Since When Did the Minority Become the Majority?

I don't know about you, but I was always under the assumption that "majority" referred to the number larger than half of the total. And that in America, majority ruled, which is how representatives win elections by constituents as well as how their representatives win bills in Congress. But lately it sickens me how one person pretends to be "offended" by someone else's action (the other million people in the room have no complaint) but the one person's offense results in banishment of the behavior. Recently, one person (ONE) at a military burial in California was offended by the words "the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob" during the flag-folding ceremony. Of course, now the recitation of this line is forbidden at any cemetery across the nation that is run by the National Cemetery Association. At least the families can still say it if they so choose (how big of the ruling) but it cannot be said by an employee of the cemetery.

A spokesman for the California Defense of Veterans Memorials Project says:

"It’s outrageous,” he says bluntly. “These are decisions that should be made by the families of our deceased veteran comrades and not by Washington bureaucrats — and most certainly not by any narcissistic, disaffected, offended atheist, agnostic, or any other [person] who is upset or offended by the word ‘God’ or a religious symbol which might offend his delicate sensibilities.”

Lloyd vows that even if there are “a hundred-million offended atheists,” he and other American Legionnaires will stand against the ban.

“We will defy this ban, pure and simple,” he states. “If the families ask us to recite the flag-folding ceremony, we will abide by the wishes of the family — not [by the wishes of] some bureaucrat sitting in an air-conditioned office in Washington, DC, or some lawyer wearing a diaper back there whose main mission in life is to protect his own behind instead of standing up for the American people and saying enough is enough."

Good for him. I hope they do defy the ban every chance they get. This is an absurd ruling.

Never Thought I'd Say This. Ever.

Uh...er...Clinton (Bill) said something that made sense recently. (You have no idea how hard it was for my fingers to find the right keys to type that.) Find the story here. I never knew Slick Willy had those kind of cajones. If only his husband could stand up to MoveOn.pinko like that. There's also video...don't miss it.

Kid on a Leash

My son started walking about a month ago at the ripe old age of 16 months. He was a late walker, but you won't hear any complaining from me. His daddy didn't walk till 18 months so I wasn't worried, just more happy that I didn't have to chase him around like a rabid dog. He's everywhere and still in the "selective hearing" stage. He is usually aimless with no destination in mind, but the thrill of getting from point A to point B is the real goal. The problem is that we travel a lot and now I worry about roaming the airport with him. I know some people would never use such an invention, but those people also probably don't have children. It's a kiddie backpack with a leash! Fantastic! I'm in love with it. They come in all different forms, but I love this monkey one. It's so cute and I know my son can't wander off. Plus, he loves having a buddy on his back and he gets to help out carrying stuff. It's awesome and I highly intend to use it for more than just travel!

COLTS v. Jax

So I'm currently sitting in front of the TV on Monday night getting ready to watch my Colts play the Jaguars. Usually I wouldn't be worried. In fact, I might even flip back & forth to Heroes. But not tonight. Jacksonville is actually 4-1 at this point. They're usually a team you look past. I'm still expecting to win handily but it probably won't be easy.

On another note...still no respect for the undeafeted Super Bowl champs. Everyone's still looking at the Pats. I don't know if it's their cover-girl QB or if Bellichik has everyone in his pockets. But it's like Notre Dame. After a couple less-than-average years, all the pundits can't WAIT for their hailed team to be back on top. Whatever. I guess my teams all do better when they're flying under the radar anyway. The pressure's off. It would just be nice to have a little respect now & then. Guess I can't have it all.

Flying Imam Class Action Lawsuit

Funny 'cuz it's true. Although the truth is what kind of makes it not funny. It's a great satire, but the truth surrounding it is really scary. Enjoy the video though!

All Class

Well, The View just keeps getting classier and classier. Did no one learn from Rosie? I can't believe this is still on the air. Anyway, last week Barbara Walters said she wanted to "do" Nancy Pelosi's husband, followed by Whoopi saying she wanted to "do" Nancy AND her husband. I would have hoped that the Speaker of the House would have at very least, not found this hilarious but especially would have mentioned how inappropriate these comments are. But no, San Fran Nan just laughed. These are her peeps after all. Classy. But now The View is saying the F-word live on air! Wow...what a family show. I never watch this show for obvious reasons but despite the fact that I'm a stay-at-home mom, I also have a life...I'm usually never even home when it's on (thank God). Check out the clip if you dare.

