Showing posts with label Chateau Poppins. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chateau Poppins. Show all posts

Jul 22, 2010

Bipolar and Writing and Websites OH MY!!!

These seem to be the three things taking up ALL my free time lately. The other hours are spent playing the part of Cinderelli Poppins of course. (cook, clean, parent the children)

And the saddest part is, that all three of the these free time subjects intertwine together into a lovely little knot.

So if I've been missing a bit lately (have I already mentioned this in previous blogs? it's been that kind of week so it wouldn't surprise me.) I have been frazzled and in my own world.

I think it's time to go visit Chateau Poppins again. Don't you?

Today's post: A teenagers take on being "labeled" with bipolar disorder. (Click Here)

Jan 21, 2010

And one embarrassing day leads to two...

Well the embarrassment has started, no reason to stop now!

So....

Simon C. Larter said...

Ask you questions? About yourself? Well I guess those people know who they are that would take advantage of that. Some folk! Sheesh! *rolls eyes*

How about:
Where's your favorite place to have #windinyourhaaaiiirrrr? At the Beach
What's your favorite time of day to have #windinyourhaaaiiirrrr? In the evening
What do you do when you have too much #windinyourhaaaiiirrrr? Throw it in a Pony Tail (Duh!)
Do you own a convertible? That would totally put the #windinyourhaaaiiirrrr. No convertible, but I dated a guy once who owned one and there were definitely some #windinmyhhhaaaiiirrr issues!
Do you have a fan sitting next to your computer so you can have the #windinyourhaaaiiirrrr while you write? No but I have one in my room and sometimes if I'm writing in there I turn it on (more for the white noise, but a little for the #windinmyhhhaaaiiirrr)
How much longer do you think we can milk this whole #windinyourhaaaiiirrrr thing? It will NEVER die!!! There will always be enough #windinmyhhhaaaiiirrr to keep it going!

Janna Qualman said...

If, for two days straight, you could only have one snack and one beverage, what would they be?

Water (Seriously... it is my favorite beverage) and Cheese Fries...ooh or Pizza...could I have pizza from different places for each meal? No? Ok well then Cheese Fries!

CMOM Productions said...

What is your least favorite (aka most annoying) kids' show that your children watch? What show do you actually not mind watching with them?

Most annoying - Hands Down Yo Gabba Gabba. "There's a yummy in my tummy party party YEAAAHHHH!" (Though it IS super fun to go through McDonald's and order a "Cheese burger and fries for they yummy in my tummy party party YEAAAAHHHHH!!!!" Not that I would know or anything...) Most tolerable - Toss up between Fairly Odd Parents and The Penguins of Madagascar. Both very educational shows of course!

Mindy said...

0kay lets say you were stranded on an island named....uh.... Island of the Literate..... for the rest of your life. What ONE writing related thing would you have with you?

Okay lets say you were magically transported to another island called The Island of the Nutty Authors. If you could spend the rest of your life on the island with one author who would it be and why?

Oh and you know in that movie that I cannot think of the name for...with Tom Hanks and the volley ball named Winston..... who would your imaginary creepy friend be on your island?

(can't you tell I want a warm island?? Winters up here in Canada suck)

Stranded on the Island of the Literate I would have to a Library. (What?!?! That's ONE thing!) I considered a pen and paper, but that is clearly two things. And then I thought maybe just a pen, but it would eventually run out. So I'm totally all about the Library!

If I could spend the rest of my life with one author on Th
e Island of Nutty the Authors I would be lame and choose J.K. Rowling. Imagine picking her brain! And hearing about all her original ideas about Harry Potter. And her REAL story behind the book and writing and OMG I could go on for days just picking that woman's brain and listening to her stories.

Just like on the movie (Cast Away) I would have a creepy friend who is a stick figure that I created on my own with a melon for a head. That way I could make it big and we could dance together when I get lonely. It would be way more realistic than a volley ball. And I would name him George.

Krista Phillips said...

This is HARD!

How about...

What is the weirdest piece of trivia you know that NO ONE ELSE reading your blog would be able to answer?

I USED to know the names of all Five of Michael W. Smith's children. I think I can only name three now. But still...how many people can even do THAT! (Is that strange enough?)

ali said...

Oh man, I really should pay you back for your monkey-in-wellies-and-a-pink-floral-hat question. But ... I can't think of anything!

So, I guess I'll ask:

If you woke up with blue hair, would it be a source of embarrassment, or joy to you?

