Tag Archives: moms

Sometimes you just need to laugh…

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I’m a little behind the game when it comes to YouTube.  I never invested much time in exploring random videos about cats, babies or whatever other crazy things people are shooting.  If you follow my facebook page you’ve seen that I have recently become obsessed with some hilarious videos.  This mamma’s growing up and getting in touch with her inner tween!

Here’s a rundown of Moms Who Wine’s favorite YouTube videos that are sure to put a smile on your face!

  1.  My Drunk Kitchen- No humility here.  This woman, I hope, is not a mother.  Or at least that her kids are not home when she is drinking and using the stove!  This is hilarious!
  2. Henri—Henri, le chat noir, is a French speaking black cat with a hilarious laizzez-faire take on life.  Just hearing Henri takes me to a good place.  You can even follow him on Twitter!
  3. Honey Badger-  I’m really not a fan of the honey badger.  But listening to the narration of Randall puts me into a giggling frenzy.  “Honey Badger doesn’t give a shit!”
  4. “We’re Not Young Anymore”: Parody-  Unless you live in a bubble you’ve surely heard the song “We Are Young” by Fun.  This hilarious spoof is a little too close for comfort for those of us over 30.  You can’t help but relate to something in this song! “Maybe I’ll start that blog-tonight!” lol
  5. Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s SNL Magic Mike parody—You are probably familiar with Joseph Gordon-Levitt from movie’s like 500 Days of Summer and 50/50.  If you’re like me, you never really found him attractive—until now!  This hilarious parody gets me hot and bothered!  I love him!

 

If you have any hilarious video’s that will help take the edge off life, please share with us!!

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Big girl in the city

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As I’ve mentioned before, I’m a small-town girl.  Born and raised in a town with a population of around 11,000 and a graduating class of less than 200, I wasn’t exposed to the big city.  It was, however, a good, solid upbringing.  There were many benefits to the small town life, so much so that I had always envisioned returning to this small town to raise my own family.

Of course with a small town life comes bad with the good.  The benefits of a low crime rate and the security of knowing your neighbors (as well as most all the people in town) were counteracted with the mundane excitement.  I was never exposed to different cultures.  Entertainment was limited, even the run-down movie theatre that played one movie became non-existent during high school.  The bored nature of such a town leads many down the path of destruction.  Things like drug use became easy alternatives for the boring lifestyle.  I was lucky to not get caught up in that.

When I turned 18 I wanted OUT.  The security of the small town had become more of an inconvenience than anything.  Everyone in town knows your business and everyone talks about each other.  I couldn’t go to the grocery store without running into 10 people I knew..and that is still true to the this day.  I needed some excitement and I needed the opportunity to grow into myself without the glaring, judging eyes of everyone around me.

And so, when I graduated I moved to Seattle.  It turned out the big city life was not all that glamorous.  Traffic, crime and lack of parking downtown turned me off to venturing in the city on many occasions.  I ended up moving to a new town.  A town larger than where I grew up, but smaller than a big city.  And that is where I have remained (mostly) for the past 15 years.   As with any town, there are advantages and disadvantages, but for the most part, I have been able to live a good life and get what I have needed living here.

My current job has given me the opportunity to travel.  With our headquarters based on the East coast, I’ve had several chances to visit the DC area..most recently last week.  Suddenly I’m finding the city not so intimidating.  I embrace the cultural diversity, the excitement, and even the public transportation.  I have to say, I was pretty proud of myself navigating the metro system on my own.  Suddenly, I felt like a “big girl.”  I walked with confidence down the busy streets, embraced new restaurants and got a high from the excitement of the city.

Maybe this small town girl has grown up?  Maybe dealing with traffic and noise would be worth it for a great job in the middle of an exciting city?  Maybe the schools aren’t as crime-ridden as I imagined and my kids would benefit from the exposure to other cultures?

