Rocks In My Dryer

What We've Learned

Really, this isn't turning into a Miley Cyrus blog.  I don't plan to bring it up again.

I'm still not entirely pleased I was put in the position of having to explain this situation to my kids.  But motherhood is generally all about being put into sticky situations, for one reason or another, and I tried to make the best of it.

The talk, actually, went quite well. We discussed how people can get carried away to the point of making horribly bad decisions.  We talked about how money and fame will never buy good judgment (and usually seems to produce the opposite).  We talked about how poor choices bring heartache today, tomorrow and even years from now. 

I really felt like they got it.  They're shocked and disappointed--and that breaks my heart--but it's not an entirely bad thing for tweens to see, front and center, the consequences of bad judgment.  And it's not entirely a bad thing that I got to teach my kids how to process this situation using our family's filter, not the world's. 

Teachable moments sometimes appear in the strangest places.  A conversation that I dreaded turned out to be very fruitful. 

In the meantime?  I'm praying for Miley and her family, and my kids are too.   We all should.

Regret

I am so absolutely furious, I could spit nails. 

Perhaps you've seen the news breaking all over the internet, that Miley Cyrus has posed topless in Vanity Fair magazine.  Here are the details from the New York Times:

Some parents reacted with outrage over the weekend when the television program “Entertainment Tonight” began showing commercials promoting a scoop: Ms. Cyrus, the star of the wholesome Disney Channel blockbuster “Hannah Montana,” had posed topless, albeit with her chest covered, for the Vanity Fair photographer, Annie Leibovitz.

I don't fault Miley for this.  I know I wasn't always making the best choices at age 15.  But her parents should have known better.  The New York Times reports that her dad was on the set when the photos were taken. 

Can you, as a parent, imagine any circumstances in which you'd let your 15-year-old undress for a photographer?

I'm furious because these parents (and Disney, and Vanity Fair) have exploited a child.  Since when have topless photos of a minor been acceptable?

I'm more furious because they have now put me, as a parent, in the position of having to discuss topless photos with my sons (this WILL be discussed on the playground, you can be sure of it, and I want my kids to hear my perspective first). Thanks so much for that, Billy Ray, and Vanity Fair, and Disney.

And, if I'm honest, I'm mad at myself for what I might have done to enable this situation.  I've been so relieved about the Hannah Montana show as an upbeat, wholesome alternative to some other entertainment, that maybe I've bought into it too much.  I've voiced concern at the same time I bought my kids tickets to the movie.  I feel creeped out myself, that I've somehow contributed to the exploitation of this child. 

So we'll be having an upleasant conversation in our house tonight, about modesty and decision-making and growing up too fast.  I'll be making a hard choice myself, as to whether I withhold an otherwise quality show from kids' viewing.

And I will breathe a prayer for Miley, smack dab in the middle of a firestorm not of her making. 

I'd really be interested to hear your thoughts about this, particularly about how (or if) you plan to address this with your kids.

So This Is How It's Gonna Be

I am the mother of a pre-teen.  This means he is just old enough to be slightly horrified by me.

Recently in the mini-van, the kids and I were jammin' to some tunz (that's "jamming to some tunes", to you poor souls who do not have the street cred of this midwestern, 35-year-old housewife), and we came to a stoplight.

And I proceeded to do what is perfectly reasonable for a midwestern, 35-year-old housewife to do at a stoplight: The Robot.

My pre-teen son, who normally would have gleefully joined in with me, instead raised his hand to his face.

"Mom!" he said.  "Don't DO that!"

"Why not?" I asked.

"Because," he said, glancing around to see if any other motorists noticed.  "A boy has needs."

And evidently one of those needs is for his mother not to do bad eighties dances in the car. 

A new day is definitely dawning around here, as adolescence looms, and I'm trying to be sensitive.  I remember being horrified by my own parents  (who, it turns out, are perfectly lovely people and not at all horrific), and I told my son I understood.  In fact, when his teacher invited me to his class recently to share photos of my Africa trip, I specifically asked him ahead of time: tell me how I can do this in a way that won't embarrass you.

He did not hesitate.  Evidently the ways I'm humiliating are right at the top of his head.

"Well," he said, "don't sing opera."  (If you spent any time in our house, you would know that this is a perfectly valid concern.)

"And don't use the word totally," he said.  I promised him I totally would not.  He rolled his eyes.

