Finding Ninee » Sharing our parenting and special needs stories with heart and humor.

Saying that I got a bit restless while pregnant and forced into bed-rest is like saying that pushing a baby out of your hoo-hah is uncomfortable. Bedrest sucked.  It was hard.  I turned into a bit of a Psycho.  Weeks of not being able to get out of bed for more than a few minutes at […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Shay - You are seriously awesome. I LOVE the cartoon b/c it is hilarious yet so damned true, and I love the rest b/c you were able to illustrate some real emotion, too. Funny AND real? Way cool.April 16, 2013 – 12:12 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Holy hell more true than I’d like to admit. I swear that I had pregnant fantasies about that shit. For real. and who is awesome? YOU.April 16, 2013 – 12:43 amReplyCancel

  • Michelle Liew - When I was a kid, I liked Puff…I agree, sad song! If you ask what I’d like I would say What a Wonderful World too. Thanks for sharing!April 16, 2013 – 12:29 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Changing the words (and you would do this better than I as you are a poet) is sometimes just important. And necessary!April 16, 2013 – 12:44 amReplyCancel

  • Joy - I did that, too. Change the lyrics to some songs because I thought they were too sad or had a meaning I did not like. Love that he is paying attention and starting to sing along! <3April 16, 2013 – 6:18 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Funny how us moms find even the unlikeliest ways to protect our kids (and ourselves).April 16, 2013 – 7:44 amReplyCancel

      • Joy - Yes! One very famous lullaby says something along the lines of “tomorrow morning you will wake up again – if God wants you to” and I always found the thought so frightening that maybe God would not want him to wake up again. So I changed it to “tomorrow morning, sweet Sunny, you will wake up again” (of course it rhymed in German 😉 )April 16, 2013 – 8:20 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi - That’s perfect and yeah, I’d have done the same thing. Why are so many lullabies full of words about there possibly not being a tomorrow, etc? Just sad. And wrong. Thank heaven for moms like us who change the words!April 16, 2013 – 8:33 amReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Sweeeeet post!! Kinda got a little teary with Tucker singing along. I used to have to play a song from the movie Dream Girls when Christopher was about 3 and I was driving him to daycare. He loved it. Now he doesn’t remember knowing it :-/ We are listening to Kidz Bop right now. It’s the morning routine gets us hype for school – wakes me up enough that I don’t go back to bed. Anyway one day he was singing “You don’t know you’re beautiful”, the kid pays attention to lyrics. He said, “That’s what I would say to my girlfriend if I had one.” I said, “Awwww” then I got all anxiety attacky about him being a ladies man in the future.April 16, 2013 – 6:25 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Awwww to him saying “you don’t know you’re beautiful” to his future girlfriend. So so sweet. And yeah, I’d get “anxiety attacky” (heehee!) about the future ladies man as well. I suppose us moms will find something to worry about, no matter what. By the way, I’m sure that Christopher will have all of the Ladies Man makings but be the most respectful boyfriend ever (you know, way later…down the line…not anytime soon because he’s still a kid and you don’t need to worry about it yet…and…)…
      Err…Okay I’ll shuddup now.April 16, 2013 – 7:47 amReplyCancel

      • Kenya G. Johnson - LOL!!!! Thanks. You made me calm down and get all anxiety attacky again in the same comment.April 16, 2013 – 10:13 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi - I’m good at that. Trying to offer helpful advice and just causing people more stress. Sorry, I try…I really do. But well, just not one of my best talents.April 16, 2013 – 10:18 amReplyCancel

  • The Social Butterfly Mom - I love that you sing to your kid even though you’re the (self-proclaimed) worst singer. Some moms in my son’s music class just sit there; it makes me so sad for them and their kid. Sing at the top of your lungs, dance the “grocery cart” from ’95, run around naked before bath time (with blinds drawn, of course). Be SILLY!April 16, 2013 – 7:26 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - That’s such a bummer that some of the kids in your son’s music class just sit there! I agree – break out the silly whenever you can! Make life fun and interesting and memorable! I’d rather have my son remember me being silly and goofy than me being poised and quiet. Thanks for the comment!April 16, 2013 – 7:48 amReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - I was so on bed rest, too. And remembered feeling exactly how you described. I used to joke that I wished I could live in my bed and make a career out of sleeping, when I was younger. Yes, this made me see that one in a whole new light.

    As for the music, I have always sang “You Are My Sunshine” and my wedding song, “Can’t Help Falling in Love With You”!! Also, very much loved how you changed the lyrics to make it happy and not sad. Really so sweet 🙂April 16, 2013 – 8:57 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Janine, I thought I’d enjoy it too. Lay in bed, watch movies, sleep, play games on my phone…but yeah, that only lasted for about three days before I wanted to run around the neighborhood naked.
      Aww to You are My Sunshine! Tucker’s nap son is “you are my Tucker!” to that tune. Awesome stuff.April 16, 2013 – 9:49 amReplyCancel

  • The Sadder But Wiser Girl - You asked for it, let the former music teacher chime in:

    Since my ears were still bleeding from listening to one of two cds during naptime for YEARS as an infant/toddler/preschool teacher I most certainly made my own mixes for my son when he was born and then brought them back to work with me! I love Enya and have all of her CDS, so those were a staple in my repertoire. I dig some of the world music-there are a couple of really good CDs that I took the songs I loved and put in my mixes, because there were others that annoyed the pee out of me. Dreamland: World Lullabies and Soothing Songs, Mediterranean Lullaby, and Celtic Lullabies are all great lullaby CDs. I also added a few from the various Pure Moods CDs. I think I even had a mix of Classical music, and I know I had a Beatles for Guitar, which is a GREAT CD.

    I don’t think I ever changed the words, but most of them are in other languages anyway… So between that and the odd things I suggested over at Break the Parenting Mold, that’s a pretty eclectic group.

    Now that my kids are older my son listens to my old Ipod that I loaded with country music. My daughter loves the Laurie Berkner band, as do I. Don’t ask me about Gangnum Style though, because I might kill you…April 16, 2013 – 9:14 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Sadder, you are so cool. I have the World Lullabies and Soothing Songs album loaded on Tucker’s playlist, too. So cool. And we put a bunch of classical music on there as well. I read something that classical music helps kids with math later. We’ll see how that works out. I’ll have to check out Beatles for Guitar.
      Oh and regarding the country music? I used to hate it but Tucker LOVES it so now I do too because it makes him happy. His favorite is, of course, Big Green Tractor. Awesome.
      Also not familiar with the Laurie Berkner band – will totally check that out too. Thanks so much for chiming in. You are awesome.
      And I won’t ask you about _____ because I like breathing and stuff.April 16, 2013 – 9:51 amReplyCancel

      • The Sadder But Wiser Girl - This is funny to me about the Big Green Tractor song. My husband works for an agricultural company that makes big farm sprayers. We’ve replaced the chorus of it to reflect the company “Take you for a ride on my Hagie sprayer…” They have karaoke night on Friday, and I keep saying a bunch of them need to do it. I won’t get to be there of course (SOMEONE has to stay with the kids, again). I think I’m going to build a Sheldon Cooper type robot so I can at least see what’s going on…April 16, 2013 – 10:01 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi - OMG if they actually do it, you have to have somebody record that because, well, AWESOME! Now that song will be stuck in my head all day with your lyrics “Take you for a ride on my Hagie sprayer!” Ha. And hey if you build that robot, can you clone it so I can have one, too, please? Pretty please?April 16, 2013 – 10:17 amReplyCancel

  • Kerri - Allie refuses to let me sing. Every time I try, she shudders. She even asked Santa to either bring me a better voice OR make me stop singing.

    But I love that Tucker is joining in. You will have a new mix tape 🙂April 16, 2013 – 9:33 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - That’s hilarious about Allie asking Santa to bring you a better voice or to make you stop singing! Hahahha! I guess we could break some eardrums if we ever tried karaoke together, huh?
      And yeah, I love that Tucker’s joining in, too. Awesome stuff. 😀April 16, 2013 – 9:52 amReplyCancel

      • Kerri - Last night she wasn’t feeling well and as I was rubbing her belly I asked if she wanted me to sing to her. She replied, MOM I am already sick to my stomach don’t make it worse!!!April 17, 2013 – 9:37 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi - hahahah! OMG that is hilarious! Awesome.April 17, 2013 – 9:47 amReplyCancel

  • Maggie Amada - I love that Tucker remembers some of the words. Songs are sometimes more powerful than words. Way to go, making up your own lyrics. You can record them and put them in a teddy bear or something he can hear your voice even when you’re not there. I did that for my daughters and they loved it.

    Maternal songs stick with you. My mom used to sing A Hymn to Motherhood in Spanish (I’m not kidding) and the words still evoke emotion to this day 30+ years later. I’m told that emotion is the surest way to fire up memory.April 16, 2013 – 10:02 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Maggie,
      I got a little choked up when reading that your mother’s song sung to you in Spanish still evoke emotion for you. And it’s true that emotion does fire up memory. I can hear certain songs and I’m BACK, in a car, in a field, wherever, back to being 17 and in love, back to being 18 and heartbroken. Back. It’s amazing and I look forward to Tucker looking back on these silly songs and finding happiness (I hope).
      I love the idea of recording the songs and putting them in a teddy bear! (just as long as I am not the one who has to listen) What an awesome idea! Thank you!April 16, 2013 – 10:20 amReplyCancel

  • Melissa S. - Love this! I am a terrible singer as well, and was really hesitant to even sing to my babies until one of my friends pointed out, they don’t care what you sound like. They just like listening to YOU. So kudos to you, mama, for making up your own words. And still being able to remember them later. 😉April 16, 2013 – 11:17 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Here’s to being a terrible singer! Here, here! And true that our babies don’t care about our awful voices. Yet. And um, the words are pretty easy 😉April 16, 2013 – 5:26 pmReplyCancel

  • K - Oh my gosh, I love this post! How is it that your words can make me laugh and cry at the same time?

    I can totally relate about the songs though…my mom teaches kindergartners and needed to put together a playlist of songs for them. She asked me to help her for a few minutes, and let’s just say the two of us spent HOURS looking for songs – it is ridiculously addicting! Some of the ones we really liked were “Morning Will Be on the Other Side” by Sara Groves, Ordinary Miracle, You Are My Sunshine (I remember my mom singing this to me when I was little!), and We’re Going To Be Friends by Jack Johnson. 🙂April 16, 2013 – 12:28 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - OOH I’ll bet you and your mom had a blast going through songs together for her classroom. That sounds like a perfect day, actually. I don’t know Morning Will be on the Other Side but I’ll check it out. You are my sunshine is one of Tucker’s made up songs (the nap time one) where I sing “you are my Tucker” instead…silly. And I do love the Jack Johnson song. Thanks so much for commenting!April 16, 2013 – 5:29 pmReplyCancel

  • Alana Terry - That’s funny – I never thought about Puff being a sad song until you mentioned it. How cute Tucker’s singing along now! Gotta post a video, Mom!April 16, 2013 – 6:06 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Alana, while I would LOVE to post a video, I think it would be really hard to do. I could hide the camera in Tucker’s room (because if he sees it, he either says no or wants to grab it and do it himself). Plus, the words at the end of each sentence aren’t exactly understandable to anybody but me. So like at the end of one line, it’s “the most wonderful boy” and he’ll sort of sing boy. And dude, Puff is SO SAD. *SNIFF*April 16, 2013 – 6:33 pmReplyCancel

  • clark - uh Kristi, about that song list (from the Doctrine)…you might want to pre-screen some of the songs before you turn it to 11 (visual from Risky Business: turning up the stereo)

    These song-mix Post(s) are more challenging than they look… fun tho

    enjoyed this week’s PostApril 16, 2013 – 6:11 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Clark! Thanks so much for the comment! And yeah, they’re challenging – but mostly because I am dumb and spent an hour messing with the links to the songs. Duh. Heading over to The Doctorine now!April 16, 2013 – 6:34 pmReplyCancel

  • MJM - Yeah…me too…like when I was pregnant or somethng…oh yeah…and I was totally not a psycho either…just ask all the voices in my head.

