Rainy Days & Thursdays

It's Spring Break over here at Casa Monogram we've been raisin' the roof and gettin' wild and crazy with laundry, baseball practice, play dates, and trying on last summers clothes. I know. Try to contain your excitement. It's enough to make me want to run out and have matching air brushed t-shirts made for each of us that read SPRING BREAK '10!

And while I'd planned to hit the tennis courts this morning, the thunderstorms have put a damper on my plans so that leaves me to plan B: find a dress for mini #1's First Communion for once and for all. Truth be told I've bought probably 4 dresses and consequently taken them all back because I've not liked them once I've gotten them home. Because as it turns out? Your ass really is as big at home as it is in the department store dressing room. Who knew?

So I haven't found a dress yet, but I did just stumble upon these little gems at L.L. Bean. Lovely, just lovely. And with a Free Shipping coupon code 3018863, my rainy day just got a little bit sunnier.

Coastal Rain Skimmers

Bright Navy

Cake Wrecks

To give credit where credit is due, sister #1 posted this on Facebook yesterday and it was so hysterical that it was worth sharing. We've all seen them... The sweet little creatures the local bakery has decimated with their piping bags and decorative tips. But now someone has dedicated a blog to them, and it's right on par with People of Walmart, People of the Park, and Awkward Family Photo's. All I know is if Martha saw these cakes it would surely send her to an early grave!

Cake Wrecks
When Professional Cakes go Horribly, Hilariously Wrong

source & photo: Cake Wrecks

Where I've Been, What I've Been Doing

I'm just popping in for a quick minute. I do have some great projects jotted down but this week I am up to my eyeballs in things to do. In short, here's what's been going on...

• Mini #2 has been having a difficult time w/ his lungs. Took some time off of school last week and amped up his meds and he's still recovering.
• I got Advanced Upper Respiratory Bronchitis at the same time. Argh!
• Participated in a great Holiday Market my friend puts on at her beautiful home every November. However, this wasn't so much fun because of the above statement.
• We are close to FINALLY putting the house on the market any day now. FINALLY!!! However, this means we've been crazy getting things checked off our "to-do" list and get all the pictures done.

And now, because I've got to whip together new window treatments for our Master Bath before the house goes on the market, it is off to the sewing machine I go!!

Time to Unload

I consider myself very lucky to be able to be a stay-at-home mom. Not a day doesn't go by that I don't appreciate it, or realize what a luxury it truly is. And one of the great things about being able to stay home is that I have plenty of time to volunteer. Or so I thought I had plenty of time.

As it turns out, when you spend all your "free time" volunteering, that means you have no time for the things that actually fall under the job description of being a SAHM. Those things include (but are not limited to) washing, folding, & putting away laundry, loading and unloading the dishwasher, cleaning the extra dishes in the sink, all the additional housework such as cleaning toilets, changing sheets, vacuuming, dusting, etc., and grocery shopping. Coincidentally, these are also the things I've been royally sucking at lately because I've completely over committed myself. At the beginning of the year I felt like because the boys were in school, I had plenty of time to give to their school, and this was important for me to do as a SAHM. But now that's taken all my time, and today I finally had a break down. And there were tears.

You see, somewhere between my fundraising (which I love and wouldn't ever give up), cafeteria duty, home room mom duty (times TWO, mind you because I certainly don't want to hurt either of my kids feelings), field trips, and sewing All Saints costumes all day Saturday and Sunday, it hit me that all these things that I normally love, are just "Things To Do" now. I love All Saints Day. But I was miserable sewing and crafting these costumes all weekend long, and just wanted to get it over with. I'm stressed beyond belief, and all because I was so afraid of having nothing to do to pass the time while the boys were in school, that now I have no time to do the things I actually should be doing. Are you still with me?

So tomorrow is a new day. Tomorrow I start to say "no." Tomorrow I start to say "I would love to but my plate is full." I am determined to enjoy the Holiday season in my clean and organized home with my children, and that begins tomorrow.

Flu Be Damned

After weeks, possibly months of us hiding under a rock and me scrubbing my children day and night with antibacterial soap, hand cleanser, & Lysol, the unthinkable happened. Mini #2 threw up last night. THREE TIMES. For you mom's keeping score, that is also 3 sheet changes on a day that I'd JUST changed sheets on the beds, so I'm completely out of sheets now and have been running my washing machine through the entire night and early morning. Ladies, I am TIRED.

