Monster Jam - March 1 - Ford Field

Maggie says her favorite monster truck is Monster Mutt because she likes dogs :)

She'll be out again on March 1 to cheer him on at 7pm. Will you be there too??

SAVE OVER $45 WITH A FAMILY FOUR PACK! THE PACK INCLUDES WITH 4 TICKETS, 4 HOT DOGS, 4 SODAS AND 4 PIT PASSES FOR ONE LOW PRICE!*
You can get them here: http://www.ticketmaster.com/venueartist/65869/1542376

Did you know you can also get pit passes?
PARTY IN THE PITS is from 2-5 PM.  Meet the drivers, get autographs!  Pit Party tickets are normally $10 each  but come FREE with this package deal!  If you choose to buy regular tickets, pit passes can be purchased with your order on ticketmaster.com or on the day of the event at the Ford Field Box Office. 

Must purchase via Ticketmaster.com, Ford Field Box Office or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000.  Must purchase in packs of 4.   

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I'm not looking forward to being on the road tomorrow morning by 6am or so.
2. I have a love/hate relationship with end-of-month.
3. If the groundhog says more winter on Sunday, I will HUNT HIM DOWN.
4. We're actually supposed to get yet more snow this weekend. I am very much not pleased.
5. Can you tell I'm cold as I sit here? So the wintery misery is on my mind...
6. Did I mention I'm on track to earn a tropical vacation? Costa Rica here I come!!
7. Seriously, all I can think about is how cold I am right now.
8. Now that we're practically in February, we should see winter on its way out, right???
9. Maggie and her team are going to do FANTASTIC at baton competition tomorrow. :)
10. Only three months til I'm definitely warm in Costa Rica. :D

Always Redesigning

I can tell I'm old now when some (luckily not all...yet) of my daydreams and fantasies involve re-decorating and re-modeling.

The kitchen usually comes around in these thought meanderings. My longest term craving is a pull-out and lift sort of shelf for my Kitchen-Aid mixer. Right now, it's on a broken pull-out under my island. So I have to sit on the ground to pull it out, then pick it up to the counter. Ugh.

While it hasn't proven as much of a problem as I expected with a curious two-year-old, I'd like to find a better place for our trash can. Right now it's just out in the open. When I looked on a website to find pull out waste containers, there were many more attractive and safer solutions.

Someday...

Throwback Thursday

Maggie - July 2009

Music Everywhere

Well, I'm on track to earn another tropical vacation from my chocolate job. ;)

Which of course leads, in my mind, to what to pack. I don't really care much about what to wear. I'm there to enjoy myself, not necessarily to impress (but sometimes I just can't help it ;D).

I need to decide what to pack from my music library. And to complicate matters, do I keep loading music to my Android phone, or should I use my iPod (which is really old) so I don't accidentally do something to use my phone while I'm on international roaming? I know not to use it, but somehow last time I ended up getting a warning that I was using it. Go figure.

So in my downtime from selling chocolate, I get to put my mind in beach mode and start picking my soundtrack. Go, me!!

Wordless Wednesday

Supercross Comes to Detroit!! - March 15

Check it out!! I believe the closest Supercross came to Detroit before was Indianapolis, but starting this year, it's here too :)
Who wants to come out and see these crazy bikes?? We'll be there on March 15 - I'm sure my kids will LOVE it!

Menu Plan Monday

I think it's just the kids and I for several meals this week, which usually means not a lot of actual cooking. The three of us don't consume much.

MONDAY: Chicken Helper. Some sort of ranch breading thing, with mashed potatoes.

TUESDAY: Chili. For lunch and dinner, incidentally.

WEDNESDAY: Nachos. Yet another meal that gives me a delicious leftover lunch. Go figure ;)

THURSDAY: Tortellini. And I may even throw a can of chicken in with it too.

FRIDAY: Daddy/Daughter date. And honestly? Not much makes Jack happier than Totinos pizza. How can I deny him that??

SATURDAY: Maggie and I have to go clear to Ida for competition with her baton team. Hopefully daddy will be okay with using one of our restaurant gift cards to go out for dinner.

