Yo, Dude

I am pretty laid back. One of my friends said I am like a guy. Nothing really gets me upset. I am not sure that is a compliment or not.

I can think of one thing that really gets me upset. It makes me crazy. I hate driving by people's trash and seeing good things left for the trash man. What a waste. There are so many people barely getting by. And people work so hard for their money. Why can't they take the time to find someone to take their nicer items?

I know it takes about five minutes but to help someone out, why not? Five minutes is all it takes.

Really.

If you have nice items to give away, put them on your tree lawn with a sign that says "free." My kids love making this sign and we sneak back to our house and watch through the window. You can't imagine how excited kids get to see who scores their old toys. Make sure you do this a few days before trash pick-up and check the weather. It rains a lot in Ohio so you have to be strategic.

Another great option that I LOVE is freecycling. Have you heard about it? Check out this link to Cleveland's freecycle page. People list their needs and offers here on the link. Then, you receive an email with it daily. I have given away a desk, old weird house stuff and baby formula through this site. Once you list it, it is gone in a day. You privately coordinate the day/time of pick up with your winning responder. I just leave it on my porch so I don't have to chit chat (like a guy again) and it is done. LOVE THAT!

So, as you spring clean, don't toss your items into the trash. Remember the Goodwill, the Sal, your neighbors with a free sign or Freecycle. And from one dude to another, thanks.

The Fat Cheerleader

I spent 10 minutes picking at the blackheads on my nose last night at 3:30 a.m. Why? I used to do it in high school when I was anxious. And, I am anxious. I just received notice that my 20 year class reunion is in 15 weeks. Yes, I am freaking out. Big Time.

My first thought was "OK. How many weeks is that? Get me a calendar. How much more weight can I lose before August?" Fifteen weeks. I can handle that deadline. One pound a week until then puts me at my weight in my sophomore year. Cha-ching.

My second freak out moment was "Who will I sit with?" I really have no friends from high school that I keep in touch with. I have some Facebooky people but they really don't know me. I honestly am afraid to walk into the actual reunion. I might be sitting alone in a corner with my husband and margarita. That sounds perfect.

My final freak out before this turns into a novel was "What will I wear?" Casual place. August. I have at least have 15 weeks to figure it out and try not to look overdressed like I am freaking out.

My head is a spinning. I am off to rent some good reunion movies to really capture my anxiety. I remember Gross Point Blank and the Phoebe's from Friends movie about her reunion. Any others that I missing?

Now I know that many of you are saying I have nothing to worry about. I hear you. But, it is too late for freaking out. See, I was a cheerleader. Remember that most people say that the cheerleaders get fat after high school? I. Will. Not. Be. One. of. Those. Fat. Cheerleaders. But, I was also played violin in the orchestra. Yes, a geeky cheerleader. So, not many friends. But I loved my extra-curricular activities. Wow. All of my axieties from high school come flooding back. My big goal? It is to not pick my face apart before August. That is the true test. Oh man. I hope I make it until August.

(Can you find me? Front row, right in the middle)

Crazy Nights

Vegas. Oh the stories to tell and pictures to share. I will. I promise. But that requires some energy and I don't have any. Oh, the life with a baby. I can't concentrate long enough to get to it.

So, instead, I have a little tip to share.

Bedtimes are not the quiet, special time that I often read about on other mommy blogs. Are they lying? They must be. Bedtimes are not so quiet here and I don't linger at their doors. My children will hear me say "Mommy is off duty now. Time for bed. We are done." (Please no mean emails. I am doing the best I can.)

Kyle doesn't listen and he looks for the perfect book for twenty minutes (no exaggeration) and Ryan always needs his water glass refilled and reminded to get dressed while I hustle around trying to feed the million fish and get Elle settled. I am constantly reminding them to get dressed, brush their teeth and find their books.

After seven years, I have finally found a way to enjoy this time. Get ready. It is earth shattering. Are you ready? I take a cup of tea up to their bedroom with me. That is the secret. Amazing, I know. It forces me to sit down. It keeps me occupied and I can take it a little slower. Who knew that a twenty cent cup of tea could turn my crazy bedtime routine into something I can sort of enjoy?

You still won't catch me lingering at their door once I have said goodnight. My tea is finished and I am eager to run down the stairs and be off duty. But, I just had to share this simple solution to my bedtime routine. And if you need to add a little Baileys to your coffee or tea, I won't tell anyone. This mommy blogger won't judge or tell.

Hey There

Wow. It has been awhile. I go back and forth about this blog. I am not sure why I write and I am definitely not sure why you read it. I am a pretty open book if you know me so I don't think come here to find out anything you wouldn't find out if you saw me around. But, I am glad you visit now and then. I love writing and I love blogging. I just wish I had my life more in control so I could write more often. When I say I am barely hanging on, I mean it. Really.