Now this would depend, was this the doing of Papa Smurf? Or was it something magical that comes with magical powers? I like magic powers, whereas I'm not so big on Papa Smurf. I still feel skeptical about one female smurf in a village of all men. I mean really, what kind of "Papa" was Papa Smurf? ... Personally I'm not sure if blue would be my color, though it might bring out the color of my eyes. And it definitely would look better than green, regardless of how much I love green! But IDK...what do you think? (Not what do you think of my poor photo shopping skills...of the blue hair!)


Jessica said...

Don't you have four kids? How did that happen? LOL (not the technicalities, you know what I mean, heeheee)

And...why did you decide to write a book?

Oh dear...four kids. Nope, I only have three. And wow that's a long story. But after the first one we knew we wanted one more so we pretty much got prego right away. Then after they started to get a little older I got baby fever something nasty and begged for one more baby. And thus my youngest. But we both decided no more after three. Three is a handful! I love them all, but some days I'm ready to pull my hair out!

(Did that answer the question?)

As for the book, this sounds really dumb but here I go. I've always been a writer. For as long as I can remember. But after having babies I kinda pushed it to the side. Then I got back into reading again after I learned of Harry Potter and read them each like 4 times. Then a friend introduced my to Twilight, so I read that series about three times. Then I got bored. I have no idea why, but I didn't want to read any other books. So one day I decided, "Hey, I can do this. I can write a good book." And I picked up a notebook and haven't stopped writing since. As much as I'm pretty much past the whole "Twilight Obsession", (cuz dude I'll never get past Harry Potter!) I'm glad I read those books and felt compelled to make a writer out of me! I absolutely adore being a writer!!!

And my last set of questions remain for tomorrow...in which I make some really sad Mary Poppins confessions...

Jan 11, 2010

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

Ok well not really a chicken dinner. More like a gnome and a book. But that is WAY better than a chicken dinner!

After careful calculation (You know...when you put down the little line marks to count points...super official!) I have determined the two winners! First place was a shoe in, but second place was close!

Drum Roll Please!!!

(Where's my drum roll? Hold on, grabbing the four year old and a pot and a spoon)

(Ahhhh there is my drum roll. You can hear it right? RIGHT!?! I thought so!)

Second Prize runner up goes to none other than Shannon O'Donnell who will be receiving the original version of Mary Poppins!!! (The crowd goes wild!)

Ok ok...hold your applause...

Let's get that Drum Roll again!

dumdumdumdudmdumdumdumdum

And the grand prize winner of the COOLEST prize I have ever given away is...

wait for it....

wait for it....

Oh yeah ... this is the prize again for anyone who forgot ...
OK and the winner is ...


SOUTHERN PRINCESS!!! (Can you hear the screams?!?!)

If you girls could email me (mb(at)marybethsmith(dot)com) with your addresses that would be awesome!

And so this concludes the Poppins Blog Party! Hope you enjoyed Chateau Poppins, but now it's time to go. My self cleaning bathrooms are having a hay day and the kitchen staff needs a nap.

Feel free to leave your favorite part of the party and/or Chateau Poppins in the comments section!

Dec 31, 2009

Top 10 Blog Posts of 2009

Per Google Analytics, here are YOUR...

Top 10 Readers' Favorite Blog Posts from 2009

10. It was Kinda like Playing Dress Up, But Not.
(Yeah I really liked this one too! Though I'm not sure I'd like to experience that day again!)

9. My Birthday Wish List
(These all go for next year two. Minus Mini E! Me an him have had good times together!)

8. Not So Fun Sized
(No need for short jokes!)

7. We're Splitting Up
(It's amazing what this title does to people! I was just talking about my websites! LOL)

6. Dish to Pass
(Ahhh...good ol butter)

5. Poppins as Compiled by Facts and Numbers
(Ok I'm going to admit that regardless of what I say below. THIS is probably my favorite post!)

4. Is Coffee the Key to Success?
(Apparently....)

3. My Big News
(Or was it actually kinda small news that was big at that moment)

2. Craigslist Listings Gone Bad
(Classic...this one was fun)

And of course I'm sure all my long following blog friends can guess that the NUMBER ONE Post is.......

1. The Fate of "Roger" the Ant
(This puppy even won me an award!)

I considered leaving it at that, but pretty much most of my favorite blogs weren't in there. Now maybe I have different tastes but...I don't want to leave you out in the cold.

So ... per Poppin Analytics these are (in no particular order) MY ...

