Fred

My husband and my son share the same name.....with my father in law. My father in law is the only one that goes by Fred....Keith goes by his middle name and Alex goes by a version of Fred that I'm not allowed to talk about because iKeith won't let me use his REAL name on my blog.

This naming my kid the THIRD....has turned out to be the biggest pain in the butt. At the time, I thought it was cool to carry on this name but it's easy for people to get mixed up when you all share the same name and live in the same town.

And when one of you has horrible credit. Just sayin....

I'm dreading that first day of kindergarten when everyone is trying to call Alex, Fred. I'm trying to prepare him for it but he doesn't understand. Can I rename him?

Three Guys Named Fred

Happy Octoberfest!

Beer....it's what's for breakfast!

What I Learned This Week

Things I learned this week:

I learned that if I am extra naughty in the bedroom...my husband will completely lose his mind and take me to an expensive store and buy me clothes.

I learned that my husband and I don't have the same style ideas for me and he'd like to be married to a 60 year old woman that wears houndstooth pants.

I learned that White House Black Market will take anything back for 60 days and if you exchange your houndstooth pants and simple black pumps for rockin sexy jeans and red snake-skin stilettos and the total is less than your husband spent they will load the balance onto a gift card for you to use at another time.

I learned that I can make friends anywhere, anytime...as long as I have a glass of red wine in my hand. Must find adult sippy cup for the park and library.

I learned that I am still a bitch on wheels and anyone that tries to wrong me should take a lesson from Dave and Devin.

I learned that Alex wants to marry Mallory and that he'd like to take her to Canada someday.

I learned that I can't be friends with my brother in law.  I've tried and our Virgo-Aires dynamic just doesn't work.

I learned that if I take the kids to the store that I will be in too big of a hurry and will accidentally buy maxi pads that are a foot and a half long...with wings.  I believe I can fly!

I learned that if my husband needs to take his car to the shop...I should make him take the bus because he's kind of a jerk in the morning.

I learned that one of my children loves the library and one of them does not.  I also realized that I haven't had a library card since I was in high school.

I learned that my mother in law would rather play World of Warcraft than spend time with her grandchildren.

I learned that my husband still dreams about his old girlfriend.  I wish he would learn not to tell me when he does.

I learned that I love Oprah's Book Club selection Freedom by Jonathan Franzen (available on Kindle and iBook)

I learned that I never listened to the radio in the car while living in Utah and my daughter didn't know what the radio was and why people were talking instead of singing.

What did you learn this week?

Riding The Storm Out

Back in Utah...I tried to join a club for Moms. It didn't work out. iKeith tried to tell me that I was too old for the Utah demographic because most Mormon girls start their families right out of high school and I also probably wasn't carrying a nice enough diaper/handbag.

Whatever!

My children desperately need friends. iKeith has tried to infiltrate the local click here at the apartment complex when he and the children go out for walks. He met a young Mom (the ring leader) with two kids that were the same age as Alex and Mallory but we don't fit in with this demographic either because we're educated. For example...this woman's husband was at the pool the other night when a wind storm hit. I watched him holding an umbrella attached to one of the tables and it appeared that he was having trouble closing it in the storm. iKeith arrived home and I told him that I thought this man needed help because he'd been in this position for over 10 minutes.

iKeith rushed to the pool and offered this man help.....but he said he didn't need it. He was just holding the umbrella and was going to ride the storm out.  So then we listened to this song for an hour and laughed at that guy.




A few weeks ago, I decided that I was going to join the local chapter of this club for Mom's and come hell of high water they were going to like me no matter how old I am or what color my purse is.

I went to the website and found there was a chapter for a neighboring zip code but not for MY zip code and the message clearly stated if you are not in the 4 listed zip codes then don't bother contacting us.

I'm not one to break rules or not do what I'm told so I shelved the idea and started looking for apartments in the right zip codes.  Then a few days later...my friend Denise suggested that I look into this club for Mom's because it really helped her when her kids where small.  I explained the situation and she told me she has a friend who has a friend in that chapter and she'd help get me in.

I was all over this idea until I told iKeith about it and he said, 'Are you sure this is the best way to make friends?  By forcing this group to take you?'  Damn him and his wet blanket!

I had already emailed the chapter and asked to be admitted even though I didn't live in their zip code.  There was emailing back and forth and then I was handed off to someone else and they wanted to know why I wasn't trying to get into the chapter that WAS in my zip code.

As far as I knew from their website...my zip code didn't have one.  I apologized and said that I'd gladly join that club if they could just tell me how to get ahold of them.  A few days later I received an email that contained the name of the president of the local chapter with her phone number.  She doesn't have an email address and the chapter doesn't have a website.

