Fashion Friday: Summer Trends I Love

Ahhhh, summer.  The time where life should slow down but instead it speeds up to an intense rate of "live life to the fullest as fast as damn possible because we only have three months".  At least it's fun.

Summer fashion.  I love the simplicity of summer styles.  Here are some of my favorite trends for summer 2012.

BLENDING SEASONS

Summer dresses with boots? Scarves with shorts?  Dresses with dark tights? Yes, please!

Source: pinterest.com via RJ on Pinterest

Source: imgfave.com via RJ on Pinterest

Source: sheinside.com via RJ on Pinterest

WHITE HOT


It's been hot for a few summers now and then trend is not ending. White. Embrace the awesomeness.

Source: polyvore.com via RJ on Pinterest

Source: hellofashionblog.com via RJ on Pinterest

Source: victoriassecret.com via RJ on Pinterest

STRIPES

Stripes are so in right now--especially if they are navy!

Source: oasis.andotherbrands.com via RJ on Pinterest

Source: lifes-a-journal.com via RJ on Pinterest

Source: polyvore.com via RJ on Pinterest

Other trends I'm loving:

• Stacked bracelets
• Big bags
• nearly-strapless sandals

Things I Love: One Disney Princess

Two years ago this August I wrote one of my most looked at blog pieces on Disney Princesses (<--Click here if for no other reason than to read some of the comments.  Hysterical.  Especially the one telling me to turn off comments if I don't want them ... clearly that person doesn't understand reverse psychology!  And of course there's the comment that says something to the effect of "people with stupid facts ruin everything."  I'm pretty sure that comment is from a politician. Good logic, that one!).

In me previous Disney Princess post, I talk about my issues with the princess movies.

• Princess either have no mom or a messed up relationship with their mom.
• Princesses are weak and must be in the care of a man.
• While princesses have amazing character qualities and talents, it is their physical beauty that gets the man--not the heart underneath.
• Princess movies perpetuate cultural myths and are historically inaccurate
• Princess movies can be super scary

Of course my daughter is slowly seeing these movies and we are talking about the stuff that bothers her and the stuff that bothers me (BTW--I never advocate not to watch them so don't get all bristly on me).  What's really funny is so far, she doesn't like most of the princesses.  And by most, I mean she only likes Rapunzel from Tangled.  She has not asked to see any of the other shows for a second time.  

Until now.

Now my daughter and I agree on one princess.  Merida (the star of BRAVE).

Photo from FilmFilia

We took our kids to see Brave and although there was still some scary magic stuff and some freaky bear scenes, I found the movie to be quaint and charming.

Did it perpetuate cultural stereotypes of pre-Christian Scotland being filled with dark, blood-thirsty, drunken men in kilts?  You betcha.  What do you expect?  It's Disney.

Was it filled with humor and great graphics? You betcha.  What do you expect?  It's Pixar.

Unlike other shows, though, I loved, loved, loved Merida.

Here's why I finally love a Disney Princess (and a princess movie):

• Merida wears a dress but she is not overly girly.  She likes to run and be wild and do archery.  She's almost like a real girl, like my daughter, who can go from make up to mud in under thirty seconds.  Finally a movie that shows the fullness of gender roles (and how they can be crossed).
• Merida has good and bad characteristics.  Unlike other princesses who are "always good", Merida is disobedient, sneaky, and selfish.  I love that she has some rust on her and that kids get to see the consequences of negative behaviors.
• Merida has good characteristics.  Above and beyond being kind to animals and being a good singer (like most princesses), Merida is brave, loyal to her family, doting on her brothers. She's not afraid to apologize and try to make amends.
• Merida has a mother.  YAY for mothers and daughters!  Yes, a girl ought to have the love of a father but she also should have the love of a mother (most Disney princesses have no mother relationship). Is Merida's mother a bit overbearing?  Yep.  Do they struggle? Yep.  Does her mother love her to the point of doing anything to protect her, even to change for her daughter?  Yep.  Finally, a Disney mother-daughter relationship that isn't sick and twisted.
• Merida is girl next door pretty. She isn't flawless.  She isn't the skinniest girl on the block.  She doesn't have every hair in place or lipstick on her lips. She is alive and vivid (for a cartoon, that is).  Somehow not being drop dead gorgeous makes her so ... appealing.
• Merida doesn't need the Prince.  Sure boys are vying for her hand, political alliances and all, but Merida is more concerned with her family and finding her path than being defined by love and a man.  Sure I hope she ends up with the right guy but I hope that doesn't happen until the right time.  In the meantime, I'm content with her strengthening her relationship with her mom, dad, and brothers.

