Jonathan may have turned three this month but we have not tried to potty train him. My mom made a stab at it when he stayed with her in April, but he was just not ready yet. When we went to the pediatrician for Jonathan's three year old visit, we spoke to the doctor about it and he told me that Jonathan was definitely ready but just stubborn.

With this advice in mind, we decided to start potty training yesterday. I know there a bagillion different ways to go about it, but we decided to do a small scale big boy party first thing yesterday morning and also, from the time he got out of bed, he wore underwear (except at naps and night, when he will use a Pull Up). We talked it up all week and he seemed into it. So at six thirty yesterday morning, I got him up and took off his diaper. He had a small breakdown when I asked which underwear he wanted to wear but it was short lived and he choose Wiggles. We had donuts, got potty gifts and busted out the M Ms. I sat back and waited for the bevy of accidents I thought were sure to occur.

But here's the thing--there WERE NOT a lot of accidents. He had one yesterday morning and it made him quite upset. I told him it was not a big deal, cleaned him up and we went on with our morning. I reminded him every thirty minutes or so to try to go to the potty, but he also decided to try to go on his own sometimes. When he ran in yesterday and did number two in the potty, I teared up, I was so happy and relieved that he was able to do it! He liked the underwear so much that he wanted to wear them during nap time. I didn't want to push the Pull Up issue but a wet bed after nap time made him rethink his stance. The rest of the day, we had what I will call 1/2 an accident as he started to have an accident but finished up in the potty. Last night, when he went to bed, I breathed a huge sigh of relief.

My mother, when I told her this, was happy about the news but also cautioned that today may not go as well. However, it's been even better. He got up this morning with a dry Pull Up. As I type this, there have been no accidents and he's been going to the potty pretty much unprompted. Infused with a new confidence, I took him to Target this morning IN UNDERWEAR (I had back up underwear and clothes in the car, of course). We ended up going to Babies R Us and Toys R Us, too. No accidents. I am elated but I am also concerned--am I missing something or was he just ready?

He wants the little potty in the living room for now and I am totally OK with it. He likes to empty the contents in the big potty himself and then wash out the bowl. Quite self-sufficient, that little guy. I didn't want to embarrass him by taking any "action" photos on the potty but here are two of him at the sink cleaning up. He is so proud of himself right now and rightly so.

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Our neighbors, Tim and Denise, moved away last year. They are such a cool couple and it was fun living next door to them.

We met Tim the morning after closing on our house. As we drove onto our new snow covered street and towards our new house, some dude was in our driveway blowing snow with a snow blower. Justin and I exchanged puzzled looks. Justin brought the wagon to a stop at the end of our driveway. I rolled down the passenger side window.

"Oh Hi! You must be the new neighbors. Take a drive down the street - by the time you get back, I'll be done," said the strange man.

I rolled up the window. Justin and I gave each other a puzzled look. "I didn't think people were that friendly up here." I said. "He must not be from Minnesota."

We turned around at the end of the street and drove back up towards the house, parked the car, and got out to talk to the strange, friendly man.

"Hi! I'm Tim!" He said in what we would learn is the standard Tim-jovial manner, extending his hand for a handshake.

We discovered we shared a common connection. Tim and Denise were raised in the surrounding 'burbs of Pittsburgh. They were also Penn State alumni.

We got to know each other over the next few years. And when I'd spy Tim on the deck sporting his Pittsburgh Steeler jacket, I had trouble remembering that I had moved from Pittsburgh to Minnesota.

In the summer, vegetables would appear on our deck rails from the vegetable fairy. We suspected it was Tim.

We were sad when they informed us that they were moving two years later. But they found their dream-retirement-property-land, put the house on the market, and moved to the country.

When they moved, they took away our constant reminder of Pittsburgh, and Kirby's new buddy - their yellow lab named Belle. It was sad times in the Atkinson house.

Well, last night Denise hosted the monthly neighborhood ladies night out at their new place. I've never been to the new digs before, but while driving down the private dirt road that lead to their 20 plus acres of wooded land, I thought "This is pretty cool....to have land like this." So remote. So quiet.

