now entering momville

My New Christmas Dress!

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 22:10:00 +0000

Some time ago, I entered a giveaway for an APART Style gift card. The clothes were so chic, so runway, so cutting edge! I imagined myself slinking around in an APARTStyle outfit, going to artsy parties in NY in my new threads, and for some reason, in my fashion fantasy I was Mary Kate Olsen, but I digress. So with an opening like this, you likely imagine that I'm about to announce that I won the contest! Surprise twist: I didn't win. No, some other lucky girl got a congratulatory email. But this tale isn't to have a sad ending. APARTStyle wanted all the entrants in the contest to feel like winners so they let all 157 of us pick an item from their stunning collection!

And what did I choose? This!

This is the classically beautiful Portrait Day Dress. When I put this on, I was instantly transformed into a Greek Goddess! The draping and soft fabric makes this a dress to flatter any figure. Really! I have never had a less cumbersome Christmas dress in my life. The material swings and flutters ever so subtly with my movements. They should call this piece the Cinderella Day Dress because it helped my metamorphosis from raggamuffin house wife to prettier than a princess.

Thanks so much to APARTStyle for the chance to experience their high end fashion line!

You'll want to browse and drool APART. Just visit http://www.apartsyle.com . Enjoy, and Merry Christmas to one and all!

calling all csn lovers

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 18:07:00 +0000

The vegan tummy is giving away a $40 csn card. Follow this link to enter.

When I Grow Up

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 02:21:00 +0000

I once thought I would grow up to have a grand, important career. Don't we all when we're young? (Think rock star, ballerina, cowboy!) Not knowing how it was going to pan out was thrilling to pre-pubescent me. So I'm not twirling in toe shoes; I turned out okay. And now I get the joy of watching my daughter explore the myriad of wonderful employment choices through dress up and pretend. Often, she's a dancer of some kind, a sugar plum fairy, Shirley Temple wowing them all with "Animal Crackers" or Beyonce calling for her single ladies. Today, she was making her tricycle her fire engine, complete with ultra-loud sirens. Sometimes, she is a knight, prepared to slay the dragon. A tough line of work to get into this day and age to be sure. She likes to use her doctor kit to treat her dolls' imaginary head injuries. My daughter is an excellent mommy to her doll babies and plush babies. She strolls Lammie Pie about in her tattered pink doll stroller that Aunt Rachel found in a thrift store. That kid of mine sketches clusters of bold and very beautiful circles on posterboards and has me hang them up gallery style because, explaining than she is an artist having an art show. She could easily to grow up to do any of these things. (Well, the knight job might be pushing it.) She's half-drunk on the ecstasy of having such a feast of possible careers before her. I remember that delicious feeling! I still get it once and awhile. Sure, I'm a stay-at-home mom, rapidly approaching middle age, but anything still is possible! Seeing my child so easily accept that life is a smorgasbord of possibilities, gives me a bit of that old feeling,too.

Delilah Forever

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 19:58:00 +0000

It's quiet here. Back in the day, I had giveaways and reviews, and paid articles. And, as a result, readers. I like not having an audience to pander to. I just want to talk about my kid, and let's face it, that only appeals to a very small portion of the population, all of whom are related to me.

The love I have for my child is all-consuming, like a religion. The love is so pure and unconditional. But Delilah is a most wonderful child. She has wide, nearly black eyes, which reflect great empathy and understanding. I love those eyes. I love the way she twists her hips when she runs and has sudden bursts of operatic vocals and the way her hair gets greasy and flat to her head on a hot day so that you can see her perfectly round head and that she names all her dolls "charlie temple" and how she lines up like objects very neatly and the way she runs screaming from imaginary monsters on the playground and her love hate/realationship with robots and how she changes shoes all day long but always comes back to her sparkly pink flipflops and the way she sings twinkle,twinkle as "Twinkle up a sky" and the way she puts her little arms around my neck. A mother has never loved a child more than I love Delilah.

Why am I writing this? Because life is so unpredictable. If tomorrow I vanish, my daughter would not remember me, and no one could tell her these things about her early life, about who she was. I want my baby girl, my LylieBug to know how loved she is. What parent doesn't?

This blog is for her. And maybe someday, when she is a teenager we can laugh about how morbid I was!

