The old bod

You know I am not ashamed to say I have a few areas on the old bod that could use some um...mending. Namely, my tummy. After two kids, there is some saggy skin just hanging around, aimless searching for a place to go and ultimately turning up empty, planting itself firmly on my midsection. I just hate it. It still makes me look fat even though I have lost a significant amount of weight. I know that without any surgical intervention though, it will likely be permanent.

I am not vain but I truly do think that they way you look on the outside really does influence how you feel, and of course, your overall self esteem...heck, I'm only 32 and to me, that means I am in my prime. I am not ready to say, okay, looks are not everything. I know they are not, but the dog-gone truth is, they help. I don't seen any problems either investing in a little plastic surgery.

Having said that though, I would make sure though that the place I chose to have any modifications done would be reputable and have available a comprehensive array of surgical and non-surgical solutions. Sometimes you don't need to go under the knife completely. Boston Plastic Surgery is one place that is known for their use of cutting-edge techniques that produce exceptional result. In this day and age you have to be sure to get as much information as you can about where you are going.

Oh, I want it!

I so want one of these, a flip video camcorder. Check out this contest over at A Daycare Life. It is almost over, so hurry up quick, get over there.

Protect it...now

The other day my friend was telling me how she basically lost everything on her computer. And worst of all, she was not backed up. Everything gone, just like that. Resumes, financial information, emails, photos...memories, details. All of it. I would have a friggin heart attack. My computer is like my 3rd arm. I need it. I can't live without it. It has everything and more that I need. I should worship the darned thing every night and kiss it gently to make sure it knows I appreciate it more than chocolate covered dried apricots (well, maybe not).

Seriously people...if you do not have antivirus protection on your computer, you are just dang-gone crazy. In a world where you can even get a Free Antivirus Download with a snap of your fingers...why the heck not? Really, how much time could it possibly take when it means protecting your computer.

There are tons of programs out there to help, like CyberDefender...they are the ones that currently have patent pending early detection technology. It can protect computer in "real time" against new malware attacks including; spyware, virus, phishing and identity theft attacks. Nowadays, you just don't have to play around. You need to do it and then you will not be caught in a bind...or what I would call an all-out catastrophe.

Potty mouth coming on

Lately my son has become so totally absorbed by using words like "butt" and "darn it" and "shut it" (versus shut up)...I mean I am usually proud of him when he expands his vocabulary and at least uses words in the right context but this is getting out of hand.

I tell him not to say them but he just thinks that that is even MORE a reason to go around blabbing it. I am so worried what he must be saying in school. I have no idea how to take some of the "mystic" out of him saying things like that. It seems the more I tell him not to, the more he WANTS to.

A basket of yum

When it comes to giving a gift, I am all about baskets these days. They are easy, pretty, and all set to go. Myself, I just love hearing being presented with a gorgeous handmade basket. Awww, I jsut get all tingly thinking about it. Baskets have a way of making me feel loved, special and a little bit spoiled. These days there are tons of different kinds of gift baskets: Chocolate Gift Baskets, Nut Gift Baskets, even Dried Fruit Gift Baskets. I am loving the ones over at Bella Viva Orchards. I am just drooling over the chocolate covered dried fruit ones. What a combination...more please! These are not your ordinary, run of the mill baskets here. No. no.

Bella Viva also has pretty darned good prices. They beat out Harry and David any day. I think because they are able to produce the fruit and nuts right here on their farm, they can give a pretty good deal. My mouth is totally watering for some dried apricots right now. When I was dieting, they were an excellent snack. I didn't feel deprived at all snacking on those babies.

Marketing mumbo

As I sit here with my white whine... slurp and my mess of paperwork around me, I contemplate how much I have been bombarded by ads. Here lies the new Sprint brochure on my desk, splashed with images of the new "Instinct" and words like "New. Now. Wow."--- what, bow-wow? Then I look over and see the Fedex box plopped on the floor, blinging the phrase "The World on Time." I see my phone taunting "Power Max" and my home magazine here shouting, "Amazing Decks," Hague water...Feel, See, Taste the Difference," use a darned awning because you will "Save up to 25% on Energy Costs!"

For goodness sakes, these marketing people must stress every night over a new tagline. Aren't they all used up at this point? I mean everywhere you look, everything is great. Everything is super, everything is the best, the highest, the toughtest, the strongest, the newest, the easiest, the most innovative, the most novel, the best customer service...the list goes on. I know that it is a competitive world out there and products have to do what it takes to stand out. I say, skip the stupid taglines and go with a cool ad. Go with something as memorable as possible. Be clever. Don't just say it, show it. Or even better, get tons of people to refer it. Send out a thousand samples and let the word of mouth do it's magic. At the end of the day, that is the most powerful thing.

