The Crazy Before the Trip

It's only two days until we head out of town for Blissdom. We've been busy little bees.

What has gotten done towards preparing for our Tennessee trip?

* I managed to bulldoze Mount Laundry with the help of the whole family (minus the baby who isn't much help in any arena)
* We got the oil changed, the tires checked, the air filter changed in our vehicle
* I used my birthday money from my mother-in-law at Macy's to pick up a few holiday sale items and two plain shell tanks that will go under a multitude of jackets or look great in layers
* We got chia-boy's hair cut so he'll be presentable at the Opryland Hotel
* I paid the bills and updated the checkbook
* I prepared our tax documents for the tax man aside from two missing forms that haven't arrived yet
* I got my swag in the mail from Springpad to pass out at Blissdom
* I bought groceries for our trip at Walmart and packed them in boxes on the dining room table (aside from the cold stuff that will need to be packed in a cooler)
* While purchasing my groceries I learned how to use my Springpad account as a grocery tool - checking off my grocery list on their mobile version of the site (easier than the grocery app on my iPhone and FREE)
* I got myself some unmentionables (on sale) at Victoria's Secret (a gift to myself that I have been planning since before I had the baby 10 months ago!) - I figure I might as well be comfortable while I'm busy walking a mile a day in the 'biodome'
* I changed the sheets on all 4 beds in the house and disinfected our 3 bathrooms
* We caught up on backlogged dishes
* I tried on nearly everything in my closet looking for outfits to wear to Blissdom
* I took my daughter to Ross to buy a dress for an event she may attend with me at Blissdom (to help with the baby)
* I went through the Blissdom agenda and tried to narrow down what sessions I was going to attend when I got there
* We opened a charge line at Home Depot and finally broke down and bought a washer and dryer to replace the broken set we have (wringing out clothes for months on end and ruining our hands finally got the better of us)

So now you see why I haven't been blogging. It has been a tad on the crazy side in the bee hive. I'm sure things will settle down again after the Blissdom 'buzz' has subsided and our wonderful trip has come to an end. You can better believe I'll be taking pictures and making memories to blog about for the next week or so.

While I'm busy packing and loading up the car for our trip, be sure to check out my guest article over at "Complete Organizing Solutions". I wrote about tackling the homeschool clutter; something I know every homeschool mama struggles with! Leave me a comment there to let me know you visited!

Are you a blog buddy who wants to help me out with a guest post while I'm away? Drop me a note via my contact button up top and let me know what day you can post. I'll be on the road from Tuesday through Monday - almost a full week...

...following my 'bliss'.

The Week Before Blissdom and All Through the House...

I had high hopes and big plans for this week. Then came a round of food poisoning or stomach flu that put every last one of us in bed and sent Morgan to the hospital. There went school.

And you should see my laundry. Not a clean sheet or towel in the house.

That's just too bad. The rest of the week - what little there is left - will have to be spent on cleaning. We're getting a carpet cleaner this weekend. At least my floors will look fabulous before I head for Tennessee.

Not sure if there's any way I can catch up with laundry at this point, though. Oh, the mountains... spilling out of the hall... makes me cry.

The nasty hit us on Tuesday night. By noon the next day we were all through with the worst part of it. My husband took 2 days off of work in the middle of the week. He's a company man. He NEVER takes off work. He burns his vacation instead of sick days if he has to take time off. 2 days is HUGE.

I ate all of two whole saltine crackers yesterday (very, very slowly) and lost a total of 6.8 lbs. in less than 24 hours.

My Wii Fit almost threw a party for me this afternoon. "If you keep up this pace, you might reach your goal by your deadline." If only it knew what I had to do to get there. Unbloggable, people. Just unbloggable.

So this morning, I was leery of the cream of wheat (my husband makes it with milk). I opted for 7 Vanilla wafers instead. So far so good.

At lunch I had a can of chicken noodle soup. Why? Because that's just 'what-you-eat-when-you're-sick'.

Conversation at the lunch table went a little something like this:

"Chicken broth is good for you." - Morgan (while slurping)

"That's what Campbell's wants you to believe." - Mommy

"Chickens don't want you to believe it, though." - Daddy

So while I scrub my house down with Lysol and bleach, be sure to check out what's going on elsewhere in blog-land by following the #Blissdom hashtag on Twitter. You can read posts by all the people attending the conference and see what they are planning to wear to the parties. Maybe by the time we have to pack, I'll have some clean clothes to wear.

I hope so.



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You Probably Think This Blog is About Blissdom

I know that you are tired of hearing about all this Blissdom stuff. Believe me. I was tired of hearing about it last year when I couldn't go. Now I understand why everyone was so excited, though. I kind of feel like Cinderelli felt when her pumpkin turned in to a sparkling white coach, and her mice turned in to coachmen. Only, there's no way I could wear glass slippers at Opryland. Not when I hear that their staff walk some 1200 miles a day.

