I Love Jewelry

I have been doing a bit of Christmas shopping, and it occurred to me that this year, I have no husband to shower me in gifts Christmas morning.  That is not necessarily a bad thing. I see it as an opportunity to buy myself a present.  I found some titanium bracelets online and fell in love with this one:

I love the simplicity of it.  I have become quite the jewelry freak these days.  Brandi gave me a bracelet a couple of years ago for Christmas and I wear it every day.  It is a simple silver band that has the word "mother" engraved in it in several different languages.  I love it!

The only thing I don't really wear are rings, because the only ones I own are my wedding set and my mother's ring, which has my ex's birthstone in it as well.  I do wear my mother's engagement ring every day.  She gave it to me on my wedding day, and I love it.  I would like to get myself some more rings, and I love the thought of titanium ring design.   I can design a unique ring and have it made.  If I were to do it, I would want something that represents my kids.  Maybe three little hearts or something.  I'll have to think about it for a while.

For now, I'll just do a little shopping for myself so there are gifts under the tree with my name on them.

For This, I Am Thankful!

Going To School Online Might Just Work For Me

A new year is about to begin, and as many changes as I faced this year, I think next year holds just as many for me.  I will be filling for divorce in February. It still amazes me that a year has almost gone by since my ex walked out the door.  My son will be driving soon, which scares me in so many ways.  My daughter will be fifteen, and probably ready to start dating.  My baby will be 10 next week.  Double digits.  Crazy.

I know I have written in the past about going back to school, and how I just don't have the time right now.  I think next year, I might put some effort into finding the time.  I love the job I have now.  I have a boss who is amazingly awesome, and my hours are great.  But, there never seems to be enough money to do the things I want to do with, and for, the kids, so I'm thinking that going back to school might be a good idea.

I did attend college for a while after high school, but it was a community college and I never did get my degree.  Back then, I wanted to open my own day care center, so I was taking a lot of early childhood development classes.  As much as I would love to still do that, I am thinking about studying something that will lead to a better paying job.  My mom is always saying how much money nurses can make, and I hear being an x ray technician pays pretty good, too. 

I am not looking to actually go to school everyday.  I would much rather take classes online.  At least then I would be able to work it better into my schedule, without having to worry about missing a 5pm class because I had to work late.  I know a lot of people have gotten their degrees from online schools, so it can't be that hard, right?

Right?

Organizing Your Garage

I have never lived in a house with a garage.  Weird, I know.  I do know people who have garages but can not get their cars into them because they are filled with so much junk.  My dad, however, has the neatest garage I have ever seen.  There is a place for everything and everything is in it's place. 

If I ever do live somewhere with a garage, I would see it as a place to store things, not just park my car.  With the right garage cabinets, keeping it organized would be easy.  Of course, having garage storage cabinets and using them properly might be a challenge for some people.  I mean, I have storage cabinets in my house now that were perfectly organized at one point in time but they are a mess now.  I blame my kids.  They have a tendency to not know how to put things back where they belong.

Ryan seems to keep his room more organized than the girls do, and I am sure he would help to keep our garage neat and clean.  He would love to have steel storage cabinets that he could organize his tools in.  In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to convince me to get him some Arrow Spacemaker storage cabinets for his bedroom here at the apartment.  Right now, he has so many tools and tool boxes in his room that you can hardly walk in there.  But, he's a boy, and I guess even as kids, boys love their toys.

I Have A New Niece!

Yesterday morning I got a phone call from my mom saying that my sister-in-law was in labor.  She wasn't due until the end of December, but I guess the baby didn't want her birthday too close to Christmas.  I headed to my mom's house and rode with her the 90 minutes or so it takes to get to my brother's house.  On the way we got the phone call that the baby was born, and both mom and baby were doing great.  I love babies, and was thrilled when I got to hold my beautiful new niece for the first time.

This is their sixth child, so they are both pros when it comes to child care.  However, I am sure there are moments when they both wish they had an extra set of hands.  Carrying around a new infant while chasing after five other small kids is not going to be easy, so I was thinking that they might need some things to help make life a little easier.  I don't know if she has ever used a baby carrier wrap before, but these things look pretty awesome.  My sister-in-law would be able to keep the new baby close while still being able to use both hands.  Of course, I am sure she would do a little research first to find the best baby carriers available.  I know I would. I would read all the reviews I could find before making a decision. 

It still amazes me how much information is readily available on the internet.  I don't know how we ever made informed decisions before googling things. 

Christmas Shopping

 So, we are less than a month away from Christmas.  For the first time ever, I am not done with my shopping.  In fact, I only started shopping this past weekend.  A lack of money has a lot to do with it, as does the fact that my kids are being pretty tight lipped about what they actually want this year.  I think it might be partly my fault, since they know I am struggling with money, so they don't want me to feel bad if they ask for something that would be impossible for me to get for them.