Yes. It's true.  I finally love a Disney Princess.  I'll own this show and I'll watch it over and over again with my kiddos. 

**If you haven't seen Brave yet, then I encourage you to read the movie review by Plugged in (click that link).  There are some scary scenes in the show and, depending on your level of comfort, some themes might not be suitable for your children.**

What I Think About: NOT Waiting for the Golden Years

A friend of mine moved away and came back for a little visit.  Since we all have kids we brought out our mom plan: go to the park so kids can play and we can talk. It worked like a charm.

While we were at the park, the discussion turned to the things we desired--a little vacay, sleeping in, a day in bed watching movies ... The audible mom sigh sounded.  And then the question came ... the question lurking in our minds but rarely spoken aloud ...

"It will happen, right?"

As in, "One day I'll get to lay in bed and watch movies again like I did in college?  "One day I'll get to sleep until ten?"  "One day I'll get to take a relaxing vacation?"

Of course we all joked that these things would happen ... as soon as our kids were out of the house.

The Golden Years.  We hear about this magical time in life when you are financially secure and not tethered down by jobs and napping infants.  Apparently this is when sleep happens and travel occurs and memories are made.  So we trudge through this day dreaming of these Golden Years.

My parents had a Golden Years plan.  They were going to have a cabin in Alaska and stay there all summer but they'd winter in the lower states.  They'd have a fifth wheel and just drive from one spot to the next seeing the country.  They'd had this plan my whole life.  They were waiting for kids to be gone and to be secure.

Then the recession hit and all that financial security was gone.  My mom got sick and died.  This was no where in the Golden Years Plan.  During the weekend of mom's memorial my dad was covered in family and screaming grandkids and my sister and I were frazzled, exhausted messes and he looked right at me and said, "THESE are the Golden Years, don't waste them."

This craziness?  This brokenness?  This exhaustion?  THESE are the Golden Years?

I looked at that man, at his shattered dreams and his regrets of waiting for "one day" rather than living each day as though it were "one day" and I knew what he was saying.  Nothing, nothing is guaranteed for us.  We can plan and save and wait but our plans, they are not set in stone.  Something like the economy or CADASIL can change everything.

We have to live and love and enjoy now because "one day" might not happen.  Living life to its full is a daily mission, not some big dream for the future.

What are we waiting for?  Are we too afraid to actually live today?  Are we too afraid of what it would cost or that it might make us humbly ask for help or give up something?  What are we waiting for?  Why do we wait to live when we could be living, really living, right now?

I don't want to wait for the stars to align to sleep in a little.  I don't want to wait until I'm on the brink of insanity to take a vacation.  I don't want my children to feel like a burden ... like I can't wait for them to leave so I can start living.

I want to live like this is my Golden Year, even when--on many levels--it feels like a Job year.

What do you desire?  What can you do to make it a reality?

What can you do to really live today?

If you want to sleep in, can you make a "sleep schedule" with your spouse alternating Saturday morning sleep in times?
If you want a day in bed, could family or friends take your kids for a night?
If you want a vacation, could you cancel cable to save for it or do a staycation?

What I think is the days go slowly but the years go quickly and I will not be waiting for some dreamy "one day" to start living the life I dream about.  It starts today because today is all I might have.

