Check over at Scrutiny, where I'm giving away a Wii Fit board and the newest Jillian Michaels Wii game.
There are also several new reviews up there.
There's a new post at Zwaggle, talking illness in your house and giving you some great ideas for homemade playdough.
AND. As if that [...]
This is the first of many questions that you all were so kind to leave for me.
Melissa S asks: I always wonder what the grocery list is like for a family of 8. I know you posted the kids' annotated list a few weeks ago, but how 'bout posting some of your shopping [...]
Neil, over at Citizen of the Month, did a great experiment last year, titled The Great Interview Experiment. History and a more elaborate explanation can be found here, but the basic gist is that every one, every blog, has a story to share. Sign up and you will interview [...]
Some days, you'd never know that my kid has an "issue". Something that places her on the autistic spectrum. Often, people express surprise when I tell them - and I am not a person who imparts this information all that early in a relationship. "She's so quiet - she must [...]
The idea for this blog post came from Twitter...
Do you like the following...
Nutella - NO
Wine - NO
Beer - NO
Bacon - NO, NO, NO
There you have it. Now you know how officially weird I am.
I'd love to know your answers to the above.
[...]Rant of the day:
Commercials are, I'm told, a necessary part of television watching. I understand that. Most of the time I ignore them. Some of the time I watch them. Occasionally I laugh at them. Super Bowl Sunday I'm obsessed with them. Some of them, though, I hear beginning [...]
But, whatever. It was for a good reason. The 14th was my birthday and I had grand, grand plans, y'all. They involved taking a Muay Thai class, shopping for clothes and taking a nap - all before my enormous birthday party.
You know what they say about making plans, right?
After my [...]
When I was a kid, I thought 40 was as close to death as one could be without actually being, you know, dead.
That was when I looked like this.
But now I'm older and maybe, just a teeny bit wiser. (I'm typing this while I listen [...]
It's not yet over. We are still in the middle of it - so say the doomsday reporters on the television. Here was our first day of riding out the storm, Masses style.
The reports began, I think, on Monday, forecasting the "STORM OF THE CENTURY!" with flooding rains and [...]
Since we've had so much drama and more than one heavy subject over the past week, let's change it up, shall we?
My dad and his wife breed puppies. Cute, cute puppies - who happen to need homes.
Now, [...]
Hey, time's almost up to win a $100 gift card! Check out my Ragu Review and leave me your comment. I don't know anyone who doesn't like Italian food and couldn't use $100.
Last night, my son Gabe came into my room at 3:17. In the morning. So, not last [...]
Because, really, nothing says Merry Christmas like my kids being silly.
My husband hates almost every picture I took. :)
This weekend was the end of season tournament for Mackenzie. It consisted of two games on Saturday - 9 and 5 - and at least one game on Sunday, two if they won the first three games. I love the team she plays on, the girls are friendly and warm [...]
I was prepared, somewhat, for the amount of laundry and the cooking. I knew that, realistically, I'd be stuck in the laundry room and the kitchen. I was ok with that - I like to cook and don't mind the laundry, except for the folding part. (That gets me every [...]
Jennifer asked: Hi Carmen, two ideas I'd like to hear about.. You've said before that your husband has other children. How do you handle being a step mom? I'm not a stepmom, but a step daughter and would be interested to hear how you work with that. And the other idea: I know [...]
My phone rang at 9:45 and it shocked me.
Ok, so, technically, 9:45 isn't THAT late. But it's late enough for me.
When my daughter answered the phone - for, really, if the phone rings it MUST be for her, especially since she's grounded (again!) and can't use her cell phone [...]
With party planning, that it. After all, I'm only turning 40 once. And this is my first birthday party since, well, I don't even know, and I'm not planning on having another until I turn 50. (If I live that long.)
So I'm planning.
I've already picked your brains regarding the [...]
