“Peyton was so bummed when she found out they didn’t have an Asian American Girl doll. And then when they finally come out with guess what? She lives in San Francisco, is a gymnast and her dad owns a restaurant. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s also really good at math and a horrible driver.”

This is Anissa.

Currently Anissa is lying in a bed in the ICU after suffering a major stroke yesterday.

Anissa is funny, universe? You are not funny.

Anissa has three little kids.

For updates on her condition go here. For ways to help her family go here or click the link in the sidebar.

Here is a list of over 350 posts written by Anissa’s friends…she has so many…and we all adore her and want her to get better. Not only for her family, but for selfish reasons, we all need someone like Anissa in our lives, and no one can do Anissa the way Anissa does Anissa.

Love you girl. We’ve got your back (or in your case, fantastic boobs.)

Good luck getting that big thing out of you darling.

Shh! I have a secret to tell you!

There’s this contest going on, and only a few people know about it, you’re one of them because you read my blog. (LUCKY YOU!)

In September I gave away memberships to Maghound, like Netflix only for magazines. Well the giveaway just got sweeter.

They’re offering you, as a reader of moosh in indy, the chance to win a MAGnificent makeover in NYC. Basically any human being’s dream come true. If it’s not your dream come true? You may not be human. But I’m sure you could make something work.

You and a guest, two nights paid trip to NYC, a makeover with an editor from People StyleWatch and a $1,500 shopping spree as well. (!!!!!)

Three other winners will win a $100 gift card to either Sephora or Macy*s. (!!!)

HELLO.

You can enter once per day per email address everyday between now and December 15, 2009. What’s more is when you enter you’ll automatically get one month of Maghound service free as well as 20% off your first six months of Maghound service.

BUT THERE’S MOOOORE!

This contest is only being advertised on 22 other blogs. When you enter you’ll be asked where you found out about the contest. You enter moosh in indy, and if you win? I GET TO GO WITH YOU AND DOCUMENT THE WHOLE DARN THING! Like your own personal blogger paparazzi! I’ll even bring my big camera and chase you down the streets of NYC calling your name! (And you still get to bring a guest of your choosing!)

Fine Print, because there’s always fine print.

— The sweepstakes is open to legal residents of the 48 contiguous United States (sorry AK and HI) and the District of Columbia, age 18 or older at time of entry.

— There are two ways to enter (1) online at www.maghound.com/nycsweeps or by mailing in a postcard (address included on rules page)

— The winner will be selected and notified of their selection by US Sweepstakes, in a random drawing from among all eligible entries received, on or about Wednesday December 23, 2009. Once the grand prize winner is verified as eligible and qualifies for the prize, the contact information will be passed along to MAGHOUND and to the blogger who referred the entrant to the sweeps.

— Please note: The winner will be confirmed via email and/or phone, and will be required to sign and return, within seven (7) days of notification, an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Waiver, and where allowable, a Publicity Release. Travel companion of winner will also be required to sign a travel liability waiver.

— The prize package will be awarded during the time period of January 1, 2010 through March 31, 2010 and subject to People StyleWatch Editor’s schedule.

Remember. Casey not in NYC.

Casey in NYC.

I’m very fun in NYC. Which is why you should enter and win. Seriously, nothing to lose, fabulous hair (and wardrobe!) to gain. GO! NOW! (Dear FTC-I’m not being paid for this. Or bribed. I like Maghound. I like NYC. I like to give stuff away and I like it even more when people I know win.)

Clicky clicky to enter for a chance to win a special Snow White Diamond Edition BluRay/DVD combo gift set with seven funny little men!

Before Pictures Here.

It is a surreal feeling walking into YOUR house for the first time.

Sadly my first thought when I looked up as Cody was unlocking the door was “Holy shneikies. This is all mine. To clean.”

But the carpets containing years of someone else’s toenails and spilled ketchup are gone. GONE.

