Albuquerque or Bust! - A Guest Post

Post contributed by Alvin Moreno

Each year, we gather with excitement in the land of enchantment. Dad makes the traditional roasted turkey that he slow cooks all night long. Mom creates her veggie trays and fills them with lots of fun veggies that all the grandchildren will love.

But what makes Thanksgiving different in Albuquerque? Well, for one, how many families around the country have enchiladas with their dinners or tamales. Yes, living in the great state of New Mexico had certainly added new tradition to the standard Thanksgiving meal.

As the car gets closer to the border of New Mexico, our mouths begin to water with anticipation at all the great foods we will be sampling along the way. Our minds begin to wonder about things we might have left behind that we need on our trip, like the cell phone, or did we lock the front door. Most importantly we remembered to set our security alarm at this website website, knowing that all of our memories and special things were protected and safe.

With each mile, the kids get more excited about seeing Grandma and Grandpa and all the hugs and joy that will be shared along the way. The miles of Thanks we all share for having one another in our lives. "Mom, are we there yet?" yelled from the back seat brings us back to reality that we still have a long road to travel and kids that can't sit still. It's Albuquerque or Bust!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

I totally sucked at getting anything accomplished on my big day off (today). We're still in our pajamas :) I woke up feeling really crappy and went back to bed. I just wish the headache I've been fighting for four days now would go away once and for all!

I've mentioned it previously, but I really need to get going on my holiday wish list if I'm going to start posting stuff about it tomorrow!

Thank you to the good samaritan neighbor who moved our empty garbage can out of the middle of the street. I saw it there when we first woke up, but luckily someone moved it back to our yard.

At the very least, before I go to bed tonight I need a better plan for how we're going to get the rest of the holiday decorations up, stuff prepped for chocolate parties and events in the next week and a half, and how/when to get cookies made and decorated for the cookie exchange in a couple weekends. Whew. I think having it all scheduled out will make me feel a little better.

I polished my nails Sunday night and they're already chipped. Grrr.... Now I'm deciding whether to try and salvage them or start at the beginning again tonight.

I meant to go grocery shopping today too, but it didn't happen. Tomorrow we need to drop the cat off at the groomer at 8am, so hopefully we can go get something done then before we go to music class :)

Let the Shopping Commence!

I'm still working on my holiday wish list. A couple weeks ago, I thought I'd found a dress I would love with some awesome tall women's boots, but the dress just didn't fit right. Unfortunately, this didn't satisfy my craving for new footwear! I'm now back to square one for a dress, but have seen lots of Doc Martens that would look fabulous with anything!

I think some women like sexy heels, but some of us will always be drawn to (and quite attractive in) something a little sturdier. I still have my first pair of fantastic knee-high boots. I got them at the mall and probably paid way too much, until you figure in how long I've been wearing them. They've served me well with mini-dresses, jeans, and even on a few hour motorcycle ride in the rain (not that I'd recommend such an adventure, but the boots held up!).

Now I've just got to narrow down my wish list, but I'm sure I'll be adding a new pair of boots to my list of possible dream items this year.

Riding the Polar Express

The Internet is My Friend

Of all the fun tasks I have lately, I'm getting ready to start researching and writing my 12 Days of Christmas posts. I think this is my third year so far - I write a post each day for the first twelve days of December covering gifts I'd like to receive :) It's worked out really well for me. Sometimes I uncover stuff I didn't even know I wanted, and my family who read the site would never have guessed! I never know for sure what I'm getting, but it's nice to have given explicit 'clues.'

This year I'm looking for a few interesting things that have run through my mind. There are a few items I'd like for around the house, but since we may be moving soon, I'm waiting to see what the house will be like in a couple months! With all that's involved with packing and moving, I'm pretty sure I won't need any help from safe diet pills for women on my list!

What's on your holiday list this year?

30 Days of Truth - Day 5

Day 5 - Something you hope to do in your life.

Why are the 'good' questions even harder for me? I'm an optimist - honest! - but I seem to know more about my contingency plans for bad stuff then any sort of hopes and dreams. Weird.

One trip that's been in the back of my mind for years is to visit Salem, MA and check out all the witchcraft museums at my leisure. I mean, not just dragging my family along, but actually taking my time to read and look at everything that catches my interest. My husband loves to travel, so I'm sure this will happen some time in my life, but probably not very soon :)

Hypnotized

I remember being so terribly annoyed that I can't hold my husband's attention if there's a tv in the room. I don't mean I try to keep him from watching his favorite show or something, but a tv playing anything. For example, he's not a sports guy, but will get sucked into watching a sporting event - for any sport! It used to drive me nuts. Now that Maggie seems to be very similar at times, I take advantage of it.

I love to see direct sat commercial direct tv set up in a restaurant. It usually means hubby won't be getting annoyed by Maggie interrupting our conversation, and it sometimes means that Maggie will be so sucked in she won't care to interrupt ;) Either way, I'm not arguing with anyone about their manners!

I have friends who say they don't want their kids watching tv while they're eating, even in a restaurant, but I have a feeling they would change their tune if they'd pay more attention to the few minutes of peace they get while their kids were chewing and watching tv with their meal instead of bickering. Commercial satellite tv hooked up at the tables in a restaurant could probably deliver them the quietest meal they'd enjoy all week.