I have more for the girls at this point, simply because they are easier to buy for.  I was having trouble buying stuff for Ryan, so I took him shopping with me and he picked out a bunch of stuff for himself.  Sure, he won't be surprised Christmas morning, but at least he is getting things he wants.  I know there are things he didn't ask for that he really wants, and most of those things are electronic.  To be honest, I would needs a few Geek Gadgets and Discount Coupons to afford even the cheapest of the things he wants, but I promised him, and the girls, that when I get my tax refund in February, they will each get $100 to spend on whatever they want.  I also promised to buy them an xbox, which is what they really want.  They seem to have developed an unhealthy addiction to Call Of Duty, which they play at their dad's house.

I was talking to my sister the other night while we were Black Friday shopping about how I am not going to be able to get anything for my nieces or nephews this year.  She understands, but that doesn't change the fact that I really wish I could.  I especially wish I could get something for my newest niece who was born yesterday.  I could use a Things Remembered coupon to get something engraved for her.  I also wish I could get more for my mom and dad, seeing as how they have both done so much for me this past year.  I could use some RedEnvelope promo codes to get each of them something special, but I will probably end up just letting the kids paint them some ornaments or something.  Luckily, I have a stash of unpainted ornaments that I have accumulated over the years during after Christmas sales. 

I am hoping my kids, and my family, won't be too disappointed this year.  I plan on making it up to them next year, though, when I am more financially secure.

Protect Yourself

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

I have picked up several viruses lately.  I am pretty sure I got them dropping ecards, because I have read on several blogs that others are having the same problem.  Some of them I have been able to get rid of on my own, but there have been a couple that my dad has had to come over and remove for me.  I know part of my problem is not having good anti-virus protection on my computer. 

I'm lucky in that I don't have much information worth stealing on my computer.  Small business owners need better protection than me, and with Norton Small Business by Symantec they can be protected from viruses.  I bet you did not know (I sure didn't) that six out of ten small business owners (59 percent) admitted to having experienced some sort of malware (malicious software on their computer) in the past three years, and half of them (51 percent) had to pay an expert to resolve the problem.  A lot of that could have been avoided with good protection. This past September, Norton launched both the Norton 360 and the Norton Internet Security 201.  These are just two of the programs they offer. 

If you are a small business owner, you can get 30% off Norton Small Business Products now.  You can protect yourself, and your information, for a fraction of the cost of having to have an expert work on your computer to remove malware.  To me, it makes more sense to be proactive, and stop any problems before they happen.  Leave me a comment letting me know which Norton product you think would work best for you and why.

I Need A New Phone

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

Some days, I feel like I live in the dark ages when it comes to my phone.  I have a flip phone, which I know is like the prehistoric version of phones these days.  I really want one that has a full keyboard, since I spend a lot of time texting every day.  I am not big on talking on the phone, so texting is an easy way for me to communicate without having to actually talk to anyone.

My problem is that I am not at all tech savvy.  I need a phone that is easy to use with features that are easy to understand.  The LG DoublePlay™ sounds like the perfect phone for me.  It has a pull out keyboard and two touch screens, which gives you the option of doing several things at once.  It also has a 5 megapixel camera with a LED flash and a video camera, which would allow me to take picture and make videos that I can download to Facebook.  And you all know how much I like downloading pictures to Facebook.

This phone is available exclusively at T-Mobile.  You know you want one, too.  How much time do you spend texting and on Facebook everyday?  This phone can make all of that easier.

Christmas Eyeglasses

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

The kids and I put up our Christmas tree today.  I know most people wait until after Thanksgiving, but I don't have my kids next weekend, so instead of waiting until the following weekend, which happens to be Brandi's birthday, we did it today.  And I must say, it looks absolutely beautiful.  Ryan assembled it, I put the lights on, and the girls put up all the ornaments.  I call that a family affair for sure.

Now that we are approaching Thanksgiving, I am finally able to start wearing my Christmas earrings.  You all know how much I love earrings, and last year, Bob gave Brandi several pairs of Christmas themed ones. I plan on borrowing some of them.  I love expressing my Holiday spirit in the things I wear, and while searching for cheap eyeglasses online at Zenni, I found these cute Christmas glasses.  Aren't they adorable?

The best thing about these eyeglasses is that they only cost $9.95.  That's right.  I can accessorize my eyes for only ten bucks!  At that price, I can get glasses for every holiday.  I bet they have some awesome Halloween ones.  I'll have to check that out for next years party.  Right now, the money I save can go towards Christmas gifts for the kids. I am sure I am not the only one struggling this time of year, with the economy being what it is. Every little bit I can save will go a long ways towards putting gifts under the tree.

