more time together. One with new adventures and relationships.

Life can be funny like that...

Though our new path isn't completely solid yet, the angle is no longer as scarily steep.

Not rain nor hail nor even Aunt Flo shall stop our fun times...

Drumroll please....

Using Random.org isn't as much fun as having my kids pull a name from a hat, but they're still asleep and I have packing to do for camping this weekend. Also, you are not seeing me in my bathrobe again. I think the circles and limp hair just might be the final call for some of you readers...

THAT said, the winner is.... Comment #5 - Andria from Boy Crazy! Andria, send me your email address and you will be contacted by the Webkinz rep. It takes about 2 minutes to get it started and you'll have the fun of the Webkinz Jr site for Adam's delight. Enjoy!
~~~
I am off to pack and plan. The best part of being a mom is that when YOU go away, you have to pack and lay things out for the other kids who are still at home. Evan and Corinne are sleeping at a friend's house on Friday, and Evan has his last soccer game on Saturday (his team is undefeated!). We also have day camp that starts on Monday which means I need to get all of our gear ready NOW because I will not have the energy to do any organizing on Sunday night...

Cross your fingers that this trip goes as well as Justin and I are hoping it will. And keep me in your thoughts as I travel for 6 1/2 hours while on my period with a 10 year old boy. Yay.... Great timing, right? I guess it could be worse; as in, getting it while sleeping in a tent in Kentucky and having no supplies handy.... YIKES.

Hey, this could be a great chance to have a longer conversation about where babies come from, right? Can't hardly wait...

Also, please note the new blog on my list in the sidebar. Yes, I have decided to review and do giveaways in ONE spot from now on. I will obviously mention them here, but will link you all over as I don't want my personal blog to feel quite so marketed anymore. I don't want to turn the fun opportunities down, though. Hence, Just Another Review Blog. (Don't you just love that I have a "theme"? It certainly makes it a lot easier to think of a blog name!)

Scrunchbump giveaway

Another giveaway!

(I swear, after the next few that I have promised to do, I will lay off for a bit. But it has helped me to fill in where I would normally be complaining about finances. So yay! I have saved you from those whines. You can thank me below in my comments.)

I was contacted by Priscilla from Scrunchbump (see the ad over in my sidebar!) to do a review and giveaway of her uniquely designed shirt/dress. Since I wasn't pregnant, I directed her to fellow blogger, Dana, who is expecting baby boy #6! Scrunchbump's signature pieces are maternity tops that double as a dress both during and after pregnancy. I had no idea it would look so fabulous on a person AFTER having a baby, but as you can see on Dana's post, it looks beautiful on both her and her non-pregnant sister. Check them out...

This is not just for those who are expecting, obviously! Anyone who wants to win a Scrunchbump top can by commenting below.

3 entries:

~ comment
~ tweet or post on your blog
~ subscribe to my blog

I'll pick the winner on Friday, June 19.


Good luck!

Dads and Grads giveaway

Quick! Before time runs out.

Looking for a last minute, cool present for Dad or hubby? Want a neat present for your new graduate to keep in touch while at college? How about a new webcam to use at home, in class or on the road?

I am thrilled to offer Logitech QuickCam Chat* for Skype for 3 readers who comment below!

I don't claim to know much about this product as we haven't received it for our review yet, and, if we had, I wouldn't have opened it yet as I am giving it to Patrick for HIS Father's Day gift. (Let's hope he doesn't take the initiative this week to actually READ my blog! It's a rare day that he reads here. Wouldn't it just figure that he'd read NOW and spoil the surprise??) But I do know that at about $30 each, they seem like a good deal. I also know that you can Skype with this product so if Oprah ever contacts your family or something, you could totally get involved in the conversation. Just in case... FYI, Skype is free to download and really inexpensive to use (like about $2.95 for a month of unlimited calls in US/Canada...) Did you know that?


Start commenting, folks! 3 chances of winning!! This is a perfect gift for someone you love.

Ways to enter:

~ Comment below
~ Subscribe to my blog and comment again
~ Tweet or blog about this contest and comment again!

I'll pick the THREE winners on Monday, June 15.

*Logitech® QuickCam® Chat ($29.99)
Logitech® QuickCam® Chat for SkypeTM installs instantly to provide

a complete webcam solution that is perfect for video chatting. A bonus headset lets you add audio to your favorite instant-messaging program. Install the software, plug in the webcam, and you’ re ready to video chat or take photos to share via e-mail or online. A universal mounting clip attaches to most monitors and notebooks, or lies flat on desktop surfaces.

A Wordless Bow to Summer

It doesn't get any sweeter, does it?

