Memorial Weekend Thoughts

On May 29, 2018 By JillIn Mommy Musings, The Cookie Chronicles, What's Going On?2 Comments

Memorial Day Weekend. The name itself conjures up images of girls gone wild. A suitcase filled with fancy, going out… well basically slutty clothes, makeup, and bottles of pre game mixers and alcohol.

I can remember the outfit changes, fashion shows with the girls, the nights out, the drinks, the hook ups, the “list” on the kitchen fridge of beer goggled conquests. Oh the craziness that went on at the shore. What happens at the shore stays at the shore!

I remember the drive to the house, windows down, maybe smoking a cigarette (this was twenty years ago!) the excitement, the start of summer. The hope of meeting someone special if you were single, the looking forward to soaking up the sun by day, dancing the night away by night, and having a blast hanging with your housemates.

Weekends at the shore were a continuous series of laughs, drama, closeness, drinking, and late night pizza ( although that part was an ongoing problem. I think we all would set out saying, “I’m not going to eat pizza tonight!”

But come 2 am, someone would inevitably cave… Waking up to the telltale evidence of a late night pizza binge.

Seems like a distant memory. Those were fun days for sure. But these days, these types of weekends, when my husband is home for that extra day, and we get three days of family time and BBQs with friends, it’s pure bliss.

Hamburgers, pool parties, smiles and s’mores.

This memorial weekend I was happy to be home, hanging with my family, the thought of me in a bar, cocktails and cougars, sends a shiver of scariness down my spine.

Here’s a picture of my watermelon decorated sugar cookies I brought to a BBQ. Will be posting recipe and video soon.

Five Reasons I Will Miss Winter

On May 1, 2018May 1, 2018 By JillIn I need a glass of wine, Mommy Confessions, Uncategorized, What's Going On?2 Comments

We are always running late! Maybe if I take a video of all of us in the morning, send it to the principal, she’ll see the struggle, take pity on me, and consider erasing those tardies from the report card?

Between the knots in the girls’ hair( what the hell happens between bedtime and morning? It’s like squirrels have a party in their hair! ) the crying fits of the little one, and the high maintenance demands at breakfast ( can I have one glass of juice diluted with water, one plain glass of water, pancakes with syrup on the side, syrup on top, and one with no syrup at all, just fresh fruit …I mean I hate to complain about that one, but come on… I’m just trying to get all three out of the house… and on time to school.

mom

God forbid I let my daughter walk to school in this day and age.. never know who is lurking in a shadowy corner ready to snatch her up in a suspicious looking white van ! Oh wait, we had that same story circulating in town back when I was a kid… and I did walk to school, and it was a long walk! Hmmm….maybe I’ll reconsider?

In any case, this morning was no exception, the typical flurry of missing shoes and lost blankets ( so imperative for that long 1 minute trip to school!) and I realized we were going to be late again if we didn’t leave at that very second … then I saw what I was wearing … my pajamas, gross shirt, no bra… and my hair, well that always looks terrible in the morning…How many busy moms out there run into a friend outside the Mom life routine and they’re like “Wow, you look amazing? What have you done with yourself?

And your like racking your brain for what you could have possibly done differently… oh right…

“Um, I took a shower….”

Oh the life of a busy mommy…

As I was sprinting out the door, screaming toddler in my arms, I realized that I was actually going to miss the cold, comforting routine of winter.

“Are you crazy?” I can hear the disbelief in your thoughts as well as mine…but let me tell you why…here are my five reasons I will miss winter.

1 Big Puffy Jacket – Oh what hides beneath the dark, forgiving, comfy winter coat. Need I say more?

Woman all dressed in fur.

2 Tall Winter Boots- It’s such a simple look to pull off in the winter… leggings or joggers and boots…no sock issues – they can be high, short, mismatched, or no socks at all.

No need to worry about that patch of stubble on your ankle that you missed.

No need to be concerned about being fashionable! Who is thinking about that when you are freezing!

3 No fighting with kids about what to wear?

“Can I wear shorts?” They beg when the weather is questionable.

“I don’t need a jacket!” Yes you do. I don’t feel like getting another email from a teacher about this issue.

“I was so hot today at school mom! Or I was so cold today at school.” “You never tell me the right thing to wear!”

