July 28, 2011

I've been featured!!!

Hi guys and gals! I have a wonderful friend and blogging cohort that has featured me and another blog in her weekly blogger friend2friend match up!



JJ's Friend 2 Friend


If you don't already follow Janette go do that now and read about yours truely.




Now you should go check out Ali's Blog.







July 26, 2011

A Book Review: The Help


Every now and then I get the urge to read something out of my normal genre. This time I chose The Help by Kathryn Stockett.



For those of you not in the know; The Help tells the stories of the black maids working for white women in the state of Mississippi of the 60s giving an insiders' view of child-rearing, Junior League benefits, town gossip, and race relations. Set in  during the civil rights movement, the story is narrated by the three principal characters...Minny and Aibileen, two black maids, and Miss Skeeter, a young, white woman newly graduated from college. The historical background and setting is well developed. I really felt like I was there.

However that being said,I also felt that the characters were stock figures in many instances and it was a total black vs. white type story. I found most of the men were stereotypical, as well. Still, I felt it was certainly a much better than average first novel and one that I'd recommend. I think we know that Ms. Stockett was trying to make the bigger point about the evil of the slavery and civil rights era.
Also,I could never quite figure out how someone as sensitive and complex as "Skeeter" would be "best friends" with the protagonist, "Hilly". And the "terrible thing" Minny did was disgusting.


Overall, I say read it and check out the movie when it comes out on August 10th.
From what I know the casting for the movie is great. Emma Stone as Skeeter and Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly! Love it!


The Help Poster


 Has anyone else read it? What do you think?





July 24, 2011

Random Tidbits About Me 2011 edition

I was looking around my own blog to see what sort of things were on my mind this time last year when I found this post and thought it would be neat to do it again and see what's changed. It's been roughly a year so the timing is pretty close to perfect. :)  

18 random tidbits about me

1. Inside my purse, you’ll discover: .My wallet, kindle,ipod,keys, gum, pens, pencils,cracker crumbs from Monkey's last snack along with a book or toy for him and usually my cell phone.



2. My secret talent is: the ability to seem like I'm listening to you when I didn't hear a word of what you said.


3. If stranded on an island, the five things I could not live without are: if I'm not listing things I would need to REALLY then I'd say unlimited sweet tea,sunblock, my kindle, sunglass and my family.


4. On my nightstand you’ll find: besides what most people have!? lotion,chapstick, pen and paper a bottle of water and  my kindle.


5. When I grew up, I wanted to be: teacher or lawyer



6. My worst job: I've loved all of my jobs.. Really, some more than others. If I had to pick, I would say managing a cigarette store. I was robbed twice!




7. My comfort food: ice cream, grilled cheese and pastas


8. Three songs on my IPOD’s most played list: Adele Rolling in the Deep, Damien Rice The Blower's Daughter and  Mumford and Sons Little Lion Man


9. The three books that make me think of my childhood: The Babysitters Club, Sweey Valley High and Freckle Juice by Judy Blume 

10.My favorite Chick Flick: I can't pick one...oh wait I can. Breakfast At Tiffany's



11.My favorite Chick Lit book:  I can't pick!! Um... Good Enough to Eat by Stacey Ballis.


12. My “must see” TV: How much time have you got? Weeds, Drop Dead Diva, True Blood and Covert Affairs



13. My Starbucks order: cooler weather white chocolate mocha extra hot near christmas peppermint hot chocolate. summer white chocolate mocha frap no whip or the new coconut mocha frap.. yum!



14. My favorite curse word: Damn Damn DAMN.. and it has to be said like that!



15 My celebrity man crush: Do I have to pick one?!?!



16. My celebrity girl crush: Brooke Elliot


17. My writer crush: Suzanne Collins


18. My last meal before execution: Clearly, I would demand to be taken to an all-you-can-eat buffet…and then I’d just say, “Sorry, not done yet.” They’d never be able to kill me!




I left some of the answers the same because they still work. :) What about you? What's your random 18 tidbits?








