And Starring As Herself...MRSRKFJ

Couch to 5K Week 2

2013-05-21T08:43:00.000-04:00

Week Two was rough!

The weather was overcast so lounging in bed was extra tempting.

I managed to slug my way through each workout, motivating myself with the thought of how good it will feel to finish my races. I also had a mini celebration. At one point I was ready to quit and went to shut my apps off to realize I was at my last set of run/walk combo! That was a real biggie for me. It's nothing for me to channel my inner Steven Slater and quit this b*tch, but I pulled through and finished.

(source)

The workout this week was about 28 minutes. To make myself do at least 30 minutes, I walked at a brisk pace for five minutes then began the apps training.

Week 2 instructs you to warm up for five minutes, then three times jog 90 seconds, walk 90 seconds, jog 90 seconds five times. I know I need new sneaks. My feet were killing me! I also plan to incorporate alternate days of stationary bike riding on my off days. Summer gave a preview and I am FAR from ready.

Batman was my outfit for the week and the following were the tunes I listened to:

You Sexy Thing

Brass Monkey

Modern Love

Magic Carpet Ride

Mercy

Keep on Walking

Doo Wop (That Thing)

Paparazzi

Takeaways for this week:

1. Stay hydrated.
2. No one cares if your breathing is ragged. Everyone in the gym is there for the same reason.
3. Stretching feels oh so good!

My week per Nike:

A Non-Trekkie Reviews Star Trek Into Darkness

2013-05-19T15:09:00.002-04:00

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

The New Star Trek is highly entertaining even for this non Star Trek fan.

My sister, her guy, The Teen, Bubbles!, and I headed to an evening showing of Star Trek Into Darkness. It was THIRTY ONE DANG DOLLARS to see the movie. Bootleg DVD Man is looking much better. Ticket price and my butt feeling numb (the movie clocks in at 127 minutes) aside, I thought the movie a decent flick. There were shades of other movie themes stitched throughout, most notably Batman and Bond.

What's up with the black and white surrounded by destruction?

WARNING, THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS

The movie begins with Captain Kirk and Bones running from a tribe of white encrusted folks. Kirk is being the man-child he is, not following orders, hamming it up because he can.

Bones bitches.

Dammit, Jim I'm a doctor! Why am I on the away team?

Meanwhile Uhura, Sulu, and Spock are trying to place a detonator into an active volcano to save the crusty natives. Sulu is all Sweet Brown "Ain't nobody got time for this!" because the heat is damaging their vessel and wants to leave, but Spock insists on going in because that's his orders. Spock places the detonator, the crew escape no one hurt.

Light classical music plays as a husband and wife visit their daughter in the hospital. We know the kid is seriously sick because the parents replace a worn stuffed animal with a fresh looking one. The music turns more frantic and menacing as a stranger approaches the dad and says he can cure his kid.

Kirk and Spock are summoned to Rear Admiral Pike. Kirk is delusional, thinking he’s getting a plum assignment. Spock cautions Kirk to chill, but since Kirk is a borderline sociopath, he ignores Spock and goes to Pike confident and prepared for a promotion. Pike busts all kinds of bubbles by quoting from Spock’s report and demoting Kirk. Kirk gets pissed at Spock and does a slow burn. Pike clucks at Kirk about him having potential and other stuff people say to children then dismisses Kirk.

Meanwhile, Dad has jumped at the chance to save his kid but in return he has to plant a bomb in Star Fleet London. The building explodes and a scream ends the scene.

Kirk is boozing it up at a dive bar and is about to chat up some chick when Pike blocks and morphs into M clucking over James Bond. He repeats again about Kirk’s potential and how he convinced them to put Kirk back on his ship as second in command. He updates Kirk about the bomb and the two head back to command to discuss how to handle this attack.

Is this a dress?

No Madea! This time, RoboCop is on hand to administer instructions.

RoboCop, er Admiral Marcus, discloses that the mystery man is rogue ex-employee, John Harrison. While RoboCop breaks down his plan to reign hell-fire, Kirk zones out. I know at this point we're supposed to see Kirk as this maverick bad boy, but I question: how does this man-child, who barely finished Star Fleet Academy, manages to see something that a table full of experienced officers haven't caught? My thought -why is there a table full of officers? Wouldn't it be wise to keep them separate? Even The Boy has insight into this, explaining how Coca Cola won't allow the only two people who know the secret formula on the same plane for fear that if the plane crashes the formula dies with them.

Just as Kirk explains his revelation, Harrison unleashes a wave of gunfire attacking the officers. In the shoot out, Pike dies, and Kirk declares his intention to get revenge. RoboCop gives his blessing for Kirk to kill Harrison.

Bones Bitches.

Dammit, Jim. You were just in a massive shoot-out!

The crew of the Enterprise prepares to locate Harrison who has taken refuge on the Klingon planet Kronos. Even I know Klingons aren't to be trifled with. The original gang is assembled: Uhura channels a Terry McMillan character and gives Spock all kinds of attitude. Scotty says Hell to the NO! about flying with torpedoes and quits. Chekov has a slightly better hair cut. There's some other odd looking folks dotted about the ship and a blonde chick who joins the crew which causes Zoe Saldana to stay relevant by claiming to be androgynous.

Since Uhura is the only one who speaks Klingon, she, Kirk, Spock, and two dudes who will surely die dons leather jackets and head to the planet.

Black leather SCREAMS ish just got deep

As they go off to face death, Uhura thinks this is the best time to give Spock hell about his decision to almost die in the beginning of the movie. Spock waxes poet about how he chooses not to feel and some other stuff.

