Come Undone

by Amy Platon

They have taken you beyond agony.
There is nothing more they can do.
Come to me.

Mind, go. You need a holiday.
You have carried him so far. Take this time to yourself.
Go somewhere – hide away.

Heart, I will bring you with me, where for the moment you can survive.
We can spend some time together and beg the healing of my eyes.
We can rest beneath the Weeping Willow, though he knows nothing of what we pray.
He’ll offer a communion place for our withering way.

Eyes, you can stare across the lucidity of this lake
just after rain.
Where the ripples hold their breath, like you, motionless, mundane.

Arms, go, escape with the dragonflies that take to flight.
Dream of carrying yourselves away from this sick body into the night.

Feet, warm yourselves in the setting sun.
Lungs, be drunk once more with sweet moist air,
before you come undone.

Faith, hold your strength for the stars that will brighten as they appear.
Hope, you will find a friend in the dandelion that loses her breath in the docile air.
Love, time will not penetrate this place and it too has mastered years of loss.
Body, live for this moment, and be free of fear…

My fingertips race to memorize your skin, as the blood beneath it runs cold. My hands do nothing to warm you…

I trust the moss - will weave you a blanket, above an earth that takes you in…

I will think of you when rain soaks the ground, the way my tears are soaking your hospital gown.

I’m sorry to have to let you go, and with so much more to do…

I melt with you, from this burning wick, as the sun drips beneath the horizon. It is a flat line that deafens me, pulls me back to our reality.

Remember us, as I remember you. Remember the lake, that Willow, that time those hours my loveyourepeacemyhope – Don’t go.

Second –fiddle Holiday?

by Amy Platon (inspired by Bobbs)

I read in the Orlando Sentinel that “When it comes to cards, gifts and money spent, Father’s Day runs a distant second to Mother’s Day.”

There were lots of pie charts and graphs to illustrate this article, and if you’re interested, you can read it in full here.

It’s a cute article. But I couldn’t help but notice that all the money spent on a day of golfing wasn’t included, that I could see. And hey, a day of boating and fishing gets pretty expensive too. And then, just try to put a price on freedom. Some Moms I know give the gift of freedom to Dads on Father’s Day, when some husbands choose to spend money on a gift and cards. I know growing up we always ended Father’s Day with Mom cooking Dad his favorite meal followed by his favorite dessert. Priceless.

Father’s Day for us this year, included a green flag beach day and hubby getting a new pair of swim trunks. Honestly, it was a great day. We spent it with friends, and family basking in the sun and cooling off in the ocean. But then those are my favorite days, when we’re not spending too much money and we’re just taking each other in, soaking-up conversation, and making stupid jokes.

If I were to compare it with my Mother’s Day I’d say we both nailed it. Because for Mother’s Day hubby woke up, got dressed, and put on a tool belt. He followed me around the house asking what else? All the home-loose-ends were tied that day, and that too was priceless.

I for one, love the penniless holidays. Flipping around the paper and reading the rest of the news, it seems that’s just where our focus should be - enjoying our time together and keeping an eye on our budget.

Bad Mood Mud

by Amy Platon

I was out on Sunday running errands and I had the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with several (as in more than three) bitter customer service personnel. So, what’s the first thing I do? I blame myself. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m not coming across the right way. I am cringing even now as I type that. Because as memory does, it adds a tone of outcome to the dialogue, so I hear, nah nah nah. Nah neeh nah nah. Blah.

Without going into too much specific detail, I got nicer and nicer (on purpose) with each incident. I was even cheery. So then, I say to my daughter, “I know what will cheer us up (by us I mean me). We’ll go to the pet store!”

“Yeah!” She was totally on board with that one. So we pulled into the store that does pet rescue adoptions on the weekends. It’s the same store we rescued our dog from, about eight months earlier. We went in and had a good time looking at all the cute puppies, cats and bunnies. We even picked up a few toys for our dog. I did feel better. All better, in fact.

So, we sauntered over to the adoption desk to spread the cheer. “I just wanted to tell you, we adopted a dog from you all about eight months ago and…” Before I could even finish, the woman (who I adopted from) looked up over her sandwich to ask, “Do you still have it?” Her voice came down hard on the “have” you know what I mean? There was no room for misinterpretation. “Well yes. In fact, he’s great!” She looked back at her food, “Great, you need another one then.”

My eyes pushed themselves up into my head, and frankly I don’t blame them a bit. We had had enough! “I was just letting you know that we are very happy.” My mistake lady, I thought you cared about the dogs you placed.

