Archives for November 2012

Jessica Simpson Slims Down

Jessica Simpson is looking slimmer.  She joined Weight Watchers and reportedly has lost 60 – 70 pounds.  In September, she talked about her struggle to get the baby weight.  Naively, Jessica thought the extra weight would come off when she had the baby.  Realizing it doesn’t work that way, she joined Weight Watchers and worked out 4 times a week with a trainer. 

Looks like Jessica stuck to her regimen and it has paid off nicely.  Besides looking fantastic, Jessica will receive a $3 million dollar contract as a Weight Watchers spokesman.  Way to go Jessica!

Elmo Creator Accused of Inappropriate Relationship

Kevin Clash, the voice of Elmo on Sesame Street has taken a leave of absence to fight allegations of having a sexual relationship with a minor.  Mr. Clash has stated that he did have a relationship with the young man; however, it was between 2 consenting adults.  The accuser has stated he was 16 when the relationship started, Mr. Clash begs to differ. 

It’s so sad when these types of allegations surface, and even sadder when they are proven to be true.  I still haven’t gotten over the Sandusky trial, and now our beloved Elmo creator.  As it stands, the accuser has not provided any concrete evidence to the allegation.  Mr. Clash has denied the allegation, but has stated that he will be fighting to defend his reputation.  Officials at Sesame Street conducted a thorough investigation, but were not able to confirm the accusers charges. 
Elmo is beloved in my household.  Mr. Clash has been the voice of Elmo, Hoots the Owl, and Baby Natasha for the past 20 years.  He has been the man behind Elmo in PBS Specials, movies, and has appeared on Sesame Street.  Mr. Clash has earned numerous Emmy Awards for his decades of work.  His love for puppets began as a child, around the age of 10.  He made his first puppet out of the lining of his father’s coat.  His career was launched on Sesame Street in 1984 after he was invited to participate in the Macy’s Day Parade by Muppet designer Kermit Love.
 
If Mr. Clash is innocent, I hope that he is able to defend his name successfully if not we pray for justiceI’m sure Sesame Street will move forward and hope they will remain unharmed as a result of these allegations.  What’s your thoughts on these latest allegations?  Leave us a comment, we would love to hear from you. 

Note:  Top photo courtesy of AP.  

When Cheating Hits Homes

When cheating hits home.  Two women, one man.  General Petraeus, a 4 star General, brought down by a beautiful woman who completely lost control and felt threatened by another woman.  No, not his wife but a friend of the Petraeus family.  It seems that his mistress felt threated by another woman who was a friend of the Petraeus family, so she decided to send her a few communications to the woman who she perceived to be a threat to warn her to stay away from her man.  Did you follow that?  The mistress comes jealous and starts stalking, not the wife of the man she is sleeping with, but another woman.  Could it be karma, the same way you get them will be the same way you will loose them. 


As you can see, these women are completely different in physical appearance.  His wife in the top photo and the mistress in the bottom photo.  I don’t know if it is a conincidence, but the wife looks miserable and the mistress looks happy. 

General David Petraeus, Director, CIA.  You wonder how a man of this kind of power, wealth and prestige could allow his reputation and life to be tarnished forever.  A man that has been married for 37 years and his mistress who is also married with 2 children.

General Petraeus has resigned from the CIA.  His reputation will be forever tarnished.  He has betrayed the trust of the public and his position as the head spy in the United States.  He has also betrayed the trust of his wife of 37 years. 

Relationship Experts give 10 reasons for cheating spouses/partners:

  1. They Had The Option
  2. Ego Boost
  3. Individuals In The Relationship Are Growing Apart
  4. They’ve Fallen Out Of Love
  5. Continuous Arguing
  6. Sex Life Is Boring
  7. To Get Revenge
  8. It’s New, Different, and Exciting
  9. To See If They Can Get Away With It
  10. You Allow It

Read my post You Cheating Bastard  I wonder if Holly Peatreus will forgive her husband or if she will say Get Out You Cheating Bastard!  I’m going to take half of everything you have, and go on with my life.  Will she seek revenge or have an affair of her own?  How do you ever trust someone again who has betrayed you?  I hope Holly Petraeus’ heart heals soon from this painful and public betrayal.  I also hope that her husband’s black heart heals too. 

Have you been on the receiving end of a cheating husband/partner or have you been the cheater?  How do you handle the situation?  Did you forgive?  Leave us a comment, you could help someone who is experiencing this kind of pain. 


Photos courtesy of AP.  

Tori Spelling Shows Off New Baby

                                Photo courtesy of People Magazine

How adorable is little Finn Davey?  We’re so glad to see Tory looking so happy and healthy after experiencing complications during her pregnancy.  Tory was diagnosed with placenta Previa and rushed to the hospital.  Placenta Previa is normally associated with C-Sections.  Another possibility for the complications could be related to how soon she became pregnant, 1 month, after giving birth to her third child. She was ordered to have complete bed rest for 4 months.  Tory has stated that she is most likely done with having children. 

We’re glad everything worked out for the McDermott family.  Tory said she survived the experience by focusing and envisioning her holding a healthy baby. 