"And," he said, pausing nervously, wondering if he was about to hurt my feelings, "just don't try to be cool."

I assured him there was absolutely no danger this. 

The talk to his class went fine.  I shot him a couple of questioning "am-I-doing-okay?" glances, and he gave me reassuring nods.  I think we're going to be okay.  I've promised him that Dad and I are sensitive to the fact that he's not a little boy anymore, and I'm standing by my word, when we're out in public.

But in the privacy of our home?  Opera and bad dancing are the name of the game.  And just before his eyes roll back in his head, I can detect a little twinkle. 

Yes.  We're going to be okay.

Feeling for His Face -- Holy Experience

Eight Days -- YouTube

Are Children Threatening the Earth? -- Albert Mohler (hat tip to Amy)

X-Box-Selling Mom Gets Free Dyson -- Gizmodo  (I didn't know it was possible for me to love Dyson any more than I already do.  It is.)

I Love My Job -- My Quiet Corner

Tulip Time -- Wee Wonderfuls.  I love this site!

Chore Pockets and Chore Tickets -- Balancing Everything (hat tip to Oh My Stinkin Heck)

"He Changed the Rules."

When tonight's episode was over, Hubs turned to me and said, "So, what can you write about that?" 

It wasn't very tidy, was it?  Let's re-cap what we learned:

-- Boat people were never going to take the Losties off the island.  Not a huge surprise, but at least it's confirmed.

-- Ben is a cold-hearted snake.  Oh wait, we already knew that.  (It was hard to feel much sympathy for him when Alex died, since he seemed, to me, almost directly responsible.  He definitely won't win Daddy Of the Year.)

--  The smoke monster is alive and well.  And wasn't that an interesting twist to find yourself rooting for it?  I thought that was a Great Lost Moment, when it took out the bad guys.

-- Now we know why Sayid has teamed up with Ben, post-island.  He's motivated by revenge. 

-- Every week we learn that the relationship between Ben and Widmore is more complicated (and, it appears, more integral to the plot).  Tonight on the message boards (Yes! I read them!  Geek alert!) someone suggested that perhaps Ben and Widmore are related, kind of a good twin/bad twin thing.  This is a throwback to the book Bad Twin, which was touted in an earlier season by Lost producers as holding some answers.

What am I missing?  Did we learn anything else?

A few more observations:

-- Jack is sick!  What would we do without him?  If the producers kill him off, I'll stop watching.  Oh, who are we kidding, no I won't.  But I'll watch sullenly.

-- Sawyer.  I just love him.  When he was being so protective of Claire, my heart got a little melty.  But I still think he needs a haircut and a bath.

-- My Hubs (who, incidentally, is much cuter than Sawyer, and also has a more impressive committment to personal hygiene) made an interesting observation.  He pointed out that twice Ben referenced Widmore "changing the rules".  What rules?  And who set the rules?

-- You know what?  I have to say that I don't miss the Juliet story lines.   

If you're writing about Lost at your own blog, leave your link below.

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Hypothetically

I know there are several first-time parents of babies reading this blog, so let me tell you an immutable truth of parenting that you will almost certainly be needing within the next decade:

If (and I'm speaking purely hypthetically here, of course) one of your children (hypothetically) plops down next to you and (hypothetically) says something such as, "Hi, Mom.  I just haven't gotten to sit and talk to you in a long time, and I'm just wondering, how are you doing?  Did you have a good day?" then you may be sure that at least one of the following is true:

A)  There is broken glass somewhere.
B)  There is paint somewhere.
C)  There is a report card somewhere.
D)  There is a new Wii game coming out.
E)  Someone's fist has "accidentally" drawn blood out of someone's nose.
F)  Someone has hacked into the CIA homepage.
G)  Someone has "accidentally" set your house on fire.

Do you have any you'd like to add?

Bite Back!

Many of you have expressed a desire to be involved with Compassion International, but you're not in a position to commit to sponsoring a child.  I have a solution for you.

Friday is World Malaria Day.  From Compassion:

"If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito."

Every African knows this is true because mosquitoes carry malaria—a tropical disease that kills over 750,000 children each year. That’s one child every 30 seconds. In Africa, mosquitoes make a huge difference in the lives of poor families and children. And it all starts with a tiny bite.

Remarkably, as horrible and dangerous as this disease in, the simple presence of a mosquito net over a person's bed makes a huge difference.  It's such a simple thing. 

