Back again so soon?

Hello again! It’s been a few years huh? I wish I could say the not much has changed but that would be the biggest lie I’ve ever told. Now, do I want to go into everything that has happened over the past twenty some odd months, not really, as I’m sure you really don’t care that much. But I guess I will highlight on a few things just to get all 5 of you, actually 4 if we don’t include my grandma, that might read this up to speed.

Let me start by saying I didn’t win the award since I’ve been away from writing, which is why the title still stands. Unfortunately for my children and I we have learned that not everyone we encounter, even people we let into our lives, are worthy of our trust. I now know that I let someone deceive me, and even some of my family members, into thinking that he was dependable enough to eventually become my husband. And even though I ended it when I did, it sure did not come without a multitude of consequences.

The first one being that we became homeless. My children and myself were forcibly removed from where we were living because the person who I thought was taking care of us was in fact not doing so at all. So the 3 of us were left with nowhere to go and almost nothing but the clothes on our backs. My first instinct was to call my mom, as I’m sure most people would, but that didn’t quite pan out. The next call went to my father, which although it was much harder to do, ended with better results.

In October of 2014 we moved into my dad’s house, partially because we had no where else to go, and because he was having knee replacement surgery and would need my help taking care of himself. Everything was going well, he had the surgery and was recovering quite nicely and I had found myself a job that I was really beginning to like. But there is a reason he is my father and unfortunately I am a lot like him. Around Christmas time we really started to butt heads particularly because he thought that I wasn’t doing enough. Enough of what I will never know. But because of that he said we had to go. So then I made another phone call to my mom and got us a new place to stay for a while.

Right after the new year we moved across town to my mother’s house where she and my younger bother live. Things were really looking up. I was promoted into a new department at work and was absolutely loving it. My oldest was in school and loving it. And my little one still got to spend time with grandpa when grandma (mema) had to work. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until one February day when I went to take her over to Grandpa’s house and noticed that something was not right as soon as I pulled in the driveway.

Now that you definitely want to know what happens next I’m going to make you wait. Trust me, it deserves it’s own post.

 

When it rains…

When it rains, it pours. That is how that saying usually goes, right? That is definitely how it has always gone for us. If something bad happens we get hit with twelve other bad things shortly after. But not this time…. This time we may have gotten very lucky.

A few weeks ago one of my two vehicles was stolen. And I say mine because both only have my name on the title, but the one that was taken was the one that my husband primarily drives. He went outside to leave for work one morning and discovered it was gone. Of course we made a police report and called our insurance right away but having liability only doesn’t help much, or at all, and more than two weeks later we still have not heard anything from the police as to the whereabouts of the vehicle. Granted I knew there was no way they were going to actually search for it but I thought maybe it would have been seen by an officer at some point by now. However, we did have the Snapshot device from Progressive in that vehicle so I was able to look up my policy and find the vehicle usage, miles traveled, the times the car was turned on and off and the speed but unfortunately there is no GPS so I can’t pinpoint a location. All we have is a 15 mile radius from our house to go off of. So car stolen=rain…then we were left waiting for the downpour.

Waiting for the shit to hit the fan, but instead something awesome happened. We got a new car! Well, not brand new of course, but 2008 new which is way newer than any other vehicle either of us has previously owned. I’m still not quite sure how we managed it, but we did. The sales place and people that we dealt with were amazing. We got an amazing deal and still got everything we needed in the car we got. I guess after this past shower I got a rainbow instead…now if only I knew where that f*cking pot of gold was that should have come with it. Anything incredible happen to you and your family lately?

Instructing the Unwilling: A Potty Update

She is a big girl now!

I can finally say now with 98% certainty that my baby is fully potty-trained!!! And I say only 98% because I still expect a few night time accidents but we have only had one in the past week so I think she is doing great. I will still keep some pull-ups for emergencies but she hasn’t had one on in almost a month. Now I am wondering how long it will be before she realizes she does not need to change her big girl panties 6 times a day… LOL

Chicken + Running – Head = ME!!!

This past week and a half has been insane. I have not even had time to sit and think about what to write about. I have been so busy preparing all my children’s used clothes and toys for an enormous consignment sale on top for working many more hours last week and this week. And then this morning happens…my husband gets ready to leave for work when he goes outside to discover that our car has been stolen. I am just at a loss as to what to do now. Of course I have called the police and my insurance company and made reports, but then what? Luckily we do have two vehicles, so we are not totally without but we really need two to function. He needs one to get to work while I need one to take the kids to school or the sitter or wherever they need to go that day. The only thing I know for sure is if they find out who did it I will be pressing charges.

Beauty Army August 2013

Beauty Army

I actually meant to review my newest subscription box weeks ago when I first got it but I was a little busy potty training and saving lives and whatnot. The thing that drew me to BA was that you can pick exactly what you want. Yes, it takes the surprise out of it but if you are picking then you know you are going to love what you get.

The box was set up beautifully!

Everything I wanted!

I had to get some of these since they are all the rage now. And I love that I got colorful ones because I am boring and I usually just use black.

Addiction NY Cosmetics creme eye liner in Jail bait – a dark rich shimmery purple

I have not tried it yet but you can never have too much eyeliner and the color is gorgeous.

Mark. by Avon Scanda-Lash Mascara. Haven’t tried this yet but I am a mascara junkie and I am always hunting for the perfect one.

Adonia Bronzing Organic Self-Tanner. It claims that it is no orange-no smell and that this tiny packet holds 3 applications…we shall see.

