Your Favorite Childhood Book – 100 Day Blog Challenge – Day 89

Favorite Childhood Book

I loved reading as a kid, and I still love reading today.  Lots of books come to mind, however, my two favorite childhood books (because I CAN’T just choose one) are Amelia Bedelia and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

I can’t remember what grade it was, but I do remember checking out Amelia Bedelia from the school library.  What a cute and funny read.  Amelia Bedelia is hired by Mrs. Rogers to do some chores around the house.  Mrs. Rogers leaves the list for Amelia Bedelia and Mrs. Rogers runs her errands, or goes about her day.  Amelia Bedelia is many things, and literal is one of them.  Before she started tackling the list of chores, she makes a lemon meringue pie.  Then, she gets to work.  She literally “dresses the chicken” sits down and “draws the curtains” at noon; “puts out the lights” on the clothesline; and “dusts” instead of undust the furniture.  When Mrs. Rogers gets home, she is not happy and is about to fire Amelia Bedelia, until she tries a piece of the lemon meringue pie.  Mrs. Rogers is willing to let it slide and keeps Amelia Bedelia on and vows to be more specific when making her list of duties for Amelia Bedelia.

This was such a funny read, even my Mom loved this book.  Anytime I’d talk to my Mom and mention Amelia Bedelia, she starts laughing and goes right to the dress the chicken scene.  Lots of great memories and definitely one of my favorite books.

I was in Kindergarten when I first saw The Very Hungry Caterpillar, and what I loved about this book was how interactive it was.  It’s the story about how the caterpillar hatches from its egg and eats and eats and eats.  He turns into a cocoon and eventually a beautiful butterfly.  I loved the bright, vibrant colors and we got to see how the caterpillar would eat his way through all kinds of foods:  1 apple; 2 pears; 3 plums; 4 strawberries; 5 oranges; as well as pickles; chocolate cake, cherry pie, and cupcake, just to name a few.  We learned counting in this book, the days of the week and different fruits, sweets, and other foods.

As a kid, it was the vibrant colors that always stood out in my mind.  It always stuck with me.  I also remember the odd shape of the book with the plastic covering and the crackling sound it would make when you opened the book and turned the pages.  Loved the hardcover version.  When Elijah was in Kindergarten in 2010, I was very pleased to see they were still sharing The Very Hungry Caterpillar.  Brought me back to my childhood and I was able to share it with my kids.  I was even more excited when he brought home the Scholastic Book Order form and it was available to purchase.  I was a very happy Mom.

We have a whole library of books and we love to read with our kids.

Why God Made Moms – 100 Day Blog Challenge – Day 68

Why God Made Moms

The boys were being a little rebellious tonight about going to bed (at least 2 out of 3) and it’s especially challenging because I’ve got an early start in the morning.  Anyhow, I got to thinking and remembered an email I received a while back that was pretty darn funny and could not stop laughing. I re-read it again and, yep, it’s still hilarious.  

WHY GOD MADE MOMS

Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the  following questions:

Why did God make mothers?

1. She’s the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.

2. Mostly to clean the house.

3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.

How did God make mothers?

1.  He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.

2. Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.

3.  God made my mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.

What ingredients are mothers made of?

1.  God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.

2.  They had to get their start from men’s bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.

Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?

1.  We’re related.

2.  God knew she likes me a lot more than other people’s mom like me.

What kind of a little girl was your mom?

1.  My mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.

2.  I don’t know because I wasn’t there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.

3.  They say she used to be nice.

What did mom need to know about dad before she married him?

1.  His last name.

2.  She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?

3.  Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?

Why did your mom marry your dad?

1.  My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my mom eats a lot.

2.  She got too old to do anything else with him.

3.  My grandma says that mom didn’t have her thinking cap on.

Who’s the boss at your house?

1.  Mom doesn’t want to be boss, but she has to because dad’s such a goof ball.

2.  Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.

3.  I guess mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.

What’s  the difference between moms and dads?

1.  Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.

2.  Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.

3.  Dads are taller and stronger, but moms have all the real power cause that’s who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friends.

4.  Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.

What does your mom do in her spare time?

