About Me

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I'm all these things in no particular order: human being, woman, Mother, wife, house maintainer, daughter and overwhelmed. My motto is "live life outloud". Keep keen your sense of humor. One day it'll be the only thing that keeps you sane.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cancer sucks

So, I've been away a while!

We went on vacation.

Then I had to reassemble and reorganize our house upon our return. Unpack, laundry, clean, grocery shop. You know, blah blah boring.

Then my computer got a virus.

I'm not going to bore you with the details of all that, I'd rather just jump in and give you details on what's going on right now.

My mother in law has cancer. Ovarian cancer. This is not new, she's had it for over 5 years and you would never know it by looking at her. She's been through chemo treatments on and off for those years and it's kept it at bay. This woman must posess super hero powers, I'm telling you. She has never, ever let her cancer slow her down and is an amazing wife, mother and grandmother. She's always been there to help and give and has an incredible faith in God which I am sure helps her when she is feeling discouraged.

Over the years I have had the experience of gaining not only a mother in law but a wonderful friend. We laugh and confide in each other and from her I have learned and continue to learn so much. From her I have learned many a trick in the kitchen, that I enjoy baking, crafting and whether she knows it or not I have learned to be more resourceful and thrifty by following her example. She's taken care of my family after recovering from 2 c-sections and one minor surgery.

She makes clothing and little accessories for all our children and always makes sure to send a care package in the mail on holidays. She really makes a person feel special. I know she means the world to a lot of people.

Tomorrow she has surgery to remove a spot on her liver. She's expected to do well and I know she'll kick ass in recovery. My heart literally hurts that I cannot be there to help take care of her as she has for me but it's just not possible and I know she understands.

I am constantly humbled by her positive attitude towards her battle with cancer and I know she's putting up a big fight against the ugly 'c' word.

Tomorrow and the following days if you pray or think positively or send energy please do so for my Mother in law. I know she's going to do great.

Love you, Mary!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Revlon Lip Butter LOVE!!!

I don't have time to take pictures or anything ....

BUT,

Before I go on vacation I wanted to tell you about my new makeup obsession which is by Revlon. Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter. It's a fairly new product from Revlon and I've seen them at CVS, Walgreens and Target. Google if you need to see a pic, I didn't want to steal anyone's image.

Ooohhhh emmmmm geeeee.

Simply lovely.

If you are a chap-stick or lip balm kind of girl that shies away from lipgloss or even lipstick this is your products. It's like a really, really moisturizing (hello, extremely dry and windy winter) balm with great pigmentation.

There are like 12 different colors so you're bound to find one you like and that is flattering.

Other bonus?!? No flavor or smell that I can detect.

Extra other bonus?!? They have a nice shine or sheen when you apply them. The moisturizing element of the product fades nicely but you're left with a nice stain of color.

Extra extra other bonus?!? They're kinda cheap! Shop around but I got mine at Target for $6 something.

LOVE IT. Strongly suggest checking it out when you're due for your next lip product.

Monday, November 14, 2011

No Rest for the Weary

Tonight I have sleep anxiety.

(here's where I start a-bitchin')

I have not slept a solid night of sleep in probably 3 weeks. By solid I mean I've not got to sleep without waking up at least once during the night to take care of one of the kids. While I have not had to stay up with them for long periods of time it's still an interruption of my sleep cycle. Even if it only takes 5 minutes to tend to something it's still going to take a good half hour to an hour for me to get back to sleep. Add that to early morning wake up calls and un-synchronized nap times and I've been one busy woman.

Henry's been waking nightly for a couple of weeks crying out for Momma. I think he's having night terrors because when I go in his room to comfort him he has zombie face and is basically unresponsive.

Lucy....well, Lucy is 4 months old. It's expected that she wakes in the middle of the night.

Worn out.

Alan relieves me when he can but he's also worn out from his job. They've got a few big things they're working on and he's been working 12 hour days 2-3 nights a week.

Most days it's just a fleeting moment that I feel that way but this evening I am really feeling it pull down on me like the weighted force of gravity. Not good. I hate feeling tired just as much as I hate feeling sick. Actually, those two feelings are very similar in nature, huh?

I guess I'm going to make a cup of tea and try to relax so I can get some sleep. And by cup of tea I mean glass of Sauvignon Blanc.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Trip

Trip

Ooooooo weeee I am all hopped up and full of nervous energy.

This week is going to be a little nutso in my world. Alan will be in OH for business the next 3 days and so I'll be holding down the fort on my own. I am hoping the kids will be manageable and that I am able to keep sane. The weather should cooperate, meaning we'll be able to get out and go outside and that will be my lifesaver.

I'm starting my list of things to pack. We'll be gone for 10 days and I'm packing for myself, Henry and Lucy. We're flying from STL to RDU, staying in Raleigh with friends for 3 nights and then taking the train from Raleigh to Charlotte and spending the thanksgiving holiday with my in laws. It is going to be so great to see our friends in Raleigh! I had such a tight knit group of friends there and I miss that the most living here in Saint Louis. I'm also really looking forward to spending a good amount of time with my in laws in Charlotte.