I tried on an evening gown last night that has been traveling around with me since I was in my early 20's. I was barely able to get in it, and it wasn't going to zip. Seems your upper body tends to expand after three nursing children. And I'm not even going to TALK about what happens to the lower body. Just know that after two dresses, I had tried on enough 'oldies'. The third size 6 long oriental dress wasn't even attempted. I was feeling way too frumpy and old by then.

My favorite pretty, shimmery, purple sleeveless thing is now residing in my 11 year old's closet with no hope of me ever wearing it again. She'll look gorgeous in it; and it won't be long until she can fit. She already wears a size 7.5 shoe and makes me feel old when she wears my hand-me downs. I gave her half of my closet when I cleaned it out the last time. It's stranger than fiction to see my baby wearing my women size smalls; even stranger that I'm not a young thing that can pull off a small any more. Funny how your body moves on while your mind is still the same 20-something, size six.

My motto: Children are worth being extra large for.

Something that will be going with me to Blissdom that is as fancy as my shimmery dress (only a lot less purple), is my new business card design by Simply Amusing:



Snazzy, hu? Two snaps, baby. Karen is a design whiz! I can't wait to get them in the mail this week. I might cry if they don't get here in time.

My aunt Renee also sent me a Blissdom present! It will arrive next week around the same time I get my business cards! It's a pretty, hand-made case to carry my cards in - with a handy pen and lipgloss pocket and a zipper pouch that is split for holding a checkbook (or cash) and a thick stash of business cards. My business cards will be snug and safe in this little 'ditty bag' (that's what my grandma used to call little pouches). I don't want to lose them again.



I bet she would sew you one if you ordered one like it. She's going to start her own Etsy business soon. She also made my son a grocery cart cover that we use when we go to the store to shop.

My camera is going to be a lot safer on this trip, too. Remember how I recently dropped it out of the back of my SUV? Well this time I'm going to be carrying it in a camera case backpack that is especially built for photo gear. Padded, perfectly fitted, and evenly distributed weight over my shoulders... dreamy! Amazon already shipped it - courtesy of Cousin Kristen who gave me a gift card for Christmas.

Slightly less beautiful than the business cards, my wardrobe continues to come along. I managed to find a few things suitable for a dressy dinner. I need to get some nice shoes, some tights, and a few shells to go under jackets & sweaters. Other than that, I'm just taking comfy things I already had in the closet. I'll post about what I'm wearing to Blissdom later this week after the lineup has been finalized. I like packing for trips - it's the unpacking that stinks.

My suitcase has room for a few flat travelers if any of you blogging homeschool moms want to tag along with me to Tennessee. I'd be honored to take you with me to hang out and hob knob with the 500 lucky bloggers that managed to swing this trip. Shoot, I might even get a chance to get your flattie pictured with Harry Connick, Jr. or Sarah Palin - both of which will be there. Email me if you want my address to mail along your flat self. Just be sure to send me one in pajamas, one in a cocktail dress, and one in your business conference attire! You have to look good - even if you are only 2D.



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My Sponsors for Blissdom

A week or so ago, I didn't imagine that it was possible to raise enough money to go to Blissdom. I had high hopes and a few people rooting for me, so I prayed about it and I decided to step out in faith.

What has happened has been amazing. People have really reached out to help get me and my awesome kids (and my super-awesome mama/babysitter) to Blissdom! I wanted to shout out a preliminary thanks to everyone who has made my Blissdom dream a reality...

First of all, there are my blog friends that have donated towards the cause:

Gracefull Girl - Brenna gave me my first donation and a slap on the hiney to get this old horse moving. When there was a huge wall in front of me, she told me to pray - God would move it. I love her.

Simply Amusing Designs - Karen does amazing things with pixels. She designed my business cards for free. She was going to be my roommate, but her hubby got bad news about his employment, so she wasn't able to go to Blissdom. I'm so bummed to be going without her.

Adventures of a Quirky Mom - Nikowa is a huge cheerleader to so many women at Heart of the Matter. She says she wouldn't feel comfortable at a blog conference because she'd have one or the other of her feet in her mouth. HA! If only she could see me and my stammering self. You had better be planning to attend Relevant, girl!

Mommy Matters, These Small Hours, and edifyathome.com... you humble me with your kind words and the graciousness of helping this mama get to Tennessee. I'm so very thankful.

Then there are these great companies that have partially sponsored me for the funds needed to attend the conference (I'm taking my kids and my mom with me so it is a bit more expensive - but necessary with a sweet nursing baby):




springpad - @springpad on Twitter

"Springpad is a free personal organizer to save and use just about anything — recipes, products, restaurants, ideas, notes, articles, and more." It works a little like Evernote, but has some features that are unique. I'm learning more as I go and plan to do a review and demo of this site soon. In the mean time, if you sign up for your own free account, be sure to 'follow' me. A lot of my info is private, but I am planning to post coupons and recipes and other things I find interesting to share there as I get more acquainted with all of springpad's features.



