Now it’s time, to say goodbye, to all our company… (it’s totally stuck in your head now, right?)
Well, it’s time. It’s time to say “see ya” to Mama of All Trades. I launched a new site today, FiddleDeeMe.com, and I’d love for you to join me there.
Oz the Great and Powerful: Theodora Fashion
January 15, 2013 7 Comments
Zero to Disney Princess Half in 45 Days: Update One
January 14, 2013 7 Comments
In case you’re wondering what all of my crazy is about, you can click to read my intro to Zero to Princess Half in 45 days.
I went for my first walk/run on Saturday. It was 60 degrees out and sunny. We spent the entire morning at the park with the kids, taking in the sunshine and fresh air. 60 degrees in January in Buffalo doesn’t happen often, y’all. We took full advantage.
This is what I ended up with:
While it’s not 13.1 miles, it’s something. I did a 5k+ under the required pace time (16 minute mile). I didn’t feel like death after and I actually enjoyed myself. My plan was to start out slowly (helloooo haven’t run since September, remember?) and only do a mile or so. The little lady on the Nike+ app told me I hit a mile and my brain immediately said “Nah, we’re not turning around just yet”. When she told me I was at two miles, my brain said “just a little farther and then we’ll turn around”. At three miles, I decided to hit the loop around back home. I forgot how awesome it is to be ALONE on the road, with my music and my thoughts, ALL ALONE.
There was definitely a lot more walk than run on this one, but even with that, my fastest mile (mile 1) clocked in at 12’20″. Not too shabby, really. I’m a tiny bit sore, but not as much as I expected for not doing a single shred of exercise since September. Definitely not sore enough to sit today out. I’m hoping to get some type of run/walk in tonight while dinner is in the oven. If not, Jillian and I will have a nice, sweaty, romantic date once the kids are in bed.
I realize it’s a long was away from 13.1 miles, especially with 38 days left until race day, but it’s a start. And as the running cliche goes, Did Not Finish is better than Never Started At All.
The Princess Half is 38 days away.
My Word for 2013
January 10, 2013 1 Comment
There seems to be a new trend in coming up with a word to describe what you want out of the upcoming year. It sounded like a pretty great idea: choose a word and work your goals around it. I like the idea of goals having a main theme/focus as opposed to a random list. I starting thinking about what my word would be for 2013. I saw a lot of “Inspire” “Create” “Cultivate”. They’re all fantastic words, but they just didn’t hit home.
I finally decided my word will be “Film”.
Film encompasses many different things I want to see happen this year.
Most obviously, I want to go back to the days when I went to see movies on a regular basis. I love movies. Of all kinds, from all eras. A movie theater is my oasis. A place where I can sit for two hours and be transported to another place and another time. I don’t need to be a mom or a wife or employee for those two hours. I get to be just a person in the audience, ready to take in whatever the movie has in store for me. I don’t care if it makes me laugh, cry, weep (I’m looking at you, Les Mis), or leaves me feeling inspired (yes, Mr. Lincoln, I mean you). I just want to be in that red seat, popcorn and Coke in hand, at the mercy of the producers, screenwriters, directors and actors. I may even start posting movie reviews. You’ve been warned.
I want to film our lives more using my real camera. I want to capture more every day moments, learn how to let go of the auto settings, practice post-processing. I also want to start printing photos. What good are they on a hard drive, only looked at once every six months? No good. I look at my children and realize they went from babies to big kids almost overnight. I don’t want to forget these moments. I love my Sony NEX-3, but it’s hard to find online tutorials for it (it’s a hybrid DSLR), but I’m determined to learn how to take photos without the Auto settings applied. TH bought me a new, shiny laptop and Photoshop Elements 11, which I’d also like to learn to use more effectively. In other words, be prepared to start seeing my mediocre photography more and more around here.
On the blog side of things, I want to film more vlogs. I adore video blogging. Sometimes, I think it’s easier than writing a post. I can talk. A lot. (those that know me are thinking that’s an understatement) It’s easy for me to spew my thoughts on camera and I want to do more of it. I have a lot of trips planned this year, and I’ll be showcasing more video-based trip reports. Extending my reach on YouTube has been a goal of mine for quite some time and this is the year I’ll get it done.