I'll try to surface later, but right now I'm heading back into the trenches.

Anniversary Giveaway

**UPDATE** Oops! forgot to tell you when the giveaway deadline! You have 'til Tuesday night (tonight), 10-27-09, 10pm E.S.T. to enter. Good luck!

Happy Anniversary to ME!! It's my one year anniversary with Paper Concierge and to celebrate, I'm starting off the week with a giveaway!
How cute are these new Mayfly & Junebug platters?! Perfect for tailgating, your kitchen table, beach house, or gift giving, I think you will love these platters! Instead of showing up to Thanksgiving with the same 'ol bottle bottle of wine, you could be bringing an adorable personalized platter filled with cookies and treats as your hostess gift this year!

To Enter...

1) Check out my cute new platters here, then come back and leave a comment and tell me which one is your favorite. Make sure you put your email address or link to your blog so I can find you for 1 entry.

2) Tweet about my giveaway w/ a link to this post & also my twitter ID, @cmolino, for 1 entry.

3) Add my address to your blog Roll or become a follower for 2 entries.

4) Write a post about my giveaway on your blog for 3 entries.

5) Add my Paper Concierge button to your page and link it to my site (link should go to : http://www.cmolino.paperconcierge.com) for 5 entries.

Do it ALL, and that's 12 possibile entry's!!!

Images for a Cure

As most of us know, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Most of us have unfortunately been touched by breast cancer in one way or another through either our own experiences, or friends or family members around us. As a woman alone, this cause is important to me, but even more so this year since I have an old friend who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the spring. She is my age, has two young children (2.5 and 3.5), and is in fantastic health otherwise. It just doesn't make sense, does it?

This year my cousin Maria, of Charlotte Carey Photography on Nantucket, is offering a photography session for up to 2 children and 2 pets on October 11th on Nantucket. 100% of proceeds from this shoot will be donated to breast cancer research. Contact Maria for full details and to schedule your on location shoot! First come, first serve so hurry! Get those Holiday photo's done early and make it all for a good cause.

image: Charlotte Carey Photography

Calgon, Take Me Away

Just in case ya'll think I'm sitting around eating Bon-Bon's and watching Y&R (which, don't get me wrong, I SO WISH I were doing) instead of paying attention to my blog,rest assured I'm not. It would appear that I've completely over-committed myself in anticipation of having an empty house this year with both of the mini monograms in school, and now I'm pretty much just treading water.

So here's what I've got going on...

-New Fundraising Chair at the boys school
-Opening up an online Storefront for the boys school spirit wear
-Cafeteria Volunteer once a month
-Box Tops Commitee
-Homeroom mom to mini #1
-Assistant Homeroom mom to mini #2
-Book Club (my friend has wonderfully agreed to take over organizing this for me, though)
-2nd Grade Mom's Night Out Organizer
-Football for mini #1 (which is 3 nights a week plus weekends)
-Baseball for mini #2 (which is 2 nights a week plus some weekends)
-Running my Paper Concierge business
-Working on new designs and filling orders for my SWAG shop

oh, and lets not forget this much ignored blog and twitter. Throw them on this list too, because hell, why not? Then there's always the day to day housekeeping, laundry, cooking, homework, and schlepping around as well.

So today, I just could use a loooooooooong bath. But you know what? I'm not gonna get it.
Oh well, maybe tomorrow.

8 Years

Down for the Count

Yesterday was a crazy day, and by the time we made it to football practice, I was feeling pretty run down. As it turns out, I'm sick. With the flu. I think, anyway. All I know is I woke up this morning with all the flu symptoms, so with the boys off to school I am taking my sweaty, feverish self back to bed with some Gatorade, a bucket, and preppy puppy. I have approximately 8 hours to recover from this so wish me luck. Oh, and while you're at it, please throw a penny in the fountain for me and wish it's at least not the flu of the swine variety. Ugh.

In the meantime, to make this visit to MM worth your while, a little something from my fabulous friend, Alyssa of A. Tierney...

