Life.

Change.  It's a part of life, and something that I am dealing with every day lately.  I finally broke down and let my landlord know that I will be moving out, though I am not sure when.  He was very understanding, and said he would give me a good reference if I need him to. 

My new car is amazing.  I can not believe I waited so long to drive.  I can see now that I let fear keep me from doing a lot of things.  I am 39 years old, but I feel so much younger these days.  I am trying to do what is best for the kids and I, like checking out family insurance.  The kids are on medicaid, and hopefully they will stay on it.  The insurance quotes I looked at are beyond my financial means right now anyway.   Even cheap life insurance is too expensive when you have very little money coming in.

I broke down and decided to try and get a job at McDonald's.  I have almost 10 years experience with that company, so I am pretty sure I could get a job there.  I have to go online and fill out an application.  I know that if I go to the one I used to work at I would have a job in a second, but it's a pretty good drive from here, and with gas as high as it is, it wouldn't be worth it.

I guess for now, I am going to keep applying everywhere, and hopefully eventually I will find something.

Look What I Got!!!!!

 

Thanks to the generosity of my dad and his wife, this is mine.  All mine.  Isn't it beautiful? It's a 97 Mercury Sable.   If it wasn't raining this morning I would have taken better pictures, but I just had to share.  I am so excited!  I love driving it, and the kids think it's awesome that they can say, hey mom, let's run to the store, and off we go.  I can not tell you how much I am loving my new found independence.  I keep saying I feel like a teenager again, and in a lot of ways I do.  I am having all of these new experiences, and I love it.  Yesterday, I had two different people (who I haven't seen since the split) tell me how happy I look.  In fact, one friend who didn't even know about the split said I was glowing, and then she was really dumbfounded when I told her the reason why.  I don't know why some people are finding it hard to believe that I am happier than I have been in a long, long time.  

Now, if I could just find a job, things would be perfect.

There Are More Than 55 Communities In Florida

I packed my first box the other day.  I was going through my photo albums the other day, taking out all of the pictures that had any of Bob's family in them, and I decided to go ahead and pack each album after I went through it.  I see it as a step in the right direction.  I have resigned myself to the fact that I am going to have to move, though it isn't going to be where I had originally thought.  I am in the process of renting an apartment for the kids in I, and I am pretty excited about it.  It's in a better school district than the one they would be in if I moved in with my mom, and I have really been stressing about that. It is also closer to my best friend, who has been my rock this past month.  I know I will be able to count on her to help me with child care in the afternoons if I need her.  I have been applying for jobs in that area, and am hoping I will have better luck this time.  I had one interview, which never led to anything, from all the places I applied to by my mom's house.

The only issue I will have is coming up with the deposit, which means I may need to stay with my mom for a little while so I can save up some money.  My goal is to be in the apartment before school starts in the fall.  I can't help but think about how older people must feel like when they have to pack up the home they have lived in forever and move to something smaller.  We all know older folks who have moved to Florida to retire - I know my grandparents did.  I probably will one day, too.  I know there are more than 55 communities in florida for older people to live in.  There are probably hundreds.   Anyway, packing up my house this time feels different than all the times before.  I think it's because I am getting rid of all of the reminders of my husband, and starting over.  Don't get me wrong, I am enjoying the purging and looking forward to starting a new life with the kids, but it is still a little sad.

For now, I am going to continue with the packing, and hopefully I will have two boxes packed by the end of the week.

Kasi Wanted A Change...

...so we dyed her hair burgundy.  It came out really dark, with a hint of red at the top.  I think it looks awesome.

I Want To Do This!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ashworth College for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Did you know that you can earn a diploma studying blogging? 

Neither did I, but apparently you can.  Ashworth College is offering a six month course that will teach you everything you need to know about blogging, vlogging, and doing podcasts and webcasts.  I know there is so much that  need to learn, and included in the price of tuition is all the materials you will need for the course, plus:

• Hosting of your blog for one year
• Weekly tips and action points on improving your blogging
• Access to Ashworth's online advertising affiliates to populate your blog with display advertising from well-established name brand, well-known companies.
• Marketing of your blog each month for 1-year via the Ashworth newsletter, reaching almost 500,000 people each month
• 1-year access to our monthly Blog Guru tele-conference calls where world-class bloggers share their secret tips of success (hosted by the Ashworth social marketing team)
• Comprehensive and cutting edge blogging textbooks at no cost
• Learning guide to help you through each program
• Instructor guidance and unlimited tutoring
• Weekly tips and action points on improving your blogging

I wish there was something like this available back when I started blogging.  I didn't even know it was possible to make money online when I started my blog, and now I know there are things I could do to make more money, if I only knew how to do them.  Right now, every cent I make is important, so I need to do all I can to make sure I continue to bring in money.  Heck, I would love to learn how to bring in more.

