Random Tuesday Thoughts

Welcome to Tuesday's Random Thoughts.

Why do great ideas along with writing motivation and inspiration come when I'm in the shower, or driving, or otherwise - you know - unavailable to write?

I feel like we're finally in the mad dash toward summer. The last decorations I have for the school bulletin board are for Easter. So I'll probably need to get another set without a bunny for the rest of the school year, but the envelope now looks like, "YES. You are done."

And in spite of the inevitability of summer, it is currently less than 20 degrees outside. Fahrenheit, for those of you further north. That's colder than freezing. But I thing somehow warmer than other areas of the country. Very sad.

Maybe I should do a post all about my new biz... I'm having a 'Try-It Tuesday' tonight so local peeps can come try what I've got. Oh! It's Perfectly Posh, btw. 

I could honestly write random things all day, but what I really should be doing is rifling through ALL the little papers on my desk to sort out receipts and such I need for our tax appointment this weekend. Ugh!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

It is Tuesday, right?

If there was 'stream of consciousness blogging', ya'll would be reading til the middle of May after my dark & rainy drive home tonight. I had so many fabulous ideas. 

Why oh why do I get all inspired and ready to take action late at night? It almost seems like a conspiracy in my subconscious. I will not be nearly as eager and ready to make phone calls tomorrow. You know, at an appropriate hour. And I do have enough sense not to make said calls at 10:30pm.

Although I usually hate driving in the rain, it was somewhat comforting to see the temp outside was still 57 degrees. And no one has to shovel rain ;)

Life is crazy busy right now, but I don't really mind.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

The last couple of Mondays have felt like two days long to me. So by the afternoon, I'm convinced it's Tuesday already. And now? I have to keep reminding myself it isn't Wednesday yet. Ugh.

I had to post of Facebook earlier today about something that absolutely infuriated me. We have mice coming into our garage from the abandoned orchard next door. No surprise there. But I've taken to religiously baiting the traps with peanut butter. We've caught a few so far, and I do my little victor's dance each time.
 But this morning, not only were both traps in the garage relieved of their peanut butter bait, one of them had a tiny mouse turd in its place! So this class-less little rodent decided to poop where he'd just eaten. Number 1: GROSS! and Number 2: I'm convinced he did it just to thumb his little wiggly mouse nose at me. Yeah, I get it.
You at the peanut butter and then turned and delicately hovered your (getting fatter) mouse butt over the spring-loaded trap to let me know what you thought of my attempts at murder. Let's not kid ourselves - I don't want to trap the little buggers - I want them dead and out of my life and garage forever!

I wish there was something to make the high chair more comfortable for the shortest member of our family to sleep in. They have those things that contort around the seat belts that are supposed to make sleeping in the car more comfortable, so why not? If he doesn't dose off in the car, immediately after lunch in the high chair is his second choice.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

It's Tuesday again! Life is finally starting to settle into normalcy again. I've actually been puttering around and straightening office stuff this morning. I found another letter sorter thingy in the closet, so I'm trying to pull the usable flyers out of the piles of mailing stuff on my desk. I usually grab a chunk of each thing I need and go work where the boy-child can see me, but then when I go to put it all away it just lands in piles on the desk. Ugh. I used to have a great big office mail sorter thingy, but it was made of cardboard and didn't survive the move :(

If my motivation sticks around enough (I don't have high hopes), I'd love to clear off Maggie's dresser. I offered to put Halloween decorations there a while ago if she'd clean it, and now I did the same with Christmas, but she's not biting. I know it's intimidating, or I would already have it done, so I can't blame her ;) The latest plan is to get it cleared so we can keep the hermit crab in his/her aquarium up there. And that would be fun to get this weekend...

