Wednesday, March 31, 2010

A Warning To All Bloggers...Watch Your Backs. And Let's Look Out For Each Other!

**Update: I went to www.myfreecopyright.com and have successfully taken the steps to protect my blog this way thanks to your awesome suggestions. Please see the right side of my blog ------> Working on watermarking the next few days! THANK YOU ALL for your tips, support, and for passing this along so others are aware of what can happen.**

Today I need to give a shout out to an incredible blogger and friend who's got my back--June over at 3! A Charm. Go pay her a visit, tell her I sent you, and thank her for saving my life today. Juney noticed someone had posted a photo of MY girls on HER blog---and passed it off as her own. I immediately went over to check out Missy over at Is It Just Me (the blog has coincidentally been set to private within the last several hours since the shitstorm began) and was terrified to see a picture of Abby & Izzy that I posted only last week. I commented on the post, asked her to remove it immediately. She apologized and deleted the photo. I then learned another bloggy friend, Arizona Mamma over at Our Daze in the Desert, had found several of her posts stolen verbatim and posted on Missy's blog. You can read Shannon's post about it here.

Well guess what, Missy?

You're gonna be sorry, honey. Nobody puts The Mother Load in a corner.

This has me all kinds of riled up and I hope everyone will be careful from here on out. I do not feel threatened, I just think this chick wants to steal our snarkiness and pass it off as her own. It's sad, really. But I can't help being angry. It makes me wonder who else has stolen posts/pics from me and is pretending to be someone he/she isn't?

I am going to have to figure out how to copyright my stuff and watermark my photos. I have a lot to learn. It irks me that there are people out there that would even do something like this.

Before Missy set her blog to private, I noticed a few of my followers are following her. I'd ask you to reevaluate. I'd also ask you to look through her archives and make sure she hasn't stolen from you. I'd ask you how well you really know her.

I'll ask you to talk to your other friends about this. Make them aware of what is going on. I've been basking in the bloggy love and now I'm scared. And I want you to know that this is really ME. I am Erin. I am The Mother Load. I am Abby & Izzy's mommy. I actually exist. And I love to write.

No one is going to take this away from me.

***Deb over at Menopausal New Mom has also just written an excellent post about this....read it here. Thank you, Deb!

***Check out Ian's post about this too. You can read it over at The Daily Dose of Reality.

***Michele over at Finding Trinity posted as well. She was a follower of Missy's. Read her post here.

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Gerard Butler gropes Jennifer Aniston’s butt

Gerard Butler was spotted groping Jennifer Aniston's butt when they were posing for photos infront of fans at the Seine River in Paris.

Gerard is such a naughty boy. Are both of them a couple? But they keep denying it.

Source

Monday, March 29, 2010

Memoir Monday: Even Stay-At-Home-Moms Do Karaoke (Badly), or, Bringing Mom Sexy Back Mommyologist Style

Today's the day, folks. Time to link up to Travis over at I Like To Fish!


So while today's tale doesn't truly qualify as a memoir because it just happened over the weekend, I am blatantly ignoring disregarding the rules of the genre and posting anyway. Because I'm a rebel like that.

The Mommyologist did a post last week about Bringing Mom Sexy Back. If you haven't done so already, please read it here. Ladies and gents, The Mother Load brought Sexy Mom back Saturday night. In a big way. And I have the dirt photos to prove it. I wore makeup (shocker), my new earrings and I even ditched my tennis shoes for a pair of black booties. I dared to wear a slinky Banana Republic top that's been hiding in the back of my closet for over a year with the tags still on it. I shook my money maker and belted out the lyrics to Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean" although I can't carry a tune and sound like a sick cat when I sing. I really wanted to do Madonna's "Material Girl," but I was out voted. Which was too bad because I was totally channeling Madge Saturday night. I might've even sounded better singing something I've known all the words to since I was nine. Oh well---next time, maybe (if there is a next time!).

My other Bringing Mom Sexy Back friends were right up there with me. We bonded over beer and a bad karaoke band. They didn't even have the tv's, man. No little ball bouncing over the lyrics. We had to strain and squint at a single piece of paper we all had to share. Not the ideal karoake situation, to be sure. But we didn't care because we were the shit.



(See? I'm always the Amazon in the middle. WTH?)


The Mommyologist describes her Bringing Mom Sexy Back Moment:

"Since I’d gotten over that initial “new-kid-in-school” first night fear, I was able to get into a better groove and let my guard down a little more last night. Actually, I think I let my guard down a LOT. I’m not sure exactly what happened, but as soon as Shakira started playing over the speakers, a feeling of empowerment came over me, and in that moment I went from being a stay-at-home mom with A-cup breasts, a bit of a muffin-top, and a dimpled tush to a complete and total sex symbol."

I really related to this. I'm not Karaoke Girl. I'm not Slinky Top Girl. I'm not Makeup and Skinny Jeans Girl, either. I'm usually Dirty Sweatpants Mommy, Three-Days-Since-I-Showered-Mommy and Mommy Who Yells A Lot. But Saturday night I threw that baggage out the window along with my sports bra. I put on that Mom Sexy persona. I walked the walk and talked the talk--for a little while. And you know what?

I had a blast.


How do you bring Sexy Back?

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Jennifer Aniston didn't know David Schwimmer's fiancee



David Schwimmer planned to tie knot soon with her girlfriend, Zoe but Jennifer Aniston revealed on US Tv that she didn't know who he plans to get marry.

One source said "David was not impressed that one of his supposed friends didn’t know who he was marrying."

"He has been with Zoe for a couple of years and was offended Jen couldn’t remember her."

