where's a 24 hour place when you need one?

I spent the last 20 minutes of my life searching for a store that was 1) still opened and 2) had party supplies in stock.

Honestly, is that too much to ask for?

In true Mom fashion, I found myself first at Target then at CVS with only a few moments left before closing.

A co-worker had asked me a few days ago to pick up the goods for another colleague's birthday. And again, as the ever overachiever mom, I said yes. I mean, what else do I have to do with my free time? Nothing like adding on to my to-do list.

Sure I haven't seen Amara in two days.

And yeah I had plans for a little mom's night out at the local wine bar tonight.

But how hard could it be to find this stuff?

Well mom's night went a bit longer than I expected. (I needed an extra glass of wine.)

And before I knew it, I was racing to the stores before the doors were locked on me.

But that left me wondering: where the heck are all the 24 hour places?

I hear of friends in other parts of the country actually buying goodies for Easter baskets, birthday parties, and Thanksgiving dinner at 3 a.m. because it was the only time they could get out of the house.

And here I was hunting down crepe streamers and balloons at 9:59 p.m.

I was afraid my Mom-mobile would turn into a pumpkin at the strike of 10.

I have one open all night grocer by me. But after hitting two stores, I wasn't about to try a third. Plus it was just that, a supermarket. So my chances of let down were pretty great.

So I'm left with some none-exciting supplies. But at least I have some.

I'll just have to use some Mom2Amara magic to make it work.

sleeping beauty

No amount of coffee can keep me awake these days. I'm tired. And cranky. And there's not much I can do about it.

A mom just needs her sleep.

Apparently so does a preschooler.

I arrived home a bit late Monday. Dad2Amara had started dinner. We were moments away from eating.

And all I wanted to do was hug Amara.

"Amara?" No response. "Amara?" Still no response.

My little princess was in bed fast asleep. Hours later, she's still down for the count. But even a kiss from Mom2Amara isn't going to wake this beauty from her slumber.

I didn't get my hug today. Guess it's one of those things a working mom has to sacrifice every once in awhile.

adults *can* wear clothes with cartoon characters

Told you so.

Every one knows I'm a huge disney fan.

And every time I'm there, I want to buy a cute tee or hoodie sweatshirt.

But I'm always stopped. I think I'll look really juvenile wearing a huge mouse on chest.

Until now.

Cartoon characters and fashion collide at New York Fashion Week!

Vivienne Tam is releasing a nine piece Disney collection.

She even outfitted Mickey and Minnie with new duds.

Fierce!

photo courtesy: Getty Images

random thoughts

I'm nearing the 5,000 mark on reasons why I need to get better.

1. Fat Tuesday falls on Super Tuesday. Coincidence? I think not. Paczkis are super.


2. Perspective. Target looks a lot different when you're riding around in a motorized scooter cart thingy. Those racks are so dang high.


3. How did "Eat, Pray, Love" become a #1 New York Times bestseller?


4. I heart the Design Happens blog.


5. I hate purling.


6. Even with all the drugs in the world, I still can't get 8 uninterrupted hours of sleep.

How's your day going?

Super Bowl ad (nauseam)

It was inevitable.

Just like every other blogger in the world, you knew there would be a Super Bowl wrap up post from Mom2Amara.

But right now, I'm not celebrating the cheater liar loser Bill Belichick's defeat. (OK maybe I am just a teeny bit. Sorry, Jaci.)

But seriously, what was up with the commercials this year? Anyone else disappointed?

Too many ads about movies that won't hit theatres for another four months.

Too many commercials that poked fun at Asians. Screw you, Sales Genie. ::fist pump::

Yet I did have some favorites.

The Bud Light wine party ad was hilarious.

For good measure, you always have to choose a Clydesdale commercial.

And I heart Justin.

Plus, you gotta love the fact that Ben Roethlisberger got dissed by a custodian in the fourth quarter.

What about you? Did you watch?

she's not a spokesperson, she just plays one online

By the way, she really doesn't have a website...I told her she has to learn how to spell first before she can get her first blog!

caught on tape: my life

Thanks Susan for sharing this one with me!

being a princess is overrated

Thanks to the Manic Mommies for passing along this gem from Mother Goose and Grimm!

my daughter's wedding will be like this

bit of a quandry

Jen found out she is one of over 1 million Jennifer's in the United States.

So I was game to find out how many other Mom2Amara's there were out there.

According to this website, there are zero Mom2Amara's in the United States. Funny, the last time I checked, I lived in the U.S. Shouldn't the stats show at least one Mom2Amara?

