My Must Have Favorites from July

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Oh, July! Oh, how I enjoyed your hot weather, the RNC departing CLE, and all of the precious moments we shared.

Here are just a few things I tried and loved while visiting the month of July.

Top 5 Favorites for June

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Boy, what a month! I completed The Real You at the YMCA and have gone a little crazy trying ice cream all over Northeast Ohio. Of all of the wonderful things that happened this month, here are five of my favorite things that I found.

5 Favorites for May

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I've said it before, and I'll say it again, "I love lists!" 

But, I love these products the most this May.

Fusion Jerky!

This is crazy tasty! All-natural, high-protein, low-sodium and comes in eight flavors. Did I mention how amazing these taste? So good! Best part - they are at Aldis! 

Girl, You Need Quality Makeup: 5 Essentials for Mom

This post contains affiliate links.

I have always said I wanted to age gracefully but this past year has aged me more than I care to admit.

Stress, work, life, kids - it really catches up and to my dismay, I can no longer fall asleep without washing my face. And, moisturizer is my new best friend along with foundation.

I didn't always feel the need to wear makeup. I even got compliments on my skin without it but I wore at least foundation most days. At some point, I stopped wearing makeup and when I ran out of moisturizer, I neglected to put it on the shopping list.

Then last week, the Hubs and I were watching Inside Amy Schumer and the skit, Girl, You Don't Need Makeup, came on.

5 Favorites from Last Year's NaBloPoMo

It is November and that means National Blog Post Month! A post a day, everyday in November.

I did this last year and succeeded, the first time since in the three years I tried. You would think it would be easy to come up with thirty posts in thirty days and actually write them but it is not always that easy for me. I am going to try again.

Looking back on last year's posts I came up with my five favorite to share. 

Sorry Kid, You are Not Special.

The one I let know my kids are special to me but not to everyone else.

5 Bloggers You Shouldn't Miss

I have been very blessed to be teamed with a group of wonderful ladies through SITS Girls Find a Tribe.

The idea of a tribe is to provide support and be supportive and these ladies are amazing.  I will eventually share all of the wonderful blogs that our in our tribe but for today here are my first five.

My Monday Top 5 - About Me

I really don't think I am an interesting person.  I suppose that is not true since I blog but that could be perpetuating my illusion that I am interesting when in fact, I'm not.  The point is I try and really, that is all we can do - try to be interesting.

My Top 5 Interesting Things About Me

1. I have 11 posts dedicated to coffee.  There will probably be more.

2. I can draw, not well but I can.

3. I can sing off key better then anyone I know.

4. I have fantastic hair.

5. I have been featured on BlogHer twice and on Mama Kat's World Famous Writers Workshop twice.  I am hoping to break this tie.

What are your top 5 interesting things about you?

Top 5 Songs to be Played at My Funeral

After writing my eulogy in 9 lines I learned of a relative who passed away.

Instead of dwelling on the bigger picture and the woulda, shoulda and the couldas I thought I would focus on what I would like played at my funeral.

Please understand that I think funerals are for the living and I know my family would never go for this however, if they did I would like to present to you my

Top 5 Songs to Be Played at My Funeral

On Eagles Wing's

As a Catholic this is mandatory but I would like this version and not the douche choir director who could not make it on Broadway.

In The Arms Of The Angel - Sarah McLachlan

Josh Groban's  appearance here is coincidental but if he did come to my funeral to sing the first song I am sure he could stick around and sing this one more time with Sarah. And, yes I am on first name bases with all of these performers.

Glory of Love - Bette Midler

This brings tears to my eyes every time I hear it. You gotta give a little, take a little and let your poor heartbreak a little... words to live by.

If I Ever Leave This World Alive - Flogging Molly

If you have seen 'PS I Love You' then you already understand, if you have not listen to the words. This version has a special twist for my 10th Doctor friends.

Home - Phillip Phillips

Since I will technically be going home, this gives me comfort on so many levels and what a great song to walk out of the church with.

Because African Zoo Themed Baby Showers are Fun!