"He hasn’t been taking her calls."

Source

Jennifer Aniston meet up with Gerard for premiere movie

Jennifer Aniston is in Paris now where she will be with Gerard Butler for a European premiere of their movie, The Bounty Hunter.

Source

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Happy Go Lucky---and Remembering Those Ducks

Yesterday I was doing some shopping for Shortmama's Spring Swap, and of course I also found a little something for myself--an inspiring set of earrings from one of my favorite stores, Stuff. I love Stuff because it features the work of local artists, sells lots of environmentally-friendly, or "green" things, and there are always plenty of unique gifts to choose from.

(it may be hard to see, but the top one reads "lucky" and the bottom one reads "happy.")

I splurged on these as a reminder, because sometimes I get so bogged down by the daily grind that I forget how lucky I am.

This time of year the grass is getting greener, the birds begin singing their sweet songs again, and our allergies turn us into snotty, sneezy fools. And I'm reminded of the ducks that befriended me in late March of 2005.

One day while I was getting a drink in the kitchen, I heard some quacking coming from my front door. I thought I was simply delusional from all the fertility drugs coursing through my veins. But I looked out the window and sure enough, saw this pair cruising my front yard:


They let me get close and feed them by the 2nd day (I'd prepared with lots of cheap Wonderbread just in case).
We don't have the photos to prove it, but they also later ate the bread right out of my hand...

(I look like total crap, but in my defense I was going through a lot and was in a funk)

These ducks were the only reason I got out of bed every day during the last week of March, 2005. It was the end of the road---our second round of IVF (in-vitro fertilization). I was convinced that like all the other things we'd tried before, it was going to fail. But the ducks kept coming back each morning. I concluded that they were a couple, a male and a female, and sure enough I discovered their nest nearby with several eggs inside.

These ducks were sent to me. We needed each other. We needed hope. Just as they were foraging for food and tending to their eggs, my own little embryos were growing in a Petri dish in the lab:


Those ducks kept me alive that week. I looked forward to their visits and waited anxiously for them each morning. They didn't disappoint. I talked to them, told them about my fears in low whispers while they gobbled the hunks of bread from my hands. Their dark, probing eyes consoled me while tears dripped down my cheeks. They quacked that things were going to be alright. They embraced me so easily and so fully that I began to feel my dream of becoming a mother was just within my reach.

Then we got the happy call from the embryologist that we were ready to go. My doctor transferred two really good lookin' embryos to my uterus. And during my mandatory bed rest afterwards, my mom (who flew into town to make sure I remained horizontal) faithfully fed my ducks for me.

About 18 weeks later I looked like this:



And now we have these (pictured with The Father Load):


We are indeed happy. And lucky.

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Gerard Butler's mother wants to play golf with Jennifer Aniston



Gerard Butler's mother gets along with Jennifer Aniston very well. She even invites her to play golf.

Butler said “At the premiere, my mom just couldn’t wait to meet Jen. They got on so well that they want to do everything together now. My mom is a golfer and so is Jen and they’re going to play together.

“And she wants her to come to Scotland so she can show her the sights.”

Source

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Pouring My Heart Out....

Shell over at Things I Can't Say has started a new tradition, and while I'm trying not to do too many memes, this one appeals to me and allows me to really write. To see what it's all about please go pay her a visit!


Yesterday I played tag with my daughters. We ran around the basement wild-eyed and laughing, stopping every few seconds to gasp, gulp and breathe. I watched their little-girl legs pumping and Izzy hitched up her curdoroy pants with one hand as she raced into the toy room with her wavy brown hair flapping behind her. I was "it," and made loud monster-like growls as I galloped after them to the tune of their high-pitched shrieks.


I tagged Abby first and swooped her up into the air with my arms around her little waist. Overtaken by a fit of infectious giggles, she was unable to speak. I quickly set her down on the carpet and took off running to the opposite side of the room again with Izzy hot on my heels. We ran in endless circles around the pool table, dizziness setting in. I pretended to be on the verge of collapse and allowed Abby to catch me again.

"You're it, Mommy," she sang happily, her eyes dancing.

Then I just stood perfectly still for a moment and memorized everything: the backs of those little-girl legs again; the flapping hair; the slightly sweaty smell of them; the red marker on Izzy's left hand and the slick, shiny thumb Abby took out of her mouth only when she was running.
Suddenly I was overcome with emotion.

You see, I have not played tag with my children in far too long. I have been too depressed. I have not delved into it too deeply here in my blog, but those of you who know me well know what's been going on.

Things are starting to look up. Slowly, I am changing. It is my hope that they will not remember the bad spots. That they will soon forget about the funk Mommy has been in. And even if they don't, I pray that they will forgive me and someday understand.

(my happy 'lil Jayhawks---before the big loss)

(watching cartoons upside down in jammies & slippers)

Jennifer Aniston looks worry in her new movie “Just Go With It”



Jennifer Aniston is currently acting with Adam Sandler in her new movie “Just Go With It”. The movie is set in Beverly Hills, California.

Source

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Write On: How I Met My Husband, or, Chivalry Isn't Totally Dead

Tattoos and Teething Rings gave us some writing prompts for her new Write On gig. Tats is one cool chick and she recently sent me a neat book, Judaikitsch: Tchotchkes, Schmattes and Nosherei, just because she's nice like that. Thanks, Tats! Go check her out and link up!



Anytats, the prompt I've chosen to write about is:

How did you meet your husband/wife (or boyfriend/girlfriend)? Was it love at first sight? Did you think he/she was completely obnoxious? Maybe it was your worst date ever?

