Food, Dancing and LOST

Jaysey over at Crazy Daisy is throwing her  brand new linky party today! It's a really fun weekly party called Tuesday Tastes. You can link up your favorite recipe for each week, then everyone votes and the person who wins gets a cool People Choice Award button and recognition as a cool food blogger!






If you are looking for some new recipes or you have a food blog and you want to participate then run on over to Crazy Daisy and check it out. I linked up one of my favorite recipes from my food blog that I can't wait to make again. I've missed it for 3 months!


I had such a fabulous day yesterday. Martha Stewart following me on twitter, I went out and got a fabulous haircut, enjoyed a cup of amazing coffee, I moved the kids' playroom from the basement to the unused dining room and then I finished off the night with blue cheese stuffed olives and a Martini while watching Dancing with the Stars.

my new hair...I got bangs!  

Did you watch last night? I feel so badly for Kate....it's obvious that she just isn't a dancer and this is really hard for her. I thought Pam's dance was great and I always love Nicole (from Pussy Cat Dolls) and Mr. Ochochinco is pretty good too. You won't believe who BOBBI is pulling for...Jake Pavelka! She didn't even watch The Bachelor!  If Kate leaves....I'm throwing all my support behind Niecy Nash!  I just love her!


Speaking of TV...who's watching LOST with me?  Last week's episode (where we finally got some answers) was so amazing!  I cried at the end and I can't wait to see the next 7 (I think there are 7 left) episodes and finally get some freakin answers!  Do you think everyone will leave the island?  Who will Kate end up with?  Ohhhh....I can't wait!

Friend Makin Monday: Spring Trends

Good Morning Friends!  I wrote up a post last night about the events of the last 72 hours of my life but then Amber asked for my help with Friend Makin Monday and since she used my idea I just had to play along.  So today, you are getting two posts for the price of one.  That's right!  For today only...this post is a bonus and you will not be billed for it.

The topic at hand is one that has been on my mind for about 3 months now.  Ever since I started my journey to lose weight...finally!  We'll...I'm here to report that I have lost 30 pounds.  YAY ME!  So now...I need new clothes. The question of the day is:

What are your thoughts on this year's Spring Trends?

The truth is....I'm having some trouble with the new trends because it feels like I'm back in high school with all of the fringe and neon! These two things will not last! They didn't last in 1986 and they won't last now.  Don't even get me started on the jumpsuit thing!  Bobbi and I tried on jumpsuits at Macy's and we looked like Elvis Impersonators! 

And the ruffles...so 2009.

I love this Bobo Embroidered Top from American Eagle Outfitters.  I'm a busy mom of Irish Twins so this is perfect with a pair a jeans to wear to a play date at the park.  Plus, it's RED and that's my new signature color!

My husband likes for me to dress like a stepford wife a little more conservative so this outfit from Ann Taylor would be a nice outfit for going out to dinner or to the PTA meetings that I plan on attending when my kids start school.

If I were going to embrace my inner Stepford Wife....I would wear this little number from Anthropologie.  

Let's talk about shoes.  I'm not a fan of the Gladiator look.  In fact, flats....are not my friend at all because they make my back hurt.  I'm kind of in love this this shoe from DSW.

And since you're forcing me to shop....let's select a handbag.  I have my eye on this lovely, lovely handbag and I know that soon...she will be mine!

EDITED: You know how some days you wake up and you can just feel that it's going to be an awesome day. You just have this feeling in your gut that something amazing is about to happen? It just happened.

OH MY HECK!!!! Martha Stewart is following me on TWITTER!! I. Die.

Dr Google, Bambi and Date Night

As I sat in the waiting room of the Lab at the hospital waiting my turn to have 6 vials of blood drawn, a Mom and her teenage daughter walked in.  The daughter was dressed like a street walker...short skirt, 6 inch black heels and a bustier.  My first thought was....please God don't let Mallory ever want to dress like that.  But then my thoughts became deeper and I prayed that God would let me live to see Mallory dress like that.

Those are the kinds of thoughts that go through your mind when you're jonesing for coffee, starving and scared out of your mind because the four hours of allergy testing only showed an allergy for Kentucky Blue Grass that you didn't know you had.

I had a hunch that something bad was coming when I spent 46 minutes waiting for the doctor to return with my results.  Good news comes faster....

She tried to explain to me that I do not have a venom allergy and that my swollen lip is not caused by anything I'm eating, drinking, breathing or touching.  There is something inside my body causing it.

Something that, although rare....must have been triggered by the bee sting 8 months ago.  And that's why I had blood drawn for testing for systemic diseases.   This is also a good time to note that you should never google Systemic Diseases in a hospital waiting room.  This should only be done in the privacy of your own home....so that when you freak the f*ck out....you're with people that love you and not some little old lady that wants you to know that the plants in the waiting room are thriving because of the lights...much like marijuana plants that are grown in drug houses.  

venom testing....

There is also a very good chance that I found myself at Burger King ordering a Whopper and it was the most delicious thing I've ever eaten. 

The results to my tests...if the news is bad, will arrive in a week.  Otherwise, I will be going over the results with my doctor in three weeks.  Why do the doctors here always make me wait three weeks?

Over the weekend, I got tons of emails from friends that have gone through similar experiences and everything turned out fine.  I'm praying that I'm one of the lucky one's that just has some weird things going on and that it's....nothing.

