Tuesday Tunes ~ Thursday Edition ~ Long Hard Times To Come

We took our girls to their first Detroit Tigers game on Labor Day weekend.  They, and we, had a blast. 

Every batter has their own theme song that is played as they come on deck, and every time Andy Dirks was up his song jumped out at me.  So I went home and googled it, and of course, I found it.

"Long Hard Times to Come" is also the theme song to the FX series Justified, and since I couldn't find an official video this Justified-version will have to do.  I love it.  Great song.

Back to School Shopping (The differences between 9 and 15)

Back to school shopping nearly killed me this year.

No, not the money spent, and not the time spent, as we seemed to be very efficient with both.  We used lots of coupons, went online to pre-shop for ideas, and hit stores at good times.  Honestly, it almost killed me by way of a broken heart.  My heart breaks because I no longer know what most young girls like.  At all.

Yes, I go online, I read magazines, I people watch, but every time I tried to suggest something for my almost 13-year-old daughter or my 15-year-old niece I found that I was off.  Way off.  Apparently teenage Stacy would not have thrived in 2013.  And don't get me started with my nine-year-old daughter and her cousin of the same age.  One loves pink, one hates it.  One loves sparkles, one would rather die.  Oh, holy chest pain.

My niece attends private school and has to wear a uniform.  Therefore she looks for any way to add something unique to her solid color shirt and pants.  She had sent me a few texts of shoes she found on Wanelo (again, had to get schooled on that app too) and when we went shopping we found these lovely ladies from Madden Girl.

So she could have some variety in her shoe wardrobe, we also bought these from Forever 21.  Both worked because technically they are solid color and that is a uniform requirement.  There was nothing in the rules about sparkles or studs.

Did I mention that my niece is also 5' 9"?  Did you know (I didn't, but I don't think it's because I am uncool or anything, it's because I am short) that it is VERY hard to find long, uniform approved, dress pants that also meet the requirements of previously mentioned 15-year-old.  They have to be skinny.  They can't have open pockets (odd school rule).  They can't be flared.  They should be khaki or black.  OK, if navy is all they have they can be worn on days when laundry is backed up.  God forbid they have pleats or anything resembling a pleat.  And if she tries them on and says "I look like a boy" then just forget it.  Aeropostale Slim Fit Chinos in a 4 Long.  If they get more in let me know.

Unlike my nieces, my girls go to public school, but they are equally as picky.  My eighth grader had to have jeans that were skinny, yet able to be rolled up like this. 

 

Again Aeropostale to the rescue.  Since she is a wee 5' 3" (at the time of this posting) the regular length works for her.

My girls and I always clean out dressers and closet before school shopping.  It helps to pinpoint what they really need and it helps me display how much of their wardrobe they don't wear.  I can usually select a few items from each closet and say "remember how bad you wanted this?  You just HAD to have it."  Have you worn it?  Ever?"  This year these words seemed to really sink in, because they were both rather selective with their final decisions.  The oldest is even waiting on some new dress shoes like this...

They can't have stretch all the way around, because it bugs her.  So, I have managed to get her to keep shopping until we find ones that won't "bug" her.

What about the nine-year-olds you ask?  Yes, what about them.  My niece wears a full on plaid jumper to school and she loves these shoes and this backpack.  And I would proudly wear them both.

My youngest, who is also 9 and often called Punky Brewster, picked out this shirt from Justice for school, which I think I may have owned it's twin in the mid 80's.  She also picked out these Adidas athletic shoes.

And she wore them together.  Which I would proudly never do.  All of the statements above are the reason why I rarely bring home anything without my kids seeing it first.  Surprise clothes are never wedgie proof, and they usually rub some spot on your shoulder blade, or the side of your knee the wrong way.  Surprise clothes often end up missing in the back of the closet or under your pajamas in the bottom drawer.  And finally, surprise clothes are usually not cool, because Mom picked them out.  And Mom is not cool.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Thursday Follow Up

And here is the full video for Katy Perry's Roar.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Roar

She is teasing us folks.  The whole video is still not released and my very cool children have me addicted to the song.  OK, breathe, I mean roar, I mean be patient... I've got the eye of the tiger...

