Meme

Here's a meme from my friend Vieve:

1. What was I doing 10 years ago?

That would have been the fall of 1998. I was in the middle of graduate school for my master's degree in anthropology. I was dating a guy in the air force who was eight years older and ended up being one of the worst mistakes of my life.

2. What are 5 things on my to-do list today?

1. Publish the latest Junior League newsletter. (done)
2. Pump at least four more times.
3. Post the video of baby's baptism.
4. Upload the photos of baby's baptism and edit them.
5. Finish my current library book (GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO)

3. What snacks do I enjoy?

I am a cookie monster so if there is a chocolate chip cookie available I definitely go for that! Most of the time, i have a granola bar.

4. Where are some places I've lived?

Dallas, San Antonio, Denver, Sonoma County

5. What things would I do if I were a billionaire?

Pay off my debt and student loans. Buy a house. Donate to all my favorite charities. Buy my mom a house. Create a college fund for Aidan. I want a home of my own so badly. If I could win a lottery for just a couple hundred thousand I would be a happy happy woman. Real estate is so ridiculous in California that I doubt we will EVER be able to afford a house.

Working Mom Blues

I recently found a new blog that I have been reading called "Mom 101" and I really enjoy it. This post especially got to me. It is definitely hard to be a working mom. I went to a Mommy Track'd conference in San Francisco last week and really enjoyed it. It had a roomful of 500 working moms. It was nice to be around women who are in the same boat. However, a lot of them can afford nannies and au pairs. To me, it doesn't matter what kind of sitter you have. That isn't the point. No sitter or nanny or au pair can take the place of a real-live-honest-to-goodness mommy. Sigh....

Fun Time-Waster

HowManyOfMe.com

There are 1 or fewer people with my name in the U.S.A. How many have your name?

Couch Potato Mama

Not too long ago, it seems as if there was nothing worth watching on television. And that was fine. I could spend that time reading or playing with baby instead. Now, however, I can barely keep up. Some of my favorites:

DIE-HARD FAN:

"House"
"Lost"
"Mad Men"
"Swingtown"
"Fringe"
"The Office"
"Dexter"

GUILTY PLEASURES:

"America's Next Top Model"
"Greek"
"Project Runway"
"Girls Next Door"

JURY IS STILL OUT:

"True Blood"
"Lipstick Jungle"

I'm never gonna lose this baby weight if I don't get off the couch!!!!

Fall into Reading 2008

Yahoo! It's another Callapidder Days reading challenge! I didn't get to finish the last one since I had Baby right in the middle of it. Here is my tentative reading list:

1. STORY OF EDGAR SAWTELLE

2. GARDEN OF LAST DAYS

3. GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO

4. HOME by Marilynne Robinson

I have a few others to add to the list that I will do later. I used to average four books a month but I have slowed down since the baby. We'll see how much I get done!!!

High Anxiety

WARNING: Political blather ahead

A long time ago, I told myself that I would not make this blog political or religious. It was supposed to be about my life and my interests. Specifically books. But I have to admit that I am feeling a lot of anxiety right now. I guess I never believed that many of my fellow women would be gullible enough to fall for McCain's Palin card. Do I support women running for higher political office? Of course I do! But not THIS woman. I would even have preferred Kay Bailey Hutchison who I can't stand. And I have been dismayed by how many people are falling for McCain in general. Is he a good decent experiences man who served his country well? Of course he is! But we have the opportunity to get a true visionary in office. Someone we can actually believe in!!!

I ran across this article today and thought I would share it with you. It is called "This is Your Nation on White Privilege" by Tim Wise and it is really thought-provoking. Check it out here:

LINK

It expresses some of my frustrations about this election. This is such an important time in American history. The next President will choose three Supreme Court justices which will affect us all. We cannot sit idly by on this one and let other people choose for us. It's time to take action...

Virtual Sample Sales

I love to shop. For other people. If I could be a professional shopper and help people to buy gifts for their friends and loved ones, I would. I especially enjoy sample sales but the closest ones are usually forty miles away. That can be tough. So...I have become very interested in the new trend of online sample sales. Most of them are invitation only, however. I am a member of three and I've found some great deals. But you have to be quick!!!

1. Ideeli usually lists one item per day. You can pay to be one of the first people to access the item but I usually wait for the free opening.

2. Ruelala gives you sneak previews and I try to be on time when I see something I want because they sell out fast!

3. The new kid on the block is the Mini Social. This one has items for kids. I found Baby some really cute clothes at the latest offering.

4. A reader recommended HauteLook which has great stuff!

5. I just found Gilt Group which has lots of high-end designers.


If you would like an invite to any of these sample sales, just e-mail me at
bibanon1[at]gmail.com and I'll send you one.

Watch out, though. It can be addictive!!!!

Viva el Amor

Our friends Larry and Joseph got married last Saturday and it was just lovely. They have been a couple for 20 years and now that they can legally marry, they decided to tie the knot. They will finally get the same rights and privileges that heterosexual couples who have been married for much less time have already been getting. When will we start recognizing that love is a wonderful thing wherever we find it and that we should always support loving COMMITTED relationships? Here is a video of another couple that just legalized their union. It made me cry...

LBC Freebie of the Day

Free "green" cat litter! I did this and it works. The coupon comes in the mail in an envelope that looks like junk mail so be sure and don't throw it away! I found the litter at Target.

LINK

I Love a Good Freebie!

As many of you know, I love a good freebie. And I have been trying to pass on some of the good ones to you. Unfortunately, I have fallen down on the job lately. So, I have decided to share some of my favorite freebie and product testing sites with you so you can find your own freebies.

Freebie Message Boards--Check these often as they are constantly updated with freebies

1. DealTaker

2. SlickDeals

3. Deal Seeking Mom

Product Testing Sites

1. BzzAgent--On this site, you are offered the chance to test products and then spread the word about the product to other people. The more "bzz" you generate, the more points you receive. You can redeem points for rewards but I like testing the products the best. (by the way--my agent name is bibanon1 in case they ask who referred you)

2. House Party--Here you can apply for product parties where you host a party to share free products and information with your friends. I've done some great stuff with them although it's getting harder to get chosen.

3. She Speaks--A product testing site for women.

I will try to update this post with more sites as I find them. Enjoy!!!