Don't Try This At Home

What's That Word, Again?

Over the last few years, Chilihead, Jr. has developed a tic. Sometimes she blinks her eyes a lot, sometimes she clears her throat. It's noticeable enough that friends and family have asked us what's wrong with her eyes, but not such a big deal that we've plucked them out. We're conservative like that.

Anyway, before we realized it was a tic we tried all sorts of allergy medicines, eye drops, distraction methods (e.g., take a drink when you think you need to clear your throat), but nothing worked. When we asked the doctor if there was anything else we should try, she said, "Nope. She has a tic. It's no big deal. The more you try to make her stop, the worse it will get. Leave her alone!" So we are.

I told you that to tell you this:

Chilihead, Jr. was with me when the doctor explained that the eyes/throat thing is a tic. No big. Later that day, Chilihead, Jr. was telling me something and blinking at the same time. I didn't say anything, but I must have had a "look" on my face. Chilihead, Jr. said to me, "Mom! It's not my fault! It's my flea!"

Dude. My kids are so funny. I love that about them.

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Don't Try This at Home

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Cultural Breakfast

Eleven years ago, Phantom of the Opera came to our city for the first time. It was a HUGE deal. Tickets were hard to come by and everyone who was anyone or no one (like us) would witness the spectacle at some point. And the outfits! Sequins and gowns, people.

I was able to score some excellent tickets for my husband and I and my mom and her friend. I had to endure an excruciatingly long line and a local television celebrity (in the loosest sense--I think he must have some weird iron-clad contract or something) poking his face and microphone into everyone else’s face and yelling, “Hey! What’s the deal?” I was able to escape by simply giving my patented “look”. He quickly passed me by.

So. I was able to get tickets to the show and we wowed my mom with her present and we were amazed when the organ went up in the air RIGHT. OVER. OUR. HEADS. We were that close.

A good evening.

I had to tell you that part to show just how fun and exciting everything was and also, so I could tell you this next part.

The morning after The Phantom of the Opera, my mother was so thankful she insisted she take me out to breakfast. Who am I to turn down free food? So we went in search of a good breakfast. The problem was that I was fairly new to town and didn’t know where to go.

We stopped at a gas station because, really, if you want a good breakfast, stop and ask directions from a gas station attendant.

My mom came out of the gas station and got back in the car.

“He said there is a place called Billy Jin’s on the next street over,” she said.

“Billy Jin’s? Are you sure that’s what he said?” I asked.

“Yes. I asked him, ‘Billy Jin’s?’ and he nodded and said, ‘Billy Jin’s.’”

“OK. I’ve never heard of it, but I’ll see if I can find it.”

As we drove the mile to the next street and followed his directions, I had a revelation.

“Mom? Do you think maybe he was saying Village Inn instead of Billy Jin’s? Because there’s a Village Inn right there.”

“Oh.”

I_Blog Conference: I'm speaking!

Help Spread the Word About I_Blog!I_Blog is two months away. So FarI_Blog is an intimate conference.  Yes, that is a nice term for small.  One Price – Limited Space: The I_Blog conference is only $75.  Unlike other conferences that price isn’t going to increase.

via www.iblogconference.com

I'm speaking about media kits at the I_Blog conference in November! This is more of a weekend retreat for women to gather, eat, drink, bowl, spa, and talk blog. But I'm all kinds of excited. Those of you who have been following me know that I was born in Iowa and I spent many summers there visiting my grandparents and extended family. Iowa is truly one of my favorite places and I'm so excited to be part of the I_Blog conference.

Also? I used TypePad's Blog It toolbar widget to make this post. The widget is easy to install (drag it from your TypePad dashboard to your Favorites toolbar in your browser. Then, when you find something from a site and you'd like to blog it, just click the Blog It icon on your browser's toolbar. Easy peasy. Have you tried it yet?

Meet Molly

Molly is the newest member of our family. She's a white, seven-month-old Labrador Retriever.

I don't know if you can tell by the utter bliss on my husband's face or not, but he loves this dog. As in, I haven't seen him this attentive to anything since the kids were born. He even came home for lunch today to check on the dog.

Not everyone is as excited about having a dog as my husband, though. Oscar seems to be having a few issues:

Mr. T Fashion Show

Wow. Get ready to forgive yourself for every embarrassing moment you thought you'd endured. My favorite line?

Her mustard socks and ketchup sash make her a real hot dog.

Pink Crayon Dress at Hotel Preston, Blissdom09

Blissdom09: The Elevators at Hotel Preston Are Crazy

There are also many crazy-cool light fixtures, a dress made out of pink crayons, and a few hundred awesome women all gathered together to talk blogs. Is this heaven? No, it's Blissdom '09.

Sunday YouTube: HFCS Spoof Commericial

Death Warmed Over

Disney Mommy Bloggers Cruise: Good Morning, Segway!

