tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43760447389078987062024-03-19T01:36:18.695-07:00Mrs. Priss Does a BlogI choose to be censored and polite in other parts of my life. I choose not to be here. I cannot please everyone with my thoughts and words, but there are mine, my imagination, I write it down, I own it.
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-67895109304753126392013-05-02T13:34:00.001-07:002013-05-02T13:34:22.996-07:00Testimony and FaithI gave my testimony at my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group today. This is what I wrote, and spoke. <br />
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Testimony:</div>
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Hi, my name is Andrea Hipfner. I am a 31 year old married mother of 2 fun children under the age of 4. I'm fairly new to Saint Louis. I grew up in Tulsa, OK and at 24 moved to Raleigh, NC to be closer to my boyfriend (now husband) at the time while he finished up school at NC State. In 2007 we got married, had Henry in 2009, moved to STL in 2010 and had Lucy in 2011. So, I'll say we were a little busy.</div>
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Growing up working was very important. I grew up with a very hardworking father, mother, aunt and a very special Grandad who all remain very important and part of my story and faith. My work ethic and responsible nature are something I take pride in and my family members are to thank for that.</div>
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I was brought up Free Will Baptist and was saved and baptized when I was 8. I have renewed my faith in God and asked the Lord to be with me in the early summer of 2012. It was a magnificent day! I'm continuing that journey and hope to learn more about The Father, Son and Holy Spirit as I continue this journey.</div>
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I had worked since age 12 (cleaning houses, babysitting) then started working a “real” job at age 16 . I took great pride in my work ethic. Every job I have ever had I have been promoted and I've never been fired in the 11 years I've worked. Working hard and always giving 100% was a HUGE part of me and still is. So, when my husband and I decided that I would be a stay at home Mom a huge part of my identity was abandoned in a way (and that was the way I chose to look at it at the time).</div>
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Then, one day I had this bright idea that THIS, being a SAHM, was my job. My full time job. 100%. I was going to wake up every morning at the same time, shower, get dressed, put on a little makeup, brush my hair, put my shoes on, all that jazz. I was very hard and strict on myself. Since it was my new full time job I was also going to do it perfect, as I had always demanded of myself. I was going to be THE MOM. It was all going to run smooth because I HAD IT UNDER CONTROL.</div>
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Wellllll....as you can imagine that all went well for a whole year and a half. Then I got pregnant with Lucy. I had major hip/pelvic problems. Suddenly I could not play the perfect Mum anymore. There were some days I couldn't even really walk. You can see how hard that would be with a 1.5 year old, yes? I gave up a lot of control and about that time, I started chatting with my good friend, Jesus. He was still there, oh yes he was. He never forgot me, and he always listened to me, of course. He helped me through my pregnancy and taking care of my sweet little boy. I leaned on him, a lot.</div>
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I had Lucy on 7/11/11 via c-section and of course, we brought our sweet Little Lucky Lovely Lucy home. I was blessed to have a huge amount of help at home as I recovered from surgery and all that fun, special hormonal stuff. Then, after everyone had gone home I had 2 babies under 2 years it became very apparent that if I was going to make this work I had to buck up again. be Wonder Woman. Therefore, I again needed to to be THE MOM. Are you starting to see a theme here? So, there we went again. I woke up the same time every morning, took a shower, got dressed, did my hair and makeup, put my shoes on and went to work for the day. And then, only then, like a smack in the face, or perhaps it was a smack in the face with some spaghetti via Henry, I really don't recall, you know, details... I REALIZED THIS ISN'T GOING TO WORK. THIS ISN'T A JOB. This is called Motherhood and I am MOTHER Monday-Sunday, 24 hours a day and guess what, BONUS, I'm on call! Just a little bit of self imposed pressure there, you think?<br />
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My personal motto had always been, “Look it, act it, feel it, be it”. I was doing those things. I was living my own silly little motto. Therefore I was STUNNED when a year and a half ago I lost it. Those things that I had taken such pride in? Gone. Keeping a clean house, cooking a perfect dinner, making sure my children were meeting all their milestones going on field trips, etc. All that ambition had completely left me and in strut a woman I didn't even know. A woman who was still in her pajamas and hadn't bothered to bathe in 3 days. And it was Thursday afternoon, I'm not talking about a laid back long weekend. No. I was depressed, completely overwhelmed, lonely and 2 steps away from being in the loony bin.</div>
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I had been praying a lot that week. Just calling out to God, “God, please help me! Let me know you are here, help me! I cant do this anymore! I am a horrible mother and I hate myself and I'm useless, just useless!” Oh yes, I'm sure it was ALL very dramatic and Jesus and God were enjoying the front seat show and I say all that in jest. They knew, they KNEW that I just needed to ask Jesus back into my life to know that the Holy Spirit was there. I needed to do that. It's like our last speaker said, “God is a gentleman. He will wait, and he will let you go first. He'll open the door, but you must walk in first".</div>
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Psalm 46:10. “Be still and know that I am God”. My favorite Bible verse. It was as if that tiny, yet magnificent verse I repeated all those years finally came alive. Now that I think about it, I know. The prayer, the thought, it wasn't alive. What was alive was the Holy Spirit, and HE was calling me home. He had been there all along, and unfortunately, I hadn't been listening. I did not have the sense to acknowledge or invite him back into my heart. Well, let me tell you, that day I heard him! Loud and clear. I invited him back in, and it was a wonderful, magnificent day. I was so happy! I called my Mom, Mini Aunt Rose Ann, Grand Dad, my Daddy, Mother in law, brother, sisters in laws, cousin, all to tell them. I was so blown away, so thankful.</div>
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I do still use the job analogy, but in a much more relaxed way. After all, I am at least the supervisor, right? As my mother said “give up control of being in control”. Great Mom advice given by MY Momma. I don't beat myself up if I'm not able to do all of the “perfect” things I used to do. Silly things like you know, bathe and dress for the day. I mean, lets get real. Those days happen. It's called LIFE.</div>
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I don't think that anyone prepares us as mothers the intensity of loneliness that can fall upon us if we are not careful and don't acknowledge the infinite love of God.</div>
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And I myself thought, “this is stupid. How can I be lonely? I have 2 little friends around me all day.”. Well, no, you have your children around you. You are their everything, they love you unconditionally and you love them the same. When your partner gets home from working an 8-10 hour day you're both lucky to speak 5 sentences to each other before falling asleep at 8pm. So yes, you DO get lonely. That is why I am so lucky, fortunate, blessed to be part of this MOPS group. It's simply amazing to meet up with a group of stunning women who are ALL in the same boat, the boat of Motherhood. Or the Motherhood cruise ship on the fun days. We all have our ups and downs. We laugh, we cry, well, maybe only I cry. I remember my first MOPS meeting where I went through a whole box of Kleenex and also made others cry along? I'll never forget that kindness I was shown that day.</div>
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The point is, we are all friends. We all all here to support each other. We are sisters. Take advantage of this group. Get involved. Consider volunteering a portion of your time if you are able. Learn about your table mates. Invite them over for lunch, dinner or a play date. Call them out of the blue! They may need a friend. Women need women. And we ALL need friends.</div>
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Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-87783736617819269872013-04-10T13:58:00.001-07:002013-04-10T13:58:59.781-07:00Switching it upI'm trying something new that my Mom suggested. Writing exercises. This is the first one. <br />
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<b>Write a brief scene including the words 'chance', 'urban', and 'entertain'.</b><br />
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I watched her. I caught a glimpse of
her walking in my favorite cliché bar that I frequent. You know,
the type of bar that's acceptable when you are a lucky bachelor of 35
with no visible baggage. The type of men other men pretend not to
hate. Men are not yet wise enough to not be green. I am very
intuitive they say.
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I watched her. I saw her. I observed
that slight beauty. I wrote up my own silly little screen play in my
head while I sipped my vodka tonic. Boring, yet clean, just like the
drink. Just like me.
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Her life was once simply fabulous. I can tell
by the figure she still carries and the carefully applied makeup on
her spotless face. She's shopping at Anne Taylor and wearing, quite
possibly, an exact replica of a plastic models outfit. Boring,
boring, boring. Of course I'm still intrigued. My mind goes on. My brows
go up, brows go down. I am vain enough to think that she's watching
too. I'm wrong. She's not.
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Her life has turned into this urban
chic nightmare when she goes out if you're wise enough to pay attetion. Tragic, if you will.
She's probably a divorcee, 3 kids, mini mansion, slight substance
abuse problem, my mind goes on and on and on.</div>
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There is a tremendous beauty there, a flower ready to bloom the second time around, which means she will most definitely not give me a chance. However,
my brain does dare to entertain the mere thought of rescuing this
tragic woman and turning her life around. I have the means to do it,
you know. I want this woman. I will have her. I want her forever.