In October of 1999, some friends asked if they could set me up on a blind date. I reluctantly agreed. George and Laura are dear friends and a darling couple, and for years I baby sat for their three daughters regularly. As most of you know, I am Jewish by birth, but until I met George and Laura I didn't really begin to embrace my Judasim. They inspired me to start learning everything I could. They included me in their weekly Shabbat dinners, invited me to services with them, and I often celebrated Jewish holidays at their home as well.

George is a surgeon and one of his interns,"D," also Jewish, was lonely single and asked him over the high holidays if he knew "any nice Jewish girls." George replied that as a matter of fact, he did. Laura scribbled my name and digits on a tiny piece of paper and discreetly pressed it into D's palm. He still has the small scrap stashed away somewhere. She also wrote my age and that I was a grad student.

D called me soon after and he we talked for an hour. At the end of the call, he asked if I'd like to meet him for dinner. I quickly agreed and grabbed my planner so we could discuss dates.

"How about tomorrow?" he suggested.

Whoa, Nelly. I squashed down the fear that had catapulted itself into my chest and squeaked out, "Sure!"

Fast forward to the following evening. A black Honda Passport pulled into my driveway promptly at 7:00 p.m. I'm dressed in a grey twinset and a navy blue skirt, but my hair is still dripping wet and my dog, Keats, is having a coronary at the prospect of company. I'm flustered and answer the door leaning over to hold my dog back and afraid to look D in the face.

"Please-come-in-make-yourself-comfortable-excuse-my-dog, he-will-calm-down-after-you-let-him-hump-your-leg-for-a-few-minutes. I'm-going-to-finish-getting-ready-now, mmm-kay?" I say in a breathless rush as I dash back to my bathroom, closing the door quickly behind me and letting out a giant sigh of relief all at once. He's cute!!

Once I've finally managed to stop sweating under the blow dryer make myself presentable, we leave my apartment. D actually has a nice car which may as well be a Mercedes compared to my ex's 25-year old heap of green he affectionately called "Esmerelda." D takes it up another notch by gallantly opening my door for me and closing it once I settle myself in. As he walks back around the front of the car, I suddenly know this is a man---not a boy---that I am going on a date with. My stomach starts doing flip flops.

During dinner at a quaint little Italian place, D tells me his entire life story regales me with tales of his childhood over soft candlelight. I try to ignore the Eggplant Parmigiana (my favorite) on my plate because I'm too nervous to stuff my face in front of someone I've just met. The check comes too soon, and D refuses my offer to split the bill. More brownie points for D!

Big score for this guy so far. Not only did he come pick me up in his nice/clean car, he opened the door for me. He let my dog hump his leg and then he paid for dinner! This guy is a keeper!

I'm not sure I knew immediately that he was The One, but it didn't take long. I'm lucky he didn't dump me after our second date, when he took me to see American Beauty on its opening night. I was worried it would be sold out, so en route to the theater, I told him, "The speed limit is 40, but you can go 50," and he laughed at me while he gently accelerated.

As we shared popcorn and peanut M & M's, I kept stealing sideways glances at him. I liked what I saw. When he dropped me off after the movie, he was apparently going to let me go inside without a kiss. But I wanted him to know how I felt, so I planted a big one on him. Yes, I kissed him first!

I suppose that first kiss sealed the deal. We got married on December 1, 2001!

Monday, March 22, 2010

Jennifer Aniston talks about having a family again



Jennifer Aniston used to talk about having a family again. Then she stops talking about it after her breakup with John Mayer. Now its seems that she starts to talk about it again.

She told UK Star magazine: "I've had some wonderful experiences. I hope I've reached a point where I'm ready to enjoy being with a great man and having a family together.

"That's always been my dream."

Source

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Greetings from The Father Load, a.k.a. A Post Written by My Hubs!

He finally did it! Here it is in its (mostly) unedited glory! It's long, but it's worth it.

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Hello everyone, it's "Hubs" which is my blog name ever since I had a patient (yes, I am a physician) begin a consultation in my office by making multiple references to my private life. I felt like I was being stalked but that day triggered my interest in Erin's blog. I have never been very interested or exposed to the blog world. I am mostly a limited voyeur on Facebook and use it as an opportunity to occasionally make fun of my friends and post pictures of activities and family. I have never used Twitter. It annoys the crap of me when I am on the computer (usually reading about sports or cars) and that damn tweet noise causes me to flinch sending everything around me to the floor.

Until I started reading Erin's blog over the last few months, I never really understood what it is all about. All I know is that it is frequently hard to get Erin on to the next activity without a stop at the computer. I have learned to understand and respect what she is doing. I am very impressed with the number of followers she has and the blog identity that has developed. I have often criticized Erin in the past for devoting so much energy toward writing to a group of strangers instead of writing the book she has always talked about. She almost had me convinced this was going to happen when she read multiple books about how to write a book. I firmly believe in her ability to write an award-winning book that would allow me to retire when I am ready. I understand now that the audience are regulars and not strangers and that many of her readers are people we know personally who are reading this very post. With that in mind, I proceed cautiously yet somewhat openly...


Erin and I met on a blind date in 1999 when I was a surgery intern in New Orleans. If I were to think that I fell in love with her then I was probably just in love with myself because while extremely cute, she maybe said two words. I went on for a couple hours telling amusing tales of drinking and debauchery. I am sure I tried to ask Erin about herself but was greeted with the same one word answers to all questions that she still uses frequently when meeting new people in an uncomfortable setting. She also still has a hard time making eye contact with people. She may have had me with the message that was on my answering machine already when I got home that night. Or it might have been on date #2 when we were on our way to see American Beauty. She was very anxious to see this movie and she told me "The speed limit is 35 but you can go 45." At that moment for some odd reason I thought to myself, "Can I spend the rest of my life with someone this pushy?"

