Bored Mom Blog

Such a hard day.

2007-09-12T21:29:00.001-07:00

Wow. Today took the wind out of my sail. Today was the first day of kindegarten for my daughter. She wasn't able to start on the first day of school last week, due to a freaky virus, and subsequent ear infection. For the past week, I had been very eager to take her to school. However, when I pulled up this morning to hand my child over to the *institution*, I immediately froze. I could feel hot tears well up in my eyes, as I plastered on a forced smile for my daughter. "We're here!" I announced, trying not to choke. My daughter rounded up her much-too-big backpack, and Hello Kitty lunch bag. With coach-like support, I told her that today was going to be a lot of fun, and it would be nice to meet new friends. She put on her gameface, and we waited outside the white fence. She asked me why we were waiting. We had arrived ten minutes early, because I didn't want her to be late for her first day. I also wanted to take pictures of her arriving at school, entering school, gleefully meeting her teacher, etc. The drop off was brief though. Her teacher came out, and said hello, and quickly brushed her inside. Where was my pomp and circumstance? I felt cheated, and not ready to go. I asked the teacher if I could go inside, and watch for awhile. Sure, I was granted that. Inside, there was a room filled with toys, and this room served as a convergence for multiple classes. My daughter, feeling shy, made an valiant effort to socialize. A smile here, a comment there, my baby was making a real effort to reach out. The other children looked disinterested, and walked away. My insides were ripping apart, and I felt the air drain from my lungs. Still plastered with a muted smile, I encouraged my daughter to play with a boy in the corner, playing with foam blocks. Another teacher walked by and introduced him, and then finished the introduction with, "but he doesn't ever like to smile." The boy who had only been at school for a week, was already wrapped in a label. He looked at me with curious eyes, and then back at his blocks. My daughter looked at me and grimaced, as if waiting for a clue. I grimaced back, as I didn't have one. Finally it was time to go to her classroom. The kids lined up, and my daughter was instructed to join in. They marched to their classroom, and put their things away. The teacher introduced my daughter to her almost all-boy class. The bitty soldiers then lined up on the circle mat, and sat down to do roll call. I could hear my daughter, clearly, say hello, when her name was called. She was pensive, but strong. My legs were weak, and my stomach churned in a knot. The kids were then instructed to stand up and sing the good morning song. It was a new song than what she sang at pre-school, and she turned around in mid-song and gave me the grimace again. I shrugged as my answer, and she turned again. Finally, it was time to do the pledge of alliance. One boy was squirming, and was reprimanded firmly. This was serious, and this was a time to be respectful. The voice boomed, and I could see my daughter's back straighten - and I could sense she was scared of this new authority, and important protocal. After the flag was put away, they lined up again. It was time to go outside and play. I saw my daughter with a smidgen of smile on her face when the keyword "play" was announced. This was my time to leave. Take the smile, take the high-note and bail, I told myself, as this may be my only chance. I patted her on the shoulder and told her to have a great day, and told all the kids to have fun. With a stoic stare ahead, she nodded her head. Keep it together I told myself. I don't remember walking out of the school, but some how there I was at my car door. I realized I had forgotten to lock my door before. And the second my hand touched the car door handle, it hit me like a wave of despair. And, just like that, my daughter was no longer a baby anymore.

Halloween Costume Coupon Codes

2007-08-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

Hidee ho. Here's my most recent list of Halloween Costume coupon codes. Whether you are looking for a saucy medieval maiden outfit for yourself, or that Mermaidia Fairy costume for your little one, these are the sites to scope out & get a good deal at the same time:

Halloween Costumes (yes, already!!)

We've already posted the hottest costumes for Halloween 2007! Click here to see the top ten selling costumes for girls, boys, and adults.

SUPER FAV!!!!!!!! Oriental Trading Company offers tons of
great stuff for Halloween Parties, Treats, etc. Use
this link and get Free Shipping on orders of $60 or more at Oriental Trading
Company! Enter coupon code RLS100 at checkout. Shop Now!

Costume Coupon Alert! Save $5 on your order at Shindigz.coomof $50+ when you
use this link and offer code SZCJE7 at checkout (good through
12/31/07). or Click here to see all the current Halloween Costume Coupon Codes

The Fright Catalog was named "best overall" for Halloween shopping by the Wall Street
Journal! Halloween Delivered!Click here and use the coupon code: BOOGIE and get
5% off!

