The Sound of Music Giveaway!

Oh goodie, goodie, gumdrops! Listen up! The Sound of Music turns FORTY-FIVE! Can you believe it? I have loved this since I was in the first grade. I remember watching it on my dad's old little black & white t.v. and getting sent to bed before it was over. I sneaked the t.v. back on and turned the volume down to nothing more than a murmur. I didn't get caught because of the flickering lights, I got caught trying to sing, "So long, farewell, auf wiedersehen, goodbye"! LOL

My friend, Dee over at Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House is hosting an AMAZING giveaway! Why don't you head on over there and tell her AWEnterprises sent you?! OH, and enter, and good luck!

Totally Talented Tuesday

This fun idea came from Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House (you can find her blog >>over there>>under My Favorite Blogs)

Anyway, the talent I want to share today is t-shirt designs. I designed a t-shirt for my 8 year old nephew's recent encounter with THEE cutest little lady, Miss Selena Gomez. We won meet & greet passes to her concert at the state fair this past Sunday and he wanted a shirt to wear for her to sign. Unfortunately, due to time restrictions, she was not able to autograph. But, she loved the shirt and so did most everyone in line who asked, "where did you have that made?" I was able to say, I did it! :D

More Giveaways

Thanks to Two of a Kind, I am blogging about another giveaway. Glitz & Glam Boutique is giving away a birthday shirt and hat to one of her readers. I am blogging as an entry into that giveaway and you can, too.

Just visit her site and follow the instructions.

Coupon Sense

So, we went coupon sense shopping today because we are out of food, obviously. Anyhow, my sister and I want to buy things in bulk and prepare/freeze/store it so it will last. Coupon Sense helps us do just that. Today, we got four (4) tomatoes, twenty (20) lbs. of potatoes, four (4) lbs. long grain brown rice, four (4) lbs. pinto beans, four (4) cantaloupes, eighteen (18) cans of vegetables, twenty (20) pkgs. of Ramen Noodles, four (4) pkgs. whole grain pasta, and four (4) lbs. peaches all for $16.88!

We love Coupon Sense!

I heart The Children's Place

Sooo....I heard about a $25 gift card giveaway from The Children's Place, an AWESOME place to be exact, and I was super excited to enter. One way to get an entry in is to blog about the giveaway and link to the post. Well, Two of kind...here is your link-back.

I shopped at The Children's Place a lot when my nephews, now 8 and 13, were tiny things. Adryan, the 8 year old, has won several trophies wearing The Children's Place attire in pageants. WE LOVE the place and all the outfits are sooo adorable. If you have one near you, check it out for your little guy or gal. You won't be disappointed because the price and the value are GREAT!

We got these outfits at The Children's Place in 2004 including the saddle shoes.

Skillz

I have "mad skillz". I type at least 70wpm. I have extensive knowledge in most computer programs. I was trained in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint. Since the invention of the computer, (just kidding), since 7th grade, I've been interested in computers and technology. So, why don't I have a job in computers you ask? Beats the heck out of me!

I am intelligent, have a winning personality, and a very quick learner, but I am indecisive and sort of lazy. Alright, a lot lazy. I admit it. NOT a trait I'm proud of and one that I struggle to overcome, but if it comes to doing labor, I'd rather sit down and pull out a blog post like this one.

I love going to school though. I love getting good grades; I guess that means I love gratification. I need a job that gives me praise. I need one where my accomplishments are acknowledged. I'm greedy like that, and I guess pretty needy. I want someone to pat me on the back and say good job, or hand me back a graded paper with A+ on it. I can't find that type of feedback in the workforce. I also get really bored. I need to do things that are NOT monotonous. Change it up a bit. Don't give me a job where I'm doing repetitive stuff because then I feel like a robot. That's why I love daycare, photography, and computers. NOTHING is ever the same. It's challenging. I thrive on stress. I get off on challenges. Find me a job that's challenging and I will excel.

Hmmm...now only to find that job.

(PS Cashiering at Circle K is monotonous).

I'm a big girl now...

So, I voluntarily removed myself from employment due to the hostile work environment I had been subjected to for the past 3 weeks. *Sigh* While I'm not totally convinced it was the smartest move, I do know that it was the right decision. I was draining myself emotionally, mentally, and physically for a company that sends mixed signals and has unrealistic expectations of its crew. Without divulging details, let me just assure you it wasn't a pretty sight, and with my "injury" being questioned on top of everything else, I felt it was in my best interest to leave without incidence.

So, for the rest of the week I will be in California trying to clear my head and come home with a fresh outlook and look for work...

Wish me luck.