A one-time $10 donation will give a family a mosquito net through Compassion.  Your kids can probably come up with $10.  Get them involved--bring out the globe and show them where on our planet malaria is prevalent.  Help think of a way they can make some sacrifices to save $10 in the family budget, and send a mosquito net to Africa.

Works For Me: Purse Safety

As you might imagine, I have purse issues on the brain.  My purse was stolen a week ago, and my husband and I have spent untold hours working on all the credit card/ checking  account/driver's license issues.

(And also?  I have gone purse shopping, and I have a very cute one to show for my efforts.  My grandmother called me as soon as she heard about the theft, her voice full of sympathy and righeous indignation.  "Honey, I want to buy you a new purse.  Even if it's not on sale."  Those are fightin' words for the women shoppers in my family.  We even went out for a Sonic Diet Coke afterwards, so my weary soul is feeling soothed.)

Now that I've had my purse stolen TWICE in eight months, I've learned a few tips I'd like to share with those of you who have not yet had my encounter with criminal dark side of humanity:

1.  For the frickin'-frackin' love of Pete, do not EVER leave your purse in your car.  EVER.  Even if it's daylight, even if it's a good part of town, even if you're just running inside, even if your car is in your garage.

2.  If you are ever tempted to leave your purse in your car, smack yourself in the head with it and read #1 again.

3.  We've always had one credit card and one checking account.  Not anymore, as a result of this little adventure.  Now we have two of each.  One credit card and checking account is for actually keeping with us in my purse and/or Hubs' wallet.  It's only for daily purchases.  We are setting up separate credit card/checking accounts for all our automatic fund withdrawls, and [*insert flashing lights*] WE ARE NOT CARRYING THOSE ACCOUNTS WITH US.  THEY WILL BE LOCKED IN A DRAWER AT HOME.  That way if this happens to us again, we won't have to cancel those "locked-up" accounts, and we won't lose a week of our lives moving all the automatic transfers over. 

4.  Photocopy everything in your purse, and keep it in a safe place.  Driver's license, credit cards (front and back), health insurance cards, everything should be copied!.  This may sound high maintenance, but I promise, if your purse is ever taken, you will weep with gratitude that you did this.

5.  Did I mention you should never leave your purse in your car?

Have a helpful tip or two you'd like to share with the internet?  Leave your Works-For-Me Wednesday link below.  Please read through the guidelines first! 

PLEASE NOTE:  There has been a bit of "misinterpreting" the use of WFMW lately.  If you participate, you must actually be including a HELPFUL TIP in your post.   I'm trying to keep WFMW strong for all of us, so this may mean using my own discretion to delete posts that aren't in the spirit of the carnival.  (And I'm only talking about a handful of incidents, so don't everyone get all paranoid!)

Was your link deleted?  CLICK HERE.

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A Conversation With My Dad, and a Hayfu Winner

*Ringing phone*

Me:  Hello?

Dad:  What the heck is a hay-fu?

Me: Huh?

Dad: A hay-fu.  Or a tofu.  Or whatever it is--that thing on your blog.  What is it?

Me:  Do you mean a haiku?

Dad: Yeah, that.

Me: Dad, do you seriously not know what a haiku is?

Dad:  No, I don't.

Me:  It's a kind of Japanese poetry--three lines, with a set number of syllables.  Your six-year-old grandson knows what a haiku is.

Dad: Well, you know, a person can't learn everything all at once.  I'm only 63, after all.

Me: *laughing*

Dad:  So, what's the latest on the purse?

Me: No news.  I'm sure it's gone.  I guess I should be thankful I've learned such a valuable life lesson.

Dad:  Yes, it's good to learn a lesson.  Like what a hayfu is. 

Me:  Dad.  It's a haiku.

The winner of the Egg Beaters hayfu haiku contest is Darcie, with 944 votes.  Chelsea was a close second, with 805 votes.  Congratulations!

Small Mercies

My purse got stolen Wednesday morning.

And if that sounds like a familiar sentence at this blog, that would be because it's the second time it's happened to me in eight months. 

The lesson in this would be that if you have something that is valuable to you, DO NOT ASK ME TO HOLD IT IN MY PURSE FOR YOU.

This time, I was making a quick dash-in to a building--I was going to be inside for under three minutes and reasoned that I could just lock my purse in my car.  But in the blink of an eye somebody actually broke my car window and grabbed the purse.  In broad daylight.  In a full parking lot.  Right next to a building.  On a busy street.

