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On Being Present

Yesterday I read this aphorism on a post by OhAmanda and I can’t get it out of my head.

Wherever you are, be all there.

I struggle with plenty of things regarding all the balls I have in the air, but this sums up the thing I wrestle with most. And what I should strive to do to fix it.

I have an odd ability to tune out sights and sounds surrounding me. I can stare at a television set without any concept of what’s taking place on screen. I can concentrate on a book in the car with the radio on the front speakers and the DVD player on in the back. I find myself saying “oh really?” and “wow” to my kids when I really have no idea what they’ve just told me.

Why? Because I’m not present. I don’t live in the moment. I’m mentally composing blog posts or to-do lists or obsessing over things of little consequence – or worse, I’m reading emails or checking facebook or tweeting – as life goes on around me.

My life, as I’m sure yours does, consists of so many pieces and parts. Family. Household. Work. School (not that I’m currently making any progress on that, but I spend plenty of time berating myself about that fact). Blog. And yes, Facebook and Twitter. Really, that’s ok. That’s how life is – we’re all pulled in so many directions. But I think being all there, wherever that is, might not only produce better results on the task at hand, but just might make the life I experience more meaningful. It might make me more meaningful to those around me.

Wherever you are, be all there.

I’m going to give it a shot.

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Blissful Virus of Death

Blissdom is trying to kill me.

Well, maybe it’s not Blissdom itself – I left there unscathed in ’09 (although it did try to kill Jenny. Heh.) Maybe it’s the Opryland that’s trying to kill me. I don’t know. But for the last two years, I’ve returned from that conference on death’s doorstep.

Last year, it was strep throat. This year, it was… well, I don’t know exactly. But something awful.

It started Saturday afternoon with body aches and chills I couldn’t shake. Then I added in some chest tightening and general malaise. By Monday, it was all I could do to get out of bed. I stayed home from work, of course, but since Sam’s daycare is in the town where I work (and said town is 40 minutes from home), Sam stayed home too. Which really could have been disastrous, but he was actually great and didn’t require too much parenting (I’m probably not supposed to say that, am I?). Fortunately he’s recently developed an obsession with Star Wars, so pretty much all I did for him all day was change one dvd for another. And I fed him. Occasionally.

Anyway, things only went downhill from there, and I have been out of commission ever since. I really can’t remember being this sick. Ever. Even counting last year’s post-Blissdom strep throat. My assumption is that I had the flu, since my illness seems to have passed my fully-inoculated family members by (knock on wood)… but whatever it is, it sucks.

The Blissful Virus of Death also took its toll on Jenny and our friends Katie and Tela, and who knows who else. Maybe it’s from being in the Biodome Opryland and not getting a whiff of fresh air for three solid days, maybe it’s 750 moms converging in one area, bringing with them all the various and sundry germs they’ve inherited from their children, maybe it’s coincidence. I don’t know.

But I do know one thing – if I go to Blissdom next year, I’m wearing this:

Hazmat Duo

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Top Ten Tuesday – Lands’ End Loves

Last week, Jenny and I had the privilege of representing Lands’ End at the Blissdom Conference. (Have you entered to win the $100 LE gift card we’re giving away?) We had an awesome time!! And we loooooooved our clothes.

Here are our top ten favorite Lands’ End picks from Blissdom!

1) Women’s Suede Hobo Bag. Jenny and I actually both picked out this bag, and we both loved carrying it. The suede exterior is so soft and smooth, and the three pockets inside helped keep things organized. I also liked the magnetic closure at the top.

2) Boots. Jenny wore the women’s casual boots (which I was totally coveting) and I wore the Chalet Faux Shearling Boots. I love these things – they are so soft and cozy, it feels like wearing slippers.

3) Sweaters. Between the two of us, we wore a lot of sweaters! Here’s Jenny wearing one of her LE sweaters.

The other woman in that picture is our new friend Hollee, who was minding her own business in the line for breakfast when we accosted her and asked if we could take a picture of her in her Lands’ End sweater. Fortunately she didn’t seem to think we were completely nuts and posed for this lovely picture. Hollee is a law professor and has a book coming out about work/life balance that I can’t wait to read.

