by mssinglemama on May 31, 2008
Totally off topic but If you haven’t seen this story - check it out!
Until they saw this plane, these people had never had contact with the outside world.
Members of an unknown Amazon Basin tribe and their dwellings are seen during a flight over the Brazilian state of Acre along the border with Peru in this May, 2008 photo distributed by FUNAI, the government agency for the protection of indigenous peoples. Survival International estimates that there are over 100 uncontacted tribes worldwide, and says that uncontacted tribes in the region are under increasing threat from illegal logging over the border in Peru. - Yahoo
See more photos here.
by mssinglemama on May 29, 2008
Thomas, aka “the Dane”, started reading this blog long before his visit. And this morning, I found this in my inbox - a guest blog entry from Thomas on his experience with Benjamin and I.
For the men, this is the perfect addition to my series on How to Date a Single Mom. And for the single moms, here is proof that not all men run away screaming at the idea of dating a single mom (why? because we rock and so do our kids).
Here’s Thomas’ version of our long weekend:
Stepping out of the car in front of the house Benjamin came running towards me, “Daddy!, Daddy!”
Ed note: Benjamin calls every man “Daddy”
You can probably imagine my surprise. Being called “Daddy” by a boy you haven’t seen before – sounds actually like a nightmare. But it took a lot of pressure off of my shoulders. I didn’t have to worry about whether Benjamin would like me or not – a major concern of mine before coming. Instead I dropped my bags and started playing with him. This was followed by the warm welcome by Alaina whom I hadn’t seen in seven years. [click to continue…]
by mssinglemama on May 28, 2008
You know when I wish I had a man the most? Every time I pick up a newspaper.
Because …
It might be nice to have a man around to do the heavy lifting, the fighting or the hunting when shit hits the fan. Seriously. I’m scared.
Most of us single moms aren’t rolling in money and when gas prices go up to $4.00 a gallon - it hurts. Not even to mention the price of groceries, housing and health care. I just worry about it, that’s all. Forget the face on this magazine cover - it could be any one of their faces - they’ve all left us in this cluster. [click to continue…]
by mssinglemama on May 27, 2008
Reports say Kate Hudson and Lance Armstrong are an item.
They were spotted leaving a Monaco hotel room this weekend en route to a boat trip. Wouldn’t that be nice? I wonder if they brought the kids? Armstrong’s twin girls are seven and his son is nine. Hudson’s son, Ryder, is just four. I’m sure they’re both keeping the kids out of the picture, the fling has only been going on for a few weeks.
I’m a huge fan of Kate Hudson. We’re the same age (29), I love her acting and she’s a single mom. Usually don’t even get into celebrity gossip but I had to pass this on. Just think, if they hit it off (for real) Lance and Kate could become Hollywood’s shining single parent couple.
And if you ever feel down about your divorce, like we all do sometimes, think on this … Lance Armstrong won seven Tour de France’s and survived cancer, but he couldn’t make his marriage work.
What do you guys think? Any news to add to this story that I missed? It’s actually kind of weird because both of their exes, Sheryl Crow and Owen Wilson, used to date.
If you’re really into this story, check out this post from an L.A. Times blogger - she thinks Kate is just another one of Lance’s girls and is shocked Hudson would fall for his smooth moves. And who says Kate isn’t taking Lance for a ride? Us single moms like to have some fun too! [click to continue…]
by mssinglemama on May 25, 2008
I bought a ticket to Denmark.
I know what you’re thinking. She’s lost her mind! She’s wrapped up in a torrid love affair with the Dane!
My little brother called me when he found out, “Alaina? You’re flying to Denmark? So you’re really serious with this guy, huh?”
There was an obvious hint of concern in his voice, rightly so. I have a reputation for “losing it” over men. I did marry Benjamin’s father just because he needed a Green Card, we were in love - hence the child - but still, it was “crazy.” I did have a tendency to go crazy over men, but now as a single mom, falling in love just isn’t the same. And I’m not falling in love with Thomas…I can’t! He lives an ocean away… but I can visit him. Besides, it’s been years since I’ve had the chance to go to Europe.
So here’s the skinny on the Dane and why he’s worthy of a visit.
Aside from my friend Mia and her daughter Sydney (who calls herself Benjamin’s sister) we have no one in our lives on a regular basis. I have quite a few amazing friends and a very supportive mother, but when it comes to the daily grind - Benjamin and I are completely alone.
Thomas and I had reconnected through Facebook recently and when he told me he was coming through to visit our college town - where we’d met and dated 8 years ago - I offered up my guest bedroom and my services as hostess.
I remembered Thomas as being completely open, honest, fun and of course, incredibly attractive … but how would he handle five days with a single mom and her two year old? I was a bit nervous as his arrival loomed. Personally, I think Benjamin and I are a blast, but not all men see it that way. What if it would be awkward? What if he didn’t like kids? [click to continue…]
by mssinglemama on May 25, 2008
UPDATE: It’s all better now. I love you Brad.
Many of you may not even have noticed - but my site is slightly messed up right now.
It’s my fault. I got ambitious and messed around with my CSS Stylesheet. I chose to do this on a weekend when, Brad, my CSS and WordPress Consultant is out in the boonies on a camping trip. Anyway, there you have it - no tabs along with errant colors and post titles. Sorry my site temporarily looks ugly. Feel like I have a gigantic pimple on my nose or something.
