Nike has had some great campaigns.  One of my favorites is “If You Let Me Play Sports.”  Recently, I found this ad (Nike+ Men vs. Women TV Ad Featuring Paula Radcliffe & Fernando Torres)  that makes me giggle—at heart I’m still the only sister with three brothers to beat I guess.  To be honest, I don’t wear Nike shoes because they never fit me right.  I do love the Nike+ system though and have been enjoying the special area of their website and joining different c... Read Full Story

I went to visit a friend the other day.  She just had a baby.  Actually, she just had her first baby.  I qualify because if you have children, you know there’s a big difference between having your first and having another.   I walked in, washed my hands with lots of antibacterial soap, and pretended not to want to snatch the little mush ball right off his grandmother’s shoulder.  She asked, “do you want to hold him?” and I feigned shock and surprise saying, “Ar... Read Full Story

Tonight my son came home to tell me that you gave him advice for me—advice on how *I* can help Duke do a better job with his homework.  As Duke began to tell me, “Mr. Smartypants said what you should do is distract Zilla and Princessa and make a quiet place for me so I can get my work done.  Say.. from 3:30 to 5 or something.” I felt very much like Ursula the octopus from the little mermaid.  Growing ever larger and taller until I could begin to swing and take my wrath out on t... Read Full Story

Recently, there’s been a lot of hubbub over the FCC’s new rule on bloggers and social media.  If you endorse a product in return for compensation (money, free stuff, tickets, shoulder rub) you need to say so or be fined $11,000.  If you want to know more about the rule, go here.  I bring this up (I almost always have a point—almost) because I just made a necklace and bracelet with some really pretty new stones.  These stones were provided to me absolutely free from an onl... Read Full Story

I would think with the volume of agreements I had to sign in the beginning of the year saying that I was a “partner” in my son’s education and am fully aware of checking his assignments and schedule you wouldn’t try to sabotage me tonight.  I understand that you want as many students as possible to attend your astronomy night.  I can imagine how frustrating it is to get children to be excited about looking through a telescope.  There is no way they can appreciate the magnifica... Read Full Story

I picked up Max from school.  He’s pretty happy with this new arrangement of not having to ride the bus home.  I had to run to the library before going home so we had a few minutes to talk. He said, “Mom, I got a warning today.”  I asked him why.  With a disappointed look on his face and sigh, he said “Well, I was running instead of walking..” “Oh… were you…” He cut me off and continued. “..and I didn’t raise my hand.  and I wasn’t being respectful because I was talk... Read Full Story

If you’re a mom there are a couple of different camps regarding back-to-school.  There are the very vocal, can’t wait for the school supply letter type and the other who don’t want to look too anxious to get rid of their kids.  They say things like, I will miss them! The house will be so empty without them.  They were a joy this summer.  We had such a great time together.    Those mothers are the ones I would like to choke. Each June I look forward to the en... Read Full Story

I have the Nike+ thing which has a lot of cool features.  One is that my screen saver is connected to my workout program.  When I miss a workout or start to slack off my screen saver starts giving me a hard time.  This afternoon it accused me of being in a rut and tonight it called me a couch potato.  It was time to get back on the road and get some miles under my feet. We finished dinner and I hurriedly put on my sneaks and grabbed the iPod.  About 300 feet away from... Read Full Story

Relax all your parents out there.  I have found the secret to making your children clean their room.  Below is the chart I printed out and put on the wall of their room: ~~~~~~~~~~~ You will clean your room EVERYday. I don’t care who did it, who spilled it, who stepped on it, who made it, who peed on it, who dealt it, you are responsible for your room. WORK IT OUT Here is what I expect to see EACH morning: 1. All clothes put away—No stacks of clean/dirty clothes on beds... Read Full Story

We had recently redecorated the boys' room by adding loft beds. We had to take down all the pictures while doing this and it was time to put them back up.  After all, Grandpa and Oma are coming.. gotta make the place look good and get things organized.  I know I'm a tad picky but when it comes to the bedroom I think the floor should be clear, the closet doors should be able to open and close fully, clean clothes should be put AWAY and I want the damned drawers on the dressers CLOSE... Read Full Story