And you thought you had everything!

Hurry up over to eBay friends! It's your chance to be the owner of "vintage" Pampers diapers! (and just when the Jesus image on cornbread was calling me....)

http://cgi.ebay.com/1978-VINTAGE-NEWBORN-PAMPERS-DIAPERS-NEVER-OPENED_W0QQitemZ250067712940QQihZ015QQcategoryZ15559QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Now that David is out of diapers forever, I am reminded of just how much I am appreciative of that fact. And I am reminded that if you put the word "vintage" on an item, some idiot will buy it.

Vintage Chanel... maybe

Vintage Pampers... not!!!

Thoughtless Thursday

Don't call him Sir Bono

Bono was bestowed a knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II (although he can't use the title "Sir" since he's not a Brit). [Bono is one of the few men that just makes me swoon!]

I love this guy to death, does he not have a bad bone in his body or a skeleton somewhere in the closet?? If only all celebs used their starpower as handily as Bono....

See article here>>>
http://www.eonline.com/news/article/index.jsp?uuid=ca40b44e-fc07-4cc6-8304-132989a06cc9

Photo from U2.com

Come on, 2007

I can't think of anticipating a new year more than I am this year.... 2007 I need you!

Buh bye, 2006. I'm sure I learned something this year, just not the kind of life lessons I really wanted to know about. It was a year of disappointment, heartache, stress. A year of lost jobs, failing health, unanswered questions, and bad luck.

Lest you think it was a complete downer, well, no it wasn't. I saw my son begin to talk in complete sentences and develop a truly original personality. My BIL and SIL got married in Florida, and we had a fabulous family trip we will never forget. The Philadelphia Eagles are in the playoffs (now, that, my friends is really a miracle).

I guess the one thing I learned from 2006 is how much I appreciate every other year of my life with my family. Because I can't think of a bad year before this one. I really can't. I am blessed with having people around me who are an inspiration and having had a bad year, I can say shoulders come in handy when you need one to lean on. In many ways, I think my good fortune has prepared me for getting though the bad times.

Because, no matter what, when life has handed me an even lower low, I can still hear the voice in my head saying... "It's okay, better times are ahead".

I guess I should start worrying when I don't hear that voice.

I suppose that this could end up a year that I'll be lamenting about this time next year, but I plan to do everything in my power to keep on the positive and believe that good times and good fortune lies ahead.

So anyway, I am going to wish you all a very Happy New Year a little early. Prepare yourselves, because this could be "your" year. This could be the year you grab for a star and catch it. It could be the year you've been waiting for... when all is right with the world and sunshine is always at your back.

2007 could be a very lucky year indeed...

I can see clearly now, the wrapping paper is gone

That was a bad attempt at a joke.

All my beautiful wrapping took about an hour to destroy. And about an hour to open boxes, break them down and prepare for recycling.

We are completely exhausted from yesterday. Had my parents over for breakfast and gifts, got showered, drove to aforementioned parents house to meet up with my brother and his family for lunch and gifts, then packed up and drove to MIL and FIL's house for dinner and gifts. Got home at about 10pm and fell into bed. David never even got into his pajamas... fell asleep in his clothes and we didn't have the heart to wake him.

This is the part about the holidays I hate (even more than putting the decor away in about a week or so)...

....the day after Christmas.

The house is just in shambles. I have to work today and David is "off" preschool for the week, so hubby ran him over to the Grandparents for the day. I believe they are taking him to "Fishmas", which is the word to describe Christmas at the Camden Aquarium here in NJ. I'm glad at least he gets to do something fun today.

Hubby is working too. So it feels like just another day except I have a headache from OD'ing on sugar and treats.

And my living room looks like a Toys R Us threw up on it.

Well , the good news is I have a four day weekend coming up. An opportunity to recover.

Off to make some money, back tomorrow... I'll still be working, but perhaps I will have finished picking from the 200 sugar cookies staring at me on my kitchen table!