Of course I'm chatty today. Here's my real to-do list:

• Head to Kinko's for color copies of December specials
• Put together invite postcards for one December hostess
• Mail December show stuff to December hosts/hostesses
• Take that stuff to the post office
• Return stuff to the library and pick out new books for mommy
• Get some new jeans for Maggie

Ideally, this should be a two-part list. Go get the copies I need, then come home and assemble all that stuff to take to the post office. And the sooner I hit the mall for jeans, the better. Living near an outlet mall is a blessing and a curse...

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Only one more night to enter my EdenFantasys giveaway! I'm drawing the winner tomorrow morning. It's for a $25 gift card (I'll have no idea what you order, and they have more than just 'adult toys'. I got my Halloween costume from them, and they also have some popular books!)

And in less than a week (Sunday, November 25) I'll be drawing a winner for the Melissa & Doug play food! Even if you don't have kids, it would make a great gift! Don't even know any short people to gift it too? What a fabulous donation to Toys for Tots or another children's charity this holiday season!

I've figured out that Jack makes it until just about 11AM. Then he reaches what may be affectionately known as the 'nap or die' stage. The volunteer time slot in Maggie's class room runs from 10AM until 11:45AM. Each time I volunteer, I find myself quickly slipping out at 11AM to keep the screaming to a minimum ;)

Tuesday Random Thoughts

Have you entered the giveaways yet?? Get to it! Win a Melissa & Doug basket of play food for a kid in your life, or a $25 gift card from EdenFantasys!

I totally thought I beat my cold over the weekend, then I woke up horribly run down and stuffy yesterday. Bring on more vitamin C and echinacea!

There are now a few nights when hubby will have to work late. Hopefully once I get the kids in bed I can focus on some paperwork I've been thinking too much about but not yet doing ;) Night time is usually the right time for my productivity!

I want to focus on direct sales gift stuff for myself for my 'twelve days of christmas.' If you're a direct seller, please let me know! What a great time of year for a post or link swap ;)

Jack and I went and took daddy out for lunch today. Kalamata Grill - YUM!! There's still one piece of OMG Taco Bake left in the fridge, but it will probably be gone after dinnertime, if you get my drift...

And so much for my Menu Plan Monday again. With hubby gone Tuesday and Wednesday for dinner, and wanting to go out on Thursday, my plan is wasting away quickly ;)

Random Tuesday Thoughts

When will I ever remember to get the glass of wine before I sit down to write this post??

I messaged hubby to try and get him to bring me one, but he's busy watching the Canadians call us a bunch of dumb hosers over the election. Fair enough.

Ugh. It feels reasonably good to sit and crank out a bunch of computer work/email stuff that needed tending too, but also pretty blah. You don't get immediate results, you know?

And when did I get so old? I'm ready to doze off doing menial tasks that used to sort of amuse me....

The library had the third book in the Fifty Shades series available today. So I grabbed it. The first two were tolerable, but I'll never be their biggest fan. I also got one called 'Manny' about a male nanny that looks amusing.

Wow, instead of Random Tuesday, this could have been called lame tuesday. Sorry :( I'll try to be wittier tomorrow.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

We made it to 10AM library story time. Again. Mostly because we're awesome.

I can't believe how unseasonably warm it is lately. It's kind of weird, but I'm certainly not complaining. Definitely not til at least November. Halloween in Michigan usually involves putting on your cool costume, then covering it with your winter coat/snowsuit.

Figured out another secret to pleasing Jack. If I need to step out of the playpen (read: family room) for a minute, he won't complain if I leave him actually sitting on the couch. And he knows how to get down safely. He just can't quite climb up there yet, so he's happy to helped to his current favorite spot.

Are you local? We're looking forward to two events coming up at the Palace of Auburn Hills. The Phineas and Ferb stage show is November 2, and the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Circus is coming to town November 7 - 11. I think I've mentioned before, shows like these are Maggie favorite reason for having moved closer to the Palace. :) You can get tickets at Ticketmaster.com, and use the promo code MOM for either event to get discounted tickets.

