It's All Relative ~ Our Recent Trip To See Family

We recently took a trip to New Orleans and its surrounding areas to visit family.  In the past three years, we've only been able to go there once a year, or sometimes less.   Now that we are located just 3-4 hours away from relatives, we hope to make the trip to see our parents, grandparents, siblings and other extended family members more often. 

Vivian sure loved the attention from her relatives.  We just had to get through the ride there first.  Thank goodness for Elmo DVD's and an Elmo pillow that we picked up along the way.



When will furry, red monsters get old for a child?  I don't know!  As long as the Diva is happy, I suppose it doesn't matter.



Our first few nights were spent in Houma where my parents live.  After a drive through flat roads and swampy bayous, we enjoyed the sight of my dad (Buddy)'s newest addition to their exterior.  See for yourself, pictured below:



No, that is not a image taken from a random website.  My father really had an outhouse just to the right of his driveway to enter the home.  My dad is having a shed installed in his backyard and the workers must use this Port-O-Potty to do their business.  The workers gave my dad the choice to place it in the back of the house for indiscretion.  But my dad said no, let's put it out there for all the neighbors to see.  Because that is how my dad likes to play folks.  :)

While we were in deep south Louisiana, the rest of the U.S. received record snowfall amounts.  We only received rain, wind, cold temperatures and gloomy clouds.  Still we made the most of it by just spending quality time with family. 

And taking lots of pictures, like this cute one of our family (below).  This is a rare gem indeed since one of us is usually not looking at the camera (Vivian), blinking (Kirk) or looking like she crawled out from a toilet bowl (Me).  But this one isn't so bad, I thought.




While in town, I made visits to see my grandmothers who I hardly ever see these days.  Vivian was a little scared of them at first.  It may seem hard for a two year old and an over eighty-year old to relate on any kind of level.  But when you think about it, they actually have a lot in common.  Both ages consist of daily routines that revolve around poop, food and sleep. 






On our second day of visiting, I suggested a round of bowling since there wasn't much we could do outdoors.  Vivian is both fascinated and slightly afraid of the balls, pin and alley.  Still, my parents made it fun for her anyway.









While in New Orleans, we spent a lot of time with Kirk's father, stepmother, sister and her children.  Unfortuantely, Kirk's mom was sick and we didn't visit with her.  The same went for my brother, his wife and my neice Brooklynn.  They were not feeling well either.  Lots of illnesses were floating around but we tried not to let it put a damper on our visit. 

Vivian had the best time with her older cousin Kristen (age 11).  She continually called her "Girl" or "Hey Girl" instead of her name.   They drew pictures, read books and played magic show together (pictured below).  She was all smiles when Kristen was around.  It makes me think that Vivian will probably make a wonderful older sister someday.




Kirk's sister and I spent an afternoon drinking and playing board games at their dad's home.  I hadn't done anything like that in awhile and really enjoyed it.   Plus, I beat her at Yahtzee too.  I actually love the rivalry and name calling that goes on during serious game playing.  I don't understand people who cannot enjoy an intense game of scrabble, trivial pursuit or scattegories.

You can just imagine the dinners, desserts and alcohol indulgences we had while there.  Still, despite it all and despite me treating myself, I didn't gain any weight during our trip.  Okay, so I gained one pound.  But I lost it real quickly.  I won't complain at all.

The entire trip mostly consisted of a lot of sitting around and talking.  Very casual.  Still, it was an enjoyable time.  Sometimes it's nice to have a low-key vacation where not much is planned or expected. 

We are lucky to have a terrific family.  I realize that not everyone is as fortunate as we are.  Like them or not, your relatives are a part of who you are.  We decided awhile ago to just embrace ours -- loving, comical, faulty, crazy, deranged and all.   It's all relative.  And our relatives are one of a kind. 

Do You Like A Challenge?

I have a tendency to feel stagnant periodically - in my jobs, in my hobbies, in my daily routine, etc.  The only thing I don't seem to grow tired of is the relationships in my life (thankfully!) 

Because of my continual boredom, I enjoy a challenge.  The best challenges are usually the ones I create for myself.  Or they could be goals that I want to reach.

Lately, I strive to set a goal for myself every day (taking one day off per week to be a vegetable).  A simple task like going to the grocery store without aggravation or a tantrum is an example of a past daily goal of mine.  A weekly goal might be eating vegan meals for two days and exercising six days out of the week.  A monthly goal might be to lose four pounds and find five outdoor activities for Viv and me to do. 

These challenges or goals aren't rocket science.  Still, my need to feel like I can succeed is fulfilled when I look at my calendar and have something written out each day, even if it's just an optional activity.  Having a goal or challenge gives me a greater sense of purpose.  Since I'm not working outside the home, I feel better crossing off things I do from a list.  It also gives me something to talk about at the end of my day, besides what silly things Vivian has said or done or how many diapers I've changed.  After all, I don't live for that kind of stuff. 

Truthfully, I just don't want to be lazy.  That can happen when I'm eighty or ninety years old. 

I don't want to sit idle.  Although after yesterday, I probably should. 