But here’s the part I wish I said. People like you, in your pissy mood, can shove it. I get to say that, because I too am in customer service. So don’t tell me I don’t understand. I do understand. I get it that you’re having a bad day, but when you snap at me, this is what I see. I see you playing in your little mud puddle and you’ve just splashed me with your nasty little comment. I see you as an out of control child that isn’t behaving.

I grabbed my daughter’s hand, “Ewe! Honey, let’s go.” Because how am I supposed to raise a respectful little girl when people like that are over here getting us all dirty?

Grow up! Clean yourself off. Have a little respect. And if you can’t, then go take a break. Go get laid, something. You need some maintenance.

Huhhh, sorry for yelling. I just had to get that off my chest! I have to work tonight and I can’t harbor that, or I won’t make any money! There. All better.

Thanks for reading!

Award Bucket

Hi Lily,

Not that you need a button for this, but I just wanted you to have a sign from Scribble Ink Cafe. So here is your NICE award. You so deserve it. Best of luck in all you do!

Blog on sister!

Amy

A Beautiful Gift

by Amy Platon

Well it was a great weekend, yay for Mother’s Day. I used to think it was a Hallmark Holiday, but I have a new appreciation for it. My son came home with a beautiful handmade card from school. It had a poem and his hand prints. The best part of the card was how he answered the questions about me. Apparently I have “bage” hair, I’m about 40 years old and I weigh 90 lbs, and my favorite activity is ice skating. Hmm, I’m a native Floridian, and we still live here. We did do some ice skating over Christmas, but “favorite” activity? And for the record, I’m nowhere near 40. At least I think. I’d have to do the math for that one and it’s too early in the morning for all that. I am, however, 90 lbs. (Man, I can’t even say that with a straight face.)

Anyhoo, all this had me thinking, why are all those mistakes so darn cute? And ladies of the mommy sisterhood, I think I’ve got it. And let me start by first saying, I hate the pressure of the idea that requires me to “mold” my child, because that is so inaccurate. Guide, yes. But mold? The truth is that our children have as much right to walk on this earth as the rest of us do. And not necessarily in my footsteps. It is not their responsibility, or ours as parents, to force them to “fit” in with us. Their life is their adventure, and at the most we are observers. (Lucky us!)

So, what about sex, drugs and smoking, right? Well, I lead by example. So when my kids point out that someone is smoking, I say, “Yes, she is smoking. Does mommy smoke?” No. “Do you smoke?” No. “So that person is smoking, but we don’t smoke. Is that right?” Right. And because we have relatives that smoke, I usually remind my children at that time that smoking is addictive just like drugs are very addictive and once someone starts it’s very hard to quit. It’s easier to never start drugs or smoking for that reason. The lesson is that some people do things that we don’t.

So when my daughter came in from playing with her friend who is a boy, to tell me that they were pretending to have boyfriends, I said “Oh, ok.” She turned to me to say, “He’s going to have a boyfriend too. That’s weird right?” I said, “Well, no. Sometimes it happens.” The message isn’t for her to go out and have a same sex relationship, but that she knows:
1. I’m an accepting person.
And
2. What one person does is not what all people do.

The big lesson is that she doesn’t have to fear differences. So when we see other same sex couples out in public, she isn't going to feel confused, scared, or sick over it. It's like sweeping the path.

At the end of the day, the only thing we mothers are responsible for in the growth of our children is to help them find who they really are. To let them grow from the inside out, not the outside in. You know, keep the road clean.

And so, about the card, while being a 90 lb ice skater with beige hair is gift enough, the real gift is why those little mistakes are so beautiful. It's because they are a glimpse of the person my child really is. A glimpse of him just being him and not trying to be the person he is expected to be. Humm, what a beautiful day.

I've listed the lovely blog carnivals I'm participating in at the top right of my scroll bar. Do take a look for more stories from other bloggers there.

More Stories Like This One:
Tales from the Sidelines
Finding My Stride
Swimming In Circles
Still Learning

Updates of a Writer in Progress

by Amy Platon

Ok, I am feeling especially happy today. And not to cast a shadow on the Roll Awards, but this just couldn’t wait!

No, I haven’t sold my book…..YET! I don’t even have an interested agent….YET! (But you can read my latest query letter here if you're interested.)

But I just received an email that I’ve won an Honorable Mention the April Poetry Contest over at Wordhustler. I’m totally stoked! Read the poem I entered, Wind and Winter, if you're into poetry. I promise it won't make you cringe. I hate it when poetry does that to me!

