We Made It!

We fought the malls for back to school clothes. Fought the temper of my darling pre-teen size 0 daughter; who was sure there was “not one pair of pants in the entire mall that would fit her perfect body.”  Fought the car that did not want to contain a cat, a dog, two kids and all of our crap.  We fought the traffic …..and we won! 

We made it to the beach. 

Yippee!

If you don’t hear from me for a while…it’s because I don’t ever want to go home.  Enjoying a couple of days with the babies before the reality of school starts. 

See you in September!

1 Step Forward 3 Steps Back

I get up in the morning and the day takes an immediate downward spiral.  Why oh why did I step on the scales today? More importantly. How does a stupid number have this kind of power?

Go to get dressed and find my missing black shirt.  Smile returns.  Black is very slimming. 

Time to carpool.  Kids are so very very loud.  Um, should have stopped for coffee first, would have helped because I swear to you I hit EVERY red light.

Come home and check twitter.  Look at all the happy little messages.  Feeling brighter again.

Open an e-mail from a PR company.  Oh getting excited, this looks like a great pitch until…seriously?  They will reward me for creating a post (which I take seriously and work hard at) by sending me some beautiful high res images which I can use for free?  Insulting!

Take out my anger on the laundry.  Feeling like a domestic diva. Kitchen clean, laundry pile getting smaller.  (this is all I can ask for, I will never be caught up) Start folding towels and every single towel smells musty? Wet dogish?  Sigh.  Back to the start. 

Make a super nutritious lunch for the kiddos.  Nobody eats it.  Why did I bother?

By the middle of the afternoon children are starving and cranky.  Say yes to giant freezies …just to shut them up. 

Bathe the dog, and then she comes in the house and rolls all over the freshly vacuumed carpet.  Grr and gross.

This is how my day goes.  One step forward, three steps back.  Never really getting ahead, not feeling very accomplished, cloudy moments followed by bright spots of sunshine.  Don’t start feeling sorry for me, these are not the ramblings of a depressed stay at home Mama.  This is just the truth. What is really going on in the Suburbs.  Next time you greet your nearest work at home Mama, flash her a smile, buy her a coffee, tell her you love her, it just might help her gain that one step. 

ShesConnected!

Last year I was lucky enough to be selected to attend a ground breaking new event, the 1st Annual ShesConnected Conference in Toronto Ontario.  I truly didn’t know what to expect,  this is what I got:

*For the first time I was afforded the opportunity to meet face to face with some incredible bloggers and tweeters I had been interacting with and following in the cyber world.  An almost indescribable experience.

*I created the foundation of a support system like no other.  A group of like minded bloggers who are business savvy, intellectual, intelligent and influential in their fields.

*I was given the opportunity to meet with Brands.  The real people behind the big Brands, not the middle men, not the PR Reps.  I heard from the Brands themselves and they in turn heard from me.  With these interactions I was quickly able to determine which Brands were a better fit for me, my personality, style of writing and demographic.  I’m sure the Brands were also able to meet and create connections with bloggers who best fit their companys!

*Brands presented themselves, asked questions, and received answers. A valuable experience to see the social media world from their point of view.

*The day flew by. 

*Most bloggers left with a stack of business cards, new contacts, a bag of swag and smiles on their faces.

The Second Annual ShesConnected Conference in Toronto is fast approaching, September 29-30th,  and I am thrilled to be on board as an Advisor. 

My role as an Advisor has allowed me a unique inside peek at the planning of the ShesConnected Conference.  Here is my perspective, and some insider tips, on the conference coming up this September!   

*ShesConnected is the only conference of it’s kind.  It’s focus is truly on the relationship that can exist between blogger and brand.  It is about making connections.

*Last years Conference was able to accommodate 100 Canadian bloggers. This years event will be bigger and better!  ShesConnected will invite 200 women. This year the women will be selected with the help of the Brands.  This ensures a better fit, as well as a better experience for both Brand and Blogger. 

*Last year went by so fast! So many wonderful sponsors, so much to cover, so little time.  This year’s conference will be scheduled a little differently with a day and a half of events including lots of quality time for networking in smaller groups and communication between Bloggers and Brands.  Down time, food and fun will be squeezed in too!