    As a kid my mom used to jam out to Elvis and the Beatles…we used to rock ourselves to sleep…literally.

    Great blog my friend…you are awesome.April 16, 2013 – 6:47 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Hey don’t knock the voices in your head. Sometimes, they are very wise. Well…actually, I don’t know about the voices in YOUR head, but the ones in my head can be pretty darn clever at times. And also pretty mean sometimes either like when they remind me what an idiot I am.
      That’s so cool that you rocked yourselves to sleep with the Beatles and Elvis.
      And it’s YOU who is awesome. just sayin’April 16, 2013 – 6:55 pmReplyCancel

      • MJM - The voices in my head are pretty cool…if not for them I would have no friends…no friends at all.

        I can’t tell if I’m the way I am because my mom was cool and hip…or if it is because she drank and smoked when she was pregnant me…or it could even be that she dropped me on my head when I was a baby…who knows.

        For the final time…you are the most awesome…way more than me! No take backs.April 16, 2013 – 8:23 pmReplyCancel

        • Kristi - The voices in MY head are both my worst enemies and my best friends. Cause I have no friends either. *SNIFF*
          You are the way you are because you are. No blaming mama, because, well…my kid. And yeah.
          Anyway, fine. I can be the most awesome ever. The most awesome dumbass! Because even I admit…I do rock at being a dumbass.

          PS fuckyouverymuch spell check for STILL not understanding that dumbass is a word and just leaving it alone.April 16, 2013 – 9:19 pmReplyCancel

  • Jen - Wait! I thought I replied, I was totally stalking all of your comments, got to the bottom and said “where the heck am I?” My first comment was better, now my brain is fried. Who knows what happened while I was trying to comment. I probably got lost in a reverie about little boys not living for ever?!?! What?! Why would you even put that in a song? When Isaiah sings it, I just hear la la la la la la…..and do I miss those smokes. Don’t tell the boy, smoking is disgusting.April 16, 2013 – 7:31 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Ah the smokes….

      AH.

      Oh wait. Where was I? Oh. Right. And sorry if I was the person responsible for you going to the “little boys not living forever” place. I tell myself all the time that that just means they grow up but I do not like the words because you know. Interpretation. Implications.
      Your the awesomest host ever. Your idea is brilliant. Thousands will link up and follow.

      Loves.April 16, 2013 – 9:17 pmReplyCancel

  • Mod Mom Beyond IndieDom - I love that Tucker knows the words and is singing along. Really cool. This is a really fun idea. Thanks for co-hosting.April 16, 2013 – 7:35 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - I love that he’s getting the words, too. Hopefully that means that music has opened his mind and more words are coming. And thank YOU for hooking up with us.April 16, 2013 – 9:15 pmReplyCancel

  • Rachel - Yay, that he is singing the songs with you! It is an amazing breakthrough. I think that Mama’s words are always better than the originals. Keep ’em coming!April 16, 2013 – 9:40 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - SORTOF singing….but the fact that he is paying attention to the words? Huge.April 16, 2013 – 11:01 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - I like to think of it as a breakthrough as well and thank you huge for the encouragement. And mama’s words will always be better than the ones that imply that boys don’t live forever, right?April 16, 2013 – 11:20 pmReplyCancel

  • Jean Heff - Tucker will remember that when he is older. I remember my mom singing me “Away in a Manger” (at all times during the year). Only when I got older did I realize her singing voice was really just her half falling asleep and half traumatized for having to sing that song about 1,000 times a night. No matter how you sing, it’s the most beautiful voice for him.
    As always, you nailed it with your picture. Naked pregnant party lady= awesome.April 16, 2013 – 10:48 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - I almost cried about Away in the Manger – is there a more beautiful melody than that? Oh. Greensleeves. I cried the first time I heard it and I think I was in third grade. I am. so. not. cool.
      Thanks, sweets. I needed to hear that he will remember…really….April 16, 2013 – 11:03 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - hahah Naked pregnant picture going CRAZY. And yeah, I hope he will remember…so much…thank you for reminding me that my horrible voice is the best – and the one he wants to hear…April 16, 2013 – 11:21 pmReplyCancel

  • Angie Ryg - I am so thrilled to connect through BB and FTSF. I loved your last post and this one made me remember how I used to make up sweet songs for my children when they were little. Now, I “sing” raps to them. And I have trained them to think I am the.best.rhymer/rapper.EVER.

    And sometimes I sing different words because I never knew them. And then , when I find out the right ones, I still sing the wrong ones because I have been doing it for thirty years! Case in point: Secret Asian Man…I always thought that sounded a little wrong, but I sang it. Yeah, it was wrong…because it is Secret Agent Man!

    I love the words that your little boy will fall asleep to…knowing he is a very loved little boy!

    Blessings,
    AngieApril 17, 2013 – 12:51 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Angie,
      Ditto! So glad I found you, too. Awesome stuff that your kids know that you’re the best rhymer/rapper EVER 😀
      That’s really funny that you sing different words because you don’t know them. Reminds me of that movie (27 dresses maybe??) where they’re singing “Benny and the Jets” and sing “electric boobs.” Every time I hear that song, I try to figure out what the real words are but don’t have the heart to look them up because “electric boobs” works for me. 😀
      Thanks for visiting and for the comment!April 17, 2013 – 7:53 amReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - Two things: I have my music therapist hat on for both. First of all, I sing Puff with my music class kids and they throw scarves in the air and dance while I sing it. I *always* skip the last verse. Hello? He sadly slipped into his cave? His head was hung in sorrow? F*ck that. Also, what you mentioned withTucker finishing the song phrases is a straight-up music therapy technique called “phrase completion” or something slightly more technical that is legitimately useful in improving spontaneous language. So, wow. Go you!April 17, 2013 – 9:49 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - WOW, really?!?!? Holy cow you are wise. I’ve never heard of “music completion” and now I want you to fly here and work with him. For real. And yeah, Puff doesn’t slip sadly into his cave for my version either. No sorrow. Fuck that, as you said with an * instead because you have more class than I do.April 17, 2013 – 10:40 pmReplyCancel

  • Anita @ Losing Austin - Love the power of music- though I’m a terrible singer too! I just make up fun jingles all.the.time. and now my kiddos do too. We can regularly be heard singing things such as, “I’m going to brush my teeth now, oh yeah, I’m going to go to bed after that, oh yeah, and we’re going to read two books…” and so on!April 29, 2013 – 12:32 pmReplyCancel

If I could live anywhere in the world, I’m not sure where I’d choose. The caves and snow of the mountains of Colorado? So close to the ocean that each morning its scent would bring me back to earth before hunger and here? If I could live anywhere, I’d like to live in The Land of […]

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by Kristi Campbell

Whatcha think, peeps?
email a friend

  • Emily - Beautiful and as you know, couldn’t agree more. I’ve heard kids say they “hate” my son simply because he was different…thankfully, the empathy factor grows as kids mature and now no kid would say something like that to my son, even if they thought it. Of course his imposing 6 foot 6 height may have something to do with that too….:) I want to live in that same land of wonder and empathy…I hope we all get there soon!April 11, 2013 – 11:15 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Aw thanks, Emily! And Tucker, too, will likely be very tall…which is sort of bad now as when he gets stressed, he’s a head taller than all the other kids. But will be a good thing later. When we did the whole “how tall will your kid be” test at age two, they predicted 6’6″. My husband is 6’3″. I’m only 5’6″. So who knows. But everybody thinks he’s five or six now…so probably he’ll have the same advantage your amazing dude 1 has. And UGH to the years when I’ll have to hear “hate” when it comes to my kid. Your dude is lucky to have you as a mom. Maybe if all of us – you and me to start – want to live in the land of empathy and wonder…we could possibly get there? Maybe…April 11, 2013 – 11:24 pmReplyCancel

  • Shay - Okay, excuse me, WARN me next time you’re going to make me cry! Seriously, I got tears in my eyes reading this. Such powerful writing, and I couldn’t agree more. Thank you!!April 11, 2013 – 11:25 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - I think I love you. And sorry.April 11, 2013 – 11:30 pmReplyCancel

  • Angela McKeown @Momopolize - Wonderful, wonderful post!April 11, 2013 – 11:57 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thank you. Huge. Thanks. You are awesome.April 12, 2013 – 12:23 amReplyCancel

  • Joy - I love his picture! <3

    And I love that the places where you and I would want to live are so alike! Yay! xoxoApril 12, 2013 – 5:10 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Joy, thank you. And I just read yours and I suppose great minds think alike! Kerri’s place was fictional too. 😀April 12, 2013 – 8:38 amReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Beautiful BEEEEEEYOUTIFULL post Tucker’s mom. This line made my nose burn – the kind where you hold back tears “To try and make eye contact with the boy who makes you uncomfortable. To say hi. To give his tired mom a smile.” To that, I say I absolutely will. I just love “your place”.

    And I’m so proud of you for having your post up. Mine is stillI rattling in the corners of my brain. Now, I wasn’t sure if you were on the toilet cause you wanted some quite time to think about this post or you actually have the flu. So if you ARE sick, I hope you feel better.April 12, 2013 – 6:50 amReplyCancel

    • admin - No, not sick today…and thank you. I actually wasn’t going to write this until tonight (Friday) but it just sort of happened. And THANK YOU.April 12, 2013 – 8:40 amReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - Wow, this was perfectly said Kristy and I agree please warm me when you are going to make me cry this early in the morning. And I will gladly live with you in this world, because it sounds absolutely perfect. Also, loved the picture of Tucker, he is a beautiful little boy!! Thank you for linking this one up with us and am sharing this one (I have to, because it is truly so perfect).April 12, 2013 – 7:24 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Aw thank you so so much. I appreciate the share. A lot.April 12, 2013 – 8:40 amReplyCancel

  • clark - Nice.

    “…With how we choose to spend the next five minutes. ”

    That this is what makes the internet one of the more amazing things to come out of all the efforts of humankind… it is the possibility of the window you have just drawn in my computer on my desk in my home. (and, yes, no …I know that virtual reality is not real reality, but my world (the one outside) is bigger, more complete than it was when I sat down here this morning.)April 12, 2013 – 7:57 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Clark, yay to all of our worlds getting bigger and more complete. Well said.April 12, 2013 – 8:41 amReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - I had no idea this was coming, after the hilarious 5 minutes on the toilet bit. Your well runs deep, my friend. I’m not sure if it is possible to top this brilliant post. (Certainly my whiney I want to live on a beach crap didn’t even come close!) Please tell me you didn’t just pull this out of your hiney. This has to be a months and months in the making post because it is that brilliant.April 12, 2013 – 9:10 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Aw, friend, you are too kind and we both know I will never ever be organized enough to spend months and months on a post 😉
      And thank you.April 12, 2013 – 5:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerri - Oh my friend, even though I was warned I still have goosebumps. The whole time reading this I was thinking I want to be your neighbor in this world you envisioned. Just to learn that I CAN live in the world of empathy and wonder if I just open my heart.