July 23, 2011

Monkey Talks!

For those of you who know....Monkey has a speech delay. It's a pretty big delay at that. He's about a year behind. It breaks my heart that my baby is so behind.
It started with a LOT of ear infections and two ruptures and failing a hearing test. After a lot of doctor appointments and waiting, Monkey had tubes put in his ears towards the end of May. We also began speech therapy and developmental "play" therapy. Two months has brought so much progress. I'm always so happy to hear a new word or see new progress. My little man is amazing. He tries so hard to master a new skill a new word, it's almost unbearable to watch him struggle but the light in his eyes and joy on his face when he does it is breathtaking.
  Monkey has learned another new word lately. It's every parents favorite word too. No. My son is saying no. A LOT. In one way I'm happy because it will help him communiate and let me know his needs but on the other hand, he's saying no to EVERYTHING. Our conversations go like this...

Me: " Are you ready for breakfast? Are you hungry?" (I also signed "eat" )

Monkey. "No."

Me: "Are you ready to play?"  (I signed for play)

Monkey: "No."

Me: "Come here let's cuddle and read"

Monkey: "No!" and then he ran into the kitchen.

I followed him into the kitchen and he signed and said eat. Really kiddo? I'm pretty sure this is normal toddler behavior. Toddlers are nuts and slightly evil.




I'm doing everything I can think of to help him. I talk to him constantly. We read for hours, we do puzzles together and work on flashcards.We use signs and even the tiny bit of Spanish I know. We play chase, blow bubbles and giggle... Is there more? Am I missing anything? I just feel a bit lost.







July 20, 2011

We Want To Know Wednesday

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 WWTK is being hosted by Mamarazzi and our new co-host is Queso.


This week's questions are from Mamarazzi.

{1} What would you do with an extra $1000 a month? First, I'd get C and I all caught up on our bills and even ahead if I could. Then I'd use it as a down payment on a car. I need a car!!! After that I wouldn't have the extra $1000 a month due to car payment, car insurance and gas money. :) But if I still had the $1000 a month, I'd get a housekeep and personal trainer.
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{2} What category of blogger do you think you best fall under? When I started blogging I was a single college student and now I'm off the market and have a kiddo. I guess my blog could be a mommy blog but its more like a medium for me to talk about myself. ;)
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{3} What is your go to solution when you are having a bad hair day? My hair is sooo awesome, I don't have bad hair days!  Actually, thats a huge lie. I really haven't had that many bad hair days since I cut it this short but I'll just put gunk in it and try to make it look like its bad on purpose. :)
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{4} If you were a Crayon, what color would you be? At first, I couldn't remember all the awesome crayons included in the BIG packs so I googled it. *check it out. Very interesting.List of Crayon Colors*
So I'm thinking I'll be Vivid Violet.
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{5} They say love is in the little things. What is a little thing someone does to show you love? Doing something without being asked, making my life/day easier. For example, we don't have a dishwasher, so all of the dishes are handwashed. Sometimes C will wash them without saying a word to me. I LOVE it! Always I ADORE it when he remembers what I'll order at certain places and orders for me.


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What about you? Don't forget to blog and link up!



July 15, 2011

Friday Confessional!

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I confess...

I really wanted t go see Harry Potter last night but going to bed so I could function at work was a more responsible choice. I hate being a grown-up!

I confess...

 I have been off my diet all week! I haven't had a single sip of soda though so there's some progress! I did enjoy a trip to starbucks yesterday.. :)

I confess..

I love having my hair cut this short! I didnt do anything to it but wash and dry it this morning and I've gotten 5 compliments on it. ROCK ON!  :)


Happy Friday everyone!!!















July 13, 2011

We Want To Know Wednesday.

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Ummm... Well, you guys all know how much I love this link up but there are some changes being made and I'm not sure how or whats going to happen to it.  Stay tuned for more. :)

We Want to Know Wednesday is co-hosted by the following ladies; Implusive Addict, Janette , Seriously Shawn and Mamarazzi

1. Which activities make you lose track of time? Like almost everyone else I lose complete track of time whenever I'm on the computer. I also lose track of time playing with Monkey or reading to him.