ShesConnected is not trying to be like the other conferences that already exist.  This is a new and different experience aimed at connecting Brands and Bloggers in an authentic way.  Creating real relationships beneficial to all parties.  It is “a conference that brings brands and digital women together in a unique and interactive format.”  ShesConnected.  If you are a Canadian Blogger who gets excited at the idea of forging a strong relationship with a brand I encourage you to create a profile at shesconnected.com and then apply to attend! 

After you have applied, you can also enter to win a ticket to go…with me!  Woo Hoo!  Enter Here.

Hope to see you there!

So If I Wear A Size Large. . .

I took my little one’s to the mall today in an attempt to do a one stop back to school shopping trip. Pft. Yah, that didn’t work out.  Two pre-teens and one Mama all agreeing on clothes that are appropriate for back to school?  Well, that my friends is a post for another day.

Today I need to rant about this:

When I went shopping what I did find was a cute little shirt for me.  Kind of like this one!

A simple little plaid number with short sleeves and buttons up the front.  My problem.  I barely fit into the size large.  Barely!  Now here is the thing. I think I’m a pretty average Mama.  A bit on the tall side, but average.  I’m 5 ft 9” and weigh..well, none of your business what I weigh! (but the airlines aren’t asking me to step on a scale before I’m allowed on a plane. Average.)

So here is my question to you.  If this average Canadian Mama is barely squeezing her bod with teeny boobs into a LARGE size shirt, what on earth are the women who are just a wee bit bigger then me or with big boobs wearing? 

Imagine if a clothing line was created where a medium size woman could fit into a medium size shirt.  If the next size up was Regular and the third size was Normal?  Just a thought.  Sigh.  Clothing designers, they aren’t making it any easier to survive life in the suburbs. 

I’m A KinderMom!

I am excited to announce that I have been given the opportunity to work with Mom Central Canada as a KINDERMom!  Kinder has been a household name for 30 years, and a family favourite in my home for as long as I can remember.  Easter, trips to the cottage, each big and special occasion is made a little more special with the help of Kinder® .  Kinder® has announced the official re-launch of Kinder® Surprise® in Canada!  They are celebrating by introducing a brand new line of toys.  Ohhhh my girls are excited by this news.  The new toys look fabulous!  My daughters enjoy the special taste of Kinder® chocolate, but for them the real excitement is the toy! 

As summer comes to a close I find myself reflecting back on how fast my favourite season has flown by!  Life is busy, but Kinder likes to remind us to try and find time to play every day.  I’ve decided it really is time to start celebrating these playful and fun moments in my daughters life! With the help of Kinder® there is no need to wait for huge events, every moment can be cause for celebration. 

For the next few months I’m going to take every little moment to celebrate and brag about it along the way.  My youngest doing a celebration dance as she won a “Participation” ribbon. Reason for a Kinder® Surprise.  My oldest mastering her back dive.  Reason for a Kinder® Surprise!  I can’t wait to see what we will be celebrating next!

What reasons can you find to celebrate with a Kinder®? 

 

Be sure to check out the Kinder Canada Facebook page to get a sneak peek of the 2012 toy collection!  (and a chance to win some Kinder® of your own)

There are over 70 brand new toys to delight and surprise your little one’s!

 

Disclosure: I’m part of the Kinder® Mom program and I receive compensation as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I will no longer be shopping for bathing suits with my 9 year old. When trying on bathing suits she exclaimed:

“Mom, look! You must have grown too! That bathing suit is way too small for you.”  Gut punch.  She’s right.  She grew up, I grew out. 

Ads are on TV right now for the movie “Final Destination 5”.  The commercial indicates the teens are systematically slaughtered one by one.  When my youngest caught a glance of this horror flicks preview she calmly asked; “Why is this commercial on before 9pm? Don’t they know kids are still up? Besides, why would anyone want to watch that movie.  Don’t adults know all those kids are going to die?”

My carpool driving has come in handy.  I now have the suburban girls definition of a Gangster:

“A boy, who wears his pants falling off his bum, smokes, and drops out of school.”  Have to love the innocence.

