My Talented Friend Amanda and Her FREE GIVEAWAYS!

(Please note that this contest has ended. However, check back on the site for new giveaways and products that will be coming up all the time! Thanks!)



Can I just brag here for a minute on an amazing friend that I have? My wonderfully talented friend Amanda has just opened her own children's boutique. She makes customized outfits to fit your child's personality. And right now, she is giving away FREE STUFF!

Amanda is unique, funny, sincere and sometimes a bit daring. She is one of the nicest people I have ever known. She says what she means and means what she says (a rarity). Amanda is extremely creative and loving in all she does and in everything she touches.

She's also really beautiful on both the inside and outside. Look at her gorgeous face and her precious daughter!

An oldie but goodie:



A recent one:



She has created this clothing store that you have to see for yourself! AND she's giving away some FREE items in her store. You must check them out! Don't delay! Her contest ends July 4th!

WELL, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? Do you still need more reasons to visit Amanda's store and consider ordering a special outfit or accessory from her?

In case you do, I interviewed her so that you could learn more about who she is and what she stands for (basically, some insight as to why she is a rockin' awesome person and why I'm friends with her!)


Me: Why did you start sewing? What joy do you get from it?

Amanda: I started sewing because I wanted to make my little girl, Elyana, a cute little outfit, just the way I wanted it. I just wanted a simple black dress with pink butterflies. Everything in the stores is light or bright, no black. And when I made it, it wasn't perfect; but she pranced around the house in it like it was the fanciest princess dress ever! That is the joy I get out of it. When we are young, we know the value of handmade things. Elyana knew that Mommy made that dress just for her. I want to do that for other children as well.

The personality that first kicked off Amanda's inspiration:


Me: What kind of boutique have you created? How will you customize your stuff for people?

Amanda: I have created a boutique where you can get nearly anything you want for your child and some things for yourself, too. All my things will be handmade by me, so they will be crafted with top quality fabrics. You can do customization galore! In my boutique, Giggly Monkey, there will be clothes (for girls, boys and mommies too!) in addition to toys, hot/cold boo-boo packs, diaper clutches, changing pads, bibs, and I will be adding more. The great thing about my shop is if you want something, I will try my best to make it and do it perfectly. Also, if you have a certain fabric you like, or just certain colors, I will do my best to accommodate your requests.

I also love creating things based specifically for the child's personality. For instance,your little girl Vivian is a little Diva (as we all know and read about on this blog), so I designed an outfit just for her. It is pink and black, with a diva silhouette on the shirt, and ruffly pants. Now "Viva the Diva" has a one of a kind outfit, made only for her. I love doing that for children!


One of her original designs:



Me: On average, how long does it take you to design an outfit - from picking out fabric to sewing it to finished product?

Amanda: Hmmm... That depends on the outfit, and my mood for the day. Sometimes I am daring, and just grab the first fabrics that I think look good together (sometimes it works and sometimes it may end up in my scraps bin.) For girl's custom made clothes, I would guess around 5 hours between picking fabrics at the store, to cutting it, and making sure it is sewn just right. And girls clothes are so frilly so it takes a LOT of sewing. A very customized outfit may take around 7 hours! Simple outfits take much less, like maybe around 2 hours.

For boys... oddly it takes about the same amount of time, but mainly because they are so hard to find just the right fabric at the store! But I am determined to make irresistable boys clothes as well as girl clothes!!!

Another captivating original made by Amanda for her daughter, Elyana



Me: Why should someone buy from you versus any other boutique store out there?

Amanda: Well, there are 5 reasons, just off the top of my head, but I am sure there are more.

#1 Of course, my number one, is that it allows me to stay at home with my little one and help support my family in this troubled economy.

#2 A portion of every sale will be going to orphans. Since this is a store for children, I think about other poor children out there that don't have much clothing, let alone outfits like our well-dressed princes and princesses. My husband and I decided that some of the profit needs to go to them. I will mainly support Feed the Children, but I will also be donating to other orpanages. The great thing is, if you prefer to keep it here, or if you want it to go overseas, I will give you that option!

#3 I use all-natural fibers, some being organic. I will be using mainly 100% cotton, but I will also use bamboo or other natural fibers. If, on occasion, I do use polyester, or some other material, it will be stated plainly in my shop listing and clothing descriptions. Also, if an odd fabric is listed as part of the clothing, it will be because I saved it from going to the landfill, by re-purposing it.

#4 The clothes are made by a mommy and tested by a mommy. My items are field tested, you could say. For instance, I made a diaper clutch just enough to hold a travel wipe, 3 diapers and some cream. When I used it, I realized I needed a pocket for my credit cards, and a pocket for my cell phone. Now, the diaper clutch in my shop will have both. I proudly stand behind all my products!

#5 You can get customized clothing and accessories! These items are not made in bulk, so they can be customized to fit your needs and your child's personality!

She makes bows too!



Me: What inspires you?

Amanda: My little girl! I watch her grow and think how special she is! Everything in my shop that is not customized is made with my little girl in mind, so it is SUPER CUTE!

Wouldn't this face inspire you too? Adorable!

(Just another example of Amanda's talents)

And one final question -

Me: What advice and encouragement do you have for anyone else out there trying to start their own home business?

Amanda: Do your research. Get inspired. Follow some blogs. Just do it!


AND if you still need more reasons to consider having Amanda make a special outfit for you or your child, look at what she did for my little Diva:







Isn't her work incredible? Please take a few moments to look at her site and you might just win a free gift! Be sure you follow her rules by July 4th - that's when the contest ends!

Keep her in mind when you need a special gift made for your neice, nephew, friend's newborn child or maybe even your own child. These are one of a kind articles of clothing that can't be duplicated! What a special offering that would be to someone you love.

