The Bee Chronicles

Wordless Wednesday- Jacob: International Man of Mystery

2012-01-11T14:40:00.000-05:00

The Garfield Show: Dinosaurs and Other Animal Adventures DVD Giveaway

2012-01-10T11:30:00.003-05:00

The Garfield Show
Dinosaurs and Other Animal Adventures DVD
Vivendi Entertainment

Synopsis: Everyone’s favorite cat is at it again! Join this larger than life feline and his animal friends as they embark on a series of adventures from digging up dinosaur bones, working with farm animals and discovering life under the sea. No stone is left unturned as Garfield takes us through the history of dogs, attends a pet show and even prepares to eat a pet goldfish! Being part of the animal kingdom has never been any more exciting!

This DVD has 6 episodes:

Down on the Farm
The Pet Show
Bone Diggers
Underwater World
Fish to Fry
History of Dogs

I've always loved reading Garfield the comic strip and watching the TV specials as a child. I was happy to see that I could pass this love onto my children ages 4 and 6 1/2. My favorite part about these cartoons was the fact that although they were computer animated, they still held truer to the actual comic strip than the movies have. My children loved this DVD, and with all of the shows on there, it is about as long as a movie (or just watch one and you have a short 15 minute episode. The only (possibly) negative comment I have about the disc is that only 1 of the 6 episodes has anything to do with Dinosaurs. The rest are about other topics. Overall, this is a great DVD that keeps them entertained and asking for more. I'm so glad I could introduce them to my love of Garfield!

WHERE TO BUY - The dvd is available at a discount at Amazon.

PRIZE - DVD – The Garfield Show-Dinosaur & Animal Adventures

HERE’S HOW TO WIN…Please use Rafflecopter form for ALL entries. Blog comments unfortunately will not be counted.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received no other compensation for this review except for the DVD mentioned. Giveaway is open for residents of the US and Canada only. Winner will have 48 hours to respond to notification with shipping info and claim prize – if no response, another winner will be chosen . Subject to the official rules. No purchase necessary – void where prohibited by law. Review sample and prize provided by the giveaway sponsor.

Christmas blues

2012-01-02T09:23:00.000-05:00

After Christmas this year, I looked at Mr. B with tears in my eyes (hormonal ball of blah that I am right now), told him as much as I loved Christmas, I was so glad that it was over.

Glad I was done preparing for Christmas while being bone-numbing tired and simultaneously nauseous.

Tired of doing everything alone while he was working 80 hour weeks.

Christmas Decorations went down on the 27th. So over it this year.

Not to say it wasn't a wonderful Christmas. The kids had a great Christmas, and I loved spending time with my family.

This year my spirit just wasn't in it like normal. I didn't even get to all the activities I wanted to do with the kids. I can't wait for my energy to be back to normal. I'm still waiting, and it does seem to be getting better, along with the nausea, over the past 2 weeks.

The reason my energy is back up could be that Mr. B has been home helping out. He goes back to work tomorrow, and I'm sure we are back to 80 hour work weeks. It makes me want to cry, if I think about it. So I won't.

Luckily it should slow down for him.... at the end of summer.

On better news, Jacob has been coming up for names for the Baby. I'm trying to keep a running tally. Here are some of them.

Girl Names
Battlebug
Keisha
Flower
Leaf Cruncher

Boy Names
Battlesticks
Football Dance
Christmas tree

In the meantime, I am busy planning a Birthday Party for Drew, who will be 7 at the end of January. Can you believe it? I remember when he answered every question like a little dutch boy.

How about all of you? Are you glad the Holidays are over or are you sad to see them go? I always look at January as the beginning of looking forward to spring. The days only get longer from here!

See, look how I am being positive! I'm sure I can keep it up until the end of summer.... or at least I can try.

2 + 1 =

2011-12-05T12:50:00.000-05:00

Okay, I'm officially calling it.

I'm Pregnant. Almost 11 weeks (!) It happened really fast after we made our decision to start trying. I announced it on our Christmas cards, just as an aside. I thought it was cute, but of course I did fret about if people thought doing that was showy. My news, I can share it how I want to, right?

