I just got back from watching The Hangover with my much younger brother. More than funny, it's one of those movies that inspires your reckless side - or at least makes you fondly remember the time the floor fell out of your roommates car on the way to Nick Tahoes (Home of the Garbage Plate) and everyone in the back seat had to pile on top of each other while keeping from tipping off the seat.

So I had all this energy and not enough time to stop for a Moolaté on the way home. On the front porch were my kids with my father. They had that bored, punished look like they'd been locked out of the house in 85 degree temps.
"Mom, the ice cream truck came by!" my son anxiously exclaimed. "It was the good one, the blue one...and Papa didn't let us get anything."
My father puts up his hands defensively, "The truck was white."
"But did it have blue trim?" I ask.
Again on the defense, "Everything I ever hear about the ice cream truck is, 'no, no, it's bad.'" He is right. There is an ice cream truck that comes by at all hours, circling our neighborhood like a rabid pet. It looks like an old school bus with a cooler in the back. It sells Popsicles in the shape of a foot or Sponge Bob. Bad, very bad. Almost shady in my opinion.

My father takes his orders from me and I totally appreciate that. And, in fact, I do appreciate that he is on the cautious side. "Dad, both trucks are white. One has blue trim and came one time last year. The other is white with green and orange trim: that one is bad." I could see guilt and desperation take over a man who, if it were up to him, would grant the children an endless supply of junk food and amusement parks.
So I'm pumped from the movie, and like trying to find a lost groom, I had to find Mr. Softie who passed my house 15 minutes prior. I couldn't wait for my dejected father to pull out of the driveway so I could put the kids in the bike carriage in search of the white truck with the BLUE trim.
I couldn't hear the truck as I loaded them in, but as I got to the end of the driveway the music box chimes were detectable. Like a mirage I saw the truck coming down the cross street. The bike seat, that's set for my husband, jabbed my butt as I extend my waving hand into the air. Then he turns down my street - that never happens. It's like Dave Matthews playing Crush twice in one set. But then I see my father's car cow plowing the truck back to our house. It was way more exciting than just catching it the first time. The driver is practically taken hostage by my father's damaged reputation.

The children got their soft serve, my father got his respect back and realized that, yeah, there's a story to tell even on a Tuesday night in the burbs.

BTW, for Easter my grandmother gave us a $6 gift certificate to DQ (insert confused expression). I took the boys there soon after and ordered two small cones and a baby dish - all with sprinkles. The total came to $6.06. Cones with sprinkles from the beloved, now slightly freaked out, Mr. Softie are $1.50ea. Can you see now why it's worth hijacking?

In the time between my single life in Chicago and my married life in Buffalo, I spent almost two years delighting in the company of the elderly. It wasn't a conscious choice or pursued goal, I just found myself in their company, listening to their stories, trying to not to stare at their dentures.

The experiences were truly rewarding...so much that I dedicated a year to pulling them together in a fiction novel titled Trimming the Blue Hairs.

If you're looking for a good summer read or find yourself in a position of playing parent to your own parents, you'll commiserate with my story. If you'd like to know more, please visit my website - www.cristinfrank.com - where you can view the video trailer and read more.

It's been out for several months so you can get a great deal on it on amazon.com!

My older son was born almost six years ago. His birth came two days before my 1st wedding anniversary and 10 days before my @#th birthday. For this I decided I deserved diamond earrings.
Honestly, I'm a simple woman. I drink day old coffee and am not too proud for hand-me-downs.

I asked for diamond earrings more as a step toward simplification. I put them in my ears at the hospital and wore them every day for almost six years (with the exception of cleaning them, of course).

A couple weeks ago, sitting in my sister's driveway, I reach up, toughed my earlobe and gasped. My earring was gone. Really gone. I combed through the grass in my front and back lawn. I got on my hands and knees with my face to the floor, scouring my carpets like an anteater. With every passing room the stabbing pain in my stomach worsened.

Then my husband offered some perspective...it's just a thing. And though there was also a huge dose of sentiment, it was again, just a thing; something to be replaced on another magical event to come in my future. Or, I'm tossing around the thought of buying fake ones - a fraction of the price and 0% worry.

On second thought, I'll take my chances and wait for another great accomplishment and reason for a treasure.

I made a commitment to my son and myself that I would teach him to ride a 2-wheeler...sans training wheels. A few weekends ago my husband took off the training wheels and attached the Balance Buddy. The Balance Buddy ($16-$20) is a long U-shaped bar that attaches to the axle of the bike's back wheel. This has made my neighbors, who had to run along holding on to their kid's bike seat, jealous.