The End of a Long Hiatus

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:14:00 +0000

Was that a tumble weed bouncing through Momville? This place has been a virtual ghost town, not a new post in sight for the last year, but the sheriff is back in town. (I promise not to use anymore Old West metaphors, partner.)
There were many times I considered blogging, when my daughter, Delilah, would hit a milestone (like potty training) or have a first (like her first big girl bed), or when my husband deployed for Afghanistan (In August) or returned to the U.S. (two weeks ago). Me? Oh, I'm ever the same, but I do my fretting, mothering and corny joke-making in New York State now. (Goodbye Missisisppi).
So enough of the catching up business. We'll have plenty of time to mull over the past, should the mood strike. This post, well, this is just a formal warning that I'm back in the saddle again. (Sorry, one final word of cowboy speak. Couldn't resist.)

Where I'll Be Living Next Month

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Wed, 13 May 2009 04:50:00 +0000

If you didn't know, my husband just graduated Army basic training, and is currently in A.I.T training. If Uncle Sam doesn't change plans, we'll be stationed in Fort Drum in Upstate New York. I've never lived outside my home state of MS so I'm excited. I 'm pretty sure that living away from family and having more free time will give me ample motivation to return to blogging. Finally, I'll have something to write about!

I know, I know

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 23:06:00 +0000

I thought when my hubby went to boot camp I'd have plenty of time for blogging and reading blogs. Wrong wrong wrong. I have had so many review, giveaway and ad offers this month. I am just too busy to do bloggy stuff lately. The only free time I have is when my daughter naps, and I have been exercising and writing my husband during that time. (I am back to my pre-baby weight on a brighter note.) When will I be able to come back to blogging? I don't know.

Homeless Paul

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 18:29:00 +0000

Isn't it wonderful when people lost in the past resurface? Recently I found an old friend I had dubbed "Homeless Paul". He hitchhiked to Oxford, MS from Richmond, Virginia without a plan and with little money in his pocket. Must have been 14 or 15 years ago. I let him crash at my place for awhile. He was always writing everything people said down in a little notebook, which made us all feel terribly brilliant. And he played endless Elvis Costello songs on piano. I forget all the details, but somehow he ended up in a drunken semi-coma on my kitchen floor. Some of my friends called his parents to come get him and take him back to Virginia, where they promptly deposited him in rehab. I didn't know him long, but I have never forgotten him. I always wondered if he was doing okay. It's apparent that he is doing very well in life these days. He's happily married, with dogs, but he's lost none of his rock n' roll edge that made him so fun. I wish I could get reacquainted with all the wonderful characters that have popped in and out of my stories over the years. What a treat!

You Can Win! My Secrets to Winning Giveaways

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:04:00 +0000

Consider this a gift. I'm going to tell you all my tips for winning blog giveaways. My daughter wouldn't have had toys to play with or shoes on her feet if not for these contests. Now that my financial crisis is behind me, I'm going to put you on the track to winning.

*Google Blog Search is your friend. Google Blog Search allows you to select the date you want to search choose "today" if you enter giveaways daily or "this week" if you can only enter them infrequently. Using the date selection will help you to avoid expired giveaways and make searching for contests less of an effort.

* Using Google Blog Search, enter terms such as "giveaway email" or "giveaway post" if you want to preview general giveaways. Maybe you want to win something for your kids. Then you would type "giveaway kids", "giveaway children", etc. in the search box. You an get more specific with items, but typing "giveaway" in conjunction with a specific items such as shoes, makeup, certificate, toys, clothing, etc.

* Only do extensive extra credit work like blogging or twittering if you really, really want to win that giveaway. Time is money. Also, if a giveaway has more than 70 entries, I don't enter unless the prize is irresistible. If there is just one other entry in a giveaway, you only have half a chance of winning.

* Include your email with every entry.

* Search your name and email address everyday on Google Blog Search to see if you've won a prize that you weren't emailed about. That has happened a million times to me. You don't want to be late on claiming your winnings!

* Want a really good shot at winning? Search for giveaways with these terms. "first giveaway", " "giveaway shop", "giveaway handmade". First giveaways usually mean the blog won't have a huge following yet so fewer readers to enter. And handmade stuff doesn't draw as much interest as more commercial stuff. But they are usually gems worth winning.

Good luck!

