Getting all my Ducks in a Row: 2010-10-31

Friday, November 5, 2010

Do As I Say Not As I Do

Not to long ago I found out about this photography project that Sally Davies was doing...she took a McDonald's Happy Meal and starting taking pictures of it every day - I was amazed that it didn't rot, have a smell or hardly change at all in the 203 days since she started...

So I told my kids about it...

I told my co-workers...

I told anyone and everyone who would listen - there is something very wrong with this picture.What in the world are they putting in those burgers? I thought about all the times that I had taken my kids - for goodness sake - all the times that I myself had eaten them...maybe it was like the fountain of youth - if they don't age..maybe I won't either.

I knew in my heart I was doing the right thing by spreading the word about food that won't rot - we had already really given up the fast food giant years ago when I decided that instead of buying the crap food I would just buy the toys that the kids really wanted in the first place - you know you can do that right? For about $2 a piece my kids can have the latest movie inspired toy that is advertised on every channel that they are allowed to watch.

But then yesterday...

McDonald's brought back the McRib.

When Hubby said he was going for a McRib in mime form - think making a big M with his hands then pointing at his rib...

I got a little weak in my food standards and high in shame...lol.

So after the kids were in bed...

We stuffed our faces with its yummy goodness...

Not only did I eat the entire thing and the fries that came with - I dug around in the bag for any fries that had fallen out.

Did I feel bad afterward?

Nope.

I know that it will probably be years before I eat it again.

Will I buy my kids a Happy Meal anytime soon?

Probably not...but I won't shake my head in shame the next time that their grandparents buy them one either.

Thanks goodness they haven't thought to bring back the Arch Deluxe.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Writing Down Memories of My Great "Grand" Mother

Last night I kept a date I made with my Great Grandmother - while chatting with her throughout the night I kept getting the urge to grab a paper and pen. I kept thinking I should write this down...I wonder if so and so knows this.

It might be a little random...but it feels important to me.

She was nominated for Football Queen. But then she had to stand up before her class and tell them that she couldn't do it. Back then every class nominated a girl and the class that raised the most money won, but she was afraid that since her family didn't have a car that she wouldn't be able to help or be in town for the festivities. The girl that took her place was so sweet and involved her in the whole process. She gave her a "long" dress to wear, took her along for the ride onto the football field and she was in the parade right next to the Football Queen.

She told me that her Dad was 36 and her Mom was 18 when they got married.

She never learned to drive...but there was one time that she had too. She must have waited for 20 minutes to cross the highway because she never felt it was safe enough to go. (this is still a little fuzzy since she told it to me a while ago but we talked about it again last night.)

She was the only one out of 9 children to graduate high school. Her parents made sure though that if there were school trips that she always had the money to go even if it meant doing without on their part. I told her I thought it was amazing that she knew even in high school what they were doing for her as kids are so unaware today - this was met with a head shake and things were different then.

Saturday was a big day then. They had a cow and her Mom used to save the cream from the milk for a week to sell so that on Saturday she could go out with friends. When I asked her what she would do with her friends she talked about the movies and how she and a friend could go for 25 cents.

She talked about her sister that moved to California. When her sister came home for a visit she was the only one still living with her parents. Her sister wanted her to come back to California with her...but she refused because her Mom's heart would be broken. She said that she wished she could have gone for just a visit but she was afraid that she would get out there and they wouldn't help her come back or she would have to wait until someone else wanted to come back.

She told me that my side of the family are the only ones that call her Mother. The other side calls her Nana. She thinks it's because when she would call my Grandma she would tell her kids that Mother was on the phone. This is how they came to know her and then it was just passed down to their children. We laughed about how strange it was.

She talked about the fact that she lived for 5 years alone after she got the divorce. She was selling her house when she met Don (Grandfather that I have always known) and his wife. She was crippled up really bad and she helped take care of her in the hospital. She said she doesn't know how they came to be married...he just called her one day and that's how it was.

