Kindness is King.

What kind of world do we live in that kindness is no longer considered the "norm"? Let me tell you a little story...

I was in Costco the other afternoon (maternity leave leads to a VERY glamorous life, I tell you). The lines were a little cray since it was just a few days after the recent Snowmaggedon here in the Midwest. Anyway, Harper and I were about 6th or 7th in a long line of people with full carts.

I noticed the man in front of me didn't have a cart or anything in his hands to purchase. Instead, he was on his cell phone frantically trying to reach someone. I assumed it was whoever had his cart elsewhere in the store filled with bulk wine, toilet paper and frozen pizzas and he was just simply holding their place in line. As he got closer to the cashier, his calls got more frantic to urge whoever was on the other end of the line to get to checkout ASAP.

Sure enough, just as it's his turn to hit the conveyor belt, his other half strolls up with a cart full. No biggie, right? They put their stuff on the belt, pay, and then it's my turn.

As I started to put my items on the belt, another woman came up to me and grabbed my arm to get my attention. I'm rather used to this when I have Harper with me--people stop me in the most random of places to tell me how beautiful she is, or to comment on her big eyes and mound of hair. But not this lady. She had other intentions.

She stopped whatever she was doing and came to tell me that she was SO surprised and proud of how I reacted to what had just transpired. She said that she would have read that man the riot act and told him to get to the back of the line. "You handled that so well, with such grace--and with a BABY in tow!" she said to me.

I thanked her because her words were genuinely kind and her intentions were true. But really? Really?!? What kind of world do we live in that having patience and treating others with kindness is considered NOT the norm? That when you witness something that seems so normal and so mundane that you go out of your way to compliment someone on it because it's NOT what you expected to witness? I was in a line, waiting my turn...just as others were. I had my child with me because I CHOSE to bring her to the store with me. It was just regular, normal life at a busy store.

Don't get me wrong, I was appreciative of the lady's comments and I do love that there are people in this world who go out of their way to lift up and compliment others. But I didn't do anything special. I did something that everyone else should have done...something that didn't deserve kudos or compliments. But my every day patience was viewed by others as being different or special. Have you ever experienced that?

I struggle with what happened not because it was bad or wrong, but because I want to be certain that in all things I am setting a good and right example for my children. And beyond them, that I am living my OWN life in a way that is calm and true to myself. Imagine if Harper had been old enough to understand the situation and I had acted the way in which that lady "thought" I should have reacted. What kind of example is that? What kind of world is that?

I'm not super sure where I was going with this post, other than it was something I wanted to share to encourage others to practice every day patience and kindness. Slow down. Be kind to others. Say "please" and "thank you" - - because, after all, you never know who you might inspire and you never know what sort of battles those around you are fighting. Be blessed!

I have an erosion tarp for sale for $1.

I recently read a super funny post from Aliya at Double the Fun about checking in on your blog's keyword analytics. I don't do it on the regular, but it's always a hilarious exercise in futility when I do remember to do it and the things that come up are sometimes just plain ridiculous. Some of my personal favorites from my blog during the month of May are:

• bob's your uncle seinfeld (Come again? But a solid #1 search position on Google.)
• erosion tarps (Turns out, I'm #2 on Google for this.)
• gymnastics metaphor (Makes sense.)
• hump day bump day blog (Totally legit. No link needed. See also: I ranked higher than Urban Dictionary for 'hump day' so that's definitely a lifetime achievement.)
• kid peed pants (Well, sure.)

I suppose this all goes to prove that A) there's always a weirder Google search than whatever it is you're looking for and 2) it's interesting what people remember and then forget.

ABM3 on your iPad/iTouch/iPhone.

I know, I know, I know. I'm totally hip to the times. And slowly taking over the world...but I digress.

Today I have for you some instructions on how to get the exclusive, limited time, (lies!), one-of-a-kind, magnificent "...and baby makes 3" custom homepage button for your iWhateveryouhave. Like zees:

With just one touch, you will have all of my musings and rants at the ready. Jill and Kelli, I'm talking to you. Joey, you should probably do this too. If for nothing to stroke my ego and prove this wasn't an epic waste of time.

