Fighting Fair in the Suburbs

Who decides what is fair?

Your child works their tail off all year on the hockey team, and then they are not allowed to play in the final game because they are deemed “not quite good enough” by the volunteer coach.

Your one and only is the victim of bullying at school.  It is clear cut.  There are three predators. Only two are punished, third boy, he is the principals kid.

Your baby pours her heart and soul into a theatre audition for a fancy school for the arts.   She is a talented little drama queen with an impressive list of dance and music experience, she also has the grades to  back her up and make her a star!  What she doesn't have. A legacy. Her Mama didn’t go to the school.  Nor did her Dad…oh and they aren’t neurosurgeons or fat cat lawyers.  Guess who didn’t make the cut.

All are true Mama stories borrowed from my friends, from this week. 

This crazy week has me thinking.  At what point as a Mother do you step in and announce….UNFAIR.  Does it even help to do this? 

Does the squeaky wheel ever get the grease…or do they just get labelled “the bitch”?

I try very hard to see my children for who they are.  I will never claim to be perfect, and I know they aren’t, but do think I have a solid grasp of who my girls are and what they are capable of.  I will advocate for them until they are old enough and strong enough to advocate for themselves.  I will also admit that sometimes it is hard to know when to speak up and when to let things run it’s course!

My question to you. 

At what point do YOU say enough is enough.  At what point does your inner lioness kick in? 

-Is it when they are being bullied at school?  grrr Girls can be so mean.

-Is it when their spot on the Track team is given to them on a Monday and then snatched from them on a Tuesday?

Where do you draw the line between the ugly and harsh life is not always fair crap that I feel I have doled out once too often lately? 

Do you have a story you would like to get off your chest?  Tell me I am not alone!  I can’t be the only Mama who has had the occasion, the need to stand up for my babies!

When did you have to take a stand and announce NOT FAIR!!!

 

Linky love…

Don’t miss the draw for an incredible basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets!

How To Save Fathers Day ~ Gourmet Gift Baskets Giveaway!

Fathers Day is coming screeching around the corner!  Are you ready?  With both my Father and my Hubby to purchase for I am once again forced to be fabulous and come up with an amazing gift for these two amazing and oh so different men.  How does a ModernMom on the go find the perfect gift with out breaking a sweat?  I’ve done the ties, the golf shirts and hats, the sappy cards and candy, even the framed pictures of the kids, which frankly are more often enjoyed by me then them!  

Tired of stumbling through store after store I turned to the internet and discovered what is truly going to be my go to on-line store for all things gift.  Gourmet Gift Baskets.  Now I have done the gift basket route before, including a couple of fairly weak attempts to make my own pretty, but never have I come across gift baskets like this!  Gourmet Gift Baskets offer an incredible array of unique and classy baskets.  Without a doubt you can find a basket for that special someone in your life.  Whether the occasions is Fathers Day, Birthdays, an Anniversary or Just Because, I really think this is the place to shop!  Take a look at some of these little beauties.  

Here is one I am considering for my Dad.

Beers from around the world all

wrapped up with the best munchies

and the ice bucket too. Perfection.

 

 

 

Of course while I was perusing the site I couldn’t help but fall in love with a little something for myself.  On my Bucket list is a trip to Paris.  I have a feeling this little lovely would be a perfect gift for me....um especially with a couple of airline tickets tucked in the top!

Know a chocolate lover?  There are no shortage of beautiful baskets to choose from.  I know this one would bring a smile to my Man’s face.

This little number is the lucky basket that landed

on my door step for me to review!  Thanks to the generous people of Gourmet Gift Baskets this is also the fantastic basket that I am able to offer as a GIVEAWAY! Woot Woot!

Let me tell you just a little about it!

It was a rainy and dark day when the UPS Man rang my door.  What did he have for me in his oh so carefully wrapped box? 

This perfectly packed and exactly as described

 Barbeque Boss Basket!

Want to know how you can win this little beauty for the Man in your life…or for yourself!

MANDATRORY ENTRY!   3 Steps.  (but so worth it)

Visit Gourmet Gift Baskets website and pick out one of your favorite baskets.

Then hop over here and become a fan of Gourmet Gift Baskets.

While you are there leave a post on their wall about that product you love, and then come on back to my blog and tell me you did it! 

Please follow the steps because I can only enter the ones who do!

Want some extra entries?  Of course you do!

Easy Bonus Entries:

1. Follow Gourmet Gift Baskets on Twitter. Come back and tell me you did!

2. Follow me on Twitter @SassyModernMom or tell me that you already do, and give this giveaway a tweet. Leave your twitter name! You can tweet once every 24 hours. Just cut and paste:

Win a BBQ Boss Basket from Gourmet Gift Baskets. Just in time 4 Fathers Day! @gmtgiftbaskets @SassyModernMom #GiveAway http://bit.ly/d4rMa0

3. Follow me publicly on Google or tell me you already do.

4. Give me a new Vote at "Top Mommy Blogger" by following this link:

Top Mommy Blogs.

