SO, I was a bit snappy last night to my husband (no, he’s not a dh - he’d KILL me if I called him “dear” anything). I was under a bit of stress from getting ready for the expo that was today. I think that’s a bit understandable. I get stressed easily, and I really try to mask it and not take it out on him. After all, it’s only his fault 90% of the time.

SO, when I took out my computer late last night after getting back from setting up my booth and the power cord wasn’t plugged in, I said, “I TOLD you not to unplug the power cord.” (Notice no exclamation point. Just an emphasis on “told.”)

SO, his response was, “I’m SORRY. What DIFFERENCE does it make? How HARD is it to plug in?”

SO, my response was, “I’m just a little stressed. It’s fine.” (Notice no exclamation point. Just an under-my-breath “fine.”)

SO, his response was, “You DON’T have to take it out on ME if you’re stressed.”

Pause.

SO, then he says, “My team (NY Mets) is blowing their season, so I’M a little STRESSED.”

I see… Priorities.

I had no response. How do I respond to such stress and life-altering events in one’s life?

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

One of my favorite blogs, “Life Turned Upside Down” has posed some questions. So being me, and I love a list, I’ll answer.

1. Why does a gallon of milk cost more than a pack of cigarettes? The same reason fresh fruit costs more than processed. The health care industry NEEDS YOUR MONEY!

2. Why does my teenager think that by TELLING me that she isn’t going to do something that I won’t MAKE her do it? At least she’s not YELLING at you. And you did it to your mother - payback.
3. Why does my husband think it is fun to encourage my little male dog by calling him “Vlad the Impaler” (as in Vlad Dracul) (there is a story behind this and I will just say that it has to do with “short man syndrome”) I think you answered your own question.

4. Why does Al think I have OCD? ?Que?
5. How did my most unfriendly cat all of a sudden become a social butterfly? Cats are weird.

6. Why do so many people want to know what the lyrics are to the theme song from the Fresh Prince of Bel Aire? Cause it’s a ROCKIN show. That’s why!

7. What happens to boys between 5th and 6th grade to make their attitudes so different? Girls. And their weens come alive. Sorry, mom.

8. Just curious, who are my readers from Iowa and Florida? MEEEEEE!!!!! I’m in Orlando! It’s friggin hot. And not in a good way.

The last few post I’ve made have been a bit, well, d..o..w..n.. I keep getting messages and comments trying to cheer me up, and though I truly appreciate the assistance, I’m generally a happy person. So, in this multiple-post night, I want to cheer myself up and hopefully cheer you up as well. The main reason?

My.

Parents.

Arrive.

In.

2.

Days.

So, because I lurves me a list, here’s a little list of things in my Happy Place (in no particular order):

* TiVo - the greatest invention since the television. If you know me, you know I lurves me some TiVo.

* Someone else doing the dishes. HockeyMan is doing them AS I TYPE. Shhhhh… don’t disrupt his flow, or I’ll be left with a grumpy man and dirty dishes.

* Someone else doing the laundry. My mother arrives in 2 days, so that means 2 full days of laundry before she arrives. To know her, is to know she LURVES her some laundry. She will force you to remove your pants on the spot so she can have a full load. The ‘rents drive for 7 hours to get here (not 10, or 20 or 30 - 7), and trust me, she will have laundry to do the night she arrives. If I don’t do the 15 loads waiting for me before she arrives, I will get the, “ANGELA! How can you let this happen?” NO ONE calls me that but her, so you know she’s serious. Happy Place, Happy Place Happy Place… At lease she’ll do the laundry while she’s here! WOOHOO!

* Baked goods. Really doesn’t matter what, just as long as it could be sold at a bake sale, I LURVES it. (I’m using that stupid word a lot tonight. I’ll stop now.)

* Eating out. Food. I HATE COOKING.

* My MacBook Pro. Aaaaahhhh… HowIloveyouso, my MacBook Pro!

* The two pairs of blue eyes that stare back at me and say, “I Wuv Woo Mama.”

* And a professional massage. HockeyMan’s no good at it and he’ll admit it.

* Comments on my blog. Please! Comment! Add me to your reader! PLEASE!

* **Shameless Self-Promotion ALERT** Sales on my website, Good for the Kids! It’s a fabulous website with lots of unique items for your baby, your child, and even yourself. Go ahead. Shop! It will serve us both by bringing me to my Happy Place and yours for getting something in the mail. And who doesn’t like getting something in the mail?

What’s in your Happy Place?

