99…and That’s a Magic Number
By Christine | May 15, 2008
My Google Reader scares me. The number of unread posts mocks me. As much as I try to keep it under 100 (because 99 is so much less intimidating?) I find that I’m failing miserably.
Note to self: Enough already with the arbitrary rules, K?
I seriously do enjoy reading blogs, and if there’s a problem it’s that there are just so many good ones. It’s a nice problem to have as far as problems go.
But still the number grows…
One of my all time favorites is written by a stay home dad who goes by the name Joeprah. With three cute little girls and a gorgeous wife, he’s the only guy in the house - and a funny one at that. It’s great to get a male perspective on raising kids.
As I’m typing this, he’s looking into the reasons why we moms tend to read blogs by other moms more than anything else. Any thoughts? Feel free to comment here or join the conversation on twitter.
While you’re at it, check out those buttons over in my left sidebar. Pretty cute, huh? Click on over and read Joe’s blog. You’ll thank me later.
Ooh! I just got that number down to 88 while I was writing this. I’m all about the short attention span multitasking.
Topics: Blogs on a Roll | 3 Comments »
The Kids Get an Upgrade, Too
By Christine | May 15, 2008
Since I’m going to the trouble of “upgrading” my husband’s blog name, I decided to give the kids an upgrade as well. We really do call my 8 year-old Miss Boo at home (and have since she was born) but I’ve noticed that Boo is a very common nickname.
Who knew?
Because she lives and breathes horses, I’m going to call her Pony Girl. I think she’s gonna love it.
My 6 year-old’s nicknames are many. MANY. She has a first name (not telling) and personality (total goofball) that have spawned more nicknames than we can count. Even though we do call her Sissy sometimes, she’s too much of an original for such an unoriginal name.
One of my favorite nicknames that she earned when she was two is Honey Bunches of Noes. You can probably guess how she got it, and it’s not because she liked the cereal. So from here on out, I’m calling her Honey Bunch.
Now if I could only give my van an upgrade…sigh…
Topics: Because It Amuses Me, My Crazy Kids | 5 Comments »
Party, Party, Win Stuff, Party
By Christine | May 14, 2008
I’ll confess to being fashionably late to the Mommyfest Blog Party, but I had a really good reason. I’m on top of it now, and it’s not too late for you to join either.
What’s a party without great music? Not much in my book. That’s why I’m giving away a $25 iTunes card. Just leave a comment here through Friday, May 16th. On Saturday the 17th I’ll use my super high tech random drawing method (put the names in a box and let my daughter pick one) to choose the winner.
Stop by the 5th Annual Mommyfest site to join the party while you’re at it.
Topics: I'm All About the Party | 19 Comments »
A Big Introduction
By Christine | May 14, 2008
For some reason, my husband has never been very interested in my little blogging addiction adventure. I don’t know if he really cares understands what a big deal I am in the blogosphere *snort* I’m up to on the computer, and I’m fine with that. I think it’s kind of funny.
The only time his interest was piqued even a little was when I told him I use my real first name but not his or the kids’. He wanted to know his blog name. I entertained the thought of telling him something crazy just to get a reaction but ended up telling the truth, ’cause I’m all honest like that. I told him I call him “B” - it’s short for his nickname around the house.
Well, just plain old B has always seemed way too boring for someone who’s so much fun, so I’ve finally decided to come out with it and call him what the kids do: Big Daddy. Our kids gave him the name and it never fails to crack me up. Since neither of us are particularly big or tall I have no idea where they get this stuff. Then again, Average Sized Daddy does nothing to inspire awe, so Big Daddy it is.
Topics: Because It Amuses Me | 4 Comments »
So I’m Higher Up on the Food Chain Than I Thought
By Christine | May 13, 2008
Last week my computer died (not from lack of attention, believe you me) and I had to get myself an early Mother’s Day present - a new MOTHERboard. I can’t decide if that’s irony or just a really big bummer.
Aside from that I had a wonderful Mother’s Day and hope all my blogging Mom friends did, too. One of my favorite gifts was a poem written by my 8-year-old Miss Boo (I left her spelling intact):
Mom you are a gift God gave me
You are sweeter than sweetener
You are more butiful than a butterfly
You are more precious than a jewl
I love you more than a horse
That last line just kills me!
I know it’s a very high compliment because horses rock her little world. I told her I love her even more than all the horses in the world, which is of course an awful lot of love.
Topics: Kid Bits, Noteworthy Notes | 10 Comments »
Stay Classy, Internetz
By Christine | May 8, 2008
My sincerest apologies go to the beautiful Joy at The Doctor’s Wife. She tagged me for the Five Classes I Wish They’d Taught in High School meme, and I’ve been soooo slow getting around to it.
So without further ado, here goes:
All Things WordPress - Nevermind it wasn’t invented yet. Ever since I made the switch from Blogger I learn everyday - that I need serious help, people!
How to Keep Your House Without Losing Your Mind - Let go of the house, let go of my mind…something’s got to give.
Your Husband Is Your Best Friend, Not Your Best Girlfriend - ‘Nuff said.
How to Be the Person My Kids Think I Am - …or at least kind of close. They still think I’m Super Mom: super cool, super smart and super pretty. Oh, how I love those little sweeties!
The Laundry Pile and M. C. Escher’s Stairs: A Comparative Study - Both go on forever and ever, amen. The sooner I accept it, the better off I’ll be.