As I neared the house, I spied the Penn State flag on a flag pole, flapping in the wind. Belle (now a full grown lab) greeted me, jumping up and giving me a hug with her hug paws.

Tim showed us around their digs and I wasn't surprised to see the new game room/bar area decked out with all things Pittsburgh and Penn State. There was a life size wall decal of Joe Patero (which was freaking me out!) and two Penn State helmet "fathead" wall decals.

The ladies soon settled in to the 3-season room with our glasses of wine, margaritas, and mixed drinks.

It's was a total animal kingdom in the backyard. We watched while 20 wild turkeys scurried into the yard and pecked the grass for seed. Humingbirds and birds visited the five birdfeeders. Squirrels scored corn on the cob at squirrel feeders. It was so peaceful.

I also drove a 4-wheeler for the first time on some of the trails back in their woods (while still wearing my dress-work clothes and a pair of Denise's flip flops - hilarious!).

After the ladies left, I stayed behind to catch up with Tim and Denise. They always have good advice and openly share their words of wisdom. I really miss them. And I miss the vegetable fairy, too.

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For the past couple years, SEIU has led the fight for greater transparency and improved governance at private equity firms. Now the union is taking the fight directly to key funders of PE firms - large state pension funds on the west coast.
Earlier this year, SEIU backed a bill in California that would have challenged investments by CalPERS, CalSTRS and other state funds in private-equity firms funded by so-called sovereign wealth funds (these are the same funds that are now the largest shareholders of Wall Street firms like Merrill Lynch, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley). The bill never made it through the state assembly house over concerns that it would violate the fiduciary duty of these funds to maximize value for its members.
Since then, SEIU has taken the fight up north to Washington by attempting to get language passed that would force the states largest pension fund - the Washington State Investment Board (WSIB) - to screen investments by private-equity firms for problematic labor and environmental practices.
At this point in the initiative, it is still unclear as to whether the union will seek a legislative sponsor like it did in California or opt to run a ballot measure that will be put up for public vote. WSIB officials have indicated that they will fight the proposed requirement.

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International phenomenon Miley Ray Cyrus wants a new car for her Sweet 16 blowout bash at Disneyland. She told Radio Disney [Via People, Full interview here] 'I definitely want to get something bad on the road.
It has to be big enough for all my friends and to scare all the cars away from me. I'm a good driver but it's everyone else that I'm worried about!' Miley, who actually turns 16 on November 23, also wants a Wii Fit and a puppy.
On her October 5 Disneyland bash she said, 'Most everyone dresses up on their Sweet 16. Not me. I'm going to be ready to get in the water and ready get on the crazy rides. That's all I want to do the entire time is ride the rides.

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That is what I'm grateful for. I'm grateful for surviving this last year. I don't know what happened to my life. I look back on it and I wonder why everything had to start with this small little drizzle and end in a flash flood that wiped out my entire life.

Lisa and I were talking about how we sat next to each other for half of last year, completely unaware of what was going on in our lives. The things people deal with and don't talk about are insane.

A year ago, I was finishing up my summer classes and working at Prudential. Even then, as crazy as my life was getting, I didn't see myself here.

Things I'm grateful for surviving this last year:

1. The 35W bridge: What was that about? I had taken it twice already that day and was planning to visit a friend later that night, crossing it again. I was playing with Violet in the yard when I heard the rush of sirens. I could see the smog and dust in the air and Vi quickly got quiet and wanted to go inside. The next day was so surreal taking University Avenue in, instead of 94 and 35, walking across the bridge over 35 and looking out to see the road just end suddenly. It's that feeling that makes your legs weak or your stomach turn inside out.

2. The UM Masters program: I remember looking at my schedule before starting in June and laughing. "I'll so be able to work through the summer!" I'll tell you my laughing quit the first day, within the first five minutes. I'm grateful for this program because I've finally reached becoming a teacher. It took six years and a dollar amount that makes me ill to think about, but it was worth it. I'm also grateful for it because I met some of the closest, most fun, and stimulating people and it gave me a massive network of friends, something I've never had before.