First Letter From My Soldier Man

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 04:19:00 +0000

*Sigh* I finally got a letter from my husband. I even got a 19 second phone call. Not much time for chit-chatting about our day, but what a treat to hear his voice.

The letter was short, but my husband wrote that he stands on his feet 15 hours a day, and those poor, over-worked feet are aching. He hasn't been allowed to eat more than two bites of food at a meal. As soon as the all the guys in basic sit down to eat, they are told they've had enough , and to leave the cafeteria. Also, someone couldn't give up the cigs so they were "smoked". They had to do a 20 minute squat stand. I'm sure he's experiencing some grueling training, but he didn't have much time for writing. He had toilets to clean.

I sure have new respect and appreciation for my husband, I can tell you that!

Decorate a Room For Virtually Nothing ( Like My Mother Does!)

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:39:00 +0000

My mother has the almost magical ability to turn what life hands her into a near-masterpiece, at least where decor is concerned. Her style is a harmonious blend of baroque religious iconography, Victoriana, shabby chic and dollar store kitsch. Almost everything she decorates has been found or given to her, save a few items from the $1 stores. My mother can take an unwanted or discarded item, and give it a new life. The really, really fun part is that she rearranges her room twice a month so family members are treated to a home decor show frequently. Why should family members be the only ones to experience the wonder that is my mom's bedroom. She allowed me to take a few photographs to share with you. Isn't her style fun?

My mother used an old room divider as a headboard, and decorated it with artificial plants and fruit, butterfly ornaments and bird-related knick knacks for an English Garden appearance.
The electric candelabra and golden balls were Christmas leftovers.
Some of these vintage items were won from giveaways that my sis and I entered or bestowed from dead relatives.
The baby pic is moi!

There is no way I could show you every detail of this room. My mother has every corner, wall ceiling, nook and cranny adorned in her fabulous and unique style.

Help Me Out

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 05:35:00 +0000

My deal for March, as you recall, is to not blog about myself. But, I think I should acknowledge one very important thing- My husband is gone to boot camp for the next 5 months or so. No need to elaborate on that. You can guess how any wife in such a situation would feel.

If you would be so kind as to help a sister out, suggest forms of entertainment to occupy me all these long and lonely days. What blogs should I visit, books should I read, recipes should I attempt, sports I should try?.. anything that you have find to be an amusing diversion would be greatly appreciated.

I want to share a few great bloggy finds of mine from my blog roll!

Mama Sings the Blues talks Girl Scout Recipes and tells you where to find recipes for at home version!

Jesica is approaching her final chemo session and asking for your prayers. Send her your well-wishes, and read her amazing blog about her struggle with Ovarian Cancer.

Lucy from Lulu's Petals is sharing a fabulous painting and the sentiments behind it.

Broke and Beautiful introduces readers to a cool interactive fashion site called Polyvore, and she's having an accompanying giveaway.

(Have a post that deserves a shout out? Let me know and I'll mention it here tomorrow!)

Come here to boast

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 00:55:00 +0000

I always thought the best part of being famous would be getting to do interviews where people actually wanted to hear your opinions. Well, you're as good as famous in Momville! I want to hear what you have to say. Abandon your modesty for a second, and tell me something you're good at!

Everyone is good at something. Here are a few examples to inspire you.
* My sister is good at motivating people to spill all their secrets.
* My mom is good at turning scraps and junk into decor items.
* My husband is good at setting and meeting goals.
*My daughter is good at spinning/twirling.

So how 'bout you good lookin'? Share a skill!

Play the Blues for Me Daddy

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 07:58:00 +0000

My almost, kind-of -famous brother-in-law, Daddy Rich, is beginning to record his third album so I thought I'd share an old, live performance to drum up some excitement. And don't forget to look for him on Little People, Big World, and Gene Simmon's Family Jewels this season. You can also check his blog. Peep over at my blog roll for the link.

Quick News: New Mom Forum

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 23:29:00 +0000

Ms. Suz from Not Your Typical Mommy wrote a post about a cool new forum called Sassy Moms. This looks like a pretty nifty virtual hang out spot, and Suz made it into the Sassy 16. Congratulations! If all the writers are as genius as she, this will be a terrific forum.

The Month of You

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 00:09:00 +0000

I was reading about narcissism, and realized that I have an acute case of the unattractive disorder. Ick.. I don't want to be that person who always draws every conversation back to herself, who doesn't give as much as she gets. Narcissists are so busy trying to protect their fragile egos that they can truly love or be loved. Luckily, the cure is a simplistic one : Focus on others.

