Sometimes You Just Have To Get Away.

This week the Little Man and I have had what I refer to as a "tough week."A week filled with lots of planned activities, play dates, and more than one or two meltdowns (his not mine.) I blame myself for this, and I think that when we got back from our time away in Costa Rica we both missed being around people so much, that since our return I have had us running around trying to make up for lost time. Last night I looked at my little guy after one of "those days" and I decided that maybe all we needed was a little alone time. I convinced my husband to give my Sis the day off from work (the slave driver he is, this wasn't easy) and the three of us took off early this morning and headed to Crane Beach in Ipswitch. If you don't know it already, this is by far one of the best beaches to go to if you have kids. Traffic can be a bit of a headache, but they have parking, a protected beach, food, clean restrooms, and really, really, really good ice cream. I hadn't been yet this year, and after 10 minutes with my feet in the sand I realized that sometimes you just have to get away, even if it is only for a few hours.

Here is my Little Man taking some time for himself.

In keeping with this idea, tonight the Husband and I are doing something we haven't done in quite a while. We too are actually getting away, together, and alone. Usually it is me going out with the girls, or my sister, or him with people from work, and when I think back to the last few times we have made it "out on the town" it has involved another couple. Well, not tonight. Tonight we are going to get dinner, see a movie, and we just might stop for a beer after (crazy I know.)

I wish you all a wonderful weekend, and I hope you all get sat least a little time away.

 Sometimes it just has to be done.

The Five Year Plan.

The other day I was catching up on some of my daily blog reads when I saw this post by The Missus where she detailed what I like to call her "five year plan." Even though I am trying to relax a little bit more on the "planning" part of my life, I think it is important to sometimes stop and take stock of where your life is heading, and to set goals that are attainable but also emotionally challenging. Of course over the years things can happen, and plans most certainly will change, but I like the idea of putting in writing (for everyone to see) what you would like to have achieved in a time period that is close enough in range that you can still remember who you were when you set those goals. I feel like one of the benefits of being in the place in my life that I am right now, is that for the first time I am in a position where I can take some risks. No more do I feel like I have to achieve a set goal for survival,  but rather, now I can work to become the kind of person, and mother, that I have always wanted to be.

So here it is, my five year plan. Some of these goals are pretty inane, but in the end I think attaining these goals them would make for five years well spent.

• Have another baby (obvious, I know)
• Finish my novel (I would love to say this will be done by the end of this year, but 5 years seems like a nice cushion at the rate I'm going.)
• Learn to sew, or knit, or both.
• Figure our how to cook salmon (I either overcook it or undercook it, which is why I now never cook it.)
• Throw a "real" dinner party. 8 people, 4 courses. No, I won't be serving salmon.
• Design (at least on paper) our next home. We plan to possibly renovate a single family in the area "someday" and I would like to one day live in a home when I (ahem we) picked out every single piece in it, including but not limited a bright red front door. And you just know there is going to be some serious navy in that house!
• Go to the Greek Isles with my little Sis. (Yes, we may  have seen The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants one too many times, but no, that is not going to stop me from going.) 
• Keep a plant alive for more than three months. Somehow I have been able to keep the LM in tip top shape for 3 years, but any plant that enters this home is dead within weeks of walking in the door. I'm like the Grim Reaper of the gardening world. 
• Start a small business that I can run from home. I have an idea that involves styling and motherhood, but figuring out what to do with that idea is something that I seriously need to look into. 
• Keep writing this blog. I know most writers who usually abandon their blogs do so within the first six months, but you never know what will happen when life gets in the way. I hope that in 5 years from now I will still get as much enjoyment out of what has become my very favorite daily outlet. 
• Spend the better part of the next 1,825 days playing and snuggling with my Little (and Big) men. 

So there you have it. In five years I'll be 36, and I promise to check back in and let you know how I did. Hopefully you will all still be here reading along with me! 

(Photo Credit: From Here.) P.S. Don't you just die for that door? I don't know what it is, but give me a red door and I'm one happy girl. 

