Sundays In My City

San Francisco, CA 

I showed you mine, now you show me yours.

Share your city/town/suburb/you name it! If you link up, please link back or post the Sundays In My City button either in your post or sidebar to let people know that other bloggers are sharing their communities too. Happy trails!

Let's travel the world together!

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Fragmented Fridays

My daughter is throwing a fit and I'm letting her. I can hear her screaming her head off while I sit in the living room, blog, and eat some Halloween candy. I'll be back to her in a minute, but sometimes I just need a break. Wouldn't it be great if  parents we were required to take a lunch and 2 fifteen minute breaks? I can dream, can't I?

Alright, my break is over, I'm off to deal with Screamy McScreamerton, otherwise known as Miss Don't Want To Go To Sleep Even Though I Am Obviously Exhausted. Damn these 15 minute breaks go by quickly!

And, I'm back! She's asleep. We'll see how long that lasts.

Am I the only person that does not like horror movies? I HATE them. They make my butt hole hurt. I can enjoy a good Thriller, but straight up horror is not my thing.

Do you self-sabotage? You know like when something really great is about to happen to you and all you have to do is show up, do you find yourself flaking out or getting sick? If you do, might I recommend you STOP IT! 

Wanna see what's been making me smile all week?

That's my little Chickadee and I love her! Sometimes I wish I could get mandatory lunch and 15 minute breaks, but I know I'm blessed. Seeing my child in this silly outfit brings me a sense of pure joy. It is impossible for me not to smile.

I wish you all a safe and Happy Halloween if that's your thing and if it's not I wish you a wonderful weekend!

Hosted by Mrs. 4444

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The WORST Halloween EVER

Growing up most of my Halloweens were nothing special.  It seemed that every year I was a variation of either a gypsy or a hobo because they were costumes that could be made for free and that was what we could afford. When I was in 6th grade I decided that I wanted to win the costume parade contest at school. This was a pretty ambitious goal considering it would be all up to me to conceptualize and procure a costume. Yes, I was a nerd in elementary school and used words like conceptualize and procure.

The thing was, that I was extremely shy. My best friend was too cool for school and her idea of a socially acceptable costume was anything that could be made sexy. I was much more childlike in my outlook (even though I was trapped in the body of a young woman) and had no intention of being a sexy gypsy or a sexy hobo, but I feared judgment from my bff and her mean girl friends.

The Universe somehow found out that I really wanted to win the costume parade and made it so my bff's class would be on a field trip the day of the parade. That's when I really started to dream big. I wanted to be something that no one else would be, something that would be so creative and unique that my costume would have to win first place.  I surveyed my surroundings for inspiration and then it came to me in a flash: I was going to be an intimate dinner for two!

It was brilliant! I would win for sure. I took an old closet door that was in the garage and I cut it in half and made a hole in the center for my head, then I covered it with a white table cloth because this was going to be a fancy dinner for two. I found plates, napkins, wine glasses, silverware, and glued then to the tablecloth. I was stumped about what to do with my head, but then I decided it would be the centerpiece. I stuck flowers through a ski cap and then covered it and my face with foil paper.

I was so excited! I couldn't wait for Halloween. I couldn't tell my bff about all my hard work, but I was dying to share it with someone. There was a boy in my class, Clayton, who would call me after school. I swore him to secrecy and told him about the intimate dinner for two. He told me it was a great idea and surely no one else would be dressed like me because who dresses like a dinner table?

The day came and I carried my costume to school. I did not want to reveal it until the very last minute. The parade wasn't until the end of the day; the anticipation was killing me; I couldn't wait to see the wonder and surprise on everyone's faces.

When it was time I went into the bathroom and donned the ensemble. I proudly walked outside to meet destiny and my class. No one in my class really said anything, which was fine because the table was a bit unwieldy and hard to balance on my shoulders, I needed to focus.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it was my classes turn to walk. I felt proud as I started my march, but then I started to hear kids say, "What is that thing?"," Is it a square ghost?",  "Who is that?" and "I don't understand what that's supposed to be." You see in my excitement I failed to consider that I was the tallest kid in the school. None of the other kids could see my table top and to them I just looked like a big boxy ghost.

