Spared Change

A bit of a Catch up

2010-08-29T12:05:00.000-04:00

First things first: I stand humbly before you asking forgiveness for my lack of blog posts. I know so many of you lead very busy lives and still find time to blog. I admire that, and wish to someday be able to control this craziness enough to put my thoughts down so that this blog can have some sort of consistency. Until then, I will grovel at your feet in apology and pray you don't throw virtual rotten tomatoes my way!
Work has been...well...work. I am going to be requesting to be moved to one of the MEUs (Marine Expeditionary Unit) that is leaving on a 6-month deployment at the end of next year. I need the deployment under my belt and it allows me to get out of my current shop, which would be a blessing in itself. When Marines are disgruntled, it makes the working environment so stressful, and most of the Marines I work with ARE disgruntled!
I've also really been concentrating on building my Scentsy business. I booked the Mira Mesa street fair, and have three basket parties going out soon. Placing a HUGE order on the 1st for our new products, like the Marine Corps warmer! And also thinking of hosting a Scentsy giveaway on my blog soon. Check out my site: www.iheartscents.com
My daughters still amaze me. The oldest started Kindergarten on Thursday. I managed not to cry somehow, and she was all smiles and excitement. The youngest is starting to talk a lot more and her preschool teachers have nothing but praise for her. I took them to Disneyland last Tuesday and they had a BLAST!!! It wasn't crowded at all, but it was HOT!! I did start them on their journey to becoming Disney Pin Collectors, though! That's exciting to me....I know....I'm a dork! LOL
Husband leaves for Overseas (yes...there) in a month. Lots of preparing involved with that, obviously.
I've got two book reviews to write up, too...
Life is busy.....but it's good!!!

Book Review---The Passage by Justin Cronin

2010-05-15T23:13:00.000-04:00

I'll start by saying that I love getting books to review. Mail days with packages from authors or publishers are like mini-Christmases. When I received The Passage by Justin Cronin, I have to admit that I felt a slight twinge of dread. 766 pages.....766!!!! I knew that this book better be a stellar work of fiction, or else the likelihood of me finishing it would be nil.
This book did NOT disappoint! In fact, by page 765, I became almost desperate knowing this adventure was about to end. Thankfully, this is the first book in a planned trilogy (with the next book due to be released in 2012).
The Passage is a novel about a post-apocalyptic world filled with virals (closely related to what we consider vampires) and sequestered clusters of survivors across the American continents. A quick synopsis of this book is virtually impossible since it spans decades and involves many different points of views. In a nutshell, it's about a military experiment to create human weapons through injecting a virus into 12 convicts that ends up going horribly wrong. The majority of the population is wiped out by the virals created by the Twelve, but holdouts remain, holding off the virals through primitive weaponry, fortresses, and bright lights that deter the creatures. The majority of the book focuses on The Colony, located in Southern California. When the batteries start getting dangerously low and The Colony is faced with impending darkness, a young girl named Amy makes her way into The Colony, altering the lives of all its inhabitants and setting events into motion that are the beginning of the virals' demise. Amy turns out to be the 13th victim infected by the Army for its experiment, but the effect it has on her body is one completely unlike the Twelve.

I loved that every character's story was told, that they became key players in their own right. Cronin gave each their 15 minutes' of fame, in a way that flowed easily and added depth to an already-deep novel. This book could have ended numerous times and still have left me satisfied. It ended up feeling like a great story built on top of a great story built on top of another great story. My only disappointment was in the ending, as I was ready to keep going for 800 more pages. I was shocked to find that my frustration at the ending turned into admiration for the author at building up the anticipation to his next installment.
I simply could not put this book down. I found myself dreaming of the storyline. It would not come as any suprise if this was turned into a major motion picture.
Cronin has delivered a masterpiece. Stephen King fans will rave over it, and even those who don't particularly like sci-fi (count me as one) will have a hard time not adding this to their top-ten list of favorite books!

The Passage is set to be released on June 8, 2010. For more information, go here: http://enterthepassage.com/.

I'm Back! And I've Brought a Review With Me!

2010-04-21T22:12:00.004-04:00

Wow...almost a year. I've missed blogging, but my hectic life has kept me too busy to do much other than spend time with my family and work work work. I'm back in the Corps full-time, and after going to Quantico, then North Carolina, and finally Camp Pendleton, life has settled enough for me to actually indulge in a few things for myself. I've been reading again, which for me is a HUGE luxury, and something I've been really missing in my life. There's some other things going on, which I'm sure I'll divulge as the days go on (I don't want to give away too much too fast!).

I thought it would be appropriate to kick off my return with a review on a great ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) that I received of The Swimming Pool by Holly LeCraw, courtesy of the publisher, Doubleday.

After finishing the book, it was hard to believe that this was LeCraw's freshman work. The story centers on Marcella, a divorced woman who finds herself in a relationship with Jed, the grown son of the man with whom she had an affair seven years before. LeCraw builds the characters so well, that even secondary ones like Marcella's daughter Toni and Jed's sister Callie have developed storylines that really let the reader feel they are a part of this inner circle.
The book gives you a almost-voyeuristic view into the emotions that drive all the characters' actions. The decisions they make would under other writers' hands turn into a story best left to afternoon talk shows and tabloids. LeCraw magnificently delves into the psyche of each character and their choices, and thereby makes the reader empathize with each.
The relationships, of Jed and his sister, Marcella and her ex-husband, are explored on more than just a surface level. The story is told in vignettes bouncing from past to present, and while I usually find that annoying, the forgeous prose that LeCraw uses made the transitions almost seamless.
This is a story of love, hurt, betrayal, forgiveness, and secrets. The characters are on the precipice of falling into a dangerous unknown, and I found myself cheering them on to find ways off their ledges. Even when they indulged in selfish deeds, I still loved them all.
The novel does have a bit of sexual content, but this did not distract from what a great book it is. I would have loved to have the ending a bit more developed, but overall this would definitely be a book I recommend for a summer read!

Book Review--"The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie" by Alan Bradley

2009-05-10T17:40:00.004-04:00

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie could very well be the Harry Potter of YA mystery books. Set in 1950 England, the book's heroine, Flavia de Luce is sure to steal your heart.

A precocious eleven-year-old with a love of chemistry, Flavia finds herself in the midst of a murder mystery. She sets out to solve the crime and clear her Father's name. In the process, she discovers more about her parents and about herself than she had bargained for.

The writing is excellent and flows with great ease. The Advance Reading Copy I received was 370 pages long, but moved at such a quick pace that it felt half that. This book was one that lingered in my thoughts even after I'd pause and put it down. The humor is perfectly adapted to be well in line with Flavia's character. The mystery unfolds expertly, never divulging too much, keeping the reader interested, and all the way seeming absolutely reasonable. I dislike crime novels that string a plot along until the mystery is solved and everything tidied up in the last 5 pages. This book is nothing of the sort. Bradley delivers snippets of information in small doses, so the reader feels that they, along with Flavia, are uncovering the truths in a natural way. I, for one, cannot wait for Bradley's next book featuring more adventures with Flavia.

The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie is a great read, one I'm positive that both my mother and my 11-year-old nephew will enjoy as much as I did. I am getting this in the mail right out to them, so that they may be entranced with Flavia and Bradley's writing.

"I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti" by Giulia Melucci---Book Review

2009-05-07T16:34:00.005-04:00

Chick Lit with a helping of Roast Chicken. That's what you'll find in I Loved, I Lost, I Made Spaghetti by Giulia Melucci. Her memoir focuses on her failed relationships, where the main attraction lays in the meals she cooks and not between her and her lovers.
Melucci finds herself drawn to the wrong type of men. They are unwilling to commit, and Melucci mistakenly hangs on, constantly feeding their bellies while they neglect to feed her need to be loved.
Interspersed in between her tales are some pretty interesting recipes. They are simple yet sound delicious. The writing, itself, though, left me unsatisfied and wanting more. I wanted to see Melucci reflect on her past dating disasters in a way that would allow her to grow from them. Instead, she seems stuck repeating the same mistakes over and over. In the end, it becomes merely frustrating. It might be forgivable for young girl, but for a woman in her 40s, it just becomes frustrating.
I read this book on and off over four days. There were times at the beginning when I really wanted to keep reading so I could find out that the author had finally found true love, but after realizing that it just wasn't going to happen, the novelty wore off.
I'll keep the book for the recipes. I'd recommend it for a long flight or a mindless summer read. Chick lit fans might like the light-hearted reading, but I just can't see this book making a serious reader's "favorite" list.