Best of luck to you Amanda! I love how you captured Vivian's personality in the outfits you have made for her. Thanks for sharing your story with me and thank you for helping me dress Vivian in one-of-a-kind clothing that makes her shine. I'll be placing more orders with you today!

My Head is Spinning!

What a week! I feel like my head has been spinning for days now, not in a scary, weird The Exorcist kind of way.

But still.... Lots of things have been going on. So many sad and wild news stories are hitting the headlines. Crazy things are happening at my work with less than one month to our biggest conference of the year. There has been some drama at my daughter's day care. And the list goes on.

When I have too much on my mind or get information overload, I immediately get that Billy Joel song, "We Didn't Start the Fire" into my head. And I start singing it,

We didnt start the fire
It was always burning
Since the worlds been turning
We didnt start the fire
No we didnt light it
But we tried to fight it


Oh yeah, didn't I tell you that? I often think in song. Someone will say a word and I can think of two or three songs immediately using that word.

For example, Kirk said that I had good rhythm a few nights ago. I won't say why he said that. :-)

Anyway my immediate response to him was in the form of singing the words from, "This is the Rhythm of the Night" by Corona. Then I remembered the lyrics from "The Rhythm is Gonna Get You" by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine. So I sang both those tunes to him. I'm kind of strange like that.

And yes, I'm serious about this! I often do this with friends - just break out into song lyrics. Or sometimes I just quietly do this in my head. I think I dream in song too. This talent is both a burden and a neat trick. Too bad I can't carry a tune to save my life. And too bad I can't play a musical instrument or read musical notes. I might have a very different career these days.

But anyway, I digress.... (as you can see my mind is all over the place!)


Let's just talk about a few of these recent developments so that maybe my head can hit a standstill again.

1). Michael Jackson died. The King of Pop is gone! I'm in shock. I remember having his song stuck in my head and including him on a previous blog post I did when I had insomnia one night. Now I feel kind of bad for teasing him on my entry. I honestly love his music and think he was a true genius and legend of his time. Sure he's kind of a freak. I think everyone can agree that he had some "issues." But gosh, he was so talented! I kind of hoped that somehow he'd make a comeback and be known for more of his contributions to music and society, rather than his obsessions with plastic surgery and legal issues surrounding children. Michael, I hope you're at peace now. Your songs will always be on my music player!

2). I let myself become sucked into conversations about other parents and their children's developments and then it upsets me. I'm part of an online moms group on Babycenter.com with a wonderful circle of friends. We all have toddlers about the same age. Often we share stories and posts from the main website regarding ridiculous things that other parents say; frequently we discover braggart attitudes and quotes from moms on their children. This week's hot topic was a parent concerned over her child's lack of speech. Other moms were quick to chime in how gifted and talented their kids were and didn't even address the concerned mother who started the post - it's enough to make me ill, I tell you! Bragging parents don't bother me. You have a right to be proud of your child. But to respond by ignoring a parent who's concerned with their toddler not articulating words and simply to go on and on about how your child will be the next spelling bee champion and how you're a clinical speech pathologist.... Well go f*ck yourself! That's what I wanted to say. I didn't! But I wanted to. I kept it to myself and didn't stir up the drama.

Why does this junk bother me at all? Well, Vivian doesn't say much words these days either. So I hear this other lady's story and I sympathize with her. I have these worries too. And I get mad over other parents quick to reply about their genius toddler rather than offer a fellow mom a sense of support and comfort. After getting worked up a bit, I later came to my senses, calmed down and remembered that my little girl is just a little girl. And there is nothing wrong with her or this mom and her child's lack of words. Why do I want to rush to have my child talking anyway? She's sassy enough as it is now without adding words into the equation. My Viv is healthy and happy. What more could I ask for? I need to stop reading that bullsh*t and definitely not let it affect me like this. I need to remind myself of an old entry I wrote and quit worrying so dang much. My child is perfectly fine. She's wonderful in fact.

3). Other big named celebrities have passed away this week besides Michael Jackson. Both Farrah Fawcet and Ed McMahon both died too. I can't say much about Farrah. I didn't follow her life or her stories much. I know she was on that TV series "Charlie's Angels" and she was married to Ryan O'Neil. Sadly, I have no clue much else about her but I do think it was quite sad how her ending days were played out in the media. Ed McMahon was a legend on the original Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He's guest starred on too many shows to count. His voice is one of a kind and has been imitated by numerous actors and comedians. May they both be remembered fondly by their fans.

4). Day cares, grrrr! Good ones are few and far between. I remember my family and friends being shocked that I paid over $200 per week when we lived in Ohio for Vivian's infant care. But I tell you, looking back now, it was worth every penny for it. She was at a quality day care facility where most of the teachers were Early Childhood Development major students and they wanted to be there and loved kids. Since we have moved to Alabama, Vivian has been in two day cares, both of which are just glorified baby sitting services. Last week Vivian got bitten for a second time. Then she busted her lip from a fall. This week the teacher scratched her with her fingernail, right under her eye. What really happened? I guess I'll never know! I'm looking at other facilities but they're all just awful! My mom was lucky to know someone who could watch me in their home. I wish I had that for Vivian. I continually worry and agonize over the care that is being given to her.

5). Friends in need. I had a friend who lost her job this week. I felt so horrible for her since it came kind of suddenly and she does count on that income for her family. I always feel pretty helpless in these situations. I want to help out or do something but I'm not sure what. My first instinct is "let's go have some drinks!" - LOL. And well, we're supposed to do that tomorrow night. So maybe that will help her feel better for just a little while. I have another friend who is just starting her own home-business and I've been trying to help her by offering up suggestions, ideas and marketing tips. I also want to help promote her boutique to my network of family and friends (That will be a future blog post of mine!) She's working so hard and so diligently on this project and I want to do all I can to help her out. After all, I believe in her and I think her products are great! These things weigh in on my mind though and can worry me. I hate when my friends (or family members) need help and I can't do much for them. It upsets me. I cherish them so much and want to give them the world and all its happiness.