SUNDAY: Maggie has a birthday party at the gymnastics place during the day. Not sure what sounds good for dinner yet. Especially since there's a payday between now and then. Maybe the grown-ups can have steaks while the short people have tube steaks. Except the part where the kids have really been liking eating MY steak lately...

Monster Jam RETURNS!! - March 1

If you missed the Monster Jam show at Ford Field earlier this month (or if you attended and LOVED IT!), you have another chance! Monster Jam is returning to Ford Field in Detroit on March 1.

Save more than $45 with a family four-pack. The pack includes four tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas AND four pit passes! Go here to purchase.

Project Life: Capture the Moment

Welcome to my newest hobby - Project Life! It's like scrapbooking, but simpler, and faster :) Just what I needed to document some of what goes on in my family's life.

Here's my intro page:

 

And here's my spread for week one:

 

That's all I've got to share so far. Week two is laid out, but I still need to trim the pictures to fit in the pockets, and do a little bit of journaling - that's all it takes!

Check back next month and I'll put up some more.

In the meantime, check out the spreads and ideas at these great blogs: 

Loving Life's Little Blessings - Katina Martinez 

Busy Being Happy - Michelle Bostinelos

California Scrappin' - Gina Karas

My Passion Is - Linda Jordan 

Love, Jaime - Jaime McKee

Heart Hugs - Ashley Newell

Photos & Words - Tara Lee

A Distressed Scrapper - Elaine 

Deveney Stolk 

Living Life Creatively & With Twins - Melissa Miller 

Sweetly B Squared - Becki Bayley
The Scrapmaster's Paradise - Samantha Peyton
Create With My Heart - Alisha Whittington

Life AWAY from the Cold?

Sure, theoretically I could just move. I HATE the cold. For real, but I'd also hate moving. Moving an hour away was super stressful for me. But it didn't have the benefit of warmer weather. We moved into a snowbelt. Ugh.

What if we moved to someplace much warmer, like California? Maggie could sign up for private dance lessons in los angeles, Jack could ride his bike outside year-round... I can't say the idea isn't tempting.

Have you ever made a big move? How far, and why? Was it worth it??

Monster Truck Jam recap - January 11

I think Maggie's face says it all! And she's wearing her new GraveDigger hat too ;) Everyone loved the Monster Jam on January 11.

Jack was exhausted, and ended up sleeping through part of the show. I figure if you can sleep through the noise of Monster Jam, you really need a nap. Silly boy.

A big group went this year, with hubby and our two kids, as well as a couple of his friends with their kids or friend's kids.

The show was exciting as always, and we're excited to check them out again when they're in town in early spring. Save the date - March 1, 2014 back at Ford Field in Detroit! Yay!!

Be Level with Me

Still on my to-do list? Hanging a shelf in Jack's room for his new Thomas the Tank Engine glass block light that he got for Christmas. It's on the kitchen counter underneath my spice rack for now (thanks, hubby ;) ).

It sounds like a simple thing, really. To just hang a shelf on a wall (close enough to an electrical outlet to plug in the light, but far enough away from, well, anything that Jack won't yank it down). But the glass block light is heavy, and I'm worried about the shelf not being level. I wish there was something to put in the wall like you can put on the bottom of table legs to stop the clicking if it isn't quite level. I suppose that would work if it wasn't perpendicular with the wall, if you know what I mean.

As with so many other things on my to-do list, I think the secret is just to do it...