And you know the other crazy thing? I’ve never really “hired” anyone to do anything for me before (besides follicular maintenence.) Those guys tearing out all the nasty linoleum and fixing plumbing and laying tile and delicious bamboo flooring? They’re doing it because I asked them to (and signed a contract to give them money when they are done.)

Every surface our feet will touch will be new. Every surface will have a fresh coat of paint in colors that I picked out.

Yankee candle will have nothing on my new house smell.

Part of what makes living in a hotel so bearable is that when it’s all said and done?

I get to go home.

For the first time ever.

Now tell me what to do with those silly bubbly lights in the kitchen. So strange. In so many ways.

Addie and I were there on Maddie’s first birthday. One year ago today. We ate cream puffs hung out in a swanky (albeit pretentious) lunch clubhouse for little kids (and their nannies apparently) and I even stole (okay, took with permission) some toy guitars in homage to Maddie’s rock star of a dad.

I would have never imagined that she wouldn’t be around 5 months later.

Never ever ever.

I just realized that because you and Addie were here in her room,
Maddie slept in my bed and that is why she woke up next to me on her
birthday. Thank you for visiting us Casey. I am so glad you got to
meet my baby.

I woke up on the morning of Maddie’s birthday to this post from her mom. I went into their room sobbing. Maddie and Addie were oblivious. They were just stoked to have someone to play with. Maddie is was and always will be so loved and cherished. There’s no words for how happy I am that I had the opportunity to be in Maddie’s presence and slimed by cream puffs.

I miss you and our Skype chats little kid.

Happy Birthday Darling. xoxo

*****

Today would be a perfect day to make a donation or purchase a NICU support pack from the charity inspired by Maddie and started by her parents. C’mon. You can’t say no to that can you?

Last month I spent a day with Ancestry.com. My mother in law was beside herself with jealousy and I was just absolutely sure that there was nothing awesome about my family history (aside from my nose, OPA!) until I sat down with a research expert. Within several minutes I was looking at my Great Grandfathers World War I Draft registration card.

My grandpa left for Pearl Harbor two weeks after he met my grandma and he asked for her hand while he was deployed. (His words exactly, he asked for her hand…everybody now…awww.) They married after he returned over 60 years ago. He just turned 90 last week and is planning a trip to Hong Kong with my grandma in the Spring of 2010.

For a limited time (Nov. 11-13), Ancestry.com is making its entire U.S. Military Collection at www.ancestry.com/military available for free to the public as a way to honor the millions of American military heroes past and present. Within the collection, users will be able to search 100 million names in records spanning more than three centuries of military service, including the new Navy cruise book collection (A new collection of over 600 books just added containing over 450,00 names.)

-Taken from an email I received from Ancestry.com today.

Go poke around. See if you can find anything (Johnny Carson and George H.W. Bush are listed among the names in the Navy Cruise Books!) I know Ancestry wants to hear about any of your discoveries on Facebook or Twitter. But I want to hear them too. I told you about it. So tell me first.

****

And my apologies if I have seemed grumpy and ungrateful about this whole hotel living situation. It’s been really hard since my kid was like this most of the day.

And no, it’s not the swine flu nor is it from the hotel. The poor kid is just wrecked from puking all day.

I actually really kind of like our little hotel room. My family can never be too far away from me. I like that. Plus it’s close enough to Cody’s office that he can have lunch with us every day. And don’t forget the unlimited ice and towels (that I don’t have to wash, really kind of the best thing ever if your kid insists on puking dozens of times daily.)

****

Happy Veterans Day you Veterans you, thanks for protecting my right to say the FTC sucks and have guns in my closet. (Not entirely sure how many (if any) veterans read my blog, but you do! Go hug a veteran!)

****

(Oh, and P.S. FTC? I wasn’t paid by Ancestry.com for this post. It was of my own free will and choice because I liked what I saw when they (yes they) flew me out there to check out their sweet digs.)

