I love being a mom.

There. I said it. I really do love being a mom.

I find that for the most part when talking to friends or family about our children - we - moms - dads - whomever - tend to focus on the crazy moments.

I tell my mother how my daughter lost her mind and became demon child in Target. I tell friends, as well. I explain how she told me to leave her alone the other night. Then when I shouted "excuse me?" she added a "please" to the request. Or maybe order?

And I guess I do tell my mom the good stuff, too. But when I turn to my virtual world of peeps I often (not necessarily always in here, but more often than not) focus on the needs of a sanity break. Just read my twitter stream. You'll see how sanity is underrated is a theme of mine.

But I love being a mom. The moments my daughter brings me are completely incredible and refreshing and though stressful at times, things I'd never pass up for even a minute. Ever.

We took her to see Chipwrecked and although her focus was on the HUGE popcorn in front of her, watching her stand up and dance with abandon at the final scene was beyond precious.

When I put my parents on speaker and she sings for them, whether the words are the right ones (Baby, you're a firework!) or she's making up the Chanukah blessings (more right than you'd expect at age 4) it's unforgettable.

Watching her write Thank You and I <3 U to people who have given her gifts this holiday season.

Laughing together over whatever happens to be funny at the moment.

Her excitement over the smallest things.

SO despite her eating me out of house and home, wanting a cookie, or two, or four, every hour or so, and not getting to sleep until way after ten o'clock, I'd never skip those book reading, snuggling, hand-holding, hair-brushing (even with the 'ow' after 'ow'), keppe kissing moments for anything in the world. Ever.

My letter to Mr. C.

Dear Santa,

Happy holidays to you! I hope you and the Mrs. are doing well. I've been thinking about you lately. You're all the rage down here in NC. And though my daughter hasn't written you a letter of her own, thanks for writing to her and teaching her to be nice. Though for my $6 you could have threatened the coal, I mean, that's what the season is all about, right?

Honestly - I'm kidding. The other night when she told me to leave her alone - and she did actually correct herself and add a please to it - she came in bawling after saying "I don't want this to happen," and the primary worry was not being rude to me, but that you - the big man - would put coal in her stocking, well, let's just say I found it interesting. Now, I haven't tried that at all, but I'm guessing she learned on TV (see my previous post and all of the DVRd things I have that surely relate to you) or my husband mentioned it when I wasn't around. Though that would only have been a brief window when I was in class a few weeks ago, but hey, it happens, right?

Anyway, back to me. That is what this letter is supposed to be about.

I've been as good a girl as I could be this year, Santa. It's been a rough one, but I guess it always is that way for most of us. Early this year my mom's best friend passed away, and that royally sucked. I realize how hard the season must be for my mom as her like-a-sister isn't here to pretend not to celebrate with. I thank heavens my parents are healthy. I'm blessed and because of that I honestly won't ask for much. It's actually my family I wish you'd take care of. Pull some strings and see what you can do to get my parents a windfall of sorts. Send my brother and sister-in-law and my niece on a trip or something wonderful like that. Can you do that for me? Nah - I didn't think so. I want to believe in you, Santa, but all those years of growing up without you does make that ever so slightly difficult.

But I bet you're wondering what you can do for me? Most of the letters you receive probably cover that sort of thing. Well, short of a copy of Bridesmaids (which I'll buy for myself, so you really don't have to worry) I'm pretty much set. A vacation would rock. But that would be for my husband and myself. I'd love to take our kid on one, too, so I guess I'm asking for two. But again - not quite sure I think you'll be able to take care of those for us. So, yeah - I get it. I don't want to stress you out a little over 24 hours before your big night. Actually, I'm writing this early, but won't post til tomorrow. So it'll be really last minute, so don't worry, okay?

Just travel safely. And if you have an extra massage therapist, cabana boy or George Clooney to stuff into my stocking - you go for it. I can promise you that my husband won't mind! Oh, and so as not to leave out people he and I would both appreciate, a chef, a house-cleaner, a chauffeur, or whatever else you can think of would not be turned away.

