Monthly Archives: August 2012

Baby Shower Prediction Cards – New on Etsy!

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What’s new to Big D & Me Etsy?

Why it’s Baby Shower Prediction Cards!

These 5 in x 7 in cards are completely customizable so they will coordinate with your baby shower decor.

Is there a special verse or phrase you would like to include on the card?

Gender neutral cards are available –  Boy or Girl? What’s your guess?

Each purchase includes an 8.5 x 11 in Mom-to-Be and Dad-to-Be Measurement Card.

These measurements are the height, weight, and due dates of the soon to be parents when they were babies.

Here is an example of a possible set up for the cards at a baby shower.

Completed cards are placed into a container and may be shared during the shower.

This is a fun keepsake from your baby shower for the mom-to-be and one she will cherish for a long time.

For a limited time (one week!), these cards will be on sale for $3.05 –

So go ahead and order your Baby Shower Prediction Cards now!

***Update – The power to my parents house was back on as of Thursday at 3 pm. Their house did not have any damage so we are thankful for that. Others in Louisiana were not so lucky so please keep them in your thoughts.***

An Uncomfortable Fit

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Here’s the thing about advertising,

You know companies are at least exaggerating the truth to try and get you to buy their product.

Being the reasonable consumer that I am, I understand that.

But then there are just the outright lies which frustrate me.

Want to regrow hair on your head?…Use this product.

Want to look 10 years younger?…Use this product.

And the worst of all …  A one size fits all thong.

I wanted to believe them.

I’m normal size. I’m no super model and I do own up to some junk in my trunk but people I thought I could fit into the “One size fits all” category.

But after going home and wearing said thong, I am hear to tell you THEY WERE LYING!

Those dam underwear rode right up INTO my a**.

And I am not a v*rgin thong user so I do know what I’m talking about.

One size fits all?

I don’t think so.

And how could this even be possible for underwear?

You know what and who I’m talking about.

But I’ll be honest, I thought I fell into the one size fits all category.

Apparently not.

I fall into the, “I can’t walk correctly because I am squeezing my buttocks so tight to prevent these damn underwear from permanently wedges themselves in there, and no we can’t make a quick stop for groceries because if I spend 3 more minutes in this underwear I will have to go to the hospital with rope burns and then we’ll never get the kids to bed,” category.


And There’s a Winner…

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It’s time to announce the Clever Containers giveaway winner!

Molly from Clever Containers will be giving the lucky winner their choice of one item from the current Clever Containers catalog.

Here’s a quick visual just to remind you of all the wonderful organizing products that can be yours…

And the winner is…

#3 was Krista!

 

Congratulations Krista – contact me and I will send your information on to Molly!

 

If you didn’t win but spied something that would make your life a little easier, contact Molly and she’ll be happy to place an order for you.

 

*As a side note, please keep my parents and all of our friends in New Orleans in your prayers. I last spoke with my parents around 6:30 pm (Tuesday night) as they were preparing for Hurricane Issac. My mom mentioned that they had already lost power once and were expecting to lose it throughout the night.

My parents are celebrating their 42nd anniversary today (Wed). Seven years ago today they watched from my house as Katrina stormed into New Orleans. Who knew Aug 29 would be such a momentous day so many years ago when they married.

Thankfully, this storm is nothing like Katrina. When this storm passes, and everything returns to normal, plan a trip to New Orleans. The city is a wonderful place for families or as a special getaway – come support the city that I love and call home*

20 Seconds of Courage

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Our family loves the movie, “We Bought a Zoo,” with Matt Damon, Scarlett Johansson & Thomas Haden Church.

Parent alert: There is a scene in the movie where Damon is arguing with his son in the hallway and he yells, “I still have one who believes in Santa Claus.” I manage to fast forward that part every time.

The film is an uplifting story in which a dad and his two children buy a run down wildlife park and try to help the staff keep the park operating . (Of course, the mom has died in the story – why do Moms always die in these stories?)

One of the things I’ve always said to my kids is, “Anything can happen.“ You might think you don’t have a shot at winning or completing a goal but anything can happen. When I was younger I was up against a swimmer I had never beaten. Never ever. When the meet official started us, she had a poor start and basically fell into the water. I won the race because she fell into the water. And from that one swim I had the confidence to beat her again.I knew I could do it.  Anything can happen.

While the movie is full of beautiful music, amazing music actually, the main message of the movie is what has really stuck with me.

In the movie Matt Damon is speaking with his son about a situation with a girl but it speaks to so much more than that…. he says,

“Sometimes all you need is 20 seconds of insane courage, just literally 20 seconds of embarrassing bravery, and I promise you, something great will come of it.”

click here for printable

Most often I find the task I’m dreading or procrastinating the most to be manageable once I finally decide to do it. And amazingly, whatever I dreaded wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.

