Don't Be A Jerk (What I Know For Sure) & #iPPP

This slide from a keynote speaker at BlissDom sums everything up.  Everything.  It applies everywhere--in business, social media, church, parenting, your neighborhood, your marriage.  Just Don't BE A JERK.

I find it so funny, that the marketing professionals and business gurus can give advice about numbers and projections and audience reach and exposure and a million other marketing/business-y stuff, but in the end it all comes down to this....don't be a jerk.  

We all have those over-tired, grumpy moments when we aren't at our best.  It's okay to have moments.  Just don't make it a habit.  Be nice.  Golden Rule it folks, treat others like you want to be treated.  Don't be all talk, walk the walk.  Just don't, let's say it together now, be a jerk.  It's pretty simple, that's what I know for sure (this week).

Here's What Else I Know For Sure (This Week):

• Spring has sprung (sort of) and Super Lucy is getting trendy.  My girl has never been afraid to mix patterns and it so happens to be all the rage this season. Who knew?

• Want expert advice on talking to a celebrity?  Well, this isn't the vlog for that, but I can give you advice on what not to do.  Check it out in case you missed it:

Oh hey, while you are watching, you should subscribe to my YouTube channel.  I'm trying to get 50 subscribers by May 1. It's a bold dream, but you can help make it happen.  

Click here to subscribe.

• We still have a puppy.  Damn, it is so much work and I cannot tell you that I am truly loving it.  BUT she is pretty cute and the kids love our little destructive adorable Cosi.

• I was seeing red this week, and loving it.  The support of gay marriage on Facebook shown by people changing their avatars to the symbol below, was a powerful image.  I loved seeing all the red on my screen.

• It's Spring Break and we're going....no where.  But that's cool because we'll have fun doing...something.  

Lucy isn't overly thrilled about spending the week with her brothers. 

Some people paint eggs this time of year, but we paint rocks.  Filling the time and fancying up our yard.

• I got a little obsessed with this documentary last week-Happy.  It's pretty fascinating, people are pretty fascinating.  I think watching this movie will make you happier.  You can watch it on Netflix.

• Giving away stuff is the opposite of being a jerk.  In the spirit of un-jerkiness, I want to give someone a bag full of some of the swag I got from BlissDom last week.  

In the swag bag:

Seattle's Best Coffee Tasting Kit which includes five samples (each sample brews 8-12 cups) of their ground coffee for you try.

Cutie patootie headband from Soybu and a 25% off coupon code for soybu.com.

Pedicure kit from honey.com.

Sample of Gain Fireworks, an in-wash scent booster which is a new product coming out this July.

Package of Gevalia coffee, you know the company with the attractive Swedish male spokesmodel? You'll get a 12-ounce house blend to try.

Pedia Care Fever Reducer for infants 0-36 months.  Keep it for your baby or give it to a friend who has a baby.  

Original print of a sweet quote.

All you have to do is leave a comment below OR on the blog's Facebook page.  That's it.  It can be a comment about what you know for sure this week or just a hello or suggestion about blog or vlog topics you want me to cover.  I will choose a random comment (using randomizer.com) and boom, that person will be mailed some swag.  Simple.

What do you know for sure (this week)? C'mon, we're friends, share what you know.  Leave a comment here or on the Facebook page (and give it a like if you want to and haven't already). And remember your comment automatically gives you a chance to win free stuff.  Free stuff like lots of coffee. 

  Come play with me on Instagram @jumpingwithmyfingerscrossed.

Oh yeah, and come follow me on Twitter @AngelaYBlood and subscribe to my MomPulse YouTube channel here.

I'm linking up today with my friend Greta from  Gfunkified.com and Sarah at SundaySpill.com for the #iPPP link up.  They host a link up where they encourage people to share "your funny, your yummy, your heartfelt, your favorite photos of the week" from our phones. 

Feeling Luminous

lu·mi·nous

 [loo-muh-nuhs] 

adjective

1.

radiating or reflecting light; shining; bright.

What makes me feel luminous?  What makes me feel shiny and bright?  

Well...

Telling a joke and getting a laugh, that makes me feel alive.  