While I may be in the minority at least initially, I wish more restaurants would hook up Dish business tv. Sure, there will always be a few without, so we can go out for a romantic evening where my husband may remember I'm at the table, but tv during the meal has it's benefits as well.

30 Days of Truth - Day 4

Day 4 - Something you have to forgive someone for.

This day, again, took some thought. For someone to forgive, though, the thought wasn't just what I want to forgive someone for, but what I actually don't mind disclosing on my blog. I'm sure some of you know how that goes.

For a long time, I thought I needed my best friend to forgive me. She committed suicide, and I figured anyone who felt they had no one to turn to must have pretty crappy friends.

Now I still spend time - more than a decade later - remembering to forgive her for walking out on me. I spent too many years not letting anyone get close again, and I probably have less friends now as a result. But I don't want to blame her - she obviously already had more than she could deal with. I want to forgive her and reclaim the rest of my life.

Everything on Sale!

I'm definitely not a fan of crazy crowds, so I didn't even attempt to think I'd take advantage of Black Friday sales. And I'm certainly not regretting my decision either. I've been amazed to see all of the different items my friends said they got on sale. Someone posted that they'd gone out in the middle of the night (midnight, 4AM, whenever some wacky sale was starting) to get brakes and tires. Really?

I guess I've always equated Black Friday with toys, clothes and holiday stuff, but I suppose things like Motorcycle Helmets are 'toys' for the right audience. I have to admit I did mean to order a very specific pretty file box on Black Friday, but I flat out forgot. I suppose if you've spent months saving and waiting for HJC Helmets, what may sound like a pretty specific sale to me may be perfect for you :)

10 Random Things for Friday

1. Yes, it's the wee hours of Friday morning and I'm already getting this post up.
   
2. No, I'm not a crazy black Friday shopper - hubby and I stayed up late and just haven't gone to bed yet. Yes, we will very soon.
3. Yes, there are many better things I could be doing with my time, but I'm playing Bejeweled Blitz. Why, you ask? Well, because I was killing time and playing Bejeweled Blitz earlier on someone else's profile and beat my own high score. So now I'm up late trying to beat her high score, which is actually my high score. Follow me?
4. One of the better things I could have been doing with my time was laundry. I don't think I have any clean jeans to wear tomorrow. Ruh-roh.
5. I miss my old Victoria's Secret corduroy pants. I think they got too muffin-y and I put them in the discard pile. It was probably more than a year ago, but right now I want them back.
6. In case you're wondering, I just opened another tab to look at pants from Victoria's Secret. Not like they can get them here by tomorrow, but a girl can dream, right?
7. A little while ago I finished my box of Halloween Nerds. They were orange and punch flavored. The orange ones are my favorite Nerds ever, and I got a HUGE one in the box. YUM!! Now they're gone and Halloween won't be here again for a very long time :(
8. Why am I still sitting here posting, while knowing I have no pants to wear tomorrow?
9. I should also get going on finding my holiday wish list (maybe it should include pants?) so I can start posting it next week. My schedule gets crazy again starting December 1, so I should use this wonderful window of opportunity to get things ready, not just try and get my good score at Bejeweled Blitz back toward the top of the chart. Or at least not the bottom.
10. But I'd rather get some sleep. Or maybe at least start washing some pants.
    

Adding it Up

Times they are a changing! So often, I can't figure out if things are getting easier or more complicated. On our drive home from our Thanksgiving celebrations this evening, we saw parking lots full of cars. With the crazy opening hours for Black Friday tomorrow, the already existing traffic at some places was the only way to figure out their hours, short of Graphing linear equations at home to track all these merchants opening today for their early hours tomorrow (see what I mean?).

But it's just another thing the kids sound like they have a better understanding of than I even want! Back when I was in school (no, we didn't ride dinosaurs!), my concerns over a holiday weekend were whether I had to do anything for Algebra 2 before going back to school, or if I would remember the Formula for volume by the time quizzes started up again after break.

I hear of some parents talking about the complicated homework for their kids in 5th grade math or 4th grade math and just shudder! I don't remember having much problem with Adding fractions, but how much have things really changed? Luckily the computer offers lots of options for kids to get help, without just relying on parents like me who have been away from math besides a checkbook for decades already!

Happy Thanksgiving

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Why did I put off grocery shopping last week? The one week of the year when the grocery stores get crazy, and I'm out of groceries...grrr....

I still haven't decided on a dessert to bring to two Thanksgiving dinners...suggestions? Probably chocolate :D

Wine is good.

There's still more than a month til Christmas, and I'm already saying at least 15 times a day - "Ask Santa," when Maggie asks, "Can I have..." fill-in-the-blank....

Yay Norah Jones!

I recently had the opportunity to review a very unique album. It's Norah Jones' new album ...Featuring! I really enjoyed a few of the tracks - especially Baby It's Cold Outside with Willy Nelson, Creepin' In with Dolly Parton, and Love Me with The Little Willies to name just a few. Because it was a collection of tracks spanning her entire career and featuring her with some totally different legends such as Ray Charles, OutKast, Foo Fighters and Q-Tip, the variety included something for everyone. Since some of the artists aren't ones I would usually listen to, I heard some voices I wasn't familiar with before, and a few I may leave off my iPod when I set up my listening for later ;)

Norah Jones is definitely a very talented artist, and I've loved her music for years. This collection really showed an even wider span of her ability to perform some very versatile selections! I'd love to see more artists explore their range with collaborations, duets and cool cameos like this.