Of course, to take my mind off from my troubles I went in search of the elusive Girl Scout Cookies known as The Thin Mint.  For the second year in a row...the Girl Scouts are boycotting hiding from me and refuse to come to my house and sell them to me.

Normally this isn't a problem because you can find them hanging out in front of your neighborhood super markets for 6 weeks every spring.

But not this spring.  For some reason, the Girl Scouts of No.rth Og.den are on strike.

Saturday...from the parking lot of my neighborhood grocery store I tweeted this:

Little did I know that two hours later I would be calling 911 to report that a deer had been hit by a car right in front of us.   It stood up and just ran into this poor old lady's car.   It was horrible.  It's back legs where hurt really badly and it drug itself into the ditch.

We stopped to make sure the lady was okay and she was really shaken up.  We told her we'd stay and call the police and she left the scene of an accident.   We waited for the police and sat watching the poor deer laying in the ditch.

The cop finally showed up and Calvin showed him where Bambi was and they talked about what he needed to do.  And then he pulled out his gun and SHOT BAMBI right in front of us.  Calvin's window was open and I screamed OH MY GOD HE'S GOING TO KILL IT!  I know he heard me....I was traumatized.

Luckily, Calvin had come around to the passenger side of the car and was distracting Mallory.

We drove off feeling upset...we rode in silence for a good 10 minutes when a little voice from the backseat said:

ARE WE THERE YET?

We laughed and our moods brightened a little bit.


And that's how our first date night with our 3 year old daughter started.  We're trying something new where we take the kids out individually for dinner so that we can focus on them.  We had a great time and Mallory felt like a princess.  So did Calvin when he got stuck holding her purse and her purple magic wand while he waited for us to come out of the restroom.

A Poor Man's Lelli Kelly Shoes

This is one of my favorite songs because I love shoes.  I knew it was only a matter of time before the shoe bug bit my daughter because she is all of the best parts of me.  I just didn't expect this to happen a few days after her 3rd birthday.  I thought I had a couple more years.....


Have you seen the commercials and heard the annoying jingle for the Lelli Kelly Shoes?  Mallory has been mesmerized by them and begging for a pair of Wiley Kylie Shoes (this is what she calls them).  They are a european shoe company that carries canvas shoes with colorful sequins and rhinestones and some have designs on them.  Here  is what they look like...they are adorable! 

As soon as I figured out what Wiley Kylie shoes were I started looking for them online and I soon discovered that Lelli Kelly is out of her ever loving mind. There is no chance that I will spend $70 on a pair of shoes for a 13 3 year old. Never. gonna. happen.

Then I remembered that I'm a little bit crafty and I started looking for some plain canvas shoes to decorate for my little princess. This was harder than it seems. I finally found some at Wal.Mart but they only had one pair left in her size...GREEN.

Did I tell you there was a baby boom here 3 years ago. I've had to order (or travel to Denver for) most all of Mallory's shoes because her size is always sold out. It's Bananas!

Introducing....Wiley Kylie Shoes!

So...Mallory. Thinks these are REAL Lelli Kelly shoes and if any of you tell her they aren't....I'll hunt you down and make you buy health care. If you want to send me a free pair of Lelli Kelly shoes or you want to purchase a pair for my daughter because you feel sorry for her that she has to wear faux Lelli Kelly shoes...she wears a size 7. Size 24 in european sizing.

Oh hey!  Do you guys know my friend ERIN?  She had to move her blog and go kind of anonymous because she's a teacher and is hiding from Google Happy students.  She's got some new stomping grounds at Tales From Our Neck of the Woods and she's giving away a TARGET gift card!  Check her out!

In case you missed it...Mexico Vacation 1997 aka Connie Goes Wild.

Linking up with Tatertots and Jello's Weekend Wrap Up Party!

Wordless Wednesday: Oscar Night 2010

Do You Have These Barbies?

Bobbi and I took the kids out shopping with us today so that Calvin could get some work done. Mallory had a gift card to Target from her Grandparents to use so we spent some time in the toy section. She has two Barbies now so we encouraged her to get some accessories for them. While we were ransacking the Barbie stuff I noticed that they are finally making true to life Barbies.

click to enlarge

Lonely Barbie comes with Three Dogs and numerous bows and collars to dress up your fur babies.  Also comes with a year subscription to Cosmopolitan and a Pint of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream.

Finally!!  I've been looking for Stay At Home Mom Barbie for years!  This Barbie comes with a potty training toddler, a toilet, toilet paper and a sink.  AND the toilet really flushes!  This Barbie also comes with a bottle of Grey Goose and a bag of Dove Chocolate.

click to enlarge

Mallory really wanted this set of accessories for her Barbies but I had to point out to her that this is for ages 23 and up.  This one is for adults that still play with Barbies and want them to be slutty.  It comes with a Martini glass. 6 inch heels and a couple outfits.

Eat, Pray, Love...The Movie

I was one of the last people on earth to read Eat, Pray Love when it came out in 2006.  I saw Elizabeth Gilbert on Oprah and I thought if Oprah liked her then I should like her too.

I could relate to her situation in the beginning of the book and I was jealous that she followed her heart and went on this fabulous journey.  I'm so thrilled that this book is being made into a movie and I love that Julia Roberts is going to play Elizabeth.  I think the casting is perfect!

How about you?  Did you read the book?  Are you looking forward to the movie?




