Junior League Leadership Training: Scottsdale, AZ

Me and My Sweet PEE Angela

So, I'm going to be President of the Junior League of Fresno....  This is actually happening very soon.
For now I am "PE" President-Elect and I am trying to make the most of the time I have!

On Wednesday night when I started packing to leave to leave for my Junior League Leadership Conference in Arizona, Patrick started to grumble.  He was going to miss me.  He didn't want me to go.  He would only see me on Sunday.  His sister joined in his agony.  His brother dismissed me with a wave of his hand, "I'll be ok."

I've learned a lot of lessons in my Junior League tenure.  One of the most important lessons that is echoed again and again (and at this conference once again) is the need to take time for yourself and do things for yourself.  I know that we are supposed to pretend that we have an endless tank of love and attention and motherly motherness to give...  we don't.

So, I packed me bags and headed to Scottsdale with my gorgeous Sweet PEE Angela who is slated to serve as President in 2015-16 after my term ends.  The training was fantastic.  The time to think and reflect was great.  And we may have had a little fun.  I've been accused of "bringing the fun" but these NorCal ladies, collectively we blow the fun up and make it an alternate universe. 

The NorCalRenoHon PE/PEE group. 

One more really important (and hopefully applicable) lessons that I have learned on this journey is the power of knowing and understanding yourself.  I am not good at a lot of things.  So when I envisioned who would be my Sweet PEE, I imagined someone who was a compliment to my strengths and weaknesses.  I got that in Angela!  And now the focus in on self-management.  A challenge as I spiral toward June 2014 but one that I am taking on all of the same.  I am working on not running people over, minimizing my impatience, redirecting my tendencies to over-plan, managing stress (apparently that drives me to disorganization), and making sure I appreciate the team.
Speaking of team.  Here is my fantastic Board Team.

That's where I am.  Ready to learn, try, fail, and try again.  Ready to develop the potential of this girl right here (points to self).

On the shoulders of giants.

Source: Michael Noyes

And boy oh boy is it nice in the shade.  Over a decade ago when I started my career in education reform I had a dear friend who was old enough to be my mother.  We hung out all the time and when I would make presentations or give speeches she would distract me with her beaming smile.  She was super kooky but she taught me a really important lesson about life.  She smiled at me because I was living the dream, her dream and the dream of so many women.  I was enjoying her shade.

Junior League of Fresno Past Presidents

And here I am, once again basking in the shade.  In less than a month I will be the President-Elect of the Junior League of Fresno, following in the footsteps of some amazing women who helped make Fresno a better place to live.  From the Ronald McDonald House, to the Blood Mobile, to the Volunteer Bureau, to the Discovery Center.... the list goes on and on. 

Over the last two months, we lost three of our past presidents.  The way they lived their lives (in service of their community and having an absolute blast!) was such a pointed reminder for me.  Why I do this and why I want to do more.
Frances Mosgrove President 1961-62
Lyla MonPere President 1964-65
 Muriel Walton 1969-70

I am so lucky to come behind these women to continue their work in Fresno.  And I continue to be amazed at the caliber of women in League today.  Busy, smart, generous, and gracious women who make the time to make a difference.  What an honor to be part of this organization.  I am in the company of some great women. 

Source: Markologie

We are going to do great things.  Have you ever witnessed the power of a group of determined women?  That's what we are. Stand-by.  We aren't afraid to get our hands dirty.

So over the next year, I will watch, plan, listen, think, train (Wh-what?  I get training!?!  I've NEVER had a job that included training!), and stretch to prepare myself for 2014-15.  But more importantly, I'm going to be tapping a whole bunch of smart women on the shoulder and calling on them to be a part of history in the making.  This isn't about MY presidency, this is about the trees we will plant together.

My PEE (President-Elect-Elect) Orchid {flowers always sweeten the deal}

Happy Mother's Day

One of my favorite verses in the Bible the story of Mary and Martha.   Although this verse has special significance for my life as a mom, it is applicable if you are a mom, a wannabe mom, or just a busy person.

