40 Before I'm 40 (or not)

Yes, I'll be 40 next year. My birthday is in October, so it's not like it's *close* or anything, but it's next year, and it's almost next year - ya know? So why not come up with a list, right? 40 things to do before I turn 40.

Sure - no pressure - just a list of maybes. Must be-s. And who knows what will be-s?

I love lists cause I love crossing things off them. But here I sit saying to myself, should I start with 40 and work my way back to number one? Or start with one and work up to forty? Sigh. What a confusing choice to make.

- Get my driver's license.

- Lose 12 lbs.

- Cut and donate my hair again.

So what happens when you come up with three things? You're kind of screwed, no?

I'll keep thinking. Any ideas?

p.s. So I accidentally published this yesterday for about five minutes, but decided, NO! I couldn't do that! I have nothing on my list. And then I thought about it. Forgot about it. And thought about it some more. And you know what? Whatever. I mean - who cares, right? I'm shoving this one on you. I expect 40 different (read=original) comments from my friends - that means you, dear readers - coming up with things for me to do before I turn 40 next October.

I'm serious. And you can't steal my top 3. So, there you have it.

Go!

The Heroine's Bookshelf ~ Book Review

Let me tell you a little bit about The Heroine's Bookshelf, by Erin Blakemore.

Blakemore takes us through her connections with not just several incredibly well known female authors, but also reunites us with characters that have stood tall through history. Characters like Lizzy of Pride and Prejudice, Scarlett in Gone with the Wind, and Jo, of Little Women.

I think that this book is empowering, motivational, and inspiring to women readers everywhere. Unfortunately, although some of that is true for me, parts of it fell flat because I have not read many of the books that she speaks of.

Gasp! I know. Crazy, right? I've never read Little Women. Never seen Gone with the Wind. Barely remember Pride and Prejudice.

But that's okay. I still found myself moved by certain parts of this book. And I want to touch on my most favorite chapter with you all. Dignity.

Dignity is the chapter that focuses on Alice Walker's The Color Purple. And the character of Celie. Now, I sadly admit that I've never read the book. I've never even seen the movie in its entirety. But this chapter touched me in such a way that I want to. I have to go out and get my own copy.

I don't know that this is what our author intended, but it happened for me. Her notes at the end of each chapter speak to when you should pick up a copy of the book she just discussed, and for me, though important to the novel, these recommendations aren't why I want to read The Color Purple.

Blakemore's description of Celie, the way she persevered, and her words on Walker, and her own true life ways of prevailing, were enough to inspire me to say to myself - THIS? This is a woman whose words I need to read. I can't say too much more or I'll give you the entire chapter. And since it's my favorite I think you should pick up a copy of the book and read it for yourself.

It also so happens that she's made me want to reconnect with one of my favorite childhood characters, as well. Laura Ingalls. I used to devour those books as a child. I cannot wait for my own daughter to be reading enough that she can do the same.

So while some of this read was a miss for me, the parts that were a hit were truly able to impact my mindset. I think if you're a fan of women's literature and have an interest in remembering your favorite stories, along with reconnecting with your favorite authors on a whole new level, this book is one you'll want to look into.

Happy Reading!

* I received a copy of this book from TLC Book Tours for review. My opinions are strictly my own. *

Thankfuls

I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for my health and that of my family.

Yes, I have aches and pains. Complaints and 900 meds of late. But I'm healthy. I'm lucky to be so. And my kid, she's a beast when it comes to rock solid health, thank my lucky stars she has the husband's immune system.

I'm also thankful for the rest of my family. I don't mean the rest in the way that it sounds. I promise you that. But I suppose when one gets married it is quite weird to recognize that your spouse ... and any subsequent children, should you have any... become immediate, and anyone else can be looked at as "extended" ... it just sounds iffy to me. How could my parents and my brother become suddenly extended, right? They're my family. That's that. I'm thankful for them. My sister-in-law who is more like a sister (we even started a blog but barely write anything on it, it's called Sisters by Choice - yikes, we have not posted on it since April, that's bad!) and my beautiful niece who is six weeks older than my beautiful daughter.

I know I have more things to be thankful for. And I know that I am thankful for more things. But for right now, today, on this Saturday after Thanksgiving, I'm thankful for the newest addition to my family.

