Five Things Friday – Things that stress me

photo credit: Amy McTigue

Things that stress me.  Not exactly a riveting list, huh?  But in light of recent events, I have found myself in a bit of a stressful state of being.  For those of you who know me personally you’re probably thinking, and this is different from your normal state how? And to you all I say, p’shaw because I have always wanted to use that word ever since I learned it on a 3rd grade worksheet.  Don’t ask.

Anyway, as I said I have been very, more than normal, stressed lately.  I don’t enjoy this state of being and yet I can’t seem to pull myself out of it very easily.  I think Wordsworth said it best when he wrote, “The world is too much with us”.

I would like to say that my stress is solitary, that only one thing gets me caught up in my mind, but, sadly, that is not the case.

1.   My kids - I don’t mean this in the man-why-did-I-have-kids sort of way.  The way I stress over my kids varies from day to day.

But mostly my stress lies in my worry that I don’t do enough.  Create enough amazing memories. Bake enough sugary, tooth decaying treats with them.  That sort of thing.  I worry incessantly that they will remember the bad days and forget the really cool days.

Like the day I made a great parody video with Jacob.  Or the day I had a snowball fight with them in the middle of the night because it snowed for the first time in their lives.  Or how we play bat ball at night sometimes.  For those of you who haven’t done this, you must.  In the early evenings when the bats come out, get a tennis ball and toss it up into the air.  They will dive for it and it’s cool and amazing and surreal.  Try it.  You’ll like it.

2.   Digitalia – It sounds like something naughty, but it’s only my many forms of technology that supply me with an endless list of to-do’s and why didn’t you’s.

I am constantly wondering when I will have the time to do something with all the digital photos I’ve taken.  I need to label them, categorize them, print them, do something with them.  But I do nothing.

My emails are like a some sort of digital train wreck.  As of right now I have nearly 1000 emails that need something to be done with them.  Probably most could be deleted, but every time I go to handle my emails, I’ll be damned if more don’t pop up.

I feel sort of like Uncle Vernon in the first Harry Potter movie when the owls deliver Harry’s acceptance letter to Hogwarts.  He plugs up his mail slot and they start flooding in through the fire place and windows.  I could use a little HP magic right about now.

My desktop looks like a file cabinet threw up on it.  I have folders and documents all over the damn place.

Then there’s the blog, twitter, facebook, RSS feeds, bookmarks, Google Alerts – and the list goes on and on.

3.   Summer – Refer to my last post.  A general lack of structure means that Moxie looses some of her Moxie Momma-ness and becomes more Bitchy Momma.  Not good, especially when you throw in 105 degree temps.

4.   Housework – I love a clean house.  And honestly, I really don’t mind cleaning when I have the time.  But lately housework just sort of gets in the way of life and I’m having a hard time getting a handle on it.

Even Fly Lady is nothing but a reminder to me that I didn’t get anything crossed off the list, like I was supposed to.  You’re supposed to work in 15 minute spurts.  But when your 15 minutes keeps getting interrupted with toy rescue searches and lectures on sharing the crappy plastic toys, then 15 minutes turns into 30, then 45, then forget it I’m done.  As a friend of mine once told me, dirt don’t hurt.

5.   Exercise – Exercise has always been a huge part of my life, but lately I’m finding it harder and harder to fit in.  I want so much to be one of those people who gets up at 5am to get a good workout in so they don’t have to worry about how to fit it in their day later.  Things always get in the way.  Well, 5am gets in the way of my sleep.

I am constantly reevaluating my schedule only to be left with the same belief that there truly aren’t enough hours in the day.  However, it remains a very important part of my day.  On the days that I miss it I feel horrible.  For me the horrible feeling is not physical, but mental.  I work so much better when I work out.

And the magazines make it look so easy for moms.  Do squats while you brush your teeth, or leg lifts while stand in front of the stove stirring your dinner.

Okay, here’s the deal for me.  If I do squats while I brush my teeth I will probably wind up shoving the toothbrush down my throat, and if I attempt to do leg lifts while standing in front of anything that is boiling or simmering, chances are I will get off balance and land face first in the marinara.  Yeah, I’m that coordinated.  I prefer to lift my glass of wine, not my cellulitic leg while cooking, thank you very much.

So there you have it, 5 of my stressors.  I assure you there are more.  Many, many more.  But I don’t want to reveal all of my incredible unstableness to you at once.  That would be way too much for you.  Believe me.