Simply open this little blogeroo the old fashioned way (for the last time - savor it!) and press the "+" key on the bottom of the page (top for iPads). Then select "Add To Home Screen."

My icon should now magically appear! Simply name the button. Something along the lines of "Kristi is crazy" or "Alex is the bomb" should suffice. Or go with the refined, yet traditional "ABM3." Then press "Add" on the top right corner of your screen.

VIOLA! You're welcome.

Fabulous Five.

Thanks to Trop50 for sponsoring my writing about fabulous bloggers. This year Trop50 is granting 50 fabulous wishes. Click here to enter for a chance to win $1,000 to help grant a friend's wish!

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Some of my favorite words start with the letter 'f'. Fabulous. Family. Friends. That one when I stub my toe. And today, I thought I would share with you Five of my Favorite bloggers. We're all a community here, so why not share the love?

1. Heir to Blair. Honestly, this should come as NO surprise to any of you, since I link up to her hilariousness about once a week. If she 'n Harrison aren't already in your feed, you need to hop on it ay-sap. She's a fabulous, fun writer (working mom!) with a bit of Southern Charm and sass...and is always, always good for a laugh when her mad Microsoft Paint skills come out. Oh, and it helps that her son, Harrison, is 17 flavors of adorable.

2. Harper's Happenings. I believe I actually stalked found Mandy and her little corner of the internets through Blair's blog, though I most likely cannot confirm this. Anyway, "The Haps" is another of my daily reads. Her lack of capital letters and love of narwhals are charming, and her daughter basically should be the poster child for cute kids everywhere. Oh, and in her spare time she also manages to author the Kidlet blog (fun and cool things for kids!) and last year opened her online vintage shop, Opal. And maybe there was that one time I called her my White Oprah. Just saying.

3. From Marriage to Motherhood. I've been 'ooh-ing' and 'aahh-ing' over Jessica's blog since way back when it was titled "An Atlanta Bride." At that time, she was blogging about her ah-maz-ing wedding (Seriously, it was ridiculous. The Knot Atlanta even gave her a four page spread!). Since then, she has managed to evolve her blog as her life has changed--chronicling her pregnancy and the birth of her beautiful daughter, Ilah. (Isn't that a great name?!?) Anyway, Jessica's blog (and heart) is truly a thing of beauty. She spices things up with home tours, letters to her daughter and many, many pictures. But be warned...reading through her posts about her daughter's recent 1st birthday party will most likely make you feel like a failure as a Mother.

4. Clemsongirl and the Coach. Oh where oh where to begin with Clemsongirl? She's as real as real can be...and since her boys are older, reading her posts usually feels like I'm getting a VIP sneak peak at my future. But if I can have it half as together as her and still be snarky and fabulous like Jenn, I'm in. Oh, and if you've ever heard me reference "Dietwhateversonsale," I totally stole that from her. Credit where credit is due, and all that jazz.

5. Money Saving Mom. This is actually one of about 5 "couponing" sites that I follow, and many of the freebies and great coupons I share with y'all from time to time are shamelessly stolen from Crystal. Oh, and get this: she and her husband paid cash for their first home. Yes, you read that right. Cash. Not to say that's a feat that everyone can accomplish just by rockin' some P&G Brandsaver coupons at Target, but like I always say....every little bit counts!

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Don't forget to enter the 50 Fabulous Wishes contest for a chance to win $1,000 to support a friend's wish.

I was selected for this Tropicana Trop50 sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do. I received compensation to use and facilitate my post.

Something's Different Around These Parts.

Is it my hair? No, same old ponytail.

I got taller, that must be it. Nope. Just the heels.

I lost weight! Is that it? A joke, really. Effing hysterical.

Something is definitely new around here. I just can't seem to put my finger on it.

Treasures.

It's strange to think that a year ago I would have posted a "Hump Day, Bump Day!" picture today. Actually, this would have been the one. Scary!

Back to today's post - recent treasures!