I was crushed! The only saving grace was that no one seemed to know it was me and that my bff was not there to witness my humiliation...until...her bus got back  from the field trip EARLY! I saw her and her classmates running to us to catch the tail end of the parade.  I was mortified, but it was okay because they didn't know it was me...until...Suzanna, my bff, pointed at my shoes and said that's Unknown Preteen and started laughing hysterically. Then it spread through the crowd, "That's Unknown Preteen!", "It's Unknown Preteen!" My shoulders slumped, my table top slanted, then everyone saw the place settings and was even more confused by a ghost with plates and a flower head.

When it was over, it was all I could do to stop myself from crying. I tried to accidentally leave my costume at school, but my teacher made me carry it home. That was The WORST Halloween EVER, most memorable Halloween, but definitely the worst. Still, I wish I could have videotaped the incident because I could let you watch it now and you could tell me that I really did look like an intimate dinner for two.

In case you were wondering, the winner of the parade was Clayton's younger, very short sister who dressed up as a Thanksgiving banquet. That's right she sat six people and had actual food on her table. Friggin' Clayton I hope he choked on a turkey bone!


This Halloween flashback was brought to you by Prompt #5 of this weeks Writer's  Workshop.

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Child Star or Child Scam?

I was contacted by a company via email, the opening line reads: “I came across your website while conducting research on sites that have a similar demographic to ours… nice site, by the way!” It goes on to say that I can display ads on my site for a baby contest and I will get $12 for each baby that enters. Wow! Sounds great! There are a lot of cute babies out there and I’m sure some of their mom’s visit my blog, not to mention I could use $12 bucks a pop.

The thing is, it all sounds a little to good to  be true. To begin with this was sent to undisclosed recipients, so the "nice site" compliment bugs me because they are saying that to everyone, not just me. Upon further investigation, I found out that entering the baby contest is supposedly free so how can they offer to compensate me for every baby that enters via my site? Let me just say that something is rotten in the sate of Denmark.

This just smells like a scam to me. When I visited their website they claim that not only can your child win $25,000, they can also be “discovered” by industry pros. I call bullshit! I bet you somewhere along the line you are going to be asked to spend some money.

If you have a kid, I’m sure you know your child is the cutest thing since buttons. Surely your child is as cute as Shirley Temple

or at least as cute as one of the Olsen twins.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ratio/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

If you would like your child to pursue a career in acting or modeling by all means go for it, but beware! If you are asked for money I am willing to bet you are being scammed. A legitimate agent or manager takes on a client because they believe they can get that client work. The agent/manager only gets paid when the client books work. If an agent, manager, or supposed “talent scout” is insistent about pictures or classes being purchased from people they refer be wary, be very wary! I am an actor and I have NEVER EVER had to pay for an agent or an audition and if I ask my very legitimate agent for recommendations about headshots or classes, she makes it very clear that I am under no obligation to take her advice.

Yes, there are expenses associated with being a model or actor. Headshots are expensive and you will have to invest in them, but if you are told by someone that you must use a particular photographer- run, do not pass go, do not hand over your credit card info (as pointed out by Traci in the comments section, you don't even need headshots for small children - in most cases a snapshot will suffice).The same goes for being told that your child needs to take particular modeling or acting classes. Sign your child up for classes if you want to, but you are at liberty to choose where you would like them to go.

It makes me sick to think that there are those that prey on the hopes and dreams of parents. There is no excuse for it. Remember you are your child’s advocate and it is up to you to do your research.

If you are interested in getting your child into acting or modeling do a search for SAG franchised agencies in your area and follow their submission process. Keep in mind that this kind of work is a lot of hurry up and wait. If your child does not enjoy it, let it go, let them focus on being a child and student.