You can never have too much money. 

Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream Review

I love lotion, especially when my hands are dry from cold weather.  Right now, they are dry and cracked from helping a friend of mine do deliveries.  I forgot how hard it is working with your hands, doing something other than typing on this keyboard.  I also have a million and one bruises, most of them appearing out of nowhere.  I seriously look and feel like I have been beaten down.  Gotta love manual labor.

I was sent a tube of Yu-Be moisturizing skin cream to review, and I am pretty happy with what it is doing for my skin.  I am not a big fan of the smell; it smells almost like menthol, which I hate.  But, that said, I will still use it because of how well it works.  My skin absorbed it nicely, and it didn't leave me feeling all greasy. 

About the cream:

• Use Yu-Be anywhere on the body - even the face and lips.
• Helps heal split cuticles and smooth rough, cracked and dry skin on hands, elbows, knees and feet.
• Absorbs instantly and works for hours. Good for all day or all night.
• Non-greasy formula contains NO artificial colors, fragrances, petrolatum or SPF.
• CAMPHOR soothes irritation and stimulates blood circulation to improve overall health of your skin.
• Mild camphor scent fades within minutes.
• Concentrated GLYCERIN moisturizer helps hydrate, soothe and smooth severe dry skin on the whole family - ALL YEAR LONG. (kids too!)

  
   I love that it can be used anywhere on the body, even the lips.  I have yet to try it on my feet, but I am sure it will work wonders on them, too.  Now that summer is coming up, I need to get my feet ready for flip flops and cute little sandals.
  
  You can find this cream at Sephora and Sephora.com. 

  
  I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Here It Is

 

 This is the picture they used for the Bank Of America write up in their annual report.  They sent me this and two other pictures, as well as a frame to put one of them in as a thank you.  One of the pictures they sent was a family portrait they took, which is pretty useless to me right now.  

But don't I look pretty awesome?

Going To School Online

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Ashworth College for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have been giving a lot of thought lately about going back to school.  I do have a few semesters of college under my belt, and I would love to be able to apply them towards a degree of some sort.  I started college thinking I would work with kids, either as a daycare worker or a teacher, but I am not sure if that is what I still want to do.  All I do know is that if i did go back to school, I would do it online. 

Ashworth College offers tuition that is 50% lower than other accredited schools, which means your money goes further.  If you are in the military, it is possible to graduate with no debt using Post 9/11 GI Bill education benefits.  It is even possible to have benefits left over to share with a spouse or dependent. 

I have never been in the military, but low tuition costs would be important since I don't have a lot of money coming in right now.  I now once I finish my education, I will be able to get a good paying job, which would help the kids and I tremendously.  For now, though, I will continue to put in applications and hope for the best.

I Love Cooking With Organic Olive Oil

I have been trying really hard to cook better meals for the kids and I since my husband left.  I used to cook this Parmesan chicken recipe, but you have to fry it in a shallow pan, so I have stopped making it.  It was also Bob's favorite meal, so that makes it easier to not make it.  When I was making it, I used a blend of canola and olive oils to fry with.  I would have used just the olive oil, but that stuff is a tad expensive.

I want to start using more organic foods, but they can be expensive, too.  I know the fruits and vegetables that are grown organically are healthier than those that are not.  I have seen organic olive oil in the grocery store, but I have yet to buy some.  I have two big bottles of regular extra virgin olive oil that I need to use before I buy the organic stuff.

I need to find some new recipes, too.  I cook a lot of chicken, and preparing it the same way every time gets boring.  Do any of you have a recipe for chicken that is healthy and tasty?  I prefer simple recipes, but I am willing to try anything once.

My Dream Home - West Palm Condos

 I need to get away.  I have been extremely stressed about money and not being able to find a job.  I know eventually, my landlord will get tired of waiting for my rent, and we will be asked to leave.  I plan on moving the kids and I to my moms house for a while.  I am not sure how much I will be paying her for rent, but it will definitely be cheaper than what I pay here.

I wish I could find a rich man who would move us down into the West Palm condos.  Living in Florida would be awesome.  I could spend the day lying on the beach, working on my tan. These condos look amazing, too. You can go on their website and take a virtual tour of every floor of the building.  I was going to, but they ask for some personal information first, and I didn't want to give that out. 

Until I find a rich man, I will go live with my mom.  I am so lucky that I have such an amazing support system, because I have no idea what I would have done this past month without my family and friends.  I know I am going to need them even more in the upcoming months, and I know they will do all they can to help the kids and I.

I am so blessed.

Should We Rent A Photo Booth For Kasi's Birthday?