So there you have it. 2013 will be the year of Film. Do you have your word for 2013? Leave a comment and share it with us!
Homemade Stove Top Mac n Cheese Recipe
January 8, 2013 1 Comment
Stove top mac n cheese doesn’t have to come from a blue box. In fact, it’s a million times better when it doesn’t. It may take an extra ten minutes to prepare, but I guarantee you’ll never go back to that processed orange stuff when you’ve tried this recipe for homemade stove top mac n cheese. I know my kids won’t even touch the boxed stuff now.
We prefer to use wagon wheel pasta, but you can use whatever pasta floats your pasta boat. Also, if you prefer to add some veggies to the meal, add some frozen peas to the pasta water for the last 3 minutes and drain with the pasta. They add a bright pop of flavor, and what kids won’t eat peas covered in cheese sauce?
Stove Top Mac n Cheese
8oz wagonwheel pasta
1.5 TBSP unsalted butter
1.5 TBSP AP Flour
1 c fat-free milk
1/2 c shredded sharp cheddar
1/2 c shredded Mexican cheese blend
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Cook pasta according to package directions, but remove from heat and strain 1-2 minutes earlier. Do not rinse pasta! Set aside. In the pasta pan, melt butter. Sprinkle in flour, whisk until combined. Cook over low heat for 2-4 minutes, until flour mixture bubbles and begins to smell nutty. Whisk in milk. Continue to whisk constantly for 4-5 minutes, or until milk thickens. Slowly stir in cheese in batches, making sure each batch fully melts before adding more cheese. Add salt/pepper/garlic powder to taste. Add cooked pasta into cheese mixture and stir well. Serve immediately.
From Zero to runDisney’s Princess Half Marathon in 45 Days
January 7, 2013 2 Comments
see also: I’m insane.
runDisney’s Princess Half Marathon Weekend is next month. As in February. As in I’m expected to finish a 13.1 mile race in about 45 days.
Wanna know the last time I ran?
runDisney’s Tower of Terror 10 miler in September. (see my race recap)
Apparently I have a habit of registering for races and then not training until the last minute. I love races, I hate training. I’m sure most people feel that way, but they suck it up and train.
Me? I do the important stuff first. Like design my costume, download songs for my playlist and buy sport beans. Because those are the things that will keep me from collapsing by mile 6, right?
In all seriousness, two months of training was justifiably wasted waiting for a knee injury to heal. Turns out, falling down the stairs while holding a 30 pound toddler can wreck your knee. Who knew? It’s finally back to normal and not clicking every time I move it or swelling up like a balloon when I move the wrong way. Progress.
I do have a hard time figuring out when to train. It’s hard to find a time to run between the kids and TH’s schedule, and SAD makes it nearly impossible to motivate myself to get out of bed in the complete darkness of the morning. If I had a treadmill, all my problems would be solved. I could pop down to the basement while Bubba naps or in the mornings while TH is out on his run or getting ready for work. I wouldn’t have to contend with 20 degree weather or paying a gym membership fee. Alas, the $500+ needed to purchase said treadmill isn’t going to happen unless that damn money tree I planted in the backyard starts blooming soon.
So how do I do it? How do I go from nothing to finishing a half marathon in 45 days?
Well, for one, I plan on walking the majority of the race. (duh) And, yes, go ahead and roll your eyes, serious runners. I don’t care if you run/walk/bike/pogo stick it, 13.1 miles is an accomplishment for anyone, so don’t judge me for taking the “easy” way out and walking. I walked the 10 miler and finished in front of runners, so nana nana boo boo to you (bonus points if you get the Tosh.0 reference there).
I’m also going to have to get creative. While I know there is no replacement for actually getting out there and running/walking, I am hoping to do some other cardio workouts to at least build my cardio ability back up again. Any cardio I can accomplish is better than being sedentary.
Other than that, I’m hoping the adrenaline of the day helps push me through like last time. Too bad I won’t be able to have my lobster roll this time around.
Is it crazy? Sure. I know there’s a chance I won’t finish, but I’m willing to take that chance for the experience of a runDisney race. They’re that much fun and spending the weekend at Walt Disney World with my awesome sister-in-law isn’t a bad consolation prize, either.
At least I know my costume will be awesome and my playlist will rock.