That woman is me. </div>
Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-72348493332812126432013-03-07T12:25:00.001-08:002013-03-07T12:25:53.420-08:00It's a fun type of crazyI'm going through something. Pretty sure it's like, a midlife crisis or something because it reeks of balding 40 year old man driving a tiny convertible. Actually, that all makes sense because I've always been an old soul. Working through it and of course I am going to be fine, just fine, but let me tell you, I have never felt this sort of crazy before. If it inspires me to write again though, I'll take it. <br />
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Weeeeeeee!<br />
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Fun crazy.Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-61666289377965164712012-10-19T18:59:00.001-07:002012-10-19T18:59:56.277-07:00Good Lawd it's Been a Long Minute!A long minute since I wrote....<br />
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We recently went to the Outerbanks of North Carolina, Nags Head, specifically and just had this amazing, spectacular weekend with our really close friends. Like, second family friends. People who know you better than you know yourself and can tell more funny stories about themselves of you than you can imagine. We were there to watch one of my close friends, J. get married to M (such a sweetheart, wish I had more time to get to know her better!)., his fiance. If I could ever recreate a magical moment that I witnessed in time it would be that one. It was outdoors at the<a href="http://elizabethangardens.org/"> Elizabethan Gardens</a> in Manteo. Completely amazing, a beautiful, a softly playing guitar and little boys I love and hold dear to my heart watching their Uncle getting married all while gaining a new Aunt and one sweet, darling little flower girl. Blissful emotions ran rampant and I don't think there was one person there who didn't shed a tear of joy for this newly married couple. <br />
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The reception was fun, fun, fun! A perfect venue with gorgeous hand made decorations by the bride. Food was amazing, and the groom made sure to tell me he planned the menu when I complimented the choices we had to nom on, which were: shrimp and grits (MY FAVE!), mac and cheese, broccolini, pastas with marinara or fresh pesto and each setting had their own box of two chocolate truffles. <b> YUM. </b><br />
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The party was a bit slow to warm up to dancing and that was okay because there was a lot of fun mingling. After people got a few glasses of wine in them, watch out now!!<br />
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This should tell you how fun it was. I danced. A LOT. They played "YMCA" and had props! <b>BONUS!!</b> So yeah, I was a construction worker. It's a wonder that damn hat fit over my head. Turns out, I got low, low, low, low and ker-plunk, fell right on my caboose. It was all good. I couldn't stop laughing even though I had half a dozen people trying to help me up. No harm, no foul, but a funny memory I will never forget. For the record, I was not the only person who fell dancing that night. ;)<br />
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The next morning I was lucky enough to spend the whole day at this amazing on the beach house the wedding party had rented. I'd say we were out on the beach from 11-4 pm when the winds really picked up and it got really chilly! Plus, we were getting sandblasted. After that some of us went to a 0.10 cent shrimp, 0.25 cent wing, or if you're JP, $1 taco restaurant. It was a blast. They had a musician in there playing good old classic country/drunk music. That evening was filled with laughter, lots and lots of stories and a sad goodbye. It was really something to talk and talk and talk to some of my friends I had not seen in over a year and just realize and feel how much more mature we all are, how happy we all are and just how proud I felt of every single one of those friends. The this group of friends I have in NC is a rarity. I am so lucky to be a part of this extended family and it's really something I never ever dreamed of when I moved to NC 8 years ago. Friends like this, which I also have in Oklahoma, are always there for you, will always have your back and be loyal and no matter how much time has passed since you last spoke. You just pick right back up where you left off with no awkwardness or silence.<br />
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My hubby and I had to fly out of RDU the next afternoon on Saturday and it's a 4 hour drive from the Outerbanks to Raleigh. My brother in law and sister in law were kind enough to be our transportation for the vacation. Thanks, guys!! <br />
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We kind of had a messed up flight home. Long story story, we were supposed to depart at 3:45pm and arrive in Tulsa (Tulsa because my Mom watched the kids for us) at 8:50pm but it turned into departing at 5:30pm, missing our connecting flight in DFW and ending up arriving in Tulsa at 11pm. Then the next morning we packed up for a <b>VERY LONG DRIVE HOME</b> to Saint Louis. Man, road trips just suck with kids. Honestly. This time, the DVD player was not even cutting it for the kids. That's okay though, we knew what to expect and we're just now, today on Thursday, all unpacked and caught up house work wise. <br />
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That's the story of best mini-vacay 2012, J&M's wedding. <br />
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<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-23527639367232257202012-10-01T19:14:00.000-07:002012-10-22T12:16:48.165-07:00Listography: Favorite AlbumsThis is a writing exercise of sorts. It's from a book I bought a few years ago called "Listography - Your Life in Lists". Basically it's a journal but each page gives you something to list. Since I type everything and save it in my computer I thought I'd like to type it out instead. So, here we go.<br />
<br />
Oh, I should mention, I'm not going in order of the book because why would I do a silly think like that?<br />
<br />
List your favorite records:<br />
<br />
<b>Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon</b>. Oh man, I would listen to that on my portable DVD player almost every night while falling asleep in high school. Hearing a song on the radio on that album brings back so many memories!<br />
<br />
<b>Smashing Pumpkins: Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness</b>. I cried. I wrote. I danced. I cried some more. I was inspired. What else can I say? I was in high school. Great, great, great album. One that will always be so close to my heart.<br />
<br />
<b>Poe - Hello </b><br />
Song that worth quoting here: <br />
<br />
"<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Tomorrow's coming 'round like a hair-pin curve in the road</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">She's got a run in her stocking and she's missing the heel of her shoe</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Got up this morning rolled out of bed</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">I spilled a Diet Coke</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Called my mother</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Said, "Hi." What I meant to say was:</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">"Why is your life a joke?"</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Then I went down to that ugly bar and</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">I clicked my heels three times just like you said</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">And I climbed that road to your empty house</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">The anticipation was a turn-on...but you let me down</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">'Cause I stood on that empty street alone</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">I said, "I'm ready for my close-up now, Mr. Demille."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">I waited for the light but it never shone</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Well I wonder what you do with that expensive piece of land</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">That overlooks a billion years of history (I have a sneaking suspicion)</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">You will never understand</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Hey maybe I'll see you down by the Rocky & Bullwinkle</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">And we can talk to that charlatan psychic</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">And she can paint a prettier picture of your future.</span><br />
<br style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">'Cause that day in my life...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">That day in my life...</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">I dreamt tomorrow had a prettier face</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">I dreamt tomorrow would have better things to say</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Than, "You look like shit, what's your problem, bitch?</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">You're legs feel like sandpaper, you can't do anything right."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">'Cause that day never should have taken place</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">'Cause this day in my life still cannot explain</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Why I listened in the first place</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">to you</span><br />
<br style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">Oh yeah, something else...</span><br />
<br style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;" />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">I hope one day you call up your father</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">And you have the guts to tell him how he hurt you</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">And he made you hurt another</span><br />
<span style="background-color: silver; font-family: Verdana; font-size: 13px;">'Cause it makes me sad." - Poe</span><br />
Look it up. Listen to it. Good stuff. <br />
<br />
<b>Modest Mouse - Good News for People who Love Bad News</b><br />
<b>The World at Large</b>. That was the song I listened to on repeat when I first moved to NC and cried and cried. My heart ached for home but knowing I made the right decision made it that much harder.. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Bjork.</b> No favorite album because I have them all. Just a favorite artist who challenged and enlightened the way I really heard music. <br />
<br />
<b>OutKast - Stankonia</b><br />
<br />
<b>PJ Harvey - Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea</b><br />
<br />
<br />
There are so many other albums an songs that deserve mentions but I am sleepy now an my mind has lost interest in writing as now I want to listen Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness on Spotify. :)<br />
<br />
OMG - How could I have forgotten<br />
<b>Madonna - Ray of Light</b><br />
Huge Madonna fan, but this was my favorite album by her, by far. She really changed during that album. It's so chill! <br />
<br />
Okay, back to Smashing Pumpkins.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-13782423798172221722012-09-29T14:17:00.002-07:002012-09-29T14:17:49.865-07:00Henry - on your third birthday. Oh, Henry.<br />
<br />
You are three today. THREE!! I still remember the terrifying day I gave birth to you like it was yesterday. Yes, you read that right. I was terrified as it was an emergency cesarean and that was NOT your fault. The way you came into the world is not the point. You are here now and you are the light in my eyes. <br />
<br />
