Things That Suck Ass: 90*++ heat and no central air, the # of people sleeping in my bed/room, snoring TJ, when my iPod doesn't mark (stolen) books properly.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things: Tombstone, Julia Child, Biggest Loser on Wii, Netflix instant streaming, my new JJB, Madonna on my iPod, my short hair.

Did you know???

You can STOP eating something super yummy when you are full.... (here's the shocking part!)... EVEN IF THERE'S SOME LEFT!! This is something I have learned lately and it's quite freeing actually. I haven't gone to bed with heartburn in a long time. I don't eat until I feel sick and disgusted. Here are some other "food" lessons most people know that I am only just finding out.

You can have water and/or gum instead of night time snacks.
You don't have to have dessert every day.
I "deserve" a better life more than I "deserve" that treat on a rough day!
I CAN have a small serving of something I love and be satisfied. And stop after a few bites of something ultra rich.
Fish are friends, not food.

Just checking to see if you're paying attention. Sorry Dory... fish are quite delish! ;)

Summer Lovin!!!

HOLY COW!!! Ju Ju Be has done it again!! I am so in love with all of the great stuff in the new Summer line! The new bag the BFF is amazing! LOVE that it has padded backpack straps, can be carried messenger style, shoulder bag, or grab the tote handle. Plus it comes in amazing prints!! Speaking of prints the 2 new JJB prints are GORGEOUS!! I was blown away when they showed us Shadow Waltz. It's a beautiful black and white scrolling print with an amazing pop of color with the hot pink lining/accents. THEN they show us Marvelous Mums. It is just such a beautiful print!! Large scale, beautiful serene colors, gorgeous sage green lining! Check out all the Summer reveals (and previous cool stuff!) on the JJB Blog. Here are some pics to drool over before you head over for the details!! Pre-orders begin June 25 at either Shop JJB or Little Dudes and Divas.

Congrats to the Swagbucks BeQuick winner!!!

I had my son pick a # between 1-5 (the # of referrals on SB)  and then looked up the SB referral list to see who that was. (Up until then I didn't know who any of the referrals were) Lucky #4... Melinda! :) That's my completely random low tech method!! ;) Melinda K. YOU are the big winner??? Oooh, what will you pick?? So many adorable choices AND new prints!! I'm emailing you now!! Congrats Mama and thanks to all the SB signups!! :)
 

Don't rock the boat baby

Change is hard. It's hard to go out on a limb and do something out of your comfort zone. Am I happy being fat? No. Comfortable? Yes. It's not scary, it's easy. A big part of my fear of  change is changing the family dynamic. It's not just me wanting to try new things, live a new life... it's my family, and my husband. He's not on the same page as I am about all things. He supports me in my weight loss efforts. He doesn't think we need to try new hobbies or go to new places or meet new people. I have wondered over the years if part of my failure to live the life I want to lead is fear. Fear of what will happen. Fear of how our relationship will be if we change. I am not the leader here, I am not the strong one. I do not push the issue on things. What happens when I assert myself? I know the dangers of a relationship wrecked by people growing apart, changing at different levels/times. People being unhappy with their "new" partner. I need to get over the fear. I need to be happy with myself AND in my relationship. I need to shake things up, be more assertive, make the changes I need to make and hope that communication, understanding, and love can conquer all. Every day I pray for the strength to be a better woman, a better mother, and a better wife.

Win an AWESOME JJB Behave!!!

Ok, this bag is COOL! And HOT!! LOL It has all the Pink World abuzz. Super cute hobo styling. TONS of amazing details and features (ok, it's Ju Ju Be, did you expect any less?) and get this... WASHABLE ECO FRIENDLY and GORGEOUS "leather"!!! Yeah, you just fainted didn't you? Now pick yourself up off the floor and head over to Mommy Mentor's Blog (the title is a link! YAY!) and enter for YOUR chance to win!!!

Want to win a Ju Ju Be Be Quick??

