Swimming Telephone with a Point

Swimming Telephone reached the end of its day literally and figuratively as Christian and Pat knock our final episode out of the park.  This has been a series created with blogger friends to write a fun, extended blog post.  All of my friends took my story and ran with it old school telephone game style.  To read all the additions, click on the telephone above.

This week Christian and Pat show us how to properly woo the ladies

at

Point Counter-Point Point Point

Does your man have a 6-pack of beer waiting on the bedside tale for you?  It's better than scattered rose petals.  Find out what happens when the hilarious Christian and Pat rescue poor mom.  Click above to catch up on the latest addition.

Previous swimmer: Tara at You Know It Happens At Your House Too

Soap Operas are more fun blogger style so please click on the banner below to keep us going.

Swimming Telephone At Your House

Swimming Telephone is nearing the end of a very difficult imaginary day for our mom.  This has been a series created by blogger friends to write a fun, extended blog post.  All of my friends took my story and ran with it old school telephone game style.  To read the additions, click on the telephone above.

This week we Tara shows us how wrong simple gender confusion can go

at

You Know It Happens At Your House Too

Do you call police out on their notorious donut eating habits?  Find out what happens when you do from the spunky and hilarious Tara.  Click above to catch up on the latest addition.

Previous swimmer: Bethany at Bad Parenting Moments

Next swimmer: Pat & Christian at Point Counterpoint Point Point

Soap Operas are more fun blogger style so please click on the banner below to keep us going.

Bad Parenting; Swimming Telephone Style

     It's time for another installment of "Swimming Telephone."  Participants will take part of our story and run with it, old school telephone game style.  Click on the telephone above for further details and then dive right into the story.

This week we learn why every mom needs stock in Depends from

Bethany at

Bad Parenting Moments

     Would a bad parent have a coffee maker in the bathroom?  No, that's just one of the most basic and wonderfully brilliant survival skills presented by the hysterical Bethany.  It's time to see where this wonderful woman took our insane imaginary family.  Click above to read her latest addition.

Previous swimmer: Andrea at Underachiever's Guide to Being a Domestic Goddess

Next swimmer: Tara at You Know It Happens At Your House Too

Soap Operas are more fun blogger style so please click on the banner below to keep us going.

For People Born Before 1982 (When Did I Get Oldish?)

     If you're looking for me today, you'll find me over at Studio 30+ where all the cool kids hang out.

     I was invited to write about writing.  Writing?  What do I know about writing?  I don't feel like a writer, but here I am writing a blog.  I feel more like a storyteller and I tell my stories for a specific reason.  If you're curious, head over to Studio 30+ where you'll get to spend a little bit of time with my serious side.  Go ahead, pull up a chair, grab your favorite hot beverage and let me tell you how "just keep swimming" began.

Twin Powers Activate!

     Today my twin sister and I joined our Wonder Twin powers in the shape of... a blog post.  When my friend, Farrah, over at the three under invited me to share her space for a day, I immediately thought of Maggie.  So I contacted her and we took a trip down memory lane reflecting on some of the awesome and not so awesome parts of being a twin.  Please join us over at Farrah's place this morning.  See you there!

Underachieving at Swimming

     It's time for another installment of "Swimming Telephone."  Participants will take part of our story and run with it, old school telephone game style.  Click on the telephone above for further details and then dive right into the story.

This week a monkey was rescued and a plan was almost devised by

Andrea at

Underachiever's Guide to Being a Domestic Goddess

     Although Andrea claims to be an Underachiever, she tackled these problem kids like an overachiever on our newest episode of "Swimming Telephone".  It's time to see where this lovely sweet lady took our crazy kids.  Click above to read her latest addition.

Previous swimmer: JD at Honest Mom

Next swimmer: Bethany at Bad Parenting Moments

Soap Operas are more fun blogger style so please click on the banner below to keep us going.

Crushing on the New Kid on the Block

Closest to my age

Most attainable, practical

Cuter than school boys

Joey McIntyre

I'm responding in haiku form to Mel and Michelle's second Ketchup with us prompt:

Tell us in 57 words or less about your biggest celebrity crush from childhood.

I look back now and laugh at my reasoning.

If I met NKOTB, Joey would have been the only one young enough for me to date.

As if that would have been the only obstacle to my hooking up with him.

Timing is Everything

     Most of you don't know that I have Rheumatoid Arthritis. The reason you don't know this is because I have a great doctor and effective medicines that I fortunately tolerate well.  The one side effect from my medicines that got annoying was loosing my hair.