Merry Christmas

From the classic "A Charlie Brown Christmas":

Charlie Brown: [shouting in desperation] Isn't there anyone out there who can tell me what Christmas is all about?

Linus Van Pelt: Sure, Charlie Brown, I can tell you. Lights, please. [a spotlight shines on Linus]

Linus Van Pelt: "And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the fields, keeping watch over their flocks by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the lord shone round about them, and they were afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not, for behold, I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you this day is born in the City of Bethlehem, a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; you shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger. And suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God, and saying, 'Glory to God in the highest, and on Earth peace, good will toward men'". That's what Christmas is all about, Charlie brown.

To you and yours, a very Merry Christmas!

BagMomma

Finding the old me

I went out last night to get my hair done. Basic touchup and cut.

Let me preface by saying that the salon I go to is not your basic salon. The stylists are mostly young and attractive, the clientele also... tending to be younger (under 45), and the area that the salon is in is pricey, hence the salon/spa prices are high... about $50 for a cut, $140+ for touchup and cut (more if you are into foils). I go there because my stylist Mia has worked for there f-o-r-e-v-e-r.... I can't remember how long she's been the keeper of my hair, but I would guess more than 15 years.

She and I have a lot in common. When I met her, I was still in my "goth" period (so was she). Which quickly evolved into a very stylish, classic style over the years. We joke that we are "just trendy enough" for our age. No one would think we were as old as we are, but we don't look like Moms trying to dress up like teens either. Thank god for that.

As I was sitting with color on my head, I started looking around at the "fabulously" beautiful people. Wishing I was 50 lbs thinner. Wishing I had any curl in my hair. Wishing I looked good as a blonde (I don't). Wishing I actually wanted to wear those knee high patent leather boots, and that I would look good in them.

So I sat there.....just me, my "Seven" brand jeans, my Uggs (which I think are out of style now), and my Lands End long sleeve t-shirt.

I looked down at my nails.... unpolished. My hands needing lotion.

I felt like a heel. My hands were always my favorite body part (not my boobs as my hubby thinks). I would take care to polish them, to moisturize them. I had "great nail beds" as my BFF Steph would always say... my nails always at the perfect length and shape. Never needing any assistance. I would just file them back occasionally, and receive compliments. I never had a salon manicure until I was in my late 20's. Didn't need to. I achieved nail perfection on my own.

I tried to think about when was the last time I polished my nails, and I couldn't remember. I was suddenly pissed off at myself. It would take me what, like 15 minutes?? Once in awhile?

I used to be a very fashionable dresser.... every day. I always looked pulled together, and never left the house in sweats (embarrassingly, I do once in awhile now). I was a fashionista (still am), but after I started working from home and after I had David, I stopped spending my money on Ralph Lauren. I still dress up once in awhile, when I travel for work, or go into the office... and I love those days... but frankly, it takes too much friggin energy to dress up and put the face on.

I have a closet full of kick-ass handbags and few outfits to show them off with. I mean really, how good does it look to have sweats on carrying my $400 Coach purse???

What the hell happened to me?

I made a pact with myself in that salon chair. I will make an effort to paint my nails. I will put on my $300 boots (in three colors) with my jeans instead of wearing sneakers or my Uggs. I will get dressed up once a week at home. No one will see me, but I will see me.

I will not go to Target looking like I just came from the gym. Cause y'all know I didn't (I'll be workin' on that after Christmas).

Baby steps back to finding me...

I got up this morning, put on my makeup and marveled at the gorgeous honey/caramel color of my hair (thanks Mia). I put on a new shirt, my jeans, and my boots... and I drove David to preschool.

I had his holiday gifts for his teachers in hand... when I walked in, one of the (young and attractive) teachers said.. wow, you look nice today!

Back at ya, girlfriend.

Baby steps.

Last night

Well, since I talked so much about the non-holiday show at David's preschool, I am sharing pictures.

