Lucky Mom
Sep. 13, 2012
How to Make Great Halloween Costumes for Your Kids
Lucky Mom guest post - Author: Amanda Green
Halloween festivities can be made even more special when moms make their kids costumes at home. This can become a whole-family activity, with the kids learning from their moms in a fun environment.
It is also a great way for mothers to foster the love of and use of creativity and problem-solving skills, since going the do-it-yourself route with Halloween costumes also means dealing with wardrobe dilemmas with out-of-the-box solutions. And Halloween costumes can be totally original or inspired and based on popular design ideas.
Aug. 15, 2012
Cancun
Probably one of THE best vacations I’ve had in my life. I had been to Cancun about 20+ years ago; when I was single and stayed up late. I went with a girlfriend and we had a great time!
This time, it was like watching me many years ago, but this time as the ‘older’ gal with a family. All the young hot things were well, looking hot and having a good time. Not surprisingly, they got up later than we did. A lot later which was kind of embarrassing. Showing up for breakfast before 7:30am. Shameful.
At our all-inclusive resort (Fiesta Americana Condesa), they really did provide everything. Service was impeccable. I can’t say enough. 24 hours a day, anything you want.
No additional cost and if you do happen to tip, they practically hand you their first born. I asked if they’d take my first born if I tipped more; however, they preferred not to, though regardless of first language spoken, they clearly don’t know how to say the word ‘no’. Everything was “of course” in English and well, something I can’t remember in Spanish.
Our accommodations were nice. It’s an older, Spanish style with a few needed upgrades. Very clean however and perfectly fine for our needs. Providing a complimentary stocked mini-bar certainly didn’t warrant any complaints from us.
May. 30, 2012
Tennis Anyone?
Like many teenagers in highschool, I played a sport or two. O.k. one sport and one 'sport-like' activity. Tennis and cheerleading. I loved them both though I was clearly better at cheerleading.
Fast forward 28 (good grief I'm getting old) years and I'm not cheerleading again but am playing tennis. A lot of tennis. I'm loving tennis so much, I'm playing about 4-5 times a week.
I'm lucky in that my 'neighborhood' has many leagues for literally ALL skill levels and ages. I'm playing on two leagues (USTA and WTTA) and interestingly am better than I was in highschool.
I have to recommend it to anyone with a little time on your hands. It's not expensive (unless you take drills), is great exercise and if you're like some of the women on the courts, you can play well into your 70's.
Feb. 14, 2012
Disney World
Wow! I'd been nervous about taking my kids to Disney Anything for a few years. I was sure I'd lose them to the overseas child porn trade or one would nose dive off a ride and die in front of my eyes.
Plus the long lines? And in the heat? No way! Sticking a lit matchstick into my eyeball sounded better.
Until, that is, we realized a little known (except to those in Austin) secret. There's an odd three day school 'holiday' if you will that occurs in February of each year.
No one really knows why. It's not Spring Break. It's not 'the' holidays as they kind of just ended. No, it's a three day shut down in the middle of Feb. when no one else in the entire world (apparently) has off.
Nov. 16, 2011
Men and Costco
I go to Costco about once a month. I'm sure I'm on their watch list as I'm always the mom desperately attempting to drive the vehicle-sized cart with an evil grin on my face. Sometimes I'm laughing outloud or even blurting out "Oh, cranky?".
I’m humored at the men (of all ages) who forget they’re not in their cars on the highway.
They speed around the corners, grumble at you when you’re not moving fast enough and have such a look of disdain on their faces. They really appear to be angry they are there.
They probably are.
I’m guessing they’re also a bit peeved that there aren’t any man carts. Smaller carts that can aid in getting them their 3 or 4 (and no more of course, that would require impulse buying) items they came for.
They should have stores for men only. No browsing allowed.
They can get their aggressions out with other men who can understand their pain.
Oct. 18, 2011
"Marge vs. the Monorail" and you
Lucky Mom guest post - Author: Ryan Sandberg.
Fans of the television show “The Simpsons” almost universally recognize episode 9F10, otherwise known as “Marge vs. the Monorail”, as one of the series' best episodes ever.
Written by late night legend Conan O'Brien when he was a staff writer on the show, it depicts the antics that ensue after Springfield unwisely invests a recent windfall into an unproven monorail project sold to them by a shifty out-of-town salesman.
Matriarch Marge Simpson sees right through the scam, but as her son Bart points out in the episode's entertaining song-and-dance number, “...it's too late mom, the mob has spoken!” Ostensibly a spoof of “The Music Man”, “Marge vs. the Monorail” does a wonderful job poking fun at the tendency for people as a whole to generally act like idiots, but to always wind up doing the right thing.
Aug. 9, 2011
The Beauty of a Vintage Engagement Ring
Lucky Mom - Guest Post: This piece was written by Taylor Laurents
Now I have been married for quite some time, and I am not about to complain about the state of my wedding ring or the engagement ring I received when my husband first proposed, but I just can not get over the extravagance of some of the rings available today.
While skimming the web today, I came across a site discussing the evolution of engagement rings, and was immediately intrigued as only someone who typically loves weddings would be.