The Twitter 500

If you follow me on Twitter or are friends with me on Facebook, you will already know that preppy puppy became very ill last week. As in life threatening ill. It was very sudden, very scary, and she was hospitalized in critical care (who knew there was canine critical care?) last Wednesday night through Saturday afternoon. I will spare you all the gory details-and trust me, they are GORY- but she is now home and resting. Her road to recovery will be a bit slow and with 8 pills a day that need to be given during various times and a special diet, I think it's fair to say I will be sticking close to home this week. Every day she seems to be doing better though and we are all so happy to have her home where she belongs. And speaking of now having her home, don't be at all surprised if you see preppy puppy and I sitting on the curb of a busy intersection with a sign that reads "RECOVERING SICK FAMILY DOG. DONATIONS WELCOME!" as the vet bill was so astronomical that Mr. M. grabbed his chest and gasped for air when he saw it (and I need him to not have a heart attack so you know, he can pay that bill and all).

Now, tomorrow I'll be back with a crafty Martha-esque project, but in the meantime, if you don't follow me on twitter, CLICK HERE. Why, you ask? I'm pretty close to 500 followers and once I reach 500 I will do a great giveaway on my blog, RIGHT HERE at Monogram Momma's, of one of my many fabulous new products on Paper Concierge. And let me just tell you, I'm now carrying Dabney Lee, Fontaine Maury, Demby+Solomon, & Bonnie Marcus and MANY MORE top notch lines! So tweet it up, share it, blog it, whatever. But right around the corner there is a great giveaway coming but the magic number is 500!

Awkward Family Photos

We've all got them and we've all seen them. Awkward family photos. But now there is a website dedicated to them that is just too stinkin' funny not to share! Go check them out but be prepared to laugh your ass off!

It's so great everybody could make it to graduation.


Finally, a photo of girls in prom dresses holding chickens that makes total sense.

source: Awkward Family Photos

Two Things

Last week I was pretty down in the dumps about my little guy being in kindergarten and not needing his mommy anymore. Okay, so maybe that's a stretch. He does need me, but it sure as hell feels like he needs me a lot less today than he did 2 weeks ago before he started kindergarten.

But something good happened today. I realized 2 very important things I get to do now that I'm home by myself all day.

1) Listen to whatever I want to in my car on XM or my iPod AS LOUD AS I WANT without anyone yelling "MOMMY IT'S SOO LOUD YOU CAN'T HEAR ME TALKING!"

2) Drive around with all the windows down and sunroof open without anyone telling me "MOMMY IT'S TOO WINDY IT'S BLOWING MY HAIR AROUND!"

So there you have it.

Empty Nest

Remember when I was excited both boys were going to be in school together, every day? Gone, out of my house from 7:30a.m. -3:30 p.m.?

Well, today I realized I'm maybe not okay with that.

Today I realized that, while I've got a list of all these things I both need and want to do on my gigantic never-ending monogrammed note pad, I can't figure out where to start.

Today I realized that I feel lost and don't really know how to start my day once the boys are gone, because I'm not used to them both being gone at the same time.

Today I realized that I miss my little guy.

And today I realized that I'm sad when I should really be very happy and proud.

Now What?

Last Thursday marked our first day of 2nd grade and kindergarten respectively. What a BIG YEAR this is going to be what with mini #2 being the big boy kindergartner and mini #1 celebrating his First Holy Communion in the Spring. I can't help but sit here in my very quiet house wondering how did we get to this point so quickly and most of all, now what?

Mr. Monogram: well, you've got the whole house to yourself now every day. The boys don't get out of school until 3 o'clock. What are you going to do all day?

MM: Whatever the hell I want, that's what.

Case in point, it's nearing 10 a.m. and I'm still in my pajama's. All kidding aside though, my list of things to keep me busy is very long. Since the boys were home with me all summer long (which I really deserve a freaking medal for, btw), I've gotten a *tad* behind on the laundry. And Cleaning. And organizing. And packing. Yes, packing. Because did I tell you are moving? Once we can get this little "to-do" list sorted out and I can get some of these overstuffed closets packed up into boxes because I'm a pack rat who can't seem to throw anything away, not even a magazine from 1996, the house is going on the market. We've found a lot we love and really want to build a custom home but we're in no rush because my husbands industry sucks BIG TIME right now so we're taking our time.

Anyway, I've made myself a short-list of little projects I both need and want to accomplish before the sign goes in the yard, and like it or not, I'll be sharing these with you.

-Make new window treatment for Master Bedroom
-Make new window treatments for Master Bathroom
-I have a great idea for a big art project on canvas
-Make new desk skirt to match new drapes in Office
-Make cute slipcover for my office desk chair

So I'm thinking I won't have any trouble keeping busy.

Wednesday Wisdom

I follow Reverend Run on Twitter, and this morning his tweet really resonated with me. It's something a few friends and I have been chatting a lot about lately, and something I find especially poignant for a Wednesday.

Be kind to people and humble!
U'll never get knocked off ur pedestal if u dont climb up on one...
Let go dat ego.. :-)

And there you go. Be humble. I couldn't have said it better myself.

Two Words..

A-MAZING. The wedding was phenomenal and my bff couldn't have looked more gorgeous or happy. No time to post pictures today, but I promise to share tomorrow!

xo-MM

Wedding Weekend in the Mountains

This weekend my bff since childhood is getting married. I'm beyond thrilled for her! She is marrying a great guy who went to one of our rival prep school's and was actually bff's with a guy I dated in high school. Crazy how small the world is, right?
On Friday we are hosting the Bridesmaids Luncheon at The Inn at Millstone where we will be dining outside on the lawn.
Friday evening, the Rehearsal Dinner will be at The Library Club Restaurant, the oldest structure in Sapphire Valley.

On Saturday, the wedding is being held at The Chattooga Club which will be amazing with the gorgeous mountain backdrop.
And here is the Bridesmaids dress that I will be wearing (ugly orange backdrop not included!). The apple green is a gorgeous color in person, and the dress is super comfortable and light. Perfect for dancing!

Sunday morning Mr. Monogram and I will have to get up early and head back to TN as his dad and step-mother will have to fly back to FL after taking care of the mini's for us while we are at the wedding. But we do have a little bit of down time. If anyone is familiar with the Highlands, Cashiers, Sapphire Valley area and there are any shops or sights I simply must see, let me know!

Today I'm a Professional Errand Runner

Is it really only Wednesday? I hereby make a motion to go ahead and make it Friday. Anyone else?

This week the mini's and I had nothing on our typically active social calendars, which turns out it was a good thing because I ended up needing to help out a friend with her boys on Monday and Tuesday. It's funny. You think you're helping out a friend but she actually helped me out because she provided my boys with instant playmates for two days! Yay me! Seriously though, her boys are the same age as mine, very well behaved and as sweet as can be, and all four of them get along so incredibly well. It was a fun two days, however now the mini monograms are stuck with me and me alone again (which doesn't exactly excite them at this point of the summer).

So what's been going on around here? Last week we took care of all the uniform shopping and even bought their school shoes. That is a major task to check off my to-do list! So today we are running a million errands. I had to leave the uniforms to have our school emblem embroidered on everything so today we'll go pick those up, go pick up my bridesmaids dress for bff's wedding next weekened from the bridal shop, hit the bank, and make several returns.

Currently my home looks like a dress shop, as I've bought so many dresses for the bridesmaids luncheon. In the end, I think I've decided to just go with a simple but uber comfortable white v-neck sleeveless dress I nought last year that I love, and pair it with a great cardigan and strappy heels. Now all I have to do is find the great cardigan and strappy heels!

TGIF

I'm so glad it's Friday. You would *think* that being a SAHM means every day is like Friday, but no, I assure you it is not. I am dashing out the door with the mini monograms to take them to the gymnastics place to jump on trampolines and run around with some friends and expel some of this energy they've got. After that we'll head to a lunch date, then a swim date with some school friends who've been out of town. YAY sun!

Tonight is dinner with our TN bff's, the Hawks. It's always a good time and they are leaving next week for a 10 day trip to Washington DC, NYC, & Boston. Anyway, as I plan to jump on a trampoline or two myself this morning, I actually put on a cute pair of army green shorts (if you knew me INR I typically wear skirts or dresses every day), a basic white tee, simple off-white sailors knotted flip flops and a pink headband. However, I do wish I had this adorable nautical headband to throw on today!

Source: Ribbons & Lace on Etsy