Being the first person on a dance floor and getting the party started, that makes me feel powerful.

Taking a stand for what I believe in, even if it's simply changing my Facebook avatar, that makes me feel passionate and involved.

Tucking my babies in at night with tickle backs and kisses, that makes me feel full of a fierce compassion and mother love.

Holding hands with my husband, that makes me feel loved.

All of these make me feel luminous.

It's not just one thing, it's all the things.  All the little things and big things, complicated and simple things.  

It's about being true to myself.  Honoring what I love and believe to be important.  Listening to music that makes want to move or makes me cry.  Crafting with my kids after spotting a fun project on Pinterest. Making a dinner that most of my kids enjoy (that's actually a pretty ginormous feat in our house, we have a few picky eaters here). 

Not apologizing, but honoring.  Living out loud, authentically.

It's about taking care of myself.  Finding new work outs like Tabata training or inspiration from Insanity infomercials to push the limits. Washing my face every night and taking note of a new wrinkle/laugh line proudly as a sign of experience and wisdom. A night time ritual feels a bit indulgent--exfoliating and then moisturizing, not just one step, but two?  I recently started my own ritual using POND'S® Luminous Clean Daily Exfoliating Cleanser and Luminous Moisture.  The products do indeed give my skin a fresher, brighter look.  The process of taking the time to care for my skin and be kind to myself renews my spirit.

It's about breathing gratitude in and out deeply every day.  The older I get, the more comfortable I get in my skin.  I forgive the younger me that didn't wear sunscreen or my retainer.  I don't beat myself up for mistakes.  I move on.  Because wrinkles aren't the only thing I've gained with age. Nope, being an almost 40-year-old mother I've gained more empathy and patience, a much bigger sense of humor and a deeper appreciation for life.  

All these things make me feel luminous and shiny and bright.

What makes you feel luminous? 

POND'S®, the iconic beauty brand known for giving women beautiful skin, is partnering with supermodel Molly Sims to help women look luminous every day.  This month, Sims, who has graced the covers of magazines from Cosmopolitan to Sports Illustrated and been on the cast of televesion shows like Last Vegas,  joins POND'S® to help women experience the "luminous effect" that comes with having great skin.  Together, they are launching the "POND'S® 30-Day Luminous  Photo Challenge," a 30-Dday photo sweepstakes featuring daily challenges to inspire women to share photos of their happiest, most radiant moments.  Thirty prizes will be awarded so women can live life more luminously.  There's still time to enter, the sweepstakes continues through April 2. All you have to do is upload pictures to POND's® Facebook page or share via Twitter or Instagram by using hashtag #LuminousEffect.

The Luminous Line is available nationwide and the products are extremely affordable ranging in price from $4.99 to $5.79.

Enter the POND'S® 30-Day Luminous Photo Challenge on the POND'S® Facebook page.

You could be one of the daily photo sweepstakes winners.  Honor your luminosity, take a picture with your smartphone (or camera) and enter to win.

Check out some of Molly Sims' Tips on Looking Luminous:

• Feed the Glow: Start the day off with a green juice to kick start the morning.  "It keeps me energized and does wonders for my complexion," says Sims.

• Buff Your Way To Beautiful: For great circulation and even tone skin, Sims recommends exfoliating your face, body and even your lips.

• Lights, Camera: Every woman can look luminous from within--but great lighting can help, too.  "One trick I've learned before snapping a photo is to step away from overhead lights to avoid shadows on the face," Sims advises.

• Lighten Up: "When posing for pictures, I make a point to smile big," says Sims.  "Your face will light up and you will instantly look and feel luminous."

I participated in this campaign for One2One Network.  By posting, I am eligible for incentive.  I received product to facilitate my post, but all opinions stated are my own.  

How To Talk To A Celebrity

This past weekend a few of my dreams came true.  We're talking lifelong dreams.  And yes, they involved pop culture, soap operas to be exact, and celebrities.

While at the blog conference (that I can't stop writing/talking about) I  got the chance to meet three actors from All My Children.  The show was cancelled, but is finding new life online (along with One Life To Live)--the first episode in the new genre airs April 29.