Petri Dish Air - How to Get Sick on a Plane Without Really Trying

2007-08-28T07:34:00.000-07:00

Departing Seattle airport last night, our plane, among many others, sat idle on the tarmac while waiting for Air Force One to depart. Apparently under national security law, no planes or autos may move around the airport, or in surrounding airspace until the President has boarded the plane, taxi'd down the runway, and taken off and flown a safe distance away. This also means that if Shrub has a hankering for a Cinnabun at the airport, y'all are waiting on the tarmac until every last sugary bite has been consumed, and the secret service have finished wiping Prez's fingers with a wet wipe. I digress. Hours later, our plane leaves. It was the typical waiting on the tarmac conditions...hot, crying babies, completely full plane, and two dinky toilets working overtime in the back. Did I mention we sat in the very back?

After our plane had taken off and reached cruising altitude, the drink cart barreled down the aisle to the front of the plane. I watched two staff members, a male and female, serve drinks to all the passengers. I will give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they washed their hands thoroughly before serving drinks, even though I saw one open the bathroom door to grab a towel before leaving with the drink cart. For the most part, the staff members would grab the cups by the bottoms, pour drinks in, but then hand the drink to patrons from the top rim area. I also observed these same staff members picking up left over trash from patrons a long the way. The female stewardess grabbed a baby bottle from the top, held it, poured milk in it, and pretty much put every part of her hands on that baby bottle. Whew! Better hope Mom didn't change a diaper without washing hands before grabbing that bottle.

After drink round one is served, the staff pick up empty cups by the rims, and throw them away. They then wheel the cart down the aisle again for new drinks and or refills. Contaminated hands continue to grab the rims and the passengers of flight Petri Dish now all share a cornacoppia of bacteria and viruses. Let's see E. Coli from the baby diaper or bathroom door. Strep, Hepatitis ..but hey, what's a little benign Rhinovirus shared among us?

This scenario plays out over and over, every day, on thousands of flights a day. Here's what you can do to protect yourself.

Bring your own handiwipes. Office stores often sell the prepackaged moistened towelettes with antibacterial on them. This won't kill everything, but it's a great thing to use if you simply must use the airline toilet.

Bring your own straws. Let's say your cup is contaminated from the outside rim area and down. A clean straw that goes directly into the clean cup with minimize your exposure to the potential germ stew that may be brewing on your cup.

Ask your steward to pull and serve the cup from the bottom. Yes, they will glare at you, and maybe even say something snide, but this is YOUR health. Don't get a cold, or something worse, because you feel like you may offend. If anything, staff get busy and harried and often don't realize they are doing this. It's not intentional on their part, it's just part of the job. By saying something, quietly, you are actually doing them a favor by reminding them of their duty to protect us when on a plane. Whether it's showing us how to use the life jackets, or where the emergency exits are located, or protecting us from the latest strain of flu, they will be better at their job by being true stewards of the air and really making a difference in air safety.

Halloween is in the air!!

2007-08-15T16:26:00.000-07:00

I don't care! Call me a freak. The minute September 1st hits, I'm decorating for Halloween! Now, I don't decorate with creepy skulls and gore. I'm more of the pumpkin, scarecrow, let's keep it rated G type of gal. I admit, I'm somewhat of a dork when it comes to my decorations. Over the years, much to my husband's dismay, I have collected Dept. 56 and other knock-off 'Spooky houses' that either light up, or are animated. My collection takes up valuable storage space, so all the more reason I should pull it out in September, right?

I have already ordered my daughter's Halloween costume. Last year, I waited too long, and it became a huge ordeal filled with stress and tears, as the time ticked on, and we didn't have the RIGHT Ariel Little Mermaid costume. We were unable to find the RIGHT mermaid wig, and ended up buying a strawberry blonde Sleeping Beauty one. The horrors...the travesty.. but, NOPE! Not this year...I'm so on it.

For ideas on costumes, and links to current Halloween Costume Coupon Codes, click here: (from cute kid costumes, to yummy mummy costumes..check it out!)