ERGObaby - @ERGObaby on Twitter

I'm thrilled to have ERGObaby donating a baby carrier towards our trip. They might not be sponsoring me financially, but they'll make the load a whole lot lighter on my back! I plan on toting the 'cookie taster' around in the amazingly large Opryland Hotel, and I've been told that comfortable shoes are a MUST. ERGObaby might be the difference between me surviving this trip or not, because my little man is nearly 24 lbs. already at 10 months!

You would be doing me a big favor if you followed my sponsors on Twitter!

Last but not least, there's Alli Worthington - the main diva of Blissfully Domestic (who's really not fussy at all, despite her blog's title). I can't say enough about her. She has the biggest heart and does magic things for bloggers. This conference is a testament to her amazing love for bloggin mamas and her wonderful personality. A five-HUNDRED person event - SOLD OUT. The voices on the 'blogosphere' are truly making a difference in the world. Alli is leading the way and helping so many to take part in open conversations with brands - to speak for YOU, the consumer. I just love her. While she didn't donate to my Blissdom paypal drive, she is truly one of the people who made this happen for me, and I wanted to list her as a sponsor because she has cheered me on from the beginning. Thanks Alli!

I hope to add to this sponsor list soon. I'm still needing about 350$ in funds so I don't end up putting any of our trip on my nearly maxed out credit card. This year has been a rough one with medical expenses, diapers, cut bonuses and no raises. The economic situation hasn't helped, either. It wouldn't be wise to add any more to our debt. I'm believing that God will work out the final details.

Woohoo!

I'm so excited that I'll be going to Blissdom. I'm living the bloggin' gal's dream. That's something a lot of non-blogging people can't understand, to be sure... but you bloggers know what I'm talking about. It's great to hang with your hommies.

Blue Eyes Brown

My brown eyes are blue that this little girl is 11. She's on her way to becoming a wonderful, amazing, talented, sweet, Christian LADY. She's already smart enough, brave enough, and determined enough to do most anything she wants in the world.

She has her daddy's turquoise blue eyes, but there's a speck of her mama's golden brown in there... and I like to think she got the best of both of us.

Happy birthday Meesa. Your mama loves every speck of you; starting with the one in your right eye!

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Born Free Twitter Party and Coupon!

I bet you can't guess what today is? It's the Born Free Twitter Party day! [Besides that, it's Morgan's birthday. She'd be mad if I didn't mention it. My sweet little girl is turning 11 today!]

Born Free is a BPA toxin-free line of plastic sippy cups, pacifiers, bottles and baby products. They sent me a sippy and passy for review and I haven't been able to get it away from little Kohen since. He actually LIKES the pacifier even though he doesn't suck on it like normal babies do. He chews on the extra soft handle (teething comfort, I guess).



The sippy cup has handles (that he adores) and the softest tip (so I don't worry about him ruining his baby teeth on it)! The entire top comes apart for easy cleaning - all the little parts pop out. He is at the stage where he wants to feed himself and is even tilting his head back to drink on his own, so this cup is awesome. Well, when he's not throwing it at us, that is. I should have named my little Viking "Bam Bam". Oh, well. He only beats, hits, and pulls the hair of who he loves.



If you follow @newbornfree on Twitter and join in the conversation today, you can win some goodies from them.

They are also offering 10% off with this coupon at their online store!



Tweet this and join the party:

"Join the all-day Twitter party celebrating the FDA's new take on the dangers of BPA. Host: @newbornfree! #BPAFreeWeek"

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Grump

Some Mondays, it's just better not to blog.

What I'm Bringin' to Blissdom (and a Tip You Won't Hear Elsewhere)

Great things happen when bloggers get together. Or, well, fun things at least. Maybe I should have said CRAZY things happen. You might oughta watch your back because whatever you say or do might end up on someone's website the next day. Like these pictures. I'm sure all these awesome bloggers have no idea that I have these photos up on my blog. I wonder how many of them will saunter by and find out? Only time will tell.

Can you tell I'm excited about Blissdom yet? It's less than 2 weeks away from blogger blissland. And until I can get another massive, memory-card frying amount of photographic data. Pictures of 500 crazy women, one piano-playing musician, ... and most likely a few trillion of the baby just for good measure.

I'm still fund-raising, but I feel like a jerk for asking for help when the people in Haiti are suffering. Perspective tells me that it's not such a great big deal if I don't end up covering the cost, but I can't help but want to go anyway.

Repeat after me: I will not put this trip on my credit card.

Saying no to yourself is hard. But so is homeschooling. I'm no chicken. If I have to, I will say no. But not until the very, very, very, very, very, very, very, very last minute. And then I'll cry. And eat chocolate. And watch chick flicks. And not turn on the computer from February 3rd to February 10th so as to avoid the chatter about Blissdom and prevent myself from needing Prozac.

