6 random bits + another 5...so I guess it's really 11 random bits

There are several random bits of things that have been hanging around lately, so I decided to group them here...

1. I added an RSS feed. It's over there on the right. I've been asked before to do it, but never remembered or took the time. So now you can get your UM fix delivered bright and early to your inbox if you want.


2. We are making some changes over at Home Made Happy and are planning a relaunch shortly. And of course, a relaunch must come with a re-giveaway. So be on the lookout for that.


3. We're narrowing in on a new name for Stinkerpants, but feel free to continue with the suggestions. And we're narrowing in on the awesome-ness that a person would get if we chose your name...she says cryptically.


4. Next week is my bloggy birthday and I'm trying to cook up a few fun things for that. Suggestions are always welcome.


5. The very sweet Alena from Little Bit of Wonderful passed this lovely award on to me.It of course comes with rules: 5 random facts about you Pass it along, and I'm adding Thank the giver...THANKS ALENA! I'm glad you found your way to my corner of bloggyland!

Okay so here are my 5 random facts...

1. Even if it's only 1/2 an inch shorter, I always feel like my hair is too short after a trim. I'm a bit of a nutter about it.


2. People who have no respect for personal space drive me crazy! Madam in the line behind me at Walgreens today, if I can feel your breath on my neck at least have the decency to grab my bum a little. :D


3. I'm thinking about going back to school to get my Masters but I'm not sure in what yet...


4. I think being a published author would be the single coolest thing ever. EVER.


5. I am insanely ticklish around my neck (where it meets my shoulders) and my family delights in torturing me with their awareness of it. I've been know to spend family time with my shoulders up by my ears for protection.

And, despite it being a cop out, I'm passing this one on to any and all. You guys all rock.

6) And how 'bout you give us a kiss then...

Vloggin Vednesdays {How To}

Theme for Vednesday, March 30th - Share a “how to” video. My "how to" may be pushing it a little...but I think it just means I need to get some more craft supplies. Hehehe. Also I'm not sure why, but Pie totally looks like a dental hygenist in her outfit...I kept thinking she was going to yell at me for not flossing enough.

Damn Spatial Awareness

So when I went and got my tattoo in January it worked really well with the shoes I had on. For some reason it never occurred to me that I only wear actual shoes about 4 months of the year...if that. The rest of the time I'm in flip flops. And damn if my poor spatial awareness didn't get me again. The actual shoes I had on, and had to wear for a little over a week after the fact since it couldn't be covered = good stuff. And the shoes I wear the other 2/3 of the year = not so good.

Ignore the desperate need for a pedicure and look instead at the fact that the flip flops go directly across the tattoo.

So now I'm on the hunt for (cheap) sandals that don't cover my little flower up. Wish me luck!

New Additions

Yesterday we went out and got some new friends to add to the madness. Pie was fascinated. And then a little hungry...no no baby...those aren't the kind of fish you eat...

We had to make sure they had some swimming around cash...

They don't have names yet, but here's Green...

And here's Blue...We were discussing Whozzat and Whazzat since those are Pie's two favorite phrases at the moment.

TRDC: Picture Prompt

Assignment:
This week's prompt is...write a piece, fiction or non-fiction, inspired by picture below.


The Result:
Oh lover.

Your siren song invades my thoughts, dominates my consciousness. I am enchanted, powerless to resist it. I can think of nothing more than the weight of you in my hands, the feel of your curves, your smell.

Oh your blissful smell. It is comfort and excitement, love and lust in one great rush. It fills me with need. A need that envelopes me and steals my breath.

You are a seductress luring me to your side. Your temptation robs me of reason. You bewitch and entice me to throw myself on your rocky shores.

Damn you Double Chocolicious-Chocolate Chip-Swirly Dipped-Brownie Sprinkle Supreme. Now I’ll never fit in those jeggings. Why must you hurt me so?

Defending the kingdom

*captions below photo

{click to enlarge}

1. Ahhh...it is going to be a fantastic day. I can just feel it.

2. Yep, yep...this looks good.

3. Well, it is a little dirty. Maybe you could get someone to wipe it up a bit?

4. What's going on over here?

5. Um. What the hell? Are you seeing this mama?

6. What are you doing in here? Daddy, I have to ask you a serious question. Are you the one who broke this stick?

7. OH HELLS NO! I know you're not smiling!

8. Where is that stupid secret door...I can never find it.

9. I am so out of here.

Vloggin Vednesdays {Guilty Pleasures}

Theme for Vednesday, March 23rd “Guilty Pleasures” - OK, we know you’ve got ‘em, let ‘em all hang out.