It was the end of Sweet Girls Baseball tournament. Her “bad news bears” style team had just lost 2 games in a row, were bumped out of the tourney, and were presented with their medals. Their medals for participation.  While most looked confused or disappointed, my sweet little thing danced off the field singing at the top of her lungs “Participated. Participated…oh yeah Participated”. Cheers and clapping followed.  From the parents.

I hope she never changes….

Nothing beats the giggles you can get, when you just stop and listen to what comes out of ….the mouths of babes.

Wordless Wednesday..because laughing is good for the soul

 

Who knew strategically placed photo booths could be so much fun?  Just one more of the unexpected bonuses of BlogHer11.  Thanks for the giggles Pfizer, You-Phoria and of course Shelagh of @practicalmum!

Quickest Ways To Destroy Your Marriage

I often see articles in magazines or posted on line that claim they have the best advice for how to strengthen, protect or even save your marriage.  You know what I don’t see?  Stronger worded advice, words to the idiots, a nice bullet pointed list for the fools of the best and fastest ways to destroy a marriage. Now I’m not talking about the big time stuff like acquiring a drinking problem, gambling the family money away or stepping out on your spouse.  Every person should be smart enough to know to avoid those pitfalls.  I’m talking about the everyday little habits that will eventually drive your partner down the hall to the spare bedroom…. never to return again!

So here it goes, my list of grievances things not to do:

*Enough with the snoring already.  A tired wife is a bitchy wife.  He may say he can’t help it, I say, whatever.  Learn to roll onto your side without me kicking you in the back.  Another tip for the Hubby, after you have gone drinking with the boys, drag your ass down the hall to the spare bedroom to sleep so I don’t have to!  I can’t listen to that “bulldozer/chainsaw stuck inside a plastic tube noise” ALL NIGHT LONG anymore!

*Put caps back on things.  On toothpaste, on ketchup, on mayo.  Caps. Back. On.  Thanks.

*The bathroom.  It may not be your “job”, but how did it become mine?  Take a turn cleaning the toilet and the shower once in a while.  We hate cleaning stray pubes too.

*You know that basket looking thing in the bathroom? Guess what, it’s not for flowers, it’s for dirty clothes! Gasp.

*When the toilet paper runs out…please, put another roll on.  I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again, I prefer not to have to choose between drip dry and Glamour Magazine.

*When you come in the house your whole family is thrilled to see you.  Even the spazzy cat comes to say hello.  I’d be even happier to see you if you didn’t leave your shoes in the middle of the hall. Tripping on them, not fun.  Just Saying.

In Defence of ModernDad, he brings me coffee without being asked, takes his share of carpool, and makes dinner more often then I do.  I know I’m a lucky lucky girl…but I’m still allowed my list of grievances. 

Sigh.  Much better to get it off your chest helps!  Throwing in the odd curse.  Totally optional.  So go ahead, tell me, what’s on your list of grievances today?  Maybe we can make a big old list for all the refrigerators in the Suburbs. 

Promote Your Business and Win Big!

Are you a Canadian and a small business owner?  I am, so I know that making a small business run, work, and be successful is HARD work.  That business can become all consuming.  It is an extension of you, and the success of the business is not just important for your livelihood, but for your pride, your self-esteem and your reputation.  Once you launch your new business, it becomes your new baby.  There really is no such thing as vacation, and every penny counts.  You know what would make it just a little bit easier? 

$15, 000 dollars.  :)  Here is a way you could win that incredible prize!

Create an ad on CentrSource and you could WIN BIG with $15,000 cash + 6 months of free ads on CentrSource.

Click Here for are all the fabulous details!

Grand prize: One of the 50 most popular ads (selected by people clicking"vote") will win: One Grand Prize of $15,000 cash + 6 months of free advertising on CentrSource.

Secondary prize: One ad will be randomly selected out of 50 entries for one Secondary Prize of $5,000 cash + 3 months of free advertising on CentrSource.

Chances to Win Every Single Week: A winner will be randomly drawn from ALL ad entries each week to win one of 12 weekly prizes of $1,000 cash + 1 month of free advertising on CentrSource.

