What Did You Do All Day?

WhatDidYouDoAllDay? has moved ya'll!

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 22:58:54 -0400

Yea, that's right. I've moved, and I wanna take you with me.

So to find me, visit http://www.WhatDidYouDoAllDay.net

And please send me a comment so I know you're all out there, K?

Cause I just LOVE to hear from my readers. Really, I do.

You can tell me anything. Anything at all. Even if it's about, oh,

say, your neighbor's affair. Or maybe how many times you scream out

in anger the words SHUT THE FUCK UP! when your kids are driving

you insane while you're trying to catch a few minutes of OPRAH. Yea,

doesn't that sound familiar.

I'm there - at www.WhatDidYouDoAllDay.net. Talk to me ya'll.

Paula

A birthday, a tummy, and a new blog address

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 22:44:59 -0400

So as I mentioned in a previous email, we were sick over J's 14th birthday, which sucked, but we were. So I promised the birthday boy that we would have spicy Tacos and rice and celebrate his special day a week late. And we did. No Toga party, not even a beer (water) pong bash, just a simple and sweet family day with a delicious dinner, and dessert. Did I mention the dessert yet? Peanut Butter Cup ice cream cake. That went over big and lasted all of less than 10 minutes once the candles were blown. Plus J's big bro, Nick, was home to celebrate with us so J was happy. 14 years old. He's growing up my youngest guy.

Birthday boy with his gift - A MACBook. What is it with my boys and a White Tee?

TACO boy on number 3 or 4....or 5

Now THIS is a birthday dessert

J decides to share the cake. This is MY piece he tells Nick going at it - in their White Tees.

Phillip chattin it up with bros Nick and J. Anna says the hell with that, I'm eating cake.

J, Mama and Pops after filling our bellies...

And speaking of bellies...

OK, I can dream, can't I?

Before I forget - go check out my new lit mag design that launched today! Totally AWESOME.

www.momwriterslitmag.com Whatd'ya think?

Oh, must tell you. My blog site will be changing very soon. This week. Please be sure to bookmark, subscribe, or follow me HERE: http://www.whatdidyoudoallday.net and tell a friend :)

Hope to see you there!

I'll be back with pics of J with his new braces and the tin grin soon........

Toodles,

Paula

A Gecko, Ashton Kutcher, and a Mommy Belly

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 16:43:51 -0500

So, I was going to write about our pet Gecko, Chingy, today, how he's all weird the past few days, sleeping a lot, looking all pale and white, licking his butt every chance he gets.

And I was also going to write about the fact that I have a 20-year-old son who looks a lot like THE one and only Ashton Kutcher.

Nice Eyes...but Nick doesn't have this fancy blue jacket.

That's right. Funny I just noticed it and called him at college the other night to let him know that his mama thinks he's hot. He already knew that. Not that I thought he was hot, but that he looks like Ashton. Nick told me that when he was a senior in high school, working at the country store in town where we lived, a few people called him Ashton. Hell I even slipped on the phone and said, "byyyeeee Ashton" in a too sweety voice.

Ashton...I mean Nick, damnit!

Hey the white socks are really

WHITE - and clean against your

awesome tan.

But instead, today I am going to write about something else. Something I came across today and thought was interesting. I was on Twitter, ya know, tweeting away, and I saw a tweet by Her Bad Mother. I clicked and I read. It was awesome. I thought, WHOA, if Her Bad Mother can do this, so can I. Then Her Bad Mother gave out the info for another really cool site called T he Belly Project. Is this cool or what? C'mon now, who's on here? Huh? Well, not me, YET. I just need to take a picture is all. Yea, that's it. A picture. Of my belly. My mommy belly. To show Her Bad Mother.

NEXT POST! Promise. Stay tuned, K? I'll get that picture right up there, I will. Hey, how about you?

Are you on the Belly Project or thinking about taking the plunge and posting your gorgeous mama tummy up there? Why not, you should be proud of that tummy? Or better yet, post it on your site, show it off and let Her Bad Mother know about it. I'd love to hear from you too. We can do this.

WE CAN!

Ciao,

Paula

Runny, snotty noses...not a pretty thing

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 16:37:43 -0500

I am in a mood. And NOT that kind of mood, as the hubby will tell you, but a pissed off mood. I got it! I have the bug. From the kids. A lot of good washing my hands till they bled did me. I knew I would end up with it, after all I was the one picking up the kids snotty Kleenex, being coughed on, and, well, giving them mommy hugs while they were burning up with temperatures of 103! Now I'm the one with a pile of snotty Kleenex on the floor next to my feet. Does anyone wanna make me some hot chicken soup and hit me up with some more hot tea? Hmmpf, didn't think so.

