Serenity Now!

I seem to always get embroiled in anger whenever I plan family events. This past week both my family and hubbs' family have completely pissed me off regarding plans for Mother's Day. We are trying to combine both families together so that we don't have to jump around to different houses, however, trying to coordinate while making everyone happy never works. Everyone has do to things "their" way. Sometimes I think we need to just stick with separate family events. It is almost easier, despite having to drive to different locations. At least feelings aren't hurt and temper tantrums are fewer.

There have been so many moments lately where I literally have to take a step back, take a breather and move on because I will let myself get super fired up if I stew over it. Hubbs is really good about getting mad over something but then forgetting about it. Things just eat away at me until I explode. I am really trying to ask for "Serenity Now", put things into perspective and not give a shit. And then I pour myself a glass of Pinot Noir which helps too.

Pampered Paula

Last Saturday I used up a spa gift certificate and got an 80 minute pedicure. It was somewhat relaxing, but the chair was tilted back like a recliner and after awhile I started getting a headache so it ended up not being as relaxing as I had hoped. I think I need to just stick with the $18 pedicures at the place down the street. There I can get in and out quickly and they still give you great foot massages.

Since the weather is due to be gorgeous this weekend and there is no rain the in the forecast I have decided it is time to bust out my self tanner regimen. I use Neutrogena Build A Tan. I am so fair that I notice a difference INSTANTLY. It takes a week or so to get my technique down. I tend to get streaks on my (bulging) biceps for the first few days. Then my base gets dark enough that the streaks aren't as noticeable. The scent of self tanner is pretty funky, but for some reason I don't really mind it. It reminds me of warm weather.

I have been binging on popcorn for the past week after dinner and while I am sitting my ass on the couch as I watch Real Housewives of New York City. Popcorn is my FAVORITE snack. Hands down. I can eat it plain, buttered, salted, caramel, Kettle style, home style. Heck I even find myself eating the bright orange kind that has been sitting in one of those cheap 15 gallon tins with pictures of kittens that usually are in the break room during the holidays. If it's popcorn, I like it. Disclaimer: As much as I love popcorn, I will not add that disgusting liquid butter at the movie theaters. I like it straight up.

Miss S has become quite the little helper. She likes to help feed Lucy, put her clothes away in her hamper and do the laundry with me and hubbs. It is quite cute and I love watching her get so excited.

I am Angry, Hear Me Roar

Yesterday the weather was gorgeous. It reached way over 80 degrees so to celebrate my mom and I took Miss S to the main park in our town. Once we got into the playground area a little girl came running up to Miss S, and I quickly realized that it was her friend from daycare who we will call “Hillary”. Hillary is just under 2 and quite bigger than Sonya. Miss S was so excited to see Hillary at the playground. I greeted her mom and introduced myself. She acted kind of aloof and then referred to Miss S by the wrong name which kind of put me off. We sat there watching the girls say hello when all of a sudden Hillary grabs a huge handful of damp sand and through it full force right into Sonya’s face. Seriously, Hillary was not even a foot away when she did this.

I sat there shocked. In fact we all sat there shocked. I then noticed that Sonya had clumps of sand in her mouth and in her eye. So I swooped in and picked her up and headed towards the stroller to clean her up. Meanwhile, Hillary’s mom didn’t do anything. She told Hillary to “Apologize to Sonya”. Like she even knew how to do that. She didn’t even discipline her or anything. Miss S is really tough and only cries from pain only rarely. I am not sure that since Hillary’s mom saw that Miss S wasn’t crying that she didn’t think it was a big deal. Either way, I was so incredible pissed that Hillary was not punished. The worst part of the incident was seeing Sonya’s face right after she took the sand to it. She looked at Hillary and you could tell her feelings were really hurt.
It breaks my heart thinking about that face. I stewed over it all day yesterday. My mom and I could not believe Hillary’s mom’s lack of punishment. I know she might have been embarrassed, but if Sonya did it to Hillary I would be of been checking to see if Hillary was okay, and would of then marched my daughter up to the car and left because Hillary knew EXACTLY what she was doing.

So this morning I told daycare what happened. Unfortunately, the main lady wasn’t in the room at that moment but I still told the helper and I will tell the main lady this afternoon when I pick her up. And if I see Hillary’s mom in passing, I don’t plan on giving her the time of day. Maybe that is immature. But this is about my daughter and she pissed me off. No one puts sand in my baby’s face.

The Naughty Corner

The Terrible Two’s are fast approaching; however, I just can’t see myself putting Miss S in the “terrible” category, ever. Sure, at 17 months old, she displays moments of anger and frustration, but even when she launches into a mini-fit, I can’t take it too seriously. When she has a mini tantrum (because they really are mini compared to others I have seen), she wails, plops herself on the ground and her face gets bright red. Then I distract her and we move on. I think she is just so cute when she has these, I know, I must have a serious face, but it’s so hard.

