Monkey's Momma

A Leg Wrist By Any Other Name

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 20:35:00 +0000

Yesterday, Monkey was complaining about his leg being sore. Actually, what he said was:

"Mom, My leg wrist hurts!"

Me: "Honey (hiding a grin), Do you mean your ankle?"

Monkey: "Oh yeah! My ankle!"

Free Fonts!!

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:38:00 +0000

Lately I have had some projects going on that simply required more interesting fonts than what I had on hand, so I went on a search. My favorite place to find new fonts is KevinandAmanda.com. Amanda is quite creative and offers free goodies a lot on her blog, so you just have to check it out.

I thought I would share my list with you. If you have any to add, leave them in the comments and I will probably end up making a "Free Fonts" button on my sidebar....one of these days.

Dafont
FreeFontFun
KevinandAmanda.com
1001FreeFonts
SimplyTheBestFonts
SearchFreeFonts
FontGarden
HighFonts

A Child's Perspective

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:20:00 +0000

When Monkey asks a question and I don't know the answer, his answer used to be be: "But you're a nurse, you know lots of fings". The other day, we went somewhere and my husband and I were chatting with a nurse. When I mentioned that I was a nurse too, Monkey spouted off with this little zinger: "Nuh-Uh, You used to be a nurse. Now you work in a prison. So you're not a nurse anymore".

Try explaining to your six year old that you are still a nurse even if you don't work in a hospital, or go to people's home's to help them (Home Health). Then try explaining that you don't work in a prison, but in a Sex Offender's Rehabilitation and Treatment Facility, but you don't want to say "Sex Offender" because that opens a whole 'nuther can of worms that you must explain to said six year old. He has seen the razor wire and locked gates around the buildings where I am employed, so therefore, to him it is a prison. You can't tell him that these guys have done their time in the pen, but must stay in a secure setting until they are deemed safe to be on "the outside". It is really pretty complicated for adults to understand, much less a kid.

So you stutter and stumble through your words until the nurse you were talking to you looks at you like, "Um, yeah, you're a nurse. Your kid just busted you, lady".

So today I was driving him to school and he observed that the moon and the sun were out at the same time. Then he asked why. My memory of planets, the moon and sun and rotation and stuff is pretty dim. I know the sun rises in the morning and sets in the evening. I know the moon comes out at night. What I don't remember is how and why. I have often wondered myself about the sun and moon being out at the same time, so I told him we would look it up tonight after school. Then we would both know the answer.

From the back seat, I heard him sigh. Then, "But Mom, you're a photographer. You are supposed to know lots of fings".

I give up.

Free Online Vision Quiz For Children

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 02:31:00 +0000

Monkey and I went for our annual eye vision checkup today. I wasn't surprised to learn that the vision in one of his eyes is not perfect, or as the doctor put it, getting a "prescription in it". He is not ready for glasses yet, but I know it is coming. I started wearing glasses at age 10.

One of my PR contacts had sent me information about a free online vision quiz that helps alert parents to potential eye problems. I took the quiz and soon after, the school nurse sent home a slip stating that he needed to have his vision evaluated. Between these two things, I was already mentally prepared to hear what the doctor had to say.

The online vision quiz was developed by Diopsys, Inc., who specializes in development and marketing of diagnostic vision testing equipment. The Enfant Pediatric VEP Vision Testing System is one device that they have developed and it is in use in pediatric offices nationwide. It can be used on children as young as six month old. To learn more about the Enfant, visit www.enfantvision.com.

It is so important to make sure that our children's vision is the best it can be. When overlooked, it can cause learning problems down the road. Pediatrician agree that vision problems are sometimes subtle and overlooked, but are the fourth most common childhood disability. Don't forget to take the online vision quiz. Your child's eyes may depend on it.

Weekend Photo Shoot

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 19:49:00 +0000

This past weekend, I had a photo shoot with a mom and her four kiddos, ages 8-14, including 11-year old twins. We went to a local park that is my favorite place to take photos. It has a large lake, wooden fishing docks, weathered benches, woods and lots of trees and railroad tracks (up a steep hill...whew!). It used to have a little bridge near the lake and they took it down! I am going to have to complain about that!

We had a fun time and caught the last bit of color from the trees. Mom took my suggestion on dressing the kids in layers, with hats and scarves. I am so glad that she did because I think it really made the photos pop.

Etsy Surprise Box Giveaway!

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:24:00 +0000

I love to do Surprise Goodie Box Giveaways! And this time, thirteen creative and talented women have donated their items for the surprise box. All but one of them can be found on Etsy, so we are going to call it an Etsy Surprise Goodie Box Giveaway! We are all so excited to be doing this! I want to thank all of these wonderful ladies for trusting me enough to send me their items and allowing me to do this.

This Etsy Surprise Goodie Box Giveaway celebrates talent, women and handmade items! I think it is so important to support independently-owned stores and shops, especially when they are owned by talented women!

Please take the time to look at each and every one of these shops. Remember that Christmas is coming and it is never too early to shop for the perfect gift!

