You want Honest? I’ll give you honest.

September 19, 2011 by 134 Comments

Sometimes I feel like I’m drowning.

Sometimes I stare at my computer for a full hour, unable to compose even one stupid, worthwhile sentence.

Sometimes I am so overwhelmed by everything I have to do that my only option is immobility.

And then I get really pissed off about it and I make a to-do list that includes everything I need to do.

And everything I’ve already done.  Just so I can cross SOMETHING off the list.

That is called pretending you are productive, my friends, PRETENDING.  With a big, fat “P”.

Sometimes I wake up so ready for the day, positive I will tackle 27 tasks.

And go to bed that night having accomplished two.

Wondering how I managed to fail so miserably.

At life.

Sometimes, I love my kids so much, it actually hurts.  They are edible.  I want to curl up next to them, burrow into their little necks and be surrounded by everything that is perfect and good.

And sometimes I’m so frustrated with them, it ALSO hurts.

I blame myself for their flaws, but do not take nearly enough credit for all that is good and fabulous and joyful about them.

I have trouble saying ‘no’ and the words, ‘I’m sorry’ have become a ridiculous crutch punctuating my speech.

And I can’t figure out how everyone else seems to have it all together.

And by everyone, I mean you.

Yes, YOU.

The kids.  The work.  The family.  And you have a life.  You read?  You watch TV?  You have hobbies?

Yes……  I know.  You really don’t feel like you have it together either.  But it looks like you do.  And when I get sucked into Facebook in my darkest hour….  it reads like you do.

This is how last week went for me:

Monday?  Terrible.  Barely managed to knock anything off my list.

Tuesday? Brilliant.  On top of my game.  Nailed a speech and MY BOOK ARRIVED.  Banner day.

Wednesday?  So-so.  Stressed.  Morning = ok. But in the afternoon, I was simply so exhausted, I took a nap.

Thursday and Friday included tears of some kind, but blah, blah, blah…..

A NAP?  How absurdly lazy of me. Tears?  PULL.IT.TOGETHER.WOULD.YOU.ALREADY?

But a friend said something to me tonight that helped me to understand where I have been…..  I’m physically and emotionally bankrupt.

And it is ok.

These next few sentences are as honest as the first.

I have been trying to write this post for a long time.  I know it doesn’t look like much, but I typically do my best to be a glass-is-half-full-tell-me-your-good-news kind of girl.  So, the fact that I’m sharing this bankruptcy with you makes me want to hyperventilate a lot a little. But there really is no sugarcoating the fact that sometimes, a good cry and a nap are just what you need.  Sometimes you just need to be honest with yourself.

Because it is extremely lonely when you feel as though you missed the meeting where they passed out the keys to life balance.

The good news is…..  I didn’t miss the meeting.

Because they didn’t have one.

Starting a business, running a business and raising a family take a lot of work.  You don’t need me to tell you that.

I took a small step forward tonight.

I wrote a post.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: I'm just sayin', Recent Posts, Uncategorized

Combating Dry, Winter Skin

January 20, 2011 by Leave a Comment

So, by now we all know that I long for a warmer climate – one with an ocean view, right?

And we know that I live smack, dab in the middle of the country.  In a state that is currently being covered in a blanket of white.  Resulting in a) another snow day for my kids, b) a need to keep my gloves and coat handy and c) really, really dry skin.

The good news?  I’ve lived here long enough to know just what to do about it….  and better….  the lovely folks at Therapon Skin Health trust me to share this kind of info with you….

Take a look (and MAGIC….  you will have beautiful, winter skin!)

Filed Under: I'm just sayin', Recent Posts Tagged With: , , ,

My wake up call – AKA – Kids and Brutal Honesty

December 9, 2009 by 16 Comments

So, here I am, going about my day….and then WHAM! I hit the brick wall of my 5 year old’s honesty.

She tip toes in from gymnastics – walks right up to me, pats me on the stomach and says,

“Wow, Mommy….do you have a baby in your tummy?  It is Reeeallllyy big.”

And I am instantly struck with the child-like urge to push her down.

But, you will be happy to know, I resist.

Not because I want to (the truth is – I really want to push her) but because I am a Mommy (read: adult who is supposed to have little to know sensitivity when it comes to dealing with the uncensored ramblings of small people)

I am expected to have thick skin when it comes to this type of thing, right?  I mean….it isn’t like she was trying to hurt my feelings. But, it sort of made me want to grab a bag of Oreos.  And push her down.  I already mentioned that part, right?

Clearly, this is a sensitive topic for me.  Because I have been wondering the very same thing about myself.  It feels like I haven’t been to the gym since 1987.  And I know my eating has been suspect.

Yet, I am surrounded by friends who ‘pshaw’ when I talk about it.

“you don’t need to lose weight.” “your eating is fine.” “you are TINY!”

But the small person doesn’t have that type of censoring.  She calls is like she sees it.

