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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

It got me thinking....

When I filled out the 25 things about me I thought about my girls... they make up a huge % of my life, time, and who I am. So, I thought I would write 25 things about them at the ages they are right now....

Rebecca (3 yrs 3 weeks)
1. She loves chocolate chip muffins.
2. She is very sensitive.
3. She cries when the trash man takes our trash... she thinks he is mean to it.
4. She will not try new foods unless they include chocolate, and sometimes not even then
5. She loves to hug and kiss her sister
6. She would wear a princess dress every day
7. She could watch Spongebob all day if allowed
8. She loves playing with friends
9. She goes to bed easily, and asks at 6:00 every night if it is bed time
10. She loves jewelry, make up, and anything girly
11. She thinks everything can be bought with 6 dollars
12. She loves to travel in the car
13. She can count to 10 in spanish and mandarin
14. She loves to dance like a ballerina, no matter what music is on
15. She hates having her hair washed, and cries when you put her in the bath tub, but then does not want to get out
16. She hates having her hair combed, but wants to wear pigtails every day
17. She does not want to take a nap,but will fall asleep on the floor playing
18. She likes to help me clean and cook
19. She thinks her daddy can fix anything with his screwdriver
20. She loves flowers and always wants to buy them at the store
21. She thinks everyday should be a birthday party
22. No amount of bribery can get her to do something she doesn't want to
23. She will play quietly in her room for hours in the morning, but she checks on daddy and mommy when they are still sleeping
24. She loves to look at pictures on mommy's computer
25. She has to have her blanket, cowboy bear, pumpkin bear, care bear and pillow to go to bed


Sarah.... 17 months
1. She is fearless
2. She will climb anything
3. She loves to give hugs and kisses (when she is in the mood)
4. She loves to push the buttons on daddy's x-box
5. She can count to three
6. She loves to play "wake up jeff"
7. She does not like wearing dresses or nightgowns
8. When she wakes up she cries loudly until you get her
9. She loves to watch the Wiggles or listen to their music
10. She gets fussy easily in large groups of people, and does not like parties
11. She prefers to play alone or with a few friends
12. She lights up when her daddy gets home
13. She can snuggle on your lap for hours
14. She can not pronounce mommy and calls me "nonny". Daddy and Becca come out fine.
15. She has three rolls on each thigh that I love to tickle
16. She squeals whenever she sees a picture of her friend Camden
17. She will try most any food
18. She has pale blond curly hair, I hope it stay this way
19. She reminds me of my brother every day
20. She is strong and will push Rebecca on the ride on toys
21. She does not want to be carried up the stairs now that she can do it
22. She sings a night night song with her dad when it is time to go to bed
23. She has bright blue eyes, while both mom and dad have brown
24. She is very quick to learn things
25. She has taught me much patience...

Tagged on Facebook

I was tagged on FB to make a list of 25 things about me... thought I would share...

1. I have Attention Deficient Disorder.. this may be come apparent as you read this
2. My middle name is "Jay", after my grandfather, J.R.
3. I am allergic to cats and dogs
4. When I was 13, my brother and I got into a fight and threw frozen tater tots at one another.
5. I have known my best friend, Amy, since I was 12.
6. When I was in Jr. High I never did my math homework, but still got full points on it every time because the teacher would let us grade our own(10!)
7. I actually like going to church (and singing in the choir.. and sitting by Lisa...giggle!)
8. I have two bachelor's degrees, one in Liberal Arts from U of M and one in Finance from Aquinas
9. I became a Catholic when I was attending Aquinas
10. I dreaded quitting my job to be a stay at home mom, but now I love it and can't imagine doing anything else.
11. I love volunteering, ADA, Project Night Night, soup kitchens, etc.
12. I always thought I would have sons; even thought the ultrasounds were wrong... now I can't imagine life without my chicks!
13. I lived in "sin" with my husband for a year before we were married!
14. I was accepted to Vanderbilt's MBA program, but am not sure if I want to do it
15. I am addicted to the internet (but I have OCD, I go to sites in a particular order)
16. I actually like watching Spongebob with my kids
17. I love to sing,and once won 500 dollars in a karaoke contest
18. I sat at a table in Chick Fil-et next to Tim McGraw and Faith Hill when I was pregnant and Faith asked me how far along I was.
19. I enjoy painting my house and would probably change the colors every month if it were not so much work
20. The summer between my junior and senior yrs of college I ate a hot dog every day because I won a years worth from Oscar Meyer
21. I may not ever work outside the home again, and I am okay with that... I like being with my kids
22. I am more domestic than I ever thought I would be, though...
23. I hate to cook
24. I love wine, but it always gives me a headache
25. I thought I would have a hard time coming up with 25 things, but it was pretty easy!

