Casual Friday - 'Wanted: Peace & Quiet'

Casual Friday - 'Wanted: Peace & Quiet'

Wordless Wednesday

The church we were married in (on our wedding day).

Wordless Wednesday

Striking a Balance

Recently there's better chatter about PR Blackouts and burned out mommy-bloggers. And I've been giving this some thought. Bloggers were coming back from BlogHer and discussing it. Jen Hinton discussed it on her BTR show. There's been a lot of chatter and clatter.

All of this talk has really hit home for me. Infact, yesterday on my Fiber 'Tudes Radio Show, we talked about how we have started blogging MORE than doing. I've not had as much time to enjoy my crafts. Not as much time to enjoy a lot of things because I personally felt I needed to stay plugged-in in order to remain relevant. And there's some truth to that. You do need to stay plugged-in if you are building your contacts and your brand. So I am not giving up my computer or my online pursuits or anything like that.

But Karen & I challenged our listeners to create every day - at least 20 minutes a day. To stop typing and starting doing. To pick up our hobbies and put down the computer. And then when I heard Jen's show today where the chatroom was all a buzz about setting office hours and limits - it just reinforced how I felt.

So not only am I challenging myself to create every day, but also to set work hours and become more efficient. I actually get grumpy if I sit in front of the computer all day long. The lack of vitamin D from the sun zaps my mood. So, I am going to take the advice of others and set work hours. I will continue to blog, tweet, have a radio and web show - but now, I will not linger on the computer WAITING for something to happen when I could be doing prodcutive things and enjoying time OUTSIDE!

So from now on, I will officially work on my emails, blogs, and tweets for a little bit in the morning and evening leaving my afternoons free for fun with the kidlets. And if there is a special web show or event going on, I will take each event as they come and determine if it's feasible to participate. I will continue to do product reviews and work online. But now I am challenging myself to be more efficient with my time and to balance my time with my family and other interests a bit more. This will ensure a more well rounded life and hopefully stave off burnout. And of course, the benefits of not sitting on my BOOT-AY all day are obvious.

How do you strike balance in your lives? Leave me a comment!

Striking a Balance

More Prayers for Stellan

I know I already blogged today - but as I was explaining on my KnitPurlGurl Blog, I came across Tweets about a little boy with a gravely ill heart condition, named Stellan. I followed his mommy, MckMama to read more about it from her tweets. It wasn't long before I found myself at her blog - reading the latest posts.

My heart sinks for this mommy and her family.. I do not know this family personally, but I do know that I wanted to ask others to join me in praying for them. If you do not believe in prayer - please keep their family in your thoughts.

This is an unfortunate reminder of how precious and fragile life truly is. I cannot imagine what this mommy is going through, but my heart and prayers are with her.

More Prayers for Stellan

Double Whammy: Teen Aspie

I should preface this by saying that I absolutely love and adore my DS. He's the reason for almost everything I do in my life. However, being his mom is challenging right now. He's a great kiddo. He's smart. He's compassionate. He's his own person - always true to himself. But recently, something I had not planned for happened: PUBERTY.

Moms of Aspies have a lot of adjustments to make. We learn to throw out the parenting books when we realize that parenting kids with Asperger's Syndrome requires a different approach than say, Neurotypical Ned does. And while we struggle to learn what works and what does not with our kiddos, it's a good kind of struggle. Because with each setback, there is progress. With each progressive step - we see our kids blossom. We learn to embrace our child's uniqueness. We learn quickly that Asperger's Syndrome is not a death sentence, but a unique opportunity to love a child who is so honestly their own person.

But then just when you think you've got a system down pat... You think you've become super-Aspie-mom - PUBERTY creeps in. Okay, that's not quite accurate. Puberty comes crashing in like a tsunami! It just hits all of a sudden and WHAMMO - leaves moms in it's wake of destruction. Being dramatic, you say? Well, probably. But, it's been pretty challenging here of late.