I am still itching to try Southern Comfort's new Bold Black Cherry flavor. They started advertising on my Facebook literally like months ago, but it hasn't been in any stores near me yet. A couple weeks ago at Meijer I noticed the lime flavor has disappeared though...maybe making room for my new craving?

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I just totally blanked out on Jack's morning library story time for the second week in a row. Oops.

Hubby joined a gym yesterday. I'm going to check out the aerobics class schedule and maybe try it a few times with the two week trial I got...

I'm so, so sick of the elections. But sort of glad they're doing so much to support the postal system. Like mailing us multiples of all the annoying campaign flyers from each candidate...

I love sugary Halloween candy!! Today I've been munching on Mike & Ikes, and Cherry Heads. Only red or orange stuff, please. I'm very excited about the orange and white Nerds that make up the Halloween package.

I really hope hubby gets home from work a few minutes early tonight so I can go to the first parents-only Daisy meeting. I feel like I keep trying to get involved with stuff, but most of the parents are already clique-ey with other parents. Oh well.

My new Halloween Jewel Kade charm arrived today. And my new longer chain so I can wear more than one at a time. Yay!!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Yeah. Menu Plan...about that. Last night we ate at Applebees - obviously not on the plan. I had the Chipotle Cream Steak and Shrimp. Pretty tasty :)

It's a rainy-ish morning here, so hubby took Maggie to the bus stop without Jack and I. But we planned it when we first woke up, so poor Jack is still hanging in his PJs. See, there's a rule around here. If the baby's happy, don't mess with it. I made the rule, and I'm the enforcer. Given all this, I certainly can't be the one to break the rule, can I?

Have you seen Call the Midwife on PBS? I'd seen the commercials (since the kids usually watch PBS) but I admittedly can never catch a show when it actually airs (Netflix is my friend). Luckily BerryMorins Bits and Tips mentioned it with the link, so I just may be able to watch it in fits and starts between all my other projects this morning :)

As rainy-ish as it may be, I still need to show up for my offered volunteering at Maggie's school this morning (and to pick up my Market Day order), and get the chicken broth and gravy that I forgot when grocery shopping yesterday. Jack and I were going to exchange a couple birthday gifts and turn some clothes in at the resale shop, but that can wait for clearer weather.

I've applied for my test-scoring job again. Keep your fingers crossed for good timing on the scoring, and a decent project!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

What is it about me and Tuesday getting along all of a sudden? Second week in a row I'm blogging before the kids go to bed...heck, shortly after we all got up! But it's quiet downstairs, so Jack may be napping already..

Today is Maggie's picture day. She chose to wear her black shirt with the glitter and skulls on the front (yes, she is definitely my child) with a light teal polka-dotted skirt. And orange barrettes in her hair. Who am I to stifle artistic expression??

Since I'm moving and actually checking things off the to-do list this early, I think Jack and I may make it to story time again! I hope Maggie isn't too upset that I'll also return her books and stuffed bat puppet to the library also, since they're due on Thursday and we don't go to the library much now that she's in school all day.

Ahhh...there's the screaming. Jack is up and raring to go for story time, apparently. ;)

Random Tuesday Thoughts

What's this? I'm all random before noon??

I've only got a few minutes before we head to the library for story-time. And actually, if it's crowded I won't stay, because we'd have to leave early anyway for our lunch plans. I don't want to take someone else's spot and then only stay for half of the story-time.

I'm getting my hair cut again! I've been growing it out mostly because hubby likes it long. And it's just hair, so I didn't care enough to argue about it, or do something I knew wouldn't make him happy just because. But he said he was looking through some old pictures and remembered it looked pretty good short, and if I want it cut, I should get it cut. Okay!

My goal this week is just to get through this coming weekend. I have two chocolate tastings plus a baby shower on Saturday (which also commits my Friday to prep), then a chocolate tasting at our house on Sunday, followed immediately by the homecoming parade, in which Maggie is marching and twirling her baton. Next week I'd love to do a little more work in my office. You know, while planning Jack's birthday party for that weekend.

