To Do Tuesday Week 43

If this is your first time reading and you're wondering what To-Do Tuesday is all about, click to check out the first post to find out more.

Well, it's my first day back from our big trip, and I'm probably attempting to a) sleep it off b) trying to catch up or c) hiding, sucking my thumb in a corner saying HELL NO to all that needs to be done. Heh.

So, in an effort to not flip out, go postal, and pull out all of my hair, my list, again, this week is simple.

Take one task at a time to get caught up after being away for over a week.

Because that, my friends, is going to be e-nough. (Why does coming home from vacation seem like more work? Y'know?) {sigh}

Today's motivation - coffee. (HA!) And patience. Because I'm going to need a lot of it. How about you, what is it that you do to trek along and get you going? Share with me what you do, I'm going to need any mojo you've got.

--

Would you like to join us this week for To-Do Tuesday? Start with just a few things. Don't over-do it your first couple of times. You'll grow to become a list-a-holic later, start small now, though, k?
Just so you know, you can join us at anytime, it doesn't have to be on Tuesdays - the list will go up every Tuesday for you to link to, but you can make your list and link to us at any point in the week!

Remember, with "To-Do Tuesday", we're attacking our to-do lists each week, blogging about our lists and what we've got going on, and sharing it with each other to help keep each other accountable. Everyone should come back here to link up in the MckLinky as the central "To-Do Tuesday Hub" so we can visit who's participating and offer encouragement to each other throughout the week. Don't forget to add the "To-Do Tuesday" button to your post, linking back to this post!

Let's continue to cross items off our list as we go and help support each other in completing our lists! Don't forget my useful HTML tutorial on how to effectively "cross-out" or √ "check off" your items on your to-do list!

Joining us? Please add your link below (to your To Do Tuesday post, and not the main page of your blog)

Participants for Week 43

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Curly Girl

As women, we have to primp and prep and fuss to get our hair just so and eye lashes to stand upright, cheeks to look rosy, eyebrows to not look ape-ish. But children? They're naturally beautiful - their lashes so long and perfect, their hair requires little preparation to have the perfect bounce, no horrific bags under their eyes that require a shellacking of concealer, either.

My children's curly hair kills me. My son's hair you're all already aware of. My daughter, however, is coming into her own, now.

She's giving my son a run for his money in the curls department.


Do you know how much I'd have to do to my hair to get it to look even somewhat like this?


She has this Shirley Temple, Veronica lake thing happening. I love it. Loooooove it.


I hope it's always this effortless for her. In the meantime, I'll just sit and stare and fall more and more in love with her everyday. Forever.

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Guilt free Meatloaf and Potatoes

I know, you just ate your body weight in Turkey, but if you're looking to redeem yourself and still eat well, try these two American favorites on for size!

Turkey Meatloaf

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 lbs of lean ground turkey or chicken
  
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup celery, diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 cup rice, cooked
• 2 egg whites
• 1 cup tomato sauce, sodium-free (1/4 cup additional sauce for topping, optional)
  
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp black pepper, freshly ground if possible
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley, fresh

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, mix turkey, onion, celery and garlic.
2. Mix all spices together, then add to turkey mixture, ensuring it's blended well.
3. One at a time, add the rice, egg whites and tomato sauce to mixture and blend well.
4. Form mixture into the shape of an oval loaf, and place it in the center of either a casserole dish or a loaf pan. If you'd like a topping, spread that 1/4 cup of tomato sauce on top.
5. Bake uncovered for 1 1/4 hours at 350 degrees. Let it cool for about 10 minutes before slicing and serving.

*alternative* - make it a mexican meatloaf by adding chili powder, cayenne and topping it with salsa!

Mashed Potatoes
INGREDIENTS:

• 4 russet potatoes
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup chicken broth, sodium free
• Mrs. Dash
• 1 tsp fat-free sour cream

Directions:

1. After washing potatoes well, stick a fork or knife in them on both sides, several times, and microwave until baked, after flipping over. Can be cooked in the oven, too.
2. After baked, slice potatoes in half, peeling the skin off, taking the insides out, place them into a bowl.
3. Using an electric mixer or masher, whip/mash until creamy.
   
4. Add sour cream and seasoning.
5. Pour the chicken broth in a little at a time until desired consistency is reached.
   

*alternative* - make it garlic mashed potatoes by using garlic powder or one clove of minced garlic!

Okay, now I'm hungry!

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Kids Will Sleep Anywhere

I've talked about my ninja-like skills for insta-sleep with my kids. This is nothing new. They have mad skills in the sleeping anywhere department. Super-abilities or powers, if you will.

The force is strong with this one, however.


Standing up, people. That takes talent.


Having kids is friggin' AWESOME, man.