I've put off contacting this person because I now face being rejected by a new demographic.  People that don't have iPhones and don't tweet or facebook. I'd be willing to be that they don't BLOG either. These are probably not my people.  I'm really trying to avoid a conversation like this one.

I think I'll just ride this storm out until I move to a better zip code!

Brad....I've Forgiven You

I think after the Jake fiasco.....I said that I was never going to watch The Bachelor again.  Never, never, never.

I'm gonna have to take that back.

It looks like they've announced the NEXT bachelor and it's.....

wait for it....

it's gonna be leg- en- dary!

I'm back!

It's Brad Womack!  The most hated bachelor in history!!! In 2007...this guy, didn't pick anyone!  He said....No thank you in his sexy Texas drawl and he went on his merry way.  It looks like he's STILL unlucky in love because he's back!

I have to tell you.  I was really mad at him for about 3 years.  I loved DeAnna and I was furious with him for dumping her when she thought she was the one!  But then Jake was such a douche...that I forgave Brad.  Just in time I say!

Welcome Back Brad!

EDITED: I read this on US WEEKLY's website this morning....and if US WEEKLY is reporting it...then it MUST be true.  :)

Reason #15 Why You Need an iPad

You can watch Dancing with the Stars on your ABC app (it's FREE) in the kitchen while preparing dinner. Just keep it far enough away from the pans so that you don't splash any oil on it.

Dancing with the People We've Never Heard of Before.

Did anyone watch The Event last night?  It feels a lot like LOST to me.  And I have a mad crush on Jason Ritter.  MAD!!  As in I might be replacing Chris Gorham with him. 

I Luv Jason Ritter

My construction zone post has been updated HERE.

What IS Second City?

Last week I won tickets to a show on twitter. I love twitter!!

The contest was put on by Denver Center for the Performing Arts and the tickets were for The Second City Comedy show.  I'd been hearing good things about it and it was on my wish list of shows I wanted to see.

I was so excited when I won the tickets because you know how much I love the theater AND I love to laugh!  We started off by having drinks at The Corner Office...right across the street from the Garner Galleria Theatre and we had the pleasure of having Alex for a bartender.

I was having a lovely time until we discovered that Alex was old young enough to be my son.  It was then that I realized I really need to stop flirting with bartenders because it's now becoming inappropriate.

We arrived at the Second City Show and found out that you can drink through the entire show!  I drowned my sorrows in Merlot and we made friends with the people that we were seated with.  We found out that they were there to celebrate their 6th wedding anniversary.

The show is very funny and I highly recommend it to anyone...unless you are easily offended.  If you can take a joke and let things roll off your back...then you should see this show.  If you are a member of The Tea Party...you should stay home.

There was a wonderful improv part of the show where they used this older gentleman from the audience and built the skit around his answers to a series of questions.  It was so hilarious that my stomach is sore today from laughing.

As the show was wrapping up and the actors were getting ready to do their last number.  My husband hollers up to the stage and asks WHAT DOES SECOND CITY MEAN?

I was really thankful that we were seated at tables so that I could crawl under ours.  My husband is a very smart man....how could he not know what Second City is?  The actor that was on stage answered his question and moved on....and then the rest of the cast came out and were looking out into the crowd to see who the simpleton was.

I joked around with my new friend Lori that we've both been married for 6 years and it's extremely obvious which one of us has two small children at home.  Look how fabulous she looks!

Can you tell that I'm drunk pants?

After the show...we asked our new friends to come have a drink at one of our favorite bars and we ended up telling them our dating story....in a he said/ she said fashion.  We think they liked us...because they asked for our phone number.  I hope they call...and that Lori wasn't offended when iKeith called her Cher.  If I could turn back time....

Keith and I are officially on the prowl for friends!


The Second City is a long-running improvisational comedy enterprise which originated in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood.

The Second City Theatre opened on December 16, 1959 and has since expanded its presence to several other cities, including Toronto and Los Angeles. The Second City has produced television programs in both the United States and Canada including SCTV, Second City Presents, and Next Comedy Legend, as well as being heavily involved in the creation of the satirical 1969 sci-fi film "The Monitors." Since its debut, Second City has consistently been a starting point for comedians, award winning actors, directors, and others in show business.
Top 10 Second City Alumni


Bill Murray
Tina Fey
John Belushi
Stephen Colbert
Chris Farley
Steve Carell
John Candy
Dan Aykroyd
Mike Meyers
Amy Poehler


In case you missed it...I revealed my new kitchen on Friday Night! 

Foodie Subway Art and Kitchen Re-Do

You may remember that my little galley kitchen is super duper beige. I was trying to think of things to punch it up a little bit and I think I've succeeded.