Thanks for a fun and entertaining album, Norah Jones and friends ;)


My review is my personal opinion. I received a copy of the CD to review, and I am entering to win a gift card through One2One Network by participating.

Going to Town on this Turkey - A Guest Post

Guest post written by Sarah Davidson

I call the turkey that I made last year my dress rehearsal turkey because that was teh first time that I had ever cooked a turkey before, much less for a table full of my friends and family. It ended up being a little dry in the end and even though everyone ate a lot of it, I think that they did it just to make me feel better about it. I'm not making the mistakes making it I did last year.

I've been doing all my research for fixing a turkey and when I was looking for videos to show how to prepare it properly, I found the site clearwirelessinternet4g.com and after reading through it I decided to change over my internet to it.

I think that I have everything that I need to fix the Thanksgiving turkey and make it the best turkey any of my guests have ever made. Well, I at least want want to make sure that it's much better than the one that I fixed last year. I think I may buy a back up one just in case.

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I'm tired, but I had to get up early to get ready for my running around this morning :)
2. I found a haircut I LOVE last night - hopefully I can get in and get it done next week!
3. My show last night was GREAT - my hostesses got to pick out $133 in FREE Chocolate! I can do a book show for you - please contact me!
4. I'm kind of glad the weather is cooling off (even though I hate being cold all the time!) because I have four boxes of chocolate to deliver to my hostess last weekend, and it's a lot easier when I don't have to worry about it melting ;)
5. Being up this early could mean I'd sneak in a shower before Maggie is even awake, but the dishwasher is running right this minute, so I'm stalling.
6. Have you ever been kind of close to a goal, but probably not close enough? I was working my numbers last night and accidentally included a month more than I should have. I got all excited thinking I was going to meet this huge five month goal, but then I realized I'm actually $4,000 away. Potentially, maybe, possibly doable, but it would probably mean not taking all the time off I planned to for the holidays. Hmm....
7. I think I'll wear jeans this morning and just plan on changing for my show later. I don't usually do that, but I have a lot of stuff to do before the show.
8. I'm kind of excited that this is my last weekend of work until December :)
9. Being up this early is making me hungry already. Oh, and by 'this early,' I mean I actually work up before 7 as hubby was leaving, but Maggie called me back into the bed. She was whimpering and said, "I woke up and both of you were out of the bed." Poor dear. So I took another half hour nap :)
10. I'm really looking forward to getting my hair did!!
    

Hope it Fits!

I finally ordered a dress for myself tonight. I feel like I spend most of my spare change on clothes anymore, but not for me...it's all girls clothing for little miss 'I-want-to-wear-a-dress' every day! I don't remember ever wanting to wear dresses so much. Of course, I think I hate the cold a lot more than she does. My recent memories of favorite dresses (other than summertime) involve super-long flowing black skirts and dresses, layered with thick cotton tights and tall black leather boots :D I'll introduce her to those as soon as I can lure her away from the pink, purple and glitter!

Anyway, the dress I got for myself today is showing a bit of my maturity, and my still-present dread of the cold. It's a purple (guess who chose the color?) sweater dress that will still look great with my thick tights and tall boots.

30 Days of Truth - Day 3

Day 03 Something you have to forgive yourself for.

Besides ending the above statement with a preposition? Sorry. I'm never serious for long.

I hate, hate, hate my temper. I start out talking softer and softer before I finally flip and yell. And it makes Maggie cry every time. Once she cries, she asks to see my happy face. I don't know if I even want to forgive myself for making my daughter so sad. I need to go beyond forgiving myself and stop doing it.
But everyone has their limits, and mine seem so close so often.

Things I Love About My Local Library - A Guest Post

Content by Owen Craig

The Union County Public library is larger than you would expect for a public library. It has a large selection of books, as you would expect, but it also has a large selection of movies and music CDs. Two rooms provide meeting areas where the public can hold different types of meetings. The café nearby is a draw for some patrons, but not for me.

I love going to the library and sitting down on one of the leather chairs to read one of my favorite magazines or local newspapers. I can go browse a large collection of fiction and nonfiction. Odds are the library has a book on a topic that interests you. It may not always have the latest fiction from your favorite author, but it will have best sellers and items that come from local authors.

I can spend hours on the library perusing classics or even surfing the Internet. Because I lose track of time while in one of my favorite haunts, I want to make sure my house is protected. Before I head out the door, I always make sure to set my home security alarm from www.securitychoice.com/20-tips-for-home-safety.html.

After I set it, I know I can go through the library and check out as many books as I like. The only thing I have to worry about is getting the books back on time to avoid paying the fines for being late.

Sunday Stealing: Another 14 Question Meme

Today we ripped this meme off a blogger named Shanachie from the blog Quill, Parchment, & Ink: Writings and Ramblings. He explains that he was tagged to do it and then basically tagged the world to do the meme. But, it was probably stolen there as well. So, of course, that will be as far as we go. Tracing back our theft's thieves might take some time. Link back to us at Sunday Stealing!


Sunday Stealing: Another 14 Question Meme

Cheers to all of us thieves!

1. Lots of pillows or just one? Describe your pre-sleeping rituals. One pillow for my head, another between my knees. I usually work until I'm exhausted, then go to sleep...

