Awesome Things For Military Families!

Just a few things to put everyone in the know...

The Military Channel is asking their viewers to help program their Thursday nights throughout April.  Each Thursday is being devoted to a specific theme and they want your help deciding which show is the best for each theme.

• Battle of the Branches (April 1)
• Battle of the Weapons (April 8)
• Battle of the Battles (April 15)
• Battle of the Wars (April 22)
• Battle of the Shows (April 29)

Head on over to the Military Channel's Viewer Choice Voting to put in your vote!

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Sesame Street and the USO are at it again!  The Sesame Street/USO Experience for Military Families, a free traveling USO show based on Sesame Workshop’s award winning Talk, Listen, Connect initiative and produced in partnership with Vee, is coming back to the USA for a second tour.  Head on over to the Sesame Workshop for more information and tour dates!

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Operation Homefront and Jim Beam (yes, the alcohol) have recently launched a campaign called Salute Soldiers with the Spirit of America.  The program was set up so family and friends could salute their soldiers throughout 2010. Now through June 21, anyone can nominate their soldier to win a VIP experience to one of the following events:

• The final two days of a major golf championship at Pebble Beach on June 19 and 20, 2010.
• A home game for a professional baseball team on Chicago's South Side on July 10, 2010.
• A Kid Rock concert and the opportunity to meet Kid Rock in 2010.

Head on over to Jim Beam to find out how you can Salute Soldiers!

Things That Make You Go Hmmm: I Breathe for Roadkill

Did you hear about the drunk dude (DD) in Punxsutawney, PA who was arrested after giving CPR to a dead opossum?  If not, here's the story at WKOW TV.

I know what you're thinking because I'm thinking the exact same thing.

And it is such a shame.

They arrested him?!

Here this man is trying to perform a good deed and they throw his ass in jail.  I didn't know it was against the law to give any creature, road kill or otherwise, CPR.

I bet that's the last time DD tries to help a fellow creature when he's down.

Was DD a doctor? Probably not. So was it really up to him to declare Mr. Opossum dead?  I don't think so.  I hope the next time I'm lying dead alongside the road, there's some nice DD who's willing to give me a few chest compressions.

Whatever happened to the "Good Samaritan" law?  Poor DD was just trying to do his civic duty.  And had the opossum lived I'm sure he's be much appreciative. 

I think it's the driver that hit Mr. Opossum we should be going after here.

Where's PETA when you need them?

Mama Guilt Monday

It's Mama Guilt Monday time!  I'll be honest... this post is the only reason I look forward to Mondays because I have some good post ideas for this. 

Hmmm...that's probably not a good thing, huh?





The "optional prompt" this week, "Picky Eaters: What do you do?" isn't bringing anything to mind.  Mainly, because at 15 months, Lil Mootz will eat anything I put in front of him.  Crackers...pizza....apparently corned beef & cabbage at daycare...Mr. Bubbles' bubbles during bathtime....dog food.... So I'm not feeling the guilt train too much here.

So I'm going to wing it this week with a little help from Stonewall.

A few weekends ago we went to Red Robin for dinner.  Like all little kids, Lil Mootz enjoys banging his silverware on the table.  He thinks he's being clever, we think he's being cute, everyone else thinks he's being annoying.  Whatever.  (Everything my child does is adorable.)

So anyway...

The only pieces of silverware Red Robin has wrapped in their napkins are a fork and knife.  Lil Mootz reaches for the fork.  Stonewall pulls it away from him and hands him...oh my...the knife.

Me: Babe, don't let him play with the knife!

Stonewall: What?! It's not sharp. (It was just a butterknife.)

Me: So?  How does that look?  You just handed your child a knife!

Stonewall:  Hmmm... Good point.

In all fairness, I did the same thing when Lil Mootz was about 9 months old and my sister had to enlighten me. 

Seriously, though. We are good parents.

A Fabulous Friday

You know what's pretty fabulous?

When you put a new book in your "What I'm Reading" gadget and the author emails you!

