Cold, Princesses and Clay

It's cold here again. School cancelling cold. Can't go anywhere cold.

I am seriously not impressed. Not that we would go anywhere anyway--the homebody that I am. But that is not the point. The point is I can't go anywhere because it is captial C Cold.

But we did go on a field trip last Friday. We went to the museum, specifically to see the Princess Diana exhibit. But we did the whole museum while we were there. It was a good time.

I had it all typed up here. But somehow something went wonky with the internet or blogger or both and now I have to type it all again. I will try to do a good job of it.

C of course, loved  tolerated the Princess section but genuinely had a good time. It's nice to go someplace new and while this museum is definitely skewed to an older age than 1 we still managed to find some things get out of the stroller for.

Okay so he's not out of the stroller yet but he's looking at the taxidermy lion and that was pretty good.
Pigeon came along for our field trip. 

The Native American Drum was a good time. He genuinely enjoyed this whole area to explore.

There's a boat you can climb in. He thought that was good.

So my friends had been to the Diana exhibit before and told me about how long the lines had been. So I was specifically planning a school/work day. After a bout of rescheduling (because we've had a lot of no school due to cold days, tomorrow included) I picked my day and set up my plan. Since I have a toddler and that is really not conducive to long lines/wait times my plan was to be the first ones. 

And we were. We were the first ones by so much that we beat the employee to the Diana exhibit and had to wait for her to open it up and take our ticket. It was just me and a cute little senior citizen who insisted on gettingthisclose to every single picture and sign but we ditched her after room two. One of the benefits of reading quickly I guess. 

Her tiara was amazing. The museum people know how to light it perfectly and this phone picture sure isn't doing it justice because it looks like it's on fire but use your imagination. 

Now I was happy we were the only ones around when it was time to get to the dress. They had an entire room for the wedding and the dress. Sad because you know the marriage ends. But it was pretty cool to see. It was much uglier than I thought it would be. Not especially flattering. 

But when they say the train was 25 feet long, they weren't lying. It was interesting to me how the dress hasn't been preserved as well as some of the other clothing that were on view. When it's the show stopper. But again, it's not like when Harry and William get all the stuff back they're going to be particularly fussed about their mother's wedding dress from their parent's failed marriage. 

 

Anyway we had a nice time, we concluded our outing with a trip to the grocery store and a special lunch. 

Now: a public service announcement. 

Do you have skin? Then you should probably buy the Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay. I get nothing for recommending this product and I am not an Amazon affiliate blog so click away. 

You've already read all the reviews on Amazon but you're a skeptic? A load of hooey? You can't believe that I Madeline, would fall for this gimmick? Fine. But you are missing out. 

It's so easy. Wash your face. Mix equal parts clay with liquid in a non-metal container. Apple Cider Vinegar and Water are recommended. The first time I used only ACV and the second and third I did a half water/half ACV. The mix seemed to garner better results for me. 

So slather on the mud and let it dry. The tub says 10-15 minutes but let it dry. You'll know when it's working. You will feel your face tightening up and then it will start pulsing. This is good. It is all the gross being pulled to the surface and out. 

When you're done, I found the best way to get it off is to wet a paper towel with warm water and press it to your face to start to loosen the mask. Plug the drain of your sink and chip off all the major pieces. Then wash off the remainder. It's mud and I assume that wouldn't be good for your drains and it is pretty easy to scoop the chunks out of the sink. 

It got so tight... this is me smiling. Yeah. 

After the first use, my face felt smoother and my pore looked smaller. Some blackheads had disappeared. And my one breakout had noticeably shrunk as well as the redness was gone.  

The second use my face was even smoother and my nose and chin (my problem areas) looked great. Again healed the breakout and the one spot where a new one had popped up (totally normal because the clay pulls the gunk to the surface so it can be removed) was completely gone. (It was small though.) 

The third use and all the same benefits as before but my face looked clearer and less red. 

I love this stuff. And besides giving me something to do when it's too cold to leave the house anyway it really has made my face look good! I highly recommend it! 

Theme Thursday: Unaware

Okay so the theme is "Catching People Unaware" but I thought that would look like a weird title and I don't have a picture of people I have a picture of a person.

And with that here is my person.

He's unaware.

Oh man. I have talked before about our love for Mo. But this kid loves this book so much more than anything else ever. The page he's on? It's when Pigeon finally gets his puppy. (It wasn't all it's cracked up to be.)

So he is clearly unaware because if he was aware, someone would be reading this book to him indeed. Or the book would be hiding on a really high shelf.

It just makes my heart melt that he loves reading so much. He is such a good listener and he reacts so well. He knows to read left to right and we're working on finding the first word of stories.

And I love that onesie. He had the same exact one in 3-6 month size and I liked it so much I went to Old Navy and bought the 18 month size. The only one they had left and it was on super super sale, I'm talking $0.60! It says Kickin' it with Babar. And then Babar is playing soccer.

