A Hot Mama

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.” Washington Irving

“A mother understands what a child does not say.”

I have taken it upon myself to announce that Mother’s DAY isn’t enough.

Come on, I can’t count how many sleepless nights, missed meals, or downright exhaustion I’ve experienced as a mom. Granted, what we do isn’t done to be documented, but I think we need more than 24 hours for recognition.

So, I am going to continue celebrating the relentless efforts of moms everywhere.

That’s right, I am oficially extending the Mother’s Day festivities (cheers and jeers).

So, in the spirit of celebrating all the smart, stylish, and strong Hot Mamas, enjoy this beautiful tribute from producer, singer, songwriter (and Harvard grad) Ryan Leslie.

Watch it once and enjoy the photos of his mom and their story.

Then watch it again and really listen to the words.

Then watch it again and listen to how beautiful his voice is.

Then watch it again because you’re bored.

Then go watch your kids before they break something, or get your butt back to work.

Oh wait….as an added Mother’s Day bonus, check out this JAMMIM, SMOKIN HOT video clip of Ryan Leslie playing piano freestyle to Lil Wayne‘s “Lollipop“.  Sorry, I couldn’t leave you all sappy and sad. Let’s take it up a notch…

WARNING- YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SIT STILL WHILE LISTENING.

(and if you can’t dance, you will at least bob your head or tap your foot)

What a true talent. I am so amazed by people with musical and artistic ability. I never should have quit piano lessons (yes I should have…I sucked and never wanted to practice).

Some nights after the kids are in bed, I’m so tired I never even remember going to sleep. All I know is I wake up on my side with indents all over the side of my face because I probably never turned over to the other side all night.

A recent study by Professor Chris Idzikowski, director of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service, says that a study of 1,000 Brits revealed that the six most common sleeping positions are indicative of personality types.

At first, I thought this was baloney. I’m a bit of a skeptic with all the personality type stuff, UNLESS, I like what the habit says about my personality. So, being a chronic side sleeper, I was much in agreement as to what it says about fetal postion sleepers.

It seems that 5 year olds are obsessed with Star Wars. We went to a Star Wars theme birthday party. Upon arrival, the kids were given a choice of Star Wars character masks. I knew Mo would pick Yoda, he did. So, you can imagine my surprise when I turned around 5 minutes later and saw this:

WTH?!?!?!?!?!? is that my child?

Well, at least I have an idea of what my kids with Brett Favre might look like.

Here’s what Mo really looks like, holding an…..umm lightsaber?

Wow, this was some party!!!!!!!

If you ever doubt that this is a mom blog, just look at the entry inconsistencies.

I might publish 5 times a week. Then the following week once. Then you might not here from me for a week. Or 2. But, hey, that’s ok. You don’t have to worry about me. Just know I’m busy being a mom.

All these other mom bloggers that have new blog entries EVERY SINGLE DAY, are just robots. Or they have clones. Or they stockpile blog entries like 10 at a time and just publish daily from an arsenal of writing material. They hire a team of writers. Or they plagarize other mom bloggers.

Our kids have pretty consistent lives. They are more or less on a schedule. School M-F, soccer on Tuesday, playdate with Timmy on Wed, basketball Friday, and sports games and birthday parties on the weekend. 

For moms, our lives are not so predictable. Me might take a shower Monday, we might not. We could eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner or Tuesday, but Wednesday, it’s only Goldfish, a banana, and water all day. Phone calls, facebook, emails, and texts….maybe.

So….some days I write a blog, and some days I choose to watch tv. And sometimes, when one child is at school and the other one is napping, I climb into my comfy bed, think about what I’m gonna write and the next thing I know………….ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ.

Most 5 year old boys look up to Star Wars guys, super heros, cartoon characters, maybe an athlete.

Of course my Mo simply has to go against the grain. 

When I was a freshman in college, I got my first tattoo….it hurt.

A couple months later, I pierced my upper right ear lobe….it hurt.

About a year after that, I pierced my navel….it hurt.

Notice a pattern?

Finally, I discovered the joys of shopping and my rebellious stage ended.

Speaking of shopping, the other day I decided I deserved a new necklace and ventured to a local jewelry store. As I admire the  baubles and trinkets in the window, I am subliminally beckoned towards a colorful yet classy storefront….hmm, a tattoo place.

It caught my eye because my neighborhood is pretty cookie cutter, entertainment industry professionals or white pickett fence families. I’m basically the riff-raff of my hood.

I wander in and meet Howard Teman. I have no idea I’m talking to a guy that has tatted numerous rockers and celebs. He graciously answers all my questions and even tries to entertain Bronson with the tattoo needles. Just kidding….about the needles.

I had been wanting to get a tattoo for a while and after chatting with Howard, he made me feel really comfortable and patiently helped create just what I wanted. Besides, a tattoo was much cheaper than a diamond pendant.

So, here’s the deal. It had been about 12 years since I last got a tattoo. I figured in that time span, surely modern technology had revolutionized the tattoo industry and it was now a painfree procedure. I watched as a young female was relaxing while Howard finished up her 3 hour long tattoo that covered half her lower back. She didn’t have a complaint in the world. She happily invited me over to admire her new tat. It was cool.

My turn. So far the procedure was still the same.

-pick your design

-stencil it onto your body (sort of like those wash off tats kids get at birthday parties)

-fill it in with the permanent ink (and needle)

Easy enough. Howard showed me the new needle and sterile equipment. He throws some James Brown on (because I said I wanted to hear somthing funky, ok, I was thinking more along the lines of Snoop, but whatever). Then it happens….I realize modern technology has not changed a dayum thing with the pain of the needle. It probably doesn’t help that I chose the wrist, the body part loaded with sensitive nerves.

I instantly wonder how the previous customer sat through 3 hours of this…oh, I’m later informed she took 2 Vicodin prior….NICE. Where’s my painkillers?!!? Luckily I pop an Alleve that my sister had. More for peace of mind, because in that short time span, it really didn’t do jack. lol

Nonetheless, Howard is great assuring me that I’m doing well and earns extra points with me when he says “women definitely take the pain better than men….especially moms.” Oh yeah!!

Finally we’re done. Here’s the finished product:

I’m not in the Mob. It says “Mo” and “B”-the nicknames for my sons.

Howard is making sure my pimp smack reflex isn’t activated.

The artist at work.

OOOOOH….I told ya’ll it hurt. Some places more than others. Forgot about the ulna and radial nerves. 8 years in the medical profession for nothing!

If you’re in Cali, make sure you go see Howard. He’s funny, nice, has great prices, lets you pick your own music to relax to, doesn’t moan and grown if you change your tat design/font a zillion times….and didn’t call me a crybaby not once!

Here’s some Friday morning handsome to kick your weekend off.

My boy Bronson….always happy as long as he’s eating or drinking.

Happy Valentines’s Day!

I turned my back for a minute (how many times have you heard that one) and Bronson grabbed a box of chocolates from the counter and went to town!

This is pretty good.

Let me try another one.

Just one more

Mommy’s not even looking…hee hee.

Uh-oh. Busted.

Best dinner ever! Thanks mom.

“When you are in Love you can’t fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.”-Dr. Seuss

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.
-Helen Keller

Happy Valentine’s Day.