I might even order some everyday eyeglasses as well.  It would be great to have a different pair to wear each day.  I could get a black pair and a purple pair and a gray pair and a brown pair.  Oh, the possibilities are endless!

UGLee Pen Review And Giveaway

Part of my job is writing out tickets for the products that I deliver.  I also take a lot of notes, writing down the schedule for my day, and the order in which I need to do my deliveries.  That said, I am always on the lookout for really good pens.For awhile I was using gel pens, but I was having to press down really hard to get the words to make it through all the copies of the tickets.  Now I use a pen that my sister gave me for Christmas last year, and it works great.

I was looking forward to trying out the UGLee pen, because it was made for people like me who do a lot of writing every day. I was sent three pens, which is a great thing because each of my kids took one.  They love them.  Me?  Not so much.  Don't get me wrong, the pen itself writes nicely.  I just can not stand the feeling of the pen in my hand.  It feels like someone took a rubber fishing worm and stuck it on the end of the pen.  I have a thing about textures, and it felt like the pen was wiggling around whenever I tried to write with it.  It was a really weird feeling.


About the pen:
The UGLee Pen is a revolutionary ergonomic pen that is designed, created and used by a real physician. This Doctor-inspired grip pen is redefining the way people view pens and writing.

The UGLee Pen is good for everyone who writes (even just a grocery list), and is especially helpful to people who experience pain and discomfort when writing, for example those with arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, etc.,. It's also the best writing utensil  for children who are learning to write and are developing fine motor skills, as well as helpful for special-needs children who find holding a pen or pencil properly difficult. And for high-school and college students who have to take copious notes, this pen helps keep hands and fingers from cramping.

Where you can find it:

twitter, facebook and their website.

The Giveaway: (open to US residents only)

Try this pen for yourself!  To enter to win one of these pens, like UGLee pen on facebook and follow them on twitter, then visit their website and leave me a comment letting me know something you learned about the pens.  I will pick the winner this Friday, November 25, 2011.  

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. Sponsored by Tomoson.com

I Want A Kitten!

How adorable are they?  I promised the kids that as soon as I can afford the pet deposit, we are going to look for a kitten.  I really want a white fluffy one.  I would love to be able to afford a Persian one, like one of the ones in that picture, but we will probably just go to the animal shelter and hope they have one just as cute.

We used to have a white cat with light gray stripes named Oliver.  Ollie was the best cat.  He would come when you called his name, and he always slept in bed with me and Brandi, usually on one of our pillows.  I was crushed when we had to have him put to sleep due to kidney issues.  I cried for weeks.  I still tear up when I come across pictures of him.  When he died, I got rid of everything that reminded me of him, which means when we get a new kitten, I am going to have to buy all new pet supplies. 

I am going to make sure that this time we get a girl kitten, because I was told that male cats are prone to kidney problems, and I can't go through that again.  I have been trying to come up with a cute girl name, but seem to be drawing a blank.  Any suggestions?

Make Up

Kasi has started wearing Make Up , which thrills me because she doesn't do many girly things.  She is more of a tomboy.  I also recently started wearing makeup myself after many years of not wearing any, and to be honest, I could use some Cosmetics Tips.  I see other women with perfectly applied makeup, and I always wonder how they do it.  I need to search online for some Make Up Tutorials so I can learn how to look as good as they do.

I am sure that when Brandi is old enough to wear makeup, she will know exactly how to apply it.  She is pretty obsessed with how she looks even now, so it will not surprise me at all if she continues that trend.

Looking Nice

 I see a therapist every other Wednesday.  I have been seeing her alone since my husband left.  Before that, we used to see her together.  When I saw her this past Wednesday she asked me if I had lost more weight.  Honestly, I haven't been on the scale in a couple of weeks so I have no idea if I have or not.  What I do know is that I am feeling confident these days, which means I am putting an effort into how I look when I go to work every day.  It used to be that I wore sweat pants and tshirts all the time, and it had been years, many, many years since I have bothered with makeup.  Now, I like looking nice.

The problem, now that it is getting colder, is that none of my winter clothes fit properly, because I have lost so much weight since last year.  I still wear a plus size dress, only now I am not so much of a plus.  I hope one day to lose the rest of this weight so I won't have to wear plus sized clothes anymore.  For now, though, I need to find something nice to wear for Christmas.  I want to have a picture taken of the kids and I that I can frame, and I want to look pretty.  I usually wear black, but I want to find something with a little color.

I wonder what color would look good on me and say Christmas?