Weekly Draw for an iPad 2: Everyone who votes gets the chance to win an iPad2.

So do you have a small shop, an esty store, a nail salon, a design service a………..what are you waiting for? 

Disclosure: This is a paid post. Contest is open to Canadian residents {excluding residents of Quebec} and ends August 31, 2011. Visit CentrSource on Facebook today and enter to win.

WIN A Ticket to the ShesConnected Conference!

I have access to one of the hottest tickets in town!  By now you most certainly have heard the buzz.  The ShesConnected Second Annual Conference in Toronto Ontario is fast approaching.  Wait, don’t know what it is?  Let me tell you.

ShesConnected is offering 200+ Bloggers, or women who work in social media, a very unique opportunity to connect with brands in a day and a half day event like no other.  This event will take place September 29-30, 2011. You must apply to attend, or win a ticket!

Are you a blogger? Do you tweet from your smart phone until your hands ache?   Are you savvy and socially connected?  Have you heard of some of the incredible sponsors of this event? Toshiba, Nokia, Maple Leaf Foods, Jane’s Family Foods, Chicken Farmers, United Nations, Chateau du Charmes to name a few!  Well, of course you have.  Then don’t miss this!

The ShesConnected website tells us this Conference is:  The only conference that brings together brands and digital women in a unique and interactive forum. 

This conference will give the 200+ attendees a chance to:

• Spend a day and a half with other leading digitally connected women
• Learn from top brands and top experts
• Eat great food and have fun
• Learn how to make money FOR FREE
• Get great swag from the brands
• Great networking

Oh, plus I will be there :)

So…

• Are you Canadian?
• Are you active in social media?
• Do you post frequently on Blogs, Twitter and Facebook?
• Are you someone who posts high quality content?
• Are you eager to work with Brands?

Then Enter here!!  Right now!  If you want to leave me a comment to tell me you did, that would be wonderful too.  Winners will receive a FREE ticket to this incredible day and a half event and I would love to meet you!  Good luck.

(Contest is for the ticket to ShesConnected Conference.  Travel expenses and hotel cost are the responsibility of the winner. Contest closes Friday August 26th )

I Survived BlogHer 2011

Where do I start?

When I made my plans for BlogHer’11 over a year ago it was kind of a lark? Yes, I wanted to go. No, I didn’t think I had any business going to a conference that was a full day of travel from my home. San Diego? Seriously, shouldn’t I be a much better, bigger blogger to go to an event like this?

Then, my plans began to take on momentum, a life of their own. Before I knew it, I was making a real honest commitment to go. Then I was in, both feet baby.

I was thrilled to be there and able to represent ShesConnected and 3M Canada.

What did I expect from BlogHer? I had no idea. This is what I got.

Four days of overwhelming, exhausting, enriching, amazing, dancing, bonding, laughing, good old quality girl time.

I think I could write seven posts about all that is BlogHer. Instead, I have decided share my most memorable moments, hopefully re-cap the laughter, the quick lessons and the love.

My first day in San Diego was spent at a Procter & Gamble event. We heard speakers passionate about their products, got sneak previews of the new and not yet released, played some 21 at a wrap-up party, and oh yeah I got myself some new curly hair! *I am a straight hair girl, or I was until sweet Bridget Brager did my hair! (and yes Bridget it lasted all day and all night!)

Of course, there were the parties. Parties at BlogHer, well they are legendary! So first, about the parties!

There was the party put on by the incredibly talented and savvy women of Mom Central. Canadians! Here I am with Sarah on the left and Shelagh @practicalmum on the right!

At this party, I felt like I had come home.

The Big Toy Book’s Sweet Suite Party Um, we played with toys, talked to toy reps, ate cupcakes and did I mention played with toys? All while dressed up in party dresses and heels. Who gets to do this? (My girls are so happy I went to this one!)

There was a rooftop party hosted by the Clever Girls! (Have not done this much party hopping since University…for the record, already getting tired) Know who I met there? The @SuferWife and oh yah LadyGaga. (well her double anyway!)