I have been so sick and exhausted I haven't been able to do much, and not talking about it on my blog has been brutal! So glad the cat is out of the bag!

I'm nervous and excited and nervous and nauseous. This puts a real rush on getting the house ready to sell, unfortunately I am so freaking tired and Mr. B is working overtime, so it's been impossible to do. I wish the "magical getting your house ready to sell fairy" could come over here. (Design to sell anyone?)

Did I mention I'm really tired and nauseous? This pregnany is kicking my butt! Hopefully that means it's a girl.... hope hope hope. This one has been harder than the others. I'm looking forward to the second trimester.

Now that I can talk about this, I will be back with more soon.

Slacker

2011-11-28T13:40:00.001-05:00

I'm a bum. I admit it, I've been preoccupied and too lazy to post. I didn't even post for Jacob's Birthday! (Hangs head in shame.) I've just been tired and BUSY. Since I can't seem to post any real entries, here is a list post about what we've been up to, because I love lists (and they're easier-again, LAZY).

1. 4 is a good age. Definite improvements in my little guy has made days with him fun again!
2. The boys are playing so nicely together, it's awesome. Probably due to #1.
3. The dog is driving me up the wall. Seriously, he needs to be entertained constantly. It's very annoying.
4. Trying to get the house ready to sell.
5. Busy trying to get Christmas all taken care of. The decorations are up, some gifts, bought, cards ordered, so we are getting there. I make Christmas cookies in the second half, so I need all my time for that.
6. Trying to keep Drew, who is 6 1/2, to believe in Santa Claus. It's getting really dicey, he keeps asking very sensible questions. My favorite was "I don't know if Santa Claus is real. I don't think he would come down the chimney, ours is so dirty."
7. Trying to remember to move our Elf each day. Remembering is hard, yo.

Uh... that's all I have for the moment.... More to come, I promise!

Happening

2011-11-10T08:43:00.000-05:00

So we officially have a meeting with a realtor on Friday. This is finally happening. I cannot wait to sell our house-- well for the day that we are officially free of this house, this money pit. I know some people think I exaggerate about how bad my house is, and some people have said it's a cute, nice house. Well, the amount we have sunk into fixing non-cosmetic items has robbed us of any ability to fix up anything else, and the experience of renovating our bathroom was so horrific that I can't even enjoy that room. Also, as much as I love an open concept, our family/living/dining room combo leaves me no where to escape from the kids and the dog.

I just hope it's quick. We bought our house about two years before the housing went boom, and honestly buying our house when we did is my biggest regret. I know we are going to lose a lot of money on this house, there will be no equity in this house and my only concern at this point is breaking even. I'm hoping we can find a great deal on the next house and that we will want to stay there for a long time... the market can't keep dropping, right???

Sigh, I'm just hoping we sell...

Fingers crossed for us, please! We have to live in a bigger house!

Happy Halloween!

2011-10-31T17:31:00.001-04:00

You know who has two thumbs and will be raiding her children's treat bags in a few hours?

Kitchen Nightmares

2011-10-28T12:48:00.001-04:00

Those of you that read this regularly (or know me IRL) probably know how much I hate my kitchen. It's full-on, rotting 80's style grossness, and it's missing a wall from when Mr Bee and my Dad removed a wall from the refrigerator alcove (to fit a new fridge in) over a YEAR ago. We've had estimates in the past and they were above what we could afford, and trying to get a loan from the bank was a gigantic waste of time (9% interest? are you kidding? We have awesome credit too, makes no sense.) We did manage to save some money, so when I received a coupon from Sears for $500 off and a free consultation, I thought, why not?

Big mistake.