Join me on Swagbucks!! Win points through search, prizes, and random codes and redeem them for awesome stuff! Join under my referral link and you'll be entered to win a Ju Ju Be BeQuick in your choice of print! (not including the new Earth Leather bags... but a giveaway for one of those is coming soon!)  Contest ends on June 1, 2010, winner will be chosen randomly(from the list of anyone who joined up under me!) and notified via Email!! Please post a comment here letting me know you've signed up and make sure to include your email address! YAY!! My first Blog contest!!


http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/TheMommaDuck

Next week's TO DO list:

1.  Do one dancey workout DVD 2X. I have a few of these. They are fun. They get me moving. They make me feel womanly and sexy. I need to DO IT! :)

2.  Decide what to do with the playroom/bonus room. What goes where? What stays and what goes? Hmmmm.

3.  Field Trip w/ Ben's class on Monday!

4.  Meet up w/ an Idaho PL to show her the Dizzy Daisies Mighty Be (if she wants to and can find the time w/ her new baby!!) Oh, and steal her new baby for a snuggle and a sniff of new baby smell! ;)

5.  Enjoy NOT having a Bday party to plan this week.

6.  Eat healthfully and drink lots of water!

7.  Water aerobics Wed and Fri.

8.  Walk to or from school at least 2X.

9.  Grocery shop.

10.  Hit the Farmer's Market w/ TJ. The best date ever!! ;)

What is the Pink Room??

The Ju Ju Be Pink Room.
In theory it is "just" a message board. It is "just" about diaper bags. Nope, it's so much more!! It is a massive network of wonderful Mamas! They are so supportive, diverse, smart, friendly,and funny!! You can talk about marriage issues, parenting issues, get support on your weight loss journey, find a recipe, get a book review, or find a great deal on a diaper bag you've been wanting. They're just as excited as you are when you get a new bag, lose 5 pounds, finally get your baby to sleep through the night or just have a great day.

The company itself is amazing... I've described the quality and design of the bags before. The company has amazing CS, stands behind it's products, really listens to and cares about it's customers, is giving to customers, charity, and the community, and is made of really awesome people! The bags are good and cute and all that but the obsessive-ness the Pink Ladies feel is for the people behind the bags!

The Pink Lady 10 Commandments really sum up WHY the Pink Ladies are wonderful and why I can't go a day without popping in! Funny and sweet... they're the Pink Ladies!! :)

1. Honor the makers, Joe, Kristen and Rachelle


2. Never leave home without a Ju Ju Be, even if it's just an accessory

3. Don't even think about going to trunk shows with out a camera

4. No going MIA for a month, without checking in

5. Thou shall not mention a new bag without pictures

6. Always buy matching accessories

7. Thou shall covet thy Pink sisters' bags and order

8. Always check the FSOT board 1st, before buying new

9. Promise to post pics of PL get togethers including the bags

10. Embrace newcomers with open arms

Happy Birthday Riley!!!

Can't believe you are 16 years old!! Where did the time go? You are still the same curly haired, stubborn, hilarious kid you were as a toddler with the added fun of teen angst! :) I love you honey and have such hopes for your future. I hope you have a great day!!

Happy Birthday Benji!!!

Benji you are one wild and crazy guy!! You have 2 speeds... ultra and asleep!! You hate to say "I love you" but will cuddle on my lap. You drive me crazy and crack me up! I love you so much!! Happy 6th Birthday Benji!! I love you!! :)

Awesome bath time discovery!!

Frick and Frack HATE washing their hair!! It is such a pain in the butt to give them a bath and it drives me crazy!! Well, I accidentally happened upon a wonderful solution! Watering can. Yes, the new watering can the boys bought to help in the garden.  It worked great. The boys thought it was super fun since they are enamored of the stupid can anyway. It made it super easy for me to wash their hair without getting water in their faces (easy to aim that little spout of water!!) The boys thought it was so cool to "grow" from a stink weed to a coconut tree (you know... coconut smelling shampoo!!) Happy bath day to ME!!!

Rain Rain Stay Away!!!

Why oh why do my kids have such early Spring birthdays?? Ok, I know WHY... but it sure makes parties hard to plan! Benji is turning 6 on Thursday. On Saturday he is having his birthday party... at the park. I have been obsessively checking Weather.com and it said sunny so I sent the invites. It has since changed to RAIN all weekend!! NOOOOO!!! Please tell me how in the world to host a NERF GUN FIGHT indoors??? If the forecast doesn't change as it gets closer I think I'll have a breakdown!!

