YOU'RE INVITED

Okay, so I've been keeping my best kept secret from you for quite some time now, but I'm ready to share it with all of you.

I love Matilda Jane Clothing!!!

And now you can too!

I'm having a trunk show at my home where you can purchase their new spring line and you are all invited!

Here are the details:

Who: Amy

What: Matilda Jane trunk show

When: Tuesday March 17th! Yes, St. Patty's Day!

6:30p.m.-8:30p.m.

Where: My house (For details and directions, just leave me a comment with your e-mail, or e-mail me directly at naptimenostalgia{at}hotmail{dog}com)

Why: Because these are the cutest kids and adult clothes I've ever seen. Hands down. Kids sizes run 6 months-Tween. And the Adult ladies line runs Sm, Med, lrg.

Enjoy a few sneak peaks from their new spring line down below.

Are you just dying? I love every piece from their new spring line. Since I found out about Matilda Jane, it has been so fun to dress Thing 2. She has a bunch of things from the winter and fall lines, and I even have a few fun skirts I bought for myself.

They only sell items through trunk keepers (in-home sales only) so now is your chance. You can check out Matilda Jane's website here. Their new Spring line debuts March 1st. New Spring items will be trickling on the site from now until then.

If for some reason you see something that you would like and can't make it that night or live out of town, just e-mail me, and I would be more than happy to do an order for you that night and ship it directly to you.

They do boys, girls and ladies clothing. So, hopefully you can find something for yourself, your kids, nieces, nephews or just a few great baby shower gifts.

Also, I am totally happy for any and all of you to come, and bring your friends, just please R.S.V.P and let me know how many of you there will be so I can plan accordingly. You can comment here or e-mail me at naptimenostalgia{at}hotmail{dog}com And don't worry if we've never met, or you are a long lost pal from High School. I would love to have any and all of you. The more the merrier.

I hope you can all make it!

DO YOU HAVE HAIR?

THEN YOU CAN HELP.

You see, I am in a bit of a pickle. And I'm hoping you can help.

My problem?

Well, to explain I will have to take you back to an easier, much quieter time of my life. Before I had kids. For twenty five years of my life my hair grew fast. And I mean fast. Like I could grow out a chin-length bob down past my shoulder blades in 6-8 months flat. Bada-boom bada-bang. Long hair.

Now? Not so much. I've been growing my hair out for a good year now, and I think I've maybe put 4 inches on it. Lah-haim. Seriously now, I don't know if those kids of mine sucked my hair follicles dry or something, but my hair just won't grow anymore. And frankly, it's depressing.

So, instead of driving myself insane trying to do something that just isn't happening, I'm thinking about chopping it all off. Again. Cause well, I'm lazy and impatient. When my hair was super short it was easy to do. 3-5 minutes tops. Now? It takes me like 7-8 full minutes just to blowdry my hair. And that my friends, is just too long. I need to be in, out and on with life in less than 20-30 minutes. Thats shower included.

So, I'm thinking short. Really short. Something like what you see pictured above. I think it would be fun. Fun for spring, and fun for change. Cause you know how I need and like me some change.


So, getting to the point, I've had a couple of really great hairstylists that I like, but I'm looking to switch things up a bit. Wondering if any of you great bloggers out there know of a great hair stylist. Preferably someone who does kick ace short dos. And it wouldn't hurt if he/she was gifted in the coloring world as well. I really want someone that you love, and every time you walk out of the salon you feel like that lady on those pantene commercials. You know the one. All happy and shiny. Flipping her hair all around. I want to feel funky and young and fabulous. That's not too much to ask is it?

Anyhoo, if you know someone who might be up for the challenge, leave me a comment. It would make this almost thirty, frazzled mother of two, with raging bad hair super duper happy.

WHAT'S YOUR DECORATING STYLE?

So, anyone who knows me I have a very specific sense of style and taste. I love accessories and think they are the bees knees. I also loved a lived in home that is a little bit rustic and very comfortable. So, when I found this little test on Sproost via How about Orange and I just had to give it a go.