The consultation was 2.5 hours, we had to sit through a presentation, and then at the end of it all, they quoted us $17,000 to REFACE our laminate cabinets and do new laminate counter tops and a sink. No new floors or appliances. Bare bones. $17,000. That's like almost a 1/5 of what our house is worth. I was quoted less for NEW MAPLE cabinets last year. I was deflated to say the least. All we want to do is fix up our kitchen enough to sell the house, and I'm not sinking every penny of our savings into a sub par remodel. First we asked if we could get a break down of prices, and they told us that they had no way of doing that- they just plug the numbers into the computer. We told them thanks but no thanks, even though they did try the hard sell.**

The next day I got a call from Sears asking why we didn't purchase and I told them it was too much money. They wanted to send someone else out to recalculate a new price for us (this is after they told us they do not haggle for prices, everyone gets the same price). Can you believe them apples?

So we are back to square one. All I can say about this experience is that I would add Sears to the list of "those I will not use for any remodeling". (The list so far is Sears and Home Depot. If you want to hear a horror story, just ask me about Home Depot one day.)

Anyone have any hints or suggestions about Kitchen remodeling? I could use them!

Shutterfly Card Giveaway

2011-10-18T14:43:00.005-04:00

I have a Holiday Tradition. Every year, I send a card of the little Bees in front of our Christmas tree to family and friends. I think it's really fun to watch our family grow through the years.

That is why I was so excited when Shutterfly contacted me to blog about their line of Holiday Cards. I was excited to see which ones were my favorite. They offer so many varying cards at so many different price points, there is no way you won't be able to find a winner.

They have flat ones for those that don't want to have to write a message (raising hand) or folded ones for that extra room to go all sentimental. They also have every kind of color, font, and style you could want in stationary paper (my favorite) or photo paper where you can choose glossy or matte. It's impossible not to create your own personal take on a design.

There are so many to choose from, I'm not even sure what I will end up with! Some of my favorites are:

The classic look of the "Royal Elegance" design.

The Simplicity of the "Sparkle Joy" design".

The cool retro vibe of the "Retro Stripe" design.

The Modernness (I like creating words) of the "Berry Merry Design."

The best part is that you can store and share your pictures there for free, so you are all set to create gifts and cards whenever you want, for any occasion or any season. You can also print your pictures and pick them up at Walgreens, CVS, and Target^® stores.

Are you a blogger? Want a chance at 25 free cards this holiday season? Register here: http://goo.gl/DDw7Q

Buy it!

Below are links to Shutterfly, where they are offering 20% off on cards and free shipping on select orders.

Holiday cards
Christmas Cards
Greeting Cards
Christmas Photo Cards
Calendars Perfect gift for the Grandmas (or the Nanas as they are called around here).
Photo Gifts

Win it!

3 lucky readers will win Promotional codes good for 25 cards of your choosing! MANDATORY- To enter, all you have to do is visit Shutterfly and tell me which Holiday card design is your favorite (besides the ones listed above) in the comments.

Want additional entries? (Please make sure to leave a comment for each entry, and leave your email address in each comment please):

Like The Bee Chronicles (my main blog) on Facebook (2 entries)
Like Shutterfly on Facebook (1 Entry)
Follow Shutterfly on Twitter (1 entry- Leave your twitter name )
Follow me on Twitter (1 entry-Leave your twitter name )
Follow The Bee Chronicles on GFC (2 entries)
Follow The Bee's Knees (My actual giveaway blog) on GFC (2 entries)
Tweet this Giveaway: Go visit The Bee Chronicles for a chance to win 25 free cards from @Shutterfly http://bit.ly/oPedl8 #giveaway (Please put link to tweet in comment, you may do this once a day for 1 entry each time)

This contest will run until Sunday, October 30th at Midnight (EST). Then I will draw 3 names using Random. org, and I will email the winner, please make sure to respond in 48 hours or I will draw another name.

UPDATE: The #s drawn were 93, 33, and 76. Congratulations Telitha, Misty and Melissa, I will be emailing you the promo codes!
Thank you to Shutterfly for providing the promotional codes for free cards for me and for the giveaway. No other compensation was received. This post is based on my own personal opinions and experiences.

Stressimessiness

2011-10-14T23:26:00.000-04:00

So, I know I have been gone a while. It's been a crazy couple of weeks and I have been so wrapped up in the stressimessiness (my new word) of it for a while, it's been hard to see anything else. To start:

I'm officially unemployed, and now am a stay at home mom, unless by some miracle I find a job that's flexible and pays me as much or more as my last job.

