I have to admit something;

In my career as a mommy, there have been moments that I am not proud of.

Like this weekend, when I told my husband that he just had to watch the baby for a few minutes. I had something important to do.

(Really, I just had to go down to the kitchen and eat cookie dough straight from the refrigerator).

Maybe not my finest moment.

Or later that evening, when we took my daughter out to dinner.

As I walked up and down the sidewalk, waiting for our food to be ready, we were stopped by a couple and their young son.

“I have to ask, how do you get her to keep her glasses on?” Asked the woman, lounging in her chair.

And in the same breath, she choked, “But she’s still sooo cute.”

And, in that moment, I loathed her. Loath is too kind a word. I hated her. I didn’t hate her for the question. The question is fair enough. In fact, it is the second most popular question we get.

I hated her for the implication. For the tone.

Why shouldn’t my daughter still be cute? She is beautiful. She is perfect. The glasses are irrelevant. Are you saying they’re not?

My words were acrid in my mouth as I responded to the woman.

“She keeps them on because she can’t see very well without them.”

And then I walked away.

My blood felt hot and my stomach felt heavy.

I did not feel particularly proud of that.

***

But, if I’m being honest, there was another moment.

A moment that I am nearly too afraid to describe.

A moment that was so painful and confusing and embarrassing that it still makes my heart hurt.

I was taking my daughter for a walk. We strolled around a beautiful, outdoor shopping complex, and as I pushed my precious girl in her stroller, we chatted and she laughed with me. I felt so happy. I felt love.

And as we walked, I saw a pregnant woman sitting on a bench. She looked up, studied my daughter and smiled. But, for an instant, I thought I caught a glimpse of her face contorting…I thought I saw another emotion begin to creep across her features…

And that’s when it happened;

My least proud moment:

I worried that this woman, this pregnant vessel to a new life soon to be born, was looking at my daughter and hoping that her baby wouldn’t have to have glasses like mine. I thought I saw pity in her eyes.

And then, I died inside.

Not because I cared what the woman thought–

not at all–

but because I hated myself for letting my mind go to that horrible, terrible, scary place.

I felt ashamed.

I did not feel proud on that day.

So, I gave myself a time out.

I asked myself why I read sadness or fear in the mist that had gathered in the pregnant woman’s eyes.

And in my time out, I recognized that while I have totally grown to love and accept my daughters eyes,

all four of them,

it still hurts sometimes.

It hurt when the woman in the restaurant this weekend asked me how my daughter kept her glasses on.

And it didn’t hurt because of what she was saying and how she said it,

even though it felt that way at the time;

it hurt because of how I had to answer:

“She keeps them on because she can’t see very well without them.”

It hurts. It hurts that my daughter has eyes that don’t work perfectly. It hurts that at night, when I tuck her into bed, kiss her, and tell her how much I love her, that I have to remove her glasses from her face, stealing her sight from her as she drifts towards slumber.

It breaks my heart.

But in my time out, I realized something else; I am allowed to feel crummy. I am allowed to look into the scariest depths of my anxieties, as long as I can shake them off and go on living. Because the truth is, my daughter can see.

The truth is, she looks adorable in her little pink frames with her magnified eyes.

The truth is, the pregnant woman was probably looking at my daughter with misty eyes because she was thinking,

I can’t believe I will soon have one of those. A child with whom I can walk around and talk and laugh with on a beautiful day. How lucky I am. How lucky they are.

***

And so, this weekend, as we strolled up and down the sidewalk waiting for our food to arrive, I shot a smile down to the woman who had asked about my daughter’s glasses. She didn’t mean any harm, after all. And when Another young couple with a little girl stopped us to say how cute my daughter was, I felt wonderful, and the smile that spread across my face was genuine and bright. And when they complimented her on her adorable glasses and fabulous shoes, I felt happy, as I told them, “Yes, my little girl sure does know how to accessorize an outfit.”

And once again, I felt proud.

     This is my very first time away from my entire family for more than 2 days straight. I was really scared to leave town… at first. But, when I rolled the windows down and let the cool air in, cranked up the radio to my favorite band, Spoken. Well, I was ready to get!  

