This Full House Archive

Tag: new jersey mom bloggers

Fanny Body Asks, I’m NOT Home!

Knock-knock. Who's there? Fanny. Fanny who? (see blog post title) SNORT!

The kids helped me out with a little blogging project and, since it's been raining cats and dogs, since, like, forever, they built this awesome tent in the middle of our livingroom.

Not that it's earth-shattering news, or an epiphany in parenting, that will perhaps, one day, save the world, by any means, or anything.

It's just that, you know, my kids are older AND by older I mean: a) oldest is graduating high school this year and b) youngest is moving up to middle school next year (SOB!)

The fact that they still like doing this sort of stuff…with me…well, sort of just blows me away, a little.

You see, I am not the best mom, or expert at anything other than being a dork (I get that!) but, raising teens is REAL hard.

Aaaaand, some would be hardpressed to argue that first part, as well (DAMNIT!) but, these are my kids and, some day, REAL soon, maybe they won't be home long enough, or even want to admit that, you know, we actually had fun…together.

Except, this one day, when we built a tent, out of blankets, in the middle of our living room, microwaved us some S'mores and watched Toy Story 3.

Aaaaand, it was AWESOME!

"Holy crap on a stick, look at the size of those mushrooms!"

Told you it's been raining, A LOT!!!

"Heeeeey, you know what, they sorta look [snicker] you know [cough, cough] kinda, I dunno, funny-looking, right?!?"

After some scolding and a quick lecture on the appropriateness of this particular conversation, my kids finally allowed me back into the house and sent me and my inner-12-year-old straight to my room, for some quiet time.

Aaaaand, it was AWESOME!

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

Freshly-brewed elsewhere: Allstate Good Hands Roadside Assistance Program Recap where I get to share a $50 Amazon gift card. Also, had fun filming this video with the Minute Clinic folks at BlogHer.

August 22, 2011
Wordless Wednesday: Kiss Me

I just love capturing really awesome moments like this (unedited) and surprising the heck out of myself, for remembering to take off the lens cover, even, you know?

Related Post blogged at Gone Shopping: Our Kleenex Field Trip to the American Museum of Natural History with TheMotherhood.com

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

August 17, 2011
The Husband Wish List
I was collating through paperwork and alphabetizing color-coded files, the other day.

Okay, so I was looking for a pen.

Fiiiiiine, I would have been happy finding a broken crayon…but, couldn't see the top of my desk from the paper jungle that mysteriously cropped up…seems like overnight, really.

Alriiiiiight, so a person could lose a small child in the stack of bills, that somehow magically migrated from the kitchen table…ummmmmm…what?

[sound of crickets]

PEN!!!…that's right…I was looking for a pen (or crayon) but, found a list of stuff and asked my youngest daughter about it, since, you know, it was in her handwriting.

"It's a list of stuff."

Now that we're clear on it being a list…of stuff…she went on to explain that it is actually a collective wish list she and her sisters penned, while I was away at BlogHer, of the qualities they wanted in their future husband and/or SigOth.

In the order listed (with notes added, where deemed necessary, or, at least, I felt, you know, compelled to do so, as their Muh-thuh) and YES! I asked them before I blogged it, for the sake of posterity, of course:
- Funny (Heh, guys hate this, right?!?)
- Loving
- Caring
- Good attitude
- Wants to have kids (Really? Hrmph. Go figure.)
- Tall
- A Little Older (My oldest has a little crush on the "Stay Thirsty, My Friends," dude, me too!)
- Australian (With the likes of Hugh Jackman, can you blame them?)
- Any accent (Come to think of it…Mike Holmes…aye?!?)
- Great personality
- Hugger (It's how we roll!)
- Dancer/singer/male model/body building (I kid you not, with forward slash and everything!)
- Lots of money (I guess they thought better about it!)
- Helps read to children (Preferably can read on their own, too, I hope!)
- Nice abs (SNORT!)
- Love to bake and cook
- Pretty eyes (It's what attracted me to their father, that and his nice abs, really!)
- Toned (Because, sometimes nice abs are just not enough, you know?)
- Good teeth (Or, at least, hope that one of your sisters or brother marries a dentist!)
- Animal lover
- Smooth voice (Why, yes, I do happen to own a collection of Barry White albums, why do you ask?)
- Artistic
- Sporty
- Bond with the kids
- Strong
[pause for bathroom break]
- Willing to take responsibility and take care of family when sick
- Photographer
- Traveler (Aaaaand, hopefully, take you with him, just sayin')
- Some chest hair (SNORT!)
- Whiskers (Less cat-like and more of the Johnny Depp-ish, I think!)
- Confident
- Flirty (Smart girls!)
- Loves me for me (Word!)
- Doesn't smoke or do drugs (See previous parenthesis.)
- Loves the beach/the ocean/the capes (i.e. Cape Cod and Cape May.)
- Construction worker (To build his/her mother-in-law her dream house, FINALLY, preferably on either one of the Capes, doesn't matter which, really, I'm easy like that!)
It will be fun to visit this list, a few years from now and see how we they fared (or, not!) right?!?

