Click here to view (Canada).
Happy Sunday!
Feb 28, 2010
Britax Sale @ TRU
FYI... just passed to me by Angelene and Abby, Toys-R-Us is having a Britax sale. If you're in the market for a car seat, Britax seats are consistently at the top of all "best" lists.
Click here to view (Canada).
Happy Sunday!
Click here to view (Canada).
Happy Sunday!
Feb 26, 2010
PTPA Award Winners
Unfortunately, because I came on board in between two campaigns, I haven't gotten the chance to try out a lot of PTPA products as of yet. I have still been writing weekly posts for PTPA (check them out if you want) on some of the PTPA Award Winning products that I own myself or that I'd love to own (i.e. Wonder Bumpers).
I wanted to share with you some of the awesome products T've discovered through PTPA. I feel like the people who create these products are geniuses - they take the moments where we think "there's got to be a better way" and turn it into a product that solves that problem. It must help if you're not suffering from mommy brain cause all I can think is "this sucks" these days, not "hmmm... if I created...". :p Maybe someday my brain will work again and I'll be rich! ha ha ha.
Here are a few goodies I thought you'd enjoy...
The Kangaroo Towel - Keeps you dry and baby warm after the bath. You wear the Kangaroo Towel while bathing your babe so you keep dry. When party time (I mean, bath time) is over, lift baby out and place them into the hooded towel - it's almost like a little sack for baby. This product is fabulous as, with Jane being such a little mover lately, it's a juggling act to get her cozy in her towel post-bath, not to mention (even though her towel is huge) her little tootsies are always hanging out the bottom!
Kidz-Med 5-in-1 Non Contact Thermometer - Hallelujah! This thing is awesome. How many times have you woken up (I mean, been woken up) in the middle of the night, felt your little one and convinced yourself he/she had a fever? Most of the time, I go back to bed, lie there awake for 30 minutes before waking Jane up to take her temperature (and we all know the most accurate way to do so - poor things).
This Kidz-Med thermometer is proven to be as reliable as a rectal temperature reading. You simply place the thermometer by baby's forehead, click a button and within a second, get an accurate reading. This would be a lifesaver - I wouldn't even have to wake Jane up when I was having a crazy-Mommy moment!
9oz Stainless Steel Baby Bottle - I just want this because it's pretty! Oh yeah, and obviously because it's free of all the scary ingredients in plastics - like BPA.
Goober Baby Change Purse - Between your baby, car seat, purse, etc., carrying a diaper bag around sometimes is a pain! This is perfect. Usually, I just throw a diaper and some wipes in my purse but this is much more organized and much prettier. Sold.
More to come...
I wanted to share with you some of the awesome products T've discovered through PTPA. I feel like the people who create these products are geniuses - they take the moments where we think "there's got to be a better way" and turn it into a product that solves that problem. It must help if you're not suffering from mommy brain cause all I can think is "this sucks" these days, not "hmmm... if I created...". :p Maybe someday my brain will work again and I'll be rich! ha ha ha.
Here are a few goodies I thought you'd enjoy...
The Kangaroo Towel - Keeps you dry and baby warm after the bath. You wear the Kangaroo Towel while bathing your babe so you keep dry. When party time (I mean, bath time) is over, lift baby out and place them into the hooded towel - it's almost like a little sack for baby. This product is fabulous as, with Jane being such a little mover lately, it's a juggling act to get her cozy in her towel post-bath, not to mention (even though her towel is huge) her little tootsies are always hanging out the bottom!
Kidz-Med 5-in-1 Non Contact Thermometer - Hallelujah! This thing is awesome. How many times have you woken up (I mean, been woken up) in the middle of the night, felt your little one and convinced yourself he/she had a fever? Most of the time, I go back to bed, lie there awake for 30 minutes before waking Jane up to take her temperature (and we all know the most accurate way to do so - poor things).
This Kidz-Med thermometer is proven to be as reliable as a rectal temperature reading. You simply place the thermometer by baby's forehead, click a button and within a second, get an accurate reading. This would be a lifesaver - I wouldn't even have to wake Jane up when I was having a crazy-Mommy moment! 9oz Stainless Steel Baby Bottle - I just want this because it's pretty! Oh yeah, and obviously because it's free of all the scary ingredients in plastics - like BPA.
Goober Baby Change Purse - Between your baby, car seat, purse, etc., carrying a diaper bag around sometimes is a pain! This is perfect. Usually, I just throw a diaper and some wipes in my purse but this is much more organized and much prettier. Sold.More to come...
Feb 25, 2010
Thank God Thursday
This is my second Thank God Thursday.
I shall start off every TGT post thanking God for the important things, obviously... chocolate, ice cream... JUST KIDDING! Of course, I mean my beautiful daughter, fabulous hubby and wonderful family and friends. I am the luckiest girl in the world!
Onto the other things I am thankful for this week...
(1) My hair straightener. Before all these fancy schmancy hair straighteners hit the market, us wavy/curly haired chicks had issues. My sister used to wrap her wet hair around her head,
bobby pin it in place, put a shower cap over it and go to sleep so that she would wake up with mostly straight-ish hair (except for the bobby pin dents that were left over). Hilarious. Then, miraculously, Babyliss came out with a crimping iron (WIN) that had two sets of plates - one flat and one crimpy. So, we used this for a while and with a good 30 minute pre-blow dry combined with 20 minutes of flat plates, you could do a fairly decent job. Then, HALLELUJAH, the hair straightener arrived. Enough said. Thank God for the hair straightener, especially these days when I do not have an hour to do my hair everyday (I used to get up at 5:30am to do my hair in high school - brutal). Thank God for my hair straightener. Oh, and thank God high school is over!
(2) Tea and my Keurig. My Mom calls me the other day after being on vacation for a week. She asks me "what do you eat when you've already eaten too much but you're still hungry" (in other words, I just got back from vacation where I ate everything I wanted and now I have to eat healthy again and I don't want to), my response "tea, Mom, I drink A LOT of tea". It takes a long time to consume because it's so hot and if you get flavours you like, you're set. My favourite is Lipton Ginger Twist herbal tea (caffeine free for the other bf-ing Moms out there). Secondly, if you don't have a Keurig, they are awesome. It's a one-cup coffee maker but I use it for my teas and it can also make lattes, hot chocolate, etc. It's quick and simple - what every Mom needs. Thank God for tea.
(3) Fail blog. Sometimes too much but most of the time just funny... basically a blog dedicated to people doing stupid things. Thanks to my gf Emily for this one. This is what I do when I don't have anything else to do (which happens now and then - like once a month :p). Thank God for Fail blog.
