Sisters By Choice

FINALLY!

2011-04-05T07:42:00.000-07:00

Love the new background. Love all the amazing words you said. I would love to do the book thang on here! I miss you too. We are so far apart, but only in distance. I am all about moving and grooving this year.. Let's do the bucket list.. I want to change the name though.. I think we should call it The Dare to Live List or something really cute and cool like us : ) Italy here we come. I am already planning Audrey's 7th birthday present. Her trip (totally doing it for her wink wink) to France. So excited about this venture.. Books and Living Life.. My two favorite subjects.. The book thing I have down pat... Going to start reading Decoded now by Jay-Z.. The living life thing is a bit harder than I thought but I am ready to do it.. Let's get started Sista!!!!!

xoxo

Homesick for my Lil Sistah

2010-08-30T13:33:00.001-07:00

So Jenn and I have been talking on the phone a lot lately, and man, I miss having her around.

It's so not fair that she's one of the people in my world I can talk to about ANYTHING, and yet she's 500 miles away. She listens and just knows what I mean, and I like to think I offer the same to her.

I hope our girls will have that same closeness, even though they are growing up in different states, and experiencing so many different things.

I shouldn't worry at all, and I'm not, truly, as when you meet someone like my sister-in-law, who you mesh with in such a way, and you don't find one another in this lifetime until you're way past your most formative years, yet you still click in such a way ... it's truly the luck of the draw, I'd say.

And I'm pleased to be someone who is just that lucky.

I've a lot more to say but the child is whining up the wazoo due to waking up with a sore throat today. So she thinks screaming will help soothe that, I guess. Or not. Sigh.

Miss ya, Sis!

It's been too long ...

2010-08-10T11:52:00.000-07:00

After seeing my amazing sister-in-law this past week (and then some), I was motivated to return to our joint blog, and change our background up a bit. Maybe we can start talking books here? That might be fun. Since we read a lot for the book clubs we belong to, and we sometimes read the same books, and sometimes not so much, but hey, why not, right? More to talk about ...

And another thing I wanted to make mention of, although I couldn't find the perfect travel background, is that I think Jenn and I need a travel bucket list. Or just a primary goal for us. We made a brief mention of Italy (she mentioned, and I said we should go for our 40th birthdays, sometime in between ...) and that inspired me a bit, as well.

I truly wish my little sister lived closer to me, or I lived closer to her, I guess ... but in the meantime there are ways to connect, and here's hoping we continue to do so, with all our plans ahead of us!

The Girls

2010-03-04T18:33:00.000-08:00

So I watched the girls today and wanted to post before I start watching the results show from tonight.

Here's my take (not to turn this into an AI blog, but hey -- my Sis and I like to talk about this and we've been so busy we haven't had the chance so at least she can read what I think about it!):

Mama Sox: LOVE her. L-O-V-E. Still reminds me of Donna from That 70s Show, she's adorable and I don't know what was wrong w. her but I am glad she's healthy.

Hayley: I think that poor Hayley may go home tonight. First of all, she started off by telling us that she makes her own headbands. I see an Etsy store in her future, which is great. Honest. I wish I were that crafty. However, it's enough. She needs to stop channeling Jasmine Trias as she (Hayley) is NOT from Hawaii (right?) and Jasmine didn't fare all to well herself. I did realize as she was singing tho, that I actually LIKE that Miley Cyrus song! So look at that! I may buy it on iTunes now. Hmmn, may even buy Mama Sox's song from last night, too.

Lacey: Short-haired girl. Kiss me. Beneath the milky twilight. Love the song. Thought she sang it well but I don't feel that she has an AI future. Plus, she wears a lot of blush. I think. She's not that rosey, is she? MAY go home. May be alright, though. She's fun and perky. Not that annoying, so she might be OK. Poor thing.

Didi: Ah, Didi. She's not doing so hot after last night, I'm sure. She reminds me of a cross between my cousin and a girl/mom I know down here in NC. Interesting combo. She can sing, I actually liked her attempt at Lean On Me, to some extent. But she tried SO hard to get the soul out of her that she drained herself dry. I am sure she broke down at the end of the night, behind-the-scenes and all. Sigh. Poor Didi.

