tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20618222098610937312024-03-13T02:06:01.464-07:00Mommy MerylThis blog was created by a mommy (me) for mommies (you) and about mommies (us). Please join me on my blog and my website, www.chitchatformommies.com as we travel the journey of motherhood together and live, love and laugh together, only as moms can.Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.comBlogger192125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-24420583546330045532009-06-15T10:52:00.001-07:002009-06-15T10:54:03.130-07:00Don't make Dad Grill on Father's Day - Take Him Out!!<p align="center">Today is last day to buy $25 restaurant gift certificates (for your use, or you can give as a gift!) for ONLY $2.00 <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3009835-10665295"><br /><img height="250" alt="Restaurant.com Weekly Promo Offer 300 x 250" src="http://www.ftjcfx.com/image-3009835-10665295" width="300" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-68937432450235586402009-06-11T12:40:00.003-07:002009-06-11T13:11:40.608-07:00Any Excuse to Play With Friends!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmD0ImiKeZ-8FwxkM95SubU_k-ZRbvTmL-SFNn0VMkJmDdakA47o6K70Bpf5jcpV3mFdm1LF4LyUQGaAtUQrsqQzAz6ERiczHKFBJ5ZljvFelfuZs0pjir5XLdxb_NRrkLKsFvkpK5luK/s1600-h/100_1379.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346159148532986722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfmD0ImiKeZ-8FwxkM95SubU_k-ZRbvTmL-SFNn0VMkJmDdakA47o6K70Bpf5jcpV3mFdm1LF4LyUQGaAtUQrsqQzAz6ERiczHKFBJ5ZljvFelfuZs0pjir5XLdxb_NRrkLKsFvkpK5luK/s200/100_1379.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ECMNb8lWIjMu6kj9auz2auIVhqI0zdSPSs-lMNM1MQKadSgAmdo1urtPeKmxrawguh1EkWPFvneBLC6wyQRTcI-cLzHu8Fk3nRhDJnhk7RL7SvqmOlAbkm3JWbQDUOOR1YAzmeQQySUU/s1600-h/100_1388.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346159145702724258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3ECMNb8lWIjMu6kj9auz2auIVhqI0zdSPSs-lMNM1MQKadSgAmdo1urtPeKmxrawguh1EkWPFvneBLC6wyQRTcI-cLzHu8Fk3nRhDJnhk7RL7SvqmOlAbkm3JWbQDUOOR1YAzmeQQySUU/s200/100_1388.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx2sx5LQK6rpfvL36y4rDdp7mfjyuHPgQhOpqgQxgRF9aTRpk4ru2ixXWa7eO5gJTEmcrliuAeMVAQVkH77wT16mqNO3lBl725dBdBX7XrU0qF3DiT6P6PR7riByg0fFmmhkzgeTQGNF9/s1600-h/100_1383.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346159139963289826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 150px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLx2sx5LQK6rpfvL36y4rDdp7mfjyuHPgQhOpqgQxgRF9aTRpk4ru2ixXWa7eO5gJTEmcrliuAeMVAQVkH77wT16mqNO3lBl725dBdBX7XrU0qF3DiT6P6PR7riByg0fFmmhkzgeTQGNF9/s200/100_1383.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGwPd30QJHPtq1Yl-mRyWcEz8fDDlHti01Wg_nHXKtO9v0X6Clh8mH1Af1Ms6xZj-e5hG8ZIFqqVop28WSnWIxTGKd4EJkH_bkzmw284gZ2AeAZrjSdNXjYUOSAFOTLeDFAFWbRvskCbt/s1600-h/100_1382.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346159134484018898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnGwPd30QJHPtq1Yl-mRyWcEz8fDDlHti01Wg_nHXKtO9v0X6Clh8mH1Af1Ms6xZj-e5hG8ZIFqqVop28WSnWIxTGKd4EJkH_bkzmw284gZ2AeAZrjSdNXjYUOSAFOTLeDFAFWbRvskCbt/s200/100_1382.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2BTssgtlufXElZq-AR0DzsCSn7ZzsiVugXKb5uNf9dh1ejz-RFeA9vkBBeeWz6yeqjISNQWtq_kQkXDbSvLquauTsxn2k2GjHGBbUaz38nAhyphenhyphenv0-jIIFIWgxMZfUbXc74tM0eElQM_mM/s1600-h/100_1377.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346159125794922642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjr2BTssgtlufXElZq-AR0DzsCSn7ZzsiVugXKb5uNf9dh1ejz-RFeA9vkBBeeWz6yeqjISNQWtq_kQkXDbSvLquauTsxn2k2GjHGBbUaz38nAhyphenhyphenv0-jIIFIWgxMZfUbXc74tM0eElQM_mM/s200/100_1377.jpg" border="0" /></a> A few weeks ago one of my Mommy Blogger friends, Amy, asked if I could do a review on Party Art. I checked out the <a href="http://www.shoppartyart.com/default.htm">website </a>and said, OMG, this is soooo for me!!! I love having get togethers with friends and this was a great reason to do one!! Make sure to check out my review <a href="http://mammaliciousfinds.blogspot.com/2009/06/party-art.html">here</a>.<br /></div><div>And while the get together was wonderful and I had so much fun with my friends and Allie had so much fun with her friends, I realized how lucky Allie and I are to have so many wonderful people in our little circle of life.</div><div> </div><div>One of the Moms said to me at some point during the party that she was envious at how easy it was for me to send an email out and get 16 people over to my house fairly quickly and with ease. She said that neither she nor her daughter really ever did much outside of their family and a few close friends. And while this little girl is a good buddy of Allie's and they get together for playdates, her Mom said to me that her daughter never really asks for playdates and she never thinks of setting them up, but when she comes to get togethers at our house, she and her daughter always love them and have a wonderful time.</div><div> </div><div>That made me think about how fortunate Allie and I are to have cultivated such a rich, varied and wonderful group of friends. </div><div> </div><div>I also realized that some people only need those few good friends and are not "the more the merrier" kind of people. Some people always need to be in the midst of lots of people. Allie and I both fall kind of in the middle - we have are close friends that we hold dear to our hearts, but we also have lots of friends and acquaintances and we love any reason to get together with people. </div><div> </div><div>And on this wonderful Sunday where we got together with some of our Mommy/Daughter friends, I realized how that was just absolutely one of my most favorite kinds of days. Painting, eating, swimming, chatting, giggling and playing with Moms and Daughters and then ending the day with a fabulous Steak dinner with Daddy and <a href="http://mommymeryl.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-daughters-fairy-godmother.html">Aunt Sue</a>. . .</div><div> </div><div>A day of food, fun, friends and family. . .and some chocolate thrown in too. My kind of heaven!<br /></div><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p></div></div></div>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-12170302651307081992009-03-24T11:22:00.011-07:002009-03-24T12:45:09.264-07:00I Want My Daughter and Husband to Love ME More, NOT More of ME!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYkaJ-jIej3c1bAxi_qJ9uoREmmKxfTsPnWs-DdjNqeDu00-rUKenORUuHv9p1RO8NWLnK74jFNofMS7X4QY3uqnxiKrIMBlTcCHNXxtovIsDyC_oJMAryDu3rFctKxon-10sUurW86Fm/s1600-h/Adam+%26+me.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5316840531951337458" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 193px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTYkaJ-jIej3c1bAxi_qJ9uoREmmKxfTsPnWs-DdjNqeDu00-rUKenORUuHv9p1RO8NWLnK74jFNofMS7X4QY3uqnxiKrIMBlTcCHNXxtovIsDyC_oJMAryDu3rFctKxon-10sUurW86Fm/s320/Adam+%26+me.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center">If I had a dollar for every weight loss program I have stopped and started, I would be pretty wealthy.</p><br /><p align="center">If I had a dollar for every time I asked myself, "When are you going to start eating healthy and get rid of this weight?" - I would be able to afford a personal trainer and cook on a regular basis.</p><br /><p align="center">I started this blog to share my trials and tribulations with you as a mom and wife and as to be honest, weight is a large (ok, no laughing!) part of who I am and something clicked in me the last few weeks that I really need to start dealing with my weight and start getting healthy. While this is not going to be a weight loss blog, I am going to use this as a venue to both get support and hold myself accountable.</p><br /><p align="center">What is the big impetus this time that is motivating me ? Come on, for those of you who battle with weight, you know there is always a reason and/or event that springs you into action. . .and the key is to hope that while that event/reason may come and go, the motivation to get healthy says with you. . .before I get into that, let's look at my past motivations.