I introduce to you ... Bella.


Bella is our new baby. We adopted her today at the local SPCA. We brought Dexter with us to meet her and they hit it off. Fairly well. Okay, as well as an almost 10 year old man dog and a not quite 3 year old little girl puppy can hit it off on their first meeting.

Right now she is passed out next to me on the couch. And Dex is asleep - somewhere - around the other side of us. She is slightly territorial of me already. A total mama's girl. He is protective of us to a small extreme, and aside from trying to take advantage of her head, he's been growling but not aggressive. She is submissive, which is good, so she is letting him see she knows he's Alpha dog. However, we also have one small other issue to consider. Or four small ones.

The feline friends.

Oh, did you not know we have four cats? We do. And Bella doesn't quite know what cats are - exactly. But she'll get there. She has to. Right? After all, we brought Dexter home into an apartment with two cats who were not happy to see him and here we are all these years later with many a cat through our lives and he's been great. Bella will be, too!

And on that note, I bid thee an early good night. As I think tomorrow might be as long a day as today was. Oh, I must add that we took the dogs for a 2 mile walk around the lake, and we, and the kiddo, and the pups, all enjoyed it. If anything I am also hopeful that this addition to the family will get us moving some more. She's a motivated little girl, she needs the exercise and so do WE!

p.s. Fill me in on what's new with you. Any deal catching this Black Friday? Or are you like me - waiting for Cyber Monday to begin? Happy Shopping!

I find myself here.

The room is dark.

The only light on is the small bulb that brightens the hallway between the bedroom and the bath.

It's enough - though - for me to see whatever it is I am focused on at the moment.

A book? Sure. Sometimes the lack of overhead hurts my eyes. But I can see well enough to dive in and become a part of the storyline that absorbs me through to my soul.

My iPad? Sure. My connection to the outside world. With a small escape from that which surrounds me. A peek on Twitter. A conversation 140 characters. What more do I really need? Perhaps for some that is not quiet enough, but for me, it gives me a way of finding out what's happening with the people I know and have learned to love. An extended family of some. Friends. News stories. Entertainment. Humor. Much needed humor.

The TV? Yeah - maybe. It can be on, maybe an episode from The Food Network that I can just watch and enjoy. (Thanks, Aarti and Ree!)

Or maybe I'm just there, in the dark. Thinking.

Though it's probably the reason I stay awake so late at night. That my *quiet place* is where I do all this other stuff. And then when it is actually time to close my eyes, I can't.

I've read that the bedroom and the bed should be saved for sleep and only sleep (and, ehem, okay, other things). So why is it that I find myself most easily when I am curled up, or laying flat out, crunched up on some pillows, losing or finding focus in my king-sized bed?

This post was a response to the Write on Edge RemembeRED post today about our Quiet Place. Where's yours?

Stream Of Consciousness: What I Need

I haven't linked up with anyone for a while, so I decided to do so today with All Things Fadra and Stream of Consciousness Sunday.

I will cheat a bit, as I am on a new laptop (to me) and adjusting to the keys, so forgive me if I fat finger too much and I will try to catch any mega-glaring typos.

Even though that's against the rules. I think Fadra (and you!) will forgive me!

So, what you do is take five minutes and just type. Think of something, don't, it's all good. So, here I go:

We've been busy the past few weeks, and I was talking to my mom this morning, or afternoon, or whenever, and I told her what is in store for us in the coming weeks.

Pause, please, 4-yo made a birthday card for a friend and is bringing it over for me to review. Again. Please hold ...

It's beautiful. But I am biased. But it really is pretty. Anyway, so my five minutes don't take up your time talking about a 4-yo's birthday card, here we go. Where was I again?

Ah, yes, what's coming up. You know, it's interesting that I read Fadra's post before I started writing this, as I have similar stuff on the brain. Really similar. Feeling like who am I? What's my point and purpose. And so forth.

And I do have one. For this post and myself.

I am a mom. And I am Andrea. And I am a social worker, who, although I am not currently practicing, I am still being, in some ways.

Many of you know I have been volunteering for TriangleMommies for several years. Many of you are like what is that? It's my local moms' group. And I also volunteer for the National organization on their Community Outreach/Charitable Events division. And I love it. My social worker self finds all of this essential to keeping my sanity as a mom who stays home and isn't working or driving.

