Tag Archives: vote

A Guest Post With According to Mags: Give It Up

Posted on February 11, 2013 | 13 comments

Me: “YES! I’d love to do a guest post for you while you’re away. Any subject in particular or do I have free reign?”

Michele: “Free reign.”

SA-WEEET!  I couldn’t wait to get started!

But then, you know what happened? My mind went blank. What the HECK was I going to write about?   You guys have grown to expect Michele’s concise writing style, her meticulous grammar and her sarcastic humor.  No pressure. (gulp) I felt a little bit like I was back in my Catholic school days with Sr. Phyllis. She’d stand over me tapping her ruler on my desk as I practiced my cursive writing.  One wrong loop or connection of letters and Id get a WHACK right on the knuckles.  That was when it came to me.

This week coming up is going to be a busy. Today I have to buy Mags new tap shoes (she is growing like a weed) and vote for Michele, Tuesday is Fat Tuesday and I need to vote for Michele, Wednesday is the start of Lent and, of course, keep on voting for Michele until 4:00pm PST. Wait. Why is everyone staring at me with those ‘deer in the headlights’ looks? Oh, right! I know, the time zones always get me, too. Let me give you a quick explanation. That  means  you keep voting for Michele until 6:00pm NOLA time and if you’re further to the right on the map, 7:00pm EST.

Speaking of voting, I need some help. Seeing that the start of Lent is Wednesday, I’m supposed to give up something for 40 days. To me, Lent is the like the speed dating of New Year’s resolutions. People say “It’s only 40 days.” but so is the Circle of Moms voting window (well, almost). Turns out 40 days takes F-O-R-E-V-E-R! Nevertheless, this stumps me every year. I really do try give up something, but I end up over thinking it. Then, by the time I come up with the perfect thing, it’s usually already 20 days into Lent. Way to go, Mel!

So, since I’m with a fairly new crowd…I know, I know, lots of you follow me too…but I’m speaking to the guy in the back rockin’ the Barry Manilow t-shirt. I’ve never seen him before.  Anyway, while I’m here, I thought you guys could help me. What could Mel give up for Lent?

I should probably tell you a few things that I really enjoy to put on the “GIVE IT UP” discussion table.

1. Cadbury Mini Eggs. For those of you who don’t know me well, I’ll break this one down for you. Mel is to Cadbury Mini Eggs as Michele is to cheese platters. Think about it. Would you want to be around a cheese-less Michele? WELL, WOULD YOU?!?  For crying out loud, think of  the children!

2.  Coffee. This would be cruel of you to choose, but it’s only 40 days. I’ll be back to guest post again and find the people who voted for this one.

3. Procrastinating. Eh. Let’s get back to this one in a minute.

4. Beer.  I really look forward to all the new seasonal brews that come out. So, I’d whine about this one throughout the 40 days, but it would be doable. UNLIKE THE MINI EGGS.

5. Voting on Circle of Moms. Technically this ends at 7PM for me  (see above time zone explanation) on Wednesday, but it’s still DURING Lent. This one, I like.

You can just leave which one of these choices you think I should give up in the comments. Choose wisely.

After that, please take five seconds (literally) and hop on over to Circle of Moms and…you guessed it…VOTE.

I’ll even put an adorable picture in the post for ya. Awwww!

This is a picture of Michele and Mags

On a sidenote, yesterday, we got to meet up with my girl, Michele, and her boy (the most polite 13-year-old I’ve ever met) in Washington DC. ODNT and Mags finally met (although we REALLY missed ODNT Jr.)  and it was love at first sight. I’m pretty sure they schemed through the entire lunch. Michele introduced my children to Tic Tacs…I know, I know…what kind of mother am I? And at the end of the visit, Mags tried to climb into Michele’s bottomless purse. I would have, too. She kept pulling candy canes and little mints out of it.

Thanks Michele and Dean for meeting up with us.
It was the highlight of our weekend!

.

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I want your vote. Well, that and $50.

Posted on May 23, 2012 | 4 comments

Remember my terribly embarrassing story entitled The Day Things Got Hairy at Disney World? Well, it’s in a little contest. So, if you want to read four other great entries and then (hopefully) vote for mine, please visit www.midlifecollage.com.