Aspie teens are not unlike regular teens in so much as if your Aspie is expressive at all - the eye rolls, audible sighs, and vocal disagreements are pretty much the same. But here's where they differ: Aspie teens (mine and a few of the mothers I spoke with) seem to have a hard time adjusting to the hormones. Some can become overly aggressive. Some become overly argumentative and challenge every word (not unlike most teens, I suspect). Some will have an increase in their Aspie symptoms: such as stimming or lack of social inappropriateness. My DS has had a measurable increase in meltdowns, stimming (including pounding on things and repetitive vocal noises), and aggression. It's been challenging to say the least.

Then you throw in the outside world - and it only gets worse. I remember being an awkward teenager. I was not popular by any stretch of the imagination. I had a really tight knit circle of friends. I was in clubs and groups. I enjoyed myself, despite the normal teenage angst. But with my DS, he has NO friends. He sits at home and repeats over and over again that a school dance is that same evening - knowing he will not attend and that everyone else is meeting friends at the dance. He has attempted to join groups only to be told that perhaps that wasn't the group for him because others were uncomfortable with him. He doesn't participate in the "normal" or more accurately, typical, teen activities of football games, school dances, and after school activities. He is fully aware that he is "different" as he's expressed to me. He understands that he is missing out on something. And this pains him tremendously. He may not sob but he stims, paces, and repeats. As a mother, my heart breaks for him. This is something I can't put a band aid on. And I wish and pray for, more than anything, that he makes one friend to pal around with.

I think the worst part of this has been that my son has not adjusted to his changes either. The changes are very difficult for him to reconcile. And I find that he and I seem to be back to square one - neither of us familiar with this territory. And I have to say it doesn't feel good. It was just starting to feel like we were forging a path together and now it feels like the day I learned he had Asperger's Syndrome - I feel clueless.

For me, writing & blogging are therapeutic tools. And so today, I blog as a way to take a breather and regroup. I pray for patience, understanding, and guidance. I have such a terrific kiddo. I just need to develop strategies that will work. - Just like in the beginning of his diagnosis. Deep breaths..

Double Whammy: Teen Aspie

How the Economy is Personally Affecting Our Family

It's no secret that our economy has suffered tremendous blows. Things have been pretty ugly since last September. And although our economy is showing signs of life, it's STILL pretty awful. Now, I'm not writing this blog post to get into an argument about who is to blame for this mess. But I would like to share how this is affecting us personally.

We moved out of state in summer last year for my husband's new job (and to find better autism services that were covered). Our outlook was rosy. I quit my job to be a SAHM. We moved and immediately found better autism services - services that were covered, unlike where we had been living. My husband was thrilled about his new job. One year later, we still have not sold our house. We have it listed for considerably less than we paid. And to add insult to injury - we had just built the house. We LOVED the house and the acreage it was on. Now, we are struggling to sell it. To top it off, the housing market we moved into is in great shape. So we can sell low and buy high. With each day that passes, our dream of buying another house wanes.

So financially, we aren't doing well. We're far from destitute. But we're starting to sink.

Now the good news. Since we've had to cut all extra expenses, the kids and I have learned to appreciate MORE the things we have NOW. Instead of longing for the newest, latest, greatest toy - we're appreciating the things we've already got. And although we don't have alot, we have what we need. No, we do not have new furniture. No, we do not have new cars. No, we do not have gym memberships. No, we do not go on vacations. And no, we don't keep up with the Joneses. BUT - my kids now have a mom that PLAYS with them instead of going to work each day. They've learned the value of the free music in the park program at our local park, the library, MOMS Club playgroups, swimming in our apartment complex pool, crafting with things we recycle, taking walks together, staying IN to watch a movie, and reducing the amount we waste. And you know what? They seem happier. I feel happier. My husband is more relaxed when he comes home from work.

