tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-95300342024-02-20T01:36:09.956-05:00Deep ThoughtsNOT!!! i try to be either entertaining, inappropriate, <br>
or both at the same time. welcome!MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.comBlogger420125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-4950430405048531482014-12-19T22:59:00.001-05:002014-12-19T22:59:59.259-05:00poke poke - hello!I like to pop in here just to freak people out about once every year or two.<br />
<br />
Life continues to change at a frantic rate. <br />
<br />
<br />
Religion: After years of examining my beliefs, i decided my church felt like home, whether i believed 100% of what they preach or not. This is where being presbyterian comes in handy, as questioners are welcome. I joined the church choir. About 5 minutes later I was offered a job directing the choir at a different church, where I had applied a year earlier, and accepted. So I'm a dual citizen and have never been happier religiously.<br />
<br />
Family:<br />
<ul>
<li>princess is in 2nd grade and ridiculously happy.</li>
<li>middle child is conflicted, slightly manic, dealing with his depression in healthier ways than a few months ago.</li>
<li>oldest is driving happily, looking forward to graduation and turning 18 and doing stupid things to prove he's a real grownup. </li>
<li>i've adopted a few of their friends lately and may have a full house soon</li>
<li>the husband and i have separated, which feels very positive on my end of things. </li>
</ul>
Work: I started new jobs in February, August, and October. Working hard, earning good money, putting in lots of hours, especially with the commute. Feeling semi-competent, which may be the pinnacle of folks in my department.<br />
<br />
Home: I am buying a house in January. I'm starting to allow myself to become excited about this.<br />
<br />
I don't spend nearly as much time in social media these days... probably less than 5 hours a week, compared to some days when I easily hit that number.<br />
<br />
The new year approacheth rapidly, and I'll raise a glass to friends, family, love, and peace. Tootles!MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-17232544916870687292013-11-14T13:38:00.001-05:002013-11-14T13:42:56.121-05:00My last post was nearly 2 years ago. Things didn't exactly go as that hopeful post predicted, but they went their own way. Today, I figured out how to reaccess this blog. Linking it to a work email is problematic as my private email is linked to something else and it's all so complicated I'm not sure I care this much.<br />
<br />
I graduated. I'm looking for a job. and I may use this as an outlet. That is about it.<br />
<br />
Oh - and since graduation, I've rediscovered crochet. I may be posting about it obsessively. If so, it means I've conquered my fear of uploading photos. You have been WARNED! (apparently, this platform does not support emoticons. that may itself be a death knell!)<grin><!--3--></grin>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-27518531900639328302012-01-01T21:38:00.001-05:002012-01-01T21:39:31.815-05:002012: year in review<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:punctuationkerning/> <w:validateagainstschemas/> <w:saveifxmlinvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:ignoremixedcontent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:alwaysshowplaceholdertext>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> <w:dontgrowautofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:latentstyles deflockedstate="false" latentstylecount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-ansi-language:#0400; mso-fareast-language:#0400; mso-bidi-language:#0400;} </style> <![endif]--> <p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Note: Single Dad Laughing did this and challenged his readers to do it as well: Write a blog post as though the "new" year had just ENDED, and imagine what's going to happen, what's going to change, what goals you'll achieve, how you'll feel. Kinda quirky and right up my alley. So here you go...</span></p><p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">2012 was my best year ever!</span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" > </span> <p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">We rang in the year with family. I'm so glad we've spent more time with them this year! It has been hard with living farther apart, but the extra effort really has paid off. I can't imagine us not being super close any more!</span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" > </span> <p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Even with such a great start, things only went up. We went under contract for our new house the same week and closed in time for my birthday. I LOVE our beautiful, spacious house! It has really become our home. The kids are happier, I'm happier, everything works so much nicer with the bigger space.</span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" > </span> <p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">The husband and I have found new life for our marriage. Our counselor helped us to see the positive aspects of our relationship and build a much better interaction. I'm so glad to be part of the relationship I've always dreamed of! He really is a great guy.