Remember yesterday when I said I was going? Now’s your chance to go to and practically for free!

Over at the WonderSpot there is a contest that ends tomorrow for a chance to win BlogHer full conference passes and 3 nights at the Westin! All you need to do is get airfare.

Go check out how to win right this second!

As you can see from that little badge over there to the right, that I am volunteering at BlogHer this year. Being the broke ass that I am, once I heard they were looking for volunteers, I begged and pleaded until they like “Dude, you’re in. Just shut up”. So yes, I will be at there working my booty off, hoping I don’t screw up and make them regret their decision of giving me a little power.

That’s right, I said power. I’m like the BlogHer bouncer or desk sentinel, as Sizzle so lovingly refers to us as. Attendees have to go through me to get in.

Yes, that’s right.

Me.

Don’t have passes? Tell me my hair looks pretty or have candy and you might just be able to get in. I’m a sucker for Starbursts, but don’t you even think about bringing me orange and yellow ones!

Okay, not really. I lied. I won’t be able to do that, but still, feel free to tell me my hair looks pretty!

My partner in crime and I will be kicking ass and taking names all weekend long. Okay, I lied again. I will more than likely be staring, mouth gaping at my favorite bloggers like a big loser and creeping them out because I will be super intimidated.

Anyway, anyone else going? Live in San Francisco? Been there? What should I do? I already have one offer for a tour guide du jour and I could not be more thrilled!

My shadow for 13 years is left me yesterday. She’s in a better place and is no longer hurting. I can’t even think of something eloquent and lovely to describe what an amazing dog she was right now because my heart is just broken.

You’ll be missed, baby girl. I love you.

I am under instruction to explain first why you aren’t getting your beloved Jamie writing to you again, so soon after she was taken away from you for a whole week (the instruction, I might add, was from a source other than Jamie). Jamie and I are both members of 20 Something Bloggers and we’ve all decided to throw the blogging world into slight (and by slight I mean total) disarray with The Big Blog Swap. So today you’ll find Jamie on over at my blog, Crazy Brit Heaven, and y’all are stuck with me… (mais ne panique pas, it is just for one post…)

Now that the introductions are out of the way…

I was wandering through my town tonight on my way home. I generally love walking at this time of night, at this time of year, because the world begins to calm down. A gentle breeze picks up, people are strolling instead of power-walking, laughter flows freely and the world takes on a mystical glow from restaurant fronts and street lamps. Tonight was no different.

Except for one thing.

Tonight I realised that, despite being a Londoner through and through, I really do adore living in a smaller town. On the way home I passed by at least three or four friends, all of whom took the time to stop and say hello. I had such a clear sense of belonging to a community. I know there are downsides to that. The gossip. The people living in each other’s pockets. The quintessential claustrophobic downfalls of a ‘village’. But I have come to understand that it is just about possible to steer clear of that, to keep your head screwed on and above water, and only to appreciate the care and genuine interest, which bounces off the people living in your neighbourhood.

One annual event took place last week to mark an historic moment which happened in our town. Although admittedly the history was glossed over, the “townspeople” showed up en masse, with kids and with families, to relax and enjoy. I honestly never thought I’d be describing my home town as a place where I could refer to the inhabitants as townspeople…

I love the life of the city and I’m glad that it’s still only 40 minutes train journey away - it’s still within grasp. London will always be where my heart lies. The electric buzz and indescribable, magical pull of city life will never leave me.

But tonight, with my window open, watching the silhouette of the world and revelling in the total calm of this breathtaking evening, I’m proud to call this home.

Much love,
xx

I’ve over at Ben’s place today while he is moving in his new house. You really need to go check it our because my pup is still sadly called Smokey McLuvin and I need help with names.

Not to be forgotten, that bossy Edie makes an appearance too!

The winner of the Good Clean Dog giveaway is…

The Dutchess of Kickball!