I'm trying (rather unsuccessfully) to work on our house in the hopes that we can sell it next year. So far I have gotten nothing done because-

Jacob is not reacting well to all of these changes and to being a 3 year old in general.

He is driving. me. slowly. insane. I cannot take any more. What have I gotten myself into? I have talked to his teachers, and seen him around others, and it seems that I am getting the worst treatment.

He doesn't listen to me at all and he doesn't care. He's faced every kind of consequence a little boy could face, and it doesn't matter to him. It's awful, it's time-consuming, and it's tearing me apart.

Most of the time, while I may love him, I don't like him, not even a little bit, right now. I feel terrible about this. Also- there are these moments when he is still so sweet and they make everything else seem that much worse.

Where's my little guy? I miss him so much. he's been tough for a while now, but this is ridiculous. Drew was tough at 3 and turned into this amazing, caring little guy at 4, and I am hoping Jacob does the same. His 4th birthday is only 4 days away. Let's keep our fingers crossed, shall we?

Also, any suggestions would be very welcome right now.

Lunch Wars: A Review

2011-09-29T21:26:00.002-04:00

Synopsis from Barnes and Noble:
There's a battle going on in school lunchrooms around the country...and it's a battle our children can't afford for us to lose.

The average kid will eat 4,000 school lunches between kindergarten and twelfth grade. But what exactly are kids eating in school lunchrooms around the country? Many parents don't quite know what their children are eating-or where it came from. As award-winning filmmaker and nutritionist Amy Kalafa discovered in researching her documentary film Two Angry Moms: Fighting for the Health of America's Children, these days it's pretty rare to find a piece of fresh fruit in your average school lunchroom amid all the chips, french fries, Pop-Tarts, chicken nuggets, and soda that's being served. But what, if anything, can parents do about it?

My Review:

I enjoyed reading Lunch Wars, and was appalled at the same time. I cannot believe how terrible school lunches have become, and how much red tape surrounds the process of cooking and serving school lunches. I also found many useful ideas to get healthy foods implemented in our local school cafeterias and many of them involved blogging. In fact, in some ways I found this book to be a recruitment for bloggers to post on their blogs and start a food revolution.

I was inclined enough by the scary information in this book to conduct my own experiment with my 3 year old son, limiting his sugar intake to less than I normally allow. The result was pretty significant, he was much calmer and focused. I have vowed to put an end to some of our bad habits, and for that alone, I think the book was a good read. Now will I completely revolutionize our eating habits, or take over my children's cafeteria? That remains to be seen, but I know I will make sure to be more aware of what he is eating for lunch.

Please go visit Blogher to join the discussion about school lunches.

This was a paid review for BlogHer Book Club but the opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Jumbly goo

2011-09-16T09:47:00.000-04:00

I so want to write a post about how awesome my child free trip was, and it was awesome. Reallllllly good food and beverage, ridiculous hard, completely uphill 5k, and great talks with my sis.... oh and these pics which you have all seen if you are friends with me on Facebook, (I am all into recycling):

Before 5k-Yes I know my # is on upside down, I fixed it.

All uphill and steep! This pic doesn't even capture it.

Me in my favorite.dress.ever. at my favorite winery.

Love my sis!

If you ever get a chance to go to Traverse City, do it. It's absolutely gorgeous, the food and wine is amazing, and it's just a chill spot for adults. If you like wine or food or golf or pretty things you won't be disappointed. For dining, I would recommend:

Trattoria Stella
Jolly Pumpkin
Poppycocks
Peninsula Grill
Scotts Harbor Grill

I don't think there is a way you can go wrong at any local place as long as you order fish and local wine/beer. Seriously, if you go there and eat at a Subway, you should just walk your ass back home. Just sayin'.

Anyway... I would write more but I am in the midst of closing out a chapter in my life and moving on to the next. I officially got my walking papers- my organization is caput on October 1st. This is the first time I have ever been laid off. It's sad, yet freeing in a way- I know my life is going to get so much less stressful The good news is that my office is flexible enough that they were okay with me bringing my 3 year old son to work for the next 3 weeks so that I can have him in part time preschool and save a little money.