6). My job is insanely busy right now. We have a conference that is less than a month away that I coordinate, for 500 people. I write the scripts, create the PowerPoints, organize the trade show, obtain sponsorships and donations, and so on and so on. And in today's economy, our numbers are down. Money is tight. And it's just difficult right now. But enough about that. If I keep talking and thinking about this, I'll end up in an insane asylum. I just have to suck it up and do it the best way I can. I should be happy that I even have a job. That's all.

7). As if the above list weren't enough, lately I've been feeling that I've had no time to myself. Writing this blog is often the only thing I do by myself, for myself, once or twice per week. And that bothers me. Even taking a shower is a task and something I don't enjoy anymore because I'm in a hurry or thinking about what I need to do after the shower. I've got to find a way to de-stress my day. With the demands of a stressful job, a diva for a daughter and a family and house to keep up, I need an outlet. I want to start doing aerobics again. I want to read more books. But when? How? Something has to give in order to make time for these things - less sleep, less time with family? I hate having to give up something in order to gain something healthy and positive for myself. But that is life I guess. Sacrifices and time ticking away.

These are just a FEW of the things that have made my head spin this week. ("You spin me right round baby, right round....") More is dancing around in there, like my guilt over eating Taco Bell for lunch today. How I never spend time with my dog or take him for walks. How I shouldn't even be on the internet right now. Etc. Etc.

The guilt, the stress and the worry! Oh my! "Don't Worry, Be Happy" - I'm trying to tell myself these words of advice right now, at this very moment. See ~ I told you I think in song lyrics!

Well, now I'm just rambling on. Forgive me.

But I do feel a little better now that I got this out in the open (and off my chest).

Thank you for listening!

Gadgets, Gizmos and Thing-a-mabobs

Have any of you recently dusted off a kitchen gadget or other appliance that you hadn't used in a year or longer? Does anyone else besides me have an entire cabinet dedicated to mostly unused, but very cool gizmos and thing-a-mabobs?

You know.... that fondue maker that looked good in the store. That french fry maker still unopened from the box. And a dozen other things that are just waiting to be utilized when you suddenly decide to become a Food Network Chef, Supergirl or Electronics Guru.

Well, every twelve months to three years, I actually do use one of those gadgets. On Sunday, I had a craving for Mexican (what else is new?). I thought it would be nice to make chicken quesadillas for Kirk on Father's Day. So I dug through the dreaded appliance cabinet. Way in the back, next to a dead fly, I found it - the quesadilla maker.


I believe my cousin gave that to me as a wedding present back in 2002. The fact that I still have it and it's not still in a moving box says something though, right?!

So I wiped the machine down - it had been at least six months or more since I last used it. I plugged it in and let it warm up. I prepared my chicken, laid out the flour tortillas, salsa, sour cream, and shredded cheese. I had my own Taco Bell assembly line going. All I was missing was a hairnet.

Everything was going fine. The first quesadilla came out good, neatly pressed. Sure some cheese oozed out of the machine but that is to be expected. Then it was time for the second quesadilla. That is when I got cocky and gluttonous.

I looked at that lonely flour tortilla and thought.... it needs more cheese, more salsa and more sour cream. So I added more, then a little more. Soon that cheese, salsa and sour cream were just pouring out all over the countertops. It was a complete mess. And what could I do? Nothing! Not until the thing was done cooking and I could unplug the messmaker.

Kirk walked in and uttered some minor profanity in his pure amazement of the chaos the device and I had created. He was really great about the incident though, helping me clean the machine and the cheezy mess that was spreading like the blob.

That's when I remembered why I don't use that damn quesadilla maker very often! It's messy, tedious and a pain to deal with. Just like that cookie shaper that I've used only once since I bought it. Just like that cheap, mini crockpot that I bought for dip - it either causes the contents inside it to be too hot or not hot enough!

Why do I get sucked into these gadgets when I hardly use them or hate myself when I do use them? They just seem so inviting, right? You walk into Dillards, Macy's or J C Penney's during holiday season and they are all lined up on colorful centerpieced tables, just begging for your attention.

How many of you have gotten sucked into buying some appliance for a family member or friend? I know I'm guilty of it. We bought my dad a smoothie maker machine and my sister-in-law a margarita maker gadget. I haven't asked them if they've used it lately because I fear that I already know the answer (they are among the cobwebs of their home, I bet).

Some gadgets are even dangerous if you're not careful. Just ask my friend Jessica Davis who got into a fight with my apple slicer before Christmas dinner, 2007. Sadly, Jess lost that battle and her poor fingers took a serious beating. Sorry Jess, I still feel bad about that every time I use the contraption! It's a good thing we had lots of wine in the house that day.

Here's the culprit that sliced my friend along with her apple:



Not all gadgets are food-related. I also have a foot spa machine that now sits among the pesticides cabinet in our spare bathroom. Before we moved to Ohio, Kirk threw out a buns-buster contraption that I bought off an infomercial (pretty sad, I know). I also have some hair-related and beauty products, like an eyebrow remover and a special curling device, that sit idle in a drawer.

Well, not every gizmo is unwanted or bad. I do use and love my garlic press and my can opener by Pampered Chef. Occasionally I will give my regular size crockpot a workout with a new recipe I want to try. The toaster and the microwave were once considered unique thing-a-mabobs too but they are now used daily in households across the world.