The SoftCup Party that started with an extended Pedi cab ride to a location where I was supposed to meet Mario Lopez, but here is the thing. I spent that party hanging out with practicalmum, ListentoLena, FacesbyFarah, and MyOrganizedChaos. We were on a beautiful rooftop patio overlooking the city, eating and laughing…about dimples, and oh yes, you guessed it, periods. Ha! Never did meet Mario!

There were parties with CheeseBurgHers, and parties with Giant Unicorn cakes. There was almost always dancing, and there was even a party where I had the privilege of meeting Jane Lynch! Squee! Glee! (pun totally intended)

There were Keynote speakers to listen and learn from, and dozens of sessions to attend. Frankly, some sessions were better then others, but there really was something there for everyone.

There was the extensive exhibit hall with it’s overwhelming number of companies wanting to show you their wares. Some stops were more fun then others!

I learned: It’s okay to turn down a party invite. To pace myself. To schedule down time. (an hour by the pool can help re-charge you for the night ahead!) To pack bandages (have you heard of NexCare liquid bandage spary...it's genius), Advil and Visine. To be prepared for the unexpected. To be flexible and go with the flow! You never know when sharing a cab will introduce you to a new friend, or taking that phone call will lead you to a new opportunity! To have a PIC. You know, a Partner In Crime, a reliable friend makes it more fun!

The common thread among all of these events, were all the wonderful people. “Big” bloggers, “small” bloggers even peeps who don’t blog but know a good conference when they see it. All together to learn, to grow, to connect.

I wasn’t sure exactly what I wanted out of BlogHer, but I am thrilled with what I got. I laughed, I learned, and made some new friends. Who could ask for more then that?

PS Umm take a camera and then bore all your readers with all the pictures. Not bored yet? You will be, many more pics to come!

The Ultimate Sandwich!

I admit it, I am not a very good “homemaker”.  I love my kids more then life itself, but I don’t dance around the house while I clean, I’m not great at laundry, and when it comes to cooking…..my skills are mediocre at best.  I do however consider myself to be quite the “domestic goddess”.  I have mastered the five minute tidy, have taught my Hubby how to do his own laundry and when put under pressure I can pull off a fabulous dinner party! 

When it comes to everyday diners and lunches we seem to have fallen into a fairly boring and predictable routine.  BBQ, Mexican, pasta or take-out.  Yawn. In the summer I do my very best not to turn on the kitchen heater  oven. 

Then into my life comes the Black & Decker Home Countertop Convection Oven and the Ultimate Sandwich challenge by Mom Central to save the day.  A challenge to create the most Ultimate Sandwich that ever was?  I took one look at this pretty little counter top appliance from Black & Decker and decided to go for it.  This little baby can bake, broil, toast and keep foods warm all without heating up my kitchen.  Simply fabulous. 

(this picture doesn’t begin to show how pretty it really is!)

I wandered the farmers market and produce aisles for inspiration and came home with this….

Here my friends is a recipe for the Sassy Sandwich that when you finish, will have you dreaming about the next one. 

Here is what you will need:

Chicken –Boneless pieces

Salt, Pepper, Garlic Powder, Seasoned Salt

Havarti Cheese

Onion

Orange or Yellow Pepper

Romaine Lettuce

Tomato

Avocado

Butter or Margarine

Fresh Multi Grain Italian Bread

*Pre-heat your Black & Decker Home Countertop Convection Oven to 375 degrees for 10 minutes.

*Wash and lightly season desired number of boneless chicken pieces with a generous sprinkling of salt, fresh ground pepper, garlic powder and seasoned salt. 

*Place the prepared chicken on the baking tray with a little bit of olive oil, and top with a few slices of white onion.

*If you have chosen Boneless Breast Filets bake for 20 minutes. If you have full chicken breasts bake for closer to 45 minutes. I prefer the filets.  So easy!

*While the chicken is cooking blacken those peppers! For each sandwich you are creating you will want about 3 generous slices/chunks of pepper.  Either on a grill or in a frying pan with butter, fry until sides are just beginning to blacken.  Adds some colour, sweet flavour and crunch!

*When your chicken is cooked, remove from oven with oven mitts!  It’s hot.