Of course, this has made my life really hectic and tiring. I mean obviously. The boy has the attention span of a gnat.

Also, totally unrelated, but it has been so cold and we still are stubbornly refusing to turn on the heat yet! It's only September dammit! It was 60 in our house this morning. I was frozen and am just starting to thaw now.

Happy Friday everyone! If you live in the Midwest I must ask: Is your heat on yet? Also- when are you going to visit Traverse City? (Fall Foliage= beautiful!) I would go back this weekend if I had a babysitter and was less fiscally responsible. Man, sometimes it sucks to be a grownup.

Get Away

2011-09-09T09:30:00.003-04:00

Today I leave for a much deserved vacation with my sister, away from the family, from the "Hey Mommy" and following-nose-up-my-butt dog, the job concerns, the curriculum and cub scouts and are-we-signing -up-for-enough-things-for-him and do-we-have-enough-childcare-for-other-him worry-- and going to wine tasting and food sampling. Also hopefully some loud-music-blaring-really-bad-singing, eating-lots-of-bread-and-cheese-and-wine good time.
Oh yeah, and a pesky little 5k that I didn't train for. Through vineyards (yay!) that are hilly (boo!)

This is what we will look like after the race and after the third vineyard.

I'm spending time with my sister that I have never spent more than an hour child free with for over 6 years. (No, I am not counting our day after Thanksgiving shopping, because I was without sleep and half-zombie.) We might be sharing a bed. I promised to cut my toenails and wear PJ's, so she is in for a treat.

I am hoping... hoping to forget my worries for 3 days... wish me luck!

Also: Mr. B had a splitting headache today... pretty sure it's from freaking out that I am leaving for 3 days for the first time in 2 years. He went to sleep at 8:30pm last night to cope. He is very stressed out about all the new and different pickups for the kids today- wish him luck too!

Slow Love Review: Time to stop and smell the roses

2011-09-08T21:01:00.001-04:00

Recently I got an opportunity to review the memoir Slow Love for BlogHer Book Club. Slow Love: How I Lost My Job, Put on My Pajamas, and Found Happiness by Dominique Browning is a book about learning to slow down your life and appreciate all of your surroundings.

In 2007, Dominique Browning lost her job as editor for Home and Garden Magazine and found herself adrift, questioning her purpose in life and her identity without her job. This memoir is how she finds that purpose.

Browning goes through many stages to find new purpose in her life. Her growth takes time, and often she was wallowing in food and drink and poor relationships, which I can completely relate to. I often found myself agreeing with many of her opinions and ideas (seriously, what single woman would want to cook dinner for herself), and felt by the end of the book that Browning was a friend and confidant of mine and was invested in watching her learn to be comfortable with a slower paced life. It really made me wonder if I could ever do the same, and it made me interested in trying to slow down as well. (Oh, who am I kidding? Maybe one day...)

Want to find out more? Please come join in the discussion at Blogher!

WW: Pure, Unfiltered Happiness

2011-08-31T16:24:00.000-04:00

The result of their first ever convertible ride.

For more Wordless Wednesday, Visit 5 Minutes for Mom.

Not worth the fight

2011-08-25T10:24:00.002-04:00

Jacob decided he did not need a booster seat for the booth at the restaurant last night.

Drew wore just jean shorts and slippers to bed (the house was 80 degrees).

Jacob wanted cheez-its for a snack immediately following breakfast this morning.

We went to the library yesterday and my 3 year old son Jacob picked out Ben 10- Alien Force as the book he wanted to check out. Drew asked me why I let Jacob check out a book that was obviously too old for him.

"Because, honey," I told him. "Some things aren't worth arguing over."

After all, that night Drew wanted to stay up past 10pm to watch a show and Jacob wanted to jump headfirst off of the couch. Those decisions did merit a discussion.

