Where it Sounds Like the Beginning of a Letter to Penthouse..But it's Not

...Jordan’s Furniture Delivery Guy arrives at front door to be greeted by Manic Mommy, looking like a million bucks in grey t-shirt and pink pajama bottoms, hair back in a headband. She did put a bra on...


If you'd like to read more and from the beginning, I've got a post up over here today.

I say it oh-so-casually. Like I'm constantly being asked to guest blog for Parents, or Cosmopolitan, or Field and Stream, or Merlot Mom. OMG! Sharp, witty, pretty, funny, Merlot Mom (!) asked me to guest post while she and her family take a little jaunt over to Japan.

Do me proud, friends. Head over there and leave a little comment or seven so I can hold my head high in the company of my friend, Fran (waves to Tokyo) and her esteemed guest bloggers. And if it's a Friday before a holiday weekend like I used to have at work, head over and pay a little visit to their sites as well.

Y'know. After going to Merlot Mom's.

Am I making myself clear?

First Merlot Mom. Then these guys:

A Mom Two Boys
Okay, Fine, Dammit
Nanny Goats in Panties
Motherscribe
The Sphors are Multiplying
The Newborn Identity

Namaste. And thanks.

Wordless Wednesday

Do-it-yourself scarecrow kit?

Look here for more Wordless Wednesdays.

You Can't Go Om Again...

Dick Clark:
Welcome to $25,000 Pyramid! Let's play our game!


Joan Van Ark:
Babysitting
Day Camp
Family Time
Hangover
Playdates
Running of the Brides
Swimming Lessons
Vacation
Weekend Get-Away
Yoganatrix

Brett Sommers:
Reasons why Christine hasn't been to yoga in over a month?

Bell:
Ding! Ding! Ding!


Gavin McLeod:
Loss of Flexibility
Loss of Muscletone
Neck Pain
Return of Cellulite
Stressed Out
Weight Gain

Charles Nelson Reilly:
Results of Christine's absence from yoga?

Bell:
Ding! Ding! Ding!


Paul Lynde:
Glad to Be Back
Out of Shape
Stiff
Tired
Uncoordinated

Whoopie Goldberg:
How Christine felt to be back in yoga today?

Bell:
Ding! Ding! Ding!


Dick Clark:
Christine wins three months of yoga at her gym to get back to where she was in June!

Thank you all for playing our game!


Namaste.

America, the Dream Goes On

I was proud of my country today. It felt really nice. I’ve always been pretty patriotic. Fourth of July was always a big deal for us growing up. I’ve felt patriotism – not the “Support-Our-Troops”-yellow ribbon magnet kind of way. The loving-your-country-the way-you-love-your-family kind. Today I was reminded a little bit of why.

On our way home from a family weekend in New Hampshire, we detoured off the anonymous interstate and made a trip down the Kancamangus Highway, a true, hairpin-turning, river-following mountain pass, which leads up and over the White Mountains for 32 miles from Conway to Lincoln, NH. At its beginning you’re already at a pretty good elevation but slowly, those pretty mountain peaks in the distance get closer until they’re beside you and even the clouds are below you.

I was struck by the absolute beauty, the granite outcroppings, the sun’s rays on the sheer cliffs, and the myriad, winding streams begging you to abandon your car and explore. And you want to know what’s really amazing? You can! This area is owned and protected by the National Forest Service and it’s ours! Not for housing, fossil fuels, timeshares, or lumber.

It’s our backyard. And it’s there for exploring; for hiking and biking through hundreds of thousands of square acres. For swimming in mountain stream-fed icy ponds. Or just for driving through. It’s for our animals, too. Every animal to be found in the northeast is there. Did you know we’ve got moose, and bears, deer and foxes, hawks and trout, beavers and bald eagles, and so many more? I didn’t because I don’t pay attention to that stuff.

Thank God someone’s paying attention. And that someone is actually our government. Maybe today it doesn’t seem like a focus, aside from what these areas can do for us (yes, Mr. President; I’m talking to you). But back in 1918, we were smart enough to realize the inherent value of this land and protect it. And some part of our government is still focused on it today. And that makes me proud.

When I got home, I cut our lawn. Because you take care of what’s yours. And maybe, just maybe, that’s my way of helping my American Dream, my Dream of America, go on.

