Love Actually

A holiday movie tradition in our house. Memories of sitting up with my infant Enzo - who is now 5 - fussy at 5 in the morning - Christmas tree lights - hot chocolate - big blanket - movie on...... Love it.

Watched it tonight for the first time this season. "I feel it in my fingers... I feel it in my toes..."

Those of you who know and love it like I do... know what I'm talking about. Great movie - a must see.

Remnants of the past.... and a few cheery tips....

OK - so I'm sulking again. I think I've ranted on this before, but..... I have incredibly fond memories of antiquing with my parents. I know it sounds silly, but I grew up with a lot of antiques and heirloom stuff around (not a lot - but my Mom is good with great finds - regal, not trashy - have history but remain useful too - great armoires, benches, shaving chests, quilts, etc. - her house is pristine, but I digress AGAIN...). Also, my Dad is gone now, and I cherish some of the things he gave me - bought for my daughter - left behind. I mean, it even makes me sad that my wild ones have managed to break a cheap little water game that he bought for Olivia and they played together. Anyway....... Milo and Lil like to play with my antique (but not expensive) silver coffeepot with creamer and pitcher. It's sturdy, so... I let them. Today, however, they broke the coffeepot and the creamer - like snapped the metal in half on both. I do get frustrated.... all my little demi tasses, smoked glass retro '60's glasses, etc. - broken - gone forever. And... it's not just the items - it's the memory I had attached. I would pick up a glass -think of that day with my parents (no fights with my mom - my dad healthy and happy)..... Now, I sit here, trying to bang this out in 5 min. - I have some other quick work to do - but they have both heaped like a cookie monster flashlight, two cookie cutters, a ripped up post-it pad, diapers, baby wipes, etc. on my lap in the last few min. How do I think straight at all?!?!

One last bitch moment.... I'm having trouble with my blog template too - can't get "undefined" fields to disappear - links don't work, etc. Ugh - I think I need coffee....

On a bright note - 'tis the season, so... go out and get your Williams Sonoma Peppermint hot chocolate. This is a seasonal favorite for me and my Olivia (since she was little). Expensive - but no others out there like it (if so - I'd like to hear about them!!). And... Fantastic Mr. Fox supposedly great movie. My hubby took my boys to see it.... raved... so have other adults and kids.... Oh - and I would provide links to all this, but.... well - you know (see above "bitch moment").

Happy, happy, everyone :-). I'm still thankful for what I have... I suppose we all should be...

The simple things - another list - very short this time.

1. My boys love the "smiley cookie place" (Eat n Park restaurant), so me and hubby happily take them - get eggs benedict or the salad bar - whatever (little known fact - they do use organic and local produce and ingredients, so... all you "responsible types" out there, take note :-).

2. My oldest daughter likes to reminisce about my Dad, her Grandfather (who died three and half years ago), so... I tearfully and eagerly listen to her stories of how she remembers sitting on his lap while he did bills or other work-related stuff (he was an executive with Goodyear) - she would draw with a highlighter pen in a notebook that he saved (when he died, it disappeared with a lot of other things... makes me sad) - how she, to this day, still reminds herself of her left from her right hand by remembering how - at the end of my parents' long winding driveway, their big house with the wrap-around porch and pristine, sprinkler-kept lawn behind her - her friend, Corey's house was to her right and the pool was to her left :-). She remembers watching football games in the big TV room with the vaulted ceiling and attached giant sunroom - drinking cokes on trays and eating pretzels. I miss that house (my Mom sold it).

3. I look forward, every morning, to my coffee - hot Illy brand coffee with milk and sugar in an oversized Starbuck's mug (well - a witch mug for Halloween - my only break in the routine ;-).

4. Secretly, I like when my 2 year old wakes in the night and needs to be put in "dog bed" by the couch with me next to her - I soothe her, change her, cuddle a little then snuggle into the delicious warmth of our big soft couch, warm comforter (my hubby's from high school - funny), then... on occasion, I get to watch late night movies and make hot tea (truthfully, the latter sometimes makes for a sleepy day the next day, but.... it's like a naughty pleasure leftover from my childhood - I get to stay up by myself! I get to watch movies on TV! :-).

5. I get SUCH satisfaction from a day, like today. Midday - I had a NUTRITIOUS lunch on the table for everyone on time (3 yr old had cold, so I had a cold drink and favorite movie for him - he got to snuggle under comforter on couch) - I did homework with kindergartner in an orderly fashion (he was home too - upset stomach early am that disappeared later in day) - we had fun drawing pictures, playing games, etc. I had the two year old's room neat and clean so she could play with dolls, teasets, trucks, puzzles - all easily and with such joy - I made some doctor's appointments and other "efficient", organizational calls. I made soup and sandwiches for dinner - baked cookies - read stories to little ones - chatted late night with "tween". I know it's very 1960's housewife of me, but... I liked it.

Take a look....

I follow Tea Collection's blog, and, one of their featured links today is on the voluntary recall of certain Tylenol products for kids (which you may already know about)....Might warrant a quick look. We are all acetaminophen in this house because one of my son's can't take ibuprofen due to a minor kidney issue.... so - I'm paying attention....

