A Night Out With the Girls....It Ain't What it Used to Be

Woo Hoo
Friday Night and it's time to head out with the girls. Somehow all of the stars have aligned. The kids are all tucked snug in their beds and 10..yes 10 of us are heading out on the town for dinner and drinks to celebrate a girlfriends 40th birthday.
(I feel the need to mention that I have a couple of years before it is my turn to celebrate the big 4 0.)
So..Step 1. Find the perfect outfit. We are going to that uber cool spot downtown where everyone goes. It's casual and the outfit must match. Right? OK easy. Fave jeans, new little sexy pink tank top covered almost completely by a little ribbed black sweater. That little pink tank just sticks out the tiniest bit. Hair coiffed. Make-up done. Black boots on. Ready to go.
Step 2. Meet the girls in the back room and let the fun begin.

We had a great time. A nice dinner and a glass of wine. Lots of laughs, great catching up, the obligatory photos. There is nothing, I repeat..nothing...like good friends. Headed home at about 11:30pm completely satisfied with my evening out on the town.


Now for my reflections on the evening. I have realized I'm getting old!

*Back in the day you didn't even head out to the bars until 10pm. Home before 2am....that must have been a lame night.
*Dinner and a glass of wine wine never used to be the marker of a good night. Found a party where the girls drank free..now that was a good score!
*A night with no men. What? No good! Now...Well, it was just about perfect.
*And this cannot be my imagination. The girls, or "women" well, they have changed too. I looked around at the 20 year old "women" that surrounded me. They were wearing enough make-up to hit a runway in New York, and barely enough clothes to lie on a beach in Mexico. Boobs were pushed up to a point, and bellies were showing everywhere. I am in no way a prude, but honestly...don't you have to leave a little something to the imagination? When I was in University I absolutely had my bar shirts, and went out thinking I looked pretty good, but I was also smart enough to throw on a sweater or cute little jacket when it was -24 degrees C! I wonder how many "housewives" had these same kind of thoughts about me!

I guess while I was home changing diapers, doing laundry, planning birthday parties, and raising a family the years have passed me by a whole lot faster then I ever realized.
Time stops for no one. I'm afraid for the day when my baby girl gets dressed up to go to the bar. I'm not ready to go from the hip mama to the hot girls mama.
Someone stop the clock!

A Coupon Mom?

A few weeks ago I managed to watch an entire episode of Oprah. On the show that day was the savvy and thrifty self proclaimed Coupon Mom. She IS the Queen of coupons. Since then I have done a little digging around and realized there is a whole other world out there I know nothing about! Coupon Savvy Mom's know about manufacturers coupons, which flyer's to watch for, which papers to buy, and even about something called doubling up and stacking. Terminology I've never heard of. I'm just figuring out text messaging and now I have to figure out coupon code??

So....since I am like everyone else and am beginning to feel the pinch, I have made it my goal to try and save some money on groceries. The number one tip I read everywhere: Get your Sunday Paper, even get 2 Sunday papers and get those coupons and then plan your meals of the week around those great deals. Opps. Problem. We don't have a Sunday Paper here in London Ontario. So now what? OK On to manufacturers coupons right. I won't be able to "stack" but at least I will save some money right? Well, I don't know what I'm doing wrong because I have wasted HOURS scouring the Internet...and have exposed my poor e-mail account to so much spam...GRRR. I did save $2.00 on Advil and 60 cents on Cheerios Snack Mix.

I did find a couple of ways to save money on the family grocery bill this week. I bought beef on sale (marked down 50%) at WalMart. Something I was always apprehensive to do before. Had kind of a mental block about buying meat from a department store and then meat marked down always seemed....well...wrong. Gotta tell you. It was actually great. I'll do that again. Also found some bread at 50% off at the Loblaws. Just stuck it in the freezer and were using it for toast. My last savings this week (and it wasn't groceries but a splurge for the fam) when we went to Harvey's I got myself a kids combo along with the kids. The kids combo burger is the same size as the original burger. Fries and drink are a bit smaller but still more then enough for me! Saved almost $3.00

What have I learned. This saving money on food thing is going to be a work in progress. I'll have to watch for sales, hope someone in this area starts a Sunday paper, and in the meantime I will lovingly accept any tips from you coupon savvy Mom's out there!

