My mom is really hard to shop for. Gift cards and things for the house are definite no-no's. Now that my brother is out of the house, her disposable income has gone up enough that when she wants something, she buys it. Like me, she has pretty expensive taste. Like me, she likes purses and shoes, however we have very different tastes. Night and day different. So, trying to come up with a gift she actually wants or needs can be a bit... difficult (but I don't mind! in case she's reading)

But, I know that she will never, ever turn down a chance to show off her Grandbaby. I've given her plenty of framed pictures of Drama Kid, sometimes in duplicate so she can have one at home and one in her office. Now I have an opportunity to give her a gift of something she likes (purses) and combine it with something personal (photos) that I know will be a hit.

I've seen women with photo handbags and assumed they were from a specialty boutique store. When the people from Snaptotes found me, I thought, "Duh! Of course something like that would be available online!" I ordered this bag last week. I decided to go with the backpack even though I really like the bucket style too. The backpack can also be worn as a shoulder bag so versatility won by a hair. I like having my hands free, especially now that I take my camera with me everywhere.

It would be a stretch to say the ordering process took me 10 minutes. The photo I chose loaded quickly, I only needed to use the editing tools to shift the image a little and it was done. You can upload several images and switch them out which was helpful when I was trying to decide between a color photo and a black and white.

I would have liked to see an overhead shot of the interior of the bags and wish they offered a camera bag, similar to the messenger style but with pockets for lenses.

I got a shipping confirmation that the backpack is on it's way. I'll post again so you can see what it looks like. If you have hard to shop for people on your gift list, definitely take a look at the Snaptotes site. They gave me a special discount code for you, DRAMA10, for 10% off your purchase! The last day to order for Mother's Day is April 30th so you've got plenty of time to snap a few photos or search your archives for baby pictures.

Wordless Wednesday: Maddie on My Mind

Maddie's service was beautiful and touching.

Overheard at Grammy's House

Drama Kid: "Grammy, can you catch one of the rabbits [in your yard] for me?"

Grammy: "No, I think they're too fast for me."

DK: " Well, you can sneak up on them."

Grammy: "I think they'll still smell me coming."



DK: "Why don't you just take a shower first?"

Walking for Maddie Spohr

Yesterday was tough for me. Learning the news of Maddie's passing hit me hard. Knowing Heather and Maddie mostly through her blog, I didn't think that would be the case. But, as you know, the relationships we develop online often happen quickly and when we connect, the connection is deep. I will be attending Maddie's service next Tuesday in Los Angeles, and I've joined a team of other bloggers to walk in the March for Babies on April 25th. The love and support on the web has been amazing to witness.



If you'd like information on how to participate, please email me. There are fund raising efforts for the walk, for Maddie's service and Stefanie of Baby on Bored is organizing a grocery trip.

Update: Maddie's service is at 2:30 on Tuesday 4/14 at Old North Church at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. Please wear purple in honor of Maddie. Cards can be sent to 11870 Santa Monica Blvd. #106-514, Los Angeles, CA 90025.

My Heart is Heavy

Baby Madeline Spohr (Maddie) has died. I met Heather for the first time at an event a few months ago. We didn't have a lot of time to talk, but I remember Maddie smiling at me.

I read through Heather's blog to get to know her and understand Maddie's medical history and their connection to March of Dimes. No one should have to go through what Mike, Heather and Maddie have. Please make a donation today to March of Dimes in Maddie's honor.

That Kind of Day

Yesterday was a perfect Southern California day. It was the kind of day to stay in bed past 9:00, have coffee on the patio and flip through the Sunday paper.

It was the kind of day to ignore emails and Facebook, Google readers and Twitter.

It was the kind of day for flip flops and tank tops, lawn chairs, a good book and kids playing in the yard.

It was the kind of day for taking new bikes out for ride, enjoying the breeze and faces turned up to the sun.


It was the kind of day to fire up the grill for burgers and corn on the cob. It was the kind of day that doesn't end when the sun goes down.

It was a meet-the-neighbors-at the-pool-after-dinner kind of day.

The best way to end a day like yesterday would be sipping an ice cold Mike's Hard Lemonade in the jacuzzi, watching the kids do Canonballs into the pool.

That's the kind of day yesterday was. It was the perfect day. It was my day. And it was just the kind of day I needed.

Chili's Guiltless Grill Giveaway Winner

Congratulations to Nanja! Thanks so much to all who entered and sent out Tweets for me!