The fine foks at Mother Talk sent me a copy of Stefanie Wilder-Taylor’s new book “Naptime is the New Happy Hour” and asked me to review it. Here goes.
First, a little from the back cover…
Motherhood -- it's not for wimps.
Once the zigzagging hormones and endless, bleary-eyed exhaustion of the first year have worn off, you're left with the startling realization that your tiny, immobile bundle has become a rampaging toddler, complete with his or her very own, very forceful personality.
Just as Sippy Cups Are Not for Chardonnay helped debunk decades of parenting myths to offer honest advice for the first year, Naptime Is the New Happy Hour is a voice of reason for every woman facing questions such as: Will refined sugar make my toddler's head explode? Is it wrong to have a cocktail at two in the afternoon? And what exactly is a Backyardigan?
With biting wit and boatloads of common sense, Stefanie Wilder-Taylor addresses all these concerns and more. Whether it's planning easy outings that are fun for both of you (fact: your child will find the local Target just as scintillating as the Guggenheim), dishing the dirt on preschool TV (those mothers who swear their kids don't watch television? Liars or psychos, every one), or perfecting the art of the play date, readers will find advice, anecdotes, and a reassuring sense of camaraderie to help them survive -- and even thrive -- during each hilarious, frustrating, and amazing moment.
And a little about the author from her Blogger profile…
One thing to know about me is that I don't like people who say "one thing to know about me." That statement tells me a lot about a person. Like that I probably don't want to know about them. Another thing to know about me is I can be a little testy. I am married to a man whose character is way too great to be believed, had a daughter on Nov. 12, 2004, used to be a TV writer and comedian but now I'm trying to live off of my books "Sippy Cups Are Not For Chardonnay: And other things I had to learn as a New Mom" and "Naptime Is the New Happy Hour." Oh and I recently had TWIN GIRLS! Need I say more?
Now my review…
Hated this book.
The end.
Seriously though, I really did not like this book. I think the author is trying to hard to be funny and it just isn’t cutting it. She insults just about everyone – the Pampered Chef demonstrator she calls The Cult Leader, the Spanish speaking gardener, “towel heads”, the Gays, etc.
She says she only moved ten miles or so away from her friends, but she is too lazy to go and see them so she needs to make new ones. Within the first 50 pages of the book, she pretty much narrows down what she wants in a friend, and says, quite frankly, that if you don’t meet certain requirements, she doesn’t want you as a friend. Guess what Stefanie? If you live your life the way you write, I wouldn’t want to be your friend.
Now I know you are supposed to take this humor tongue-in-cheek, but it just isn’t funny. She makes so many references to alcohol and drugs (legal and not) that it really makes you wonder.
Thank you Mother Talk for letting me review this book, but it just didn’t cut it for me.*
(If you want to read a really funny book about parenting, check out The Sweet Potato Queens.)
*Anyone want my copy? Leave me a comment and I’ll draw a name and let you endure the “humor”.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Product Review
The kind folks at Mom Central and Kelloggs hooked me up with some...
I received a box of the cheddar flavor and we gave them a try. They were pretty good. They didn't seem to have a lot of cheddar flavor, but they were still pretty good.
So I went to the store and bought a box of the original flavor. These, my friends, were KRAZEE DELISH! As I'm typing this, I have a small bowl of them perched on the arm of the chair.
You first get the buttery taste of the cracker, then a quick taste of the salty pretzelly goodness, then back to the buttery crackerness.
I highly recommend Townhouse Flipsides. And I thank you Mom Central and Kelloggs for letting me review these Prackers? Cretzels?
__________
Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly. - M. F. K. Fisher
I received a box of the cheddar flavor and we gave them a try. They were pretty good. They didn't seem to have a lot of cheddar flavor, but they were still pretty good.
So I went to the store and bought a box of the original flavor. These, my friends, were KRAZEE DELISH! As I'm typing this, I have a small bowl of them perched on the arm of the chair.
You first get the buttery taste of the cracker, then a quick taste of the salty pretzelly goodness, then back to the buttery crackerness.
I highly recommend Townhouse Flipsides. And I thank you Mom Central and Kelloggs for letting me review these Prackers? Cretzels?
