I count having only two awkward moments as a good day

 I hope you wonderful ladies had a great Mother's Day yesterday. Mine went quite well, Hubby let me sleep in then brought me breakfast in bed (waffles with coffee). We all took showers, got dressed and he surprised me with a trip to Alligator Adventure which is an AWESOME wildlife park with lots and lots of alligators and really cool things to see. I could have spent a whole week there. This wasn't the first time we visited, but I enjoy it every time I go, and it was the first time that we took little Munchkin.

 We spent most of the day looking at all the gators and watching all the wildlife shows, I swear there is something about a killer, large creature that just draws me to it. My favorite animals in order are this: Shark, Dinosaur, and Alligator. Yes, I know dinosaur doesn't count, but you can see their bones which is almost like seeing them therefore...I think it does count and this is my blog so....there. We had lots of fun and only two awkward moments so that qualifies for a good day in my opinion.



The first was when Hubby saw a friend of his and this was while we were eating by the way. I had decided to have cheesy chips which are like thinly sliced potatoes...fried....then smothered with cheese, and chives on top of them. It was delicious but the cheese wasn't easy to pick up and scoop with a fork so I was having to use my hands. When Hubby introduced the guy I smiled and then he offered his hand which I immediately took because apparently I am a handshake whore and I cannot help myself.

I soon noticed that I had cheese on my hand that then smeared onto his hand. 

To his credit the man didn't flinch or even wipe it off he just stood there like a proper southern gentleman and eventually left saying " nice to meet you" which made me feel like I had given a great person the cold germs...except instead of a sickness it was dried cheese. Ah well.....


So then I was in the restroom and you know....doing my thing....when the woman in the stall next to me started cussing, yelling and crying all at the same time. From what I gathered....a woman who she knew sent her messages of her husband in bed with her. She was on the phone with the husband and giving him hell. She told him to pack his bags and a few other colorful alliterations that I'm not going to put on here.

I quietly went to the sink and washed my hands when she hung up the phone, and threw her stall door open, making her way to the sink where I was.

 I did not make eye contact. I thought about giving words of encouragement but she threw that door open like she was going to snap the neck of the next woman who spoke to her so I kept my mouth shut. It was probably the most awkward 6 seconds of my life.



Hubby and I made it to the house where we then decided to try out this recipe for cooking a WHOLE fryer chicken. We had never, ever cooked a whole chicken so we were pretty excited and a little nervous. I'll be honest I let Hubby do the stuffing part. I taste tested the cooking wine. The chicken turned out awesome, but the gravy turned out pretty horrible. We ended up not using it at all.P.s.- the little burnt pieces in the pan are "roasted" garlic and lemons, I think next time we we'll put some chicken stock in the pan with the chicken while it bakes. Oh well...live and learn, either way we had lots of fun and it ended being an awesome Mother's Day. Hope you ladies had a great one as well!!

Happy Mother's Day You Lovely Ladies

Ode to my mom:

 I had an awesome childhood. My parents always made sure that there were clothes on my back, food in my mouth and love in my heart. My mom was a dedicated room mother, girl scout troop leader, queen of throwing awesome sleepovers, the first to volunteer for anything at the school, and the giver of amazingly perfect birthdays. I remember countless days of her driving me and three other giddy little girls to dance class and evenings of making cakes with us in the kitchen. I strongly remember days full of encouragement and unfathomable love. This happiness was real and true for me but it wasn't for my parents. I was too young to see it, but my parents had problems, like most families do. They weren't happy with one another and as myself and my brother and sister grew up the problems became more noticeable.

I'm not going to get into it all here, but to make a very long and hard story short...my dad was not happy and at times he took it out on my mother and on us. I'm not talking about child abuse, but he did have a lot of anger in his heart and Mom was the one who received a lot of it. My relationship with my father is mending and there's still a lot of healing that needs to be done, but that story is for another time. This is about Mom.

 It wasn't long until they got a divorce. Mom then left us to live with Dad while she spent a few months with a friend. Looking back on it, I think that she needed time to heal and she needed to find herself. I think that being with someone who controlled you for so long bounded her heart and she needed to be free for a little while, even if that meant being free from us. My Mom got an apartment an hour away and my brother and sister lived there with her while I lived with my then boyfriend, now hubby and his family.

It wasn't long after that that Mom got involved with a guy who convinced her to move to a place quite a few states away and so she left with my brother and sister. I'm not going to lie here, I wasn't happy. I was furious and at the time I thought that I hated her. Months turned into years and before I knew it they had moved to Louisiana where Hubby and I decided to go visit everyone. Things were tense, and hard for a while. I had a lot of anger and she did too. I think I blocked out a lot of those years, but she eventually came to live here and we finally got to really talk about everything that happened as one adult to another.