I plan on doing two more Etsy Surprise Goodie Box Giveaways in the next 3-4 months, so if you own an online shop, store or boutique and your items are handmade/handcrafted, drop me an email if you would like to be involved.

So......would you like to win this awesome Etsy Surprise Goodie Box? Let me tell you what the winner will receive. A box packed full of goodies that these store owners sell in their shops. They have carefully chosen items they feel that any woman would love to have. So if you want a clue of what is in the box, you have to visit their shops to see what they offer, then start dreaming!!! Approximate value of the items in the box? Between $275-300!!

The contest will end on November 10 at 8pm CST. The winner will be randomly chosen.

Here is how to enter to win:
Each comment=One entry

1. Visit the shops below, then leave a comment telling me what you like and where you found it.

2. Buy something from one of the shops below, then leave a comment telling me what shop it was. This gives you seven extra entries once I verify. Tell the shop owner in the comments that you found her through the giveaway.

3. Blog about this giveaway on your blog. Leave me the link in the comments. This gives you three extra entries.

4. Grab the badge at the very bottom of the post, post it on your blog sidebar and link it to this giveaway. Leave me a comment with the link included. This gives you four extra entries.

5. Follow any of the shop owners on Facebook or Twitter (if available) or subscribe to their shop and leave me a comment telling me you did. You may leave a comment for each one.

6. Subscribe to Monkey's Momma through reader or email to stay up to date on upcoming giveaways.

NOTE: When you leave a comment that is worth more than one entry, please add those extra entries yourself. I use the honor system, but also try to make sure that everyone is playing fair :)
Plus it makes the entries easier to count to pick a winner! Remember to give yourself credit for what you did. One entry could make the difference between winning vs not winning!

AJ's Art Studio on Etsy
Audra is a creative soul from Arkansas who sells altered notebooks and gift tags in her Etsy shop. She also has a few other surprises in her shop too, like magnets and original watercolors. Here is her blog. You can also become a Fan on Facebook.

Pinkdawn on Etsy

Dawn lives in western Australia and makes handmade jewelry including earrings, necklaces and bracelets. She also creates absolutely gorgeous bridal tiaras.You can follow her on Twitter, through her blog or her photostream on Flickr.

Tattie Tats on Etsy
Great accessories from repurposed vintage goods from a talented mom in Virginia! Her shop was born out of need to use some vintage items that her husband inherited. To read the story, check out her shop! Each and every one of her items is creative and unique.

Ximi's Mod Nest on Etsy
Ximi lives in New York City and makes artsy collages. She has some with giraffes, toucans and owls, just to name a few. They are absolutely adorable! She does custom designs as well. Any of her collages would go great in a baby nursery, a child's bedroom or a playroom. Her blog can be found here. And her sweet little badge was designed by Simple Designs By Rhonda Jai on Etsy.

Scribbleprints (Designs by Gale)
Cute, fun and unique cards, stationary, t-shirts, mugs and more! Gale uses print on demand services to sell her products. She has several different shops online (such as Zazzle) and she uses her blog as a launching place for all her different shops. I don't blame her. When you sell like that, it is easier to send folks from your blog to your shops by linking them. You can follow her on Facebook by becoming a fan.

The Noble Starfish on Etsy
This New York gal and I have a lot in common. We both love to take pictures! Her photography style is a lot like mine in that she loves to take pictures of nature and scenery. Her etsy shop features fine art photography as prints or as photo greeting cards. And they are all beautiful!

A.Heron Design on Etsy
Just wait until you see what this jewelry designer from South Carolina sent to put in the box! You won't believe it! You can follow Anna and her business on Twitter, Facebook and on her blog. You can also check out her Flickr photostream here.

Thinking Of You Gift Shop on Etsy
Think of your favorite gift shop. You know that you simply cannot resist the lure of a good gift shop, can you? This crafty crafter named Kathie has managed to create that exact atmosphere in her Etsy shop: Jewelry, bookmarks, handmade cards and much, much more. Her cute little badge was made by Simple Designs By Rhonda Jai on Etsy.

Beauxbijoux On Etsy

Lori from Mississipi makes handmade and unique jewelry and other accessories. She also has a shop on Etsy called Dearly Beloved, where she sells beautiful wedding items. She loves to do custom orders, so don't be shy! Each of her little shops shows just how much care and creativity she puts into each and every item.

Knotwork Shop On Etsy

Diane is a mom from North Carolina who makes eco-friendly fiber jewelry. Her store stocks bracelets, hats, unique scarves and bracelets in bright, vivid colors. All of her items are unique and one-of-a-kind. You can also find Diane on Twitter at http://twitter.com/knotworkshop .

Jensingh On Etsy

Jen is a very talented artist who sells her work on Etsy. Not only does she have original paintings and watercolors in her shop, but she also sells reproduction prints. Her works of art can be found on paper, wood and canvas. Her use of rich, bold colors makes everything she creates come alive. Jen can be found on Facebook at Jen Singh Art, through her blog and her website.