(Don’t worry I’ll know if you voted cause my number will creep up)

You can do this once a day all week, then come on back and tell me you did!

5. “like” me on my new little fanpage.  I promise an extra entry and extra love to all who do!

Again, PLEASE…leave separate comments for each entry and make sure I can contact you!! Leave me a valid e-mail address!

Contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada.  Closes Friday June 4th.

The winner will be picked by Random.org and will have 72 hours to respond once they are contacted or a new winner will be drawn.

Good Luck!

* I received product in exchange for hosting this giveaway. No monetary compensation was given for this post. The opinions in this post are my honest opinions and have not been influenced by the reception of said product.

*Now closed

DiamondShark Winner!

The winner of the lovely pair of Genuine Freshwater AAA Quality 7.5-8mm White Cultured Pearl Stud Earrings in 14K Gold Fill earrings courtesy of DiamondShark has been selected!

Random.org did it’s magic and selected number 2!

Congratulations to Brian Miller!

Who said

and i follow. (his second entry after he “liked” DiamondShark)

Thanks to all who entered!

Wishing you all a happy and safe weekend!

Mwah

You're Gonna Need a Night Light

Before I had kids....wait, what did I do before I had kids?
Well that is a long list.
Today's rant...I USED to sleep through the night.
Now, I'm not dumb, I did know that with the birth of my first little bundle of joy, sleeping as I knew it would change. I knew there would be midnight feedings, diapers would need changing, bad dreams would happen, and the awful wake up call of a sick child was inevitable. But what no one ever tells you...what you can never prepare yourself for, ....is the damage done to your bladder!
I have now carried 2 babies who both weighed in at close to 10 pounds. I love them both more then life itself, but the little bums destroyed my bladder.
Today's confession: It has been more then 8 years since my second dear daughter was born and now.....I cannot make it through the night without a pee.
Sigh.
If you live in the suburbs....you're gonna need a night light.
Mwah!

PS Since you are up anyway, why not win yourself some pearls? Low entries, ends tomorrow!

That Old Lady Blouse

Okay, you asked for it so here it is.  The old lady blouse.  The tags are still attached so I’m thinking I can still take this baby back! 

Is it too “old lady” for this hip Mama from the Suburbs? 

I look at the pictures and think it might be.  Eeek 

Please be honest, you can be, you don’t really “know” me! 

Ha…just remember, the camera adds ten pounds.  

Mwah!

 

PS Hip Mamas wear Pearls.  Enter here to win your very own pair!

This Is How I Roll

I got through my dental appointment today.  Without a mental breakdown or a single tear!  Rewarded myself with some indulgent shopping.

Jumped for joy when I found the cutest shirt on sale.  Marked down from $80.00 to $25.99!  Woot woot!

When the 69 year old cashier was checking me out and congratulating me on the “beautiful blouse” I was buying I had a moment of self pity and thought “Oh Crap..I just bought myself an old lady shirt.” 

Was so distracted by the thought that I was ageing prematurely, that I momentarily forgot where I parked my car.

Drowned my sorrows in McDonald’s coffee and Muffins. 

Wrapping Up.  Dentists are still bad, 39 is not old, and carbs are good.

This is how I roll.

Mwah

Want to make yourself feel better? Don’t miss the chance to win some pearl earrings from DiamondShark.  Easy Peasy entry here!

Something to Ponder - Maple Leaf Foods

When you go shopping do you spend much time thinking about how safe the food is that you are purchasing, and taking home to your family? 

I can say that since I became a Mother I have become much more aware of the products I am putting into my cart and feeding to my family. 

Organic?  Canned vs Fresh? Grain fed? Soy?  So many choices. 

Then in August of 2008 something truly terrifying happened.  There was an outbreak of Listeriosis resulting in illnesses and deaths.  These illnesses were linked to Maple Leaf products.  Did I have a fridge full of Maple Leaf products at the time. Yes!  Didn’t everyone?  Due to this tragic event, Maple Leaf has made a commitment to becoming a global leader in food safety.  

Here is a short video outlining the steps Maple Leaf is taking to become a world leader in safety standards.  

I have been given the opportunity to attend a Roundtable event for Maple Leaf Foods.  The Roundtable has been organized by Matchstick, a Toronto based word of mouth marketing company, and the purpose of this event is to chat about Food Safety.  

May 27^th will be my opportunity to learn about Maple Leafs renewed commitment to safety and to ask questions directly of Maple Leaf executives and food safety experts. 

This is also an opportunity for you!

Do you have any questions you would like me to ask of the Maple Leaf Executives or food safety experts?

