Embrace The Rain

Rain... it's a constant here in Kentucky during the Springtime. Yesterday was no exception as the husband and I were heading home from our local general store - Dollar General - that is! The rain started pouring down the minute we were making our way out to the car so the husband brought the car to me. However, as we both loaded the car down with our purchases - we bought a lot of stuff including 10 gallons of Clorox - we were drenched. There wasn't a spot on our bodies that wasn't laden with water.

As we got into the car all soaked and freezing, the husband looked at me while I was complaining about being wet and said, "It was fun though wasn't it?" with a child-like smile on his face. I thought for a moment then said, "Yes!".

And, You know what? IT WAS FUN and momentarily ROMANTIC but the truth is that I never let it be fun anymore. That moment quickly reminded me that life is so much about what we make of it.

So, the next time you get rain (without lightning) - stop what you are doing and just go play in it with someone you love ( your kids, your husband, your lover, etc.) because those kind of moments don't present themselves that often nor do they last forever. There's just something about playing in the rain that makes you feel more alive and allows you to be care-free even if it's only for a short while.

Your Day Just Got Better...Courtesy of Robert Pattinson's Abs

I WAS working...until I saw this...Now I'm a bit side-tracked. Heh. ;)

Look what Robert Pattinson has been hiding from us?

Surprise!

Airbrushed or not? Who cares?

Oh, BTW, here is a new still photo from New Moon. Yeah, like this one really matters after what you just saw, right?



Robert Pattinson + Shirtless = #1 reason why I now plan on watching New Moon.

Day 17 With Tony Horton

I've been doing Tony Horton's 10 minute trainer workouts* and the AbRipperX for 16 days days now. I feel more energized than I have in a long time and the "mommy brain" fog has lifted...somewhat. Er,um, I did forget to pay an overdue bill again last week.
<--------- Yes, that's me on Day 10. You can view it here on flickr too.

The best part in all of this is that I ACTUALLY enjoy doing it. Well, all except a few of those trying-to-kill-you AbRipper X moves. To get started, I just MUTE Tony and turn up some of my favorite upbeat R&B music.

Right now my workout playlist includes:

Blame It - Jamie Foxx
How Do You Sleep - Jesse McCartney
Love In This Club - Usher
Please Don't Leave Me - Pink
Different Day - State of Shock

When I first started this program over 2 weeks ago I thought it would be like any other time I started an exercise program. I'd start then quit a few days later. Like this time over here. Quitting has been my "thing" for the past 8 years. So, in essence I haven't really exercised in 8 years unless you count cleaning the house or playing with the kids. I know, I'm horrible. But being the naturally thin person that I am - I've gotten by with it up until now.

Now that I'm not getting any younger, I'm starting to worry about things like diabetes, cholesterol, heart health, and longevity. Plus I want to look great in a bikini. How shallow of me? Don't we all though? I also want to show my boys (8 & 4) that physical activity/exercise is an important part of our day.

I know, I'm not that "old" at 32 but now is as good a time as any to get healthy don't you think?

So, I'm sharing this here to keep myself accountable and I plan on sharing regular updates and photos.

*No, I am not getting paid to talk about the 10 minute trainer ( I wish!). Actually, my husband got it for himself.

BTW, we are also going more green - it really is cheaper than you think!

Mom's Don't Want Microwaves For Mother's Day

I keep seeing the Kmart Mother's Day commercial where a microwave is shoved in our face and passed off as a "nice" Mother's Day gift. Blech...

And, all the while I'm thinking to myself - I hope my husband and kids do not see that commercial or they will think I . actually . want . one . of . those for Mother's Day. Let me be the first to say it - Appliances are NOT "nice" Mother's Day gifts. Sure they are practical & economical but these gifts are not personal nor are they any fun.

Think Will Ya? Appliances = more jobs for Moms. I know, I know, appliances are supposed to make our lives easier and they do but...here's a scenario

"Hey Mom, I love you! Now go cook me some pizza rolls in that sparkly new microwave I got you!" How does that make you feel? It's equivalent to wrapping up a toilet plunger and saying Happy Birthday,right?

Mother's Day Buying Tips:

1. Don't give Mom a microwave or any other appliance unless SHE specifically asks for one. In that case, go for it. Does anyone really want a microwave for Mother's Day?

2. Stop buying crap. Seriously, don't buy a crappy cliche gift.

3. Stop buying. Period. Give the gift of something homemade and heartfelt.

4. If you simply MUST buy us a gift, then let me tell you what Moms do like:

Good cameras...think DSLR

iPods/iPhones

Supplies for her hobby...whatever that may be

Something personalized yet chic. Look at some ideas on Cool Mom Picks

5. Give Moms the gift of rest. Make a delicious dinner at home, Take Mom out to her favorite restaurant, Hire a babysitter, Give mom a mani/pedi, or send her off to a spa for a day.

6. Take mom on a mini adventure. Right now, hotels are affordable so take Mom somewhere special for a day or two to get away from all the busy day-to-day stuff. Heck, leave the kids with the babysitter and go by yourselves!

* This is not a knock on K-mart bye the way because Kmart has some awesome stuff..I just don't like the commercial and I don't like the message it sends to Dads & kids. I also do not like the unrealistic Jared and Kay Jewelers commercials but I won't go into that.

Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Ice Cream Truck Crisis

I used to like the ice cream truck. Now, not so much.

Our boys were first introduced to the Ice Cream Truck just last year when we moved back home to where my husband and I grew up. At first I thought it was fun for them but now that Baby Picasso, our 4 yr old son, has been put on a more restricted diet due to his EE I am constantly trying to avert a crisis when the Ice Cream music starts to play. FYI, If you don't know what EE is you can read more here, Living With Eosinophilic Esophagitis )

Yesterday, our boys were playing a baseball game and here comes the ice cream truck. Literally every kid ran off the field with a gleam in their eye - my kids included. But I had to tell mine "no" while most of the other children devoured their yummy treat. I even had to tell my 8 year old he couldn't have ice cream because his brother wasn't able to eat it. I felt like the most horrible Mom.

So, I've had enough of the ice cream truck. I want it to be banned from baseball games unless it carries corn-syrup free icees or organic ricecream - which will NEVER happen. I want it to forever stop coming by our home. I want the truck engine to blow up beyond repair. I want the music box to break because the sound instantly breaks my heart. And honestly - I Hope The Ice Cream Truck Gets The Freakin' Swine Flu.

I'm just so tired of all this heartache...and it's making me bitter.