I know I have mentioned this before but, as it is warming up here in the Phoenix metro area, I feel the need to complain just a little more. The people below us are new. They've been here less than a month. The elderly woman and the little grand daughter she cares for are precious.
Something they cook for dinner, and for snack late at night, and for every meal of the day it seems, smells like DEATH! Garlic and onions and some kind of meat and blech! I think you get the picture. I no sooner open my door and get a waft of this odor that permeates every inch of my small apartment. Great! I close the door and suffer with now the stuffiness, warmth and an added scent that fills my apartment. Maybe I'm a little bitter since the apartment below us was vacant for a year before they moved in?
Next on the list, hmmm. Last night, or should I say early morning? Around 3 A.M. I woke up to my husband coming to bed and lots of voices coming from outside. Normally, that lasts only for a couple of minutes and then it's gone. Last night was another story. Apparently, the twenty something neighbor and his friends decided that drinking all night and hanging on the porch would be a great idea. I heard them talking and laughing until 6 A.M. when it got much louder.
GRRRRRR! My husband isn't bothered by much while he is sleeping but, I am. If I hear a bunch of talking or really loud anything, I'm gonna wake up. So at 6 A.M. I head out to my balcony after moving my fingers in the dark to look for my jacket and some shorts. I manage to put those on and go see what's going on. I look over the balcony and there they were having a deep discussion about baseball.
Me: It's now six in the morning and I have been listening to you since about three
Guy 1: *surprised* it's six? I'm so sorry I didn't know it was six already
Guy 2: sorry
Guy 3: *quiet*
Me: It's the middle of the night and you are in a courtyard and your voices are echoing
Guy 1: I'm sorry again
Guy 2: You wanna talk about baseball? ha ha
Me: No, I want you to be quiet please! *goes back to bed*
I can't wait until we move. Hubs says if we aren't in the process of buying or really close to signing papers by the end of our three month left of lease, we are renting a house.
My mom is an artist and often she would teach me different techniques that she learned or that she would do by sight. I love art, all kinds of art. I love sculpture and oils, pastel and watercolor, modern and graphic!
I was checking out this site tonight. It has a little bit of everything in it. Giclee, hand textured Giclee prints, seriolithographs, Serigraphs, etc. This artist, Glen Tarnowski, has original oil paintings and original sculpture for sale here even. I really like his Beautiful Mind painting. It reminds of youth and the imagination and possibilities that await.
I think it's worth a look!
Melanie
Well, we had a great weekend and was even more fun because hubby got a bonus and we were able to get a few things we've been wanting to. We went to a few furniture stores, probably about six, as we were looking for a new sofa. Ours was a hand-me-down and is pretty gross at this point with a toddler running around. We were looking for another micro fiber or a leather sofa. I don't really want to sit on leather all the time but, it's very durable!
Turns out, my Mother-in-Law is getting rid of her $2500 leather sofa, so we are going to buy it on the cheap! woot! We went to IKEA and I tell you, you get sucked into that place and the next thing you know, it's 2 hours later. It's amazing all the things you can find there and what great deals you can get on some household things that are a ton more elsewhere.
We ate out, and went shopping, etc. Now that's what I call a fun girl's weekend! Too bad it's Monday. heh. It's grocery shopping and going to Target for the necessities and/or toiletries day. Cleaning, as my house hasn't been cleaned in days and finding time to finish some frames I've been painting up. Coming home and making dinner. It's crazy and hopefully, I can get it all accomplished before my Sister-in-Law and her twins come over tomorrow. I know she won't mind a little mess though, so that is a save right there.
Hope your Monday wasn't too crazy and that you're getting all you need to get done, accomplished.
Karen over at 3garnetsn2sapphires is giving away your choice of shoes from Stride Rite. That's an awesome giveaway and anyone who has shopped there knows they are high quality! Go here to enter.
Melanie
I Never Grew Up is having a big Birthday bash full of over 1200.00 worth in prizes! How exciting. You know you want some of the goods! Go check it out and enter to win some fabulous prizes.
Melanie
I'm here again wanting to add a little thanks to the day!
I'm thankful for my comfy, warm, bed that I get to lay my head down on every night. And of course, the security that goes with it.
I don't know about you, but I'm concerned about the area I live in and my child's safety! Many of us don't know who lives right next door to us, and they could be a sex offender. Besides being generally careful about where my children play and who they are with, I would really like to be able to know who my neighbors are!