I started a new book the other day (Love Finds You in Hershey, Pennsylvania by Cerella D. Sechrist) and I thought I would keep you all updated on that little tidbit.  A few hours later there is an email from the author thanking me for reading her book. How awesome was that of her?!

You know what's not so fabulous?

Going to the eye doctor's office and finding out your eyes are getting worse.

I knew my eyes were getting worse, but I didn't want it confirmed.  I had LASIK seven years ago.  I know it's not supposed to last forever, but I WANT it to!  I, at least, wanted it to hold me over until I was in my 30s.  So I'm upping the prescription in my glasses.  I still won't have to wear them all the time.  Just when I'm driving for the most part.  Still....not too happy about this.  The doc did say though that if it gets to the point where I'm wearing glasses full-time I can see about having a touch-up LASIK.  Blah.

You know what else is fabulous?

My new post over at Create My Event.  We had a Baby Sprinkle for my sister-in-law over the weekend.  I'll post some pics next week.

And did I mention it's even doubly fabulous that it's Friday?!

Everyone have a great weekend!

Pier 1 Fun Finds!

I went to Pier 1 last week.  I hadn't been there in so long!  In fact, the last time I had shopped at Pier 1 was when I was making up our wedding registry.  I had gotten it in my head that they were super expensive, so I never went.  I had some time to kill last week and I was in the neighborhood, so I figured, "Why not?"

They have the cutest stuff and they are NOT as expensive as what I remember!  I spent a good hour just window shopping.

I really want new pillows in our living room.  For our first anniversary my mom bought us a gorgeous ottoman/coffee table.  I had the hardest time finding pillows/curtains/rug to match it, so eventually I just put it on hold and bought a cheap wooden coffee table until our budget could afford the right fabrics to match the ottoman. 

I want the ottoman back!  Pier 1 has some really pretty pillows that just might fit the bill...

I love mirrored furniture.  It's very Art Deco-ey which is one of my favorite styles.  They had this bedroom set that I fell in love with at first sight.  I suppose ALL the mirrored pieces might be a bit much in a single bedroom, but can I tell you how much I don't care?  If anything, the bed and vanity would look fabulous with other furniture that is black.

While I'm in the market for melamine dinnerware and Pier 1 doesn't carry any of that, I did see this set.  If anyone knows where I can get this pattern in melamine, let me know.

And because I am physically incapable of going into any store and not purchasing anything, I bought this wall hanging for our kitchen.  It was almost 40% off!

And I think I have a Pier 1 gift card somewhere...

CSN Stores Review Sneak Peek

Have I mentioned that I have an online shopping addiction?  Ah, yes, right here.  Well, in case you missed it the first time or you just need a little reminder: Hello. My name is Yummy Mummy and I'm an online shopoholic.

A couple of weeks ago I was contacted by CSN Stores and oh my! It was like being contacted by the mother ship.  With over 200 stores to shop in they sell everything! Oh, it's no joke.  They have kids bedding, cookware, outdoor furniture (don't tell Stonewall, but I'm totally heading there next), and even shoes!

I already bought a metal dog food storage container! Remember all those pesky mice we had chewing through the dog food bag?  There will be no more of that with this!

It even came with a cute little dog food scoop.

Back to the awesome part... I get to pick one of their items to review!  I'm like a kid in a candy store because there are so many choices.  I finally chose something Stonewall has been bugging me to buy for months now.

You see, we have two measuring cups.

As you can see measuring cup "A" has several leaks and measuring cup "B" has no measurement lines. Obviously, neither are very conducive to measuring. The only purpose they serve is to take up space in our cupboard.

Stonewall says that with all the things I buy he doesn't understand why I haven't purchased a useable measuring cup.  Well, Mr. "I Need A Workable Measuring Cup",  I chose the Frieling Perfect Beaker!

I can't wait until I get to use it for the first time. Hmmmm... I wonder what I should measure with it first?

My Child Eats Dog Food

My child eats dog food.

And not in the, "Oh my gosh! I caught my child eating dog food today. Ew!" way.

But more in the, "About twice a day I have to dig dog food out of his mouth and it's getting annoying, so why do I even bother?" way.