Thanks so much, Santa. And please don't forget to give a little extra something to Mrs. C. We all know that the woman behind the man is critical to his success, and you're no exception.

Merry Christmanukah to you both! Much Love,

You Know You're THIS Mom When ...

I've done these before and was planning to simply do a copy and paste from one of my old ones, but I thought I'd do a holiday version this time around. I'm also linking up with Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop today, as this was prompt #1 this week.

You Know You're THIS Mom When ...

* Your DVR includes several or quite possibly all (I'm not saying mine does. But I'm not saying it doesn't) of the following:

- Beethoven's Christmas
- Phineas and Ferb S'Winter episode (possibly twice)
- Dora helps Swiper get off the naughty list movie (NocheBuena, NocheBuena)
- Several random episodes of Charlie Brown that are Christmas related
- Santa Buddies
- Good Luck, Charlie one hour holiday movie (Charlie's getting a baby brother or sister! Good luck, Charlie!)
- Up
- The Princess Kissed the frog (renamed by a 4-year-old)
- Tangled

* You can recite the words to those last two by heart.

* Your holiday DVDs now include:

- Santa Paws
- Yes, Virginia - There is a Santa Claus - cartoon version
- Curious George loves the snow - or something of that nature
- I'm sure there are more I just can't think of them now. I'm still waiting to watch Love, Actually this year!

* You stand guard over the Chanukah candles to make sure little breaths don't blow them out.

* And little fingers don't touch them!

* Every single present in your home is not wrapped. [Oh, wait, is that just me?]

* And hiding in the garage or in your closet. [Again - just me?]

* Every night you swear to yourself you're going to open that bottle of mulled wine and warm some up. But then bedtime takes hours and you never make it downstairs again.

* Your tree is covered with as many candy canes as ornaments.

* You just finished your holiday cards - oh - YESTERDAY. Or was it the day before? Happy new year cards it is!

* There's no greater joy than enjoying the holidays through the eyes of your child. Except maybe sleeping in a few mornings this week. Or next. I'm not picky. Actually, an early bedtime would rock even more. Starting to wish I sent my own letter to Santa. Maybe that's tomorrow's blog post.

Happy Chanukah! Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! Happy Kwanzaa!

xoxo -- me

Holiday Baking: Episode 1

I first posted this on TriangleMommies' blog last week - so forgive the outdated references to the cookie swap I attended last weekend. I'm just re-posting for my readers and am too lazy to edit!

I love this time of the year. I love the holidays, the chill in the air. The family time.

I love not traveling. I have to admit that I miss my family terribly. I miss Christmas morning with my nieces and nephew. I miss Chanukah candles lit in my parents' kitchen. But I love staying home. Call me a homebody. I don't care!

And yesterday I prepped for cookie swapping. This is something I had never heard of prior to moving to North Carolina. I assume it has spread to my home-city by now, but it never hit me before here. I was way pregnant, and ready to rock. My daughter was born in early February, 2007. This was December, 2006.

I needed my husband's help. I enjoyed baking, but never did anything besides follow the info on the package. What else was there to do? Cookies from scratch? Ha!

So the husband helped me come up with a way to create a cookie that was more fun. I grabbed several rolls of store-bought ready to make cookie dough. Peanut butter flavor. And I bought a whole truckload of Hershey's kisses. Do you see where I am going here? Peanut butter blossoms. The old standard. Funny thing was there was another pregnant lady at the cookie swap that year - and she made the same danged cookie. Only her dough was from scratch. Well - lah - di - dah. I kid, I kid. I am on my way to becoming that lady! At least mine had a variety of kiss flavors. Ever try their cherry kind? Or their minty one? Or whatever else I used? It was so yum. And it wasn't easy. I am sure I have a picture somewhere with the loads of cookies I made that night. And it was fun!

Since then I have gone to many a cookie swap. I've gone through many a cookie making phase. I did Paula Deen's Ooey Gooey whatever they're called cookies one year. I used devil's food cake mix, and spice cake mix. Don't worry - not together! I felt so accomplished in that I brought a variety of cookies. Two kinds. Of course someone made crackle or crinkle cookies, so mine looked similar, but tasted different. I love them both. I'm an equal opportunity cookie taster.