I used to have hair like this:

source

Now I have hair more like this:

To regrow my hair, I started using this:

magic  hair regrowth serum

     About five weeks ago I started my regimen.  Every night and every morning I put one dropper full of Rogaine on my scalp.  The liquid is thin like water which means that instead of it staying on the top of my head (because I don't have enough hair to keep it up there), it sometimes runs down my forehead and the sides of my face like so:

     Now, I'm supposed to clean off any rogue Rogaine so I don't experience unwanted hair growth, but I did the math.  I've already been applying magic hair regrowth serum for five weeks.  I have seven more weeks until Halloween.  The way I figure it, if I let Rogaine run it's course, I could have a seriously kick ass Halloween costume:

    Hubs and I think I could totally rock this new 'do so I am taking my chances because this is what I call perfect timing.

An Honest Look at Swimming Telephone

     The campfire game continues with another riveting installment of "Swimming Telephone."  Participants will take part of our story and run with it, old school telephone game style.  Click on the telephone above for further details and then dive right into the story.

Deliverance and wine are supplied this week by:

JD at

Honest Mom

     JD sent her real life kids off to school and is prepping another small group of rascals for classes this week on "Swimming Telephone".  She's sweet and sassy and I'm looking forward to seeing where she takes our punk rock child and her siblings this week.  Click to read her latest addition.

Previous swimmer: Robyn at Hollow Tree Ventures

Next swimmer: Andrea at Underachiever's Guide to Being a Domestic Goddess

Serial drama is good for the soul. 

Click on the banner below to keep us going like your favorite Spanish novella.

Dear Great Aunt Betty

Because you loved your married childless life, you told me all the time to not have children.

"Travel" you said.

Blarney Castle - Ireland

"Enjoy life" you said.

para sailing - Ka'anapali, HI

"Have fun" you said.

I took most of your advice.

I'm answering a writing prompt from Mel at According to Mags and Michelle at Old Dog New Tits
"Tell us in 57 words or less the best advice you have ever received
from someone older than you or that you admire."

Please help a somewhat disobedient great niece out by clicking on the banner below.

Party Favor Chocolates

Today I'm linking up with Kyla at Funky Polkadot Giraffe for Too Cute Tuesday.



I made these for a staff appreciation event at my daughter's preschool, a Twilight party, and most of my kids' birthday parties.  They are so easy and fun.  Here is a step by step tutorial:

Read "Easy, Cute, and Cheap Party Favor Idea" by Marian at Britely!

Have You Got a Better Idea?

I'm over at the TGIF Blog Hop hosted by You Know It Happens At Your House Too, Funny Postpartum Lady, and Overworked Supermom.  Come join the fun!

I'm also linked up with Anna at My Life and Kids and Kelly at Kelly's Breakroom for finding the funny.  You should stop by and enjoy the laughs.

Some of you may be familiar with my badass exercise routine.  However, with classes and student teaching it has been tough to find time to workout.  This is how I currently manage my dilemma:

Read "Making the Most of my Exercise Time" by Marian at Britely!

Hollow Tree Ventures Answers the Call

     As the old time rotary style telephone dial spins, it's time for another installment of "Swimming Telephone."  Participants will take part of our story and run with it, old school telephone game style.  Click on the telephone above for further details and then dive right into the story.

Suspense and intrigue are delivered this week by:

Robyn at

Hollow Tree Ventures

     Robyn made a summer bucket list and checked it twice and then added "Swimming Telephone" to the list because I begged her.  She's hilarious and creative and I'm looking forward to seeing where she takes our inked child and his opinionated grandma this week.  Click to read her latest addition.

Previous swimmer: Kristina at There's No Time For Pants!

Next swimmer: JD at Honest Mom

An old fashioned drama is good for the soul. 

Click on the banner below to keep us going like your favorite day time soap opera.

I will not be one of those crazy Twilight moms all the time!

     Once upon a time I dabbled with graphic designs.  This is code for I see an idea and can usually make it happen at home with my ink jet printer.  It's something I do for fun and if someone would pay me for it I would be a very happy.  Come to think of it, if that happened I'm pretty sure I'd get tired of it and not love it so much so it's probably better I don't get paid for it.

