frigidaire

Year In Review: Turning 40, Losing Teeth (The 7-Year-Old, Not Me), And More

January 5, 2010 By Blonde Mom 14 Comments

Happy 2010 everyone!

I thought I’d write a 2009 wrap-up post that is, uh, rather lengthy. Initially I wasn’t going to do this, but as I went through last year’s posts I was reminded of some really awesome things that occurred. I also had some fun blog opportunities for which I am very thankful.

I kicked the year off by poking fun at Dick Cheney and was wowed by Celine Dion along with several other Nashville mommy bloggers, thanks to the fabulous Alli Worthington of Blissdom Conference fame.

In February the hubby gave me an iPhone and it’s been love at first app. I asked my readers to tell me about their favorite iPhone apps in a post entitled My iPhone Brings All The Geeks To The Yard. I slept with White Trash Mom at Blissdom and drove my friend Amy Allen Clark to BFE for biscuits at The Loveless. I was interviewed by The Tennessean for an article about blogging and then everyone in the world (OK just my boss and a few co-workers) found out about my blog. The article is no longer on The Tennessean’s website, but Murfreesboro blogger Bona Fide Mama posted it. Why didn’t I think of that?

March brought a much anticipated spring break trip. I lamented about buying a bathing suit when you’re 39 and suffer from stomach flabalance. We went to beautiful Sandestin resort in Destin, Florida, for the first time and loved it! I uploaded a ton of pictures to my Flickr account if you’d like to check out our Sandestin pictures. This was the first travel review opportunity through my blog and I’m hoping we get to review more family travel destinations (oh Disney…hint hint, we are Magic Kingdom virgins!) I wrote about Miss A’s thumb sucking habit and lo and behold later she quit cold turkey so I’m glad I documented it.

FrenchBully

Miss A discovered her inner fashionista and practically slept in her new black boots. The girls got a French Bulldog puppy named Gigi vicariously through my dad. I took some of my all time favorite pictures of the girls by the Harpeth River for On A Bike, Down By The River. I also wrote one of my favorite posts of 2009 called I Wanna Be 6, Or At Least Have The Stress Level Of A 6-Year-Old. April also was the month Miss C finally lost a tooth! I became a Blogger Fit Ambassador for Lee Jeans and I wear their Slender Secret jeans darn near DAILY (see also aforementioned flabalanche phenomenon with a side of blogger’s butt).

Thomas Drugs

In May Miss C and I went to an old fashioned soda shop, Thomas Drugs, with my mom near my hometown. My sister completed her first sprint distance triathlon at the JCC here in Nashville. I toured the Fed Ex Super Hub in Memphis along with fellow Nashville mommy blogger Amy from Milkbreath and Margaritas. Miss C, our soccer girl, performed in her first ever formal dance recital and her gorgeous costume took my breath away. The hubby and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary and yes I did shave my legs.

Miss C tutu

The next month I joined the Sprout TV Band of Bloggers. I got sentimental in This Dress. We flew to St. Augustine, Florida, for summer vacation in what was a little reunion for my husband, who lived in that area for three years. We stayed at the Renaissance Resort in the World Golf Village and loved it! My blog was nominated for best local Nashville blog by Nick Jr.’s Parents Connect. I did not win but it was honor, as they say, just to be nominated.

Castillo

Miss A discovered my childhood cheerleading costume in July and looked flat out adorable in it. I kvetch about our local ice cream man. Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair was murdered and I recalled the first time we saw the then Tennessee Oilers play at Vanderbilt.

Miss A Cheerleader

Be still my heart, Miss C started second grade in August and Miss A celebrated by dressing like the Hello Kitty Unabomber. The hubby and I celebrated my 40th birthday with a trip to a lovely bed and breakfast in Asheville, North Carolina.

In September the girls and I ventured downtown to the library one rainy, miserable Saturday and we had a fantastic time watching the Nashville Ballet. Miss A invented The Poop Ghost. I invented The Tooth Fairy Authority Mom. We saw The Wiggles at Municipal Auditorium.

The Wiggles Concert Nashville

In October I was invited to the Nissan Sedan 2010 Media Preview and fell in lust with an Altima with leather interior. Rowwrrrr. I celebrated my 4th blogging anniversary and I admitted to being in a funk over turning 40. I reflected on my extinct boyfriends and give advice on how not to dress like a Cougar in the carpool lane. We had our first ER visit ever with a child with Miss A and it scared the pee out of me! Thankfully she was fine.

