The Windy City
I miss Chicago.
Although I was there for only 36 short hours, I fell in love.
The food was incredible. How can I eat another regular pizza again?
I'm sure you've never had a Hoovertini.
Good news is, I survived.
The trip was such a great success.
Internet Media, read my badge.
I had photography rights that only few others had. I felt a sense of power, I admit.
I got *~~~* that close to Paula Deen. The Queen of
I met other women, mothers, bloggers that were beautiful inside and out.
And...I only broke out once. It was with Holly, dang it, at the end of the last hour of my trip. Luckily I had a spare antihistamine and didn't have to bring out a bandaid and lie about some shaving accident. By my eye.
Anyway.
Lucky for me, I met some great new friends, Mari and Rich.
They were generous enough to give me a tour of the city, bring me Chicago pizza, Garrett's popcorn, and offer an appreciation of the city I had come to visit.
96 floors off the ground is the Signature Lounge in the Hancock Building.
Literally in the clouds, the view is stunning.
At the International Home and Housewares show, I cleaned up a little Gatorade spill with the Hoover FloorMate. Then washed and dried the floor. With the same machine. Which was awesome.
Honey, I promise to do this at home too.
I got the blues...
in a good way of course!
...did I mention the Hoovertinis (with Lee, Jessi, and Ruth)?
....more to come....
Free Stuff is Cool!
Have you checked out my review/giveaway blog lately?Giveaways galore!
Barbar Flat Iron, CD, DVDs, Gift Certificate, Photo Poster, and a fun back-to-school gift pack.
Just saying.
But, if you're not doing anything and you want to win some cool stuff, go enter!
http://www.themomreviews.com
Good Luck!
BlogHer 2010 Campaign
No, I'm not at BlogHer.I would have told you.
A kajillion times.
Just home, doing the normal stuff.
Normal stuff. Like normal conversations that include stuff like this...
Hubby: So how many times did the Fed Ex guy come today so far?
Me: Just twice today. (not looking up from the computer)
DQ: Product review or contest win?
Hubby(to the kids) : Shh...mommy's "working"
The Kids(to daddy) : No, mommy's crying because she didn't go to BlogHer!
Okay that last one isn't true, completely.
I'm so excited for all my blog-pals that are in Chicago living it up!
2010 is my year!
Nevermind that I thought this year was my year, but really, 2010 is my year.
I've come up with a motto, and it rhymes!
The Mom Jen in Two Thousand Ten
BlogHer, BlogHer, YEAH!
Or something like that.
I'm still working on the details and the dance moves and leg kick.
It's kinda a campaign slash cheer.
I kinda liked...
I AM BLOGGER, Hear me ROAR!
But that was kinda feminist/cavewoman-speak, so probably not.
Hmm...
Okay, anyway, next year is MY year.
Who's with me?
**UPDATE: It's in New York City next year!!!*
BlogHer & Capri Sun Giveaway Last Call
Head over to my other blog and enter to win the $250 Visa Gift Card generously donated by BlogHer and Capri Sun!http://therapeuticadfree.blogspot.com/
Winner will be chosen Wednesday July 8, 2009.
FANTABULOUS Giveaway!
I've teamed up with BlogHer and Capri Sun and we're giving away a $250 Visa gift card!!You read that right!
Talk about stimulating your package!
The only quirk? This amazing giveaway is posted on an AD FREE page, so head over to...
Therapeutic Ad-Free
...and enter there.
All comments for that contest need to be posted on that blog site, to be officially entered!
Contest runs today through July 8, 2009. Plus, there are 7 other sites hosting the same giveaway, enter them all!
So tell a friend, or 10, and good luck!
Plain Jane..err, Jen
It's funny when you blog about your life.For me, it's like talking.
And someone actually listening.
I mean I tell everything to my Hubby all the time, not sure if he HEARS it...but it's all good.
And true.
You have people often ask...Does K really scooter around with snails? Does K really talk like that? Is DQ that sarcastic? Does everyone say those funny things you write about? Did someone really recognize K at Target.
Yup, yeah, yes, oh yeah, and yessiree-bob!
Can't make this stuff up.
I'm not THAT creative.
Ask anyone.
We really did take a large boulder and a snail for a car ride to the recycling plant last week too. When we stopped at the grocery store on the way home we left it in the car. Returning, we were eager to find it, it was on the car door...trying to get out.
