Monday, August 02, 2010

iS aNyBoDy ouT THeRe?

Tap tap tap ...

Hello?

Is anybody out there? Anyone still listening in MaNiCLaND? I wouldn't fault you if you're not. It's been so long. And there's so much to blog about, I don't know where to start. Nothing major, just trying to concrete my life. Yeah, I know that doesn't really make any sense, but those are the words that came to me. I'm trying to make my life "stick" into place. Nothing bad's been happening, so that's been good. We're plugging away, and the next major step is school, which starts 2 weeks from today. So, quite possibly, you could be reading a post 2 weeks from right now that's filled with tears and angst about how my kids hate school and wish they were REALLY back in Chicago. But for now, things are getting "concrete" and it's OK. So, for a quick update, I'll just bullet-point some things that have been happening, with promises to update more. Because, I *think* there are a few of you still out there? And if you are out there, then thank you for still coming by...

*No snake sightings. However we did go to a place called The Horny Toad in Cave Creek, AZ and as we were leaving (btw, it's a restaurant!), we almost stepped on the HUGEST cockroach you'd NEVER want to step on in your life. My friend who was in town visiting got video and photos, but I did not.
****UPDATE---I WROTE THIS LAST NIGHT AND THIS A.M. Diva finds a dead snake in the sticky trap in our garage!!! THIRD ONE in ONE MONTH! And our neighbor who is 12 and has lived here her whole life has NEVER seen a snake EVER! OMG! Diva freaked out!!! Picture on FB. Still freaked. What is up with these snakes!!!

*My friend C came to visit! We had an amazing 48 hours together: pedicures, shopping, awesome lunches, appletinis, sushi, movie: The Kids Are Alright (really good, but I wanted a different ending and I wondered how real lesbians thought about the actresses -- did they act really gay or were real lesbians disappointed in the performances?), she made her homemade spaghetti for my kids which THEY LOVE (OK, me TOO!), she brought us a panini maker! (I now make pancake paninis filled with peanut butter and chocolate chips -- TRY 'em!) ... we did so much in such a short time and it was awesome -- we weren't sad at all, just happy to be together and to know that no matter where we are that getting together is easy and fun and we slide right back into our friendship! Love you C!

*I got a job! I have alluded to this a bit but I am working for BookSparksPR and LOVE it! I get to promote authors and books -- and you all know how much I love, love, LOVE reading, authors, books, writing, words and AUTHORS and BOOKS and all that goes with it! It's so exciting and I LOVE the people I work with and there are some fun things coming up. It's kinda crazy because for so long I have been doing giveaways on MaNiC MoMMy and now I'm on the flipside asking bloggers to do this (so hey, if you're a serious book blogger and want in on some of the fun, email me at stephanieelliot@gmail.com so I can send you pitches for upcoming books - we've got a great bunch of clients!)

*JUSTIN BIEBER! Yep, I saw the little munchkin in concert! Sean Kingston opened for him. The show was really good, even though I totally spilled Diva's BLUE slushie before the concert, fortunately NOT on ME or HER! He is a very talented performer. I watched him and thought, "Wow, what is going through this 16 year old's mind, watching all these screaming girls?" I hope he was thinking, "Man, this is so cool and I'm so lucky and I'm going to appreciate this and never lose sight of how grateful I need to be." His songs are goofy little lovey girl songs, but that's what sells. And yeah, I'm still singing, "Eenie Meenie Minie Moe Lover!"

*I will be still doing giveaways on MaNiC and in fact have THREE awesome ones coming up! The first one will be later this week and it's a fun humorous take on why men suck. Ha, that's my 'take' anyway! It's called "It's Not PMS, It's YOU! ... a totally non-hormonal analysis of male behavior By Deb Amlen.

And I'll have 3 copies to give away. I'll also be giving away My Formerly Hot Life by Stephanie Dolgoff. And last but not least for this round, I have A Maze of Grace, A Memoir of Second Chances by one of my very good friends, Trish Ryan to give to you! So bear with me, it's been a long couple of months getting "cemented" here in AZ, so I'll let you know when these contests are coming! Soon, I promise!
*I'll also be posting more about what it's like to be a mom of tweens and teens as my oldest will be turning 13 very soon. And let me tell you, things are GETTING INTERESTING! He met a girl at the Boys & Girls Club I sent them to for the week (AKA the PRISON they called it), and she gave him her phone number. While we are new to the area, I asked him if he would call her. He said probably not. His reasoning -- he wants to keep his options open for when school starts -- after all, he doesn't know what kind of fish are out in this AZ sea yet! And with my Diva -- Oh boy, we've started shaving, and getting big-time attitudes, and NOT wanting anyone to talk about anything PERSONAL in front of her! And all sorts of new and amazing things are happening with my BABIES! What happened to my BABIES?? Some days I really miss the days where our sole purpose was to set up camp in front of Sesame Street and Dragon Tales, lay out a bunch of blankets, grab the sippy cups and mini bowls of goldfish and have a party. Those were fast and furious days.

So, there's a quick little update. I hope if you're even out there, that I haven't bored you to tears, and if you're still there, I truly appreciate you hanging in there with me. It's been a hectic couple of months (we made it past the two-month anniversary of being in the desert on July 29), and it looks like we might survive this big move. Thanks for being there with me!

PeaCe uP!

~MaNiC MoMMy

19 comments:

Heidi @ Decor & More said...