"The Hole in our Gospel" by Richard Stearns---Book Review

2009-05-03T09:33:00.003-04:00

As a Christian believer on her way to be "reborn", I began reading "The Hole in our Gospel" by Richard Stearns expecting to be given pause in my faith. The title seemed to depict a critic's view of Christianity. I was hesitant to start, since my recent re-entry into the church was still edged with doubts as to whether or not this was my spiritual destination. Right off the bat, though, I became engrossed into Stearn's story and message, and soon found that instead of weakening my faith, it strengthened it immensely.
Stearns weaves his personal story into a call for Christians to question "What does God expect of me?". His journey from CEO of Lenox (the formal dinnerware company) to President of World Vision is amazingly told. I related to his struggles to enter into God's service, and was relieved that his story wasn't sugarcoated. Stearns issues out a challenge to Christians to spread the gospel ("good word") to the world. He pays special attention to third-world countries, where the gospel has touched many lives even in the face of great struggles and overwhelming obstacles.
Stearns weaves his personal story and beliefs on faith and our churches with stories of real people touched by God, and brilliantly backs his beliefs with scripture.
The "hole in our Gospel" is that Christians falsely believe that their personal salvation is enough to ensure their entrance into the Kingdom of God. Stearns makes valid claims that we, as Christians and as humanity, have ignored the poor, sick, and downtrodden. The Bible, however, is filled with references to helping those less fortunate out. Stearns points out, for example, Matthew 25:31-46, where the Bible clearly states that only believers who have acted in tangible ways to help the "least of these" will be welcomed into the Kingdom of God. Our faith alone cannot save us. Our words, if spoken without being followed by good deeds, will not stop us from being banished.
The message is clear, and Stearns does a remarkable job of opening our eyes to the world's sorrows, while still planting seeds of hope, and a belief that his call to action will be answered. It's a challenge that most readers will be sure to take on, and one which I am applying to my life, so I may be a better Christian as well.

This book was reviewed as a part of Thomas Nelson's Book Review Blogger program.

"The Noticer" by Andy Andrews---Book Review

2009-04-27T11:47:00.001-04:00

From the author's site,

Orange Beach, Alabama, is a simple town filled with simple people. But they all have their share of problems – marriages teetering on the brink of divorce, young adults giving up on life, business people on the verge of bankruptcy, and many of the other obstacles that life seems to dish out to the masses.

Fortunately, when things look the darkest – a mysterious old man named Jones has a miraculous way of showing up. A man of indiscriminate age and race with white hair and wearing blue jeans, a white T-shirt and carrying a battered old suitcase, Jones is a unique soul with near angelic qualities. Communicating what he calls “a little perspective,” Jones explains that he has been given a gift of noticing things about life that others miss. In his simple interactions, Jones speaks to that part in everyone that is yearning to understand why things happen and what they can do about it.

Based on a remarkable true story, The Noticer beautifully blends fiction, allegory, and inspiration. It provides simple, yet powerful distinctions about love, relationships, value and integrity and will inspire readers to take that first step towards a major life change.

I am a new member of Thomas Nelson’s Book Review Blogger program, and received The Noticer as my first book to review. I normally don't read much "self-help" or "personal growth" books, as I tend to find that they normally just repeat the same advice as the others, all the while sounding as though they've discovered some new secret to magically solve our problems instantly. "The Noticer" attempts to break that mold, and while it did cause me to pause and reflect momentarily, in the end, it amounted to a nice read that left me feeling as though something was still missing.

The book centers on an old man named Jones. The author, Andy, meets him while he is living under the pier and feeling pretty miserable about his life. Jones, with his infinite wisdoms, helps Andy to see things from a different "perspective" and enables Andy to walk down a path which ultimately leads to success. Jones is a mysterious drifter, and he happens to show up right when people need to hear his guidance. By some never-mentioned ability, Jones is able to see what areas of a person's life need a new perspective, and is always there to guide that person. He helps a couple on the brink of divorce and fixes their marriage in an astonishing few minutes. He reminds a very old woman that there is still much for her to live for, something which she hadn't learned in her many many years on Earth, but which Jones reminded her of, again in mere minutes.

While the surface lessons may have been good, the book lacked quite a bit of substance. It just didn't go deep enough for me, and the tidy ends to every story made this nonfiction work border on the too-good-to-be-true edge. The writing is a bit TOO simple at times, and conversations between characters did not feel real, but rather contrived and rephrased too formally.

Certain parts of the book which could have been developed into "AHA!" moments instead became "Duh!" ones. For example, Andrews writes, "If you concentrate your thoughts on what you don't have, you will soon be concentrating on other things you had forgotten you don't have- and feel worse!" It took some self-reflection and personal insight to really grasp that statement, because the author didn't continue delving into this. There are gems in this book, to be sure, but Andrews throws them at the reader in a drive-by of wisdom, and does not attempt to offer more than just short quotes we can refer back to.

The book is only 156 pages long, and while this does help it to move along at a steady clip, it also feels very rushed. The conclusion almost made me groan out loud at its saccharine-sweet closure. Yes, it does give great nuggets of insight and advice, but for me, it was too stiff, too perfect, and entirely too focused on saying way too much in too few words. Or, perhaps, Jones might suggest I just need a new "perspective".

Ten on Tuesday---Geritol, anyone?

2009-04-14T09:48:00.003-04:00

Time for another meme. Today's comes from Ten on Tuesday.

10 Signs That You Are Getting Older

1. When yelling at your children, you start out with, "Mary...Kelly...Jessica...WHOEVER YOU ARE!!", because you just can't remember their name!

2. You wake up feeling hung over, but haven't had a drop of alcohol in weeks.

3. You throw a party and get annoyed when the guests haven't left by 9 p.m.

4. You plan trips to popular locations so that you minimize having to deal wth crowds.

5. Hair. In places it does NOT belong.

6. Your vacation ideas center around what spots have the best sightseeing/buffets, not the best clubs/alcohol prices.

7. Sandals are becoming increasingly appealing, even during winter, only because bending over to pull on socks is too painful!

8. Your children no longer take naps. You do.

9. The newest "Oldies" CD features songs you danced to at your high school prom.
(No...this isn't MY prom pic.)

10. You can answer this meme without even pausing to think of the answers.

Great Book Giveaway!

2009-04-11T14:29:00.002-04:00

Grand Prize: $100 GC to Amazon.com
Runner Up: $25 GC to B&N and a box of surprise paperbacks and other goodies (like chocolate, bath goodies, ect). This is going to be a NICE prize!
Runner Up: $25 GC to B&N and a box of surprise paperbacks and other goodies. (same as above)

Plus chances to win books (almost) every day for a month!

Go to http://www.anyabast.com/blog/ for details on how to enter.

Ten on Tuesday--Yucky Eats

2009-04-07T06:57:00.002-04:00

Time for another meme. Today's comes from Ten on Tuesday.

10 Least Liked Foods" list

1. Mustard. It's way too bitter for me. Plus, it looks like baby diarrhea.

2. Pickles. Always ask for my burgers without them. If they forgot, it's like the taste permeates the whole burger.

3. Chicken In a Biskit.

I was told it was the greatest thing ever. It wasn't.

4. Mole Poblano. A Mexican dish. I'm a fan of Mexican foods (kinda goes with being Mexican, huh?) but mole?? It has chocolate in it, and you pour it on meat. Chocolate...on meat....ick.

5. Ketchup. Funny, because I love tomatoes. Considering #1, what do I put on my burgers and hot dogs? MAYO!

6. Balut. Never had it, but ewwwww. Need convincing?

7. Green beans. Unless they're breaded and fried.

8. Brussel sprouts. No need to explain. I'm sure they'll be a popular addition on this week's lists.

9. Yams and sweet potatoes. They go hand-in-hand. I don't get why people love making dishes with them during holidays. Way to ruin a festive meal, guys!

Last but not least...ok...I take that back...yes, absolute LEAST!!...