Luke 10:38-42

38 As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, "Lord, don't you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself ? Tell her to help me!" 41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried and upset about many things, 42 but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her."

I will admit that I am often a Martha and I forget to even try to be a Mary.  My lists, my scurrying, my need to get it done and do it right drive me all day.  And I will admit that if Jesus in the flesh was coming for lunch, I would drive my family crazy with the preparations (I think we would have fresh salmon and homemade bread and squash from the garden and wine of course).

Sometimes, I stop and I take the time to focus on that "one thing."  Other times I work my tail off when the kids are sleeping and at school so that I can allow myself to take the time.  It is a struggle but I realize that the fight is one I create in my own head.

For me Mother's Day is less about me and more about my family.  The day makes me grateful for the life I have.  I love to live in this world we have created.  Now I just need to remember to enjoy it.

Patrick's Room

This weekend I came to a conclusion: Patrick's perpetually messy room is my penance and my test.  There is no other explanation for why my son's room is in a constant state of disarray.  The endless papers, stuffed animals, books, dirty clothes, stray socks, and random treasures are only there to test my resolve and mock me.  He is a world-class slob and sometimes I am in such awe of his slovenly ways that my head doesn't explode from anger and frustration (that's only sometimes, usually my head explodes and I get a trash bag a curse under my breath for 45 minutes). 

and for the record, there is only way place in our house that rivals Patrick's mess....

My Office.  This is a good day.

Happy New Year

Kevin and I came to the collective and shocking realization that this year (2012) Keith. starts. Kindergarten.  I've known that this was going to happen, I even have a countdown to Kinder ticker on my phone (236 Days 20 Hours 31 Minutes 50 Seconds).  But to really KNOW it and own it and say that it is this year.  Floored.  So, we'll file that under "Things I Can't Control."

So I am focusing instead on the things I can control.  First of which is the clutter in my house.  Last year at this time I was just trying to keep my head above water.  Now I can conquer this thing (with make-up on and everything).  Kevin is still working a ton of overtime so I feel challenged to keep up with his pace.  I have a class that I finish teaching early next week.  Then I have at least three weeks to take care of business before my next class starts.

Goals:

1. Organize the craft closet shelf
2. Organize Legos
3. Filing, scanning, filing, scanning
4. Organize kid crafts
5. Print photos, frame photos, hang photos, REPEAT
6. Find Keith's glasses
7. Taxes (yay.)

And I need to do a better job of keeping up with the housework.   I'll let you know how this all goes.

Fresno Magazine Photo Shoot

I mentioned that I had the opportunity to be a part of a photo shoot for Fresno Magazine on October 20th (Lauren's Birthday).  The Junior League of Fresno was featured in the December edition of Fresno Magazine.  It was an absolute blast.  I got a call from the fabulous Liz Kern, Fresno Magazine Associate Editor and fellow Junior Leaguer on Tuesday for the Thursday photo shoot.  Thankfully, I already had a (much over due) hair appointment scheduled.

Here are a few of the results if you are interested (and I promised my dad the link to the online magazine).  CLICK HERE Our spread starts on page 34 and my pic is on page 38.

Makeup (um, airbrushing?!?!  yes please!): Julia Cantu, Iron Bird Beauty Bar
Hair: David Carona, Hungry Hair Salon
Photos: the fantastic and talented Michael L'Heureux

Untitled

Working Title: The ellipsis
Welcome to my identity crisis.... dramatic much?


This week I sent an email to 70 colleagues.  I wrote to let them know that I was not returning to my job as Executive Director of the organization I founded five years ago.  I wrote to let them know that after decades of pouring my heart and soul into the youth of California, it is time for me to focus on the kids that God holds me accountable for. 

Done. Defeated.  Happy. Sad. Relieved.  Torn. I will be honest, when I am alone with my thoughts, sometimes it feels like a loss.

I used to rule the world.....

