Make me YOUNG

I am a sucker for the newest skin treatments.  Minus cosmetic surgery of course.  But serums, lotions and the like - sign me up.  Have you heard about gratiae?  It is my newest LOVE.  What do you love?

NEVER go wrong

I had a male friend looking for gifts for a girlfriend and his sister.  So he asked me, naturally.  HAHA.  Here are some no fail gifts for women: how about jewelry? Spa Gift certificate? Gift certificate to her favorite shoppe? Anything personalized. Anything that you DID yourself.  And you can NEVER go wrong with a high quality cashmere gift for her!

Out of my league

Actually out of my complete realm of understanding.  A friend of mine was turning the big 4-0 and wanted cigars for his birthday.  HMMMM I have no idea about tobacco products other than I HATE cigarette smoke because both of my parents smoked forever. He wanted something called macanudo. Thank goodness for the internet....

Covers

A friend of mine has an 8 person hot tub.  It is SO nice.  Lots of jets which are amazing.  Television.  All the bells and whistle but apparently the cover they had SUCKS.  Do you have any advice on the best hot tub covers?

SUMMER

This is the first summer in several years that we wont have a pool in our backyard to swim in.  It will be an adjustment but I will NOT missing taking care of the pool.  I will not miss the chemicals, algae and all that entails.  I do have advice.  Hire a good person to open and close the pool.  Makes life so much easier. Use a Pentair Pool Pumps.  Just do it. Also, ENJOY the fact it's right THERE.  I think we took it for granted.

Give me a beat

I made up a song a long time ago called dino beat - its silly and the boys love it because its interactive.  Fast foward to my oldest saving his pennies for an ipod touch.  It took him 6 months to save up for an 360DS so it will be a while.  But he is already planning.  The case he wants, the apps he wants and the ear buds even.  He found some monster beat buds and has to have them because, "it's like our song, Momma". Ah, be still my heart...

A little bigger

My kids have always been SOMEWHAT musical.  Or I think so at least.  They have done kindermusik and music time classes and LOVE music in general.  I think is about time for some instruments for my little Music Man but he really wants to play guitar.  He is 6 and kind of small for his age.  What is a good age for him to try without being totally frustrated?

New Trend

The local new trend in business spaces is steel buildings. When I first heard of these my ideas were shady to say the least.  I was thinking cheapo steel fall down in the wind building.  OMG I was SO very wrong. They are GORGEOUS!  The outside leaves a little to be desired but the inside was amazing.  Looking for a good, less expensive way to grow your business - think steel.

Not Fun

Seriously.  My parents have a plan for EVERYTHING.  Leaving for vacation - you will never wonder what to do for their animals, plants, mail etc... there is a written plan.  Well now there is also a funeral plan with a funeral planning checklist.  SERIOUSLY.  I am not ready to think about that now, thankyouverymuch.

Not exactly what I was after

I really like the industrial look that is hot right now in home decor.  I like the hard finishes accented by soft pillows and the like.  I was looking for casters the other day and ran across material handling supplies which was JUST the website I never thought I would love.  Pulleys, hooks etc... my mind and imagination is running wild...

Something else that freaks me out...

The list of things that freak me out is LONG.  Snakes, intruders, dirty floors to name a few.  Also, identity theft. It is a relatively new thing to me and because I use the internet, like 10009298309578 times a day including a TON of my shopping, I try to keep us safe.  I have looked into rfid and other things. What do you use to protect yourself?

New toys...

The boys are getting so big (yeah yeah its time to change the header).  It is not dinosaurs and cars anymore.  We are on to legos and big boy video games.  They are also interested in model cars.  I found these cool tamiya models that they love.  Check it...

Speaking of

I do love new and innovative materials.  I think it is awesome to have bamboo floors or concrete countertops.  I love when people use reclaimed wood for well, ANYTHING.  It is so gorgeous.  I digress.... I also LOVE the thought of this patio floor.  How cool is that?

Patio

Yes my patio and backyard is not once the haven it was with the pool.  But now it is a nice space to hang out and listen to music.  To enjoy a meal and watch the munchkins as they play with their friends.  I have bought a few things for the patio but am dying for this market umbrella from PatioUmbrellas.com.  What do you think?

For my Mom

Mom loves a challenge.  Be it growing plants; making her own salsa; gambling; hair dye (haha) - she loves anything that is a challenge.  This includes word and number puzzles and regular puzzles as well.  You can find her a 5am still up trying to finish up that one puzzle.  So I think this wooden puzzle box is perfect.  What do you think?

Rough and tumble

There is something truly unique about boys.  Boys are dirty and loud and mean.  They are a totally different breed of human.  My kids have these awesome helmets for their scooters that are lizards. So, online the other day they see this scorpion helmet.  I hate to say it but goodness that will be them.  Hopefully not until I am 6 feet under and they are 80.

Old and rugged...Yes, please

My style has evolved over time, as most of ours does, I believe.  I liked classic in the beginning which morphed into a little more contemporary to pretty contemporary to now contemporary with a classic vintage cottage twist and I love it.  Nothing like a awesome modern piece of glass on a rustic tables.  Love the mix of new and old...What does that say about me....

The few things I cannot do...

I am usually pretty proud of what I can do.  I have always just figured it out.  Back door lock broken - I can fix that.  Hole in the wall - yup that too.  Rose bush needs trimmed - BRING IT ON.  But goodness - when  I moved into this new house I was perplexed by... THE TV MOUNT... da da dummmmmmmmm.  I was so worried I would not get it up right and it would come crashing down and either 1. Harm a child or animal or 2. Break a VERY expensive piece of equipment I did not want to replace.  So, for this one I did call in the calvary.  But next time, oh next time, who am I kidding, I am sure I will call them in again...

