This Mommie's Got a Goal

You see, I have this something I've always wanted.  Only now I'm getting serious about it and I've set a goal.  This is a long term goal, a VERY long term goal.  However in order to reach the long term goal, I've made several short term goals to be met along the way.  As with things we want, this something involves money, so therefore this Mommie's on a budget.  A strict budget.  A really strict budget. I'm sure in the coming months I'll be whining and complaining about the little things I want, or the places we're NOT going, so when I do, just remind of that something that I've always wanted.  In the mean time I'm cutting all corners and having a big piece of budget pie.

Educational TV at it's Finest!

Preschool on TV.......that's what they call themselves right?  Am I the only one that thinks NOT?  Now, don't get me wrong I find a number of these shows cute and entertaining, but some, I just wonder where the education is? 

Max & Ruby was one of Sunshine's (my first grader) favorite shows when she was preschool aged.  It taught her a lot.  She learned to talk in an annoying whiny voice, to always be the one in control of things, never compromise, not having supervision is perfectly normal, and it's acceptable to respond with only one word. 

Then there's Oobi, another show with no parents.  Even Grandpoo couldn't speak using complete sentences.  I liked how much they used their imagination, you know as much as a talking hand could, is it necessary to speak in third person constantly? 

When Sunshine was younger and watched The Wiggles, I never said anything remotely negative, but now that Monkey (my toddler) watches it and hottie Greg Wiggle is off the show, I'll say it...............WTH?  Four grown men living together, each will only wear one color clothing, and who's best friend is a pirate who's sword is a feather?  (Disclaimer:  I reserve the right to retract this opinion if Greg Wiggle ever returns) 

Dora.  Now that's a girl who loves adventure.  I think she's a little young to be off on her own so much.  Instead maybe her parents should schedule some play dates for her.  You know........with another human!

Little Bill, now here's a well rounded show.  He's got parent's and a grandparent, lives at home with his family, has human friends, and depicts real family situations.  The only negative thing I can say about Little Bill is that there are not enough episodes. 

Monkey's favorite show is Sesame Street.  While sometimes the voices can be annoying, Monkey loves it and it really is educational.  Questions have been raised about Bert and Ernie, but they're probably right.  They do argue like an old married couple.  The Count is awesome.  Being a Dracula is close enough to a vampire.......right?

There are a number of shows I find educational and plenty I find questionable in content, but I think they're cute, so I give them a pass.  Maybe I shouldn't care.  After all most of the cartoons I watched didn't have speaking characters.  Or something shipped from Acme was always blowing up.  Maybe children's programing has come a long way and I'm just to stuck up to see it?

Just because I might complain, or find some of these showing nauseating slightly annoying, it hasn't stopped me from having Dora or whoever else was available at the time, babysit while I get a much needed shower, or make that phone call where I actually needed to hear what the other person was saying.

The Mommie Uniform

Khaki's and a solid color shirt.  My entire wardrobe seems to consist of nothing other than these two separates.  Well that's not entirely true, there are khaki capri's for summer of course.  Clearly I have a Mommie uniform.  I didn't really take notice of this until recently.  I see so many other moms out and about this summer and they look fabulous.  Make up on, hair styled, great clothes, awesome shoes, and even a smile on their faces.  This summer I'm lucky to just brush my hair and teeth before jetting out the door.  Sure my khaki's and tops don't look too bad, that is if you don't take into account that they're stained.  Or they have fresh snot somewhere on them.  They looked nice when I bought them...................four or five years ago.  Since becoming a Mommie sixish years ago, I have not made myself a priority.  There isn't enough time in the day to take care of everyone AND take care of me.  I try to get my shower in the evenings when the kids have gone to bed, you know after the dishes are done, laundry is put away and lunches are made.  By then I'm exhausted and have spent almost zero time with my husband.  I've made the decision to make some ME time!  That's right, at least two hours each week, I'm going to do something to take care of myself.  Perhaps a facial, mani - pedi, or even just a trip to the gym alone.  (Lord knows I need to go there)  Whatever it may be, I'm going to make ME a priority again!  I may not go back to the days before children, when I never went out of the house without every hair in place and eyelashes that could knock you out, but I will do the little things that I don't do now.  In fact I think my first ME time will be spent going to purchase all new make up!  Confess - Do you have a Mommie uniform?  If you make ME time, how do you do it and what do you do?  I'd love to hear from you!

Plain & Simple - I'm a hypocrite Mommie

Every morning when I wake up, I fill my cup full of Mommie Hypocrisy, or so at least it seems.  Practice what you preach.  Lead by example.  Oh I've tried, but I never seem to succeed.  Don't worry though I'm not always a hypocrite, only to those who matter most to me.

