Goddess Is Testing Lately & Tonight Is the Biggest So Far

For the past three weeks Goddess has been testing her powers. She is a very strong willed, beautiful, loving little girl however she WILL NOT be told what to do. This will unfortunately be a problem for her over the next few years. She tests us (me and Teach) and her teachers at school.

She has always hated being told what to do. Where most kids will eventually crumble. She will NOT. Eventually she will do what was told of her but always with "don't see me." In her mind if we don't see her, it was on her terms, her time.

Lately, she has been trying to sit on the table. When I tell her to get off she smiles and gets back on. She, like Handsome think everything we say is a joke. It is only until we are standing over them screaming that they realize we mean business.

Tonight she started her table sitting. I took her off three times with a "we don't sit on the table" speech. The fourth time I took her to the bathroom brushed her teeth and took her to her bedroom (she would be going in 30 minutes anyway).

We did her prayers like every night, I tucked her in and said good-night. I saw the realization come over her face. She was shocked! But....she continued to come out for 35 minutes. I bring her back in and walk out hearing her cry. I fight the urge to walk in and have a conversation with her. It would make me look like a fool and know that she is Ok. A little crying never hurt anyone. I remind myself that I stood firm and that this is a good lesson for all of us.

I put her very good brother (for at least tonight) to bed with hugs and kisses and a few "thank you for being such a good boy tonight" messages and headed back into the living room where who is waiting there? Goddess, with a friggin smile on her face. Grrr....I push the anger, exhaustion and total pissed off feeling down. Picking her up the now 20th time tonight, I bring her back to her room. She comes out. I pick her up and bring her back in telling her that my patience is wearing thin but if she wants to say I'm sorry to call for me.

She follows me out. I bring her back in and give her a tiny smack on her butt and walk out. I hear her crying. She has stopped right now and I want to walk down the hall to see what she is doing. Is she sleeping? Crying silently, creeping back down the hall?

The professionals would reprimand me for the smack on the butt but seriously it was just a tap.

Ok...so she came back down the hall. This is one of those things that if I had just let the table thing go she would have gone to bed at 8:00 like every other night and I wouldn't be so pissed off at 8:18 p.m.

She is still awake, still upset! She came out AGAIN. It is 8:27. I brought her back in. I knew that she needed to hear that I love her and everything is ok. I put her in bed and tell her "I know you are scared. You think Mommy doesn't love you right now but you are wrong. I do love you and I know you want to be a good girl because that is WHAT you are. You are good. You are being silly right now. It is time for bed and we are all upset. Go to sleep." She hugs me and asked if I will tell her Daddy what happened. She wants me to. I tell her yes and that he will kiss her forehead like he does every night. I assure her that everything is ok and that she doesn't have to be scared. She says, "I want to be a good girl." I tell her that she is a good girl and that this doesn't mean she isn't loved.

She hugs my arm. She is sensitive but I know I have to leave. As much as I want to stay until she is asleep. I leave. I hear her crying quietly. I know it is because she is tired, and hurt. She thinks that I am mad. She is worried. It wasn't a lifetime ago. I remember being a little girl, feeling that you let your parents down and that it was the worst pain in the world to think they were mad at you.

I will go in when I am sure she is asleep. I will kiss her forehead, play with her hair, smell her beautiful baby girl scent. Placing my hand on her heart I will tell her that I love her. I know she won't hear me but hopefully she will feel me and this will give her enough comfort to have pleasant dreams and know that her Mommy will always love her.

Because If I Don't Put It Here, I Forget

Just some life updates:

1- My girlfriend is working and I never get to see her anymore.

2-Goddess was sick for 24 hours this weekend. Thankfully it is over and we can all move on.

3-Handsome is doing great in school and his reading is impressive.

4-I had to stop for a bear crossing last week. It was 3:20 p.m. and the road was full of cars and buses. No matter, this bear had to get to the other side I guess. He crossed right in front of my car. I sounded like a crazy person as I told the kids, "look at the bear, look at the bear."

5-Went out with my husband two weeks ago. Had the best night. We went out last November and this was 100 times better. It was so good I am still thinking about it.