But more often, it feels like this....  BLINK





The email was the culmination of 20 months of struggling and praying and pouting and discussing and finally giving in.  God opened my eyes to my opportunity, my personal mission.  The opportunity to be the best wife and mother possible.  To have the chance to change the world for the better. 

I know that there are a lot of excellent mothers out there who work full-time.  In fact, I would argue that I was a pretty excellent mother.  But our lifestyle is different for a lot of reasons that I won't go into.  Frankly, I wanted something different.  This is me, the me that I never suspected I would be.... ever.  I don't know you, you have to figure out you.

and today.... today I am the happiest I have been in years.

In all honesty, my identity is shaken.  What clothes should I buy?  Who are my friends? What do I do with my time? If I'm not rushed and crazed mom, what kind of mom am I?  So much of my life revolved around work.  Now what?

I'm not really sure.   We are still trying to figure it all out.  The best thing about this transition is the amount of time Kevin and I get to spend together.  We have lots of face-time to communicate and figure out what all of this means. 

This much is certain.  This is a great job.  This is a full-time job.  And I love it.

We may not have forever, but we have now.  Now makes a lasting impact on little lives.  Now always shapes tomorrow (even when we aren't paying attention or worse rushing through it).  Now is our hope.

So long....

Hello!

Mother's Day was great.....

So great, I puked.  I don't know why, latent morning sickness?  too many raw veggies? bad (3-week) headache?  dunno.

I yelled for Kevin to come feel sorry for me.  I got Keith.

"You sick Momma?  Just spit like this."  Then he rubbed my back for awhile.  "You all done frowing up?"

Just get your dad.  Next I got Patrick.

"What's the problem here?" he demanded with his hands on his hip, peering down the toilet.

Just. Go. Get. Dad.

Finally, I got Kevin, who put me to bed.  After a rest and a 4-hour nap I rallied for a dinner of Thai food (my request) and a dessert of heartburn.  Good times. 

Happy belated Mother's Day.

Skinny Letters Only

Last night I had a dream that I was back in the pool burning some KCals.  HA! Tonight I am eating m&ms and sitting on my backside.  I've got a problem.  I've been on a workout fast (as in the act of abstaining) since July and an eating splurge since October.  I long since passed the point of blaming my tight jeans on the dryer.

Welcome to the tail-end of my three-week cold.  Me and Mr. Chest Congestion are going to part ways this weekend come hell or high water.  We have to because I might have to buy new pants next week if I don't get moving. 

The good news, everything is in place for me to do what needs to be done.  The brand-new Wii Fit Plus my dad gave me, the freed jogging stroller that has been blocked by the old fridge for months, the now perfectly clean workout room (with mirrors!).  Oh and I found a new favorite Pandora station: ABBA (don't judge).   Two pant sizes.  That's what we need.  A little movement (with the aforementioned strategies) and a little Lindsay Diet and we are good to go.  And so I present you with: the lindsay diet (all skinny lowercase letters)

I don't know that there is a diet for people like me who live to eat. I do know that there is no MD out there who would endorse my eating habits.  This diet is whacked with a side of "heard that line before."  Do it, don't do it. We are all different, this is me, you have to be you. This is the true story of how I lost 4 pant sizes.

I'm going to use my skinny voice and pretend that I am actually implementing the lindsay diet.

1. I stop eating at least 3 hours before going to bed. My rule of thumb is that if I am hungry it must be time for bed. We eat dinner between 5:00 and 5:30 and I rarely eat after dinner is completed.  Generally bedtime is 10:00 pm.
   
2. Which brings me to the next rule, sleep is your friend.  I get 7-8 hours, it really does work.
   
3. No Diet Coke.  ever, well almost see #8.  I kicked my Diet Coke habit not so long ago. I went from two a day to none. Immediately dropped a size.
   
4. Portion control, read the labels. We used to cook a pound of spaghetti for the two of us. Now we divide half a pound between four of us.  I usually serve myself about the same size portion as the boys. 
   
