Coffee Addicted

I've been a coffee fanatic since college. Late nights and early morning gave me a taste for the delicious beverage. I will drink it black, although that is not my preferred method. 

Lattes are my favorite. A little sweet flavor, lots of milk, and foam. Sure, a cafe au lait give you a similar effect, and I've had my share of those. But something about a latte just gives me the warm fuzzies. 

My husband recently told me that smoking cigarettes would be better for me. Come again? Cheaper, perhaps. Healthier, I don't think so. Sure, all the extra milk and sugar contributes to the fact that I still look a few months pregnant nearly two years after giving birth, but who am I trying to impress by gaining a flat belly? No one. Coffee is part of me. It makes me happy, keeps me going and comforts me when I need it. 

I'm on my second cup today. The first one was from my Kuerig. A Green Mountain Wellness collection antioxidant blend to be exact. I adore getting some vitamins from my habit. And really, the stuff makes me feel better. Focused and ready. It's good java. (&plusalso, i received it for free from a Bzz campaign!) Now, I'm onto a Peppermint Mocha from McDonald's. I have a second addiction you can read about here to peppermint stuff. Another double score. 

So while I may be a bit tired and cold today, it's bound to be a good day since it started with two of my favorite coffees. Anyone else addicted and proud of it?

On Being a Working Mom....

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Being a working mother is like a double edged sword without a handle. Sometimes, there is nowhere you can grab to hold on, and you know you're gonna get cut but you do it anyways. 

I like working. It provides for my family and my lifestyle. I feel like a productive member of society and I keep my sanity. I'm not a person who would be productive at home all the time. I would never get out of my pajamas, or do anything. I secretly want to be a hermit. Working combats that and keeps me busy. 

Andplusalso, in this economy, if you have a job, you don't quit it. Especially if you know in a few years you'll be sitting at home bored and alone and wishing you had it back. You tough it out for a few years. You keep the job, the income, the benefits. Every day isn't easy but the reward will be there. 

I do not like leaving my child. Even though our mothers keep her, I still hate it. On the bright side of that, the grandmothers get plenty of time with the baby cakes and that gives me more time with her, in a manner of speaking, because I don't have to share as much on weekends. I'm not good at sharing. 

I do not enjoy the criticism that comes with it. Family members who never left their children blame my husband for not being a good enough provider. My house is never clean and no one thinks I do enough. Forty hours a week at a job, clean dishes, clean laundry, a clean child, a fed and healthy child, none of that is enough. Some days, I look around and feel like a failure because I haven't swept the leaves off the back porch, taken out the trash or folded the laundry. And instead of doing any of those things, I'm sitting in the floor reading to my child or helping her paint. And I feel like a failure?

I'm not sure why society puts pressure  on us to do it all. I'm not sure why we feel like we have to do it all. Our husbands don't face this pressure, and as long as they aren't dead beats, they get kudos for everything they do. Daddy's playing with the baby, oh, how sweet. Oh my goodness, daddy can change a diaper, how wonderful he is. The same things we are expected to do are the things he for which he receives applause. 

Every day, I look around and think I do a good job. I tell myself I'm doing it all right, that I do everything I possibly can and I find solace and comfort in that. I tell myself because no one else is going to tell me. Not only will they not tell me how great I am, they're going to do everything in their power to tear me down. So I tell myself. And I keep going. What else is there to do? At the end of all of this, I'm not going to remember how messy my laundry pile was and neither is my child. She's not going to love me for my clean house. Nor is she going to hold it against me that I decided to keep working. In fact, I hope she does the same thing. I'd love to keep her kids one day!

Weekend Purchases

Our weekend was lovely, although filled with a sick toddler. We opted to not leave the house all weekend, after Thanksgiving that is. So for three whole days, we holed up in our jammies. Really, that was better than anything. 

I did accomplish some online shopping. My husband's birthday is this week (it has never been so far from Thanksgiving!) so I ordered him some things.

And of course, I ordered myself something. This will be a wonderful holiday dress, especially with leggings so I don't show my hoo-ha. And boots, of course!

anthropologie

And we also did a bit of Small Business Saturday shopping on Etsy. Just because we couldn't get out didn't mean we were going to abandon the event. We're huge supporters!! Although, I will say I'm not certain the day after Black Friday is the best day for it. People are looking for big deals, at big stores. I'm not sure when would be better, though. 

etsy shop

Anyways, here's that purchase. (Emily and I have a giraffe ornament for Christmas tradition.)