(4) Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. First of all, let me say, that I don't like Jane watching TV... at all. With that said, I let her anyways when I have something to do and, for whatever reason, she's unhappy about my ignoring her. So, yes, I use TV as a babysitter. If I'm going to parenting hell for this, so be it. Regardless, as soon as I put on MMC, it's over. She doesn't even watch the whole thing - she pays attention for the intro (watch the video) and then she'll start playing with her toys. It's the perfect distraction. Something about Mickey's voice. Honestly, I know all the songs and watch it more than she does. Regardless, Thank God for MMC!
I shall start off every TGT post thanking God for the important things, obviously... chocolate, ice cream... JUST KIDDING! Of course, I mean my beautiful daughter, fabulous hubby and wonderful family and friends. I am the luckiest girl in the world!
Onto the other things I am thankful for this week...
(1) My hair straightener. Before all these fancy schmancy hair straighteners hit the market, us wavy/curly haired chicks had issues. My sister used to wrap her wet hair around her head,
bobby pin it in place, put a shower cap over it and go to sleep so that she would wake up with mostly straight-ish hair (except for the bobby pin dents that were left over). Hilarious. Then, miraculously, Babyliss came out with a crimping iron (WIN) that had two sets of plates - one flat and one crimpy. So, we used this for a while and with a good 30 minute pre-blow dry combined with 20 minutes of flat plates, you could do a fairly decent job. Then, HALLELUJAH, the hair straightener arrived. Enough said. Thank God for the hair straightener, especially these days when I do not have an hour to do my hair everyday (I used to get up at 5:30am to do my hair in high school - brutal). Thank God for my hair straightener. Oh, and thank God high school is over! (2) Tea and my Keurig. My Mom calls me the other day after being on vacation for a week. She asks me "what do you eat when you've already eaten too much but you're still hungry" (in other words, I just got back from vacation where I ate everything I wanted and now I have to eat healthy again and I don't want to), my response "tea, Mom, I drink A LOT of tea". It takes a long time to consume because it's so hot and if you get flavours you like, you're set. My favourite is Lipton Ginger Twist herbal tea (caffeine free for the other bf-ing Moms out there). Secondly, if you don't have a Keurig, they are awesome. It's a one-cup coffee maker but I use it for my teas and it can also make lattes, hot chocolate, etc. It's quick and simple - what every Mom needs. Thank God for tea.
(3) Fail blog. Sometimes too much but most of the time just funny... basically a blog dedicated to people doing stupid things. Thanks to my gf Emily for this one. This is what I do when I don't have anything else to do (which happens now and then - like once a month :p). Thank God for Fail blog.
(4) Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. First of all, let me say, that I don't like Jane watching TV... at all. With that said, I let her anyways when I have something to do and, for whatever reason, she's unhappy about my ignoring her. So, yes, I use TV as a babysitter. If I'm going to parenting hell for this, so be it. Regardless, as soon as I put on MMC, it's over. She doesn't even watch the whole thing - she pays attention for the intro (watch the video) and then she'll start playing with her toys. It's the perfect distraction. Something about Mickey's voice. Honestly, I know all the songs and watch it more than she does. Regardless, Thank God for MMC!
Lovin' Lena
As usual, Lena's got another fab giveaway up at Listen to Lena...
An opportunity to win either Corel Digital Studio 2010 or Painter Essentials 4 - amazing applications for photo and video editing (y'all know I'm picture obsessed!).
Drop by to enter - both are PTPA Award Winners, so you know they are parent approved!
An opportunity to win either Corel Digital Studio 2010 or Painter Essentials 4 - amazing applications for photo and video editing (y'all know I'm picture obsessed!).
Drop by to enter - both are PTPA Award Winners, so you know they are parent approved!
Feb 24, 2010
Weigh-in Wednesday
Do you know how long I've been doing Weigh-in Wednesdays? 26 weeks. That's half a year. That's six months. That's insane!
I definitely didn't think it would last this long. Naively, I'm pretty sure I thought I'd have had all this weight off by the Fall! ha ha ha. Cracks me up. I could have had it all off by the Fall. But that would have required giving up chocolate and working out sooner than I wanted to... not worth it! :p It's all in your priorities people.
The 30 day shred is done, thank God. I lost, what? 3 pounds on it - WOOHOO (sarcasm). Actually, that ain't bad seeing as I seemed to have plateaued prior to that. I'll take it. I've been doing my own little 15 minute workouts every day (except for weekends, who works out on weekends?) since Monday (when the shred ended). Also, I have run once on the treadmill as well. I'm going to try to get up a little earlier in the AM now that Jane is basically sleeping through the night. Thinking if I aim for 2-3 runs per week (starting back at intervals) and 2-3 strength workouts, that'll be a realistic goal.
I've got two new addictions this week... numero uno is hummus and baby carrots. I thought I hated hummus. Then, at a playdate, one of the other Moms, Kathy Ann, introduced me to her hummus recipe and I've made it twice already. It's so easy and, more importantly, makes vegetables something I want to snack on!
Kathy Ann was nice enough to not be one of those people who keeps their winning recipes to themselves (you know who you are - it's like you're scared if we learn your recipe, we'll stop inviting you :p). Here it is:
1 can chickpeas (drained)
2-3 garlic cloves
1 tbsp tahini (sesame seed butter - can be found with the all natural peanut and almond butters)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cumin (very important ingredient, cumin is necessary)
A little s & p
Chuck it all in the food processor and mix until it's not chunky anymore. SO tasty. Eat it with carrots, peppers, etc. or with some pita.
For about a 1/4 cup serving, it's only like 50 cals - so mix it with veggies and it makes for a low cal, super healthy snack!
Secondly, and you have to be open-minded for this one, I have substituted my chocolate addiction with Black Bean Brownies. Hold on, hold on. Before you write me off... they aren't that bad. I'm not going to lie, they aren't brownies. But, they do satisfy my chocolate need for a lot less calories and a lot more nutrition. I got the recipe years ago from Oprah, I think, as she had somebody on who was trying to help parents get their kids to eat better by sneaking healthy things into things that kids liked.
Here's the recipe for Black Bean Brownies:
1-15 oz can Black Beans, rinsed (shake off excess water)
3 eggs, divided
4 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1 - 2.25oz jar baby food prunes
2 cups of sugar or splenda, or do what I did and use 1 cup splenda brown sugar
3 tbsp flour
3/4 cup cocoa
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Blend beans and one egg in food processor until completely smooth.
Add melted butter, remaining eggs, vanilla and prunes to bean mixture. Mix thoroughly.
Add remaining ingredients - sugar, flour, cocoa - and stir. I used Splenda brown sugar because it's all I had on hand.
Pour in buttered 9x13" pan. Bake for 25-30 mins or until knife inserted into middle comes out clean.
Makes 24.