</span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" > </span> <p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I've kept my grades up and have been so proud! I was dreading my internship/fieldwork semester this summer, but I had been well prepared and it went smoothly. I can't wait to finish my degree and get a job! The company where I did my fieldwork is really awesome and I think will be a great place to work when I get my degree; sure hope they're hiring this May! My education really has been a wonderful experience.</span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" > </span> <p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">I've had to buy a whole new wardrobe since I've been eating healthy and exercising. My motives finally changed to where they worked: I decided to take care of myself, not worry about how I looked or "dieting." The change is fabulous - and DH is very appreciative!</span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" > </span> <p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">#1 son got his learner's permit in June, and has surprised me with his mature outlook and responsible habits. I'm not terrified of his licensure next summer anymore! His grades are improving with that maturity; no more missed assignments due to neglecting to turn them in. He is even working a few hours a work and loves having spending money.</span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" > </span> <p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">#2 son went out for football again this fall and got to play lots more. I was able to see him play this year, yay! He's still keeping up with Band/Jazz Band and though super busy, is still my happy little man.</span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" > </span> <p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">Princess started kindergarten this fall and loves it! She's changed a lot too, learning to interact with other kids and not try to be the boss of everything. She's still a very caring little girl, takes care of me whenever she has the chance.</span></p><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" > </span> <p style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:130%;">The world didn't end on #2 son's birthday (12/21/2012), and we're sure glad to be welcoming 2013 with the rest of you. After such a wonderful 2012, we look forward to all good things in 2013.</span></p>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-23007828160807650602011-12-15T14:37:00.003-05:002011-12-15T14:40:48.951-05:00catching up...<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" >It's been a crazy mad semester. Yes, I'm measuring time in semesters again. Went back to school in January (if you missed it).<br /><br />Lost 20 pounds in July/August. Not sure how. Took a family vacay to visit my family of origin in August. Began Fall Semester.<br /><br />Won a scholarship. Got diagnosed with diabetes and hypothyroidism. Became obsessed with intake and blood sugar levels, not that obsession had any effect. Meanwhile, studied Pathophysiology, Federal Rules and Regulations regarding Clinical Trials, and Statistics. Took many tests, some while experiencing the vertigo that my vestibular system hit me with, obviously convinced I was managing too well with what I was juggling already.<br /><br />The house got more and more cluttered. But I got 3 A's in my 3 classes at the end of the term, which ended this week. I have 4 whole weeks to get caught up on everything. The thyroid med is finally kicking in and I am sick of sitting in front of the computer, so instead I am GETTING THINGS DONE. Yes, I am also in shock.<br /><br />Skipping over Thanksgiving madness and dealing with vomiting kids while studying for and taking finals (online class, yes really). I am feeling pretty great about where I am and where I'm going, and doing my best to enjoy the process.</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-12827361906229047332011-10-03T13:28:00.002-04:002011-10-03T13:31:34.234-04:00fabulous news!<span style="font-size:130%;">I was too busy to pick up the mail Saturday, so I got it yesterday. Imagine my surprise to discover I had been awarded a scholarship! I applied, yeah, but I didn't expect to get it; my teacher encouraged us to apply and most of us did.<br /><br />It's a scholarship provided by a local pharmaceutical company. Not only will it help out financially, but it will ALSO get my name in front of folks I'll be applying with after I graduate. So, super thrilled to have this!<br /><br />The old lady's still got it! Just took my first test in the terrible Rules and Regulations class and it wasn't as TERRIBLE as I'd feared (and been told). It won't be long before I get to do other things I've been waiting on... but I'm doing my best to enjoy my time in school, because it ALSO won't be long before I'm looking back on these days fondly. :D</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-10804354305456678532011-09-11T21:09:00.003-04:002011-09-11T21:12:33.869-04:00somehow...<span style="font-size:130%;">I feel like I should make a post today.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">As so many others have said, more eloquently, it doesn't feel 10 years ago when I think about it. The pain is fresh. The memories are fresh. The day doesn't fade.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">MCB posted a poignant </span><a href="http://mormonchildbride.blogspot.com/2011/09/waiting-with-their-light.html"><span style="font-size:130%;">poem</span></a><span style="font-size:130%;">. </span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">I spent too much time studying and my thought processes are fried. My message is not original but is heart-felt.