I used THE Soap!

"Thanks so much, I love it! I'm going to save it."

"That is so pretty.  It is too nice to use.  I'm going to save it."

"Wow.  That is so sweet.  I'm going to save these."


How many time have you received something or purchased something for yourself and immediately said one of those sentences?  What are you "saving" these things for?!  I am a "saver".  I have a weird collection of items in my closet that are "too nice" to use and I'm saving them!  I don't know what I am saving them for, but let me tell you, when the Apocalypse comes, I'm going to look great in my cashmere sweater and smell great from my hand milled soap collection!

Last week we had a house guest.  He was very sweet and brought me some very nice hand milled soaps.  A few days later, my daughter asked if she could use one of the soaps in her bath.  My response, "no,  I'm going to save them".  She innocently asked, "for what Mommy?"  That stumped me.  I had no idea! Why I am I saving this soap? And why I am saving all of that other stuff?  Stuff that is too nice to use or wear.

I am not going to think like that anymore!  So, we opened the soap (oatmeal honey) and my little girl felt so special to use it and had  pretty, soft skin after her bath!

Are you a saver?  What are some of the things that you have been saving?  Me, mainly high end sweaters and soap. I do have some random things as well!  One of my girlfriends gave me a beautiful set of placements and napkins from India.  Before, they would have gone in the drawer, because I needed to save them and they were too pretty to use.  I'm proud to say they look beautiful on my dining room table.  Every time I walk by, I see the pretty flowers and think of my friend.  We haven't actually used the placemats yet, but they are out and I am enjoying them!  Now, I'm not about to put out my white hand towels with the embroidered shamrocks, because I know they will be ruined in minutes.  But, I do believe I have a set of Vera Bradley Paperclips in my closet that I'm going to dig out and put on my desk......

Thanks for stopping by.  Have a great day!

She's so lost....

That is what I heard my six year old daughter whisper to her eight year old brother the other day.  We were driving to camp.  It was the kids first day of camp and we had been there many, many times before. (My four kids did an awesome three day camp program at Pump It Up in Leesburg, VA. 9-3 each day!!)

Next I heard,  "Mom are you sure you know where you are going? Maybe you should just use the GPS.  It is there to help you".  Now, I am the first to admit I can't really read a map and I am challenged when it comes to directions and often I do utilize the lady that lives in the dashboard to help me.  But, not this time.  I really did know where I was going.  This did not put my daughter at ease.  She was anxious and she didn't want to be late to camp!

Then I started having flashbacks of when I was child.  My younger sister and I in the backseat of the station wagon.  Having no idea where we were going, and believing that our mom didn't either.  "Mom, maybe we should stop at that gas station and ask for directions" or "Mom, there is a lady walking a dog, maybe we can just ask her".  This was before the days of cell phones and GPS.  No lady in the dashboard to help us!

Thankfully, my children can read maps.  When he was a toddler my oldest would spend hours looking at maps.  Every time my sister would go to Disney, we asked her to bring back some Park maps.  This would keep my son entertained in the stroller our if we went out to eat.  Still to this day, when we are on vacation, I pick up a few of those "freebie" guide books and let my kids read them while we are waiting for dinner.

Are you direction challenged?  What are some tips that you use to help stay sane?

Thanks for stopping by & enjoy your weekend!

Eggcellent!

I just made hard boiled eggs in the microwave.  Yes, the microwave!  I am so excited, I just had to share this little tip!

-Take a large microwave safe bowl, fill it 1/2 way with water
-Microwave on high for 3 minutes
-Add your eggs (I did two)
-Microwave on 50% for 8 minutes

I am going to go enjoy some egg salad for lunch!

What do you use your microwave for?  Have a great weekend!

Multiplicity Magazine - Summer 2013

The summer issue is here!  Be sure to check out my article on page 8!

Click below for link.  Happy Reading!

Multiplicity Summer 2013

and the back to school drama continues...

Last I checked, it was July.  July 16th to be exact.  My older two kids (8 year old son and 6 year old daughter) go back to school on September 3rd.  Roughly 48 days (not that I'm counting).  I have no idea when my twins go back.  I know it is September - their preschool will email or mail me something so we show up on the correct date and time!

My 6 year old has become a back to school drama queen.  It is way too early in the summer for this, we have plenty of more pool days and a trip to the beach ahead of us before I am ready to throw in the towel on summer!  The most recent drama was over the backpacks (read my last post on the Great Back Pack Debate to catch up!).  This was settled amicably.  For giving up the Hello Kitty Backpack, we reached an agreement or settlement I should say!  Backpack from brand of mom's choice, pattern of kid's choice and one Hello Kitty Lunchbox with a pink sequin bow.  Hopefully the sequins will not fall off into my daughter's lunch, but that is a story for another time.  Backpacks ordered and delivered! (I scored some really, really cutes ones too!  Landsend was having amazing clearance sales - back packs were $14.99 each + free shipping.  I know these bags are going to last a few years too.)  I ordered back packs for my three little ones (6 year old and 4 year old twins).  I was not planning on getting my oldest son a new back pack this year (he has a great one from last year that is just fine).  But, with the money I saved on the other backpacks and a nice 30% off Kohl's coupon from Grandma, my oldest will be sporting a brand new back pack at the bus stop too!  (this was so much easier - I gave him a price point, pulled up the Kohl's website and he did a great job picking it out himself!)

