Sunday, July 11, 2010

oh, the questions......

Jacob has been asking lots of tough questions lately (FYI, I am not making these up!)...

Where would we live if our house burned down?
Do people still use swords in real life?
Would a blow dart kill you?
What does kidnapping really mean?
What do they do with kids?
Are those clouds rain clouds?
Would lightning break through our roof?
If there were a WWIII, would the bad guys bomb our house?
Are there guys around here that shoot kids?
Will that giant that David killed be resurrected too? (I answer: Yes.) Will he hurt me?
etc, etc, etc

Seriously! I don't know how to answer some of these questions. He appears to be emerging with paranoia big time! I don't know what to do about it. I try to be honest but careful in not scaring him to death. You know, tell the truth, but not say too much. I want him to be aware and prepared if something were to happen, but I don't want him completely insane with worry either. I also try to comfort him by explaining how important it is to live righteously, keep the commandments, and listen to the Spirit's promptings. When we do those things, we don't need to worry, because no matter what Heavenly Father loves us and we can be a family forever.

Am I doing this right? I'll tell you what... he has never hugged and told me and Jon how much he loves us so much. I love him to pieces too! Man, being a mom is tough stuff!

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Body Pains

What the (sorry) hell?! I just want to complain. My gut hurts tonight, and I have gained a few pounds over the last few months...on top of the 5 pounds I gained in the last year!! What is going on? I'm sure I could come up with a million guesses and excuses for this. Knee pain. Migraines. Back pain. Winter depression. Migraines. Pockets of laziness. That nasty little Pill. Migraines. More back pain. Blah blah blah.

Really though. Despite this last fiscal year of in and out at the gym (due to my excuse list above) I have been SO good and going to the gym in the last few months. I am working out hard. I am lifting hard and strong to gain all my strength back. AND I have challenged myself to a month of NO treats (aka ice cream, brownies, chocolate, candy, etc)! I haven't even cheated. I started on June 11th, and I am going until Jon's bday on July 10th. It hasn't been that hard for me. I actually enjoy this change in my life. AND for the last week I haven't had a soda. That's a big deal for me! I got the bleep scared out of me about that nasty little chemical called Aspartame, and I haven't had another one yet. I could drink a regular Pepsi, but yeah right! I am not wasting 500+ kcals in Pepsi! Who does that?!

Anywho, I guess I expected a miracle from cutting all forms of treats (and now soda) from my diet. I am seeing no miracles...just more pounds. What the?! I want to say it's the Pill. I am going to stop taking it and see if that helps me out a little. I took it once about 10 years ago, and a similar thing happened. I couldn't lose weight at all, no matter what. (The Pill makes me a little meaner too ;) So going off it better freakin help!

Grrrrrrr!

PS. I splurged with a Pina Colada Sobe tonight, and I think that is why my gut hurts. All that sugar my body isn't used to right now.

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Wax It Up!

I am somewhat obsessed with hair removal. I have been on a long quest of finding the perfect hair removal product. I have shaved with soap, shaved with gel, shaved with cream, waxed at a salon, waxed myself, and I have even used Nair (blah!). Shaving my legs, pits and arms seems to work just fine. But my lady business...that's its own problem! Probably because I have really really sensitive skin. Everything leaves me with itchy and unsightly bumps and rashes.

I came across this recipe on a blog I love to follow. It's a homemade sugaring recipe! I decided, "I am going to try that!" So I did. After waxing, I coupled it with my Lavender Essential Oil. It's so easy, cheap and natural. AND IT WORKS! And no bumps or rashes! And I have heard that because it's all-natural you aren't supposed to get ingrown hairs either (we'll see). To me, it's nothing short of a miracle. Sure, waxing my bikini line with any product hurts a bit, but it beats shaving!

Here's the recipe. Try it, and let me know if you love it too!

SUGAR WAX
2 cups sugar (any sugar, I used white)
¼ cup water
¼ cup lemon juice (fresh squeezed or bottled)

Place and mix these ingredients in a sauce pan on the stove over a medium high temperature. The mixture will begin to bubble and boil a little (make sure not to over boil). After about 5 minutes the mixture will at some point begin to change color. When it looks a golden brown (almost like honey) you will want to remove from stove and pour into a clean container for storing (one that can be reheated). You can also get a spoon-full of the sugar water and run it under cold water to make sure it is sticky and will slightly ball up to see if it is done. Others said that a candy thermometer reading 260° will indicated a done sugaring wax. Let it cool for an hour or two. To heat it up just stick it in the microwave for about 30 seconds until it is a honey like consistency. Check how hot it is before applying to skin. Remove with a muslin strip.
