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I tried to do this post yesterday, thinking it was already Friday. Today? It feels like a Tuesday to me. 
2. We have another cold/snow day. Maggie and Jack are reportedly 'getting lonely' downstairs while I try and get a few office tasks done.
3. One week from today my earning period for the Dove Chocolate Discoveries trip to Costa Rica ends. Want to help ensure I get to go? Feel free to visit my site and order. I can ship anywhere in the continental U.S. Easiest order? Go search at my site for Valentine. You can get a 12-piece box of our Double Chocolate Caramel Nut Clusters sent to you at the beginning of February for $32 including shipping. :)
4. I keep meaning to write a review for these gel nails I got at the store. They ruined my nails. I now have paper thin little stumps. :(
5. I am so beyond ready for warmer, less snowy/icy weather. Ugh.
6. Be sure to check back here tomorrow - I finished my first project life scrapbook spread! The first week of January, 2014 is officially documented. :D
7. I really hope my chocolate tasting party goes well tonight! It's my last one for January. I also have a few team members with shows tonight or this weekend. Fingers crossed for them as well, that their guests will love our delicious products (highly probable) and want to have shows of their own so they can get free chocolate too.
8. I still really, really love Cherry Coke.
9. I just realized my Facebook page for this blog no longer matches the blog. Huh. And oddly enough, the networked blogs feed page also features my old layout. Weird.
10. Both kids are dressed and ready to face the world. I suppose it's my turn next. Shower and dress, then lunch for the short people, then start packing for the chocolate fun tonight. :)

Dreaming of Green Grass

On a cold, snowy day like today, I need something better to focus on.

I need to sit outside and enjoy a beautiful day for a swing set in williamsburg. I could swing lean back on the swing, with the sun on my face, and see my drink waiting on the deck table for when I wanted to take a break and just sit.

I love the way this play set attaches to the deck via that cute little bridge. Course, I'd probably put a gate on the deck-side, so Jack didn't dart across to the play set anytime we tried to just go into the yard.

If you remember, we lucked out and get a freebie play set when we moved into this house, but it was already well-loved three years ago. We've talked about doing a little work on it, or the deck for that matter. I'd really like to get our horse swing (made from an old tire) hung up so Jack could swing on it while he's still small enough.

But on a day like today, the snow is already up to the swings, and the big kid swing is currently broken and just hanging by its chain. Sad all around :(

Throwback Thursday!

Label-maker fun on January 11, 2008.

Expensive Kids!

We were talking tonight about how expensive kids, or rather their selected activities, can be. The woman with the sons in hockey seemed to 'win' (that's a contest I'm happy to give up on!), but I remember having to get a lot of music accessories when I participated in a few different bands in high school.

On any given day, I could need reeds for my oboe (which I played in concert band), or jody jazz classic alto at wwbw (for my jazz band hobby), or any number of marching accessories (luckily the flute didn't have quite as many replaceable parts!).

So to step away from the cost of safety gear for contact sports, which instruments do you think have the most ongoing expense to play? The funny thing being, when I look back at my little list, the flute was the only instrument I actually owned. The oboe and alto sax belonged to the school, so the little things I had to get don't seem like much in that respect.

Part of the Problem

I have to make a confession. I realize why some cities make an effort to discourage eating or drinking while driving. I may even be part of the problem.

A couple weeks ago, when the weather was perfectly horrid in our area, I finally left the house to get my hair cut before my trip to New Orleans. It was a mid-morning appointment, which is early for me. Since I'd spent the morning getting the kids ready for the sitter, and getting myself showered and dressed, I grabbed a granola bar and a Cherry Coke to have on my way to the salon.

I hadn't even made it a half mile from my house, when my car started doing a little sideways dance for, really, no apparent reason. I was going less than 20 mph, on a straight stretch of road, but apparently the slight incline was enough to confuse my front wheels as to which way they should be rolling.

Of course, going that slow, I had lots of time to evaluate my options for a response. And the first thing I sadly did was to finish my sip of Cherry Coke and set the can in my cup holder so it wouldn't spill. Yeah, while I had minimal control of my vehicle I took care of my breakfast first.

Obviously it all ended well, but the fact that my first intelligent thought was that I didn't want to spill my drink wasn't exactly reassuring about my priorities. Oops.

Satisfying Holidays

So as we were looking out the window last night, hubby started noting which of the neighbors still have their holiday lights on. He even admitted that ours are still technically 'on' the house and shrubs, but at least they're unplugged. But then his tone said that it's nothing to be upset about yet, since it hasn't even been a month since Christmas! It feels like longer than that.

Who got music related gifts? Although it hasn't yet been a month, I can't remember everything we got, but I don't think there was anything technically musical this year. I don't even know if we can count the kids' new Wii game. It is dancing, so there's lots of music involved, but it isn't quite the same as the CD player she got and loved last year.