No kidding.
Having 3 kids 10, 8, and 3 is a HOOT. A HOOT I tell ya!
What was the first thing my son said when we were left alone in the exam room at the eye dr? "I'm bored!" Are you kidding me, we had done all the prelim tests and were in there 5 seconds alone when the optician left and said, "the doctor will be right in."
5 seconds and he's already bored.
Can't. Make. This. Up.
So it's not the funniest thing around. It's not the most entertaining.
It's actually quite mundane. Dull. And, kinda boring itself.
But to me, it's hilarious. You can't please kids. Why should I be surprised?! I am, but I shouldn't be.
That's my life.
Full of the mundane.
I often crack myself up with this stuff. Typing it makes me laugh all over again.
Writing about helps me remember it.
Sharing it, well...that's up to you what you do with it.
YOU Design the Necklace Contest
Yet Another Jay and Deb Production.
If you don't know Kristen from Kristen's Custom Creations, you must meet her!
She is a beautiful woman inside and out, she has a darling son, and she makes the most incredible jewelry around! I own a beautiful piece of her work, and have purchased many necklaces for family and friends. Check them out!
Everytime she introduces new pieces, it astounds me, her talent is limitless!
In a tribute to mothers, grandmothers, aunts, sisters, and friends, Kristen has teamed up with me to offer an amazing giveaway at my review site, Therapeutic.
Head over to Therapeutic and enter the You Design the Necklace Contest and Giveaway. The winning fabulous idea will be created by Kristen and awarded to the designer as a Mother's Day gift!!
Do you feel creative?! Would you love to see your work translated into art? Walk...no...RUN over and enter...there are up to 10 possible chances to win!
Good Luck!
Are You?...Do You....Blog!?
I knew I should have showered today!I was strolling through Target this morning, following K around the toy aisles.
A woman was doing the aisle dance as well, as we'd see her every few minutes.
Staring at us...
Did I remember to put K's pants on?! I kept checking her out because I thought, why the staring.
Did I remember to put MY OWN pants on?! I started getting self-conscious.
Finally, the cute girl in black came up to me.
I thought, CRAP, I didn't shower, my hair must look
"Are you...Do you..Blog?!"
My eyes must have bugged out of my head like they do in the cartoons.
Tucking my slimy hair behind my ear, as I do when I'm nervous, something came out of my mouth and I think it was, "Yeaaaaahhhh."
Her smile was big and beautiful and she commented that she recognized K from her pictures on my blog and how adorable she was.
AW!!
I was blushing so hard and my pits started to moisten.
We had a lovely chat, she's a local, also dipped her toes in the blogging world, realized I was from Cali...and then made the final connection.
A mom, a dance teacher, we chatted a few minutes about dancing and how she taught with DQ's studio owner at one point. I probably said "I'm so embarassed" about 10 times, but hopefully she didn't notice.
MAN, I should have showered.
It was definately my first experience to have
I felt a bit outed, a bit like a celeb, a bit proud.
My 15 minutes of fame.
**Hi Lisa!** Thanks for reading. Thanks for making my day! ;)
One Year of Therapy
Today is my official blog-anniversary.One year ago I started blogging with this post.
Aw.
So as a gift to myself, I've been working on restyling my blog a little and doing some upgrades.
I have my own domain name on both blogs. You can find me at http://www.themomjen.com/ now.
-enter Toys 'r' Us song, "I'm a big kid now."
Also my review/giveaway site is now http://www.themomreviews.com/ and you can link to it by clicking the tab above. Check it out too, I have some rockin' giveaways going on, and some you WILL NOT want to miss coming up soon.
Hey it's free stuff essentially. Just a few hoops to enter, easy peasey. Tell a friend or six.
If you had me on your blogroll or in a reader, double check your links and upgrade them to my new addresses or click on the Feedburner tab (orange one) and add yourself that way and get my updates in your choice of reader.
Wow, A Thousand Words Thursday's has really taken off too! I'm loving visiting all your sites and checking out your photos and stories behind them.
Thanks to all my readers, commenters, visitors, and friends.
Thanks to my family too for the never-ending inspiration. You can't make this stuff up!
The support and love I've received over the past year has saved me $$$ in real therapy.
Here's to many more.