I wrote something funny the other day I thought I'd share. Seem appropriate here. "My whole life all I ever wanted to be was a Mother. I never played with Barbie Dolls, in fact, I disliked them (ask Nana). I preferred to play house and take care of my baby dolls. Now, I am the mother and all I want to be is the Barbie Doll with the convertible and perfect life". That is all in jest of course. But it was an accurate portrayal of the days you have when you are a Mom. Sometimes the world is too heavy on your shoulder and you wish for something different. The thing is, when you have children, you are always snapped back to reality with a giggle or a precious voice saying, "Momma? Mommmmmm-AHHH". You remember. You really are "Momma". That person in the other room loves your unconditionally and depends on you. For that reason, I aspire to be a better person, to take care of myself, make wise choices and choose friends carefully. <br />
<br />
Having a child is so amazing. You get to connect with them in a way that you'd never believe. You'll see sides of yourself, both good and bad, from your childhood and now adulthood. <br />
<br />
The great thing? We are all learning. I am still learning to be a parent just as your are learning to be a three year old. We will make mistakes and there will be tears, although, I remain optimistic that there will be no injuries. <br />
<br />
So let's talk more about you, Henry, in bullet form:<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Some of your new interests are drawing and painting. I try to encourage that as much as possible even if it means giving you 3 baths a day. Artistic talent run on my side of the family</li>
<li>Music is another thing you enjoy. I hope to teach you more songs this year.</li>
<li>Running. You are an excellent runner!</li>
<li>You are cautious. You will never hear me say anything like "He's afraid of everything!". No. You are cautious. When you are good and ready to try something, like climbing tall rocks or sticking your head underwater, you will do it. I will never force you to do anything you are wary of. </li>
<li>Speaking of forcing; you can't force a kid to potty train. So we're not. As much as we would like it to be sooner than later, we will not push it on you until you are ready. All we can do is give you the tools and explain and talk and that's what we're doing. </li>
<li>Your little sister looks up to you so much. She squeals when she sees you and knows you are "Bubba". </li>
<li>I love that you love to play with your Legos! </li>
<li>Trains are still a big part of your life</li>
<li>As are cars</li>
<li>I love how much you love me to read to you and how you will "read" and study the book all by yourself sometimes. </li>
</ul>
<div>
This year will be a very exciting year for you as you grow more and more into the little boy that you are already coming. You'll start preschool within the year, you'll learn to use the potty, spend a whole weekend with Nana, fly to NC at some point to visit our family there, we'll discover new talents, play new games and find new things we like! </div>
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I love you, SO MUCH, my Pickle. </div>
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Happy 3rd birthday, little man!</div>
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Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-39400986544555218742012-09-15T13:36:00.003-07:002012-09-15T13:48:10.797-07:00Busy!I've been busy! That's all that needs to be said about that I suppose.<div style="font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div>I am working hard on creating my own <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">youtube</span> channel. It will showcase all things prissy, mainly cosmetics: hauls, reviews and tutorials. Even if you aren't interested in makeup I think you'll find it interesting or even funny sometimes. I have the page but I'm still setting it up, working on my camera situation, trying to make things visually pleasing and remembering NOT TO LOOK AT THE SCREEN WHILE USING THE <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">WEBCAM</span>. The latter is a moot point as I have found out that the web cam SUCKS and until I can get a "real" video camera I will be making due with my <i style="font-weight: bold; ">Canon Power Shot SD780 IS Digital <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">ELPH</span>. </i>How's that for some super specific details? (It's like, 3.5 years old. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Wahhh</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">wah</span>.)</div><div><br /></div><div>Once I've perfected the channel to my standards I'll release the details on here. Chances are, if you know me, you already are privy to it. It's not that I want it to be a secret, I just want it to be semi perfect so that maybe, just maybe, one day I can be one of those lucky <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">youtube</span> girls that get products sent to them to review, keep and host giveaways. </div><div><br /></div><div>And oh yes, I've been fairly busy being League Manager to an all woman fantasy football league. I am so excited to say that, can you tell?!? I have really wanted to start an all woman team since getting the boot from my previous fantasy football league because of the v*gina thing. They were nice about it and all, but still. Anyway, it's a lot of fun! I have had to have some help from my awesome hubs. As much as I hate asking for help sometimes he really does come in useful, especially with Excel spreadsheets. </div><div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned, friends! </div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-87042249215122156362012-09-04T12:18:00.005-07:002012-09-04T13:03:49.596-07:00Branson<span style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Just a short post.</span></span><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:100%;"><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:100%;">I'M ALIVE!! I've been being alive on <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">facebook</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">instagram</span> mainly because the past two weeks have been a little wild. </div><div face="Georgia, serif" size="3" style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">We went to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Branson</span>. Stayed in a really amazing log cabin. Took 3 children with us, my two and my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">SIL's</span> 2 and a half year old little boy and some how, well, no one told us just how exhausting and stressful it would be to take 3 little ones to a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">luxurious</span> cabin with stuffed dead things (why, hello dead stuffed turkey hanging above my head. My, how your wattle sways in the breeze when the AC comes on....) hanging on the wall of all THREE floors. For the record, I was the only one who was bothered by the dead things on the wall. I.DON'T.GET.IT. SCARY. Also scary? My little Lucy who decided to really take off walking (finally at 13 months!) in a house with 3 stair wells and lots of sharp edges. </div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">I'd like to remind my readers that for the record, I am not complaining. But it was a really, really hard trip. Henry decided to wake up for the day each day at 4 am and that's after coming in an out of his bed room, oh, every hour from 9pm-4am. Then decided to not nap or eat on top of everything and turns into devil child, tantrum after tantrum. I really honestly felt bad for the guy. I felt bad for ME who was exhausted by day 4 and ready to get the hell out of Dodge and I also felt bad for my in-laws who provided a wonderful opportunity to relax and enjoy, yet none of us got to do those things. Completely unaware of how hard it can be on some kiddos to be away from home. The also both got colds towards the end. </div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; ">Here are the good things about the trip:</div><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><ul><li><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Spending time with my Mother in Law and my sister in law, Angela, and laughing about how one day we'll laugh about all the chaos of this trip</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Being outdoors in nature. It was good to be out in the middle of no where, which is not no where in all actuality, but a smaller town than what I've been used to</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Realizing I am much more of a suburban or urban type of woman</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Hearing the friendliness of hints of southern accents from the locals. I really, really miss that! It made me home sick for NC. </span></li><li><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Seeing the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">beautifulness</span> of the lakes and rocks. </span></li></ul><div><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Some funny (maybe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">un</span>-fun) things about the trip:</span></div></div><div><ul><li style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">It was 70-80 degrees everyday. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Yay</span>! Right? Well, not with 85% humidity. I swear we all needed 2-3 showers every day. No wind, either.</span></li><li style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">I started my period 2 days in and also sprung 2 giant, cystic zits! <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Yay</span> for all that sweating and hormones. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">TMI</span>? </span></li><li style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Mosquito's</span>. Poor Lucy got bit up all over. The first day we were there she was outside for 10 minutes before I realized, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">OMG</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">mosquito's</span> love my Lucy! And it was too late. She has a bad reaction to mosquito bites. They swell up to the size of, oh, I don't even know how to describe how big but it's big and like hives. Girl probably had about 10 bites on each leg, a few on her arms and even some on the small of her pretty little back. When they start to deflate a bit she gets an oozing scab on them even if she doesn't scratch and it just looks horrible. Not a big deal to her, but it really made me feel like a bad mom. From then on she had on OFF. </span></li><li style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">Sometimes going to Mass goes all wrong. Like the one we attended. I don't want to offend anyone, but I think it was just the wrong day for me to go to Mass because the speaker really went on and on about Women obeying <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">their</span> husbands and that's sort of thing and that's when I decided that Lucy was behaving badly and we walked out and listened to the rest of that crap in the lobby. Then it turned into fundraiser Sunday where a priest from Scotland basically high pressured the congregation for money for a whole 40 minutes! It was horrible. I had never heard that type of thing in Mass, and I've been to a lot. I snuck back in to get my diaper bag and Henry was sprawled out on the pew asleep. Pretty sure that's not kosher....but, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">whatevs</span>. I tried. That kind of put a major damper on my religious zeal I was feeling last month. I've prayed about it though and I'm still trying to find a church for me and my family.</span></li><li><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;">I threw what I think was between a temper tantrum or a mini panic attack in Bass Pro Shops when, after 2 hours of walking around at the landing (outdoor shopping mall) in the the humidity we end up in that store walking around for maybe ten minutes. I'll tell you what, I was just done. DONE. All the sudden I look at my MIL and husband and say, "I gotta get out of here! I am leaving! It's dark in here, everything is the same color, there are dead things everywhere AND THEY'RE PLAYING COUNTRY MUSIC!!!!" and I stomped/strolled on out with my little girl vowing to never go back in that blasted store again.<i> *<b>*I later apologized to my MIL and husband for my outburst. Seriously, I'm not sure what came over me. It was wrong. But it was kind of funny. ;)**</b></i></span></li></ul><div style="font-weight: normal; font-style: normal; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Hmm</span>, I think that's about all for now. Cutting it short because my little ones will be waking soon. I hope to be back later on this week with some new makeup fun. </span></div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-1294290401093615052012-08-21T12:35:00.008-07:002012-08-21T20:47:30.729-07:00Colors, the colors!