2. What kind of books do you read? Pop fiction.

3. What are your neighbors like? They're fine....I don't have anything against them, but I don't think they're the people I'd hang out with if we didn't happen to be neighbors.

4. What's really creepy to you? Hmm...Being a mom, I'm pretty tolerant of stuff I used to find creepy.

5. What's your current fandom/obsession/addiction? Does Plants vs Zombies count?

6. Do you prefer your junk food sweet, salty or savory? Salty! And some sweet.

7. What was the last thing you expensive bought? That I personally bought? Probably my camera in June, but hubby and I just picked out a car for me last month :)

8. What is your greatest fear? My daughter not being happy and healthy.

9. Do you get cravings? If so, what do you crave? I seldom have cravings. If I do, it's usually for red meat.

10. What do you do to change your mood? Eat or rest.

11. What was the last meal you ate that you loved? I'm not sure. I was really excited about my Quizno's sandwich yesterday, but I'm pretty sure it's because I was way overly hungry.

12. Do you want to learn another language? If so, why? Don't really care to.

13. What's something that you'd like to say to someone right now? I'm pretty quiet right now. Nothing comes to mind :)

14. What are you looking forward to? Having our holiday pictures finished today, and going out for dinner with friends tonight.

Always Marketing...

My mom said I spend a lot of hours on my business the other day. I thought about it for a split second and explained that the time I spend is because it's my job and my hobby! I love searching out cool knick-knacks, ideas, give-aways and printing for less. I enjoy finding another fun suggestion for our products or a delicious recipe. I relish keeping a party crowd entertained and engaged during my presentation. Oh, and I sell a little bit of fabulous chocolate at the same time!

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I booked another December show last night. Go, me!
2. Maggie just started fingerpainting (with the color wonder fingerpaints and paper) yesterday. She won't stop telling everyone we see that she fingerpainted :)
3. I love being busy, but it gets to be mildly stressful when I'm too busy to stand by my 'making phone calls' schedule. I always like to call everyone back within 24 hours, but yesterday I had to leave for an event by 3PM, which killed any evening callbacks for the three people who called me Wednesday night while we were out. :(
4. I just found out last night that a Red Knapp's Restaurant is open in Clarkston as well as Oxford (where we usually go). This may be the best news I heard all day.
5. I also just realized as I'm going through my sign-ups and stuff from last night that I spent a few minutes talking to someone who's name is the same as my maiden name. Huh. I'll have to call her and tell her. :)
6. I won THREE raffle prizes last night. Yay!!
7. The month is almost half over and I don't have any new team members yet. Who loves chocolate? Who is un- or under-employed? Who would like being their own boss? Start now for just $49!
8. I didn't realize until Thursday morning that one of my relatively new Facebook friends didn't add me because I graduated high school with her sister-in-law, but because she was the organizer of the event I did last night. Sometimes I'm sort of a dork.
9. I think I found the dress I want to get for holiday stuff this year. It's a knit wrap around from Victoria's Secret. I'll put a picture in another post. Last time I tried to put a picture in my 10 list, it wonked it all up :D
10. If I order the dress, I'm totally all about ordering more of the underwear I've decided I like. Oh yeah.
    

The New Old 90s Pop Culture - A Guest Blogger Post

Guest post written by Veronica Albright

I guess it's about time now that people get really nostalgic for stuff in the 90s, like the Fresh Prince of Bel Air and the Spice Girls. Or maybe it's just me and my friends. Well, we grew up in the 90s and now that we're a few years older and have some experience as adults we're sad about not being kids any more and want to be surrounded by stuff that kids like. Or at least that's how I see it.

I was online the other day watching some old 90s music videos that I used to love when I randomly found this website www.clearwirelessinternet.net and read through it. I think I might switch over my internet service to the company.

That night that I was online reminiscing, I also came across some news about the new Baby Sitters Club book and knew that I would have to read it. So I ordered it and have been reading it for a couple of days now. It reminds me of all the reasons why I loved the series in the first place.

Happy Veteran's Day!

Today I wanted to feature some of the freebies and discounts for veteran's today! I'm grateful not only for our veterans, but also for these businesses who help to show our appreciation :)

Applebee's - Veterans get a free entree!

Lowes - is offering 10% off for veterans (this is actually good every day!), plus some financing deals and other sales.

Outback Steakhouse - is giving a free Bloomin Onion and a beverage to honor veterans.

Chili's - Veterans get a free entree from the posted menu!

Krispy Kreme - Veterans and active duty military get a free doughnut!

I also saw mention of, but was unable to find proof of, discounts and freebies at Texas Roadhouse, Home Depot, Famous Dave's BBQ, and the Melting Pot. Call your local store and check if any of these are on your agenda today :)

Start Wishing...

I'm getting ready to do my 12 Days of Christmas posts again pretty soon :) I've been trying to keep an eye out for things Maggie and I can ask for as gifts, when people ask for suggestions. Maggie is getting to an age where she's pretty, well, outspoken. As she watches TV in the other room, I can hear her yelling, "I want that!" Yes, marking works ;)

I've got a few things kicking around, and yesterday I was reminded that I need a pair of new shoes or boots for everyday wear. I never have any fancy mbt shoes or anything, but the ones I have now are starting to fall apart. I believe I picked them out when I was pregnant with Maggie, or shortly after. They're canvas, so my feet end up wet whenever it rains or snows :( I'll need to start keeping an eye out for a good pair to add to my wish list.

