Lucia kept telling me last night that she was two years old. She is still working on being able to hold down her ring and pinky finger with her thumb so she usually holds up two fingers and her thumb to illustrate her age for me. I asked her if she knew how old I was and she said, "Six!" Well, I don't mind be mistaken for 25, but six is a bit excessive. ;)

I got Ma'am-ed yesterday at a store... Mind you when I said something to the guy about him calling me Ma'am I realized I didn't want to be called Miss and I didn't want to be called Hey You. Still, even though I am in my early thirties the ma'am word is something I let get to me as a sign I am old. Maybe it is simply an old way of showing respect and someone somewhere said it was wrong, but really...is it so wrong?

There seems to be a lack of respect and manners among the general public, not to mention in smaller circles such as work. I say this because I like it when a guy opens the door for me. Let me clarify- I like when a guy opens the door and holds it open for me to walk through first. I feel like I should be sporting a hoop skirt and breaking out in a Southern accent, but that is okay because it feels like........well, like I am experiencing the lost art of chivilary. I have noticed that when approaching a door if I see someone else is headed for the same door, I will keep them in my peripheral vision and if they are close behind I will hold the door for them after I have opened it and gone part way through. There are exceptions such as is if I approach the door and see someone exiting who just short of growing another arm may have a difficult time opening the door. That third arm could really come in handing when steering a stoller in and out of most stores.

Here in the UC (Utah County) it has been so hot that I think even my sister Britta would believe in global warming. So, wear your sunscreen and take a tip from Oliver and friend.

...and I mean everyone.

Love, love, love it.

So sweet!

Sheesh!

I have a ritual during the week of checking certain sites each morning. In case you were looking for some new sites here is my list:

Dooce

Blurbomat

Very George

VanWagner...when it's working ;)

Oliver Daily

Daily Mumps

Finslippy

Fluid Pudding

Sweetney

Suburban Bliss

Amalah

Breed 'em and weep

Woulda Coulda Shoulda and her other site Want Not

Married To The Sea which is the work of Natalie Dee and Toothpaste For Dinner

Mamacita

And of course...Flickr!

I know my brother-in-law Tom will be interested in one of these for Christmas.

Lately I have had sun on my brain because of this blog. I have been getting more tan this summer (partly because I decided to shove the idea that I should be embarrassed as a BBW to be in a swim suit). Also, Lucia really likes to go to the splash pool in Provo.

So, is there a way to get a "responsible" tan?

My mom read something in the local paper about certain foods, one of which is dark chocolate, that can protect you from the damages of UV rays. I for one am not a fan of dark chocolate. However, I do feel the urge to be tan- or at least have the same shade of color on my arms as my legs.

Chocolate As Sunscreen article here!

In case you didn't know when was enough sun...and you want to wear this...

A co-worker passed this along and if it is not true....well, don't do it. ;)



WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET A TRAFFIC TICKET


This advice was sent by a retired State Farm agent! The system has been tried and it works in every state. If you get a speeding ticket or went through a red light or whatever the case may be, you're going to get points on your license. This is a method to ensure that you DO NOT get the points. When you get your fine, send in a check to pay for it. If the fine is $79.00 make the check out for $82.00 or some small amount over the fine. The system will then have to send you back a check for the difference! However, here is the trick.


DO NOT CASH THE REFUND CHECK!


Throw it away! Points are not assessed to your license until all financial transactions are complete. If you do not cash the check, then the transactions are NOT complete. The system has received it's money and is satisfied and will no longer bother you (and no points will be added to your license). This information comes from an unmentionable computer company that sets up the standard databases used by every state.


Send this on to your friends. You never know when they may need a break.

This (for anyone who has a sense of humor) is funny.

I asked my daughter Lucia (who has been two for a month and a half) where I should go to find a date. She smiled and said, "Maggie." As in the Maggie with whom she is slightly obsessed. I'm not sure how to interpret her answer other than to consider the source.

On A Clear Day

Favorite quote:

Mad Bob: [showing off long scar on his arm] Shark. Thirty-five footer.

Danny Campbell: [showing off small scar on elbow] Fell off my bike. Two-wheeler.

On my MySpace friends list I added a group called Breastfeeding Is Not Offensive. I loved breastfeeding my daughter and sometimes miss the convenience and the connection. I do think our society looks down on pride for such things as breastfeeding, stretch marks, and wrinkles. I was touched when I saw a bulletin posted by this group:

Deepening Your Search


What is this earthen bowl of treasure that you've found?


It's your belly. And loving your belly enables you to claim the treasure inside.


What are you going to do?


If you're like most women, you've always been told that your body isn't good enough, that your belly is shameful. As far as you may know, there's nothing good about a woman's belly unless it's flat and hard. You may have spent many years and much effort trying to lose your belly, trying to hide it from sight.


I know that the idea of loving your belly might be challenging. Okay, it might be rather unconventional. Well, given the culture's bias against women's bellies, loving your belly might actually require some courage. But tell me: Whose body is it, anyway? Who has the say-so? Who benefits when you belittle your belly? Who benefits when you befriend your belly and give yourself room to breathe? It's your body, your belly, your life. Whose permission do you need to love yourself?


I know that loving your belly is a strange, wild, unconventional idea. But what's the alternative? Do you really want to miss out on the precious treasure that's so close to home?

Today I found a link to a very eye opening site that encourages mothers to love all their shape!

I still bear stretch marks and a scar from my c-section...proudly!!!

Okay, I will keep all my challenges and others can have theirs.

Does the world really need flaming robots?

And I thought I was bad...