More, More, More...

I love vacation.

2008-08-12T12:32:00.000-07:00

Don't you love being on vacation?

No stress.

No schedules.

No healthy eating.

No work.

Just ALL fun.

Fun times at the beach this week!

Did you hear? He's a dumb ass too.

2008-08-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

Why do men (and women) cheat? Do they not understand how wrong it is? I just don't get it. I don't understand it. I pray that I will never ever have to experience it.

I just read that John Edwards is no better than Bill Clinton and I am so very disappointed. He seemed to LOVE his wife so dearly. Guess not - because how in the hell could he cheat on her while she was battling cancer if he loved her?

Edwards told ABC News that he lied repeatedly about the affair with 42-year-old Rielle Hunter but said that he didn't love her. Idiot. He didn't love who? His wife or his whore? He said he has not taken a paternity test but knows he isn't the father because of the timing of the affair and the birth. Like anyone should believe his lying, cheating ass now. What an ass.

Read the article here on MSNBC.COM

Friday Fill In

2008-08-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

Friday fill in from Tommie who got it from Janet

1. You know you're old when 30 year old hot bartenders call you, "ma'am."

2. My heart is divided between leaving Holly (our dog) with her dog sitter and going on vacation for a week because we'll miss her - we leave tomorrow for NC!

3. Ironing is not my job! I haven't ironed in weeks!

4. I have felt the fear of a close call, I have known the depths of relief when it didn't happen. This could be applied to several situations... car accidents, injuries with the kids, the possibility of 3rd child...

5. Gah, won't these people ever call me back - waiting for the bank to get back to me on a request bank statement so I can submit my expense report.

6. Start the day's load of laundry when you can't fit anymore in the laundry basket!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to our trip to North Carolina's Atlantic Beach, tomorrow my plans include getting an early start on our drive and ending with a glass of white wine on the beach and Sunday, I want to have Captain Crunch cereal for breakfast and get on the beach by 10 AM!

Tagged x's 2

2008-08-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

I was tagged... twice!!

First by It's a Wonderful Lie - for 7 random facts about me...

1. I'd like to get my monogram tattooed on my body somewhere... just kidding. Thought about it - I'm too much of a chicken!

2. I love the smell of candy so much I was on a quest to find perfume that smelled like sugar and I found it - it's called Pink Sugar and I bought it on Beauty.com. I gave up wearing my Burberry Brit (what I wore for YEARS) because I got so many complements on it.

3. I must make my bed every day. When Mr. is the last to get out of bed and he doesn't make it I have to make it before getting back into it at night. I can not get into an unmade bed.

4. I am super sensitive to noise - it makes me nervous. When the kids are running around upstairs I want to crawl out of my skin even though I know they are just having fun. I can't take the noise.

5. I could go away for a week by myself on vacation and talk to no one. I would be perfectly fine with that. It's the noise thing.

6. I have super sensitive ears and nose - I can smell and hear everything. I think I am part bionic... you know like Jamie Sommers (Bionic Woman).

7. I believe I could be a great cook if I could just stop turning the stove on high to cook everything... 9 times out of 10 I burn whatever it is I am trying to cook because out of habit I turn the stove on high.

And second by WSU Laura. So here goes, 4 Things you should know about me before you invite me to your house...

1. I don't like taking off my shoes - neither does WSU Laura - my shoes are an integral part of my outfit and when they are off the outfit is incomplete. My children will happily take off their shoes though and I don't mind if you ask them to.

2. I would prefer to bring a dish so when I ask, "what can I bring?" I am not just saying it - I want to know what I can bring. If you don't tell me what I can bring then how will I know if we will end up with 2 desserts or 2 salads... or something. Please let me help.

3. I don't drink red wine - I drink white. I love red wine but I HATE that it stains my lips and teeth and it grosses me out to see people who have purple teeth and lips --- it's all I can focus on and it's distracting. White wine. I will usually bring a bottle but in the event I don't - it's what I prefer. I will drink a light beer if I must but I would rather drink water than red wine or a dark beer.

4. I love dogs but not dogs who insist on breathing their hot breath on me. If your dog does this... at least warn me... please.

Good New!

2008-08-06T23:01:00.000-07:00

I remembered who "Julie" is on my middle of the night "to do" list. Funny how it came to me in the middle of the night being 2 AM and all.

Julie, if you are wondering, is Holly's (our dog) new groomer/dog sitter. She is going to have Holly while we are at the beach next week.

What a relief. No more wondering who in the world she was. Maybe I can sleep tonight now that that's cleared up... doubtful... but maybe.

Insomnia sucks.

Just a few for me.

2008-08-06T05:53:00.000-07:00

I was in NC this past weekend with friends and there is an awesome catalog outlet store there that sells J.Crew as well as other brands that I don't recognize. The game plan is always this - we go have lunch and a Bloody Mary (or two) at The Blue Point and then with a slight bloody buzz we take our first pass through the store. If we see something that we MUST have we buy it then but generally I'll go back a second time to really shop. This trip was no different! I didn't find a much to buy this time, which is somewhat disappointing. I saw many of styles that I already have (imagine that). They have a mix of this past season and last year's styles. In fact, my zebra straw purse and my flower belt were there.

I guess that's the bad thing about the lack of variety in my wardrobe. Maybe if I shopped somewhere other than J.Crew I would have been able to buy more.

My (very) few outlet finds...

See? Nothing fancy about this outlet store - the bag.

Please ignore the dirty wall in the corner. This is where the bag sat until last night.

Cute as can be polka dot skirt .

Silk-linen V-neck sweater - these are on sale on JCrew.com for $49 I bought mine for $24 - I bought an orange one last week at the store for $69!!

I saw this online when it first came out and almost bought it so I was thrilled to see it at the outlet. Can't wait to wear at the beach next week.

The best find of all - I love the colors in these shoes. These were $32!

close up...

That's it. Not bad, huh?

The zebra straw purse by the way is on right now at jcrew.com for $39

What the...

2008-08-05T07:51:00.000-07:00

I woke up in the middle of the night to write myself a note to do a few things today so I wouldn't forget.

One of the line items is the name Julie.

I have no idea what the hell that means. I don't know a Julie.

Shit. What the hell does it mean?!

It's after turn off mail delivery (we leave Saturday for vacation) and turn off the paper delivery.

Shit.

OBX Business

2008-08-04T14:08:00.000-07:00

I got home from my girls weekend in North Carolina late last night and it should come as no surprise that it was a GREAT weekend! I wore my navy Lisa dress for the drive and it worked out well because I met the friends at a bar when I got to town. The Lisa dress was just sassy enough for a night out and of course comfortable for the drive. See?

I think the best part of the weekend (other than the time with the friends) is our friend hooked us up big time with a beach house - and when I say beach house I mean right on top of the beach. Just steps out the back door and we were baking in the sun. We had great weather so our days were spent soaking in the sun and recovering from the night of food and drink from the night before.

The handsome man in the sexy white under shirt (he wore it all weekend long and still maintained his sexy factor) was the one who hooked us up with the beach house. He also hooked us up with the great meal on Saturday night - that pile in the middle of the table was all his idea and his doing. He cooked up a big huge pot of (huge) shrimp, corn and red potatoes with garlic cloves. It was the best dinner and perfect for a summer evening.

I didn't get home until about 11 pm last night **YAWN** and I didn't sleep well last night but it was worth it because it was fun times at the beach with good friends!

Oh... and a successful trip to the J.Crew outlet on my way out of town!!! Photos tomorrow...

I hate flying.

2008-08-01T07:18:00.000-07:00

10 reasons why I hate flying:

1. Security lines... do I need to say any more?

2. Waiting in a crowded gate.

3. Waiting in a crowded gate for a delayed flight.

4. Delayed flights.

5. Waiting in a crowded gate for a delayed flight with a crying baby.

6. Mothers who shush their crying babies instead of walking them around (or feed, change, whatever) to make them feel better.

7. Sitting in a crowded gate and being forced to listen to the cute guy next to me goo and ga to his wife of how much he missed her and resisting the urge to say aww out loud.

8. Sitting in a crowded gate having to smell gross people.

9. Public bathrooms.

10. Sitting next to people who are rudely chowing on disgusting unhealthy food including smacking their lips, shoving food in their mouths, dripping the gross food all over themselves, brushing the crumbs off their big bellies, slurping their over sized soda, belching, and making very disgusting noises so loud I can' t help giving them dirty looks and resisting the urge to say eeww out loud so she can hear me.

Sweet Home...Alabama?

2008-07-31T18:04:00.000-07:00

I am in a hotel room by myself in Atlanta Georgia watching the movie, "Sweet Home Alabama." Who loves Reese Witherspoon as much as I do?

On another note... in my quest to pack light - as in one bag for one night and no checking bags - I forgot my night gown. So ladies... I have to sleep in nothing but a thong.

Too much information? Sorry.

.

Ack!! I have to pack!

2008-07-30T15:49:00.000-07:00

It's nearly 7 PM and in exactly 12 hours I have to get in the car to take the kids to the camp bus on my way to the airport for a business trip to Atlanta.

I am on a panel called, Technology in the Hospitality Industry: What vehicles is industry using to stay connected with Generation Y? Sounds exciting doesn't it?

This is the first professional panel I have ever participated on and well if you read my blog you know that I HATE public speaking so I can't say I am looking forward to the trip. I may or may not be prepared - that's still yet to be determined and in fact it might be mid panel that I conclude one way or another of "prepared-ness."

To top it all off I have yet to even think about packing. And I suck at packing - I always WAY over pack.

The exciting part of all of this is when I get home Friday afternoon I am jumping in my car and driving to North Carolina for a girl's weekend! I won't see baby girl and bug until Monday morning because they will be at camp Friday afternoon and I won't be home until very late Sunday night.

That makes me sad.

But seeing my friends makes me happy.

It's the yin yang of it all. I hate being away from my family but I love getting away and having a break. Not to mention there is also a kick ass J.Crew outlet just minutes away from my friend's place that I will be visiting and most certainly BUYING. Do you remember when I went last year?

So it's all good. The kids always have a grand old time with dadda so they barely miss me. That makes me sad too. But knowing they are having fun with dadda makes me happy.

See... yin and yang.

An intervention is needed.

2008-07-30T07:12:00.000-07:00

I read in STAR magazine last night that Lindsay Lohan has a $2000 a day constant companion who is with her 24 hours a day - sleeps in her guest room - who is there for her to make sure she's not doing drugs and drinking.

I need one of these.

I need someone to just hang out with me to tell me to step away from the Swedish Fish or the potato chips when I am tempted. "Just step away, Kerry" is all they have to say and if I am desperate they can drag my ass away.

Seriously.

I am trying to stop eating sugar. It's not hard... it's fucking hard! I NEED sugar - not every day but maybe every other day. Not a lot just a little. OK maybe more than a little - a moderate amount would do just fine. But I DO need it.