And she sees what I have been trying to avoid: that I needed a little wake-up call.

Want to meet me at the gym in the morning?

Filed Under: I'm just sayin', Recent Posts Tagged With: , ,

I’m getting thicker skin

June 7, 2009 by 218 Comments

When I was a TV Anchor, thick skin was a requirement.  Over and over, I would repeat to myself , “you can’t please everybody all the time”.

People would call the station to complain if I cut my hair (or when they thought I needed a trim), if I wore red, if I smiled too often or not enough.  When I met someone in person, they frequently said, “wow, you are thinner/prettier in person”.

Something about putting yourself out there means people are allowed or invited to share their thoughts, specifically of you.

I haven’t done TV for a few years, but am clearly ‘putting myself out there’ on this site. Until the last few days I haven’t had a comment that really stung.  Most of my readers (I smile and says thank you!) are opinionated, but  kind and generous.

I even did a post a month ago about some of the hatred I had seen online - and how truly baffling it is to me. Now it is my turn.

Ten days ago, I wrote a post about one of our family pictures (that I had posted online) ending up as an ad in the Czech Republic.  I found out because a guy I went to college with now lives there.  He just happened to see it as he was driving down the street.  I posted this story because I think it is INTERESTING: 1) I didn’t know pictures were being taken from the web and used in ads 2) what a small world!!  What are the chances I would know someone in Prague -and that same someone would drive down that very street and see the picture?

In the past 48 hours, this post has been posted on Digg/Reddit/and a whole bunch of others. Thousands of people have stopped by for a visit – hundreds of them had something to say. A lot of people shared similar stories, offered suggestions on what I should do, or merely said, “wow!  who knew?”

However, quite a few were horrendous and nasty.  I’ve been called names I hadn’t heard in years.

Seriously?  You digg my story?  You stumbled upon it?  And you just felt compelled to tell me my husband is the unluckiest guy in the world because he got ‘stuck’ with me? Or that he is ugly? Or something even more hideous about my kids? You think I’m a terrible mom for posting family pictures? I’m a moron for not knowing this could happen?

And best of all, you with the big and nasty words – you hide behind your anonymity. You leave fake websites and fake email addresses.  Why? Because you are a coward.  You hide behind your computer – somehow this makes you feel powerful.  Strange.

So, I posted an update on that post. I clarified the things people seemed to find most confusing.  And I mentioned I would be happy to approve most comments – as long as they related to the story.  Even if you think I’m a moron.  But, I won’t approve hatred.  I won’t approve pure nastiness – especially if it is aimed at my family.  Because, well, I don’t have to.  And clearly, those comments lack a little something – like a spine.

So, I saved my updated post.  I stopped reading the list of comments on the other sites.  I zip up my 3rd and 4th layers of skin and head out the door to play with my family.

And, yes – I do think my kids are beautiful. And I do think my husband is hot. 

And it is ok, if you don’t.

Filed Under: I'm just sayin' Tagged With: , , , , ,

Stolen Picture

May 28, 2009 by 720 Comments

So, this is the price we pay for indulging in social media, I guess.

I am thrilled to have reconnected with so many friends on Facebook.  One of them sent me this message yesterday:

Alright, so how’s this for random: I’m in the car, taking my wife for a check up, pass by a new grocery store and notice that they have a picture of you, your husband and two kids on the store front window. Life size. I kid you not. Will take a photo of it later today and send….

What you don’t know from this message: this college friend lives in the CZECH REPUBLIC.

Clearly, my family did NOT take a picture for any advertisements – either here or abroad. And, clearly, whoever hijacked the picture assumed no one would recognize us so far away. Hmmmm…wrong. :)

I’ll admit, there is an element of flattery (I think) to the whole thing.  But still, there is something creepy about knowing our family picture was stolen from one of my sites. This picture has been on my blog, used as a Christmas card and put on a few Ning Networking sites. It is also on my Facebook page (which is one of the reasons Justin recognized us) but my FB page is open only to friends.

Perplexing.

Here is the real picture:

img_1053

And here is our modeling debut in Prague.

czech1jpeg1

czech3jpeg

According to my friend, Justin, the translation reads:  “We will prepare and deliver your requests in two business days.”

Thanks, Justin for letting me know!

Interesting.  Bizarre. Flattering, I suppose.  But quite creepy.

This picture was taken by a friend of mine, Gina Kelly.  She does give me the rights to the pictures she has taken – and has authorized me to use them on my site, etc.

Your thoughts?

