My Rocks

There are certain people in your life who can, no matter what you're going through, make you feel like yourself again. Those people are my rocks. They hold me up when I feel like everything has been pulled out from under me. They make me laugh when I need it. They remind me of the person I am when I don't feel like myself. I'm so blessed to have such a great group of people to lean on.

We have a great time no matter where we are or what we're doing. I'm kind of the shy one. It may just take a couple beers or margaritas for me to let my guard down and just have fun. Not these girls. They don't care what anyone thinks. Yes, we are those girls who always look like they're having the time of their lives even though we're at the "hillbilly bar" down the street and there are only 8 other people there.

Every girl should have such a close-knit group of girlfriends. We have been friends for years. We were there for the first day of high school, through break ups, in eachothers' weddings, been there for the birth of our first children. I am even priveledged enough to be a Godmother to this beautiful little girl. They keep my grounded. Whenever we "call in reinforcements" someone always knows when to bring the wine and open their ears because someone needs a long bitch/vent session.

I have so much to say about them, that I can't even get it all out in clear well written thoughts. We have a long 12 year history that would just be too long to write out. So I'll just close here. I hope you all have friends that you can count on. Friends that whenever you call on them, they know when to tell you "you're being a bitch, get over it," or "what an A$$hole, it's not you."

From Left to Right:

Rachel - She's my Rach-face. She's a crazy funny girl who always makes me laugh. She has the biggest most compassionate heart.

Lauren - She's sarcastic, always late, and a good listener. We love blasting the Chicago soundtrack in the car and driving around until "Cellblock Tango" is over. Yes, we met in high school in chior. We are dorks and love it.

Mary - She's the "ring leader." Haha! She's always been known to put someone in their place. But always appropriately!

Then there's me. But you already know all about me :)

Holy Crap a Women's Show!

My friend just filled me in this weekend that the Cleveland Women's Show is coming up! The funny thing is, it was a guy friend that had the details. :)

I'm so excited! This event just happens to be the same weekend as my sister-in-law's wedding (Sept 11 - 13), but I definitely think I'm going to have to try to go. Nothin like a little hangover and girly stuff after a wild and crazy wedding the night before. The best part about this show (aside from the oodles of beauty, health, and fashion goodies us gals can try) is the Cleveland’s Local 93 Firefighter Fashion Shows.

Seriously, click through that link and tell me that doesn't look fun!! Woooooo! And of course all of the steamy fashion show proceeds go to the Aluminum Cans for Burned Children program that supports Metro's burn unit. Double bonus- hot guys (who just happen to be wearing firefighters' uniforms) AND benefitting the children!

And, if you care, Kate Gosselin will be there to sign autographs. Seriously- for what? I'm a mother, want my autograph?? There will be cooking challenges, fashion shows, and get this- a Spa on Wheels!! How awesome is that!?

I'm so excited for this event. Looks like pre-ordered tickets are a dollar off ($9 total). If you live in the Cleveland area or not too far away, I highly suggest you make the drive. I think it'll be tons of fun!

Creepjob at the Playground

I recently added the joys of taking the baby to the playground to the list of things that are fun now but will sooner or later drive me nuts. He just loves the swings! He seemed sleepy when I got home so I fed him then took him out in the hopes that the fresh air would eventually knock him out!

While we were playing "I'm gonna get your feet, " I noticed a man walking around. He started over by the smaller jungle gym and worked his way over to the big kid swings. I didn't notice if he was with a child or not because he was just kind of walking around looking in no particular direction with a look of what seemed to be confusion... Then I looked around- where are all of the parents!?!? The park was packed with little league games, people lounging in the pool, but there was literally one parent at the playground... There were over 20 kids there, where were they're parents? I know I used to go to the playground when I was younger - but not by myself until I was at least 10 or 11. These days I'm not sure I would even let my kid go to the playground by himself (with friends of course) at that age. There are too many creepy people out there just waiting to take you child!

Anyway, back to the creepjob at the playground. He was looking around and turning his back in such a way that made him seem like none of the children on the playground "belonged" to him. He was just there checking everyone out. I kept my eye on him. What if he was some kid's dad or uncle? How would I know? He made his way over to the swings. There was young boy swinging three swings over from him. Then two. Then one. I turned my head for a moment so I wouldn't appear to be the creepy one, then the kid was gone... but the man was still wandering around. I then spotted the creepster over by the bigger jungle gym. The boy was playing. Then the boy was gone, but the man still lingered. Eventually they met up again at the big kid swings. It was time for us to get home, but I couldn't leave until I knew this man wasn't going to offer some candy from his van... The boy hopped off the swing grabbed the man's hand and off they went...

Am I paranoid? Perhaps this really was the boy's non-creepy guardian... I kept asking myself if I should ask the boy if he's here with his parents or something, but then I was afraid that I would appear to be the creepy one. For your reference, here's a small checklist of Donts to avoid looking like the creepjob at the playground:

1. Don't wander around staring or appear to be staring at other peoples' children
2. Don't hover over your child in a creepy manner. Stay within sight, maybe by the other parent (yes, that was singular) on the bench.
3. Don't turn your back on who appears to be your child repeatedly. This makes it look like you're nonchalant trying to offer him creepy candy in your creepy van.
4. And finally: Don't drive a camo-painted, windowless Astro Van. We live in the city of Cleveland. No one is going to mistake your creepy kiddie-candy-mobile as brush in the forest.

Mocktail Monday!

Ok everyone since summer is just about here I think it's time for some fun, fruity drinks! Given the weekend is usually adult fruity drink fun, I've reserved Mondays as our official Mad Mom Mocktail Mondays! I'll post some great recipes to try with the kids. They'll have fun helping you make these concoctions and will love helping you drink them! This is also a great way to sneak in some extra fruit or vegetable juice!


Sunny Citrus Cooler!

1 (46 oz) can pineapple juice
2 (12 oz) cans frozen orange juice concentrate (thawed for easy mixing)
3/4 cup lemonade concentrate (also thawed)
6 cups ginger ale - better if chilled
Orange slices

In a 1-gal. pitcher, combine pineapple juice, orange juice concentrate and lemonade concentrate. Add ginger ale and mix well. Serve over ice. Garnish with orange slices if desired.

Have your kids help mix while you're preparing they orange slices. And for weekend revisions, add a little Parrot Bay rum - any flavor will do, but the coconut flavor will add an exotic flavor and a little kick for the mad mom!