6-Tonight at about 5:30 p.m. a bear walked through my back yard as I shouted for the rest of the house to quickly look out the window. Big fat bear with no place to go. Just slowly walked through, across our bridge and through our neighbors yard.

7-I had to go to the doctor today for a rash that appeared on my hand on Saturday morning. I tried to ignore it but it spread to my other arm and then my torso. I figured poison ivy but the husband said, it wasn't the season for it. I headed to the doctor and was told yup, "poison sumac."

8-We are once again obsessed with South Park! South Park rules.

9-Looking forward to Cougar Town this week although I am not sure if I will stick with it.

10-Handsome's 1st tooth will be falling out any day now.

11-Today's visit to the doctor put a smile on my face. The doctor thought I was lying about my age. He assumed I was early 30's, perhaps 32, 33 at the most. I am 43 so hearing this is wonderful. Hooray Me!

12-Goddess has started using the word "actually" a lot lately.

ABC Wednesday - Knight

I was hard up for an idea for ABC Wednesday this week. I had some problems coming up with "K". I could have easily gone with kids. I have two and obviously have thousands of them but...I decided to go with "Knight".

The day before Goddess started school I took her to the Children's Museum. She had a great time playing dress up. One of the costumes was for a knight. I seriously need to take her again! This time with her brother. They have both been there but separately. It is much easier for mom to keep an eye on them if I have only one but they seriously want to go together.

The Air Show Brings It

Last week Goddess and I were in the right place at the right time. While getting gas we saw a plane doing free falls, death rolls, spins and spirals and I remembered that an air show was near.

I pulled the car over and we headed out. I found a spot not to far away from the airport and we sat on the grass watching. She picked me flowers, clovers and headed me leaves which I geared in my camera bag. Each item is a blessing. She told me on Thursday that the reason she gives me these is because "you take us to school and fun places and stuff." Cute. It used to be because she loved me. Then it was because "I know you like these."

Love the above shot because you can see the propeller moving!

Then the pilot of red plane got out and I snapped a picture of his red uniform. I felt like a total tool but I was on a meme mission and damn it I was going to get some red!!! 

Cemetery Angels

I headed out for a cemetery walk with my girlfriend on Friday. We both love angels and we took some amazing pictures of the statues.

 

Mellow Yellow Randomness - Because That's The Way I Roll

I seriously had no tie in for these random photos of various shades of yellow for Mellow Yellow this week. Is that a run on? Where the heck does the comma go?

Cemetery Photo Shoot Brings Some Blue

This past Friday, I headed out on a cemetery photo shoot with my friend Lauri. We enjoyed the weather and the serenity as we snapped photos and read inscriptions. We hope to go there again before the leaves fall. It really is a beautiful place.

The dress on the statue was a late find. I was so happy to find her. She was a little statue of a girl with holding a stuffed animal. Someone had put a necklace on her. There was a decorative Spring lawn flag, a dog statue, a garden orb and tons of flowers. I would love to know the story behind the monument. It didn't appear to be a headstone. It seemed to be just a statue. But she is well taken care of. 

Fun on A Budget Costs About 59 Cents

My son has been in occupational therapy since he was two. Thanks to his therapists I have learned a lot of wonderful ways to keep the kids busy with things that are fun for them and also helpful and useful for certain sensory fun.

Neither of my children have a sensory issue but they do love playing with shaving cream. Why not, I love playing with it too. It's squishy, fun, smells good, and you can do so many things with it. I look for the cheap cream and wait for it to go on sale. When it does I pick up a few cans of it.

Information on Sensory Disorder:
Some children who deal with sensory processing disorder experience tactile defensiveness. Parents who have a clear understanding of the nature of the tactile defensive child can incorporate “messy play” activities at home. These activities can have a positive effect on the child's sensory needs.
Overview of Tactile Defensiveness

• Children with tactile defensiveness are over-sensitive to touch and other tactile input when compared to their peers.

• Messy play provides the child with a fun way to experience new textures.

Messy Play Idea – Shaving Cream

An inexpensive can of shaving cream can create a great opportunity for your child to experiment with new textures. If your child also has a sensitive sense of smell, it would be wise to find a fragrance-free brand of shaving cream. Spray the shaving cream on a mirror and allow the child to write or draw with his fingers. Once he is more comfortable with that sensation, encourage him to make handprints; using the entire hand gives a completely different feeling than using fingers alone.

