8.31.2009

{mild case of alzheimer's }

{assignment 1 of school days seminar- subject: write a blog post about why you have a blog}

I am a mother. Fully equipped with Mom-Brain. I splurged on the Deluxe Model- automatic memory wiper, date confusion, child-name switcher {it will even make you call one of your children by your dog's name every 2 weeks!}, lighted mirror and cup holders. It's P E R F E C T.
A brain that any mother would be proud {and somewhat jealous} of.
I purchased Said Brain while pregnant with my first child. It was all the rage. Every new mom was doing it. I wanted to fit in, to be cool.

I should have waited.

After giving birth I realized how important a normal brain is, and longed for The Old One. But there was a problem. They don't accept returns or offer refunds. I traded in The Old for the 'New and Improved' Model, and I couldn't go back. I was stuck with this Amazing Mom-Brain for the rest of my life, like a mosquito trapped in the amber waves of pine sap, fossilized for eternity so the world could see it's mistake.

I had made such a mistake.

"Use it up, wear it out. Make do, or do without."

I decided to make the best of my Poor Shopping Judgement:

Child-name switcher? Make kids wear name tags. Including dog.
Date confusion? Really big wall calendar, more magnets for fridge, and multiple cork boards to pin things up on.
Lighted mirror and cup holders? Okay, I wouldn't change a thing there. Who doesn't love cup holders?
Automatic memory wiper? Create blog.

I started out writing with Camryn at MMU- to relieve her from multiple postings, then created MMA. We blogged to be funny, but over the past few months it has become, for me, more of a way to remember. An online journal of the funny and crazy things my kids {husband included} do and say. Yes, I may make fun of them. Yes, I may vent out my frustrations. But I won't forget. I won't forget the way I felt when my daughter dumped flour all over my rug, or when my husband thought a dried up piece of black play dough was poop. Left on the stairs. {And of course he thought that I knew all about it and deliberately left it there for him to clean up.} This is why I have a blog.

B U T . . .
I have also gained something else from this blog.

Less yelling.
More laughing.
Way more picture taking.

I guess my purchase for the Deluxe Mom-Brain was a great deal after all . . .

{ join me! }


So I just saw this on Hannah's blog, and I thought I would give it a whirl- join me if you like! As a mom sometimes I feel like my brain is turning to mush, so I thought this would be a fantastical way to get my un-toned brain back into shape. Check it out!
click here to sign up.
click here for your assignment.
tell Oma mean mommy academy sent you.

btw- it's free . . .

{ camryn's corner }

Men and microwaves.... not a great combination. Are you somewhat doubting this statement? Well, probably not, but if there is any ounce of doubt whatsoever lurking in the deepest darkest regions of your subconsciousness, head on over to MMU and read Camryn's funny story about her man . . .

and the microwave . . .

It's the perfect start for your week- a huge dose of laughter!


8.28.2009

{ crayons and colds }

S
o I was right. I read my last post and it made no sense whatsoever. I'm reading it thinking . . . no, wait. Let me rephrase that. I wasn't thinking. Why didn't anyone WARN me NOT to write while cold medicine pumps through my veins?!?!?! *ahem* So as I was re-reading the monstrosity of yesterday, I began to think about you, dear reader, and I thought "I can do better than that". I need to. Bear with me that even though I may be off of cold medicine, Mr. Congestion is still renting out the space behind my eyes and between the ears. So ramblings will be present, I assure you.

Like most of you, we own crayons. Well, maybe you own crayons. Or maybe you have banned them from the house like I have banned markers. Oh, the markers. I owned highlighters once, but they ended up here:


Thank goodness that it was a highlighter. They wash off like a dream!

If you have 'artistic' children, then you know that it isn't safe to have anything that is colored that one can write with in your home. We own a lot of pencils. Pens are waaaayyyy up high. And I wouldn't even own crayons if it wasn't for this little wonder:

It is a gem. A nugget of goodness. A treasure of supreme holiness. And since we rent, and our home has the traditional white walls, it works perfect! So now, it is safe to have crayons living with us. As permanent residents. Rejoicing has taken place. {Although, is anyone else bothered by the 'happy' kid and mom in the picture? I don't know about you, but when I've caught my kids coloring on walls, there is NOTHING 'happy' about it. Usually there's tears, yelling, bulging neck veins. . . oh please tell me I'm not the only one!}

Since he decided to get sick, I decided to keep my 1st grader home, but I couldn't shake the insane guiltiness I felt about him missing out on valuable knowledge that he obtains in his classroom. {*snort* this may be true if he would pay attention} So as I sat him down and had him do his homework packet, I got a teensy bit bored. I decided to color. And as all good mothers should do, I decided to grab my 3 year old and have her join me, turning her coloring along with my own into a competition, seeing who could color in the lines better, who could use tonal shading better, and who could get the most out of our 64 pack of crayons. Better. After I was finished, and unofficially declared myself the winner . . .