And can I just tell you how excited I am to take the Amtrak from Raleigh to Charlotte?!? I LOVE TRAINS. The first time we took the train I was beside myself. I know, so nerdy, right?? But I really am super stoked to share the experience with Henry because he shares my enthusiasm.

Traveling with the babies doesn't make me too nervous because I traveled a lot with Hank when he was Lucy's age so I *think* I know what to expect from her. Now that Henry is a toddler I think he'll enjoy the plane ride and walking around the airport. I'm not sure. We'll see. Alan will be in charge of him and that'll work out well for me.

You know I'll document the trip with pictures and words.

Wish me luck the next few days!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer

I recently bought a couple little products that are working for me. The first one is Neutragena's Healthy Skin Foundation. The second one is Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer. The latter is the item I am reviewing but felt the foundation was worth a mention also.

The color of concealer I am using is called Brightener and now I realize that I bought not concealer but a corrector and brightener but that's okay, I'm still really impressed with it. You'll see.

Listen. Dark under eye circles are a real serious thing when you're sleep deprived and have allergies and sinus issues. I've tried, and will most likely continue to try, a lot of products and the majority of them FAIL. So when this one worked I was very excited. I had been using Benefit's Erase Paste but my skin is so dry right now it's not working for me anymore. Plus it's $26 a container.

I bought this product after watching TiffanyD review it on her youtube channel. I've linked it if you want to watch the whole review because she's much better at explaining and going in to depth regarding the products. Plus she's really cute and if you like beauty blogs you'll love her blog.

What I do is I prep my skin first with moisturizer and under eye moisturizer and put my Healthy Skin foundation on. I don't skimp on my foundation either. I make sure to get my eyes and under eye area. After I get that all blended in I use the Age Rewind concealer under my eyes. I dab it on with the foam sponge thingie attached to the product (which I love by the way) and then blend out with my finger tips. The consistency is pretty thin but not drying and has really good pigmentation! I'm even more impressed with this product knowing that I didn't even buy a concealer color, I accidentally bought the stuff that would go on top of your concealer to brighten up the area. I think I'll go buy an actual color this weekend.

This was a major cosmetic score for me. I paid, like, $8 at CVS for it and you know they always have buy one get one half off.

And here are my before and after pictures. I am wearing only two products, foundation and concealer.

Death warmed up (before)
















She's ALIIIIIVVVVVEE (after)

Thursday, November 10, 2011

The Boy

My Mom and I talk on the phone pretty much every morning one her way in to work. This was a conversation with my Mom the other morning:

Me: He's just like a cat! He gets in the one spot you don't want to get him in and squeezes in and you can't get him out and OH I just know he does it on purpose! Get out of there, Mommy doesn't want you over there. Don't step on the banana, don't step on the banana!! Oh man! He stepped on a chunk of banana!

Why are his hands in his mouth?!? Mom!!! What is it with the hands in the mouth? He is driving me crazy. Ohhh and they stink! His hands stink so bad because they're always in his mouth and the boy won't let me wash his hands. Good Lord you'd think I was pulling out his toenails when I make him wash his hands and I don't get it because he used to like washing his hands so much and you know, playing in the water. Now it's like this epic power struggle and it ends with tears and both of us and the bathroom floor soaking wet.

Wait. What?!? He's licking the couch!! HE.IS.LICKING.THE.COUCH. Stop licking the couch! Henry, stop licking the couch! Why would you do that? Why would you lick a couch?!?

My Mom: Oh honey.

My sweet little funny boy who keeps me running around and laughing all day is the same little boy who drives me nuts in tiny little fragments throughout the week.

Family Life

I'd like to introduce my children. I got two of em'.

Henry - aka Hank the Tank (although he's more like Hank the stringbean these days, so skinny!), Henny, or Pickle. He's 2 years old and a real sweetie and an excellent big brother. Very active, funny and a joy to be around most of the time. I mean, he's two so he's a little turd sometimes. He's definitely a Daddy's boy and I really cant remember a time that he was not but he still loves me a little bit. ;) He likes robots, cars, trains, running, the park, cake, Pirates Booty (snack puffs) and apples. Oh yea, and cheese. Henry cracks me up and I am loving having a toddler.

Lucy - aka Lulu or Toosie. She's 4 months old (dob 7.11.11). I literally fall in love with her more and more every day. She's so sweet and smiley and I love her gummy little grins and quack like giggles. She's doing all her baby stuff, rolling over, drooling, sitting in the bumbo, starting to sleep through the night on a consistent basis and giving lots and lots of good snuggles. I love having a little girl because she's like my little baby-doll I get to dress up and show her off. One day she'll object to that and I will stop it but for now, she's my little lady.

I'd say that being a parent the second time around is WAY easier and more enjoyable. With your first kid you are freaked out by every little sneeze or cough, rash or cry. With your second you are more relaxed and confident and I think the baby realizes that and they are more relaxed. That's all my opinion of course.

