a drug addicted, self-disrespecting, baby-dangling music icon left us with what?

When Mrs. Blonde and I first began dating 6 years ago one of the first questions I asked her was "What do you want your legacy to be?"

Last night the aforementioned beautiful bride of mine and I were out to sushi with a couple good friends of ours when news broke on a nearby tv (yeah, a television in a sushi joint is weird, I know...but it's authentic Japanese cuisine without the American jacked up prices so it's "our place") that Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, had died. I didn't believe it when the other husband at the table read the headline. Then, it settled in a bit.

"Michael Jackson is dead. Dead! This is a really big deal!" I thought (and probably said out loud). But, what does that mean? What was accomplished? What was left behind? In short - A LOT!

He is arguably amongst the Top 5 most popular worldwide music entertainers in history. Likely categorized alongside The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin and maybe Madonna. He broke the color barrier on MTV. He invented musical notions and dance moves that will never be replicated. He's won every possible video and music award. Thriller is still the most sold album in music history at 65 million. He became a cultural icon.

And, he was a mess. So fixated on his lack of comfort in his own body, he'd had over 50 plastic surgeries. He was accused of child molestation. He was quirky. He was married and divorced. He was addicted to pain killers. He had debt in the millions.

He's left behind three children. Little is known of them other than the third having been draped over a European balcony over a few years ago in what he later referred to as a poorly decided prank. Ya think? I worry for those little ones.

The 2000 edition of the Guiness Book Of World Records honored Jackson for the "Most Charities Supported By a Pop Star." It's estimated that he gave over $1,000,000,000 to charity. That's 1 BILLION...with a B.

After our dinner was finished, we got to the car and I quickly scrolled through my iPod to play us a tribute MJ jam. Guess what? Nothing. My music-obsessed 8,000+ song-filled mp3 player completely vacant of anything King of Pop. A day later it's clear to me...Michael Jackson meant something to me. I just don't know what that something was.

The man brought shock. He brought awe. He brought extreme talent. He brought bizarrity. He brought confusion. He left questions.

I want my legacy to be something defined. Something sound. Something unquestionable. Something to laugh about. And, cry about. I want to be a man who constantly pursued the best for those around me by giving myself up. A brilliant husband. An unfailing mistake-making father who celebrates triumphs and leaves room for acceptance of error. Someone known and seeking to know. Someone replaceable only by a Love found not given by me but given through me.

What do you want your legacy to be?

-Mr. Blonde

Wordless Wednesday

Lillies from my sweet friend Lily!

celebrating Ahnu shape

5K trail run? Yes! I am training for my first 5k trail run with my hubby. It was part of the "5" gifts he gave me for our 5-year anniversary celebration. Because I'm a goal person (ex-jock) and I've never been signed up for a run, I've lacked motivation. But, now that I'm signed up, it's on. -- In addition to the entry already having been sent, I am trying to shed some weight before even thinking of conceiving baby #3. I don't know if it is the same for you but I feel better if I know my feet aren't barking while I am running.

I've hit the ground running with a sweet new pair of Terra Linda XTR's from Ahnu. And, I adore them. You know that they're-new-so-give-them-a-couple-weeks-to-feel-good notion that crosses your mind every time you're wearing a pair of new shoes? Not necessary with these kicks. They felt good from the first step. Ahnu believes that balance is vital in performance footwear. The balance between cushioning vs. stability, traction vs. flexibility, and comfort vs. durability is all considered in their engineering process. They make shoes geared for walking, hiking, pavement running, trail running, etc. They have some cool souls for men too.

I will say they are a little more pricey than we usually spend on running shoes. But, I would rather pay a little more and know that my money is going toward a company who preserves ethics as much as they care about their products. Ahnu is one of the few footwear factories in the world that is SA8000 certified.

SA8000 is an international standard for improving working conditions. Based on the principles of thirteen international human rights conventions, it is a tool to help apply these norms to practical work-life situations.

It's easy to not care about these things. You might think where/how a pair of shoes or a shirt are produced doesn't really matter. It does! Ahnu also uses post-consumer recyled fibers in their catalogs and packaging. Check out all the ways Ahnu is giving back. Way to go Ahnu for making a difference!

Head over to Ahnu and check out their collections. I am a huge fan and I can't imagine buying running shoes from any other company now that I've experienced them. Stay tuned for more updates as I continue training for our run as well.

HaPpY DaDdY DaY!

Thanks for being an amazing role model to our children. I can only pray that our boys will turn out just like you. I love you and so do our boys!

