Treasure Hunting

I've found a few treasures in blog land that I know you will love.

First, I'd like to apologize for telling you that the Swiffer Vac was only $25.  It turns out that it was $28 and then they decided to up it $10.  It actually retails at Target for $38.  I was shocked because I bought mine for $28 not that long ago.  Whoopsie.  So here is a link for a COUPON if you'd like to go buy one.  They also have it on Amazon for $35 plus free shipping, just click HERE.

If you are looking for something amazing to cook for dinner tonight check out The Pioneer Woman Cooks.  She has a unique delicious twist on pasta.  I made it for dinner and oh baby, it was gooo-oood.  She provides a full tutorial and printable recipe HERE.

I have been thinking about THIS POST for weeks.  It's called the TURD TONGS.  (yeah, you want to read it now-- huh?)  I stumbled on this blog a few weeks ago and I have to say that this is the funniest post I have ever read.  I must warn you-- there is a bit of language, but it's priceless!  She makes me feel like I'm not alone in the messy adventure we call motherhood.  Her blog is called Tampons and Chocolate.  It's so sassy and fun-- you'll love it.

If you live under a rock and haven't heard of the hottest new craft blog-- here's your chance.  It's called I am Momma Hear me Roar.  Cheri makes everyday things extraordinary with a little imagination.  One of my favorites is her bleach pen t-shirts.  Check her out-- you won't be sorry.



If you've never seen the Flight of the Conchords doing business time-- you'll LOVE this.  This speaks volumes for all of you married couples out there.  It hits a little close to home.  Hilarious!

For all you coupon lovers out there, I found a great site with instant coupons.  It's called coupons.com just click HERE.  You have to download a printer friendly version but after that it's super simple.  They have a good variety of coupons for everyone.  I printed off a few last night and I'm itchin' to spend 'um. 

Have you found anything good lately?  Tell me about it; I love a good fine.

Parking

I have parking issues. 

I never really realized how petty I was about parking until I got married.

When we go to the store and the mister is driving, he pulls into the lot and takes the first spot.  The first spot!  It doesn't matter to him if we have to walk two miles to get to the store-- he just parks.

It drives me insane!!!

When I approach a store parking lot I look for two things; First, where is the door to the store located and second, where is the nearest cart corral (if applicable).

I have been known to circle the isles looking for the perfect spot and not stopping until I am completely satisfied.  Don't judge me-- it's worth the circling time.

This drives the mister insane!!

He'll tell me, "Just park already-- Geez!"

I have a few reasons for my parking O.C.D.  My main problem is that it was genetically programed into me by my mother.  I know this for a fact because she and my sisters suffer from the same parking disease.  (My Dad sides with the mister on this one of course.) 

When I was younger and I would go shopping with my mom she would have a certain area that she parked in every time we went to the store.  When we go to the Southridge Mall she always parks by the far end of Boston Store-- ALWAYS.  I physically cannot go to that mall without parking in that same area.  It applies to so many of our regular spots--  I even veer to her parking areas at Target for crying out loud. 

When I got older and factored in the kids, I never wanted to walk too far with a baby carrier or an independent waddling toddler.  I wanted to be close to the cart corral so I wouldn't have to leave my kids in the car alone. 

Now I have the habit ingrained in me.  I just can't stop!  It's a disease I tell you!

If there happens to be a chance when I get the very first spot-- OH MOMMA!  I'm in parking nirvana!  I almost want someone to come pick me up so I can keep the first spot forever. 

Clearly, I have parking issues.

Confession

I hardly ever shave my legs.

It's the ugly truth.

When I was younger I would shave my legs every day sometimes more depending on how love struck I was at the time.  I have found that the older I get, the less often I shave.

I use to look down my nose at people who didn't shave every single day.  I thought it was tacky and gross.

I think I could be the president of the  non-shavers club now.

I manage to shave when I have something important to do and I want to look just right.  But just between you and me-- I have been blessed with blonde leg hair that is barely noticeable.

I find that my time in the shower is seriously limited thanks to my four lovely children.  I always seem to be in a rush and shampooing takes priority over shaving every single time.

I know I'm not alone. 

Don't be ashamed-- I do it too!

A Few of my Favorite Things

(Contest Closed)

I have always always wanted to be in  the audience for Oprah's "favorite things" show.  If you aren't familiar with Ops and her show-- well what's wrong with you?  Every year she does a show that features a few of her favorite things and then gives them away to everyone in the audience.  She has been know to give away some pretty big ticket items.  How cool would that be?

Since I like to pass along my reviews on products that I just looooove, I thought, "Why not give them away to some of my favorite people?"  (that's you)

So here goes...

I am in love with the Swiffer Vac.  You have to have one especially if you have wood floors.  It picks up loads of crumbs and dust with ease.  It makes your floors look freshly cleaned in seconds.  You must have it.  It retails for only $25 at Target.

What will you do with all of your spare time after such a quick clean up?

I've been sneaky snacking on these little gems.  I love cookies-- second only to cake.  It makes the perfect after dinner indulgence.  The mister loves mint Girl Scout Cookies-- but these are by far better.  You must try these!  (As a bonus, they are made right here in Wisconsin.)

Not feeling so pretty after giving in to your sweet side?

Have a head band from Loopdeelou to make you look your best.  My sisters have started this little adventure together.  There creative genius will blow your mind.  If you want to buy a few of their creations just click HERE.

This one is called Red Roses Please.  Isn't it sassy?  Love it!

Those are my top picks for the week.  Do you want to try them?