Thank you all for entering. Keep Good Clean Dog in mind for all your puppy dog’s needs. You already have favorite items! Thanks to Cory for taking part in the giveaway as well!

Dutchess, email me your info and we will hook Olivia up with some doggie spritzer!

This place is lacking some adorable.

It’s an oldie, but a goodie. I miss my little, fluffy pup. She’s so big now!

Picture this.

Nanny Jamie is playing with the almost one year old in the living room. 2 year old was in his room doing his business, he normally goes off and tells me when he is ready to change.

Then, it got quiet. Too quiet. I burst into his room.

What do I see?

A two year old with both legs in one of the leg holes on his Pull Up. Poopy diaper on the floor and a big brown spot where he plopped ass down on the cream carpet.

Later we see a disheveled nanny scrubbing the carpet with everything under the kitchen sick trying to get shit off the carpet.

That was only part of my day.

Yesterday was rough.

After a week of magic, fairy dust and no worries, I was back home. Back to reality.

Nannying is burning me out, the 12 hour days running around after kids who aren’t even mine. Don’t get me wrong, I love the kids to death. They are my babies, but I’ve been doing this long enough to know, how a kid acts with their parents and how they act with a sitter or nanny are on opposite ends of the behavior spectrum. The kids have more good days than not so good days. I really can’t complain, I get paid very well for what I do and I am practically part of the family. It’s just wearing me down.

I have money issues like no tomorrow. BlogHer is coming up, tuition, gas, and now vet bills. Turns out this dog my cousin gave me, doesn’t have any shots and must be neutered. All that is coming out of my pocket. I feel like I’m drowning and will never catch up.

My parents are officially divorced now, it happened last month. Unfortunately, they are both still living here so it’s like nothing has changed. House repairs, big and small, must be done before the house can be sold. I’m betting we will be stuck in this shitty situation until at the very least fall, I wouldn’t be surprised if we were here longer.

Meaningless little stuff that on a normal day wouldn’t bother me, yesterday had me absolutely reeling. I came home, the internet was being a bitch and it just pushed me over the edge. Everything bubbled up and over and I was done. Tears were officially flowing and I let it all out.

I sent boyfriend a text that I was going to bed at about 9:30 because I just needed the day to be over. He knows me too well and called. He talked and calmed me. He reminded me that yeah, things might suck now but I do have a lot to be happy for.

And I am.

Right then I was just feeling overwhelmed and frustrated. It finally all caught up with me and came out.

I’m happy I have someone to bring me back down and remind me of these things when needed.

I love him.

I don’t even know where to start with this! I didn’t take as many pictures as I would have liked but I did take some! Also, left out are the ones where I look like an idiot or really chubby. Sorry guys, but that’s just not happening!

It stormed and rained off and on all week but never for too long.  The plane got in at like midnight and by the time luggage was retrieved, car rented, checked into the timeshare and settled in it was about 4AM. Needless to say, we slept very late, but that night we decided to hit up Universal Studios: Island of Adventure.

Island of Adventure is awesome because it has the Hulk rollercoaster. It kicks every one of those sissy rides at Six Flags’ asses. When I went two years ago, boyfriend and I just got off it and were walking past it when we seen that some poor smuck’s phone must have fell out of thier pocket and smashed into a million peices. We then realized it was the same phone boyfriend had and oh…wait…it was boyfriend’s phone. We learned our lesson that year, hand off phones, sunglasses and wallets before riding the Hulk.

I also tried to sneak a peak of where they were building The Wizarding World of Harry Potter with no luck. I talked to some people who said they are redoing part of the Lost Continent and building up some not developed part of the park for it! I’m telling you now, I will be there when it opens in 2009.

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As you all know, a new pup has come into my household. It’s incredibly great timing because this week’s etsy feature is about dogs!

Good Clean Dog’s products are all natural and gentle on the skin for those sensitive pups. They offer all kinds of products from shampoos down healing salves.

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