Hilarious Commercial

My sister turned me on to this commercial. It includes some hilarious, suggestive insults without being ultimately foul! Ha!

"Concert of Hope"

This past Saturday I had the privelege of seeing Eric Genuis in concert as a benefit for Delaware Right to Life. Genuis is a fantastic classical concert pianist who stopped doing secular concerts (a realm in which he was doing quite well) in order to use his musical talents to spread the message of life. He has a 3-year-old daughter with Down's Syndrome and talks a lot about the effects of music on our culture. He performed with violinist Eric Wuest who is absolutely fabulous as well. In fact, Wuest will be performing four concerts with Andrea Bocelli later this year! If you have a chance, check out his website and listen to some of his pieces. He is very inspiring. Especially see him in concert if you have the chance.

His most powerful testimony came after the concert at a small reception following the concert. He said the moment he knew he had to stop performing secular concerts was when he was talking to a man on a plane on the way to a show. The man told him he was about to have his first child. Eric told him congratulations and told him about his 4 children, including the baby with Down's. The man held up his hand and said, "That's great if you can handle something like that." Eric's first thought was, "Handle it? She's was God gave us!" The man proceeded to ask Eric if he thought it was merciful to bring a child into the world with a problem like Down's. Eric was shocked to think that is where we are in our culture - it's more merciful to kill an unborn child on the off chance she may not be "perfect." This is a slippery slope. Does that mean it is more merciful to kill everyone who currently exists on this Earth with Down's (or ANY other "imperfect" condition)? And if so, who will be the arbiter of perfection? Will it be the government? Scientists? Corporations? Can you imagine? Think of the impact of abortion in a grand scheme. The killing will never end until abortion does.

I urge you to check out some of Genuis' works. He really is amazing!

Nobel "What" Prize??

Seriously? Has the world become so political that they give Al Gore, who has done nothing...NOTHING...for the betterment of humanity, the same award that has been received by Martin Luther King, Jr., and most importantly, Mother Teresa?? I am appalled. Of course they give the award to terrorists (Yasur Arafat) so I shouldn't be too surprised. But in the grand scheme of things, it's very sad. There are so many people out there doing wonderful things for others who are less fortunate, but they have to give this award to the left-wing poster-boy flavor of the week. Is curbing climate change really a stepping stone towards peace (even if what Gore says was actually true, and even if he wasn't a complete hypocrite on the subject)?

Apparently there have been some recent, inconvenient truths to come Al's way just before he received the award.

Hugh Hewitt's site has a pretty hilarious analysis.

Update: Just read this thanks to James Taranto:
"Back in 1991, I was one of a handful of Democrats in the United States Senate to vote in favor of the resolution endorsing the Persian Gulf War. And I felt betrayed by the first Bush administration's hasty departure from the battlefield, even as Saddam began to renew his persecution of the Kurds in the North and the Shiites in the south--groups that we had after all encouraged to rise up against Saddam."--future Nobel Peace laureate Al Gore, Sept. 23, 2002

Holy Cow...

...Where have I been? Extremely busy is the answer to that. I'm back and I hope to be way more dedicated to this site from now on. For today's post, I'd like to tell you about a prayer I recently learned of. It's called Litany of Humility, and it immediately made my day better just having said it. Find it here. According to about.com:

This prayer was written by Rafael Cardinal Merry del Val (1865-1930), the secretary of state for Pope Saint Pius X. It is a very good daily prayer, especially when recited in front of a crucifix so that we can recall the humility of Christ.

You should recite the italicized responses ("deliver me, O Jesus" for the first two thirds of the prayer and "O Jesus, grant me the grace to desire it" for the final third) after each line of the litany.

Try it and see if it makes you feel as good as it did me.

My Idol

Last Wednesday night my husband & I went to Philadelphia to see my role model, Laura Ingraham. My goal in life is to be her BFF. Obsessed, I know. Oh well. She's fantastic. I got my book signed and actually spoke to her for about 20 seconds. We were this close!