</span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"></span><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">We will never forget.</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-25758880568166307072011-09-06T10:11:00.003-04:002011-09-06T10:14:24.056-04:00I'm still alive!I cleared cookies on my computer last summer, and couldn't find my way back into google. Today I tried again and they had added some new buttons to help me. Turns out, I was signed in on my work email with this account, which is why I couldn't figure it out.<br /><br />I've had a LOT more time since not being able to access my google Reader, which is really a good thing as I'm back in school since January. Going after a Clinical Trials Research Associate degree, loving the process, loving the goal; will graduate after 7 straight semesters in May 2013. It seems a long way away, but it will pass quickly, I'm so damn busy! and if I don't go after it, time will still pass and NOTHING will EVER get BETTER.<br /><br />So here I am again, warts and all. I may be around more often, wasting time here in lieu of wasting time on facebook; I may lose my cookies and/or mind again. I make no promises!MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-87792774650003672192010-06-04T22:12:00.002-04:002010-06-04T22:18:00.426-04:00just when you thought it was safe...<span style="font-family: trebuchet ms;font-size:130%;" >to breathe again...<br /><br />#1 son is turning 13 sunday. somehow i've managed to sublimate this knowledge until today. i'm not ready, and i'm not going to BE ready. it just doesn't seem possible.<br /><br />he hasn't really HIT puberty yet; he gets growing pains and whatnot and has a little peach fuzz on his lip, a tiny bit more in the pits, and some smallish pimples. if he were 6 inches taller than me it would be a little easier to swallow, somehow, i think? his dad didn't really hit his growth until 16, though, so it's unlikely to hit any time soon.<br /><br />my inappropriate thought when he mentioned some peach fuzz was: are you getting it down south too? then my mommy mind said "WAH! my baby is hitting milestones that _I_ _CAN'T_ _WITNESS_!_!_!_"<br /><br />you know, it isn't that i WANT to see those changes so much as that he's changing in ways i CAN'T observe. he's my baby, he isn't supposed to grow up! he still has uber-fair skin and thinking about it sprouting hairs is just WRONG! when he starts to shave i will cry and cry.<br /><br />i know, they're supposed to grow up and be independent. watching it HAPPEN is hard.</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-55697642581049272442010-06-03T11:48:00.002-04:002010-06-03T11:54:42.800-04:00whoops!<span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" >where did May go?<br /><br />Life is, as usual, overwhelming. Tell stories about it? I barely have time to live it!<br /><br />our horrible rental house has a FORTY-TWO-YEAR-OLD AIR CONDITIONER. i know, i can barely count that high. it's been repaired twice this year already, and apparently has a coolant leak. yippee. the cheap-shit landlord had better fix it this time, is all i can say.<br /><br />too hot to breathe = time to go out to dinner! so we did last night. we sat at a booth with lolly on a booster in a chair at the end of the table. she's a very self-possessed almost-3-year-old and we didn't think twice about it.<br /><br />until she leaned over a little bit in my direction, which threw the thing off-balance, and fell HEAD-FIRST toward the floor.<br /><br />my left arm shot out, wrapped around her belly, and yanked upward JUST before her head made contact. it was so close i expected her to cry; i really didn't think i had made it in time. all rich had time to do was say "oh, shit." i'm still kinda waiting for the panic and pain.<br /><br />i practically got a round of applause. somehow, everybody sitting near us happened to be looking our way at the moment, and nobody else could believe it either. my shoulder may be strained, but my baby is in one piece.<br /><br />with adrenaline pumping, i looked up and said "that's a once-in-a-lifetime catch!" would've made the highlights reel if i were on a reality show and had a camera following me 24/7. :D<br /><br />and it's a story to be preserved. lolly doesn't remember things much but i asked her "who caught you last night?" and she said "YOU!" she actually appreciates it AND appears to remember it.<br /><br />she's very stoked for her birthday. she wants angels.</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-77644937651330274462010-05-04T19:23:00.002-04:002010-05-04T19:43:06.885-04:00the met galay'all, i know i've been mia, and i apologize. life is overwhelming most of the time, lol!<br /><br />but i had SO MUCH FUN looking at the <a href="http://nymag.com/daily/fashion/2010/05/see_all_of_the_looks_from_the.html#">long slideshow </a>of the red carpet at the met gala, i had to share. i had commentary on many, and i'll highlight the ones i loved so you don't miss them. so click on the slideshow, alt-tab back and forth to my commentary, and enjoy!<br /><br />[in case you can't tell, the fug girls are my idols!]<br /><br />1. Jessica Szohr - wonderful, if your goal is to look flatter than Kate Hudson’s “before” shots.<br />2. Zoe can do no wrong.<br />3. I’ve never said this before, but Anna actually looks really good here. Age-appropriate, stylish, flattering. The most MOST of us could ask for!<br />4.5. Meh.<br />6. Diane Kruger - The most perfect meh ever, the way this fits so beautifully and falls so perfectly, but still meh.