     So, here I am, two days into this experiment and I’m feeling good. I’ve slept till 3:30 for two days in a row now. I have no idea why I wake up at 3:30 P.M. every day. Very weird, but whatevs. The sleep is much needed and solid. It’s been a looooooong time since I slept solid through the night. Wow, I totally forgot what it was like.

     Also, I’m sorta overwhelmed at the possibilities for what I might do with all this free time. I don’t get free time to myself at such large intervals, so I’m sorta flummoxed. LOL. I’m overwhelmed with the possibilities! But, it’s a good overwhelmed.

     And now, I must give a very much earned and deserved shout out to my so very sweet and probably part crazy by now husband, the J-man, for offering to watch our children and even borderline demanding that I go. Wow, what an incredible blessing he is. It’s like day after day of amazingly beautiful self sacrifice. I’m so deeply appreciative and falling deeper in love with him as the time apart grows.

     K, sorry about the sappy stuff, but you know how it is when you are away from your sweetie.

xoxo,
Rachel

Follow me on Twitter – @HotPinknChoc!

1. Children Come First. That means any emails or calls can wait until the children are settled. When your children feel secure, everything works better.

2. Prioritize. Start your work before your children wake. Lessen your pain with a jumbo cup of coffee!

3. Have a routine.  Having breakfast with my boys, taking them to school, eating together, reading and snuggle-time are crucial.

4.  Have a “Mommy Time Out”.   Moms who run their own businesses also need “time out.”  As they say if mom isn’t happy, no one is. Take ten minutes to meditate, get a massage, or phone a friend to rejuvenate and preserve your sanity.

5.  Delegate.  Being a mom and business owner gives you the right to delegate, which means surrounding yourself with a team of positive, dedicated, high energy people.  My husband is my biggest supporter. We both work, and we make our schedules coordinate with the kids’ as best we can. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! It’s always better than having a meltdown.

Follow these tips and you will be an uber Divalysscious Mom. Remember, making yourself a priority is not something to feel guilty about! Happy moms make happy kids.

Today’s author is Lyss Stern, founder and CEO of Divalysscious Moms. Also on Facebook and Twitter.

I love my kids and I love hanging out with them.

In fact, I recently blogged about how much I enjoy hanging out with them.

I have also talked about having too much of a good thing.

For my me and my kids, summer is most definitely the season of togetherness. And I’ll admit, it’s not always sunshine and butterflies.

'Nuff Said

I’ve never claimed to be the perfect mom (I think they only exist in 1980′s sitcoms.) I get mad. I get frustrated. I lose my temper and there are most definitely times when I get fed up.

In fact, I have never met another mother who hasn’t at one point or another admitted to wanting/needing a break.

I don’t think owning up to the fact that we can’t do it all and be it all is a bad thing. In fact, I applaud women who are brave enough to say it out loud because for too many there seems to be silent code when it comes to groups of women. As a whole, we tend to not speak up when we need help. To not say anything when we’re miserable and want to run away.

God forbid we be thought of as ‘a failure’ or even worse, a ‘bad mom’. (shudder)

I’ve been talking about this lately with a lot of my friends because my new manuscript is about a mom, Becca, who one day has had enough and instead of going to pick up her daughter from school, she just keeps driving.

Honestly now…hasn’t the thought EVER crossed your mind?

“What would happen if I just kept driving?”

For most (all) of the women I’ve talked to, it has.

Obviously, that’s an extreme reaction and Becca has some other factors at play in her life (who doesn’t?) but it’s a common feeling none the less.

So, what’s to be done?

You could do like Kelly, a fellow blogger and friend who packed up, got in a plane and went from Texas to Canada to visit some wordbitches (myself included).

Or Leanne who uses laughter as her outlet (seriously, it does help!)

This week I’ve been given the gift of a Mommy Stay-Cation! Bliss.

What about you? What do you do to stay sane? Or do you just get in the car and drive?

It sucks.

I love summer.

I love that I have the option to work from home and bounce around between the city and our family lake property for the summer months.

I love that I get to spend so much time with my kids.

