Breaking

For those of you that happen to read or follow this crazy ole' blog of mine......thanks! But, due to some personal issues I haven't been blogging much of my business lately. I really enjoyed blogging and may eventually resume some blogging on here but I've chosen to take a break from this particular blog for awhile.

I'm still an avid blog reader and love to see what others are up to and what they look like these days but as far as my blogging, maybe another day.

Note to Felisha

Dear Felisha,

Felisha Felisha Felisha, stay away from the boys!!! And just what are you doing speeding so fast young lady? Don't you know that could cause a lot of problems!! And this most recent picture of you....just what exactly have you done with your hair missy? I know its summer and all but goodness girlfriend...and just where did you meet this Enrique character...you've got some explaining to do!!

Love you always,

Mom

XOXO

MIAMI – Forecasters say Hurricane Felicia is intensifying rapidly far out in the Pacific while Tropical Storm Enrique is weakening not far away.

The National Hurricane Center in Miami says Felicia's maximum sustained winds are near 100 mph and could become a major hurricane during the next day or so. Enrique, which is farther east, has winds near 50 mph.

Felicia is now a Category 2 storm and is about 1,335 miles west-southwest of the southern tip of Mexico's Baja California peninsula.

Enrique is centered about 785 miles southwest of the peninsula.

Right now neither is threatening land.

~Obviously I'm a little silly or bored or something. Or I'm just so excited to see Felisha's name thrown out there in the news! Even if it could turn disastrous!! Which by the way I hope doesn't as that just wouldn't reflect very good on herself!

P.S. Yup, its official....I've gone silly!!

OMG

Because I've gone all Amish as I have no tv in my new pad I must rely on Yahoo's OMG for my daily dirt of boring Hollywood gossip. I find it almost sad that I could totally see myself wearing this same ensemble that Marc Anthony is wearing! Right down to the cutest stinkin sandals evah!! Love ya Jenny not from my block but you're forgetting a little something. Maybe it was all a ploy on Marc's part as he says to Jenny hey lets go grab ice cream and she just simply forgot her bottoms! I guess food can have that affect on one!

Seriously tho....I'm loving his not her sandals!

P.S. I'm not against receiving late birthday gifts of matching sandals in a size 6!! I mean gosh I did turn the big 3-0 this year!!!

The Noticer

I just finished reading what I believe to be the most amazing book ever. This book truely is a must read and I suggest it to anyone that is willing to sit and really read and take it all in as they do so because I just believe people can take and learn so much from it no matter where they are in life. I don't want to spoil the book or really tell too much about it because I could never describe and give it the proper justification it deserves. But the book is about perspective and how you see things and how others see you and so forth and its an amazing read that can be applied to your own life. You just have to read it. The Noticer by Andy Andrews. I found it at Sams Club for under $8 and believe it to be the cheapest there but with it not being a new release or anything I'm sure your local library may have it. I was surprised to see that Sams was out of this book when I went back. Did they know I was going to post about it here and sell out? As I seem to scour Sams Club for great books (yes I sometimes go there specifically for books! I know crazy huh!) my next read is Beautiful Boy by David Sheff which can be picked up for under $10. Compared with last weeks number of copies to todays supply at my local Sams they are selling out of this one quick too! I must really have good taste or something!! LOL!

Diva's and mine

I sometimes sit and wonder if I could possibly be the most laid back momma on the block. Ya, I think within at least a 3 mile radius I probably am.........considering that's a dude striking a pose with my fave girlie!

Obviously I'm not opposed to others individuality and have no problems exposing my children to it. People are who they are and I'm not one to judge or criticize. In fact I applaud it. So many of us are so caught up on worrying about 'keeping up with the Jones' and hoping for their approval on things and quite frankly I could care less about the Jones' (nothing personal Jones families). We are individuals and different and unique and I don't dare shelter my kids from that. I believe in exposing them to all walks and ways of life. We are all different and beautiful in our own ways. But really, life's too short and if you choose to wear blue eyeshadow and big shades just make sure you rock it well!!

~On another note~

Felisha gets so much stinkin' prettier every day. The features in her face are becoming more defined and beautiful with age. I catch myself looking at her all the time thinking wow how my little girl is growing up so fast. I think she's a pretty girl and will be a very beautiful woman one day. That gorgeous red hair and spectacular set of blue eyes still amaze me every day as I'm so thankful for that stork that dropped her at my doorstep!! LOL! ~ongoing joke with Felisha! Ya, so maybe I'm biased cause she's mine and all but hey I love her!

As far as the dude in the pic and all the other dudes like him I only ask why your lips look so stinikin' good. Do you guys go to some secret underground night lip pouting school that I don't know about?? And if so is it here in the city? Can I go too???

In all honesty when ones confidence in themselves shows like this one can't help but admire it.

P.S. This dude really has to be kin to me as we have like the same skinny a$s arms! Mine with no ink of course but hey!