These were not typical thoughts of mine at that period of my life. It was my first time living away from Kansas City. I felt like I had moved to college for the first time and was intent on living the good life in New Orleans. I was only a few months in to residency and was unfortunately doing all the easy rotations first. I would later get a rude awakening. But nonetheless, at that point I was devoted to hitting Bourbon Street on Monday nights with my friend, JB. Two years later at a Chief Resident dinner I would be reminded that I once asked if I could not be on call on Wednesday nights because that was always the party night at Superior Grill. I digress. Erin initially pretended to like going out and partying with me while reeling me in but this would eventually become a bone of contention in our relationship. Erin was good for me though because her advanced maturity helped me become serious about my residency.

Some of Erin's previously mentioned traits can make it difficult for people to meet her. As she writes in her blog, she carries around the scars and baggage of her adolescence. When meeting new people, Erin often thinks or assumes they don't like her but I observe that it is the other person who probably thinks Erin does not like them. She doesn't understand that most people have the same issue trying to make new conversation when meeting. She doesn't recognize that if someone says, "Oh you are from the planet Umizoomi and that's where you met Hubs" that that is an opening for a topic of conversation. Instead she will respond, "Yes" while making eye contact with the wall. She wonders why that person is talking to someone else the next moment. I have given her a hard time about this for years and now you have that insight too.

Erin has become a much more confident person over the years and especially since motherhood. When given a task, she is a take charge person. She is certainly in charge at home. She doesn't try to keep me from doing things I want to do like play golf or occasionally stay out late with friends. It is more on the level of telling me what I can and can't do around the house. i.e. toilet seat down, placement of coasters for drinks, recycling, don't vomit on the floor from drinking too much. I did that once while Erin was in her first trimester and had extreme morning sickness. My response was, "I thought that's what we do when we are pregnant." Not so funny. As far as a marriage is concerned, we have a very good balance of family and individual activities. Erin has become involved in so many activities serving on several boards, taking classes on Judaism, organizing activities at our temple, etc. that she is frequently gone on her own more than I am.

Erin is an amazing mother. We are so lucky that she is a stay-at-home mom. As I am writing this, she is in the living room reading books to the kids. We try to spend 20-30 minutes doing that most nights before bed, but right now it is 10 am. Despite her recent battle with depression, she still got up every day and pushed on with the kids, laundry, making dinner, etc. I am glad she has the blog because it is a good emotional outlet for her.

Erin is also a pain in the ass. Her lack of self-esteem can be exhausting. I remember all of her references to how ugly she thought she was when we first started dating. I told her repeated times that simply was not true because I only dated hot chicks. Erin is about 5' 9" and looks like a supermodel when she wears a dress. And as someone inappropriately commented recently, she does have a killer rack. In her absence, people frequently ask me, "where is your gorgeous wife?" or something to that effect. She goes to Jazzercise about 5 days a week and makes protein shakes for breakfast. When it is not winter, I run about 4 days a week. She has also just about made me afraid of flying with all of the anxiety she can generate during a rough flight. It is sometimes hard to distinguish between turbulence and her near seizures.

Erin is very into all things green and organic. We were at some friends' house for dinner last night and I asked where I should dispose of a beer bottle. Jen disturbingly looked at Erin like a deer caught in the head lights before telling me to put it in the trash. Erin is so into recycling that she makes pick-ups from her friends' houses when necessary. She has started juice pouch recycling programs with her friends, in the neighborhood and at our temple.

A random note about Piggy. I gave Piggy to Erin about 10 years ago in my absence while on an away rotation doing trauma surgery. Piggy has been in bed with us ever since. Years ago, she said, "I guess eventually when we have kids, I will have to stop sleeping with Piggy." Yeah right. Truth is that I would probably miss Piggy too. So would Monster who tries to hump him every chance he gets. Erin's post about a day in the life of the Mons was my favorite.

I recently met a few of Erin's "bloggy" friends during Snarkler Weekend from "over at" this blog and that blog. See, I have even picked up on some of her blog euphemisms. They probably thought I was kind of lame, but I was just trying to stay out of the way. I was also on call and did 30 operations that week.

I think I am actually a lot of fun (for some people). I have always placed a lot of importance on my friends. A lot of my good friends are still from high school but an equal number are new friends that we have met along the way since moving back to KC. I love going to Royals and Chiefs games. One of my favorite days of the year is opening day of the Royals when the same group of my high school friends still in KC take the day off to tailgate for several hours ahead and then go bowling afterwards. So fun. I play golf on most Sundays. I once qualified at the Midwest districts for the regional competition in the World Long Drive Championship. Distance never made me the golfer I want to be.

I am somewhat obsessed with cars, and to the dismay of my entire family, I take a car to the race track several times a year. I love my job but if I think I missed my calling as a race car driver. If I could do it all over again, I might have pursued a driver racing development program when I was 18. I love music and I am known for carrying my portable ipod player from room to room in the O.R. The coolest band of all time is Tool. I have driven such places as Des Moines, IA to see Phish two nights in a row and to Red Rocks in Colorado to see Blues Traveler and Widespread Panic on the 4th of July. I have been brought to tears by Pink Floyd at Arrowhead Stadium. I had a short lived career in a rock band during college. I had hair down to my shoulders because it was the grunge era.

