Friday, January 30, 2009

What's In that Cup?

Am I wrong for drinking an after workout blueberry protein shake in a Heineken beer glass?



I know. I’m shaking my head, too. But at least I’m gettin’ it done…

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll

It's Hump Day at Wifey's House, the one day a week I dish about sex.

Sex, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll. OK, nix the drugs, but sex and music definitely go together. Remember back in the day when a sex tape didn’t refer to Pamela Lee, Paris Hilton, or Kim Kardashian? Yes, I’m dating myself here, but a sex tape used to be a cassette of your favorite slow jams that you only played for that extra special cutie.

Fast forward to 2009 – no pun intended – and the almighty iPod is probably the method of choice for those seductive selections.

Almost anything by Prince or Sade tops the list. Seal and Babyface have undoubtedly sung many ladies right out of their panties; and let’s not forget Marvin Gaye’s classics – “Sexual Healing” and “Let’s Get it On.” Aerosmith’s “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing,” and Maxwell’s “Til the Cops Come Knockin’” have got to be in there somewhere and of course, D’Angelo’s “How Does it Feel” – especially if your iPod plays video.

The list could go on and on and on. How ‘bout you? What’s on your playlist? Music lovers want to know…

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Monday, January 26, 2009

Beer, Budgets and Bikinis

Beer, budgets and bikinis don’t normally fall into the same sentence, however, they seem to be intertwined in my life right now. Let’s tackle the beer first.

Husband took me to the most fabulous spirits store I’ve ever seen. Yes, I’m talking about a liquor store, but somehow saying that Husband took me to the most fabulous liquor store I’ve ever seen makes me sound like a little bit of a lush and I’m not. No, really, I’m not. I just enjoy great tasting beer and a glass of good wine – not at the same time, of course.

Anyway, if you happen to be a beer, wine or liquor connoisseur and haven’t been to Total Wine you’re so missing out. The selection is extensive, the prices are reasonable and the layout is inviting. So inviting that as Husband and I cruised the isles eyeing the massive selection of beer and wine, we decided to embark on a little tasting mission. Each weekend each of us will choose a new beer or wine to try that we’ve never tasted before. Fun, right? If you’re a beer or wine lover, discovering new tastes is exciting. Side effects are simply an added bonus.

Best of all our new mission is great for our new budget – the new budget that has us being financially responsible now so we can have financial freedom later. It’s the same budget that slashed our entertainment fund in half. It’s definitely less expensive to BYOB (buy your own bottle) than funneling all of your funds to an overpriced restaurant or bar. Since we’ve committed to saving and staying in more our tasting challenge adds an extra kick to a regular night at home.

So, it’s all good, right? Nope, not really. Not for my bikini. Bikini? Yes, the one I’m planning to fit into by my birthday (April 28). Gasp! Since I already decided that beer is not included in a clean eating diet my new little tasting mission screwed up my healthy eating plan. But, then I realized that I function best when I follow the 80/20 rule. If I eat clean and healthy 80 percent of the time – and exercise regularly – I can enjoy some not so healthy things 20 percent of the time and not feel guilty. When I deprive myself I, like most people, eventually binge; but when I consciously treat myself in moderation, I’m normally able to stay on track. Moderation is key here. We’ll see if it works.

Beer, budgets and bikinis. You’ll probably see more posts about all of these things as I continue to taste, save and get healthy. In the meantime, I figured I share this weekend’s beers:

Husband’s pick
Magic Hat, Not Quite Pale Ale

Wifey’s pick

Dogfish Head, Indian Brown Ale

Were they good? Let’s just say there’s only a few left.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Friday, January 23, 2009

Superwoman is Overrated

Friday’s confession…

I’m not Superwoman.

Gasp!

But that’s OK, ‘cause no one is.

Even though I dedicated a whole section in my book to dispelling the Superwoman – or Superwifey – myth sometimes I still need a reminder.