Yummy Recipe of The Week: Healthy Kung Pao Shrimp.

About a year ago I woke up one morning with a serious craving for some Chinese food. I'm pretty sure this would have been around the time that I was convinced each month that I was "with child, so you know I was not about to deny my body what it so obviously needed wanted. The only problem is that when I want something like this for dinner, I usually have to factor in my health conscious husband which means either I eat alone or I find some kind of happy medium (I know, how boring, right?) My favorite American Chinese dish is hands down Kung Pao Shrimp. Seriously, if I was left to my own devices I would probably eat this for breakfast, lunch, and dinner (which is probably why I married the healthiest man alive, if only to keep me in check.) I found a ton of recipes for this on the Internet, but this one stood out for a few very important reasons 1) the whole dish only contains 2 1/2 tablespoons of oil for 4 people, 2) it looked delicious, 3) the whole thing takes under a half hour to prepare (hell, you can't even call in an order that fast around here,) and 4) most of the ingredients are things that you probably already have in your pantry. Cheaper, easier and healthier... that is 100% craving approved. I have to warn you that this can be a little spicy. Okay, it's a LOT spicy, but you can easily control the heat with the amount chilies that you put in.  享受*


INGREDIENTS
For 4

1/4 cup fresh orange juice
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
8 small dried red chiles, 4 halved
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 small onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1/2 red bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1/2 green bell pepper, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound shelled and deveined large shrimp
1 cup roasted cashews
1/2 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
1 broccoli crown
3 carrots chopped



PREPARATION


In a bowl, mix the orange juice, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and cornstarch. 2. In a wok, heat the oil over high heat until smoking. Add the chiles and salt; stir-fry until browned, 45 seconds. Add the onion, ginger and garlic; stir-fry until fragrant, 15 seconds. Steam the carrots and broccoli on the side until tender crisp. Add the peppers and cook until crisp-tender, 30 seconds. Add the shrimp and stir-fry until nearly cooked through, about 5 minutes. Stir the sauce, add to the wok and cook until thickened slightly, 30 seconds. Add in the broccoli and carrots until coated. Stir in the cashews and sesame oil; serve.

I paired the dish with brown jasmine rice. 

The recipe is by Food and Wine and can be found here. 

*according to Google Translate that's enjoy in Chinese.

Maybe My Ass Won't Look As Good, But With Shoes Like These Who's Going To Be Looking At My Butt.

So I've been going around and around regarding whether or not I should get those Reebok shoes that are supposed to give you the ass of a supermodel, and after reading this article I decided to forgo them for a "real" running shoe. Let's be honest, I am not the most coordinated of all people, and me running around on an unstable ball with either a toddler or baby (or both) in my arms is probably not the best idea. You all remember that picture when Brittany Spears almost dropped one of the kids in front of the paparazzi... yep, that would absolutely be me (if of course I was famous enough to have said paparazzi following me around.) Anyhow, I was still at a loss on what kind of shoe to get so I have been using the old ones, all the while crossing my fingers in hopes that the super glue that I used to piece them back together would hold. Well, it did, but the lack of support was killing my feet and during a run today I was in a enough pain that I finally broke down and went to Marathon Sports in search of a new shoe. Funny enough I left the store with the EXACT same shoe (which came highly recommended for me by the very knowledgeable staff.) Okay, not the exact same shoe, but the exact same model of shoe which just happened to be 8 years newer. I have to say, I was actually a bit surprised at how athletic shoes have changed in the past decade. Everything seemed to be neon and shiny, and when I asked for my shoe in a less "flashy" version, I was told there was no such thing. Okay, fine, if they want me to walk around like the long lost member of the Jackson 5 than so be it. Here are my new Mizunos which hereinafter will be referred to as the "J Lo" of running shoes.