Family

They say blood is thicker than water. Then, why does my water family treat me better than my blood one? Why do they stand behind me and appreciate the efforts I make?

Some members of my family have exiled me for reasons they feel are justifiable. But, I think they've overreacted and stooped to a new kind of low. What they've done is inexcusable and unforgettable. I'd say unforgivable, but I'm a very forgiving person.

It hurts my heart that we don't speak to each other. I miss her like crazy and I miss her baby, too. She'll probably never know that, but...I had to write it.

Late nights

I love to stay up late. It's wearing me thin though. I get caught up in "crusader" like activities and just get so riled up. It's not healthy. I need to get to sleep, but how can I sleep when there are so many problems in the world that I am not doing anything about, besides blogging that I need to get up and do something. I hate the mentality of the world that compels people to think that their thoughts and actions won't make a difference, I know they will. But, I am on the fence because I honestly just don't know what to do. I know I don't have a flurry of followers on my blog. I know I don't particularly blog about anything interesting, but so many things are going through my mind it is next to impossible to drift off into a peaceful slumber.

I wish the weight of the world wouldn't sit so heavily on my mind. I know things need to be done...and I'm only one person. Anyone care to go crusading with me? Let's make a difference. It's now or never.

Yipping Yapping Howling and Growling

I hear it all night long and they know to be quiet but insist on hearing me say it before they listen. Are they trained to aggravate or do they just do it on purpose? Dogs! GRRR! :D But, I love them.

Arizona Boycott

I live in Arizona. I have for 25 years. It's a beautiful state, it's got great views and while the weather's not so great during the summer, it's absolutely gorgeous from late November to early June. But I'm not blogging about the beauty of Arizona's landscape or the lovely temperatures. I'm blogging about the boycott. Which, in my own humble little opinion is purely bizarre and nonsensical.



The above photo is what is left behind when human smugglers bring illegal Mexicans into our country south of Tucson. This wash leads straight into Tucson and is approximately 1.5 miles long. There is an estimated 5,000 discarded backpacks as well as human feces (including thousands of soiled baby diapers), clothing, water bottles, food wrappers, and much more putrid garbage.

Arizona is one giant landfill for illegals to dump in. Yet we are being ostracized like the Black-Plague for a simple law that was passed in order to regulate who lives in our country legally, and who should be removed for breaking that law.

Now, some would argue that the law breakers are being trapped, set up, profiled and continue to think that some kind of constitutional right is being violated. The right to privacy for one. Hello?! Are we reading the same constitution? Our laws, by-laws, rights, and liberties only apply to "persons born or naturalized in the United States...".

In Arizona, protesters gather with signs saying such thing as "BROWN IS NOT A CRIME". Nowhere in the bill does it say, "you will be deported for having brown skin". I mean, c'mon! My great grandparents emigrated from Russia and became naturalized citizens LEGALLY. I probably have relations in Ireland, Germany, and Russia. That doesn't mean I can work in the US illegally and send my paycheck to them. That doesn't mean I will pack 64 of them into a U-Haul, subject them to unforgiving desert conditions, and then hide them all in my 2 bedroom apartment until payment is made. That, my dear is called SMUGGLING! However, the Mexican Constitution CLEARLY STATES ::: and I quote :::"the right to assemble or associate peaceably for any lawful purpose cannot be restricted, HOWEVER, only CITIZENS of the Republic may do so to take part in the political affairs of the country." Now, why would only CITIZENS of Mexico be allowed to associate or assemble, but NON-CITIZENS of the United States are allowed to cry RIGHT'S VIOLATION at every turn in the road?

So, when a drop-house is found and 64 of your illegal family members are sent back to their countries, don't cry RACIST to me!

When your uncle's wife's mother's brother gets pulled over for an unsafe lane change, running a red light, not wearing a seat belt, a headlight out, or some other traffic VIOLATION, and he hands over an INTERNATIONAL driver's license and not a UNITED STATES one, and the officer asks if he is here legally, don't cry RACIAL PROFILING to me!

You would deport me in a heartbeat, why shouldn't the same be done to your illegals in our country?

Growing Up

In my humble opinion, kids grow up way too darn fast. So is it so bad for me to want to hang on to Adryan's "little boy-isms" for as long as I can? His don't-leave-home-without-it turtle, Rainbow is his most loved possession; comparable to The Velveteen Rabbit or Buzz & Woody. Rainbow's been lost, been stolen, been filthy, been chewed on, dropped, thrown, kissed, hugged, and lately, photographed. I have been asked to document Rainbow's travels for memory sake. Here, Rainbow joined us at Oak Creek Canyon in Arizona. Isn't he adorable? Just because he's 8 years old, doesn't mean he has to be grown up yet...keep on loving that Rainbow, baby boy!