Did the listeriosis outbreak change the way you shop? 

I would love to hear from you.  Your comments, your concerns so I can pass them on to the people who want to make our food safer, who want to put our minds at ease. 

Give it some thought and send me any questions!

Oh and wish me luck, because I will be relying on the crazy lady hiding in my GPS to find the way.

Hapari Bathing Suit Winner!

Oh how I wish I could pull more then one winner!  Thanks to all of you fabulous people who entered and to Hapari for sponsoring this incredibly fun giveaway.

The winner as selected by Random.org is lucky number 75.

Congrats to :

Mami2jcn  who said... 75

I follow your blog publicly on GFC.
mami2jcn at gmail dot com

 

Have fun picking out your brand new suit!!

If you didn’t win, please don’t despair! I have just started a brand new giveaway courtesy of DiamondShark right here.

Have a fabulous weekend, and if you are Canadian, Happy May 2-4!

Mwah!

DiamondShark! Giving Away Some Bling

I was contacted by DiamondShark to see if I might be interested in learning about their store, their products, and offering a giveaway? Ummm Diamonds, jewelry, yes please!

Some quick and important facts from the Diamond Shark Site:

DiamondShark is an online store that prides itself on offering the best deals on quality diamond, gold, platinum and silver jewelry.

Each piece of jewelry sold goes through the highest level of quality control by our team of GIA certified gemologists and jewelry experts. Each piece is also final sale.

My Thoughts:

You will not believe the prices offered on some truly unique pieces!

I have been watching this site for some time now and am amazed at the variety of beautiful products that are offered and the incredible deals that come up for sale!!

Once you start checking this site for their “deal of the day”….you just might become addicted! Look at some of their recent deals.

$29.00

$79.00

Oh, you can never go wrong with dangly earrings or a new Cocktail Ring!

Want to see what happened when DaimondShark was featured on a bargain segment on Fox's Good Morning Memphis? You will be impressed. Check out this link!

My Review:

I was sent this piece.

2.90 Carat TW Created Ruby, White Sapphire & Genuine Diamond Milgrain
Pendant Necklace in Solid .925 Sterling Silver

Here are my pictures of it!

Communication with this company can not be beat. All questions were answered in a timely and efficient manner.

My piece arrived quickly and in a lovely little blue box, perfect for gifting. (or ummm keeping for me!)

The pictures and description are truly representative of the piece of jewlery I received.

I do love and own a lot of high quality and expensive jewlery. I would not hesitate to mix this in with some of my other high end pieces.

The only thing that made me a little nervous is the chain it came on, although exactly as depicted, is quite thin. I might upgrade to a thicker chain so I don’t lose my new pretty.

My Conclusion:

This is a great place to stop in when you are looking for that little something special whether that be for a gift for a loved one or for yourself! Nothing beats finding a steal of a deal for yourself!

I would not hesitate to tell my friends to have some fun and find some bargains at DiamondShark.

Want to know something even more exciting? The people of DiamondShark have generously offered this pair of gorgeous pearl earrings to one of my lucky readers!

Yeah it’s a GiveAway!

Genuine Freshwater AAA Quality 7.5-8mm White Cultured Pearl Stud Earrings in 14K Gold Fill

Want to know how to enter? Easy.

Please leave separate comments for each!

Mandatory Entry: You MUST do this one first.

Head over to DiamondShark on Facebook and “like” this exciting on-line shopping experience. Come back here and tell me when you are done!

Easy Bonus Entries:

1. Follow DiamondShark on Twitter.

2. Follow me on Twitter @SassyModernMom or tell me that you already do, and give this giveaway a tweet. Leave your twitter name! You can tweet once every 24 hours. Just cut and paste:

Win a beautiful pair of gorgeous pearl earrings from @DiamondShark @SassyModernMom US Only #GiveAway

3. Follow me publicly on Google or tell me you already do.

4. Give me a new Vote at "Top Mommy Blogger" by following this link:

Top Mommy Blogs.

(Don’t worry I’ll know if you voted cause my number will creep up)

You can do this once a day all week, then come on back and tell me you did!

5. Blog about this fabulous giveaway and link back to me!

Again, PLEASE…leave separate comments for each entry and make sure I can contact you!! Leave me a valid e-mail address!

Contest is open to residents of the United States and closes Saturday May 28th.

The winner will be picked by Random.org and will have 72 hours to respond once they are contacted or a new winner will be drawn.

Good Luck!

* I received product in exchange for hosting this giveaway. No monetary compensation was given for this post. The opinions in this post are my honest opinions and have not been influenced by the reception of said product.

Good Enough Reasons To Hate The Dentist

 

1.  There is always an aquarium.  To calm you.  Puh!  All those fish swimming around with their eyes bulging out of their heads…they just look like they are silently screaming……

PLEASE GET ME OUT OF HERE!