The following year I think I tried to make like four different kinds of cookies. I went a bit too far, as I can barely recall what kinds I made. Last year we were stuck in Oreo Cookie Ball mode. Seriously. Even my husband was addicted. They're something else. If you have never tried them or made them I suggest you google them. Or click my link. I even have a Mike Rowe picture there for you. Go on, you know you want to! Anyway - I tried them in loads of different flavors and they each rocked. Yum. Though I didn't especially love the ones with the candy cane pieces on them. Kind of threw the flavor for a loop a bit.

This year I haven't 100% decided which type of cookie I am making for the swap I am attending this [which was really last] weekend. But I have already made snowballs (thanks, blueviolet!) snickerdoodles (I definitely put too much vanilla in there, but my husband was happy with that slight error) and pumpkin cookies with chocolate chips. I have another kind I am planning to attempt today or tomorrow, and will see from there what my cookie adventures bring. I'm quite adventurous this year thanks to Pinterest. Check out my boards here.

What about you? Do you like to bake? Do you go overboard on the cookies this time of year? Or just kind of go with the flow and eat what other people make for you? I obviously enjoy sweets, and I enjoy making them even more. Don't even get me started on the egg nog pound cake I made for my husband this week. Whoops! It's not a cookie but it has to count.

Happy baking, eating and holidays!

I sat down to write ...

Tonight Chanukah begins. It's the first night of the holiday. I sit here typing at the laptop, my daughter watching The Princess and the Frog for the umpteenth time. I have loads of presents for her, but haven't wrapped a single one.

Our Christmas tree is flashing her blue and white lights right beside me. Blocking my view of the television but that's alright. I know the music. I know the words. I'm good without actually SEEing the movie.

My kiddo munches on dried fruit as I sit here. I'm trying to think of what tonight's dinner will be. I'm lost. Lacking motivation and missing ideas. Perhaps I've used too many of them up lately? I'm not sure.

The poinsettia lights flicker behind me over the frame of our bathroom door. The only stable lights in this room are the glow of a lamp on a table behind me and the Chanukah strand up high above the mantle.

My candles will be glowing in a few hours. But first I need to get some. Why this happens I haven't a clue. I know Chanukah comes every year. Usually I cannot find my menorah, but this year I know where that is. I'm just low on candles. I'm sure there are at least two I can use before the night is over. I'm sure I'll figure this all out and we can celebrate and say the blessings.

Our tree has hanging dreidels and stars of David, along with Santa and Mrs. Claus. There are snowflakes and angels, and candy canes aplenty. We've got snowmen hanging on our walls, and scented candles flickering atop the stove. We don't put them together - they might melt!

I'm crazily baking cookies and when the cookie cutters come out tomorrow there will be Jewish stars and Christmas stars and sugar cookie mix. My daughter won't care as long as she gets to lick the bowl when we're done and push loads of sprinkles into both kinds.


Now, we haven't gone as far as to get this funky Santa menorah (see here) but who's to say we wouldn't consider it?

I am linking up with Just Write this week (see button below). And I have pictures to share but Picnik is sucking and not letting me mark them or edit in any way, so I have to skip. Here's hoping I can add them to the blog tomorrow for Wordless or Word-filled Wednesday!

Happy Holidays to all!

Real Moms Love to Eat ~ Book Review and healthy living!

Do you want to know what I just did? If not, well, too bad. I'm about to tell you.

See, I had a Chanukah Harriet drop off a goodie gift for me the other day. And just the fact alone that it still exists in my home, wrapped, is an incredible accomplishment for me. And no, the gift is NOT still wrapped. But one of the treats inside of it was. Until about ten minutes ago.

She gave me a Reese's snowman. A serious snowman. Chocolate. Peanut butter. Yumminess. Goodness. Sweetness. Calories galore. But still. Reese's? One of my favorite chocolates ever.