Earlier today I mentioned that I’m going to be writing “the moosh in indy guide to living in a hotel for an extended period of time without succumbing to the desire to peel your face off.” Because despite the fact this room is painted the color of fake butter and my feet stick to the carpet? I have fashioned a pretty cozy little abode here (as long as you’re wearing socks that is.)

Today I invested in a tiny little crock pot and produced real live man food for when my man came home. Another bonus to hotel living? Cody’s going to work tomorrow smelling of beef and potatoes.

Here’s the thing. Yesterday I found a pair of (worn) Jockeys in (Cody’s) hotel nightstand.

Tonight? He noticed something pink and leopard print looming behind my hotel nightstand.

When I say classy two star hotel living at it’s finest? I mean it. (the moosh is using dollar store Christmas lights as a night light.)

And thanks for all the microwave recipes. But you guys realize I’m in a hotel right? Where paprika is not a readily accessible ingredient? (And side note, seriously, what’s with all the paprika in microwave cooking?) Also, who wants to wash dishes in a hotel sink? Anyone? Thought so. When I actually have a house with paprika and dishes and a working sink I’ll have to give you a good old review of some of these recipes that I’ve gotten. Let’s just say Amalah will have nothing on some of the lovelies I’ve gotten in my inbox.

In other news? I picked out tile today. And paint colors. AND A (dual!) VANITY. AND COUNTERTOPS.

Forget Sur La Table. Have you guys ever been in a tile store? ZOMG YOU CAN TILE YOUR WALLS IN REAL PEARLS AND NO I’M NOT EVEN KIDDING.

*ahem* As an aside. Seeing as how I have now bought a house in Indiana, I’ve eaten fried Pepsi at the Indiana state fair so you wouldn’t <strike>make the same mistake</strike> have to and am currently giving you the play by play from one of Indiana’s finest *cough*sarcasm*cough* hotels, could I trouble you for a one click vote as one of “Indiana’s Top 50 Blogs?” Voting ends tomorrow and I’m a little late to the game. I’m flattered and honored to be on the list with so many of my Hoosier friends, but let’s be honest, if I’m going to be sleeping in a room where dirty underpants appear as if from nowhere?

I’m going to need to your help in some merciless butt kicking.

Go here to vote, I’m somewhere between 2 and 25. And if I’m #1? Your work here is done.

Much obliged.

Tomorrow will come pictures on the progress of our! first! house! renovation! extravaganza!

HI!

I LIVE IN A HOTEL!

AND NOT A NICE ONE!

IT KIND OF SMELLS LIKE FERMENTED DRYER SHEETS THAT HAVE BEEN STORED WITH CHEESE AND OLD SOCKS!

(If anyone has one of those Sharper Image BlueAir Purifier Destinkifier things in Indianapolis can I please borrow it? plzkthx.)

The best part of the entire night was going from hotel to hotel looking for somewhere that fit into our budget that didn’t come with free continental breakfast and a complimentary STD. Somewhere around hotel #2 the moosh started whining “BUT MOM, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO LIVE? DAD? WHERE CAN I SLEEP TONIGHT?”

Cody suggested we just hand over the phone number to CPS and save the hotel clerk the trouble of looking it up.

The good news is that the moosh thinks that living in a hotel is the most awesome thing ever. Also? I won’t have to make my bed for a month, I will never run out of ice and you bet your butt we scored a place with free breakfast that includes waffles. I also brought my own bedspread because my dad watches those Dateline shows where they take a UV light to hotel bedspreads and EW YUCK BLECH! (P.S. Daddy? I already searched for bedbugs and corpses in the box springs, thankfully there’s neither.)

The bad news is that where my bare flesh is touching the pillow has started to itch, there’s only a (closed) outdoor pool, the moosh is sleeping on a fold out couch and hello? We are living in a two star hotel for a month.

Also? I found a skidmarked pair of gentleman’s underpants in the nightstand drawer.

Let’s just say I bought a really big can of Lysol. Because I did. And I used it. All.