So while I'd be lying if I said that not selling the house didn't bother me. I'm not lying when I say that I'm glad that there is a real sense around this country that we can do with less and still not do without. We don't have to have more than our neighbors to be happy. And life isn't about things. It's about how we spend our lives. I want my children to know that I didn't spend my life acquiring things, but rather enjoying those people in my lives.

How the Economy is Personally Affecting Our Family

Stonyfield YoBaby Giveaway!!!

We eat A LOT of Stonyfield yogurt in our house! As a mom, Stonyfield Yogurts, Ice Creams, and Drinks appeal to me because they are all Certified Organic products. This means my family is eating and drinking products free of antibiotics and synthetic hormones. And although my family has no idea their food is Certified Organic, they love the flavor and I know I'm giving them something good for them. So when Stonyfield contacted me and offered to sponsor a giveaway to promote their new baby meal line, YoBaby 3-in-1 Meals, I was thrilled to accept.

Here's a little about YoBaby 3-in-1 Meals:

"YoBaby Meals offer a unique 3-in-1 combination of protein-packed yogurt + fruit + veggie purée in one cup. They’re an easy, delicious and surprising way to help moms give their babies and toddlers a trio of important food groups at every meal.

Three delicious flavors -- Pear & Green Bean, Peach & Squash, Apple & Sweet Potato – are just right for baby’s growing appetite. And the single serve 6-ounce cup offers 50% more than current 4-ounce YoBaby multipacks."

So here's what the winner of the giveaway will take home:

• YoBaby Reusable Bag
• YoBaby Travel Bowl with Lid and Utensils
  
• Eric Carle Growth Chart
• An Organic YoBaby Bib
• 5 FREE YoBaby Meal Coupons!

How to Enter: (Make sure you leave a separate comment for each item so that all of your comments are entered to win!)

• Leave a comment & tell me how eating organic is important to you and your family
• Visit the Stonyfield website OR the YoBaby Yogurt website and browse their products. Come back and leave a separate comment telling me which product you'd like to try

Extra Entries: (Optional)

• Tweet about the contest - be sure to link to this post in your tweet. Come back and leave a separate comment with the link to your tweet. You can tweet as much as you like! Leave a separate comment for each tweet.
• Become a follower of my blog. Leave a comment to let me know that you're following.

Giveaway runs July 24 - Aug. 7th. Winner will be chosen via Random Drawing and announced on Aug. 5th. Be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you should you win.

Stonyfield YoBaby Giveaway!!!

Top 10 Reasons I am Excited to Stay Home With MY Family This Weekend

The AWESOME peeps over at Cozi are coming through for we mommy-bloggers who are not attending BlogHer this weekend. As many of you know, the mommy-bloggers who attend BlogHer go to parties, receive swag, get sponsors, and network with some amazing bloggers. Well, Cozi and Mom if 2 Boys, Wife of 1 decided that the mommy-bloggers who attend BlogHer shouldn't be the ONLY ones to have a little fun this week. So NOT only is Mom of 2 Boys, Wife of 1 hosting an awesome Non-BlogHer Party for those not attending, but they are giving away some swag. And Cozi, Family Organizer Mecca on the web, has decided to 'sponsor' 15 moms who aren't attending BlogHer with a $100 sponsorship/each!!! Pretty Awesome...

To enter - we have to give our top ten list for being excited to stay home with our families. And I need my viewers to leave comment love to win! So here's mine:

10.) I don't care what hotel you stay in.. nothing compares to the complimentary breakfast my 4 yo provides each morning. (Typically, a teeny amount of cereal with whole lotta milk OR peanut butter toast - which she sometimes puts into the toaster with the peanut butter already on.)
9.) No swag can compare to the cool things my kiddos will collect at the park and give to me. And no swag will compare to the fun we'll have coloring pictures together.
8.) I've become accustomed to having dog hair/child spit/food from child(ren) on my clothing. It's a fashion statement I couldn't hope to achieve while at BlogHer.
7.) I will get to put on my little black dress, schedule a date night on my Cozi Family Calendar, and enjoy time with my hubby.
6.) I'll wake up in my OWN bed this weekend - likely with both kiddos, the dog, hubby, and countless stuffed animals. :)
5.) I get to nibble on my DDs toes.
4.) DS and I will dye some yarn together and knit a bit on the balcony.
3.) We'll rent a movie, pop some popcorn, order some pizza, and have a movie night in our living room in our jammies (some of us in footie jammies - but I'm not saying who)
2.) My DD will say goodnight each night by giving me snuggle bunny nose-kisses.