Yep, he was a snowman.

It was a cute show, but it was crammed with parents, grandparents, siblings, and video cameras... so the poor kids ended up a little stage-shy.

David, however, was a ham as usual!

Nothing says Christmas like a holiday cold

Our week of fun finally caught up with us. All three of us have nasty colds. My husband had it the worst, his combined with a lovely sinus infection. My son is doing better, just a minor cold. I have some sort of unidentified cold and an annoying cough.

I'm working today (because only death is a good excuse for missing the last revenue-generating week in my corporate world).

Got my trusty tissues and hot green tea. I am all set for a day of fun!

Back tomorrow, hopefully feeling a lot better!!

xo

What's BagMomma been up to?

Well, I've not had much time to lurk in my usual places or post here because this week has been a busy one.

Hubby is home on vacation, so inbetween my work, we've been taking the little guy on some short trips to get in the festive spirit.

Last evening we went to StoryBook Land. Now, for you Philly/Jersey folks, you probably know it well. It's a mighty cute themepark designed for toddlers- just outside Atlantic City, NJ.

Around the holidays, they light the whole place up.. the landscaping, the rides... and they even have some fake snow machines to dust the park with snow.

We picked to go on a Thursday night thinking the crowds would be a lot less than the weekends, and it was really nice.

The only downside to the night was I couldn't get very good pictures because it was sooooo foggy, the camera couldn't handle it.

If you live in the DE,PA, NJ, NY area- I highly suggest it. Lots of fun and merriment abound.

"Winter" Celebration

That's what my son's preschool is referring to for their "holiday" show. Nope, can't call it "holiday"... they could potentially piss off someone who's culture/religion does not have a holiday in December. So all us Christians, Jews, and Kwanzaa celebrating folks are out of luck.

I dropped David off at school today. When we walked to his classroom, there was "O Little Town of Bethlehem" playing on the satellite radio pumped through all the school speakers (usually it's Barney, Sesame Street, Wiggles) but today they had on ACK! The holiday channel on XM radio. Someone will be fired for that, I'm sure!

David turns to me and says, "Mommy, they are playing baby Jesus music, that's not allowed".

And I cringed.

Why is our world reduced to this ultra-PC mentality?

What happened to opening the eyes of children to all customs and celebrations???

When did Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa become a four-letter word?

I want to expose my child to all religions, all cultures, all customs... and I am livid that this school ignores everything.

So, on my way out, I asked the Director about this policy. She was upset herself, and said that the owners of the school had decided that since they were worried they'd miss some culture/custom they didn't know about, they put the AX to all of it.

So, my son's holiday, I mean, WINTER show will be as sanitary as clorox bleach.

Just Jingle Bells and Frosty the Snowman.

What about the people who don't like bells and snow? I'm sure they'll be in a huff too... perhaps we should do away with that too.

Oh, and by the way, I asked the Director of the school if they ever had a parent complain about their display of one holiday or another, and her answer was (in 7 years of existence) NEVER.

She has however, had no less than 20 parents complain about ignoring the holiday season entirely.

I wonder why the school is still CLOSED for the week of Christmas. And I still have to pay tuition for that week the teachers are off.

hmmmm...

Santa's busy in his workshop

I have the day off today, so I plan to get to work wrapping all the gifts I bought over the last few months. Back tomorrow!

From the Desk of BagMomma

Dear Santa,

Hi Santa, it's me, Shelli. Do you remember me?

I am the little girl from Sunset Avenue that was always on your "good" list (at least I always thought that I was). By the way, I still love my Barbie Corvette and Smurfs you brought me. I still have the corvette (and some of the barbies, but I chopped their hair off... still safely stowed away at Mom and Dad's house). I did throw the Smurfs away, I mean, they are blue trolls after all... who would keep them??