So here is my standard line about linking up with Cari, a disclaimer for you to take a look at helping with the Quilts for Valor project.

And okay, shameless plug to vote for me! Go here and vote for me in The Most Under Appreciated Blog Category. There are a lot of entries in that category! But it's pretty exciting for my name to be lumped in with some of my favorites so I'll run with it.

Four

It seems like yesterday. It also seems like forever ago.

It's amazing how time marches on yet specific events and catalysts ground you into thinking it has stopped. I know in many ways life has most definitely moved on. Everything, and I really do mean everything has changed.

And today marks four years since my MIL passed away.

Four years. Years full of memories and life. It really is weird. I know that is such an un-eloquent way of explaining my feelings, but somehow that's what I can come up with.

No one expects to get a call that their boyfriend's mom has brain cancer.
And even though I was expecting the call that my fiance's mom had passed away it didn't make it any easier.
Death is not an easy thing.
Visitations and funerals are pretty much the bane of my existence.

And now here we are, four years later. It seems weird marking this day. Not one to celebrate certainly. But it also seems cold to not acknowledge the significance.

It seems like yesterday. It also seems like forever ago.

3 Reasons on MLKJr Day

Well it's my favorite day of the year, Martin Luther King Jr. day. No. I'm joking. It's just kind of any other day for me. Once you no longer get the day off of school it kind of falls by the wayside.

Embarrassing Side Note: Want to know how being Catholic and public schooled sheltered me? I didn't know that Martin Luther was different from Martin Luther King Jr. for a LONG LONG time. Like probably high school. And even then I didn't really know much about Martin Luther. Color me surprised when I really learned about him. True story.

Now, apparently to Husband who was raised Lutheran thinks this is weird and shouldn't I have learned about him during school? Well... I know with certainty Martin Luther did not come up during Religious Education. And my social studies classes were as follows: Geography, Economics, US History, World History, (it is possible he was mentioned but this class went from Ancient Greece/Rome/Egypt through WWII so if he was mentioned it was in passing.) US History 1861-Present. The point is, I didn't know about Martin Luther, I did know a lot about Dr. King however! 

But that is why I love Catholicism, I didn't really need to know about Martin Luther. Besides, his ideas don't really make sense to me. 

Martin Luther just flabbergasts me. So that counts as #1 for my 3 Reasons I Love Catholicism. It may be shallow, but I appreciate that the history of my Church comes from Jesus and not a disgruntled individual. 

#2 We Like to Party! 

There's ALWAYS something to celebrate. I mean every Sunday is a feast. Plus extra feast days. And the liturgical calendar is chock full of celebrations. I just don't know of any other religion that likes to feast and party the way the Catholics do. 

And last but certainly not least #3 The Eucharist. I don't know how to describe the utter joy I get when it is time for communion but I am filled with peace. And when the transubstantiation is complete... chills. I just get chills. I love that. I do. 

So link up with Micaela and her 3 reasons link up about why Catholicism is so great. And as a bonus in case you haven't seen it:

It's Another Episode of Friday Quick Takes

Eh, it's time for another check in with Jen and the gang for some Friday Quick Takes.

1. Because I honor and appreciate my blog readers I am going to refrain from posting the video to Rebecca Black's "Friday." Oh you remember it anyway. Gotta get down on Friday! This has been an especially long week. It started off just fine but Husband had a one day business trip and 32 hours with a toddler to entertain all by yourself was a few hours longer than I was sane. And then that same toddler decided to put on grumpy pants for a few days. I am glad it's Friday is what I am saying.

2. I don't understand Downton Abbey. I want to like it. I even go so far as to read detailed and complex recaps so that I can talk about what happened with my IRL friends. But I do not like the show. It's so soap operatic and 4 seasons in (though I gave up actually watching midway through season 3) I am just bored out of my mind. I feel all alone in a world where even great husbands watch and enjoy the show. If you have any insight into why I cannot just get into it please clue me in. Until I'll stick to The Good Wife on Sundays and reading everything about Downton so I can pretend I know what's going on.

3. There are many bloggers at a time who need prayers. Right now I can think of Marie, Bonnie and Beth to name a few. I have been thinking for a while that there should be some sort of prayer roll on a blog (or a linkup or something for prayer requests) so that if you are needing some intentions before a prayer, event or Mass you can just click on over and find someone. Now I don't think I get near enough visits to really undertake this job but maybe I just will anyway. 

4. It's Sam's Club weekend and I am getting a little teary just thinking about it. It will be our first outing to Sam's with Bess. (Our new to us mini van) and that alone is going to change our world. But the pickins are slim over here and to have some new choices of food will be a miracle of epic proportions. 