__________
Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly. - M. F. K. Fisher
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Hey Y'all
Here it is...
__________
I've got a couple of product reviews I will be posting later in the week. One item isn't too bad, but the other is not so good. As a matter of fact, if I find out any one of you goes out and buys the product I didn't like, I will come to your house and beat you with it. Kisses!
__________
I've signed up to walk the 2k for Remember The Ten. My friend Kendall was killed in the plane crash seven years ago. I miss him.
__________
Hold a true friend with both hands. - Nigerian Proverb
__________
I've got a couple of product reviews I will be posting later in the week. One item isn't too bad, but the other is not so good. As a matter of fact, if I find out any one of you goes out and buys the product I didn't like, I will come to your house and beat you with it. Kisses!
__________
I've signed up to walk the 2k for Remember The Ten. My friend Kendall was killed in the plane crash seven years ago. I miss him.
__________
Hold a true friend with both hands. - Nigerian Proverb
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Road Trip!
I'm taking a road trip with my parents later this week. Therefore and thus to, I must restock the CD changer with muh country music.
Out with The Offspring, in with Dolly Parton.
Out with the Suburban Legends, in with George Strait.
Out with Jim Croce, in with Merle Haggard.
Out with Rufus Wainwright, in with Willie Nelson.
Out with Journey, in with Vince Gill.
Out with The Rugburns, in with Shania Twain.
Out with The Dandy Warhols, in with The Bellamy Brothers.
__________
I found me a T-shirt that says, "What part of Y'all don't you understand?" I don't need any new shirts, but I love this one! Should I get it?
There's also one that says, "You say potato, I say tater". hehe
__________
If you ever start feeling like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world, all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because five minutes at the fair, you'll be going, 'you know, we're alright. We are dang near royalty.' - Jeff Foxworthy
Out with The Offspring, in with Dolly Parton.
Out with the Suburban Legends, in with George Strait.
Out with Jim Croce, in with Merle Haggard.
Out with Rufus Wainwright, in with Willie Nelson.
Out with Journey, in with Vince Gill.
Out with The Rugburns, in with Shania Twain.
Out with The Dandy Warhols, in with The Bellamy Brothers.
__________
I found me a T-shirt that says, "What part of Y'all don't you understand?" I don't need any new shirts, but I love this one! Should I get it?
There's also one that says, "You say potato, I say tater". hehe
__________
If you ever start feeling like you have the goofiest, craziest, most dysfunctional family in the world, all you have to do is go to a state fair. Because five minutes at the fair, you'll be going, 'you know, we're alright. We are dang near royalty.' - Jeff Foxworthy
Monday, March 17, 2008
Puttin' the foot down.
The Boy has had this bad habit of saying "Fine!" every time he doesn't get his way. As in "Boy, pick up your shoes and put them where they are supposed to be." "Just a minute." "No, now." "Fine!" The way he says it though, makes me fill in the blank afterward. "Fine! (I'll do it, but only because you are my Mom and you have the power! Sneer.)"
I finally had it. Up to where? Here! So I told him every time he said "Fine!", he lost 25 cents of his allowance. Zoinks!
He then started to say, "All right!" as in "All right! (I'll do it, but I would rather be saying, "Fine!" Sneer.)"
That got old real quick. So guess what this mean old Mom did? I told him from now on, he is to say, "Yes Ma'am."
Mwaaahahahahahaha!
Oooooooo, how he hates that.
I finally had it. Up to where? Here! So I told him every time he said "Fine!", he lost 25 cents of his allowance. Zoinks!
He then started to say, "All right!" as in "All right! (I'll do it, but I would rather be saying, "Fine!" Sneer.)"
That got old real quick. So guess what this mean old Mom did? I told him from now on, he is to say, "Yes Ma'am."
Mwaaahahahahahaha!
Oooooooo, how he hates that.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Dear Husband,
When you call me at work and ask if the pants on top of the dryer (folded) are clean and if the sweatshirt (not folded) in the dirty clothes basket is dirty, I'm guessing you are bored.
Love,
Your Wife
P.S. Thanks for doing the laundry. Please use dryer sheets.