<br />7. More meh.<br />8. Finally, someone having a good time! Fashion risk, event-appropriate, and happy! Mama happy.<br />9. He made that for her, and that’s the best he could do?<br />10. Emma oopsed. <br />11. Oprah - flawless. Diva extraordinaire!<br />12. Lily Collins. Don’t know who this is, but I think I love her. This is exquisite. I might have taken the shoes up a notch, but LOVE the color, design, hair, everything!<br />13. Joy - who? This just doesn’t work, but at least she looks joyful. I want to think it’s almost, fix the hair and lose the spray-tan, but I don’t think it makes it to almost.<br />14. Claire Danes in Burberry. She looks good, which is, yes, damning her with faint praise. It grows on me but it doesn’t carry me away.<br />15.16. men.<br />17. meh.<br />18. meh. (being Nicole Ritchie, she gets her own entry, but still meh)<br />19. Gwen Stefani in L.A.M.B. A mistake. She gets a lot more latitude than most, but still no.<br />20. Kirsten Dunst - GORGEOUS bodice, hair, smile; falls a tad short, but by then I’m just so happy with how she’s looking I don’t care that it needed to be a few inches longer and with better shoes.<br />21. agita. Don’t make me look long enough to say more.<br />22. Donatella. It’s a pity she’s so UGLY, as this is a beautiful dress, and she looks amazing in it! Put a bag over her head, please!<br />23. Tina Fey. That facial expression says it all.<br />24. J.Lo. Dressing like the queen she is. Hate the hair because that’s all there is to hate on, and she could elevate this from A to Ow-Mami!<br />25. Chloe. I do NOT love the Sev. Sorry.<br />26. Padma Lakshmi. A well-intended hot mess.<br />27. Jessica Alba - Did not screw it up. All I could think as I scrolled down was “please don’t let her ruin this!” She came through.<br />28. Iman. Another classic, looking classic.<br />29. Jessica and Justin. meh.<br />30. Taylor Swift. Sorry - Meh.<br />31. Vera and Mila. LOVE. Mila must be so fun to dress and/or hang out with. I’d love to see more of both of them, which I couldn’t say of most of the slideshow.<br />32. Carey Mulligan always looks like a miserable little girl. Going 30 for 30 with that look, as far as I can tell. PLEASE - cheer up, stand up straight, wear something flattering, pretty, and try to enjoy your life!<br />33. Coca Rocha - MINE. This looks like a gown one needs to see in motion, and it makes me cry for more!<br />34. Kerry Washington - the dress wears her.<br />35. SJP - looks better when she isn’t holding her dress up like a 3-year-old. At least she picked something that flatters for a change.<br />36. Kristin Davis - also being worn by the gown.<br />37. Malin Ackerman - a near-miss. I almost love this, but it’s the napkin in the lap that just takes it from fun to I-wish-I-liked-this-better.<br />38. Elizabeth Banks. Next slide please!<br />39. Eva Mendes - in a unique twist for her, isn’t wearing something flattering, and is being worn by it.<br />40. Rachel Weisz. I love her. I don’t love this. Ick.<br />41. “Thankoon for Gap” - major FAIL.<br />42. Juicy Couture? Looks like a ‘70s bathrobe. Fail.<br />43. Eva LP. Should be fab, but doesn’t come close. Petite women should NOT wear dresses of this length. It swallows her up.<br />44. Naomi and Liev - Fail. The dress is the wrong color, wrong design, and wrinkled to boot. It just wears her - AND ages her. Double Fail. (and I’m sorry, but I’ll never get into tux details)<br />45. Carolina Herrera, wearing a mullet dress. She looks amazing, and she is another icon, so even though I want to pick it apart, I can’t. Way to stay classy!<br />46. Renee. The hair is such a crime against nature, I can’t help but wonder if she’s hiding recent plastic surgery. Her dress is perfection, but I can’t love anything on her with the hair. Ick.<br />47. KStew. Nuff sed.<br />48. Maggie. Burning my eyes - too little bodice (with too-little boobies), too big skirt, too too too Maggie! Love her, but hate her style.<br />49. Emmy Rossum. Nice dress, bad necklace, terrible hair. Which puts her ahead of SOOO many competitors tonight.<br />50. Thandie Newton - being consumed by a bad dress. If the design were better, it would wear her, but since it’s a mess, it can’t even claim that.<br />51. Rosario - reminds me of that terrible black-and-white-bow dress Anne Hathaway wore several years ago - makes the girls looks squished and saggy, which leaves it beyond redemption.<br />52. Gisele - Nobody else could make me love this. SLAMMIN’.<br />53. Stella, Liv, and Kate - two Fails and a Meh. Kate is stuck in one groove, and now that she has a bosum she thinks she needs to show it, which makes it close to a fail.<br />54. Kristen Bell in overwhelming newsprint.<br />55. Brooke Shields is a GODDESS!<br />56. Katy Perry is a lunatic, but I gotta love her. <br />57. Mary Blige - oh, HELL no. Coulda been fab, but wasn’t even a near-miss.<br />58. M.I.A. F.A.I.L.<br />59. meh men.<br />60. Emma Roberts - Cute meh.<br />61. Blake Lively - God love her, I enjoy her self-overexposure.<br />62. Anne Hathaway - looked better in the background! Should’ve done something more princess-y with the hair, and REALLY needs to balance the big V on her chest. Very near-miss.<br />63. January, it’s May, and you are OUT.<br />64. Alessandra Ambrosio - isn’t boring. I might even love this - for the met, for her, for the moment.<br />65. Abbie Cornish - being worn by Louis Vuitton<br />66. Marion Cotillard - OMG, back in form, classic, gorgeous, WIN, A-PLUS! please stay with us and don’t stray into fug territory ever again! We much prefer to love you.