Figures, Jack is having a nice morning chilling with his toys in the family room, and we're on our way out the door for hours on end. I guess he already picked up on my good mood, so he's rolling with it :)

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Damn. I need that wine.

Congratulations to Denise for winning the Sexy Saturday giveaway last weekend :)

The weather is finally turning to fall! We are still getting quite warm by mid-afternoon, but I was nice and cozy catching the bus at 8:20AM in a lined flannel jacket. I tend to only wear that jacket a few times a year, and every time I wonder why it's not on me more often! I love it <3

Favorite Maggie story from her first (partial) week of school:
On Friday, it's Bagel Day. If the kids bring $1, they can get a bagel before school starts. Yum! I don't know if Maggie had ever had a bagel, but of course she wanted to participate, so I sent her with her $1. On the way home from the bus that afternoon, I asked her about it.
She said, "I picked a sugar one." I'm thinking, sugar bagel? Uh-oh. I'm guessing the white stuff was salt, kid.
"But," she continues, "I didn't like it. So I didn't know what to do. Then my teacher came and got the sugar off and I ate some of the bagel."
I asked if she wants to get a bagel again, and she said yes, but she'll pick a plain one next time.
Good choice.

I've decided to schedule a chocolate tasting party at my house on September 23. If you're local to Lake Orion, Michigan and would like to attend, let me know :)

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I was already off track last week. Throw in a holiday Monday this week and I may never know what day it is again!

Go enter my contest here. Yes, folks, it's a giveaway with no difficult requirements. So far there's one entry, so your odds are good ;)

I'm remembering why my Dove Chocolate Discoveries Artisan Butter Toffee has lasted so long. They are so rich and delicious!! I'm having a chocolate craving, so I brought two to my desk, and I only finished one. My sweet tooth is satisfied already.

Sneak preview: Do you have a favorite variety of Hamburger Helper? I sure do - but actually it's chicken helper. I'll tell you all about it later this week :)

And now, I'm off for the glass of wine in the picture, and our next recorded episode of Breaking Bad.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Woo-hoo!! I have officially consistently blogged for one week straight (at least once a day...never mind the ten years or so previously...).

My office is looking So. Much. Better. And the trash is full again. There's the biggest secret to organizing this hole: Be brave and throw it all away! I've held on to door-prize drawing slips and order forms from years ago (since I've been doing this business for four years now), and all the information is already in the computer! I've admittedly double checked to see the info there (and a few times had to add it in), but I'm throwing away the paperwork - yay!!

Ugh. I actually stopped cleaning for a minute because I remembered some blog giveaways I read about on Facebook that I wanted to enter. Just because. I've decided that I may not be a big fan of rafflecopter. I sort of feel like I've been scrolling and clicking all day, and I only entered like two giveaways so far. I miss the old days where entry was just via comment, and then the blog owner used random.org or whatever to pick a winner. Am I behind the times?

Okay. After the first two randoms, I got distracted and cleaned up physical stuff in my office again (yay?). After the next one, I lost myself on twelve other websites. Now I'm back, to let you know, I'm wrapping it up for today's post :)

Almost...here's one more random that I kind of like. Here's what I looked like one year ago - a month and a couple days before Jack made his appearance in the outside world...

Random Tuesday Thoughts

That glass of wine always looks so tasty.

Desperate times call for desperate measures. I made almost a dozen calls this evening to people who had previously looked at Dove's chocolatier opportunity. My team has suddenly dwindled when I wasn't looking :( I want more co-workers! I miss having people to call and say, "Great job!" or give suggestions to, or be here to take calls from. Are you looking for an extra $200, $500 or $1000 or more each month? Direct sales is about getting paid what you're worth - do you get that at your current job? If you've ever considered doing something in your spare time that's fun and rewarding (both personally and financially!), please contact me using the information on the linked website, or in the comments (I moderate them, so your personal info will not show up here).

