So, here is a little booklet I made when I was in first grade.
Monday, February 28, 2011
When I Was Seven. . .
So, here is a little booklet I made when I was in first grade.
AdDress Your Heart
As part of the fifth consecutive year of the company’s signature “AdDress Your Heart” campaign, Campbell reinforced its commitment to heart health by teaming up with Monica Potter, star of NBC’s Parenthood, and NFL Mom Deborah Johnson, mother of defensive end Jay Richardson, both of whom walked the red carpet in Campbell red dresses and talked about their motivation to raise awareness for heart disease, the number one killer of women.
Visit CampbellsAdDressYourHeart.com to watch Monica Potter's and Deborah Johnson's videos. For every view through March 31, 2011, Campbell will donate $1 to the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement, up to $625,000. This is part of the overall $3.6 million donation Campbell has committed to the organization by 2012.
Campbell offers more than 100 convenient, great-tasting products that fit into a heart-healthy lifestyle. This includes all 25 Campbell’s® Healthy Request® soups, Low Sodium V8® 100% vegetable juice and Prego® Heart Smart Italian sauces. All of these products have been screened and verified to meet the American Heart Association's certification criteria to display its heart-check mark. For more information about the campaign and Campbell’s heart-healthy products, visit www.CampbellsAddressYourHeart.com.
Go watch the videos, then leave me a comment here including your email address for a chance to win a Campbell's gift including an AdDress Your Heart fleece pull-over, an AdDress Your Heart apron, and some delicious heart-healthy products from Campbell's! I'll choose a random winner on Wednesday!
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Sunday Sound Out
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Come to California!
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
It's Not Just a Movie Store
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
I Don't Know What to Write

Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday Sound Out
I am curious - why would you put a toilet paper holder in your bathroom? Do your kids know how to properly use one? No one, but me knows.
They know how to use the toilet paper. Know how I know this? Because I found a wad of it behind my washing machine the other day. Hmmm, which, on second thought, probably means that they don't really know how to use it. And they certainly don't know how to replace the empty cardboard tube with a fresh roll. Yeah, I have no idea why I'm putting a toilet paper holder in the bathroom.
Is it wrong that I would be willing to pay $15 for a pirate eye patch alone?!? Because *that* will help my dating situation...
That depends. It might work if you're trying to date a pirate. Ooo, ooo, or an eye doctor! Tell ya what, I'll wear an eye patch with you and we'll go out and have fun!
This is unrelated, but I had a question. Had you ever thought about photoshopping your ex out of that nifty caricature [at the top of my blog]? I'd be happy to do it for you. :)
I thought about removing him, but I think it's apropos considering, if you look closely, it shows the ex literally running away from the family. Besides, Rick from Organized Doodles drew that for me and I really like it.
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
LEGOLAND Discount
To celebrate President’s Day, LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Chicago is offering guests $5 off each full paid admission from February 17 - 25!
· Buy ANY LEGO Game, get Robo Champ (3835) for $1.00!
· Buy $50 or more of of Atlantis boxed sets and receive $10 off your purchase!
· Purchase a Pirate Sword, Pirate Hat, and Pirate Eye Patch for $15! ($23 value separately)
· Buy 1 LEGO over the shoulder bag, get 1 LEGO Classic Large Magnet set FREE!
Monday, February 14, 2011
How Do You Spell Soap?
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Top Ten Reasons Why Valentine's Day Sucks
Sunday Sound Out
Since you are a Greek girl, I am thinking you are probably a REALLY good cook, because I stereo type like that....but to me, that would be the best part of a Greek family...the food!!!
Sure, I cook lamb on a spit in my front yard! Oh wait, no, that's not me; that's My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Eh, I can cook okay when I have the time, but I never have the time! My mom used to always joke that she married the only Greek who not only doesn't own a restaurant, but can't even boil water.
The response to the last question made Crack Up!! How DO you remember all that stuff!?!
I remember useless trivia, but forget stuff like doctor's appointments, baseball sign-up, and my kids' names. It's a trade-off.
I wanted to revisit the "sucks to be you" comment. I first heard it in the Robin Williams movie Bicentennial Man. Out of all the funny things in the movie, that was the one comment my son picked up on and I got to the point that I had to tell him to stop. Not such a funny comment when your kid says it all the time and mine did! I hope yours doesn't (was it Jackson?)
It was Clay originally, but now everyone says it. All. The. Time.
"Ouch, I hurt my toe!"
"Sucks to be you!"
"I can't find my phone."
"Sucks to be you!"
"I got a C on my test."
"Sucks to be you!"
"I have a ton of homework tonight!"
"Sucks to be you!"
Oh yeah, the fun is never ending around these here parts.
How beautiful. He's a great writer, like his mom! :) Is he feeling better? What about Jackson? Praying for y'all.
Austin and Jackson are both doing better as far as depression goes, but they both still have a ways to go. Thank you for asking and praying. :)
Wow...what a heartfelt tribute to you, Dawn. Must mean you're doing something right, huh?
Eh, either that, or he wants something.
Has Austin started thinking about college yet?
Austin has informed me that he intends to be a hobo after high school. At least he's not wasting his gifts of intelligence, humor, and creativity on something silly. Sigh
Is the bathroom done yet, post pics if it is!!
It's almost done. Chris removed every trace of mold and installed new drywall, studs, floor joists, and floor. He installed the sink, shower, and new tile (all the right way, I might add.) I just need to finish patching and sanding the walls, prime and paint, and install the towel rack and toilet paper holder.
Oh how I feel your pain! Telling us that she says, "Look what I can do!" instantly put an image of the Mad TV character 'Stewart' in my head....
You and me both!