Top 10 (ish) Writer's Favorite Blog Posts of 2009

10. Why Motherhood is Masochistic

9. Where's my Red Pen

8. The Fate of "Roger" the Ant but only when paired up with The Invasion

7. Why Gnomes are Gnessesary

6. The Importance of Owning a Lawnmower

5. Who Cares about Lions and Tigers and Bears

4. Yawn...My Adventure Last Night

3. Tour de Chateau Poppins

2. Home Schooling and Me

1 1/2. Getting Pretty FAIL

1. Isn't it Ironic


What were your favorite Posts? Did I leave any out? It's been a PHantastic Year blogging for everyone. I want to thank all my followers for stalking me through it all and I'd really like to thank everyone who comments for making me feel loved ;)

Can't wait to write for you some more in 2010!!!

Dec 29, 2009

I got SPOILED for Christmas!

Christmas was a little bit tight this year. So my husband and I kept our focus on the kids and bought Rock Band 2 (Just the game, we have The Beatles Rock Band with the Rock Band 1 Set) and a few new songs. Nothing too exciting, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.

Needless to say this Christmas came with zero expectations. I hadn't asked for anything.

SO ... when I got totally spoiled by my friends and family I was in my own little Chateau Poppins World!!!

And I couldn't NOT share with you some of my favorite presents!!! Well all of my presents were my favorite, but I think you'll understand why a few of these REALLY appealed to me.


Starting to get an idea yet?

Well let's look at these items a little bit closer shall we!

(OMG I'm so excited just thinking about them!)

First up was my Biggest Surprise because it was on my door step when I got home Christmas Night? I didn't even know the post office delivered on Christmas!


Look at these cute little Stationary Cards I got!!!

Homemade for JUST ME by my Mindy!!!

So I pulled out the cards and just look at how cute they are!!!

From the desk of Marybeth Smith
(And she even spelled Marybeth as one word. I'm in love!)

So at our family party on Christmas Eve I got pulled aside. Earlier this year I had inspired my sister to paint something incredible (wait till you see!) and apparently she loves me so much she gave me the painting. BUT not without a box to put it in.



OMG How cute is THAT!

And when you open it up it has all these Gnomes and Gnome Facts!

But the best part I didn't notice till the next day...Look at the umbrellas. (Tears are glistening in my eyes right now guys.)

She even decorated the bottom of the box. My sister rocks

And so inside the box held the coolest painting EVER!!!

And I inspired it!

Oh but I couldn't leave this out...FLUFFY BLANKET!

And to top it ALL off, one of my BFF's sent me this...(Along with some super cute Twilight stuff!)

Aren't we Adorable!

AND on top of all that I got a bunch of other stuff ... Including a super cool dutch oven with all the fixins for Cherry Cobbler and Chili and Cornbread from my parents for camping this summer (Going back to those childhood memories! My parents rock.) A gorgeous necklace from the in-laws and all sorts of other stuff. I can't even think I'm so overwhelmed with all the #windinmyhhhaaaiiiirrrr!

So thank you to all my awesome friends and family and super awesome husband who apparently has something brewing in the background for me once the Holidays are over...sneaky husband!

LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!

PS I hit 201 Followers which totally means Party Time! I'm shooting for the first of the new year, so you better watch out. We're going to ring in 2010 with a big bang!

Dec 26, 2009

Happy to be Home!

Happy Day after Christmas Loves!
(Too much Pirates of the Caribbean last week...I'm addicted to calling everyone Love now.)

Got some fantastic posts planned next week. Gonna show you my favorite gifts from the big day. Can't wait! They involve gnomes and umbrellas and pictures! Three of my favorite things (As well as raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens of course. Oh...wait...wrong movie!)

Also I am now 3 followers away from 200. That in itself is a Christmas Miracle! So tell your friends about me and tell them to follow me because if I hit 200 I'm going to have a contest of some sort with prize(s) and gnomes and a big fat party at Chateau Poppins and you are ALL invited! (What? You haven't been to Chateau Poppins? You MUST stop by. Just Click here!) My 3 chefs are already preparing the catering menu as we speak, so if you have any requests let me know!

Also I have prepared a special post for New Years Eve, so mark it in your calendars and make sure to stop by. It will be a party indeed. (Though my 200 Followers party will be more like a Yummy in your tummy party party YEAHHHH!!!)

Don't worry Carrots. You are totally invited to the party in my tummy! As long as you bring your friend Dip

Well I hope you recover from you Holidays before the work week starts. I'm just happy to be home after going to 1 party on Christmas Eve in my home town and driving home on ice then coming back to my hometown on Christmas and going to 4 parties! So if you don't mind I'm going to return to lazing about in my bed and editing. (Because for some sick sick reason I find Editing more relaxing and entertaining than all my Christmas presents! I know...I totally need help!)