And today is my youngest son's birthday. Joseph is 14. Actually he's not totally over this flu so we are celebrating his birthday next weekend when everyone is healthy again and we can taste the food. He has requested tacos and rice. Great choice J. I'll make them nice and spicy! I did take a couple pictures of the birthday boy today (plan to take more this weekend), then tried to put them up on the computer and the effing battery is dead now. There went that plan. Oh I want to breathe again, damnit! Hang on....gonna.....SNEEZE! Now that wasn't pretty. More Kleenex. Shit.

This girl needs more Tylenol and a nap. And maybe a temperature check.....anybody...?

Paula

Eating healthy and great mama sites

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 17:06:56 -0500

I am home with three ~~infected~~ sick kids. Breathing in and touching all the germs. My hands are raw (and look pitiful I must say) from washing them with scalding water and soap EVERY. FEW. MINUTES. I can't get sick. I can't. Well, I could, but I can't. I'm on the second can of Lysol, spraying everything in sight like a maniac mama. Including the dogs. J is missing his basketball tournament this afternoon (spared my ass sittin' in a gym) and there's a pretty good chance tomorrow as well. See, this is what I despise about winter. Don't get me wrong, I adore winter. I love the change of seasons. I just hate the damn germs and sickness that comes with the package. Because we are all indoors, spreading the evil germs. I believe, and I truly believe this, that eating healthy helps to prevent getting sick. Look at my Anna Banana for example. Anna isn't supposed to eat any foods that have sugar added to them. Because of her teeth. Anna is adopted from Guatemala and she has an enamel deficiency and has already had extensive dental surgery in her mouth. So, I really pay attention to what she eats everyday. And she eats healthy. And it shows. The kid is never sick. Actually, this is the first time she has been ill in over a year. Over a year! I asked her pediatrician about this and he agreed, said she is one healthy little gal. Now if only my guys would cut out the trash foods. Really, they're not that bad, but I would like to see them cut out the Red Bull's and The Monsters. What the hell is in those drinks anyways? They smell good, but really. I don't buy it but they do when they go out. What to do? Just hoping this hand scrubbing that is causing me to wake in the night with itchy eczema does the job and I don't get this. Hubby, of course, is steering clear of the gang. Figures.

What else. Oh right. Another wonderful, wonderful site, actually two, that I have come across that you must must must check out. SafeMama.com and LovelySafeMama. Check out the brilliant mamas behind this operation HERE. They kick ass! Write and share what you found interesting and liked on these sites and I will comment back!

Need to run. Son #4 needs medicine. Germs, here I come!

~Paula

Is she a selfish nutcase single mommy?

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:38:41 -0500

ALL that is in the news these days is the yip-yapping over Nadya Suleman and all her babies. I'm staying out of it as much as possible, however I do think she did this for attention. And by god, she's getting it! It worked. She's even made it to Wikipedia. And check this out would you? I'm sure many of you have already seen this bad boy. (I can't make the photo smaller...she's about to explode....Ahhhhhh!).

Of course she is all over YouTube. And the list goes on and on and on - Twitter, Momversation, Facebook, yada yada yada.

So, my question to you is, what do you think about Nadya Suleman? Is she a selfish nutcase who truly believes she is Angelina Jolie or is she being treated unfair through all of this because she did this as a single mom? I'd love to hear others opinions either way. Let's chat. Should be interesting....

I'm outta here. Sick kids and sick puppy to care for. Guess who's next?

~Paula

What am I doing tonight?

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:03:19 -0500

Well. Here I sit, at my desk on a Saturday night. Aren't I the popular and lucky one? Really. Crap.

I'm tired as hell, I know that. Been in a basketball gym all afternoon at my youngest son's

tourny, ate some Wendy's fries, had a "disagreement" with Thomas the Woodworker (that's hubby for those of you new to WDYDAD?). It's personal. And hey, here I sit at my computer, going through the week's mail, and writing about it all. You don't mind do you? I just need to vent - somewhere. I'm listening to my youngest son, Joseph, playing his guitar and recording it on our recording system that we have on our family computer. How that kid can play. Guitar (electric and acoustic), bass, piano/keyboard, drums, harmonica and recorder. And he can sing. Shhh, don't tell him I told you that. He went for the first time last weekend to open-mic here where we live and performed. He and a friend. It's in his blood. He lives and breathes music. And I'm so damn proud of that kid. Well, I'm so damn proud of all my kids but that's another blog post. Right now, tonight, I'm talking J because I sit here in my office and listen to him play right down the hall ...and I'm smiling. It feels good.