And my daughter just asked for some. So I took it out of the package, took out a sharp knife, and cut off a piece for her and for myself. A small piece. A slice of a Reese's snowman. Seriously. A SLICE. That's unheard of in my world.

And it's not just because of an article I read recently about the worst things you can eat over the holiday season (and this was ON that list. Gasp!). Or just because of the incredible seminar I sat through a week ago on overeating and what is good or not so good to eat.

But it's because of Beth Aldrich. And her book. Real Moms Love to Eat: How to conduct a love affair with food, lose weight and feel fabulous.

Beth is a real mom. And she loves to eat. And her book talks to you - the reader - the mom - the woman - the man, even! - whoever you are about a healthier way of life. And she doesn't talk down to you. She doesn't force you to give up the things you love forever. She doesn't ask you to skip the sweets.

Now, don't get me wrong. A Reese's treat is not exactly the kind that Beth recommend in her book. Not at all. But I do think she'd still be proud of me for not wolfing down the whole thing! For taking that one slice and being happy and satisfied with it. (For now, I admit.)

But more importantly than the chocolate (although there isn't much that is more important than chocolate) I have to thank Beth for encouraging me to implement a very important change in my family's life. After reading her book I became motivated to ensure that we have vegetables at dinner every. single. night. At least when I cook at home, that's the plan.

I have started adding salads to the meal. I'm including more veggies in crockpot dishes. I'm steaming frozen vegetables and tossing them on our plates in huge, heaping spoonfuls. I'm using up my small stockpile of canned goods. I'm baking sweet potatoes. I'm chopping celery. I'm scooping more avocados. I've got a butternut squash waiting to be baked, and its spaghetti sister has already been used up. I'm just plain doing it.

I'm on a roll, honestly. I've being at it for several weeks now and it's excellent. Again, don't get me wrong. There are lots of changes I have to work on. It's the holidays. Cookies are everywhere - including my house. It's crazy. But I'm trying to eat less of them. Fewer. Give more away. Send them to work with my husband. Whatever works. But the veggies stay here with me. With us. And we love them.

So this is just step one into a brighter and healthier home. Better eating habits. I have Beth to thank for motivating me towards this change. So while I haven't yet tried out the recipes she shared, and I haven't done each and every suggestion in her book (except the water - I am a big fan of water and drink it throughout the day, so I'm glad to say I meet the goals she has me setting for myself already), I'm working at it. And it feels really good.

So if you're interested in checking out the book, you should. Beth Aldrich is a real woman. A real mom. And she loves to eat. So if you do, too, it's worth a peek. Just can pop over to Amazon and pick up your own copy here.

** I was not compensated in any way for reading or reviewing this book. I did receive a free digital copy of the book to review and was sent a goodie bag of a variety of healthy items that are sponsors of the author and her book/book tour. All expressed opinions are truly my own. Feel free to contact me with any questions or for further clarification.

A Simple Sunday

I sit here thinking about what I want to talk about today and the noise level in my house is so loud it's almost impossible to actually think. See - my in-laws are here, which is absolutely wonderful. It's been a great weekend so far. Yes, I mean it. I love my in-laws. But OMG. My FIL is deaf. As in really. He has a hearing aid, and I puffy heart this man so much, but the TV in our living room is at a volume level of like 50+. And that, my friends? Is freaking LOUD!

For me. Someone who is loud/noise sensitive and often asks my husband to lower it when the volume is up over 18. I mean it. LOUD. Effing LOUD!

Ah. Hubby and FIL are speaking right now so they have lowered it. And I will admit, I actually enjoy Chris Wallace's voice. I love my husband's Sunday AM schedule. Even though I miss Tim Russert. A lot. Still. But that's a whole 'nother story.

And right now, just so you know exactly what else I am dealing with. And to wrap up this post in ways that I wasn't planning ... my daughter is in the bathroom. Hubby just asked her if she's pooping. She says yes. He asks if she wants Papa to wipe her. She says no.

Papa says, "I've wiped many a child with broken arms and ..." I chuckle. It's funny. My husband answers...

"You never wiped me."