And so I mentioned last week, or this week, or some time a few posts back that I was fidgety. And I am. And I had stuff in the works. And it started up this week.

Which is good. It's good for me as I NEED that. I need a way to remember that I am more than just mom. Although what I am doing and going to be doing is all - in some way - mom-related, it's all important and good stuff.

And soon enough I'll be back on the working track, and this stuff will also come into play.

My daughter is going to be a Daisy Scout! Can you just die? So cute. And I am going to be her troop's co-leader. Ack! Mommy-hood comes front and center, but it's going to be so much fun. And also, this past week I had the pleasure of connecting with and starting to volunteer with Moms Supporting Moms, which is a local to the Triangle organization (that is affiliated in some ways with Postpartum Support International) and I am going to be helping moms in need. New moms who experience the anxiety I did so few years ago.

And that, that stuff? Is what I NEED. It's good. It's great. It's crazy. But it's great.

What about you? What are you doing for YOU these days? Fill me in.

And I have to go now. Cause my five mins are up and my typos are glaring! oops. TGISunday!

Wordless Wednesday ... Trick Or Treat in Disney World!

Pinterest Inspired Lasagna!

I started this post a few weeks ago and dropped it. Then I tried again the other night and failed, as Pinterest was flailing and wouldn't let me click through to any links.

So what perfect timing to try again as Sarah at My Own Beeswax has a Pinteresting linky up today!

I posted once about the Cheesy Chicken Spaghetti Casserole I found on Pinterest, tried and LOVED. You can find that here. It's yum, so if you make it be sure to let me know. I love hearing about people trying stuff I've pinned.

Now, I don't know if this counts, because I found a ton of crockpot lasagna recipes on Pinterest, and then I combined them and created my very own. And I pinned it!

So, here goes:

Lazy Mom's Crockpot Lasagna

lasagna noodles
1 jar marinara sauce
1 pkg ground turkey
1-1/2c shredded mozz (divided)
1/4c shredded parmesan
1 small container ricotta
2 zucchini

Brown your ground turkey and add jar sauce to the pan.
* Feel free to make your own sauce if you're not lazy like me!*

Combine cheeses in a large mixing bowl.

Layer in Crockpot as follows:
sauce, noodles, cheese mixture, zucchini and repeat
repeat as needed - normally 2-3 *layers* of all the layers works for me

Cook on low for 5-6 hrs til noodles are soft. With 30 minutes left before serving cover w. 1/2 c shredded mozzarella cheese until melted.

As you can tell, it gets gobbled up pretty quickly around here.



Enjoy!

*I combined a handful of CP lasagna recipes I found on the web to create my own. You can find it pinned here.*

Lazy Blogger! Who me?

I just haven't gotten my blogging groove back after the past month or so. I'm not sure why, and I'm still here. Still reading - without that much commenting. Still tweeting - definitely chatting there, and using Triberr, too.

Speaking of, if you aren't on there yet and want in, let me know. I have a pretty small tribe I'd love to add a few like-minded friends to.

I'm also still posting, but I'm not writing as much as I'd like to be.

We all know how that goes, I am sure. So I decided to sit down and think it through a bit. And then, it hit me. I didn't want to do that. You all are busy enough that you don't need to sit here and gloss over why I'M not writing as much. Right?

I'm just not inspired right now.

I'm not depressed. That much I know.

I'm not bored. Not that bored, anyway.

I'm just not motivated by much.

And I need to do something to change that.

I turned 39 back in October. I say back as if it were eons ago. But it hasn't even been a month.

So why does it feel so much longer?

I don't know. I shouldn't care. I should just move ahead and DO. BE. Be me!

At some point I want to write up a list of the things I want to do before I turn 40. 40 before 40, maybe? I think that could work. I also am working on doing some different kind of volunteer work. I've been volunteering with my local mommies' group since 2008. That's a long time. I love what I do there, and I love what I do on a national level, as well. But I need to branch out more. Give myself something new. I'm hoping to be able to do that soon. I'll keep you all posted.

So - - what do you do when you hit a blogging funk? Or a writing funk? Or just an in general day to day kind of funk? What inspires YOU?