For starters, I won a blog giveaway yesterday! The savvy savers from Cha-Ching on a Shoestring hosted a partner giveaway with Jiffy Lube and its "Go Red for Women" campaign. I won a $35 Jiffy Lube gift card and a coupon book worth over $100, which is simply fab because a) Jiffy Lube is the only place I will take Tessa for her oil changes...for the locals, Andre and his peeps at Dequindre and 14 are the b-o-m-b. and b) my love for coupons is limitless. I can't wait to get it in the mail! Oh, and if you're not a follower of this blog, do it now. I guarantee that every day you'll learn something new about saving, couponing or some other trick of the trade that will put more $$ back in your pockets.

...which leads me to treasure #2. I received a package in the mail yesterday which contained some of my recent ebay purchases. Another small obsession. I found a goldmine of a seller who has impeccable and expensive taste and a closet full of boys' 12-18 month summer clothing being sold for pennies on the dollar. Even with shipping, it was all a steal.

And finally, my favorite treasure of the day - my bracelet! It came yesterday and I couldn't love it more. I like to think of it as a little successory for my "Mommy branding," because from pretty much here on out, I'm no longer Kristi, I'm Alex's Mom. Sorry it's such a craptastic picture. Cell phone + desk ≠ Olan Mills Portrait Studio.

Testing, Testing. 1. 2. 3.

The blogosphere is eerily quiet today. Of all the peeps I stalk follow, only about 3 have posted updates.

I suppose that's karma's way of telling me to log off and get the eff back to work.

BDBC - Day 4.

First things first, I changed my posting setting in Blogger to the "new" version...loving it! You should know that I have a great aversion to change when it comes to all things PC (don't even get me started on the FB updates over the years), but I always tend to warm to the changes...eventually. Let's face it, serious computer nerds that are far smarter than yours truly update these things and I have to trust that they are making improvements to enhance and simplify my blogging experience. So, to the nerds of the world, thank you. I simply adore that my photos now upload at the insertion point, rather than at the top of all my blogs. Moving them is hard work! But that said - where oh where is spellcheck in this new version?!? Yes, I have an honors degree in journalism and also write for a living but this is just nonsense. A girl needs her schpell chek!

Back to le subject at hand - BDBC. I'm not gonna lie, Day 4 did not begin well. I hoisted my Princess and the Pea self out of bed to be at work for a 7 a.m. meeting only to dash into my boss' office a hot, sweaty mess at 6:55 to find it DARK and UNOCCUPIED. Angry and confused, I went back to my desk to find a loverly email timestamped at 6:29 to reschedule the meeting. Um, I was driving at 6:29.

Not. Cool.

I'm 93% over it (the coffee helped) and I'm just getting to my BDBC card and spreesprise, which were placed under my keys this morning. In my hurricane-powered frenzy to get out the door and to the meeting that never happened, I tossed it in my purse to open later.

Later is now.

And once again, my husband is just the best. I wish I could share what the cards all say, but that's something I choose to keep personal (I know, crazy...I will tell you crazy graphic stories of a baby failing to exit out my vajayjay but the simple, loving words of a card are too personal to share. Deal.). Today's little surprise was an ornament for our tree - adorable!

I think blogging has successfully simmered my morning rage. Let Friday officially begin!

Spank You Very Much.

Well, well, well...what have we here? Another blog award!



I actually have been nominated for this one twice. Jamie from Living life. One blonde moment at a time. and Miss Pretty from Pretty Woman and Classy Too! were kind enough to bestow this fab award on me. Thank you!

The rules for this one are as follows:

List 7 things that you love, and then pass the award on to 7 bloggers that you love. Uhmmm, 7? I'm going to take an editorial freebie here and allow others to pass it along on my behalf.

1. The obvious: J-Man, Joey, WIP, my family and friends.
2. MAC makeup, all varieties.
3. Qdoba. Specifically, the queso. Who am I kidding? I presently love all foods.
4. Really good chic lit.
5. How I Met Your Mother. Desperate Housewives. 30 Rock. The Office. Private Practice. Grey's Anatomy. Real Housewives of Orange County. Jon & Kate Plus 8. (Not proud of the last 2, but whatevs.)
6. New shoes.
7. Bargains. Coupons. Free stuff. Samples.