I'm That Parent
I never realized I was this competitive!Yesterday DQ came home with a permission trip for her next field trip. I read it over and it said ONLY 5 chaperones per class (of 35 kids). It's a CONTEST too?!
I scanned some more and found out they were going to the Museum of Art and Science in SF and squealed/gasped. AND, they're taking those fancy luxury buses!
Like a flash, I threw my shoes on, grabbed DQ and drove right back to the school to turn
DQ--MOM! We can turn it in tomorrow!
ME--What and be that 6th permission slip?! NEVER.
DQ--The teachers are in a meeting!
ME--So, I'll only be a minute.
I threw open the door of her classroom as she hid outside, completely embarassed.
"Hi, here it is, here's the slip, sounds like fun, I'll donate money, so...so....can I go?!" I said a little too loudly, practically out of breath.
4 fifth grade teachers looked at me like I just barfed, eyes wide, mouth agape.
DQ's teacher took the slip from my grasp and said hesitantly and quietly, like she was dealing with the nutjob that I clearly was, "Oh. Okay. Thanks. Ah. Um..You're in. Sure...you can go."
I wanted to jump in the air and do one of those feet claps, or kiss her, but I held back.
"Cool! Great! Super! I'll be there. Great. Cool. Okay I already said that! Okay, sorry, go back to your meeting! Woo. Bye!"
I'm sure I totally scared them all.
I walked outside proud as pie, while my daughter rolled her eyes at me.
I didn't care if we were going on a trip to the world biggest lint ball. I'm in. I'm one of five. One of five...of thirty-five.
I won! hee hee!
Header, Header, What Do You See?
The other day Hubby and I were chatting about my recent blog post and he said, "are there pictures under that bracelet on your header?"WHAT the...
Bracelet?
I had no idea what he meant.
"Did you put pictures under the little gems of the kids?"
Come again.
I went to load up my blog and looked.
"Look at the center grey one. Well, all of them."
I looked.
I concentrated.
I crossed my eyes a little.
Well I guess I see an eye in the top right.
"No, a baby face, eyes, nose, that eye you see is the baby's headband!"
Did he just say a baby's headband?!
Are you feeling okay honey?
(Looking at my imaginary watch that wouldn't have the date on it anyway) Is it time for you next eye exam?
"Pfft." (stomps off)
I looked again.
I covered one eye.
I began seeing the Gerber baby.
Or a kewpie doll.
It's not a headband, it's a beret.
Okay, he's not crazy.
Do you see it?
Kah-razy Keywords
It's been a while since i've checked on the keywords people enter into Google or Yahoo search and then find my site...Small arms are cheaper than ever before
um...okay how much to rid that flappy part?
wines for Bunco night
that was so early-blog me, i'm onto vodka and triple sec now
pumpkin pulp on hair
that is some crazy carving session
mom sex blogs pot
officer it's not what you think...
Mrs Roper costume
next year for sure
lazy dog jango
that makes perfect sense to link to me
a good luck necklace when you wish on it it comes true to buy
if only....
the dramatics blogspot
yeah so what of it?
"bugaboo friends"
hoobalooba cootchie coo is our code word
Kaycee girl with birds
um hmm, yeah, you betcha
how to stop Googling symptoms
i'm betting there's a 12-step program somewhere
words that sound like Thursday
mursday, shlursday, zursday
giveaway -"HP Magic"-cosmo -frock -costume -grosgrain -cd -dvd -book -obama -wrath -nimli -ticket -epson -kai -stroller -"build a bear" -boot -ca
WHAT the heck are you really looking for, I mean, seriously!
creepy mommy blogs
really, is it the snowflake hat?
I Do Really Know Her!
My cell phone rang Friday and DQ brought it to me."It's Mrs4444. Who is that?"
Oh i'm so excited, it's Barb, my blog-friend!!
We've chatted before on the phone and she is just as lovely as she is on her blog, Half-Past Kissin' Time. We discussed the blogging world, meeting at BlogHer '09, and about life in general.
DQ--So, you don't really know her right?
Me--Well, I know her through her blog, and we've talked a couple times on the phone. We exchanged Xmas cards. I feel I know her.
DQ--But, you don't know her, know her?! Not in person.
Me--I feel like i'm on trial here, yes. You are correct.
DQ--So you might go to a place you've never been (Chicago) and hang out with people you've never met?
Me--Yeah.
