Baby Vomit, Pollen Storms and Living on the Edge

It's been awhile since I posted. I know y'all can barely function. But, I'm back.....

Our sweet little Adam has been sick off and on for the past three weeks, but this week really had him down and out. Daycare crap, don't 'cha know. Who knew a 22 pounder could hold so much and loose it so fast?

Here in the greater Atlanta area, we are also in the midst of the highest pollen count in several seasons. Normal count is about 30-50. Yesterday was 5,950. Everything is covered in a sticky yellow dust. Everything! I put in a new pair of contacts this morning and was revelling in my clear vision as I left for work. Ten minutes later my eyes were already burning and itchy.

Finally, I posted recently about my mind and how I seem to be losing it. I make light of it, but really.... I am not the same as I used to be. Now, I understand working full time, while trying to be World's #1 Wife and Mom could be impossible, but the lights are just not on all the time.

So, I made an appointment for a hormone profile via blood test next week. I've been doing lots of reading and I'm a big advocate of bio-identical hormone therapy. After my appointment and "diagnosis", I'll share what I've experienced and learned.

Although, the Dr. could say my blood shows 3,785 time more pollen that normal.

Until next time,

A Few of My Favorite Things

When I moved to Atlanta eleven years ago, one thing I quickly learned is that it really paid to ask people for their recommendations on almost anything: restaurants, hairdressers, places to live, shop, and even worship. In that spirit, I thought it would be fun now-and-then to share some things I think are just great. I'd love it if you'd comment and join in the sharing.

Today's Topic: Health & Beauty

I forgot to pack my hairspray when we went on our beach vacation last year. And since hairspray is oh-so-important for sweating in the sun all day, I picked up Matrix Sleek Look Water-free Lockout at the grocery store. It was only after I got back to the beach house that I discovered it was $16, but it's worth every penny. I only use it on humid days, so I still have about half a bottle. I also use the Sleek Look Shampoo.



Waaaaaaay back in 1990 I worked at the Clinique counter part-time while in college. But, I got my first Clinique product when I was 12: clear lipgloss in a shiny silver tube. I love many of Clinique's products. I'm especially fond of their blush in Mocha Pink. It's not too dark, not too light, not too pink and not too brown. It's the only color I use... each and every day. I also love their All About Eyes Concealer as it tackels dark circles, puffiness and fine lines all in one swipe. Finally, their Glosswear for Lips in Tenderheart is a fun, sheer color for summer.




I've slathered morning and night since I was a little girl. I recently picked up a sample of Curel Ultra Healing Lotion and instantly became a fan. It's not too greasy, doesn't leave a residue and it smells great.






I could do a whole Favorite Things post on Whole Foods. From organic turkey hotdogs (the only kind I'll eat) to delicious pizza-by-the-slice, I could spend hours perusing the aisles. This is the only place I buy vitamins and supplements. You're sure to get preservative-free and often vegetarian products that do what they are meant to do. (Unlike stuff sold at GNC or other mega "health food" chains). The best multi-vitamin I've found for women is called Maxine. A friend who has her Master's in naturopathic nutrition also told me it has ingredients that assist with weight-loss. What a bonus!

A Smile in Every Aisle

Last week Adam and I ventured to the grocery store after work. He's satisfied to sit in the cart for a few minutes, but quickly starts itchin' to get down and explore. On this particular trip he discovered that he could grab onto the lower part of the cart's basket and push, all the while looking down at his feet.

I guided his steering from above, while at the same time grabbing and throwing things left and right into the cart as we sped down each aisle. This was a bit of a challenge for me, as I rarely remember the shopping list these days. Thus, I normally linger a bit as I shop, both trying to remember what was on the list that I left laying on the counter and what I forgot to put on the list that I left laying on the counter. Speed shopping is not my forte. But, there I was, zooming down the aisles as if racing the clock for a big prize at the end. Adam was thrilled. He'd giggle, he'd weave left, then right, then left again. Stopping nearly caused a tantrum.