Soap That Makes Scents On Etsy
Karina's Etsy shop has been featured before on Monkey's Momma. I have tried her Candy Apple handmade soap and it smells great! Her soap bars are made with natural ingredients such as coconut and palm oil, safflower oil, glycerin and shea butter. The lather is so generous that you can shave with it. Karina also sells Lip Balm made with Vitamin E, Shea Butter and Beeswax, solid perfume in 2 oz. tins and souffle soaps.

Tania Cavenecia

Tania is a talented artisian from northern California. She handcrafts beautiful jewelry using semi-precious stones, leather, seeds and sterling silver. As I understand it, a lot of the items she uses in her craft come from the Amazon Rain Forest. Tania sells her designs through her Etsy shop and her 1000 Markets shop.

Please post this on your blog to help spread the word! Thanks!

My Aunt Dorothy, A Sick Monkey and Pink Hair

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 21:36:00 +0000

Well, the Monkey Boy woke up on Wednesday morning with a fever, sore throat and a yucky cough. Oh.joy. He has been out of school for three days. The school nurse does not let them go back to class until she has assessed them, which is a good thing. His fever is gone, but he still has a cough and is pale with dark circles under his eyes. Since H1N1 (aka Swine Flu) has started to hit our area, I feel very lucky that he did not get sicker. I wanted to be cautious about sending him back too early though. By Monday, he should be feeling much better.

At the same time, my grandma's sister, Dorothy, who is in her late 70's, ended up in the hospital this week. She is in ICU with sepsis (infection throughout the body). She is actually much better than she was when she was admitted. Her blood pressure was super low, like 40/20. Apparently she was severely dehydrated. This little lady is my heart. I love her to death. I visit as often as I can and we talk about all kinds of things. She is very special to me. Unfortunately, between working the last two nights and having a sick boy, I have not been able to visit her at the hospital. But her daughters and my grandma have been there and I sent messages to her through them.

The pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago at her house. Dorothy is on the left and my grandma is on the right. You might notice that my grandma's hair is pink. She sprayed it pink for Breast Cancer Awareness. It has been a conversation starter, to say the least. I think she has inspired a lot of people in our little community. She went to the doctor a few weeks ago and sat down in the waiting room next to an elderly couple. The old man stared at her for a few seconds before stating the obvious. "Your hair is pink", he commented. She laughed and told them why. He pointed to his wife and said, "She has breast cancer". After talking to them a little more and telling them where she got the pink hair spray, the wife said she was going to go get some hair spray and do it to her hair too!

On another day, we stopped at our neighbor's house for a yard sale. Grandma had on a pretty pink sweater and her hair had been freshly sprayed. My neighbor kept glancing at her head and finally said, "You look so pink and pretty!". And truly, she was glowing that day and looked quite pretty.

American Veterans Traveling Tribute Comes To A Small Town

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:50:00 +0000

A few weekends ago, The Wall (American Veterans Traveling Tribute) came to our tiny town. Considering that it costs $10,000 for The Wall to be displayed for a few days, we feel proud that we were able to host this incredible testament to why our country remains free.

To watch grown men break down and sob after finding the name of a fallen comrade on the wall is very humbling. I saw men standing at attention, saluting the wall, struggling for composure. How can you not be affected?

The Traveling Wall is a 80% replica of the Vietnam Wall in Washington, DC. We were able to find the name of my husband's cousin, who was killed in action. We took pencil rubbings and photographs of his name. Alongside the wall, there were also several stands with plaques bearing the names of the men and women that have been killed in Iraq. I found the name of a boy that was killed last year defending our freedom. I brushed the dust from his name plaque, took some photos to send to his brother and said a silent "Thank You" to this young man, who gave his life for our country.

"Soldier's Cross" memorials were scattered throughout the displays. A rickety cage with a MIA/POW flag hanging inside reminded us that there are some who have never come home, dead or alive.

If the American Veterans Traveling Tribute comes to a city or town near you, I highly recommend going to see it. Your heart will never be the same.

Book Review: Once In A Blue Moon By Eileen Goudge

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 17:46:00 +0000

One2One Network gave me the opportunity to read and review the newest book by Eileen Goudge, Once In A Blue Moon. I am so happy to report that I loved this book!

Lindsay and Kerrie Ann are sisters who have been separated for almost 30 years by circumstances beyond their control. As children of a drug addicted stripper, their only source of stability was a retired exotic dancer, Miss Honi Love. When their mother is sent to prison, the sisters are split up and sent to different foster homes.

Lindsay, the older of the two, had taken care of her baby sister and had never forgotten her. Adopted by a loving couple and now living in the seaside town of Blue Moon Bay, she is dependable, straight-laced and a little controlling. Her parents have passed away, leaving her with the home she grew up in. The home and surrounding land is beautiful and undeveloped, a rare thing when set beside the ocean. A ruthless land developer is trying to get his hands on her property to build a resort. Business at her bookstore has not been the best lately and her boyfriend Grant, while stable and agreeable, is a bit too boring. Although life is a little stressful for her, she has never given up hope up finding her sister, Kerrie Ann.