Giveway: Timepiece of your choice

I have found a great website to purchase Inexpensive Watches. I know I love a good trendy watch to dress up my outfit and a casual one to wear when I am running. Their website is extremely user-friendly. You can sort by price (they start as low as $15), gender, style, color and even go for the hot items with the best sellers selection.

Inexpensive Watches offers amazing customer service. You are able to reach someone immediately with any question you might have. And they try to ship product same day. I received mine the next day! It's a great place for gifts or to pick up a new timepiece for yourself.

Check out the deal they are offering right now! --- 15% OFF with FREE shipping!The Safari watch above is a must have to add to any outfit!

Buy a watch: Head over to Inexpensive Watches and get 15% off right now and free shipping.

Win a watch: Inexpensive Watches is offering a Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader a new watch to spice up your wardrobe. Leave me a comment letting me know which watch you would love to win and why time is important to you.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow me on twitter... mrsblonde1
4. Tweet about this giveaway on your twitter page.
5. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
6. Blog about this contest on your blog.
7. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.
8. Sign up for the Inexpensive Watches newsletter (lower right of homepage).

I will select a winner June 27th. Thanks for entering!

And...remember when I did a review of Handbag Heaven. Same owner as Inexpensive Watches and Sunglasses Warehouse. They have some amazing summer bags right now for great prices. Check out my new bag.
Winner is....
ZESTYWONDERLAND said...

I WOULD CHOOSE THE Daphne Oversized Rhinestone!
ZESTYWONDERLAND@GMAIL.COM

9:43 PM

must hear new music

You may remember me posting about an up and coming artist; Diane Birch. If not, check out my review of her when I checked her out live last month. I wanted to let everyone know her debut album just hits the shelves on June 2nd.

Diane's new cd Bible Belt is amazing! It is an all around feel good cd. Diane's voice is incredible and all of the songs are beautifully written. This girl is talented! Check out her songs on her website, myspace and facebook pages. Catch her tweets here.

She is also doing a Discover & Donate program. If you discover her tunes you automatically donate $1 to one of six charities.

"It sounds like an air compressor"

...said LA as he was flatulating loudly while defecating recently. Of course, this was followed by hilarious shock and massive amounts of laughter from Nana who was in the room with him at the time.

fresh | handmade | green | good for ya

I have found a fun, fresh, respondible, organic (often vegan) cosmetic company in LUSH.


NOTE: Exhibit A is how our dream cream started. Exhibit B is 3 weeks later. Think we liked it? Mr. Blonde says to "...make sure everyone knows this stuff doesn't smell too girly. But, it's not so manly that it's not girly enough either and it is not at all greasy..." Alright, I told you. Now, where was I...

Trash is a problem right? Where does it really all go anyway? I don't know. So, LUSH's approach to packaging is really quite cool. And, all too unique. LUSH has spent years asking themselves if packaging is absolutely necessary. If the packaging materials used are sustainable, reusable, recycled, and recyclable that's good. But, are there ways of getting the same products unpackaged?

The answers to these important questions has led LUSH to develop innovative products, such as solid shampoo bars, conditioners, bubble bar slices, massage bars, hair henna’s, body butters, deodorants, all of which don’t require packaging. As a result, last year alone approximately 3 million plastic bottles were not manufactured, transported and disposed of because customers chose to buy LUSH’s solid shampoo bars instead of a bottled product.

When LUSH can’t eliminate packaging completely, they look for the simplest packaging to do the job and use post-consumer recycled, recyclable and biodegradable materials whenever possible. The total recycled content in all LUSH packaging is about 89%.

With a fantastic focus on customer service LUSH even has a forum where they answer people's questions.

On top of all that, they have an outstanding code of conduct dedicated to ethicals ways of doing business and they give to charities through their Charity Pot body lotion. And, they have some Father's Day ideas in case you haven't worked that out just yet for that special Dad in your life.

Head over to their website or stop by a retailer that carries them and pick something up. Sign up for their catalog here while you're at it. I have truly enjoyed these handmade products. Thank you Lush!

happy sATVrday

Wordless Wednesday

potty / train(ed)

We here at BPM we all have a special place for Thomas in our hearts. Remember those early potty training stories? Well, that little blue tank engine helped us through them. Anytime LA went "big poop" on the potty, he got to pick out a new Thomas train. Well, that worked! Swimmingly! So, Mr. Blonde and I love Thomas for what he helped LA accomplish in becoming potty trained at 2.5. So, our recent outing to the theatre was a bit of a potty training graduation celebration (2 months belated).

