The Very First Best Scoop of the Week EVER

It looks like everyone is having a great time during my blogoversary celebration. (either that or y'all REALLY want some Starbucks!). Pull up a chair and get comfy because today we have margaritas with 3 incredibly cute pugs, one incredibly cute baby, and a hella blogger.

I was SO honored to have Canewife from 3 Pugs & a Baby hold my hand through the whole blog making process. I hope she credits herself with my success (because she should. She rocks.). If it were not for her, I think I would have just kept plugging away at my cooking blog (which is dusty) and never started writing or designing again. I had other blogs, but I didn't keep at them. I didn't know how to get my blog out there, to garner readers outside of the social circle I was in. Thanks to Canewife, I discovered the blogosphere.

I joined SITS. I joined Bloggy Moms. I joined a host of other sites. I started doing Friday blog hops. Then I started my Friday "Best Scoop of the Week". She was my first guest feature, and honestly the whole credit to the name belongs to her because I gave her a couple of name options and asked her which was most catchy. Obviously you know what her choice was. I found a picture of some ice cream that Idecided worked, and voila...The Best Scoop of the Week was born.

And guess what? Today, I am reposting the deliciousness that is Canewife, from my very first ever Best Scoop of the Week (and she has grown so much over the past year herself, that you REALLY MUST stop in and check her blog out.):






Jenn will make you laugh til your sides hurt. She will make you drool with her delectable temptations. She's like the sunshine that bursts through the clouds after a downpour of rain. She's a mom, a wife, a writer. She is a Dolphins fan married to a die-hard Jets fan. She is 100% Drama Mama approved. Scoop seal of satisfaction and all. Lastly, she is a superwoman. I'll let her tell you more about her superpower...


"It's kind of funny that The Drama Mama asked me to share my thoughts on the superpower I would want and what I would do with it.

Just the other night, MacGyver and I were watching X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and I made the comment that if I was Wolverine's love interest (I never did catch her name), I would be pretty darn pissed. After all, everyone else had super cool power - like wolverine talons sprouting from knuckles, or the ability to keep a lightbulb powered without electricity.

And all she had was, essentially, the power of persuasion.

It falls a little flat, in comparison.

But then, as I pondered The Drama Mama's challenge, I changed my mind. I mean, it would be super cool to fly or shoot fire from my eyes, but that could get old really fast. And can you imagine all the "friends" who would come crawling out of the Facebook woodwork?

"Hey, my boss pissed me off. Can you shoot fire from your eyes at him?"

"Listen, my husband is really annoying me. I bet if you shot fire from your eyes, he would step up."

"I know we didn't really get along in high school, but I heard you can shoot fire from your eyes. Can you show me?"

And that would just be all kind of awkward.

But the power of persuasion... The ability to convince someone to do something with just a touch of your hand or a long glance.

Can you imagine?

So that's what I would want. If for no other reason than to be able to put my hand on MacGyver's shoulder and say "Greg Camarillo is your bromance. Rex Ryan makes you physically ill. The color gan-green makes you nauseous. And you love singing the Miami Dolphins #1 song at every given opportunity." And have him believe me.

Also, it would be really handy for tantrums and political debates.

And now you know.

The Drama Mama also asked me to direct you all to a few of my favorite posts from three pugs & a baby.

Here they are, in no particular order:

how i finally justified a pair of christian louboutins

the 30 day shred: day 1

the amazing appliance fairies

So there you have it!

Happy Friday!"

Now, don't forget to enter my BLOGOVERSARY GIVEAWAY. There's Starbucks, Amazon, Ad space, and free design up for grabs to ONE lucky winner. If you are just joining me for the first time, it's not too late. The giveaway goes on through the end of the month, so there is plenty of time to win. Just check out the rules and have fun!! What are you waiting for?

Let's Talk About Blog, Ba-bee (Blogparty Day 2)

<a href="http://therealpoopsie.blogspot.com"><img src="http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii123/thepixieminx/Album%202/BlogpartyButton.png" alt="BWS tips button" width="125" height="125" /></a>

Let's talk about blog for now to the people at home or in the crowd

It keeps coming up anyhow

Don't decoy, avoid, or make void the topic

Cuz that ain't gonna stop it

Now we talk about blog on the radio and video shows

Many will know anything goes

Let's tell it how it is, and how it could be

How it was, and of course, how it should be

Let's talk about blog, baby

Let's talk about you and me

Let's talk about all the good things

And the bad things that could be.

Let's talk about blog.

Let's talk about Blog.

I started this blog on February 21, 2010. The day before my birthday. It started off lonely but with a vision. I wanted to be the next Pioneer Woman. I HAD to have the coolest blog name, with a cool pseudonym to go with it. I had to have a story. I really did have a purpose. My life is BOOOOOOOORING. Seriously, it is. 

B.O.R.I.N.G.

Being a SAHM can do that to you, especially when funds are limited. I needed something to jazz up my days, let me reflect and look back and laugh at the poop sliding down the walls, both literally and figuratively. It was my hope that others would be able to laugh with me, since laughing is my favorite thing to do.