. . . I came across these on the internet:



Ummmm . . .

He wins.

Again, my horse:

His horse:


Is anyone else flabbergasted by these? Crayola Crayons people!!!!! I mean, really? His name is Don Marco. They call him the Master Crayon Artist, and they're not kidding. You can check out the rest of his amazingly jaw-dropping work here. But I'm curious: Who sits down and thinks "I wonder if I could take these crayons, that an experienced artist like me has in his collection of different mediums, and make it look amazing? I think I could do it with a 120 count, but what about 64? Or 24? Hmmm...." Maybe he, like myself, got bored and started coloring with a child's crayons and realized that he had an impeccable talent. I realized that I don't have an impeccable talent. Just a shameful urge to be competitive with a 3 year old. Shame-Ful . . .

So that's what goes on around here when we are under the weather. We have contests {where I win}, drink cold medicine, do homework and post unintelligible stories on the internet. Wait. That sounds very similar to our normal days . . .

Also- people check this out. Hot off the press. It was a perfect read for me today. Just in time for cold and flu season:

Have you read these yet? And laughed? Perhaps shed a tear or two? Check her out . . .

P.S. Thank you Moon n Star Mommy for giving MMA the one lovely blog award! That's a times 2! {How many awards does one have to receive before they are officially 'cool'?} Thanks for sharing the love!

Enjoy your weekend!

8.27.2009

{ seriously people }

Before I begin, I would like to take a moment to say:


Dear parents of Elementary-aged children,

School is not free day care. If your child is sick, PLEASE keep them home. For they have ever-so-generously shared their bacteria and germs with my son. And since I am the awesomest mommy, I have let him stay home, so as not to infect others. And now, well, we are all dealing with what is known as . . .

The Common Cold.

Thank you. So. Much.

***

Now that I've got that off my chest {whew! exhilarating!}, I must now share a tiny secret with you:

I laugh at people. Sometimes with them, but mostly AT THEM . And mostly at people who are trying to be serious. Dead serious. Take these people:

They sent me a nickel and asked me to return it to them with my donation, 'cause every nickel can help provide life-saving assistance to paralyzed veterans.

OKAY. Let me stop there. I am IN NO WAY LAUGHING AT PARALYZED VETERANS. Never, never, never, ever, ever would I even THINK of doing such a thing.

I'm just laughing at the nickel the charity mailed me. Which means they mailed nickels to others. Which makes my little brain start turning and wondering, "How much money do all the nickels they mailed out add up to?". Wouldn't it be easier to take all those nickels and donate it themselves?

THIS, my friends, is what makes me laugh. And wonder how many people are keeping their nickels and throwing away the paper. Not that I would do that- I'm going to write return to sender and put it back in the mail. Yep. I'm honest like that. {I heard those snickers . . .}

And then there's this {puhleeeaaase excuse the fact that this is a crappy picture}:

My hubby's paycheck stub. Which, again, gets that little brain of mine whirling and I think, "Did they write this as a joke, but forgot to change it on the final draft? Or did someone A C T U A L L Y do that, so now they must put it in ink so as to avoid a lawsuit?". Heeheehee. . . . . this makes me laugh . . . .

And then there's my luvah. I love him. And he loves me. But sometimes . . .

The other day he chewed me out lovingly reminded me how much he hates it when I store toilet paper rolls behind our pedestal sink. Somehow it gets a bit wet. And we all know what happens to toilet paper once it gets wet and then dries again. It can become nasty. But being the Scrooge CPA for our family's finances, I refuse to throw it away. It's still good, right?

W R O N G . Apparently, even though I buy the crappy public-restroom-paper-like TP {in my defense I do splurge on the double ply}, Mr. Smith thinks it's a whole heck of a lot worse when there's ridges in it. Or it happens to be the Quasimodo of the TP world. You're using it to wipe your butt. And then you throw it away. It gets all of 2 seconds use!!! So what if every now and then the pipe drips on the stored rolls. Don't blame me, blame the architect. I love pedestal sinks, but that means no storage. It is my firm belief that a M A N designed this place and conveniently forgot that people like to have storage areas. A linen closet would be nice . . . you know, to store towels, sheets and Toilet Paper in . . . you know the kind? And because I hate it when I forget to 'look before I leap' and realize {after it's too late} that all the TP is gone, I will continue to place 'extra' behind the sink.

