What The...? Wednesday

Denise at There's Always Room For One More has made up her own daily themes this week. Today is What The...? Wednesday.

Here's by take on her theme:

Budget bunk beds?

After my description of Logan's favorite getup in another post, I got a couple requests for photos. This pic is a slight variation on the original.
And for the record, Logan doesn't actually use a pacifier; that's part of the costume
Who knew coffee sleeves could double as upper arm bands and bangle bracelets?
Butting heads? (And those are bubbles floating in the air...)
Thanks for letting me play along Denise!

Random Tip #48

If the front of your shirt ends up covered in poop while you are out in public and you have made the unfortunate decision not to carry spare clothes with you at all times, simply fold the bottom of your shirt up. This protects anything your shirt may touch from becoming contaminated and makes a daring fashion statement. (Maybe the half-shirt will make a comeback for chubby mamas?)

This tip sponsored by Logan!

(And if you'd like to hear more about the delightful event that left me covered in poop you can read this week's Not Me Monday post.)

It's official...I'm a bag lady!

Alicia at More Than Words had a cute tag/post that I thought I'd take advantage of. You are supposed to post about your purse. And since for the first time in nearly 4 years I'm actually carrying a purse and not at diaper bag, I was excited to actually show it off.

Here are the rules!
1) Post a picture of whatever bag you are carrying as of late. No, you cannot go up to your closet and pull out that cute little purse you used back before you had kids. I want to know what you carried today.

2) If there is a story to go along with how you obtained it, I’d love to hear it. (And you're supposed to say how much you paid for it, but I'm not sure that bit of info is all that interesting.)

3) Tag some chicks. And link back to this post so people know why the heck you’re showing everyone your diaper bag/non-diaper bag.

So here goes:

This is the purse I bought myself for Christmas. It's big enough to schlep some kid stuff but doesn't resemble a diaperbag (or at least I hope not). It' a nice durable canvas in a slightly olive color so it hides my kiddos' dirty grubby handprints dirt. And it's hard to tell from the photo but there is a large stitchwork design on the front so it has a bit of character. And to top it off it was 60% off which is key because I'm cheap.

Then I realized I wasn't being completely honest and should fess up. So I zoomed out with my camera to show you this:

This is the other bag I carry (in addition to the above purse) when I'm with the two little people who require tons of stuff kids. In this bag you will find several pairs of Logan's underwear and pants, extra socks and shoes, plastic bags (to carry peed on clothes), drinks and maybe a snack or two. And in fact, there is so little stuff in my actual purse, I've been know to take out my wallet and put in this canvas tote.

Then I realized I still wasn't be 100% truthful. So I zoomed out a bit more with my camera to show you this:

This is the third bag I sometimes carry. It's the overflow bag from bag #2 so it has sweatshirts, matchbox cars and who knows what else has fallen to the bottom.

And I swear, that's all the bags I carry!

If you are reading this and want to play along, consider yourself tagged!

"Not me!" Monday

So, the MOTYs have asked for further proof of my exemplary mothering to be considered for the annual Mama of the Year Awards. (Apparently someone is running a smear campaign against me!) I provided them with the following list of things I'd never ever do in order to show them that I'm the best candidate for this completely fictional prestigious award:

I did NOT make my youngest stand in the restroom at In 'n Out while I paced back and forth wringing my hands freaking out and trying to figure out what to do because I had his poop all down the front of my shirt and he had his poop completely covering his lower half.

I did NOT actually consider asking an employee for a large garbage bag so I could wrap Logan up and take him home nekked from the waist down and covered in poop.

Instead, I did NOT give him a sponge bath in the sink at the restaurant because that would have been totally inappropriate and disgusting. I would NOT have done this even if there was a ridiculous amount of poop to come out of my small son and I could not figure out any other way to get us home.

I do NOT frequently walk around in my bra and pants in the morning while getting everyone else ready. I do NOT duck and run to my bedroom when I realize that my neighbor's window (the one that looks directly into my kitchen) is open.