Beware of the Puma's

One must really become creative when trying to break the ice. Since I just love to be on the cutting edge of everything (or not) I will spill the latest, trendiest, craziest and deadliest way to officially break the ice. Ready for this? Yes I said deadliest...still ready? Ok, here goes.........step on a mouse and kill it. Yeah, uh I did that on accident I swear because had I seen Bob (aka dead mousey) I'd of gotten out of his way! While at work I was just doing my job and almost tripped and then turn and look down and there lay Bob on his side breathing his last little breaths. Because I am so not a sissy I didn't scream at all. Instead I just pointed and said gross and that someone needs to get him outta here so I can do my job. Dude next to me looks puzzled and doesn't do anything. The only other female in the immediate area goes and grabs a piece of paper and picks up poor ole Bob and throws him in the trash! And here I thought I was all cool cause I didn't shriek like sissy and she goes and picks him up like it was nothing! I am not that macho! So needless to say it gave us all a little laugh and got us talking. I mean of all the places for a mouse to go he ends up underneath my whooping size 6 shoe??? Ok Bob! If that's the way you wanted to go...RIP little guy!

Budding Photographer?

For whatever reason Braden loves to get into my closet and wear my heels. Always one pink and one tan. Why? Because that's how he rolls! He seems to love his own fashion sense so much he wanted it documented via pictures! Here ya go little guy!

And His Name is Austin

So the day has come. I really thought I had a 'few good years left'! Who knew it would turn up so soon, I mean I'm not even in my 'prime' yet! LOL (ok so I really don't know when exactly that hits so plz inform me if you've heard the expression so I don't feel like a total dweeb!)

Felisha has a......a......a boyfriend! I don't know if I'm supposed to be happy or sad or just cry. She's really liking her new school and now I think we can all guess why! Hmmmmm, I wonder!

So this whole new found 'boyfriend' thing, what is that again, has left me wondering what I do as 'the girlfriends mom'. Is that my new official title or do they just call me 'Felisha's mom'? Or 'hey yo, lady'? Cause I know the poor kid isn't calling me 'mom'!! Although I am pondering the idea of having him call me 'your royal majesty all mighty one queen of all' as he is to bow down before me! Like that will happen!

Seriously, I mean what are my new duties is what I'm trying to figure out? Do I chaperone them to the movies and sit between them and buy them each their own individual pop corns? Do I take them out for dinner and ice cream and make sure they don't play footsie? Do I take them swimming in parkas? Do I take them out shopping with dog collars so they don't try to stray from me? Do I invite him over and give him the 1 gazillion questions and analyze each of his answers? Or do I just sit back and see where it goes, I mean they're only 10..............going on 22! Either way...scary!!

Baseball Dreams

When my children take an interest in something I try to do my part to help encourage them and provide the tools necessary. The other day Braden came to me with a soccer ball and a piece of his race car track. He stood back and held his race car track like a bat and beings as I'm pretty quick to catch onto things I realized he wanted to play baseball. Poor thing:( What little boy doesn't doesn't have a baseball bat to go with his gazillion balls?

Not my boy! He has a good mommy that ran to Target and spent a whopping $2.50 on a plastic baseball bat/ball set. I even managed to find a baseball shirt at JCPenneys cause I was so embracing the desire of my little one.

Yeah he's pretty special!

Totally expecting to see a pic of him with his bat huh? Ya, sorry! Expect the unexpected! LOL

Moment of Peace

I love my children. I love them more than anyone in this world. Last Sat. Felisha attended a birthday/slumber party for her best gf in GV. After droping her off I cleaned my car and took Braden out for dinner, dropped him off at his dads then came home and crashed (in Felishas bed none the less). I didn't call anyone. I didn't go out with anyone. I didn't do anything. And I was fine with that. I find myself alone again this Sat. night as Felisha is an amazing girl and makes great friends so easily that after only a few days at her new school she has been invited to spend the night at a new pals house. We spent the day sleeping in until the phone guy came, then cleaned up the place (or I did anyway) then shopped around for phones and stuff. At Bed Bath & Beyond I found this voice changer and was playing with it. After deciding to purchase the thing she looked at me and said something along the lines of being so glad I saw the thing and how it was so nice to have such a fun mom. Some kids say things like that because of what they are getting but this was more than that. This was deeper and was about more than a silly toy. Driving home and walking up the stairs she couldn't stop talking about how funny I sounded saying her name through it. I guess it's the little things that amaze both of us. So as the voice changer lay on her bed unopened as she's at her new gal pals I'm home alone again. Almost a repeat of last Sat. I didn't call anyone. I didn't do anything. I could have went out and done something but instead chose to go to bed from pure exhaustion. I'm tired all the time. I'm tired of all the lows and fights and stress. After waking and going through a much needed crying spell I look around and am at peace for a moment. My doors are locked as I'm safe and secure in my own place and I can shut my phone off and avoid any unwanted arguments. So as I sit here alone (on a Sat. night none the less) I feel ok. I know that my daughter is having a good time and that my son has a nice warm bed to sleep in and as I sit here doing nothing I'm carefree. I'm not stressing about anything at the moment. And that feels good for a change.

For the Love of Books

After a bad circle of events I call 'life' that I totally tire of its always good to know that one can count on retail therapy to somewhat spring them back to their usually perky, witty, fun loving self. Ah, the power a store can hold!

I've come to find out my new location really is 'a good thing' as Martha would say. I'm minutes from shopping and restaurants and totally took advantage of this today. It may appear as though I have neglected my blog/s lately but I have a lot of issues I'm trying to work through lately and haven't really been feeling like myself. I do however enjoy blogging as its a way to express myself and journal and document things because I've decided I'm totally not cut out to be a scrapbooking diva so this will have to suffice. Sorry kiddos!