Funny how sometimes your perspective on life changes.  Embrace the opportunities to get out of your comfort zone.  You might be surprised to learn that things you once shied away from are actually the things  that make you grow.

Lessons learned from the Kardashian’s?

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Even if you don’t watch the reality show, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians,” you cannot live on planet earth and have not of heard of this notorious family.  Those of you who do watch, like me, know that last night was the season finale of the show.  Or should I say, finale of one of the shows, there are a variety of spin offs.  Personally I am waiting for Bruce and Rob take Palm Springs..(joking).

The Kardashian’s have been hit hard in the media.  Being famous for being famous, started with a sex tape, the family of gorgeous brunette’s has gotten their fare share of criticism.  But with the reality TV scene being what it is—glamorizing teen pregnancies and watching ridiculous guido’s  get completely wasted all day/every day—could we actually take away something good from the Kardashian’s?

The world is what it is and we all have to deal with shit.  But I truly believe having core values to guide you through life can keep you on a positive track.  Values like family.  I love the relationship between the Kardashian sisters and their mother.  They are certainly not without conflict, but no matter what the turns and twists life takes, they remain close and committed to each other.

Here’s why I love the Kardashians and the family focus they bring to reality TV…

Family dinners…sure they have a chef cook for them, or get take-out from fabulous restaurant, but they try to get together at least once a week for a family meal together.  And they don’t even drink! Most families who live together don’t even eat dinner together at the table!

Game night—this is a little more rare now that all of the siblings are advancing in their careers, but they used to get together once a week for a family game night.  A good excuse to get silly and competitive and just hang out.  Who does that anymore? I want a game night!

Baby time—It is obvious to everyone the love the family has for the Kourtney’s lil guy Mason.  They all spend quality time with him, playing with him and being silly.  They help and support Kourtney and stand behind her in her decisions.  At last’s night finale, the entire family was there to witness the birth of Kourtney and Scott’s little girl.  How sweet!

The Jenners—I heart Bruce :)   And Brody, ok, maybe Brody a little more ;)   But all of the Jenner’s including Kendall and Kylie seem to have a good family values.  I loved seeing Bruce share his Olympic experiences with his boys on last nights show.  Sometimes I feel like Bruce gets the shaft.

Real life—this family provides a glimpse of some of the real issues that families deal with across the country.  Things like divorce, marital issues, ex’s, heartbreak and infertility are issues that many people can relate to, but are afraid to talk about.  I thank the Kardashian’s for reminding us that even fabulous people can make bad decisions– and they all get you to a certain point in life.

The fact that Kourtney and Scott have ups and downs and don’t sleep in the same bed makes them even more relatable.  Maintaining relationships isn’t always easy, but  these are the struggles of many couples.  Scott has his own issues with drinking and staying out late, but even Scott (FOMO!) has turned around in my book.  He’s stepped up to the plate as a semi-responsible husband and father and is actually a good role model for his kids.  I used to think Scott Disick was the biggest douche..and I gotta say, I kind of love him now!!

In the past couple of episodes this season it has come to light that Khloe and Lamar are having issues with conceiving a baby.  So many couples go endure the pain of infertility, but something about Khloe being honest about her battles gives many women a peace of mind.  Looking at the Kardashian’s and all the glamour and money that surround them, it’s easy to think they have a perfect life.  I appreciate this family being so honest and true to themselves despite the repercussions.

I started out as a hater!  I refused to watch the show but somehow I started to like them.  And now, I really like the Kardashians-enough to dedicate an entire blog post to their show.  (Exactly how a hater can become your biggest fan!)

Thank you Kim, Kourtney, Khloe, Robert, Kris, Bruce, Kendall and Kylie for always being true to yourselves and opening your lives for the world to see.

‘Moms Who Wine’ Sobers Up for Advocare 24 Day Challenge

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‘Moms Who Wine’ blog and social networking community is encouraging moms to get ‘back-to-you’ as kids go ‘back-to-school’ by taking part in the Advocare 24 day Challenge.