\

Speaking of shoes (I know, I know, not the best segway)... but I just have to show off the amazing new pair of booties that I picked up this weekend. I have to start off by saying that yes, I LOVE the shoes, but what has really has me so excited about these babies is the AMAZING deal that I got on them (you know there is nothing more that I love than a good bargain on luxury goods.) I have been in the market for a great pair of booties for quite a while and even though at first I hated this style, over the past few years I have grown to really like this trend. A few months ago I saw this pair of these Loeffler Randal booties that I could only refer to as fierce, in my very favorite store Dress. With a 650$ price tag I realized that no matter how perfect they were, alas they were not meant to be. I said the same thing when they went on sale for 475$ and then again when they got marked down to 375$. It almost broke my heart to walk away at 275$ but when they hit the 200$ mark... well, you know I'm not crazy, and I scooped the last pair of these babies up. They are perfect for Fall and Spring, and can easily be worn with floral dresses or skinny jeans. They are made up of a delicious buttery suede and the silver spikes around the ankle are truly to die for. Yes, all the style for less than 1/4 of the price.

So, in the end maybe my ass won't look as good, but with shoes like these who's going to be looking at my butt? 

Ahhhhh, you've got to love a good deal!

Lost In Translation.

"Gott damnint mommy."

This is what the little man said to me when I walked in the house the other night after a quick pizza run (from Emma's, which seems to have become a Saturday tradition in our home.)

"What did you just say to me?" I sternly asked him.

"Gott damnint," he replied, as my husband began to snicker* in the background.

"Yeah, that's what I thought you said... does someone need their mouth washed out with soap**?"

"NO!!!," he replied.

"Dude, I'm not talking to you, I'm talking to your daddy over there."

Then it was the little man's turn to snicker.

Lately we have a little "problem" that has begun in my household. It dates back about three years when, together, my husband and I decided that we were going to attempt to raise our LM in a bilingual household. My husband is a dual citizen, born in Switzerland, and we figured since my little man would be a citizen of both the US and Swtzerland, than it would be important for him to speak the languages of both countries. We asked a few families that we knew with kids who spoke multiple languages how they were successful, and they gave us a pretty simple answer; just don't ever speak English to him. We figured that was something that we could easily do, and ever since the LM's birth my husband has only spoken Swiss-German to him. Now, around age three, my boy can pretty much understand everything that Dad is saying, and although only answers back in English, the two seem to be able to converse pretty well.

Actually the two are able to converse very well so it seems. See, the problem with this whole bilingual thing is that I don't actually speak the Swiss or the German part, therefore, there is always a side conversation going on behind my back. This was never that problematic because I could usually gauge from the LM's responses what was being said, especially if they were talking about me (the evil smile on both of their faces was a dead giveaway.) Now that the little man is getting older these conversations are getting a little more sophisticated and I find that I am sometimes not quite sure what is being said. Well, it turns out that what is now being said may include a bad word or two that my "boys" wouldn't dare say in English (cue the washing of the mouths with the soap.)

Before the LM was born both my husband and I had what can only be referred to as potty mouth. Actually, we still have potty mouths, but we can usually contain them between the hours of 8am and 8 pm. Every so often an expletive or two will slip out, but they generally go unnoticed by my parrot of a child. Or at least that used to be the case. Now he will pick up on a word that I or someone else said and he will then say it ALL THE TIME. (The most recent was stupid, pronounced st-OOO-ped by my little man.) While I think it is important to keep his language "toddler appropriate" my husband does not quite share in the concept quite so fervently. Sure, he would never allow him to say the "real" bad words, but things like dammit, stupid, crap... well lets just say he doesn't see them as such a crime. (He also doesn't have to face the director of the school when my LM decides to teach everyone a new word (no, that has never happened. yes, it is one of my greatest fears that it will.))

Long story, long, after months of nagging it seems as though the two of them have found an end run around mommy. I think they believe if they can keep it in their language than no one will be the wiser. The only problem is that A LOT of the words in German (especially the bad ones) sound an awful lot like the ones in English, so either these boys need to get a lot more creative, or I'm going to need to start getting my dish soap at Costco.

Note to self, learn to speak their language... like YESTERDAY.


