Why, Hello Tuesday

So, maybe I am enjoying my break from the school business a little too much. I go back Monday! I just have to keep telling myself 2 more years. 2 more years! 2 more years? What the heck am i going to do with  my free time after that? How am I going to make more time for that? Those are just some of the ramblings going on in my head this week about it. School really isn't my thing. Yes, I like to learn, but so far I have been disappointed because I just don't feel I learned anything I didn't already know. Just like any difficult girl, I want to learn what I want to learn, not what I HAVE to learn!

I'm going to get off that soapbox for now. So far it has been a really good week. If you follow me on facebook and twitter, then you know that my sweet, innocent, baby bear received her first grounding, and yesterday was the best Monday ever! The grounding went. She completely understood it, and she also did not like it one bit. It really broke my heart to have to ground her for a weekend, but I knew as long as I stuck to my guns, and by the rules set, she would learn and understand, and hopefully not have another note sent home again.(I won't lie, the note made me giggle a little) Kids will be kids. I love her so much and just always want to steer her in the right direction with the right amount of standing my ground.

Can you believe Halloween is already almost here? I cannot. Where has this year gone? If you follow me on other social media outlets, you would have seen my plea, and desperate inquiry on a popular costume, in a not so popular color! I cannot wait to share with all of you, and introduce you to who saved the day! Please, please pray it does not rain Thursday evening! The forecast is calling for it.

Oh, and you can bet that we have already pulled our Christmas boxes out. I have a feeling Christmas will be going up this weekend. I usually wait until after Thanksgiving, or the week of. Last year, we were going to be out of town, so we got it done early and I loved it. Baby Bear wanted it up last weekend!

When do you put your Christmas out?

Calling all College Students and Parents

Can I have your attention, please?!


In honor of me just finishing up this set of classes, and my degree, (so stoked) I would like to shed some light on how you, too, can save money while going to college, and putting your kids through it as well. Books alone could potentially cost you a small fortune while attending Universities and Community Colleges. I am here to inform you of a much simpler way to go about obtaining school books for a fraction of the price!

I would like to introduce you to Campus Book Rentals. These guy are a total lifesaver. Not sure how it works, or what it is? Instead of purchasing your books, you can rent them for a fraction of the price. (40-90% off of bookstore prices) I know, I know, that's a percentage, not a fraction. Their low prices and flexible renting periods are stellar. The shipping of these books is free, BOTH ways, and they even offer rental extensions! You can highlight in these textbooks like they were your own, and not be charged, and there is not a membership fee. The ease of knowing you do not have to buy books knowing you will probably never open again, was enough for me to be sold. Have you already purchased books, and are you thinking of selling them back? Don't! There is also a rent back program. All you have to do is click the link, search for your current books you no longer need, and submit them your books, (again, free shipping). Every time your book is rented, YOU get paid! Pretty sweet deal for a college student or parents of a college student if you ask me! Who doesn't want to get money back in their pockets? That is what I call money well spent. You get next to nothing for selling back your books to the college or university, then they markup the prices for other students. Why not help another student out? It's for a good cause; someone else's education! Speaking of good causes...both of these donate to Operation Smile with each text book purchased.

Operation Smile is an international children's medical charity that heals children's smiles!
Every three minutes a child is born with a cleft. One in 10 of those children will die before their first birthday. The children who survive are often unable to eat, speak, socialize or smile. Some of these sweet babies are even shunned and rejected. Who could do that to a sweet innocent baby?! Anyway, that is where Operation Smile comes in. They offer free cleft surgeries around the world. With their professional medical staff, they even teach other professionals, in other countries how to perform these surgeries. This alone is enough for me to use Campus Book Rentals and the Rent Back Textbooks to obtain my textbooks for my future degree.

Weekend Recap!

This weekend we had us some firsts! Friday we had Little Bears' fall festival. She really had a great time seeing her old teachers, and she wants me to hire all of them to babysit her. That would be one heck of an expensive night out! She doesn't ask for much, does she?

She was finally able to get her face painted for the first time! She had never really been too interested in it until this past summer.

Saturday, we took Mr A, the former northerner, to PF Changs for lunch. He had never been, and wanted to see what it was all about. (I had an incident in the parking garage, but we won't talk about that). He liked it okay, but didn't think it was anything super spectacular. I absolutely love their hot and sour soup!

After that we headed to my parents' house, which Baby Bear calls Poppy and Nanny. We then went and saw Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs. It really is a must see. If you loved the first one, you will probably love this one even more. I loved the creativity!


Sunday, we completely took it easy. My lovely, and most favorite hairdresser came over and cut my hair. She is my heart, and nobody does it like she does. (more to come on this one)

After that, I called, politely, once more to have our AC fixed, and fixed right. Needless to say, as I am typing this, it is working. For how long this time? I have NO idea. We slept with the windows open last night. Thank goodness it was somewhat cool last night, but still sticky. It was fun getting ready this morning.

Oh, and I bought something I have not bought in several years; at least not since Baby Bear was born. That's at least 5 years!