We dropped of his little bro, Boatboy, at Grandpa and Grandma's and headed to the northern part of the state to catch Thomas & Friends Live! on Stage: A Circus Come to Town. It's a 90 minute full production show with everyone from the Island of Sodor.


It was very creatively written with a lot of crowd interaction. Their was singing, dancing and confetti. Even Harold the Helicopter flew through the sky. And, that is a big deal as Harold is LA's favorite!

As most of you know our eldest is quite sensitive to noise. The only draw back to the show is that it was extremely loud at times. That is sort of to be expected at a live show. But, when your audience is largely composed of toddlers and their parents, this must be considered in production planning. That said LA is still talking about the very cool huge trains.

This is the first live tour for Thomas in the United States. You can find out when Thomas & Friends Live is coming to a city near you. Special thanks to Mom Select for sending us. We had an amazing time!

"clean" can be a verb

We've talked about this before. A few times actually. Here is an easy way to show your support for those who don't have access to clean drinking water.

I've just asked my senators to cosponsor the Senator Paul Simon Water for the World Act of 2009 (S.624), which will help bring first-time, sustainable access to clean water and sanitation to a hundred million of the world's poorest people. I'm asking you to make that commitment, too, by adding your voice.

http://www.one.org/us/waterfortheworld/index.html?rc=wftwtaf

Together as ONE, we can make a difference!

Giveaway: Handmade Pottery

I have found a wonderful Etsy shop! The Brick Kiln is a handmade pottery shop run by a Momma and her daughter. This duo is creative and very talented. Incredible customer service. Simple packaging. Beautiful handmade dishes. You can't ask for more.

You need to check out the amazing Father's Day dishes and get one ordered for your Dad or child's Dad. They are simple and personalized at such a reasonable price.


I received a personalized "Dad you're my Hero!" dish with the boys' names on it. It is AWESOME and Mr. Blonde loves his early Father's Day present. He is putting it on his desk at work!


Buy it: Head over to The Brick Kiln and purchase a handmade dish.

Win it: The Brick Kiln is giving one Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader a $20 gift certifcate for a dish of choice. All you have to do is head over to their shop and let me know your favorite item.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Follow The Brick Kiln's blog.
4. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
5. Blog about this contest on your blog.
6. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.

I will select a winner June 10, 2009. Thanks for entering!
DesignherMomma won!

Mrs. Blonde: the gentle/kind/pretty/quick/adorable picker-upper

It's happening right now. She's doing it again. Balancing being a full-time Momma, pro make-up artist and agent-of-all-things-clean-and-tidy.

As you may or may not know, we've been FOR SALE at our abode for a few months now. We seek to live what I call the anti-American dream. Live more fully with less in order to give more away. We are living in equity we simply don't need to care for or pay for. Hence, FOR SALE.

Anyone who's been through being prepared to get a home ready in show shape in a matter of hours (especially with babies/toddlers in the house) knows how taxing this can be. Get the clothes put away (or jam them somewhere that won't be detected by the strangers snooping in all your knooks and crannies). Do the dishes (or put them in the oven and hope they don't look there). Mop the hardwoods (or have LA run the swiffer). Pack up the big toys in the minivan. Get the dog out of the house. And, on...and, on. Then...wait to hear back. Sometimes you do. Sometimes you don't. Sometimes, they even CANCEL ON YOU!

Confession: I'm bad at this. Very bad at this. I get frustrated. Our motivations are pure and selfless. So, why doesn't the Owner of all things just sell the thing already?! Those who know me, know I've confessed this. I'm just bad at it.

Adoration: My bride is brilliant at this! Not only do about 25% of these overhauls fall on her while I'm at the office, but she does it well, does it with a smile and endures this long process of home selling with patience and grace! Unbelievable and completely loveable!

As sad as we would be to part with our home for several reasons, it's time to move on to bigger and better smaller and lesser things. Today we have a second showing (meaning they've already seen the place once and liked it). So, cross your fingers, cross your toes, lob a prayer, make a wish, buy it instead of those coming in today...do something.

-Mr. Blonde

An "official" birthday wish

...to our Boatboy: Happy 1st birthday today! We love you!