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Happy Blogsgiving Day 5 - Sarah The Ohana Mama

Happy Black Friday! Today's last Happy Blogsgiving showcase is on blogger Sarah from The Ohana Mama. First of all, can Sarah possibly get any cuter, seriously? She's this itty-bitty, petite little thing, as is evident by her picture here (but don't go thinking she's merely a youngin'), with the biggest smile and bright eyes. Ever. When I've seen her vlog many-a-time, she's always one of those women that engages you when on camera. So much so, from time to time she joins in on the Momversation with Dooce and company!

Something I bet you didn't know, did you know her wedding was featured on TheKnot.com??? Gorgeous, wasn't she?

Originally from California, they decided to move everything they own and give up the noisy traffic and crazy west-coast living to take up wave-surfing and luau-living in a beach house on a small island in Hawaii - holy dream life, Batman! Now, with her husband Greg and two kids, she a busy WAHM who loves writing about the joys of being a Maui family. Awesome!

Stop on by, say Aloha, subscribe, follow her on Twitter, and get to know the island-living mama behind The Ohana Mama!

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An Emotional Thanksgiving

As I sit in my brother's home, my lucky brother with a wonderful family and opportunities, about to feast on his talents in the kitchen (he's a chef), I am overcome with emotion. I feel the tears like a fog, thick within the backs of my eyes, wanting to spill out. My eyes are hidden, fluttering to keep them at bay. It goes well beyond spending this incredible time in their presence.

I get emotional watching my loved ones, particularly my children, eat. Chew. Swallow. Repeat.

It sounds really silly, but it makes me realize how blessed I am for the life we have, for the roof we have that shields our bodies at night, for the food that fills my children's bellies. We don't have to be this lucky, but we are, and I am forever grateful for that.

Watching their little cheeks bulge as their little and big teeth chew, looking down at my Baby Dude nursing as he slurps, almost panting when he drinks deeply, clutching my finger or my shirt, knowing his milk is fortified with all kinds of good, all-natural food that mommy has eaten for him.

We are so beyond blessed, and it's these little things that often go overlooked daily that should be the most cherished.

I promise to never stop being emotional about my children eating, to never stop being grateful for being blessed, and to never stop trying to help others feel the same. On this Thanksgiving day, go beyond being thankful for "things," and just be thankful for the full belly, as some on this day are going without many things, including that.

And if you can, raid your cabinets a bit and see if you can't spread your blessing's wealth onto others who need it. I don't think there's any greater joy than helping to ensure someone's basic needs are met, that their tummy is full, whether it's your child or someone else's.

Happy (Blessed) Thanksgiving, to you, yours, and whomever else is spending it with you.


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Happy Blogsgiving Day 4 - Rhea from Mommy23Monkeys

Rhea (pronounced REE-AH) is adorable. I had the chance to meet her when we both went to NYC for the Ninja/Euro Pro event. (And we didn't get any pictures taken together. Poo!) She's married to her husband, Bob, and is a stay-at-home mom to her three sons, two of which are twins!

Rhea is a surrogate-mother, who's given birth to TRIPLETS a couple years back! Wowzers! And.. AND she is pregnant again with another surrogacy! Go Rhea! She talks about it on her blog. A couple weeks ago she had a scare with this one, but all is well now, she feels the baby wiggle!

She loves off-roading and camping. I'm also really proud to have learned she adopted a soldier for the holidays.

She is the real deal, folks, truly a giver. Why not give her some bloggy love and take a peek at her newly designed site? I hope you decide to subscribe and visit her sweet self often :)

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Grilled Cheese Cuteness (aka Got Mom Wrapped Around My Finger)

My kindergartner Super M was hungry for lunch, and is addicted to grilled cheese. Like, hardcore addicted. However, I'd prepared chicken nuggets for lunch. He wasn't havin' it. This is the face I got in return for serving him chicken nuggets.

After a couple of minutes sitting stagnant like this, I asked him why he wasn't eating. This is what I got next:


"Mommy, I refused to eat my chicken nuggets until I have a grilled cheese."

I laughed. Out loud. Really reeeeeeeeeeeally hard.

He yelled "I'm SEEEEEEWIOUS!"

I laughed harder.

Once I composed myself... I cooked him the @#*(&@#$ grilled cheese.

Why? Scroll up. Look at that face. Bejeebus, how can I resist that!?! Dammit, they gotta stop being so dang cute.

For more Wednesday fun, visit Wordless Wednesday, 5MFM, MomSpective, MomDot, Seven Clown Circus and We Are THAT Family.

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Happy Blogsgiving Day 3 - Karissa from Prissy Green

Karissa from Prissy Green has taught me things about organics and going green that I didn't even know. And kids, I love me some organics and greenie items, and she's schoolin' me, yo.

Karissa lives with the love of her life, Craig, in way-too-far-away-from-me Indianapolis, with her super sweet fur-baby rescue dogs Bayles and Bleu.

She offers many product reviews and giveaways about all-things health, organics, and natural. Did you know she just won The Body Shop's Naturally Beautiful Blog Award? I absolutely adore her site, it isn't just a "review" site, she's really learning and teaching right alongside these products and businesses. I won my Hoopnotica hula hoop from her, and other than the fact that I apparently am SUCKTASTIC at the hoop, I've learned a great deal from her, such as how to make baby bath oil and DIY hand sanitizer, making your own rosemary mint foot scrub, or how she finally was able to cure acne naturally.

