Life Lessons Friday

1)  I made a promise to myself, to always believe in and be supportive of my daughter's abilities.  Yet many times she has proven herself in ways that made me realize just how often I had unintentionally underestimated her.

2)  God's timing is always perfect.

3)  There are actually people out there, 'friends' I've never met, who would go out of their way to help me out.  Time and time again I was rendered speechless by the level of kindness and sincerity they've shown me.

4)  It sucks to find out, that even on those rare occasions when I successfully deluded myself into thinking that I was a good writer, there was always somebody better.  F*cking hell.

5)  Just when I thought blogging was such hard work, I found out that it's actually... even harder.

6)  The other day I complained to Mr. LA about how much I hated all the blatant sucking up that some bloggers (don't worry, it's not you) were doing, and how differently they treated the big names from the little names.  Mr. LA said, "Guess what?  That sounds like life to me."

Ah, maybe that's why I don't have a life.

7)  You don't die from a broken heart.  Or at least, not right away.

8)  It is possible for an almost-seven year-old to be the one to teach you how to play chess.

9)  There comes a point in your life when elastic-waist pants suddenly makes sense.

10)  Don't name your blog Do Sweat the Small Stuff with an equally long web address: http://dosweatthesmallstuffblog.blogspot.com/

Why?  Try typing that 15-20 times.  Know what I mean??

Friday Hops

Co-hosted by Crazy about My Baybah, Family and Life in Las Vegas, and SAPsMaMa.

This week’s featured co-host is  Crazy and Cool with a side of Crafty!

Click here to link up!

Brought to you by SmookieStyle AND Mom vs The Boys!

 

Friday Hops

Co-hosted by Crazy about My Baybah, Family and Life in Las Vegas, and SAPsMaMa.

This week’s featured co-host is Living at Whitehead’s Zoo!

Click here to link up!

Brought to you by SmookieStyle AND Mom vs The Boys!

  (Special thanks to @katieb38, @ByGollyMsHolly, @MarandaLamping, Sandy, and Pam for their question suggestions!)

1. Vow renewal ceremonies-yay or nay?

 I think it's sweet, and I wish one of my friends would do it so I could be invited to one, but it's not something I'd do myself (although right now it looks like it's about time to remind my husband of his vows. LOL)

2. What sound/s annoy you the most?
I'm clearly becoming a grumpy old lady... I get annoyed at the slightest sounds!  Ugh, pretty much anything that disturbs my peace and quiet is annoying!  Oh, and for some reason, other people's mobile ringers annoyed the heck out of me.

3. If you had to pick, would you have only all boys, or only all girls for kids?
I have only one child, a daughter, so I'll have to go with all girls.  I love playing dress-ups and go all pinkalicious.  It's true.

4. Do you believe in alternative medicine?
I do, but I wouldn't rely on it solely.

5. Would you take a family members children and raise them if they needed it? 

Absolutely, without a doubt.  I think it's important to provide children with a stable environment where they can grow knowing that they are loved unconditionally.  When I was small, there was a time, after my parents' divorce, when I came to live with different aunts because my father was out gambling for days.  My mother was away pursuing her studies.  If it weren't for my aunts and their families, I'd probably end up on the streets.  I would do the same for any of my family members.

Friday Hops

Co-hosted by Crazy about My Baybah, Family and Life in Las Vegas, and SAPsMaMa.

This week’s featured co-host is Create with Joy!.

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Brought to you by SmookieStyle AND Mom vs The Boys!

(Special thanks to @ThisDaddys_Blog, @LauraPankratz, @PattiJensen, @zachsgang, @emenchho1 for their question suggestions!

Questions for Friday, July 22nd:

1. If your husband had the BIG V and you got pregnant what would your first reaction be?  For the dudes, what would your first reaction be if your wife told you she was pregnant after the Big V?  I think my first reaction would be like, sh*t, I better made sure my husband knows it’s his.

2. Best memory about this summer so far.

Being able to spend some time with my mom and daughter, just the three of us, in Paris for ten days.

3. How often do you change your sheets? Your kids sheets?

Borrowed from s1ckb1tch.blogspot.com

I’m OCD, so I changed them quite frequently, like once every three days.  The same goes for my daughter’s. 