What do you let your kids do because it's not worth an argument? Share it with me. I also let them have chocolate milk when we go out to eat sometimes (the horror).

Tuesday's True Confession

2011-08-23T09:12:00.000-04:00

Here's my attempt at starting a weekly meme. Don't worry, I will probably tire of it after three weeks.

Let me be the first to tell you-- I don't give a damn about Kim Kardashian's wedding. I don't care what she wore, what she registered for, or who was invited to (what I'm sure was) a glorious shindig. I only cared about Kate Middleton's gown for the royal wedding and that's it.

I will tell you what I do love, though-- looking through friends of friends wedding photos on Facebook.

I know, I know- it's terribly stalkerish, weird, creepy, but I just love seeing what complete strangers did for their weddings. I guess it's the same reason that I peer into houses that have their lights on when we pass by in the car... I want to know how others with my same means live. I don't need to or want to know how amazingly wonderful millionaire's lives are, I want to know how you make your life wonderful. What are your secrets? I have a million ideas and no follow through. I keep hoping enough inspiration will help me complete the task of fixing up our house.

Oh, and in case you are wondering....

From our wedding. My flowers were so beautiful. Also: they were too expensive. Maybe less roses. See? Helpful information.

Hope

2011-08-22T11:30:00.000-04:00

I spent all of Saturday cleaning and spending time with the kids alone (again- for the 5th weekend in a row). As hard as certain moments were, I enjoyed most of Saturday. I enjoyed being home and actually getting to spend one-on-one time alone with the kids. It gave me hope that I can tackle this, that if I end up at home, I will not lose my mind. I'm trying to remember my happy, get back there to the time when I felt like a good Mom.... and I am getting there. Hopefully I can stay there.

Craptastic Movies and the kids who love them

2011-08-19T09:00:00.014-04:00

Recently I saw Zookeeper with my children. Yes, you heard me right. That was the most painfully unfunny and ridiculous movie with the thinnest plot ever. The boys giggled through the whole thing, and they are still talking about it. I wanted to see Winnie the Pooh. Obviously I relented because it's a little young for my oldest, but I can't help wondering why my children only ever want to see and enjoy really terrible movies.

I mean, they have great movies out for kids. Most of Pixar's (obviously not including Cars 2) and Disney's offerings are entertaining and enjoyable for all ages. Kung Fu Panda, How to Train your Dragon and Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs? Awesome. I could watch those through a couple repeated viewings. Why can't they want to watch thosemovies? My boys will have nothing to do with them. Jacob loves him a Veggie tales Movie, and Drew's #1 movie all time? Yogi Bear, followed closely by Alvin and the Chipmunks, The Squeakquel. Not even the original. These computer anim-obiminations make you long for the days of the cartoons.

Honestly, it's tough for a Mom to take. I want to enjoy a show with them, but their choices are godawful. How do I instill some sense of taste in them? Also, why are there so many movies that talk down to kids? I just watched the end of The Dark Crystal. That is some scary kids movie shit. Nightmarishly so- no really I had tons of nightmares about this movie growing up. Now, I'm not saying we should have that dark of a movie for kids, but come on, lets not treat children like they have no mind at all.

-----Seriously- this puppet is where nightmares come from.

I know, I know, it's my fault for letting them watch these terrible movies in the first place.... but a Mom's got to have some alone time, and Pixar's thoughtful movies just aren't keeping them entertained.

So- any suggestions for ridiculously silly movies that a parent can enjoy, are there some gems I am overlooking?

Also- what's the worst movie you saw for the sake of your kids?

And finally- how am I going to get the kids to see The Muppets with them in the fall? I might have to bribe them with candy... oh wait, of course I am going to have to bribe them with candy.

Excess Baggage

2011-08-17T15:42:00.001-04:00

Part of my whole process of trying to find my balance in my life is eliminating all of the clutter in my house. After all, if my house feels unbearably small, the best way to change that, short of moving, is to get rid of stuff. I cannot believe how much stuff we have. It's definitely turned into "baggage".