And can someone please tell me WHY I love potato chips so much? All flavors and kinds. I enjoy the cheap ones and the gourmet kind just the same. And I can't just have a few... I have to eat the whole damn bag or it will haunt me.

See? I need an intervention.

Maybe hypnosis will work... do you think?

.

I almost cheated on my J.Crew

2008-07-29T18:43:00.000-07:00

Before dinner tonight (we went out for it) I went out for the mail and found the new Boden catalog. I skimmed through it quickly and as I did I started to feel really guilty. I thought to myself - love this stuff ... can't wait to SHOP!

I saw several cute as can be skirts, sweaters, dresses... Oh, the dresses! I knew I would be cheating on my love first thing in the morning. Not that my first love .. J. Crew of course wasn't still doing it for me ... of course I'm still hot for my J.Crew! With my Lisa dress there really could be no other but.... Boden... was looking pretty good to me.

As I walked into the restaurant with a warm tingle - you know that feeling, right? Warm tingle ... the tingle of love... but this time for another. Oh, the shame... I couldn't wait to get home for a second peak at the catalog. The Boden catalog. And as soon as I got home I poured myself a glass of wine and headed up stairs for a second - private peak at my potential new love.

I settled onto the bed ready... page 1... then page 2... 3...4...5... and then I realized there is no other love for me. What I thought was there in that brief time when I flipped quickly through the Boden catalog was nothing that would ever compare to my first love, my true love, my J.Crew!

Imagine... I almost cheated! Sure I found a dress I like that I will probably order but it will never ever replace MY J.Crew.

And to think I almost cheated...

No longer momma...

2008-07-29T13:14:00.000-07:00

Ever since my children have been able to talk I've been "Momma" to them.

Mr. even calls me "Momma."

I always thought I'd be a "mommy" but I was a "Momma" to them.

My daughter called me "Momma" first and then my son.

They call Mr. "Dadda" - not daddy - "Dadda."

A sad thing happened over the weekend.

A very sad, sad thing.

Somehow I became... MOM.

How'd that happen?

Overnight - I stopped being Momma and started being "MOM."

I noticed my daughter was calling Mr. "Dad" instead of Dadda first and then she turned to me and said, "Mom, gjhfgoseierytshgjlsfglsdhgooartaehsd."

I didn't hear what she said to me after she called me, "Mom."

I think I might have yelled at her when she called me that. I think I might have said, "I am NOT "MOM" I am Momma! Got it?!"

My baby girl is growing up and it's a very sad thing.

Bug is still my bug-a-boo though... he still calls me Momma - but for how long?

Will he start with the MOM soon too?

How could I have let this happen?

Where did the last 8 1/2 years go?

Where'd my sweet baby girl go?

And who is this big girl calling me MOM?

What's next? Boooyyyysss?????

Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!

I'll bet you thought...

2008-07-28T10:58:00.000-07:00

...for sure I wore one of the 3 Lisa dresses that I love so much on Saturday night, right?!

Not this time!

I did however wear last year's version of basically the same dress in black. Remember this one is hard to wear a bra with because the straps show but I was not in the mood to go bra-less so I wore a black bra and just pretended like I didn't care that the straps kept popping out even though it was very annoying. I don't have the strap problem with the Lisa dress (one of the reasons why I love it so). I wish J.Crew had the Lisa dress in black!

Check out what I was doing on this day in 2007!

Who's the party for?

2008-07-28T10:45:00.000-07:00

That's what my friend said when we walked into her house and everyone yelled, "SURPRISE!"

She was so confused... she turned to me and asked me that question about 3 times. So the party was a success! Mr. and I drank way too many glasses of wine so Saturday ended up being a lazy day of just hanging out at home with the kids. They watched The Deadliest Catch with Mr. and I think we all took naps at some point.

Saturday night we headed to Alexandria, VA for dinner with friends. We were feeling less than perky but once we got there we had a really nice time.

Does anyone want to guess what I wore?

Wish me luck - 'cuz I need it!

2008-07-25T10:45:00.000-07:00

I don't do well with secrets - fun secrets that is. If you tell me something in confidence I will take it to the grave. Fun secrets on the other hand - not good. I tend to get so excited about things that I can't stop the foot from inserting right into my mouth. It's awful.

Tonight at around 5:30 I am going to be a nervous wreck. I am going to happy hour with a good friend of mine to get her out of the house while her husband scrambles to get their house together for a surprise birthday party for her - it's her 40th! I just found out today that I am part of the plan. I am so excited. And because I will be "on duty" at 5:30 I also get out of taking the kids to my parents where they will be staying the night. My parents only live about a half hour away but who wants to be driving in rush hour traffic? Not me! So Mr. has to take them. Poor guy... I feel bad... but I can't. I'm needed : )

And speaking of the kids going to my parents - you know what that means don't you? Yes... I might have to perform like a rock start tonight but tomorrow morning I get to sleep in!

I decided to wear this (again) tonight...

What I wore...

2008-07-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

I forgot my camera the night Mr. and I went out to dinner for our Anniversary. We went to Severn Inn, which is a local restaurant and on our side of the Severn River bridge and less than 5 minutes from our house. This place has (in my opinion) the best water view for dinner. Surprisingly there are not many places to eat outside on the water here in Annapolis. Even though Severn Inn is close to home we don't go there often - the food is just OK and expensive and they don't have a child's menu if you can imagine! It's a shame it's not more family friendly given the location. I've asked the management why that is and they say it's by design. And THAT is why we don't go there very often!

And this is what I wore.

You guys must get so tired of seeing me wear basically the same outfit all the time! Seriously, how many times have I worn these white capri jeans this summer and now that I have 4 different colors of this same shirt it's one color or the other and then of course the Lisa dress that I have in all available colors! Boring and so predictable - don't you think?I have the red Lisa dress one on today. See... I wear it out to dinner and just to hang out or work from home. It's the best!

Who else loves the Lisa dress as much as I do??

Once upon a time...

2008-07-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

I met and married this funny funny man and...

yesterday was our anniversary!

---------
Yes, that is me in the background frantic that something happened. Baby girl was fine - she tripped over a box that was sitting in the middle of the hallway.

The look for less...

2008-07-22T06:23:00.000-07:00

I found a new (new to me that is) blog the other day and have been pretty darn impressed.

It's called The Look 4 Less and every day (well almost) they share inspired fashion - they show you the expensive item and where it can be found and how much it costs and then they show you the less expensive imitation, knock-off, inspired piece... whatever you want to call it. Who knew there were so many "inspired" pieces out there!

For example today this is what they have...

These wedges by Michael Kors retailed originally for $199 at Zappos, but are now on sale for $169. They also come in brown.

These Gali wedges by Jessica Simpson look so much like the Michael Kors shoes, and they're only $46! They also come in brown and silver.

So which pair would you buy?

Personally for a shoe like this I'd have to go with the Jessica Simpson pair considering I might wear them once or twice - maybe in the fall with a pair of jeans or with just the right dress or skirt. I'll bet Jessica Simpson wears these with a pair of daisy dukes though. Not that I don't like Jessica... I'm just saying.

Awards? I'll take them!

2008-07-21T14:00:00.000-07:00

I've been awarded a couple of cool awards in the last few days - the "You Make my Day Award" from WSU Laura and the "Brillante Weblog" award is the from Deb.

Thank you!!

I also want to thank ALL of you... the last couple of days have been hard (breaking up is hard to d0). It's really nice to know I have a community of friends where I can trust and rely on -- especially when something like this happens. I can't thank you all enough for all of your supportive comments.

I hope my (former) friend is still reading and realizes that even though she doesn't want me anymore others are happy to have me (so there!).

You all make my day and you are all brilliant!

Back to camp!

2008-07-21T08:48:00.000-07:00

Back to camp this morning for the kids. Mr. and I drove them this morning and not 10 minutes after we got home we got a call from the camp - baby girl is not feeling well. So Mr. got back in the car to get her. Camp is about 30 minutes from our house so poor bug has to take the bus home by himself. I am lucky that Mr. owns his own business and is on the phone 90% of the time so it was easier for him to go get her. She's in bed resting right now. I secretly think she's fine and just didn't want to go to camp but that's OK. It's going to be near 100 degrees today - who wants to be in the heat all day like that? Other than my bug - he didn't want to come home he wanted to stay!

This is what I have on today...

These shirts are great and they are on sale right now for $9.99 at J.Crew (.com)

Last season favorites :)

J.Crew flip flops are also on sale for $9.99 - for that price every color is needed!

And they last - these are the brown flip flops from last season that I have on today :)

How was your weekend?!

MeMe

2008-07-20T19:08:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by Kim - and I have NEVER done this MeMe!

A. Attached or Single? Attached

B. Best Friend? I have a few NC, VA, MD & NY

C. Cake or pie? chocolate cake although now that I have started to make pies I might be turning into a pie gal.

D. Day of choice? Friday

E. Essential item? mascara or j.crew flip flops

F. Favorite color? Pink

G. Gummy bears or worms? Bears

H. Home town? grew up in Linthicum, MD but Annapolis is home

I. Favorite indulgence? sugar cereal or chips

J. January or July? July

K. Kids? 2 of my own a boy and a girl - and 1 step daughter who lives in CA with her mom who comes to visit as often as possible - she's 16

L. Life isn’t complete without? I like Kim's answer Family, Friends and shopping.

M. Marriage date? July 22 (tomorrow)

N. Number of brothers and sisters? 1 sister - exactly (almost to the day) 2 years older than me

O. Oranges or Apples? Apples - Gala or Pink Ladies

P. Phobias? spiders - yuck-o

Q. Quotes? "Trying to be fascinating is an asinine position to be in." -Katharine Hepburn

R. Reasons to smile? my children make me smile when they are not driving me crazy.

S. Season of choice? Summer I guess

T. Tag 5 people: I tag anyone who has not done this yet!

U. Unknown fact about me? I had/have scoliosis and had to wear a back brace when I was 12

V. Vegetable? ALL vegetables even brussel sprouts and cooked carrotts

W. Worst habit? is being moody a habit?

X. X-ray or Ultrasound? I've had both but I am going with ultra sound.

Y. Your favorite food? hard one... guacamole... soups... salads... anything fresh.

Z. Zodiac sign? Aries

The Breakup...

2008-07-19T13:00:00.000-07:00

It's odd... I've never been broken up with by a friend but I guess that's what happened yesterday. And YES I am blogging about it. I blog when something is on mind. I was just broken up with... by a freakin' friend! I think I am justified. I could apologize and lick their feet and it wouldn't make a difference now. Not that I would ever!

So this morning I was looking through photos from last summer (comparing swim team photos from this year) and I ran across a few photos of me and my friend (not him - his wife - because that is who I was friend with although we became friends with him too after they met and married) and my first thought was, I should delete these so I don't have to be reminded of the situation next time I come across them? I didn't of course. I am an adult and that would be childish - right?

