Heart on My Sleeve

Join Me!

The following are some links and ideas that I would like you to explore with me.  Let's Play!

First, as I mentioned a while back, I am in the middle of reading a lot of different books.  Today, I opened a free account at Good Reads.com.  Most of you probably got an invite from me via email, but if you didn't, please join us!  All you need to do is create your own account and then click on the "friends" tab, then "find a friend".  You can then locate me by my name or email address.  Currently my sister and I are reading "Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free" by Nancy Leigh DeMoss.  If you would like to joing us in reading and discussing what we are learning, please let me know!  I also plan on uploading many of my favorite books onto my Good Reads Profile, but am sure it will take some time.

Next, I was wondering if you all could use any coupon/grocery shopping/great deal tips?  It happens to be a strength of mine and I'm thinking of adding a category and weekly tip section to the blog.

Also, I'd like to mention to you a cool new website that Aunt Jeanine pointed out to me this week.  It literally only takes seconds of your time, is totally free, and helps people!  Please join me in checking this site daily and clicking on the "click here" button to provide free mamograms to women in need.  Sponsors of ads on the site pay for the mamograms based on the amount of clicks the site receives per day.  While you're at it, why not click on the others as well?

I've been exploring lots of other blogs/sites and am looking forward to sharing them with you as I get into them a bit deeper.  For now, why don't you check out this?

We've now moved . . .

to page 8 on the previously mentioned contest.  Rach has informed us that registering is not necessary, and since you can only vote once, this should be quick and painless for even the online novices among us.

I've gained a couple votes, but lost a "star" in ratings?????

Help us out here!  lol

xoxo,

nene and Ava  (a.k.a. "Veeva")

Vote for us!

I entered a picture in Woman's Day magazine's "Back to School" photo contest.  Go here and vote for us!

You will have to create an account to vote, and you can only vote once, but we sure would appreciate your support!  It is a very quick process and only took me a second to do.  If you have trouble finding the picture after you've created your account and logged in, I've succesfully found it by sorting the entries by "newest to oldest" then going to page 6.  Of course that will change as time goes by, but hope it helps in the event you're unsuccessful with the above link.

Thanks a bunch -

xoxo, nene and Ava

Books I'm Reading

As I'm sure you can tell, I've been busy reading lately.  I have . . . . 7 books started!  I keep switching between them all, and since they are all pretty different it hasn't been hard to keep track.  I'm really into non-fiction these days and anything that pertains to our life today that I can gain some perspective and knowledge on is well worth the time spent reading about it.  Maybe one of these days, I'll find a good fictional novel that's worthwhile, but feel like that might be a bit of an indulgence as of yet.  Anyway, the purpose of this post is to ask any of you if you or someone else you know might be reading any of these books and would like to discuss and/or trade thoughts, feelings and opinions on them?  As soon as I get some more free time, I'm going to sign up on a book website that makes it easy to start book clubs and share with your friends what eachother is reading - was wondering who might be interested?  I'll look forward to hearing from you.

Do you notice anything different . .. .

around here?  If so, let me hear from you.  The kids will pick a random number (you will be numbered in order of comments.) and the winner will receive a prize from yours truly*.  Also, for those of you ready for the next round of "Name That Tune", here you go**:

"Oh, you may condemn me
With your bitter words and untouchable rage
Yeah, you may torment me
'Cause I don't lead my life in your way
But I will stand here before you with no pride or prejudice
Just steadfast and certain that I will land on my own two feet"***

*And yes, your answer to the song lyrics also qualifies you for the prize.*

**Please see previously posted rules.**

***I gave you more than the usual, cause I don't expect many of you to be very familiar with this song - hope the whole verse helps.***

****I've never used so many asteriks in my life.****

*****Enough ********* already. ******

xoxo,

me

How I won an ipod -

Thanks for asking, Natalie!

This is the contest I entered.  This was my response - scroll down, mine's second to last.

This is how YOU can win an ipod.

A lot of clicking, I know, but well worth it, if you ask me!

If one of my readers win, I'll sweeten the pot.  -don't know with what, yet, but I'll make it worth your while.  Just to clarify, to be considered one of my readers, I must see a comment from you before March 31 (which is also the deadline for the Pour Out contest.)

