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How about the quote from last night…Sam, what did you have for lunch? “A giant potty” (already with the bathroom humor??)

So, I kinda promised my husband no more shopping until Christmas. I kinda told a story! I will however be placing the blame for my broken promise squarely on Jenny White’s shoulders! (luv ya Jenny, but you’re an easy scape goat on this one.)

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I’m glad you would wear a tee shirt under that second sweater. I was afraid you would catch cold! It could be convenient for nursing though.

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That Sam is one smart little guy!

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Quotes and Quotables

By Charm Blogger | Monday, November 16, 2009, 02:58 PM

By JULIA LOWE

There is nothing like the words of a five-year-old to put everything in perspective. They are honest, forthcoming, and creative. So I decided to become more aware of all the wonderful and interesting things Sam said for the last month.

Observations by Sam

My Crocs are nice and filthy.

Mommy, I have eye boogers. (This, the morning we discover he has pink eye)

I don’t need to learn how to read. I already know everything else!

Well, you didn’t see my invisible pee pee. (What boy doesn’t want one more chance to get out of bed!?!)

Cate, smell my feet. They smell like bubbles. (No, they didn’t. They were very similar to the nice, filthy Crocs)

Mom, where’d you get that silly haircut. Can you please get your usual hair now, please? (Thank you, darling. It just took me $80 bucks and half a day to look this good)

Do you have another baby in your tummy? (Sigh…does this really need an explanation?)

“Samisms” for getting along with his family

Well, if you don’t want to be my mom anymore that’s just fine! And if you do want to be my mom, that’s fine, too! (This as I try to hurry him to brush his teeth)

MOM! Giant Baby Monster is ruining my train tracks! (This endearment could refer to either of his two sisters)

Mom, if you don’t be nice to me until your birthday, I won’t get you that new vacuum. (Don’t tempt me, Sam…)

Wait! Wait! I’ll handle this. DADDY!

Mommy, if I miss you when I’m at Nana’s, I’ll just look at the picture of you when you were wed. (Wed? Who talks like this!?!)

All About Food

Well, I hope you would not take me to an egg competition and then I have to eat more eggs! Through tears as we tell him he has to have one more bite before he gets another pancake…

Mommy, I know the perfect snack…hot dog buns and jelly! Guess it’s time to go to the grocery store.

What’s that horrible smell!?! Actually it is your dinner, Sam.

Let’s eat lunch at Dunkin Donuts! Obviously we have some food issues…

I know, tonight we can have a cupcake festival! Food issues continue…

Nana: Sam, I have an idea. Let’s make cookies. Sam: I have a better idea. Why don’t you make ‘em and surprise me.

Religion 101

I hope Fr. Tighe doesn’t scoop my ice cream tonight. Why, Sam? Because he’ll make me say prayers!

I don’t mind talking to Jesus but prayers are boring. Can’t really argue that one at this age…

I am NOT your Angel Boy!

Mom, I hope you never die so you can stay, stay, stay here forever. Me, too, my love.

Sam Speak

Look! The moon is a Sammy-circle! Ego-centrism at its finest.

Mom, don’t elect me. As I spray water on his hair while he plays on my iPhone.

Why do you call me a deer? Because you are dear.

Growing Up

When do I get to go to train school? Can you go with me?

And then those soft words before bed…

Me: Sam, you are getting to be such a big boy. (He smiles.)

Sam: Thanks, that makes me happy.

Me: (Ache in my heart) Good night, Angel Boy.

“Follow me and you’ll be just fine……”

Julia, a thirty-something licensed psychologist, formerly lived in Rocky Mount and now lives in Wake Forest with her husband, Cliff, and three kids, Sam, Cate and Caroline. She is a Charm Chicks guest blogger, commenting on lots of things, but mostly how she copes with three young children without losing her sense of humor or her non-mommy identity.

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Fabulous Friday Find for Nov. 13

By Charm Blogger | Friday, November 13, 2009, 03:22 PM

By JENNY WHITE

Remember when I told you guys I was going to sew?

Not take classes.

Not learn how to sew.

Just dive in. Buy some fabric, buy some patterns, and figure it out.

Well, it’s a little harder than I thought it would be.

Mainly because, when I was figuring out my handy formula of how much the fabric and notions cost, versus the price in the stores, I forgot to factor in my time. And how I don’t have time for this sewing stuff.

It’s been over a month and the jumpers are done.

Sort of.

They need buttons, but then she can wear them. If they still fit her.

One side is fine-wale corduroy and the other side is a co-ordinating print.

Here’s what I’ve got so far:

See, they need buttons. No buttons here.

One important part of sewing is a sewing machine.

Which I don’t have.

And it wasn’t so easy just popping in at my mom’s house in Cary. Or to my mother-in-law’s house here in Rocky Mount, since she’s usually at her house at the beach. Both have sewing machines. That I don’t know how to work.

So, now to my Fabulous Friday Find.