</p><br /><p align="center">I remember starting diets as early as high school - I was on Weight Watchers (all the way back when they had "exchanges", not points and the only fruit you could eat for like the first week was apples, oranges & grapefruits - anyone remember that?) and I believe my mother even signed me up for Diet Center too. . .I am sure this is an exaggeration, but I remember that diet required me to weigh-in every day (I used to take my earrings off for fear they would add an ounce!) and I don't remember being allowed anything to eat other than like Wasa Crackers and a piece of fruit here and there. I don't remember having any motivation for them - I think I was just put on them. Now, I was not thin in high school, but I was definitely not obese. I have a warped memory of how much I had to lose, but it certainly wasn't a large amount. </p><br /><p align="center">Fast forward years and lots of pounds later to my junior year in college. I had wanted to go to Spain for the following summer or fall as an exchange student. I vividly remember my parents bribe - if you lose weight, you can go to Spain. So, they signed me up for my first of three times with Nutrisystem. I was ultimately pretty successful and lost quite a bit of weight. I actually just dug up some pictures from college and there were quite a few of me taken during that time and I was even bordering on a weight that someone could call thin. . .or certainly normal!! I'm not sure if I ever reached my goal weight or whatever happened to Spain and why I didn't go, but I can tell you that over the next year or two I had gained all my weight back that I lost. </p><br /><p align="center">While in law school, I joined Weight Watchers a few times and even took a stab again at Nutrisystem. ..other than successfully giving my money and time to these programs, I wasn't too successful at them. I lost a little bit here and there, but nothing substantial and whatever I lost always came back.</p><br /><p align="center">While I played around with trying to go on a diet before my wedding, I didn't. . .but that is okay, I still felt like a beautiful princess and loved every minute of being in my wedding dress.</p><br /><p align="center">Now after my wedding, my mother suggested I go on Phen Fen (back in 1995 or 1996) and boy - that was like gold to me!! Those drugs were the best invention on the planet. Without much effort at all, the weight melted off of me and I thought I had finally licked my food problem. Well, I did, until they took my drugs off the market.. .how could they??? In truth, those drugs did exactly what they were supposed to do - curb my appetite (the upper) and mentally made not care about food and do the mental gymnastics that I always do (should I eat that? should I not? should I make a better choice?) - but they didn't teach me to address the problem when I was off the drug.</p><br /><p align="center">So, the drug was taken away from me cold turkey and I ate my way through the next few years. I did try some other weight loss drugs, but nothing ever had the success rate that Phen Fen had for me.</p><br /><p align="center">Jump forward a few years later while I am trying to get pregnant. After a few years of trying, we went to a fertility specialist and while I didn't want any of us to be "the broken one" - I think I had hoped it was my husband because that was an easier fix. Well, it was me who was broken, not him. In addition to producing very very very few eggs and follicles during ovulation (some months I didn't even ovulate), it was discovered after a number of tests and a round of Super Clomid that I had Type 2 Diabetes. The plan was to wait until the Diabetes was under control before we continued with fertility treatment because having a baby with Diabetes can put you into a high risk category.</p><br /><p align="center">Well, guess what? I was already pregnant! We found out about a week later. .. and immediately I was put on insulin and transferred to a high risk ob and I had to test my blood 6 times a day. And guess what? I was the healthiest pregnant person around - I lost quite a bit of weight (the insulin helped tremendously with regulating my blood sugar and cravings, etc) and once again, while I was upset I had diabetes, I was happy to have found a possible reason for my weight challenges.</p><br /><p align="center">Thankfully my pregnancy was easy and wonderful and my daughter was born healthy with no blood sugar issues. Three months after my pregnancy, I was still pumping (my daughter never latched on, so I pumped for the first 3 - 4 months) and on insulin and losing more weight and happy as could be. Then. . .they took my insulin away. Apparently one cannot be on insulin long term when they no longer have diabetes.</p><br /><p align="center">Yep - go figure -when I went back to my endocrinologist, my blood sugar was no longer in the diabetic range (and hasn't been again in the last 6.5 years, despite numerous tests and eating like crap). So, once the scare of diabetes and my insulin was taken away, I headed again down the path of eating, eating and more eating.</p><br /><p align="center">So, over the last few years I have joined and dropped out of Weight Watchers a few times and last January I even joined Nutrisystem for the 3rd time. I did lose almost 30 pounds - but once the Jewish Holiday Passover hit (one of my fave holidays!), I fell off the diet and was never able to get motivated to get back on. . ..</p><br /><p align="center">So, you ask, why am I motivated now? Yes, there is the obvious reason of wanting to be healthy and living a long time for my daughter and husband. . .but come on, that reason is always there in one form or another for most of us and sadly, often that just isn't enough.</p><br /><p align="center">Here is my motivation - simple, yet pretty powerful.</p><br /><p align="center">My daughter is not embarrassed by having a Mommy who is fat (forget being politically correct and saying overweight - let's just call it what it is. . .). . .yet. And I say yet, because we all know , it will come. Her mommy will be the one wearing a skirt on the bottom of her bathing suit - whether its trendy that year or not. Her mother will be the one with her tushy always hanging over the kids' seats in the classroom. I could go on and on. . .</p><br /><p align="center">Last week it was pretty hot in Phoenix for March - it was in the 90s. Allie had on an adorable tank top and skirt. I was in a short-sleeved t-shirt and capris. Allie asked me why I wasn't in a tank top because it was so hot out. I fumphered some answer and she said I would be so much cooler if I wore a tank top and she wanted to go pick one out for me in my closet. I told her I didn't have any tank tops -she proceeded to dig a couple of out my drawers (I'm not sure why they are even there, because I can guarantee you with arms like mine, I don't wear them!) and told me to try it on. I tried to protest as much as I could (too old, too small, too big, etc) - finally I put it on. Allie looked at me with a really funny look and said to take it off, it looked horrible. </p><br /><p align="center">OMG - I am wondering and thinking about all the things going through her head about how she sees me in this tank top. Then I see her mouth opening to say more. . .god, I didn't want to hear it. What more than telling me it looked horrible did she have to say. </p><br /><p align="center"><em>"Mommy",</em> Allie says, <em>"you should throw that away, there is a big stain on the front and that is a really yucky orange color and it just looks horrible. But here, try this purple one on, I bet that will be pretty on you. . ."</em></p><br /><p align="center">So, bottom line. I want to lose weight and hopefully look okay in a tank top BEFORE Allie knows I don't look okay in a tank top and a person with my arms should never consider wearing a tank top! </p><br /><p align="center">So, intermingled with my posts, I am sure I’ll be posting an update about the program and my personal weight loss successes and disappointments each week after my Weight Watchers meeting.</p><br /><p align="center">Oh yeah, and who is that in the picture with me? None other than Adam Pascal from Rent. Rent is my all time favorite musical (I have seen the musical 3 times and the movie countless times- I am one of those annoying people to sit next to while watching Rent because I sing/mouth all the words. . .yes, for the entire show!) and one of the most amazing gifts my hubby gave me for my 40th birthday was 3rd row tickets to Rent which we just went to last Friday. And to make the experience even more fabulous, a friend of a friend invited me to the Cast Party and I can tell you, I felt like Allie going to Disneyland for the first time - to get to meet Adam Pascal (who was just sooooo kind and warm and chatty. . . not to mention, rather hot!) and Anthony Rapp (I was always taught if you don't have something nice to say, don't say it. . .) was nothing less than FABULOUS!! I mean I got to share plates of pita bread and hummus with them. . .way cool as far as I am concerned!!</p><br /><p align="center">In any event, I promised myself there was not way I am going to be that large when I meet someone so famous and so hot again. . .