* I have to say I can't believe that I actually threaten this... that is such a "Mom" thing to say.

** Before I get a few dozen anonymous emails discussing what terrible parents we are, 1) I think my husband thought it was funny, 2) he would never teach him anything too bad, 3) I too think it's a little funny or I wouldn't have written about it here, and 4) You have to laugh at these things... otherwise the kids will drive you crazy!

But Will I Be The Oldest One There?

Right now I could not be more excited. In exactly 5 hours and 33 minutes, and 16 seconds I am going to see what has quickly become one of my favorite bands, live, and only minutes from my home. Yes, people, tonight, I, Yummy Mummy, am going to be front and center at a Wakey! Wakey! show.

I know, I know I can hardly believe it myself.

Ever since I heard this band, about a year ago I have been obsessed, Obsessed. I have stalked followed them closely and I have been waiting oh so patiently for their tour to come up my way. A few months ago I saw on Twitter that they would be playing at the Great Scott venue in Allston and I can guarantee you that I was the first one to have tickets in my hand (ahem inbox) given that they were purchased merely seconds after the tweet was published (yes, I need a life.) The timing couldn't be more perfect as my little sister just com to town for the rest of the Summer, and she, like me, is also a HUGE fan. When I was buying the tickets I couldn't help but notice that the show said that it was 18 and up. This left me with two burning questions.

1. Will they serve alcohol?
2. Will I be the oldest one there?

I finally broke down last night and called the bar manager who told me that:

1. Yes, alcohol is available for those over 21 (whew) and
2. Yes, I will be considered as a chaperone for the event (okay, he didn't really say that but I could hear it in his voice.)

He also said that I would not qualify for the senior discount, but I can rest assured that one of the youngins will likely offer this old lady a seat at the bar. Whether that happens or not I am in for one great night of music. I am also pretty sure that I will use a line that I have become famous for when I am out with my sis which is, "young man don't you realize that I could be your mother?" Which depending on how much I drink is usually said to any "boy" between the ages of 21 and 30. 

If you are into Wakey! Wakey! and want to see this momma make a fool of her self, tickets are still available (and are crazy cheap) and can be purchased here.

As a side I cannot tell you how awesome these guys are. After I wrote this post about the band I received the nicest email from their management. I absolutely cannot wait to see these guys up close and in person! Yep, dream. come. true.

5 hours.... 11 minutes....

Chicken.

This morning I got a call from our fertility doctor. It went something like this.

Dr.: Are you alive.

Me: Um, yes... I believe so.

Dr: Well, I was just wondering since you seemed to have fallen off the face of the earth since your last IVF cycle. 

Me: Oh yeah, sorry about that.

Dr.: So... we were just wondering if you were still in need of our services.

Me: Yes, and No.

Dr.: Care to explain?

Me: I still VERY much would like to get pregnant, but I'm holding out hope that we can maybe do this the old fashioned way. 

Dr.: So how's that working out for you?

Me: Funny you should ask... so far not so good.

Dr.: So....

Me: Um...

Dr.: Shall I schedule your next appointment. 

Me.: Yes, yes, you absolutely should. 

Dr.: When would you like to come in.

Me: How about never October. 

Dr. You sure you want to wait that long?

Me: No... I mean absolutely. 

Okay, okay it didn't go exactly like that, but you get the gist.

I realize it was unfair of me just to disappear from the practice without a word, but I have just been so convinced that we can make this baby on our own that I figured it would be a nice surprise to call them with the great news rather than having another dud embryo put in again. I mean really, how boring is that.* The bottom line is I think that I am just chicken.

We went into the Clomid mess, and then the IVF debacle so blindly that I had no idea, at the time, what exactly I was getting myself into. I wanted a baby so badly that I was willing to do almost anything, and since "anything" meant pumping my body with an oil spill worth of hormones, than at the time I thought thought nothing of it. Now, well, I just don't feel the same.

