Toddlers and Tiaras....Here We Come!

I'm kidding...of course. My daughter is too OLD to be a toddler. She is a princess and loves anything girly and pink.

She saw these curlers in Target and she had to have them!

I think she's ready for her close-up!

Friday Daydreamin'...Halloween Past

Becca from R We There Yet Mom is changing things up this week and having a Halloween theme! Post your favorite or memorable Halloween picture!

iKeith and I had been dating for roughly 4 weeks when he invited me to his friends' annual Halloween Party.

Of course I picked out our costumes without consulting him.

We had a lovely time making out in the corner...causing quite a stir. And we ran into my sister who was dressed as a hooker. We tried to save her....

Sister Mary Connie

I'm Just a Little Crabby.

Dear Indian Restaurant,

When I called to place an order for delivery at 5:26pm, I did not expect you to make me wait 4 minutes and call back at 5:30pm because you don't deliver until after that. I'm pretty sure it took me 4 minutes to order my food. You are damn lucky that your food is fabulous.

Curriedly Yours,

Addicted to Korma

Dear Woman at Gymnastics, 

Did you seriously kick your 3 year old out of the car three blocks from home and make her walk because she was being *snotty*?  That sounds more like child abuse than this Love and Logic you mentioned.  Also, I can't make 20 peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the freezer for my hungry daughter.  She doesn't like peanut butter.  She has a high metabolism, needs snacks in between meals and I wouldn't dream of denying her food.  

P.S. Do you think perhaps you are over-scheduling your kids?  Tumbling, Swimming, Dance AND Rock Climbing?  Maybe that's why your daughter is snotty...she's tired!

Yours Truly, 

Mother of the freakin Year 

Dear Maintenance Man, 

Slow the heck down!  I could have killed you today in your little golf cart!  Did you notice that it's snowing?  

Yours Truly, 

Driver of the Silver Bullet

Dear Washer and Dryer in storage,

I miss you so much. I really missed you this week when Alex got sick and projectile vomited all over every blanket in the apartment. I hope that we will be reunited sooner rather than later.

Love Always,

Connie

Dear Gluten, 

What the heck?  Why don't you like me?  I love you and you keep rejecting me.  I think we have to break up because I don't like sitting in the bathroom all day.

It's not me, it's you.

Connie

Dear Bowel, 

Why so irritable?

Sincerely, 

Connie

Dear Immodium that expired in 2009, 

Thanks for still working. 

Your friend, 

Connie

Apple Remote Storage

I think Steve Jobs would be proud!

TTUT....New Shoes

Post number two!

Let's talk about shoes! 

I looked for boots for my fat calves for 3 weeks. I finally gave up when I found these adorable shoes from Jelly Pop!

They are kind of a rain shoe, kind of a loafer and RED!  I love them so much!  iKeith said they look like bowling shoes.  And then I punched him in the arm.

Have something you want to talk about?  Link up with Impulsive Addict and Shawn for Talk To Us Tuesday!

Two on Tuesday...ME!

I'll be posting TWO times today.  I hope you can handle the awesome! 

First..... 

Two on Tuesday with Andrea from My Chihuahua Bites!  

The topic is to share your two favorite pictures of yourself. Yes, yourself. Don’t be shy. It can be with other people, but I want it to include you. Why do you like those two pictures?

I dreamed for so many years of becoming a mom.  I had an amazing pregnancy and there was so much love in my delivery room.  This moment.....holding my baby for the first time, being a mother for the first time.  I will never forget this moment.

There aren't many pictures of me with my kids...I'm always the photographer.  But this picture of me and Mallory is one of my favorites!  I was feeling skinny in my Victoria Secret shirt and my hair looked great! 

Going Back In Time in Lakewood

We went out for donuts on Saturday morning. We never do that. But this week, it was Donuts for Dad's at our school and the kids were very upset that no one scheduled a fun day for them to eat donuts. What was I supposed to do? I couldn't let them be deprived....so off we went.

We needed to burn some major calories so we stopped at a little park near our home for some walking.

The kids pretended to be fire fighters. 

The Lakewood Heritage Center is such a cool place!  They take old buildings and houses from around the city, bring them here and refurbish them to their original splendor! It's like stepping back in time.

