Coffee Lovin Mom

The Ultimate in Partying

2013-04-05T23:58:00.000-05:00

I have to spread the word about the Ultimate in Parties put on by Susan and Janice of 5 Minutes for Mom. I have taken part every year since I started my blog but they have been at this for seven years and they are good at what they do. If you've ever wanted to meet some great bloggers through a link up, this is THE place to start. Every year I find a handful of people I really connect with and become friends.

Take a load off and chat. I'm Amy and I'd like to welcome you into my little spot on the interwebs. It's not much but it's what's been keeping me sane for the last three years. I started blogging in 2010 after getting an itch doing it for my job at the time. I don't consider myself a writer but it sure does help to get things down in writing sometimes. I've had a journal all my life so I suppose this is a pseudo social extension of that. I love bacon, music and the obvious, coffee. I would consider myself a tough love parent even though they secretly both have me wrapped around their fingers. (Just don't tell them that!) I'm the most funny when I'm actually trying to be serious, not sure what that says about me but people laugh the hardest when the last thing I wanted was to make them laugh.

While I could go on and on about me, I don't want to keep you from the rest of the party with my cake and coffee so I will just give you a quick run down on what goes on around here...

Things I Blog About

10 Quick Things

1. My kids are 11 and 8 (going on 18) - he's happy to stay his age, she'd rather be out buying shoes or cruising around town.

2. We are going on 5 years in this house, I continue to call it the new house and there are still light switches we aren't sure what they do.

3. I have a cat I named Dweezil in 1997, he still romps around like a madman in heat almost every single night.

4. I moved back from out of state to live with the love of my life only 3 months after meeting him - we are going on 12 years of mostly blissful marriage and I wouldn't have it any other way and couldn't imagine it with anyone else.

5. People have always thought my younger sister is the older one.

6. I'm good at keeping secrets, it's mainly because I usually forget what people tell me but it keeps them coming back.

7. My mom had me a day before her 21st birthday, the only day she's ever thrown up a shamrock shake.

8. My son was born on my grandmother's 81st birthday - every year they talk and he tells her he can't believe she's 81 years older than him like she's getting so big.

9. Let me tell you about the time I went skydiving.

10. I have the attention span of a squirrel on coffee. I have trouble watching full length movies because it's too much of a commitment to sit there for an hour much less three.

Find out more on my About Me page if you feel the need but for some really entertaining people I know and love, please check out my Featured Guest page.
Now please tell me a little something about you - like what made you click my page and how you're digging the party this year. Enjoy yourself and if you need a pick me up later, I've got the coffee ready!

Calling Out the Bully Label

2013-03-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

My son recently got in trouble for sticking up for a friend at school who was being made fun of by another kid in the library.
Not like trouble trouble, just in that he had to apologize for his behavior.
Basically for his words.
This kid was mocking his friend and he called this kid a jerk.

"You know, you're being a jerk."

I have been instilling in both of my kids that they can't stand by when someone is being bullied - say something, tell someone, don't just stand there and watch.

Now in real life, calling someone a jerk pales in comparison to the stabbiness that is sometimes reality to everyone at one time or another over something as simple as driving to work. Apparently in 5th grade, name calling is a very big deal because this kid turned around and told the library teacher that my kid used the word.

"David called me a jerk."

To which the teacher responded by telling my son to apologize to this kid with no investigation as to what was going on. I realize that 5th grade is about which situations to diffuse and which to investigate so I get that this did not constitute questions, it was about what an acceptable solution was for the teacher. I have also reinforced respect for adults and authority so he didn't argue or try to tell the story, he just followed the command given to him. End of story. He did what he was told - but it was apparent he wasn't happy about it at the end of the day. He was doing the right thing. He just went about it like a 5th grader would. He fought fire with fire.

As the teacher, and being that these kids are 11, something in me would want to ask this kid if they were in fact being a jerk. Maybe if he had used the word bully it would have been a different situation. The big conclusion my son came to was basically standing on the sidelines instead of saying anything is better because at least then you won't be getting yourself in trouble.

In re-evaluating this situation, we determined it was his words that backfired. We talked about whether or not the person you are sticking up for is worth getting in trouble for, if this person would have done the same for him and if the problem would get better or worse if anything was said. We talked about the uncomfort factor and the power of words. We are big on practicing situations and so we substituted his calling this kid a name with something I'm personally becoming an expert at. Here are some example responses we came up with instead of name calling:

"That was so nice of you."
"Saying that must have made you feel better."
"Was that really necessary?"
"I'd like to make chocolate out of you, you're so sweet."

Now I while know sarcasm and name calling may come from the same family, sarcasm is harder to tell on someone for so why not go there? Labeling didn't work so well. What if that bully label is thrown completely to the wayside and has no meaning? Why not instead toss out something to distract them and maybe make them think about how they are projecting themselves as a person? He won't be doing nothing about it, he will be throwing them off instead of sitting there and watching. Instead of fighting fire with fire, smother them with kindness. Better to be pro-active than reactive. Kindness is better than name calling even if it's dripping in sarcasm, right?

Going Old School

2013-03-14T06:30:00.000-05:00

So my best blogging bud who I'm still dying to meet and hopefully will this year, The Robot Mommy has tagged me in the newest pass it around post about going old school. I think she knew I needed a reason to post something since I have been under my own rock for a few months now and really have no excuse.

Annnnd we're off!

1. What were you doing 10 years ago?

Wow - 2003 I was still a new mom, had a 1 year old son. Still renting in our first house and my cousin was living with us. We've come a long way since then!

2. What 5 things are on your to-do list?

• Write
• Drink Coffee
• Nip my PITA and skin issues in the bud with the quickness
• Flood my blogging dry spell
• Get some sun

3. What are 5 snacks you enjoy?

I'm not really much of a snacker, not that you could tell by my waistline...

• Coffee (it's a snack, right?)
• Cheese and crackers
• Bacon
• Anything cheesy
• Avocado

4. Name some things you would do if you were a millionaire:

First pay off the house and make my bathroom bigger. Open my own coffee house where if you're a regular, you bring your own mug and take a different one home each time, take a barge cruise in France, show my daughter Paris, go back to Ireland, take my parents to pay them back for all the crap I did when I still lived with them in high school and my early 20s.

5. Name some places you have lived:

• Dolton/South Holland, IL
• Mason City, IA
• Lansing, IL
• Lowell, IN

6. Name some bad habits you have:

• Procrastinating
• Over-thinking things
• Getting sucked into the internets
• Picking my nose (just seeing if you were paying attention)

7. Name some jobs you have had:

Dairy Queen, Baskin Robbins, Pharmacy technician, Coffee Beanery Barista/Supervisor, Preschool teacher, Counselor/Supervisor at an In-Home facility for abused children, Drug Counselor - Intake, Office Supervisor for a European Travel Consultant where I took my trips to France, Germany and Ireland. Currently working Retail Services for impulse items in grocery stores, Girl Scout Co-Leader and blogger part time, taxi driver, referee, alarm clock, multi-tasker, accountant, chef of the future, maid of the minions, laundry queen extraordinaire, household CEO and coffee drinker the rest of the time. I would like to go pro on the last one!

8. Name those you are tagging for #OSBlog:

Just Jennifer

Sarcasm Goddess

Laughing Abi

All three of whom hold me accountable, support me no matter what and try to light a fire under my ass from time to time. I thank each of you for being great friends! Thanks also to TRM for getting this rusty ball rolling again!

So tell me, what (if anything) do we share in common?