Tuesday Tunes ~ Boys 'Round Here

I got into The Voice this last season and in that process developed a little crush on Blake Shelton.  Those eyes, that voice.  Oh my.  Love this song too.

Enhancing Your Performance

I am sitting here listening to the radio and they are talking about A-Rod and all the things going on with this mess. In my opinion it is a joke what is going on. Last night he got beamed and the pitcher didn’t get thrown out of the game when it was definitely intentional.

Now, I agree with the pitcher and think they should all do it until he quits the game. Not even his organization seems to want him playing. He just needs to quit the game and let it go, I mean how bad does he want to tarnish his name. He has already ruined any chance to get into the Hall of Fame. Again this is just one big joke.

With that being said, have you ever noticed how the big name players don’t seem to get busted until they are no longer a factor? In other words, once they stop bringing in the ratings and the money to the sport they play they get busted. Look at Mark McGwire, they had to know that he was juicing but he was bringing in the ratings and making people money hand over fist. It wasn’t until he was done that they finally let it out. The same can be said for Barry Bonds, or Lance Armstrong. Think about it, Lance Armstrong is the reason many of us gave the Tour De France any attention at all so why would they bust the only person that brings in the ratings.  There are many, many names that we could talk about on this subject and we could analyze them all.

It is my opinion that they will find Michael Phelps, and Usain Bolt guilty of something when they stop performing and bringing in the ratings. And there are many other names you could put on this list also. I hope I am wrong, I really do, but there is a lot of history on this subject. It seems that the only way an athlete can compete these days is to “cheat”, find that extra edge to be bigger, faster, stronger than they ever have been. And it seems as long as you are making money for the league they are going to leave you alone. Even when players do get busted they are getting suspended for a while then they come back and make millions again. Why don’t they just ban all offenders forever? Ratings that’s why! We all watch to see if they can still play after their suspension.

In my opinion, if they get busted then they should be banned. I am a Tigers fan and I don’t care if I ever see Jhonny Peralta play again. But at the same time I love watching Cabrera, but who’s to say that he is not taking some kind of enhancement drug. Right now he is a giant in the game of baseball and obviously bringing in very high ratings. I don’t know that he is and I sure hope he isn’t but I do know if he is, you will not know for several years. I wouldn’t be surprised to see it come out in the near future that Albert Pujols was using. He seems to be declining and not the big attraction he used to be so if things hold true then he will be in trouble soon. Anyway, just remember this is all just my opinion.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Blurred Lines (What Rhymes with Hug Me?)

I don't love this song as much as I did a month ago, but it still makes me wanna move.  The video, on the other hand, is something I just decided to investigate.  It cracks me up, and I just can't believe that this is Jason Seaver's son.  #Thicke

 

My Claim to Review Fame

Once up on a time, when I was in the middle of my mid-life crisis I was the Chick Lit Examiner for the National edition of the... umm… Examiner.

During that time (May 4, 2010 to be exact) I wrote a lovely review for Jen Lancaster's My Fair Lazy where I said, and I quote, "My Fair Lazy does not 'suck it'.  It rocks it. And it's available today."  Well, lo and behold, flash forward to earlier this year.  It's late at night and I am reading, my husband is snoring, and I start perusing the back of Jeneration X.  And I see it.  "My Fair Lazy does not 'suck it'.  It rocks it", was written on the back of the book, and it was attributed to Examiner.com.


"Gosh, that sounds familiar," I said to myself.  So, I did a little Google searching on my phone and I found my original review, and the last line of my article is the line on the back of the book.  O. M. G., I am quoted on the back of Jen Lancaster's book!  Me!

I woke Cory up but I don't really think he understood what I was talking about, and it all seemed really crazy anyway and eventually I went to sleep.  I thought about the quote from time to time and shared it with friends, but it wasn't until late Spring when a friend told me that Jen Lancaster would be appearing at Nicola's Books in Ann Arbor for a signing that I got excited again.  Not only could I meet her, I could also tell her it was me that wrote that review!

