Feel Good Friday – Paczki Day (Otherwise Known as Mardi Gras)

Hosted by Lia Sophia Tomgirl

In other parts other parts of the country, Mardi Gras is celebrated with parades and alcohol and beads and more alcohol.

But here in the Midwest, specifically in the suburbs of Detroit, we do without the alcohol and parades. Instead, we live it up with Paczki Day. (Pronounced poon-chkee)

What’s Paczki Day, you ask?

It’s a Polish tradition before Ash Wednesday where one eats copious amounts of fried dough filled with jelly or custard. There’s like a gagillion calories in just one. In theory, it’s OK because then one would give up such indulgences during Lent.

It’s such a big deal, that people (like my uncle) will go to Hamtramck (the epicenter of all that is Polish in the Detroit area) in the wee hours of the morning and wait, often times for hours in a line that winds around the block, for their precious paczki.

I, fortunately, did not need to go to such extremes to enjoy these fried goodies. In the morning, The Babes and I went to my parents’ house to instill the importance of this gluttonous tradition and enjoy our Paczkis.

But get this – on the way to their house, I found out that I won free Paczkis in a contest that I entered at the Macomb Patch! And if you are local, you need to check out this website. It. Is. Awesome. They report what's going on in my neighborhood. And not in a dry, boring kind of way either.  More like a juicy, interesting news with an interactive approach.   And they give out Paczkis. Seriously, I love them!


And so do the Babes! Well, the paczkis anyway. Check out these pictures of them trying to scale the refrigerator to get the paczkis I hid:

Well, everyone, have a great weekend! I will be out of the office for the week, but be sure to check out my guest post by Real Mommy Chronicles!!

I’ll be back next Friday with tales from a far off land called California where I hear they have something called sunshine and warm weather. I hope I don’t disintegrate into ashes upon seeing the sun due to my uber winter white skin.

Have a great weekend!

Feel Good Friday – Thanks, CSN Stores!

Check out Feel Good Friday
created by The Girl Next Door Grows Up
 hosted at Lia Sophia Tomgirl

I love blogging. I love it. I love everything about it. I love writing. I love connecting with others. It makes me happy. The added bonus? Occasionally asked to do a sponsored post.

Like when CSN Stores asked me to do a post about their website. Do you remember when I talked about the awesome website, CSN? I was feeling all bluesy about winter and felt a bit perky when I could do some retail therapy with them. Well, they gave me a $35 credit to get anything I wanted. So guess what I got? A toaster oven. WIN! (Win as in yea! Not as in Charlie Sheen WINNING). No more smushed bagels! No more rubbery pizza crust!

And the customer service with CSN is awesome. First of all the website was super easy to use. Next, they upgraded my shipping right away. WIN! Also, their prices are awesome. I saw the same Black and Decker toaster oven at Target for $15 more (Please don’t be mad, Target. My heart still belongs to you).

Like I said yesterday, I don’t know where this blogging and writing is going to take me. But if I get to enjoy a few perks every once in a while, I say that's Feel Good Friday worthy.

I will leave you with a few photos taken by Marie documenting the CSN experience

Have a great weekend!

OOoo!  Check it out!  CSN delivered this
fine toaster oven in a jiffy!

Me taking it out of the box, looking very intense.



Where the hell does the tray go?
How do I toast stuff?
And there's Marie's foot.







Oh, the tray goes IN the toaster over. 
Yes, I see.  Good thing I read the directions.

Oooh, doesn't it look shiny and beautiful!
Also, please note me in the glass reflection.
Because it will never be this clean again.

Feel Good Friday – Stream of Consciousness

Hosted by Lia Sophia Tomgirl

I just got done cleaning up this friggin’ dump honing my housekeeping skills. And now I will attempt to let my stream of consciousness flow while my Partner in Crime eats her snack right next to me while asking me a ga-gillion questions about the inner-workings of Microsoft Word.
Ready. Set. Go

- I love how when I cough, Thomas (who is not quite two years old yet) asks me if I am OK and tells me to drink some water. I also love how he blows on my coffee because he thinks it’s hot and then brings the cup to my mouth. Seriously. How. Adorable. Is. That.

- I am super excited that I finally bought a yoga package at Red Lotus Yoga. It feels good to make a commitment to yoga. I love the studio, the people, and the teachers; it’s such a nice community. I really feel lucky to have found this place.