 I can not believe it is almost April Fools Day.  This past month has gone by so fast.  I seriously hope this next year goes by just as fast, because I can not wait to be divorced.  Kasi has a birthday coming up in May, and I am not sure what we are going to do for her.  I know that will be right around the time we are going to be moving to my mom's house, so the house will be mostly packed up.

I need some party ideas that are not only inexpensive, but fun as well. If the weather is nice enough, I can hope mom has the pool open and I can let her have a pool party.  Otherwise, the girls will have to hang out outside, which means no slumber party.  Unless they want to pitch some tents and camp out.  Now that would be fun for me, because I would make sure that I found a way to scare them in the middle of the night.

I was also trying to think of ways to make her party special, because of everything that is going on around here.  Two years ago, we had to skip her birthday party because I had surgery and we were moving.  I don't want that to happen again.  I know I can't afford to rent photo booth, even though that would be pretty awesome.  The girls would love having keepsakes, and I am sure they would come up with some interesting poses.

For now, I am going to try and find a way for her to have her slumber party.  My best friend volunteered her house, so that might be an option.  Or I might see if she wants to do a bowling party or something.  Any ideas on what type of party 14 year old girls would love?

Shredding

As you all know, we are in the middle of tax season.  If you are anything like me, you filed your taxes in January and your refund is long gone.  I know we spend ours pretty quickly.  Looking back, I should have saved some, and maybe I wouldn't be where I am now, trying to figure out how I am going to pay my bills. 

Did you know that during this time of year, identity theft is pretty common?  There are steps you can take to help protect yourself.  For instance, you can:

·         Update personal computers with firewalls and security software, including antivirus programs.

·         Contact the IRS (800-829-1040) if you do not receive W-2 forms and other sensitive information by February 15, as this may indicate that an identity thief intercepted such documents.

·         Send tax returns from a locked mailbox/post office to ensure thieves cannot get to it before the postal service.

·         If sending in tax forms via post mail, make sure all forms, identification documents and enclosed checks are not visible from the outside. Try wrapping everything in an extra sheet of paper to disguise its contents.

·         Keep tax paperwork and other documents in a safe and accessible place, such as a fireproof box.

·         After filing taxes, shred any backup documents with a Cross-Cut paper shredder, like Fellowes’ P-12C, which is essential because it shreds a single sheet of paper into hundreds of tiny particles to ensure confidential information is destroyed beyond recognition.

I was sent a Fellowes P-12C shredder to try out for myself, and I love it.  I have been doing some decluttering of my life, and being able to shred the things I no longer want has been a blessing.  I have been shredding old files and pictures that I no longer want.   The shredder is so simple to use, too.  It can shred not only papers, but CD's and credit cards.  I like that it has a feature that stops the shredding if your hands or animals come too close.  Safety features are important, no matter what you are using.  

I plan on using the shredded papers to pack us for our upcoming move.  My mom did this when she moved, and she said the shreds work great between dishes.   I have lots of dishes, so I guess I need to find lots of things to shred.  

I don't think that is going to be a problem.

“I wrote this review while participating in a Mom Central Consulting blog tour on behalf of Fellowes. I received a Fellowes paper shredder to facilitate my review.”

My Ear Was Infected

This is a compensated post written by me on behalf of Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

Recently, I realized that I really do love dangle earrings.  They make me feel pretty.  The only thing I do not like is that some of my favorites are a little heavy, and they pull on my ears.  Unfortunately, this made one of my holes infected, and trying to get an earring in it was extremely painful.  I knew I needed to put some triple antibiotic ointment and alcohol on it, and when I did, the infection cleared up in a couple of days.

It was luck that I had just been sent a tube of Triple Antibiotic Ointment to try out.  It is part of the Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products and it worked just as well as the name brands do.  It is also cheaper than the name brand triple antibiotic ointments, yet it doesn't sacrifice quality.  In fact, the Walgreens Brand Health and Wellness Products are Walgreen pharmacist recommended and offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee.  Most products also contain the same active ingredients as the name brands. 

It is so important to me, as a single mom, that the medications I buy over the counter are affordable, since every penny is important these days.  I also love the fact that buying Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products supports bringing preventive wellness services to local communities through the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™.  The triple antibiotic ointment I used on my ear worked so well, I will definitely be buying it again when I run out. 

The Message ~ A Review

I could not have received this book, The Message - A Guide To Being Human for review at a more perfect time in my life.  The first few pages talk about change, and how holding onto things gets you nowhere.

I have let go of so much here lately, and I am so much happier for it. I know some people are having a hard time believing me, but it's the truth.  When my husband left (it's been a month already...can you believe it?) I had no idea what I was going to do.  My entire life I have been afraid of change.  I like routines.  Facing an uncertain future scared me to death, for about two days.  Then I put on my big girl panties, and decided that I am a strong woman who doesn't need a man in her life.  I accepted change, and look at all that I have accomplished.  Today, I took a huge step and got my driver's license.  You all know how scared I was of doing that, and I conquered that fear.  I smashed it actually.  And it feels awesome!