She offers a wealth of information, and? She's super-cute and ridiculously sweet. So go! Now! Go see her, stick around and read a while, subscribe because you know you want to, OH! And please vote for her in the Divine Caroline contest, too! Cuz you're awesome like that.

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Happy Blogsgiving Day 2 - Andy from The Creative Junkie

Oh hell, I love her. LOOOOVE her. Andy from The Creative Junkie is such a spitfire of a person, who makes you laugh. out. loud. And hard.

She is married, living in New York, and has two daughters. And is brilliantly funny, holy hell!

I mean, who else would call the pen tool from Photoshop Satan, or her eyebrows Whackadoodle-ish. Who will teach you how to teach your teenager to drive? And her posts about her mother, holy crap, I almost peed.

She is made of awesome, and is an enigma, for real, yo. Go visit her, and don't forget to subscribe or follow her on Twitter, mm'kay? :)

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To Do Tuesday Week 42

If this is your first time reading and you're wondering what To-Do Tuesday is all about, click to check out the first post to find out more.

Hello from the sunny state of Florida in which I'm basking in the glow of all-things Disney! I hope you're having a good holiday week. Are you gearing up for Black Friday? Get out those flyers, coupons and online ads. Snag those notebooks and be ready, the shopping season "officially" starts this week, and it's time to really get moving, now! How has your Christmas Notebook coming along?

My list this week is simple.

Have fun with family at Disney
Enjoy Thanksgiving with my family, brother, sister-in-law, and niece.

Today's motivation - gratitude. Show it in everything you do. I've talked about this before. In an effort to boost how grateful for everything you truly are, you must thank everybody for everything today. Thank the traffic light for staying green. Thank the sky for being blue. Thank the rain for watering your lawn and flowers. Thank the dog for going outside and not on your carpet. Thank the water for boiling. Thank your children for being your children... and so on and so forth. Sounds bonkers, I know, but trust me, it will boost you to new heights. Say "thank you" in your emails today, say "thank you" to your loved ones over the phone or internet today.. "just because" if there's no reason why. Spread the "thank you's" around like you're the Robin Hood of Thank You's giving your Thank You money to the needy. Report back to me tonight or tomorrow and tell me how you did :) You'll thank me later!

--

Would you like to join us this week for To-Do Tuesday? Start with just a few things. Don't over-do it your first couple of times. You'll grow to become a list-a-holic later, start small now, though, k?
Just so you know, you can join us at anytime, it doesn't have to be on Tuesdays - the list will go up every Tuesday for you to link to, but you can make your list and link to us at any point in the week!

Remember, with "To-Do Tuesday", we're attacking our to-do lists each week, blogging about our lists and what we've got going on, and sharing it with each other to help keep each other accountable. Everyone should come back here to link up in the MckLinky as the central "To-Do Tuesday Hub" so we can visit who's participating and offer encouragement to each other throughout the week. Don't forget to add the "To-Do Tuesday" button to your post, linking back to this post!

Let's continue to cross items off our list as we go and help support each other in completing our lists! Don't forget my useful HTML tutorial on how to effectively "cross-out" or √ "check off" your items on your to-do list!

Joining us? Please add your link below (to your To Do Tuesday post, and not the main page of your blog)

Participants for Week 42

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Happy Blogsgiving Day 1 - Cat from 3 Kids and Us

Happy Blogsgiving! This week we're profiling fellow bloggers we love to help celebrate being thankful, want to join us? Link up below!

My first showcased blogger - Cat from 3 Kids and Us. What can I say about Cat? I absolutely adore her, she cracks me up to no end and I relate a lot to her, even if she isn't a minivan-drivin' momma anymore. *sniff*

Cat has three children (obviously with the name of her blog, duh), and is married to her police-officer husband. They currently live in Illinois (aka too damn far away from me).

Whether it's bribe-worthy videos of children, or capturing elusive toofers, we have tons in common and she is such fun person to know and read.

If you're looking for any help Wordpress-wise, Cat is your man err woman! She also offers blog help on her blog, she really knows her stuff ;)

Oh, and do you see how gorgeous her blog is? She designs, too! She is a master at Blogger-to-Wordpress switches, along with designing, even though she won't ever get me to go to the dark side (Wordpress). {evil giggle}

She also just started her food blog, Food for 5, which is not only beautifully designed, but has great recipes, too. (Um, Loaded Baked Potato soup! Hello!)

Don't forget to subscribe while you're there, and follow her on Twitter. I bet you'll love her as much as I do :)

Main Happy Blogsgiving Link Up! Be sure come here to link your post's direct link and spread the love by visiting others!

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Disney's Secret (I Can't Wait to Experience. Again)

There's so much to experience at Disney, there really is. So much I can't wait to show my children while we're there. There are the big things, but there's also little things that stick with you, even after you've left. Things you continually think about, close your eyes, crawl up into your brain to relive, and smile.