1.  Mothers don’t do spare time.

2.  To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.

What would it take to make your mom perfect?

1.  On the inside she’s already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.

2.  Diet. You know, her hair. I’d diet, maybe blue.

If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it  be?

1.  She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I’d get rid of that.

2.  I’d make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it not me.

3.  I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.

WHEN  YOU STOP LAUGHING — SEND IT ON TO OTHER  MOTHERS,  GRANDMOTHERS, AND AUNTS….and anyone else who has anything to do with kids or just needs a good laugh!!!!!!

Top 10 Momisms – 100 Day Blog Challenge – Day 63

Momisms (A Little Sunday Humor)

The other day, I came across this image, and I couldn’t help but laugh.  OK, right before I saw this image, I’m pretty sure I said most, if not ALL of these to my boys that day.  So, I wanted to talk about some of these Momisms that all Moms have said or will say at some point in their parenting career.

As a Mom, we want to be the best Mom to our kids and instill values, morals and raise them to be their best.  Then, they start talking, and it all goes to hell in an instant.

Here’s my take on these Momisms based on my experience with my 3 boys:

1.  “Why?  Because I said so, that’s why!” – Face it, this response is practically programmed in our brains the second we find out we’re pregnant.  If I had a PENNY for each time I uttered these words, I’d be a billionaire right now.  “But, WHHHHHYYYYYYYY, MOM?”  Seriously, don’t question me.  I told you to do something…DO IT!!!  End of discussion!!  Next.

2.  “I’m going to give you until the count of three!” – Let’s be honest, let’s be real.  When it comes to this saying, we don’t go to three.  It’s one; two; two and half; two and three quarters; two and…don’t make me say it…two and…I’m serious…don’t make me say…In the back ouf our minds, we are HOPING they get the hint that getting to three is doomsday.  But, they know we’re NOT going to three and even if we do, it’ll go something like, “OK, three…now…” We love using this just to feel like we’re in control.

3.  “It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt.” – My version is, “Now, didn’t I tell you NOT to do that?  Didn’t I tell you someone was gonna get hurt?  Didn’t I?  Didn’t I?”  Insert smoke coming out of ears for an even more dramatic effect.

4.  “I don’t know is NOT an answer.” –  And it NEVER will be!!!  Yes, you DO know, so spill it!!!

5.  “I would never have talked to my mother like that.” – Or my grandmother, for that matter.  Sometimes they push the envelope and make a snide remark or two that causes me to give that double take eye-popping stare, “Oh no you didn’t” – look.  But, yes, I have said this to them a time or two, followed by smack to remind them who’s in charge.  Excuse me?!?!?!

6.  “I’m not running a taxi service.” – Or the maid, either.  Now that the boys are getting older and involved in more sports, I have become that Sports Mom.  They’re still fairly young and heaven help me once they reach the teen years.  I’m pretty sure I’ll have a full head of white hair by the time Isaac’s a teen.

7.  “If everyone jumped off a cliff would you do it too?” – I’m already starting to hear, “But so and so is going HERE!!!” or “But, so and so is doing THAT!!!”  My favorite is, “But, WHY can’t I do this?  So and so’s parents let THEM!!!”  My response, “So and so is not MY resposibility…YOU are!!!”  “And as long as you live under MY roof, you live by MY rules!!!” – oh, this is another one to add to the Momsims list!!!

8.  “Someday your face will freeze like that.” – No, it won’t.  There’s never been any scientific proof that turning your lips into a crazy get-up pose or crossing your eyes will all of a sudden go, “POP,” and freeze.  Although, that would be comical if it ever did happen to a kid.  I’d pay good money to see that.

9.  “It hurts me more than it hurts you.” – No it’s not!!!  Not in the slightest.  Maybe AFTER the fact, but at the time, oh no, it’s not hurting me.  It’s not even in the same time zone, because I told you already NOT to do that, or NOT to speak to me that way, and didn’t I tell you NOT to let me get to three?  They had more than enough warning.