I am wondering what do you do when you break up with a friend? Has this ever happened to anyone else? It has, right? I'm left with, "what the hell" running through my head... we are adults aren't we?

I promise... I won't keep boring you all with breakup posts. I just had to ask the question if this has happened to anyone else... because it feels surreal to me.

TGIF

2008-07-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I've never meant this more than I do today! I think we are going to go out for dinner and I think I will wear my red (strawberry) Lisa dress. I am still not sure about the color but hey, maybe a bright color will cheer me up! If not the dress then maybe the wine!
.

P.S. I disabled the comments on my last blog post.

Bullies...

2008-07-18T11:04:00.000-07:00

Don't you hate when people can dish it out but can't take it?

It's my blog and...

2008-07-18T07:48:00.000-07:00

I know some of you who blog will be able to relate to this post and maybe those who can't will learn from it. I have. I started this blog for me - it's a place where I can go and share my joy and my frustrations. It's my therapy. It just so happens that my therapy is shared with a bunch a great fellow bloggers - people I call friends. I have never ever felt judged by you - so thank you for that.

For the most part I try to keep my posts up beat and silly. If I didn't have this blog I might actually go insane at times. Today is the first day in nearly 2 years of blogging that I am actually considering not blogging anymore or permanently going private. Why? Because a few months ago I wrote a post out of frustration about someone who was unnecessarily critical of my writing on my work blog. I was frustrated , hurt and angry by his comments and I wrote about it on this blog.

Maybe I should have gone back to the post and updated it to say he apologized for being so hard on me. Maybe I should have deleted the post all together. Yes, that probably would have been the smartest thing to do. Maybe I shouldn't have written it at all. He found my blog (why was he looking for it?) and read the post. That blog post has apparently ended a friendship.

Just like that.

Here is where I am confused. The only difference between his emails to me and my blog post was that he was telling me personally and to my face that he thought I was an idiot and I was saying he was an idiot behind his back by posting about it. Should I apologize for being a coward and not telling him how hurt I was to his face?

So is having this blog public worth losing friends over? Is it worth monitoring what I write about - losing the essence of having the blog in the first place?

Yes, I know he will probably read this (hi to him) but I am hurt and frustrated. Should I apologize for feeling the way I did that day? Why do I even feel the need to apologize for my feelings? I might delete this post - I might not. If I thought I could do something to make it better I would. I will miss his friendship and the friendship of his wife even more.

...

P.S. I disabled the comments.

Homecoming!

2008-07-17T15:06:00.000-07:00

Mr. just called. He and the kids are about 45 minutes away from home and they had a great time at the beach. So I decided it was time for me to shower and get dressed! Eeeww.. I know it's after 6 PM and I haven't been outside or out of my pajamas all day. In fact, I was barely downstairs at all today - with my office next to our bedroom and no one to take care of all day - there was no need other than to let Holly out this morning!

So anyway this is what I put on for their homecoming... and they better be coming home with caramel popcorn and grape licorice for their momma! Those are 2 favorites from good old Ocean City, MD! Lilly is going to LOVE seeing me in this shirt. When she saw it at T.J. Maxx she MADE me get it! The outfit - nothing fancy or preppy about it but it sure is comfortable! The shirt is Juicy Couture - so maybe it's a little fancy :)

Here is a picture of my "cuter dog" too...

the house to myself...

2008-07-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mr took the kids (all three of them - my step daughter is here from CA for a few weeks) to Ocean City Maryland. I stayed home because I "had" to work.

You know what this means don't you?

I had the house to myself all day yesterday and all night last night and again all day today! How cool is that? It has been years since this has happened and while I love my family and all I really loved being in the house by myself too! They come home today - probably late afternoon and I'll be happy to see them but I was not sad to see them go. (did I just say that?!)

Last month when the kids were at camp Mr was suppose to go away for business - I thought I would have a night to myself then but he didn't go so it didn't happen. I was all excited for it and then it didn't happen so when this night came about I was super excited and so ready.

I didn't have to be any where - although I did go shopping (more on that later). I didn't have to talk to anyone - although I did talk to myself a lot more than I thought I would. I didn't have to cook - although I did make a salad to go with my avocado egg rolls that I picked up at California Pizza Kitchen. I didn't have to go to swim practice - although I still woke up early.

It was great. I needed the break! And now... I can't wait to see Michael and Lilly!!

And the winners are....

2008-07-15T13:45:00.000-07:00

Since I didn't practice before video taping the winners of the Orville Redenbacher popcorn giveaway I get a little tongue tied in the taping but hey - that's what happens when the deal is unscripted, right?

Winners please email me your address and I will send it on to the Orville Redenbacher people who will be shipping out the gift baskets! You'll have to view the video to learn who won!

A big special thank you to Orville Redenbacher and their marketing group for not only sending me the sample gift baskt but for also arranging this giveaway for us! Orville Redenbacher is a trusted name and as a mom I feel good serving it to my family as a healthy alternative to junk.

The Tooth Fairy...

2008-07-15T13:37:00.000-07:00

Did you know the tooth fairy was in Hawaii Sunday night? Yup - she was. She also got stuck in Hawaii Sunday night and therefore was not able to make it to Annapolis, MD in time to leave money for bug's 5th lost tooth. She didn't mention why she got stuck in Hawaii - I am going to assume she was having too much fun on the beach. She left a lovely note last night apologizing for missing her visit Sunday night and $3.00 - $1 extra dollar for his disappointment. She also wished him luck in his swim meet this weekend and asked him to be extra good for him mom and extra special nice to his big sister. Such a nice lady.

A great big thank you!

2008-07-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

Mrs. K just saved me from going private again - girlfriend... I owe you a great big fat (or skinny in her case) THANK YOU!

I wrote a post earlier about a post I wrote (are you following) on my work blog yesterday that did not go over well with my boss's boss and I linked to it (the blog post) here on this blog.

As Julia Roberts says in the movie Pretty Woman after shopping on Rodeo Drive... "Big mistake. BIG!"

Who knew I had the my settings over at my work blog set to track when people link to our posts. Who knew I was creating a link right back here to this blog where I basically poo-poo'ed the inappropriate assessment of my work blog post.

Have I lost you yet?

Anyway... big thanks to Mrs. K! Seriously I owe you one!

Who's it gonna be?

2008-07-15T07:16:00.000-07:00

I am picking the popcorn giveaway winners today... stay tuned for the winners! :)

Jeesh!

2008-07-15T06:52:00.000-07:00

The problem with writing a blog for work is you never know what might rub someone the wrong way. I read an article about office manners on nytimes.com that I thought was funny and appropriate enough so I reposted it on our blog. I thought about taking out the last little bit about tinkle on the seat in the ladies room but left it in to maintain the integrity of the author's original article. Monday and Friday are reserved for frilly silly posts that are meant to be entertaining and easy to read. My boss's boss (who is very conservative) thought it was most definitely inappropriate.

jeesh...

I was trying to add a little pizazz to what seems like a very boring blog at times. Blogs are not supposed to be so stuffy and CORPORATE! And I thought who hasn't encountered this - it's annoying right? And certainly it's an issue if you have ever worked in an office before, right?

It's hard to please everyone all of the time isn't it?

Totally Screwed by Delta and Travelocity.

2008-07-14T13:48:00.000-07:00

WARNING...

profanity below and not for the easily offended!!

Yeah, that's right I was totally screwed by Delta and Travelocity. I am headed to Atlanta the end of the month to be on a panel for an event the company I work for is participating in. I was planning on flying home the afternoon of August 1. It turns out I need to be home earlier than the original time planned. Who knew Delta would charge me $180 to change my f*cking flight home?! Doesn't that seem completely unreasonable? And of course the customer service department is not located in the USA so I could barely understand what the rep was saying to me. NOTHING at all against this particular country but seriously... there is NOTHING more annoying when you are being royally screwed than dealing with someone you can not understand. At least they could tell me I am f*cked in English with a NY, Baltimore or southern accent! The poor man was very helpful and very patient with me as I went off on him with my "this is unacceptable" speech and he even waived the Travelocity fee but I still got screwed. F*cking Delta Airlines SUCKS!

It's here!

2008-07-14T09:51:00.000-07:00

My new strawberry Lisa dress came this afternoon... still no swim suit but I am happy the dress came!

I wore the green dress Saturday night to our friend's house for dinner. I received many compliments. It was a nice change of color choice for me. I tend to wear black, navy, brown or other neutral colors like white and gray that kelly green was way out of my norm... a good thing!

On another note... I don't know what has gotten into my family lately. We are all grumpy and the kids are fighting a ton. It's driving me nuts. Every time I tell them to do something they argue or if I say, "no" to something they argue and ask again (and again) as if I am going to change my mind if they ask me 6 times. Even though I love summer and spending time with the kids today I am feeling like I can't wait for school to start!

Is that really awful of me to say?

Maybe I just need a break.

My collection is complete.

2008-07-12T08:42:00.000-07:00

Remember a couple of weeks ago when I discovered the Lisa dress was on sale at J. Crew and I bought the navy and the green one? Well this week I discovered the dress is even lower at only $29.99 and with the free shipping (FREESHIP) code still working (due to all of the issues) I added the strawberry color to my collection :)

Seriously people - this is one of the most comfortable dresses I have ever owned and even though some of you may think I am crazy to buy the dress in every available color - I don't care. It's really THAT comfortable. I will wear it around the house and out for a casual day as well as for a night out. It really is THAT great too!

My Lisa dress collection is now complete!

Wonder how long it's going to take to get the dress with all of the shipping and web site issues they are having...

Hello... J.Crew? Where's my stuff!?

2008-07-11T14:00:00.000-07:00

So if you are a J.Crew shopper you are fully aware of their web site trouble. It was a little annoying at first but hey, they are trying to make changes and improvements and I am not afraid of changes and you gotta love improvements, right? I can live with the slow site and am somewhat thankful as it may have saved me a few dollars in the last few weeks.

So what's my problem? My last TWO ORDERS have not arrived yet! OK, so one of the orders was placed just yesterday... but the other was placed about a week ago and I need my stuff!! Where's my stuff J.Crew??!

I ordered my bathing suit last week... because I want to wear it under a dress I bought last year to the swim meet this weekend. The dress is cut so that I can't wear a bra but if I don't wear a bra I have been known to pull a Tara Reid and that's just not OK. Remember ladies I was not blessed by the boobie fairy so before you gasp in horror about me not wearing a bra - it's OK because there is not much there to keep in place.

It's hot at these swim meets and I am usually timing - and timers are in the the direct hot heat for 2 plus hours - it's important to dress appropriately. I like to wear sun dresses to not only help with the air flow but to also help with the tan lines. I was the belle of the meet 2 weeks ago with my strapless Lilly Pulitzer madras dress.

