Letters For Lucas

Wonders, Mishaps, Blunders and Joy.. commentary on my life as a mom in the form of letters to my son

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You’re Special – NaBloPoMo

Posted on November 5, 2015 Written by Tonya

Practice being kind to yourself.

It’s not about being selfish or narcissistic, it’s about getting in touch with yourself, your well-being and your happiness.

Stop the comparisons, there is no one on this planet like you and the only person you should compare yourself to is you.

Your insecurities aren’t something you grow out of, they tend to live with you forever, but thank goodness on the other side of second-guessing there is sometimes acceptance.

Appreciate the world around you and find something everyday to be grateful for.

Treat others with love, respect and kindness. You’ll be amazed how much better you’ll feel about yourself when you treat others the way you hope to be treated.

Forgive yourself. You can’t change your past but you can control your future. Let it go, look at it as a learning experience and believe in your ability to change.

This post was written for Mama Kat’s Writer’s Workshop, Prompt 2. Write a post in just 10 lines. It’s a lot harder to do that it looks!

This post was also inspired by so many mothers I know who recently have lamented to me how they know they need to take better care of them themselves and aren’t for some reason. Here’s hoping they realize how special and worth it they are!

NaBloPoMo November 2015

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  • Fall Things: Old School Blogging – NaBloPoMo
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Filed Under: blog hop, mama kat's writer's workshop, NaBloPoMo Tagged With: blog hop, mama kat's writer's workshop, NaBloPoMo

10 Things I Love About Trader Joe’s – NaBloPoMo

Posted on November 4, 2015 Written by Tonya

I like to complain about their produce, which goes bad way well before the expiration date and not just bad, but moldy, stinky, I-just-bought-this-two-days-ago-bad and how stupid busy it is no matter what time of the day or day of the week I go, but the price is always right and I very seldom buy a product I don’t enjoy.

Nevertheless, these are my Top 10 Things I Love About Trader Joe’s:

1. They have a beautiful and exotic flower selection ranging from orchids and succulents to sunflowers and start gazer lilies.

2. Potato medley. These are amazing… yellow, red and purple potatoes all in one bag!

TJPotatoMedley
3. Samples. The Trader Joe’s kitchen located way back in the far end of the store is always whipping up something new and delicious.

4. Inexpensive and really good wines perfect for on the way to the party hostess gifts or to enjoy with a bowl of popcorn by yourself while watching Scandal.

5. Mediterranean Humus Snack Pack. Seriously I eat one for lunch most days and they are a nice alternative to sandwiches for school lunches.

TJsHumusSnackPacks
6. Yogurt pretzels. Delish!
7. Nourish All-In-One Facial Cleanser and Nourish Oil-Free Antioxidant Facial Moisturizer. Ever since my friend, Morgan of The Little Hen House (she doesn’t blog anymore and I can’t find her review) shared a review of these two products five years ago, I’ve been hooked. It’s light, gentle, nondrying and way less expensive than the stuff I used to use!
Nourish
8. Jo-Jos. These are like Oreos, but better. Better because the ingredients don’t sound like a science experiment and because they come shaped like pumpkins in October and filled with peppermint and coated in chocolate and sprinkled with candy canes in December!

9. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups. These are bite sized pieces of heaven and never last very long in our house, as exhibited in this photo. There are only two left!

piecesofheaven

10. Cute stickers for the kids at checkout. These are free for the asking, change with the seasons  and aren’t sticky stickers so they won’t leave residue all over your car.

Oh no! I just realized I didn’t cover all the convenient and yummy frozen foods this terrific store offers; polenta, chicken and veggie wonton soup, pizzas (three cheese, four cheese, minis) waffles, stirred fried veggie rolls, Mini Hold The Cone! Ice Cream Cones and the list goes on and on and on.
If you don’t have a TJ’s near you, I am truly sorry because you are missing out on some amazing products. But, I have good news! Did you know that Amazon sells 20 pages of Trader Joe’s products? How cool is that?
If you frequent Trader Joe’s as often as I do, what are your favorite products?