Missing...Again

Sorry again that I've been away. We're traveling again. This time visiting family in Indiana. I've also been working hard at the new site I write for, BellaOnline. I'm the new Current Events editor. You can check it out here: http://www.bellaonline.com/site/currentevents. I will be writing once a week plus participating in forums and online discussions. Hopefully you'll join me there!

V-I-C-T-O-R-Y!

Ok, it's been a few days, but, COLTS WIN! They slaughtered the Saints 41-10 on NFL's opening night! I must say I wish Drew Brees, my Purdue boy, would have played a lot better. In fact he had the lowest yards-per-completion average in NFL history. I always want Drew to have a good game, even when he plays the Colts. But I can't complain!

Here's what drives me crazy. Regardless of who the Colts beat, how much they beat them by, or how terrific their stats are, they for some reason will never earn the same kind of respect given to teams like the Patriots and Eagles. Prior to the start of Sunday's games, each analyst picked their Super Bowl favorites. Of the 2 channels we were watching with each channel having 5-6 analysts, TWO people picked the defending champs to return to the big game. Most picked a Pats/Eagles championship. What a crock. First...Donovan McNabb inevitably gets injured EVERY YEAR, and the Eagles disappoint EVERY YEAR. I am baffled time and again as to why "experts" keep picking them to win a Super Bowl!! And then the Patriots. They have two washed up receivers in Randy Moss and Donte Stallworth. Moss is known more for his mouth than his receptions. Running back Laurence Maroney is decent, but didn't compare to Joseph Addai in their rookie season last year. Then there's QB Tom Brady who seems more interested in fathering illegitimate children with supermodels than playing football. He's probably best friends with Rex Grossman...out looking for New Year's Eve parties. And he has yet to prove that he even has chemistry with his receivers.

Anyway, my point is that the Colts do the same thing every year. They play solid football as a team and have consistent stats to prove it. Peyton finally has a Super Bowl ring, so the pressure factor is out this year. We lost Dominic Rhoades as back-up RB so that's a factor, but we still have Addai, two unbelievable receivers and the league's best...BEST QB. Unmistakeably. My only explanation for the fact that the Colts still don't get anyone's attention is that they do their jobs in silence. That is, they don't thrive on media attention. None of them commit crimes, run their mouths, or cause problems with the rest of the team. They're good guys. I guess I'll take that over so-called "respect" any day. Let the Pats have the pressure. We'll take another ring.

OPENING NIGHT, BA-BY!

My Colts play the Saints tonight for NFL's opening night!!! So pumped!! Oh my gosh, what I wouldn't give to be able to be IN the RCA Dome tonight. And alas, my brother will be. GRRRR!!! Not fair. But it's his birthday and that's his gift. But my bone to pick is that my birthday was 2 days before the SUPER BOWL and not a glimmer of a ticket did I see! What gives, Mom & Dad?!? I'll be expecting them this year!

GO HORSE!!! (oh yeah, and happy birthday Christopher)

And the Nobel Goes To...

I can only imagine that Nobel will give their next Peace Prize to Hugo Chavez after this noble mediation. How honorable!

SICK

Though for my sister-in-law, finding this would equate finding Atlantis, it makes me want to throw up. I HATE SPIDERS (not to mention mosquitoes). But apparently this is a once-in-a-lifetime event so for all you entomologists out there, you better make your spider-web-gawking pilgrimmage to Texas very soon. They expect this monster web to only last until the fall!

...And Speaking of Post-Baby Weight...

I haven't tried them yet, so don't hold me to it, but this little invention seems fantastic! I'm tall anyway, so finding shirts that fit me in length is often hard. And now, post-baby, I'm even more desperate for a top that hits below my zipper. I might have to try these: Blush Topless Undershirts. $15 at www.ToplessUndershirt.com.

Tips For Getting Back in Shape, Post-Baby

During pregnancy, the most I walked was to work & back. I wanted to throw up during my whole first trimester so I didn't do an ounce of exercise. Once you've gone that long, it's hard to get back into a routine...especially with another little person along for the ride. Post-baby, when my son was about 2 months old, I joined Stoller Strides, a stroller fitness class for moms. It was WONDERFUL! I got back into a great routine and saw real results. It wasn't just a Sunday stroll, it was a real workout class taught by real trainers. I encourage all moms to go to www.strollerstrides.com and find one in your area. My location has recently disbanded, but it's good because I have a newfound use for our long-standing YMCA membership!

