Where has the week gone??

I can't believe it's Friday already!! Where did this week go? These short weeks are great, but they really throw me off.

Sorry I've been a bit remiss in writing this week. I can't seem to catch up. I've been busy busy working on some big business things (more details to come soon!) and have neglected some of these other things.

But I'm glad it's weekend and time to celebrate! Olive and I started the weekend off right by hanging out with some friends and letting the kids play in the kiddie pool and backyard. What a delight. How fun to be a kid again and have no other worries than splashing in the pool and running around like crazy!!

Tomorrow is Dennis & I's anniversary (5 years!!) so looking forward to celebrating the milestone. What a great weekend and a great start to summer. I feel like it's FINALLY here. It's been a rough week - working at home is great but terrible at the same time...keeps you in a rush but at least you get time with the little ones. Anyway, in a rush again now...want to go watch a movie and drink a 'rita with Dennis. Have a great weekend!!

Traveling with Toddlers

Remember the days when "packing" meant throwing some underwear, toothbrush, and a change of clothes into a bag?

Yea, me neither.

The moment your child is born, traveling will never be the same.

Last weekend we went to New York to visit Dennis' family for Memorial Day. As I was scurrying around packing and triple-checking my lists, Dennis says, "no need to stress, we're only going for two days." Sure, easy for him to say. He's a guy, and his packing IS just a five-minute ordeal of throwing underwear, toothbrush, and a change of clothes into the bag. For me, it's not so simple. I have to pack all my junk but also everything that Olive needs. While this is getting a bit easier in some respects (at least she can eat real food vs. baby food, no bottles, etc.), there is still a lot to be considered. I did downsize dramatically from the "luxuries of home" but there were still some essentials that I had to pack. For example, some things that HAD to come: Pack 'n Play (I ain't sharin' the bed), Pack 'n Play sheet, "the guys" (her assortment of stuffed animals that she sleeps with), a blanket, a pillow, sippy cups, books, toys, DVD player and movies, etc. (It was a 7 hr car ride - those items are essential). Some things that stayed at home that would have been useful: sound machine, monitors, booster seat, little utensils, baby gates. As I am faced with traveling solo with little Olive next week to visit my family, I will have to pick and choose again what items are essential. However, the flavor changes a bit because this time we are traveling my plane and JetBlue (and probably the others too) have changed the policy to one checked bag. (ONE CHECKED BAG - ARE YOU KIDDING ME????) I won't pay the extra $20 for another bag simply out of principle because I don't think I should have to. SO, therefore, I have to pack 10 days worth of stuff for 2 people into 1 bag. YIKES. Luckily, my parents have a washer and dryer. They have also stocked up on lots of kid essentials (like a carseat, bed, toys, etc.) because it's so difficult to fly with these things. So next week's challenge is less about packing and more about how to entertain an energetic toddler through the airport and airplane, all while carrying the largest carry-on bags I can find. HELP!

Tuesday's Tips

Catch up on current events.

Many of us get so caught up in our everyday lives that we sometimes miss out on what's going on in the world around us. I know this is especially true for those of us at home, as being home all day can be very isolating. When we turn on the TV, it's usually to watch some sing-songy kids show and most of us don't have a quiet moment to read the paper or browse headlines on the internet. But it's important to know what's going on out there. At least to a certain extent.

I find I often turn off the news when my attempt to catch up on things is just hearing the same old stories over and over (rising gas prices, the mortgage crisis, the world is going to crap, etc.). I try to watch the local news but it's more of the same (teenagers being murdered, houses on fire, gang activity, commuter woes). So I like to be "in the know" but it's also really depressing sometimes. But today is a day to catch up on current events, so turn on the TV, go to your favorite news website, or pick up a paper. Find out what's going on out there. If nothing else, it will give you something to talk about the next time you find yourself in an awkward silence on the elevator.

I've been featured as a Swanky Mom!

Check out the full article here.



Congratulations to Lindsey (that's me!), founder of little pink pansy, for being featured as a Swanky Mom. I may not look as hip and swanky as this little icon, but I sure do work hard to bring you the best products from women-run businesses. I am always looking for new products and ways to support other "mompreneurs". If you have something you'd like to see featured here or on our shopping site, please email me. We will soon be adding spa products, among other things. Thanks for visiting!