This may come as a shock but *dramatic pause* 

Iamnotafanofbabiesorbabyshowers.  

There I said it.  I don't like babies. 

I like my own but baby girl has cured me of ever wanting another baby, wanting to hold another baby or even being within ear shot of another baby.  

I do, however, love that my friends are having babies because it means they can experience the joy of motherhood.  So, when a good friend from work became knocked up I knew that I wanted to do a baby shower in the office and that turned into a true blue baby shower afternoon at my co-conspirator's house.

I was a little naive thinking it would be cake and wine coffee water fruit punch.  My co-host had much better ideas like finger sandwiches, crudites (aka: cut up veggies) and a theme (African zoo animals).  

She is also way more organized than I am and as we plotted over wine and cheese I came up with a list of baby shower ideas that would make any shower fantastic - with or with out crudities - for anyone to do on a budget.

My Top 5 Baby Shower Ideas Guaranteed for Baby Shower Success

(from someone who has never thrown one before)

Cute party favors that go with your theme

Yes, I am starting with the thing you give away last but that is only because I almost forgot to get them! 

Since mom-to-be is having a zoo themed nursery and this is a zoo themed baby shower, animal crackers seemed best to gave at the end.

"Thank you for sharing this special day,
I'm sorry I had to stay away.
But I may be a little longer,
'Cos I have to grow much stronger.
Thank you for your love and wishes,
I'd like to shower you with kisses.
Love from the Baby."
(By Babbee.com)

Clever food presentation

A Game

I personally am not a fan of games but I am a fan of bingo and having something to do while the mom-to-be opens gifts is a bonus.

free printable here or click on image

Non baby related prizes!  

You can't have a game with out a prize!  I found the cutest scented candles at my local craft store and dressed them up with tinsel.  I bought ten and TEN different scents.

Cake

This goes without saying really but no matter what you have or don't have at any event you have to have a really great cake.

Needless to say that thanks to the co-host (and Grammar Hammer blogger) the afternoon was a smashing success and mom to be got showered with lots of love.  Heck, I even held someone else's baby.

And to prove that I am not really a baby hater...  my gift to the baby.  I made a fiddle blanket.

Because Prompts are Fun - Reading List? More like a re-read list

I bet you thought I would be writing another post dedicated to Nickolas Sparks...  Fooled you!

I love to read.  It is the only escape I have and who cares if the majority of my reading is accomplished locked in the bathroom.

I have a very long list on goodreads of what I want to read but I really think I need to start rereading what is already on my bookshelf.  Why do we collect books if not to reread them?

My Top 5 Books to Reread

1. The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

I would probably want to reread the whole series after reading this because it is wonderful!  Magic, mystery, suspense and crazy sexy writing make this a fantastic read.  I love the characters so much that I named my daughter after the main character.

2. Good Omens: The Nice & Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett

I have probably read this book a minimum of fifteen times over the years.  In fact, I leave it in the bathroom in case there is nothing for me to read.

Good vs. Evil and all of the very funny things that happen when an angle and a daemon try to save the world.  I also think that a season of Supernatural was based on this book but I can't prove it.

3. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I can not wait to read these with my daughter.  A strong female lead who also kick ass?  Yes, please!

4. Beach Music by Pat Conoroy

I remember reading it.  I see it sitting on my bookshelf and yet... can't remember what the damn thing is about.  I do remember that I liked it though so defiantly on my reread list!

5. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

With the movie coming out I feel compelled to reread this and with good reason - who doesn't love a good love triangle focused around the fabulously wealthy and the decadence of that area?

What's on your reread list? 

Because Prompts are Fun with @darcyzalewski and me is live! Link up or read along. This week - books & reading ineedaplaydate.com/2013/04/becaus…

— MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) April 26, 2013

All images are from goodreads

A Mama Geek's Top List of Doctor Who Quotes

My all time favorite show is - Doctor Who.  Romance, danger, humor, fantasy... it has it all and I eat it up!

