Came across a post recently of a woman in her 30's who had posted a letter to her twenty-something self. In the letter, she wrote that rather than her wishing she hadn't partied enough (like so many of us in our 20's), or wished she had been more career-oriented, she actually wished for the opposite. She wished for her twenty-something self to have partied more, be less career-oriented, and overall, just enjoyed life more.

I couldn't have agreed more. I spent a lot of time dwelling on my life's mistakes in my 20's, especially in my early 20's. Sure I was a crazy party girl and was way too into the night life. I experimented with stuff I shouldn't have and sure it went too far at one point. I made a major mistake which could have cost my life, stressed my parents out to the maximum, etc, etc. etc. I could seriously go on forever.

In retrospect, I'm and also glad I had my fun. And boy can I really say...I had my fun. All my experiences, for better or for worse, I can truly say has made me a better person. Made me appreciate my parents more. Has made me appreciate life more.

So to all you twenty something's out there, I say...party it up! More Here...

About a year ago, my husband and I got to chatting about our most cherished memories of raising the children.  With too many to mention, of course, one topic in particular always stands out.  Conversing and laughing around the dinner table each night. 

The family dinner in our house was and still is a sacred, time honored tradition.  It was the regular routine that our children grew to rely on that meant security, safety, love, home and a satisfied belly.  Meal time was also a very beneficial parental tool for early lessons in chores, responsibility, accountability, contribution, cooking and nutrition and team work - just to name a few. More Here...

1. Rolling over. And sleeping on my stomach in general. These days getting from one side to the other in bed is a pretty big production.

2. A strong bladder. Somehow with an infant resting (and often kicking) on my bladder it's difficult to make it more than an hour or two without a rushed trip to the ladies room.

3. Short-term memory. Apparently pregnancy makes me somewhat of a moron. I forget things within a minute or two, try putting the salt in the refrigerator, and would almost certainly forget any or all appointments without the use of my greatly appreciated calendar alarm on my cell phone.

4. Normal clothes. You know, the ones that don't have to be a mile long to fit over the great mound that is my belly?

5. Good food. Dear Mexican Queso Blanco, how I miss you. Sushi, deli meat, hot dogs, and the occasional greasy cheeseburger, you are next on my list.

-Pause for bathroom break. Sigh.-

6. The ability to go more than two hours without nearly fainting from hunger. Pretty self-explanatory. More Here...

So, I watched the movie, "Julie & Julia", a few dozen times in fact , and have now become totally interested in Julia Child.

I borrowed the book, "Julie & Julia", from the library, to which I am not totally thrilled with because the movie portrays a much nicer Julie. The book shows her true self and I am having trouble getting through her book with all the language. I began reading her blogs as well, and they are much like her book. It was her blogs that got her the book deal in the first place. I had also learned that she cheated on her husband, and they were divorced before her book was ever out on the shelf.

My opinion of her went down sadly, after learning that she was not at all like she was in the movie (she even admits this in an interview) but I will gladly remain in the mindset that the movie character IS her. lol

I don't want to spoil the movie for anyone if you haven't watched it yet so I will say no more about it. More Here...

My pride and joy 

I know you're all probably getting sick of hearing me talk about being a teen mom, but I feel like I need to show the other side.  After reading 18, Pregnant, and Proud, I feel like I need to fix the damage that's been done.  I read those comments, and it felt like they were attacking me, personally.  I know that's not the case, but a lot of them weren't directed at the poster, they were directed towards all teen mothers.

No one should be proud of being 18 and pregnant?  I'm really proud of the pregnant-18-year-old-me. More Here...