Housewives

This post is 2 part/2 meaning. 

First, let's talk about being a housewife. A legitimate housewife, that is. To me, a legitimate housewife is one whose husband has a stellar career that financially allows for the wife to not have to work.  In my humble opinion, if you do not have children there is no reason to be a housewife.  Because then what would the reason be you are not working? As a housewife, you look after/raise/educate the children including but not limited to taking them to and from exploratory classes and ventures, play dates, doctor's appointments, etc.,  you cook the meals of the home and you clean your humble abode as well as run most of the household errands and if applicable, pay/manage/organize the household builds. Enough things in a day to basically take you from 9am-5pm.

I'm a part time housewife.  I work a 9-5 every day and am currently embarking on a new venture.  As much as I would have loved to stay at home and raise my booger from birth to kindergarden, I did not have that luxury by any means.  It was a terrible thing to have to return to work when my babes was only 8 weeks old but that's what I had to do. 

That being said, I think housewives tend to get a 'bad rap' from those of us who are 9-5ers.  I'll admit it, too that its somewhat from an envious standpoint.  However, I cannot stand to hear a woman who has the leisure of not being forced to work to complain about how exhausted she is or how she couldn't get 'this' done or 'that' done because frankly, I get it done...AND I worked all day so my time is basically limited to 3 hours a day and then weekends and that includes
1. dinner
2. cleanup
3. errands.
4. walking the dog
5. family time
6. gym
7. bath time
8. story/bedtime
9. Then throw in your occasional dinners with the fam, visiting with friends (and their children), after school activities, fundraisers, school programs, continuing education for the parents, sports, recreation and birthday parties!

And did I mention....ALONE TIME! No, I didn't because that's non-existent. Did I mention a social life? Nope, not much of that either.

Don't get me wrong, there are pah-lenty of housewives out there who get every last thing done, every single day without missing a beat...and they don't complain about it and their children are top notch! But there are more than that who don't...but don't worry their bodies are hawt, their hair is perfectly highlighted and their shopping trips are abundant.

Part 2...Here is the reason why most of the housewifes act the bratty ass way they do:

Don't get me wrong, folks I love me some Real Housewives on Bravo...because its entertaining.  But the sad reality is that its become 'cool' to be a non-productive wife/mother as long as you look fabulous. 

Now don't get it twisted because I am all about being fabulous, looking hot, having hot shit...but don't be a brat too.  And don't act like your life is so friggin tough that you personally can't even raise your own damn kids.  You don't need a nanny and you don't need a chef...because guess what darling? That's YOUR job and if you're like me and you do work, then it's partially your job and the other part belongs to your hubbs.

It just rubs me the wroooonnnngggg way when a mother is more concerned with her botox and breast implants than she is her own damn kids (a la Tamra in RH of OC) or how about Theresa (RH of NJ) who doesn't teach her darling little girls shit except how to drop $10K on summer clothes, wear lipstick and be an actress at the age of 5 oh wait! Then there's Alexis (OC) who has like 3 nannies...the woman only has 3 kids!! and she does not work, at all - ever! -- this little excerpt is derived from Bravotv.com "Keeping up appearances is important to Alexis, who devotes two to three hours each day to personal maintenance including working out, waxing, tanning, manicures and various other beauty treatments" Wow! Just wow! 

It's becoming socially acceptable to have other people raise your kids and do your 'duties' and it aggravates the bejesus out of me. I'd love love love to have the opportunity to even be home with my boy for one month straight let alone an entire childhood and I find it hard to swallow that so many people take complete and utter advantage of their own opportunity. 

enuff said, i guess.

Comments, anyone? I'd love to hear your take -whether be housewife or 9-5er? Am I too harsh or right on the money? Thanks for reading.