The winner of the Nestle Cookie Tin is -
Chris said...
I love baking cookies from scratch. Chocolate chip or fragile crispy sugar cookies...doesn't matter. I just love it. I also bake when it's snowing or I'm housebound. Then I normally make cakes. Gotta love some good carrot cake! Chris in PA
Congratulations! Email me with your shipping address and I'll pop this in the mail right away!
This is one of my favorite pictures. I took this on the beach in North Carolina this summer. I just really love this picture! My good friend, Michelle, has taken this picture and improved it...
Check it out! She DREW this! She added a big, bright, sun and called it Dawn of a New Day! She's the most talented artist I know! Thank you so much, Michelle, for this awesome Brownlow original!
And she's offering prints and notecards of her original drawing in her Etsy store HERE! Check it out! She's selling the notecards as a fundraiser for me. How sweet!

Again, I want to thank all my readers for their kind, thoughtful, generous spirits! I've taped the cards you've sent me up on my bedroom wall. It's a total pick-me-up when I walk past these! And thank you for all the letters, emails, gift cards, donations, books, jewelry, soaps and lotions, etc. Most days, I go along, trusting that things will work out. I'm working hard, trying to bring in enough to support my family on my own. But some days, I absolutely freak out at the reality of the situation. The thought of losing my house makes me hyperventilate. The thought of being unable to buy groceries or pay for medical care for my kids makes me sick with worry when I let it get to me. And there are definitely those days when it gets to me. On those days when I think, Oh my gosh, what AM I going to do??? WHAT AM I GOING TO DO?!!!, I like to walk by my Wall of Encouragement. It helps me to calm down and keep a level head. It helps me to push on even though I'm tired. It helps me to remember that things will work out, one way or another. Thank you for that!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Look What I Can Do!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Bake Some Love
Nestle sent me two of these cookies kits so I have one to give away to a lucky reader. Leave me a comment here and tell me your favorite baking tradition and I'll choose a random winner on Saturday. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize before an alternate winner is chosen.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
And Sometimes They Surprise You
Renaissance Person of the Year
Austin Meehan
I believe that there are many characteristics that a modern day man or women would need to be considered a renaissance person of the year. A renaissance person needs to be well rounded and have great qualities to make up an ideal role model for others in today’s society. This modern day renaissance person would need to be honest, smart, hopeful, caring, trusting, hardworking and strong on the inside. I believe that my mom has all of the characteristics needed to be a modern day renaissance person, so I nominate her.
My mom is very honest and at times this can be extremely difficult. She can tell the truth even when it hurts. I remember one time when my mom was feeling down, so I asked what was wrong. Instead of saying nothing was wrong like most parents would do, she told me what was making her feel that way and what I could do to help so that things would eventually be better. Unlike other parents, she doesn’t just glaze over her children’s work; instead she not only tells us what can be improved, but she helps us get it to that stage.
My mom is very trusting and smart. I can tell her anything or any of my problems and she will be able to understand them and tell me what to do if I want to fix them. Many of my friends have told me they have a bad relationship between with their parents. They aren’t able to talk to their parents without their parents being disappointed or not knowing what to do or say. My mom understands me and shares her own experiences so we can relate to each other.
A modern renaissance person of the year would need to be hardworking and strong to achieve that award. My mom stays up for hours into the night writing her blog and humor books that inspire thousands of parents to enjoy their kids and see the lighter side of life while being a mom to me and my five siblings. She works hard to make enough money for us because my parents are divorced and my dad isn’t reliable with child support. Even with all these stressors and factors working against her, she is still able to keep calm and make it through without help. She does everything she can to make life for us better while still being there for us as a caring mom.
There are few, if any, modern day men and women that meet the requirements for the renaissance person of the year, but I agree completely that my mom is one of the few that deserves it. She is honest, trusting, hardworking and everything in-between. She is what makes life for my siblings and me great; she’s the well rounded renaissance women of our society.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Let's Play Dolls
"It's Monday. The kids were home all weekend, so naturally, the house is destroyed. Time to clean. La la la la la, whistle while you work...I'm going to make the beds and straighten up the bedrooms because a clean room is a happy room."
"Time to clean the bathrooms. It's amazing how disgusting those bathtubs can get. How DO those bathtubs get so gross so fast?"
At this point, Brooklyn interrupted me to tell me I wasn't playing the right way. "Mooom, she doesn't clean the bathroom. She puts on makeup to get ready for her date."
"Wow, you really have a good imagination, Brooklyn!" I said, impressed. Then I went back to my way of playing.
"I need to pull the curtains down to wash them since someone didn't want their pasta and ended up flipping her plate against the window while throwing a fit because I dared to feed her something other than chocolate milk and peanut butter."
"Next, it's time to dust the entertainment center, scrub the marker off the TV, and vacuum up the weekend's popcorn extravaganza."
"Oh, I think I hear the kids coming home from school now! Hi guys! How was your day? Do you have any homework?
Great, well you do your homework while I get dinner started."
"Hey kids, dinner's almost.....
.....what on earth have you guys done to the family room?!?!?!"
"Seriously? Seriously??? You've been home for one hour! ONE! Who put the milk by the TV? Why are there cupcakes on the couch? A boogie board? Why in the world did you guys bring the boogie board in here?! Put the kitchen chair back and clean up this mess. NOW!"
"Oh yeah, I love bedtime. Ahhhh, I'd get another rum and Coke, but I'm too tired to get up."
Brooklyn stopped me again. "Moooom, that's NOT how you play dolls! You have to take the kids to Chuck E Cheese. You don't make them clean up. You're not playing right."
Clearly, my kids have better imaginations than I do because no matter how hard I try, I can't fathom putting on makeup, going on a date, and taking my kids to Chuck E Cheese.
But, on the bright side, I think I've gotten out of playing dolls with Brooklyn for a while.