I have been hormone free for 3 months now, and I can clearly see what those things will do to you. In short, they made me crazzzzyyyyyyy. Crazy with a capital C, and not only did they mess with my mind, but they also killed my skin, and for a few month made me as bloated as the goodyear blimp. Now that I have been off the fertility sauce I again look, and feel, like myself again. While I still very much want another baby, this time I am not going to be so quick to give that up.

Let me rephrase, I'm not so quick to give that up yet.

I've given myself 6 months to fell like "myself." Right now we are on month three, and are currently in middle of the endless two week wait.** 6 months to make this baby on our own, or at least 6 months not to be a "psycho" as my husband has lovingly called my behavior during that time. It's make it (literally) or break it time, and I can assure you I am up to the challenge. Come October, I will again take, inject, or do anything and everything it takes to end this two year journey, but for now I am just happy to feel like a normal person. A normal, hormone free person.

The baby, well that will come, that is something that I am sure about.

* I kid, I kid.
** For all you fertiles the two week wait is the time between when you have the sexy time and find out whether or not you have the bun in the oven.

I've Got A Theory.

When I think of the brand Theory I always think of my former work wardrobe. For me, if I ever was in need of a great pair of trousers, I always knew that this brand would have the perfect pair. If I was looking for a great classic suit, I was pretty much guaranteed that I could find one (two, three, four) at their store. In fact, the only pieces that I still have, and wear, from my former work life are a blazer and a black pencil skirt, both of which are  from Theory and are about 7-8 years old and I am always amazed when I wear them that they look almost as good as they did the day I bought them. Now that my "work" wardrobe consists of jeans, flip flops, and on a good day a nice sweater, I had forgotten all about the brand that used to be my "run to" for all my wardrobe essentials. I short, I thought Theory was for those women who only wore suits and heels. Well, add this to the list of things that I have been WRONG about, because let me tell you, Theory is so, so SO, much more. 

I re-learned this fact when I was shopping with my SIL on my infamous Memorial Weekend trip to New York. We were wandering around the meatpacking district in search of some food when we stumbled upon the gigantic Gansevoort street store. At the time we were just window shopping, and truthfully we were in some serious need of some air conditioning, when we walked into the modern boutique. My eyes were immediately drawn to the dress pictured here on the bottom, and before I knew it I was at the counter giddy because I had just found three of the most perfect Summer dresses. The fit was to die for, and for obvious reasons I love the various cuts, but what really got me was how great the quality of the items were. I have literally been living in these dresses ever since my return. While I am not one to impulse shop, I must say that in this case my impulses were right on the money. 

I've got a Theory... if it's from Theory then you can go wrong. Apparently it doesn't matter if you work on Wall Street, or spend your time strolling down the street, this is one brand that has you covered!

Let Them Eat Crabs.

My apologies for the radio silence today. Unfortunately, for me, I've been nursing a hangover that has been wavering between mild to severe throughout the day. Luckily, for me, I earned it after a fabulous night out with my girls that somehow ended at a D list burlesque show (don't even ask how.) Also, the family and I are off for another adventure tomorrow, one that will only take us through Monday evening so I am again in packing mode, trying not to leave anything behind. I'm not quite sure how we ended up jumping from one trip to the next, but I think it had something to do with a serious hankering for Blue Crabs that the husband and I got a few weeks back. Since our closest family lives in the great state of Maryland (aka blue crab heaven) we figured a long weekend would be the best way to kill two yummy birds with one stone. As you can see from the picture above you can be eating my share of the crustaceans, and yours too. After last night, though, I think the beers might have to be left out of this equation.

I wish you all a wonderful and sunny weekend and I'll see you back here on Tuesday.

Little Man In A Box.

Sometimes I really forget how little my Little Man actually is. His presence is always so BIG, that I sometimes lose sight of the fact that he is still less than 3 feet tall and under 35 pounds. Over the weekend the basement in our building flooded and for about 2 hours the two of us made up the entire emergency clean up crew. As I was taking the furniture off the floor in the function room I lost sight of my little guy, and it took me a minute or two to find him playing in a turned over box.

Here is our version of a "jack in the box."