So this is the dress I want to wear tomorrow and this is the bathing suit that I want to wear with it so I do not pull a Tara Reid in front of 300 people!

But I can't because the bathing suit is not here yet!

It's been a week... where's my stuff J.Crew??!

UPDATE:

It didn't come today so it looks like I will NOT be wearing this dress to the swim meet tomorrow. I am so bummed. I just called J.Crew and they can't even provide a tracking number. I will bet who ever was in charge of this new system implementation is feeling the heat - huh?

Popcorn give away...

2008-07-11T06:35:00.000-07:00

..

Don't forget to get in on the great popcorn giveaway...

deadling is today, Friday, July 11 at 2 PM!

..

I hate Karl Lagerfeld.

2008-07-11T05:02:00.000-07:00

Well... not really... but sort of.

You see my father-in-law is visiting for a week and he wears Karl Lagerfeld cologne and it stinks! And to make matters worse he puts way too much on. So every morning this is what wakes me up. This morning was no exception - I was lounging in bed in that half awake and half asleep stage when BAM! pee-you! It was just a hint of the scent at first and then the wave started coming faster and faster until it was all I could smell. I noticed he wears more on the days he doesn't shower which is gross to even think about. What is it with old men who don't shower every day anyway? eeewww! Now my house has a hint of Karl Lagerfeld floating around - especially the guest bath and bedroom. uck...

All I can say is thank goodness Mr. did not follow in his father's footsteps! He doesn't wear cologne and never has. One of the boyfriends I had in college wore Sung for Men and I loved the smell of him. To this day if I smell Sung for Men I think of him. But in general I am NOT a cologne loving kind of gal.

What about your Mr.? Does he wear cologne? Do you like it?

MeMe... ME!

2008-07-10T09:02:00.000-07:00

Stolen blatantly from Lady Bug's Picnic...

1. What is in the back seat of your car right now? Two booster seats.

2. When was the last time you threw up? My 21st birhday. Yes I am serious. I just don't puke.

3. What's your favorite curse word? Sorry in advance... seriously I hope this doesn't offend anyone... F*cking asshole.

4. Name 3 people who made you smile today? I don't think I have smiled yet this morning... our washer is acting funny, I don't feel well, our phones are acting funny (can't dial out), and I am grumpy.

5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? Sleeping - I slept in this morning until about 8:30

6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? WORKING

7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now? Either taking a nap, showering or grocery shopping.
8. Have you ever been to a strip club? Yes.

9. What is the last thing you said aloud? "Have fun and be careful" The baby sitter is taking the kids to Chuck E Cheese.

10. What is the best ice cream flavor? Mint Chocolate Chip from Baskin Robbins

11. What was the last thing you had to drink? Black coffee

13. What was the last thing you ate? Special K cereal

14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? The J.Crew Lisa dress because it is on sale for $29 and I needed that color to complete my collection

15. When was the last time you ran? yesterday AM at 6:30 AM

16. What's the last sporting event you watched? Tour de France - Monday night

18. Who is the last person you emailed? my boss

19. Ever go camping? In a tent - no? In a camper with a bathroom, yes.

20. Do you have a tan? Yes, a slight one.

24. Do you drink your soda from a straw? if it's a fountain drink - yes.

25. What did your last IM say? What's an IM?

26. Are you someone's best friend? Yes.

27. What are you doing tomorrow? working

28. Where is your mom right now? working - she's a social worker at a dependent care facility in Baltimore, MD - she works exclusively with Alzheimer patients - she's a saint.

29. Look to your left, what do you see? My back yard through a double window in my office

30. What color is your watch? stainless

31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ? a hot man

32. Would you consider plastic surgery? yes

33. What is your birthstone? diamond

34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? sometimes drive thru sometimes eat in depending on what's going on... ie. travel

35.How many kids do you want? I have 2 and do not want another

36. Do you have a dog? yes

37. Last person you talked to on the phone? I can't remember - I think it was last night and with my husband

38. Have you met anyone famous? Yes.

39. Any plans today? working and grocery shopping

40. How many states have you lived in? 3

41. Ever go to college? yes

42. Where are you right now? my office

43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now? laundry

44. Last song listened to? Rehab by Amy Winehouse

46. Are you allergic to anything? no

47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? J.Crew flip flops in the summer Uggs in the winter

48. Are you jealous of anyone? sometimes... not right now.

50. Is anyone jealous of you? can't imagine.

51. What time is it? 3:07 PM

52. Do any of your friends have children? yes.

53. Do you eat healthy? try to

54. What do you usually do during the day? work on the computer writing emailing researching marketing

55. Do you hate anyone right now? hate no. dislike yes.

56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? I am more of a hi girl

58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 39

59. Have you ever been to Six Flags? Yes

60. How did you get one of your scars? I had a baby.

Popcorn give - away!!

2008-07-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

Speaking about POPCORN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Orville Redenbacher has offered to arrange a popcorn package give-away!!!!!!!

So here is the deal...leave me a comment and I will pick TWO names out of the bowl to receive a popcorn package compliments of Orville Redenbacher!!

If you leave me a comment BEFORE Friday July 11 at 2PM (how's that for random date and time) with your favorite popcorn recipe or variation (like just plain butter or marshmallow or whatever) and I'll put your name in TWICE for double the chance to win!!!

Did you read my last blog entry???

BTW anyone who left a message on my first blog entry about popcorn will be included on this give away!!

I love me some Orville Redenbacher!

2008-07-09T05:49:00.000-07:00

Growing up my mom never ever let us eat junk - OK so maybe on occasion but not very often.

One of the treats she did allow us to have on a regular basis is popcorn. And when I say popcorn I don't mean the cool little microwave popcorn bags that we conveniently have these days - I mean on the stove popcorn with oil and kernels that came in a jar or later the cool, hot air popcorn which was much healthier. We didn't have the convenience of a microwave when I was growing up!

So my fond memories of childhood include Orville Redenbacher’s popcorn and imagine my surprise when a few weeks ago I got a great popcorn sample in the mail from Orville Redenbacher. The sample came with the perfect popcorn bowl.

See?

As a parent I struggle every day with healthy snacks. I don't buy cookies, chips or candy for my children and they are lucky if they get propel water for sports and camp. Soda is a huge treat for them and they don't get it from me. My parents let them have it when they are at their house - yes, the same mom that didn't let ME have any junk growing up now lets my kids have whatever they want!

I do allow my children to have popcorn. I pop 2 or 3 bags of microwave popcorn and store in a plastic container and pack it for them as their treat in their lunches and they love it. It's not that they don't love chips and cookies and other high fat snacks it's just that while I still maintain a little control I feel it's my duty to feed them well.

I'm no health nut. I love me some chips and cookies as much as the other gal and give me a ring ding and I'd be in heaven but I just can't eat like that. And I think more important I am trying to set a good example for my kids.

The beauty of popcorn is you can eat it in it's healthiest state (no butter or salt) and it's good or as we actually prefer it with light butter. The best thing about popcorn is you can add flavors to jazz it up for a little variety.

A few of my favorite varieties:

- light butter with salt AND pepper - my personal favorite

- light butter with cheese salt

- lots of butter and a little salt

- marshmallow and butter - baby girl's favorite

- marshmallow with chocolate chips - baby girl's all-time favorite and a HUGE treat

- or with light caramel sauce - bug's favorite

So of course now I am wondering...

Do you LOVE popcorn as much as we do?

Do you have any fun ideas/recipes for popcorn?

I am feeling so blue...

2008-07-08T06:19:00.000-07:00

Not really!

Last night we had a pep rally for the kid's swim team. We have our second home meet tonight. I was on nail polish duty and as soon as I finished painting about 3,000 sets of little nails with blue or white polish - some with polka dots - others with stripes... I painted my own!

What do you think?

Wedding photos?

2008-07-07T13:41:00.000-07:00

I never did share photos of the NYC wedding we went to in May, did I? I don't have many to share with you now because I didn't get many pictures with my camera that night. I did manage to gather these couple of picuture from friends though.

You can kind of see the dress in action, right?

This is great!

2008-07-07T12:03:00.000-07:00

This video made me laugh and cry at the same time. I'd love to meet Amy!

Just plain fun to read!

2008-07-07T06:53:00.000-07:00

I am so freakin' excited...

P from Life Is Better With A ... Cute Outfit gave me an award today - and what an awesome way to start the week!

And of course I get to now pass the award on to my daily reads. I guess I can't just direct you all to the long list of blogs on my blogroll to the right - can I? Because it's really hard to pick just a few - I truly enjoy reading so many blogs. But here goes... I award Mrs. K, Shelby, Kerry, & Ned, & Amy, & Lisagh & Chloe & Libby &... I am so addicted to good blog reading :)

I realized something last night.

2008-07-03T07:42:00.000-07:00

So yesterday afternoon I started with a headache. It's been a while since I've had a headache this bad. Oh wait - I had one last week... well before my headache last week it had been a while.

It started around noon and by 4PM I was in serious pain but I had to finish a few projects. Mr. was out so he picked up the kids from the camp bus and since I was out of Tylenol PM (from my headache last week) he stopped and picked some up for me. For me the only thing that helps when I have a headache like this is to sleep but who can sleep when your head is about to pop off your neck? Or you feel like your eye balls are going to explode?

When Mr. got home with the kids I was still working but I heard him in the kitchen and thought with a glimmer of hope that he was going to make dinner tonight. After finishing my last project for the day I moved right to my bed and flipped on HGTV. Mr. came up and asked if I was going to eat - no, I wasn't.

He said with a proud tone, I'm making dinner! I pulled chicken out of the freezer and I am making dinner.

I wanted to say, "big whoop dude. I make dinner every night. Do you want a ribbon?"

But I said, "Oh, good."

And he made dinner and it smelled good and I could hear casual dinner conversation and I was lonely. So I went downstairs.

Holy messy kitchen! I ate a few bites of chicken - it was good. Why doesn't he cook anymore?

He was on the couch - I was in the kitchen. Mr. said the kids could have ice cream. So who gets to scoop the ice cream? Me. Why did I come downstairs? I should have stayed upstairs and if I knew I was going to be put to work I would have. But I scooped anyway.

Back upstairs I went.

And when the kids came upstairs for bed - I made sure they brushed & flossed their teeth, washed their faces, checked their feet and hands to make sure they were clean, tucked them in and gave them kisses and called Mr. up, "They're ready!" This is the routine. He's downstairs watching TV and I am upstairs reading to them, getting them ready for bed and then I call him up. Same thing every night, "They're ready!" And even though my head was going to explode at any moment last night was no different.

And then it hit me. It's not 1950.

The only time I get to plop my butt in front of the TV before 8PM is when I am not feeling well. And even then it's not a full plop it's only a half plop. Why does he get to watch the evening news every night - I (seriously) love watching the news and I so rarely get to.

Why?