We usually just take serving trays and I spray a huge amount of cream in the center. They make snowmen, rub it all over the trays, squeeze it between their fingers, hid smalls toys inside it, and eventually have it up to their elbows. They will play for about 15-20 minutes and love it!

BTW, here is a great source for sensory recipes.

Self Portrait Sunday - September 26, 2009

This week are photos I took of myself on Wednesday night when I took the kids outside to play soccer.

Are We Playing Soccer Or What?

The past couple of nights I have been taking the kids outside to play around dusk. The weather is amazing, the sky stunning, the kids full of energy and willing to listen and my son practicing his soccer.

I have been trying to get him to play soccer on a team forever. For two years I signed him up and headed down on Saturday morning for at least 6 weeks before pulling him out. He never played. I never pushed. Just tried to coax. It never worked. This year with Wii and Kindergarten, he is very interested in soccer.

We head out for about an hour and he kicks the ball back and forth with me. He is good at traveling and blocking. Shock of all shocks, he likes it.

This week, I started talking to Goddess about making Fairy houses. I love how interested she is in all things outdoors. She really loves touching leaves, sticks, finding nuts, feathers, bugs, whatever. Building a Fairy house would be so much fun. So, while Handsome and I were kicking around a ball, she collected some things for her Fairy house.

When Handsome saw her pile getting bigger he headed over to investigate. She told him what she was doing and he started searching for things thus forgetting all about mom and the soccer ball.

This weekend I hope to build a Fairy house with them. Pictures will follow!

Tinkerbells Got My Back

Why does the baby happen to be hiding behind her Tinkerbell Umbrella?  Who knows! Personally I believe she is watching too much "Ni hao Kilan". She wears the umbrella only when it is sunny. To keep the sun out of her eyes and has started talking to me in Chinese. I have no idea what she is saying. I think I have to start watching Ni hao Kilan too.

Lather Up, Laugh It Up, Have A Colorful Day

1. Does soap or shampoo have to really lather up for you to feel that it cleaned thoroughly? For me. Yeah, bring on the suds.

2. Do you have a long standing joke with someone that you still laugh about every time you talk to that person? Yes...it is long standing and we still laugh about it but it is not every time I talk to that person because that would be demented. We talk at least once a week. But it happened over 20 years ago and we still laugh about it.

3. Share something that happened to you this past week that was unusual. While shopping at Michael's the cashier asked, "You're Street Angel right?" Too cool!

4. If you dropped a purple crayon and a green crayon off a roof, which would melt faster in the sun? I have two answers: 

Green, because it would be the thinner one, we use it more.

Neither, I wouldn't have a crayon on the roof with me, it would have a sharpie or a can of spray paint.

5. You are standing in line (grocery store, bank, etc.), and someone gets in line behind you that stinks. The stink is so bad that people in line in front of you turn around and look to see if you are the one causing the stink. Do you cover your nose, hold your breath, breathe through your mouth or just get out of line altogether? I make nasty, annoyed faces, hold my breath and sway my hand in front of my face while huffing and puffing until I can scadaddle out of there

6. If you dropped your cell phone in the toilet, would you fish it out? If so, how much soap would you use to wash your hands afterward? Oh hell yes! My beautiful pink, Blackberry in the toilet! Yikes. If it were my bathroom, enough to rinse. If it was someone else's toilet. There wouldn't be enough soap around to wash the feeling off my hand. It would require a special trip to CVS for a pint of Purell!

7. Sydney Australia dust storm (link). How long do you think it would take you to clean your house after that sort of dust storm? Screw cleaning. I'm moving out!

8. Do you think you can dance? I can swing ma hips baby. Bartending at a gogo bar for two years, you learn a thing or two.

9. You are out to eat and someone across the room is staring at you. Do you get paranoid, try to ignore them, or go find out why they are staring at you? I would figure they were trying to see if I was Street Angel of course. (refer back to #3)

10. Come up with a crazy, wacky Thursday Thunk question. Do you blame the kids, the dog, or the floor when you fart loud enough to be heard?