Effective IMMEDIATELY, the following things are on notice with me:
sickness, illness, and any derivation thereof. For the first time in two weeks, EVERY kid is going to school - do not trifle with my enthusiasm. I'm looking forward to peeing in peace tomorrow. Mouths on children that are better suited to [...]Day "I lost track of all the numbers because it's been so long" of the PIGGY FLU continues. Emma's fever finally broke, after 7 days, but she's left with a horrific cough and sounds like she's about to hack up a lung. Mackenzie fell Thursday and has the same cough. [...]
It's here! It's here! My very exciting news that I can't wait for you all to see! I'm pleased to be partnering with Diets In Review to publish the Mom 2 Mom newsletter! Written by a mom for moms, the newsletter will focus on the four things a mom [...]
I'm thinking about my upcoming 40th birthday party, while I'm holding down the fort with my trusty selection of Tylenol, Motrin, tissues and the thermometer. Oh, yeah, baybee - we are still sick like pigs over here.
I want to create a playlist of music to run while the party [...]
So, it's been five days of two kids being down. Under the weather, if you will. I briefly alluded to the roaming illness a few posts ago - when it had only hit my two oldest - who can pretty much manage on their own. Allegra missed three days of [...]
His was supposed to be my easiest birth. After all, at 36 weeks, I was 4 cms dilated and 80% effaced. The doctor raised her eyebrow at me and said, "Don't make any plans this weekend. I won't either and we will almost certainly see each other before Monday!" With [...]
If you'd like to see what I've been eating for the past week, check out my DietToGo Roundup for Week One. They provided me with two weeks worth of meals in exchange for an honest review.
I found this little gem at Left of Ordinary. I first "met" [...]
Otherwise known as, Oh, My God, My Preshus, Preshus Baybee is a High School Senior!!!! If I was dramatic. Which I'm not. :)
Have you checked over at Scrutiny by the Masses recently? I'm reviewing the Shark Ninja - the trip to NY last month - The Children's Place Halloween Outfits (with TWO chances for a gift card!), and there are still two Visa gift card giveaways active.
I guarantee there's at least [...]
My kids came home from the mountain trip with their Nana. They LOVED it. She takes a grouping of them every year - it rotates depending upon who wants to go and who is old enough - and they stay at the same place. It's great fun for them and [...]
I went to the mall today for a new blush. Somehow I lost my old one, about a month ago. The stars of "having a spare penny" and "time to go to the mall" as well as "freedom from little people" aligned perfectly and today was deemed the day. I [...]
...send 4 of my kids off for two fun filled days with my mother
...go back to bed for a nap...eat a healthy breakfast AND lunch prepared by someone else - I'm [...]
Because, whatever Loralee sez, I so do. She decided that a meme was cool, and since I've always liked memes - well, adding the finishing touch of Loralee's approval was all it took. Thus, I present my own version of the ABC's of me.
THE ABC’S OF ME
A – [...]
In order to help the kids feel like they matter - and, really, who am I kidding, to keep them from bugging me insanely - I put a grocery list on the refrigerator for them. I told them that they should feel free to add whatever they wanted to the [...]
Lots of things happen.
Not laundry things. Not cooking things. Not dishes things, no vacuuming, no dusting, no cleaning at all. And DEFINITELY not homework.
Instead, people decide to color on paper towels with an entire rainbow of Sharpie markers.
On top of the wooden finished kitchen table.
Exhibit A:
OMG. Is this child going to be the DEATH of me.
Do you see anything different about her from the last time you saw her?
She now has bangs. Honest to God bangs - and she did them herself. Take a solid look at that picture.
This is [...]
I spent a lot of time during the month of August trying to get school supplies together. For my elementary and middle school kids, this was no trouble, as I had the supply lists ahead of time. The only trouble that I encountered was the ability to pay for said [...]
Note: I have FULL permission from my daughter to post this. I'm leaving out her name, although I'm sure you can determine who she is in about .12 seconds. She just didn't want her name associated with it, and the name of another person in the story - but she [...]
It's been two weeks of school for five of my kids. Of course, I was concerned about how each of them would do - it's my job to worry. I don't worry to the point of extreme - I like the school my kids attend and have confidence in my [...]