There is a newer site that I checked out that allows you to track sex offenders right in your zip code. I went to the track sex offenders website and the first page had me enter in my zip code. After I clicked on the search, it took me to a page that advised me that there were three registered offenders in my area. Scary!
Once I register, it will link me to the national alert registry, which enables me to get:
-Instant access to the detailed reports
-Detailed maps for any location nationwide
-Free child ID kit
-Color photos identifying the offenders
-Conviction information
-Home address of the offenders
-Full names and aliases
It gives me peace of mind knowing that I can get that kind of up to date information whenever I want to! To get into the national alert registry there's only a one time activation fee. I also see that I am able to get monthly reports and updated information if I want for a nominal fee.
We all have said it at least once. "I don't want to be like my mom or dad" or whoever raised you and got on your last nerve! My Mother was the primary parent in my life. Dad and mom were married but, separated a lot when I was younger and when they finally divorced, I lived with my mom.
When I was younger, dad would wake up very early and start whistling, making coffee, being generally chipper. Mom would wake up later, grouchy, silent, and angry if anyone tried to even whisper to her for the first hour. Dad would comment on how he and I were generally chipper and lovely in the morning and not at all like my mom and my little sister.
Fast forward to today. I'm 33, a wife, mother to one, step-mom to another. I like my sleep. Scratch that, I LOVE my sleep. I'm one of those people that needs at LEAST 7 hours of sleep to feel functional through the day. And don't even try and wake me up because I will murder you, in my sleep. Hubby can attest to that last statement.
He's a snuggler, but that's another post. He stays up later than I because he is on a night shift. Conversations usually end up like this
Him: tiptoes through the room, turns on the closet light, starts taking off contacts
Me: "ungghhh"
Him: continues getting ready for bed
Me: *SIGH* "why do you always have to wake me UP?" loud tone
Him: "you're too light of a sleeper"
Me: goes to the bathroom, swaying like a drunkard *pees*
Him: tries to get up on me and snuggle
Me: *SWAT* "leave me alone!!"
And so it goes on, almost nightly, unless I don't wake up which is rare. My daughter is the only one that can get away with waking me up. I guess it's a mommy thing because, I know she needs me. That doesn't change the fact that I'm a grouch first thing in the morning, and would love to have some caffeine pumping through me before I have to do all the things mommies do.
It amazes me that I'm like this now. Although, I'm not sure why? My mom was, and is, a mean woman when she first wakes up. She needs a cup of coffee and a cig at least, to function! ha ha. Why couldn't I have stayed the chipper girl? One never can tell where the line is. That line where your parent ends and you begin. It's part of us, no matter if we hate it or not. My mother calls it "the mother's curse". You become like your mom and/or your child inflicts on you, what you've inflicted on her.
Guess I'll have to start figuring out what "mother's curse" I'm gonna pass on to my girl...
My wonderful walls is an awesome website that sells kids murals and nursery art. The stencils for the murals have an adhesive already on them and they also sell canvas wall art if you're not looking to change your child's room completely. Go see how cute their flower themed and farm themed murals are!
The Conservatory Overcoat GIVEAWAY!!!!
This overcoat is STUNNING! Handmade to boot!
All you mama's and daddy's out there that want to be able to jog or have an extra comfortable stroller to roll your little one in should check out momfuse.com's giveaway for the Kelty Speedster stroller. Ends February 19th so hurry!
Sunglasswarehouse.com is giving away a free vacation worth 2500.00 for airfare and hotel and 300.00 spending cash. Don't forget that they're also gonna giveaway 200.00 worth of sunglasses and beach gear!!! AWESOME!
Go check it out and register. There's more than one way to enter and get extra entries.
P.S. Go check out their retro sunglasses, they're a hoot and made me reminisce!
I've lived in apartments for WAY too long. I don't have a lot of money or income so home buying has really been out of reach for my husband and I. It was really out of reach when I was single. I hate them. You get the hint.
So, here's the rub. My neighbors that share a Master bedroom wall like to have sex, A LOT. I suppose I should laugh at it since there's nothing really wrong with that but, there is something wrong with it if you're waking your neighbors up at three, four, even five in the morning doing it!!! I get to hear voices, banging, etc! Yay!
People close to me know that you don't wake me up in the middle of the night, you just don't! I've become a cranky old lady at 33. The only one that gets away with that is my little one.
Moving on, I don't understand why they feel the need to do it in the middle of the night when they have to know that if they can hear me talking through the wall, then I can hear them! Two, why in the middle of the night at all hours? ha ha Maybe they're doing it BECAUSE of the noise?