I picked one of my best friend's brain until we came up with the perfect name, and the perfect title, and Ta-Da!!! The Scoop on Poop was born. She even created my very first header until I figured out how to do it on my own. My very first follower showed up.

Then, it was time to start writing. That was the hard part. The hemming, the hawing, the doubting, the typing, the deleting, the re-typing, and finally hitting that Publish Post point of no return, and hoping, just hoping that maybe you got it right, and they will like you. Really, really like you.

I am definitely my own worst critic. I had to have someone hold my hand in the beginning. Someone super smart, yet super sweet, and willing to guide me. I am so eternally grateful that I met Jen, AKA canewife, AKA three pugs & a baby. We played some fantasy football together, where she was the commish, and she gave us weekly play by plays that were out of this world. I fell in love with her writing style. I still wanted to be Ree, but now I wanted in on some three pugs & a baby too. She took her time and read some of my posts, telling me "I like this one best, because it doesn't seem like you are trying."

Bingo!! She promised that I would find my niche, and once I did, the followers would come. And they did. I started playing Friday Follow to get my name out there. I joined SITS. I joined Bloggy Moms and gained  new followers that I didn't already know. I started commenting on other blogs. I started to feel the love.

One morning I woke up and BOOM! I had 200 followers. 206 to be exact. I got excited. I noticed that I had 80+ posts too. I got even more excited. I decided to have this little blog party to honor my followers.

Especially those who come back over and over again to read what I put out there. And they comment. They share their stories, or pat me on the back, or something. All I know is whatever that something is, it makes me feel all tingly inside.

And now, I want to share my followers with you. From my first to my last, to my most frequent commentator to those who just post a fly-by "Happy Friday", it all means the world to me. I wouldn't be here without you. I'm glad you like the poop. I'm glad you have smelled my poop and found it sweet.

My very first follower, one of my bestest friends: Shayna from The Preschool Prophet. She blogs in honor of her incredibly smart special needs son. She talks about everything from his testing to his favorite things, and manages to keep a positive attitude in the middle of it all. She's always been my first follower, no matter how many blogs I start and how long I keep them.

My very first "stranger" follower: Everyday Kathy from Everyday Bliss and Everyday Mommy. She is on a journey of discovering bliss and developing the virtues of great parenting. She's plays an everyday game. She's even got moxie. The best part? She still comes around. You can't beat that!!

my 200th follower: Crystal from Just Keep Smilin. She's got a whole blog full of ways to have fun with your toddler from making donuts together to painting the baby and so much more.

I know this is getting long, but I promise it's almost finished. I really really have to tell you about my #1 commentator, the top potty mouth, because she is absolutely fabulous. She finds a way to always have something to say on each and every post I make. I'm just in awe.

And gratitude. Gratitude goes to Lourie from CA Girl. She also writes Metabolism Blues and even has a photography blog yet somehow manages to keep up with all 3 of them AND still finds time to leave comments!! She does some great TV reviews. She's got music reviews.  Best of all? She's got plenty of things to smile about. And that makes me smile.

I've been blessed with some fantastic guest bloggers who always give me reason to think. You can check them all out (again) on that handy tab up top that says "Now Featuring/Guest Blogging". You'll meet another fantastic guest blogger on Friday.

And, I've asked Jen over from 3 pugs & a baby today to share with everyone why she's such an awesome blogger. Because, she really is.
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Blog Fodder

My life? It's a sitcom.

Really.

You've got me, dry witted and with the ability to raise one eyebrow a la Mr. Spock at the slightest provocation.

And then there's MacGyver, friendly and social, unable to distinguish the difference between a flathead and a phillips head screwdriver, and the only man in existence who will ask for directions. Usually before he even attempts to look for something.

Toss in a toddler and some really ridiculous-looking dogs, and the fact that we live in an area infested with all kinds of weird wildlife (scorpions, anyone?) and we've got ourselves a party.

I've found that it's therapeutic to make light of situations and blog about them rather than get upset. For the most part.

After all, when you find your husband laying on his stomach, surrounded by pieces of an "assembly required" console table, declaring that each and every one of the 17 screwdrivers surrounding him is either broken or in some way incorrect for the task at hand, it's kind of silly to get pissed.

The preferable option is to sneak some photos and share the tale with the world wide web.

It's a great way to put any frustrations into some kind of perspective.

And it also helps to share some laughter.

For me? That's what it's all about (and also, an emmy-winning half hour on network television, but one thing at a time).


One day, Larry David will realize he's missing out on pure comedy gold over here and come a-calling.
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See why I call her my Muse? I've even gone to her recently and asked her to give me ideas for what to do for my 100th blog post. Y'all LOVED your eyecandy, didn't you?

I'm still cleaning the drool off the post...

Now, go share some love with your followers, and commentators, and take a minute to stop and share some love with mine. I know I'll be making rounds today.