A loyal, faithful and intrepid reader has a dilemma. She came to me for advice and after I told her what I thought, I offered her the option of posting her question here for you all to chime in. I've taken out all identifying characteristics. If you are so inclined, [...]
Is how it turns on a dime, often in the same day.
You can have a day where absolutely nothing is going right. Everyone wakes up grumpy and cranky and the drive to school is interminable. Your trainer bugs you with a voice that is too loud, too strident, too wrong. [...]
I have been nominated for a "Love This Site" award at Divine Caroline. The site with the top number of votes from now to December 4th will receive a $250 Visa Gift Card. If you like this site, would you mind registering and voting for me? Registering [...]
I was reading over at Motherbl*gger and she had an awesome post about things that she no longer needs to purchase. As in, she has enough to last her until the end of time or the apocalypse - whichever comes first. With a list comprised of things like applesauce [...]
Just to lighten things up a bit.
Not sure where these originated, but it's awesome. Thanks for sharing Scott! I always thought you'd been good for something all those years ago!
----------------------------------------------------------------I took Emma for a haircut this past weekend to get ready for school. While we were there, I saw that the grocery store next door was setting up a large black tent outside. I'm always one for a free giveaway - hey, maybe it's a sample!, I thought to [...]
I went to the mailbox yesterday and noticed a package. I was just a wee bit grumpy, having addressed the topic of why don't you have a job to help your husband? and was desperately hoping for something more exciting than overdue bills and unsolicited catalogs. There was a small [...]
This is heavy and deep. I'm requesting that we all remember to wear our big girl panties and speak civilly and respectfully to and about each other at all times. Comments that do not follow this request will be deleted.
Some of you know that I received a comment [...]
With mad apologies before I even begin. Fashion is such a sensitive issue, I'm BOUND to ruffle someone with this post - and it's SO NOT MY INTENT.
My husband has pretty decent fashion sense. He looks, well, pretty good most of the time. He dresses for work every day, most [...]
In bullet form.
I sliced my pinky open while at the LaGuardia airport yesterday and it stings every time I type. Also, it bleeds randomly and I've cleaned the keyboard twice. While I listen to Emma and Riley cry for Daddy in their bedroom. Where they were sent for punching each other. And pulling [...]I'm exhausted. I'm posting this at 1:15 a.m. from New York City. I'm on a 24 hour trip that I'll be reviewing in the next couple of days over at Scrutiny by The Masses, and I had, as my normal habit, a TERRIBLE flight experience.
Seriously. I'm not exaggerating. One [...]
Twelve might be your best year yet.
What can I say about you, Mackenzie? You are a funny kid, always cracking jokes and playing pranks, and those are characteristics that will help you later in life - even if your mom doesn't always recognize said humor as [...]
Every morning, I wake up with incredibly vivid dreams coursing through my brain. Let's take this morning, as a happenstance.
In my dream, I'd overslept and I woke up knowing that my kids were going to be late to school. I ran downstairs to find that my husband had taken everyone [...]
Going along with this theme is my latest over at Diets In Review - how can a person eat healthy during the school/sports shuffle that happens for most of us? Come on over and give me your thoughts. And over at Zwaggle, read how I'm making it through [...]
Psst - did you happen to check out Scrutiny by the Masses this week? I'm giving away a laptop, AND I took the Blogher and Crystal Light Water Way Challenge - today was the last day, and there's a chance to win $1,000! Go enter - no, wait - [...]
I had to go to the grocery store today to buy cookies - we had a birthday (birthday post coming tomorrow, I pinky promise - I've been computer-less for most of the past 24 hours) and the kid wanted to bring a snack to soccer practice. I offered to buy [...]
Caught this on Twitter last night- mad hat tips to Yvonne, who got it from Oh! How Lovely!
It's a list of things I just don't get.
People, like one of my kids, who don't like CAKE Drivers who think that they own the road and try to drive you off of [...]I feel like I'm going insane. Mad as a Loon, Crazy as a Hatter, eyeballs popping and tongue wagging. Certifiable.
And before you get all up in my grill, I don't mean that my BIRTH family is crazy. I mean that my NUCLEAR family is MAKING me crazy.