To check out the birthday celebration entry from May 20, head here.

brotherly love

1) The "love" part:

Today while bra shopping with my Momma (She bought. Spoiled! I know.) and the boys, LA insisted on pushing his brother's umbrella stroller through the store. I thought, "Alright, I'll try this until it completely fails." Much to my proud surprise, it was a dream. They both laughed and had fun. On the occasions the stroller's front wheels got hung up a changing floor landscape, LA would walk around to the front of the stroller, adjust the wheels to a straight position and assure his brother with, "It's alright (Boatboy). I'll take care of you." I could have melted! These moments make me love being a Momma!

2) The "brotherly" part: (read cynically)

This morning, prior to the Nana shopping venture, Boatboy had pulled himself up on the couch in our main living space. LA happened to be sitting on that same couch. After seeing his little brother's accomplishment, he took a pillow and smacked Boatboy's head so he fell backwards and hit the floor. An immediate spanking of the eldest, followed by consoling the youngest, followed by explanation to the eldest, followed by exhausted Momma trying not to lose her mind, etc.

This is all very new territory for Mr. Blonde and I. LA has always been a very easy even-keeled dude. We're attributing his new tendencies to two things...a) Boatboy started crawling a month ago and can get into anything of his brother's he wants...b) jealous of not enough Momma time when the now mobile Boatboy is present. Good thing for an amazing supportive husband, my Mom's wonderful advice and an ice cold brew!

Other thoughts? Advice?

caption my "Wordless Wednesday"

Giveaway: personalized handmade necklace

I love giving personalized gifts and I really enjoy receiving gifts that are personalized. There is something warm and fuzzy about having your item personalized. Like a baby blanket. I know it takes thought, work and effort to have something personalized versus running to Target to get a baby blanket for a shower and taking a chance that somebody else might just have bought the same blanket.


I have really enjoyed my new piece of jewelry from Lauren Nicole monogrammed gifts. I received the necklace above with my boys' names and birthstones on it. It makes me feel even more proud to be the Momma of two handsome little men. People comment on it every time I wear it.


Lauren Nicole offers so many unique items from personalized silver hand stamped jewelery to pet collars. You name it and she has thought of it. (Except for beer openers..Mr. Blonde's sarcastic response to my everything remark.) You can certainly find a gift for any occasion.

Oh, I cannot forget to tell you how beautifully packaged it came. The necklace came in a flower tin can inside a cute little bag.

Win it:Lauren Nicole is giving one Blondes, Poop & Mascara reader a hand-stamped silver Mommy necklace. All you have to do is head over to Lauren Nicole, check out all of their cool stuff and leave me comment letting me know your favorite one.

Extra Entries:
1. Follow my blog through Google's easy reader tool.
2. Subscribe to my blog via email (and except the confirmation email).
3. Grab my button and post it to your cyber space.
4. Blog about this contest on your blog.
5. Follow Lauren Nicole Gift's blog
6. Sign up for Lauren Nicole Gift's newsletter.
7. Email this giveaway to 4 friends and copy me.

I will select a winner June 5th. Thanks for entering!


Winner!
"Jody Murphy said...
I have subscribed to your blog via e-mail (sjljmurphy@att.net)Thanks for all of the wonderful things you post on your blog. It's like Christmas everytime I check it!"

LA riding his tri-cycle

We picked up this beauty at a garage sale last year and just pulled it down from the attic a couple weeks ago. He jumped on it and pretty much just took off. Since then, it's almost a daily activity.

Fisher Price: If you're reading, we'll take our product placement check via PayPal if that's easierfor you.

fun, fashionable and functional kids shoes

I found some very funky new shoes for LA. Wait until you see these and the entire line of winter and spring/summer collections ranging from soft pre-walkers and comfortable indoor shoes to day and dress shoes for girls and boys up to about age 8. If you know LA you know he thinks he is a rockstar and these shoes just made it happen for him. Vincent shoes are made to be very fun and very functional.

The two Swedes, who have been in various areas of the fashion world, Patrick at H&M and Thomas as an international model, couldn’t find anything to suit their tastes for a little guy in their life. Soon, they were designing a collection of kids’ shoes. Patrick and Thomas derive their inspiration from global trends and the runway fashions of Paris, Milan, London and New York.

The shoes we chose were the LEO. The white and super shiny silver shoes are incredibly soft leather and have a simple Velcro fastener. They even have extra protection for the toes. As I mentioned earlier the LEO is a rockstar shoe in our home. LA wears them to play ground and when we get a little dressed up. They are a versatile shoe and wipe up fabulously!


Aren't they great!?

I know you think it would be hard to select a pair of shoes online, but Vincent shoes offers a shoe fitter. It really works. They are also having an incredible sale right now. Head over to Vincent shoe and check out their amazingly fun and functional shoes.