This book is all about empowerment, and accepting life and all that it has to offer.  You can find out more information about Divine Arts here.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

This Chicken Parmigiana Recipe Sounds Delicious

We eat a lot of chicken around here, mostly because I like it, but also because it is easy to prepare and healthy for us.  The only problem I run into is finding different ways to prepare it.  The kids have their favorites, and I love making them what they love.  But some nights, I just want to do something easy.  I found this chicken parmigiana recipe and it sounds fairly straightforward.  

Check it out:

Ingredients

• 6 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 C. Italian bread crumbs
• 1 C. parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/2 C. milk
• 8 oz. flour

Directions
Dip chicken breasts into flour. Mix egg and milk Together. Dip chicken breasts into egg mixture. Mix bread crumbs and parmesan cheese together. Bread chicken breasts. Deep fry to a dark golden brown. Microwave for 6 minutes until done. Serve on spaghetti noodles with you favorite sauce and sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.

The only thing I am unsure of is microwaving the chicken after it is breaded.  I would think that doing so would take away some of the crispness.   When I try out this recipe, I will probably pound the chicken thin so that it will cook through while being fried. 

I actually make a version of this using only parmesan cheese, and I shallow fry the chicken in a olive oil and canola oil mixture.  I have never served it over spaghetti, though.  I need to remember to do that next time.

Insurance...I Don't Have Any

I don't have any life insurance on myself.  I know I should, especially now that it is just me and the kids.  My only problem is that I am not sure I could afford the monthly payments right now.  Heck, I don't even have any type of health insurance for myself.  I am thankful that the kids qualify for medicaid, because if they didn't, I am not sure what I would do.  Ryan's ADHD medicine alone would break me every month.  I can't even think about shelling out money for any kind of insurance right now, whether it be Burial Insurance or health insurance.

I would like to look into some type of no medical exam life insurance that I could get online or something, as long as it has a very reasonable monthly payment.   I was also thinking about going down and applying for medicaid for myself, since I technically have no income right now.  Well, I have very little income right now.  I don't know a thing about medigap or any of the other supplemental insurances, but I am sure if I had to, I could learn pretty quickly, especially if it gets me in to see a doctor.  Or a dentist.  My wisdom teeth have been giving me a fit for years now, but I haven't been able to afford having them taken out.  It would be nice to be rid of them, though.

For now, I guess I will have to wait and see what is going to happen.  Hopefully, when I start working, I will be able to get some health insurance for myself.

The Future

Do you ever sit and think about your future? 

If you are like me, it's hard to get past just a few days ahead, so thinking about funeral plans never happens.  I know it's a good idea to have your funeral planned out beforehand, if only to make it easier on those you leave behind.  Finding funeral insurance quotes is pretty simple, too.  It is probably a lot easier than trying to get insurance for seniors.  I mean, most insurance plans require a medical exam, and most seniors have a long list of ailments that may prevent them from getting coverage.  Of course, their are ways to get life insurance with no exam. 

For right now, though, I am going to continue living one day at a time, and worry about tomorrow when it gets here. Hopefully, there will be many more tomorrows, and I can worry about funeral expenses when I get a little older.

Moving On

The hunt for a new place to rent is on for my little family of four.  I really want to be out on my own, and I am getting a little excited about the possibilities that await us.  There were things that I would have loved to have done over the years to the places that we have lived, but I never did.  Now that I have no one to answer to, I can do things my way. 

For instance, I would love to get some of those little solar powered lights that you can put out to line your walkways or driveway.  I found these little ladybug lights that Brandi would absolutely flip over.  Aren't they cute?

The only thing I am not looking forward to is having to is having to keep up with the house maintenance.  Right now, all I have to really keep an eye on is the filter in the a/c unit, because I know what happens when it gets too dirty.  The home insulation here is good, too.  We made it through a cold winter without having any of our pipes burst, and the house stayed nice and warm.  Our power bill may have been a little high, but we survived.  I am going to buy some reusable shopping bags, too, just to do my little part to save the environment. 

There are going to be many changes in my future, and I am not sure if all of them will be positive ones, but the kids will have to adjust and accept that I am doing the best I can for them.  In the end, that is all that will matter.

I Want New Undies

Check out this bra.  Isn't it gorgeous?  Now that I have smaller breasts, I can wear cute little bras like this one.  In the past, my selection was limited due to the size of my breasts.  I was able to pick between either a white bra or a beige bra.  That was it.  I wasn't able to wear the lacy, colored ones like this one that I found on the damart website. 