5. If it isn't in the house it is a lot harder to indulge. For me this is mostly alcohol and cake.  I am SO guilty of buying ice cream and other things that don't call my name, torturing my husband or loving my husband? you be the judge.
   
6. During the week I drink my breakfast: it is called half and half in my coffee.  (that is a blog confession.  so embarrassing.)
   
7. And I am usually too busy (and/or stressed) to eat much for lunch.  When I do eat lunch it is after 1:30 which means 5:30 dinner comes way too early to consume thousands of calories.
   
8. I fully commit to indulging in food over the weekend and I never say never. I love Diet Coke, Bread and Butter, Red Wine, Red Meat, Pizza, Chocolate Cake, Mayo and Beer and BUTTER.
   
9. I have always been a 3-squares kind of gal. Now I embrace the snack.  A hundred calories at a time.
   
10. When in doubt I eat more vegetables.  I know, exciting.    It helps with #4.

That's it.  Time to get back on track.  You?

You can make that...

That's what my husband told me when I was soliciting his opinion on these super cute clip boards I found on etsy (I LOVE ETSY).  I was shopping for teacher gifts and thought the clip boards were cute.  He snorted and told me that I have all the materials to make them myself.  Huh, I hadn't thought of that.

So off I went to inspect my stash of scrapbook paper and supplies.  I was unimpressed and set out to purchase the things my husband was confident I already owned (snort). Patrick's teacher is on maternity leave so everything was multiplied by two because I wanted one for both his teacher and the sub.

Oh My Modge Podge (yes, I call it Modge Podge.  We are down like that), it has been too long my friend. Oh how will we work together next?

Paper (on sale at Michael's) $1

Clipboards $2.79 each

Ribbon (some of what I used I did have in my closet) $1

Mod Podge $5.99

I used the directions from the Michael's site.  And here we are.....

What say you?

NEXT PROJECT!!!! My balls!

I have always wanted to add a wreath to my light fixture.  I just never got around to it, this year we made an ornament wreath and it now adorns the fixture in the dining room.  I have a thing for bright Christmas ball ornaments.  Somehow, when they hang out together, they are even prettier.  I need more!!!!  But I'll wait.  This was a no-cost 15 minute project.  I used ribbon that I had in my closet and all of the balls were from my stash.  I love projects like this!

Next Project: MAKE-UP
My sister and I don't fight anymore.  We haven't had a real argument for years.  But if you asked our mutual friends they would probably tell you that we are prone to (public) sisterly squabbling, that they find hilarious no doubt.  Anyway, presents for our children are a sore subject.  Especially when I buy nail polish and chapstick for Abby (heh).  So when I saw what Emily at Not So Idle Hands created, I knew I had to create my own faux make-up for my darling nieces (x4).  And it is another cheap and quick project!

Step one: Buy make-up at the Dollar Store.  I would have used recycled make-up but I went on an unprecedented cleaning frenzy a few months ago and threw out a Walgreens worth of old make-up (yes, I have a problem).  I found these at the Dollar Store.  By the way, Dollar Store make-up STINKS!  Can anyone wear this without getting a rash????

Step 2: Find old nail polish (possibly buried with your button collection, as though I would ever mend an actual button).

 Step 3: Assess your strange preferences in nail polish and wonder what you would do if you still painted your own toenails.  Decide that you are grateful that your current love of red toes didn't span the years and also decide that although you might have had odd taste in blue and purple nail polish, it is paying off right now.

Step 3: Work with your partner to open all of the packages and remove the real make-up from their little dishes. 

Step 4: Coordinate colors based on the girls' personalities and pour.

Step 5: Oh and Ah over the beauty (that's your partner's job)

Step 6: Wait for it to dry.
One problem: the smell is a bit much.  Kevin wanted me to put it outside to limit the number of brain cells killed for this project.  It was pretty cold in the garage and the nail polish shrunk.  I am going to re-pour tonight and see what happens.

AND FINALLY:
The running joke in our office is about the one stapler that actually works.  We all pass the broken staplers around, swipping the only operational stapler from the current owners desk.  So, (since I'm the best boss ever) I bought each staff member their own (high quality stapler) and put a personal touch on each one.  I love this (mama lou original!)  Bling bling.   Hmmm.... What other office products need a little something?