So here we go. I declare the month of March to be The Month of You. I will not write a single post about myself! I will write about people I encounter, my fellow bloggers or news of note. I will be reading and commenting on lots of blogs, pondering your ideas and sharing them on my blog. I really look forward to getting to know you more, and introducing you to characters who enliven my life! Stick around. This will be fun!

Not Cinderella and Not Prince Charming - The Story of Us

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 21:46:00 +0000

My wedding anniversary is a little more than 2 weeks away, but my husband will already be in Basic Training. In honor of my army-bound spouse, I'm going to tell the story of our relationship. Its messy and sometimes unromantic, but then I realized that is all the more reason to tell it. We ladies who don't have storybook romances can feel disappointed that we didn't get proposed to on top of a mountain, didn't experience love at first or didn't marry the hero type, who saved us from our pitiful lives. My husband and I deeply love each other in the way that real people do, and here is our story.

My husband is 8 younger than I am, and we almost met a million times when he was a little boy, and I was a young woman. I was aware of his existence and he of mine because I was friends with his older stepbrothers, our moms worked together for a little while, and his father lives just down the road from mine in a very tiny country community. Luckily, fate didn't allow us to meet. I never would have dated him if I remembered him as a kid.

My husband says,"I noticed you before you knew I existed." I believe he is referring to when he used to ogle me in the swimming pool at my mom's apartment building. I noticed, but he had to be only 14 or so. I'd see him around town at times. Then, we ran into each other at a party and had a nice conversation. He was a nice 16 year-old, but I was a 24 year-old with a live-in boyfriend and a job. I wasn't thinking too much about a high school boy. I moved off for some years to finish college, and when I returned my sister had befriended "the red-headed boy".

I had just gotten out of an awful, dramatic relationship, and I was enjoying talking to this 19 year-old. He was fun, up for anything and very sexy. I was in my late 20's now, and couldn't see myself dating a mere teenager. I had marriage and babies on my mind . I did go on a few dates with him, and we kissed a few times. It was just easy, fun and pleasant, but I wanted husband material, not just some cute, young guy to play kissy face with. Here is where our slowly blossoming relationship gets murky. I get "practical", and dump him for someone my age, who has a lot of accolades, and looks like good marriage-material.

We flirted through my relationship with the other guy. I was inexplicably drawn to the man who is now my husband. I couldn't leave him alone. I tried. (Poor other guy. He was really a gentle soul.) The other guy moved back where he came from, and I decided to stay behind. My now husband turns 21. I decide that's old enough. And I finally succumb to being his girlfriend. We had a blast, traveling, gambling, cuddling, watching movies, hanging with friends, going to concerts for a year or two. We decide to move in together in another town. We weren't moving alone, but I didn't know it. I had a bun in the oven. We had talked about getting married and having kids in a couple years, but that happened sooner than we expected. We had a cheap, awful, little shotgun wedding with no honeymoon.

None of my romantic dreams have turned out like a fairytale, but everything turned out okay anyway! My husband and I are realists. Sh*t happens,. We laugh it off. Roll with the punches. We're over-analytical. Fate had to push us together, over and over again. Thanks fate! ( And thanks hubby for chasing me all those years, and never giving up on me. I'm proud to be your girl! ) My husband has turned out to be the best man to ever enter my life. I never thought the red-haired jail bait would be my best friend, a dedicated provider, a terrific comedian, loyal husband, protector and a loving Dad. ( And still the best kisser ever!)

Oh Me Lucky Charms! Review

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:01:00 +0000

I was a hardcore Lucky Charms girl back in the day, but sadly, vegetarianism put the delicious cereal on my "do not eat" list (Marshmallows contain gelatin). My daughter isn't anti-meat, but I kind of had the notion that Lucky Charms is a junk food. Check out these stats,though. All General Mills Big G cereals have 12 or less grams of sugar, at least eight grams of fiber and are fortified with many a vitamin, including Calcium and Vitamin D, which pediatricians have given even more significance recently.

I felt much better about my daughter gnoshing on a big bowl of "The Charms" after reading those facts so when I was asked to review Lucky Charms, I happily consented.