My Memories Suite Review and Giveaway

2012-11-20T07:27:00.000-06:00

I was recently given the chance to use and review some incredible scrapbooking software from My Memories Suite which so far I have only scratched the surface of all the possibilities. I had only used online photo editing before and this - is so much easier! I didn't have enough time to get as creative as this program will allow but I will tell you what I love about it so far.

With each page created, you can crop or resize the picture right in the frame on the page which made it easier to see exactly what the page will look like. I am a casual scrapbooker in that I have quite a few kits and stamps that are in a closet gathering dust at the moment because digging out pictures, pages and templates is time consuming. This scrapbook software puts everything in one place for you without having to open the closet again, saving time and a mess to clean up when you're done. Double bonus if you ask me.

Here is the first template I used:

The free templates included in the program are all user friendly and for someone like me who has a hard time coming up with my own templates, they all worked perfectly and gave me ideas for making originals.

It also uses all the fonts you have available on your computer in the software. All pictures in the templates can be adjusted to size if need be and there is so much flexibility to create your own template for things such as facebook covers, printable crafts, banners, headers and so much more!

Check out some other creations I came up with using their great templates - I'm a digital scrapbooking believer, soon to be expert. (Yeah maybe not expert, I will leave that to the actual experts)

I may need help picking out a Christmas card this year!

As you can see, it's easy to do (if I can do it...) I think all of these took a little over an hour or so to put together and no clean up. If you are a scrapbooker looking for an easier way, this is it!

A special offer is being given to you today - My Memories Suite is offering one lucky reader a copy of their digital software for FREE! If that's not enough, or you can't wait a week for the giveaway to end, I also have a special code that will get you 10% off your order. (See the banner below the giveaway for details.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My code is: STMMMS48009

Note: I was given a free copy of software to review and giveaway. All opinions are my own and no compensation was obtained.

Girls Crochet Headbands Review and #Giveaway

2012-11-13T03:14:00.000-06:00

A highlight of my daughter's week was getting a big package addressed just to her that contained some fabulous items from Girls Crochet Headbands. GCH offers so many fabulous items aside from the handmade headbands including gorgeous bows and flower clips, bloomers, hats, legwarmers and tutus among the other accessories. Think ruffle butts and all the girly fun only at a great price! I almost didn't believe my eyes when I first perused the site being that I would be paying twice as much in the store for most items. I was nostalgic with my daughter's excitement knowing what was in store and impressed the quality of the products that were sent.

The hair accessories are all interchangeable in that each bow or flower has a clip that can be connected to a loop on any headband it might match. They can also be warn individually in a child's hair which comes in handy for those oopsy haircuts that we are currently growing out. These headbands and accessories came packaged cute and complete for an easy gift for that special little girl in your life..

When I was contacted, I admitted that my eight year old daughter is not easy on hair things by any means, being somewhat of a tomboy at heart, it's not easy to do much with her hair on a regular basis just because she's not into it (yet, she's 8 so I know it's coming). If I'm lucky enough to get something in her hair in the morning, it is outa there by lunchtime or lost by the time she gets off the bus.

The excitement when she took the package out of the mailbox matched that of Ralphie's Dad and his frageeilay award, the anticipation conversation went pretty similar. As soon as the package was opened, the fashion show began and my little tomboy became the girly girl I knew was in there. Here are some of the items that were featured in the fashion show:

White and Hot Pink Zebra Loopsy Loo Hair Bow
Double Knot Christmas Bow

Zebra Cotton Legwarmers with Ruffle
Tutus for Girls

Silver 1.5" Crochet Headband
Ivory U-Shaped Headband
Blue Zoe Flower Hair Clip (not pictured)

She spent a good while taking various flowers and bows and putting them on different headbands each time running to the mirror to see how she looked. She has been wearing a headband or a clip by itself every day since. It's been almost a week; nothing has been lost and is more often still in her hair at the end of the day. She is also planning to design an outfit that includes the legwarmers and the tutu so she can wear it to school.

I love that they are offering you a chance to win $30 worth of these Girls Crochet Headbands for that little girl on your list this year. The best part? In case you enter and don't win or if your patience won't let you wait until the giveaway is over, I also have a code for you that's good until Dec 13th - It's coffee20 (case sensitive) and good for 20% off your entire order!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Girls Crochet Headbands can be found online here:

Website: http://girlscrochetheadbands.com

Facebook: facebook.com/girlscrochetheadbands

Twitter: twitter.com/gcheadbands

Pinterest: pinterest.com/gcheadbands

*I was graciously sent an array of items from Girls Crochet Headbands for review offering a giveaway to my readers. The opinions stated are my own and those of an actual daughter who is bringing home her hair accessories most times still in her hair. This giveaway ends 11/20/12 at 12:01 EST. Winner will be contacted by email.

Hand Stamped Twitter Handle Necklace #Giveaway

2012-11-06T00:00:00.000-06:00

There are many things that give me joy in my week - this week one of them came in the mail from Lauren Nicole Gifts that completely brightened my day! Denise who owns the company named after her niece, specializes in personalized jewelry and handmade monogrammed gifts for every age and occasion. She recently launched a line of social media tag necklaces. Here is a sneak peek at her sterling silver twitter handle necklace.

This is what I call winning! Who wouldn't love to sport their very own twitter handle on one of these hand stamped beauties? Each piece is customized to your specifics and can be stamped either in ALL CAPS AWESOME like mine pictured below or lower case letters. Mine came accompanied by a pearl but there is also an array of gemstones including all birthstones to personalize it even more, some of which which can also be personally stamped or dated.

The necklace is delivered in its own cute little gift box complete with instructions of care and jewelry cleaning cloth to shine up the sterling silver when needed. It would make a great gift for those like my daughter who have a not so common name and are definitely heirloom quality. I couldn't wait to wear mine when it came and have worn it every day since. The chain is very sturdy despite its delicate appearance; the pendant is thicker than I expected making it habitual to play with while it's around my neck which by the way is a great way to show it off!

There are various other styles of jewelry to choose from including rings, bracelets and earrings but I gotta say I love the necklaces the most. Here are just a few of my favorites - it was hard to narrow it down to these...

The best part? They are hand stamped right here in the USA in my home state of Indiana to be exact. Extra added bonus? There's something in it for you because a $75 gift certificate for your very own hand stamped necklace of your choice is being generously offered to one lucky reader! Enter to win below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck to all who enter!

You can find Denise on Facebook at Lauren Nicole Gifts
and on Twitter at @LaurenNicoleLLC

*I was offered a personalized necklace to review and at the same time give you a chance to win one. Opinions are my own and this is my first rafflecopter giveaway so I hope it goes without a hitch. Please be gentle and enter often! This contest will end at 12am EST on 11/13/12

The Big Debate

2012-10-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

While usually, you can find me talking about coffee and family - which are never topics for debate in my case, they just come with the package - I'm branching outside my comfort box here today to talk to you about the Big Debate. No, I'm not talking about the presidential debates - you can sigh relief here - we are discussing more serious issues than middle class taxes, immigration and gas prices, this is about the future of our country and our children people!

I'm speaking today on the topic I debate about the most over at

The Sarcasm Goddess!

Leave my insides out of it!

Come visit me over there and see who really won the debate!

Resilience in Children - Parenting 101

2012-10-10T07:27:00.000-05:00

You can help kids by simply presenting them with opportunities and allowing them to help themselves. Teaching children these real life skills can start at an early age, probably earlier than you might even think possible. It's been proven time and time again by my friend and featured guest today.

