From Chaos Comes Happiness

Dear Mother Nature, Hey old friend! It’s been a few months since I’ve last written , and I’d like to start out by thanking you so very much for calling it quits on that crazy winter we were having. Shortly after my last note to you, the snow stopped and the cold temperatures gave way to what I believe were some of the most beautiful days I’ve ever seen. I was thrilled when we finally got those Christmas lights off of our house (and I'm pretty sure the neighbors were happy about that, too.) However, as a result of those beautiful weather days I mentioned above, I now have a new problem that I could use some of your help with. I know, I know. It seems I only come around when there is a “problem.” I do appreciate you so very much. Please know that I often sing your praises to the “Big Man” upstairs, and regularly thank him for all that you give to us. But, my newest request is kind of a big one . . . You see . . . with this gorgeous spring you are giving us, have come some absolutely...

Can it be? Am I really approaching 200 posts?!? (HOLY COW! What could I have possibly talked about in 200 posts? Oh, yeah, I remember . . . ) To celebrate, I thought it was time to create a button for my blog . . . so, without further ado, I give you. . . That's me. Whadya think? Or maybe this one . . . Still me, of course, but what do you think? I'm having a hard time deciding. So, would you mind helping me out and giving me your opinion? We'll call them Pink (for the first one) and Yellow (for the second). Oh, what the heck, let's throw in a BLUE . . . Pink, Yellow or Blue? PLEASE leave me a comment and let me know what looks most like ME, to YOU. I appreciate your help!

Oh My Goodness . . . Today, I've been a BAD Mom. How quickly we forget moments of " Peace in the ER " when the children are all back to normal - feeling (and acting) like their old selves . . . and testing testing testing a Mom who is feeling drained drained drained. Today, I have lost whatever patience I may have had, and lost my temper a couple of times, too. Today, I argued with a 6 year old. Yes . . . actually ARGUED with a 6 year old. Not just a little argument, either. This was a full blown "GO TO YOUR ROOM!!!" argument. Isn't that one of the top "DO NOT" Parenting Tips? DO NOT ARGUE WITH YOUR CHILD. YOU ARE THE PARENT. YOU are the authority in the home. Don't allow your child to argue with you (or something like that.) But right now, as I yelled that I needed some quiet Mommy time (on the computer) to de-stress (and write this blog), as I needed some quiet Mommy time to cool off and let my temperature (and my blood pressure) come b...

Brilliant photographer and blogger, Tracey Clark, wrote a wonderful post today on "finding comfort and peace in the little things." (Strongly encourage you to visit her blog - she is inspiring, creative, and all things AMAZING rolled into one! Click her name for a link to her blog.) Last night I found peace in the strangest place. It wasn't our home. It wasn't a church. It wasn't a park or symphony hall. It was, of all places, an Emergency Room. Because for the first time in what seemed like weeks (but was really just a few hours) Ella slept . . . peacefully A fever that we could not get a handle on, and a rash that started to take over much of her fair skin, caused great concern to me and resulted in a quick ride to the ER late last night. And sitting there as Ella finally found her rest, left me teary eyed and full of appreciation for this blessing I've been given called, "Motherhood." I love being a Mom. I love being Katie and Ella's Mom. I a...

Last week my blog friend Linda at See Mom Smile wrote a great post called "A double standard I can live with . . . " (click on the post title to link to her blog.) I must admit, I enjoyed it so much . . . because I have . . . a celebrity crush. Yes, I do. And Linda inspired me to share it with you. My crush is on . . . Troy from High School Musical . It's not right, I know. It's all wrong, I know. I'm twice his age, I know. But I would go to jail for him, I know. (Wait!! Did I say that outloud? Forgive me!) I just think he's a cutie. I mean . . . it's not like I would go out and buy this pillow or anything . . . It's not like I actually went to two Targets looking for it last year. I mean . . . it's not that bad, right? Imagine my surprise when I ran into him . . . We make a cute couple, don't you think? Ok . . . you got me. It's not actually him. Was it his glistening glow that gave it away? Good thing Katie wasn't with me on our...

