Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes.

I cut my hair. I think I even like it.

Who is ready for the Compliment Challenge?
I know there are a few interested. Cassie, I would love to get the sources of the other places you have heard of this. Fun.

All aboard!
Admission is free.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It is already tomorrow in Australia. ~Charles Schulz

Ready for a Challenge?

Who doesn't like a compliment? When I was growing up my awesome mom would sometimes feign deafness to hear a compliment from me twice. "Mom, your hair is just lovely today." Her face would clear and she would simply respond, "What?" with just the right amount of mock innocence. She is wonderful and as I have heard on more than one occasion she has students tell her to "Stop being so positive"- She knows how to find the bright side of almost any situation. Now, not all of you were lucky enough to have a momma like mine, but cheer up, I am sure your mom was great too.

Here is my initial idea for the challenge: Once a week for a certain number of weeks I want us to share positive things about our bodies and personalities. The first few weeks will be about physical appearance. For example- "I am totally hot" or "I love my legs. Not because I have cute legs, but because they are strong and get me around to the places I need to go." or "I have nice eyes."  The next batch of weeks would be about our inner self. For example- "I love that I am determined." or "I like that I love most people." The last weeks would be about looking for good in other people, appreciating a beautiful women instead of hating her, noticing the little things that others do for one another. For example- "I love seeing my neighbor with her kids because her example make me want to be a better parent." or "I saw someone go out of their way to help so-and-so do such-and-such". Maybe it would be easier to have a daily challenge that only lasts for a month.

I have a friend who stands in front of the mirror regularly and picks something she likes that may be underappreciated about her body. Mind you, she does this in the buff. A scary thought for me. Try it. I dare you. Instead of hiding from your body accept it, appreciate it. One of my goals this year is to be happy to be me. To be content with myself, comfy in my own skin.

Most people are beautiful and strong, but for many confidence is buried deep down where is is hard to reach. I think this "compliment challenge" will be hard, it will be personal, and maybe inspiring. There is a shortage of positive people. I want to read about women and men who love life, who find the positive things. I have often heard, "have an attitude of gratitude." I want to cultivate that within myself.

Time for me to ask for feedback. What do you think? What ideas do you have? Additions or subtractions? I want to get as many people participating as possible.

Who is in? Tell your friends.

What do you dream about?

Lately, I find myself daydreaming about time away from the children.

I dream about have a few days all on my own, Dave can join me if he wants. Can you even imagine having 2 days without children? Here comes the sad part, I dream about this time alone because I imagine all the cleaning I would be able to accomplish. I imagine all the things I could get caught up.

Sad, but true. Who dreams about cleaning. Maybe it is just because I am more relaxed when the house is clean. Does this make me a grown up? When did/what made you realize you were a boring grown up?

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Best friends with the environment.

I am using my first bottle of this.
So far so good.
It is good for the earth.
It seems to wash the clothes well.
It smells nice (scented with essential oils).
The clothes are soft- one of the few ingredients is a softener. 

On their website they sell the 210 oz for $20.50 but it is only $12.99 at costco!!!
1 bottle= 210 HE loads or 105 regular loads.
It is cheaper than regular Kirkland brand detergent.
Ingredients: 100% natural anionic coconut kernel oil-based surfactant, horsetail plant, lavender, coconut based fabric softener, essential oils of magnolias and lilies, purified water.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Holy Fetch

This is a fun website. I found it because of Sue.

Giveaways and Freebies

I want to win this and this, and I really, really, really want to win this.



Trying to Stay Calm is always giving away something.

I am not one who usually facebooks and blogs about giveaways, ok I do sometimes. Once in a while I just want to win something, so I figure, "what the heck"- and so well . . . I still won't win, but it is worth a shot. There are so many giveaways out there. I like to know I am going to get something for my efforts.... so one of my favorite websites about freebies is Freebies 4 Mom.

I don't always have or make time for blogging. I am not, what you would, call funny and I am sporadic in my blogging attempts. What I lack in motivation and talent for blogging my in-laws do not. My mom-in-law (she just posted about her 37th wedding anniversary!) and sisters-in-law (see how tricky I am? 2 links) give stuff away too, and when they don't have giveaways they are funny and informative.

I also enjoy The Sartorialist (thanks to Lindsay), because I am, obviously, so hip and fashion forward. The looks are sometimes ugly and entertaining, but I enjoy seeing the good ones. Do you watch Project Runway? I love that show.

What blogs do you really like? What goodness am I missing out on?

(Of course this is just the tip of the iceberg.... I have friends with great parenting sites, fun ideas, etc, but this is what my brain came up with on the spot. If I listed all the sites on my google reader we would be here all day and we don't want that, do we?)

You'll never guess.



We love our easel and were taking turns drawing things and guessing.
Can you guess the content of these wonderful drawings by Izzy? 



What is it? The other day Izzy's answer was always the same. 
A cat.
So here you see two of her 5 cat pictures. My kids have all the talent.