<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; ">I feel kind of guilty about posting this just because the amount of money I've spent on this but I am going to anyway.<div><br /></div><div>I have a nail polish obsession. It's something I have collected and used for forever. One of my friends said, "It's like owning a piece of the rainbow. How COULD you resist?". With that sort of reasoning, I'm presenting you my nail polish collection with the brands and names listed below, left to right.</div><div><br /></div><div>Abbreviations used: SH=Sally Hansen W&W=Wet N' Wild, SC= Sinful Colors</div><div><br /></div><div>an * (<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">asterisk</span>) means it's a favorite and ** means I have a note about the product. See after photos to read. </div></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwetNs8itut2E2tO15hEC1nakKsfv-zzEoTfTfxyK9tITGHZzLGtGgam1RXdm8uraB_JjoAgVtINZpgaJnewhSChmGyDdexiDukvrZQFs1i7hfkgF3JcVLX8aULrBqLopCiWMbXo9bcZq/s1600/IMG_5587.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdwetNs8itut2E2tO15hEC1nakKsfv-zzEoTfTfxyK9tITGHZzLGtGgam1RXdm8uraB_JjoAgVtINZpgaJnewhSChmGyDdexiDukvrZQFs1i7hfkgF3JcVLX8aULrBqLopCiWMbXo9bcZq/s400/IMG_5587.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779216023520201202" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b>Top Coats:</b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i>Orly Won't Chip, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">INM</span> Out the Door, **<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Seche</span> Vite, SH Strengthening Top Coat</i></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: left; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Seche</span> Vite - I LOVED this product. It dries your nails fast and makes them nail salon shiny. For me, it has two downfalls. 1.) When it chips it will basically peel your whole nail polish coating off your nail. Which is actually kind of fun, but not when you've worked hard at a manicure. 2.) The bottle of product starts getting really thick, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">goopy</span> and unusable (IMO). They do make a product that you can drop in there, like a paint thinner, but I don't feel like I should have to spend another $7 to fix a problem with the $7 top coat I purchased. Sadly, it does not work for me anymore and I will not be repurchasing. </b></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><br /></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfec1v88zOF1tXcv4tFU0iM9QBMu-pDy89OtSiNHthLSATN7BOBuGV26rpz9t7xE3H04_X7mV-xneEjNCXjby9bv3F3IrsI3jmjEUkJ8HLCLs2xvlCtLnagrMT_JdkBUwQGauW0uYEu-N/s1600/IMG_5586.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLfec1v88zOF1tXcv4tFU0iM9QBMu-pDy89OtSiNHthLSATN7BOBuGV26rpz9t7xE3H04_X7mV-xneEjNCXjby9bv3F3IrsI3jmjEUkJ8HLCLs2xvlCtLnagrMT_JdkBUwQGauW0uYEu-N/s400/IMG_5586.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779216001793311986" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><b>Glitters: </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; ">S<i>C I Miss You, SC <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Pinky</span> Glitter, *NYC Starry Silver Glitter , <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Essense</span> Space Queen, *Pure Ice Spit Fire, **<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Milani</span> Gems</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Milani</span> Gems - it's a cool polish but to get a good amount of glitter on your nail you're going to have to do the "dip and dab" <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">tequnique</span> to get it on and then you have a big gob of polish. </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: left; "><b><br /></b></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI2ZrBoOlBhJfVSBEJOPwawagW3HL-BWdh3BvaRVPbGARZJr_utnfQnV4hS0GZ6hRlXjLJU6kFegMRCjLYjpcUqTl7KtU0mQ9IIRFWHjy1SrAVazpVXAotlgxkOionwTRIFp0cWUaHMxr/s1600/IMG_5585.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVI2ZrBoOlBhJfVSBEJOPwawagW3HL-BWdh3BvaRVPbGARZJr_utnfQnV4hS0GZ6hRlXjLJU6kFegMRCjLYjpcUqTl7KtU0mQ9IIRFWHjy1SrAVazpVXAotlgxkOionwTRIFp0cWUaHMxr/s400/IMG_5585.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779215985916508882" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; "><b>Not otherwise classified: </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; text-align: center; "><b>Shown above: all Revlon limited edition glitter duos. </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><i>Galactic, Supernova, *Orbit, **Satellite </i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: left; "><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline">Favorite: Orbit. Lovely ultra dark purple that makes the lavender <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">flakies</span> a star.</b></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: left; "><b>Notes: Satellite is a nice combo - BUT - it reminds me so much of Christmas. It's a maroon with gold <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">flakies</span> which is lovely, but not for summer. I'll keep it around until winter to see if I feel differently in the winter months.</b></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: left; font-style: normal; "><b> Two things that all 4 of these polish duos have in common are 1.) the base coat KICKS ASS. So much ass it kicks that I wish Revlon would reintroduce all the bases into their normal polish line. Nice brush, no streaking and they're pretty much usable with one coat. Two would (always) be best, but you could totally get away with one. 2.) The glitter/<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">flakies</span> dry out super fast. As impressed as I am by shiny things (glitter!!) I expected more. </b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><br /></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVxQ_IolIXEQz5dmWSjAa8gGYc5Zo4fhC8pl06dQ9gJisrHVrC8ikrRzy5utgovHpXgN0LYH3keH5-4sCn5yZcA_OLiZZy73u6Vz5b4cnwvYtcyZfV1CCfuX4LvlhllZbKlvUZAZZjF3ZB/s1600/IMG_5583.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_SSOEQBiZXCKji4n9c-1b9dpLp9Zm5h42jDc5EOgcAoQWkenJAZyxltidFiL8hjvBXLnz7mDa9K4wA2wK90Kh1i0llNIyukyvYMI5BD3fKROpvgGdMQZi5Ktpp1XTnB1UC8uTgLYT5s1/s1600/IMG_5584.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_SSOEQBiZXCKji4n9c-1b9dpLp9Zm5h42jDc5EOgcAoQWkenJAZyxltidFiL8hjvBXLnz7mDa9K4wA2wK90Kh1i0llNIyukyvYMI5BD3fKROpvgGdMQZi5Ktpp1XTnB1UC8uTgLYT5s1/s400/IMG_5584.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779215951988145954" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><b>Purples:</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><b><br /></b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><i>SH Lively Lilac, SC Lavender, Essie (name rubbed off)</i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; font-weight: normal; text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEqLbSaTUHm2Iv26BkMupOUdKipD4KO1NbKkIO4ORGTmDw9Zqy9zbzaQE9TP6NcBf5Ax_R-I3xUtdR2FXo0z23qWa7sOoe3so2pc-SHbCkhchqN0ADP7mSAarw2EUCEb66fvpAIEgu7uv/s1600/IMG_5581.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZEqLbSaTUHm2Iv26BkMupOUdKipD4KO1NbKkIO4ORGTmDw9Zqy9zbzaQE9TP6NcBf5Ax_R-I3xUtdR2FXo0z23qWa7sOoe3so2pc-SHbCkhchqN0ADP7mSAarw2EUCEb66fvpAIEgu7uv/s400/IMG_5581.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779214524850285042" /></a><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><b>WOW. Those are PINK!</b></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><i><br /></i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><i>SC Dream On, SH <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Xtreme</span> Wear Bubble Gum Pink, SH Instant-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Dri</span> Speedy Sunburst, </i></div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; text-align: center; "><i>SH <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Xtreme</span> Wear Twisted Pink</i></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxFrvvt7amAUK-mTKL1z9pu3npZ12QapVpygRMU10vptDINMtiuhTf-HVmTAk0696Khpg5oSKAi9OOBq8YuzzBb_sgNZ9NUDXQu__4qcHTDz8jqjAAuu8YSfhGpCSfcDPQX8_3RSeUht0/s1600/IMG_5580.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxFrvvt7amAUK-mTKL1z9pu3npZ12QapVpygRMU10vptDINMtiuhTf-HVmTAk0696Khpg5oSKAi9OOBq8YuzzBb_sgNZ9NUDXQu__4qcHTDz8jqjAAuu8YSfhGpCSfcDPQX8_3RSeUht0/s400/IMG_5580.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779214510323633186" /></a></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b>Muted Pinks: </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i>W&W Undercover, SC Starfish, Revlon Flirt, SH Smooth Perfect Satin</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:Georgia, serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNucNrWeORGUVSFSLSvXILhlUjL1mD5fVVkqeKtwUudiWqBDiGzvtOoqn9jUIRxurSiofFZ_kr3gTqm8ehMK4KRFJSO6VGNl_es7n6dKuJtTHU2iQV_YQcKQjyXuBCLK5j2wn5Rh8nvFK/s1600/IMG_5579.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizNucNrWeORGUVSFSLSvXILhlUjL1mD5fVVkqeKtwUudiWqBDiGzvtOoqn9jUIRxurSiofFZ_kr3gTqm8ehMK4KRFJSO6VGNl_es7n6dKuJtTHU2iQV_YQcKQjyXuBCLK5j2wn5Rh8nvFK/s400/IMG_5579.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779214494123948642" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>All of the above are <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">OPI</span>: </b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>It's All Greek to Me, That's Berry Daring, *<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Cha</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Ching</span> Cherry, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Pinkticularily</span> Pretty, Flash Bulb <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Fushia</span></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGiLvV36oJyhX1rUQKotsHIAUoAQCTMTMBhlL-CQr5WZ9yDZpO3eL4H4Lci1Xer6U6Fisv23pualLVYta6TkgoW01v3emgJAr-pxDFA7_AcXNk4BQrZsvWih0jT1UnZmmZmStdDA5yNqO/s1600/IMG_5577.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQGiLvV36oJyhX1rUQKotsHIAUoAQCTMTMBhlL-CQr5WZ9yDZpO3eL4H4Lci1Xer6U6Fisv23pualLVYta6TkgoW01v3emgJAr-pxDFA7_AcXNk4BQrZsvWih0jT1UnZmmZmStdDA5yNqO/s400/IMG_5577.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779214483229002194" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Nudes: </b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">OPI</span> Suzi and and Lifeguard, SH <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">Nailgrowth</span> Miracle Mighty Mauve, *<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">L'oreal</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Mauvelous</span>, Essence Modern Romance, Essence Sweet as Candy</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATjKu5LSYgN1D18c2bGZY1l_nqAEF0QwZxkxrccJEO9SltkuzZAf5V0i1DwRF0H31xTcwLQzN7W-oFS4uDW0Y1BQ-vynbbC937Kz1JXwBZnAsN1oGFgcoknrYZhpSTQdRdsVxMowZR9xh/s1600/IMG_5575.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATjKu5LSYgN1D18c2bGZY1l_nqAEF0QwZxkxrccJEO9SltkuzZAf5V0i1DwRF0H31xTcwLQzN7W-oFS4uDW0Y1BQ-vynbbC937Kz1JXwBZnAsN1oGFgcoknrYZhpSTQdRdsVxMowZR9xh/s400/IMG_5575.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779214466463651474" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Reds:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Revlon Frankly Scarlet, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">L'oreal</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">Rendevous</span></i></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq8dHpMhApGy5xeKqoAcUTpXBAMG77d_PZN5OZpNSi8BLVzffhzBGCGhWcoX0FGJ-YYqAUenCMOpAzzaugi7ZSc6DvcmGHAg0Gcx5j-i-oLxxQuUtbLgSdyi3xctQkLBlg3qlAbmWOvDH/s1600/IMG_5574.JPG" style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheq8dHpMhApGy5xeKqoAcUTpXBAMG77d_PZN5OZpNSi8BLVzffhzBGCGhWcoX0FGJ-YYqAUenCMOpAzzaugi7ZSc6DvcmGHAg0Gcx5j-i-oLxxQuUtbLgSdyi3xctQkLBlg3qlAbmWOvDH/s400/IMG_5574.