Hi friends - PG and I were up most of the night with that adorable babe I wrote about yesterday. Although this time there were no offers to call the policeman from either parties. This time, we had an earache. (Well . . . Ella had the earache. Why is it that when our child is sick, I refer to whatever their ailment is with "we" instead of "she"? Must be that parental force that makes you want to take away whatever it is that is causing them pain and swallow it up for yourself. God . . . isn't it the worst thing in the whole entire world when your child is in pain? Seriously. . . not a good evening for her. Poor Baby.) So, I'm looking for suggestions . . . what do you do when your child has an earache (and it's in the middle of the night and the pediatricians office does not open for another day?) I just spent about 10 minutes looking for remedies online. To my surprise, many involve garlic and onions. I want to ease her ear pain . . . not make dinner. (C...

Yesterday. . . I heard it all. Seriously. From the mouth of Ella. You know Ella. My beautiful little Ella. . . . my darling little three year old. . . I love this picture of her. She is just so lovely, isn't she? Yes, she is. But . . . don't let that fool you. She is lovely . . . and she KNOWS IT. Ella is at that lovely age in toddlerhood of wanting WHAT SHE WANTS, WHEN she WANTS it. You know that age, right? Age 3. Yesterday afternoon we went grocery shopping with my mom, Grandma C. Overall it was a fairly successful shopping trip (no outbursts or tantrums - no falling to the floor like a wet noodle - no fits or fights - so, yes, I would say it was a VERY successful shopping trip.) Because everyone behaved, we make a quick run through the Starbucks drive-thru for coffee, and chocolate milk for Ella, afterwards. All was good. The birds were singing. We were all happy. Then . . . . WHAM . . . Ella finished her milk. To most of us, this would not be a big deal, right? I mean, mos...

HELLO FRIENDS!!!!! So sorry I haven't been around the past few days. . . I've been knee deep in Eat Pray Love this week and have spent all of my free time absorbed in the pages of that book. Have you read it? Such a wonderful look at the authors search for peace . . . spiritual, emotional, physical, all of it. I am absolutely LOVING this book and have found myself reading it with a little notebook next to me so that I can jot down inspiring thoughts that come to my mind as I read it. SO fantastic. And, of course, with these little inspiring thoughts . . . come some more of those darn "Random Thinking Moments". This time, my thought went from Eat Pray Love, the book, to Eat Pray Love, the MOVIE (which is due out in theaters this August.) In case you didn't know - the movie stars Julia Roberts (who I DO adore. I mean . . . what's NOT to love about Runaway Bride and Notting Hill and Pretty Woman ?) Anyway, as I found myself thinking about Julia Roberts and thi...

So, these spring blooms have been kicking the allergies (for all of us in this house) into full gear. So NOT fun! And while Zyrtec D gave me some relief (for a day or two), today I found myself returning to the Red - Eyes Syndrome I like to call, "I just watched Steele Magnolias, Terms of Endearment and Bridges of Madison County Red- Eyes ." BUMMER! I'm not the only one in allergy hell lately. . . poor Katie Girl is, too. Yep, she is. It's bad enough for an adult to go through allergy nightmares, but extra rough for a 6 year old. She's a trooper, though. Getting by one day at a time. The past two nights she woke from her sleep with little bouts of coughing fits. Not fun for her. Each night it seemed the only relief she could find would be on the couch in the family room, nebulizer in hand, and Tom and Jerry on the TV. That's when I first realized that our Katie . . . is an " As Seen On TV" Junkie. Yep, she is. And boy oh boy, are we lucky she does...

Happy Monday Friends! And what a day it has been! Not only did a dear blogfriend interview me this week, but she ALSO gave me an AWARD!!! Can you believe?!?!! My VERY FIRST AWARD in Blogsville. . . and it is so VERY touching . . . Who is this person who is making my dreams come true? Well, it's Leslie, of course, from "Words of Me Project" . Leslie and I found each other last summer, and when I first visited her blog I had an instant connection to her. She has always inspired me and made me think. She motivates me and continues to bring all her friends and followers great messages of hope. Last week Leslie asked me if she could interview me for her blog. I've been on **Cloud 9** ever since! You can check out my interview here , and make sure you read some of her other posts. Leslie is a doll! In addition to my interview, Leslie also presented me with a HAPPY Award!!! This Happy Award: It's pretty great to receive such a lovely award from someone who makes YOU happ...

