June Cleaver Nirvana

For better or worse is often a statement meant when made.

For better or worse is easily forgotten when it is better.

For better or worse is easily abandoned when it is worse.

That is why the love story of Brian and Angie is so compelling. Brian and Angie were given only a few weeks of better. Brian and Angie lived in love holding each other through almost 12 years of worse. Together they redefined worse into something better.

Something inspirational.

***

I haven't met Angie in person, but someday I will...even if I have to hunt her down. She is someone I consider a friend. A friend that I wish was closer so I could pop in and make sure she is doing OK.

I wanted to do or send her something to let her know that I am thinking about her. When I was contacted about a potential giveaway for my blog I had an idea...

In Praise of Mom is a LIVE EVENT to celebrate Mother's Day happening in 450 movie theaters across the country on May 5 (with a taped encore on May 6). The companion book celebrating all things motherhood - Dr. Laura: In Praise of Mom is in stores now.

When I told the people at Dr. Laura a small portion of Angie's story they were in full agreement that she should be the recipient of two tickets to the event and a signed book which are in the mail to her now.

As a friend, I hope that a few hours out of the house giggling about motherhood might help. Even if just a little. Besides...it was that better or worse thing that caused the whole motherhood thing.

***

If YOU would like to enter to win two tickets to the LIVE EVENT and a signed copy of the book In Praise of Mom click over to Burb Mom for a chance to win.

***

No comments here today...please leave them over at Angie's place.

I’m filling in for Holly today--because she invited me, and also because I’m positive that she needs a break. She has to! Look at all she does. This blog, Burbmom.net, raising kids, wife...the list goes on and on.

So I’m providing the break, and though I know you’ll miss her, I hope you’ll forgive her for the hiatus and read my little story.

There’s also the added benefit that I’m giving away a prize! Now, that’s motivation, isn’t it, because everyone loves free things?

Here we go...

Once upon a time, there was a girl who loved books. She loved writing. Crazy, I know, but she actually enjoyed essay assignments and treasures a paper she earned an A- on because the professor wrote on it that she should never change her captivating writing style.

Book Nerd, that’s her.

This girl grew up to be a woman, earned her teaching credential [in English, of course], fell in love, got married, had a career as a teacher, had kids [2], became pregnant again and was rapidly losing her hair from trying to juggle...er...life.

She moved with her growing family from the Sacramento Valley to the San Francisco Bay Area and spent the next six months in a rental house, trying to hold down the food that just wanted to creep back up her esophagus, killing the swarming ants that just wouldn’t go away, and taking care of her boys while her husband’s career blossomed.

She began to write...just to keep her sanity.

But, again, as it tends to do, life marched on despite the vomiting and ants. A third boy was born, and though the woman was hailed as a ‘pura mujer’ by her grandmother-in-law because she had birthed so many boys--and we all know how much more valuable and honored boys are over girls, right? [Argh! Don’t get me started...]-- writing took a back burner in the woman’s life.

The family bought a house in a different Bay Area city and moved, time passed, and finally the woman sold a children’s story. It became a book, and then she had another baby--this time--gasp--a girl. Her reputation as a ‘real woman’ faltered [only slightly], but she kept writing, and the family tried to put down some roots.

Only they didn’t.

Life intervened again. They ended up going back to that appealingly HOT Sacramento Valley. One thing led to another and--well--they had one more child. A fourth boy. The woman’s ‘pura mujer’ status was firmly in place again, but alas, her hair was thinning and she was rapidly losing grey matter with each passing day. Her brain was turning to mush. Again, she tried to find balance.

She started writing again, but sadly, with her daily life surrounded by children, she was drained and, as they say, had lost her muse. She found she didn’t want to write children’s stories. No. She wanted to write about adults! About people who swore occasionally [but only in Spanish, and only when pushed to the very limit]! Mystery! Sex!

Thus her fictional alter-ego was born. And she was called: Dolores ‘Lola’ Cruz.

Lola is who this woman would have been had she been born Latina. With a crazy desire to be a private investigator [and an even crazier family]. If she was sexy. Sassy. A black belt in kung fu.


