COULD HAVE FOOLED ME
A clever ad by Nike. I would love to meet the creative mind behind it . . . bet she has zero body fat and runs like a feather in the wind . . . with a smile on her face, Godluvher.

Despite our 35 pound weight difference, I love her ad. And yes, even sometimes I love "the run." But mostly when I'm done. Especially when greeted at the door with a tall frosty mug of beer. Does that count?

THE ODD COUPLE
Summer fun in the backyard-- clothing optional.

THE FLIP
I'm 100% obsessed with these super cool mini video camcorders. They are about the size of a digital camera (a.k.a. just small enough to fit into Parker's mouth) and are supposedly super easy to use. They even have a USB connector (no cable needed) which makes for easy editing and sharing. My favorite part? They are designable. You can choose from the design gallery, upload your own image, or use the pattern generator . . . don't get me started. Check out all of the fun designs here.

SWIM BIKE RUN
(or watch from the sidelines, make bird call sounds and take pictures).
Here's one of Amy bringing it home at the Gold Nugget Triathlon last weekend. I hope she doesn't get mad at me for posting it without having a signed photo consent form on file but I couldn't resist sharing this one. Besides, when she wins her first national triathlon everyone is going to be begging me for this picture. You're a rock star, Ames! Macaw-Macaw!

I'VE GOT STASH
alert level raised from "orange" to "red.
no m&m's in the house.
mom desperate.
mom resourceful and remembers that she saved half-eaten cadbury chocolate bunny given to the girls for easter this year.
good thing the easter bunny has been living in its own ziploc bag for the last couple of weeks.
mom does some quick math-- the bunny is barely over a month old-- still in the safe zone.
mom realizing that self-control really does come with rewards.
and that desperation really does call for desperate measures.
no time for feeling guilty because mom comes to the conclusion that stealing candy from the kids isn't really stealing anyway (even if it was an easter gift from uncle andy), and especially since they've already forgotten about it (mostly because it's been hidden from them).
just a few slivers of heaven is all mom needs to bring the alert level back down to yellow.

mom recognizing that "the stash" lives . . . even sans m&m's.

MOTHER'S DAY
is behind us. Sunday was a nice day. Casey surprised me with some of my favorite goodies . . . hot coffee from Kaladi, an UNTOUCHED Sunday newspaper, the latest InStyle magazine, white tulips, a breakfast sandwich and room-temperature-lime-flavored Gatorade (the vodka-soda-cranberry cocktails had been flowing the night before if ya hear what I'm saying). The icing on the cake? My husband escorted the girls out of the house for the morning so that I could officially savor all of my goodies in silence. Sans squealing. Sans clinging. Sans responsibility. Just me, my decadent morning treats along with my good buddies S & G whispering "The Sound of Silence" in my ear.

Life is good.

Of course Mother's Day is bittersweet for me. While I have a lot more to celebrate in my life now that I'm a mother, it's a day that I find myself naturally thinking about my own mom and what I would be doing for her if she were still with us today (even though she'd insist on cooking for all of us on "her" day). I would tell her how much I appreciate her. I would tell her how much I admire her. I would tell her how much I love her. We would share "motherhood" stories and giggle the night away to the not-so-gentle hum of my dad's snoring in the other room.

Life IS truly good. But I've learned that it's never quite the same without your mom. And that, in itself, is a testimony to mine.

KARMA?
My mom trying to take just 5 minutes to herself under the sun while camping. Instead, I'm right there in her mug doing everything in my power to keep that from happening.

NOT REALLY A HAIKU
kids napping
the 844 guy tells me it's 66 degrees
should be inside
cleaning
or something
but i'm not

listening to "hey there delilah"
and "mr. brightside"
under the sun
and thinking about the melodies
and the romance
and the good times
and that my air guitar could use some work

or something

where's my old milwaukee when i need it?

COOL BEANS, UNCLE DAN ! ! !

SERIOUSLY?
This is "the" Orla Kiely bag I referenced in one of my previous entries. I did the math and figured at my current SAHM wage I could own it 9 minutes. The fit is described as "Medium: holds at least a wallet, small book and water bottle." She doesn't know it yet, but Orla was thinking of me the day she designed this one.

WORTH THE 7 MINUTES
I was first introduced to this video at my last "book club" gathering. Since then I've watched it at least a half-dozen times. Find out why...

Side note: The gal at 01:23? Pretty sure she's mortified after watching herself on video.