3. Lyme disease: Ask me sometime; it's the best story I could ever tell you. It starts off with the mystery of wondering how the girl who hates camping got bit by a tick that doesn't live anywhere near the city, has medical side effects at inopportune times, and ends with an awkward ride home with a friend. Seriously, that night for my dad's birthday, I think I made everyone at the table laugh to tears.

4. Getting attacked in a deserted street in north Minneapolis at 7:00 am: One of the scariest moments of my life.

5. Crosswinds: For the entire week before Thanksgiving, the only thing I could eat all day was a sandwich bag of Chex cereal. No, not Chex Mix. Regular, boring Chex cereal. You know the kind that you've got to add a bag of sugar to so it has a hint of flavor. But it was all I could handle. Because my stress level was so high, and I wasn't sleeping and I was working too hard, I couldn't eat much of anything. So there I sat, all day, working on a Ziploc of Chex. Most of us all know how that week ended. It made Nathan and I BFFs.

6. Three car accidents: I'm not counting the ones when Jessie was parallel parking and backed into my car as Meaghan and I watched from the sidewalk. None of them were my fault and, shockingly, there was no damage to my car. Ford's slogan should be "built VW tough."

7. Student teaching: I loved my cooperating teacher, but I thought the students would eat me alive. I thought she would eat me alive. Here, I lived on two slices of bread with butter for lunch. My stomach had slightly settled. I could eat butter by this time.

8. Starting my life over: Thank you, Lisa, my parents, Hayley and Heather, Janet, Toni, Andrea, Meaghan and Jessie for your help this summer.

9. Getting a job: This one is still pending, and my confidence for the three positions I applied for this weekend is dwindling quickly.

Seriously, how am I still alive.

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Ever since her divorce, Lilo has found herself cock starved and always on the prowl for some younger studs. This particular night this cougar found a young stud with a huge cock. She was more than happy to wrap her lips around it. She even pushed those big titties together and he slid his cock right between them. After that, her younger boy toy gave her pussy a drilling that she wont soon forget! Lilo begged and screamed for more and he was glad to give it until the moment that he came on her bushy pussy.

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Cole had his first soccer "practice" tonight. I wish I could post a picture, but I forgot the camera. Practice had just started when, oops, Savannah fell off the bleachers. She was fine, it just scared her more than anything, but it doesn't make a mommy feel too good to see her baby laying on the ground underneath where she is sitting. Then Cole didn't want to stay on the field because his shinguards were too small and it hurt to wear them. Ummmmm I suppose we should have tried those on before we got to the field. When practice was over, Matt tried to toss me Cole's jersey and it landed on another mom's head - which he of course felt terrible about. I guess the one redeeming thing is that on the way to the minivan after practice Cole kept screaming "I want to go back and play soccer ball!" So we will try again, maybe we can make more memories on the field next week.

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Tomorrow is the last day I have to ever work with that toxic evil woman!

So in celebration I'm collecting 50 ways to tell someone to FUCK OFF!

Someone who has been bullying me for two years.

Someone who has sent me countless condescending emails about how she thinks I'm useless as a professional and constantly accuses me of lying.

Someone who has verbally viciously attacked me in meetings (which ultimately got her fired).

Someone I've tried to help, and work with and who has in return tried to sabotage my programs and hurt my students.

Someone who has paranoid delusions and has written pages and pages of slanderous lies about me and my coworker in an attempt to wreak havoc in our lives.

I have learned it is better to take the high road, and protect yourself with grace and dignity. Smile and be as pleasant as possible, and people like her will always self-destruct... and she did.... and yes.. she is trying to take me (and some others) down with her, but luckily her crazy is showing in purple neon and we ain't going nowhere.

So... back to the fucking off... I only have 7 so far:

1. You know what you can get? You can get going..
2. I wish I could say it's been a slice of heaven, but it's been more like a steaming pile of hell.
3. Why don't you make like a tree and leave?
4. Make like a shepherd and get the flock out of here!
5. Go shit in your hat (Anonymous)
6. Go pound sand up your ass (Anonymous) this one sounds quite uncomfortable!
7. - 50.
........................./..//
...................../..../ /
............./......,~/'...')
........................../..../
..........''............. _.
..........................(
...........................