The day of the signing my life was overwhelming as usual, and I almost didn't go.  I left work late and drove the 30 miles feeling that there was no way I would make it on time.  Not only that, I totally forgot my copy of Jeneration X to have signed (and my pearls that everyone knows you should wear to a Jen Lancaster signing).  But I did make it on time, and after I met up with my friend and the seat she had saved for me, I walked up to buy my copy of The Tao of Martha: My Year of LIVING; Or, Why I'm Never Getting All That Glitter Off of the Dog.  I made my purchase, returned to my seat and began looking over the book.  And there it was.  My review!  On the back of the new book too!

Short story long, Jen was hilarious and we had a lovely time waiting in line to meet her.  She laughed when I pointed out my review on her book, but we didn't spend much time chatting.  The line was long and my friend and I headed for the exit.  But as we looked at the our the pages she signed I chuckled as I saw what she wrote.

You're welcome Jen Lancaster!  And hopefully I can write another review that you can quote on your next book.  Thus extending my 15 minutes of fame to 30.

Heather Wells in The Bride Wore Size 12

I knew this was coming.  But for my own sanity and the ability to sleep, I had to put it out of my head.

I love Meg Cabot, and I have read most of her adult fiction books, and a few of her books for younger people (Allie Finkle, The Princess Diaries).  But her Heather Wells mysteries, starting with Size 12 Is Not Fat, are my FAVORITE.

When I saw this cover photo on Heather Well's Facebook page I gasped with glee.  Finally!

I will do my best to wait until September 24, but just a tip- if you also like Heather Wells on Facebook, you can preview an excerpt from The Bride Wore Size 12.  I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Made For Love

At my day job.  Yes, as an un-cool Mom who recently entered the land of ages that start with four, I have a day job.

At my day job, I have connections to some music and this song and I are connected.  I would also love to be connected to John Legend, but I don't see that happening.

"Made to Love" can be heard in a super suave commercial for the Chevy Impala.  Or you can hear it in Mr. Legend's very interesting, official music video below.  Sometimes, listening is enough.

Girls + American Girl + Crafts = American Girl Crafts

My youngest daughter, almost nine-and-a-half, has a creative side that I completely envy.

On more occasions than I can remember she has raided the recycle bins in the garage and created a masterpiece of epic proportions.  No box is tossed without careful consideration of it's potential usage and if you are a cardboard insert, watch out, you will be drawn, painted, or glued on at some point.  It is her creativity and love of learning that keep her going all the time.

So, when I saw that House Party had an American Girl Crafts party on their list, I knew I had to apply. I also knew I needed to promote my interest to increase my chances of being picked and luckily for me, and for my daughter, I was.  Ummm... we were.

The party pack itself was freakin' amazing.  Look at all of the items we received from House Party and EKSuccess Brands!

The main item is the American Girls Crafts My Life Scrap and Stuff Book.  It has 30 pre-designed pages for you to write about yourself, your family and your favorite things.  It's adorable all by itself, but then we received an enormous amount of embellishments.  Stamps, stickers, letters, clips and design tape were all in the box.  Needless to say my daughter was super excited to have this party and share with her friends.

We prepared some simple snacks for the party and set everything out on the table for our crafty guests to see when they arrived.

Upon arrival everyone got down to business and had no trouble making their books their own.  Some took their work very seriously.

    

Friends of many ages (and one boy) enjoyed making their own scrapbooks.  Their Moms enjoyed the coupons, and I was once again impressed with the creativity of small people, and with the generosity of a good brand.

Disclosure:  I applied and was chosen to be an American Girl Crafts party host.  I was given a party pack by EK Success Brands and House Party in exchange for hosting the party.  All opinions are 100% my own.

Gleeks in Mourning

There have been many times in my life when I was caught off guard.  Taken aback.  Stunned.  I felt that on Monday, July 15th when I heard that Cory Monteith had passed away over the weekend.

 

I was on vacation, our annual trip to Michigan's Drummond Island, when I heard the news courtesy of a SiriusXM radio channel with DJ's in L.A.