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 0 people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

motherhood: the perfect job?

While contemplating new career moves, I was forwarded this by a friend.

Know anyone who may want this job?

POSITION:

Mom, Mommy, Mama, Ma

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Long term, team players needed, for challenging permanent work in an often chaotic environment.

Candidates must possess excellent communication and organizational skills and be willing to work variable hours, which will include evenings and weekends and frequent 24 hour shifts on call.

Some overnight travel required, including trips to primitive camping sites on rainy weekends and endless sports tournaments in far away cities. Travel expenses not reimbursed. Extensive courier duties also required.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The rest of your life.


• Must be willing to be hated, at least temporarily, until someone needs
  $5.


• Must be willing to bite tongue repeatedly.


• Also, must possess the physical stamina of a pack mule and be able to go
  from zero to 60 mph in three seconds flat in case, this time, the
  screams from the backyard are not someone just crying wolf.


• Must be willing to face stimulating technical challenges, such as small
  gadget repair, mysteriously sluggish toilets and stuck zippers.


• Must screen phone calls, maintain calendars and coordinate production of
  multiple homework projects.


• Must have ability to plan and organize social gatherings for clients of
  all ages and mental outlooks.


• Must be willing to be indispensable one minute, an embarrassment the
  next.


• Must handle assembly and product safety testing of a half million cheap,
  plastic toys, and battery operated devices.


• Must always hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.


• Must assume final, complete accountability for the quality of the end
  product.

Responsibilities also include floor maintenance and janitorial work throughout the facility.

POSSIBILITY FOR ADVANCEMENT AND PROMOTION:
None. Your job is to remain in the same position for years, without complaining, constantly retraining and updating your skills, so that those in your charge can ultimately surpass you.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE:
None required unfortunately. On-the-job training offered on a continually exhausting basis.

WAGES AND COMPENSATION:
You pay them. Offering frequent raises and bonuses. A balloon payment is due when they turn 18 because of the assumption that college will help them become financially independent. When you die, you give them whatever is left.

BENEFITS:
While no health or dental insurance, no pension, no tuition reimbursement, no paid holidays and no stock options are offered; this job supplies limitless opportunities for personal growth, unconditional love, and free hugs and kisses for life if you play your cards right.

NOTE: There is no retirement, ever.

red

So fitting. So apropos.

Stolen from LIBSMOM.

You Are Merlot

Smooth, confident, and popular - you're the type most likely to order wine for the whole group. You seem to breeze through life on your intuition and wit. And no one seems to mind! You're comfortable in any social situation you find yourself in, and you never feel outclassed. And while you live a charmed life, you never let it go to your head. You are truly down to earth and a great friend. Deep down you are: Balanced and mature Your partying style: Surprisingly wild... when you let loose, you really let loose Your company is enjoyed best with: Some greasy pizza

What Kind of Wine Are You?

how to wake before your alarm

1. Have your child go bump in the night an hour shy of your alarm.


2. Have child proceed to turn on television/CD player/obnoxious toy.


3. Jump out of bed, thinking a mass murderer has entered your home, surely to slash the throats of you, your spouse, and your child.


4. Sit quietly in bedroom. Convince yourself it's your overactive, lack-of-rest mind playing tricks on you. Although admit you've remained in your room because you do not want to be the first to die at the hands of the burglar.


5. After 20 minutes, wake your spouse. Make him believe there is an intruder.


6. Find said intruder -- your four year old daughter, listening to Spongebob after having wet the bed.


7. Give child a bath. Then tuck her in the spare bedroom.


8. Toss linens in the wash.


9. Lay awake in bed for 15 minutes before acknowledging the fact that you will never go back to bed.


10. Get out of bed at 3:25 a.m., five minutes before your alarm goes off.

See? Easy enough.

Now, where's my coffee.

are you counting the days?

Dana over at The Dana Files is going through one of the hardest things I have ever experienced, the loss of a pet.

And it got me to thinking about Lucida.

It's been 164 days since we lost her. Not 5 months and 11 days. Not 23 weeks and 3 days. But 164 days. Because we still feel her loss every day.

So after a good cry, I needed to count the days towards more uplifting events.

• 109 days until Christmas (Dad2Amara, better start thinking gift ideas!)


• 159 days until Valentine's Day (Dad2Amara, flowers, jewelry, and jewelry)


• 185 days until my birthday (a getaway would be nice)


• 272 days until the last day of school

What are you counting down the days to?

choosy moms choose...

Talk about a boost in confidence.

I'm having one of those weeks.