Kerrie Ann was so young when she was placed in foster care that she doesn't even know that she has a sister. That is, until her attorney told her. The attorney she hired to help her get her own little girl back after she was removed from her care for neglect. Kerrie Ann had been bounced from one foster home to the next until she met the perfect man. That perfect man turned out to have trouble with alcohol and drugs, pulling her down with him. After her daughter Bella was born, she continued to descend into a haze of drinking and doing drugs. It was having her daughter taken that made her see clearly for the first time. She knew that she had to change her life or she may never get Bella back. When her attorney did some investigating and told her that she had an older sister, she decided to go to Blue Moon Bay and see if this sister could help her.

This story is suspenseful, funny, a little sad and intriguing. Eileen Goudge is a wonderful storyteller. You can find out more about her on her web site. She is also on Facebook and Twitter.

I'm Back!

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:35:00 +0000

Thanks everybody for the prayers! The procedure on Friday went well, but he will need more surgery in the future (maybe sooner than later). It has to do with the blood flow to his legs. I won't bore you with the details.

Monkey is doing soooo much better in school. He is working hard and catching up. I am so proud of him!

And, because I am a woman, I have changed my mind about my etsy shop. I have decided to go ahead and stock it. I just enjoy etsy too much to not be a part of that community. I will be selling fine art photography prints, photo art cards, buttons, vintage finds and altered art supplies.

And I have more to tell you, but I am short on time, so it will have to wait until next time!

Prayers Needed

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 02:30:00 +0000

Hi everybody. I just wanted to again thank everyone for their support and comments over the last couple of weeks. Do I have great readers or what?

I just wanted to let you know that my husband will be undergoing some procedures tomorrow at the hospital. It has me a little worried (and him too). Please keep him in your prayers, especially during the hours of 6:00am-4:00pm CST tomorrow. Think healing thoughts!

Winner Of The Jeanne Beatrice Giveaway

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:09:00 +0000

The winner of the Jeanne Beatrice Basket Giveaway is #47, Brenda! Congrats!!!

Gripe Session: You Have Been Warned!

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 04:39:00 +0000

Just as the title indicates, this is a Gripe Session. Consider yourself warned. The lovable, chatty blogger once known as Monkey's Momma has been replaced by a shrew. And I don't like it one bit. There are several reasons for it, but at this time, it is beyond my power to change it. I am leaving it to a Higher Power. Hopefully soon, he will heed my prayers and cut me some slack......seriously.

The new job is going well. They really don't ask a whole lot from the nurses, which is a huge change from most nursing jobs that I have had in the past. The benefits are great, which is an added bonus. The staffer is really great. He works with you and realizes that you have a life outside of work. He also shows compassion when life throws you a hardball, something that most of my previous staffers did not do. But he pulled a doozy on me recently.

I work 14 hour night shifts. He thought it would be nice to give me five nights off in a row, but in order to do that he scheduled me 68 hours in six nights (one night off). By my last night, I was literally ill. I emailed him and asked him not to do that again and he understood. With a history of migraine headaches and Hashimotos, I have to have a little more down time. I can't push myself that hard. My body simply cannot tolerate it. It has taken me about three days (so far) to get over that grueling week! So the point of more days off in a row is sort of null and void, ya know?

Monkey is doing better in school. We had two conferences at school last week (less sleep for me!) to discuss how he was doing and also to observe a lesson. I can personally see a great improvement and so can his teachers. I am getting mixed messages from the teachers, though. He has his regular First Grade teacher, a Reading Recovery Teacher and a specialized tutor. They are all absolutely wonderful with him. My only complaint is that they all say, "Work with him at home. He needs a lot of help at home to catch up", then they say, "But don't wear him out. You don't want him to get worn out and frustrated". Ummm, okay.

Monday through Thursday, he is at school from 7am until 2:45 pm. He then has homework, and I also feel the need to work with him to reinforce what is taught in school. So basically, by the time all is said and done, schoolwork consumes 8.5-10 hours of his day. Depending on my schedule and his schedule, I work with him anywhere from 4-10 hours a week, including weekends, on learning-based games, reading, writing, math and computer programs that stimulate recognition and retention.

Another problem we have is that he is not finishing his work during class. He tends to daydream or try to "help" the other students. Sometimes, he simply does not understand the directions, so he just does not do it. So then at home, I have to go over that work with him, encourage him to ask the teacher to explain the directions again, and also explain to him (again) why he must complete his work on time.

And another problem that we have, Monkey and I, is that sometimes he fights me, tooth and nail, to do his homework. I realize that he is tired. But I give him at least 1-2 hours after school to decompress before we start. I warn him. I set the timer. He knows it's coming. When we do sit down to do it, he wastes approximately 15-30 minutes of time arguing, mouthing off and throwing fits before we can get down to business. By that time, I am frustrated and ready to pull my hair out! Patience is not one of my virtues!!

The weird thing is that once he gets into it (his schoolwork), he does really well and enjoys it and so do I. I also notice a BIG difference in how well he does in school when I work with him at home than when I don't. That is why no matter how much resistance he puts up, he knows the bottom line is that he still has to do it; he just has less playtime before bed.....because he showed his butt! Hopefully, once he gets this through his skull, things will go more smoothly.