I, like most new millennium women, often try to do everything myself. The kids, work, homework, exercise, cleaning, cooking, laundry, more work, more kids stuff, the dog, Husband, deadlines and of course all of these things happen with me looking picture perfect in a cute, no, sexy outfit with flawless hair and make up, perfectly painted nails and a permanent smile plastered on my face.

Right.

I love my life and I’m truly thankful that I have all of these things to do. I’m even more thankful that they don’t have to be done all at the same time.

I had a wonderful work week. Ideas were flowing; writing was effortless so I naturally stayed in that zone. Which also means I naturally did not clean the house, take the dog to get her bath, organize my daughter’s closet and my toes are not painted.

At first I felt guilty for not knocking out my To Do list. Then I realized my To Do list had way too much "To Do" on it and I should celebrate all the things that I did do.

I like being productive. Multi-tasking – with in reason – is one of the best skills you can posses, but being Superwoman is overrated – and will eventually cause you to have a super break down.

How about you? Do you try and take on more than is humanly possible? Take off the red cape – and the pressure – and leave the superhero work to the superheroes.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

It’s a Brand New Day

It’s Hump Day at Wifey’s House, the one day a week I dish about sex.

It’s a brand new day. The start of a brand new era. Yesterday our country swore in its 44th president – Barack Obama. A confident, intelligent, capable president who’s ushering in a wave of change in this country; a positive change that reaches so many levels and, most importantly, so many people.


Inauguration 2009, Whitehouse.gov

Watching the inauguration ceremony yesterday, and our country unite and celebrate in such a positive way, left me feeling warm, happy, inspired, patriotic, hopeful, relieved, proud, strong and excited.

If that isn’t sexy, what is?

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Monday, January 19, 2009

Still Standing

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, I want to share this story about Miles that happened last year when he was 6.

Miles has had a thing for MLK, Jr. ever since he saw a video about him in Kindergarten. Honestly, I'm not sure if he's more fascinated with the incredible things that MLK, Jr. did for the civil rights movement or the fact that he got shot - with a "real gun."

One day he asked me if MLK, Jr.'s children are still alive. I told him yes, and that his sister is, too. And, that she works at the same place that mommy used to work. Well, to my delight you would have thought that I told the boy I'm best friends with Zack and Cody from The Suite Life or Hannah Montana. His eyes lit up and he excitedly asked if he could meet her.

“I don't know about that sweetie, but I can see if she will sign her children's book for you. What would you do if you could meet her?”

“I would probably fall down!”

When I shared this story with my former boss, she was as tickled as I was; so tickled that she picked up the phone and called Ms. Christine King Farris and asked her if she would meet my son. I don't know who was more excited - me or Miles! When I told him we need to make sure to take a picture he replied, “yes mama, I'll need it to show to my kids one day.”

Wow.



Miles, the gracious Christine King Farris and her autographed book, "My Brother Martin."

I'm glad to report that Miles didn't fall down that day, but his mommy was completely floored!

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Friday, January 16, 2009

Guilty Pleasure

Friday’s confession…

I have been waiting all year for the new season of this…



Friday Night Lights

Yes, I’m a grown-ass woman. 37 years old. No, I've never lived in Texas, never even been to Texas, and my teenage years are long gone, but I still love this addictive show about a small town high school football program – and all the drama that goes with it.

I will be comfortably parked in front of my flat screen at 9 p.m. tonight; and I might even pop some popcorn.

Come on and confess…what guilty pleasure do you enjoy watching? Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone…

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Let the Games Begin

Another sports season has officially begun for my little scholar athletes. Basketball – a personal favorite of mine. While Miles is ballin’ big time and loving it, Milan decided not to play. Despite my desperate attempts to persuade, trick and bribe her; the cute little skirts and puffy pompoms won her over – she’s cheerleading.

While I’ve been known in the past to get involved and visibly show my team support, I’m taking the low-key approach this season. No shirts, buttons or homemade signs just lots of love, encouragement… and, of course, pictures.



Milan showing Miles some pre-game love.



My little happy cheerleader.



Post game ice-down. No, he isn't bribing the ref, that's Husband staying involved.