On Monday I had over a dozen things on my to do list.  I wondered if I could get them all done.  But that is when Super Mandy kicked in.  Somehow she steps in when I can't hardly go on, with her eigth grade style permed hair and her cackling, wicked laugh. 

Together (with Super Mandy's help) I paced myself and got everything done.  From 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. with a few breaks in between, I managed to complete the following:

• vacuumed five out of seven rooms in our house
• made a chicken salad recipe (boiled chicken, sliced chicken and prepared the rest of the fixin's)
• made tea
• returned library books
• made an impromtu stop at the pet store so Vivian could run around looking at fish, birds, hamsters and cats
• played in the back yard with Viv
• pooper scooped our backyard and cleaned the cat's litter box
• mopped the kitchen and bathroom floors
• cleaned tables
• did the prep work for a potatoes au gratin dish
• spoke to my neighbor about an event I'm hosting the next day, informing him that more cars will be on the street than usual
• read a dozen books to Vivian
• jogged three miles on the treadmill
• prepared dinner
• gave Vivian a bath
• prepared lunches for next day

Normally I don't plan to do that much in one day, even though many of the list items didn't take very long.   But I hosted a social event at my home earlier today that required many of those cleaning to do's.  (The event went great by the way). 

I had written out those tasks on paper (with some in my head) and I managed to complete all of them.  That is a good feeling.   A sheet of paper filled with lines, instead of words barking at you, can often be a wonderful thing. 

Daily household chore lists can get old.  They can make me feel stagnant too.  So earlier this year, I began thinking a little bigger.  I wanted more difficult challenges that I would have to train for, work toward.  And I've decided to come up with a new goal for each month in 2010.  Something that can't be done in one day or as part of my daily routine.  I want a challenge that I can sweat over and cherish at the same time.

My challenge for March is to complete a 5K race.  I have talked about this before.  I even had it listed as part of my New Year's Resolutions.  Finally, I took action over the weekend.  I signed up for a race that is scheduled for March 20th here in Pensacola.  My dad and possibly Kirk are going to join me on this journey. 

This will be my first race, ever.  I'm nervous and excited over it.  For some reason, I just want to do it.   I want that t-shirt.  I want to taste that cold beer after completing my 3.1 miles. 

I'm not a runner at heart.  I don't really enjoy it nor do I receive that runner's high.  I will probably never do anything longer than a 5K.  I don't have that desire.  But there is something to be said for completing a race.  It takes determination.  It takes proper breathing.  It takes will power and the ability to push forward.   

I've been practicing for a few months and I am finally jogging three miles almost daily.  I don't know if will be able to jog the entire race.  I don't know what the weather conditions will be.  The path might be hillier and more difficult than what I'm used to doing.  I may have to walk parts of it or even 1/3 of it.  I'm okay with that though.  I just want to complete it and cross the finish line.  I want that feeling, that moment.  And I intend to have it. 

I'm brainstorming now for April's challenge too.  Since March is more of a selfish challenge for me, I thought April should perhaps do something good for my family as well.  My first thought is to organize my photo albums and the thousands of loose pictures that I have stashed away in a closet right now.  This would make Kirk so very happy since he refers to me as clutter queen or pat rack on various occasions. 

Tis' true, I admit it.  I have junk drawers, junk closets and just junk that I never seem to get to or sort through.  Well April is the time to declutter.  Spring cleaning is almost here.  I'm prepared to wow myself with untapped organizational skills.  I also desparately need to organize my recipe collection and cookbooks.  Stay tuned to see if decluttering is the next challenge I undertake.

I'd like to come up with something that would help others as well.  A task that could inspire and make a small difference.  Any ideas?

Do you like to challenge yourself?  Do you set goals, small or big, on a regular basis? 

What gives you a greater sense of purpose to help you get through the mundane?   Do you have any ideas for what I can do in May, June or July?  I want to know!  Post your thoughts and ideas.  Share your experiences in the comments section.   Come on now..... off your lazy butt and start typing.  I expect to hear great things from you.

Also, get out there and set a goal for yourself. Don't be a slacker! :-)

Who's Knocking At My Door Now?

When you live in a neighborhood, even a small two-street one in a rural part of town like I do, you expect that people will come knocking on your door.  An occasional girl scout selling cookies.  A neighbor asking you to politely move your friend's car.  Etc.  Then when the weather begins to warm slightly, the solicitors start a knockin'.  

On Thursday, I had two strange men come to my home door within an hour of each other.  (While Vivian was taking her afternoon nap too, gotta love that).   First it was an ADT Home Security businessman wanting to share details with me on house safety and fire prevention.  About thirty minutes later it was a Kirby vacuum and carpet cleaning salesman offering to clean my carpets.  (Note to self: Close the garage door during the day from now on!)  

I was polite to these two men.  I realize that they are just sales people trying to do their job.  Slamming the door in their faces won't make any of us feel better in the long run.  I listened to each of them for a few minutes, asked for a business card and said I'd share the information with my husband and we'd think it over. 

Still, why can't someone interesting come to my door?  Why can't some really outstanding person, product or service show up at my front steps?

Like what, for instance?  I'm glad you asked.

• Well, how about Bono for starters.  (No, not my dog.  The U2 rock legend singer that my dog is named after).  Wouldn't that be the most wonderful experience ever if Bono rang my doorbell and began singing lyrics from the song "One" to me.  Awesome!

• So that is wishful thinking I know.  Okay, well why can't massage therapists come cold-calling door to door?  They could offer a free five to ten-minute massage in exchange for a donation or future appointment.  That's someone that I wouldn't turn away or slam the door on.

• How about someone coming to deliver you a big check that you've just won?  A cash prize just for you, with no strings attached!  You'd gladly let that person in and bake him cookies.

• Or best of all, a friend you haven't seen in a long time.  Or maybe even a blogger buddy you haven't met yet.  That would be wonderful if one of YOU showed up on my doorstep to say hello and whisk me out for drinks and Mexican food.

Oh well, a girl can dream, right! That's just a short list of who I wish would come knocking at my door. 

Now let's cover a list of people I would not hestitate to slam my door in their faces, if they showed up at my place:

• For starters, a toe nail clipper salesman offering free toe nail clippings for the first visit.  He has sample nail clippings to show you just how great his equipment works. 
  

• Monica Lewinsky and her new line of stained dress cleaners. She has personal samples to demonstrate, as she has just made several visits to Congress meetings.

• Tiger Woods with a golf club jammed up his butt.  Frankly, I just don't want or need that kind of media attention placed anywhere near me.

And finally,

• Chip and Dale. No, not the dancers - they would be welcome, of course. I'm talking about those pesky rodents that like to cause a mess, sort through your garbage and crap all over your house. They may seem cute but they're really the devil's spawn, I tell you. They must make their nest elsewhere.  I've got enough crazy animals in my house already. 

There you have it - some quick thoughts on who's been knocking on my door these days, along with who I wish would ring my bell and who I hope never comes to my front steps.

Who would you slam your door on? Who would you love to see show up suddenly at your place?

Self Worth Beats Net Worth

I spotted this very billboard (pictured above) along Interstate 10 as Kirk, Vivian and I were driving home to Florida after visiting our relatives in New Orleans on Monday.   I can't recall the sign's exact location -- somewhere between Mississippi and Alabama. 

But I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the message.  Those words, "Self Worth Beats Net Worth," stayed with me for the entire rest of the ride back to Pensacola.

I realize that this billboard is not new.  It's part of the "Recession 101 Campaign" that came out in 2009.  In summary (for any of you who may not know), an anonymous donor paid an advertising group to develop and post positive messages across the United States during this recession. 

There are over a dozen spirited and clever phrases, such as:

-- Recession 101: It's a test, not a final.

-- Recession 101: The interesting thing about recessions....they end.

-- Recession 101: No one can foreclose on your future.

-- Recession 101: Bill Gates started Microsoft in a recession.

-- And many others....

How wonderful and odd are these notebook written billboards! I've personally seen only two different signs so far.  But when I do spot them, they lift my spirits when I read their message. 

This particular one on self worth really hit home with me though.  Self worth has been on my mind lately.   I've been on a positive upsweep in my life and I'm trying to continue the momentum. I enjoy it when I read/hear/see something wonderful and kind going on in the world around me. 

Now, I'm not always upbeat and positive.  I have my negative, down moments like everyone does.  Sometimes I think.... Gosh, I'm a stay at home mom now.  Geez!  Who would've thought?!  What will happen to my skills and experience in the workplace?  What am I doing to contribute to my family?  And I get depressed at times. 

But then I think more deeply.... Well, I do a lot for my family.  I'm spending time with my daughter, moments I will never get back again.  Not everyone has that opportunity with their children.  Also, I'm helping out financially by cooking more at home and not spending funds on eating out.  I find cheap or even free activities for Vivian and I to do during the week.  I'm experimenting with new foods and becoming creative in other ways.  I'm making the time to exercise.  I look better.  I feel better, most days.  Gee... my life isn't so bad!  And my life now isn't permanent.  I can evolve and change it at any point. 

And I snap myself out of it and think of all the many gifts I have in my life.  I am lucky to have what I do and the power to change me (both physically and mentally) at any moment.  Not everyone has that option.

I remember being a teenager and having a low self esteem, so unsure of myself and all those around me.  That is such a hard, awkward age for many kids, filled with peer pressure. 

Then I think back to being in college and being exposed to a whole new set of rules (or lack thereof) while digging deeper into who I was as a person.  That was just the beginning of real self-discovery for me.  The friendships I made there really changed me for the better.

Over the past two years, I've looked at myself in new ways again, as a mother, a wife and a friend.  These roles have had their ups, downs and joyous occasions.   It's been a thrilling ride to say the least. 

Today I look at myself and examine what I've done in just over the past four months, the last 120 days since I have been a Florida resident and a stay at home mom.  And I think.... Wow, you go girl!  Look at what you've accomplished!  Just like you wanted to do.  You're making things happen.  You're doing what you want.  You're working toward being the best Mandy you can be.