Thanks for your patience.
by mssinglemama on May 25, 2008
- Tell toddler his or her microscopic plastic monkey wants to ride in a boat. Hint: Make monkey whisper in your ear. Act alarmed and sad when plastic monkey tells you he’s never, ever been in a boat before.
- Ask toddler if he or she knows where the monkey can find a boat.
- Remind toddler of the toy boat in the bath tub.
- Bonus: tell toddler the monkey also wants to help wash his or her hair!
- Toddler will lead you by the hand to the tub, his or her jaw will hang open upon the realization that small plastic monkeys can whisper in Mommy’s ear.
Photo Evidence: Sorry it’s blurry, I was giggling.
See the little monkey???
He’s there, in the center of the white thing. HILARIOUS. Benjamin would check on him every few minutes, just to make sure the monkey was having a fine time in his boat.
by mssinglemama on May 24, 2008
Back by popular demand, Single Mama Beauty Tips!
One of the sexiest things about single moms (for the guys) and one of the most trying (for us) is the fact that we are on top of it … beauty wise. But it’s not easy - and there’s nothing worse than dragging a screaming toddler through the beauty section only to bring the product home and find out it sucks.
Talk about guilt. You’ve wasted time and money. So here’s another tip.
How to Get Gorgeous Hair - (for real).
The Challenge: After my pregnancy, my hair lost it’s luster and transformed from thick and curly to thin and flat. Enough to make even the strongest of single moms sob herself to sleep.
The Solution: Lush’s Cynthia Sylvia Stout shampoo, Lush’s American Cream conditioner and the FHI Black Turbo Hair Dryer.
Side Effects: Constant smelling and touching of hair, could be annoying to people around you.
If you haven’t discovered Lush yet, get to your nearest Macy’s pronto, or visit their website. Their products are all-natural, never tested on animals and most actually have expiration dates because the ingredients are so fresh. This shampoo and conditioner has seriously transformed my hair. First of all, it smells delicious FOR DAYS. And secondly, my hair is thick again and shiny again - just like it used to be! And after two years of thinking my hair was a lost cause, you can imagine why I’m so ecstatic about this. [Tip: only use it every other day because it's a bit heavy, you don't need much.]
The trial size is $8.75, start with that to make sure you love it because the larger bottles are more expensive. I’ve been using my trial sizes for over a month and they’re not even half way finished.
After realizing that hair is worth an investment (I had never spent more than $6.00 on shampoo before in my life) I decided to retire my old hair dryer for a brand new salon dryer (on the advice of my stylist). I had been showering at night just to avoid drying my hair because my old dryer left it frazzled, dry and frizzy. The FHI Black Turbo kicks ass. Find it here on Misikko, based in Philadelphia, the website offers a plethera of the latest and greatest hairstyling tools at a steep discount. For example, the FHI Turbo is normally $195.00 but it’s only $129.99 at Misikko. And they also have great deals on flat irons and ceramic flat irons
Anything else I should know about my hair care? Please enlighten me. Leave hair beauty tips or any others in the comment field.
If you missed it, Single Mama Beauty Tip #1: Tan Towels
by mssinglemama on May 22, 2008
I would like to introduce you to a phone.
That thing with numbers. You push them. Then you talk to the person on the other end, and if it’s a girl you’re asking out for the very first time you make the call at a reasonable hour - ask her questions about herself, yada, yada - find a mutual meeting spot and set a date. You DO NOT SEND A TEXT MESSAGE.
If I were 15, it might be okay. But I’m 29! And I want to date a man, not a boy.
Remember the guy who kept texting me? I was so annoyed I texted him to call me the next time. Five days later, not phone call and then - another text. At this point the Dane had landed and the guy didn’t have shot in hell, but this is still funny.
Here’s how it ended.
Five days later … another text!
His Text: What are you doing this weekend?
My Text: Going to Athens.
His Text: Ha! See ya there.
My Text: Which festival are you going to?
No response.
And then late that night, while I’m falling asleep… my phone rings. It’s him! What??? I send it to voice mail. Then it rings again! And he leaves another voice mail. Two voice mails. The next morning I listen to them. [click to continue…]
by mssinglemama on May 21, 2008
Have a wicked sense of humor.
One week ago I told Prince Charming To Kiss My Ass. And three days later, the Blogger Gods dumped one on my doorstep. And then five days later, they took him away.
Thanks.
Thanks a lot. Nice way to torture a poor, lonely single mom. I wasn’t lonely before he got here, I was just fine - trucking along my merry little way. And then - poof - there was a man here, in my apartment, cooking, cleaning up, playing with Benjamin, letting me rest, making me laugh, annoying me (just a little) and then looking at me like I was a queen.
What in the hell was that? And how do I forget that it ever happened?
P.S.
I’m sure the said loneliness is just a temporary side effect of having a man suddenly thrust into my life. Should be back to normal soon. And I would write more, but I’m exhausted. But I will give this story the credit it’s due … soon. In the meantime, I’ll be pondering simple twists of fate and catching up on my sleep.
What happens when fate throws you for a loop? I usually just ride it out … and hang on tight, but I never let go of the steering wheel. Us single moms don’t have that luxury.