I’ve decided that maybe $25 isn’t too much to pay for a jumper.

IF (big IF) it’s well made.

I’m going to try out some jumpers from a seller I found on etsy.com. Threeyellowstarfish offers reversible jumpers in a very similar pattern to the one I used. And did I mention they’re reversible? So technically, you get two jumpers for the price of one. They’re $25 each. After attempting to make them myself, I’ve decided this woman deserves $25 for making them for me. And then some.

I’ve read her blog, and she has stellar reviews.

Here are my Fabulous Friday Finds for this week:

Can’t wait to get them!

Julia and Jenny: The movie

By Charm Blogger | Thursday, November 12, 2009, 09:25 AM

By JULIA LOWE

“Sometimes in life there really are bonds formed that can never be broken. Sometimes you really can find that one person who will stand by you no matter what. Maybe you’ll find it in a spouse and celebrate it with your dream wedding, but there’s also the chance that the one person you can count on for a lifetime, the one person who knows you sometimes better than you know yourself is the same person who’s been standing beside you all along.”—Marion St. Claire “Bride Wars”

“Bride Wars” will never go down in cinematic history as one of the great movies. However, in watching these characters, two best friends, relive their childhoods together, reflect on numerous life experiences, both struggles and triumphs and finally have a momentous day together, I could not help but think about my best friend.

Fade to 1980…

Fifth grade. Manning Elementary School, Roanoke Rapids, NC. This is the first time I can remember being aware of Jenny. She was in the class across the hall for me. With only four fifth grade classes, it wasn’t difficult to know everyone. I had the meanest teacher who canceled our field trip to Williamsburg. Jenny had the nice teacher who gave them extra time to practice for field day.

Seventh grade. Summer 1983. I went with Jenny, her sister Becky, and the church youth group to the beach. It was so fun. We slept in bunk beds, walked on the beach at night with a full moon, learned how to play “Cowboy” with playing cards (very quickly learned not to be on the receiving end of this. “Want to play Cowboy?” “Sure.” Cards thrown everywhere. “Round ‘em up!”). We swooned over the future quarterback of the football team and wondered if we’d ever look as good as Elizabeth in a bathing suit.

Ninth grade. Roanoke Rapids High School. 1985. Driver’s ed with Coach Carter. Being almost 25 years removed from the situation, I know Coach Carter was a great man. But at the time he intimidated anyone not playing baseball. He could be loud, pound his fists and call people out without hesitation. Imagine trying to learn to drive a huge sedan while being scared Coach Carter is going to pop your leg with his big class ring or use his instructor pedal to slam on the brake to tell you what you did wrong. I think we were all traumatized a bit.

But this is classic Jenny…It’s she and I in the driver’s ed car with Coach Carter. She is taking her final driving test. Nervously accelerating or slowing down on the big hills near the recreation department to be sure her speed was accurate. Coach Carter has her pull in at the Rec Department as he quickly runs in. Jenny and I wait in the car…

Jenny: Julia, I forgot to put my glasses on! I can’t see anything!

Me: Well, where are they!?!

Jenny: Right here in my purse. Should I put them on?

Me: No, not now! He’ll wonder why you didn’t have them on earlier!

It’s a wonder we didn’t all crash that day. Obviously I was not the best giver of advice and Jenny’s driving skills were always a bit questionable.

So we made it through the craziness of driver’s ed. We were 16 and old enough to get our licenses. Do you think we did? Nope. Neither one of us was interested in getting our licenses or driving around. We waited an entire 6 months. Must have been the PTSD. And then on June 29, 1987 we called each other.

Jenny: Guess what! I got my driver’s license!

Me:Me too! When did you go?

Jenny:Today!

Me: Me too!

After highly editorializing the remainder of our high school years to the point of excluding anything about drinking, smoking or the police, (as we know both of our mothers may read this!) we land in the year 1989.

Senior year The difficult decisions about life after high school. Where should we go to college? As the entire class seemed to consult with one another, there were those who always dreamed of being an engineer or whose family had generations of die hard Tar Heel fans. Others researched every university on the East Coast to determine the right fit. These were the students with a plan.

Jenny and I were not these students.

We visited one college and when we returned to high school the pressure for decisions mounted. Then we had this conversation:

Me: Want to just go to UNCG?

Jenny: Yeah, let’s just do that.

And so we did.

We had three wonderful years together as roommates in 111 Gray Hall, the pinkest room on campus. Sneaking our future husbands through the window of our dorm room, playing spades and listening to the Black Crows and Tom Petty for hours, trying and failing to like the taste of coffee (my how things have changed!) and talking one another through all the trials and tribulations of life.

And though we grew apart for a few years, we had this email conversation in May 2008 that brought us back full circle.

Me:It has taken some time to get around to telling everyone but I’m pregnant. It was a surprise and took some getting used to but we are very happy and looking forward to Baby #3.

Jenny: Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.

The next day…

Jenny: Julia, I’M FREAKING OUT!!! I’m pregnant, too!