I did interest him, for a short time, in opening and closing the freezer doors in the ice cream section. Some things just cannot be rushed. It was buy one, get one free. I could barely decide on one flavor, let alone two.

As we rounded the corner towards the check-out I spied a display of animal crackers in the little "circus train" boxes. Oh! Nostalgia! My mom used to buy those for me when I was young. Not only did I love the cookies, I loved the box. So, I snatched one for Adam and offered him a cookie, knowing that the cart-pushing would have to come to an end as we checked out.

It worked. For awhile. He snacked as I quickly piled things onto the belt. He began to wander...to the end of the check stand... and then over to a man in a wheelchair; the kind of wheelchair that allows a person to lay nearly flat. The man appeared to be in his early 40's and had MS or something similar. His legs were strapped down, and his head was held in place by pads on either side of his neck. "Hi", I heard my sweet boy say. And then he reached out and touched the man's hand. And then his leg. And then his chair. "Hi." Exploring some more, Adam again touched the man's arm. A lady appeared whom I guessed to be the man's wife or caregiver. "Aren't you cute!" she proclaimed. "Hi", Adam said.

By this time I had completed my purchase and pushed the cart towards Adam to round him up and head to the car. "What a sweet boy," she said. I looked at the man, and he was beaming, trying to turn so he could see Adam. I moved over so he was in the man's line of vision and he reached a shaky hand up towards my son. Adam reached out, too, and they held hands for a brief moment. "Oh my", said the lady. "We came here to buy lottery tickets but we've gotten something much more precious. Most children are scared of this big old chair."

"Well, he's a social little guy", I said. "And curious."

"Bye-bye" she said. "Bye", said Adam, waving. And then he threw two kisses, one to the lady and one to the man.

Much more precious, indeed.

Until next time,

The Magic Wand

I desperately need your help.

You see, I've spent a small fortune over the past year on mascara. My favorite mascara, Loreal Accentuous, was discontinued. Since then I've tried nearly every mascara made and I can't find anything I like. My morning make-up routine is near crisis level. If it were national security, it would be code red.

I typically like lengthening mascara. Seems less clumpy. But recently I thought perhaps thickening mascara was the answer. But it wasn't.

Then there's the issue of the brush. I have to like the brush, and I have to like how the brush comes out of the tube. There must be enough "suction" so as not to leave a glob of mascara on the brush. I don't like curved brushes. They can't be too thin, too thick or too short.

There's also the issue of wearability. Too often I end up with dark(er) circles under my eyes by lunchtime. I don't need to pay upwards of $8 bucks for dark circles. I can get those on my own for free.

If you've never commented here before, now's your chance. I'm begging you! Give me a recommendation. You have nothing to lose and I have everything to gain.

Oh, and one last thing. Please don't recommend the pink and green Maybelline that is the all-time best selling most-popular mascara of all time. It doesn't work for me. The coverage is too thin. It couldn't possibly be as simple as using something that seems to be universally appealing.

Until next time,

So Big!

Used to be that I could cuddle my sweet little boy in my arms with room to spare. His tiny little feet tucked under him would only reach mid-way between my neck and my lap as I rocked him to sleep. His sweet little head would fit perfectly on my shoulder and snuggle against my chin. A little slice of heaven I held. Oh yes I did.

I realized tonight how much bigger and longer that little heaven has become! I'm tall, with more length than the average mom... long arms and long legs, which also means I have a long lap, doesn't it? :o) And Adam is a very average size baby. So it's taken 15 months for him to become a little harder to cuddle, though I still give it a glorious try.

Tonight, as I rocked him after his bottle, he was fidgety. I decided I could give him more room if I stood up and did the "mommy sway" for just a little while. I'd been gone from him for 10 hours; I was trying to squeeze out as many minutes as I could.

And then he did something he's never done before. He reached out towards his crib. And made the sign for "please". He wanted to lay down. And so to bed he went.