So what if I just started watching the "new" series last November and watched the first six seasons in a month, ignoring family and friends to get caught up.  And, who cares that even though I remember watching it in the 80's, when it was on PBS, I don't really remember it.  The point is that I watch it now (or would it be again) and I may even watch it daily thanks to my DVR.

Doctor Who has some fantastic writing and there are some brilliant, brilliant lines in it. Yes, it is a show about a time-lord alien who travels all of time and space but there are a lot of good life lessons in there. And, if you are not about the life lessons - how about hot guys and romance.

 Here are my...

Top 9 Doctor Who Quotes

The World Should Stop When Mom Gets Sick

The world should stop when mom gets sick because that is just the way it should be, right? Of course, that is not the case, but how cool would that be! Even if it was for a few hours just to get caught up on something, anything and not feel so damn behind.

When mom (or as it would happen me) gets sick the world keeps turning, money needs to flow in (and out), deadlines still need to be meet, homework still needs to be completed and bellies need to be feed. So on top of being sick it is easy to feel overwhelmed. Or at least I feel this way.

For the better part of the month everybody has been sick and we keep passing it around with the last two weeks being the worse. I have barely made it to work let alone out of bed but I feel that this experience has taught me something and has officially initiated us into the world of families with siblings.

I wanted to take the opportunity to share my top five (realistic) tactics I learned to deal with the world not being able to stop just because I had to be sick.

1. Ask for help damn it.

Put the oxygen on mask on and ask for help – even if it is from a kid that isn’t sick. We don’t have to do it all, that’s why most of us got married or agreed to live with another human being that we did not birth.

If you are really lucky and  you have a support system outside the confines of your home, use it! More power to you.

2. Take your medicine!

I am not a fan of OTC medicine but holy cow I have a whole new found respect for NyQuil and their entire line of medicine. Sure, I got a box of free medicine but you better believe I am a loyal fan now and will have it stocked year round.

3. Prioritize, Prioritize, Prioritize

The world may not have stopped but I sure did and when I was able to pick my head out of the toilet long enough to see what was going on I realized that I needed to get better and to do so meant to rest. Once I ventured back into the world, my next priorities were to make sure the family survived and that I still had a job. Sadly, my poor little blog got neglected.

4. Sanitize, Sanitize, Sanitize

And just when you think that you have not sanitized enough – do it some more.

5. Take your time.

There is really no rush to get back in the swing of things. Unless there is a rush to get back to the world and then take your vitamins and your DayQuil.


(This is not a sponsored post anymore for NyQuil, just glad to have had it on hand)

Okay... your turn!  What did I miss?

Oh for the Love of Pinterest! Issue 5

Another week on pinterest and another weekly email with what is trending, what is popular and suggestions on what I may like to pin next.

Want to join in on the fun? Add your pin or board to the linky below.

My Top 5 Pins from My Weekly List

It seems hot men in kilts and inspiration are to be the theme this week... not that I am complaining.  Who doesn't like a man in a kilt?

If only there was sound and he was saying something really hot like, "Hey girl, I can pin you just as carefully as you pinned me..."

So... What's on your weekly list?

MryJhnsn's iNeed a Playdate

Because Prompts are Fun - Top 5 Let's Get it on Songs #promptsrfun

Movies have played such a large roll in my life, probably more than they should play. I can pick out a movie to go with every major life decision I have ever made. High Fidelity is one of those movies, hence the Top 5 lists on my blog. I have been doing top 5s since that movie and unknowingly before that movie.

The movie is wrapped in music references to tell a love story and High Fidelity, is that movie that made me want to actually settle down and get married. I did not think I would get married and especially not to the guy that would become my husband.

What does this have to do with my music list? Nothing but the inspiration for every music list ever! And, every list of songs about love will always have Let's Get It On...

In honor of love, here are my Top 5 "Let's Get It On" Songs

1.  Let's Get It On, Jack Black

Must be the Jack Black version from the movie High Fidelity. I told you I loved the movie! The passion he brings to that song is surreal especially since it is so unexpected.