<br />67. Whoopi and someone else looking very underdressed, but nicely pressed.<br />68. is this the waiter?<br />69. Kate Bosworth, you look lovely. <br />70. Rachel Zoe - remember when I said Zoe could do no wrong? I was NOT talking about you. Eat a DAMN SANDWICH, and NEVER wear a dress that has a bow on the waist that’s bigger than you. FAIL.<br />71. Melissa George - THIS is how you do yellow. And I’d like to see her again, because she could have disappeared into that dress, but she doesn’t.<br />72. Christina - please note, this is how you do NOT do boobs (or hips, but they’re the lesser sin today). Girl, you’ve been BLESSED, but you do not look it in this - you look BLOATED.<br />73. the Trumps - looking rich and pleased with themselves. Makes me wish I could fail them, but they are too spot-on.<br />74. Sienna and Jude - WTH? Sienna looks old and stringy in a mullet dress, and Jude’s eye is wandering. Fail - but can I fail her and keep him? <br />75. Rachel Bilson looking very pretty. I wish the dress fit better, but not a fail (damning with faint praise again, though).<br />76. Mariska Hargitay - walking close to the line of being overwhelmed by the dress, but she made me look twice and thrice, which is NEVER a mistake, so WIN. And I LOVE the color, I LOVE the balance with the necklace, so on fourth glance, it’s not so close to that line.<br />77. Bar Rafaeli looking demonic. FAIL.<br />78. Jessica Stam - perfection, if your goal is drawing all attention to your navel. Had potential. Fail.<br />79. Gayle King - the only magenta dress that looks fab tonight!<br />80. Diane Lane - meh, only it doesn’t fit through the bodice, and it should. The hair should look clean, too.<br />81. Janet Jackson - this could have been a major win, if only it wasn’t for the tennis balls we’ve seen too often.<br />82. Dracula himself.<br />83. men - but yummy men! Who IS that???<br />84. can I just fail all three without naming names?<br />85. Mayor and guest - who is one of the absolute most GORGEOUS women there tonight! Amazing dress, amazing presence - who cares about the shlubby mayor?<br />86. and for contrast - oh, HELL, no.<br />87. men, and Burberry. Meh.<br />88. diane kruger wannabe - meh.<br />89. I can’t say anything but FAB for Naomi, she might kick my a$$.<br />90. eek, Katie! The dress makes you look thick and middle-aged - which your body may be, but your spirit is not, so work it, girl! And find something else for the next event. (also hearkens back A.H.’s bow dress - without the droopy bosum, but WITH the emphasis where it ought not be.)<br />91. Ivanka - just yuk. Love the color, but not even a near-miss.<br />92. and in the mannequin category, this overwhelming dress that few could pull off, and fewer still would want to.<br />93. another mullet dress, with boob-flattening detail, in magenta. Triple fail on one girl - major accomplishment!<br />94. somebody else designing for Gap - and it looks like a Gap outfit, no matter what she paid. FAIL.<br />95. dress = meh. Boots = FAIL.<br />96. another vampire, yawn.<br />97. Camilla Belle, looking DIVINE! Red dress on red carpet can be a problematic combo, but not this time. STUNNING.<br />98. Cassie - anywhere else would be a fail, but I’m actually loving this. Maybe any-ONE else would be a fail, but the dress is kinda cool, and the shoes match without matchy-matching, with the clutch - I think she wins!<br />99. Just as her expression says, oh, HELL no. and she doesn’t dare move for fear of flashing.<br />100. I don’t hate anything about this, but it just looks meh here. And it shouldn’t.<br />101. Maggie Grace, you look lovely. But you look MEH lovely. Take a risk!<br />102. take dress on the left, shoes and bag on the right, and you might have a win. Instead, two fails.MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-53241810182643901432010-03-04T17:42:00.000-05:002010-03-04T17:43:09.082-05:00hey - didja notice? especially for meg (even though i don't think she reads my blog)<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-size:180%;" >I actually used capitalization in that last post.</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-8968097184801798552010-03-04T17:28:00.001-05:002010-03-04T17:32:09.394-05:00today's deep thought...i've had several thoughts in mind to pass along. where did they go? as soon as i open the window to add a post, my brain goes blank. no fair!<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 204, 204);font-size:130%;" >I've had the "Prince of Egypt" playing in the car for a little while now. <span style="font-style: italic;">I</span> really like it, but #1 son gripes. They sing about how "There can be miracles when you believe." And part of me says, but they were BELIEVING for 400 years of servitude before the MIRACLE happened.</span><br /><br />boy was i negative for a while there.<br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 204, 204);font-size:130%;" >But I'm on new depression meds, and now it is INSPIRING! to believe i can do what needs doing, and that things will work out! raise your hands in the air if you believe! A-MEN! *giggle*snort*</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-59971932785380650712010-02-06T11:32:00.002-05:002010-02-06T11:34:37.352-05:00Z-O-M-B-I-E-S-S-S-S!!!<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><span class="bb"></span><td valign="top"><span style="font-size:180%;"> </span><br /></td> <td class="b" valign="top" width="100%"><span style="font-size:180%;">Big Brothers have a profound influence on one's development.