As far as updates, I have an article coming out in a local paper called the Nona View and it is a funny take on our local Senior Center. I had to get a lot of info in, at least I tried to make it light hearted, you know, a good entertaining read. You can read it here. So yippee for the progress of a writer!

I just got another reader response for my book and it looks like 100% of the readers think it would sell in a minute. Which is fabulous news because they have all been within my target market. WoooHoo! If you want to read an excerpt of CRACKED, then please do. Give me your comments too!

AND hubby and I got the bead board up at our bar area from the kitchen renovation we’ve started thanks to Layla Palmer’s photo consultation. I debated weather or not to post “in progress” pictures but I chose the Oprah route and decided to hold off for a completed reveal! I don’t want any bored readers. However I will say, it looks amazing and I am in complete love with my husband for dedicating his Saturday to doing it. If you’re reading honey….MUAH!

Thanks for all of your support. I love you, my readers, for making my dreams come true just by being here!

Old Is Cute

by Amy Platon

We just had a lovely week. My kids’ Auntie stayed with us for 7 days, which meant some much needed fun and relaxation. It’s the only thing I would change if I could do it all again, I’d live closer to family.

It’s funny what memory does. It’s like it holds out. My memory of Auntie had her pretty much stuck at oh, 45. So every time we get together, I’m surprised at how much older she has gotten.

The things I’ve noticed has me on the look out in my own life. For instance, you know you’re old when you use the window in your wallet (the one that’s meant for your driver’s license) for your insurance card. You also know you’re getting older when you spill your coffee on the floor as you walk, but you have no idea until twenty minutes later when you’re wondering who spilled coffee all over the floor. (And some of you know, I don’t drink coffee.) You also know you’re old when you say stuff like “What is a blog honey?”

I say all of this in love, and because old is cute-when it’s on someone else.

So while Auntie was here, husband and I took off for one night to relive our youth downtown. Oh don’t laugh like you haven’t done that.

Again, my memory left off when I was in my 20’s. But oddly, I didn’t feel old when we were out. We had some drinks and watched a cover band play songs older than us, and we had fun. Then we started saying to one another, "Hey, remember Barbarellas? Wonder if they are still playing the Smiths."

So we payed our tab and marched down to what has now been renamed Independence Bar. And they are still playing the Smiths! We got carded at the door (how cute) and our adrenaline was on the rise as we realized the place hadn’t really changed that much. We grabbed a beer at the front bar and made our way to the back of the club where all the dancing takes place.

We arrived to an entire club (I mean entire club) of people rocking out to Sister’s of Mercy - we were loving it. Although, as our eyes adjusted to the smoke and strobes, we began to sense something was not quite right. (No it hasn’t become a gay club – not that there’s anything wrong with that, I have friends who are gay.) But it turned out that everyone dancing was in their late 30’s early 40’s. And it was like the exact same crowd we remembered when we used to go there, only fifteen years older, fatter, and poorly dressed. Oh my god! Husband and I looked at each other and our mouths dropped. “It’s us!”














We drank our beer and he grabbed my hand - not a moment too soon. We hit the dance floor and danced like two birds splashing in the fountain of youth. We blended right in and had the best time we’ve had in forever!

Cheers - Here's to gettin' old! And having A Beautiful Life, hope I'm cute!

Super Dad and Captain Hell No

by Amy Platon

I’ve always known that I have some pretty amazing friends. But I had no idea that they were married to amazing men.

So, during all this economic “meltdown” stuff I’ve been hearing on the news, I have been in complete fear that if my hubby lost his job, we would be screwed. I had a plan, (here's my write-up on that one) but it had holes and I hadn’t tested it out. After all, this would be our first real family crisis. How do I know what’s gonna work and what’s not? So, all I did for a week straight as my husband’s company rolled through the layoff process was pray (or maybe it was more like begging). Anyway, I prayed that my husband would keep his job, and life would continue for our little family right where it was. Father, Son and The Holy Spirit (I think that's how it goes).

And we were spared. Husband has his job and layoffs are done! Shew, Amen and Hallelujah.

Unfortunately, my friend and her husband, we’ll call him Super Dad, weren’t so lucky. SD is the sole income for his little family of four, who came home on Friday with nowhere to be on Monday. My friend and I traded ideas from my plan, cause the way I see it, if she didn’t have one, she could borrow mine. Meanwhile, Super Dad locked himself in his home office and didn’t come out until he had two interviews lined up.

To make a long and scary 5 day story short, Super Dad went on two interviews and landed a job, right in his field. Out of work for a total of 1 week. Amazing!