Hunger Games Quiz :)

You can take the quiz here.

More Music Around

So Jack and I started our new Kindermusik class this week. Every session comes with a book, a bag, usually a toy, and an 'instrument.' I put instrument in quotes because it's frequently something like an egg shaker or sandblocks (nothing close to a sr300 at musicians friend, which is more what I picture as an instrument), but this time it was actually a two-pack of harmonicas. Labeled harmonicas, no less, so I was even able to look in the parent guide and find instructions on how to play a couple of the songs we do in class!

I spent a minute, picturing myself as this cool, quirky friend to have around. I'd always have a harmonica in my pocket, and randomly bust it out to lay down some tunes.

Then I carefully followed the directions and played one of our songs from class. At about half the speed we usually sing it at. Finally, I carefully set it in the cup holder in my car - and it's been there, undisturbed, for a few days since.

10 Random Things for Friday

1. Do you like my new layout??
2. Anyone out there do Project Life scrapbooking? I'm starting. My first batch of pictures is waiting for me at Walgreens, but the boy fell asleep as I got ready to leave the house. So we'll go get them later, and maybe I'll do my first page tonight :)
3. I LOVED my trip last weekend to New Orleans. It was a fabulous city, but it's really good to be home with my short people again.
4. Anyone need any chocolate? I'm less than 2000 points away from my all-expenses paid trip to Costa Rica :D http://www.mydcdsite.com/becki.
5. As usual, I wandered off in the middle of my list. But the towels will be dry soon, and then Jack's clothes can go into the dryer.
6. Have you seen Dawn of the Dead (the real one, not the 2004 remake)? The chick who brings them coffee in the control room at the beginning of the movie is Molly McCloskey, who is now a trainer for Dove Chocolate Discoveries. Yay!
7. Okay, so she's a little better known for being Miss Molly on the New York syndicate of Romper Room from 1981 - 1991, but I've always been a bigger zombie fan ;)
8. Our next conference is in Pittsburgh! The locals to that area are really excited. I'm glad I can drive in less than a day.
9. I thought I caught up on a bunch of sleep at New Orleans. I went to bed around 10:30pm all but one night! But I'm still tired. :(
10. Besides being tired, I'm really tired of being cold. C'mon spring and summer!

Lawyer Up?

I've been greatly surprised, in the past few years, when a couple of my friends have talked about meeting with their attorneys. We aren't the sort of people who 'need' attorneys, I thought.

But surprisingly, each time I'm thinking of, they were talking about immigration lawyers. As much as you see people complaining about politics and the government, there are still plenty of people trying to get in our beautiful country - and stay :)

Am I the only one who always assumes a certain similarity with the people I meet? I tend to think of a lot of people as close in age with me, and of course I usually assume they're U.S. citizens, right?

Funniest citizenship story? My grandmother (mom's mom, in this case) was actually born in Canada. Although I do believe her citizenship stuff was straightened out decades ago, she was always afraid to go to Canada for any reason, because she was sure they'd keep her and not let her come 'home' to the U.S. Luckily we didn't have any pressing need to bring her to Canada with us on any visits.

Throwback Thursday

Exactly two years ago...

Mimi and baby Jack

Monster Jam - January 11 at Ford Field!

Beat the cabin fever from all this snow and see Monster Jam this weekend with this great NEW offer: 

Tickets are $15 with code ‘MJ15’

Not valid on Front Row or Gold Circle

Code expires on Friday, Jan.10

Additional Fees may apply

Groundhog Day?

The best comparison to the weather's effect on our community was put up as a Facebook status by my daughter's school:

Have you watched the movie Groundhog Day?
Yep, it's like that…
School is closed on Monday, January 6th.

That was a status yesterday. Then at 10:30 this morning, it happened again. Due to frigidly cold temperatures forecast tomorrow, there will be no school again. It's the fifth snow day in a row (tomorrow). The kids have been out since December 19! Crazy!