When it comes to these contests, I’m a terrible participant … and here’s why.

(A) I despise self-promotion. Honestly. I am more embarrassed asking for your vote than I was that infamous day at Disney World.

(B) I have absolutely no idea when this contest ends so, um, go vote soon. Seriously … I’ll wait here for you.

(C) I really want the $50.

Perhaps you can help me decide what to do with the money IF I should win. After an extensive Google search, I’ve assembled this list of items, all available for $50 or less.

Where do you think this (potential) money would be best spent?

Oh, and wait.. All of this is only possible if I win the contest. So, stop reading. Now. Go vote. I’ll even list the link again so you don’t have to scroll back up. I know how exhausting that can be.

www.midlifecollage.com

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No one has ever called me Sunshine-y before. Ever.

Posted on April 2, 2012 | 13 comments

Greetings, ODNT-ites!

                                   … ODNT-ers?

                                                      … ODNT-ians?

Okay, I can’t even say that last one. And they all sound awful. So, I guess the first order of business for this post is to pick a name for you guys. In the past, I’ve used ODNT citizens, but I think it makes me sound like a pompous ass and we can do better. So, I’m now taking suggestions for a new name for you guys. If I get enough of them, I’ll put it up for … yep, you guessed it … a vote. We haven’t listed a poll here in a while. (This information was recently called to my attention by fellow blogger, The Cowardly Feminist. Vesta, here’s hoping we can come up with another one for you soon.)
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Oh, yeah … the real purpose of this post? I was nominated for the Sunshine Award by Poetry by the Clueless, a new writer with whom I’ve recently become acquainted, so I want to send a big ‘Thank You’ her way. And, just as Miss America has duties and obligations she must fulfill, this award comes with responsibilities that I must carry out if I want to retain my crown.
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Here are the rules for this award:

1) Include the award logo in a post or in your blog.
2) Answer 10 questions about yourself.
3) Nominate 10 to 12 other fabulous bloggers.
4) Link your nominees to the post and comment on their blog to let them know they are nominated.
5) Share the love and link the person who nominated you.

And here are my answers to these random questions:

Favorite color: For what? Clothes? Black. My hair? Red, sometimes unnaturally. Bedroom walls? Purple-y blue. Pregnancy tests? It depends on the brand. (I’ll let you have fun interpreting that one.)

Favorite number: Who the heck has a favorite number? Sports freaks? Whatever. I’ll go with 2, the number of cute, little rats living in my home and depending on me daily. (Don’t tell my kids I called them rats.)

Favorite animal: If I don’t say Milo, he’ll kick my ass. So, I guess I have to go with pissy orange male tabbys who think it’s okay to clamp down on me occasionally when my guard is down (i.e., I’m sleeping). Off the record, I’m a big hippo fan. I have no real reason why. I guess I’ve just always had a soft spot for those little chubsters. (Don’t tell Milo I said that.)

Favorite non-alcoholic drink: Water. No, I’m not kidding. It’s one of my healthiest habits. (Don’t tell Milk I said that.)

Prefer Facebook or Twitter: Twitter. (Screw it. You can tell Facebook. They keep rearranging the furniture on me.)

My Passion: My kids, writing and eating cheese. (I should probably be spending my days writing about my kids eating cheese.)

Prefer giving or getting presents: Duh. Getting them. Who am I, Mother Teresa? (Wow. I sound like such a jerk. Don’t tell anyone I said that.)

Favorite pattern: None. Unless it’s for my young daughter’s wardrobe, you will never see me seeking out stripes, polka dots, paisleys or any other hideous print. Bleech. (Don’t tell Katy Perry. My opinion means the world to her and it would absolutely kill her.)

Favorite day of the week: Thursday. It’s like Christmas Eve … or a Wedding Rehearsal Dinner. It’s the preamble to the big event. I love the anticipation. (Don’t tell Sunday. He thinks he’s my favorite.)

Favorite flower: I mostly think they’re a huge waste of money but I do have a few favorites based sheerly on their scents – roses, gardenias and Casablanca Lilies. (I’m not sure who you shouldn’t tell here, but surely there’s someone who should remain in the dark on this one.)