I thought I had allergies. But now Amara and Dad2Amara are sick.

Nothing fits right. Could be because I've stopped working out and meeting with the trainer.

Church was abominable. I make it a point to try to work on my spirituality. And I fail. Or it floundered. Who knows.

But last night I took inventory of the many ongoings I call "life" and put them under the microscope, scrutinizing every detail.

So when I read this, I laughed.

A new study says women are pickier when it comes to finding a significant other. Men? They choose the ladies based on good looks.

It's no surprise. But if Dad2Amara is a stereotypical guy, and I think on most accounts he is, that means he picked me because I'm a cute Filipina. At least that's what I go with. And it makes me happy.

And if I can lumped myself in with the test women, that means I chose Dad2Amara because of his kind, caring heart.

Or because he was less of an @ss than the other boys I dated.

Ooooh, guess that's the bad week attitude in me coming out. Maybe I should quit while I'm ahead.

today's good: My day is half over at work! Wheee!

today's bad: God willing, haven't come across one yet. So we'll see what the day holds!

tie one on

Sorry for not being around lately. Allergies are a bi-otch.

I have also neglected to share with all of you some big news for our family. Mom2Amara is now the wife of the director of graduate studies for the historic preservation program at a local university. Dad2Amara is soooooo smart.

So to go along with his fancy-dancy new fandangled title, Dad2Amara needed a new wardrobe. And that was OK by me since I still have fantasies of losing 20 or 30 pounds before buying anything new for my closets.

Seriously though, who knew how many people Dad2Amara would be expected to meet and greet. He's big time now. Not only is he teaching but he's rubbing shoulders with some acadmic elites and he is presenting at a national conference next month. Wow.

But I digress.

So by buying everything the blonde saleslady suggested making a few purchases, that meant he needed to purge some unpleasant ugly fashion faux pas items already in his closet.

We started with this. I don't think he's planning on any Mafia dinners any time soon.



And I don't think Dad2Amara will be stomping at any wineries in the upcoming months so I felt good letting this one go.



If you happen to be visiting Cleveland soon and need a map, this one's available. (Seriously, there's a street map behind the buildings.)



Oh, and Dad2Amara, the 1990's called. They want their tie back.



And the third grader down the street left a message. He wants his tie back too.



I'm going to go back and crawl into bed again. My sinuses are killing.

today's good: Lolo and Lola2Amara, Aunt2Amara and Uncle2Amara came by the Yellow House today. Amara loves when they visit.

today's bad: How many Sudafeds can I take without it being considered an overdose?

epiphany

via a popular pastry...

My Fortune Cookie told me: It is time to bring the bacon in from the cold. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

But you know me -- I always want more than one. Love 'em cookies. Plus I had no idea what my first fortune meant. So...

My Fortune Cookie told me: Take time today to pay more attention to your imaginary friends. Get a cookie from Miss Fortune

On a day like today, imaginary sounds good.

I was wrong

There is a place worse than the Mickey D's Playland.

It was the mall. All because of this:



I'm no thin thang, but I do cover my rear.

link love

With some time on my hands post-dig and scrape and pre-Disney, I've been catching up, getting the latest from some beloved blogs.

And since some folks are leaving me hanging, I'm left to read other blogs. (Y'all know I love you but lemme in on your lives! Blog for heavens sake!)

But I'm enjoying the search for new blogs to latch on to.

So aside from other fantastic bloggers I have previously mentioned, take a look at some of these new finds:

Organic Picks | Baby Powder | The Dana Files | Misa Gracie's blog | Jenorama

today's good: Lots of coffee plus a day in bed equals a happy Mom2Amara

today's bad: Should I be worried when Amara says she's more excited for school than she is for the Magic Kingdom?

Father forgive me

There are those few times during Mass when I actually hear what the priest is saying. And there are fewer times when I have a true reaction to his preaching.

These are two of those times.

Aprilfreelance quoted a verse from a chapter in John when Jesus asked Mary "Woman, what have I to do with thee?" Ha! Was he talking back to his Mom?

And every year, when the priest commands "thou shalt not covet your neighbor's ass," I normally respond with a chuckle. Then I tell Dad2Amara that I could never even glance at my neighbor's rear end because he actually plays for the "other team."

Sadly, this is what my Jesuit collegiate career has enlightened me to.

today's good: I just found the Filipina Moms blog. OMG how incredible! I will have some free time on my hands before we leave for Disney so I'm going to take in as much of this blog as I can!

today's bad: Apparently some of the Filipina Moms were at BlogHer and I didn't know to look for them! Booo!