Next time around I'm going to be much more proactive during pregnancy (assuming I can stomach it). This article by Lisa Druxman, founder of Stroller Strides, gives you some great tips on how to prepare for pregnancy and get back in shape post-partum.

SO GLAD I vote Republican!!!

When Fidel Castro picks a Hilary-Obama ticket for the '08 election, I KNOW I'm voting on the right side.

Review Update

Ok, so it seems I spoke too soon. I must admit, Cookie Magazine is not what I had expected. Let's just say if you don't live in New York, have a double-income, only one child, and your kids' fall breaks include a jet-set to Paris, you're probably not going to benefit much from it. The products they review are ridiculously expensive (ie: a LV suitcase for $2,000), and unless you have a nanny, maid, and butler, you definitely won't have time for all the birthday party ideas they give you. Those are just a few examples of why this magazine is not for the rest of us. So...I apologize! I won't be re-subscribing!

Shocking Revelations From Mother Teresa's Letters

TIME has a fascinating and must-read article about Mother Teresa's own struggle with faith and her total belief in God. It is a shocking view into her spirituality during the last half-century of her life.

In essence, her letters from the time she began her ministry to the poor until she died, reveal that she was tortured by “such deep longing for God,” and that she felt “repulsed, empty, no faith, no love, no zeal.” She says she wanted to believe so badly, but just couldn't feel God within her soul.

The mainstream media will run with this, implying that Mother Teresa was a fraud and a hypocrite and how can we believe anything she said or did now. Non-believers cannot possibly understand the worth of self-sacrifice. My take, and the theory I choose to believe, is that the torment she felt in longing for a true presence of God, was the sacrifice and test given to her by the Lord. Kind of like Jesus' proclamation on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" This proves that we are all human and have our moments of doubt and question. Perhaps this was the cross God gaver her to bear. Many saints have gone through dark periods of their life. The fact that they continue to perform great works despite feelings of faithlessness, is perhaps one of the great reasons they are called saints.

Please check out the article, and then do some research yourself on saints. Many of them led very fascinating lives that we can all learn from.

At Least He's Honest?

I can't believe I'm reading this about The Bus! Do people do this? It seems Jerome Bettis is fessing up to having faked an injury in 2000 to avoid getting cut from the Steelers. Though I'm certain this sort of debauchery happens WAY more than we know in professional sports, I'm still amazed. It's The Bus! I thought he would have been above that sort of thing. :(

MIA

Sorry I've been MIA for awhile! Was visiting family and enjoying some sun & sand in North Carolina last week and this week has been nothing but catch-up. As the saying goes, "I need a vacation from my vacation." As much as I always need one, sometimes I think it's not even worth taking them, since so much *stuff* has piled up and is waiting for you upon return! And I'm a stay at home mom! But it was a nice get-away nonetheless. And our little 15-month-old was a rock star! He was an awesome sleeper in a strange new house, he was all smiles (pretty much) all the time, and was a trooper in the car. Even in traffic for 12 hours on the way down. He was better than Mom! :) But now we're back and settling in again. You should be hearing (or reading) more of me in the next few days!

Baby Videos - A Hoax?

Newsweek recently published an article about a study by the University of Washington and Seattle Children’s Hospital Research Institute on the effects of videos such as Baby Einstein and Brainy Baby. Apparently, they're not as educational as advertised. In fact, the article says they may even be more harmful than beneficial.

This doesn't surprise me, as having a toddler, I have watched my share of Little Einsteins, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, and the like. These supposedly educational shows may teach children the beauty of classical music, or how to sort 9 balloons evenly. However, the most frustrating aspect to me has always been that these shows do not teach any type of logic! The Einsteins ride in a rocket that propels them from Suburbia to Machu Picchu in .2 seconds, but they can't figure out how to get across a forest in time for a puppet show...and the rocket is following them!! Come on! As I'm cringing in frustration, I am stifling my urge to scream, "GET IN THAT D*MN SPACESHIP AND GO!" But alas, I have a toddler who is quickly picking up words. Or when Mickey is trying to get into *Mickey Park* and big bully Pete plops an arbitrary ticket window at the entrance (within direct view of Mickey & gang, mind you) and says he needs 5 coins to get in, Mickey pulls out and carefully counts 5 coins and hands them over, no questions asked. My questions - Why do you have to pay to get into MICKEY PARK??; and was that ticket window there 5 seconds ago?!? But I guess they need to fill 20 minutes.