#LeapFrogParty from Mommy Parties!

The people at Mommy Parties have been kind enough to understand that it has taken me a bit longer to get my party post up as I have had a few small delays. The first being my husband's surprise appendectomy. Pushed my partying plans back a bit there. Couldn't exactly have loads of little happy faces jumping around the house while he's trying to rest, right?

And then I had the post, and the pictures, but the pictures won't load. They're on a disk with too many videos of my daughter and my niece, so my video of myself won't load, either.

And then we took off to Disney (Tag Reader and bundle of books along for the ride!) and that was that.

But I'm back and I'm ready to talk about the Frog. The one and only LeapFrog, of course.

Most specifically their incredible products.

This was not our first foray into LeapFrog products (we still have Lily, from when my daughter was a baby, and somehow she is going strong into her 4th year) but it was our first experience with the Tag Reading System. I know many people who have it and love it, but I've never jumped in and given it a shot.

Now I know why so many people have it and love it. My daughter does, too! And after bringing it to Florida with us, my nephew (6) and nieces (7 and 9) really enjoyed it, as well. And yes, even the 9-year-old. I think just having it there to back her up as she read the stories was kind of cool. Even if my younger niece tried to turn the actual reader into a wand for her witch costume. Oops!

And my mother- and father- in law were both blown away by the technology and the way my daughter used it to sound out her words. My MIL was a preschool teacher for many years, and as she watched the kids engage I am pretty sure that she started making some mental notes for holiday shopping.

I also had the opportunity to watch my daughter enjoy both, the Interactive World Map (this child is so into geography I know she is my husband's daughter!) and the LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet. The Tablet means I get to use my iPad a bit more and hubby gets to use his own tablet. But just a little bit. I think her favorite feature is the built in camera. But she's a shutterbug/paparazzi just like me.

Next on my list for her (holiday shopping, anyone?) is the Solar System Adventure Pack, as there's probably one thing she enjoys more than looking at the world, and that's looking at space. From their website with an explanation of what the product teaches:

"In space science children are taught about the different planets in our solar system and their moons as well as about our moon, the sun and the universe. The science of astronomy and space travel gets progressively more detailed and eventually incorporates physics and math."

Overall I think that everyone was excited with the new products and the fan favorites remain as such. I was thrilled to hand out some of the coupons to my guests (the moms, not the kids!) and actually might have one left over that I can give away to one of my readers. So if you're interested in some shopping and saving just let me know ...

Thanks again to LeapFrog and Mommy Parties for this fun and fantastic test drive of these products and lots of fun for the kiddo and her friends.

Wordless Wednesday: Pumpkin Flashbacks!

October 2007

October 2008

October 2009

October 2010

October 2011

Pouring My Heart Out: Vacation Recap

I'll admit - - I had reservations about our Disney trip before it happened.

My ILs had planned it, and I had so many questions I wasn't sure what our plans would actually be like. Or be for. You know it's confusing when you don't plan your own events. And it's up in the air. And it's relaxing at the same time. But so as not to appear ungrateful, which I am not and was not, I held my concerns in quietly. And I figured we'd just see ...

But honestly, I worried a little bit how my daughter (4) would do spending so many days with her cousins (9, 7, 6).


And how hubby and I would do in such close quarters.

With his parents.

And his brother.

And would hubby be able to function after his recent appendectomy and would he be able to lift up our little one, who would be bound to ask for a hand or two. Or ten ... but he was able to do it. Even with my motherly hovering - despite his own mom being in sight.



And we survived.

The whole lot of us. The whole week. We survived it all, AND we had a blast!

And although it was a long week filled with long days, we had no complaints. No overly stressful moments. And no meltdowns (for the kids OR the adults). And while my Disney trip might have been planned differently, my daughter's first trip provided to her (and us) by her Memere and Papa was a beautiful one. Filled with loads of fun, laughter, love and incredible moments that created amazing memories.

And if you doubt that at all - - just look at this face:


And then look at this one. Ahhh. Pure and blissful exhaustion.

Water ...

I stepped in.

Sunk down into the blue embrace.

My skin shivered as the temperature dropped beneath the surface.

It was cold, but I had to do it.

I've never been one to flinch from such cold.