Paige? Paris? What is her name? She sang Kelly Clarkson, and well, whattaya know? Kara WROTE that song w. Kelly. Go figure. I knew I saw her dancing while the performance was happening, but I was thinking, hmmn, she's getting into it, interesting. I have to admit, I'm not hating Kara's opinions quite as much as I tend to dislike Kara, herself. She's trying to be a cross between Paula and Kara-of-yesteryear. Interesting, no? I liked this P-girl. She DOES have a really good voice, but I agree that she's not as strong as she should be when performing.

Lily: Still liking Lily, but I hate that they taught her to STARE at the camera. (Eyeroll!) I have hated that behavior that's been pushed on the Idols since the days of Constantine. And it annoys the cr@p out of me. She's talented, though, so I hope she stays.

Katelyn (?): Ms. Epperly - or whatever her funky name is. I actually liked her performance, but her expressions were kind of off. I agreed w. Simon's concern about her being corny. **Go figure that I agree w. Simon, right?**

So, who am I missing?

Oh, Katie! Who I keep wanting to call Megan. I don't know why, but I just feel like that should be her name. She has a fantastic voice, and I LOVED that song. I think she did it really well, too. I do understand what everyone was saying about her, though, needing to be younger. But I wanted to smack Randy and tell him that there are hardly ANY under 20-yo singers out there these days that are good/great! Poor girl isn't going to say 'The Jonas Brothers,' right? And Hayley already sang Miley, so what's left?

OK, I think I have one more left. Who the heck is it? Oh, no, I have two more? Man. That's bad. Oh! The one who sang Creed!!! Arms Wide Open. The Alicia Keyes girl. She was good. I didn't jump outta my seat or anything, but I liked it, Dawg. She's pretty. She's got the potential to be powerful. I liked what she did. She made it her own. All that jazz.

Now who is the last person? I think I have to turn on the show to check ... Oh! I know! The last girl! I always forget about her but she ROCKED that note last night. Siobhan. She is quirky, interesting, odd, and sweet. Along with being cute and fun, and a bit of a powerhouse based on that one note. I hope she sticks around. I might find myself really liking her!

OK, now I'm off to watch the show. Have a great night, I'll try to come by tomorrow to discuss!

AI: WEEK TWO!

2010-03-03T11:32:00.000-08:00

Totally missed posting last week, but I have a recap I can share from a message board I belong to.

So, SIS, here goes my recap for the guys last night:

Big Mike: He was better than before, and he IS good, but he's not taking it all the way. He's soulful, Reuben-ish, but the guitar will be his downfall.

Tondrick - Still not a fan, though he tried to pull the viewers in during his package about how sweet he is. He may go home.

John (that his name?) - who sang Gravity. Not that great. I think he has a good voice, but I TOTALLY get what everyone said about missing the connection. He's just unexpressive and it bothers me.

Lambert (not Adam's twin) guy -- I really enjoyed him this week. Thought he did pretty well and was happy for him. Also loved how Simon spoke to him. As always I love Simon. Go figure.

Hot-Bucky-Covington -- while I enjoyed his performance, he's no Bo Bice. I did like it, but I kind of got what Kara and Simon said. I LOVED when Kara said what she did and Simon was like WHAT? In shock. Cougar's a fan, but I wasn't feelin' it. For some reason I was totally hating Kara as usual, but I really "jived" w. her comments last night (as I watched this AM!) and that scared me.

Baby Aaron (that's his name - isn't it?) - I thought he did really well! I thought Simon was a little hard on him, yes, the song was ANCIENT, but he was so much not-David-Archie-when he sang around the stage and walked and really belted it out for lil 16 yo him. Good stuff. He's safe.

Jermaine (name?) - - gonna head home, too. Unless one of the others beats him there. They give you advice and you don't take it? Buh-bye.

Tim Urban (aka Zac Efron/Jonas Brother #4) -- I was SO happy when Simon said what he did. I really REALLY enjoyed his performance. I thought he was relaxed, comfortable and really pretty good.

Lee -- Lee [LOVE the name!] may very well be my fave this season. The chunky David Cook. He's great. Totally great voice. Needs to strengthen his stage presence, but great.

Is that 10? If not, I left out someone who will go home. Shoot, that's only 9. WHo is the last guy? Shoot, I have to go look it up!