10. Peanut butter. I HATE PB!!! I don't like peanuts either, but peanut butter is sticky, thick, and icky. Plus, it is the same color as...baby diarrhea.

Warmer Weather=Outside Exercise!

2009-04-06T10:53:00.002-04:00

I can feel a change in the air, and I'm EXCITED!! Being a SoCal girl most of my life, I love being outdoors. As a transplant to the NorthEast, though, I find my time outside limited. They have this thing here called *gasp* weather!!! And it's cold, rainy, and even white stuff falls out of the sky sometimes.
One of the things I like is taking my daughters on nature walks. I show them the trees, leaves, birds, and bugs. They love it and I get exercise. That's why I'd REALLY like to win this bad boy:

Cat at 3kidsandus is giving away one of these lovely Bumbleride strollers to a lucky reader. I can only hope it's me. What a huge help it would be with my two monsters! Check out the site and enter (or don't and give me better chance at winning!!).
Cat always has the best giveaways, so explore her site. You'll thank me later, I'm sure!

2009-04-04T13:52:00.003-04:00

I love poking around etsy, seeing what awesome creations are being sold out there. I love finding gifts through there, as it avoids the suckiness of getting someone a gift they also receive from someone else. Through my explorations, I've found numerous gems, and thought I'd share a few here. The theme today? Cool Kids and Time Machines!

1.
This pretty mini-rockabilly dress is offered by Lover Dovers Clothing. It sells for only $27.75, AND there's a sale this weekend!

2.
Oh my gosh! Remember this guy? Are there any of us who didn't have him in our home before, either as your own toy or that of your children? This dress is guaranteed to spark smiles of recollection! Vintage Lucy sells it for $48!

3.
Prefer the 60s? Pair this kid's dress with patent white boots and you've got yourself a Go-Go Baby! $30 is all you need to buy this from Tiny Modernist!

And this one I saved for last:

For the last 2 weeks, almost, I have been following the story of Stellan, a.k.a. MckMuffin. While his Mom was pregnant with him, he developed a severe case of SVT, a heart condition which can be deadly. He overcame statistics and was born healthy 8 months ago. Now, though, he is again fighting for his life, as the condition returned. Colby Lane Designs is donating proceeds of this bib (a bargain at $8!) and others to go to the fund set up for Stellan. Other etsy sellers have come on board, as well. Just type in Pray for Stellan in etsy's search engine.

Hope you like my picks this week. Have you found any "timeless" treasures on etsy?

Thursday Thunks---4/2/09

2009-04-02T08:01:00.003-04:00

Come join me in answering these sometimes intense, often funny, always interesting questions from Thursday Thunks.

1. Did you play any April Fools jokes on anyone or have a joke played on you? I had a Pap Smear yesterday. I'm convinced it was the appointment scheduler's idea of a joke.

2. If you could be on any non-reality TV show as a guest star or star, which one would it be and why? House. I think I have the same style of sarcastic humor as Hugh Laurie's character.

3. Do you crack your knuckles? Definitely not! In fact, it's my pet peeve. I hate the sound of cracked knuckles. I think it's disgusting!!!

4. If you remember your first day of kindergarten, were you scared or excited? If you have kids or grandkids, were they scared or excited?I was super excited. I couldn't wait to drop them off! They were finally out of my hair while they were at school...oh..wait. That's not what you meant?

5. If you are in the shower, hear the fire alarm going off and smell smoke/see flames, will you just run out of the house with a towel on or grab some clothes & dress as you run out?I usually change in the bathroom after showering and place my clothes in there before getting in anyways, so I'd be covered....literally. Ha!

6. Last week the Thursday Thunkers asked about your Daddy (twice), so this week tell us a little about your Mom.

She is an amazing woman. She raised my two sisters and I by herself after she and Dad divorced. She is a high school ESL teacher, loves to go to casinos, has many strong friendships, and supports each of her daughters 100%!

7. Which search engine do you use most often? Swagbucks! Try it...you can earn Amazon GCs and MORE!!

8. Did you participate in Earth Hour? Oh crud...when was that again?

9. What was the last new-to-you movie you watched? Was it in the theater or on DVD? Was it good? Marie Antoinette on DVD. It was good as far as costuming, but they really left key historical points out.

10. If you do something embarrassing, do you laugh it off, or sit & worry about it? I pretend to laugh, but my face will turn red and I dwell on it for a bit.

11. Where is your favorite spot in your home to sit & relax? Our couch has a chaise on it that I love to curl up on.

Ten on Tuesday---To-Do Lists

2009-03-31T14:26:00.002-04:00

Time for another meme. Today's comes from Ten on Tuesday.

10 Things on Your "To-Do" list

1. Organize my new scrap room a.k.a. the garage.
2. Put together the bedroom stuff I got from IKEA!
3. Return the electric razor blade I got for hubs. I forgot to use a $20 off coupon...and well..that's A LOT of money!!
4. Return some PS3 accessories. They don't work. Something about HDMI cables??? I dunno. That's HIS department.
5. Call the CDC down in Quantico. My original orders were for April, but they have been changed to May. Gotta update the wait list status at the Day Care.
6. Speaking of Quantico, I have to find a place to live down there!!!!!!!!!!! (Talk about a To-Do item!!)
8. Plan our weekly menu. I REALLY want to start doing this in advance, for convenience's sake.
9. Throw out a bag of toys. The girls have way too many, and all it does is cause a mess. Time for downsizing of the toyboxes!
10. Do a lot of reading!!!

I Heart Faces---Week 12 (Pouting)

2009-03-30T10:48:00.006-04:00

I came across this Photography Challenge blog, and found that I have the PERFECT picture to match it!
According to their "About Us",

I ♥ Faces was founded by two women, Angie & Amy, who met through blogging. As moms, our photography usually centers around our children... and the wonderful emotions that their faces convey. We realized there wasn't a photography sharing web site for people's beautiful and unique faces. That's when the idea for I ♥ Faces was born.

The theme for this week is Pouting.

Here is my submission:

Note the irony in this pic. She was pouting because we wouldn't buy her a Thomas backpack (she has about 5 backpacks...and she's not even in school!!) Now notice what her shirt says!! "What Baby Wants, Baby Gets"... I love it!

365---Day 27

2009-03-28T21:33:00.003-04:00

This one is all about texture. The challenge--Try to incorporate 3 different methods of adding texture to the paper on your card.
Here's what I did:

I incorporated corrugated cardstock, satin ribbon, a metal brad, and layered chipboard. The colors didn't come out too good in the pic, but it was a good challenge in that I finally used the cardstock, which has been sitting in my stack for quite some time!!

Check out 365 Cards for other creations!

Small Talk Six---Getting Nekkid

2009-03-28T17:50:00.002-04:00

Over on Mom Blogs, they have what they call Small Talk Six. Every Saturday a new topic is announced and you respond to each topic with a list of 6 words, 6 phrases, 6 sentences, 6 paragraphs, or 6 photos, whatever your heart desires. You can check out the Small Talk Six announcement to see all of the pre-scheduled topics for 2009. Don’t forget to stop by and see this week’s responses!

This week:
6 things you would do naked if you lived alone

1. Sleep. Right now I wear pjs because I get up at least once a night for the monsters.
2. Make-up. It would make it so easy and ensure I don't get any on my clothes!
3. Exercise. In front of a mirror. It would be kinda cool to see my muscles (ok...fat) ripple.
4. Dance. With Ellen DeGeneres while her show is on.
5. Sunbathe! Of course, I'd have to have a privacy fence around my yard, and throw in some hot, young male neighbors for good measure.
6. Spy on the neighbors. I don't know!! I can't think of a number six, but if I WAS a voyeur or peeping tom, I guess I'd do it nude. Isn't that what they do? Hello? Anyone??

Your turn!

Friday Fragments---3/27

2009-03-27T17:43:00.002-04:00

Friday Fragments are bits and pieces of your week that are usually brief; too short for a stand-alone post, but too good to discard. Collect humorous observations, "Heard" items, and other small gems and put them together in a Friday Fragments post.

--Surgery on Monday went well. Three tendons were stuck to the plate, one was badly frayed and had to be stitched. Now I begin recovery...

--Had my first physical therapy following surgery. OMG. It hurts soooo much! Everytime I move my thumb up (using the repaired tendon), it feels like razors are cutting the inside of my wrist. Owwwwwww!!!