- I love how, despite the surprise snow storm (although that’s a bit of an oxymoron since I live in Michigan), technology and The Internet Machine helped me get a ton of shopping done while trapped in my house. No way was I going to let weather get in my way of shopping for Birthday Season and our California trip.

- Speaking of California, I will be in Dana Point in two weeks. As I stated on Facebook and Twitter, I am insanely jealous that Al Roker was in Miami for the South Beach Food Festival today and in LA for the Oscars this weekend while I am here. In Michigan. Honing my housekeeping skills. But then I was all like, that’s right, I will be in Dana Point on Monarch Beach in two weeks! WIN! Which is what I am choosing to focus on rather than the overwhelming amount of prep work that must be done before that.

- On a related note, does anyone know of any awesome restaurants in or around Dana Point? I would love to hear some of your suggestions.

So that’s making me feel good this Friday. How about you? What’s making you feel good this week?

Also, don’t forget to forward any of your Dana Point/Laguna Beach restaurant suggestions my way!

Feel Good Friday - Brought to You by Bethenny Frankel



Be sure to check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up for
some Feel Good Friday fun!




This week? A complete whirlwind. Last week? The same thing. I would love to vent about how I feel like my life is like one big wave crashing in on me, and I am just tumbling around in the surf like a piece of drift wood. But hey, it’s Feel Good Friday, so let’s focus on the positive.

In my crazy adventures this week, I had to dash into the market. I got all the way to the opposite end of the store and realized I forgot onions. So I had to treck all the way back which just happened to be by the liquor counter.

And then the clouds parted, the sun shone down, and choirs of angels sang.

There on the counter I saw this:


OOOO!  Doesn't that look beautiful?!
Thank you, Bethenny!  I *heart* you!



I have been waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting for Skinny Girl Margarita to come to a store near me. And without effort, there it was.  (I went to a yoga class this week that talked about effortless joy.  I'm pretty sure this is not what she meant, but it really felt effortless and brought me so much joy). I was so excited! I’ll be even more excited to try it when I am not so worn out by my day that I am not falling asleep at the dinner table. Which should be this weekend. I’ll let you know how it is.

Have a great weekend!

Feel Good Friday – An Open Letter to All of Those That Made My Snow Day

Come join The Girl Next Door Grows Up for some
Feel Good Friday Fun!

As you know, I had a snow day on Wednesday. As far as snow days go, or any other days for that matter, went awesome! I have a few people to thank for an awesome day:

My neighbor Lana, thank you for the idea to bake cookies. I was originally going to bake bread, but when you said that you were going to bake cookies, it sounded like way more fun. You and your family are always doing fun things like that. Thanks for the inspiration.

Giada De Laurentiis, thank you for an awesome cookie sandwich recipe. Marie saw this on TV and wanted to make it. I thought, what better time to make delicious treats than trapped inside during Snowmageddon (which actually not as dramatic and has resulted in newly developed trust issues with my local weather person). Also, I thought it would be cool for her to see something done on TV and feel a sense of pride that she actually could make it. Marie really looks up to you. And in the age of Miley Cyrus, I think it’s great that there is someone who is using her creativity in a positive way as opposed to dancing up on a pole.

As it turns out, my Babes are natural bakers. If there is a camp or an extracurricular club to develop their palettes and food presentation skills, I need to find it. (Giada or Ann Burrell, do you travel for toddler/preschool seminars? If not, please have your managers look into it. It would be great for birthday parties. But, shhh, don’t tell those Real Housewives of Beverly Hills about this little Midwestern girl’s fabulous idea. I don’t want Taylor latching on after her $60,000 birthday party for her four year old.) Actually, I think if they could just play with a Kitchen Aid Mixer or any high powered small kitchen appliance, they’d be happy. Thomas really took a liking to the Kitchen Aid Mixer and wasn’t happy with level three. He wanted MORE POWER!

Ghiradelli, thank you for your 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chips. They. Are. Luscious. Sorry, Nestle Tollhouse, you will always hold a soft, gooey semisweet place in my heart. But you, Ghiradelli, “I love you” doesn’t seem adequate enough to truly express my adoration for your product. I think the 4 ounces of cream cheese to 2 ½ cups of powdered sugar filling was suppose to be the star of this cookie sandwich, but you were the show stealer.