Boy, as I'm sitting here I notice my nails look like shit. Well, they always look scrappy but why? Why is it I didn't get strong, beautiful nails? Or hair? Yea hair. You know whose hair I would kill for?

Catherine Zeta-Jones.

I mean, isn't her hair all "gorgeous". And we do almost have the same birthday. And what is she doing with Michael Douglas? Just sayin'...

I mean, WTF???

Anyway, got off the subject a tad there. Where was I? Oh yea, talkin' about my day, noticed my scrappy crappy nails and then it all just sort of went downhill from there. The hair. I guess it's better than going through this stack of bills sitting right here on my desk.

So I need to treadmill tomorrow. I do. I ate Wendy's fries tonight...and a Wendy's burger. Gah! It just smelled so delicious at the time. Even J ordered a Wendy's salad. Salad? OMFG! Not me. I'm a fries kind of girl. And it shows, so there.

Oh I guess I should open this mail now. Oh wait. What's this? OK. This isn't too shabby. A check from Amazon.com. Orders for my print magazine MWLM. I'll take it. Hey, speaking of MWLM, the mag (and mag blog) is going through a total facelift as we speak and I just got to see a peek of the new design yesterday. REALLY NICE, thank you Kathy at MOXIE DESIGN STUDIOS! She is awesome. The new mag should be ready very soon so pleaassseee come visit us (pretty please with sugar on top?)! Do you remember that old saying? Gawd that just brought back memories.

Anyhoo, this mama needs to scoot. Guess after opening the mail I should go talk to the hubby about our "disagreement". Then hand him the mail full of bills. It's a plan.

Ewwee, wait. Me again. Did I mention to you about my friend Maggie's new site/blog that just launched?

Maggie writes at OkayFineDammit.com (such a super duper mama blogger she is). Check out her new blog here. It's called Violence Unsilenced. Please, check it out. Maggie is amazing and doing amazing things.

Gotta roll.

Paula

It's a one word answer test

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 15:29:27 -0500

Boy, what's all the hoopla going on over at Facebook this week with copyright? Happy to hear they've come to their senses as many were talking about bailing out. Me? I've been busy with more of the nonsense below. And you don't know how difficult it was for me to answer in ONE word. ONE freakin' word! Do you know what torture that is for me? No? Well just ask the hubby, I'm sure he'll tell you.

Where is your cell phone? Handbag

Last thing you lost? Keys

Your significant other? Tom

Your job? Writer

Your hair? Brown

flowers? Gardenias

candy? Anything

Your mother? Sweet

Your father? Funny

Your favorite thing? Hugs

Your dream last night? Friend

Your favorite drink? Tea

Your dream/goal? MWLM

What room are you in? Office

Which room needs to be cleaned? Laundry

Your hobby? Reading

Your fear? Unspeakable

Where do you want to be in 6 years? Family

Where were you last night? Home

Something that you aren't? Artist

Muffins? Corn

Chips? Barbeque

Wish list item? Sponsor

Last thing you did? Email

What are you wearing? Slippers

TV? Disney

Your pets? Dogs

Friends? Lots

Your life? Good

Your mood? Creative

Missing someone? Mom

Drinking? Nope

Smoking? Yuck

Your car? SUV

Something you're not wearing? Lipstick

Your favorite store? Bookshop

Your favorite color? Purple

Where do you go to over and over? Boston

Favorite snack? Popcorn

cooking or dining out? Both

My favorite place to eat? Home

Favorite place I'd like to be at right now? Lake

Favorite book of the Bible? Unsure

Favorite music? All

Favorite Disney character? Pooh

Children? Five

Favorite scent? Gardenias

Favorite season? Fall

Been making more plans for this summer in Chicago at BlogHer. Speaking of BlogHer, have you seen their new videoblog internet show blogher backtalk? Very cool with Queen of Spain's Erin Kotecki Vest. Dig it.

That's it for me. I'm twittering.

~Paula

A random bucket list

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:09:37 -0500

Well, you can kinda guess where I've been hangin' round again. Damn that FB. But this was such a good movieeeeeee...

The Bucket List. Place an X by all the things you've done and remove the X from the ones you have not, then send it to your friends (including me).

Things you have done during your lifetime (be honest) :)

( ) Gone on a blind date Never, darn!

(x) Skipped school You'd better believe it.

( ) Watched someone die Nope.

(x) Been to Canada You betcha, eh.

( ) Been to Mexico Nada.

(x) Been to Florida Lived there for lotsa years.

( ) Been to Hawaii NO damnit!

(x) Been on a plane Unfortunately, yes.

( ) Been on a helicopter Gawd no.

(x) Been lost I'm always lost.

( ) Gone to Washington, DC Want to one day.