Is that perhaps TMI this holiday season? Especially when you haven't ever seen my husband's picture fully? I'll skip it for now (as I've gone over the 5 minutes for this brain dump and didn't even get to tell you about the child's FULL ON MELTDOWN in Target on Friday. Because that deserves it's own damned post. I mean, it's own post. For real. Abso-freakin-lutely).

Sigh. Happy Sunday, peeps. I hope I gave you a chuckle this crisp Sunday morning amidst the pre-holiday tensions and so forth. I bid you farewell as I have to go wipe my daughter's bottom.

And if you have something to say, go link up over at All Things Fadra for Stream of Consciousness Sunday. Just click the button here:

Small addition:

My father-in-law just turned to husband and said, "Speaking of wiping - do they have good nursing homes in this area? You have to know my FIL, but I was the one who got the joke. Somehow men and potty humor just never seems to end, does it?

a writing prompt

I happened to see a tweet by Amy Oscar on Monday and noticed that she's got some really cool writing prompts over on her site. And when I saw this one I had to jump in.

A list of things I love in 400 words? Perfection!

And then I saw the post Amy used as an example and thought to myself, look - it doesn't even have to be in list form! Now, if you know me by now you'll know that I don't just like lists - because I totally do - and as Amy said, "I have never met a writer who doesn’t make lists" - that's so true for me. I love them!

So, here's my attempt at 400 words of things I absolutely adore:

The smell of freshly baked goods. The first sip of an iced chai latte from Starbucks. My daughter's smile. And laugh. And her hair - oh G-d, her hair. When she first wakes up and it's completely crazy and all over the place and I can't run a brush of my fingers through it to save my life. Her sleepy smile. Her peaceful expression while she lays there, eyes closed. mind finally quiet. Adele. Warm hot cocoa and melty marshmallows. Moscato wine. Freshly polished nails. A foot massage. And throw in a back, neck, shoulder rub while you're at it. Ah, heaven. My dad's matzo ball soup. Mmmn, how I miss it. Snowflakes on eyelashes. That chill your legs feel the first time you come in from playing in the snow. Red, raw and so alive. Cherry licorice. Crescent rolls. Nutella. By the spoon. Pumpkin baked anything. Except pie - must omit the pie. My husband. The memories we make every single moment. Holding his hand. Remembering our early days together. His eyes. A cathartic cry. A really good book. When Harry Met Sally. Dirty Dancing. General Hospital. My DVR. The cold wind of a NYC day. Public transportation. Pizza. Bagels. Sweet tea. Hush puppies. Turkey burgers with melted swiss cheese and mashed potatoes with gray. Sweet potato fries. My sister-in-law. Our common bonds that we know we'd have despite the familial ties. My brother. My niece. My parents. New York City. Brooklyn. Chinese food. Frozen Hot Chocolates. My best friend. Wedding memories. My own. The dozen or so I have been *in* and those I have attended. Grow Old Along With Me - the first song I ever danced to with my husband when we were dating. Louis Armstrong. Wonderful World. George Clooney. Ocean's Eleven. Jason Bourne movies. My hair. Freshly washed. Scalp massages. Having my make-up done. College friends. Peanut butter and strawberry jelly. Walking barefoot in the grass. Whetstone Pond. My in-laws. Nieces. Nephew. Being out on our boat. The need for speed. Our dogs. Our cats. Our family. Traditions. Spending time with my mother alone. Fuzzy socks to keep my feet cozy. Fleece pajamas. A warm wooly scarf. Flip-flops. Bare feet through sand. The ocean. Swimming under water. Beach hair. The smell of sunscreen. Whipped cream. Marachino cherries. Avocados. A jet black sky. Dancing with abandon. Glee! The warmth of cinnamon. Photographs. Captured memories. Love.

I've also decided to link up with Shell this week for Pour Your Heart Out as I think this is the perfect post for that!

Wishes & Stitches ~ Book Review

I read this book a month or so ago, and just haven't had a window til now to share my thoughts on it.

Wishes & Stitches is by Rachael Herron. It's a part of the Cypress Hollow Yarn stories, and I have read one of those before - you can find that review here for How to Knit a Heart Back Home. I liked that book, it was fun and it was cute. And so I was excited to receive another book by this author.