Eat this not that, is what I'll say.  Because Mommie is will be eating that the second your pretty little head hits the pillow tonight, is what I'm thinking.  Why is it that I allow myself to eat  unhealthy, but not my children?  It must be because I want better for my children, or at least for them to know better right?  Wait......I know better but, well for now, I'll just go with the can't teach an old dog new tricks excuse.

Clean up your room please.  Clean up your room please.  Clean up your room please.  I must say this at least 10 times a week.  She's not really in her room that often, so how on earth does it get so messy.  Some days I truly wonder how she can even sleep in her bed.  Sure, most kids have stuffed animals and such, but my first grader has books, journals, bracelets, heck I even found a sand art project in there.  Then I go into my bedroom at night.  Laundry basket piled high.  Bins stacked along the wall that are filled with kids clothing I'm sorting for an upcoming consignment sale.  Dust along my dresser top.  A carpet screaming for a vacuum.  Once again, do as I say, not as I do.  I like to blame alot of this on my lack of time, but I'll confess, I truly don't make the time.

There are a few other things as well.  Like no food allowed upstairs has been a rule since we moved into this house almost 4 years ago, yet I often have a bedtime snack while watching tv in bed with my hubby.  Since I mentioned tv in the room, well I won't allow my children a tv in their room, but, as you just read, I have one in mine.  Mixed messages much?

I often say, I'll fix these things, but honestly, I never do.  Heck, I thought I was doing better now that I don't lie to my oldest anymore.  Well really she can read now, so I had no choice.  Telling her the sign says only 10 children allowed to play at once when we needed to get in and out of the mall without a forever long stop at the play area seemed like a good idea at the time.  This parenting thing isn't easy!

Even Betty Crocker has been out done, so why do I feel so guilty?

I really do enjoy baking. I even enjoy the decorating part too. It's just that things never turn out the way I picture them. I confess, I have two children and have never once baked them a birthday cake. I did buy an adorable way over priced cookie cutter once and baked cookies as part of a party treat bag. They tasted delicious, but looked as though a preschooler decorated them.....blindfolded. I keep telling myself that in a year or so I'll have some free time and I'll take those decorating classes I've been wanting to, then I'll bake their cakes.

Truly though I shouldn't be so hard on myself. I think it's safe to say that even Betty Crocker has been out done. I mean her cakes never spun or included batteries, right? Maybe I just watch too many cake competitions, but I want to make a three foot topsy turvy rotating cake complete with sparklers too.

Jersey Jersey Jersey

Is it me or is New Jersey all over TV lately? Don't get me wrong I'm not complaining. I can't get enough either. I'll confess some of my favorite shows are Jersey shows.

The Real Housewives of New Jersey is the 4th show in Bravo's Real Housewives franchise. The show follows a group of women who certainly aren't lacking in drama. I confess to loving all the Real Housewives shows and this one makes it easy. I love love love watching Teresa and her beautiful girls. I adore Caroline and check my mail each day hoping for the letter from her saying I'm her long lost sister. Jacqueline and I would be great friends, well that is if she knew me. Danielle......well....she does provide the drama, even if she does get under my skin (pssst, Woman is singular and Women is plural). Doesn't matter how crazy, catty, or over the top these women (plural) are, I'm definitely tuning in.

If you're in New Jersey you might have a difficult time getting an appointment at The Gatsby Salon thanks to My Style channels' show Jerseylicious. I came in late during the first season and had to find the previous episodes because I was hooked. Season 2 starts late September and my calendar is marked. I'm dying to know.......do Olivia and Tracy bury the hatchet? Are there wedding bells for Gigi and Frankie? Come on season 2!

Carlos's City Hall Bake Shop in small town Hoboken, New Jersey is no longer a favorite amongst locals only. Ever since TLC's Cake Boss premiered, the bakery has been mobbed. I wonder if Buddy ever contacted Duff for advice? Cake Boss isn't your typical baking show. It's a cup of drama, a tablespoon of family chaos with a pinch of cakes mixed in. I'll confess I have yet to physically try any of their cakes or treats, but I swear sometimes I can taste it while I'm watching!

I'll confess I just recently started watching Jersey Couture on Oxygen, but I'm already hooked. Kimberly and Christina are hysterical! Diane & Co. has a dress for every Jersey-Fab occasion.

MTV's Jersey Shore.......what can I say? I love every fist pumping second of it! July 29th cannot come fast enough! When the show first started I heard the buzz, but never bothered to tune in, thinking it sounded ridiculous. Then one week while my husband was out of town and I got to actually touch the remote control, I figured I'd check it out. (ok, who am I kidding, I was watching another MTV show and Jersey Shore came on after) I've since watched the first season twice and am waiting with baited breath to see the gang hit Miami for season 2 in a couple weeks. Are Ronnie and Sammi still together? Could Pauly D possibly get any hotter? Is The Situation's head going to fit through the door of their new place? Has Snooki found herself a juice head? I bet Angelina is happy that they brought her back for the second season, surely she was kicking herself daily for leaving the show.