Jonah also likes Lands’ End sweaters – here he is cuddled up with my Fine Gauge Argyle Cardigan.

4) Skinny jeans. I must admit that I was about the last person on earth to try skinny jeans. I am loyal to my bootcuts! But I decided to give them a go, and I’m glad I did. I actually really like them! In this picture, I’m wearing the UltraFit Slim Leg Denim Jeans and the Double Ring Wide Belt (I never wear belts either – I was feeling brave!). Jenny’s wearing a classic cable knit sweater and the Wool Gauze Scarf.

5) Long Sleeve Shirts. In the picture above, I’m also wearing one of my Long Sleeve Lightweight Cotton Modal Crew Tops. I love these things. In fact, I happen to have 10 of them. I got one and gushed about it so much that Andy ordered me five for Christmas on the same day I ordered four more for myself. And yes, I kept them all. They are that awesome.

6) Flats. Last week contained a lot of fashion firsts for me – I also wore flats for the first time ever. Or at least since I was 14. But the Classic Captoe Ballet Shoes looked great with my skinny jeans, and the black patent leather ballet flats were cute with my dresses in the evening. (And as an aside, I just saw these espadrilles and I really want them now.)

7) Dresses. Without a doubt, the evening cocktail parties were what Jenny & I looked forward to the most, and we had a blast. The first night we were there, Jenny wore a black Flannel Mandarin Collar Dress (and a baby) and I wore a 3/4 sleeve Cotton Modal Wrap Dress, which is just about the most comfortable dress I’ve ever had on (and yes, I have wine in one hand and a cupcake in the other. Heaven.)

The next night, we walked the red carpet in goofy expressions long sleeved Cotton Modal Wrap Dresses.

8 ) Accessories. The accessory page on LandsEnd.com is not to be overlooked! They have an amazing selection of scarves like the one Jenny has on above, and really nice jewelry as well. I particularly like their bangle bracelets! Our new friend Molly (who has the best job ever – doing PR for Lands’ End) wore this necklace that I thought was super cute.

9) Socks. I know this sounds silly, but I fell in love with Lands’ End trouser socks! As soon as I put them on, I ran over to Jenny and made her touch them. And then I tweeted about them.

10) Diaper bags. Of course, Jonah wanted in on the action too, so we brought along the Little Tripper diaper bag. I didn’t try it out (sorry Jen, I could have at least changed one lousy diaper) but when I was pregnant with Kate, we ordered a Lands’ End diaper backpack, and it was fantastic.

As you can tell, he loves it.

Needless to say, we had a great time sporting our Lands’ End wardrobe – our clothes, shoes and accessories were perfect for the daytime sessions and the evening cocktail parties. A huge, huge thank you to Lands’ End for supporting not only our trip to Blissdom, but for supporting and believing in the blogging community. Everyone who attended the conference left with a cute Lands’ End tote!

But wait, there’s more.

There’s something in this for you, too!

We’re also giving away a $100 gift certificate for Lands’ End Canvas! Have you heard about this line yet? According to their website, “the new Lands’ End Canvas line features apparel and accessories for men and women that reflects an authentic American style combined with a modern fit.” I seriously did not think I could love Lands’ End any more and then they went and came out with this! So far I’ve purchased two turtleneck sweaters, two pairs of corduroys, an argyle sweater, a cable knit sweater, a button down shirt, a cotton long sleeved shirt, a cardigan… and probably more that I’m not thinking of. But I digress.

I LOVE Lands’ End Canvas, and I want you to love it to. Which you will if you try it, I promise. So! Here’s how to enter:

1) Go check out Lands’ End Canvas and then leave us a comment on this post telling us one thing you’d order if you won the gift card.

2) Tweet about this giveaway on twitter and link back to this post.  You can say something like: “Win a $100 @landsendcanvas gift card from @momminitup & @jennyitup! http://bit.ly/hzXHt3”  Then leave us a comment on this post with your tweet URL.

3) Like the Mommin’ It Up page on Facebook, then come back here and leave us a comment letting us know you did or do.

ONE winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday, February 9.  Contest closes that day at 5 pm EST. Good luck!

*****
This post is part of Top Ten Tuesday, created by our Blissdom friend Oh Amanda. Check her out!

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