Walmart & Target have started the back to school sales already.  I was able to finish my shopping and get some really, really good deals.  I made the mistake of taking three of the kid with me on Sunday to Walmart.  Sunday at Walmart is scary busy to begin with, then add in the kids!  We went and were prepared.  We had the list from the school with what we needed to buy for each class.  Of course the 6 year old did not want any of the items that are required for first grade.  She wanted notebooks and folders with Hello Kitty, sparkles and puppies!  I did give in for one Hello Kitty folder (97 cents that my daughter promised she would pay for!)  and we went with the "good stuff" on the school supplies.  My children will be returning to school this year with name brand products too (apparently my daughter is still upset about taking in Roseart Crayons and generic glue last year that would not stick.  This year, thanks to Walmart we were able to get the brand names for a quarter each! I wonder if I scarred her for life on this glue!)

Here I thought I was in good shape!

Backpacks  - check
School Supplies - check

Next on the list, school shoes.  Of course the 6 year old wants a pair of $60 ballerina sneakers that she just has to get this week, and pretty dresses so she has them for the first week of school.  She is asking several times a day for these.  Several times.  It is July.  July 16th.   I don't think so.  She will get some new shoes, but we will hold off on these until August!

Have you started your back to school shopping yet? Are you counting the days until the bus comes?!

Thanks for stopping by!


























Please note: I have not been compensated in any way, shape or form by the vendors mentioned in today's post.  This is just my personal experience and opinion.

The Great Back Pack Debate, Season II

It is not even July 1st and my kids are already pestering me about backpacks.  I mean asking me about backpacks.  I'm quite pleased that they are all excited about entering their new grades, but can't we have a moratorium on school supplies until at least August 1st?

Thank you Toys R Us for sending out the sales flyer promoting backpacks (it is actually a good deal, buy one backpack get a lunch box free).  Thank you Pottery Barn and Lands End too for sending out your fall catalogues.  My children will get new shoes and backpacks for school, but we will hold off on new school clothes until October.  If  I bought their fall sweaters and pants now, they would not fit my kids come the fall!  (Another bonus, here in Virginia it stays pretty warm until at least Columbus Day and they can wear their summer clothes with some new pieces bought at end of season sales!)

But, I digress from the backpacks.  My six year old is begging.  Begging and pleading for a Hello Kitty Back Pack on Wheels.  The backpack is only$16.99 and won't break the bank and it does come with a free lunch box.  I'm a little hesitant for a few reasons:

-It is June.  We haven't been out of school for even a month yet.
-Hello Kitty is this week's selection, next week it will be La la loopsy or something else
-I really do not like buying my kids "character" items
-I'm sure the super affordable $16.99 roller back pack will be broken by October 1st!

The little kids and I spent a great deal of time this morning on other websites.  Searching for a backpack that they would like.  I do want them to be involved in the selection, but would rather spend my money on a backpack that will last.  When my oldest started preschool 5 years ago, I bought him his first back pack at LL Bean.  We still have the bag and use it to tote toys and games to Grandma's.  It is a little small for him to take to 3rd grade!  But you get my point!

I think I will distract her and order the backpacks using my coupon from a brand website that I know that we will get a few years out of these bags.

Have a great weekend & thanks for stopping by!

Your Mountain Is Waiting

This Sunday, my oldest niece (who is also my God Daughter) will be graduating from High School.  She is the oldest of the grandkids and first to reach this milestone.

I know I am a "dorky" Aunt.  I am okay with this. I enjoy it.  My cool factor left the building a long time ago.  Yes, I drive a mini-van and yes, I have a lot of kids.  I'm not up on the current fashion/shows/movies or music. But, I am up with love and pride for this girl!  She was my first "kid".   When she was born I was still in college.  I got to meet her within hours of her birth.   I had the pleasure of being her first babysitter, her nanny.  I would watch her several times during the week while her mom went to school and worked.  I also got to watch her on weekends (which was great - I had access to a free washer and dryer and cable TV!).  I took her to her first movie (Disney film Hercules), took her to Gymboree classes and for Ice Cream.  Took her to her first museum.  I was there for her first Halloween (she played and counted the candy - her parents didn't tell her she could eat it!).  She had her first  sleepover at my apartment and I even brought her to a sorority meeting.  I loved every minute.  When we would go out and about strangers would mistake her for my daughter.  I would politely explain that I was the Aunt.  (Except one time we were out at the mall and my niece called me Mommy (it was a phase  - she called everyone this!) and I know the lady next to us thought I was denying being a young, unwed mother!)

She will be going to college this August.  Now is the time for her to discover things for herself.  She is an adult and needs to make her own choices and find her own way.  I know she will do great!

"You're off to great places.  Today is your day!  Your mountain is waiting.  So....get on your way!"

- Dr. Seuss