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5779213458025266722" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Black and Dark Silver:</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>SH Magnetic Silver Elements, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">L'oreal</span> Owls Night, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">OPI</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Lucerne</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Tainly</span> Look Marvelous</i></div><br /><br /><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; ">And folks, that's all she wrote. </div><div style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 100%; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; font-style: normal; "><br /></div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-85946364109866814102012-08-20T11:53:00.007-07:002012-08-20T12:30:43.903-07:00Whoa there! Slow down. I had my brother and his wife (I still call her my sister in law, is correct? I don't care either way) in town so I've been busy having fun and remembering why it's not so easy to drink, even a couple glasses of wine, anymore without a hangover. WHAT.IS.UP.WITH.THAT?!? Seriously, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ya'll</span>, I had 2.5 glasses of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pinot</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">grigio</span> on a Saturday night, stay out until 10:30pm and then my headache hangover started at 1am and made me real cranky all of Sunday. I made it though, did a damn good job of it, too. <div><br /></div><div>I've got a list of things to do today and tons of laundry was one of them. I was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">texting</span> my Mom all of the things I have to accomplish and what I had done and what I had left to do and how I am seriously sleep deprived and she said something so simple, "so stop obsessing. Take control of being in control". It makes sense and so I shall. I just ate lunch, I'm writing this blog and I am going to cross two things that don't HAVE to be done today and can wait until tomorrow. It would also make sense to take a nap but I cannot. The GO button has already been pressed and it's not going to turn red until 8 pm tonight. </div><div><br /></div><div>We're leaving for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Branson</span> on Friday for a long weekend with my parental in-laws, my other sister in law, her Hubby and Henry & Lucy's cousin. All I can think about is making lists and when am I going to have time to pack for three people and blah blah BLAH BLAH blah blah blah. </div><div><br /></div><div>Sigh. I wish I could be deprogrammed to be this way. Actually, I AM working on it. <span style="font-size: 100%; ">I know I have a problem. I'll acknowledge that and laugh about it because what else can I do? Crying and feeling helpless is NOT an option or a road I want to go down anymore. Recognize your faults, work on letting go of some things and let God take them. </span></div><div><br /></div><div>I even set an alarm on my IPhone to remind me to get ready for bed at 8pm and then set a timer for 30 minutes and after I get ready for bed, in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">jammies</span>, face clean and outfit out for the next day I am supposed to turn off my computer, sit my phone down and try and sleep. I think I am becoming compulsive about this timer and alarm thing...maybe. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thank you, Momma, for reminding me that it's okay to let some things go, relax, take care of yourself and not feel guilty about doing those things. Previously I had called myself lazy for doing that before everything was complete. Had to have a little chat with God, which I had forgotten to do today, and am now feeling better. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am always so very hard on myself. Not constructive to being a good Mom, wife, friend and most importantly, HUMAN BEING. </div><div><br /></div><div>And thank YOU, blog friends, for listening to my psychological rant. I feel much better now. </div><div><br /></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-29028262500160313072012-08-16T13:16:00.003-07:002012-08-23T13:36:02.984-07:00Banjo<div><i>**originally written on 8/16/12. I thought, "what a geeky thing to write about!!", but since I'll be in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Branson</span>, MO Friday-Tuesday I think now it's appropriate. I just found out there is Fiddle Festival this weekend in downtown <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Branson</span> and I'd love to go and take my kiddos! I know they'd love it and I know I would too. My maternal biological grandfather, who I sadly only got to meet one time before he passed, was a bluegrass musician. Maybe it's in my blood?</i></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div>I'm very emotional today and not necessarily in a negative way, just sensitive. I've been listening to music all day and music will move me to tears. Sad songs, happy songs, anything. Music is good for my soul.<div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">The other day I watched a documentary called "The Banjo Project" <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">narrated</span> by Steve Martin and I just bawled and bawled! The music and the stories, so happy and so sad and the sounds that stringed instrument makes is amazing. I had no idea of any sort of history of the banjo and was blown away. Just amazing. </div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">Isn't it funny how something you think is a geeky interest of yours can really inspire you and make you think, to stop and listen and learn?</div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-42056079657360129312012-08-16T12:24:00.004-07:002012-08-16T12:37:33.516-07:00Open (a poem attempt)Face forward<div style="font-style: normal; ">Eyes bright</div><div style="font-style: normal; ">as to not blind</div><div style="font-style: normal; ">my heart to the fight</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">It hurts to peel back the layers</div><div style="font-style: normal; ">as if I were an orange</div><div style="font-style: normal; ">to discover the sweetness underneath</div><div style="font-style: normal; ">the bitter exterior</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">It's there, though.</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">Open mind</div><div style="font-style: normal; ">Open heart</div><div style="font-style: normal; ">Open soul</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">take care with gentle ease</div><div style="font-style: normal; ">yet</div><div style="font-style: normal; ">protect with rapid fierceness</div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div><i>Just a note about this writing exercise..I have not attempted to write poetry since I was a teenager. Back then, that's all I wrote. I would sit in my room, choosing to stay in on a Friday night only to sit by my stereo and listen to Smashing Pumpkins, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Jimi</span> Hendrix, Pink Floyd, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">PJ</span> Harvey, Tori Amos, and, well, cry. To write. Tough times then. That's my point though. From the very beginning of it all, writing has always been a part of me. Some part of my brain, body and spoken language are somehow unable to express what I can so easily, with thought, do. It's hard to listen. It's easy to read. It's hard to talk, it's easy to write. </i></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-25958703303029528192012-08-15T12:57:00.007-07:002012-08-16T04:06:34.962-07:00Makeup Mania Thursday<div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">If you know me, you know I have a great passion and LOVE for makeup! Anything beauty related I am in to, whether it be skincare, nail art, cosmetics, body care, perfume, oils, etc. You name it in that genre, I'm in to it. I'd like to be so immodest to say that I feel that I have a talent with makeup and color. It's something I LOVE to do and I would never ever tell someone they NEEDED makeup. Makeup to me is something that can enhance your natural beauty if you choose or you can let your natural beauty shine on through, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">au</span> natural!<div><br /></div><div>What I'm getting at is that I would never want any woman (or man to be PC) to feel as if they don't wear makeup they aren't beautiful. Nah, it's not like that. I've just always been a real <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">girly</span>-girl. I was busted wearing makeup in the 5<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">th</span> grade by my very nice teacher, Mrs. Steed. What did my Mom do? Well, she knew that I wanted to be a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">girly</span> girl and feminine and instead of being punished for my sneakiness she took me shopping and bought me my first makeups. Age appropriate lip glosses and some pastel eye shadows. I wasn't "allowed" the rest until high school.<div><br /></div><div>I'd really like to steer my blog in a new direction at least for one day a week. I'm thinking that Thursday will be the day and this week it's called Face of the Day or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">FOTD</span>. What I will do is post a picture of all the products I use on my face (non-skincare) and then all the products I use on my eyes and lips. It's a lot of fun for me because like I said, it's one of my passions and it can be very creative.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>So, without further delay, here are my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">FOTD</span> photos and below that photo, in detail, are the product names I have used.</div><div><br /></div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV0f7PcOjvfXrizDL9RxGr5oVDXw4kf_SE9y1iDaQ8Ui6HlZOUNZ3yBcMYUaqGaIS0wiPext2ymVhy-sekdR3cYyL_GhHp064oseKf65wIlpGfQVOYGq5PNtgPBlt161rN07IO2R1Mk3t/s1600/fotd+1.jpg" style="font-weight: normal; "><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuV0f7PcOjvfXrizDL9RxGr5oVDXw4kf_SE9y1iDaQ8Ui6HlZOUNZ3yBcMYUaqGaIS0wiPext2ymVhy-sekdR3cYyL_GhHp064oseKf65wIlpGfQVOYGq5PNtgPBlt161rN07IO2R1Mk3t/s400/fotd+1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5777071669168278338" /></a><div style="text-align: center; "><span style=" ;font-size:100%;"><b>Face: </b> </span></div><div><b>Foundation:</b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Maybelline</span> Instant Age Rewind in Pure Beige</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><b>Concealer:</b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Maybelline</span> Instant Age Rewind Eraser Treatment in Light</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><b>Blusher:</b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Nars</span> Orgasm</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="blsp-spelling-error"><br /></span></div><div><b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Bronzer</span>: </b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> Benefit- Dallas</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><b>Highlighter</b><span style="font-weight: normal; ">: Wet n' Wild Color Icon "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Bronzer</span>" in Reserve Your Cabana (this is definitely a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">bronzer</span> by any means, but it is a lovely highlighter! </span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Eyes</span></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Primer:</b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> </span><span style=" ;font-size:100%;"> Too Faced Eye Primer (eye primer = must)</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><b>Shadows: </b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> 1.) <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Loreal</span> Infallible in Gold Imperial</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> 2.) Wet n' Wild Walking on Eggshells trio</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><b>Eyeliners:</b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> 1.) Revlon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Colorstay</span> in Brown Black on upper lash line</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> 2.) Bed Head <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Cyberoptics</span> Shadow in Green on lower lash line</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span> 3.) Bed Head Big Fat Fun in Black on waterline</div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><b>Mascara:</b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">CoverGirl</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Lashblast</span> Fusion in Very Black</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div><b>Lips: </b><span style="font-weight: normal; "> Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain in Darling</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">I would love to hear any sort of feed back, suggestions, ideas for anything makeup related I could do. I also love to review products and if there are any products you see above that you would like my opinion on please don't be shy. </div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">I also have some hair care products I plan on reviewing soon. </div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">If you are interested and are not already a member of my <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">facebook</span> page "Beauty Cupcakes" by all means, friend me and I will be happy to add you. Lots of advice, techniques, nail art, photos, hair, we have a girl for every passion. </div><div style="font-weight: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-weight: normal; ">Hope you have enjoyed!