These days, I can.  In fact, my best friend gave me a very pretty lacy bra with white ruffles ad purple ribbon accents and flowers.  I love it. It makes me feel sexy when I wear it, and I haven't felt like that in a long time.

I am actually looking forward to buying all new intimates.  Aside from my new lacy bra, the rest of my bras are sports bras, which have absolutely no personality at all.  I need some personality.  I need black bras and purple bras.  I need lacy bras and sexy bras.

I am also loving this thermal tank.  It's feminine, yet covers a whole lot of skin.  I am needing something to wear under a couple of my low cut sweaters, and I think this would be perfect.  I bet it is pretty warm too, since it is a thermal.

Now, all I need is a job so that I can afford to buy myself all of these beautiful things.

Finding The Right Size Shoes

I seriously love little girl shoes.  I don't think there is anything cuter than a little girls with white tights and black buckle up shoes, especially when they are just learning to walk.  I kept all of my girls shoes.  I still have a few pairs stashed away somewhere, I think. 

The thing I hated about buying them shoes when they were little was having to fit them myself.  When I was a kid, shoe stores had salespeople who measured your feet and knew exactly which size would fit you best.  These days, parents have to do it themselves, and if they are anything like me, they mess it up big time.

Check out this video:



It shows you how to make sure that those gorgeous english school shoes you bought for your child fit properly.  They make it sound easy making sure the shoe fits properly. I am going to have to keep these tips in mind the next time I buy shoes for not only my girls, but myself.  I have very wide feet, and it is difficult to find shoes that are wide enough to fit comfortably.  Brandi and Kasi complain about that, too.  I guess wide feet run in my family, as well as breast cancer and heart disease.  Me and my girls are in trouble no matter which way we go.

Or so it seems.

Hey! How Have You Been?

Me?  Oh, I've been great. 

Yesterday marked three weeks since my husband left, and I am feeling good about the decisions I have been making for myself.  I am still a little worried about how Brandi is handling things, but I also have faith that in time, she will be okay. 

I have been busy, which is a nice change for me.  I have been doing a lot of driving, and am thinking about taking my driving test in the next few weeks.  I'm not going to say anything before, that way if I fail I won't feel too stupid.  Today, while driving, I came upon my first license checkpoint.  The policeman was so nice.  I was impressed that I didn't get all nervous...I was actually laughing with the policeman.  I am seriously amazed at my confidence these days.

I'm still swimming most mornings, and I love it.  It's not only relaxing...it is also toning me up a bit.  This morning we did almost 2 hours.  Then we went and had lunch at one of those places where the chef cooks the food right at the table.  I've never been to a restaurant like that before.  In fact, I have been doing a lot of things I have never done before.  It's nice to have friends who can afford to treat me nicely. 

For the past 16 years, I have been nothing more than a wife and mother.  For those 16 years, I didn't think I needed anything more.  I am finding out these days that I also need to be a woman.  My kids will always be the most important people in my life, but it's so nice to have adult conversations and hang out with people who expect nothing of me.  I love doing what I want, and not having to answer to anyone.  I was telling someone the other day that I almost feel like a teenager again, only this time, I am enjoying myself.  When I was an actual teenager, I was miserable.  These days, I am happy.  Seriously happy.  Sure, I have my moments where things seem completely overwhelming, but I am living my life one day at a time, and that seems to help.

I need to start packing up my house, but I can't.  I feel like if I start, it makes all of this real.  I don't want to leave this house...it's my home.  Sure, it has some memories in it, but they are happy memories.  The kids are looking forward to moving, because they can't deal with the memories.  I am looking forward to living with my mom, but I wish I could afford my own place right now.  I am craving independence.  I know, it seems like I am talking in circles, and that is how I feel most days...like focusing on one thought is just too much.  Keeping busy helps with that.  Writing here helps a bit, but I find it hard to sit here at the computer.  I need to be moving; doing something. 

I had an interview last week, but I don't think anything will come of it.  I need something that pays more than minimum wage, and until I have a car of my own, I don't really have reliable transportation.  I feel like I am trying to do too much too fast, and I need to be taking baby steps.  I need to let the kids finish this school year, get settled at my moms...but in the meantime, get a car and a job.  I want to be working as soon as possible. 

See...this post is exactly how my brain has been working lately.  A jumbled up mess of confusion. 

Saving Money On Groceries

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Family Dollar for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

I have to rethink my food budget for the coming months, simply because I am going to be feeding one less person every day.  And that one person ate a lot of food.  I already have my little secrets for food shopping, like only buying meat when it gets marked down and stocking up when I find a great sale.  My problem comes when I want to buy something specific, and I opt for the name brand, when I know that more times than not, the store brands are just as good. 

