The Naked Face Project

 

As I mentioned previously, I've been following Molly and Caitlin with their Naked Face Project for the last 60 days.  The last day is tomorrow.  And although they've asked people to join in for one day...I am looking forward to a Saturday night out with friends and getting able to put on some nice(r) clothes and makeup for the evening so I'll be bailing out of the last day of the project for use of deodorant and lipstick.

However, I often go without makeup and fancy grooming.  Ask my husband.  Poor guy.  Spending last weekend with me in Florida was an example.  Why shower first thing in the morning and get all dolled-up to only lather myself in sunscreen and then sit and sweat at the beach all day while my hair whips in the wind and goes all crazy?   

Or ask my neighbor.  She and I have probably seen each other at our absolute worst (and best).  Through pregnancies, being super tired, disheveled at the end of a long work day.  But given permission to leave our spouses the chance to go out and take a walk together, etc. we are generally only worried about throwing on our gym shoes.  And yes, I'm assuming about her right now but she seems confident and happy when I see her without makeup, not insecure.  I know others who apologize for it ("Sorry I don't have my face on" or "I can't do XYZ until I get myself put together"). 

And in the world of three kids, I RARELY get a lot of time in the bathroom and it's never alone.  And someone is always causing a tantrum, etc. so I rarely am focused on me.  (Tantrum picture above.)  Therefore, I've learned how to get ready in lightning speed.  Focusing on necessities only.  And shaved legs in the winter?  Not necessity.  Again, sorry sweetie. 

I don't think worse of anyone who finds extra time for all that...it's just not me.  I'm just as content in sweats and a pony tail.  But I do wear makeup to work and occasionally even some lipstick.  And I enjoy a good manicure and pedicure.  So I'm not totally a tomboy, but will definitely run to the grocery on a Saturday morning sans makeup even with the very good possibility that I'll run into someone I know.

So check out The Naked Face project and their recent USA Today article HERE.  Could you have completed this challenge?  Are you No Maintenance like Katie?  Low maintenance?  Are are you the person we're always waiting on because it takes you FOREVER to get ready? 

Traveling With Toddlers...Again

As I've mentioned previously, traveling with toddlers is tricky. Especially when you are alone with them in the airport and on the plane. Especially when you have a thousand things to carry and your toddler (you know which one) has no patience, multiple tantrums, runs away, etc. I always feel the biggest sigh of relief after the bag is checked, the car seat is checked and we have made it through security and to the gate.

I could not travel without this backpack. It is from REI which is opening their first store in Cincinnati soon! It has water bottle holders that are big enough for 2 sippy cups on one side, places to clip our travel butterfly pillows, clips to attach little Dora purses that "I can't carry anymore!", lots of great storage inside, a nice front pocket, etc. and it is so comfortable on my back. I look like a nomad I'm sure! Plus I carry another tote bag that completely zips shut.

I also pack lots of snacks and surprises. Books and coloring books that have been ignored forever suddenly become new again. And I space out items throughout the whole trip. The dolls the girls are holding? "Brand new" hand-me-downs sent from a friend - her daughters didn't play with them anymore. I waited until we were at the airport to come back home to get those out. Easily entertained them at the gate and now hopefully on the flight.

We had a great trip visiting my dad. Andy even joined us for part of the weekend. He came down a day after us and went home yesterday to pick up Henry who I think had an awesome time with his cousins in Louisville.

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And Just Like That, I Owed Her a Puppy

This afternoon we went to the pool at my dad's complex. Charlotte was sporting her beloved puddle jumper and Stella tried out some new water wings. They are both extremely different in the water...Charlotte is a fish and Stella screams in horror when the first water droplet hits her face.

We've battled this with Stella for awhile. Last fall we resorted to offering her $1 for every time she'd go underwater at swim lessons each week. After months it only cost me about $4...but we owed Charlotte a car.

So I put the offer out there again today. Because she really wants that damn Fur Real puppy. So I "teased" her by offering up the dollars again for her to save to get that dog someday...because what were the chances?

Well, the joke's on me! About 45 minutes later and she'd earned that damn dog. I have no idea what changed, but she now LOVES going underwater.

That was my hidden agenda for this trip and I will happily purchase the mutt for a mission accomplished!

