Archive for the 'Time for mom' Tag
November 19th, 2009, 11:25 am by Michelle Reese
 It should come as no surprise that I count myself among the TwilightMom fans. (Note: I have a link to Stephenie Meyer’s blog on mine) Part of my intrigue is Stephenie’s story - how this mom of three young boys managed to find the time to create not one, but (including “The Host”) five bestsellers. As a writer of nonfiction, the process of creating fiction fascinates me. How much do you research? How much do you make up? What inspires you? When do you do your writing?
Friday’s midnight opening of “New Moon” brings the story around for me again. I didn’t see “Twilight” in theaters (there was NO TIME when it came out!), but I am plotting a trip to the theaters this weekend (complete with dropping the kids off at a yet-to-be-figured-out babysitter). I may go alone (not sure I can drag Mr. Reese to this one since I couldn’t drag him to the first one).
But until then I’ll let fester this thought: At this point in reading the books, I probably sided more with Team Jacob than Team Edward (and actually, character wise I much preferred Alice to either of the boys). Now, it’s your turn to vote.
Choose a side: Team Edward or Team Jacob?
Posted in: Michelle Reese • "New Moon" • "Twilight" • Stephenie Meyer • Team Edward • Team Jacob • Time for mom • writing process | Post a Comment »
October 8th, 2009, 11:53 am by Michelle Reese
 I spent the last few days at a conference in Washington, D.C. Not only did I plan my trip, I confess I also put in place events for my husband and kids in my absence. Example: Sunday a good friend came over with his two kids for our weekly “football watching/playdate.” And with my husband coaching football, one night I arranged a babysitter and the other night his mom picked up the kids from school.
OK, so I didn’t have it planned out perfectly. My husband said our friends showed up and our children weren’t home yet from their grandparents. After a few phone calls, I was told, every one was home and the kids broke out the hundreds of Legos onto the loft/playroom floor.
I missed them, absolutely. And it was a bit surreal to realize that for three days I didn’t have to cook, gather up backpacks, plan lunches or even pick up a single toy.
And while it was work - a very good conference held by the Education Writers Association - it was also a break for me.
I got up each morning with only myself to care for. I saw a cousin who lives in D.C. I even got to go see Smithsonian museums - the way only I would do it (quick tours in and out of a couple museums plus the National Archives). If I’d had kids with me, it would have been a much slower pace.
But for me - it was perfect.
The house is a wreck (four kids and a Lego playdate will do that). We ordered take out last night for dinner. And I probably won’t get laundry started until… well, I don’t know when it’s going to get done. But it’s very nice to be home. Still ringing in my ears is my daughter’s call of ”Mommy!” after she crawled in bed and found me there. And my son’s long embrace will keep me going throughout today I have no doubt.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • balancing act • Being a mom • life with kids • Time for mom | Post a Comment »
September 29th, 2009, 8:33 am by Michelle Reese
 Well, if for no other reason than a “Been there, done that” feeling, I want to pass along notice of an author speaking at a local bookstore next week.
(As in, after giving birth to my two children and not knowing what happened to my brain capacity, I’ve “been there and done that!”)
Changing Hands in Tempe is hosting Adrienne Hedger, the author of “If These Boobs Could Talk: A Little Humor to Pump Up the Breastfeeding Mom.” Hedger’s newest book is, “Momnesia: A Humorous Guide to Surviving Your Post-Baby Brain.”
She will discuss lack of sleep, hormone overload, and diminished memory ability. Her new book is described as, ”This hilarious how-to guide, full of coping tips, brain boosters, diagrams, and anecdotes, can help moms reclaim their own thoughts. More importantly, Momnesia buoys a mom’s sense of humor as she leaves her car keys in the freezer, forgets her husband’s name, or accidentally runs over the diaper bag (again).”
Hedger will speak at 7 p.m. Oct. 7 at Changing Hands Bookstore, 6428 S McClintock Drive, Tempe.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • " author • "Momnesia • Adrienne Hedger • Being a mom • book • Changing Hands Bookstore • Time for mom | Post a Comment »
September 14th, 2009, 10:45 am by Michelle Reese
 On Sunday, my girlfriend and I pulled off “The Great Mom-Me Escape.”
I didn’t even know I was part of the conspiracy to do this (I swear!).
Earlier in the week my son and her son were BEGGING to get together. Every afternoon there was a request.