Michelle S., thank you, thank you, thank you for showing me the light when it comes to quality baking pans. My cookies were always had very burnt crispy bottoms and would tilt in the oven. You told me that the baking pans that I bought at the grocery store for $5 along with my craptastic nonstick pans were the reason. In my head, I knew that this made sense, however I didn’t realize just how right you were. These cookies were perfection. And the pans didn’t warp in the oven! Mwuah!!


See, here's how the day went:

Future Bakers of America

MORE POWER!

One of the best parts of baking.

Yum!

Waiting . . .

The frosted half.  Delish, right?

"Cookie!  Yea!" 

She frosted that all by herself!  She's so proud of herself
and so am I!

The final product!  Can't you just taste that dark
chocolate cookie with the creamy-sugary filling?!

Thank you, everyone, for your participation in a wonderful day. I found project that both Babes can do together and love it! (This is no easy task for an almost two year old and almost five year old, mind you). Being a mom is peppered with lots and lots of challenges. So when I have a good day and feel everyone’s needs were met AND we had the kind of fun which created some warm and fuzzy memories, I feel like a super star.

Which hopefully they’ll remember and not the month of January where we all became sloths in front of the TV.

Have a great weekend!

Feel Good Friday – “Thinking of You”

Check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up!

This week started off really good! I did my first guest post for Erika at The Girl Next Door Grows Up. I felt so honored that she wanted me to write something for her blog. Being a Stay-At-Home-Mom, I don’t receive a lot of recognition for much of anything. I mean, I don’t expect The Babes to say, “Thanks for making this delicious lunch of cheese, bread, and crackers with a side of fruit.” Harrington does say things like “Bathroom look great!” or “Wow! You did five loads of laundry in one day? You are awesome!”

Although it’s thoughtful, receiving a compliment on my ability to use cleaning products and a rag does not give me the same charge of excitement as someone liking my writing.

So, thank you, Erika! That definitely put a spring in my step!

I got another little boost in the form of a text this week.

To make a long story short, I have a fear of raw chicken. I am known throughout my circle of friends and family for this crazy fear. (But just so you know, I have devoted these next eleven months to getting over this. Because it was getting out of hand. A post for another time).

So my friend texted me, “Cooking chicken. Thinking of you.”

We went back and forth, and she told me we could practice on the two organic chickens in her freezer and drink some wine.

How sweet is that?! Something about that just struck me as so kind. Friendships become tricky when you add the motherhood factor into the mix, so often times, I (and I assume other mothers as well) don’t get a lot of face time with friends. So when I get a text like that, it means the world to me.

In that same vein, my favorite Anonymous poster (otherwise known as Aunt Diane) sent me the greatest “just because” card. Maybe you’ve seen it. There’s a woman dancing on it saying that when she’s president everything will be decided in a dance-off. Then the inside of the card says, “You’re going to be my vice president so better start practicing your moves.” Then she wrote that she saw this card and thought of me.

For no reason. Just thought of me.

I feel there are some tectonic shifts occurring in the foundation of my support system. It’s sad and happy, scary and exciting.

Either way, when I get little rays of sunshine during this foggy time, I feel a lightness that I haven’t felt in a long, long time.

Have a great weekend!

Feel Good Friday – California Dreaming

Check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up!

As you know, I have been in a funk. I talk about it here and here. And to add to all of that, I Marie was well enough to leave the house, which sounded like a good idea. Except that it was 14 degrees outside and Thomas thinks coats are a form of torture. He expressed himself to everyone in Macy’s and the parking lot his strong dislike of coats. *shudder*

But this is no time to dwell on this because it’s FEEL GOOD FRIDAY! Yea!

Guess what? In March, I get to go here. That’s right the St. Regis Monarch Beach Resort in Dana, California! How exciting!! How is this happening, you ask? For the same reason I got to go to Vancouver in the fall: riding Harrington’s coat tails.


*Here's where I would post some pictures, but Blogger and The Babes are not allowing that right now.*
As you know, I had issues with feeling guilty for enjoying the benefits of his work. I didn’t actually *earn* it since it was his gig. But after this week of hardly leaving the house, I’m feeling like I deserve a few days in a spa with an ocean side view. It’s totally worth the awkward feeling I have when conversing with strangers that I have little in common with.

And if the St. Regis sounds familiar, you would be right. It has been the site of several of Real Housewives of Orange County episodes, like this one with Tamara and Gretchen.  How cool is that?!