Eat, Pray, Love on twitter
Eat, Pray, Love on Facebook

Shenanigans and a Steady Routine

Did you have a good St. Patrick's Day?  We did and I have to credit my new friend Christina with planting an idea in my head on facebook.  She posted about her child's class at school getting locked out of their classroom by a Leprechaun and some other shenanigans.  My first thought was...that sounds like fun but I don't have the energy to do anything.  Then I remembered that I'm the Magical Mom and I spent 10 minutes stringing green crepe paper around the kitchen and the bathroom and I squirted some green food coloring in a couple glasses and in the toilet bowl.  That's all it took...10 minutes to make magic!

Mallory was so mad at those Leprechauns for turning her milk green but she quickly got over it and I had to spend the rest of the day summoning Leprechauns to make more green milk.  Alex scoured the house looking for more 'Anagans' and kept finding things he thought the Leprechauns had done.  This took up a good hour of time! YAY!

Christina shared this bit of wisdom that she has printed out and displayed in her kitchen.

Make today special.  This is their only childhood!

I'm starting to implement some of the ideas from the Steady Days book. I worked up a routine that includes free play, reading and play time with me, baking, crafts and walks. There is also a morning for a playdate with our friends and one for running errands. When I decided my kids needed more of a routine and a set schedule...I arrived at the conclusion that I did too.  On my schedule are showering and set times for laundry and cleaning.  On Friday's I will only be on the computer in the morning and then I'll shut it down and will spend the afternoon drinking wine tea and reading.

 click to enlarge

I'm sure that I'll be tweaking this routine as summer arrives and the kids want to spend all of their time outside and there are more activities to do.  I've become aware of how little time is left before the kids are in school and my time with them is cut in half.  I need to make the most of it.

EASTER is coming....do you have any plans?

How to Throw a Ladybug Party

I've been anxiously waiting for the day that we had enough friends in Utah that we could throw a party. When we lived in Denver, I'd have themed dinner parties all the time and loved the planning and executing of my plans.

There's that little Martha Stewart part of me that loves to put all kinds of fabulous touches on things but of course I don't have her budget so I have to do things the Connie Way which is also...A Good Thing. 

And as if that pressure isn't enough, I have Miss Tori Spelling throwing fabulous parties for her kids that will soon be on the pages of People Magazine.  I have a little friendly competition going with her since her son's birthday is always the same weekend as Mallory's.   This year Liam had a Superhero Theme.....Lucky Kid! (OH MY HECK...Tori & Dean is coming back on April 5th!)

It was a last minute decision to make the wreath for the front door.  I had seen the roses on The House of Smith's blog and I had this extra foam wreath form laying around from my failed attempt to make a Marshmallow Wreath at Christmas.  I had a ton of crepe paper and too much to do so I went for it.   On Thursday, I was sitting watching my favorite show...Studio 5 and Shelly from the House of Smith was on the show making the roses!  I couldn't believe it!  I discovered from watching her on the show...that I was doing it wrong but I was almost done so I kept making them my way.

I also made a bunch of ladybugs in different sizes out of construction paper and had them crawling up the front door.  These are now climbing up the french doors in our dining room that I just turned into a playroom.

I bought the little red buckets that served as our gift bags for our guests at the dollar spot at Target around Valentine's Day.  I used my Martha Stewart Ladybug punch to make a bunch of little black ladybugs to mod podge to the buckets.  They contained jewelry, bubbles, a top, a ball, sunglasses, candy and handmade bracelet's from Bobbi.  The boys got slinky's, bubbles, a ball, paddle balls and candy.

The cake came from The Parson's Bakery in Bountiful Utah and it was fabulous!  It was so much more than the picture can show.  I loved it and Mallory thought it was the coolest thing ever.  She kept asking us to lift her up so she could smell it.

When I started planning this party and figuring out who all we wanted to invite (everyone) I started to panic because I didn't know where the children would sit. I wanted to get a new table and little stools from IKEA....but I checked my budget and knew I was going to have to figure something else out.  I decided that the kids' train table would work perfectly as a table but I didn't have any chairs.  I came up with the idea to use 3 gallon paint buckets from Sears ($2.99 each) and make covers for them from my felt stash.

Then I realized the the table was too short so I bought small clay pots from Michael's, painted them red, embellished them with some black and white ribbon and hot glued them to the table legs.  It worked perfectly!

This would be a good time for me to talk about my other chair remodel. On Wednesday, while I was in the middle of several unfinished projects, I decided that my chairs needed help.  I received a lot of comments from friends on facebook that said they have these same chairs and that they are in the same condition as mine because they have kids too.  They are so easy to re-cover!  They are just attached with 4 screws that come off really easily.  I had this cute dark blue fabric with little cream colored stars in my stash and it was very easy to cover, staple them (tried hot glue...it no work) and attach them back on the chair frame.  Each chair only took about 20 minutes and I completed this during nap time.

I needed a game appropriate for 2-5 year olds and I thought pin tape the dot on the ladybug would be perfect.  I made this little guy from construction paper and poster board.  Mallory informed me that he needed teeth and she was right!  I put each child's name on the dots so we'd know who won by getting the closest to the drawn on dot.  Alex won this game and I DID NOT coach him.  :)

Do you believe in fate?  I do!  Back in January when Mallory decided on a theme, I had some Gymbucks to use and this adorable little dress was available in her size!  It was on sale and I basically got it for free because I had $25 in free Gymboree money to use.  Then I got the barely used shoes on ebay for $7 and they have little silver ladybugs on them!  I tried to talk her into the black tights but my little fashionista wanted red....