<br /><div><br /></div></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-16456927044898125952012-08-14T12:08:00.002-07:002012-08-14T12:46:40.595-07:00Fire Marshall BillLet me tell you something! (I cannot say that sentence without channeling Fire Marshall Bill from "In Living Color")<div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div style="font-style: normal; ">Remember that show?!? Oh my gosh I loved that show! I loved the dancers, I wanted to be one so bad! Only I got my words mixed up and instead of telling my family members and friends I wanted to be a Fly Girl when I grew up I went around telling people I wanted to be a Call Girl when I grew up. True story. </div><div style="font-style: normal; "><br /></div><div>Back to the subject: LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING! This age/stage/period of time that my sweet, smart, funny little boy is going through right now is about to do me in! Keeping my sense of humor is key and also, so is breathing deep, deep breaths and counting to ten in my head before speaking <i>softly </i>to my super hyper screaming if he doesn't get his way pushing his sister jumping on the furniture little boy. All of this is apparently normal, I know. I also know it will get better and it will also get worse. I do know all of these things. It's a stage, a struggle, a tiny fraction of his childhood and my Motherhood. </div><div><br /></div><div>I do the best I can. Since he has so much energy we run a lot. And by we I mean HE runs a lot. I walk and challenge him to races, "Hey Henry! I want you to run as FAST as you can to that tree (a mile away, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">jk</span>) over there, tag it, and RUN back! Ready?!? GO!!!" And we're always swimming or at the park. I really do cater to his physical needs to be very active. I wish it were a bit more productive at slowing him down sometimes though. That's not for me to control though. What I can control is his diet (watching for sugars and processed foods, etc) and I can control my reactions to his behaviors. I'm just worn out and ready for it to be a bit smoother again. </div><div><br /></div><div>He still likes to sit on my lap and lets me read to him so that's always a calm down and something I LOVE to do for him and my sweet Lucy. So...there's always that.</div><div><br /></div><div>In other news, I am getting ready to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">pre</span>-rank my players for my fantasy football team. That will let off a little steam and get me thinking in a different direction. </div><div><br /></div><div>Oh! I worked out yesterday with an awesome personal trainer with my babysitter at a gym in Saint Louis called Steel Plate Fitness. It was so cool. Something I have figured out about myself over the years is that I really THRIVE on being fit/active. No, I'm not good at any sports where balls are flying at my nose (there goes my social life! <clueless>) or anything that requires me to be a team player but I was an athlete in high school. I was a swimmer. Anyway, when I challenged myself after Henry was born to get in shape and to C25K I loved having that goal to reach for. And although I did not reach my goal (shit happens) that's okay. I felt great. So what I am going to say about this personal trainer is that he really had a practical <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">attitude</span> about physical fitness. He called it <a href="http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/features/working-out-for-real-life-functions">functional fitness</a>. Things and muscle groups you use on a day to day basis. Let's work on those. The gym has NO machines except for a stationary bike. I'm talking push ups, lunges, crunches, squats, all those things. It's really inspired me to get back into that whole frame of mind and continue to be "active" with my kiddos, but also take time to fine tune my body. </clueless></div><div><br /></div><div>This is getting to be a really long post. But I want to end it with a book I am reading. If you read my previous post you would have seen that I have accepted The Holy Spirit back into my life. The book I am reading right now, if you are at all interested in finding your spirituality is "The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything - Spirituality for Real Life". I am have been consumed, CONSUMED with researching denominations and I cannot find one right now that suits me. At all. But I've come to peace with that and I'm just going to read this book and see where it leads me. I've had major hang ups with the politics of most churches (no names) that I cannot be a part of....so, I don't know. Anyway, this book, I'll finish and like I said, we'll see where it leads me. </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for listening to my rambling. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-18635111131925217972012-08-11T13:05:00.003-07:002012-08-11T13:22:21.139-07:00Something Amazing: GodI had a great, life changing moment in my life yesterday. I'd like to share it with you and hope that you can respect my new faith, just as I respect all others faith, religions and beliefs. <div><br /></div><div>Over the past 10 years or so I have drifted far, far, far away from God. Never denying his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">existence</span>, just not sure if I was deserving of that love and understanding yet always knowing he was there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Turns out he's been waiting on me to come back. </div><div><br /></div><div>For the past three months, maybe even longer, I have really, really been struggling with pretty much everything in my life. That's all I can say about that just because honestly, it's not important now and I choose to look forward, not behind. I have been talking to God, praying to him, begging him to please, please PLEASE help me get myself together, to help me be a better Mom, a better wife, a better person. I've been searching, reading and asking lots of questions. Yesterday my Mother in Law mentioned that she sent my hubby "The Jesuit Guide to Almost Everything" and I thought, "hey, I think I'll pick it up and scan it. This book that's been sitting on my bookshelf for months, I pick up, read, get 5 pages in and feel something. I would call myself a skeptic for sure but to me, there was no denying that yesterday I was compelled to close that book, call Henry over to me, tell him I was praying to God and inviting him back into my life. And I did! I asked God and Jesus back into my life, that I need their guidance, love and understanding. </div><div><br /></div><div>**This was after I talked to my Mom, all freaked out asking what do I do?!? I need to be saved! I need a church!! She just told me I just needed to pray, invite Jesus and God back into your life and worry about the church later. Mom's are great**</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>I honestly believe that I was moved by a higher spirit, the Holy Spirit, God, whatever you need to call it to understand it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Did you know after I did that I literally felt like a weight was off of my chest and so very HAPPY! Joyful. Proud and I felt like celebrating. I called my Mom, Dad, Aunt, Cousin, so many happy conversations. I want to see God in everything I do. I want to be blessed and I want to see everything in a new light. I know now that is a possibility for myself and my family. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is just the beginning of our journey. We have lots of hurdles to jump over and lots of things to figure out but we're starting it! We're starting this journey. I hope you can be happy for my family and I. </div><div><br /></div><div>**A little back ground: I was brought up Free Will Baptist and while I do not think that this will be our new religion I wanted to explain the whole urge I had to be saved. I have been saved and baptised when I was 8. That's a BIG DEAL in lots of churches, I felt, in my case, that it needed to be renewed. **</div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-72815266496016180812012-08-09T13:14:00.003-07:002012-08-10T11:28:18.478-07:00FootbahlI started a Fantasy Football League. I am so excited to be "the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">commish</span>"!<br /><br />I have 14 ladies from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">facebook</span> who I know or have known years back from all over the country. Okay, who am I kidding with the all over the country bit. Oklahoma, Missouri, North Carolina, New York and California. Whatever. The point is I STARTED MY OWN FANTASY FOOTBALL TEAM and I have no idea what I'm doing, but that's okay!<br /><br />I played one year back in Raleigh with a bunch of buddies and it was one of the best experiences I had in my life. It brought out my competitive side and I learned a TON about the game. I also learned that, hey, I like football! I like talking about football!<br /><br />I am still undecided on my team. Not my FF team, but I mean who's jersey will I eventually purchase and wear? I have a Panther's jersey (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Delhomme</span>, ha!!) but since I no longer live in NC I'm not really into that team anymore. I *should* be a Rams fan since I live in Saint Louis now but nah, I don't think so. It's totally not important but I do want to pick a team and be a fan of theirs for at least, you know, a while.....hey. No one ever said I WASN'T a fair weather fan.<br /><br />So who shall it be? <div><br /></div><div>I posted a POLL (<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">hehehe</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Beavis</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Butthead</span> laugh) for you to pick. </div><div><br /></div><div>P.S. If they play <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Moby</span> ONE MORE TIME on my Gnarls Barkley Pandora I'm going to lose it. No <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Moby</span>. NO <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">MOBY</span>!<br /><br /><br /></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-28220385587260384412012-08-09T12:38:00.001-07:002012-08-09T12:38:07.593-07:00I Am Me AgainIt's as if the clouds have parted and I am ME again. The me that semi-strangers would say "Wow, Andrea, I never would have thought you were an such an angry person dealing with depression since your teens and have been in and out of doctors offices and therapy for years." That's not to say that I don't have bad days here any there but I am in control of my emotions now. I needed help, I asked for help, I got help. I have control of my life. I am not abusing any sort of substance to be comfortable in my own skin. I am eating good, healthy, real foods (most days, this is, after all, my weakness). I am a better wife and a better mother for these things. I am praying to my higher power and leaning on him when I need strength. I am proud of me. I am regaining my sense of humor and finding myself again. I just have to keep at it. Keep working on myself and developing negatives into a positive picture. <br />
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It's good, it really is good.