</p><br /><p align="center">Hopefully this time is different and it lasts for more than a minute. . .care to join me on my journey?</p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-82235533422315325242009-03-14T11:07:00.000-07:002009-03-14T15:32:03.796-07:00Hula Hooping versus Reading. . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-hsqDIrgOrj66ndPzsc26iDcsJvadCJQuakurkVAl-MZ6BY0b4MDLIgwQCObYv-sfUvhqHBVYzcUCAJdjkaGIVju30oQKXYvhCPvheZGYjmD_yhGTPoL8SI8euw1hbyn3l96uHTFnaJ5/s1600-h/CCF03142009_00000.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5313174414685368882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-hsqDIrgOrj66ndPzsc26iDcsJvadCJQuakurkVAl-MZ6BY0b4MDLIgwQCObYv-sfUvhqHBVYzcUCAJdjkaGIVju30oQKXYvhCPvheZGYjmD_yhGTPoL8SI8euw1hbyn3l96uHTFnaJ5/s320/CCF03142009_00000.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="left">I love my daughter to pieces, but an academic prowess she is not. She loves school - or rather, she loves her friends, PE, Computers (which no thanks to Jan Brewer and her education budget cuts that Allie's school won't have as a special next year!), Recess and homework (yes, homework!). Oh yes, and field trips too! And she loves raising her hand and listening to her own voice (as well as knowing others are listening too - ok, yes, she is a bit like Mommy here!). She doesn't even love lunch -because she says that takes away too much time for her recess (I am hoping that she always feels this way about food - would rather play than eat - you go girl!) - although she does love Thursday lunch because I give her extra money to get ice-cream. </p><p align="left">Now, don't get me wrong - her reading group is the 2nd from top in the class and her report cards have all been excellent and she is testing all above grade level- but I think there is a BIG difference and jump between the top group in her class and Allie's group. And before you leave me comments in all caps, telling me to take it easy and I'm not giving her enough credit - I'm not passing any judgment - just telling it like it is. She is definitely in the top half of her class and she is bright - but she has to work for it and it doesn't come quickly or easily and, let's just say, she would rather be jump roping, hula-hooping (is that even a word?), on her trampoline or riding her scooter than reading.</p><p align="left">As I curled up on the couch last night to try and get through the first book of the Twilight series (normally I am a fast reader, but unlike most of America I have yet to be grabbed by this book. . .but I keep promising my friends that I will finish it because they promise me that unless I am just a loser that I will love it. Well, sad to say, a loser I think I might be. . .), Allie told me that if I practice my hula-hooping more then maybe I could win a hula-hoop contest for adults like she just won that day at school for their Field Day.</p><p align="left">I told Allie that I thought that was great and I was so proud of her, but maybe if she practiced reading more she would get better at it just like she thinks I could get better at hula-hooping. She paused, took it in, looked at me and said what I said didn't make sense because they didn't have contests at school for who was the best reader - only who was the best AT DOING SOMETHING. </p><p align="left">And there you have it. . .maybe if they offer a blue ribbon for the fastest reader, Allie could be enticed to read more???</p><p align="left"></p><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-81036623518454007952009-03-13T11:20:00.001-07:002009-03-13T14:45:52.944-07:00When You are 40, Friendships Should be Easy. . .Not Hard<p align="left">I feel that I am truly blessed in that I have surrounded myself with some really wonderful and amazing friends...we laugh together, cry together, giggle together, worry together, eat together and of course - whine and vent a bit about our hubbies or kids together!!</p><br /><p align="left">I firmly believe that behind every good marriage is a great group of girlfriends. . .and a good therapist!! :-)</p><br /><p align="left">But seriously, I find some of my friends are more work than others. . .do you ever find you walk on eggshells around some of your friends? I would say 99.9% of my friends treat me and make me feel like I can be who I am and while they might have different opinions than I, they are not judgmental.</p><br /><p align="left">But that other teeny tiny percentage- <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">oy</span>! Its like I can never win. And I'm not saying that I'm perfect and they are not. I'm not even saying that they aren't warm, loving people that if I needed something I could definitely ask them and I do believe they would be there for me. But the day-to-day relationship is challenging. Sometimes even toxic (or so my other friends and therapist say). Its like oil and water - yet our kids and history perhaps keep us together and coming back for more. And I am not a letter goer - not very easily anyways. I think I allow myself to be treated poorly for awhile - or you would have to do something pretty horrific for me to call it quits (and then its probably more out of self preservation and protection than a truly healthy decision to say "if this person is going to treat me this way, I don't need this friend anymore"). My therapist says I have no <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">boundaries</span>. . .</p><p align="left">Do you have friends that you feel don't really treat you the way you deserve to be treated, but for nostalgia purposes you keep them in your life as well? Or are you a lot healthier than me?</p><p align="left"></p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-28596942058469716472009-01-24T09:35:00.003-07:002009-01-24T10:10:34.447-07:00Am I Really Going to Return my Peanut Butter Zone Bars to Costco?<p align="left">So, last week I bought the package of zone bars at Costco and they come with the fudge graham and peanut butter flavor. Allie doesn't like the peanut butter one (which why is that, because 3 out of 5 days during the week she always has peanut butter for lunch??), so she gives me those to keep and she gets the other ones for her to take to school for her snack. So, over the course of the last week I have eaten 5 or 6 of them. . .</p><p align="left">Then Costco leaves me a message (which, by the way, how in the world do they know I bought those???? that will make me think twice what I buy there. . .next time I might get a call from them that says "hey lady, I think you have purchased too much unhealthy food - most people only buy one jar of chocolate covered raisins not one jar of chocolate covered raisins and another jar of jelly <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">bellys</span> at the same time!) telling me that zone bars are doing a voluntary recall of their peanut butter bars and I can bring it back to the store for a refund. . .</p><p align="left"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Ok</span> - so I will admit - I momentarily panic - the thought of food poisoning freaks me out and I hate throwing up - when that happens, I revert back to a child and cry and whine and want to be taken care of. Then I think if I am going to die of food poisoning, eating a peanut butter zone bar would not be the food I chose to end my life with.. . .that is kinda depressing.</p><p align="left">But after I express my concern all over <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Facebook</span> and most everyone assures me that I would have been sick by now, I begin to get a grip and realize that I am fine. </p><p align="left">But, I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">still</span> have about half the box of Peanut Butter zone bars left - so, what to do? </p><p align="left">Someone I work with, suggested if I am not going to want to eat them I can donate them to food bank. . .HELLO. . .if this product has any potential of making anyone sick I would never do that AND, I should donate them to a food bank so someone who can't afford food and probably doesn't have health insurance should eat them and get sick??? Won't that ultimately cost me more money than the $7 I originally spent on them at Costco as somewhere along the line you and I will be paying for that person who couldn't pay for their health care? No, not an option.</p><p align="left">I could simply eat them? Well. .. .gotta tell you, I'm a little uncomfortable with that. I mean if someone is recalling their product, voluntarily or not, do you really intentionally eat them? Nah, plus I would not get the sympathy nod if I got sick after my own <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">stupidity</span>. . .totally not worth it on so many levels (and yes, I will admit it - I don't pass up the sympathy nods every now and then when they are deserved - makes me feel loved and cared for at times!).