Thanks, Shell for letting me Pour My Heart Out on your blog.

Days of Play: Soap Clouds

I'm generally a darn good playmate for my kids.  Cars, trains, babies, Barbies ... you name it and I'm game for some fun.  This is especially true of crafty, muddy, icky fun.  From their reactions, my kids like to play with me.

At least until there is a better option.

This week my niece is visiting so my kids have gone from "will you play with me mom?' to "who is this 'mom' you keep speaking of?"  **Sigh**

Oh well, at least I'm getting some work done and some fun reading in.

I did try to engage the kids in some play this morning.  I gave them each their own bar of Ivory soap to make soap clouds with.

Photo from OUR BEST BITES

My grand idea: They'd watch the clouds form, we crush them to bits, and we'd make red/white/blue soaps for everyone.

How it actually played out: They watched the clouds form, crushed the clouds to bits in 30 seconds, and ran off to play on the swing set.

I decided to make soap molds myself and went inside to get the food coloring.  18 seconds later I emerged from the house to find my son dousing the bowl of soap flakes (now soap soup) with the hose.

Soap Clouds were an epic fail at our house today BUT the kids generally get a kick out of watching them form.

If you have a bar of Ivory soap, pop it in the microwave for 1 minute.  It's fun.

**Warning, Warning, Warning** (Btw, when I say that three times I really think you should read what is next).

ONLY USE IVORY SOAP.  IVORY SOAP ONLY.

If you want more information on Soap Cloud awesomeness (and how to make molded soaps from the mess), click here.

Music Monday: Margot and the Nuclear So and So's

Seriously.  I love that name.

It reminds me of my friend Jenny who can't stand it when people mispronounce nuclear.  I'm not sure how it is mispronounced which means I'm sure I'm one of the offenders.

Anyhow, Margot and the Nuclear So and So's have been around a while.  They are from Indiana and they have a melodic instrument-heavy sound.  Know what that means?  It means they are a serious treat for the ears for "random" music novices and musical geniuses alike. If you can't pronounce nuclear correctly, I bet you will like them.
Give 'em a listen.

Broadripple is Burning



Jen Is Bringing the Drugs (For Jenny who never brings drugs. Oh, and this one has an F Bomb).


Dress Me Like a Clown


I obviously didn't post it here but you should know that Margot and the Nuclear So and So's totally have a song called Hello Vagina.

Date Night {OUT}: Mother/Son, Father/Daughter

Last week Matt and I went out on dates with other people.  Don't worry, this is not scandalous.

You see, we have a beautiful little girl who just loves her daddy and whenever Matt and I are going on a date she likes to watch me get dolled up and ask questions about my level of excitement and the level of fanciness.  It's adorable.

So, Matt asked her out on a date.

We also have this son who, well, he's pretty oblivious to the whole dating scene and I'm pretty sure he's never noticed Matt and I getting dressed for a date BUT I think he's handsome and a real catch and I wanted to spend time with him.

So I asked him out on a date.

For their date, Matt planned everything.  He picked a fancy Italian restaurant and the evening's activities (going to a bookstore for a new book and out for ice cream).  Our daughter DID pick out his and hers matching outfits.  Aren't they sweet?

Ready for their "fancy" date

He's more of an active dater

Butterscotch ice cream. Mac-n-cheese.  The kid has a thing for orange foods.

Our date was a bit more adventurous.  It started at Arby's because my date wanted Mac-n-cheese (sigh).  Don't worry, I'll work on that before he asks out your kids.  We did eat in a park so at least the ambiance was good.  After dinner we played a round of mini-golf and then went out for ice cream. I think he had a good time.

This week, plan a special "date" night with your kids.  Memory makers, people.  Memory makers.

Things I Love: Baked Beans

Have you seen the SNL skit where the girl is all "I love me some baked beans?"  I'd post it here to show it to you but SNL isn't into skit sharing.  Who can blame them.