From now on, I will never ever be leaving my purse in my car.  I will also, at my friend Queen B's suggestion, consider investing in a Knight Rider-type vehicle that can beat the bat-snot out of the next person who tries to take my purse. 

Oh, I joke now, in sort of a laugh-or-go-crazy kind of way.  But Wednesday morning, my outlook was a little different. 

As soon as I discovered the broken window and missing purse, I called my husband (who instantly began canceling credit cards/checking accounts) and then the police.  I filed an incident report with the business who owns the parking lot. 

And I tried really, really hard to hold it together.  It's just a purse--I know that.  But the truth is that this little incident was the final straw in what has been an unusually difficult couple of weeks.

I choked up a little when I talked policeman, and  I fought back a hefty sob when my husband showed up to help me with all the broken glass.  But I mostly kept my cool.  While  Hubs and I were both making frantic phone calls to the insurance company, credit card companies and bank, a woman from a car several rows away approached me.

"Excuse me," she said gently.  "I couldn't help but overhear your conversation.  You looked like you could use some flowers."

And then she handed me this:

And the floodgates, how they opened. 

I burst into tears, grabbing this sweet stranger's hand, wailing something about "thank you" and "God bless you" and "restoring my faith in humanity".  Undaunted by my blubbering, she offered Corrie and me some cold bottles of water from an ice chest in her van, and she even offered to go get Corrie some lunch.

I don't know who she was.  I don't know why she had flowers and cold bottled water in her mini-van.  I only know she was paying attention to what was going on around her, and she had the courage to step out in kindness.  And I cannot even express how profoundly that simple gesture ministered to me, in an otherwise crummy week.  It was a little bit of Jesus, right there in a broken-glass-filled parking spot.

So I've learned many lessons about purses and cars, but I've been reminded of something even more important:  a little kindness goes a very, very long way.

Find somebody who needs you today. 

How I Became Pro-Life :: Et Tu?

Our Daughters :: This Ain't New York

I Don't Love the Grouches Yet, But I'm Trying :: Toddled Dredge

Button Shirt to Toddler Dress :: Craftster

Don't forget--bright and early tomorrow (Monday morning) is the Bloggy Giveaways Carnival! 

Perspective

Watch this video.  It will blow you away:

They're eating dirt, my friends. DIRT.  Can you fathom this?  (Thanks to Anne for the link.)

Compassion has a strong presence in Haiti (and incidentally, at this very moment I'm writing this post, there are 76 children from Haiti waiting for Compassion sponsors.  Click here to sponsor one.)

Here's this update directly from them:

Compassion Haiti has maintained regular communications with our Field-Based Partnership Facilitators who are meeting with project staff regarding the individual circumstances of each Compassion-assisted child. 

Currently, Compassion projects and children have not been directly affected by starvation, looting or violence, though Compassion families are affected by the high rate of inflation.

All Compassion Haiti project activities have resumed after being temporarily suspended as a preventive measure.

Please continue to pray for God’s provision and favor in Haiti.

We watched the above video as a family last night, and we prayed together, specifically for the work of Compassion in this nation.  One of my sons prayed, "God, I just don't think I realized how bad the poverty was in the world.  But I see now."

When you sponsor a Compassion child, they're not the only ones whose lives are changed.

My Overworked Tear Ducts Beg For Mercy

Y'all are so smart and funny and creative.  I have been at my computer much of the day, watching your haikus roll in.  I have laughed and cried until I can't take it anymore.  When you have a few minutes, I encourage you to read through the comments.  I promise, it will make you want to call your mom.

But there had to be finalists, and it was incredibly hard to choose.  I tried to select five poems that were representative of all your contributions.   Here we go, in random order:

By Darcie at Such the Spot:
You have taught me that
because of a mother's love
I will never crack

By Anne Glamore at Tiny Kingdom:
You've been gone two years.
Your ghost disses my red hair:
"You look better blonde!"

By Chelsea at Crafty Cassie:
I always thought Mom
was bipolar til I had
children of my own.

By P.A.:
Mom, my heartmother
Not of your womb, but filled with
Your life's legacy.

By Veronica at Toddled Dredge:
"Girls can't play ball," they
told her once. Her grand-daughter
pitches and she smiles.