 

I'm done!!!!  Off to our office party..... we're going to the MET! shhhh.......

I may need professional help

I am seriously considering venturing out for the Black Friday sales.  Did you notice that some stores sweetened the deal by opening at midnight?  Glorious!  I don't know what I want that would necessitate me getting out of bed in the early hours of the morning or even staying up late for that matter (10 pm is late at my house), but I feel it.... I feel the pull of the Super Sale, the Hot Deals, the whatever it may be, I should be there taking part in it.  I can't remember the last time I shopped the day after Thanksgiving but I think it involved a polyblend sweater and purple sweatpants.

There is something wrong with me.

Frugal Friday Confession

I. Shop. At. forever 21

I'm not 21, I'm not even 31, but the "forever" qualifier is good enough for me. And last time I was there, they weren't checking id's. However, the girl checking me out actually called me "Miss" (score).

So here's the thing. I never, ever pay full price (save that leopard print shirt), except at Forever 21. Everything is just so cheap. I buy a few of my disposable wardrobe items at there. Tops, summer dresses, tank tops, $5 sunglasses for the pool. And even this $6.80 necklace, paired with a $10 top.

I totally get why the Forever 21 concept is big enough to take over the empty Gottschalks and Mervyn's stores. Cheap, trendy clothing is probably better than expensive out-dated clothing. And then I started considering the seemingly unlimited disposable income of the tween and teen set. Those girls spend me under the table. Also, there is very little rhyme or reason to the merchandising in Forever 21. There is just too much stuff. I always get the sense that the store is one strapless top away from exploding all over Ann Taylor Loft. I visited the XXI store in Chicago and it is huge (huge I say, huge!). And I was comforted by the sneaky branding twist with the Roman Numerals.

I'm not advising you to head over to F-21 and start buying things willy-nilly. You have to abide by a couple of rules. 1) There are things in Forever 21 that make you look like you want to be Forever 21 (I'll just say it: hoochie mama). Unless advised by Stacey and Clinton, steer clear of the shirts pretending to be dresses, the tube tops and the leggings. 2) You have to try things on. The return policy is a pain (the clientele might be the sort that wears and returns) and the sizing is completely whacked. If you want to dress a size down, go to Banana. At F-21 you will almost certainly need a size larger. 3) Don't turn around when you see the bandana top in the window. There are hidden gems in this retail jungle, you just have to keep looking. Really, I promise.

I'm a shopper and I don't care what the 13 year olds think of me. I will brave F-21 with the kids to uncover a deal any day. This experience is not for the faint of heart. Happy shopping.

You're not really old...

Until you bookmark the Urban Dictionary.

Where else are you going to find the proper usage of "Facebrag"

To use Facebook as a platform to brag. Normally about a job, internship, trip, purchase or anything else that nobody really needs to know but you'd like to tell everyone because you're awesome.

Sample Facebook Status: Jane Stephens is headed to London with her new iPhone for her 2nd JOB INTERVIEW!!!!! :))))

"Hey, did you see Jane's newest Facebrag? Eesh."

Act your age,

Not your IQ. Sorry, I can’t help myself, my humor vacillates between that of a middle school boy and a dry (can I get an iced tea please) Daria Morgendorffer.

However, we aren’t discussing my warped humor, we were talking about my age, which excuse me is showing.

Exhibit A: I hurt my shoulder bowling and it still hurts. It has been 2 weeks.

Exhibit B: I was bowling.

Exhibit C: I stated that a party is 5 or more people drinking and/or smoking. So KNOCK-IT-OFF!

Exhibit D: I clipped a coupon for Joint Juice.

Exhibit E: I have completely stopped looking at the 20’s outfits in InStyle and am more often than not drawn to the 40’s and 50’s clothes.

Exhibit F: I don’t tweet but I do update my Facebook status daily.