Love,
Your Wife
P.S. Thanks for doing the laundry. Please use dryer sheets.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Monday, March 10, 2008
Saturday, March 08, 2008
I'm still here!
And I still love you!
Let's see....
Scotch the dog hurt his back right leg, was diagnosed with hip displasia (sp?), got almost better and then tweaked his knee on the same leg. We are supposed to keep him quiet for six weeks. Ha, I say. (Two different types of meds and fish oil.)
The Commander had his tonsils and adnoids removed and his diviated septum straightened. He is slowly getting better. (One med, but the good stuff.)
The Boy got a virus (not a stomach bug, thank goodness) and has been running a fever and coughing like crazy. (Two meds.)
Me? So far so good. Knock wood. I got my new crown (with Saturn on it!). Still have carpal tunnel. Going to the doctor next week and will probably get an injection of cortisone and a referral to an orthopedic surgeon. Oh, I did pop my elbow (on the same arm) a few weeks ago and it still hurts. My arm is out to get me.
So how are you doing?
Let's see....
Scotch the dog hurt his back right leg, was diagnosed with hip displasia (sp?), got almost better and then tweaked his knee on the same leg. We are supposed to keep him quiet for six weeks. Ha, I say. (Two different types of meds and fish oil.)
The Commander had his tonsils and adnoids removed and his diviated septum straightened. He is slowly getting better. (One med, but the good stuff.)
The Boy got a virus (not a stomach bug, thank goodness) and has been running a fever and coughing like crazy. (Two meds.)
Me? So far so good. Knock wood. I got my new crown (with Saturn on it!). Still have carpal tunnel. Going to the doctor next week and will probably get an injection of cortisone and a referral to an orthopedic surgeon. Oh, I did pop my elbow (on the same arm) a few weeks ago and it still hurts. My arm is out to get me.
So how are you doing?
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Greetings People of Sao Paulo, Brazil!
I have had visitors from Brazil! How they got here, I don't know, but welcome!
__________
They come in threes...
1. Carpel Tunnel
2. Broke a crown
3. ?????
I had my thyroid tested and it is okay. So, I guess the question would be, why am I so tired, gained so much weight, and all that?
__________
The Commander has to get his deviated septum repaired next week. He also gets to have his tonsils out the same day! Poor fella. I'll take good care of him.
__________
__________
God heals, and the doctor takes the fee. - Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
__________
They come in threes...
1. Carpel Tunnel
2. Broke a crown
3. ?????
I had my thyroid tested and it is okay. So, I guess the question would be, why am I so tired, gained so much weight, and all that?
__________
The Commander has to get his deviated septum repaired next week. He also gets to have his tonsils out the same day! Poor fella. I'll take good care of him.
__________
__________
God heals, and the doctor takes the fee. - Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wanna point and laugh at me?
'Cause I fell on my face this morning.
And it wasn't just a normal, run of the mill fall. It was straight out of the cartoons.
I was carrying a box of 150 DVDs in cardboard sleeves to another building on campus. It had been spitting freezing rain and was pretty miserable. I was thisclose to the building and when crossing the crosswalk, I stepped on a metal plate that covers a drainage area.
Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! The legs started flying. Leaning forward. Leaning backward. Leaning forward again. Then blam! I would have totally face planted if it weren't for the box of DVDs I was holding in front of me.
My knees both hit the concrete. The right way harder than the left. My hands both hit the concrete. Again, the right way harder than the left. (My torso was protected by the box, but the box didn't fair well.) The middle half of both of my pant legs were soaked. AND! PLUS! ALSO! One of the buses was stopped practically across the street letting people on. So I had an audience.
Smooooth.
And it wasn't just a normal, run of the mill fall. It was straight out of the cartoons.
I was carrying a box of 150 DVDs in cardboard sleeves to another building on campus. It had been spitting freezing rain and was pretty miserable. I was thisclose to the building and when crossing the crosswalk, I stepped on a metal plate that covers a drainage area.
Whoop! Whoop! Whoop! The legs started flying. Leaning forward. Leaning backward. Leaning forward again. Then blam! I would have totally face planted if it weren't for the box of DVDs I was holding in front of me.