--Went to IKEA and spent way too much to redo my bedroom. I'm going with red/black/white colors. It better look badass!

--Mom has been a huge help here. She's made DELICIOUS food and has really helped with the monsters, too.

--Speaking of monsters, I went to watch Monsters vs. Aliens with the monsters and my Mom and hubs. I saw 15 minutes before Monster #2 wanted to walk out. We ended up leaving about an hour into it when Monster #1 decided she had enough too. *sigh* Remind me again why I even leave the house with them?

--This is funny:

--This is not:

Hmmm...maybe I should put a warning up before posting that pic.
Then again, I've seen MUCH worse out here in Blogland, and really...I'm assuming you have SOME sense of humor if you read my blog. Beides, I need to generate as much pity as I can..lol

Until next time....

Thursday Thunks #4

2009-03-26T05:32:00.004-04:00

Remember last weeks last question? Well... every question submitted is this week's Thursday Thunks.

1. What is your favorite type of soda (if you drink soda)?
I drink Coca-Cola. Don't really like any other kind of soft drink. I'm a Coke-head!!
2. Do you believe in astrology? If so, what does your sign say about you?
Leo are warm of spirit, eager for action and are driven by a desire to be loved for what you bring to others. Leo are a magnanimous leader and a faithful servant. Once scorned in love, however, Leo will withdraw your affections and the light, once brilliant, can go cold.

Leo motto might be "What you see is what you get." You tend to live your live straightforwardly and with a flair for drama. In fact, many Leos are attracted to the theater, the performing arts and public relations, for you truly understand the importance of putting on a good presentation. As you blaze gloriously through your life, remember to take time to acknowledge the feelings of those around you. If you forget, you could unconsciously hurt someone you love. But, if you remain aware your impact, others can benefit from your presence.
3. Who is John Galt?
OK...I cheated. I had to look it up. He was a novelist, but is also the name of the hero in Ayn Rand's book "Atlas Shrugged", which, incidentally, I have always wanted to read but keep forgetting about.
4. What is the last thing you do before you go to sleep at night?
Close my eyes. *groan* No, really, I usually read a book.
5. Who's your Daddy?

Rest In Peace, Daddy!
6. Jelly beans or Jelly Bellies?
Jelly Bellies all the way. You can make combos that are out of this world!!
7. What do you think about yellow car? Why car manufacturer actually made yellow cars?
I wouldn't buy one, personally, but they do look neat on Lamborghinis and Ferraris.
8. Holding on or Letting go?
It depends. Hold on to the memories, let go of the pain.
9. What kind of underwear, if any, do you wear?
Usually boy shorts, unless my pants are tight. Then I do the butt floss thing.
10. Who is your daddy and what does he do?
My Daddy's name is Bill Duran. He did a lot of things in life, from a Navy sailor to a ship electrician to a realtor.
11. Spring - is it here yet??
Supposedly, but I'm not quite convinced.
12. Does Google Streetview scare you?
No! It helps my stalking quite a bit!
13. What is your favorite brand of ice cream?
Ben and Jerry's. Specifically, creme' brulee!! Heaven in a carton, I tell ya!

14. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Ummm....see above?
15. Do you ever get tired of your everyday routine?
Yes, I do. That's why I like to change it up so much!
16. What inspires you?
My children, fellow Marines, my family, God, nature.
17. It’s springtime-do you spend more time outdoors?
I would if I didn't live in Boston a.k.a. The Frozen Tundra! I miss San Diego sunshine!!
18. When do you think Bud will let us see the DVD of him and the french twins?
I think Bud is lying and there is no DVD. Or French twins, for that matter. (Pssttt..who the heck is Bud??)
19. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would you, and why?
Thailand. The people are AMAZING, it's very very cheap, and there are amazingly beautiful areas.
20. Why do you blog?
To kill time, to appease my narcisstic tendencies, to keep in touch with friends, to document my life, to do reviews soon, to be me.
21. What are electrolytes and why are they good for us?
They are salts and minerals that conduct electrical impulses in our bodies. There! Now I have a headache from thinking.
22. Do you twitter? Why or why not?
I do to spread the word about contests. Thats about it.
23. What did you dream last night?
I cannot recall, actually! I remember my dreams about half the time. Last night I knocked out, though, and slept like a rock.
24. What is the strangest thing you've eaten?
This was my question!!! Me---escargot, frog legs, dried grubs, gator tail. I'm an adventurous eater.
25. What was the last picture that you took?

26. what is your favorite part of spring?
The colors..everything looks so soft and pretty! Oh..and little girls' spring dresses!
27. what is one thing that you did this past week that no one knows about?
Bought more scrapbooking/card stuff from Michael's. "My name is Estela and I'm a craft addict."
28. What kind of bandages do you typically have in your household?
Band-aids, usually with characters!

Your turn. Let's see what you thunked!

Ten on Tuesday: Vacations!

2009-03-24T14:32:00.008-04:00

Time for another meme. Today's comes from Ten on Tuesday.

10 Things You Like Doing On Vacation

1. Try out new restaurants.
2. Take trolley tours.

3. Sleep in!
4. Buy souvenirs (shot glasses/snowglobes)
5. Take lots and lots of pics.
6. Go to amusement parks.

7. Order room service!
8. Visit museums.
9. Walk around downtown.
10. Do a lot of reading!!!

Surgery pretty much stinks...

2009-03-23T13:03:00.002-04:00

Went under the knife AGAIN at 0730. A 60-90 minute surgery turned into over 2 hours. *sigh*
So today they went in and found that THREE tendons were stuck to the metal plate they used to fix my broken wrist. Totally explained why I couldn't move my thumb!
One of the tendons became frayed from the adhesion, so the surgeon stitched it up, and it should be fine after it heals.
They didn't put me under completely and they didn't do a nerve block this time, just Novocaine and a mild sedative. I woke a few times during surgery. THAT sucked...it freaked me out! SERIOUSLY!!
But because I only had the Novocaine, I am now feeling some major pain. I am resting at home, my Mom (visiting from San Diego) is babying me (THANKS, MOM!!!) and I might just take a nap with Monster 2 when she takes hers.
I just hope I'm done with this surgery nonsense!! LOL

365 Cards---Day 22

2009-03-23T12:39:00.005-04:00

If you love cardmaking like I do, check out 365 Cards. They offer up a challenge every day...and the people are amazingly talented!

Here's my entry for yesterday...I actually made it yesterday, but didn't post it then.
The card was supposed to follow this sketch:

And here's my interpretation:

And a close-up:

I wish I had a corner punch to round the edges, but overall, I like it.

It's HERE! PARTY TIME!!

2009-03-20T01:48:00.008-04:00

It is officially here! 5 Minutes for Mom has kicked off their blog party. I will be a busy blogger visiting all the many wonderful participants. As a fairly new blogger, this is a great way to network, meet new people, and be exposed to women you wouldn't find on your own!!!

A little about me:
I am, first and foremost, a mommy to 2 little Monsters. #1 is 3 and #2 will be turning 2 in April!
I am a wife to a Marine. He has served for over 16 years, and I am immensely proud of all he as accomplished.
I, too, am a Marine. I served 4 years of Active Duty, 6 as a Reservist, and am now going back to the active side under the Active Reserve program.
I am from San Diego, live in Boston, and will be moving to Virginia soon.
I love to read. Whether books, magazines, or the backs of shampoo bottles...I need to read every day!
I am really into scrapbooking, and just got into cardmaking. I like to share my creations here.
I am a notorious cheapskate. It's a very rare item that I'll pay full price on.

So that's me. Let's get the party started. Tell me about YOU!

Oh, And the party prizes...whoooooooo!! Lemmee tell you....these are a NICE perk to the party!