And so for two friends born the same month, growing up in the same town, going to the same college, marrying the boys we’d dated forever, now we get the pleasure of raising two wonderful, surprise girls together. Caroline and Emma, you are truly our blessings. Jenny, I love you!

Starring Julia Roberts as Julia……..

and Selma Blair at Jenny.

Godspeed

By Charm Blogger | Wednesday, November 11, 2009, 08:29 AM

By JENNY WHITE

At my 20 year high school reunion, I chatted with one of the bigger goofballs I hung out with during my formative years.

Kenny.

He seemed still goofy, but definitely was taller and more handsome than I remembered him being.

And he was…..something…..I couldn’t put my finger on. Of course manlier, since the last time I had seen him he was a boy.

But something else.

Then he told me, he was in the military, out of Fort Bragg, I think he said.

I was taken aback and I think actually may have punched him as I said, “Get outta here!”

Kenny. Goofball Kenny.

A soldier.

And I immediately became worried.

“Have you been to Iraq?”

He said yes.

“Do you have to go back?” I asked.

He shrugged and said, “Probably.”

And then, the goofball returned.

Me.

“Are you OK?” I questioned

“Have you suffered from PTSD?”

WHAT! Where did that come from?

NOT good, light, small talk appropriate for a class reunion picnic.

But I trudged on.

“I saw a story about that on 60 minutes.”

Kenny, appropriately, looked at me, a little perplexed, and then just laughed at me.

And, what was he going to say?

“Uh, yeah, Jenny. Do you think you can help me with what you learned from Katie Couric?”

UGGH. Sometimes I astound myself with my foot-in-mouth syndrome.

Annyyywaaayy, he seemd fine. Jovial and happy, with a little bit of his inner goofball showing. He showed me pictures of his son and bragged about how cool he is.

And politely ignored my more idiotic ramblings about PTSD, insurgents and I think I may have mentioned IUD, IADS, or whatever they’re called, and my repeated commands for him to “be careful.”

I bring this up, because it’s Veterans Day and I don’t know many real live soldiers and my brief interaction with Kenny has been on my mind.

What I wish I had told him is how proud I am of him and how thankful I am that he, and people like him, are brave enough to do what they do.

Because I could never be that brave.

And, did I mention how proud I am of him?

So if everyone would say a quick prayer, meditation or just send good thoughts to my friend and solider in the US Army, Kenny. And anyone else you know that’s serving these days, or in years past.

And Kenny has commanded (in charge, that’s what I couldn’t put my finger on before; he seems “in charge”) his friends to shake a veteran’s hand today and say “thanks”. And I think he mentioned buying them a beer.

I promise I won’t talk a lot when I do it, so, you veterans out there, don’t be scared.

Not yet…not yet…OK, NOW, you can think about Christmas

By Charm Blogger | Monday, November 9, 2009, 02:55 PM

By JENNY WHITE

It may seem early to you, but I’m starting to think about Christmas.

No, don’t put the wreath out yet, it’s still a little early for that.

When I say Christmas, I mean the stressful, worrisome part. The present buying part.

The plan-ahead part.

Ken and I learned our lesson several years ago, when we decided to NOT use the credit card for presents.

Great idea, except we came to that conclusion about three weeks before Christmas.

So we squeezed out our entire Christmas shopping budget out of our two paychecks in the month of December.

Yeah, that was not fun.

So, in order to avoid not having any grocery money in the month of December, I have to start buying presents NOW!

I love to start off buying for my sisters and sister-in-law. Because they’re so easy…I just buy them things I want.

Then I like to move on to Thomas, the costliest.

Then, all my nephews, because they’re easy to please.

Then parents, teachers, Ken and usually Thomas again, because he’s changed his mind a hundred times from the first time I asked him what he wanted for Christmas.

Emma will be easy this year, she won’t even be a year old on Christmas. And, since her second favorite thing to eat is paper, she’ll be in heaven with all the Christmas paper on the floor. I’ll be glad to buy her a nice big roll of holiday organic paper.

I’m getting her a new lullaby CD (to make her laugh), a helmet to protect her head during her stunts and about 100 pairs of socks because this girl just can’t be bothered to come home with two socks on, even if it’s 40 degrees outside.

I will refrain from mentioning what I’m getting everyone else, since my most loyal readers are, in fact, my sisters and my mom.

Anyway, as the weeks go by, I may mention a few gift giving ideas. Most of them will be from local stores around here, since I am trying to buy all local this year. This will be hard for me, since I love online shopping.

I’m not opposed to shopping elsewhere, I’m just going to look here first.

Let us know in the comment section if you know of a great gift-giving idea.

AND, we’ll have some great giveaways - you can use as a gift for someone, or keep it for yourself.

Stay tuned and Feliz Navidad!

The countdown has begun.

Yellow purse has new home

By Charm Blogger | Monday, November 9, 2009, 02:46 PM

By JENNY WHITE

The happy yellow purse that formerly lived in my office closet, now has a new home with Sherry Thompson.