Updated, Saturday, June 6th.  Based on the comments I’m seeing, I feel compelled to clarify a few things. 1) I am the author of this site – Danielle.  Not my husband.  Quite a few comments have been directed to him. 2) I take FULL responsibillity for posting this picture with the incorrect resolution (read: too high).  Clearly, I am not a professional photographer and should have made the resolution smaller and/or watermarked the picture. 3) I used the incorrect term in one of my comments – the photographer did sign a release for me to use the pictures, and certainly, this does not mean I ‘own’ them. 4) While the photographer certainly may sell some of her pictures as stock, she ALWAYS has the subjects sign a model release.  I didn’t sign one for this picture, but would have if she had asked. 5) I posted this story because I think it is INTERESTING – what are the chances a friend who see this ad thousands of miles away? AND because I was SURPRISED it happend. Like many of you commenting, I wasn’t aware pictures could be taken.  If this makes me naive, so be it.  Now I know. And, for the record, I will not stop using pictures of my family on my site – I will however, change the format. 6) I am grateful to the greatest percentage of people who have commented with very interesting thoughts.  However, if you are part of the smaller percentage who are commenting only to say that a member of my family (or all of us) are ugly, I won’t be approving the comment.  I won’t allow it on my site.  I imagine you understand.  Thanks for stopping by!

Filed Under: A little bit of Everyday, Are you kidding me?, Featured Content, I'm just sayin' Tagged With: , , , ,

Curiouser and Curiouser

May 14, 2009 by 12 Comments

Sometimes I think I must not get it at all.

And by ‘IT’, I mean some people and their truly special brand of nastiness.

I blog because I like to.  I like to share, and love it when people share back.

I just never imagined that ‘sharing’ to some is more like ‘spreading-the-most-disturbing kind-of-evil-you-can-think-of’.

Let me explain.  I have never had a serious hate comment (please don’t start now). But I’ve heard some bloggers talk about closing comments, crying at their desks, etc because the hatred gets out of hand.  And I just saw it happen.

I visited Dooce.  You know her, right?  I don’t know her very well…just stop by every now and again.  Tonight she was talking about getting an unscheduled ultrasound because the doctors had determined her belly hadn’t grown enough.

You know and I know – that hearing ANYTHING might be amiss in your pregnancy is terrifying.  The ultrasound proved things are hunky-dory, but as I was reading through some of the comments, most of them filled with well-wishes, there was one, posted Anonymously, (naturally – you coward) that really stuck out:

162. Anonymous said:

Too bad. I am still hoping something horrible happens to that troll fetus inside of you. What is it like having such a hideous daughter? I wonder what she’s going to do when all the kids start picking on her for being ugly? Ugh. It’s so disgusting you are bringing another creature into the world. Don’t end up in the looney bin this time. LOL

Ok…seriously….is the ‘LOL’ meant to indicate the venom was a joke? Who actually THINKS something like that about someone, let alone, sits them self down at a computer and TYPES it out, letter by letter. Who calls a child ugly?

Look, I get it.  I’ve read some of the opinions on Dooce, but even if you disagree with every flippin’ word that comes out of her mouth, (and if you do, why are you reading???)do you really wish her and her baby HARM?  Do you really direct hatred at a young girl? Can that possibly be real?

I mean, SERIOUSLY??!!?? I’m baffled.

Filed Under: Are you kidding me?, I'm just sayin' Tagged With: , ,

Twitter brings out the Sun

April 28, 2009 by 8 Comments

I don’t claim to know why everyone uses Twitter, but I can certainly suggest (beyond SEO, traffic or promotion of any kind) why you should.

For inspiration. To feel connected.  For advice.

This morning, I awoke to another cloudy, rainy day.  Desperate to avoid another Monday (or, as it turns out, my early Tuesday), I jumped on Twitter and said,

“Anyone have any sunshine to share?”

Wouldn’t you know – there were A LOT of people willing to spread a little sunshine. (and a few who wished they could but didn’t have any to spare.)

@luannarodham decided to make me laugh (and she did!)She wrote: @ExtraordMommy Here’s something funny. My 7yr. boy says that he can tell girl dogs from boy dogs because girl dogs have eye brows.

@GaneshiX offered : @ExtraordMommy This fresh cup of coffee is awfully sunshiny to me! :D

@4thQtrCoach flattered: @ExtraordMommy Here’s some sunshine. Our friend @DixieDynamite says YOU are a great #stl connector!

and my new friend @NTFFC  (No Time For Flash Cards) sent the sun right over: @ExtraordMommy Here is some sun for you ! http://tinyurl.com/d9hg8s

cimg7428As soon as I went to her site, I decided a good copy-cat project was in order and Delaney couldn’t wait to get started.

All I needed was a paper plate, some glue, construction paper and scissors. Thank heavens I had it all.

Voila!  Instant Sunshine!

 

I was so excited we had this sunshiney Mommy-Daughter time, I started singing the song on NoTimeForFlashCards’ site.  And Delaney couldn’t help but be drawn in.

Friends – use Twitter for anything!  Ask for computer advice, request jokes, tell a story, MAKE FRIENDS.

I am. And I LOVE it.

Filed Under: Can we talk?, Checking this out, I'm just sayin' Tagged With: , ,
«Older Posts