Finances

Thirsty Thurs! For some reason I just love Thursday's...I think it's the anticipation of the weekend that gets me, I dunno really I just like today for some reason ;) I also love Miss Coleys' Cubicle to Cocktails spreads

Oh wait! Maybe it's because yayyyy baby Carys is here!!!! Congratulations to my beautiful friend Dana and her awesome husband Terrell as they welcomed their second cutie patutie into the world this morning.  I have already received pictures of this little doll and must say, she's freakin adorable - lookin just like her big brother B.  Cannot WAIT to see her chubbs in person!

I want to discuss finances. Mine, yours, systems, procedures - all that.  I know that hubbs and I are ALWAYS trying to discover new ways to save, spend and allocate and we just can't seem to get it right.  I think its discipline that we are lacking.  We say we'll do 'this' and we totally end up doing 'that' instead.  We are both the spending type and so I'm pretty sure that's why our plans never work.  Unfortunately our monthly bills have just gotten outrageous! I mean, I simply cannot believe how much money we spend just on 'life' every month - between car payments, daycare, mortgage, utilities, cell phones, cable, etc. etc. etc. I feel like we're left with blah and it just stinks. 

I'm desperately trying to find a way to cut back on things and so

• I cut out premium channels (HBO, Showtime, Starz) then I realized that once Entourage comes back on we'll have no way to watch it - so that didn't work.
• I cut out internet because we both have blackberry's that cost an extra $30/each per month and plus I have internet at work, so what's the use, right? Yeah well BB's suck 80% of the time so we're always in some sort of an annoying jam - that didn't work
• I cut out gym membership and bought workout DVD's - yeah that lasted about 2 weeks, so that didn't work
• I cut back our minutes on the cell phone...and for the first 3 months we went over minutes racking up more charges then we would have with the bigger plan - that didn't work

So I'm feeling a bit defeated...what do we do? hmmmm...its not like I can stop sending my booger to school or return one of our cars? And not to mention I feel like we spend a small fortune on groceries? I mean, why the EFF is it so god damn expensive to eat healthy? Ice Cream and snacks are A L W A Y S on sale - is lettuce? how about apples? Tofu? Organic? N E V E R R R R

So my post today is really a question for my followers - how do YOU budget your money? I don't want your personal info more or less if you use a system or have basic principals and how do you stay focused and on plan?  How do you (or plan to) cut back and how do you keep your grocery bills at bay?

Let me know!

Sweet...it's Manday

A loooonnng overhaul for me today followers, I was out of work on Friday due to the snow...yes snow, can you believe it, I was shocked too! not. I'm so over the winter its not even funny.  I'm sick of black and grey and I have really cute white pumps I want to rock, immediately but due to the whole "White Rule" I can't and it makes me angry.  For now I am dreaming of coral, yellow and pink but hopefully it will soon be reality. 

All that aside, Thursday night I took an AWESOME kickboxing class at my gym.  I absolutely love the instructor (whose pilates class I take on Tuesday's) and the class kicked my assss big time! I was dripping sweat 10 minutes into the class and that's what I call a workout.  I skipped the gym on Friday because I shoveled snow for a good 2 hours and that's what I call the suckiest part of my day a good core workout!  So my exercise over the weekend was pretty nice.  Unfortunately I couldn't get my lazy butt out of bed for 6:45am Saturday yoga (again)...maybe next weekend? Eh hem, although I was in fact at the gym this morn at 6am.

The weekend was well, mediocre.  We were basically 'snowed in' on Friday but we ventured out later in the day to hang with my bestie's mama dukes (heyyyy Joan) which turned into a whole entire night of eating Kashi pizza and drinking 2 magnums of red wine...yes you read that right, two magnums.  It was a good time. 

Mi mama's cumpleanos was Saturday so we had her over for dinner yesterday for a lovely seafood extravaganza and capped out the night with some good ol' closing ceremony action followed by Desperate Housewives! The only shopping I did this weekend was for groceries and new tires, unfortunately.  So no exciting purchases to share.