I just found out that Family Dollar has their own store brand called Family Gourmet.  My mother is going to be excited, because she uses a lot of non dairy creamer with her coffee, and she can save $1.25 per container if she buys the Family Gourmet brand instead of the Coffee Mate Creamer.  I know I can save money, too, on the things I normally buy, like juice for Brandi's lunch and cereal.  I am all about saving money, and I can save up to 30% by buying the Family Gourmet brand.  Their products are tested against the national brands, making sure they meet the same high standards.  Family Gourmet is so sure their customers will love their products, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee or money back within 30 days for a refund or exchange with receipt.

I am looking forward to checking out all the products that are stocked in my local Family Dollar.

Dive Into The Season’s Sexiest Swimwear

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Express for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you follow me on Facebook, you know that for the past two weeks, my best friend and I have been swimming for a couple of hours every morning.  I find it almost therapeutic, going back and forth, letting my mind wander, not having to think about all the changes my life is going through right now.  It's my time to just relax and let the water work it's magic.

One of the benefits of all this swimming is how it is changing my body.  My hips are shaping up, and my arms are losing some of their jiggle.  I know I have a long way to go before I am completely toned to where I want to be, but every day I am taking a step in the right direction.  I want to be able to buy new women's swimwear  soon that is a little sexier than what I am wearing now.  I would love to be able to wear something like this:

I found it on the Express website, and I love not only the style, but the color.  Right now, if you sign up for Express e-mail you can win one of ten $200 Express GiftCards.  That can buy a few different swimsuits.  (Make sure to check out the sweepstakes rules)  Some of their swim suits features are:

* Available in our always-popular monokini, sexiest string bikini and must-have strapless and halter bikinis styles.
* Shop bright solids, on-trend graphic prints, the essential reversible style, nautical-inspired striped and sleek metallic styles.
* Designer details include flirty ruffles, sexy self-tie sides, glam beaded embellishments and polished metal hardware.
* Removable padding in tops.
* Bottoms fit smaller to size for moderate back coverage.
* Swim shorts available for men.
* Accessorize with Express spring essentials including sandals, tote bags, sunglasses and hats For Him and For Her.

No matter what you are looking for, you are likely to find it at Express.  I can not wait until I am thin enough to wear something sexy.

Culturelle For Kids

For the past few months, Brandi has been having stomach issues.  Mostly they stem from her not using the bathroom regularly.  When I learned of the opportunity to review Culturelle for kids, I knew she was the one I would test it out on.

The first time I asked her to use it, she was a little hesitant.  She was worried that it would taste weird.  I had her mix it into a bottle of water, and she said she didn't taste any difference at all, which was great, because I knew that meant that she would continue to take it.  I love that it comes in little single serve packets.  It really makes using them simple. 

We did see a difference in how often she was able to use the bathroom, which was great, because it lessened the degree of her tummy aches.  She was going every couple of days, and now she is able to go at least once a day, sometimes more. 

I have been hearing a lot lately about probiotics, and Culturelle stands apart from other probiotics by using Lactobacillus GG, one of the most clinically studied probiotics in the world.  Culturelle:

• Supports kids still-developing immune system
• May help reduce upset stomach
• Helps to reduce occasional diarrhea
• Helps reduce the length and severity of antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Though these above claims have not been evaluated by the FDA, I can tell you first hand that Culturelle did help with my daughters tummy troubles.  That is no guarantee that it will work for your child.   

“I wrote this review while participating in a Mom Central Consulting blog tour on behalf of Culturelle. I received a Culturelle for Kids product sample and a gift card to thank me for taking the time to participate.”

Fogless Shower Mirror Review & Giveaway

I don't know about you, but there are times when I am in the shower that I would love to look at my face.  You know, to make sure I get all my makeup off.  Most guys I know would love it as well, simply because it would make shaving in the shower a little easier.

This fogless mirror from ToiletTree Products is pretty awesome.  It attaches to your shower wall with a removable silicone adhesive, and has a built in shelf for your razor.  It is designed not to rust and comes with a squeegee to easily remove excess water drops.  It can be adjusted, so more than one person can use it.  I know I am a lot shorter than my husband, so if he was still here, he would be able to angle it to where it is comfortable for him to use it, and so would I. 

The makers of this mirror have graciously offered to let me give one away to a lucky reader.  Since I am not in the mood to list a bunch of ways to enter, let's keep it simply and all you have to do is leave me a comment saying you want to win.  I'll pick a winner (US only please) next Friday, the 18th of March.  Good Luck.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.
Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Sugarland Concert

It was freakin' awesome!!!!!!!!!

I'm Confused, But Does That Surprise You?

I mentioned the other day that I want to learn more about marketing my blogs and driving more traffic to my sites.  I don't know why I thought this would be a fairly easy thing to understand.  It seems like the more I find on the subject, the more confused I get.  There is not only different kinds of Network Marketing Software, but there are so many articles to read, especially if you look online.  