So she suggested that on Sunday, her boys come over to my house and then I leave and come to scrapbook at her house. That sounded simple enough.
But honest, by “boys” I figured she just meant her 8-year-old, and that her nearly 13-year-old would like just want to hang at his own house.
I wasn’t sure what to do with my 4-year-old daughter. She’s bit clingy with me, but I figured with the boys there and a computer, she would keep busy.
Sunday morning my girlfriend called while my family was shopping after church. She said the boys would be over about noon to watch football.
That’s when it hit me… she meant ALL her boys, husband included.
PERFECT.
I quickly let my hubby know. His response: “I’m picking up some gameday food!”
Our nearly empty cart got quickly full with pizzas, chips and dip.
The game was afoot.
Two hours later, she and her family came over with MORE food (hey, we have three growing boys between us!). Everyone ate. The three younger kids (4, 7 and nearly 9) ran upstairs to play.
The three big boys (two husbands and a growing teen) plopped in front of the big screen.
My friend and I dashed to the car and out the driveway.
Ahh….
I returned three hours later to half eaten pizza in the office, cold wings on the oven, dirty dishes in the sink …
And eight scrapbook pages done.
One happy mommy.
We took all the kids outside to toss the football around and play at the park.
Next week? My husband invited them all over again.
I can’t wait.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Being a mom • fall • football • mom time • raising boys • raising husbands • Time for mom | Post a Comment »
September 9th, 2009, 12:52 pm by Michelle Reese
 I bought a new pair of jeans Saturday. I got home and - yup - they don’t fit. I should have known. The scale told me so that morning but I ignored it.
When I stepped on it, the scale screamed back at me: You now weigh what you did in your last month of pregnancy four years ago!
And I’m not pregnant. Not even a teeny bit. Certainly not 9 months along.
I don’t work out. I don’t have the best eating habits. I sit in front of a computer 8 hours a day.
I should just let it go. But it glared at me.
So what did I do? I set out to defy the reading. I bought new jeans in the same size as my current jeans - which are a bit tight.
Come on. It’s the same size. I should be able to get more than one hip in them!
But nope. I couldn’t.
I run around with my kids when we’re together the other 16 hours a day (OK, minus the 9 hours of sleeping, but sometime I get exercise then too as I kick my way into a spot on the bed). Certainly that’s got to count for something.
My Wii fit told me the last time I used it that it’d been 92 days since my previous workout.
That sounds about right. Oh, and that was three weeks ago.
Shouldn’t my “tornado” ways at work, jumping from one project to another, count as a daily workout?
Worrying about the kids: that’s got to be, what, 20 calories an hour?
Typing 90 words a minute - 90 calories, right?
Driving to school, to daycare, to work, to assignments, and back again: where’s the love?
I feel 19 in age - hardly the 38 I really am - that should give me extra credit!
Writing this blog - another 50 burned, right?
Oh well, I’ll figure it out. Otherwise, there’s nothing wrong with returning the jeans.
I’d rather have the right size and be comfortable anyway.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • jeans • no time • shopping • Time for mom • weight • workout | 1 Comment »
July 17th, 2008, 10:30 am by Michelle Reese
I have a few confessions to make - I caved to my daughter this morning and took a shower with Little People. Lots of them. My daughter wanted to bring a few toys in the shower. I conceded - and five became 10. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Time for mom | Post a Comment »
July 9th, 2008, 11:05 am by Michelle Reese
My house is quiet at night. I’m sleeping without interruption. And my mornings? I got two loads of laundry done before coming to work today. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Time for mom | 1 Comment »
July 7th, 2008, 2:23 pm by Michelle Reese
Late last month I switched jobs at the Tribune. After more than two years on the copy desk in both a part-time and full-time position, I’ve returned to reporting. I’m now covering schools in Chandler - public and schools of choice (charter and private).
Though new to this district, I’m not new to school reporting. Several years ago I covered Mesa, Scottsdale, Fountain Hills and Cave Creek school districts for the paper. But much has changed since then.
For one thing, this paper did not have a Web site six years ago. Now, I get instant responses once my story is published online. And many more people have the chance to read it - from all over the globe.
Being new to this beat also means the challenge of trying to meet Chandler moms and dads, teachers and others associated with education. I look forward to hearing from any of you who want to share their stories with me.
Posted in: Michelle Reese • Time for mom | Post a Comment »
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