Well..mostly.

I do love it, honestly I do.

But….there are days when mama needs a break.

The three of us have been together almost every day for almost two months now. We’ve spent an unreasonable amount of time in the car together (which is enough to bring any mom to her knees). And for the most part it’s been awesome. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. In fact, I’ve written about some of the amazing moments we’ve had together.

BUT

And there is a but. There are moments where I find myself longing for September. For the hours of uninterrupted work time, writing time and mommy time. Whenever I have these moments I have to remind myself not to wish away the hot days, the lazy days at the lake, the hikes we’ve discovered and the good times we have together. Even when I’m ready to snap.

Those are the moments I take a breath, try to laugh and when all else fails…grab a glass of red.

Here’s one of my favorite YouTube videos honoring mom’s. It doesn’t matter how many times I watch it. In never fails to make me laugh.

So..when you have one of those ‘mommy moments’ just click play, sit back and enjoy.

My friend has three kids so I figured that was the “we” she was referring to. I was excited to go but wasn’t sure if my own “we” — the three kids and I — would be able to go. The four of us are pretty slow starters in the morning and I wasn’t sure what time they would be waking up as they had gone to bed pretty late. I e-mailed my friend, told her that I wasn’t sure but I’d let her know once the sun was up.

I was excited about spending some mommy time with my friends. T. has been working a lot — a lot — and while I’ve been having fun keeping the busy with the kids all summer long, honestly, I could use a break (even if it was for just an hour over eggs). I do get time to myself at night, but usually by then I’m so tired I just end up going to sleep. Or worse, since I haven’t gotten any writing done during the day, I end up working for a few hours.

Plus, I hadn’t seen my friends in a while and was looking forward to catching up. Mommy time with kids present sounds like an oxymoron, I know, but it actually works quite well most of the time, especially with this group. There are about a dozen of us, on or off, all with kids of different ages. We have perfected the art of meeting as a group, the moms getting a chance to chat while the kids pretty much entertain themselves. Obviously we are watching the children, but with a whole bunch of playmates around to keep one another busy, everyone is able to have a great time.

Generally we meet at someone’s house, the park or the beach, but I didn’t see anything unusual in meeting at a restaurant. I googled the place. I had never been there, and was surprised at the choice — it looked a little small and frankly, a bit too nice for a handful of mommies and their kids — but I figured my friend knew what she was doing.

As it turns out she did, but I didn’t.

Want to read more about Spencer? Check out Shock and Aww on Facebook and my other parenting blog, We Are Both Right.

•        Serger
•       A  Piece of fabric that is big enough to fit your table, I took some leftover fabric that was lying around from a recent project. The fabric shown is a stain resistant material. 
•        (optional) rip fabric on straight of grain to get a strait edge

What to do next?

Serge edges around fabric and you have made a beautiful table-cloth for any occasion!  Sew Easy!

Iron fabric to get a more formal look

Finished Table Cloth!!

Makes 1 dozen (use 2 per bath)

Tools and Materials

1/2 cup citric acid
1 cup baking soda
3/4 cup cornstarch
1/4 cup organic cane sugar
About 6 drops food coloring
10 to 15 drops essential oil(s)
Special equipment: 2-ounce travel-size spray bottle, plastic pipette, silicone ice-cube tray, storage jars

Directions

1. Stir together citric acid, baking soda, and cornstarch in a glass measuring cup.

2. Pass mixture through a fine sieve or a flour sifter into a mixing bowl. Stir in sugar.

3. Fill spray bottle with water, and add food coloring. Spritz mixture lightly (it should become damp but not fizzy) until you can pack mixture with your hands.

4. Using pipette, add oil, 1 drop at a time, until strength of scent is to your liking. Using a metal spoon or your hands, mix ingredients until color is even throughout (mixture will begin to dry out; when this happens, spritz until packable again).

5. Spoon into ice-cube tray, pressing firmly. Let dry at room temperature overnight. Pop out of tray gently. Transfer to jars.

I am sure this would make a lovely gift. Please share if you decide to make this..

Have a great day..