NaBloPoMo November 2015

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Filed Under: favorite products, NaBloPoMo, photos, question Tagged With: favorite products, food, NaBloPoMo, photos, question, Trader Joe's

Fall Things: Old School Blogging – NaBloPoMo

Posted on November 3, 2015 Written by Tonya

With nearly 100 degree days, it hasn’t felt much like Fall in Southern California lately but it sure is fun to think about cooler temperatures, piles of red and gold leaves, holiday baking and my boots; oh how I miss my boots!!

This month Elaine of The Miss Elaine-ous Life and Nancy of Bacardi Mama have paired up to ask questions about this elusive season.

It’s too late to add new links, but I started this last week, or the week before so I wanted to share.

What is your favorite Halloween candy?
I’m not gonna lie, I love seeing candy corn hit the shelves, but I wouldn’t turn down a Twix, Snickers, Kit Kat or package of M&M’s.

What is one of the worst “treats” you ever received in your candy bag?
I don’t remember ever getting anything I wasn’t thrilled with except for maybe Tootsie rolls. Because yuck!

What was one of your favorite costumes you wore when you were a kid?
I’m a child of the 70’s so my mother used to make all my costumes. Those were the days. My favorite was Raggedy Ann and she had a matching costume!

How about your favorite costume as an adult?
My most memorable adult costumes have been; Jasmine from Disney’s Aladdin, a sock hop, Princess Leia and this year, a witch. My favorite was Princess Leia, which I wore as a child and again, last year. Lucas was Darth Vader and Lola (her first!) was Yoda.

Halloween 2014

Halloween 2014

What scares you most on Halloween? Spiders? Zombies? Axe murderers? Eyeballs in a jar… (or something else)?
Masks. Not to into them at all, paint yourself up with blood and gory makeup, but I need to see your face. Especially your eyes.

So then, what is your favorite scary movie?
I don’t like scary movies and can barely even watch American Horror Story, but I love classic suspense films like Rear Window and Rebecca, and more modern ones like Seven, The Usual Suspects, The Departed and Gone Baby Gone.

What is you favorite part of the Thanksgiving meal?
I could so easily make an argument for stuffing. Or mashed potatoes with gravy. Or the rolls, hot and buttery rolls. But I think it’s the main attraction that I look forward to the most, the turkey. And I love turkey sandwiches for days afterward. A little salt, a little pepper and butter. Yum!

What is your favorite piece of clothing or accessory to wear in the Fall?
Boots, sweaters, henleys, flannels, corduroy, scarves! Did I mention boots?

What is your favorite pie?  If you do not like pie I will forgive you but then what is your favorite Fall dessert?
I’m not really a pie person (sorry, Elaine!) I’ve been told I make tasty pumpkin and pecan pies, which I do every holiday. Pumpkin because it would be sacrilegious not to and pecan for my sister. For me, I make chocolate. As in good old fashioned Jell-O pudding on the stove chocolate pudding pie. It makes for a great breakfast too!

IMG_8684

Do you live where there are four seasons? If so, where is your favorite place to see the fall colors?
In California the seasons are subtle, and quick to change, but they do exist and are quite distinct. There is a Summer season and a Winter season. They aren’t what most people think of Summer or Winter, they just happen to occur at the same time. Spring and Fall are just the blending of one into the other.

What is your favorite fall tradition?
Taking photos of my children and dog in piles of leaves. I also enjoy participating in a Turkey Trot (5K walk or run) the morning of Thanksgiving, it’s a great way to start a day of gluttonous eating!

Italy - 2009

Italy – 2009

Is there anything else special about the Fall to you?
I just love the drop in temperatures, wearing cozy slippers, sipping hot cups of tea, visiting pumpkin patches, the crunch of fallen leaves under my feet, rosy cheeks and starting to think about Christmas.

NaBloPoMo November 2015

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Filed Under: blog hop, holidays, NaBloPoMo, old school blogging, photos Tagged With: blog hop, halloween, holidays, movies, NaBloPoMo, photos, Thanksgiving, The Miss Elaine-ous Life

Avery & Austin – NaBloPoMo

Posted on November 2, 2015 Written by Tonya

I just earned my first paycheck in over seven years!

