Life by Cynthia

Do you remember how you felt your FIRST TIME?  Were you nervous & scared? I wanted to share. Let's do First Time Friday shall we? Oh kids, minds out of the gutter. I am NOT talking about THAT first time.  I'm talking about your very first time blogging. I am hoping that some of you will play along and share your first blog post via comment.  Please leave a link to the very post that you have written, the date of the post, and a few of your thoughts. I'll start: XANGA - WHY I'M HERE Posted 10/6/2004 5:45 PM.  I was excited but nervous about what information I put out on the world wide web.  Once you put it out there - It's there. Forever.  I have since closed my first blog but recently reactivated it and left only a handful of posts.  I am a little embarrassed by my first attempts but now I am a much more confident blogger.  It's now more about what I want to do, say, and share.  In the past it was more of a worry that will others like...

I wrote a blog last night which now has me thinking so I wanted to check in with you to see who your Teen Crushes were?  Do you still think he is all that? Nope. Not me. Read more: Uh Oh We Have a TWEEN In The Family My crush was Ralph Macchio - he doesn't do it for me anymore. Weird. If you were a little girl would you have Bieber Fever?  Will he be cool when he's old? Or will he be like Ralph Macchio is to me now? Just odd to look at...

Sometimes I just don't know anymore!  I am a mommy to an infant but I am no stranger to studying and helping with homework.  I have been an active participant in my eldest niece's life since birth. I was in the delivery room.  I was there at her first dance recital, her first trip to urgent care, and her first day of kindergarten.  I thought that through her I was exposed to a bit of what motherhood may be like.  Reality check:  Not even close! Being "Auntie" is a totally different ball game!  I have learned a valuable thing or two.  Did you know that they give kids homework as early as kindergarten?!  I've been helping my niece with her homework from time to time throughout her schooling. My niece is now in the 5th grade.  She will be entering middle school next fall.  Her workload with homework is not a small task.  It has been fun but I'll admit that I've been stumped with some of her 5th grade level work!  I am college...

Does anyone have any nail salon horror stories? Did you know that you can get staph infections & possibly HIV from a mani-pedi? I'm not sure of the actual data , but even the tiniest likelihood causes concern for me! Check out this article Dirt Alert! Five Signs of an Unsanitary Nail Salon .  It makes me think twice about booking my next appointment! My Nail Salon Story : I don't have any grossly horrific stories to tell.  I used to often wonder though: Am I being gossiped about in front of my face?  OK we are all the victim of gossip every once in a while.  But do you tip someone to do it to your face?  I guess that it's better than behind your back, right? Whenever I do go into the the nail salon, the common question after "what color"  is ALWAYS what my ethnicity is. Maybe just small talk?  Once the manicurist confirm that I of a differing ethnic background.  The chatter begins! I end up feeling "talked about" - one of these...

I'm sure that I cannot be the only woman that has eagerly tried many different products during pregnancy.  I have spent a few bucks on things that I thought might help with my pregnancy and post pregnancy.  Items that claim to help.  From creams, lotions, and oils for stretch marks (I escaped without one single stretch mark)...to body pillows for comfort and bras to hoist up the ever expanding boobies- you name it. I tried it. Some items I loved.  Some I felt indifferent about. Some - (just a few) I found to be a total waste of money.  I always give my honest view on any product that I take time to mention on my blog. If you know me and have read me for any length of time you know that I will sing praises on things I love and be open about things I dislike.  All in all, in the end it is just my personal experience & opinion so take from it what you will. The one item that I am most disappointed with is the Tauts Post Pregnancy Wrap by Brooke Burke....