Riiiiiiight.

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House
August 15, 2011
So, Yeah, My Kids FINALLY Got Their Supply Lists…from Hogwarts?!?

It's the same thing, every summer, about this time, the kids shake down our mail carrier, desperately awaiting news of their teachers and classes for the new school year.

So, when I heard the SLAM! of our mailbox (our new carrier seems to be a wee bit crankier than usual, I don't blame him) and then Hope's feet running for the front door (she walks/runs like her muh-thuh!) I was hoping that the wait would be over…FINALLY!

[SLAM!…SQUEEEEE!]

I felt it safe to assume that…yep…they got their back-to-school letters.

"It's from….Hogwarts?!?"

They each received a personalized letter, addressed to The Brown House With the Star, sealed with wax and, well, really?!?

Yes, they looked really, really, um, real and, honestly, as self-proclaimed Potterheads, we ALL experienced a little pang of regret…okay, mostly me.

My youngest is graduating from elementary school, this year (SOB!) and has spent nearly her whole life, growing up, right here, on this little blog.

"Wow, I'm as old as the first Harry Potter movie?!?"

Aaaand, well, it's nice to be able to at least pretend like it was September, 2003, when being a mom, who happenend to have this thing, called a weblog, seemed a whole lot easier.

D'oh, alright, fiiiiiiine.

I'll even take 2006 (around the time I blew up my blog and lost 2 years worth of stuff…UGH!) just to be able to blog about all the things I should have (or, maybe shouldn't have) all over again.

"Wonder who sent it?!?"

Me, too!

"Hey, you think maybe J.K. Rowling reads your blog?!?"

So, I can send them the bill…you know…for all the therapy this poor kid is gonna need, you know?!?

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

August 12, 2011
I Left My (insert body part, here)
In San Diego

Toasting a safe arrival into San Diego with my dear friend, Headless Mom!

I had the extreme privilege of attending BlogHer 2011 (thank you, Kmart!) and honestly, even after pulling all-nighters in a New York City hospital, saving BlogHers with Busy Mom, I don't remember being THIS tired, last year.

Then again, biking around in Coronado with Melisa, Sue and Michelle can be very, very EXHAUSTING oh and absolutely HILARIOUS (trust me, I was there!) but, I'll let Melisa blog about it, once she stops laughing, I mean!

UPDATED TO ADD: Which, she did, right here.

Left to right: Me (Michelle, in back) Christina (Headless Mom in back) Jenn (Busy Mom in back) Melisa and Carmen (don't her arms look great?!?)

It's REAL hard work, you know, keeping up with the cardigans (dang, but it was chilly) and my Clever Girls Party sistahs.

After all, seeing as this is my 5th BlogHer, I feel it safe to say that networking is, you know, REAL hard work!

Seriously, being this gosh-darned cute AND huggable, every time (MamaLatina Tips, not me, DER!)

Courtesy of Elizabeth @Table4Five

Attending sessions, learning from other bloggers and celebrating each other's accomplishments, like, that of the awesomeness of my dear friends, Jenn and Busy Mom (pictured above) speaking on the Old School Blogger Panel, is what we blogger-types do best.

Also, meeting bloggers I admire (like Elizabeth Peterson and the amazing Liz Strauss) for the first time at really cool events, like here, attending the Pan Am dinner with Busy Mom.

Getting all decked out for the absolutely awesome harbor cruise, courtesy of Dove Ice Cream (thanks for sending me this before pic, Melisa!) and checking off yet another once in a lifetime moment, thanks to writing in my silly little blog.

Aaaaaand, oh how we danced and laughed whenever one of us got photo-bombed by BusyMom (I did and it was AWESOME!) these are the BlogHer moments I love best.

Getting caught talking with my hands (again!) and spilling my drink all over Backpacking Dad, not so much.

[covers face with hands, hangs head in shame]

Thank goodness no one else at CheeseburgHER seems to have noticed, or even cared, that he smelled of appletini (heh!)

At least, I don't think they did, seeing as I was too busy throwing my back out on the dance floor…YO!

Oh, and I seemed to have left my ass on Coronado.

Can't WAIT to see what happens, next year!

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

August 10, 2011
Traveling With Teens and Tweens and That Annoying 20-Something Couple!

Traveling with younger kids is hard, trust me, I know. My minivan has battle scars — not to mention, unidentifiable stains, which will stay that way, because, seriously, I don't even want to know and I'm STILL finding petrified food c. 2006 — to prove it!