So, I'm fairly certain that my sister thinks I'm nuts. Yes, I'm pretty sure of it. You see, in case the whole "living on this earth with me for the past 38 years" hasn't been enough to prove to her that I'm nuts, the " Million Dollar ideas ", the " tapping Starbucks ", and the " Talking to Strangers " certainly has done it. But, just when she might think I am getting my act together . . . I do something to support that I'm not . That's what happened this week. You see, it all started with another one of those "random thinking moments", which frankly, are starting to get a little annoying. This one started after a particular difficult morning and make-up application before work on Monday. You see, I have that damn mirror . You know that mirror . . . the one that blows up your face, like, 1,000,000 X larger than it really is. (Which really . . . why I need a mirror that magnifies my face THIS BIG is just beyo...

For 4 years I've watched you . . . and have enjoyed every minute. Yes, you were unrealistic . Yes, sometimes your storylines left little to be desired. But you ALWAYS made me smile. I loved your style - the bright vivid colors of the clothing, set and characters. I loved the silliness! And I loved how week after week I could sit down and let all my worries fade away as you entertained me. I didn't have to be reminded of real life. When watching you, I'd drift into your little Betty World and would always leave with a happy heart. The moment those big mean network people moved you to another night, you never had a chance. I knew our future would be shortlived. I held on, praying for some sort of miracle to save us. But, it never came. Tonight, you will become another "oldie but goodie. " Tonight, I thank you for the joy you have given. A toast . . . to Bushy Brows and Betty ! May you never be plucked again!!

So, my Magnolia is blooming, in all its glory. this week! I just snapped a few pictures of it today. Unfortunately the sun decided to hide behind a cloud right when I pulled the camera out. Tomorrow I am determined to grab some shots with BLUE SKY and SUN! But, in the meantime, here are a couple to share. . . My photography skills are not what I want them to be. It's ok. I know it. I am the only person who can have a camera with a stablizer on it, but still manage to take pictures that are BLURRY. Maybe it's all the Margarita's!!! kidding! ; ) Anyway, I thought it would be a good time to revisit my "2010 TaDa List" and see how I am doing. You remember that list, don't you? (Click here to see the original post). I decided to call it My 2010 Ta Da List (and not a "To Do" list), because Ta Da sounds like it is more an announcement or goal of GREAT MAGNITUDE with GREAT ENTHUSIAM ! And, if you remember, I was SO motivated . . . on January 1, 2010,...

Airfare from Chicago to New York for four = thousands of miles + $100 Rental Car = $150 1 night at the Hilton Garden Inn = $160 Being able to spend time with this little birthday boy = PRICELESS Introducing the Birthday Boy himself (and the newest 1 year old in Staten Island) CARLO GIANNI! Our SURPRISE weekend to celebrate his birthday was a HUGE success!!!! We arrived at the restaurant at around 12:30pm, and the minute my sister-in-law saw PG, she burst into tears. Our arrival was met with such happiness, that I new in that very second this was so important to her. I'm so glad we did it. The remainder of the weekend was spent laughing, hugging, tickling, kissing and having an all out LOVEFEST over this little guy. I forgot how amazing 1 year olds are - how they explore everything and how they observe and take it all in. I forgot what the patter of hands and knees crawling around the floor sound like. Or how it's really the only time you don't mind having another human bein...

And I only feel safe sharing it with you today, because the person I am hiding this secret from will be seeing me in about 10 minutes (from when I will schedule this post!) OOoooooo . . . . don't you LOVE secrets? I've been hiding a BIG one. As you are reading this . . . I am heading to Brooklyn, New York (all the way from the Windy City) to SURPRISE my Godson and his Mommy and Daddy, at his 1st Birthday Party!!!! OOOoooooo! Isn't it FANTASTIC?!??!??! You see . . . a couple years ago, these very same people (my Godson's Mommy and Daddy) came all the way to Chicago to attend my Ella's 1st birthday . . . and THEY surprised ME. So, this year . . . I am returning the favor!!! They asked us a while ago if we thought we'd be able to make the trip to NY (by the way . . . I LOVE NEW YORK!!!), however, and in all honesty . . . we did not thing we could swing it (finances, you know.) So, on a wish and a prayer . . . last week my PG worked some * * MIRACLES * * with ...