So take that, Mr. Smith!! Bwaaahaaahaaa!!!!! That'll teach you to be so serious over a silly little thing like deformed TP!!!!!

Anyway . . .

All these people are being dead serious. And it makes me laugh. I think it's time for the world to loosen up a bit and remember to laugh a little more.

Forget about the wrinkly toilet paper.

And make more of these:


| no bake cookies |

in saucepan melt:
2cups sugar
1cube butter
1/2cup milk
1/4cup cocoa pwd

bring to a boil
let boil for approx. 5 min
remove from heat

then add:
1tsp. vanilla
3cups oats

let stand for about 20 min
stir every 5 min

spoon onto wax paper
chew, swallow, THEN laugh!

Why is it that colds make me crave chocolate? It's about the worst thing for a sore throat. And now, dear friends, I'm headed back to bed with the other love of my life- NyQuil. {And I know I'm going to read this tomorrow and realize that this post makes NO sense whatsoever- my apologies in advance}

8.24.2009

{ camryn's corner }

I'm sending over some virtual chicken soup to Camryn.  Props to her for blogging while sick.  And not only is she blogging, but she's stuck watching Dora.  Show her some love and head on over to MMU and read her funny post.  Kids say the craziest things...  

...like when Mr. Smith was singing along with a cartoon, my 3 year old suddenly screamed "Daddy!  Stop!"  Then she looked at him, patted his leg and lovingly said, "No crying Daddy, no crying".  

Leave it to 3 year olds to strip you of any pride that you may have had.

I also need to give a shout out to Cat over at 4 Nuts in a Nutshell- she awarded Mean Mommy Academy and University with the  P R E S T I G I O U S  Golden Nut Award.  Boo-yah!  I love this funny lady.  I'm honored.  And I can officially say  I  A M  A  N U T !  How refreshing!  Thanks Mama Nut!

BTW- you can see it by clicking on the awards button to the right...

Hope you all have an amazing week! 


8.20.2009

{ if moms get paid, then someone owes me some serious backpay }

As a mother, sometimes, and of course only sometimes, we don't get the respect we deserve.  Not that our Mr.'s and beautiful offspring don't love us and want to have a personal servant to cherish every moment we have together... it's just sometimes they forget to show it.

I think this is a general rule.  It is in the Mommy Handbook, which I am still waiting to receive. {It's been on backorder for 7 years now and it's kinda getting frustrating- does anyone have one I could borrow?  Or even a toll free number?  Customer service?  Anyone?!}  

So armed with jammies, glasses, no make-up and a furrowed brow that is used only when I am seriously searching the internet . . . 
. . . I began looking for something to help me laugh at today's mommy burdens.  And the "forgetfulness" of all certain family members. 

And I found a treasure.

A small treasure.

One that I love.


Now be H O N E S T .  Does this small gem sound remotely familiar ? ? ? ? ? ? ? 


Or how about this s w e e t  m o r s e l ? ? ? ? ? ? ?


These comic strips are the ingenious creation of Jodie Sarah Masiwchuk.  Some of them made me laugh . . . 

. . . and some of them warmed my heart.

You can sign up to get a weekly dose of 2-D momworld by going to suburbansarah.com to get new strips right into your inbox, join her facebook group, or just stop by and check out her archives!

Why are you still reading this?!  Go over to Suburban Sarah right now!

And btw, did you know that one Oreo has almost 54 calories?  O N E   O R E O.  

I think I just ate like 10 while I was typing this post. 

You do the math.

{ . . . now where are those stretchy jeans . . . } 

8.17.2009

{ camryn's corner }

Soooooo......

Let's have a heart to heart.  How do you REALLY feel about solicitors?  And the ice cream truck-man-driver?  {Insert pause here as I listen to your responses.}  So what you're saying is that you feel a violation of privacy?  That you feel angry and upset that these people put you in situations that you don't want to be in?  That you feel like . . .  well . . . just read Camryn's tribute to 2009- The Summer Of Solicitors.  Then you can leave a comment there and vent out the frustrations you feel, along with everyone else.  

It's called Therapy.

And it's free of charge.

You're Welcome.

8.13.2009

{ reality check }

So fat is a funny thing. Over the last year I had walked and did Jazzercize.  Asked me if I lost anything.  Ask me if my measurements changed.  Go ahead.  I DARE you.