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My Love of Wine

Just opened some inter-office mail from a friend. A friend who knows me well. She had included this. The coaster says it all...I totally agree!

Made my day...thanks friend!

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Put Me in Yet Another Mommy Category

Mommies I've Been or Currently Am Include:

Prenatal Yoga and Water Aerobics Mommy-to-be
Non-medicated, Doula-using, Natural-birthing Mommy
Breast-feeding Mommy
Working Mommy
Crazy 3-kids-in-3-years Mommy
Hand-me-down-lovin' Mommy
Minivan-driving Mommy
Soccer Mommy
Swim-lessons-count-as-bath-night Mommy
My-kid-is-a-biter Mommy
No Church Nursery = No Mass for Mommy
My-kid-just-said-DAMN IT Mommy
Wine Drinking Mommy (lots and red, please)

And the list goes on and on...

But I just added myself to another "great debate" category. I will be...wait for it...a PUBLIC SCHOOL mommy! Yep, it's official...Stella is registered for kindergarten.

Andy and I were both raised Catholic and attended Catholic grade school. However, we live in an awesome public school district and despite levy issues, still decided to give it a chance. We have been extremely pleased with the events we've been to so far and with feedback from other parents with children in the school.

Boy time flies...kindergarten...seriously? Already??

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Happy St. Patrick's Day

A bit blurry due to cell phone, but still sending the same message,

"Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

Because I'm a Chicken, I Ordered the Chicken Tacos

So many of you know me as such an extrovert and also very comfortable with myself. And I am...usually. But not always when I'm in a situation when I'm by myself...like when I'm traveling alone.

So here's the thing. I hate eating alone in restaurants. HATE. I feel like everyone around me looks at me and wonders why I'm alone, having pity on me because I can't find a dining companion. I usually take something to read just to look busy. Even if I don't end up actually reading any of it.

If I can hide in a dark corner booth, awesome.

So this week I'm at a conference in downtown Atlanta. And I ate alone at Hard Rock last night in the bar area. Not so bad...and others were alone. But tonight I was just going to grab something in the hotel lobby bar. So I went down to it, but then noticed all of the tables were out in the open lobby and filled with groups of people laughing. I didn't have a group...and laughing too much by myself would seem odd. I suddenly felt very alone and awkward. Plus, I couldn't see if they were people from my conference, but thought what if they were and didn't ask me to join them??

So I kept walking and went right back to the elevator (which was out of sight) and went right back to my room and ordered room service.

And I really enjoyed my chicken tacos and French fries...in my pjs!




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Embrace the Camera - Princess Party & Uncle Michael

Just a couple of quick pictures.  The girls and I went to a Princess Birthday Brunch last Saturday and they got all dressed up.  And Uncle Michael is home from Purdue on Spring Break.  Another picture of him and his little buddy...

Whatcha Might Not Know...Dispensing Meds

<Whatcha Might Not Know are Wednesday posts that are just that...something quick that you may or may not know about me, my family, my neighborhood, my city, my world, etc.>

Andy and I have a parenting rule about medicine.

If a kid is on a medicine only one parent can dispense it

(unless other parent is gone for the evening, etc.).

We usually elect a primary dispenser.

That way there isn't any double-dosing, etc.

I saw this chart idea probably on Pinterest.

Not all bottles leave enough space to make a nice little chart.

But one of Henry's last ones did.

And for those of you asking...little man is feeling great.

Let's hope the tubes keep working!

* I wrote this on Monday and totally jinxed myself...

little guy has a fever today...

and I'm on an airplane to Atlanta for work at noon.

OY!

St. Patrick's Decor: From Love Hutch to Lucky Hutch

 In January, I decorated the family room hutch in a LOVE theme:  

 

Well, Valentine's Day came and went and it was time to rethink the area for St. Patrick's Day.  So I found some more printables online.  The one on the top shelf reads "We might just be the luckiest people alive" and I put that by photos of our three kids during their first week of life.  I kept our lovey photos of Andy and me and added a "Lucky to be in love with my best friend" printable.  Then I exchanged the candy hearts for split peas in the hurricane candle holders.  Finally, I framed a rainbow Stella made while we were at the CET free science event.  I added the Thumbprint Clover artwork the kids made and... tah-dah... complete!