So that is my happy thought on Friday: another spa-venture in sunny and warm California.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Feel Good Friday: When Life Gives You Snow, Make Snow Angels



Be sure to check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up for some Feel Good Friday Fun!


I have been sluggish and tired and kind of grumpy all week. I have come to the conclusion that it’s not the cold, snowy weather that makes me cranky. It’s having to *go* somewhere in the cold, snowy weather. I would be happy as could be if I could just hibernate on the couch and put off my To Do List until spring.

But I live in Michigan. Spring could come as late as May. And I just don’t think that would be any one’s best interest.

So instead, I shifted my focus. Yes, it snowed more. Yes, I could have stayed in the house. But on this special Thursday, I took this winter by the snow balls and showed it who was boss.

Oh, yes I did . . . when we eventually made it outside.

By the time I put each Babe in heavy clothes and snow pants and boots and heavy coats and hats and mittens and scarves, forty minutes had passed. FORTY MINUTES!!

But we did stay out for a whole twenty minutes. Here are the pictures to prove it:

Thomas does not like wearing hats and mittens. At all.
I’m not sure if you are able to gather that from the
expression on his face. I think he would rather stay
on the couch and watch his shows.
I’m not sure where gets that from.

“WTF! What are these things?
Get them off my hands now.
 I’m sure this is a form of torture.”

Thomas: “Who thinks that this a good time?
There is nothing fun wearing clothes that prohibit my movement
 and restrict my hands. Nothing, I tell you!”

Marie: “Seriously?! He’s ruining this sled ride.”

Me: “OK, Babes! Look this way! Yeaa! This is fun!
We are outside! Isn’t this awesome!”

Finally I let Marie do her thing. Then I proceeded to cave and let Thomas take off his hat and mittens.

Where can I pick up my Mother of the Year award for
letting my toddler play outside in the snow with no hat or mittens?

Marie loves the snow.

I mean, LOVES it!

So when life gave us another snow storm, I decided it was time to make some snow angles. I know it was a lot of hard work, and it was cold. But in the end, I felt really lucky. Lucky that I am able to have these fun, spontaneous moments with The Babes. Lucky that on some random Thursday, we were able to make some memories.

Not a bad way to spend Friday’s Eve, if you ask me.

How was your week? Were you able to find some spontaneity and fun in your week?

Be sure to check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up!  She is so full of awesomness!

Hi!  I have been MIA because it's the holidays and like birthday season, I am The Producer of The Holiday Season.  The wardrobe, sets, props, and food craft services table don't make themselves!  So this little elf has been ingesting enough caffine to soar just like Santa's sleigh.  But let's focus on the happy things because it's Feel Good Friday.

And 'tis the season for reruns (so please enjoy my post about Christmas music again)! 
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My Favorite Christmas Music

Christmas music is one of the most essential ingredients for my holiday season. I remember listening to Christmas music with my Mom when we decorated the tree and baked Christmas cookies. I remember the skip in her Johnny Mathis album on the O Holy Night! song. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the feeling I get when I listen to Christmas music. And I LOVE how Marie gets just as excited as I do so now at least I have a partner in crime. However, I am very particular about what kind and who sings what song. So without any further ado, my favorite Christmas music list, condensed version:

There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays sung Perry Como
This song is great because I get all gushy for that going-home-to-my-parents-house feeling . . . even though I see them a lot and they live fifteen minutes away.

It’s the Most Wonderful Time of Year sung by Andy Williams
I think this song is loaded with irony. Like when Andy croons, “Everyone telling you be a good cheer!” Yes, be a good cheer when you feel like you are going insane with the Christmas Craziness!! But my all time favorite line in that song is, “They’ll be scary ghost stories and tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago.” Yes, scary ghost stories like the time Santa didn’t get to Christmas Eve until 9 p.m. and Marie, who was 8 months old at the time, had a SUPER meltdown (and I told her to be a good cheer, but that didn’t seem to cheer her up, ironically). And I know the lyrics say “glories of Christmases long, long ago,” but I like to think it really says “gories of Christmases long, long ago.” There are too many gories of Christmas past to share, but more recently (and on the tamer side) it would be someone saying something to the effect that I (when I was six months pregnant last Christmas) was big enough to wear a supersize garbage bag and maybe fit in the trunk of her car. Nice.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing sung by Nat King Cole
The women’s voices that sing right before it cuts out to Nat’s voice gives me chills! This song reminds me of my all time favorite movie It’s a Wonderful Life. The whole angel theme just makes me all warm and fuzzy inside.