Halloween Costume Directory

Boy's Halloween Costumes - Pirates, Spider Man, Shrek, Star Wars and more

Women's Halloween Costumes - Princess, Geisha Girl, Good Witch, Bad Witch, Elvira, Pirate Woman, Athena Costume, Renaissance Costumes and more.

Girl's Halloween Costumes - So cute! Little girls typically like to be pretty on Halloween, not scary - check out these adorable costume picks. Princess, Fairy, Barbie, Hello Kitty Princess, Super Girl, Little Mermaid and more.

Baby Halloween
Costumes - This is the TOP TEN
selling list for babies this year. Don't forget to check
out the new Tom Arma Baby costumes (link below)

NEW -
Tom Arma Baby Costumes -
Limited Edition, and SUPER SUPER cute! When these sell
out for the season, that's it!

NEW - Halloween Coupon Codes - This is the page
with current COUPON CODES for your favorite Halloween
websites!

Special Theme Costumes:

Harry Potter costumes

Adult Renaissance Faire Costumes

Adult STAR WARS™ & Sci-Fi Costumes

Child STAR WARS™ & Sci-Fi Costumes

Happy Summer to You!

2007-08-06T14:50:00.000-07:00

Hi Bored Moms (and Dads) - Can you believe it's August already? August makes me think of school starting, and that makes me think of fall, and then I think about Halloween and crisp, dry nights, and before you know it, I have the crock pot out and I'm eager to make up a big hot crock pot of vegetable stew. Then my husband always makes fun of me because I'm making stew and it's like 80 outside. I can't help it...it's like a knee-jerk reaction. Does anyone else greet August with mixed emotion? It's great to be wearing shorts, but at the same time it signals darker evenings, cooler days, the real end of the Endless Summer. Here are a few of my favorite Back to School Sale websites, and links to sites that have Clearance items on Halloween. It's never too early to get a good deal, and avoid the *crush* of shopper clamoring over these things. Make life easy - shop online.

Oriental Trading company has an AWESOME clearance center right now on their website. You have to look for the clearance button, but I promise you won't be disappointed. Cheap, fun Halloween ideas! Get them now, get them cheap. Click here: Items for $1 each!

Fun, inexpensive personalized items for Back to School (like backpacks and towels) and Lillian Vernon often has a great toy area that I think most people often overlook. Fun, educational choices, and their sale area has been GOLD for me, especially in picking out unique Birthday presents for the school year. Click on the banner for the shopping link, and to get a flat $4.98 shipping. Bargain!

8000 square feet

2007-05-03T15:28:00.000-07:00

As I sit here, mid-afternoon, fighting off the desire for a nap, I'm watching the most amazing thing unfold in my backyard. My tiny, compact yard (most of which is taken up by house, garage and pool), is full of animals - both wild and domestic. There is a natural surreal cohesion going on, and it's like looking at one of those brightly colored animal calendars that I had as a kid. The sun is shining, the green grass freshly cut even and uniform, and spring flowers are bursting in a color competition.

In the midst of this ideal setting, there are baby skunks, six of them, actually, that have decided that my yard is the most desirable one on the block. One has been sleeping by my front door, and the others come and go between the bushes, but mostly they graze on my lawn in search of bugs, like tiny fuzzy cows.

My cats simply walk by, as if the skunks are part of the landscape. My rabbit lazes in his cage, and sits up for attention or to smell the wind.

Our golden retriever is sunning herself in a happy bliss, and occasionally takes herself for a swim in the pool. There are two hummingbirds which sit on my front deck railing, in between frenzied flower feedings. When my daughter plays in her room, they often come up as a pair and chirp at her, enjoying the mutual noise they all create.

A fuzzy-headed, yet unidentified black bird with white chest chatters up a storm when he sees us, and does not fly from us, ever. He will often come closer as if he's telling me the day's news before pooping on my Adironack chair. The orange tree is "his", he says.

A hawk sits in a tall pine and eyes the protein-rich yummies that are abundant in my yard. We all scowl at him, and tell him to get a rat.

Rats and mice, are unfortunately abundant and plentiful. My cat Kirby will often bring us one, usually alive and frisky, around 3 a.m. What's fun for him simply must be fun for the whole family.

Gophers are tunneling through my yard, and serve as amusement for my other cat, who will sit for hours and hours waiting for a 'head' sighting.