And as if that weren’t amazing enough, I have another friend who is married to, oh we can call him Captain Hell No. He was miserable with his job. He was working for one of those bosses that couldn’t be pleased. And after just six months of employment, working OT out the A** and only coming home to kissing his kids goodnight, he chose himself and quality of life over his job. He submitted his resignation with no job back-up plan. He could not take another day of being away from his family. Crazy right? Captain Hell No, locked himself in his home office and didn’t come out until he had a job. Out of work a total of 4 days.

I am so proud of my friends and the men they have chosen to spend their lives with.

Those are my friends, and these are their husbands! Dun, dun…..

Finding My Stride

by Amy Platon
Our Family Photo by Judy Hills

So I found myself driving somewhere and thinking of all the things I have to do. That’s what driving does to me. I plan my life behind the wheel. (And under the showerhead and behind the vacuum handle.)

So on this particular occasion, I was going over everything, and I started to panic. Not like bee in the car swerving or anything, but I started to feel overwhelmed.

Like most moms, I have this ongoing list of core values. I want to be a good mom and wife. I want to be good at my job. I want to be a safe driver. I want to be a helpful person. Blah blah blah…. You know the list - you have one too.

So, I decided that all those expectations were starting to wear a hole in my jeans - because I’ve been falling down. For example, while I’m busy being a safe driver, I’m not being a good mom, or a good listener because the kids are trying to tell me about their day or pass me their trash or asking me to look at their Play Dough creation. All while I’m trying to focus on driving.

Or lets say I want to be good at my job, and I want to be a good wife, but if I bring work home with me, then I’m not paying attention to my husband. See what I’m saying, it’s all too crazy.

Ok, so back behind the wheel. I’m driving, and getting overwhelmed. But there’s nothing I can do that minute to make things any better for myself. I’m stuck behind the wheel after all. All I can do is drive. Then it hits me. Not the random street cone thing, I was able to avoid that, but this thought. I am driving, and that is the only thing I can do at my best right now. So I drive. 100 percent focused on driving.

Once I got to work, I put the keys in my purse, and I decided that I still can’t make the other stuff any better right now - but I can do my job well. So I gave my job 100 percent while I was there. When I got home, I put the keys in my purse, and hubby was home. I was able to be a wife 100 percent while he was there.

So, I learned that if I break my expectations down to manageable parts, and give 100 percent while I’m there, then I’m hitting all my goals. (Not the curb, haven’t hit one of those in a while since I figured this out.) And the driving with the kids thing, well I’ve just let myself off the hook for that one. Driving is more important, and I can be a good mom when were safely parked.

Just thought I’d share a little something from my Mommy Bag.

More mommy bag Stories:
What's Your Story?
Laying Off the Tears
Candy Land

Tweet, Tweet!

There is no denying that time moves on. Spring is in full swing!





Here is the beautiful proof of that. Meet little big brother:




We are enjoying the little nest that was made in our fence vines. We are so proud of mommy bird too. She is doing such a fabulous job with her new ones.





Here's the hungry family. Looks like three of five made it. Does anyone know what happens to the egg shells? They're not below the nest. Does mom fly them off for some reason?

Visit Wordless Wednesday for more posts like this.

Kitchen Inspiration

by Amy Platon

Do you hear that? In case you cant make it out- that is the sound of my husband warming up the table saw. And it takes a lot of inspiration to get him to start warming that thing up. I mean, I can ask him for weeks to start something creative for me, which could turn into months, unless, I’ve now learned, he is given a picture of the finished product.

And if you haven’t guessed it, well then let me explain. I have this kitchen issue. It’s well, blah. But now, I have a plan for it, in the form of a photo consultation by Layla Palmer. And here it is folks.














I’m so excited to get started on this. The columns are a great option and we can build that our selves. I love the trough style sink and I’m looking into that as an option. The main focus will of course be the pillars and the bead board she has around the kitchen and in front of the stools. Love the stool covers too, but not sure if I can purchase them or have to make them. Either way, I’ll get it done.

So we’re super excited to get this spring project under way, and once it’s complete, I’ll post it back here. Then you’re all invited over!

If you decide to use Layla for a photo consultation, be sure to tell her you saw what she did here! It’s so worth the $50. Now go get to loving your home, we're gonna be in them for a while...

Wanna see how this redesign fits in with the rest of my house?

First Fridays!

Hey there fellow Bloggers. I would like to announce that on the First Friday of each month I will be posting a link to your best light hearted funny posts that have to do with wifeology, couponing, mommyhood, dreamcatching, or just plain interesting takes on life as we know it.