Aside from the above disgruntlement, I don't believe that these shows are actually harming my 15-month-old. They may not be quite as educational as publicized, but I can overlook my own annoyances for his occasional enjoyment. My philosophy for pretty much every aspect of life is, "everything in moderation." If you're the type of parent whose idea of exercise for your children is getting up to get a soda at commercial breaks, you probably have bigger problems anyway. But Jack's 40 minutes of Playhouse Disney a day is probably not going to be the cause of him coming in second for that Nobel Laureate nomination.

Great New Hip-Mom Magazine

So I'm not sure I always fall in the hip-mom category, but I'm trying. At least I considered myself somewhat hip before mom-hood, but now it's so much harder to maintain. But I have subscribed to a publication that promises to keep me - at the very least - informed on all the latest hipness. It'a a mom magazine that also gears toward the woman side of us. What's that?...oh yeah...woman! Sometimes I forget. It's Cookie Magazine. Very cute. Not sure it's in stores yet, but check it out. I think they'll give you a free trial subscription.

Comfort For The Traveling Child

Wow...I've been MIA for awhile! But I finally found something I wanted to tell you about. If you travel a lot and are in need of something to keep your children comforted on the plane or during long road trips, try the new Zoobie. It's a patented 3-in-1 plush/pillow/blanket, so it saves room on having to bring every lovey your child can't be without. They come in all different kinds of jungle pets, which is great, because that's what our nursery theme is. Super cute! You can order it at Amazon. Unfortunately I don't have it yet, and we're going on a 9-hour road trip this weekend. Uh oh! Wish I would have seen this earlier!

Easy, Kid-Friendly, Healthy Recipe of the Day

Easy, kid-friendly and healthy? Sign me up! I made this casserole for a friend who just had a baby and they loved it. So does my family! Here you go:

1 can cream of chicken soup
1 1/3 c water
3/4 c uncooked long-grain white rice
2 c fresh or frozen veggies
1/2 tsp onion powder
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1/2 c shredded cheddar

Stir soup, water, rice, veggies, and onion powder in a 12x8 in baking dish. Top with chicken halves. Season chicken as desired. Cover, bake at 375 for 45 minutes or until done. Top with cheese.

Proceed With Caution (Or Wine in Hand)

You might need to drink a glass (or seven) of wine before you actually watch this. This guy is out of control. Apparently this website, Wine Library, is the new underground YouTube craze. I suppose it's educational and I could certainly use a lesson or two about really good wine. But I do think I'll have to drink some before watching this again. Enjoy!

Good Luck

Slate has an article today about schools in Australia mandating that children from kindergarten to sixth grade wear sunglasses outside. I find 2 problems with this: a) isn't that up to the parents to mandate?; and b) good luck getting them to do it. While my toddler son isn't near kindergarten age, he rips sunglasses off with a vengeance and then proceeds to rip the earpieces off. I guess 5-year-olds are probably less likely to be so graphic, but if sunglasses bug them, they won't wear them. So again, good luck!

Australian schools are beginning to require kindergartners to wear sunglasses. In the first school to try it, the rule applies through sixth grade; shades are required only outdoors. Other schools expect to follow, and officials are considering "making sunglasses compulsory in all public school playgrounds." Eye experts go further, arguing that "children should wear sunglasses from infancy." Reason: eye damage from UV rays. Early reports: The mandatory shades are "being well received by the pupils." In fact, "[t]he students say they would also be happy to wear their glasses after school."