Here's the deal; you can enter to win by:  (Contest Closed)

1. Leaving a comment telling me what you hope to win.
2.  Becoming a follower (Just remember to say you did in the comments so I'm sure to get it.)
3.  Post about my giveaway on your blog or Facebook page with a link. (Remember to leave a comment to get credit.)
4.  Grab and paste my button on your blog.(Comment-- so I can check it out.)

Want to up your chances of winning?  Do any or all of these and your chances just keep getting better.  The drawing ends Thursday at Midnight.

I love free stuff and I know you do too-- so what are you waiting for?

Go ahead and do it already!

(Contest Closed)

Meet Zoey

This is my baby girl Zoey.  She is a bit of a drama queen.  So when she tripped and fell the other day people two countries over heard about it.  Seriously.

Amidst the screaming and faux pain, she manages to let me know that her arm has to be broken.  Let me remind you again that this girl is a drama fest.

I calm her down and grab an ice pack and things just go south from there.  She is insisting that her arm has to be broken and she is in the most pain of her life.  Minutes later she is off to play with her brothers and sister.  I assume that all is well and the subject is closed.  No.  I'm not that lucky.

The next day she throws a huge fit before school (of course) that she needs to see a doctor.  I remind her of all the things she has been doing with her arm that would stand to prove her wrong.  Before she leaves for school she verbally commits me to call the doctor and bust her out of school at the first chance I get.  I'm on to this game.  I don't call.

After school she pulls the same thing again.  So I cave and take her to our local walk-in clinic.  On the way there we have words...

Me:  You do realize that going to the doctor will cost a lot of money-- right?

Z:  I get it Mom!

Me:  We still have to pay if you are hurt or not.

Z:  Mom, I know, I still want to go.


When we get there I do my best to hurry her through the motions and answer all the doctors' questions.  He does a very long and detailed examination of her arm.  I'm just waiting for him to send us on our way with our little Barbie stickers and big ol' bill.  He doesn't.  Instead he says that Z will need some x-rays.

Now I'm starting to feel a little small and Z is giving me the I told you so look. 

While we are waiting for the x-rays to come back we have a little time to talk.

Me:  I bet you 10 bucks your arm is fine.

Z:  I don't have 10 bucks but I have 2 cents-- you're on.

Me:  I'm so sure nothing is wrong with you; I'll take your bet and raise you one week of bed making!

Z:  That means when he tells me my arm is broken you owe me 2 cents and I don't have to make my bed for a week.

Me:  That means that when he tells us your arm is fine you owe me 2 cents and a weeks worth of perfect bed making without being asked.

The doctor returns and money changes hands.

Her arm had a small buckle fracture.

I feel about 2 inches tall.

Geez, I'm such a good mom.

Zoey was on cloud nine.  She had a smile plastered on her face for days after.  She was basking in her victory.

She left the doctors office 2 cents richer with a cool velcro arm brace and a bit of a bounce in her step.


I would have bet the farm she was fine.... good thing I don't actually own a farm.

My Eyes

I have birthed four children, lived through 12 years of marriage, trained a puppy and my body is starting to show a little wear and tear.

I have only one body part that is always on my team.  My eyes.

I love them. 

They are the one body part that has not gotten fat no matter how many pieces of cake I have eaten.  Some days they are the only thing that makes me feel pretty. 

They help me scope out trouble making children and the little lies on their faces.  They look great in sunglasses (I never have to go up a size-- I can buy right off the rack.)  They help me express my many emotions and a whole lot of drama.

They help me keep the fire going with the mister.  They wink-- everyone loves a good wink.  It makes you feel all silly inside.  I can dress them up or dress them down and they still look gooood.

So today I'm saying thank you to my eyes.  I really like you.


What's your favorite body part?

iPhone Envy

I want an iPhone more than anything!

I've been dropping hints to the mister for quite some time now.  (at least a year)  This past December I had the mister in the store, iPhone in hand and a willingness in his heart when a sales lady asked if she could help us.  I panicked because I didn't want the mister to be distracted or deterred in any way until my phone was purchased and safely resting in my purse.

She kindly offered to check my cell phone account and see if I qualified for my annual update.  (I'm thinking, you know I won't-- it never works out that perfectly!  Just go away stupid sales lady!)

My phone did not qualify for an update until April 15th.  (duh, of course it doesn't)  She told us if we waited I could save several hundred dollars in the purchase of my new phone.  (wait is a four letter word in my book)

Grrrrr!  That's just what the mister wanted to hear.  She was basically telling him to run for his life and abandon all plans of making his wife the happiest woman in the world.

I hate that lady.

The mister told me that it was probably better if we waited and saved a little cash.  He blabbed on about how my cell phone was just fine and it wouldn't kill me to wait a bit.  (He said this very smugly for a man with an iPhone resting quietly in his pocket.)

I conceded and made him mark the date in his calendar as "the day my wife will be happy."  Then I made some well placed comments in his direction to remind him of my our plans.  My answers to questions go like this, "Hmmm... good question, I think I'll look it up on my iPhone.  Oh, that's right, I don't have one."

You may have noticed that April 15th has come and gone and I'm still crabbing about my iPhone or rather my lack of.  The mister found THIS ARTICLE on CNN that says iPhone is coming out with its next generation in a few months.  He thinks I should wait just a little longer and have the newest model.

I have a bit of a patience problem.  I am a now person.  The fact that I've waited this long is a small miracle.

This also smells a little of I-don't-really-want-to-spend-the-money-so-I'm-stringing-you-out.


Should I wait?  Perhaps I'll distract him with THE LAWN MOWER and go buy the damn thing myself.  I think I could hide it a few weeks-- maybe.