My hubbies new truck tomorrow, 1975 Ford F-100, Candy apple red. I am so happy he can get the truck of his dreams.

What was for dinner? A world table (walmart) brand of Philly cheese steak pizza. On the side whole wheat noodles with peas and alfredo sauce, yumm yumm.

Do you see the glass as half empty or half full?

Well I hope all is well and I hope your having a wonderful day. I am!!

.

I took material of my choice,  took frame off, laid it face down onto the material and cut around the board took thumb tacks and as I was folding the fabric around board tightly, I stuck the Thumb tacks in at each corner.

The new board!!!

Easy as that!!!! You could change it when it gets old or boring. Or even for holidays. Better yet you can still use the fabric since it is tacked and not glued.

Hope your having a great day.. God Bless

*

Take a Mommy Time Out.

Call up your girlfriends (you know, the ones you rarely see since you took on that little job called “Parenthood”).  Arlington Kids has been given some passes to send you to the movies.

Laugh, Cry, Share the joys and the pains of parenting with your girls, via “Life As We Know It” (rated PG-13).

Synopsis:
Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is an up-and-coming caterer and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) is a promising network sports director.

After a disastrous first date, the only thing they have in common is their dislike for each other and their love for their goddaughter, Sophie. But when they suddenly become all Sophie has in the world, Holly and Messer are forced to put their differences aside. Juggling career ambitions and competing social calendars, they’ll have to find some common ground while living under one roof.

Post a comment below on why you need a Mommy Time Out then shoot us an email here -> arlingtonkids@gmail (dot)com and we’ll give you the link and secret code to print off passes for two to the Saturday, October 2 at 7:00 pm screening at AMC Courthouse 8, Arlington.

Passes are available until we run out or until Saturday, October 3rd at 10am EST.

Have fun!

So it’s been a week since I flew off to NYC for a quick weekend of visiting the family, a dress fitting for my godchild’s wedding, and some work/play time in the city to network and reconnect with friends and colleagues from my “New York days”.

It usually isn’t until I arrive in NY that I realize how much I really miss it and secretly wish I could move back. But you can’t beat the weather in Miami..nuf said!

I was blown away this trip to discover how much the city has grown since I left in 2003. Times Square is bustling as always but the most impressive area for me was the Meat Packing District, where you can now find not only the Gansevoort Hotel and my favorite bar Hogs and Heffers, but also the Standard Hotel, loads of restaurants and cool bars, as well as the new High Line….which is the West Side Highways elevated train tracks that have been converted into a public park! Go figure!

While all of that was so much fun to see my most memorable moment of my visit was not the glitz and glam of the city, or even the loving moments with my family (although very important), but my reconnection with an old St. Joseph’s high school girlfriend named Mayra Solarazano.

21 years, college, marriage, divorce, kids, a variety of jobs, and many many New York winters gone by between the two of us… Mayra and I finally stood face to face at my mom’s house in awe of each other and in absolute disbelief that we are going to be FORTY!!!! How did that happen????!!! How did we go from 18 to nearly 40 in what seemed like a blink of an eye. 21 YEARS +!!! OMG!

I feel like I’m STILL 18 sometimes and I think the moment I opened the door to let Mayra in, those 21 years disappeared and we WERE 18 again.
Of course, after the initial hugs and kisses, and OMG ! OMG! OMG!, we quickly realized that there were in fact many years to catch up on.

So we sat drinking wine (we couldn’t do THAT at 18! Hahaha), eating cheese and crackers, and reminiscing about the good ole days. I couldn’t help but feel old. I quickly tried to remind myself that 40 is the new 20…just like Cosmo says!! Ugh! But despite my attempt to trick myself the fact of the matter was a lot of time HAS gone by.

The trip down memory lane was a fun one….funny how some memories get surppressed. Better left in the past I guess! But we truly enjoyed each other’s company. And she left with the promise that we would never allow that much time to pass before we see each other again.