Check it out. Here are my picks:
1. 58 – Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer
2. 89 — $100 gift card to HomeGoods
3. 41 — Your choice of our Simply Precious Photo Tile Necklace ($110), or our key clasp style Boston Locket ($185)

If those 3 are already chosen, I'd be interested in 1, 7, 16, 19, 21, 22, 50, 86, 52, INTL3, 102, 109, 65, 72, 75, 77, 78, 79, 81, 82, 91, 97, 99, 54, 56,105, 106, 113, 118, INTL1, INTL7, INTL11, INTL13, INTL15, INTL17, INTL18, INTL22, INTL23, INTL24, INTL28, INTL30, INTL33, INTL35, INTL36, INTL38, INTL41, INTL43, INTL44, INTL45, INTL47, INTL53, USC2, USC4, USC7, USC9, USC11, USC`15, USC16, USC18, USC19, USC20, USC21, USC26, USC28, USC29, USC39, USC42, USC43, USC47, USC56, USC58, USC61, USC65, 26, 40, 49, 9, 12, 38, 27, 28, 14, or any kids' products including clothing for ages 2-5!

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am G-R-E-E-D-Y!!! But really, who wouldn't love to win anythin offered??!!

Now you've seen mine....time to see yours. Head over, join in, and party it up blog-style!!!

365 Cards: Day 18

2009-03-19T13:47:00.004-04:00

I've been following a blog called 365 cards for the past 3 weeks. Every day, they put up a new card challenge.
I've seen so many wonderful creations, and decided finally to play along. (I suffer from the crafty version of stage-fright.)

I made a card for yesterday's challenge (I also suffer from procrastination), and wanted to share it for your comments. Let me know what you think.

Challenge:
Make a Card with Green as the Dominant Color

Keep in mind, I'm a newbie, so be gentle! LOL

Thursday Thunks #3

2009-03-19T09:06:00.003-04:00

Here's my third edition of Thursday Thunks. It's my way of offering a glimpse into my thoughts I've thunked. ;-)

1. The last flight of stairs you walked up/down - were they carpeted?Yes. I was coming downstairs after having to run up and get Monster #2's baby doll that she was crying for!

2. Green or purple grapes? Green. They don't shrivel quite as much as the purple ones, I think.

3. Do you like Peeps? Ehh...they're OK. I'm very partial to Cadbury Cream Eggs though!

4. The smell of Vicks - like it?Oh yes! If it weren't so greasy, I'd rub some under my nose every morning!

5. Do you put decorative cling-ons on your windows for different holidays? No. It just doesn't look very 'nice' to me. A bit sloppy, haphazard, cheap. Just my opinion now!

6. Finish the sentence - I spent too much money on ________ . My crafting supplies that I don't use hardly enough.

7. Which celebrity should be flown into outer space or placed on a desert island? I can think of so many. Miley Cyrus was the first to come to mind. (And her Dad should follow right behind her.)

8. Would you support schools changing the "open" time? Such as 10am - 5pm, for example? Since my girls aren't school age yet, I'm not qualified to answer, really, but I have read that teens especially benefit from a later start time.

9. Do you go fishing? I used to with my Dad off of the piers in San Diego. Haven't been in a long long time. I have always wanted to try sportfishing though!

10. What question should we ask next week? What is the strangest thing you've eaten?

For the Women...

2009-03-18T15:38:00.001-04:00

God doesn't give you the people you want, He gives you the people you

NEED. To help you, to hurt you, to leave you, to love you and to make you

into the person you were meant to be.

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They bear hardships and they carry burdens,

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy

and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer

when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel

and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about

a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member,

yet they are strong when they

think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss

can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you

to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what

makes the world keep turning.

They bring joy, hope and love.

They have compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their

family and friends.

Women have vital things to say

and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Please pass this along to all your

women friends and relatives to remind them just

how amazing they are.

Starting from scratch? Yikes!

2009-03-17T08:53:00.002-04:00

Over on The Secret is in the Sauce (SITS), bloggers converge to give each other support on all things bloggy and to make new friends.
One blogger needing our help now is Scary Mommy. Just as she was about to hit her one-year mark, her feed got messed up and she lost everything. 700 SUBSCRIBERS!!! All gone. Poof.
Heck, I have 10 followers, and it seems like forever until I'll hit 20, much less 100...or even 700!!! I can understand her being upset. We blog partly to reach others, hoping we can expand our audience. She had done so well...and now she starts from scratch.
She's looking to get back to 700, but I'm sure she'll reach even more. She has a great blog. Plus, she's throwing in GORGEOUS diamond earrings that a new subscriber can win.
So go HERE to check her out and help her reach great numbers once again.

Blog Party Coming Up!!

2009-03-16T22:43:00.002-04:00

I'm pretty stoked right now. If you haven't guessed, I LOVE entering giveaways and contests. It's a great way to get exposed to new products, and hey...we all love feeling like winners once in a while! 5 Minutes for Mom is hosting the 2009 Ultimate Blog Party from March 20 - 27th. There will be prizes (WOOT WOOT!) including Gift Certificates, jewelry, clothing, books...all things to make my heart pitter patter! Be sure to head over to their site to discover all of the amazing blogs that will be participating.

Last year, the Ultimate Blog Party 2008 had over 1500 bloggers participating and 5 Minutes for Mom's UBP related pages had over 72,000 page views, with the actual party post receiving over 20,000 page views. Unfortunately, I missed last year's party, but I'll make up for it this go-round! LOL

So how do you join the party?
Both BLOGGERS and NON-BLOGGERS can join the party (and be eligible for the prizes) at the Ultimate Blog Party.

BLOGGERS:

Invite your friends
Host a party at your place
Sign the Mr. Linky over at 5 Minutes for Mom
Get out and PARTY!
Have an After Party

If you want to find out more scoop, check out the original post over at the 5 Minutes for Mom website.

Riding On Instinct Contest

2009-03-15T10:32:00.001-04:00

Small Talk Six...speaking of GREEN

2009-03-15T10:09:00.000-04:00

Note: Thought I'd published this post yesterday, but somehow I only saved it as a draft.

Over on Mom Blogs, they have what they call Small Talk Six. Every Saturday a new topic is announced and you respond to each topic with a list of 6 words, 6 phrases, 6 sentences, 6 paragraphs, or 6 photos, whatever your heart desires. You can check out the Small Talk Six announcement to see all of the pre-scheduled topics for 2009. Don’t forget to stop by and see this week’s responses!

This week:
6 things you love that are green

1. Frogs. My Dad loved them, and he passed it on to his daughters. We always remember him and his humor when we see frogs!

2. Green beans. I thought I hated these until my neighbor Erika made them breaded and fried. Now, they're one of my favorite appetizers. Especially from TGIFriday's. Yummm!

3. Grass. I LOVE walking on a nice lawn in summer, feeling the grass under my bare feet. The smell of freshly-mowed grass always takes me back to my childhood, too.

4. Money. That's a duh answer! While it may not buy love, it sure does buy a lot of the THINGS I love!

5. Green Mile. The movie always makes me cry. Oh goodness..the compassion and pain and love in this movie. One of my all-time faves.

6. Green lights. When I'm driving in the city, I LOVE hitting all the green lights. It's like it becomes my lucky day. I have zero patience...totally Type A. Green lights are my friend! LOL

So there's my 6. What are yours?

Being Green

2009-03-14T09:01:00.003-04:00

As a Mom, I am intimately more aware of the ecological state of our world. Parents want nothing but the best for their children, and it's heartwrenching to think of the damaged world we are leaving as an inheritance to our future generations.
I may not be totally green yet, but awareness is the first step. I have found myself slowly making small changes, including using reusable totes at the grocery store, in order to minimize my family's footprint. It's always great, though, to get tips from others as to how to live more eco-friendly.
One such person is Amanda at Natural Mommie. Stop by Natural Mommie to check out the details of her "Naturally Step Into Spring" event beginning March 21st. This review and giveaway event will feature over $2000 in prizes! Head on over now and get an early start by promoting her event and getting a chance to win a GC to Starbucks. Click the links above or the button on my sidebar to get there. And good luck!

Cinnamon Sticks GUEST GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!

2009-03-14T08:49:00.002-04:00

Cinnamon Sticks GUEST GROSGRAIN GIVEAWAY!!!!

Click on the link above to enter for a chance to win a $20 GC to Cinnamon Sticks courtesy of Grosgrain!

ThursdayThunks #2

2009-03-12T08:15:00.003-04:00

Sorry about the lack of posting. I'm on vacay in SC with friends, and have had little time to play online. Here's the Thursday Thunks, though!