Two of my favorite colors are red and turquoise....so I knew that these were the colors that I wanted to use in my kitchen re-do!  I've also been wanting to make one of these Subway Art Projects ever since I saw them on Tattertot's and Jello. By the way, if you are not familiar with Jen and her crafting magic....you need to make yourself familiar.  I made mine with a Foodie theme!  What do you think?

I also sewed some curtains for the window and just that part alone made a big difference!  

Look at this awesome fabric I found at JoAnns!  I love it so much!

Oprah...The Farewell Season

I've been Oprah-fied!

Are you watching the final season of Oprah? Is she going to make us cry every day with all of these montages and sad songs?

I love you Oprah!

Eight is my Favorite Number.

Becca at The Texas Darlings tagged me with a fun meme....she wants me to answer these 8 questions and tag 8 friends.  She made some great questions for me...here we go!

1. Where were you born?  and your parents?  what is your ancestry?

 My Minnesota born and raised parents moved to San Francisco after they were married and became pregnant with me while they were living in China Town.  They moved to Denver just 4 months before I was born.  My Dad is full blood Swede and my Mom is German and Norwegian. 

2. What is your least favorite memory from those awkward high school days?

Oh my gosh...in 4th grade I was bulled by a girl that lived a few blocks away from me and she would yell at me from across the street as we walked home from school. She got what was coming to her when she got her period in 6th grade while wearing white pants and her mother wouldn't come to school and pick her up.  Karma.....

3. Grab your favorite photo you have ever taken.  Tell us why it's your favorite.

I took this picture in 2009 when the kids and I went to the Ogden Nature Park with my friend Monica and her family.  We had a fabulous time that day and the kids saw deer for the first time.  Monica was my first friend in Utah and she was a lifeline for me.  I miss her. 

4. What song instantly picks you up and makes your day go even better?

Funkytown by Lipps, Inc. 

5. How did you and your husband meet?  Tell us the love story!

 We met on eHarmony, had a couple dates and then he stopped calling me.  Turns out he was trying to decide between me and two women that he worked with.  I told him we should just be friends. A few days later, fate brought us both to a mountain bar at the same time...except that he brought a date.  He flirted with me and I told him to buzz off.  A few days later we realized that  fate had brought us together and we've been together ever since. You can read the whole story here.

6. What is your favorite snack?

Smoked Almonds!

7. What was your first concert?  Tell us what you remember about it!

My first concert was George Strait when I was 19 and I drove all the way to Cheyenne to see him.  I remember that there were drunk cowboys in front of us and even though I'm rather tall it was hard to see over their cowboy hats.

8. What makes you the happiest?

I'm the happiest when my husband is doing work that's he's proud of and enjoys, and my children are healthy and being loving to each other....and when I get the time to do things for myself without feeling guilty about it. 

And....my eight questions for my eight friends.

1. Share a favorite memory from one of your birthdays. Why is it so special to you?

2. What kind of birthday cake do you like?

3. What color was your childhood bedroom?

4. What is your dream job?

5. What is your favorite vacation destination?

6. What is your favorite movie?

7. What is your favorite recipe to make in the winter?

8. What do you love about blogging?


My eight fabulous friends!

Jennifer at Momma Made it Look Easy because I love her writing!

J.J. at I'd Rather Be Laughing because she's an awesome blogger and appears to have writers block.

Bobbi at Bobbi in La La Land because she's my sister and I love her.

Annie at Annie Weighs because we're trying to losing weight together.

Denise at Eat Play Love because she's my new best friend!

Jennifer at Harried Mom of Four because she helped me lose weight this week and she loves coffee.

Amanda at Family of Shorts because she's a fun blogger and she's so funny!

Liz at Sugarplum Creations because I love her beautiful family and she makes me want to be a better mom.

How I Spent My 40th Birthday

We started the day at the Rocky Mountain PBS Kid's Fun Fest.  It's the biggest free family party in Colorado!  There is a bouncy house, a climbing wall, a stage coach, an Urban Farm (aka...petting zoo) and guest appearances from Curious George, The Cat in the Hat and Clifford the Big Red Dog.  I won't tell you how many children I had to knock down to get my picture with Clifford.

There was an incident at the bounce house that has our house divided at the moment.  After I tell you about it...please take the poll on the right hand sidebar.  We were waiting in line for the bounce house for around 30 minutes.  It was one of the most popular attractions there and the kids were being very well behaved even though we had to stand in the sun.  Mallory was so excited because it was her first time to enjoy the pleasure of the bounce house. Finally...we were next and we were about to step up onto the mat to remove the kids shoes when a woman came running up with 3 kids and cut in line.  Her husband had been standing in line in front of us for his family.