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend is Memorial Day - the unofficial start of summer (see yesterday's post - where is spring??). While the weather certainly doesn't feel summer-like here, schools are starting to let out, folks are starting to travel, kids will soon spend time at the pool and summer camps. All the great things of summer are upon us.

Traditionally this is a big travel weekend. But this year they are expecting fewer people on the road. With gas prices soaring (and above $4 in some places), many people are choosing to stay close to home. Airfare is also on the rise. I recently booked a trip on JetBlue, which has now limited each passenger to one checked bag ($20 per extra) and also charges people an additional $15 to sit in one of the rows with more legroom. Talk about nickel and diming us! But these costs are getting out of hand and fewer people are able to afford vacations and travel. Which is a shame...travel is integral to a person's well-being in my opinion. It's good to expand our horizons and see other places and cultures. Not to mention that many people live far from their families and it's important for us to be able to connect with them face-to-face on a fairly regular basis. I hate the thought of not visiting family as often because it costs too much to travel.

If you decide to stay home this weekend - have a BBQ, watch a movie, go to the park...do something fun! If you travel - have a safe trip and don't die of sticker shock at the pumps.

Where is spring??

According to the calendar, it's May 21st, which in my mind, is virtually summer. But where is spring??

Here in the metro DC area, spring hasn't really come yet. It will warm up for a day or two then get cold again. The heat has not arrived. In fact, today I have already changed clothes 3 or 4 times because it's warm, then it's cold, then warm, then cold. This weather can't make up it's mind! I also thought I must be exaggerating about all the rain lately until I saw on the news last night that 10 of the 20 days of May had seen measurable rainfall. No wonder I feel like it's always raining! Not that I should complain about the rain. It's great and all the trees are nice and full (so full that we had to get our satellite TV moved because the trees had grown enough to block the signal) but endless rainy days can be a little depressing and are much harder with an energetic toddler around. My mom sent little Olive some cute summer clothes the other day and when I opened them, (after oohing and aahing), I sort of laughed to myself. Hopefully she'll be able to wear these soon. Maybe summer will eventually arrive. With this up and down weather, the laundry basket has been interesting, including everything from shorts and t-shirts to sweatshirts and jeans. A little of everything! In any case, I'm trying to enjoy it while I can. Soon enough it will just be hot, hot, hot, though being a native Floridian, I can't wait!!!

Tuesday's Tips

Go Green.

It's time to start making a difference. There are lots of simple things we can do in our everyday life to help the planet.

Five or ten years ago, the only shoppers you saw that brought their own bags were the long-haired, somewhat unkempt and smelly-looking, Birkenstock wearing, floral skirts and no makeup "hippies" who wanted to do crazy things like reduce waste and buy organic products (and the rest of us thought, "what is organic??" and looked at them skeptically).

Times have changed. Now it's quite common to see shoppers at every store using bags they brought from home.

I recently went to the National Zoo and saw this giant bubble stuffed with plastic bags. What on earth is that? A trash receptacle? But when we walked up to it, we saw a sign that said this was the average number of plastic bags used by someone in one year. WOW, my friend and I said. That's a lot. But it's true... we are always running errands and buying not only groceries in plastic bags but books, CDs, clothes, home goods, office supplies, the list goes on and on. Everything we buy comes in plastic bags. At my house, we reuse the plastic bags for trash can liners, diaper pail liners, doggy clean-up, and so forth, but this still leaves us with lots of extra bags lying around. They can be taken back to the grocery store for recycling, but an even better idea is to bring your own bags. This reduces cost for the store (which trickles down to cost for your groceries), cost for recycling plants, and the effort and energy needed for these things.