Don't Have Kids in DC

Our nation's capital has the poorest public schools in the country in terms of performance. Ironically, it also spends the most on those same schools. So what could be going on? Prime example that shoveling more & more money into public schools (ala Hillary) is clearly not the answer. Money is not the motivator that Democrats would like you to think it is. It's pretty much just a vote-acquiring talking point for Dems. We'll raise taxes and give all the teachers' unions the money! Vote for me! But not only do the District's schools have poor performance, District Mayor Adrian Fenty called a press conference this week to announce that half the schools would not have proper textbooks for opening day nor would they have air conditioning. What?? What are they spending the money on?? Paying the teachers? Are they giving the athletic teams new uniforms? Nope...they spent it on land for remodeling and more buildings. Oh, of course. My question - do citizens of DC actually want MORE crappy schools built? Not that Maryland's are much better, but I'm glad I don't live in DC. Townhall has more.

Fitness Tip of the Day

Finding the motivation to get that 30 minutes of daily exercise can be a hassle. But there are thousands of ways to work out. You don't just have to go to the gym and sludge around on the treadmill for a half hour. Try having some fun with it! Here are some suggestions:

-Rent or buy a new DVD to try at home
-Take a dance or kickboxing class
-Go for a hike
-Challenge a friend to a game of tennis
-Walk the dog a couple speeds faster than usual
-Do your normal routine while doing something you like (reading, music, TV)

Remember, it's 2007. The internet is full of fresh ideas and programs that can un-bore your workout. Try iAmplify , where you can download videos to your computer. Good luck!

Enjoy That Caffeine Addiction

Though I don't need any excuses to enjoy my 5-cup-a-day-minimum addiction, here is some more good news for coffee lovers: Coupling coffee and exercise may help ward off skin cancer! Drink up!

Fingers Crossed....

I just ordered a Factory-Refurbished Dyson DC14 Animal vacuum from Amazon. I was definitely hesitant to buy a refurbished one, but it was on average $200 cheaper than buying one new. It mainly got great reviews on Amazon so I took a chance. We have a cat and a one-year-old so my old $80 Dirt Devil wasn't cutting it...it doesn't even pick up Cheerios anymore! That's a must with a toddler! So I splurged on the Dyson Animal which is supposed to be great for pet hair. I will keep you posted after I receive it and let you know how it works. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

Fun Reflection for Catholic Parents

As a Catholic mom, I sometimes get caught up in having the latest stroller, or the cutest clothes for my son. I even get sidetracked by having things for myself - a new pair of shoes, the latest home decor, etc. This fun reflection on the Ten Commandments helps us not only teach our children to remember what is important, but also gives us parents some guidelines for keeping our priorities in check!

New CD

So I recently downloaded my brother's copy of Little Big Town's latest CD, "The Road to Here." I've been meaning to get it and I finally got around to it - thank God! It's amazing! Click on the link to buy it at Amazon.

Latest Must-Read

My husband just recently bought me Tony Dungy's new book, "Quiet Strength." It is an absolute must-read. As Dungy tells you again and again at the beginning of the book, it is not about football. The message is very powerful and Dungy should serve as a role model not only for young black people, but pretty much for anyone who likes sports or has a family. He's an amazing man. It is a book about life choices and how each of us has the inherent ability to be happy if that is what we decide we want. I encourage everyone to pick it up.

No Worries

NFL preseason rankings are in, and my Colts aren't #1. But I ain't skerd. Last season my husband's Redskins were picked in front of the Colts and we all know how that ended (sorry Mike). I'm still confident we can repeat. Although since we finally, and I mean *FINALLY* won the Super Bowl, the pressure isn't quite as high. But I'm not saying it wouldn't be sweet!

Today's Fitness Tip

Add some strength training to your workout. It keeps your metabolism revved up so you keep burning calories after you workout, even longer than cardio! Just remember to rest your muscles for 48 hours after each workout.

Who's Side Are They On?

Democrats in Congress are currently fighting a bill by Rep. Peter King to protect anyone who reports suspicious terrorist-like behavior from being sued as "racist." Thanks to suits by the flying imams, anyone who attempts to report such behavior is subject not just to carrying the label of "racist," but apparently also to getting their pants sued off of them. Ridiculous.

"Instead they seek damages for their 'fear, anxiety to fly, humiliation, embarrassment, mental pain, suffering, inconvenience and financial injury.'" I'm sorry, aren't those a lot of what WE suffered thanks to Muslim terrorists after 9/11?