</p><p align="left">I can return them to Costco. . .well, if I was already going to Costco, I could see doing that - but I'm not. So, as I see it, to return them to get a few dollars back (and how much will they give me back because I'm not returning the fudge graham ones that come in the same package???) will cost me much more in the long run as this is how I picture it. . .</p><p align="left">I spend the gas money to drive to Costco (okay, not so far away, but I'm really trying to see if its worth it. . . ) when I don't have to go there, I see the return line is out the door (seems to always be that even a month after the holidays) and I groan. Allie says, "Mom, that line is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">soooo</span> long - do we really have to wait? " I tell her that maybe if we go in and just look around the line will be shorter. So, I go in and how can you walk into Costco without buying something???? Even if its only a couple of items, its not stuff I planned to get or necessarily needed. . .so, we buy our few things and then we are hungry and so we buy lunch (which is the cheapest lunch on the planet - yet money I didn't need to spend) and we finally get in maybe a reasonable line to return the 5 or 6 zone bars I have left.</p><p align="left">So, you suggest I wait to go return the zone bars when I don't have Allie - let's be honest here, I wouldn't feel like waiting in line either and I probably would go in the store myself "to kill time" to hope the line was shorter and buy things too!!</p><p align="left">So, no, I have decided that in light of my promise to my husband to curb my unnecessary spending and the reality that returning the zone bars to Costco will end up in just that, I am opting to keep the Peanut Butter Zone Bars, but not eat them. . .until such time as the voluntary recall is lifted. </p><p align="left">Hope they are still good by then. . .because if not, I'm out like $7!</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-46837962166451974382009-01-23T00:49:00.004-07:002009-01-23T00:58:52.150-07:00Outta The Mouth of Babes. . .<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwytKcoGosCLQzGc4D82v0PX5-F5joVrUZqRvLYVJK5N9gqJ-v_lVDhUXtcgbGbLfnfU74Gbo-uAX1lKVGWpB00gK24R2AcjgLkLLzpW_yryft6RYivM9yiR0foFprtrdRMDl5uI6djiI1/s1600-h/jonas_obamas.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294395113721285378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwytKcoGosCLQzGc4D82v0PX5-F5joVrUZqRvLYVJK5N9gqJ-v_lVDhUXtcgbGbLfnfU74Gbo-uAX1lKVGWpB00gK24R2AcjgLkLLzpW_yryft6RYivM9yiR0foFprtrdRMDl5uI6djiI1/s320/jonas_obamas.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center">Allie: Mommy, I want to be sisters with Malia and Sasha Obama.</p><br /><p align="center">Mommy Meryl: Why?</p><br /><p align="center">Allie: Because they got to go on a 'avenger hunt in The White House and find the Jonas Brothers in their house.</p><br /><p align="center">Mommy Meryl: Ahhh, pretty cool.</p><br /><p align="center">Allie: Yeah. I'm so glad you voted for Barack Obama. . .maybe if Daddy knew about the Jonas Brothers he would have voted for Obama too.</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-12519555061615802212009-01-15T21:22:00.003-07:002009-01-15T21:27:12.276-07:00Win a $30 Gift Card from Label Daddy<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuri47IowMXTNCjwbyeOaV_UODxNDOxQkEFMgrIKN2BzmOBFc8_f45rEccvGvuYHwmxAbtoxKY_DZOrBqZWg8ETTl-ntIUhRm9NUqrmf89FuNETxjbRR0PRK6dcTneBl_6HVAAicPf2Ky1/s1600-h/LD_inside_giftcardpic1.gif"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5291742682490655714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 188px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuri47IowMXTNCjwbyeOaV_UODxNDOxQkEFMgrIKN2BzmOBFc8_f45rEccvGvuYHwmxAbtoxKY_DZOrBqZWg8ETTl-ntIUhRm9NUqrmf89FuNETxjbRR0PRK6dcTneBl_6HVAAicPf2Ky1/s320/LD_inside_giftcardpic1.gif" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center"></p>Thanks to <a href="http://www.labeldaddy.com/">Label Daddy </a>sending me some samples of their amazing labels, I have found the PERFECT labels for all of Allie's "stuff" - i.e., backpack, lunchbox, waterbottle, etc.</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Check out my contest <a href="http://mommymerylmusthaves.blogspot.com/2009/01/labels-its-all-about-sticky-stuff-win.html">here</a> and win a $30 giftcard from <a href="http://www.labeldaddy.com/">Label Daddy</a>!! </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center">Or, if you can't wait to win and need some labels NOW, you can shop on their <a href="http://www.labeldaddy.com/">website</a> and use AZMOM when you checkout to get a 10% discount!<br /></div><p align="center"></p><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-50914725420787523342009-01-15T16:08:00.005-07:002009-01-15T20:53:49.748-07:00When a Person Dies, Do They Still Get Older?<p align="center">In Allie's six years, she has had 3 experiences with those close to her dying - 2 dogs and her paternal Grandfather. I have to say, she took those in stride - like most 2 (when our first dog, Audi died), 3 (when our 2<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">nd</span> dog <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Budi</span> died) and 5 year <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">olds</span> (when her grandpa died) do. She wasn't overly sad or weepy - more matter-of-fact about it. </p><br /><p align="center">As she gets older, she is much more emotional about her dogs and grandpa. Out-of-the-blue, Allie will ask questions about death and dying - I'm sure typical questions that most kids ask, that most parents really have no answer to (i.e., what does it feel like to die, can you still hear and see your friends and family when you die, do you eat when you die, are there restaurants in heaven, can dead people go swimming, is it cold, etc).</p><br /><p align="center">My father-in-law's birthday is in October and Allie asked a simple, yet thought provoking question. Even though Grandpa is dead, does he still get older on his birthday? My initial answer, was "no, I don't think so". But then Allie said that didn't make sense. I asked her why and she told me it was because if his body was buried in the ground, his body was still there and why wouldn't it get older each year. I thought for a minute and decided how could I immediately dismiss her thinking? So, while I was silent, she asked me what I thought about what she said. I told her that it sounded good to me.</p><br /><p align="center">I thought it we could let it go. But no - she said, "well, is it true"? I said, I'm not sure. She then said we should ask our Rabbi because they know everything about God and "stuff". I thought that was a great idea.</p><br /><p align="center">Even though we have seen our rabbi lots of times since then, Allie never remembered to ask. We were at the Temple selling girl scout cookies yesterday when Allie remembered she had a question for our rabbi. After he bought his girl scout cookies, she asked him her question. And he was just as stumped as I was!</p><br /><p align="center">So, he tried to take a rabbinical path and discuss with Allie all the wonderful things you can do to remember a person when they die and how you can honor their memory and that it doesn't matter what the answer is, its more important to just remember and celebrate them.</p><br /><p align="center">Do you think Allie was satisfied with that answer? No. She wasn't interested in what he was saying - however eloquent and thoughtful and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">inspiring</span> it was. She just wanted the answer to her question. We left the rabbi's office, happy that he bought girl scout cookies, but unsatisfied as she wondered who would know her answer because someone HAS to know.</p><br /><p align="center">So, after our stint at the Temple, Allie had her Brownies meeting and I thought all was forgotten about death and dying for the moment. Not so.</p><br /><p align="center">For her bedtime story, she wanted to read Saying Goodbye to Lulu by Corinee Demas (which I strongly recommend if you want a way to introduce a young child to the concept of a pet dying) - one of her preschool teachers gave her that when she was 3.5 and our dog Budi was dying of cancer. It is a beautifully written book - but a tear jerker! </p><br /><p align="center">I tried to steer her away from reading it last night and she asked me why and I said, "well, its just so sad - do you really want to read it now?". She said yes, that it was okay to be sad sometimes and she was really missing Budi & Audi and that book makes her feel better. So we read it and I'm trying to hide/stiffle my tears (why don't we like to let our kids see us cry?) and all of a sudden, Allie looks at me and starts crying and simply says, "that book always makes me cry - how about you?" So, then I feel soooooooooooooooooo silly for stifling my tears and I say, "yes, me too". And she says, "Then, how come I can't hear you cry?" </p><p align="center">Wow, they don't let us get away with anything, huh?