Lost in the world

I have to admit, I'm not up to current events. Ever since I've had Little Man A, I've been lost in the world. Not up to date on current events, don't even know what weather pattern is heading our way (not that it's really that reliable lately). I used to watch Headline News on CNN throughout the day. Now that Little Man A is fascinated with the television, I'll only DVR some shows for him to watch later and we'll have SIRIUS satellite radio Kids Stuff on in the background. We get the paper every Sunday, but rarely do I sit and read every section... besides the comics (actually we get the ads and the comics on Saturday which we make reading them a family event). I try to be up to date, but the only thing I'm current on is children's fashion... and let's be honest that follows the lines of the adult world.

So, when this Sunday's paper came and on the front page was, of course, about the primaries and how Obama is leading Clinton, I decided I needed to read up on what was going on. If not the world, then atleast for the upcoming elections. I mean, I should be able to decide for myself who the "best" candidate may be for the next president.

But when you're skimming through the other sections, searching for other articles that seem interesting to read, and you come across this:



You kind of wonder.....

So, I peaked.....

Now, obviously some of you may know, I'm an animal lover, but these comparisons are hilarious! Take a look at this one:

Gwen Stefani

Simon Cowell
and my favorite...

a crying child.

Turns out these are from the infamous photographer, Jill Greenberg. Her signature is making her portraits seem as though they've been splashed with glitter and are posing for Victoria Secrets body shimmer line. She uses highlights, whitens the whites, and enhances the basic color of the photographed subject. Her current clients include Phillip Morris, Procter and Gamble, Target, and Paramount Pictures to name a few. In this case, monkeys.

The article goes on the tell that most of these primates that were used have their own portfolios including greeting cards, commercials, and even movies. Apparently, even renowned scientist Jane Goodall doesn't mind the portraits and commented in the London's Daily Mail about these "remarkable" monkey portraits.

"Study the faces of the great apes in these portraits and you will see just how closely related we are," Goodall wrote. "Look into the eyes of these glorious beings, read their wrinkles, examine their expressions. You will find wisdom, innocence, humour, even moodiness. They are more human than you ever thought."

Are you sure we're talking about the same portraits?? Maybe she didn't see Simon's portrait next to it. Oh well, I'll try again this Sunday. Wish me luck.

Sears has a secret

Found this in the September 2007 Parents magazine and thought I would share it:
Sorry, Sears, but we just had to tell everyone about your highly unpublicized, only-available-in-stores, and very generous program: KidVantage Wearout Warranty. It applies to all the clothes (except socks and underwear) you buy for your child.

The Lowdown:
If the item wears out before your kid outgrows it, Sears will either repair it or replace it with the identical item in the same size or, if it's unavailable, a similar item of equal value in the same size.

The warranty covers all children's sizes and up to big kids' size 6 in shoes.

Just take the worn-out pants or the torn t-shirt to your nearest Sears store - and make sure you have proof of purchase.

No matter where you shop for your children, always ask about the return/exchange policy - you never know what you might dig up!

God help me. Please.

Lately, Little Man A has been throwing temper tantrums lately like I never thought a child could. Of course, they can throw temper tantrums - what was I thinking?? I've tried various different ways to handle the situation when he does break down because he's thrown his drumstick down the stairs for the third time in a row (why would you throw it if you want it back so badly??) or he really wants to read one of his pop-up books that he's already ripped a few places or for whatever other reason decides to throw him off for the day. Most of the times, when I try to divert him from whatever is upsetting him, he'll take what new "distraction" I've given him and throw it across the room.... with lightning speed. I've tried every attempt and it seems like nothing is working.

a) I've tried ignoring them, especially when I'm trying to cook dinner, but that just makes him hang all over me even more.

b) I've tried making light of the situation - "Oops, you threw your toy. Let's pick it up and find something else to play with." or when he gets really frustrated while attempting to do something new, like stack rings I'll say, "I know that's really tough to do, but you're trying to so well. Let's try playing with something else."

c) I've tried the angry approach by getting down on his level and in a very stern, not yelling voice, "We do not throw our toys. Now let's go pick them up."

d) I've even tried the gentle, quiet approach from his level as well, "Little Man, we do not throw our toys."