And so I'm in a bit of a quagmire.

Obviously, if dog food was meant to be consumed by humans it would simply be called food. Aside from the fact that it probably tastes worse than it smells, it probably also contains little bits of horse poo and cow hair along with that ground up corn meal that's "real lamb" and what not. So not FDA-approved. But then again, I have my doubts about things like Spam and puddin' as well.

On the other hand, the kid must like it or why else would he be going after the Kibbles N' Bits instead of his puff crackers? The dog food may not be an ideal meal, but supposedly it contains meats and veggies. It's a complete meal, plus it's specially formulated to help regulate weight. It's certainly not going to kill him and really, isn't that the biggest concern? Should I really continue to waste money and time on human food when the kid is more than happy to eat as one of the pack?

I'm between a rock and a hard place here, folks. A rock and a hard place.

Mama Guilt Monday

I'm joining in on a new meme I found:



This week's prompt:

Tell about a time when I was an absent-minded mommy.

Hmmmm, well, you show me a time when I wasn't an absent-minded mommy and I'll show you a time when I wasn't a mommy.

Okay, but the time that jumps immediately to mind...

Several weeks ago Lil Mootz and I ate a very late lunch. I'm talking like three to four o'clock-ish. So dinnertime came and went. I wasn't even close to being hungry and I knew Lil Mootz was fine also, so I didn't bother to make us any dinner.

Around normal bedtime Lil Mootz started getting really fussy, so I figured he was just getting sleepy. I took him upstairs, gave him a bath (which he fussed the whole way through and he NEVER does that because he LOVES bath time), put on his PJammies, and fed him his bottle. He scarfed down his bottle and then kept fussing. It was sort of weird for him, but I just figured, "Wow. This kid is really tired." I put him in his crib and went down to watch some TV.

As I was sitting on the couch I could hear Lil Mootz screaming like crazy, but I just chalked it up to not wanting to be left alone. After a few minutes I was like, "Damn. I'm hungry."

As I start making my very late dinner it dawns on me, "Holy crap, Lil Mootz is probably starving! Which would definitely explain the screaming."

However, like the upstanding mother I had already proven to be that evening, I then proceed to stand in my kitchen and debate with myself:

"Lazy Tired This is Why I Participate In This Meme" Mommy: But he's already in bed. Do I really want to get him up and get him all messy with eating?

"I Really Do Love My Kid" Mommy: Your child's starving and your worried about getting messy? Are you seriously having this conversation with yourself?

Needless to say, I made Lil Mootz a late dinner which he ate in about three minutes flat before falling asleep while sitting in his high chair. I was still eating my dinner and so, at that point, I figured letting him sleep in his high chair until I was done eating wasn't any worse than what I had already accomplished that evening.

What is your absent-minded Mama Guilt moment?

Only You Can Prevent Water Wasting

I'm a water waster. I let the water run for about five minutes before I get into the shower. I don't turn the water off when I'm brushing my teeth or washing my face. I flush it down whether it's yellow or brown.

I know I'm not supposed to do this. Although, I don't know why. I mean, I get why it's environmentally friendly to recycle and carpool. I realize I should use dish towels and rags to clean instead of paper towels because we need to save the forests. But are we in danger of running out of water? Why does the world smile upon me when I don't waste water?

We don't pay for our water. We have a well. And our well is actually an underground stream, so we aren't in danger of our well drying up. So what's the point of not "wasting" water?

Stonewall can't stand this so called bad habit of mine. He's always turning off my water.

Stonewall: Don't leave the water running (as he turns off the water while I'm washing my face).
Me: Don't!
Stonewall: You're wasting water. What would Smokey the Bear say?
Me: Probably, "Throw some of that water over here in case there is a forest fire."

And he says I don't care about the environment.

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our third anniversary, so...

This is for my wonderful, goofy, always makes me laugh, passionate, always right and never wrong (I'll let you see how that feels for just today), silly, hard-working, fantastic da-da, sexy, handsome, crazy for you, wanna jump your bones, can't get enough of you, glad I muhrried yah, keeps me on my toes, ass-grabbing, I'm so lucky, I'll always love yums, husband!