I feel like all anyone is talking about is the weather, but I'm seriously pressed to think of something else to talk about when it's doing this much to our everyday lives. Hubby is working from home today, and my hair appointment was canceled (and luckily for me already rescheduled to tomorrow!).

So I'll just close out with another of my favorite posts I've seen lately. Hope you're staying warm and cozy!

 
 

Warm and Fuzzy

I like to think of myself as a 'bling' girl in theory, by my actual jewelry and accessories tend to lean more toward basic metals, small blingy bits, and a couple pair of pearl earrings.

That being said, I do constantly wear five diamond studs (three in my left ear, and two in my right). But since they're real, I think of them as more simple embellishments than obnoxious bling. I also have a couple shirts with bling on them, but one has a cupcake with about five sparkles on it, and the other is the Dove Chocolate Discoveries logo in small stones. Does that make me bling-y or not? I'm not sure...

What's your favorite style or type of jewelry or adornments? The more flash the better? Or just enough to reflect a little light?

Valentine's Day is Coming!

Yeah, Hallmark holiday, whatever. ;)

But I bet there's someone you love and appreciate who would be thrilled to get a surprise gift from you! (or you can order it now for yourself, forget it about it by February, and thrill and surprise yourself!).

The details are there - $32 including shipping in the continental U.S.

Think this would be a great fundraiser item for your organization? It's available this month only! Contact me ASAP.

Happy New Year!

I wish you all the best in 2014!

Here are some of my 'to-do' items for 2014 (I hate the idea of once-a year-resolutions). Some of them may be bucket list things, or goals, or just stuff it's time to get done already.

1. Go to New Orleans (done deal for next week - I know at least one item will get crossed off my list!).
2. Be consistent with my 365/photo-a-day blog (check it out here).
3. Be consistent with my new Project Life scrapbook.
4. Work my business consistently (there seems to be a theme here...).
5. Have a monthly mommy/daughter date with Maggie.
6. Mail cards to everyone on my holiday card list some time this year.
7. Finish unpacking the boxes in my office since our move... three years ago.
8. Enjoy going through the boxes in the basement storage room that were put there from my office during our move three years ago.
9. Earn a free trip to Costa Rico and go with my dear friend Sharon.
10. Knit something.
11. Do some more counted cross-stitch.
12. Get more eyeliner.
13. Get boots.
14. Consistently volunteer at Maggie's school.
15. Continue with Jack's Kindermusik - at least during the school year.
16. Schedule dates at least every other month with my husband (depending on his availability).
17. Do at least one 'random act of kindness' anonymously each month.
18. Continue to meal-plan before grocery shopping.
19. Successfully complete the LoseYourExcuseNow.com Savings Program for a cash Christmas next year.
20. Start Michigan Educational Savings Plan accounts for both kids.
21. Redo the large mirror/lack of shelving in the kids bathroom like this!
22. Have Jack's new Thomas glass block night light mounted (on a floating shelf?) in his room.
23. Put up my wall-decal fake headboard (once we decide for sure where we like our bed best).
24. Drink more water.
25. Use hand lotion more regularly.
26. Watch the new 24!!
27. Get a dresser for Jack's room.
28. Help Maggie keep her room more organized/neater.
29. Go to Dove Chocolate Discoveries next National Conference in July 2014.
30. Regularly review Train Your Brain materials and 10 Minutes Before Bed journaling training.
31. Consistently maintain 10MBB journal.
32. Blog more regularly (on all THREE blogs).
33. Work on developing new biz blog (Directly Positive).
34. Take more pictures.
35. Go to Florida for a family vacation.
36. Get more sleep.
37. Be a better, more focused listener.
38. Strive to recognize the good in everyone.
39. Host at least five direct sales parties for friends this year.
40. Make more regular follow-up calls for my business.
41. Help my kids to laugh every day.
42. Be a better wife, and try to help my husband smile every day.
43. Complain less.
44. Hang up more art/pictures on our walls.
45. Read with both of my children regularly.
46. Read books I enjoy for myself regularly.
47. Go for more walks (once it isn't so darn cold out!).
48. Burn more candles.
49. Replace my car's windshield.
50. Appreciate all of my many blessings.