Ducks will eat water beetles out of our pond at dusk, and the raccoons will get what the ducks missed several hours later in the dark of night, chattering away in gangster fashion.

This nature show, as I call it, happens on a very small plot of land. However, it's on every day and it will always be my most favorite 'channel'.

Bored Mom Valentine's Day Picks for 2007!

2007-01-11T17:06:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Need a little gift-giving inspiration? No problem. Here are some FUN and creative NEW ideas for Valentine's day for both Guys, Gals & Kids!

http://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-690191-10458380
Show your honey-bun just how much you care, or embarrass them to no end. Either way, it's a great idea. Go out to dinner on Valentine's Day and shout out your love with one of these great, sassy-fit, customized T's!

A Snuggly Bathrobe

Nothing says I love you like a fresh bath robe. Plus, your old one is looking ratty. Get this for yourself, and then get one for hubby, mom, sister, & daugther. Stay warm, stay cuddly, and it's a gift that wraps around like a hug! Did I just really say that? Wow.
This site offers international shipping to the UK and to Canada as well.

Tickets to a Concert or Sporting Event

Want to get big big brownie points? Give the tickets on Valentine's Day. Put them inside the Valentine's Day card - this gift says, " I love you (hence why I am giving you these tickets), and I must want to spend time with you because these tickets are for a later date (please take me?)"

The Scooba
If I got this gift from my husband as a newly married bride, I think I would of cried. For days. Now, after years of sweeping and cleaning, I am ready to welcome this gift with OPEN OPEN arms. Any little robot that does my housework, is A-OK with me. I am going to name mine R2D2. The Scooba Floor-Washing Robotic Vacuum
Bored Mom Pick!
Husbands!! To be safe: you may want to include some Flowers or Chocolate with this gift.

The Hottest Coolest Chocolate of the Year
Step aside Godiva, there's a new chocolatier in town. This trendy coco-purveyor offers an ALL-DARK chocolate gift selection. This gift is traditional, yet yip - especially with the all dark chocolate offerings, which as supposently healthier than it's milk-choco counterparts.
Throw in a bottle of heart healthy red wine, and it's like you're giving health food! Ok, maybe not, but this may increase your chances of getting lucky.

OK, This is for the BOYS
What is their obsession with motorcycles? If your guy is a chopper nut, but you have NO idea what to get him..may I suggest a gift card from Orange County Choppers? He'll appreciate the gift and even more..enjoy choosing something BAD TO THE BONE to buy. Or, whatever.
If you are scared what he may choose, then go the simple route and get him the T-Shirt or Hat, and stuff with Candy.

For the Kiddos!
Ahhh, young love. Remember passing paper invitations at school, and reading WAY too into those candy heart messages from boys (with cooties)? Don't forget to give your littlest Valentines a little something that says, no matter what, Mommy loves you best!
Lillian Vernon offers the CUTEST personalized Sleeping Bags ever! Fun to use at home, in the backyard, or on sleepovers! They have cats, gardens, spaceships, trucks, flowers, and more more more! Select a sleeping bag and have your child's name personalized on it!
Get a 15% Discount on all orders over $100!

c o n f e s s i o n

2006-11-21T09:12:00.000-08:00

My Daughter's room is often looks like a tornado has hit it.
I pick up the socks, put small game pieces back in their boxes, stack puzzles and books, and put dolls back in their appropriate bins, but within minutes of clean-up, the room will get overturned again.

The other day I was vaccuuming, and I saw a little pink barbie shoe on the floor. I have seen this pink shoe before. I am always picking up these miniscule footwear pieces. I saw it, and then I vacuumed over it on purpose. For a brief moment, my adrenaline surged.
It felt good to rid the floor of the tiny pink heel. Actually, it felt great. I wasn't just ridding the world of a pink shoe, but for me, it was a statement against ALL the small annoying pieces that come with games and doll sets. This was for all moms, everywhere! Down with useless floor-level microscopic plastic pieces! My lower back felt relief instantly. Wow, one less back bend for the day.

Then I felt remorse - would my daughter be looking for this little shoe later?It's been 3 weeks since the pink shoe incident, and she hasn't noticed its disappearance.

Today, I spotted a red shoe on the floor. I'm going in....