Christmas

 I am really stressing about finding money for Christmas gifts.  I am not sure my own kids are going to have much under the tree, so I know I won't be able to afford gifts for my nieces and nephews.  You have no idea how much this is breaking my heart.  They shouldn't have to be neglected because I am tight on money, but I don't know what to do.  I have nine nephews and six nieces, so even toys for infants are out of my budget.  I used to make the kids gifts, but this year I just don't have the time.  Or the money to buy the supplies to make anything.

It's hard when every cent coming in has to go towards the bills, but that's how things are for me right now.  I told my kids they may wake up Christmas morning to IOU's in their stockings.  By this time every year, I am usually so excited about the holiday season.  This year, I just don't feel the same. I plan on putting up my tree this weekend, which I hope will help get us all into the holiday spirit.

If not, I am sure once I start baking my Christmas cookies the smell alone will get me excited about Christmas.

I'm Stressed And A Vacation

I have had a rough week at work.  For some reason, we were really busy this week, and breaks were few and far between.  I messed up on Monday, and though my boss was understanding, I still feel like I let him down.  I have been under a lot of stress, mostly due to Christmas creeping up and my not having much for the kids yet.  I am seriously thinking about taking some of my tax money in February and taking off for a weekend vacation somewhere.

I'm not sure where I want to go, because I haven't taken a vacation in such a long time.  Living in South Carolina, the mountains and the beach are both good options, but I'm thinking I want to go north and visit my sisters.  It will be a long drive for just a weekend trip, so I might have to talk to my boss about taking some time off.  I would love to visit one of the Poconos Family Resorts because I used to go every year with my grandparents when I was younger, and I loved it.  I am pretty sure I could convince my sisters to meet me there so we could spend some time together.  I would have to convince my mom to go with me, too, because there is no way I am driving 12 hours with just the kids.  I would be afraid to stop and use the restroom by myself.  And if you know me at all, you know that I use the bathroom often. 

Then again, I might just stay close to home and take a weekend to myself.  I could rent a hotel room somewhere and spend the weekend with a good book and some movies.  Or I might invite a certain friend to spend the weekend with me. 

Oh wait, I do that now, only we spend the weekend in my apartment.  And trust me, it is very relaxing.

My Eating Habits

I saw my therapist tonight.  It was a good session.  We talked about all the stress in my life right now, from worrying about money to Bob and the kids.  She helped me fill out an assessment, which is something we should have done our first session nine months ago.   She asked me all kinds of questions, and most of them were easy enough to answer.

She asked me what I think my strengths are and what I like about myself, and that one was kind of hard to answer.  I think we ended up putting down that I am funny, compassionate, hard working and a great mom.  She also asked about my eating habits, and was a little worried about my answer.  I told her that I eat enough, but not much.  I told her I keep snacks in the van for the days I can't stop for lunch, and she suggested I keep snacks at home, too.  Of course, she suggested healthy snack like veggies, fruits, and even calcet creamy bites to help me get the nutrition I need.   I do keep granola bars and almonds in the van, so it's not like I'm eating bed stuff. 

She asked me if I have lost more weight, saying I looked really good.  I found that funny, since I was working in the rain all day and I looked like a drowned rat.  Truthfully, I haven't been on the scale in a while, so I could have lost some more weight.

That would be a good thing.

Mixbook Christmas Card Review

As most of you know (I say that a lot, don't I?) I have been stressing about money, especially since Christmas is only a little over a month away.  I was thrilled when I was asked to review Mixbook's Christmas Cards.  Just in case you don't know, Mixbook is:

"a leading photo products company that helps people create custom photo books, cards, and calendars. Whether starting from scratch, or using one of our thousands of professionally designed templates, every Mixbook product is 100% customizable. With Mixbook, you can truly Make It Yours™".

The process of making my card was simple enough.  I just picked the design I liked and uploaded the pictures I wanted to use.  It seriously only took me about ten minutes to finish my card, and I think it came out great.  I have to say, though, that with the variety of cards they offer, I had a hard time deciding on the perfect card for my family.  I am more into the whimsical than the traditional, but trust me when I say they offer something for everyone.  You can even start from scratch and make a card that is completely your own.

If you are looking for an affordable place to order your Christmas cards, check out Mixbook.  You can find them on twitter and facebook, too.  I love mine, and if you want me to mail one to you, email me your address.  Or message me on Facebook.

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.

Turkey!

I saw this turkey in the parking lot of one of the businesses I deliver mail to everyday.  Of course I had to get a picture of it, because I am sure in a few weeks this beauty will be on someone's table for Thanksgiving.

Frozen Drinks Are Yummy!

 Several months ago I borrowed my mom's blender.  I have recently discovered just how yummy frozen drinks can be, especially when they contain vodka and frozen fruit.  I really need to get a blender of my own, and that is the one thing I want for Christmas.