I have been thinking about maybe asking a professional to help me understand all of this.  Or maybe I'll just hire someone to do all the hard work for me.  Going this route would save me lots of headaches, I'm sure.  I wonder how expensive San Francisco Web Development is?  I finally have a job interview on Friday, which I am hoping will lead to an actual job, so I may have some money I can spend on my blogs pretty soon.  

It will be nice to finally be making my own money that I don't have to share.  Except with the kiddos.  They are always wanting to spend my money.

I Need To De-Stress A Little

I need one of these:

I have never really heard of tibetan singing bowls before, but they are supposed to help with meditation and relaxation, which is exactly what I need right now. For some reason, the past couple of days have been pretty hard on me.  I'm not sure why, but I have got to find a way to relieve some of this stress.  Maybe this bowl can help with that.

The Cupcakery

Contribution by Saul Martin
As you guys know, I’m opening my new cupcake shop early next month! I’m so excited I can hardly stand it, but there’s so much to do before opening day! There are a lot of loose ends to tie up with the store itself, including the flooring and signage for the front door. I’ve pretty much got all my recipes down pat, so that part I’m not too concerned about.

One of the most challenging parts of opening this business has been the technology portion. I’m not very techie, so just getting the website up and running and learning how to register domain name options has been a big struggle for me. I’ve had a lot of help from my more tech savvy friends, but I’ve sort of thrown myself in to try and learn! I need to get an SSL certificate set up on my site so it can start processing credit card transactions but other than that, it’s pretty much completed. It looks great, at least! I’ll definitely keep you guys updated once the doors are opened in March!

Wylie University

Check out Brandi's shirt.  Isn't it awesome?  It's actually my shirt, but she likes to sleep in it.  I like to clean in it, and lounge around in it.  It is extremely comfortable.  It is made from 90% cotton and 10% polyester, and it has been through the wash a couple of times and hasn't shrunk at all. 

YourNameUniversity.com has over 75 different products that can be personalized to fit your needs, but my favorite is definitely the personalized t-shirts.  They have men's shirts up to a 6x and ladies shirts up to a size 3x.  If you order before March 31, 2011 you can use the promo code Blog0311 to get 10% off. 

Make sure you check out their facebook page as well.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Promoting Myself

I have been thinking a lot lately about how to promote my little blog.  Now that I am on my own, I need to make as much money as possible, and to do that, I need to get more traffic over here.  The more traffic I have, the more money I can make.  It's that simple.

I decided to check the library for some books about SEO and keywords and all that other stuff I don't understand.  I am also thinking about buying some promotional products that advertise my blogs.  I was checking out personalized notepads, and found some sticky notes that can be personalized.  Now, you all know how much I love sticky notes.  If you have been to my house, you know my computer monitor is covered with them.  It's strange, but they keep me organized, even if it looks like a big mess to everyone else. 

I was also looking at the notebooks available on Moleskine.com.  They may not be the ideal thing for promoting my blogs, but they are beautiful.  I have a feeling I am going to need a new journal soon, and I found some very pretty ones on this site. 

For now, though, I am going to try and start writing regularly again.  I really do enjoy blogging, and I miss interacting with all of you.  I know my commenting has been horrible, but my mind has been on fourteen million other things the past couple of weeks.  Hopefully, I will find my groove again, and things will get back to normal.  I keep saying that to the kids, too, that we will eventually get back to normal.  Now, if only we could figure out what our normal will be.

Suddenly, The Term "Single Mom" Applies To Me...How The Hell Did That Happen?

For the first time the other day, I referred to myself as just that, a single mom.

It felt weird on my lips.

Just a couple of weeks ago, we were a happy family.  Or at least that is what we led everyone to believe.  Now, I am here, alone with the kids, trying to find a new normal for us.  The older two are doing good, but Brandi still has her moments.  Lots of them, actually.  Bob and I are both trying to be a supportive as possible, I just think it is going to take her some time to get used to the way things are going to be from now on.

I keep having people ask me if there is a chance of us getting back together.  When I tell them no, I usually get the same reaction...disbelief.  I wish they would believe me.  I know what is in my heart, and while I do still love my husband, it's not enough.  I am no longer in love with him, and I know he would say the same about me.  And that's okay. 

In the past two weeks, I have changed.  I am so much more confidant.  It's like I found all this self esteem I have had buried deep inside.  I am not sitting here, worried about my future.  I am doing things to make my future better for me and my kids.  I went yesterday and got my permit, and I can not wait to get my license and a car.  I am finding that I enjoy driving, and I am good at it.  My friend let me drive her around all day yesterday.  I have been applying for jobs...I just hate this having to wait for phone calls.  I really want to have my own money coming in so that I don't have to depend on Bob so much. 