Anyone that knows me, knows I am a complete Scentsy girl, but I just loved this scent, and I have not run into many fall scents they have that have met my taste. Amber Road is my go to fall scent for Scentsy, always, followed by Midnight Fig come December.




The best of all....I finished and turned in my very last assignment for my degree. Now on to the next one!

A Dazzling Giveaway From Rebekah @ Rebekah's Ramblings!

Have you met Rebekah? I just so happened to stumble upon her blog and immediately fell in love! You can find her here. We figured, with the holidays right around the corner, why not also introduce you to her fabulous items she sells in her etsy shop. She has made all of these great jewelry items and I absolutely love the flexibility of each piece. A company Christmas party? Dress it up with this beautiful statement necklace, and the earrings are a perfect touch do dazzle in jeans, or evening attire. And have you seen her coasters? I cannot wait to see what else she will create! In honor of Rebekah, we are willing to giveaway of these items I just spoke about!

 

View the earrings here.

View the coasters here.

 Rebekah from Rebekah's Ramblings

Danielle from A Writer in Love / Melissa from Two Miracles / Renee from Gettin' Fit & Fab

 Jess from DIY Bride / Tiffany from MySafeHavens /  Libby from Health Love & Fire 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Halloween Giveaway!

Hosted by:

 

and the fantastic Co-Hosts:

    

{Dawn from Dawn's Disaster ** Kera from Nugget on a Budget
Lanaya from R\47/aising Reagan ** Cathy from A Peek Into My Paradise ** Anna from Cuddlebug Cuties
Angel from Sew Crafty Angel ** Janine from Confessions of a Mommyaholic ** Katie from He Calls Me Grace
Click on our buttons to meet us!}

You know how "the thing" in blogging lately are CASH giveaways?  Well, how could we miss out on a fantastic way to make your day?  The eight of us have teamed up with a great group of bloggers to find TWO WINNERS for $200 PayPal CASH or $25 PayPal CASH!  To enter, please complete the tasks below.  Only the first entry is required, all others are optional.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please read the Terms & Conditions on the Rafflecopter.  This giveaway was compiled by Dawn's Disaster, Nugget on a Budget and Beanie Blogger Opportunities.  If you would like to participate in future giveaways with Beanie Blogger Opportunities, please sign up HERE for future notifications.

Here We Go Again

So..my weekend went by way too fast, what about yours? I will just say, I really wanted 2 more days of my weekend. Maybe a little more sleep, and more much needed R&R that I seem to not be getting lately.
I got home with my little one and her bff aka her cousin (my nephew) and my A/C was acting up again, so of course they come out once again and add more freon. BUT we don't have a leak?! 30 psi in 2 days, but AGAIN, there is NO LEAK?!!!! Whatever. I'm over it. I'm the stupid one. Our Little Bear woke up Friday night in so much pain, crying her little heart out. Her poor ear! I gave her ibuprofen and Mr A held her for a bit and she went to sleep. If she woke up again I fully planned on taking her to the ER. To my surprise she slept through the night, and woke up pretty cheery. I made my plans in getting her ready for urgent care to get her taken care of, and lo and behold, she claimed her ear didn't hurt when I told her, her cousin wasn't going with us. She went anyways, and she had an awful ear infection! A first for us. Now, strep, I am a pro with because she had it a lot, hence no more tonsils in that tiny mouth of hers!

My Monday started off pretty righteous. I mean, how could it not starting off with the best combo ever?!

My Tuesday.....Not so much. I was just minding my own business, yanno, getting ready for work and the day, straightening my curly cue hair of mine. I finished, turned my flat iron off, and got my Baby Bear ready. I kept smelling something burning every time I walked into my room, so I kept checking to make sure my flat iron was off and I didn't accidentally burn the counter (come on, it's me), and there was nothing, and it really was off, for the 5th time! I finally went to unplug it, and BAM

Mr A said the 1st pic did no justice, so he took this one for me

this totally happened. The loudest pop and biggest spark I had ever seen. I jumped, and I think I almost peed my pants! Thank God that wasn't my hand, and it didn't get me. Mr A had me turn the breaker off, then he came straight home from work to take a look at it and fix it. He was paranoid about a fire. He's been through a couple of those.

So now ladies, I need your help and opinions.....Do I go back to Chi, or do I give the Hana brand a whirl? I've seen a lot advertised on the Hana's for volumizing. I have curly, and I mean CURLY hair! I am just not sure. Which would you recommend?

I almost wish these places had a "try before you buy" but then I start thinking of all the creepy, germy things like lice, and decide better not, that's a horrible idea!.

Wacky Wednesday...More Like the Wednesday That Would Never End!

I am really trying to get my head in this game, but I am struggling this week. Struggling more than you will ever know. It has been a pretty hectic week so far. My heart has been completely broken for a friend of mine and her family. Knowing a friend is experiencing what was one of the hardest things you have had to face so far, is just crippling. I would never want that hurt or pain for anyone. I wish I could take it from them.