After being a good mother and enrolling my daughter back in school for the last 10 days here we had us a girls nite. We went for dinner and strolled around our new shopping center. After blowing a wad at Barnes and Noble we hit up Cold Stone for some I scream, u scream, we all scream for ICE CREAM! Its good to know that everyone followed our lead and packed the place on a Wed. night and that girls will still sacrifice comfort to sport their ever brightly hued stiletto's in order to impress us with their almost nonexistent walking abilities in them! I do hope those poor girls enjoyed their ice cream cause I know their feet were killing them!

I think I've mentioned before how me and Felisha can easily find peace amongst a book store. I don't know if its the smell of fresh new books, big comfy seats, the leisurely atmosphere or the smell of Starbucks but we do love our Barnes and Noble trips. Or any other bookstore really, we're not partial! We both enjoy reading and bringing home new books to curl up with. Today's trip was more along the lines of 'classics'. Children's classics to be exact and I don't know how we managed that but we were both pleased with our selections. The Giving Tree (in hardback 40 year edition ooh la la) has always touched my heart. Every time I see it in plain view I have to pick it up and sit my big ole booty on the little seats and read it. Always makes me think about life. Falling Up is a book I haven't read in ages but Felisha was very excited to snatch this one up. She loves it. The Missing Piece, I really don't remember this book at all but love it so now. Ya, I guess we kinda had a thing for Shel Silverstein tonight! I may as well have bought all of his books tonight but I didn't. We'll save that for another day! Made You Look, cause who doesn't love those Where's Waldo kinda books?!! And last but not least our beloved Harold and the Purple Crayon. I think Braden will love the Harold books. Reminds me of my little monkey boy! I already like to think he loves his Curious George books cause they are so much alike! And if Braden decides to whip a purple crayon out everywhere.......I'll know who got him started!

Randomness

So yikes! I didn't realize I left a post of my little guy being sick up as the first thing on my blog for so long! I know that's so what everyone wants to see when they pull up my blog so your welcome really!

I'm done moving, however trying to unpack my stuff is a bit of a challenge as one really must get creative when living in smaller quarters with so much stuff. Well, that or unload some junk! I haven't quite decided on that one yet, hence all the boxes everywhere.

I really don't know where I'm going with this post because my mind is wondering and well I have nothing super exciting to blog about. The 'Chic Pad' as me and Felisha like to call it is coming along slowly. It'll be super cute in time. Felisha's room is probably the cutest at the moment with her new bedroom suite and all. We are doing white furniture with black accessories and then her bedding we are thinking we'll do black and white with lime green accents. I think we can pull it off. I'm almost certain she will be sneaking her vampire boyfriend into the decor somehow. Just a hunch I have.

Since I heart Target and visit them frequently I'm totally loving the fact that they are just across the freeway from me and theres a Starbucks in there so its just grand really! In there ever changing Dollar Spot we found an autograph frame for a buck of course and I had Felisha take it to her old school and have her classmates sign it before her last day there. When she brought it home I found it to be so stinkin' cute cause they all left little messages and their phone numbers! All I can say is thank goodness for unlimited texting!!

Bad Day

Braden's just not having such a good day today.

After falling asleep in his highchair at lunch













Then repeatedly having to 'assume the position' as he had the unwanted runs that he was not fond of at all. -which just had to wait till I came home from work...all the timing. I'm beginning to think he saves all of this just for me!


















No bad day is complete without spewing the contents of your stomach on all over the place. And then spewing specifically on your mother! Thank you Braden! I really did need to stop eyeing my boyfriends (see prior post). -no worries I did not take a picture of that!

But alas, things do turn around. After showering and feeling better one plays dress up! -At 4 in the morning.


















And ones with crazy mothers blog about it because once again I am procrastinating packing...or sleeping apparently.

Anticipation Rising

Because I mother a serious Twi-Hard fan that yes still suffers from OCD (Obsessive Cullin Disorder), but of course we are talking about Felisha here, I am always up to date on all the latest Twilight happenings. I must say after getting my daily dirt from Yahoo's OMG I'm really looking forward to the new movie coming out!

Need an explanation? I think not!

-really liking the one on the far left! Not crazy about the tattoo but hey!

I'm thinking this movie will appeal to not only to the tween/teen girls, you know because of my famous cardboard boyfriend and all,

but also somehow spark an interest with the tween/teen girls mothers. I just wouldn't have any clues as to why! I mean we all know I'm a fan! At this rate I'm thinking they may as well hand out drool catchers at the door to the theaters!

Home

Home is where I sleep. People always ask where 'home' is as I'm not from the area. In my line of work I'm referred to as a 'transplant'. Yes I voluntarily chose to transfer and move north again and have to deal with the cold and snow and wind and crazy weather but aside from the absurd weather (I prefer the warmer climates) I like it here so far. I have a tendency to move around a bit and have fond memories from every place I've ever lived but to refer to one as 'home' I can't do. Most people tend to think the place you grew up or where most of your family resides is 'home' but I disagree because well quite frankly I don't live there or feel that its my home anymore. Its just a place I used to live.