I've been really good this year, even though fate has conspired against my family to make 2006 one of the saddest and unlucky years in recent memory.... a year which has propelled me into the depths of sadness and kleenex tissues (not the lotiony kind, I really hate them... why would Kleenex think I want lotion on my nose anyway...?) ummmmm... ok. sorry.... going way off topic there.

Anyway, the reason I am writing is quite simple. I wish for 2007 to be a better year.

I wish for health for my family (especially my Mom and Dad). And, continued prosperity so that my credit card debt does not grow larger because even though I tried to budget this Christmas, I can't contol buying for those I love. And, Santa, speaking of growing larger, I wish for a smaller butt (and a flat stomach you could bounce a quarter off). Oh, and I wish that the Fedex man would finally find my house and not deliver my packages to the other #608 across town.

I wish that I will finally get the job I deserve, and that my stock options grow in value. I wish that my husband won't be passed up for a promotion in 2007 because "someone owes someone" a favor. I wish that we will finally get a new pet that won't die on us after we become attached. I wish for a maid to finally shine my shower the way it deserves to be so that it is actually white again.

I wish that I could finally get that BFP on a pregnancy test and a healthy baby because it kills me when my son asks for a brother or sister because he's lonely. I wish for fresh coffee at 3pm at Dunkin Donuts when I need my coffee fix.

And Santa, I wish for world peace and to end any human suffering (you'll need to work with the big man on that one I suppose... and I'm not talking about George W Bush).

Santa, I have always believed in you, so I hope you still believe in me. I promise to leave you your favorite cookies... just like always.

Yours truly,

Shelli xxoo

Thoughtless Thursday

Click on image to enlarge!

If only I got off my ass

Ever heard of the Chillow?













How about the newest gift site Giftbag Boutique?










These were both ideas of mine YEARS ago. And I am annoyed to see that someone else had the same idea (and the cash) to make it a reality. A day late and a dollar short, as my Dad would say.

The Chillow (and goddamn I thought of that WORD too!) came to me about 10 years ago when I had the flu. My head was on fire, and I thought, wouldn't it be great if I could make a chilly pillow to rest my head on?

I had lots of inventions and business ideas in my head, but never had the ability to turn them into reality.

I opened my mailbox yesterday, and received a catalog for GiftBag Boutique... a lovely site were you can buy purses and have them FILLED with stuff as you choose.

Brilliant! Except I thought of that idea back in 1992 when my obsession with hangbags began. Turn them into giftbags, I thought!

Hmmmmmm

Sensing a trend here.

I need to dig in my archive of ideas and act on one now before someone beats me to it!!!!

No, I can't tell you what it is, because if I do, you'll steal it.

HA.

Anyone have about $50k start up money and want to invest in a great idea???

Thought not.

another Senior moment

We had to take our dog, Teddi, to the vet yesterday to remove a small tumor on her eye. As luck would have it, the vet ran some bloodwork before the surgery and it didn't look good.

Do you see what I mean when I say 2006 has not been a banner year in my house?

David is still not over the death of dear kitty in September, and now we are in waiting with our dear dog.

She is going to be 12, so she's not a puppy for sure... we know that she is in her "golden years" as far as pets go, and her breed lifespan. It's just that it's Christmas, and I don't want David to lose a second pet so soon.

So here's the lowdown... $800 bucks later (well, at least her eye is fixed now) we were told that the bloodwork on her liver came back very abnormal. The likely diagnosis at this point is Cushing's disease (treatable, but expensive and can extend her life minimally) OR cancer. To diagnose the issue, we are faced with about another $500 in tests.

Neither hubby and I were ready to put down more money. We decided to bring her home and think about it. The odd thing is she is not having any symptoms yet... so we are watching to see if her appetite changes, or anything out of the ordinary.

I hate making these type of decisions... S. does too.

OK 2006 (again) please stop torturing me!

Not infertile, just bad luck?

2006 has not been a great year, for reasons I could write a book on. This post is just about one of the challenges.