So please, RAIN... STAY AWAY!!

Best little bag shop: Little Dudes and Divas

As every Mama knows when you've got kids you've got crap. Lots and lots of crap. It takes over your house, it takes over your car, and you've got to carry it with you wherever you go. BUT you still want to be a cute Mama!! That's where Little Dudes and Divas comes in. They have TONS of adorable diaper bag brands and THE. BEST. CUSTOMER. SERVICE. Period. :)  They are amazing to all the Pink Ladies (obsessive Ju Ju Be bag Mamas!!) Say you are looking for a JJB Packabe in Lotus Lullaby but worry about PRINT PLACEMENT. Simply call/email Maya at LD&D and tell her what you're after... and she'll hook you up!! She will go through inventory, find the bags that match your request and send you pics to choose from!! Talk about amazing!! The are also super cool about answering questions, letting you change your mind a million times (very handy when it's pre-order time!!) and they're super super sweet!!! Shipping is always super fast, they offer adorable free gifts with some purchases, and they do a TON of fun giveaways!! Join their forum  here to find out more! Click the Blog Title to be taken directly to their online store!

Oh, and they also carry tons of adorable and ingenious baby products on their web site, I just discovered them when my only baby "needs" were bags! Stop by and do some shopping and be sure to tell Maya that The Momma Duck sent ya!! :)

I will miss having a 3 year old to talk to.

Seriously, 3 has got to be one of the best ages. In fact, it is my 2nd favorite! (18 months is my fave. For the record, 15 appears to be my least fave ... I'm guessing 16 will surpass that soon!) There is nothing like a 3 year old. They're like real kids but not. In addition to my own 5 kids I taught 3 year olds in preschool back in the day and they were just a hoot!! I really loved 'em!  My 3 year old is my last one and I will miss it so.  He says the funniest things. Every day I look at his little face, and hear his little laugh and my heart breaks to know that someday he'll be 15. ;)  Some of my current favorite Max convos:

Max: "I saw a katty!!"
Ben: "Do you like him?"
Max: "He looks so warm and soff, I love him."

Mama: "What is your high point?" (at dinner we do high point/low point)
Max: "My high point is I love Mommy" (Could he be any more fabulous??!!)

Daddy: "Max did you make this mess"?
Max: "No Daddy, I did that LASTERDAY"

At Sunday dinner right after Halloween when Riley brought her boyfriend to meet the family.
Grandpa: "Max do you remember the trick or treat I taught you?"
Max: "Trick or treat, smell my balls." (For the record Gpa taught the standard "smell my feet" version... Ben and Max thought it needed updating. Riley turned the best shade of red!!!)

Max: "I love you Mommy. And I won't ever kick you or punch you".
Mama: "Um, thanks Max. I love you too. And I won't ever bite your toes"
(he has always had a penchant for telling us the mean things he won't do to us since he loves us. Like poking us in the eye. It's quite cute and a little disconcerting.)

And an all time classic while trying to get him to sleep in his own bed on his 3rd Bday:
Max: CRYING
Max: "You're  mean  because you made my have a birthday cry!!"
Needless to say Mama let him sleep in her bed. He's my last baby, I've got to get every last second of cuddle I can!!

Win a SWEET JJB MIghty Be !!!

The wonderful Mommy Mentor is giving away a Ju Ju Be Mighty Be tote bag courtesy of Little Dudes and Divas. This is one awesome bag!! Roomy, organized, GORGEOUS, and the price is right!! Check out the bags here:
http://www.littledudesanddivas.com/brand-shop-ju-ju-be-diaper-bags.html


And the Blog: From One Mommy to Another here:
http://www.mommy-mentor.com/2010/03/april-giveaway-your-choice-of-new-ju-ju.html

Met some real life Pink Ladies!!