I used to snowboard but not since breaking my leg about 13 years ago. Recently while in Colorado with our good friends Tiffany and David, I was prohibited from making my return to the mountain. Instead, David and I went snowmobiling, which was amazing. We went up a gondola to have brunch and I told everyone that it was absolutely burning my soul not to be on the slopes. I guess I am somewhat of a thrill seeker but this is curbed by the reality that I have a family. I feel fortunate to be alive considering how reckless we were (until my early 20's.) This scares me a lot as a parent now. The same guy that once gave someone the finger (age 17) for telling me to slow down while blazing down the street in my Plymouth Sundance Turbo is now yelling at those kids too. I love to be outside. Whenever we are out in Colorado, I almost convince myself that nothing material matters and that I would be happy with nothing but nature's surroundings. It is a very liberating feeling temporarily.

Favorite drinks: coffee, Boulevard beer, Diet Coke, my Bloody Marys, Crown. Restaurant: Cafe Europa, Red Snapper, D'Bronx. Movie: Point Break, Batman Begins. TV Shows: The Shield, Gossip Girl, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Entourage. Cities: San Fran, Aspen, Naples. Collect: shoes and watches.

It was almost a deal breaker when we bought our first house and the guy wanted to take the basketball goal out of the ground to take it with him to his multimillion dollar new house. You see, I tend to get what I want. Despite growing up privileged, I have worked very hard for everything that I have. I am a shrewd negotiator and I am not afraid to look someone in the eye and demand what I am after. I can call a car dealer's bluff with the blink of an eye. I have said in the past, "If that is your lowest price, that's fine, but I am going to go to every dealer in town until someone gives me this car for what I want with the wood grain package." I knew it was the last day of the month and by the time I was done, I had that car at invoice with a free wood grain package, and they drove the car to my house since I did not have a way to get Erin's car home. I didn't even have a check to pay for the damn thing.

Timberland used to have a lifetime warranty on all products. I purchased one pair of shoes which led to a free new pair once a year for about six years and one winter jacked led to not only another new jacket but a leather jacket, as well. My friends always made fun of me for this but they admired it too. You just can't be afraid to go after what you want in life. I have never had any regrets and feel like I have always done things to the fullest. I am also very responsible and have always planned for the future. When I was in 7th grade, I was so stressed out about homework because I think I must have thought it was going to affect getting into college. That's funny considering that when I was a freshmen and sophomore in high school I never studied.

This freestyle writing (not rambling) reminds me of a writing class that I took in high school. This particular writing class was the semester following another writing class with a different teacher. We thought we were savvy enough to adapt the same papers for the second class. One of the papers was about my genitals. While a friend got an "A" on his paper about his scab collection, I got a "D" on mine. We had a college student teaching assistant whose derogatory comments were longer than my appalling paper. Anyway, after getting caught plagiarizing, we were asked to write a bonus paper. I wrote about everything that came to mind just like this blog. I got an "A."

My very favorite activity is when I have the chance to hang out with the kids in the morning. I like to drink coffee and read the newspaper while they watch cartoons. Abby even makes fun of me by occasionally shaking a section of the paper while shouting "Let me read my newspaper!" I don't get to do it often enough and I feel badly every time they ask me why I am not going to have breakfast with them.

I have enjoyed writing this and I will try to answer some of your best questions...maybe...

Thanks for reading!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Gerard Butler treats Jennifer Aniston as a family member



News have been circulating, saying that Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler are dating. More rumors has been added especially when he went to Mexico to celebrate her birthday.

But Gerard claims that he treated her as a family member. He said “I literally became a member of her family."

“I went down for her birthday in Mexico. Of course, everyone takes that as something else, but we are very good friends.”

Source

Baby You and Me Got A Groovy Kind of Love...

I was reading my friend Ami's blog recently and one of her writing prompts mentioned the Phil Collins' song "A Groovy Kind of Love."




Whenever I hear this song, I'm instantly 12 years old again, wearing my red UNITS outfit. I'm at a friend's birthday party. The room is dark and Phil Collins croons loudly from the stereo. Couples keep pairing off, slowly swaying to the music. Their bodies are wrapped together like curling ribbons atop a present.

I'm standing there feeling very clumsy, awkward, and alone. Each time a boy saunters over to the girls' side of the room, I hold my breath, waiting, my heart thudding in my chest. Each time, he chooses someone else, their hands first tentatively touching, then firmly grasping as they drift out to the dance floor. It feels just like P.E., when I'm one of the last to be chosen for a team; only this time, the sting is worse. It's more personal.

Tears fill my eyes and I'm grateful for the darkness because no one can see my sadness. I end up running to the restroom because I can't stand it any longer. I cry and cry and cry for what seems like eternity. Someone comes in to console me, but it's meaningless because she's had a dance partner all evening.

I'd never wish a night like this on my daughters and desperately want them to be well liked. It is my secret fear that they will suffer through an agonizing adolescence like mine. While times like these shaped me into a stronger person, they conversely made me into a loner. I still often feel that deep down, I ultimately have only myself to rely on. The fear of being left behind and alone follows and haunts me. But I can choose to stand on the sidelines crying, or I can be my own dance partner and shake and shimmy all by myself.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

The Book of Qualities by J. Ruth Gendler

The Book of Qualities by J. Ruth Gendler has been a favorite of mine since I was in high school. If you are intrigued by what you see here, I encourage you to order it from Amazon.com or check your local library. Below are two excerpts. Gendler takes 74 everyday qualities (Pleasure, Anger, Beauty, Change, Stillness, Terror, Resignation and Courage, to name a few) and transforms them into characters we relate to, see in ourselves, and long to befriend or become. Beautiful illustrations accompany the descriptions of many of the Qualities. Obviously Courage is one I aspire to, but there are so many more. I should also add that this isn't a book book---it's a short, really easy read.You don't have to read it cover-to-cover, there are no characters to keep track of, no plot to follow. Just beautiful stuff, plain and simple. Inspiring.