I've lived way up north in the land of cheese otherwise known as Wisconsin, the land of basketball and cornfields they call Indiana, picked up a bit of a southern accent in Kentucky, refined it a tad in Texas and now back north I go. Along the way I have found I will always have a special place in my heart for cheese curds, fresh sweet corn, sweet tea (I mean sweet southern sweet good stuff), and meat pies. When visiting my old stomping grounds I always have to stop in at certain restaurants I frequented during my stays. Just thinking about my fave restaurants Royal Thai comes to mind. While in Bowling Green, KY or Nashville (although I only visited the BG location a lotta lot) one must make this their stop. I ate there all the time and the waiters knew us well and our usual! Best food eva! The 101 and 501 with chicken and make it Thai! Yummmm! Makes my mouth water just thinking about it. I know I turned a lot of people onto that small restaurant and should totally be receiving commission any day now but I won't hold my breath over it!

The hardest part of moving is leaving your friends. This is really starting to take a toll on Felisha as shes getting older. That poor girl has been to 7 different schools (unless I'm forgetting any) and shes only in the 4th grade. Usually its from moving state to state due to work as I 'Follow the Money' as I call it. But this time I'm choosing to pull her from her school to be closer to work and the city. Lucky for her one of her best gals mother does my hair and as I'm forever changing my 'do' she doesn't have to worry about losing contact with her! One cannot trust just anyone with their hair! I do love my girls at the salon tho. They give the lowdown on everything and I value their opinion as they know all (locally speaking).

While I procrastinate packing this house (by blogging obviously)

I get to move into this

ok so maybe its a little bigger than the picture lets on....but not by much!

For the Love of Pillows

One really has to admire a child's determination, creativity and success! Braden pushed an ottoman from the living room into my bedroom (no big feat for him as he's always redecorating for me) and set things up for his own 'pillow pit' (I'm thinking one of those ball pits would be like heaven for him)! He repeatedly climbed onto the ottoman to climb onto the bed to jump over a small hurdle of pillows to jump into the pit of pillows! He did this for quite some time just laughing and having a blast! That's my Braden! Always wild and fun loving!





















This last picture cracks me up of him 'soaring in the air'.

On another note, I think Braden may be a decorating genius. Note how the ottoman tends to match the bedding. I never would have thought of that. Two year olds can be so smart!

She Got Skillz!

My sister has some mad sewing skillz that I simply do not possess. I love and envy my sister for her talented sewing abilities but wonder where in the heck my sewing skills are! In order to bring our love of handmade and uniquely different things a bit closer I purchased a sewing machine last summer and it just simply hasn't had much action. As much as I enjoy tinkering with it (when I actually get a chance to pull it out and play) nothing much has come from it. I've made some very simple, plain curtains and that's about it.














-Please don't look too closely at them either for they are flawed for sure! My pillow making attempt is pretty bad-hence the solo pillow! Poor things they are! I really do love this window seat as its me and Braden's favorite reading spot!

Beings as I love to shop and find fun new things and dream of taking them home and wearing them out and being stopped every ten minutes cause I look so stinkin' haute........reality kicks in when I see the price tag and have to suck it up and walk away. Sometimes I get this crazy notion to try to recreate things I've seen...or better yet snap a picture and email it to my sister with a pleasey please I'm your favorite sister (and only but that's besides the point) request for her to make me one (only cuter of course) with her much more accomplished sewing abilities.

Prime example:

















Ginnifer Goodwin's red and white dress is simple but cute. I saw this picture and thought of my sister right away. I mean this really doesn't look tooooooo terribly hard to sew right? I think I may have to get a cutesy mannequin to play around with things, or just sit to around looking pretty like my sewing machine! Although I may have already done one better...I emailed this picture to my sis explaining how it looks fairly simple and she could add this to her summer line and make it for all ages!

As far as I know my sister actually reads my blog (and should totally be getting busy with this project! ha ha). If there are others out there that do...thank you as I'm impressed anyone would want to read what I have to say! And if you can sew I'm a size small!

Posting Via Email

My Little Princess....I mean Prince! -trying out blogging via email from my phone! (I realize now that my phone has been rather neglected from taking pictures) This may just change that!



Sent from my iPhone

-Update....not so happy with my lack of picture:( It shows up sent with a picture but its not showing up per blog which bums me out a bit. I'll mess around later...I really need my beauty sleep now.

Text a Post

Trying something new...posting via text! Yes, I saw this new (unless I've been really blind all this time and never saw it) option. This could be really fun! Now I really wish I could text pictures like regular phones cause what's a post without some kind of picture??? But then again...I can email posts too which I shall try next!

No More Hannah Please!

So I moved here a year ago and am just now aware of a great babysitting service. People simply pull up, hand their kids some cash and kick them out of the car at the local movie theater. Why was I not informed of this sooner? I mean gosh can I drop Braden off on one of his bad days so I can go shopping or get some cleaning done or catch a nap or better yet go out and party it up? He's quite cute and I'm sure he could work his magic and share some cute girls popcorn. Seriously tho, I've never been to this particular theater before which happens to be closer and smaller than my usual stop and I easily see why. I'm not between the ages of 12 and 16 and looking somewhat like a parental figure I stood out a bit. Lets put it this way, I think the theater patrol/security man a.k.a head babysitter/disciplinarian was relieved to see another adult in the sea of raging hormonal teenagers. I asked him if he felt like a babysitter and he claims that's all he is. On the plus side of his babysitting career he doesn't have to change stinky diapers and wash poo off their feet (read previous post).