4. Having just gone through TSA, would you rather have a full-body scan or a pat-down?

I prefer a full-body scan.  I hate a pat-down because somehow it made me feel like my personal space was being violated.  But then again, I hate TSA in general.  Some of them were really rude and unnecessarily so.  I fully understand the need for strict security measures, but at least they can do it in a civilized manner.  Once I shouted back at one officer after he screamed at my daughter, who was only 5 at the time, for touching the door while I was inside one of those inspection glass cubicles.  What the f*ck?!?  She was so shocked, she literally jumped up and her eyes went wide.  My mother instinct kicked in, and I was so furious, I went on a shouting match with a Homeland Security officer.  At the end, I was lucky I didn’t get arrested (!!), and even went on to file a complaint report against that officer.    

5. Since it is fair time...what's your favorite fair (county or state) memory?

It’s been a while since I went to a fair.  I remembered the fairs that one of my schools used to have at the beginning of each fall, though.  It was so much fun!  The smell of caramel popcorn and cotton candy in the air, the hoots and laughter at the water dunk booth, and the lights blinking on the ferris wheel on the night sky.  It also signaled the beginning of the dating season.  The boys would ask the girls they’d like to date to ride on a ferris wheel with them.  I still giggled every time I remember those times! 

Click here to link up!

Friday Hops

Co-hosted by Crazy about My Baybah, Family and Life in Las Vegas, and SAPsMaMa.

This week’s featured co-host is Messages from the Muellers.

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Brought to you by SmookieStyle AND Mom vs The Boys!

Questions for Friday, July 14th: (Special thanks to @katieb38, @trooppetrie, @Simply_BC, @PardonMyDust, and @RachelR77 for their question suggestions)

1. If you knew your best friend's spouse was cheating on her or him, would you tell her (him)?

Yes, I definitely would.  It would break her heart, and it's not something that I ever want to do.  In certain cases, "ignorance is bliss," but when it involves my best friend and her marriage, I believe in letting her know.  Her awareness of what's going on is important so that she can decide which step she would take onwards--whether her marriage is worth fighting for or it's time to throw in the white towel.

2. Soda in a can or a bottle?

I like cans because when you put them in the refrigerator, they're super cold!!! 

3. What do you wash first, hair or body?

Hair.  I wash myself systematically from top to bottom.  lol.

4. What advice would you give to any new mama?

Don't ever worry that you're a bad mama.  The fact that you're worrying  is already a sign that you're a good mother.

5. What is your best hangover remedy?

Every time I had too much to drink, I always tried to vomit it out.  Gross, I know, but it did wonders for the morning after.  At times when I failed to do so, Panadol works best.

Click here to link up!

Bee Friendly Friday Follow, Facebook Friday, and 5 Question Friday

Welcome to Bee Friendly Friday Follow! Co-hosted by Crazy about My Baybah, Family and Life in Las Vegas, and SAPsMaMa. This hop is about meeting new friends and finding fun blogs to read. So link up, grab our button, and BEE FRIENDLY!!

This week’s featured co-host is Mom-A-Logues!

Bee Friendly and show her some love!   

Here are the guidelines:

1. Add your blog to the linky below. If you want to post the follow you can get the InLinkz code.

2. Follow the hosts in the #1, #2 , and #3 spots, and the co-host in the #4 spot! Leave a comment, and we will follow you back! (Please be sure to leave your blog address too!)

3. Grab our new Bee Friendly button to share the fun.

4. Bee Friendly, and visit the blogs that catch your eye.

5. If you get a new follower, Bee Friendly, and return the love!

Click here for the linky!

You can like my FB page here: http://facebook.com/dosweat

Hosted by My Little Life

Questions for Friday, July 8th: (Special thanks to Sandy, Pam, @chickensbees, @kristinascackles, and @my4redheads for their question suggestions!

1. Do you think cursive writing is overrated? (Schools in Indiana have now voted to take teaching cursive writing out of their curriculum.) 

If you think cursive writing is hard, just imagine having to learn these...

 I don't think cursive writing should be made into a necessity, but coming from a generation that placed quite an importance on it, I've come to appreciate its beauty.  Especially now that I'm older, I'm glad I can write cursive quite well.  It's an art that is becoming more rare nowadays.
2. Do you still use a pocket calendar or notepad or do you keep your info on your smart phone?

Soon, very soon... I'll be doing this exact same thing...

 I definitely don't use a pocket calendar or notepad or anything else that would make my already heavy handbag even heavier.  I must admit though, that I'm also terrible at keeping any info in my blackberry and iphone updated!  So I basically have been relying on my very short term memory and whatever papers I could scribble on at the time.  Yeah, bad, bad mommy!

3. What 3 things would you save if your house was burning down? (family & pets are already safe)

Yes, this is a very possible scenario for me if my house's on fire

 HAHAHAHA.  My friends would have a hoot with this one.  Sorry, insiders' secret...  Okay, 3 things: my handbag collection (don't ask, it's a long story), my important document folder (birth certificate, etc.), and most likely my jewelry box.  Why does this question make me feel rather shallow? hmm...