And the number one reason I'm excited to stay home with my family this weekend:

1.) They're excited that I'm staying home too!

Top 10 Reasons I am Excited to Stay Home With MY Family This Weekend

Blogging Journey

Thanks to everyone who tuned into Chicks Who Chat today! Cheryl and I were very excited to talk about our blogging journeys. Now it's your turn! (If you're visiting this post and you didn't listen to the show - we talked about how we got started blogging; how our blogging has developed; and where we are headed.) Here's the challenge:

• Write a blog post about YOUR blogging journey (Make sure you reference Chicks Who Chat and link to the radio show: http://blogtalkradio.com/chickswhochat)
• Come back here and link up your post to the linky
• Visit everyone's posts and leave them comment love!

“The road of life twists and turns and no two directions are ever the same. Yet our lessons come from the journey, not the destination.” Don Williams, Jr.

Blogging Journey

SITScation - What Happens in Vegas..

I'm so excited to announce that I will be attending SITScation '09 in Las Vegas, NV in October! There will be some amazing speakers including Keep it Classy Jen of JenHinton.com & The Classy Closet, Sugar Jones of Sugar in the Raw, and Laurie Turk of Tip Junkie & Executive Homemaker and so many more amazing bloggeristas! I'm really excited to meet these amazing bloggers and learn more about social media. I think the sessions will be incredibly informative.

I am currently accepting sponsorship for this event. If you are interested in sponsoring myself (KnitPurlGurl) for the SITScation conference, please email me at knitpurlgurl [at] gmail [dot] com.

Here are the other places you can find me:
KnitPurlGurl Blog (My Knitting/Crafting and Craft Product Review Blog)
Fiber 'Tudes Radio Show (Creator/Co-Host of the radio show)
Stitch & Dish Web Show (Creator/Host of the web show)

SITScation - What Happens in Vegas..

Wordless Wednesday - Lou

Lou, our wonder Puggle, takes a snooze on a lazy Sunday afternoon.

Wordless Wednesday - Lou

This Moment - Scalloped Capelet

This Moment - Scalloped Capelet

Truth in Advertising

As I was lazily watching TV this morning, I came across a commercial for a beauty product. It was one of those "miracle" products that takes 20 years off of your face. It's got a supermodel's name on the label and is touted as her reason for looking so fabulous. Of course upon further research, one would find that this model has admitted to using Restylane, Botox, nurtritionists, trainers, and makeup artists to achieve that "miracle" look.

This got me thinking about how we all advertise ourselves in real life. Do we put forth the bright and shiny packaging and fail to disclose all the rest? Why are we so afraid to just be ourselves? We are we afraid to admit to cheats that help us be the "miracle" we want to be?

How many women out there color their hair? Have artificial nails? Wear a Wonderbra? Have Spanx on under their skirts? Have their teeth whitened?

We all do things to be our best selves on the outside. And some of those thing we disclose while others we keep to ourselves. But what about the inside? Do we put up an emotional front? Do we smile when we are crying on the inside? Do we adapt to fit in?

I'm on a quest to be the best me I can be - but to be me. I want my face to be a shining example of truth in advertising. Who's with me? Be proud of who you are. I am proud to say that I am a crafty geek who can usually be found reading, surfing the internet, knitting, crocheting, or fiddling with decoupage in my free time. My friday nights are spent hosting a webshow about knitting. My Saturday nights are spent curled up on the couch with my hubby and kidlets. I don't pretend anything I'm not despite the giggles I get when I pull my knitting out at family functions.

