Pinterest Paranoia

I'm not one to get intimidated easily.

But you get a domestic goddess in front of me, and I start to sweat.

Enter Pinterest.

And my inferiority.

Which is my fault, because as Eleanor Roosevelt said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent."

But there it was... pictures and pictures of domestic genius. 

Handmade soaps.  Dainty pillows - monogrammed by hand, no doubt.  Perfectly hung pictures.  Symmetrical furniture decor. 

All I wanted were some ideas for H's upcoming birthday party.  

And instead I started feeling like I wasn't up to par as a mom, wife, homemaker in general.

I got what I wanted, and I hope to pull it off - albeit not as grand of scale - with H's first birthday party next weekend. 

However... the real thorn in my side (as I was telling Mrs. Shepherd earlier this evening)... where are y'all finding the time in the day to rule your domestic goddess self? 

I don't know about you, but I only get 24 hours a day. 

Is there some secret wrinkle in time/wormhole/no sleep pill that you're taking to make these fabulous Pinterest masterpieces? 

Because if so, you're in the Penalty Box for not sharing. 

That's all.

PS - Ahhh... an understanding soul also wrote about the Pinterest Paranoia Complex this week.  Check her out - she's much more eloquent that me.

http://powerofmoms.com/2012/04/your-children-want-you/

The Truths about Transition

I've rejoined the corporate world.

I've survived for 2 weeks now, and I've been making a list of the truths that no one tells you during this transition.

Aren't you lucky you've got a friend like me to tell you?

Truth #1 - I'm bone tired.  I don't know how y'all are doing it.  The early rising, the getting ready, the getting the precious ready and fed, the packing for the child, the drop off, the journey into work....  welcome zombie mommy. 

Truth #2 - H picked up his very first cold... right on schedule, his second day of school.  I was warned - thoroughly - about this attack on his perfect little immune system, but it doesn't make it any better.  It's been a regular mucus parade around here, complete with nose bulbs, humidifiers, and Infant Motrin. 

Truth #3 - I cried at drop off.  I was actually fine until I got back in the car and that dang Mickey Mouse CD started playing.  Who knew "Hot Diggety Dog" could envoke such strong emotions?

Truth #4 - I still cannot walk in high heels. 

Truth #5 - I'm jealous of the gals I see in the elevator with the perfectly coiffed hair, stylish clothes, immaculate make-up, and manicured nails.  Especially when I catch a glimpse of me beside them with a messy ponytail and bags under my eyes.

Truth #6 - If you smear your new 16-hour-lipstick, say, on your cheek because you were trying to apply it during rush hour traffic and you had to slam on your brakes to not slam into the car in front of you... it will faintly stay on your cheek for the 16 hours. 

Truth #7- If you get to work and realize that your precious babe has left his oatmeal handprints on your shoulders and neck... foaming restroom soap will almost get if all off.  Or, you could rock the look as the "Oatmeal is the hottest accessory for Spring 2012." 

Truth #8 - If you arrive to job and realize your left pant leg is coming un-hemmed, you can use Scotch tape to hold up the hem and it will stay until 5pm.

Truth #9 - If you begin to catch your child's first cold as well, the Dayquil you managed to chug before running out the door will work fine... even if it says "Best Used by 2008" on the bottom. 

Truth #10 - There is nothing more precious than those 15-20 minutes of morning snuggling with H before the day starts.

Happy Easter Y'all!

Hope y'all had a wonderful Easter!

This is technically H's 2nd Easter... but last year he was 5 days old. 

Kind of an early arrival.

Favorite gift from the Easter bunny?

His Taggie Blanket. 

You guessed it - a blanket with tags all over it.

H is in heaven.

So close to walking!

Look at those thighs... I could eat him alive.

But... sometimes you get scared and need Mommy.

Wrapping Up Poland

This is my last Poland post... I promise.

I just want to make sure y'all get your money's worth, alright?

So, Mrs. Carroll and I had the opportunity to pitch in on an Embassy presentation to some local high school kids.  The subject was "American College Life."

We hit all the high points of going to the good ole' University of Alabama:  National Championship Football, sorority life, parties... academics may have slipped in there somewhere as well.

I expect a flurry of applicants from Warsaw to UA next year. 

Don't they look positively entranced?

One more tidbit, just for y'all - to keep you laughin'...

One activity that we did on our last night in Warsaw was do a little night clubbing.

You can stop laughing at any point now.

Yes, my geriatric self hit the Polish Night Club scene, with Mrs. Carroll (my geriatric partner), two Embassy pals, two Marines, and a patridge in a pear tree.  We felt very safe, to say the least.

What are the night clubs like in Warsaw?

This about sums it up:

Might I say we laughed?  A lot? 

Hilarious, but entirely worth it solely for the people watching.

Wrapping up Poland...

Hands down, the best museum we visited was the new(er) Warsaw Uprising Museum.

So interesting.... almost like a tangible 3D experience. 

Very interactive... for young and old fans alike!

Symbol of the Warsaw Uprising:

World War II Relics

Lots of interesting, fascinating facts of the destructive bombing of Warsaw during WWII. 

(Miastro = Town)

The Uprising used the sewer system to coordinate their Resistance, supply food, get around the city, etc.  These models let you crawl through to see just how it must have felt.

Exhibit A:  Mrs. Carroll

Prisoners from Jewish Ghetto

Warsaw's Old Town

Or, Stare Miastro in Polish.

Almost completely destroyed in WWII bombings, it has been meticulously rebuilt to look identical to its former glory.

I'm 93% sure this is the symbol of the Polish Army. 

I spy... something American. 

Only 8 zloty! 

That's about $2.40 American dollars.  

Music Lovers Unite

Guess who else is from Poland?

Frederic Chopin.

Just in case you didn't take piano lessons from the time you were seven-years-old...

... he's a famous composer. 

Specifically of Romantic music, and was known for his Polonaise, Nocturne, Waltz, and Impromtu compositions.

I may or may not have been uber nerdy and purchased one of his Polonaise works to learn here at home.  Which could take a while, since I'm a little rusty on the ole ivory keys. 

The best part of the Museum?

No, not the Musical Twister, but the listening room, where I could have spent hours jamming out to his works.

Mrs. Carroll... not so much. 

Ah well, you win some and you lose some.

More Poland Pics

Stalin's gift to Warsaw: The Palace of Culture and Science

Warsaw's "Time Square"

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A Dance Club with some very famous American lyrics.

Blikle's Cafe.

Apparently, they invented the donut. 

Something important.

I think it survived the World War II bombing.