We have lots to do to teach our children to become independent of us as we help them "grow up". But sometimes it's an even harder lesson for us to let go, isn't it? I'm glad my son loves his bed. It's the best place for him to get much-needed hours of sleep each night. I'll hold him again tomorrow, but I think our days of tucked-up feet are numbered.

He's getting to be so big.....

Until next time,

Have You Seen My Mind?

Lately I feel like I'm living that oft-used joke:
"I've lost my mind. Let me know if you find it."

I don't mean "lost my mind" as in "where's the nearest mental ward."

I mean lost my mind as in: I just carried a bag of Ju-Ju Fruits around the house for about 5 minutes without even realizing I hadn't put them away as I intended.

I mean lost my mind as in: I never seem to remember to take the grocery list with me when I go grocery shopping.

This weekend Doug and I and the kids went to Home Depot to buy shrubs and pansies. As we stood amidst the rows of pansies, making a decision seemed overwhelming and impossible. Holding my head in my hands, I exclaimed unexpectedly (it surprised both me and my husband), "I CAN'T CONCENTRATE!".

I was trying to estimate how much space we had to fill and how many pansies it would take. I was trying to make sure Adam, who was in his own world trying to push a cart 5 times his size, didn't wander out into the parking lot or otherwise hurt himself. I was trying to see if Doug was watching him or if Doug thought I was watching him.

I was trying to read the very small print about what kind of light, soil and life span the pansies had, keeping in mind that I can easily kill any living thing that goes in the ground. And suddenly my mind just went into static mode, like a cable channel that has lost its connection...fuzzy and snowy and jumbled.

And that happens a lot. I like to think it's because I have so much going on between home, work, church and the kids' activities. I can't quit thinking about the laundry when I'm doing the daily sales report. I can't quit thinking about what it is I have to send out in the afternoon Fed-Ex when I should be thinking about what it is I need to pack in Adam's daycare bag. He had to beg, borrow and steal diapers and wipes for two days before I finally rememberd to replenish his supply. I am sure all the Young Toddlers will be talking about it for days.

I am known for being organized, sometimes to a fault. I'm a list maker and a planner. But lately it seems even my lists go missing. I've misplaced our digital camera. I spent half an hour looking for Adam's shoes this weekend, and I found them in a place I commonly put them. At work I can't remember who's on vacation or who needs me to sign-off on a project.

And, not only do I have to remember all kinds of thousands of things for my life, I have to remember as much or even more for my boss. I won't go into detail, but just let me say that I am called upon at any given time to recall her contact lens prescription details, secure a Russian visa for her, her husband and their two friends, and begin planning Winter Holiday 2008 only three months after Winter Holiday 2007 concluded. Yes, folks, it takes the better part of 9 months to plan. You try finding a private, English speaking tour guide in Phuket, Thailand and a horse-whisperer in New Zealand.

I do have moments of clarity. Moments when all wheels turn in unison. But they don't seem to last long. Perhaps the horse-whisperer can help me.

Until next time,

Platinum Medallion Season

Between the years of 1997 and 2000 (and before I was married with children) I was the Executive Assistant to the Founder & CEO of a marketing company. He traveled a lot. And a lot of people traveled with him, including me. In most traditional corporations, it's unusual for the E.A. to travel like I did, but this was no ordinary company.

He has since sold the company and started a new one, which is a lot like the old one. They sell different products, but they sell them in the same way. Go here if you're interested in the company. And you can check out my former boss and his new house here.

I only offer this as a side note so you might get a feel for the types of trips and events this man hosted. He did things in grand style and I was in charge (along with a large team of very talented, hard-working folks) of both the "grand" and the "style".

We'd go on "tours"... five cities in six days, 500+ people at each event. There were speakers to coordinate, receptions to plan, packets to distribute, guests to host and...always....the CEO to tend to.