It took six years from writing the first word to publication [did I say the book was released today?]. It took writing in the wee hours of the morning. It took understanding from her family. It took more balance than she’d ever thought possible when she started teaching again, had her five kids to carpool around, and wrote during every possible stolen moment. It took a move from California to Cowboy-land [aka Texas] so that she could write full time and the family could still maintain their quality of life.

And now, on the day of her book release, she’s realized that she’s many things: A woman. A mom. A wife. A teacher. A daughter. A friend.

And an author. Finally!

She persevered. She held true to her dreams. She modeled these things for her children. And her second career was realized.

And, thankfully, she still has hair.


The End



And now, here’s the really good part... One lucky commenter will be randomly chosen to win a copy of this woman’s book! All you have to do is tell us all what your very favorite book is? The one you escape to when you’re in that ‘Calgon, take me away’ moment.

Also, be sure to stop by MisaRamirez.com to enter the February contest to win other fun prizes [of course for those, you have to buy and read Living the Vida Lola, but it’s a really fun book, so go ahead and indulge!].



Note from Holly:
Ya'll know I can't stay away...
Misa Ramirez's debut novel Living the Vida Lola is being released TODAY, January 20th. So...

Leave a comment naming your favorite book to win a copy OR go buy it today!

Today is my birthday!



And I am giving away a present.

A week or so ago I got a box in the mail from Little Debbie. It was full of their newly packaged 100 calorie packs.

Snacks in a box!

Lots of fun snacks in a box!

Who doesn't like fun snacks in a box?

What Little Debbie doesn't know is that I grew up on Little Debbie's. Not that my family had tons of snacks sitting around.

We didn't.

But WAY back in the 1970s most packaged cookies contained lard. I was raised vegetarian. Vegetarianism and lard just don't mix.

Little Debbie's snackcakes never had lard.

On the occasions that my mom bought packaged cookies it was always Little Debbie's and usually the soft oatmeal sandwich cookies with the marshmellowy center.

Mmmmm....

Anyway, they said that I could give away another box.

Here is what it looks like:



It is FULL of snacks.

All you need to do to enter this 24 hour contest is to leave a comment!

Please make sure I can get a hold of you.

I will choose someone who comments during the EST hours of my birthday, January 13, 2009.

Good luck!

Last week I asked you to identify these:
front

Back--


They were made for me by a reader who was inspired to improve my beaver trapping experience. This will all make much more sense if you know that story--well maybe not.

And so the contest was born.

And then your comments began.

And then I could be found on my floor rolling with laughter.

And then I thought maybe I should share some of your answers.

So here, in no particular order (except I am saving the winner(s) for last) are YOUR answers:



Should I use them as a shirt accessory to keep the buttons from gapping? I usually wear my shorty pajamas when trapping so I might not use the shirt...



Should they decorate my fruit bowl? No, it is too dark to fully appreciate how pretty they are...

Would they make a headband to keep the hair out of my eyes? I tried it, but then the beads were then in my eyes...



I could wrap them around trees to either distract the golfers from what I am wearing, mark a territory in which I could wear less clothes or mark trees that are appropriate for beaver felling. I am worried that I might get in trouble with the HOA...



Should they be used to decorate my purse organizer? Pretty, but overkill...



Could I use them to muzzle a beaver? Please note that this is not an actual beaver (no actual beavers were harmed and yes, that is Holly's fruitbowl)...

I agree that it would best be used to muzzle the professional trapper. But that doesn't seem very likely...



Would the best use be beaver collars? I could even tell what beavers were previously trapped. What a useful beaver sorting system...



It could be a whip for snakes and turtles. The rattle might even scare away rattle snakes! I am all for whipping and scaring, but would like them field tested before actual use...

Should I use them to caulk my bathroom sink? None of my bathrooms are pink...



I could apply them to the snakes so they would be cuter and less frightening. Please note that this is not an actual snake (no snakes were harmed) and an actual snake may be larger then it appears...



I could apply it to my forehead to protect it from my minivan. Or just put it on the corner of my minivan door to cushion my head against further injury. That might save me some pain...