"Resilience grows each time we give our kids a new skill."
~Deborah Gilboa, MD

Self Esteem and Children

Child psychology tells us that building self esteem in children will aid Early Childhood Development but if it's just being handed over to them, being continually pumped by parents, what is that really Teaching Children? Think about it, have you learned more by someone telling you something repeatedly or by actually going through it yourself? Why not help your children learn the same way? Have them build their own self esteem by teaching kids skills, presenting them with the opportunities and situations to become proud of themselves. You are probably already doing it in one way or another, you may just have to tweak it a little.

Resilience in children

Many Parenting Books give you too much information and not necessarily the specific information you may need for your particular child.

Present: Doctor G's 1st book in the Three R's of Parenting Series

Teach Resilience: Raising Kids Who Can Launch!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD NOW!

A straightforward, purse size read that can be referred to often (and easily in the carpool line) that offers you 50 opportunities that can easily and immediately be pulled off in real life situations navigated by age group. Teaching children resilience isn't nearly as hard as it sounds.

Here's a little taste by age:

AGE IN YEARS
2 - 4	Trying a New Food	Handling Boredom
5 - 7	What's for Dinner?	Clean a Bathroom
8 - 10	Field Trip Forms	Setting an Alarm Clock

Not only does this book give you ideas on how to build self esteem in children, DocG also extends the book by providing helpful links and videos that can be instantly viewed on your phone through QR codes. She even gets into those hard to reach tween and teen years as well going up to the ripe age of 17.

After reading this book, my son later came to me with a Nintendo DS problem that required calling an 800#. I had him call the number and navigate the automated system until he got to a live person. I only had to give an okay, then handed the phone back to him so he could follow directions from the representative. Guess what? The problem was solved by him, not by mommy coming to the rescue. The pride was apparent in him, so much that he wanted to call back later to get his game online.

Give your kids the Early Education they need in life to be successful and resilient rather than dependent on you. Make it easier on yourself now.
They will thank you for it later!

Doctor G (Deborah Gilboa, MD) is a board certified Family Physician, mom of four kids and founder of AskDoctorG.com, a resource for parents and educators who are working to raise great kids. She gives parenting workshops around the country and offers great free tools for raising kids who are Respectful, Responsible and Resilient! (Hello - the Three R's)

She can be found:

On twitter: @AskDocG

Facebook: AskDoctorG

YouTube: http://youtube.com/AskDocG

*Disclosure: I was given a book for review and was in no way paid for this post.

Twofer Tuesday: Rites of Passage Edition

2012-10-09T07:27:00.000-05:00

This past week has proved to be interesting, a week with scenes that my son will have etched in his mind like a brain burn that is likely to last well into adulthood. It's one of those good parenting skills weeks where as a parent you wonder if maybe you have ruined a childhood, or at least broken it a little more. I still wonder what goes on inside that head of his and when you hear the children's rites of passage he achieved this week, you probably will too...

It started early last week when he lost a tooth which he not only extracted but also lost so we were a couple days late as it was. At ten, he's now losing molars, I'm not sure exactly what they even go for these days.

I went into his room at the ungodly tooth fairy hour assuming he was asleep - of course that was my first mistake. I slipped the numerous quarters under his blanket which was now next to him, his pillow being on the floor probably from some sleeping frenzy of sorts. I was proud not having made a sound with the coins, thinking I had another successful mom moment under my belt I walked toward the door. That's when I heard a small whisper from across the room:

"You know the tooth isn't there right?"

My heart instantly hit the floor, I could feel my cheeks and chest burning in the darkness. Could I be busted? He is 10 after all.

"What are you talking about?" I asked in hopes that somehow he was sleep talking and wouldn't remember a thing about this late night encounter.

"The tooth isn't there, I still couldn't find it."

Wanting to just tell him to go to sleep and run like hell, I found myself walking back to the bed, searching for something to say without having to give myself up.

"Mom, is the tooth fairy real?" he asked in an innocently yet in a tone that said he already knew the real answer.

I decided answer a question with a question.
"Did you just bust me?' I said leaning in to kiss him.
He asked again, "Is the tooth fairy real?"

"Did you just bust me?"
"I guess I did" he said smiling in the dark.
"Don't. tell. anybody."

* * * * * * * * * * *

Fast forward now to a couple days later while I'm cleaning the kitchen counters and find this artistic little gem colored by my daughter:

I pass it off for her to put away in her room.

"Who did this?" she asked in a disgusted tone, "someone drew a Y on the top of her shirt mom, look."

She's got cleavage!

I immediately turn to my son who naturally denies the whole thing.

Mu husband walks into the room and I hand him the paper to which he has the same reply questioning the boy.

"Who did this?"

"I don't know."

"Are you telling me your dad did this?" I ask, "I know I didn't do it."

We all sit down at the kitchen table as my mind is being blown while at the same time, my husband shoots me an enormous smile of pride from the other side as soon as he sees nobody else is looking.

"I swear mom, I didn't do it, why would I do that?"

"I don't know - why WOULD you do that? People just don't go around putting Y's on girls chests for no reason do they?"

"I wouldn't do that," he said with the same look I saw that fateful tooth fairy night.

We both knew he did it.

It was obvious.

My sweet little boy is starting to grow up, growing out of the innocence all at once.

Nobody told me it would happen all in the same week.

What rites of passage have your kids survived?

*this post is linked up with @SarcasmGoddess on her Procrastinators Year in Review link up

Join Me for #CoffeeChat

2012-10-08T08:35:00.003-05:00

Over the last couple weeks, I've decided that Mondays get a better response both in comments on facebook and responses on twitter so get used to #CoffeeChat on Mondays. Exciting announcement: I will also be starting a chat on twitter using the hashtag starting next Monday the 15th starting at 8:30am CST. Please join in on the chat if you are around, or plan to be there if you usually aren't. Hilarity may ensue, or I may be talking to myself, who knows...either way, I'm going to have a good time!

Today let's visit Beaune, France and a little place by the market square to have our chat..

I think since working at a coffee shop in the early 90's, I have always had a pipe dream that I would one day own my own shop..

Your coffee question today:
Tell me - who introduced you to coffee?

I know coffee is a learned experience or at least something you acquired over the years and I want to know your story. Everybody has a story. To find out mine, please see one of my early posts about how far back coffee and I go. You will find I was pretty young when my addiction was set into place and maybe you share that in common with me.

I can't wait to see you next week on the twitter chat - don't worry, you know I will remind you before then! Let me know in the comments if you will be interested in joining (or lurking around) the chat. Hoping this will be a regular weekly thing!

10 Things Taken From #BloggyCon

2012-10-04T09:27:00.000-05:00

As I've mentioned, I'm slowly becoming a conference junkie as it's becoming a goal of mine to meet people I've never known - does that even sound sane? There are people I know I was destined to meet this past weekend, never knowing them before this conference, that I know I will definitely see again in the future. This happened at Bloggy Boot Camp as well but with this Bloggy Conference, it was three fold. People were very open and genuine whether they were speakers or newbies, everyone seemed to be on the same level when it came to standing in line for a head shot, or taking notes from fellow speakers probably because we were all there for the same cause - Growing with our Blogs. Even though the growth was not the same for all, everyone got something out of it, leaving inspired with great ideas on how to move forward.

There's bacon in those olives!

I am still wrapping my head around Bloggy Con I think, because it was the first multi-day experience I've had which takes it to a completely different level than the others I've gone to. Not to mention the nights in between with burgers, great ice cream and jaw dropping bacon filled olives in martinis!