1. You are walking down the road and you look down. There is a bug. Do you step on it? Depends on the bug. Spiders (especially black ones), yes. Ants, definitely. Ladybug, no way! Cockroach, jump over and squeal before running off. (Who wants big bug guts on the bottom of their shoe?)
2. What is one fantasy that you want to come true more than any other? Becoming a Drill Instructor. It's in my blood, I think.
3. Someone knocks on your door. Do you look out the window to see who it is before you open it? Do you open it regardless of who it is? I rarely look, but always answer. Bad habit, I guess, of living in base housing. We tend to be a bit TOO trusting.
4. Have you ever eaten Play Doh? No. It was never mentioned in any of my food groups!
5. What was your favorite Saturday morning cartoon as a child and why? The Snorks? Was that the name? With the underwater guys with the funny things on their heads? That one comes to mind. The Gummibears too, but only cause I loved singing the song.
6. Are you a "people watcher"? Oh yes. And I can be terribly catty!!
7. I have a bowl of fruit. There are apples, oranges & pears. You help yourself to one - which one do you choose? The orange, but I'm left wondering where the bananas went.
8. What is your biggest pet peeve in the blogging world? Playlists that start automatically. I wish they'd shut them off. It's a bit startling to be blasted by rock music when you go on a page.
9. What is one religion that you could just never see yourself joining? Jehovah's Witness. They have a terrible rep.
10. What word do you use far too often? So and seriously. I use both a LOT. So, I guess they're tied...seriously!
11. How long do you spend in the shower? 15 minutes or so. I like to relax but then remember all the other things I could be dong.
12. If you were to write a personal ad about yourself, what would it say? Gorgeous, size 0 millionaire cover model with multiple homes around the globe seeking gullible male.
13. Your favorite flavor of soup is....? I had She-Crab for the first time yesterday...yummy!
14. You are sitting on a bench in the park and a bug walks in front of your feet.... do you squash him? Walking or sitting, most bugs get it from me. (Size matters, of course!)

Sharing Again...

2009-03-06T16:08:00.004-05:00

Wanted to show off my latest scrapping creation!

Show and Tell Time---

Products used:
Sentiment: Cloud Design
Jewels: Heidi Swapp
Princess sticker: Making Memories
Snowflakes: Cricut Doodlecharms
Wooden snowflake: ProvoCraft
Ribbon: Michael's Textured Trios
Papers: DCWV
Gliiter Cardstock: DCWV
Rub-on: Unknown

I feel like sharing today!

2009-03-06T15:09:00.002-05:00

I cam across a blog today that had me chuckling. The author holds a meme of sorts called "Friday Fragments". According to her,
Friday Fragments are bits and pieces of your week that are usually brief; too short for a stand-alone post, but too good to discard. Collect humorous observations, "Heard" items, and other small gems and put them together in a Friday Fragments post.

Sounds fun...here's my Fragments:

~~My daughter fell into the toilet on Wednesday night. She's potty trained now, but she still uses her potty seat and she still gets excited about going. I guess in her gleeful run to the bathroom, she forgot to put her seat on, and next thing I heard was a "Splash!" I ran in to find her desperately trying to clamber out. Am I a bad Mom for laughing til I cried? LOL

~~Overheard at Bertucci's: "Why do I pick all the losers? I'm going back to my ex. At least he got his degree while he was locked up."

~~I'm freaked out by how my surgery scar will look. It's on top of my wrist, for goodness' sake! Yes...I am officially vain.

~~I love watching MTV's reality competition shows. My current obsession? I love Money 2. Trainwrecks=realization that my life is pretty sweet!

Let's hear your FF!

Are you SERIOUS? Reaction to news regarding Soldier/Mom

2009-03-05T17:44:00.002-05:00

I just heard this news story about a female soldier who was recalled to active duty, but is now being discharged because her husband "travels" and they have two kids.
Story here at this link
My two cents. I am a Marine, about to go back on active duty voluntarily. I did 4 years of active duty. For the past 6 years, I have served time as a reservist and time as an IRR member. IRR means the servicemember isn't active duty or a drilling reservist, but is still under their contract (most active duty members do 4 active/4 inactive contracts.)
My husband is also a Marine. An infantry one, at that. He has been to Iraq twice. I am well aware that I could be called up at any time, even if he was also deployed. Because of this, I have made arrangements for my daughters' care if that were to happen. They are 3 and 1. Would it hurt like heck to leave them? Absolutely! Would I go? You betcha.
I did sign the contract. I am well aware of the current state of affairs. And now that I'm going back in active, the possibility of this scenario playing out has increased. But it's what we do. It's what we went into this military knowing could happen. I cannot fathom that she had noone else to watch her kids.
What burns me even more, though, is the perception that many will have now of female servicemembers. Can you seriously say that a MALE pulling this stunt would be taken seriously? No way! How many male servicemembers have been recalled and been forced to leave behind wives and children? But because she's a woman, special treatment was handed down. It makes ALL of us that wear the uniform and have ovaries look like scam-artists-in-the-making.
This is a clear-cut and disgusting use of children to get out of an obligation, regardless of how inconvenient it may be. I sure hope they reconsider her discharge, or at the very least, make it a general under other than honorable conditions.

Grrrrr.

Thursday Thunks

2009-03-05T10:52:00.003-05:00

I will post back later with my TTT bargains, but for now, we interrupt this program for an important announcement....er..meme.

From Life In A Zoo...

1. This cat- Link- scary or cute?
Hideous. Scary. If I found it under the bed, I'd call an exorcist. Seriously.
2. Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes reproducing again. Good idea or don't care?
My youngest is CONSTANTLY compared to Suri,saying they look alike. And I think Monster #2 is the most adorable thing (along with #1, of course), so I say bring more cuteness into the world. Besides, we only get a small glimpse into their lives, so who are we to judge? Suri appears to be a joyful child, so they must be doing something right.
3. Do you smile at strangers when you make eye contact?
Usually, unless I'm just in a rotten mood.
4. What percentage of your sarcasm isn't really sarcasm at all?
A healthy dose of it. At least 70%. There's a glimmer of truth in every joke, and in every sarcastic comment.
5. If you were to be a dog breed, which breed would you be?
A rottweiler. Elegantly beautiful, but with a sense of danger.
6. Go grab the closest book. Open up to page 27. Whats the 4th sentence?
"She didn't sing the way she usually did, her sweet soprano filling the house as she washed the dishes." From Change Me Into Zeus's Daughter by Barbara Robinette Moss
7. When's the last time someone put one over on you, told you a story that you totally fell for when it wasn't anywhere near true?
I've fallen for quite a few things, but can't recall the last time.
8. Ever seen Michael Jackson in person? No. Thank goodness.
9. Do you have a gut?
Yes. :-( I like to say it's baby weight, but I think I've surpassed the statute of limitations on that excuse.
10. What is one thing in your kitchen you have too many/too much of? Cups. Two whole cabinet-fuls. And cookbooks, but in reality, you can never have enough of those, right?
11. Ever had a colon cleansing?
Not quite. I tried a body cleanse regimen once. Uh..yeah. They work. LOL TRUST me.

It Had To Be Me

2009-03-04T09:21:00.002-05:00

It had to be me. LOL. That's my latest mantra. Someone going to break a wrist snowboarding with the unit? It had to be me. Someone needing surgery to fix that fracture? It had to be me. Someone's tendon adhering to the metal plate? Yup. It had to be me.
Surgery scheduled for the 23rd. They'll try to "unstick" the tendon, so maybe I'll get movement back in my thumb. Yay. This for someone who had never broken a bone or had surgery before. Now I get to check that off my to-do-list...my NEVER-want-to-do list!! *sigh* Pardon me while I roll my eyes.

On Moving...and Logistical Nightmares

2009-03-02T16:21:00.003-05:00

I received my orders to Quantico, VA the other day. I am set to report in on April 12th. I am excited about the move, about the close proximity to so many great locations. The logistics of planning the transfer, though? Yeah, I can do without that headache.
DH is supposed to have gotten orders in December to D.C. Those didnt come through, obviously, and now we aren't sure exactly when his orders WILL come through.
We are now trying to decide if he is staying here with the girls until he does get down there orif I'm taking them with me. Obviously, day care is an important deciding factor.....namely, if we can get them into the bases's care. If not, it's a moot point and he keeps them. But if I DO take them, where do we live? Do we lease a place, sight unseen? Do we look for something temporary? And WHERE do we move to?
Oh...and add in packing up the house, figuring out what to take...it makes my head hurt just thinking about it.
*sigh* Change is good. It's EXECUTING that change that kind of sucks.