My knees both hit the concrete. The right way harder than the left. My hands both hit the concrete. Again, the right way harder than the left. (My torso was protected by the box, but the box didn't fair well.) The middle half of both of my pant legs were soaked. AND! PLUS! ALSO! One of the buses was stopped practically across the street letting people on. So I had an audience.
Smooooth.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
A Vote for Me
is a vote for me!
Contest to win a trip to Vegas, Baby!
Click on the photo and vote for it (if you want) and then tell all of your friends (if you want) to go and vote for me (if they want). No pressure.
Right now the top LOL has 48 votes. I have one (I voted for myself).
Peace out!
More on the online Poker Cats Contest
Contest to win a trip to Vegas, Baby!
Click on the photo and vote for it (if you want) and then tell all of your friends (if you want) to go and vote for me (if they want). No pressure.
Right now the top LOL has 48 votes. I have one (I voted for myself).
Peace out!
More on the online Poker Cats Contest
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentimes!
Or not. Whatever.
(Thanks Rick.)
••••••••••
I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner
••••••••••
(Thanks Rick.)
••••••••••
I love being married. It's so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. - Rita Rudner
••••••••••
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Pocky!
Our Cub Scouts were talking about the Chinese New Year last night at their meeting. I took some Chinese snacks for them to experience. The licorice prunes didn't go over well, but the Pocky? They devoured it.
••••••••••
Food is our common ground, a universal experience.
-James Beard
••••••••••
what flavor pocky are you?
[c] sugardew
••••••••••
Food is our common ground, a universal experience.
-James Beard
••••••••••
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Dear Murphy
Stop it already! Seriously!
Sincerely,
A Very Peeved Me
_________________
Remember the cool crowns I have on my teeth?
Let me show you them...
Mr. Smiley Face there on the bottom? He is no longer smiling. As a matter of fact, he just no longer is. At all.
Yesterday I was enjoying the meal the German Club was selling - a brat, hot potato salad, and apple strudel. The strudel was delish, but for some reason, one bite was crunchy. Uh oh. My tongue started poking around in my mouth until it felt the broken tooth. Crapola! As I was walking back to my office, I kept thinking, "Is that my crown? I hope not!" One look in the mirror and guess what? It was my crown. The crown that made my dentist stomp his foot on the floor and exclaim, "I will not put a smiley face on your tooth!"
Feel free to guess what will be on the new crown!
________________
So, Mr. Murphy and your damn law, today I got a temporary crown and the paid off credit card got a big hit. So...
Sincerely,
A Very Peeved Me
_________________
Remember the cool crowns I have on my teeth?
Let me show you them...
Mr. Smiley Face there on the bottom? He is no longer smiling. As a matter of fact, he just no longer is. At all.
Yesterday I was enjoying the meal the German Club was selling - a brat, hot potato salad, and apple strudel. The strudel was delish, but for some reason, one bite was crunchy. Uh oh. My tongue started poking around in my mouth until it felt the broken tooth. Crapola! As I was walking back to my office, I kept thinking, "Is that my crown? I hope not!" One look in the mirror and guess what? It was my crown. The crown that made my dentist stomp his foot on the floor and exclaim, "I will not put a smiley face on your tooth!"
Feel free to guess what will be on the new crown!
________________
So, Mr. Murphy and your damn law, today I got a temporary crown and the paid off credit card got a big hit. So...
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Product Review
The folks at Froose teamed up with Mom Central to get some feedback on their products. I volunteered our family to be Taste Testers.
Here's our take on Froose. First, a little about the product...
Each serving of Froose® contains:
* Whole organic grains and fruit
* Complex carbohydrates energy
* Good source of fiber - 3 grams (soluble & insoluble)
* Naturally low in sugar
* Organic rice syrup, a complex carbohydrate (which means no sugar highs and no empty calories.)
* Whole organic brown rice
* Wheat and gluten free
* Pasteurized
* Kosher Certified
* Unique whole food innovation
* Made with organic ingredients
The Taste Testers...
Me
The Commander
The Boy
First up - Perfect Pear
Me - It has the consistency of nectar. (Which I can't stand.)