So what movie review do I have for you today? Hannah Montana. Please don't get all excited and jump up and down for joy like I did (or didn't). I was honestly shocked my daughter and her girlfriend wanted to see this movie. Didn't take me long to catch on why...boys! Apparently Miley's childhood friend is cute. I just wasn't seeing it, I mean he's no Robert Pattinson/hot vampire so no lusting for me! The movie wasn't all that great but then again this is my review of the movie and sadly I'm no longer a preteen that finds young guys under 17 hot. I wasn't impressed with the movie or the story or really any of it. Hannah Montana is sooo over in my book.









I have to laugh at myself though as 2 years ago or so I remember getting up bright and early and driving over to Centurytel to purchase Hannah Montana concert tickets only to have them sell out online and only 5 people were actually able to purchase tickets at the window out of a few hundred (myself included) causing the rest of us to be sent home empty handed. I laugh because I actually considered paying the ridiculous couple hundred bucks (via scalper) to take her to the sold out concert. So glad I was such a tightwad and didn't make it to see her lip sync.

Being Confined Stinks and Vice Versa

One can't help but wonder what goes through a two year old's head. While I was at work tonight (thank goodness) I was informed that Braden felt rather 'confined' by his diaper and pulled it off and then proceeded to #2 on the floor! If you thought the fun stopped there you are so mistaken as he apparently thought he was at some sort of grape stomping festivity (think I Love Lucy) as he proceeded to stomp the snot out of his poo! Why Braden why? Beings as though I was no where in sight and didn't have to smell or witness such an occasion I can't help but laugh my butt off picturing Braden in his poo and others having to clean it all up! Ahhh the joys of being a working mother!

Unexplainable Bling

One must consider mysterious light images appearing from nowhere when wearing some bling-age. As I was driving to work today I kept seeing these small little light reflections and thought I was losing my mind. I look over to my passenger seat, back seat, hood of my car, behind my car, on the floor of my car, cars behind me, everywhere. I really thought I was losing it for awhile as it was driving me nuts not knowing where they were coming from. I safely make it to work and hours pass and it finally dawns on me that my shirt be 'blinging it' so to speak and that's what was making me go silly and not some creature from nowhere trying to whisk me away to some foreign land of Ecstasy. All my luck!

Frugal Beauty

As I'm about to devulge my most frugal beauty secrets you're probably gonna think I'm a bit nutso! I'm the kind of person that will try just about anything once. So when someone told me to use baking soda as a facial scrub....I did! And I've used it ever since! Just pour a little bit into the palm of your hand add some water and gently scrub your face and neck all over. Get under your nose and above your lips and all over that face of yours. Rinse off and pat dry. I've even read about this being compared to microdermabrasion and we all know thats a bit pricey and time consuming compared to a few minutes and a box of Arm & Hammer. My girlfriend that told me about this noticed a difference in my skin a few weeks later and was all 'see I told ya so!' My skin and wallet have been thanking her ever since!













I tried the whole Vaseline over problem areas on my skin and it worked for awhile but like most everything else I've tried this too stopped working so well for me. I do continue to use it on my lips from time to time. I like to put something on my lips before bed so they don't dry out. I was told to apply Vaseline to dry spots and blemishes before makeup and bed so you can try this method also and see if it you have any luck.

















Prepare yourself for this trick....I hope you're sitting down and don't die of laughter reading this but I swear by it! I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil on my face. Yes, I have a bit of a mini kitchen going on in my bathroom cabinet but I'm telling ya it works for me! Here's the link I read that actually suckered me into trying this. I have combination, oily, dry, acne prone, in other words pathetic skin. I've never used the suggested sunflower oil but I have mixed my olive oil with castor oil when my acne wants to flare up and it nips it in the bud so to speak. If I was any good at taking care of my skin I would do this faithfully every single day because when I do my skin truely behaves. Another perk with the oil is that I find I don't even need to mess with eye makeup remover most days because it removes that for me too! Again, frugality at its best! A way to save a bit of time and water is to go to the kitchen and wet your washcloth and then pop it in the microwave to get it all 'spa steamy' before applying to your face. I do this a few times and then wipe any remaining eye makeup off when I'm done.

So on a typical day I never use any soap on my face. I either cleanse with oil or use baking soda as my scrub but I always apply a little bit of olive oil all over my face, even on my eyelids because they tend to dry out, as a moisturizer before applying makeup and before bed. I rub this in really good and give it time to really soak in. My skin tends to feel dry without it and my little lines that come with age are less visible keeping me looking like I'm in my early 20's! Thank you olives!! The olive oil is great on your lips too as it makes them super shiney and sooo soft.

I've tried so many products out there but these simple things from our kitchens have worked like no others. You have to give them time though. Its not an over night thing however the scrub I noticed right away especially under my eyes. As for the olive oil, it has sooo many other uses as its packed full of vitamins. Look it up if you have time, you'll be amazed! I like that they are natural ingredients cause I feel so 'green' using them and I'm saving a ton of money that can be spent on other little luxuries like Bare Escentuals Dolly lip gloss! This color looks good on any skin type and has that lip plumpin' cooling tingly feel so we can all look a bit Hollywood!