Sunday Stealing....Meme #1

2009-03-01T11:45:00.003-05:00

As a fairly newly initiated blogger, I have been in the dark in terms of the wold of memes. I recently came across the term, and find that this might be a cool addition to my blog. For those of you who don't know what a meme is, here's what The Daily Meme says on the subject:

In the context of web logs / 'blogs / blogging and other kinds of personal web sites it's some kind of list of questions that you saw somewhere else and you decided to answer the questions. Then someone else sees them and does them and so on and so on.

Here's today's meme, found on a blog called Sunday Stealing.

1. What is your favorite sit-down restaurant? I love Cheesecake Factory...MMMM!!

2. What food could you eat for 2 weeks straight and not get sick of it? My mom's chilaquiles....and flan. Mmmmm...
(This meme is making me hungry!)

3. Have you ever had anything removed from your body? Just two moles. I recently had a metal plate put IN my body, though.

4. What is the last heavy item you lifted? Does my 30-pound daughter count?

5. Have you ever been knocked unconscious? No...thank goodness! Never even fainted.

6. If it were possible, would you want to know the day you were going to die? Yes...if it were to be omorrow it would DEFINITELY change my to-do list today. LOL

7. If you could change your name, what would you change it to? I don't know..I didn't like my name growing up (too many playground jokes rhyming Estela and Fella.) but never considered what I'd WANT to be named instead. I do like my name now, though!

8. What’s your goal for the year? More family time with my girls, getting them involved in activities, too.

9. Last person you hugged? My youngest daughter.

10. First place you went this morning? Downstairs to grab chocolate milk for the oldest.

11. Do you always answer your phone? I have caller ID, so I tend to screen calls.

12. It’s four in the morning and you get a text message, who is it? My bff Olga!

13. If you could change your eye color what would it be? Hazel green. Or gray.

14. What’s on your wish list for your birthday? The Cricut Expression machine. I have the smaller Personal model, but want the 12x12 one. Or a treadmill. LOL

15. Does the future make you more nervous or excited? Both...financially nervous, but excited to see my girls grow!

16. Do you have any saved texts? No. I usually delete them all once a week.

17. Ever been in a car wreck? Yes. One. Totalled my Sebring convertible. I'm still traumatized.

18. Do you have an accent? Nope. Although people expect me to.

19. What was the last song to make you cry? The Promise by Tracy Chapman.

20. What did you do last night? Had friends over for tacos. Read a book, relaxed.

21. Have you ever felt like you hit rock bottom? Yes, and it's a horrible feeling I never want to experience again.

22. Current hate right now? The difficulties with the military's Tricare Insurance company. It's aggravating and plain awful.

23. Met someone who changed your life? Yes, from drill instructors to friends to people I've never met.

24. How did you bring in the New Year? It was super boring. At home. On the couch. Watching TV. *sigh*

25. What song represents you? Right now it's 3 Doors Down's "Let Me Be Myself"

So there you have it. My first meme. Feel free to post your answers on your blog, or comment here with any tidbits you feel like sharing!

A Thousand Words Thursday

2009-02-26T06:52:00.003-05:00

Her daycare though it would be great fun to bring a petting zoo to the kids. Eva didn't quite agree.

TTT #3...For you!

2009-02-19T17:22:00.002-05:00

I showed you how I saved money with a DIY project, then shared my fabulous bargain find. Now, this one's for you.
We all know that clipping coupons is a great way to save a lot of dough. One blog that helps maximize your savings with coupons is Bargain Briana (her button is on my sidebar). She suggests subscribing to All You magazine, which is full of great coupons in every issue. I've gotten a few issues, and it's true: it's a coupon dream!
Briana has teamed up with Berries and Cream Blog Design to offer a 2-year subscription to a lucky winner of a giveaway during their launch party.
Berries and Cream Blog Design's launch party is live for the next two weeks (February 14-28). Their entire store is on sale for up to 25% off, and a new prize will be added each day during the launch party. Prize entries will be accepted for one week - comments for the first prize will be closed on Feb.21, comments for the second prize will be closed on Feb. 22, and so on.
Briana's prize is found here:
http://berriesandcreamblogdesign.com/2009/02/19/giveaway-all-you-magazine-subscription-from-bargain-briana/
While you're there, enter the other giveaways, too. After all, nothing's cheaper than free!

TTT #2!

2009-02-19T15:17:00.002-05:00

WOWZA!!! Oh, have I got a steal to share with you.

Today, the library on the base we live on had a Used Book Sale. At the end of the sale, they offered bags to be filled for only $3. I jumped all over that!
I got 59 books total for 15 dollars (I threw in a 6 dollar donation since funds go to the Summer Reading Program for kids.) That comes out to about a quarter a book! (15 cents without including the donation) YAY!!!

Check out the stash:

What steals have you come across lately?

Thrifty Three Thursdays!

2009-02-19T11:24:00.006-05:00

I want to start a weekly post called "Thrifty Three Thursdays". (Like the name? Oh yes...bet you didn't know I was a closet alliteration expert!)
In essence, I will showcase three bargains. They will either be steals I bought, ways to save money at home, deals on the web...any method that keeps money where it belongs: my wallet!
In today's economy, especially, people are more aware of how much they spend, and efforts are being made across the globe to tighten pursestrings. I've always been a bargain-hunter. Finally, my friends are beginning to understand why!

So....to kick things off, my first bargain---

I collect magazines. OK...truth is, I hoard them. A few weeks back, I was given an ultimatum by DH. Either get rid of them, or cancel or my subs. I begged, pleaded...nothing swayed him. So, I began going through them all. I took out pages with craft ideas, recipes, exercise tips. Grabbed a 3-ring binder and organized these pages by subject. I was doing great...until I got to my scrapbook/paper crafts mags. I couldn't tear out all the pages I liked! I'd be tearing out every page! So off we went to the Container Store. $15 dollars for magazine holders, though??? I looked at DH and said..."Nope..I'm MAKING these suckers."
Ran off to the post office, grabbed some Priority Mail boxes, cut them up, glued on some pretty fabric, and TADA! A pretty magazine holder for a fraction of the cost!
I even made some to corral Monster #1 and Monster #2's coloring books!! Here's some pics:

Not too shabby for a one-armed girl, huh? LOL

Stay tuned for Bargain #2!!!

Week in Review

2009-02-14T11:08:00.005-05:00

It has been a week of frustrations, excitement, pain, and laughter. A true roller coaster of sorts.
The surgery and recovery is oviously my focus, but life has a way of making things bright when they may otherwise be difficult.
My daughters have been getting along wonderfully...which is a huge help for the husband, since he has been tasked with the majority of their care.
I have been stumbling across interesting and amazing blogs, which have spurred my creative side.
I was the lucky winner of two wonderful giveaways from the One World One Heart Giveaways.
The first:
Yarnplayers Arts' Tatting Giveaway
Marilee's necklace is absolutely beautiful, and I can't wait to wear it with a LBD for a nice evening out. Check out her etsy shop, too. You can find lovelies like this:

Visit her shop here: Yarnplayer's Etsy Shop

My second win was from Tracy at Side of the Road. I was excited to enter this since I am currently planning to redo my bedroom in black and white with red accents. How lovely will this look hanging in there?!
You can buy her gorgeous pieces here: Side of The Road's Etsy Shop.
You can snag some really pretty things, such as the barkcloth heart below.

And, to top it all off, I just received an email from Marta at Marta's Meanderings that I was the lucky winner of James Patterson's Run For Your Life. I am looking forward to reading this, as I've liked his other books. A great addition to my library.
Marta is also giving away a copy of Dan Simmons' The Terror here:
The Terror Giveaway
Check out her other reviews, too, while you're there. They are well-written and her blog is refreshing!

Overall, the blessings I have had this week have comp[letely overshadowed the obstacles before me. I am utterly thankful.

Enjoy this day of love, and spread happiness wherever you go.

Beautiful site with a wonderful message

2009-02-12T02:34:00.004-05:00

Still navigating through Blogland when I stumbled upon kidz.
This better explains the site:
This is a site that celebrates the lives and lessons of special needs children, a.k.a. kidz. This is a site for everyone, not just friends and families of kidz. Our mission is to increase awareness and understanding about different health conditions and to help all people cope with challenges and enjoy life!

