What doesn’t kill us will make us stronger!


This is my mantra, because all of the sudden my little family is facing multiple challenges. I’m allowing myself to whine about the following:


1. Our dryer died, again.
2. Toddler is going through an extra-difficult stage.
3. Our shower door is broken.
4. I think something is wrong with the wiring in our bathroom.
5. It’s hot.
6. Our a/c coil needs to be replaced.
7. Our yard looks like a jungle.


That is all.

My Body By Bethenny DVD arrived in the mail yesterday!


The DVD consists of three parts:


1. 40 minute yoga workout
2. 10 minute weight workout
3. 5 minute “booty bonus”


I completed about 20 minutes of the yoga before collapsing on the floor. Downward dogs are HARD! I had forgotten. I really liked the DVD though. It’s not intimidating, and Bethenny said several times that “there is no ego in yoga,” meaning, if I need to stop and lie down, it’s okay. My living room is a judgment-free zone.


The only thing I wasn’t crazy about was the thing I usually like most about Bethenny — her wisecrack remarks. She would often talk OVER the instructor which I did not enjoy. I require instruction –so shut it, Bethenny.

I love Anne Taintor …

This cracks me up. When I’m feeling bummed at the office, I just visit this site and my spirits are instantly lifted.

I have a (slight) obsession with Bethenny Frankel. No one in my circle seems to know who she is, so allow me to explain her.


I first discovered her on my guilty pleasure show, The Real Housewives of New York. Since then she has branched out and has her own TV show, books, alcoholic beverage (the “Skinnygirl Margarita”), and now … workout DVD.


It’s called Body By Bethenny, of course.

Husband ordered it for me yesterday and OMG! I CANNOT WAIT TO TRY IT!


I have this notion that by performing said exercises in said exercise DVD, I will magically transform into a likeness of Bethenny, who happens to be about 100 pounds and very augmented. Please don’t dash my dreams.


Once I get this DVD and try it, I will get back to you with a review. I enjoy her because she’s completely inappropriate and says really inappropriate things that I would never say because I was raised right. Bethenny apparently had a bulimic, alcoholic, horrible mother and an absent father and no one taught her that the F-word isn’t ladylike.

Today I did something interesting.


We went to Target in search of some dress shoes for the Toddler. I went a little crazy in the shoe section … everything was on sale. I found a new pair of crocs for him along with some dressy shoes.


THEN found a super fun pair of gold flip-flops with rhinestones on them — for me. I slipped them in the cart when Husband wasn’t looking. I think he noticed anyway.


THEN I found the rainboots. Nothing is cuter than a little boy in some rain boots. I put them on the Toddler to see how they fit and he was so excited about them that he refused to take them off until we got home. Husband wasn’t thrilled about the boots, so I put my fancy flip flops back. In exchange for the boots. Because they were so stinkin cute.


This is motherhood — putting something back that you really want, to get something for your kid instead. I never imagined I would become so unselfish over frivilous things. Seeing him happy makes me the happiest I have ever been. I can see how some people end up going overboard and spoiling the crap out of their children.


I do not plan to spoil the crap out of my children. But today … I’m enjoying it.

I enjoy my time in the car. Why? Because no one can bother me.

Here is my latest column on http://www.birminghammommy.com. If you are a natural born neat freak who is now a mom, I’m sure you will relate.

I usually try really hard not to judge other parents, because now that I am one I know how difficult it can be. But … I judge. Most of the time it’s warranted.


I was at a wedding this weekend and right in the middle of the vows, someone’s kid started SCREAMING. They were sitting in the back, so the mom could have immediately taken him out. But no. She let it go on. And on. AND ON.


For awhile I sat there thinking “Why won’t that woman take the kid out?” And as it got progressively worse, I did the turn-and-stare. Meaning, I turned all the way around in my pew, re-adjusted my strapless bra,  and gave that woman The Eye. I felt like one of those 60-year-old biddies with a hat and an attitude. Maybe I will be one, in 30 more years. Perhaps this was a foreshadowing of what is to come. The future me.


Anyway, my stare, along with everyone else’s, did absolutely nothing. The vows were nearly over by the time that idiot finally took her son out of the sanctuary. I talked about her for an adequate amount of time after the ceremony was over, but I clearly am not over it because I felt compelled to blog about it.


I think it’s so selfish when people let their kids ruin someone else’s day. I know that kids are kids, and sometimes you can’t help their moods, but you CAN remove them from the situation to spare everyone else. Why doesn’t everyone do this? It’s not that hard!


I would HATE to be the mom that was blogged about by a complete stranger because I let my kid run wild. Talk about my bitchiness if you must, but not my parenting.