10.  “Bob. Sue. Joe. Fido. whatever your name is.” – I remember when I first moved to PEI and my mother-in-law would get my hubby and brother in law mixed up a lot.  I’d say to her, “My goodness, they’re so many years apart.  How could you get their names wrong?”  She told me one day that when I had kids, I’d do the same.  Fast forward to my life now, and she is sooooo right.  Boy, did those words come back to bite me in the butt!!!  There have been times I’ve called all 3 names (“Stephen Eli, Jus, Isa..”) and then topped it off with, “Just all of you get over here!!!”  After a while, they all seem to blend in because they’re all doing something they shouldn’t be doing anyway.  So, at some point, they’re ALL gonna get in trouble.

Oh, the life of a Mom.  It’s always an adventure.  

Confessions of a FitBit Junkie Part 2 – 100 Day Blog Challenge Day 6

Channeling This Addiction

After I submitted my blog post last night on some of my confessions, I came up with a couple more.  So, here are some more of my confessions:

Confession #4 – The Feeling of Utter HORROR When You’ve Discovered Your FitBit is Lost/Missing

Where did my FitBit go?!?!?!!?

I had this happen to me last summer during one of my son’s soccer games.  It was a Thursday (I will NEVER forget that day!!!)  We left the soccer field and headed home.  I went to my computer to sync my FitBit because I walked around the soccer field while they were playing.  Well, at some point between the time I left the soccer field and got home, my FitBit went MISSING!!!

Oh my goodness, I let out a scream like you wouldn’t believe.  “Where’s my FitBit? Where’s my FitBit??!?!?  WHERE’S MY FITBIT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!!!!!!”  I was frantic because it was 8:00 at night, I had to get the boys to bed to prepare for a 9pm webinar and no FitBit.  So, what did I do? What any well-respected FitBit user WOULD do…

I loaded the boys up in the van and retraced my steps back at the soccer field.

Don’t judge…you’d do the same thing.

I parked my van in the same spot I parked when we were there, not there.  I did my best walking the same path toward the field looking in the grass.  Nothing.  I searched where I had our stuff perched on the fence.  Nothing.  Let me tell you, I came to understand the term “needle in a haystack” that evening.  I couldn’t find that darn thing!!!


I was devastated.  I was crushed.  I felt like crying.

My boys, God love ’em.  They were so understanding and supportive.  They kept consoling me and telling me it was going to be okay and that I would find my FitBit.  I felt like I lost a part of me.  I felt naked.

I got on the computer and contacted their customer service to see if they could help.  I got a response to try to sync again as it may be somewhere in the house.  Well, I couldn’t find it in the house, so how the heck was that going to help?!?!?!

Calm down, Dee…calm down!!!

Anyhow, it was close to 9pm, and I had to jump on my webinar.  Fortunately, the attendees didn’t show, and that gave me more time to do some Criminal Minds/CSI investigating.  I whipped out my mini-flashlight and started “casing the joint.”  That FitBit HAD to be in the house SOMEWHERE!!!

I checked every nook and cranny I could think to look. I checked the basement, the bathroom, the washer, the dryer, the dishwasher, the fridge, and then it hit me…I had an epiphany.   The flashback came rushing into my head like those scenes you see in the movies or on TV.

I remember I was in the boys’ room fixing up their beds.  I was straightening out their sheets and as I was flicking the bed sheet, something had fallen.  I checked under the bed, whipping the flashlight all around, and, there it was!!!  It was in the corner near the wall. 

I FOUND MY FITBIT!!!

For whatever reason, my FitBit decided it wanted to learn how to fly and play hide and seek at the same time.

Oh, Happy Day!!!

The feeling of elation, joy, relief, happiness, every emotion you could think of came rushing through me.  I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I jumped for joy.  And yes, I had the boys looking as well. NO ONE was going to bed that night!!!  My FitBit was secure and all was right with the world.

Life could resume its regular duties.  I was me again!!!


In closing, realize that all FitBit users have that fear of their trusty device taking a walk without them.  If that ever happens, the situation like the one described here could very well be played out with said owner.  Your best bet would be to NOT mock them or think they were crazy, but to get down on all fours and search for the FitBit. Believe me, you DO NOT want to be on the receiving end of a frantic FitBit owner who is missing said device.

