I'm In the Midst of Mommy Blogger Identity Crisis

.....Or maybe it should be called a Mid-Blog Crisis....

Really...that was me walking around South Jersey Yesterday....

I'm in a blogging funk/rut/gutter/twilight zone....with me really trying to figure out what kind of blogger I want to be....and lately....I'm starting to wonder if I really have the first clue. Why did I start this blogging journey....spend hours upon hours writing, commenting....writing some more....but then that thought process inevitably leads to "am I a blog addict?"....which is a topic I refuse to delve into....why? you ask? ...because my dear friends, the answer just, might, happen to be a resounding YES!.....sad

But in all seriousness...I feel like I am standing at a blogging crossroads.....of where I want to take this baby I've been nurturing for the last year.

Do I want to be like a Dooce?.....seemingly endless poignant, funny and well written posts.....with thousands of followers and even an appearance on Oprah?

OR

Do I want to trend more towards the Mommy Review Side of Life.....in my peak getting amazing free products to try like strollers....and shoes.....the life of american consumerism at it's finest....

I know for sure I won't be considering a home decorating blog....as I can't seem to get the kiddie clutter under control enough to feel decorated.....

I'm really just having a hard time right now figuring out what it is I want to be...do....accomplish while on this Blogging journey. Why are any of us here? Wow, okay now I'm getting deep, maybe a little too deep for 6 am....I'll revisit that idea once I get some coffee in my system.

I wonder if this is how Britney Spears Felt during her psychotic break....."Do I want to be Britney? Or do I want to be Ginger?" Right now I'm leaning towards Ginger.....pink wig....gold chains and a new non kid friendly sports car....

But still no idea about my blogging identity ~

Welcome to the Garden State....

My family and I were Extremely lucky and honored to have Moxie Mona...the Spokeswoman from Moxie Media Drop by for a little visit on the last leg of her Cross Country Journey.




Picking her up from the Philadelphia Airport....She was looking a little tired...from 4 days...and 40 some odd states....but was looking forward to seeing what New Jersey was all about...




Being the fabulous Amazonian woman that she is....and growing up on Paradise Island....she didn't really know anything about New Jersey....she did say though that while on a layover in Chicago her fellow passengers had no trouble relaying their ideas about the Garden State....




She really was starting to wonder how great could New Jersey Be....with people saying phrases like "Big Hair"






"Armpit of the Country",








"Dirty Factories"







"Jersey Boys"






I told her that being a self proclaimed West Coaster...I myself moved here with many of the same stereotypes running through my head....but I assured her that I would show her that New Jersey really does live up to it's slogan of the Garden State....and that there is much more than Newark and Camden.....(MUCH MORE)






Our First Stop was to one of my Favorite little towns in my neck of the woods....New Jersey is full of Quaint Bouroghs and villages....many which have been around since before the revolutionary War.




*** George Washington Crossed New Jersey 12 Times during the Revolutionary War. Many Historical Buildings in New Jersey, were visited by him ****

Pooh loved showing Mona his favorite Town....and of course it is home to my favorite Fabric Store....which of course we had to go in and check out....little did I know Moxie was a fellow fabric Maven.....

Moxie was also a huge help in being my assistant with the latest photo shoot for Noah Baby Boutique. She is an expert in lighting and backgrounds....














On the Way Home, we showed Mona what a "Jug Handle" is....a way for us to make a left hand turn...by going right......by the end of her stay she still didn't get it.....(that's okay Mona....I've been here almost 3 years and I still don't get it



The following day....We took Mona to a super cute farm/petting zoo.....New Jersey has a large agricultural region...and is actually the 5th largest wine producing state in the country.....Mona and the animals got along quite well....she loved the cut your own flowers....and channeled her inner farm girl sitting in the hay truck....

















On our final day....(Mona's trip was fairly short...with other fabulous Blogging ladies to still visit)...we took Mona down the shore...It wasn't exactly like her Paradise Island home...but she did exclaim it was a beautiful view...and just as relaxing....when all you need is surf and sand....