Photo Friday - Face

Photo Friday is a wonderful meme full of great photographers. I don't participate often because I never feel like I have what it takes for the theme. This week I do!

I headed out with a girlfriend this morning on a photo hunt. For the past three years I have been dying (haha, is this in bad taste?) to take pictures at this cemetery near me. Well, we headed there and spent about 2 hours, taking pictures, reading stones, and just enjoying the beautiful, serene moment. The weather was amazing and the sky blue!!!

So Into You - Sandra Hill - Book Review

In A Nutshell: I loved this book! I loved the names, Grace is my middle name. Angel, I collect angels. Sabato, hello Jagger from General Hospital! We all lived through Hurricane Katrina some of us more than others but even all the way down here in New York my heart broke for everyone who lost lives and homes.

This is a beautiful story with heart, friendship, second chances. Tante Lulu was by far my favorite character. I love a women with spunk!!

Sky Watch Friday - Air Show

Today was one of those perfect days. Goddess and I were lucky enough to be in the right place at the right time. While getting gas I spotted an air show. The planes were looping, swooping, and free falling. It was awesome. We drove to the airport, parked and enjoyed for about a half hour. Thankfully I had all my cameras with me after a photo shoot morning with my girlfriend at a cemetery.

Book Review - 1st Time Author and Personal Friend

If you are a reader of my blog you know that I read about 12 books a month for the past year. This review is quite different. This time I personally know the author.  Let me introduce you to her, her name is Anne Marie Busch.  Anne Marie is a happily married mother of three wonderful children and this is her very first book.

Her book New Beginnings is a story of respect, family, second chances, undying love, first love, true love and transformation.

Author Interview
I had a chance to ask Anne Marie some questions and here is what she had to say:

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?  "I've wanted to be a writer for as long as I started to get little stories in my head.  So, it has probably been since grade school".

How long does it take you to write New Beginnings book? "I got an idea in October 2008, and I wrote on and off until March 2009, when I sent in the book."

Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? "Most of the time I get my ideas from dreams or daydreams.  If I need to do some research, I go on the internet."

Do you have a favorite character in New Beginnings? If so, who? "I like both the couples in the book.  Maybe my favorite would be Michael because he's the most complex, and changes the most."

What do you like to do when you're not writing? "I like to hang out with my family.  I like to play some kind of sport, or read.  I like movie and television comedies and dramas."

What does your family think of your writing? "My family was very excited for me, and a bit surprised that I went ahead and had a book published."

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating New Beginnings? "I am surprised that I finished it and had it published.  There are so many stories that I have begun and never finished."

Where any of your characters loosely based on people in your life?  "There are no characters that I can say are loosely based on people in my life, but there are little things here and there that the characters do or say that might be similar to things that I have experienced.  These characters are a mixture of many things."

Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they? "Write in your comfort zone.  Don't try to compare yourself to or emulate other writers."

What do you think makes a good story? "I believe that your main characters have to be likable."

Do you have any reading group question suggestions for New Beginnings?  "Who is your favorite character and why?"

In A Nutshell: New Beginnings has a great storyline. The characters are all very likable and the dialogue very real. You find yourself pulling for the characters and want them to come out happy in the end. My favorite character was John. A widower who deserved to be happy after losing his wife to cancer. I watched my father lose my mother to cancer and I feel that Anne Marie wrote him very true to life. Very true to a man who lost the love of his life and is left with two children to raise. New Beginnings is by someone who has a desire to write. I am so proud of her! Seeing her name on the cover as she handed it to me was amazing. I can only imagine how she feels. We discussed that she could now check "write a book" off her bucket list.

A Thousand Words Thursday - Sometimes it is OK to play with our Food!

Last year Handsome made an apple sculpture at school. Goddess wanted to make one so bad but she was in the two day a week 3-4 year old preschool and it was not an activity for her class. This year she is in the five days a week, 4-5 year old group and was able to participate. There was never a happier girl!

Yet, another Goddess staged photo. She is her own director and mostly tells me what picture to take.

Check Out The Shandle!

Dear Readers,

Let me introduce you to the Shandle. Believe me, you, will want one!!!