Exhibit G: iTunes genius keeps pointing me in the direction of Tone-Loc and Michael Buble.

Disagreements?
Work ’em out


Odd Things I Dislike (A working list):
1) Ice Cream
2) Competition Reality Shows (except Wipeout. Middle School humor, Ahem)
3) Chick Flicks
4) Sweetened Iced Tea
5) Fried Food
6) The smell of Palmer’s Cocoa Butter
7) Demi Moore
8) Black and Brown together

Why I do what I do.

A little slice of heaven, children engaged, confident, expressing themselves..... Pay particular attention to the boys, FIFTH GRADE BOYS. The boy in the white t-shirt behind the soloist is my fav.

These kids have been all over the place. You can also see Nightline's story here.

PS 22 Choir also has a blog.

A nice reminder.

It's Friday and I'm Frugal

The last time I paid full price for clothes I had a little (major) panic attack in the middle of Express. It was 2000 and I was purchasing a silk leopard print shirt for $58 that I could ill afford. In the end it was worth it, I rocked that shirt at Speaker Hertzberg's Swearing-in Gala the same year. And I still have it hanging in my closet, nine years later. You don't get rid of silk, silk you hang onto.

One of my favorite Mommy Bloggers, OhMommy swears by the quality over quantity rule. High quality classic pieces that can last a lifetime. And of course if it has a label that makes you giddy, even better.

I have a price point, it is $5. I would buy just about anything for $5. Like this watch...
I came back two weeks later for this watch.
But in general, I just love a deal, a really good deal on high end goods makes my day.

A few months ago my friend Jennifer and I were power shopping at Off Saks. I was lucky enough to meet this darling. She's perfect for a beach vacation, she's the maxi dress of my dreams, and she's mostly silk (no relation to the full-priced silk shirt). To top it all off she's DIANE von FURSTENBERG.
I may be the only person to appreciate the beauty of this dress but I really don't care.
Insert beach and beachy cocktail (all available on polyvore, I'm sure), and sigh.

Back to the deal.... I am completely annoying because I could talk about shopping and clothes all day. Poor Kevin has to play the "what was Lindsay's deal" (Heh) game all the time. How much do you think I spent on this? What do you think the original price was? Now you can play...Make your guesses?

Original price: $425, marked down to $254.90. To me, there isn't a big difference between those two prices. I would have to wear this dress to work every day to justify either price.

SALE PRICE: $147.99---- This my friend's is the reason I have not owned a maxi dress. This is how much these things cost!
But I paid.... $35.18 plus $2.73 in sales tax to the fine people of Folsom (sorry shop local people, my bad). Let me comp this for you, you can't get a poorly cut, all man-made material dress at your leading retail chain for less than $40. No comparison. Sigh.

Santa Came Early. He didn't leave anything for you.

Merry Christmas to us, 25 days early. Several years ago, way before kids Kevin and I bought a Chevy Camaro. The car was named Buck and we loved it. It was loud, masculine, impractical, and fast. Then we had kids and graduated to the SUV lifestyle. Recently our car situation changed again (no we didn't sell the kids). Lately I have been the primary driver of Kevin's beautiful Honda Ridgeline truck. I mostly drive the truck for three hour stretches to Sacramento, SF, LA, and Oakland. The truck is fine but not exactly a commuter vehicle. And can I just say, it was clearly not designed for the females, there was no mirror on the driver's sun visor. How am I supposed to know what is going on with the coif? So I now have this:

It even has a light! So dreamy!
BUT WAIT THERE IS MORE! She's a beauty.

We have been car shopping for a long time. All around town test driving, debating, negotiating.... small SUVs, luxury SUVs, huge SUVs (even another Expedition), sports cars, sedans of all shapes and sizes. Finally it seemed pretty clear that what we both wanted was a car that we could have fun driving and keep until our kids graduate from college.

Believe it or not part of our motivation was to save money (gas and car payment). And we were successful on both fronts.