**Cape May (on the southern tip of NJ) has the distinction of being the oldest seashore resort in the United States and one of the most unique. ***












We were so happy that Mona chose Project Mommyhood to be the one to show her the Great State of New Jersey....and she now can go home...and tell everyone back on Paradise Island...that she didn't even see big hair once!


Here are some other interesting facts about the Garden State

• North Jersey has the most shopping malls in one area in the world with seven major shopping malls in a 25 sq. mile radius.
• Jack Nicholson, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Redman, Das EFX, Naughty by Nature, Sugar Hill Gang, Lords of the Underground, Jason Alexander, Queen Latifa, Shaq, Judy Blume, Arron Burr, Whitney Houston, Eddie Money, Frank Sinatra, Grover Cleveland, all New Jersey natives.
• New Jersey is home to the Miss America pageant held in Atlantic City.
• The light bulb, phonograph (record player), motion picture projector were invented by Thomas Edison in his Menlo Park laboratory.
• The first baseball game was played in Hoboken
• Modern paleontology, the science of studying dinosaur fossils, began in 1858 with the discovery of the first nearly complete skeleton of a dinosaur in Haddonfield, New Jersey. The Hadrosaurus is the official New Jersey state dinosaur.

**** And Mona....really wants you to enter the Laundry Monster Giveaway on the previous Post....She would enter herself...but doesn't think it would be fair...cause she wins EVERYTHING....So Go...Go NOW...and Enter! *****

Laundry Monster....and a Giveaway! (Closed)

We Have a Winner!!!

Congratulations to Comment # 15

Heather!

Selected by Random.org

I am a self proclaimed Etsy Junkie....and not just because I am myself an Etsian....hocking my wares to other self proclaimed Etsy Junkies....


I absolutely love finding other amazing shops....that carry unique...fabulous....drool worthy items....things that I know other mommies at the "mom park" would stop and say "where did you get that?"....and today I would say "Laundry Monster"



I am head over heels IN LOVE with Laundry Monster....Now I think my burp cloths are fantastic...but Laundry Monster takes my fantastic...and turns it in to her KaPlow...Schizam....Super Fabulicious!......


She offers Amazing hand dyed burp cloths, onesies and t-shirts for kids!...Each is unique...and special...and the colors and prints are to dye for!...(pun is intended)....

I had a chance to ask Cheryl the brillance behind the products some questions:

When did you start crafting and why?

I've been a graphic designer and photographer for many years but just started my shop in November 2008, and started sewing in April of 2009. I guess I just didn't have enough to do!

What do you love most about your craft?

I absolutely love fabric - cotton prints and linen. And color. I love creating these colors with dye and pairing them up with gorgeous prints.

What is your favorite item that you have available right now?

Hand dyed linen. I could stare at it all day long, specifically the hot pink and school bus yellow.

Do you have any exciting plans for your shop in the near future?

Pillow covers, made of my hand dyed linen and cotton prints. I've just got to find the time (it's so hard to put my shop on vacation, I'm afraid I'll miss something!)

What do you find the most exciting and rewarding part of being a mom?

I just love watching my two children become polite, funny, likable people. I have been very lucky.

What advice would you give to other moms who may be thinking of getting into crafting and perhaps wanting to sell online?

Be ready to put lots of time into it, have a marketing strategy, and don't sell yourself short. Your time is worth a lot!

Buy It!

Buy her fantastic line of totally unique baby and Children's items HERE

Win IT!

Win One of Laundry Monster's Amazing hand dyed Burp Cloths

Birds and Olive Tree in Dark Green!

To Enter:

Go to Laundry Monster and Come back with 1 other item you would LOVE to have!

Extra Entries:

1) Follow Project Mommyhood

2) Blog about this Giveaway and leave link with blog post

3) Follow me on Twitter and Tweet this Giveaway (leave link in comment)

4) Purchase anything from Laundry Monster get 5 Extra Entries

Contest Runs From Wed 9/23 until Friday 10/2 at 11:59 PM PST

Only open to US Residents Only!

Winner will have 48 hours to contact before another winner is chosen!

Around the Blogosphere In 5 Days!

I was honored to be asked to participate in this super cool event sponsored by The Fabulous new Group Moxie Media....made up of some of coolest mommy bloggers in the Blogosphere!