So I sound like an expert, right? Well, I'll admit...Yesterday was the first time I'd ever actually gotten around to doing this. Always plan to but seem to forget the bags at home. Yesterday I bought groceries (and a new bag) and was so excited. Made me feel like I did something positive. Most stores now have these bags available by the checkout (usually for around $1) but I also discovered that not all bags are created equal so while it's great to use the bags, if you find one you like, stock up on that style. (My favorite was the Wegmans one). Even if you just use one or two bags every trip, that will cut down your plastic bag consumption dramatically. Let's say you go grocery shopping once a week - if you used just one of your own bags and only for groceries, you would save 52 bags per year!!! So don't you think it's time to make a small change to do something good? If you haven't seen these in your store, stop by one of these places as I know for a fact they have them - Wal-Mart, Running Wearhouse (free w/ purchase), Wegmans, Bed, Bath, and Beyond, Whole Foods, and most of the more socially responsible stores. However, you don't need to use these bags - you can use anything you already have at home, so no excuses!

Happy Shopping!!

My favorite Utah "cosmetic deli"

Mountain Body

If you've never been to Park City, Utah, you're really missing out.

Whether you like to ski, snowboard, sip hot cocoa, or enjoy summer sports, Park City is an amazing place. Just about 35 minutes outside of Salt Lake City, Park City is a resort town all its own with fabulous restaurants, shops, activities, you name it. It's also the home of the Sundance Film Festival and close to Robert Redford's Sundance Ranch. The skiing is great at Park City Mountain Resort. There is also skiing at Deer Valley, The Canyons, Snowbird, Alta, and many others, all within a short drive. I have now been to Park City 3 times, all in the winter, all for ski trips. I most recently visited there in February, where I also did the unthinkable - tried to snowboard!! It was a lot of fun, but I was sore for weeks and black and blue even longer. Maybe I'm just too old...

Anyway, my mom and I found this shop on our first trip there and fell in love. It is a bath and body type shop, but in person, they have a "cosmetic deli" - something I've never seen before or since. It's so neat - you go up and scoop your own cosmetic products - rubs, masks, etc. WOW! And the stuff is GREAT. So on our last trip, we searched high and low for this store, certain it couldn't have gone out of business and we finally found it (they had moved locations). They sell all sorts of wonderful stuff, including some great bath teas (imagine total relaxation while soaking in a bath with some lit candles and reading a good book), body scrubs, soaps, lip balms and glosses, and a great line of mother and baby products. I just bought some stuff from here because they were having a great sale but unfortunately I think it must have expired last night because it doesn't seem to be showing up today. But this stuff is so great and the prices are reasonable anyway so be sure to check it out. Sign up for their mailing list and they'll notify you of sales. If you're ever in Park City, stop by the store for a complimentary hand treatment. They also offer spa treatments there as well so go in for an apres-ski massage!!

TGIF

I'm glad it's Friday.

I've been in a funk lately and can't seem to snap out of it. I don't know if it's the constant rain, the cold I've had, or what, but I've felt a bit more on edge.

So here I am - Snapping out of it!! I did see the sun peek out for a few minutes earlier and this giant smiley face makes me happy as can be. It just beams happiness.

My cousin didn't make it in last night (boo hoo) but we will get to see them later this weekend (yippee).
In other news, I've also had several people interested in advertising on this site, so new ads should be appearing soon. I will also be doing write-ups on anyone who advertises here and adding you to "My Favorite Sites". Readers are from all over the country and I know we all like to support the small businesses and blogs when we can. So when you see features and advertisements listed here, be sure to click through to their sites and find out more. You won't be disappointed!

Update

It's now been 11 days and I am still sick. Every time I think I feel better, I have another bad day! Think I'll be going to the doctor soon if this doesn't improve. Yuck. And now little Olive has it, and Dennis had it before too. It's never-ending!

On a happy note, my cousin and her hubby arrive to town tonight and I'm thrilled to see them. They got married just 4 days after Olive was born and we haven't seen them since sometime before that, so I'm ecstatic for them to meet (with Olive's drippy nose and all!)

Sorry so short...I'll rest and recuperate this weekend and be back clear-headed soon!

Advertising

I am now offering advertising on this site. Your ad would appear with a link either along the left-hand side (see the other ads and information - I've also added my current reading list there) or along the bottom. Other options may be available at a later time. Ad packages are for one month and prices will be very reasonable. You can pay to advertise your business, your blog, whatever moves you. Please email me if you are interested. I look forward to helping others promote their businesses and blogs.