I did NOT laugh hysterically when Jack asked if we were having an earthquake when in reality it was just my husband's crazy dancing that was shaking the whole house.

When my boys were insisting that they wouldn't take a bath (because it was hair-washing day), I did NOT give them the option of getting hosed off outside. When Logan tried to call my bluff, I did NOT actually start hosing him off on the back porch before he decided he wanted warmer bath water.

I did NOT...oh, wait I can't tell you that one. It was something I actually did do! ;)

For more "Not Me!" Monday posts visit MckMama's site.

100 Things About Me - Installment #1

I enjoy reading bloggers' 100-things-about-me posts. However, by the 32nd thing I usually have forgotten who's blog I'm reading. (Who am I kidding? By #11 I've forgotten!)
I thought it might be fun to try and write one but in the interest of anybody-who-might-actually-read-its sanity I was thoughtful enough to break up the list. In 10 easy installments you can learn everything you ever wanted to know, didn't want to know and could careless about regarding me.

I think it's customary to do this list as your 100th post. My 10th and last installment will be my 100th post (if I can remember).

1. I have ridiculously small feet. In length my feet are a children's size 2 1/2. Honestly, its a miracle I don't fall over.

2. I have ridiculously wide feet.

3. Which is why I ALWAYS wear flip-flops.

4. So it's a good thing I live in sunny Southern California.

5. I hate bats.

6. I secretly love my Honda Odyssey minivan.

7. I not so secretly love my husband.

8. I have to sleep in a bra. (TMI?)

9. I secretly play with my boys' Legos.

10. I've swum with sharks in Belize.

100 Things About Me

In honor of my 100th post, I put together a list of 100, mostly quirky, things about me. In it's original form, it was 10 installments. The final installment was my 100th post, published on April 9, 2009. Here, I have recompiled the list and sorted it into a couple of different categories.

Here you can learn everything you ever wanted to know, didn't want to know and could careless about regarding me.


Regarding my feet:
1. I have ridiculously small feet. In length my feet are a children's size 2 1/2. Honestly, its a miracle I don't fall over.
2. I have ridiculously wide feet.
3. Which is why I ALWAYS wear flip-flops.
4. So it's a good thing I live in sunny Southern California.
75. One of my toes doesn't touch the ground so I only leave a four-toe footprint.


Regarding my mind and the rest of my body:
29. I have a congenital heart defect.
38. I am directionally challenged.
54. I had laser eye surgery several years ago...
55. And can't imagine my life without it.
60. I have a horrible memory.
65. I have asthma.
71. I am a world class procrastinator.
76. I wish I liked to exercise.
78. I inherited my blue eyes from both my grandmothers.
85. I'm all about efficiency (cost efficiency, time efficiency, etc.).


Regarding my husband, Scott:
7. I not so secretly love my husband.
77. I am so thankful that my family eats dinner together every night.
91. My husband and I were best friends...
92. And then roommates...
93. Before we were ever a couple.


Regarding Jack and Logan:
9. I secretly play with my boys' Legos.
16. I think Matchbox cars are one of the best inventions of the 20th century.
21. Nothing makes me happier than my two boys being sweet to each other.
37. I love the smell of sunscreen on the warm shoulders of my nearly-nekked babies.
44. The piece of furniture that I've racked up the most hours in is probably the huge wingback leather rocking chair in my boys' room.
52. I was in labor for 65 hours with Jack.
53. Luckily, Logan's labor was much shorter.
58. I wish I had more time (and more agreeable subjects) to study photography.
61. The only lullaby I sing the boys is Slumber Boat.
81. My sons are 15 months apart to the day.
87. I taught both my boys some sign language when they were little. I still use the sign for "potty" when I don't want to embarrass them (or myself).
90. I "wore" both my boys when they were babies (and I still wear Logan sometimes when he's sick). I plan on being cremated with my sling.