That goes for cell phones and music players too. I know Kirk is addicted to his Zune player. He carries it with him and plays it in his car wherever he goes. Right now the Wii game is really popular and I hear about friends getting back into shape thanks to the Wii Fit.

When it comes to gadgets, I just become excited in the same way that my daughter delights over a new toy. I see a shiny, silver mandolin slicer and I just want it to be part of my world, just like Ariel in The Little Mermaid who wanted to be a part of the human world. In fact she even sings about "thing-a-mabobs" and how attractive they seem. (Now I understand why that is one of my favorite Disney movies. She understands where I'm coming from!)

Electronics, appliances and gizmos are good for us and even fun! But I need to learn to say "No!" to some of them. I should also track how often I use them and if they really do make my life easier and more joyful. Or if they're just leaving me a cheezy mess, like that quesadilla maker.

These cool, adult toys are not going to disappear anytime soon. So I must gain the strength to keep only the useful ones and discard the ridiculous ones.

After all, I don't want my friends and family to surprise me with a gizmo-intervention one day to rid me of my gadget obsession and cluttered cabinets. I also don't want to turn into some comic book character-- Gadget Lady-- with cookie cutters for my arms and fondue sticks with chocolate drizzle for my legs. That would just be a mess.

Then I'd have to find some super-cool cleaning product and machine. Don't they have some new device that comes with the Oxi Clean product endorsed by the screaming man? Or maybe I could buy one of those robotic maids.... Or maybe that other product that someone was just telling me about....

My Two Dads

No, I'm not talking about that late 1980's sitcom called "My Two Dads." Does anyone remember that show? I loved that program but I'm not sure why. When you think about it, the plot was quite scandalous: Nicole Bradford whose mother dies and she leaves her daughter with two men, one of whom could be her father, but she's not sure which one. Hmmm.....

While I loved the characters in that t.v. show, this blog entry has no plot and guesses in it. Rather, I want to talk about the two greatest dads in my life: my husband Kirk who is father to our daughter Vivian and my own dad Larry Babin.

Of course Kirk is not my father and doesn't act like one to me. Yet he does play a protective and nurturing role in my life. He does offer that security and support that was once held only in my life by my dad. But I'd rather talk about what a great new role Kirk now plays in my life.

One of the most surprising joys about being a mom has been watching my husband Kirk be a father to our daughter Vivian. Nothing melts my heart more than seeing the two of them together. When Vivian gives him a hug or when she signs "dad" then utters the sound "dah" when she sees him, I nearly sink to my knees.


Kirk with Vivian on the first day we brought her home from the hospital:



Kirk and I will be married seven years this August, 2009. In those seven years and the year prior to that when we were dating, I have never seen him be as hands-on, kind, protective, silly and playful with any other child before. Kirk never wanted much to do with kids or babies. He was not one of those men who interacted with other people's children, except for his neice Kristen every now and then. But I knew he would be a wonderful father to our child someday. I knew when I met him that he had those instincts in him. Seeing him today, I still feel the same way.

I love watching he and Vivian play. Kirk will crouch to the floor on his hands and knees then act like a dog or some other animal to make Vivian laugh. He tickles her, throws the ball with her, blows bubbles at her, makes silly faces at her and enjoys his time with her. He hides from her and scares her, which she loves! It is incredibly sweet and sexy to watch him interact with her.


Kirk playing around with Viv two months ago:



Of course Kirk will say some really funny, over-the-top things about Vivian that make me realize, yes he is going to be an over-protective dad. Like for instance,

"She's not dating anyone until she's 30."

"I'm not letting her run around barefoot in the rain. She could get sick or catch a disease."

"Vivian won't wear any low-cut tops or short shorts around me."

And so on....

Although unrealistic, I think his statements are very sweet. He says these things out of love and best interest for Viv. So I just agree with him.

I usually drop Vivian off at day care in the mornings and Kirk picks her up in the afternoons. He has said numerous times that picking her up is his favorite part of the day with her. She is ALWAYS so happy to see him (and to be leaving school). She will run up to Kirk and hug him so tight then immediately start waving her hand good bye to the teacher and her classmates. For just those few minutes, her dad is her whole world and he loves that.

Then mom (me) comes home from work and it's all about mommy and daddy is often forgotten. Kirk says that Vivian is a mommy's girl and wants me these days but I say that her behavior just temporary. I can see that Daddy's Girl in her even at this young age. She's got that twinkle in her eyes around him and he lights up, (since she has him wrapped around her tiny fingers).

I should know about these things - after all, I am a daddy's girl too. My dad, Larry, is a wonderful father. The older I grow, the more I appreciate and admire him. We've had our ups and downs over the years. He gave me the belt a few times, yelled at me MANY times and I know I tried his patience over and over again as a teenager. But no one could affect me emotionally the way that my father could. And it was because I just think the world of my him (still do).


Dancing with my dad on my wedding day:



I have a lot of my father's personality traits. Some good - like my incredible sense of humor from him. (Sometimes my mom is funny too, but not quite like my dad. He's much crazier!) Some not so good - like my impatience and my foul mouth. I'd like to think that I have my dad's determination and courage along with his wide feet, light-brown colored eyes and that Babin smile.

Long ago I used to believe my dad was made of steel, but then there have been times that I made him cry because of something I said or did; then I realized he is human after all. On occasion, he'd surprise me with flowers and a card when I did something like receive all "A's" as my grade for a few semesters in college. My dad is very generous but practical in his advice, gifts and time.


I so enjoy seeing my dad play with Vivian too. He is so silly with her and she just loves it. I like to think that he was that way with me when I was that age but I honestly can't remember back that far. He is a wonderful grandpa or "Buddy" as he calls himself.


