Barking Mad

Sunday Surfing Will Be Back Next Week!

A couple of things have all conspired to make me nearly lose my mind lately. 

Remember the power outage from our wicked storm a few days back?  Well, I was in the middle of working on the Word doc where I store all the links for Sunday Surfing when the power went out.  It caused horrible problems with the computer, one of those being the auto-recovery feature with Word was wiped out.  Fun times.  So I lost the entire document which pisses me off to no end.  Thankfully I have a lot of the sites bookmarked, but unfortunately I don't have specific posts bookmarked nor is my running commentary saved in the bookmarks.  Uhg!  So I am slowly but surely rebuilding my cache of great blogs I've been storing up to feature.  Again, if you have any blogs you think are worthy of a mention, and in particular, posts, then by all means, shoot me an email and let me know about them.

The other thing that's driving me absolutely apeshit is this freaking kitchen remodel.  OMG it's gone from merely being a thorn in my side to a full blown pain in my ass! 

We ended up having to buy a power sander to get that God-awful wall border off and whilst it's the most brilliant power tool ever (well OK, so my experience with power tools is limited to the kind you cook with, so who am I to really judge?), it creates the biggest mess.  There is wall border/glue/sealant/yuck dust EVERYWHERE!  And I mean EVERYWHERE!   I have been taking pictures of everything and when I post again a bit later in the day I'll show off some of why this is so frustrating - THE MESS!

Anyhow, it's going to put ALL of the painting at least a week behind.  Grrrrrr.  Now we have to re-wash the walls and cabinets to get that dust off.  There isn't anything in the kitchen/eating area and then the formal living room that isn't covered with that dust.  One of the cats got up on the coffee table and we have kitty cat paw prints all over it, and then on the rug underneath.  It would almost be funny if it weren't so damned irritating.

The final straw that's broken the camel's back this morning?  I am itching everywhere!  There isn't a space on my body that does not itch.  We're pretty sure it's the dust from sanding, but I am literally at the point where I'm going to drown myself in Benedryl and have the hubby take the power sander to my entire body (OMG what a chore that would be!  -- Sorry for the horrible mental image that left anyone with!) in order to get rid of the hellacious itching.  Showering has not helped.  The minute I leave the confines of the study (where the dust hasn't managed to settle) I'm in fits of itching and scratching and rolling around on the floor trying to itch my back.  If it weren't so damned cold outside I'd go run outside topless and rub myself all over the trees like a bear in the woods.  Woops!  Sorry for yet another scary mental image.

Here's something to help replace it!

Sunday Surfing

It's the "40th-Birthday-Weekend" (and aside from an epic panic attack yesterday coupled with the tiniest hangover, it's been a pretty good weekend!) edition of Sunday Surfing!

OK peeps, grab your surfboards and wet suits and hang ten!  That was kinda cheesy wasn't it?  Well, I'm too lazy to backspace. 

Debbie Does Drivel

I discovered this fellow Maine mama through HumorBloggers.com and have been hanging around her place ever since. I'm pretty sure she wishes I'd remember to take my shoes off before I walk all over her nice clean floors!  Sorry Debbie.   I've actually gotten to know her a little too, and she's not only amusing, but "gets" my non-Maine humour at times, being a transplant to lobstah-land as well.

The Fun House

Even though her header banner has a clown (and we all know why I hate clowns so much!), I've made a huge exception for Jennifer over at The Fun House.  Jennifer is a totally hip mom to five gorgeous kiddos who also happens to own a huge ass- 6' clown painting.  But despite her clown-love, I adore her and her blog!  She's the kind of person I'd love to have as a next door neighbour.  Head out to her site and say hello! Oh and be sure to check out THIS post!  It was the one that pretty much sealed the deal for me.

Happy Meals and Happy Hour

Sue is funny...plain and simple.  OK, that was a bit of a monumental understatement.  She's freaking hilarious!  If you are one of the few who haven't already discovered the hilarity that is Happy Hour Sue, grab your beverage of choice and head on over and get your funny on.  One of the reasons I love her so much (in a totally bloggy platonic way of course.) is that she's really helpful (who knew there were so many uses for dryer lint?), creative in a way that Martha could never be, and cares deeply about her fellow bloggers, who along with her might have been nominated for Hottest Blogger, but didn't quite make the cut!

