My October Dream: 2015 Beaches Social Media on the Sand Conference

I have been blogging since 2008.  When I look back at the difference between my posts when I first started and my posts now, it's obvious that life has certainly changed!  And I am sad to say that some of those life changes have taken me away from things I truly love!  

Writing has always been an outlet for me and blogging came along at a time when I felt lost and confused about my role in my family and my role in the world.  Blogging provided a venue for me to vent, to laugh, to share and to meet other people in the world at a time when I really needed to feel connected. Blogging became a lifeline that gave me hope and that helped me learn more about my strengths and talents.  Blogging gave me a network that allowed me to tap into an amazing and supportive group of women from all walks of life and from all over the globe. I have internet friends that feel like family because of blogging and social media!

Since the day I started blogging, it has been my greatest desire to attend a blog conference. I've had a few opportunities, but have never been able to take advantage of them due to bad timing or bad finances.  It occurred to me a few weeks ago, that had I worked harder to make one of them in particular happen, I think my life would be very different today.  I think the networking, the learning and the friendships I would have made there would have helped me have more confidence in my ability to earn a living pursuing my passion.  I would have had a bigger group of friends and associates to lean on when I was feeling overwhelmed and in need of support. I would have been surrounded by like minded women who find ways to overcome obstacles and make what they love become what they do. I would get to sit at the feet of Social Media Mavens like Maria Bailey to better learn the craft. It makes me sad to think about how much time I have wasted trying to convince myself that what I love has value and worth because circumstances in my tiny world try to make me believe otherwise. 

I know, sitting around and feeling bad does nothing to change my circumstance.  Which is why this year, I am committed to attending at least one conference!  Last year I was invited to attend the
Beaches Social Media on the Sand Conference.  I had to turn it down because it was financially impossible at the time. I regretted not trying harder to find a way to make it happen.  My family was sorely in need of some bonding time and I was sorely in need of being with a group of people who get why blogging is "my thing."  I applied again this year and nothing would make me happier than to have the opportunity to attend the 2015 Beaches Social Media on the Sand Conference!  I heard and read nothing but amazing things about it! From the phenomenal accommodations and staff to the engaging and relevant content, everyone who attended raved about the conference. 

I want to rave about it too!  So I hope I make the list this year.  I pray that the blogging gods will smile kindly upon me and give me and my family a chance to experience the beautiful Turks and Caicos Island together while I learn more about how to be a better blogger. My kids and husband need to see how happy mom is when she's in her element and I need to help them see the world can be so much more than struggling to pay bills in tiny Idaho. 

So I'm just putting this out there for the Universe to hear and see!  I'm ready for some Social Media on the Sand this year! I'm making my plans for October and trusting that you are hearing this, Universe! My family needs to spend some time together this year looking at this:

(photo courtesy of Beaches Resort)

I'm doin' my part, I'm putting out positive thoughts and working hard to make sure we can make it happen on our end, so don't let me down, Universe! You and me, Uni. Working together.  We got this!

Celebrate National Mom's Nite Out with Papa Murphy's #PapaMurphysMNO

Have you heard about National Mom's Nite Out?  It was started 5 years ago by Maria Bailey as a way to encourage busy moms to take a night off by getting together with friends to celebrate Motherhood our way!  The event always takes place the Thursday before Mother's Day. That's May 8th this year.  That's TODAY, people!! 

And to help you celebrate?  I have a fantastic deal to tell you about!  Yes...it really is fantastic.  Both in price and taste. How do I know?  Because as a #PapaMurphysMom, I have had occasion to sample a few pizzas and sides from P-Murph's.  Chicken Artichoke Bacon Pizza?  Freaking. Awesome. Also delicious?  The Cowboy (pictured here all wrapped up for transport) and the Smores Dessert Pizza.  

 

But on to the deal before I start drooling.
 

This year Papa Murphy’s wants to help feed your family on National Mom’s Nite Out! Today only, May 8th, you can take advantage of the Mom’s Meal Deal* at participating Papa Murphy’s locations. For only $12, you can treat your family to any large 2-topping pizza and your choice of 2 sides: Cheesy Bread, Cookie Dough, Cinnamon Wheel or S’mores Pizza. This is a great option for Dad to feed the kids while Mom is out celebrating, or simply a great excuse to take the night off from cooking! Can you say BARGAIN!?!?