My dad has told me that the best part of being a father has been watching his two children (my brother Stu and me) grow into responsible, mature adults. He says he often wondered if he was a good dad to us. He admits that he wishes he could have done more or been around more but he feels happy that he has a "do-over" with his two granddaughters whom he adores.

Hey dad, I think you did pretty good! :-)


Vivian and me with my dad on Father's day last year, 2008:



I'm very lucky that these two great father figures - my husband and my dad get along so well too. They will often play rounds of golf or hit the pool tables together. My two best guys laugh, talk and more importantly, drink lots of beer or Crown Royal together. I never worry about them when they're together since I know they enjoy each other's company. And they share the same love for the same girls - Vivian and me.

So I don't have two dads in the same way that Staci Keanan's character did on the "My Two Dads" program, but I do have these two wonderful, special men in my life. I am very lucky to have a wonderful husband who is also a wonderful father to Vivian. And I'm fortunate to have a terrific dad who is a terrific grandpa to Vivian too.

Happy Father's Day to you both (and to all the great dads out there)! I love you!

Reconnecting with the Past

I did not attend my ten-year high school reunion, which was in the spring of 2006. For one thing, I was living in Dayton, Ohio at the time and my high school is in Gray, Louisiana, over 800 miles away.

Another thing, I had not seen or talked to my fellow classmates since I graduated in 1996. There were a few exceptions for the first few years where I kept in touch with a few girls and boys; but former boyfriends, prolonged time, and distant cities between us caused the drifting that often happens among friends.

I didn't really want to face those folks when the reunion took place. I wasn't feeling nostalgic or sentimental at the time. Still in my own world and happy to be away from my hometown, I didn't fully appreciate those memories or those friendships.

Now, three years after that reunion, I'm feeling very different. I was just chatting with my incredibly beautiful and funny friend in Texas named Danielle about her recent ten-year high school reunion trip to Utah. She had a great time visiting with her old pals from school. Hearing her stories makes me a little sad that I made the decision to skip mine.

It's amazing how having a child changes you -- your perception of life and your priorities. Shortly after I had Vivian (in October 2007), I began thinking of my childhood and the friends who were such a part of my early years. Soon I wanted to reach out to those girls who made me laugh, cry and dance around my bedroom so long ago.

Thanks to technology like facebook and the internet, you can now reconnect with people in your past even if they live in another state. People find you and you can find them whether you want it to happen or not.

So in January of 2009, I took a chance and first contacted my friend (Jynell) whom I really missed the most over these past 13 years. I've known her since we were in diapers together. We were babysat by the same lady and lived a few streets from each other. Our moms taught together at the same school. Oh the stories this girl has on me! We made up words, sang songs in the gymnasium, had crushes on our older brothers' friends and spent many nights talking about life and what we wanted from it. To my happy surprise, she accepted my invitation to be "friends" again. I even saw her the last time I visited my hometown of Houma, Louisiana. She had me rolling with laughter with stories of the goofy things I did when we were kids (I had forgotten many of the silly things I had done!) We call each other from time to time now and it's almost as if no time has passed between us. I'm so grateful to know her again.

That's the true test of friendship - if you can pick back up where you left off like no time has taken place. After that dear friend reentered my life, others soon followed. I began reconnecting with lots of folks whose faces from my yearbook had collected dust on them.





Soon I was chatting with a neighbor who lived down the street where I grew up (Lynette). She reminded me of how we jumped on the trampoline and got in trouble on the bus. Not long after that, I exchanged notes with my crazy pal (Jill) who I would do cartwheels with down the hallways of junior high.

As it turns out, many of us have children the same age or close in age. We're all moms now and going through the same challenges. It's kind of cool to talk and share stories about the good ole' days.

One of those old friends (Rebecca) recently told me that she started reading this blog and that she's really enjoying it. I didn't know she had even visited this site. She sent me a virtual note telling me I made her laugh and that she could relate to some of my stories. Her kind words truly made my day when I read them. She and I conversed on slumber parties and forgotten songs we used to sing together.

Blasts from my past are popping up almost every week now. Some of them find me. Others, I look for. Not too long ago I remembered a girl (Donna) I worked with at my first job out of college. She was so kind to me, knowing that I was fresh out of college and new to living in New Orleans (the big city). We ate out for lunch often after I started working at the Superdome. She took me to restaurants and shops around the town that I would have never known about otherwise. She has an old soul in a young woman's body and taught me about Italian cuisine and classics like Frank Sinatra and Perry Como. We just reconnected (thanks to the internet) after almost nine years and I thanked Donna for her generosity and gift of friendship. She was there for me at a time when I was vulnerable and needed it most.

Even if it wasn't for technology, the past can still find you. Just a week ago, my parents brought their car into a dealership to be serviced near Baton Rouge. Their mechanic turned out to be a guy (Timmy) who graduated with me. He recognized my parents and told them that he'd been to their house before (Oops, did I forget to mention I had a party while you were out of town one night, mom and dad?) Anyway, this guy told my parents that he was best friends with one of my old boyfriends (Ryan). Oh how that brought back flashbacks of my utterly, head-over-heels crush for this boy!

My mom will constantly run into folks I went to school with while she's shopping in the mall or going to see a movie. Or sometimes the town gossip would reach my other family members and they'd tell me the juicy stuff. I used to groan and not want to hear about it. But now I like finding out who is still in the community and what they've been doing these days. It's fun to hear about who has children and where they are living now.

I have done a lot of stupid, crazy, wonderful, geeky, hilarious, jaw-dropping, over- and under-achieving things in my former days. But they all have helped shape the person that I am today. So instead of running from my past, I now embrace it. I like looking back and remembering incidents and conversations from people who were there and witnessed (yikes!) my youth.