Why are Democrats objecting to this bill? To me, there is a line between being compassionate (which is what Democrats think they're doing...either that or they're desperate for votes) and completely abandoning national security (what they're actually doing).

Read more here. Rich Lowry has a good take.

New Favorite Beauty Product

I've never been a fan of lipstick, but lip gloss has been a staple for years. It goes with me everywhere and just in case I forget, I basically have a stick in every bag, pocket, and drawer you can imagine. And as a busy mom, the beauty routine has to stay pretty simple. So I was more than excited to try Almay's hydracolor lipstick. It's precisely a lipstick and gloss all in one! It doesn't get dry and clumpy, and it keeps your lips hydrated. It's the only thing I carry now. Highly recommended...great bang for the buck!

Free, All-Natural Stress Relief

How many times have you had a massage to relieve some form of stress, only to walk out of the massage parlor to the stress you just paid to get rid of?! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE a good massage. But they're too expensive and time-consuming for the everyday mom to have on a regular basis. Plus, I always feel relaxed for the hour I'm there, but as soon as I leave the building I'm tense again. The effects are not very long-lasting. Fortunately, there is a completely free, all natural stress relief that everyone can benefit from. It's called prayer! Talking to God not only relaxes me, but putting all of my worries into His hands makes me realize that as careful and worrisome as I may be, it's all up to Him in the end anyway (talk about a monkey off my back)! :) So try it. You may realize you have a lot to get off your chest after all!

Happy Sunday!

Guess I'm Not So Cheap After All

Ok, I will admit it. I love "two buck chuck." Drink it all the time. In fact, buy it by the case when we find a Trader Joe's anywhere on the East Coast that is actually allowed to sell it. But check it out: the critics agree!! Does this, in fact, make me a wine snob?

A Mom's Life-Saver

Ok, so I always said I would not be a "put-them-in-front-of-the-TV-so-I-can-have-some-free-time" kind of mom. Then I actually had a kid. At least I (so far) stick to the educational stuff. Two you can't beat:
Baby Einstein
Playhouse Disney

Oh, and just another suggestion for after you have kids. A must read:
Babyproofing Your Marriage

Today's Fitness Tip

Just 30 quick minutes of cardio exercise every day keeps you energized and motivated all day long!

Strollers I'm Loving

I've become a stroller snob. Which is unfortunate because with doing a lot of updating to our house, I totally can't afford the sweet rides. But here are some that I'm loving right now:

Rock Star Baby Candy I actually do have the red. It's great!
Dreamer Design Park Avenue I have the Rebound Jogger. Not great, but this one looks swanky.
Joovy Caboose I might have to get this when #2 comes along.
InStep Ultra Runner KA291For an inexpensive double jogger, this one looks nice. But I've never tried it.
Kidz Kargo Discovera Never heard of this brand before, but found it in a search. Looks convenient b/c the back seat is suitable from birth. With most joggers, the baby has to be 6 months to sit in it.

If anyone has any info on any of these and/or has tried them, please post a comment!

Only The Ones I Like

Senator Barack Obama recently stated that the US should not keep its troops in Iraq simply to prevent genocide. Really? Because back in April of 2006, Senator, you pushed for the US to be in Darfur to prevent genocide. So, whichever genocide suits your political agenda, is it? Maybe it's whichever one makes President Bush look bad. Perhaps you should try for a second Senate term and learn a few more things before you try being President.

What's "Fair" About This?

The attempt to reinstate the fairness doctrine is currently being debated in the Senate. It focuses only on talk radio because talk radio leans dominantly to the right. But because we live in the age of the Internet, we have to desperately try NOT to get both sides of any story. It is ironic, for lack of a better term, that Senate Democrats only want to enforce the Fairness Doctrine upon talk radio...not newspapers and television media, which both lean highly to the left (though they will never admit that). Is that really "fair?" Or is it a flashback to the police state of the USSR, not in line with the first amendment to our Constitution? And, by the way, who is going to be the "fairness arbiter?" Even a scarier thought. Are you ready for the government to be deciding what we can and cannot listen to? And if you're disagreeing with me right now, just think...what if George Bush was the moral authority on who you could listen to and what they could say. Works both ways. Think about it.

Hiking Near Home

Makes you wonder who used to live in your neighborhood...

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