“Sigh…” mom hangs her head in shame beating herself up for her outfit choice mistakes…JUST KIDDING… I’m nothing like that- I’m more of a “Quit your complaining and move on kid” kind of a mom. But it is annoying having to hear it.

The changing of the season just adds an element of uncertainty and extra steps that I don’t have time for!

4 Red wine and baking

There is nothing more comforting than sipping a full bodied red, warm cinnamon and chocolate wafting through the air ( whatever it is I’m baking at the time) and not caring about the calories… Bathing suit and bothersome body worries buried far below the cozy forgiving sweaters….

All-I-Want-To-Do-Is-Bake-And-Drink-Wine-Large-Sample-1

5 Control of my kids

When it’s cold out, everyone is happy to stay inside, all together, and I know where everyone is…the kids rush to the warmth of the car after school or their activities, content to mostly be home. I can get things done, keep my house relatively clean, and have a little down time… but when the sun is out, they are ladies of the land… always wanting to be outside, play after school, running out the door, leaving a wailing Lexi behind, doors open, bugs flying in, coming in/coming out – leaving a trail of dirt and mud wherever they go. They want to ride bikes, scooters, go to the park… which is great ! Truly … it’s just I have to take them and it’s just more stuff to do. I know, I know – kids need to get out and get off their IPads ! You’re like stop whining and just take your damn kids to the park! I get it.

I’m just being honest here.

So there it is… I will miss you winter. Time to diet, get out the bug spray, work on my outside screaming voice, shave, and start wearing a bra to pickup!

Continue reading “Five Reasons I Will Miss Winter” →

Oh Just Keep it The Girly Reports

On February 9, 2015February 9, 2015 By JillIn I need a glass of wine, Mommy Musings, The Cookie Chronicles, What's Going On?13 Comments

Calling all crazies… Auditions for neurotic mommies are starting now. I can hear the director announcing and I am first in line for the part.

I have decided to keep my former blog name. The Girly Reports – even if I end up having a baby boy in May (I didn’t find out the sex).

Yes it’s true. I am someone who changes her mind a lot. I recently started listening to an audio book about being happy, Happier, Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy by Tal Ben – Shahar. It was really cheap on an iTunes audiobooks deal day so I downloaded it.
In one chapter, the author says a sure fire way of making a needed change in your life (something that is making you unhappy) is by instilling rituals and habits, gradually, until they are a part of your life.

It made me realize that I can’t just change the name of my blog, snap my fingers, wake up, and be different…I have done this sort of a thing in the past…Monday’s a new day, New Year’s Eve resolutions (haven’t we all?) or any type of “never doing this again” decision – I think a majority of people, including myself don’t follow through with plans to change unless there is an actual plan in place.

So it’s back to the old The Girly Reports. (Everyone liked the name better anyway…)I am still trying to cut back on the baking, projects, and trying to please everyone but a name change ain’t gonna cut it! Neither is writing about it…if I actually listed what I have baked/spent in the past three weeks, my husband would be kind of mad – oh wait- he already is! He saw the dining room table and it was no longer recognizable… a sea of pink and purple, stickers, goody bags, chocolates, frostings, cookies, flags, trinkets and my stressed out face…He didn’t even need to say anything, he knows that I know that I’m in trouble…

“Hello, my name is Jill and I am an over-doer, over thinker, addict.”

I don’t know where this comes from, I just always seem to over do things…

I have this fear that I won’t satisfy everyone and it’s like a failure to me…I mean Gia just told me that one of the boys in her class never eats any of the treats I send in…
The horror ! I never knew this – should I contact his mother tonight and find out why he isn’t eating my cookies? I mean, what could he possibly like? I have made cupcakes, oatmeal cookies, chocolate chip cookies, sugar cookies, marshmallow surprise, not too mention various chocolates – what the hell does he like!!! I am racking my brain for ideas!

Ok, ok, I’m just kidding – I’m not that pyscho…but writing that silly scenario just made me realize something – I better stop trying so hard because I am just one mini mama…not a bakery!

I am presently taking the first step by writing this, putting my feet up (my mom – in – law is always telling me to do this, but I never listen), and relaxing for a bit. After all, I did just finish nine loads of laundry, and I am exhausted – 26 weeks along and I am so so tired.

I am underneath this awesome furry throw from Pottery Barn that is so warm and comforting, I wish I could stay under neath for days…my Mom sent this to me a few days ago and it was the best surprise I’ve had in a while!

Notice the mismatched socks!