Bellingham, WA (PRWEB) August 28, 2012

Moms Who Wine, the bold and aromatic blend of confessions and humor from a ripe and balanced working mom—aged 34 years, is encouraging moms to get ‘back-to-you’ as kids go ‘back-to-school’. Moms Who Wine network of working (we all work!) moms, is taking the new school year as an opportunity to start fresh with the Advocare 24 Day Challenge.

Moms Who Wine is a blog and social networking community on Facebook and twitter. As an outlet for working moms to vent about all things frustrating in life, this network of hard-working ladies normally turn to wine, or jokes regarding wine, to get through the week. But as the new school year approaches, it’s not only the time for kids to get back to healthy habits and routines, but for moms to do the same.

“The worst thing a mom can do is not take time for herself,” says Moms Who Wine blogger/entrepreneur Erin Lundstrom. “Kids will suffer if mom is suffering. Take this time of year as a great opportunity to refresh yourself.”

The AdvoCare 24 Day Challenge is the best way to start a weight loss regimen regardless of goals–fat loss, muscle gain, energy or improved overall lifestyle. Distributors work with personal goals within anyone’s budget. Distributors will follow up by providing additional documentation and a cookbook along with additional meal ideas.

AdvoCare is a leading health and wellness company with celebrity endorsers including Drew Brees. The AdvoCare product line includes products for getting trim, improving performance and overall wellness. The phenomenal results from using AdvoCare products make it an exciting business opportunity for those looking to earn income.

Author Erin Lundstrom says, “Join us for the challenge! We are in it together and will documenting our progress, sharing recipes and offering support all along the way!”

About Moms Who Wine
Blogger, editor and freelance writer Erin Lundstrom created Moms Who Wine blog and Facebook page as a way to connect with working moms around the world to offer support, encouragement and humorous stories. Erin is also an independent distributor of the AdvoCare line of nutritional supplements. Married for 10 years and mother to a 6 year old boy and 3 year old girl, Erin is aware of the issues that affect working moms and is eager to provide a voice to these concerns.

For more information visit momswhowine.me or advocare.com/120315490

Follow Moms Who Wine on Facebook and Twitter @momwhowines.

Contact:
JuiceBox PR
Juiceboxpr(at)gmail(dot)com

A “Snore” Subject

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I know I’m not alone on this one.  Who else has a snoring spouse?  Recently I read an article that said by 2020 most new homes will be built with separate master bedrooms.  Whether it’s snoring, watching TV or insomnia, more couples than you expect are sleeping separately—every night.  (If you watch the Kardashians, you know that both Kris and Bruce Jenner sleep apart as do Kourtney and Scott.)

Other celeb couples who sleep apart

It makes me a bit sad to admit that we are one of them.  Married for 10 years, together for 14, things weren’t always like this.  I never seemed to mind or even notice the snoring.  Something happens, though, when you have kids—especially for the mothers—we turn into very light sleepers.  Suddenly every little noise triggers a fear of something.  We go into protector mode—and from there—sleep becomes a distant memory.

By the time we had our second child, there was no f—ing around about sleep.  I needed it—badly.  For my own sake and the sake of the children (lol!)  So when the snoring really started to interrupt my peace, I knew something had to change.  My husband also loves watching TV at bedtime.  I’m all for a little TV but when I am ready for bed, I want it OFF.  So, I have cleverly avoided upgrading our tiny, ancient TV in the bedroom.  Like most guys, my husband prefers the HD, flatscreen with 400+ sports and movie options.  And so, over time, he has ended up on the couch on most nights.

I have to admit, it’s not all bad.  Some say it may even help a marriage? No TV, fresh clean sheets that don’t smell like boys, queen bed to myself.  I can see the support for this lifestyle.   But it can’t be good for a marriage, can it?  I feel like ever since we started frequently sleeping apart, our lives have drifted in other ways.  There is so much to be said for going to bed together, chatting about the day, and feeling a warm loved one next to you.