For Christmas my mother, God love her, bought this Leap Frog Farm Animals Magnet toy. It really is an inventive idea and the animals sounds are really cute, especially if you "put a cow in the front and a pig behind, put them together and what do you find? A cow-pig?? That's silly! Hehehe." Sorry. Anyways, not such a cute idea when the pieces are lightweight plastic and you have a tile kitchen floor. Just to let you know, this is what it sounds like:




So, if any of you other moms out there have other suggestions as to HOW to deal with the temper tantrums, I am all ears! I didn't think that the infamous "terrible twos" would hit this early (they say the "terrible two" actually start around 15 months). I guess my child just likes to be one step ahead of the game at all times. And right now, he's winning!

Suggestions?? Please!!

Happy 50th!

Yeah, I've reached 50 posts! Can you believe it? I sure can't. Actually I thought for sure I would have reached the 50 mark long ago, but I'm happy to make it this far regardless. So in honor of my 50 posts, here are 50 things that you don't know about me:

1. I love my husband
2. but I probably don't show it enough.
3. I own a horse
4. or atleast I used to.
5. I bought her from my college.
6. I have a Bachelors of Science in Biology
7. although sometimes I feel like I don't/didn't use it enough.
8. But I'm still paying for it.
9. My husband thinks I should return my diploma
10. because they screwed me on some of my Perkins loans.
11. We recently bought our first house
12. although it is not even close to being our dream house.
13. We're hoping to make some money off from it but I don't know with the way the market is right now.
14. When I was in middle school, I fainted while watching a tourniquet movie....
15. twice.
16. The second time the teacher tried to drag me down two flights of stairs while I was blacking out!
17. I've also passed out while trying to remove a piece of grass from a baby rabbit's gaping wound that my Dad hit was a roto-tiller in our garden - he didn't live (the rabbit, not my Dad).
18. Then, again in college when I slammed my finger shut in a stall door.
19. And then again in Pittsburgh when I was bitten on the thumb by a cat I was trying to restrain.
20. It's called syncope or fainting spells usually accompanied with pain.
21. I've been attacked by cats, one I was working with and one of my own.
22. I've also been pooped on by baby Sumatran tigers while working at the San Antonio Zoo.
23. I was a secondary trainer to the Black Rhinoceros at the San Antonio Zoo.
24. I thought scrapbooking was a lame, expensive hobby....
25. Now I just think that it's expensive.
26. I never wanted children.
27. I was planning on just having cats, dogs, gerbils, horses, and birds for "children".
28. Then, my husband went to Iraq.
29. Now, I'm actually considering having a second one.... MAYBE.
30. While in college, I raised mice to feed to my friends snakes.
31. And to do my college science project... "The effects of cedar on the respiratory system of mice"
32. I also had gerbils for a very long time...
33. but I didn't mean to breed them.
34. I used to own a Gouldian Finch,
35. but one of our cats knocked over the cage the day we moved to Virginia.
36. I'd still like to own another bird,
37. probably a cocketiel, but not right now.
38. I have my ears pierced twice,
39. but I always leave the same small pair in the second holes.
40. I have an angelfish tattooed on my left shoulder.
41. I also blacked out while getting that!
42. Thankfully, I knew the artist and told her to keep going...
43. or else I wouldn't get it finished.
44. I was 21 when I got it
45. and don't plan to let my son get one until that time as well.
46. I would love to be stationed in Germany next,
47. but I'm worried about the cold winters,
48. and being too far away from my parents.
49. Whom I love dearly and thank God everyday for them
50. and hope that my husband and I can celebrate 32 years together just them.

Well, I know that was a long list and that some of that, some of you out there may actually know. I tried. It's really hard to come up with 50 things, so I hope when 100 comes around I can think of facts a little more interesting. Here's to another 50 posts!

And if you love the new look, please stop by Wenderina's Anxious Moments to thank her for purchasing the gift. But the real thanks goes out to Jessica at Cuppycake Designs. The design is fabulous and it was a pleasure to work with her!
Tootles!

Stay tuned!

Hope everyone is ready for a new look! Because it's coming on Monday and I am super excited (wish I could come up with inventive words like Shari at Crazy Man Jones but I know it's a true skill).

Anyways, and to honor my 50th post I'm also including a list of "50 Things you Don't Know about Me". So stay tuned!





P.S. I know technically this is my 50th post, but I had to add my support to my mother's robot group the other day.