You can print this coupon out or pull it up on your phone, but make sure you show it at your Papa Murphy’s location in order to redeem the offer.

*Valid on May 8, 2014 ONLY. Limited time offer. Limit 3. Not valid with any other offers. Valid only at participating locations. Coupons cannot be sold, transferred or duplicated.

Booyah!  Dinner tonight is covered. From Papa Murphy's and Mom's Nite Out and Me -  to you.  Now hand those delicious discs of doughy, cheesy goodness off to Dad or the neighbor or the babysitter to throw in the oven and head out to your local Mom's Night Out event for some fun and entertainment!  Do it!  You'll be glad you did and you can relax knowing everyone at home will have full tummies!

**Disclosure: As a #PapaMurphysMom I have received free samples to try with my family and to share my honest opinion. 

Yo cookie looks goooood!

Little Man saw me working on my new blog, at home in {Boise}, yesterday and asked me to show him the post about our Christmas cookies so he could look at his Scary Santa cookie again.  It hurt his feelings that I never posted the pics of our cookie decorating adventures with my new bestie, Jen Across the Street.  That's what I call her.  Because her name is Jen and she lives across the street. And she's a hoot.  And she's a great neighbor who always thinks about others and actually acts on her thoughts.  She also cooks really good food, which adds to the great neighbor feature, because she is one of those women who makes extra of whatever she's cooking and then shares it with us.  I aspire to be like her one day.

She invited us over right before Christmas to decorate Christmas Cookies.  I was thrilled, because that meant I didn't have to bake cookies myself, plus I love hanging out with Jen.  We get a lot of talking done when we are together and I always leave her house feeling like I have a kindred spirit.  Okay...back to the cookies.  Jen totally outdid herself, because she made about 8000 cookies.  Okay - I exaggerate.  But there were a lot of cookies.  And a lot of decorations.  Cool cookie decorations.  Jen likes to be creative and she inspired me to do something fun and creative with my cookies.  So, without further ado, here are our 2011 Christmas Cookies...

What is it with boys and scary things?  He wanted to make a "Scary Santa."  I have to say...it was pretty scary!

The little colored lights?  Were actually candy coated chocolate covered sunflower seeds.  I told you Jen had some cool cookie decorations!  They worked so well for the christmas light look.  Too bad they did not taste as good as they looked.  Seriously weird tasting little confections. 

These were just a few of my favorite cookies.  We actually decorated about 2 dozen cookies apiece.  Around midnight Jen and I realized we were running out of ideas and motivation and finally quit, even though she had another eleventy billion undecorated cookies waiting to be iced. 

So she sent us home with all of our creations and you know how I repaid her?  I accidently melted the plastic platter that she lent me to carry the cookies home.  I left it sitting on top of the stove that night and because my stupid rental stove is about 9000 years old, when the oven heats up all the burners get really hot too.  Which I did not realize, because I usually don't leave plastic platters on the stovetop.  So when I started to preheat the stove the next day, I couldn't figure out why I was smelling burnt plastic.  Then I picked up the platter, which was kind of stuck to the burner.  Nice.

But as I said, my new bestie really rocks.  When I saw her that afternoon I sheepishly handed her the platter and explained what happened and she laughed.  Really hard.  And THAT is why we are friends. 

I'm Working on a Post

I have been working on a post for about 2 weeks now. For some reason I just can't get it right. It's one of those heartfelt, emotional posts and I just can't get what I feel into words. I hate when that happens. So, I just wanted to let you know that there is a new post coming sometime soon. As soon as I can figure out how to say what I want to say.

 

In the meantime, please enjoy these photos of my kids at the park by the river a few weeks ago.  It was one of those really great days when they actually liked each other and they spent the day laughing and poking things they found along the trail with sticks.

What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?

Little Man begs on a daily basis for deviled eggs.  He thinks they are the bomb.  When I make them he asks how many he can have.  We made some together this weekend, just so he could help.  Because Little Man wants to be a chef someday.  While he looks for dinosaur bones and ancient civilizations and buried treasure.  He can't decide between archeology or paleontolgy.  But he figures he might as well eat good while he explores the universe.  Not a bad plan, actually.  He may need to rethink his food of choice though...I'm not sure how well deviled eggs will travel.    

I Am Suffering from Technology Burnout!