Friday, January 23, 2009

Martin Luther King Decor

Dear Homes With Christmas Lights still on,
It is now January 23rd and we are soon approaching the one month anniversary of Christmas passing. In years past I would have had witty and sarcastic musings for why you still have your light-up reindeer in your yard. I would have berated you for continuing to deck your halls and windows with festive lights and bows after the holiday season.

Now, I humbly thank you. Scouring neighborhoods for Christmas lights has become a scavenger hunt for my three year old. She gets so excited when we drive by a house that is ablaze with festivity and will announce, "Look Mom, there are Christmas Lights!"

The downside to this is she was under the impression that Santa was coming back. I had to explain that Santa needs 11 months to pay off his credit card and that the union mandates the elves get a paid vacation in February.

Now we have a new game when we see your house. My daughter will say, "Mom, are those Christmas Lights?" and I will respond with whatever holiday is closest, "No those are Martin Luther King Jr Day Lights".

All I ask is come St. Patrick's day you only turn on the green ones.
Thanks,
Amanda

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Get Your Recession On

I have become one of those people. The "I remember when gas was 89 cents a gallon, eggs were 59 cents a carton, and stamps were only a quarter" people. In case you have been living in a cave with Bin Laden, you may have heard rumor of the economy tanking.

I actually majored in Economics in college. So very not fitting to a Diva personality, but whatever! The side effect of that unfortunate four year collegiate stint is that when the reporters start getting all technical on CNN, I actually understand what they are saying. It brings back "Nam-like" flashbacks from my junior year. But, I digress.

The headlines out there are aimed to scare us Divas away from the makeup counter and straight into the warm office of our financial institutions. IRA's, CD's, 401k's? Not this Diva- I totally prefer DKNY, M.A.C., and D & B. Plus, what good is a portfolio if you are carrying it in a reusable shopping bag? (side note: I totally heart the reusable shopping bags from Trader Joe's... they are so funky!)

My DH is more a fan of having cash and stability, so I have had to find a happy middle. Break out the text book... Diva Mom is coming out of retirement. Time to put that over-priced college education to use.

First step: Set up a budget that allows contributions to savings accounts, my hubby's bi-monthly poker games, my monthly (read: weekly) impulse purchases at Target (oh, I covet you red stickered discount item), tivo, gas for our two environmentally unconscious SUV's, gym membership (hah- not for me!), all my monthly medications (YAY!), keeping the Diva's fed and clothed and looking fabulous. I'll let you know how it turns out. In the meantime, I've got my eye on you CNN scroll... you can't scare me.... I am a mother of two Divas; I don't scare easily.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Party till you Puke

I am tired. I took care of both divas last week when they were vomiting (Wednesday and Thursday). Friday Sarah was still puking a bit, but got better as the day went on. On Thursday, a dreaded event occurred... taking Rebecca to the doctor for her 3-yr check up.
Rebecca loves to play doctor, read books about doctors, watch her "Elmo goes to the Doctor" movie, etc. But.... Taking her to the actual doctor prompts her to scream, flail, wail, and just be downright uncooperative on every level. Makes no sense to me.

Friday my best friend from Michigan, Amy, came into town for the weekend. That was fun. She is such a great help with the girls and the parties. Saturday was Rebecca's birthday party at the Jump Zone. I was impressed by how little was required of me. Just brought a cake and my credit card.

Sunday I had a baby shower at my house for one of my mommy friends. Everything went well. The only downside was after it was over I had to take Amy back to the airport. :O(

My goal to have Rebecca potty trained by age three is out the window. She is now three and still has no desire to potty anywhere but her diaper. Sigh, I figure I will give her a week and then start again. Getting her to wear panties is like trying to get Britney Spears to wear them.

Oh, I think I smell poop, off to change ANOTHER diaper. Don't envy my life too much!