Calling Super Nanny

Our 2 year old is killing us.  Seriously.  She won't go to bed - yes, we let her cry it out (or attempt to, most of the time), but honestly, what 2 year old do you know that will scream at the top of their lungs, so loud you can hear it outside for . . . . .. 3+ HOURS?????  On the nights I can't bear it (1 or 2 a week)  I give in and let her come into the living room with me until she falls asleep and Brad carries her to bed.  The other 1 or 2 nights, she goes to bed willingly and peacefully at 8pm.  The other 3?  Total hell for her father and I until we decide we're so delirious with exhaustion that we won't hear her screams anymore if we're in bed, with our door shut and with pillows over our heads.  (Those are the nights she's screamed from 8pm till 11pm - on some occassions even 1am.)

The worst part?  Its extending into our daily lives.  Not just at nighttime anymore.  She demands what she wants, when she wants it -- and if we say "no" - well, we're in for a battle.  Tonight she asked for her shoes (which were outside full of sand) for 2 hours.  She asks to eat ALL DAY LONG.  She repeats the same request over and over and over like a button that just gets stuck.  I try my best to stick to my word, but often times, I don't say no even when I normally would in order to "choose my battles."  Because if I'm busy, or if the baby's sick, or if we're in public, or if Collin needs help -- I just can't deal with a 2 or 3 hour battle.  For the most part (and according to many who know me)  I am considered a "scrict" parent.  I try to raise my children as I was raised (which makes sense, since that's the only way I know to do it.)  We are sticklers with manners.  Brad and I have had A LOT of practice with Collin over the years.  But here's the part I can't stand to hear myself say:

It just doesn't "take" with Ava.

I put her in time out - she walks away.  I continue to put her back (a la Super Nanny style), she thinks its a game and laughs.

I spank her bottom (please no comments if you disagree with this) - she laughs at me.

We put her in the crib for time out - she climbs out.

We put her in her room for time out - she can now unlock the door and get out.

I kneel down on her level and ask her to calm down, holding her hands, telling her (and repeating the request) that I know what she wants but mommy says "no" and she screams louder and hits me - sometimes bringing tears to my eyes.

We're at our wits end.  Its beginning to be very obvious that this adorable baby is running our family.  I'm getting scared that Blair will learn from her.  I'm getting scared that people will think she's a spoiled brat.  I'm getting scared that Brad and I as parents are failing at our job to teach her what is acceptable behavior and what is not.

I welcome comments and suggestions from you all - but if you do, please note these disclaimers:

Ava is 2.  I understand that a certain amount of these behaviors are totally normal as she explores her boundaries.

Ava has a speech delay.  We have been VERY proactive in getting her treated, although unfortunatley, treatment has been delayed due to extensive waiting lists.  While her inability to communicate effectively frustrates her father, I can understand almost everything Ava says.  She is an EXCELLENT communicator despite her lack of vocabulary and there is not an issue as far as us knowing what she wants/needs due to this delay.  (Although I do recognize that she is probably frustrated that she is not always understood by others that are not her mommy.)

I fully intend on addressing these issues with both her speech therapist and pediatrician, but have mentioned it in the past and have not gotten any solid advice.  So, please weigh in.  I want to hear what you've tried.  What worked and what didn't.  If you see any red flags.  Or maybe you could just comisserate with me?  :)

A Special Day and Other Good Things

First things first:

HAPPY BIRTHDAY COLLIN! 

And in no particular order, here is everything else worth commenting about:

Happy Fat Tuesday!

I can almost taste the King Cake now -- (don't I wish.)

Momma got Collin a really cool night light for his birthday.  I just have to share it:

Its its the "COLOR CUBE 50) made by Homedics and every square changes colors - any color - all the time.  No pattern or rhythm whatsoever.  Nice to look at, and perfect for toddlers, college students or people like you and me, its very soothing, and almost hypnotizing if you will.  Very cool.

Also, I don't know of any of you who this applies to, but if you're out there and need some Good Start formula coupons, I'd be happy to stick them in the mail for you.  Blair went to cow's milk before I could use them up - one of them is $8.00, the others $1 or more, so its definitely worth the postage if you can put them to use.  Let me hear from you - they expire March 1 and I would hate for them to go to waste!