On to the next thing......Blogging and writing. You may have noticed that it has been over a week since I posted, which is really unusual. Well, this is the thing. When I write and blog, I get into a zone. The words flow. I really don't have to think about how to write or what to write. I just write. I love to write. It is not a chore. Until it is. Until it feels as if it is just one more thing on my To-Do List. I hate that feeling. It doesn't happen very often, thank goodness. But a couple of weeks ago, every time I sat down to write, a feeling of dread came over me. Words wouldn't form. I couldn't spell simple words. I became frustrated easily.....and suddenly, it wasn't fun anymore.

This has happened before and when it did, I felt as if I couldn't share it with my readers. As if by saying anything negative would make me an unpopular blogger. "My readers won't like me anymore", I thought to myself. But you know what? That is just silly. Look at Dooce. She is one of the most negative bloggers on the net and everyone LoVeS Dooce (except maybe me, but that isn't because she is negative...it's because she is self-centered). Any-whoooo....Where was I? Oh yeah. The best writers and bloggers are transparent. And that is why people like them. Because they are real. No one is perfect. No one.

Blogger-Burnout. I guess it happens to all of us. Life, emotions, jobs.....all these things get in the way of the creative process and sometimes you have to stop, step back and regroup. So that is what I did. During my self-imposed blog exile, I did some thinking. I know! Scary thought, huh? While I love doing product reviews and giveaways, right now I have a TON to catch up on. After that, I am going to be very, very picky about what I choose to review. There are certain products I love trying out and reviewing and then there are others that I could either "take it or leave it". I have certain PR reps that I love working with and if they asked me to review a Flying Pig That Poops On Your Head, I probably would. Well, maybe not. But you get my point.

And the next thing on my mind: Money and the lack of it. I blog for the love of blogging. After two years of blogging, I am actually starting to get offers to be paid for blog posts. As in paid for my Honest Opinion, not paid to write what a company wants me to write. Some companies also offer Amazon Gift Cards in small sums, which is like money to me, because I shop on Amazon for Christmas and birthdays.

But blogging doesn't pay the bills. This recent job change hit us pretty hard in the pocket book. We were without a paycheck for a month. So, with bills to pay, and December fast approaching (Christmas, all of our insurances and taxes due in this month), I have felt a HUGE need to look at my priorities. Blogging is my hobby and yet I am ashamed to admit that that I have spent numerous hours on it. More hours than I should. Between promoting my blog, researching and writing posts, making badges and banners, visiting other blogs and forums and making sure that my blog gets "noticed", the hours add up before you notice it. In the end, you have great readers like you all that I would not trade for the world.......but NO money.

However, my little photography business, Blue Moon Photography, is actually starting to get noticed. When I get my home studio finished, I have at least five photo shoots that are an almost-go. But guess what? My studio is not ready because I have been doing blogging stuff instead. See why I have to prioritize? A sure money thing for a no-money thing. I can be pretty dense sometimes.

I will be setting up a writing schedule for blog and freelance writing. I will request that my family not disturb me during those times. When the time is up, it's up. No excuses, no sneaking time from other things on my list. If I am going to make something of my photography business, then I must put the time into it that I have put into my blog.

Thanks for listening to me rattle on and on. I feel so much better now that some of this stuff is off of my chest! By the way, to all of you who commented on my last "vent" post, you don't know how much it meant to me!

The Frugal Frog Stays

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:36:00 +0000

A few days ago, I mentioned that I was going to close my Giveaway Blog, The Frugal Frog. But I just can't. Not yet. More people subscribe daily and I have had a lot of positive feedback on it. So for now, it stays.

Once In A Blue Moon

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:21:00 +0000

It has been a while since I reviewed any books for you here at Monkey's Momma. One2One Network sent me a book that I am so excited to review. It is Eileen Goudge's 13th book, Once In A Blue Moon. Set in the California seaside, it sounds very, very interesting! There will be a giveaway along with the review, so make sure you watch for it!

Free Crochet Patterns

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:26:00 +0000

I have some extremely talented bloggy friends. Anytime I get a chance, I like to announce that. My friend Gayle at Planet M Files is very talented in crochet. Every now and then, she posts free crochet patterns. Well, she has done it again. Go here for free crochet patterns for anything from monkeys to pumpkins and ghosts. While you are there, look around her blog. She loves dogs and photography, just like me!

Why Toby Keith Sucks (And Trace Adkins Doesn't)

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:18:00 +0000

It is not very often that I spew venom on my sweet little blog. This is a Mom Blog and moms aren't supposed to spew venom, right? Riiiiight.

But this has been eating at me a over the last couple of weeks and I must get it off my chest. Some of you may recall that we were going to take Monkey to see his first music concert. Toby Keith and Trace Adkins were performing in St. Louis and I was a fan of both, so I was pretty psyched. When we got there, I noticed that amongst the usual cowboys and drunk girls, there were quite a few kids there as well.