    PS–I love, love, love Tucker’s school picture.April 12, 2013 – 9:14 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Kerri! Thank you so much dear friend. Amazing how similar yours, Joy’s and my worlds are for this prompt. Hm. I wonder why? Oh right. And thank you so much. You are awesome.April 12, 2013 – 5:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Mariana - Beautiful, hopefully we will get to that point where people see difference as a negative. Thats what makes everyone unique.April 12, 2013 – 9:18 amReplyCancel

    • admin - I hope so too. Thank you so much for your kind comment.April 12, 2013 – 5:24 pmReplyCancel

  • Limefreckle - I LOVE that picture! I want to move to that land too…..wish more people had the attitude that differences shouldn’t be such a big deal. I had no idea what a boxed in world we really live in, until I had my autistic son!April 12, 2013 – 9:51 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Let’s all move there! And yeah, autism will broaden a world pretty quickly, won’t it? Thank you for visiting and for commenting. I appreciate it.April 12, 2013 – 5:24 pmReplyCancel

  • nothingbythebook - So sweet. What a lovely way to start my morning…
    Thank you.April 12, 2013 – 9:54 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Thank you! Huge.April 12, 2013 – 5:25 pmReplyCancel

  • Shell - This is so, so lovely. I want to live in that land, too!April 12, 2013 – 9:59 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Can we charter a plane and all go? A magical ninee to carry us to a magical land.April 12, 2013 – 5:25 pmReplyCancel

  • Jen - YOU PROMISED! And now it’s Sophie’s Choice for you my friend! That was truly beautiful, and I understand very deeply how much a place like that would be so wonderful. Sometimes with my own boy it’s hard to be in that place when the stresses and frustrations have reached a peak. And it doesn’t help when so much of that stress is because of other people, and how they interact/relate to your child. But you know you can live there. You can live there all of the time and screw the people who don’t. Because all that matters to Tucker, right now, is you. And I see that light in my son’s eyes, when I forget everything else, he shines so bright, like “mommy is HERE with me” not in her head somewhere. We should all live with you there. The end.April 12, 2013 – 10:26 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Sorry. But I didn’t think it’d make anybody cry except me. For real. And I know exactly what you mean about seeing the light in your son’s eyes when he’s so excited that MOMMY IS HERE with him. Yes, we most definitely should all live there. Let’s start making our travel plans!April 12, 2013 – 5:30 pmReplyCancel

  • Michelle Liew - I too, would love to live in a land of empathy and wonder where people can accept me as I am. Well. And beautifully said!!April 12, 2013 – 11:46 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Michelle, I would like that very much for all of us. And you know what? Talking about not feeling accepted helps people realize they need to accept. So let’s keep telling the world that it needs empathy and wonder and maybe we’ll eventually get there. April 12, 2013 – 5:31 pmReplyCancel

      • Michelle Liew - Yes!April 13, 2013 – 12:24 amReplyCancel

        • Michelle Liew - If we can all take the step to be more empathetic to each other instead of focusing on ourselves…we’ll reach that land of empathy and wonder1April 13, 2013 – 12:26 amReplyCancel

          • Kristi - From your lips, friend. From your lips. A lesson I need myself sometimes, too. Thanks huge for the comments. <3April 13, 2013 – 12:47 am

  • Melissa S. - First off, he is rockin’ that hair cut!! Fer real! Do you think it’s too early to set our kids up on dates??
    Second, I am trying to live in the land of empathy and wonder. I’m trying to learn not to judge others and jump to conclusions and just let my kids be kids, without imposing weird ass societal constraints on them that make no sense. It’s a very judgy world out there, my friend, and the ship only turns around at a very slow speed. But maybe, just maybe, our drop in the bucket will start a waterfall.
    love you!April 12, 2013 – 11:56 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Melissa, it’s definitely not too early to start setting them up on dates but I have to warn you that he has an IRL lovie and also, Kerri’s daughter Boo (Undiagnosed but we are okay with that blog) has expressed interest as well 😉
      You are so right that it is a highly judgy world out there. And I love the expression that a drop in the bucket can start a waterfall. Awesome stuff and you know I love you back!April 12, 2013 – 5:35 pmReplyCancel

  • just JENNIFER - This is so very beautiful. Fantastic! Couldn’t agree more. And your son looks totally fine to me in his photo. 🙂April 12, 2013 – 12:02 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thank you so much just Jennifer!April 12, 2013 – 5:35 pmReplyCancel

  • Maggie Amada - Love the picture of Tucker. He does seem mischievous and his mussed hair is awesome. I can just picture him being a heartbreaker some day. To test out the theory, I showed the picture to Isa (now four) and she said: “He looks nice. When I grow taller, I think he’s going to be my boyfriend.”

    I think her father will be coming after your son with a shotgun in the not-too-far-off future.
    🙂April 12, 2013 – 12:50 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Maggie, glad you see the mischievous side of him too. And yeah, I love his hair like that! YAY to Isa wanting him to be her boyfriend. So cool! Bad news about her father though. Hmmm.April 12, 2013 – 5:36 pmReplyCancel

  • Rachel - Well, this world already exists, because you see things in this beautiful way. In writing about it, you are inviting others into this world too. It’s a gift for us all.

    P.S. I saw this picture on FB before reading the post. My only thought was “what a great picture of Tucker!”April 12, 2013 – 12:51 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - So relieved to hear that your thought was “what a great picture!” Thank you for this awesome comment. I appreciate it.April 12, 2013 – 5:37 pmReplyCancel

  • Chris at Hye Thyme Cafe - What a magical place it would be… (love the pic by the way). 🙂April 12, 2013 – 1:47 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thank you!April 12, 2013 – 5:38 pmReplyCancel

  • Jessica - Wonderful post. I would like to live there, too. PS: All I see in that picture is one adorable little boy. 🙂April 12, 2013 – 2:03 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Aw thanks Jessica!April 12, 2013 – 5:38 pmReplyCancel

  • henriette - Did you get my message, we are on girl! Pizza and wine! You don’t have to post this comment! 😉
    And by the way, when I look at the picture I see mischievousness and happiness-and which boy wouldn’t be happy having the best, loving, caring momma in the world?! Boy knows he’s blessed and so are you!April 12, 2013 – 3:12 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - You are the coolest ever and I’m totally posting this comment. Because LOOK WORLD I have an in real life friend! And she wants to have pizza and wine with me! And she is awesome! 😀April 12, 2013 – 5:39 pmReplyCancel

  • Katia - What a great post. I’m so happy I linked up today and didn’t overlook your post. I’m SO with you on our society being characterized by lack of empathy and wonder.

    Earlier today I stumbled upon a post (which is now one of the 37 open tabs on my computer) that I am hoping to read later: http://www.parents.com/blogs/goodyblog/2013/04/what-parents-of-kids-without-autism-cant-understand/?socsrc=pmmtw

    I usually try to put myself in other people’s shoes but sometimes it’s more difficult having no point of reference. Writing the post about miscarriage brought back memories about people wanting to be helpful but saying all the wrong things, simply for lack of experience. When I came across this article I realized there is probably so much I don’t understand about being a parent to an autistic or possibly autistic child. I’m still going to read the article, but after reading your post I already feel like I understand a little better.

    His photo melts my heart. Little boys really get to me 🙂April 12, 2013 – 3:28 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Katia, I actually had to work today so I need to catch up on everybody’s FTSF entries. I got to a few last night and really look forward to reading yours. Thanks also for the link to the other article. I appreciate it.
      And wow, it makes me so happy that this post makes you feel like you can understand a little better! And little boys ARE pretty darn awesome.April 12, 2013 – 5:41 pmReplyCancel

  • Dana - If I could move anywhere in the world, this Land is where I’d want to be. And I’d want you to be President. Seriously, lovely piece and something we should all strive to create, everywhere and always.April 12, 2013 – 4:08 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Dana, I get to be President? How wonderfully cool! We should strive to create a world like this – you’re so right. Thanks huge for the sweet comment.April 12, 2013 – 5:42 pmReplyCancel

  • wendy - What a handsome, magical boy and what a beautiful piece. Thanks for sharing. Sending you a cyber smile from Chicago.April 12, 2013 – 5:20 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thanks, Wendy! You are awesome for coming over to comment! And sending you a cyber smile right back from DC metro.April 12, 2013 – 5:42 pmReplyCancel

  • Jean Heff - This is a lovely post and I agree with your sentiments. YOU are helping me see life through your eyes, through your son’s eyes, which will help others too…which will get us closer to your world of empathy and wonder.
    Also, and this is so shallow compared to what I just said…
    You have 100% mastered boy-hair. I’m impressed and still trying to figure it out for my son.April 12, 2013 – 7:28 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Aw, thank you Jean! Maybe we will get closer to empathy and wonder…here’s hoping.
      Oh and I love that you jumped to HAIR because Tucker’s hair rocks. I use Aquaphor. It doesn’t last long but I don’t want to use some actual real hair product in his hair. When I dropped him off at school for this picture day, I asked his teacher to run her hand through his hair to be sure it was sticking up. She remembered and that’s one more reason why she is awesome. 😀April 12, 2013 – 7:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Daphne - No. The answer to your question is no. His picture doesn’t look like autism, or delayed, or different. He looks like a well-loved, well-adjusted, and yes, appropriately mischievous little boy. And it wasn’t your eloquent words that made me cry, it was the picture of your beautiful little boy!April 12, 2013 – 9:13 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Thank you. Thank you so much. He is well-loved but it’s so easy to doubt our first reactions, isn’t it? And aw, MWAH to you crying over his beautiful picture.April 13, 2013 – 12:42 amReplyCancel

  • that cynking feeling - While I can certainly appreciate this post because I also have an autistic son, what makes this exceptional is that your land is one for everyone. It’s not just about autism or disabilities. You’ve painted the picture of a land where we worry less about differences except in how those differences enrich our lives.April 12, 2013 – 10:53 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - One thing I’ve noticed about having a son on the autism spectrum is that it’s made me more empathetic to ALL parents. While I cannot personally understand what it’s like to have a child unable to walk, or see, or (fill in the blank), I can understand that none of us have the child we imagined having when we were 8 years old and still believed that life was within our control. But you know what? We all love our kids, no matter what. And we all just want acceptance. And empathy. And wonder. And a smile, sometimes.
      Thanks so much for your comment!April 13, 2013 – 12:44 amReplyCancel

  • Clara-Leigh - SO well put!!!!!! THANK YOU for taking us to the heart of the matter…….that it is a state of mind we’d rather live in, not necessarily always a physical place!!!!! Beautiful post!! You inspired me to go into our weekend with no caregiver for our SN son with an open mind and heart to seeing things through his perfect eyes!!!April 13, 2013 – 12:12 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - YAY for finding inspiration in unlikely places. I hope that I, too, remember to go into this weekend without anxiety, or annoyance, or worry, or fear. I want to remember what’s important. I wrote this for me, too. And thanks for the comment!April 13, 2013 – 12:46 amReplyCancel

  • Shay - I replied to you on my blog, but I wanted to make sure I did it here, too: I looooooove you!! 🙂April 13, 2013 – 2:04 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - EEEP I looooooooooove you right back!April 13, 2013 – 9:21 amReplyCancel

  • Terrye - That would be a wonderful place to live all the time. I was watching Sunday Housecall on Foxnews last Sunday because they were discussing break throughs in autism. Dr. David Samadi said that eventually, they will unlock the secrets to autism, but until then, every parent needs to teach their children to accept, embrace and empathize with these special kids. I thought that was BRILLIANT and I had tears. It’s a movement that is starting to form like clouds on the horizon and I’m praying for the rain.April 13, 2013 – 3:14 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Terrye,
      Melting at the sentence “form like clouds on the horizon and I’m praying for the rain.” Awesome. Cheers to every parent teaching their children to accept, embrace and empathize. Truly brilliant. Thanks so much for the comment.April 13, 2013 – 4:59 pmReplyCancel

      • Terrye - It is my pleasure, my friend. Keep up the call for empathy. 😉April 13, 2013 – 5:24 pmReplyCancel

  • Vashti Quiroz-Vega - You made me cry! Powerful post. Thank you.April 14, 2013 – 6:40 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Thank YOU for visiting and commenting. I really appreciate it.April 14, 2013 – 9:00 pmReplyCancel