<br /><br />i went grocery shopping yesterday because there was a strong chance of freezing rain and i didn't want to deal with ice. while i was gone #1 son texted me to ask me to buy bacon.<br /><br />i didn't go to the store that carries nitrite-free bacon. i went to the closer store to get things done. i read every !@#$% package of bacon and they all had sodium nitrite in them.<br /><br />i remembered while visiting PA my SIL had served johnsonville sausage and we had read the package; no nitrites! so i picked up some J'vil breakfast sausage.<br /><br />the boys were happy. DH was happy. Lolly would not touch them.<br /><br />until i told her they were zombie fingers.<br /><br />then she picked up her fork and ate 3 whole (cut-up) zombie fingers. with glee and relish and saying "Zombie Fingers!" over and over.<br /><br />what an imp. we do what we must!</span></td></tr></tbody></table>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-41577771490760097372010-01-29T14:52:00.001-05:002010-01-29T14:55:22.723-05:00oh-oh, play doh!<span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 255, 204);font-size:130%;" >i bought lolly some play-doh a while back for a road trip. not the best plan, but i didn't find much that would be entertaining. fortunately, she loves to draw right now and we never opened them. we got home for ANOTHER road trip tuesday and when we brought everything in from the car, she saw this. so she has been playing with play-doh for 2.5 days.<br /><br />she is a hoot. she mixes all of the colors together (maddening when i want to play, funny since i don't. much) and cuts them up like an apple with the "sharp knife" that came with the kit. it's a seaside kit, 3 colors, 1 pot of "sand"-textured play-doh, some shapes and other stuff.<br /><br />it's already almost brown from mixing. she's making birthday cake now. and she will NOT put them away and cries if i do. she'll have to learn that play-doh dries out the hard way, i'm afraid. so my daughter.<br /><br />at least i have my charming girl to play with since there is SNOW forecast later today and all weekend. gr.</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-15386570838704706402010-01-13T09:12:00.000-05:002010-01-13T09:13:10.755-05:00January blahs<span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:180%;" >and i have nothing to say. it's weird, when i was so chatty in december, but january is a different month. (yes, profound, deep thoughts; it's the title of the blog!)<br /><br />hoping everyone is having a good january, staying warm, and thinking inappropriate and/or amusing thoughts!</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-32473684756511340172010-01-10T19:02:00.001-05:002010-01-10T19:03:49.234-05:00batteries<span style="font-family: lucida grande; color: rgb(204, 204, 255);font-size:180%;" >friday night, instead of a date, i spent 4 hours sewing the entire quilt top together. i had purchased batteries earlier in the day so i do have electronic record, but haven't yet uploaded as i've been working all weekend, WITH a head cold that promises sinus infection soonest.<br /><br />guess what DH found saturday? the damn batteries. at least they're good for 7 years.</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-24407597045927626162010-01-07T09:19:00.002-05:002010-01-07T09:26:51.845-05:00a bug bit me<span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 255); font-family: verdana;font-size:130%;" >so, lolly and i were tooling around the EE yesterday. the library was closed to move over the holidays and doesn't reopen until TOMORROW; when we showed up and the doors were locked lolly said "oh, no! what are we going to DO?" and i said, we'll go rent a movie. when we got out of the car at wally's to hit the redbox, she said "i want the other santa clause movie." so we headed for the back of the store to see if it was there. (she's been watching 1 and 2 in rotation, so 3 could only be a benefit for those of us who live here with her.)<br /><br />oops. i bought a camera. it was $19 and doesn't zoom and probably isn't very many megapixels, but she threw away my old one (which was kinda new and NICE) in april and i'm tired of making do with the camera phone. we found Monsters versus Aliens for $10 packaged with a bonus monster featurette, which made her happier since all the christmas movies went back to the warehouse already.<br /><br />i brought the camera home and went to find my AAA batteries; i bought a 20-pack or something before Christmas. whoever got one out got the only one, apparently, because NOBODY IN MY HOUSE KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT THESE BATTERIES. so now i can't take pictures until i buy more, and i don't WANT to, i already BOUGHT batteries! gr.<br /><br />since finances are really tight right now (oil costs the earth, there's no work at christmas, and i spent the oil money on christmas), i felt i'd spent too much. so i went down the craft aisle and bought a $20 bundle of fabric. yes. let me say it again. it's aquas and pinks and chocolate BATIKS (swoon), cut into 2-1/2-inch strips. what's the point, you ask? i don't have to pick colors, i don't have to cut, I CAN GO HOME AND CREATE!<br /><br />i'd been thinking about making a basket-weave pattern quilt, and thinking about what colors i wanted. when i saw these, i said YES! and lolly said PINK! and we took them home, got out the sewing machine (idle lo these many years), and sewed 50 strips into 25 strips, and 24 strips into 12 panels 4 strips wide. used two bobbins up. today we're going to cut these strips into 8-1/2-inch segments and put together the top of the quilt. whee!