Ladybug Party Playlist

It's Your Birthday.......Justin Roberts

Lucky Lady Bug........Mikey's Band

You Are My Flower........Elizabeth Michell

Butterfly's Day Out....Edgar Meyer

Ladybug Picnic.................Elizabeth Mitchell

3 is the Magic Number.......Elizabeth Mitchell 

Who's My Pretty Baby.......Elizabeth Mitchell

My Girl..........................The Temptations

I hope you enjoyed our party and got some ideas for your own Ladybug Party!  Its a great theme and one that I'll remember with fondness for many years to come. 

The Invitaitons
The Party

All songs available on iTunes

The Ladybug Party

I'm so glad that you all liked The Invitations!

Last night....I tried to explain to Mallory that 3 years ago I was in the hospital and that Daddy was with me and that I was waiting for her to arrive.  She asked how she got in my tummy and I told her to go ask her Dad.

If you'd like to read the story of Mallory's birth, you will find it here.

This is the slideshow of our Ladybug Party....it's short and has pretty music. I hope you like it.

I will be spending the day playing dress up and McDonald's drive thru, making Banana Bread and reading books with my girl. During nap time, I'm hoping to watch the episodes of Ugly Betty (edited: that episode is called Icing On The Cake...funny!)  and Grey's (ha...this one's called Scars and Souvenirs) that I missed while I was in labor. I still can't believe that three years have passed but I'm looking forward to many more years of laughter and tears, joy and tea parties. I look into those big blue eyes and I see a beautiful future.



Tomorrow....I will explain all of the crafts I did and talk about the cake and Mallory's pretty dress.

Ladybug Party: The Invitations

Magical.

If you ask my kids about their childhood when they are much older, I want them to say that it was magical. I want them to remember that I went all out on things and I tried to make their lives special. I want them to know through my actions and my words that I loved them.

I had the best time planning and making things for this Ladybug Party. I'm so thrilled that Mallory selected this theme because I fell in love with all things ladybug.  I've decided that every years theme will be our theme for the year....we will find more ladybug things and all of the items I made or bought for the party will now decorate her bedroom.

Needless to say, I believe that the party was a hit and if the smile on this little girl tells you anything...it's that she was completely happy and full of joy.

I'm still recooperating from the party, putting the house back together and waiting for the HGTV people to stop by today and tell me that I won the HGTV Dream Home in New Mexico so today I'm going to show you were it all started....The Invitations.

  click to make bigger

I found something similar on Etsy and they were ridiculously expensive and you had to buy 10 and I only needed 4.  I knew that I could make these and it would be more special that way.  I also decorated the envelopes with a small ladybug from a Martha Stewart punch that I bought at Michael's with a 60% off coupon!  WOOT!

Come back tomorrow to see the party.....

KARMA: It's Not Over

This week has whizzed right by.  I've been working my tail off to get everything ready for my little girl's 3rd birthday party.  I just can't believe she's going to be 3.  Luckily...I've been too busy to freak out but I think Tuesday will be a hard day for me. 

I gave a little update on Constellation the other day.  I've seen lots of tweets this week from Senator's saying they are gearing up for a big fight.  It makes me so happy to see so many people fighting for this program.  It gives me hope for my kids future....because I still have a dream in my heart that at least one of my kids will follow in their Dad's footsteps and go to West Point. And if they don't...that's cool.  They can be hair stylists and I'd be happy.

In other news that I still can't talk about.....Calvin's been showing me what he's working on and I'm blown away.  It's so cool!!  I just know that this company is going to love it and want to hire him.  He's working night and day still....and is sooo tired.  I'm looking forward to the day that he's not working two jobs.

I leave you with another song from my Hope and Change Playlist....It's Not Over by Daughtery.  I thought it was perfect for the status of The Constellation Project. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

I was blown away
What could I say
It all seemed to make sense
You've taken away everything
And I can't deal with that.

I try to see the good in life
but good things in life are hard to find
We'll blow it away, blow it away
Can we make this something good?

Well I'll try to do it right this time around
Let's start over
Try to do it right this time around
It's not over
Cause a part of me is dead and in the ground
This love is killin me
But you're the only one
It's not over

I've taken all I can take
And I cannot wait
We're wastin too much time
Bein strong, holdin on
Can't let it bring us down

My life with you means everything
So I won't give up that easily
I'll blow it away, blow it away
Can we make this something good?
Cause it's all misunderstood

Connie of WalMart

Several months ago, I made a football bet with my dear friend Jessica that the Denver Broncos would beat The Colts. The bet was the loser of this bet had to go to WalMart in a crappy outfit, take a picture and post it on facebook.

Last night...I settled our bet. The sad thing is that this was my actual outfit and we didn't have to add anything. I looked this bad yesterday. In my defense...TOM is here and I've been working super hard on my daughter's birthday extravaganza.

Oh...and can you believe that WalMart was completely out of poster board? I was so upset!  And Bobbi, had way too much fun snapping this picture. 

Wordful Wednesday: Speaker Pelosi

I know that there is a need for help regarding Health Care in this country....but does Speaker Pelosi take us for a bunch of idiots? Would you buy a car without driving it or sign a contract without reading it?

I'm telling you...I've about had all of the government I can take right now. From my husband's job potentially disappearing to our credit card rates doubling overnight because we've been good customers. I can't take much more.

I just needed to rant.....

The Reason Calvin Won't Text Me.