DQ--Sounds weird.
So my daughter is concerned about me. She is worried that I'm talking to an imaginary friend on the phone. One that only exists on my computer screen. I can see her concern, I'd be worried about her if she got a call from a Penguin on Club Penguin. That would be freaky. But, I digress.
I know a lot about Barb. She's a teacher, and I love those! She has an amazing family cookbook that she has shared with me and is a fabulous cook. Her new site, Mrs4444 Cooks is the next Pioneer Woman Cooks site, mark my words! Her kids have great names, her hubby dresses like Buddy the Elf, and that's my favorite movie! We would SO be friends in real life.
If you haven't met Mrs4444 yet, visit her sites. She is the founder of Friday Fragments too and what a perfect concept that's been for so many bloggers!
A Jay and Deb Production.
A Second Home
No, not in the snowy mountains of South Lake Tahoe, or beachfront in Maui.My second blog-home.
Big difference.
*SIGH* But, now that i'm all depressed about not owning a home in either Tahoe or Maui, let's talk just a minute about Therapeutic.
I started a new blog to highlight my product reviews and giveaways. I've been approached a lot lately to test out products I feel my readers would enjoy, and bonus giveaways with some offers as well.
Check it out. It's a smaller, cozier place, nice lighting. Good location. Think of it as my "guest quarters." While you're there, 'follow' me so you can be up to date with my latest news and great contests. Therapeutic's sidebar offers a sneak-peek to what i'll be talking about in the weeks to come.
All my neuroses will be all tucked nice and gently into this blog, no overflow into the second house. Vice-versa as well, I won't be posting my reviews or contests here anymore. Deal.
EXCEPT FOR TONIGHT. I'll be drawing the two winners of the Chicken Soup books and will be posting them here and on Therapeutic.
Now I must get back to dreaming of spending my future Christmases on a beautiful island, sand between my toes, sipping a Mai Tai, extra Tai.
I Think There's a Point to this Post
I like people.I guess i'm a 'people person.'
I'm fascinated by others. Their lives, their looks, their stories, what makes them tick.
People watching is a favorite past time. Airports, malls, school PTO meetings, restaurants.
It's why I love blogging and reading blogs. You get to jump into someone else's life for a bit and see how they live. How I may or may not have an easier life than the next guy (girl). Not so much to compare, but to put things in perspective.
When times are tough for me (and I mean in my mind because the home life is awesome) I tend to take the WOE IS ME path and something inside me gets all dread-y like and suddenly i'm the ONLY person in the world dealing with these particular issues.
You need people, friends, other bloggers to talk with, learn about, commiserate with to tell yourself, 'ah, i'm NOT the only one that deals with this!'
For that, I thank You, and you, and you over there rocking in the corner.
My hubby is so not like that. I mean he's a nice guy to others, but people don't excite him. He prefers the inanimate like tools and machines, and fixing things that may or may not be broken.
We're different that way, always have been. Not that it's a bad thing we're different. Engineer major, I was a human development major. He did math and physics, and other stuff that had numbers and letters jumbled together that weren't words. I wrote papers on people, and studied people, and did interships in schools with little people.
I'm not sure where I was going with this post, but I'm just happy to find a place for me here in the blogging world. I never knew how powerful writing could be. I've always loved reading books, but reading blogs is so much better. I may spend a butt-load of time on the computer, but I will never say it's time wasted. Definately time well-spent learning about and enjoying the people that I love.
Blog to Blog
New game. Thanks Jo-Jo for the shout. Visit 4 of your daily blog reads. From each blog choose another blog from their blogroll that you've never visited.Try that blog out for a month and see what happens. They may become your new fave, who knows! Then duplicate the main part of this post with a note on whose blog you got it from. Name the four new blogs you are going to read, tell briefly why you chose them and whose blog roll they came from. And if you want, coerce others mercilessly into joining in!
Just add that extra 8 hours in my day and we're golden!
Heading over to Insane Mama's place I see Holy Crappers and think that blog has to be funny! It is. They drink beer!
Next, I strolled through my girl G's place and the blog A Soft Place to Land sounds really inviting....like a warm blanket on a cold day.
My new friend Elizabeth a The ParentingPink Blog has a great blog. I peeked at her friends list and saw something that reminded me of Seasame Street, but sunnier. Try out Living on Sunshine Street.