What about your house? What activites do you and your children do? Active moms want to know...

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Sex... and Shoes?

It’s Hump Day at Wifey’s House, the one day a week I dish about sex.



Fendi Lace-Up Pump, $740, Bergdorf Goodman

Hot, right?

I’m just sayin’ there’s something about fabulous shoes that screams sexy … and other things. Gasp!

When’s the last time you donned a pair?

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Friday, January 9, 2009

The Power of the Jedi Mind

When I first started this blog I fell into the habit of writing Friday Confessions – posts where I would voluntarily tell on myself about something I probably shouldn’t have thought, said or did.

Don’t ask.

Looks like I’m at it again.

I Jedi mind-tricked the kids into using Target gift cards they got for Christmas to buy underwear for themselves.

I was folding clothes and saw firsthand that new underwear was in desperate need at Wifey’s House. Besides, Miles decided he wanted boxers anyway.

So, I saw the gift cards and excitedly told the kids…

“Ooh, look. Gift cards to Target! Miles you could get those new boxers you want and Milan could get some pretty princess panties! Yay! Sounds like a great idea, right, right? Yay! Yay!”

Yeah, I know. The only things missing were my pompoms and a megaphone.

Their response…

“Cool! Yes! Mom, you’re the best! Will you get them for us! Please, please!”

Oh, and Milan sealed the deal with a really high-pitch scream.

When I told Husband he shook his head and said that I was dead-ass wrong.

If he only knew how many times he’s been Jedi mind-tricked, too.

Shh ... and may the force be with you, too.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Sexolutions

It’s Hump Day at Wifey’s House, the one day a week I dish about sex.

I started Hump Day last year with this post to help keep sex on your mind - and your to do list. As we begin a new year filled with new resolutions it’s the perfect time to set a few goals for your sex life, too.

Mine?

Right.

I’ll share a few, ahem, to get you started…

1. To try something different. A new position, new time of day, new room of the house…

2. To take a dance class here. It’s sexy and it’s exercise – double bonus points!

3. To do the dance I learn for Husband. Gasp! That would definitely take care of number one on this list.

4. To increase frequency. No explanation necessary.

5. To fit into a bikini by my birthday. No, that’s technically not about sex, but something tells me if I can do it, sex will somehow come into play.

OK, that’s enough. The rest of my list is tucked away safely, booby-trapped with a dye pack and a motion detector.

How about you? Have you made your sexolutions, yet? We're already seven days into the new year...

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

You Mean Beer Isn’t Included in Clean Eating?

Water, hops and barley – that sounds pretty clean to me. A complex carb, right? Right.

OK, I know better, but over the holidays I allowed myself to relax the rules a little bit. I love baking sugar cookies and pound cake; eating holiday hors d’oeuvres and fried chicken, ribs and potato salad on Christmas Day; and yes, I truly enjoy a good glass of wine and ice cold beer.

Yesterday I watched Oprah openly reveal her fears and challenges with weight loss and thought it was one of the best shows that she’s done. She talked honestly about falling off of the wagon and being disappointed and embarrassed about her body. Hello. I don’t know many women – large or small – who can’t relate to that.

I think it’s wonderful that she put herself out there to show people that someone of her stature – with all of the money, power and fame – can still feel insecure and have slip ups. But even more importantly, one of the best messages I got from the show is that you can pick yourself up and get back on the wagon.

Every morning you wake up is a brand new day filled with brand new opportunities to do brand new things.

As I’ve shared before I’ve decided to make clean eating a priority in my life. While I enjoyed the holidays and all of its splendor – and beer, ahem – it’s time for me to get back on the wagon and continue on my quest for a healthy body.

How about you? It’s a brand new day, what brand new things are you going to do?

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey

Thursday, January 1, 2009

New Year, New Rules

Wifey’s new rules for 2009:

Be Bold
Believe in Yourself
Take Risks
Enjoy the Moment
Think Big
Keep it Simple
Just Do it

Happy New Year.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey