Imperfection

Wasn't it Marilyn Monroe who said "Imperfection is beautiful madness is genius and I would rather be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring?" I probably twisted that.. Jesus Obama just needs to put a sock in it, seriously Fox news is plastered with excuses and lack of accountability. Eating pull apart sticky buns in the kitchen sounds like a much more pleasant idea. The pickup and drop off at 3 separate schools is madness and if I wasn't a better person I'd be mixing my OJ with vodka just to deal..there are hundreds of cars like a parking lot backed up in all directions as all 4 grades have their own lines and the lines they arent movin fast, the 15 minute window between bells seems less like a cushion and more like a race, 2 days in I am speeding up and down side streets at lightening speed making u turns and heart racing cursing the 15mph school zones have managed to get everyone to their respective drop off zones on time however we have 2 schools on one campus each with separate start and end times and somehow along the way I screwed up and got the two schools mixed up..hence I was 15 and 20 min late picking 2 of my boys up today which sucked big time..I felt like such an A-Hole , today I became "that mom" the one who's child is left behind and walked to the office who's mother didn't show up on time...I swear the crossing guard was leering at me from across the room, I went over and over in my head how could I have made this mistake? Never mind 2 of the schools are new schools and the times all changed from last year and they weren't updated on the website last week, I don't make mistakes like this..I still feel consumed with guilt..but they forgave me and I am not perfect got to let it go, won't make that mistake again but still being late to pick up your kids mistake or not just sucks. My little man proceeded to yell at me and kick me in the leg while I was holding a hot pizza in my hands shortly thereafter because I wouldn't give him change for the Chinese junk in the machines sitting there in all its leaded glory. As I was about to escape out of the grocery store with hot pizzas a full cart and an angry 5 yr old trying to block my path I realized I was charged for 36 boxes of frikin Gogurts. Seriously? I thought about saying F*ck it but the 24 boxes I was overcharged for equaled out to be $71.00 so there I was at the dreaded customer service trying to explain hey I only bought 12 boxes not 36 which I had to do like 4 times before they would issue a credit. In cases like this they always act as though it is your fault, many people in "customer service" anymore just act like they are doing you a favor and keep you wondering about your probable neurosis. Good times. I love the fact that Al Gore isn't afraid to call bullshit, I for one do believe in global warming much to my husbands dismay. The quitting smoking thing is really touch and go, my anxiety is bad anyways sometimes but this afternoon can you say through the roof.. The day it winded down and things are settled now. The little man is happy again, I apparently needed to be reminded that I am not perfect and life goes on....now to totally change the subject this is what we see on the sidewalk in AZ when we take our evening walks...jealous?

Tarantula

The Big 2.0

                                             
20 Positive Things That Happened Today

1. I did numerous lunges before 7 am

2.I splurged on fancy coffee just for me

3. While walking up the stairs with 2 pieces of carrot cake I decided to take a bite of one mid flight and ended up getting a mouth full of cream cheese frosting

4. I was still getting compliments on that green dress I wore yesterday from the girls at Starbucks this morning, apparently it was flattering in all the right places, maybe I will live in it?

5. When telling someone about the acceptance of my final project on Recovery they asked me "Are you in recovery?" To which I answered well yes I don't drink and for good reason...think I handled it okay

6.I got my son to believe that if he doesn't do what I say I can wiggle my nose and turn into any animal in particular a rabid dog who will chase him down the stairs.. and he believed me..

7. I got to see my coffee shop friends and a few new ones this morning.

8.I was really able to relax during yoga tonight

9.Saved $57.00 at the grocery store.

10. Spent $9.99 on a pack of cigs .. my last pack

11. I have feet full of Peppermint Burt's Bees Lotion

12. Half Price Pizza Day

13. I had a good conversation with someone for whom I care for very much

14. I smoothed waters

15. I was able to look at my decision to move forward from my job knowing that this is for my own good

16. I studied Warhol & deKooning in my down time today

17. Decided I no longer need a $100 dollar an hour hair stylist

18. Was able to cheer my teenager up

17. Was able to pick a little man up that fell out of bed and hold him till he fell back asleep

18.Was able to reassure the middle man about his apprehension starting 5th grade at a new school

19. Theres fancy Italian ice cream in the freezer

20. Staying focused on peace...

How about you, what happened in your life today?

Tell me something good...

 

20 Things On Tuesday

I read all the time, in fact I read more than I write, and I write a lot. I thought it would be appropriate that I pay recognition to some of the fantastic writers out there who are capturing my attention this week. Inspiring me, enlightening me, and sparking new ideas, thought patterns and feelings.. I hope that you may find something within this post that gets your attention too..
1. Patience
2. Happiness Is Bliss
3. 75 Reminders For Tough Times
4. 7 Steps To Becoming An Art Collector
5. Groceries Expense or Investment?
6. Bits Of Sunshine
7. The Farm Chicks
8. Food For Our Spirituality
9.The Red Dress Club Writers Workshop
10.20 Minutes A Day Naked
11.Whiskey & Porn
12.Sweet Summer Nights
13.Strawberry Jam
14.Views On Buddhism
15.Grandmas Guide To Life
16.Whats For Dinner
17.Buddhist Bugs
18.Summer Pudding
19.Happy Together
20.Stringing Pompoms

Happy Reading!!

20 Things On Tuesday

This Weeks Topic My Favorite Tweets of the Day!
Lets Get Going Shall We...

1. Making a thousand friends is not a miracle. A miracle is making one friend who will stand by your side when thousands are against you.
2. Stalker's suck
3.Remember that a simple Thank You goes a long way, Embrace Gratitude!
4.To keep the body in good health is a duty – otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. Buddha
5.Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens. Carl Jung
6. Marriage is like a tense, unfunny version of Everybody Loves Raymond
7.Happy are they whose God is the Lord -Psalm 144:15
8.space is the breath of art. -frank lloyd wright
9.God = (G)ood (O)rderly (D)irection. Stay on course
10.Follow your heart, but don’t forget to take your brain with you.
11.2 ways 2 live life.. Like nothings a miracle and like everythings a miracle
12.You have enemies? Good! That means you've stood up for something!
13.Believe there are no limits but the sky. Cervantes
14.The only real nation is humanity.- Paul Farmer
15.Daily #OneGoodThingToday for a Monday at work: Say 'Good Morning' to someone.
16.Rise & Grind
17.Fellas:: u'll never FULLY understand ur lady.. That's ok though! ur real duty is to jus care for & love them
18.Beauty gets the attention but personality gets the heart.
19.There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.- Edith Wharton
20.Nonviolence is a weapon of the strong.- Mohandas K. Gandhi

Hope you have enjoyed Twitter Life Coaching for today! Until Next Time...

20 Things On Tuesday

This Weeks Topic: Current Events 6-7-2k11

1. Almost 40% of homeowners who took out second mortgages in the form of home equity loans are underwater on their loans.
2. Banks, investors and companies are scrambling to cope with uncertainty.
3. Bill Gross's Pimco took a bath in loading up on Lehman debt before the investment bank cratered, new court documents show.
4. Nobel peace winning economist Peter Diamond withdrew his name from consideration to become a Federal Reserve governor.
5. Obama's top economic adviser. Austan Goolsbee, has decided to resign later this year to return to the University of Chicago.
6. Rep. Anthony Weiner admits to sending pictures of his penis to women online.
7.The White House holds talks with Israeli and Palestinian negotiators as it tried to jump-start Mideast peace talks.
8. The State Department plans to spent close to $3 billion to hire a private security force to protect diplomats in Iraqi's U.S. troops pull out.
9.Five U.S. troops were killed by a rocket barrage in Baghdad, the largest one-day toll for U.S. forced in Iraq in 2 years.
10.Syria vows to retaliate after forces were ambushed.
11.NATO launches a series of air strikes against Tripoli as it seeks to build pressure on Gadhafi.
12. Chinese companies embark on shopping spree in Europe.
13.Former Sen. Santorum entered the race for the GOP presidential nomination with a harsh critique of Obama.
14. Apple's Steve Jobs takes a break from medical leave to show off the company's new online music service ITunes Match.
15.AZ Governor declared a state of emergency in two counties where a massive wildfire has forced evacuations and threatens New Mexico.
16. Alabama county aims to slash 33% of its workers.
17.Japan concedes severity of blast.
18.Bargain hunting continues in Greece.
19.Riskier behavior is seen in gay teens, study finds. Survey conducted on 156,000 anonymous teens via the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.
20. Top used keywords according to Google searchers used to find my blog, "How to Get Laid in Your 30's", "Motivating Forces", and "Avocado, Strawberry & Lemon".. Okay I will go with that...