Is it too late to change the routine in the house? Shouldn't we take turns cooking dinner? And get the kids ready for bed together? And read to them together? Or am I just hungover from my Tylenol PM induced sleep?

Do I need a reality check here?

Please... people if I am being unreasonable - tell me.

The best dress eva!

2008-07-02T10:17:00.000-07:00

My new Lisa dress from J.Crew came yesterday - the UPS man cooperated nicely and waited until Mr. left to get his hair cut before dropping the box off.

The dress is divine. It is so comfortable and I'd say it qualifies as one of the J.Crew miracle boob dresses which makes it even better! I'll spare you all yet another photo of my boobs. I also found the perfect pair of flip flops to wear with the dress in that missing bin of summer shoes.

Oddly enough look at this post from June of last year. These 2 dresses are just about identitcal from J.Crew... the only difference is last year's version I couldn't wear a bra and this year's version I can. I like this year's version MUCH better for that reason!

On another note - out of no where I got a headache today. The kind that all you want to do is close your eyes and try to sleep. And it sucks because I have two more meetings today and I can't even think about closing my eyes for the next 3 hours.

Check out what I was doing on July 2, 2007 !

Granny?

2008-07-01T17:14:00.000-07:00

She's like no grandmother I've ever met!

Not exactly...

2008-06-30T17:25:00.000-07:00

Remember last month when I bought these and I knew for sure I had a pair of these somewhere in the house?

Well I found my black espadrilles (down in our dark bug infested storage area of our basement in the missing bin) and I am happy to report they are NOT the same shoe and although they are similar they are not exactly the same - see?

So all's good in the black espadrille land in my closet.

And speaking of espadrilles - I wore my new pink ones with my new Lilly Pulitzer dress (that I found at Marshalls on clearance) and it was the perfect summer outfit!

Life is always better in a cute outfit!

........................................

JUST SO YOU KNOW....

If you are thinking about getting these shoes - and they are on sale now in both black and pink on Jcrew.com - order one size larger than you normally wear! They run small!!

I was tagged!

2008-06-30T17:07:00.000-07:00

I was tagged by the hottie who is married to a hottie, Mrs. K!

What was I doing 10 years ago?
Falling in love with my husband and buying my first home in Annapolis.

What are 6 things on my to -do list for today?
1. Write 3 articles for work. (done)
2. Blog for work and for me. (done)
3. Buy a bathing suit at J.Crew. (done)
4. Go to Bed Bath Beyond to buy a new towel bar and accessories for our new bathroom (not done)
5. Send a netflix movie back and cancel membership (not done)
6. Return items to J.Crew by mail or to the mall (not done)

Snacks I enjoy?
1. Cereal
2. Chips but I never buy them because I have to eat the whole bag when I do
3. diet root beer
4. celery - I'm serious!

Things I would do if I were a billionaire?
1. Shop of course
2. Pay for colleges for my kids and all of our nieces and nephews
3. Travel
4. Shop
5. Donate
6. Shop
7. Shop

Places I have lived?
1. Linthicum, MD
2. Tallahassee, FL
3. Kill Devil Hills, NC
4. Annapolis, MD

How did you name your blog?
I named my blog after the Sex in the City theme song and because it's never enough.

J.Crew Free shipping!

2008-06-30T13:41:00.000-07:00

J.Crew did it again.

Just when I was feeling the slight bit annoyed - the site is slow due to their web site changes - they make it up to their customers before it gets really bad.

They are offering free shipping to online customers experiencing trouble - code is FREESHIP.

Makes me want to shop more, more, more!!!

good googly moogly J.Crew!

2008-06-30T12:53:00.000-07:00

All I want to do is order a freakin' bathing suit on J.Crew .com and the new site design and all of the changes has it running slower than molasses!

Speaking of the new J.Crew site design - I am liking the sale section - they actually tell you how many different shoes are on sale and actually come in your size. Now that I like!

But I don't want to buy shoes right now... I want to buy a freakin' bathing suit for silly sake!

I have faith J.Crew and I can be patient... is anyone else having trouble?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
googly moogly - not going anywhere for a while... I may as well grab a snickers.

Wishing

2008-06-30T09:13:00.000-07:00

I really wish John Mayer's blog had comments enabled.

I would comment on his blog daily that I love him and I would sit and wait and hope one day he replied back to me thanking me for my love.

:)

Yeah, I know it's silly but even a 38 year old mother of two can daydream, right?

TGIF

2008-06-27T12:52:00.000-07:00

Is it OK to have a rootbeer float at 3:42 PM on a Friday afternoon?

Is it OK that you made it with diet rootbeer and way too many scoops of icecream?

Is it OK to drink the entire thing in less than 2 minutes?

Is it still OK if you really didn't like it but drank it anyway??

Breaking News from the J.Crew Sales Rack.

2008-06-26T09:05:00.000-07:00

I have been waiting for the Lisa dress to go on sale and it has! I checked the J. Crew website this morning and was so happy to see it was marked down to $59.99! The only problem is I couldn't decided what color to get... navy blue, strawberry or green.

Mr. stop reading right now if you are...

So I got the navy and the green. My question for you is should I go ahead a get these cute flip flip sandals (I have the pink and orange) because they go with both dresses or should I make do with what I have? Mr. if you are reading your vote does not count.

And I also noticed this shirt was down to $29.99 - I have it in white, black and gray and really love it. I figure this color will nicely with my pink espadrilles. Don't you think?

And speaking of J.Crew - these cute flip flop sandals are no where to be found on their website - does that mean they are sold out?

So much for my one and only final sale purchase...

OMG! Say it isn't so...

2008-06-25T13:00:00.000-07:00

I will be getting up close and personal with this pair of ass pants sometime this fall!

OK so not that personal but I will have the fortunate experience of actually seeing an ass in these pants. An actual ass as in bootie! My good friend just ordered them for her husband!

Wondering what a ass pants are? Confused? Read previous posts about ass pants here and here.

Talk about ass pants...

2008-06-25T10:15:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago I posted about men's pants that I what I would call preppy pants but Mr. calls ass pants and now I can't help but to call them ass pants too. Well, I found the perfect birthday gift for Mr. this year - talk about ass pants! These are the mother of all ass pants!! I couldn't pick just one pair to show you.

What do you think... do I dare?

Loud Mouth Golf store...

Pink jewels...

2008-06-25T05:55:00.000-07:00

Cindy asked for a picture of my pink jeweled shoes that I bought at Marshalls during my last retail therapy session - here you go!

I've worn them twice already :)

My one and only...

2008-06-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

My one and only J.Crew final sale purchase.

Paid $52.49 for these lovely hot fuchsia shoes but paid $25.50 in overnight shipping so I can wear them on Saturday (maybe) to a wine tasting party with my new Lilly Pulitzer white and hot pink sun dress that I found at Marshalls over the weekend! Pictures to follow soon...

Working too hard.

2008-06-24T06:50:00.000-07:00

You know you are working too hard when...

1. You don't have time to read all of your favorite blogs. : (

2. Your office is a big huge mess.

3. You order 2 of the same dress from J.Crew because you can't remember what size you are.

4. Ditto above for shoes.

5. You don't have time to return one of two dresses from J.Crew so now you are looking at the 2 dresses and can't remember which one fit the best and you haven't had time to try it on again.

6. You don't have time to return the one pair of shoes you ordered from J.Crew.

7. You don't shower most days until after 5 PM (eew.)

8. You can't sleep because you are remembering things you forgot to do that day.

9. You can't remember what you forgot to do the day before that kept you up all night the night before.

10. You are procrastinating at nearly 9 AM when you should be working!

Quitting time.

2008-06-23T13:42:00.000-07:00

You know it's quitting time when...

1. You've written a work blog post.

2. You've spent more than an hour trying to edit a 300 word article for an upcoming E-Newsletter for your colleague.

3. You've given up editing the article for your colleague and have written the 300 word article for an upcoming E-Newsletter.

4. Designed an ad for an upcoming conference program encouraging employment with your company - that I will not be mentioning so Google Alerts does not pick my blog up again causing me to go into hiding again for another week.

5. Reviewed one and a half micro-sites for 2 of our divisions (what's a micro-site? just a smaller more focused web site promoting employment with the company that I work for that I will not be mentioning so Google Alerts does not pick my blog up again causing me to go into hiding again for another week!)

6. You've written a 200 word e-blast promoting employment with the company I work for (that I will not be... you know the drill).

7. You've updated your database with nearly 200 names by cutting and pasting the name and email of people who want to explore employment opportunities for the company that I work for.

8. You've ended too many sentences with a preposition that you have successfully annoyed yourself but are too tired to edit yourself because some say it's OK but when it's one of your pet peeves it's hard to resist.

9. You've eaten chicken noodle soup and a grape flavored Propel water for lunch at your desk.

10. You've updated your company's YouTube channel with a new video and description.

11. You've tweeted on your company's Twitter page that's really your Twitter page but since they don't have company Twitter pages (not really anyway) you have become the face of your company's social media efforts.

12. You've accepted 18 more requests to join your company's LinkedIn group.

13. You've had 2 conference calls.

14. You've thought about starting an article about social media and recruiting for an upcoming E-Newsletter and then put it off yet again.

15. It's 4:52, you started working at 7:59 and your computer has crashed.

It's all in the bag...

2008-06-22T06:13:00.000-07:00

Some of you commented on the great monogrammed bag I posted in my last post and you were wondering where I got it.

We are lucky here in Annapolis to have a great store, Blue Heron Bags, that sells these bags with your monogram or whatever you would like embroidered on them. Blue Heron Bags is also my monogrammer of choice because I love my monograms! The owner is an inspiration. I only know her through my patronage at her store and out and about in the community. I see her occasionally at the gym and at swim. She is always smiling and always full of energy. At one time, I considered applying for a job at her store and wondered if she would have me. I admire her so much, I just wanted a little taste of her business and creative talents.

I thought I'd post some of my great Blue Heron Bags and monogramming - it's not my entire collection by any means but you get the idea of how much I love them!

And the monogramming...

Going public again...

2008-06-20T13:54:00.000-07:00

on Monday!

I have my babies home with me. Lilly missed me - it was the first thing she said to me. She is so sweet. The first thing Michael said to me was, "why didn't you leave money in my store account so I could get a snack." He's so six.

But I still think he missed me and they both said they had a great time! They are exhausted for sure. They have a swim meet tomorrow AM bright and early so they will be in bed nice and early but the best part about it is they are going to be in bed at home and I can sneak in for extra kisses before I go to bed :)

Date night was very nice last night. We went somewhere local where the dress is casual so this is what I wore.

New shoes - do you like?

And this is what I wore to pick the kids up from camp!

Who has fun plans for this weekend??!

This is ridiculous!