Better In Bulk

Mama's Losin It

Mayhem & Moxie

Scary Mommy

Seven Clown Circus

The Goal of Moxie Media is to work in connection with other women bloggers....women with "moxie" (courage, guts, energy, know-how, skill, initiative)....to help promote companies they believe in, while keeping content on their blogs fun and important.

To Kick off the Launch of This amazing Network...Their Spokesperson...Moxie Mona is Traveling the Country....Visiting almost every State...and staying with over 65 mommy Bloggers.....In Just 5 Days....Now that is some Moxie!

To follow Mona's Travels...and time spent with these fabulous bloggers...ahem myself included....just click on the link of the 5 Host Blogs above, and find a complete list of the participating bloggers and the dates of their postings!

Starting Today you also can participate in daily writing carnivals (memes) hosted by the Fab 5 of Moxie Media. Just Link your blog on these sites (listed above). Participating will be an awesome opportunity to connect with your fellow bloggers as well as get some great traffic and exporsure.

To find out more details about the carnivals (dates, topics, etc), be sure to visit the links of the hosts!

Oh and PS....I chronicle Mona's Stay here in New Jersey on Friday!.....

I"m having an Online Romance

dum dum dum.....

Cheeky....Cheeky.....


Last week, one of my good friends and I while, enjoying our weekly Starbucks run.... were chatting about our respective marriages....I mean...what else do you talk about over a grande pumpkin spice latte?


She mentioned how she couldn't understand how connected Juice and I are...as a couple....with him being gone all the time.....


I think it went something like...."Geesh....don't you find it hard to be married?...


And the answer to that is....


I have an online affair with my husband.....which I guess is fitting and Ironic, as I actually (somewhat embarrassingly) admit we met on Myspace.....I usually say we met through mutual friends....so this stays between You, You, you over there...and me!


Luckily with the age of high speed internet....Juice and I are able to have online date nights...that can and do sometimes involve wine-ing and dining...and lots of pleasant conversation including such important topics as....what we want to do when he gets home, how Hawaii Is this time of year....he'll without fail ask what I'm wearing....etc, etc...

to get the mood right, I even grab a glass of wine and something Sinfully Chocolate....


I can even say with a straight face that there are even some benefits of an online romance....



1) while Instant messaging...I can multi task and check out my fave blogs, peruse Etsy...or check in on Perez....without missing a beat.

2) I don't have to worry about my legs being shaven, or my hair being done....


3) I can have every pillow on the bed...not just mine!

4) If said Husband says something that I find annoying, offensive or downright rude...I can just sign off....no uncomfortable ride home...followed by an explaination of why jerk wad will be slumbering on the couch for the foreseeable future.

Now, I'm not saying that I would trade Juice being home in a million, gazillion years....no way Jose...Steve or Joe!

But if I have to compromise every once in awhile......my hot and heavy internet love affair....


will definitely help keep the spark alive.....

Giveaway! CSN/ All Children's Furniture - Closed!

WE HAVE A WINNER:

One Happy Family said...
I follow you on twitter and tweeted:http://twitter.com/leccalave/statuses/4341665011leccalave@yahoo.com

Congratulations!!

Oh how almost misleading the Title of the company is...

All Children's Furniture.com....should really be renamed....All Children's EVERYTHING.com...

Truly....not kidding!....They carry absolutely anything or everything you could possibly want for your child....from furniture (of course) to bedding, room decor to more toys then I've ever seen in my life in one spot!....

I was looking for toys...in Pooh's age range.....within a $37 budget range....and it came back with 535 products.....unreal!

All Children's Furniture.com carries so many of the popular brands Parents are looking for. Wonderworld, Kidkraft, Little Tykes, Step 2 and soooo many more are all there in one spot! Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy!...


Buy It!

You can buy so many Amazing products for your children by visiting their Site HERE



WIN IT!

All Children's Furniture (Really should change the name) is Generously Giving one of my readers this fabulous Rainbow Sound Blocks From Wonderworld!




These blocks are fabulous! Babies will learn sorting, matching and association skills. Looking through the blocks, children will see the world in different colors!