</p><br /><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-10424287246632455412008-12-15T23:07:00.003-07:002008-12-15T23:10:15.109-07:00Last Minute Holiday Gift for Those Who Like to Eat Out<p align="center">This is an amazing deal! Whether you are looking for that last minute holiday gift or you want to treat yourself to dinner out! You cannot beat this - a $25 gift certificate at a restaurant of your choice FOR ONLY $2!!</p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.tkqlhce.com/click-3009835-10594886">CLICK HERE 80% off Savings on $25 Gift Certificates. $2 when you use code SANTA.12/16/08 thru 12/22/08.</a><br /><img height="1" src="http://www.tqlkg.com/image-3009835-10594886" width="1" border="0" /></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-23118321611110270612008-12-12T17:00:00.003-07:002008-12-12T17:20:27.698-07:00Tis' The Season. . .<p align="center">As I am in the midst of all the fun, food, shopping, lights, celebrations, gift giving and receiving that goes along with Holiday seasons, I am hoping that this season finds you and your family doing well. During these challenging economic times, I've can't help but remind myself about what's really important. While I know there are families who have fortunately not been injured by the economy, there are some who I know have been hit much worse that my family has. While I can't deny the excitement I get in giving and receiving gifts, this year in particular has made me really think about what I have in my life. And as silly as it sounds, to wake up everyday to the annoying snoring of my husband and the Hannah Montana singing of my daughter, I truly know that those are the best holiday gifts in the world. </p><p align="center"><br />I always think back to something my maternal grandmother said and I think at times my mother may have quoted her as well. "That what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" and "This too shall pass". While not everything has a storybook ending, lessons can always be learned from hard times and hopefully we come out better and stronger people. </p><p align="center">And while these economic times are scary - I have my health, my husband, my daughter and an amazing array of other family members and friends and we all have each other. </p><p align="center"><br />There is no time of year that is more special than the holiday season - whether you celebrate <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chanukah</span>, Christmas, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kwanzaa</span> or a combination, I urge you to look around at the happenings in your city and be creative - I guarantee you that you will find lots of wonderful things to do that will fit any budget. Personally, nothing beats driving around looking at the amazing array of Holiday Lights with my hubby and daughter while <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Chanukah</span> songs are playing in the car. . .</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-41857937239586745082008-12-01T10:19:00.001-07:002008-12-01T10:21:17.796-07:00Check Out My Article for Root & Sprout Online Magazine<p align="center">My Chanukah Story is published <a href="http://www.rootandsprout.com/20864.html">here</a> in Root & Sprout's December Edition!</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-55122096508281525072008-11-20T10:42:00.002-07:002008-11-20T10:48:05.477-07:00Treat Yourself to Dinner Out - Great Gift Idea for the Holidays!<p align="center">Act now -<strong> $25 restaurant gift certificates for ONLY $2.00.</strong></p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-3009835-10594886">CLICK HERE - 80% off Savings on $25 Gift Certificates. $2 when you use code SURPRISE.Now thru 11/24/08.</a> </p><p align="center">New restaurants join the program all the time!</p><p align="center">Great gifts for your employees, childrens' teachers, co-workers, or anyone else who likes to enjoy dinner out!!<br /><img height="1" src="http://www.awltovhc.com/image-3009835-10594886" width="1" border="0" /></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-9061832806344846452008-11-19T11:19:00.002-07:002008-11-19T11:52:36.511-07:00I'm Coming Back. ..<p align="center">So, Miss Allie asks me how come she doesn't see me "blogging" much or on my <a href="http://www.chitchatformommies.com/">Chit Chat for Mommies website</a> as much - and I realized that not only didn't I have a very good answer (anymore) but that I really missed it.</p><p align="center">I think I first got "out of the loop" when I was starting to feel sick and and tired and then we finally figured out I had Mono and I was just too exhausted to stay up and blog or work on my website. </p><p align="center"> Then 2 weeks ago our house was broken into and I'm still have issues about feeling safe in my own home - its better, but I'm still a bit anxious about every noise I hear. Thankfully no one (including the dogs) were hurt - but things were taken, stuff was rifled through and it left me with a really yucky feeling.</p><p align="center">But mostly, I had a really nice (albeit some might say a little late at night) routine - I would work on my website after Allie and Rich were both sleeping - when my creative juices would flow. It didn't leave me time for lots of sleep, but I didn't feel draggy and it wasn't until I got sick that I thought the lack of sleep was impacting me.</p><p align="center">So, I know I miss connecting with my readers and blogging and working on my website and one of my birthday presents that I am going to give myself (along with my yearly promise of promising I'm going to lose weight so I can feel good in a bathing suit by the summer. . .that is the one good thing about a November birthday - its a nice motivation to be able to feel good in a bathing suit. Unfortunately, I have never quite actually made good on that gift to myself. . .) is to find another routine that works.</p><p align="center">So, thank you to all of you who still continue to subscribe to my blog - even though its been very sparse lately. And thanks to all of you who send me amazing little emails asking if I'm okay and where I am. . .</p><p align="center">And I'd like to leave you with one little chuckle. . .on Saturday night my girlfriends are planning a sleepover party for me to celebrate my 40<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> -can I tell you how excited I am??? Why should Allie have all the fun at sleepovers??</p><p align="center">Anyways, Rich & Allie are having a daddy/daughter date and her choice is to go rock climbing and see High School Musical 3 (for a 4<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> time!). . .so Allie told me that she is really excited for my birthday in "3 more wake-ups". I told her, no, my birthday is on Friday, 2 more wake ups. She said, no I'm really excited to celebrate your birthday with Daddy at High School Musical 3 when you are having a sleepover with your friends. . .</p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-36476925723179933452008-11-19T10:30:00.004-07:002008-11-19T10:34:11.099-07:00Wordless Wednesday<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWcqhVvuya9CiTTrA58wV_eOkWDXAnAWOdRP1nJ4wDR2Hka7fbFyO6LAVQQengA8Pt8rvLjbB_ShfzAEdfaH_oJUtXldo0B2eh2fGZUUnJFHb4xdKwCERu_YvclcahNm9mmnqAyYdqMH5/s1600-h/100_0824.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270423038251551730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 301px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWcqhVvuya9CiTTrA58wV_eOkWDXAnAWOdRP1nJ4wDR2Hka7fbFyO6LAVQQengA8Pt8rvLjbB_ShfzAEdfaH_oJUtXldo0B2eh2fGZUUnJFHb4xdKwCERu_YvclcahNm9mmnqAyYdqMH5/s400/100_0824.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheLmyJZLd-msuX8kg52Oo2NsorhDpJnvliQugz28N_KfwJn1IJvm59fQTWU8SneU-cfvLwYLlKj9Su0KapUDkytvurA0JrP5B3AEYwE3e2_qE7ImRRydJW2ZboPKw6sN6Wd4ZR3CpwypV8/s1600-h/100_0824.jpg"></a>A -for Allie</div><div align="center">L - for Lexi (doggie)</div><div align="center">R - for Rich (Daddy)</div><div align="center">M - Meryl (Mommy)</div><div align="center">P- Pluto (doggie)<br /><br /></div><p align="center"></p><div><br /><br /></div><p align="center"></p><div><br /><br /></div><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-43111429154099475612008-11-13T16:36:00.002-07:002008-11-13T16:39:11.821-07:00Check out my review of a really great Tween Rock Band - Groovy Ruby<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGs9vJNF29Ic7q8so1-lhOzHn-F_jdIbtikPBURvPqjPKDlXtxURiDkaBioZ9czLZYPylR64fHOBCqGonPUusQ9Z_17EGbHHv7u3sStxMUPJLciPGgIXnaSE31hXGzkgoyBUZezYxB1Z96/s1600-h/groovyruby.