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2. Is there such a thing as perfect? I think everyone's view of perfection is different and even that has its own variables. The only perfection I know though is my kiddo.


3. When do you feel most like yourself? I feel most like myself when I'm with my son,with my family.It's my haven my safe place.
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4. Describe your life in a 6 word sentence. What a beautiful mess this is...   Go to fullsize image

5. Share one of your most beloved childhood memories. Oh man. I have a ton to choose from. I think one of my favorite stories to share is when I was in Elementary school and I lived in the STICKS. My cousin and I would go "hiking" through the "forest" near our houses. We were neighbors and it was awesome. My cousin Becca was so cool. She had New Kids on The Block posters covering her wall and a pet turtle that had a smiley face sticker on its shell. One day in these little wooded area, we found a coyote puppy. It was ADORABLE!!! I got it to follow me home and I brought it inside. I managed to convince my parents I could tame it and care for it. I can NOT believe they let me keep it. Anyways, the coyote pup ate a ton of ornaments off the Christmas tree and knocked it down. After that activity he ate four of my Barbies, one of my sisters baby dolls and the kitchen table legs. My parents had had enough and we set it free.



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I think I'm going to volunteer to co-host the link-up. I'll let you know if they want me! ;) Maybe that will help motivate me to blog more and better.

Happy Hump Day, ya'll!!!

July 6, 2011

We Want to Know Wednesday

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This super fun link party is hosted by Janette, Implusive Addict, Mamarazzi and Seriously Shawn



1. Name five of your favorite new blogs that you're reading.




2. When you were a young child or teenager, did you have an idea of how many children you wanted and what their names would be? Did you follow through on your ideas?Apparently I was crazy because I thought I would have 4 kids by now. 2 boys and 2 girls or 3 boys and 1 girl. I did not want 3 girls and 1 boy though. Girls are nuts!  My girl names were Kiera Nicole and Grace Ann or Lorlei Ann. My boy names were Sebastin Cole, Tristin Andrew and Christian Elliot. Thiis is soooo not happening. I'm pretty sure I'm down with the one boy I hav named Brody Scout.



3. "What is the silliest thing you fight with someone about? Could be your spouse, sibling, parents, co-worker etc."  I usually don't have the energy to fight about silly things. But if you say I'm wrong about somthing I will argue and argue until I prove my rightness or you give up. Be warned though if you give up, I win.



4. What is your favorite scent that other's may not find very nice? ie: gasoline, sweat from your sweetie. I like the smell of sharpened pencils, gasoline and sharpie markers. I'm pretty sure two of those can cause brain damage. Okay, maybe that explains a few things, huh?!

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5. Thoughts on Plastic Surgery? (had it? want it? regrets?)
If I'm being honest with myself and with my readers, I wouldn't say no to it if I weren't paying for it. **hint hint** However, a big part of me is against it. I think more people should see how gorgeous they are as they are. *steps down from soapbox* I would totally get liposuction though and my lips plumped.








This weeks questions are from:
Question 1 is from Homesick Cajun
Question 2 is from Live The Lindicious Life
Question 3 is from A Bunch Of My Nonsense
Question 4 is from Amy@991









July 1, 2011

Friday Confessional






I confess...
I am so super glad this week is over and that it a three day weekend for me!!!


I confess....
We don't have any set plans for the 4th. We're going to play it by ear but I will see some fireworks this year if I have to make them myself.

I confess...I will be going short with my hair this weekend. I'm thrilled and scared and I will blog about it.

I confess...

My hot date last weekend was moved to this weekend! I can't wait. ;)


I confess...
My blog has grown a bit this week and I'm super happy and excited about it! I will do my best to stop by and follow everyone back. Thank you for following me! You're awesome!!!



Soo what are you confessing this Friday??












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