(x) Swam in the ocean Yeppers, with the sharks.

(x) Cried yourself to sleep Uh, yea.

(x) Played cops and robbers All the time.

(x) Recently colored with crayons Yes, with my toes.

(x) Sang Karaoke Favorite past time for sure ;)

( ) Paid for a meal with coins only Nah.

( ) Been to the top of the St. Louis Arch The what?

(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't Uh huh.

(x) Made prank phone calls Why certainly.

( ) Been down Bourbon Street in New Orleans Shucks, nope.

(x) Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose & elsewhere Not a pretty picture.

(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue Of course.

( ) Danced in the rain-naked It's on my to-do-list.

(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus Lots.

(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe Well, yea. Good thing you didn't ask where on me I was kissed...

(x) Watched the sunrise with someone It's a beauty.

(x) Blown bubbles All kinds.

(x) Gone ice-skating Yep, not very good though, I admit.

(x) Gone to the movies What?

(x) Been deep sea fishing I grew up in Florida, what do you think?

(x) Driven across the United States Yes, long ass haul.

( ) Been in a hot air balloon Thank god, no.

( ) Been sky diving Hell NO.

(x) Gone snowmobiling We own snomos and live in snow country.

( ) Lived in more than one country Nope. But want to travel.

(x) Lay down outside at night and admired the stars while listening to the crickets Yea, hehe

(x) Seen a falling star and made a wish Every chance I get.

( ) Enjoyed the beauty of Old Faithful Geyser NO

(x) Seen the Statue of Liberty Why yes.

( ) Gone to the top of Seattle Space Needle Nope but it sounds awesome.

( ) Been on a cruise Not yet.

(x) Traveled by train Sure-we have great memories, don't we Patti?

( ) Traveled by motorcycle NO!

(x) Been horse back riding Yes, Gah! Bad memories.

( ) Ridden on a San Francisco CABLE CAR I WANNA do this!

(x) Been to Disneyland YAY Disneyland!!

(X) Truly believe in the power of prayer Absolutely.

( ) Been in a rain forest Um, not really.

(X) Seen whales in the ocean They are big motherf***ers aren't they?

(X) Been to Niagara Falls Loved it. New York side.

( ) Ridden on an elephant Ewwwweeeeee!

( ) Swam with dolphins I SOOOOO want to do this in this life!

( ) Been to the Olympics No, but also on my list.

( ) Walked on the Great Wall of China Yea, right.

( ) Saw and heard a glacier calf A who?

( ) Been spinnaker flying HUH?

(X) Been water-skiing Remember, grew up in Florida.

( ) Been snow-skiing Not a skier.

( ) Been to Westminster Abbey My ancestors have and I'm going, really.

( ) Been to the Louvre No, but I've read about it with Dan Brown.

( ) Swam in the Mediterranean Sounds awesome baby.

(X) Been to a Major League Baseball game Hell yea. Where's my hot dog and beer?

(X) Been to a National Football League game Hell yea. Where's my hot dog and beer?

(X) Played in the snow Now this is a dumb ass question.

Got any other cool bucket lists? Bring 'em on!

~Paula

The circumcision saga continues...let's roll with it baby

paula@paulaschmitt.com (Paula J Schmitt) — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 21:57:00 -0500

I received an email yesterday from a What Did You Do All Day? reader. The topic: Circumcision. From my blog post January 28th. She wanted to privately share her thoughts and feelings on the subject and she basically had the same feelings that I did on the topic. She sure did her research and asked that I post some links on my blog as she feels people need to do something about all the misinformation out there that is against circumcision. So, here it is...

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=92426
http://www.mcgill.ca/newsroom/news/?ItemID=26068
http://www.physorg.com/news86339340.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1141513
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/fishman/2006/circumcision.html
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15593753/
http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2007/07/27/circumcision-sensation.html
http://www.circinfo.com/parents_guide/gfp.html
http://www.modern-psychiatry.com/circumcision.htm
http://health.usnews.com/articles/health/healthday/2008/12/23/circumcision-rates-too-low.html

There are some groups on this topic worth checking out:
http://community.babycenter.com/groups/a1236385/choosing_to_circumcise
http://www.cafemom.com/group/13109
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/iv-ppnoforeskin

Even the World Health Organization is recommending it now:
http://www.who.int/hiv/mediacentre/news68/en/index.html
http://www.who.int/entity/hiv/mediacentre/MCrecommendations_en.pdf

Again, as I stated in my January 28th post, I feel it is the parents decision whether or not to have their son circumcised, and no one else's. And that, is the best decision for the baby boy. Any other comments?

Until we meet again, I'm outta here!
~Paula