We went in the street, me in my flip-flops and my son focused on burning rubber. I ran down the street and back up, gripping and panting...say nothing of my physical stamina, because no matter what, mentally I couldn't let go.

The woman who introduced me to the Balance Buddy never let go. She ran around our neighborhood like a crazy person, almost being dragged by her son on his bike - but she never let go and he never fell. She looked ridiculous, I knew, but I could understand. How was I going to let go knowing he would be faced with crashing, skidding along the pavement? It was the most metaphorical moment of motherhood.

With sweating brow and an aching bunion, I knew I had to do it; I had to let go.

When I was four I asked my mom if I could buy a 2-wheeler from my friends for $5. She didn't believe me when I said I knew how to ride it. I walked her down the street and showed her how I could ride it and indeed a sale was made.

On Thursday I told my five-year-old that I'd buy him a water bottle holder for his bike if he learned how to ride. On Saturday I was out purchasing one.

Believe in them...push their limits...and they'll delight you.

For decades, women's magazines have been showing pictures of carved melons that look like baskets or Jaws or fancy flower blossoms. I like to bring such arrangements to picnics but struggle with the craftsmanship. Let's face it, you cannot cut into a watermelon rind with a pairing knife. Nor can you cut scallop shapes with your serrated bread knife.

So this is when you go down to your basement tote of Halloween goodies. You know, the one with the orange lid that lets you know it's the Halloween one, wink, wink. In there you'll find your pumpkin carving kit with little serrated knives that could kill a horse.

I've found this kit more useful throughout the summer for my picnic pizazz!
Go for it - make them think you're Edward Scissorhands.

Psst...The other really great thing about bringing a carved melon (besides showing off) is that you don't have to worry about leaving behind a serving dish at the hostesses house!

I was out a couple weeks ago with some lady friends when the weather was nice.
One said, "I need a new summer wardrobe!"
The other said, "I need to loose weight!"
I looked at my reflective white skin and exclaimed, "I need a spray tan!"
I've never tried the spray tan, though I've seen the infamous Friends episode (am I dating myself?) where Ross gets repeatedly sprayed on the same side.
I have to say, I like the idea - instant gratification - you get a safe, even tan in minutes without redness, blisters or orange hands. I challenge you moms, me included to try it out.

Get a fresh look for between $15 - $30! They last up to a week.

If you'd feel more comfortable sticking to the lotions, I highly recommend the Jergens Natural Glow Firming lotion. The color is more controlled because it layers on. It'll take a few days to notice results but you won't get hard edges of color like the one-time applications. Ohh, and I specified the "Firming" one because of the smell, not the results. One complaint I heard from others on these lotions is the smell. I've worn the Jergens Firming daily moisturizer JUST for the soft, pleasent scent. These come in 7.5oz tubes that cost around $8.

Have you every been to a regifting party right after the holidays? It's a great time to get rid of the stupid gifts you got in exchange for your friend's "stupid gift."

In honor of our awareness of over-consumerism due to the economy and green initiatives, these types of parties are becoming more popular year-round - especially for moms!

If you're interested in organizing one, tell your mom friends to get out their gently used toys, clothes, household items or holiday gifts that have found their way to a dark corner in the last 5 months. For each item that a guest brings, give them a poker chip. Then they can use their poker chips to "buy" something they want that another guest brought. Win win!

May 10th is Mother's Day!
If you know of a new mother in your life, give the gift of style and convenience!

http://www.prlog.org/10209010-this-mothers-day-moms-want-timesaving-organization-mominvented-cargot-organizers-deliver.html

We just received a large order for Toiletry Cargot's from a bride-to-be. She wants all the girls in her party to get ready at her mother's house on the morning of the wedding. How fun is that? "It reminds me of my younger years with my Caboodle - except these are classy!" she said.

If you're interested in an order of 10 or more, contact me at cristin@carrycargot for a "group rate."

Also, if you're still looking for Bachelorette Party ideas, check out:
http://bestpartyever.com/ideas/show/820-A-Wine-Tasting-Bachelorette-Party

This is a great site with party ideas for any theme or budget.

Cheers!

I spent the weekend cleaning my windows (1 point dread) while listening to all the podcasts I've downloaded since January, but hadn't had time to listen to (1 point delight!).

Check out the article Melissa Chapman-Mushnick wrote for sheknows.com, which I contributed to. There is some great advice for spring cleaning, specifically talking the stress out of it (10 points delight)!
www.sheknows.com/articles/808040.htm

Enjoy your home, enjoy the Spring!