Tuesday's Tips

Take some time for yourself.

Sounds obvious, doesn't it? But not to people like me, who work too hard and always stress about all the many things on my to-do list. But recently I've tried to take 15 minutes to myself (usually during nap time) to just watch TV, read a book, or do something I enjoy. It really makes a vast difference on my day and on my outlook. I am one of those people that can't just watch TV (I am always doing 10 other things while I do it) and as soon as Olive is down for a nap or for the night, I immediately start working, either for my business or for my home, and don't stop until it's time for me to go to bed. I rarely watch TV. I try to read, but it's usually only for the 5 minutes before I go to bed. I'm so BUSY all the time that I never just relax. Which is probably why I've been sick for over a week and still feel awful. So, today, take 15 minutes to read a book or magazine (and not standing at the kitchen counter, I mean stretched out on the couch or bed), or sit and just watch TV while you're all sprawled out, and just ENJOY.

Home Sweet Home

It's always nice to come home.

Whenever you spend time away from your home, it's always refreshing and comforting to come back home. Whether you are staying in a Ritz-Carlton or camping with mosquitoes, coming home is always a little bit sweet (and it doesn't matter if you live in a roach-infested apartment, a huge sprawling estate, or a comfortable townhouse (like me) - it's just always good to be back).

Whenever we travel, Dennis always says, "I can't wait to get back home" - I roll my eyes and groan and think about the laundry, the chores, the day-to-day life that I love escaping when we travel. But this past weekend I was flying solo to attend the Baby & Kids Expo in PA and I was never happier to get home. I'm sure I was a bit more homesick than usual because my family wasn't with me and I was so terribly sick with a cold that all I wanted more than anything in the world was just to be home, in my own bed, with my familiar and comfortable surroundings. The constant rain and cold we've been having for so long (it is May, right?) didn't help either. But I just wanted to be home. And when I got home, I was so happy. Makes me never want to leave again. I suppose it's something about the familiarity of it all and you are the one in charge and you know how things work. Maybe I'm too Type A to be travelling without being in control. Not sure...but I do know it was the greatest homecoming. Now I'm back in control...of the temperature, of the activities, of the meals, and it's comforting.

PS - Nope, this is not my house - this is an image I found online - it's of the Yolo County Historical Museum Gibson House in Woodland, CA.

Happy Mother's Day!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Have you wished your mom a happy day yet? If you're a mother yourself, here's hoping you have a day full of well-behaved kids and a loving, caring spouse. A friend sent me this nice little story and thought I'd share it with you. Mothers are wonderful and should be treasured. Thanks Moms for all you do for your kids and for all of us!!

Why are you crying, a young boy asked his Mom? "Because I'm a woman," she told him. "I don't understand," he said. His Mom just hugged him and said,"And you never will, but that's O.K."....... Later the little boy asked his father,"Why does Mom seem to cry for no reason?". "All women cry for no reason," was all his Dad could say...... The little boy grew up and became a man, still wondering why women cry. Finally he put in a call to God and when God got back to him, he asked "God, why do women cry so easily?"GOD answered......"When I made woman, I decided she had to be special. I made her shoulders strong enough to carry the weight of the world, yet, made her arms gentle enough to give comfort...I gave her the inner strengthto endure childbirth and the rejection that many times will come even from her own children. I gave her a hardness that allows her to keep going and take care of her family and friends, even when everyone else gives up, through sickness and fatigue without complaining....I gave her the sensitivity to love her children under any and all circumstances. Even when her child has hurt her badly....She has the very special power to make a child's boo-boo feel better and to quell a teenager's anxieties and fears....I gave her strength to care for her husband, despite faults and I fashioned her from his rib to protect his heart....I gave her wisdom to know that a good husband never hurts his wife,but sometimes tests her strengths and her resolve to stand beside him unfalteringly....For all of this hard work, I also gave her a tear to shed. It is hers to use whenever needed and it is her only weakness....When you see her cry, tell her how much you love her, and all she does for everyone, and even though she may still cry, you will have made her heart feel good. She is special!