Now if I could just find a lid! (kidding of course.)

Gratitude Topped With Powdered Sugar.

Yesterday, I was devastated to learn about the death of one of my favorite bloggers Marija. Her husband wrote a beautiful and heart breaking post letting the world know that his wife, and the mother of his two  children, had died in a car accident over the weekend as she was coming back from a weekend antiquing in Georgia. She was a beautiful woman inside and out and I was always drawn to her because her story vaguely resembled mine. Marija was a attorney, turned mom, turned interior designer, who had an eye for beautiful things which she shared daily through her blog. She was an inspiration to me and I simply cannot even begin to imagine the pain that her family is feeling, losing such a bright light at such an early age.

Reading through the last few weeks of her blog, I am sadly reminded that everyday is not a guarantee. I know that many of us, me included, take this for granted. We make plans, we go about our day. We work, take care of our children or ourselves, never stopping to appreciate the fact that just waking up that morning was a gift, and it is a gift that could so easily be taken away. Reading about the tragic loss of Marija has made me take stock of what I am grateful for, and for me I am most grateful that I get to spend every day with the love of my life, my little man.

When I was considering whether I wanted to leave my career to become a stay at home mom I never realized how lucky I was to be in a position to actually have a choice in the matter. For a long time I wondered if I made the right decision and now, almost three years later, I know with 100 percent certainty that I did. I am so grateful to my husband and my family that I was able to have this time with my little boy. Although it is not always easy, every day that I get to wake up and spend the day watching him learn and grow, truly is a gift.

The highlight of my day has to be making breakfast with my Little Man. This used to be a chore, but for the past few months it has become something special between us. I love walking up every morning knowing that in about 30 minutes I will be making French Toast with with the best sous-chef a girl could ask for. Every day we make the same thing (by order of the LM) and today, after hearing about the tragedy with Marija, my breakfast came topped with a little something extra; Gratitude. I am so grateful that I am here today, and I am so grateful that the LM and I again get to make our meal together. Today I will take the time to remember that there are no guarantees in this life, and that all of it can be taken away in an instant. My only wish is that tomorrow I will be able to again wake up and do the same.

Little Man's Cinnamon Raisin French Toast

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 eggs

4 pieces Cinnamon raisin toast

Splash of Milk

Maple Syrup

Powered Sugar

Greased Pan

(Strawberries and Raspberries as garnish)

Preparation

First pick out two eggs from the carton (this is the LM's favorite part.)

Shake the eggs (I'm not exactly sure why.)

And then crack them in the bowl. 

Add a splash of milk and stir.

Dip the Cinnamon Raisin Toast in the egg and then add to a greased pan over medium heat. Or "dip and flip" as the Little Man says. Cook each side until golden brown. 

Pour a small amount of maple syrup over the toast and allow for your sous-chef to add the powered sugar.

A quick wash of the hands.

The final product... gratitude topped with powdered sugar. 

My thoughts and prayers go out to Marija's family. She was a wonderful woman and her presence will be greatly missed.

EAT here.

# 801 of the reasons why I love to write this blog so much, is the great feedback that I get from all of you lovely readers. Take a few months ago, when I wrote about my devastation (okay, that's a little over dramatic), err my disappointment, at having to leave behind those awesome EAT letters at the Brimfield Fair because I couldn't figure out a way to get them to "fit" in our home. Well, that same day, an awesome reader commented that perhaps I should consider getting letters that could go OVER the cabinets. I 1) never would have thought of that, and 2) ordered new set of letters that same day. After waiting for months, my letters arrived last week and I was thrilled to find that they fit perfectly (just like the dear reader said) right over the cabinets. Rather than the white I originally saw,  I went with black, and these letters have the added bonus of being covered with paint that can be written on with chalk (and you know I'm a sucker for anything chalkboard related.) They were half the price of the Brimfield set and they stand on their own which means there is no need for  nails in the wall (something that drives my husband nuts.)

Now there is no doubt of where to EAT in this house (as if there was any before.)