But we'll pretend I didn't say all that and just go on believing the funds will come in soon to make all this possible, shall we?

Ahem.

Anyway, I am enjoying listening to all the Blissdom, buzz while I wait for my conference sponsor in shining armor to ride in on a white horse. Did you know that you can listen in to what everyone is saying about Blissdom by just typing in #Blissdom in your Tweet Deck search grid? The number sign is called a 'hash tag' and everyone posting about the conference is using that 'secret code' to tag their posts so that it's easier to find them. The tips from those posting about the conference have been great.

Since I've been to a blog conference before (and therefore that makes me such an expert - NOT), I figure I would tell you what I'm packing if I go. I'll even share a few tips with you. One of these tips you won't hear anywhere else. Let's see if you can figure out which one it is.

SPRITTIBEE'S 'WHAT TO BRING TO BLISSDOM'

1. Jeans

You want to know what I went out and bought at Good Will before Type-A Mom? A bunch of jeans. Why? Because I wanted to be comfortable - and I knew I would wear them when I got back home. Don't buy something you won't wear again. Remember that the conference is only two days and you still have the rest of your life back home that you'll need to have clothes on.

It's great to have nice things to wear, but think about what you will feel like in them - be yourself. Be comfortable. Think about what you'll need if:

... the room is too hot or cold
... you end up rooming a mile from the sessions (or your ankle gets sprained like mine did at Type-A and the Earth Footwear sponsors had to sell me some tennis shoes)
... it rains on the photo walk (heaven forbid - I look like a drowned rat when I'm wet)
... the baby pukes on your favorite jacket
... you dribble lunch down the front of your blouse
... etc.

Pack things that are what you feel like yourself in; the stuff that makes you smile. I guarantee that someone else is going to be better dressed; but I also promise there's someone who will be in t-shirts and jeans (and maybe even bunny slippers).

Want more on 'what to wear'? Check out Real Life Sarah! Or this hilarious post at www.shortpumppreppy.com, 'barbie style'.



2. Electronics

What would a blogger conference be without scads of beeping, clicking, buzzing, humming, blinking toys to play with? Just remember - these items need POWER. So please be smart and bring your CHARGERS, BATTERIES, EXTRA BATTERIES, CORDS, MEMORY STICKS, ETC. If I were me - er you, I would make a list of all the items you want to take on your trip NOW while your brain hasn't taken off for Tennessee. I would also ask your insurance agent if they are covered on the trip - and photograph them ahead of time if need be... and label them and the bags you carry them in so that they can be returned if lost. Your camera may look recognizable to you now, but in a room full of 500 blogging women, it may be hard to distinguish one DSLR from the next.

3. Food

If you are broke financially challenged like me, having snacks and food to take on the road (and a menu to stick to so you won't cave in and buy fast food in a moment of cheeseburgerlessness) will save you a TON of money. It might help you not get pulmonary artery disease, too. Fries are deadly (if not delicious).



We'll be packing the car with the following goodies:

sandwich stuff
(tortillas, bread, meat, cheeses, mayo packets, onion sprouts, lettuce)

snack stuff
(nuts, fruit leather, cookies, chips, crackers, fruit, cheese, chocolate, candy, gum)

boiled eggs, cereal, packaged muffins, yogurt, granola

drinks

I'm giving myself a limit for the groceries on the trip and the amount we will spend eating out. I'd rather not put my money where my mouth is.

4. Business Cards

This one is on everyone's list, but it needs to be said, regardless. I felt sorry for the folks who didn't have them at Type-A Mom. It was a sheer fluke that I did. My mom made me order some by passing me a link to Vistaprint one night and I created some 'free' cards and only paid shipping on them. I like them, and I'll use them again if I have to, but I would love to be able to afford custom cards like many of my friends had. There were so many amazing and creative cards.

I can't wait to get to Blissdom to collect another set of everyone's business cards. They are keepsakes for me as much as networking tools. I heart business cards and paper goods. I format words in my sleep. I used to be a desktop publishing wanna-be. I scrapbooked until I ran out of time to do it. I take pictures. I draw and doodle like I breathe. I collect greeting cards. It's only fitting that business cards make me happy.

...and that brings me to...

#5. Business Card HOLDER

Bring a business card case. Preferably one that has your name and mobile number on it in case someone finds it and has the moral decency to contact you. Where did I get this special tip? Past failure. I'm just trying to spare you my pain.

I lost every single card I had collected at Type-A Mom. It was like having the air let out of my sails. Very sad moment when I discovered it missing - along with a bag full of swag. The swag was great, but the cards were irreplaceable. Thankfully, many of the Type-A cast will be at Blissdom. And this time, their cards will be going HOME with me.