And here are the bloggers I am nominating for this award. I ranked them according to their taste for shellfish:
  1. According to Mags
  2. El Guapo
  3. Honest Mom
  4. My Blog can Beat Up Your Blog
  5. Momsicle Blog
  6. Backpacking Dad
  7. Pajamas & Coffee
  8. My Convertible Life
  9. With a Little Love and Luck
  10. Naked Girl in a Dress
  11. Honey Badger Just Don’t Care
  12. Musings from a Workaholic

I’ve connected with each and every one of these people on at least one occasion. Some have heard from me dozens of times and may have already applied to get new, unlisted web addresses. In any event, one thing I’ve learned while writing my own blog is that there are a great many witty, clever, sensitive, crazy, daring people out there. Last August, I jumped right into this crazy pool with both feet. And, at this point in the game, I think I’ve learned to keep my head above water and am now working on my breast stroke. (Get it? Yeah, I had to go there.)

Have a great week!

ODNT

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The shortest writing assignment I’ve ever been given

Posted on March 4, 2012 | 11 comments

For today’s post, I am participating in Trifecta’s Trifextra Weekend Challenge.  This kind of assignment is actually a lot of fun for writing nerds like me.  Visit this link and scroll down to the bottom of the post to see all the entries and vote for your favorite (wink) … or maybe even enter one of your own.

Here are the only rules: Everyone starts with the same 5 words and must turn it into his or her own story in only 33 words. The 5 introductory words are NOT to be counted in the 33 words. This week’s five words: “The phone rang at 4am.”

Here’s “our” (it takes a Village, yes?) entry … entitled Troubleshooting

The phone rang at 4am.

She glanced over but, seeing it still soaked with his blood, she ignored it.  “It’s probably just her again anyway,” she thought, as she finally released the weapon and slipped out the window.

Now … go vote! We’re entering at the last minute so we’re already behind the eight ball on this one! Next time, we’ll get an earlier start.  Yes, there WILL be a next time …

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The polls are open. Time to get your vote on.

Posted on November 3, 2011 | 8 comments

Okay, so there is still a funk lingering in the air around here … and I’m understandably queasy about putting up this poll … but we must move forward to avoid getting left behind, right?  If you’ve been following along, you most likely have an opinion on the backbone of this blog.  And I want it.  Here and now.  Please take a look at the poll below, pick your answer and feel free to elaborate in the comment boxes below.  Few choices in life are black and white and I’m happy to entertain all of your explanations, thoughts, musings, mantras, recipes, jingles, song lyrics, poetry, tongue twisters, grocery lists, etc.

Oh, and I wanted to include a comment left by a regular ODNT reader and fellow blogger. Unlike some readers here, this individual and I have never met before so this opinion comes completely unbiased and fully anonymous.

What can I say about the decision of whether to go ahead with this? As you acknowledged, this is ultimately your choice to make. The fact that you’re hesitating is no surprise, because it’s a pretty big expense, and having your body modified isn’t a choice that should be taken lightly. I think if the side of your inner Sybil who thinks you should scrap the whole idea has been coming out often (or speaking loudly), maybe you should wait. But if you feel good about the whole idea and it only makes you nervous occasionally, you’ll probably have no regrets after going through with it.

– If you back out, you’ll probably be comfortable with the knowledge that you saved some money and avoided some minor but very real risks. But you might always look at yourself in the mirror and say, “I could have gotten some fabulous new ta-tas, and I chickened out! What was I thinking?”

– If you go through with it, I’m positive you’ll be happy with the way you look. You’ll get an instant and long-lasting boost to your self-image. You and your husband will have lots of fun playing with the new toys. But you might forever feel selfish, frivolous, and vain.

Gut instinct, without over-thinking it, which of these two situations seems more likely to eat at you?

If that doesn’t help, just ask yourself how likely you are to be stabbed in the chest, or have a Hezbollah rocket shot at you. Some extra padding out there could save your life…

Ugh.  I’m high in the air … looking down … out of the open door of the plane. The houses look tiny and the people like ants. I sure hope this thing on my back is a parachute and not my daughter’s iCarly backpack. Here I go …

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