Unless we had popsicles in our hands... wink, wink, Stacey...

Value of a friend

Ever hear of The Juice on BlogHer? I hadn't until recently when I was contacted and asked to write about this week's topic and offer a special giveaway that ties into it. Basically, The Juice is a group dedicated to focusing on the "good stuff" of life (the "juicy" things, I believe!) and making time for what's important.

The topic this week? Making time for your friends.

Whooo-boy. That's a hard one! With the pace that life can move at, especially when you have children, friendships tend to fall to the wayside on our list of priorities. All of the suggestions in the world of "get out with your girlfriends!" and "treat yourself to a night out!" don't help when life's responsibilities and situations absolutely contradict them. In my own life, my best friends are few but very special. Aside from Patrick, my 2 sisters are the ones I would turn to first if I HAD the opportunity to go out and have "girl time." Who else would I want to cultivate a relationship with more than the sisters that have been and will be my friends no matter where life takes us? My sisters are the ones I talk to daily on the phone. They are the ones who carry me through the boredom of yet ANOTHER pile of laundry. They are the ones I would drop everything for to help in a heartbeat.

I also consider myself extremely lucky to still be in contact with 2 friends from high school. Though they have moved to states filled with drawls and dry counties (Yes! Those places still exist!!), I still love them dearly. Whenever we do get a chance to talk, it always feels as though no time has passed. While the distance impedes my abilities to physically jump to their aid, I am always available for a lengthy phone conversation or flurry of emails, if ever their need is great.

So, where does that leave me? How can I fit into the category of "someone who makes time for friends?" Well, my friends, we haven't counted in the friendships I have found and grown through this blog. Though I don't know many of you in any form other than the written word and a few snapshots, I am able to devote more of my focused attention here than I can in any physical friendship. My "Internets" fill in the gap left by my dispersed friends and busy sisters. I value everyone who has ever commented a kind word on my blog...

THAT SAID, I surely do hope you have at least 1 good friend (or sister!) close to your home. Someone who CAN physically hug you when you get a bad haircut, or laugh so hard with that you pee your pants (darn these diminished pelvic floor muscles! Cursed childbirth!!).

I hope you can share this giveaway gift from Tropicana of a gift basket full of everything you need for a "girl's night in." The basket includes:

~ Ghost Special Collector's Edition, You've Got Mail, Must Love Dogs, Pretty Woman, The Bodyguard DVDs
~ Candle
~ Snacks
~ Candy
~ T-shirt
~ Other fun goodies (don't you just wonder what those "other fun goodies" are?)

For everyone who enters (or doesn't!) Tropicana is also providing a $1.00 off coupon on their site for their Trop50 (a new orange juice blend with 50% less calories and sugar).

So enter away! I'll pick the winner on Tuesday, June 16.

And thanks to everyone who has become my friend... :)

Mine

I sat for about a half hour yesterday in Corinne's room. I was "supposed" to be putting away laundry but got distracted by the shouting and laughing from the backyard, so I peeked through her window and was in awe of the sight below me.

5 kids, (2 neighbors) running, laughing, jumping, pretending. The girls were pouring and scooping sand, dirt and water to make "recipes" (gag!). They mixed grass, leaves and other miscellaneous bits (not sure I want to know what the "miscellaneous" bits were...) in dozens of cups that were stolen from the cabinet. The boys had a game of some sort where acid guns and hover-crafts were involved. I don't think I could truly comprehend the "rules" but they played this game for hours. HOURS.

Can you remember the days when a game of pretend was so engrossing that you devoted hours of your life to it?

I was in awe that I get to be a part of this messy, crazy life. The kids, the house, the hunky husband. It's mine. The yard that is covered in literally DOZENS of plastic toys? MINE. The carpet stained with juice, knocked over in an exuberant depiction of a Jedi defense move? Mine. The husband with the dreamer's heart that hasn't been squashed, despite my own dreary reality-based personality? Mine, mine, mine!
Behold the hunky husband's depiction of a dolphin trick.

The yard. This is actually on a "cleanish" day...

Mine.

Weird Science

All right folks. I have put off this giveaway long enough. I keep trying to get better pictures or a better video but my skills are lacking and my time is diminished what with all of this summertime fun in the chilly rain. (Nothing makes for happier kids than knowing the pool is open but that we can't go to it. Lots of fabulous whine-fests over here!)
~~~~~
I was contacted by Toys and Games Online/CSN Stores to review any toys (under $100) of my choice! After testing it out, I could then present it as a giveaway for one lucky reader!!