The Legend Lives On...

A beautiful tribute to the 29 men lost when the Edmund Fitzgerald went down 35 years ago today.

Keep Planning!

Wow! It's hard to believe I only have three more days I'll schedule work between now and the end of the year - that's busy!!

My next 'push' is for January, but only through the 26th, since I'm going to conference in Vegas after that! And I imagine the whole family will be looking for Disney World hotels or somewhere else fun in February or March ;)

I somehow keep thinking that I'll have a 'full' month coming up and I'll make it a good one, but I keep turning my shortened months into good ones because I know what I'm working around. This month, for instance, I'm not working the week of Thanksgiving, and then crossed myself off til the first of December. December I'm really trying hard to book full until our holiday delivery cut-off of December 12. But then I'm taking off til the first of the year! Glad my boss (ME!) is so nice about me taking lots of time to enjoy my family!

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Every time I start this post, I stop and really think about what day it is. I'm pretty proud of myself if I actually do my Tuesday post on Tuesday ;)

I love Maggie's sense of purpose. She just walked in here to say: "Now where's my music school backpack?" I don't know what her plan is, but she knows what she needs to make it work. Oh, and she went to look for it herself after I gave her suggestions :)

These Dove Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark Promises are too good. I usually don't get sucked into eating a whole package of candy, but these may just have my number...

I'm down to just three days for December chocolate parties. Anyone want to share some Dove love with their friends and family on December 1, 8 or 12?? Delivery will be in time for Christmas!

I planned two holiday parties at my house...back to back! I'm having my team meeting/party on a Thursday night, and my second annual ornament exchange on that Friday! I just need to remember not to schedule anything too taxing during the day on that Friday. At least this way I only need to clean the house once, right?

I also need to remember to start packing the advent jars! My parents made my brother and I these awesome advent calendars. They're baby food jars for each day of December, decorated and put in a frame to look like a Christmas tree! I've yet to remember to have them ready to start opening on December first. This year, I'm going to do it!!

A Night at the Theater - A Guest Post

Thanks to Bernice Caldwell

After the selection process of agreeing on what show to attend, the long awaited night has arrived. The hallways are gridlock like halted traffic on the beltway, waiting for the moment that we can begin moving again. The hustle and bustle of finding our way to our seats, tickets in hand, we are now ready to enjoy the evening we have anticipated for months. I had an ease of mind to enjoy the performance because I set my home alarm system from Securitychoice.com.

The crowd quiets to silence as the curtains begin to open. Right from the start, music sets the mood as the Fiddler On The Roof begins another unforgettable performance. The story depicts the life of a Jewish family living in Russia in the early 1900's. The father, a poor dairyman, has five daughters and as each one chooses their husband, each daughter relinquishes more and more of their Jewish traditions and heritage. Trying to escape from the pressures of life, the father takes his fiddle onto the rooftop of their home in the village in which they live. The music is very moving and depicts the great emotional turmoil the father faces as his daughters grow further and further from their Jewish customs.

The crescendo of the play is when the family's eviction from the small village where they had reared their girls, only to have to find new roots elsewhere, leaving family and friends behind. No wonder this Tony Award winning musical has been captivating audiences of young and old. The Broadway Theatre in New York City was the perfect setting for this memorable presentation.

Family Fun Caught on Film!

Too Easy!

I saw a mention online about some web hosting, and (you know me...) my eyes started sort of glazing over. I don't understand that end of my computer, and somehow can't muster the motivation to care to find out! But then I realized there's a site that sorts it out and spells it down to my level.

If I want to find the Best Budget Web Hosting for a particular type of personal or ecommerce site, they break it down for me and tell me what their knowledgeable research has found.

I suppose all this information is out there, but it's nice to have someone else take care of finding it for me!

Woo-hoo!

Home from work again :)

Tonight's hostess got $224 worth of goodies (including our Artisan Marshmallow Collection, Chocolate-Covered Espresso Beans, a Chocolate Mousse Starter Kit, and Milk and Dark Chocolate-Covered Almonds and Cashews, along with several other bundles of products!) for just $81.40. She was pleased, and so am I.

If you're looking for a great way to make a few extra dollars (oh, yeah - I get paid in cash, not chocolate, so I made $99), let me know or just sign on through my website! I can help you start your own business for just $49. If you try it once and don't like it, you will still have remade your initial investment, and you'll have some chocolate leftover!

Us, Health Nuts?

I decided I needed to back up all my jabber about the oldest men's vitamins in the cupboard that I mentioned the other day, and I went to look at the bottle for an expiration date. Alas, there are no vitamins at all in our cupboard now that I ran out. Apparently he ran out a while ago and never said anything. I'm not sure if that's good or bad, but there it is.

Of course it also doesn't answer my initial concern about whether vitamins expire. I imagine they would, but what happens then?

30 Days of Truth - Day 2

Day 2 - Something you love about yourself

I love my sense of humor coupled with my sharp wit. Someone I used to work with said I must eat tacks for breakfast because I'm so sharp. Sounds silly, but it's something I've always held close to my heart. I'm very good at lightening the mood or keeping things pretty loose.

This is one of the reasons I have such a fun time working our regular elections. That place is made for one-liners! I love to joke around with the people coming through all day, as well as the people I'm working with for the day.