The first morning on the Disney Wonder, I awoke to a beautiful, blue, breezy morning. I ate my breakfast at the table on my balcony and eased into my day. In fact, that may have been the most relaxed I was on that particular day. As you'll see, I was introduced to off-road Segway, my friend Amy showed off a little too much, and I tried conch for the first (and last) time.

Good Morning, Nassau!

Segway Adventures

As you watch these videos, you'll notice that any time I became too involved in filming and less involved with paying attention to my Segway and those around me, I had a tendency to shout "Woo!" then hit something.

Don't Mean a Thing If You Ain't Got That Bling

When I get dressed for an off-road Segway adventure, I reach for my denim capris, a t-shirt, and a ball cap. Makeup and jewelry do not enter the equation. Not so if you're Katja or Arianne. It's all about lookin' good in the 'hood. Fashion and bling, baby.

Selfish Mom Bites It

Amy is one of those women who lives life. If there's a new opportunity, she's the first in line. She took off on her Segway like she'd been riding one for years. She slalomed all morning, turned without using her hands, and basically shamed the rest of us into trying things we might not otherwise have done. Then I came along and tried to tape it. Jinx. (Can you see her shoe fly off?)

Conch Fritters (or Bahamian Comfort Food)

This particular video shows my knack for forgetting I have the zoom feature on and taking a picture of my nose hairs. Between that and the description of the conch, you may want to read this after you have your meal.

Disney Mommy Bloggers Cruise: The Arrival

I could try to tell you all about the Disney Mommy Bloggers Cruise, but I don't know if I can do it justice. Thankfully, I took many videos of my experiences and I will be posting them here for you to laugh at and learn from. You'll be able to see right away that I have trouble gauging where my face is in the viewfinder. There are more than a few Blair Witch Project shots. Just ignore the extreme close-ups and focus on the information I'm sharing, OK?

In this video I take you on a tour of my stateroom. The staterooms, by the way, are a very nice size. They are all the same size, but some have a balcony (like mine), some have a porthole, and some just have a wall with no window. The pricing is scaled according to those ammenities, so you can decide how important a porthole or balcony is for your family.

I want to thank Maria Bailey of MomSelect and Jonathan, Laura, and Leanne from Disney for inviting me to participate in this opportunity. It was truly a magical experience. Thank you to Jonathan for being such a gentleman and putting up with our antics. Thank you to Laura for your energy and for bailing us out of the karaoke pit (video to come). Thank you to Maria for choosing such a perfect group of women that clicked immediately. Leanne, I thank you for helping put this all together. I wish I could have had more time to talk with you! I guess you'll just have to invite me back.

I also want to give a quick shout-out to Posh Mama. They gave me a Flip camera last September so I could interview various bloggers on camera. Without the Flip, I wouldn't have been able to vlog so much of the Disney trip! Thanks Posh Mama!

Home Again, Home Again

I'm back from the Disney Mommy Bloggers Cruise. I have much video and many stories to share with you. I'll be getting my thoughts straight and writing everything up. It's going to take weeks to share it all with you!

In the mean time, I cannot stress how much I loved my travel companions. I know you will too. Please check out their blogs and follow them on Twitter. You will NOT regret it! They are some smart, savvy ladies.

• My Brown Baby - Denene (Twitter: @MyBrownBaby)
  
• Selfish Mom - Amy (Twitter: @selfishmom)
• Skimbaco Lifestyle - Katja (Twitter: @KatjaPresnal)
• Traveling Mom  - Kim (Twitter: @KimOrlando)
• To Think Is To Create - Arianne (Twitter: @ToThink)
• My Teen, The Alien - Maria (Twitter: @MomTalkRadio)

At the Beach

Hey! Didn't you get the memo? I'm not here. I'm on my way to the Disney Mommy Blogger Cruise. This trip will be fun, but make no mistake: this is a working trip. I am scheduled for all sorts of behind-the-scenes tours instead of relaxing naps on the deck. I promise to bring you the details just as soon as I get back!

Three Songs I Just Bought on iTunes

You will not guess or believe the three songs I just downloaded from iTunes, so I'll just tell you. And then you can feel free to admit your own shortcomings or just make fun of me. Whichever makes you feel better. I'm good with it because I love these songs. Look them up and see if you do too.

1. Habanera from Carmen (yes, the opera): I wish my voice were this beautiful. I also wish I could roll my Rs like that.
2. O Fortuna from Carmina Burana: I have been trying to figure out the name of this song so I could buy it for at least 10 years. I'm not kidding. I love it. It's very motivating, I think.
3. Que Sera, Sera by Janet Seidel: I proceeded to sing this to my children in a very melodic (not) and loud voice on the way to after school activities. They loved it (not).

And then I went and bought Gone Daddy Gone and Going On by Gnarls Barkley to get my groove back.