Happy Lazy weekend Loves!

Sep 15, 2009

I'm hosting a Party!!!

Come Join my Pity Party!

Your Presense is required should you wish to join me :)

Where: Chateau Poppins

When: Today...possibly tomorrow

Why: Because everyone is entitled to one every once in awhile

Please bring a dish to pass and possibly a really stiff drink and/or dark chocolate.

I'm having a day...BUT I refuse to share the details and get up on a soap box. So instead I'll just invite you to join in. No need to share a reason...just RSVP with the dish you will be bringing and have a good time. Remember to drive home safely! OH~ And feel free to bring a friend.

(Oh there is one rule though...no feeling bad for me... I've got that part covered! LOL)

Sep 2, 2009

I've been sucked in ... again ...

So I've been sucked in again. If you've been reading my blog for awhile you may have noticed that I kinda like the Harry Potter and Twilight series.

It's no big deal ... it's not like I am obsessed with them or anything. Reading a book series 4 or 5 times is perfectly natural. People do it all the time.

And who wouldn't want to carry around an action figure of their favorite book character?


However -yet again - I have found a new series that I have been unable to put down. The characters are fantastic and the story is wonderful. Now I realize that this story is meant for a slightly younger audience (middle grade) I am absolutely in love with it.

Let me introduce to you Percy Jackson and the Olympians.


The story is about a young boy who discovers he is half god half mortal. He battles all sorts of mythical creatures (Greek Mythology types) and has to prove himself as a hero.

So I'm going to have to cut this post short so I can go finish reading.

Aug 26, 2009

Waking up to Happiness

I woke up this morning and thought it was still night. My room was dark and the sky dreary. I leaned over to look at my clock and saw that the time was indeed 7am.

Then it occurred to me...

Happiness!!!

It's raining!!!

So I've opened the windows and (in attempts to unsuccessfully drown out the kid's arguing that started at 8am this morning) I am listening to the gentle pitter pattering of little drops making contact with the leaves, house and street.

So welcome to my lazy day friends. I'm gonna plop down on the couch or bed with a good book and the windows open. I'll probably put a muzzle on the children in a movie for the kids. Maybe we'll do a picnic for lunch in front of the TV. I think I'll put together and extra long quiet time today. Maybe break out some coloring books. It's going to be a lovely day!

Seriously...is there anything more relaxing than the sounds and smells of gentle rain?

Aug 25, 2009

Home Schooling and Me

In my last comment of the day yesterday Jessica Nelson over at Booking It asked me if I home schooled.

My Answer... Oh goodness I'd never do that to my children!!!

Now I could be wrong (I'm NEVER wrong...) but I have a feeling my readers MIGHT be entertained to know why I am not fit to be a home schooling mom. Don't get me wrong, I think I am pretty decent mom 92% of the time, but I am in no way fit to school my own children.

Why? Funny you should ask! I've decided to give you ...

The Top 10 Reasons Why Poppins is Not Fit to Teach

1. To my great disappointment, apparently BeJeweled Blitz is not a government approved subject. (Although it COULD be an elective?!?!)

2. I'm not sure that an education based on literature, English, grammar and spelling alone would get them very far in life. Granted I can add and multiply, once you get past the basic stuff....eh...it gets kinda shaky!

3. I don't do Science. I don't find anything cool about bugs, dead frogs, homemade bombs, electrons, chemistry, planets, earth, etc. in even the smallest amount.

4. I had to ask my husband what war Gone With The Wind took place during and, "That was before World War II right?" Thus my expertise in history...slightly lacking

5. I need a break from my children. I can't take 365 days a year of "Stop touching me!", "I didn't do it!" and "You're gonna break my Lego House!" I. Just. Can't. Do. It!!!

6. Did you know that kids are noisy? Or is that just my kids? I'm really more of a "quiet" person.

7. I could be wrong...but I think it takes effort to school the children. That doesn't really fit in to my plans to spend the fall and winter being super lazy.

8. I wouldn't want to put teachers out of a job. After all, they go to school for all that stuff. Pay massive student loans. And see I am so awesome that if I home schooled my kids...everyone would want to home school their kids and then tons of my friends would be unemployed! (Though that would free up a little more time for them to return back to Blogger...I'm not that cruel!)

9. Is Harry Potter a subject? Cuz I'd be SUPER good at teaching it! What about the History of Gnomes?

10. So um...my kids don't listen to me....like ever. I tell my child NOT to touch that and after about the 5th time....well yeah, he's still touching it. How can I teach a child who ignores me?!?!