Today, I met with my OB/GYN to discuss a plan of action on the fertility front. It's been 6 months since my miscarriage. So, after waiting in a packed waiting room of (pregnant) mommies, I took a seat in her office armed with my cycle history and more info than anyone would care to know (well, my Ovusoft buddies would.. and you know who you are).

Dr. D took a look at my historical data, and exclaimed that there is no good reason that I am not pregnant, it must be just bad luck. And she smirked.

Then she went on to the statistics of achieving pregnancy, and noted that my slight impatience could well be the fact that this time around is just taking longer, but not necessarily is that bad.

When I conceived my son, I got pregnant on the second cycle trying.
When I got pregnant this year, I got pregnant on the third cycle trying.

Ergo, it is not likely that I am as barren as the desert, in fact history has shown I am quite fertile and capable of acheiving pregnancy.

I really appreciate Dr. D. This is the reason I love her to death, she is a straight-shooter, call it like you see 'em gal.

Sometimes you need someone to validate your feelings. I know I am hyper-sensitive to this whole TTC thing, especially since I am getting older, and she understands this but doesn't want me to go jumping into the sharks... yet.....

She studied the graphs I gave her, and saw what any other qualifed OB/GYN or RE would see... I am ovulating fine on my own. Cycles are in normal range. Menses.. normal. No other symptoms to indicate any issues. Nothing really out of the ordinary except the fact that I am not pregnant yet.

Because I love that she understands completely that I am a Type A perfectionist, she has agreed to start some testing... to put my mind at ease. First stop, testing on CD 21-23 (I am on CD10 now) to check progesterone, thyroid function, etc.

No meds, because right now, I am ovulating just fine. We'll continue some bloodwork over the next month to see if anything out of the ordinary comes up. She has hope that she will see me again very soon in her office, this time as a pregnant patient.

In the meantime, it's just wait and see. I really think it's the hex of 2006.

Thank god there's only a couple weeks left.

Newsflash: Yellow Wiggle

A couple of my mommy friends saw my previous post on Greg Page (the now former yellow Wiggle). Click on the heading above for news on his condition.

He's obviously not well, but not one step into the grave either. He was replaced by "Sam", who will be the new yellow Wiggly family member.

And, for your enjoyment... a tribute to Greg.... set to the music of Coldplay... "Yellow" of course.

Merry Christmas Griswold's

My favorite Christmas movie (comedic) has to be Christmas Vacation.

This movie never fails to make me laugh so hard I pee myself. Seriously.

I love Chevy Chase's humor, and couple that with the fact that my family scarily resembles the Griswold's makes this a classic.

(again) Seriously.

Clark Griswold: Where do you think you're going? Nobody's leaving. Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas. No, no. We're all in this together. This is a full-blown, four-alarm holiday emergency here. We're gonna press on, and we're gonna have the hap, hap, happiest Christmas since Bing Crosby tap-danced with Danny fucking Kaye. And when Santa squeezes his fat white ass down that chimney
tonight, he's gonna find the jolliest bunch of assholes this side of the nuthouse.

aaah, memories....

surely you all have an Aunt Bethany...

Clark: Since this is Aunt Bethany's 80th Christmas, I think she should lead us in the saying of Grace.
Aunt Bethany: [turns to Lewis] What, dear?
Nora Griswold: Grace!
Aunt Bethany: Grace? She passed away thirty years ago.
Uncle Lewis: They want you to say Grace. [Bethany shakes her head in confusion]
Uncle Lewis: The BLESSING!
Aunt Bethany: [they all pose for prayer] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands/ One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Clark: Amen.

This weekend, we are decorating the house. When we're done, we'll settle back in our chairs with hot chocolate and watch this movie. It's a family tradition now, and why break a good thing? I know there's plenty of classic movies to watch, like, "It's a Wonderful Life", but how can you resist some low-brow humor and a fried cat for christmas???

We'll just cover David's ears for the bad words.