After today's man parade, I'm going to come back later and discuss an inspired topic....Workplace Fashion Rules so stay tuned :) .... I know, terribly cheesy but I couldn't resist.  And now back to our regularly scheduled program featuring the scrumptious Ryan Reynolds and if possibly there's some god for saken reason you don't know him - he's a gorgeous actor married to Scarlett Johansson who's been in some great movies...Smokin' Aces, Waiting, The Proposal, Xmen: Origins and some stints on SNL (he used to be engaged to Alanis Morrisette):

KWEENO, KICKBOXING AND ANN TAYLOR

Quinoa (pronounced kwee-no) -- a fabulous nutritional grain, cereal like.  Nutritionally MUCH better than even brown rice.  It's protein content is unusually high (12-18%) and unlike rice it contains a very balanced set of essential amino acids for humans which again, makes it a complete protein source.  A great source of dietary fiber, gluten free and easy to digest.  To make quinoa, you have to first soak the grains in hot water for a good 5 minutes in order to remove the bitter outer coating called saponins after soaking you will drain all the water (using a mesh strainer if you have one as the grains are very small) you then cook to a rolling boil and once boiling, cover with a tight lid and let simmer for 15 minutes.  After same, take the pot off the heat (still covered) for 5 minutes, fluff with fork after and you're set. 

I had this with my dinner last night and I must say, I was pleasantly surprised at both the taste and the texture.  Now, when I boiled it I substituted the water for chicken broth and there are TONS of tasty recipes online.  Try it.

This is what the uncooked quinoa looks like...similar to pastina if you've ever had that. 

I found THIS great recipe that I'm going to have for lunch today.



On to other news, SURPRISE its snowing again today! Shocker.  I mean, when is it going to stop already? I have 3 ready to pop pregnant friends and I don't believe that a blizzard is very good 'I'm on my way to the hospital' weather.  So enough already.

I'm taking a kickboxing class tonight at 5pm (will probably get my own butt kicked) but will let you know how it goes.  I cannot say enough how much I really loved that pilates class on Tuesday...my abs are still burning! I know if I continue to take the class each week I'll definitely see an improvement.  I'm hoping they add a 2nd convenient class that I can take.  I've decided that Mon, Wed, Fri I'll do the 6am gym and Tuesdays and Thursdays I'll take a class at night.  Will keep you updated on my progress!

I know this post hasn't been tooo exciting but I just had to share my excitement for this new food as well as the fitness updates!  For my fashion and beauty segment today, I'm going to share my rant about Ann Taylor and Ann Taylor Loft.  Let me start by saying this is one store I always looked at as an 'older' store - I always thought it was a store that women in their late 30's and early 40's shopped at to look somewhat cute and on trend.  I was a very sadly mistaken young girl when I thought this.  The oh-so-adorable Chloe at Chloe's Conspiracy has me HOOKED on Ann Taylor. 

However, my dears, I very quickly came to shocking revelation #1 - I cannot afford to shop at this store, not even on sale I mean, some stuff has ok prices, $39.99 isn't bad for a nice cardigan but $128 for a statement necklace or $88 for a shell? 
They just have the most adorable, feminine, gorgeous pieces of everything - they have very cute jewelry and their ruffly, flowery, girly colored tops are to die for.  Here is my "want list" of Ann Taylor items that if anyone really loved me lots would get for me!! btw my B-diddy is 12/31, my Anniversary is 7/25,  Christmas is ALWAYS 12/25 and Easter this year is 4/4...K thanks, xoxo

C l u s t e r f r u c k

There are days when I log on to blogger and think "hmmm what shall I discuss today" then there are other days (today for example) that I log on and can't figure what it is that I'm going to discuss because I have SO much on my mind.  I'm a bit compulsive in the fact that if I blog it, then schedule it for another day I might not want to ever post it because I want it to come out right here, right now as I'm thinking it.  So this may be a   v  e  r  y   l o n g   post. 

First, I was greeted this morning with a rude, incompetent annoying man aka the service guy at my car dealership.  He's stupid and impossible.  The entire dealership sucks big you know what and I will never ever do business with them again - not to mention that I will spread the word like a plague so that no one I know will either.  Rant over.