Tiffany and Sherry do an awesome job in selecting the speakers and sponsors chosen. Everything was professional, yet easy to digest - especially the coffee break - and the candy filled dishes on the tables were a perfect touch. Connections made were meaningful.

It was encouraging to watch people meeting each other with hugs whether it was for the first time in an elevator or after knowing each other before meeting in person. It was hard to tell the difference. Everybody was gracious, open and able to learn from one another. I never felt out of place sharing my own ideas in any session or conversation.

I have a few posts in the works that I would like to share based on the sessions I went to and the people I met, but let's just start with my top 10 take aways...

1. Blog more often, like nobody is reading.
2. Give yourself grace.
3. Over the top is funnier than real life.
4. Be concise.
5. Have a call to action.
6. There is no magic formula.
7. A Brakini TM does actually exist.
8. Deliver the punch line first.
9. I need to talk more.
10. Life is about friends.

If you haven't been to a conference, I would definitely recommend Bloggy Con as a perfect place to start. It's a great opportunity to find like minded people whether you are a newbie or an experienced blogger. I really have @AskDocG to thank for this (and the picture above) as she was the first to put a bee in my bonnet about this conference and was generous enough to help me get there. Without her, I would be in a different place.

Life is about friends!

Have you been to any blogging type conferences?

What was your experience?

P.S. I think I left my shoes in Cincinnati.

Do You Drink Alone?

2012-09-28T07:27:00.000-05:00

While I'm on location in Cincinnati for Bloggy Con this fine Friday, I offer you a spectacular view of the Mosel River in Germany for our Coffee Chat today. I hope you enjoy!

Wouldn't that just be an ideal place to have coffee? I think so!

Feel free to pin these coffee pictures today or what have you because they are a bit fun!

Your coffee question today:
Who do you drink coffee with?

I usually drink with my husband that's if he happens to be home that particular morning. There are days when I drink alone and I'm fine with that as well. In that case, more for me right?

So what about you? Do you drink alone?

Monday Blues

2012-09-24T08:07:00.002-05:00

First Monday of Fall giving you the blues? With the Autumn weather upon us in the first days of Fall, the temperature has dropped here significantly in the last week including lows in the 30s so I decided we would go somewhere warm today...

Our Coffee Chat today is brought to you by the beautiful Fountains Resort in Orlando Florida which I would like to do a full write up on being that it was such an incredible place to stay. This wasn't even the pool we hung out at when we stayed there. The one we swam at came complete with cabanas (and the boys to go with them) and water slides. Let's just say the kids would have been happy there all day instead of going to the parks. I really should have planned a day just at the hotel besides just the day we arrived there. Now that you're nice and warm, here's your coffee fix. See which one applies to you most this morning...

The coffee question of the day: Are there certain times of the day you drink coffee or do you have a steady flow all day long?

For me this really depends on the day. There are some days that it's on all day long and then there's others that it's only made in the morning. Most days, there's one pot in the morning and one after dinner because that's how I roll. How do you roll?

Enjoy your week!!

Inspirational Coffee

2012-09-21T07:27:00.000-05:00

Welcome back to another edition of this week's Coffee Chat. Did your week fly by or did the end of the week crawl? How's about we go on over to this quaint little corner of France and have ourselves an inspirational little chat, shall we?

We could enjoy these pretty delights while we chat...

Speaking of inspiration, here's some new pics that I have related to and created this week, let me know which one you relate to the most.

Inspired by the ever hilarious @LaughingAbi

Made by @akaLaverne inspired by yours truly!

So here is today's question for you:

Are you a seasonal coffee drinker? Do you think there is a certain season that you tend to drink more coffee than others?

I know with the fall season in bloom, everyone is going for the pumpkin spice or the salted caramel so I'm curious to see if people drink more during this or any season.

Personally, I do not consider myself a seasonal coffee drinker - I just switch my drink in the summer to a little iced number and go back to the hot stuff once the cooler weather comes rolling into town. I'm pretty predictable when it comes to my coffee and usually fall back on my regular stand-by drinks. Sure the holidays always offer a great variety of festive drinks and more of an excuse to indulge. Do you resist temptation or go for all the seasonal tastiness coffee has to offer?

Join me again on Monday - have a great weekend!

10 Ways You Embarrass Yourself

2012-09-18T07:27:00.000-05:00

You Embarrass Yourself Four Times a Day

You probably didn't realize it, but we spend all day walking around humiliated. You're not the only one! According to a new survey*, the average person feels embarrassed four times a day. That's 1,460 times a year.

Here Are the Top Ten Ways

#1.) Forgetting someone's name when you're introducing them.

#2.) Tripping in public.

#3.) Getting someone's name wrong.

#4.) Getting food stains or splashes on your shirt.

#5.) Waving at someone and they don't see it.

#6.) Having food stuck in your teeth.

#7.) Thinking someone's waving at you when they're not.

#8.) Being late.

#9.) Forgetting where you parked.

#10.) Burping accidentally.

I'm almost sure I could add a few to those. I trip over flip flops and run into doorways all the time. It's a wonder I still have either of my baby toes. This doesn't even factor in the countless times where I embarrass myself in front of the kids which is somewhat less embarrassing...for now. Being late is no longer an embarrassment. In fact, I was embarrassed for being an hour early for a party this past weekend. Also? It's really time I replaced some shirts and started buying coffee colored clothes, you would think I would have learned this by now.

How many times do you embarrass yourself on a daily basis?

I know I'm above average on this one.

*This from my friend Michael Dean on facebook.

Chatting it up Coffee Style

2012-09-17T07:27:00.000-05:00

I've decided to conduct a few social media experiments between now and the new year that I hope will include you!

Some will be played out on twitter and facebook, others will be conducted here and there so be sure to follow me on all the outlets if you would like to play along. I asked a question on facebook last week about how people take their coffee and it got a great response leading to more questions so I'm going off of that.

I'm excited to include a new series called Coffee Lovin' Mom's Coffee Chat.

I will be asking a question every Monday and Friday (for a couple or three weeks) until I determine which day of the week is more engaging. After that it will be once a week. I will be answering the question of the day as well which will give us all a little more insight into our coffee habits good and bad. Some of the questions may not even involve coffee but most of them will lean that way. I also plan to have some interviews from coffee addicts in the future for this chat if you are interested, please let me know!

We can imagine we are having coffee here for our chat:

(Or somewhere else amazing and beautiful that will change each time)

I will also be sharing with you some coffee pictures that have been appropriate in my week. Let me know if or how you relate to them...

Giving props to From the Compound for permission of the jar pic

So are you ready for your coffee question of the day?

How many cups of coffee on average do you drink in a day?

I would say I average around 6. Most days there are two pots of coffee made and there are other days where there's multiple. It also depends on what I'm drinking, the home made brew goes a lot farther accumulating cups when I may only have one if it's take out and full of espresso. My cups are no less than 16oz - I don't do dainty when it comes to coffee or really anything for that matter, I'm not sure why it's even in my vocabulary.

Enjoy your day folks - I hope you don't have an out of coffee experience this week! I look forward to finding out about your coffee (among other) habits. Join me again on Friday for another thought provoking question on Coffee Chat!

Just Jen in Ten

2012-09-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

There is a blogger that I would like you to meet today who I've tweeted so many late nights she's crocheted a legwarmer or two among other warmers that could only be imagined and explained in the realm of the twitterverse (or porn industry) that wouldn't really be appropriate anywhere else. Twitter is kinda like Vegas that way.