<br /><br />and if my children hadn't lost my BATTERIES, i could post pictures. it's kind of random because lolly helped pick which strips to put together; i would have spent more time on that and been more "artistic," counted how many pinks i had and how many blues, and so on, but it's her quilt and it's kinda cool she helped.<br /><br />so watch for the next battery post...</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-57518581335443144472010-01-06T11:15:00.004-05:002010-01-06T11:21:09.295-05:00un-be-freaking-lievable<span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 153);font-family:arial;font-size:180%;" >lolly is sick.<br /><br />she woke up yesterday morning at 2 a.m. with a fever that felt like close to 104 (why torture a sick kid with a cold thermometer? just give them tylenol and cuddle them against your cool skin). tossed and turned the rest of the night; i took her to the recliner by 2:30 to let DH sleep.<br /><br />she felt ooky yesterday and had lots of runny nose. kept giving tylenol by the clock to keep her a little comfortable.<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);">so i emailed work and said i'd be in late, sick baby, up all night and such. got on, no work, kept checking back and typing the account i hate that had a few reports on it.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);">DH calls me around noon and says "how are you enjoying your day off?"</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);">i'm scheduled to work this weekend so i get tues. and wed. off. completely forgot.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);">emailed work and said "just kidding! i WON'T be back today! hahahahaha." they were very amused. </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">at least i didn't forget until sunday evening, like i did a couple of months ago. eek!</span><br /><br />last night we both slept well; she slept a good 12 hours and is feeling better, temp closer to 100 before i gave her medicine this morning. praise be! <span style="color: rgb(255, 204, 255);">and i didn't try to go to work.</span></span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-91414039960869542462010-01-04T09:31:00.000-05:002010-01-04T09:33:22.176-05:00missing the kids<span style="color: rgb(204, 255, 255);font-size:180%;" >NOT! they went back to school today, and i'm hoping for a return to a normal life and normal habits. not gonna happen, i know, but let me live in my delusionary world for a little while.<br /><br />one of the best early lessons i learned about being a parent is this: just when you think you've got everything settled down, it will change. in other words, don't be too excited about how well your childcare solution is working because next month it won't.<br /><br />back to LaLa land, both lolly's and mine...</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-82125144146044613942010-01-03T10:22:00.002-05:002010-01-03T10:25:15.116-05:00life after holidays<span style="font-size:130%;">it's a lot calmer. kinda boring. peaceful.<br /><br />we cleaned up the living room yesterday and it looks great! now if only the other 7 rooms in the house looked like that, i'd feel like we had accomplished something.<br /><br />with a calmer life comes less inspiration for bloggity. december was a banner month; what will become of january?<br /><br />they've forecast a record-level cold snap for the next 2 weeks. i may be in hibernation; i WILL be charging oil rather than paying cash, which i HATE. i may be a bear when i come out of hibernation in february.<br /><br />i refuse to be predictable. that's because i have no idea what i'm doing from one MINUTE to the next, let alone day! hahaha<br /><br />enjoy the mystery that is Deep Thoughts.</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-18256798229656395762009-12-31T10:54:00.003-05:002009-12-31T11:01:15.458-05:00a final (?) delicious thought<h3 style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" class="UIIntentionalStory_Message" ft="{"type":"msg"}"><span class="UIStory_Message">my seester just summited the challenge of Julia Child's boeuf bourgignone. clicking idly through links from that recipe, i came across this gorgeous description of replicating Julia's first dinner in France: <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/articles/2009/11/11/in_rouen_the_source_of_julia_childs_1948_inspiration_is_intact/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" onmousedown="'UntrustedLink.bootstrap($(this),"><span>http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/food/art</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>icles/2009/11/11/in_rouen_the_source_of_</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>julia_childs_1948_inspiration_is_intact/</a></span></h3><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >myself, i saw Julie and Julia earlier this year and was VERY inspired. no, i'm not going to make all the recipes in her seminal opus, but i'm inspired. ;) one of my two requests for Christmas was MASTERING THE ART OF FRENCH COOKING. it is delicious reading and i feel even _I_ can make boneless duck en croute, the final dish in the movie. Julia was a scientist in the kitchen and her descriptions of how and why to take each step are masterful, truly.