P.S.

I didn't say or gesture any of these when the time came. I just gave her a little smile and walked out the door. I actually felt a little sad about the whole thing, and I felt very sorry for her.

I'm glad it's over for now, although I don't know what will become of her charges at this point.. *sigh*

My administrator has assured me that they were completely unfounded and not to worry about anything coming from them at work, however, I wonder how deep her psychosis runs. We shall see.

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So, it's that time of year again...RWA is having their annual conference, and I don't get to go this year :( San Fran is just a little too far with the current airline rates (boooo, gas prices). But, I am over on Romance Divas and doing the NGTC route. They're a blast!

(and thanks to them tonight, I did 800+ words on my new WIP without meaning to!!!) Teresa and Jodie ROCK.

As for writing, contest entry submitted, and yes, that's 25 pages and the synopsis. Although, I'm sure the synopsis isn't what they're used to seeing...oh well, I can't write a dry boring one...for one, my head hurts too much after the paint fumes of the last 2 days (when one is allergic to paint, one should really refrain from painting a whole room, but if you want it done now, you do it.) and for the other, who wants to READ a boring synopsis? Cause lord knows, I don't. BE creative! It's going to be what makes me want to read your work anyway. And this from a technical editor. LOL. (Talk about dry and boring writing ;)).

Next up, Speaker's application for the 2009 RWA Conference which will be in DC! Wooot! So, the app is filled out, need to write an outline and my bio....hmm...that'll take me what....1o minutes?

*grins*

Off to sleep, 6am comes early and I have to run 2 miles...that's IF little man stays asleep. He's shouting over his monitor now, which means nightmares and mommy sleep time is going to be impacted.

I hope you're making all your writing goals this week. Get crackin'!
Namaste.

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Hoohobbers has been honored by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA) with their 2008 Best of Chicago Award in the infant and toddler gear category.
The USLBA 2008 Best of Chicago Award is given to companies “that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community. Winners are determined based on the information gathered by the USLBA and data provided by third parties,” said Ashley Carter, Selection Committee Chair.
Hoohobbers is a family-owned USA company, headquartered in Chicago since 1981. Hoohobbers designs and manufactures a broad product line including its signature, child-portable rocking and junior director chairs. Other popular items include: crib bedding, Moses baskets, diaper bags, baby rockers, cradle and bassinet bedding. Hoohobbers offers personalizing on almost every item for that extra-special touch.
All products are available in over 30 Design Collections.
Each Design Collection reflects Hoohobbers’ philosophy of “sophisticated, traditional design with a modern slant.” Custom bedding (to king size) in virtually immediate turn-around times is also an increasing part of Hoohobbers business.
Hoohobbers has won many national awards over the years for its rocking horses, easels, Moses baskets, baby rockers, been recognized for design innovation by having been granted over 75 patents and been jury-elected into the permanent collection of America’s premiere modern art museum, MOMA in New York.

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Let me first start off by saying that I am of mixed race (Pacific Islander, German, Irish and some questionable Native American descent) and I am married to an African American (which I was told by a young teenager in an affluent part of town that the term is racist... yeah right, me a racist, laughable) with a Mexican and Irish brother in law, and I have two gay siblings... ok, all of my bases are covered - I am almost as opened minded as it gets when it comes to social acceptance - I don't even say tolerance because it infers that there is something unacceptable about being any of the aforementioned things that right minded people should "tolerate". These dynamics are just who we are, how we are born and should not infringe on our inalienable rights. No matter what we are made of, we are all Americans, don't lose sight of this.

That said - with Obama in the race for president - people of all colors are making the stupidest comments! What's worse is that they come up with all sorts of excuses to OK their speech - a few examples... The McLaughlin Oreo comment, some say since blacks have been using it that is ok for whites to use it... I don't care who uses the term - it's wrong, quit giving excuses why you think it is ok.

How about the whole "he's not black enough"? Being of mixed race, what does this mean - I'm not Guamanian enough? Enough for what? Exactly what are we trying to fill - there's not enough milk, get more - the pool doesn't have enough water... fill it? He's not black enough to be President, isn't that bass ackwards -isn't that he's not white enough? We are supposed to be shattering stereotypes - not creating new ones, like black enough... what a load of crap!