Some Sunshine and Some Retail

First the sunshine - my beautiful kids at the beach!

Then - the retail (just a little bit - have been meaning to post some stuff in time for back to school but my brood is incredibly high maintenance these days)....

Requires some leg work but is a great community of helpful shoppers who post a lot and does have some good coupon-type assistance in the way of free shipping, some percentage off ,etc. - huge variety of retailers: http://www.retailmenot.com

Members only sites with some great trendy designer buys. Get on a waiting list and wait for the OK (a little obnoxious but worth it, I'm told - wouldn't know personally as I am still on list, but...). Endorsed / promoted by Real Simple mag: http://www.giltgroupe.com and http://www.giltfuse.com .

A Daily Discipline

Like making my bed or doing my morning ab crunches, I'm trying to make this a daily routine. I usually have time in the am to reflect, project, think, rant - whatever. Will try to keep it up. It clears my mind - directs me a little.... Once I've analyzed a topic - however insipid it might be - I am prepared for other such tasks (which room to clean - how to face another day of "what goes to good will - what do we keep?" - do I have time to meet with hubby on our new pending project? - as you can see, reflecting inward and / or outward for even a couple minutes does help me move it all forward). I am, by the way, a huge fan of daily disciplines - exercise, healthy meals, clean at least one "space" in your home, yes - make the bed, put shoes away, find a spot for your pjs.....

This morning.... coffee with honey, three year old bacon addict has decided popcorn makes a good breakfast, and I'm allowing the Wii (Indiana Jones for the four year old) earlier than usual today (looks like a long rainy one). Today's photo is my oldest girl and one of her very good friends during a ski trip last year. Add to that daily discipline list - AT LEAST one really positive, fun thought a day ;-).

Wait - where did I hear that?

In the spirit of productive information sharing, I have a lot of little "tidbits" - strange bits of information that I've picked up from .... well - that's just it - sometimes I don't know, but I do know that it's TRUE. We've all been there..... offering medical "advice" that we're as sure as if we went to medical school is true - and, sure enough, it works - many a mother has diagnosed strep throat, ear infections or appropriately brushed off minor sports injuries because we just "know". We've all offered timely news - financial, political - whatever - and found that someone can second our thoughts and even carry on a conversation about the alleged "facts" - thereby proving that we each heard it "somewhere important". In fact, off the top of my head, I have a few of these "tidbits" rolling around in my brain, begging for me to share.... and.... because it's snowing and me and the little ones haven't left the house in days (or at least it feels that way), I have no one to share with but my blog.

I was reading an old Real Simple magazine the other day and discovered that you can dial 800.FREE.411 from your cell phone, and... save a bunch of $$$. I'm ALWAYS ordering take-out on the way home from basketball pick-up or gymnastics or somewhere - or - trying to find an unknown destination on the way to a birthday party..... I "411 a lot, and this info. helps me (lets' face it, there's a lot of useful info. in Real Simple).

Months ago, while I was still pregnant with my one year old, I was sitting in the doctor' office reading a parents mag of some kind and stumbled onto the following info. - (in a nutshell - I'm definitely not quoting here) - don't sweat it if you have a non-eater who will only ingest chips, sweet stuff like yogurt or, preferably, cookies and the dreaded "chicken nuggets" - instead - hit him/ her with vitamin-packed fish sticks instead. In this house, we now call them "long chicken" and feed them to my picky, vitamin-deprived two year old. After employing this technique for months, I was recently called upon to reveal my source for this reasoning and had to REALLY think - writing it down like this ensures that I would not need to do that again anytime soon - think, that is.

And - because I've used up my allotted "me time" today (I don't dictate that, obviously - my kids do), I'm going to close with a few follow-ups: First, I'm still down on Petit Tresor and would like to encourage people toying with the thought of using them for gifts, employing their services in any other way, etc. (especially as the holidays approach) to..... go straight to your source and cut them out entirely - shop Posh Tots, Burberry, Petit Bateau, Tiffany - straight at the source - unless you like being belittled, ignored or want a really good "bad customer service" story - if so, then, by all means, go to Petit Tresor. And... second.... I found a great gingerbread recipe for my kids to help with .... easy to do, no waiting time on dough... made easy to cut out, successful cookies (no disappointed kids - we were able to decorate cookie people that looked like people and had not spread all over the cookie sheet) - Google Annie's "Gingerbread Links" Page.... some overt religious messages on top, but..... definitely just a cookie and recipe links site.

For those of you who still, despite kids and, as a result, a slow social life, consider yourselves hip and "in the know", I'm saving some word of mouth holiday gift ideas for a holiday week post.... good ones... stay tuned....