Driving, now that my kids are ALL in double-digits, however, and being stuck in traffic, for half the trip (seriously, Connecticut?) can make even the most level-headed, easy-going, and emotionally-balanced parent go all mental.

"Would you PLEASE stop talking and put some noodles into your mouth, or something!"

Then again, I don't remember ever having THIS much fun with them, at the beach, when they were little and, quite frankly, I was probably more concerned about counting heads than making with the crane.

Me and Sue of As Cape Cod Turns

Or, being able to make last minute dinner plans with bloggers, who I now have the extreme priviledge of being able to call out as good friends who, after asking:

"Are ALL your kids with you?"

Then learn:

"Yes, ALL my kids are here, with us, right here, staying in this one room…[clears throat]…I'll bring the wine!"

And STILL, you know, seem to want us to bring our kids.

Oh and shopping. While, my husband, Garth (not his real name) and the manchild patiently wait as the rest of us go shopping.

Also, eating in restaurants. Although, 5 out of 6 of us aren't allowed to order off the kids menu, anymore and, well, we don't go out all that often. But, when we do, it's a treat.

"DAMN…that's a lot of kids!"

Yeah, uh-uh, as if I've never heard THAT before. Still. We stopped at a sushi place halfway home and there was an obnoxious 20-something couple sitting behind us and by obnoxious, I mean that even my 10 year-old was all like…EWWW…he's eating her ear!

"Hahahahaha, riiiiiiight, and they're taking them ALL home, with 'em!"

I kid you not. The kids and Garth (not his real name) were already out the door and I was all, like, huh?!? Aaaaaand, the fact that he used her as his own private little (okay, not so little) sushi table, way better, right?!?

"Why didn't you say something, mom?"

Honestly, I was too busy, trying to figure out what their story was and, well, would it have really mattered, anyway, if I had?!?

"Because, all of his brains are obviously in her breasts and they wouldn't have understood me, anyway."

SNORT!!!

"Yeah, also, if the Apocalypse happens, we could use those puppies as flotation devices!"

Aaaaand, oh, how we laughed and laughed.

Gosh, but I love traveling with older kids and someone should really consider banning obnoxious 20-something-year-olds at restaurants.

Or, at least, prohibit them from procreating! I kid. Sort of.

Also, it's sort of nice to have another licensed driver in the house, who can take over and give daddy and/or mommy a much needed break, if need be.

When and if ever she wakes up, of course!

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

August 1, 2011
Our Forever Beach

I was born in a bay town, caressed each of my children, for the first time, in a room overlooking the banks of a river and raised them in a shore town, within viewing distance of the Hudson River.

Where the ocean touches the earth, plays hide-and-go-seek with the light and the sunshine is treasured above all else.

Not to mention, the slightly tangy sting of the fresh salty air. It's in their blood.

Their father has been coming to this same beach since he was a child. It's where we spent our first days as man and wife and introduced each of our babies to the soft, gentle waves of Cape Cod Bay.

Songs have been written for less and, sadly, moments like these are becoming far and few in between.

But, NOT this day. The shades of soft purples, dark blues and warm golds are still very fresh in our minds.

For, no matter where life takes us, (because, tomorrow comes a lot faster than you think) we will always have THIS day, as far and few in between as it IS, on OUR beach, together, for which I will be FOREVER thankful.

As I live and breath, I love you, Garth (not his real name) thank for THIS and much, much more!

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

July 29, 2011
Don’t Have a Zombie Name for BlogHer?
Go Ahead and Get One (I’ll Wait!)
One of the things I'm looking forward to the most about attending the BlogHer Conference, next week (besides, enjoying the company of online friends and meeting up with co-writers, some for the very first time, not to mention, the whole, yah, San Diego is GORGEOUS thing, of course!) is attending the Old School Blogging session.

Not only are 2 of my most favorite people in the whole wide web, Jenn and BusyMom, speaking (Melisa and I have reserved the front row, just so you know) seeing as I will also be celebrating my 8th Blogiversary, in September, I feel as if we are INDEED kindred spirits.

(AM SO!)

I am also honored to be able to call them out as very dear friends, IRL, too (yes, they know about it!)

Why? Is that weird? It's not meant to be, really.

We've shared the ups, downs and somewhere in-betweens of blogging, while under the influence of children, for 8 years, now (not an easy feat, by the by) and each of us has, quite literally, watched our kids grow up, online.

Because, contrary to all the reports about blogging being passé, or very nearly dead (at best) there are some things that don't translate well on Facebook, or Twitter.

So, at the risk of sounding all mushy (I know, E., too late!) I thought it would be fun to wear my new Zombie Name Tag proudly at BlogHer, this year:

Seeing as I'll be very surely, nearly dead, by this time, next week, anyway, preparing for a 6 hour plane ride and all (Dramamine is my co-pilot!)