I have about five spots available each month and all entries must be submitted for consideration by the end of the month. To submit, simply email me your link and a short description of the post to adplaton1 [at] hotmail [dot] com. Then subscribe or check back on the First Friday of the new month to see if your post has been chosen. In order to be a winner you must have a link back to Scribble Ink Cafe. I have created this button for your sidebar but a text link is fine too.

Thanks and I look forward to seeing your posts!
Amy

Here are some examples:
Throw It to Me
Live Long and Coupon
Swimming in Circles
Still Learning

UPDATE
Today is First Friday of May, but I didn't have any submissions for my link post. So - No May FF. I'm gonna shoot for June. And to clear some things up, it doesn't have to be a new post. It should be a link to your "best" post. You can repost it as new on your site or you can link to the original one, up to you. But in honor of May FF, I came across this post to share. It's copy heavy, but super funny to any blog CEO: Run the Blog Cops are Here!

Coupon Anxiety

by Amy Platon

I had my first coupon anxiety dream last night. It was bound to happen, I do treat it like another job. You kind of have to if you want to maximize your deals.

My usual anxiety dreams as they relate to my real job go like this: I arrive at work and my bar is filling up with people and I can’t help them because I have forgotten my shoes. Then in my dream I begin to think that I could go ahead and help them so I don’t get weeded (that’s what we call busy). Yeah I’m willing to serve them anyway, I’m a go-getter that way. Then as I begin to approach the guests I get so self-conscious about not having my shoes, I can’t do it.

So last night, I made a last minute run to the grocery store, and pulled out a BOGO deal from a competitor grocery store. Hubby was with me and so were the kids. I was a little excited because my husband actually could witness how I work. The girl scans the groceries and then tells me “Uh, ma’am.” My eyes meet hers as I realize that I am the Ma’am she is speaking to. “You can’t use this coupon here, we don’t carry this product.”

Now, I’ve used this very coupon at this grocery store in the past, so I know they can do it. And I have a choice. I could argue my point, which my thoroughly embarrassed husband would be mortified over, or I can just suck it up and leave. I chose to leave. And because I didn’t get it out, I was boiling mad over it. I figure, I’ll go to the grocery store that actually placed the ad, after all they deserve the business, they spent the money to run it. Why should I risk my dignity for some teenage checkout girl who is going rogue? (Remember, I’m boiling mad.)

The inconsistencies were pissing me off, because this has happened once before. And then I learned that my neighbor was able to get the deal that they told me couldn’t be done. Ahhhhhh!

I thought about the incident all night. I thought about all the things I would have said if I were alone. I would have gone to the service desk, I would have talked to a manager, but I decide I will write the manager and possibly corporate.

So later on that night I somehow calm myself down, and fall asleep. But it was one of those nights where I was waking up with every turn. You would think I would have been continuing to reel over my grocery store event, but instead, I was in CVS compiling my coupons and going over the addition in my head. I was panicking because I thought my coupons had expired and I didn’t know what date it was. My watch didn’t have the date on it (which it does in real life). But the good news was that I was fully dressed and had my shoes on. Each time I handed the cashier my coupon I panicked that she would tell me I couldn’t use it. Ahhhhhh!

All I can say is that hardcore couponing, isn’t for everyone. You have to be ready to fight, you have to know all the rules (and print them out and keep them on hand) if you want to win. It’s rough (and sometimes embarrassing if you’re holding up the line). It takes dedication and perseverance because the stores are playing it tough cause more people are doing it. But in coupons, I’ve learned that only the strong survive. I’ve been knocked down (twice now) and I’m not too sure I like it.

Maybe I just need a little more training, perhaps a pep talk? What’cha got?

Roll Awards

(Part 2) by Amy Platon

Here’s the second in“stall”ment of the Roll Awards, the Half Used Roll Award.

(Hey if you're new to this event, I'm ranking public restrooms. Stop laughing, I'm trying to be serious here! Check out Roll Awards Part 1 and you'll be all up to speed.)

So anyway, I have a feeling you’re not going to believe this one. I didn’t see it coming either. However, that said, this recipient deserves this award (at the very least) for the sheer surprise of it.

The newest winner of a Roll Award is….McDonalds.

Ok. Ok. Stay with me! I live in a new area of town. And we are lucky to have the newest version of lots of chains. Our McDonalds is really impressive. There are granite countertops, flat screen TVs (the’re still called TVs right?), pendant lighting over each table, and stone walls. It’s cozy like a lodge and yet open and airy with lots of windows.