Baby Bear has been sick since Sunday evening, and today was her first day back to school, fever free. That means this Momma can go into work, right?

I should have taken the events of the morning as a sign, to just go curl up back in bed and forget about this day. BUT I didn't.

My car was broken into this morning. No windows were busted thank goodness. I just noticed the entire contents of my glove box and center console sitting in the driver seat. Then Baby Bear kept asking me what was taking so long and why we couldn't just get in the car and go. I had to make sure nobody was in it, and of course look around the best I could, to assess what had been taken. So far, I have noticed my GPS and charger, coins, lighters, and gum. Come on, gum?! Who does that? Oh, wait, someone with 0 respect, like the person(s) who rummaged through my effin' car, that's who! I didn't bother putting anything back in the glove box or console. I just dropped it on the floor board of the passenger seat and off we went.

Our office just went through a huge move. I got there, after having missed 2 days, with boxes everywhere. Many of these boxes not even mine. Thanks to the lovely HR department that is about as useless as wet toilet paper. I was locked out of our lovely accounting system until 12:30. I tried to get wire transfers done with internet that was about as fast as dial up. I was going full speed there! Oh, and I'm still sick, couldn't breathe from the fumes, and lastly, ending with a headache from hell, so all this girl wanted to do is go back to bed and pretend this day never happened.

There was a huge backup on the tollway on my way to get Baby Bear. Took me forever to get through that hot mess! My poor girl isn't feeling 100% either. That's the part that sometimes sucks being a working mom! But hey! Those bandits didn't steal the mint I had in my car! I gave that to my little bit to help with her cough until we got home. We get home and it's 80 degrees and climbing. Oh joy! It literally feels better outside than inside. Not to mention our lovely Basset Hound, Sunshine reeked of stale vomit. So, I'm officially crawling back in bed, and pretending this day never happened.

Someone blessed her bff with some bling this morning

Totally unrelated, but too cute nonetheless

A $100 Giveaway in Honor of BadluckJenn!

Bad Luck Jenn  1. The Best of Intentions  2. My Safe Havens 

 3. Alyssa Said Hi  4. I Have a Messy Bun  5. Beautifully Inspired  6. Em-provising  

7.  He Calls Me Grace  8.  The Florkens  9. Bubbly and Buttercream  10. Livin' on Sweet Tea  

11. JJ's Ways  12. My Better Half and Me  13.  Noor's Place  14. Getting Fit & Fab

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Battle of the Brands

You may remember my search battle for finding the perfect makeup for me, since my skin has changed so much with my current medications. I have some extremely sensitive skin. Clinique was an absolute no go. I have tried and tried again numerous times and it was breakout central! My favorite makeup of all time, left me years ago. So on to my search for something new, that didn't make me absolutely miserable!

I tried the Bare Minerals, but I really did not like the coverage, (or lack there of) that their foundation had to offer. I have freckles, and I now have redness due to my meds, so I needed a little more coverage, with the same gentleness.

I really think I have found my match. I am absolutely in love with this new product. It is completely hypoallergenic, and works well with my skin. No breakouts!

Let me introduce you to Stila. If you have not tried it, it is a MUST. It may be a little pricey, but a little really does go a long way!

The first item I tried was this foundation. I absolutely loved how lightweight, and how much coverage it gave. No breakouts, no cakey mess. Just smooth, even coverage. It retails at $44, but sooo worth it!

Stila stay all day foundation and concealer (fair)

I also bought their eyeliner since I have been in the market to find a new one because honestly, I am tired of the pencils!I love this stuff, and it stays in place. My pencils are a huge mess to clean off my eyes, but this is no fuss, no mess, when I am ready to remove it. It also stays all day long.

Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner (intense black)

I cannot wait to try these primers!

Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm

Stay All Day 10-in-1 HD Beauty Balm with SPF 30

Prime Pot Waterproof Eye Shadow Primer - Taffy

Medical Update

I have not been to a single doctor in a couple of months and it actually feels great! I swear, for almost a year, I was going to dozens of different appointments monthly. I am happy to say that I haven't really had a true flare up.

For those of you just joining, you can catch up on all of this by starting here, then here, and of course here

I have had days that I have been really sore, and I noticed I absolutely cannot miss a single dose of either the Humira or Methotrexate. One week, I was in so much pain, and I should have taken my methotrexate shot Friday, and this was Monday! I hate to admit it; the combination of the Humira and Methotrexate works so much better together than separate. I will also admit, that these injections don't really hold me over. A  day or two before it is time for me to take one or the other,  I am definitely feeling it. Humira is due tomorrow, and my joints are killing me. Mr A is still injecting the methotrexate, and if not for the most awesome coworker EVER, I wouldn't have anyone to do the Humira. She injects me with it every 2 weeks. I think she actually looks forward to it! Ha No, really she is the best, ever. I don't know what I would do without her!

I still have extreme fatigue with these medications, and it sucks. I really do not like being so gosh darn tired all the time.

On the plus side, since stopping the steroids, (prednisone) I have gone down an entire pant size. Thank goodness! Only a million more to go!