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268290773303632290" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 100px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGs9vJNF29Ic7q8so1-lhOzHn-F_jdIbtikPBURvPqjPKDlXtxURiDkaBioZ9czLZYPylR64fHOBCqGonPUusQ9Z_17EGbHHv7u3sStxMUPJLciPGgIXnaSE31hXGzkgoyBUZezYxB1Z96/s320/groovyruby.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center">I am giving away a copy of Groovy Ruby's new CD - check out my review and giveaway <a href="http://mommymerylmusthaves.blogspot.com/2008/11/groovy-ruby-review-giveaway-of-all.html">here!</a></p><br /><p align="center"></p><br /><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-57803459331568454562008-10-27T13:18:00.004-07:002008-10-28T12:15:52.782-07:00A Blog Award!!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnFW7EuKIQ3C0arUkkIjlV6sfTgt82s-V46zIMXxIXjNVsspmZqwSxz4-bVdGYptbosPXimj1pP-PMT-AJtADBS4z3b1dykLGYqS-VEHJ2zL_7pNakVziKx9MNY00eqD-IeTF3_dpQMPY/s1600-h/iloveyourblog1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261931060591029954" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 130px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 130px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicnFW7EuKIQ3C0arUkkIjlV6sfTgt82s-V46zIMXxIXjNVsspmZqwSxz4-bVdGYptbosPXimj1pP-PMT-AJtADBS4z3b1dykLGYqS-VEHJ2zL_7pNakVziKx9MNY00eqD-IeTF3_dpQMPY/s320/iloveyourblog1.jpg" border="0" /></a> Yeah for Mommy Meryl and thanks so much to <a href="http://www.modernmommyblog.com/">Modern Mommy </a>for passing along the "I HEART Your Blog" Award! I love blogging and I can't tell you how much I appreciate it when I learn that someone other than my family and friends reads my blog! And when that they tell me something I said made them think, laugh, cry, feel, etc. . .it is like icing on the cake.<br /><br /><br /><br />Now, part of what the rules require me to do now that this award is bestowed upon me, is to share with you and nominate at least 7 other blogs who deserve this award. There are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">soooo</span> many blogs that I love and in truth, I seem to nominate the same ones over and over again and while they are certainly deserving of this award, I want to share some new ones with you. So, I will post these in the next few days, but I did want to give a big shout out to Modern Mommy for "hearting" my blog!<br /><br /><br /><br /><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-51043573984030523552008-10-27T12:07:00.003-07:002008-10-27T12:28:06.128-07:00Out Of The Mouth of Babes. ..<p align="center">My hubby has one of those picture cubes that I ordered for him Father's Day 2002 (you know, its a 3-dimensional square with 6 spots on it for pictures or sayings). . .technically Allie wasn't born yet, but I was 8 months pregnant and we had 3 dogs at the time - so how could I not get him a Father's Day present, right? </p><p align="center">So, there were 5 spots for pictures and I put one of each dog, an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ultra</span>-sound of our baby-to-be and a picture of all 3 dogs together. On the top of the cube it said something like "Daddy's Stars" and there were 4 stars that each had a name by it - it looked something like this:</p><p align="center">DADDY'S STARS</p><p align="center">*Audi (a dog - who passed away in Spring of 2005)</p><p align="center">* <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Budi</span> (a dog - who passed away in Spring of 2006)</p><p align="center">* Lexi (a 13 year old <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Sheltie</span> who is still with us)</p><p align="center">* Dot</p><p align="center"> Dot was what we called our baby when I was pregnant - the story behind it being when I got my first ultrasound at like 8 weeks or so, all we saw was a teeny tiny dot. . .I think the gestational sac, maybe? Anyways, we knew we didn't want to find out if he/she was a boy/girl and so the name "Dot" just stuck because the baby looked like, well, a Dot - not a baby at that point. Not only did Rich & I call the baby Dot - but everyone around us did. The name kinda stuck - and in all seriousness, as the pregnancy went on and we always referred to the baby as Dot, I couldn't even imagine calling the baby anything else. </p><p align="center">But as soon as I delivered [<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ok</span>, so my question for you is when you have an emergency c-section and are barely coherent as they urgently slice you open and remove the baby, is that still me delivering the baby? I'm thinking not. . .I don't think I was doing much of anything other than laying there and hoping everything was over soon and I would hear the healthy cry of a baby shortly. . .but I guess that is a whole other question] our daughter, Dot fell aways just as quickly as I was focused on deciding whether she was going to be Allison Nicole or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Jessica</span> Nicole. . clearly Allison won.</p><p align="center">So, back to the story at hand. On Friday, Allie happens to look at the picture cube (which she has looked at gillions of times - but now that she can read, it adds a whole new dimension to it) and begins reading the top of the cube. She gets to Dot and looks at Rich and I and with a quizzical look wonders that is.</p><p align="center">So, Rich explains who Dot is and that the ultrasound picture is Allie while in my belly. So, she said why would you call me Dot if you knew me? So, Rich tries as best as he can to tell her that when a mommy has a baby in her belly, she doesn't know if it is a boy or girl until the baby comes out. </p><p align="center">So, in all of her infinite wisdom, Allie says that Dot is a silly name and if we just asked her, she could have told us that she was a girl because if she was naked in my belly she could have seen her "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">bagina</span>" and known she was a girl and then we could have put "Allie" on Daddy's pictures, not "Dot". </p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-81357421399191688742008-10-27T12:04:00.002-07:002008-10-27T12:07:37.632-07:00Treat yourself to dinner out - $2 for a $25 credit at your favorite restaurant!<p align="center">Click here to make sure you get your Halloween Treat this week - $25 gift certificate to one of your favorite restaurants for ONLY $2 - that is a $23 savings!! This is not a trick! :-)</p><p align="center"><a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-3009835-10594886">80% off Savings on $25 Gift Certificates. $2 when you use code TREAT.Valid only 10/27/08 thru 10/31/08.</a><br /><img height="1" src="http://www.tqlkg.com/image-3009835-10594886" width="1" border="0" /></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-46978974750277430242008-10-22T10:53:00.002-07:002008-10-22T11:21:44.772-07:00Did you know these 7 things about me? Tag you're it!<p align="center">I’ve been tagged by <a href="http://www.mamadivas.com/">Kristina at Mama Divas </a>(which by the way, you will love her blog!)!<br />Here’s the game: If you’re tagged, you must tell your readers 7 things about yourself that your readers don’t already know.</p><p align="center"><br />1. I am officially addicted to Facebook!</p><p align="center">2. My favorite show on TV right now is Raising the Bar - ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!</p><p align="center">3. Chips & Salsa, Chocolate & Sushi are my favorite things to eat.</p><p align="center">4. I am having a sleepover at my girlfriend's house for my 40th birthday and I'm soooooo excited - can't wait to eat junk food and stay up all night! And not to have to get up in the morning!</p><p align="center">5. I met my hubby on Jewish Singles bulletin board on-line over 15 years ago</p><p align="center">6. I went to college in Atlana, GA (Emory University) and law school in St. Louis (Washington University)</p><p align="center">7. I used to work at the Limited while in high school AND fit into their clothes! :-)<br /><br />Here’s my list of tag-ees </p><p align="center"><br />Tag, you’re it!