Lately on my girl trips I’ve been cuddling in with my girlfriends just to have someone next to me!  LOL.  Most of them don’t mind.

I’m certain my husband probably has sleep apnea,..and if he ever does go to a sleep doctor, they will probably end up giving him one those hideous masks to wear—and that just make a bad situation worse!  I’ve been tempted to try the mouth guards, dentist fixes or nose plugs..has that worked for anyone?  In the meantime, I really think we are going to have to keep sleeping apart.  There are no ear plugs available to stop the thunderous eruptions that is my husband snoring!  LOL!

How do you deal with a snoring spouse??

 

 

Lost in translation…

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I miss the days of a good ole phone call.  Don’t get me wrong, I work for a software company, and I’m  all about the luxuries of mobile devices.  But I think what is happening, is a transition to a whole different way of communicating.  A more impersonal way- with limited emotion.  And that can be confusing at times.

Texting has become my preferable way to communicate.  Cut the small talk, get straight to the point.  So much so that now I’m irritated with my friend who doesn’t text.  I would probably contact her more often if I didn’t have to go to the trouble of calling.  But it’s not only texting..it’s email, instant messaging, facebooking, tweeting..there is really no reason to tell anyone about your day anymore since they can follow you all day long if they want to.

So now people don’t only suck at talking to eachother, but people are forgetting how to write!  As an editor, I’m a stickler for grammar and spelling.  But now everything is replaced with a number or word- btw, wtf?, ttly, ur, 4..I seriously think some people think this is how these words are actually spelled.

At the last PR conference I attended Peter Shankman made a point in his keynote about writing.  He mentioned an experience of having someone send him a resume that said, “I wud luv to work 4 u.”  His reply,  “Hell no u will not work 4 me—and learn to write!”  There is definitely a time and place for abbreviated words..but a resume?  Come on, people!

I’ve been feeling the effects of cyber communicating for a while now.  I used to talk to my favorite people, like my BFF and mom, almost daily.  It was so easy to catch up and keep up.  Now with the availability of chatting online, we mostly email or text.  Which isn’t all bad.  I’m busy and there is an amazing convenience that comes with this type of communication.  But sometimes it’s hard to interpret what people are really saying and how they are saying it.  Sarcasm can be mistaken for truth, or something you mean may come out the wrong way.

While technology is moving us forward, I think cyber communication is hindering our relationships.  I think about people who meet online –and only talk through chat.  Can they even have an actual conversation with each other when they finally meet?  Sometimes it’s easier to say things in writing than having to voice your issues.  And I think a lot of people revel in that.

As with most things, there are goods and bads.  I say embrace the future of technology and communication, but don’t lose the basic skills of writing and communicating.  While Twitter may not be around in 20 years, there will still be a need for interpersonal communication.

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Is your booty summer ready? Take the AdvoCare challenge!

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My youngest just turned 3.  Its official- I can no longer use the excuse that I ‘just had a baby’!  Not only that, but now that I’m older it just keeps getting harder and harder to stay fit!  For so many years I was able to eat whatever I wanted—because I was always active.  I still stay active.  Regular exercise is something that keeps me sane.  Unfortunately,  I don’t push myself hard enough so I never really get anywhere.

Luckily I was introduced to mamma’s little helper—AdvoCare!  I remember when I first met my friend AC she kept referring to her “mommy crack.”  Something she called Spark that got her up and going in the morning and ready to face her two little diva’s.  So, of course over time my curiosity got the best of me and I decided to try out this popular system of weight loss and fitness supplements.  I did my research first.  I have two good friends who work as independent distributors for the product line and also are avid fans of the products.  They actually make a pretty good living selling the product while enjoying a flexible lifestyle.  My friend SN is a nurse by trade but now earns 2x her salary working 1/3 the time just sharing AdvoCare with people and helping people.  That’s $4500-$5000 a month working average 10 hours a week.