I am one angry mama

Putting that nonsense by the way side,  I cannot say how FRICKIN EXCITED I AM....my bestie best best in the whole world is coming home to visit on Tuesday from her new temporary home in North Carolina; we're taking a trip to AC from Friday to Sunday and I took off work Thursday/Friday to cheeeel with her.  I can't wait, I haven't seen her since Christmas and miss her dearly; mind you we practically have been joined at the hip since we were 13 years old...this is a pictured scenario of what our weekend shall be like

Last night I took a pilates class and I must say it was AH-mazing...I've done pilates at home for about 4 or 5 weeks now and I certainly can see a difference in the toning and shape of my physique and it takes very little time to do so.  The thing with pilates is that its a TON of effort in a small amount of time, but that's allll me. I have limited time but am willing to work during my few moments.  I will continue the class regularly, no doubt.  And recommend any of you who want to shape and tone to take a class or pick up a video
(my fav is this one right here) which you can actually purchase, with the bands, for like $8!!!

I am definitely going to start focusing some of my posts of fitness, health & nutrition.  I have been very passionate about both of those issues for quite some time now and would like to share what I have learned and discovered.  I'm not saying I don't go off the deep end on a raging bing of chocolate of ice cream every once in a while, but for the most part I am dedicated and focused.  And bikini season is RIGHT around the corner ladies, believe it or not Memorial Day weekend is only 3 short months from Sunday..so we all need to get our arses in gear

And there's nothing like getting you motivated than seeing your favorite swimsuits in the flesh, literally.  I am a fan of the cut out one pieces because while sometimes I do have the balls to wear a 2 piece in the glory of my post baby :::cringe::: body I do prefer the one piece more and am very glad they made a stellar comeback more recently.  I'm definitely getting these 2 suits for summer.  Although hubbs will more than likely get rid of me if I buy one more bathingsuit (I must have at least 30)

Ruffle One Piece - Victoria's Secret  ................................ Plunge Neck One Piece - American Apparel

Which do you prefer...one piece cut outs, tankini, bikini, retro? what strikes your fancy?

Now that I've gone off on 3 separate tangents...let me regress back to the HFN (my new ackronym for health, fitness & nutrition)...I am doing well on my new, no-meat diet.  I actually feel really really great and I encourage any of you to try it out and see if you like it too.  I, personally, was encouraged by my dear friend Kori (who also doubled as my wedding planner at the time) who is now a vegan.  She briefed me on the industry standards for meat production which grossed me out terribly and told me to read the book "Skinny Bitch" which I ordered from Amazon yesterday.  So we'll see how that book goes. 

Separately, I must say that I have a much better appreciation of what goes into my body now in my 'older years' than I did when I was in my teen years and very early 20's.  I used to scarf down anything I could get my grubby little hands on and refused to basically eat any fish (besides shellfish), never ate beans or legumes of any kind and the only veggies I ever ate were the ones you could smother in ranch dressing; otherwise it was a no-go for me.  Now, I cannot get enough of raw (and cooked) vegetables, fish of every kind, beans, raw nuts, wheats and grains and steer clear of most things that are processed. I try not to eat anything that comes individually wrapped because 9 times out of 10 its probably not good for you. I've found that food tastes so much better when its fresh - from fish to vegetables and everything in between.  I also think that vegetables are one of those food items that you can mix a hodge podge of any of 'em and they taste incredible.

I'm really going on and on now so I will stop.  Comments, anyone?

Whirlwind of a Week

Well ello there...let's recap Tuesday-Thursday

1.) Snow Sucks - period. We got a ridiculous amount of it here in Northwest New Jerz and I shoveled with hubbs like 14 times in one day...just stupid.  My car is still covered in snow because neither of us felt like digging it out for the umteenth time

2.) Blackberry's suck.  I remember when I got mine and though "oh yay, I'm so high tech and well connected now" yeah, right.  I can log on to my blog via BB and see posts, etc. but cannot write new posts or even schedule already drafted ones because "the page you are trying to load is too large" so awesome, I'm SOOO glad I pay $30/month to be so 'well connected'

3.) 2 days off from work in the middle of the week is awesome! Although I kept thinking yesterday was Sunday and anxiously surfing the channels wondering why Keeping Up with the Kardashians wasn't on? Well, darling because it was Thursday! But woot woot today is casual Friday and then another 2 days off.  Yessssss!