OK, I didn't have to look it up. Andy Garcia -- I have no idea if that's his first name. Robert-Downey-not-Gokey/Latin Pop Guy. Totally agree about the Straight Up performance being his best. It's all downhill from there. And how sad is that?

So, anyone watching? What are your thoughts so far this season? :)

And adding my "recap" from last week:

Although I didn't care about the results all that much, I agree that Joe was better than some of the others, but I knew he would go, and mostly because as I said last week about the Top 24 when I had to look up his name and his picture and said, WHO IS THAT GUY? Nobody knew who he was. They had him there as a token singer. Glad the crazy-haired guy is gone, too. Bathrobe? REALLY? Come on. Loved Simon's expression when he blamed them, too. Excellent.

I think the teenie-boppers out there voted for Tim "I'm not a Jonas Brother but I look a little like Zac Efron, and I'm not related to Keith" Urban. And the other guy, the one who wears the glasses. He's kind of teenie-ish.

Girls I was fine w. I liked Ashley when she was in the tryouts. She was good then. She also reminds me of a friend of mine, so I had hoped she'd be nice and sweet like her. Ah, well!

Oh, and I don't like Allison as much as I didn't like her when she was ON the show.

Anyone else think Kara's hubby reminded them a little of Simon?

Kara's cougar mode is too much, tho. When it comes to (Emily, I hope you like this one, too!) "I'm hotter than Bucky Covington and can kind of sing but nobody remembers that 'cause Kara made me take my shirt off in my first audition," it was a bit much already. Poor guy didn't get any real criticism. I don't even know his name. He's just called hot-Bucky by me and my SIL.

Kara's hubby didn't strike me as hot, mostly cause he reminded me of Simon, but not as hot as Simon, so can you tell I luv Simon? ... and til tomorrow!

Wayyy too long!

2010-02-18T14:42:00.000-08:00

It's been way too long since my Sis and I have posted here.

I had to come back now, as I've decided that we should find this time of year to be the best time. We talk to each other at least 2x a week more than normal. We e-mail more frequently and develop our own code language. We battle it out, we take sides, and sometimes wind up on the same one.

Why? Why do we do this every. single. year?

Well, I'll tell you why.

Because ....

THIS.

IS.

AMERICAN IDOL!!!!!!

And after last night we now know who our Top 24 are. I have much to say about these people. Some I've honestly never seen before the final group was announced ... Like, uhm, this guy?

Check out the rest of them here: US Magazine: Idol's Top 24!

I'm sure we'll be talking about them a ton this season! Who are your faves? So far I like Crystal (the mom w. the dreads who looks like Donna from That 70s Show! I have some others I like, too, but she's my current front-runner!

So join us. We'll be chatting it up every week, well, about the show, the singers, the performances, the judges (Love Ellen, but won't be the same or as crazy w.o Paula this year!) and so much more!

WAIT!!! One more thing...

2009-11-24T08:47:00.001-08:00

As I am new to this thing. I posted my last entry without finishing it. After I saved it as a draft, I couldn't find it.

I just wanted to add that our children only know the time we spend with them. They don't compartmentalize like we tend to do as adults. And for all the time Audrey gets to spend at school with her friends.. she is happiest at home when mommy and daddy give her full attention as she acts out (dramatically I might add) something she remembers from the day..

On a personal note: Andrea rocks as a mom!! (shh... don't tell her I said so, but she never gives herself the credit she deserves..)

Jenn

2009-11-19T09:17:00.001-08:00

I have been thinking about the "stay-at-home" title and the "Am I giving my daughter enough" question. I preface all I am about to write with one fact, I am a out-of-house working mom. I make that a clear distinction. I don't believe in the two titles that have now become ground for war amongst some mothers. There is no such thing as stay-at-home and working mothers.. All mothers are WORKING mothers. The difference is where we choose to work. I choose to work out of the house and Andrea chooses to work in her house. One is not easier than the other (although I have had the opportunity on occasion to have to stay home with Audrey just the two of us - and I have to admit.. I would say dealing with 20 15-18 year-olds is a lot easier to handle then one 2 1/2 year old.)

I think, as an out-of-house working mother, that work-at-home moms put way too much burden on their shoulders, and really should be asking themselves "Am I giving myself enough" first. Most of my friends work outside the home as well so I don't have experience to go on here. I am just stating a view. I apologize to those who I offend and offer up all my admiration to those (Especially Andrea) who I see work really hard to wear their many hats of woman, mother, wife, daugheter, educator, friend, sister, secretary, psychologist, (Andrea is my personal one at times..lol), and put your dreams and desires on hold to make sure they raise another soul to believe they can do it all too.