Uhura tries to reason with the head Klingon who is about to show Uhura how many effs he gives about human issues when Harrison shoots everything in site. Kirk tries to beat the snot out of Harrison, but Uhura stops him. Then Spock says that 72 torpedoes are ready to blast away and Harrison willingly goes back to the Enterprise.

In his glass cell, Silva taunts Bond:

Rather Harrison breaks it down this way:

RoboCop has Netflix and saw a movie called Demolition Man. So he was inspired to unfreeze Harrison and his people so he would be able to start a war, but with less lame style.

Hot Stuff!

Kirk vows to get justice and tries to return to Earth, but the ship won't start. Chekov is in full panic mode because the ship is all kinds of messed up. Harrison reveals his real name is Khan, and gives Kirk coordinates to check out. Kirk pages Scotty and asks him to check it out. Scotty grumbles, but travels out, realizing that RoboCop has created a war ship. Scotty manages to sneak aboard this sophisticated military vessel unnoticed.

RoboCop shows up and demands Khan. Kirk and Khan travel through space to board the ship and take RoboCop out. Sulu is given the Captain's chair and immediately sets a course for White Castle.

It's some back and forth, RoboCop dies, Kirk gets his butt kicked, Blondie gets injured. Bones bitches.

Dammit Jim, it's a Tribble!

The ship is still messed up, so Scotty reveals someone needs to activate the Omega 13.

Never give up. Never surrender.

Kirk makes another selfish decision and kicks the crap out of a broken radiation something that gets the ship flying again. Everyone but the damn doctor gathers to watch Kirk and Spock do some weird Frodo and Sam goodbye before Kirk dies.

Spock has enough sense to know he needs help so he calls Original Spock for advice. Original Spock is all "that Khan is a bad mother shut your mouth!". New Spock gets spooked and follows Khan to earth where they battle it out a top of a train a la Bond style.

Two weeks later Kirk wakes up and Spock reveals that he got Khan. Rather than destroy Khan, they froze him and his crew and put them into storage for movie three or four.

Slurm, Anyone?

A year later and Kirk is reading a speech. He’s convinced Star Fleet to let the crew of the Enterprise wander through space on a mission to do whatever it is that they did on the television series. Uhura is no longer pissed at Spock, Chekov is back on the bridge, Sulu gets kicked out of the Captain's chair, Blondie has a hat, Scotty yells at his little companion.

And Bones bitches.

Dammit Jim, the show was cancelled!

Did you see the new Star Trek? What movies did it make you think of?

Couch to 5K, Week One

2013-05-15T17:32:00.000-04:00

Reading about my sister's time at The Broad Street Run, I've been motivated to lace up my Nike's and hit the road. Stepping back on the treadmill I remembered how much I enjoyed the time I spend running, my tunes and my breathing keeping me on task.

Running and yoga are two exercises that have proven to help me lose weight. It also helps keep my anxiety at bay and gives me some ME time.

Last week I completed week one of Couch to 5K.

I use the Run 5k – Interval Training Coach from Felt Tip, Inc app along with my Nike+ app.

The program is designed to gradually get couch potatoes off of the couch. If the program is followed as planned, in eight weeks I’ll be able to run 3.1 miles without stopping. Why am I so confident that this time I’ll be successful? For one, I’m no longer competing with the image of what I’m supposed to be doing. Rather than focus on speed, I focus on my breathing, correcting my posture, and keeping a stride that doesn't injure me. I focus on being IN THE MOMENT and not running to "get it over with". It also helps that during my run I can watch My Name is Earl and the massage chairs or hydro bed waits for me when I'm done.

For those who want to follow the program, below is the workout for Week One:

Warm-up 5 minutes, then do the following 5 times: jog 45 seconds, walk 90 seconds, jog 45 seconds, walk 60 seconds.

This workout lasts about 29 minutes.

Wardrobe for Week One was Cowboys Blue.

Week One Tunes:

Apache

Zero to Hero

Tonight Tonight

Boogie Shoes

THIS IS FREE - Get it today!
Cabaret

Blame it on the Boogie

F**k You

Wanna Be Startin’ Something

Crazy

Ground Zero

Even though my mind and body felt I could do more, I stuck to the planned workout. One of the things that derailed me in the past was trying to do more than I should because I felt I SHOULD.

My week per Nike.

I've listed three reasons to keep up the great work:

1. Summer is five weeks away.
2. The Zombie Apocalypse
3. Building the Magic...

For Smiles that Dazzle, @Invisalign has the Answer #ad

2013-05-13T12:08:00.000-04:00

***DISCLAIMER***
While I was compensated to write this post, the views are solely my own.

If eyes are the window to the soul, then a smile is the window to your heart.

A smile can be coy, mischievous, or inviting. I have always been told my smile was an invitation. It makes strangers feel at ease, it calms a crying child, and melts The Mister’s heart. My smile has been called “dazzling!”

Invisalign has a product to help everyone get a dazzling smile.

Braces used to evoke images of Marcia Brady:

(source)

Or the kid in gym class who refused to play volleyball for fear of getting hit in the mouth.

Today's braces aren't your Mamma's braces.

Say Ahh!

Invisalign has patients smiling with confidence. Using modern technology, Invisalign uses a set of aligners created for each individual patient that allows the teeth to gradually shift into place. Every two weeks a new set is given to the patent until treatment is complete. There aren't any visits to the orthodontist, no tightening, and no missed meals. These clear braces aren't noticeable to most so wearers can straighten their teeth and not broadcast to the world.

Invisalign has a variety of options for people. Invisalign Teen is available to pre-teens and teenagers during the crucial phase of puberty. One of the benefits I liked is the flexibility with removal. The aligners can be removed for brushing, flossing, and meals. Children now have freedom with their meal choices and parents aren't at odds with fights about oral hygiene. Plus, no brace mouth: the little line on teeth from the braces covering a portion of the enamel.