In the past few months, I have written (and complained) that I can't keep up around the house. But guess what? I won a house cleaning at my early childhood PTA fundraiser. Isn't that perfect. Now, I have to work hard and get my house clean so I can have someone come in and clean my house for me. I know this sounds ridiculous. I don't want these ladies to waste time at my house. They are doing the baseboards, floors and showers. Not just a little light dusting and picking up my kids clothes.

My weight loss efforts are going GREAT! I have officially hit 30 lbs at Weight Watchers and before I joined I lost about 5 so I am 35 lbs thinner since October. I promise to post a picture soon. It is starting to show. If you know me in real life, I just look like I did before I got pregnant with Elle so it isn't so startling. I need to lose another 20 lbs to have a healthy BMI. That is my goal. I have reached my main goal. I have learned to eat healthy. I am eating vegetables and I am making healthy food. I could have lost this weight on my own like I did after I had Kyle but I wanted to learn how to cook healthy and eat those darn veggies.

I have so much to share. I promise to come back sooner. I am planning a friend's 40th birthday party and that is so much fun. I am heading to Vegas next week with my sisters and old neighborhood friends! FUN!!!! And we're staying at the Wynn! Amazing. So much to share. Come back soon. I promise I will too!

Sorry Tiger

Just popping it to make a comment. Saw that Tiger Woods is starting his come back. Sorry Tiger. It isn't going to work. We've heard it all before. And we don't really care anymore. Your story is old. You are a dog and we are pretty much tired of dogs. John Edwards has already worn us out.

So Tiger, just golf. Stop the PR stuff for now. We're tired and we are not buying it.

Big Job

My house is falling apart around me. I struggle to keep up daily. Elle is at a tough age where when I put her down, she wants to be held. I forgot how bad this stage is. Two days ago I said (whined) to my husband "WhoEVER said to enjoy this baby stage clearly forgets how hard it is." I know I forgot. And it has only been five years. I am already looking forward to kindergarten. (Please spare me the sermons about enjoying every minute. I know. I know.)


I've written about my weight loss here on my blog. I devote a lot of energy into working out, planning healthy meals and snacks and tracking my progress. I was relieved the other day to hear someone say it is similar to a part-time job. I feel like it is. Every night when I used to straighten the house and check my email, I am instead on the treadmill and lifting weights. Good for my body but not so good for getting to my "to do" list.


But what do I do every week? I look for a job. I don't know why I do it. I think I like to make sure this is the right choice. I worked at a university and college in administration. So, weekly, I check the local colleges to make sure they don't need me.


I have a big job here. I am barely keeping up. So, I don't send in the resumes. I come back to reality and realize how much harder it would be to work. And I go back to moving Elle to whatever room I am trying to clean up. We sing. We make noises and we make it work. It is a big, big job. My plate is full. And I am sure I will miss this someday.

Next Time Check Out Next

Some people are boutique shoppers. And then there are the rest of us. I think of boutique shops as unapproachable. Expensive. Small sizes! And way beyond my league. I am so insecure when it comes to walking into a shop. I worked retail for years. What is my problem? I don't know.

Last week, I was invited to shop at Next at Beachwood Place and write about it here. With all of the self confidence that I have with boutique shops, I snuck into the mall a week early to make sure I could handle this. I walked by slowly and checked out the store. Located on the second floor next to Nordstrom, I was still afraid to go in on my own. Crazy! I know.

Last Tuesday, I got myself together and met some other Cleveland bloggers (See OHmommy below) to check out Next. And what do you know? The owner and staff were super friendly and helpful. And they gave me a $200 gift card to buy whatever I wanted.

I had a ball trying on the very stylish clothing. I am pretty conservative when it comes to my style of clothes. Shopping at Next was a perfect store for me to find more fashionable pieces that I may not have ever thought to try.

I have an upcoming girl's trip to Vegas in April and I found a black modern jacket with silver earrings that I cannot wait to wear (see pic of the jacket on mannequin above). I also bought a purple top that I can wear almost everywhere and a very cool silver and black bracelet. I loved their jewelry selection and the pieces were really unique with reasonable prices. They also have a great sale rack in the back. Don't miss it! My top was 50% off.

The best part of Next? The people that work there (see pic below). They made me feel comfortable and welcome. Their service was as good as I have had at some of my favorite shops and they made me feel welcome. I will definitely be back to expand my horizons and see what is new. And I will make an effort to walk into the stores that intimidate me. Next time you are at Beachwood Place, check out Next. Go ahead, walk in. I know I will.