Create your own video slideshow at animoto.com.

I love you, babe!

A Yummy Bathing Suit

It's that time of year again.  That time when you'd rather sit on a pitch fork rather than go shopping to try on the dreaded bathing suit.

Thank goodness for online shopping.

I bought my ticket and I'm headed down to Cayman in May, so I'm on the hunt for the...I was going to say, "perfect bathing suit", but that's an oxymoron.  It's more like I'm on the hunt for the bathing suit that will make me look the least like a manatee in swimwear.

So here are my options:

Take my little poll here and let me know which bathing suit is the yummiest!

Dear Anonymous "Bratfree" Commenter,

This post has been removed by (army)Wife/Yummy Mummy due to my blog being linked to a forum that bashes mothers and mommy bloggers.  Since I post regularly about my son and other mommies frequent my blog, I do not want hateful readers to continue visiting my blog.

If you are among the "childfree" readers that simply want to be disrespectful to me or other mothers, please have the common courtesy to click the red exit box in the top right hand corner of this site.  I respect your decision to not have kids, please respect my decision to have children and to post about him on MY blog.

Any comments from here on out that are from "childfree" commenters leaving rude and/or disrespectful comments will be blocked.

Does Tar-jay Pay It's Employees To Have An Opinion?

Lil Mootz and I were at Target the other day, doing our bi-weekly shopping.  Target is a necessary shopping trip.  It's where I buy Lil Mootz's diapers, wipe, bottle liners, and any other baby items we need.  I like to buy my cosmetics and health care items at Target also.  Plus, while we're there I can pick up any other odds and ends we may need.  And, of course, I always tend to throw in a DVD or picture frame that catches my eye.  Needless to say, our Target trips fill up the shopping cart.

Anyway...

Our cashier the other day was....well, not my favorite person.  I try, for the most part, to be nice to strangers.  Especially those serving me.  Cashiers fall into this category. 

So this dude is ringing up our items and he's making small talk that he thinks is funny, but really...not so much.  First, he says hello to Lil Mootz. I explain that Lil Mootz isn't really talking yet.  When Lil Mootz starts with his baby gibber the cashier asks Lil Mootz if he's speaking some Star Trek language.

Yeah, okay.  Haha.  I'm laughing to amuse you cashier dude, but can you please ring up our stuff faster?

Then he starts making comments about the amount of items I'm purchasing.

"Wow. You're buying a lot.  Is there anything left back there? You're getting the whole store. Are there any clothes left on the racks?"

Really?  It's my purchases that are allowing you to keep your job.  Keep scanning.

And then the kicker.

"So how old he?" (Meaning Lil Mootz.)
"Fourteen months."
"And he's not talking yet?!" with a look of utter disbelief. "That's not normal."

Nor are you little man, but you don't hear me saying it out loud.  Who are you anyway? Dr. f*****g Sprock?

They should pay people more money to just shut up.  Conversing with customers should not be allowed if you're a moron.

Stonewall's Sony Touch Reader Giveaway Winner!

Anybody can win -- unless there happens to be a second entry.

And in this case there were 812 entries.

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the Sony Touch Reader giveaway!  You all have some fabulous first download book choices.  There were quite a few mentioned that I'm going to have to check out.  The top two downloads would be the Bible and the Twilight Series. (Talk about being on both ends of the spectrum there...)

But anyway...

Here is the list of all the entries.

Good luck reading the 7.5 font I had to use to get them all on one page.

Now for the most important and anticipated part. The winner of the Sony Touch Reader is...

Carolyn G. from The Art of Random Willy-Nillyness!

Congratulations Carolyn! I will send you an email to get your information.

Thank you again everyone for participating!

Project Cookies 4 Troops

It is that time of year again! You all know what I'm talking about: The time of year when little girls with cookies become your new best friends.

Girl Scout Cookie Time!!

I'll be honest, I try to avoid this time of year and all the stands that are set up outside of every store I visit. And for the past couple of years, I've been good. I've stayed on track.