Here's the deal on these brownies... If you're expected a brownie, you're going to be disappointed. If you're expecting a healthy brownie alternative, you'll be pleasantly surprised. For 100 cals a pop, you get a nice sized brownie. I put a few tablespoons of frozen, fat free, cool whip on mine to act as a ice cream substitute (necessary if you ask me). This combo makes it taste pretty good! The consistency is moist and dense but if you're willing to give 'um a go and have an open mind, it's worth it. I think most people get hung up on the bean part of it and turn into a 5 year old who doesn't want to eat their broccoli. :p With that said, I'll be making these for years to come as they are much better for Jane than a regular brownie for a treat - she'll never know I'm sneaking good stuff into her tummy!
Okee dokes ladies, here are the stats for this week (we're getting there!):
Starting WIW weight: 157 lbs
Current weight: 142 lbs
Pounds to lose: 5 lbs
Pounds lost: 15 lbs
Oh, FYI... I got a great update from my old partner in crime, Jill, who joined me for operation "Bringing Sexy Back" in the early days... she's preggers again! YIPEE! Congrats Jill!
I definitely didn't think it would last this long. Naively, I'm pretty sure I thought I'd have had all this weight off by the Fall! ha ha ha. Cracks me up. I could have had it all off by the Fall. But that would have required giving up chocolate and working out sooner than I wanted to... not worth it! :p It's all in your priorities people.
The 30 day shred is done, thank God. I lost, what? 3 pounds on it - WOOHOO (sarcasm). Actually, that ain't bad seeing as I seemed to have plateaued prior to that. I'll take it. I've been doing my own little 15 minute workouts every day (except for weekends, who works out on weekends?) since Monday (when the shred ended). Also, I have run once on the treadmill as well. I'm going to try to get up a little earlier in the AM now that Jane is basically sleeping through the night. Thinking if I aim for 2-3 runs per week (starting back at intervals) and 2-3 strength workouts, that'll be a realistic goal.
I've got two new addictions this week... numero uno is hummus and baby carrots. I thought I hated hummus. Then, at a playdate, one of the other Moms, Kathy Ann, introduced me to her hummus recipe and I've made it twice already. It's so easy and, more importantly, makes vegetables something I want to snack on!
Kathy Ann was nice enough to not be one of those people who keeps their winning recipes to themselves (you know who you are - it's like you're scared if we learn your recipe, we'll stop inviting you :p). Here it is:
1 can chickpeas (drained)
2-3 garlic cloves
1 tbsp tahini (sesame seed butter - can be found with the all natural peanut and almond butters)
2 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cumin (very important ingredient, cumin is necessary)
A little s & p
Chuck it all in the food processor and mix until it's not chunky anymore. SO tasty. Eat it with carrots, peppers, etc. or with some pita.
For about a 1/4 cup serving, it's only like 50 cals - so mix it with veggies and it makes for a low cal, super healthy snack!
Secondly, and you have to be open-minded for this one, I have substituted my chocolate addiction with Black Bean Brownies. Hold on, hold on. Before you write me off... they aren't that bad. I'm not going to lie, they aren't brownies. But, they do satisfy my chocolate need for a lot less calories and a lot more nutrition. I got the recipe years ago from Oprah, I think, as she had somebody on who was trying to help parents get their kids to eat better by sneaking healthy things into things that kids liked.
Here's the recipe for Black Bean Brownies:
1-15 oz can Black Beans, rinsed (shake off excess water)
3 eggs, divided
4 tbsp butter, melted
1 tsp vanilla
1 - 2.25oz jar baby food prunes
2 cups of sugar or splenda, or do what I did and use 1 cup splenda brown sugar
3 tbsp flour
3/4 cup cocoa
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Blend beans and one egg in food processor until completely smooth.
Add melted butter, remaining eggs, vanilla and prunes to bean mixture. Mix thoroughly.
Add remaining ingredients - sugar, flour, cocoa - and stir. I used Splenda brown sugar because it's all I had on hand.
Pour in buttered 9x13" pan. Bake for 25-30 mins or until knife inserted into middle comes out clean.
Makes 24.
Here's the deal on these brownies... If you're expected a brownie, you're going to be disappointed. If you're expecting a healthy brownie alternative, you'll be pleasantly surprised. For 100 cals a pop, you get a nice sized brownie. I put a few tablespoons of frozen, fat free, cool whip on mine to act as a ice cream substitute (necessary if you ask me). This combo makes it taste pretty good! The consistency is moist and dense but if you're willing to give 'um a go and have an open mind, it's worth it. I think most people get hung up on the bean part of it and turn into a 5 year old who doesn't want to eat their broccoli. :p With that said, I'll be making these for years to come as they are much better for Jane than a regular brownie for a treat - she'll never know I'm sneaking good stuff into her tummy!
Okee dokes ladies, here are the stats for this week (we're getting there!):
Starting WIW weight: 157 lbs
Current weight: 142 lbs
Pounds to lose: 5 lbs
Pounds lost: 15 lbs
Oh, FYI... I got a great update from my old partner in crime, Jill, who joined me for operation "Bringing Sexy Back" in the early days... she's preggers again! YIPEE! Congrats Jill!
Feb 23, 2010
Little Star Greetings Giveaway
Birth announcements. You're either for or against them.
Some people think they are too "HEY LOOK AT ME" - as if you're bragging. Well, folks, you are bragging and you darn well have a right to!
You just had a baby - a beautiful, perfect, fabulous, amazing, little bundle that has given you so much happiness that you want to share it with the world. Is that wrong? Me thinks not!
Some people think they are "give me a gift" cards. Personally, I think if this thought even crosses your mind then you probably are sending them with the hope of getting gifts. I, honestly, didn't even think about this when I sent out ours and, thankfully, we only received one unexpected gift as a result.
I'm not saying you're wrong to want gifts (who doesn't like free stuff? This is a giveaway for goodness sake) - just not my cup of tea, ya know!
Some people think it's too much money - especially at a time when you've all-of-a-sudden just increased your expenses quite a bit (between toys, diapers, food, daycare, etc.). To those people I say...
Get 'um for FREE! :p
I first mentioned Little Star Greetings in my Tips-n-Tricks series discussing birth announcements. Little Star Greetings is a design company that specializes in gorgeous, custom photo announcements, invitations, thank you cards and holiday cards. Run by two Moms, Melanie and JoAnne, one Canadian and one American, the "girls" pride themselves on being passionate and providing high quality, beautiful designs, based on the latest trends.