N O T H I N G .

Then summer came.  And so did 256,974 degree weather.  And then 5 weeks ago I found out we were expecting.  Unfortunately, as a handful of you know, 3 weeks ago I ended up going through a miscarriage.  I actually was able to handle it better than I thought I would.  Doesn't mean it was easy, but with the help of great friends, wonderful meals that were brought in, and a very thoughtful and divinely appreciated Cold Stone gift card from Camryn, I was able to get {and continue to go} through it with, what I consider, flying colors.  I decided that I would laugh.  Real or fake, I would make myself laugh.  Doesn't mean that I didn't cry {a lot}, but it made things easier {that. And percocet}.  I decided to keep writing here at mma to make myself find humor in my somewhat storm-cloudy world.  It was theraputic.  And then I decided that, even though it may sound a little unsensitive, I would laugh at the funny things that happened through it all.  I apologize if I may sound somewhat heartless, but this is how I'm dealing with it.

I knew something was wrong when I could eat bacon.  Dead serious.  I get sicker than a dog on a ferris wheel when I'm pregnant.  But this time I felt normal.  Something was up.  I could eat eggs.  And french toast.  And bacon.  And eggs.  And, well... food.  And smells didn't bother me.  I knew it was inevitable.  This wasn't normal.  But even with knowing this, I still cried when I started bleeding.  

When I went into the ER, they gave me an IV and pumped 2 liters of fluid into my system.  And then get this.  They instructed me NOT TO PEE until they did an ultra sound.  As some of you may know, ER's can be a little slow on taking care of their patients.  After waiting 2 hours, I began to sob as I felt the urge to pee like no one's business.  I was full on doing the potty dance in my chair, and, wait for it.... actually, physically holding myself so I wouldn't pee all over the chair and floor.  It would have served them right, though, to clean up that mess.  Who in their right mind would put that much fluid into someone who gets mistaken for a 4th grader at the local elementary school?!  I was DYING.  {And Mr. Smith was trying not to laugh at the spectacle that was indeed... me}  But I was determined to be a good and faithful patient and obey the nurse's orders.  And then they took pity on my writhing.  But, again, being the good and faithful patient, I didn't completely empty my bladder.  Good girl.  Or so I thought.  As I waited another hour, and the last of the fluids drained from the IV bag into my arm, the urge came again.  I should have just emptied the stupid thing in the first place.  

Here is where I rebelled.  I snuck into the bathroom and peed again.  Good thing, too.  It wasn't until over 30 minutes after that when I was finally herded into the ultrasound room.  I wasn't laughing then, but I sure do laugh at it now....    

Man, the body is a weird thing.  In just 6 weeks I had gained a bit of weight.  And then when I was recovering I gained a bit more.  What the   ???  I know it sounds vain, but pregnancy weight gain is only worth it when you're holding a little baby afterwards.  Grrrr...... 

So two weeks ago I decided to change things up a bit.  I said to myself:

"Self?"
"Yes?"
"What if we cut our calorie intake by like a gazillion and see what happens?"
"Sounds amazing- and let's make sure we put some swimming and walking in there just for fun."
"Perfect."

So I cut way back and kept active and you know what?  I GAiNed Two Freakin' Pounds!  Maybe it's muscle- but I doubt it.  It's just two pounds, you say.  It's not like your overweight or anything.  What does it really matter?  Why the tears?

Because I can't fit into my pants anymore.

And it's a lovely reminder of what happened three weeks ago.  Grrrr....

AND, I might add, two pounds actually is lot when you're 5 foot stumpy.  Two pounds ON TOP of the 15 that I need to loose is obnoxiously frustrating.  It wouldn't be half as bad if the fat would kindly distribute e v e n l y around my body.  Oh, no.  It has to accumulate here:
I fear that no matter how hard I try {short of hiring a personal trainer, chef and dietician} I will never be able to look like this:
But since I don't have the financial resources of Hollywood, I try to tell myself:

"Self?"
"Yes?"
"You need to accept your body for what it is and the fat that it just can't seem to part with.  The handfuls of cottage cheese that plague your backside.  The curds of whey that squish out 4 inches to each side when you sit down.  The gut that sticks out past your chest when you slouch down on the couch, or the car, or...."
"Thanks.  I get the picture."

And then I came across this web site: 
Fashion Style Etiquette Cardigan Empire
Here you can truly find out your body type.  Sadly, I didn't need to 'figure it out'.  I knew.  But after this informative read, I have decided that I should be:

It's Reality people.  Reality.