Discuss?

June Bugs

Sarah Ban Breathenach declares June the month to "Dunk strawberries and romance your flaws."

I for one will be doing neither, lately I am not into making peace with my flaws rather I am playing Ms. Fix it. I have set out to make a slew of strawberry cakes this month, first there was this colorful throwback next up I am heading over to Smittenkitchen to try this one on for size to see if I could top last summers Strawberry Shortcake Cake.
June so far has been full of gnats. They are everywhere, flying in my face, skydiving in my drinks, waiting in the wings to dive head first into dinner plates. Okay maybe I am exaggerating but it's getting old. At least it's not as bad as my ex brother in laws trailer aka "Lord of the Flies" which didn't leave the Sandy Beach in Rocky Point for three months, in fact I don't know if he left the trailer.I still don't know how anyone could coexist with the hundreds of flies that made the trailer their home, oh and the humidity..I think it may very well have been the closest to hell I have seen.
I would love to linger in the summers day, admire the fireflies and kiss the full moon. But this is Arizona, void of fireflies and car seats that burn your ass. Oh how I miss tearing their buts off and making light up buttons out of them. Actually I never did that my friends did, the thought of tearing their buts off grossed me out. I would catch them and keep them next to a jar by my bed, until one day I realised I didn't leave enough air flow and they all died, that was the end of that.
This is wedding season for those of you that don't know or who perhaps like me found the first available homeless man and took him to the 24 hour chapel in Vegas. It could have happened.
Summer is the time of year where I like to take what I call a time out. Cooking food that reflects the seasons, contemplating what new art work I will be buying and this year I am taking this time out to redecorate and revitalize the rooms in my home. I will be launching my cooking website after the Summer semester and because I flaked out on our family reunion this July I will be taking my vacation in California beach side instead. This coupled with a handful of road trips up North and who knows where as we take our Diners Drive Inns & Dives expedition.
Or maybe I just might embrace a more radical lifestyle..

Ryan McGinnis



20 Things On Tuesday

This Weeks Topic: You

1. Wake up a half hour earlier every day than you normally do..graduate to an hour once your body is used to it  use this time to reflect on the day before and anticipate the day ahead.
2. Treat every one you meet today from the lady behind the counter serving your coffee, to the customer seeking your service to the mailman as if they are the most important person in the world.
3. One of the best things you can do for your body when you wake up: before you go for a cup of coffee drink a glass of warm lemon water to give your insides a bath.
4. Eat something good for your body to start the day..raw foods, soy milk, steel cut oats infused with green tea, whole grain toast with orange marmalade..take the time to enjoy it..
5. Smile throughout the day even if you don't feel like doing so..it will surely brighten your mood
6. Pay random compliments to people you encounter..acknowledge a pretty dress, a new haircut, a darling child...spread the love
7.Eat your veggies for lunch..fresh salads..snack on things like almonds, hummus and fresh fruit between meals
8. Take your vitamins
9. Make smoothies when your on the go..yogurt, ground flax seed, berries, bananas, ice, fresh orange juice and greens if you dare..your body will love you for it
10. Take the time to enjoy a hot bath once in a while..experiment with oils and salts..clear your mind and just be
11. If life ever has you down look up..study what you see..the beautiful stars in the sky can really make you and silly problems suddenly insignificant
12. Get out and move..walk for 15 min if that's all the time you have..start your morning with a swim..stretch..dance..get the jogging stroller going...just keep moving
13.If you have children take them to do something fun regularly..let them take turns picking..the zoo..museum..a train ride..it is just important to have that time together no matter what they choose..the family that has fun together stays together..it's true!
14.Nix the processed food from the house..gradually decrease the amount you bring home..this is something that will take a little time but oh so worth it..you'll find you'll have more left in your wallet after a shopping trip too
15.When you do things you'd rather not be try and treat them as though they are meaningful and meditative..even something as mundane as cleaning the house..use natural cleaning products..they are cheap and better for you and your home..white vinegar..rubbing alcohol..baking soda..and newspaper..it's about all you need..find a favorite essential oil..and add a drop here and there in your cleaning solution or a few drops in your laundry..I like lavender it is a calming and soothing scent.
16.Tell the people that you love that you love them every day , it will lift your heart to do so
17.Treat yourself once in a while, even if it's just once a month..if you are strapped for cash look for coupons and use them to get your nails done..those tired shoulders massaged or a few bright highlights to frame your face..buy a flirty pair of earrings or sexy panties even if you are the only one seeing them..these little things can go a long way
18. Love yourself..and know what that really means..continue on your path until you find out..when you do it as if you have found the holy grail..the secret to living this thing called life
19.If you are going to spend your time with someone whether it be a husband boyfriend date or friend make sure you aren't wasting your time..life is too short to be wasted on bad company
20.Buy yourself flowers...You're worth it!