     That being said, I am a finalist for $1,000 from Britely for this book about my Twilight obsession that I made.  Before you walk away because you heard the word "Twilight" please know that I am a very quiet Twilight fan and promise not to bombard you with anything Rob, Kristen, or Taylor except for this one little book.  If you read my book and share it with others I could win $1,000 and that would totally rock (for me).  And if I win and if you were here, I would totally take you out and buy you a Margarita as a great big "Thanks!" for helping me out.  So please help a Twilight loving mom out if you don't mind.

Read "Maybe you've heard of this new movie?" by Marian at Britely!


Many Thanks and Margaritas for all!

Soak Zone and pool rules

     We spent a couple days on vacation last week and by vacation I mean we went to exotic Sea World.  (Apropos,don't you think?)  Here are some things I learned while in San Diego.

1)  People will sit in the seats clearly marked "soak zone", listen to 3 announcements about how wet they will get in the "soak zone", get soaked, and then run for higher ground completely shocked they got wet.

2)  None of my family will sit in the "soak zone" with me. This is probably for the best because no one should have to learn Victoria's Secret from me.

Khaki is apparently no better than white pants when wet.

3)  Most Sea Stars have 5 arms, but if you have a mildly obsessive compulsive boy who wants to spend hours at the tide pool, you're bound to find an exception.

4) Some pools have strange rules.

If you're sick, dive right in, the water is great!

What was even weirder about this rule?  The area did not even have a "Pool Shower."

5)  After spending our money and time at Sea World we learned that our kids' favorite thing is the beach, for free.

I'm linked up with the TGIF Blog Hop hosted by You Know It Happens At Your House Too, Funny Postpartum Lady, and Overworked Supermom.  Come join the fun!

If you learned anything this summer (not necessarily from me), please click below.

There's No Time For Pants! is Swimming With the Telephone

     In the manner of those old time ominous sounding male announcer voice types I'm here to tell you "It's time for another episode of Swimming Telephone."  Participants will take part of our story and run with it, old school telephone game style.  Click on the telephone above for further details and then dive right into the story.

The drama and intrigue is continued this week by:

Kristina at

There's No Time For Pants!

     Kristina taught all her kids to swim last week the way God intended; in a hotel swimming pool.  She's fun and spunky and I'm looking forward to seeing where she takes our escaped child and his Mater big wheels this week.  Click to read her latest addition.

Previous swimmer: Nicole Ninja Mom

Next swimmer: Robyn at Hollow Tree Ventures

An old fashioned drama is good for the soul. 

Click on the banner below to keep us going like your favorite day time soap opera.

Blog Star: Hi I'm Marian!

Today I'm linking up with the lovely Mrs. Monologues for a great monthly post called Blog Star.

Welcome to my blog!  If you've ever seen "Finding Nemo", then you probably get it  Just keep swimming is my mantra. I live one day (more like one hour) at a time just keeping myself and my family afloat. I am a mom to three crazy kids ages 8, 6, and 4.  Here I write about my adventures as a mom, student, and wife.

More about me:

I am horrible at returning video rentals on time.

I make an abysmal tooth fairy.

I can't do Pinterest right.
My kids are sometimes nice to each other!
And I think Disney has a few great lessons for boys.
I hope you'll stick around and say hello!  You can also find me swimming on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

I think you're a star too.  Please click below for me.

Saving My Birthday Crazy

     As someone with a Christmas birthday, in spite of my parents best efforts I was sometimes disappointed.  This was because getting friends to come to a party between Christmas and New Years is like Mission Impossible.  For that reason, I go completely overboard on my kids' birthday parties to make sure they always feel like their day was special.

     I know I've talked a lot about school, but trust me, that was better than the alternative.  Hearing about my school saved you all from the crazy that is me in July.  Blondie and Dude have birthdays 20 days apart and I get complete birthday fever.  

      So instead of subjecting you all to that insanity, I chose to share it with Amanda at Life, Experience Necessary.  Amanda is off on a vacation with her family and I was flattered when she invited me to do a guest post for her.  Please stop by and check out how I'm learning to keep the crazy in check.

Before you head over to Amanda's place, can you spare a click for a crazy lady?

Birthday Bargain

Happy Birthday to my now eight year old Blondie and to Harry Potter!

Hubs wanted to show Blondie Harry Potter 7 Part 1 and 2.  I said she is too young.

Not cool Belatrix!

I wanted to get Blondie's ears pierced.  Hubs said she is too young.

He told Blondie that she was too young to get her ears pierced, but that she could watch Harry Potter instead.

I told him it was both or nothing.  (This was turning into a bizarre bargain.)