Like when Reachel wrote:
Your most plentiful circumference lies below your navel. Feel free to exercise to your heart's content (hearts like exercise). But when you are done, you'll just be a smaller pear.

Grrr..... oh well.  Looks like a pear I will forever be.  But I have no need to fret and cry over a shape that won't change- she gives fabulous advice on how to dress so I don't look so pear-like.  And who doesn't love an excuse to go clothes shopping.

And then I was shocked and somewhat proud of myself when I read: And who's complaining, lower figures imply divine fertility, and other popular prerequisites to fertility and immediately blamed my miscarriage on my hubby.  It MUST have been his swimmers that weren't performing optimally.  

Okay, I'm totally kidding. 
 
But all joking aside, this is what I have learned in the past month:

"Self?"
"Yes?"
"Life is precious.
Cherish what you have.
Remember to count your blessings.
It could always be worse- be grateful it's not.
And remember to always, always, always laugh.
No matter how hard."
"Don't forget to add that I'll be okay!"
"Oh yeah.  And you'll be Just Fine."

And you know what?  I WILL!

Just as soon as I stop talking to myself...

8.10.2009

{ camryn's corner }

It appears that every Monday I always seem to write, "If you want a good laugh read Camryn's post at MMU".  

But this time I'm going to write:
"No, really, if you want a good laugh click here to read Camryn's post.  Seriously.  Do it."

And then you may thank me later.  'Cuz right now I need to go change my underwear- that's what happens to the body after having kids.  Control is hard to come by...

8.07.2009

{ fancy - FREE friday GRAND FINALE }

It's  h e r e . . .
The Mean Mommy Fancy Free Grand Finale Winners!
I know.  Virtual Firework Shows ROCK.

Did you enter last week?
Are you wondering if you won?
Are you squiggling in your seats?
Are you having trouble breathing?
Is your tummy full of butterflies?

 Well, here's what you must do.  And I promise, it won't be painful AT ALL.

Click on this word right


And get ready for an adventure of 
Oompa Loompa-ic Proportions.
It's even better than Virtual Firework Shows. 

8.05.2009

{ *#@&%$*! }

{I  couldn't think of a good title for this post.} 

Here's my beef.  I have attended many a baby/bridal shower in my lifetime.  And it's an unwritten rule {I don't know why} that one must play those silly games there.  You know, the kind where you can win an extra phenomenal gift or prize or candy bar.  The games where you guess the baby food or spices, or those Totally RIGGED Memory Games.  Curse them.  They're rigged, I tell ya.  I haven't been able to figure out the secret yet.  Just when I think "Yes!  This is the day.  This is the day I will FINALLY win!",  BAMMM!!!!  Someone's Grandma or Aunt or BFF dishes out a Heavy Dose of Sneak Attack and CLAIMS the prize that was supposed to be MINE!!!!  Let me tell ya, if you want to win at the memory game, please make sure you bring me along.  I will personally guarantee winnings for and yours.  

It's not fair.  And they have a sign for it.
Actually, I did win a prize at a bridal shower.  Once.  But that's because there were 3 people there and three prizes to be given away.  I was bound to win one of them.  YAY!!!!  But that is it.  I have pretty much given up on giveaways, because my luck is like that of the rabbit who lost its foot to someone's keychain.  I can't even win a blasted candy bar.  And forget Fairs or Carnivals.  {Which I KNOW are rigged.}  
{photo courtesy of here}
So that is why this week's Fancy Free Giveaway is sooo spectacular.  If you are unfortunate enough to lay claim to the same kind of luck I have, then this is the week for you.  There is a chance for 3 people to win.  THREE.  Chances are high my friends!  Please click HERE.  It ends tomorrow night...

So this is me wishing you luck.  Don't give up.  And in the spirit of Non-Giving-Up, I have tried to change my luck and entered here.  You can too, unless you are one of those *#@&%$* blasted souls who win Everything They Enter For!  Then you are not allowed.  Give the rest of us a chance!

There.  It's off my chest.  I feel so much better.  Whew- this blogging thing can be very cleansing...

8.03.2009

{ camryn's corner }

Feeling hectic?  
So is Camryn.

Actually, I'm jealous- I LOVE projects and her list of things she's been doing is Right Up My Alley.  I'm just so sad that I don't live closer- maybe she would let me help... click here to find out what she's been up to.

AND click HERE to see what our 
Obnoxiously Awesomely Fantastic Fancy- Free Friday Grand Finale Giveaway is!  
It's
l
o
v
e
l
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