My business presentation for my chocolate business also has a few of my regular quips sprinkled in. I love telling people I've taken the calories out of the samples, or talking about our 'husband or partner unawareness plan' (pay with a little bit of check, a little cash, and a little Visa or Mastercard and he'll never know what happened!) and getting a laugh. Even if my sales aren't the best, if the crowd laughs at my corny jokes I'll still leave with a smile on my face :)

To-Do List for November 5, 2010

• Prepare 20 lapboards and an extra 5 - 10 catalogs with order forms.
• Bake gingerbread cookies.
• Shower & dress.
• Actually do something with hair and makeup.
• Eat lunch (maybe my yummy leftover beef stew from last night?).
• Re-organize cooler of Dove samples.
• Make sure there's plenty of goodies in my 'magic basket' for people to pick prizes for their orders of $50 or more.

Luckily it's not too much, but it all has to get done. If I get any extra time, I should prep for the meeting tomorrow so I don't have to do it when we get home tonight. We'll see...
And I made sure to put lunch on my list. Show times always overlap my idea of dinner, so I need to eat something during the day! If you joined me as a chocolatier and started skipping meals, you could be busy all day too, and not just be killing time by reading lipofuze reviews or something (cuz no one else is doing anything today, right?).

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I freaking hate headaches. Especially when I have so much to do today.
2. Maggie is going into another dress phase. Too bad all the dresses she has are summer-y (except one...).
3. The first thing on my list is cleaning up the kitchen. I thought it got done last night after dinner, but the crock pot with its dirty pot is still in the counter where I'll need to put the stuff to bake gingerbread cookies for tonight.
4. I'm cold again today (I was all day yesterday too).
5. Maggie needs her blue slippers. Not the green ones, or either pair of the pink ones. The blue ones that go with her Minnie Mouse nightgown. Of course.
6. I get to see my nieces, and Maggie gets to see her cousins, tomorrow. Hubby gets to see Danzig (even though he admits he's getting old ;) ).
7. If you ever host direct sales shows in your home, what did you appreciate most from the company's consultant? Or what would you have liked them to do that they didn't? Tomorrow's training is on hostess coaching, and I want to have happy hostesses!
8. I can hear leaf blowers going. I wish I could talk hubby into using part of the grocery money to hire someone to help him get rid of our leaves.
9. I'm really not looking forward to snow. Really.
10. My numbering worked out much better today than last week :)
    

Growing, Growing, Gone?

Now that I've run out of prenatal vitamins finally, should I get more of the same, or just switch to a regular or women's formula vitamin? And if I want to maintain my relatively long nails, should I add a calcium supplement with any of the above? I've begun taking my nails for granted since taking prenatal vitamins for so long. I forget how long they are until someone compliments them or I actually need to cut them because the length is interfering with day-to-day tasks! I wish I had the time and motivation to keep them polished too. I brought all of my chosen polish stuff with me on vacation last weekend thinking I'd get them done on the long car ride...but it didn't happen.

30 Days of Truth - Day 1

As I said before, I don't actually expect to do all 30 days of the 30 Days of Truth, but I may as well begin at the beginning.

Day 1 is for something you hate about yourself.

I'm terminally lazy. I'd rather sit around and do nothing. I always feel tired and have to force myself to get moving each and every day. It could be (in part) my heart thing contributing to 'fatigue,' or it could be depression continually rearing its angry head. Whatever it is, it definitely qualifies as something I hate about myself.

Of course I feel better once I finally get something done, but until then, it's torturous. And right now, I would really, really, really rather be napping.

That's a First

I've finally run out of my giant jar of vitamins. For the first time I can remember, we have men's vitamin in the cupboard but no women's or prenatals! (And before you go down that path, I took prenatals when I was pregnant and nursing, and then continued since we weren't trying not to get pregnant.) Of course the bottle of vitamins still in the cupboard were bought for hubby probably a couple years ago!
I just figured I should make a note of this now, because I'll be picking up more vitamins for myself soon. At that point, his vitamins will no longer be the only ones here, but they'll still be the oldest!

Here I Come!

Yes, I'm running a few days late. Sorry about that.
I just saw Don't Take the Repeats doing posts about the 30 days of truth. Looks challenging, and I really have no intention on actually writing on all of them, but I'll give a swing at a few anyway.

Here's what the 30 days are, in case you're interested. They're some really thought-provoking truths, I think...

Day 01 Something you hate about yourself.

Day 02 Something you love about yourself.

Day 03 Something you have to forgive yourself for.

Day 04 Something you have to forgive someone for.

Day 05 Something you hope to do in your life.

Day 06 Something you hope you never have to do.

Day 07 Someone who has made your life worth living for.

Day 08 Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.

Day 09 Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted.

Day 10 Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.

Day 11 Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

Day 12 Something you never get compliments on.

Day 13 A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)

Day 14 A hero that has let you down. (letter)

Day 15 Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.

Day 16 Someone or something you definitely could live without.

Day 17 A book you’ve read that changed your views on something.

Day 18 Your views on gay marriage.

Day 19 What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

Day 20 Your views on drugs and alcohol.

Day 21 (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

Day 22 Something you wish you hadn’t done in your life.

Day 23 Something you wish you had done in your life.

Day 24 Make a playlist to someone, and explain why you chose all the songs. (Just post the titles and artists and letter)

Day 25 The reason you believe you’re still alive today.