2.  Everyone in the office.  Yes, everyone.  Their teeth are too white. They need to join the rest of of the world and down a cup of coffee or Red wine once in a while.  It’s unnatural, unholy.  Not fair.

3.  It freaks me out when you sit in that uncomfortable chair and 2 sets of eyes peek over at you from behind mint green and white masks.  Kind of reminds me of a horror flick.  I could never pick these dental hygienists out in a line up!  Do they even have faces behind those masks?  I’ve never seen them!

4. Tools are in my mouth.  One is sucking spit the other is pick pick picking.  Gross.  Then the dentist is asking me about my kids, plans for the summer, seen any good movies lately?  Huh?  Excuse me while I drool a little and try to figure out what and how I am supposed to talk??

5.  It smells. Nuff said.

I floss and I brush, but I do not enjoy the dentist.

I am an adult, kinda, and you can not make me go.  So there.

MM

PS…if you know a good hypnotist who can get their freak on and get me over this ridiculous childhood fear…please send me their e-mail.  Time to get over myself already.

 

Last day to enter the $96 Haprai Swim Suit Giveaway!

Image credit www.ltscotland.org.uk

The Real Desperate Housewives?

Life in the Burbs is not always the quiet, boring, meek and mild place you might think it is.  Behind those closed doors, decorated with their fancy door knockers, real drama, real life is going on. 

I may not look like one of the Desperate Housewives, can’t afford the personal trainer and fake boobs but if you weave the tales together of my friends and acquaintances, you could at least come up with a plot that matches up to any good soap.

Down the street a new house has come up for sale.  The gorgeous Mama that lives there has her 4th baby going off to college.  She kicked her cheating Hubby out and is moving in with her new female partner.  You go girl!

Around the corner, not so sweet 11 year old girl is having a birthday party this week. She invited everyone in the 5th grade…except one girl.  Thank goodness it wasn’t my girl, but who does that?  What kind of parent allows this?  Mean girls suck.  Oh and PS. They grow up to be mean women!

Down the street our beautiful life long friends have been waiting for the phone call that may change their lives forever.  These two giving, smart, loving people have been on the ride of their lives.  For more then a year, they have been riding a rollercoaster of emotions.  High hopes, incredible excitement, crushing disappointments.  They are adopting.  Now it looks like “the” call they have been waiting for has come!! I can not imagine the sweet agony of this waiting game they have been playing!  Fingers crossed, prayers and positive vibes.  Hoping this is the little baby that is meant to complete them.

Inappropriate Mom, you know the Mom that wears snakeskin boots, minis and tank tops to school pick up, switched Hubby’s with her girlfriend? For reals!

BFF came over and showed me her new boobs.  Yep, I touched em. 

Yes, as it turns out, except for the whole murderer on the loose thing, those Desperate housewives haven’t got anything on what happens here in the Burbs.

 

Don’t miss my $96 Hapari Bathing Suit Giveaway!

Time to Honest Up

April over at This Is What It’s All About tagged me in a question game. Now I don’t usually play along in these meme type things cause I find my own answers to be too boring, but I found this one which came from Vicki at Furgal Mom Knows Best and sounds like a wee bit of fun!

The rules are that you are to answer the questions, make up ten of your own, and pass it on to seven others.

So here I go!!

1) What have you done/said that made you say, "Wow, I'm becoming my mother!"

Um yeah, looked down at my hands TODAY and saw my Mother’s hands holding my pen. Shiver. Not that she isn’t a cool Mama, but she is like 66! Eek..do my hands look 66 years old?

2) Is there anything that you refuse to blog about?

At this point I have kept my name and the names of Romantic Hubby and the two gorgeous girls on the down low. Other then that I try and be super honest. Perhaps too honest.

Oh and politics, religion, not my bloggy thing.

3) What did you want to be when you were little... why didn't you pursue it as you got older (if you didn't?)

I’m sure I said I would be a Teacher, a little later I was going to be Speech Pathologist. I didn’t pursue that one because I couldn’t handle the math. Who knew you needed so much math to help kiddos with speech! Regrets that I didn’t follow through. Maybe.

4) How many blogs do you follow on a regular basis or subscribe to and TRY to follow on a regular basis?

I am a fan of so so many blogs! I honestly do my best to get around to as many blogs as I can in a week as possible! I had to start setting some parameters cause it was taking over my life! lol Now I comment as often as I can, and am thrilled with every comment I receive. My hope is that people don’t get ticked off when I don’t get around as often as I want too. Only so many hours in the day!

5) What comes easy for you in life?

Access to chocolate. Ha, but seriously, the ease with which I have fallen in love with my kids. I know I am where I am meant to be.