My Mom thinks that she's given us a bad role model but it's not true. She's taught me to be strong, even if you're being dragged through Hell eventually you will make it out the other end and you will be stronger for it. She has taught me that happiness and love are crucial for a marriage and that there is NO limit to a Mother's love. She has taught me that it's OK to make mistakes and that when other people make mistakes you should forgive them because one day you'll be the one asking for forgiveness.

She has taught me to love people and show kindness to even the most unkind stranger.  She has taught me to be thankful for what I have and to always help someone when I can. She has taught me to never allow anyone to put me down or make me feel inferior. She has taught me that I am smart and talented and beautiful ( even if others do not agree). She has made me strong.

My Mom is not perfect and that's fine because mothers are not perfect. There is no one on this whole planet who is and we should stop beating ourselves up about it. We learn lessons from mistakes, we grow from mistakes and we teach things to others through our mistakes.

My Mom is the greatest woman I know. She has survived things that would kill others. She has went through Hell and has come out with kindness, which is a feat that I know I couldn't do. She is the first person to give a kind word and the last person to ever hurt anyone's feelings even though they may have just cussed her out. She is so beautiful inside and out, and she has the most bubbly personality that I have ever seen. Strangers are drawn to her smile and she can get a whole room full of strangers mingling and laughing together. She brings out the good in people.

My Mother has shown me how to be a mother. She might have made mistakes, but there are no mistakes that can change how amazing she is. There is no mistake that can cover or hide the love that was given to us or the memories she made with us. She sacrificed for us so much growing up and even more that I'm sure I'll never know about. She's given us everything she could ever give and then some. There is no end to my Mother's love and I pray that my daughter will come to know that fact through me.

 I know I will do something to make my daughter mad, probably quite a few. In fact I'm sure there will be times when she will hate me, but I know how to love her unconditionally and I know how to be a good Mother from the example that my Mom has given me. I know how to show her attention and guidance. I know how to encourage her and build her up from the way that my Mother showed me. My Mother's example is a guiding light leading a path towards raising a strong woman.

Happy Mother's Day Mom, thank you for showing me the way.

Military Spouse Appreciation Day

Today is Military Spouse Appreciation Day 

First of all, I couldn't even imagine having to go through what so many brave men and women endure willingly for the sake of our freedom. I get fidgety and stabbity when Hubby has to be away from me for more than three days so I could not imagine months and I won't pretend that I could because I couldn't. My heart goes out to all those brave men and women who wake up, put a smile on their faces for their kid's sake, take care of business every day, and momentarily fill the role of two parents while their spouse is away serving our country. You are brave, you are strong, you are amazing and you deserve more than just one day appreciating you. 

It got me thinking, how can I help? I didn't want to be like....ok...thanks guys and go on about my day. It just didn't feel right so I came up with a quick list on ways that we all can help out and truly show our appreciation. 

1. Mother's Day is coming up, and if you know a mom whose Husband is away stop and pick her up some flowers. If her kids are at an age where she is comfortable with you watching them offer to take them to the park while she relaxes for a while. When you're out pick up a Mother's Day card then let her kids write in it for her. You can give up one day for all the many days she sacrifices for your family's freedom. If she has no plans go out to dinner together someplace kid friendly or bribe your Hubby to watch all the kids while ya'll go get dinner somewhere really nice, dress to the nines and have a glass of wine together, dessert is a must.

2. Check out this PDF from Blue Star Families, Operation Appreciation. This is an awesome program that gives you great tips on getting the whole family involved in sending an appreciation card to all of our military families out there and when you send the card to them they sort it and ship it out. This is a really great program and they help you with everything, including tips on how to get the letter started if you're drawing up a blank, just remember even a simple Thank You can make a difference.

3. Volunteer. There are so many opportunities to help military spouses from pitching in for a girl scout fundraiser or helping fix up a home for a person whose spouse is serving. Check out your local message boards, newspapers, and also visit Serv.gov which links you to LOTS of other local opportunities to volunteer your time at. 

4. Visit Operation Homefront. This is an awesome website that lists specific needs from military families. This site allows you to donate money for a certain need ( everything from helping a mom with a power bill to helping a vet with the funds to build a wheelchair ramp), ways to volunteer, and ways for you to give other than cash. This really is a great site and any way you can help shows your support. 

5. Sometimes you can't be the one they talk to because you just can't relate and that's ok. There are lots of websites out there for military families to discuss topics, find out information, and get together in only a way that others who are in their situation can do. Show them Military OneSource which is a great site that has LOTS of articles, information on new military programs, and counseling options available, also  NAMMAS.org which is the "Support bra for military moms and spouses", just to name a few. 