The most important thing you can bring isn't something that needs to be listed, though: it's just yourself and your smile. I told a friend on Twitter today that I probably won't be able to pay attention during the sessions because there are so many necks I want to hug. Once you get to the conference, all the nervousness gives way to 'bliss'. It's great to be in a place where you can talk to your blog friends without 140 character or geographical limits. It's so great to put the real, warm, wonderful people to those tiny avatars you have stored away in your mind.



It's great to know your imaginary friends are real.

When Someone You Know is in Haiti

Haiti seems a whole lot closer when someone you know is being pulled out of the rubble. Even if that someone you know is just a twitter friend.

That guy up there is Dan Woolley, a Compassion International worker from the Colorado Springs area, and I know him as @webguydan (he's at about the 1:30 part of the French news video if you click the image above). He's a Christian, a father, a husband, a compassionate guy who was in Haiti to help mothers and children in impoverished conditions. There are a lot of folks who care about others from afar, but very few who actually leave the comfort of home to go and serve them. He's that guy. I can't imagine what his wife and kids are going through worrying about him.



I can't understand French, but it looks like the hotel where Dan was staying collapsed on him. After searching a bit online, I found this great update to his whereabouts on Shaun Groves' website: "Dan Woolley/David Hames". Dan was saved by being in an elevator shaft at the hotel - a miracle from the Lord.

Unfortunately David, his team-member, hasn't been found yet. Please pray for his safety!

I have no idea how Dan is doing now, or if he has severe injuries. I hope not. I wanted to post this to request prayer on his and his team's behalf. There are a lot of people in Haiti that need our prayers right now. Please continue to pray.

If you are able to give up your daily latte or a meal out to donate it towards the relief effort, I know Dan would tell you to give it to Compassion. They were already there when the quake hit. They were already serving the folks in Haiti.

Haiti Earthquake

Please prayerfully consider donating a little towards those suffering. Maybe we can't all be like Dan - leaving our families behind to go and serve the less fortunate - but we can all do SOMETHING.

A Blogger's Bliss

I've been blogging since 2005. Five long years of 'bliss'. It has given me a voice, given me a creative outlet, helped me work on my writing skills, and most importantly - it has blessed my life with an amazing set of invisible friends that I have grown to love. The sad thing about these friends is that I don't get to see them in real life.

Except when I attend blog conferences!

Blog Conferences are expensive, but they provide us with amazing opportunities to better our blogging skills (business, computer, graphic and writing), meet other bloggers, network with PR people who help us make a little money and give us free products, and we get to have a lot of fun!



For me, the people and the fun are the important part. Especially since I take my kids on the trip with me. They love these 'field trips' and are excited to do carschool and see the USA from the back seat! We don't get to travel since we live on one income and usually just go see our family every time we get time off... so these conferences (the ones we can attend) are a huge adventure for the children and I (and my mom - who comes along to help with the baby).



Blissdom (the conference put on by Blissfully Domestic Online Magazine and run by Alli Worthington) is in 2 short weeks... Feb. 4-6 in Nashville, TN. Many of my blog friends are going and I really want to be there. I didn't think it was possible to raise enough money to go, but when I had a few friends offer to pray (too many to list), meet up (Robin), and ride (Karen) with me... and help a little with gas and possibly hotel, I decided to 'follow my bliss'.

Too bad Blog Conferences are so expensive! That's where you come in. I need sponsors and donors to help get us there. The total for the trip with gas, food, hotel and conference is 900$. WOW. And that's with eating out of a cooler most of the drive.

I know that it seems impossible, but "nothing is impossible with God."

If you are a sponsor interested in partnering with me, I have created a media kit for my blog with lots of information. Email me and I'll send it to you.

If you are a kind-hearted friend that wants to give us the gift of a sandwich or a tank of gas, please join Brenna (my first donation!) - and use the Paypal tip jar in my sidebar, or the handy button above to leave me a few bucks towards our goal.

I appreciate you sending me towards my pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!

*Update:
I'm entering this post in the Blissfully Domestic Give-Away! Yay! I hope I can get them to help me follow my bliss!

Ignored and Others

People don't like to be ignored. Babies, tweens, mommies... it makes no difference who they are.

Deadlines don't like to be ignored, either.

Or chores.

Or paperwork. Or schoolwork.

Or good-lookin' 30-something year old daddies that are having their 17 year wedding anniversaries in the near future.

Too bad that blogs are not high on the list of priorities, and they have to get "icknored" sometimes.

I've been in a state of 'urgent' around here for the past year, it seems... and it gets a little crazy keeping all my plates spinning. This year I vowed to eliminate some of the plates. Problem is, they are all so shiny and pretty.