What impressed me the most about the product was how the technology has evolved to match today's patient. Digital imaging is used to take dental impressions and then a computer rendering is made to estimate what level of treatment as well as the length of time may be necessary. It's no longer a guessing game for the time of treatment.

For many kids, braces are a part of being a kid. With Invisalign, it just may be possible to have this part a little less shiny.

For your own dazzling smile, visit the Invisalign site. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

***DISCLAIMER***

While I was compensated to write this post, the views are solely my own.

McCafe Mom

2013-05-08T09:27:00.000-04:00

My first "real" job was working at the McDonald's in the Gallery.

I remember my first paycheck, a whopping $17.85. I couldn't have been more proud of my own money.

I am just as pleased to be a McCafe Mom. As a McCafe Mom, not only will I have an opportunity to give my opinion on McDonald products, but I also get to talk about the Ronald McDonald House.

From their site:

The Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House supports families of seriously ill children by creating a community of comfort and hope.

Through Scouts, both children have had an opportunity to volunteer at The Ronald McDonald house. The Teen and Bubbles! volunteered with their troop this past Christmas, and had the warm fuzzies one gets when they give back.

You, too can give back.

On Thursday, May 16 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, you can attend the Bloomingdale's Fashion Event at Bloomingdale's King of Prussia.

Enjoy light fare, cocktails, and a presentation of the best Spring & Summer trends! Raffle prizes will be given throughout the evening.

100% of ticket sales and 10% of sales made throughout the evening's event will be donated to the Philadelphia Ronald McDonald House. Plus, receive a 15.00 bMoney card for every $150.00 you spend.

Click HERE to purchase tickets!

Your Kiss is on My List

2013-05-07T20:57:00.005-04:00

We always knew it was holiday time when my mother would pull out the nice crystal bowl filled with Hershey's Kisses. Little bits of silver foil would dot the floor as my sister and I ate our fill before my grandmother came over to visit. Kisses were and still are my grandmother's favorite. To this day she can still produce a hand full of half melted kisses (the original, ONLY!) from the bottom of her massive purse.

I don't feel quite as guilty eating kisses now. The good folks at Hershey's gave bloggers a little bag and asked for us to create a kiss holder.

I immediately thought they meant this kind of kiss:

Like my grandmother, I'm a purist. I prefer the original:

An aside: a lipstick holder is one of those things that you don't realize you need until it's given to you. I prefer the plain silver. This is way easy to find in my purse and I feel so lady-like applying lipstick.

The Teen decorated her case, since she doesn't wear lipstick. She prefers a lip gloss that is in an over-sized plastic egg shaped thing. She used her case to her kisses in easy snack form:

The clever thing about this case, is that this *IS* the perfect size for a snack:

***The Teen and I did receive cases for free, but the views expressed here are all my own.***

Monday Listicle: Freebie

2013-05-07T10:23:00.000-04:00

It's been a while since I participated in a Monday Listicle.

Since I have more month than money this challenge SPOKE to me:

Ten Things That Cost Nothing.

1. Laughing. My sister and I have a way of looking at each other in such a way and then breaking into uncontrollable giggles. Inside jokes rule!

2. Watching kids walk to school. I live across the street from an elementary school and in warmer days, I sit on the steps with my coffee and Kindle watching the kids make their way to school. This is a bonus: my kids are at school as well!

3. Visiting the library. As much as I love my Kindle, I still love to visit the library and roam the stacks. I have lost many and hour reading book blurbs and tracing my fingers over book spines. The smell of a book is still intoxicating and the low murmur from other patrons adds to the mystique of the library.

4. Lunch in Center City during the summer. At least this used to be free. When I worked in Center City, there were always some company giving away samples of their product. If timed correctly, my coworkers and I would hit these stands than enjoy our goods in sunny Rittenhouse Square.

5. Leaving work. The satisfying feeling of leaving work for the day. Nuff said!

6. Upper Darby High School Track. Out of all the places I workout, this is the best. There's nature (I once called to a cat only to put my glasses on to realize it was a fox); there's the sunny field (great for stretching); and it's quiet in the morning.

7. Singing. In the shower. Loudly.

8. Pinterest. Technically this isn't free since I have to use the internet. I lose hours looking at the humor boards, learning new fashion styles, and pinning my heart out!

9. Trading barbs with the kids. My sense of humor seems to have rubbed off on them.

10. Literally stopping to smell the roses.

What are some of your favorite free things?

Super Grad Giveaway

2013-05-03T22:31:00.003-04:00

Tip Hero’s Super Grad Giveaway Event

Sign-ups are now open for this great new giveaway event!

Event is free to join with an announcement post. If you don't wish to post the announcement, please send the $5 non-post fee to tiphero@gmail.com

You'll receive 1 free link for participating (either Twitter or Pinterest)

Additional links (RSS/Email, Twitter and Pinterest) are available for $5 each

Sign-ups for this event end on May 5th

Event runs from May 7th - 21st

Prize: $100 Amazon gift card

Please send all payments to tiphero@gmail.com as a "gift" via PayPal.

Sign up for this event http://www.tiphero.com/tips_8067_bloggers-wanted-tip-heros-super-grad-giveaway-event.html" target="blank" class="link_intip">here

Foodie Friday Guacamole Style

2013-05-03T21:05:00.003-04:00

My Facebook friend and fellow blogger Keva raves about avocado. Not a day passes that she doesn't post a recipe, picture, or a snippet of avocado knowledge.

Avocado has "good fat" and is a healthy alternative to the junk food I enjoy. I'm determined to lose my middle before I hit forty, so I'm always open to any food that is tasty and aids in this goal. Plus, a Chipotle opened near our house and their guacamole is the shiza!