4. Country Mouse or City Mouse, err Person?City Mouse through and through.  Can't live without my internet, my cable, my car, and the shopping malls nearby.

5. If you could pick ANY reality show to go on, which would you pick?

 I'm not a fan of reality show... but if I must pick, then I'll probably pick the easiest ones, like the Real Housewives of... series.  That's the only one I can think of that doesn't involve doing and consuming bizarre stuff (just being one of the housewives there already qualifies as bizarre).

Friday Hops

Bee Friendly Friday Follow

 Co-hosted by Crazy about My Baybah, Family and Life in Las Vegas, and SAPsMaMa.

This week’s featured co-host is A Spicy Boy, A Cat, and My Fat Ass Blog, who blogs about her weight loss, coping with anxiety, depression, with videos, poetry, product reviews, and much more.

Click here to link up!

Hosted by SmookieStyle

Special thanks to Sandy, Sharayha, Pam, dosweatthesmallstuff, and @my4redheads for their question suggestions! 

Hosted by @5crookedhalos

1. If you had the opportunity to bungee jump, would you?

My answer would probably be: "Are you f*cking kiddin me?? Hell no!" before.  However, trauma to my brain cells brought about by recent events had apparently produced a slight change to my answer now.  So my answer is, "Are you f*cking kiddin me?? Hell YEAH!!"

2. Would you rather go to the movie theater or to the drive-in?

This is where I'm not too nostalgic about the past.  I like to enjoy my movies in all its glory: with all the latest high-tech sound system, picture quality, and the comfort of a good seat in a movie theater.  I also don't like spilling popcorn, tomato ketchup, and those nacho cheese anywhere inside my car.  I don't mind doing the same at the movie theater though... (what are you giving me *that* look for??).  

3. Do you have your groceries delivered?

Yes and No.  I love supermarkets... I enjoy walking down all the aisles and looking at all the different stuff on the shelves.  Yeah, fine, so I do like shopping in general.  What I don't like, though, is having to carry the entire motherload of shopping bags to my car all by myself.  

Sooo... yes, delivery whenever my grocery looks like they weigh a ton, and no on days when I just want to go to the supermarket to get a nail polish remover... or some condoms. 

4. Eyebrows: Do you wax, thread, pluck, or stay au naturel?

I pluck.  I'm a pluck lover.  I pluck everything.  Remember my post, Bikini Whacks?

5. Would the people you went to high school with be surprised by your life today?

Couldn't be more surprised.  Married soon after college, had a baby within a year, became a full-time wife and mother, and now, a soon-to-be divorced, single mother.  Who's thinking of going to Pre-Med.  Damn, I surprised even myself!

Five Questions Friday (June 24th)

   (Special thanks to @TheSpunkyDiva,@dosweatthesmall, Maryanne, AdventurezInChildRearing, and Pam for their question suggestions! 

Questions for Friday, June 24th:

  1. What is your current favorite TV show?

Criminal Minds, hands down.  I haven't missed a single episode out of the entire 6 seasons.  Love the suspense, the story line, and the cast.  My favorite characters are: Dr. Reed, Hotch, and Penelope Garcia.


2. What's the worst haircut you ever got?
A chin-length, noodle-bowl cut with blunt fringe, partly burnt from a bad perm.  It took me one year and a half to completely get rid of it.  Luckily, by some kind of divine intervention, I was smart enough not to take any pictures of myself while sporting that particular hairdo-don't.  But in an effort to show you what it looked like, I managed to get these pictures:  

Who knew that years later, Lady Gaga wore the same hairstyle I did?!?  This is how my hair looked like on a good day.

This is what it looked like on a bad day

OK, so now you know.



3. What was something that you did as a child that you thought you were so cool for doing?

And I thought I was sooo cool...

 Wearing United Colors of Benetton from top to bottom, with the latest pair of LA Gears sneakers with stitchings on the sides that could change colors!  
Yes, my history of being a fashion victim began early in life. 


4. Do you have any GREAT frugal family fun tips?
I really believe in the saying, "The best things in life are free."  Of all the fun times we had as a family, most of them actually happened when they weren't planned, and when we made the best out of whatever we had around us at that moment.


5. Would you drive across country if you had the money to fly?

 Absolutely.  I love to drive and I'd love to be able to go on a road trip some day.  With the people I love the most -- my hubbs, my daughter, and my mom.