It’s all about priorities, people.
Trusting the “Mommy Gut”
January 2, 2013 1 Comment
No, not the gut I’m rocking from two months of continally eating cookies and candy.
That feeling deep inside your gut. The one only a mom (or any caregiver) can have about the well-being of their own children.
It’s been pretty hard transferring during a school year. Bunny hasn’t been in a classroom since October. And while I know PreK isn’t essential or required, for Bunny, it’s necessary. She needs the interaction with other kids her age and she thrives with schedules and routines. We spent October traveling and doing our actual move while November was spent settling in. Then the whole “let’s just wait until after the chaos of the holidays” excuse came into play. Well, the holidays were almost upon us and we realized we still hadn’t found a school for Bunny to start in January.
We started calling every preschool in the area and kept getting roadblocked. This isn’t a huge transient area, so classes start, and stay, full. TH finally found a little school up the street that had room. “Great! Let’s sign her up!”
So we go on a tour of school #1. It’s not anything fancy, really. Just a large room with lots of toys and some tables. It was a mixed age class with 3&4 year olds. The teachers were super sweet and they even had a 2 year old class for Bubba. I could hear angels singing. “TWO WHOLE DAYS A WEEK WITHOUT CHILDREN FOR THREE HOURS!” Was the angelic chorus ringing through my head.
When we left, my mommy gut starting sending up smoke signals. While the school was wonderful, Bunny would be the oldest kid in class…by far. She turns 5 in May and some of the kids her class just turned three. I remembered what one of the teachers said “Some of the 3′s are just really starting to talk”. Just starting to talk? In a class with my 4.5 year old that can’t stop talking?
My gut kept going.
They aren’t practicing letters and writing, you know.
She’d be bored, you know.
She can write and read and likes being challenged.
You know, Bubba doesn’t need to go to school at 2. Bunny never did and she turned out fine.
Don’t be blinded by the free time, lady.
You know this isn’t going to work.
Make some more calls. Make sure this is really the only option.
Call me that psychotic school version of a dance mom, but I just couldn’t help but feel worried we weren’t making the right choice for Bunny, based on her social and academic needs. Everyone said it didn’t matter at this age. Playschool is just as good as preschool. Just work on her reading and writing at home and let her play during the day. It was affordable, available, and close…go for it! My mommy gut just wouldn’t listen to them.
When we got home that night, I started Googling every possibility for schools in this area. I was emailing and calling anything and everything I found, hoping we’d at least get one more school to look at before we decided. Christmas break started in a day or two and we hadn’t found anything.
Finally, TH called a Catholic school down the street and they had room in their 4′s PreK class! Sure, we’d have to buy uniforms and it was a little more expensive than the other option and there wasn’t a 2′s program for Bubba, but after pouring over the website, I felt better. The gut feeling eased up a little. Even better, we learned several families on our street sent their kids through the school and loved it!
Well, my mommy gut is giving itself a little pat on the, um, er, back today. We went and toured the school this morning and couldn’t be happier. She’ll be in a class with kids her age, they have a computer lab, Spanish class, a big gym and playground, and the teacher really takes the time to make sure each child is getting the challenge her or she needs. I put the deposit down and walked out of the school with a smile.
After a marathon run through the mall for uniforms, Bunny is all set for her new adventure tomorrow. She’s a little apprehensive, naturally, but I think she’s going to thrive at this school.
The force is strong with the mommy gut, y’all.
New Year, New Blog
December 31, 2012 5 Comments
I’ve been doing a lot of blog “soul-searching” during this winter/holiday blogging period. Part of me was ready to shut down my site and take a step back from the internet world for a while and the other part of me was ready to go blogging crazy.
I guess I’ve decided to end up somewhere in the middle.
I found myself obsessing over stats, twitter followers, facebook likes. I was checking my analytics daily and pimping myself out on paid giveaway listing sites, just to get my numbers up. SEO became more important than content.
It has to stop. I have to stop caring about getting the best products to review or conference sponsorships (I’ve learned those are about as hard to find as a pink unicorn wearing a tiara). I need to get back to focusing on my writing, which is why I started this darn blog in the first place. More stories about myself, my life. Sure, there will be product reviews thrown in here and there. After all, I like stuff. But, I’m hoping to steer away from the random products, giveaways and sponsored stuff I wrote just for the sake of writing. Sure, my stats might go down when I’m not trying to buy your love with free stuff, but at least I’ll be happy.