I'm really happy that they are bringing back the show.  But I'm happier that I got to rub shoulders with the stars (some people say rub elbows, but I prefer to rub shoulders...I think it's like you say tomato I say tomato, which is a reference that only really works if you are reading this aloud).  Two of the actors/stars, I've watched on TV for a million years--Dixie from All My Children (and she was also Rosanna on As The World Turns) and David also from All My Children (but I loved him as Lujack on Guiding Light).

And then this happened:

Ahhhhmazing, Dixie might read my blog!

There were more celebrities (like the stars of the sitcom Suburgatory Ana Gasteyer and Jeremy Sisto) and more shoulder rubbing later in the weekend.  And since I'm such a big deal, I linked up with Mama Kat's Vlogging Prompts.

This week, I decided to give some very helpful hints on How To Talk To A Celebrity.  Because if you know me, you know I did everything right.  And if you really know me, you know I am totally kidding.  My How To's are usually How Not To's and this one is no different.  Check it out:

(If you are an email subscriber and the video isn't coming up, click on this link to watch http://youtu.be/w-b0JlYsA44)

When I thought it couldn't get any better, it did.  It got so good I kind of can't believe it.  I finally made it to SouthFork.  You know SouthFork, the ranch on the television show Dallas.  I was worried the ranch would be closed and I wouldn't be able to go on a tour or into the museum...

The blog/vlog about that experience will be up soon.  So, stay tuned.  See how I left it like a cliffhanger? Was the ranch open?  Did I get to fulfill the whole dream? Very soap opera-y, right?

Check back with me soooon.  And hey, follow me on Twitter and Instagram.  And definitely subscribe to my YouTube channel to catch never before seen SouthFork footage coming soon.  

In the meantime, check out the trailer for All My Children and One Life To Live.

Get Engaged

So I don't know if you know, but I went to this big blogging conference called BlissDom this past weekend.  Yup.  

It was a big deal because there were a lot of bloggers, writers, vloggers, social media types all travelling to the Lone Star state to discuss social media stuff.  

It was a big deal because I rarely leave my kitchen.

I was nervous about flying.  I was nervous about being alone.  I was nervous about going over budget. I was nervous about being too big for my britches.  I was nervous about everything.

But, I'm happy to report that this story has a happy ending.  My BlissDom weekend was everything I needed it to be.

Last year, I went for the first time.  I stayed off site, stayed quiet and stayed overwhelmed.  I came home inspired but doubtful.  I was like the typical freshman in high school wandering the halls confused and lonely and needy.

This year, it was the typical high school transformation.  I walked around like a sophomore or junior full of confidence and enthusiasm.  Not senior level yet, I didn't rule the school by any means. But the beauty of being a  sophomore or junior was I could be excited without the pressure.  I felt like I knew a few things, but no one expected me to ace my college entrance tests.   

I wasn't oozing neediness.  I didn't need to follow anyone or go to sessions I wasn't interested in.  I trusted my instincts.  I listened to my gut.  I went places alone.  I skipped sessions to take a nap.  It was liberating.  It was awesome.

More people approached me this year than last.  I made more friends and had more meaningful conversations and more fun.  The more self-assured and comfortable in my own skin I became, the more people I interacted with.  It was like when you're single and all you want is a relationship.  You ooze neediness and crush on so many guys.  Then when you find yourself in a relationship (usually after you gave up looking) all those guys you crushed on who were so turned off my your neediness suddenly find you very interesting.  Yeah, my experience at BlissDom was a lot like that.

Any social media conference will tell you that to be successful on the Internet or in business or in life it's all about engaging.  Engage with your customers, readers, followers, etc.  Engage with your family and friends.  Show up, respond to those emails, reply to a tweet, share a Facebook post, ask your spouse how their day went, play catch with your kid, walk your puppy. No sitting on the sideline.  Get in there and play the game of life.  Whether it's a blogging conference, a bumpy flight, or Tweeting from your kitchen,  ENGAGE.