Notice there aren't any photos of the family devouring the cereal. The photographer, me, was busy breaking her vegetarianism to slurp down a bowl of Lucky Charms. It was so worth it! The cereal was as scrumptious as I remembered. The marshmallows are still wonderfully crunchy, but even brighter and more visually tempting than when I was a little girl. I wasn't the only one eating bowl after bowl of Lucky Charms. My daughter was in sugar euphoria. She's only one and a half, but she knocked out a pretty big bowl. Considering she's at that not-eating stage, that was pretty amazing. My husband, who I call "Captain Picky" actually tossed down his video game controller to making a heaping helping!

We were all moaning in delight and making loud slurping noises. What the neighbors must have thought!

It is safe to say that we will keep our pantry loaded with General Mills Big G Kids Cereal, but next time, we'll have to avoid emptying a whole box in a day.

Thanks to Mom Bloggers Club and General Mills for giving us the chance to try one of their awesome cereals!

The Case of The Stinky Apartment

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:16:00 +0000

Have you ever smelled a stink that won't go away, and you can't even find it's source? There is a putrid stink haunting my house today, and I can't get rid of it. And no, it's not my upper lip. My husband smells it, too, whenever we walk into our apartment. I have a big, old sensitive nose like a bloodhound so odors drive me crazy.

I took out the trash, washed the dishes and and clothes, sprayed the house, opened the windows and have been sniffing around trying to find where the nasty smell is coming from. But it seems to be every where. It smells like a rotten egg,wrapped in a mildewed towel, covered in burnt hair. My daughter takes her diaper off and "secret poops" all over the house. ( If only she would do that on her potty!) So a toddler log might be the culprit, but if so, it is sure well concealed.

Normally, I can mask house odor by boiling cinnamon on the stove top, but today it just made my house smell of cinnamon and very expensive French cheese. pee-yu!

Any suggestions people?

All Kinds of Mean And Hateful

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 22:44:00 +0000

"Why are you scowling?," asked my husband in his "sympathetic" voice.

I answered quite frankly,"Im feeling all kinds of mean and hateful,"

"Toward me?," he asked, in sudden surprise.

"No. You've actually been really nice, for a change. I feel bad so I'm just looking for someone to hate," I told him.

A tri-force of minor miseries (my period, a cold, and a monster zit), have me feeling like a villain. The weather is so lovely that all those around me are in fine spirits so I've no excuse to snap at anyone, but the Dark Lord that is PMS is lurking in my spirit, beckoning me to be a b*tch.

I still have an iota of conscience left, so all I can think to do to protect the innocent from my wickedness, or even worse a rain of unwarranted tears, is to lock myself away and watch movies. Don't worry about Delilah. She won't feel my wrath. This devil would never harm her spawn...

I'm self-prescribing lots of old musicals, Dove bars and couch time. I should be feeling much less Hitler-ish tomorrow.

(Slightly) Sore Loser

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 23:57:00 +0000

Mabel's Labels announced their top 10 entrants for the Blogher '09 Contest, and I'm not one of them (Cue sarcastic cheering). From a writing standpoint, I would say mine should have made the cut; it was pretty brilliant. But I wouldn't have selected my entry either. I didn't know all the "big blogs" were on a sponsor search, too. If I were a company footing the bill for someone to act as my representative, I'd want someone with a really large readership. It just makes sense. Some of my favorite blogs did make the cut so good luck to them!

Mabel's Labels did offer a free set of labels to all entrants. Nice touch. Whoever is running their PR sure knows their business. (And that I say without a hint of sarcasm!)

Maybe next year I can go, and you'll all get to see how devastatingly gorgeous I am in person! ( Haha. I'm joking... Or am I??) Anyway, I'm going to go check my junk mail folder now, where every e-mail will tell me I'm a winner...

l Iove a man in uniform...

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 03:33:00 +0000

It is official. My husband has been inducted, and goes off to basic on March 3rd, two days after my birthday. He has chosen the job of Combat Engineer, which means he will most certainly spend time in the Middle East. I was hoping he'd choose a cook job or something safer, but he wants to be a hero. I can't argue with that sort of mentality. I really think this is the sort of work he was built for, and the pay will mean a much better lifestyle for us. And the bright side is that his training and basic combined will only be 14 weeks. That is way better than I expected. I thought he'd be gone for a year.