Anyhow, Matt quotes "I love me some baked beans" about 872 times a summer ... one for each time I eat a serving of baked beans.

I don't know what it is about baked beans but I really do love them.  I don't care if they are made at home or from a can (so long as they are vegetarian)--I love them.  I love them hot and cold.  I love to dip chicken in them.  I'd probably attempt a baked bean sandwich if my husband wouldn't give me that "maybe she needs to be committed" look.

Baked beans.  I love them.

If posting this made you think of the "Beans, beans the magical fruit" song, you owe me a comment.

What I Think About: Pot Luck Ettiquette

This Friday we are hosting a potluck BBQ at our house in order to spend time with some friends visiting from out of town.

As a general rule I don't do potlucks.  I love to be a hostess and don't mind doing everything, from flatware and drinks to appetizers and the main dish.  I'm controlling that way.

But really, I just don't trust people to bring food.  I've been burned by one to many potlucks.

Let me explain.

It used to be that a potluck meant everyone brought a main course (in a pot.  I know, I just blew your mind) and a side to share (the side could be an appetizer, salad, or dessert).  So, you'd be at a potluck with casseroles and lasagnas galore.  It was easy to fill up on food--even if you aren't a casserole fan you just sucked it up for this one event.

But as people got busier, those casseroles turned into take out pizza and deli fried chicken. No shame in that.  At least it was still a main dish.

Somewhere around 10 years ago, however, a new trend started.  Everyone signed up to attend a potluck and then showed up with a bag of chips or a package of store bought cookies.  No main dish. Nothing in a pot (and probably no pot in those store bought brownies either).  Okay, generally one person still brings a main dish and the group divvies out the tatertot casserole one tatertot at a time.  For the most part, however, everyone eats a meager handful of chips, eats one cookie or brownie and goes home hungry.

The result: people like me who either 1. Do all the cooking or 2.  Tell attendees exactly what to bring.

Summer tends to equal potluck so I'd like to propose the following potluck rules.

1. Bring your own chair/cups/plates/silverware/napkins. Oh, and a serving spoon for your food.
2. Each family unit needs to bring one main dish (casseroles optional).  This main dish should feed at least 8 people.  Think: sandwich platter, pizza, chicken wings, lasagna, sloppy joes, pulled beef/pork, sushi platter etc.
3. Each family unit needs to bring one side to share (in addition to the main dish).  The side can be fruit, veggies, a bag of chips, a package of cookies or brownies, sliced watermelon, etc.  It should be enough to feed at least 8 people.
4. Unless otherwise stated, bring something to drink--especially if you want alcohol.
5. Leave your pets at home (unless they were invited).

If each family unit followed these rules, everyone could get enough to eat and drink and enjoy all that food without the scent of dog poo.  Doesn't that sound nice?

What I think is potlucks are a great idea but unless people bring a main dish and a side, you might as well just call it "Chips for Lunch".

Did I miss any essential rules?

Thanks, Shell for letting me Pour My Heart Out on your blog.

Days of Play: Sharpie Tie Dye

Are you on Pinterest?

Okay, I just hacked a line from You've Got Mail. You know when Kathleen Kelly's bookstore employee girl ask employee guy "are on online?" Don't remember it.  I swear some days I feel like the only person in the world who has watched that movie over a million times. Sheesh, people. You're making me look bad.

 I'm on Pinterest (you can follow me here). Sometimes I feel like I need a Pintervention. But I don't really want one because I generally find some brilliant ideas I can try and share (or laugh about if I ruin).

Anyhow, under my PLAY WITH THIS board there is a tutorial for Sharpie tie dye. It looks cute, though I must admit I missed the Sharpie craze. $16 for markers that don't smell like fruit?  You've got to be kidding.  All this anti-Sharpieness aside, I decided to give this project a go.

I got this idea off of Art and Craft Tutorials but I'm pretty sure she didn't invent the idea.