*I used to call my husband Calvin...when he was in the witness protection program otherwise known as N.ASA. 

Calvin has a little more time on his hands at work right now since things are so up in the air about The Constellation Project. A little update on that situation is that Congress is not happy with the plan and there is a rumor that N.ASA is coming up with a Plan B that will include the project. This is great news...but I don't know if it will really happen or not. Either way...it will take a while for everyone to come to an agreement...unless they try to rush it through like the Health Care Bill.

Anyway, sometimes lately I get lucky and Calvin will have a textual conversation with me. I still can't get him to sext with me but I'm working on it. He tells me that Engineers can't do that...not even when I use words like Hardrive and Hyperlink.

Friday, 9:42am 

Connie: If a Tauren falls in the Forrest, do resto Druids laugh?

Calvin: Funny. Did you get that from Twitter?

Connie: Yes.

Calvin:  Got the Gas bill today. It is $91.84.

Connie: Down from $192?

Calvin:Yes. Yay!

Connie: Wow! I guess keeping the heat down is making a difference.

Calvin: Perhaps, Feb was warmer than Jan.

Connie: Maybe a little.

Calvin: Regardless, I think freezing our asses off has helped reduce our bill. Thanks Connie for reducing our expenses!

Connie: You're welcome. Are you sure you don't want a snuggie??

No response from Calvin


10:52am

Connie:  I found out why UTAH doesn't double coupons.

Calvin: Why?

Connie: Because in most other states only 1% are redeemed...but 3% are redeemed here. Retailer lose too much money in Utah.

Calvin: Those Mormons are always looking to save a buck. When Arby's has a two for one, guys here eat there daily until it stops. Hehe

Connie: I know!! They screwing up my grocery shopping experience!!

Calvin: ROFL

Connie: In Dallas....they TRIPLE coupons! It's Coupon Nirvana!

Calvin: Stop you are killing me!

Connie: Okay. I'll stop....



11:27am

Connie: We need to get a freezer so I can buy a 40 lb box of chicken.

Calvin: Oh my, you are still cracking me up. LOL

Connie: Is that a yes or a no?

 No response from Calvin.

11:47 am


Connie: Nevermind...I don't need a freezer. Jesus is coming....

Calvin: Yup are on Fire. And no, we are not buying a freezer. If we downsize to an apartment, what then would we do with it?

Calvin: That was *You as in You are on fire.

Connie:  I got that. And you're right. I got all excited about saving $100 and I was trying trying to spend it.

Calvin: No more Texting privileges for you. I am in tears.


I think I know why I normally don't get a response.....

The Winners....

And the winner of the Steady Days book is.....(insert drum roll here).......

Alyssa from Bloggin 2 Noggin who wrote:

Once again, I look forward to reading more of your posts. Steady Days sounds great; I'd love to win it. Plus I'm a fast reader and I'll pass it on quickly. You don't want the book to stay in someone's house forever, do you?

I'll be sending you an email requesting your address so I can mail you the book. Everyone...go follow Alyssa so that you can try to win the book when she gives it away on her blog.


Did you watch The Oscars last night?  We had so much fun at our friend's party and I drank a little bit too much (I can't drink like I used to when I weighted 25 more pounds) and I've been sick all day!  I keep having moments of recollection from the party and I'm afraid that I behaved like a crazy person.  At one point I think I offered to breast feed my friends' baby.  I hope they weren't offended and invite us back.

I was shocked that Avatar didn't win Best Picture and so pleased that Sandra Bullock won Best Actress!  Her dress and her speech were amazing and I also loved Alec and Steve as the hosts.  What did you think?

Another question for you....overall, all year (2009) what was your favorite movie?  I have THREE...because I can't pick just one.

The Time Traveler's Wife
Julie and Julia
Sex and The City (I've seen it 3 times and bought the soundtrack)

Friends...and The Gift of Steady Days

Today's challenge at Girly Gazette is to celebrate my friendships and things I've learned this week.  This was perfect week for me to do this because I started off the week having coffee with a fabulous blogger, Jen from Steenky Bee (please note that I have like 100 friends named Jen now).  We had a great time getting to know each other at Starbucks, she's soooo funny and I can't wait to get together with her again.

Then...last night I got together with The Real Housewives of the U.T. to celebrate Lauren's Birthday.  These ladies are so amazing!  I noticed the other diners at The Olive Garden staring at us...mostly because we're all pretty hot but also because of the constant conversation going on at our table.  I don't know how we managed to eat and talk at the same time!

The Real Housewives of the U.T. 

Lauren

Stephanie

Loralee

Kim

I'm really excited to tell you all about this book that I just read. It's called Steady Days by Jamie C. Martin and it's going to change my life! Back in January when I started my Focus on the Family posts, I told you that I wanted to be intentional and present in my children's lives. That is the end goal with making plans every month...in writing that I will then follow through with. The purpose of this book is to help you on your journey toward intentional, professional motherhood.

Sounds like it was written FOR me right? I got so many great ideas from this book and also from Jaime's blog...Steady Mom.  I'm going to be implementing them over the next few weeks....a Steady Routine, a Home Planner and a Look At Me Binder.   Many of the other  ideas go along perfectly with my Family Journal and some are things that I've been looking for a solution for.  The book is also full of observations from a veteran mom.  Here's the one that knocked me off the couch.

Saying NO all the time steals JOY from the home.