I met her shortly before she won the coffee whore mug I gave away last year, hopefully proudly used in the company of her family and children on a regular basis..if not, I still love her anyway and I think you will too if you don't already know her.

She's also currently in a voting war to be named Best Parenting Blog in Western Washington that if you click RIGHT HERE real quick, you can cast your vote...we'll wait for you to come back.

*Cue the Jeopardy music please...

She did not ask me to plug this little nugget for her but she deserves it so I hope you really voted, if not I can always cue the music for you again..

Okay now that that's out of the way, please welcome my Featured Guest today, blogging her way through the roller coaster that is her life: Just Jennifer!

How long have you been blogging?

Two years 4 months

What piece of advice can you give to unseasoned bloggers?

I personally love garlic and cilantro...wait, that's not what you mean, is it?

If someone came to me and asked my advice on starting a blog, I'd first ask them why they want to blog and what they hope to gain from it. Do they have the time to do it well? Will it be purely personal, or are they interested in the idea of making a little money? Those are important things to think about as a blogger. Then I would encourage them to be authentic.

When is your favorite time of the day and why?

I like both right after dinner and after the kids go to bed. After dinner because everyone is fed and relaxing. We usually have good family time and conversation during that time. Of course after the kids go to bed is when I have my wine, watch my shows and whatnot.

Where were you last Tuesday?

It will totally depend on when you publish this, but chances are, I was sitting right here blogging, reading blogs, tweeting, checking out Facebook, making a quote graphic on Photobucket, yelling at my kids behind me, doing laundry, scooping my cat's box and/or taking a picture and sharing it to Instagram. Yes, I can do all of that at once!

Who or what brings you the most inspiration?

My husband. He is amazing.

What is your favorite movie?

Dirty Dancing. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." Swoon! I mean, that's my favorite movie for ages now, but I love some other great movies. Love me some tear-jerker chic flicks. And epic movies. Like The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Why should people read your blog?

I blogged for a year before I discovered the blogosphere. The only people reading me were my mother and a couple of my friends. They read because they love me. I think others are reading me now because I wear my heart on my sleeve, totally not afraid to put myself out there. I'm not good at being cagey. I think I also have a unique life perspective as the wife of a chronically ill man, as well as having bad eyes. I also have cute kids and a fat cat, so there's that.

What blog post of yours is your favorite? Check This Out

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?

Most interesting to whom? Because what I find interesting and what you find interesting could be very different. I really don't know. I haven't been many places....ummmm...I really don't have anything to put here because everything I think to say sounds lame.

I mean, I've been some places, but nothing exotic like Europe or Egypt or Australia. So yeah, lame.

This or that:

Gloves or Mittens? No one besides toddlers wear mittens!

Air Guitar or Lip Sync? Totes lip sync

Cape or Mask? has to be a cape

Heads or Tails? Heads, because tails....ew.

Pie in the Face or Slip on a Banana peel?
I would be more likely to slip on a banana peel.

Agreed about the banana peel Jen! I know the pie would find me too..

You can find Jen on the twitter @JenAnnHall or on facebook: Just Jennifer
She's also got some pins over on the Pinterest, you know, in case you're ever there for more than five minutes..

She also writes other places like Band Back Together and Girlfriendology.

AND? She also has a cool monthly linky that leaves a post open for a whole array of possibilities that I invite you to join in on the FIRST Tuesday of the month which always comes up fast. She reminds me all the time and still I don't join her as often as I'd like especially since my son is in the Did You Know stage...

Check it:

THANK YOU so much for hanging out today Jen and for your support over the last year! I hope we can have a coffee together - putting it out there for the universe to hear..

Do You Believe in Karma?

2012-09-07T07:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday my husband fell almost 20 feet from a tree stand he was putting up in the middle of the woods. By himself. Those last 8 words gotta say this story's gonna be good.

He was attempting to put the top strap around to secure the stand when the seat of the stand became top heavy with him on it, going backwards top first away from the tree; still connected at the strap that was at the bottom a few feet below. He said he basically went straight down watching tree and ladder rungs, landing square on his back, bouncing his head off the ground. After laying there he said he rolled himself to his bag (all MacGyver-like where his phone was) because he thought he might have to call someone. Starting to crawl around, he figured he could make it back to the truck so at least if he did have to call someone, they could find him by his truck outside the woods instead of in the middle of nowhere. Then, like a man, he of course proceeds to drive home.

He walked in the house about a quarter to two calling me to help him get his boots off because he couldn't bend over and his left ring finger was swelled up with the knuckle black and blue. He prided himself in being able to take the ring off when he got back to the truck so they wouldn't have to cut it off. He was walking like that little toy from when we were young where you push in the bottom and the whole giraffe body kind of collapses, only he was wincing instead of smiling. I asked him immediately if he needed to go somewhere and of course he wanted to man up and soak in the tub to see if that helped first. By the time he got out, it was close to the bus coming with the kids and being that he was still walking gimpy I told him we should just go if only to make sure nothing was going on. It looked like his finger was most likely broken if nothing else.

I knew my friend at the bus stop would take the kids from there but knowing my sensitive kids, I couldn't leave it at 'I'm taking Dad to the emergency room, don't worry we'll be back'. I felt like if they saw him and saw with their own eyes that he looked good, they wouldn't be as worried. The only real visible injury was his finger as long as he wasn't walking, or you know moving really.

As we walked back from the bus stop and I told them what was going on of course they were worried and asking all kinds of questions about what he hurt and how.

"What happened? Is Dad gonna be okay? Was he at home? Is he bleeding?"
"Dad fell out of his tree stand in the woods. He is hurt and in a lot of pain."
"Did he fall straight down? What did he break? Did he land on his feet? Is he okay?"
"It's hard to say. He landed on his back. His finger is black and blue. He will be okay."
"How bad is it? Is it broke? Is his whole hand broke? Did anything else break? Will he need to get a cast? Do you think he will need a brace for his back? I have a friend at school who broke her back on a trampoline, she had to have a back brace."
"That's why I want to take him, to find out for sure."
"Will he have to stay at the hospital?"
"We will find that out after they check him out. Probably not."
"He wasn't following his own safety rules, was he mom?"
That last one was my daughter.

Then out of the blue walking up the driveway, my son asks:

"Mom, do you believe in Karma?"

"Like bad things happening to bad people? What is your idea of karma David?"

"Like maybe (through tears) I did something bad to make something bad happen to dad?"

"Oh sweetie," I said, putting my arm around him, "that's not how karma works...wait, what did you do that was bad? Did you do something bad?"

"No."

"Babe, this is not your fault. At all."

We went inside and after I explained to dad what the boy was thinking in his ten year old mind, he proceeded to explain how karma works on the same person that does the bad things and it can't be transferred from person to person even if he had done something bad. So intriguing how a ten year old mind works that he is already trying to find a way to blame himself for what happened to his dad. Mature, yet still innocently sweet - makes me wonder how he's really wired sometimes.

After about 4 hours of mostly waiting, including an exam and X-rays on the back, pelvis and hand, my husband came away with only breaking a finger which will have to be reset by an orthopedic. He still winces when he walks and will be off work a couple days but the pain meds seem to be helping. I'd say karma worked out in his favor this time considering all the things that could have happened ~~that I promise not to obsess over~~.

He did ask me the night before to go out there with him, maybe because he could have used help that I wouldn't have even been, probably because I keep telling him he shouldn't go out there by himself. I can't say anything would have went down any different except that I would have called ambulances out to the middle of nowhere. Maybe I would have been driving the karma bus, who knows. Makes me wonder what would have happened if I had been there. Or if it happened because I wasn't. Or if I was there to take a video, he said we could probably be rich if I was. He has now agreed from the advice of one of his hunting buddies not to go out by himself anymore.