Homemade guacamole is a great snack to keep around. The benefits of avocado are great (good fat, fiber, vitamins to name a few) plus I get to pretend I'm on a Gordon Ramsay show as I chop ingredients.

Reader +Sia McKye asked me for the recipe. This last go round I remembered to chop and shoot while I made my weekend snack.

And Cooking as Herself...Presents

Guacamole Recipe

Tequila also acceptable

Friday Foolishness

2013-05-03T10:04:00.000-04:00

Why do people wait until the last minute?

Foolishness!

My initial reaction

What I think about people coming in with problems.

What I want to do....

How I act when they leave

Sunday Snafu

2013-04-28T14:55:00.003-04:00

I had a glorious twenty minutes of nothing to do. The Mister took The Boy to church with him, The Teen was at her friend's house, and the cats are snoozing in the sun.

I was all set to dive into my newest find from the library, Marathon Man, and then a snag:

source

The struggle is real.

Drive It Home Show

2013-04-28T09:15:00.001-04:00

My days of Miss Daisy Duties are coming to an end.

The Teen, despite last year's minor fender bender, is prepared to take her driving test. I'm thrilled about an extra diver in the house. An extra driver frees up time so I don't feel like I spend hours in my car and I can sit back and watch the scene pass by rather than concentrate on the minivan in front of me who likes to ride the brakes.

You're in Good Hands

This Tuesday The Teen and I are headed to the Drive it Home Show, presented by the National Safety Council and Allstate Foundation.

You too can attend!

If you have tween, teen, or are concerned about teen driving safety, it will be an informative (and entertaining!) event. Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might like to attend. Details are as follows:

What: Drive it Home Show, presented by the National Safety Council and Allstate Foundation

When: Tuesday, April 30 from 7pm - 8:15pm

Where: Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts (222 Market St Harrisburg, PA 17101)

Price: FREE!; no tickets required

Parking: Guests are encouraged to park in the Walnut Street Parking Garage or nearby on a street-level spot. Street parking is free on weekends and after 5pm on weekdays. For Harrisburg, parking locations and rates, please visit www.harrisburgparking.org or call (717) 255-3099.

BONUS: You can enter in the sweepstakes at the event for a chance to win gas cards and a brand new car! Who can't use some gas cards?

If you'd like to attend, click here to register

***I am being compensated to post this event but the views expressed are my own***

Sunday Awesome: Homemade Guacamole

2013-04-21T19:12:00.001-04:00

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Saturday Awesome

2013-04-20T20:48:00.001-04:00

***Update - Due to the music used this video cannot be played on a mobile device. Please save to a playlist and view on a desktop browser for viewing later. Thank you***

YouTube Video

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Habit Factor

2013-04-17T12:17:00.002-04:00

A habit is something you can do without thinking - which is why most of us have so many of them. ~ Frank A. Clark.

This post started with me talking about my last Toastmasters meeting, but that post evolved into a WHOLE other train of thought. That post has the potential for a longer series and I really want to give it the proper attention it deserves. Instead, here are some GOOD habits I want to incorporate into my life.

1. Daily Bible Reading. While I was fasting for Lent it was a no brainer to arm myself with the word of the Lord. Now I squeeze in a prayer while multi-tasking. I felt different those forty days and I miss the closeness I had began to cultivate with God.

Action: Set the notification on the YouVersion app in ALL devices so that I am reminded to read daily.

2. Frumpy to Fab. Two of my fellow bloggers are challenging themselves to take time to perfect their look daily. I have watched their progress and jumped in, striving to keep my own look fresh. It's easy to rush out of the house and as an afterthought slide on some lipstick. Thank you to A Proverbs Wife and My Pocketful of Thoughts for the inspiration and support.

Action: Add twenty minutes to my daily routine.

3. Hitting the Gym. This should be a no brainer. Working out is satisfying and I look and feel great. I can find dozens of reasons to skip the gym and none are sufficient. It's safe to say that winter is gone and I can't camouflage my fat with bulky winter clothes. Yikes!

Action: Keep gym gear handy and leave for a morning workout once the last kid is out of the house.

4. More Water. I have cut out sodas (the bubbles were causing me all kinds of noisy issues) and juice. Take away my coffee or my wine...Houston - we have a problem.

Action: Drink a serving of water every 90 minutes.

5. Less TV. Le sigh...I started watching Maury again.

Action: Enough said.

6. Punctuality. Ke$ha may think the party don't start 'till she walks in, but being late undermines my credibility. Being on time is a sign of maturity, a show that you value other's time, and it's just the right thing to do.

Action: Allow sufficient time to get to all appointments and obligations.. Plan to be everywhere 15 minutes ahead of time.

7. Be Prepared. To accomplish number seven, I need to KNOW what I have planned. The older I get the less my mind recalls things. To control my day I need to know what the day has in store.

Action: write a To-Do list daily and consult it throughout the day.

I know there are others I can add (learning a new vocabulary roll, turning off social media) but I'm human. Baby steps, baby steps!

Kidding Around

2013-04-17T12:07:00.002-04:00

Mother Nature gave an awesome preview of summer!

It was a challenge focusing at work - I found any reason I could imagine to be outside, foregoing lunch just so I could spend a few more minutes soaking up the sun.

The children in the neighborhood had early dismissals all week long and I envied their freedom as they skipped home.

Have you ever just watch a kid? Their joy is not to be missed. They have a freedom that adults lose in the quest to grow up. What if we never grow up? What if we decide to hold on to some of the more youthful things and apply it to our lives?