I instantly shared the news with all of the young people around me, because they certainly would care as much, if not more, than me.  I assumed this since they are teenagers, and I am in my not-thirties.  But I think it bothered me more.

Maybe because Cory is my Glee-Crush, and yes I still crush.  Not to the level I crushed on Kirk Cameron (ugh, I know) in the 80's and not with the sophistication of which I crush on my husband-in-an-alternate-universe Ben Affleck.  But with the clarity of knowing that 20 years ago I would have moved to L.A. to find Cory, but now I know how absurd that would be so I just have dreams about him instead.  Good dreams.

I even had a dream just last week where I told him off for being stupid, and that he needed to fix his mistake.  It was very vivid and quite dramatic.  And of course, odd.

It's just so sad.  A real tragedy for someone who was such a bright, shining, star.  Of course I feel horrible for the people who actually knew him, but as a Gleek I am sad for me and the story lines I won't see finished, and as a Cory Monteith fan I am sad for the roles I won't see him play.

I pray that those who loved Cory find peace in their hearts and the strength to move on, and I hope his death can be a wake up call for others who maybe struggling with their own addictions.  Being dead, is not cool.  Rest in Peace.

Figure it out!!

I was sitting here reading about the NHL lockout and just shaking my head and I realized that there is a lot in common between the NHL and our government.  I mean for the most part they are all millionaires fighting over what? Money!!

Think about it, you have the billionaire owners locking out the millionaire players and neither side is willing to give in enough to get this thing taken care of.  Then we have the millionaires that run the country failing to give enough to settle this fiscal cliff thing.  And in the end who is hurt the most?  We are, the average person, the middle class, the ones who watch the sport and the ones who did the voting.  The sad thing is they don’t seem to care!  We are only the other 98% of the country and we don’t matter.

It is sickening to watch this go on in either case when there are many, many families that struggle everyday just to make ends meet.  Christmas is a major struggle for way to many families in our country and yet these people who fight over our money don’t have to worry about their own money at all.  As far as I am concerned hockey can disappear and the government can shut down and either way I will not lose any sleep over it.  In fact I don’t think I would miss any of the professional sports.   

In the end all these million and billionaires need to remember why they are where they are.  If it wasn’t for all of us they would not be making millions owning a team and paying millions to players to play a game.  And that is what it is a GAME!   As for the government we have voted you in office to do what is right for the nation in a whole. You are there to represent us, the people, not your party or your lobbyist.  You are adults so you act like it and get this thing settled instead of seeing who can push who the farthest.

This is all just my opinion and I refuse to feel bad for anyone involved in professional sports or the government.  There is a very large population that has taken pay cuts in recent years just to keep their jobs and even more that have to pay more for health insurance.  I don’t recall ever hearing of anyone in professional sports taking a pay cut and I sure as hell have not heard of anyone of our so called leaders talking a pay cut and paying more in insurance. 

So the NHL can just ignore the fans and the government can ignore the so called little people but they need to remember one thing, they do not exist without us, the other 98%.  If we don’t watch the games or but the merchandise you have no money.  And the less money we make the less the government gets.  So here is a good idea, bring back our manufacturing jobs and put people back to work so that us 98% are making more money. Then guess what, we are paying more taxes to help pay for the stupid crap that goes on in our government.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Some Nights- Glee Style

I am a Gleek.  I admit it.  I didn't watch from the beginning, but over Christmas break of the second season I got caught up and I haven't missed one since.  The Thanksgiving episode featured a New Directions cover of Some Nights by Fun. and it was awesome.  Below you can see if for yourself.  And today you can buy the new soundtrack for Season 4- Glee: The Music - Season 4 Vol 1 which also includes their version of Gangnam Style.  Yes, you heard me.  Gangnam Style.  Yeah, we used to be cool.

My Wife :)

My part to this blog is my opinion and yes I usually have one.  I have been trying to decide which topic I want to write about.  I have a strong opinion about the drop off at the middle school and I could easily write about the election or hunting or soccer or a number of things.  But today I want write about my wife, Stacy.