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Six Things Saturday – A series of unfortunate photos

We’ve all had them.  Bad photos.  You know what I’m talking about.  The days before Photoshop granted you the ability to porcelain-ize your skin.  Back in the day when a wagon wheel seemed like a damn good (and natural) prop at Olan Mills (see #2)- even though your life was far removed from anything farm-like other than the moo juice you poured over your Captain Crunch in the mornings.

I found myself face to face with several of these unfortunate photo-ops the other day and since I think my readers deserve a good Saturday laugh I thought I’d share them with you, along with a little Moxie commentary.

Unfortunate photo #1 circa 1977:

That's how I "Tootsie" roll

Apparently this particular beauty was not a hot commodity.  I have 4 uncut photos in mint condition.  Will sell to the highest bidder.

Notice the tight-lipped grin.  I did have teeth, really.  However, about that time in my life I was sporting a nice set of braces with a chain connecting my front tooth to my left eye tooth. Yep, a chain.  As in what you might make a nice bracelet out of.  I had just undergone surgery to have a tumor removed from my upper gum line which left a gap between my teeth and the chain was pulling the teeth together.  Sort of like a leash, I guess.

Needless to say, I had no desire to have this commemorated in my 4th grade picture.  Now, I kinda wish I did.  That grin makes me look a bit simple.  That and the tootsie roll that is sitting on top of my head.  What is that?!  My mom usually did me up real nice like but not that day.  I think she was having an off day because no one should have to go to school with a tootsie roll on her head, unless it’s real and she can eat it for lunch.  And it wasn’t and I couldn’t.  And the bangs!  OMG, each hair has its own length.  I think I’ll stop there.  No need to mention my frilled nightmare of a shirt.

Unfortunate photo #2 circa 1976:

Farm girl in Pink

Ahhh, nothing says great photo op like a wagon wheel and a pink suit.  Right?  Somehow the creative execs at Olan Mills fell a tad bit short in setting up this lovely scene.  Considering I wasn’t a farm girl and all, and even if I was would I be dressed in a pink suit?  Now maybe if they dressed me like Laura Ingalls Wilder in Little House on the Prairie and gave me a pitchfork that would have made for a more believable photo.  Maybe.  I mean, yeah, I was cute and all that, but the wagon wheel kind of ruins it, don’t ya think?

Unfortunate photo #3 circa 1978ish:

Not so tiny dancer me

This is a photo shoot for Elton John’s lesser known hit “Pissy Dancer”.  I signed up for dance classes because my best friend was a dancer, and actually she was a “tiny dancer”.  However, there was something about that outfit that just didn’t “fit” very well.  My expression says it all – get this ill-fitting, pink-legged, clown costume off me.  And to make matters worse the photo was taken in my FRONT YARD where my chubby ballerina wanna be self was put on display for everyone including the boy down the street that I had a huge crush on!  Oh, C’MON Mom!!!!  Must you humiliate me any more than the leotard already does????

Unfortunate photo #4 circa 1981:

Who is that boy in the pink sweater?

Aside from the God-awful pink sweater, the unfortunate adolescent boy cut, and the stray canine tooth this is a pretty good photo of me.  I like my….uh, clear skin.  Yeah, see I can find something good to focus on.  This was before my second set of braces, this time to correct the tooth the chain from my earlier days lassoed in.   This was freshman year – a year difficult enough for anyone but more so for me because I looked like this.  I was in an all-girl Catholic high school.  Thank God we had to wear skirts, otherwise I might have been mistaken for an infiltrator from the Catholic military (redundant?) all boy high school.  In retrospect, I am beginning to understand why I had no boyfriends – the pink sweater was a sad attempt at reclaiming my femininity.

Unfortunate photo #5 circa 1985:

Psycho senior

Despite the pearls, the blush and the sad attempt at decolletage, I still look like a boy….with a mullet.  It wasn’t long after this I caught on and realized that boys actually like it when girls resemble girls and not, well, boys.  I grew my hair out in awe-inspiring 80’s proportions and assumed my true female identity.

Unfortunate photo #6 circa 1986:

My mullet and me

Growing out a mullet is hard work and requires patience, determination and a thorny rose.  Notice the background – my mother was a huge fan of The Duke and it made the perfect backdrop for my mullet and me.  Maybe I was dressed in black because I was mourning my hair, or maybe I was simply mourning the fact that my parents rented me that lovely piano from Ben Portman’s and yet I couldn’t play a lick.  It was more of a prop in my attempt to look cool despite my obvious lack of anything remotely cool, or hot for that matter.  Seems I was always somewhere in the middle.