Gourmet Mom on the Go!

This is a recent find of mine, and I've already bookmarked about 25 of her recipes, including this one, which we're making today.   Mandy's (mom to three) recipes are usually quick, and for the most part simple, fun, and kids love them...especially mine -- which is NO EASY TASK!  I'm really looking forward to what she comes up with for the holidays.  

Thrifty Decor Chick

Being that we are in the middle of trying to remodel our home on a shoe-string budget, I'm always looking for inexpensive ideas.  I hit the mother-load when I stumbled upon Thifty Decor Chick.  Sarah, who says she's always enjoyed decorating, has recently turned her hobby into a career.  Way to go! Take a look at her loo, for instance.  It reminds me of some of the powder rooms I've seen in Maine Home Design recently.  You wouldn't think you could achieve this kind of look, inexpensively.  But you can and Sarah tells you how she did it.  She's no stranger to taking the old (and she really finds some amazing bargains!) and making them look new! I'm truly in awe of talent like this and Sarah is one of my daily stops on my blog rounds. 

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Alrighty kiddos, that wraps up another morning of surfing.  Hope you'll take the time to check out today's featured surfers.  As always, if you know someone who has an amazing blog, and you'd like to see them featured on Sunday Surfing, shoot me an email and let me know all about it.

For those featured, you can grab the code for the badge over there ---> on the Sunday Surfing page to display on your blog.  It links back to the Sunday Surfing archive page.  I do have another badge in the works that Deb from Bird on a Wire was nice enough to put together for me and I'll have it up as soon as I get it coded!

Sunday Surfing - Sunday November 9, 2008

This is the Sunday Surfing edition that almost didn't happen.

Part of the problem with doing something like this is the fact that I get entirely too wrapped up in the blogs I'm 'surfing' or blogs someone has recommended.  That's not a bad thing per se, but after spending two hours browsing the archives and getting to know the writer/blogger, that leaves me with little time for other blogs.  I think I'm going to have to start blocking off time just for Sunday Surfing.

The other big issue has to do with a virus.  A virus of the computer kind!  Grrrrrr.

As always, if you know a great blogger, or particular blog entry which moves you, makes you laugh, or just gives you warm tinglies, email me the link and I'll go check it out. 

On with the show...

I Am Bossy

Who doesn't know this fantastic woman?  C'mon, I dare you to tell me you've never heard of her whimsical third person charm, her witty posts on Barack O'Boyfriend, and her new feature; the Daily Poverty Party where she brings a touch of humour to modern day fiscal accountability.

It was this post in particular, with some lip action involved, that had me reeling with laughter and thinking back to my own crush on Tug McGraw.  *sigh*  Quite Possibly the Best Philadelphia Phillies Story You'll Hear All Day!

If you're one of the 5 or 6 people who haven't heard of Bossy, head on out and say hello.  You won't regret it.

Twins!  The Long Journey to China for Our Babies

There are times when I come across a blog and am so moved by the words, that I can't articulate the feelings that well up inside as a result of reading.  This blog is simply put, but beautiful nonetheless.  I don't want to take away from Tara and Dirk's story, which they tell in their own words, but I will tell you, get some Kleenex; you'll need it!  It's an amazing story, both heartbreaking and life-affirming, full of Faith and Hope, quite literally.

Mom Most Traveled

Under normal circumstances, I'm not going to highlight review blogs.  I'm all about content and stories, feelings, laughter, tears and all that other good stuff.  However, I'm going to break that rule this once because 1.) I can and 2.) If you plan on traveling anywhere anytime soon, or even in the future, with your little ones, this is a blog you need to have bookmarked.  The funny thing is, it was this entry that cinched the deal for me.  I HAVE TO GET ONE OF THESE!  CanCan (the well-traveled author and mommy) even provides a video of her little JoJo using something called the Trunki Ride-On Suitcase.  No more lugging the kid around through the airport.  Let them ride on their suitcase!  Literally! 

CanCan has traveled between the USA and Asia 11 times and has several more trips planned this year....with her 4 year old and 1 year old.  I give major snaps to ANYONE who can travel with TWO TODDLERS on long international flights and not totally lose it.