Especially now.

My daughter - - merely four - - splashing away.

Loving every moment.

My feet make their way. Not timid.

My toes ... always the big ones ... scuffed by the bottom.

Small splits. Skin raw. Rarely touched.

What is it about a pool in the summertime?

The smell of chlorine that lingers.

Wafts up and clings to your skin.

Stays in your hair.

My daughter holds her nose. Dunks her head beneath the surface.

By week's end she'll be jumping off the edge on her own.

Dropping down below.

Into that crystal blue embrace.

Safely.

Arching her tiny body a bit.

Sometimes not holding her nose at all.

My butt touched the bottom, Mommy!

A laugh. A smile. A crinkle of her eyes.

So much changes over time. And yet so little does.

Her mother learned to float in a Florida pool.

A man named Bert. Her Nana's friend? A neighbor.

And here she is. Watching her daughter.

Observing the older cousins.

9. 7. and 6.

Learning. Watching. Taking it all in.

They spend their last night there. Splashing. Jumping.

Breaking that surface.

Who are you, the mother asks. Where is my daughter?

Here, the reply. I'm here.

Watch me jump!

And so I do.

Wordless Wednesday ...

Guest Post by @NYCPatty

My friend Patty has been so wonderful and in the midst of so much happening with her family right now she has been a strong and incredible woman, and a great friend! She provided me with a guest post here about *10 Good Things About Being in a NYC Hospital* ... so read on, and please go give Patty some love over in her 'hood: A Day in My NYC.

I am a girl who looks at the glass half-full.

Always have, always will be. Though sometimes my glass gets knocked around, it spills, maybe it falls which means I have to re-fill it and keep going. My family is going through a rough time right now but I was brought up to look for the positive and that's where I came up with my post idea for today.

Here we go, 10 Good Things About Being in a NYC Hospital:

1. A gorgeous Cuban Doctor! A Clark Kent look-a-like, tall, with gorgeous green eyes came to help my dad out over the weekend. Not only was he good-looking, he's a smart resident {which matters so much more when you are in the hospital} and he was friendly and caring towards my dad. I couldn't ask for much more. He was so cute that on day two at the hospital, I put on make-up! ;) Seriously he was that cute!

2. The hospital is across the street from Central Park. With views like this you can certainly appreciate the moments you spends outside...putting quarters in the meter!

3.The warmest welcome from the nursing staff who treated my dad when he was there three years ago. Yes, they remember him and us. It was like coming "home" to see old friends. One of the nurses and I became friends and have kept in touch over the years. She said she was excited when she saw my dad's name on the list of patients. Not excited he was sick but glad to be able to catch up with us.

4. Seeing your family and friends. Usually getting everybody together requires tons of emails back and forth to coordinate dates/times. The best thing about my family is when one of us is sick, we drop everything and head to the hospital. You are comforted to know your family stands by you in the good times but especially in the bad times. That's love. And one of my friends, who works at the hospital came in to her office on the weekend and took the time to stop by my dad's room. I was truly touched and grateful.

5. View of the Tri-Borough Bridge from the waiting room. You have to look outside the hospital walls or windows in this case. But little gems of my city are everywhere.

6. Driving through the city. Well this is a treat for me. I love driving in NYC! After all I am a taxi driver's daughter and I know all the tricks of flowing through the traffic. Driving has always been therapeutic for me. I get to focus on the road and clear my head of all thoughts, plus its fun cutting off the cabbies! ;)

7. Starbucks. Any day at the hospital is soothed with a cup of my favorite coffee. Yes, there is a Starbucks on every corner in NYC but I love this one because it's right there as soon as you walk into the lobby. Coffee = Love and we all need a little love when we are in the hospital.

8. Free WiFi. Another thing that rocks! Since I spend hours waiting, its great to catch up on email and twitter right there from the hospital room.

9. Fifth Avenue. Okay this is also technically not in the hospital but its all about location. The hospital is in an awesome part of Manhattan. I mean when else could I stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and take this picture, with no traffic coming at me. I'd say that's a priceless NYC moment! :)



10. Going Home! We came, we saw, we healed a little bit and now its time to go. Just like every place where they treat you well, you don't want to overstay your welcome. Besides there is no place like home...your home.