******

The last few weeks have been a real education for me in getting to know my fellow peeps, Mommy Bloggers. I’ve been in the Internets world hot and heavy for the last year with my business site, Good for the Kids, an online retail store (*Self-Promotion Alert!*). But I’ve really stepped in it jumped into Blog World with both feet, arms, and head the last few weeks.

I’ve been blog surfing the Mommy Blogs for hours a day while my children were pouring milk on the dog and coloring walls reading quietly educating myself on what makes a good blog, what makes me pee and others laugh, and possibly making a bit of moolah from my blog. I’ve added tons of blogs to my reader that I check 20-30 2-3 times a day and have added most to my ‘roll. (If you don’t see yourself there, lemme know & I’ll add ya!) I am really upset that some other moms do to like being called a “Mommy Blogger.” Do they feel they are different in any way? Just a question.

So in my quest for the perfect blog (other than my own - expect a new design soon!), I’ve found some real gems. Here are some of my faves:

1. Blog Name: Nap Warden - Because I need her at my house to ward over my non-nappers.

2. She-Makes-Me-Cool-’Cause-We’ve-Been-Emailing-for-3-Weeks: BECAUSE I SAID SO - Everyone knows Dawn blog and her story. Don’t be jealous b/c she’s been my email buddy for 3 weeks. I pay her to be my friend. Well, at least pay to advertise on her blog.

3. I Can’t Wait to Comment (tie): BECAUSE I SAID SO - duh (see above), The Whole Family - I like her outlook and I might have a blog crush on her, and Busy Mom - I have a blog crush on her, too, and she gets me lotsalinks.

4. Pics - dooce - Purty pics of her family, stuff, and especially her dog.

5. Tagline - Mom-101 - “I dont’ know what I’m doing either.” Says it all.

6. Award Cherry Popper - VDog and Little Man - My new Cre8Buzz friend gave me an award just because I cried and whined for it. Thanks!

7. Product Reviews - Cool Mom Pics, Chic Mommy Finds (thanks for reviewing my stuff!), googababy, and Mighty Goods. I’m always up for shopping and having my own stuff reviewed, so if you wanna review my products, lemme know! (*Self-Promotion Alert!*)

So, to all you fellow women bloggers who think you’re too good to be called a “Mommy Blogger,” if you’re a Mom and you blog, you’re a Mommy Blogger, sucka.

I am PROUD to be called a Mama Blogger! (I’m called Mama, not Mommy, so I figured I couldn’t change my name for you people.)

Maybe I should make a t-shirt, “I’m a Mommy Blogger, Sucka!” Cause I have time for that while the milk in the sippy cups in the sink curdles.

Oh, MTV, why do you taunt me so? You hyped and hyped Britney. Why? So I would make sure to watch. You did your job. I’m watching. Now this is what I think:

Sarah Silverman - O.M.G. I about peed myself. She is the bravest chick since sliced bread. I love her comedy, not so much her TV show, but I love watching her KILL. And she SO delivered tonight.

Step-Daddy Justin Timberlake (see: earlier post) - He KILLS no matter what he does. But, MTV, why do you tease me with 1/2 a performance in a crowded hotel room? I want a PERFORMANCE! Lights, camera, action. Not a half-assed hotel-room party sing-along. WAIT - he closed the show. It was a good performance, could have done w/o Nelly Furtado.  I’m guessing she took the place of Britney.  I really hoped she was going to show up with him, but no.

Kanye West - I’m not a huge hip-hop girl, but I love his music. But, again, where is the PERFORMANCE? Just Mr. West walking around the Playboy suite with slutty girls and fratboy white guys trying to get camera face time. Despite the crappy hotel room setting, good job, Mr. West. I will be listening to your new album this Tuesday.

Chris Brown - Again, not a huge hip-hop girl, but watching him dance is somewhat of a religious experience. Highlight - he did a 30-second Michael Jackson homage dance to Billie Jean. I had CHILLS. Michael Jackson’s dancing is back in the form of Chris Brown.

Linkin Park - Finally a performance with lights, cameras, AND action! And no lip-synching!

Alicia Keys - Great performance, but if you’re going to perform George Michael songs, bring George Michael out! She did a fabulous performance, but add GM to it, I would have stood up and celebrated.

Miss Teen USA So. Carolina - At least she can make fun of herself. And such as.

Taco Bell Cheesy Beef Burrito Commercials - I’m a big-time Taco Bell fan (see: Fat Girl), and the first time I saw the commercial, I thought I might give it a try. Now, after seeing it 1001 times tonight, it looks more grody every time I see it.

