Raunchy, Funny---Chelsea

I am so happy to be back blogging. I haven't been able to sign on for the last couple of weeks, I finally started to blog on my blackberry, it is so hard to see but I am managing.  If anyone is having the same problem and is now  able to sign on, let me know how you did it!  I am all out of ideas! I miss blogging on my computer!  I have so much to catch up on, where do I begin!

A few Sunday's ago, I was reading The New York Times which I am able to do sometimes if I play my cards right. I get up extra early before the kids are up and make a nice hot cup of coffee and read the morning paper. In silence!  It doesn't last long before I am interupted by "mommmmmyyyyy!

But, I did get the chance to read the article on Chelsea Handler, the raunchy comedian that has her own talk show called "Chelsea Lately"

I have mixed feelings about her show. It can be a little too raunchy for my taste.  But I love the fact that she says things that you would hear out of a guys mouth but never a womens'.  Men have been so disrespectful to women in so many ways.  It is about time men got a little taste of their own medicine!

She can be harsh but she is funny!  Chelsea is a friend of Jennifer Aniston's and likes to take hits at Angelina Jolie.  I have to say in a way she deserves it.  Jennifer Aniston was heartbroken and has had a hard time finding the right guy and having a family of her own.  Women should stick together like guys do!  Don't mess with someone else's husband!  If he is unhappy let him get a divorce and then when he is single again, he is fair game! Especially if you happen to be the most beautiful, successful, and famous women in the world get your own guy, don't steal someone else's! 

If you want a great laugh in the middle of the night, when you can't sleep and don't mind raunchy, Give "Chelsea Lately" a try!

Steph

Thank God It's Summer!

     Summer has begun and my kids are off from school!  They are starting summer camp on Monday and I have this weekend to spend fun quality time with them!  I am so excited!  We went to the movies last night and saw Mr. Popper Penguins, a must see!  A great family movie and the kids love it!  Tonight we are going to My eldest daughter's softball game and out for pizza and ice cream.  She has gotten so good at softball, her coach says that the last game she made the play of the century and won the game for her team!  I am so proud of her! 
      A fun thing to do with kids is to pitch a tent!  We are going to make a homemade tent and put it in our living room for a bug free camping night with popcorn and movies! I try to enjoy every moment with my kids because I know how fast it can go by! Of course, like all mothers know it is not an easy job and it can be stressful at times but enjoy your kids and have fun as much as you can!

     Tommorrow if it is sunny we are out and about and in the pool!  On rainy days it is a great time to do arts and crafts or bake!  I like to make rice crispie treats with the kids it's easy to make and not too messy.  We add other ingredients to make it fun.  We top them with either chocolate chips, sprinkles, nerds, peanut butter or any favorite topping.  Have a fun summer week!

Steph

Summer Vacation - Packing Tips

Summer's finally here and loving it. Particularly after such a brutal winter. I am actually taking a summer vacation at Cape Cod. Only for 5 days since I can't get that much time off work and my 6 year old is in summer camp. But I'll take 5 days.

This weekend I've spent preparing for the trip. Doing laundry, cleaning and starting to pack. I'll need this vacation from the work involved in preparing for this vacation. I'm exhausted.

I want to be sure I'm prepared for everything so I'm packing toys, books, sunscreen, beach and pool toys, and sweatshirts just in case we get chilly nights.

Last year my mother came with us and she brought a box of random household items like a nightlight, Lysol spray, a flashlight, batteries, and other stuff. I thought she was crazy but guess what? We used almost everything she brought. So if you're driving, pack a little box of household items. You never know and it's best to be prepared.

I let the kids pack a bag of toys which I keep in reach for them in the car so they have stuff to play with on the way and toys to play with when we get there. I also have a portable auto DVD player so I'll let them each pick out a couple movies to take.

I also came across this great article, "Working Mom Summer Survival Tips" from Working Mom on what you should keep in your car all summer to be prepared for spontaneous fun and it's a great checklist for the roadtrip vacation plus other tips on what to stock up on at home.

Next up, cleaning the car and start loading it up.