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The DIVA is 3!


Ho-ly Crap. Yesterday my Diva Rebecca turned 3. I spent all day thinking, "it's 11:00, three years ago I was writhing in pain", "it's 1:00, three years ago I was being prepped for an emergency c-section", etc. etc.

In true Diva fashion, Rebecca has already had two b-day celebrations. On New Year's Day we celebrated with my mom and dad and had cake. Yesterday I made her cupcakes and she had four of her neighborhood friends over. This coming Saturday is her "real" birthday party. I swear, the girl has more b-day parties than Paris Hilton!

Monday, January 5, 2009

Follow ME!

I have a bet going with someone that I can get 30 people to follow my blog in 30 days....
I want to win this bet. I will be posting a lot more often, so check back frequently, and if you are viewing this ... click on the right hand side to follow me!

*no monetary gain, etc. is to be had from this. Just my pride and ego!

Sunday, January 4, 2009

Dear Spanx,

Dear Sara Blakely,
I am writing to tell you why I loathe your product. After popping out two children via c-section my midsection is anything but toned and trim. Add to that my love for full-fat lattes and my maniacal obsession with all things chocolate or cheesy and you are left with a tummy and thighs that no small amount of airbrushing could improve. Luckily, my rack stayed intact for the most part.

Being a Stay at Home Mom means that part of my job description is to love all things that Oprah approves. When I heard that your power panties were one of her favorite things I was curious. Could I look sleek and slim? Or at least less round and dimply?

While walking through my local Dillard's I noticed a large display of "Spanx" along with a television blasting how awesome I would look if I just dropped $30 USD into your waiting pocket. (okay, so maybe I am paraphrasing, but you get it). The video even pimped Oprah out as she discussed how "life altering" this product was.

Um, yeah...
I bought the "Power Panties" to wear underneath a pair of pants (I so almost wrote slacks... how old am I?!?) that are thisclose to fitting me perfectly.

Your "Power Panties" USD $30 advertisement says this:
"The world's first performance underwear combines the comfort of regular underwear, the feel of hosiery and the power of a shaper. Eliminating the legband creates body-shaping control that's both comfortable and flattering."

Let me break it down for you Spanx Lady- and yes, based on my height and weight I did buy the right size.
"comfort of regular underwear"... well, my "regular" underwear are cotton, and do not require 5-7 minutes and many eff bombs to put on.
"feel of hosiery"... okay. you win on this front. Spanx did feel like hosiery. They also ripped like hosiery when I took them off at the end of the day.
"comfortable and flattering"... flattering? yes... and no. The overall look when I stood perfectly still was a Diva of 10 lbs lighter. However, the look after I moved even one inch was of me yanking my spanx up from rolling down over my waistband. I would hike them back up to the resting place under the ta-ta's and back down they would roll. Sometimes they would stop halfway, somewhere near my belly button, and give me a divine muffin-top belly.
As for comfort... I think everything above answers this, but in case it does not, no, they were not comfortable.
For a parting note, let me quote an episode of "Seinfeld"...

Elaine: Why do they call it a "wedgie"?
George: Because the underwear is pulled up from the back until ... it wedges in.
Jerry: They also have an Atomic Wedgie. Now the goal there is to actually get the waistband on top of the head. It's very rare.
Elaine: Boys are sick.
Jerry: Well what do girls do?
Elaine: We just tease someone until they develop an eating disorder.

Atomically Yours,
Amanda Black

How much is too much?

One of my favorite people, Jackie recently moved five hours away. Jackie makes the world's greatest macaroni and cheese, so good that I have re-named it "Jack-a-roni and cheese". (oh, I crack me up!)
Jackie would bring her famous Jack-n-cheese to any social function we had, always by request. I loved it so much that I asked her for the recipe about a year back. Once she moved, I knew if I wanted to taste the creamy cheese and noodle casserole I would have to make it myself.
I made it for the first time a couple weeks ago, and it was almost as good. But honestly, sub par jack-n-cheese is far superior to any other.
I have made it three times in four weeks. I am most definitely not sick of it, but don't want my family to become tired of it.
How much can I make it before my family leads a protest?
I have a history of doing this. Shortly after Sarah was born I was hooked on a cheese soup that I made at least once a week until Bob said, "no more". (Do you sense a cheese pattern here?)