When I went back in May with the Magical Moms, the Disney Moms Panelists who attended, Margaret and Amber, all they could talk about was this super secret thing that they longed for all the time, something that they absolutely had to do *first*. Something they couldn't find anywhere else on the planet, that could only be satisfied by visiting Disney.

A Dole Whip.

Pineapple soft serve, to be exact.


I thought to myself they're crazy. There is nothing that could be that good that they must have before doing anything else. What about Mickey? The castle? The princesses? Hello? The mirror ball-y thingy? What the heck, a pineapple soft serve?

Oh. My.

YES!

It was hotter than hot, and there we were, the Magical Moms sitting in whatever shade we could find, outside the shack that sold them. We were people watching, telling stories, all-the-while wondering what all the hoopla was about. Over walks Laura, passing out Dole Whips like Santa hands out toys. I was excited for the coolness, because I was having a difficult time staying cool, the heat was practically unbearable. I had no idea about the flavor explosion that was about to occur in my mouth.

So much so, I've had to attempt to make it at home. Dieting schmieting. I. must. have. it. (Dole Whip recipe below)

So I cracked my knuckles, rotated my neck, stretched a bit and got ready unleash my fiery Google-Fu and I found two recipes. I chose the one that didn't use my ice cream maker (that was currently occupied elsewhere anyway). The other I tried and while it was good, it wasn't the real thing.

Do you know what one of the first things I'm gonna do when we arrive? Probably the bathroom. I've got kids, y'all.

DOLE WHIP RECIPE (courtesy of Key Ingredient)

Prep: 10 min.
Freeze: 3 hrs.
Makes: 8 servings

Ingredients:

2 cans (20 oz. each) DOLE Crushed
Pineapple
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/3 cup sugar
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped

Drain pineapple; reserve 2 tablespoons juice. Set aside.

Place pineapple, lemon juice, lime juice, sugar and reserved pineapple juice in blender or food processor container. Cover; blend until smooth.

Pour into two 1-quart freezer zipped bags. Store bags flat in freezer. Freeze about 1-1/2 hours or until slushy.

Stir gently pineapple slush into whipped cream until just blended, in large bowl. Return to freezer until completely frozen, about 1 hour. Serve.

Try it, if you haven't already. And if you're visiting, definitely go, fast-like, over to Magic Kingdom's Adventureland to Aloha Isle and get one. Truuuuust me. (And don't damn me if you become addicted, too)

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HugaMonkey Babywearing Giveaway

I missed out on the opportunity to wear Baby Dude at BlogHer and show everyone our new HugaMonkey sling, but we're making up for lost time, because I also have one to giveaway to one of you!

To win:

• Leave a comment here about your favorite part of babywearing. If you've posted about it, leave a link to your post! (If you've posted about it many times, leave one comment for each post, I'd love for others to be able to read about your experiences! Let's pass along some babywearing love!)

Extra entries:

• Follow Hugamonkey on Twitter
• Fan Hugamonkey on Facebook
• Subscribe, follow my blog, and/or follow me on Twitter. I'm CrazyAdventures (1 entry for each, and if you already do for any of them already, it counts!**)
• Share this post somehow - via blog, email, Facebook, Stumble, Kirtsy, Digg this post! (1 entry each 'share'. Be sure to comment each time!)
  
• Tweet this post on Twitter, come back and post that you did (1 entry per tweet - unlimited entries available!)

**It 'pays' to stay connected to me and my blog, as it earns you automatic entries into all of my contests! (Plus, my kids are cute and do funny things. See?) {giggle}

Contest ends upon my return, December 1st, 10pm. US Entrants only please.

Winner is....

elainea 1 week ago

I follow your blog too!

Congrats Elaine!!!


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Happy Blogsgiving!

In honor of my birthday and of the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, Trisha from Sweet and Sassy Girls and I have come up with a Happy Blogsgiving blog hop. We want to show our thanks to some of our great online friends, as well as spread some awesome blog love.

During the week of November 23rd to November 27th, we will be showcasing a few bloggers on our blogs, one each day, with a master MckLinky up for you to link up on. To participate, all you have to do is post about 5 (or more!) of your bloggy friends, one post a day. Share with us what makes them special. Be sure to link back to us in your post, and come back here to link up. Don't forget to visit other bloggers participating, too, and see who they're featuring this week, and maybe meet a few new friends in the process! Help us in spreading the bloggy love and gratefulness this week. What do you think? Grab a button, why not join us?