So tell me, what do you believe about karma?

Coffee Confessions From the Compound

2012-09-05T07:27:00.000-05:00

So you know when you meet that unexpected person you didn't know you were going to meet but you knew when you met them it was completely supposed to happen when it happened? Almost like you had already met them or they were perhaps your long lost doppleganger in both snark and use of the word dude...well that's pretty much what happened the first 12 hours I spent with today's Featured Guest - Julie From the Compound. I know by the end of that first night I was slapping her arm way too much (I blame it on the "so do I"s and "Me too"s). Our kids are even mysteriously close in age. Then in February we did this kind of fun stuff:

Which in real life was getting our asses blown down a couple blocks in the windy city from her hotel on Dearborn Ave near the river where we shared a chatty breakfast that quickly turned into almost late that had us hailing a fast cab to our GLO event and after meal at the Hyatt where the real fun began and things were put out into the universe...why couldn't we? I couldn't NOT share her talents, advice and gem of a coffee confession:

1. How long have you been blogging? I started blogging in October of 2007.

2. What piece of advice can you give to unseasoned bloggers? First of all, just keep blogging. I've gone for long periods without blogging when I've gotten busy and after not posting for so long I start to feel like I have nothing to say, but I do have something to say. I just lost my rhythm. Don't lose your rhythm sometimes it's hard to find. Secondly, be your own voice, and realize with every experience you have and person you meet, your voice will probably change. So be fluid! Don't try to please anyone, but yourself. I try to remember these amazing words with a little addition my me...if you “MAKE SOMETHING NO ONE HATES, NO ONE LOVES IT” either- TIBOR KALMAN

3. When is your favorite time of the day and why? I love weekday afternoons, the house is quiet, the clocks are ticking & I'm usually just getting warmed up! I'm a night owl so later afternoons are like my early mornings...which means early mornings are like HELL! But I'm trying to retrain myself to love mornings. The sunlight in the early morning is beautiful & I WANT to make that my quiet time, but getting up early is a struggle for me.

4. Where were you last Tuesday? I had coffee with my friend and colleague, Paul, in the morning. Then I got my hair colored- the wrong color, and after that I took the kids to Meet Your Teacher night at their elementary school. Overall not a terrible day. Luckily I don't care how I look.

5. Who or what brings you the most inspiration? I find inspiration from 2 kinds of thinkers-grateful thinkers & global thinkers. I define global thinkers as people who think outside of themselves. People who's first thought is how will this effect others. And grateful thinkers are those people who appreciate every single that happens in their life. You know, the lemons into lemonade people.

6. What is your favorite movie? It's a tie between Good Fellas & It's A Wonderful Life.

7. Why should people read your blog? Because I've finally decided to pour my heart & soul into it. And I have adorable kids who are usually plastered all over.

8. What blog post of yours is your favorite? http://www.fromthecompound.com/2011/10/freckle-fridaythe-hoarders-in-compound.html

9. Where is the most interesting place you’ve been? Auschwitz http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auschwitz_concentration_camp

10. This or that:
Gloves or Mittens? As long as they are fingerless so I can press my shutter button.

Air Guitar or Lip Sync? I actually prefer Lip Guitar.

Cape or Mask? Mask.

Heads or Tails? Tails...I'll pick the underdog every time!

Pie in the Face or Slip on a Banana peel?

Seriously, of course pie in the face. Hilarious & delicious!

Good Friday...well now it is.

No school today so the kid and I slept in. That would be me and Sophia-who much like me, is a gifted sleeper. Poor Owen has other less useful gifts, like reading at a high-school level and having a nearly photographic memory.

So when Sophia and I finally rolled out of bed at 9 o'clock, I was feeling great. Another beautiful day filled with cloud cover, misty drizzle and cold temperatures.

(I just have to say a little something here ...who ever pissed Mother Nature off, could you please just apologize to her, I mean it's Earth Day for God's sake. Make amends so she will stop torturing the rest of us with this weird weather. I'm guessing it was some moron who was all like, "I don't believe in Global Warming"- but that's just a hunch I have.)

I go downstairs ready to dive into a fun day of laundry and playing Memory until I want to blow my brains out. First things first though, I go to the counter and open the egg basket cookie jar, where I keep my coffee making supplies, and guess what? No frickin' filters....SERIOUSLY!

Well, here is one of the great things about living in The Compound, I can make my kids run to grandma's house and bat their eyes for things like eggs, milk, chicken gumbo soup, and babysitters! Since Owen had been dressed since like 5:40 this morning and was dying to do something I asked him to go, and this is the reaction I got from him.

I'm not kidding! So I gently placed my camera in a safe spot and wrestled the gun from his puny fingers and asked him sweetly (at gun point) to go to Grandma's General Store for a coffee filter. Which he did without hesitation (at gun point).

Tah-dah! Not just one filter, but a couple of weeks worth. Thanks Grandma Margie, and thank you Dunkin' Donuts Hazelnut for making this a Good Friday after all.

Julie can be found on Twitter @fromthecompound

and on Facebook at : From the Compound

She also displays Awe-inspiring Photography - check her out at Julie Stephenson Photography. I think you'll find she is a master of aesthetics and catching multiple personalities in her work. Please go stalk her up all the places people liked to be stalked, I promise you won't regret it!

Back to School, Is Mom Still Cool?

2012-08-28T05:15:00.000-05:00

My kids started back up this past week with smiles on.
They both got the teachers they wanted and both were excited to get the school year started. They picked out what they were going to wear the night before and got all their supplies ready to go like it was the night before Christmas.

I had to drive them in the first day this year because we didn't get to go to the open house we usually do the week before school starts to bring in the bags of school supplies they wouldn't want to have to carry. We missed the open house due to having our last summer fling in Wisconsin Dells. So we went to the packed parking lot and carried in all the bags together, first going to the third grade hallway to drop off my daughter and her stuff. I gave her a kiss and a hug good bye before she sat down in line to get into her classroom.

My son hugged both teachers in that hall, one of which he had when he was in third grade. For being a big fifth grader himself, I thought it really sweet that he hug his old teachers because he missed seeing them and remembered how he liked them.

Now it was time to go down to the big kid hallway where the fourth and fifth graders wait for their classrooms to be opened. We walked to his group watching all the other kids sitting in a row along the wall and he waved at other kids that weren't in his class. When we arrived at his classroom, he immediately sat down. I handed him his extra bags and said goodbye. No hug or goodbye kiss like there had been in years before and as I walked away it didn't occur to me. Then I sat in the car and thought about it. He must be too big to want to hug mom in front of his friends anymore. The day I was dreading since he was little had come. I had a tear in my eye as I drove back home.

When he came home that first day, I asked him jokingly if he was too old to give his old mom a hug and a kiss in front of all his friends that were in the hallway that morning. Instead of agreeing with me about feeling embarrassed like I thought he would his response was genuine: "Oh, you mean I forgot to hug you before you left? Really? (thinking back) I'm sorry mom, I would have given you a hug and a kiss if I remembered!"

Gotta love that kid!

How Do You Take Your Coffee - Leaded or Unleaded?

2012-08-22T07:27:00.000-05:00

After reading this post, you might change your mind..