I think they are great, and add the perfect amount of kitsch to what was a pretty sterile looking kitchen.

So again, thank you all for reading and for your wonderful comments, you can see that I truly take them to heart (and home.)

Summer Denim... It Sounds So Wrong, But It Looks So Right.

There are two words I never thought I would say together Summer + Denim, it sounds so wrong, but just it looks so right.

Source

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Happy weekend my friends... stay "cool" out there.

She Wears Them... And Just Look At Her Ass.

Monday, I was stretching after a run jog at the gym and I looked down noticed that my shoes were literally coming apart at the seams. Not just at the seams, but the mesh netting was completely gone, and the sole of the shoe seemed to be somewhat removed from the body.*  One would think that I would have noticed before now that my shoes were falling apart, but the fact is I usually just throw them on when I get to the gym, and then take them off immediately after, so the truth is that they could have been like this for years without me noticing. Yes, I said years. I am slightly embarrassed to admit that my one and only pair of running/gym shoes was purchased for me, by my in-laws, in 2002. Uh huh, I've had them for 8 years. I wish I could say I've only worn them a few times since then, but I actually wear them about 4-5 times a week (which means they have been used and abused about 2,000** times for those of you counting.) Along the way there has been a couple of times that I thought about getting new shoes, but the fact is that the ones I have are just so comfy, and they fit my 5.5 size foot so perfectly, that, well, I just never got around to getting a new pair.

Well,  I'm afraid to say I think I'm going to have to finally bite the bullet and get a new pair. Really at this point there isn't any other choice. So, the need for a new pair of gym shoes leaves me with only one question, what kind of shoe should I get? See, the thing is I know nothing about athletic shoes, nothing. Ask me about a bootie, heel, wedge or sandal, and I could rattle off a few great selections at every price point, but a sneaker... let's just say that is not my area of expertise (hence the wearing of the same shoe for 8 years.)

In my search for a shoe to last me the next decade I have found myself drawn to the Reebok Reetone/ Easytone. Correction, I have found myself drawn to the picture of the woman who is wearing the somewhat ugly Reeboks. I mean, a shoe that promises to tone your tush while you walk and work out, hell for that I'd pay almost anything. I figured that this must be one of those "too good to be true things," so I asked my husband for his medical opinion. His response was two fold, 1) apparently they don't teach this kind of stuff in medical school (who knew?) and 2) a sneaker is not going to give me the tush that I dream of, so I should just get a normal shoe.

I would like to believe him, but I have two pieces of evidence that beg to differ.

Presenting Exhibits A and B.

I mean she wears them... and just look at her ass.

I'm still not completely sold on them, I think it's the fact that they are just so ugly and bulky that is holding me back, but I wonder if any of you readers out there have tried them. Are they really too good to be true? Also, if any of you have a shoe that you love and can recommend, please let me know,*** I really am clueless when it comes to things in this shoe (and ass) department. 

*nothing a little super glue can't fix, right?
** that breaks down to .045 cents a wear... pretty impressive.
***Jennifer Aniston butt not required.

How Long Is Too Long?

Growing up I was always under the assumption that "older" women had to have their hair a certain length. Of course, at the time, "older" to me was anything over the age of 30, and now that I am firmly in my thirties (okay, I'm 31) I find myself lusting after some seriously long locks.  As in L.U.S.T.I.N.G. I have been growing my hair out for about two years now, and I am at the point where I either need to go for it, or accept that maybe I am just too old mature for the hair of my dreams. I'm not quite sure where I got the idea that women of a certain age had to have their hair a certain length, but I think it must have come from my father (then again I easily could have just made this idea up in my head) but I began to think differently about this whole hair thing when I became friends with two of the yummiest mummies that I've ever seen, who even in their mid-thirties have amazingly, beautiful long hair that still looks completely age appropriate. Basically, this is just a long way of me saying that I think I'm going to go for it. I mean, why not. If 50 is the new 40, and 40 is the new 30, than isn't 31 the new 21? (I'll take the hair, and leave the long nights at the bars, thank you very much.)