The Commander - It is bitter.
The Boy - It tastes like real pears, but not like juice.
The Verdict - No thanks.
Next - Playful Peach
Me - Ugh.
The Commander - ::: Nose Wrinkles :::
The Boy - It tastes okay at first, but then it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
The Verdict - No Thanks.
Lastly - Cheerful Cherry
Me - Hmmmmmm. Not too bad. I can't stand artificial cherry flavor. If I inadvertently pop a cherry Jolly Rancher into my mouth, it will shoot out with much more force than it went in. Cheerful Cherry does not have a fake cherry taste! It also doesn't have that nectar thickness to it like the other two or the graininess (from the rice flour I'm guessing).
The Commander - Refuses to participate any further.
The Boy - Well, if it is the only thing to drink, I will drink it, but I wouldn't want it as a snack.
Verdict - I was the only flavor I finished.
I would recommend at least giving Froose a try. Your kids may not be as picky as my kid. Let me know if you do.
Here's our take on Froose. First, a little about the product...
Each serving of Froose® contains:
* Whole organic grains and fruit
* Complex carbohydrates energy
* Good source of fiber - 3 grams (soluble & insoluble)
* Naturally low in sugar
* Organic rice syrup, a complex carbohydrate (which means no sugar highs and no empty calories.)
* Whole organic brown rice
* Wheat and gluten free
* Pasteurized
* Kosher Certified
* Unique whole food innovation
* Made with organic ingredients
The Taste Testers...
Me
The Commander
The Boy
First up - Perfect Pear
Me - It has the consistency of nectar. (Which I can't stand.)
The Commander - It is bitter.
The Boy - It tastes like real pears, but not like juice.
The Verdict - No thanks.
Next - Playful Peach
Me - Ugh.
The Commander - ::: Nose Wrinkles :::
The Boy - It tastes okay at first, but then it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.
The Verdict - No Thanks.
Lastly - Cheerful Cherry
Me - Hmmmmmm. Not too bad. I can't stand artificial cherry flavor. If I inadvertently pop a cherry Jolly Rancher into my mouth, it will shoot out with much more force than it went in. Cheerful Cherry does not have a fake cherry taste! It also doesn't have that nectar thickness to it like the other two or the graininess (from the rice flour I'm guessing).
The Commander - Refuses to participate any further.
The Boy - Well, if it is the only thing to drink, I will drink it, but I wouldn't want it as a snack.
Verdict - I was the only flavor I finished.
I would recommend at least giving Froose a try. Your kids may not be as picky as my kid. Let me know if you do.
Monday, February 04, 2008
Happy Birthday Chick
Today is your 8th birthday. Where did the time go?
I love you so much my heart aches just a little. I especially love your cute little nose and those crazy little freckles (which you hate with a passion). I love the way you still yell, "Mom!" and come running toward me when you haven't seen me in a while. I love the way you make up jokes. I love the way you read to me. I love how you say, "actually" at the beginning of many sentences. I love the way you pronounce Saturn (Sat-er-in). I love watching you eat spaghetti. I love how much you love your brother. I love how smart you are. I love your furry legs. I love how you love the song "New Head". But most of all, I love you.
9 lbs., 11 oz., 23 in.
First day of Pre-K
First day of Kindergarten
First day of 1st Grade
First day of 2nd Grade (I failed to get him a back to school haircut. Don't judge.)
All in all, he's a pretty happy boy.
I love you so much my heart aches just a little. I especially love your cute little nose and those crazy little freckles (which you hate with a passion). I love the way you still yell, "Mom!" and come running toward me when you haven't seen me in a while. I love the way you make up jokes. I love the way you read to me. I love how you say, "actually" at the beginning of many sentences. I love the way you pronounce Saturn (Sat-er-in). I love watching you eat spaghetti. I love how much you love your brother. I love how smart you are. I love your furry legs. I love how you love the song "New Head". But most of all, I love you.
9 lbs., 11 oz., 23 in.
First day of Pre-K
First day of Kindergarten
First day of 1st Grade
First day of 2nd Grade (I failed to get him a back to school haircut. Don't judge.)
All in all, he's a pretty happy boy.
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