So I wanted to introduce you to a great friend of mine who has two sweet tweetin' thumbs and happens to be today's Featured Guest that I met about this time last year for the first time in real life. We chatted online often, the whole reason I even got to meet her was all her fault - and really I thank her all the time for it. It was her tweet that led me to my first ticket to any kind of bloggy anything so really I have her to blame for my convention junkie appearance you see standing before you today. It's kind of our meet-o-versary...no? No such thing you say? Did I not need to go there? Well I did - it IS a thing right? That's right, everything goes good with a versary at the end, the same works for licious...try it, you'll see.

Anywho, I have met up with her a few times since over the last year, because we are close enough and she's totally tittylicious - hell we even saw Magic Mike together. She'll tell you I was on the edge of my seat but it was her clapping and laughing on the other side that kept me much more entertained. Her name is Melanie Coffee, it's true - we were destined to meet and hang out IRL, I mean who else matches my personality so well only by stating her name? Not only does she have a spectacular name, her writing has an unintentionally humorous way of making you look at things in an entirely different light.

Take leaded coffee for example:

I have a confession. I tried to kill my elementary school teacher. Well, it wasn’t just me you know, it was the entire class.

I’m gonna be a bit vague to protect the identity of the juveniles involved, but let’s say it happened sometime between 3^rd and 5^th grade and the target was Mrs. X.

First off, Mrs. X wasn’t a bad teacher (even if she was, it’s not like anyone deserves the punishment we’d planned.) I think we didn’t like her because she was strict. So one day, someone comes up with the idea of getting rid of her.

At recess we talked through different possibilities, most of them inspired by TV shows. No one knew how to bleed brakes, or what that really meant. The school didn’t have any stairs, so she couldn’t take a terrible fall. Then finally, someone had a brilliant idea. She could die by lead poisoning. There’d been a lot of lead poisoning information in the news lately and we figured she should be the latest victim.

We hatched a plan. We’d take the lead from the pencil sharpener and pour it into her coffee. In the mornings her cup was either in her hand or on the corner of her desk. The day before D-Day, we all took turns sharpening our pencils, we needed to pack the pencil sharpener with as much lead as possible.

I can still remember when it was my turn to head to the sharpener. I was nervous that Mrs. X was going to figure it out.

During recess that afternoon, another girl and me went back into the classroom and emptied the sharpener. We threw the wood shavings in the trash and kept the remaining lead on a sheet of paper.

We went back out to recess and handed off the “goods” to another classmate.

On the morning of D-Day, we were all nervous and excited that it was the last day we would have to deal with Mrs. X. While working in our workbooks, one of the kids asked Mrs. X for help. She got up from her desk, leaving her coffee cup unguarded.

Another accomplice slipped up to her desk and poured in the lead. All morning we watched her with bulging eyes as she sipped, sipped, sipped the fully leaded coffee.

The next day, we were stunned, then crestfallen when we walked into the classroom to find her sitting behind her desk. She’s alive? How did she survive the poisoning? The answer was clear, she must have been an evil witch and no one knew how to get rid of a witch.

Loving this Coffee Confession of another kind. Thanks Mel for stopping by and always making me laugh - please let's get together again real soon, I miss your face!

You can find my lovely friend Melanie on twitter @sheswrite
and also on Facebook at She's Write.

Do YOU have a Coffee Confession of your own kind?
I am gladly taking submissions!

Introduce Yourself Before #BloggyCon {Linky}

2012-08-10T01:11:00.000-05:00

Bloggy Boot Camp - You never forget your first!

It would seem I have become what you might call a conference junkie over the past year starting with Bloggy Boot Camp last August, I also went to a Girl's Lunch Out in February, and a Spark and Hustle last month. I learned some valuable lessons and have made some lasting connections and people I can call friends at each one. All have been in the Chicago area - I'm trying to catch everything local to avoid air fare and keep my costs down. I can't tell you how excited I am that BlogHer will be close next year! I'm totally excited and planning on going to that outrageous shin dig to swim with the big dogs, just need to start saving for it now..

I have been looking at and lurking around BloggyCon since before I started going to any conferences and looked into it last year but thought Ohio was a bit far. Turns out it will only be a little over 4 hours of a drive, plus with the peer pressure from @AskDocG (also going to the conference, go follow her, she's awesome!) who has become a close friend over the last year and her offer to room with me, I couldn't turn it down this year. This will definitely be a bigger venue than I'm used to being a three day event and all. I'm excited and nervous all at the same time, even after attending the ones I already have.

I usually feel out of place at these things to begin with, even after going to a few - I think because I'm selling myself and not a product or niche, plus I'm much more socially awkward in person. Sure I'm considered a mom blogger because I'm a mom; my theme is coffee because I love it and live it, but I write about all different things on the spectrum including parenting (or lack thereof), travel and a few social media tips and tricks I learned the hard way along the way. I think it would be easier if I was actually selling a product - it's not as easy to sell yourself, too easy to down play. I've never been a review/giveaway blogger and the thought of sponsors scares me a little because to me, that means rules that I've never been good at following. I am the most consistent at being inconsistent, especially on this blog. Love it or leave it, it's who I am and I think I like taking summers off...

If you are not familiar with BloggyCon, please check the link for all the details. It is a three day conference full of information and helpful tips about blogging and making connections. It's held in Cincinnati, Ohio this year on September 27 - 29 and I would LOVE to meet you if you are going. If you're not, but thinking about it, keep an eye on the #BloggyCon hashtag on twitter where they have parties every other week and give away a full conference pass!

ARE YOU GOING?!? I would love to get to know you before the conference so I will recognize you when I walk in and I have someone to sit with! Please leave a comment introducing yourself and link up below with your blog or twitter URL (or both!). Then come back to check out and meet others that will link up before the conference. Consider it the party before the party, you don't want to pass it up!

*This is my first time ever hosting a link up so I hope it goes off without a hitch! I'm leaving it up until the conference starts so you'll have until then to link up - the more the merrier!!

Because Every Blog Should Have Legos

2012-07-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

I had originally intended for this post to be my own video montage of all the amazing Lego structures we saw in Lego Land earlier in the month but this is so much sweeter! Just wait!

I saw a tweet some time ago from my friend Julie @TheMamaMash about this guy and his great Lego videos so of course being a mom of a Lego fiend myself, I was inclined to check it out. What can I say? I was hooked. Line and sinker. I had to show my son who almost immediately had his YouTube channel on his favorites and soon Daddy's In Charge? became a household name over here. No joke. My kids both talk about and act like they know his boys and everything with the hula hoop comparison and all...(that was when my daughter got involved..)

John Willey is his name and Legos are his obsession - GAME I meant to say game. But he's so much more than just Legos, he's a dad that doesn't babysit who writes about his joys and trials of being a stay at home dad with two boys. He is also taking YouTube, the interwebs and soon the world by storm via Legos. I really don't think he can help it. It's in his blood. He's one of a handful of dad bloggers that I follow and enjoy chatting with on a regular basis so when I asked him to guest post, he told me he would do a video for me. I was secretly hoping I would be in it but had no idea I would be the star!! For someone that has never met me, I think he pretty much nailed it - what do you think?

My son's response when he saw it: "I love that Daddy's In Charge!"
I am forever immortalized in the eyes of my son and I have John to thank.
David is still beaming because his mom is a Lego!

You can find John on Twitter @DaddysinCharge
You Tube for his awesome videos: Daddy's In Charge
And he's often found on Facebook at Daddy's In Charge? there too!

Go check him out, you will be glad you did and you can thank me later!