There is a better way for me to say No and sometimes, Yes is the right answer.  I took many notes....and I plan to review them every couple weeks so that I stay on course for what I want to do.  This is a great book for any Mom that wants to make some positive changes in their home. 


I'm going to give my copy away....and whoever wins my copy, after reading it...I want you to give it away to another blogger.  And then that blogger has to promise to give it to another blogger.  Each blogger that wins the book must their URL for their blog on the inside cover.  I want us all to share this book!

So...if you are interested in reading Steady Days AND you promise to give this book to another blogger who promises the same.  Please tell me in your comment that you want to win the book. You have until Monday at 5PM.   If you can't wait to have this copy passed on to you....you can order your own copy here.

I Found my Special Purpose

Here we are on day 3 of Girly Gazette's super fun challenges!  Here is the one for today!

Challenge #3: What is your gift? 

Think about this…what brings you joy in life? What have you always been drawn to doing? Do you have a natural knack for a certain activity or talent? Post about your gifts or what you think they are. Now…

What are you doing with those gifts?

If you are not using your gifts, why not? If you are, share with us how you use them and how they enrich your life. Open up and tell us what you would be passionate about doing, writing about or teaching others. We want to know about you and what makes you special!

Oh boy...maybe I should have read all of the challenges for the week before I decided to do this.  I guess the only way to do this is just jump in and do it.  So...here we go a rough list of my special purpose:

Organizing

Making people laugh

Making men fall in love with me

Throwing stuff away

Planning

Researching stuff

Taking Action

Hand Quilting

Parking

Flying Airplanes

Now...what am I doing with my gifts?  Well, I've been married three times so that falling in love thing has really worked out for me.  I love to organize and my family loves to make messes so that keeps me really busy.  I like to make people laugh so this blog is really doing it's job.  I love to plan trips and the future which drives my husband crazy because A.) we don't have any money and B.) he can only think a couple of weeks ahead at a time.  I rocked at flying airplanes when I was a teenager but I totally sucked at landing the airplanes.  So...this skill is good to no one.  I am the queen of researching crap....how can I use that skill for good and not evil.  Anyone have an idea?

I do think that many of my skills are being used well in the raising of my kids.  I really don't know what I want to be when I grow up.  Good thing I have a couple years to figure it out.

What is your special skill?  What are you doing with it?   

P.S.  Did you see the new show on NBC called Parenthood last night?   

Jake takes a Wife. Kate and Ali get a Gig

I've decided that when I watch the next season of The Bachelorette...I'm not going to read the spoilers and Reality Steve.  The other day I told Calvin that I was glad that I already knew because I'd be less mad when he picked the wrong girl.  But I wasn't....less mad.  I was still irritated and disgusted.  Next time, I'll be surprised with the rest of America.

I wasn't even going to watch the episode because of my TV conflict but then my husband needed to work so I watched it but I didn't take notes...and I missed the first 10 minutes.  I came in when Tenley and Jake's Mom were talking and within a few minutes I was misty eyed.

Tenley is such a genuinely nice person.  She just really wants to be in love again and for someone to love her.  I could see that she was liked by every member of Jake's family and that she would completely fit in with them.

Then Vienna shows up.  I just don't see this going well.  There is tension immediately and uncomfortable silence at the lunch table.  Vienna acts like a teenager going to her boyfriends house for dinner for the first time.  The family asked her why she can't get along with people and her reply was that she is brutally honest.  Jake's brother tells the camera that is the sign of immaturity.  He nailed it.  Some how...the family decides that they like her afterall...which just shocked the heck out of me.  I just can't see Vienna fitting into this family.  I see lot's of feuds with the Mom and Sisters-in-law.

On Jake and Vienna's little date...they played in the mud.  Gross.  Later she wrote him a note and gave him her Daddy ring since she doesn't need it anymore.

Tenley and Jake go on a boat and you can see that Jake isn't really there.  He's lost in thought and no doubt the mud.  He tells Tenley that he doesn't think they have physical chemistry...which he says is different than sexual chemistry.  Something tells me that Jake flunked CHEMISTRY in high school and that's why he ended up a pilot.  He hurt her feelings badly and I felt terrible for her and wanted to throw Jake off from the boat.  Tenley deserves more than he's giving her.

Jake picks a ring...I fast forwarded through this part.

Tenley takes a helicopter ride to a beautiful estate.  Jake tells her that he loves every about her and that she's perfect but he likes it rough and she's too breakable.  He walks her to the waiting car and tells her that he loves her.  She, being the wonderful gal that she is...thanks Jake for helping her love again.  This is one classy lady.

Vienna shows up, he gives her the Daddy ring back and then he proposes.


The End.



After the Final Rose.....

Jake is wearing all black, I'm guessing for all of us that loved Tenley and are now in mourning.  Tenley gets to talk to him and he tells her that there was a spark with Vienna that wasn't there with her.  He would like to be friends.  God I hate that.

Vienna comes out looking much better than she did on the show and they say that they are super happy and she's moving to Dallas.  She also denied all of the tabloid reports that she's a skank.  Yeah...right.  Then Jeffrey Osborne came out and sang that awful song.

The best part of this whole show was when they brought Ali out and announced her as the next Bachelorette!  I got goosebumps when they announced it so I must like her more than I thought I did.  Go Ali!

Dancing with the Stars!

During the shows...they announced the cast of the next Dancing with the Stars. I've watched this show off and on but sometimes I have a TV conflict and sometimes I just can't take TWO nights of this show.  I'm pretty excited about this line-up.