I know I have tons of support from all of you, but please understand that I do not want to talk about what actually led up to Bob leaving.  If you really want all the juicy details (though you will probably be disappointed) email or message me.  I am going to try really hard to not let this turn into a "the road to divorce" blog....it is still going to be about my babies, who are no longer babies. 

For tonight, though, I am shipping the kids to their dad's so I can go out and have some fun....and I am really looking forward to it.  I deserve a little happiness.

Purple Couches

I have got to find a way to save money.  When it comes to buying groceries, I can find all the good deals, though I think my way of shopping will have to change for a bit until we move and/or I get my license and a car.  I used to go to several different stores, shopping the sales and stocking up for the entire month.  For now, I think I will start shopping weekly, and using all the things I already have on hand, that way when we do move, I won't have too much food to get into my mom's pantry. 

I also need to start remembering to use Savings.com, especially when we move into our new place and I will be looking to replace my bed and couch.  I plan on taking everything else, but I just can't bring myself to continue using those two things.  If I could afford to replace them now, I would, but I can't.  Brandi asked if we could get a purple couch when we finally get our own place, and you know what?  If I can find an affordable one, I think I will.

There is no one here anymore to tell me I can't.

Brandi Loves Kids Reading Games

Brandi had her MAP testing the other day, and she scored a 224.  Her goal was a 217, so she did better than expected.  She was so worried that with everything going on around here she wouldn't be able to concentrate on the test.  Her teacher recommended that she practice online by playing some kids reading games.  All of my kids love the computer, so it was easy to get her to sit down for an hour or so and do it.  In fact, she even asked the day after the test if she could go back to the site and play some more.  I love that she loves to learn.  I just hope she continues to be like this until she graduates.

*this post is sponsored by kabongo.  All opinions are my own.

It's Almost Spring

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Pier 1 for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Three more weeks, and Spring will be here.  Then it's only a few shorts months until it is summer, which means swimming! Now that the kids and I will be living with mom for a while, we will be able to enjoy the pool whenever we want.  That also means that I want the pool area to be comfortable and fun. 

Pier 1 is making all their outdoor furniture available again, and I have found so many things I would love to have for my mom's yard.  The first thing I want is this:

It's a drink holder.  You just fill the top tub with ice and let the drinks sit in it and get all chilly.  We would have to keep it under the gazebo tent so that the ice melts a little slower, but I think it would do a good job of keeping our beverages refreshing.

 

I also love this double papasan chair:

I can see myself, or the kids, relaxing in he sun all snuggled up in that chair.  It could also be used indoors.  I could probably talk my mom into finding some fabric to make a custom cushion cover.  Of course, it would have to be purple fabric with elephants.  Are you surprised?

You can sign up for the Pier 1 Outdoor newsletter and also sign up for a special in store offer for the weekend of March 18-20.  They are also having a bunch of different Pier 1 Tweetups, where bloggers and tweeters can meet up and check out all things Pier 1.  I wish I lived near one of those cities, because I would love to do a little networking. 

Spelling

In the past couple of months, both of my girls entered their school spelling bees.  Brandi didn't make it past her class spelling bee because of her nerves.  She knew how to spell the word, but when she saw all the other kids looking at her, she blanked.  Kasi made it on to the school spelling bee, and was eliminated after a few rounds.  I am so proud of both of them.  They do so well in school without really having to try.

My son, however, struggles for every good grade.  The thought of entering a spelling bee has probably never even entered his mind.  Trust me when I say he is a horrible speller.  For instance, I started a grocery list, and the kids have been adding to it, and last night I noticed that someone had put on there "etable husband, aka choco".  He meant to write "edible" (he's quite the comedian...he thinks chocolate will take the place of Bob...silly boy...it has to have peanut butter in it to do that! lol). 

I found a site online called bigIQkids where he can practice his spelling, and I know he loves doing anything on the computer.  This site is cool because I can either select from an existing list of words or I can make my own list for him.  He can study the words and then test himself.  They have words for kids of every age, too.

I know I have to do something to get him to spell better. 

Monkey Shirt!

Kasi loves monkeys.  She feels about them how I feel about elephants.  Okay, maybe not that much, but when I saw this tshirt, I immediately thought of her.  It was made by a company that specializes in custom tshirt.

The shirt I received to review has a pink monkey, just like in the picture.  The shirt itself is 100% preshrunk cotton, and it is really soft.  The design has stayed in tact even after several washings, which is great because some printed shirts never make it through the first wash.

Tshirtprinting.net will make a custom tshirt to fit your needs.  They have many different colors and styles to choose from, and you can order from 12 to 100,000 shirts at competitive prices.  Keep them in mind for your future tshirt needs.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.