It was the Winner of the Silver Practical Pre-School Award in 2006, and National Parenting Publications Award in 2001

Wonderworld, an advocate of protecting the environment, and insists on using only rubber-wood that is from a replenishable source.



To Enter!

Visit All Children's Furniture.com HERE, and leave a comment with another product you would LOVE to have! It's That Easy!



Extra Entries:


1. Follow ME!

2. Blog about this Giveaway: Please Use this Line somewhere in your content:

“Project Mommyhood is hosting a great giveaway! Check out All ChildrensFurniture.com for your favorite brands like Wonderworld, KidKraft, little Tikes and more! Giveaway ends 9/25!”

Please leave comment with link to blog post

3. Follow me on twitter: and Tweet This Giveaway! Please leave link on comment to Twitter address




This contest is only open to US and Canada Residents! Shipping is included! Contest begins Friday 9/18 at 7:00 AM EST and will End Friday 9/25 at 11:59 PST. Please make sure you include a way for me to contact you if you are the winner. Winner will have 48 hours to respond before another winner is chosen!

I did it!....I finally kicked Cancer's A$#!

It has been 4 years....Three Surgeries...one bout of radiation....and countless tests for me to finally Give a HUGE Whoop Whoop....and Happily shout out loud that I am in Remission.....

I find it a little ironic...that a day after I am reminded about life with Cancer....and the not so positive possibilities that come with it....I am given the all clear that my life will go on....and prosper....

hmmmm......

It has been one crazy ride....let me tell you.....from being married to one not so great husband when I find out.....to going through a divorce and cancer treatment...at the same time...(I'll take the cancer treatment any day over divorce).....

finding the best man in the whole world....who 3 weeks after we start dating I have to tell him "oh by the way....my cancer has returned"....this amazing guy...didn't even bat an eyelash at sticking with me....when many others I'm sure would have been like..."Whoa too deep for me"...

We went from not knowing how difficult conceiving would be....if it was possible at all.....to having one very healthy...very happy Pooh...to make me feel like miracles are amazing, tangible things...

In some ways saying I have cancer has been a blessing....it has brought my relationship with God so much closer....I think that may be in part why I don't live my life everyday like I'm someone with cancer....God will take care of me....and He wants me to live my best life....everyday....

and now....I know I have lots and lots and lots of days ....to continue living my best life....

I tell ya....

Man...kicking some a$@ feels Amazing.....

Maybe now I can join a roller derby team.....

hey it could happen...(wink wink)

The Loss of one of My First Crushes....

How sad was I to open up Yahoo tonight, and see that Patrick Swayze had passed away....

I've sat here for awhile now...just trying to digest that one who helped me through pre-pubsecent fantasies....is no longer with us.....I'm saddened....and I think still a little in shock....

Dirty Dancing...introduced me to a good looking six-pack.....Ghost....showed me that men can be strong and sensitive....and sensual.....






He fought his disease with strength of character....but blast it all....wish he would have put down the cigarettes....



I was fortunate to be within 3 feet of him once....while I was working at the Nordstrom in Scottsdale....the department I managed was next to one he and his wife were shopping in....



I remember as I was helping some customers....my back was to where he was standing....I can still see those two ladies now....their eyes became sooooo big....they both have this massive intake of air....then whooooosssshhhhhh

"That's Patrick Swayze....."the way they said his name...I knew he had been on the top of their crush list as well....

I turn around and there he is....in all his glory.....he and his wife smile as they walk past where I'm standing....and I get a whiff of his cologne....no idea what it was....but gall darn it...he smelled as good as I imagined he would at 13....

The two things I still have tucked away....for a rainy day.....are that is butt looked amazing at 52....and with my heels on I was taller than him....

which did not diminsh his crush worthiness at all.....

It's funny....I keep replaying that last scene from ghost....you know where he turns and smiles before walking into the light....

I totally see that being how he went out.....cool...calm...collected.....and maybe even dancing...

Has anyone seen any fun waiting to happen?

I don't think I have...

A fine day to buzz with the bees

By ~ Winnie the Pooh

Small steps make grand adventures

By ~ Winnie the Pooh

So let’s go ahead together as this new adventure begins, and discover the wondrous things....

By ~ Winnie the Pooh

You’re braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.