Throat Punch Thursday - Eye for an Eye Edition

2012-07-19T01:23:00.000-05:00

Before you decide to read this I want you to know that it makes me a little nauseous to write about it so if you have a weak stomach or a ten year old boy, which is why I am so drawn to this story, please be warned - it's not a pretty sight and may contain explicit sexual language...

TEN
It's a milestone, it's double digits, it's when your child gets 'big enough' to do certain things like finally be able to go to the boys bathroom instead of going in with mom anymore. Every time we take a road trip to visit my grandmother in Iowa, my son goes to the boys while the rest of us girls go into the ladies room. Until I read this story, I was under the naivety that this was okay. I figured Iowa of all places would be safe - but let's face it, there is no safe state in this day and age. I will definitely be doing things differently from now on.

(Credit: AP Photo/Portland Police Bureau)

This story takes place in Portland, Oregon at a Wendy's where a preacher's son turned convicted sexual predator who previously served 11 years two decades ago on three convicted counts of first degree sodomy was waiting outside the bathroom.

49 year old Adam Lee Brown who has more than nine counts of molestation from 1992 shoved a ten year old boy into the bathroom locking and barricading the door while he attempted to sexually molest this innocent boy. When the boy tried to fight back, he was stabbed repeatedly while his defenseless father stood helplessly outside the door listening to screams coming from his son on the other side.

Helplessly listening - can you even imagine that scene? I'm sure that father was trying his damnedest to get though that door but just the thought of not being able to protect your child when who knows what the hell is happening on the other side just sends me into a frenzy.

The manager of the restaurant was able to unlock the door and the injured boy was shoved back out, taken to the hospital and immediately underwent surgery for his injuries. It was said that if he didn't get immediate attention, he would have died from those injuries. This low life piece of shit then led police to believe he had a gun and proceeded through a two hour standoff before surrendering. Thank God he let the boy go when he did. To top the whole story off with a cherry, Adam Lee Brown is also HIV positive and will be brought up on charges of attempted murder, kidnapping and assault to add to his previous convictions.

I am having a really hard time stomaching this story being the mother of a ten year old boy and I am sickened that this waste of space only served 11 years for his previous equally heinous crimes. On three convicted counts he served a little over three years for each count - does that even seem right to you? That means he's been out on the streets for almost the last decade doing who knows what waiting around the corner who knows where for his next victim. I bet there will be more stories that come out now that this one is out in the open.

I really feel like crimes like these should be an eye for an eye. If when convicted two decades ago, any part of the Pulp Fiction scene at the pawn shop with Zed would have been imposed on this evil sodomising scum rock, so that he would know the exact pain his victims felt would it have even made a difference? Probably only if he dies at the end of the scene. The fact that he has plead not guilty in this case and will even get a trial as if he might be innocent makes me lose a little more faith in the judicial system. How do people get to plead not guilty when it's something completely obvious? How does he get the right to a fair trial when he's ruined so many children's lives? He's already a registered sex offender - that doesn't ever get scratched right? His record should say it all already. By the math they did last time, he won't be behind bars long. Eff that - I say somebody needs to get medieval on his ass.

Agree or disagree? What did you think when you first heard this story? Will it change how big you think your ten year old (or however old) really is? I know it did for me.

Did You Know Sky Mall Sells Zombies?

2012-07-11T01:33:00.000-05:00

If you've ever flown with American Airlines, you've seen Sky Mall, their complimentary magazine of outrageous organizational items you will never be able to afford unless you take out a small loan. No offense Sky Mall, your stuff is all really cool..I would love to buy it all with my extra million I have waiting to sprout in the backyard seriously. I can't get enough of all your innovative As Seen On TV items and I would enjoy nothing more than to acquire that Big Foot tree sculpture to scare away the foxes that lurk in my backyard late at night. I am hip to all the vintage you bring to the table while at the same time trying to help make improvements in my life with your bamboo Tiki Bar and six foot Easter Island Head. My children especially enjoyed playing the 'what-would-you-get-on-this-page?' game during the flight. If you have ever bought something from Sky Mall I wouldn't hold it against you, please let me know..I want to come over and envy your yard sculptures. DID YOU KNOW? I was delightfully surprised on our recent flight to find out that they are now selling Zombies!

Click for the whole Zombie Collection

Speaking of zombies, I had a nice friend offer to guest post while I was out of town last week and I left the post in draft mode instead of scheduling the damn thing while I was gone.
Can you guess who she is?

How long have you been blogging?

Technically speaking my blog has been up and running for about 3 years. It started as a way for me to tell stories about my kids to my family but I wanted to take it further and I needed a place to just let everything out. I have actively been blogging for a little over a year.

What piece of advice can you give to unseasoned bloggers?

GET RID OF CAPTCHA! Seriously, I hate that thing. It takes a lot of time to comment on a lot of blogs, I tend to comment and run. I have more than once commented, went to leave and had captcha pop up right when I hit the back button. I won’t re-write a comment because I like to leave in depth comments, a re-write makes it seem fake.

When is your favorite time of the day and why?

About 9pm, I get to curl up and play on my Kindle, read blog posts, or whatever. I can watch a movie or just enjoy the silence. If I want an ice cream cone, I can get up and get one without hearing, “I want a bite.”

Where were you last Tuesday?

Last Tuesday hasn’t happened yet. Are you confused yet? Amy likes to mess with us, I blame her. No, I am writing this in advance, so last Tuesday to you all is the future for me now. WOW, is your mind blown? Plus, today is Tuesday and it’s almost over. But I did participate and a monthly blog hop called “Did You Know?” That I co-host with Just Jennifer the first Tuesday of the month. (Can you guess what that makes today then)

Who or what brings you the most inspiration?

Life. My life is full of stuff. Good moments, bad moments, interesting and trying moments. Lately life has been a bit dark and twisty (in the words of Meredith Grey), but when I can I write through it. Lately I have been getting a little spiritual inspiration and hope to be back to blogging FULL time (3x a week for me) REAL soon!

What is your favorite movie?

Zombieland

Why should people read your blog?

I am real. I am not out to sell myself. I am out to tell my life story and hopefully help someone in the process. I write where my heart is. I write what I feel, when I feel. If that’s not good enough, then just come because of the zombies. I write about those guys too. Oh, but be aware, I am not a grammar nazi. When I write I am in the moment and don’t really proof read. Why you ask? Because I have 3 kids, no time or I will chicken out and not hit publish.

What blog post of yours is your favorite?

My post about being 16 and pregnant: http://www.motherhoodtruth.com/2011/09/16-and-pregnantmy-story-not-mtvs.html

Where is the most interesting place you’ve been?

I have been all over the West Coast and to Texas. Got married in Las Vegas and even had a little “cross the border to Mexico” experience. However, the most interesting was right here in Seattle, the Fremont Parade. It’s a bunch of naked people in tutus, body paints and floats that run on human (or dog) power only.

This or that:
You know that by saying I have to choose one or the other you are making me want to write A LOT more for each one. Okay…biting my tongue, or fingers…whatever.

Gloves or Mittens?

Gloves

Air Guitar or Lip Sync?

Lip Sync

Cape or Mask?

What would a super hero be without both? Just some crazy person in a mask or a cape. Ugh, I blew it…I choose both.

Heads or Tails?

Tails

Pie in the Face or Slip on a Banana peel?

Pie in the face! It’s hilarious. I have done it!

Did you guess it was Danielle at Motherhood Truth?
Thanks D - remember coffee does a zombie good!

Danielle can be found every month hosting with Just Jennifer at their Did You Know linky!

She also tweets at @MotherhoodTruth