6) What's one way you KNOW you'll never die? (For instance, I know that I will never die sky diving -- because I WILL NOT sky dive.)

Hmmm. I will not tempt the fates by answering this cause I’m all kinds of superstitious like that.

7) Do you have any fears/phobias?

Duh. Hairy Spiders. My kids choking. Green skies leading to Wizard of Oz style tornados. Bad guys breaking in all “Scream” style. Shiver. Enough.

8) Do you do volunteer work with your family?

Every year we sponsor a family in Africa and buy them a chicken, or a pig and some supplies. We also do lots of volunteering for the kids school, but this post has me thinking, we need to get out there and do something more!

9) What's your favorite home cooked meal (and if it sounds good, be prepared to share the recipe!)

Are brownies a meal? Oh no wait..when the Hubby really wants to score the points he cranks up the oven and bakes me some chocolate chip cookies. mmm Warm with a glass of milk. I did mention I have a problem with chocolate right?

10) What's a place you haven't visited that you wish to -- (either as a family or just with your significant other)?

Oh there is a bucket list of places I need to see. France and Italy are on that list with the Hubby. The big family trip we are saving for has to be the Beaches Resort in the Turks and Caicos. Specific!

Now I get to probe into your psyche with my own Barbara Walters Style questions! So, my questions to you are:

1. What is one thing that you truly do just for you?

2. What is the most expensive thing in your closet?

3. Are you where you want to be in your life?

4. If you could be on any reality TV show, which would it be?

5. What dream are you working on right now? (doesn’t have to be a big huge life altering dream…could be finding time to get that book read)

6. Ohhh Best book you have read lately?

7. Most annoying habit of your mate? C’mon share…I’m sure they aren’t looking.

8. What is your favorite thing to do on your birthday?

9. What is the best idea for a Wedding gift? (yes …I’m going to a Wedding and need some ideas! Ha)

10. What is one thing you look back on in your life and think “I can’t believe I survived that.” FYI for me…it was a very scary ride in Mexico with my girlfriend and three guys who claimed to be police officers. Gullible much?

Whew. Okay, so now I am supposed to pass this on to 7 blogs, but in all honesty 1) I can’t pick just 7, and B) I don’t want to force anyone to play who has no interest what so ever! SOOO

I’m going to try and McLinky this up!

If you want to play along (and I really hope you do, cause I happen to love my questions) please link up! Pretty please~ I’ve never linkied before so I’m feeling all kinds of vulnerable that no one will want to play.

Feel free to make up your own questions, or just use some of mine again. I’m generous like that! Extra love to everyone who plays along.

Mwah!

PS Did you see the fab Hapari Gveaway I have going on?

Hapari Bathing Suit GiveAway

Summer is coming!  Time to shave those legs, underarms and errr nether regions.  Time to put away the winter jackets and break out the warm weather fashion!  Time to get a new bathing suit.

In the past bathing suit shopping has not been my favorite thing to do.  Then I was introduced to Hapari!  I am truly excited to have discovered a new fabulous place to buy swimsuits!  Hapari!  You will not believe all of the Modest Swimwear for active fashionable Mama’s!

Just look at some of these little beauties!

Don’t you just love them?!!  At Hapari you have the option to pick your top size and your bottom size.  Separately!  This makes so much sense.  Hapari also offers mix and match bottoms which come in Regular, Hot Short, and Tummy Tuk.  Intrigued?  Oh yes!

Now, I love a good bikini as much as the next girl (and they have some gorgeous bikinis too), but I have to be honest here, the closer I get to 40, the less attractive I feel I look with my bits and pieces hanging out.  On the other hand, I am not prepared to go all Grandma on the beach. I need a happy medium.  Something fashionable and hip.  Something feminine and cute!  Enter these fabulous Tankinis.  

Seriously Cute right?

I’m having trouble picking a favorite!

Hapari Swimwear enhances the curves you love

and hides the curves you don't.

Well, Hello!  Sign me up.  I need a Tankini like that! Maybe two!

Thanks to the incredibly generous people at Hapari you have the chance to win an $96.00 Gift Card so you can order a Tankini of your very own!!  Squeee!

Want to know how to enter?  Easy.

Please leave separate comments for each!

Mandatory Entry:

Head over to Hapari and pick out your favorite suit.  Come back here and tell me which one you love!

Easy Bonus Entries:

1. Follow me publicly on Google or tell me you already do.

2. Follow me on Twitter @SassyModernMom or tell me that you already do, and give this giveaway a tweet. Leave your twitter name!

You can tweet once every 24 hours.  Just cut and paste:

Hapari Bathing Suit! #Giveaway A $96 Value  Look @ the beautiful suits U can win! @SassyModernMom http://bit.ly/cHMJ3A

3. Give me a new Vote at "Top Mommy Blogger" by following this link:

Top Mommy Blogs.