I'm still behind on the housework (as usual) but today am going to try to stay on top of it at least until I go pick up Collin from school.  After that, we've got big plans.  He got a "credit card" for his birthday (a $15 WalMart Gift Card - evidently the cool thing for the 6 year old set.) and we have to go spend it after school.  I know, I know, Dave Ramsey would slap me with a wet noodle, but for now we're going to let him call it that and I'll explain the reality to him later (probably this summer when we're able to make a real impression on him on a daily basis - the time most lessons seem to stick with him.)  All he knows is that he gets to pick out whatever he wants (under $15 of course) at WalMart on his birthday and that, I'm sure, will be enjoyable for all of us.  (If not entertaining, at least.)

Also, go here for a fun quiz my sister and I took.  We only took the VIA Signature Strength Quiz, so I can't speak for any of the others on the site, but it was pretty cool!  Let me know if you take it so we can compare answers.  I think this is definitely going on a scrapbook page. 

I also have hopes (delusional, they may be) to go thru the mound of papers that are camouflaging my computer desk so that I can sit down at some point today or this evening and work on an inspiration flip book, or layout, or something else remotely creative.

Lastly, as I sit here and type, I see the girls doing this:

Not only have they dumped out the entire tub of Legos (which is a no-no, since they're a choking hazard for at least one of them, if not both) - don't know how that one got within their reach; but they've also pulled off all the velcro backing to Collin's reward chart pieces.  So much for that idea . . .  Don't they look really gross on Ava's feet like that?  (As she says "ow" for every one she pulls off her feet . . . .)  I've mellowed SO much. {i.e. taking pictures instead of reacting to their destruction.}

What's NOT ok?  I just turned my head to see Ava say "no" and swipe at Blair (totally normal, although she does get in trouble for it) --- and BLAIR DID IT BACK!  (said "no", the hand swipe, everything)  And now she's doing it over and over --- so, before my girls turn into teenagers before my very eyes, I better quit chatting with you all and go straighten out some of this madness.

More food for thought:  Blair just took 3 steps . . . . Angel is EXTREMELY gassy today (p-u) . . . .I'm sticking to my guns on Ava's eating schedule today (she is OUT of control) . . . .Corinne Bailey Ray ROCKS! . . . .Ali Edwards inspires me . . . . the package should be arriving any day now . . . .I went to sleep at 5:30pm Saturday night (after the bowling party) and 7pm last night - what's up with that?? . . . .Britney's gone crazy . . . . I' ve got 4 mystery shops scheduled for next week, totally getting the hang of that . . . . Still anxiously awaiting Grey's Anatomy Thursday night - which is also Mom's night out w/  MOMS Club KARAOKE, nonetheless - what a dilemna! . . . .I want to have a yard sale this weekend, but not price anything - just have people offer me what they think is fair.  Any thoughts on this?   . . . . I hate coconut, but Samoas are my favorite Girl Scout cookie . . . .I totally failed you guys on Name That Tune yesterday - I'm off to do that RIGHT NOW . . . .

Trends

So, by reader trends (yes, I can see that stuff) I see that "Name That Tune" is a very popular thing here at Nene's Bloggish.  I kind of got discouraged months ago when no one recognized G. Love, and since no one commented on or hounded me about it, I figured no one was reading.  So, speak up!  Let me hear you!  For Brooke and Courtney's sake, I will continue (or restart, shall I say?) until someone wins - as they do deserve a reward for their loyalty!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, please search the archives and catch up - if I see it getting some action, I'm all for continuing the game.  New lyrics WILL be posted tomorrow. (Monday)

While I've got your attention, what do you think about me changing my name from "Nene's Bloggish" to "Heart on My Sleeve"?   (Which also happens to be the name of my Etsy shop that is about to go public!)  Minor change to most of you, I know, but I don't want to officially do anything and screw up a good thing as far as my blog is concerned.  (I've grown quite accustomed to you all!)  So, please - comment, if you will.

P.S.  I still need to know how to make a banner.  Save me the research, will you?  :)

Oh no, they didn't

So, they didn't have me fooled.  Not one bit.  I mean, she is Meredith Grey, right?  And the show is called Grey's Anatomy, right?  Then, for next week's preview, they said . . .. . . "devastating conclusion."  Oh no, they didn't. Shameless, I tell you.