The Upside...

...Of Six Weeks of Rain

Wordless Wednesday

The Bink likes a little Merlot with his blogging.

It's Wednesday and it's as close to Wordless as I can get!

Because I'm the Mommy (and the new classics)

- Apologize to your brother.
- C'mon, I'll take you back to your bed.
- Did you do poops?
- Did you flush?
- Did you look under the couch?
- Did you wash your hands?
- Dinner!
- Do you have to go poops?
- Doggies bite, not boys. Are you a doggie?
- Don't touch that. It has germs on it.
- Drink your milk.
- Eat that in the kitchen.
- Fine, we just won't go to ________.
- Get down from there!
- Get. back. in. bed.
- God puts the baby in mommy's belly.
- I am not the maid.
- I love you up to the sky
- If we have good behavior, we can talk about a prize.
- If you do that one more time...
- Inside voice! (better when you scream it!)
- It's chicken. You love chicken.
- It's not morning yet.
- No, it's too early for a Popsicle.
- No, not today.
- No, time out is not over yet.
- No. You can't wear that to school.
- Please put that in the trash.
- Put the cushions back on the couch.
- Seatbelts on.
- Stay where you can see me. What if a stranger took you?
- Stop doing that to the cat.
- Stop doing that to the dog.
- This is not a restaurant.
- Three more bites and then you can be done.
- Time to get in the tub.
- Time to get out of the tub.
- Try and do peeps before we go.
- Turn the TV down.
- We'll see.
- We're going to get ants.
- What did I just say?
- Where are your shoes?
- Where did you leave it?
- Why would you think it was okay to do that?
- Your shirt is inside out.
- You're old enough to dress yourself.
- Yes.



What are your classics?

Wordless Wednesday

Head on over to Wordless Wednesday to check out more...

Strength in Numbers

If you've got a sec, could you please head over to my new friend, Meghan's Place? A good friend of hers is nearly 30 weeks pregnant and her little yet-to-be born boy requires in utero surgery to repair his failing kidneys.

We all spend about nine months praying for nothing more than a healthy baby. And most of us get just that.

Pass along some good wishes, strong healing thoughts, and some powerful prayers to help out Meghan's friend Hanna and her baby, Andrew.

Thank you.

Hotties Through the Years: Volume I

For your Monday viewing pleasure, we offer a full array of eye candy.








Naughty Candy













Preppy, pretty candy

















Cold Dead Hands Candy








Clever, witty candy























Candy with integrity




















Brokeback candy






We will be serving up plenty more candy once Blogger and I are back on speaking terms.

So what're some of your favorite candies from Hollywood's Golden Age?

Dinner without Crayons

Andy's on his way home from dropping off my niece/babysitter. She (along with the rest of her family) just moved from five minutes away to 25 minutes away. Quite a different story. But the end result is the same: Andy and I had a date!!!!

We went to The Barking Crab and for those of you who linked over 'cause you were curious (admitted 'linking around' slut, here), when they say 'casual', they mean it. It's a paper-plate kind of place that the Board of Health has investigated more than once. But it's actually on a pier on Boston Harbor with boats parked beneath. How much better does it get than that on a cool summer's evening following a thunderstorm?

Well for starters, you could ignore the "parents of small children" aroma we give off and not sit us in the kiddy section. Actually, that is complete sarcasm - yes, we were in the kiddy section but no, I didn't mind. I'm so in tune with being the mommy, that the slow withdrawl is probably the best option. I can see the bare feet but I don't have to be the one yelling to put. the. crocs. back. on.

After dinner, we took a walk along Boston Harbor and ended up in Fanueil Hall. Definitely a tourist trap/meat market at its finest. We got a seat in an outside place and people watched/talked.

A couple of thoughts on tonight's evening:

- I love going out on a date with my husband

- I love going to some of the 'old places'

- I would not be 21 again for all the money in the world.

I am approaching (slouching toward) 40 years old, I am married to the person I should be married to, with the children (and the dog...and the cat) I was meant to have, living where I should with the friends, and the life, and the 'stuff' I should/need to have.

I look at these women and know they want what I have. I say this not in superiority; I say it in gratitude and honesty.