Oh, then there is the "cut his nuts off" - exactly why Mr. Jackson? Were you not being a good parent when you created an illegitimate child from an affair that you had. Did his comments asking African American parents to step up strike a chord - maybe had you cut your nuts off - you wouldn't have been caught - with all do respect:) (My husband says that if I say "with all do respect than I can say anything I want - I know, not true)

And the New Yorker - satire or not, the picture was inappropriate - fueled a fire not needing anymore fuel and gave more media coverage to a topic that does not deserve to be discussed.

America, quit making excuses for your bad behavior and stereotypes, shut up, vote the facts - and to both sides - leave color out of it.

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I have always tried to listen to my gut feelings and to listen to that little voice in my head when I am feeling drawn in a certain direction. For the past three or four months I've felt like I was being led to serve on the PTO board at Ethan's school. I had ignored the notion originally because I was going to be taking over the accounting responsibilities for the school and I just felt that I couldn't take on anymore. I'm already insanely busy as it is. About 2 weeks ago the lady that currently does the accounting for the school said that she wanted to do it one more year and I was so fine with it. But then that didn't give me an excuse to blow off the PTO board. I don't know why I feel so compelled to do this. PTO is mainly focused on fundraising. I hate fundraising...despise fundraising. I don't like asking anyone for money. Also, I'm a follower not a leader. I am a dedicated volunteer. I will help out in any way I can. But lead a group...nope, not me. Ethan is only beginning Pre-K and this is his second year at this school. The school is a very small school in the Methodist church and the school board tries to keep tuition affordable so that the opportunity for a Christian education to as many children as possible and not the upper class families. In order for them to keep tuition affordable they rely heavily on donations and fundraisers. Last year the PTO was pathetic. The president was not inspiring and the whole group seemed disjointed. I would leave the meetings completely frustrated. I believe in the school and want to see it succeed. Ethan has learned so much in just the first year he was there; not just his alphabet and "book learnin" but they inspired him to be imaginative and curious.

When I agree to do something, I don't do it half assed. I obsess about it. Do I need this added stress? Is it worth it? Why am I feeling so pushed in this direction? Can I do it.

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I have always tried to listen to my gut feelings and to listen to that little voice in my head when I am feeling drawn in a certain direction. For the past three or four months I've felt like I was being led to serve on the PTO board at Ethan's school. I had ignored the notion originally because I was going to be taking over the accounting responsibilities for the school and I just felt that I couldn't take on anymore. I'm already insanely busy as it is. About 2 weeks ago the lady that currently does the accounting for the school said that she wanted to do it one more year and I was so fine with it. But then that didn't give me an excuse to blow off the PTO board. I don't know why I feel so compelled to do this. PTO is mainly focused on fundraising. I hate fundraising...despise fundraising. I don't like asking anyone for money. Also, I'm a follower not a leader. I am a dedicated volunteer. I will help out in any way I can. But lead a group...nope, not me. Ethan is only beginning Pre-K and this is his second year at this school. The school is a very small school in the Methodist church and the school board tries to keep tuition affordable so that the opportunity for a Christian education to as many children as possible and not the upper class families. In order for them to keep tuition affordable they rely heavily on donations and fundraisers. Last year the PTO was pathetic. The president was not inspiring and the whole group seemed disjointed. I would leave the meetings completely frustrated. I believe in the school and want to see it succeed. Ethan has learned so much in just the first year he was there; not just his alphabet and "book learnin" but they inspired him to be imaginative and curious.

When I agree to do something, I don't do it half assed. I obsess about it. Do I need this added stress? Is it worth it? Why am I feeling so pushed in this direction? Can I do it.

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We went this morning to sign Noah up for soccer and by the time we left Emily and Kaitlyn were signed up too. Its with a program called upward soccer. My friend just told me about it, so we signed our sons up together to be on the same team. Its great! Its focus is not as much as for the kids to learn the game and have fun. (Which is perfect for Noah since he hasnt played sports yet.) Well, the girls are very naturally athletic and really wanted to play too, so here we are. Itll be a fun season!!!!
This is at their evaluation today to place them on a team.