And. . .


no surprise here: I'm 45% traditional country, 36% Nantucket Style and 19% Wine Country style.


I wish I could have given this test to every person who has ever asked me for decorating help. It would really have made my life so much easier. Now, I'll just send them over to Sproost. It's fun, easy and informative. Give it a go if you'd like here.

IGNORING YOUR CHILDREN WILL GET YOU NOWHERE.

So last Friday I headed on down to the Gateway with some girlfriends so we could take our kids to the Children's Museum. And it was so much fun. After they all went home for nap time (jealous!) I decided to let the kids ride the train (trax== since they beg me every time we see one) over to visit Hubs at work. And the way over went relatively well. The way back though? Not. So. Much.

After our short visit with Hubs we seriously waited for maybe 20 minutes for a train to come so we could go back down to the Gateway to get our car. We honestly could have walked there faster. But we just HAD to ride the train. Cause it is sooo exciting! So as we are waiting more and more and more people are filling up the stop. Lots of interesting people. FYI--there are some crazy peeps that ride Trax. Especially in the free zone! So, since I was a little paranoid of losing a kid or someone giving one crack, I put Thing 2 on my back and had Thing 1 superglued to my side. When we got on, there was no where to sit, so I found a little spot on the side where I could hold on. There were so many people that it was actually like you were invading-other-people's-space-uncomfortable. And that's when this little conversation transpired:

GUY: (TO NO ONE IN PARTICULAR) WOAH, GUESS IT'S STANDING ROOM ONLY IN HERE, TODAY.

GIRL: (WHO COULDA PASSED FOR A HOOKER) IT SURE IS BABY. (YES, SHE REALLY SAID BABY).

GUY: WELL, I JUST DON'T WANT TO SMASH INTO YOU.

GIRL: YOU CAN FALL ON TOP OF ME ANY TIME YOU WANT.

(Can you see why I was listening? I was seriously, like what the crap? Did she just say that? And the whole time Thing 2, who was on my back, kept saying she wanted me to hold her. And I was, piggyback style. And really, there wasn't much room to move, so I just ignored her. Not a good idea.)

Conversation continues:

GUY: WELL, I WOULDN'T MIND THAT. (Seriously. I then covered Thing 1's ears.)

GIRL: WHERE DO YOU WORK? (Cause that's the next thing you'd say?!)

(Thing 2 is still asking for me to hold her. I'm still ignoring her, cause really, even if I didn't want to listen to this incredibly interesting conversation, there is no way I could have turned her around and held her on the front. It was just way too crowded. But now would have been a good time to tell her that I heard her request and asked for her to hold on a minute until we stop.)

Conversation continues:

GUY: WHERE DO YOU WANT ME TO WORK? (What? What kind of response is THAT?)

GIRL: CAN I CALL YOU?

THING 2 AT THE TOP OF HER LUNGS: I WANT YOU TO HOLD ME ON THE FRONT BY YOUR NIPPLES!

Entire trax train goes silent. Now everyone is staring at us, well me, since she was on my back and you couldn't really see her. Nice. My face goes beet red. I just kinda giggle, and turn around a bit, so people can see that it was her, not me that said that word. And I tell her, the only thing I can think of. Which was--"we don't say that word". Now everyone smirks and giggles and goes on about their strange conversations. Talk about being mortified. And we still had 3 stops left. And not two minutes later I hear:

THING 1: MOM, WHAT ARE NIPPLES?


Um yeah. We won't be riding Trax again anytime soon.

TEAM JILLIAN

Well, Jillian is gone, and I just don't know what to say. Except this:

WHAT AN IDIOT! HE THINKS SHE IS TOO SUCCESSFUL, ESTABLISHED AND DRIVEN?! WHAT DOES HE WANT? AN LOSER, THAT HAS DONE NOTHING AND DOESN'T WANT TOO?! SOMEONE WHO IS BORING WITH ZERO LIFE EXPERIENCES? HE WANTS MORE THAN A BEST FRIEND? WELL, OF COURSE, YOU IDIOT, WHO DOESN'T! OH, AND DON'T MAKE OUT WITH A GIRL AND TELL HER YOU ARE FALLING FOR HER AND THEN BREAK UP WITH HER NEXT TIME YOU SEE HER. IT'S RUDE!