The other day I was doing the dishes, and I found the top to the blender in my sink, covered in koolaid that the kids had dumped in a bowl.  Needless to say, the white lid became a nice pink color, and nothing I did could get the stains off.  I was convinced I would have to search for kitchenaid blender parts online and find a replacement before I returned my mom's blender.  Then a friend suggested I soak the lid in a mixture of bleach and water, and thankfully that worked. 

I want a blender that is made especially for making frozen drinks.  I guess it would need to have pretty sharp blades or something for chopping the ice quickly.  We experiment with all kinds of fruit and juice combinations, and found that the frozen fruit, especially frozen raspberries, work best.

I guess I could use the blender to make non-alcoholic drinks as well.  The kids would probably love that as much as I love my adult beverages.

Car Shopping

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

I love my car, but some days I feel like she doesn't love me back.  If you remember, over the summer I had a lot of issues with my car running really hot.  The culprit ended up being my thermostat, and the mechanic finally removed it, and that seemed to fix the problem.  Now that the weather is getting cooler, I needed to have it put back on so that I can run my heat.  Thankfully, the thermostat itself was only about $8 (including the gasket) and my ex was able to get it on my car without much trouble.  The only issue now is that my heat doesn't work.  He says I need a heater coil (I think) which is kind of expensive, so I may spend the winter driving around under a blanket.

I don;t want to get a new car, because I really do love my car.  It suit me, I think.  It's hard to find a car that fits all your needs, especially if you are disabled.  Of course, you can have a car customized to your specific needs, especially if you visit a NMEDA dealer.  NMEDA is the only association that promotes safe driving and equipment for disabled people. They are non-profit and their members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They also have QAP dealers. The Quality Assurance Program (QAP) is the only nationally recognized accreditation program for the Adaptive Mobility Equipment Industry. It is based on the principle that in order to satisfy customers consistently, companies must have a systematic and documented approach to quality.

If you find yourself in need of a handicapped vehicle, check their website to find the NMEDA dealer nearest you. 

Playing School

Brandi is a little smarty pants.  I promise I am not just being biased because she is my kid.  She really is super smart.  She is in the advanced classes at school, and one of her favorite things to do is help her friends with their homework.  There are days I come home from work and there are four or five other kids here with her working on their homework together. 

She also loves to play school with her friends.  A few weeks ago, she was playing school with her little cousin, and they had a ball.  My mom has a dry erase board hanging in the playroom in her house, and Brandi was writing lessons on there for Carson to do.  I wish I had some preschool worksheets for them to use.  There have been times when Brandi has made up her own worksheets for her "students".  I love her creativity.   I love that she wants to help other kids learn, whether it's her friends or her cousin.  To them, it may just be playing, but she really is helping to teach them things.

One day, she would make an excellent teacher.  Unfortunate, right now she is convinced she will be some type of performer when she grows up.  I could see her doing that, too.  Those of you who know her know how big of a drama queen she can be.  She already knows how to put on a show.

Someday

Change.  I have done so much of that this past year.  I have grown as a woman and as a mother.  I have done things I never thought possible, and found a strength I never knew I had.  Yes, I know you have all heard me say this before.  And truthfully, I am going to keep saying it, because if nothing else, I am extremely proud of who I have become.

That said, there are still things I can do to better my life, not only for myself, but for my kids.  One of the things I have been thinking about is going back to school.  There are just so many options available, and I am not sure which direction I want to go.  My mom and sister both went to school and became nurses, and I know if I were to do the same I could make lots of money.  In fact, I would make a whole lot more than the minimum wage I make now. 

Nurses get to dress cute, too.  I know, you think I am crazy.  But the nurses at the doctor's office where I go always look so cute in their scrubs.  The basic scrubs can be boring, but you can find all sorts of cute, different colored scrub tops at places like http://www.blueskyscrubs.com/.  You can even find scrubs sets on sale.  And as much money as nurses can make, I am sure they are just like the rest of us and love to save money anywhere they can.

The issue with me and going back to school will be finding the time to actually do it.  It's nice to dream about bettering myself, but right now, I just don't have the time. Someday, maybe, I will.  I hope.

I Love Dollar General

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

The other day I had time to kill between deliveries, so I stopped at a Dollar General to look around at their Christmas stuff.  I wish I had more than $5 in my pocket, because there was lots of stuff I wanted to get for my kids.  I did end up buying a few things, and I plan on going back when I get paid on Friday.