Looking at their photo birth announcements, I don't know how you could decide on just one design! Each one is so beautiful and unique. Honestly, it makes me want to have 60 more babies just so I have an excuse to use each one... tee hee hee, don't think Dan (or my bank account) would be on board with that one. :p Little Star Greetings provides different designs for 
boys and girls as well as some sweet announcements for twins. We're actually going to order our Birthday invitations for Jane's first birthday (quickly approaching) from Little Star... I'm trying to decide between the Cassie design and the Sarah Design. With the picture-taking addiction I have, I wouldn't be able to choose just one picture. I like that I could pick several for these invites!
Fabulously, Melanie and JoAnne have given us the opportunity to see their amazing work for ourselves...
Little Star Greetings Giveaway
One MOmMy bRaIn follower will win 25 Custom Photo Announcements or birthday invitations!
The winner will get to choose from any of Little Star Greetings' photo birth announcements or birthday invitations and work with the "girls" to create a unique and beautiful design.
This giveaway is for all the ladies! If you're a Mom-to-be, how great would it be to get free, memorable, custom birth announcements? Already a Mom? Send out a special photo birthday invitation this year - sure to bring a smile to everyone's face! Neither? Who doesn't have a friend who's preggers these days? (If you don't, I can't figure out why you're following a blog called MOmMy bRaIn - are you lost?!?! :p) You could use your win as a new-baby gift to pass along to a girlfriend who's about to have a little 'un!
Some people think they are too "HEY LOOK AT ME" - as if you're bragging. Well, folks, you are bragging and you darn well have a right to!
You just had a baby - a beautiful, perfect, fabulous, amazing, little bundle that has given you so much happiness that you want to share it with the world. Is that wrong? Me thinks not!Some people think they are "give me a gift" cards. Personally, I think if this thought even crosses your mind then you probably are sending them with the hope of getting gifts. I, honestly, didn't even think about this when I sent out ours and, thankfully, we only received one unexpected gift as a result.
I'm not saying you're wrong to want gifts (who doesn't like free stuff? This is a giveaway for goodness sake) - just not my cup of tea, ya know!Some people think it's too much money - especially at a time when you've all-of-a-sudden just increased your expenses quite a bit (between toys, diapers, food, daycare, etc.). To those people I say...
Get 'um for FREE! :p
I first mentioned Little Star Greetings in my Tips-n-Tricks series discussing birth announcements. Little Star Greetings is a design company that specializes in gorgeous, custom photo announcements, invitations, thank you cards and holiday cards. Run by two Moms, Melanie and JoAnne, one Canadian and one American, the "girls" pride themselves on being passionate and providing high quality, beautiful designs, based on the latest trends.
Looking at their photo birth announcements, I don't know how you could decide on just one design! Each one is so beautiful and unique. Honestly, it makes me want to have 60 more babies just so I have an excuse to use each one... tee hee hee, don't think Dan (or my bank account) would be on board with that one. :p Little Star Greetings provides different designs for 
boys and girls as well as some sweet announcements for twins. We're actually going to order our Birthday invitations for Jane's first birthday (quickly approaching) from Little Star... I'm trying to decide between the Cassie design and the Sarah Design. With the picture-taking addiction I have, I wouldn't be able to choose just one picture. I like that I could pick several for these invites!Fabulously, Melanie and JoAnne have given us the opportunity to see their amazing work for ourselves...
Little Star Greetings Giveaway
One MOmMy bRaIn follower will win 25 Custom Photo Announcements or birthday invitations!
The winner will get to choose from any of Little Star Greetings' photo birth announcements or birthday invitations and work with the "girls" to create a unique and beautiful design.This giveaway is for all the ladies! If you're a Mom-to-be, how great would it be to get free, memorable, custom birth announcements? Already a Mom? Send out a special photo birthday invitation this year - sure to bring a smile to everyone's face! Neither? Who doesn't have a friend who's preggers these days? (If you don't, I can't figure out why you're following a blog called MOmMy bRaIn - are you lost?!?! :p) You could use your win as a new-baby gift to pass along to a girlfriend who's about to have a little 'un!
| Here's what you need to do to enter: (1) Visit Little Star Greetings and choose a design you'd love to have (birth announcement, invitation, anything!). Comment about it on this post. (2) If you use Facebook, become a fan of Little Star Greetings - here's the link. (3) Vote for MOmMy bRaIn on TopMommyBlogs.com by clicking the button to the left (that's all you have to do to cast a vote). |
As always, for extra entries, feel free to:
Tweet about this giveaway (one entry per day per tweet)
Blog about this giveaway
Our winner will be randomly selected next Tuesday, March 2nd, so be sure to check back!
Good luck all! As usual, I am so jealous of you all for this one - I want to enter my own giveaways - that's always a good sign!! :)
Feb 22, 2010
The Playdate
This is me - I'm 45% extrovert, 45% introvert. I don't mean that 45% of me is outgoing and 45% is shy. I mean that 45% of me gets energy from being in social settings and 45% of me gets energy from being at home with just my hubby and Janers. 
The other 10% of my energy comes from chocolate! :p It depends on the situation. In work, I'm an extrovert - I feel like I use that 45% of me at work so when I come home, I'm introverted me. I'm definitely not the first to hop on the party-train! Homebody through and through.
Once you have a baby, you start getting invited to playdates. At first, I avoided them whenever possible - usually able to use my not having a car as an excuse. Then, I had my first playdate. It was so nice to get together with another group of Moms. I love my girlfriends who don't have kids but there's an immediate connection between Moms... an understanding.
AND, the pressure is off. I always leave get-togethers with my non-Mommy friends thinking "oh my god, I just bored her to death" because I feel like I spent the entire time talking about things she doesn't care about (my boobs, breastfeeding, Jane's poop, etc.) Often times you don't know everyone who attends the playdates. You may worry you won't have anything in common or you won't fit in. HA! Sit down with another Mom and you don't have to worry that at some point you're not going to have something to talk about - what do you think you're going to talk about?
Here's the typically conversation topics at the playdates I've attended:
The other 10% of my energy comes from chocolate! :p It depends on the situation. In work, I'm an extrovert - I feel like I use that 45% of me at work so when I come home, I'm introverted me. I'm definitely not the first to hop on the party-train! Homebody through and through. Once you have a baby, you start getting invited to playdates. At first, I avoided them whenever possible - usually able to use my not having a car as an excuse. Then, I had my first playdate. It was so nice to get together with another group of Moms. I love my girlfriends who don't have kids but there's an immediate connection between Moms... an understanding.