While eating supper with my Grandma and Mother we got to talking about the different liquor bottles that my Grandma has in her dining room cabinet - my favorite being the one with a large pear in it - I turned to Mother and asked her if she was ever a drinker - sounds worse than I meant it - she said that she never was one to drink a lot but she would go to her friend's train car restaurant - there was a dance floor, restaurant and you could get drinks down stairs...but not the kind that could get you drunk. She couldn't remember the kind of drink she would have - just a little mixed drink.

She talked about moving around a lot with her Husband's job. That they lived in El Paso for some time but she didn't like it. The people she said were much different there - wanting to drink a lot. She was glad when they were able to move back home.

She told me about when 2 of her daughters were at odds with each other...this went on for some time. She said that one just decided that it was time to end it so she called the other sister and said come over, I'm making some coffee - the other sister was ready and willing to end it. She talked about how we all hold grudges but someone has to be the one to end it.

She's kept saying that she could remember things that happened so long ago - but she has a hard time remembering what happened last week.

I am going to be having dates with Mother every Wednesday night...I think that I have some pictures here at the house that belong to her and am going to bring them with her next week. Hopefully it will stir up some memories and she will share some more stories. It's fascinating to learn about all the things that she has been through.

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Hip Mama Status Update

Last night I stepped out of my house wearing this...it was hard - heck if I was being totally honest it was hard stepping out of the bathroom wearing it. I have been working on my Hip Mama Status for the last few months spending my allotted $100.00 every month trying to add clothes that make me feel good about myself.

After years of wearing either maternity clothes or clothes to cover up all that I loathe about my body - it's strange to see myself in a picture like this.

But it's working.

Clothes really do change the way that you see yourself and your body. Don't get me wrong - I know that while you can't see it - those tights were stretched to their limit, my stomache was sucked in for all it's worth and in the back of my mind I was thinking the boots looked an awful lot like stripper boots.

But I felt fun, girly and cute. Hubby was super excited to see me in something other than jeans and a t-shirt. It's been a really long time - like years since I have worn a dress. After all the compliments that I've gotten in the last few weeks and Hubby's encouragement I have decided to go Hog Wild!

Oh your not from my neck of the woods and you don't know what that means?

I've been holding things in my Old Navy cart for the last week - browsing every day - dreaming about having endless amounts of money so that I can just get one of everything. But I refused to give in and shop without a coupon code...

Even last night when I felt like I was on top of the world...I still refused to give in because I knew that as soon as I hit confirm order - Old Navy would release a coupon code worthy of a good cry.

Thank goodness I waited - this morning when I woke up - there she was - 30% off using "ONWINTER" excludes outerware (which is already on sale.)

So I went Hog Wild: Bought a whole lot.

I really wanted to thank all of you who commented or e-mailed me yesterday. I love the my blog readers offer support, encouragement and a "been there, done that" attitude. I know that a lot of your read my e-mails but don't comment - I would like to encourage you to reply if you have something to say, add or just a question - I welcome all feedback.

What have you gone Hog Wild about lately?

Thankfully Thrifty Baby Shower Giveaway: Protect a Bub

One of fabulous blog family Ashleigh at Thankfully Thrifty is having her very first baby!! I am so stinkin excited for her!

She has this fantastic idea to host an "online" baby shower where she will review products then the hostess will give them away on their own blog! How fabulous is that?

Today I get to host a giveaway for the Protect a Bub Compact Sunshade!

From the company:

This compact shade is sleek and streamlined and perfect for smaller strollers. It's rated UPF 50+; highest possible for ultraviolet sun protection. It's specially woven poluester microfiber is breathable and doesn't retain heat. It fits all single strollers with a canopy. It also has mess sides to reduce glare and promote air circulation. Last but not least it also has a wind resistant frame.

Follow Protect a Bub on Twitter and Facebook.

You can check out Ashleigh's review here...

My thoughts:

This looks like a fabulous solution to a problem that I actually faced. I tried every stroller on the market when the kids were younger. My favorite and most used was the umbrella stroller but it's sunshade never felt like enough to protect my little ones from the elements. This looks like not only would it provide enough shade - that with it's added UPF protection that it would do a lot of good for you and your little one!!