What I Have Learned as a @BloggerIdol Judge #WritersaretheNewRockStars

It seems a little strange right now, typing this, trying to pick the right words to create a sentence that may tell a story. It seems like ages since I have sat down to write when in reality it has not been that long.

I have been slacking… I may make it my New Year’s resolution but until then, well, I am going to bestow upon you what I have learned since joining the Blogger Idol team as a judge. Don’t worry; this will be short and sweet.

The 5 things I have learned being a Blogger Idol Judge

1. There is nothing unique in being a mommy or daddy blogger but there is when you are a mom or dad who blogs

It’s all in the delivery people. The majority of bloggers I have encountered in this competition have kids and significant others. We are all trying to be creative and sometimes funny and there is only one way to stand out – find your own voice and use it. Embrace you and don’t try to be anyone else or get discourage because you don't have their numbers.

2. Design, design, design…

Don’t take the lazy way out and download one from a free site. If you don’t feel creative enough to do it yourself (and don’t want to pay) than keep it simple. Pick a color scheme not the whole palette and for goodness sake please don’t animate anything or have songs auto play.

3. CAPTCHA is for those who don’t love their followers

I get it, you don’t want spam but trust me – if you are just starting out the likely hood of you getting spammed is pretty slim and if you read your comments you will be able to delete them easier than it is for me to type the silly string of words. Why are you punishing someone who took the time to write you a thoughtful comment?!!? I refuse to leave comments anymore if the CAPTCHA box pops up. Not that anyone would know, but I know…

4. You are only as relevant as your last post

In other words, even it is not your best post; don’t wait too long to post. There are way too many blogs out there and you want to remind your readers you are still going.

4.1 Don't post anything when on medicine especially cold medicine

You will have to go in and make edits

5. Make it easy to know you and follow you!

The only thing more frustrating than CAPTCHA is not being able to follow or know about a great blog! I might not comment if there is a CAPTCHA but I will at least tweet it, if it is easy to do so that is.

I may have a small blog but I know what I like in others and during my Blogger Idol experience, I had almost thrown in the towel. But it seems that will have to be another day and more of a reason to make that resolution.

Be certain to vote for who will be this year’s Blogger Idol.

Do it, do it now.

My Top 5 Back to School Tips

I am not looking forward to second grade.  The work will be harder.  The pressure will increase and did I mention there is First Communion?  So much to do but first, getting through the first week.  My first born starts school on Wednesday and emotionally, I am not ready.  To be honest, I know he is not either but at least we will be prepared.

Top 5 Back to School Tips

my iPod is MIA so I write my posts down now and I must say I am loving my new Pilot G2 pens

Don't let them see you sweat.

Sure, I am freaked out but I don't think he knows.  We are having a last farewell to summer at the beach and then school supply shopping.  Regardless of my sadness that summer is ending and my son is growing up, he doesn't have to know.

Go to the orientation

You know the one.  The PTA or PTO puts it on and you get to meet the teachers early, then everyone eats Popsicles; pretending to be nice to everyone else.  Or maybe that is just in my area?  Either way - sure it seems like a drag but you get to see his classroom, so, bring the kid's supplies in so he won't have to lug in the next day.

Invest in good gym shoes

Call them what you will.  Shoes, tennis shoes, sneakers, kicks...  get a good pair.  Personally, I love sketchers.  Why you ask?  Because, they are well made and no I am not getting anything for saying that, I really buy them, faithfully, every year.

Buy extra of everything

At some point in the school year there will be a not that says, your child may need more of something.  Be prepared.  The Frugalette has a great guide that is worth checking out: Back to School Supplies Printable Stock Up Prices.  Basically, she tells you what is worth stocking up on like when crayons are $.25 a pack and when you should just get one or two.

A few weeks ago I got to visit a BJs and, boy, do they know how to save some money!  Buying in bulk is certainly the way to go.  One of the best things about buying at BJs is that they do not cater to businesses but to homes.  You will not get one gigantic tub o' peanut butter but two reasonably sized jars packaged together for a great deal!