AND, the pressure is off. I always leave get-togethers with my non-Mommy friends thinking "oh my god, I just bored her to death" because I feel like I spent the entire time talking about things she doesn't care about (my boobs, breastfeeding, Jane's poop, etc.) Often times you don't know everyone who attends the playdates. You may worry you won't have anything in common or you won't fit in. HA! Sit down with another Mom and you don't have to worry that at some point you're not going to have something to talk about - what do you think you're going to talk about? Here's the typically conversation topics at the playdates I've attended:
- Your baby's poop
- Your boobs
- Breastfeeding
- Your labour
- Your labour scars (oh yes, when you're in the Mom club, it is acceptable to talk about your "voo" and all the fun that accompanied your labour) - it's hilarious - you almost brag about them like they are battle wounds! :p
- Your baby's eating
- Sex (HA!)
- Your baby's sleeping
- Work
- Your baby's everything else
It's like Mommy-therapy. You look around the room and realize, thank God, I'm not alone... I'm not alone in my worries, my insecurities, my challenges. And you also look around and realize,
hmmm... I'm doing pretty well. Whether you are doing similar or better than most of the Moms in your group, it gives you peace of mind to see where you stand - and my guess is you're doing better than you're giving yourself credit for! What I recommend for the playdate? Toys and Coffee/Tea (decaffeinated options for the bf-ers). Lots of toys and play areas. It's rare to have friends who all have the same aged baby - so bring out some of the things you've packed away (if your babe is older) or the things you haven't used yet
(if your little 'un is a newbie) so that the other babes will be kept occupied so you can accomplish the playdate goal - Mom therapy - OH, I mean, for the babes to have fun! :p Jane's at the age where she loves seeing other babies now and interacting with them (i.e. scratching at their faces and grabbing at them) so she loves our playdates. Within 4-5 months, I went from avoiding playdates to trying to have at least one a week. If you don't have a group of friends with babies, most cities have Mommy-groups where you can get together at the Mall or something with another group of local Mommies.
Being a Mommy instantly bonds you to other Mommies. Just take a trip to the mall or grocery store with you baby and pay attention. The women who see you with your baby and smile at you are giving you the "hey, welcome to the club" greeting. It's really neat.
Feb 19, 2010
Baby Food 101
What's the thing I like most about making my own baby food? It tastes good! If you have dared to taste any of the jarred baby food meat combos you know what I'm talking about. It kind of tastes like Campbell's soup pureed. Tastes like they mixed a little chicken with a little carrot and A LOT of salt. I don't even know if they put salt in it but they have to put something scary in it in order for it to have the shelf life that it does.
Here are a few of my favourite recipes right now:
FYI... I save myself time and effort by buying one of those pre-cooked rotisserie chickens at the grocery store. Obviously I throw the skin out and only use the best meat but for $8.99 you get a lot of great meat!
Chicken Stew (YUMMO - seriously, I would eat this myself)
2 cups rotisserie chicken (or boiled chicken breast/legs whatever you want to use)
3/4 cup diced, peeled carrot
1 small onion, diced
1 small white potato, diced
1 cup low sodium chicken stock
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp vegetable oil
In medium saucepan, bring water to boil. Add carrots, onion and potato. Cook for 20 mins or until soft. Drain.
In food processor or blender, combine your boiled veggies, chicken, parsley, oil, and maybe half of your chicken stock. I never measure the liquids so honestly, you may need more or less than 1 cup of stock depending on the consistency you are going for. I start with a little and keep adding until I get a good consistency (right now Jane's transitioning to chunkier foods so I don't puree as much).
This recipe made two ice cube trays full. It's awesome. Jane eats 2 cubes almost every day for lunch.
Fruit-n-Veggies
2 cups diced, peeled carrots
2 cups sliced, pitted fresh apricots (or 16ish dried apricots)
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (I used frozen - they are way cheaper)
In medium saucepan, boil your carrots until they are soft (15 minutes or so). Drain, reserving some of your boiling water to use when processing.
In separate bowl, pour boiled water over your dried apricots and let sit for 30 mins to reconstitute. If you are using fresh apricots, boil them in a saucepan for 5 minutes or so, until soft.
In food processor or blender, combine your cooked carrots, apricots and raspberries (thawed if you are using frozen). Use some of your reserved boiling water from your carrots to puree - adding a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
This recipe makes about 2 ice cube trays. I usually give Jane 2 cubes with lunch or dinner. It's tasty and sweet - good treat for "dessert".
Here are a few of my favourite recipes right now:
FYI... I save myself time and effort by buying one of those pre-cooked rotisserie chickens at the grocery store. Obviously I throw the skin out and only use the best meat but for $8.99 you get a lot of great meat!
Chicken Stew (YUMMO - seriously, I would eat this myself)
2 cups rotisserie chicken (or boiled chicken breast/legs whatever you want to use)
3/4 cup diced, peeled carrot
1 small onion, diced
1 small white potato, diced
1 cup low sodium chicken stock
1 tsp dried parsley
1 tsp vegetable oil
In medium saucepan, bring water to boil. Add carrots, onion and potato. Cook for 20 mins or until soft. Drain.
In food processor or blender, combine your boiled veggies, chicken, parsley, oil, and maybe half of your chicken stock. I never measure the liquids so honestly, you may need more or less than 1 cup of stock depending on the consistency you are going for. I start with a little and keep adding until I get a good consistency (right now Jane's transitioning to chunkier foods so I don't puree as much).
This recipe made two ice cube trays full. It's awesome. Jane eats 2 cubes almost every day for lunch.
Fruit-n-Veggies
2 cups diced, peeled carrots
2 cups sliced, pitted fresh apricots (or 16ish dried apricots)
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (I used frozen - they are way cheaper)
In medium saucepan, boil your carrots until they are soft (15 minutes or so). Drain, reserving some of your boiling water to use when processing.
In separate bowl, pour boiled water over your dried apricots and let sit for 30 mins to reconstitute. If you are using fresh apricots, boil them in a saucepan for 5 minutes or so, until soft.
In food processor or blender, combine your cooked carrots, apricots and raspberries (thawed if you are using frozen). Use some of your reserved boiling water from your carrots to puree - adding a little at a time until you reach your desired consistency.
This recipe makes about 2 ice cube trays. I usually give Jane 2 cubes with lunch or dinner. It's tasty and sweet - good treat for "dessert".
Another tip for when you are first starting out making your own food...
Cook and freeze everything separately (e.g. carrots, sweet potato, chicken, pork, fruits, etc.). Then mix your cubes at mealtime. This provides a lot of variety in flavour and nutrients.
Here are some of my favourite combos:
2 cubes carrots with 1 cube of apples or apricot
2 cubes pork tenderloin with 1 cube prunes, apricot or apple
1 cube turkey with 1 cube apricot
1 cube carrots with 1 cube of sweet potato
1 cube of carrots, 1 cube butternut squash and 1 cube of apple
You can basically mix everything. This makes it easy for meats to mix them with different veggies.
Have fun!