Hear are four ways to be more like a child:

1. Watch a child. Observing kids as they ride their bikes, run down the street, or create a game fills me with delight. Kids are free from id, giving their all with no thought of how it looks. Even if a kid makes a mistake they shrug it off and give things another go.

2. Do child-like things. Jump rope, sing rhymes, play jacks - whatever activity you enjoyed as a child. I like to put on a concert in front of my mirror and imitate the dances from musicals of my youth. Sometimes I switch on the cartoons I used to watch (Bugs Bunny or Scooby Doo) and recall the first time I saw the episodes.

3. LAUGH. Some kids laughter cuts through me like a hot knife in butter. The majority of the mirth is pleasing. Listening to a kid laugh means a kid feels secure and safe.

4. The most important thing: Have fun. When I forget about whether my butt looks too big (it normally does) or if the activity at hand is dignified or not, I forget to focus on the activity on hand which makes it more of a bother. Letting myself go, not worrying about things, and just enjoying are how kids handle things.

Much to the chagrin of the kids, I'm heading out in my silliest outfit and cracking jokes while I do it.

Twitter and Tragedies

2013-04-15T22:01:00.002-04:00

Today was one of those days that felt funky.

I felt my sex and race today. A comment was made that diminished all of my accomplishments, reducing me to a nappy headed black gal. Some would claim that I look for trouble, after all I am a Republican in a Democrat world. But the incident that left me feeling low had little to do with how I'm registered to vote.

This plus the first few people I worked with today had me pulling out DMX with the warning that:

Y'all gon make me lose my mind, up in here. Up in here.

I lost a document I was working on. My Blog Press app gets on my nerves.

Then the text started to trickle in. The story was unclear at first, but an explosion was reported in Boston. As the news outlets warmed up, the full story came clear: two bombs were set off at the finish line of the Boston Marathon with a possible third at the JFK Library.

Of course Twitter reacted.

From my drinking buddy in head only:

BREAKING: Tweeting about your prayers to victims does not actually mean you prayed... and you know you didn't.
— Kevin Tustin (@KevinTustin) April 15, 2013

I can't stand him...*

The the grief police got on duty, demanding that scheduled tweets be taken down and we all express our remorse.

Um...que?

I am far from unsympathetic to what happened in Boston. The replays on CNN horrified me. Each time the camera showed what happened, I hugged The Boy tighter. Just that morning we had calculated how long it would take him to finish the race (at his current pace he would be just shy of three hours). He asked what we could do and The Teen said she was sick of the foolishness.

Wolf Blitzer, who I admire (and not just cuz his name is Wolf) started to tick me off. He darn near demanded that the guest on his show make a conclusion, aiming to be first with reporting rather than factual. The folks on Twitter were just as bad. The culprits have ranged from North Korea to white supremacist. Granted I stay up to date based on Twitter, but Tweeps went too far when they begin to demand that those with scheduled tweets turn them off and declare that those who didn't comply would be unfollowed.

Don't you DARE call anyone out for what they tweet during this time. You aren't the grief police.
— Amy (@amydpp) April 15, 2013

Indeed, Amy, indeed.

I'm rarely on social media during the day. I have this little distraction called work that occupies my time. When I'm not doing that, I'm doing something for my new Cub Scout pack (yeah...that's a WHOLE other post), writing a speech for my Toastmaster group, doing Miss Daisy duties, or a number of other things. I would love to be able to engage on Twitter and Facebook like I used to, but sometimes I just can't. So scheduled tweets, check-ins to various apps that can be scheduled, and other things that make it look like I'm present when I'm not, are what I rely on.

Before we jump on our high horse, we need to stop and think. Who are we to determine what's tragic or not? And how long does this tragedy lasts?

Today, people pray and wish for peace. Tomorrow, back to the daily grind not caring about anything.
— Kevin Tustin (@KevinTustin) April 15, 2013

Rather than make this a race to see who is a Super Griever, why not follow this advice:

As Mr. Rogers' mother said to him when he was a boy, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping."
— Tracey—PBS Parents (@pbsparents) April 15, 2013

Frumpy to Fab: Lee Jeans

2013-04-15T20:54:00.000-04:00

On Saturday The Teen and I attended the Mom Mixer Spring into Summer Event hosted by +Colleen Padilla of ClassyMommy and +whitney wingerd of Mommies With Style at the Hyatt at the Bellevue.

It was fun hanging with The Teen and seeing some bloggers in real life. I clowned, ran my mouth (of course!) and got some ideas for updating my style.

Lee Jeans was one of the more popular tables. When I think of Lee Jeans I imagine a rugged cowboy riding his horse hard into a sunset. The ladies from Lees showed me otherwise. I was fitted for a pair of jeans that are stylish and modern, accentuating my figure rather than my flaws. I'm not a jeans wearer, but the pair I was given seem too nice for something to throw on for down time.

Sara, one of the two designers, picked out two pairs of jeans she felt would flatter my figure (an aside I am pleased that my size was available. The average mom is not a size 0, 1 or 2!). The first pair I tried fit perfectly, but since this has never been the case before doubt crept in and I tried on the second pair. Those SCREAMED Mom Jeans! Brooke, the other designer on hand, firmly informed me that those jeans were not right and told me that the first pair should be my choice.

(In my Remy Ma voice: This kid that I'm waiting on, He said he loves when my jeans look painted on)

Brooke pointed out features: how nice my rear looked, the lack of a pucker in the back, and that these fit really well.

She then gave me a few suggestions about wearing them. She suggested either a flat shoe or wedge to accentuate the cut. In the winter I can pair then with a blazer and boots.

I love the way I look in these!

Some other suggestions for updating your jeans style:

Pop your outfit with neon
Try rolling the jeans for a retro look
Add a soft pastel

I'm sensing a trend...