Warning - this is [...]
My little girl has had impetigo for months. It's been in small places on her face and it's easily healed with a dab or two of neopsorin. About a month ago, she showed up with a few spots one morning and I dosed them as usual. But they didn't go [...]
Want to do a girl a favor? I'm profiled on About.com this week. Click on this link Mom to the Screaming Masses to see my answers.
I've written here a time or twelve about my love of reading. Love, love, LOVE to read. I read all the time. I read [...]
Many,many thanks to the lovely ladies of Blogalicious, who introduced me to such wonders as pink fizzy Bath Bombs:
Soaps that you cut off in 1/4 pound increments from enormous bars
And, last but not least, Happy Pills
I realized something about myself while I was away this week. I need time alone.
Wow. That's not so amazing and introspective, I'm sure. I mean, I've said that many times on this here blog, ranted about the feeling of being trapped and closed in, in need of a change [...]
I'm home. My kids were delighted to see me. My husband was delighted to see me. I was delighted to see them all.
But, ye cats, people, I'm tired and there is SO much to do. A giant tornado came through my house, we are out of bread (I ate the [...]
In Bullet points. BTW - did you check out the new video I have up on DietsInReview? I'm teaching how to make smoothies! Someone has to watch it and tell me if I look stupid - I HATE to watch myself on video.
The Good:
In the past two days, I've [...]When I arrived at the gate at the airport, I knew I was in for a treat. There was a GIRLS SOCCER TEAM - approximately 30 girls between the ages of 12 and 16. We flew all the way to Baltimore - only realy about 45 minutes, but hello, when [...]
I'm pedicured, packed, waxed and shampooed. My house is clean, the laundry is done, the floors are vacuumed. In just a few hours I will climb out of bed, toss on some clothes and get on a plane headed for Chicago. There I will attend Blogher - an event I [...]
One of the "things" about me, the quirks I have, is the ability to make up my mind in an instant. A split second, if you will. My husband is the exact opposite. I get SO annoyed when we go together to buy cards. He reads CARD after CARD after [...]
I went into the bookstore with a purpose. I had to buy a book for my daughter for school. A summer reading book that is required reading, a book that I read as a high school student and loved, and even read again this past year, because I really liked [...]
I've had a few reports that the blog is acting all wonky. I can't seem to get it to reproduce, though. It's fine for me in Google Chrome, Firefox and IE. Can you do me a favor? Can you check in and let me know if a) you are having [...]
Do you like fruit? Hurry, there's not much time left - leave a comment on my review...DietsInReview Giveaway for 10 "Bags of Gold" full of yummy dried fruit from @todaysfarm. Plus get a 10% discount! [bit.ly]
Also, want to find out why I HATE [...]
I woke yesterday morning and knew that I had a lot of stuff planned. I knew that the house was a wreck - it always is on Mondays - we spend the weekend out doing various things and every SINGLE person in my house has a nasty, nasty habit of [...]
There are lots of things that I buy. Well, duh. What a sentence, eh? But with the economy sinking like a body with brick lined underwear, I've had to reevaluate the purchases I make - some of the things that I buy, or have bought in the past, really aren't [...]
First off, the HOUSEKEEPING. Did you happen to catch the contest over on Scrutiny by The Masses? Or the post at Diets In Review, where I dish on nutritious hot dogs, if there are such things, and Why is Fat the New Norm? And I'm reposting this tidbit: [...]
Today was, hands down, one of the most frustrating days of my life. It began, far too early on too little sleep, with my husband's request, if one could call it that, for me to get up, already, and make his breakfast. So I got to get up much too early and blend [...]
On the occasion of her seventh birthday.
I'd had babies before. Four of them, to be precise. But I was a *bit* of a birth nazi, and I had something in each and every birth that I wasn't happy with. The first was a cavalcade of interventions and since it took [...]
Instead of always harping on the negative (I know, I know - I'll get back to it soon, I promise!) I thought I'd try to see how many things I did this week that were right and correct and good. It's gonna be a short list, I promise - I [...]