Looks like someone will be seeing Harry Potter soon:

Today I'm linking up with Kelly's Break Room and My Life and Kids for Finding the Funny.

I'm linked up with iPPP at g*funk*ified. Come join the fun.

I'm over at the TGIF Blog Hop hosted by You Know It Happens At Your House Too, Funny Postpartum Lady, and Overworked Supermom.  Come join up!



Can I make a bargain with you to please click on the banner below?

Better Naked and Late

     Wait?  Was that title confusing?  Did you think I was naked?   I love you too much to do that to you.  I'm talking about all the wonderfully naked men in the Magic Mike movie I saw two weeks ago.  I am nothing if not relevant people!  A month ago Kim @ Let Me Start By Saying wrote a hilarious post about going to see Magic Mike.  Go and read it.  Don't worry, I'll wait.


     Welcome back! After reading her post two weeks ago I was sold.  Two words: Alcide Hevreax. Wait! My favorite werewolf?  Mostly naked? Where's my popcorn?


     When I told Kim I was going I got this:

     So you can blame this whole post on her.
    
     At dinner that night with my Mother-in-law and Brother-in-law, Hubs announced to the whole table that I was trying to get away in time "to go see that male stripper movie."  I turned a few shades of red and then smiled and left for the night smug in the knowledge that he was putting all three kids to bed by himself.  Oh sweet revenge.


     This movie was actually perfect for me.  It was an opportunity to quietly ogle good-looking men with no fear of being pulled up on stage and being touched by strangers.  That being said, here's my take on Magic Mike.

1. The dancing was Ah-mazing!  Even with their clothes on their moves were drool worthy.  Taking their clothes off just added to the fun.

2. Plot was completely unnecessary.  I could have watched a movie with nothing but those fine men stripping the whole time.

3. I completely agree with Kim.  Matthew McConaughey was not the highlight for me.  I would have traded his finale for ten extra minutes of half naked Joe Manganiello - any day!

4. I loved that the ladies on stage with the men were not all conventionally attractive.  Feminists unite!

5. I will pay to see Magic Mike 2.  I will even pay in advance if that will ensure they make a second movie.

   
     On an related note, while I was doing "research" my good friend IMDB told me that Joe Manganiello is exactly one day older than me.  Somehow this makes me feel better.  I mean, if he still has it going on... 

I know, I've made it difficult to tell who is my favorite.

     Who am I kidding?  I am no Joe Manganiello.  At least he can't turn me down on the grounds that I'm too old for him.  (Always look on the bright side of life...)

     Now you tell me, which of these five men would motivate you to see Magic Mike?  Would you want to go on stage with your choice guy?  Or are you a "look but don't touch" person?  Inquiring minds want to know they aren't the only dirty oldish woman.

I've never minded inappropriate touching of this button.  Please click below.

Do You Hear What I Hear?

     Stasha over at The good life asked us to come up with ten sounds that drive us bonkers for this week's Monday Listicles.  I guess I live a pretty charmed life because this list was actually pretty tough for me.  Here goes...

1. The bark of the neighbor's dog which is more regular than a rooster and wakes my boy and subsequently me before 6:00 every morning
2. The "bing bing bing" my car makes when the keys are in the ignition and the driver's side door is open.  Moms should be allowed to disable this noise since we have to hop out and deal with the kids five times before we're able to actually drive anywhere
3. I'm going for the obvious, but nails on a chalkboard
4. The "beep beep beep" of the handicap equipped walk signs outside my master bathroom window  They beep to let the blind person(s) in our development know that it is not safe to cross yet.  They are so high pitched that I probably never would have noticed it except that the first night we moved in my husband pointed the noise out to me and now I hear them constantly.
5. The sound of all the neighbor kids laughing and playing outside together when my kids and I are trapped inside and can't join in the fun
6. The "Eee Eee Eee!" probably best described as a hyena in pain that is my daughter's automatic response whenever we say "no" to her about anything.  I want her to stay and I want that sound to go (and not be replaced!)
7. My ring tone when it goes off during a final exam and embarrasses me in front of everyone because I'm the jerk with her cell phone ringer on
8. Motorcycles vroom vrooming outside my bedroom window at 11:30 at night
9. The chirping of a smoke alarm in the middle of the night (based on 1, 8, and 9 you see that I really dislike noises that compromise my sleep)
10. The Sound of Silence.  It used to mean my daughter had finally stopped crying.  Now it almost assuredly means my kids are up to no good.

 

Provided my blog doesn't count as a noise that drives you bonkers, please click below.