Birthdays, Burgers and Bloggers at Johnny Rockets LV

One of the very cool things that come with being a blogger is getting invited to some pretty awesome events that I might not have otherwise had the chance to go to. And being part of a wonderful group of local bloggers means that I not only get to go to these kinds of events but I also actually get to meet and hang out with the people that I talk to almost daily online, but very rarely get the chance to meet in person.

When the invite came asking us to come out and celebrate Johnny Rockets 27th birthday (and honestly, they had me at the mention of free food) I was kind of giddy. When the first one opened on the Sunshine Coast back in the 90's, it was kind of a go-to for me and my group of friends (partly for the food, but mostly for the entertainment). I was so totally down for this event.

The first thing I noticed when I got there (it was at the location in the Flamingo Hotel and Casino) was that there was a person ‘painting’ with ketchup. That’s right people; she is a ‘ketchup artist’. And the girl had serious skills.

 

Who says ketchup is just a condiment?

That and the large walking shake that was handing out samples of, well, shakes.

 

We got to try a few of their burgers (see free food!), sample the shakes, watch and partake in the group dancing – and yes, I did dance as well, got the Johnny Rockets button to prove it – and get a grill lesson (although I was so pre-occupied in talking with some of my fellow bloggers that I totally missed out on that one). Once we had a chance to eat, drink and get merry, the President and CEO of Johnny Rockets, John Fuller along with the President of the International Division, Steve Devine took time out of their busy schedules to talk with us about the company, some of the history and what we can look forward to in the coming months and years at all their locations.

See, learning new stuff can be fun (and filling!).

And I even scored one of the ‘ultimate tweeter’ prizes – me, an ‘ultimate tweeter’!! I’ve had a Twitter account for well over three years and only really started using it in the last six months, so to get that title was kind of cool (yes, I know, I’m geeky) – and the swag didn’t hurt either. And I’m guessing that now that I have an apron I might have to actually cook stuff (*sigh*, price of fame I guess).

They even had cake
(granted it was shaped like a burger and fries, but still, CAKE!)

All in all it was a fun night. And I’m totally looking forward to the next one.

Happy Birthday Johnny Rockets (and thanks for the free food, the fun and of course the swag).

Till next time,

K

(I was in no way compensated for this post - unless you count the food - I just had a great time and wanted to share it with you).

Love for Daddy - 5 Favorite Father's Day Crafts

Father's Day is fast approaching (seriously, could this year go by any quicker?), and I've been scouring Pinterest for ideas  for Little P's Grandpa's (M has already put in his request for what he wants to do that day, so he's all sorted) and I've found so many great crafts to do, that there just simply isn't enough hours in the day or boxes big enough to ship them to both upstate New York and Australia.

But I've gathered my five favorite ones here, just to share with you, and maybe provide you with a little inspiration for the Daddy's (or Grandpa's) in your life.

1. Lego Key Holder from MinieCo (admittedly I love this for the pure geek-i-ness of it, but tell me, who wouldn't want a Storm Trooper keeping their keys safe?)
2. Printable 'Love Daddy to Pieces' from Colette over at My Computer is My Canvas (I'd do this for M simply because he's just nuts about Reese's Pieces - and it's such a quick and easy gift for the kids to help with)
3. Printable Soda Bottle Covers from The Idea Room (again, another quick and easy update to something most Dad's love - their soda POP. See what I did there? POP, as in Dad? No? *sigh* I thought it was funny)
4. Father's Day Tie Box from the ladies over at Eighteen25 (love this idea for a Father's Day BBQ, or even to give to Daddy-O to put his snacks in at the office. Super cute and too easy)
5. Scrabble Tile Picture Frame from Just Another Day in Paradise (I love this and you can easily personalize it - you are purely limited by your imagination and the number of scrabble tiles you have lying around. Or you can cheat and just get them through a hobby store or a site like Etsy)

Every single one of these is really quick and requires very little in the way of items to purchase. Heck, if you are like me, you probably already have these things lying around anyway, which is really why I love them (I'm all about instant gratification).

And remember, Dad's, just like Mom's, are really just happy to get a card, a cuddle and to hear 'I love you Daddy' - although, I'm sure that being able to sleep in, maybe get in a round of golf or being able to watch the game (whatever game that may be) would also rank pretty high on their wish lists of things to do that day.

To all the Dad's, Daddy's, Pa's, Papa's, Grandpa's, Gramp's and Da's (I didn't forget you Dad), the fixer's of broken toys, the mender's of flat tires and busted gear, the protectors of fluffy toy animals and the kisser of boo-boo's; thank you. 

For all that you do, all that you are, and all that you mean to us.

Have a wonderful Father's Day.

K

Having a baby - as easy as 1,2,3

Having a baby for some people is sometimes as simple as thinking 'I want a baby', and then before you know it, they are knocked up and ready to go. Their pregnancy is a breeze, their labor a piece of cake and the next thing you know, they are on their way to baby number 2, 3 or 9.