I didn't drive the car until we had pretty much closed the deal. Kevin loved driving it (I closed my eyes on a couple of the turns), his ear to ear grin had me sold.

Our pretty little 525 doesn't have a name yet (the second thing Patrick pointed out after he noted how much he liked the car because it is clean) but it has a space in the garage. Up until last night we were one of those families with a three car garage that only fits one car. All we needed was a little motivation.

I drove the car to work today, it only took me seven minutes to remember how to turn it on!

Light on the Monsters, Heavy on the Star-crossed Lovers

I saw Twilight and I can't wait to see it again....

We're all about the monsters at our house.

Patrick announced that back when he was three years old he was afraid of the monsters in his room. Now that he is four, he isn't afraid anymore, he's tougher than the monsters.

Meanwhile, Keith makes every thing (including Baby Jesus) a monster.

Kevin worried that I wouldn't be able to sleep after the (scary) Vampire Movie. But that's the thing, these vampires aren't really scary. Just like Bella says: Not scared of you!

I loves me some monsters, especially the Cullen brand. I love these books in a jump in with both feet kind of a way. Let's be honest, the Twilight books are designed for a certain set (of females). I read somewhere that the audience is young girls and their grandmothers. I suppose I am meant to watch True Blood and shut up. But I really like the Twilight books. I like them in the surprising way that we all questioned adults reading Harry Potter and then got sucked into the series.

Here is why I think Twilight is so appealing to so many females (young, old and in between)... every girl has had a crush, flirtation, relationship or otherwise with a bad boy. It is the same reason women of a certain age still love Grease and Dirty Dancing...tough, dangerous, misunderstood boys with (choose one or more) a leather jacket, fangs, a fast car and/or a chip on his shoulder! There is also something exceedingly attractive about a man (or vampire) who protects his woman.

Twilight was super cheesy and the best movie I have seen in a long time. Momma doesn't get out much. I only watch action movies and only with Kevin because I don't have the patience to be bored (and irritated) by Hollywood's idea of a movie (cute blond, devilishly handsome man, silly premise, nice clothes, zippy soundtrack... thanks, I'll pass). Yet, I was at a full priced showing of Twilight! That is saying something.

So overall, this movie.... stunk to high heaven. But I loved it! If you are a Twilight devotee it is worth seeing the Cullens' first entrance into the cafeteria, Edward's initial reaction to Bella and the car crash....

Here is my problem with the movie (other than the cheesy acting): my head and heart still hurt from New Moon (the second book). I did not like Edward after that book and casting Cedric Diggory in the movie did not mend my hurt. Okay, I was enthralled in the initial moments of his unveiling but that was short-lived. And I was really trying too. Here is my advice if you are planning on seeing Twilight.

1. Read the first book. If you haven't read New Moon stop there, just go see the movie you will have a much more satisfying experience.
   
2. Pay attention to Emmett. I thought I would love Jacob,but instead I was enthralled with Edward's brother Emmett. The silly, hulking, overprotective vampire who is always itching for a fight. Umm...and he drives a Jeep Wrangler. He doesn't remind me of anyone.
3. If you can listen to Gavin Rossdale's song Love Remains that Same before and after the movie do it. I heard the song on the way home. Three times! Soundtrack of my Twilight.
4. If you aren't familiar with the books don't make any assumptions. It isn't True Blood, which is shockingly graphic and mostly gratuitous. The whole movie is quite tame. Although the Mommies who sat in front of us with their 8 year old could have probably chosen a little bit better.
   
5. Don't read any reviews from male movie reviewers writing this movie off as a film for young girls. Just enjoy it in all of its fluffy wonder.
   
6. Be prepared for some disappointing movie adaptations. I won't include any real spoilers but Edward's car... puh-lease. And the tree climbing... ugh.
7. And did I mention that I HEART EMMETT? Thank you Kellan Lutz for making this movie worth every moment and working this awesome tux in the InStyle photo shoot.
   

Like I said, the movie was both horrible and awesome. Just enjoy the ride.