My Love Hate Realtionship with The Amazing Race

The Amazing Race! The reality TV Show where dynamic teams of two~the quirkier, more boisterous, cliche ridden the better~are sent on a life changing race around the world!

Why do I love this show? Courtesy of CBS, and from the comfort of my own couch you are ushered to the exotic locale of your dreams and many places you would not want to visit in your darkest nightmare. You don't pay for any of it and have thrilling adventures along the way! Could it get any better then that! Yes! Because as you travel your relationship with your love one either crumbles (and the inevitable test you were doing is abruptly over) or strengthens harder then concrete! Oh...the voyeur in me LOVES to have this sneak peak into how other people communicate, what do they think is a good relationship, and how do they handle the difficult situations.

It's not long before the hubby and I are playing along! Ohhh...who has the nerves of steal? I'll take this one. Why? Not because I'm the bravest, but because I know somewhere alone the line there is going to be that damn exotic eating thing and my weak ass stomach is not going anywhere near that one. That's all you baby!

The Amazing Race transports you out of your living room...away from the doldrums of daily life and out into the world. It is simply the best hour on TV.

So why do I hate the Amazing Race?
Jealousy.
Do you know how long it is going to be before I have a chance to see even 1 or 2 of those incredible places? Every week you spark the lusty traveller in me only to have cold reality slapped back in my face as the credits start to roll.
Another realization. I am not 22 anymore! When this show started airing I pictured myself as one of the young newlywed couples ready to tackle the world. One of the cute ones in pretty good shape and matching outfits, that could handle the physical challenges with grace and ease and even use my looks to my advantage. Last night I realized that is no longer who I would be! Who would we be now? The happy middle age couple..married for more then 10 years with 2 kids. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but I would have to get my butt on a treadmill in order to spare my self the embarassement of not being able to climb up a hill, and start some kind of skincare regime before I could let this face be seen on camera without any make-up! Oh and getting by one my looks? A girl can dream? LOL
But you know why I hate the Amazing Race the most? Canadians need not apply! C'mon! We must be a huge part of the viewership! Just because we start out from Ontario Canada does not mean we would not be great competitors and fun to watch eh? (see I could be a cliche) Plus I know I would absolutely be routing each and every week for my fellow Canadian!
CBS...I'll never stop watching...but give us a crack at the dream!

This I know is true.....

It never hurts to dream.

Men may have selective hearing......but women have selective listening!

You can't possibly appreciate your Mother until you become a Mommy.

Never date a man who wears more make-up then you.

You have to prepare your child for the path, not the path for the child.

You can re-heat your morning coffee three times before it is deemed undrinkable.

Life is better if lived with intention.

Puke never really comes out of shag carpeting. UG

Broken hearts can heal.

There will never be enough hours in the day. Accept it.

True girlfriends are a gift.

Once you have had 2 huge babies, you will never look at a trampoline the same way again!

You have to love yourself before you can really love someone else.

Sometimes nothing makes you feel better then a sexy new pair of shoes! They will always fit.

We are our own worst enemies.

A newborns smile will melt your heart.

Worry gets you know where. So why the hell do we do it??

Trust. We all need someone we trust.

Being a Mommy is the hardest.....and the best job in the world.

If you are at a crossroads, choose with no regret. There is no other way.

Inappropriate Mom

Pssst...From one Mommy to another. Do you really want to know why everyone is staring? Could it be the 5 1/2 inch black leather boots, the 5 1/2 inch nails, the newly injected botox lips that prevent you from saying your P's, the plunging neckline, or maybe the painted on jeans. You my dear are the Inappropriate Mom!
Good lord, there are more then three feet of snow on the ground, the wind is blowing and the icicles are 6 feet long. If you want to survive in suburbia, the weather and the women, take some friendly advice. Put on a sweater...and a coat! They can still be stylish! Trade in your stiletto pickle stabbers for some boots, even think about~GASP~ gloves and a hat! Your kids may think your the cool mom now, but trust me....and all the other Mommies...your embarrassing yourself!