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My next goal is to get on an exercise regimen. Since it's been summer I have been counting all our outside time and trips to the pool as exercise even though it's not. I'd rather enjoy the summer to tell you the truth. Fall and winter are around the corner and since we have a membership to a gym with daycare I can start planning that out. I may even start lap swimming on the weekends. Which means I'll be in the market for a swim cap and goggles (eeee! reminds me of High School!) <br />
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I am hoping that this fog I've been in for a long, long time is clear. Clear enough for me to dive back into things I feel like I have talent for like writing, makeup, communicating and teaching (my children). Who knows where I'll go, what I'll do. No more excuses, no more martyr. Life is too short. <br />
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Welcome back, AndreaAndreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-70259262694705197042012-07-31T12:52:00.000-07:002012-07-31T12:52:32.662-07:00BB Cream? BB, please.<br />
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L'oreal's Youth Code BB Cream in Medium<br />
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You've probably already seen or heard a lot about the BB Cream trend in the beauty industry lately. Trend is the operative word and marketing is the game. You'll hear a lot of buzz about people saying BB Creams bought in the Asian market are totally different than what is bought in the American market. I'm sure they are. The point is that I'll never buy a BB Cream from Asia (just because I'm cheap, hello, shipping?!?) and I'll most likely never buy another BB Cream from America. <br />
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Why? <br />
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1.) The bodacious claims. Things that are magical and transforming will happen when you apply so and so's BB Cream. Please. That's BS, we are talking cosmetics here, not face lifts in a tube. <br />
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3.) BB Cream? I know it stands for Beauty Balm but what a stupid name for a cosmetic item. It conjures up images of a little boy from the 1940's with his BB Gun aimed at your face only instead of little pellets when he shoots you, you get BB Cream. Gross. Anyone else? No? Okay, I know I'm odd. <br />
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3.) This is a glorified tinted moisturizer. That is all. Nothing magical or transforming will happen. It MAY work for you! If so, that's great! Keep using it! For me it doesn't do the trick, especially not for the price I paid.<br />
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So I bought L'oreal's BB Cream with excitement because that's what a beauty junkie does. NEW BEAUTY PRODUCT! Stop the presses. I'm getting it. So I did. <br />
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The color I bought was medium which works for me this summer, as I'm getting a lot of sun these days with two kiddos. Yes, I wear spf30 but I still get dark.<br />
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The stuff has a light, nice smell. Kind of like the Loreal sublime bronze creams but way toned down. But there is definitely a smell. The application feels great! It goes on like buttah. LIKE.BUTTAH. It's really moisturizing and if you have oily skin this is might be a problem. I have combo skin leaning more on the oily side in the summer and this stuff, well, I definitely have a shiny face but that could definitely be the weather and not the products fault. At any rate, if you do buy this and try it out, set with powder before going out if you'd like it to last longer than 2 hrs. I did, it didn't. After two hours I looked like I did when I wake up which is: fine lines starting to appear, dark under eye circles, uneven skin tone and sun spots. In other words, not finished or how I chose to appear when I placed this product on my face. <br />
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I don't want to write a scathing review and I'm getting kind of wordy here so here's the point. I bought this product to try it out. I wasn't impressed after using it exclusively for a full month. I'm not really sure what I was expecting because I've never been a fan of tinted moisturizers. I prefer more coverage. For $12.99 on sale ($16.99 regular price) at Walgreen's I'm a little wary to suggest this products to friends, but, if you do like tinted moisturizers and tend to have dry skin, this may just work for you. <br />
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As for now, I'll just be using my BB Cream on my legs like my friend Jamie ended up doing with her Garnier BB Cream. <br />
<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-85802771113881591102012-03-16T12:53:00.000-07:002012-03-16T12:53:46.466-07:00<br />
Today, on a whim, I decided to take the kids to The Butterfly House. It's at a Saint Louis county park and it's a butterfly conservatory. I've heard so many good things about it and how pretty it can be and since this month is 'March Morphos' we had to check it out. March Morphos is a special time at the butterfly house in which the blue morphos butterfly hatches from it's gross little chrysalis thingie and flies all about the conservatory. Such a beautiful, stunning butterfly. It's really a sight to be seen. <br />
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Now, even though the weather was calling for a sunny 80 degree day it is of course pouring rain when we get to the park so we wait in the parking lot to wait it out for 10 minutes which was an eternity for a 2 year old. <br />
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So we get there and are looking at all the insect and spider displays in the museum. Oh joy! A hissing cockroach display! Hundreds of them in a huge Plexiglas display! Some of them are placid and calm while others are running around, trying to escape their enclosure, crawling over each other in a frantic way and I'm plastered against the wall as far away from it I can get and still keep an eye on Henry. Suddenly I am remembering just how real my fear of insects is. Ohhhh boy. <br />
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Henry is done looking at the roaches, thank God. Now we can go look at the pretty, pretty, effing majestic butterflies. Except I forgot how non-discriminatory my fear of insects is, even the pretty, colorful, sparkly ones. Yes, I'm even afraid of butterflies especially when they are flying around by the hundreds and landing on me. I don't know if it was the tropical heat, the nervousness of making sure I didn't lose Henry in the crowd and also making sure we didn't step on any butterflies on the ground but at this point I am just trying to keep it all together. Apparently Henry sensed my nervousness and he became frightened by the butterflies and insisted on being picked up. So there I am in a hot and crowded indoor observatory carrying a clinging to my body 32 pound child and pushing an 8 month old down in a stroller down a stony path (read: I needed both hands which I did NOT have) trying to find a flipping exit because my boy is now yelling, "I wanna go home! Fruit snacks!! FRUIT SNACKS!" and since people are there to take photos of the beautiful and peaceful butterflies I am getting the stink eye from some of them. Don't forget about the crushing a butterfly on the ground paranoia. DON'T STEP ON THE BUTTERFLIES!!<br />
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But wait, there is more!<br />
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As we're walking out to the car I see that, yay (!) there is a really nice playground we can play on before going home. We walk towards that instead of the car and it starts pouring on us. Not sprinkling - raining hard. Poor Lucy is alarmed and starts crying, I'm trying to get Henry on the path to the car and he's very upset that all the sudden he has to get in the car and not play on the playground so he's definitely not cooperating. Finally we make it to the car, I load everyone up in their car seats and buckle them in, get my soaking wet self in the car and it's raining so hard I decide to wait it out for a while before we get on the highway. So I feed Lucy her bottle, then she poops so I have to get back out of the car, in the rain, to give her a diaper change because I'm not about to let her sit in poop for the half hour ride home. Finally we start our sad car ride home, in the pouring rain. <br />
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Eh, you win some, you lose some and I just can't stop laughing at this epic (failure?) adventure of the day. <br />
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<br />Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-55078007124901353022011-12-19T13:42:00.000-08:002011-12-19T13:44:08.229-08:00Dry skin? No problem.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6ex9VzDzgx5yBr1-YD3u6l5XC4XgUgnb3r-CFpNFOyuWpLyFbftIHCujLaDRRaajvPjy9CKOeo1wkEdp_YIHa5TfTvY_fBh8zzF56kx0q7zjxKuK3pvdRVe2vD9dOYTKA6ppqM759wkY/s1600/ponds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6ex9VzDzgx5yBr1-YD3u6l5XC4XgUgnb3r-CFpNFOyuWpLyFbftIHCujLaDRRaajvPjy9CKOeo1wkEdp_YIHa5TfTvY_fBh8zzF56kx0q7zjxKuK3pvdRVe2vD9dOYTKA6ppqM759wkY/s320/ponds.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
Wow. Winter is always really harsh on skin but this winter weather in particular was appearing to do a major number on my skin so I brought out the big guns.<br />
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PONDS.<br />
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Yeah, old school Ponds.