The best part is a real farm that they have brought to the park,  complete with windmill and water tower.  There are all kinds of old machinery, an outhouse, chicken coop and a clothes line!  My kids had no idea what the clothes line was for!

Isn't it gorgeous?? 

There is also a big red barn here.  I took the above picture from one of the windows opposite where Keith was holding Alex up to the window to look inside.  Look at the cool reflection!  I was really surprised when I downloaded this picture.

Imagine my surprise to find just inside the Lakewood Heritage Center is a small museum and this adorable little gift shop called the 20th Century Emporium! They had so many cool things and I saw something neat for just about everyone I know.


The Lakewood Heritage Center and Gift Shop are located at 801 S. Yarrow Street, Lakewood, Co. 

Who Wouldn't Want a Mommy Make Over?

I've always thought that if I had the resources, I would have plastic surgery to repair what has been destroyed having two children in one year. It's not pretty! The following is a guest post.

Following pregnancy and childbirth, many women - and perhaps even most - are dissatisfied with the physical effects on their bodies. Clearly, the physical stress of pregnancy and childbirth is great in nature, and can leave effects and consequences that last long into the future, or even effects which are permanent. Fortunately, many of the issues that new mothers commonly have with their bodies are correctible through plastic surgery. For example, here are a few of these issues described, as well as ways that people can address them.

Surprisingly, one of the common complaints that new mothers have is that they can sometimes begin to look exhausted. This seems like a temporary problem, but before you know it you may have semi-permanent bags under your eyes, or wrinkles that were not there before, simply because of the physical and emotional stress of raising an infant child. To address this problem, many women look into undergoing facelifts, which essentially use subtle surgery in order to tighten the facial region to preserve a youthful and healthy look.

Many women also find that their breasts are never the same after giving birth to children, and would prefer to have things back to how they were before. Breast augmentation is always an option in this situation, and this doesn't mean that you have to necessarily have larger implants put in. As you can read about at www.AboutPlasticSurgery.com, there are a number of different sizing and reconstructive surgical procedures that are available, some of which can be very helpful in restoring your breasts to their previous size and shape.

Weight loss can also be an issue for new mothers, as it is not always easy to drop all of the weight that is naturally gained during pregnancy. Of course, some of this weight will disappear perfectly naturally‚ however, a lot of women find that they are still significantly heavier having given birth to children. In this situation, there is nothing wrong with looking into a liposuction procedure, which can effectively remove excess fat and restore your body to the way it was before your pregnancy.

These are just a few of the many procedures commonly grouped together under the category of 'mommy makeover' plastic surgery. It is a simple fact that pregnancy leaves lasting effects in women's bodies, some of which can be annoying for the new mother. The procedures listed above, among others, can go a long way toward making you feel healthy and confident following your pregnancy. It is important to recover physically as much as possible following anything as stressful as childbirth.

Friday Daydreamin' : The Painted Lady

I promised you another Friday Daydreamin' vacation picture and I know you all have been waiting with bated breath for it. (what does that even mean?)

Two years ago, I went on a Family Vacation with ALL of iKeith's family. We rented a house on the lake in Wisconsin were Keith's Dad grew up. We had a great time seeing all of his old hang outs and hearing stories about his childhood.

iKeith couldn't wait to show the kids one of the docks on the lake.

This little beauty has been here for many years!  Isn't she pretty?

This week....I'm daydreaming about Lake Okauchee! 

Do you have a vacation memory that you'd like to share today?  Becca at R We There Yet Mom? is waiting for your post. 

R We In Georgetown Yet Mom?

I'm not here today! I'm playing with all of my new beauty products and guest posting over at R We There Yet Mom? Remember that trip to Georgetown I took a few weeks ago with my family and my brother husband? You can finally read all about it. And see my beautiful pictures!

GoGo Happy!

Last week I discovered a fabulous website called GoGo Girlfriend.  They are a make-up sample company and for the low low price of $12.95 a month, you get a box of goodies in your mailbox.  If that is too much goodness for you....they also offer a box every two months for $6.99 a month.

I was so excited to find my welcome box in the mail today...in fact I've been stalking my mailman since Monday.

Here is the box!

