Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Here comes the cold!
I have never been one to like the heat, but after loosing 50+ lbs, I freeze all the time. I am loving this 80 temps because I dont have to wear five layers a day. Well, it looks like the cold is upon us. Here comes the cool temps and all of the holiday craziness. I LOVE the holidays, really I do. I have found that in the last few years, I grow tired of all of the commercialism and the obligatory things that we are expected to do. We have to go to family parties on each side of the family which can range from two to six parties, then you have the work parties, the church parties, the school parties. Phew, just typing that made me exhausted. My goal this year is to be quite decerning about the event that we attend. I want to choose to go to things rather than feeling forced. I also want to be able to take it easy for the holidays. I want to be able to relax and enjoy them. I hope that you all do too!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
I should never read magazines.....
So as a lazy Sunday after noon goes, this one was great....kinda. The kids were sleeping and I decided to catch up on my magazine subscriptions today. I went through InStyle cover to cover in about an hour and then followed up with Family Circle.
I dove into InStyle head first. About five minutes into it, I realize that number one, two thirds of the magazine are just advertisements, and number two, they all make me sad. Sad because, after two kids, there is no way under the sun that I would look like Scarlett Johansen and also because in the economy that we are in right now, why on earth do these magazines encourage women to spend $1400 on a pair of Christian Loubiton heels or $5000 on a Marc Jacobs handbag?? Then you turn to the articles of celebrity interviews, telling people how glamorous and delightful their lives are. Yeah, I really can just jet off to St Tropez like Drew Barymore. You then turn to the helpful hints and trend section. Keep in mind, all the helpful hints are geared at making you spend money to look glamorous and red carpet ready. Yes, because I, mother of two, need to look red carpet ready while taking a trip to the local Walmart. What ever happened to being cute and stylish, and making things for the real woman?
So after an hour of frustration, I turned to the Family Circle. I thought to myself, yes, this is a real mom's magazine with things that I can relate too. Ahh, I open the pages to find an article detailing how I am failing my kids by not quilting with them, another talking about younger children becoming more sexually active, and step by step directions on how to wear outfits from day to night. I close this magazine about 20 minutes into it feeling like I have failed my children, I'm under-prepared for "the sex talk" that I will need to have in ten years and thinking that the only day to night clothes that I own are scrubs, since I can do all my kid stuff in them and you can also wear them as pajamas.
Then I had to take a look introspectively and think about what just occurred in the last 90 minutes. The media has become so prevalent in pushing this agenda on us, that you forget sometimes how bad it really is. Buy more than you can afford, do it all or your not the perfect mother, oh, and don't forget to look like Heidi freaking Klum while doing it. Wow, this is not reality. And really, can you find real reality anywhere in the media anymore? Watching television, there is a "reality" show called the bachelor. Since when is it reality that 25 women fight over one man and he takes them to Spain?? You listen to the radio and its filled with pop music talking about things that I cannot relate to. (I'm a slave for you?!) And then there is news and magazines. They are full of half truths, convenient truths, and out and out lies.
It made me re-promise to myself that I will stay focused on MY reality. My family, my friends, my business- these are my reality. I wish that as a community we could all stay focused on the real things in life and not get distracted by what others tell you is reality.
I'm officially off my soap box.
I dove into InStyle head first. About five minutes into it, I realize that number one, two thirds of the magazine are just advertisements, and number two, they all make me sad. Sad because, after two kids, there is no way under the sun that I would look like Scarlett Johansen and also because in the economy that we are in right now, why on earth do these magazines encourage women to spend $1400 on a pair of Christian Loubiton heels or $5000 on a Marc Jacobs handbag?? Then you turn to the articles of celebrity interviews, telling people how glamorous and delightful their lives are. Yeah, I really can just jet off to St Tropez like Drew Barymore. You then turn to the helpful hints and trend section. Keep in mind, all the helpful hints are geared at making you spend money to look glamorous and red carpet ready. Yes, because I, mother of two, need to look red carpet ready while taking a trip to the local Walmart. What ever happened to being cute and stylish, and making things for the real woman?
So after an hour of frustration, I turned to the Family Circle. I thought to myself, yes, this is a real mom's magazine with things that I can relate too. Ahh, I open the pages to find an article detailing how I am failing my kids by not quilting with them, another talking about younger children becoming more sexually active, and step by step directions on how to wear outfits from day to night. I close this magazine about 20 minutes into it feeling like I have failed my children, I'm under-prepared for "the sex talk" that I will need to have in ten years and thinking that the only day to night clothes that I own are scrubs, since I can do all my kid stuff in them and you can also wear them as pajamas.
Then I had to take a look introspectively and think about what just occurred in the last 90 minutes. The media has become so prevalent in pushing this agenda on us, that you forget sometimes how bad it really is. Buy more than you can afford, do it all or your not the perfect mother, oh, and don't forget to look like Heidi freaking Klum while doing it. Wow, this is not reality. And really, can you find real reality anywhere in the media anymore? Watching television, there is a "reality" show called the bachelor. Since when is it reality that 25 women fight over one man and he takes them to Spain?? You listen to the radio and its filled with pop music talking about things that I cannot relate to. (I'm a slave for you?!) And then there is news and magazines. They are full of half truths, convenient truths, and out and out lies.