So in 2013, Mama of All Trades will be a different place (maybe even with a new name and look). It’ll be my place. Filled with stories about our every day life, travels, movie talk, my mediocre photography and maybe some other fun stuff, too. It’ll be the place I always meant it to be. So cozy on up and grab a Coke or some tea (sorry, no coffee served here, but if you want to stop at Starbucks on your way, I’ll take a chai tea). It’s going to be a great year.
And I promise not to look at my analytics until next week. Pinky swear.
Is Something Missing?
December 28, 2012 5 Comments
Last night, as we were gathered around our dinner table, I had a thought. I glanced at the four chairs and Bubba in his high chair and felt like something was missing. Something just wasn’t right.
I pictured Bubba, older and able to sit still through a meal, occupying that fourth chair. I pictured another baby sitting in the high chair, laughing and giggling at his/her older sister and brother. I pictured our house overflowing with three children. It made my heart ache.
I am so incredibly thankful for our two children. They’re happy, they’re healthy. God has blessed us twice. Sometimes I don’t feel like I’m worthy of these wonderful creatures, so full of life and love.
But I can’t help but wonder “what if” when I think about my miscarriage last year. What if we had a third, beautiful child in our lives? What would it be like to be a family of five? I call it an “aftershock”. They creep up when I least expect it. Sometimes I know they’re coming, like when a friend announces a pregnancy or I see photos of my friend’s newborn babies. Those I know are coming. It’s the aftershocks like last night that I don’t expect, don’t anticipate, those are the ones that seem to hurt the most. To throw me for a loop.
And, it’s strange because I’ve almost come to terms with my first miscarriage before Bubba was born. It is almost as if I’ve reconciled, without that first loss, Bubba wouldn’t be in our lives today and I can’t imagine our lives without his sweet smile, blue eyes and blonde hair. That doesn’t mean I don’t miss that baby I loved for the short time it lived inside of me. Because I do. Every day I do. But the aftershocks of that loss don’t show as often.
But this last loss? It hurts in a different way than the first. Maybe because it made everything seem so final. We weren’t trying to get pregnant. We were planning on being complete as a family of four. That pregnancy surprised and scared me, but I instantly loved the life growing in my belly. In the few short weeks I had the privilege of carrying that life, I fell in love. I pictured the overflowing dinner table and squeezing three car seats in the back of our small car. And then when it was over, I knew we wouldn’t try again. TH was going to make appointments and I went back on BCP. We are a family of four and would stay that way. I imagined ending our journey with the joy of the birth of a healthy baby, not with the sorrow and pain of a miscarriage.
These pangs of longing for our family of five have become fewer and farther between. I guess that’s the good (?) news. Time does seem to heal wounds. I don’t know that they’ll ever be completely gone, though. Maybe they will. What I do know is I continue to be thankful, everyday, for what I do have. And those shadows of things that may have been? I’ll just have to deal with those as they come. It’s all I can do. It’s all anyone can do.
Free Admission to Monsters, Inc. 3D
December 26, 2012 Leave a Comment
Looking for a fun, family activity for this week? Monsters, Inc. 3D is now in theaters and you can get a free admission!
How? Simple!
Take those Disney Blu-rays or DVDs from under your Christmas tree and register the Magic Code found inside on the Disney Movie Rewards website. Check out this list of qualifying movies:
When you register a qualifying movie, you’ll unlock a special offer for free admission to Monsters, Inc. 3D! It took me less than five minutes and now we have one free ticket to head to the theaters this week! I can’t wait to take Bunny. I’ve heard Monsters, Inc. 3D is incredible and makes you feel like you’re seeing the movie for the first time all over again. It’s also a great way to get ready for Monsters University in 2013.
Find out more on the Monsters Inc Special Offers page from Disney Movie Rewards.
And don’t forget to register your movie tickets after for up to 200 additional Disney Movie Rewards points!
Have you scored your free admission to Monsters, Inc. 3D yet?
I received zero, zlich, nada for posting this. I just wanted to pass along a great deal!