I KNOW. I love this blogging gig. Bloggers who refuse to do giveaways/reviews/etc. you all have my respect, but I LOVE that I can pick and choose products that are good for my family and offer them all to you, in ADDITION to writing about flooding toilets and soccer games. To me, that is the ultimate joy...

I digress. Here's the video of me doing a pitiful Vlog about the Chem C100, a chemistry set by Thames and Kosmos. Justin and I picked this set out as a "toy" that the entire family could benefit from. We are doing some summertime science because of this set (heh heh. They're still homeschooling and don't even know it! I love it!) which is good because some of the projects require ventilation (it IS a chemistry set, after all!)

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Don't you love my video skills? And my pink bathrobe? Honestly, I gave up on the video redos. THAT IS MY BEST ONE. Let's all cross our fingers that I either remember to put on make-up before shooting another one or that I just have my kids do the videos from now on, right?

That said, we HAVE begun to test it out now. The weather has been rainy and wet but we've had enough breezes to bring fresh air through the house thereby making me happy to try the first litmus tests and such. So far, so good. No explosions, and no phone calls to the poison center. Justin is thrilled with it and I hope to help Evan do a few of the simpler steps the next time. To me? That spells S-U-C-C-E-S-S!!

Want to win a set? You know the drill, right?

~ comment below
~ post on your blog or tweet it
~ subscribe to my blog

3 chances to win an almost $100 chemistry set! Remember, it is recommended for ages 10 and up and all kids should be fully supervised by an adult. It is NOT scary and super hard to do, but safety is pretty important, so be smart!

I'll pick the winner on Monday, June 15 (after we get home from our first day at day camp!).



*I was not paid for this review in anything other than the set listed above. My opinion is my own! Imagine that! Rock the Free World! :)

Still scattered...

Huh. Well, what do you know? It's Friday. A whole day has gone by and I didn't even realize it...

I could post about my regular 2 am wake-ups from weird dreams. The one where my parents handed me a huge pile of bonds and stocks that they "forgot" they had bought for me when I was little. And how I woke up feeling euphoric until I remembered: Ah. Dream. Dangit...
~~~
I could write about the toilet that won't stop running. Even after I turned the water off. Even after I messed with it and messed with it until I said "Well, we'll just have to wait until we have a bit of cash for that suction piece thingy" and was thankful that at least it was just the water bill which is a small expense. Until I woke up at 6 am (After falling back asleep for the first time this week!!!! Grrrr!!) to Patrick's dismayed call. "Why is there water in the hallway?!?"

Groaaannnn....

I remembered my actions from the night before. I remembered Evan's description of how the toilet he'd just used (ahem) was almost overflowing. It was too full of water to plunge without splashing icky water over the floor, so I locked the bathroom door with the thoughts of plunging it once it drained a bit. EXCEPT I hadn't taken into account this whole "continuously refilling tank" issue. And the water all over the hallway (and some of the living room carpet! Joy!) was from the toilet.

FUN TIMES! You can imagine how happy I was to be starting my day by using ALL of the towels I had literally just washed AND put away (a rarity). They are now BACK in the washing machine with hot water and extra soap. Please don't let the washing machine overflow...
~~~
That said, some very sweet friends and family have provided bits of help this past week, making it possible to not only feed my family without a trip to the store but also to keep good on the birthday present we promised Justin. He and I will be going to Mammoth Cave for a Mother/Son bonding fest. And we will have the money for gas AND food while there!!