*Slice two thick slices of Multi Grain Italian Bread or Italian Bread.  (you want to buy your bread unsliced so you can make it nice and thick!)

*Butter that bread.  Mmmm Butter. 

*Top with your cooked chicken. (again, if you opted for the full breast, you will want to slice it thinly before stacking)

*Top the chicken with a slice of Havarti Cheese.

*Put the bread with chicken and cheese back into the oven on toast for between 5-7 minutes until the cheese is nice and melty and all those flavours start to meld. 

*After allotted time carefully pull out of the Convection Oven using a spatula and oven mitts. 

*Begin layering.  On top of the chicken you will add the remaining ingredients:  Grilled Peppers, Slices of Tomatoes, Slices of Avocado, and Romaine Lettuce.  Don’t be shy, be adventurous and stack that sandwich high.  Why? 

So it will look something like this:

 

 

 

 

 

Juicy scrumptious goodness.  Cut in half and enjoy:) 

I created this post as part of the Black & Decker Ultimate Sandwich contest as part of a Mom Central Canada program.  I received a toaster and gift card to cover the costs of my sandwich creation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

Pods N Peels Fundraising Program!

See that little badge over there on the right? It leads you straight to the PodNPeels website.  An incredible little company doing big things!  Please take a look at the following Press Release and consider what you can do to help your school and your environment.

Does your school need some extra money or an incentive to go litter-less?

Pods n Peels Ltd. is introducing a School Fundraising Program. Simply contact us to set up your school. When parents from your school purchase products on our website we will attribute 5% of each sale back to your school. It is a great win win. Parents get fantastic non toxic reusable lunch containers for themselves and their children and the school reduces waste and earns extra funds.

This program is meant to be very simple; we do most of the work from taking orders to delivery. Each school simply needs to get the message out about the importance of reducing lunch waste and keeping food healthy through reusable and non-toxic containers.

At the end of the program, we add up all of the sales from parents within your school and give back 5% of sales to the school.

Simple, effective and terrific for the environment

For more information, contact us at customerservice@podsnpeels.ca

Better for you, Better for the environment!

I’m still at BlogHer!  See you in a couple of days:)

The One Where I Flash The Lawn Boy

Note to self:

You live in the Suburbs, not a deserted island.  Occasionally there will be people who are close enough to your house that they will be able to see into your windows without even trying.  This is especially possible if your dear Hubby hires the lawn boy to do a little extra work.  

Dear Lawn Boy,

I am so sorry.  Blush.  I didn’t know you were in my backyard.  If I had known this I most certainly would not have been so bold as to take off my shirt and change my bra in the middle of the kitchen as you strode up onto the back deck!  Eeek!  I apologize for the fright I must have given you, and trust me when I say you scared the hell out of me.  Never before have I darted so quickly behind the island in the kitchen, and this is the first time I have had to commando crawl in my own house…half nudie to find my shirt.  Sigh.  So now you know, this is what real women’s boobs look like.  Boobs that are 39 years old and have nursed 2 children.  Clearly I did not know you were there or I would have sucked it in  I am not that kind of desperate housewife.

Hope I can avoid you forever until you come back to cut the grass next week.

Signed

Ten colors of red, giggling and laughing while screaming at my Hubby for not telling me the lawn boy was coming early, ridiculously embarrassed, Married Cougar in the Suburbs.

*photo credit flickr

The Suburban Mama Code -Rewind

There are certain unwritten rules every Mama in the Suburbs know exist.  You want to survive here?  You better toe the line baby!

1. When you get invited out for coffee wine PLEASE don’t spend the entire time talking about yourself, your husband, your business, your kids, your fabulous house.  Sigh.  Self centered Suburban Mama’s don’t get invited out a second time. They are boring…oh and self centered. 

2. Don’t check out another Suburban Mama’s Husband. That is against the code….and it is super gross.

3. If you see one of your Suburban Mama friends out and about and her toddler is having a temper tantrum that rivals an episode from The Super Nanny.  Just smile and let her know we have all been there. Don’t judge.  She is already having a bad day.