I'm only working half a day Friday because it is Veteran's Day, and as a tank you to our veterans, Dollar General is offering a 10% discount for Veterans, Active Military and their families, and no coupon is needed.  If you are like me an not a veteran or in the military, you can still get a 10% discount online from 11/11 to 11/13 by using the coupon code VETERANSDAY when you checkout.  Personally, I think this is awesome.  These families do so much for all of us, and when stores show their appreciation this way, well, it makes me feel good.  If you want to show your appreciation to our military, you can upload a personal video saying "thank you" on Dollar General's Facebook page. 

Aside from Dollar General's Veteran's Day discount, you can also purchase a care package for our troops.  They have two different options, one for $20 and one for $30.  These packages include essentials as well as fun stuff, and I know they would brighten any service person's day.  Dollar General will ship these packages free to any valid US or military address provided.

Take the time to show our military how grateful we all are for all that they do for us.

Reebok Class Action Settlement

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

Simply put, the lawsuit alleges Reebok violated certain state laws regarding the marketing and sale of toning shoes and apparel.  Reebok denies this claim, and has decided to settle the lawsuit.  This means that if you purchased certain Reebok toning shoes and/or apparel from December 5, 2008 through October 12, 2011, you may be eligible to receive payment from a class action settlement.  Here is a list of the shoes and apparel involved:

*Eligible Shoes:
Easy Tone, RunTone, JumpTone, SlimTone, EasyTone Flip, TrainTone, and SimplyTone

*Eligible Apparel:
EasyTone Capri, EasyTone Shorts, EasyTone Sleeveless Shirt, EasyTone Pants, EasyTone Long Bra Top and EasyTone Short Sleeve Top

You can also read the press release for yourself:

I don't have a claim in this Reebok settlement simply because I can not afford to purchase their shoes.  I am curious though if any of you ever purchased any of the shoes and if they worked for you.  What activities did you do while wearing the shoes and/or apparel?  Will you continue to use these products?  Does it matter to you that there is a class action settlement?

If you are interested in obtaining more information, you can call this number: 1-888-398-5389. 

Smile

Have you ever noticed that I hate to smile for pictures, and when I do, I never show my teeth?  There is a reason for that, you know.  I hate my teeth.  They are crooked and horrible.  I would have them fixed, but that would probably require me to wear metal braces on my teeth for several years, and I am not going to do that, mostly because I hate the dentist, and also because I would look ridiculous.

I have heard good things about San Antonio Invisalign, and how awesome they can make your smile.  Of course, I would have to get over my fear of dentists, because this procedure requires you to have your guards changed about every two weeks, but they are clear, so no one would know you're wearing them.  Did you follow that? 

I also have a very small mouth, though some people might argue that I have a big mouth.  I know there is no way to change the size of my mouth, but I have always envied people who can smile wide and not look like a crazy person.  My friend Nicole has the most beautiful smile.  If I had her mouth and teeth, I would smile all the time.

But I don't, so I will continue to smile with my tiny mouth closed.

Getting Older

I am not afraid of getting older.  In fact, I am looking forward to turning 40 in February.  Weird, right?  Most women I know dread turning 40, but for me, I see it as a new beginning.  I will be getting divorced soon after my birthday, and I am excited about starting a new life as a single woman.  Sure, I'm kind of dating now, but nothing serious.  My kids have never met the guy I am seeing, and I want to keep it that way for now.  If, and that's a big if, we ever do get serious, then I will let the kids meet him.  But for now, he is all mine, and I am enjoying ever second of it.

When I do get older, hopefully I won't be alone.  I hope to someday, maybe, get married again.  I would hate to think that there isn't someone out there I am meant to be with.  I do want to grow old with someone, and be able to look into senior living communities with a husband someday.  I want to have someone by my side when I play with my grandkids.  I want to have someone who will be by my side when I am wearing adult diapers and drooling on myself.

For now, though, I am going to play.  It's fun.

I Want!

 I used to love to cook.  I probably still do, I just don't have the time.  After working all day, the last thing I want to do is stand over the stove.  The kids hate it, because they live on cereal and sandwiches most nights.  I want to get back into the habit of cooking, though. 

I love looking online for recipes and kitchen gadgets.  I know I have said this before, but if I was to ever buy a house, the kitchen would be the deciding factor in my picking a home.  One of the things I would want is a huge pantry.  I have a small one now, and I am crazy about keeping it organized.  Right now, my biggest annoyance is my canned goods.  I can only stack them so high, and they take up so much room.  I found this can organizer, and I really want it.  Isn't it awesome?

 The best thing is that I also found a shelf reliance coupon that can save me some money.  I really do love coupons, especially when I find them for things I really need (or want!).  And I really want that organizer.  In fact, I want a few of them.  They would make my pantry look great.

