My friend Wendi sent me this “Mother of the Year” YouTube clip (a commercial for Vicks First Defence (sic) nose spray) with the message, “Didn’t you do this with Truman once?” I’ll make no claims about the product (though I wish I had known to try it as I’m finally getting over a cold), but I will say this about the ad – ingenious!
Truth be told, I have reacted that way to my son’s temper tantrums. Just not in public. While “Mother of the Year” may be expressing how you feel when your child’s temper erupts, child expert, author, speaker …read more

Last night was the big Pam and Jim wedding on The Office. I’ve loved watching the Pam and Jim story progress. In the episode there was this part where Jim talks about the beginning, when he had a crush on Pam, but she was engaged to Roy, and how he waited 4 years and “…I think that even then I knew that I was waiting for my wife,” he says. Wow. Goosebumps.
I love a scene like that. I can remember a couple of my favorite wedding or proposal TV episodes, you know the kind that really stay with you. The …read more

This is a little video to get your weekend off to an energetic start. If you’re a parent, you probably don’t need the extra boost of watching a 9-month-old rolling around the floor playing with anything he can get his hands on. The video crams four hours of activity into about 2 ½ minutes. (Human interaction was edited out for effect.) And the music is perfect. What is that she’s saying?
Frankly, I’m a bit jealous. I’m not sure my son has ever been able to entertain himself that well!
Video, YouTube, Francis Vachon

One of my son’s last temper tantrums happened when he was outside and I was inside working on dinner. Just before walking out the door he said, “I’m going to make a hot tub,” and I said something like, “OK. Have fun.”
A few minutes passed and my son called out to me. “Mommy,” he said, “ where’s the shovel?” I said, “Why do you need a shovel?” He said, “I’m making a hot tub and I need a shovel to dig the hole where the water will go.” This got me out of the kitchen and I looked down on …read more

Nearly 50 percent of teenagers admit to texting while driving, a statistic that rivals drinking and driving in terms of danger and prevalence. Many adults are just as guilty of composing a short e-mail or text while on the road. Think it will do no harm? Think you can stay in control? Think again. Here is a powerful public service announcement guaranteed to get your attention.
Video, YouTube.com, funnyvideos7
Source: Suite101

I have a wide variety of cookbooks, but more than anything I search for recipes and menu ideas on the internet.
The Everyday Dish is a cooking show that can be viewed at YouTube. All the meals are plant-based and are prepared by a variety of chefs including Brian P. McCarthy, Julie Hasson, and Sarah Kramer. There are videos covering everyday cooking, appetizers, Asian cooking, Raw dishes, cookies, gadgets, and Gluten-free dishes. 

Dreena Burton has a great Homestyle Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe.
Or try Wheeler Del Toro’s vegan Peanut Butter Ice Cream. 
Sometimes I have a hard time understanding the videos, but it’s a …read more

It’s been a long time since I was pregnant – long enough that I feel removed enough from the swollen ankles and sore breasts and moodiness and holier-than-thou presence to find a true appreciation in this song by Garfunkel and Oates.
If you haven’t had the pleasure of having it E-mailed to you, then you can enjoy it here:
Video and screenshot, YouTube, Pregnant Women are Smug by Garfunkel and Oates

Good god it’s so hard to get back into the swing of things after vacation. Rick (who is still off) has taken Truman to the pool so I can meet some deadlines I’ve effectively ignored while at the beach. I’m looking to get back into the groove quickly so I can join the boys at the pool. Seems to me this little angel could help light a fire under this old girl. What do you think?
Video, YouTube, kyleandginger

Here’s what I’m supposed to read for book club: Color of Water by James McBride. I was on my way to Books-A-Million to buy the book – last minute of course – because I’m heading out on my annual beach trip and it is the only time all year I will be able to read a complete chapter much less a page of any book. (I fear my book club knows I’ve come to most meetings having either not finished the book selection or, in some cases, even bought the book.) It’s not like chasing an overactive 5-year-old and serving …read more

For those of you who are old enough to remember the 1970s, you may remember waiting in long lines to get vaccinated against the swine flu that was sweeping the nation at that time … likely because you were alerted by television PSAs such as this one:
 
In case you were wondering, this is not the same swine flu of three-plus decades ago, according to MSNBC. If you had that vaccine – or even your annual flu shot just months ago – you should not consider yourself immune. Check the MSNBC story for for more FAQs on the swine flu. 
Video & …read more