4. See a Suburban Mama out there and she looks like hell?  Clothes are wrinkled, bloodshot eyes, wearing the baseball cap of invisibility.  Pretend you don’t see her. She has got something going on, and trust me when I say, she is not up for a friendly chat.

5. Try and remember that Gossip spreads in the Suburbs like wildfire spreads in California.  Once it starts, it takes an act of God to put a stop to it.  Remember what your Mama taught you, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.

6. Oh and of course, the Universal rule among loving caring Suburban Mamas… no matter how many doughnuts she’s been eating, despite any extra trips to Taco Bell, even if her zipper is split and she can’t breath when she sits, never ever admit, She looks fat in those pants!

Linky Love

Top Mommy Blogs – I appreciate every vote.

Things I’m Not Thinking About During Sex -Rewind

Yes you read that title right.  Sarcastic?  True?

You decide.

I am not making a grocery list.

I am not trying to figure out if I have anything to put in the kids lunches tomorrow.

I am not trying to remember if I returned that movie on time.

I am not trying to decide if that is a child crying or a dog barking.  Did I lock the door?

I am not trying to think up an excuse to get out of going to that dinner party tomorrow night.

I am not trying to remember the name of that song that is stuck in my head.

I am not worrying about how late it’s getting.

What?  Seriously, what are you not thinking about?

Unless of course I am on vacation, or like super well rested, or been wickedly bribed by …well none of your business, then really, I’m not thinking about it.

I Shush My Kids-Rewind

 

Saved my favourite show of all time, The Amazing Race, on the good ole PVR to share with my little brood. That little brood would NOT shut up!

I shushed them.

Calmly explained…no talkie during Mama’s favourite show.

Attempting a phone conversation with bff. Little girls screaming in the background.

I shushed them.

Not cool little ones. We all know you don’t bug Mama when she is chatting with Aunt Julie long distance. Aunt Julie has the BEST gossip. Not that I ever gossip cause that would be evil.

Stealing a quiet moment with my Hubby, girls don’t seem to care. They were all interrupty and in our faces!

I shushed them.

Do they not realize how lucky they are that they have parents that still want ummm quiet time together?

Party of four little girls downstairs sounds like a mosh pit.

I shushed them.

Having severe case of play date regret. No escape.

I Shushed so much today I need some lip balm but hey, at least I didn’t tell them to SHUT UP!!! I didn’t even think about telling those little creatures to shutty and go to their rooms and leave me alone cause my head hurt and I needed QUIET. Sigh. Bad Mama.

Apparently to survive life in the suburbs, shushing is required.

Oh, and note to self, baking the kids some double chocolate cupcakes following the aforementioned shushing, relieves much of the Mama guilt.

No More Gimmies

I wanted hardwood floors.

Can’t stop dreaming about the next vacation.

Lusting after the Prada dress and Louis Vuitton Bag.

The neighbours can afford to put in a hot tub and they just bought a cottage up north too?

Good grief how has that women had twins and look like THAT in a bikini.

I am tired of headaches. Like all the time.

Jealousy was making me green.  So not my colour.  Feeling sorry for myself, so not my thing.

Then, I spent the day around the pool with my girls giggling and playing.  We all ate freezies, and used up every drop of the sunscreen.  Invited some friends over.  Didn’t worry that the house was a mess, and shared a big dinner on the back deck.  Capped off the night with a long drive under the stars.

Lying in bed, reflecting on all that I do have, I realized how crazy it is to get caught up on the little things I don’t.

I am blessed, lucky and happy beyond belief.

Time to stop waiting for the house to be perfect, for the stars to align, or for the other shoe to drop.  Always afraid that something will happen to shatter our happy little place in the world.  Time to be grateful for the sun and for the storms.  After all, as they say, you can’t have a rainbow without a little bit of rain……

Hope you all had a beautiful weekend.

I’m going to take a couple days off commenting to play with my girls and be thankful for all that makes me smile:) 

*Oh might also cram in some after hours super crazy packing for BlogHer!  Thanks to ShesConnected and 3M Canada I will be whooping it up in San Diego from Wednesday to almost Monday.  Hope you enjoy some of my favourite and/or most controversial posts while I am away.

I will miss you!

Mwah!