Who Doesn't Love a Party?

Well, what better way to get me back into blogging than a big ol' party! 5 Minutes for Moms is throwing a huge shindig! I can't even begin to imagine how many bloggers are going to participate. It's gonna be crazy! And guess what? I'm going to join in all the craziness!

A little bit about myself:

I'm Beth, better known around here as Freddie or Mom. Freddie- yep, that's what hubby has called me since before we started dating. Who the heck knows where it came from but I LOVE it! He hardly ever calls me "Beth". It's always Freddie or Baby Doll- which I love too. A little side story here- when youngest was in preschool-2 yr old class- his teachers were trying to help the kids learn their parents names so that if they were ever lost and someone asked what their parents names were they wouldn't just answer "Momma" or "Daddy". Well, DS knew his Dad's name but couldn't not think of mine. His teacher prompted him by asking, "well, what does your Daddy call your mom?" His answer "Baby Doll"! His teachers got a real kick out of that!

My sweetie and I will be married TWENTY years in August! How can that be! Really 20 years! Love him dearly and can not imagine my life without him. And I REALLY need to work harder at making sure he knows that!!

I'm mom to a two sporty boys- bet you never would have guessed from my blog name! They are 13 and 11! Life is getting very interesting around here! Not so sure I'm gonna like the teenage years. But I'll be honest- I'm so glad God gave me boys! Not sure I could handle a teenage daughter!

I'm a substitute teacher hoping to find full time/part time work in the school next year. I just recent finished a 6 wk sub job working with special needs preschoolers and as a shadow for a first grader who has autism. I believe I've found what I love doing!!

Well, that's a little about me. I'm hoping that this party and all the excitement will give me the kick I need to get back to posting here. I really do miss it! Looking forward to meeting lots of new folks! I hope you'll leave a comment! How about sharing your nickname if you have one! If not, just say hello!!

oh, and if you're interested- I've got a giveaway going on. Hope you'll check it out!



P.S. I'm gonna borrow a tip from my blogging buddy Robin and share it with you. There will be tons of links at the party-

whatever your number is when you register with Mr. Linky, let the last digit determine the blogs you visit (i.e., if your number is 124, visit all blogs whose Linky number ends in "4"). This is a small way more blogs might be visited--you won't be hitting the first 20 (or 100 or 1000!) and wearing out so soon!

Hi, My name is Audrey

Are you a Jackie, Marilyn or someone else? This quiz peaked my interest so I thought I'd give it a try.

Here are my results:

You Are an Audrey!

You are an Audrey -- "I am at peace"

Audreys are receptive, good-natured, and supportive. They seek union with others and the world around them.

How to Get Along with Me

* If you want me to do something, how you ask is important. I especially don't like expectations or pressure
* I like to listen and to be of service, but don't take advantage of this
* Listen until I finish speaking, even though I meander a bit
* Give me time to finish things and make decisions. It's OK to nudge me gently and nonjudgmentally
* Ask me questions to help me get clear
* Tell me when you like how I look. I'm not averse to flattery
* Hug me, show physical affection. It opens me up to my feelings
* I like a good discussion but not a confrontation
* Let me know you like what I've done or said
* Laugh with me and share in my enjoyment of life


What I Like About Being an Audrey
* being nonjudgmental and accepting
* caring for and being concerned about others
* being able to relax and have a good time
* knowing that most people enjoy my company; I'm easy to be around
* my ability to see many different sides of an issue and to be a good mediator and facilitator
* my heightened awareness of sensations, aesthetics, and the here and now
* being able to go with the flow and feel one with the universe


What's Hard About Being an Audrey
* being judged and misunderstood for being placid and/or indecisive
* being critical of myself for lacking initiative and discipline
* being too sensitive to criticism; taking every raised eyebrow and twitch of the mouth personally
* being confused about what I really want
* caring too much about what others will think of me
* not being listened to or taken seriously


Audreys as Children Often
* feel ignored and that their wants, opinions, and feelings are unimportant
* tune out a lot, especially when others argue
* are "good" children: deny anger or keep it to themselves


Audreys as Parents
* are supportive, kind, and warm
* are sometimes overly permissive or nondirective

Give the quiz a try- you might be surprised at your results! Or not, I was surpised at how well it described me!!

BTW- a friend posted this pic of me on Facebook-before I even took the quiz.

How did he know???

Twas the Month After Christmas

'Twas the month after Christmas, and all through the house
Nothing would fit me, not even a blouse.

The cookies I'd nibbled, the eggnog I'd taste
At the holiday parties had gone to my waist.

When I got on the scales there arose such a number!
When I walked to the store (less a walk than a lumber).

I'd remember the marvelous meals I'd prepared;
The gravies and sauces and beef nicely rared,

The wine and the rum balls, the bread and the cheese
And the way I'd never said, "No thank you, please."

As I dressed myself in my husband's old shirt
And prepared once again to do battle with dirt---

I said to myself, as I only can
"You can't spend a winter disguised as a man!"

So--away with the last of the sour cream dip,
Get rid of the fruit cake, every cracker and chip

Every last bit of food that I like must be banished
"Till all the additional ounces have vanished.

I won't have a cookie--not even a lick.
I'll want only to chew on a long celery stick.

I won't have hot biscuits, or corn bread, or pie,
I'll munch on a carrot and quietly cry.

I'm hungry, I'm lonesome, and life is a bore---
But isn't that what January is for?

Unable to giggle, no longer a riot.
Happy New Year to all and to all a good diet!