O! Holy Night! sung by Johnny Mathis
His voice is like butt-ah! I love it! Actually, I love this whole album. Plus it reminds me of my childhood; my Mom and I used to listen to this album when we baked Christmas cookies. And childhood and Christmas are enough to make anyone all teary-eyed! (And if someone else like Chris Groban tries to sing it, I get all mad because Johnny is the ONLY person who can sing it)!
Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas sung by Judy Garland
This song is so sad and beautiful. Judy’s voice sounds melancholy when she talks about being light and troubles out of sight. This is another song when I get all upset when someone else tries to sing Judy’s Christmas song!

Winter Wonderland
Living in the Midwest, I am no stranger to snow storms. I love that this song makes snow storms sound like fun. Johnny Mathis or Harry Connick, Jr. both do this song justice!

Baby, It’s Cold Outside! sung by Al Hirt and Ann Margret
Speaking of songs that make snow storms sound like fun . . . I imagine in the old days when people used to listen to records and know how to make drinks like Tom Collins and Old Fashioneds.

Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters
I love all Christmas songs sung by Bing Crosby and the Andrew Sisters including the following:
Santa Claus is Coming to Town
Mele Kalikimaka
Here Comes Santa Claus
Jingle Bells
Poppa Santa Claus
Jing-a-ling, Jing-a-ling

To be honest, the stress of the holidays is enough to kill any joy and merriment that can be so magical during this season. These songs help me find that place of happiness when all I want to do is cancel Christmas. It’s just like Buddy says in Elf, “The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear!”

What are your favorite Christmas songs? What kind of memories do they bring up?

Feels Good Friday – A Word about Christmas movies and Cozy Feelings



Check out The Girl Next Door and Feel Good Friday!



Thank you all to have participated in My Very First Giveaway! You still have time to enter. Be sure to check out the details here!
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If you missed my Wednesday post, be sure to click here and get your 30% off Hallmark.com coupon code!
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My little family has now evolved to the point where we can all cuddle on the couch and watch TV together. It just sort of happened. And I love it. So this week, Harrington has been working late, and I needed to wrap up this day without drama. I got The Babes all ready for bed, we got under the extra warm fuzzy brown blanket and watched The Charlie Brown Christmas Special one night and Dr. Seuss’s original The Grinch Who Stole Christmas another night.

I know it was simple and nothing much to it. But there was also something so magical in that moment with my Babes. Maybe it’s a bit of nostalgia because I used to love watching those Christmas specials as a Babe myself. Maybe it’s the fun that we are all enjoying the same show (and thankful the Cars movie was on holiday hiatus). I’m not sure of the reason.

And it doesn’t matter.

Because I am just so happy we are happy all together.

And don’t worry about Harrington. He got his chance for a little family bonding this week. And this weekend, we both look forward to introducing The Christmas Story to Marie!

As for me, tonight I am going to snuggle myself and watch my all time favorite movie, It’s a Wonderful Life.

So anything giving you the warm, fuzzy Christmas feeling?

Have a great weekend!

Feel Good Friday – Things That Get Me Through



Don't forget to check out the writing contest: i Write, i Blog, i Win 


This week was not so good. Last week was rough, too.

I could go on and on about the challenges one faces as a mother of two small Babes, but I kind of alluded to it here and here.

So you get the picture.

Awhile ago, when I was feeling a deep, deep shade of blue, I was reminded of a quote from my all time favorite movie in the whole entire universe, It’s a Wonderful Life:

“Strange, isn’t it? Each man’s life touches so many other lives. When he isn’t around, he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t he?” Clarence

This quote gives me strength and reminds me that even though I feel small and insignificant or tired of being the bad cop, I do matter. I am important. And there is a bigger picture that I am affecting in ways that I can’t even imagine.

This quote means so much to me that I have written it down on tiny pieces of paper and strategically placed them throughout the house. Kind of like a spiritual pick-me up when I am weary.

So what gets through you a tough time? A quote? A song? A package of Pepperidge Farm Brussels cookies? Peppermint Mocha from Starbucks?

Have a great weekend!

See you back here for Movie Monday when I reveal yet another reason I failed being a teacher.