</p><p align="center">1. <a href="http://jiggetyjigg.blogspot.com/">Jenni </a>@ Jiggety Jigg</p><p align="center">2. <a href="http://www.sassypinkboutique.blogspot.com/">Amy</a> @ Sassy Pink</p><p align="center">3. <a href="http://www.winningstartups.com/">Rita</a> @ Winning Start Ups</p><p align="center">4. <a href="http://kristleharrison.blogspot.com/">Kristle</a> @ Stir Crazy</p><p align="center">5. <a href="http://cheaperthantherapyjen.blogspot.com/">Jen</a> @ Cheaper Than Therapy</p><p align="center">6. <a href="http://soccerballsandconferencecalls.blogspot.com/">Amy </a>@ Soccor Balls & Conference Calls</p><p align="center">7. <a href="http://photosbybethanne.blogspot.com/">Beth Anne </a>@ Family Blog</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-35868531993172034432008-10-17T11:41:00.004-07:002008-10-17T12:11:40.957-07:00And I have a diagnosis. . .<p align="center">Thank you to my faithful Mommy Meryl readers who are keeping up with my bits and pieces. . .so just to keep you updated, I woke up in the middle of the night on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning with the most scary and bizarre pain all over. I mean it hurt to readjust my pillow. It hurt to roll over. My hands were so swollen and tight I could barely grasp onto anything. I decided to ignore it - sure I was sleeping funy and that it would go away. Well, sleep wouldn't come and the pain wouldn't go away, so I decided to do what every rational person does at 3 am when they can't sleep - google my symptoms. Hopefully you are smarter than that, because all that did was cause me to panic. Each diagnosis I read that I could have was none-too-pretty.</p><p align="center">But did I make a doctor appoint on Wednesday? No - I was sure if I popped enough advil it would go away. It didn't. Finally, when Allie was at Brownies and my hubby & I were having dinner and he was looking at my funny because I was having problems opening a bottle of soda and holding my plate, I tell him that I am freaked out because since 3 am my body has been in extreme pain and its hard for me to do anything. After he realizes he is going to get nowhere by repeating a million times why didn't I go to the doctor earlier, he sees I'm truly scared and convinces me to make an appt first thing in the morning.</p><p align="center">So, my next night of sleep is really no better than the first - my legs, feet, knees, shoulders, wrists, forearms, hands, fingers are sooooooo sore. Its was like that muscle pain you feel after a really intense workout - but I had no workout.</p><p align="center">So, I head into the doctor's office first thing in the morning. . .my blood pressure was sky high as I was envisioning all the potentially awful diagnosisis I might have. . .well, to make a long story short, thankfully I don't have an awful diagnosis. I just have a virus that I should have gotten a long time ago (like 15 - 20 years ago) if I was going to get it - yes, I have the kissing disease, mono! Can you believe it??? At almost 40 years old I have the virus that is a right of passage as a teenager - except it skipped me then and decided to visit me now! </p><p align="center">At least I have an explaination of why I have been so tired for the past 10 days or so!!</p><p align="center">Anyways, my fever at least seems to be gone and the exhuastion I can deal with - its the body pain that is truly not pleasant. And advil is helping only so much.</p><p align="center">In any event, I am hoping to lick this shortly and be back to blogging on a more regular basis sooner rather than later. . .but in the meantime, if I do have enough energy to stay awake, I'm at work or busy with Allie. . .</p><p align="center">And by the way, no need to treat me like I have the plague. . .I'm only contagious thru getting my saliva - so I promise not to kiss you or share your food and drink till I'm better. . .</p><p align="center">Which leads me to my apologies to a wonderful author, <a href="http://www.leedoyleauthor.com/index.html">Lee Doyle</a>. I had agreed to review her debut novel called, <a href="http://www.leedoyleauthor.com/index.html">The Love We All Wait For</a>. I am loving it so far, but I'm finding I have been so exhausted it has been hard to stay up reading (there is nothing more I love than curling up before going to sleep under the sheets with a wonderful book) and I have not finished it as quickly as I had anticipated. </p><p align="center">But, if you happen to live in the Phoenix area, she is going to be in town for a reading and signing of her book at <a href="http://www.changinghands.com/NASApp/store/IndexJsp" target="_blank">Changing Hands Bookstore</a> Tempe, AZ Saturday October 18, 2008 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm - if you can go, I encourage you to do so!</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"></p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-75468016484321762872008-10-15T12:24:00.002-07:002008-10-15T12:58:27.064-07:00I am alive. . .<p align="center">Hi everyone. . .I hope you are doing well! Just last week when I thought I was back, the Jewish holidays hit me at the same time as a fever did - I have been fighting a fever since last Wednesday. Last night was the first night in days that I didn't go to bed and wake up with a fever. Then in the middle of all of this, my husband's car broke down and we unexpectedly had to deal with that (who wants to look for a new car in this market??) and then my daughter had her 6 year check up. All was fine and good, until the part where they look at the spine and our doctor (who I love) takes out some handy-dandy measuring gadget and measures her back. ..can you feel my concern??? So, he tells me that she has a 4% curvature in her spine - WHAT? Where did that come from? When did that happen? Is there something we can do about it?</p><p align="center">Apparently, there is no reason to panic/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">freakout</span>/do unreasonable amounts of googling YET. ..they will check it again at her 7<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">th</span> birthday and so long as it stays relatively the same, we are okay. If it increases <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">significantly</span>. . .then that is another story.</p><p align="center">Then my daughter was asked by her PE Coach to give her cross country club/team a try. I thought that was kinda cool, but in all honesty, I didn't really think she would have the interest in it. While she love to sprint and race you, she isn't much into running around the track endlessly. And she isn't much into pacing herself - she either wants to run quickly and beat you or not at all. So, she does give the team a try and ultimately she isn't really into it. She says if she does cross country she doesn't get to play before school or at lunch -she just has to run. So, fair enough, I tell her no biggie, she doesn't have to do it. She tried it and didn't like it and that is totally okay. Well, I guess easier said than done. My poor little 6 year old has been in emotional drama since yesterday.</p><p align="center">One of her <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bestest</span> buds at school is doing cross country and that is who she plays with at lunch recess everyday. Well, easy enough, I say, you have lots of other friends, go play with one of them. Allie looks at me and moans that I don't understand because she and her friend M play jump rope and hula hoop everyday and none of the other first grade girls want to do that. So, I tell her that not everyone might want to jump rope and hula hoop and that is okay and perhaps she can find something else to do. She says she doesn't understand why they don't want to do jump rope and hula hooping as its <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">sooo</span> much fun. I tell her that they might feel that way about the things they are playing - I ask her about one of her other close buddies, A. She tells me she plays cats & dogs or chases boys at lunch - I suggest that might be fun - she tells me no.</p><p align="center">So, then I name a few other friends and for various reasons nothing I say is a good idea. And by the way, these are all friends she gets together with quite a bit after school and on the weekends.</p><p align="center">Then I realize it, there is nothing any conversation is going to do to make her feel better. Her little world is being rocked a little bit. . .her buddy that she is used to hanging out at lunch with is choosing to participate in another activity for the next 2 months and as much as Allie wants to be with her friend M, she doesn't like cross country enough to do it just so she can be with her. But yet, the thought of not being with M at lunch is a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">overwhelming</span> and scary to Allie - when she is in her comfort zone, she is great. When she isn't , she is a little reserved and shy and unsure of herself. </p><p align="center">So, as her mom, I see how worried she is about what she will do at lunch (my husband says he thinks I'm more traumatized than she is ). . .at least so far, in all honesty, I see her being a bit of a stronger, independent person than her mother. I would choose to be with friends even if it meant doing something I didn't want to do. . .but at least as of now, that idea isn't interesting to her. She would rather play by herself and do what she wants to do or keep looking for those people who do what she wants to do.