The fall brought more travel and we headed to Cumberland Falls, Kentucky, to celebrate a college friend’s 40th. But first, we had to get there. And that’s a whole notha story (there’s a reason I call myself “blonde” and it has nothing to do with my hair color). I became obsessed with AMC’s Mad Men Jon Hamm, my new favorite TV show. We searched for the Great Pumpkin.

Jon Hamm

Just a little eye candy to make sure you’ve made it this far. I know…just keep swimming, just keep swimming, I mean reading. You can do it. COME ON!

December brought another first for us as we were invited to ride in the downtown Franklin Christmas parade with friends (and we froze our booties off!) Our Akita mix Jack celebrated his birthday and I reflect on what a truly awesome beast he is.

I’m pretty excited about what 2010 holds. I say BRING IT!

Filed Under: Bloggy Things 14 Comments

If Lovin’ Dirty Laundry Is Bad, I Don’t Want To Be Good

September 30, 2009 By Blonde Mom 1 Comment

This is the last in a series of posts I’ve written about my Frigidaire Affinity washer and dryer as part of the Mom Central campaign that kicked off in July.

I’ve been married for 12 years and my Affinity front-loading washer and dryer have to be the nicest appliances we’ve ever owned. I feel like Jane Jetson or, better yet, a modern day Betty Draper every time I walk into our utility room. I just need a laundry robot to fold everything, mix martinis, and bake homemade apple pies. Actually toss Don Draper into the mix, strolling into the kitchen to read the paper and drink his morning coffee and, well, that’s my little domestic fantasy, OK?

It’s been a real treat for me because, let’s face it, washing dirty britches is a fairly mundane task. I have been really pleased with the overall quality of the appliances, but I thought I’d point out a few areas that haven’t been all gleaming and spot free, but I can honestly say it’s pretty difficult to find anything too noteworthy. First of all if you are short like me (I am barely 5 ft. 2) and you purchase the pedestals for the appliances (which I highly recommend because OH MY LORD the storage space) then you may have a bit of trouble pouring bleach or liquid detergent into the slots at the top. We also have a small concrete ledge that’s about 2 inches high that our washer and dryer sit on and that makes it even tougher to reach. There is a rubber “lip” at the opening of the washing machine that tends to catch miscellaneous things, mostly random weird stuff my 4-year-old likes to collect in her pockets, like pumpkin seeds and wood mulch chips from the playground. I’ve also read that it’s common for front-loading machines to tend to get stinky, so I’m going to start leaving the washing machine door open so it can air out. But so far I haven’t detected anything smelly, other than our usual two dogs.

Now, how would you like a chance to own a swanky Frigidaire appliance?

Actress Jennifer Garner, a mom to two girls like me, has teamed up with Frigidaire to ask moms to think ahead to November 1 (remember spring forward, fall back)and pledge to use that time to help make a difference in the lives of children. Save the Children created the CHANGE program (Creating Healthy, Active, and Nurturing Growing-up Environments) to promote healthier lifestyles for children living in poverty by providing nutritious snacks and regular opportunities for them to get physically active.

Frigidaire will donate $1 to support CHANGE for anyone who visits Frigidaire.com and pledges to make time for a child. Everyone who pledges will also be entered for a chance to win a new Frigidaire Professional double wall oven. Mom Central is also giving away a Frigidaire Professional double wall oven! Visit Mom Central online and tell them about your pledge and how you would give back your time to children in need. A random winner will be chosen from all entries…good luck!

Filed Under: Bloggy Things, Domestic Diva 1 Comment

Saving Time, And My Sanity, In The Laundry Room

September 26, 2009 By Blonde Mom 3 Comments

I was extremely fortunate to be one of several mom bloggers chosen by Mom Central to work on the Frigidaire Test Drive campaign this year. We received an Affinity front load washing machine and dryer from Frigidaire in July, which features many time saving features, something busy moms like me covet. Also, it comes in a candy apple red color so it’s like the mid-life crisis washer and dryer, although I chose boring, practical white because the red would have clashed with our burgundy walls in the utility room.

The 7.0 cubic foot dryer has a trademarked “Fits-More” design and is the largest capacity dryer in a standard size. This is a huge selling point for me since I wash a lot of large items, like bedding, towels, and dog beds. The Affinity dryer also features DrySense technology, meaning it dries your clothes more precisely, reducing wrinkles. This is another huge selling point as my iron has a rejection complex since I avoid it at all costs.

Clean Laundry

Sadly even with the Rolls Royce of washer and dryers now at my service, I still have to fold the clean laundry and put it away.

I have one more post to write for the blog tour and I’ll have some great news about a Hollywood actress who has teamed up with Frigidaire for a great cause next week, PLUS a contest you’ll want to hear about in which you can enter to win a Frigidaire professional double wall oven.