It really is touching, especially as a parent.
As a bonus, they're having a blog party next week and hosting giveaways. I hope you take some time to visit this site. You'll be amazed!

Recovery, Restlessness, and Ramblings

2009-02-11T18:01:00.000-05:00

I had my surgery yesterday. My arm is still mostly numb from the nerve block, but the pain is starting. I want so badly to craft to take my mind off the discomfort, but it's difficult doing it one-handed (I tried..) Surgery went well, though, and the doctor did put a plate in. So now I guess I'm almost Bionic Woman. LOL
I've been surfing the blogosphere to pass the time, and have come across really interesting blogs. We have so many talented people on Blogger. It amazes me!

One of these talented people is Samantha at Scrapmaster's Paradise. Head iver to her blog and you'll be inspired, too.
Plus, she's hosting a great giveaway here:
http://thescrapmaster.blogspot.com/2009/02/sp-february-giveaway.html

I need to find my camera cord to upload my latest card creation from before my injury. Better get on that~

----E

So pretty!!

2009-02-06T13:12:00.000-05:00

After being down in the dumps, I decided to suck it up and cultivate creativity. Winning this would certainly help me!----

http://sparklecards.blogspot.com/2009/01/blog-candy.html

Here I Sit, Broken Hearted...

2009-02-05T23:22:00.000-05:00

...if you remember this ditty from 6th grade camp or from junior high, you're probably chuckling. And to ease your mind, no I didn't do THAT...the title just seemed catchy. LOL

I am hurting because I have a physical owie. A booboo better known as a broken wrist. This sucks in soooo many ways.
(Pardon me while I grab cheese to go with my whine)
It throws off my exercise regimen, right when it was becoming a great habit and I was beginning to really note physical changes.
I decided to start a new hobby of arts n' crafts, making ponytail holders for the girls. The materials now sit, untouched, begging for attention on the table. A tease for my crippled hand.
I was on a roll with my card-making/scrapbooking. That will also gather dust for a while.
Oh....and try typing one-handed. MUCH easier than it sounds!!!

At least I get to say I did it snowboarding, which throws an air of coolness which covers the underlying fact that in reality, I'm a huge klutz.

Sigh...pass the crackers.

What a Way to Kick the Blog Started Again!

2009-02-03T09:45:00.000-05:00

Free Dennys Grand Slam breakfast on Tuesday from 6am-2pm --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-the restaurants are also supposed to have 500 rain check coupons, so if you show up and can’t wait they’re supposed to give you that so you can get it another time.
www.dennys.com

----Just a lil something for now. I've been gone far too long, but with good reason. Will spill later. For now, go have a delish breakfast!

2008-05-13T10:29:00.000-04:00

This wonderful quote is by Marianne Williamson. It has often caused me to pause and evaluate my life. Am I using my talents to benefit not only my life, but the lives of those around me? Am I living my life to its greatest potential? Perhaps the answers are no, but just knowing that I could BE more, that I could DO more....quite a motivating thought in itself.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

What area in your life are you playing small in? And how can you change it so that you're letting your light shine?

2008-05-07T15:35:00.000-04:00

I have finals for both of my online college courses tomorrow, and I really should be studying. Instead, of course, I'm surfing the 'net and generally putting off what I SHOULD be doing.
I've been looking for a way to spruce up my blog, since, after all, this time I'm actually serious about keeping it up. And I happened to stumble upon a site that has amazing designs! Pink Armchair Designs is ran by Jenny from the great state of Texas. Her blog headers showcased on her site are phenomenal...and...*drumroll*....us lucky bloggers have a chance to WIN one of her designs!! Let me add, this....most other places I saw charge an arm and a leg. Jenny doesn't. Her designs are super affordable. But..nothing's cheaper than free, so here's the contest info:

"On Saturday, [Jenny] will take the names of all the people who link [her]/comment and put them in a drawing. AT LEAST one lucky person will win! But wait, there's more! For all the people who enter and don't win, [she]'ll give $3 off a blog design!"

So head on over to Pink Armchair Designs (gotta love the name!) and enter....
http://pinkarmchairdesigns.blogspot.com/

2008-05-07T11:45:00.000-04:00

Not so last minute on this one!! You have until May 9th to enter the 5 Minutes for Mom Mother's Day Giveaways. These ladies are just too generous!! Handbags, Printers, Gift certificates to Outback......who wouldn't want to enter??!

Click on the link below and enter to win!!

2008-05-07T11:26:00.000-04:00

This may be last minute, but it is truly too good to pass up! 5 Minutes for Mom, and incredible blog with a wealth of information for all Moms, is hosting a Toy Giveaway. Today is the last day to enter, so rush on over there, check out the site, and enter these giveaways!!

2008-05-05T15:55:00.000-04:00

It seems forever since the last time I blogged. I have a good excuse though: aside from being a full-time mom, I'm also now a full-time student and a full-time employee at Boston University. How's that for putting too much on my plate? LOL

So my husband (DH, from now on) is leaving this week for two months on job orders. It's complicated, but there's one part of me that wishes he'd stay and another part that can't wait for him to go. I'm sure other wives out there feel my dilemma.
Don't get me wrong. I love DH....it's just that..sometimes...it feels like I have THREE kids at home, not two! And besides, who doesn't love that excitement the day a loved one comes home after a long absence, right?

But I bet you anything I'll be singing a different tune two weeks from now, when the stress of dealing with two small children gets to me!!

So for now...I take time at work to read other blogs and enter contests. Oh...and I find great deals. After all, that's what keep me sane!

2008-03-28T19:52:00.000-04:00

Job hunts suck. It seems like you go months without any good prospects, only to be faced with having to choose between job offers that sound too good to be true. That's where I'm at right now, and why I haven't had the time to focus on finding deals, much less entering contests or even shopping. I even had to send my husband on a grocery run today *gasp*. If only I could find a contest to win a clone of myself.

While a clone is a fruitless search, I did find a contest going on right now at an awesome blog site. Momsational is giving away 5 (yes...FIVE!!) Ultreo Ultrasound Power Toothbrushes. Ultreo’s bristles create microbubbles that are powerfully activated by nearly 4 million cycles of ultrasound energy per brushing channeled by a proprietary ultrasound waveguide. Although that's too much scientific jargon for me to understand, I know it equals super clean teeth and a super convenient way to brush. This is DEFINITELY a product to help out harried and weary moms...at least with their own personal hygiene. Enter here:

http://emomsathome.com/momsational/win-an-ultreo-ultrasound-power-toothbrush/

Giveaway ends at midnight PST April 9th. While you're there, check out their site. Bet you find something awesome!

2008-03-12T18:05:00.000-04:00

www.Fitnessformommies.net

I've made a somewhat irrational choice to begin training for a 10K. My goal is to complete one being held in November. That gives me 8 months to get my butt in gear and actually hit the gym, hit the pavement, and hit myself on the forehead wondering why I made myself do this. I know...I know. This can only be good. But I'm sure it'll hurt pretty bad to get there.

Scoping around the 'Net, I came across this great site. Most conveniently, they have a contest up to win some really cool running pants. Click the link above to get to it, sign up for the contest, and then spend some time looking around. Well worth it.

See? Cool site AND contest. All-in-one. Do I deliver, or what? ;-)

Just Keep Swimming!

2008-03-11T09:54:00.000-04:00

Jumping in to the blogging pool. Racked my brain to figure out..."What should I write about? What inspires me? What interests me?" While pondering this blog's existence, I looked online to get my textbooks for school, and found myself doing what I do best...finding that great deal, and stumbling upon awesome websites.
In doing so, I found my answer. This blog will highlight great deals, new websites, product reviews, and aimless chatter. Interspersed with my own commentary on interesting tidbits, of course.

And so we begin....

Here's a headsup about an awesome giveaway at one of my favorite stores. IKEA is having a sweepstakes called "One-Year-In-The-Clear". The prize: One (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive “mortgage payments for a year” awarded as a check in the amount of $24,000.00.
All you have to do is go to Ikea and enter at the store.
Going on from March 10th to the 23rd.

If any of you win, I expect a 10% cut. :-)