And what made me even happier? I liked this book better than the last one! The primary character of this book is Naomi. As soon as we meet her we like her. We worry about her. And we wish she'd loosen up a little bit. But Naomi has a small secret, and when she shares that with us we like her even more. And when her secret sneaks up on her in the small town of Cypress Hollow we anticipate how it'll go. We think we know what happens next, but Herron surprises us. There are some airs of predictability throughout the story - but I was okay with those. Maybe it's really me that thinks of certain things as expected, because I read so much, and maybe others might think it was all a whirlwind of surprise.

But either way, I think this was an enjoyable read. So much so that although I didn't request this book for review, I liked it so much I'm discussing it here and encouraging you to pick up your own copy. I think you'll enjoy the ups and downs of several kinds of relationships. From family to lovers, from neighbors to long-time friends, to those people who think they know you and you think you know when neither of you truly does. And if you can follow that you can follow Naomi throughout this book.

And if you have any interest in knitting at all you'll find yourself intrigued again. I know I am. So much so I am wishing I had my own little place to go to join up with fellow knitters. And let me tell you - though I've never seen a man knit - after reading this book it sure as heck sounds hot to me. *wink wink*

Oh, and if you want to read up some more on Rachael, I just went over to check out her blog and think I've found some new daily reading. You can find her at YarnAGoGo - - yes, it's exactly how it sounds. So go check it out.

Enjoy and happy reading!

** I was not compensated for this review in any way. I received a copy of this book to facilitate a review should I so choose and I enjoyed it enough that I decided to review it for my readers. **

Five Minutes: My stream of consciousness

Hello, all. Happy Sunday. I've been hiding this week. Not intentionally, just haven't felt like writing or posting much. Lots on the mind, I guess. You know how it is. Tis the season and all that jazz.

We had a pretty busy weekend. Or have had one so far.

On Friday I went to an all day class. It was really interesting. I picked the topic for various reasons. One, it was really more affordable than many other courses I have taken. Two, I'm way overdue for a course or two or - ehem - more! I'm due 20 seminar credits by my renewal date in June, so I needed these 6. Anyway. the topic was food addictions, overeating and mood swings. As someone who has always had issues with my relationship with food, I thought this an excellent topic to sit in on and learn, not just for future clients (I do hope to work with women in the future - I think a woman having a female therapist can be a benefit, but I know many women who think and prefer otherwise, and that is what works for them - I'm cool with that, too!), but for me - myself - ya know?

I've recently started tracking my food and intake and workouts on LosinIt. An app I've had for "weigh ins" on my iPad, but just downloaded on my phone, and I like it. But I digress ...

Anyway, yesterday we went to see Disney on Ice, and last night we got our Christmas tree (what are your feelings on turning Christmas into Xmas? I am often curious as I've heard varying thought processes ... but that would be a whole other post!) and today we decorated the tree and the house. It's been fun, and I think that we could skip over tomorrow being Monday and just have more family time - well, if we could, I'd be psyched and enjoy it. Sometimes a day *off* - even if it's for school, well, it's just what a girl like me needs. Just what a MOM like me needs. To have a day where I feel like a grown up and don't have to make extra meals, wipe any bottoms or noses besides my own, and just BE.

Happy end of the weekend to all! My five minutes is up!

Find your moments

For some reason this picture of my daughter has been haunting me since I took it last week. First, I took it with my phone and just keep looking at it in awe that my new phone captured such a great shot.

And then there is the non-technological aspect of the picture. Just look at her.


The hair. You can't miss the hair. These days I look at her, or I take her picture, and all I see is her incredible hair. And when I see that hair, I see myself. I see me of so many years ago. I see her smile, I see my own. I see her eyes and it's like a reflection.

I know she looks like her father. I know my husband was a part of this, too. Seriously, he was. No worries there! But looking at her, seeing her as a little girl who is growing up ... there is so much of me that I see. It reminds me of who I was. The parts of me I don't really remember being.