I've been working on easier, healthier, safer alternatives to the harsh chemicals we so easily use day in and day out. Some safer alternatives we already have and just need to look at in different ways. Crazy as some may seem...you may be surprised at what they can do for you too.

Awakenings

After hitting up good ole' McDonalds for their awesomely sweet Sweet Tea one has to check out whats playing in their Redbox as you get a free DVD rental with your large drink. So what does this mean for my 'blog stalkers' as I like to refer to anyone (if there is anyone) that reads my blog? Movie Reviews of course!!!



















Awakenings, beings as though it has Robert De Niro and Robin Williams you can rest assured its a good flick. Its about a super compassionate caring doctor that seeks to find change in chronically ill patients. I found myself smiling a lot throughout the movie just because it makes you feel good watching someone that actually cares about helping others. A very sweet movie based on true events. It had me smiling and laughing.

Many many years ago (yes, I know I'm making myself sound soooo old but my late teen years was so long ago) I worked in a nursing home so this movie brought back a lot of memories. Caring for the elderly can be a bit challenging yet very rewarding at the same time. I remember when I first started and was touring the facility going into the Alzheimer's Unit I definitely did not want to end up on that wing! Patients were yelling 'help me' and were just well, very different from what I was expecting. After a few shifts on that 'dreaded wing' of the building I had a change of heart. I got to know who these people were and just really felt for them as they couldn't communicate in the ways we so easily do. You really have to take the time to listen and try to understand where they are coming from. One lady was on a puree diet and getting her to eat was a struggle but if you gave her some 'real' food she would eat it all up, such a simple change ended up being made and she was able to enjoy food again. Telling one you were their mother (obviously I am no where near being close to that) and loved them and wanted them to get some rest would ease some to fall asleep peacefully. Changing little things and making them feel loved made a world of difference. I'd freak out when someone would ask if I took care of so and so the other day only to learn that they loved the fact that I took the time to put their lotion on them or spent a little extra time making sure they were comfortable and had everything the way they liked. I was surprised I was being requested upon as I felt everyone should be taking the time to do such little things but weren't. I couldn't help but care for them all like they were my own grandparents. I have such a weak spot for others. Especially ones that need caring for.

Years after working there and moving states away my own grandmother was placed in that very nursing home so going to visit her there was hard. I remember visiting her while she was eating dinner and she looked up at me and appeared to know who I was instantly. Now, I honestly doubt she knew it was me per say but just the look in her eyes made my heart melt. So many people in nursing homes never have any visitors. I guess its because their family doesn't think they will realize they are there or will even remember who you are and that's just sad. I don't know if my grandmother ever remembered our visits or really acknowledged who I was but I know she was there and I know who I was visiting and I will always cherish those times.

Safetysuit Rockin' The House

I'm totally lovin' the band Safetysuit right now! Safetysuit is a fairly new band and they are totally rockin' it for me! The sound of the music, their voices, the whole flow and that all put together....well....I totally dig!

Curious as to who exactly is rockin' those tunes I looked them up and hey...not bad lookin' guys if I do say so myself!










Back in the day I was a total Nirvana lovin' kinda girl so the cover of their album I just get a kick out of!












I've added quite a bit of Safetysuit on my playlist right now but I was kind enough to space them out ever so strategically! Ok, I just threw them in here and there but either way...Love 'em!!

Career Change?

I've been told its cute, funky, stylish, wild and full of sass! I like to change it up all the time and keep it a bit different. I'm always game for something new and enjoy tinkering around with it. It grows entirely too fast and has its days. But its part of me and I suppose I do as well! I'm not perfect so I don't expect it to be either as its more of a reflection of my inside funky, creative, sassy self as to what it is in the mirror. I like it a bit messy and fuss free cause I'd rather not spend too much time on it...although some may disagree on this!

Its my hair! I've had so many compliments its crazy! Literally! I haven't done anything too drastic to it but all week I've been hounded by women all over about it. People I've never seen or spoken to are coming up and complimenting it. Kinda blows one away cause its the same hairs on my head as always. They just got a fresh coat of spring color last Saturday and maybe that alone just puts everyone in their chipper chatty ways! Either way it can make one feel good. And also put the pressure on one to make sure its at its sassyness everyday!

This is it! Nothing too exciting! I simply run the trusty Chi through it to smooth it out and bend the ends a bit to girl it up cause I'm not into spikey hair on myself as I feel it makes one (or maybe just me) look kinda butch-ish if ya know what I'm sayin'!














-I did say I don't like to spend too much time on it right! Pic was taken before work so don't expect too much!

I keep the back super short (so misleading from the front! Ha!) so I really just have to mess with the top and front of my hair.

I should totally give up my day(night) job and become a hair model eh! Ha!

Shazam

I've been a 'Shazamin'! Ok so you're probably thinkin' what the heck is that crazy girl a doin' now? Well, if you knew me in person you would easily know that I love my IPhone dearly. Who doesn't just feel completley nek-ed without their cell phone? I mean don't we all sleep with our phones tucked under our pillows now a days? And take them everywhere we go? And go crazy if we're out and don't have much of a charge left on our phone? I mean shoot, Sarah Jessica Parker may be calling to invite me out for lunch and shopping and then my phone dies mid conversation! Then she thinks I'm blowing her off and never calls me back again! The stress involving our cell phones! Arg!