Feb 18, 2010
Thank God Thursdays
The other day, as I was watching Friday Night Lights (my new addiction), I was trying to think of a fun way to share some of my favourite things with you guys on a regular basis. So, I am going to start doing Thank God Thursdays - maybe not every week, but on the weeks where I can't think of anything else to write about! :p
First off, I thank God for my beautiful, healthy baby girl Janers and my fabulous hubby Dan. Of course, I am also thankful for my family and friends and for how blessed we are.
Now. Onto some of the foolish things I am thankful for this week:
(1) Taylor Kitsch (a.k.a. Tim Riggins) - Pictured left. Hunny, I love you and you are hot stuff and you also know I have love in my heart for Riggins. Ladies, if you haven't watched Friday Night Lights (from now on referred to as FNL) before, you are so, so, so, so missing out. You need to tell your hubby it's about football and rent the DVDs, catch yourself up and starting watching it. It's the best show. Dan loves it. I love it. Addicted. Oh, did I mention he's a good Canadian boy? Thank God for Tim Riggins.
(2) Coach Taylor. Yes. FNL again. Like I said, addicted. This man makes me want to move to Texas. Thank God for Coach Taylor.
(3) Lainey Gossip. Like most women, I have a need to keep up to date on the lives of celebrities. Lainey's blog is awesome. She calls it like it is, calls people out on their nonsense stunts and gives you the straight-up on your fav celebs. She has honestly made me love celebs I hated and hate celebs I loved. Thank God for Lainey. She keeps me up to date on the latest gossips without having to suffer through Billy Bush. She also introduced me to FNL. :p ha ha ha.
(4) Snow blowers. On mornings when you wake up to a foot of snow (e.g. yesterday), having a snow blower has changed my hubby from the grouchiest person on earth (because he has to shovel) to the most excited, 5-year-old boy on earth because he gets to use his big, manly, machine. Thank God for snow blowers.
(5) Hair elastics. I now understand why back in the 80's all moms seemed to cut there hair off after having a baby (everyone knows the "mom cut"). If not for the best invention in hair styling known to man, the ponytail, I would sadly have the join them as, it seems, any chance she gets, Jane pulls my hair out. Thank God for the hair elastic.
(6) Sleep. Jane slept from 8:30pm until 6am and then back to bed until 7:30am last night. HALLELUJAH! That's a record for sure. Thank God for sleep!
That's all I can think of right now. I'll have to start keeping track of things throughout the week because my brain doesn't seem to work "on the spot" like it used to! :p
Ladies. I'm serious. If I didn't push it enough in the beginning of this post, see below. You need to watch this show. My hubby and I haven't watched any other show the past two weeks. We've only been watching FNL (started at season one and we are almost caught up now). It's not just about football, trust me. The envy I feel for those of you out there who have yet to discover this show and now get to watch it from the beginning... :)
"Have I had anything to drink yet?" ha ha ha. You know what? I just found a bunch of great FNL videos on NBC.com and I'm going to post one every week until every one of you are watching the show! :p
Be sure to check the sidebar to see if you are the winner of our Green Beaver Giveaway!
First off, I thank God for my beautiful, healthy baby girl Janers and my fabulous hubby Dan. Of course, I am also thankful for my family and friends and for how blessed we are.
Now. Onto some of the foolish things I am thankful for this week:
(1) Taylor Kitsch (a.k.a. Tim Riggins) - Pictured left. Hunny, I love you and you are hot stuff and you also know I have love in my heart for Riggins. Ladies, if you haven't watched Friday Night Lights (from now on referred to as FNL) before, you are so, so, so, so missing out. You need to tell your hubby it's about football and rent the DVDs, catch yourself up and starting watching it. It's the best show. Dan loves it. I love it. Addicted. Oh, did I mention he's a good Canadian boy? Thank God for Tim Riggins.(2) Coach Taylor. Yes. FNL again. Like I said, addicted. This man makes me want to move to Texas. Thank God for Coach Taylor.
(3) Lainey Gossip. Like most women, I have a need to keep up to date on the lives of celebrities. Lainey's blog is awesome. She calls it like it is, calls people out on their nonsense stunts and gives you the straight-up on your fav celebs. She has honestly made me love celebs I hated and hate celebs I loved. Thank God for Lainey. She keeps me up to date on the latest gossips without having to suffer through Billy Bush. She also introduced me to FNL. :p ha ha ha.
(4) Snow blowers. On mornings when you wake up to a foot of snow (e.g. yesterday), having a snow blower has changed my hubby from the grouchiest person on earth (because he has to shovel) to the most excited, 5-year-old boy on earth because he gets to use his big, manly, machine. Thank God for snow blowers.
(5) Hair elastics. I now understand why back in the 80's all moms seemed to cut there hair off after having a baby (everyone knows the "mom cut"). If not for the best invention in hair styling known to man, the ponytail, I would sadly have the join them as, it seems, any chance she gets, Jane pulls my hair out. Thank God for the hair elastic.
(6) Sleep. Jane slept from 8:30pm until 6am and then back to bed until 7:30am last night. HALLELUJAH! That's a record for sure. Thank God for sleep!
That's all I can think of right now. I'll have to start keeping track of things throughout the week because my brain doesn't seem to work "on the spot" like it used to! :p
Ladies. I'm serious. If I didn't push it enough in the beginning of this post, see below. You need to watch this show. My hubby and I haven't watched any other show the past two weeks. We've only been watching FNL (started at season one and we are almost caught up now). It's not just about football, trust me. The envy I feel for those of you out there who have yet to discover this show and now get to watch it from the beginning... :)
"Have I had anything to drink yet?" ha ha ha. You know what? I just found a bunch of great FNL videos on NBC.com and I'm going to post one every week until every one of you are watching the show! :p
Be sure to check the sidebar to see if you are the winner of our Green Beaver Giveaway!
Feb 17, 2010
Weigh-in Wednesday
This is my third weigh-in post starting the 30 Day Shred. I'm on level 3 now, which I like a lot better than level 2. With that said, I have a few issues with this 30 day shred business:
(1) It says the average person lose at least 10 lbs on this program. I think it should clarify. If I lost 10 lbs, I'd be 134 lbs - basically a tiny person. I don't think it's possible for me to get down to my wedding-weight (basically) by working out 20 minutes a day when the last time I got to that weight I was working out for a least an hour a day.
(2) I don't find the workouts that hard. I should be clear - They are difficult, yes. I do sweat a little, yes. I do find it challenging while I'm doing it, yes. BUT, I don't find it so challenging that after 20 minutes "I'm dying" (as Jillian Michaels says I should be) and I definitely don't find it so challenging that I think I'm going to be "shreded" in 30 days. So, without meaning to offend anybody, I think this workout is definitely great for beginners early in their weight-loss program or for those who have never really done muscle strengthening workouts. It would have been wicked for me earlier in my quest to lose the baby weight but I think right now, with only a few more pounds to lose, I might need a bit more than the 20 mins a day to get past this plateau. I think after this is over, next week, I'm going to kick off my own little program of cardio and weight training. I don't think the shred is offering me enough calorie burning potential to make a difference to me at this point.