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.crazyadventuresinparenting.com/search/label/blogosphere"><img border="0" width="125" alt="Happy Blogsgiving" src="http://sweetnsassygirls.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/blogsgiving2.jpg" height="125" /></a>

<a target="_blank" href="http://www.crazyadventuresinparenting.com/search/label/blogosphere"><img border="0" width="125" alt="Happy Blogsgiving" src="http://sweetnsassygirls.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/blogsgiving.jpg" height="175" /></a>

Before we begin, can I throw a little bloggy love my co-host's way? Trisha currently lives in Utah with her husband and daughter (isn't her daughter adorable?) and is the owner of Sweet and Sassy Girls. She's a stay-at-home mom who is actually a Master Aesthetician (aka kickass at skincare). They only have one child right now but are hoping to add to that number in the near future. ;)

I aspire to do some of what she's done for her daughter - have you seen some of the awesome tutorials Trisha has? (Are you seein' where I'm getting all my tutu-ey goodness, now?) She rocks her sewing machine's socks. I wanna rock mine and be that good some day, too. Keep kickin' butt, sister!

Woohoo, are you excited about the Happy Blogsgiving blog hop? I hope you are! Link up here!

Don't forget to tweet and Facebook about it, too! The more the merrier! Happy Blogsgiving!

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Birthday Celebratory Goodness (and My Husband's Sneak Attack)

Today it's my birthday. I'm not ashamed to say, I am 33 years young today.

It has been an emotional, life-changing 32nd year for me, I can't imagine what my 33rd year will bring. This is the year I finally lost weight. This is the year I finally realized, it's okay to follow what you love. This is the year I bought the camera of my dreams to take wonderful pictures with. This year I met many amazing bloggy friends, traveled to visit Mickey and hey, I'm bringing my family to meet him at DisneyWorld, too! (As in, right now we're probably on our way, driving! Eeek!)

My bestest birthday present ever is going to be surprising them with this trip.

(Psst! Because it's my birthday and Thanksgiving this upcoming week, keep your eyes peeled for a giveaway or two, too.)

33. Who knew it would feel so good?

*edit* My husband has already started it out awesomely. He calls me to ask if he left something in the van, and I go out to find this...


How cute is he, that stinker!

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Life as an Army Wife

My husband's jump yesterday was successful, but what many don't realize is how difficult it is to be the wife to an Airborne soldier. They jump. A lot. Airplanes are meant to take you from point A to point B really really fast. For whatever reason, the Army likes Airborne soldiers to jump out of those super-fast airplanes and helicopters, propelling my husband and his friends through the air, careening with a cloth-like balloon on his back until he lands, hard, rolling, spitting dust and grass out of his mouth as he stands.

Of course, they think it's cool. Me? Not-so-much.

On the days he jumps, I jingle for the entire day, or, at least until he lands. My first thought in the morning is to immediately reach for my set of his dog tags he gave me. I consider them his my good luck charm. I wrap them around my neck, muffling them as much as possible as I quietly tuck them beneath my shirt, hoping my kids don't drag me around the house by them throughout the day as I pace, finding eleventy-billion things to keep me busy while I worry.


I worry about his 'chute opening, I worry about wind shear, I worry about his landing, I worry he'll fall hard, roll his ankle, break something, or worse. The worry is like a weight on my chest, an asthma attack with a gigantic anvil sitting on me. I function throughout the day, I repetitiously fix juice cups and prepare food for my children, combing hair, wiping poop, all while my mind is inward, of his face, his smile, the creases around his eyes, the smell of his neck, and the hope that will be able to kiss him again.

He's jumped out of countless airplanes. I've worried over his jumping out of those countless airplanes every time. This isn't old news, this is what he does, but it only takes one time, one mishap to change your life.

It goes without saying that I prefer it when he pulls Jumpmaster duty (as the man who "pushes" the soldiers out of the plane, as opposed to being the one jumping). Unfortunately, he still has to jump to remain "current," as a Jumpmaster or not, until he retires out of the Army. This is part of my life as a wife to an Airborne soldier.


And until he retires out, you'll hear me jingling. And worrying.

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Apparently, I'm a Racist?

This morning was one in which my stomach was (is) tied eleventy-billion times over, worrying about my husband jumping out of a perfectly good airplane today, all while the flurries in my belly awoke to an all-time high, heart heavy with grief over Anissa and her family. There was excessive traffic this morning, much like the thoughts flooding my mind and heart about how Anissa is doing and whether my husband has jumped and landed safely. I almost made Super M late to school, and couldn't help but think about Peter, Anissa's husband, how he did this morning in getting their children off to school on time. After immediately logging onto Twitter to find any updates, I went about checking my email, and received a Facebook message calling me a "racist" for this post.

{insert screeching tire sound here}

Yes, you read that correctly. Here is the message in full, awful spelling and punctuation errors kept in tact despite my desperately wanting to fix them, but names were withheld to protect the, well.. whatever you want to call her:

Hi Lisa,

My name is (name withheld), I suppose you ended up on my facebook page because you were mutual friends with my husband, (name withheld). I beleive you both went to (name withheld) High School together.

Lisa, Facebook is an intimate place where prople share photes and update with "friends" about what is going on in there lives. I found your comments on live feed offensive. Facebook is no place to discuss weather or not the my children look like me or not. They are mine...I bore them for 9 months...and gave birth to them. I love them as much as you love your scottish children.