G is for Guest Blogger

2013-04-08T12:08:00.001-04:00

I never heard of preeclampsia until The Teen got hooked on Dowton Abbey and Twitter was abuzz about this being why one of the characters died after giving birth. When I was pregnant with my kids, my biggest worry was whether Rita's would run out of cherry water ice. More mature and much wiser, I realize those were silly things to worry about given the other diseases that can creep up and harm mother and child.

Fellow writer Sarah (the same one who collected hats for Sandy victims!) talks about how preeclampsia affected her life and how she has decided to fight back against this disease.

Derek meeting his sister Hayley for the first time

We mothers are so used to being the nurturers and caregivers that very often we make light of what we are feeling in order to continue on with the routine. So when I woke up 6 days after my c-section unable to catch my breath, with blurry vision and a dull headache I thought I was just tired. I had a newborn and a toddler, I didn’t have time to think something was wrong with me or what I could do to fix it, but my husband Rob insisted I call my OBGYN.

Hayley was my second baby. She arrived full term via scheduled c-section on October 25^th. Our little princess had arrived and even my son Derek, at just 26 months old, was thrilled for our family. I was released from the hospital and spent two days in that post baby honeymoon phase. When I agreed to called my OBGYN I was surprised at the stern immediacy in her voice when she insisted I get to the hospital right away.

My in-laws rushed over and I kissed my babies good-bye trying to be strong but unable to hold back the tears. Derek was going to be a fireman for Halloween that day, plus my brand new Hayley Jane, I needed to be home and dress Hayley in pink and cuddle her…would she forget me? Would we never bond? I didn’t realize then that it would be 3 hellish days till I saw them again.

Preeclampsia. I heard the word, I knew it had to do with pregnancy and headaches and blood pressure (mine was 220/110)……but I wasn’t pregnant!!!! There I was, a mother of two, about to be hooked up to a Magnesium IV so I wouldn’t have a seizure or stroke due to preeclampsia and I had NEVER even heard of having preeclampsia postpartum!

Sarah with Hayley two days before returning to the hospital

A very sweet nurse sat down next to me and grabbed my hand firmly. She asked me to tell her what I was thinking. I told her, “I’m scared, I just want to be home with my babies and I’m nervous what will happen to me and I’m afraid that I might die”. That was the honest truth, I was petrified that I would seize and die.

The first night I was on the magnesium I saw 5 of everything. I had to wear an oxygen tube because my oxygen saturation levels kept dropping so low that every time I would drift into sleep I would wake up gasping for my breath. I was pumping every two hours, unable to get out of bed and hooked up to a catheter.

I felt so sick, oh so sick. The magnesium makes you so so so sickly feeling. After I came off the Magnesium I felt “better”. My blood pressure was still high but low enough that I could go home eventually. It took a few weeks for my BP and me to get back to normal. I feel so lucky that my preeclampsia story only involves me and that Hayley was unharmed by it all. Most people aren’t so lucky since Preeclampsia is the leading known cause of prematurity.

Thousands of women and babies die or get very sick each year from this dangerous condition called preeclampsia, a life-threatening disorder that occurs only during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Affecting at least 5-8% of all pregnancies, preeclampsia and related disorders such as HELLP syndrome and eclampsia are most often characterized by the presence of protein in the urine and a rapid rise in blood pressure that can lead to seizure, stroke, multiple organ failure and death of the mother and/or baby. Swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision are important symptoms; however, some women with rapidly advancing disease report few symptoms.

Typically, preeclampsia occurs after 20 weeks gestation (in the late 2nd or 3rd trimesters or middle to late pregnancy), though it can occur earlier. Proper prenatal care is essential to diagnose and manage preeclampsia. Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) and toxemia are outdated terms for preeclampsia. Globally, preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are a leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death. The Preeclampsia Foundation www.preeclampsia.org the only non-profit in the US devoted to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, serving the 10 million women worldwide who develop preeclampsia each year.

In the 5-15 years after having had preeclampsia I am now twice as likely to develop heart disease. According to the Preeclampsia Foundation there are an estimated 4.5M US women alive today who are at risk to die from Cardio Vascular Disease or stroke because of their preeclampsia history. Both Hayley and Derek’s future wife are at a higher risk for developing preeclampsia because yes it is hereditary. I have hope that one day we will find a cause and a cure for preeclampsia.

I will forever being trying to help in the education of preeclampsia and raise money for The Preeclampsia Foundation. I am the volunteer walk coordinator for the Promise Walk for Preeclampsia Philadelphia/South Jersey. May is officially Preeclampsia Awareness Month. Won’t you join our walk on Saturday, May 11^th, 2013 at Challenge Grove Park in Cherry Hill, New Jersey. We walk on Mother’s Day Weekend to celebrate Mothers and Babies!! If you aren’t local to the Philadelphia area you can find a walk closer to you at www.promisewalk.org We can’t do it alone!

When she's not giving back to the community, Sarah is writing at Finnegan and the Hughes

Dogon Ceremonial Mask

2013-04-05T01:12:00.002-04:00

The Boy had a project for school.

The mask he was to replicate:

His mask:

Nailed It!

The Bold and The Beautiful

2013-04-02T16:44:00.000-04:00

If asked what I thought of, ahem, "dancers" an image of a chick throwing a chair on Jerry Springer would come to mind. My closet trash TV lovers know what I'm talking about: those women who come onstage yelling, tatted up from the rootie to the tootie who would willingly oblige when the audience begin to chant "On the Pole, On the Pole!"

This played over and over as I considered an invitation to a Pole Dancing Birthday Party. My main questions was "How the Eff do they expect me to swing on a pole? It's a whole lotta me to swing?!" Then I thought oh what the heck, it's a night out.