The concert opened with an surprise artist that is just getting his name out there in country music. His name is Sean Patrick McGraw (no relation to Tim) and he and his band opened up the show with enthusiasm and a huge amount of talent. St. Louis LOVED him and so did I. Anyway, McGraw mentioned where to find him on the web, so I "friended" him on Facebook, telling him what an awesome job he did in St. Louis and that I was a new fan. Guess what? He responded back to me. He actually took the time to write back, thanking me. Wow!

Trace Adkins was absolutely incredible. He was on-key, his band was rockin' and he interacted with the audience. I simply cannot say enough good things about his performance. Besides that, he looked Mm..Mm..Good! He was funny and warm-hearted and thanked the fans for spending their hard-earned cash on a ticket to come see him perform. "I am touched", he told the huge crowd. Now that is a stand-up guy. Humble and willing to put on a great show for the fans. I will definitely go see him in concert again, and this time I will sit closer!

The came Mr. Big Dog Daddy himself, Toby Keith. We sat through a loooong commercial about Ford Trucks (featuring Toby) and how they are the toughest trucks around. I have nothing against Ford Trucks. In fact, I own one. But I didn't come to watch trucks, I came to listen to music! Finally, Toby took the stage....and it all went downhill from there. His singing was awful. And I mean, awful! And it was really loud. Much louder than it had to be. It actually hurt your ears. So he sings a song. Yep, he didn't perform it, he sang it..and that is about all he did. Walked across the stage a few times, still sounding bad, horrible actually. Then he does the unthinkable. He shouts out to the audience, "Hey All You Mo Fo's Out There!!!"

Excuse me?? Did I just hear that correctly? First of all, that is disrespectful to the fans who came to see him perform. Second of all, I guess he forgot that he has very young fans in the audience that don't need to hear that garbage. Or maybe he doesn't care. But whatever the reason may be, he lost a fan that night. I used to love watching him perform on TV and in videos and loved how his music sounded, but if this is the real Toby Keith, then forget it. I know a guy who used to perform in his band. He likes him. I know another guy who knew him from talking to him on the CB Radio (remember them?). He told me, "I was not impressed". So there you go: two people, two totally opposite opinions. I think he is forgetting how he got where he is today. The Fans. Without fans, you aren't much of a star.

We got up to leave about ten minutes after his show started. He had only sang one song, but I wasn't sure what else was going to come out of his mouth. Other people were leaving too, looking disgusted. We hiked all the way back to the parking lot, in the far back. His music was so loud, you could still hear it when we reached the car. And I started to climb in the car, he started singing, "How Do Ya Like Me Now?". Ironic, isn't it?

How Do Ya Like Me Now?

I'm Not Trying To Win A Blue Ribbon

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 16:16:00 +0000

The time has come for me to realize that I am not Supermom, nor am I Superwoman. I simply cannot do it all. For some time now, I have been frazzled and stressed. I brought it all on myself. I have too many things on my plate.....way to many. Besides working 40 hours a week, I have a home to take care of, Monkey's school activities (not to mention homework) and extracurricular activities (Soccer, Cub Scouts), my hubs and my extended family.

Add to that, two blogs, an Etsy shop (that I can never find the time to restock), my photography business, product reviews and my freelance writing. I am up to my eyeballs with obligations. And I did it to myself. I feel guilty, overwhelmed and frankly, tired. I thought I could do it all, and I can't.

So, effective immediately, I am officially closing my (empty) Etsy shop. I will also be closing down The Frugal Frog, my money-saving and giveaway blog (for the second and last time). If you are subscribed to The Frugal Frog, make sure that you subscribe here at Monkey's Momma, because I will be posting everything here. As far as Monkey's Momma, make sure that you are on the lookout for reviews and giveaways, because I plan on getting them all caught up within the next 45 days. I will still be holding the Surprise Box Giveaway scheduled for October, November and December. I have met so many great women business owners and I owe that to them. Besides that, it is going to be an awesome giveaway!

I still enjoy reviewing products, but I am swamped with them! It is a lot of work to write a great review, then market the review in order for bloggers to know about it. Some even mail ME the product(s) to send to the winners myself, so that by the time I pay for shipping, I should have just bought the product! On the other hand, I have received over 20 books to review and read, and loved every part of it, since I love reading! I have also worked with some of the most wonderful PR people out there in the blogosphere, and have had the opportunity to review some really great products and have truly enjoyed sharing those with my readers.

Monkey's Momma has been a very, very positive thing in my life. I would never have met so many bloggy friends without it. So this blog is staying. For a long, long time, I hope! My photography business, Blue Moon Photography, is staying. I still hope to sell some of my fine art prints and photo cards, although I don't know if I will do that through my photography blog, through local shoppes in my area or through a place like ImageKind. I may just give them away as gifts. I will also be writing on my private blog now and then when I feel the need.