Inside:

• Modella Cosmetic Bag (PINK)
• GoGo Girlfriend So Soft New Fiber Optic Blush Brush
• Camille Beckman Travel Size Hand Therapy in Mango Beach
• Blossoms Natural Mineral Blush
• Urban Decay Loose Eye Shadow in Protest
• Comodynes Easy Peeling Exfoliating Towlette
• GoGo Girlfriend All Natural Soap in Cherry Almond (It smells Ah-MAH-Zing)
• Oluv Body Lotion
• Seche Vite Top Coat
• Orly Top Coat
• Tarte Lip Gloss

If you sign up.....and I know you will because OMG!!  Cool cosmetics in your mailbox once a month, use this link so that I get credit for turning you on to this awesome thing.  You deserve it!

My Bucket List

This is my entry in the Just Ask Bucket List Getaway Giveaway. Just Ask offers a breast and ovarian cancer screening and is encouraging people to share 15 things that I want to enjoy in my lifetime as a reminder to be aware of my health. Want to enter? Head over to TodaysMama.com to get the details.

A couple days ago, I added a tab on my blog for my lists.  I love lists because they are an excellent way to keep track of things.  I have a bad memory lately so lists have become an important way of remembering what I don't want forgotten.  I also believe in making lists of things you want and sending that information into the universe.  Sometimes, what you put out there...shows up on your doorstep!


This is a short version of my bucket list.  I also have a Foodie Bucket List on The Rookie Foodie.


Connie's Bucket List

• Own a house
• Have a garden big enough to plant white pumpkins
• Take my kids to Harry Potter World
• Lay on a beach
• Have a walk on role on The Young and The Restless
• Go on a cruise
• Eat my way through Portland
• Be PTA President
• Meet my best internet friends for a weekend trip
• See a broadway musical ON Broadway
• Sail a boat
• Visit London
• Walk into a Coach store and buy anything I want
• Go on a Caffeine Crawl
• Learn to knit

BING thinks I'm Crazy

Last week I updated my computer, iPhone and iPad to the new operating system.... iOS5.  If you are a MAC user, then you know what I'm talking about and you know that you spent a good part of your life swearing at your devices to hurry the heck up!

Side Note: I am not the proud owner of a new white iPhone4s and it's making me twitchy. I am not eligible to get the new iPhone4s until February because of Utah.  It's a long story and I don't want to get into it but yet again being a prisoner of Utah screwed me again.


Where was I?  Oh....right.  So you may also notice that as a parting gift to Microsoft, Steve Jobs (rest his soul) made it so that the default search engine is now BING.  No offense Steve....I love you and will be putting a framed picture of you in our home soon, but I don't really like BING.

And BING doesn't like me.

Take for example the search I just did using BING.  Yes, I misspelled a word but google usually realizes this and asks me if I mean the right word.  THANK YOU GOOGLE!

BING...just wants to insult me.

Friday Daydreamin': Between a Rock and a Soft Place

It's Friday so that means it's time to do a little daydreamin about vacations past! I thought that I was out of fun vacation pictures but I was soooo wrong. I found TWO but you don't get to see the other one until next week.

Once upon a time, two years ago this month. A little known blogger with no a small following went to her first blog conference. A little thing called Sitscation which has now morphed into the fabulous and amazing Bloggy Boot Camp!

After a long day of listening to many inspiring people talk about blogging...this little blogger needed to burn off some steam. She had a couple beers and when she was walking back to The Venetian Hotel....this happened.

The Rock is a lot hard than you would think.  And please notice where he has his hand!  

This week....I'm daydreamin' about Vegas Baby! 

I know you have a vacation picture you can share!  Link up with Becca at R We There Yet Mom!  

Things To Never Ask Your Spouse

I'm lacking inspiration this morning because I had my first Parent-Teacher Conference yesterday. I wish I could tell you that it went well. My heart is heavy today as I sort out what I need to do to help my son while hugging the ever loving sh*t out of him. Man! I love that kid!

So....Mama Kat is always so helpful to have prompts available to choose from. I selected:

List of 10 things you should never ask you spouse.