There's nothing wrong in making improvements in your life. But do it for yourself. Be true to yourself. Be happy with yourself.

Truth in Advertising

Product Review: CoverGirl OutLast Lip Stain

Disclosure: I was sent one full-sized CoverGirl OutLast Lip Stain product (via Bzz Agent) at no charge to review. I am not paid by CoverGirl or it's companies/subsidiaries to provide a specific review. I was not asked to review the product in any particular manner other than to be completely honest about my personal experience with the product. I do keep the product as a gift for reviewing it.
Product Name: CoverGirl OutLast Lip Stain
Color Tested: 435 Flirty Nude
Duration of Review: 12 hours+
Price: Approx. $7.50/each
Product Claims: "The water-based colorants of Outlast Lipstain give lips a beautiful, lightweight flush of color that won't come off, lasting for hours without the heavy look or feel of an ordinary lipstick. Its pen-like precision applicator makes it easy to define your lips-just draw on color without any hassle!"
Review: 5 out of 5 stars

I must admit I was a little leery of trying an all day lip product. Personally, I don't enjoy wearing lipsticks because they tend to feel waxy and I need to reapply often. As a busy mommy, remembering to reapply my lipstick is not a high priority. So I have tried many of these all day lip colors. And each time I tried one, I was disappointed. While I'll admit they all lasted all day long, they felt dry and made my lips look old and weathered. Some were sticky and uncomfortable to wear.

When I tried the Cover Girl OutLast Lip Stain, I was really shocked. I giggled when I opened it to find that it was shaped like a marker. But the marker was really pretty comfortable and gave precision application, a major plus. The lip stain felt no more uncomfortable that applying water to my lips. As the day went on, I enjoyed lunch, dinner, coffee, snacks, and even some smooches. The lip stain did not feel uncomfortable in the least. It was not drying or sticky. In fact, I forgot I had it on. It did not rub off or transfer. Just to test it a bit more, I slept with it on and it was there when I got up this morning. (And it wasn't on my pillow.) To remove the product, I used a cream make-up remover. It came off rather easily with the make-up remover.

I gave this product a 5 out of 5 because I strongly believe based on my review that it succeeds in meeting all of the product claims.

One Note: This product provides a more natural stain effect. If you prefer a glossier look, this stain is not for you. It provides a nice pop of color and I found that it can be layered slightly to provide a deeper color. But if you're looking for a very intense color that has sheen, this is not the product for you. My lips didn't exactly look matte, but they weren't glossy after application.

Disclaimer: This is a product review based on a personal experience. Therefore, it is personal opinion. This is not a paid advertisement and I do not take responsibility for others' experiences with the product. In no way have I been paid to represent CoverGirl or it's products.

Product Review: CoverGirl OutLast Lip Stain

Wordless Wednesday - Red Pepper

DD is caught red handed as she devours a red pepper as though it were an apple.

Wordless Wednesday - Red Pepper

Dream Stalker

Okay, for some stupid and quite honestly, pathetic reason - I have had 3 dreams in a row of RPatz. I have no idea why. Well, that's not entirely true. Perhaps I know WHY I'd dream about him.. but honestly, the dreams are very innocuous. They aren't fantasies or any such thing. Rather they are dreams of really silly things. One dream was that we were grocery shopping and he was knocking on eggplant to see if it was ripe. In another, we were chatting in a park somewhere. And in the third dream we were eating pasta and bread at an outdoor cafe.

I'm sure it means something hopeless like I'm trying to hang on to my youth by dreaming of someone young & attractive. Or perhaps it means I just finished reading "Breaking Dawn" and associated RPatz with EC and he made his way into my utterly mundane dreams. In any case, I feel like a stalker for dreaming about Mr. Pattinson. I mean sure - he's gorgeous. But he's 11 yrs my junior, a celebrity, and I'm a HAPPILY married women. So I am not sure what these ridiculous dreams mean.