I have tons of supplies and "found" items that I need to get rid of. Things that were going into my Etsy shop. Items for jewelry making, mixed media art (which I find fascinating), packing and shipping supplies, vintage and not-so-vintage paper ephemera, buttons, scrapbooking supplies and more. So if you need anything like this, please let me know before I sell it on ebay. I will be writing a post of everything that must go and including photos, so be sure to be looking for that.

My priorities must change. Monkey is working really hard in school, but he is requiring extra help both from in-school tutoring and at home. It is my fault. All my fault. We thought that we would be homeschooling him and was letting him go at his own pace. He decided that he wanted to go to public school this year and now we are scurrying to catch him up. Math is his strong suit. Reading and writing are not. How can that be? He is my son! Me, who loves to read and write. His language skills are excellent, but he struggles to write sentences and to read sentences longer than seven words. It doesn't help when the emails and notes from the teachers keep saying, "Work with him, work with him!" and he respond that WE ARE. Geesh!!

I have spent the better part of September being angry at myself, blaming myself and crying myself to sleep because it is my fault that my son is struggling in school. He LOVES school. He really does. I just want him to keep loving it and to love learning. He just learns at a different pace as everyone else. He likes to think about things, explore them and relish the moment. In school, there is no time for that. It is like all day long, it is "Ding!", then on to the next activity, then "Ding!", quit creating your masterpiece, "Ding!".......On to something else. I know it is frustrating for him. First Grade was not this fast paced when I was in school (a long time ago). I just keep reminding him of his Cub Scout motto: "Do Your Best", because sometimes that is all we can do.

So, for me, October is the month I stop feeling sorry for myself and for my boy. I am going to be Proactive, not reactive and hopefully things will look brighter soo.

Sorry to unload on you, my poor readers. If you all have read this blog post through to the end, God Bless You. If you haven't, well then you aren't reading this, are you?

The Drive

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 19:54:00 +0000

Of course, because I have had several days off in a row, I have not been feeling my best. Dang allergies! Today, I actually felt human, but four days of staring at the walls of my abode had made me twitchy and a tad agitated. So I escaped to the hills. Literally.

The backroads from every corner of our small community meander through hills, across one lane country bridges, past old teetering barns and sheds and down one lane gravel roads.

I am a country girl, born and raised, who now lives in suburbia. I love our little town. I really do. It has a great sense of community and everyone is very nice. But when I get twitchy, it is time to get outta Dodge.

I took off today. Husband at an appointment. Check. Boy at school. Check. Gas in the tank? Check. John in the CD player? Check.

Heading out in my little SUV, singing along to the music, windows down, wind blowing my hair around, I could feel the tension melt away little by little. I drove by the centuries-old graveyard where my ancestors lay under moss-covered stone. Past relics of once proud barns, lazy cows chewing on tall grass, rough-hewn fences and old crooked houses that whispered stories to me as I passed them by.

The air has the crispness of fall, the leaves are starting to change colors and the roads are windy. I am in my element. As I drive up and over tall hills, I thank God for the forests of trees, the lakes and creeks here and there and the bright blue sky. I also thank Him for my life, my abilities, my sweet family and my friends, few as they are. I ask Him for strength in my weaknesses, to know right from wrong and for the sense to know when I am in over my head.

By the time I head back home, an hour has passed. I feel refreshed, invigorated and grateful. Life is tough sometimes. You just have to know where to turn.

My Latest Photo Shoot: Rebecca!

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 00:21:00 +0000

I wanted to share my latest photo shoot with you. This is my friend, Rebecca. I call her Becky. She was once related to me by marriage. She was married to my younger brother. He did wrong by her. He is an idiot. She is now married to a great guy and lives in sunny California. She is a nurse too. She works with babies in a Neonatal ICU.

Even though Becky lives in California, we visit via Facebook and I have gotten closer to her mom Paula, who is just as sweet as her daughter. Becky and I have had our tough times. When she and my brother divorced, we each kept our distance until the dust settled. It wasn't until my brother lost her that he realized he had screwed up-royally. It is very hard to be supportive of your own sibling when you know that they are impossible to be around. Becky took the high road, continued her education, and went on with her life. It wasn't easy for her. I know that and I want her to know that I am so very, very proud of her.

These photos were taken at Elephant State Park near Ironton, Missouri during Becky's last visit home to Missouri. It is not hard to take photos of such a beautiful person and have them turn out so well. She is a beautiful person, inside and out. She has a ton of friends because she has such a sweet personality. It is rare to meet someone like her and I am proud to call her my friend....and my sister. Because that is how I still think of her.

Ever Have One Of Those Days?

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 21:15:00 +0000

It has been one of those days. Everything I try to do takes twice as long as it should. For one thing, my head feels like a balloon, thanks to my sinuses. My sinus medication makes me feel jittery and my brain just doesn't want to cooperate with the rest of my body. The urge to do something productive is there, but my brain just isn't into it. I hate that!

Blog Hop Giveaways List!

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 21:11:00 +0000

Click here to see the entire Giveaway Blog Hop List....

Monkey's Momma New Header!

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 21:22:00 +0000

What do you think of the new blog header? I felt that it was time for a change, and you know how I like to mess with things like that. I also love the vintage-y look. If you are reading through an rss feed, click through to check it out and let me know what you think.