By ~ Christopher Robin

"We´ll be friends forver, won´t we Pooh?" asked Piglet. "Even Longer" Pooh answered

By ~ Winnie the Pooh

Have you had an adventure today?.....I'd love to hear it...no matter how big or small!

On a Dreary, Wet, Cold...Fall-ish Day....

I want to hold onto the last days of summer.....and revisiting some pictures of Pooh and his little girlfriend helping me do a photoshoot for Noah Baby....and enjoying the sunshine....is definitely making it happen!!!

A Day Like Today...though is a perfect Day to Catch up On my 10 Fave Blogs for This Week!!

While Pooh is napping away!

Buried With Children

A Day In Rhonda's Life

Little Bites of Heaven

All things Fluffy...Fashionable...& Famous!

...A Mom on Spin. .

A Soft Place to Land

Domestically Challenged

Bitchin' Wives Club

Crumbs in the Minivan

{life with} Cutie Face

It's also a fabulous Day for some Shopping...I love me some retail therapy!

This ADORABLE shop called Planet Pudge....(Love the name) is offering FREE Shipping This weekend! They have a ton of must have items.

all pieces are embroidered by hand by an over-caffeinated, creative-deprived mom in search of fun, unique, modern clothes for her two little girls!

They are all fabulous and all one of a kind....

As they say at Planet Pudge...to make your kid the coolest in Pre-K!

Revenge of the Toddler....Attack of the Anti -Foodie

How can something so gosh darn cute.....


Be so Gall Darn Awnry and Stubborn....I Have absolutely NO idea where he gets it from....





What?!? I don't....





My Pooh....the one with the fabulous appetite...who would eat things that even grown men..(ahem hi honey) wouldn't touch....has now decided that anything besides cheerios....chicken nuggets....and raisins are not fit for human consumption....



The child who gladly partook in such culinary delights as Sushi Night....and Mommy's Attempt at her own version of Julie and Julia....



Now makes me feel like the newest victim of Tom Colicchio on Top Chef....





Now I've taken to the web.....and have found some comfort in the countless stories told by those also in the throws of said foodie wars.....



however....even with fellow mommies on my side....battling day and night beside me....dodging flying bowls of perfectly good cuisine.....



I still feel like Crap.....



I feel as if I am starving my child....because I refuse to give into the powers of McDonalds and Burger King....and feed him Chocolate Milk, cheeseburgers and fries everyday of his life.....


and I won't even go onto how at 18 months...my son who only gets fast food once in a blue moon....has decided that is the only thing worth eating.....(we could be here all day....and part of tomorrow)

Yesterday, I looked at myself in the mirror...and said...okay mommy....you can do this...and I've decided I'm taking the same approach to winning this particular battle in the toddler war as I do with our dogs, when they refuse to eat....I call it Operation Scruffy

when he's hungry enough....he'll eat.....

Perfect...I think it's a sound plan....backed by some article by some child psychologist...somewhere.....

Now if only I can stick to it longer than one meal.....Breakfast.....Pooh-1 Mommy-0....(made a stop at Dunkin)

To Everything (Turn, Turn Turn)...There is a Season....

(Turn Turn Turn)...

I knew there was a reason that I had this song stuck in my head all the way back from the Shore on Sunday....which by the way....was NOT an even abbreviated....in my wildest dreams....tropical vacation....

Mr Weatherman.....You Lied to me....it was not warm....it was not sunny.....and I think you need to send me the $25.61 in gas it took me to drive there...to find out just how cold and windy the shore really can be....

But alas.....that really isn't the reason behind the byrds song still two days later still resonating in my morning foggy mind....

I woke up this morning...thinking....(I think it was the change in weather that's done it)....WOW...another Summer gone....another Fall Beginning.....

Another Season further away from the Corporate....run run run....life I had before.....

Another Season with my new Stay at home Mommy....run run run....life I have now....

As I lay underneath the down comforter...with 2 out of the three dogs snoring beside me....some ME time before I hear the little Chortle of Pooh in the other room....

I realized I've accomplished a lot in the last few seasons......Some of which include...but are not limited to....