Well, the bathrooms are just as thought filled. It invites you in with stone walls, granite counters and there are decorative mirrors at varying heights all over the wall. Thick ornate frames hang like chandelier earrings as they surround the user. The lighting is subtle and the tumbled stone floors lend to its spa-like feel. We have automatic flushing sensored water faucets and waive-hi paper towel dispensers. (The trash cans even say thank you in this place).

Music plays softly, and the stalls are oversized. No shimmying around the toilet to close the door (ah, ah, Target. Oh, bless me.)

Lavender scented soap and lightly scented air freshener floats through the air, which seems to be kept a cool 76 degrees. Which I’ve noticed is an optimal temperature for bathrooms, anything warmer feels balmy. And there just isn’t anything cute about a balmy public restroom.

Just as you leave you are presented a full-length mirror, to check your totally hot McDonalds attire, cause don’t we all dress up when we go out to eat there? But hey, I might consider it next time. They earned it.

There aren’t any great kid perks with this restroom or it could have been a contender for first place. The first place winner is the package deal, and you won’t want to miss that presentation. So check back here for those results, and until then don’t be ashamed of your bathroom standards. Maybe I’ll see you around town. If I do, I’ll know it’s you cause people like us always leave the bathroom with our sterilized hands held up or lined with paper towels.

Congratulations Lee Vista McDonalds! Nice job.

Related Stories:
Roll Awards (Part 1)

Works For Me Wednesday!

by Amy Platon

Welcome Bloggers. Do you have any "Get it done" solutions to add to mine? Please post your tips or a link in the comments section. And by all means stay a while and read around Scribble Ink Cafe (there isn't a bad table in the house!) If you like what you're reading, please leave me a "tip" by becoming a wall-flower (follower).

I did solve my own dilemma here, but I want to know what you do to get your stuff done fast! Thanks.

After dropping my daughter off at school, I came home to an empty house. And for a writer that is pure gold.

But today, I just had too much to do. So I couldn’t indulge. There were bills to pay, beds to make, clothes to fold (then put away). So when I got home, I knew I had to get busy fast in order to have a few minutes to write at the end of the day. Only fast didn’t feel likely, since I worked the night before, sluggish was a little more my mood.

So, I walked into the kitchen to the sound of the dishwasher working away at cleaning the dishes. I forgot that I had turned it on before I left, which I rarely do. Usually, I run the dishes at night.

But there was something consoling about the washer being on when I got home. It was the sound of - me too, you’re not alone, hey lady - we’re on the same team. That, for a mom, is pure platinum.

So I raced the machine. I tried to get my stuff done before the machine was done with its dishes. And it wasn’t that I wanted to beat the machine, that would be childish and I’m just not that competitive. It was more that I wanted us to be done together. Ok, so I did a teeny victory dance when I won.

But I think really, it’s a sound of things getting done, in progress, on their way that had me motivated to get going. Cause in my mind all I had to do was “finish up” the work, not “get started” on it.

And ain’t that the truth? Finishing up on the work is way easier.

So here’s a little nugget from my mommy bag of advice, if you can leave something for yourself, a little present for the future, then I say do it. Do it often. Start something before you go to bed so that in the morning you only have to finish it up. Leave the washer on, lay out your clothes, just make the sandwich for your kids lunch, so in the morning you only have to finish assembling it.

It’ll have you feeling rich!

Share the wealth. What’s your story?

Related Articles:
Still Learning
Throw It to Me!
My New Stray

The Roll Awards

(Part 1) by Amy Platon

Ok, I’m not sure what this says about my standards, but there is something rewarding about stumbling into a clean, well-kept, well-designed public restroom. So I thought I would return the favor with this little rinky-dink award ceremony.

Before these awards began, I was just as unassuming as the skirted stick figure on the door of the women's bathroom (minus the brail dots). Now I’ve turned into, well, a bathroom snob. Don’t worry I always use my powers for good and not evil.

What good you ask? Well I'd like to present, Dun dun nah, the Scribble Ink Cafe list of the top three public restrooms in O-town, complete with honorable mentions. Welcome to the one and only: Roll Awards.

I figure most people have been, or will be in the future, traveling to Orlando at some point in their childbearing life. If not, well keep reading, cause this story is funny and all the winners are national chains so you may have one near you to visit on your own.

At the very least, the one thing we all have in common is that we have, or will have to, at some point, use a public restroom. If you have not and don’t intend to use one in the future, then you are dismissed - but don’t think we won’t talk about you when you leave, cause that’s just weird.

So here’s the first award. In third place and with much debate, the Empty Roll Award goes to...Ikea!

(Ikea could not be with us today to accept their award, so I will accept it on their behalf.)