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >now that i've read this article, i'm inspired to travel to France again, and to visit this restaurant, and to clog my arteries with beautiful BUTT-er. (alas, if only my funds matched my inspiration.)</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 0);font-family:trebuchet ms;" >but that is a wonderful thought, mental picture, what-have-you, to end a year on. Bon appetit!</span></span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-67680739976532932132009-12-31T08:42:00.001-05:002009-12-31T08:45:58.848-05:0069<span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);font-size:180%;" >so, if i make 36 more posts before the end of the day, i'll have posted as much in December as i did in the rest of 2009 combined.<br /><br />no, not gonna happen (do i sense relief, kim?). Happy New Year!</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-66758990088342126232009-12-30T13:44:00.002-05:002009-12-30T13:47:57.755-05:00stray thoughts<span style="color: rgb(204, 204, 255);font-size:180%;" >my lolly is growing up WAY too fast. she recently started eating a TON and i'm waiting for her growth to explode. i'm FINALLY going to have to switch to #5 diapers (or maybe training pants? i have high hopes)!<br /><br />just figured out why. she got another set of molars in the last month. i bet that makes it about 10 times easier to chew. she is always eating now - she can pound a clementine in under a minute! her absolute favorite food, though, is CHILI. just had some for lunch and her bowl was practically licked clean.<br /><br />mommies worry about our kids eating enough, and eating right. i can worry less about this one. for now.</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-80502820645652765922009-12-30T11:34:00.001-05:002009-12-30T11:39:07.152-05:00conflict<span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-size:130%;" >anxiety. decisions. fear.<br /><br />i'm not making a "new year's" resolution, just a ME resolution. i'm going to work on ME this year. i'm an important person, too, and i am going to do things to help ME grow and be happy. been meditating this morning on how, when, where i'm coming from and where i'm going, and eradicating fear.<br /><br />one of the best new "friends" i made in facebook is helping with this. she spends her days spreading sunshine and love, and embraces all who want to bask in her positive energy. she's a "game friend," don't know much about her, nor she me, but her posts make me feel more myself and wonderful ABOUT myself.<br /><br />she posted about how she felt things were too good to be true with her recent move. and this is a note i wrote in reply to her today: "we moved into a place that was too BAD to be true in september and i feel trapped, can't leave until next sept. lots of fear on this, too. fear is the soul-killer, must shed it! it is what it is and i will get through this, too. have tried to forget that! thanks for all the beautiful reminders of how beautiful i am!"<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-size:130%;" >mommies sometimes sacrifice too much for their children. </span><span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(255, 255, 153);font-size:130%;" >seek out people who make you feel beautiful and loved, and don't forget that we are JUST as important as our children are and WE deserve to be happy, too! namaste!</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9530034.post-69091322046011558252009-12-29T20:16:00.002-05:002009-12-29T20:24:32.392-05:00catching up<span style="font-family: arial; color: rgb(204, 204, 255);font-size:130%;" ><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 255);">as Kim mentioned, i've been quite verbose this month.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 255);">i started on some medication for my anxiety about a month ago. coincidence? i don't think so. i'm feeling more like MYSELF than i have in ages. i just didn't realize how UN-like myself i had felt, it's a gradual slide. once things got just about rock bottom (i was mostly unable to function every day), i went and asked for help. yay!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 255);">thus, feeling better, i started posting more. when i realized JUST HOW MUCH i'd actually posted this month already, i started thinking i could maybe do 31 posts in a 31-day month. but only if i had something to say. when i'm MYSELF, there is never any doubt.</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 255, 255);">our move was so unequivocally HELLISH, and so hard on me. we have had at least TEN disasters as great as today's since mid-September, and it overwhelmed me so much and made me so depressed and anxious, I COULDN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT IT. major red flag. when i talked with my 2 seesters one day about this, they told me to get myself to the MD and get some meds. which i did. thanks again, seesters!</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">***********</span><br /><br />DH brought home a used treadmill he found on Craigslist (for $75!) tonight. it's COLD, and it took about 20 minutes to get through the door (#1 son helped). the temp in the house plummeted. i'm still chilly.<br /><br />but i got my christmas gift! i got both things i asked for, which is awesome! and dressing up lolly is a gift in itself; she got so many new clothes she still hasn't worn them all. so better days are coming, and we survived 2009! and we learned NOT to cross the MamaBear. :D</span>MamaBearhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10219560967391102167noreply@blogger.com3