Books are my best friends. Stay tuned for my quasi-review (for I know not how to write any sort of official review) of the book I just finished, Loving Frank by Nancy Horan. But without further adieu, I give you some of Gendler's Qualities:





Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Gerard Butler thinks Jennifer Aniston has best legs



According to Gerard Butler, he thinks Jennifer Aniston has the "best legs" in Hollywood.

He said "She's vivacious. I mean, she's just so alive inside, and that really shows through.

"And Jen actually does have the best legs in Hollywood!"

Well, of course she has nice legs. She spent so much on her beauty, from hair to toe.

Source

Monday, March 15, 2010

Spring Swap, or, Let's Send Fun Presents to Each Other!

Shortmama over at Family of Shorts is hosting a super fun Spring Swap!


So what do you send for a spring swap? That is up to you! What are your favorite things about spring? What reminds you of spring? Does your town, city, state do something special in the spring? Does your family have spring traditions? These are all ideas you can pull from to come up with your items. You can buy things, make things or both!

If you're interested, please link up to Shortmama's post about the swap here to view the rules and sign up.
 
 
Secondly, I've been trying to convince Hubs to do a post here at The Mother Load. He's been dragging his heels, perhaps for lack of proper inspiration. So I was thinking if you guys submitted some questions, it might spur him to actually do it. Arizona Mamma over at Our Daze in the Dessert did this last week with her husband Andy, and it was so cute. You should go read it over here! And then send me your questions for him. Thank you in advance!

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Even Mommies Have Loveys, or, The Other Man (a.k.a. Swine) in My Life

Piggie, meet BlogLand. BlogLand, meet Piggie.


My name is Erin and I have a lovey. Yes, I know I am 33 years old. Piggie is currently about 10. My previous lovey was a small bear I affectionally called "Oatmeal," and I stupidly gave him to a boyfriend as a meaningful parting gift when I graduated from college. I don't remember the transient lovey between Oatmeal and Piggie, so he must've been rather insignificant.

Perhaps I was so traumatized during childhood my adolescence left me slightly scarred and insecure and this is why I require a lovey to fall asleep. Even now, if I've had a rough day, one snuggle session with Piggie and the world is right again. When those bastards at Continental Airlines lost my luggage in January there was a debacle during my trip to Houston in January, I thought Piggie was lost forever. I had two long sleepless nights until he was returned to me. I was also stressed because I'd dumbly packed my diamond earrings in the same bag, but if we're being completely honest, I was more worried about losing my lovey.

One day when I was about five, my parents had a long talk with me and walked me out to the garbage can with "Kiki," my first lovey, a soft pink blanket. They explained that it was time for KiKi to take a trip to the local landfill take a powder because I was a big girl. I cried hysterically and begged them for a reprieve. I think they begrudgingly let me keep Kiki, but the thought of losing her was terrifying. Maybe that's why I can't get rid of Piggie. I've tried using a pillow, but it's just not the same.

Time to 'fess up. Do you still have a lovey? What is it? How old is it? Do you keep it a secret? C'mon now, don't let me look like the only freak!

Heidi Montag will act along with Jennifer Aniston in “Just Go With It”



Heidi Montag will act together with Jennifer Aniston in “Just Go With It”.

Source

Friday, March 12, 2010

Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler spotted leaving hotel




Is there anything going on between Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler? They were spotted leaving St. Martin’s Lane Hotel on Thursday night (March 11) in London, UK.

What were they doing?

Image source from http://justjared.buzznet.com

Source

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Jennifer Aniston and Gerard Butler pose sexy in W magazine



Will Jennifer Aniston's former husband Brad Pitt jealous on this photo?

Image source from http://www.hollywoodbackwash.com

Source

Me in my Bumpits, Peeps to Follow (Round II) & Link to SNARKLER VLOG!

(This is me in all my BUMPITS glory during Snarkler. Sadly this vlog was too boring to air)

I don't do "awards" posts anymore. It's not that I don't love and appreciate them, it is simply that I am quite disorganized. I forget who awarded me what and what the rules are, and who I passed awards onto the last time. So in the future, I will simply be doing basic lists like these---passing along links to those bloggers I adore. I expect you to at the very least check them out, say hello, and leave a comment. If you like what you see, click on that "Follow" button. Spread the bloggy love!

Here they are, in no particular order:

Tami  @ 29 & Holding

MiMi from Living in France

Peeling An Orange With a Screwdriver

Maven @ A Fabulously Good Life

Sarah @ The Stroller Ballet

The Boob Nazi @ How Could You Not?!

Salt @ The Wife Diaries

Unabridgedgirl

June @ 3! A Charm

That One Mom @ The Only Parent Chronicles

Joey @ Big Teeth & Clouds

Polly @ 5th Sister

****And without further adieu, please go visit Lee over at Headaches, Hormones & Hotflashes. During Snarkler weekend, she, Daffy at Batcrap Crazy, Tracie at Stir-Fry Awesomeness and I did a vlog.Thanks to Daffy for all her hard work editing! View at your own risk here!

This is one of those shots where I agree I could use a little makeup. I look tired. Snarkler wore me out!

Lee needed some beer to get over her HOTFLASH!

What's Snarkler without goodies from my favorite nearby bakery, Dolce?