It has been awhile since I posted. Almost a whole week. I am suffereing from severe computer/internet burnout. I used to wake up, take the kids to school, come home and immediately boot up the computer to check emails and start paying bills, writing blogposts, researching... whatever it was that needed to be done via the internet and my computer. One day a few weeks ago I realized I had no desire to get on the computer that morning. I KNOW! SCARY!!!

But I forced myself to do it. Then I had an even scarier revelation...I did not enjoy my time that day on the comuter. It felt like work. I have NEVER felt like writing my blog or checking my emails was work. EVER.

When it happened again the next day, and the day after that, I realized that I am in a bad place, technologically and mentally speaking. Or rather, typing. Because really, that's the problem isn't it? Sometimes we just need to talk. Typing and texting is great and has it's place, but speaking is just as important to our emotional well-being. I am tired of typing and reading. I want to speak and listen and if I'm going to read? I want to feel the pages as I turn them and smell the ink and mess up the stupid book jacket thing while I try to figure out what to do with it while I'm reading my book!

So I've been absent the last few days. And I might be absent here for a few more days. I've typed so much in the last six months that I have worn some of the letters off of my husband's laptop keyboard. He doesn't know how to type, so it's messing him up. "Where the freak is the N on this thing?" And why are there 2 C's on my keyboard!?" (There aren't 2 C's - one of the C's is a partially rubbed off O). See? My computer/internet obsession is even taking it's toll on the rest of my family. Laundry piling up, dinner getting later and later every night...you know the drill, right?

So I'm doing my own intervention. I need to get my head straight. I need to feel human again, and not robotic or computerized. I need to get back in touch with my family. Maybe reconnect with my kids. Even if it means my Facebook Farm Town goes unharvested. Yeah...it's that serious, folks.

This Little Piggy Went...Nowhere, Which Created a Problem.

WARNING!! The following picture is graphic in nature. It may make some people queasy. It made me queasy and it also made me cry. Because it HURT! Like Hades!! It made me cuss in front of God and my kids. Wanna see it? I don't know, it's pretty bad. Seriously...it's nasty. I just want to prepare ya'll.

Maybe this is bad blog protocol. Do people post pics of their injuries? Well, in the interest of completely candid and honest blogging, I will test the waters with my photo. Then you can all blast me and I will know not to ever do it again. That's me, always pushing the envelope...then cutting my tongue on it.

First, let me explain how it came to be that I no longer have a toenail on my big toe. It's my husband's fault. Seriously. I remind him of that several times a day when I wince with pain every time someone comes near my foot.

Okay, really it was my fault. I have this issue with shoes. I don't like them. So I wear sandals. All of the time. Everywhere. I own tennis shoes, I just don't wear them often. By the way, they are the slide on type too - mules. I also live in the desert, so sandals work, like 360 days out of the year.

What do shoes and my toe have to do with each other? I'm getting to that in a really round-about way.

My husband asked me to help him move this really heavy fiberglass tub thing. It was hot and we were grumpy and not working together in sync. And I was wearing sandals. He said Go! and pushed before I was ready and the tub caught my sloth-like foot, specifically my big toe. And ripped the toenail right off. Can you say $%#@%*+! and *^@#$%$!#@ ? That's what I said. Then I cried. Then I did that pain dance thing that everybody does when they kill their toe. Then I got myself under control.

Then my husband turned the hose on it and I said something like "OOWWWWW! Turn that @$#%@ thing off! Owwweee!" Not only was my toe bleeding and raw, the water was boiling lava hot! Hello, Lab Partner!!! It's like 115 degrees outside...no such thing as cool water here! Then I cried again for a minute and finally sat down to look at it.

Not as bad as I thought. At least it was a clean sweep, only one little place where the skin was ripped. No stitches, I didn't go the ER, just slathered it up with Neosporin and a Bandaid. It hurts, but not as bad as I thought it would. So, I did get to take a break the rest of the day. I sat with my foot up and played UNO with the kids. It was actually kind of nice. I think if I paint the rest of my nails red no one will even notice.

By the way, I know what some of you are thinking. Her foot looks kind of fat. It is. It's also swollen from retaining water, which I do every summer, but it's a fat foot. Because I'm fat. That's kind of how it works. I think my feet will look fat even when I'm thin (no specific date on when that will take place...I'll get back to you on that). I don't have sexy feet. I have big, fat, sturdy, pioneer stock feet that will offer me great strength and balance if I ever have to pull a handcart. Not sexy, but very practical. And now mangled.