I called to tell her the happy news and got her voice mail. She sounds lovely and very stylish.

I will miss you, yellow purse. Have a good life with Sherry.

Fabulous Friday Finds for Nov. 6

By Charm Blogger | Friday, November 6, 2009, 01:33 PM

By JENNY WHITE

This weekend, you could buy and wear this:

From anthropologie.com for $58

and this:

Tissue t-shirt turtleneck (that’s a lot of t’s), $19.99, at gap.com

and this:

Stretch vintage cords, in pinebough, $19.99, from jcrew.com

and these:

Me Too flats, $19.99, at T.J. Maxx

Or, you could blow all that money (and a little more) and get these to-die-for jeans:

The Kelly bootcut jean by Citizens for Humanity, $150, at shopbop.com or Saks or maybe Stephanie’s in Rocky Mount (I think they carry Citizen’s jeans)

Is there an anti-aging cream for this?

By Charm Blogger | Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 02:29 PM

By JENNY WHITE

I’m not sure exactly when the transformation began.

Maybe it was slowly happening, and I just wasn’t paying attention.

But my 10-year-old has suddenly developed the personality of a 15-year-old.

I’m talking everything.

Eye rolling, the “You’re an idiot” grimace, the heavy sighs and heavy feet walking out of room, shoulder-shrugging, “whatever”/backtalking/one-word answers and the why-am-I-tortured-having-to-bear-these-horrible-parents-I-have attitude.

EVERYTHING (except for the S-E-X hormone stuff, THANK GOD).

With his Dad, the problem doesn’t seem to be quite as pronounced. It’s still there, but Ken…well….let’s just say….he’s not really into the “let’s talk this out” method. He’s much more into the “Hey, don’t be an idiot, do what I say or you’ll be sorry,” mindset.

And, now, I’d like to say, quite frankly, in a very humble voice, his way may have been right.

Thomas just doesn’t have any fear of me.

He’s grown an independent streak a mile wide and I have no leverage anymore.

The kids in Africa speech doesn’t work (did it ever?).

The threats of taking away playstation, bike, TV are having no effect whatsoever.

It used to really upset him if I was mad at him. Since he is in the realm of “parents are retarded and I’m never wrong,” me being mad at him has suddenly turned into a personal problem I suffer from, not really anything he needs to worry about.

Here’s an example of what I’m facing:

Me: Why are you standing there doing nothing? You’ve got five minutes to get dressed, put on shoes and brush your teeth!

Thomas: (Loooongggg Siiiighhhh as he slowly makes his way to his dresser) Mom, I can tell time.

Me: Oh. Really. Are you going to be able to tell the time this afternoon? When you’re in your room all afternoon, with no friends over? Because you made yourself and me late this morning?

Thomas: (Looks at me with what appears to be pity. PITY, PEOPLE!) Mom….just….whatever…I’m going to be ready on time (sadly shakes his head, seemingly compassionate for the poor retarded person he’s being forced to converse with).

AAAARRRRGGGGG!

If I had talked to my parents like that, I don’t think I’d be alive today.

Or, if he does properly understand he’s in trouble, we have to deal with the absolute other side of the spectrum:

Thomas: You and Dad just don’t even want me around. You just wish I wasn’t here. I’m leaving. I’m going to Grandma’s! You’re never going to see me again!

Me: Thomas, it’s just a spelling word. Isn’t the point of me going over your homework with you to make sure you’re getting it? If I see you’re spelling a word wrong, it’s my job to help you learn the right way. For God’s sake you’re just one letter off….

Thomas: You LIKE it when I get it wrong. You’re just waiting for me to get something wrong so you can make me spell it 5 times AGGGAAAIIINNNN (falls in a heap on the bed).

How do I even begin to answer that?

Usually by just leaving the room and taking some deep breaths.

And going back in.

And starting over.

Because, if I remember right, that’s what its all about. No matter how bad you are, your parents keep coming back.

At least until they’re 20-something (the kids, not the parents).

Who said love was easy?

And I am all about loving that obnoxious, smart, sweet, funny, goofball, freckle-face-bottomless-pit-of-a-stunt-man-kid I call mine.

I’d like to end this blog entry by sending my Mom and Dad a BIG THANK YOU!!!!

And can Thomas stay with you this weekend?

How did we go from this…….

to this, so fast…..

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You need a new purse

By Charm Blogger | Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 11:31 AM

By JENNY WHITE

Does your purse look like this:

So sad, and floppy and dirty?

Well, lady…you need a new pocketbook!

Something, bright, and happy, and brand new.

Something to add a nice splash of color to your winter wardrobe days.

It’s got a nice, contrasting lining on the inside, and plenty of room for your phone, wallet, sunglasses, and all that other junk we women like to have with us at all times.

It’s still brand new, from T.J. Maxx, it’s been sitting in our Carolina Charm magazine closet for a few months. It’s just one of those things we didn’t have page space to feature last time, and because I love ya, I’m going to give it away.