It made me re-promise to myself that I will stay focused on MY reality. My family, my friends, my business- these are my reality. I wish that as a community we could all stay focused on the real things in life and not get distracted by what others tell you is reality.
I'm officially off my soap box.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Two in one day?!
So I went from writing nothing for a very long time to two posts in one day? Wow, I MUST feel guilty about it. Actually, I just thought that I would post some recent photos of the kids. We went to the park today with camera in tow and decided to play. Can y
ou believe my baby girl is four and starting school next year?!Duncan is twenty one months now and I just cant seem to keep up with him. He is into everything all the time. I seriously cant turn my back on him for one second or he has dumped something out, torn something up, chewed up and spit something out, you get the gist.
Its been a while
So I have very obviously been slacking in my blogging. April, seriously?? That was the last time I posted anything?! Geez... So I have been influenced by Oprah and I thought that I would list my favorite things. Here goes nothing- and really, I should be getting paid for these kind of endorsements. I'm kind of a big deal....kidding.
*Clairsonic Facial Brush- Its made by the people who make the sonicare toothbrushes. So imagine using a HUGE toothbrush all over your face. Oh wait, that doesn't sound enticing at all. Its amazing though. Really.
*IPOD- I recently purchased myself an IPOD touch. Please keep in mind that this is the first and only IPOD that I have purchased for myself. I have purchased THREE for my sister. I always thought that it was quite the luxury item, but now that I have one, I'm not really sure how I ever survived without one. I have my schedule, phone book, pictures, internet access and music in the pal of my hand.
*Jack's Mannequin- Quite possibly one of the best bands around. I have literally followed them around the country to see them play. OK- some might call it stalking, I call it a very devoted fan. In fact, Katy is taking me to Denver to see them for my birthday!
*Adult Gummy Vitamins- I have to take a slew of vitamins on a daily basis and I have always just taken a chewable multi as the big horsepill ones upset my stomach. Josh discovered adult gummy vitamins at Costco and they make me happy :)
*Good Quality Sheets- I am a bargain hunter. In fact, I refuse to pay full price for just about anything. I have always just purchased bargain sheets, neglecting to watch thread count. I stumbled across a pair of sheets on overstock.com that changed my life. They are 800 thread count brushed cotton sheets. I seriously don't know if I have ever slept better. Me loves them.
*Funny blogs- In the few small quiet moments, its nice to be able to turn to something funny to keep your spirits up and laughing. I stumbled on this blog and I thought that it was simply too funny. cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ Check it out!!
*Old Navy- With two kids under 5, a husband and a Katy to shop for, it can get pretty pricey. That's why I LOVE Old Navy. Cute stuff, affordable, decent quality- I love it! AND they have warm cute Halloween costumes for the kids!
*Scrub pants- I live in scrubs. I sleep in them, lounge in them, go to the store in them- I love them. They wash well, they don't wrinkle. If it wasn't for scrubs, I would actually have to get ready in the morning, and where is the fun in that?!
*Hummus- who knew mashed up beans could be so delightful. I dip veggies in it, nut crackers- its comforting and super healthy!
Sometimes I think that its just fun to tell people about great stuff in your life! Tell me what yours is. Next blog to come, what are people thinking!?
*Clairsonic Facial Brush- Its made by the people who make the sonicare toothbrushes. So imagine using a HUGE toothbrush all over your face. Oh wait, that doesn't sound enticing at all. Its amazing though. Really.
*IPOD- I recently purchased myself an IPOD touch. Please keep in mind that this is the first and only IPOD that I have purchased for myself. I have purchased THREE for my sister. I always thought that it was quite the luxury item, but now that I have one, I'm not really sure how I ever survived without one. I have my schedule, phone book, pictures, internet access and music in the pal of my hand.
*Jack's Mannequin- Quite possibly one of the best bands around. I have literally followed them around the country to see them play. OK- some might call it stalking, I call it a very devoted fan. In fact, Katy is taking me to Denver to see them for my birthday!
*Adult Gummy Vitamins- I have to take a slew of vitamins on a daily basis and I have always just taken a chewable multi as the big horsepill ones upset my stomach. Josh discovered adult gummy vitamins at Costco and they make me happy :)
*Good Quality Sheets- I am a bargain hunter. In fact, I refuse to pay full price for just about anything. I have always just purchased bargain sheets, neglecting to watch thread count. I stumbled across a pair of sheets on overstock.com that changed my life. They are 800 thread count brushed cotton sheets. I seriously don't know if I have ever slept better. Me loves them.
*Funny blogs- In the few small quiet moments, its nice to be able to turn to something funny to keep your spirits up and laughing. I stumbled on this blog and I thought that it was simply too funny. cakewrecks.blogspot.com/ Check it out!!
*Old Navy- With two kids under 5, a husband and a Katy to shop for, it can get pretty pricey. That's why I LOVE Old Navy. Cute stuff, affordable, decent quality- I love it! AND they have warm cute Halloween costumes for the kids!
*Scrub pants- I live in scrubs. I sleep in them, lounge in them, go to the store in them- I love them. They wash well, they don't wrinkle. If it wasn't for scrubs, I would actually have to get ready in the morning, and where is the fun in that?!
*Hummus- who knew mashed up beans could be so delightful. I dip veggies in it, nut crackers- its comforting and super healthy!
Sometimes I think that its just fun to tell people about great stuff in your life! Tell me what yours is. Next blog to come, what are people thinking!?
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