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Gerard Butler jokes trimming Jennifer's bush

Gerard Butler jokes about Jennifer Aniston and ask Men's Journal reporter not to disclose it. He said "Over Christmas, she had a tree-trimming party that I went to. Yeah, I trimmed her bush. S**t. Please don't put that in."

Source

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Jennifer Aniston has no plans to go back to Brad Pitt



Bad news for Brad Pitt. Jennifer Aniston has no plans to go back to him.

One source told American tabloid the National Enquirer “Brad was seriously considering walking back into the arms of Jen. That was his idea at least. But at the end of the day, Jen was having none of it. She was having way too much fun playing the field to even consider getting back with her ex.

“Brad thought he could change her mind and he was stunned when she rejected him. He’s used to getting his own way with women so to be knocked back by his ex like that was a bitter blow.

“In the end, Brad realized destiny was telling him to remain with Angelina and their six kids.

“He and Angie have been having real problems, as everyone knows, but once Brad saw he had no shot at reuniting with Jen, it cleared his mind.

“It forced him to have an emotional heart-to-hearT with Angelina and they’ve been doing better ever since.

“When Jen let him down, Brad could see he had been wrong to hold her on such a pedestal for the five years they had been separated. Suddenly, he remembered why they had broken up in the first place — and why he and Angelina became lovers.

“He’s fallen in love with Angelina all over again and they have been good ever since.”

Source

Monday, March 8, 2010

Memoir Monday: Shrinking to Fit, or Finally Growing a Nice Pair of Cojones.

If you'd like to participate, please go visit Travis over at I Like to Fish!

After my college graduation ceremony, my mom and her sister came back to my dorm room to help me finish packing in order to move me back home. My Auntie Maureen had a fabulous idea: she took the purple sheets off of my bed, spread them out on the floor, and began tossing my clothes, shoes, notebooks, cd's, and whatever else she could find on top of them. Then we wrapped the sheets up, twisted the ends and hauled the bulging Santa-like sacks out to the parking lot.

My ornery grandfather and one of my brothers were already waiting for us there in my car, a Nissan Altima. Mom and Auntie Maureen sat in the front, and I sat in the back in the middle (I was in no shape to drive, having just said a tearful goodbye to my boyfriend), flanked by Grandpa on one side and my brother, Kevin, on the other. As soon as Mom careened the car onto I-55 South, Grandpa started jabbing me with his bony elbow.

"Move over," he grumbled at me.

"Grandpa, there's not a ton of room back here, I'm doing the best I can," I assured him, as I scrunched myself up smaller to appease him. Annie Altima wasn't a large car to begin with.

After more grunting and grumbling, he says it, words I can't forget:

"Well maybe if your shoulders weren't so broad and you weren't so big," he barked.

My mom's eyes caught mine in the rearview mirror. Don't listen to him, they said. Yet it was too late.

I had never noticed my broad shoulders before, but ever since I catch myself---hunching, shrinking to fit, trying to make myself smaller. More agreeable. Passive. Invisible. All because of a thoughtless comment uttered 12 years ago.

I won't do it anymore. For anyone. You see, I am cultivating a nice pair of cojones. You can't step on me anymore. You can't whittle me down and force me to fit into the space you've provided.

This is the end of an era. It's been a long time coming.

I will not shrink to fit.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Jennifer Aniston won't be attending Oscars

According to HollywoodLife.com, Jennifer Aniston won't be going to Sunday's Oscars ceremony.

What is the reason behind it? I thought everybody will be excited to go there?

Source

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Director J.J. Abrams thinks Jennifer Aniston should be bond girl



Mission: Impossible 4 director J.J. Abrams told HollywoodLife.com that Jennifer Aniston should be the next bond girl.

He told told HollywoodLife.com, "She'd be a good one ... She should go for Bond, actually; she'd be great."

For me, Jennifer won't be suitable for action movies. Not that she is not good in acting but her face does not suit it.

Source

Friday, March 5, 2010

In lieu of a boring post, please read this & follow my instructions explicitly.

As you all know, Snarkler officially begins this morning. I am making my airport run at 10 a.m. Hooray! Please stay tuned for further details.

Anyshizzle, today I decided to give a little shout out to some of my favorite bloggy friends. If you do not appear on this list, please don't despair--Part II will be running soon! My time is limited this morning and rather than rambling about nonsensical matters, I thought I'd just share some bloggy love.

Here they are in no particular order. Please go visit them, follow, tell them I sent you, show them some love, you know the drill!!!

Mindy @ The Inquisitive Mom

Big Sis @ Speaking of Witch

Helene @ I'm Living Proof That God Has a Sense of Humor

Matty @ Matty Thoughts

Vodka Logic

Annie @ A Stone's Throw From Insanity

Meredith at (Flash) Pasteurized

Ally & Lela @ Two Normal Moms

Shell @ Things I Can't Say

Dual Mom @ We're At Dad's That Week

Deb @ Menopausal New Mom

Shannon @ Our Daze in the Desert

Quirkyloon

Travis @ I Like To Fish

Stephanie at The Blue Zoo

LMJ @ I've Been Thinking

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Jennifer Aniston's perfume line is delayed due to no decision yet on name



Jennifer Aniston's perfume line has been delayed because she has not decided yet on the fragrance's name. This project has been running for almost two years.

A source tells the publication, "(Aniston) has yet to get 100 per cent behind any name, but the one she favours is Aniston.

"It’s all about capturing the idea of romance and freedom at any age, but it’s hard to do that in just one word. Jen wants to unleash some really glamorous commercials on TV."