The mother of all events was held each year in Las Vegas. In the summer. But it was a dry heat. I'd enter the MGM Grand Hotel on a Wednesday afternoon, and not see the light of day (unless I was walking next door to Bally's) until the following Monday morning. Nearly 20,000 people would attend, and those were labor-intensive days and nights. But they were also fun and memorable. I made Huey Lewis a peanut butter sandwich, drove General Norman Schwarzkopf to a reception in a golf cart, and witnessed Muhammad Ali step into a boxing ring for one of our events after saying 12 years previously he'd never step foot in a ring again. I know the pre-speech rituals and requests of Stephen Covey and the dietary preferences of Tony Robbins.

I was a traveling pro back then. I could pack a suitcase in 10 minutes, unpack in five and never leave anything behind. I had two black "traveling suits", and several pair of stylish-but-comfortable shoes. I was the mothership of office supplies and sundries. If anyone needed Tylenol, safety pins, nail polish, scotch tape, paper clips, Tums, or a comb, I had it. I was also known for my stash of peanut M&Ms, Hot Tamales and magazines.

As I traveled this week I was reminded again about those days of living on the road. This was pre 9/11. You could get to the airport 30 minutes before your flight, check a bag, and still have time to spare. You could carry mace through security. Good for all those taxi rides in strange cities late at night.

I was also reminded of how technology has changed since then: we did not have wi-fi and Blackberries. Cellphones often didn't work inside hotels and I am most certain there were no blogs! We still used fax machines and carried computer discs in case we had to make changes to a document. Even Google did not yet exist.

I grew to love my life on the road. But I'm glad I don't have to live it anymore. Back then I came home to an empty apartment. An apartment where I'd be for only a short while before packing my suitcase, doning my black suit, and jetting off again.

Now I come home to a warm home filled with my husband and children that I love more than life itself. To everyone there is a season. My Platinum Medallion Season has now passed. And for that I am very thankful.

But Only for a Night

For 444 mornings and nights I have been with you, and you with me. I have cooed "good morning" as I lifted you out of your crib, and now you even say "Hi". I have held you close each and every night, never missing one, as you fell asleep in my arms, 444 times. I have given you thousands of kisses- cheeks, head, ears, nose, toes. We have rocked and rocked, to Carly Simon, Vince Gill and Third Day.

Tonight I will be away from you for the very first time, gone on a business trip. You are home safe and sound with daddy, having a good time, I know. It is me who is having a hard time. Missing your lavendar-smelling hair.

As I close my eyes, I will be thinking of your long eyelashes as they flutter closed. I know that you will hold your blanket to your cheek and you will tuck your arms underneath you when Daddy puts you in your crib.

I am gone from you, but only for a night. The first in 444.

Love, Mommy

It's a PARTY!

5 Minutes for Mom is hosting a Blog Party today, and I am joining in the fun. I've even donated a prize of a custom made frame (I am #57 on the American Only Prize List). You can see some of the custom Christmas frames our family has by clicking here.

I'll be visiting lots of parties today, and I'm glad you stopped by.

The purpose of this was to get to know people and to introduce ourselves....so here goes:

My name is Jill and I live in Atlanta. I met my husband on e-harmony almost 4 years ago; we were even in some of their commercials. We were married on New Years Eve 2003. He is an extraordinary partner, and I am richly blessed to have him holding my hand as we walk life's path. He has a blog, too...you can read it here.

One of the reasons I started blogging (thanks to Heather for my great Blog design) was because I thought I had a unique set of "titles":

*a fairly newly married woman

*to a man who has children from a previous marriage (that means I'm a step-mom)

*with a young child (Doug and I had little Adam in Dec 2005)

*who works full-time outside the home (counting the time I commute I work about 50 hours a week)

I am originally from Iowa. I grew up in the same small town (pop. 1200), lived in the same house and went to the same school until I left for college.

One of the things I like most about blogging is being able to throw my thoughts out for the world to read. I'm also always amazed at all of the wonderful writers I've come across. Two of my favorites are Big Mama for her endearing sense of humor. And I really like Jules at Everyday Mommy for her rich faith and her talent for bloggy graphics.

Enjoy the party....visit lots of places...and leave a comment so I know you've been here.

Until next time,