I'm glad that I left my hometown, went away to college and lived in other places. That decision to leave was the right thing for me (It's not for everyone but I know it was good for me). Being away and out of my comfort zone helped me grow as a person. Moving enabled me to meet some new, wonderful people whom I currently call my friends. Now when I go back to visit (or maybe, if we move back to Louisiana again someday), I have a greater appreciation of my roots and the life I have led.

Thank you to my friends, both old and new, for the relationships and memories you have given me and continue to offer me. My life is so much richer and more fulfilling because you're a part of it. I love you all!

Oh, the Guilt!

Guilt has been weighing on me more than ever lately. Mommy guilt that is. I feel guilty over other things too but the challenges of being a mom have entered heavily on my head and heart these days.

I'm taking a big risk uttering these words, but here goes - I wish that I could be a stay-at-home mom. There, I said it.

This has been on my mind for awhile now. Now that I've said that, I will probably change my mind. Or if it ever happens, I may regret saying that line. But at this moment, as I sit and type this, I want to be home with Vivian.

I am a full-time working mom that works outside of the house. I say "work outside the home" because let's face it, stay-at-home moms are definitely working moms too. They work their butts off inside the house with their children every day. I know how hard of a life they have.

I actually stayed at home for three months after we moved from Ohio to Alabama. Vivian was just six months old at the time. It drove me crazy actually.

Looking back now, I am not clear on why it was so hard for me. But I've narrowed it down to a few possibilities: (1) the adjustments to new motherhood, (2) the fact that I'm not a huge fan of the baby stage, when the child is dependent upon you for everything or (3) just living in a new place where I didn't know anyone yet and felt utterly alone. But from May to August 2008, I went through a rough time being a stay-at-home mom.

I was actually happy when I returned to work in mid-August 2008. Of course then after I returned to work, I wanted to be home again with Vivian. I missed her incredibly the way that I do now. Do you see the vicious cycle here?

I like bringing in dollars for my family. I like contributing financially. But I miss the time at home too. I feel as if I'm missing out on so many little things that my daughter does each day. I'm not as involved in the day-to-day shaping and molding of who she is becoming and what she is learning.

Sometimes I even miss the opportunities of organizing the house, trying out new recipes on a weekday and having more time to exercise. Sure there are perks of staying in my pajamas all day, if I want to, but that can even get old.

Nearly every day when I drop Viv off at day care, she cries and clings to me. It breaks my heart. Many days I shed a tear as I walk out to my car. At least I'm able to stay strong in front of her.

And so it sinks deeper into the depths of me - Guilt, Guilt, Guilt. The guilt weight we women carry on our shoulders day in and day out is enough to put holes through the earth!

Working outside the home moms feel guilty not being home more. Stay-at-home moms feel guilty for not bringing in dollars and for wanting time to themselves after being home with the children all day long. We all struggle to find a balance in our lives.

I am sure that we women aren't the only ones who feel this guilt. Men must feel it too. They have pressures to be the providers and the source of strength for their families. But I think for most of them, their worries and burden don't constantly resurface the way that those thoughts do for women on a daily basis.

We do the best we can with our time, as limited as it may be. Although I am conflicted about it, I try to make the choices that are in the best interest of everyone in my family. Vivian's day care may be just a glorified babysitting service but it is better for us so that we can save money toward her future - private school perhaps? activities that will enrich her mind? (That's how I justify it, anyway.)

Since I can't always be with Vivian to enjoy all the funny and precious things she is doing, I've started writing down some of her behaviors so I won't forget. I am trying to do a better job at documenting her habits, milestones and personality traits so I can remember them and cherish them forever.

Here's a short list of her wacky but loving things that she's done recently(obviously inherited by me):

(a) I caught her in my rearview mirror while she was comforting her little clown puppet that I had given her to play with (as I strapped in her carseat belt). She was hugging the clown and patting it on the back in a consoling manner. Exactly what I do to her when she's crying or hugging me. I pat her on the back. It was just so sweet to watch her do that, especially when she didn't know I was looking.

(b) Another thing Viva the Diva has been doing currently is running at me and screaming, "AAAAHHHH!" and then laughing. Think the Home Alone movie and Macaulay Culkin kind of scream. Except she doesn't put her hands over her face. Not sure where she got that from or how I should react. I usually just yell back and run at her in an even crazier manner.

(c) Her continuous affection lately. She'll run and hug her daddy and me. She has been putting her head in my lap. It's so sweet and so unlike her behavior for the first 15 months of her life when she didn't want to touch us or want us touching her really at all.

(d) Seeing her focus in on objects and her surroundings. She's an observer and she notices everything.

(e) How she has started lifting up her shirt to pat her belly. LOL! She will even use her utensils to poke herself in the tummy while saying "beh-ley." It's quite comical.

Those are just a few of her newest quirks. Oh how I am enjoying this stage and age. I really love this kid and wish I could spend more time with her.

Guilt will always be upon me, this I am sure. I guess the trick is to live and forgive. Learn to adjust to guilty feelings and forgive myself for having them. Enjoy each moment I have in the present instead of what I missed earlier in the day. Quality, not quantity, they say.

But if it's not Vivian, then it's something else I feel guilty over, like how I neglected the laundry, dirty dishes and the dog. How I can't spend enough time with Kirk or even enough time on myself. Just taking time to write this blog makes me feel anguish at times. Like humorist and writer Erma Bombeck says, “Guilt (is) the gift that keeps on giving.” Oh, how right she is!

What is it about the kitchen sink?

Why do most people insist on washing their hands in the kitchen sink? Each bathroom in the house has a sink too but most people (the ones I know, anyway) will walk from the bathroom where they just were and then use the kitchen sink to scrub.