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Learn to Dominate the Competition

Whether you're a youth soccer player, a college soccer player, or someone who simply wants to improve their game, you've found the right place. At the Soccer Training Info website, you'll discover useful tips and training ideas that will put you on your way to becoming a quality player and a better student of the game.

The best part about playing soccer is doing it well and ultimately winning, especially when its almost to the degree of embarrassing your opponent with your skill and talent. Whether its making a great pass, scoring an incredible goal, dribbling by someone with easeleaving the defender at a standstill, these are all great achievements that inspire a certain amount of well deserved satisfaction.

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Yes, I have a child who plays soccer. My eight-year-old, Miranda, is shaping up to be a pretty good little goalie. Im not one of those moms who screams from the side lines, or pops the [way outdated--seriously, this move originates with the Fonz] thumbs up whenever a kid does something right on the field. The other night, I was in the presence of an over-enthusiastic soccer coach (and mom) whos just say that if Satuday Night Live was to write a sketch making fun of soccer coaches, this womans antics would have provided more than enough material.
Miranda even says that moms who act this way are trying too hard and that itwait for it, you know its coming Yet what Miranda cant know and what parents of young childen do know is that for parents, there really isnt any trying too hard. If we arent trying very, very hard all of the time, were not quite measuring up, and our kids might not make the team, get the scholarship, etc.
This is why it vexes me that whenever there is a description to be a made of a mom who is known for her parenting rather than her career, that description usually relies on the overused soccer mom moniker. In some cases, these moms dont even have children on soccer teams. The moniker has become a cheap way of identifying a woman who seems too into her kidsit, in fact, cheapens her identity. What does she do? She drives a van and passes out juice boxes.
The other day, I was reading a review of Tom Perrotas The Little Children in preparation for the next meeting of the Oaklands book club (Wednesday July 23 at 7:00, come even if you havent read the book). Perrotas take on suburban life is intriguing and a little frightening if one identifies with the hang-ups of the characters in the book. I saw a little of myself in both Sarah and Kathy, who are both suburban moms whose realities dont quite measure up to the visions they once had of home and family.
The review, which I will NOT link here for its crime of lacking originality, wasnt three sentences in before soccer mom appeared. The thing isthere is NO soccer in Perrotas book. Not a cleat. Not a shin guard. The moms struggle for position in the playground heirarchy, and Sarah and Todd practically engage in sexual foreplay at the town pool, but no soccer.
Mary Ann, the mom whos at the top of the playground heirarchy, is the character that the reviewer calls a soccer mom. This description is not only inaccurate, but it attempts to shortcut examining a character who is a little (but admittedly not much) more complex than that. Mary Ann always has the right snack, grooms her four-year-old for Harvard, and has sex on a weeklyTuesdays at 9:00schedule. Soccer mom? Not quite. Mary Anns neurosis have far more complicated roots in our culture, beginning with the best-selling What to Expect pregnancy tome and continuing in the monthly, themed issues of Family Fun magazine.
Even the soccer coach (and mom) at the field the other day deserves more than the dismissive nom du jour for suburban mothers. When the food, clothing, shelter needs are met, and then some, other fears and concerns for their children press in, and it is this pressure that Perrota explores in his novel about the parents of The Little Children.

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was supposedly trying, to keep the peace.
Now according to a new report, apparently Holly and Bridget are supposedly fed with Kendra, and a bit jealous as well.
A friend of Kendra says, Holly and Bridget hate her. Theyre totally jealous. She has her own empire now. Shes got a clothing line, a modeling career and an exercise empire. Theyre just sitting there hangin with Hef.
Actually I thought Holly was the real ambitious one trying to take editorial control over the Playboy’s spreads.
But anyway the source adds, Kendra was never really Hefs girlfriend. She was cast for the show because Bridget and Holly are old, and they needed a young hot girl for Hef. She was selected from a bunch of Playmate wannabes.
Yep thats Reality TV.
Kendra just turned 23 last month. But Holly is set to turn 29 later this year and Bridget turns 35 in two months.
Hefs  publicly said before that he doesnt date anyone older than their mid-twenties.  But the rules change when you become a senior I guess.
As for Kendra, reports are that shell be leaving the Girls Next Door show next season.
Apparently shes also fed up with all the rules and restrictions from living in the mansion, such as a curfew and a rule where she cant date other men or perhaps in her case women (another rumor).
As for Hefs side, a rep for Playboy says, Hef has always been clear that the girls were his girlfriends before the show was even signed off on. This is all news to me. Were going to be launching Season 5 of The Girls Next Door in the fall and everyones happy and having a good time.