 

 

Laundry Room Finale

If you've been around a week or two...you know it was time to clean out my laundry room.  To catch up, Part 1 of the process was HERE and my post on the IKEA shelves was HERE.  We finally finished up some things around the weekend and here are the last of the before/after shots:

Nice shelf to hold the iron (I use it twice a year)

and a canvas bin for all of the laundry bags.

I am happy to report that after sorting through it all yesterday,

90% the contents of the filing cabinet below,

the huge stack on top of it,

and the stack right next to it on the shredder 

will be headed to the shredding event

this weekend offered by our police department.

We picked up another IKEA shelf and

now I have space for my laundry baskets,

the girls boots that were scattered in the entry,

our "one-diaper-one-pull-up-wipes-and-snacks" bags for outings

and a few of my purses.

I promise to find a new "curtain", but for now...project complete!

An Appetizer Lunch

Yesterday morning the girls and I attended a Princess Birthday Brunch at the "castle" of one of Charlotte's classmates.  The brunch was from 10-12 and included an egg casserole, an oatmeal bake and some mini pigs-in-a-blanket.  Followed by a huge cupcake with loads of yummy frosting.  Were the girls hungry for lunch when we got home?  Um, no.  But I wanted them to eat something that afternoon.  So I put together an appetizer plate around 1:30 not expecting much.  Some carrots, raspberries, cheese, wheat thins, peanut butter pretzels, and mini pepperonis. 

I thought they could snack a bit while they played.  No real expectation that they'd eat much.

About 15-20 minutes later I glanced over because they had run off into the other room.  And the plate was practically empty.  Snacking success!  We may do lunch like this more often.  I think the fact that it was presented in a new way and was "fun" helped.

Paint by the Glass - This Saturday's Shout-Out

Thursday night I went to Paint by the Glass with two of my grad school girlfriends.  It was a lot of fun.  Most nights there is a specific picture everyone is working on at the same time.  Our night it was "Heels and Pearls".  So basically the picture of the heels and pearls was already drawn on the canvas in pencil.  And then the instructor took us step-by-step through the process of adding the colors - which you have full choice of...differences shown below.  Check out their photo gallery on their FB page.

Locals - They apparently have kids' events now as well and can host birthday parties and private events, etc.  Looks as though Thursday nights are at a reduced price with some of them LADIES nights when a bottle of wine was less than $12.  The free appetizers were good, but don't plan for it to be a substitute for dinner.  Meatballs that were gone before the three of us even got up there, brownie bites, veggie tray, and cheese tray.

Where do you like to go for Girls Night Out?

Today Don't Read Me, Read Amber

The picture above is of me in the summer of 2001. I was about 25-30 lbs. heavier than I am today. The next sentence is NOT to get comments like "you look great now!", etc. When I look in the mirror...I still see that body above with about another 5-10 lbs. added on to it.  But it's not something I obsess about...I don't crash-diet, I'm not exercising every minute - heck, I'm completely out of shape right now, but I do still eat rather healthy.  However, my mind always sees others as skinnier, more fit, etc.  That's what I focus on.  Can I blame society and media?  Sure.  But I have to start with owning my own thoughts.  And Amber helped with this.

One of the very first posts I ever wrote was about weight...my weight.  Now today's post isn't exactly about my weight loss experience, but rather about body image in general and our society's view of being thin and what we can do about it. 

So now you have to leave me and go and read Amber's recent posts - I Judge You, To Judge Myself which will lead you to You Can Never Be Too Rich or Too Thin? Screw That.

Amber is not alone.  I know she's not because I could totally relate.  I could have written some of her sentences - particularly the ones where she describes what happens in her mind when she meets someone.  I've gotten better as I've aged and had children etc. but I'm still guilty of sizing up...true confession...judgy judgy me.    But I do it for the exact same reason - to determine why someone wouldn't want to be bothered with me.

Go out and support groups like Girls on the Run.  Be interested in things like the Naked Face Project.  Make a difference by loving yourself and not by focusing on a mental math equation that makes no sense to your self worth.  I'm working on it with every new person I meet.

St. Patrick's Day Clover Clippie

Yesterday I was all set to re-visit my Target adventure or really lack-there-of since it'd been exactly 2 months since I stepped inside of one.  But the day job got crazy and I worked through lunch and even a bit after bedtime (my two main blogging times).  So that will have to wait.  Need to catch up?  Start with Dear Target and follow-up with Love Letter #2.