Being able to multi-task while having a 21 lb wiggly toddler strapped to my hip.....a feat my husband still tends to have problems with....(HA)

That my not quite back to pre-baby body....and slightly (ahem)...okay...more than slightly rounder booty....does look good in a pair of jeans.....

(Probably one of the more important).....Taking parenting advice from your parents....is NOT mandatory.....though I'm sure they wish it were....

I've gained Confidence in my own parenting skills....I'm realizing I'm not inept...that somewhere within myself I am getting all this good parenting sense....(see above)

That even staying home....can give me utter fulfillment...and joy....and the same satisfaction as when I was running a $4 million dollar department....who knew?

That I can...with a lot of long nights (thanks USAF for making me a wartime widow for 6 months a year) create my own cottage business....that is beginning to see the beginnings of a strong future....I think Donald Trump Said....you have to LOVE what you do to be a success. Well I love being a mom....love baby things....and love being creative....with that mantra...how can I fail?

Another Season.....Another leg of the journey.....this one is always one of my faves....full of Hayrides....Pumpkin Picking.....silly Costumes......Daddy will Actually be Home.....

Oh but did I mention....he's deploying on Christmas Eve......Such is the Military life.....Hey...A)We'll just celebrate a day early....and B) at least I got more than 2 weeks notice this time!.....

Little Blessings......

I'm Tired of Doing Labor....

and I'm hoping my Friend TaShonda will be going Into Labor....

And Congrats to The Mrs. At Trying Our Best....For Having Her Dash-3

So In Honor of Labor Day.....and for me....it's going to be the lack thereof.....

I'm taking the weekend off.....

My lovely husband listened to my plea....sort of....

I'm getting the beach.....not quite my deserted Island....but my own piece of the Jersey Shore for my relaxation and Enjoyment...(giggle)

You'll see me bright and Early Tuesday Morning.....

And In the Meantime.....

I'm Leaving you With My 10 Fave Blogs This Week....They are some Fabulous Ones, If I do Say So Myself....



"A Thrifty Home"

2 Little Irish Boys

Classy Chaos

The Things We Carried

Cookies with Boys

I've Changed My Name To Mommy

A Goddess in Progress!

The Young and The Relentless

Motherhood in the Grove

Delightful Gourmet

Tired Mom = Naked in The Sprinkler....

The last few weeks....have been one big recipe of OH MY GOD....I think I need a vacation...from myself....preferably somewhere with a lounge chair, Mai Tai and can make it a private island as well....preferably far, far away from others.....

Let's start with 1 Amazing, Fabulous....yet kind of stressful Juice Homecoming from the Middle East...(Always takes a small adjustment period)

Add in 1 14 day visit from my mother....(who I LOVE with all my hear (best mom ever))...but there is a reason I don't live at home anymore

Throw in the Craziness that was the Mommy Blogger of the Year Contest...with making sure all finalists/sponsors were featured...(in otherwords...my OCD perfectionism kicked into high gear)

Add a Pinch of Juice's 30th Birthday.....mixed with the fact that he wanted NOTHING while I of course wanted to have a 30th birthday worthy celebration.....(I gave in.....for now)

Top it off with a child who is trying to understand words like anger, frustration and irratated....while mommy is coming to terms with words like tantrum, time out and incessant...

bake it in a heat wave oven....powered by New Jersey Drivers.....

and you have yourself......

A Day where I let my son run around the front yard Naked...playing in the sprinkler......letting all things housework related GO....

and had my neighbors not been out front chopping down their GIGANTIC tree.....

I probably would have run around naked with him!!!

Meet Your Mommy Blogger of The Year.......Allie @ No Time For FlashCards

After 44 Nominees....

3 Judges...

12 Finalists...

15 Days of Voting...

Over 3,300 Votes...

1 Tight Race to the Finish...

And We Have Ourselves Our Very First Mommy Blogger of the Year Winner!!!!

A HUGE Congratulations to Allie @ No Time For Flashcards...

So Stop By....and Congratulate her on her BIG Win!!!

Thank you Again To Everyone who Nominated....Voted...and Provided amazing Swag....

It has made this first annual event a HUGE success....

and I'm looking forward to an Even Bigger/Better Event Next Year....