  • mombo - what a talented writer you are – inspiring, uplifting, and moving. You’re so wonderful, sweet one! xoxoApril 14, 2013 – 8:17 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Aw shucks. Thank YOU awesome one. A lot. <3April 14, 2013 – 9:00 pmReplyCancel

  • Kate Hall - What a cute, adorable picture!!! This is beautiful, Kristi. I love it! I, too, want to live in that world – The Land of Empathy and Wonder. Sounds like Heaven! 🙂April 14, 2013 – 9:39 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Thanks Kate. And thanks for the comment. I appreciate it. Huge.April 14, 2013 – 9:41 pmReplyCancel

  • Sheri - That’s definitely not a picture of autism. That’s a handsome guy right there! For sure mischievous! With the forest-y background and the cool spiked hair he reminds me of a lost boy from Peter Pan. (My nephew is on a Peter Pan kick, lol) I just came across your blog, I love it! Thanks for sharing. Hi to Tucker!April 16, 2013 – 11:15 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - I love the lost boy from Peter Pan reference! Thank you so much for your comment, I really appreciate the visit. And hi back from both me and Tucker 😀April 16, 2013 – 4:30 pmReplyCancel

  • Alicia - Lost In Holland - Oh that adorable little FACE!! What an amazing post. I was deeply moved by it – thank you for writing this and reminding us all.April 17, 2013 – 6:54 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Thanks so much, Alicia! Hopefully, we’ll ALL remember more often that the world really is full of empathy and wonder and that it starts with us all at home.April 17, 2013 – 7:54 amReplyCancel

  • Julie Chenell DeNeen - Looking through all the comments and the shares, you touched a nerve with this post. Fantastic and beautiful!April 17, 2013 – 8:46 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Aw, thanks, Julie. Too bad I can’t do this all the time. I actually get jealous of the me who writes the better stuff.April 17, 2013 – 9:47 amReplyCancel

  • K - Seriously, I am in love with this post. I can’t even think of the words to describe how much this moved me. I want the entire world to be The Land of Empathy and Wonder. This was so beautifully written and thank you so much for sharing. I am bookmarking this so I can read it again whenever the “real world” gets me down!April 17, 2013 – 4:40 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - K my friend, thank you. Thank you. I appreciate the comment and I want us all to strive to live in a world of Empathy and Wonder. It’s really where we all belong.April 17, 2013 – 10:08 pmReplyCancel

  • Anita @ Losing Austin - Love his sweet photo full of mischievous wonder. My sweet 9 year old needs to move to that land with me- he’s a typical child, no spectrum. But kids are mean for any 1000 number of reasons on any given day, and it breaks my heart. Thankful he has friends and adults to love on him all around him. But still would love that land…April 29, 2013 – 2:31 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi - Anita,
    Kids are mean sometimes and it breaks my heart, too 🙁
    I’d love that land as well. Let’s make it happen! It starts with one right?April 29, 2013 – 5:12 pmReplyCancel

  • Rorybore - beautifully written. And yes, it sounds like a wonderful land and one we can absolutely create.
    LOVE his picture. Love it.May 1, 2013 – 12:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi - Rorybore,
    Thank you. Help me to create it.May 1, 2013 – 10:41 pmReplyCancel

  • Ellen S. - I so love this, and couldn’t agree more. Hopefully, we are all encouraging that empathy and understanding when we write about our kids and show the world their awesome-ness, and all the abilities in their disability.May 12, 2013 – 10:38 pmReplyCancel

  • Kristi - Ellen.
    An honor, that you are here. Thank you. And I, too, hope that empathy and understanding is being encouraged everywhere.May 12, 2013 – 11:00 pmReplyCancel

  • Jak - Such a moving post, Kristi *hug*

    I’m just starting to investigate this Our Land series I saw Considerer mention. I’ll have to visit a handful of blogs I’ve neglected far too long before delving in head first, but all of this sounds great!

    That picture is awesome. He looks very mischievous there lol

    It would be so wonderful to live in the world/land you paint the picture to, and hopefully overtime it can be built literally. One step at a time.

    Jak at The Cryton Chronicles & Dreams in the Shade of InkJune 27, 2013 – 4:10 amReplyCancel

  • Denise - I wish we went to the same playground. My 7 year old plays with EVERYBODY, he doesn’t give a rat’s booty if the kids on the playground are girls, boys, older, younger, white, black or purple. He just wants to play. I hope he never loses that.September 10, 2014 – 10:21 amReplyCancel

Remember how I did a book review and give-away? Well, friends, we have a lucky winner who will receive her very own hard-cover copy of Rubber Band Girl by Jennifer Nielson. As you may recall, I couldn’t be bothered with getting one of those really long “like me like me like me and you get […]

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by Kristi Campbell

Whatcha think, peeps?
email a friend

  • Kerri - Only you would have a chance to have Rebel Yell with your teen age crush and think: Sweatpants. But how cool that you can put on your pre-marriage but still dating resume: Billy Idol wanted to have sex with me and I said no. So, hey aren’t you lucky I said yes to you 🙂April 9, 2013 – 9:36 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Kerri,
      Hahah! And yeah, I have told my husband that. His reply was something along the lines of “Well sure, but that’s when you were young.” Nice, huh?April 9, 2013 – 10:02 amReplyCancel

  • Janine Huldie - Great song and I so would have said yes at 23, but by 26 probably not!! And congrats to Lori 🙂April 9, 2013 – 11:10 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Janine, I didn’t really want to work that night anyway 😉April 9, 2013 – 11:23 amReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - Are you making that up? Is that for real? BIlly Idol really wanted to have sex with his limo driver? That is the best story ever. I haven’t seen that “Fun” video, but my girls and I love that song. And their other one, “Carry On”. My 18 month old even “sings” along to it. “O-o-o–n!” Yes, that’s singing.April 9, 2013 – 11:40 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Yup, totally for real. And dude, that’s not just singing, that’s GREAT singing. You should hear Tucker sing. 😀April 9, 2013 – 11:47 amReplyCancel

  • Dana - 1. Love your old school raffle. 2. You rocked the blue eyeshadow and flip bangs. 3. That is the coolest story ever. What an awesome claim to fame!!April 9, 2013 – 12:03 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Dana, thank you for noticing my blue eye shadow and flip bangs! 😀April 9, 2013 – 12:45 pmReplyCancel

  • Jen - SO GROSSS!!!!!!! Oh my gosh, what a story you will have for your grandchildren someday. Unless they want to be prostitutes, then don’t tell them.
    AND YOU ROCK THE MIX-TAPE LADY!!!!!April 9, 2013 – 12:21 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Gross? Are you jealous? Not a fan of Billy’s? I’m sure my son will appreciate me telling his grandchildren about it! Ha. And the mix tape thing is fun! Thanks for letting me play.April 9, 2013 – 12:46 pmReplyCancel

  • Alana Terry - Absolutely hilarious! And now you’re a double winner, you still have your self-respect, and you can tell the world that Billy Idol was practically begging you to sleep with him!April 9, 2013 – 12:39 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - So true! Hehehe! So glad I was able to hang onto my self respect!April 9, 2013 – 12:47 pmReplyCancel

  • Melissa S. - Ah, good times. Times to be hidden away in a box where our kids can’t see.April 9, 2013 – 2:38 pmReplyCancel

  • Henriette - First the botox story, and now this?! Girl, it’s almost like you could have had Billy’s baby! Fo’real! 🙂April 9, 2013 – 3:33 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Maybe I should have had his baby because I’ll bet the child support payments would have been awesome back in the day!April 9, 2013 – 4:53 pmReplyCancel

  • Jean Heff - In reality, I shouldn’t be surprised about a rock star wanting that sort of deal but reading it still sort of shocked me. Were these the same sweatpants that you wear now? He probably would have been interested in those.April 9, 2013 – 8:10 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - You crack me up. He’d probably be VERY interested in those ones! Heeheh! Luckily for everybody, it’s getting warmer out so now I’m wearing shorts. No holes or anything. Even I, in my infinite laziness buy new sweatpants once in a while.April 9, 2013 – 8:39 pmReplyCancel

  • Tom Rieger - wtf? where was i during this? army? i knew that dirt bag boss of yours was a scum bag. actually, one of many dirt bag bosses you had ^^April 9, 2013 – 8:41 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Tommy Wommy, it was such a brief moment of “ew” that I can’t even remember where you were. I probably never told you about it ’cause you would have kicked EVERYBODY’s ass.

      Oh and the rest of you? This is my brother who is commenting on this blog FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER.April 9, 2013 – 11:08 pmReplyCancel

  • Shay - I’M bloody hilarious??! No, YOU are bloody hilarious! Once again, I found myself laughing out loud at so many parts that I’m not even sure my comment can be specific–and dammit, I try so hard to make them specific so they don’t seem all spammy! But seriously–“They’re ugly and I’m lazy,” “We’re not blind, we’re cool,”–funny, funny, funny! And guess what–that’s the same high-tech method I use for all of my giveaways! I’ve only had one on my current blog, though–I think I need to round up some more shit from my house that we’re not using anymore and see if anyone wants it. LOVE your stuff! (I don’t mean your shit from around the house–although I’m sure it’s lovely. I was referring to your writing. 🙂 )April 9, 2013 – 10:15 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Shay – I know all about making sure comments aren’t spammy-like and THANK YOU huge for taking the time to make yours, well, not. And honestly, I censor myself here a little bit. Dumb, I know. Today, on Twitter, I had some uncensored ones. ‘Course I just had to remove my find me widgets because of that stupid virus. But I’ll see if we know each other there. ‘Cause I can’t remember. I’m old. And dumb.
      Oh and the Rubber Band Girl is the ONLY giveaway I’ve ever done. And I’m pretty sure there won’t be more coming any time soon. Because pressure.April 9, 2013 – 11:13 pmReplyCancel

  • Kate Hall - OMG! Are you for serious?!?! That is crazy gross. And that was like 8 years after he was cool. I still need to read Jen’s post because I love me some mix-tapes (so does my husband) and would love to rock out with you guys, especially if it involves big hair and blue eye shadow.April 9, 2013 – 10:40 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Totally for serious and crazy gross, yes.
      And yeah it was 8 years after he was cool, but he was still cool enough to me that I was super-psyched about the chance to drive his crazy butt around town.

      You should link up! It’s fun and we’d love to have you do your mixed-tape post. How awesome would that be??!?!?April 9, 2013 – 11:14 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - I don’t know which impresses me more — the fact that Billy Idol wanted to have sex with you or that you were a limo driver…I love that! What a cool job! Just think of all these fun stories you can tell your grandchildren some day. Or maybe not…?April 9, 2013 – 11:08 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Emily! Nobody else commented on the fact I used to drive limos. How awesome that you did, because in real life, everybody’s always fascinated by it. Suspicions that my commenters do not actually READ my words….hmmmm…

      And yeah, there were some crazy fun stories…I got to drive Raymond Burr (do you know who he is?) and a whole bunch of bachelor parties and saw some crazy sh!t.