What you will need:

• a pre-washed white t-shirt
• Sharpies in a variety of colors
• small cups (we opted for Dixie cups)
• rubber bands
• rubbing alcohol (mine was 70%)
• piece of cardboard 
• old medicine dropper

What to do:

1. Slide a piece of cardboard between your shirt from and back (so it doesn't bleed through to the back).
2. Figure out your design.  Or, if you are like me and you are gonna go random or go home, just start putting little cups under the shirt and then put a rubber band around the top.
3. Now, draw small designs in the middle of the cup.  SMALL.  Do not fill up the white space.  Just 10-15 little dots and designs (we tried peace signs, hearts, smiley faces, and suns).  ***WARNING*** In each area do NOT use complimentary colors.  When complimentary colors run together they equal brown.  Brown is not a fun tie dye color.  
4. With your medicine dropper, slowly (and yes, I mean slowly.  Drip.  Drip.  Drip) drip 8-10 drops of rubbing alcohol into the center of each cup.  Watch the colors bleed out.  ***NOTICE*** if you do NOT want really defined edges, go ahead and put a bit of alcohol on the edges of the cup to help facilitate bleeding.
5. Let dry.
6. Remove cardboard.
7. Throw in dryer for 20 minutes to "set" colors.
8. Wear.

FAQ:

• What are complimentary colors? Complimentary colors are across from one another on the color wheel. Red and green, orange and blue, purple and yellow.  Avoid mixing these.  I had great luck mixing greens/blues/yellows, yellows/oranges/pinks, pinks/purples/blues, etc.
• Can you wash this shirt?  Yes.  I would never encourage you to make something you can't use/wear.  Wash, dry, wear.  It's all good.
• Can I use other alcohol?  If by this you mean 90% rubbing alcohol, then yes.  If you mean "can I substitute vodka or tequila?" Then no.  Although this is easy enough to make you could probably drink and still come up with something amazing.

My daughter and I did this activity.  I made a shirt for her and she made one for a friend's birthday.  She is 6 and found it fascinating.  I'm 30ish and was too afraid to let the 3 year old try this craft.  If you want to try with your 3 year old, go ahead (but I'm not accountable if Sharpie gets everywhere).

Our supplies

One of our shirts.  I forgot photos of the other one.  

Music Monday: Dirty Heads

Dirty Heads.  I hear that name and it kind of makes me itch a little.  Or a lot.  Funny how linguistics can affect us physically, right?

Itch.  Itch.  Scratch.

Back to typing.

The Dirty Heads have an eclectic sound.  A tablespoon of reggae, a dash of hip hop, and a pinch of punk is their recipe.  And while you might be shocked (since I'm not a huge hip hop fan) that I'm featuring this band, you should know that this musical recipe just works.

I don't know how it works; I just know it does.  Kind of like chicken schwarma.  I mean, who would think marinating greasy chicken in cloves, oregano, yogurt, and lemon would be so amazing.  But it is.

Schwarma and reggae.  Apparently I shouldn't blog today.  Sorry. I'm spread way too thin.  Lucky for you, that feeling ties right into the first song.  Magical, huh?  I mean, it's almost like I planned that ...

Spread Too Thin

Like it? Were you thinking, "gosh, they have a Sublime sound?" Well, then, feast your ears on this candy! Lay Me Down (with Sublime)

Fitted Blazers v. Yoga Pants. A Truce?

So,  I've been reading a mom-blog ever since ... well ... I can't remember how long.  That's how long I've been reading it.

Want to know why I read it?  Because I identify with the mom/wife/woman behind the blog.  She's real in a "my kids are driving me crazy," "I'm crying because I missed something big," and "You should hear my love story" kind of way.  Shell at Things I Can't Say is amazing.  I'm a loyal follower.

Well guess what?  Shell invited (yes, invited.  I did not stalk her and force this) me to be write a guest post for her blog so if you want to hear my thoughts on Fitted Blazers v. Yoga pants, head to her site.

It feels pretty good to spill it on someone else's blog.