Me me me

I saw this over at Finally Mom and decided that surely someone would want to know the answers to these questions...right? Right?!

Side note: If you don't know Christina and Lovie you are missing out. Her site is so honest and open and funny. Not to mention there are tons of pictures featuring the GORGEOUS Lovie. She has the best little face and expressions and hair and everything! And I will totally claim to have known her as a baby when she is grown up and famous.

Okay, back to the point...it's so rare that I remember what the point is :D I present you with...do doooo do doooo...The ABC's Of Me:
{a} Age: 33, 34 in June
{b} Bed Size: king
{c} Chore You Hate: cleaning the shower...can't do it. That's one of Husband's jobs.
{d} Dogs: allergic.

{e} Essential Start To Your Day: smooching little Pie

{f} Favorite Color: purple maybe?

{g} Gold Or Silver: silver, gold looks funny on me.

{h} Height: 5'8/5'9

{i} Instruments You Play: I played the flute for a few years and was awful, so nothing

{j} Job Title: depends on the day, but usually Senior Project Manager or Client Relations Manager. And yes, they are as dorky as they sound.

{k} Kids: sweet Pie, but I think you all know I'm hoping for more!

{l} Live: about 45 minutes north of Atlanta

{m} Mom's Name: Jan

{n} Nicknames: too many to list, but the big ones are bup and pea

{o} Overnight Hospital Stays: as an actual patient, gallbladder surgery. Other things with Husband and then when Pie was born

{p} Pet Peeve: people who drive in turn lanes. If you were supposed to drive there it would just be a regular lane. Also people who are completely unaware of the world outside themselves.

{q} Quote From A Movie: "What SP Factor?" or "I can't really hear any assholes talking right now."

{source}

{r} Right- Or Left-Handed: right
{s} Siblings: older brother, two older sisters
{t} Time You Wake Up: the alarm starts at 5:15 during the week, depends on the day when I actually get up. And weekends are usually between 6:30 and 7:00 due to a much cuter alarm clock.
{u} Underwear: clean, preferably
{v} Vegetables You Dislike: brussel sprouts and beets. Just...no.
{w} What Makes You Run Late: breathing. As much as I hate being late, I usually am. I forget things, or Pie isn't cooperating or Saturn is ascending...who knows.
{x} X-Rays You've Had: Tons. Pretty much head to toe.
{y} Yummy Food You Make: Toasted Romano Crostini. YUM.
{z} Zoo - Favorite Animal: giraffes. That commercial with the super rich guy who has a tiny giraffe totally makes me wish those were real. I'd get one in a heartbeat.

{source}

Feel free to steal if you want. I did :D Let me know if you do, I'll love to see...

Playdate at Michelle's

I'm over at Momma's Pixie Dreams embarrassing myself while Michelle and family take a well deserved break. Come check it out...it's about facial hair. Good times.


And just because I love you, a little slice of Pie...

Still alive...

...sort of. Still mostly miserable. However...

• Thank you all for the awesome names to consider. We're loving them. But feel free to keep them coming!
• Thank you all for the get wells. They are definitely helping :D
• I'm hating that I couldn't rally for The Red Dress Club. I may have to do it this weekend.
• Fingers crossed I can sleep the rest of this off over the weekend and be back to business next week.
• I didn't want to leave you with nothing, so here are a few recent, and completely random, pics of Pie.

Sick

{source}

Stayed home from work today...am miserable. May be a few days before I'm around. Back to bed for me...

I do all my own stunts

Sorry it's a little long, but this is Pie's new favorite trick. We have no idea where she learned it, but her little face is priceless!

Clever and witty needed...badly

Okay, so this past week sucked it. Part of the suckage was a cease and desist letter we received. The cease and desist was in regards to Stinkerpants which is the name of our greeting card company. We have been building the company under that name for over 5 years. Now someone else has swooped in, trademarked the name, and served us with a cease and desist.

So now we need to think of a new name and we need some help. Stinkerpants was perfect, it's quirky, funny, and personal to us. And we're struggling to think of something else that suits us as well. That's where you come in.