I Worry Sometimes

 Now that I am a single mom, I think about a lot of things that I never had to think about before.  Like what would happen to my kids if I die.  I know they would go to my ex, because he is their father, but I want to be able to leave them something.  Right now, I don't have any type of life insurance.  I know, I know.  I really need to check out a term life insurance calculator and see what my options are.  I know I can't afford to pay too much each month, but I am sure there are policies I can afford.

I also think about what would happen if I get hurt or sick.  Who would take care of me and pay my bills?  I used to be able to depend on my ex for that, but now I only have myself.  I'm sure my mom and dad would do what they could to help me, but I want to be able to do things on my own.  I've kind of become obsessed with that since my husband left.  I don't think anyone thought I would be able to live on my own with my kids without constant help, but I am.  Sure, I have needed a little help now and then, but I am basically doing it on my own, and that, my friends, is an awesome feeling.

From Blond To Red

So, what do you think?

Winter is Here

Contribution by Stevie Kirby

It’s hard to believe it’s already the time of year when we need to turn on our heat in New York. After a beautiful summer and brief fall it’s getting colder by the day. Last year our heating bills were higher than my roommate and I were comfortable with so I decided to look online for some tips on energy efficiency. Although it won’t help, I learned a lot about building design and location and how it affects heating and cooling efficiency. Everything from topography and building location as well as where you place windows can have a major affect. I guess these ideas did not come into play in 1955 when my apartment building was built! After getting side-tracked by all the interesting information that I could not use, I went back to my original search for things that would be helpful. I visited www.newyorkenergyrates.com to see if I could get some pricing relief in my area. I also looked at the new energy star rated appliances at the major department stores. Maybe if I save enough on my bills I can get a new dishwasher!

I Want This For My Car!

I was driving on Friday (surprise, right, since I spend my entire life driving these days) and I was behind this car at a red light that had the greatest sticker in it's window.  Check it out:

I love it!  I want one for my car.  The funny thing was, when I took the picture, I didn't realize the flash would go off.  The driver turned around and gave me the nastiest look, but I just smiled at her, waved, and went on my merry way.  It was great!

Staying Active And Making New Friends

My job is great.  I work Monday through Friday with weekends off.  A month or so ago, my boss gave me a bonus on my paycheck.  When I asked him why, he said it's because I'm awesome.  I'm not kidding either.  He really said that.  Since then, there has been extra money in my paycheck every week.  I'm pretty sure I got myself a little raise, which is much needed.  It's enough to pay Brandi's babysitter each week, and that helps out a lot.

We work the same schedule as the post office, so if they are closed, I get a day off.  This means that in a couple of weeks, I will get a four day weekend for Thanksgiving.  I can't wait!  My kids are looking forward to the two weeks they will have off school for Christmas, but to be honest, I am dreading it a little.  They will be cooped up in the house all day while I work, and when that happens, a lot of arguing and fighting occurs.  I wish I could afford to send them all to Holiday Camps for Kids, because at least then I would know they are having fun while staying active.  I have heard good things about Adventure Camps for Kids, too, and I think Ryan would enjoy something like that.  I remember going to a Christian summer camp with my grandparents when I was younger, and I made lots of great friends that I kept in touch with for years.  I want my kids to have that same opportunity.


Here lately, they have been riding their bikes a lot and playing outside with their friends, but it's getting colder, which means they will be staying inside more.Finding ways for them to stay active and not kill each other is going to be a challenge, but I'm s re we'll make it through.

Easy Money From Title Loans Miami

No matter how hard I try, I can never sleep in on the weekends.  My body is so used to getting up at 5:15am every day, no matter how late I stay up on Friday or Saturday nights, I am still up really early the following day.  I was excited about the extra hour of sleep we got last night, but I was still up at 6am this morning.

It's nice being up before the kids and having some time to myself, but this morning I found myself stressing about money.  No matter how much I work, there never seems to be enough money to do all the things I would love to do with the kids.  I can't even think about Christmas without having a little panic attack.  I have been thinking a lot about how I am going to find the money to get the kids gifts, and someone recommended Title Loans Miami  .  While I don't live in Miami Florida, I know there are title loan places close to where I live.  Getting a title loan is a good option for people who can not qualify for conventional loans, or when an emergency arises and you need money right away.

I still have over a month to find some extra money, so I am not going to panic yet.  At least not completely panic.  I wouldn't trade the life I have right now for anything.  I am happy, and my bills get paid every month.  I am taking care of my kids and being the mom I have always been, which just so happens to mean I am still awesome.  I am sure my kids will be happy Christmas morning no matter how much, or little, is under the tree.  They know that Christmas is about more then the gifts you get.  It's about God and being with family.  And I have been blessed with a wonderful family who loves us. 

Save Money Buying Christmas Gifts

I have been thinking a lot about what I want for Christmas, which is pretty funny because I don't have anyone to buy me presents anymore.  Well, I have my parents, and they always give me great gifts, but I don't have a husband anymore, so there is no one to buy me that something special.  Make sense?

