Wealth of Friends

It's been a long birthday weekend for me, and in general a full week. In addition to an earthquake earlier in the week, Hurricane Irene came whirling through on the day I was born. For me times like these when nature interrupts our daily lives and forces us to stop, and take notice I can't help but see my many blessings.

For the first time in years I got to celebrate my birthday out and about at a cool lounge with a really wonderful group of women that I have come to know through my children.

Since my youngest daughter was born my husband and I have moved about 5 times in 6 years. Moving to new places is hard. Especially when you don't know anyone and you have no connection to the community you live in. It can make you feel almost invisible. For years I've spent lonely days with only my children, venturing to the playground or the store hoping today will be the day we make a friend. Before having kids no one told me how isolating parenting can be. Once in a while a random moms would chat with me at the playground and that would become the highlight of my day. But for the most part I had no "girlfriends." Until I moved to the Lehigh Valley.

Since moving here I have met such quality friends. My friends have shown me kindness, with their generosity, thoughtfulness, and sincerety. They are smart, confident wives, mothers, and look at the picture Goddesses. I am so grateful for friends.

(from left to right) Kimberly,Lori,Valerie,me,Lisa,Nikki,Leah,Jen,Ashley.

My First Giveaway!

 

Yeah! My first giveaway! 

Two winners will each receive (2) of these cards. Each card has a coupon to get each of the following.

A Free Bowl of McDonald's New Fruit and Maple Oatmeal,

A Free Premium Chicken Sandwich, and

A Free Small Real Fruit Smoothie.

Total that's about an $18.00 value. 

Coupons can be used at any participating McDonalds in the USA. 

They expire December 31st, 2011

Since I'm giving each of the winners two of these coupon cards, I want you to share your gratitude and give one of these cards away to someone else. Someone you like, or don't like. Just make someone's day. Okay!

Now, to Enter To Win you have to leave (2) comments. 

1. Make a comment on this post telling me who you will give your 2nd coupon away to. 

 

2. Read another of my posts and leave a comment as well.

The Contest Ends on Wednesday August 31, 2011.

I hope this is not too confusing! Lots more giveaways coming soon!

Good Luck!

Thanks for playing!

Mommy Gratitude

I've got something to say with this Photo Note!

I've got something new in the works. I'm very excited to share my gratitude. Gratitude isn't just being thankful. Gratitude is acceptance of you past, present and future. Gratitude can enrich your life no matter where you find yourself.
I'd like to share my journey as I multiply the gratitude in my life. I invite you to DO(try my suggestions), FEEL(can you dig deep inside and be conscious of yourself), and STOP
(behavior that is unhealthy,and negative). We're on our way.

Tomato Swagger

Alot of people don't like tomatoes. I get it. I don't buy tomatoes at all until this time of year. All because from mid July to the end of August and sometimes right in thru September, it's tomato season. Why suffer through a bland almost crunchy, lifeless, genetically modified garbage tomato. You know what im talking about. You can find a sliver of one of these things on any fast food burger any where. No thank you. This is why people think they don't like tomatoes, that's their experience with tomatoes.

Let me reintroduce you.
Tomatoes are a fruit and when they're in season and picked ripe off the vein, they, are, heaven! Meaty, sweet, fragrant, juicy heaven! I love a fat slice of an ugly deformed golden bloody tomato atop any kind of sandwich. The uglier the better! Thats where all those complex flavors are. That's were the best pasta and pizza sauce are coming from. I like to keep it simple. Sharp slices of August tomatoes, slivers of red onion, fresh cracked white pepper, a lil'kosher salt, a smear of cream cheese, layered on an everything bagel. Tomato Swagger.

All in a great Summer.

If only for a moment I let go of my OCD like tendencies and let the girls have some fun. After all, I spent many a summer day playing in the mud making Mudpies. Why should I deny them the experience! I gave them mini cupcake pans, bowls, and spoons. The look on their faces when I gave them water to mix into the dirty was priceless. It was a, "Momny do you realize we could make a crazy mess with all this" face. I just smiled and told them, "dont worry about getting dirt that's what baths are for." You should have seen me, I was one of "those" Moms if only for a day! Woohoo!

Next up we made a Potions Lab using different colored water and different size cups, sieves, and a turkey baster. I got the idea from my buddy and neighbor, blogger Pro Valerie. She has a really cool blog called Frugal Family Fun Blog. She comes up with so many fun ideas and crafts!
Plus she's my neighbor so we always stop by and see what fun activity she's up to, and she's always up to something!

The girls played for a long time mixing and pouring the colored waters together. This was also a great way to explore color theory. They loved mixing red and yellow and making orange and eventually making all the water brown by mixing everything together. Then the fun became pouring everything into the grass, which is when we packed it all up and headed in for lunch.

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted, and I think I was able to let go and not be a neurotic Mom for the afternoon.