I'm amazed that I helped create this individual who is full of energy and fire. Full of emotion and intensity. Full of initiative and desire. This spitfire who doesn't stand still for a moment. My mom says that was me, too. That I climbed porches and ran up to people and did whatever was in my head and heart and I just had to do.

I wish for my daughter so many things. Too many to add to a photograph this small, (although I finally figured out I could do it on Picnik the same way I *mark* my photos, yay!) but I can whittle the list down to what is of the most importance for me - for her - for right now.


There is, however, one (or maybe two) thing missing from this, because Picnik decided to be non-cooperative, so I missed the line of our current favorite song.

She wears high heels, I wear sneakers.
She's cheer captain and I'm on the bleachers ...

And for that I say, Thank you, Taylor Swift!

So, what moments and memories are you trying to capture for your children? Your family? YOU?

I am linking up with Galit and Alison and their Memories Captured link up this week. If you'd like to do the same click either of their names above!

Monday Morning Recap

Right now this is what is happening in my house. My four-year-old child is saying, repeatedly:

"Bella. Bella. Bella. Come here, Bella. Bella. Bella. Bella."

I turn around. She (my child) is hiding under Dexter's blanket. Bella (younger dog, new to the family) is looking around like, 'What on earth is wrong with this random human? Why is she hiding her head and face from me?'

Good morning, bloggy friends.

I have already had a bit of a morning, in that I went to the doctor for my check-in/check-up type of appointment today. I met the new doc, and decided she kind of reminds me of my younger cousin I don't talk to anymore, only not *quite* as flighty. Which isn't to say she is or isn't, as I don't know her well enough to know. But she is a dead ringer, honestly, and that freaks me out just a little bit.

And I went into talk to her about my anxiety meds. Which is a good thing. She's good with giving me my 3 month refill when I'm ready, so that's good. And all will be well this holiday season. Or something.

But yeah, she also talked to me about my weight. I brought it up, explaining that I know I've put on a few pounds (had some other medical-related-matters to address that I think brought that on) and her response was: You can start today.

She's right, you know? I mean, I know. I know I can, should, will want to. Even probably WILL start today. But then what? What happens tomorrow? How does one make sure that movement - REAL movement - beyond a walk or two - the kind where you break a sweat - - how does a stay-at-home-mom of a 4-year-old girl (so many dashes, sometimes I'm addicted to them) get moving to the point that she sees the scale go down?

Food matters, too, of course. I know that. I'm a 39 year old woman. No dashes required. I'm 39. I didn't get to 39 without knowing that eating right and exercise help you lose weight. So how do I DO that? Why can't I do it? What helps me do it? When last week we got our second dog and we took a 2 mile walk and I did really well, and I felt good, really good, and then we walked and ran and played fetch and did lots of stuff this weekend and past week - and the scale doesn't/didn't move. How do I get past that? When there's nothing medically wrong with me? When I kind of wish it was something a pill could help? That's bad, I know. I really DON'T wish that. But what to do and how?

I write about this often around here. I re-motivate myself and feel ready to go. DO! GO! YES! And then what? I flop and fail. Sigh.

I suppose I just begin again.

What about you? How do you fit it all in? How do you make it a critical effort when you know it's needed? How do you accept yourself for who you are and work to change yourself at the same time? Is that even allowed? I mean, it should be. It HAS to be, right?

Sigh, again.

I'll think about it. I'll ponder. And hopefully I'll DO.

Thanks for *listening* ...

Let's Play!

I was lucky enough to be picked as a participant by Mommy Parties for their Mega Bloks party recently. My daughter had the opportunity to test out a huge set of Mega Bloks, and she loved it. She was excited to have something so fun and new around to engage with. But what was honestly even more fun was having her friends over to play.

This was the first time in a while I had so many little ones in my house. My daughter is four, she'll be five in February. Her friends that came over to play with us were of various ages (3, 4, almost 5), but many of them had siblings under a year old.

While Mega Bloks easily covered the span of age groups in my house, the items I received were more geared towards children younger than my daughter's age. So it turned out to be great that so many smaller kids were in attendance, as they seemed to enjoy the products more than the older ones did.