Also, If you know "(name withheld)" you know they don't look exactly like him either. But, they are ours and we love them dearly and not only that they are beautiful gifts from God.

In the future, if you have nothing good to say, it's best to keep ypur comments to yourself.

Your comments felt racist and inconsiderate and appeared on my Facebook page where my frends, family and anyone searching for me will see you and you friend making light and taking away from what my Facebook Page is really about....

Just wanted to share this....

Have a Blessed Day,

(name withheld)

Gobsmacked. GOBSMACKED! How in the world is discussing my children's resemblances make me a racist? Anyone want to tell me, because I must've missed the memo?

My flabberghasted response to (name withheld):

(name withheld)-

I don't know you, I don't know (name withheld), and you most certainly don't know me to think anything I said was "racist" in any way, shape, or form. I'm uncertain how my live feed ended up on your page since we aren't friended, nor are your husband and myself, so I suppose that's something you'll have to take up with Facebook, as I will as soon as I'm done with this message.

I'm a blogger, a writer, and I'm well aware of what Facebook is and what it does, it connects me to readers of my blog and friends I've made through writing. If you know anything about me and my blog at all (which you obviously don't), you'd know that I'm a parenting HUMOR writer. HUMOR, as in funny, ha-ha, tongue-in-cheek, sarcastic. I in no way insulted my kids or anyone else, least of all with racist comments, you can read in the comments the responses from people who understand what I meant. Click around and see if you like, I very much love and admire each of my SIX children (or else, why would I have that many?!) and that I try to find the humor and light in everything, as parenting is serious business enough and I do my best to maintain a smile and a laugh and help others to do so as well.

I won't apologize for "tainting" your Facebook feed since I didn't put MY post there. As far as "having nothing nice to say" and keeping comments to "myself", you might want to take a dose of your own medicine.

I am appalled, to say the least. In this day and age I am equally as disturbed that racism still exists as she or anyone is, but to go as far as to take time out to email a person (me) calling them (me) a racist for something as infinitesimal as whining about children resembling their dad, is not only ludicrous, but moronic.

When does this end? When is the walking-on-egg-shells, be-careful-what-you-say, you're-not-allowed-to-say-the-Pledge-of-Allegiance-in-school-anymore, socially-responsible, politically-correct mumbo-jumbo going to stop? I say, let's forget all of that crap and go back to governing by the Golden Rule - if you have nothing nice to say, don't say anything at all, and treat others the way you, yourself, would like to be treated. Period.

(P.S. Anyone know how to go about contacting Facebook? I want to find out exactly how my "racist" post appeared on her page if we aren't connected in any way, to ensure I don't receive anymore hate mail from anyone else. You know, in case I spout of "racist remarks" again about my children's looks. {snicker})

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He Looks Like Me, Too, or Am I Fooling Myself?

With five of my six children having my husband's hair color, it's automatic when we're out in public. "Wow, they all look like their father, huh?"

I mean, how does that happen? Hair color equals dad? Really? Okay, well, I have Italian olive skin, he's got hubby's pale Scottish skin. I have dark birth marks and moles, he's got one gigantic light brown birthmark under his arm the size of Texas, just like my husband has on his chest. I've got dark straight hair, he's got curly strawberry blonde hair like hubby.

Alright, already! I get it. My genes obviously weren't dominant in any way shape or form. My genes are wimpy. They forgot to eat their Wheaties, or drank too little coffee that day.

Suffice it to say, there are obvious reasons people say he looks like him. I mean, I'm not discounting that fact, but c'mon, you don't see my big eyes? My toothy smile? Some of 'em have my nose? No?!

Well, on Super M's first day of school, his teacher took this picture. Look! PROOF he looks like me! (Right?! RIGHT!? Tell me he looks like me, lie to me if you have to!)

Take that, hubster! Nyah, nyah!

(P.S. If you can believe it, I'm a "racist" for having written this post. Nice, huh?)

For more Wednesday fun, visit Wordless Wednesday, 5MFM, MomSpective, MomDot, Seven Clown Circus and We Are THAT Family.

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To Do Tuesday Week 41

If this is your first time reading and you're wondering what To-Do Tuesday is all about, click to check out the first post to find out more.

Hello fellow list-makers! Did you see this post? You should read it if you really enjoy making these to do lists. Excellent program!

This week is gonna be a big preparation week for "the trip" - D-to-the-I-S-N-E-Y! Shhhh don't tell my kids, we're surprising them!

(I'm kind-of behind, so if I'm a little scarce, you'll know why!)

In the meantime, I'm still trying to come up with what I'm going to do for next week while I'm "gone" - a giveaway a day? Guest writers? Reprints of oldies but goodies? What do you think? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments below.