Wait to buy school clothes

I know, this goes against everything you were brought up to believe but, who actually wears their new clothes the first week?  Here in Ohio, C-man will be wearing shorts and a t-shirt since it will be 79 degrees on Wednesday.  I prefer to wait and then hit up the sales.  As it happens, I will be going to Lodi Station Outlets to do school clothes shopping the weekend after school starts.  I was not a fan of outlets until I was introduced to Lodi Station.

What tips do you have for the back to school crowd?

Don't forget to enter one (or all) of the Back to School Spree Giveaways here and be sure to hop around.

My Top 5 Back to School Tips ow.ly/1m4mjB
— MryJhnsn (@mryjhnsn) August 21, 2012

Dude, I'm an Adult!

Who knew being an adult would be so much fun!  I get to pay bills and have watermelon size babies fall out of who ha.  Don't even get me started on being a human pacifier never mind holding down a job while being one!  Oh, being adult can be so much fun.

I guess there are some truly wonderful things associated with being (well) over the age of consent.

My Top 5 Best Things About Being an Adult

1.  I don't have to follow (some) rules

For instance, I can't do a list of six.  I like lists of five.  It is a nice number and it is odd.  Odd lists are better, just ask John Cusack in High Fidelity (or my first post regarding top 5).  The only exception is when I am compensated  to do a list of ten.

2. I can lie without guilt

Of, course I do feel guilty but mostly it is just too damn hard to lie let alone keep track of the lies and the follow up lies.  Life is too short. Unless, I am lying to my children and then all bets are off.

3. I can still act like I am twelve

Just because I am over the legal age to drink does not mean I can't act like I am twelve from time to time and then turn around and have a nice big glass of "mommy juice."

4. Boy crazy takes on a whole new meaning

I get to have crushes and go see them take their clothes off under the guise of a girls night out - SCORE!

5. I get to do fun, crazy stuff that the teenage me would cringe at...

Such as drink wine naked, write trashy love stories and pull a plane for charity.

The Prompt:

5.) List the 6 best things about being an adult.

Oh, the Lies I Tell (well, top 5 today anyway)

As a child, lying was a past time of mine.  Goddess forbid I would ever have to lie and my life depended on it now, because I would probably fail.  My face will give me away along with my need to say the truth because, let's face it, lying is just harder.  You have to keep track and possibly build upon what you say.

I don't seem to have a problem lying to my children it seems and I can thank my mom for this talent.

My mom was very good at lying to us and making it sound convincing.  Instead of just saying "don't do (insert here)," she would make up a story.  For example:  "Don't go into the attic because alligators live there and will eat you."  My personal favorite and one that kept me awake one night while in high school because I thought it would really happen was, "Don't pop zits on your face, because you will die of a brain hemorrhage."

I blame her lies (or stories) on kissing the Blarney Stone.

I can't help but think it would be way easier to say, "You will get pox marks on your face if you pop a zit there and it will be ugly."  Or, "Don't go in the attic."  But, what do I know because I have found myself doing the same damn thing with my kids now.

I can't help but cringe and smile all at the same time.

My Top 5 White Lies to my Kids (so far)

1. That's Flavor

You know how when you get a glass of water from the tap and the water is a little foggy?  My son balked at the idea of drinking it until I told him, "it's extra flavor."

2. The (stupid, stupid, stupid) Christmas Elf is checking up on you

In an attempt to cover up the fact that I forgot to pack the (stupid) Christmas Elf up with the rest of the Christmas crap and my kid found it, I told him that he was back to make sure he was still being a good boy.  Sadly, it was not even the stupid elf they sell but an elf I bought for baby girl but she was scared of it.  I hid it behind a pillow when I realized just how scared she was of it and when my son found it he thought it was the freakn' Christmas elf... who am I to dash his dreams?

3. I don't smell anything

In response to the question, "what's that smell!" coming from the car next to us.  I will leave you to imagine what the smell was that was billowing out of the car windows.