Listen, I've tried Mary Kay, Philosophy, Murad, St. Ives and many other products to combat my dry skin woes. Philosophy was always the one that worked the best but I was seeking a new product that I wouldn't have to sell my first born child for. Seriously. $40 for 2ozs of product just isn't realistic anymore.<br />
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My skin gets so dry in the winter that I could bathe in vats of vasoline and still need to use moisurizer afterwards. Seriously.<br />
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So if you have normal to oily skin this particular cream may not be for you. But boy, oh boy, does it work for me.<br />
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Yay for me.<br />
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Anyway, it's got a semi-baby powderish type smell to it that, according to makeupalley.com, offends some people but to me, I just put on my big girl panties (no whining.) and slathered it right on, no problems. I've been using it for 6 weeks now and have noticed a major difference in my skin. It's not dry (duh) and it seems to glow instead of being dull like before. Now,use this stuff in the morning before I apply my foundation and at night after I wash my face. And it rocks.<br />
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Since it's only $8 and some change I thought I would share it with you. Also, if you want to try it out before buying a big portion of it Target has small travel sizes of this product for $1.99Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-60921851694573310402011-12-15T12:02:00.000-08:002011-12-15T12:18:43.872-08:00Just a blurbWinter makes my (now, yay!) very manageable chronic depression so much more hard to, well, manage. The things that help me out so much become difficult because of the weather like exercising and being outside. Those two simple things are a lifesaver to me and my children. <br /><br />I've been fighting very hard for the past two weeks not to succumb to those feeling but I'm kind of losing the battle which is why my blog has been sort of silent for a while. Plus, the older I get and the more I figure out about life the more guilty I feel about complaining. It could be soo much more worse and indeed, I'm very lucky to have the life I live.<br /><br />It seems like everything outside blends in to each other. The grey sky, concrete, houses, cars...blah, bland and yes, boring. This is why I loved living in North Carolina. Even in the dead of winter you still had beautiful pine trees so high up in the sky and you knew something out there was alive and thriving. Here everything is dead, yellow and grey this time of year. Dreary. <br /><br />Next week my family from NC arrives and I'm so excited to share the holidays with them. My brother in law and his wife will be staying with us and I LOVE having their company so much. Also, the husband will be off work for a few days and that will be great. So good things are coming and that is keeping me going this week. <br /><br />Also, even better news is that my mother in law that I previously wrote about is cancer free for the time being! She found this out earlier this week and we are all so very happy about that. What a nice Christmas present for her and the family. Keep her in your prayers that her scans will continue to come back cancer free. Speaking of, now is a good time to educate yourself about ovarian cancer. It's a "silent" type of cancer but any knowledge is good knowledge.<br /><br />PS - I wanted to add links regarding ovarian cancer but blogger is not cooperating right now. I will add them later when, hopefully, it is.Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-77089363898709966582011-12-09T12:24:00.000-08:002011-12-09T12:32:09.056-08:00Friday is My MondayFriday is my Monday.<div><br /></div><div>By Friday afternoon all the Monday go-hung-ness and ambition I have is completely wiped out and I struggle to keep up with the kids, the laundry, the house, the everything.</div><div><br /></div><div>My shoulders are tense, my hips are sore and my head is normally pounding.</div><div><br /></div><div>It's a very physical reaction and a testament as to how much I need and depend on my husband to be the great father that he is. </div><div><br /></div><div>I need a break so bad. Like, a complete weekend by myself kind of break. </div><div><br /></div><div>I told my husband that I'd like to rent a nice hotel room, buy lots of chocolate, wine, cheese and Ruffles Wavy Ranch chips and veg out and watch reality TV - all by myself. He didn't get it but then again, men often don't.</div><div><br /></div><div>This too shall pass. </div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-57072368251232314362011-12-08T12:13:00.000-08:002011-12-08T12:32:00.091-08:00<---can't think of a clever titleToday we went to Crestwood Court. A dying, yet very cool, mall. It reminds me a lot of Eastland Mall in Tulsa when it first started to decline and vendors started leaving one by one and you had lots of interesting choices to eat in the food court. Anyway, Crestwood is actually pretty neat for a few reasons. Lots of artists are renting out retail areas and making it their studio so there is lots of beautiful and interesting art and sculptures to look at (from the window that is, you know, the toddler and all) and there are dance studios as well. So, we liked it because there is so much room and when playing outside is not an attractive option to Momma you can take your kid and let them run around and also they have a small indoor playground. Of course when Henry saw the mechanical toys that cost $0.75 to ride on that was HIS real attractive option but we quickly got over that with minimal melt down. It was great to get out of the house and I met up with a friend with two kids and I very much enjoyed (needed!) the adult conversation even if it was all a bit distracted.<div><br /></div><div>In other news, I have finally gotten Henry to say please! Big deal! And he is saying "Yes" instead of "yeah" which is very good and proper but I miss his sing song voice saying "yeaaaaahhh?". He's getting so grown. I spiked his hair for him today and watching him run down the walkway at the mall reminded me that he is growing up fast. I usually don't say those cliche things like "wow. The time it goes by so fast!" because to me it doesn't really feel that way. I definitely have felt the last two years and I don't mean that as a complaint. </div><div><br /></div><div>This week has been another nutso week and to tell you the truth, I don't know why. I suppose it's because Lucy is getting bigger and we are spending more time interacting with her a playing, reading books and making sounds and she is sleeping less and less. We sort of had a nap time show down a few minutes ago. I knew she was so tired but couldn't sleep but needed to so very much so I had to do the 10 mins of crying, check on her, then 15, check on her, then she finally fell asleep. I HATE doing that, it breaks my heart to hear her cry but I knew that's what she needed - to cry a bit, get it out, then sleep. She'll be 5 months old in 3 days. </div><div><br /></div><div>And that's all I got today.</div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-21418592393589732042011-12-07T13:18:00.000-08:002011-12-07T13:31:39.233-08:00The Mother of All Mac and Cheese RecipesI did it. I "created" the perfect baked mac & cheese recipe. A few of you will remember I posted another mac & cheese recipe on my facebook weeks ago. Scratch that. This one is much, much better, I promise. <div><br /></div><div>I borrowed 2 recipes from Mrs. Paula Deen. <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/creamy-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe/index.html">Hey ya'll #1</a> & <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/the-ladys-cheesy-mac-recipe/index.html">hey ya'll #2</a> and combined them into the most perfect, creamiest, yummiest comfort food you can imagine. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here it is. Share and be merry. :)</div><div><br /></div><div><div>4 cups cooked elbow macaroni, drained</div><div>3 cups grated cheddar cheese (use 2 cups sharp and 1 cup mild if you really wanna be fancy)</div><div>3 eggs, beaten</div><div>1 cup milk</div><div>1 can of cheese soup</div><div>1/2 teaspoon salt</div><div>1/2 teaspoon dry mustard</div><div>1/2 teaspoon black pepper</div><div>1/4 cup of Italian breadcrumbs</div><div>sprinkle of nutmeg if you like</div><div><br /></div><div>*cup of diced up ham (optional)</div><div><br /></div><div>Once you have the macaroni cooked and drained, place in a large bowl and while still hot and add the cheddar. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining ingredients and add to the macaroni mixture. Pour macaroni mixture into a casserole dish and bake for 30 to 45 minutes. Top with additional cheese if desired.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4376044738907898706.post-87380467433800921372011-12-02T13:28:00.000-08:002011-12-02T13:47:23.873-08:00Quinoa and Chia SeedsI'm trying to improve my eating habits an embrace a new way of eating.<br /><br />It's hard. It's made me a little cranky.<br /><br />I'm eating things I never thought to eat before such as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">quinoa</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">chia</span> seeds.<br /><br />Wait, <a href="http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA365093/Chia-for-Health.html"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">chia</span> seeds</a>?!? Like <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">cha</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">cha</span>-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">cha</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">chia</span>? Those kind of seeds?<br /><br />Those would be the ones. Well, to be technical I don't eat them but I mix them in my morning orange juice and then later on in the day, in water. Sounds pretty gross and I was very, very apprehensive. However, when you mix them with water they turn kind of jelly like (again, gross, I know) and less seed like. They go down fairly easy especially if you know how to open up your throat when drinking (thanks college drinking parties!!).<br /><br />Why on earth am I doing this? Well, I've put on 20lbs after giving birth to Lucy. I hate carrying around the extra weight. It makes me feel gross. I just want to drop a couple of sizes so I can be a size 18 again which is a comfortable size for me. I'm a big girl after all. Anyway, the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">chia</span> seeds are full of fiber, omega 3 acids and antioxidants. For me they are acting as an appetite suppressant which is always my problem. I AM PRETTY MUCH HUNGRY ALL THE TIME.<br /><br />I am also eating a lot of <a href="http://www.foreverlookingood.com/quinoa-nutrition"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">quinoa</span></a> which is actually delicious. If you like brown rice then this is a great <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">substitute</span>. It is a complete protein source, full of fiber and it's very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">satisfying</span>. Today I had <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">quinoa</span> with a tablespoon of salsa and a sprinkle of cheese mixed in and it was super yummy.<br /><br />I am refraining from pretty much all processed foods, eating tons of raw veggies and fruit and chugging water non-stop. I'm peeing all the time, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">yeeeeehawwww</span>.<br /><br />Next week I plan on starting walking in the morning. I've got to gather some work out clothing to wear thought because it is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">brrr</span> cold in the morning. If that doesn't work out for me we'll start going to the gym again. I didn't want to do the gym just because the kids have to be in the nursery where they'll pick up all those nasty winter germs but I think I just need to get over that part.<br /><br />I owe all of this nutritional inspiration from my husband who's turned into a nutrition buff over the past year and he's <span style="font-style: italic;">finally</span> inspired me to get on board.Andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04557420669888183486noreply@blogger.com0