I loved Jillians response to all of his statements. Saying that she had done all the things she had because she was single and could. And now she was looking for more. Uggg. I just can't believe it. I mean, Jillian was so the best pick, but if the romance wasn't there, than it wasn't there. But woah, it sure looked to be there in the hot tub! Geez Jason! This is why girls don't understand guys. He really seemed to be into her on their date! Why in the heck did he lead her on!

The only good thing coming out of this episode, is the next one. Where the woman tell all. Should be some juicy catfights. Oh, and best of all, a return of Treasure, since I completely missed her on the first one. Too much fast forwarding via my tivo dangit! Oh, and Deanna is back. Lame. Lame. Lame. And what in the crap was that little bit with all the former bachelorettes and bachelors? Even more lame! We don't care. It's like the producers think we can't get enough of the hot tub scenes. Well, guess what? WE CAN! So cut that crap out already!

I hope Jillian finds someone way better than Jason. Way better. Cause I'm starting to think he just isn't that great. Boo!

MYSTERY SOLVED!!!!

So, I've been watching the Bachelor this whole season, and something has had me completely baffled. Every episode, there it is. And I'm just in awe. How does she do it?

Of course I'm talking about Melissa and her "bump". Surely, you've seen it. Heck, you'd have to be blind to have missed it. In case you are kinda not the sharpest pencil in the box, I've pulled a few pictures of her "bump" so that you would ALL know exactly what I was talking about.

Exhibit A:
Just look at the height on the back of her head! Amazing! Now, I know this picture can be deceiving, cause you might think that make-up artist did her "bump" to Melissa, but no, her "bump" (or as I like to refer to it, as the fourth bachelorette) has been with us since the first episode. Apparently Melissa has an aversion to flat hair--or she really likes to tease. But each episode it seems like it just keeps getting higher and higher and fuller and fuller.

Exhibit B:

See, right there, next to Jason. Her "bump". It's so big, it's almost smacking him in the face! Honestly now, does she think that's cute? But the even bigger question is, HOW? How does she get her "bump"? How does she defy gravity so easily? Does she own stock in Aqua net? Does she have a killer hair brush and arm-teasing muscles? She had me stumped. How. Does. She. Do. It?

And then, I came across this:

So, finally, mystery solved! Obviously, Melissa is an owner of the Rockstar Bumpit. I mean, really, this explains so much.

But then I felt kinda like I was in an episode of Lost. One question answered, but then 10 new questions emerge. For instance: I wonder if she owns all the sizes? Can you carry this on a plane? Or do those teeth count as sharp objects? Is she a paid spokesperson? How did I not know about this before? I could have had Bumpit hair for my wedding! I could have had Bumpit hair for my reunion! I could have had Bumpit hair for my valentines date! Heck, I could have had Bumpit hair for my trip to the grocery store yesterday!

Don't worry though, you too can have rockstar Melissa hair. Just go here http://www.bumpits.com/ Yes, that is seriously the website.

You can thank me later.

Oh, and apparently, Molly is a Bumpit owner as well.

Now, on a serious note. Cause the Bachelor is all business. But does anyone else notice this amazing connection he seems to have with Melissa? They can't keep their hands off of each other. Except I kinda hope he chooses Jillian. Cause well, Melissa seems a bit young, and silly. And not quite mature enough. Not established enough. Which is why I like Jillian. Heck, she has her own successful business, she's cutes, stylish and fabulous. (Oh, and she doesn't use the Bumpit. Ten points for Jillian.) But I'm thinking he's gonna choose Melissa. Cause that's all they show of the two of them. Just making out. But then, maybe I should really think he's gonna choose Jillian, cause the way those sneaky Bachelor producers show stuff, I always, EVERY SEASON think he's going to choose one gal, and then he goes and chooses another. And then I'm like What the FRACK?! How can this be? Well, I've decided it's all in the editing. And those dang producers! So help me if Jason picks Melissa and her "bump" I will be so pissed. . . .

