I don’t know about the rest of you, but I could seriously live on fresh fruit and veggies for the rest of the summer! I missed the Farmer’s Market on Saturday, so I’ll have to go Wednesday to get what I need this week.
Monday - I think we are going out to lunch, so dinner will be light! It may even be a bowl of cereal.
Tuesday - Chicken Fajitas
Wednesday - it’s my husband’s birthday so we’ll have Steak on the grill, baked potatoes, and a fresh salad
Thursday - Fresh vegetable pasta primavera, garlic bread
Friday - We’re having a little get together and I am planning on making meatballs, bbq pork and coleslaw, getting buffalo wings, veggie tray, chips and salsa, and a cake.
After the events of this weekend, I am beginning to feel like I live in a zoo!
It all started Friday night when my daughter spotted a young raccoon hanging out by the birdfeeder. We watched it meander across the front yard looking half drunk. About half an hour later we noticed it was at the edge of the pond that is in the alcove outside my kitchen bay window. The raccoon very carefully balanced itself on a rock and leaned over to get a drink out of the pond, when suddenly, it fell right in the pond, head first.
Saturday morning, we noticed this same raccoon hanging out on the back steps. It was not one bit afraid of us as it let me get really close for a picture opportunity. My husband decided that it shouldn’t really be near the house and started to lure this raccoon out to the woods. Have you ever heard a raccoon? Oh my! They make the funniest little noise and my husband perfected it pretty quickly. Here was husband walking towards the woods calling the raccoon like a scene out of the Pied Piper or “Are You My Mother?”
The raccoon headed toward my flower bed and decided to get comfy. We have a spare rabbit hutch and the goal was to get “Stripes Jr.” into the hutch. We decided to lure it towards the hutch with a peanut butter sandwich. It’s too bad these animals really are dangerous, because it is so darn cute. Here is my first ever YouTube video of Stripes Jr. eating peanut butter (and if you listen closely, you’ll hear my voice at the end).
We did end up luring it to the hutch and my husband got it into the hutch. The little guy has been hanging out in there for the last day and we will most likely release it way off in the woods away from the house. The girls are concerned if we take it to Animal Control that it will be no longer.
Later in the day we went into Petsmart for rabbit food and spent at least an hour checking out the cats and dogs brought over by the local shelters. Somewhere along the way, while I was checking out the Chow, my husband fell in love with a black lab named Raven. Now, we already have a Rhodesian Ridgeback, 2 cats, a rabbit, and a raccoon in captivity - do we need another animal? NO! We walked out of the store with rabbit food, and no additional pets. I was in the clear. Or so I thought.
This morning my husband headed off to run a few errands and somehow managed to end up back at Petsmart. He even took Raven for a walk. Talk about a sucker! He called from the store and let me know how much he liked this dog and I stuck to my guns. The kids found out about the second visit to the dog and all four of them (hubby & 3 kiddos) have been begging me to change my mind all afternoon.
Somehow I just got completely over-ridden and they called back the organization that has Raven. It looks like we will have another new addition to the zoo tomorrow!
In other news, don’t forget to join in the contest at Weary Parent. I extended the deadline to this afternoon since I know it has been a crazy week for many of you.
For Casual Friday today, I invite you all in for my blogging birthday bash! Bring your cup of coffee and I’ll supply the virtual (and calorie free) cake. In addition to our usual chit chat, I want you to share with us your all time favorite post - from your own blog. Basically I am asking you to brag a bit.
One thing I have learned since I started blogging (one year ago tomorrow) is that no matter what your niche is, there is a community for you. I have also learned that there are A LOT of Moms who are passionate, creative, and well-connected in the new world we call the Internet. Whether you are a Mom looking for an online community or a business looking to get in touch with your Mom audience, there are plenty of great communities that are already established - and there seems to be attitude that there is always room for one more at the table.
Here are thirteen places where the Moms are:
1. Being social! New social bookmarking sites are cropping up that fill a need within a niche. Sk*rt.com is a very HOT digg-like site for women that is slightly addictive. Others in this arena include Babblz.com, Absolutely Parents, and Netscape.
3. In the cafe. Cafe Mom that is! Cafe Mom is run by the same group who brings us Club Mom - both very good resources for Moms, but Cafe Mom is more community and social focused. Did I mention that thousands of Moms have already set up their profiles there.
4. Working the forums. Traditional discussion boards are still great ways to connect with like-minded Moms and my favorites include the MomGadget forum, WAHM, and HBWM.
6. At the carnival. Thinking of joining the circus? Your family may prefer you play it safe and join a blogging carnival instead. Join in the carnival of family life or do a search at Blogcarnival.com for a another topic.
7. Joining forces. Looking for a way to exchange links and find more Mom blogs? Why not join forces and grow your blogroll too. Two of the groups that come to mind are The Mom Blogs and Blogging Chicks. In order to make the most of these groups you have to display a link to their mainsite or display a badge.
8. Thinking local. There are more and more sites coming about that serve a specific geographical area. Let’s start with Silicon Valley Moms, and their sister sites Chicago Moms and New York City Moms.
10. Popularity plays. Have you seen TopMomma or The Top 100 Mom Blogs? These are a great source of new reads and a fun way to reward your favorite Moms.
11. Talking among ourselves. One of the best ways to get to know other Mom bloggers and build your own community is by leaving comments on the blogs you like to read. Or you could stop by here on Fridays for Casual Fridays - bring your cup of coffee and just chat.
12. Lurking in the wings. Yes, I know there are a bucket load of Moms online that haven’t found their voice yet! If you are one of them, jump in, leave a comment or better yet, get started blogging today.
13. Meeting in Chicago - BlogHer will be in Chicago July 27-29. Some of my favoriteMoms are even speaking!
This list is by NO MEANS exhaustive! I know there are so many more places that Mom’s hang out online. If you happen to have a favorite that is not on the list, by all means, leave a comment and let us know! And for more Thursday Thirteen entries, visit the TT hub.
Saturday morning, we noticed this same raccoon hanging out on the back steps. It was not one bit afraid of us as it let me get really close for a picture opportunity. My husband decided that it shouldn’t really be near the house and started to lure this raccoon out to the woods. Have you ever heard a raccoon? Oh my! They make the funniest little noise and my husband perfected it pretty quickly. Here was husband walking towards the woods calling the raccoon like a scene out of the Pied Piper or “
Does anyone know what today is? It is my blogging birthday! 
For Casual Friday today, I invite you all in for my blogging birthday bash! Bring your cup of coffee and I’ll supply the virtual (and calorie free) cake. In addition to our usual chit chat, I want you to share with us your all time favorite post - from your own blog. Basically I am asking you to brag a bit.
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