As you know if you are reading this we combined our blogs a while back and we got away from it for a while but she has been back at it so I need to do my part. Anyway, I have decided to write about my wife because she deserves to have good things said about her and she deserves it coming from me where everyone can hear.

So let me start by saying Stacy is a unique person in the fact that she works an hour away from home and still leads Jayden’s Girl Scout troop and is a co-leader for Ryann’s troop, not to mention the different websites and newsletters she does for the schools and church etc.  Oh yea, she sells Thirty-One and blogs and keeps our family going.  So maybe saying she is unique is not the right way to say it, maybe I should say she is amazing. 

If you are any kind of friend to Stacy you know she is constantly battling depression and anxiety, and if you are a true fried you know that she does not always win that battle and she needs us to pick her back up.  However, as I have already said she is still amazing because she can do all that she does while she is battling. 

If you are a friend you also know that she has a heart of gold and would do anything she could to help a friend and not think twice about it.  She has never second guessed helping anyone in any situation. She does, on the other hand, second guess asking for help or relying on her friends to help us with things like the girls. She does not want to take advantage of people and has a hard time asking for help.  In my opinion that just shows how much she wants to be involved in everything our girls do.

It is my opinion this woman, my wife, is one amazing person.  With the drive and the hours she has to work anyone would get a little stressed at times, but then you have to look at all the volunteering she does, and all she does for her family and friends. With that being said I don’t know how anyone could disagree.

Most people know that I am a very proud father, I have two beautiful girls and I could not be more proud of the things they do.  However, I would not have these girls if it weren’t for Stacy, so now I want everyone to know that I am very proud of my wife for all she does.  Hell, I am proud of her for putting up with me.  I also want everyone to know that I could not love her any more then I already do.  Stacy is the most amazing person I know and I want everyone to know that!!!  I would not be the person I am today without her. 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart Stacy, I love you!!!

Tuesday Tunes ~ Little Lion Man

During a month of sharing what we're thankful for I want to state that I am thankful for Spotify.

Spotify has allowed me to listen to music in it's entirety without buying it, and it gives me a chance to hear some tracks I wouldn't normally get to hear.  It also give me a chance to pile up on whatever I'm in the mood for at any given time.

In the last year I have fallen head over heels for Mumford & Sons, and today's Tuesday Tunes (on Wednesday, no less) is one of my favorites.  From the harmony to the variety of instrument sounds blending together I get goose bumps every time I hear it.  I think you will too.

 

Surviving Middle School with Discovery Girls ~ Giveaway

I am the mother of a Middle School Girl.  Pray for me.

Everyday I am faced with something else to discuss with my daughter, and my one rule of thumb when deciding if it's necessary or not?  Do I wish my mother had, or was I glad that my mother did, discuss this with me.

While my Mom did a pretty good job raising me there are some things I wish I had known that I didn't.  Number one- getting fitted for a bra.  We never did that.  I think I was 25 and with my BFF the first time I found and bought a bra that fit me properly.  But you know- there are things we, as Moms, just don't think of  because we are too busy making sure everyone eats and has clothes that are clean.  So, for those times I am thankful for Discovery Girls and their Discovery Girls' Middle School Survival Guides .

I browsed each of these books before my twelve-year-old said "Mom can I take those to bed?"  Of course I let her and I haven't seen them since.  That could be because she has a loft bed and I'm just not climbing up there, but usually when she's done with a book it lands with a thud on the floor and scares the crap out of my husband and me, but there have been no thuds.  I think it's because each little vignette or story deals with a different situation that a middle-schooler may or may not encounter but at least it won't be completely foreign to them if it does happen, and this is why-

Discovery Girls', is an award-winning magazine aimed at tween girls, and they have produced four books packed with real-world practical advice. The books deliver their best strategies so girls can successfully deal with friendship troubles, embarrassing moments, life's toughest problems, body issues, school pressures and much much more. All of the books reinforce the power of girls to overcome disappointment, develop positive images about themselves, seek the right kind of help, talk to their parents and learn how to grow from failures.

