MATH GENIUS

The Hubby & I can't do math. That's why we both went into journalism (he editorial, me PR). I have an absolute mental block on my eight and nine times tables. I think I missed that week in 3rd grade. Seriously. Dear departed Sister Columba was a short, stout Irish nun who taught me quite a bit, but failed to add the times tables to my rote memory despite the wooden pointer and vocal repetition. So this is what it's come to I guess...

We are going to have to buy/make these t-shirts for The Girl.

GIFT TO MYSELF

If I was crazy with money, I would buy this bracelet for myself for Mother's Day. Instead I will buy myself a chai and read a library book (not Charlotte's Web)...

FREAKISH SHOE & EARRING BUYING SPREE

I rarely buy shoes. The last two pair of shoes I bought were Crocs - black maryjanes last year and regular black Crocs at Christmas '05. Dude. But for some unknown reason in the past three weeks I have purchased three new pairs of shoes, all with peep toes and none of them made by Crocs. Red slingback flats with white piping & button detail from Urban Outfitters, black & white peep-toe sneakers by BC Footwear, and peep-toe flats in ZEBRA off Ebay! Damn, I really am crazy.

Then I lost my mind completely and bought jewelry. A sassy bracelet & earrings at Macy's and two pair of cheapy sorta-50s/sorta-80s retro plastic-y earrings at one of those tween shops at the mall. I know - crazy fucking lunatic is what I said too! And I think I'm gonna go to Forever 21 to go check out some rings and maybe another pair of under $5 earrings. I am teetering on the brink.

I really think my subconscious is driving this whole crazy buying spree because I'm going to Vegas in three short weeks. Nothing says Vegas like a new pair of zebra peep-toe flats and large cheap earrings (to match the very large hair I get in the desert).

Gawd almighty I need this trip. I need these shoes & earring. Maybe Vegas, Vonnie and zebra peep toes will save me from the daily insanity of a preschooler who naps irregularly and knows how to punch each and every one of my buttons. Peep toes to the rescue.

FOR THE MAMAS

Mother's Day is coming up and just for the record, no mom wants these cherub solar lights for the garden. Yeeeesh.

But here are a few cool things you can score for a mama in your life, or force your significant other to get for you, or just buy for yourself because you like it:

For the eco mom: GreenDimes is a service that will cut your junk mail by 75-90% and plant a tree for you every month. It's $36 dollars per year (or a dime a day, hence the name). Cool!

For the hip designer mom: A subscription to Blueprint magazine. I just got my first issue and I think it rocks. I subscribed in part because I fell in love with the masthead font. And hey, it's a Martha Stewart publication, and what mom doesn't love Martha?

For the bejeweled mom: A big frickin' jewelry box in a sassy color. No hideous scrollwork or nasty dark wood stain, just lovely green leather with lots of storage options.

Or just go to Cool Mom Picks and check out their list of cool stuff.