What I loved about this bathroom:

It’s clean!
They have bathroom checks throughout the day and the best part is that they do them.

The bathrooms have a neutral color pallet.
It’s white. And why is this important? There’s nowhere for funky stains to hide. This way I figure I know just what I’m stepping into.

Their toilets offer flushing options.
Ikea is eco conscious so you flush up for pee and flush down for poo. The toilet only uses the water it needs to flush the appropriate waist. The only thing I question is weather ladies actually flush accordingly. Cause let’s be honest, they call it a flush handle but we use it like a pedal. So, if you’re in Ikea and trying to pedal the flush then you’re poo flushing every time. Hmm.

The bathrooms have short sinks for the little ones.
They have sinks that are kid height. That just putts them at the top of my list. Cause no matter what happens in the stall, a good hand washing can cure it. I love that I don’t have to nearly break my kids in half to help them to reach. Bonus: the water got hot too. How can you kill any germs without hot water?

The thank you gift.
Ikea goes above and beyond by offering the use of a hand lotion dispenser to protect the layer of skin you just scorched off during hand washing. It's just like getting a lollipop at the bank, thanks for depositing with us! Have a wonderful day.

The experience is Fabuloso. You emerge all ready to shop, empty bladder, clean (and soft) hands for both you and the kiddos!

Ikea: Well thank you. Ikea is honored to receive this prestigious and limited award. We look forward to serving you and your bum at any of our national locations….Alright, alright, times up! Off the mic.

Visit again for my second place winner, to see just who will have the honor of receiving the Half-Used Roll Award.

Throw it to Me!

by Amy Platon

Have you made a perfect stranger smile lately? Well I have to say, since it’s my night job, I’ve not really felt compelled to try doing it on my days off. So, I guess I was in an especially smiley mood when I did what I did.

As usual, this story takes place in my local grocery store. *Imagine if I really had a life? Oh the stories I could tell.* I was planning to use a competitor coupon that gives me BOGO on fish fillets. To do that, I had to have the fish guy wrap up my three fillets separately. And he did, cause that’s his job.

And, I’m not really sure what came over me, but when he finished wrapping my first fillet in paper, I clapped my hands and held up my palms. He peered over his glasses at me. As if it wasn’t obvious, I shout, “Throw it to me!”

He looked to his left (over his glasses) then launched it right at my chest. I caught it and threw it into my buggy.

My smile was so big that infectious would be an understatement. He had made my day. “I’ve always wanted to do this!” I shouted. PS: Don’t ask me why I was yelling at him.

He laughed (out loud) and tossed me the second fillet. “This is just like the fish market!” I shout. In hindsight it really wasn’t. I'm in Orlando Florida after all, not the Seattle fish market, but I was totally in the moment.


He threw me the third fillet and smiled his own really-big-infectious-smile and told me to have a good day. “Thanks!” I said and really meant it. “You’re the best!”

And he was the best. Because he played! Like kids, we played. Perfect strangers and complete adults - we played.

Now, I’ll be the first to admit, I’m a little crazy - right out in public and all. But this was the best time I’ve had in a while. And even if it’s not your style to do something so bold, I say try it! Just once, try it! (Sorry, I'm yelling again.) It’s super-fun.

I told you mine, now you tell me yours! Post your comments (here) and share what you’ve done to make a perfect stranger smile!

Partying for a Cause '09

by Amy Platon

Welcome Blog Party hoppers! I want to use this soapbox for a good cause! If you want to take a moment (warning: this may be highly addictive) and test your vocab by playing a game where your winnings feed the hungry, (it costs you nothing to play) then click here and answer away.

Then report your fun at the comments here! (Your words pass along the encouragement so please post back here!)

It means so much to me!
You're the best blogger in the whole world!!!!

Oh, and feel free to read some more fun posts below. They're about general topics and daily life as it relates to wifeology, mommyhood, couponing and much much more. I can promise you'll be entertained!

If you likey you should subscribe and/or follow!

Take Care,
Amy

This post is dedicated to Belinda (wink to you love! Cuddles to the boys for us.)

Home Sweet Home

by Amy Platon


So many of us are “stuck” in our homes for the long haul, we’ve had to hang up our ruby red slippers and quit house dreaming.

Many of us thought we’d only be here for a couple of years. Back when the market was hot (in my area anyway) we took what ever we could get. We were consumed by a tornado of fear that the house we wanted would be lifted up by it's roots out of our reach. Buy now, lock in your rate, so what if you don’t love it, you can always upgrade later…spun in our heads as we signed on the dotted line.