Thanks Joy, and sorry to keep you waiting so long.
Now I’m tagging my funny and sweet friend Karyn. You’re it, baby!
Topics: It's Not You It's Meme | 12 Comments »
Green Tea Frapp - Now That’s Using Your Melon
By Christine | May 7, 2008
This week’s WFMW is all about what DOESN’T work. Last week I promised to share my green tea frapp recipe, and the reason I came up with it is because of what doesn’t work for me: paying too much for those tea drinks at my local Big Bucks coffee shop.
I gave it a name that’s as goofy as I am, and I hope it works for you:
Honeydew You Love Green Tea Frapp
2 cups milk
1/4 cup powdered milk
1 - 2 tsp. green tea powder (matcha)
1 - 3 tbsp. Torani Melon flavored syrup (see note) or sweetener of choice
Note: The melon syrup is optional, but it’s what the Big Bucks chain uses and it is dee-licious. The quantity used is completely up to you. I found it way too sweet after the third tablespoon.
Put all of the ingredients into your blender and frappe away. Think about all the “green” you’ll be saving by making this yourself. If you do a little Happy Dance, I won’t think any less of you.
I can’t wait to see what DOESN’T work for my bloggy friends over at Rocks in My Dryer.
Topics: Kitchen Adventures, Serene Solutions | 4 Comments »
The Ways of the Lawn - Part 2
By Christine | May 6, 2008
Now that I’ve given away the secret of my freakishly perfect (fake) lush green (fake) lawn, you might think that’s the end of the story.
Oh no, my friends. Not by a long shot.
When it was installed, all I could think of was the time and money we would save over time. No more watering! No more weeding! Then I discovered an additional benefit:
Running barefoot on it actually makes your feet cleaner.
Oh, what a happy day that was!
People would walk by, stare at the grass for a while and then reach down to touch it. From the window I saw neighbors slip off their shoes and rub their feet on it. It was hilarious to see their reactions, especially when they thought no one was looking.
Of course, along with the neighbors came the crack comments:
Goofy Neighbor #1: Do you get plastic weeds on that thing?
Ha ha ha ha ha! Uh…no.
Goofy Neighbor #2: Hey, how often do you have to mow it?
Bwah ha ha ha ha! You don’t.
Goofy Neighbor #3: Do you rake it, or do you just use a vacuum cleaner?
Good one. I’ll give you that.
Let ‘em laugh. Let ‘em make fun, because later they all admitted it looked great and was a fine idea. I loved that B wasn’t spending his time on the weekends tending to the lawn (or replacing all those sprinkler heads I used to run over.)
I should have known it was too good to be true.
Fall came, the leaves fell and soon our yard was covered.
No big deal, right? They’d just blow away all by themselves, right?
Wrong.
The next thing you know B was out there with a push broom trying to get rid of the leaves. So much for low maintenance.
There must be something about yard work that brings out the men, because soon we had an audience:
Well Meaning Power Tool Loving Neighbor #1: You know what you need there? You need a leaf blower.
Well Meaning Power Tool Loving Neighbor #2: Yeah, a leaf blower.
Me: Noooo! No blower! NO BLOWER!
For the record, I think leaf blowers are EVIL. They’re loud, obnoxious and blow stuff into the air. They were probably created by Satan just to torment me, which is why people only seem to use them at the crack of dawn.
People who use them are also evil.
WMPTLN #1: I have a blower you can use.
Me: Noooooooo!
WMPTLN #1: Or you could just use a vacuum cleaner.
Vacuum cleaner? Wasn’t that a JOKE?
Somehow, they all decided this was a good idea.
Me: NOOOOOOOO!
Let me tell you, until you witness the man of your dreams on the front lawn with a vacuum cleaner, you will never know the special brand of pain that is mine alone.
Me: Honey, the only thing that would make that look any better is if you wore black socks and sandals.
Because you. complete. me. Sigh…
Topics: Just Plain Wrong | 10 Comments »
Blogger’s Day Planner
By Christine | May 5, 2008
Finally, here’s a simple solution for planning your day based on the concept of blogworthiness. It’s short, sweet and to the point. Don’t waste time on fancy planners that keep you from writing that next great post.
If you’re a blogger, chances are you’re already using this system. If not, you can thank me later.
Make your Monday funnier by going to Absolutely Bananas for Make Me Laugh Monday.
Topics: Because It Amuses Me | 15 Comments »
Saturday? More Like Scattered Day
By Christine | May 3, 2008
Aren’t Saturdays supposed to be…oh, I don’t know…kind of restful? I mean, we usually hit the ground running during the week and I so look forward to a lazy Saturday morning.
Not so today.
Both girls have projects due Wednesday. We’ve gone past the Procrastination Stage into Full Panic Mode. We’re still so far behind.
Did you notice I keep saying “we?”
That’s right. Those good grades the kids get on their projects are mine, too. I wish it wasn’t so, but they still need a lot of help.
Why can’t these projects be more kid friendly?
I was forming my mental checklist before I even got out of bed. Trip to the craft store. Read over the girls’ rough drafts. Help them find more pictures on the internet…
“Mommy, don’t forget about my friend’s birthday party today.”
AAAAAAHHHHHH!!!
I did forget. Add “buy birthday present” to my list.
Did I mention that I’m really looking forward to summer vacation?
Topics: My Crazy Kids | 8 Comments »
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