Feel Good Friday – I Did It!

http://www.thegirlnextdoorgrowsup.com/
And be sure to check out her contest: i write-i blog-i win

I have a lot to feel good about because I did it! I made it a whole week by myself! I know to a lot of Moms out there, this is nothing, but WOW, it’s hard. Note to self: Never take for granted all the Harrington does around the house and with The Babes.

And this morning, for the Grand Finale, was really a miracle. I heard Thomas crying in his sleep, and thought it was time for me to get up. So I am all ready to get up, and look at my clock, only to realize it’s 3:30 a.m. Because my brain is already in wake up mode, it takes me another 2 hours to fall back asleep. I get approximately 30 more minutes of sleep before my alarm goes off. And it wasn’t one of those laid back kind of mornings either. Oh, no! I had to drop Marie off at school, take care of laundry, clean some bathrooms, and go to Target to get The Babes a commemorative gift that we made it together as a team. (Mostly to buy my way out of all the guilt I felt for feeling that I fell a bit short. Sad, right)?

So let’s talk about The Guilt. I did feel a little guilty that I wasn’t as patient as I normally am. I also felt a little guilty about the mass amounts of TV I let them watch. Not to mention that Marie is cranky with me and giving me the cold shoulder because her routine was a little off makes me feel a bit guilty, too. (But seriously, when she’s up at 5:50 a.m. and doesn’t want to lay by herself in my bed while I need to get ready, what am I suppose to do?)And then there was the guilt that I wasn’t playing with The Babes.

But since I wasn’t playing with them all that much, they began to play WITH EACH OTHER! Unprompted! And nicely! And giggling! See, here I took pictures because I was beginning to fear this day would never come.

Playing pretend sleepover

Laughing!  And giggling!

And nicely, too!  WIN!

So instead of feeling guilty about all that, I am going to look at it as a learning opportunity for Marie to understand it can’t be the way that she wants it to be all of the time. I am also going to look at it as a chance for The Babes to bond together. Because it’s Feel Good Friday. Yea!

Oh, and I am going to make a big-ass breakfast on Sunday because that will make me feel better, too.  My friend at Sensible Cents sent me a coupon for free Jimmy Dean Hearty Sausage Crumbles.  Yea for breakfast burritos!  Be sure to check out the site - lots of great giveaways!

And now I am going to crash.

Have a great weekend!

Feel Good Friday – Rant and then a Rave

Be sure to check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up

ALSO CHECK OUT HER WRITING CONTEST - IT'S AWESOME!!

Before I get to my list of five things that made me feel good this week, I need to get this rant out first.
I am not one to wait to the last minute to get snow gear and holiday outfits. I was burned one year when Marie was just a baby. I waited too long to get her mittens. By too long, I mean late November/early December. Luckily, she was too young to play in the snow so I just pulled her way long sleeves over her little hands. Needless to say, I don’t mess around when it comes to this stuff.

How is it that Old Navy only has three pairs of snow pants left? When I was in there three weeks ago to buy a jacket, they had no snow pants.

And now they are almost gone?!

And none of them fit her!

Marie was blessed with her mother’s long, long legs and short, short torso (where we hold all of our padding). So when pants fit us in the waist, they are lllooonnnggg in the length. When pants fit in the length, they are too tight in the waist. It just seems totally unfair that at age 4, she needs to be bothered with any of this. Except she’s not bothered by it because I don’t bitch about it infront of her. It’s my body image prevention plan. However, I am the one running around town like a crazy lady cursing that it’s barely cold out, and I am literally SWEATING trying to find this stuff.

Finding a winter coat and snow pants that fit her is totally freaking me out. And I blame the stores for making me feel like I am a bad mom if I don’t get this winter gear before Halloween. Because you know, as soon as Christmas is over, there will be SUMMER gear in the stores. Really?!

Ok, let’s take a break. Here’s a picture of one of the options. A bit too big, right?

She looks like Randy from A Christmas Story when
he couldn't put his arms down.  Related: I
looked like his mother when she was getting
him ready for deep-sea diving.

And if you are wondering about Thomas, the first thing I tried on him, fit. This may be a generalization, but I think boys might be a little easier to shop for . . .mainly because I am not wrestling with a 1/4 zipper and super low riding pants. Just a thought.