A few pointers:
• I went by the guideline and cooked it until 260° F, and it seemed to be perfect. After it cooled, I heated it and went to work. Note...beware because it is HOT after 30 seconds in the microwave...don't burn your skin!
I bought muslin strips and sticks at Sally's Beauty Supply.
• Most waxes you tear against the skin, with this you tear with the skin. I think that is another reason it is gentle.
• There are so many reasons I loved this! And another one is because it is sugar based, the residue rinses off in warm water like a dream. I dripped some on the bathroom rug, and it came right out with a wet rag... try that with your other waxes!

When I was done I rubbed a drop of my Lavender Essential Oil on my skin. Lavender has incredible medicinal properties that sooth and calm irritated skin, rashes and burns. If you are interested in knowing how to get the best Lavender essential oil (and other oils too) out there, talk to me. I can hook you up!

So YAY! for sugar waxing and lavendar!

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

My Way of Going Green

I'm not completely into the "going green" concept. It doesn't mean I think it's poppycock, I just haven't had a personal reason yet to make it a complete part of my life. I recycle...that's something, right?! Well, I was inspired by a fellow blogger to sew my own shopping bags. This chic uses awesome fabrics. She has quite a modern style that I like. Anyway, I took her idea, and along with my mom we figured out a pattern and put it to the test.

This was the first one. I LOVE this fabric. The bag is so simple and nothing special, but the vibrant patterns and colors on the inside really make them fun.


















Then I made this one. I embellished a little with these super cute ruffles. This fabric is another favorite!


































This one's for my sister on Mother's Day (sorry sis to spoil the surprise - if you're reading this!!). She loves the jewel tones, and I thought she'd love this fabric. (Maybe I should note that I never make or pick out anything for anyone if I don't love it too. I can always find mutual connections ;) Anyway, I made this super cute flower for the front. My sister is such a girly-girl in so many ways, and I know this extra touch will be appreciated! Oh, and the best thing is that flower is SO easy to make...You don't even need a sewing machine!




































Well, I can't wait to go shopping now! I just need to decide whether or not to use them for grocery shopping...that thought kind of pains me. What do you think? I think the $1 reusable bags might be better for groceries, and save these for the more exciting shopping trips! Like buying fabric...

Thursday, April 22, 2010

School Wraps On Sale Now!

Am I allowed to promote my business on my own blog? I say, "Why not?!"

I thought these were too cute to not share. Teacher Appreciation Week is approaching (May 3-May 7), and the end of the school year upon us as well. These are a couple ideas on how to use my wraps to share with your childrens' teachers.


















Here I used a package of minis. I added a custom message with the teacher's name on it. Then I tied it with a ribbon and sewed on a button. We bet your teacher has never been given this before!















This is a large wrap over a Milk Chocolate Symphony Bar. I used a silver sharpie to have Jacob write his name on it!

CLICK HERE to visit the school page and order online.

Friday, April 9, 2010

GLEE!

So I don't watch a lot of TV. Hardly any really. I don't have cable, and I don't mind. For the most part I feel it a waste of time and energy. However, I do have a few shows I watch online. Vampire Diaries, Glee and I am embarrassed to admit 10 Things I Hate About You. iTunes just sent me a free download for a song in next week's all new episode of Glee. If you find Glee in iTunes you can find the free download called "Glee Sneak Peek."

I love this download!!! I love the character Rachel, and she is an awesome singer. I also love the All-American Rejects, so when she sings "Gives You Hell" I am stoked and dancing.



PS. How about them Vampire Diaries?!?!?

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Why do we need approval?

So today's phone conversation with hubby went something like this (PS This was at 5:45 this evening):

Hubs: What's for dinner
Me: I don't know
H: Me neither
Me: Hmmm (long pause)
H: What do you want me to say?
Me: (pause) I just want approval - even though I'm sucking
H: lol. Approval for what?!
Me: That I am still a good wife and mom
H: You're quite funny
Me: Really?!
H: lol. You're a good wife. It's just a phase.

I just have to say my least favorite question ever...is "what's for dinner?"