So good to hear your voice, MM! Sounds like you're settling in just fine... and what a great JOB you've secured for yourself!!! I'm jealous! Keep the good words coming :)

The Jagow Family said...

I always enjoy following along in the Manic Mommy land. Glad to hear that you all seem to be settling into AZ life. Snakes and all...btw...YUCK! :) Good luck with school..will be anxious to hear how it goes. Congrats on the new job...totally up your alley! Take care!! :)

Anonymous said...

GIRL....It's ABOUT time you came back!!!!!!!! I checked this a.m. and got soo excited that there was something from you!!! I just found your blog ohh about 2 weeks ago,the first one I read was "Mushy Kisses" and I thought 'Holy Shit that's my life!' Well that and 'wake me up in the dead of sleep middle of the night sex' which is like a sneak attack, I have to say it's pretty damn good tho ;) Ok, enough bout that..So, I found your blog and started at the beginning and worked my way to now...EXCELLENT. Wish I could write and just be able to let the words flow without having to 'backthink' what I've said and if it will offend anyone, etc. Keep writing!! :) GoOd DaY to you!!

Kristin said...

Hi sunshine! Glad to see a post from you this morning. Miss you tons and glad you are getting concrete out in AZ. The kids will get through school and friends will start to filter in soon. Enjoy those last two weeks before school starts.

xo

Ginny Clark said...

have enjoyed, and still enjoy reading about your family adventures. so glad you are still writing even if it is every once in awhile. I follow alot on facebook, so still feel like i hear from you often. cant wait to hear about school for the kids

Patti said...

Always love your blog. Glad you are writing again, and yah on the job front!!! Keep those great stories coming.

Shelley said...

Well, I mostly see you on FB, but nice to see a blog post! I so want that book, "It's Not PMS, It's You!", which is something I've long suspected.

I have lots of insight on teenage girls, but I'll just offer one bit of advice to start: When she makes fun of someone or tells them they're doing something wrong, it's hilarious...but any joke, no matter how small, at her expense is NOT FUNNY. And you're so mean. And you don't understand anything. Welcome to my little world of hormonal hell. You know what I think God is going to do to me? Kylie is seven right now. I'm 43. I'm thinking that I'll go into full-blown menopause right about the time she starts her period. Wont' THAT be fun?

Wow, how did I get off on that tangent? Probably because teenage girl crap eats of most of my life these days.

Oh, I mailed the book yesterday. Let me know when you get it! :)

MaNiC MoMMy™ said...

Oh my gosh, ladies! I can't tell YOU how good it is to hear from YOU!!! It's like getting mail from good friends! Thanks for commenting! And anonymous -- I think wake me up dead in the night sex might be pretty cool (But don't tell Mr. Manic! hahaah)!! Can't believe you read through all of the archives, but I bet you didn't go ALL the way back to 2004, did you? CRAZY! But THANK YOU!!! It's especially nice to hear from you all since you are friends from the past as I'm trying to find my way here! xo

Anonymous said...

Hahaha...Yep I sure as hell did! I am a stay-at-home mom of 3 kids and nothing, I mean nothing got done until I was all the way through!! That kinda sounds stalkyish (I know that's not a word, but it fits right now) doesn't it??? Ohh God...okay okay, I didn't go through them all. Pheeessh, like I have nothing better to do. Son of a bitch..I don't have anything better to do! Well back to the same ole same ole!!

By the way I love to read and would love to start a blog...but you are looking for people with writing backgrounds right?? Anyway, sounds fun..reading & letting the world know about the book I just read. Because hey I know my opinion is 'the shit'..sorry inside joke haha..Maybe I'll email you more on my situation..

Jennifer said...

Still here! Read your blog, Facebook and Twitter and... now I've creeped myself out. Is my restraining order in the mail!

Keep blogging, we love it!!

Anonymous said...

Still hear & glad to hear from you! Before I forget...try Nutella in the panini makes...yum!

Glad like in AZ seems to be going well. Ick about the snakes...that would freak me out too!

Kate said...

Thanks for the update, Manic! Sounds like things have been going well for you overall. Keep the thoughts about tweens and teens coming!

Making It Work Mom said...

Congratulations on the JOB! Can't wait to hear your insights on Tween Girls since I have one myself and so far it is a little ...not so much fun!

sweet southern inspiration said...

Love the post, great updates. Glad to see that everyone is settling in there. Raising the teenagers is interesting for sure. Good luck! Lol, so far so good for us and my oldest is almost 15.
Is A Maze of Grace in stores yet? I love a good memoir so I am totally interested. Hope all is well. ttyl
Nina

msprimadonna67 said...

Glad to hear you all are settling in there. I'm sure the school thing will be a transition, but they'll get into the groove in no time. The snakes, though? Oh man, I'd probably pass out if I saw one of those bad boys by my house!

Melissa said...

Congrats! Glad things are going well for you!

Stephanie J. Blake said...

I read the blog, I just don't always comment. Lazy, I know, but I'm damn busy. Good luck on the new job! 2 months is not long when it comes to settling in. hang in.

Kirsten said...

Tap ..tap. Still reading ~~ :-)

DawnfromCA said...

Hey there! My computer DIED a few weeks ago, so I've been completely out of the loop. I've just been getting caught up with your blog, and I'm glad to hear about your new job and all your Arizona adventures!