(Don’t worry I’ll know if you voted cause my number will creep up)

You can do this once a day all week, then come on back and tell me you did!

4. Grab my button! It’s cute eh? Tell me where you put it, I love to visit!

5. Blog about this fabulous giveaway and link back to me!

Again, PLEASE…leave separate comments for each entry and make sure I can contact you!! Leave me a valid e-mail address!

Contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada and closes Saturday May 22nd.

The winner will be picked by Random.org and will have 72 hours to respond once they are contacted or a new winner will be drawn.

Good Luck!

* I received product in exchange for hosting this giveaway. No monetary compensation was given for this post. The opinions in this post are my honest opinions and have not been influenced by the reception of said product.

GlassesUSA Winner!

Thanks to all who entered the giveaway sponsored by GlassesUSA!

The lucky winner is number….27!

 

 

Congratulations to Rosie

Who said:

Rosie said... 27

I voted for you!

Sunday, 09 May, 2010

 

Have fun picking out your brand new glasses!

Mwah!

If you didn’t win, don’t despair! 

A new giveaway for a fab bathing suit starts today!

Snoring Hubby, Stomping Feet and Stupid Fears

Hubby was tired.  So tired, that no matter how many times I kicked him, begged him to turn over, and pleaded with him to stop snoring, he would not.  Nearing tears, I took my blanket and pillow Linus style and dragged my tired, cranky, ticked off, body down the hall to the spare room.  Stomping and muttering all the way. 

The spare room was such a disaster with boxes and bags piled everywhere, but at least the bed was soft, and empty, and the room was quiet.  Sigh. 

It wasn’t long before I finally succumbed to the sweet sweet slumber my poor body so desperately needed. 

I awoke with a scratchy nose.  Irritated, I rubbed my face and rolled over.

Then.  Awoke with a start!  WHAT THE ????  AHHH!!!!

Something.  On,  My.  Face!

Oh God no.  Not more Bats!

Please no, I can’t take more bats in the house!

Muffled a scream, jumped errr I mean fell out of bed. 

Knocked over that stack of boxes on top of myself.  Oh pain.  Ribs.  Hurt.  Again. 

Commando crawled to the light switch.  Flicked on the light and revealed…

A Purple Polka Dotted Balloon slowly losing it’s helium and bouncing gently around the room.

I am a freak. 

A freak afraid of a balloon.

A freak with one rib out of place. 

A freak with a weapon.

A great big needle.

R.I.P Balloon.

 

Mwah!

Maybe I do need glasses.  There is still time to enter my giveaway to win a free pair! Ends Friday.

Is Mother’s Day Like New Years Eve?

All the build up, all the anticipation! I think I expect too much.

It will be a perfect day.

Your children will behave like angels.

You will be the perfect Mama.

The house will be calm and serene.

You will get to sleep in.

There will be cards and maybe a gift.

You will plan and attend the perfect brunch.

You will deliver flowers to in-laws with a smile.

You will have quality time with your children.

For the first time in months you will not have to worry about what is for dinner.

The day will be, revitalizing, full of hugs and love, stress free and you will never want it to end.

ERRRRK. Reality Check Baby.

Got that sleep in.

Cards, flowers and gifts that left me in tears. In a good way.

Then…

My daughters had a nice squabble over who’s turn it was on the computer.

There was a pre-pubescent melt down because BlueEyes still had NOTHING to wear.

Nobody wanted to have a shower. Not until they stomped their feet and made their point. Not happy.

I raised my voice and begged them to hurry up, then sighed when I saw their clothing choices. Then felt very very bad about that.

We were the last one’s to arrive at the brunch we organized. I drank a boatload of coffee. A smart girl would have made it Irish.

On the way to deliver the flowers to the in-laws, had a wee difference of opinion with my Hubby. There is a mood killer.

On the way home I learned I needed to decide what was for dinner. Their hearts were in the right place, but everyone wanted something different, so I couldn’t win there!

Quality time with the kids? When? Between visits and errands? Not today.

I ate so much! Quite piggish actually. No room for dessert. The children are once again disappointed with me. I hate this more then anything.

Finally everyone is tucked in bed.

SweetGirl felt sick. mmm Yep, she ate too much too.

Watched the Amazing Race and the Cowboys lost! WHAT!

Off to bed to sleep off another Mother’s Day.

Tomorrow, I get to clean up from having a day off.

Yeah Me.

Next year I promise to just look forward to the cards, the gluttony and the love. My Hubby and babies never let me down.

Hope you all had a joy filled Mother’s Day.

I Can See! Glasses Give Away!