Don't forget to link up at the bottom of the post to win this FABULOUS MOM'S NEST necklace. It can hold up to 4 fresh water pearl eggs and is delicately hand wrapped with copper coated wire. There are no 2 nests exactly the same. Make the other mommies in your mommy group jealous with this gorgeous handcrafted, one of a kind, unique charm. You know you want it.

Winner announced on FRIDAY, June 11, 2010. Just grab my purty little blogparty button at the top of this post or from my sidebar and link up in the McKlinky link below.

Ladies, all the ladies, louder now, help me out

Come on, all the ladies - let's talk about blog, all right

Take a moment to Just Dance....

Guest Blogger: three pugs & a baby on Life Lived Through Roller Coasters

I am taking a break. It's been a busy month and it's only just started. Please give a warm Drama Mama welcome to my guest blogger today. You first met her on Friday (well, some of you) and loved what she had to say. Today you are entertained and once again enthralled by Jenn at three pugs & a baby as she talks about..well, you'll see. Enjoy!

I am delighted to be able to join you again this Tuesday!

The Drama Mama asked me to whip up a little something on "life" and "roller coasters," and I'm going to be honest with you. It's been a tough topic. I got about 3/4 of the way through a post this morning and scrapped the whole thing. 

It's a bad writing habit of mine.

Let's see if this is better. 

I could give you the old party line, comparing the two, and telling you to roll with the ups and downs and enjoy the ride, but where's the fun in that?

Instead, I'll try a different direction. Where I'll talk about how convenience and efficiency doesn't always improve quality of life.

Complete with a vintage photo.

You can consider me a roller coaster junkie of the old-school variety. Give me a towering metal or wooden behemoth with straight plummets, loops and barrel rolls, and I am a happy, happy girl. 

One of my earliest memories is riding the now-closed Big Bad Wolf with my aunt in Busch Gardens. One hundred thirteen feet high, with a 99 foot drop and reaching speeds of 48-50 mph, it was the ultimate in speed and thrill at the time (mid-1980s). It was also one of the first suspended coasters, dangling from the track, instead of riding on it like a train car.

Scary stuff.


My mom and my aunt, both bona fide "ride haters" probably drew straws behind a souvenir tent to see who would accompany me. I'm guessing it came down to who was least likely to get carted off in an ambulance. My aunt "won."

I think she still harbors resentment. (And yes, that is an authentic picture of the top of my head from the 80s, probably taken with a disc camera).


But I loved every second of it, and couldn't wait til the next time I could get strapped in with an over-the-head harness (or not, if you happen to be on the Seaside boardwalk) for a thrill ride.

My current favorite is a tie between Everest at Animal Kingdom and The Hulk at Islands of Adventure. Probably leaning towards The Hulk because I am pee-in-my-pants terrified of animatronics and ride Everest with my eyes closed so I don't have to "encounter the Yeti."

However, it seems theme parks are pulling away from roller coasters, in favor of simulated rides. You know, the ones where you essentially watch a pretty realistic movie, while your seat bounces all around, but at the end of the day, you don't really go anywhere. 


I don't get it.


On the one hand, I'm claustrophobic, so being trapped in a soundproof room that invariably smells of gym socks is not super exciting to me. Secondly, I get incredible motion sickness (Ah, the irony. Don't worry, it's not lost on me.), especially when I'm feeling particularly contained. For me, the challenge of a simulated ride is to see how quickly I can sprint for the bathrooms when the seatbelts unlock. 

I give myself points for hurdling over small children.


But the worst part? It's all fake. 


Sure, you might get to take a space flight to Mars (Mission: SPACE), or embark on a Star Wars adventure (Star Tours), but none of it's real. It's nothing but a glorified bus ride, where you stow your belongings in the under-the-seat cargo net and watch a kind of dizzying movie.


But theme parks see things differently than me. It's clearly less of a liability to keep guests contained in an air conditioned theater with a few hydraulic effects, than to send them out on a narrow track to do battle with acceleration and gravity. They can also load more guests into a collection of theaters, which keeps turnover at a high rate.

But something gets lost in that translation. It's all smoke and mirrors, and no substance. It's the easy way out, the convenient thing to do. And that's not how I want to live my life.


I want to have to tuck my flip flops under my butt and leave my sunglasses with a friend on the ground so they don't go flying off my body, never to be seen again. 

I want my photo taken by a stealth camera, just as the coaster cars start slipping over the the peak of the tallest precipice, my expression one of nerves and excitement, mixed with a dash of fear and anticipation.


I want my stomach to lurch and my heart to pound for 90 thrilling seconds, and I want to spend the next few minutes breathless and weak-kneed, flying high on adrenaline.


Most days, I like to live simply and smoothly, but sometimes, it takes those risks and bumps in the roads (or 90 ft plummets, as the case may be) to really appreciate the little everyday things.

And I'm always going to be up for the ride.


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This post comes to you from 3 pugs & a baby. We'd love for you to pay us a visit anytime!

So, let's hear it. How do you like your roller coasters? Do you prefer the safety of the simulated rides or the thrill of the track, always leaving you breathless and anxious for more?