Today I had another one of those “random thinking moments”. They are happening frequently this week because I am, once again, fighting some sort of cold and my head is foggy and full of ick. When that happens, I have a hard time focusing on my tasks at hand and am so easily distracted. The brain starts to venture off in a number of directions and I just can’t help it. So, I started thinking about Sandra Bullock. (I am, of course, on TEAM SANDRA!) Then I started thinking about her Barbara Walters special on Oscar night, and how she must feel after saying such kind things about her husband during that interview, only to find that he wasn’t being very kind behind her back. Then I started thinking about other celebrities that Barbara Walters has interviewed. Then I started thinking about “couples” that Barbara has interviewed, and I imagined whether I would want to be interviewed on my own or seated next to PG (yes . . . this is how my mind works.) I came to the conclusion that I would ra...

My dear friend, Cindi, wrote a post today that seemed familiar to a thought I had just the other day. You can read Cindi's post at her blog, " So, That's Why " , here . Cindi shares that she received a strange email from Linked, advising her to connect with someone she may know. That someone was a dear friend of hers who passed away last year. It's a chilling message, isn't it? For something like that to just happen. Reading her post reminded me of one of those "Random Thinking" moments that I fell into the other day. You know those moments, when your mind just goes from one subject to the other rather quickly, with little similarities from thought to thought that somehow connects together like a large spider web. I can't even remember how the whole thought started . . . but I know that by the end of it, I was thinking about my wedding reception. I started to think about the people who have passed away since that night, and how, if I could do ...

Have you ever had one of those mornings, when you look at the clock and discover that it is only 8:40 AM, yet you feel like you've just been through a 20 mile marathon? What's worse - is that the kids are on Spring Break, so it's not like you've been busy with school stuff. Although, you are dressed (hey, that's a good thing!), and you do have your hair and make-up done (two more good things!)! But, you still feel like you've been dragged through the mud. All you've really done so far is woken up, taken a shower, dressed, done the hair and make-up, gotten the kids up, fed, dressed, out the door with Grandma, and you've gone to work. Which, really, is NOT that big of a deal. What's really worse . . . is that WINE isn't even involved with your sluggishness. Seriously. Bummer. Still, I feel like I've just finished the Tour de France, and I've never even been to France. Bummer. My Problem? I was up too late . . . on the computer (adding rainb...

Last week, my friend Jorie brought something up that I felt I had to explore a little. We talked in my friend Kathleen's kitchen (over a glass of Cabernet and lots of laughter, mind you). All of a sudden Jorie said, "Do you ever wonder who would actually come to your funeral?" My immediate reaction was like . . . um, no . . . that's kind of . . . morbid. But then, as she elaborated on her thought, I have to tell you - I was kind of hooked. "Don't you ever think about who would actually come? Like if the people who really say they are your friends are your friends and come to both the wake and the funeral?" she said, "Or, what if they only really 'stop by' the wake for, like, a 1/2 hour." I told her that maybe we should put together a little mailing to everyone in our address books, right now . It could say something like: Dear Friend, Please don't think I'm crazy. I really was just wondering if would you be so kind as to ch...

So, last week I ran into my friend, Mary, who asked me if I've purchased the two soundtracks for Glee . I hadn't, and she very enthusiatically told me, "YOU MUST!!!" I knew that I definitely needed some new music in my life (I feel like I've been out of touch with music lately), so during my very next shopping trip to Target, I found myself strolling through the music section looking for Glee. Let me tell you . . . . . I really, really do. I've told you before about my own Glee experiences (click here to be reminded), but I have to tell you . . . having these 2 CD's is just about the most excitement I've had driving in my car in a long time (wait . . .that didn't sound right) But, SERIOUSLY!!! I have become that dorky 30-something Mom who JAMS her music SO LOUD in her mini-van that people are staring. I honestly pulled into the Michael's parking lot today (oh, even MORE dorky . . . 30-something Mom in a mini-van jamming to music while pullin...

Well, it's hard to believe that Easter is just days away! We are thick in the planning stages of Easter weekend - and I just wanted to share a few more of our Egg-straordinary eggs with you! Here are some of our celebrity eggs from Easters past: Our then newly impeached Governor of Illinois. . . Rod Blagojevich (Or Egg-ojevich!!! Hee hee!) Circa, 2009 Groucho Marx Circa, 2009 And . . . our family . . . PG, Me, Katie and Ella . . . Circa, 2009 Yes, all this Egg decorating is right up our alley!!! We'll be gathering at my mother-in-laws on Saturday for this years Eggstravaganza. . . and I can't wait to see what we come up with this year.