Last week I had my long over due eye appointment. Why do I put it off? I convince myself every year that this will be the year the good ole Doc will tells me it is time for eyeglasses. When I was a kid I had a lazy eye. Yep, that is what they called it. The solution was apparently humiliation. I was “prescribed” a patch. Oh, and not a nice little stick on flesh colored patch like the use now. A Freakin Pirate Patch with a strap and everything. I hated that damn thing. So. I don’t have a problem with glasses, just some deep seeded, unfounded, unresolved childhood issues all tangled up with a regular eye routine. Puh. It’s nothin. That and I may have a problem with admitting I might indeed be getting older. Sigh.

As I sat in the optometrists office, I found myself checking out the racks of prescription glasses. I was pretty sure this would be the year the Doc would tell me my peepers needed some help. Can I tell you how relieved I was to see all the fashionable styles that are available now?

Made it through my eye appointment with minimal squinting, and was told I do not need a prescription for glasses? This time. *Squee** Then the good Doctor added, as my eyes age, I will need them. Sooner then later. Thanks Mr. Suzy Sunshine. That almost killed my buzz.

As soon as the appointment was over I booked it out of the office before that Optometrist could tell me there had been some kind of mix-up! That he had confused me with a younger, stronger, better seeing woman who had never worn a patch. Then I did what any mature women does. Called my Hubby and sang in his ear “You were wrong, He says I’m fine, I don’t need prescription eyeglasses”. Told you it was mature.

Do you need glasses?

The lovely people at Glasses USA have generously offered to give away one pair of their glasses! Any pair on their site for under $50.00!!

Want to know how to enter?

Mandatory Entry:

Go and visit GlassesUSA and pick out your fave. Come back here and tell me all about it. I can save it for reference for next year!

Extra Entry’s: Please leave separate comments for each!

1. Follow me publicly on Google or tell me you already do.

2. Follow me on Twitter @SassyModernMom or tell me that you already do, and give this giveaway a tweet. Just cut and paste:

Update your look with a fabulous Glasses #Giveaway from GlassesUSA @SassyModernMom Ends Friday

3. Give me a new Vote at "Top Mommy Blogger" by following this link:

Top Mommy Blogs.

(Don’t worry I’ll know if you voted cause my number will creep up)

You can do this once a day all week, then come on back and tell me you did!

4. Grab my button! It’s cute eh? Tell me where you put it, or where it already is, I love to visit!

Again, PLEASE…leave separate comments for each entry and make sure I can contact you!! Leave me a valid e-mail address!

Contest is open to residents of the United States and Canada and closes Friday May 14th.

The winner will be picked by Random.org and will have 72 hours to respond once they are contacted or a new winner will be drawn.

Good Luck!

* This is a Sponsored Post for GlassesUSA. The opinions in this post are my own.

*Note: Deleted posts are the lovely people who left me some comment love, but did not have any interest in entering the contest! I accidently published their comments then had to delete.

Mwah!

*Contest Closed

Personally Forever Winner!

Thanks to all who entered the Personally Forever Giveaway!

I put all of the numbers into the magic Random.org and the very lucky number is… 6!

 

Congrats to Anne who said:

Anne said...

I voted on TMB :)

(see it pays to give me a vote on Top Mommy Blogs!)

You have won your choice of either the Sterling Silver Necklace with Set of Hand Stamped Discs-I am Blessed, Strong, Loved  OR the Triple Tier Personalized Necklace!

 

Happy Mothers Day to all!

Mwah

Mom . . . All That and a Bag of Chips.

How do you sum up all that is Mom?

Keeper of the cookies, and the peace.

A chauffeur, a chef, a cleaner, an errand girl, a tutor, a therapist, a top level negotiator, a playmate, a nurse, oh and a bank to name a few. Somehow, this just does not begin to adequately describe a Mom.

We can be glamorous, sporty, refined, stressed, content, or happy. We are chameleons!

We are the one’s cheering the loudest at every little league game.

The one you can run to when your heart is broken.

The one’s offering advice, even if you don’t want to hear.

We are the safe, reliable, warm hug you need at the end of the day.

Moms are the magic that can take away your pain with only a kiss.

Moms are the one’s who will love you the longest, and the hardest.

Moms, they have to be a little bit of everything.

Now that I am a Mom
I know the joy only a babies first smile can bring.
I understand the primal need to protect ones young.
I have experienced the sweet agony of nursing a sick baby through the night.
I have felt the fierce pride of a child's first words, first steps, first accomplishments.
I know what it meant to have your heart walking around outside your body.
I have silently wept for their pain.
Now that I a Mom, I strive to be a better daughter.
I am more thankful for my relationship with my Husband then ever before.
Before I was a Mom, I didn't know how much work it was to be a Mother. Work of the best kind, work I love and am thankful for every day.
I’m so glad I get to be someone's Mommy, I wouldn't change a thing.

Thanks to LouLou’s Views for the linkup and spreading the Mothers Day Love!

Last Chance to enter the Personally Forever Giveaway.