I have a husband and a son and well, you know how it goes. The toilet has to be cleaned every single day. Sometimes 3 days pass before I get to it. I hate that my son has to touch it when he lifts it. I hate that I have to touch it to lift and clean it.

Last night, I had a stomach thing, and just touching it I had that gross out feeling.

When I was pregnant and had to hurl every other hour this would have saved my life.

The makers of The Shandle have many different kinds. The one they sent me has a little frog on it reminding everyone to wash their hands.

There are even Halloween themes!

Even the packaging is cute! Each Shandle comes in a little toilet wallet. Cuuteee.

I tried to take a video of me showing you how easy Shandle is to install but You Tube lost it. Go figure.

It really is easy! Simply pull off the strip revealing the adhesive and press onto toilet. Good to go!

I seriously believe there should be one of these in every home. I think it would be great if there was a way to make disposable ones to take with you. It is so gross to take my son into a public bathroom. I usually tell him "don't touch anything" and I clean up any drops later.

The Shandle is a great inexpensive way to keep our children's hands off one of the nastiest places of the house. The reminder to wash afterwards is simply icing on the cake. Hopefully the men in our lives take some hints.

ABC Wednesday - J

There Is A God!

I have always been a believer that the signs of a higher power are there if we choose to see them. Friday, I had the opportunity to experience a sign.

So, it went something like this...

My son gets out almost 3:30 from school. My daughter and I head out usually around 3:00 for pickup. Friday she asked for bagel bites, I checked the freezer and we were out.

I asked if she wanted to head into town for a slice of pizza (something we never do). It was about 1:15. I had all the time in the world before my son's pickup. We went to a local pizza place that I don't usually go to. I ordered our pizza and when he gave them to me I said, "can I pay for them so when I have to leave, I can just go?" He took my debit card. We had plenty of time. I looked at my watch at about 2:00 thinking ok, what do I do with her until 3:00?

She was eating the last bite of her pizza and I received a call.

"Hello, is this Maria?"
"Yes"

"Hi, it's the school. Are you Handsome's mom?"
"Yes" My stomach did a flip. Was he sick, did he get hurt.

"Ummm...did you forget about early dismissal? They got out at 2:15 today."

My heart ached. My hand was at my throat.

"Don't worry Maria. He is in the office, so take your time. He is ok."

I grabbed Goddess and flew out to the pizzeria pulling up in front of the school by 2:31.

He was coloring and the principal and his teacher had each spent time with him waiting before the office staff gave him crayons and said, "draw a picture for mommy."

I apologized, grabbed him and hugged him and flew out of there.

He was really only in the office about 10 minutes. He is the only Kindergartner who doesn't take a bus so they had waited until the buses left and then walked him to the office for the dreaded phone call.

My heart ached. It wasn't that I forgot about him. He was on my mind the whole time but I forgot that they had early dismissal. I felt like the worse mother on the planet. I knew it wasn't terrible but I felt so bad that he had to be walked to the office and I wonder what he was thinking.

Why I know there is a God?
If I had been at home I would have been over 15 minutes away. 
If I had bagel bites (which I usually do) obviously, I would have still been home.
If I hadn't paid before hand, I wouldn't have been able to run out like I did. I would have had to wait for them to run my card or wait for customers.
Everything worked out perfectly.

I still have the mommy guilt but I know it was just a wake up call. I also know it could have been worse.

Ruby Tuesday - My Filigree Creation

Mellow Yellow & Blue Monday, Perfect Together

I took my daughter to the Children's Museum a few weeks ago. This was the shopping area where kids can pretend shop. She had such a great time but we didn't play long in this area because a mom and her 3 kids came and took over. Who needs to share when there is so much to see? We moved on and checked out the rest coming back at a later time.  

Self Portrait Sunday - September 20, 2009

The Teach and I went out to dinner last night minus the children. My niece came over to watch the kids and we knew there was no time limit. I was dressed up which hardly ever happens. Unfortunately there is nothing to show for it. We enjoyed dinner, headed to two local bars and then to his office for some alone time. We got home around 10:00 p.m. the kids were still awake. We put them to bed, get changed, and then I decided to take the self portrait pictures wearing my washed out evening makeup and my Sponge Bob pajamas. The next time I will ask my niece to take a picture of us before we head out so I have the memory of how we showed, dressed and headed out without kids.

