Motherhood Uncensored

RIP The Mom Trap: Or "Yay, One Less Blog to Fill Up Your Feed Reader!"

Apparently I'm reeaaaaaaaaaallly out of it because I had not realized that the Clubmom Blog Program (and really, everything else about Clubmom) was being laid to rest. Leave it to my savvy commenters to let me know!

It's true that The Mom Trap has been what I consider "Motherhood Uncensored Lite." It has been a place for me to blather away about whatever I want -- all PG rated of course. I'm thankful to have had the chance to use a blog as a diary. Motherhood Uncensored contains my uncensored thoughts, strung together in clean essays (almost a column). The Mom Trap has been a place for me to ask questions, share silly thoughts, and just be -- with mostly no judgment and a quiet crowd of friends and fellow bloggers who politely share what they think.

I won't be continuing The Mom Trap. I'll be happy to not have to check another email address that's for sure! But truly, I'm fortunate to have other thriving opportunities that can certainly use my time and attention. But I will be moving the archives over to Motherhood Uncensored.

And you can always find me there, as well as at Cool Mom Picks and Parent Bloggers Network (and various other places that you can find here). I'm ever appreciative of your readership and your thoughtful comments.

I hope you'll continue to join me on my adventures. Yes, it's definitely R-rated. But it's still just as fun.

I promise. 

Drudgery and Whine

So, here's the thing. That Little Rock move might not actually happen because apparently my husband doesn't like the officer housing. "Deplorable" was the word he used.

That's pretty bad.

And we have pets, so no Temporary Living Facility (TLF) which is brand new and gorgeous. And the furnished housing -- 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, family of four? Eh. I'd rather stay here.

In Atlanta.

So my search for a babysitter is on. I'm trying not to think about that I cancelled Q's preschool. Ugh.

Guilt. Ugh.

Doesn't help that I've been working my BUTT off on this thing (Isn't it lovely? C'mon. Isn't it?). That means bad parent. Bad neglective parent who really needs a babysitter or to have put her daughter in preschool.

So, that's where I am. This is where I am. HERE. And feeling a little overwhelmed.

Trying to do Thanksgiving crafts and buy Christmas gifts and do things with the kids and try TRY to get out of the house which I have learned is nearly impossible with a 2-nap per day child. I mean, you go out when? For lunch? Yeah. That doesn't work so well. 

So I'm Weepy. Tired. Probably PMSing.

And I can't figure out what to feed my son for breakfast that is finger food. Apparently he's "over" baby food.

Any ideas?   

Usually Books Put Me Right to Sleep (Like I Need Any Help With That)

My excuse for not having read any fiction for the last few years (I know TERRIBLE) is that it puts me right to sleep. And it's certainly not because it's boring. It's because the second I sit in bed and grab a book, I fall right asleep.

It's uncanny really.

So, unless I keep a book in the bathroom (heh), it's never getting read -- which makes me a bit sad that it has come to that for me. I love books and I love reading. It just seems that reading has been one of the things motherhood has ruined for me.

Even when I do get the hankering for a good fiction that is not heavy like a Bronte' sister book (sorry, I need something easy, light, and fluffy), I have no idea what's out there. Do you pick a book because its cover is really cute? I think not.

So, when I was asked to check out Dangerous Admissions, I was hesitant. Because that would mean I would actually have to read. Something. Other than a blog.

The first adult fiction by author Jane O' Connor (known for her Fancy Nancy books), Dangerous Admissions addresses the issues of private education -- but the good ones. Not like school lunches and all that crap, but what parents will do to get their kids into a private academy.

Bribery? Payoffs? A dead Director of Admissions? You name it.

And it was terribly intriguing. And not that difficult to read. In fact, I didn't fall asleep once. I found myself relating to the the protagonist -- a harried single-mom Rannie, although most of the other characters were pretty stereotypical. And while some of the twists and turns were a bit predictable (okay, I figured some out before I even got there, but I'm smart like that...)

And my favorite part. The competi-mommies. I love me some competimommies.

Now, like another blogger, I found her writing style extremely refined and approachable. Something that doesn't seem to fit hugely well with mystery. I would love to read something else from her, but perhaps not mystery next time.

So, my reco is buy this book. Stash it in your nightstand. And treat yourself to a little escapism.

For more reviews, click here. And make sure to listen to my podcast tonight (or subscribe via iTunes). I've got the Daring Book for Girls authors on! (PS. The book is on sale for $14.97 -- snatch one up!)

Leave a comment here to be entered to win a copy of Dangerous Admissions!

All Alone Again

The huz has officially started training in Little Rock and so it's back to me and the kids for at least this week. We're hoping he can make it home this coming weekend.

With a house barely unpacked (does that ever actually happen when you have a house, or do you always have boxes?), and the prospect of having to pack stuff again so we can move out there with him, I'm feeling overwhelmed.

Put it this way, I've been drinking.

Pepsi.

It seems like that's almost worse than a beer. I never really drink soda. But with my husband home, I was able to sleep in a little (read: until 7:30am). But now, we're all up at the butt crack of dawn.

I've tried to convince my daughter that she can't wake up until the sun is up.

Have you tried to convince a three-year-old of anything lately? OY.

So, it's dark out, we're all awake, and I get the feeling where I don't know where to begin. Days seem like big long circles. Toy comes out. Toys are played with. Toys are put away. Toys come out....

You get the picture.

I've been feeling tired but somewhat renewed. Maybe it's because I've done some cleaning out. Or that I can wear more of my old clothes again.

Who knows. But something is better.

I'm hoping to explore the city a bit before we leave for awhile. The air is crisp. The adventures are here.

I just need to get off my butt and go tackle them.

--

My Clubmom friends Sheri and Tracey are part of a fantastic photo contest called Mama Focus. Please enter! It's free -- and you can win a camera.  

Is Parenting Twins Harder or Just Different Than Parenting Two Kids?*

Humor me.

*No, I'm not pregnant with twins.