I got past my shyness and my anti-social tendencies and met 2 lovely PL's for coffee this morning. Brooke lives here it town and Frances was in visiting her mom. I'm so glad I went, it was fun to have some grown up convo w/ other Mom's and of course to finally meet IRL some people I've talked to online a lot! It was fun to get to check out their bags and talk about bags and not have people think I'm nuts. So chalk one up for me getting out of my comfort zone for once. :)

TO DO

Wow. I posted this via text message Sunday night and it posted all wonky. So here we go again!!

1. Clean our bedroom closets.
2. Teach the boys to fly a kite.
3. Pay all the bills. (X)
4. Do the taxes.
5. Make an appt. for Riley at the Doc. (X)
6. Talk to my Doc about my test results and get the MRI scheduled.
7. Make some plans for Spring Break. (X)
8. Get the downstairs cleaned... mop floors and scrub bathrooms.
9. Get the front flowerbeds cleaned out.
10. Take TJ to lunch/dinner/coffee/movie/grocery store. Some kinda date time!

Award winning children

Today Benji won a Character award at school. His first (he is in KG) The character trait was Respect (which now 3 of my kids have won, which makes me feel good as the Principal pointed out that in particular Respect reflects on parenting)  He was so cute and so proud and even went up in front of the huge crowd to accept his certificate. He was so excited that everyone (mom, dad, Cole, Max, Gpa, and Gma) came to see him and it was fun to see him have his moment!! Maybe now he'll start to like school!! You know it's sad when he's "sick of school" and he's 5. It's feels good to have award winning kids!! ;)

Medal Count:
Riley: 1
Taylor: 2
Cole: 6 (I did mention he's perfection!)
Benji: 1

The Many Adventures of Frick and Frack

Ben and Max are pretty much the same kid, born 3 years apart. They look exactly alike. They act exactly alike. People even ask me fairly often if they are twins. (Poor Chicken Little Benji!!) Which is why they are Frick and Frack. Also sometimes Thing 1 and Thing 2 and/or Pete and Repeat. They are inseperable and crack each other up like crazy. They also get into all sorts of mischief.  Case in point: last night Ben comes in to get some new pants from the dryer.... "Why do you need new pants?" I ask, knowing I will most likely regret this. "Because Max peed on me" is his response. Now, since Max is potty training maybe this could be reasonable. Then Max saunters in with dry pants on. "How did Max pee on you?" I ask. "He pulled down his pants and peed on my leg" Ben answers. Of course he did. And there you have it, Frick and Frack at their finest. Well, the time last week when I walked by the laundry room to hear Ben say to Max, "Now, when I shut the door DON'T push any buttons because you could heat me up" whilst climbing into the dryer was pretty funny too.  I really should take up drinking in the afternoon.

Enter to win a JJB Fuel Cell

The fuel cell is awesome!! We have all used it for snacks and lunches and it fits tons plus is ultra cute! I love that you can hook it over the handlebar of the stroller or the strap of a bigger diaper bag. We have 2 already (Perky and CloudBreak) so we have a girly one and a boy friendly one! They have tons of cute prints and even solids so there's something for everyone!! Mamas and Munchkins is a great web site too, tons of wonderful products/brands and great CS!!

Click the post title to be taken to the giveaway page!! Good luck!! :)

HaHa!

Yes that was a triumphant exclamation!! I was actually feeling fairly human today and was able to get a lot accomplished! :) Yay me!! I took Frick and Frack to Target for new shoes and the ones they picked were on sale for $8... score! Got lots of other misc. Target crap I've been needing.Am loving my new PUR water filter dispenser... along w/ some Dixie cups and the little ones may stop drinking out of the toothbrush cup. (GROSS!!!)  Hit the grocery store and have homemade pasta sauce (with plenty of hidden juiced veggies...take that picky kids!!) simmering on the stove. Am trying to do some baking but I can't get in to the Pink Room to get the banana bread recipe that Marie was so sweet and posted for me. All that AND I managed to enjoy some sunshine w/ the crazies! I rented Planet 51 to watch with the kiddos and 2012 to watch after they go to sleep. It's good to be human again.

Ugh. So glad I seem to be on the tail end of this creepy crud. Hopefully Monday AM will see me back to some semblance of "on track"!