Hubby's been gone for four days now. We're getting by fine. It sounds like he's worse off for missing us. It's an odd sort of time anyway at home, being between Maggie's fun summer classes, but still before the real school year starts. Add in the fact that today is the first day I've been mostly headache free, and I haven't really had a chance to dwell on how busy I am taking care of both kids without regular adult interaction (miss you, honey!).

The weather is beautiful here lately. I'm sure we'll have another few days like living in an oven, but right now these sunny, 70 degree days are really doing it for me.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

• My headache went away again for now, but this afternoon I thought I might die. I really, really hope it's gone this time (although it was gone last night too....before it came back this morning...).
• And to follow-up - because of said headache, I didn't get as much laundry done today as I should have. Tomorrow I need to pack for my trip to Dove Chocolate Discoveries' National Conference!! I fly out Thursday morning, so 'down to the wire' is approaching quickly!
• Which makes me wonder why I'm blogging instead of folding. But honestly, I've got blog stuff that has to get done before I leave too....so I'm just choosing to do it now instead of tomorrow. Yeah..um..go, me?
• I am SO EXCITED for conference. I will miss the kiddos terribly, but I need a break (and even better than just a break - spending it with one of my best friends!)

Zombie Love Randomness

I feel like sharing some zombie love. Probably because tonight for the first time ever, Maggie said a zombie scared her. Luckily it was the zombie from her alphabet book, so the last page was pretty easy to avoid while still reading the rest of the book. She said only I am allowed to read that book to her from now on, because I know which page to skip. I am an alphabet MASTER!








I have several things I am totally waiting for now. I dropped off my fabulous Painting with a Twist painting to be framed a week or so ago, and it's supposed to be done around TOMORROW! And I have a bunch of Jewel Kade jewelry on its way from a party I had a couple weeks ago. Can't wait!!

I can hardly believe that just one week from tomorrow, I'll be turning 40! Yikes!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Damn. That wine looks delicious every time I start getting all random on Tuesday...

So I'm slowly getting back into the groove. Getting home at like 2:30AM on Sunday night (yes, that means it was actually Monday morning) pretty much made Monday a wash. So that makes this lovely Tuesday my first day back to reality, and almost all the way awake.

I wish my husband wasn't deaf to the cat's meows. She really wants to be fed, and I want to finish this before I leave my office to go back downstairs. But I'll probably have to give in and try to feed her and come back upstairs, because I don't want her meowing to wake the kids. Who are not deaf to the meows.

Okay. So now the cat is fed. And I got a glass of water while I was down there. Bonus!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

OMG. I almost accidentally snagged the cute lil badge without the wine glass. Maybe it was my love of Southern Comfort talking, but a glass of wine is way better than empty handed. Just sayin.

This is like record-breaking early for my random Tuesday post. Yeah, it is because I haven't yet gone to bed on Monday. I had such a good reason - I finally laid the little man down on the bed (and he stayed asleep) so I could work. Then I can't work past midnight, so voila! I had a few minutes left over before I'm tired enough to actually fall off of my yoga ball.

Okay, this isn't entirely random, but I'm so excited to share that my Dove chocolate business finally has online ordering! Check it out at http://www.mydcdsite.com/becki ! You can order any of our fabulous yumminess (including Chocolate Martini or Mudslide Mix for $5 off in April only!) and have it shipped right to your door (as long as your door exists in the 48 contiguous states - sorry, Wendy!)

The countdown is in full force - just 15 days til my fabulous trip to Punta Cana!!! Maggie finally said this morning that she won't be sad and miss me, because she's excited about our vacation 'at' Pennsylvania which happens the week after I get back. I know she'll be fine, but I'd be really relieved if she'd not be quite so devastated every time I mention that I'm leaving. Poor girl!