Michelle Obama Style

I love Michelle Obama’s style.  I truly believe she is truly one of the most beautifully dressed women in the world.  I also love the fact that she is a Princeton/Harvard graduation, so she is about education as well as style and keeping physically fit.  

She is the only First Lady that has so much elegance and grace, she is being compared to Jackie O.  Now those are big shoes to fill.  It’s obviously not a problem for the First Lady, she has a blog dedicated, Mrs. O, to her fashion sense.   

 

Designers would love to dress the First Lady for public appearances, but she shops at target and recycles her dresses.  She changes the looks of her dresses with different accessories, which includes belts, brooches, cardigans, and changing the shoes she wore previously. 

I’m looking forward to seeing Mrs. Obama’s inauguration gown in 2013, and following her fashion sense for the next 4 years.  I’m a big fan of her gowns.  What’s your favorite dress of the First Lady?  Leave us a comment, we love them. 

Celebrities Vote Too!

I’m so glad the election process is over.  For some reason, it just seemed to go on and on and on.  Maybe it was all of the negative ads, maybe they started campaigning earlier, or there was just more coverage on TV.  Regardless of who you voted for, I just pray that the country comes together to balance the budget, there are more jobs made available to reduce the unemployment rate, and everyone receives the health care they so deserve in this country. 

Mother-2-Mother discovered a few celebrities who casted their vote.  It seems that Usher caused an uproar with voters in Roswell, GA.  Apparently, he was ushered to the front of the line and that irritated voters.  Senior citizens and women with young children should be ushered to the front of the line in my opinion, but I saw many seniors and women with children standing in lines on major TV stations.  I guess he never heard of the Absentee Ballot, which is what most celebrities use to avoid standing in a line and causing a distraction.  They don’t look for special treatment. 

I also saw celebrities just behaving badly.  Mainly Donald Trump.  Regardless of your feelings toward the winner or loser of this Presidential Election, inciting revolutions, calling our election process unjust, and just being downright disrepectful was so uncalled for.  I wonder just how proud his wife and children were of him. 

Here are a few celebrities who cast their vote and proudly let their followers know via Twitter they voted and encouraged them to cast their vote too :

Mother-2-Mother doesn’t get political, but I am proud to be an American and I am thankful that I am allowed to vote for the candidate of my choosing win or lose.  From the words of our President Elect, “We will forever be the United States of America”. Should celebrities be allowed to move ahead of hundred of people who have stood in line for hours to cast their vote?  Why should they be given such a privilege?   Let me know what you think.  



 

Reese Witherspoon’s New Baby



Welcome to the world little Tennesse.  Reese Witherspoon takes her 6 week old son for a stroll in a Vista stroller in LA.   Reese is looking great in skinny jeans and adorable flats.

Photo courtesy of Daily Mail.

First Lady Cookie Recipes

Today, I’m sharing parenting tips on First Lady cookie recipes.  Every 4 four years we can look forward to a Presidential election and a cookie bake off with the First Lady and the hopeful First Lady.  These recipes are are from Michelle Obama and Ann Romney’s bake off.  Michelle Obama shared her Mama Kaye’s White and Dark Chocolate Chip recipe and Ann Romney shared her M and M Cookies recipe.

 

 

first lady cookie recipes

 

The holidays are approaching, and I thought I would share the cookie recipes since they didn’t get much attention in the midst of the battle for the highest position in the land.  As wives and mothers, we often take a back seat.  So, I’m sure both Michelle and Ann would appreciate you whipping up a batch of their delicious cookies.  Furthermore, make a batch for snacks or put them in a Christmas gift baskets.

 

first lady cookie recipe

Family Circle Magazine announced the winner of the bake off in their October 2012 issue.  The winner, Michelle Obama. I have not made either of the recipes, but intend to whip up a batch of each for Christmas gifts this season.

 

First Lady Cookie Recipes:

 

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 stick Crisco butter-flavored solid vegetable shortening
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup each white chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips and mint chocolate chips (or Andes mint pieces)
2 cups chopped walnuts

 

Preparation:

1. Heat oven to 375°.
2. Whisk together flour, baking soda and salt in a small bowl. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter, vegetable shortening, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.
3. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.
4. On low speed, beat in flour mixture. By hand, stir in white and milk chocolate chips, mint chips and walnuts.
5. Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto un-greased baking sheets.
6. Bake at 375° for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on baking sheets for 5 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.  Makes 5 dozen.

 

First Lady Cookie Recipe

 

 

Ingredients:
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened
1 1/2 cups crunchy peanut butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup (such as Karo)
3 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 teaspoons baking soda
6 ounces chocolate chips
2/3 cups M&M’s candies

Preparation:

1. Heat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, cream sugars, butter, peanut butter and corn syrup on high speed until well combined. Beat in eggs 1 at a time. Beat in vanilla extract.
2. In a separate bowl, mix together oats and baking soda. Stir into peanut butter mixture until combined. Mix in chocolate chips and M&M’s.
3. Using a standard-size ice cream scoop, drop dough onto baking sheets (about 9 per sheet). Bake at 325 degrees F for 18 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool 2 minutes, then transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely.  Makes 3 dozen.

 

I hope you enjoy the cookie recipes.  Pin this post for a snowy day activity.