Just shoot me an email with your name and phone number, and I’ll randomly pick a winner next week. I’ll take entries through noon on Monday, Nov. 9. In case the link doesn’t work (I’m not too good at that linking stuff) my email is jwhite@coxnc.com.

Good luck.

TuTu Success

By Charm Blogger | Tuesday, November 3, 2009, 10:55 AM

By JENNY WHITE

Well, I’ve been getting a few inquiries about whether Emma wore the TuTu on Saturday night and the answer is: YES.

She didn’t seem all that happy about it, but at least she didn’t try to eat it or become immobilized. Or cry.

Thomas secured us a good inventory of candy, that should last a few days.

I also took her into Dr. Grant’s office on Saturday morning, because ~~we just couldn’t take the crying anymore~~ her cold seemed to have escalated into something that was causing intense pain. I couldn’t believe how quicky I got to a live person on the phone in their office on Saturday morning and how quickly we were seen. Anyway, Dr. Grant made it all better.

So there you go, I sent her to daycare last week and she really did get sicker.

Bad Momma.

Out of time

By Charm Blogger | Monday, November 2, 2009, 03:36 PM

By JENNY WHITE

I’m always a little confused about the time changes.

Do we gain an hour, lose an hour, go forward or go back?

I just don’t have time to figure it all out.

All I know is in the fall, when I’m instructed, I will make all the clocks “fall” backwards on the designated weekend. I hear people talk about “daylight savings” and “losing time,” etc., but, frankly, I still have to get up at 6 a.m. and by the time I catch my breath after dinner, baby to bed and Thomas to bed, it’s dark outside. Same as it has been for the past several months. So, it all seems the same to me.

I sure hope I don’t literally lose time, because my husband apparently thinks I need more of it.

He, very helpfully, pointed out to me this weekend that I seem to be having trouble getting projects and/or tasks done and, politely, noted that maybe I could do a better job.

I, very politely, and straight-faced, stared at him and said:

“Excuse me?”

But this is what I was thinking: ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MOTHER-@%&* MIND?!

Apparently so.

I think it was Sunday, which was day two of the ear-infection-screaming-baby-weekend-from hell, when he (unadvisably) brought this to my attention. He took it upon himself to explain himself by pointing out the Halloween cupcakes I had started frosting and stopped, the clothes I keep leaving in the dryer, some jumpers I had started sewing and didn’t finish and a ham I put in the oven and didn’t get out in time.

Now to Ken’s credit, the reason he mentioned these things is because, with the exception of the jumpers, he has come upon the unfinished tasks and projects and finished them for me.

So he gets credit for that.

He’s only at - 999 now.

Maybe when he came upon the cupcakes, he didn’t notice I had stopped to take care of the pumpkin guts in my kitchen sink while simultaneously feeding the baby before we took off for trick-or-treating.

Or when he had to get the clothes out the dryer, maybe he thought Emma and I were playing a fun game of “If you’re happy and you know it, scream your head off,” in her room when really I was trying to change a poopy diaper and trying to settle her for a nap.

The ham got left in the oven too long because the one hour of opportunity I had to go and sew the afore-mentioned jumpers at my mother-in-law’s house, happened to be the hour the ham was cooking.

And I was late because I suck at sewing.

I never have enough time. I am always late and always worrying about getting it all done.

I am going to be late getting home on time, because I’m trying to finish this blog entry that I have been meaning to write all day.

In fact, what pissed me off the most, wasn’t that he was complaining about the cupcakes, the ham, the sewing projects or the laundry. I think I was more insulted that he was just now noticing this is how my life has been for the last nine months. These days, if I don’t get partial credit for things I only do half-assed and halfway, I won’t get any credit at all.

I wish there was a time change you could opt for that just plain added another hour to the day.

Maybe I should just get an Espresso machine.

Fabulous Friday Find

By Charm Blogger | Friday, October 30, 2009, 10:33 AM

By JENNY WHITE

This week I have been toiling away on Carolina Charm magazine features. It’s been my sworn duty and job to shop and browse through all the glamorous party and holiday fashions in various boutiques and stores.

I agree with you, it does sound fun. And it is, most of the time.

Wednesday, while I was in Stephanie’s, (a great women’s boutique in Stoney Creek Shoppes) I came across a quirky little pair of flats and quickly asked my trusty sidekick/photographer Alan to take a quick picture of them. He acquiesced and voila, I have a professionally taken photo on today’s blog entry.

Don’t you like his pics better than my blurry, dark photos?

He’s so nice.

Though I am partial to earth tones, every now and then it’s nice to add an unexpected pop of color, like a pair of pink shoes, to an otherwise boring outfit. Red shoes are good for this effect too. And the good thing about flats, they add the color without a lot of fanfare, keeping the look fun, but subdued. Though Stephanie’s isn’t a go-to store for shoes, they do have a really nice, small collection of novelty flats. (Don’t get the pink ones in 7.5, THEY’RE MINE).