While I figure that out (would love your prayers on that one)... please let me sneak out of here with half my brain tied behind my back - duck out the back door... while you read these amazing posts by other awesome bloggers:

How To Avoid Life Crashes (Stop!) by Ann Voskamp (blowing her warm Texas kisses to melt the Canadian frost - she saves me more often than she knows - all Praise to Him, of course)

Shopping in Your Own Kitchen by Connie at Smockity Frocks (be sure to let Life as Mom know that you love her new design!) Cheaper meal times are a bigger deal more than ever these days - even though your government doesn't want you to think our economy is in trouble.

Check out Susie Harris' blog. I'm sorry to say that I just discovered her - proving that I really am the last one to know most everything. Pretty things. Crafty fingers. Lovely!

Why Nobody Cares About Your Blog - by Problogger (He has the best articles. Seriously. 135 Thousand readers can't be wrong.)

Wanna know who's going to #Blissdom in Tennessee this February? Check out this 'unofficial' list at Simply His. I'm itching to put my name on the roll (with like a TON of my invisible blogging friends)... but I'm still trying to figure out how God is going to dump the $800 I need for sponsorship in my lap. I already said today on Twitter that I was going to cry if I end up not being able to go. But I'm not giving up yet...

... wanna sponsor me? If so - just click the button on the top of this blog that says CONTACT. Because I SO want to hear from you!

I just love Mizz Darcy. I also love looking at old pictures of bloggers. And just looking at Darcy and her amazing photog hubby's pictures in general. And I also love it when bloggers let you in on the 'real them'. Cuz we're all just a bunch of techy geeks on the inside - hoping that everyone else won't figure it out. Go read Darcy's post about 'things you should know before you attend the Blissdom blogging conference'. When you are done, then go read Edie's. Super stuff. Just super.

While you read all those great posts, I'll get back to my school planning... chores... and cuddle time with these wonderful kids. Mommy's attentions are needed elsewhere tonight...

i heart faces: Bug Boy

Happy Birthday to I Heart Faces! It's all the rage. If you haven't been there to see their amazing photos, you have to go.

Now that there are like 1,000 entries per challenge, I'm pretty sure I have no hope of winning. Especially since I:

1. Don't have Photoshop yet
2. Don't have any actions to use in Lightroom yet
3. Don't really know what I'm doing in either program
4. Broke my amazingly expensive camera over the holidays when it fell out of the back of my vehicle on to the pavement - committing suicide and killing my 50mm lens along with it
5. Needed a number five to make it an official list

I'm not exactly sure what the theme meant when it said "Best Face Photo". That could mean a LOT of things. Best Face could mean:

1. The person or animal in the photo has the best face
2. The person taking the photo THINKS that person or animal has the best face
3. The person or animal in the photo has the best facial expression
4. The person taking the photo likes that particular photo and thinks it is the best facial photograph they have ever taken
5. The person submitting the photo thinks that the judges will think it's the best face photo

Hmmm.

Are you confused yet? Me too.

Anyway, the picture I picked is probably not my best. I even used 35mm FILM for this shot! Remember those days? It was taken long before I set out to 'BECOME' a photographer. Unless you count that stint in college when I took black and white photography, after I dropped out of journalism class because the teacher said he was going to give us a test on the WHOLE newspaper. But I digress...

I just love this photo.



I have tons more of wonderful pictures of my kids. Have you noticed that I love taking their pictures? It's a sickness. This little boy is about to turn 13 years old. My first teenager. My look-alike. My twin personality. My sweet Kaden. I lurve him.

Him and his bugs. He loves bugs. I love bugs, too... secretly. But that's for another blog post.

Organizing for Homeschoolers

I like lists. I like labels. I like to stack, sort, file, box, hole-punch, binderize, record, scrapbook, and organize. Everything in it's place and a place for everything. Isn't that how the saying goes?

Homeschooling requires a great deal of WORK in the organizational department. I'm by no means 'organized', but I do spend a HUGE amount of time TRYING to be. Probably too much time. I admit that it can become sort of an OCD obsession.

This year I have decided to focus on perfecting my organizing by marrying it with SIMPLIFICATION. That's kind of an ongoing goal that I grandfathered from last year... which will help me to live out my 2010 motto:

"Live on Purpose"

Having a plan is necessary if you want to accomplish a goal. Plans are orderly. Order requires organization.

Painful, I know. But if you take small steps, you might just find that you like getting organized. It feels good to get rid of clutter, give things away, have things in their own place and easy to find, and to have clean surfaces to work on.

Join me as I talk about finding order in a homeschool house... at Complete Organizing Solutions.

What's Your Occupation?

There's a little voice inside us all. Even those of us who aren't blogging. Sometimes that voice is our biggest critic. Other times, it makes much more sense than what the world is telling us.

One such moment when my little voice was 'right for a change' happened as I was checking in to the labor and delivery ward at the hospital last March.

"And what's your occupation?"

I hesitated before answering, just long enough for the admissions clerk to offer her own assertion.

"Homemaker?"