Cast your votes below.  The poll will stay open until 9 am this next Tuesday morning--whoever is ahead at that moment wins the Egg Beaters $1,000 prize.  Thanks to everyone who played along.  Your sweet entires were a real blessing to me today.

NOTE: I've heard that some people are having a hard time seeing the font in the poll box below.  (Not sure why, because it shows up fine on my end, but who can understand the vast mysteries of  the WWW?)  If you are having problems seeing it, try highlighting the entire box with your cursor--that should do the trick.  Sorry for any inconvenience! 

*UPDATED* Works For Me: I Got Nothing.

*UPDATED TO ADD*  Please remember you your WFMW post must specifically mention Works-For-Me Wednesday, and you must link back to this post, for the benefit of all the participants.  Thanks!

I am having a ferocious week.  Knock-down, run-around, ferocious.  So I'm giving myself a pass today on my own Works-For-Me Wednesday tip, but I can't wait to see what you have to say.  If you'd like to play along with Works-For-Me Wednesday, leave your link below.  First-timers, please read through the guidelines.

Was your link deleted?  CLICK HERE.

1. Teresa @ A Life at Home (Inexpensive eggs!) 2. Activities Coordinator 3. We are THAT family (My Rear View) 4. The Diaper Diaries (sharing reading) 5. Christa @ No End in Site (Being Prepared) 6. Grace4Gayle (Make $25 for FREE) 7. kristin (getting kids to pick up their stuff) 8. Gina (Cheap Curtains) 9. Amy (soapy washer) 10. Lady Why (Pizza Perfection!) 11. Fussypants (Wear the right shoes this Spring!) 12. I Throw Like a Girl ~ Pruning and caring for roses 13. MG (Easy Homemade Foaming Soap) 14. Motherhood for Dummies 15. Jack\'s Mommy (Conair Steam Iron for Clothes) 16. Karla ~ looking towards heaven (Keeping Your Perspective on LIFE) 17. Mother Hen (Boredom Training) 18. Alison (Chores for all ages) 19. Amy (Clean Your House in a more Green Way) 20. Summer (helping bored kids) 21. Meredith (Helping Homeless) 22. Sandwiches To Make 23. Phyllis (healthy pancakes) 24. The Thrifty Blogger (How do your teachers rate?) 25. jen (getting ready for summer) 26. Sarah@RealLife So Long, Dutpan!) 27. Summer @ Mom Is Teaching (sharing knowledge) 28. Allison (How to get your Husband to Help Around the House) 29. Carlie (Fire alarms and cellphones) 30. mzzterry (Kids Paint RECIPES & TIPS) 31. OW (butterfly craft idea) 32. Memarielane (Click to see) 33. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Toilets...or Taxes?) 34. Melanie (use for kitchen shears) 35. Tina in Thailand (easy mango prep) 36. Meredith (Helping Homeless) 37. Tania @My Everyday Joys (uses for Tea Tree Oil) 38. Jennifer (water cooler) 39. Jenni (How to save money on your utilities) 40. Staci at Writing and Living (Free Graphics Editor) 41. Michelle at Scribbit (Organization) 42. LeeAnn (FrazzMom) cookie scoop and bonus molasses cookie recipe! 43. The Pumkin Patch 44. The Happy Housewife ~ frugal decorating 45. Milehimama (Feed Babies the Lazy Way) 46. Loving Our Homeschool (Honey Oatmeal Bread Recipe - Bread Machine) 47. ToddleBits (themed activities) 48. Amy loves Bud 49. At A Hen\'s Pace (disciplining attitudes vs. behaviors) 50. Smockity Frocks (Sock Solution) 51. sara l (using junk mail envelopes) 52. Nicole @ Life in Progress(Grown-Up PlayDate) 53. Kendra: Organizing Coupons- No more unnecessary clipping! 54. NotTryingForABoy (RSVP-ing) 55. Holding little Hands (relief for ouchies) 56. Owlhaven (need a new king-sized bed?) 57. ToddleBits (themed activities) 58. Beth @ The Natural Mommy (Random Treasure Troves) 59. MamaMay (Taking photos) 60. Smellyann (Yelling!) 