1. Who the hell is Pilar? Asked while looking at your husband's facebook friends.

2.  Do you know where your going?  Asked while he's driving.  Anywhere.

3.  Are you done yet?  No comment.

4.  What's that smell?  Asked in bed.

5.  Do you know what today is?  Asked on the anniversary of the day you watched the TV show Ed together and he realized that he loved you.

6.  Have you gained weight?  Asked when he accidentally tries to put your jeans on.


7.  How do I look?  Just...don't do it.

8.   Do we have to watch Mythbusters?  Self Explanatory


9.  What is your password?  Asked when trying to access his email to look for messages from Pilar.

10.  What, are you wearing? This is different than what at you wearing.  wink wink

Show Me The Money!

See these kids?

New Winter Coats

They want some cash.

Mallory....will do anything for money, is a good saver and knows what a quarter, dime, nickel and penny are.

Alex....doesn't like to work for money, loses it before he can save it and can't correctly identify a coin.  He also thinks that Obama is on the one dollar bill.

We recently decided that it's time for the kids to start learning about money, saving, budgeting and the government.  We want to raise them to be good little Republicans so we don't have to watch them holding signs on TV someday.

We've come up with a list of chores for them to do and they will be paid at the end of each month.  They will receive a paycheck with an explanation of the taxes that we took out and then we'll take them to the bank to cash it.  They will be required to save a portion of each check.

Side note: on April 15th we'll gather the taxes we've collected and let them watch as we flush the money down the toilet.

A few days ago, Mallory ended up with $2 and it was burning a whole in her pocket!  She needed to spend that money so I took her to JoAnn's craft store to see if she could find something.  I also gave her a 40% off coupon.

She bought a wooden birdhouse and 6 little pots of paint.

Mallory did the entire transaction all by herself and she was thrilled that she got .27 cents back!  But then she was mad at Daniel (the cashier) because her receipt says that she saved .40 cents.  I explained that she had to pay .13 cents in taxes on her purchases.  Now she's pissed at the State of Colorado!

And now she wants MORE DOLLARS!!

Mormons Have Taken Over

Best Buy!

For those of you that don't know. Mormon Missionaries generally wear black pants, white short sleeved shirts and black ties. Like this.

Chris Gorham playing a Missionary in The Other Side of Heaven

I had a strong desire to drink coffee after leaving Best Buy.

Friday Daydreamin: Fall Colors

I'm daydreaming today about seeing the fall colors last weekend!  Aspens turning are one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen!

This picture was taken from our room at The Ameristar Resort and Casino.  I wish I was there right now, enjoying a spa treatment or sitting on the 32nd floor patio with a drink in my hand!

Instead....I'm freezing my badonkadonk off and my daughter is throwing a fit while her cereal gets soggy.

Ameristar.....take me away!

Are you day dreaming about a trip you've taken? Link it up with Becca at R We There Yet Mom!

Book Review: How to be an American Housewife

When I visit Target, and my kids are looking at the toys that I’m not going to buy for them...I like to sneak across the isle and look at the books.  I picked up How to be an American Housewife by Margaret Dilloway a few weeks ago and it sounded like my kind of book.  Then my kids started fighting and I walked away without it.

I was thrilled when I saw that BlogHer Book Club had the book to review!  It was destiny!

This is the story of Shoko, a beautiful Japanese woman who escapes scandal and hopes for a better life by marrying an American GI, making a life in the United States by consulting a book called How to be an American Housewife.

We learn all about her new life in America and the family she created.  Her life doesn’t quite turn out the way she thought it would and becoming an American is difficult.

After coming to terms with her failing health, she asks her daughter Sue to return to Japan and help her fix the relationship with her brother who disowned her for marrying the enemy.

Sue makes the trip with her teenage daughter and is able to better understand her Mother by seeing where she came from.   Secrets are revealed and broken hearts are mended.

I really enjoyed this book because I could relate to Shoko’s desire to be a good housewife for her husband.  I went through something similar when I married iKeith.  I was encouraged by the improvement of Shoko and Sue’s relationship when Sue learned more about her Mother’s background.  I’m also a sucker for a happy ending!




I was compensated for this BlogHer Book Club review but all opinions expressed are my own.

Wordless Wednesday: Big Balls

Adventures With Robert: The Gift Shop