Anyway, I'm really lovin' all my 'Shazamin' lately. Shazam is a free app. on IPhones that I highly reccomend to anyone with such a handy dandy device! Wait, did you catch that its FREE! Probably one of my favorite apps. on my phone. Me and Felisha love to Shazam tunes in the car all the time. Its so easy to use too. You just tap the Shazam button on your phone and then tap Tag Now and viola! You have yourself the song name, artist and tons of other info at your fingertips in seconds. It also stores all your Tags so you scroll back through them when you're no longer on the freeway and you can even share your tags with others! I'm really quite amazed with its abilities because it can still read the song while me and Felisha are belting out the tunes in the car. We jam big time! Its alway been accurate, to my knowledge, and can even pick up the tunes in the grocery store cause we all wanna know where they get that elevator music from I know!

I think for all of you non IPhone users, bless your hearts, you can possibly get this app on your phone as well. I'll have to try with Felisha's and let you know. Shes asleep with her phone tucked under her pillow at the moment! I asked her earlier if I could mess with hers and she's like ah, I have your phone for that! It may take awhile cause I just can't figure her phone out as the IPhone is all I know.

Update: After messing around with Felisha's phone and having no success I realize that we must move to the UK in order for her to have such service. I'll get right on that ya know! Seriously, that feature only works there apparently, by dialing 2580 and holding the phone up to the music. I really must plan a trip to see if this works! Otherwise it's just us IPhone and Blackberry users!

So Shazam it Baby!

Get Scented

Beings as though I have a slight addiction to Victoria's Secret and Bath and Body Works smell goods and of course my new found love of Ed Hardy I suppose you could consider it my personal addiction or just that I strongly believe in good personal hygiene. Lets not discuss the fact that I have 5 different types of deodorant in my bathroom. Seriously, a girl can't be stinkin'! Since I can really only smell what I decide to douse myself in on any given day temporally, like for a whopping 20 minutes, I don't feel the need to spend a ton on smelling great. I do however spend a lot of time sniffing and scouting good smellies. Hey lets face it, its time well spent at the mall!

So what are my all time favorites?

From Victoria's Secret I love, love, love Blossoming Romance the most.

From Bath and Body Works....I could say everything but I think I like the Sea Island Cotton the most because of its fresh cleanliness like scent...

My latest love crazy smell good ever...Ed Hardy's Love and Luck!!! WOW! Now I do spend some buckage on that bad boy...but hes totally worth it! I mean just the lotion alone you can smell on yourself like perfume hours later! I love this scent and its one I can actually smell on myself.













I like simple, clean, fresh, light and floral scents.

My daughter being the one with obsessive disorders (OCD), who now refers to herself as Twilight Diva, loves her Harajuka Love perfume. Harajuka has to have the cutest line of fragrances out there for girly girls. And they all smell so good I'd wear them too but I buy them for her and have enough of my own collection going on.













See the bottle shes holding? Yes thats the perfume! And the jacket, Harajuka cuteness! They are so right when they say its a fatal attraction to cuteness!


P.S. As I type this post my 2 year old is wearing his coat carrying a Target bag of I don't know what, putting sandals on my feet and begging me to take him somewhere in the car. Braden you smell fine! Geez!

Peace

I came home from work tonight to find my camera on the counter. Looking to see what was on it I found these pictures of my favorite girl ever being her silly self so I just had to share with you!

Not only is she cute but she also brushes her back teeth really well! -she ought to as she wants to be a dental hygienist when she grows up...along with a hair dresser and a writer














She cracks me up all the time...shes a funny chic!














This picture is so her! So peaceful!

Am I A Bad Mutha???

So I've decided to confess some of my motherly sins to 'blogland'. I shall do this just a little at a time like a little confessional. I mean I can't confess everything I do 'wrong' as a mother all at once! I'd never be able to stop as there is no end to the madness. It's a daily battle I tell you! Well, that and I do like my kids and don't want them taken away!


Where do I begin....


I have been known to feed my children cereal for breakfast, lunch and dinner....all in the same day.
...And am guilty of allowing them cookies for breakfast on occasion.........with milk mind you!



I send my daughter to school not knowing if she has any lunch money on her account or not and wait for her to bring home a slip from the school cafeteria saying she owes a whopping buck sixty or whatever before writing another check for her. I don't keep track of that....I just wait till the money runs out, I get a notice and write her another check. I think of it as a warm fuzzy letter saying please allow Felisha to join us for lunch!


I have not joined the PTA. Oh My Gosh! Bad mother! BAD! And I'm honestly not sweating my lack of membership! Shhhhh!


I have wrote off books as being read when they haven't for school purposes.

I think its cute and funny when Felisha dresses Braden up like a girl!

I leave my 2 year old in his high chair after meals so I can clean up the kitchen and get some things done around the house. He doens't seem to mind as hes a slow eater. However I'm quick to get him out as soon as he starts to throw food he cares not to eat!

I allow my little boy to jump on the beds, play with dolls and wear my deodorant. -He likes to smell all powdery fresh...is that a bad thing?

I enjoy working outside the home and getting away from the kids for a bit!