      Oh and just for the record, it’s not like Billy wanted ME because he’d actually met me or anything. Had that been the case, who knows? 😉April 9, 2013 – 11:17 pmReplyCancel

  • Rich Rumple - Strange … I never wanted to have sex with Billy Idol. Gives new meaning to the title Rebel Yell though. I think the movie Deliverance might have did it first. Something like, “Suuuueeeeeiiiiieeeee!” Nope, Not interested. Funny post! Really cool the way your son interacts with music.April 10, 2013 – 12:21 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Rich, you never wanted to have sex with Billy? Huh. We can still be friends though.
      And I love (!!) how my son interacts with music. So much.April 10, 2013 – 7:57 amReplyCancel

  • The Sadder But Wiser Girl - Billy Idol? Really? 😉 He did have one of the best scenes in The Wedding Singer, which is one of the best movies ever. I have both soundtracks.April 10, 2013 – 11:55 amReplyCancel

    • admin - I LOVE The Wedding Singer which is So one of the best movies ever. And by then he was already old. When he was new, he was cool. I promise. (ach and I am old too)April 10, 2013 – 1:19 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Wow! Now I’m on my computer and could only think of one word to say. Murphy’s law of commenting.April 10, 2013 – 4:45 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - I’m pretty sure wow is enough in this case. For me, too.April 10, 2013 – 10:28 pmReplyCancel

  • christine - That story is fantastically awesome and horrible at the same time. As for sharing this story with grandkids, I’m thinking it won’t have the same punch as it does here. Will any of the grandkids even know who Billy is? I’m thinking not.
    Milk the oohs and aahs while you can.
    Great song choice in We Are Young. My family belts it out on a regular basis.April 11, 2013 – 7:53 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Christine, yeah, the grandkids probably won’t get it. And you have great taste in We Are Young. It’s one of my favorites. Tucker’s too, which makes it that much better.April 11, 2013 – 5:25 pmReplyCancel

  • Debbie McCormick - That is a serious awesome story! lolApril 15, 2013 – 9:57 pmReplyCancel

  • Alicia - Lost In Holland - Laughing. My. Ass. Off.
    !!!!! Life in Hollywood… unbelievable…April 17, 2013 – 6:57 amReplyCancel

  • DAVID RIEGER - Hey, I’m your Dad, and I never knew…
    I’m proud of you too!April 17, 2013 – 3:05 pmReplyCancel

    • Kristi - HAHAHH Perekums! Too embarrassing to tell ANYBODY. Plus, I said no. So a win for you, right? 😉April 17, 2013 – 10:01 pmReplyCancel

I was thinking about how to answer this sentence as I walked my dog a couple of nights ago. Yeah, the same dog who refuses to poop in the backyard which is a good thing when it means that I’m forced to take more steps and breathe fresh air and blah blah blah but a […]

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by Kristi Campbell

Whatcha think, peeps?
email a friend

  • Janine Huldie - I still have to check the spelling of diarrhea even now and you would think after having two poop making machines in the form of my girls, I would know but alas that would not be. That said I never tire of your humor or your drawings and thank you for linking up with us as always!! 🙂April 6, 2013 – 4:28 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thanks for hosting, Janine! And for commenting. And for forgiving me that it’s now Saturday.April 6, 2013 – 4:40 pmReplyCancel

  • Jean Heff - I’m sorry you got poop-faced. Isn’t it nice that bloggers always have something to think about, even when dealing with dog poo?
    You are passing on the good vibes of your favorite bloggers, I think. You are definitely in my group of bloggers I look up to for always writing on point and being so kind.April 6, 2013 – 4:46 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Aw, Jean! I’m so flattered and feel the same about you. Thank you. And my very first thought when I hit myself in the face with a bag of dog poop was that it’d be good blog material. Maybe there’s something wrong with me.April 6, 2013 – 5:45 pmReplyCancel

  • Rachel - One of the reasons why we have not gotten a dog is because I don’t want to have to deal with any more poop than I already have to. I loved the slow motion pictures of the poop incident, complete with the dog’s commentary! And I love how you turned a prompt about a typical week into one about your atypical one. I wish you many, many more of the atypical ones, of which you are incredibly deserving (sans poop in the face).April 6, 2013 – 4:59 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thank you Rachel! You’re so amazingly sweet. The dog is actually worth it. Really. But yeah, more poop? Although, over at your place, at least it would be Tao like. Which means you’d probably not hit yourself with dog poop in the face. So there’s that.April 6, 2013 – 5:47 pmReplyCancel

  • The Sadder But Wiser Girl - Oh noooooo! I’m trying not to laugh but it soooo sounds like something that would happen to me Kristi! Instead of saying “here’s mud in your eye” you could invent a new expression- “Here’s dog poop in your face.”

    Oh I still have to read your post for Jilismo (says the mom whose child also does not have a diagnosis). Heading over there now!April 6, 2013 – 5:26 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - It’s okay to laugh. I’m pretty sure I’m the only person this has ever happened to. Like ever. And hey! I’m going to have to start using that expression! Thank you. And thanks for heading over to Jillsmo’s too. Mwah!April 6, 2013 – 5:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Jen - I love you, and I am totally cracking up! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gotten dog poop on my hands. GEEROOOOOSSSS! Daisy, the little dog, is sensitive to everything, one time in the winter she had diarreah twice, and I only had one bag. I picked it up with my gloves! WTF??? Yes I did, and I didn’t even through the gloves away! I soaked them in bleach, then washed them in more bleach and voila! Cause there was no way I was buying a new pair of gloves! Then I started writing a post called “My New Motto: Bleach Everything!” that was after a particular bad bought of Daisyness. I abandoned it thinking who the heck would care. Maybe you would? He he!
    See, we were meant to be! MWAH!!! TTTx10 <3April 6, 2013 – 5:54 pmReplyCancel

    • Jen - I spelled bout wrong. Sorry, and diarrhea.April 6, 2013 – 5:54 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - You picked up dog poop with your gloves? Wow, you are dedicated. Seriously. And yes, I care. TTTx10 Mwah!April 6, 2013 – 6:59 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - So of course I’m going to focus on the poop part of this post…if you haven’t tried it, feed your dog a raw meat diet. Certain pet stores sell frozen raw meat patties for dogs. The thinking now is that it’s healthier for dogs since that is what their ancestors (I.e., wolves) ate. Although its expensive (I joke that it costs more to feed my dog than my kids), the big benefit is that their poops are VERY solid — makes for easy cleanup! No more poop in face!! Anyway, just thought I’d mention it in case you want to try it. Otherwise, you can write me off as one of those crazy dog people.:)April 6, 2013 – 6:08 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - But of course! Why wouldn’t you? I probably should have made it its very own post but it’s still fresh on my face. I mean mind. I’ve not tried the raw meat idea but am open to anything that would help. So thank you! Chief had giardia when he was a baby in the shelter, and I think it messed him up forever. But it’d be awesome to be able to give him his arthritis meds without Imodium, so I’m going to check out the raw meat thing! Thanks 🙂April 6, 2013 – 7:01 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerri - As I am laughing wine out my nose I am thinking you have had an awesome week. So of course karma would be a beotch and hit you in the face with dog poopApril 6, 2013 – 8:59 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Kerri! I am so glad you’re laughing wine rather than water out of your nose. Except. What a waste of wine. Sorry. Yeah, that karma beotch is an asshole.April 6, 2013 – 11:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - Apparently I am able to fuck up even the most mundane of tasks- love it! You had a kick-ass week, friend! Cheers! High-fives! Off to read your guest post now, rock star…April 6, 2013 – 10:21 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Well, it’s true. I am. And a beautiful kick-ass crazy week indeed. My 15 minutes I guess.April 6, 2013 – 11:23 pmReplyCancel

  • christine - I guess it’s only natural, things go too well for too long and you’re going to get some poop to the face. It’s like karma, only nastier.
    Congrats on the Jillsmo and radio gigs!April 6, 2013 – 11:05 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thanks for the congrats and yeah, poop in the face eventually. Sigh.April 6, 2013 – 11:24 pmReplyCancel

  • Angela McKeown @Momopolize - You had quite a week! Loved the Jillsmo post! Congrats on Messy Moms radio! Parenting Gag Reel cracked me up. So happy to be in there with you.

    And I must apologize for laughing SO INCREDIBLY HARD about the poop. That totally sounds like something I would do!April 6, 2013 – 11:38 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - So happy to be in Gag Reel with YOU because you are one funny mama! And glad the poop gave you a laugh but I’m pretty sure you’re smarter than I am and would see the poop coming before it actually hit you in the face. But maybe not….April 7, 2013 – 12:07 amReplyCancel

  • Michelle Liew - Kristi, a busy week, and congrats on Mom’s Radio!! Dog poop….sounds like what I will do too. Greatm, funny share!April 7, 2013 – 2:32 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Thanks Michelle! Would you like to be nominated?April 7, 2013 – 10:21 amReplyCancel

  • clark - “…I’m completeing my Finish the Sentence Friday post on Saturday”
    (lol) I’ll see your Saturday and raise you (to) Sunday….

    I enjoy the FTSF and try to get to everyone on the first day, but I am grateful for the late arrivals…sort of like raisin bran cereal (as a kid)*.
    as always, a Post that makes me smile, (with just a hint of looking at my Post and thinking, ‘hey! what the hell! Kristi has cartoons and not only that…but the drawing characters have ‘voice’… can’t you do something more than just bullet points?’)

    * if anyone gets the allusion/reference implied in this overly terse reference, I’m not sure I want to know lolApril 7, 2013 – 10:09 amReplyCancel

    • admin - I’m grateful for the late arrivals as well. And um…late arrivals. Raisin Bran cereal. Um, is the reference that it’s fun to find a raisin at the bottom of the bowl when you thought that you’d already found them all?
      And your bullet points are awesome.April 7, 2013 – 10:23 amReplyCancel

      • clark - damn!…
        totally need to get you on the Doctrine blogroll, yoApril 7, 2013 – 1:54 pmReplyCancel

        • admin - Yo. Indeed you do. And I need to actually MAKE a blogroll, yoApril 7, 2013 – 5:15 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Ewww to the poop in the face. LOL to everything else! I have smacked myself in the face several times with tug of war on something. I think the only poop incidents were diaper involved. Thanks for the giggle! Somehow I’m able to smell it too – not that I’m thanking you for THAT.April 7, 2013 – 11:06 amReplyCancel

    • admin - I am so relieved to read that I’m not the only person who is able to smack myself in the face accidentally. Gah. Sorry for the nose worm.April 7, 2013 – 11:17 amReplyCancel

  • Angel - Hi
    Thanks for visiting me at Sew Crafty Angel. I’m sorry you got poop in your face but this post is hilarious. I have 4 dogs and feel your pain. I have one that will hold her poop till she gets back inside the house. Lucky for her I love so. You are awesome and I love awesome si I’m your newest follower.
    Angel

    Ps. Did u register for my April candy?April 7, 2013 – 3:07 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Angel! Thank you SO MUCH for following! And no, I don’t think I did register – I’ll pop over and do so now. And why is awesome? You. You’re awesome. I guess I can’t complain about the poop then if yours holds it until she gets back in the house. Ach.April 7, 2013 – 5:17 pmReplyCancel

  • Jessica - Congratulations! I nominated you for a Liebster Award!

    http://thewonderingbrain.blogspot.com/2013/04/from-words-of-michael-jackson-whos-bad.html

    Jessica
    The Wondering BrainApril 7, 2013 – 3:25 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Wow, thank you Jessica! How awesome of you! 😀April 7, 2013 – 5:20 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Thanks for telling us about the book. It’s going to be a fun read. I skipped to read yours first. I love the one in Chapter 8 how Roberts sleep position doesn’t change. LOL!April 7, 2013 – 4:37 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thank YOU for buying it. Especially if you bought it from here because that would mean I get 12cents instead of 0cents. 😀
      And yeah, Robert’s sleep wasn’t affected AT ALL. Jerk.April 7, 2013 – 5:21 pmReplyCancel

  • Lanaya @ Raising Reagan - That is the best cartoon of you getting hit in the face with dog poop. That’s epicly awesome right there!!!

    Thank you for linking to Raising Imperfection.
    Please come back Friday to see if you were featured. 🙂

    ¤´¨)
    ¸.•*´
    (¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo
    http://www.raising-reagan.comApril 7, 2013 – 5:14 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Holy cow thanks dude. And I will definitely come back Friday. 😀
      (subliminal – you totally should feature me)April 7, 2013 – 5:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Lisa Newlin - If I had a dime for every time I’ve been hit in the face with dog poop….sadly, I’d probably have about $1.30.