6. Remember that at the end of the day sometimes these brave men and women just need someone to talk to so give her your number and be willing to listen anytime, day or night. They carry the world on their shoulders, offer to take some of that burden off for a little while. 

In conclusion, to every military spouse out there I say thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you a million times over and if you have any other ideas PLEASE feel free to post them here, show us how to help.

Hey guys

First, Hubby let me sleep in while he watched the baby, and then I went to work and worked with some awesome ladies who always make me smile and laugh so I was like:

Then I found out that some of my other co-workers ( who we all dislike so it's not that big of a deal ) were talking bad about myself and my job performance ( basically they're jealous because I can cut my hours back and they have to work like slaves to our company). So then I was like:

Then I get leave work and head to Starbucks where I swear the conversation goes like this at the drive thru: 

Me: Uhm yea I need to get a medium blonde roast with two shots of vanilla and cream and sugar please.

Him: Uh....what size was that?

Me: Medium.

Him: What? 

Me: MMMEEEEEEEDIUUUUUUUMMMMMM

Him: OH you mean grande

Me: I mean medium. 

Him: $2.90 please pull forward

Here's the thing, I usually order it the stupid way it's "suppose" to be but I forgot this time that Starbucks thinks their so stinking special that they don't get to be called medium and small they get fancy frou frou names ( Italian I think....yet they began at a farmers market in Seattle, can you say pretentious!??) So I took my coffee that the dude probably spit in and headed home. I ate dinner and then I got to thinking. I haven't written a blog post in quite a while. I felt really, really, bad. I felt like I let you guys down.

So then I began to write something funny, informative, and awesome but I didn't get far and then I thought I shouldn't just not write anything so I figured I would let you guys in on the whole thing. I think I'm still sort of out of it, and it's hard. I feel like things are still crazy ( in a mostly good way) in my personal life and super crazy ( mostly in a bad way) with the world right now. I think I have a lot of praying to do, and I just hope that I can get back to writing and sharing my little world with you guys: the awesome people who still read this blog and continue to support me through this weird time. I heart your faces and you don't know what it means to me that you're here...reading this. If it wasn't so expensive and sort of creepy I would go to each of your homes and give you a huge hug.

Just another day

I got a message from my mom today:
 

"So I had these really pretty, purple flowers and as you may have noticed I said had...well [Her Korean Neighbor] sees them, picks all my flowers, puts salt on them and then eats them. Apparently they use these flowers in Korea for medicine so now the only flowers I had in my yard are now gone ... a little Korean woman stole them to eat..."

I can't make this stuff up. 

House Party, let me sing thy praise...

Have you guys heard about this awesome website called 

House Party ?

Before I go on talking about it I just wanted to assure you guys that I was not paid for this. This is all me baby and on my own free will. 

 House Party is this really awesome site that wrangles up free products, coupons, party favors, sometimes even decorations and games from all types of brands. They ship these parties in a box free to people like you and I to host and share, and all you have to do is submit an application.

When you submit an application you have to wait and see if you've been chosen.The application consists of a few questions, and a few things that you agree upon: honoring their "party pact", inviting guests, sharing the product, etc, etc. If you are selected as a host they send you an email which you need to click on ASAP. This will send you back to the website where you have to quickly type in all of the people who you want to invite's email addresses. If you do it quick enough and if there are enough spots you get to host a party!

Hosting a party is awesome. It's like a Christmas where you get free goodies and get to celebrate and enjoy with your friends.....just like Christmas...ok bad example but you get what I'm saying. It's awesome! The whole reason I decided to write about them is because I was chosen to host a BIC Soleil Fun & Flirty House Party. Woohoo! This will actually be the third party that I've gotten to host.

My guests and I will be among the first to receive their new Shave and Trim Disposable Razor each plus there will be coupons, masks, tiaras, a card game, posters and an apron inside the party pack. Did I mention this is all free? It's free to sign up, free to apply, free shipping to you, and all you have to do is share the news, invite the friends, and host an awesome party for their product. 

One of the great things about this website is that it's not just for women or only beauty brands, it's all sorts of companies from food to toys, games, alcohol and everything in between. There is something for everyone. My party is scheduled for June 1 and rest assured that I will take LOTS of pics and tell you guys how it went. 

So go on and check out their site, apply for a few parties and cross your fingers. It's really fun so spread the news and get your friends to try it out too, if you don't get chosen to host one maybe they will and you'll get to go or better yet steal their box when it comes in the mail. HA! Just kidding.