At any rate, I suppose I shouldn't complain about the dreams - except - grocery shopping? Seriously? This is the best my sub-conscious could come up with? Dammit!

Dream Stalker

Today is DH's Birthday!

Today is DH's 34th birthday! So I'd like to take a little time to celebrate him. I've known my husband since we were 13 years old. We started dating at 15. We've pretty much been together ever since. He is truly the most amazing and wonderful man I've ever met. He's intelligent, handsome, gentle, sensitive, kind, joyful, loving, generous, and so much more that words fail to describe.

DH is such a terrific husband. I like to say that we're not perfect, but we're perfect for each other. Like any marriage, we've had our ups and downs, but we work through it and keep coming back stronger. He truly is the light of my life and my everything. No matter how I'm feeling or how down I may be, he's right there to lift me up and make me feel like the most important thing in his life.

He's also a loving father. He puts the kids first. He never hesitates to spend time with the munchkins or to be there when they need him. When our family needed him to shoulder the financial responsibilities by being the sole bread winner- he did it without hesitation. When our son needed us to move to another state, he did IT without hesitation. Family is everything to him.

So on this day, I want to celebrate this truly awesome man. He's my husband, my cheerleader, and my best friend in the whole world. Luv ya, sweetie.

Today is DH's Birthday!

Mamavation!

Leah from Bookieboo is starting an AMAZING program, Mamavation, to bring motivation to overweight moms. Right now she she is accepting applications to participate in the Mamavation program. She will accept 1 lucky mom to bare all and get healthy! I am posting this video app and am hoping that I get to be a finalist! Be sure to check it out!

Mamavation!

What Does Family Mean to You?

This July 4th - family is on my mind big time. Not only do we celebrate the birth of our great nation, but we will celebrate my baby turning 14! 14? Where did the time go? Saturday at 8:21a, I will sing 'Happy Birthday' to Brian for the 14th time (I first sang it to him in the hospital when I delivered him.). And I will celebrate everything that his 14 years have meant to us.

This got me thinking about what family means to me. And really, I have to say that family is the single most important thing in the world to me. When our son needed us, we left material things behind for him. When my sister needed me, I left my house at 4:00a for her. When I needed my parents to be there for me, they were there - unjudging, unwavering in support: THERE. When I needed someone to talk to about all of the things we were going through with DS - my dad, my two best friends & my sister were there. And anyone who may know me personally, will know when I say my family describes itself as "Dysfunction Junction" that it's not an elaboration. BUT, my family is close knit. We're always there for one another. NO. MATTER. WHAT. We are not petty with one another. We do not try to one-up each other. We are family.

Let me tell you what family is NOT to me: an occassional card or phone call, but no visits or real contact. Someone who smiles to your face, but is nasty behind your back. Someone who can't be bothered to be supportive because it's: A.)Inconvenient B.)Embarrassing OR C.) Is not Self-Serving. Family is not fair-weather. Family does not dislike you because you don't fit the mold. Family doesn't ignore you unless they need a favor from you. Family is not family just because you share DNA.

So in conclusion - YES my family is nuts. We're loud. We're non-traditional. We're definitely not perfect. But we are a family in every true sense of the word. We are there when it counts. We are there when it's inconvenient. We are there when it's painful. We are there when it's joyful. We are there when it's embarrassing. We are there because it's Tuesday for Pete's Sake! And if I didn't get several phone calls a week from my mom, dad, and sister.. heartfelt invites for family gatherings every time we come home.. and non-stop support from those family members who don't share my DNA, but share my heart... I'd never know the true joy of family. And when you are watching the fireworks and eating BBQ with the fam - remember this: family is everything and you get to spend the day with yours. :)

What Does Family Mean to You?

Wordless Wednesday

DS at the Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows book launch party at our local library. He was participating in Wizards' Chess.

Wordless Wednesday