We want something else that has a similar feel, maybe uses pants or pie in the name, is quirky and unique. So what do you have for us? If we pick your name there will be a kick ass prize package. We're not totally sure what that will be, but rest assured it will definitely kick the ass.

TRDC - Beauty in Ugliness

Assignment:
This week's assignment is to write a short piece, either fiction or non-fiction, about something ugly - and find the beauty in it.

*****************

I'm going to veer a little off course with this one. Instead of my typical smart ass fiction, I'm going to write a letter to Pie. So here we go...

Result:

My Darling Girl -

I toss and turn at night sometimes thinking about your future. The world, and the people in it, can be really ugly. This world can be a very difficult place for people who are different. And you, my dear, are different.

Part of your difference, is that you are adopted. That means you have a family that is twice the size of most. You have me and Dada and our families, and you also have your bios and their families. We think that makes you one lucky girl. Other people may not.

Another difference, that may be an even bigger issue, is that you are mixed race. Your bio dad is African American and Chinese and your bio mom is Caucasian and Native American. This is another thing that we think makes you fantastic and special. But let's face it...we live in the south...people here can be very closed minded. I'm so afraid that one day other people's ugliness will make you feel badly about yourself.

The most important thing for you to know is that you are amazing. Every difference about you is what makes you so unique. All of those things that other people may not like are things we love about you. They are things that your entire, huge family loves about you.

You should also know that despite its ugliness, the world can be a really beautiful place. There are people who will love you for all of the reasons someone else may not like you. There are places that will take your breath away. There are times you will wish would just stand still.

All of that beauty will allow you to have experiences that will bring joy like you can't imagine. Being your mom is that for me. No matter how much ugliness may be out there, you are all the beauty that I need.

I love you,
Mama

The Paper Mama Photo Challenge: Simple Beauty

This weeks challenge: Simple Beauty.
The challenge: The challenge will be based around your children. Take or find a photo of your baby (or kid... or puppy... or kitty). Simple beauty.

Vloggin' Vednesdays {Pie's Room}

Okay, so forgive my weird raspy-ness and the shaky camera work. My little helper was making it ever so slighty difficult to focus. :)

Decal by Janey Mac.
Love Makes a Family print by Barking Bird Art.

OAR - Adoption and the Media

It's time for another Open Adoption Roundtable. I love these. It's fascinating to be able to see these issues from so many different sides....adoptive parents, first parents, adoptees, and people not currently involved in adoption, but curious.

As with all of these prompts you don't have to be involved to comment or ask questions. To see more answers, click over to Production, Not Reproduction's site here.

Question:
How have you seen open adoption portrayed on television? What did you think? What, if anything, would you like to see?

Answer:
The timing of this prompt is so funny. This exact issue has been the topic of conversation in my house over the last week or so. We're always on the lookout for anything (tv, movies, books) that deals positively with adoption. Much of what you see portrayed involves international adoption, so that distances it from our situation and us/our daughter being able to totally relate. I am surprised given the frequency of adoption that it isn't a bigger part of the stories that media tells.

Recently there was a Modern Family episode that had a storyline about adoption, Despicable Me also has an adoption story, but how sad is it that I could only come up with two examples off the top of my head? The reason it's been a topic of discussion lately is because a book store near my office is closing. I want to take advantage of their sales so I started looking for adoption books to read to my daughter. And I was floored at what I found.

Other than the fact that the majority of the books were about international adoption, none of the domestic adoption books I came across dealt with open adoption. That was surprising enough but the sinner/saint mentality in the books made my mouth drop open. I just couldn't believe how negatively birth/first families were represented. Again and again I came across books that were saying the child needed love, needed a family, with the implication that the birth/firsts couldn't provide it. And then hooray, the adoptive parents swooped in and gave the child everything they ever wanted or needed.

With each summary I read, my anger grew. I would never, never, NEVER, read a story like that to my daughter. Other than the fact that it is a completely false scenario in our case, and in so many others, why would you want to demonize a child's family under any scenario? To portray the first family as the villains and the adoptive family as the heroes is so destructive to everyone involved.