This random question popped into my head when Kirk came to the kitchen sink to scour his fingers furiously after cutting the grass on Sunday. He did this with only his t-shirt and underwear present. I assume (I could be wrong) that he had just come from our bedroom with its adjoining bathroom where he had stripped his blue jeans to the floor. Why didn't he use his sink in the bathroom since he was just a few feet away from it? There is soap and towels in there too.

I promise that I'm not picking exclusively on Kirk. After all, I watch my parents do this when they come to visit. My in-laws do this when they are staying at our house. Friends use it. And GASP! - I do it too. Quite often in fact. So why I am complaining then?

I'm not. These are the kind of ridiculous thoughts and questions that come to me suddenly as I walk around the house, fold laundry, drive to work, sit at my desk, or sadly, while I'm trying to fall asleep at night.

The kitchen sink is actually one of the most disgusting places in the house. (The toilet is another but that's a post for another day.) I mean, just think about what goes down the drain.

Even our cat likes to jump in the sink and drink from the faucet when we're not around. Oh yeah, I've busted him numerous times! Needless to say, I find it hard to keep our kitchen sink clean with so much activity surrounding it.

Kudos go out to my friend Tammy in Wisconsin who bathes her daughter in the kitchen sink and she has done so for nearly every night of her daughter's almost two-years. Tammy, I salute you -- you must have the cleanest sink in America! ;-)

Sinks can cost a pretty penny too. From chrome to cast iron, it is almost like choosing an automobile style and color these days.

Look at this one how pretty!



People love to use the phrase, "everything but the kitchen sink" too. It is even used in recipes such as cookies and chicken soup. So apparently I am not the only one obsessed with this subject.

Now if only I could find one that will clean dishes with the press of a button or switch. Could I order one of those please?



So, what did this entire blog post have to do with anything? Absolutely Nothing! It's just a small window into how my head thinks. I put these cosmic questions out there and wonder if answers will be provided. My brain can be like a Seinfeld episode. I just think and talk about nothing. Even my crazy Kramer hairs can be found all over that kitchen sink too. I am shedding, just like the cat.

My Boobs Are Thankful!

All day long my boobs have been kissing up to me. Almost literally, since they have been lifted up so high that they almost touch my lips.

Yes, that's right boys and girls. Mama Mandy got herself a new bra, four of them to be exact. I finally had enough of my three-year old brassieres cutting off my circulation from the underwire poking out.

You heard me correctly, THREE YEARS! I can't believe I made it that long. I had tossed those rugged bras around, overheated them in the dryer and even let Vivian play with them; until finally I said, enough is enough. These babies will be sagging to my knees soon if I don't do something!

So off I drove to Victoria's Secret. Or as my husband Kirk likes to call it, "Victoria's Secretions," LOL. Yeah, he's a sick man but quite funny at times.



I was hopeful that my size would still be the same, 36-B, as it was before I had Vivian. Thankfully my hunch was right and "the girls" didn't grow any bigger. That made the selection process a little easier. I used to wear the Ipex style but now Victoria (that naughty girl) has a new one on the market entitled, The Perfect One. Perfect, indeed. After a few try-ons and gasps at the comfort and support, I made my way to the register and didn't blink over spending $200 for such a lifesaver. (I mean is $45 a piece too much to ask for when it comes to security blankets for your boobs?)

My very own "Perfect One" supports, shapes and smooths over the worn out places that my old bras sagged behind. Did I say sagged? Oops I meant, lagged behind. I felt an immediate difference the moment I put my new one on and definitely an improvement now that I've been wearing them for two days.

I even notice a change in my mood. Heck, I've been singing Shania Twain's "Man! I Feel Like A Woman!" and I don't even like most Country Music. I've been checking myself out in the mirror saying, Yeah baby (in Austin Powers fashion)!

I have begun whistling that tune from that tear-jerker movie about friendship with Bette Midler: Beaches. You know, that scene where Bette's character Cecilia 'CC' Carol Bloom is singing in a play about the inventor of the bra and the guy who stole the idea, Philippe DeBrassiere. (But only the Divine Miss M could really pull off that song, not me!)

I have been dancing around a little more, getting funky with my bad self too. A new bra can do strange things to a person!



What?!? I told you I was trying to loosen up more, remember? Or maybe I was just pretending to be in that movie Weird Science.

It's amazing what a new bra can do for your self esteem, but especially what they do for your "girls," "twins" - or whatever nickname you call your breasts.

Actually I am thinking about naming my new bras. I purchased four different colors and feel like I need to give them some credit. They're just so pretty and shiny. I almost hated wearing them but then my boobs begged and pleaded with me. So I knew I made the right decision to put them on instead of hanging them from the mantle.





So what should I name them? How about Black Beauty, Bobbie Beige, Big Red and Pearl's Place?

No good? Okay, well I'll keeping thinking about it then....





What did I do with my old bras, you may be wondering? Well, after I pitifully lined them up execution style on my bathtub, I then tossed them into the trash can.



Goodbye hooter-hurters! I bid you farewell!




To my dad or my brother Stu, if you happen to read this blog entry or if you've painfully gotten this far, you shouln't be embarrassed seeing photos of my new or old brassieres. After all, we've spent our entire lives seeing Granny's enormous bras hanging from her outdoor clothesline. You know that sight is way worse than seeing my much smaller cups on here.

At least I'm not displaying it for the neighbors to see. With the way thunderstorms roll in around here in Alabama, they might just end up in Kalamazoo if I do that.

No, I plan on keeping these babies. And I intend to be bragging on future bras again someday on here, hopefully not waiting as long as three years the next time.

Fresh from the Farm

I believe in supporting your local community, especially when it comes to farmers markets. There is nothing better than fresh fruits and veggies from the farm. I love the people you meet at these local produce stands. These are just salt of the earth folks trying to make a dime growing what they love. Sometimes you're lucky enough to find a unique item, craft or maybe even a polycrossed super fruit.