Plus, now I to show off a new button!

Oh ya--I'm totally being featured on Things They Can't Say!

 

Things I Love: Damn Good Food

Yes that's right.  I love to eat.

I love to eat sweet things and salty things and savory things.  I love American and Mexican and Asian.  I eat meat and veggies and quinoa.

I love to eat.

By default, this means I love damn good food.

I bet you are thinking I'm going to go on and on about how much I love my fave food blog, Frontier Kitchen.  True, I do love that site.  But you are wrong.  Today I'm telling you how much I love Damn Good Food.

You caught me.  Damn Good Food is Frontier Kitchen with a catchier, edgier name.  I love the name change.  Now, since this blog is brought to you by one of my BFFs, I can tell you that the name change has come with a bit of controversy.  Apparently "damn" is too risque.  Seriously, people have unfollowed the blog because of "damn" (at this point I'd like to say F*%$ or S!@& but I won't.  It isn't classy).

Despite the damn name drama, I must admit the new blog name suits the site and the food so much better for these reasons:

1.  Although our town used to be on the plains of WY, we are now the biggest city in our state.  It hardly has a "frontier" feel.

2.  I've been in Sarah's kitchen.  There's nothing rustic or "frontier-y" about it.  It's very sleek and modern.  She's hardly roughing it.  Seriously, even her grill has a charcoal or gas option.  No open fires.  Last time she made me dinner she made s'mores in the oven (with peanut butter cups!  Hello, brilliant!).  Nope. Not roughing it.

3.  The food cooked in said kitchen is damn good.  There's no other way to describe it.  Her recipes aren't pretentious and self-important.  She makes real food for real people with a zero tolerance policy on casseroles.

Congrats on the name change, Sarah.  I'm going to continue following your damn blog with it's awesome damn name and it's mission to bring Damn Good Food to the masses.

Damn, venting this felt good.  Now, how about some damn good steaks for Father's Day?

What I Think About: Passwords

On Monday Matt and I were at the VA with my dad waiting for his minor surgery and we had to listen to some awful talk show with several female hosts (Darlene from Roseanne? Molly Ringwald?  What is going on with daytime TV?).  Anyhow the question they were discussing was "do you check up on your partner's web use?

ALL of the ladies admitted checking their partners' facebook/twitter posts, etc.  However, they made a big deal that they do not check e-mails or ever log onto their partners' accounts.  In fact, they stated they do not share passwords because if you are checking on your partner then the relationship has "bigger problems."  One woman even said, "If you go lookin' for trouble, you'll find it.  I'm not going looking."

Well, this discussion took place in two minutes and obviously killed half my brain cells but it did get me thinking---should we share our e-mail/social networking passwords with our partners?

On one hand, I think no.  Relationships are built on trust and if you ask for my passwords, I'll think you don't trust me.

On the other hand, if I have nothing to hide, why would it bother me?  Relationships are also built on accountability and who better to keep you accountable than your partner?

Just being totally upfront here, I know Matt's passwords and he knows mine.  I do NOT get on any of his sites or accounts because I'm checking up on him.  I have, however, on occasion gotten on to retrieve an e-mail receipt or to find something for him.  I trust Matt but I also feel secure knowing that he is trusting enough of me to be accountable with his sites.  And vice versa.

I guess for us, passwords are like fire extinguishers.  We keep them in the house but don't use them unless there's an emergency.

What I think about passwords is that sharing them helps promote trust and accountability.

What do you think?  Do you share your passwords with your partner?  Why or why not?


 Thanks, Shell for letting me Pour My Heart Out on your blog.

Days of Play: Simon Says--the Cloud Edition

My daughter, you know, the one who wants to be a cheerleader {what?} is totally a science chick.  This little princess goes from dressed up to dirty in 2.0 seconds if it means capturing a moth or popping off a grasshopper head.

She's hands on but she's got brain smarts too.  Like she told me that Orca Whales are actually not whales but are in fact, related more closely to the snubfin dolphins.  I googled it.  She's right.