Day 26 Have you ever thought about giving up on life? If so, when and why?

Day 27 What’s the best thing going for you right now?

Day 28 What if you were pregnant or got someone pregnant, what would you do?

Day 29 Something you hope to change about yourself. And why.

Day 30 A letter to yourself, tell yourself EVERYTHING you love about yourself

Different Strokes

I'm always amazed by the many different experiences women have - and are okay with - in regards to pregnancy and childbirth. Since pregnancy and childbirth are a couple of my favorite subjects (still!), I like to hear lots of stories.

Just the other day I was talking with someone about how much weight we had gained while pregnant. She had gained less than 20 lbs and was really happy about that. I was never unhappy with the 40+ lbs I gained! Of course, I lost the 10 lbs that was real baby weight (yes, my daughter was on the large side ;) ) immediately, but I think I was back to my pre-pregnancy weight within a month or so without any fast weight loss program - just breastfeeding and the same metabolism I've always been blessed with ;)

Thursday Thunks

Today's questions are brought to you by the color purple, witches' brooms, the number 800-555-1000, and hootin' anni.

1] We all love snuggly things, right? In your own words, explain how the "X" and "O" became symbols for kisses and hugs! Well, the O is easier because it looks like the circle your arms make. The X is pretty freeform for the pucker of your lips in a kiss. Good enough?

2] Besides eliminating sticks, what would you put in a non-stick pan? I'm usually more concerned with the size of the pan matching my needs than the stick or non-stick-ness.

3] x=y over pi squared. What are your thoughts on crematoriums having discounts on those that die in fires? Makes sense to me! But good luck to their marketing department trying to promote that one!

4] Tongue twisters are fun...but, it's torture to try to say lisp with that "s" in the word. What is your favorite tongue twister? Risque answers get extra credit!I have a hard time talking about Dove's Cappuccino Biscottini during my shows - I hope you don't mean a tongue twister with more than two words!

5] Cold weather is coming up. If it's zero degrees Fahrenheit, and tomorrow night it's predicted to be twice as cold, what temperature will it be? As long as the furnace is still on in my house, luckily it doesn't matter! (But I'm sure my husband could answer the actual question without much thought!)

6] Your significant other is upset with you, would you rather be skating on thin ice or be in hot water? Why? Hot water, definitely. I hate walking on eggshells and trying not to reach that point. I'd rather just take the beating and be done with it.

7] What's worse, expecting the unexpected or being a wise guy? Worse? I don't interpret those as very similar. And I usually go for both.

8] What brand of vacuum cleaner sucks the best? Mine really sucks!!! We've got the Dyson animal one and have been pretty happy with it. Nevermind the brand, a new one of anything is always best!

9] How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire? Do you like playing with fire? So true...I used to like playing with fire, but now I'm pretty busy setting a good example for my three-year-old, so I can't remember the last time I gave a fire a good poking with a stick.

10] Toys R us...what was your favorite toy? I have fond memories of cooking over a light bulb with my easy bake oven.

11] Halloween is near...let's go grave robbing....what would you like to find? Well - here's the question that made me realize Thursday Thunks is slacking - these are from last week! But I'm more than half way done, so I'll finish anyway. I'd like to not find dirt under my fingernails. I hate dirt under my fingernails.

12] Do you wake up or open your eyes first? Probably wake up. I think. I'll try to double check tomorrow, because I'm definitely awake already today.

13] What mask would you wear to a Halloween Party? Masks are usually so uncomfortable. I'd probably go for one of those old-fashioned looking just-the-eyes mask, know what I mean?

The Only Idiot?

I was reassured by a friend's poll on Facebook the other day. She was asking about shopping habits and whether people always used coupons, used them if it were convenient or just bought what they wanted when they wanted. Through all my blog reading and mommy groups, I was under the impression that I was the only one without a coupon binder, and tiger direct coupons, and some intricate system for tracking rebates and never getting anything for full price. Luckily according to the survey there really aren't as many people mastering the coupon game as I expected.

I tried it for a bit, but finally had to concede that I would rather spend my time and energy elsewhere, sometimes even making money, than trying so hard to save a little bit at a time. Maybe when I have a little less on my plate, or have the luxury of shopping without an extra set of toddler hands, I'll try it again, but for now, I'm apparently one of the majority (or close to it) who would love to say we're great bargain and coupon shoppers, but we'd be lying ;)

I've Been Tagged!

Tammy over at Crazy Mom With 4 Boys tagged me to answer four questions of her choosing, and then make up my own four questions and tag four other bloggers to answer them :) Easy enough - right?

First Tammy's four questions:

1. What is you favorite TV show? I have a few favorites, but none of them are on currently :(
I've liked Rock of Love (any season), 24 (all seasons!), and actually have Dark Angel (both seasons) on DVD.

2. If you could have anything in the world for dinner what would it be? Usually steak. Or sometimes seafood.

3. If you could change something about yourself what would it be? Hmm...I always have a hard time with questions like this. I like my life, what if changes I made changed how happy I am with my life? Scary...

4. What is your favorite number or color and why is it your favorite? I've always loved the number 13 (I never thought of a real reason for it to be my favorite, but it is my birthday), and usually like dark colors like black. But I like pink too :) Go figure.