Realizing the products are safe and natural, and endorsed by athletes Drew Brees , I was in!  I signed up to be a distributor so I could give the products a try for a 20% discount, and also receive some free products.  I started with the herbal cleanse (which I desperately needed!) and I loved it!  I felt great after only a couple days.  The Spark has since become my own “mommy crack”.  More subtle than a cup of coffee—it’s just the boost I need to get going but not get dehydrated.

Advocare’s 24 day challenge is like hitting the restart button on your metabolism. It was designed to help boost metabolism, increase energy, cut cravings and preserve lean muscle. The side effect of that is fat loss (terrible side effect, I know). It is a 10 day prep phase followed by a 14 day results phase and the best part is you get to eat real food the entire time, probably more often then you eat now. Average person loses 10 pounds and 10 inches in 24 days but results vary based on what your body needs!

The 24 day challenge isn’t the only way to go but is the best way to start regardless to your goals if they be fat loss, muscle gain, energy, better lifestyle or just maybe a happier person :) We can work with personal goals within anyone’s budget!

We will follow up and make sure that you understand how to do the challenge and give you documents and a cookbook along with lots more eating ideas (best result come when working with someone) .
So how do you get your hands on this challenge or get guided in the right direction for products? Go to  https://www.advocare.com/120315490 You can either message me there, order product from there, enroll as a customer for a 20% discount on product (no minimum ordering and no auto ship, simply what you want when you want it at a discount) or even enroll to earn money. Anyway is the best way for you! Let me know how I can help you!

Real women, real bodies

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I LOVE this article I found online from TODAY Moms!  It is about a group of women that were so tired of seeing the perfect bodies of celebrities right after having babies.  They decided to have a ‘Goddess Gathering’ and wear sports bras and tank tops and cheer each other on.  This is reality for most of us..not Jessica Simpson with a $3 million weight watcher deal, or Beyonce with her perfect bod just weeks later.  I applaud these women for accepting themselves and supporting each other!

Crib note: Moms celebrate their real post-baby bodies

By Dana Macario

Having a baby is usually one of the happiest moments in a woman’s life. Looking down at her post-baby body usually isn’t.

Let’s face it, for most of us, even if we lose the baby weight, our bodies just aren’t quite the same afterwards. Bits tend to be wider, saggier, flappier, lower or just plain different than they were pre-pregnancy. While we mere mortals are contending with stretch marks and cellulite, so many celebrity moms seem to be on the beach, skipping in skimpy bikinis soon after giving birth. It’s hard not to be disheartened.

Keep reading

Embrace your connections

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There are millions of people in this world.  But of the masses, there are only a select group of people that you will truly connect with in your lifetime.  Whether the people you connect with are professional or personal, embrace your connections.

I remember almost 7 years ago (wow, really?) when my first child was born.  It was all I had ever dreamed of.  And the opportunity to stay home with him during the first year was one of my dreams come true; something I thought I had always wanted.   Unfortunately, it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be—for me.  I ended up depressed, lonely and itching to find someone to relate to –or to return to the adult workforce.

I was the first of most of my friends to have children.  And during those days of being home with my son, I was desperate for another new mom to talk to.  I remember going out to the park each day and hoping to meet someone to relate to.  I was disappointed that of all the women I met, there was no one who I really connected with.  Some moms seemed fun, but after chatting realized that their idea of fun was a LOT more extreme than mine was.  On the opposite end, the responsible moms were either REALLY religious or were so uptight I could not relate.

Finally- my BFF introduced me a group of neighbors who I clicked with immediately.  This current group of friends are a perfect mix of responsible and healthy , fun and adventurous.  The first time I met them I walked into a News Years party where we celebrated East coast time for the kids’ sake, and everyone was buzzed by 6PM. A little after hours dancing to Beastie Boys’ ‘Paul’s Boutique’, and I knew these gals rocked.  We’ve been friends since.