61. ToddleBits (themed activities) 62. Jordan @ MamaBlogga (making great photo posts) 63. Amy@sonshinecottage (bread tips) 64. Heather (Freezer Organization / Eat More Veggies) 65. Greenstylemom (Jet Dry Subsitute) 66. Ellen (Multiplication Memorization) 67. Capturing Today (Grilling Tips) 68. Lori ~ Simple Life at Home (Getting Rid of Molluscum) 69. Moriah @ Please Pass the Salt (My Go-To Meal in time of dinner need) 70. My Three Ring Circus (getting your laundry folded) 71. IfOnlyIHadSuperPowers (got ants?) 72. Rachael @ Beans & Rice (flexible with jobs & expectations) 73. Jane (frizzy hair help) 74. Mammarino (Tooth Pulling Tips) 75. Joy (Teaching Kids How to Shop) 76. Joy @ Five J\'s (Rib Rub with a Kick!) 77. Franticallysimple (Easy way to hang a wall-quilt ) 78. JaneTheSane (POAS Tips) 79. Totallyscrappy (storage) 80. Corrie (making math fun) 81. Ellen (Multiplication Memorization) 82. Duckabush Blog (Kids Clean for Crafts) 83. Menus and More For Less (Low Cost Menu Plans) 84. Fiddledeedee (Chopping Onions...or not) 85. aunt mommy (Mutant Twist Ties) 86. jen @ Land of Lovings - earthworm farms 87. Amy (Easy ABC fun for Little Ones 88. Infinity Goods (Wrong link last week. Sorry) 89. Stretch Mark Mama (FREE Online Money Management) 90. Judy (simplify your grocery list!) 91. chickadee (kid\'s cleaning game) 92. Kristin (Pill Container) 93. citystreams (getting baby asleep) 94. Liza\'s Eyeview (affordable blog designs) 95. Burger Mom (NO Junk) 96. Spence Smith ( Anderson Cooper) 97. Cheri (Easy Command Center) 98. HeresTheDiehl(washing Legos) 99. Kim - Menu Planning 100. Karen (Simply A Musing Blog) 101. Kitchen Appliance 102. Every Good and Perfect GIft - Folding Towels 103. Mommy Menagerie (cure for wilted veggies) 104. margalit (cleaning glass cooktops) 105. Keely Scott ( Aware of the Creative) 106. Amy@Experience Imagination (frugal teeth) 107. mod*mom (native plants for organic fruit vegetable garden, baby animals, ocean visit) 108. Organising Queen (grocery shopping) 109. Col @ Gigablonde (experience a Rampage of Appreciation) 110. Laane (telephone hours) 111. Niki (creative wedding idea) 112. Edi (Spare Bed) 113. Kristin (Personal Safety tips) 114. Sarah (whiter teeth) 115. Keren (Shopping for Clothes and "Stuff" by the Pound) 116. Sarah (key lime press) 117. Georgia Mom (packing for trips) 118. Donielle (saving my sanity) 119. Laura (Does your ice taste bad?) 120. Stephanie (Creating A Cleaning Schedule) 121. JennyV(Feline Diaper Genie) 122. Paminoz (No guilt Mondays) 123. Llama Momma (kid\'s b-day cards) 124. Beth_C (Restaurant Quality Salad - Easy!) 125. Amy (Alternatives to PB&J) 126. Donielle (seriously you can get $25.00 free) 127. Debbie J. @ Homemaking Dreams (Dollar Store CDs) 128. Kelli@GohnCrazy (Chore System Momma & 4yr) 129. Sister Sassy (Fun Cleaning&Smelling Pretty!) 130. Handmade Daily (Decorating with hand me downs) 131. Pam (photo frames) 132. Susan(SoreThroat?) 133. fullheartandhands mama (Removing foreign objects from toddler\'s nose) 134. Charity (finding old friends) 135. Erica (parking lot safety) 136. 100 Acre Wood 137. Thia (paint) 138. MC (Choping an onion to make Martha Stewart proud)) 139. Mommin\' It Up! (Moby Wrap) 140. Heather (teaching children about faith) 141. Julie Stiles Mills (random number generator for drawings - with book giveaway) 142. BeCentsAble (Plastic Paranoia or NOT??) 143. candace (french fried onions) 144. Beth/Mom2TwoVikings (memories in a can) 145. Scott (Coolest Marble Toy) 146. Jamie/penguinsandladybugs (changing books to spirals) 147. Frances@Loving and Serving (saving water) 148. Blue Castle (Kitchen cabinet tip) 149. Megret (easy, spring-y soup recipe) 150. A Simple Walk (Fridge full of sour cream containers) 151. Kendra (Organizing Your Coupons - No More Unnecessary Clipping!) 152. Shalee (Second Glances) 153. Kristen(kids lunch menu) 154. Mrs Nespy (Toddler Hand Washing) 155. Linds (Simple Wall Art) 156. Miche@Coordinated Chaos(finding BPA FREE baby items) 157. Alison(Easy yummy recipe) 158. Building The Ark(Helping Waiting Orphan Children) 159. Lana (my face wonder)