2008-06-19T05:48:00.000-07:00

Is it possible that I am worrying myself sick over the kids being at camp?
.
Mr. and I are supposed to go out for dinner tonight. I am not even in the mood. Give me some chocolate and a good movie and I'd be happy. As much as I enjoy a break from being the mom/maid/teacher I can't help worrying about them. Lilly is so shy and quiet and sweet and Michael is so full of energy but still just six and they are both so used to being with one of us all the time. It's harder than I thought - obviously! I know they are fine and this is really good for them.
.
Mr. just brought me a glass of wine. Oh, brother. Now he's in the shower - and singing. Lord, please give me strength. I have a feeling I am going to be expected to perform like a rock star tonight. Oy vey! I better perk up!

Men and women are SO different - aren't we?

Retail Therapy.

2008-06-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

Not even retail therapy is helping me tonight. I shopped. I found a great Lilly P dress at Marshalls on clearance for $69. I found a pair of Lucky Brand white jeans that fit awesome for $29! I found a pair of pink jeweled sandals at Nordstroms. But I am still sad as sad can be.

I dropped the kids off at their first ever sleep away camp and I can't stop thinking about them. Every time I stop and think about something else thoughts of them come rushing back to me.

Are they ok? It rained this afternoon - are they warm enough? Do they miss me and will they be OK when it's time to go to bed without a kiss from me or daddy? Should I have insisted that bug sleep on the bottom bunk and not the top bunk like he wanted to? Should I have made him get his battery operated fan back from the kid he gave it to because he had two fans and the other little boy had none? Did I leave enough money on their camp account for snacks tomorrow night? Will bug lose his new water shoes - I saw them outside as I was leaving. Will he drink too much at dinner and wet his bed because he's so darn tired from the long day? Will baby girl meet new friends? Will she be too shy? Is she sad to be away from our dog, Holly? Is she going to sleep OK? Will she wake up and be confused? Will she like anything at the dining hall to eat? Will she eat her fruits and vegetables if they offer them? Will bug? Will they take care of each other? Are they too young? What am I going to do tomorrow morning without them? Bug is 6 - he needs his mommy and baby girl is a sensitive 8 year old who needs me even more. What the hell was I thinking?

AAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the record bug told me to leave and I didn't need to come back to say good bye again because I had already been back 3 times. I kept thinking of one more thing I wanted to tell him and one more reason to kiss him good bye. He was excited beyond word! Baby girl gave me a great big hug and told me she loved me and then turned to her little friend. It's only 2 nights. I know THEY will be OK.

Will I? I thought I would enjoy tonight - a "night off" from "life." It's not as fun as I thought it would be.

I MISS MY BABIES!!!

Re-gift or not?

2008-06-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

If you bought yourself a movie and watched it but know you will never watch it again - not because it wasn't good but just because you barely have time to watch one movie that doesn't just happen to be on and then you give it away to someone - not as a gift just to give away - would you consider it re-gifting and tacky?

No?

Oh good...

Does anyone want the movie, "The Other Boleyn Girl?" I watched - liked it - and will never watch it again. Seems a shame to have it sitting around I thought I'd offer it to my blog friends! If more than one person wants it I'll pick a name out of the hat.

Sound good?

603 loads of laundry...

2008-06-16T16:36:00.000-07:00

Still private... for now.

The kids are going to their first sleep away camp - it's a sleep away "trial camp" - so it is just 2 nights and 3 days and it's close to home. My Bug is only 6 - he'll be 7 in November - so I am slightly nervous about leaving him but I know he is going to have an awesome time. If they like it next year they will go for 1 week and in the future maybe they will go for 2 weeks!

I never went to camp growing up and always wished I had. It just seems like so much fun and I hear the friendships you form are lasting which is another reason I want them to go.

The next 2 days are going to be c-r-a-z-y! I have about 603 loads of laundry to do and I want to make sure they have the right clothing and shoes and bedding so they are comfortable. Mr. thinks I am nuts to buy them mattress pad covers - but if it makes them more comfortable then I'm doing it. He also thinks I am crazy to buy special towels and sheets for camp - but it's camp. My good sheets and towels are not going to camp!

The best part of the 2 nights that they are going to be gone...? Mr will also be gone one of those nights! Do you know what that means?

THE HOUSE TO MYSELF FOR AN ENTIRE EVENING AND MORNING!

How flippin' awesome is that?!

Love my husband and all but hey, a girl needs her space too!

Google Alerts!

2008-06-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

I mentioned the company that I work for in one of my recent posts and damn if Google didn't pick it up. I know I have said before that my blog is there for the world to see and if someone finds it I will welcome them with open arms.

But... when you work for a large company and many of the senior leadership are set up with Google Alerts to monitor our online presence and you are blogging for the company - a personal blog popping up in a Google Alert is not the most professional thing. If I didn't have to worry about my work blog's integrity then I would roll with it. So my blog is temporarily private.

J.Crew tanks vs Old Navy tanks....

2008-06-12T09:55:00.000-07:00

Madras Mom asked me if I prefer Old Navy tanks or J.Crew tanks. I prefer the Old Navy tanks - they are thicker and less expensive than the J.Crew tanks. I do have a crab critter tank that I love and plan to wear the heck out of it this summer but overall I like the Old Navy tanks.

How about everyone else? What do you prefer - Old Navy or J.Crew tanks?

Commuting messed with my balance.

2008-06-12T08:47:00.000-07:00

I had to go into Washington DC yesterday to present to a group of fellow employees and I think commuting and presenting has given me the flu. I feel lethargic and achy and the only thing I can think it might be is the commuting and the presenting in front of a crowd.

Seriously driving into DC from Annapolis is not like a million hours or anything - just about 1 hour in fact - but damn if it didn't mess with my equilibrium (I am not even sure what an equilibrium is but it sounded appropriate). I am just OFF today. In a bit of a bubble. I can see life moving around me but I am disengaged.

sigh.

On a little bit of an upper beat... I watched The Other Boleyn Girl last night. I liked it. Just OK for me but of course the book was awesome so I knew it would be hard to measure up. If I had not read the book I think I might have had a hard time following. After reading Memoirs of a Geisha I felt the same way about the movie. I guess screen writers have to cut a lot out in order to fit it all into 111 minutes. I bought the movie at Target - anyone want to borrow it?

And speaking of Target. I hate that place. Every time I walk through the doors it's like an automatic $150 withdraw from our bank account. I did get awesome deals on cereal and water though!

These are for our friend in Canada...

2008-06-11T17:03:00.000-07:00

Chesapeake Bay pictures for the birthday girl...

Tagged by my summer swap partner!

2008-06-11T16:14:00.000-07:00

Katie over at The Wasatch Report tagged me - and I love being tagged!

1) What were you doing ten years ago?
I was falling in love with my husband.

2) What are five non-work things on my to-do list for today?
1. Watch The Other Boleyn Girl on video
2. Cancel my running date for tomorrow morning.
3. Wind my watch - I love my new watch but who knew they still made watches you have to wind! geesh.
4. Start reading The Constant Princess
5. read blogs and write a post (check!)

3) What snacks do you enjoy?
Cereal - Apple Jacks or Lucky Charms and I love chips but I don't dare buy them because I can't eat just a few - it's the whole bag or nothing!

4) What would you do if you were a billionaire?
shop, pay for college educations for my kids, all of my nieces and nephews, pay off my mortgages and my sister's mortgage, travel, shop, shop

5) Where have you lived?
Linthicum, Maryland
Tallahasse, Florida
College Park, Maryland
Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina
Annapolis, Maryland

6) What jobs have you had?
Retail sales for Clinique
Communications Manager for a non profit
Marketing Manager for an engineering company
Membership Marketing Director for a non profit
Marketing Communications (my current job)

And speaking of Katie... she was also my summer swap partner! I love the theme of the package - summer fun!! I think if we didn't live on different sides of the country I would love hanging out with her. You can tell a lot from someone's music and I am right now truly enjoying her music picks on her blog. I've written down a few that when I am finished here I will be downloading from iTunes.

S- Summer beach mat!

U - Honey from Utah... can't wait to try it!

M - Margarita cooler! I was stylin' at the pool (sans the margarita)!

M - a GREAT magnet and

E - EMPOWERMINTS (I need these!)

R - Reading - I can't wait to make a few drinks this summer from this book

Thank you Katie! I love everything!!

First official day of summer...

2008-06-10T13:32:00.000-07:00

Since I had off yesterday - today was my first official day of summer because it became very clear to me how important camps and babysitters are going to be for us if I don't want the kids to turn into lumps of unintelligent cartoon blobs.

I don't know why, but I forgot to tell the baby sitter to come today and since everything in this house including cleaning, cooking, taking care of the kids, etc, and more falls on me as the mom and wife it was all my fault that the kids were bored out of their brains and fighting at the smallest glance of each other.

Luckily Mr. "picked up the slack." I say that half joking because I find it odd that taking care of the kids or house would be considered part of my responsibilities and anything he would do would be considered helping ME out. If it were not for him the kids might not have had lunch today. I had a busy day since I was off yesterday - just catching up on all of the little things that I wanted to have done by Friday close of business that I didn't have done plus all of the meetings I had scheduled for today.

Luckily we officially start our summer routine tomorrow with the baby sitter coming to take the kids to the pool, movies, bowling, library, or wherever... just as long as they are out of the house for most of the day I'll be happy. And then next week they will be in camps all day for 3 weeks straight and having a ton of fun I might add.

On another subject... I cleaned out my closet this weekend! I will officially go on record to say I don't NEED to buy a single thing for this summer - especially another pair of flip flops. I have every color of everything I own - including about 30 pairs of flip flops. So I do not NEED to buy another thing for the season... WANT is another story of course.

The good thing about cleaning out your closet is discovering all of the favorites from the previous year. This is what I wore today...

And for a splash of color I added one of my J.Crew flower belts :) even though I didn't go anywhere other than swim team practice bright and early this morning.

Fear of public speaking...

2008-06-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

Did you know some studies have shown that fear of public speaking ranks up there with the fear of snakes or spiders?

This doesn’t surprise me.

Public speaking scares me as much as spiders... and spiders really scare me. So why in the hell did I volunteer to speak at a company meeting tomorrow? I could have easily conducted a webinar by phone where I didn't have to see the audience. I could have even suggested and encouraged the main speaker to incorporate what I would say into his own presentation... but no. I had to open my big mouth and volunteer to present myself. Fuck.

Wish me luck please.

I'm off today...

2008-06-09T06:29:00.000-07:00

Mr and bug went to California to visit my step daughter who turned 16 (did you know I had a step daughter?) so it was just me and baby girl this weekend. It was great - very peaceful. It's amazing how much noise two boys can make in one house.

Our girl's weekend started out with a sleepover with one of her best friends. We made dinner and brownies and watched Alvin and the Chipmunks. Saturday we went to get manicures and pedicures and out to lunch. The best friend went home around 1 pm and then it was just me and the girl. We had a date night! Dinner (California Pizza Kitchen) and a movie (Kung Foo Panda). Sunday we were going to go bowling but opted to go shopping instead.