My daughter's birth parents are not evil or thoughtless. They are not unwilling or unable to love her. And to present them that way, especially in a children's book, is at a minimum offensive, but more accurately is uneducated, unsympathetic and damaging. Neither should we, as the adoptive parents, be presented as the saviors, the saints, the heroes. It's absurd. We did not save my daughter from anything. We are also nowhere near saints or heroes.

We are simply people who are raising our daughter. One of the things that happens to make her unique is that she has two sets of parents. Two. She has two mothers who worry about her. She has two fathers who want to protect her. She has FOUR parents who love her more than the world and for the media, in any form, to miss that mark over and over again is beyond disappointing.

because I want to...

This meme was running around last week and I thought it was really interesting. I love seeing people's handwriting. So I jumped in too.

My handwriting has changed so many times over the years, from girly and bubbly to scratchy and illegible. I've been told that my handwriting is like an architect, like a doctor, like an artist, and like chicken scratch. Heh. You can be your own judge.

I sat down to answer the question (listed below) with my favorite Moleskine notebook and my beloved Sharpie pen....
...and if you look on the left page you can see where I started the questions and didn't like the way it looked. I may or may not have done that 3ish times :) but here's the end result (click to enlarge).

1. your name & your blog name.
2. your blog url.
3. write: "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog!"
4. your favorite quote.
5. your favorite song.
6. favorite musical artist/band.
7. say something... anything.
8. tag some people to do this.

If you decide to participate, I'd love to see so let me know. And if you want to see some other examples check out: Amy, Mandey, and Megan.

TRDC - Water

Assignment:
Water gives life. It also takes it away.
Write a short piece - fiction or non-fiction - inspired by one or both of these statements.
Word maximum is 600.


Result:
This was all that damn Jessie Spano's fault. Maggie had been minding her own business flipping through the channels when she came across Showgirls on HBO. Like any red-blooded American who grew up in the 80s and 90s she had to stop and watch the fallen Saved By The Bell alumna get her groove on. And by groove of course she meant completely unsexy, totally rhythm-less, pole swinging.

She had only intended to watch for a second, but of course, 30 minutes later she had yet to change the channel. Ben must have heard her laughing and wandered in from his office to see what was up. It was the pool scene. He immediately joined her and they sat watching what had to be the single worst sex scene ever put on film. As the movie continued Ben got a look on his face. A look Maggie knew all too well.

"You know," he said, "we have a pool. We could recreate that scene. Wink wink. But totally as a goof. How funny would that be?!"

And so they had. Hair flinging, head banging, water flying and all. Maggie was positive they had never laughed so hard. But she wasn't laughing now. Just over 38 weeks later and she was covered in an entirely different kind of water. The kind that breaks. And she was not having nearly as much fun.

Ben had been certain that you couldn't get pregnant in a pool. Something he had heard a million years ago in health class about the sperm not being able to survive in the chlorine. Clearly that was not true. She would kill him once this was over. The fact that she had chosen to believe him and had done her level best to reenact the pool scene perfectly had nothing to do with this current predicament. It had clearly been his fault.

The nurse came in to check her again and made the dreaded announcement. It was time to push. The room got ready and Maggie started pushing. She may or may not have yelled out, "Damn you Jessie!" at one point. The nurses looked to Ben and told him not to worry, women in labor often yelled out things to their partners they didn't mean. Much to their confusion, and his delight, he informed them that his name was Ben and not, in fact, Jessie. They stopped talking to him after that.

What felt like an eternity of pushing later, the room went completely silent and then there was a wail to rival Mariah Carey. Their little girl was finally here. The doctor cleaned her up a bit and placed her on Maggie's chest. She was the most beautiful thing Maggie had ever seen. Ben leaned over his girls and had never felt such love and joy. He whispered in Maggie's ear, "You were amazing. I love you."

"I love you too," Maggie said, dreamily looking back to her sweet girl, "So what are we going to name her?"

"Jessie?"

Pay It Forward Handmade Style

source

I came across this awesome crafty goodness at Lindsey's blog this is my life and now I'm passing it along!

Here's how it works:
• Be one of the first five people to comment on this post
• You will receive something handmade from me within the next few months
• Post about Pay it Forward on your blog/social media site of choice, and send something handmade to the first five people who comment on your post before 2011 is over. Keep the craftiness going!
• You can send anything, big or small, it just must be handmade.

I will definitely be doing a follow-up post when I get my handmade prize from Lindsey. I hope you guys do too! Let's get our craft on!!