Goddess Visits the Naughty Chair At School

Here is my princess hugging a dragon and telling it that it was going to be ok. "Don't worry, that bigger dragon is going to hurt you. He is our friend."

This same little girl on Wednesday, had to sit in the naughty chair at school.

I went into school. The kids are all lined up waiting for the parents to pick them up and she runs and hugs my leg like she does everyday. I pick up her work on the table and notice a worksheet for everyone else except her. I say, "you didn't do a worksheet today?" Her teachers says, "oh yes, she has it right...oh no...right...she didn't do one today because she had to sit in the naughty chair when we were doing it."

I ask what happened and she tells me that my precious baby girl was "acting crazy, like an animal" throwing toys around after spinning them. Her and a little boy named Mitchell didn't stop when asked and ended up sitting in the naughty chair.

As she starts telling me, Goddess walks into the other room by the door to wait for me. We walk out and she says, "I don't know why my teacher told you that." Ummm...

We get into the car and I tell her that I am disappointed in her. That she has to listen to her teachers and ask if she likes being in trouble. She smiles and says, "Yes." Ummm....grrr....

I take her to her father's office (he is 2 minutes from her school) and tell him there was some trouble at school and I ask if she wants me to tell him or if she does. He goes around to talk to her and she hangs her head. He hugs her....grrr...she looks like she wants to cry.

I get a call from the teacher an hour later just telling me that school is canceled for tomorrow (there will be no electric). I tell Goddess that she will not be allowed to go to school tomorrow because she didn't listen to her teacher. She is upset and begs to go. I tell her that she can go on Friday as long as she listens to her teachers from now on.

A few hours later, Goddess and I head out to pick up Handsome. He gets in the car and Goddess says, "how was school? Did you listen to your teachers. I had a little trouble at school today. Mom do you want to tell him?"

Now, this totally cracked me up. Did she say it because we had discussed it and she wanted her brother to know or was it because she overheard me say it to two of my friends over the phone and figured go ahead and tell him, you've told everyone else. I guess I will never know!

What I want to add here is that today, she got a sticker and knows she has to be good at school. There was a child who didn't listen and she made sure to tell me that that girl shouldn't be at school tomorrow.

Close Encounters of The Third Grade Kind - Philip Done

In A Nutshell: I love Close Encounters of The Third Grade Kind! I finished it in 1 day and that was over 4 days ago but I have picked it up everyday to re-read portions. If you know how backed up on book reviews and personal picks I am, you would know this is a problem. I laughed, I cried and I chuckled out loud. Mr. Done has totally humanized teachers for me forever. He is the teacher I would wish my children would have in school or at least someone like him.

I think this book shows just how special teachers are and how very serious they take their jobs. I agree with him that parenthood, motherhood, and fatherhood are words. We should also say teacherhood. Teachers are the people who will help shape the people our children will become. I will forever be changed by this funny, inspiring, loving, book by Phillip Done

I implore you to buy or borrow this book and read it. If you buy it, I beg you to pass it on. I will be picking up the first book by Philip Done 32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny: Life Lessons from Teaching. By the way Hachette Book Group has an Open Access to the book, so if you want to know what all the hype is, read it here. 

Color Carnival - The Parakeets

I really have to write about this before I forget. I took the kids to the Zoo a few days before school started and we headed into the bird atrium. You pay $2.00 for a stick of some birdseed and the birds eat from you. It is really cool and the kids were so excited. Look at the amazing color on these parakeets.

A Thousand Words Thursday - Daddy's Little Girl

This is one of my favorite photos. I love how she looks so comforted and how he looks like he is enjoying the moment. In reality, it was probably that she had just come off a 20 hours screaming bender because that's what she did. He was probably blinking or was frustrated.

Happy Tuesday Friends

So much to discuss:

GH is getting crazy. Liz and Nicholas what the hell?

My son loves school but every morning starts out with "I don't want to go to school. School's hard."

My daughter goes every day and loves picking out her clothes for the day.

My husband and I hope to head over to the Faire this weekend with the help of my niece who will babysit.

The whole Kayne West thing just burns my butt.