I got on the plane to head back to Miami feeling completely satisfied that I’d accomplished what I set out to do in NYC with my personal and business responsibilities. But the wonderful icing on the cake was Mayra’s visit. I’m determined to go back for a much longer weekend with a commitment to organize a sort of reunion with all my girlfriends from my childhood. The beauty of technology, especially Facebook, has allowed me to reconnect with elementary and high school friends that were so much a part of my life. It’s been a wonderful blessing and I can’t wait to see them in person.

Has it really been 21 YEARS!????

OMG

Fans:
Do you still stay in touch with your childhood friends?? We want to know.

Vanessa Conde

Firstly I suggest that you first see The “Vajacial”webisode on our video wall before reading ….. its crazy! But true! There is such a thing as a VAJACIAL!

Taken from the huffingtonpost.com – First Posted: 02-12-10 10:22 AM
“Vagina Facial, Or ‘Vajacial,’ Becomes Newest Beauty Trend”
You can bedazzle your va-jay-jay, you can rejuvenate it with lasers and you can even dye it pink to remain youthful…but did you know that you can also treat your lady parts to a facial? We mean, a Vajacial
Whaaat?

Ok so we uploaded our VaJayJay webisode “The Vajacial” today and I got to thinking …
I know, I know me thinking can be dangerous …
Could a vajacial become a dangerous practice? Whether you are getting it or “giving” it?
I don’t know about you but I have had many facials in my life. They are very relaxing, soothing, and gentle. Isn’t there a danger in become extremely sexually aroused while getting a “Vajacial”?
It’s not like a visit to the GYN! The lights are bright, you are cold, a stranger examining you many times hurts you and they talk very clinically – but a vajacial?
Lights are dim, scented candles are going, soft relaxing music playing, your “Vajacialist” whispers into your ear, explaining what they are about to do, your “business” as Vanessa calls it is getting patted, rubbed, washed, squeezed gently, maybe even squirted at …. You get the idea.
I just think that a very wise person just came up with legally getting away with advertising a happy ending spa!
Or am I over thinking it like I do most things?
Maybe I am – I’m sure there are lots of women that are getting this to feel better about themselves, to give their love life a boost … I’m just curious
Would you go? Would you want your wife to go?
-Deborah

“We Want It All TV® – A show about what women think but are afraid to talk about”

Hosts Deborah Magdalena, Chanel Gonzalez and Vanessa Conde

Vote on our official promo picture …. Help us decide!

Leave your choice on our album or wall.

We Want It All TV® – Official Promo Pictures

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=6614&id=108405635873651&l=bf3badde85

Michael Jackson countdown on 93.9 MIA, Top 10 on Mega and both at noon! Then had a video shoot. Still have to cover Aileen's show (She's an on-air personality on 94.9 - Mega who is on Maternity leave), THEN ... pick up Rain (my 5 yr old baby girl) from school b4 6pm, THEN ... make dinner AND I still have no idea what to wear for tomorrow's night's 93.9 MIA's concert (Freestyle Extravaganza II at the American Airlines Arena). AND please lets not forget the Mani/Pedi I have to get  - 'cause you know I can't have ugly hands and feet at a concert!

Not enough time!

This is my crazy life!!

It makes you wonder ..... mmm? Is the craziness worth it!? Do I really "Want It All"?

OH YEAH!

Your Girl Chanel!

To Listen to Chanel tune in

Old School, & Freestyle M-F 11am- 3pm 939 MIA or stream LIVE on www.939mia.com

Spanish Top 40 M-F 10am - 3pm or stream LIVE on www.megamiami.com

But today I allowed some actions and words loose before thinking and I regret them fully.  I do that, a lot actually, but today was a bit aggressive and not like me . . . so I almost feel like I’m still in shock with my own actions. It was nothing horrendous . . . don’t read into it more than what I’m stating . . . just worse than I want to lay claim to.

Usually stuff like that is just a red light in life to take time out and spend some quality time in the presence of God.  Usually over-due.  So, thats where I’m headed . . . to get stuff right. I had to finish the project I started for Kelli and now I’m off this blood-sucking machine.

I am a truly blessed individual . . . I don’t know why I doubt that at times . . . but I am!! God help me!  I think I want a bumper sticker that says ‘pride sucks’. 

God Bless!

me and the Sam.  2007