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Its sad but true that the first thing a busy mom gives up when she has too much on her plate is her exercise routine. Much as we want to stay fit and healthy, there never seems to be enough time for even a simple home fitness program.
When life is tiring enough why punish yourself with an exercise routine? Funnily enough, exercise actually revitalizes and relaxes you, releasing stress and improving your mood. It also helps you sleep better, enhances your sex life, and raises your self esteem and confidence.
If joining a gym or an exercise class doesnt work for you, a home fitness routine can be equally effective. Here are some tips to get you going:
•Involve your family in your fitness plan. Explain to the kids that you need an undisturbed time slot for yourself, and you will not be available to them then. Toddlers love to stray in and participate especially if they find mom contorting herself on the living room floor. Give them an interesting activity or toy only for that period and then put it away – they will actually look forward to your next workout. Or schedule your fitness routine when your partner is home – he will be happy to babysit once he starts seeing the new upbeat and svelte you! The important thing is to treat this as time that cannot be intruded upon.
•Earmark a well-ventilated room for your fitness program, and if it has mirrors, so much the better. Play catchy music or watch TV while you work out – multitasking as usual!
•Get yourself some attractive outfits and a good pair of shoes to work out in. Sweatpants and a baggy T-shirt are great to slouch around the house in, but I find some smart lycra wear really puts me in the sporty mood, and somehow, I start feeling slimmer already!
•You can get a vigorous workout without owning a single piece of fitness equipment. Calisthenics, spot-running, skipping and dancing are just some of the activities you can enjoy at home, and if youre so inclined, programs like Pilates and yoga are wonderful ways to get into shape.
•Tailor your home fitness routine to exercise different muscle groups every day. Focus on arms and upper body one day, abs and thighs another day, back and butt the third day and so on. This way you get an all-body work out and it doesnt get monotonous.
•Eating right is key to looking and feeling fit. Supplement your exercise program with small adjustments to your diet. Laying off the butter or indulging in a smaller scoop of ice-cream can shave off those extra inches while making you feel lighter and healthier.
A home fitness program is all about setting aside a little time for yourself. Whether you see it as an indulgence or an investment in your own well-being, its truly worth the effort.

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When I tell people about my upcoming road trip, the very first question I get asked, without fail, is

Are you going by yourself??

I guess I consider it a strange question, although I should not. It's a fair question. Solo travellers are really not the norm. People don't like to go to movies or fast food restaurants by themselves... why on earth would they go on months-long vacations alone?

Me, I'm a pretty independent spirit. I like travelling alone and I like travelling with others. I find I have a very short fuse for moody or cranky people, but other than that, I like humanity and one of my life's callings is to be a 'travelling companion'. Seriously. I also like my own company. Very few people could afford to take off four months from work, and I am EXTREMELY anti-drug, so I couldn't have the typical pothead hippy companion for more than a day. Drugs and druggies seriously cramp my style.

Plus, I only have room for one in the bed back there. One being me. LOL I will be bringing my tent for a change of pace, and also as alternate accomodations for any travelling companions I have for any portion of the journey.



Today was a bit of a write-off. I slept most of the evening away. I did manage to run a few errands after work, one of which was to get some new car keys cut (going to have a spare set somewhere) as well as popped by a place called "Steel City Surplus" which is AMAZING!!! I love it. I got two large bungee cords, and secured my mattress to the cot. It's awesome.