Have you ever wondered...

...why you were in the place you are? Why you're a SAHM, or a WAHM? Why you spend your days wiping faces and butts instead of punching keys and numbers? Why you punch keys and numbers instead of cleaning toilets or making beds?

I do. I wonder a lot about why I'm not doing what I thought I'd be doing now. 20 years ago, I would have told you that I'd be a famous actress with 10 kids and two novels behind me. I wanted to act, to write, and to be a mommy. I wanted to be a chauffeur to the stars, I wanted to write songs for singers, I wanted to make a difference. I wanted to be a teacher, I wanted to be a doctor, I wanted to be everything. With all the choices I had, instead, I became indecisive. I became a wanderer. I'm a bouncer. I get bored easily, I change jobs constantly because I'm always looking for something that I'm good at.

I haven't found my niche. Shouldn't I have found it already? I take photos, I take care of children, I am a cashier, I am a driver, a blogger, an aunt, a movie critic, a yo-yo dieter, a friend, an auntie, a freelance poet, a human.

But, I am clueless. I want everything. I cannot settle, I'm picky. Does that mean there's something wrong with me? I just don't know what I want to be when I "grow up". I'm going to be 31 in a few months, and I just feel....STUCK.

Well, that's my blog for today...I was going to tell you the things that bother me, but that would take all night. However, I would like to share a few.

1. I hate that magazines make money by printing lies, or half-truths about celebrities.
2. I hate that celebrities are not easily reached. I would love to just be someone's friend because in my opinion, true friendships are hard to come by in Hollywood.
3. I hate that people get upset and blame others for their moods.
4. I hate it when people throw trash on the ground.
5. I hate it when people throw obscenities around because they've got nothing better to say.

Okay...I love the majority of people. I see the good in everything. And, I'm glad to be alive.

I'm done rambling now. When I've got a purpose for a blog, I'll write some more.

Weight Loss

I am once again dedicated to losing weight. I am hoping Tony Horton and P90X, my sister, and brother-in-law will help me stay on track. Watching Big Life w/Kirstie, can't wait 'til she starts the program and found out that PINK does it too. So much inspiration...I can do it.

Tax Refund

Finally decided to put tax refund money to something useful. Washer/Dryer, Refrigerator, new computer, new eye glasses, new camera...(new to us). Feels much better to have something to show for your year of paying people to sit on their rumps and collect other people's money. :D

Sadness

Isn't it sad that stories of pain and misery of one family actually helps you to acknowledge and appreciate the good in your family? Who do you thank for health and happiness when so many of us are struggling to 'get over' the loss of someone dear to them. I am writing this post to commemorate some of the children I've "met" online.

God Bless you and your families.
Congratulations to Jenny, Andrew, & Margaret Scott for little Katharine. :D

Being a mom

Being a mom doesn't mean the world as you know it is over. It doesn't mean that the chances you missed taking are lost forever. At least it doesn't mean that for me. I was really hoping that turning 30 would be a turning point in my life. In a few ways, it has. I've looked inside myself a little more, I'm a little more confident than I was at 20, 17, 15. But, I'm still not there. I think I need a boost. I'm single (that's nothing new) and I'm childless. I know many women with children who really don't deserve them, and women who can't have children, but desperately want them. I know mothers who've had children and lost them, I am neither. I don't have any because the opportunity has never come my way. It never knocked on my door. If it did, I never heard it.

I think 30 is too old to start a relationship, take it to where it needs to be in order for marriage, and then further to have children. By the time I find him and finish this process, we should be having grandkids. So, I've resolved to just being single and childless forever. As sad as that sounds...it's my reality.

So for all of those parents (not just moms) who get a little frustrated with their kids and really want to sell them to the highest bidder, I've got more than a million dollars worth of love for children that I'll never have. Be grateful, no matter what shenanigans they pull, and love them endlessly.

Online Photo Contests

I am addicted to putting my nephews and daycare kids into online photo contests. ONE to share with the world how lovely they are and TWO to show off my photography skillz. Granted, I am nowhere near Sugar but...strive to be 1/2 as good. ;)

Anyway. One contest needs your help and votes. Please help Adryan become Reader's Choice by voting for him HERE

This is my gorgeous 8-year old nephew who wanted to look like the Karate Kid. I'm very excited at how well this photo came out. Look for more attempts at great photography.

Welcome

This is my first real attempt at blogging. Bear with me, if you can. My thoughts are scattered in thousands of directions...so it should be interesting what comes out in type.