    The dogs at the shelter where I volunteer are quite energetic and enjoy a high fiber diet.April 7, 2013 – 7:12 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Really? $1.30? I guess volunteering at a shelter will do that. Still.April 7, 2013 – 11:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Leslie - Oh my goodness. Dog poop in the face. Man.

    Thanks for sharing your favorite post at Raising Imperfection! We feature our favorites on Friday, make sure to come back and check.
    LeslieApril 7, 2013 – 7:20 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Will do thank you!April 7, 2013 – 11:48 pmReplyCancel

  • Joy - I really do hope the thing with the doog poop does NOT happen every day!? Great post! xoApril 8, 2013 – 3:06 amReplyCancel

  • Robin - Having raised Seeing Eye puppies for the last 10 years I could tell you poop stories that would make you cry. Just this past weekend we took the pups to the airport to expose them to the procedures in place for service animals. Of course MY pup not only set off every damn alarm (he finally had to go commando thru the metal detector and the TSA agent had to catch him on the other side) he then POOPED right in the middle of a LONG hallway thru the different gates. I swear he was trying to impress a cute little female pup ahead of him. I had to stoop down to clean up and in my haste to catch up with the crew dragged my hand right thru it! One of the TSE agents stayed behind with me and not wanting to totally gross him out I pretended nothing had happened. I tossed everything in a bag and put the bag in my backpack (I didn’t have a choice!) SO I spent the next 20 min of the tour with my poopy hand held out to the side and the other controlling the dog. When I was finally able to duck into a restroom I quickly sterilized my hand and unloaded my backpack. Normally I would NEVER dispose of a bag of poop in an indoor trash can but the smell emanating from my backpack was just too much. My concern is that several hours later when some poor janitor went to empty the garbage he found what he might have suspected was a bomb and called the authorities! I’d wrapped the poop in THREE black coloroed poop bags which each time had collected some air so to some I’m sure it would look “suspicious”. I won’t bore you with stories of the dogs who just have to go for the “kick back” after pooping….April 8, 2013 – 2:59 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - First, raising seeing eye puppies sounds amazing! What a cool thing to do. Hahah to your pup impressing the female pup ahead of him and for YOU having to hold your poopie hand our until you could sneak into a bathroom. And the poor janitor! Hahah! THanks for the great laugh. Oh and do you have a blog? If so the URL didn’t come through – would love to give you comment love back. And read about your cool puppies!April 8, 2013 – 4:48 pmReplyCancel

      • Robin - Raising the pups is a blast! Something funny always happens when taking the pup someplace for the first time. Granted I didn’t find the airport debacle particularly amusing but my twisted compatriots sure did. Thats gonna go down in club history, “remember the time London laid a huge log at gate 9?” But if I hear one more “I could never give them back” from john q public i can’t be held responsible for my response. This implies I either have a heart that is stone cold or one of solid gold, neither of which is true. I enjoy spending my day chasing after little ankle biters (my kids are now grown) and stepping on ragged nylabones. Who doesn’t love a fuzzy little puppy? I’ve often considered starting a blog about puppy raising BUT TSE is very strict about any PR on the pups. They don’t want any negative vibes resonating on the World Wide Web. It’s bad for business. The pups ARE their property so we have to abide by their rules. But in my warped opinion a censored blog is a BORING blog. Trust me, I read one of my friend’s in order to put myself to sleep at night. I prefer to see things form a humorous perspective even if I have to back up to Bulgaria to find it (or perhaps gate 12?).

        Sent from my iPadApril 8, 2013 – 6:15 pmReplyCancel

        • admin - Of course it will go down in history! How can it NOT? In fact, I’m going to have to start telling the story myself to make up for all the times I get poop on my hand because I forget to check for holes in the bag. DUMB….

          One thing I’m learning more and more is that people are oblivious. I’m sure that they mean it (it being “I don’t think I could do that) to be ultimately about their own statement about themselves. Sadly that’s almost always the case. For real. “Oh I couldn’t blah blah blah barf” is SO much about them posturing themselves. Don’t take it about you. Really. I hate it when people say that it must be so much harder for me to raise a kid with special needs. Hello peeps. We know nothing else. Seriously. Everything is hard. And everything is easy if you compare it to some BS.

          Anyway.

          I wanted to make sure I wasn’t missing a chance to know you through your blog. I get that you can’t (although I’d LOVE to see pics of each puppy in his or her training program because EEEP).

          PS I almost had my dog trained as a special needs dog because when I first moved to the east coast and went to Colorado all the time, I didn’t want him to fly in the cargo bin. 😀April 8, 2013 – 11:47 pmReplyCancel

          • Robin - Oh I started BUYING my poop bags (my hand went on thru one too many times) and it has SO been worth it! I use dogpoopbags.com (yes there is a website for EVERYTHING) and they give me a discount for the service pups. Most of my pups have been pretty big so I need the industrial strength and size.
            I’m sure your dog is awesome but please don’t EVER claim him as a service dog to gain access. Can’t tell you how many times I run into psuedo service dogs! I’ve even had some lunge and snap at my pups (and one attacked). It’s a real pet peeve of mine and all service dog handlers I know. Sad but people will claim anything to get Fido into the corner restaurant or hotel. I have no beefs with well mannered and well groomed dogs but yappy little “Fifi” who snaps at my calm Golden in training is NOT a true service dog!!! ARG! ARF!April 9, 2013 – 9:09 am

  • Stacey - I should not laugh, but I did. I have never been hit in the face by dog poop, but like you, if it were to happen to anyone, it would be to me. Probably the closest funny story I have to that is when my oldest son was a few days old. He had not pooped since we got home from the hospital. I was so concerned, called my husband, called the hospital nursery, trying to figure out what to do. My dad was staying with us, helping out, and happened to be in the nursery when I went to change a diaper. As soon as the diaper came off, poop about the thickness of a straw shot about two foot out, all over the crib and bedding. Nice. My dad laughed so hard he nearly fell over. I cried.

    Anyway, I enjoyed your guest post. The son in the above story is now four. He had speech problems but I was constantly told he was just lazy in his speech. He began speaking at age 2.5 years, when we enrolled him in day care. His speech blossomed but he still had problems forming words. At his four year check-up this past August, he was recommended for speech therapy, which he started in October. He was classified as having been speech delayed. Duh, I knew that. Someone, I don’t know who, recommended him for an OT evaluation in December. Current diagnosis is SPD along with motor skills delay but it may be more; we won’t know until we see a team of experts in three weeks.

    Also, like you and your son, mine (both of them actually; I have a two year old who shows many SPD, possibly aspie signs) is awesome and I pretend to be. Unlike me, though, you are awesome. The end.April 8, 2013 – 4:51 pmReplyCancel

  • admin - Stacey,
    Laugh away! The story about your son projectile pooping on the bedding and crib is hilarious. The fact your dad was laughing so hard he almost fell over while you cried is something I can so completely relate to! Awesome story 🙂
    I’m glad you enjoyed the guest post!
    What IS it that people tell us our kids are lazy or whatever when they are NOT and have actual for-real struggles with speech? It’s so frustrating. I’m glad your son began getting speech therapy. I wish you the best of luck in getting some answers and things you can do to help him at your appointment in three weeks.
    And AWWW you are so AWESOME.April 8, 2013 – 5:04 pmReplyCancel

  • admin - Robin,
    The thread isn’t letting me add any more so hopefully you’ll still see this. You are a wise woman to buy your poop bags! And really? People actually claim their dogs are service dogs? Wow. That’s crazy. Don’t they have to pass a test and get a certificate and stuff?
    My dog is indeed awesome and while he is probably smart enough to handle the training, I am much too lazy to ever actually pursue it. Plus, he’s 11 1/2 now so even if I weren’t lazy, I think that ship has sailed.
    That SO sucks that some pseudo service dog attacked one of yours! Yikes. Can you report the fakers to the dog academy or something?April 9, 2013 – 10:01 amReplyCancel

  • Love&Giggles - Oh,how you make me giggle!! 🙂April 9, 2013 – 5:19 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Yay!! 😀April 9, 2013 – 5:25 pmReplyCancel

  • MJM - You hit yourself in the face with dog poop…now that’s just gross…funny…but gross. I love you writing style…and your sense of humor…and your dedication to your cause…you are awesome. I wish someday to be as good a writer…and as funny…as you. You’re my blog-idol…nuff said.April 14, 2013 – 12:04 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - True that it’s gross. But that’s how I roll. And hello? Totally was not on purpose. And you are already AWESOME. Nuff said back. Except. If I can be ANYBODY’S blog idol? Hello. Schwing. And thanks. Huge. Huge, huge.April 14, 2013 – 12:49 amReplyCancel

      • MJM - Girl I love the fact that you are an open book…you don’t try to hide anything…that’s how I try to be too. Life is so much funnier when you don’t take everything so seriously.

        You are my blog idol…when I grow up (mentally that is) I want to be just like you.April 14, 2013 – 12:53 amReplyCancel

        • Kristi - Ah, new friend. Never grow completely up. I think that’s the trick to it all. Finding humor in our own fuckups is necessary. I had my first and only son at 40 (long, boring, sometimes sad story and you can find that shiza here if you’re inclined). I’m an open book only to an extent. I still censor even though I’m trying harder not to. Trust me, there is a LOT that you peeps will never know. That nobody will ever know. Which is how it should be. But also, anybody who writes will say the same thing – write your own life. Write what happened today that made you laugh, or cry, or reflect, or want to punch your neighbor in the nose. That’s the stuff that is great. But you already know that. Because you already did that in your post about your druncles and your mom. And it was bloody awesome. You are MY new blog idol… OH and also? Sometimes, I think it’s fun to make the story a surprise. Like this one: https://www.findingninee.com/the-intervention/

          Sometimes too I want people to just know where I’m coming from and feeling all sad and crying-y, like this one: https://www.findingninee.com/what-being-a-special-needs-mom-feels-like/

          But usually? I’m just keeping on keeping on. Like all of us humans are. Maybe the zombies, too, ’cause they seem to be gaining exposure.April 14, 2013 – 1:02 amReplyCancel

          • MJM - I never will grow up…I may be an old fogey on the outside…yelling at the young whippersnappers to get off my lawn…but on the inside I’m still a young immature little kid.

            You are so right…you speak very wise words…and I must say I freaking love your attitude and your outlook on life. You are one of the people who make this life great…who helps others smile and feel good when things are bad.

            I know what you mean about not always knowing what to write…that is why I started two blogs…one for my gaming addiction…and the other for all the random nonsense I come up with.

            I can’t do serious…I tried…many times before…but I just can’t do it.

            I would like to read the story of you and your son…if it’s something that is important to you…than it is not boring. Could you please send me the link…I’m too lazy to look for it?

            Thanks for the links…I really enjoyed both…obviously for different reasons.April 14, 2013 – 2:49 pm

  • Kristi - MJM- ran out of room on that comment thread to reply so doing so here. I hope I’m just like you when I’m REALLY old (’cause I’m already sort of old now and am able to hang on to my immaturity like a fuckin’ champ!). And yeah, I have a hard time knowing whether this is two blogs or one. Bottom line? I’m really too lazy to make it two. Oh and the stories about my son and I (you mean the beginning right?) can be found if you go to the home page, there’s a black menu-bar under the header. There’s a few pages (I need to update) with The Story. There’s stuff about all of that. There’s also an About section if you’re interested. And thank you for your SUPER AWESOME comments and for being my new favorite. 😀April 14, 2013 – 8:59 pmReplyCancel

    • MJM - I was wondering why I didn’t get an email telling me you replied…it was because you started a new thread…I thought you forgot me…but now I see said the blind man.