So what is it with New Jersey? I'm not sure, but they sure have become my guilty pleasure! So comment and confess.......What shows are your guilty pleasure?

2010 Entertainment Book Deal

I know many Mommies love the Entertainment Book............I know I do! So I thought I'd pass along this clearance deal. You get two 2010 Entertainment books for $10. You must order at least two books in order to receive this discount. Also shipping is FREE. If for some reason shipping cost shows for your order, try clearing your cookies, and if that doesn't work just phone your order in.

Playground Rules?

Most playgrounds seem to have a couple specific rules and a couple that are left up to parents to define. I've seen many that say the play area was designed for certain ages, children are to play safely, and aren't to be left unattended. Should playgrounds post more specific rules?

Take the sliding board for example. I have two children and have spent many o' days at various playgrounds and each visit we've seen children who's parent's permit them to go up the slide, and parent's who do not allow this. Why some parents see it as more of a safety concern as opposed to misuse of equipment.

Then there are the swings. Playgrounds just don't seem to have enough swings. Children will wait and wait, only to have spent their time waiting and not playing because they wanted a turn on the swings. Should there be a time limit?

Then there are the parents who allow their younger child to play on the equipment meant for older children because big brother or big sister is with them, and all the while they fuss about the older children not being cautious around their little one. Same rings true for the parents who allow their older child to play on the equipment meant for the smaller children.

Now, I know signs wouldn't solve all the playground issues everywhere, but I'm wondering if it would make it better. I know it's easier for me to point out a sign to my oldest and explain that's why Mommie said no!

So....comment and confess! Do you allow your child to walk up a slide or is that a no no? Have you ever allowed your child a tad longer time on the swings when others are waiting or has your child waited forever while some other child took their sweet time? Confess your playground peeves?

Home Cleaning Services - Luxury or Necessity?

Some might say it depends on where you live, how much money you make, whether you work outside the home,or some other variable, but the question remains the same.......is having a house cleaner a luxury or a necessity?

I recently read the Coming Clean article in the July 2010 issue of Parent's Magazine, and could relate to much of the article. A few lines that really stood out to me were:
"The refrigerator and stove are streaked with hasty dinner efforts. If we were a restaurant, we'd be closed down by the health department."
"...once you have your house cleaned by someone else, it really is like being addicted. I'd eat beans every night before giving it up."

Maybe that's it.......if you haven't had your home cleaned by someone else, you don't know what you're missing. I had someone come in to clean my home just once. I was so excited. I thought the price was right and I even de-cluttered the day before (which you'll soon learn is an ongoing activity for me) so that she would have no trouble getting to anything. What a let down my experience was. She advertised wiping walls, dusting, vacuuming, scrubbing floors and bathrooms, and so on. When she left the house smelled fabulous. I loved whatever cleaning agent she used, that is on what she DID clean. I wasn't picky either. I didn't even care about the deep cleaning steps she advertised, I was happy for everyday cleaning. However she never even wiped the kitchen counters or stove, and completely forgot to vacuum the living room carpet or sweep and mop the kitchen and dining room. I never bothered to contact her again, nor did I contact another cleaner, but after this article, I really want to. I feel my house is constantly in disarray and I truly cannot relax in messes. I try to catch up, but it seems like a trade off. Sure I can get the kitchen spotless, but then I walk into the living room and see the mess my 2 year old made while I was busy in the kitchen. I often feel it's not worth it. Then I decided no problem, I do everything once both kids are in bed. Well then it's so late I've spent no time with my husband. Where is the middle? A cleaning person would solve many of these issues. I believe I'll do some research on cost and approach my husband with this.

So, leave a comment and confess.... Do you use a cleaning person? If so, what's your reason? If you don't use a cleaning person, tell us why not. Let's hear everyones opinion!

Everyone who leaves a comment with their opinion will be entered to win an awesome Febreze Home Collection Gift Package, so no matter who cleans your home, it will smell nice. (Earn extra chances too. Details below)

Febreze prize package includes: 1 linen & sky and 1 hawaiian aloha set & refresh, 1 pomegranate mango scented reed diffuser, 1 pomegranate mango flameless luminary starter kit, 1 pomegranate mango flameless luminary refill package, 1 pomegranate mango room spray, 4 home collection coupon booklets, and 4 set & refresh coupons.

1 winner will be chosen at random on Thursday, July 22, 2010
Here's how to enter:

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AND THE WINNER IS: 

Comment #8 - Mom Caboodle!

Thank you to everyone who participated.  Please continue following as there are some fantastic giveaways coming up!

Let's Dish!

I'm ready to dish it all! Mommiehood, household responsibilities, husband, kids, cooking, baking, shopping, you name it..........I'm going to dish it! So get ready, hold on it could get bumpy, and let's dish together!