ACTING OR ADDICT?

Okay, so I realize I'm not the only blogger out there to be posting about this today, but really, did you happen to catch this little interview?

And well, I just don't get it. Is he high? Pretending to be high? Ever since Walk The Line came out he said that he is quiting acting (this film he is promoting on Dave Letterman is supposidly his last) retiring from it all together and becoming a rapper. Seriously. And apparently he is filming this whole process for a documentary. And that would be all fine and dandy except, well I just am confused. What is with the hair and homeless bum look he's sporting? And well, I've seen him in the past on these types of shows and well, he just doesn't seem to be himself. To be fair, I've never heard him rap though. He could be good. Right?

So, is he trying to poke fun at all of us? Like the fact that I care? In other words, is he punking us? Is this all a big hoax? Is he trying to get us all talking about the fact that it's pretty crazy that we, er I, even care? Is that it? Or, and I hope this isn't the case, is he completely and totally addicted to some sort of substance that is making him all whacked out and crazy? If so, I feel really sad for him, given that his brother passed away from substance abuse.

Help me out here bloggers. Addict or acting?

REDBOX REVIEW HENRY POOLE

Thought I'd give a little shout out to a movie I saw a few weeks ago via my local Redbox which I kinda liked. I was looking for a inexpensive movie to watch one night and saw this. I figured I couldn't go wrong with Luke Wilson and a dollar. And ya know what? It was weird, and strange, and quirky and in the end I decided I liked it. One of those movies that I thought about and still think about on occasion. That's how, in my opinion, whether you liked the movie initially or not, you can tell it's a good movie. Cause it makes you think. And this one definitely made me think.

So, if you are looking for a bit of cheap (hello recession) entertainment then I recommend this little Redbox jewel. Enjoy!

TUESDAY'S TIP OLIVIA. . . ON TV?!

Well, it's no secret that I love to read, and children's books are no exception. I thoroughly enjoy reading them to my children, and have regular story time daily. But my most very favorite ones (and the one's I always choose if given the choice) are the Olivia books by Ian Falconer. I just love that little pig. She adventurous, imaginative, and confident. And I love that. My most favorite page out of any of the 4 books in the series is in the first book. She is talking about school and how she has to wear this really boring uniform. But then, on the next page is this picture of her riding her scooter to school with her uniform on, but completely covered in accessories. At the bottom it says, "Of course you can always accessorize." When I read this page for the first time, it was love at first glance. Those of you who know me on a personal level know of my deep love of accessories. So, I knew right then and there that this pig was going to be a favorite.


We have been enjoying Olivia as she went to the circus, lost her missing toy and even when she shared Christmas with us. And when I first saw the ads on Nick Jr, that Olivia would be coming to TV, I have to be honest and say I was a little apprehensive. I didn't want to see them ruining this little gem. Would they be able to translate her dry humor from page to screen? How about her imagination? Would it come through? I was concerned to say the least. But I set my tivo anyhow. And last week the kids and I sat down together for Olivia's small screen debut. And. . .?






It was spectacular. Just like that red lipstick. I was pleased and the kids laughed and were thoroughly entertained to see their little book friend come to life. I am always a bit apprehensive when any story or book gets turned into a tv show or movie. But this time I wasn't disappointed. I tried to find a clip from youtube to put up so you to could experience the awesome-ness that is Olivia, but no one has posted any yet. So, I guess you'll just have to go the old school route and actually turn on your TV and check my little pig friend out. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.

M.I.A. REPRESENTS

Dude. Nine months prego and she's killing it at the Grammys. Girl's got some serious cahotes. Been loving this song for quite some time. Catchy little tune. Thought it might spruce up your Monday a bit.