I love Jill's blog, she is a world away living in India, so I thumbed through her blogroll next. I see a blog name that has passed my lips before...but when answering the MOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!! call...Mommy Doesn't Live Here Anymore.
Your turn.
It's Bling-Business Time
Some FABULOUS women were so kind to grace me with the following awards. Major blush-fest for me, thanks to all of you. Now the BEST part, paying it forward!!Nevermind that Brittany is way-YOUNGER than me, she is far more skilled in blog land that i'll ever be. This award is for you, you are a gem!!
Sisters Jill, Jill, Bo Bill and Amelia Bedelia are so dang funny, witty, and sweet, I want to be a part of their family! Until the adoption clears, they're my BFF's!!
Kristen, need I say more? I just am amazed by her creativity with every new piece of jewelry she designs, beautiful, powerful messages, smart!
This award goes to Jamey, I know her IRL, she's a bunco-mate of mine, she rocks the PTO at our school, and I am so loving her blog!!
Rachel rocks! Her photography is amazing, her digital scrapbooking is stellar, and she has an engaging writing style that is admirable!
Weird. Just plain weird.
This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.Dad, Dad, So SAHD
Hubby's dream is to be a stay-at-home-dad.It is, really. Ask him.
He loves to joke and say "when your blogging career takes off, I'm staying at home with the kids!"
Did he get a memo that Dooce is looking for a sidekick?!
Hubby's an outside person. The kids are too. He would be outside with the kids in the rain, the
There'd be science projects bubbling in the garage, new shelving units in all the closets, and our dad-built swingset would be all pimped out with reinforced pipes and lumber and other hardware store gizmos.
Everyone would enjoy their gummy worm breakfasts and Oreo lunches.
No rules, just fun times.
Not like me at all. I'm the mean parent. I MAKE the kids brush their teeth, shower, and eat fruits and vegetable
No Honey, strawberry jello doesn't count as a 'fruit group.'
Maybe it's better I stay a 'low key' blogger. It's like job security.
Don't want hubby to take my
Who Would Turn Down an Award?
Well, duh! Who doesn't like an award?There are the Academy Awards for great movies, Gold Medals for athletic achievement, Bonuses for work well done. What's wrong with a blog award?
A blog award is given to people like a pat on the back. An affirmation that someone enjoys your writing, your style, your humor. Words of encouragement. Why shake a finger at that?
I've been home for 10 years raising our 3 children. Out of the workforce, often out of social scene. Just me and the four walls, and the kids. Maybe it's pathetic to say I won't be getting any mother of the year awards for most poopy diapers changed in a day or most hours using earplugs.
So a pat on the back or knowing I put a smile on someone's face today, makes me feel good, hells yeah, makes me feel great.
Those little gadgets are so dang cute too. I love cute things.
Most of all, I am happy to give that award back! Give it to people that inspire, entertain, and make me laugh! It's a reciprocal relationship between bloggers. Plus, maybe you'll find out about a blog you didn't know about before, new friends.
Dammit they just makes the world a happier place! ;)
...and without further ado....
Tiffany, The Neurotic Mom, Jaime, Princess, and MamaofRomance were so sweet to pass on this rockin' award to me! Check them out, they're fab too!
The rules for sharing the love are:
* Pick Bloggers that you feel are Kick Ass Bloggers
* Let em' know in your post or via email, twitter or blog comments that they've received an award
* Share the love and link back to both the person who awarded you and back to MammaDawg
* Hop on back to the Kick Ass Blogger Club HQ to sign Mr. Linky then pass it on (which you can also get to on the above link).
I award this lovely award to some bloggers I KNOW kick serious BOOTAY!
Becky--my great friend from the 2001 Moms Group! We've know eachother 7+ years and she's a sweet person and has some powerful posts, go support her!
Charmed--OMG, if you want to laugh yourself silly, read this!
MsK is a mom, teacher, and one of my new fave bloggers!
And thank you to Amy at Thoughts from the Mrs. I appreciate you sharing the love with me!
..and I shall pass on the love to the following bloggers...
MomDot--What is not to love about Toni, Alicia, and Trisha?? These ladies are amazing, funny, entertaining, and have the best contests on the planet!
Rebecca--her second blog focuses on her amazing photography and is an inspiration to me, someday she's going to teach me all she knows!