20 Things On Tuesday

This Weeks Topic: Children

1. Children put out what you put in them...treat them with respect and love..create a loving and gentle world for them to thrive in void of violence fear and ridicule.
2. Tell them you love them every day
3. Children need praise and encouragement often..make it a point to acknowledge their good behavior and good  qualities on a regular basis
4. If you have never read the story of Eric Morse, you need to..tonight..and hold him in your heart
5. Play a game with your children at least once a week
6. Let them listen to classical music..Mozart..Bach..and also The Beatles from a very young age
7. Offer them pure clean water or brewed green tea over sugary juices..soda and gatorade.
8. Massage their backs from the time they are infants, learn the healing power of your hands and use it when they have had a bad day at school, need restful sleep or fall ill.
9. Utilize Elderberry juice and extract  along with Zinc when they get sick instead of over the counter cold medicine
10. Be aware of the children around you..the ones who are classmates with your kids..the ones who come over to play..if you see something that isn't quite right or you feel something is the matter trust your instincts and tell someone.
11. If you are single be careful who you let into your life and around your children. When a child is abused or hurt statistics show that 85% of the time it is the mothers boyfriend that is the culprit.
12. Make them take their vitamins..every day
13. Raise boys who treat women with respect, do not tolerate anything less
14. Instill self confidence in your daughter too..it is important for girls growing up to have a positive self image of themselves and that they are not put down. Verbal abuse will have a detrimental impact in so many ways as they go through life.
15. Never call your child a bad name
16. Remember if you have ever done something for which you know you wouldn't win the parent of the year award, it is never to late to fix it and not make the same mistake.
17. Don't sweat the small stuff. Nothing or Nobody (including your children) are perfect.
18. If there is a problem with a child's behavior address it right then and there. It is important to distinguish to them that although they have done a bad thing they are not bad people. Help them to understand the possible repercussions of their actions and the reason for which they occurred. Do not waste time on time outs..they never work in accomplishing anything for the long haul..
19. Your child's health is the most important thing inside and out..take charge of making sure they are well looked after by dentists and Dr.'s If you are one of millions of Americans which are uninsured research free clinics, free shot events, and free screening in your area and take advantage of them.
20. Finally they only get one childhood, make it a magical one.