Self-esteem "Workshop"

I haven't had any time to blog lately - haven't written necessary thank yous for recent birthdays - haven't showered most days - definitely have not organized vital "stuff" like photos that need to be downloaded, clothes that need to be taken to Good Will or Salvation Army, etc. - I eat lunch standing up lately, have my coffee go cold daily, wade through piles of toys and work around dirty breakfast dishes until well past lunchtime - Let's just say.... I'm busy.... and a bit frazzled. Baby is walking - preschool for four year old is in full swing - middle schooler's sports are picking up pace - two year old has decided he likes gymnastics class and wants to go again and again. On top of that, holiday shopping has to start, trick or treat just passed, school has only been in session a few months so the homework routine is still shaky - I have to face it; this season is busy.

This brings up an interesting point. And... I must say, on the front-end of this rant, that I am a lifetime food-watcher, nutritionally conscious, a seasoned exerciser and former dancer / athlete, and..... all that said.... who has time to eat right? diet off the baby weight? exercise AT ALL? even take a vigorous walk ( don't know about you, but we go at a toddler's pace around the neighborhood)? I'm a little tired of hearing personal trainers, parents of older children, doctors, etc. say...... you have to make time to exercise - you have to watch what you eat even if it means going out of your way to make that low fat salad (excuse me? Often, it is 4 pm and I realize I have gone foodless all day so I eat a cookie to avoid passing out). I mean I do ab work at midnight between teething baby wake-ups, I do arm work in the shower, I stretch each am while kids climb all over me - I do what I can.

I think we all need to be a little easier on ourselves. Focus on getting back to what makes us comfortable and healthy as opposed to the "perfect" image of your self - either through your eyes or another's. Having babies does change your body for a while, but you can get back to an active, happy you. Give yourself more credit for lifting the little ones all day (it really does work your arms) - eat a sweet now and then (eat the veggies, lean proteins, etc. to stay healthy and happy - the treats because you deserve it) - do your crunches, stretches and your weights for 10 min. or so - at least it's something and keeps you strong and flexible for running around with the kids. I mean -today, I may even pick up the pace a little when I walk the hood - then, allow myself a coffee drink - new yoga pants (can't wear my old jeans but I can look hot in my yoga pants :) - I may even ask my husband to rub my back (sometimes massages seem like a luxury, but.... a backrub is necessary for nursing and / or busy mothers - that post-pregnancy backache sucks, doesn't it? And... it lingers....).

Don't feel guilty. Use the slow cooker recipes (found some good ones in Real Simple recently), shop for new clothes if your old ones are tight, have fun with the kids and count what you do as exercise. Life is too short to worry about such silliness.

Some ideas... finally

So here's something cool from someone else (really like word of mouth recommendations) - sort of a DIY craft and networking site (for lack of some much better descriptors). Holiday season coming up, so.... go check it out yourself -
www.ponoko.com

And - aside from all the wasteful paper issues (don't get me started - I do resent having to recycle PILES of paper each week), I do like discovering new catalogs (new to me anyway). I'm currently perusing Serena and Lily for bed linens beyond my baby girl nursery. They have some sweet, beautiful (unusual color combos, which I like), simple linens - perfect for little girls and boys. They also help coordinate paint colors and design elements with the linens, which is nice......

Happy with all of my recent purchases from.... well..... this week, I would have to say it's Chasing Fireflies (catalog and web site - Google it for correct url - it is very close to a "strange" one). I just got some fab fairy wings for my one year old's first birthday (it was a costume party :) - plus I've been happy with all of my recent clothing purchases - PLUS, they did a personalized birthday crown in way under the allotted time with no extra charge! Cute stuff there - some expensive, some kitschy, some really fun - definitely stuff you don't see - A. In usually one place, and B. In most retail stores.....

My old stand-by this week would have to be Olive Juice - clothing site / catalog for kids. Great customer service - great retro clothing for kids - quality, cute - can't say enough good stuff about them. Recently, a sale item I ordered was temporarily out of stock. Once back in stock, they emailed me to ask if I wanted the other color -then sent it, charged the card I had given them (with permission but without bugging me) and gave me the sale price. Quite different from the absolutely horrible experience I had with the very high end baby / kids boutique, Petit Tresor, in LA. I even dealt with one of the owners (if you do visit their site, she's the bigger one sporting the "up-do" hairstyle that my grandmother would have worn - though it does work with the tent-like dress she's wearing in the photo - just lovely :). Anyway, I'll save the story for next time, but I will say this now - if you're that high end - your customer service should be impeccable at all levels. Maybe she was distracted by the cease and desist order that Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes slapped her with around the same time..... Anyway...... more on that later ;).

I think I'll close with, first, my less than stellar parenting tip of the day: Crying baby who won't nap? And... energetic preschool boys who won't calm down to let her nap? Don't be afraid to use Noggin (they really do learn from the shows - my two year old now counts and knows colors after watching - and I got nothing from him in that respect when I tried to teach him myself by reading and coloring, etc. Not saying to stop such interaction with your kids - just saying don't feel bad about Noggin - or PBS Sprout - or a nice movie now and then). And.... a plate of warm chocolate chip cookies is a good bribe... and... despite being less than nutritiously sound..... does create a nice ambiance, happy preschoolers and a nice childhood memory.

See ya -