Regarding travel:
10. I've swum with sharks in Belize.
15. I've never giggled as hard as when I zorbed in New Zealand.
25. I thought I lost my eyesight while snorkling in the Cook Islands. (Read the story here.)
40. I've been taken OUT of a Vietnamese hospital by ambulance. (Read the story here.)
45. I love to travel to exotic places because...
46. I love to soak up different sounds, tastes, smells, customs, art.
50. I've slept under the stars on the sands of the Sahara.
51. I have petted a rhino on the Kenyan savanna.
59. I totaled a moped on the island of Naxos and luckily walked away without any major injuries.
66. I lived in Salzburg, Austria for several months.
72. I have hiked the world's most beautiful trek, the Milford Track; 35 miles in New Zealand.
83. In Guatemala, I've climbed Temple IV and the Pyramid of the Lost World at the Tikal ruins.
95. I have chewed on cinnamon bark straight from a tree in Zanzibar.


Regarding sleep:
8. I have to sleep in a bra. (TMI?)
22. I love my bed.
23. I love to sleep.
24. I love pajamas. (Are you sensing a theme?)
30. My husband and I sleep European style (no flat sheet or blanket, just a fitted sheet and a duvet). (TMI?)


Regarding animals:
5. I hate bats.
31. We have a cute mutt named Marley...
32. Whom I wish didn't drive me so insane.
88. I'm not afraid of snakes, spiders or sharks.
89. But I'm terrified of bats because one flew into my hair in the Philippines when I was little.


Regarding books, music, movies and TV:
11. I cry when I hear patriotic music.
12. I wish Gilmore Girls never went off air.
39. Oh, The Places You'll Go is my favorite book.
42. The Goonies might just be my favorite movie of all time.
43. I love to read books.
70. I watch TV every night to unwind.


Regarding food:
18. I am a vegetarian...
19. And have been since I was 8 years old.
20. Chili's makes the best veggie burgers, in my opinion.
26. Coke Zero is my drink of choice.
28. Kiwi makes my lips and tongue go numb.
36. I love potatoes.
56. I don't like the taste of coffee...
57. Or beer.
79. I love, love, love Mexican food.
84. I scream for ice cream.
86. I could eat air-popped popcorn for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
94. I have to have something sweet to eat in the evening.


Regarding my previous life:
33. In a previous life, I worked in advertising.
67. I was a practicing Buddhist for a year...
68. But in typical fashion, I rarely stick with anything.
82. When I was young, I wanted to be a Navy Blue Angel when I grew up.
96. In a previous life, I used to go the movies a lot.
97. I was born in California...
98. And though I grew up living in various places...
99. I always considered myself a California girl.


Regarding everything else:
6. I secretly love my Honda Odyssey minivan.
13. I wear t-shirts...
14. And capri pants everyday.
17. I've been skydiving.
27. My parents are my greatest role models.
34. I had a younger brother...
35. Who I miss very much.
41. I can't stand cleaning my kitchen. If I never saw it again, I'd be perfectly happy.
47. I rarely wear makeup because I usually forget.
48. I never wear perfume because I always forget.
49. I've been know to crochet but can only do blankets and scarves.
62. I hate to admit that I'm not a very good friend.
63. Being a military brat, I prided myself on being able to make friends easily as a kid.
64. But I'm not very good at maintaining the relationships that I form.
69. If I do say so myself, I'm a great party-planner.
73. I'm very organized but...
74. My house is messy.
80. Though she isn't born yet (or even conceived), I think of our daughter everyday.
100. I can't believe that I stuck with blogging long enough to make it to my 100th post.


These were the original 10 installments:
Installment #1
Installment #2
Installment #3
Installment #4
Follow-up to questions from #3 and #4
Installment #5
Installment #6
Installment #7
Installment #8
Installment #9
Installment #10

Random Tip #28

After putting your child in a white shirt (which you rarely do because that would be extremely foolish) and he spills thick dark purple acia berry juice all down the front and you try all the stain removal tricks you know over the course of several days to no avail, simply splash more thick dark acia berry juice on the back of the shirt and sleeves and tell all your friends you got it at that trendy kid's boutique where all the celebrities shop.

This tip sponsored by Jack!