Candy + Holidays = Stuffed Tummy

Why, oh why is every major holiday have major eating involved? And so many of them the focus is chocolate. Just think of it....Halloween, Christmas, Easter....I can just taste the chocolate from that darn bunny on my lips. Those sweet, innocent mini chocolate bars that are harmless when you eat 12 of them. Good food, fun times, friends and family always seem to go hand in hand. We overindulge, and complain afterwards. Destined to do it again next time. Luckily the warmer months usually means less gorging.

Regional Attitude Differences

A good friend of mine who is a west coast native recently went on a weekend jaunt to New York City. While relaying her travels, she made a point about the perceived rudeness of New Yorkers. She admitted if she hadn't known me she would certainly view them in that light, but I have changed her mind. The attitude isn't rudeness but in fact abruptness. She finally understood how the pace of society there dictates how we would speak with each other. How you need to know what you want to order right away or other people get annoyed. The tour guide at the museum telling the group to hurry up. She finally understood my frustrations with the laid back west coast thing, and how I talk about trying to mellow out here. So my question to all my readers, do you think there truly are regional differences or is it just a stereotype?

Yeah, I Really Have Done That

and no dumb blonde jokes about me either, or I will deck you! My friend Jennifer (see her blog link on the right? use it!) has inspired me to make my own list of faults/gaffes/blunders, what was I thinking moments. Here you go:

1. I have eaten a whole box of Samoas and I *highly* recommend it. It was almost better than sex.

2. I too forget which way is left, and use the L hand trick too.

3. I have let me kids stay in the same pajamas all weekend.

4. We have eaten ice cream for dinner.

5. I lie to the workout equipment about my actual weight, like it would know the difference or care.

6. The only way I know my multiplication facts for 6s, 7s and 8s is by knowing my 5s, 9s and 6x6, 7x7, and 8x8 and I'll either add or subtract to find the answer. (Yeah I know memorizing it would probably be easier, but I came from the educational generation that didn't have to memorize any facts, and didnt' know my phonics until I took a course in teaching reading).

Summer Sandal Selections

I'm dreaming again.....but not about handbags anymore. Bluefly drew me in with Christian Louboutin sales. I of course resisted buying, but you can't stop me from looking and dreaming. Here are a few of my favs, since we all know April is sandal season in the southwest!



These Stuart Weitzman's are a strappy love for me. My friend Jennifer can just picture me at the public pool in my bikini chasing after my kids in this....NOT! But they would look really cute with the perfect little black dress.



What would summer be without a pair of Diors? These would suit me just fine.



Rainbow Jimmy Choos.....now that says summer in the Hamptons to me. What's not to love?

Friendship Lost

I knew when I uprooted and moved 2500 miles away from where I grew up and lived most my life I would change the landscape of my existing friendships. Beleive it or not, that was one of the most difficult things I had to do, leaving my friends. It has now been almost 4 years since I arrived in the Valley of the Sun, and my friendships have evolved. One has grown stronger....another has remained, but I sure do miss her. And yet another one has been lost.

I never thought in my 25 years of knowing my friend, that we would stop. This is not my choice. This is due to a misunderstanding, and one that can easily be rectified. I undderstand why she would be mad at me, but she is mistaken in her reason. I am not angry, and it is one sided. At a time when my life is in such upheaval, I long for the closeness of the people who have known me for most of my life. I ache for the stability, just to give me some connection. But it is gone. I will always be here if she changes her mind, but I feel like my heart has been broken.

Fourth Quarter Blues

The end of the school year is near....always marked by end of the year standardized testing of my older children. The focus on school projects (how I hate them...more work for me). The daily fight of what to wear to school (shorts vs. pants). The arguements about even going to school, obviously the novelty has worn off. The threat of the summer heat is on my heels. The bordem of staying in town for the summer also looms. The stressing out over next year's teachers (yes, I know the new school year is almost 4 months away. Ahhh...it must be spring.

Ms. Negativity

I need to be more positive. I dread things on habit, and sometimes things turn out alright. I don't want to deal with the morning tantrums and I anticipate the arguments even before they start. I just see all that can go wrong, and I want to run for the hills. Many times my worst case scenario doesn't happen. I've been seeing the bad side of things lately. I try to hide it from the world. Put on a smile and pretend everything is peachy, when you don't want to. I need to see the more positive sides of things, or at least not harp on the bad.