So there you have it.  I’d love to see one of your unfortunate photos.  Post it on Moxie’s facebook page and let the world laugh at with you.

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Five Things Friday – Parts 1 and 2: Things I miss about being 16 and things I don’t miss about being 16

Me and Jesus Danny on a "friend" date

With Eclipse in the theaters and me having been a cheerleader for the dark side of the moon long before vampires went all VETH (Vampires for the Ethical Treatment of Humans) on us, I got to thinking about who I will be sharing the theater with when I get around to seeing the much anticipated vampire/werewolf melodrama.

Part of me is slightly embarrassed to walk into the theater and sit next to the sixteen year old girls who dream of having a brooding vampire of their own to protect them from buff werewolves – or maybe they dream of having a buff werewolf to protect them from the brooding vampires.  Whatever.  I am only there for the plot.

But another part of me wants to scream at the top of my lungs Go Team Edward!  Who cares if I’m 42 and have offspring who nearly the same age as Wolf Boy? Who cares that I am happily married to a human?  Who the hell cares?

Part 1:  Things I miss about being 16

1.   I miss the excitement that the future held.  That whole not knowing what was around the corner and the many ways I would imagine it all as I sat in Chemistry class.  Of course it  involved some crush of mine and me as a poet.  All very romantic but not really a viable future.

2.   I miss the close friendships – the constant exchange between me and my best friends over guys, homework, parents, life.   There’s something about girlfriends in high school that I haven’t been able to recreate in my adult life though I’ve desperately tried to.

3.   I miss the silliness.  There were so many inappropriate times that my friends and I were overcome with giggles.  Church.  Chorus practice.  Math class.  I didn’t appreciate the beauty of that uncontrollable laughter then.  I wish I had.  It’s rare as an adult.

4.   I miss being able to eat a Snickers without worrying which thigh it would take up residence in – and then needing to eat a second one just to even it out so I didn’t walk all cronky.

5.   I miss my skin.  I could tan with the best of them and I did.  I oiled it up and burned it just right.  And it looked good.   And now it’s like a connect the dot coloring book page.

Part 2:  Things I don’t miss about being 16

1.   I don’t miss the angst.  I spent much of my teenage life in perpetual heartbreak and worry over will he or won’t he like me crap.  I’m glad to have scored the right one and have that crossed off my list.  I spent so many nights listening to Lionel Ritchie and wondering if I would ever find anyone.  Revisiting that would be like revisiting last night’s dinner, gut wrenching and  it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

2.   I don’t miss the restrictions.  No staying out late.  No extra money.  Oh wait, not much has changed, has it?

3.   I don’t miss my insecurities.  That’s not to say I am a woman filled with self-esteem now, but back then it was hard to feel on top of it all with the short hair, braces and anorexia failing to rock it for me.  I don’t miss wishing I was just like everyone else, because now I know how much better it is to be different.

4.   I don’t miss the questions.  Will he be there?  Will he say yes? Will I make the grade? Will I be okay?  Will I? Will I?  Will I?  If only I had known that no matter how often you ask the questions,  you won’t get the answers until the time is right and even then  you will just be faced with another question.

5.   I don’t miss my attitude.  I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms with the best of them. I dyed my hair, and got a rat tail when I was told not to.  In the eyes of my family, I was quite the little rebel.  Obviously they didn’t have much reference to go on.  But I don’t miss my attitude then, because I do it so much better now.

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We interrupt this blog…

I just wanted to put up a quick post to let my readers know that I will be taking a short break for a few days. I seem to have lost my Moxie in the course of the past few weeks and I need a little time to recharge and dig deep. Don’t give up on me. I’ll be back and when I am I’m going to kick some sass!

Signing off for now…..Moxie

photo credit: findfado

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Momnificent Mother’s Day Giveaway Winner

And the winner of the fantabulous Momnificent gift package is…….Texas Holly!
Congratulations and thanks for entering! I know you will enjoy Lori’s book and the many pearls of wisdom you’ll find tucked inside. Texas Holly, please contact me as soon as possible so we can get your lovely gifts out to you.