Today's Love/Hate 3/11/10

LOVE: The Inbetweeners on BBCA. Just more proof that British shit is better. I LOVE this show. It is hilarious!! The type of hilarious where it's a good thing you've got Tivo because you're laughing so hard you miss the next line. One of the highlights on my week to be honest. If you haven't seen it yet I highly suggest you check out an episode. Be warned though, it is most definitely not PG humor!!

HATE: I hate being sick. I have caught every fricking thing to come down the pike this winter and it blows. Currently my throat hurts, my head hurts, my nose is stuffed up, and I am exhausted. Add to this PMS and it's a wonder anyone in my family is still speaking to me. Ick. I will NOT skip my flu shot next year!!!

Today's Love/Hate 3/9/10

LOVE:
Ju Ju Be's new spring line. This company is amazing, their products are amazing... I was heartbroken to be outgrowing them as I no longer have much need for diaper bags. Lo and behold they rope me back into obession with their new Legacy Collection. A new earth friendly faux leather... that is machine washable!!! I have been known to spend a few hundred dollars on gorgeous leather bags in the past but always ended up selling them because I was just too afraid of something happening to them. I am NOT a careful kinda gal. I want to look cute and chic but I don't want to worry about a kid getting something sticky on my bag or rain, dirt, etc. These bags are just amazingly gorgeous looking "leather", have the JJB attention to detail, and the JJB durability!!! I so cannot wait for May to get my hands on some!!! I am for sure starting with the Behave (right now my mind is set on Brown) and a Brown BeMajor (love this wallet now, LOVE the envy lining and the look of the wallet in leather!!) Now, to lose 50lbs to "earn" the bag from TJ!!

Check out the bags here: http://ju-ju-be.com/ju-ju-blog/?p=672 And when they're available for purchase be sure to come back here and follow my link so I can cash in on your shopping. ;)

HATE:
Hmmm, nothing poignant or thoughtful comes to mind. I'd like to point out some terrible injustice in the world but so far today I haven't read any news/etc. so nothing is bugging me. How 'bout Kate Gosselin? I mean seriously... Dancing with the Stars? Has anyone missed the "star" portion of that? Plus she's a hateful, mean, naggy, fake bitch and I really really dislike her. Wait, not just dislike... I HATE her.

Another fresh start

After having several partially updated Blogs, sites, etc. over the years I have decided to consolidate and to post more often. :)  Since I am everything to everyone (well, in my tiny world anyway!!) why not talk about it all in one spot?!
The main concentration of my admittedly weak blogging efforts have been my "F It List" which is the list of things I keep meaning to do but my big buts always get in the way. BUT I'm too fat. BUT I'm too busy. BUT I'll have to get a sitter. BUT I'm too old. BUT I'm too shy. BUT I'm too lazy, comfortable, complacent, afraid, etc. etc. etc. NO MORE BUTS!!!
I've made pretty good progress on some of The List (yes, I even think of it in capital letters) lately but not daily progress as was my goal for 2010. Life does tend to get in the way. Again with the BUTS. I am happy to report the following:


**I have been to the GYN for full check up. Had to go for a mammogram... ultrasound on one breast tomorrow as follow up. Ick.
**I have been to my general Doc for a full check up. I am anemic which he thinks explains my headaches and fatigue. Taking an iron supplement and go back in 3 months to check in. Everything else is ship shape despite my weight. I love Dr. Nasser and am glad I got in to see him. I feel better knowing I'm not on the verge of diabetes, etc.
**Max is in full on potty training mode. Yay!! Down to diapers at night and an accident every now and again. Luckily after the whole "missing poop" incident they have all been just wet accidents.
**TJ took me for SUSHI!! It was unexpected and really sweet of him since he  normally makes fun of the list. The best part is that I LOVE IT and have been craving it ever since!!!
**House organization was going well but is back to chaos. I'm doing another kid crap purge. On the plus side the garage is all cleaned out and set up as our boxing area.
**I LOVE boxing!! It's super fun. I need to get some weights for the stand but I really do like it.
**We have plans to take the kids camping this summer (and lots of fishing trips!!)
**I have been trying to spend more time with the kids doing active stuff like bike rides with Cole or Bball with Taylor. Even TJ has been doing it too sometimes which is good.