I really adore our stuff and can't wait to see it all in person!

SUPPORT SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

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I'm aware that no one really reads this blog yet, but if you happen to stumble my way, don't forget about Small Business Saturday. 

As my husband owns a small business, this is a very important day. 

Go support your local businesses, more money from your purchases will go into the community you live in that way. 

For ten reasons to support small businesses go to Liz and Gianna's Adventures in Bookland.

I Hate/Loathe/Despise Black Friday

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Here's the thing, I hate Black Friday. It sucks and I believe it was created by the devil. Give thanks one day, go push people down for a "deal" (which is typically not that much better than any other day) so you can get some more material stuff. Just one day after being thankful for what you have...you go push and shove people to get more crap. You just said yesterday how all the stuff wasn't important, it was family, blah blah blah and today, wham, more shit. 

I refuse to go into the madness. I have extreme social anxiety anyways, so the clusterfuck of people just really drives me to distraction. I don't even like shopping between now and Christmas as it stands. Panic over takes me. Long lines and someone strange all up in my personal space. No thanks. I prefer to receive little packages on my doorstep, thankyouverymuch. 

The "Christmas Spirit" goes out the window during this mass retail period. It's all about accumulating more junk. Not that I don't do my share of junk accumulation this time of year, I do. I don't pretend that I'm not a retail junkie. I just avoid all the physcho nut jobs out there clambering over an electronic gadget that is $2 off the normal retail at 4 in the a.m. Call me crazy. 

I also feel that the crazy black Friday shopping is pushing Thanksgiving out the door. I saw that Target is going to be open on Thanksgiving day this year. The crazy shoppers, they'll be there. Fuck the beautiful turkey and the wonderful eggnog that help you deal with your family. Let's go get crap we don't need in an effort to feel Christmassy. 

There are still Christmas decorations up around my house and office. I love Christmas. But I still feel that Thanksgiving is an important holiday in its own right. It begins the season, the parties, the festivities. I don't want to forget to take a day every year to be thankful. I can shop any day of the year, and do. But spending the day with people I love and stuffing my face full of turkey, casseroles and sweets? I'll never give it up. 

Tis the Season

This time of year is really lovely; the lights, the crisp weather, the festive clothes and the music. 

The lighting of our town's Christmas tree was last night. Despite the fact that my child refused to set foot outside of the store, it was really a nice night. People were cheerful and the atmosphere was one of hope and renewal. The nastiness of the election seems to be behind us, everyone resolved with the state of our union, either happily or not, they are still resolved. And that fills the air with peace, a peace that has been missing for so many long months now. 

Hot chocolate and cool nights have that effect of calming, of bringing love and peace and joy where they were once absent. So do peppermint milkshakes, not that I had one yesterday....

I felt pretty and silly and happy, too. Even though nothing may be as you hoped it would be, even though things may be in limbo and hanging in a delicate balance, things are as they should be. Just because something isn't the way you desire it to be doesn't mean it isn't as it should be. Sometimes that gets lost in the hustle and bustle of this life, but it's important to find contentment with what  you have. This life we're living, we only get one. And it is what we make of it. So hang upside down, laugh deep belly laughs for no reason and run around with your kiddo like a complete idiot. Enjoy it all, every bit of it. Breathe it in and breathe it out. Don't waste your time wishing for things you don't have, but enjoy the things you do.  

This post...brought to you by the seat of my pants

I've had ten brilliant ideas for this post today, and yet, none of them have remained in my head long enough for me to pound them out on this keyboard. So, I'm going to leave you with a post brought to you from the seat of my pants. Honestly, I'm having a hard time getting used to doing two posts a day, so when I do my personal blog, which is more my journal of my life, it leave little creative space for this one. It'll come, it's just going to take time. If I had pictures of myself, I'd post those. My outfit is truly adorable and holiday festive. 

The annual lighting of the town Christmas tree is tonight. I'm excited. I love the onset of the holidays, how everyone starts getting in the spirit of the season. It's also an awesome opportunity for people watching, which is one of my favorite hobbies. 

My little side kick will be delighted by all of the people and lights, all of the Christmas STUFF!

Hopefully, since tomorrow will be Friday, I'll have something better to post about. Maybe my ten brilliant ideas will return to the land of my brain. 