Source

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Jennifer Aniston interested in astronomy



Jennifer Aniston is interested in astronomy ever since she bought a $3,000 (£2,000) Celestron telescope according to Showbiz Spy.

One source said "Jennifer is always looking for ways to expand her horizons, and this is her new hobby."

"She's already been showing off her new toy to friends - she thinks it's a great conversation piece."

Source

Snarkler 2010: It's Going to be Epic.


Many of you have noticed this cute button on my sidebar with the sparkly red shoes. Several months ago, these became the symbol for Snarkler, the first annual meeting of snarky bloggers held here in Kansas, the land of Dorothy, ToTo and all things Oz. In attendance will be Daffy of Batcrap Crazy, Tracie of Stir-Fry Awesomeness, Lee of Headaches, Hormones, & Hotflashes & CCWA , and me.

We've been looking forward to this for a long time and since I'm hosting, I'm nervous. I've met Lee and Daffy once before, but I'm sure Tracie will think I'm a freak. Moreover, we've never all been in the same room together. It could get interesting get your minds out of the gutter. Do you have any questions you'd like to ask one or all of us? We're planning on doing a vlog where we'll give you the answers. I can't promise my Tourette's won't resurface, especially if alcohol is involved. I've been so stressed and out of it lately that this weekend is just what the doctor ordered--FUN with girlfriends!

These lovely bloggers arrive here in KC on Friday, 3/5 and will leave on Sunday, 3/7. Therefore, if you have any submissions, NOW is the time to act. Leave 'em in the comments.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Lucky Jennifer Aniston split with Vince Vaughn lasttime

Lucky for Jennifer Aniston that she no more together with Vince Vaughn. He looks horrible when he was spotted eating his hotdog when he was watching canada play hockey against slovakia at the 2010 winter olympics in vancouver.

Source

Monday, March 1, 2010

Memoir Monday: My Big Fat Greek Life


Kelly over at Speaking From the Crib inspired me to do a post today about my Greek experiences in college. I'm going to cheat bend the rules a bit because this also coincides with Memoir Monday hosted by Travis over at I Like to Fish. Please go check these peeps out to see what the fun is all about!


**I must preface this by saying I was the first female in my family to go Greek. As such, I was not a legacy and did not have any recs because I didn't have a clue.**

In 1994, I was a freshman at Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi. I was delusional determined to become a sorority girl to nullify the negative experiences my high school nerdom had brought about. There were four houses on our small campus. Being slightly stupid naive, I thought I would simply attend the rush parties and determine which house I liked best and join there. I quickly chose Kappa Delta and even called my mother on Pref Night to inform her that I would be running to the KD house on Bid Day the following morning. I had gone to KD and Tri Delt prefs, and logically assumed the choice between the two was in my hands. WRONG.

The scene: My dorm, Becky Bacot Hall, 2nd West, Bid Day morning. Enter my Rho Chi, or Rush Counselor, bearing our bid cards. My roommate got hers first (Tri Delta, her first choice) and began jumping around excitedly. My heart started thumping as I tore open my envelope next. I figured I must be going blind because I saw Phi Mu written inside rather than KD. I began to sob. Hard.

And that's when I heard it: the loud wailing coming from the hallway. There were four others like me on 2nd West, four other girls who had desperately wanted to be something besides Phi Mu. We bonded over snot and Kleenex and then dutifully donned our pink and white. We trudged over to the Phi Mu house with tear stains on our cheeks while the other girls clammored over one another to get to their houses.

Fate is a funny thing. I grew to love Phi Mu. I wore my jersey with a big pink ribbon in my hair. I proudly put on goofy costumes year after year:

Yep, me in the middle. Dressed as Piglet. My Big Sis was Winne the Pooh, not pictured here.

I got involved with the chapter once I realized it wasn't all about swaps and parties and baking cookies at the house. I became Spirit Chair. I was Co-Pledge Educator, and then served on the Executive Board as our Panhellenic Representative (which taught me why I couldn't simply "choose " my sorority & how I fell into Phi Mu). But you know what? If I had it to do all over again, I would choose Phi Mu first. I was lucky to have an instant and fabulous group of friends who didn't judge me. Who loved me for being me. And because of our bond, my many walks of shame nights of debauchery will remain secrets they will carry to their graves.
That is me in the middle in the top row. Yes, I am wearing overalls and pigtails.
Yes, they are part of the costume theme thing, but I also wore them regularly
& thought this was acceptable.

To Heather J., Kim T., "Red", and the others in my pledge class of '94: Thank goodness for you! To my big sis Amanda: I miss you & I'm sorry we grew apart once I got engaged. To my three little sisters, Tammy, Christy, and Ann: I LOVE YOU! I also had an amazing Grand Big Sis (Jennifer C.) and Great Grand Big Sis (Rachel A.)--you know how crazy all the family trees can get, right? But it filled a void for me since I never had a real sister. Suddenly I had 50-something. It was overwhelming and lovely and fun.

As sisters, we shared so much. However, it wasn't until right before graduation that we realized exactly how much. At a special ceremony for the seniors one night, we spilled lots of juicy secrets. We realized there was a common male denominator. A certain fraternity boy who shall remain nameless. Apparently he had an affinity for Phi Mu's and made the rounds without our knowledge. A sneaky one, he was. I think at least 5 or 6 out of the 10 of us (including yours truly) who were about to graduate confessed to having fooled around with this guy at some point. I generally don't have a problem with leftovers, but these left a rotten taste in my mouth!

Were you in a sorority/fraternity? Which one? Was it the one you really wanted? What are your favorite memories of those years?
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