Mom to the Screaming Masses

The Act of Being Thankful

I realized something Wednesday as I walked back to my van after walking Riley into school. This is the first year that I actually don't feel overwhelmed and don't dread the holiday. In fact, I actually told someone "Happy Thanksgiving" yesterday - and I don't remember saying that at ALL the past three years. Or, maybe even before then. I know what the difference is - I'm not working outside of the home this year. I don't feel overwhelmed and exhausted, struggling to fit everything in and not able to get any of it done. Working at home, on this wonderful little machine, has enabled me to make more money than I was making working my behind off in a cafeteria, and as a added benefit, I'm able to exercise.

I'm thankful that I feel much more at peace.

A Quickie to Direct You Elsewhere

Check over at Scrutiny, where I'm giving away a Wii Fit board and the newest Jillian Michaels Wii game.

There are also several new reviews up there.

There's a new post at Zwaggle, talking illness in your house and giving you some great ideas for homemade playdough. 

AND. As if that wasn't enough, I have a post up at Diets In Review about turning 40.

Oh, wait - before you go - I'm now a Momspotter for Blogher. For the next couple of months, I'll be using a new Sprint HTC Hero and blogging about raising a family and utilizing the newest technology. On the Family Connections page, we are chatting about the struggles and excitement that comes from raising a family in the digital age. Check us out, and follow the momspotter group on Twitter.

I'm exhausted.

What's new in your world?

Groceries and Meals

This is the first of many questions that you all were so kind to leave for me.

Melissa S asks: I always wonder what the grocery list is like for a family of 8. I know you posted the kids' annotated list a few weeks ago, but how 'bout posting some of your shopping lists?

and UKCrafty Sal wants to know: I'd like to follow on from the grocery list idea with "how on earth do you plan your meals for the day/week?". I have 2 fussy teens (but who don't like the same as each other, of course!), and one has weight issued like me, so I try to do healthy stuff. Sometimes I even succeed! I assume that with all your varying allergy issues, many different family likes/dislikes and your healthy eating efforts, you could help lots of us with ideas.

Ok. So, uh, shhh. I don't exactly plan meals.

Neil's Great Experiment

Neil, over at Citizen of the Month, did a great experiment last year, titled The Great Interview Experiment. History and a more elaborate explanation can be found here, but the basic gist is that every one, every blog, has a story to share. Sign up and you will interview the person who commented just before you. It's a rockin' great way to find some awesome new blogs. Today I'd like to introduce you to Lindsay of I Digress. She's awesome and interesting and very, very humorous, and I had a blast reading through her archives. 

My questions and her answers are below.

Defensive Driving at it's Finest

Some days, you'd never know that my kid has an "issue". Something that places her on the autistic spectrum. Often, people express surprise when I tell them - and I am not a person who imparts this information all that early in a relationship. "She's so quiet - she must be shy!", is an oft repeated refrain.

Nope. She just doesn't like to talk. She also is very anxious about someone she's uncomfortable with looking at her, so she steers clear.

But with people that she's comfortable with, she's a chatty kid and with our family, she's of course very comfortable, and so we are the people who get to see her meltdowns. She used to meltdown in public a LOT more, but in the past two years, those have mostly stopped - why? Because people look at her, that's why. And she can't STAND that.

Survey...

The idea for this blog post came from Twitter...

Do you like the following...

Nutella -  NO

Wine -   NO

Beer -  NO

Bacon -   NO, NO, NO

There you have it. Now you know how officially weird I am.

I'd love to know your answers to the above.

Much Ado About Randomosity

Random and mundane is all below the fold, but this is very extremely important:

I first met Anissa in person at Blogher last year, although I had known her online for quite a while.  I've often been known as a woman with bigger than average boobs - F cup, down from J - and she and I were the Big Bewbed Twins, although hers were much bigger and more impressive than I'll EVER be. When I met her in July, it was as if I'd met a long lost sister. Anissa suffered a stroke yesterday and is currently in ICU. I spent last night and today in total and complete shock, for if there was ever a person who deserved a smooth ride for the rest of her life - seriously, she had a stroke in 04 and has a daughter who has been suffering from Leukemia - it would be Anissa. Please, please - pray for Anissa. Please. 

Commercial Break

Rant of the day:

Commercials are, I'm told, a necessary part of television watching. I understand that. Most of the time I ignore them. Some of the time I watch them. Occasionally I laugh at them. Super Bowl Sunday I'm obsessed with them. Some of them, though, I hear beginning and RUN to the television to either mute the volume or change the channel. Barring that, I've been known to call my kids by name and start rambling nonsense - speaking about anything - and nothing, really - to try to fill their ears before the commercial can.

I'll bet you can't guess what the commercials are about. No, really - go on and guess.

I Failed NaBloPoMo

But, whatever. It was for a good reason. The 14th was my birthday and I had grand, grand plans, y'all. They involved taking a Muay Thai class, shopping for clothes and taking a nap - all before my enormous birthday party.

You know what they say about making plans, right?

So This is What 40 Feels Like

When I was a kid, I thought 40 was as close to death as one could be without actually being, you know, dead.

That was when I looked like this.

 

But now I'm older and maybe, just a teeny bit wiser. (I'm typing this while I listen to my 40TH BIRTHDAY EXTRAVAGANZA totally awesome playlist. I may or may not be singing along. Pretend you like it. Go on, it's a gift for me.)