Thank you all..
~~~
Keep your eyes open for another really cool giveaway that I will soon host. I am just having issues with the videos I have made and cannot really fathom using the ones that are done. Really, I look weird and am rambling which isn't unusual but is still annoying...
~~~
The coffee is calling my name and Corinne is begging to play her Webkinz Jr. (have you entered that giveaway yet?) so I am off. Have a great Friday!

Ramblings of an insomniac....

Pay no attention to the tears streaming down my cheeks. I'm just another 33 year old insomniac who will later shriek at her children through exhaustion, thereby waking her husband from his pitifully allotted sleep.

I woke at 2 am with a completely numb arm. Nothing gets my attention faster than an appendage that doesn't respond to a direct command. After my whole "paralyzed hand" situation, little things like my dominant arm not moving get me a little tense...

I sat up in bed, jiggling and shaking my body, elevating my right side with my left arm, and my mind began to wander, as minds tend to do... Do you ever try to take a shower with your eyes closed? Or get dressed without using one of your legs? (No? This is just another quirk that is unique to me?) I often marvel at how quickly something as simple as bathing and dressing could become a complicated feat if we were to be deprived of one of our senses. How do you trust yourself to get out of the shower for an emergency if your deaf ears cannot hear your children shouting for help? How much work could I really accomplish if my body didn't work the way I am used to?

And then I complain; "My life is so haaaard! I am so stressed from this period of debt, lack of sleep and being deprived of any meaningful conversations with my husband. Wah wah wah..."

I want to be Ma Ingalls. Really. Remember when Laura got up in front of the class and "read" her report about her hero? And she was wearing the blue dress that Ma constructed from her own, only "fancy" dress? The dress that Ma slaved over throughout the night, just so that her daughters could have something pretty to wear with pride? And the report; Laura raves about how Ma does so much work, and does it without complaint and always a kind word and tender smile.

Shoot. I KNOW it was a tv show. But there ARE women like that. And I just want a little, tiny bit of that selflessness to shine through me. I long for a portion of the patience and control it would take to be alone, truly alone, with only children and an exhausted husband, day in and day out. Can you imagine the stamina it must have taken for women in the 1800's prairies to survive? The iron will and resourcefulness....

Just a smidge. That's all I need.

A giveaway for the little ones

If you're a parent of anyone under 10, you've surely heard of WebKinz. Who hasn't? Well, Ganz has now introduced a new line of stuffed animals with their own Web World, geared for the littlest of gamers. Webkinz Jr. has simpler, friendlier games. Geared towards reinforcing colors, shapes, and making patterns, Webkinz Jr. is just right for my 3 year old.

Cute, aren't they?

She has her own Webkinz site, but 90% of the games are too tricky for her to figure out. She would beg to play, just like her brothers, only to find that she couldn't navigate the site very well or complete any of the games.

Ganz sent us a code to have our own site for the year, just like you would get a code if you purchased a stuffed Webkinz Jr. She was ecstatic to be the reviewer of this product for "Mommy's site." Or, as Justin calls it "Mom's FAMOUS blog." I love the way they think...

:)

If you're wanting to check the site out yourself, you have a chance to win a free code for one year (no stuffed animal included). Just put your comment below and I'll draw a winner on Thursday, June 11.

Extra entries for:

~ subscribing to this blog
~ posting on your blog or tweeting about the giveaway
~ mentioning in the comment a joke that's appropriate for kids. I'm running low and can use the help... :)