I’ll let you in on a little secret.

I am a huge procrastinator when it comes to putting things up for sale on etsy. I have this extreme doubt that no one will think it has any value. No one will think it is any good.

But you know, the moment I summon the courage to put something out there, I feel better.

No, everything doesn’t always sell but I always feel such a sense of accomplishment.

I’ve tried and for me, it’s a much better outcome than wondering what might be if I never try.

*******

Have you always wanted to take a class but were too embarrassed?

Have you always dreamed about accomplishing something but are too scared to take the first step?

Are you worried what someone will say if you tell them something?

All you need is 20 seconds of insane courage…

…and something great may come of it…

…because anything can happen.

*Remember to enter the Clever Containers giveaway by 10 pm tonight!

 

First Day of School 2012 – 2013

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Today we walked the boys to school for their first day.

It’s a big year around here because it will be the last year of elementary school for Alex.

Next year it’s off to the big middle school – but let’s not even talk about that yet.

Our morning started off with pancakes with either a 5 – 5th grade – or a 1 – 1st grade – cut out of the middle – a tradition now in it’s second year.

While one child was super excited for school to start, one child was not.

While one child was super excited to bring requested teacher items to school, one child was not – “But she’s already going to have twenty boxes of tissues, why do I have to bring another?” – The response of, “They were on her teacher wish list,” did nothing to appease him.

While one child was happy to wear his old tennis shoes which fit, one child insisted he had to have new tennis shoes even though his current pair fit.

While one child let his parents bring him to class and walk into the room with him, one child insisted 5th graders walk themselves.

Oh boy, times are a changin’ around here.

Should be an interesting year.

Have a great first day to all of my teacher friends out there!

Old Wives’ Tale Gender Prediction Test on Etsy!

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Do you remember the gender prediction test from my sister’s shower?

Well, I’ve finally listed it up on etsy so it’s available for everyone.

If you are hosting a gender neutral shower this is the perfect party game to play.

This test includes 14 Old Wives’ Tale questions with their boy/girl responses,

sample photos of the finished product,

and the gender circles,

 

This test is guaranteed to provide laughter and a good time at your next shower!

It’s listed for the bargain price of $1.95 right now.

The price listed will be the price for only 72 hours – Monday morning the price will be higher

So go ahead and pick up your Old Wives’ Tale Gender Prediction Test!

(This test is to be considered as a fun baby shower game – The results are not 100% accurate.)

*Next week the Baby Measurement Guessing Cards will be on sale*

Step

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We ventured out to a new pool in the area this week.

This pool had a wonderful kids area for Caroline so I was able to sit and relax in the water while watching her play on the water slide.

There were a few other moms watching their children go down the slide too.

We’d casually reply to one another, “great day,” “they’re certainly having fun,” and, “definitely ready for school to start.”

After Caroline had gone down the slide a few times she ran over to me and said, “You’re my stepmom.”

And with that she gave me a big hug and was off.

Now, I have an 8 inch c-section scar to dispute this statement but I think I was too stunned to argue at first.

Still processing what she told me, I glanced around at the other moms trying to determine if they had heard.

Caroline went down the slide and came running over to me again, “You’re my stepmom. I love you.”

What is this girl thinking?

When she came over a third time I said, “I am not your stepmom , I am your mommy.”

She ignored me and said, “You’re my stepmom.”

Desperately searching my brain for what she could be thinking I finally realized that it must be Disney’s fault. While reading Cinderella the other night with Caroline, I realized I was reading the word “stepmom” quite often.

Cinderella’s mean stepmom…Cinderella’s stepmom broke Cinderella’s dress..Cinderella’s stepmom locked her in her room.

What does it mean that Caroline is comparing me to the evil stepmom?

I’ll tell you what it means.

Caroline is going to be doing a lot more cooking and cleaning around here. The heck with all this playing and coloring.

She’s going to hope her fairy godmother visits her and helps her escape the evil clutches of this pool taking, ice cream giving, book reading, stepmom.

Finding the Funny

A Clever Container Giveaway!

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I have a great giveaway for you today.

Molly from Clever Container contacted me about having a giveaway and I jumped at the chance. Molly just happens to be my good friend who I taught with for several years so this is extra special for me.

Yesterday I mentioned my recent car organizing failure which involved me trying to make a holder for the kids’ junk. Look, I could call it toys or books, or figures, but when it’s on the car floor it’s just called junk.

My piece just didn’t work so I was looking for another option. Molly sent our family the Backseat Entertainment organizer to try out.

Well, so far, everyone thinks it’s awesome.

The inside top section is filled with little notebooks, Mad Libs, pencils, stickers, and pens while the outside section holds snacks (or toys if you want).