Speeking of the crazy K's...guess who was on Regis and Kelly yesterday? My fav beotch, the 'Tush'...I seriously have a borderline stalker obsession with this woman (exaggerating here, people), I have never envied someone else (celebrity or not) as much as I do her.  She is just stunning at every single moment, its just not even fair.  Although, Kim's flaw - she's really not good at anything in particular.  She's gorgeous, yes - fun to watch, yes - but all in all she really is famous just for being famous, that's it.  I mean she's a successful business woman for sure, she's branded herself in a way that arguably takes a lot of work (or a good momager/agent) 

Kudos to the fact that she has now added a perfume line to her success but whether it smells like dog poo or not, people will buy it by the boat load just because its 'hers'.  I am severely upset that on Monday she will be at the NYC Sephora signing autographs and launching her new fragerence (which will be sold exclusively at Sephora) -- but guess what? Boss will be royally ticked if I take off so I can't go. Wahh  ::::wipes tear::::

Here she is on yesterday's show, where Regis creepily sniffed her several times (check out the kool aid smile he has on the ENTIRE time she's sitting next to him) -- and Bush is on Monday's show :)

Realizing

Now that Manday has made me feel better I think I can make some useful notations about myself to all 7 of you wonderful followers :)

---I definitely cannot hang like I used to.  Which means I probably shouldn't try to.  Drink way too much vodka that is. I should stick to my 1 glass of wine with dinner and bump it up to 2 glasses on a Saturday night.  Period.

Realization #2...I'm getting fat.  Not even kidding.  I don't know if it's hormones or what, but lately (and lately means since Christmas) I have just been eating like a heffer.  I crave things, I binge eat and I just feel yuck.  I have been a very strict eater for about 3 years now. I gained a disgusting 94 lbs. when I was preggo for my wonderful little boy and had a gross and unflattering battle losing it afterwards.  But when I did, I was so proud of myself, my hard work and dedication.  Not only did I lose the 94 lbs. I shed an additional 10 or so more and toned my physique like it had never been before.  I was very happy. 

When hubbs and I started dating, about 2 or 3 months in I just stopped going to the gym...I was too busy with him, ya know - dating and all that jazz and I was just content - we were in love (well maybe not at 2 months, but eventually) and I just let my gym routine fall by the way side.  I kept up my strict eating habits though so I didn't gain any weight, but I was quickly losing my toned physique I had worked so damn hard at.  I went back to the gym in the months preceeding the wedding but again, let it fall by the way side thereafter.  Its just effin ridiculous.  I'm not joking.  I just cannot get motivated, what so ever and on top of not going to the gym I find myself eating the worst foods more often than not.  I don't know why looking in the mirror wearing last year's swimsuit, gagging at my appearance and woefully putting the suit back in its box has not been enough, but wtf!!! My lovely partner in crime, Dona turned me on to this really great '10 minute solutions' pilates DVD that is actually 50 minutes total if you do the whole thing and I think its great and its definitely a start...but I need more motivation. 
Then, after reading Miss Veronika's blog this AM, I felt even worse about being such a fat bum because she is clearly VERY motivated and gets her arse to the gym ALL the time and is wearing a size 4...wtf, why can't I be back in a size 4 and be motivated?

When you feel good - you look good and you act right...you just exuberate that in your entire outer appearance. From your hair and makeup to your desk at work

For example when you look and feel good your car doesn't look like this:

Your sink doesn't look like this:

And you don't look like this when trying to put on your favorite pants

And unfortunately, my friends, my car does look like that and if I didn't have a wonderful husband, my sink would look like that too and I'm exaggerating but I do feel like that woman above! So now that I'm done whining

Tell me - how do YOU get out of a rut? How do you get motivated and stay motivated?