I told my children (rather loudly) that I was sorry but they were not NEXT.  The Dad said he was sorry but that his kids won't stand in line that long.  I told him that my kids had to...why shouldn't his.  And then iKeith told the Dad that we understand...blah blah blah.  I thought it was incredibly rude and inconsiderate to all of us that waited in line and that it teaches HIS children that they don't have to wait, or do any work to get what they want.  What do you think?

And then I flashed about 30 people who were waiting in line to sit in the Stage Coach. When Alex sat on my lap...about 4 of my buttons slipped out of their holes and when I got out of the stage coach my shirt was unbuttoned to my waist!! Oops.


As we were walking back to the car we saw this on the sidewalk and I got really excited about how iKeith and I were going to celebrate my birthday later that night.

Clever Advertising!

Uncle Andrew babysat the kids for us and we started the evening at Sketch Wine Bar.  click here to see pictures and details about what we ate. It's a really fun wine bar in a historic neighborhood in Denver.  We had a great time drinking wine and magic sangria, eating meat and cheese and talking to people that came and sat at the bar.

Soon it was time to head over to the Curious Theater to see Dead Man's Cell Phone. It's a community theater but with amazing professional actors, that has made it's home inside an old church that was built in 1880.  It is a cozy and intimate setting with an orchestra and balcony area.   Curious is in their 13 year and they have been awarded a Best Theater Award by 5280 Magazine.

We were 6th row center which was perfect!  I was so happy and excited because this was only my second play.  I've seen many, many musicals but only one play....this was one reason that I really wanted to see a stage performance for my birthday.  Because you know I'm all about trying new things.

I loved the play!  Seeing a story unfold with real people right before your eyes is an exciting experience.  This is an odd ball comedy about a mousey woman that discovers the man at the table next to her has died and his cell phone is ringing...and ringing.  This woman takes it upon herself to keep answering his cell phone as she informs people that call of this man's passing and she begins to tell stories to help comfort the people he's left behind.  She also becomes accepted into the dead man's family and helps them deal with their loss....even though she's mostly lying to them. 

It was opening night so as part of our theater experience we were invited to an after party with the cast.  I was scared to go inside but iKeith convinced me that I'd be sorry if I let my fear of walking to a room full of strangers stop me.

I'm so glad I went!  I was able to meet and talk to all of the cast, the director and the owner of the theater.  I even walked right up to a gal and talked to her because she was wearing knee high socks and ended up having a wonderful conversation with her.

William Hahn plays the Dead Man

Emily Davies plays the mousey woman.

Scott Bellot plays Dead Man's Brother

It was the perfect birthday!  I'm so glad that I had this experience on my 40th birthday....it's a night I'll not soon forget and I'm excited that we found this theater because we can't wait to go back and see more plays there.

40 Ain't So Bad....

When you have a giant margarita.

On Turning 40...

Vince Vaughn. Uma Thurman. Heather Graham.  Matt Damon.  Tiny Fey.  Claudia Schiffer. Kelly Ripa. Leah Remini.  Kirk Cameron.  Padma Lakshmi.  Mini Driver. Queen Latifah. Jamie Kennedy. Deborah Gibson.  All of these people turn 40 this year.

Seize The Day!

I feel like turning 40 (my birthday is Saturday) should be a be a big event or a turning point or a moment when I have complete clarity.  I might be expecting too much from it.  The last 10 years have been good to me.  Three weeks before I turned 30 I completely changed my life.  Left my husband and started a new life.

And here I am again...starting over it seems.  I still have the same husband but our lives just took a new turn and it feels like a fresh start and a new beginning.

The question is...what am I going to do with this fresh start?

It would appear that I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.  So many of my dreams that I never thought would come true have...married to a great guy, kids....being a stay at home mom.  It feels like I don't have the right to ask for more than that.

Do I?


If this is the half way point of my life...what am I going to do with the rest of it?

The truth is that I'm very happy with my life.  There is very little that I'd like to change (besides not living in this apartment), although I'd like to be healthier and more active...and I'm working on that.  Last year, I made a list of 39 things to do before I turned 40 and I got 19 of those things done.

This year I decided that there are things I want to learn.....and each month I will tackle a new skill.

September ~ Learn about football and the players on the Denver Broncos.

October~  Learn to paint

November ~ Learn to knit

December ~ Learn to make Sushi

January ~ Learn to bake with yeast....bread, cinnamon rolls, pretzels.

February ~ Learn to make French Macaroons.