Now...

What would a baby shower be without some games?

To be entered to win your very own Protect a Bub Sunshade please tell me one Momma and Baby from the animal kingdom...

For instance:

Mom - Cow, Baby - Calf.

Bonus Entries:

1. Follow Protect a Bub on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway including a link to this post and the hashtag #giveaway. Leave a link to your tweet in a comment below.
2. Follow Thankfully Thrifty on Google Friend Connect.
3. Follow Getting all my Ducks in a Row on Google Friend Connect.
4. Enter any of the other Thankfully Thrift Baby Shower giveaways - 1 entry for each giveaway entered.

Giveaway will end November 29 at 12:00 Midnight, winner will be contacted by e-mail and given 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. I did not receive any product or compensation for this giveaway. All opinion expressed is mine and mine alone. :)

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Closing the Book

Dear Hubby,

This is just a little letter to say Thank You. I know that I have not been myself since last week.

When I got the call I was transported back a few years and am having a terrible time letting go of something that I know will not change. I am having a hard time letting go of my could haves and should haves and moving on to the place where it is what it is. I am thankful that you were here to make sure that the laundry has stayed caught up, the dishes were washed, your children were bathed and the beds made.

I wish that I were the kind that could just let things go or bounce off of me - but I am not - never have been. I wallow and contemplate. I analyze and worry.

I felt like for the last few days that I have been carrying the weight of the world and it's secrets with me every step of my day.

I think what I need is some closure...I worry that if I don't get it that this wasteland of my mind will continue to take over more and more of our lives.

I hate that I can't be the wife or Mother that I know inside I was meant to be right now. I hate that we are eating out way to often. I know that it must be confusing that I am letting my kids eat way to much candy and stay up too late.

But they are alive. They are well - and well cared for.

They are mine and I want them to have all the things that I never had.

I want them to know that I love them right now even if I am unable to be in the moment.

I want you to know that I am taking steps to ensure that I get back to myself and my ways.

Getting groceries yesterday was like walking through mud but I know that routine is the best way to break the spell.

I made supper even though I really felt like just going to bed.

I sat down and ate with everyone as a family because I know that when I am feeling this down - that immersing myself with family is so very important.

I want that piece of my mind that was shattered a bit by one phone call to catch up with the half of my mind that knows it's time to move on.

It's time to close the book and find something lighter to read.

Your grateful wife.

This post is a little darker than my usual but I want to assure you that I am in a better place for having written it out. This blog has become a like therapy and you my readers have become like little therapists. If you are suffering from depression (even if it's just a little like me) I found this site helpful.

I know that we all wish that life was all sunshine and candy - but there's a lot of rain out there too.

photo credit

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Monday, November 1, 2010

The "Popabilities" Are Endless

Lately Miss Maddy has been going through a strange phase...she finds a toys she likes - and sticks with it...She will refuse to play with anything else. Its amazing the amount of time that she has spent with this toy in the last couple of weeks.

Her poor brothers have been trying to sneak turns but she keeps tight watch over her favorite toy of choice. It's been no dice for them so far.

She is in love with Pop on Pals.

I'm so glad that the toy that has captured her heart, Pop On Pals, is made for her age set (2-4) and skill level. It encourages imaginative play and is helping to develop fine motor skills like hand to eye coordination. She is able to mix and match to her hearts content with just a pop of hand.

The characters are just the right size for her hands...and with 5 different activation points, lights, sounds and music the set really comes to life.

I am already looking into getting additional characters to put into her stocking so that she can mix and match even more.

There are a number of Pop On Pals packs and play sets to choose from including:

Pet Pack, Pal Pack, Ring Deluxe Ring Pack, 2 n' 1 Vehicle Set, Pop and Go Airplane, and Pop and Go School Bus.

Pop On Pals is available at Toys "R" Us, Target, Kmart, Sears and more!

Thanks to Spinmaster and Team Mom we were sent the set mentioned above for the purpose of this review and were not compensated in any other way. All opinion expressed is mine and mine alone. :)