Shoes and YOU

I knew Blog Stalking would eventually pay off! One of my Mommy Bloggers is having an awesome give-away. OhMommy over at Classy Chaos is having a contest for these sweet kicks and I need them BAD. If I win them I may have to make a special place in the closet so my other shoes don't get jealous. And the kicker? They are made by Crocs! YOU by crocs! Check it out. Who knew?

Now, what do I do to invest in myself? Okay, I'm not just saying this because you are reading it right now but this blog is the biggest thing I do to invest in myself. I mean sure I get my hair done, watch trashy tv, buy loads of clothes and accessories and luxuriate in the tub every now and again, but this blog is my big investment. Writing has always been my passion, my outlet, my thing. Before now I have never written anything that was so public. I don't know if you noticed but I really like it. And as I have said before it has changed my life and my perspective. Also, if you notice the blog labels count, the only things I like talking about more than me are Patrick and Keith. Keep an eye on "Food" creeping up in third place! But that's just me.

WE'VE GONE GREEN!!! well yellowish green

As promised....our going green blog.

Despite what I said before, I really do love the Earth. If nothing else, God loaned it to us and we need to return it in the same or better condition when we are done. I just hate it when hypocritical people try to tell me what to do and how to do it. That being said, I ended my anti-save the Earth revolt pretty quickly.

I was busy working one day and watching bad television (shocking revelations up in here). Specifically, Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane. Geez even the title is annoying. She is so odd and unreal. Enough about her (really, enough, cancel that show, put me out of my misery). On this particular episode Kimora Lee Simmons gets her carbon footprint assessment. ***This is just the kind of stagey reality tv that annoys me (this reality show brought to you by SmartCAR).***You remember Little Ms. Carbon Footprint from the Al Gore hypocrisy. It is basically a report of your impact on our planet (Earth that is). Anyway, a few days later I decided to figure out what my carbon footprint was. It wasn't good. I got a recount, it still wasn't good. Near as I can tell most of my issues are due to: the size of my house, the diaper situation, and the amount of air travel I suffer through. I even took the challenge to reduce my footprint and guess what? There is no way to fully negate the effect of flying cross country 3 or 4 (okay 6) times a year. I could replace all of our light bulbs, shut down our garage fridge extravagance, and walk to work...Yep still a gigantic footprint.

There are certain trappings of motherhood that I like, my plus-sized SUV is one of them. I can bring home $354 worth of Costco purchases without rearranging anything. I can add extra kids to my haul without a second thought. AND the thing has an incredibly impressive turning radius. Plus it is paid for. We are seriously considering investing in a smaller more fuel efficient car to replace the truck. See, yellowish green. Score.


Kevin has become quite the Recycle Master, The King of Recycling....
The Recycle-nator. The City blessed us with a brand spanking new mixed recycling bin. In my head I call her Big Blue. The weeks that Kevin is in charge of garbage Big Blue is full and happy. I was so embarrassed the other week when it was clearly my garbage week (we don't assign weeks we just pitch in and the other person gets out of the way) since Big Blue was nearly empty. Every other week...SCORE


We are promoting the concept of conservation with Patrick. It is hard for me to believe that there may not be water automatically coming out of the faucet so it is definitely difficult for Patrick to grasp. We sing the Dan Zanes song a lot, Reduce Reuse Recycle. I am trying to teach him about buying locally grown food. What a drag, no imported out of season berries.

Some of this green movement is ridiculous to me. For example, throwing out all of your cleaning supplies, makeup, etc. in favor of green products. DUH! And some of it is confusing. For example, am I supposed to run the dishwasher or wash by hand? Should I buy the organic food transported from across the country or the local fertilized food? I need someone to take notes for me.

The Recycling King and I never had a conversation about trying to be kinder to the Earth. Even though we (okay, it is mostly me) are way above (okay, below) average with the footprint thing, we are making changes. Here is the biggest deal....we reduced our electric bill by 45%. Imagine if we actually knew how to work the programmable thermostat!

My Carbon Footprint is bigger than your Carbon Footprint!