Only one holiday preparation this week, since I can't really "shop" or "organize" while away:

• Scouting Black Friday deals to somehow sneak in a quick shopping trip while on vacation with sister-in-law, maybe? :)
  

For my regular, ol' To Do list this week:

Packing list and pack. A lot.
Laundry. A lot.
Try not to stress about the trip
Try really really hard not to stress about the trip
Blog about money-saving preparations for our trip
Grocery shopping/coupons/list
Print directions and coupons


Staying on my diet every day* (Or try, vacations are rough, man)
Work out 4 times this week* (Or try, as previously mentioned, vacations, especially long car rides, are particularly rough.)

*Will weigh myself Wednesday morning. (Here's hoping I maintain well while away for a week!)

Today's motivation - love. Say it. Feel it. Show it. Embrace it. Don't just say "you too," say it this week, and mean it every time you do. Say it spontaneously. Grab your spouse, your child, your baby, your pet, and hug 'em and say it. Show it through gestures, through acts, through letters or embraces. Thanksgiving is coming, what a wonderful, almost secret way to remind you of all the reasons you should be thankful.

--

Would you like to join us this week for To-Do Tuesday? Start with just a few things. Don't over-do it your first couple of times. You'll grow to become a list-a-holic later, start small now, though, k?
Just so you know, you can join us at anytime, it doesn't have to be on Tuesdays - the list will go up every Tuesday for you to link to, but you can make your list and link to us at any point in the week!

Remember, with "To-Do Tuesday", we're attacking our to-do lists each week, blogging about our lists and what we've got going on, and sharing it with each other to help keep each other accountable. Everyone should come back here to link up in the MckLinky as the central "To-Do Tuesday Hub" so we can visit who's participating and offer encouragement to each other throughout the week. Don't forget to add the "To-Do Tuesday" button to your post, linking back to this post!

Let's continue to cross items off our list as we go and help support each other in completing our lists! Don't forget my useful HTML tutorial on how to effectively "cross-out" or √ "check off" your items on your to-do list!

Joining us? Please add your link below (to your To Do Tuesday post, and not the main page of your blog)

Participants for Week 41

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Office Live Workspace Freakin' Rocks!

You already know how big of a list-maker I am. There's something rewarding for me about creating, and checking-off, a to-do list. I love finding new ways to create them, easy ways to keep track of them. I mean, that's how my To Do Tuesday began in the first place, y'know?

But I've always had a bit of trouble keeping up with all "the stuff" - you know, the newsletters, documents, letters, you name it. Then, after last year happened, when we lost not one but two computers at once, facing the idea that all of our "stuff" was gone, and not having access until both computers were repaired, we knew we had to find a better way.

Since then, I've been using eleventy-billion types of storage, because I've been too afraid to trust any one thing (can you blame me!?) after what happened. I've got two different photo storage places, and two ways of storing documents, along with our external hard drive. I know, it's a bit much. Recently, thanks to Mom Central, we were given the chance to test drive the new Microsoft Office Live Workspace, and I fell in organizational-love with it. I can save my documents to it, share with others, and lessen my worry about 'availability' should our computers be lost to surges again! Super sweet, yo!

Not only that, but I was able to create several new lists using it's tools, in all my list-making glory, such as an Emergency contact list, which I can now update and share as needed, as well as create a parent/player roster to share with our soccer and football teams, even email lists, our snack list, as well as email out, digitally, our 'end-of-season' invite with all the important information! No losing the flyer, no asking for another copy. How awesome is that?

Another thing I found handy about it was the ability to create a list of medicines with refills. Now that they put the labels on the boxes and not the bottles, you're forced to either keep the bottles or attempt to rip the label off to save it some where. I made my list with each person, medicine, RX # and expiration date.

As I said, Listy McListmaker, that's me.

There are many more features to try, why not go check it out for free? If you do, tell me what you've come up with (and if you'll share)!

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You Know You're a Parent When..

1. You refer to "using the restroom" as "going potty." For yourself. In public. Around other adults.
2. You need a hair tie to put your hair in a ponytail and ask if anyone has seen a "pretty" for you to use. For yourself.
3. You cut up your husband's steak into teeny, tiny pieces for him.
4. You're not just a "parent" to your kids, but to everyone - asking if they've eaten enough, if they feel alright, if they need help (and not in a host-type way).
5. You're always prepared - if someone needs a bandage, you have one. If someone needs crayons or a pen, you've got one. If someone needs a snack or juice, you've got one, mainly because you never leave the house without your "bag o' tricks."
6. You ask your husband if he's "poopied" lately when he says his "tummy" hurts.
   
7. You notice your husband's untied shoe and offer to tie it for him, or worse, just do it.
   
8. You find yourself looking forward to cartoons and kid shows/movies.
9. You secretly like playing action figures and dolls.
   
10. You catch yourself saying things your parents once did and vowed to never say. Ever.

What things do you that screams "You're a parent!" to others?

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First Football Game

It was Super M's first flag football game last weekend.

His first ever.

My goodness, is he the teeniest player on the planet? (Bushy, curly-haired kid in red in the center. I would've put an arrow, but it would've been bigger than he is, for crying out loud. And, I didn't want to jack up the cuteness that is this photo. Criminy!)