And today she told me, "I'm sweating.  I need to drink more water because that means I'm dehydrated."  Seriously, for 6 years old, she blows me away with her "hot air rises" and "plants eat by photosniffs" (I'm certain she meant photosynthesis) talk.  Smart little thing, isn't she?

Well, since I love to play purposeful games with my kids AND she loves science, I decided to combine the two.  I was telling her about the three kinds of clouds: cirrus, stratus, and cumulus and I came up with arm actions for them.

Cirrus clouds are the light, whispy, fair-weather clouds that are generally high in the sky.  I love how they look like feathers.  Our arm actions for cirrus clouds where to swing them back and forth very "featherishly" and daintily.

Stratus clouds are low lying clouds that can be dark and might signal snow or rain.  They often look flat.  Our arm actions for stratus clouds was to put our arms straight out at the shoulder and to turn back and forth at our waist to show how the flat clouds are often expansive.

Cumulus clouds tend to be puffy with flat bottoms.  When they sit low in the sky, this can mean fair weather.  When they grow tall, they can usher in thunderstorms.  Our arm actions for cumulus clouds was to make a big, puffy O over our heads with our arms.

Once we had the moves, we played Simon Says.  Simon says be a Cirrus cloud.  Be Cumulus.  You get it.

Honestly, the actual game only entertained my kids for about 5 minutes but coming up with the actions, showing them photos of clouds, telling them cloud names, and doing a "cloud check" in our back yard took about an hour.  An hour of fun science.  I declare this a win for momkind.

Music Monday: Judge Not

Confession:  I went to a Nickelback concert on Sunday night.

Here's the rest of the story.  See they were the headliners on an awesome line up: My Darkest Days, Seether, and Bush.  As far as I'm concerned, Nickelback was a sideline--I totally went to the concert for the other bands.

No joke.

I sang along to Porn Star Dancing and Country Song and Machine Head but I don't know the words to Nickelback songs (I was a minority in the sold out crowd) so instead, I just danced with my hubs and watched one of our favorite couples get totally rowdy (at one point, HIS shirt came off.  There are damning photos of this incident.  I won't share them.  Not yet, at least).

Generally my musical tastes are spot on so don't judge me for this little Nickelback incident.  Trust me, I'd see some totally crappy bands if it meant hearing Gavin Rossdale belt out Come Down to a screaming crowd.

Judge not.

Days of Play: Cruising the Parking Lot

Cruising the parking lot.  That sounds like a blast, huh?

Seriously, this is waaaayyyyyy more fun if you have a road trip planned.  But if you don't, make a chart for your kids and head to the nearest parking lot and do some "scientific" research.

What is the most popular car color or body style where you live?  Find out.

Before you get in the car, have your children hypothesize what is the most popular color (or style) of car in their town. Write down these hypotheses. 

Make your children a chart.  You could just do color.  Down one side put in the colors--red, blue, white, black, silver, green, yellow, orange, gray.   (Or do the same things with body style: sedan, convertible, truck, van, SUV, motorcycle, etc.).

Now, get in the car and drive to the nearest big-box store parking lot and have your kids make tally marks for each color/style they see. 

When you get home, tally your results.  Count the total number of cars.  Then make a bar graph representing each color (or style).  If you feel really ambitious, figure out the percentages. 

Present your results really scientific like to another parent/partner/neighbor/unsuspecting stranger.

I love scientific fun :)  I'm nerdy like that.

Music Monday: The Used

Enough with this folksy, Indie crap.

Okay, not really but this week I'm hitting up some hard core metal.

The Used can't really be classified.  Emo. Punk. Metal. Screamo.  They can pretty much do it all.  If you aren't into this "sound" because you don't like "hard" sounds, expand your mind a little.  This band is legit. You might just thank me.

Oh, and their new album is sweeeeet!

Here are my two faves--one old and one new!