Britney Britney Britney - I had such high hopes. Chriss Angel magic (where was it?), sneak peaks at the practice performance (looked just like the actual performance), partying late last night (we could tell). I really was hoping for a comeback. I think what we all got was a let down. Poor, poor BritBrit. Someone please get to Britney Spears and help her. From what it looked like from my recliner, you were holding your head so gently b/c the room was still spinning from your hangover.

To sum, I miss the times way back when I was in high school when I’d look forward to the VMAs for weeks, then stay up late watching. Every year, I hope for a shocker, and something to talk about.

All I want to do is find out what happened between Tommy Lee and Kid Rock. And kiss JT.

We tend to visit our local B&N at least 1-2 times a week. My daughters love reading the books, dancing to the new-agey music on the kiddie stage, playing with the car books (the ones with wheels - they go through some abuse), toying with the Thomas train tracks, and whining/crying/protesting (trying to put a stop to that one) when we leave.

On our visit last week, I started to really notice the other moms and kiddos in attendance to a regular, weekday afternoon visit to B&N. I then identified 3 of the 4 SAHM traits you see below:

1. Slutty Mom - This is the mom that has at least 1 toddler, and possibly a pre-schooler, in tow. You usually notice her first because of the ridiculous, non-regular, weekday afternoon shoes she’s wearing. This day, it was a pair of red, patent leather 4 inch heels. No joke. Scanning up, she was wearing TIGHT pants, and a shirt that showed more boobs that other moms at B&N care to see. The children of Slutty Mom are either the antithesis to Slutty Mom (dirty, old clothes with sequined flip flops) or dressed just like Slutty Mom (belly shirt or halter top, short skirt or shorts, and chunky sequined flip flops). There is NO exception to the dress code of the Slutty Mom child. The Slutty Mom’s child is either the LOUD child or the one who is too afraid to show him/herself.

2. Burnt-Out Mom - B-O Mom has an infant and a toddler/pre-schooler in tow. NO EXCEPTION. She most likely has another 1-4 kids in school at the moment. She’s dressed in her nicest sweat shorts/capris, baggy sweater/sweatshirt, and slippers. The slippers are the Isotoner ballet flats that may LOOK like shoes at first glance, but upon closer inspection, yes, she really is wearing slippers to B&N. NO MAKEUP - no exception. B-O Mom’s toddler/pre-schooler is normally well-behaved with the occasional outburst or book throwdown. He/She is dressed like a normal kid with a Blue’s Clues/Thomas/Princesses t-shirt, cargo shorts, and Crocs.

3. Bored Mom - Bored Mom is dressed decently with the latest Old Navy/Loft/Gap outfit with matching shoes. Her hair is nicely fixed, but not so much as to say, “I spent time doing my hair this morning.” Bored Mom MUST have a trash magazine that she picked up on her way to the back of the B&N kiddie section. Why? So she had something to do when her 1 toddler/preschooler ran around the kiddie section unsupervised eating and licking a chocolate chip cookie the size of her own face (no joke). Bored Mom MUST have a Starbucks in her hand the entire time she is suffering through her B&N sentence. Bored Mom will allow the other moms discipline her child, read to her child, and play peek-a-boo with her child without a single glance up from her OK! magazine. Bored Mom’s kid is dressed head-to-toe in an all-matching outfit straight from The Children’s Place or Gap Kids, including the latest Stride Rites.

4. Me.

The only thing in common among the #1-3 types of Moms at B&N is the vacant look in their eyes. It is the saddest look a mom can have in her eyes. It is what made me start my observation into the likeness among the three types of Moms. What could they possibly have in common besides having children? The vacant look in their eyes. I wanted to shout, “GET A GRIP! Show some enthusiasm that you GET to stay home with your child!” Millions of mom WISH they could be at B&N with their child, but they are stuck at an office. I have my moments when I want to leave them behind, but I still enjoy my time with my children. I realize (usually right before a kiddie meltdown) that I have the best job in the world. I get to spend the best years of my kids’ lives with them! To those of you who work outside the home, I completely understand. I worked for 2 years after my oldest was born. It can be just as hard, sometimes harder, as being a SAHM. But PLEASE enjoy them. Don’t be Mom #1-3. Be You at #4. Or, just Be All That You Can Be.

I think I’m writing this to myself to remind myself that it is the greatest job to have kids. (God, I’m trying to end this on a witty note.)