Sounds good to me

Have you ever heard of Wilmington North Carolina? Right near the beach...has cool annual events such as Riverfest and the Azalea Festival, and numerous championship golf courses. They have activities like fossil hunts, Kayak tours, Jazz in the park, and even lunch on a battleship. The beaches are just so beautiful. Maybe I ought to check out some Wilmington NC real estate. My town looks kind of lame next to theirs.

Oooh, a girlie contest: sign me up!

I'd try this!

And I really wanted a fence

A few months ago, I was looking to get a fence for our backyard. Having two little ones, I am just tired of worrying about them running into the street behind our yard. We have a tree border but that still can't stop them from booking into the street, should they be so inclined.

I called about a billion places for fence installation and it seemed like everybody was just so booked up. What the heck? Maybe I waited too long. Finally when I got a couple guys to come out and give me quotes and they were fortune. The mark up is huge! I was like, heck, maybe I should do it myself. Yeah, right, can you imagine. I guess the "recession" hasn't really affected the old fence market. I wonder why the surge...

Anyway, looks like I will be spending the rest of the summer chasing them. $8K is just a little out of my budget (and no, my yard is not that big). Maybe if I continue to search around, I can find something more reasonable.

Don't rub off on me

I have been thinking about sociology a lot lately. I think that was really my calling. Who knows why I decided to get into hairdressing, no, I mean the medical field. Really, I love people watching, love it! I could sit anywhere and just watch how people walk, talk, dress. I love it when I catch a tense moment between two people. You can just see the body language, even if you can't hear them, saying that they are having a rough conversation. People are so darned stressed nowadays...an edge about them. It is terrible.

Last week I was at a client meeting and a man walked out and he just had this look of pained, all out stress on his face. Why are we doing this to ourselves? Who is creating all this darned stress. Like the world is going to end if that report is not out by this time or the ads are not changed by that time. And it is always like, "had to be done yesterday." That fast. As if technology hasn't already allowed us to make things efficient and way more fast than ever imagined fifty years ago.

I think people's attitudes need to stop rubbing off on one another...or at least only the negative ones. We have to find a way to improve interaction...to keep ourselves level even if someone else can't control themselves.

Foreclosures can make you money

I know there are a lot of ways out there to make money but a lot of people don't know, there are easy ways to make money. Of course it all takes some investing but if you are into real estate, you should really check out real estate foreclosures.

I found a great site that it is a huge resource on Foreclosures if you are considering tapping into this market. You can register to the site and get updated listings of all the recently foreclosed homes. It will give you the edge when searching. You will get lists on pre-foreclosed and post-foreclosed homes. Even bank owned homes, commercial, rental and residential homes. They also offer great customer support and plenty of information on the legal process involved.

As with anything, there are risks, so make sure you ask lots of questions and get down to the nitty gritty. Don't leave any stones unturned and stay on top of the game. There is really a lot of potential to looking into foreclosed homes. I have a friend who does it, and he makes quite a chunk of change. This site may help save you lots of time and help you find a house that is with in your budget quicker.

Marijuana Use

I have a feeling a few people are going to be excited about this...

Legislators aim to snuff out penalties for pot use

Basically, they are looking to end federal penalties for Americans carrying fewer than 100 grams, almost a quarter-pound, of the marijuana. Since marijuana arrests outnumber arrests for "all violent crimes combined," this would cut out the overwhelming amount of time that police are chasing nonviolent criminals. I have to say, I agree....please spend more time working on violent ones. That will make me sleep better at night than knowing you jailed up someone who was just smoking a little pot in their living room while watching Spongebob.

No winging it here

I have been so in the mood to try some new foods. I just wish I was a better cook, one that can just throw things together. But unless you want to spit your food out, you don't want me to do that. I have to follow a recipe. I just can't wing it. At least nowadays, getting interesting new recipes is so easy. Just type in any kind of food, any...and boom, you will find lots of great recipes. I love it. Now I don't have to choke anyone with my (lack of) creativity.

Spruce it up!

I feel like our family room needs some sprucing up. My couches are old, bland, there are blankets everywhere...there is no flare! No real glam....maybe I could use some digital signage. Seriously, one that automatically changes every so often. You know, in case you get board of the picture. Since I can never decide on good art anyway, that would be a plus. That's what I need to spruce the place up. That and maybe new carpet...

Hottie alert

Isn't he a hottie.
American Gladiators, baby.

Making things easier

Lately, I have been trying to figure how to make doing my work more efficient. I do a lot of freelance too and sometimes I get myself so over-booked, and I am trying to do a million things at one time.

I know I need to work smarter, not harder, but sometimes I just don't have the time to even adjust my process so make it more efficient. I think I just need to invest in some easier ways of doing things, especially managing my files. I don't have time to make CDs or struggle when I am on the go. I need to invest in some memory cards that will let me take my work with me quickly from place to place. After that, I need to get myself into the habit of using them and keeping things organized!