• Pamela Anderson (actress/professional celebrity)
• Shannen Doherty (Bad girl and star of 90210)
• Kate Gosselin (MY GIRL)
• Evan Lysacek (Olympic Figure Skater)
• Erin Andrews (ESPN host)
• Buzz Aldrin (astronaut and hater of the Constellation Program)
• Niecy Nash (comedienne/actress)
• Chad Ochocinco (crazy football player)
• Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Doll)
• Aiden Turner (Soap Star)
• Jake Pavelka (maker of bad decisions and star of The Bachelor: On The Wings of Love)

I was really excited to see my girl Kate was chosen to be on this show!  I've missed her so much since Jon made TLC stop filming Jon and Kate plus 8.  I guess this explains her new hair do.  I professed my love for Kate and some guy that was following me on twitter started cussing me out for liking her and was calling her names and saying she slept with her body guard.  The guy thinks Jon is a freakin saint!  I blocked his @ss.....because I can like who I want to like.  It's a free country!  I supposed he likes Vienna too.

Why, or why is Jake on this show?  Doesn't he have a JOB?  A pilot job?  I hope he has two left feet.....

The show starts March 22.

Meet my Tribe

Hey there!  It's another beautiful day in Connie's World.  I woke up this morning to see that someone unfollowed my lovely blog.  That's fine, really...it is.  I'm not upset because even some of my own family can't take all of my positive vibes and don't want to talk to me anymore.  It's okay...I understand that the Negative Nelly's of the world don't like to think positive and would rather complain and be upset.  I get it.

This makes today the perfect day to answer the challenge from Girly Gazette.  They want to know Who is my Tribe?  My group of friends on the internet is very special to me because these are ladies that if we lived in the same town we'd be fast friends.  What I normally say is: they are my people!

Raising Z....I love this gal even though I don't know her name.  She loves her family and doing activities with them as much as I do.  And I think she named her baby daughter Connie...after me.

Liz at Sugar Plum Creations...beautiful, inside and out.  Creative and a homeschooling Mom who is doing it so well that her daughter is excelling at math.  She makes me what to be a better Mom.

Jessica at Baby Mine....I met Jessica when we were both posting our menu's at The Organizing Junkie and we immediately became friends.  We are both super organized and love making lists.  She's like a sister to me and now she's having a baby and I'm so thrilled for her.  Why does St. Louis have to be so far away?

Beth at Manic Mother....I know in my heart that I'm going to meet Beth someday.  She is the strongest woman I know and because of her struggle with her 2 year old's cancer, she's proven to me and herself that she can handle anything.  Ezra is the luckiest little boy in the world to have her for a Mother.

Jen at Harried Mom of Four...Do you ever have someone comment on your blog and then start emailing with them and within a few days feel like you've known them forever.  That's how it was for me and Jen. And now I'm friends with her husband on facebook.  Jen is another fabulous Mom that has it right and I wish I lived on her street.

Chris at CSquared Plus...I wish I could remember how we found each other....we're both non-Mormon's living in very Mormon towns and we both love wine.  She's like the slightly older sister that I always longed for growing up.  She's smart and always knows the right things to say to make me feel better.  AND I've met her in person.  We just live a little bit too far from each other to get together regularly.

Tina at My Lipstick Life....we met on twitter and then in person on one of my trips to Denver.  We are both struggling to lose weight and grew up in the 80's.  She's a funny, wonderful gal and I'm so happy that we've become friends.

Amanda at Family of Shorts...We met because we were trying to lose weight and we bonded over our love of food and hatred of the scale.  She's a wonderful friend that always has a kind word to share.

Amber at AeFilkins...I don't know how I found her but it's because of her that I found many of the gals that are listed above.  She's the sweetest friend and creative as can be.  She remains positive even when she is hurting and her devotion to God is inspiring.

Jen at Tatertos and Jello...I *think* Amber is responsible for this hook up too.  Jen is the most fabulous person.  She is one of the only Mormon friends that I have that completely liked me for who I was and didn't want to try to change me.  She's the kindest, sweetest and most creative person I've ever met.  AND she's stunningly beautiful.  I had the pleasure of meeting her and some of her kids in person and I'll cherish that afternoon that I spent with them always.  Oh, and she was on a local TV show recently making a burlap wreath...

Becca at The Texas Darlings...Pretty sure Amber's responsible for this one too.  I love Becca's posts about her kids and all of the fun things they do together.  And she has the most adorable baby boy who is growing up way too fast.  She also has a fun new business called Darling Moments where she'll take your photo's and make a DVD for you.

Teri at Mighty M Family...Teri has the most beautiful kids and the hottest husband.  AND she's a knock-out!  I love talking to her on twitter.

Heather at The Magnificent Mayhem Maker...Heather is another one of my twitter buddies.  I love chatting with her during the day and her posts about her daughter and her sister Molly are so funny!

Barbi at Fit Mom Now...another twitter friend but also one of the most supportive people in my weight loss journey.  We have very similar backgrounds and goals and I know that we'll be Fit Mom's someday very soon!

My life is better because of these ladies and their support. There are more...I know I've missed someone but Mallory just woke up and I have to fetch her some breakfast and put together her puzzle again.

Who is your tribe?

EDITED:  I knew I was missing someone this morning....a couple people actually.  Thanks to the power of Sesame Street I can finish this post.