They put him through the mill today. He spent most of the day in his undies. His biggest concern was about having his blood drawn. He couldn't remember ever having it done before, but he had a tonsillectomy as a kid so they must have taken blood then. It was okay though. Even the testicle check and "spread your cheeks" thing wasn't as dreadful as he imagined. The processing took all day, starting at 4:30 this morning! I have to give my man some credit for that. And after boot camp, he'll have my total idolization!

The army wife's life will be tough for me because I'm the sort of gal who likes to be prepared for what's next. I'm a researcher, an analyzer. If I was at Hogwarts. I'd be in Ravenclaw. It will be months before I know where we will be living or if my husband has to go it alone. I guess I'll get used to it. Delilah is so young. You know how adaptable the wee ones are. I'll try to be open like a child, and maybe the army life will just be an exciting experience.

First trip to Sand Bar - pics

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 23:36:00 +0000

The day was wonderfully warm, though a tad overcast, so I had my hubby drive us out to the Sand Bar on the Mississippi River. Delilah had never been there, and she threw herself into the sand with zeal!

She also got to do some climbing ...................................................

Not exactly the French Riveria ....................................................

Putting mommy's coat in the river .........................................

Taking it all in ............................................................................

Daddy drawing a penis in the sand. Naughty naughty. ..............

They have a rugged charm- the man and the river..............

Army Wife

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 05:34:00 +0000

My husband has been considering enlisting in the army for a long time, but our financial situation is so dire that he has begun the process. He has taken the test, filled out forms, he just needs a physical now. They expect to do that next week.

The recruiter said we could go anywhere we wanted if a job was open there, but I hear that is just a sales pitch. And though my hubby is signing for 2 years, he'll be commited to 8 years. Crazy. But he's really excited. And I'm excited at the prospect of living abroad. I'm just afraid they will immediately send him to a combat zone. He's game, but I would hate to be stuck in this dump hole town alone for months on end. I was thinking that a historically rich country like Germany would be a great place to do a 3 year tour. I can deal with any place, but I would prefer not to live in the midwest U.S.-- Nothing personal. I'm just tired of looking at miles of flat farm land.

I have been doing tons of internet research on places he'll likely be deployed and the nitty gritty on being an army spouse. Some people get to go where they want and some don't. Some people love it and some don't. It's a crap shoot as far as I can tell.

Does anyone have experience with being a military family? Do you really get a say in where you do your first duty station - thingy? How does it all work?

Skip The Flowers and Lingerie

noreply@blogger.com (quitecontrary1977) — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 08:56:00 +0000

Since combining incomes, I don't want my husband to spend our money on poofy, pretties, adorned in glittering red hearts for my Valentine's day gift. Flowers die. Sexy underwear make me feel very un-sexy. Candy hurts my cavities. Oh, I know. I'm no fun. I guess in my old age I've become terribly practical. Quite honestly, I'd like my Valentine's day gift to be about me, like a birthday present!

Here are some Valentine gift ideas for Jane Eyre-esque, fuddy duddy, party poopers like me! ( And look how much cheaper these are than an arrangement of roses!

*Mom Cards. I always found people with business cards to look so wonderfully important. (I'm easily impressed!) Since being a mom is my current line of work, I'd love some pretty cards with my name on it. There is something about seeing one's name in print that makes the old ego swell just a hair. Mabel's Labels ( yes, the Blogher Contest folks) have five really cute mom card designs. (If my husband gave me a gift this considerate, I might put on that lingerie,after all!)

*Lip Balm. Admittedly that sounds a little blase', but what if it was Miss Lippy's Balm of the Month Club, which gets you 6 months of natural, exotically flavored lip balms with such names as Green Tea Smoothie? I'm dying to try this stuff!

*Screen printed Pillows. Art was something I loved surrounding myself with at one time, but precious things aren't safe with a toddler around. Screen printed cushions instantly make a room look updated and interesting. I would love to get my hands on an art pillow from Skinnylaminx's etsy shop!

*Personalized Rubber Bracelet. You know those rubber bracelets you see that have different sayings or for different causes? Reminder Band will let you create your own, and they can do 1 or 100 of them! I have some many mantras and quotable phrases bouncing around in my head that I would love to see in jewelry form!

*Breakfast in Bed. Making a little French toast, that will cost him nary a dime! But oh how nice to be the one getting served for a change!