I'm also still finishing my St. Patrick's decor on my living room hutch and putting final touches on my laundry room.  So more to come on those.  But for now...shamrock clippies!  I pinned this idea from an Etsy shop, made my own, and my girls will be wearing them proudly on St. Patrick's Day.  I also made a few new green headbands.

 

Today's Creative Blog

Real Women of Pinterest at NTB

Just Cool It

There are so many things going on right now that it's hard to juggle it all.  Almost like the crazy and devestating storms that were nearby on Friday sent my world a bit out of kilter.  I'll just ask for comforting thoughts for a friend and healing thoughts for a relative.  And lots of prayers for those that had their entire lives flattened by the tornadoes.

 

We went to dinner last night with my aunt and uncle.  It was a great, family friendly restaurant (meaning LOUD).  The waitress quickly brought drinks and snacks and got the kids' orders into the kitchen as fast as she could.  And then...the food came.  And it was HOT.  There's nothing worse than a "starving" child sitting and looking at food he/she can't touch.  This is one time I'd rather it sit back there instead of speedy delivery.  Lukewarm would be just fine.  Does this peeve anyone else???

 

More tomorrow (I'll even throw in a picture) when the cobwebs disappear from my brain.  Hope everyone had a great weekend!

 

Ikea - This Saturday's Shout-Out

So, I started to tell y'all about the laundry room yesterday.  And the biggest thing was removing the table and creating space for this:

We had some pretty awful storms near and around us last night.  The only good thing that came out of them was the fact that Andy's office closed at 3:30 to make sure people could make it home safely.  His office is right next to Ikea so I looked up the aisle/bin number from home and he was in and out of there within 10 minutes before heading home.

I LOVE it!

Since it wasn't replacing any actual storage, it created tons of it!  It allowed me to move all of the kids' craft supplies out of the kitchen and organize it better.  I got a few bins from Walmart (still haven't been in a Target) and felt like a kid in a candy store getting everything in its place last night.  Sitting on top of the shelf is the "mail station" - where I can finally organize all of the artwork that goes out the door to the out-of-town grandparents.  This frees up some space on the desk.

In the other half of the shelf, I was able to move the games and puzzles that didn't have a real home and were always too high for the kids to reach.  The bottom shelves have some of our outdoor toys and bike helmets.  On top, the swim lesson bag.

So, Ikea came through for us again.  We have used a lot of their stuff throughout our house.  Totally helps that the store is only 3.4 miles door-to-door.  With it that close, you would think I went there often, but not really. 

There's probably one more laundry room post before it's all finished.  Tonight Andy's putting up another shelf and then the project should be complete!

Cost so far: Ikea cube shelving unit ($69.99) and Walmart storage containers ($35).

Laundry Room Re-Do Part 1



My house doesn't have a pantry, but I'm blessed with an awesome laundry room.  When you come into the house from the garage you enter a small mudroom.  From there you can either go right into our kitchen or left into our laundry room.  I absolutely LOVE having the laundry on the first floor.

The problem with the laundry room is that it becomes a dumping ground for stuff that shouldn't be in there.  Case in point...a coffee maker.  See it up there on the table?  Um, Andy got a Keurig for his birthday back in December.  The coffee maker has been sitting on that table since then.  Speaking of the table, I thought it would be so nice to have when we moved in that I asked for it when we bought the house...I'd fold laundry on it.  Um, never folded laundry on it.  But could probably be in the world-record book for most number of piles balanced on one table.

There are other issues with the room...a filing cabinet we haven't touched since 2009.  Disorganized shelves, etc. 

So today I spent a majority of the day cleaning out, sorting and rearranging the laundry room.  It felt refreshing.  First thing to go...

...the table!  Andy's working on an Ikea item to fill that spot...I. am. so. excited!  And you might be able to see some of the handled bins I bought for the shelves.  And I straightened the "curtain".  Well, this area is over a crawl space and it stays freezing in the winter.  I keep meaning to buy an actual curtain (for about 3 years), but this blanket folded over has kept it much warmer the past few winters.  I did take the first steps by measuring the window today!

More to come as the project is completed.