</p><p align="center">And to be honest with you, why can't I say good for her for being independent? I guess because the thought of her being alone and not with friends at lunch makes me sad. . .</p><p align="center">Well, I think it was my grandmother who said, that which doesn't kill you, makes you stronger and even at 6, Allie will learn from this little life experience. And my hubby tells me - she will figure it out. . .but it still doesn't make it easier for me to watch from the side lines. ..</p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-22411060528267351462008-10-07T11:24:00.002-07:002008-10-07T11:43:51.581-07:00I Know It Has Been awhile. . .<p align="center">I know it has been a while since you have heard from me. . .no reason anything more exciting than life has gotten in the way. . .</p><p align="center">I have also found with my 40<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> birthday approaching, I am getting old and forgetful! Just as soon as I say, "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">OMIGOSH</span>, I have to blog about this", by the time I sit down at the computer to blog, I can't remember what in the world was so funny, sad, clever, touching, etc.</p><p align="center">I also had discovered that my best blogging seemed to come after everyone was asleep in the house - and when you are approaching 40, staying up till all hours catches up with you - and it did me!</p><p align="center">I am also in the process of creating a few more websites - just in time for the holiday season. I won't go into any specifics, but they will be places to find wonderful Hannah Montana, High School Musical (everyday Allie wants to know how many more "wake-ups" till the new one comes out - just in case you aren't living and breathing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">HSM</span>, October 24<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">th</span> is the big day!) and princess "stuff" for great prices!! Just in time for the holidays!</p><p align="center">In the mean time, I have been featured on my blogging friend Angela's fabulously creative <a href="http://amonthofstuff.com/2008/10/07/mommy-meryl-31-days-of-make-believe-day-7/">Month of Stuff Blog</a> - check out her email interview with me and the rest of her blog - its really neat!</p><p align="center">Finally, if you are female and in the baby boomer age bracket and looking to make some new female friends - <a href="http://www.wildboomerwomen.com/">check out this new group</a>. . .even though I am going to be 40 soon, I'm not a baby boomer, but <a href="http://mommymeryl.blogspot.com/2008/05/my-daughters-fairy-godmother.html">Allie's godmother </a>is the woman behind this group! She started it locally in April and has begun to take it National. . .she just launched her website and already has over 100 members on her website! While it might not fit the needs of most of my readers, it might be interesting to some and perhaps you know of someone you can pass it on to who might be interested!</p><p align="center">I will leave you with one last thought. . .on Sundays, Allie goes to our synagogue for religious school. While she goes to a public elementary school, she has always been around synagogues - she went to preschool at our temple and I have taught at our temple ever since Allie has been alive - so she knows for the most part what its about. This is what occurred last Sunday after Sunday School:</p><p align="center">Mommy Meryl: Allie, how was Sunday School?</p><p align="center">Allie: I didn't like it today AT ALL.</p><p align="center">Mommy Meryl: You never say that - what happened? You love being with your friends.</p><p align="center">Allie: We didn't get a recess today because the teacher said we were too busy and had too much to do and so I didn't get to play with my friends. And we weren't busy doing anything. It was boring. Recess is the best part of Sunday School.</p><p align="center">Mommy Meryl: You must have done something if the teacher said you were too busy to go out and play. What did you learn about?</p><p align="center">Allie: Nothing. All we did was chit chat about God all day. We did nothing. Maybe the teacher wants to have a website called chitchatforgoddotcom because that is what she likes to chat about and you have a website chitchatformommiesdotcom because you always like to talk about me. . .</p><p align="center">Spoken from the mouth of babes. . .</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-27236709962288162422008-09-30T07:30:00.002-07:002008-09-30T07:32:49.977-07:00I love your comments - please include your email!<p align="center"><a href="http://jiggetyjigg.blogspot.com/2008/09/psa-no-reply-blogger.html">PSA - No Reply Blogger</a><br />Go <a href="http://goodandcrazypeople.blogspot.com/2008/09/dear-no-reply-blogger.html">here</a>...do what Carissa says...leave her a comment letting her know she ROCKS...and then come and leave me one because I am pretty ok, too. </p><p align="center">Ok, I totally swiped this post from my good buddy <a href="http://jiggetyjigg.blogspot.com/">Jenni. . .</a></p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2061822209861093731.post-67015278864524590122008-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:002008-09-30T00:00:00.914-07:00Trying to Let It Go Tuesday<p align="center"><a href="http://www.mommymeryl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Trying to let it go on Tuesday!" src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/sassypinkboutique/Meryl2.png" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><textarea rows="5" cols="13"><a href="http://www.mommymeryl.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Trying to let it go on Tuesday!" src="http://i294.photobucket.com/albums/mm93/sassypinkboutique/Meryl2.png" /></a><br/><br/></textarea></p><p align="center">This Tuesday, Mommy Meryl is Trying to Let Go of. . .</p><p align="center">1. That men are wonderful, but they are not your girlfriends. . .why is it that they always want to problem solve?</p><p align="center">2. The the grocery stores never have enough red horseradish. . .when you need it.</p><p align="center"></p><p align="center">This Meme will be every Tuesday and the idea behind it is to share with other Mommies what you need/want to "Try and Let Go" and perhaps you might be looking for some advice/comments from other Mommies who have gone or are going through the same thing! And please know other Mommies would love for you to share your words of wisdom with them as who "gets it" better than other Mommies?</p><p align="center"><br />If you want to play, every Tuesday, you post one or two or three (or however many "things" are eating at you) "things" that you are "trying to let go" of. How often as Moms do we get frustrated over things that we can't change or for one reason or another, aren't going to change. Quite often - and maybe more than we would like to admit! And how often do you say to your self, or one of your Mommy friends to just "let it go?". I know I do it alot.</p><p align="center"><br />So, here it is fellow Mommies - Tuesday is our Trying to Let it Go Day!! We make no promises here - only heartfelt attempts and most of all, validation that you get it!</p><p align="center"><br />If you too want to join in our Trying to Let It Go Tuesday, you can fill in the Mr. Linky below. . in line one give us your name and in the 2nd space, please give us the URL of your post, not just your home page URL, but the URL of your "Trying to Let It Go on Tuesday" post!</p><p align="center"><br />Go ahead and Add the Graphic to your blog post. Simply copy the html code above and add to your blog post</p><p align="center"><script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/autolink.php?owner=merros&postid=29Sep2008" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><br /></p><p align="center"><img class="centered" alt="post signature" src="http://i245.photobucket.com/albums/gg42/TheTrendyMommySpot/Signature-12.png" /></p>Mommy Merylhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07515639857250083715noreply@blogger.com2