I sometimes pretend I don't smell Braden's stinky diapers in hopes that someone else will not only get a good whif but take it upon themselves to change him! -I can dream!

My biggest sin for the moment....leaving my cold medicine on the counter before going to bed only to have Braden wake up and open the 'childproof' bottle so we get the joys of spending a morning in the ER because we didn't know if he swallowed any or not. I have learned that they can reach much farther than I thought (with the help of a chair) and have managed to keep all meds put up. However, I don't feel the need to keep my new prescription toothpaste locked up. (It stays a shelf higher than the other toothpastes.) Such a rebel I know!

One more guilty sin...I allow my son to fall asleep where ever and let him lay there till I know hes zonked out good before moving him to his bed.

Ahhh...back when he was innocent!

Playing with dolls

Really liked that doll!

Kitchen floor

This couldn't have been too bad really

Only my child would cuddle up with dirty laundry and crash!

Working 9 to 5

Don't I wish I had those hours! Some good news is that I go back to work today after being laid off for what seems like forever! I've managed to have worked only a total of 2 (two) yes 2 weeks since Christmas! The rest of this time I've managed to be laid off. Not by choice because I actually like to work! Ok, I like bringing home a paycheck per say.

During such time I'd like to tell you how I've managed to find a cure for all cancers and other diseases, start my own foundation for charitable causes for the good of mankind, make sure no one in this world will ever go hungry and have a roof over their heads every night as well as a warm bed to sleep in and last but not least fix this whole economy situation we all suffer with! I know! I've been soooo busy!

Ok, so I really do wish all of that and more would happen in this lifetime but in the mean time I have been extremely lazy! I have had the privilage of sleeping in, staying in my pj's till noon (or later) daily, putting off washing...drying...and folding impressively large heaps of laundry (I sometimes like to see just how much I can fit in those front loaders!), staying up late, procrasting housework and doing my fair share of 'frugal' shopping. Hardest part of my day? Making sure Felisha is up and ready for school on time! Sad huh! Best part of my days...spending good quaility time with my children!


Busted being lazy and snoozing into the afternoon.















Counting down when his can rid himself of his mommy for awhile!














Are they happy to see me head back to work? (surely not!) (At least I hope!)














Update: Someone stole my veggie sandwich! I put it in the fridge and not even 20 minutes later someone up and ran off with it spreading it all over the kitchen floor! Gee, I wonder who that could have been? Braden, that was supposed to be my dinner tonight at work. What does he think...no dinner no work? Ha! Guess whos counting down now?!

He's Just Not That Into You

Movie reviews for:
'He's Just Not That Into You'

Being the nanny deprived mother that I am sometimes I just have to suck it up and do things with the kids I'd really rather not. You know how kids can really just cramp ones style! All needy and sucking your attention from more important things like a good chick flick. I'm kidding I swear! I love them both to death but you have you taken a 2 year old to the movies lately?

Imagine a child if you will, cute one at that, sitting at the movies drinking his little strawberry banana smoothie all quiet and peacefully enjoying the movie. Eventually this must come to an end! I mean he is 2! So I managed to grab his little tush and dash to the concessions for reinforcements being popcorn and sour patch kids to keep my little one from fussing. Then as he tires of his drink, popcorn and what was left after me and Felisha devoured most of the candy(oops) and the movie he notices the stairs next to his seat. As some find it fun to climb the stairs and walk back and forth down the aisles while the movie is playing the mommy type (and other movie patrons I'm sure) find it just a bit...less enjoying. Oh how fun it is to try to watch a movie and a busy 2 year old in a dark theater. Lets just say this.....I don't advise this to anyone!

















Get your kid outta here! He's ruining the show!

So, for my movie review on 'Hes Just Not That Into You'...Well, first off we stopped for smoothies at Sheridan's so we were running late. Oh and a tidbit most people don't know is that some theaters actually do allow you to bring in your own snacks and drinks. We usually hit an AMC theater nearby and paying for all our goodies once they said you can bring in your own junk. Oh Yeah! I get more looks from other movie patrons than you would believe as the employees there never bat an eye at me carrying in my own drink.

Ok, so I missed the first oh 10-15 minutes which I'm sure had to be good. But you can easily catch onto what was missed. Gigi, is a hoot! I loved her character as she desperately awaits for this guy to call her. Or any guy for that matter! Mary too as with all the technology these days....you never know how someone is going to contact you! The other characters are all in different situations relationship-wise as well so makes for an interesting movie. Lots of little twists and such. I'm not going to spoil the movie but it was a pretty good chick flick. I'm sure I'd of enjoyed it much more if I was privileged enough to have a nanny!

I'd definitely like to see the movie again....without my little guy.

Another movie I saw that I'm surprised is still playing (here anyway) is 'Gran Torino'. That movie was really really good and made me cry. Very good...must see!

I already told you how much I loved loved loved 'Shopaholic'! Oh and the book is just awesome. I'm not going to say way better than the movie because they are actually quite different and yet both are very very good! I need to get the other books in the series as I'm sure they are all equally as adorable!

As I was privileged enough to take a 2 year old to the theaters today, someone else was deprived of the little guy and enjoyed the movie 'Knowing'. Reviews on that was very good as well. But lets remember here that any movie without a 2 year old can be much more easily enjoyed!