(3) In level 3, during one of the three minutes of abs you do the entire workout, Jillian says something like "you should be starting to see that 6-pack by now". Seriously? I don't think it's physically possible to get 6-pack abs in 30 days unless you starve yourself and do an additional 20 mins of abs separately every day in addition to the shred. Just a thought though. And the fact that she says that pisses me off a little because I have been working my buns off during the abs portions of the workout because that's my biggest trouble zone right now and I don't even have a pack, let alone 6 of them! Also, she keeps saying "if you want to look like this" and "if you stick with it you can look like this" referring to her backup dancers (alicia and somebody else)... I realize this is meant to motivate us, but again, seriously?
I sound a little bitter and, truth is, I am just disappointed... I bought into the hype. I expected to be shreded. :p Regardless, I'm going to finish it off... my 30 days. And, I'm looking forward to it being over. Although, it may not have produced the results I, unrealistically, expected in the early days, it has given me back my motivation to workout again and be healthier. Oh, and my butt does look a lot better. I swear that's the only thing I've really noticed a change in... my hamstrings looks nicer and my butt looks better. Definitely not a total loss (I think my husband would agree - not that he had complaints before). :)
On another bright note, I went shopping yesterday morning - trying to waste time in between dropping Dan at work and our swimming lesson - and I bought, and fit into, a pair of size 6 cords. I have attached photos as proof (I left the size tag on for you and everything). :p YIPEE.
Here are my stats for this week:
WIW starting weight: 157 lbs
Current weight: 143 lbs
Pounds lost: 14 lbs
Pounds to lose: 6 lbs (almost 5, which is NOTHING :p)
Stick with it to the rest of the girls out there shreding... if nothing else, we can all stand together and say we did it! And, I'm sure, like me, y'all are motivated again and back on the exercise train. :p
Almost forgot - today's the last day to enter my Green Beaver Giveaway - people, people, people you are nuts not to jump on this one! The products are amazing, the hoops are minimal! :p
(1) It says the average person lose at least 10 lbs on this program. I think it should clarify. If I lost 10 lbs, I'd be 134 lbs - basically a tiny person. I don't think it's possible for me to get down to my wedding-weight (basically) by working out 20 minutes a day when the last time I got to that weight I was working out for a least an hour a day.
(2) I don't find the workouts that hard. I should be clear - They are difficult, yes. I do sweat a little, yes. I do find it challenging while I'm doing it, yes. BUT, I don't find it so challenging that after 20 minutes "I'm dying" (as Jillian Michaels says I should be) and I definitely don't find it so challenging that I think I'm going to be "shreded" in 30 days. So, without meaning to offend anybody, I think this workout is definitely great for beginners early in their weight-loss program or for those who have never really done muscle strengthening workouts. It would have been wicked for me earlier in my quest to lose the baby weight but I think right now, with only a few more pounds to lose, I might need a bit more than the 20 mins a day to get past this plateau. I think after this is over, next week, I'm going to kick off my own little program of cardio and weight training. I don't think the shred is offering me enough calorie burning potential to make a difference to me at this point.
(3) In level 3, during one of the three minutes of abs you do the entire workout, Jillian says something like "you should be starting to see that 6-pack by now". Seriously? I don't think it's physically possible to get 6-pack abs in 30 days unless you starve yourself and do an additional 20 mins of abs separately every day in addition to the shred. Just a thought though. And the fact that she says that pisses me off a little because I have been working my buns off during the abs portions of the workout because that's my biggest trouble zone right now and I don't even have a pack, let alone 6 of them! Also, she keeps saying "if you want to look like this" and "if you stick with it you can look like this" referring to her backup dancers (alicia and somebody else)... I realize this is meant to motivate us, but again, seriously?
I sound a little bitter and, truth is, I am just disappointed... I bought into the hype. I expected to be shreded. :p Regardless, I'm going to finish it off... my 30 days. And, I'm looking forward to it being over. Although, it may not have produced the results I, unrealistically, expected in the early days, it has given me back my motivation to workout again and be healthier. Oh, and my butt does look a lot better. I swear that's the only thing I've really noticed a change in... my hamstrings looks nicer and my butt looks better. Definitely not a total loss (I think my husband would agree - not that he had complaints before). :)
On another bright note, I went shopping yesterday morning - trying to waste time in between dropping Dan at work and our swimming lesson - and I bought, and fit into, a pair of size 6 cords. I have attached photos as proof (I left the size tag on for you and everything). :p YIPEE.
Here are my stats for this week: WIW starting weight: 157 lbs
Current weight: 143 lbs
Pounds lost: 14 lbs
Pounds to lose: 6 lbs (almost 5, which is NOTHING :p)
Stick with it to the rest of the girls out there shreding... if nothing else, we can all stand together and say we did it! And, I'm sure, like me, y'all are motivated again and back on the exercise train. :p
Almost forgot - today's the last day to enter my Green Beaver Giveaway - people, people, people you are nuts not to jump on this one! The products are amazing, the hoops are minimal! :p
Feb 16, 2010
Beautiful Baby Block Giveaway
Just before Christmas, I visited a girlfriend who showed me the most beautiful Baby's First Christmas Ornament. I had to have one.Of course this ornament was from Etsy, which y'all know is my addiction. I immediately contacted the seller, Elephant Tales, to see if I could get an ornament before Christmas and also to see if there was any way we could work together on a Giveaway. Thankfully, Susan happily agreed to do an ornament for me and also the giveaway but, because of my tardiness, I wouldn't have been able to post the giveaway and have the ornament sent out to the winner in time for Christmas. So, it's Christmas in February ladies!
To be clear, all of Elephant Tales' wooden blocks are not Christmas-specific. Susan also does beautiful baby keepsake blocks. Each 2" block is personalized for you with your baby's first and last initial, full name, birth weight and length, birth date and time, and place of birth. You can also choose the colours you want - coordinate it with your nursery or make a Christmas one if you like! At only $10-$12US, these blocks are a perfect memento of the most special day of your life. Obviously, they would also make the most fabulous new baby gift for friends or family! Or, light bulb moment, you could buy several blocks and use them as special birth announcements for your closest family and friends! You can be sure these won't end up in the recycling bin after a few weeks pinned to the fridge! 