I Come Alive




 Smother Me (like a hair band ballad from the 80s--no one does love songs like these guys!)


 


 Other songs I recommend based on lyrics that will pierce your soul: I Caught Fire ("I'm melting in your eyes"--gotta love lyrics like that) and All That I've Got (I'll be just fine, pretending I'm not. I'm far from lonely and that's all I've got).

{Family} Date Night In: Camping

Today was the last day of school for our daughter!

Hurray!

I'm so ready to not rush our mornings and hustle to this place and that.  I'm so ready to find splendor in the small things, like this bird's nest we found in a nearby tree.  Welcome, summer.  Welcome.

As a family, we want to celebrate the end of a school year and so we are doing a family date.  The theme: camping!

There are some die-hard campers out there who will camp out when it still gets into the 40s.  Normally, we are a part of that group.  But given my recent surgery (which limits where I can sleep and how far I can walk) and our recent recovery from a family-wide head cold, our camping will be taking place indoors.

That's right.

We are pitching a tent in the basement family room.

We are filling it with every available pillow and blanket in the house.

We are going to toast (all beef) hot dogs over a fire.

We are going to go for a "hike" around the neighborhood.

We are going to make s'mores.

We are going to tell silly stories in the tent before bedtime by the light of our headlamps (because, like I said, we are the die-hards.  Die hards don't use flashlights.  Flashlights are for amateurs).  

We are doing a family date.  Camping.  In the basement. Friday night.

You should too.

Family dates like this require minimal effort but result in maximum fun (and maximum fun=memories).

Things I Love: This Boy

About three years ago, this photo was taken.

And a year after that, this photo came on the scene.

Another year passed and we snapped this shot.

And this past Saturday, this epic moment featuring a monster truck cake with sparkler candles was caught on tape, er, or whatever the digital equivalent to "tape" is.

Has it been three years?  Has he really gotten so big?  Sometimes the days seem to go slowly but the years, oh dear friends, the years go quickly.

(BTW, the birthday cake hat is family tradition. Everyone takes a photo in it on their birthdays. It's my subtle way of reminding my family I am A). Not quite stable and B). Out to humiliate them in the name of family fun. Which is code for, in charge).

What I Think About: Puppies

Puppies.

Now there's a controversial topic if I've ever heard one, right?

If you think I'm going down this road of cat v. dog people, you're wrong.  Some people hate cats. Some people hate dogs.  What can you do?  As far as I'm concerned they just shouldn't get married (unless they have some mad compromising skills).

If you think I'm going to totally pounce on buying puppies from breeders or pet stores, you're wrong.  I have strong opinions about that.  I'm a girl who gets my pets from the shelter or rescues (since I do like one specific breed).  Buy one from a breeder, kill one from a shelter. That's my thought but if you're a breeder reader, have no fear, I'm okay agreeing to disagree.

What I really want to say is this.

I. Cannot. Stand. Puppies.

Phew.  I feel better.

Really, this friend of mine has a dog with a litter of (9!) puppies and she posts pictures of them on facebook and people leave these ooey gooey comments and I think, what am I missing?

To me, puppies smell weird and they don't do much and they make this strange pig grunt noise thing.  And when they do get old enough to do stuff it involves chewing valuables, pooping and peeping, and barking.  This leads to lots of training and gadget buying.

I guess some people look at puppies and see the possibility of those cuddly little balls of fur.  Me?  I see hard work and commitment.  Maybe it's just my personality but I just want to put my hard work and commitment into, I don't know, my children.

Anyhow, I have two dogs.  I love, love, love them.  They are amazing.  I got them from shelters/rescues older and potty trained.  My kind of dog.  All the benefits, none of the awkward puppy phase.

Our 4 legged family members: Finnigan Smooter and Brinkley Sue--Saved at a shelter older and trained.

I promise--I don't have a bad heart.  I just don't like puppies.  That doesn't make me a bad person--does it?

Thanks, Shell for letting me Pour My Heart Out on your blog.