And I realize.... That's self worth.  That's attitude.  That's knowing who you are and embracing it.  That's changing the things you don't like about yourself (or your life) and tweaking them too. 

That's where I am right now.  And I must admit.... it feels damn good.  I like it.  I like it a lot. 

Self worth really does beat net worth.  That billboard is incredibly accurate.  And I'm lucky that it's presently a snapshot into my life.  I can't wait to see/read what the next sign will be. 

It doesn't matter what kind of car you drive (or if you don't have one).  It doesn't matter if you live in the nicest house on the block (or not in a house at all).  It doesn't matter if you don't own an article of clothing worth over $20. 

When it comes down to it, all that really matters is how you see yourself.  How you feel about you. 

Well, how do you feel?  How's your self worth? 

Welcome Home....To The Crazy House....Again

You know how when you return from a trip, you can't wait to sleep in your own bed - to finally gain a restful night of sleep.   The expectations are usually high and you can't wait to curl up on your comfortable pillow. 

That was true for Kirk and me as we just returned from a five night trip to visit family members in the New Orleans area.  We were tired and even went to sleep early Monday night. 

What we didn't know was that our pets had other plans in store for us.  Or perhaps they snuck out of the house late to enjoy some Mardi Gras festivities (since today is Fat Tuesday).  I am not sure but I don't like the end results of our first night back home in Florida....

Yes, it's that time again.  Time for me to tell yet another story of how I have the most neurotic, most disgusting animals on earth. 

Please fasten your seatbelts and put down any food items you may be munching on, especially if they are brown, yellow and orange in color.

Our dog Bono was restless all night long.  He kept running into the window blinds (which make a lot of noise).  We placed him in his crate to sleep.  He continued moving around and moaning.  As I looked at the clock each time, I grew more and more aggravated.... 10:30 p.m.  1:24 a.m.   3:17 a.m.   Finally after the 3a.m. fits, Kirk removed him from our bedroom and placed him in the living room inside his crate. 

Meanwhile our cat Sam puked shortly after 3:30 a.m.  Hairball?  Too much food?  Not sure.  But those of you who are cat-owners know what I'm talking about.  That coughing that seems to never end.  Following that is the actual spit and yellow-orange mucus that always (without fails) lands on the carpet. 

Fun times, let me tell you!

Sometime after 4:00 a.m., Bono began to bark from the living room.  Kirk gets up to check on him.  He returns with more sighs and groans. 

Kirk: "I think Bono shit on himself." 
Me: "Oh great."

So, what did we do?  We did what any sleep-deprived couple would do.  We crawled into bed in hopes to get in another hour of beauty rest.

No such luck though as Sammy cat threw up.  Again.  By this time it was 5:10 a.m.  So we both dragged our tired butts out of bed to deal with the crazy pets. 

Were they retaliating from us leaving them behind and not taking them with us to New Orleans?  I don't know.  But what a way to start our day!  Kirk tackled the cat puke and I gave Bono a sanitary bath all before 5:30 a.m. 

Needless to say, I'm not in another hurry to leave them behind for another vacation again.  Squirting a shower head at full-force into my Sheltie's bunghole before I've even had morning coffee or tea is not my idea of a good time.

In fact, do any of you know someone looking for a cat or a dog as a pet?  Oh come on, these are isolated incidents!

Look how adorable they can be (at times):





If you're interested in these pets, please post a comment below or send me an email, littlebit.mandy@gmail.com.  I'll ship them to you, along with a month's supply of pet food for FREE. 

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Anyway, before we returned home to Pensacola, our family did have a great time visiting relatives for several days.  I'll share more details and pictures in a post coming soon. 

Right now, I'm just really tired.  I hope that tonight will be filled with sleep, not pet shenanigans.  I look forward to catching up with you more later this week. 

Show Your Love To Someone Special

Valentine's Day is coming up soon.  Normally, I'm not one to put much effort into holidays.  Especially heavily commercialized ones like V-day. 

But I can appreciate the concept of showing love to someone special in your life.  My only thought/ argument is to spread your love throughout the year, not just save it for one day or occasion. 

I'm very lucky that I have someone special in my life who I love and who, in turn, loves me back....  My husband Kirk (married for over seven years now).  He's my wonderful partner and best friend. 



Even though Kirk and I have busy schedules, stressful days and almost no time to ourselves, I try..... I repeat the word "try".... to tell him what he means to me on a daily or weekly basis.  He does the same.  In fact, he's even better at expressing his feelings and showing his emotions than I am.

I'm not really a romantic person at heart but I do enjoy occasional passionate or thoughtful surprises, both giving them and receiving them.  If you are feeling particularly grateful for that someone special in your life, tell them so.  Say, "Thank you for _______.  I really appreciate what you do for me and how you make me feel, etc."  

If you're a woman who loves a man, then you have it fairly easy.  After all, men only need two things to make them happy.  Sex and food.  In that order, usually.  Sex can be given freely (in most cases) and food is typically cheap too. 

I feel kind of sorry for men though as it takes more than food and sex to make a woman happy, in most cases.  Scrub a toilet, do the dishes, give us time alone, etc.  Every woman is different so it's purely a guessing game as to what will make her squeal.