The bottom two sections are used for toys and are within reaching distance. The bottom section has a string on the bottom which allows for the bottom section to sit tight against the seat.

For our books I decided to place them in a basket in the backseat since we usually have tons in the car. And yes, that’s my O magazine sticking out – those car pool lines can get pretty boring sometimes.

Clever Container is committed to providing top quality, unique products and solutions to reduce the stress of an organizational task. They have products for the kitchen, crafts, closets, drawers, children, storage, offices, and more.

Remember when I said there was a giveaway for you?

Pay close attention now. This will be good.

Molly is giving one lucky Big D & Me reader 1 item of their choice from the Clever Container catalog!

Yep, I know amazing. You get to choose your gift.

Here are a few items from Clever Container that make the organizing bug in me gitty…

Items for your kitchen

 Wraprack

Over the Cabinet Towel Bar

Items for your Bathroom

Blown Away

Make Up Manager

Items for Out the Door

Handbag Organizer – I need this one desperately!

Items for the Closet

Scarf Hanger

Handbag File

Aren’t you inspired to get organized?

The winner of this giveaway will be given their choice of 1 item from the Clever Container catalog.

 Here’s how to enter the giveaway:

1. Visit the Clever Container online catalog. Come back to Big D & Me and leave a comment telling me which product you think would be most useful to your family.

2. Buy a product from Molly at Clever Containers and get an additional entry. Leave a comment letting me know you bought something.

3. Blog, text, or facebook about this giveaway. Leave a comment telling me what you did.

4. Follow Big D & Me and leave me a comment telling me you do.

The winner of this giveaway will be chosen by Random Generator.

This giveaway will be open until Tuesday August 28th at 10:00 pm.

Thanks for the giveaway Molly! Can’t wait to see who wins!

A Car Organizing Failure

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The problem with being crafty is that you think, “I can make that,” no matter what item you may be looking at.

A Halloween wreath? I can make that.

A wall clock? I can make that.

A rebuilt car engine? I can make that.

The problem is, at least with me, I cannot make half the things I think I can.

 Way back in February I had a goal of organizing my car.

The main issue seems to be toys, books, and snack containers everywhere.

(This is what was recently cleaned out of the car. It fills an entire IKEA bag and that’s huge)

Because my kids seem to be in intense training to be on the show “Hoarders,” our car is constantly a mess.

Apparently it is just not possible to get into the car without having 2 stuffed animals, 3 books, and 6 random objects.

And what goes in our car, never comes out.

 So I thought, I’ll make a car organizer with material I already have.

Here’s the sad and final product.

Don’t you just love how it sags, how the velcro won’t stay closed, and how it’s too flimsy to old anything over 8 ounces?

Yes, this was my car organizing failure.

But I have found another solution to help me with keeping my car clean…and no, it doesn’t involve threatening my kids with spankings…although let’s not rule out anything just yet.

Come back tomorrow so I can show you how I fixed this problem

Hint – It involves a giveaway for you!

Fruit as a Dessert?

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Fruit is not a dessert.

I repeat. Fruit is not a dessert.

I hate it when you are visiting someones house and they say, “For dessert, I got ice cream for the kids and some some water melon for the adults.”

First, the kids should get the fruit, they’re still growing. The only part of me growing is my rear and I’ll be the one to worry about that thank you.

Second, watermelon is NOT a dessert.

Chocolate. Toffee. Marshmellows. Cake. Frosting. Cookies.   Those are desserts!

But, in an effort to expand our horizons I decided to try a new dessert recipe which includes fruit.

Gasp! Horror!

I came across a recipe for a simple Blackberry Blueberry Pie and decided to give it a shot.

(unfortunately, I can’t find the original source so if you know it, tell me, and I’ll give proper credit)

Because of my hesitation for this kind of dessert, I decided to less the fruit in the recipe by one fourth.

After all, we don’t need to jump into crazy and implusive changes all at once!

The recipe is super simple and is mighty pretty when it’s all done.

The moment of truth came when it was time to taste this dessert.

I thought it was okay.

Fine. I’ll admit it was good.

Alright. Alright. It was GREAT! My husband and I loved it. I’ll have to admit that my vanilla ice cream ratio to blueberries was not equal BUT it was good and it is a fruit desert so that’s saying a lot from me.

The kids were less than thrilled with the dessert but considering two out of the three of them thought I was poisoning them and didn’t even try it, I’m still counting it as a win.

(and just for the record, those two pie haters love eating blueberries and blackberries right out of the container, but throw a little ice cream on there and it’s poison suddenly)

Since I have one more pie crust left I’m going to cut up some apples and follow the recipe using those while adding some cinnamon too.

While this dessert will never take the place of anything covered in chocolate in my mind, it was pretty tasty.

What about you? What’s your favorite dessert item to eat?