On a professional level, connections are key.  Whether networking for business or finding a mentor to learn from, professional connections are key to success.  I love meeting successful women and learning from their stories.  As women we get ‘girl crushes’..no, not  Katy Perry ‘I kissed a girl’ crushes, but more of “I think you are super cool and I would like to be your friend” crush.    Women are drawn to other women that are attractive and also possess the traits we wished we had.  It’s great to have women in your life to look up to, learn from and admire.

Don’t underestimate a good connection. There are a select few people in your lifetime you will truly connect with.  Do the work to maintain these relationships.  And remember that you are being looked up, too. People are drawn to you because you possess some trait they wish they had, or that they admire. Good relationships can be such a positive force in your life.  Good friends, coworkers and business partners can make all the difference in your outlook on life.

Keeping connections takes work; you have to put-out effort (no, I don’t mean “put out”) to maintain successful relationships in life.  But it is totally worth it for meeting the right people.

Cheers to good connections! And TGIF!  Wine, please!

Chemo, anyone?

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On Friday I had the pleasure of sitting with my mother-in law while she was injected intravenously  with a cocktail of poisens.  This was the second time this month I have been on chemo duty—and happy to do it—no one should have to sit there alone.  This wasn’t new to me, I had been to the infusion center before, although it had been several years.  The first time I went, I’ll admit I was a little spooked.  Sick people all desperate for hope looking half alive as they are pumped full of drugs while sprawled out in their recliners.  By now, tho, I’m sorry to say I’m “used” to it.

In fact, the only thing spooky about the cancer center is the actual building itself.  For the amount of people in America fighting this awful disease, they sure aren’t going out of their way to make the experience comfortable.  This particular room was depressing to say the least.  Puke green walls, not one single picture, not ONE!  Ugly curtains separating dating recliners.  Sterile, alcohol smell and a offering of snacks not at all healthy for a cancer patient.  I don’t remember the doctor ordering Doritos or Hostess cupcakes as part of a healthy diet!  Pretty disappointing considering that most of the people are spending hours a week in these places.

I mean could they get one pleasant photo on the wall?  Maybe one of wall plaques with words of encouragement?  How about a plant?—(I realize the scent of flowers might make some queasy.)  And how about some soothing music like you hear at the spa.  Heck, why not make it a whole spa experience?!  Is the half a million dollars you spend on cancer care worth a little comfort?  And how about some super foods in the kitchen?  Fresh fruit, whole wheat bread, maybe some nuts?

I do realize that a lot of what they do have at the cancer center is donated.  So the offerings of fresh donuts brought in by a nice younger woman are appreciated.  And the good news is that I am hearing many places, like the retirement-ville small town my parents live in, are updating their infusion centers.  (Let’s just hope my parents never get the joy of visiting there.)

BUT…as disappointing  as the setting is at the cancer center, the people are an entirely different story.  I was amazed at the camaraderie that comes with being among others in your position.  Something changes with people when they walk through the door.  All of life’s little imperfections don’t seem to matter.  You talk with people and get to know them intimately, even those you never would have approached outside.  People have so much compassion for each other.  There is an understanding among the patients and the family members- that they are in this together.  The bonds that are created are quite astounding.

The nurses, too, play an amazing role in treating and caring for the patients and family members.  I am always amazed how these nurses can do this job day after day.  Watching people deal with the pain, physically and emotionally.  Listening to people groan and watching them get sick, then cleaning up after them all the while being respectful and patient.  God bless all of the nurses of the world—especially those who work in Oncology.

And so the experience of chemotherapy is far from fun, but your attitude can make the world of difference.  My mother-in-law never complains.  They poke her and prod her, make her wait endlessly and miss the veins a million times—but she never complains.  I can see that she sees life a little differently now.  It time to enjoy every minute.  So we laugh and talk and then after she takes me to Avenue Bread for lunch.  And so chemo day isn’t so bad after all.