Available at Stephanie’s, these flats by Nicole are $79.

Should I stay or should I go now……

By Charm Blogger | Thursday, October 29, 2009, 10:44 AM

BY JENNY WHITE

The only thing worse than having a sick child is having a “kind-of” sick child.

At least if you’re a working mom and you have to decide what to do with them at 7 a.m., before you’ve had coffee.

When they have a fever, or are puking their guts out, it’s easy to decide what to do. The answer is in technicolor, floating in the toilet or all over the sheets, or in a bright red display on the thermometer.

But when they appear to be OK, just fussy and congested and just-not-feeling-good, it gets a little gray. And no matter what you decide, it sucks.

If I stay home, usually the child in question makes a miraculous recovery and I wind up thinking I missed a day of work, for, well, pretty much no good reason (OF COURSE, my kids are a good reason, but you know what I mean).

If I go on to work and send child to school/daycare, the inevitable worry and guilt comes over me, wondering how my baby is doing and if he/she is OK. Wondering if they’re getting sicker and if it’s all my fault.

Then there’s this: Do they need to go the doctor?

It’s easier with Thomas, because he can talk to me. Usually if he’s complaining, he needs to see Dr. Grant, our pediatrician.

With Emma it’s harder because I don’t know if she’s crying because she’s mad her socks are on the wrong feet or if her head has a splitting headache. I KNOW she doesn’t feel good, but is it just a normal cold, or does she have pneumonia or something equally bad? Like the DREADED EAR INFECTION. For those that don’t know, ear infections can cause ear-splitting (pardon the pun) cries like you’ve never heard before. Pretty much continuously, until you get them on antibiotics. When Emma has an ear infection, we pretty much go straight from doctor’s office, to Almand’s drugstore to get prescription, to home, to getting the antibiotics in her system ASAP! There is no dropping off of prescription to pick up later. YOU GET THE PRESCRIPTION FILLED PRONTO!

I love Dr. Grant, but what seems like a “productive” cough to him always sounds like the worst case of bronchitis with pneumonia and croup and probably a little pleurisy thrown in too, to me. And don’t get me started on worrying about the Flu/H1N1. (My kids have been vaccinated, so they’re not supposed to get that, right?)

I know from experience with Thomas, that Dr. Grant is always right and it’s just a cold and goes away after a few weeks, but, still, even after ten years of this with Thomas, I hate not knowing exactly what’s wrong and “waiting it out.”

HATE IT!

Anyway, as you can tell, I’m here at work.

Feeling guilty.

Do you see this runny nose? I can’t believe my mom made me go to daycare today. I should be home in bed!

Trick or Treat

By Charm Blogger | Thursday, October 29, 2009, 09:57 AM

By JENNY WHITE

I am so sorry I haven’t been in to chat much these past few weeks. Between working ahead on the next Charm, getting up a zillion photo galleries to help our site get 5 million + page views this month and making plans for a new content management system for the site, blogging, regrettably, gets pushed down to the bottom of the list of things to get done.

I can’t believe that October is almost over and Halloween is already upon us. It seems like school just started! How can it be almost November already?

Anyway, my house is candy stocked and all decked out for Halloween.

Due to their age difference, my kids’ Halloween costumes look more like a puzzle of “what’s wrong with this picture,” than two siblings from the same planet, much less the same family.

Thomas is a crazed killer. Yes, I said a crazed killer. Look, it’s Halloween and he knows he’s not really a crazed killer, so give me a break. And in my defense, last year when we bought the costume, I didn’t know about the fake blood special effect until we got it home. I’ve tried to figure out how to disable it, but somehow it always becomes enabled again.

I got Emma the most adorable orange and black tutu to wear with black and orange leggings and onesie. Check out this website if you’re in need of a TuTu. I would describe her as a Halloween sprite/fairy/ballerina person. Unfortunately, she doesn’t seem to like the TuTu and when I put it on her she becomes immobilized, seemingly unable to move any part of her body, except for her mouth, which expresses extreme dislike of her first Halloween costume. Between my crazed killer and screaming, TuTu-clad baby, people are going to slam the door in our faces while we’re trick-or-treating Saturday night.

I am currently weighing my extreme pleasure in seeing her look so adorable against her extreme, and unexpected, dislike of the TuTu, and we’ll see which way we go on Saturday night. I’ll take pictures and post them.

In fact, let’s show off all the cute kids in their Halloween costumes. Email me your pics and we’ll post them for all to admire. I may even throw in a special giveaway for the best pic….like maybe…..a gently used cute orange and black TuTu…..

Email pics to jwhite@coxnc.com with the subject line of: Halloween

Happy Halloween!

Will she have it on, come Saturday night, or not? (Isn’t she so adorable?!?!)