When we lived in Louisiana, we often shopped at the German Coast farmers market in Destrehan on Saturdays. Kirk's mom, Debbie, would go with Kirk and me. All together we'd load up on local goods. I loved how among the typical peaches and blackberry preserves, you could also find homemade wine. That sweet wine sample later led Kirk and me to visit its local vineyard which was just an hour north of where we lived at the time. Lucky us!

I carried on the tradition when we moved to Ohio as we would frequent the 2nd Street Market. At this market, I discovered my true passion for freshly baked breads, sweet treats and granola thanks to the vendor Big Sky Bread Company. It quickly became one of my favorite things about Dayton, Ohio. Kirk didn't seem to mind when I'd bring home those colossal brownies and all-natural oatmeal raisin cookies either.



Now in Alabama, we're doing the same thing - visiting the local harvest here. This weekend we visited the East Chase Farmers Market and the Federal Street Montgomery State Farmers Market. Of course, now it's no longer a leisurely stroll from booth to booth since Vivian is with us.

In fact, now it's more like me running after Vivian; me taking plums and cherries out of Viv's hands since she apparently thought they were free; Kirk holding the diaper bag and my drink and the yellow squash while I peel Vivian off the ground from her third meltdown.

So yeah, umm, things are a little different now. In fact, Vivian received her first knee scrape when she tried to run away from us at the market. Did she see a pecan pie? A discounted plant? Some black bean dip perhaps? I still don't know but her skin met the concrete pavement and she received a bloody cut instead.



She bounced back quickly though so don't worry. And thankfully, we even managed to pick up a few things besides that yellow squash. A crate of fresh blueberries and a can of strawberry salsa. Yummy!



Another great reason to visit nearby harvest places, besides keeping the dollars in your community, is that it inspires me to try new recipes. I come home with my fresh goods and I turn into Martha Stewart for a day or two (but only those two days usually).

I was actually happy to wash, peel and chop the yellow squash. I searched through several cookbook recipes until I settled on a sauteed one with onions and herbs. I even got a little crazy and added a few diced tomatoes, cheese, and a tablespoon full of queso for a great blend. In my opinion, it went great with the mesquite-limed chicken we ate for dinner.

I think that even my culinary friend Jen would be impressed - She and her husband make the most delectable, inspiring meals that my eyes have ever seen! She amazes me all the time. Visit her blog if you want to see photos that make your mouth water.

Today I took my fresh blueberries from the market and made blueberry muffins from scratch. Again, on a typical day I would not feel like hunting for my mixer and getting flour all over the countertops. But with my fresh farm goods, I didn't mind dirtying up those muffin pans. The muffins came out soooo good. I mean, melt in your mouth, teeth turning blue from all the blueberries, kind of good.









Cooking and baking are rewarding when it comes out delicious and your family appreciates it. Kirk ate three blueberry muffins within minutes. He was practically grunting like Tim the Toolman Taylor when they were still warm from the oven. I loved it.

The prep work and cook time took less than an hour and we have breakfast for the next several days. It's a win-win for us all.

I hope that Vivian will later on appreciate the value that local farmers provide. Maybe she'll discover her own treasures. Most of all, I want Vivian to return the favor of cooking and baking for her family, especially her mommy.



(Note: Blueberry muffin recipe can be provided upon request. E-mail me at littlebit.mandy@gmail.com and I'll be happy to share the calories, oops, I mean the ingredients.)

People Watching

Do you ever sit back and just watch your surroundings? Whether it is at home, at work or in a public place like a coffee shop, mall or grocery store. I do.

Sometimes I even notice obscure things that people do. Quietly taking in the scene around you can often be entertaining, comical and absurd. Like the one day I was driving to work, looked over to my left side and saw a lady plucking chin and neck hairs with a set of tweezers! Ouch! I laughed about it the whole commute.

When I was in college, I began to really use my senses to take inventory of what was happening around me. I started looking people in the eye. I asked questions. I would even ask someone, "why did you do that?" Sometimes it made others feel a bit uncomfortable when they realized that a person truly noticed their habit, words or behavior.

Of course, that can backfire because my husband often catches me smiling, day dreaming or doing some random act when I thought no one was looking too. Hahaha!

This week I noticed that my daughter started twirling around in a circle making herself so dizzy that she falls down. She has also started walking backwards and trying to play "keep away" with her ball. I love it when I catch her in the act of doing a new skill or habit.

I sat in a work meeting last week and could tell the mood that everyone was in by their facial expressions. One lady was grouchy. Her crossed arms, legs and face pointing in one direction proved that she did not want to be there. Another woman was taking notes, asking questions and her wide eyes showed she was interested in the topic (either that, or she's a real teacher's pet type. And no, it wasn't me!)

Things I don't like to stare at are roadside accidents and traffic jams. I try my hardest not to slow down and cause another one. That is one event that I have no desire to witness. I also don't like to watch a person in pain, hurting or bleeding.

But the everyday people watching that occurs in our daily routine can be refreshing and educational. I watch how a child responds to his mother, how friends talk and laugh, how a couple must be on a first date, how that woman didn't thank the waitress but the gentleman at the table next to her did and so on. I think to myself about what I just witnessed and how I would like to react. It could be the same or it could be different. Or it causes me to ponder something about myself that I hadn't thought of before.

When I gained courage and began talking to people in any setting, work or personal-related, I received valuable information about myself and my community. Sometimes I even have a delightful conversation with a complete stranger.

If you see me staring at you oneday, I promise I'm not a stalker. But feel free to tell me get lost. Otherwise, I might just be watching you!