This year, though, they lured in Stonewall. And, let me tell you, they play dirty. She was a happy cute little pixie faced blonde and she skipped up to Stonewall outside of the gas station. I saw it all while sitting in the car. I knew he was a goner the second she flashed her missing front tooth smile and pointed to that delicious green box of Thin Mints. Out loud I begged Stonewall to not give in, but inside I was desperately hoping he would. Seriously, how do they expect one to resist cute little kids and a box of cookies?

Stonewall didn't fail my tastebuds.

He got back in the car weighed down with a box of Thin Mints, Lemon Chalet Cremes and Do-Si-Sos. The man certainly knows the way to my heart.

Well, if you have more resistance than I do and you don't give in and stock up your pantry this year, at least consider helping out the Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta with their Project Cookies 4 Troops. With every donation made the Girl Scouts will be sending boxes of cookies to our troops in Iraq. A goal of 650,000 boxes has been set - enough so that each troop gets a taste of home. Along with the boxes the girls will also send letters thanking our troops for their service.

Thank you in advance for you donation!

These Are The Bowls Of Our Lives

A couple of years ago I was at my parents' house when I came across these bowls boxed away in their basement.

I remember these bowls from when I was a kid, so I instantly snagged them to add them to my cupboards.

They're just bowls, but I have so many memories with these bowls. I can remember eating Mrs. Grass's noodle soup out of them when I was sick. Soup that my mom had made for me when she stayed home from work to take care of me. I remember sitting at the breakfast table with my little sister in just our underwear eating our cereal out of these bowls. We would fight over who got to read the back of the cereal box and who had to stare at the front. I remember eating ice cream out of these bowls and Cheez-Its for an evening snack.

Even now, every time I fill these bowls with soup or ice cream, I remember being a kid.

It's funny what items bring back memories. These bowls used to sit in my mother's kitchen, but now they are in mine, becoming a part of another generation's childhood memories.

What seemingly random item brings back childhood memories for you?

I Couldn't Live Without You

Apparently, the price of chicken wings is shyrocketing.  The DJ on my local radio station said that her husband decided he could cut back on driving because of gas prices, but cutting back on hot wings just wasn't going to happen.  The DJ invited listeners to call in and let her know what it was that they would never cut give up.

So it got me thinking. What three things could I not live without?

1. Chapstick

(Just a quick side note: I'm watching The Bachelor: Molly & Jason's Wedding while writing this.  It's raining during their ceremony.  Someone gave umbrellas to all the guests, but did not give one to the bride and groom who are not only all dressed up, but are also wearing electronic devices.  Someone didn't think that one all the way through.)

Ok, back to Chapstick.  I've used chapstick since I was, like, 6 years old.  I'm (almost) never without a tube of the stuff.  If my lips aren't waxed up I feel...naked.  I'll make do with any chapstick, but my favorite is the Chapstick brand.  Right now I'm using Chapstick Fresh Effects Invigorating Green Mint.

My all time favorite though is the Chapstick 100% Naturals Lip Butter.

2. Bottled Water

I'm just not a fan of tap water.  I never have been.  In high school our new house was well water and we couldn't drink it, so we always had bottled water.  Our house now is well water and I refuse to drink it.  When we bought the house the water tested positive for fecal bacteria.  Granted, we had a black light put on to kill the bacteria, but still,  I'd rather not take the chance.  We used to buy Fiji water, which is the BEST water ever.

However, it's also the most expensive water ever too.  Over the summer we started having those big office like water bottles delivered.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

3. Charmin Ultra Soft toilet paper

I'm a girl and I use a lot of toilet paper.  I don't want ultra thin toilet paper that falls apart as I'm wiping.  There really is nothing worse than little toilet paper boogies all stuck up in the who-ha.  Maybe a bit of an overshare, but all you women out there know exactly what I'm talking about.  Or a chafed bootie because of rough TP. It's just not pleasant.  Cushiony soft Charmin is the way to go.

What wouldn't you give up no matter what the cost?