Always on the lookout...

I know one of these days my mother's advice about, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" is NOT going to hold water.  One of these days I am going to find the MIRACLE diet medication that allows me to eat bon bons and sit on my tush instead of running and trying to kill myself to loose that unwanted 3 pounds (HA - 3 - who am I kidding)! With everything I find myself asking questions like Is this going to make me sick?  Is apidexin safe? Etc.... Fingers crossed one day it will come and I will be blissfully happy and thin!

Ahhh to be so free

One of my best friends is studying to be a nurse.  While I think all the medical jargon and what not is interesting; the thing I am most intrigued and jealous of in her new career is medical scrubs  HAHA.  Ah to be so free to not have to choose what goes with what - but rather which pair to choose today.   Maybe I went into the wrong profession?

Back in my day...

Never did I think at the ripe ole' age of 33 would I say that but goodness things change so much.  I was talking to my best friend last week about when we went to Florida on senior spring break and had no cell phones and our parents just sent us on our way.  Goodness, now we have GPS on the cell phones so we know where the kids are and how to contact them at ANY time.  Even music.  Everything seems to be digitally altered.  There are cool things like accugroove and the like but WOW.  Back in my day we bought music or taped it off the radio on a cassette.  Now you download and the days of the CD are about gone.  Ahhhhh, wow.

Expansion

So I am working on expanding my repoire in all aspects of my professional life. I try to better understand marketing and how to use those skills, coupled with my design background, to make MYSELF more marketable, overall. I am learning about medical marketing, cpa marketing, and marketing for different markets that are big in our region. I am also interested in learning about how these businesses use different vehicles to send their messages to their clients and potential clients. VERY interesting stuff.

Say what!?

There is some weird stuff out there, yo. Seriously. We have a friend getting married and we joke that she needs a lobster themed wedding. So, we look online and SERIOUSLY there are lobster wedding dresses and everything else you would need to have your day be lobster-ific. What else is out there, maternity wedding dresses, oh yeah - even in white. How about a GREAT see-through wedding dress? Might as well show the groom and everyone else what he is in for.... Seriously - there is some weird stuff out there. Now, I am going back to living in my little bubble, thank.you.very.much.

Money Money Money - Mo-----ney!

I know nothing of coins, stamps or other such collectibles. I found an entire jar of money from other countries that my kids have had a ball with. Pesos and money from New Zealand, along with British pounds and even a euro or two. I was hoping to find a Golden Eagle gold bullion - but no such luck. We will just keep playing with our $2.42 in play money that fills the jar....

another word for sucker....

My kids call me a SUCKA all the time. Usually when I give in and let them have their way. It's ok. I AM a sucker. Usually for them but also for the Point of sale display at the store. A little bag for this or that? YES. How about a small aspirin holder? Never know when I might need it. Or even a *gasp* set of plastic gloves. HEHE - sure - why the heck not. Yes, I am a sucker and I OWN it!

New focus

I love food. I love to eat and try new things. I like to cook but I LOVE to bake. This serves me well in a lot of areas - my waist not being one of them. I need to find a workout that I can do easily from home. Maybe a good yoga dvd?

My Valentines

Are five and six. A little different spin on Valentine's Day this year. No roses or champagne. We probably will have conversation hearts and MAYBE dipped strawberries. But man alive - those boys have what it takes to make my heart go pitter patter.

So sweet

I love new love. I have a few friends who are in that so sweet and kind stage. I love it. It is precious. When they are talking about gifts for romantics and new romantic things to do for their significant other. Makes my heart smile.

What is going on....

I have seen more and more people with addiction problems. What is going on in this world? Why is everything seem like it is going to pot. (literally) I see more about xanax detox addiction abuse withdrawal. Makes me very sad.

Treasures

In moving I have found a bunch of treasures. Or so, my kids think. Old bottles, maps, you know - "treasures" especially to a little boy! I found a bunch of old New Zealand monies and coins. They are having a ball. Makes me wonder if those are worth anything? Knowing my luck, theyre playing with some rare coins. LOL

NOT YET

I do not know how these marketers do it. How do they know I was divorced THIS WEEK. I have gotten more invites for free online dating. Nuts. I am so not ready for that! But good to know, if and when I am ready, these marketers are going to be ready.

Need to be professional

I think this comes with the territory of being a stay-at-home/work-at-home mom for so long - sometimes I need to feel like a professional. Like someone who has a master's degree and even a leather briefcase. But, trust me, that moment is wonderful for a time, but is fleeting.... I love my babies and would not change working in my PJs most days for anything!

m-i-c-k-e-y-m-o-u-s-e

The moment we left Disney we starting contemplating our next vacation to the Mouse House. We loved it so much. We went at Halloween last time and I would love to go at Christmas time - but that time of the year just does not really work well for us. I have been researching different Disney vacation packages to find the best deal. Let us be honest, though, anytime you go it is going to be MAGIC!

Finding that deal

I love a deal. There is no doubting that... I do often check prices at amazon or online when shopping at the Wal-Marts - or I do price matching which is nice. I have considered a Honeywell Barcode Scanner. Do you have one of these? Do you use it? Is it helpful??

Making life simpler....

I am always looking for a way to simplify - which sometimes makes things harder... weird how that works. I am thinking of a POS system for when I do wall appeals. A lot of people want to use a card and I just do not have that capability without paypal - which works, but something POS would be nice. Is it worth it though?