Help them keep calm, agree with everything they say and you just may walk out of this with all your digits intact.  

You have been warned.

Still think I need an intervention?

I initially said I would share a couple more confessions, but this one is just so good, it needs to stand alone.

Confessions of a FitBit Junkie – 100 Day Blog Challenge Day 5

Confessions of a FitBit Junkie

My FitBit journey started on November 23, 2012.  I’d been sitting on the fence about purchasing a FitBit, but just wouldn’t make the leap.  Then, I decided to treat myself.  Oh, I remember that day like it was yesterday.  I was so excited when the delivery truck showed up.  Oh heck, anytime the UPS or any delivery truck shows up with a package is like Christmas.

But, I digress.

Clip for the FitBit One. They are so small!!!

I ordered the FitBit One, and I was so surprised how SMALL it is, but don’t let the size fool you.  These little devices pack quite the punch.  What I really love about the FitBit is that it tracks your activity from Day One.  As of the time of this blog post, I have walked 6,739,178 steps; climbed 10,645 floors; and traveled 2,636.13 miles.  The other great thing about the FitBit are the badges you acquire for important milestones.  Badges include daily step, lifetime distance, daily climb and lifetime climb badges.  I love all the accomplishments and setting daily goals.  It’s a great way to keep me on track and push me to go further.

So, what makes me a junkie, you ask.

Well, there are so many different things from which to choose, but I will touch on a couple for this blog.

Confession #1 – Not Moving When Your FitBit is Charging

OK, the FitBit doesn’t keep going like the Energizer Bunny, so when the battery runs low, it needs to be charged.  Simply plug the USB port into your computer and within an hour, your FitBit is fully charged. 

My Achievements

Well, for me (and some of my fellow “junkies”) this is when we go in idle mode.  For me, at least, I do my BEST to keep still.  Case in point, today. Here’s how the scenario played out – I needed to make dinner, the boys were getting restless.  I couldn’t find my charger all day and the darn battery went BLANK!!  Never saw that before.  FINALLY found the darn charger on my dresser, started the charging process and sat at my desk for 45 minutes.  I didn’t even let it fully charge.  It had about an inch left to charge, but I couldn’t wait any longer.

Do you think I need an intervention?

Let me put it to you this way, when you get the FitBit bug, you want to make sure you get the most out of your day’s activities, so if that means sitting idle for an hour while your FitBit recharges to ensure those steps get logged, I’m immobile until my device is ready to go.

Confession #2 – Doing Everything it Takes to Ensure You Reach Your Required Steps Goal

I’m not gonna lie, this one is my comic relief.  I have a 10,000 daily step goal and when I don’t reach it, I am NOT happy.  I want all those stats to be green no matter what.  For the most part, I reach my daily step goal, and I push for more.  On average, I try to reach 15,000 steps or more.  It’s now 11:40  and I’m at 14,777 steps.  I’m just 223 steps away from the 15,000 mark and earning this badge again. 

My activity for April 3rd. WTH, only 9 active minutes?!?!?!?

So, what do I do on those days when it’s almost midnight and I’m so close to achieving another badge?  I run around the house like a mad woman.  I will walk up and down the stairs, walk around my coffee table, pace the halls, do WHATEVER I need to do to make sure I get those steps in.  

Hold on a sec while I get this done…

Ahh, much better.

Confession #3 – Checking, Updating and Syncing 

I wear my FitBit One on my hip and I check this thing every 20 seconds.  I’m constantly syncing via my laptop or my Android.  I’m checking the Leaderboard to make sure I’m in the top 10 (and very much in the top 5.)  It’s my own healthy competition that keeps me on my toes.

Top Badges Earned To Date

Only fellow FitBit junkies will understand these little quirks and there are so many more.  I could start listing all the confessions and more will pop up, so this will be an ongoing confession.  Heck, this may take up the rest of the blog challenge.  Just kidding.

It’s 5 minutes to midnight, and by the time I put this blog to post, I have checked my FitBit 20 times.  I’ll be heading to bed soon and trust me, I will check my FitBit just to see my stats.

So, do you think I need an intervention?…