But if you take the time to learn your partner's simple pleasures, you can use them later as a gesture to show your love.  Let me explain with an easy example:

Kirk LOVES cheese and crackers.  Almost every day when he arrives home from work, he reaches for club crackers; then he slices up cheese from a block and enjoys several bites.  This is his before-dinner snack. 

So about two weeks ago, I saved him the trouble of doing the task after a long day.  I placed the crackers on a plate and sliced up two different types of cheeses we had in stock.  And I included this little note with his treat:



(The note just says, "I Love You" if you have trouble reading it in the above photo).

Please don't vomit in your mouth over that.  I am not one to do this kind of thing often.  Therefore, that's what makes my gesture special and endearing.  On rare instances, I put effort into these small acts of kindness.

My expression was a quick and affordable thing to do.  Still it had heart behind it. 

Use your imagination to discover what will make your someone special happy.  Or look online for some creative suggestions on a budget.  There is a great blog site entitled Love Actually that I discovered awhile ago.  The author dedicates each post to creative and often FREE things you can do to WOW the great person in your life. 

Of course, if all else fails, a sexy outfit (or better yet, no clothing at all) will probably demonstrate your love nicely.  When Kirk came home to find that cheese and crackers treat, I wore a recently purchased Victoria's Secret gown that resembled something like this photo below:



Not naughty, but not exactly nice either.  Perfect for me, since I'm somewhere in between. ;-)

According to my husband, I don't walk around in lingerie (or nothing at all) nearly enough.  So I'm trying to make more of an effort.  I do want him to be happy after all.  He makes me happy so why not?!

Kirk, I hope you enjoyed that early Valentine's day gift from me.  Don't worry, I still have the outfit and we can repeat a similar scenario again, very soon. :-)

Now back to my point --  Don't forget to show love to those who you care about. Tell them you love them and what they mean to you, not just on a holiday but as often as possible.   

If you don't have a special partner/love interest in your life, then please take the time to tell your friends, your parents or your colleagues what they mean to you.  Everyone has someone in their life who probably deserves some kind words, a handwritten note, a single flower, baked goods or a friendly gesture. 

Happy Valentine's Day (early) to you, my wonderful blog readers and friends!  I definitely love you.  I appreciate your comments and thoughts.  I'll be away for several days, taking a trip to see family and friends.  Enjoy your holiday and spread the love in your heart. 

Coupons, They've Come A Long Way Since Your Grandmother's Days....

As I was flipping through the Sunday newspaper coupons, I was amazed at my findings.  The advertisements aren't just fifty-five cents off Betty Crocker cake mixes anymore.  Nope, now your coupon booklets boast discounts off sex and alcohol items too.

First I noticed that the front page of Smartsource showcased several Cold Stone Creamery discounts.  I mean who isn't dreaming of $3 off any signature ice cream cake in the middle of the coldest month of winter? 

Then as I turned to page two after drooling a bit over Cold Stone's Valentine's Day cookies, I saw it~  An advertisement for Trojan condoms. 

The ad line reads: "Save $5 on Valentine's Day treats to satisfy every taste."  Beneath the phrase is an image of little condom boxes carefully pressed into cupcake holders,  placed outside a heart-shaped box. 

Well look at this!  I thought to myself. 

Then I tried to imagine little old ladies across the country happily cutting out the NOT ONE, BUT THREE Trojan coupons that were listed:

$1 Off  Trojan 2Go Condom Card
$2 Off  Any 10+ Count Trojan Condom Product
$2 Off  Any Trojan Vibrating Product



(Note: You may or may NOT see an image above this note.  I've tried to upload photos of the advertisement and the coupons but they're not always showing up?~ too risque' for blogger but not too shameful for kids to see them in the newspaper.... hmmm...)

Now, help me out folks!  You probably know more about these things than I do since I'm a happily, married and well-protected young lady.  But what is a "2Go" Condom Card?  Is that like a get out of jail free card?  Do you hand that "card" to your one-night-stand and say, "It's go time, baby~!" 

I mean, what is that about? 

And their "vibrating product"?  Anyone care to elaborate on their experiences with that one?  Pray tell, please.   I can just imagine Dr. Ruth getting excited over this one.  I bet she happily clips it out and gives them freely to people on the street, along with tips on pleasuring your partner. 

Then just a few pages further into my booklet, I spotted a $5 off two bottles of Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur and/or Bushmill's Blended Irish Whiskey.   Well, isn't that special?  (Say it like comedian Dana Carvey portraying the Church Lady from SNL would say~)



I suppose it's only natural to have something like an ice cream cake, condoms and alcohol be advertised together.  After all, they go hand in hand.  Or maybe they go from your hand to your mouth or to someone else's mouth...Ewwww.... nevermind!  Both granny and I don't want to think about that!

But seriously?  When did the Sunday coupons become so scandalous, modern and smart at the same time? 

Next month, I am guessing that the coupon booklets will reflect the after-party effects of the above coupon listings from February that I have shared with you.  