So those are just a few reasons why I would not be fit to teach my children. The list does go on and on, but I don't want to bore you :)

NOW please don't think I am anti-home schooling. I have a sister, neighbor and sister in law who have done it quite effectively. BUT I am not the right kind of mom to do it. It takes a very special woman to do it...and although I'm special in MANY ways (mostly in the ways of awesomeness!) that is just not one of them.

So to simple answer your question Jessica, No, I do not home school my kids!

Aug 19, 2009

Tour de Chateau Poppins


Welcome to Poppins Palace. Come on in, let me give you a tour! I hope the motes didn't give you too much trouble...we've been working on them all week!

(Don't worry about taking your shoes off at the door, my carpet magically cleans itself every four hours.)

As you walk into the foyer you will see a big winding stair case to your right, a long hallway straight ahead and a den off to your left. Let's start with the den shall we? Great!

In the Poppins den you will see a vast array of bookshelves filled to the brim. You will see one bookshelf dedicated to Harry Potter and the Twilight  *Update* Hunger Games Series. This bookshelf is off limits. Do not touch or remove these books from the shelf or there will be penalties! However...do feel free to peruse the remaining bookshelves, especially the one directly to your left that holds all my published works. I'm so excited that Penguin Books *Update* Harper Teen decided to sign me! (Big Dreams)

As you can see, although it was sunny and warm before you entered my palace, the windows clearly state that it is raining. The weather did not change that quickly. Instead the windows in the den rain on a 24/7 basis to instill a calm and soothing atmosphere perfect for relaxation and reading. This room even smells spring fresh. Breath in a wiff....ahhhhhh....smell the fresh cut wet grass!

Moving along....Yes, I know...I find it hard to leave this room as well.

We will walk directly upstairs now to see the next relaxation room. The stairs were built centuries ago, but don't be nervous, they are very sturdy! I've tripped on them a few times myself through the years. These are unbreakable these stairs are!!!

You are now entering a large studio like room with one small room branching off to the right. As you can see the canopy bed holds at the very minimum 284 pillows (each is ALWAYS cold on both sides...) and has 3 down comforters covering it. For maximum sleeping potential the room becomes a steady 55 degrees every evening and white noise automatically sounds from the speakers above. The room darkens the minute you make contact with the pillows and the sunny windows again turn to rain. Its ingenious I tell you!

To the right you will see the bathroom. Feel free to stop in and take a moment to look around and if you need to use the facilities go ahead. Notice the LARGE whirlpool in the center of the room, complete with waterproof Kindle and surrounding candles. The speaker system has a large library of all music and at least 2494 different play lists to fit each mood. This bathroom is especially spectacular because like the carpets...it cleans itself.

If you would follow me down...hey you...don't you even thinking about stopping on my bed!!! Come now...follow the rest of us. You can grimace all you want, but this is MY palace!

Down the long hallway you will find 3 doors. One leads to a small boring but self cleaning bathroom. It would be ridiculous to walk upstairs every time you needed to go! Plus then you'd be tempted to take another bath and seriously....who needs like 4 baths a day! Talk about the wrinkled fingers!

So to your right is my kitchen. This room is not self cleaning, however it comes with 3 chefs and one maid that cleans up after them. Notice the 32 cupboards which house all my dishes, wine glasses, margarita glasses, martini glasses, etc. as well as the 10 by 10 walk in pantry where I can actually store all my food! Please don't pester the chefs, they are making my lunch!

(Did I mention that not only are they absolutely gorgeous, but they all speak with Brittish Accents as well?)

You'll see the dining area attached to your left here. This dark cherry red wood table is from 17th century and is scratch and stain resistant. Feel free to sit down if you are getting thirsty or hungry. I'm sure my 2nd chef can whip us up some quick cheesecake.

Well now that our bellies are full (who requested the cheese fries again....oh...*blushing* that was me wasn't it) Let us continue to the living room across the hall. OH I know it looks like a movie theater...but look, my computer desk is over there in the corner next to the big comfy couch, so I prefer to call this my living room. I've got connections so I have every movie imaginable, even the ones that just came out in the theater. Here put on these 3D glasses. Let's watch Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince!

Thank you for visiting my happy place. I hope you enjoyed your tour. Please come back for dinner sometime. I taught my chef how to make my Alfredo sauce and I have a vintage 1940's bottle of Merlot in the cellar I've been dying to share! Maybe I can even show you the gardens or the tennis courts out side next time. There just isn't enough time in the day to do the outside AND inside of my happy place :) (Did I mention the pool boys have British accents to go with those rock hard abs too?)