Toys Kids Want for Christmas - 2006

2006-11-06T08:40:00.000-08:00

Toys Kids Want for Christmas - 2006

This list is hot & fresh off the press! These are the latest toys coming out now, that kids want for Christmas. They all range in price, but one thing is for sure - the list has HOT ITEMS! So, this means that they will most likely sell out fast. Shop early this year, and get the coolest toys for the kids.

Furreal Butterscotch Pony

Want to give your child a pony? Now you can, and you don't even have to clean up after it. Already selling out in the big department stores, Butterscotch promises to be the 'it' toy for little girls across the nation.

The will amaze kids and adults alike with her level of “awareness” and realism. She can move her head up and down, and back and forth, and her eyes open and close. Sensors enable BUTTERSCOTCH to respond and interact with the child. When her mane is brushed, a child will hear contented whinnies. When her ears are tickled, she will turn her head and try to find you. When she gets hungry, she’ll happily “eat” her very own carrot. And, when she’s had enough, she’ll shake her head to let you know she’s full. Petting her muzzle will cause her to sniff! $299

Curious George Mini Cube Puzzle

Oppenheim Best Toy Gold Award Winner! Children will think that playing with this Curious George Mini-Cube Puzzle is a blast! Margret and H.A. Rey?s classic literary character comes to life in this adorable illustration on a Mudpuppy puzzle. Pick up one of these 36 piece puzzles packaged in a unique, cube-shaped stackable box and delight your children today! 4 1/4 x 4 1/4 inches Colorful rope handle Puzzle measures 16 x 16 inches Ages 3 and up. By Mudpuppy Click here to buy.

Princesses - Still Top the List

If you have a daughter, age 2-5, you know that anything Princess still reigns in her heart. There's no stopping this trend! Let your child's imagination soar, as she plays dress-up in her favorite princess costume. Princess Costumes

Kids Pedal Car Sedan - Pretty In Pink

She's all pink and white and chrome and waiting for a princess to pedal off in her. Just like the originals, our pedal car is made of heavy gauge steel and is ready for hours of play.

Standard features include chrome-trimmed windshield, chrome hood ornament, chrome steering wheel and chrome hub caps. Adjustable pedals. Recommended ages 2 to 6 years old. Adult supervision required. 10% off all Pedal Cars, use Coupon Code PEDAL

Lip Plumper Fad

2005-10-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

I'm over my cold. Finally.

Two days ago, I ventured into the mall. I finally succumbed to my inner aging voice, and purchased the new "Freeze 24/7 Lip Plumper". These 'non-prescriptive' anti-plastic surgery' remedies are appealing to me. I thought, "How Cool...a lip gloss that will make my lips look plumper, without the cost of pricey collagen injections". However, at $42 bucks a tube, this wasn't a cheap cosmetic. Immediately after purchasing, I removed the tube of gloss from the slick packaging and put some on. My lips started to tingle (irritated) and sure enough within 15 minutes, my lips did look a little fuller and softer. My husband confirmed it as we walked around the mall. Wow, I felt super model cool. $42 well spent!

Yesterday, my daughter and I were playing in her room and she asked for her 'glitter lipgloss' set she won at Chuck E. Cheese last weekend. Although I really didn't want blue, purple and green lipgloss smeared across her room, I gave in since I was there to supervise. We opened the pink plastic castle shaped lipgloss case, and my daughter put an array of colors on my mouth. First blue, then pink, then purple. I felt utterly sticky and glimmery. Then a strange tingle sensation spread across my lips. Wait a minute! This is the same feeling I got from my uber expensive lipgloss from Macy's! In about 5 minutes, my lips were BIGGER and plumper than the Freeze 7/24! I asked my daughter if her mouth felt 'tingly' and she said yes. We both wiped our mouths off and I put the princess lipgloss away.

I later grabbed both cosmetics and started comparing ingredients. They did share some of the same ingredients..namely titanium dioxide and mica. Both mild lip irritants?

Nevertheless, I'm headed back to Macy's today to return my pricey lipgloss. Maybe I'll exchange it for a shirt, or something more sane.

If you see a woman at Chuck E. Cheese madly playing games trying to win lots of tickets -- that's me. I want more of that princess castle shaped lipgloss!