Going to see Batman?

Well, it's finally here and everybody wants to go see the late Heath in the most disgusting Joker getup. He does pull off creepiness pretty well.

Per the reports, the movie has been considered to have the best opening weekend ever and has already brought in a cool $155.34 million. Wow! I can't wait to go see it. Christian Bale is real hottie.

"A Warner Bros. executive says the Batman sequel "The Dark Knight" has taken in $155.34 million to top "Spider-Man 3" for best opening weekend ever at the box office. Studio distribution chief Dan Fellman says "The Dark Knight" also broke the "Spider-Man 3" record for best debut in IMAX large-screen theaters with $6.2 million."

Affordable Glasses!

What is this? Affordable eyeglasses!

I am so excited to hear about this Optical4less.com. Basically an online store to buy stylish prescription eyeglasses that are as low as $15 a pair. Wow! That blows me away. Now I know there is a huge mark up on glasses. I worked for an optometrist for 5 years. It was scary how much we marked them up. I know that was their bread and butter though because exam fees were mostly paid out by Medicare or out of pocket so they couldn't budge much there.

Glasses comes with frame, prescription lenses with anti-reflective coatings, UV coatings, cololrful stylish case, and microfibre cleaning cloth. You can even get bendable ones! I so need those with the kids around.

Knowledge is power

I love being on top of the latest info. Whether it be fashion, news, top diet pills, great recipes. I love knowing it all. The more info, the better! Knowledge is power. My newest thing is finding out about health. I totally am into finding out the best ways to keep yourself healthy, with the right nutrition, exercise, even spirituality. Goodness knows, how many people remember to take care of that side.

I am charged up to get out there and find the right thing to do. Starting my research now. I will definitely pass on all my good useful info!

Sick and tired of waiting

I am getting so tired of waiting for call backs...why does it take people so long to call you back! At least four people are due to be ringing my line. Contractors, babysitters.....urgh! What is wrong with these people, are they all on vacation???

Pick up the damn phone and call me people!

Oh no...thinking college

It is hard to believe how expensive college is these days. And then what about when my kids come of age...OMG, hopefully their 529 will help. My friend was talking about getting all her daughter's stuff for college soon, room decor, textbooks, the whole gamut. Its costing her a fortune. It really is going to break my budget, I know it. I don't know how people with 2 or 3 kids in college do it. Mine are only a 3 year difference so for at least a year, I will be poor, big time. I guess I better start pushing those sports and acadmic clubs...maybe one will be lucky enough to get a scholarship.

Taking a little risk

Some days I feel like doing something risky. It's funny how when you get older, you seem to lose that sense of risk-taking. The sense of crazy freedom to just do something wild. Maybe because I am not a laid back kind of gal who likes to hang on the back of used Harleys with a fast driving guy, helmet-free or go skydiving with adrenaline junkies. I am definitely too uptight for that nonsense though still... just once in awhile, I'd like to do something crazy. Maybe a little more crazy than trying out a new eye shadow or leaving dirty dishes in the sink (which I never do). What can I do? What is a little risky and crazy but not totally nuts for someone like me?

An unepected thank you

So last night my son is playing with his sister on the floor, tickling and rolling around on the floor. He turns to me and says, "thank you mom for giving me my sister."

Me heart melts...

To feel sexy again

I have been thinking, I'm in my thirties, aren't I supposed to be in my sexual peak? Having two kids though seems to have sucked away any ability to feel fun, flighty and well, just all out like a sexy diva. I do remember days when I actually donned a cute slinky skirt and went out dancing feeling like a sex goddess, now if I don't have any holes in my old flannel pajamas, I'm happy. How do I get that spark going again? And I am not talking about the spark between hubs and I...it doesn't take much for him. I am talking about feeling sexy myself.

What do you do to feel sexy?

Is it a nice bath, surrounded by candles?

Dressing up in something really risque, such as lacy garter belts or sexy body stockings?

What gets you feeling like a sultry queen in her lair?

Where are you...?

It's funny how people are finicky about one thing and care less about another.

For instance, their house has dirt, grime and cobwebs in every corner BUT, they freak out if they see a shoe on a chair or nit-pick about something being left on the floor in the middle of the room like a toy or article of clothing, everything HAS to be in it's place.

Another person may have clothes, toys and stuff strewn everywhere but would freak out if they had a cobweb on their lamp or a spec of grime on their bathroom floors.

What makes people so picky or particular or should I say sort of hypocritical? Why not just go all the way or not at all? Are you a clean OCD person or a messy slob? Or, if you are in the middle are you the first person or more like the second?