I reread the invitation, getting excited as I visited the site for the business. While I tried on different shoes to "dance" in, The Teen watched each pair, mumbling about all of the therapy she would need later in life.

Whatever!

Pole Dancing is hard work, Thick Chick aside. The ladies I've seen on TV and a mistaken door in Baltimore are tough cookies! Over twenty of us giggled and joked about working the pole, but the laughs turned to grunts and sighs as we each got a turn on the pole. The coordination needed to not look stiff as you walk around the pole (core tight, on tippy toes!) was tough. By the time the evening was over, I was drenched in sweat, my back was on fire, and I was willingly shelling out money for another session.

While practicing the moves, we were all instructed to embrace our inner beauty and pull from within our sensual side. It was a challenge feeling my sensual side as the radio blared songs about "b*tche*s" and "hoes"; however, as I got comfortable with the new ways to move my body, I begin to add an extra shimmy of the hip here and a shoulder bump there.

After class we all laughed and giggled, trying out the moves we learned. Some of the ladies who were at first timid worked the pole, one even perfecting a smooth "fireman."

After the soreness wore off, I found myself walking a lot straighter and humming "Hey Big Spender." Therapy for The Teen aside, I will be back for another class.

(source)

Motivation Monday: Defying Gravity For Real

2013-04-01T15:43:00.001-04:00

(source)

I like when a new quarter (that's the old banker chick talking) or new month falls on a Monday. Not that each day doesn't have that "fresh" feeling, but the coincidence of a Monday for a new month seems optimistic: things are lining up correctly and this is going to be a BOSS month.

Coming off of my Lenten Fast, recovering from a bout of the flu, and time away from work, I feel hopeful. I've discovered that I can do almost anything when I let go of me.

Last week, my sister and I had an opportunity to attend the Fly School Circus Arts "Daringly High" Flying Trapeze Class. Located at the University of the Arts parking lot across from the Kimmel Center, Mary Kelly Rayel and her team coaches a class of ten with enough encouragement and positive reinforcement that in two hours, you have some knowledge of basic moves and will even perform a trick or two.

Yes, I climbed that ladder and "flew"

I attempted to practice on the ground within the group, but the public Broad Street venue (crowds formed and watched, mouths open in amazement as we swung in the air) and the whispers from my mind that I COULDN'T attempt a trick a mere three feet off of the ground was off putting. As I watched the others in class go up and perform, I couldn't help but be amazed at the children in the class. The kids were eager to perform, one little boy demanding he be allowed to perform the "catch" even when the trainers said he wasn't ready. Spurred on by Mary Kelly, I did climb the ladder. With a prayer and covetous look at the church next to me, jumped off the platform and swung. I didn't attempt the trick, but I did feel pride that I actually leaped. It was exhilarating to let go off myself for a bit and do something I only dreamed of as a kid. Truthfully, it was fun and I may attempt again before the group leaves. The Teen, watching from below, shouted encouragement as I swallowed fear. Once I was back on the ground, she asked if we could return the following week so she could try.

Children are amazing. Despite the fear of the unknown, they still clamor to take part. Children have this resilience, this way of approaching life with reckless abandon, giving their all and then ten percent more if asked.

When do we become so conscious of ourselves, waiting for permission, allowing others to dictate the whens and whys of our lives that we miss so much of our lives?

Watching the children fly around the air, their faces red from the wind and exertion, I decided that I'm going to be "kid-like" in the next month. No, I'm not planning to eat cookies for dinner, watch obscene amounts of junk TV, and drag my feet to go to places I don't want to go - I do that already. I'm going to be like a kid and keep this mantra each time doubt creeps into my life:

Act as if it's impossible to fail.

Does this mean that I will be back on the trapeze? Probably. Although heights and I are not things that get along, it was fun slipping out of my comfort zone. This also means I'll be open to doing things I normally wouldn't. I'll also be okay with falling and laughing at myself.

The Fly School Circus Arts are part of PiFA 2013. They'll be performing through April 27th. There are two shows on April 25 and 26th. For additional information about the Philly classes, head to www.pifa.org.
For the blogging challenge, today's letter is A. How appropriate that I now plan to ACT as if it's impossible to fail.

Monday Listicle: And Then He Kissed Me!

2013-04-01T13:08:00.002-04:00

Between the flu, a war of no wine (I lost a few of those battles) and the kids having more activities than I have time, blogging took a back seat.

I must say I was encouraged to "Just do it" by a number of people I admire. This post, coupled with the prodding of the A to Z April Blogging Challenge, is my foray back to daily blogging.

Some times I see these when he kisses me.
Other times it's because one of us had garlic.

Today, Sasha and Kerry asked us to kiss and tell the favorite places our boos have given us a buss. Since I can't follow directions, I listed Whens. I'm going to work on that...

In no particular order:

1. Date night

2. The Birth of these Two

3. Election Night, 2008 and 2012

4. The Day I said "I Do!"

5. When I gave him this picture:

6. Whenever these are cooling

7. When he plays Santa

8. When I got appointed to office

9. Just Because.

10. Summers at Penn's Landing.

Where or When are your favorite kisses?

Monday Listicle: Smell Ya Later

2013-03-11T13:31:00.004-04:00

Daylight Savings Time messes me up.

I enjoy the longer days but the mornings are hard on me. My body CRAVES the sun to get going. I usually brave the cold to sit on my back porch to read, pray, and meditate for the day. So far I've dragged my way through the last two days, hopeful that the longer days offer a bit more evening energy.

One of the positives about Daylight Savings Times is that I can walk in the evening and see neighbors who were holed up against winter.