Either way, sharing paper thin walls with an entire family is not my idea of fun! Don't even get me started on my new neighbors below and their yummy(disgusting) cooking smells that waft into my lovely apartment home!
What gal doesn't want a diamond necklace? haha. Especially if it's FREE! Go check out
Gem Affair and check out the contest here! What a nice way to celebrate her Birthda!.
That blog place is an upcoming website that creates custom headers and backgrounds for your blog. They recently did a giveaway on their blog for a free header and sadly, I wasn't a winner. :( I WAS however, very surprised to see in my email a code for a FREE header of my own. They were kind enough to give me a code because I entered. Isn't that awesome?
Go check them out and see if any of there backgrounds and headers fit your personality!
Melanie
Hubs and I went out on a date. We don't do them all that often and next weekend we will have his son and our daughter so, we decided to do a little valentine's date night this weekend. My Brother and Sister-in-law were lovely enough to oblige taking our girl for awhile. ;)
We haven't celebrated Valentine's I think since before we were married three years ago. We usually put a little more effort into our anniversary. Anyway, we went to a restaurant we've never been to, named Portland's. It's located downtown Phoenix and it's a little corner restaurant facing the new rail system.
We had a cozy little seat in the corner, candle lit, by the window. We sat side by side enjoying the intimacy of the restaurant and the closeness of each other. We ordered a lovely meal with grilled sirloin and chipotle hollandaise, mixed spring greens with a house red wine vinaigrette(excellent!), and tiramisu (strong esspresso!).
We talked about love, religion, our kids, and surprisingly, spent some of being quiet.
We then hit up Glendale, where they were having a Glendale Chocolate Affaire event going on. Many local vendors and boutiques showed off their wares and made up special treats. We managed to pick up some chocolate, chocolate mint, and chocolate cherry fudge. Oh, and a chocolate dipped banana for later! YUMMMY!
Our evening was a time to reconnect, a time to remember each other, and a time to recharge our batteries from everyday life. I know you read in magazines and books that it's important to make time for each other, etc. Take it from a regular stay at home wife and Mommy, it's extremely important to have emotional intimacy with your partner and to take time to get away from the everyday hum drum.
We don't do it nearly enough!
According to random.org, our winner is number
30!
Sandy said: I adore the whimsy flower frame! Just too cute...you are very creative :0) Thanks for sharing this adorable giveaway!!!!
Congrats to my winner!
Please send me an email within 48 hours to claim your prize, and comment on this post!
Melanie
My daughter had just turned five months old a few days before. I forgot about this video since it was in a different folder than all the others. Takes me back, almost two years ago now. Thank God for video recorders. Such a wonderful way to remember things!
Momdot is holding another spectacular contest! Winner will receive a $500 gift card to pearl girl tags jewelry. Go check it out and tell them about the most special time you've had with your loved one!
Melanie
Cynthia over at Confessions of a Yummy Mummy was expecting her son, Aiden in a couple of weeks. She had a Dr. appointment this morning that revealed the baby had been born into heaven, apparently from a cord injury.
The baby was big and she had to have a C section. I have no way to relate to her loss but, I can, we all can say some prayers for her today on behalf of her loss. She needs to feel the Lord with her during this time.
Melanie
Just about everyone knows that in winter our skin has a tendency to be dry, cracked, irritated, just plain rough! Here in AZ, we don't have the bitter cold to contend with like a lot of other states but, we do have DRY!
My daughter has mild eczema right now and I get terribly dry skin in the winter. I asked the skin MD company to send me a sample of their natural skin care lotion, because I had heard about it and wanted to try it out. I received my sample a few days ago and am already enjoying the benefits!
I put it on right away because I wanted to see how it felt. There is no colorant and are no perfumes. The lotion has the faintest, familiar scent of your other sunscreen related products. Immediately, my skin was soothed and that was a great feeling! I checked the ingredients on the back and the second ingredient was aloe. An awesome and quality ingredient!
The lotion is not super thick or greasy, goes on easily and rubs in relatively quickly. It contains an SPF 15, which makes it a perfect everyday lotion, especially for us out here in the desert. This lotion is also recommended for those who have eczema, psoriasis, and people that have dry, itchy skin from thyroid problems as well.
Overall, with the quality ingredients and lack of colorants and perfumes, this is a wonderful skin care product! It may take a few days for you to notice significant improvements, but you will see them!
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