Enjoy!

SHOULDA PUT A RING ON IT.

Yesterday's post is oh-so-apropos. It is currently 2:45 a.m. and I can't sleep.

So, for some time now, I'd say like a year or so, I've had trouble with my left ear. Started with me just not being able to really hear well out of it. The first time I can remember this is one day when I was working out with my ipod on. I couldn't hear a certain song out of my left ear bud. I thought it was the bud. I took out the left one. Listened on just the right. Yep. Working. Took out the right and just had the left one in. Sounded really weird. It was like I couldn't hear the base or something. I thought it was just the bud. So, I put the left ear bud in my right ear. Perfect. Then I knew. Had a little hearing problem. Nothing I couldn't live with. Went to an audiologist and sure enough I had quite a bit of loss in that left ear. But, it seems like mostly my right ear just kind of compensates so it's really no big deal. Problem solved by answering all calls with my right ear, and sitting on the left side of the yoga studio.


Well, tonight I've had the worst ringing in my left ear ever. I know I exaggerate alot on this blog, but honestly the ringing in this ear is so loud. When I woke Hubs up to tell him I thought I was dying, I couldn't even hear myself saying those words. Really. I've had ringing in this ear on and off, but usually it just goes away and isn't really that loud. More of a muffled ringing. But tonight I woke up about 1:30 with the LOUDEST ringing ever. It is honestly, so loud and very annoying. It kinda sounds like when your ears ring after attending a really loud concert for a few hours, only times 10. And except I didn't get the fun concert first.

Anyway, I'm online trying to figure out what the heck this could be, and well, I am pretty sure it ain't good. Ringing in two ears, fine. Ringing in one ear. NOT. SO. GOOD. Guess I will be making myself an appointment with an ENT first thing Monday morning. If I can last that long. The stuff on webmd about ringing in one ear is just down right frightening. Supposedly it's called tinnitus. The stuff on there says tinnitus is either brought on my old age (Is 29 old?), or acoustic trauma (meaning loud noises). And being a mother of a two year old and four year old is definitely loud, I'm just not sure it's that loud. Basically, if it's not one of these two things--which I'm pretty sure it's not--it's a problem with the nerves. Meaning acoustic neroma (tumor. Here is where someone should say in their best Arnold Swartzeneger impression, "Amy, it's not a tumor." Cause that would make me feel better.), labrynthitis (don't think it's this because although I have had a sharp rise in my migraines lately, I've had zero dizziness-except when I stand up quickly or something. Which I think is normal.), Menieres disease, anemia (just had my blood drawn two weeks ago, so I doubt it's this--or the next one), thyroid disease, and Otosclerosis (overgrowth in bone behind the ear drum). And in my opinion I think it's either the first or the last. Not good.


So, the reason I'm telling you all of this nonsense? Well, remember when I asked for your recommendation for a great photographer? I got some awesome feedback and ended up loving the way that all turned out so, I was wondering if anyone knows a good ENT (Ear Nose and throat ) doctor. And really, you would think that I would, since I have a child with a hearing loss, but he goes to a pediatric ENT. And since I don't think I can pass for 17, I better find an adult ENT. Maybe I will call him and see if he also sees adults. But in the meantime, if there are any of you out there, that could recommend a good ENT I am all ears. Er, at least all of one ear. Har, har. Nothing like a bit of good, I mean crappy, late night humor.

Thanks for your help bloggers.

WHEN THE STUDENT IS READY. . .

Life always gives us exactly the teacher we need at every moment. This includes every mosquito, every misfortune, every red light, every traffic jam, every obnoxious supervisor, every illness, every loss, every moment of joy or depression, every addiction, every piece of garbage, every breath.

Charlotte Joko Beck

Loving this quote today. Thanks jack/zen.

YOUR DAILY GIGGLE

This had me crackin' up. Totally hysterical. Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GRANDMA!