Author Unknown

Spirited Pumpkins

We are THAT family is hosting a BYOP- Bring Your Own Pumpkin Party today. She wants everyone to show off their pumpkins on this wonderful halloween day!

So here are our pumpkins:



GO TARHEELS!!! UNC #1

To see more creations head on over to We are THAT Family and enjoy!

bloggy Giveaway-#1- Jillian Michael 30 Shred DVD

It's that time again!! Whooo Hoooo!!



So, anyone else watch The Biggest Loser and get motivated by the transformations? I was so glad to see Ali win!




But just WOW on all of the changes.

Jillian and Bob are such great trainers. I have all of TBL workout DVDs and many of Jillian's DVDs. I now own two copies of her latest- 30 Day Shred and want to share one with one of you.

So, if you are interested in an awesome workout from one a great trainer leave a comment. I'll choose the winner through random number generator on Sunday, April 27th @ 8:00 p.m.!

Check out my other giveaway as well- a handmade purse organizer insert. I have one and it is such a space saver (and sanity saver!!!)

And the winner is...

thanks to everyone that entered to win these:

the winner is..............................

Comment #3

Jennifer at Snapshot! I know her kids are a few years away from being teens- but we all need to be prepared!

Congratulations Jennifer!

Thanks again to everyone that entered!

A Little Linky Love Tag

I was tagged by Permission to Peruse and thought I would give a shout out for some of the blogs that I've recently added to my reading list.

I added the 5 at the bottom.

Check 'em out.

I have randomly selected 5 of you below to be tagged and I hope that you will similarly publish this post in your blog. You will have to tag 5 other bloggers and just keep adding on to the list.

(Do not replace, just keep on adding! Yes we hope it will be a long list!)

It's real easy!

*Tag others and see your Technorati Authority increase exponentially!
*The benefits of Viral Linking:
1.One of the fastest ways to see your technorati authority explode!
2.Increase your Google PageRank fast
3.Attract large volume of new traffic to your site
4.Build your community
5.Make new friends!
Linky Love Tag

The Strategist Notebook
Link Addiction
Ardor of the Heart
When Life Becomes a Book
The Malaysian Life
Yogatta.com
What goes under the sun
Roshidan’s Cyber Station
Sasha says
Arts of Physics
And the legend lives
My View, My Life
A Simple Life
Juliana RW
Mom Knows Everything
Beth & Cory’s Mom
A Mind Forever Voyaging
enjoying the ride
Jennifer’s thoughts
Mom of 3 Girls
Amanda
Don’t Make Me Get The Flying Monkeys
ExPat Mom
Just Jessie
Wilson Six
Kristin
Nuttier Than You
Shonnte
Summer’s Nook
Laura Williams Musings
Melissa’s Idea Garden
Eve at Confessions of an Everyday Housewife
ChristiS of the Blah Blah Blog
Stephanie at Stop the Ride!
Diane at Soap, Blings & Girly Things
Amanda at Amanda:Mama’s Musings
Kristin at An Ordinary Life
Mama Zen at The Zen of Motherhood
Atomik Kitten
The Sassy Southerner
A Room of Mama’s Own
Exploring Autumn
Immoral Matriarch: Catechizer
Real Life
Boogiemum
Living and loving every minute of it
Huckdoll
The Daily Rhythm
The Rocky Mountain Retreat
Peace is Every Step
Life According to Lizzy
Following Forward
Boys Rule My Life
A Quest for Relevance
Not Trying for a Boy
The Gaspards
Orryally’s journal
My Life with Boys
The Truest Thing
The Potter’s Hand
Permission to Peruse
Live Laugh Blog
Pianomomsicle
Heather’s Hot Mess
Kevin and Paula
SmatterdayGuidance for Victory
Sports Momma



Pensieve
The Home Team Wins
Sisters of a Different Order
Chased by Children
A Frog in My Soup





Take some time to check out these blogs. I've already jumped over to a few of them and have found some great reading! Keep this going. Even if you don't see your name on the list- you can still participate in the meme and keep the Linky Love Tag going!


My StumbleUpon Page

Paintball- Safe Mom!!

I don’t know about your boys kids but mine are dying to try playing paintball. They’ve never participated in it before but they've started talking about getting a group of boys together for their next combined birthday party and going to play paintball.

Now I don’t know much about paintball but I do know that you need to be well equipped in order to play well. And I also know that just any old paintball equipment won’t do. I’m sure they are going to want the best and they are going to want EVERYTHING! So going with tippmann a-5 or maybe Ion, Spyder or Proto Rail will be the direction we head in I'm sure!

I can just see them now, maneuvering around the field of play, probably playing Woodsball aiming for each other first- my boys are competitive that way. Of course being the good Mom that I am, they’ll be decked out in their protective gear- gloves, chest protectors, pads, pants, etc. Should I be saying "You'll put your eye out"? Nope, cause they'll be wearing their goggles too!

When I'm ready to make the dive into purchasing all of this equipment for them I know I can head over to Ultimate Paintball and get everything I need- including FREE SHIPPING! Do I hear Christmas bells ringing?


My StumbleUpon Page

It's Fall Y'all!-Giveaway time

Oh my, I almost forgot to start this post so everyone that reads my blog will come back and check out my giveaway. Here's the deal. I'm participating in Shannon's Fall Y'all Bloogy Giveaway. Everyone that participates gives something away. All you have to do is leave a comment on the my blog for the post where I announce the giveaway and you'll be entered to win. I'm giving away the cutest....well you gotta come back on Oct. 29th to see what I'm giving away!!

Be sure to go to Shannon's site then too and you'll be able to see tons of other giveaways!!