Jeanne Beatrice Baskets: A Review And Giveaway!

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 14:34:00 +0000

Stylish, affordable and environmentally-friendly, Jeanne Beatrice Handmade Market Baskets have graced the pages of magazines such as Coastal Living and the online version of Vogue.com, to name a few.

Jeanne Beatrice is the brain child of founder Laura Benson. Laura was on a family vacation in France when she realized that the French carried baskets with them everywhere. A lover of baskets, she began to dream of a business that would provide beautiful, durable baskets that women would love to own.

She soon partnered with the High Atlas Foundation, which helps Moroccan communities by empowering them and encouraging self-reliance through various projects. Jeanne Beatrice Baskets are handwoven in small mountain villages of Morocco in a tradition that has been passed down through many generations. Each basket takes 3-8 hours to create and each one is unique due to the handmade process. No mass production here! The baskets are made with readily available, renewable resources such as palm leaves and water reeds, which grown abundantly in the area. Once the baskets are weaved, they are collected and taken to a central location, where the leather parts are added. The leather is treated by either dying, oiling or painting.

When I met Laura online, I could tell that she is passionate about baskets and also about helping others. As a matter of fact, not only does she partner with the High Atlas Foundation, but she helps support Lift Kids and Clean Water Act through silent auctions, proceeds from Jeanne Beatrice Baskets or both. She also is a keen supporter of local resources in her own community. So from Morocco to her own backyard, Laura is definitely doing her part to create a better world. I really admire her for that.

Laura was kind enough to send me the Jeanne Beatrice basket, La vie rouge. When I received it, I pulled it out of the box and fell in love! The wine colored leather handles were made of the softest leather I have ever felt. The basket itself is made with palm leaves. At approximately 23" wide and 12" high, it is a HUGE basket! I have it proudly displayed in my living room and it is currently holding around 20 books, both soft and hardcover. The baskets are shipped without extra filler. They are durable enough to survive shipping without it. The baskets are weaved while the materials are still wet, therefore your basket will smell a little like "wet grass". The smell fades very quickly, though. Also, the bottom of the basket may need flattening due to the process in which they are made, but Laura has directions on her website on how to remedy that.

Laura also sent me a great big Moses Basket to use in my photography, for baby and toddler portraits.She no longer has these available, but she does have the La Terre Baby Doll "Moses" Basket, which is just right for dolls.

I am impressed by the craftmanship of these baskets and am proud to say that I own a Jeanne Beatrice basket. I truly think that her company will go far. Not only are they affordable for folks like myself, they are stylish and absolutely gorgeous. I smile every time I pass mine in the living room.

Now for the best part. How would you like to win YOUR choice of either a La Vie Rouge, like mine, a La Vie Verte, which was featured in the Redbook August 2009 issue, or the La Vie Noir? You would? I bet you would!

So here is how to enter to win your choice of one of these baskets. Each comment gains you an extra entry.

1. Go to Jeanne Beatrice, look at all her wonderful products, then come back here and tell me what your favorite basket is and how you would use it.

2. Follow Jeanne Beatrice on Twitter.

3. Follow me on Twitter.

4. Tweet about this giveaway.

5. Become a Fan of Jeanne Beatrice on Facebook.

6. Follow Monkey's Momma through Networked Blogs on Facebook (sidebar).

7. Subscribe to Monkey's Momma through rss or email (sidebar).

8. Become a Google Follower here on Monkey's Momma (sidebar).

9. Browse through Jeanne Beatrice and come back here and tell me something you learned from her website or on of her partner's websites (3 extra entries-leave a comment for each entry. For the first entry, put #1, then what you learned, then enter two more comments, as #2 and #3 and put in quotations "Learning" or something to that effect. It just makes it easier to count entries).

10. Create an account at Jeanne Beatrice in order to receive her newsletter and updates via email.

The contest will end on Wednesday, 10/7/09 at 8pm CST.

Ah Bith Ma Foof!

carmich698@sbcglobal.net (Monkey's Momma) — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 22:47:00 +0000

It seems that the Tooth Fairy will be visiting very, very soon. I was beginning to think that Monkey would never lose his baby teeth, but the other day, the beginnings of a brand new tooth popped up behind one of his bottom teeth. I told him that it wouldn't be long before he lost a tooth. He was so excited!

Then tonight at supper, he was chowing enthusiastically on a juicy hamburger when all of a sudden, he started bawling. With tears rolling down his face, he gasped, "Ah bith ma foof!!!". My husband and I looked at each other, then looked and him and said, "What?"

Ah bith ma foof Ah bith ma foof Ah bith ma foof!!!

I wiped the tears from his little face, urged him gently to calm down and asked him to repeat himself.

Slowly and enunciating carefully, he spoke as if his poor parents didn't understand a lick of English.

I....Bent....My....Tooth!!

Oh.

At this rate, the way the kid gobbles down food, he will swallow it before the Tooth Fairy can retrieve it from under his pillow!