What discounts do I think will come in the March coupon booklets?  Well after February's discounted dessert, sex and booze listings, my gut tells me that advertisements will be a combination of the following (below list):

$1 Off  Excederin Headache medicine
$2 Off  Vagisil Cream
$3 Off  Abreva Cold Sore (herpes) medication
$4 Off  EPT Pregnancy Test

in addition to:

a $5 late charge for the films "She's Having A Baby" and "One Flew Over the Cuckcoo's Nest"
a $10 - 20 Copay toward first gynocological exam and mental health visit, with many followup dates to be scheduled.....


Oh well, whatever works for people, am I right!?  I truly hope these advertisements will help someone out there.  Happy coupon clipping everyone!


P.S. - I actually did clip the coupon for the Bailey's Irish Cream Liqueur.  You never know when that may come in handy.  After all, St. Patrick's Day is coming up.  And let's not forget that Easter, Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays are all just right around the corner....

Best Super Bowl Moments For Me That Had Nothing To Do With The Game (and a tribute post to my Dad)

I decided to write a post about The Super Bowl.  And also about my dad. 

On Sunday morning, about 8:35 a.m.  I called my parents' home.  My dad answers the phone.

Mandy's Dad: "Hello."

Me: "Hey!"

Mandy's Dad: "Hello."

Me: "Um, hi dad."

Mandy's Dad: "Oh Mandy Pandy, I didn't recognize you at first." 

Mandy: "Well, it's me."

Mandy's Dad: "Ya know. You HAVE to watch the Super Bowl game tonight.  You'll be watching history in the making.  The Saints may never make it to the big game again.  So you HAVE to watch it."

Mandy: "Okay dad.  I'll watch it.  I'll watch it as much as I can with a two year old clinging to me."

Mandy's Dad: "Alright, good. Now here's your mom...."

Mandy's Mom: "Good morning....  Yeah your dad is so excited about today's game."

Mandy: "Well I usually watch the game for the commercials.  But of course I hope the Saints do win today.  Even though I don't normally watch football or sports, I want them to win.  It would make everyone we know so very happy." 

Well.... The Saints WON!  (Final score 31 to 17).   

My dad is VERY HAPPY at this moment.  So is my entire network of family and friends.  And even though, deep down, I didn't really care who won the game, I am still thrilled for all of those folks (like my dad) who care so much about the sport and the team.  

 Like my previous post said, it's great to "dream big!"  And few people ever believed that The New Orleans Saints would ever make it to a Superbowl game, much less WIN it all.  And they proved them wrong. 

So congrats to them and to all those fans who believed in them all this time.  What a wonderful feeling it must be when your dreams come true! 

My dad (and my mom) has always believed in me.  I am amazed at the encouragement and the support that my parents continue to give me, even at my age now.  They are awesome people. I'm so incredibly lucky to have them.

Being a fan of something or someone is a precious gift.  To have a person believe in you and be there for you is truly an honor.  I'm a fan of my parents and thankfully, they are fans of me. 

So dad, because you've always been a hero of mine, I say this for you today.  I will say it once and I will say it proudly: WHO DAT!

Oh, and I love you too!

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And now.... here are my top five favorite moments during the Super Bowl game, that have absolutely nothing to do with the game (LOL): 

5. Eating my relish dip and relishing in the moment of the big game as I ate with my family.  As I nibbled on my hot dog with relish, Vivian turned to me and said, "We're friends!"   Awwwwww, my girl adores me and loves me so much! 

4. When Kirk and I had a conversation making fun of the half-time entertainment performance.  Our words began with Kirk asking me, "Who are these old guys?"  I replied, "The Who."   Then he says, "Well they suck!"  He adds that Jimmy Buffet would've been a better choice.  I suggest Frampton as a more logical alternative.  Then we continue to talk about how these dudes are playing to the wrong audience.  I just love a man who understands my heart and my taste in music. 

3. Speaking of music, Kirk sacrificed his time and energy during the entire first quarter to fix the corrupted music files on my Zune player.  He knew how much I wanted to update my jogging playlist, especially before we go out of town in a few days.  What a guy!  I love you.  Thanks babe.

2. Watching Viv and Kirk play around and pretend-tackle each other!  Kirk moaned after a particular replay then Vivian imitated him and ran up to him suddenly.  They both started growling at each other.  It was so funny to watch.  Those two characters stole my attention more than the game did.

1. The funny commericials and Vivian's reaction to them.  For example:

  --During the one where Betty White was tackled, Viv turned to me with a concerned face and said, "OH NO!" She was very worried about our favorite Golden Girl.

  --During the E-trade commercial, Vivian tried to talk to the little pimp toddler and his girlfriend.  I suppose they were speaking her language.

  --After the NCIS commercial where Mark Harmon and the other actors kept head-slapping each other, Viv began hitting our dog Bono with her Mrs. Potato Head doll. 

  --During the Denny's Screaming Chicken commercial, Vivian said, "Look it's chicken!" then she started to cluck.  Hahaha!

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There you have it.  A memorable and historic game for New Orleans and for true fans like my dad. 