      You old…no way…now me…I’m old…when God said let there be light…I flicked the switch.

      You want to be like me…now way…I want to be like you…you freaking rock.

      I was lazy too…but it had to be done…I didn’t want to scare people away thinking I was just about video games…because I’m so much more (yeah right).

      Girl…you don’t have to thank me…you know I always got your back.

      I will check out your earlier work…I’m really interested.April 14, 2013 – 11:45 pmReplyCancel

      • Kristi - You have no idea how flattered I am. Seriously. Hahah to flicking the switch! I’m all for the video games that I loved then (give me some old school Centipede and I’ll kick anybody’s ass) and love now (Scramble with friends on iPhone because I’m idiotically busy – who said I should take a job for 25 hours a week? oh. right. that was me. duh.), but would never have enough to write about them…which just proves that we write what we know. And don’t always know what we write. ER. Um yah, it’s 12:31 am and I’m supposed to have posted something new again right? Gah.

        I SO APPRECIATE you trolling through the old stuff. Seeing your comment on one made me remember when I was so excited to get one comment. Crazy how this blogging world works, isn’t it.April 15, 2013 – 12:25 amReplyCancel

        • MJM - Trust me…the feeling is mutual…I found a diamond in the rough right here.

          Video games are great…such a good way to blow off steam…and work your aggression out. Don’t be ashamed to play them girl…let loose and play hard.

          3 glasses of wine…you go party animal…I can’t even take NyQuil without getting a buzz…I’m a lightweight.

          I plan on going through all your blogs…I just need the time…and the eyes…looking at the computer too long makes my eyes go crazy.April 15, 2013 – 12:34 amReplyCancel

          • Kristi - I hear that (eyes going crazy). In fact, I sat down here three hours ago and was planning to write. But a friend of mine and I were chatting on FB and now here we are….late. Oh and those wine glasses were spread out over way too long to actually help anything anymore. Haha to NyQuil giving you a buzz. You said you’re old. I’m like the oldest mom to a 3-year old of anybody I know so I’m pretty sure I’ve got you beat!
            Also. You asked about the story pages before – did you find them? And I think this thread will run out soon too. Does your blog have a page on FB? Also I might have to go to sleep. No school tomorrow (dammit!). And yes, that’s related. As in I am entertaining boy who seems to have realized recently that naps are optional. Nite new best friend.April 15, 2013 – 12:40 am

  • MJM - My eyes are shot…which really sucks because I need them…but I guess that’s what glasses are for.

    Isn’t Facebook grand…I can waste so much time on there…doing nothing more than shooting the poop. I don’t have a Facebook page dedicated to my blogs…why do you think I should? Message me on Facebook and I’ll give you my email address…so that way we can chat without worrying about “running out of space”.

    Hey a lady never tells her age…oh wait a minute that’s not what I meant…I’m a man baby…hell yeah! I’m 36 and only getting older…which sucks…not because I want to die or anything but because I want my youth back.

    The blog I commented on was the earliest I’ve seen…but I’m still looking through them.

    Goodnight my friend…pleasant dreams and talk to you soon.April 15, 2013 – 12:48 amReplyCancel

    • Kristi - Haha, I’m older than you so trust me about knowing that I wish I had some youth back. I don’t know if you should have a FB page for each of your blogs or not – but I do. And I do get some traffic from them. I think people remember to check Facebook so they’ll see a notification of a post if they’re not a subscriber. But it’s also just one more thing to keep up with. So…not sure.
      Oh the earliest stuff is actually not done in post form – I had started writing some of this down before I decided to blog it, so there are static pages (available through the home page’s main menu bar – stuff like this https://www.findingninee.com/story-2/). Does that make sense?

      And I’ll say it again – I am so unbelievably flattered that you’re trolling all around Finding Ninee looking for old stuff and wanting more. Funny how one (ok fine SEVERAL) comments from you that you want to read more make me feel like all this blogging and the time it takes is worth it. Thank you again.
      Happy Monday!April 15, 2013 – 8:12 amReplyCancel

      • MJM - Stop fibbing…you are not older than I am…we all know better…we’re not stupid.

        Hmmm really Facebook drives traffic…I may just have to get on that…I need all the help I can get.

        Yes…it does make sense and I am going to read it…all of it…as soon as I can…I’m looking forward to it.

        Girl you are a great blogger…and you should know that…your stories and pictures are incredible…the world is blessed to have your blog.April 15, 2013 – 4:30 pmReplyCancel

        • Kristi - You have no idea how bad I wish you were right. Third down the list (1. Tucker is typical…2. him not being typical will be okay anyway is 3. I wish I were younger.)
          Still, you are my new BFF.April 16, 2013 – 12:29 amReplyCancel

          • MJM - I love your blog…and really enjoying reading it…and looking at all the great pics.

            You’re my BFF…now and forever.April 16, 2013 – 12:49 am

          • Kristi - Yay to having a now and forever BFF. Ditto, dude. Seriously.April 16, 2013 – 7:42 am

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Hi friends!  Don’t judge me, but I am messy.  I know, I know.  Disappointing.  You thought I was squeaky-clean, put together and that I live in a house where all toys are in their proper places at all times, right?  No?  You’d already guessed that I tend to fall on the messy side?  Oh.  Well, after […]

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by Kristi Campbell

Whatcha think, peeps?
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  • Janine Huldie - Awesome about being on this radio program Kristy and am so right there with you being a messy mom. And totally ironic, but just was writing a post about this, lol!!April 3, 2013 – 2:01 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Can’t wait to read it! AND (!!!) how in the world do you stay so on top of commenting everywhere? Dude, you are amazing.April 3, 2013 – 10:08 pmReplyCancel

  • The Sadder But Wiser Girl - Who wears underwear with sweatpants anyway? It totally defeats the purpose. You should start a whole “Women Go Commando” movement. I’d join in.April 3, 2013 – 2:05 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - No shit! Underwear with sweats? Sweats ARE underwear. Just acceptable to wear in public, right? Love the Women Go Commando movement. And you are awesome.April 3, 2013 – 10:09 pmReplyCancel

  • Kerri - You go girl, you messy girl! Congrats. It’s so nice to know that there is some one else there that knows where the dust bunnies are hidden!April 3, 2013 – 2:10 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Kerri my friend. The dust bunnies don’t even need to hide, here. Well, sometimes. Like when my husband is home.April 3, 2013 – 10:11 pmReplyCancel

  • Rachel - Go, Kristi! Can’t wait to hear all about it tomorrow! You’re going to rock the house!April 3, 2013 – 2:46 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Hahah I hope so! If not, you can make fun of me later. So either way, it’s good stuff, right?April 3, 2013 – 10:13 pmReplyCancel

  • Joy - Will listen to it tomorrow. I feel so understood because I am ashamed to admit that I am quite messy, too. And wow, you are juggling many balls at the moment: being a published author, being on the radio…. Yay you! xoxoApril 3, 2013 – 2:58 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Love! Don’t be ashamed. We are ALL moms. Therefore messy. That’s what this show IS.April 3, 2013 – 10:17 pmReplyCancel

  • Emily - So cool about the radio show — congrats!! I am more of a “closet” messy mom. Literally. All of my closets, drawers, etc. are frightening. Every summer I say I’m going to organize and clean them out, but let’s just say I’m one step away from being a hoarder. Actually, my kitchen is quite a disaster now too. Maybe I’ll be on “America’s Top Hoarders” soon. 🙂April 3, 2013 – 4:15 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Emily,
      Here’s the thing. I can go to work and look normal. Good, even, if you ignore my wrinkles and backfat. But at home? I trend toward messy…sad…
      and if you ARE ever on Hoarders? I will so tune in and give you good ratings. I’ve never watched. I know. Gasp. True.April 3, 2013 – 10:18 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Lol! I clicked over wanting to know where in the world you were wearing those sweatpants. Nevermind the greasy hair and stains. When I read the blog title I said, “Duh!”

    Congrats to your radio feature 😉April 3, 2013 – 4:38 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thanks for the DUH. Not sure that’s a compliment. And so far, luckily, only at home (really. and you believe that. right???? OMG I am gross.)April 3, 2013 – 10:20 pmReplyCancel

      • Kenya G. Johnson - Didn’t mean duh like that. 😉 I read the blog title and by “on the radio” I thought you meant “on the blog”. Even though it all the same words I think sometimes things are lost in translation when you read from the iPhone. Without your glasses.April 4, 2013 – 10:02 amReplyCancel

        • admin - Haha I know – it’s obvious I’m messy and that’s okay by me. And yeah, Messy Moms has a radio show as well. They interview the people they feature each week. This week, I was lucky because it was me.
          And I don’t even have the excuse of needing glasses when losing things in translation. I just do anyway.April 4, 2013 – 11:09 amReplyCancel

          • Kenya G. Johnson - I use my glasses as an excuse. It makes me sound smart.April 4, 2013 – 12:03 pm

          • admin - Cracking me up. Although, the image of you in glasses DID make you sound even smarter!April 4, 2013 – 5:27 pm

  • Daughter of Maat - The irony in this. I’m sitting here reading this, nodding my head, because for the past 3 days I’ve been cleaning my house for an inspection, and I’ve had the same clothes on for 3 days, and my ponytail is… well… disgusting. I haven’t shaved in 3 days and I can’t stand that feeling. But why take a shower when I’m just going to get all gross again tomorrow right? I’ll take a scalding hot shower when I’m done, sterilize the sheets, throw out my current attire lol.

    On the brighter side my house will be UBER clean!!April 3, 2013 – 4:48 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - YAY for your house being UBER clean (side note why does uber not show up as a real word yet ugh)!! YAY. And yeah, I have actually found that it saves me a few minutes each day to skip the shower whenever it’s an option. I’m not kidding. 😀April 3, 2013 – 10:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Julie DeNeen - I’m a messy mom too. I’m lucky if I get dressed and find clean underwear.April 3, 2013 – 4:56 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - ThankGod I’m not alone…April 3, 2013 – 10:26 pmReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - Oh, I think you are *gorgeous*. You know I mean that, too. Also, what’s up with this radio show??? I had no idea! Can’t wait to listen to it! I got your book today- can’t wait to “talk” to you about it! xoxoApril 3, 2013 – 10:21 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - I’m not sure about the radio show. I think that I probably had more listeners when I was an actual co-host of ANOTHER radio show but I’m not sure…anyway…so glad you got “my” book that is so not mine but well. Lots or whatever.April 3, 2013 – 10:42 pmReplyCancel

  • Happy Kids, Inc - Visiting from the Linkin’ With My Ladies. Now following via G+.