Not only does she catalog her trips but she has useful tips, reviews, and the occasional amusing tid-bit from her travels.

You will definitely want to head over there because she's also kicking off a mom-centered giveaway as part of ...

Thus we end another fabulous, albeit short, Sunday Surfing.  I needed to cut this short because as I sit and type this, my hard drive is making an angry grinding sound and something tells me that's not a good thing!  I suppose it could have something to do with the  (I wish I was joking, but I'm not) 50,000 photos that are currently awaiting removal to disk, or it could have to do with a lovely little virus I caught on Friday that caused everything I typed and eventually read to either come out in Chinese (I think) or Russian.  I had to use two online translators to translate everything.  It was NOT fun!

I do have some great blogs slated for next Sunday, barring any sort of computer related disaster, which include some touching and emotional post-election posts. 

For those featured, you can find the code for the badge over there---> on the Sunday Surfing page.

Sunday Surfing

Nope, I'm not talking about this kind of surfing...

...although, tis getting to be close the surfing season around here... (yes, we Mainers do things a bit backwards.  Our best surf tends to come on the forefront or heels of our Nor'easters.)

...I'm talking about surfing the www.  

I've decided to make Sundays something of a linky-love-fest around here. 

I'm not sure what direction this is going to take, so just settle in, buckle up, and enjoy the ride.  Oh and by all means, if you have a blog that you're just absolutely nuts about, or a post you are particularly proud of (even if it's your own), shoot me an email and let me know about it. I've even created a little button for those I'm featuring.  I'm still hopeful that someone will take pity on me and help me create a much more AWESOME button!

You can find the link of every Sunday Surfing post over there ---> and for those featured, the code for the button is at the bottom of the page!

Speaking of "nuts," KD over at A Bit Squirrelly is starting a weekly bloggy carnival all about being Thankful.  She's going to invite Mr. Linky to be part of it as well, so you can link your posts, about things you happen to be grateful or thankful for (tis the season doncha know!).

KD says, that "Thankful Thursdays are the highlight of my week. I love sharing all my squirrel-rific posts with you, but etching out that day once a week to really highlight the things in like I am grateful for brings me back to center and reminds me of the important things in life (no matter how small I am thankful for all)." 

Earlier this week I joined an awesome group of women over at The Secret is in the Sauce. 

In the course of exploring the site, I've discovered some amazing new bloggers/writers, among them one of my new favourites:

Blah Blah Blah Blog

I literally spent two hours out there on Thursday.  She is hilarious and it's so apropos that she's a member of the Humor Cabal in addition to being an all around wonderful BlogStar! Today's post literally had me on the floor, laughing!  Oh and her dogs are too freakin cute.  Stop by and say hello to Nikki and her crew over at Blah Blah Blah Blog!

Bejewell over at The Bean has a post that EVERY.SINGLE. WOMAN. NEEDS. TO. READ!  yes, it's that important, especially if you're of an age where you shoud be having this done every year, or if there is a history of breast cancer in your family.  Go get your mammies grammed!

Wiping up Snot has long been one of my favourite blogs.  I think she was probably among the first 5 or 6 blogs that were among my MUST READS when I first discovered the "community" out here. 

This recent post of hers, Mutha of the Year, had me giggling and shaking my head in agreement because it's something I can almost guarantee I would have said myself.

Maggie from Okay.Fine.Dammit...I don't know that I have words to articulate how wonderful a writer she is.  Her use of words, to fashion posts which are so amazing that I could literally roll around in them, is brilliant to say the least. 

Lately she's been touching on the subject of domestic violence. 

Well,let me take that back, she's not just touched on it, she's embraced it in a way which embraces the victims.  She is starting a DV blog and needs some help naming the blog.  To date she's received more than 300 suggestions and has narrowed it down.  Won't you go out and say hello and vote for your favourite blog name.  Whilst you're out there, take some time to enjoy her words and soak in the awesomeness that is Maggie!

Next week I hope to have even more great sites for you to surf!  Again, if you know of an awesome blog, or post you'd love to see featured here on Sunday Surfing, email me a link and let me know about it!

P.S. Get in on the action!