I also got the measuring tape and found out that my existing clear Rubbermaid bins (actually, I think they are 'Sterlite' brand) are EXACTLY 12" tall, and they fit PERFECTLY under the cot. I'm so excited I could squee. Three large bins for storage, as well as the porta-potti under there. I also have a lot of space beside the bed for kneeling/crouching, as I can't actually stand up back there. It's cozy, though. And two areas where the cooler and perhaps something else can go.

I also have something I got years ago at the As-Seen-on-TV store called a TableMate, which is a plastic table with two legs that bend under, and the whole thing can slide under a couch or cot, in my case. The table part angles, so you can use it as an over-lap laptop table, or use it flat for dishes, the butane stove, etc. It'll be my table on the road. It slides in neatly under the cot, and that, too, was something I had lying around the house.

So far...

porta-potti -- $15
Reflectix -- $50
screening -- $8
bungee cords -- $4

Everything else *seems* to be acquired or found objects, or stuff that I'd had lying around. It's really going well, as far as the outfitting and mods are going.

YAY!



Yesterday when I took the van over to show to Mom, Am's friend Chris happened to be driving by with her brother, so they stopped to see. Chris is a DOLL, and she (and her brother for that matter) were SO SO SO excited for me. It's so refreshing to have people get excited for me. Some people seem rude or jealous or something (just not excited about other people's joy, I guess) and that freaks me out. But Chris' enthusiasm was so contagious. She kept saying there is NOTHING the Pavlov women can't do. HA! She said mom should mosaic the walls of the van (mom does mosaics) and Am should bedazzle it. LOL

I said I ought to hippy it up.

My faithful readers still seem to think I should Hello Kitty it up.

HAHAHA

FYI, MANY MANY years ago, when I got my first decent car (1997 Mazda 626), Nick bought me a 'baby shower gift' for my new baby (the Mazda) and asked me what I wanted. I ended up picking out a Hello Kitty! steering wheel cover, and it started some mad fascination whereby everyone thought I was some Chinese girl driving a Mazda, and everyone and their brother bought me Hello Kitty! crap for the car. I had stuffed danglies off the rearview, I had pink seatbelt pads, I had floor mats, I had the steering wheel cover. It was hilarious.

Don't get me wrong... I *like* Hello Kitty. I'm just not obsessed with it like some people think I am.

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As a way to force my family to eat locally and organically, I have had a local farm service, Farm Fresh To You, deliver produce once a week.
The service, which gives us a week's worth of fruits and vegetables for two adults and two children, costs $29 a week. At first it was hard to use up all the vegetables since I had never cooked with some of them like kale and rhubarb. (I still think rhubarb is a pretty worthless root unless you bake. Thankfully, it hasn't appeared in my delivery box for at least a month!)
Luckily, the delivery also comes with suggested recipes, which has allowed my family to discover a few yummy gems. Well, yummy for all of us except my four-year-old. "A mi no me gusta eso!" my ear rings. I don't like that! I hear at least 1,000 times a day. Sigh.
Recently, though, we feasted on a suggested Farm Fresh To You recipe that I have to share with all of you. It is an heirloom tomato tart, which I improvised a bit to prepare more quickly for this time-strapped mom. Here is the recipe with my shortcuts:
Tomato Tart
Ingredients
10 oz. pie crust from the frozen food section (I used Pillsbury)
1/2 stick of butter, melted
2 lbs of heirloom tomatoes -- varied for color and prettiness, sliced very thin
handfull coarsely chopped fresh basil
3/4 cup of feta or goat cheese, crumbled
3/4 cup of fresh grated parmesan or other sharp hard cheese (I used parmesan, which I bought already grated. Take short cuts, ladies!)
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 400F
Brush pie crust with butter. Fill pie crust with crumpled goat cheese and grated parmesan as well as basil. Top off with sliced heirloom tomatoes, slightly overlapping one another. Brush top with butter. Sprinkle salt and pepper. (I use more pepper to make it a bit spicy.) Bake in oven until cheese is melted and edges of the pie crust are golden brown. Let cool slightly; cut with pizza cutter.
The good thing about this dish is it makes for great leftovers. It tastes good even after its been microwaved. I am thinking of making a bigger pie with more ingredients as this tart went too quickly!
What other quick and yummy recipes do you know.

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