But for me, it was just a fun family night.  Still, it was a happy ending for all.   And who doesn't like a happy ending?  (Well, it's probably not a happy ending for the Colts right now, hahaha ;-) 

Dream Big

Vivian and I visited the library earlier this week.  She has a love for books so I wanted to open up that new world to her - a world of free literature and the borrow system.   Like I had imagined, she loved it there.



Our trip offered me an inspirational lesson that I thought was worth sharing here.... 

As Viv and I were browsing the children's section, she pulled out a book that was entitled, "Dream Big" and handed it to me.  The book was filled with quotes from various famous and historical figures. 



What was this book doing in the children's section? I wondered.  Hmmm..... well there is a cartoon pig on each page..... maybe that's why. 

As I flipped through each page, I thought to myself.... What wonderful words!  What great reminders!  Why, this is a great book to be in the children's section.  It should be in the adult section too!

Here are some of my favorite phrases listed in the book:

"It ain't braggin' if you can back it up." -- Dizzy Dean   (Oh my gosh, I LOVE that saying!)

"Everything starts as somebody's daydream." -- Larry Niven

"Logic will get you from A to B.  Imagination will take you Anywhere." -- Albert Einstein

"Sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast"'  --Lewis Carroll

"Style is knowing who you are." --Gore Vidal

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind." -- Dr. Seuss   (I think I want to post this one on my wall, in every room of my house!!)

"Great spirits have always encountered opposition from mediocre minds." -- Albert Einstein  (This one makes me think of Vivian for some reason :-)

"It's kind of fun to do the impossible." -- Walt Disney

"A woman is like a tea bag - you never know how strong she  is until she gets in hot water."  -- Eleanor Roosevelt  (So true!) 

"What should I be but just what I am?" -- Edna St. Vincent Millay

"If you can't convince them, confuse them." -- Harry S. Truman   (Hmmm, does this line come with each new presidential oath??)

"I'm afraid of nothing except being bored." -- Greta Garbo

"Today is your day!  Your mountain is waiting.  So.... get on your way!"  -- Dr. Seuss

I hope you enjoyed these great quotes as I much I did.  My wish is that they'll make you think differently about your day or even the days to come.

Two months ago, I could barely jog 1/4 a mile without panting and almost keeling over.  This morning, I jogged two miles up and down hilly streets. 

Four months ago I told myself I would work hard to lose weight. Today I sit here twelve pounds lighter than what I was in October. 

Two years and three months ago I didn't think I could handle being a mother or even enjoy it.  But now I have reached a great place where I am amazed at my loving daughter and I am so grateful to be a mom.  

When I made the move to Florida, I decided to make some changes in my life.  Not just physical changes but mental changes as well.  Improve my attitude and surround myself with positive activities and uplifting people.  I'm happy to report that I'm doing what I sought out to do.  And I feel happier and more fulfilled because of it.

My dreams and accomplishments may not be "big" or they may not mean that much to others.  That's okay.  Since they are, after all, MY dreams and they mean a great deal to me.  I know that I can really achieve the things I want, if I continue to believe in myself and work hard toward those goals. 
 
Even if you don't dream big, I hope you do dream.  It's never too late to have wishes and work toward making them come true.  Happy dreaming everyone!

Labels and Values

Labels are all around us.  I have been thinking about them a lot lately.  I suppose they are on my brain since I can't escape them.  For starters, I'm always looking at food labels.  Plus, once a week, I have to label my daughter's lunch, diapers and clothing before she attends a Mother's Day Out program.  I do everything but slap a big name sticker on her forehead before I drop her off for a few hours.



I am also thinking about the labels we give each other.  When I hear adults discussing other adults or even children, I'm amazed how quick some people are to call a child a "problem" or "spirited." Or when adults call another of their own "selfish," or "moronic."  In most cases it seems that these labels are given out simply because an individual doesn't like or doesn't understand what another person does or says.

Most recently there has been a debate brewing around my home town near New Orleans.  The controvery is surrounding labels and trademarks of the phrase "Who Dat" for Saints Football gear.  Now, most of you may remember that I don't watch football or even consider myself a sports fan.  But the topic of selling merchandise and the NFL trying to prevent vendors from placing the "Who Dat" slogan on clothing and other items does intrigues the writer and English major in me. 

Would this be an issue if the Saints weren't going to the Superbowl in less than a week?  Would anyone care?  I find it comical and admirable to read that Louisiana Congressmen like David Vitter are even taking a stance on this issue, telling the NFL that they can sue him or he'll start his own t-shirt label that says, "Who Dat Says We Can't Print Who Dat."

That leads me to my thoughts and questions for the day.... Who really owns a label?  And who decides what labels are worth?

The first question is tricky.  Lawyers will argue one way and the public may argue a different verdict.  Trademarks may be in place but they often have a gray area.  There is so much debate over this topic that I won't even dive into the thousands of cases over the past decade.  Remember when author J.K. Rowling was upset over her last Harry Potter book leaking out over the internet?  How about that Metallica vs. Napster case, anyone?  There's just too many examples to discuss.

The second question is easier to answer though.  Who decides the value of a label, word or item?  Well, we do, of course. 