Love your Mother Always and keep her Smiling

Baby & Kids Expo TOMORROW

If you are in or around the York, PA area, please come visit my company's booth (Little Pink Pansy) at the Baby & Kids Expo at the York Expo Center (Memorial Hall East). This event (sponsored by Memorial Hospital) is fantastic and features a petting zoo, performers, crafts, a reading corner, a diaper derby, and tons of vendors. There are also door prizes, including a great one from Little Pink Pansy. I went last year and had so much fun! There is something for everyone here - it is geared towards families with babies and children but truly you could find something fun no matter who you are! The event is being held this Saturday, May 10th from 9am - 4pm and admission is FREE. Be sure to stop by and say hi! Also come check out items at our booth from Kadoodlez and My Ribbon Fix (who will also be at the Expo). We will be having all sorts of specials as well as a raffle giveaway. Click here to find out more.

feeling yucky

There's nothing worse than feeling sick.

I have been plagued with a cold all week and it's no fun. It's always hard to be sick, but especially when you have to watch the kids and when you have lots of things to do. I have been trying to wrap up from the big Celebrate Mama show I attended last weekend and prepare for the show I am going to this weekend, all the while chasing a toddler full of endless energy and wanting to do nothing more than curl up on the couch and sleep until it goes away! I am always one to push myself too hard and not good at taking breaks. Ugh, just want to rest. Hope you're all having germ-free weeks.

rice rocket

Usually the term "rice rocket" is a bit derogatory and refers to the little scooters that are so common in Asia. However, "rice rocket" has a new meaning to me and (surprise, surprise) it has to do with Olive.
Monday night I was making dinner (crazy, I know). Nothing too daring, just some penne pasta with a sauce made up of all the remaining ingredients in my fridge, along with a little salad. I was happily cooking away and chatting with my mom on the phone. Olive has gotten to where she wants to sit at the big dining room table now and said she wanted some rice (we had leftovers in the fridge). So I followed Dennis' idea and put the bowl of unheated rice and a spoon in front of her at the table and let her go to town. I was sure to push the chair up close to the table and put a placemat under her (great precautions, or so I thought...). From the kitchen, there is a pass-through area that allows me to see her in the dining room, but really just her head and shoulders, not the whole table. So, I'm cooking away thinking, "wow, this is great, I should always put her at the table while I'm cooking - it keeps her busy and I can keep an eye on her. Why didn't I think of this sooner?" I hear a few giggles from the dining room and see that she has spooned just a little of the rice onto the tupperware lid, but no big deal, it wasn't much, and will be super easy to clean. Then I see that she appears to be trying to feed the dog. Well, it didn't look so bad. So I finished cooking, very proud and giving myself lots of pats on the back, then I go into the dining room and discover that a rice rocket has exploded. And I mean EXPLODED. There was rice all over the floor, the chair, the table, EVERYWHERE. Oh my goodness, I didn't even know there was that much rice in the bowl!!!! So I leave everything in the kitchen and quickly scurry to get the vacuum while the dog is slurping furiously (but it's too much, even for him). Meanwhile, Olive tramples in it and gets it on her feet and through the living room. So I rush to vacuum and get this all cleaned up before Dennis comes home (oh, did I also mention that I was in a time crunch b/c we had a babysitter coming so we could go attend a parent meeting at Olive's preschool for next year?) I finally get all vacuumed up, but as I'm finishing, Dennis walks in and when he reaches the kitchen, he says, "what a mess" and I scowl at him and say, "I don't want to hear it". Then I rush to get a bite of pasta (skip the salad) and change clothes and put Olive down for bed, just in time for the babysitter to pull up and us to leave the house just in time to make the meeting. Aaahhhh...just another day in the life of a frantic mom. I wonder if anyone else is having these crazy moments or if they're all as put-together as they seem? Maybe at least I can provide humor for someone else. These stories are funny...if they're not happening to you!

Tuesday's Tips

I'm starting something new called "Tuesday's Tips" where I will try to give a tip each Tuesday on something I've found useful, fun, or otherwise entertaining.