Needless to say, I will not be contacting the baby contest people. $12 a pop is not worth taking advantage of unsuspecting parents.

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Sundays In My City

Golden Gate Park

San Francisco, CA

I showed you mine, now you show me yours.

Share your city/town/suburb/you name it! If you link up, please link back or post the Sundays In My City button either in your post or sidebar to let people know that other bloggers are sharing their communities too. Happy trails!

Let's travel the world together!

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Find out more about Sundays In My City here.

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Fragmented Fridays

I wasn't going to do my regular Friday post because I intended on hosting an anonymous post for Blerapy, but I am a bonehead who can not follow directions. Oh well, maybe next time. Do stop by and check out the anonymous posts.

Fortunately for me Pocketful of Bliss tagged me to write 25 random things about me. I did this on Facebook a while back so I happen to have it handy. I am renaming it 25 Fragmented Facts about Me.

1. I learned how to speak Spanish before English, but now I speak English better than Spanish.

2. My mother has a 6th grade education. When she moved to the U.S. she won a radio contest sponsored by Burgie Beer and she chose to go to cosmetology school with the winnings.

3. I've never been anything but poor. When I was young there was a time when we were on welfare.

4. I have never felt poor.

5. I grew up with just my mother and never really got to know my father. I have a few faint memories of him, like him teaching me to eat spaghetti with a fork and spoon.

6. My real name is spelled with a "y" instead of an "i". My mother always told me that my name was spelled that way because that's what my father wanted and it always made me feel special. When I was 16, I got a letter from my father and he misspelled my name. It broke my heart. It still makes me tear up.

7. The first time I remember falling in love was when I laid eyes on my baby brother. I knew what love was and I had certainly felt it, but I had never "fallen" in love.

8. I believe that love is easy to find and I am confident that no matter where I find myself I will always be surrounded by love. It's easy for me to love and I think that is why I have never lacked love.

9. My husband is 6 years younger. When I met him he was only 21 years old and when we got together I thought there was no way we would stay together, but I wrote in my journal, "this person is here to teach me something."

10. Before I met my husband, I was never convinced that I would get married. I just didn't think it was necessary and I had so few examples of a marriage working out. Then after being with HIM, I felt this overwhelming need to be family.

11. I had a very difficult pregnancy. I ended up in the hospital because I was having severe panic attacks. There was one week where I slept no more than 3 hours a night. I really thought that I was going crazy. Apparently, this happens to many women. I'm blessed to have such a spectacular, caring husband and grateful that I have health insurance because I got the help and support I needed.

12. I was mugged at gunpoint. After the mugger took my stuff, he pointed his gun at me and said, "Now walk up the hill." I thought to myself, it's one thing to take my stuff, but to take my person? I didn't move and he repeated the command. I looked him in the eye and said, "No." I turned slowly and started walking into the street. I was terrified, but I told myself that if the only choice I had left in life was where and when I would die, then I chose here and now.

13. I love making people laugh. If you want to compliment me, tell me I'm funny.

14. I played the accordion with Lawrence Welk.

15. I can fold my tongue into a clover.

16. I can burp louder than most people can yell.

17. Sometimes I feel unbelievable awkward and like an outsider. I can be sitting with people I know and love and just feel like I don't belong.

18. I consider myself bi-cultural.

19. I'm really embarrassed about this one. Before I discovered FB, I would get so upset thinking that some of the people I've known and loved would be gone to me forever. Really. I would even cry about it because some people were in my life for such a short time, but they touched my soul and I would never know what became of them. Now these people are slowly reappearing in my life because of FB and I'm convinced the entire world will be on it someday. It feels so good to know that even in a small way I can connect with all these magnificent people.

20. It pains me to pay full price for anything. I get an absolute thrill out of announcing how little I've paid for things.

21. Sometimes when I want something, anything, I just announce it and wait for the universe to deliver. The universe has yet to let me down.