It sounds so cliche, but it's true engaging makes life (and blog conferences) better.  I engaged all over BlissDom with new friends, celebrities (watch for my How To Talk To A Celebrity vlog tomorrow, it will have good tips like make sure you mention movies they weren't in), bloggers, burritos at the Mexican restaurant.  Yes, I engaged everywhere and it was amazing.

I met so many interesting people. Check out a few of the awesome people I spent time with this past weekend:

I got to hang out with my buddy Greta from GFunkfied.  And quite simply, I love her.

The amazing and hilarious Hillary at Because My Life is Fabulous.  

My workout buddy and just plain fabulous Kristen from  Choosing Joy.

The sweet and wonderful Jaima from Ring Around the Rosies.  

Fear of Flying

I have a fear of flying.  I have a fear of handing over control.  You know the old joke, the one where they say "When it's your time to go, it's your time.  But what if it's the pilot's time?" I mean, it's too much.

So, flying to Dallas this past weekend was a bit panic-inducing intimidating.  

This is my I'm Afraid To Fly Face.

I tried to distract myself.  I tried several strategies.

I wasn't quite prepared for the secruity check--niiiice fuzzy socks.

When I got to the airport,  I tried people watching to distract my mind.  I made up stories about the people.  That young couple probably just got engaged and they're flying off for a romantic weekend.  The two old ladies probably just got back from Vegas on a Golden Girls version of Thelma & Louise vacation.  But soon the stories turned a little darker.  I started wondering if these people could handle a crisis.  I wondered if it's their time.  I wondered if they could handle their seats as floatational devices.  

I tried feeling really excited about being alone.  I didn't have to worry about entertaining a baby whose ears are popping and hurting.  I didn't have to apologize to the other passengers about that said baby crying.  I didn't have to worry about putting anybody's oxygen mask on after mine, nope, just mine and done.  Oh, oxygen, that means something's wrong with the plane--distraction fail.

I tried deep breathing and eyes closed, it worked a little.  We landed in Dallas. I lived!  And thank goodness there were no problems, because the people on my plane didn't look too dependable or strong.

After an amazing weekend in Dallas, which I'll be recapping soon, it was time to fly again.

The flight was delayed which bothered everyone but me.  Delayed flight=more time on the ground where we humans belong.  People were making makeshift beds out of their carry on bags.  They were huddled around outlets with their iPads/iPods/laptops like they were roasting marshmallows at a campfire.  Checking out my fellow passengers was also making me feel better.  This group of strangers were younger, stronger, more apt to handle those exit doors and floatable seats.  They seemed dependable.

I enjoyed a little dinner on the floor during my delay. 

As I boarded, that familiar feeling of panic started to rise along with the lump in my throat.  This time, I tried a new distraction strategy--the cranky old lady strategy.

Here's how that works:
-Be amazed with the bathroom and tisk-tisk the idea of people having sex in there.  How?  How does that work?

-Get pissed about all the extra charges.  Ask questions like "What's wrong with paper money?  Nobody uses dollar bills anymore?"

-Question what difference it makes if everyone's window shade is down during take off and landing.

-Change the temperature with the air blowing nozzle 25 times in 30 minutes, it will distract you and the person next to you will love it.

-Worry about the age and experience level of the flight attendants.  Point out to your neighbor sitting next to you that the young flight attendant has a blue streak in her hair, talks like a valley girl (just that comparison will age you a few years) and is "busy" reading her Kindle.  Maybe even say a judgemental comment like "I bet she isn't reading, I bet she's sexting."  Because all the young kids sext these days.  

This strategy was working beautifully.  I was actually enjoying being an annoying old lady.  Not sure if my seatmates can say the same.

It all went by rather quickly, it was time to make my connecting flight.  Only problem was, since the flight had been delayed I only had five minutes to make my connection. The other problem was my seat was in the very back of the plane (as in the last one off the plane).

"Excuse me, do you know if the flight to Detroit was delayed?," I interrupted the young valley girl flight attendant.  

She looked up from her electronic device and said "I don't know."  Followed up with a laugh.  Was she laughing at me?

An announcement came on over the plane's loud speaker that said this, "Anyone heading to Detroit needs to run."

"I need to get to Detroit!" I yelled.  "Please, make way, I have to get to Detroit."