4. It's Mommy juice

My response as to why he can't have what ever is in my rocks and/or wine glass.

5.  The fishes will eat your toes

My first lie to Baby Girl when she wanted to go an extra foot out in to the lake and I wanted to go back to my book on the blanket.

Top 5 Songs That Tell the Story of Me

Top 5 Songs That Tell the Story of My Life... (so far)

When I was in high school, I crushed on everyone and dated no one. Part of me is glad for that but there is a bigger part of me that feels that I would have learned more about who not to date when it mattered if I had more practice.  Still, I often wished I could have told a certain someone that Damn, I Wish I was Your Lover.



Speaking of whom not to date...  I took me *cough* seven years to figure out that there is a Better Man.




When I came into who I was in my twenties, Sexuality was my anthem and I embraced my own.  I was free of a bad relationship, working in a nightclub and in an apartment of my own for the first time.  I was free and I had so much fun.  There was some heartbreak but I was so very happy.



Little did I know that I could be happier though...  My husband bought me John Mayer's Four Square album after we decided to try dating.  We had know each other for ten years at this point and had been hanging out for the last three years, telling people that we were not dating.

Turns out that we probably were dating the whole time but I did not realize I was in love with him until we stayed up all night listening to this album, on my old, comfy sofa.  Who knew we would get hitched a few years later?

Since, I can't exactly pick the whole album, I'll go with Your Body is a Wonderland.



And now, I am totally stealing Swagger Wagon from Moments That Define Life, because it fits how my life is now, too.

I, however, do not embrace driving a minivan and a small piece of me dies when I turn the key.  This year I am getting a car.  A safe, reliable, not a minivan, car.  The video is very funny.





What song (or songs) would be on your list?

My Mom Tips For Driving (with the help of #Esurance)

This winter has been crazy! I don't know if we should be wearing raincoats and rain boots or ski jackets and snow shoes. Every day brings a new weather report and each day is different, snow today, gone tomorrow. Along with this unpredictable weather comes unpredictable driving.

Rain makes the roads slick and snow, well, snow is just snow. I hate the first day that snow hits Cleveland because everybody forgets how to drive. Since, snow has been unusually absent this year, it seems that with each new snowfall this winter, people act as if it was the first snow of the year.

We live in Cleveland people!

It snows, a lot, and somehow the ability to slow down, clean our cars off and respect each other goes right out the window. It is not just snow either but rain, too!

As a mom I am mortified!

Okay, not really mortified but since you can't hear my mom voice I thought I would try and show you instead. I am mortified!

Here is my Top 5 Mom Tips for Driving



1. Brush the snow off your car!
This is not hard people! A two inch by two inch opening is not big enough for anybody to see through especially when trying to navigate in a snow storm.

2. Slow, slow, slow.
When roads are wet from snow or sleet, slow yourself. Repeat this as necessary. Even if the streets are dry - slow down!

3. Share the road, but not too close.
Share the road means that we all get to drive on it, not on top of each other. Back off my bumper in any kind of weather but when the roads are less then ideal quick stops can be disastrous if drivers are on each other’s tails. Keep a safe distance, at least a car length, between you and the other car.


4. Headlights are not just flashy bling for your car - they have a purpose.
Your headlights have a purpose and not enough people use them at dusk, blizzards or dark and rainy days. How are you suppose to see other cars or for them to see you if we don’t light up the road? Turn your lights on whenever it is dark out, even if it is noon.


5. Pack an emergency kit.
Your car emergency kit should include a blanket (or blankets), snacks, jumper cables (or if you are lucky one of those battery boosters that don’t rely on another car) and a flashlight. I would also add cards and crayons only because if you are stuck in traffic with kids, having something to keep them busy is key. Worse case scenario - you might be stranded and no power to run the in car entertainment system. Best case scenario you are prepared for some quality time. Don’t stress.

In the words of the The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Don’t Panic! And, be safe, especially when the roads are covered with snow and ice. Accidents will happen but with a little luck and some safe driving it, hopefully won’t be your fault.



Fine Print:
I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.