I look forward to the following smells:

1. The creek. I admit I'm not the most outdoorsy type. Walking near the creek is one that I make an exception for. I love the smell of the sun beating against the mossy grass.

2. Charcoal. Warmer weather means hot dogs and hamburgers on the grill.

3. Sunscreen. This reminds me of the beach and the kids headed off to their various summer activities.

4. Peppermint. Despite the fact that it grows like a weed, the peppermint in my garden wafts up to my bedroom window with a promise of a new day.

5. Roses. My rose bush is quite impressive if I do say so myself. Again this mingles with the smell of the peppermint.

6. Coffee. Not that I wait for spring for this, but coffee is hands down one of my top smells.

7. Library Books. With the school year winding down, extra curricular activities also wind down. I usually sit on the front patio devouring a find from the local library.

8. Summer Rain. The smell of a quick afternoon shower, right before the sun beats down and dries it up, makes me anticipates a cool evening full of fireflies and the sounds of kids playing as the streetlights twinkle on.

9. Peaches. Or apples. Or any fruit, really. Fruit is so much fresher and available in the spring and summer.

10. Funnel Cake. This smells just SMACKS you right in the face as you approach a carnival or an amusement park.

What smells excite you?

Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra at the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center

2013-03-07T09:33:00.000-05:00

The World Music Percussion Ensemble, Spoken Hand, brings its pulsating rhythms to the Upper Darby Performing Arts Center on March 22

Known for its high-energy live performances, the acclaimed percussion orchestra blends North Indian tabla, Afro Cuban bata, Brazilian samba and West African djembe

in an exhilarating evening of traditional and contemporary drumming and choral compositions

DREXEL HILL, PA – March 6, 2012 –
The acclaimed world music percussion ensemble, Spoken Hand, blends the pulsating rhythms of North Indian tabla, Afro Cuban bata, Brazilian samba and West African djembe in an exhilarating evening of traditional and contemporary drumming and choral compositions. The high-energy performance takes place at Upper Darby Performing Arts Center on March 22 at 7:30pm.

Tickets are $7-$10 and UDPAC members save $1 off each ticket. Tickets may be purchased online at www.udpac.org or by calling the box office: 610. 622.1189. Upper Darby Performing Arts Center is located at 601 North Lansdowne Avenue in Drexel Hill, PA. The 1,600 seat theater is just minutes from the Main Line and Center City Philadelphia and offers free parking. The performance is one hour and appropriate for all family members ages seven and over.

A celebration of polyphonic rhythms, Spoken Hand unifies four percussion batteries into one distinct voice. Since its inception over fifteen years ago this uniquely robust orchestra of percussionists has traveled the road to perform giving drums their individual voices. Linking the past and present, the sacred and secular with a symphonically textured fusion of traditional and contemporary drumming and choral compositions, SpokenHand has twice earned the title of “Best World Music/Roots Performance” by Philadelphia City Paper, and continues to share this cultural musical experience with audiences far and wide.

Artistic Director Daryl Kwasi Burgee recently interviewed on WHYY TV discussed formulating Spoken Hand. “The drum is always in accompaniment to something else. And I realized that most people aren’t aware of the harmonic and the melodical aspects of the drum. Giving people the opportunity to experience that in a collage of melody and sound, that’s what this project was all about. It was the opportunity to give the drummer voice.”

The four corners of the world are represented as Spoken Hand fills the stage with percussionists who blend the rhythmic Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, North Indian, and West African sounds in an artistic mission to share with audiences their passion for music.

The Upper Darby Performing Arts Center and Upper Darby Summer Stage are jointly sponsored by the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors and Upper Darby Township Mayor and Council through the Department of Recreation and Leisure Services.

Links for 2012-12-14 [del.icio.us]

2012-12-15T00:00:00-08:00

http://goo.gl/pWfpJ
Party time with #MommyParties #PinyPonParty http://t.co/yvii1jVX via @LifeTwinsDramaQ
http://goo.gl/MAksg
Soap & Glory Goodness http://t.co/tAaSY9H5 via @emmaddoesit
http://goo.gl/Q8Pz2
Sandy Vs The Office Safe http://t.co/AtqWvMWV via @HaveSippy

Links for 2012-12-13 [del.icio.us]

2012-12-14T00:00:00-08:00

http://goo.gl/ZlI1f
Against All Odds | A Story of Courage, Hope & Leadership via @justcoachit #leadership #coach... http://t.co/3lG1ZZnN via @Beyond_Survivor

Links for 2012-12-03 [del.icio.us]

2012-12-04T00:00:00-08:00

http://goo.gl/q5kWS
"Please Don't Believe Me" by Alan O'Day #childabuse http://t.co/UwQsGyIB via @Beyond_Survivor
http://goo.gl/zyB71
Pretty in Pink http://t.co/9Mr6wfAW via @emmaddoesit

Links for 2012-12-01 [del.icio.us]

2012-12-02T00:00:00-08:00

http://goo.gl/vv4Ms
Ted Reader- Cooking with this Canadian! #Interview http://t.co/dPRlxZSN via @HaveSippy

Links for 2012-11-30 [del.icio.us]

2012-12-01T00:00:00-08:00

http://goo.gl/EEYSM
Where Can I Start My Holiday Shopping? http://t.co/MWH8Xm9d via @djRelAt7

Links for 2012-11-29 [del.icio.us]

2012-11-30T00:00:00-08:00

http://dlvr.it/2VztL2
Motivation Monday: The End http://t.co/gCBCIOLU

Links for 2012-11-28 [del.icio.us]

2012-11-29T00:00:00-08:00

http://goo.gl/ZKvE5
Fantastic Friday – Balancing Home and Work – Family Time and Networking http://t.co/lbWyKLjs via @janeanedavis