First of all, I am finally removing all of the baby stuff from our house that I have been holding onto. Yes, we may or may not have another baby, but most of that stuff is gross after sitting in the basement or garage for 4 years, not to mention probably recalled. So I am letting go of that worry. Que sera, right?

Also-- holding onto my larger clothes is not an incentive to keep the weight off. It also doesn't make me feel better about my self and the state of my will power.

So maybe once I remove some of the excess, I will feel better about my state of the house.

What is some of your excess "baggage"?

Also- I cannot forget how the happy meal toys are going to magically disappear....shhhh....It's our little secret right?

"We have everything"

2011-08-13T23:12:00.000-04:00

Lately.... it's been tough. There is no way around it. My life is in chaos. I don't know what next year will bring and there isn't even any time to discuss what will happen come October 1st when I will no longer be employed (I think.... I don't even know yet). I have been feeling incredibly stressed.

Today I realized something.

My stress doesn't excuse my temper, anger or actions. I can be a better person.

I don't have to live this life where I am hurting. I can choose to overlook it. I can count my blessings instead of moaning in misery.

The dog is totally crazy.... but he is the sweetest, loving dog.

The kids fight all of the time, but they really do love each other.

Jacob is tough on me, so tough.... but today out of the blue he said "you're the best".

Mr. B works constantly and I miss him so much, but that money will be very helpful soon.

My job is ending, my life is unplanned, but maybe this will lead to something good. Maybe this is what I need.

I want to get back there, get back to being content. Life is hard sometimes, but I think I'm making it harder. I need to feel good about myself, and that might mean letting go.

---

Today on the way home from the Science Museum, I saw a woman on the corner. She was unkempt and sitting on the sidewalk, surrounded by many bags.

"Boys, do you see that woman on the corner?"

"Yes."

"That woman is homeless. She doesn't have a home."

"That's sad," Drew said.

"Yes it is. Just remember that when you can't get something you want, that we are very lucky and have a lot."

---

Sometimes life feels so unfair, and then I realize we have everything. I just have to be willing to accept that it might not be the way I always wanted it, but we are very lucky and we have a lot.

Prefense Hand Sanitizer Giveaway Winner!

2011-08-01T20:51:00.000-04:00

We have a big winner!

Congratulations to the lucky winner of the Prefense Hand Sanitzer!

Thank you to all who entered!

Schtuff

2011-07-20T21:30:00.000-04:00

My writer's block is running so deep lately. Mostly it's due to a development in my life that is ongoing, frustrating and a big old fat secret. No really, I am not allowed to talk about it. So I will try and push that big minefield out of my mind.....

... I'm working on it. I'm also trying to remember what it's like to be happy. I love my family, but I have so much weighing on my mind for almost a year now, and I just can't shake this funk. I just feel sad and stressed all of the time, and it doesn't ever completely go away, even when I having fun, it's still there in the back, trying to screw everything up.

In other news, the boys (all 3 of them) are great. The dog is farty. Our house is falling apart. You know, the usual.

I just have to get through the next few months and things should at least be less up in the air and I will have piece of mind.

******

Housekeeping:

Lately I have found that I like to post on my facebook fan page. I'll admit I thought it was kind of silly to have a fan page, but now I love it. I love that it's a community that actually "knows" me, even if it's through my blog. You all know my better than that guy who had a locker next to me in High School. It's really comforting. Anyway, if you are not part of my fan page, please join me, and also tell me about your page so I can join.

I have a Giveaway up on my review blog, please go check it out, it's super easy to enter.

What I've been up to: an Iphoneography

2011-07-07T23:16:00.001-04:00

Been busy... But in a good way. #ilovesummer I hope you are all enjoying your summer as well!

What Happened to Goodbye Review

2011-06-25T15:50:00.001-04:00

Please enjoy my review of What Happened to Goodbye on Blogher. Here is a snippet for you to enjoy....

I am very glad I am not a teenager in today's world. There are so many additional pressures and worries that I never had to think about. Luckily there are authors like Sarah Dessen to portray real teenagers and those pressures that they face in the young adult novel, What Happened to Goodbye.

Read more at Blogher.

PS will be back with a post this week I swear!