25 Things? Really?

There is this new craze going around on facebook. You are asked to open up your heart and dump out 25 things about yourself that your friends don't know. So I sat down with my pen and paper and started writing. What would be on my list? What do I want to share with my friends and my "friends"...you know..the people who sent you that little "add me" and for a second you thought cool! I have not talked to you in years! Or that's nice that the people who work for my husband think I'm a friend. But this has screwed me! I can't pour my heart out to these people! What if I reveal too much? Not enough? What if they show their friends? What if my life comes off as boring? I found I was sensoring my list! Forget it. So..instead I will put it on this blog where probably no one will read it anyway, and if they do....it will be someone just like me. Someone not judging, just sharing and trying to get the most out of each day. On that note..for what it is worth...my 25 Things.

1. My husband is my best friend and I thank god for him everyday.
2. My children are my true joy.
3. I prefer quiet evenings at home over just about anything else.
4. I dream of seeing Paris and the countryside of Italy, and fear it won't happen until we are old and grey.
5. When I'm quiet, or come off as standoffish, it's probably because the pain in my head is silently killing me. It's not you! Please don't take it personally.
6. I'm truly grateful for my friends and would do anything for them. True friendship is so rare.
7. I do not easily let people in.
8. I desire to, need to, find a way to give back to the world. Odd charity work here and there is great, but I don't think I have paid it forward just yet.
9. I am amazed at how strong women can be. My girlfriends, their lives, stories, triumphs and struggles continue to inspire me every day.
10. I have been bullied.
11. I have had my heart broken.
12. I love to peek in on my children when they are sleeping. You can still catch a glimpse of the babies they used to be.
13. If I could only eat one snack food for the rest of my life it would be popcorn!
14. I wish the school week was only 4 days long so I could have more time with my children. There are not enough hours in the week let alone the day.
15. I am trying to cherish the moment.
16. I am a worrier....about pretty much everything. I need to learn to let it go.........
17. I am a crier. I cry when I'm sad, when I'm happy, proud or even at a really good American Express Commercial! I think being pregnant messed with my hormones!
18. I am truly disgusted with how mean little girls can be. High school like behaviour is showing up in the primary grades. Do unto others, respect, love...not gossip, and bully please! Us girls have to stick together!
19. I am a bit of germ a phob! I do not appreciate it when people send their sick kids to school, or give me a hug and tell me they have had the flu all week! Eww. Keep your germs to yourself please!
20. Some of my favorite memories growing up as a kid are at our cottage are with no TV, no computer or phone. Just boats, canoes, swings and fishing. I hope I am making great memories for my kids.
21. I understand the value of good health.
22. I cherish our family vacations and start countdowns to them ridiculously early.
23. I value truth and honesty.
24. I hate the dentist. It is irrational...but true.
25. I am blessed, or perhaps I should say my girls are blessed to have my hubby as their Daddy. He loves them with his whole heart and is an equal partner in this adventure we call parenting.

~Ok so ..that was kind of therapeutic :)

Waiting

Waiting
Always Waiting.
What the hell am I waiting for?
Women wait. Men don't wait.
We wait to buy that new dress, not until we lose five more pounds.
We wait to make plans, just in case he calls.
We wait four years to see if he will ever propose. We wait two more just because we've already invested four.
We wait to have babies, to make sure our career is on track.
We wait at the window, wondering when he'll be home.
We wait to join exercise classes, travel, teach, go back to work...not until the kids are older.
When did we decide it was okay to wait?
How much living do we miss while we are waiting?
It's time to take life off of hold for him, for them and to start living for me for us.

Life shouldn't be what happens while you are waiting.

What a Women Will Do

~She will swallow her pride
~Ignore her pain
~Put him first
~Pretend everything is Okay
~Hope for the best
~Pray for a miracle
~Hide her anguish
~Save her tears for the shower
~Fake it till she feels it
~Decide to let it go
~Learn to trust again
~Rebuild
~Embrace the moment
~Find her joy
~Fall in love all over again