In honor of my Grandmother's 80th birthday which is today, we all were asked to write down our favorite memory or something we love about her to be compiled in a book. Tonight we presented the book to her at her party. I thought I'd go ahead and post my memory here as well. I love you Grandma and hope you had a simply marvelous birthday!

January 2009
My favorite memory with Grandma began most promptly on June 5th 1989. This, if I’m not mistaken, was in fact, the very first day of the summer after my fifth grade year. You see, I had such high hopes for this summer. Plenty of lazing around, hours upon hour wasted away playing Nintendo, and enough daytime TV to make up for anything I’d learned the previous school year. Homework and tutoring were the last things on my mind. Heck, they weren’t even on my radar. Well, apparently they were on my Mother’s. And that afternoon my fantasy of a lazy summer came to a screeching halt, during a seemingly harmless visit to my Grandmother’s house. The ghastly plan those two had concocted seemed down-right evil. It seemed to me that they were, quite simply, out to get me. And my summer.

Well, I was informed, not only was I going to come to my Grandmother’s house a few times a week to be tutored and drilled and basically re-taught my fifth grade year, but I was going to have to RIDE THE BUS! Now, I was sure there were plenty of kids who rode the bus and survived, but I was most certain that wasn’t going to be me. Heck, I’d never rode the bus anywhere, let alone clear across town BY MYSELF. But apparently, this was exactly what was going to happen. And did.

Every day I would catch the bus out to my grandparent’s condo on 4th Ave. Then (what I was sure would ultimately end up being a gigantic waste of time), began my lessons with Grandma. We did hundreds upon hundreds of flash cards. Math for days. Spelling, spelling and more spelling. Every conceivable subject was studied, and restudied. Tests were given, and minds were expanded. And somewhere between those tutoring sessions and my endless glasses of Ovaltine, an amazing friendship and bond was beginning to form. Soon I realized, that perhaps this was also not my Grandmother’s ideal way to spend her summer either. Perhaps, I was learning, that there was more to my Grandmother than her endless fifth-grade knowledge. I came to know her in a way, that quite simply, I hadn’t before. Somewhere in my little 10-year-old mind I was falling in love with my Grandma.

I learned much more than just reading, writing and arithmetic’s that summer. I learned about my great-grandmother and great-grandfather. I learned about who she was as a person, what she liked and disliked. And she told me some of the most amazing stories I’d ever heard about when she was a little girl. And most importantly, I learned just how much she loved me. I’m sure I wasn’t the most pleasant pre-teen ever, but she was patient and steady, and strict when necessary. For I learned that summer, that the real lesson being taught was about unconditional love. The love that she had for me. For the service she provided and the education she imparted I will forever be grateful. A summer that in the beginning had no conceivable potential, and honestly seemed quite dreadful, actually ended up being one of my most favorite and memorable of my life.

Thank you Grandma for your constant support through the years, your wonderful attitude, your invaluable lesson about love, and helping me pass the fifth grade. I love you! And hope you have a most magical birthday! Love, Amy

DUDES, IT'S FREE.

Did you guys catch this little ad during the super bowl? Me and my Dad did, and we just kinda looked at each other and wondered what the catch was. Supposedly, no catch. Free breakfast for everyone in America. While supplies last of course. ALL HAIL DENNYS! For locations and info click here.

IS IT SPRING YET?

Yeah, pretty much sums up my attitude on life right now. Sick of the ridiculous cold. Sick of the dirty snow. Sick of the less than stellar air. Sick of it getting dark at 6. Sick of the non-stop whining. Sick of playing indoors with the kids. Sick of doing laundry. Sick of asking them over and over. Sick of my hair not growing. Sick of losing the same 5 pounds. Sick of dealing with the flat tire. Sick of this day. Sick of the same-old, same-old. Sick of this bad attitude.

Friggidy frack. I need a vacation.



At least the Bachelor is on tonight. My own little mini-vacay to Seattle. I need to get a life. Hope your Monday is going better than mine. Oh, and happy February.