Anyway, there are a few things I want that I will probably end up buying for myself after Christmas when I have some extra money.  I really want a blender, which may seem like a funny thing to want, but I borrowed my mom's a couple of months ago to make a frozen mixed drink, and I am hooked.  She asked for her blender back, so I am going to need one of my own.  I want a good one, too, which means it will probably cost me a small fortune,  But, I know I can find some Savings.com coupons to use and save some money.  

I also want a breadmaker.  Nothing tastes better than freshly baked loaf of bread, which I know for a fact because my mom loves to make bread in hers.  And it is so good! Especially when you dip it in her homemade spaghetti sauce. 

One other thing I would love is to be able to buy my kids what they want for Christmas.  Unfortunately, this year, money is so tight I don't know how I am going to get them anything.  But, I will find a way, because my kids deserve to have presents under the tree.  I can wait until I get my taxes back next year to get the things I want, but my kids will have what they want Christmas morning.

Funny

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

We laugh a lot in my house.  I have a pretty good sense of humor, in a sarcastic sort of way, and my kids definitely got their sense of humors from me.  For instance, Brandi and I had a joint therapy session today, and she was able to ask me whatever questions she wanted, knowing I would answer them as truthfully as I could.  Because she is my child, some of her questions were pretty funny.

We watch a lot of funny shows, but have never sat as a family and watched a stand up comedian, because I have never really found any routines that are family friendly.  American Family Insurance has changed this for me with their stand up comedy acts that are funny and appropriate for my kids, called Stand Up For Family.  I watched one myself to see if my kids would be able to watch, and it was pretty funny.  I watched Bill Bellamy talk about street lights, and how when he was little, parents encouraged kids to play outside, and how they stayed out until the street lights came on.  I thought it was great because I remember my parents doing that to me and my siblings. 

I think AmFam is on to something here.  Providing entertainment my whole family can enjoy is awesome. I am sure I am not the only parent to think so, either.  I can't wait to check out some of the other routines with my kids,

Bedding

My bedroom needs a makeover.  Desperately.  Nothing in my room is new.  My bedroom furniture used to be my parents, and I've already told you about my bed.  When I get my new one, I am going to get new bedding and curtains to match.

If you know me at all, you know my two favorite colors are black and purple.  If I owned the place we live, I would paint my bedroom purple and get solid black bedding.  But, since I can't paint my walls, I have been searching for bedding that is both colors.  I found this Bed in a Bag that I think will work perfectly.  What do you think?

I know there is quite a bit of white in it, but I really like it. I am going to keep looking before I make my final decision, because I want to make sure I love what I buy.  I mean, if I am going to spend money on something, I want to make sure it is exactly what I want. The good thing, for me, is that I can make this decision on my own.  I can pick something as girly as I want. 

One of the many benefits of no longer being with my ex.

A New Bed

This time of year, everyone starts thinking about Christmas.  I know I have.  I have also started thinking about how much money I am going to get back when I file my taxes next year.  I have a wish list, and I am hoping that I will be able to get at least a few things off my list when all is said and done, whether it be at Christmas or in February.

This may sound crazy, but the biggest thing I am looking forward to is a new bed.  When I moved into my apartment, that was one of the things that I just couldn't bring with me.  I didn't want to sleep in that bed anymore because I had slept in it with my ex.  I am now sleeping on the bottom mattress from my girls bunk bed.  I have it sitting on the floor in my bedroom.  What I really want to get is a king sized bed with egyptian cotton sheets and lots and lots of pillows.  Brandi has been sleeping with me since she was about six months old, and I think the time is coming when she needs to start sleeping in her own bed.  I mean, the kid is going to be 10 next month.  I told her when I get my new bed and she gets her matress back she will need to start sleeping on it, in her own room.

We'll see if that actually happens.

Taking Care Of My Mom

I went trick or treating with my mom again this year.  I took my kids, too, of course.  They got lots of goodies which I raided.  I love that my daughter doesn't like Reese's, because they happen to be my favorite.  I love anything chocolate and peanut butter.

My mom and I were talking about a bunch of things while we were walking, and one of those things was what would happen to her if she ever got to the point where she couldn't take care of herself.  She said one of my sister's told here that she would never put her in a nursing home, and to be honest, I agree.  I would take her in to live with me before that happened.  I would need help, of course, but thanks to services that offer elder care, I know I wouldn't be on my own. I am sure no matter what my sisters and I decide, when the time comes, my mother will be well taken care of. 

I hope someday my kids feel the same way about me and I don't end up in a home somewhere, forgotten.  I don't think that would happen, but you never know.