In the end all that matters most to our children is that we take care of ourselves so we are around to enjoy many years of love and happiness with them.

Staying at home

2009-11-17T07:38:00.000-08:00

Sometimes as a Stay-at-Home-Mom I wonder if I am giving my child enough. Is she getting enough stimulation every day? Is it wrong that I am her primary companion?

I mean, she has friends, but not the *see you every day* kind. But does that matter at age 2-1/2? She knows who her friends are, she talks about them regularly. Can she even tell that she hasn't seen them in a few weeks? A few days? Longer?

I am not exactly homeschooling. That's pretty big in the South. But we don't have a set curriculum. We don't do the same things regularly, we just sort of go with the flow. Is that okay? I mean, I feel like it is, and I know she's advancing, but there are some days (like when we were sick these last few weeks) when it seems like Dora and Diego are the only ones talking. That's a bit harsh, I'm exaggerating. My child speaks so often during the day that there have been moments where I am on overload. I'm not even sure where to begin with answers to her questions, or activities for her to do next.

But I am her primary teacher. Officially or not. Aren't all parents for their kids? Don't we all guide them, especially during these early years? Whether they're in school or not, whether we work out of the house, in the house, or not at all? It's amazing how when they start to seem older, more grown-up, if you will, that we start to question whether we offer them enough. I know I try. I know I give her as much as I can. But sometimes ... well ... I just question it. But I'll keep on trying and keep on trucking. So what if she learns her Spanish from Nick Jr? I'm the one who is reinforcing it in conversation. I'm the one who is answering her. So it's okay. For now, anyway.

In the meantime, Diego is waiting for us. And I need to get back to my art-work. Because, apparently, I'm the person in her world who can draw anything, at any time. People, animals, cartoon characters ... I'm your woman. And I'll tell ya', I kind of like being that go-to-gal!

It's Impossible

2009-10-22T12:18:00.000-07:00

I hear you, Jenn. I think that it's impossible to watch your child get completely messy without flinching at least once. Or twice.

That's when I strip her down naked, or mostly naked, except for an apron, and put newspaper down on the kitchen table (the one that was my parents' long before you knew us!) I got these cute little aprons at Michael's, for $1, so we bought a few of them, and it's so nice to not worry about her clothes getting covered.

But believe me, I much prefer the simpler crafts. Like construction paper and sticky foam animals. Just make sure they're fresh enough that you don't need to use glue to get them to stick to the paper, or before you turn around your child might be stamping the glue stick in a circular pattern around said kitchen table, and on your hardwood floors.

Washable markers are easy, as are crayons. You can use the post I linked to where small crayon scraps are used to melt down into new, large, round crayons with a simple muffin tin! I bet A would enjoy that!

Oh, and another easy activity, which is somewhat messy but simple to clean up is water play. She can stand on her potty stool in the bathroom all day long and fill up the sink w. some water and soap, give her some tupperware and random cups to play with and we're good to go. Simply strip her shirt beforehand or after, and get a towel ready to wipe down the floor and tah dah! So much fun! Bubbles are another fun water sport in our house, but my main problem is that there is no way she can play with them without spilling the entire bottle on the floor. And my poor hardwoods just can't take that to often.

As for your Operation PC, I think it's a great idea. Let me know how it has been going for you. In the meantime I can barely figure out portion control when it comes to food, and being home all day doesn't give me too many options, so I'll have to think it through before committing, but I am FULLY behind you and you have my support! Go forth into this good night ... and day ... and whatever!

And now I have to go stop her from taking the pickle jar out of the fridge ... Lord help us all!

What To Do?

2009-10-21T07:08:00.001-07:00

As I am sitting here thinking of what to write my mind is on two trains of thought... First of all, the links that Andrea sent were awesome ... However, I have to admit (and this is not easy as a mom) that I do not like to get messy and have a really difficult time watching Audrey get messy. I seriously can't be the only one. Am I??? It is one of the things I love about having her in daycare (and yes I also admit that as well) . She can get down and dirty at school, and I don't have to feel my anxiety level rise as I TRY (not always succeeding) not to get anxious about it. Needless to say we use lots of crayons at home and play more with toys than with crafts (for now). Oh yeah! and while I am on a role I can also admit I don't know the difference between Than/Then (in writing - so I apologize, in advance, for any incorrect usage)

So, the question becomes how does a mother who physically feels the symptoms of anxiety help her daughter to become creative and expressive???