"Yes," I smiled meekly. I watched her fill out the rest of the hospital paperwork and enter data in to the computer.

Why does that question bother us stay-at-home moms so much?

I started to imagine the things I 'could have said'.

'Domestic Engineer' would have been more impressive. I am, after all, engineering a better life for my family through sacrificial, unpaid service 24/7.

'Teacher' - yeah, that's a good one. We homeschool moms are teachers even if there's no paycheck to show for it.

Then my little voice started getting really creative... 'Blogger'. That would be a first. I'd get empty stares for sure. 'Photographer'? 'Writer'? The 'not getting paid' part would make me feel like I was lying (as if it really matters what a hospital clerk or the insurance company thinks).

It might not matter to my HMO provider, but "What's Your Occupation?" is one of the most important questions you can ask someone. Once asked, my little voice wanted the correct answer - even if it never got put on that form; even though the answer was only for my benefit.

According to Dictionary.com...

oc·cu·pa·tion [ok-yuh-pey-shuhn] –noun

1. a person's usual or principal work or business, esp. as a means of earning a living; vocation: Her occupation was dentistry.
2. any activity in which a person is engaged.
3. possession, settlement, or use of land or property.
4. the act of occupying.

Even more interesting...

Synonyms:
1. employment, pursuit, craft, métier. Occupation, business, profession, trade refer to the activity to which one regularly devotes oneself, esp. one's regular work, or means of getting a living. Occupation is the general word: a pleasant or congenial occupation. Business esp. suggests a commercial or mercantile occupation: the printing business. Profession implies an occupation requiring special knowledge and training in some field of science or learning: the profession of teaching. Trade suggests an occupation involving manual training and skill: one of the building trades. 3. occupancy.

Usual, principal work. Engaged in Activity. Pursuit. Regular devotion.

What am I principally engaged in? What is my pursuit? What am I devoted to?

Isn't it a sad world where the most important jobs are those that are the least recognized as valid? How many times have you heard someone say (in disgust) that women are wasting their talent to stay home and raise children? Giving up a career to educate their kids at home?

I mulled over the words that really should be on that form as my occupation:

Christian.
Wife.
Mother.
Daughter.
Friend.

... and yes - even the ones that I hesitated to take credit for because I don't get paid for them...

Teacher.
Writer.
Blogger.
Photographer.
Artist.

I stood there in my house robe at six o'clock in the morning before my induction, my belly swollen with an amazing new child that I would meet that day for the first time, smiling to myself. I wouldn't trade my life. Not for the most important thing - whatever that might be - that someone could say to fill up that blank on the form.

She handed me my arm band and told me where to take the elevator to the labor and delivery ward.

Who wouldn't want to 'make a home'? "Home is where the heart is," I told myself.

Home is where you grow and bloom. It's where everyone knows you - the real you - and they love you any way. It's where your people are - all the ones that you can't get through a day without hugging and kissing. It's where you learn who you really are and what's really important.

What a great thing to be a keeper, a gaurdian, a maker of such a precious place; a place called home.

Suddenly, I wanted her to make me a badge. I wanted her to write my 'occupation' right there under my religion and my blood type on that 'just in case' arm bracelet.

I AM occupied with 'home'. No excuses. No need for hesitation. Go ahead and quote me 'on the record': I'm a homemaker.


P.S. ** updated Monday, January 11th at noon...



This post WAS my entry in to the free ticket to blissdom contest at Skimbaco Lifestyle. They asked us to write about how we live life to the fullest. Give or take an original twist.

I misunderstood the rules of the contest and thought that it was supposed to be posted here at my own blog - but it was supposed to be posted at Skimbaco!

They say the person with the most comments AT Skimbaco's site wins... but I am the real winner - I'm a winner not because I got the $300 ticket to Blissdom, but because I have so many great family and friends! Rather than spam you all again asking for you to come comment at Skimbaco, I'm just going to withdraw my entry (that really wasn't ever entered since it wasn't done right). However, I don't withdraw the message behind the post. Vive la homemaker!

Raining Cheeseburgers? Count me in!

Remember yesterday's post where I talked about how food was beautiful? It's even better looking in a full-feature animated film!

I always said that my middle name should have been cheesebuger. And as a Cheeseburger lover, I figured that any movie with cheeseburgers falling from the sky HAS to be ok? Right? I was hoping so when the opportunity to review 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' fell in my lap. My kids adore the children's book (we actually have it in our home library), and I... adore cheeseburgers.

The movie arrived over Christmas holiday while I was out of town (sorry, Sony Pictures)... but I was thrilled to discover it in my colossal pile of mail after we returned home. I always seem a lot 'cooler' to my kids when I get a 'screener' or some other groovy review item in the mail. They immediately started making plans for a movie night while I tried to imagine what it would be like to watch a movie without Coke and popcorn. Drat those new years resolutions!