We decide if something is valuable and worth the price listed on the tag.  We determine if the words someone says has any merit.  Do you believe in it?  How bad do you want it? What is it worth to you?  Are you willing to go against the grain and even stir up trouble by "owning" or buying a particular thing, phrase or label?

As I organized my closet over the weekend, finally clearing a path where I could walk inside, I ran my fingers through all my clothing.  Most of them are clearance items.  You know, the JC Penney or Sears BOGO specials.  But there are a few skirts or tops (even shoes) that I didn't care what the price was, I just had to have them.   Even though they sit there collecting dust now.



In fact, to this day, my mom still brings up that $200 homecoming suit that I begged to have my senior year of high school.  That top, skirt and matching hat that I would die if I didn't get.  The beautiful beige ensemble that I wanted to wear proudly across that football field for the big homecoming football game.  Football that I don't give a flip about, not then or now.  Those three minutes of glory have long been forgotten, but my mom still reminds me of that hefty price tag she paid for my happiness. 

That 1995 homecoming suit and those articles of clothing hanging on my shelves mean very little unless I place value in them. A Coach purse and Jimmy Choo shoes mean nothing to me today but they are everything to Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City.  Neither one of us is right or wrong in our choices.  We simply value things differently.

As I get older, my tastes and values are changing.  Right now, I'm more concerned with my own personal values rather than the articles of clothing and "stuff" sitting inside my house. 

I'm also trying hard to avoid reading into or attaching labels to other people. Including other children and my own daughter.   I'm tired of hearing negative things being said about this person or that thing.  I'm not taking stock in that kind of behavior anymore. 

And I am no longer allowing other people to label me or my kid.  No one else (except my husband Kirk) really knows who I am or who Vivian is as a person anyway.  Why should I listen to others' opinions?  They will most likely provide no value to me.   For example, if someone calls my Vivian "difficult," (as Vivian's former day care director said on our last day there), it will not mean anything, unless I let it get to me.  I don't have to believe what someone else says.  If I don't value the statement, the person or the label, then I don't have to "buy" it. 

I'm learning these lessons the hard way. But at least I'm learning them now.

Labels and values can apply to so much in life.  I'm seeing that more and more these days.  And I'm trusting my instincts to know what labels are important to me and how they affect my values.

Now, don't get me wrong.  I still buy labels from time to time.  I may even offer someone a label too.   Just last week, I had a small shopping spree and bought nothing but name brands.  (see below)




A "treat yourself trip" from time to time can make you feel good.  If you had two gift cards, like I did,  then it makes the store visits even more enjoyable.  :-)

Most importantly though, I valued the experience in the stores more than the items I purchased.  I had a few hours of Mandy time to myself (while Viv was being cared for at a Mother's Day Out program).  So I had nearly four hours where I could focus on just my own needs and wants.  I could relax and breathe easier.  There was no rushing around.  No worrying about anyone else for a change.

That time to reflect on my values, while I just happend to buy a few labels,..... well I guess you can call that priceless.

I'm Somebody's Mommy

You'd think I'd realize and remember the important fact that I had a child just over two years ago. Two years and three months to be more exact. 

Of course I am a mommy.  I remember the 40+ pound weight gain over nine months.  I remember pushing that life out of me.  The first year was a blur but I remember most things after the 18-months mark.

Still sometimes it just hits me on certain days....  I am a mom.  I'm Vivian's mom. Holy Crap~!

She won't let me forget it these days.  She walks around the house shouting my name whenever she can't see me or find me.

"Mommy!  Mommy!  Mommy!"

She says it over and over again.  It's quite cute.  Until it becomes annoying.

Hearing those words can be bittersweet.  I love being a mom.  It's a huge part of my life.  If it weren't for me being a mom, I might have never started this blog.  Writing about my initial frustrations and worries over motherhood is what prompted me to start this site. 

I love this experience of being somebody's mommy.  But I don't want it to define me completely.  I try to walk that fine line of who I am and what I am.  If that makes any sense.

Still I am a mom.  I'm somebody's mommy.  And even though I'm writing less and blogging less, I don't mind it.  I don't really miss it.  Because, I am, after all, enjoying my life more these days as somebody's mommy. 

I get to be Viva the Diva's mommy every day:



What a ride.  What bumps we've experienced along the way.  And we're just beginning. 

What fun we're having.  What laughter consumes me each day too (And tears and screams). 

What a crazy life I now lead because of this little booger and all she gives me.



Yet still, the world really should make it a bit more difficult to become a mom.  I mean, you should have to apply for it just like getting your drivers license.  Proof of documentation, blood samples, stool samples and more.  It's not an easy job.  It's not for everyone, that's for sure.

But like I said, it's fun (most of the time.... some of the time).  No it's fun.  I swear.

Would I lie?  Would these faces lie? 



I just felt like writing this happy little post because it's very easy to get tied down in the unpleasant things about my day and about my role of being somebody's mommy.  But the good stuff is worth talking about too.

There are good days, even wonderful days.  Like today.  And this past weekend when we were silly and took these photos together.  We need to remember the joyful times too.

So I'm hitting the "publish post" button before I forget.  And before she wakes up and drives me insane again.  :)