Because I begged, Susan was fabulous and I received my Christmas ornament for Jane in time for the Holidays. First of all, I love nicely packaged things. I mean, what do you think of when you think of Tiffany's? Little blue box. When I opened my packaged, there was this sweet little white box all tied up. I didn't even want to open it, it looked so pretty. Does it count as re-gifting when you re-use a gift box? My ornament was perfect. I showed it off throughout the Holidays and everyone commented on how unique and special it was.
I know, by now, you're foaming at the mouth because you want one so badly... :p
Here are our Beautiful Baby Block Giveaway Details:
The lucky, lucky winner will receive one of Elephant Tales' 2" wooden keepsake blocks, personalized with the details of your special sweety's arrival.
Here's what you need to do to enter:
| (1) Drop by Elephant Tales' shop on Etsy or their website by clicking here. Take a look at some of their other products and let me know what else might interest you by commenting below. (2) Vote for MOmMy bRaIn by clicking the button to the right (that's it, vote is cast). (3) Check back next Tuesday to see if you won (you have 7 days to claim your prize) |
As always, if you want a few extra entries...
- Tweet about it (on entry per tweet)
- Blog about it (only one blog post please)
Good luck to all - this giveaway is open to both Canadian and US residents.
Remember to check under Giveaways (top right sidebar) to see if you're the winner of our Valentines Truffles Giveaway! Also, you have two more days to enter the Green Beaver Giveaway for some fabulous, all natural products for your kids!
Remember to check under Giveaways (top right sidebar) to see if you're the winner of our Valentines Truffles Giveaway! Also, you have two more days to enter the Green Beaver Giveaway for some fabulous, all natural products for your kids!
Feb 15, 2010
Reminiscing
Eight months. I can't believe eight months have passed since my little sweetie pie was born. Time flies is an understatement. Remember when we were younger? Remember when the summer seemed to take an eternity to arrive? And, when it finally did, those two months seemed to last forever? What happened to those days? Is it that we become so busy in our "old age" that time seems to go by faster because we aren't paying as much attention to life as we used to? Hmmm.
Recently, Dan and I sat down and looked through all our pictures from 2009. The pregnant belly pictures, the pictures taken after Jane was born, our first few days home... it's not until we revisited these moments that we realize just how much has happened in a year and how much time has passed. Jane has changed so much. She has grown from a helpless newborn into a little lady, full of personality and always looking for trouble. Everything she does makes me laugh. It's so hard not to crack a smile when she's doing something "bad" and I'm saying "no. no. no." over and over. Already she reminds me a little of myself.
We remembered when we were bouncing-around-the-room excited because she was reaching up to hit the toy hanging from her activity center, unable to move herself much more than a swinging arm. Now, every day is a new development... eating solids, sitting up, first bites of toast, crawling, "talking", feeding herself, drinking from a sippy cup, pulling herself up - it never ends!
I've been trying to teach her "party tricks" lately like waving, blowing kisses and clapping. She thinks it's all pretty funny at this point, watching Mommy act like a crazy person to try and get a reaction out of her. Anything for a smile! I've started looking for jobs. I remember when Jane was weeks old and I barely put her down. She slept on my chest for naps. I never left her for more than an hour. The thought of leaving her for more than a few hours would have broken my heart. Now, the thought is less heart breaking. I know, in the long run, it will be good for her to socialize at daycare. I know, for me, it will be nice to get back to myself a bit more. Being a Mom is the most important part of me but it's not the entirety of me. I have other dreams and goals as well. Despite the guilt I feel in going back to work and in looking forward to it, I know that Jane will be proud of her Mom once she is old enough to understand it all.
I think of what we have to look forward to - first words, birthdays, first steps - so many firsts. It seems so far away right now but eight months ago, crawling and eating solids seemed like far-off thoughts.
Eight months. I honestly can't believe it. Time flies.
PS - Pictures above our from another one of our "photoshoots"... taken last week.
Feb 13, 2010
Proudly Canadian
Saw this on Oprah last week, made me so proud of our little country!
Don't forget to enter our Valentines Truffles Giveaway and our Green Beaver Giveaway!
Don't forget to enter our Valentines Truffles Giveaway and our Green Beaver Giveaway!
Feb 12, 2010
Testing the Ol' Brain
Sorry - today's post is going to be super boring and super short.
I've started applying for jobs again. I dare not complain as I know there are many Moms out there who aren't lucky enough to get 3 months off with their babies, let alone 9 months plus. And, despite my heartbreak over leaving my sweetie pie, I am looking forward to getting back into the "real" world.
So, I've spent the last two days trying to write a cover letter. Honestly, 2 years ago, this would have taken me 30 minutes. Now, it's taking me two days. I'm hoping that my difficulties in completing this task are due to the fact that (1) I want it to be perfect and (2) I haven't done a cover letter in 4 years and NOT the fact that my brain no longer works properly! :p
Unfortunately, my master plan of becoming a bazillionaire over the past 8 months hasn't worked out... I don't know how? I mean I did... didn't even buy a lotto ticket - except when the winnings were over $40 million. To which I now say - what the heck?!?! Is $3 million not enough for me? Apparently, I'm a money snob and $3 million dollars is below me. Regardless, life is pretty fabulous and my family is so blessed and so lucky. So, I'll take my non-bazillionaire status and my taking-48-hours-to-write-a-cover-letter-brain-power with a smile on my face! :)
Ok, officially have to force myself to stop writing now as this could easily become an easy way to procrastinate...
I've started applying for jobs again. I dare not complain as I know there are many Moms out there who aren't lucky enough to get 3 months off with their babies, let alone 9 months plus. And, despite my heartbreak over leaving my sweetie pie, I am looking forward to getting back into the "real" world.
So, I've spent the last two days trying to write a cover letter. Honestly, 2 years ago, this would have taken me 30 minutes. Now, it's taking me two days. I'm hoping that my difficulties in completing this task are due to the fact that (1) I want it to be perfect and (2) I haven't done a cover letter in 4 years and NOT the fact that my brain no longer works properly! :p
Unfortunately, my master plan of becoming a bazillionaire over the past 8 months hasn't worked out... I don't know how? I mean I did... didn't even buy a lotto ticket - except when the winnings were over $40 million. To which I now say - what the heck?!?! Is $3 million not enough for me? Apparently, I'm a money snob and $3 million dollars is below me. Regardless, life is pretty fabulous and my family is so blessed and so lucky. So, I'll take my non-bazillionaire status and my taking-48-hours-to-write-a-cover-letter-brain-power with a smile on my face! :)
Ok, officially have to force myself to stop writing now as this could easily become an easy way to procrastinate...
Don't forget to enter my two giveaways this week - Valentines Truffles Giveaway (ending next Tuesday) and the Green Beaver Giveaway (ending next Thursday)!
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