Addiction

Hi, everyone. My name is heather and I'm addicted to peppermint coffee and shakes. 

Wow, that was easy. Is there a group for peppermint lovers? I need to go. I ate drank a peppermint chocolate milkshake from Chick-fil-a for dinner last night. I'm having a peppermint latte from the Dunkin Donuts this morning. Latte and milkshake love.

And Christmas music. Don't forget the Christmas music. Indie Holiday Radio on Pandora rocks my face off. 

I'm wondering what other forms I can consume peppermint in during this awesome holiday season....

Thanksgiving Gnomes

Thanksgiving is just over one week away. How can it be upon us already?? Oh, well, it is and that's that. Nothing we can do.

Turkey day officially starts the Christmas season for us. However, I'm already in the Christmas Spirit. My office at work has been decked out for a week and Pandora has been set on Indie Holiday Radio since then as well. Back to Thanksgiving....i'm so easily distracted by all the pretty lights and ribbons....this weekend my daughter and I made little pilgrim gnomes from polymer clay. They turned out delightfully, although only two of them are actually pilgrims, the others, well, they're just regular gnomes. These gnomes were really easy and fun! Andplusalso they really helped me get in the spirit of Thanksgiving by making me pause and remember it even existed!! 

gnomes cooking

more gnomes cooking

completed pilgrim gnome

terrarium gnome

all the little gnomes!!

So What Wednesday

This isn't my first link up to this fabulous party, but it is my first link up with this blog! So, I'm sort of excited to "so what!" today. 

So what if....

...this blog is a work in progress.

...that someone else had this blog title before me. I don't give a care.

... I said I don't give a care, like a six year old.

... I don't know what to do with this blog yet.

...all I can 'so what' about is this blog.

...I'm a BLUE in a RED state.

...I'm trying to lose weight and all I can think about is a salted caramel mocha frap from Starbucks.

...I freak out a little sometimes over silly things.

...my house is a disaster and there is not a place to put the play kitchen yet. My kid is fed, her clothes are clean, my cats are happy and guess what?? so am i!!

...I'm ridiculously excited about the play kitchen I ordered my child for Christmas.

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Cat or Rat?

Our smallest cat, Zaxby, has been given a new name by our child. She likes to call her "Rat." I have no idea where this nickname came from, as no one else calls her that. In fact, if she were to pick up a random nickname for Zax from us, it would probably be The Pisser, or possibly the Snack, but with our luck, it would be pisser. I'm constantly cussing when I find random items peed upon, "that damn pisser pissed on my favorite ____." So my luck dictates that the nickname should be the damn pisser. I really do try to curb my enthusiastic swearing around my child, but sometimes....it just comes out. 

In any event, Zax has a new name. We all now affectionately call her Rat. Honey, please pet the rat. Where's the rat? Have you given treats to the rat today? I never knew I would be so cool with having a rat live in my house, especially one that pees on everything that isn't..well, just everything. She pees on it all. There's nothing like getting to work, all dressed after who knows how long, to discover that there's an odor and it's YOU. Great feeling. But this wasn't supposed to be a post about cat pee, although I could post plenty on the topic and still might. I just thought I'd share about my old cat with a new name. Rat. I can't wait until she starts naming her stuffed animals; this could be very entertaining. 

Vote!!

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It's election day. I hope everyone of voting age manages to make it to the polls today. Here in Georgia, it's raining but I hope that doesn't stop people. We've fought for this, throughout the history of our country. We fought to be free to do it, then we fought for women and African Americans to vote. Don't waste all of the efforts of our forefathers (and mothers) by thinking that it doesn't matter. It does. So please, go vote. 

Shoes + Toddler = Hell

My 21 month old daughter, E, refuses to wear shoes other than her Crocs. Period. The end. Sometimes, she will wear her squeaky shoes without too much heartache. Some days, she won't even wear the Crocs. I think those days, she just doesn't want to leave the house, period. Other days, she puts her Crocs on by herself and insists we leave or go outside. 

You never know what you'll get. It may be a tantrum or a good time, and no one knows which it will be until that minute. 

I'm fairly certain the Crocs are such a hit because she can put them on herself. Independence is key with a strong-willed little girl. 

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So...today, we ordered new winter Crocs. Hello, beautiful, you make my life one tiny bit easier. 

This is IT!

Welcome to my new blog! In this space, I will be sharing about living this messy, colorful life. There are lots of bumps and hiccups along the way, but overall I believe life and the people in it are full of love and light. 

