This Full House

Mommyfest: An Interactive Online Event for Moms!

Being a mom is hard - although, I also believe that my husband Garth (not his real name) could really use a day off, or two - but, blogging about raising kids and killer dust bunnies makes life seem...I dunno... a lot more...you know...livable.

Especially, when you get to invite your friends over to your place, meet a couple hundred-or-so moms, listen to some really great speakers and you don't even have to take a shower, clean the house, get dressed, or anything...if you don't want to.

Did I mention there will be contests and a bunch of free stuff to choose from?

PBN Blog Blast: All I want for Mother's Day

The Parent Bloggers Network has teamed up with Johnson and Johnson to promote their new charitable giving site, Johnson’s Baby Cause, powered by Global Giving.

As part of their responsibility to the global community, Johnson’s has hand-selected dozens of charities around the world that mirror their deep commitment to caring for the health and well-being of mothers and children - not just on Mother’s Day, but every day of the year.

This is the 100th Anniversary of Mother's Day and my 15th year of raising kids -- not to mention, killer dust bunnies -- in this mother-loving world of comfortable running shoes and matching hoodies.

So, as a mother of a teen, a tween, a precocious 1st grader and The Boy who refuses to admit he is NOT getting a brother for Christmas, what could I possibly want for Mother's Day?

Be sure to leave the twenty, on the nightstand, on your way out!

What?  Is it Tuesday, already?  Is it me...or, does anybody else NOT have the time...for anything, anymore?  I swear, the older the kids get...well, you know...I wonder.  Does anyone else know if snoring on my husband's lap is considered foreplay?

Mommy Blog Carnival: Tax Day Comic Relief Edition

Well, hello there and welcome to the April 15, 2008 edition of the Mommy Blog Carnival!

What?

Oh yeah, it's Tax Day and...OOOOOOOH...the horror.  If you haven't finished filing your taxes, yet...take a deep breath...and remember to just...you know...breathe, or think about what all the poor IRS and postal employees must be going through, right about now.

[moment of silence]

I thought I would kick-off this week's carnival with intros from a few of my most favorite funny women and invite you to share in a little comic relief on Tax Day, as Uncle Sam mixes it up with the Mommybloggers!

The Difference Between You and Me is I Make Other Moms Look Good!

Usually, women like Motherhood Uncensored intimidate me.  I mean, COME ON, all you have to do is take one look at her to know that she is most likely someone a mom (like me) could grow to hate, very easily.

But, I can't.  Because, she's smart...OH...and she really is very sweet, in person, too...damnit.

I guess that's why, after reading her post about how parents...ahem...with older kids (like me) sometimes have trouble remembering just how difficult living in the baby-toddler vacuum really is, I was bothered by my initial reaction.

[insert eye-roll, chuckle, fake head nod, here]

You know you're from Jersey, if....

Having been born, grown up and now raising a family of my own (and blogging about it) in New Jersey (what, you too...SHUT up!) I've pretty much heard it all.  Still.  You may be surprised to learn, however, just how difficult it can be, listening to jokes about why we're called "The Garden State" because, it's too hard to fit "Oil and Petro-Chemical Refinery State" on a license plate, etc...

[rolls eyes]

So, New Jersey has a lot of chemical companies; I get that.  Hell, I used to work with a couple of them - way before children - forgive me, but the assumption that moving here would be less than desirable, by anyone who refuses to take a look-see beyond the Turnpike tolls, you know, upsets me.

Or, in more Jersey-type terms...it friggin' frosts my ass, people!

Monday Morning Mommy Hangover

No, I am NOT a morning person but, as long as there's a cup of coffee handed to me within the first few minutes of entering the bathroom with the morning paper...I'm good.

Once I finally do regain the power of speech -- typically, this happens soon after taking a very hot shower -- and after ridding myself of stray facial hair and morning nose...I'm better.

Then, the kids wake up.

This is about the time when -- after careful consideration of the vast amount of demands that will undoubtedly be put upon me physically, mentally and/or emotionally that hasn't already been compromised from the weekend before -- I seriously think about petitioning for a:

"National Go Back To Bed Day!"

Instead, I'm taking Her Bad Mother's Dare of Truthiness and revealing my true, unmade-up self to the world...on my blog...and, in the words of my 12-year-old  daughter:

"EEP!"

Go ahead...click on that annoying "continue reading" thingy...I DARE YOU!

Carnival of Family Life: Extreme Homemaker Edition - Now, available with more Pooh!

Welcome to the March 10, 2008 Edition of the Carnival of Family Life - The Extreme Homemaker

 

Everyone likes to share information about their family - YES, they do - especially parents! Here's a place where you can sit down, have a cup of coffee (or, a beverage of your choice) and share your thoughts, stories, and experiences.

Today, the carnival is making a stop at our house and I am very honored to be your hostess with the mostest...dust bunnies, that is.  So, for you first time visitors - welcome to our home, don't be shy, come on in - my name is Liz and I am the keeper of This Full House.  We have lots to talk about...

Ultimate Blog Party - Get Your Blog On!

[FYI:  This Full House is #72 on the prize list - we're giving away a webcam valued at $100 - see here for more details!]

The Ultimate Blog Party is a fantastic way to make new blog friends AND reconnect with your posse!  So, don't be shy.  Please, come on in.  Just step over the sick children, clean off a chair and make yourself comfortable.

But, please excuse the mess and do NOT feed the dust bunnies!

Let me start by offering you a warm, chocolate covered biscotti and a tall can of Lysol.

I Am Beautiful Blog Tour: Our 10 Questions for Woody Winfree

 

Woody Winfree is a founder of Sole Sisters, Inc., and the critically acclaimed The I Am Beautiful Project, dedicated to creating a world in which every woman and girl can proudly proclaim, "I Am Beautiful!"

So, when the nice people at Sourcebooks asked if I would like to participate in the I am Beautiful Blog Tour, I jumped...literally, leaped from my chair and banged my chin...HARD...for the opportunity to interview Ms. Winfree.