Then I made a joke about how nobody begs to go to Detroit and some people laughed.  It wasn't that funny, but it was late at night, so it might have been a tired laugh.  Whatever, I'll take it.  I wasn't a grumpy old lady anymore.  I was a funny, brave, old lady begging to fly.

My fellow passengers made way for me, some of them yelling "get out of her way, she's got to go to Detroit!" and "let her through!"  I told you these people were a strong, supportive looking bunch.

I made it off the plane and sprinted to my gate.  This is where I would put in a O.J. Simpson Hertz commercial reference, but that would make it creepy.  You get it right?  I was running through the airport hurdling suitcases and knocking over babies.  And I made it.  The last passenger on the last flight to Detroit that night.

That flight I told a few more jokes (I mean I was on a roll), complained about the temperature and the price of drinks, and then slept.  Landed safely in Detroit and made it home by 2:15 a.m.

Today, I am a playing the role of tired old lady.  But I think I just might have found the perfect strategy to fight my fear of flying.

Les Mis DVD Day, What I Know For Sure & #iPPP

Happy Les Mis on DVD and BluRay Day!

Since I saw the movie back in January, I have been just a wee bit obsessed with it. It inspired everyday revolutions even at Chuck E. Cheese and we even named our new puppy after Cossette. 
It wasn't just the movie but the music, the story, the moral of the story.  Love. Faith. Compassion. Mercy. Fighting for justice.  I mean COME ON.   

There's nothing wrong with love, I know that for sure.  And in the spirit of Les Miserables and love, I want to give someone a copy of the Les Miserables DVD.  Just leave a comment about either what you loved about Les Miserables or what you love about your life. (the winner will be announced next Tuesday!)

Here's what else I know for sure (this week):

• Disney songs + dancing=super fun for the family.  Snow on the first day of spring couldn't get us down with this fun family game.  Seriously, we all love it.

• Living in a cold climate makes kids resourceful.  Can't play baseball because it's snowing outside?  That's okay, my kids can make a tee out of anything, even a drum.

• Karma is real.  Usually the things that bug me end up being things that I do. I hate to be a hater, but....I do have a few pet peeves. Uh-oh.  Here's my latest vlog where I talk about my pet peeves in case you missed it.

• Having a puppy is hard as hell, but seriously the moments with the kids are so precious.

• I hope Jimmy Fallon and Justin Timberlake do History of Rap forevah!

Don't forget to leave a comment to get a chance to win a DVD of the amazing Les Miserables.

What do you know for sure (this week)? C'mon, we're friends, share what you know.  Leave a comment here or on the Facebook page.

  Come play with me on Instagram @jumpingwithmyfingerscrossed.

Oh yeah, and come follow me on Twitter @AngelaYBlood and subscribe to my MomPulse YouTube channel here.

I'm linking up today with my friend Greta from  Gfunkified.com and Sarah at SundaySpill.com for the #iPPP link up.  They host a link up where they encourage people to share "your funny, your yummy, your heartfelt, your favorite photos of the week" from our phones. 

It's Going To Be Alright And Pet Peeves (& Mama Kat)

Well, it's time.  I'm outta here.  I've already left in fact.  
My weekend away has officially begun.  BlissDom is happening whether I'm ready or not.

And really I'm not all that ready.  But it will be alright.

While readying myself for this blogging conference adventure, I ordered business cards.  Cards that will be ready and arrive in Michigan today, after I arrive in Texas today.  Whomp. Whomp.  But it will be alright.

That's my go-to phrase for, well, everything.
It's the phrase that I always want Tim to say whenever life gets chaotic or stressful.  It's my mantra really--It will be alright.  And besides, if it's not alright, it usually makes a funny story eventually.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook for all my updates from BlissDom.


This week while I was failing at readying, I missed my Wednesday vlog link up with Mama Kat.  

So here's my day late link up about Pet Peeves.  It involves Mickey Mouse, car loops and grumpy people at a grocery store.  Check it out:

If you get the blog via email subscription, here's the link for the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ynbCdRi53I Check it out!)

To subscribe to my MomPulse YouTube channel, click here.