Last week at Daycare, she was put in the naughty corner for pushing a boy. I was mortified, especially since this came right when she has displaying some hitting. Just to me, before bed time. At first she thought it was funny when I held her arm down as she tried to lift it and thought it was a game, so she didn’t get it. Now I tell her to “Be Gentle” and then she lightly brushes my face with my hand and says “Shen Tall”. No more hitting for her, hopefully.
While I know there will be more days of her in the naughty corner, I just keep on hoping she won’t be one of those kids in Target having a meltdown. I was when I was her age. My mom is convinced I will have my pay back. Guess that’s part of being a parent.

Tardy Spring Fashion: Day 5

Today I stayed home. I took a "Personal" day. It was a long week, I worked late at night a couple nights in a row, felt I might be getting a bug so I loafed with Miss S. She is also trying to fight off a cold. So here is the ol' outfit. Not too crazy. Just my typical running around town outfit.



Tee: GAP
Jeans: 7 for all Mankind
Scarf: Old Navy
Flats: Madden Girl

Tardy Fashion Week: Day 4

Big meeting with head Marketing chiefs today, needed to look cute without looking like I tried too hard. Crappy pictures for a fourth day in a row.

Floral blouse: GAP

Cardigan: GAP

Pants: Banana Republic

Pumps: Marc Fisher

Belt: GAP

Necklace: GAP

Bracelet: Metropolitan Museum of Art Gift Shop

Tardy Spring Fashion Week: Day 3

So I went to post these last night however, my camera's battery (Nikon D60) was dead so I am a bit behind. I will post today's pics tonight.

Yesterday's outfit. Parden my super white legs. Ahh well. Still haven't gotten around to self tanner yet.

Sweater: Old Navy

Blouse: GAP Outlet

Pencil Skirt: Banana Republic Outlet

Pumps: BCBG

Belt: Forever 21

Bracelet: Macy's

Necklace: Etsy

Hair: Crappy

Tardy Spring Fashion Week: Day 2

Again, Hubbs was already gone by the time I was up this a.m. so I had to rely on my own Annie Leibovitz photo skills. After I took these pics I realized I liked the way the cardigan looked unbuttoned so I wore it like that instead.

Cardigan: Ann Taylor LOFT

Blue Top: Banana Republic

Denim Trousers: Express

Necklace: Tiffany & Co.

Suede Pumps: Marc Fisher

Tardy Fashion Week Day 1

As promised, here are my crappy pictures I took of myself this morning. Please excuse our lame bathroom, but it was the only spot with a full length mirror. It was nasty and cold out today, hence the wavy hair action I went with. Today's outfit is typical for a Monday in the office. On Mondays I either go super cute or super professional. I guess today, I felt professional.

Sweater: GAP

Navy-Black Wide Leg Trousers: GAP

White top: GAP Outlet

Pumps: Nine West

Necklace: Macys


I like the GAP.

Monday, Monday

So, I took pictures of my outfit today to kick off my Tardy Spring Fashion Week. However, since hubbs had already left for work and I don’t have the cool self picture taking capabilities of a Mac, I had to rely on the self portrait in front of a full length mirror. The images suck, and I still need to upload them this evening. But dammnit, they will be up. I promise.

At work on Friday, I burned my hand on scalding hot water from my instant soup. At one point I contemplated going home (it was that painful). I pictured large blisters that were going to appear. I Googled “How long does it take for blisters to appear on burns”. I couldn’t focus. I wandered aimlessly through the halls looking for someone to take pity on me. I texted Hubbs and got no response. By a couple hours later, the area was still red, but no blisters. And the next morning, no blisters. WTF? I am not saying I want a blister, but when I contemplate leaving work due to the pain on my HAND, you know it must be bad. All I am asking is for some proof, cause I rarely leave work for pain or illness. I am one of those stubborn jackasses.

I have a stiff neck today. Nothing makes me crankier than a stiff neck. Maybe it’s the years of physical therapy and chiropractors (from a bad car accident when I was 18) that make me sensitive to anything back or neck related. Or it could be the 8 weeks of excruciating sciatica when I was pregnant. I think I slept on it wrong. But damn, am I pissed today.

We had a lovely Easter weekend. Despite the weather being absolutely disgusting yesterday, it was still a great time. My mom prepared an fantastic dinner, Miss S looked like such a doll in her Easter dress with her cousins. I ate way too many chips and dip before dinner and proceeded to engorge myself on mashed potato casserole and ham, and maybe some chocolate Easter eggs too.

Chatty Kathy

Miss S is such a little sponge. She is in the faze of repeating every little item we say. So far my favorite things she says are “Ningo” for “Flamingo”. The door bell goes “Ning Nong”. The doggy goes “Row row”. Yellow is “Well Wow”.

The other morning, as we were running around trying to get out the door, I told her we needed to get her shoes on as she went running into her room. A couple moments later, she came running out with her pink Converse, carrying them by their laces. And hear I didn’t even think she was paying attention!

I love looking at everyone’s Spring Fashion Week outfits. And I am completely behind the ball, but I might have my own Tardy Spring Fashion week next week. We’ll see if I get my act together.

I am ready for a vacation. I am exhausted and burned out from work. I wish I could have my own Spring Break. It is moments like this this I think about becoming a teacher.