20 Things On Tuesday

This weeks topic: FOOD

1. I should have known better than to bring the 5 lb bag of peanut M&M's home
2. The peanut M&M's were a result of an impulsive purchase from a phone salesman which involved new ink cartridges and 45 day billing..it was the M&M's that sealed the deal.
3. Tomorrow is left over night..thank god..we will be eating a cornucopia of  pot roast & veggies..meat sauce & pasta..steak sandwiches..and pasta with scampi sauce.
4. Thinking of this along with the M&M's make me want to consume nothing more than carrot juice the rest of the week.
5. I once made this You Won't Be Single For Long Pasta from Rachel Ray and he hated it, I haven't made one of her recipes since.
6. I do need recipes for 30 min. meals however that do not taste as though they only took a half an hour to prepare.
7. Salad bars freak me out, all of the items in the open like that with coughing children..fruit flies.. I don't trust them, anyone could just sneak up and add a little cyanide to the canned beats.
8. A much better idea would be for me to be proactive about dicing veggies & fruit when bought, put them in small labeled containers so salads would be easier to throw together or let everyone build their own.
9. I am intrigued by women who cook all of their meals for the week (rather prep) them on Sunday so it is just a matter of blending ingredients together and cooking through the week.
10. I can't remember the last time I had eggs.
11. I got my subscription to Practical Saver and this along with Bountiful Baskets should allow for next months grocery dollar to stretch considerably.
12. I used to be a coupon fanatic, I would save ridiculous amounts of money to aid in easing my growing families budget. But then I started buying things ahead of time I didn't need and developed a hoarding problem with scotch tape, body lotion and sharpies.
13. I have been lax on using coupons over the past few years as I have boycotted major grocery stores (for the most part) and shop local 90% of the time.
14.Asparagus is in season and on sale..we have been eating it for the last 3 weeks and I so need a new way to prepare it.Or shall I say 3 of us have been eating it and 2 of us haven't been touching it.
15. I wish I would have got around to making all of the fantastic soups that were slated for this Winter but I have run out of time..it is 90 degrees and somehow soup just doesn't jive when the A/C is blowing like crazy.
16. The last time I made something that involved chicken and the crock pot it scarred me , I don't think I will ever go there again..2 words greasy mess.
17. Cathy's Rum Cake will be making my reception cake.. I think cake doesn't get any better than this..it is the food of the gods.If I was stuck on a deserted island with only one food to survive on it would be rum cake.
18. I have tried out several restaurants owned by so called "celebrity chefs" in the city and left so not impressed. Don't believe the hype.
19.I have a thing for Thai food lately.. I need to learn how to make it as I want it more than going out will allow.
20.Praise be the husband who seasons and grills my fish before the 4 T-bones hit the grill for him and the boys.

Tuesdays Twenty Things

I would like to get to know you..
You see Tuesday is often a day where I am at a loss for words.. Usually it involves the routine of work dinner laundry and sleep..nothing too exciting...
If the same can be said for you then lets make some new friends and get this party started..
I will be choosing 20 Things Every Tuesday in order to get to know you better..
All you have to do is make the list.. your answers can be funny or sentimental or both this is your rodeo!
Please add your Link to the post below.. and please link back to me the more on board the better!
 ( Pretty Little Buttons May Be Popping Up Here Shortly)


This Weeks Topic : 20 Things You Probably Don't Know About Me

1. I have been consistently employed since the age of 13
2. I remember everything I read
3. My book collection is in the hundreds
4. I am total OCD when it comes to dirty clothes if there is laundry in the basket I'm washin it same if it has only been worn briefly
5. I was in a relationship for 18 years.. 10 of which I was married
6. I have made a lot of bad decisions a lot of risky decisions but I have learned from them
7. I don't eat meat
8. I feel off if I don't get my weekly Vitamin B12 shot.. I call it my crack
9. My hairdresser is one of the most important men in my life
10. The decision to stop drinking alcohol was the single best decision I have ever made
11. And one of the hardest things I have ever had to do...
12. I am a huge Woody Allen fan ..New York Stories.. Nick Nolte painting to Procul Harum..enough said
13. I hate drinking water
14. I spend more money at Starbucks than I do my car payment every month
15. I know more about cars than most men do
16. I don't have many close friends and I prefer it that way
17. Chicken Wings and Pumpkin Cake are the 2 things I make best
18. My three boys are what makes my world go round
19. I have the love of a good man who has saved my life in so many ways but also saved me from myself
20. I currently have a fascination with Soy