Jennifer at Momma Made it Look Easy...this is one whitty gal and she still loves me even though I'm a Sarah Palin loving Republican.  I can't wait to find out if she likes Kate Gosselin or not. 

Jen at Buried with Children...we bonded over coffee at SITScaiton and we've been friends ever since.  She's the mother of 4...three of them triplets.  I think she's Super Mom!  

Focus on the Family: March 2010

We did great with our plan last month!  I'm loving how this is helping us stay connected and making sure we do everything we can to make the month great.  I just need to spend more time reading....

The kids loved our holiday breakfast for Valentine's Day and decorating the house was fun too.  I'm looking forward to Easter and I need to come up with some fun things to do...I think they will really love searching for eggs this year.



Family Time....quality time together.

• Family Outings (bookstore, movie, bowling)
  
• Read more books
• Celebrate St. Patrick's Day (crafts, stories, songs)
• Decorate the house for Spring (and Mallory's party) on March 12th 
• Bake something together 
• Read Your Child's Strengths 

Kid Time....play and preschool.

• Mallory's Birthday Party! 
• Play date with friends
• Visit the library Get a library card 
• Puzzles
• Incorporate new routine

Me Time....cuz if Mama ain't happy....

•  Night Out with friends
•  Read Love, Loss and What I Wore by Ilene Beckerman
•  2010 Simple Living Book Club

Couple Time....all because two people fell in love.

• Thursday Night Movie/TV night (No World of Warcraft allowed)
• Date Night....March 5th  
• Oscar Party at Sara and Mike's House
  

Home Time....it's where the heart is.

• Clean and Organize Master Bedroom/Bathroom
• Finish planning Mallory's birthday party

Gratitude:

I am thankful this month for hope.  I am really believing that God has a plan for us and it's going to be fabulous.  I believe that a bigger and better opportunity is right around the corner for us and I can't wait to be able to share it with all of you!  Soon....

What plans are you making for the month? Stay on track! Write a post with your goals for the month and link up.

Bring on the Fabulous!

You all know that I love everything about positive thinking and making my life better.  I think this little blog, which started out as a way for me to update my family on our lives here in Utah has become a place of therapy for myself and a way for me to journal my journey to make my life and my kids' lives the best ever.  I'm so thrilled that I've made some wonderful friends along the way....friends that have the same goals and troubles that I do.

I started following  a gal named Kadi on twitter a few weeks ago because I kept seeing her twitter handle showing up in my stream.  And then I saw her super cute picture and I decided I wanted to know more about her and what she was talking about.  She's been tweeting about positivity and being a change maker and you know I couldn't resist.  Kadi is launching a new site called Girly Gazette and she's all about lifting women up.  Here is a quote from the site that explains it beter than I can.

Girly Gazette is a sassy eZine, chalk full of  of fun, fashion, social media, lifestyle, motherhood, shopping, celebs and so much more! It is a little bit naughty and a little bit nice for a good reason. We are all created uniquely and not all of us fit the Suzie Homemaker mold, so why force it? We at Girly Gazette celebrate our saucy ways and share our love of all things girly because we know we cannot be the only ones out there who’d rather shop for shoes than scrapbook. So pour yourself a martini and hang out with us for awhile! Don’t worry, we won’t bite…much. *wink*

All week I will be blogging each day's challenge.  This will be a great way for me to further my journey to making positive changes in my life that will benefit my family and make me a better mom, wife and friend.   And on Friday....I'm going to share something that has inspired me so much and will have a special giveaway!  If you want to be a change maker in your own life, then go here and see what the daily challenges are and join me.

Today...Kadi wants to know  What makes you feel fabulous?

I really talk a big game about Mom's taking care of themselves and having down time so that they can recharge their batteries and do their jobs better.  We all NEED this time.  The problem is that I don't always take this time because I feel guilty for making my husband take care of the kids while I run away from home take some time for myself and get some peace and quiet. 

When I do get over my Mommy Guilt and announce to my husband that I need a break...the things that make me feel fabulous are: 

• Going to the Movies.
• Drinks with my girlfriends.
• Shopping with Calvin's credit cards.
• Massage at a spa.
• Weekend trip to a blogging conference.
• Writing in my journal at Starbucks.
• Date night with my husband.

But it's also all about the little things that bring me joy and make me feel so much better:

• Freshly polished finger and toe nails.
• First cup of coffee in the morning.
• Fresh Chocolate Chip Cookies.
• Drinking a Martini with my husband after the kids go to bed.
• Reading a book in bed.
• Bubble Baths
• Listening to my favorite song.
• Buying new makeup
• Reading blogs that inspire me. 
• Cooking a favorite meal. 
• Losing weight! 

Lastly, there are the things that just happen that make me smile from the inside out: 

• Listening to my children play and laugh together.
• Play date with my friends and watching our kids play together.
• A passionate kiss from my husband.
• Sharing a big belly laugh with my sister.
• Watching my mother in law read to my daughter.
• Hearing my son tell me about a crazy dream he had.
• Seeing my children proud of something they've learned or done. 
• A sweet message or card from a friend that was thinking about me. 

Mostly, the feeling of happiness that I get from being home with my family doing regular everyday things like baking muffins, coloring and glueing paper, sewing a quilt, cleaning my house, playing with the kids and watching movies with my husband.  Making a home and being a family.  The contentment of being the person that I always wanted to be and living the life I always dreamed of.  These are the things that make me feel fabulous.

The ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned ~ Maya Angelou

*Focus on the Family post!