Pasties?
Maxi pad decorations?
To keep my boobs from falling out of my top?
Garters?
A waxing tool?
I am sparing you the photos on all of those (you can thank me very much)...



Should they be used to entice beavers into the trap? Please note this is not an actual beaver trap (no beaver traps were harmed)...

Wait!

Wait!

Wait!




THIS IS finally THE ACTUAL INTENTION of the gift! Julie made them to adorn the hem of my shorty pajamas (Jennifer H was the first one to guess this).

So sweet! I am afraid the trim might not wear well on the pjs, so I have decided to do this...





I am using them to trim my snake fighting boots (Veronica was the first to guess this).


I think I will be the fashion envy of the beaver trapping world...





Thanks Julie for such a fun gift. And in true Nirvana style, I beat it like a dead horse.

So Jennifer H and Veronica will split the prize since no one got the two part question right.

If you are dressing for non-beaver trapping related activities, please visit Fussy for more fight the frump.

PS--Please excuse me if I missed your link or I linked you to the wrong thing. I was suffering from link fatigue...

Today is a challenge.

Your mission if you choose to accept it is to identify this:
Front--

Back--

Details--They are each 22 inches long and 3 inches wide. The white strip seen on the back can be peeled away to reveal adhesive.

I will be rewarding the first person who correctly leaves a comment
1) identifing the items in the picture
2) guessing how I am going to them
with a $20 Amazon.com gift certificate via email...

Do NOT despair if you are here late. This is not an easy mission if you choose to accept it. The mission will end 6/19/08 at 1:00 AM CST. I will announce the winner next Friday. You are ineligible to play if I have shown these to you in real life!

Hints:
1) These items were hand made for me.
2) They were made by someone who met me through/reads my blog (Thanks Julie!).
3) They were inspired by this post.
4) I will use them on all future beaver trapping expeditions.
5) I will use them in a way that is different then the original intention.

Good luck! For tips on how to further fight the frump...go visit Fussy!

The winner for my first give away is: ANGIE!

She will receive a brand, spanking new copy of the hilarious book, "Sleeping with Ward Cleaver" written by Nirvana friend, Jenny Gardiner.

Today is Angie's blogoversary...and she won something last week at Jen's place. I would think things were rigged if I didn't know the tight Nirvana security.


***
Yes, I realize that I have once again completed a daily post. This Blog365 thing is really irritating. I CAN'T QUIT YOU! Even when I try...please save me from Meg who is now coming to kick my...

The blogworld is an amazing thing. I started this blog a few months ago to keep in closer contact with friends. In the process I have "met" new friends. In the process I have MET new friends!

One of the new friends I have met is Jenny Gardiner. She wrote the book "Sleeping with Ward Cleaver". Since I have a little June in me, I had to read the book. I now admit to a little mommy crush. Not on Ward, but on Jenny.

I really enjoyed the book. The fun thing about "Sleeping with Ward Cleaver" is that it doesn't end with the girl getting the guy. It doesn't even start with the girl getting the guy. The book starts with Claire married for years with 5 children.

Married for years with lots of kids...now that is a story to which I can relate. Now there are tons of other details in the book to which a married mom of children MIGHT also relate...I am unwilling to disclose HOW MANY other details. You will totally understand why when you read this very funny book.

Which brings me to the give away...Oh, you don't have the book? I am giving a copy of the book away. All you need to do is leave a comment on this post. If I am unable to hunt you down through your blogger profile or blog, please leave your email address. I will close the contest in exactly one week.

If you can't wait that long to read "Sleeping with Ward Cleaver", I got my copy at Barnes & Noble. Jenny also writes a blog, The Debutante Ball with a group of amazing female authors.

And as if that wasn't enough...there is ANOTHER giveaway in a colder part of the country. Go visit Domestic Accident and guess how much longer her front yard will sport a snowbank.

Addendum: After a few comments, I realized that I didn't make it clear that I am not sending you my copy that is dogeared and disfigured from bathwater. Jenny has graciously offered to send you a BRAND NEW ONE! Thanks Jenny...