How about an update on the housing market?
We're also thinking of moving (HELP), and I wonder how you get it "realtor ready"?
The housing market is the pits. Is it any better for you? We ended up taking our house off the market - it was on for six [...]
Jennifer asks a question that I've avoided before: I recently got into an internet blogument with a blogger who stated that sending your children to public school was akin to making them targets for Satan. I know that you are a practicing Catholic (like myself) and I know that you have sent your children [...]
Again with another exciting episode of Ask The Reader!
Emily asks: If you knew you'd never see your kids again, what advice would you give them for when they become parents? Teach their boys to pee sitting down AND aiming down. ;) To not sweat the small stuff - [...]
Sylvia wanted to know: I was wondering if you had changed your grocery shopping habits in light of the...ummm...economy. (If you can even call it that anymore.) I'm pretty sure it's not my imagination and that the price of food has gone through the roof. My husband has been umemployed for a month now [...]
First off, if you haven't yet registered to trade on Zwaggle - why not? If you use this here handy dandy link, I'm giving each of you extra points from my very own stash - that's how strongly I feel about this company. It's a win-win situation - no [...]
There are two FANTASTIC giveaways going on over at DietsInReview. If you were following my twitter stream - and if you aren't, why not? - you'd have seen this: Two HOT giveaways! Biggest Loser Prize Pack http://bit.ly/vTh9p or the EA Sports Active for Wii http://bit.ly/18IIqO
And now, on [...]
Des asks: How are you and yours doing, Carmen? Is everybody feeling pretty healthy? How is your leg? which goes along with Young Wife's question: How are you feeling these days? Are you doing okay after the miscarriage?
Shhhh. (turning around to make sure the evil eye isn't listening...)
I know better [...]
I had a very interesting conversation with my husband the other day. Apparently, he's been telling people to read my blog, saying that it's all about being a mother and raising kids.
Except, you know, it's not. Because that's not all I am. But he, uh, doesn't see it that [...]
First up! Our newest Zwaggle member interviewed me - why not go check out my answers? Second, have you seen the phenomenal series on Men's Health that has been running this week at DietsInReview? There are some really great blog posts with some AMAZING weight loss stories.
[...]
I bolted upright in bed, jolted awake far too early by an unknown, yet familiar noise. I didn't have my glasses on - kind of hard to sleep in them - so I couldn't see the numbers on the clock, and I reached behind me for my cell phone. I [...]
Really, I love my readers tremendously. Thank you so much for your kind words and sweet emails.
Now, before my water bottle fills with snot and tears - all together now, euuuwww! Gross! - let's start with a couple of the questions, shall we?
Karin asks: Do you watch Big Love? How [...]
Queried a reader.
I know. It was only a couple of days. Three, I think. But I've always tried to blog daily, to have new content here, to keep things fresh and exciting - or at least, uh, interesting and give you a new way to feel superior to me. I [...]
When I'm feeling uncreative and unimaginative. My fat pants are tight and my wallet is lean. School's been out more than a week and we are (slowly) settling in to a routine - a very boring one that may or may not involve a good deal more yelling than is [...]
What is the thing that, in a relationship with the opposite sex, can KILL it before it even begins?
The one thing that makes a person who you had the potential to be attracted to, DEAD in your mind? The deal breaker.
In my mind, ARROGANCE and CONCEIT.
What kills it for [...]
Currently. It changes ALL.THE.TIME. Sometimes, it's the TV room, sitting on the floor so I have a great view of the television. Sometimes, it's sitting in the dining room, away from the noise of the television - there's only SO much Hannah Montana one woman can take. Sometimes, it's laying [...]
When I had my first child, I made sure he always, always wore matching pajamas. CUTE matching pjs.
My sixth child sleeps in an older brother's undershirt. It may or may not be clean. I'll never tell.
My first child ate organic homemade baby food and later, I made sure every [...]
Friday afternoon I took Emma to Muay Thai class and the plan was to stay after her class for mine. While her class was going on, I watched the sky as it grew darker and darker. The rain held off until my class started, but then the skies opened up. [...]