Jun. 28, 2011
Summer "Camps”
Living in Steiner Ranch really can be ‘all inclusive’. As the community is quite large with many, many sub-communities, one doesn’t really have to leave, if so desired – ever.
We have three public elementary schools, a public middle school and two private preschools just within S.R.
Though we already have community centers with pools, tennis courts, playgrounds, we have the UT Golf club, a grocery, gas station, dermatologist, martial arts studios, several dentists, restaurants, gym, doctors, hair salons etc., we are soon to be indulged with a very large grocery chain, Starbucks, more shops, etc.
Steiner also boasts numerous year-round children’s activities, clubs, groups, teams, lessons, classes, troops, tutors, birthday party options and so on.
It’s a parent/child paradise.
Jun. 25, 2011
How to Not Be Bored with a Baby on the Way
Lucky Mom guest post - Author: Taylor Laurents
The incoming joy of an addition to the family often signals the outgoing of abilities and activities in the life of the mother-to-be.
In the first few months nausea can keep a woman from enjoying things like exercise even when the immobility brought on by advanced pregnancy doesn't. Then when the second and third trimesters arrive and a woman becomes bloated and the psychological and physiological effects of pregnancy really start to take hold, most women, try as they might, find many of their most appreciated recreational activities inaccessible.
However carrying a growing child is not a guarantee that your life is going to be hours upon hours of aches, pains, and mental anguish occurring in the dreariest and most unentertaining of atmospheres. Many activities remain open for enjoyment by soon-to-be moms.
Jun. 6, 2011
Getting Your Son to Appreciate Cultural Diversity is Easy With Soccer
Lucky Mom guestpost: This piece was written by Madeline Ferrara of Atlanta, GA.
I'm all about raising my kids to not be white bread.
I don't mean to say I'm exactly keen on the idea of grandchildren being raised Rastafarian, but if it were up to me every child would be learning a foreign language by age 8. Then again, that's certainly easier said than done.
I know all too well how hard it is to get kids to care about important cultural matters in their native language let alone learning about another one.
May. 12, 2011
Wining/Dining/Dating – Senior Style
It’s been one year since my mother has caused me to shudder in horror re-entered the dating scene. She’s now 72.66 and apparently after one year of this, somewhat disturbing new hobby she’s quite proficient.
As noted in Senior Citizen Dating, my mother was a dating novice and tended to limit herself to old men with such strict requirements as ‘no moustaches or pets’ and to dining only at iHop. As much as I begged, pleaded, attempted to insult/embarrass her for what appeared to be a lack of finesse and/or refinement she kept reminding me this was her ‘gig’ and to back off. Humph.
Well, what a year it’s been. Not only do I have trouble keeping track of my mother’s men friends, with the exception of one emotionally challenged bozo who looked like an elderly mannequin due to excessive plastic surgery apparently from a third world country, she has them all pining for her.
Her phone rings off the hook; she has now dined at more restaurants in Austin then me, can now correctly pronounce many wine varietals, is getting her nails and hair done professionally, is well-known by the local florist and can’t seem to drop a dime no matter how hard she tries.
Mar. 4, 2011
Julia'isms
Apparently my 4.42 year old daughter doesn’t have a thought/speaking filter.
She must get this from me though my filter tends to crumble in direct correlation to how much wine I’ve drank. No, she doesn’t drink (yet) and I’m afraid if she has no filter now, what degree of restraint will SHE have in the future?
As early as two years ago, I realized the trouble I may be in due to her debating strategies as noted in Discussions and Debates.
Anyway, here’s a few Julia'isms of late:
Jan. 4, 2011
Resolution for 2011
Every year I make my New Years resolution to be healthier, eat and drink less, exercise more and; therefore, hopefully lose weight.
What happens - nothing. Zip. Nothing changes.
This past year, oddly enough, I realized that pretty much doing the opposite worked well. I actually exercised less, ate differently, drank about the same and lost weight. Weird I know, but you do what works.
So, this leaves me with something new to resolve.
Nov. 20, 2010
The Anti-Hoarder
I’ve been getting rather anxious lately as the holidays are upon us and I know what that means.
No, not eating too much, more STUFF will be coming into my house.
I’m constantly cleaning OUT my house. I’m a regular at the various local charity drop-off locations. I really LOVE it when they call me (pretty much weekly at this point as I think I'm on their speed dial) and say a truck will be in my area….I start to feel giddy with ideas of what I can dispose of. I also love consignment shops and selling stuff on Craigslist.
I think I have a real anxiety condition as I feel claustrophobic and very uneasy when there’s ‘too much’ stuff in my house. That's why I have an eight piece child toy maximum.
I know it’s not normal as everyone who comes over to my house asks ‘where’s all your stuff?’ like we haven’t really fully moved in.
Oct. 8, 2010
Brad and Brad
Cr*p. They’ve sucked me in again with this whole Brad Repeat Womack Bachelor performance.
Why they would choose Snoremack again is really a mystery. Or is it?
Since he awkwardly declined to choose a gal in his first spin in The Bachelor dating ring, doesn’t he pretty much have to pick a girl this time around?
According to People magazine last week, he says he’s pretty sure he will find a wife this round.
In fact, he apparently has had ‘years of therapy and introspection’ so I guess that means, he’s ready for a wifey. Hmmmm...