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Facebook Fan Page

Become a fan of Moxie!!  Be sure to join me on Facebook.  Just follow the link or look me up – Moxie Momma!

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?src=fftb#!/pages/Moxie-Momma/113035365380909?ref=ts

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Five Things Friday – Blogs worth checking out

photo credit: Anonymous Account

I had plenty of FTF lists to choose from today, but in light of my recent efforts to boost traffic to my own blog, I thought it might be cool to give a shout out to some of the blogs I’ve been enjoying lately.  If you get a chance visit one or two of them.  Be sure to leave a comment – we bloggers live for comments.  And be sure to tell them Moxie sent you.

1. Life Rearranged (this link will take you to the FAQ page)  this link will take you to a very moving story of a life rearranged-This is one of those blogs that you will suck you in – that is if you have a heart.  There is no way you can visit this blog and read the posts without wanting to help.  In addition to writing about her own journey in a life that wasn’t exactly what she expected, Jeannett features a guest blogger every two weeks – a mom whose life has also been rearranged.  She’ll share her story and highlight a charity to fundraise for.  Readers will be given the opportunity to donate to the charity (every little bit helps) and as a bonus be entered to win fabulous prizes just for showing your support.  This link will take you to the latest featured charity. In a world that can seem so disconnected and unaware of the struggles that go on all around us, Life Rearranged is an amazing place to connect and take a moment to listen to someone’s story.  We all have one.

2.   The World’s Strongest Librarian -  Josh Hanagarne is a force to be reckoned with and I reckon if you have any desire to “get stronger, get smarter and live better…every day” then you should check out his site. Josh has a lot to say on a great deal of subjects. But my favorite posts are those in his series “How to Have Tourette’s“. That’s how I found Josh. He has a severe case of Tourette Syndrome (vocal tics and all) and he’s a librarian. Now if that doesn’t tell you something about Josh and his determination, then nothing will. Be strong. Visit Josh.

3.   Bluebirdbaby and Lisa Leonard – These two are my Little Bear blogs.  Let me explain.  Little Bear is one of those kid’s shows that give me that I’m-five-and-the-world-is-a-peaceful-magical-happy-place kind of feeling.  The music is calming.  The characters are calming.  It’s almost like yoga for me.  That’s how both of these blogs make me feel.  I discovered both in a copy of Artful Blogging.  I was immediately drawn in by the images.

Bluebirdbaby has great photography and killer fashion sense.  She also posts cool lists on Mondays of things she likes.  I’ve discovered some great music this way.

Lisa Leonard’s photos are mesmerizing – soft and stunning in their simplicity.  And she also makes some incredibly beautiful jewelry with words all over the place.  You know how I love me some words!

4. Saving Private Mommy – I don’t remember how I stumbled upon Greta and her witticisms, but I’m glad I did. She makes me laugh. Plus, her blog name is uber-cool.

5. Momnificent! – Looking to get your house in order, literally and metaphorically? Coach Lori can help. Lori Radun is a life coach and a life saver! I just started on a journey with her that I am very excited about called Lighten Your Load aimed at helping moms “eliminate energy drains in your life and rejuvenate your mind, body and soul so you can give the best of who you are to your life and family!” Sounds like a plan to me. If you are overwhelmed, overwrought or just plain over it all, I’m thinking a bit of Lori’s wisdom might just help. She has a free Mom’s club that you can sign up for loaded with great tips and affirmations.

So there you have it.  A few of the  many blogs I frequent.  Do you have any favorites?

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Ultimate Blog Party Caricature Giveaway – Winner announced

Congratulations to Sarah of PS-Mom Reviews. She is the winner of the Warner McGee caricature giveaway.

Sarah, please contact me this week so I can get some information from you.

And thanks to all who stopped by from the UBP10. It was nice to meet you all!

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Bare Minerals Lip Gloss Giveaway winners

Visit Rethinkwhatmatters.com

Thank you to all who entered the contest.  The two glossy winners are:

dreamzz12

drubish

For those of you who didn’t win, I’ll be hosting another giveaway soon so keep gettin’ your Moxie on.  Until then, may the sass be with you!

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Only 29 more to go!!

Okay friends, I have 71 subscribers. I only need 29 more to reach my latest goal of 100! If I reach my goal by Sunday evening I will be giving away a signed copy of Allegra Huston’s book Love Child. So email all your friends with the Moxie link! What are you waiting for?

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