Now it's my turn to ask four questions:
1) If someone were getting you a gift today, what would you most like to receive?
2) If you had $500 to give to one local charity, who would you give it to and why?
3) What's your favorite: Milk Chocolate, Dark Chocolate or White Chocolate?
4) Say you've got a magic gift certificate good for one gift, but it can't be for yourself or anyone in your immediate family...what gift would you get, and for whom?

And to answer these four questions, I tag:
Shannon and Randy at Life in the Smith Lane,
Jodi at My Life as Mama Jodi,
AnnMarie at Rudstrom Family Blog, and
Wendy at Rambling Unsettled Vagabond.

Have Fun!

'The List' Begins....

While Maggie was with Mimi and Papa last weekend, one of my uncles gave her a Toys R Us book. Luckily it was just the mini one, but she's still making a maximum list between the book and commercials she sees on TV. I'm hoping she won't be too disappointed, but I am amused at the same time to hear her say, "I want that," when every single commercial comes on! I think the lack of commercials is a great reason for us to continue watching PBS Kids during the day ;)

Once Daddy gets home, they frequently put on Disney channel, and the real toy shopping begins! I suppose that's more entertaining for me than if they watching shows with commercials I didn't understand about race car stuff or horse tack, right? Now I just have the fun task of weighing what she asks for against what she actually uses to figure out a more useful list for the family members who want to get her something for the holidays :)

Freebies!

I'm finally starting to get notifications about a couple new freebies again. It seemed like there just weren't too many for a while there....

I got an email today about a free Pillsbury calendar for being on their list. Maybe you can get one too! If a Betty Crocker calendar is more your style, they still seem to have some of those left as well :)

Looking for economical stocking stuffers for the car guy in your life? How about free Meguiar's X2020 Supreme Shine Microfiber for taking care of the other love in his life? (Please forget you read this, honey!)

Hopefully I'll be back with more soon :)

Getting Closer?

As many times as I've talked about it, I do still plan to someday move this blog to something that isn't free web hosting. The problem has been my complete ignorance. I know I don't want to lose the time I've put into setting this up as it is, so I want to do a mirrored (or is it called colocation?) site, I think, at least for a while. And counting on my lack of how-to knowledge, I almost certainly want managed hosting, right?

I finally have a friend who will know how to do what I want done, I think. We just have to figure out how much she wants me to pay her for the time and trouble, and make time to get together and plan. I really enjoy what I've got here, but I worry about the fact that I don't really own it, you know?

How have you made your blog more of your own?

Our Happy Halloween Picture :)

Your German Name is: Tatiana Hedwig

Guten tag!

What's Your German Name?

Blogthings: Free Quizzes for Everyone

STAT!

I was remember last time I was at the cardiologist, that they didn't used to have those nifty medical computer carts. But I can't remember what used to be in its place! Was it just the charts they wrote in? Now it's like the patient has to move around less at doctor's appointments and the hospital. Just when you're thinking you've been left and forgotten about, someone shows up from admissions, then usually a nurse not too long after that. Although I haven't seen a doctor so far with a cart...Hmm...

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Please go vote today. I'm working the elections, and I'd like company. I think.

I've somehow maintained my goal to take Thanksgiving week off, and still scheduled seven chocolate tasting parties, a chocolate team meeting, and two other chocolate events this month. Whoa. And then I still try to squeeze just a couple more in. Darn competitive spirit I have ;)
December is going to be very similar. Our holiday delivery deadline is like December 12, but I still want a full paycheck, so I'll need to work a full month between the 1st and the 12th. Wish me luck!

I'm already not thrilled with the rapidly cooling weather. I love my hoodies, but believe it or not, they aren't appropriate to wear everywhere. Say, for instance, if you're an election inspector. And I don't have warm business clothes :(

Being lazy isn't the only reason I don't want to take the Halloween decorations down. I really like Halloween and I'm sort of sad to see it go. Especially since it suddenly 'clicked' for Maggie, and she has been interviewing me all day with her new microphone: "What will you be for Halloween?" Umm...kid? You've got a while to wait!

A weekend away with hubby was fabulous. I haven't relaxed and not had any responsibilities for longer than I can remember. I was so chilled just bumming around doing whatever we wanted whenever we wanted! I really missed Maggie, but I really want to do it again too!

Rabbit, Rabbit!

I forget who first told me, but it's supposed to be good luck for the first words you utter on the first day of the month to be, "Rabbit, rabbit."

As my Facebook profile has come to prove, it's too easy for me to pass up! And I feel like a pretty lucky person, so maybe it's working ;)

From Wikipedia:

The exact origin of the superstition is unknown, though it has appeared in print at least as early as 1922:

'Why,' the man in the brown hat laughed at him, 'I thought everybody knew 'Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit.' If you say 'Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit'--three times, just like that--first thing in the morning on the first of the month, even before you say your prayers, you'll get a present before the end of the month.'

However, some reports place its origins even earlier, into the 1800s. Today it has spread to most of the English-speaking countries of the world, although like all folklore, determining its exact area of distribution is difficult. This superstition is related to the broader belief in the rabbit or hare being a "lucky" animal, as exhibited in the practice of carrying a rabbit's foot for luck. Some have also believed it is representing a jumping into the future and moving ahead with life and happiness.

No matter how you look at it, I'm celebrating the first of November with this Rabbit, rabbit post, and a picture of a bunny with a pancake on his head. Enjoy :)