I *heart* Hillary

She knows better than anyone - "it takes a village".

She has inspired me - as a woman, as a mother, as an activist, as my senator!

She has flaws. Don't we all.

She has heart. I believe that with all of my heart.

Her time will come. I believe that with all of my heart.

Love her.

It's Party Time!!

I wanted Hillary - I never hide that fact, but I am on board.

Yes, We Can!

Yes, We Can!

Counting down the minutes till Michelle Obama takes the stage.

Yes, We Can!

Playlist Help

I am getting ready to host my first dinner party in our new home. It is in 2 weeks and the pressure is on. I am undertaking a big "themed" event - an outdoor Tuscan-style dinner. Picture long table, sunflowers and fire-pit, lights in the trees.....family style platters of antipasti, grilled fish and vegetables, olives and bread. Oh, and vino, vino, vino!

My question to you is can you help me prepare the party music playlist??

What are your favorite songs? I need pre-dinner drink music and eating background music and maybe some "dancing on table" music. Any songs that you just LOVE?? Any era, any type, any suggestions welcome.

Wordless Wednesday

Two Heads are Better than......

"Engagement" without the need for a Diamond

We have been on vacation and I am having trouble getting back into a routine. With the days of summer quickly coming to an end, I am attempting to savor every last minute with my kids. They are growing up too fast. I am aging too fast. The days speed by too fast. I ran across this list today on my local YMCA site.

How to engage our children:

1. Ask them about their day
2. Ask their opinion
3. Set clear boundaries and expectations
4. Be a positive role model for youth
5. Provide positive creative outlets for youth
6. Get to know the kids on your block if you don’t already
7. Instill positive values and model them frequently
8. Smile
9. Praise more, criticize less
10. Keep your promises
11. Delight in their discoveries
12. Answer their questions
13. Make yourself available
14. Be there for their events
15. Catch them doing something right
16. Admit when you make a mistake
17. Believe in them
18. Daydream with them
19. Make decisions together
20. Love them, no matter what

Summer is ....

Our summer is complete! Nothing makes it seem like summer until you've had your fill of these. Growing up in New England, summer memories always revolved around plastic bibs, metal crackers, melted butter and cold beer (well, no beer as a child). Clam shacks and lobster joints from Narragansett, Rhode Island to Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Ogunquit, Maine - the memory of summer comes flooding back each time we enjoy another lobster feast.

We had our lobster dinner last night. First one all summer and it was delicious. Perfectly steamed, with sweet corn on the cob and loads of dripping butter.

If you don't live close or plan a trip to New England, you can still enjoy the experience any time of year with this or host your own clambake on your patio. I promise you will not be disappointed. What food or meal reminds you of summer??

Yes, I am seeking balance. Whatever that means. I am often asked the proverbial "how do you do it" question as I run from pre-school committees to business meeting to baseball game? To be honest, I don't really know. As in, I don't really know. Not in a , "oh, I'm so amazing kind of way". I am not sure that I have a system of answers - as Nike says, I "just do it". I can't imagine not being busy and running around. Might have to work on that...

I did recently read the bestselling 4-Hour Work Week. I didn't honestly think I could end up working only 4 hours a week, but I was intrigued with what lessons I might be able to take away. So much of it really is common sense. I am using some of the tips now to find more time in my week to be a better mom. Gosh, I wish I thought to write this book and make a gazillion dollars but I digress....

So, I'll post of few of my recent take-aways from the book over the next few days. Maybe they will help you also. I would also love to hear what tips you might have for reaching your balance point - juggling life as a mother.


1. Outsource everything you don't have to be doing: Keep in mind that I realize that many of these tips are luxuries and have a monetary cost associated with them. For me, I have realized that what I gain back in "time" that I can spend with my family is worth it's weight in gold. This is not an option for everyone and it is costly to outsource, but I have learned to outsource some of my activities. Just so happens that I despise grocery shopping. I hate it. Not sure why, but it just not on my list of faves. So, I shop online for groceries and much to my amazement, I save more money this way. I can shop with my list when I am focused and only buy what I actually need. I can use coupons and there are weekly sales - just like the bricks and mortar store. I set up a recurring delivery time and set aside a set time each week for ordering. It also helps to have someone else carrying in the large or heavy items. I still stop in for a weekly run for milk or fresh produce, but 80-90% of my groceries come to me. I even find time to clip coupons via online sites such as this one.

For work, I use a virtual assistant for projects that would be more efficiently done by a professional (rather than struggling to create forms or populate databases). I have found some of the best folks here.

I have at times outsourced housecleaning, dry cleaning delivery and do the majority of my shopping online - for books, presents, clothing. Try this next time you are looking for a unique gift or thank you present. We use this for our movie rentals and this saves me time (and gas) for purchasing postage and mailing right from my doorstep. We even have our wine delivered and can research and pick and chose bottles.

My goal in outsourcing is to gain time with my family. None of these tips are rocket science, but they did require a change in mindset. What outsourcing shortcuts have you found that make your life easier?