My second train of thought is leading in the direction of time. I had an epiphany today. Everyone is always talking about portion control when it comes to food, but what about taking that same principal and applying it to your day. Can that even work? I am going to experiment and see. I am calling it Operation PC. Breaking up my day systematically in order to have enough time to do all the things I want for that day.. Each day... for one week?? Andrea - You interested??? I am even including doing nothing time... (the joy diet modified... to about 10 minutes or so.. depending on how the rest of my day is broken up...lol) For experimental purposes I am going to start tomorrow 10/22/09.. Wish me luck!

Fall Activities

2009-10-19T09:50:00.000-07:00

Well, the weather is getting cooler and crisper here in NC. I'm thinking it's a little bit ahead of us in NYC, so we'll all be needing fun weekend ideas and crafts to help us out with our little ones.

I found a bunch of really cute fall craft ideas and I decided to be lazy for this post and share these with you guys (you - of the nonexistent follower society,) so this way my lil sis can see them, too.

* Paper Plate Spider Craft by Susana at My Family, My Forever.

* Pumpkin Pie Play Dough by Jennifer at The Ramblings of a Crazy Woman.

* Make your own crayons at No Time for Flash Cards. [Thanks to Michelle at Her Cup Overfloweth for this tip!]

* Make your own campfire at Family Corner. [Thanks to Michelle again for this tip!]

* No Mess Finger Painting by Sandy at Moments of Mommyhood.

* Here are several fall crafts over at Just Playin' Around with Julie.

* Apple Blossoms over at What Do We Do All Day?

So enjoy yourself as you make your way through this list of wonderful and fun fall activities! And enjoy the cooler weather. I know we are!

Here I go!

2009-10-07T08:47:00.000-07:00

Hi - I am, by the first official post, the little sister : ) I am doing something I have promised myself I would never do BLOG! .. I never even read a blog until Andrea introduced me to hers, and even now she has to forward me her posts b/c I don't know how to sign up.

Of course b/c I am cautious by nature I researched and looked up a few different blogs just to see what this is really all about. What a world unto itself. It's amazing how many people (particularly women) have to say. I LOVE IT! I am, by all means, a blog convert (Thanks Ann!).

Although I don't consider myself the most articulate person when it comes to speaking and/or writing (I think when Audrey came out a few brain cells and a lot of vocabulary slipped out with her) I am going to do my best.

Now let me get to Andrea... What can I say.. SuperMom, SuperBlogger and SuperSister. Don't tell my husband, but she is one of the reasons I chose to say yes..lol After years of being an only child (side note: loved the whole not having to share anything and having all the attention) I finally got the sister I can confide in and trust and we didn't have to go through any teenage sister drama.. We were compatable from the minute we were introduced. : ) I say introduced b/c like she mentioned for years we were out at the same bars/clubs on the same weekends doing the same things.

Anyway, as always I am off to do what I do best. Read! : ) Enjoy the day

Let me introduce you ...

2009-10-05T18:28:00.000-07:00

To my little sister. Well, technically she is my sister-in-law, but we don't think of each other that way. This is our story!

Although Jenn and I didn't know one another prior to her dating (and subsequently marrying) my brother, we swear that we probably hung out at the same clubs, bitched out one another's friends on the dance floor and likely knew someone who knew someone who dated someone and so on and so forth.

We got married 3-1/2 months apart, our daughters are about 6 weeks apart, and we're probably closer than we would have been if we had grown up together, if you ask me.

We've done SELF workouts in the park, gone to concerts, chatted over Starbucks treats in Barnes and Noble, spent hours on the phone watching and discussing American Idol, "Loved Our Trees," and so much more.

Unfortunately with my relocation "Down South," and her stay-location "Up Nawth" we just don't get to see one another or connect as often as we would like to. So that's what this blog is for. That, and maybe we'll entertain a few people along the way ... once we make this public, of course.

So that's my take on it. I'll let her fill you in, as well.