Freebie!

I've been a member of this website called Vocalpoint for some time now.  It's a community of only moms that can give their opinions on everything from products to time management.  And sometimes you get to try a product for free.  Today I got a link to reserve a coupon for a free try of a new cold therapy from Vicks called Vicks Nature Fusion.  It's new, so I obviously don't know much about it, but I do know that it uses honey instead of artificial sweetners AND it's gluten-free.  If you'd like to snag a $4 off coupon just follow this link.

http://www.vocalpoint.com/BeTheFirstCoupon

My Dirty Little Secret

Some of you may already know this, but for those of you that don't here goes...  I have a dirty little secret.  It's pretty bad.  I've hid it from family and friends.  I've allowed it to take over my life.  I've let it keep me from social engagements.  I've used it as an excuse not to clean my house.  I've let it take time away from my kids.  And I've spent money on it that we don't have.  Any guesses?  Well, it's time to come out of the proverbial closet..

I'm a smoker.

At least, I was.  Until today.

I started smoking when I was seventeen.  Peer pressure and all that.  But what started out as a social habit has grown into a monster that I have dealt with for the better part of 17 years.  And what I've finally realized is this.  I'm letting something control me.  For those of you who know me, I think you could attest to the fact that I can be a bit of a control freak.  And I definitely lash out when I think someone is trying to control my life.  Nevertheless, I have allowed these tiny death sticks to do just that.  So a couple of months ago, I started praying really hard that God would send me some kind of help.  And he did, in the form of a study by the University of Michigan.  I was assigned to a group in this study that receives nicotine patches for 8 weeks, as well as online and phone support. With their help, I picked today as my quit date, and have been mentally preparing for this day for a month.

So this morning, I woke up and the first thought in my head was "I could start tomorrow".  Addiction rears it's ugly head. But I reminded myself of all the reasons I want to do this.  Starting with the major (being around for my kids longer), and continuing on into the minor (you won't smell like you've been hanging out with Satan all day..you know, where there's smoke...). So I got into the shower, made the coffee, and dutifully put on my nicotine patch.  And guess what? It's not so bad.  I poured my coffee and immersed myself in my favorite cookie blog.  Yes, there was a constant battle going on in my head.  It literally felt like two people were having a fight.  But the good Carrie won out.  I'm sure it won't continue to be this easy, but for now... Carrie - 1 Cigarettes - 0.

Quick side note...

I just found peanut butter in my hair.  Now is that sexy, or what?

Here we go...again.

Ok, so it's been almost a year since I posted last.  I really am beyond ridiculous.  I have this problem, you see.  I can't seem to finish what I start.  Just ask my husband.  He can attest to the many unfinished crochet projects that lie around the house.  He could tell you all about the piles of newspapers and coupons that still need to be organized into my binder.  Not to mention the unfinished children's book.  Or the garden I was supposed to start this year....I could go on and on, but you get the picture.  Maybe I should think of a new name for this blog.  Procrastination 101, maybe? Unfinished business? How to be a not-so-supermom?  Okay, enough of the self beating. Let's just start over. Again.

Part of the problem is I've been trying to decide on just one thing to blog about, but it's just not in my nature.  So here are the things I'm involved, or would like to be involved, in : Cooking, baking, crocheting, photography, gardening, couponing, and writing. And of course the most important, my family.  For now, I'm just going to write about whatever interests me that day.  I'm sure my posts will be erratic at best, but bear with me. I'll find my way....eventually.  At least we'll all have a good laugh watching me fumble around.

And speaking of procrastinating....when I woke up this morning I was determined to have a spotless house by the end of the day.  Instead I spent the morning playing with photo apps on my phone, and now that the kids are down for their nap, I've spent almost the entire time on the computer.  Isn't it amazing that my blog gets written when I have piles of laundry to fold, and toilets that need to be scrubbed?  Guess I better get to it.

Strawberry Cupcakes!

Apparently I have nothing interesting to talk about. If I did, I might be on here more than once a month or so. But I did make strawberry cupcakes this week! I made a strawberry puree and folded it into my batter. After the batter was in the cups, I added some more puree on top and slightly mixed it in. Then I made some tasty strawberry buttercream frosting to top it all off. They were soooo delicious. I ate way too many and had to bust my butt at Pilates this morning hoping to counteract the calories...lol.

Really?!

Wow. My last blog was in May...really? I love how horribly unmotivated I can be. I really don't understand myself. When I started this back in May, I told myself that I would write EVERY DAY. No matter what...EVERY DAY. Even if I really had nothing to say...EVERY DAY!!!! What is wrong with me? I wish I could tell you that it's because I'm a busy mother of two. I wish I could tell you that my kids were neatly pressed and dressed everyday. That my house is immaculate. That I never get behind on laundry or dishes. I really, really wish I could tell you that I'd mopped my kitchen floor at least once in the last month...but I can't. I can tell you that I've spent an obscene amount of time on Facebook. I can tell you that I've watched more reality tv than is healthy for any human being. And I can also tell you that I've carefully followed other blogs, while paying no attention to my own. Ugh. Oh well, let's start over then. See you tomorrow! Or will I?

Mother's Day

So, my Mother' s Day didn't go exactly as I'd planned it. I woke up with a bit of a stomach ache, which is always fun. We didn't get ready in time to make it to church, and I was really looking forward to going as a family. The weather, that has been beautiful all week, took a turn to the wet and dreary. This pretty much made any outdoor activity impossible with two small children. And Chloe decided to wake up in a very cranky mood. Sigh.

But then, something started to happen. Chloe gave me the cutest Mother's Day Card. It had flowers and ladybugs on it, and she had scribbled all over it. Brandon had taught her to say "Happy Mother's Day". Music to my ears. My card from Brandon was equally as endearing...he always knows exactly what to say to turn me into a big pile of mush. He whipped me up a cinnamon bagel and butter for breakfast, which was about all my stomach could handle. We spent the morning watching Jonah smile and coo. My friend Lindsey surprised me by stopping by the house and bringing me flowers. It was so thoughtful of her, especially considering how busy she is right now. I put them up right next to the beautiful roses Brandon brought home for me last night. I got to finish my latest crochet project, and watch whatever I wanted on TV. That ended up being Little Women. I'd forgotten how much I love that movie, and that book. I need to read it again. Brandon watched Jonah so I could go to bed, catch up on my current book (New Moon), and take an afternoon nap. My stomach finally started feeling better. And now, I've just come in from the patio where I was watching Chloe run gleefully all over the back yard, while Brandon is grilling me a New York strip steak and some super jumbo shrimp. Jonah is sleeping peacefully in his swing, and somehow I can't help but thinking...this is the life.

So, no. My Mother's Day didn't go exactly as I planned. The best ones never do.