160. Trixie @ Farmhomelife (Spring Cleaning) 161. Tonni Geezer (truth about juice) 162. Em (Coupon Binder with pics!!) 163. ThreeTimeMommy (freecycle) 164. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Best way to eat an onion!) 165. Ames (no more onion tears) 166. Cheri (Easy Command Center-fixed link!) 167. Brea in Texas (helping out your marriage) 168. Sarah (Free reusable grocery bags) 169. HM (Getting kids to wash their hands well) 170. Auburn Gal Always -bullion cubes 171. Em (Coupon Binder with pics!!) 172. Wade\'s World (Super easy burritos) 173. AllyJo (treatment for fireant bites) 174. Petersonclan (Bugeting) 175. Jacki - Recycling 176. Lizzie (Getting Your Clothes Dryer To Work More Efficiently) 177. SAHMmy Says (It\'s WFMW Every Day!) 178. Jodi (disposable gloves/ground beef) 179. Britni (Stocking Up On Sales) 180. Liz @ The Lizness (hip baby) 181. Beth (Free food grade storage buckets) 182. Melanie @ NotebookLearning (Coffee u READ, not drink) 183. Stacey (teach kids to blow nose) 184. Untraditional home (frugal facial mask) 185. Sonshine (making muffins) 186. Jenn @ Adventures in Poop (Free Money!) 187. Alli Rogers (Nashville\'s Best Cookie) 188. Jen @ JenuineJen (kids stay in bed at bedtime) 189. Suzanne(Carpet Stain Remover) 190. Lucky (my sanity saver) 191. Kim (Quick bathroom cleaning) 192. De\'Etta (sock chaos) 193. Feminine Pusuits (Sewing with children) 194. Passionatehomemaking (soup remedy for colds) 195. Sam(antha) (Sunscreen) 196. Unsinkabke Kristen (toddler out of my bed!) 197. Lisa (Sleeping & Cleaning tips) 198. Tons of Sons ~Living Math for the entire family 199. Christine (Do Household Tasks More Efficiently) 200. Penny Raine (home decorating) 201. nicole (shopping and exercise) 202. andrea_jennine (Best! Tank Tops! Ever!) 203. Nichole 204. Jinxy (Starting the Garden) 205. Anna (BzzAgent) 206. Petersonclan (Bugeting) 207. Momala (Get Rid Of Spiders) 208. Kisses of Sunshine: Insomnia Help (OTC and Homeopathic) 209. Life with Three (Help Hauling Groceries) 210. Alexandra(Natural Hair Dye) 211. Pamela - Feeding your friends 212. Katie @ Endless Day (Get more coupons) 213. a suburban housewife (sleep) 214. Passionatehomemaking (save on electricity -take less showers!) 215. Reformed Grits (buggy shopping w/ baby or child) 216. Superchikk (Baking in Single Serve Sizes) 217. Elizabeth (Ultimate Scrambled Eggs) 218. Mommin It Up (Moby Wrap) 219. Tips & Treasures (Clean-up & Shoeboxes) 220. Nichole (digital scrapbooking) 221. NerdMom(Cool Switchplates) 222. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places (Making Money at Home) 223. Amyswandering (The Impossible Quiz) 224. GP in Montana 225. Sarah (Scrapbook the EASY way!) 226. Passionatehomemaking (save on electricity -take less showers!) 227. Andrea (recipe calculator) 228. dieMutti (Tracking Food Storage) 229. Megan\'s Bargains - buying coupons 230. Fuschia (Weight loss) 231. Shelley (housekeeping 101) 232. Peggie(Christian Homemaking) 233. MrsScotsman (Evites) 234. Tara - Not So Perfect (Potty Training) 235. Sandi (Ease at Meal Time) 236. Erica Burgan (swedish meatballs) 237. Rebecca Huff (save w/out coupons) 238. Becky P (easier blog post formatting) 239. Elisa (Laundry duty w/ little ones) 240. Kellyn (Garage Sales!!) 241. Adena (putting out grease fires) 242. GettysburgMom- kids, pj\'s & car rides 243. Texastanya (Jazzing Up A Sandwich) 244. Jen (teaching kids about Jesus) 245. DHM (more room in your fridge) 246. Rhen @ YESTHEYAREALLMINE 247. Lizzie (Cheap Easy Bake oven recipes) 248. Jamie (Smelly Cloth Diaper Solution) 249. Christine @ Serenity How? (don\'t waste a drop!) 250. Lalena@Finding Freedom (Conquer the Clutter!)) 