For others, like myself, it takes years. Years of planning, of multiple appointments with a variety of doctors, all trying to work out why you can't get pregnant (or just as bad, why you can't stay pregnant). And for those of us who have to rely on science to help Mother Nature along, it becomes an emotional roller coaster that at times, feels like it will never end. 

And for others, it never begins, because for whatever reason, being pregnant is just not in the cards for them.

I have never NOT talked about Little P being an IVF baby, but it's not something that I will just volunteer to talk about either. Even now, two plus years down the track, bringing it up in a conversation still chokes me up. But after recently talking with a friend of mine who is going through IVF, I decided it was finally time for me to get it out there. To let others know that yes, it sucks. It sucks big time, having to bring science into something that should really be a natural occurrence. And I could totally tell you what a wonderful experience it was, how it was all glitter and unicorns. But I'd be lying. Because it was hard, and it was long, and it was painful. 

Our little miracle - Little P

So here are the things I'm not going to tell you:

I won't tell you it was an easy decision, because it wasn't. Admitting that you, as a wife and as a woman, can not do that one thing that every woman should be able to do, is heart breaking and makes you feel like a failure. No matter what any one else tells you, you still feel like you let everyone down.

I won't tell you how incredibly hard, both physically and emotionally it is.

I won't tell you that every time you hear it didn't work your heart while break a little more, or that you feel like giving up, because to keep going hurts so much.

I won't tell you that when you hear that you are pregnant you will feel both elated and terrified at the same time.

I won't tell you how incredibly devastating it is to find out that you miscarried for whatever reason. Or how a little piece of you dies every time you hear those words 'I'm sorry, you lost the baby' (four times for us).

I won't tell you how going through the process leaves you bruised in places you didn't think you could get bruises. That the medication makes you feel ill, or that the fact that you have to inject yourself daily (sometimes multiple times) makes you feel more like a pincushion than a person. 

I won't tell you how bitter and angry you get at the universe, or how every time you see or hear someone else is pregnant that you think to yourself 'I hate that bitch', and immediately feel horrible for thinking that. 

I won't tell you how many times you will curl up in a public restroom and cry, because you just saw someone with a pregnant belly, or holding a new born, or you just happened to walk through the children's department in a store and you lost it.

I won't tell you that no matter how much someone loves you, you feel that the pain is yours alone to bear, even though you know it's not.

I won't tell you how you will hold your breath and your heart will skip a beat when you hear that heart beat for the first time. Or how hard you will cry when you see that first image on the screen of your little one (or ones).

Does this shirt make me look fat?

I won't tell you that even though your morning sickness lasts three long months, you are just so thankful to be pregnant, that you don't complain about it.

I won't tell you that even though it's safe to tell people you are pregnant, you keep it to yourself just a little while longer, hoping that you start to show first.

I won't tell you how you will just stare at your belly, imagining the little person that's growing inside of you, and how you will be blown away by how much you can love someone that you haven't even met yet.

I won't tell you that for the last eight weeks you may need to be monitored almost daily, strapped to a heart rate monitor, just to make sure both you and the baby are doing okay.

But I will tell you that the moment they place that tiny person in your arms for the first time, that you will not only cry with joy and relief, but also with grief for the little ones who were called back to Heaven too soon.

And I will tell you, that after all you just went through, you won't think twice about doing it again.

Because in the end, it's so worth it.

K

The 'Body After Baby' Dilemma

'Your body is a wonderland...'

Oh John Mayer - these words may be true before a lady has a baby, but once that little bugger has done a number on a woman's body, it becomes more like a foreign land - one you need a passport for.

It's funny. Just when you think you know everything you could possibly know about the body you have inhabited for many a year, POW, you have a child and it's like you are all of a sudden complete strangers.

Things that were once on this side are now on that side. Wait, what? When did that move over there? And gravity-smavity; kids do a bigger number on your breasts than gravity ever could. 

Oh, and that flat plateau that was once your stomach (after thousands of sit-ups, crunches and miles and miles of cardio) all of a sudden looks more like hilly terrain with deep ravines than anything resembling smooth plains. 

And don't even get me started on how your legs suddenly start to look like a road map of the United States - now that your veins have all of a sudden risen to the surface.

Add to that the suitcases that have taken up permanent residence under your eyes from the lack of sleep, the way your butt seems to have somehow changed shape (how the hell did that happen?) and the fact that when you sneeze you now have to cross your legs (we all know you do it) it’s surprising that women will time and again choose to have another baby.

So, even though you now realize that you really just can’t rock those tube tops and hot pants any more (thanks kid), you and I both know, that we will willingly, nay, energetically, jump into the role of 'pregnant lady' without a thought to our backs, butts, ankles and stomachs. Because in the end, it's totally worth it.

Yup - I would totally do it all again.

Ah, motherhood – ain’t it grand?

Till next time,

K