My Weekend Recap Friday: Surprise 40th birthday party for my brother in law. It was a happy celebration. However, eating a veggie burger at a BBQ joint was a slight bummer.  We made up for it with ice cream cake. Saturday: I actually had time to clean my house.  I mean really clean, not just tidy up. First, I took my son out for a walk. I have to tell you all that I love my go-to, no-fail nap trick! It works every time. Bonus:  I get to have a great workout.  I "wear" him while I walk so I have a 20 lb "weighted" walk. We bond. He falls asleep. I get a great workout + fresh air + sunshine. Win-win.  After our walk I asked my husband to lie down beside him since he naps much longer that way. I wasn't too surprised to find that hubby ended up napping also.  I should have taken a photo.  As they napped I had a full 2 hours of uninterrupted cleaning time.Yay! The Shocker: I want to do more! Sunday: Church with my 2 guys.  We are there eve...

Today when I checked my blog I was pleasantly surprised.  I'm am flattered & so very thankful. So join me as I "high-five" my sweet blog friend Lindsay! Visit her at Life As 5 .  I love her honest posts.  She's rad. To formally accept this award you are asked to do a few things: First thank and link to the blogger who gave you the award. Share 7 things about yourself. Share this Award with 15 other bloggers. Contact these bloggers to let them know that they got the award. A big HUGE Thank You to Lindsay @ Life As 5 !  I truly appreciate the mention and thank you for reading my blog. 7 things about me : I wish I had more time for blogging. I have scoliosis. I can juggle. I love Sundays at Church - we are in the same Church that we were married at so weekly I am reminded of that blessed day! I'm not such a good friend since I am horrible at keeping in touch. I am a middle child. Even before I became a Mom I loved kids and they love me (not t...

Has anyone read this article: Escaping the "Mommy Guilt" trap ? A BabyCenter poll finds that 94 percent of moms say they feel guilty. I'm in the 6% - Is that BAD ?! I have to admit that I was starting wondering if there was something wrong with me for NOT having Mommy Guilt.  Perhaps I am too new as a mommy to have developed this?? I'm really not sure.  Should I feel guilty for not feeling guilty? I do think about the day when our son learns to speak and express his feelings. I wonder how I will cope when hearing things like "mommy, please don't go" and such??  I am glad that I read the article to help me deal with those feelings of guilt if and when they do develop. I do work outside of the home but I am five to ten minutes away from being with our child (depending on the traffic lights between work to home).  The proximity eases my mind quite a bit.  At first I did contemplate what it would be like to stay home with him but I am more than hap...

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 for SocialSpark . All opinions are 100% mine. Mommy needs a time out! While I am absolutely loving being a Mom and all of the joys that go along with motherhood... I could greatly benefit from a few relaxing moments to myself.  While our son naps I would love to be able to go out onto our veranda and just sit. OK, I'll admit it now:  I'd be blogging...but at least getting fresh air and a touch of vitamin D at the same time! I would love to create a sanctuary for myself that would allow me to do just that.   My husband has his "man room" (I think most guys do).  Transforming some of our outdoor living area to "mommy's space" sounds like a fair trade to me.  I have found a few ideas for my "time out" corner.  I've included a picture above that shows the look and feel that I am attempting to achieve.  At Pier 1 I know that I could find just the perfect patterns for the se...

Is there a little something - a tip that you have kept as your own little secret that you'd like to I can convince you to share? It's been a while since I've posted anything as topics just haven't been coming to me as free flowing as I would like.  I've been caught up with work, fighting off a cold, being a mommy and wife, trying to lose a pound or two (or 7) etc.  I'm sure you all know the drill.  I had my light bulb moment and felt in the sharing mood.  There are a few things that I've learned in my 39 years of life that may seem trivial but may benefit another individual all the same. SO... I've decided to share ONE of my very many "hat tricks".  I guess we tend to hoard our precious little secrets because if word gets out life may suck.  No really, I don't know why we don't all shout from the rooftops all of the things that we learn to help each other out.  Hmm....I guess that I've just kept my opinions to ...

I am not kidding. I will do this: No Joke I am going to work out every day until May from here on. I hope that I can push myself.  Anyone wanna push me? Cynthia