I'd like to start today with a money-saving tip. I absolutely adore beauty products and tend to never buy the same thing more than once because I like to try all the great things out there. Some products are good, others...not so much. But here is one I've found that's great for the skin and the wallet. It's Neutrogena's "illuminating foamy cream cleanser". It has little microbeads that help scrub your face and make your skin shine and glow, but is still gentle. Plus you only have to use a little tiny bit of it. Give it a try! You can buy it at Ulta for only $5.94. Plus, they are having one of their great promotions right now where you get $3.50 off any order of $10 or more. I'm sure you'll find a few more things you just have to have. If you haven't ever been to an Ulta store or gone online, check it out - they have everything from drugstore type beauty products to the more expensive beauty products, makeup, perfumes, hair accessories, and more. Plus they have their own line of stuff that's pretty good too.

Happy Washing!

revealing information to your kids

There was a fantastic article today in the Washington Post Magazine titled "Maternal Truths". Essentially it was about deciding what you want to reveal to your kids when they ask tough questions about your past indiscretions. Is it better to be totally honest and admit those times you were drunk at high school parties or better to lie and say you never had premarital sex? The fact is, most of us have done a few things that we wouldn't want our kids to know about. At some point, it's pretty likely that they will ask us about these things. There are people who argue on both sides of this issue. I think the response depends greatly on the situtation - the age of the kids and how much they can digest, their personality, what topic you are revealing, and the situation. On the one hand, you don't want to lie to your kids and hope that they will learn from your mistakes, BUT you don't want them to take that admission as permission for them to repeat the same behavior. The end of the article talks about deciphering why the child is asking. Usually it is for reassurance that good behavior is okay, even if it is not popular with their friends. In this case, telling them about those wild times does not serve a purpose - they want you to tell them that it is okay not to drink/do drugs/have sex etc. This struck me as such a smart tactic when deciding what and when to reveal information to the kids. If you also think back to your teenage and college years, would you have really wanted the gory details from your parents?? Eww, no.... If you do decide to reveal a little history, make it brief, simple, and point out the lesson. No need to go into details. After all, you wouldn't want to hear that from your mother, would you??

To check out the article, click here.

last-minute details

I have been very busy preparing for this wonderful Celebrate Mama! event that I will be attending tomorrow. I have been working for a long time to get everything ready but it seems there are always so many last-minute details that need to be done. Some things just can't be done too far in advance but the end is always a pinch. I'm so excited because I have so many great new things to take with me to this show. Hope it is a big success. If you're in the area, please stop by - we will be in Bethesda Row in Bethesda, MD from 11am-4pm. Really hope to see you there!!

friends

What would we do without our friends?

I know there are always zillions of emails circulating about all the different types of friends and how to be grateful for all of them, blah blah blah. But when you stop and think about it, it's really quite true.

Today I reconnected with an old friend. Well, not that old but we hadn't seen each other in quite awhile. She called to say she was in the area and stopped by for a quick visit. It was so good to be around her and we vowed to get together again soon.

I've recently met lots of new friends as well and this has been yet another blessing. It has really allowed me to enjoy things more and know that there is always someone I can call, even if it's just for a quick visit, walk, or chat. In fact, one of my new friends even offered to come over tonight to help me prepare for my show this weekend.

These are the kinds of friend I love to have - the one that just pops by for an unexpected visit, the one that gives of her free time to help (and thinks nothing of it), the ones that want to get together with the kids and husbands, and the ones that want to go out and get a drink. All of my friends, new and old, are very special to me in different ways. I am grateful that I have such caring people in my life. If you read this and think that this is something you are missing, I encourage you to not delay anymore - these are the little things that make it all worthwhile. And if you're wondering "how do I find those special friends?" - do what I did - join anything and everything of interest to you and make an honest effort to participate. Get over your fear of joining and meeting strangers. You will meet lots of interesting people along the way - some will become great friends and confidantes - others will just be a different viewpoint or way of living - all contribute to your understanding of yourself and your place in the world. So call up a friend you've lost touch with and go make a few new friends too!