Win something for your Mom!

Revenge Takes Time

There are moments when…

She melts down completely because she can’t find ANYTHING to wear in her closet full of clothes.

Shopping for new clothes is torture too.

She stomps her feet in anger, and has been known to slam a door in utter frustration.  Apparently there is just no better way to display her complete and utter discontent with the world.

She can not find anything good to eat in the cupboard or the fridge. She would rather just sulk and go hungry.

She whines when asked to hop in the shower, and then complains when told that 35 minutes is unreasonably long.  Time to get out.

She asks three times, no four, if she can please stay up later.  She is relentless. 

She has been known to clean her room by strategically stuffing her closet to the brim.

She is 11.

It’s scary, she is exactly like me.

I love her more then life itself.

She must be my Mother’s sweet sweet revenge.

 

Don’t miss  the Personally Forever Giveaway!

Mourning Winter?

Yes, I know, I have spent a good number of posts taking jabs at the frigid Canadian winter.  Glad I’m doing my part to perpetuate the Canadian stereotype that we live with abnormal cold year round, and snow storms that only Eskimos know how to deal with.

As I fought my way through my closet last night, with admittedly a few tears in my eyes cause my shorts don’t fit quite like they used too, I realized, there are a few things I am going to miss about the cold winter weather.

Now that spring is in the air, gone are my excuses to wear big chucky sweaters with their fabulous bump errr roll covering properties.

Since the sun is shining I am forced to find something lighter to wear then jeans!  Lets face it the right piece of cleverly crafted denim squeezes the bod in all the right places, providing a fantastic illusion of a perfectly fit body.  A frilly little sundress can’t do this!  You can’t hide your cottage cheese thighs in a sundress!

Even if I don’t spot shorts any more,  the Capri's I do favor still force me to shave my legs on semi regular basis.  This means even more time must be added to the ever increasing plucking, picking and grooming schedule.  And don’t get me started on the maintenance required for bikini season!  

Long sleeve shirts must be traded in for cute little blousey tanks.  (this could also read: Must shave underarms and lift some weights so when I wave you don’t see gross amounts of Survivor style armpit hair, and to ensure my arms stops waving when my hand does)

I no longer have an excuse to wear my precious Uggs.  I know some people think they look ridiculous, but seriously, have you ever tried a pair of these babies on.  They are like walking on a cloud.  I must shelve them for the winter and dig out my sandals.  Sandals mean pedicure. Not a bad thing, but when you have gone 6 months ignoring your tootsies you are going to need some professional help before you can take those feet out in public.  Oh, and in Canada, the weather can turn from Ugg to Sandal overnight.  FYI.   I was ill prepared.

Signs of summer also means I must quickly start trading in the pop for water, and the chips for veggies. Eating all healthy?  Sigh.

Yes, I do adore the spring and summer, but I have realized this having four seasons stuff has it’s advantages too. I’m already looking forward to the fall when I can pull out the chucky sweaters, eighty six the sandals, and indulge myself back up to my winter weight.

Yeah for Canada!

 

Don’t miss the Personally Forever Jewelry Giveaway!

On The Edge Of My Seat! *Mabel's Labels!

Today is the Day Mabel's Labels will announce the winner of their fabulous BlogHer10 contest. In honor of this exciting event I am re posting my qualifying entry. Best of luck to all of the incredible finalists!

Sometimes It's The Scary Moments

Feb 10, 2010. A day that could have changed my life forever. A day I have not even been brave enough to write about…until now.

For more then 6 days I had been experiencing THE headache of all headaches. Throw in bouts of dizziness, issues with word retrieval, falling down, and I was scared. Rush to the Doctor. Something big and bad is going on. Doc admits, we need to look for a brain tumour.

Time for an emergency CT. Hubby by my side, we head to the ER.

This pain, this event, the look in my Docs eyes, it shook me to my very core. My life didn't pass before my eyes, but thoughts of my children, my Husband alone, did bring tears to my cheeks. Found myself a quiet place, knelt down and sent up a prayer.

Ping ping…CT test underway.

Pace pace…wait for the results.

The best possible news. I had gotten myself into a cycle of migraine pain that my body could not snap out of on its own. A few hours in the ER, a couple of IV’s and I could go home. CT scan. Normal.

Through this terrifying experience I have been blessed! I have discovered my true passion. It’s not the big things. It’s not just family, friends, food, blogging or travel.

It is recognizing the miracle of the little moments of every single day.

It’s in the giggle of my girls.

It’s the smell of my Hubby, discovered lingering on a sweater long after he’s gone to work.

It’s the unexpected coffee with a girlfriend.

It’s that last bite of brownie.

It’s every comment of love from bloggy friends.

It’s the feeling of sun on my face.

My passion, it’s all the little things, and I am grateful for every single one.