Accessories are a girl’s best friend

By Charm Blogger | Tuesday, October 20, 2009, 01:25 PM

By JENNY WHITE

NOTE: CONTEST IS NOW OVER, THANKS FOR THE ENTRIES!

So I was thinking I might not have the necessary cash to buy all those fall fashion finds I have recommended.

Hmmmmmm.

What about some accessories?

When I don’t have the clothing budget needed for a new dress or a cashmere sweater, I gussy up what I already have in my closet and go out and buy accessories! ( I have A LOT of earrings.)

And to make it even easier on your pocketbook, Charm Chicks is giving away a beautiful Lia Sophia necklace to a lucky blog reader. The long, gold-tone necklace measures 38” - 41” long and retails for $130. It’s got gold links of different sizes and textures and is very sharp and modern. It’s perfect to wear with a turtleneck sweater.

If you want it, just email me at jwhite@coxnc.com (please, no more than once a day). Put “Lia Sophia” in the subject line and check back next Tuesday to see who the lucky winner is. If you like it, but don’t win it, contact Lesley Sharkey at thesharkeys501@gmail.com, and buy it for yourself. Go to liasophia.com to check out all the gorgeous (and reasonably priced) trinkets. (Sorry to all my stylish co-workers at the Telegram, you can’t enter this contest.)

This is the necklace we’re giving away next week. Email me your entry with “liasophia” in the subject line and I’ll announce the winner here on Tuesday, Oct.27.

Now, let’s take a look at some other accessory possibilities.

From BossyBoots Designs, this dreamy soft scarf is handmade and is called the “Cloud Nine scarf”. It’s $60.

I love this stretch belt from gojane.com. It’s $11.70.

This is my new favorite necklace. I wear it with everything. From Lia Sophia, it’s called The Chestnut necklace and it’s $88.

With a decidedly Moroccan flair, these dainty earrings will look great on just about everyone. They’re from modcloth.com and are $12.

The pleated details and striking red color, really make this bag stand out. It’s $258 at anthropologie.com.

Pink ballet flats from Nine West, $9.99 at ninewest.com.

Very sexy leather booties, $24, at gojane.com.

Don’t forget to register for the necklace giveaway!

Miss you much

By Charm Blogger | Friday, October 16, 2009, 03:00 PM

By JENNY WHITE

Me and best buddy Julia Curto Lowe at our high school graduation in 1989.

In honor of my upcoming 20-year high school reunion this weekend, here’s a little bit of Miss Jackson and her top song from the year 1989. Check back next week for more fashion postings, maybe a recipe or two and a great necklace we’re giving away to some lucky blog reader.

OK, like…have a good weekend! (that’s my Valley girl speak, circa 1989)

You should wear this and this today

By Charm Blogger | Thursday, October 15, 2009, 10:29 AM

By JENNY WHITE

Today is a good day to wear these:

By Nine West, $325.

and this:

DKNY trench, $49.99 at T.J. Maxx

and this and this and this:

From modcloth.com, $68.

Perfect long sleeve t-shirt in blush, $19, from Gap.

A little splash of color on a gray day, blue pencil skirt, $118 from J. Crew.

and this:

Love, love this necklace, handcrafted out of a bunch of vintage jewelry pieces, $56. From my new favorite Web site, etsy. com., you can find this artist’s store (Teletestai) here.

Or, if you have decided not to venture out into the cold wet day, or you are working at home, I highly recommend wearing this:

$19.95 from Old Navy

and this (my favorite)

A rainy day is automatically better when you’re all cozy inside, wearing a cool rock-and-roll t-shirt. From slingshottshirts.com, it’s $20.99.

and these:

Cashmere socks, $24.99, from garnethill.com.

and maybe this, if you don’t have the heat on yet:

Pink pullover, $12.99, Old Navy.

Have a good day!

Me=Barney Fife

By Charm Blogger | Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 12:36 PM

By JENNY WHITE

While Thomas and his collection of Guitar Hero Playstation games has provided hours of fun for the whole family, there is one facet of the game that annoys the crap out of me.

THOMAS: “Mom, do you know the song, “Strutter?”

ME: “Yeah, I remember “Strutter.” By AC/DC?”

T: “No! It’s by Kiss. Do you know the song?”

ME: “Yeah….ummm….how does it start?”

T: ” ‘I know a thing or two about her….’”

ME:”OK, OK, it’s coming back to me. Ummm….’She’ll let you walk her home…something, something something?

T: “Mom, you don’t know this song at all.”

How did this kid get the idea that I know all the words to the Guitar Hero songs? Is it because they’re all “old” songs? It’s like he wants some kind of history lesson with all these songs from some long-ago bygone era.

Anyway, though I really want to tell him I don’t care about his Guitar Hero songs, I don’t, and continue to try to participate in some small way.

By messing up the words.

I’m channeling Barney, from “Andy Griffith.”

Last night, as I was attempting, again, to show some semblance of a memory of “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (isn’t this game about playing the song, not knowing the words), I remembered this scene from one of my top ten “Andy Griffith” shows.