How long am I thinking you ask? Well that very question was answered for me by the newest J.Crew* catalog (you've just got to love their incredible styling.)

What do we think? Can a woman in her 30's pull this off?

I guess I'm about to find out.

*Speaking of J.Crew I just picked up this, and this, which happen to combine my two favorite things, stripes and sequins. Yes, you had me at hello.

Oh Man Gawd!

Temperature outside: 98 degrees.

Temperature in my living room: 108 degrees.

Yes, we have a problem with our AC. And by "problem" I mean we came home from two weeks away only to find that our central air  (which is less than 18 months old and has only been used about 10 times total) for some reason decided to shit the bed. Why it chose the hottest week of the year to do so is beyond me.

Given that this was a holiday weekend,we have been living on the face of the sun for about 36 hours now (and by living I mean barely surviving.) Someone came by to look at it earlier today, and assured us that it is easily fixable, and we will be up and running after he finishes some "errands."

That was 6 hours ago.

To quote my Little Man, "Oh Man Gawd, Momma it's hot in here."

I never thought I'd say it, but I long for last week when were cooler and living on the equator. File that under things I never thought I'd say.

Stay cool out there my East Coast friends...

Things I Learned From My Summer Vacation.

Right now we are quickly packing up, and in a few hours we will begin our two day trek back to  the States. I figured that this was the perfect time to reflect on a few things that I have learned from my Summer vacation.*  

1. Traveling with kids under the age of 2.9 is pretty much hell. Traveling with kids over the age of 2.9 is actually really fun. This is the little man's 14th trip, and 5th out of the country. This little fact will absolutely be remembered when we have baby number two. I.e.We aren't going anywhere for the first 2+ years.
2. Speaking of baby number two, I am no longer in any kind of hurry to get that ball rolling. Sure, we will still move forward with our plans in the Fall, but having only one almost three year old is a lot of fun (and to be honest is pretty damn easy.) I plan on savoring every minute of it this Summer (and traveling as much as humanly possibly considering #1.)
3. 13 days is about the longest that I can spend 1 on 1 with my family before they drive me bat shit crazy. We are now on day 16, you do the math.
4. I will never again (NEVER) fly anywhere that is not a direct flight. The 9 hour layover in Miami on the way down nearly killed us all. From now on, it's one flight or no flight. (It is important to note that I also never again will fly American Airlines.)  
5. Running in the sand without shoes is freaking hard. My calves have never been this sore. I must find a way to copy this feeling when I get back.
6. My kid is nowhere near ready to be potty trained. That or I am nowhere near ready to clean up a thousand puddles of pee. We gave it the old college try when we got down here. Accidents 15, successes 0. We'll try that one again never at the end of the Summer. 
7. Both the Little Man and I really, really, really miss our friends. Even though we are having a blast we keep talking about them at least 5 times a day. He misses his buds... and I miss their Momma's. I can't wait until a play date is again one phone call away! I also miss my daily phone calls with my sisters (yeah I'm talking about you auntie em and holly.)
8. My little man is a fish. He's also a pretty good swimmer. This kid has spent at least 4 hours a day in the water. We do go swimming at home (almost every day) but I think we need to step it up a notch. I may have to bite the bullet and get a private instructor when we get back, for at least the rest of Summer. I think he could be pretty good on his own with some real lessons. This would lead to a lot less "almost" heart attacks on my end.
9. I don't know how I missed this one, but the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo series is absolutely unbelievable... like really good. Okay, I'm even going to say like Twilight good. I am about to start book number 3 and am already feeling sad that there aren't going to be any more to read. 
10. Kids like to dig holes. Lots of holes. Lots, and lots and lots of holes. If this Stay at home Mom thing doesn't pan out I will go back to work; as a professional hole digger. 

I wish all of my American readers a wonderful long holiday weekend, and the rest of you the same. Happy Fourth!

*I recognize that this is a totally random list, I think the sun may have gotten to me a bit.