251. Trina (Hypermiling) 252. Betsy (playroom organization) 253. Sheila ~ To Love, Honor and Vacuum (Kids cooking!) 254. The Nourishing Gourmet-Adjusting to healthy eating-it can be done! 255. beautifulcraziness 256. Amanda(juicing grapefruits w/out juicer) 257. Kristen McLane- iPod Repair 258. Susan (20 ways to destress) 259. Lavonne @ Economic Endeavors (quick and easy money!) 260. Heather L. (Keep Up) 261. The Fat Bottomed Girl (Cleaner Microwave) 262. Jana - Love Notes 263. Susan(SoreThroatRelief) 264. The Family CEO (eBay Completed Listings) 265. Me & My Big Mouth (Interior Car Cleaning) 266. Katie (promise to make your day better!) 267. Frugal Trenches (Going Green helps you be frugal) 268. OrganicMania (Green Savings: Stickers for Kids) 269. Hollie @ CheaperthenCheap 270. mystele (oops! unique lampshade) 271. LaRee @ Broad Horizons (moving tip) 272. Beth@sportsmomma (adding iPhone icons) 273. Jimmy V 274. S.B. (Frugal Gardening Hints) 275. Faith (Laundry aide) 276. Richelle(coupon organization) 277. Amy (Pre-preschool learning) 278. Kris (container gardening) 279. Babychaser (Dealing with lots and lots of spit up!) 280. Michele @ Frugal Granola (Toddler Discipline) 281. Leah Courtney (Spring Cleaning) 282. Kirstin: Photoshop 283. Aunt LoLo (How to Say I Love You) 284. Joy of Frugal Living (Podcasts for Housework) 285. Jennifer, Snapshot (Blogger Autoposting) 286. Soliloquy (Affordable Blog Makeover and a Blog Makeover GIVEAWAY!) 287. Jacquelyn@Because I Said So! (getting kids to read!) 288. Niki (Potty Training) 289. Kara (unloading groceries) 290. Sasha (kids back from tv) 291. Christine (chow to toothpaste!) 292. Aunt LoLo (How to Say I Love You) 293. 3 P\'s in a Pod(Girls Hair Hints) 294. The Friendly Book Nook (making bookworms) 295. Runningamuck (getting your kids outside) 296. Suzanne (iPod for Cultural Literacy) 297. Stephanie-Recycling Made Easy 298. Kari\'s Blog (No more dininng room) 299. Gourmet Mom (Fantastic Salsa recipe) 300. Kim Priestap (Shampoo Bars) 301. Lavonne (easy money maker) 302. Debbie (Travel Soaps) 303. Leslie (Grocery List) 304. The Building Brows (Simple desk & more trash control tip) 305. Cayce - EMERGENCY TIPS 306. Lee (learning song) 307. Amanda w/Garibay Soup (Need a routine method for your child?) 308. Mary @ A Penny at a Time (Movie Night for Cheap) 309. Simple Mom (Cheap, Homemade Art) 310. Heather (Bare Escentuals) 311. Heather (Bare Escentuals) 312. The Garveys (freezer jam from freezer berries) 313. The Garveys (making double yummy lentil soup, freezing half) 314. The Garveys (freezer jam from freezer berries) 315. The Garveys (making double yummy lentil soup, freezing half) 316. Amy Halleran (Indie Music - Black Cab Sessions) 317. April(Dawn dish soap uses) 318. Christine (No, Watch me)...be true to yourself! (Sorry, last link won\'t work)

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Girls! We Could SO Do This!

When Jenni and I were in Pottery Barn Kids a few weeks ago, I snapped some photos.  And then I lost my memory card, which is why I'm just getting around to showing you the pictures.

That's just fabric and/or paper on canvas boards.  Doesn't it look so good?  Y'all, we could totally do that ourselves, and for a lot less than the wads of cash Pottery Barn charges.  Somebody try it!