5. My thoughts right about now: 

6. After Christmas with the onslaught of new toys I came up with a new system. Husband and I brought out ALL THE TOYS, put them in the living room and sorted through them. The infant toys moved to a box in the basement. We made a nice selection to be bedroom toys and the rest we put into 3 groups. 1 group is out and about at all times. The other two live in giant plastic tubs and are rotated on Sundays. So Sunday night I bring up a new box and put all of the current toys away for 2 weeks. We are only on our second box but it is really really working. 

7. This: 

We aren't exactly counting to 50 yet but I'm sure at some point we will and this will be helpful. Until then, he LOVES fishing for the magnetic fish and says "YAY!" and claps when he catches one. Or if I am not paying attention (there are 50 fish so it's very entertaining but tedious for me) I get a "Wook Wook!" Love it. Climbing the charts on favorite Christmas gift! 

Have a great weekend friends! 

Theme Thursday: Craft

Craft. Crafty? Kraft? 

I kid. Though we did have this for dinner last night. 

No for real though, Annie my pal at home, (because of her blog title and her local to me status) picked crafty this week. I used to be crafty. I loved loved doing crafts. And I was pretty good at them. When I lived by myself in a tiny house in nowheresville MN for 3 months I passed all my spare time decoupaging picture frames. Just typing that makes me want to dig out the Mod Podge and find something to update. 

I also rocked the day camp crafts--always with the theme, always easy enough for ages 5-11. Except for the Danish Christmas tree hearts. Poor Casey cried and cried and cried. And I had to make her 4 to get her to stop crying and go play line soccer. In truthfulness, I can't wait for C to be old enough to want to do theme crafts. But I will, for now, embrace the free for all artistic genius of toddlerhood and just enjoy. 

These are the simple ones too. 

So in honor of the link up I love the most (And I totally nominated it for a Sheenazing Award! While you're thinking about it send up a prayer for Bonnie and her son James.) we made sure to do something fun and crafty. Which is why today brings you what I lovingly call: 

Remnants of a Toddler Painting

I would tell you the f/s and all but I took this with my phone.

This one too. Fancy schmancy up in here this week.

 And with that I bid you adieu and remind you to spay and neuter your pets link up with Cari. 

WWRW: Finding Grace

Do you know Laura over at String of Pearls?

If you do, you probably already know she wrote a book. If you don't know her, I supposed I just told you she wrote a book. Laura is an inspiration to me because she writes from the other side of motherhood and she raised 5 (from what I can tell) wonderful men. As a boy mom it's great to see!

Finding Grace is at it's heart, a book about a young girl named Grace who decides to try and become a Saint. We follow Grace through her growing up years through all the trials and tribulations of high school into college. Interwoven through Grace's story, we intimately meet her entire family with detailed back stories and anecdotes. We also meet her close friends and their families.

Finding Grace is lengthy--it spans many years and covers most of the moments that stick out in retrospective of high school. Being unfairly blamed by a teacher? It's got that covered. Prom? That's there too. Unruly hair, arguments with Mom and poor outfit choices? Who hasn't been through that? Making a choice and bemoaning the fact that you should have listened to your parents? Yep.

In actuality, that was the aspect I appreciated the most. I believe teenagers have trained their minds to forget that their parents were young and they have the ability to listen and learn from some of their mistakes. I am not foolish enough to believe that children won't make their own mistakes and learn their own lessons. However, it is nice to know that sometimes parents can successfully help their kids learn from their own childhoods.

Throughout the book one gets a nice little vocabulary lesson from our main gal Grace, a veritable wordsmith. Though, if you don't have a Kindle and you think you may need a dictionary, you will not. Laura is nice enough to define most every word that's unusual.

Finding Grace is also chock full of faith. The Catholic faith is what grounds the book and the characters and makes for an interesting back drop to the 1970s setting. While I am firmly in the pro-Vatican II camp, I have never actually considered before how difficult of a transition it must have been for the faithful. A little like the "And With Your Spirit" change only completely different. Grace's goal to be a saint came across as honest and hopeful, it was never "beat it over your head" or trite.

The title alone is deeper than it appears. As yes it is a story, ultimately, of Grace finding herself. It is also a story about many of the characters finding God's grace and grace within themselves to hold themselves to higher standards. Even some of the most secondary characters are touched with grace. (And by Grace Kelly our main gal.)

While Finding Grace is written from Laura's experiences, and from a female perspective, I wouldn't go ahead a lump it into a "book for girls" category. If anything I think it would be a good book to read for young men to comprehend how complex the female brain is. Even as a coming of age book, this book is a mature read and probably best read by late teens and adults.

If you're looking for a book to read bop on over to Amazon and check it out! Oh and stop over and meet Laura, she's pretty great. She also has all these CatholicMatch.com success stories in 3 out of 5 boys! It's giving me hope for my best friend who is a 7/7 and looking. (One can only hope she ends up with someone like a Pearl boy!)

Linking up with the ever lovely Jessica for WWRW.