Friendship Hardship shows girls how to deal with their toughest friendship problems plus how to make (and keep!) good friends Sticky Situations is all about the best ways to deal with more than 70 of life's trickiest situations and most embarrassing moments. Ask Ali: All the Advice You'll Ever Need gives girls sound advice on school, boys, family, friends and more, all from Discovery Girls' very popular columnist, Ali. My Worst Day is packed with amazing true stories...girls like you share their struggles and help you through your most difficult times.

I am comfortable sharing these with my daughter and I think you will be too.  And I have a set to give away!  Just comment on this post between now and Sunday, November 11 at 11:59 pm for a chance to win your own set of Discovery Girls' Middle School Survival Guides .  That's right one simple comment.  Below.  And you can share these lovely books with a middle school girl in your life, and then make a note to have her fitted properly for a bra.  Preferrably sometime before she's 25.

Disclosure: I was given a set of the Discovery Girls Middle School Guides to review as well as a set to giveaway.  All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.  Comment below to enter by Sunday, November 11 at 11:59 p.m.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Creepy Crawlies

OK, so this isn't my kid's band.  But she did have a concert tonight and she did play this song.  And the timing is perfect.  Enjoy.

Tuesday Tunes ~ Harmony

Harmony - /ˈhärmənē/
Noun:

1. The combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions with a pleasing effect.
2. The study or composition of musical harmony.

What is is about Harmony?  A good harmony- live or recorded- can give me goose bumps.  So, when I stumble on a song featuring pleasing chord progressions I usually play it.  A lot.  And loud.  My kids must pay attention because Ryann just asked to download this song to her iPod.  She had heard it on one of my Spotify playlists.  Lucky for her I had already purchased the track, and all she had to do was log on to the cloud and download it to her own device. Happy kid.  Happy Mama.

Of Converse and Camelbaks

My girls don't take care of their sh... crap, and it's causing me emotional distress.

I like to "treat" my kids.  They don't have everything their friends do, and honestly they don't ask for much.  But growing up I went without a lot and it has caused me to spoil my kids from time to time.

But I want to preface this by saying that my 12-year-old has a laptop, an iPod and a pay-as-you-go cell phone.  She bought them all with her own money.  My eight-year-old also has an iPod.  I'm sorry, she had an iPod.  She bought it herself and she killed it herself.  With ice.  But that's another story for another time.

I've learned from my Grandma that sometimes quality is worth the price.  Yes, I could have endless plastic, BPA filled, water bottles in my house but I chose to get my girls Camelbak bottles for school this year.  I shopped around, and I found them on sale at Target for $12.  That was about 4 weeks ago.  My older daughter's is no longer in our possession.  She "must have left it in one of her classes".

I try to teach my girls responsibility.  You have to take care of your sh... crap.  I thought they were listening. 

Each of them has a desk drawer in their bedroom that I refer to as their "treasure drawer".  This drawer contains items they can't seem to part with.  A mini notepad from a birthday party last summer.  I flat penny form our trip to Bronner's.  A bouncy ball from Buffalo Wild Wings obtained in 2009.  All sh... crap in my opinion, but should any of it come up missing, hysteria would ensue.  But, a 10-inch-tall, purple, water bottle?  Well, it can be easily left on a desk for a student in the next class to say "Hey, this is a cool water bottle I think I'll keep it".  Oh yeah, no name.  It wore off.  hmmph!

My youngest has silly notes that she and her BFF wrote in kindergarten.  Three years ago.  They are "special".  But the design-your-own Converse she designed and I bought?  Those were special enough to leave by the door so our puppy could have one as a snack!  Yes, she is heartbroken, and yes I yelled at her.  But, I am heartbroken too.  She had them a week.  Look at the non-chewed one.  It's flawless.  And I've tried to encourage Converse to let me order one sneaker, but even though they are built from scratch and shipped from CHINA! I have to order 2.  Sigh.

So, I'm sad.  I budget our money and try to get ahead and in two instances I've lost over $50.  And my kids have their treasures but no cool water bottle and no cool shoes.  So I've resolved to only buy them food until they graduate.  No more cool stuff.  And no replacing the stuff they didn't take care of.  Ever. Anyone have a contact at Converse?