Can someone please explain Lady Gaga to me?  Is his what our kids are listening to? I'm scared. Thankfully, I still control the radio in the car. We listen to Kids Place Live and my MP3 player. Taylor Swift and the Score from Twilight.

Down to 3 review books, I hope some more start coming in.

The Vampire Diaries was pretty good for a TV show. I am looking forward to it.

Enjoying my 15 hours a week to myself too much. Time to set up a work out time.

Time to start thinking about Halloween. The kids are so excited. One wants to be Scooby and the other wants to be Super Mario. Can you guess which one is which?

My daughter said, "Ohhhhhh I am so hot, it makes me so frustrated! Does it make you frustrated too mommy." Oh yeah that is my daughter. I hate the heat.

My girlfriends are awesome.

I need to call my Grandma.

Ruby Tuesday - Light Bright

The day before I took Goddess to her first day of Preschool, we dropped her brother off at school and I asked her what she wanted to do.


"I start school tomorrow, you should take me to some place I have never been."

How could I argue with that? That was how she got a TV in her room. Right before her third birthday she told her father when asked what do you want for your birthday?

"I want a TV! You have a TV, Mom has a TV, and Handsome has one, where is mine?"

Anyway, I digress...I took her to the Children's Museum and let her explore for almost 3 hours. She had the best time. It was fairly empty except for about 10 other children.

Check out this massive Light Bright that was at the museum.

My Booky Wook by Russell Brand

Last night I finished Russell Brand's book called My Booky Wook (love that title). I have tons of books to review every  month but while at the library two weeks ago, I spotted this and fell in love with Russell's Brand of humor while watching him in Saving Sarah Marshall a few months back. He is sexy in a "perfumed, gayish, feminine" sort to way.

Russell, is a talented writer. Even if you are not a fan of his work, there is no denying that this British lad has a gift for the written word. "Syringes strewn like confetti at a junkie wedding" is just one of the many lines that cracked me up. He is unapologetic and honest and I think that is the way to be. If you know what you are, own it baby! Russell could charm the pants off a nun!

I highly recommend Russell's book. I could not put it down! If you love reading celebrity memoirs or just want to check out something different. Read My Booky Wooky.

My Side Note: I am not easily offended. Russell is bold and honest. This book is not for those who are offended by such topics as sex addiction, drug use and more.

Book Review - Morning Sunshine by Robin Meade

What I think: Robin's down to earth lessons on life is something everyone should follow. I love her advice on building your confidence and feel that young women should buy Robin's book and really study it. This is a great self esteem builder for all. Robin writes from the heart and it is obvious that she had a wonderful support system growing up. This is also a great read for someone who is plagued by anxiety attacks. Great tips!

The Simple Women's Daybook - September 14

FOR TODAY...

Outside my window...Stellar day! The sun is shining and the weather is a cool 76 degrees

I am thinking... That I have so many books to read and not enough life time.

I am thankful for...family and friends.

I am wearing...jeans, a gray t-shirt and my new man shoes

I am remembering...That my husband and I can connect so well even after 18 years of being together.

I am creating...jewelry, jewelry and more jewelry.

I am going...to sit down and watch a movie with my daughter in 40 minutes. Scooby, dooby, doo

I am reading...Robin Meade's Morning Sunshine

I am hoping...for some beautiful fall photos in the next few weeks.

On my mind...wondering if once a week posting on the daybook might be enough time spent online for me?...the age old question of time management

From the learning rooms...slow start to the bookwork with our trip this week taking our minds away from paperwork and pencils

Noticing that...the wooly bears are crawling around...sure sign of fall

Pondering these words...Don't You Know You Are Beautiful!?

From the kitchen...An easy night of whatever

Around the house...the kids are arguing and the table is full of paperwork I have to sort but, what else is new?!

One of my favorite things~ The cool, crisp air that filters through the open window.

A few plans for the rest of the week: Getting through this pile of paper that sits on my dining room table.

From my picture journal...This is what I made yesterday for Street Angel

Mommy, I Love The Whole World

In the car coming back from school, Goddess told me, "Mommy, I love the whole world. I wish I could give the whole world a hug."

It is times like this that I know there is a God!

She just says the sweetest things and they always come at just the right time.