Amazingly, the movie was so fun and amusing, I didn't even miss my beloved Coca-Cola Classic except for when we first sat down. What a cute movie! My husband loved it, too. He admitted that he thought it would be a silly movie when it was in the theaters (sorry Sony Pictures), but he was impressed by the DVD (which came out yesterday, by the way - so you can go get a copy right now!).

So what's this about cheeseburger rain? Well it isn't just cheeseburgers. The town where Flint Lockwood (Bill Hader) lives in 'Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs' is getting a Vegas Style Buffet of weather after his latest invention was rocketed to the sky in a freak accident. From a computer in his secret tree-house lab, he's able to program a menu while the rogue satellite invention makes munchies out of the weather system moisture. For an island town that has survived mainly on sardines, it was only a matter of time before their menu-ordering greed became dangerous. His hilarious mustache-eating monkey assistant and the intern 'weather-girl' are on a race to save the planet from massive food-portions and edible weather systems that get increasingly hostile as the machine takes on a mind of it's own.

Was that an awesome run-on sentence or WHAT?!!



My 12 year old son's favorite part of the movie was the beginning, when little Flint got made fun of at school for one of his first inventions: his spray on shoes that wouldn't come off. My 10 year old daughter's favorite part of the show was when Flint's dad used the monkey translator box that Flint created to explain how much he loved his son (because we all know that parents don't always speak the same love language as their kids). My husband loved the part where the cop (played by 'Mr. T' - which only you 80's kids will have heard of) tackles Flint to tell him he has his 'EYE' on him.

It's hard for me to pick a favorite part. The humor all through the show had me in stitches. The animation was impressive and the movie never got slow. In fact, if you want to catch all the humor, you'll have to watch it more than once! I thought that the romance which bloomed between Flint and Sam Sparks (Anna Faris), the 'temporary professional meteorologist', was one of the most tactful that I have seen in any animated movie for kids. Very sweet and nothing improper; just two nerds finding someone else in the world that can 'relate'. How charming!



This movie has a home in my DVD collection. My kids already made us watch it again after grandma came home so she could see it. I love finding movies that are safe and fun for the whole family. What a delicious treat! And of course, that isn't just because it has cheeseburgers in it!

Wanna go see the trailer? Check it out!
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CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF MEATBALLS TRAILER
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I bet you'll be 'hungry for more'.



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Disclosure: This film was a free product provided for me to review without compensation. If you purchase the film through my Amazon link, I'll most likely see a few pennies appear in my associate account. All opinions and remarks in this post are expressly my own.

My Homeschool Lunch #5

Taking pictures of food is a fetish of mine. People on Facebook are always telling me to quit - it makes them hungry... but I just can't seem to help myself. Food is beautiful. Even if you can't see it as good on an iPhone with a vignette blur. Trust me. It was beautiful. Tasted good, too. Contrary to what some say, organic food does NOT taste like cardboard.

I actually told the kids to go get my camera before I remembered that it is in the shop getting 'fixed'. We all just stared at each other. I pretended to cry. Then I pretended I wasn't crying. The kids patted me on the arm, knowingly. They understand my anguish.

I'll be ok.

Not sure how 'fixed' it will be after falling out of the back of an SUV, but I'm sure Best Buy is doing all they can. I called them today to bug them. They said maybe by the 14th they will know something more...

... and none of that is related to this post. But it had to be said, anyway.

The main reason for this post? One of our 'resolutions' was to eat healthier and as organically as possible and I'll be needing LOTS of lunch ideas. The more ideas, the less the chance that I'll be in the drive thru line breaking my vow to not drink coke or eat transfatty fries.

This is where YOU come in. I need your help.

Are you a lunch diva? Can you share your secrets to save us from fast food grease and premature death?

There are only so many ideas I have that don't include frozen dinners and canned soup. Both of which are very expensive if you buy organic. Because a homeschool mom is a BUSY mom. Taking time out in the middle of your schooling is very time consuming and breaks your 'stride'. I'm learning the hard way that if you want to eat healthy, you have to do more than just cooking - you have to PLAN.

This morning, I should have put on a soup pot, but instead, I frantically whipped together pasta salad and tuna salad - enough for my mom and us to enjoy when she stopped in between her piano students. On such a cold day, soup would have been nice. The oportunity was lost in the busy day's activities. Oh, well. There's always tomorrow...

... for a warm potato, chicken and corn soup with chicken broth and cilantro.

What's on your homeschool lunch table? Wanna share? Here's the January link-up for "My Homeschool Lunch". I hope you'll join in and give me some new foodie ideas. Maybe we'll make this a monthly event to keep my steam up all year in the kitchen. And to keep my kitchen steamy. Both of which would be great when it's cold outside.

Quick Links
My Homeschool Lunch (the first in the 'series')
My Homeschool Lunch 2
My Homeschool Lunch 3
My Homeschool Lunch 4




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