So enough of this rant of modern day marketing strategies making me feel all shitty about myself. Let’s get to the rave part of today’s post:

1. The Switch Witch was a complete success! And now I don’t have to worry about looking like a snowman BEFORE Christmas.

Look what the Switch Witch brought - a roll
of coloring sheets!  Yea!  (Marie had already
taken her out before I could take the picture.

She had been up for about 3.5 minutes and hadn't
even eaten breakfast yet.  I think Harrington and I
are going to miss the candy more than they are.

2. Just Dance 2 – it helped to manage my candy intake AND bond with Marie. I’d say that’s quite a lot for a video game, don’t you think? (Also, my new high score for Proud Mary is 8651. Did I mention that there are turns in that song)?

3. Date night is tomorrow! I can’t remember the last time I went out on a date at night for dinner. I don’t count Vancouver since we were accompanied with Harrington’s work people.

4. Picasa Photo – totally revamped the way I manage my trillions of family photos.

5. Modern Family – I just love that show! I wish Mitch lived nearby so we could hang out. I am sure Thomas and Lily would get along famously.

6. I got The Babes their Christmas outfits pretty much done.

So Friends, enough about me. Got anything you want to rant or rave about?

Oh, and I do have a question: Do you know anything about livejournal sites? I have gotten a ton of hits from blogs hosted from this site. Except it’s in a language I can’t read. Has this ever happened to you?

Feel Good Friday – Halloween Edition

Be sure to check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up for Feel Good Friday!

Today was my daughter’s preschool Halloween party. Not “party” in the sense that there was music and singing and treats.

No, it was more like a race to get through the 5 craft and skills stations in less than 45 minutes. And treats needed to be consumed in that time as well.

I would consider it more like a challenge than a party.

But Marie had a great time and that’s all that matters. (I’ll matter later tonight when I am drinking a Harvest Moon beer while catching up on the Jersey Shore reunion).

And let’s talk about treat bag that were handed out at this party. Our bag was modest with snack size M & M’s and raisins with a homemade tag that Marie used a “Happy Halloween” stamp and wrote her name. Some of these treat bags were over. the. top. Whatever.

So where’s the feel good part of this post you ask? I decided to post a picture from one of my happiest Halloween when I was a kid.

Me as Princess Lea, age 6

I loved this costume. My mom made it for me from white flannel. She did my hair up in those braided buns. And I had a laser gun. How cool is that?!

I won first prize at my elementary school costume parade.

And afterwards, my costume became a nightgown.

Maybe it was because I was a kid and everything was magical back then. Or maybe because times were different and Halloween seemed a whole lot simpler. Or maybe both. But that was one of the best Halloweens ever!

And here’s to hoping that Marie and Thomas will have memories like that as well.

Tell me, Friends, what is your favorite Halloween memory?

And guess what?! My next post will mark my 100th! Can you believe it? I’m so excited!!

Have a great Halloween!!

Feel Good Friday – My New Favorite Place

Be sure to check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up and join in for Feel Good Fridayhttp://www.thegirlnextdoorgrowsup.com/

The journey to find My New Favorite Place was twisty and turney with no final destination in mind, really. It’s not like I started out with the thought that I would find My New Favorite Place, but it just sort of happened.

It all began with my first experience with yoga . . .

The first time I tried yoga, I was in my early 20’s, taking it in a big gym setting, and was not ready. I was not ready to quiet down the chatter in my head. I was not ready close my eyes and only focus on me; I was too interested in comparing looking at others.

The second time tried, Marie was 18 months old, and I was tired of trying to keep up in my traditional aerobic classes. I wanted to mentally recharge myself as well as workout. Even though it was in a gym (with the kick boxing class’s music blasting next door), I really liked it. It just felt right. I was ready.

And then I was pregnant with Thomas and was so sick, I had to stop.

Meanwhile, I was trying to find an activity for Marie to do that wasn’t competitive yet active. Her personality is not the kind that would do well in a team sports setting because she doesn’t handle pressure too well. Also, dance was out of the picture because going up on stage just isn’t her thing, either. So I thought yoga might be a good fit for her; active and engaging along with inspiring story telling.

I live in a Michigan suburb that hasn’t quite embraced the idea of children’s yoga. However, 3 towns over, I did find a studio that had a teacher trained just for children’s yoga. It’s a 30 minute drive, but it’s totally worth it. Marie has been taking yoga for about 9 months now, and she LOVES it.

My new favorite place is Red Lotus Yoga.

Why is it your new favorite place where Marie is taking yoga for 9 months, you may be wondering?