Some of the older kids enjoyed playing with the large farm set we received, and my daughter was thrilled to dig into it, but it hasn't kept her attention as much as a product for older children would have. I must admit that I think that this party should have been geared towards the 3 year old and younger crowd, as the younger children were able to play with the product, AND the goodie bags to bring home were perfect for them.

The party was sponsored by Thomas & Friends, but I did not receive any Thomas products to review so I cannot speak to the quality or durability of them. I am sure that they are just as well made as the regular Mega Bloks and can withstand a chewing or a tossing, and some heavy duty building, as well!

The party overall was a lot of fun, but I think (as you can tell) that the ages 3+ missed the mark on who should have qualified to host. I applied based on my child's age, and was happy to hand out coupons and samples and even a prize to my mommy-friends who attended, but I think that the items I received to review and party with were more for the younger children.

I think if you have a little one aged three and under you would absolutely find that they will love these kinds of products. The blocks are big enough that your little ones can gnaw on them but can't fit them in their mouths, and the way that they fit together is easy enough that building things can be a cinch for tiny hands.

** I was not compensated in any way for this post. I did receive a product to review from Mega Bloks and Mommy Parties, and my guests received small backpacks of bloks to take home for their little ones. All opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own. **

5 things: A Writer's Workshop Prompt

I'm linking up with Mamakatslosinit this week and picked one of her prompts (because I saw it over at my friend Rachel's 'hood and knew I had to do it!) to use for this post:

Five Things. List 5 things we don’t know about you, 5 things you’re knowledgeable about, 5 things you know nothing about, and 5 things you believe.

Now, if you've been reading me for a while you might know some of the things I am about to mention, but forgive me, sometimes it's hard to be creative and new!

* 5 things YOU don’t know about ME *

1. I used to be able to tie a cherry stem with my tongue (it's been a while but I'd like to think I still could if prompted!). Truth.

2. I have been parasailing. Alone. In the sky. Yes. Yes, I have.

3. Most of the people I have dated [and the one I subsequently married] have been men I met at work.

4. The first concert my husband and I went to together was Bare Naked Ladies.

5. My favorite movie is Dirty Dancing. It is one of a handful of flicks I can and will watch every single time it appears on my television. And quote. Dodgeball is another. (Oops. Ssh. Don't tell anyone!)

* 5 things I'm knowledgeable about *

1. General Hospital. Go on. Ask me anything.

2. The '86 Mets. The World Series that year. Nothing better.

3. New York City. This includes the other boroughs, although not necessarily all of them. (I'm lookin' at you, Bronx and Staten Island!)

4. Pizza. Fer realz, yo. I mean, I AM from New York and all.

5. Matters of the heart. I just am. That's who I am.

* 5 things I know nothing about *

1. Bacon. Unless it's turkey I've got nothing.

2. Geography. I suck at it, people. Plain and simple.

3. Physics. Say what?

4. College basketball. Gasp. I know. I live in the Triangle. It's horrible. I figure I'll learn when my daughter attends a college in town.

5. Snow cream. Despite living here for so many years, each year I hear about it and just don't get it. It's not something we Northern girls do back home. Seriously. How does that work, again? Fresh clean snow. Vanilla? Something like that? Yeah - okay. I'll stick with Edy's or Ben and Jerry's.

* 5 things I believe *

1. That a person's heart can feel so full that they think it might explode.

2. That cancer sucks so royally and some day there will be a cure. I also believe that the cure will come in my daughter's lifetime - if not my own. (But I seriously hope I live to see the day.)

3. That I have been truly blessed to have the most amazing parents. 'Nuff said.

4. That my brother and sister-in-law are two of the most important people in my life.

5. That I do not have to be a size two, six or ten to be a beautiful woman. I am already there - despite or because of my current size. And the size of my heart and soul are what matter more than that of my body.

Thanks for listening, everyone. And if you shared your lists, I'd love to see them. I haven't caught up with all of the linkers yet over at Mama Kat's.