And today I have off. We just got home from swim team and in an hour or so we are going to head back to the pool for a day in the HOT sun. It's going to be like 98 degrees here in MD!

I am going to miss being able to lounge by the pool this summer with the kids. Too bad I can't work from the pool... if we had one in our backyard I could but I don't think it would work to lug my laptop to the hot pool. Oh well. A girl's gotta work - this girl anyway.

I received my Summer Swap package in the mail --- can't wait to show you all the great things I got from Katie! It's going to have to wait until I get home from the pool! But I am so excited to use some of the items she sent AT the pool!!

Ass pants...

2008-06-06T12:47:00.000-07:00

Do you know what ass pants are?

"Ass pants" are what Mr. calls patterned pants. I generally call patterned pants "preppy pants" but I will sometimes humor Mr. by also calling them "ass pants." Most of the time the pattern/material of the ass pants are not considered "ass" if they are shorts. In other words we don't call patterned shorts - ass shorts. And as a family we have been know to go out (on the town) each of us in our own version of J.Crew critter pants or shorts. There is nothing cuter than a pair of J.Crew critter pants on my son!

So back to the ass pants. When we see men walking around wearing patterned pants Mr. will sometimes comment on the degree of ass the ass pants might be - are you following? There are degrees of ass in his mind.

So I am dedicating this blog post to Mr. because you haven't seen "ass pants" until you've seen these ass pants... and the degree of ass is off the scale on some of these! These ass pants take the cake!

And speaking of ass pants - these were on sale at J.Crew (.com) - Happy Early Father's Day Mr! I hope you like your new ass pants!

And for the record - I love ass pants. And I love when a man wears them... they're hot. :)

I am in love...

2008-06-06T07:47:00.000-07:00

...with one of our models from our new ad campaign at work.

Isn't he the cutest?

Crabby Coffee

2008-06-06T06:50:00.000-07:00

Last week I got a surprise gift in the mail and I was so tickled when I opened it and found this awesome crab coffee mug from our friend Ned. How cool is she? This is my new favorite mug!

Thank you so much!

I just love J. Crew...

2008-06-05T18:36:00.000-07:00

Found these on the sale "rack" at J. Crew (.com ) tonight...

I think I have a pair of espadrilles like this from last year... they might even be these same ones but I can't find them. In fact, I can't find several pairs of shoes from last summer. I think there might be a bin of summer shoes of mine (and who knows what else) mixed in with the Christmas and other holiday bins. I hate the storage area in our basement... I call it the "bug area." Needless to say I am not very motivated to go searching for the missing bin - yet - I'll bet when I am frantically searching for the "shoes that go with this outfit" one day this soon I will get the courage to brave the bugs. Right now I can't muster the energy and these were on sale!

These cuties however are NOT on sale so they did not make it into my shopping cart... yet. Look how cute the crabs are! Do you think Mr. would want these for Father's Day... in a size 8?

These are also not on sale but the pink/orange ones that I have are too darn cute - so if they make it to the sale rack any time soon they are coming home with me.

I have a black dog but I really want a pink black dog.

2008-06-05T17:16:00.000-07:00

Did you follow that?

Here is what I am talking about...

But I have never been to Martha's Vineyard or Newport or Portland or Mystic, CT or any other location for that matter so I always felt like as much as I wanted to be the black dog family - with all of us in our cute little sweatshirts or tee shirts with our cute little black dogs - I just couldn't fake it by ordering one and thus giving everyone the false impression that I have been to one of these lovely little locations. How's THAT for a run on sentence?

But GUESS FREAKIN' WHAT!

I found out by way of a catalog that The Black Dog is coming to Annapolis THIS FREAKIN' SUMMER! I can finally get myself a pink black dog and Mr. will be getting and baby girl and bug and of course our black dog needs a little black dog too - don't you think? We will be the black dog fam just like I have always dreamed!

It's the little things that make me happy.

Top Chef - Are you crazy!

2008-06-05T07:46:00.000-07:00

Did you watch Top Chef last night? Were you as shocked as I was that Antonia was cut?

For the life of me I can not understand how the Top Chef judges could have possibly sent home Antonia over that cow, Lisa.

Antonia is pleasant and has a great attitude unlike Lisa who is defensive with a foul mouth and a bad attitude. Antonia's food seemed much more consistent and more often than not the judges praised her. She won 4 quick fire challenges!

Lisa on the other hand has been in the bottom so many times I can't count and quite frankly Lisa's sucky attitude should have sent her home after episode 2.

What the hell Top Chef?

Did you hear what she said to Stephanie and Richard after Antonia was sent home? She actually berated them for not congratualting her for making it to the final 3 because she felt they really wanted Antonia to be there with the! Richard's response was funny - he was as shocked that she would have the nerve as I think the fans were.

She's rude. I hate rude people.

Brussel Sprouts?

2008-06-04T16:42:00.000-07:00

Do you like them?

Do you have a really good brussel sprout recipe?

PSA

2008-06-03T12:44:00.000-07:00

I don't know about you but I love to wear shoes without socks but hate that sticky feeling I get after an hour or two of walking around. So I was wear peds - you know what peds are, right? Peds are those socks that barely cover the bottom of your feet and in some cases they can't be seen - in other cases they peek out and more often then not they full on show - especially with ballet flats. I hate seeing the ped but I hate sticky feet even more. So what's a girl to do? I tried the old school Dr. Scholl inserts but talk about ugly.

And then I thought I found what I thought was the answer to my dilemma with the new (well not new anymore) Dr. Scholl's Self Expression Insoles. These seemingly harmless shoe inserts appeared to be the answer to my sticky feet situation. I bought 6 pairs and stuck them in all of my favorite ballet flats and all was good. All was good until I decided I wanted to take replace them with new clean ones that is. This is when I discovered they don't come out. I tried to pull them out of my Tory Burch ballet flats and not only did the sticky not come off - the sticky started to pull out the actual shoe insole.

Not good - not good at all. My Tory Burch, my MeToo, my J.Crew classics - all of them - are now ruined. So if you were tempted - just don't. Stop before your peel and stick. And if I can save one pair of cute shoes from demise then my work is done and I can live happily ever after.

Date night and sex.

2008-06-02T12:07:00.000-07:00

You know what I mean - right? not sex-sex - Sex in the City sex. It was good. Very good. Excellent in fact. I loved it. I was a little worried because the first 3 minutes you get the sense they are going to over acting and trying way too hard... but then all of a sudden they get into the old flow and it's just so damn good.

Mr and I went out for drinks and a few apps before the show. Mr. also had the good idea of sneaking a bottle of wine into the theatre so we hit the liquor store before going to the movies. It seemed like a good idea at the time and then I was drunk... and with drunk comes hangover. So Sunday AM was not fun for me. I'd like to know when I turned into a freakin' light weight. There was a time when I could drink a bottle of white on my own and was just getting started. Those days are over. Now I think 3 glasses has to be my limit. The hangover headache is just not worth it.

So what did I wear for my date?

We all have embarassing moments...

2008-05-30T06:28:00.000-07:00

Mariah... I think this may be grounds for divorce. I hope your new husband doesn't see this. You will never ever live it down. Just remember this though in a year when everyone you know has brought up your pathetic pitching ability for the 365th time - you looked cute and hey, isn't that as important as ability?

Disclaimer:

For the record I am not a Mariah fan - something about her makes me want to say, "EEWW!" out loud. And if I am being totally honest... she is probably a better pitcher than I am and I wouldn't be able to pull off the short shorts and hot pink satin jacket. So... you go girl!

John Hottie Mayer

2008-05-30T06:25:00.000-07:00

This man is so freakin' sexy I just can't stand it. Do you think he and Jennifer will stay together?

I work.

2008-05-30T05:20:00.000-07:00

Dear "Friend,"

I work and I work hard all day long. I enjoy working and that's why I work. Even better I love my job... so I work. Even better than that I get to work from the comfort of my home.

No, I don't take naps or go to the gym or shopping in the middle of the afternoon. I work - I have deadlines and a boss with expectations. So stop calling me 5 times a day. If I don't answer my phone when you call, I am working. If I don't answer at 10:00 I am not going to answer at 10:01 or 10:02 or even 10:03 on my cell phone. I have caller ID I know it's you. I see how many times you call me. I only answer my home line while I am working if it is school, my parents, or Purple Heart (what would I do without their monthly pick ups?).

And, if you have the luxury to go out to lunch with the girls once a week but can't use your time management skills to get home in time for the bus - don't call me at 3:10, 3:11 and 3:12. I will not stop what I am doing to meet your kids off the bus and neither will Mr. or our babysitter. Pay for your own sitter.

And while I am at it... stop asking me to "type something up" for you. Get on your computer and do it yourself - if you can buy thousands of dollars of stuff on eBay I am pretty sure you know how to type. I don't care if it will take you 10 times as long as it would take me because I, "am so good at it." If you would like to pay me I will be happy to take on extra projects, but you will pay and you will wait because I work.

I am not your bitch... bitch.

Regards,
Kerry

P.S. Oh and by the way, don't plan on putting your daughter on the same soccer team as my daughter this fall so I can take her to practice, "since I am going anyway." I am on to you.

P.S.S. Your daughter is a bully. Everyone has told you. Just because she is smiling when she says something mean doesn't mean she's not being mean. She's mean.

L-O-S-T

2008-05-29T17:47:00.000-07:00

LOST is on right now... and I am f'ing missing it! 8 PM is too early!! What am I missing??

Damn it.

Thank goodness for DVR - right?

Was that not the best season finale ever??! So Jin is gone forever? Or will he be back on the island when they go back?

The writers of LOST are freakin' amazing!

Don't be shy - say hello!

2008-05-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

So I checked out the keyword search activity for my blog today and someone from New York searched for "Kerry monogram Annapolis" and of course found my blog. I think I might know who it is but would love a shout out regardless... come on don't be shy say hello!

Which brings me to a question I wonder about... is your blog a secret or do you share it with friends and family?

While mine is not a "secret" I don't broadcast it. My family and Mr's for that matter have no clue what a blog is and if I explained it to them in detail they would still not understand or even care to read it.

My friends know what a blog is and when I tell them I have one they are interested and curious but they have never actually asked what the blog address is. So I haven't told them.

My blog is about me so there is nothing here that I am ashamed of... it started as my "journal." I always wanted one growing up but when ever I tried to start one I hated to see the mess handwriting that was inevitable when emotions are present. So I would rewrite my journal entries so all of the pages looked nice and pretty and were free of spelling errors if possible. Yes! I am serious. When blogging came around it was perfect for me. Spell check - hello!

Now that people from work (my boss at least) know about the blog... and visit sometimes to "check in" I do find that I watch my language - not that I really used bad language before (that much) but now the f word does not flow as it sometimes did in the past.