Fall Must-have….Sweater Dress

By Charm Blogger | Wednesday, October 14, 2009, 11:35 AM

By JENNY WHITE

I love the idea of a warm and cozy sweater dress.

Not sure how one would look on me and the remnants of my pregnancy belly.

One word is coming to mind: SPANX.

Anyway, sweater dresses seem to be a hot trend and I found a few you should check out.

Let’s start with the nicest and priciest one, shall we? By John Paul Gaultier, available at bluefly.com, for $495.

By Calvin Klein, $98, at Nordstrom.

You know I’m going to include something from my fave, J. Crew. This one is $128.

This would be nice for an evening out type dress (with a real warm jacket on top). By Ann Taylor, $125.

OK, I know what you’re thinking: HORIZONTAL STRIPES ON A SWEATER DRESS, IS SHE OUT OF HER MIND? You’re right, I’m out of my mind. But I like it on the model and it’s only $29 at Old Navy.

Want to know where I found the most sweater dresses in one place? victoriassecret.com Yep, who would have guessed that Victoria Secret would do the sweater dress right? I loved the color and variety of dresses available. Prices, from top, $68, $88 and $69.

Most photogenic moments never make it into a photo (unless you know some good photographers)

By Charm Blogger | Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 04:08 PM

By JENNY WHITE

As all parents know, the best pictures of your kids are the ones that didn’t get taken because you don’t have a camera on you or the dang batteries are dead. Again.

As kids hurtle through, at lightening speed, this unpredictable, hilarious, frustrating and wonderful thing called THEIR CHILDHOOD, the really award-winning pictures are the ones that are never snapped. Most of the time it’s because the perfect grin was there while your hands were full of a poopy diaper or you were frozen in terror during the freefalling part of the skateboard trick.

I always try to take advantage of our staff photographers, here at the paper, and finangle them into taking pics of my kids, for something or other.

The most pics we ever conned out of a photographer/friend were from my friend Joel. He hung out at one of Thomas’ birthday parties and snapped pics in between having to chat with BOTH sides of the family and stuffing his face. He got some awesome pics of Thomas and his friend David wrestling, sword-fighting, jumping off the beds (I must have been in the kitchen at that point), as well as a few family shots and some awesome stuffing-our-mouths-with cake pics. Anyway, what I really liked about all those pics was that the smiles were real, people were looking at each other and not at the camera and you could really get a sense of the fun and chaos at the party.

I wish I could take pics of these scenes at my house (or have Joel or Alan live with us for a few days and they could take them)

Emma, looking over her shoulder at me as Thomas is haphazhardly carrying her away. Her little brow is furrowed and she has a wincing look on her face, seeming to say: “Please stay close by, I think he may drop me.”

An action picture of Thomas, concentrating on landing a jump on his skateboard. Or even a series of jumping, falling and how he, amazingly, gets back up again, and grins goofily at us.

I’d love a photo of Emma and her toy eggs. She has this toy egg container with real-life-sized plastic eggs in them. It’s the most boring toy in her war chest of ziqqly, wiggly noisemakers, but she loves those eggs. I love to watch her perfect little hands, hold those perfect-sized little eggs. I know it’s strange, but I want some good pics of Emma and her eggs.

A picture of Ken when he’s trying to pick out something for Emma to wear for the day. He usually has to do this because I’m extraordinarily late, and I’d like to see exactly how he comes to the conclusions that he comes too. Or maybe just a collection of photos of some of the strange outfits he’s put together.

I hope, to somehow, get some pictures of Thomas and his best friend Tucker as they meander and explore the creek behind Tucker’s house. One day, years from now, they’ll say, “Remember when we used to hang out in that creek?” And, I’ll whip out the photos and we’ll all marvel at how nasty, dirty, wonderfully happy and entertained they were with some mud, rocks and water.

The best photo (though Joel would never get up early enough for it) would be of Emma, first thing in the morning. After her initial whiny face disappears, the most beautiful, amazing, splendid smile comes across her face. I’m not kidding. It’s usually dark (that’s what I mean about Joel not getting up early enough) and that smile can be seen in the dark. And though, the smile, simply says, “I love you so much,” without fail, a whirlwind of thoughts go through my head every time I see that first-thing-in-the-morning smile. All overwhelming me.

And I just don’t know what to say to that adorable smile.

So I just smile back and hug her real tight, in the dark.

We don’t need to talk.

Who wouldn’t want a picture of that?

Joel took these two photos (and a whole bunch of others) when I stopped by the office with Emma while I was on maternity leave.

My family all agrees, this photo is pure Thomas. Always in motion. This was shot by Alan Campbell, a Telegram photographer.

David Hahula (also a photographer for the paper) snapped this photo of my Thomas for me while on assignment for the Telegram, covering a local track meet.

“Joel, when are we leaving?”

I can’t remember where exactly this was, but somehow Joel was shooting something for the paper and simultaneously picking Thomas up for me, from somewhere.