22. I am blessed.

23. I have a beautiful daughter. It scares me to love someone so much. It feels like there is just so much at stake, but I remind myself to love in the present and remember that some stories do have happy endings. (I meant to write, "live in the present", but I think "love in the present" is even better!)

24. I am learning to embrace life-all of it.

25. I am an actor.

Have a great weekend!

Hosted by Mrs. 4444

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Temporary Change in Programming

I am my dear friends a creature of habit. I like to set up these little routines and then stick to them. It makes me feel that some things are within my control. So what will happen this week when my bloggy routine is not adhered to? Will I respect myself in the morning? We shall see.

This week I will not be participating in Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop, which I so love. Crazy, I know! Such a drastic upheaval in my blogging routine.

Today, instead of posting for Writer's Workshop I am handing out the second installment of the Mami Likes Me and You Should Too Awards!

This award was created as my response to all the lovely awards I have been honored to receive. Please check out my awards page for a complete list. I love getting awards, but I am not good at following the rules so what I have done is absorb all the wonderful mojo of these awards and turned them into another award that I will distribute from time to time. I will give this award to blogs that I truly love in hopes that you will visit them and love them to.

The rules of this award are simple. You may display this prestigious award on your blog or in your bathroom or nowhere at all. You do not need to do anything other than know in your blogger's heart that I think you and your blog are fantastic. Mami likes you! Mami really likes you!

I present this award to the following blogs:

38 and Growing: This Chickadee is new to bloggyville, but I have the pleasure of knowing her IRL. She is charming, quirky, creative, and spirited.

When did I Become my Mom?: I fell in love with her from the very first comment she left for me and when I visited her blog I knew I was head over heals.

Aunt of 14: I value diversity in all its forms. I think it is important for us to realize that life is experienced in many different ways. This is for Aunt of 14's profile: I am profoundly deaf, and lots of deaf people label me as “hearing of mind.” She is awesome!

I have many, many more blogs that I want to give this award to, but I will only give this award to a few blogs at a time because I want you to take a few moments to visit the ones that are new to you; they are wonderful, you will like them too.



Regular programming will be resumed next week.

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Could you do me a favor? Please.

I woke up (I use the term lightly because I did not sleep much) feeling like I have been kicked in the butt by life. It will pass and I will be fine.

I was wondering if you could do me a favor? Normally, I would try and come up with a witty introduction, but today I am all out of wit. I am guest posting on Neva's wonderful blog Mostly Flummoxed. Could you please stop by and read my post? I would greatly appreciate it. Check out Neva's blog while you're there.

Click HERE.

I'm turning comments off here so that you will comment over there. Thank you. Now I have to go and finish feeling miserable.

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Unknown Mami a.k.a. Scary Mami

Becoming a Mami has made me realize that perfection is not only impossible, it's overrated and bound to lead to disappointment. Life is messy and so am I.  I own my imperfections and embrace them as part of my charm. I hereby give myself permission to be flawed without feeling like a failure. Does that make me a Scary Mami? Absolutely! I may be a Scary Mami, but I'm doing my best and gosh darn it, that's good enough.

How do I know that I am a Scary Mami? Let me count the ways. For your edification, I present : The Top 10 Reasons I Know that I am a Scary Mami.

#10. If you ask me when the last time I took a shower was, I might not know.

#9. Yeah, yeah, baby wipes are for baby's bum, but more importantly they are for Mami's armpits, and feet, and...(you don't want to know).

#8.  I own ear plugs and I'm not afraid to use them.

#7. Why would I wash my hair when I can just pull it back into a messy bun?

#6. My version of homemade baby food is refried beans and hot sauce because that's what I happen to be eating. Guess what? Baby likey.

#5. I bring my laptop into the bathroom when I give my daughter a bath. Hey, Mami's got to get her blog on!

#4. When I first started giving my daughter regular milk, I accidentally bought non-fat and couldn't figure out why she was hungry all day. She kept drinking it like it was water (it pretty much was).