My parenting style is called SURVIVAL. Whatever works the best and makes the most sense is what we do. I do keep my kids on a schedule but I don't call it a schedule. I call it a routine and I'm pretty good at keeping it, give or take an hour or two. We take field trips at least 2xweek and we play outside or take a walk every day. I try and think like a kid and remember what was fun, exciting or scary when I was that age. I'm not a strictly no-TV kind of Mom but I do limit it. We listen to a lot of music and read and chase each other around the house.

My husband is amazing and very much a hands on Dad and I love that about him so much! He's my rock and definitely the more introverted out of the two of us.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Chicken Curry Creation

I'm letting you know right now:

I am not a cook. Nor am I good. Therefore I am not a good cook. However, I find that I am more successful at my culinary adventures when I follow the recipe. It's when I start adding this and that and more and less that my clear lack of talent in the kitchen comes shining through.

Sometimes, however, I cannot resist and sometimes my innovations are edible (and enjoyable!), such as this one.

I've been obsessed with Indian food and culture ever since gaining a sister in law that is Indian (dot, not feather). When I first ate Indian food I remember feeling cheated as in, "I cannot believe I've been missing out on eating Indian food my whole life". I LOVE INDIAN FOOD. And since our budget does not allow for much eating out I'm left to make my own. I'm not even going to pretend I know what I am doing or that my dish is in any way authentic, by the way. But I do know it was delicious and it curbed my craving for chicken curry AND chicken tikka masala. Now, if I could only learn how to make naan.

This is the recipe and my additions are in bold.
1 TBSP Olive Oil
8 Small Red Potatoes, halved
1 Cup Baby Carrots
1 Small White Onion
1 TBSP Curry Powder
1 (6 ounce) container Greek Yogurt
1 Cup Whipping Cream
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Ground Black Pepper
1/2 tsp cumin
2 Cups Chopped Cooked Chicken - I used 6 bone in chicken thighs
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can tomato paste
1/2 cup water
2 (8.5 ounce) pouches ready to serve Basmati Rice Uncle Ben's - used brown rice
Garnish 1/4 cup Cilantro Leaves didn't use this, cilantro tastes like crayons to me


1. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add potatoes, carrots and onion. Cook stirring occasionally for 8-10 minutes. Add Curry powder to vegetable mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

2. Reduce heat to low. Stir in yogurt and cream stirring occasionally for 3 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper and chicken. Heat rice accoding to package directions for 2 pouches. Serve over rice and garnish with cilantro leaves if desired.

Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Sept-Oct 2010

I had to make this in a crock pot. Or slow cooker, what have you. Wait, is there even a difference? Anyhoo. I marinated the chicken thighs over night in olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper and a sprinkle of curry. Then I loaded the chicken, potatoes, onions and carrots and poured the cream, tomatoes and spices together and cooked on high for 3 hours. At that point I pulled my chicken out and de-boned it, added it back in and cooked on low for another 2 hours. About 30 minutes before we were ready to eat I added the greek yogurt. Serve over rice!

And if that is too complicated the original Sandra Lee recipe is AWESOME, I've made it her way but the first time I made it I accidently added HONEY Greek Yogurt and nearly hurled. That was my own fault. It's a good recipe. Seriously.

2/3rds of a Cup of Coffee

I tip toe across the wooden floors, shut doors gently, restrain myself from flushing the toilet, curse when I drop a makeup brush, the sound is deafening at 5:30 am. I drink coffee in bed to wake and all of these precautions are in vain because my children have super keen Mommy-sense and shall wake when I do.

You have to laugh. I do.

I really do think that children have a 7th sense for when a parent wakes and is at their most human venerable moment, their waking moment, when all is calm, bleary eyed and quiet. When you want to be alone and quiet and enjoy the peace of the morning before operation chaos begins. But nooooooo...

WAKE UP
and get moving they demand, and so I will.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Super Sparkle


Nail Polishes: Base coat - Sally Hansen in Mighty Mauve. Sparkle coat - Pure Ice in Spit Fire


I have this great new past time or hobby, if you will. It's called myself.

Yeah, it's great because let me tell you; I, as in me myself and I, have been missing a long time.

I take time to do things I enjoy, no matter how trivial or silly they may seem, I stop and smell the flowers or in this case the nail polish.

Allow Me to Introduce Myself

Hi!

My name is Andrea.

I am 30 years old and my current occupation is a stay at home MoM in Saint Louis, MO. I've been at my current job, and it is a job by the way, for a little over 2 years. I find that as with all jobs it's hard to find a balance between being a human being and a professional and in being a stay at home Mom that challenge is very, um, well, challenging!

I'm in the process of regaining myself and personality because for 2 years I've been totally engrossed in raising my children and keeping a running household. I think that's totally natural but I now require something "more".

It is in writing this blog that I hope to engage readers in my daily life, the funny things that happen and exercise my gift for writing, spark new interests and make some new blog friends. I plan on writing about life as a Mom & wife, makeup, books, social issues (I'll try and stay non-political but I cannot promise!) and I throw a few photos at you time to time as well.

I hope you'll enjoy reading about my life and I can't wait to be inspired to write my next post.