Where's Mummy?

I'm jaunting off to Colorado Springs for work this week. In town for one night only! I won't get to see any sights like Pikes Peak or any sights actually but that's fine. The Fifth Element turns one this week and who needs Pikes Peak when there is an octopus cake to be made?

While I'm gone, read about the new section, This Week in Cars, launched on MPR last Friday.

Enter to win a skin care set from Cures.

or

Try your luck at winning the Back to School package from Post-It's

I'll be back soon!

Racing for Pinks

In case anyone was wondering exactly what I was doing in Dearborn, Michigan last week...



Yes, I did drag race, get whipped around in the Taurus SHO (Super High Output) and drove the Ford Explorer over all different types of terrain. It was, wait for it... awesome!  I would do it all again and again.  Catch up with me next week when I talk in more detail about what exactly Ford is doing that puts them above and beyond other car companies today.



*totally unsponsored post.

Where's Mummy?

Not home, that is for sure. I am sure if you swing into the Yorktown area of Virginia later today you will find me in a pool with my kids enjoying this first week of summer.

Earlier this week I was up in Dearborn, Michigan again with Ford. I know! I was beyond excited too! Drag racing F-150's, learning about new and current technology in Ford cars and meeting some amazing people. It was educational, inspiring and a total blast!



Ed Begley Jr spoke about the small things we can all do to help the environment. It was great to hear such passion from someone besides myself on this matter.

On a whole other note, head over to MPR. Scroll through and enter some great contests on beauty items, Cars 2 prize packs and a year's subscription to Discovery Girl magazine!

If you are a ginormous Sons of Anarchy fan like me, then read this. Seriously, does that baby ever wear anything besides that baby blue SOA hat?

I'm reading a delightful book by David Lebovitz called, The Sweet Life in Paris: Delicious Adventures in the World's Most Glorious - and Perplexing - City">The Sweet Life in Paris. It's mouth-wateringly good and terrifically funny. If you are a francophile in any way or someone who likes to cook, pick this book up maintenant!

Where's Mummy?

Ah, the Northern Neck. A place of supreme relaxation for me and my family. We venture down here as often as possible and I get a few seaside runs every chance I get.

But wait! I'm also over at MPR talking about gorgeous nails from Topshop, cars, hotels and so much more so check it out!

Plus, there is still time to enter to win the Friday giveaway - a grab bag of stuff for kids!

*Image from usamls.net

Where's Mummy?

This week on The Mummy Chronicles...

I ask the question, "Have You Gone on a Holiday Bender?" at honestbaby

At MPR we are busy with an updated 2010 Holiday Gift Guide

an added the following new reviews

The 2011 Ford Flex Titanium

LifeShield Home Security System

PG Tips tea

The cookbook- Cookielicious

I'm going to attempt more cookies from Cookielicious as I start my holiday baking and will try not to rage against my kitchen and kids when food coloring and flour ends up all over the floor.  Again.  This year.  Happy Weekend y'all!

Overheards- Avis Edition

Words you never want to hear from the car rental representative-

"Ma'am are you sure you want to return this car?  Maybe you might want to check to see if your flight is still going out today?  Now, ma'am, why are you looking at me so funny?"

I made it home.  That's all that matters.  The trips are done.  I am relieved.

Overheards- Totaled

Scene:  I'm cooking dinner, sipping grapefruit juice and fielding complaints from the peanut gallery.  Spaghetti frittata isn't a gallery favorite.  Then the phone rings.

H:  "Sooo... what kind of new car do you want?"

Me:  "What?! Why?"  Thoughts drift towards our earlier emails regarding his car's prowess.  As in, it has none. It's a '98 Corolla. 

H:  "The Corolla just got totaled."

Me:  "WHAT?! Are you OK?"  Inwardly I am screaming and thinking in short circuits of, "FUCK!" "DAMN!" "Whew!"  "Crap... we just got rid of our only car payment in December...FUCK!"

H: "Can you pick me up? Or wait. I'll call you when the tow truck gets here."

Me:  "Ok... I'm so confused.  What happened? Was it your fault?"

H: "No. The other driver."

We hang up.  I stand in the kitchen completely confused.  I turn off the burners for dinner and just stare at the ingredients on the counter before me.  Tears well in my eyes and I try to remain calm.  I look out the window at the darkening sky and the drizzle falling on the pavement.  Figures.  It rains a drop around here and people drive like morons.  I don't know exactly what to do.  I call my Mom.  I talk to H again. I load the hungry, annoyed girls into the car and head out to pick up H.  Thoughts bang around in my brain as I try to remain calm.  It could have been so much worse I tell myself. He could have been hurt.  The other driver could have been hurt.  We'll figure out the money/new car issue later. He's fine. He's fine.  A Statey (a State Trooper to you non-Rhode Island folks) didn't come to your door.  Everything is fine.

I turn onto the main road and someone cuts me off.  In just the same way that someone did only an hour before to H.  I slam on my brakes.  I breathe. Nothing happens. The driver didn't even hesitate. The rain continues to fall.  My phone rings.  It's H. He has another ride home.  We are all safe. I take the girls back home. 

I need a drink.

The Final Countdown (Could you stop with the music by Europe now?!)

Fine. Here. Have your music and let's get on with it.

I hurt. Many, many places today.

Ow.

My armpits are sore. I think I may have pulled an ear muscle. My obliques are shaking. Did I mention that I'm in pain? All over.

I finally kicked started myself into going to the gym. I've been about once a week this month if that, excluding the week I was projecting mucus from my lungs. I decided that I needed more motivation than just howling at my saddle bags while I stand naked in my bathroom in the morning. They just sort of laugh at me now and it isn't enough to keep me going. I laugh back at them and we have started calling it a day.

That being said I developed a plan (if you are picturing me rubbing my hands together like some Duddly Do-right villain you are spot on.)that combines me staying motivated while getting someone else to hit the gym as well. My friend is getting married soon and wants to do that whole tone-the-arms before the wedding and get a little more svelte before that final fitting thing. Armed with an excel spreadsheet we'll track our progress over the next ten (yes, 1-0) weeks and whoever comes closest to meeting their goal wins. The loser buys dinner. There should probably be penalties too if we skip gym time or drink too much soda but we haven't gotten that far. It is enough that we are going to the gym right? Right?!? Right.

I leave that part up to you dear readers (twisting my long handlebar mustache and grinning wickedly now). Send me your ideas for penalties and punishments for my friend and me. I'll sift through them, get scared at some of your sick ways and pick a few along with my friend. So go ahead, tell me. If I skip my weights class on Wednesday what should I have to do? If my friend drinks too much Diet Coke do I get to wake her up at 3 a.m. and make her drop and give me 100?

I'll keep you posted. You can read about our progress in the next 10 weeks over at Flaming Tulle.



In other news, check out my review of the Britax Marathon here at Autosavant. It is safe to say that after spending an hour or so with owner and editor of this site I have developed a growing interest in the car industry. I had no idea it could be so fascinating or soap opera like. I don't need TV. I can just read about concept cars and the differences between the US and the European auto industry.