But here we are, another year in the house we rushed to buy - Lions and tigers and bears, oh my. Things aren’t perfect, but definitely workable.

And nothing can make you fall in love with your home all over again like a cute redesign. I think we did an effective job at making our cookie cutter home right for us. But, I have that one room I’m out of ideas for. And no matter how many magazines I flip through, I can’t think of an easy solution.

That room, for me, is my kitchen. I want it to feel like the rest of my house. It feels hollow, blank, and cold even.

Here’s a tour – come in, and follow the yellow brick road.

When you walk in our front door you are greeted with the subtle feel of water, or the ocean. The tropical beach theme is totally us. Hubby is from the Pacific Islands and I grew up on the coast.













Then our dining room is themed after a sandy beach. I call that my driftwood dining table.













Here’s our patio. It's like a lagoon, which Todo completely approves of.













And I wanted our upstairs living room to feel like a treetop, so green, green everywhere!













It was all moving along so nicely. Once we got to the kitchen, we painted the wall like a sunset (or sunrise) and then I ran out of ideas. I had a bad case of decorators block. I’ll stand over here with the crickets while you take a look at the picture.













I think we can all agree, this tin man needs a heart! I would like a suspended horizontal cabinet over the bar with glass doors that open on either side so it feels light but tucks the room in a bit. And I guess we should break down and buy some handles for the cabinets. An area rug is out of the question though. We have a dog and two kids remember.














Hum, what else?

I’m not replacing the cabinets. They are new and I would never tear them out to add to a landfill unless they were rotting. I don’t think I can refinish them because they are coated in some sort of slick material and that makes them super easy to clean.

…So, maybe a cool light fixture over the sink?

Anyway, you see my problems… I’m totally indecisive. Oh, if I only had a brain... And just when I was coming to terms with having a kitchen I don’t love. (Is that so bad after all?) I realized that Layla (my Dream Catcher) offers her services for just this kind of dilemma.

Well then, back on the bicycle Dorothy, because we're off to see the wizard, the wonderful Wizard of OZ.

I’ll keep you updated. I’m so excited to have her input. I’ll post here with her results. And if you need a little sprucing up, then you need to consider her. She’ll work in any budget (even $0) and her ideas are complete treasures.

Auntie Em! Auntie Em! I’m finally home!


UPDATE! The pictures are in from my consultation: Kitchen Inspiration


Related Posts:
Dream Catcher: Lalya Palmer
Swimming in Circles
My New Stray
Tales From the Sidelines

Zoning In

by Amy Platon

If you’re the parent of a toddler, then you’re thinking about schools for your child. A tense nervousness arises as your child approaches the free voluntary pre-kindergarten age of four. Because, if you know any parents of VPK students in the Nona area then you’ve heard how challenging it can be to get your child enrolled into a school near your home. And that has you off-center because, up until now, there have only been a handful of schools near us that offer the free VPK program, so they fill up fast. But you've had that yoga class– Ohm.

We are fortunate to have access to some of the best schools in the district and now you can add another school to your list. Discovery Zone Preschool has just opened their doors to the Nona/Vista Lakes area, and is now enrolling for summer camp and fall.

This curriculum based education center is equipped with two three year-old classrooms, four VPK classrooms and a two year-old classroom. They offer full and part time schedules between the hours of 9-3 Monday through Friday and flexible VPK schedules starting in August ‘09. Alright, so hands up, and stretch.

In addition to large spacious classrooms, the school is also proud to offer separate rooms for art education and introduction to music. They also have plans to incorporate daily yoga classes as well as ballet.

Ok, now roll your neck and take a deep cleansing breath in. Because this is great news to all the parents on waiting lists to get into other area pre-schools, as well as parents who want to secure a VPK slot for their child. You ready? Discovery Zone offers priority VPK placement to all current students. And, they make it even easier by offering a summer program, so your child can glide seamlessly into VPK without missing a beat.

“Our summer programs are fun and laid back with hands on summer themed learning, that offers children a soft introduction to the more structured school year program.” Says the school’s director.

Discovery Zone Preschool is centrally located in the Shops at La Vina at 9145 Narcoossee Road. To register your child for current classes, summer or fall, call 321-235-3003 or stop by to take a tour. And then exhale, because you’ll be one of those sparkling, ultra-calm parents who has it all figured out.

If you or someone you know does advertising and may be looking for a fresh way to catch some eyes in an ad placement, then please pass this along and/or email me. Something like this would run about $50 depending on the level of circulation. This ran in print for the Narcoossee Navigator which has a three zip code circulation of about 10,000 homes.

Scribble Ink Cafe Home Page