#3. Sometimes when my daughter falls asleep in the car, I use it as an excuse to buy fast food. Normally, I'm a total snob that looks down on fast food, but what am I supposed to do? I'm hungry and I don't want to wake the baby. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make because that's the kind of Mami I am.

#2. I've left the house with a big shmear of baby poop on my pants and when I realized it, I just shrugged my shoulders and thought: Oh well, I'll just pretend it's mustard.

and the #1 reason I know that I am a Scary Mami:

Today, when I was about to take a much needed nap my husband started yelling for me to come into the living room because our daughter was taking her first steps and I actually considered pretending that I didn't hear. It's not like she won't take other steps. Don't worry I got my raggedy butt out of bed and witnesses the miracle, but I wasn't happy about the timing.Don't judge me; I'm tired.

So what about you? Are you a Scary Mommy or Daddy? Were you raised by a Scary Mommy?

If you'd like to read about more Scary Mommies go check out Scary Mommy she's hosting a contest for Scary Mommies in honor of the new movie Motherhood.

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Sundays In My City

San Francisco, CA

I showed you mine, now you show me yours.

Share your city/town/suburb/you name it! If you link up, please link back or post the Sundays In My City button either in your post or sidebar to let people know that other bloggers are sharing their communities too. Happy trails!

Let's travel the world together!

<a href="http://unknownmami.com/search?q=Sundays+In+My+City" target="_blank"><img border="0" alt="Unknown Mami" src="http://i610.photobucket.com/albums/tt184/UnknownMami/SundaysinmyCity.jpg" /></a>

Find out more about Sundays In My City here.

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Fragmented Fridays

I actually read an entire book! I used to read, but I’m ashamed to say that since Put Pie’s birth I haven’t done much reading. I read “The Brief and Wonderous Life of Oscar Wao” and I liked it very much. Unfortunately, I had gone to see a play based on the book and I couldn’t get the actors who played the parts out of my head. My imagination was really struggling to recast all the characters. 

My friend M from M and the two Henrys made me a beautiful wrap style baby carrier. Why? Because she’s crafty like that. I love it! It’s gorgeous, well made, and very comfortable. I wish I would have had it when Put Pie was teeny tiny. If I ever have another baby I will definitely be using it right away. I was going to take pictures of myself with it on, but the paper bag over my head really detracts from the artistry so instead I will share pictures of M and her little Henry modeling one of M’s creations. She intends on making them to sell on Etsy.

My cousin came to visit. When did we get old? Crazy! I haven’t really spent very much time with him as an adult and I can’t help, but think of him as a child. A child in the body of a man in his late 30’s with a bad knee.

My family is huge. HUGE! I have so many relatives I don’t know them all and sometimes I can’t remember the names of the ones I do know or how I’m related to them. Large families can come with lots of baggage. I’ve spent much of my life away from my family by choice, not because I don’t love them (I adore them), but because they can be all encompassing. There are so many of us that sometimes it’s hard to remember that there is a whole world out there. Well, I like being a part of the world. 

Being with my cousin reminded me that no matter how much time passes or how far away I live, my family loves me. He looked at me with the same eyes he had as a little boy and he threw his arms around me and told me how much he loves me. And I could feel the love and it felt GOOD. 

Exercise Challenge Update

Last week, I challenged myself to work out every day from October 8th until October 30th for at least 20 minutes a day. If I miss a day I have to pay $5 into a fund that will be used to finance a micro-loan through Kiva. Well, I am proud to report that thus far I have worked out EVERY.SINGLE.DAY! BOO-YA! Woo hoo! That’s right, that’s right, I did it! Alright, I shouldn’t gloat; it’s only been a week.

I have to thank you because there were a couple of times that I really wanted to weasel out of working out, but I couldn’t stand the thought of having to tell you. I thought you might ground me. So thank you, my bloggy buddies.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Hosted by Mrs. 4444

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