We’ll most likely be staying in this tiny hotel room for Thanksgiving. The really good news? Thanks to Turkey School I know how to cook a turkey in the microwave (which I have, along with a minifridge. MINIFRIDGE FTW!)

November should be interesting. Home renovations (the old carpet has been ripped out!) Feeding my family three square meals with nothing but a minifridge and a microwave (recipes please? besides EasyMac?) and apparently strangers underpants (hopefully this one was a one time occurrence.)

(Just for clarification-I live in Indiana, I moved to Indiana from Utah, my parents still live in Utah, the moosh and I spent the last three weeks in Utah hanging out with my family and I am now back in Indiana where I own a house but I can’t live in it yet because the plumbing doesn’t work and ZOMG DID YOU SEE WHAT COLORS IT IS PAINTED? Anyway I’m not entirely sure where we’re going to be living for the next month or so but IT’S ALL JUST AN ADVENTURE RIGHT!?)

The scene is Tuesday and the moosh and I are trolling around my dad’s ‘hood since I was pretty sure the constant presence of a four year old was causing my dad to twitch and the weather was just too delicious to stay inside. We ended up in a little bookshop a few blocks away where we sat on the floor and read pop up books. On the way out I noticed a sign that said “UPCOMING EVENTS” with Ree Drummond’s new cookbook featured below.

“She’s coming here?” I asked.

“Yeah. Wednesday night, 7 pm at the gallery next door.” replied the bookseller.

Huh. So Ree was coming to a gallery a few blocks away from my dad’s house. A night out with my Barbara was planned.

(my headband? Miss Ruby Sue. Because I know you’re going to ask.)

DUDE. People started lining up at 3 o’clock (it started at 7.) I had gotten my book earlier in the day and I had the feeling that the bookshop wasn’t entirely sure what they were getting themselves into later that evening. Barb and I ended up in signing group J. (Tickets were handed out A-Z 20 people per group.) We made it into the doors where we were able to meet up with the lovely Jes, Carina, Marie, Miranda, Allison, Emily, Carol, Andrea, another Emily, Vanessa and Janet. We hung out, spoke blog, giggled. It was fun. (p.s. HOLY LINKS BATMAN!)

Being in group J it was going to take about two hours to get in the door to get Ree’s pen to our books. We discussed going back to my dads, getting some chow or simply hanging out when we met up with a couple of ladies who had driven down from Kamas (about an hour away) to meet Ree. They didn’t have books or tickets so between Barb’s iPhone and my smooth talking we tried to develop a plan to get these ladies in to meet the lovely Ree.

The more we talked the more it occurred to me that I was only there because it was two blocks away and I wanted an excuse to hang out with Barb. These ladies drove over an hour. I had a book and a ticket, they did not. I wanted to go home and snuggle with my kid on our last night in Utah.

I handed over my book and made them promise they would get her signature and pay it forward when they could. (I also *may* have screamed “DON’T TOUCH ME THERE!” when they tried to refuse my offer. Know this, if I offer you something? YOU TAKE IT.)

We headed back towards my dads when we spotted Marie, Alison Carina and Emily again. Hey, may as well hang out with the bloggers we already know and love while we had the opportunity right?

No waiting in a three hour line for us!

Wait. Hold the phone.

Who’s that?

Yeah. I know she’s kind of the blogger who launched a thousand blogs and mine is no exception. I read her writing about depression, I read Jon’s post about having a wife with depression and I can’t deny that the both of them together helped me to finally write about my overdose and then about all the other hard stuff leaving me feeling a hundred pounds lighter and helping a few lovelies along the way.

So I told her. I told her thank you. It felt really good to kind of have the whole thing come full circle. We hugged, she said something about her interview with CNN earlier in the day and I was all “I have no CNN stories” then she was whisked away by the powers of Ree.

I like bloggers. I like blogging. I’m happy I do this.

It was a good night.