Either way, if you are a blogging newbie, or a first-timer to this particular conference circuit, as a 5 time attendee, my best advice (unsolicited as it may be) can be summed up in 3 simple bullets:
- Do NOT sweat it, my friend (we are ALL as nervous, as you are, I promise)
- Blogging is most assuredly alive and STILL kicking creative ass (see blogroll above)
- There is plenty of room for everyone (even dorks, like me)
Just don't make me have to bite you, okay?

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House
July 25, 2011
Feeling Hot, HOt, HOT!

Seems like only yesterday, we were ALL complaining about the cold, or the cataclysmic aftermath of Snowpocalpyse 2011 and our not being able to get to CVS, before running out of milk and/or coffee, am I right?!?

[sound of crickets, chirping]

Riiiiiiight!!!

Welcome to Humidaggedon 2011, my friends, where makeup and the use of combustible hair products is optional (albiet, ill-advised) because, MEH, why bother, right?

Breathing is hard enough.

In fact, it's going to be Africa-hot, for the next few days (here in Jersey, anyway) and, well, looks as if my husband, Garth (not his real name) picked a really great weekend to start his summer vacation.

The pool needs cleaning.

No, seriously, we don't have any concrete plans, the pool really does need a good cleaning and the irony of my going away, to attend BlogHer, the following week (of course roundtrip SHEESH!) is lost on no one…most especially, my kids.

"Why can't we just go with you, Moooooooooooooom?"

Speaking of concrete:

Because, I am ALL about having fun and, besides, the kids were SO BORED (how bored were they?)

"Hey, you guys, grab a couple of eggs and meet me outside!"

Hope and Glen each grabbed an egg from the fridge, without question!

[sound of crickets, spontaneously-combusting]

Okay, so our little Humidaggedon Project was a total fail. Still. Trust me when I tell you 37 seconds was about all we could stand, outside, before their sneakers fused to the sidewalk, or worrying about mommy's hair spontaneously-combusting, too.

Until, the sun goes down and the pool gets cleaned…or not…because, at this point, a little bit of green water isn't going to hurt anybody [cough, cough] and I'm just too gosh-darned hot (and tired) to argue.

Outdoor exposure should be limited, don't you know?

"Let's see who could swim to that patch of algae, the fastest, ready?!?"

Man, but these kids are going to miss me.

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

July 22, 2011
Haven’t Slept in Days, I Blame Harry Potter

I was emailing, back and forth, with a friend, early today, when I noticed something funny.

Not like, in, ha ha, funny (I need at least 2 cups of coffee for that to happen) but, more like, hey, wait a minute, that sentence didn't read like that…in my head…anyway.

Which is when I realized something.

Not ONLY do I talk in my sleep (you lucky BlogHer roomies, you!) but, I think real fast, when I write, too.

However, I'm not sure if it's because my mind is used to racing…ALL THE TIME… or, if my fingers just can't keep up and, um, what are we talking about, again?

OH YEAH…I remember now…Harry Potter.

Actually, I was really looking forward to Harry Potter 2 and my 15yo's best friend (since the 2nd grade) was moving to Florida, with his family, the next day, so, I was more than happy to give them once last chance to, you know, hang out.

Standing in line, for an hour, with a couple of 12yo boys (my son tagged along with his bff, however, this was a last minute thing, so the 15yo's had separate tickets, were seated within 5 minutes AND our theater just happened to be the last one to empty out right before midnight, go figure) insisting that, YES, of course I will remember to buy them popcorn, once the movie started (liar, liar) not so much.

So, of course, I had to tweet about it and lucky my friend @melisalw was, you know, still awake.

We FINALLY took our seats (4th row, center, my neck still hurts) at a minute passed midnight and, for the next couple of hours, I literally could NOT take my eyes off the screen and the boys didn't seem to mind the fact that, you know, I forgot ALL about the popcorn.

The movie was THAT good and, well, 2 out of 4 of my kids can now add "Watched the sun come up," to their, "What I did for summer vacation," list.

Right next to "host a playdate with a brand new friend," and "have a Hula hoop contest," oh and "travel into New York City" to see whose spit lands the closest to Jersey (fyi: 12 yo boys seem to really excel at this, just so you know!)

The fact that…YES!…we did all this (and more) at the SAME time, within a 48 hour period, is very relevant to the reasoning behind the title of this post (I think, maybe, I dunno, I forget) BUT, it IS the quickest and simplest excuse to why I most probably will be talking with my hands, too, at BlogHer, next month, and my obvious penchant for writing perhaps the longest paragraphs, in blogging history, really.

Aaaaand, like my busted flip flops and the blisters on my mangled feet, I'm sticking to it (you're welcome!) where's the coffee?

© 2003 – 2011 This Full House

July 18, 2011