Coming soon:

Tips for dealing with a strong-willed child

How to live with seven cats and cat cuteness

Personal antidotes about creating a happy, healthy marriage

Plenty of personal thoughts

Fun activities to do as a family

Little craft projects suited for little hands

Product advice and things I personally love

A little bit of fashion, for ladies and little girls

ipad favorites

I would be remiss if I said that the only thing we do with our ipad is let our daughter play educational games. Um, no. We let her watch her fair share of Netflix while she colors and plays play dough. And rides in the car. And at bedtime. We have favorite shows, like Barney, Sesame Street, Super Why, and the Wonder Pests Pets. 

She wants to play with the toy, too, though, not just stare mindlessly at it. We usually spend about an hour a day playing apps. One app itself does not usually last very long; she likes to bounce back and forth between several. I'm going to do a quickie review on my favorite three today. &also note that they wouldn't be my favorites if the littles didn't agree.  

My personal favorite is the Itsy Bitsy Spider app by Duck Duck Moose. Um, how could you NOT love an app that is made by such a fun named company?? It is super interactive. Anything you touch reacts. There are different animals jumping through windows, a flower pot that grows a crab, little monsters that slide down a rainbow, a little fly that tells a story and gives factoids. There is a little squirrel on the roof that gathers nuts and counts them. You can make it rain. The graphics are very clear and it entertains the tiny human. &plusalso you can record yourself singing the song and let it be the background music. My husband did the recording on ours and I can only tolerate it a few rounds, but it is still super cute! 

Another favorite is Fish School , also by Duck Duck Moose. Are you seeing a trend here?? This app does letters, numbers, colors, shapes, the alphabet song and a little play session. We have a lot of fun with this. It is easy for her to touch the bubble to switch from one lesson to the next. The fish make the letters, numbers and shapes. When you're doing colors, a school of different shades of fish comes out, then when you select a color fish, a school of that color fish comes out. There's not a whole lot to do and once you go through all the letters, shapes, numbers, etc. you're basically through. You know, you can only do the ABCs so many times. We typically get about ten minutes out of this one. 

Then you have Bugs and Buttons . This app is so much more than just bugs. It has the most educational potential of any of our apps thus far. There is a letter train where you have to pick out the missing letter from several choices at the bottom. There are games, too, where you can sling bees at a target or "pop" ants, roaches, and bees as they scurry across the screen. Those roaches kill me every time. Haha. Honestly, this app has so many different games to play we haven't touched on half of them. I was sold when I read a review saying that it had taught the reviewer's daughter her letters and numbers by the time she was 24 months old or something like that. It's on the app store review if you want the specifics. Anyways, we have sat and played this app for 20+ minutes so it was well worth the money spent. I am hoping the bee flinging game will help prepare her for Angry Birds. She is obsessed with Angry Birds but honestly cannot figure out how to fling them properly. Not that I expect her to at 18 months...it's just, if she wants to play it, can we please learn to play it right?

So, those are our favorite apps of the week this week. And just a quick disclaimer: this post is not sponsored. These are our honest opinions of these apps, and our goal in doing this is simply to help other moms and babies out there find apps they'll love before putting money into them.  

Written by Heather Sullivan. All images and writings copy right 2012.

Dr. Suess Books for ipad

Dr. Suess's ABCs

Dr. Suess books for ipad are one of our favorites. I love them because they don't require wi-fi like Netflix and Mobile Mum, so they work anywhere. My daughter's also familiar with them all from having the actual books read to her, so she enjoys watching. You can set them to auto-play, so if you aren't sitting right there, you're still good. When you touch the pictures, the word pops up and it says it as well. For instance, in Green Eggs and Ham, if you touch Sam-I-Am, it shows "Sam-I-Am" and says it. I love that it is helping her learn the words. Of course, you can also choose the "read to me" option, and turn the pages yourself while it reads out loud. And you can turn off the auto-reading altogether with the "Read It Myself" option, and read it just as you would a regular book. The apps cost $3.99 each, but in my opinion they are well worth it. You'd pay more for a book, and since we take the ipad everywhere we go, it is far less cumbersome than toting all the books with us. 


Dr. Suess's ABCs
Dr. Suess's The Cat in the Hat
Dr. Suess's Beginner Book Collection  This one is $12.99...but it's five books.
Green Eggs And Ham 
The Lorax