Well, I guess that’s not entirely true. I’ve had several freelance writing gigs over the years and treasured each one. I love getting paid to write and research.

But this? This is different.

This feels like a whole new world of opportunity for me and it’s exciting every day!

For the last month, I have been the Social Media Manager for a company that I have grown to adore, a company I would sing the praises of even before I started working for, a company who is run by two of the smartest, most creative and busiest women and mothers I know, Nichole and Cam.

The company is Avery and Austin.

If you haven’t heard of Avery and Austin and you have children, you must check it out!

Avery and Austin is a monthly playdate subscription box company. Each of their carefully themed and adorably curated boxes come with two complete craft kits and snacks (nut and GMO free) for two children plus a special host gift.

fly

Fly – Box #1

I’ve been a subscriber since they started in early 2015 and in a world now filled with subscription boxes, they stand out because of their enthusiastic attention to detail and the fact that everything you need to host the perfect playdate (even if it’s just you and your child) is included in the box each month. My son, Lucas, who is not so keen on arts and crafts loves getting his Avery and Austin box each month!

rockgarden2

Rock Your Garden – Box #2

Together, we have painted, planted, glued, colored, built, and ended up making greeting cards and gifts for family and friends, homes and food for birds, bath bombs, a lemonade stand, a rock garden, home decor, door hangers, etc. etc.

In other words, we’ve created, played and used our imaginations in the best ways possible. What more could a mother or child ask for?

We’ve had fun and because I’m not a crafty person myself, these boxes are a lifesaver!

Just because I work for the company, I’m not privy to what the next box holds so I wait with as much anticipation as Lucas.

coolandclean

Get Cool & Clean – Box #7

I urge you to look into this amazing company and consider becoming a subscriber, especially with the holidays fast approaching. These boxes are a great way to spend some quality time with your child amidst the craziness that comes along with the season. They are also a good way for your children to connect with out of town guests, like grandparents or cousins.

fallharvest

Fall Harvest – Box #8

I’m thrilled to be working for Avery and Austin and getting paid to do it is just the icing on the cake.

NaBloPoMo November 2015

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Filed Under: arts & crafts, Avery and Austin, NaBloPoMo, working mom Tagged With: arts & crafts, Avery and Austin, NaBloPoMo, working mom

#816 – NaBloPoMo

Posted on November 2, 2015 Written by Tonya

Cough-cough.

Let me just clear away the cobwebs.

It’s been a while.

I love writing.

I enjoy sharing my story.

I miss my blog.

So when something like National Blog Post Month comes along, as it does every November, I am always tempted to participate.

One blog post a day for 30 days. This from someone who has only posted 45 times this year? The entire year!

So far, 815 people have signed up for this lunacy. 815. That’s a lot of people dedicated to their blogs, their words, their writing, their readership and their community.

Why not me?

Well, I have all the excuses in the book… I’m too busy, there are not enough hours in the day to do the things I need to do, let alone find a quiet moment in which to put thoughts to paper, I’m easily distracted (Facebook, Twitter and don’t even get me started on the vortex that is Pinterest), my computer is a piece of shit and freezes up on me every several minutes (are you familiar with the wheel of death, because I am?!) and no one really cares what I have to say are just a few.

But you know what, finding time for something I enjoy and is good for my soul I can do and as far as readers, it’s so easy to tell myself I have no audience, but it’s simply not true. I know when I post people read. It may only be a dozen people, but my words are read.

One thing I’ll never complain about is subject matter. I don’t need writing prompts. I have tons of material, hundreds of blog post ideas whirling around my head and dozens of blog post drafts, just waiting to be finessed and published. I have ideas for books. In theory, this should be easy. There was a time when I did post every day.

So, here goes nothing…

I’m up for the challenge.

I think.

815 just became 816.

Wish me luck.

I’m already a day behind!

NaBloPoMo November 2015

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Filed Under: NaBloPoMo Tagged With: blog, BlogHer, NaBloPoMo, writing

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