Jan

Summer Goals

Now that summer is underway, it is a good time to set summer goals. Setting goals is a good way to keep yourself in check and use to accomplish things, big and small that you want to achieve. It becomes so easy to fall into a rut and not get around to those things that you want to do but don't seem to find time for or put off and put off doing and suddenly months go by and years go by and you have not achieved the things you want. Setting a list of goals keeps you in tune and aware of what you want to accomplish.

I always include a mix of goals, big and small. Easy goals are great to include since it will give you a sense of accomplishment and getting through the small stuff frees you up to get to the big stuff. Harder goals are good to include even if you know you won't achieve it in two months including it anyway will keep it in check and you can include steps to take to get there. This could be career goals, home improvement goals, excercise or weight loss. Whatever it is, be sure to set your big goal and include 5 steps you will take by the end of the summer to get closer to that big goal. If you don't start doing something, you will never get there.

Since it's summer, it's also great to include some summer fun. Go swimming or go to the beach every weekend. Read a fun book. Go on a bike ride. Maybe even throw in something adventurous like skydiving or rock climbing. Participate in a charity run. Maybe you've always wanted to go cliff diving, do it.

Spending time with the kids having fun is a great summer goal. I like to include general goals but it's always good to be specific so you can check it off and be sure you do spend fun time with the kids. Take the kids to a carnival. Take the kids to the zoo. Roast marshmellows. Read a different book together every night.

Spend five minutes and jot down your goals. I have a notebook that I use and date with each list. That makes it easy to review my goals and check them off.

Have fun achieving great things this summer.

Jan

Book Bag - Bossypants by Tina Fey

I have always liked Tina Fey. Her humor, her timing, her expressions are always on point and everything she does is funny. She's a writer, comedian, actress, author and oh yeah a boss. Her new book, Bossypants, is the perfect summer read. It is the next read in my book club and I just picked it up, from the library might I add. I have only read the first couple chapters but it is funny and an easy read. I guess it's not a big surprise that she's a great writer since she's been a comedy writer for years. Tina Fey is a great role model and here is another great woman that can do it all, her way. I'll give another update when I'm done and can't wait to finish.

Jan

Happy Father's Day--remembering our fathers'

Today is Father's Day and it is important for all of us to pay tribute to our dad's!  It is sometimes hard to do if we are not getting along with them or if they have passed, but I like to spend some of the day thinking of some of the positive memories I have had with my dad.  He wasn't the most perfect dad and he even admits he made his share of mistakes but he did his best and that's all I could hope for.  It was hard for me to call him and wish him a Happy Father's Day since we have had alot of differences lately, and on and off my entire life, but he's my dad and I know I love him deep down inside even though it doesn't feel that way right now.

I am glad that I called him and I know he was so happy to hear from me. He wants to celebrate Father's Day by taking me and my sister out to dinner! I said "we should be taking you out to dinner!"  Although we all weren't able to get together today, I know we all will get together soon.  It is hard to believe that there was a time that my dad, mom, sister and I were always together and lived together!Now we all hardly ever see each other.  I have my own family now and so does my sister and I realize that we will never all live together again and it makes me sad. 

I can't forget the fun camping trips, skiing trips, vacations and celebrations we all had together.  Even though now they feel like a lifetime ago.  And the times my dad would help me with my homework and tutored me with math. Dad, I can't forget you on Father's Day.  Love you, Dad!

Steph

Steph

Bethenny Frankel Stikes Again

The news is out. Bethenny Frankel is getting her own talk show. She'll be filming the pilot on June 23rd and I hear, according to the Hollywood Reporter that filming has already begun for her show. I instantly thought, so that's why she's been house hunting in Hollywood but there's a chance that she will be able to tape the show in NY. Which would be awesome because then I can go to her show!

I don't know how she does it but hats off to her. I wish I had her energy. She is a truly inspirational woman and I want to be her. Just kidding. Not. OK yes I am. But really I do admire her drive, business and marketing sense. She does inspire me to do more and make the most of who I am and what I do.

So ladies, roll up the sleeves and get to work and maybe take a time out to watch Bethenny in the fall.

Jan