March ~ Learn to make pasta.  eye roll

April ~ Learn to play poker. iKeith thinks I should learn to play BlackJack because Poker is a game of skill.  PAY ATTENTION! PA-LESE!  I said I wanted to learn SKILLS!

May ~ Learn to climb a rock wall.  iKeith said I'd need to lose 40 pounds to climb a wall. 

June ~ Learn to run...complete Couch to 5K and run a 5K race. eye roll

July ~ Learn to Can...veggies and jam.  why?

August ~ Learn to dance with iKeith.  iKeith will not take lessons with me so I'll be asking Robert to take them with me.

EDITED: I shared this list with iKeith tonight and he rolled his eyes at many of my skills that I want to acquire....so I'm adding his comments.

Scenes From a Dream Job

I was really excited on Saturday when iKeith said we could go to LoDo (LOwer DOwntown) and see his office.  He's taken a couple pictures of his desk but I wanted to see the big picture.  It's a beautiful loft with a giant skylight in the middle.  It feels like a very creative place!

Seeing this space that he spends so much time in and how cool it is...made the apartment situation feel worth it.  But I'm also a little jealous. 

Downstairs from his office are a couple bars...in one of them the bartender (Alice) already knows his name.  I'm not sure this is a good thing.  I prefer the Irish Pub.

 On his walk to the parking lot he passes this place....a medicinal marijuana store.  We saw some gentlemen leaving the store that looked quite healthy. 

 His office is also two blocks away from Coors Field!  

I can't wait to show you what he's been working on!  

Soon.....

Climbing Red Rocks...and Coffee

Good Morning! I'm headed to Red Rocks this morning with my friend Denise to climb the stairs. It's one of the items on my before I turn 40 list and we're going to tackle it!

And then I'm going to get some coffee.  To see what I did this morning and video of a hot chick...click HERE.

Speaking of coffee....I had my first cup of Keurig coffee at iKeith's office yesterday and I'm in love! I must find a way to get one these machines!

My Favorite iPad Apps

I wasn't going to post today....but my last post was number 6.6.6 so....I can't let that hang out there like that and invite the devil in.  DEVIL...you are not welcome on my blog.

Today I'm going to tell you about my favorite iPad applications.  My friend Jessica just got a new iPad and I haven't had time to really tell her what apps are the best.  I blame Sanjay for this.

Also..over there on the right...the BlogHer people are giving away Newman's Own Pizza prize packs.  

Netflix....

I'm sure you already have a Netflix account so this one is a no brainer.  There are many movies and TV shows available to watch on your iPad.  This will also come in handy when Ryan is older and likes to watch movies.  My kids are addicted to Veggie Tales on the iPad right now....

ABC....

As a new Mom...I know you watch a lot some TV since it's harder to leave the house with a baby.  If you are a fan of Grey's Anatomy, Bachelor Pad, Desperate Housewives and Castle...this will become your new favorite.  You will never miss your ABC shows again.  I'm about to start watching All My Children because I need more Afternoon Delight in my life.


Twitter for iPad...


I know you don't tweet...but I think you should reconsider. Twitter is a great way to keep up on current events and breaking news...and I sometimes tweet after I've taken a sleeping pill and I'm told it's kind of entertaining.

iBook...

I love to read and iBook is my favorite app for buying and reading books. It has a built in dictionary for all of the hard words that I don't know and you can highlight passages to refer to later.


Instapaper

This is one of my favorite apps of all time. Because I love to research stuff and I come across lots of great websites that I'd either like to refer back to later or I don't have time to read right that minute. This app will save websites and make it so you can read the pages later on your iPad.

Feedler

This is the app you want for reading blogs from your reader.

Epicurious...

I know you like to cook and this is a great app for finding recipes.  It shows the ingredients and directions side by side so you can take your iPad into the kitchen with you.  I love that you can email a copy of the recipe to yourself or your friends.

Kayak...

I love to plan trips and check on fares to cities I'll never visit.  LOL!  Someday....

Zinio...

I love magazines and some of my favorites are available for subscription.  The only downside is that I can't tear out the pages of stuff I like but instead I make nots on my NOTES app.

iJournaler...

I love to keep a journal, as you know.  I love this one but I need to make time to write in it.

Angry Birds...

I love Angry Birds.  I stayed up many a night past my bedtime playing this game and Alex is excellent at this one.  Often times when I get stuck...he kills the piggies for me.

Words with Friends

I had never played scrabble before so this app was challenging but addicting! Invite me to play a game...my user name is ConnieWeiss.

GLEE...

Yes...there is a GLEE app.  Do you want to be on the show?  Now you can...just sing into the app alone, with friends or with the cast and it makes you sound amazing!