At its old location, there was only one studio so the parents waited in the lobby. Not just any lobby. A quiet lobby with the comfiest couch EVER! I would look forward to just sitting there for 45 minutes and not having to do or say anything.

But at their new location, there are two studios. So they have added an adult class at the same time as their kid’s class. GENIUS! So instead of sitting there, I now get to take a yoga class.

I didn’t think taking a yoga class in a yoga studio would be any different than taking it at the gym.

I was wrong, so very, very wrong.

First of all, the studio’s vibe is peaceful and happy. It appears that everyone who is there is happy to be there. It even smells peaceful.

Second of all, it’s quiet. Do you know how rare it is to be somewhere in the middle of a Saturday afternoon and have it be quiet? The lessons about self-acceptance that the teachers talk about during the class nudge something deep inside of me. I soak up all that quiet, peacefulness, and wisdom, and I feel rejuvenated.

And I can even be this calm and focused while Marie is there because I know she is having a great time in her own class. It’s not very often that I can relax like that when she’s doing her own thing because my ears are always perked in watchdog mode. Something about the atmosphere and the teachers make this “letting go” phenomenon possible.

When I say studio, I really should say center. They not only have yoga classes, but there are all sorts of special workshops that focus on wellbeing. I went to a meditation one a few weeks ago, and I loved it. It’s like this little community, and I am excited to have found it.

I feel there’s this side of me that I have always wanted to develop, a more spiritual side. Traditional religious services don’t always resonate with me. Besides that, I never knew where to go.

But perhaps I wasn’t ready yet.

So in the quest of finding the right activity for my daughter, I have stumbled upon an oasis that is helping me figure out how to be the best version of myself.

How could I not feel good about that?!

So what’s your favorite place to be? I’d love to hear about it!

Have a great weekend!

Feel Good Friday – Disney on Ice Presents Princess Classics

Happy Feel Good Friday!  Be sure to check out The Girl Next Door Grows Up and join in!

This Friday’s post should actually be called Feel AWESOME Friday. (This means a lot coming from someone who’s formerly worst day of the week was Friday).


So this morning, when she scampered into our room to say good morning, I surprised her with the news that instead of going to school, we were going to go to DISNEY ON ICE to see PRINCESSES!

It took a moment or two for the news to sink in (she’s not much of a morning person), and then she was EXCITED!

I was ECSTATIC! Kind of like that feeling when you bought someone the PERFECT Christmas gift and you don’t know who’s more excited, the giver or the receiver.

As we were all driving there in the Mini blaring our Disney Princess CD, it felt like we were getting ready for a concert. It was so much fun! And not because it’s my music of choice (even though I know every.single.word), but it was so fun to see her get all pumped up by something that makes her happy.

When we got there, the scene was pretty amazing. All these little girls were dressed up in princess outfits and totally giddy with excitement! And call me sappy, but when I am surrounded by the magic of Disney, I get all warm and happy inside.

Once the show started, both Babes were in awe. Thomas couldn’t believe that he was actually seeing Mickey and Minnie Mouse in person. He kept on poking me, yelling my name, and pointing as if to say, “Can you believe this?! I can’t believe they are REAL!” Marie was completely entranced by the whole entire show. During the first number with Jasmine and Aladdin (who floated on a magic carpet) turned to me and said, “So now when we draw Disney on Ice, we can draw this scene now.” I think we will be reliving this moment in some form whether it be drawing, acting, or reading the program for the next six-eight months.

The program: otherwise knows as The Script (for her reenacted shows)

Decided to put on her costume after she saw a little boy dressed up as Buzz Lightyear

With Grandma D

LOVED IT!  Couldn't take his eyes off of the stage
(until the second act when he wanted to become part of the show)

I wish I could add sound.

During the gilttery, gold finale

And I can see why: Disney and Feld Entertainment do put on a grand ice show. The sets, costumes, music, and choreography are amazing. (And I do consider myself sort of an ice show expert as I talked about in this post about Cedar Point’s ice show.) It’s like they literally take the magic of Disney and bring it right to your town.

But for me, there was something special to watch The Babes enjoying themselves so much I thought my heart was going to burst. We are really turning a corner as Thomas gets older. I feel like we are bonding as a family, and it is nice to be making memories together.

Feel AWESOME Friday, indeed.

Have you done anything magical lately?

Have a great weekend!