See how small they were, they had to tie their little pinnies on their backs so they'd stay on. Goodness, they were so friggin' cute.

This week he got a new "job" for the team - he's now the center. The center is the one that snaps the ball and hands it to the quarterback.

And yes, there were cheerleaders. Kindergarten cheerleaders. Holy crap, I was dying from Severe Cuteness Overload™. Seriously.

(P.S. The reason they're all wearing something different is because their uniforms haven't come in yet.)

(P.P.S. Their uniforms are all due to come in this week, and we'll be out of town for their next game for Thanksgiving week.)

(P.P.P.S. Out of town, you ask? Yes. It's a surprise for the kidlets. Shhh, don't tell.)

(P.P.P.P.S. Should you hear on the news "Mom Dies from Cuteness, Film at 11" it's me.)

(P.P.P.P.P.S How many freakin' times can I say "cute" in one post? Sheesh.)

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How to Make an Easy Tutu

A tutu is an easy enough craft to make right alongside your children, just like I did. My teenager was completely involved with making hers, and loved it. The materials are inexpensive to buy, too. Consider this a fun, rainy day craft, or begin preparing now, as Christmas is coming!

Before you jump on in, there are a couple questions that need to be established before you make a tutu - do you want an elastic waist, a ribbon one, or both (wrapped elastic with ribbon)? Do you want to tie the tulle onto the waist, or do you want it sewn? (If you want it sewn, see the tutorial link at the end.)

The easiest way to do make a tutu, I think, is to use an elastic waist and tie it. Why, you ask? Because elastic is already stiff by nature, is easily propped up by a gallon of water, a big bucket, or hung on a hanger to tie the tulle onto. A ribbon, however, has to be tied and is obviously much more 'limp' to work with. But, this isn't my tutu you're going to make, this is yours, so first decide how you want to start.

You will need:

At least 3/8" elastic
2-3 yards of tulle in each color (or more, for an even fuller tutu), cut into 6 inch strips (if you plan to cut it and not sew it)
straight pins
needle and thread or a stapler

Prepare the waist by measuring your child's waist. If you're using elastic, take off at least 2 inches, and join together the elastic by stapling it or stitching it closed. If you're using ribbon, mark off the measured "ends" but add 12 inches (6 inches each side) to tie the ribbon off when you are finished.

You'll want to prop the circle of elastic onto a water jug or bowl (I think it makes it easier to work with.)

After you've cut the tulle as instructed above, take each strip, one by one, and form a loop at the elastic (or ribbon) and pull the two ends through, so that they point outwards in a sun-formation. (Full picture tutorial here) Alternate your colors, scrunching the fabric together. If you do not wish to wrap your waist in elastic over the knots, then scrunch extra tight. If you do wish to wrap, scrunch tightly, but loose enough to maneuver between the knots.

Once you've tied all of your strips on, ensure your elastic or ribbon is covered if you aren't wrapping your waist. Tie a bow with your remaining ribbon (if you used a ribbon waist) and add embellishments with a hot glue gun (gems, flowers, etc). If you have used an elastic waist, you can tie ribbon on to make a bow, or begin to wrap your waist now. Leave a six inch section on the starting end (to tie into the finishing bow later) and wrap in tightly in between each knot to cover the knots to make a uniform waist. Once you reach the end, cut it leaving six inches off the the end, tie into a bow, and add another bow. Straighten the tulle, shake it out a bit, and admire your creation, you're done!

For variations on what I did, this tutorial uses elastic, like I did, but shows you how you can staple the elastic together, instead of sewing it. This tutorial uses ribbon for the waist instead of elastic. And here is a great list of variations you can do on the regular tutu.

I plan to make a sewn and filled tutu for my daughter for Christmas. I already have the tulle, I can't wait to get started! And someday, when I'm much more comfortable with sewing, I plan to attack making a pettiskirt. Oy.

What do you think, do you think this is something you can make?

(Don't forget my other tutorial, How to Make a Super Hero Costume).
More tutorials to come: How to Applique, How to Make a Crayon Tote, How to Make a Crayon Roll Up and more)

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Power Outage Fun

In the middle of our macaroni and cheese dinner, just before football practice, the power suddenly disappeared on us, just as the sun was setting.

I could've been pissed, but I wasn't. I wholeheartedly love all of my candles, and so I took the grill lighter, and happily lit each of them to admire, and bravely tried using my camera to take their picture.


I love candlelight, don't you?


The kids and I sat in candle light while we played every light up toy we could find in the house. That was kind-of fun! (and so were the camera tricks) See?


My husband and I played Rummy by candlelight after the kids had gone to bed. The power came on in the wee hours of the morning, long after we'd fallen asleep. We camped out in the living room in sleeping bags. Definitely not the idea we'd had for our Friday night, but man, I hadn't laughed like that in a long time. Definitely Friday the 13th, eh?

(Psst, remind me to learn how to REALLY use the camera in the dark.)

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