    Stop by my blog for the Bloglovin Blog Hop:
    Bloglovin Blog Hop

    Take care,
    Meg
    Happy Kids IncApril 4, 2013 – 1:34 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Thanks Happy Kids. Followed you back on Google + and Twitter.April 4, 2013 – 8:18 amReplyCancel

  • Rich Rumple - When I took my year off of work, I began a love affair that my wife grew to understand and accept … sweats really are the most comfortable outerwear made! No, I never had the hole(s), and yes, I did wear underwear. Perhaps it’s a guy thing. Perhaps, it’s just more than needed to be said. And yes, I’m currently in my sweats as they’ve still become my evening wear of choice. Now all I have to do is figure out how to go to work in them and I’ll be in Heaven! Congrats on the radio gig. I was a broadcaster for years and never grew tired of seeing the surprised look on people’s faces when they heard their voices for the first time. Good Luck!April 4, 2013 – 1:57 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Rich,
      Sweats are awesome. That’s all there is to it. I’d wear them to work too, if I could get away with it. Having a “light” day? Just tie the string tighter. Eat too much at lunch? Elastic waist! ‘Nuf said.
      Hey I bet you were the coolest broadcaster ever!! I used to co-host a weekly show – it was such fun. Although I sort of hate my voice. Oh well.April 4, 2013 – 8:19 amReplyCancel

  • Alana Terry - I used to be so covered in regurgitated G-tube juices that my husband would come home and complain about how nasty my shirt was. Our toddler picked up on it, thought it was a compliment, and hugged me one day while emphatically proclaiming, “Honey, you’re gross!” 🙂 Love from one messy mom to another!April 4, 2013 – 2:05 amReplyCancel

    • admin - haha to your toddler hugging you and saying “Honey, you’re gross!” Love it. 😀April 4, 2013 – 8:20 amReplyCancel

      • Joy - Alana, this is hilarious!!April 4, 2013 – 8:33 amReplyCancel

  • Joy - Just listening to you!!! xoxoxoApril 4, 2013 – 10:57 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Yay! It was fun. Thanks so much for tuning in!! 😀April 4, 2013 – 11:09 amReplyCancel

      • Joy - It was more or less accidentally. I did not know the time when it would be aired so I tuned in several times today and the last time I did I saw that the show was on and that there were only four minutes left, so I thought I could just as well listen to the rest and then, all of a sudden, there you were! 🙂April 4, 2013 – 2:12 pmReplyCancel

        • admin - Oh wow, how cool. I’m an idiot for not posting what time it’d be on. Duh. There’s an archive to the whole hour if you’re bored!April 4, 2013 – 5:29 pmReplyCancel

  • Dawn Beronilla - Hi again!
    1. You are super hot.
    2. I’m happy to hear that I’m not the only messy Mama!!
    3. Hooray for doing a radio show! That sounds like great fun!April 4, 2013 – 1:29 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Hi!
      1. Bwahhahahah
      2. I really am a mess sometimes.
      3. The radio show was fun. I can nominate more than one person – let me know if you want to be nominated!!April 4, 2013 – 5:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Aubree - Okay. I don’t need to know another thing about you. You wear holey sweatpants, I also wear holey sweatpants (and I ain’t talkin the kind that have been blessed by the pope). You loathe showers, I loathe showers. In fact, I have devoted much of my life trying to reconfigure human DNA so that we can just shed our skin for new skin every night while we sleep. And you string words together nicely. I’ll be back to give you a follow. I am in my phone and it doesn’t let me follow. I’ll actually be surprised if this comment posts.

    Nice to meet you, neighbor. I’ll be back by. Write on!April 4, 2013 – 3:58 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Hey Aubree, maybe our holey sweatpants ARE holy. Like motherhood blessed them? Okay maybe not. Maybe we’re just messy and prefer ugly sweats. Please let me know when you figure out how to reconfigure human DNA, because getting new skin every night sounds perfect. Plus, I could shed some wrinkles and freckles in the process!
      And the comment posted.
      Nice to meet you too 🙂April 4, 2013 – 5:31 pmReplyCancel

  • Jean Heff - YAY! Congratulations on the radio show! I’m messy too. I try to conceal it when I go to work but occasionally I make it through the day and then realize I have some sort of crust on myself…today it was teething biscuit crust on my neck 🙁April 4, 2013 – 6:26 pmReplyCancel

  • Jen - You were awesome, as you know because I was facebooking you the whole time. AND ha! At least you get dressed up to go to work. Since I have to work in a dungeon I don’t even bother. Still the un-showered ponytail yoga pant wearing chick I am at home. Except I put deodorant on. Anyway YOU ROCKED THE AIRWAVES! I knew you would 🙂April 5, 2013 – 5:40 pmReplyCancel

  • More Than Mommies - While I loved the post . . . I have to say I got the biggest laugh from your comment, “Sweats are underwear!” 🙂

    Thanks for linking up to the More Than Mommies Mixer this weekend and I’m sorry that I missed the radio show – sounds like a blast!

    I’m so glad that I’m in good company NOT being perfect and occasionally having unidentifiable “goop” somewhere on my clothes. 🙂April 5, 2013 – 6:30 pmReplyCancel

It’s Autism Awareness day.  We’re supposed to “go blue.”  And use the puzzle piece.  I’ve been planning to participate for a few days because I think it’s important to raise awareness for both autism and for everybody else who remains undiagnosed in general. While Tucker is undiagnosed, he is in a preschool autism classroom, so […]

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by Kristi Campbell

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  • Janine Huldie - The sweatpants missing the crotch so had me giggling like 12 year old!! But seriously, love how you are standing up for what you believe in and sounds like you have very valid well thought out reasons for it. Congrats on being a part of Life Well Blogged latest book and so happy to be a part of it with you!! 🙂April 2, 2013 – 8:22 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thanks, Janine! While I wish I could say that I was just being funny, I wasn’t. The hole and its placement are 100% the truth. I keep thinking that I should fix it. I keep not fixing it…April 2, 2013 – 11:21 pmReplyCancel

  • Jen - How many times have I told you to “shut that devil up!” you are famous! And I would tell you to quit your day job, but for how much you complain I have a sneaking suspicion you like it. If you don’t THEN QUIT YOUR DAY JOB so you can get on linking to our Tuesday Mix-Tape thinga-ma-jig. K? mmmm-K.
    Love you, you rock it lady, and WAY TO GO ON THE BOOK! I’m going to buy it for my kindle now and review the heck out of it!April 2, 2013 – 10:31 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - I do like my day job! It’s just that I have no time. And I am up too late every day. Tweeting with YOU. Which I love so whatever, I can sleep when I’m dead too early from lack of sleep, right? 😉April 2, 2013 – 11:21 pmReplyCancel

  • jillsmo - Commando style sweatpants with a hole in the crotch 4tw!!!!!April 2, 2013 – 10:35 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - A proud moment? Maybe not. My reality? Totally.April 2, 2013 – 11:22 pmReplyCancel

  • Rich Rumple - Stand up for what you believe in! Going along just to go along is ridiculous. It’s like the old question your parents used to ask you about jumping into a lake if your friends did. Who’s to say that we’re normal? We’re just the majority. Look at the things we do (killing, stealing, beating, etc.) and ask yourself, “How normal are we?” Perhaps, the beauty of autism is that the true person can be found, instead of one affected by the sickness of mankind. Strong post!April 2, 2013 – 10:52 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thanks Rich. How awesome are YOU??? Awesome. Seriously. And so right on the jumping into a lake if your friends did. I think my parents said jumping off a bridge, but same thing!April 2, 2013 – 11:23 pmReplyCancel

  • Melissa S. - yay for you! i have the same love/hate (more like indifferent because i rarely get too riled up about a cause) relationship with the whole “everything must be pink in october or you just think women should die from breast cancer.” sheesh. i don’t think any disease is great, but do i have to wear a different color each month to prove it? so tired now.
    looking forward to the mix tape fun. i will love you forever if you include any Duran Duran from the 80s. or hair metal. mmm….hair metal.April 3, 2013 – 12:31 amReplyCancel

    • admin - OOH Duran Duran AND Hair Metal? Dude. The 80’s was awesome. And glad I’m not alone in not having the energy to wear a different color each month to support a cause!April 3, 2013 – 8:11 amReplyCancel

  • Shay - I stuck with it all (when will I be getting my wine?), I loved it all–especially your take on autism awareness since I learn so many new things here, and I am SO with you on it all (“Don’t quit your part-time day job, dumbass”–that’s me, too!!). Loved this post! And congrats on the book!April 3, 2013 – 12:56 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Shay! I do owe you some wine, don’t I? Where should I ship it? And thanks for hanging in there 🙂April 3, 2013 – 8:11 amReplyCancel

  • Joy - It is SO cool that you are part of the book! You totally deserve it!! xoApril 3, 2013 – 3:01 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Aw thanks, sweet Joy! XOApril 3, 2013 – 8:12 amReplyCancel

  • Stephanie @ Mommy, for real. - LOVED the imagery of you in your holey sweatpants commando-style. Awesome. I’m off to buy your book RIGHT NOW! I can’t wait to read your posts- I’ll skip right to them! Let me know if you get a bunch of new fans because of your awesome chapters. And I think your puzzle-piece reasoning sounded right on. What else? Am I missing something? Probably…April 3, 2013 – 9:40 amReplyCancel

    • admin - Yay for buying the book! You’re not missing anything. And if you were? You’d so be instantly forgiven. Poof.April 3, 2013 – 11:36 amReplyCancel

  • Rachel - We don’t have a porch, since we live in an apartment building so I feel a bit discriminated against by the blue light idea anyway. Hence, I’ll be joining you in the boycott (although, back to my original thought, we wouldn’t have been able to participate anyway). I’m with you on the puzzle piece. It’s a puzzler. Congratulations on the book!! I have no doubt that you will make me gag (with laughter, that is)! And I’ll do it twice!April 3, 2013 – 10:18 amReplyCancel

    • admin - I guess I can see coolness to the blue light thing, but still…kindof weird. Plus, remember back in the day when Kmart had blue-light specials? Ha, forgot about that…April 3, 2013 – 11:37 amReplyCancel

  • Kerri - Hey you are a published author. Twice. you can totally buy me a bottle of pinot grigio. I don’t get the puzzle piece or blue either. If your child has autism does that mean you are blue? I would rather listen to Bluesy Jazz music than remain blue in my child’s diagnosis. And I hate puzzles. I can never get the pieces to go where I think they should rather where the creator wanted them to be placed. Tho the Tucker Puzzle piece is way cool.

    One must ask why, oh why is there not a picture of you in home depot?April 3, 2013 – 12:21 pmReplyCancel

    • Kerri - OH and 1 more thing…do you realize you are currently #1 in our Top Mommy race? I mean seriously, published and #1 blog in our category. You go girl and buy that wine. Where should I meet you 🙂April 3, 2013 – 12:25 pmReplyCancel

      • admin - Kerri,
        Nobody (trust me on this) wants to see my ugly coochie via a hole in my sweats, even in cartoon-form.
        Crap is that mommy thing a race? No way will I stay there then. And yeah, I actually took a screen shot of it (blushing) because I was so excited.
        I’ll meet you and bring the wine anywhere, anytime!!April 3, 2013 – 1:01 pmReplyCancel

  • Kenya G. Johnson - Lol! Your red angel is MEAN. 😉 Congrats on being featured. Looking foward to seeing the crazy eye picture. I remember the Facebook exchange and was wondering what y’all were talking about. TALUApril 3, 2013 – 4:25 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - I know my angel is mean! She has 2 sides the angel and the devil side! hahaha! Love it 🙂April 3, 2013 – 11:25 pmReplyCancel

  • Courtney - I have always hated the puzzle piece. I spend my life “figuring out”/working with kids. We are ALL puzzles. Yes, I have had some extra trial and errors figuring out what will work for my son, but I have had to do trial and error on plenty of typical kids too. Love your drawings!

    Congrats on the book! I will check it out!April 3, 2013 – 5:39 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Courtney,
      The puzzle piece is dumb because it applies to ALL OF US…thank you for saying that it is, indeed, so. 😀
      Thanks for checking out the book! Buy it from here? ‘Cause I get like 2 cents or something.April 3, 2013 – 11:27 pmReplyCancel

  • Jean Heff - Kristi, I like your take on the Autism symbolism. Can you imagine if they tried to do a Mom-Awareness month? Maybe split crotch yoga pants could be our symbol? 🙂 Congrats on your book. When I can convince the husband to give me back my wallet after my too extravagant Easter I’ll snap that book up.April 3, 2013 – 8:27 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Thanks, Jean! OMG to the Mom-Awareness month. What a disaster! Ha!April 3, 2013 – 11:28 pmReplyCancel

  • Dawn Beronilla - OMG… you’re in a book?! How frickin’ cool is that?! So proud of you! 🙂April 4, 2013 – 1:24 pmReplyCancel

    • admin - Dawn! Thank you so much!April 4, 2013 – 5:27 pmReplyCancel

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