You'll note that I grouped "like" categories together...totally allowable. :)

Thanks again, ladies!

Blog Giveaway!

We all know I pretty much live and breathe for free, reduced or otherwise cheaper-than-retail items.

Well, I've recently come to learn of these things called "Blog Giveaways," wherein bloggers literally give away an item (sometimes very, very cool things) to their followers. You get more entries by being a blog follower or linking from your blog to the giveaway.

So, consider this my lame and pathetic attempt at getting three entries in Misadventures of a Newlywed's preppy tote giveaway. Go ch-ch-check it out!

And maybe I'll do a giveaway of my own someday. Stay tuned!

Who, Me?

I'm so flattered! My (mid) Mid-Life Crisis has given me my first blogger award! Thank you!!!

It's so weird to think that something that started as a way to keep friends and family apprised on all my pregnancy news and drama has evolved into a "real" blog...with followers and everything! I've had over 8,000 visitors since October 2008 - that's just nuts. Mikey likes me...he really likes me!

I'm always excited to read your comments and see new followers, and hope that I can stay snarky enough to keep you all coming back.

Apparently the rules of blog awards are very straightforward (I'm still learning) : nominate a blog or two that I lurve and let the author know she's been tagged. My picks are:

1. Jamie from Living Life. One Blonde Moment At A Time. - I giggle a little harder at every post. Plus, she has a sick obsession with the Snuggie...who can't love that? :)

2. Clemsongirl from Clemsongirl and the Coach. - Her daily antics provide a delightful insight into what my future will look like with a houseful of boys. If only I could be as fabulous while doing it! :)

Am I Alone In This?

I think I have a complex. And I think I need to seek help for it. Urgently.

But maybe there's hope...maybe other bloggers/writers experience this same thing, and if so - I need to know I'm not in this alone!!

I find that as I'm living my day, I look at things from the perspective of an author. I often think to myself, "Self, that was a very funny moment. How would you incorporate that into your blog? How would you write it? Would it be funny or serious? Would you use parallel structure and alliteration? Will you continue to think in third person? Because if so, that's a whole 'nother blog post."

I'm literally thinking about things as they happen and then immediately writing the blogs in my head. Is this a sickness?

On a similar note, I've always wondered what language multi-lingual people think in. Like, if I could speak French and English, would I think in French or in English - or both, even? I asked a friend once and she said that at work (where she speaks English) she usually thinks in English. But at home (where they speak Chinese), she thinks in Chinese. It absolutely fascinates me.

Another thing that's always befuddled me are colors. For instance, you and I both see grass as "green" because we were trained to call the color of grass green. But what if the green YOU see is actually what I see as pink...but you call it "green" because that's what you've been trained to do? Same with the sky - we know to call it "blue" but what if my blue is YOUR yellow? AAHHHH it makes my head want to explode!

I know that I'm weird. I embrace my weirdness. But I can't help thinking there are other weirdos out there that ponder these same mystical wonders...

WIP's a Very Popular Little Girl/Boy

As of this morning, WIP's blog has had over 1,100 visitors since our first post on Oct. 16. Not bad for just a little over a month of activity! :) And, I'm pleased to report that as a result of my expert stalking abilities, we have visitors from all over the country, including:

• Michigan
• Minnesota
• Arizona
• Wisconsin
• North Carolina
• California
• Ohio
• Illinois
• New York
• Indiana
• Pennsylvania
• Orgeon
• Florida
• Connecticut (a.k.a. Columbus and/or Cleveland...right, David?) :)
• Kentucky
• Maryland

WOW! I can definitely figure out some of the non-Michiganders. Hello to Mark, Katy, Kristi & Charles, David, Lindsay & Mike, Julie & Paul (and Charlie!), Aunt Teresa, Jen, Brooke & Justin (Trace & baby #2, too!)...but some of the others befuddle me. Well, whoever you are, welcome to our blog and I hope you come back often. I've got lots to say!