And of course Mr. knows about it... hell, sometimes he will read it to find out if and why I am mad at him by reading my blog (because he can be oblivious) if he has no clue but can tell something is wrong. It's how he found out I hated that he used to say, "where you at?!" A question (if you can it that) he would often ask if he was wondering where I was.

So... back to my question... is your blog a "secret?" Or is it open for whom ever might stumble upon it? Or is common and well known that you are a blogger -- and proud of it?

And one last thing... master Google searcher in New York... if you were smart enough to find me... please don't be shy (or a lurker)! Leave me a comment and say, "hey!" Because I am a proud blogger with great blogging friend!

Inspiration - it came from my...

2008-05-28T09:19:00.000-07:00

Last night I was stressing about pulling a blog post from some body part for my work blog and at the 11th hour (literally) I did. It came to me during the local 11 o'clock news. Imagine that - actually learning something or gaining anything from the local news. I never watch local news because it's depressing to learn about who died on the beltway today or who was murdered or the rising gas and food prices. I usually watch national news if we are not at lacrosse or swimming or some other activity. So anyway - back to my blog post - are you curious what I posted about? The title is "Inspiration - where does yours come from?" The post is about Jonathan Lester. An amazing story/guy, don't you think?

But that's all work and this is all play and...

Inspiration for that blog definitely does not come from the same place as this blog. For example, I watched 48 Hours last night and it was about Polygamy... not an appropriate blog post for work - right? But "interesting"... especially the modern face of polygamy and the women featured on this episode... twin sisters Vicki and Valerie, and another woman all "married" to the same man with 22 children - in one house. WTH!? eew... just eww.

I love the show Big Love - and I joke with Mr. about bringing on a "sister wife" to help around the house. His first thought was, "yeah, baby bring it on..." and then he realized that would be two wives bitching at him 24 hours a day 7 days a week. His own personal hell!

Do you know any polygamists? What about swingers - are swingers as gross or equally gross as polygamists? That new show Swingtown is coming to CBS June 5 and I don't think I can bring myself to watch it. The trailer scares me... it seems like such a dark world. Am I a prude?

And speaking of Big Love - when does it come back on? Now that Grey's is over and Lost is ending tomorrow I need something to look forward to!

Bad to the bone...

2008-05-27T18:02:00.000-07:00

It was a long weekend here in Annapolis, MD and today I was more tired than I was last Friday so I had nothing. Nothing to share today. It was all work and no play for me today but tomorrow - well that will be another story I'm sure. I have to find a creative spark in me somewhere because I am due to post on my work blog and that can't be about my favorite J.Crew find or the silliness of my life... it actually has to appear to be intelligent in some way or another... I guess I will be pulling that post out of my ass at the 11th hour!

So this past weekend we/I...

agreed to be the new web master for our swim team web site

went to dinner at friends Friday night

said "those (funny) cigarettes sure smell good"

...was laughed at (who knew they weren't funny cigarettes and who knew my friends "smoked!")

was laughed at again when I told our friends of our kid's chore charts (imagine expecting your child to be nice, pick up after themselves, and not talk back... silly me!)

got really, really drunk from a glass of white wine (or two or three) too many (the last glass
always seems like such a fun idea... at the time!)

texted (is that a word?) my running partner at midnight to tell her I couldn't run because I would surely be hung over

put the kids to bet at midnight - they were with us at our friend's house - awake the whole time!

won the bad mom of the evening award

woke up at 4 AM with a rockin' headache

took a tylenol PM

fell back asleep

declined Mr.'s invitation to go strawberry picking (good thing one of us didn't get drunk the night before)

got my lazy ass out of bed around 9, only to plop my lazy ass in front of the tv and drank about a gallon of water

went grocery shopping

went for our first boat ride of the season on the Chesapeake (photos will be posted tomorrow)

drank more water

showered - put on my favorite black summer dress from J.Crew

headed over to friends for dinner #2 of the weekend

drank the most amazing strawberry daiquiris made by Mr.

got home early and fell asleep early

woke up to the guy working on our bathroom (no the f'ing thing is still not done!)

had a donut and coffee with the guy's wife

made a strawberry pie

sent the kids to the pool with Mr.

got a shower - wore my favorite black summer dress from J.Crew (yes! 2 nights in a row!! eww right? oh well it's not the first time I've done this!)

piled in the car for Potomac MD for a cookout (that's what we call them in MD -- barbeque for y'all up north)

watched my children pig out on all sorts of foods they aren't normally allowed to eat

drank some white wine and visited with friends

served up my strawberry pie (rave reviews - first pie I ever made)

played the Wii for the first ever time

made a fool of myself but had a great time

told the kids I wanted a Wii (big mistake)

talked the whole way home to help keep Mr. awake (it's about an hour drive)

put my kids to bed past 10 for the 3rd night in the row (bad mom)

woke up without a hangover (must have been all of the water I've been drinking!)

putzed around the house all afternoon (no, we did not go to mass - bad catholics)

motivated to get to the pool with the kids

piled on the sunscreen... on the kids

got my first (and last) sun burn of the season (bad sunbather)

waited for Mr. to meet us at the pool and then left him with the kids at the pool

got home, showered and put on my pajamas (you thought I was going to say my favorite black summer J.Crew dress didn't you?!)

made dinner (nothing fancy... bad chef)

tried to catch up on blog reading... but didn't get very far

climbed in bed and watched the Bachelorette

waited for Mr. to come to bed but didn't make it and fell asleep (bad wife)

woke up at 6:15 to my running partner texting me - she wanted to know where I was - oops! (bad partner)

got an extra 45 minutes of sleep (ahhh... I needed that...)

got the kids up and out of the house

worked all day

went to Home Depot with Mr. and the kids and to dinner at Outback (hate the place! ew!)

now I am home and blogging... but it's a bad and boring blog post. Are you still with me?

Did you catch the theme of this post though... it was a great weekend but I was so bad!!

Grey's last night?

2008-05-23T11:16:00.000-07:00

Can you believe I feel asleep during the season finale of Grey's Anatomy? Out like a light - me... the person who has a hard time falling asleep and staying asleep 99.9% of the time... fell fast asleep and there was no waking me during one of my favorite shows! I am hoping I can catch it online... was it really good??

UPDATE...

I watched it! I love that they are going to get back together!! I also love McDreamy's eyes and when he smiled at the girl on the operating table I wanted to kiss my computer monitor. And I am seriously impressed that Meredith had time to buy all of those glass votives and light them all too and that's after performing 2 brain surgeries and saving one life! Sometimes I wish I was friends with all of them and lived in Meredith's house and all. Looks like fun doesn't it?

Now... I am going to take a nap.

YOU MUST WATCH THIS... this puppy SAYS Elmo!

2008-05-22T18:35:00.000-07:00

This puppy really does say ELMO - you have to watch it!!

I'm over it now...

2008-05-22T12:05:00.000-07:00

I am officially over the shock that David Cook won American Idol last night. It was a good shock by the way. I was just so sure David A was going to win that when Brian said David COOK I clapped out loud all alone in our family room. Mr. went upstairs to watch some war show or history show when he realized it was a 2 hour show - so it was just me - all alone.

So I have random - totally random comments - from the show that I would have discussed with Mr. if he had been in the room with me but he left me half way through.

1. I HATE David Cook's boots. What's the deal with those cowboy boots? They make his feet look HUGE. Weird and huge.

2. I loved all of the Ashton Cusher Nikon commercials. He's cute.

3. Was Ryan Seacrest dancing hip hop? Something's not right about that.

4. Amanda (weird hair weird voice) - drugs... didn't you hear drugs are bad for you? She looked high.

5. George Michael... I used to love that song, "wake me up before you go go.." he's just gone gone now.

6. Bryan Adams?! How long has it been since you've seen him!

7. Loved the Tom Cruise Risky Business commercials but David Cook's version blew David A's out of the water!

8. No I can not spell David A's last name and that's why I keep calling him David A

9. Did I see George Clooney in the audience?

10. Simon apologized - wow.

11. I like Chakeezie. Is that his name? Love him.

12. Michael Johns - good to see you again - I'm not in love with you anymore but it was good to see you.

13. Brook - eat a hamburger. You are too skinny. Way too skinny.

That's it.

Go David Cook - I'll buy your music - can't wait!!

Becasue I am still in shock...

2008-05-22T06:18:00.000-07:00

I am still in shock that David Cook won the American Idol last night and therefore I am speachless this morning. Here are a few photos of my babies when they were babies!

Teacher's gifts... done.

2008-05-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

We are fast approaching the end of the school year and it's time for end of the year teacher's gifts! I managed to complete this task this afternoon in less than five minutes! Woo-hoo!

Are you curious?

Here is what bug's two teachers are going to get...

And baby girl's lucky teacher is getting this one!

Three guesses where I found these lovlies...!

Preppy Petunia of course on Etsy - owned and operated Lisagh!

And of course because I love these little pin cushions I had to have one too! So this baby is staying with me!

Summer Swap info...

2008-05-20T10:13:00.000-07:00

The preppy Summer Swap is coming up soon, and at the last minute I begged to be included and I lucked out to be paired with Katie. I noticed today she had her summer swap survey up and remembered I still needed to do mine so here goes:

1. Favorite preppy designers?

J. Crew, RL

2. Favorite preppy accessories?

flower pins, pony tail holders, anything monogrammed

3. Any hobbies?

Reading, relaxing and resting... and shopping.

4. Enjoy crafting, if so anything in particular?

Nope - I didn't get the craft gene

5. Favorite books/magazines?

Anything about the Tudors and chicklit by Sophie Kinsella and others.

6. Any other favorite things?

monogramming the unexpected, shopping, lounging by the pool with a pool boy bringing me my drinks...

7. Collect anything?

N's - as in the letter N (our last name starts with an N)

8. Any kids/pets?

8 year old girl, 6 year old boy, 16 year old step daughter who lives in CA, and a 43 year old man I call Mr., and 1 dog name Holly Golightly

9. Any allergies?

Nope -- unless laundry and empting the dish washer count.

10. Favorite thing to do in the Summer?

Boating on the Chesapeake, eating steamed MD crabs, cocktails with friends, anything outdoor if it's not too hot.

11. What most makes you think of Summer?

Being on the go... no school... the pool... swim team... flip flops and manicures!

12. Favorite treat/drink?

bloody mary's, frozen pina coladas, margaritas on the rocks with salt and white wine spritzers

13. Anything else your partner should know about you?

No - I'm not picky and pretty ordinary and easy to please.

For the love of...peanut butter?

2008-05-19T12:57:00.000-07:00

Bug just told me that baby girl told him that her BFF Jenny told her that peanut butter is made out of horse hair. For the love of god my friends, please tell me there is no truth to this. I simply will go right over the edge if I find out that I have been feeding my children horse hair every living day of their lives. Please relieve me of my mounting anxiety. Please... I'm begging you!