Cover FX Clear Prep Matte Foundation Primer & Anti-Acne Treatment Gel. I am going to try this later today and I’m hoping it helps because my skin has awful these past few weeks and I am trying everything!

Pida Exfoliating Gel. Another face product am I hoping can help my skin get out of it’s funk.

This was the one extra they threw in…and it looks delicious!

The tea bag is made for a pitcher and it is the ginger peach flavor and I will use it as soon as I can tear our only pitcher away my children’s juice addiction.

 

Out of the Ordinary

One of the most dangerous machines known to man…

Earlier this week I had taken the kids to get a few groceries and then to get something for lunch to take home. We had parked and as I was getting ready to get the first load out of the car I noticed that there was a truck parked in the middle of the road and it’s owner and two other men were picking up a motorcycle from the middle of the road and bringing it into the parking lot. This immediately grabbed my attention and after I got the kids inside I went out to the men and discovered some of what had happened and then examined the gentleman that had crashed his bike and had blood everywhere. My medical training kicked in and I ran (well, more like a jog but that’s faster than I ever move) back to my apartment and got some old wash cloths damp and a dry towel and ran back out to the injured man. I handed him the wet wash cloths and then tried to stabilize his neck while trying to put pressure and stop the bleeding of the huge gash on his forehead. When he started to say that he was dizzy I went into leader mode and ordered one of the other men to go grab the folding chair off my porch for him to sit in. A minute or two later EMS showed up and I stepped back while they did a few things. Before they put him on the stretcher he asked me to keep an eye out for his wife and tell her what happened and which hospital he was going to. When she came to the site I filled her in and told her which hospital.

This was a very exciting/out of the ordinary/scary day. I loved being able to put my training to use and take charge and be professional in a bad situation. It was exhilarating and I would love to do something like that every day which is why I would eventually like to return to school to be an RN. The medical assistant school was a huge waste of my time and money but what’s done is done and I will move on to something better after I get some of the student loans taken care of. That day taught me exactly what I want to do and why I will be great at it…and it taught me to never let my husband own a motorcycle HAHA.

Anything exciting/out of the ordinary/scary happen to you lately? Let me know.

If the Two’s are Terrible, Then What are the Three’s?

My baby girl is 3 now!

Although it makes me sad that she seems to be growing up so quickly, I am also amazed at the leaps and bounds she has made and I cannot wait for her to show me all the things she can do and learn. Despite her early entrance into the world she has not let anything stop her and I could not be more proud. Just within the last few weeks she has gotten down potty training and is doing amazing. For her birthday we got her a bike and I have no doubt that the first we take her outside to let her ride she will go and go and go.

She is ready to ride, and of course she can’t do it without her new pink sparkly cowgirl boots!

My daughter has always been much more high maintenance than my son was. My son was the easiest baby in the world and I got very lucky with him, but then I had my daughter and I was reminded that every baby is different and if I got lucky the first time the second time would suck ass. Her two’s were awful most of the time and the amount of attitude I got from this 25 lb. thing was astounding. So I had my tough couple of years and now it’s going to get easier…right?

 

Miracle Skin Transformer

As I have said before and I am a licensed cosmetologist and with that, for me anyway, I love just about anything to do with hair and makeup. I can do nails also but I don’t like to, mostly because they always turn out looking like my cat took a shit on them. When I say I love makeup I don’t mean the stuff you buy at Wal-mart, I’m talking about the high-end stores like Sephora, MAC, and half of Ulta. Some of it is just me being a bit of a diva, but even though the foundation I buy is over $40 is lasts me for six months, it has amazing coverage and it controls my semi-oily skin and I could never find all three of those in something from Wal-mart. And even though I like what I use now I am always on the lookout for something I can put on in two minutes for a lazy day when I just want to stay home but end up having to go out anyway.

So now to the point…I was up late one night and saw this infomercial for this tinted skin cream/balm that was supposed to do wonders. I really wasn’t paying too much attention until they said it was carried at Sephora. So of  course I thought I just had to try it since Sephora sells it. I went to the Sephora website to check it out, the price and the reviews. the reviews were all fairly positive but the price was almost $50 and I was not will to shell out that much and then hate it. I went to the actual product website and it was $40 but besides the face “transformer” you also got a concealer, a cleanser, a micro-exfoliant and an electric cleansing brush.

Inside the box I received yesterday.

The “brush”. Not sure if it’s the batteries I am using, the brush itself or a bit of both. Either way it sucks big time. Good thing it was just a “free gift”

This is it! The acclaimed “Miracle Skin Transformer”. I got it in light hoping it wouldn’t be too dark for my vampire flesh.

This is the cleanser. I did try it last night and it seemed really nice but I am hesitant to give up my Bioelements.

The Hydroactive Mico-exfoliant. I tried this list night also and I think I am going to love it. I will probably end up using this a few times a week like I do my mask.

The concealer seem to be ok. It blends well with my skin but doesn’t have as much coverage as I sometimes need in a concealer.

Since I decided I wanted to review this I made myself wait until this morning to try the cream and concealer. So First I washed my face this morning.

Freshly washed face, no makeup

And then I tried it out. Just one application to start with but it says that it is buildable to a higher level of coverage.

It was a slight improvement on my naked skin but just one layer did not do what they claimed it would on the commercial. Even though my skin looks the best that it has ever been right now I still have lots of scars from acne. I would like them to be concealed but without caking crap on my face, which is why instead of layering it like they said you could I just used it as a primer and put my normal makeup over it.

I have eyebrows again! LOL This is my normal look with very minimal eye makeup

Overall I give everything together a 6 out of 10. I will use the concealer and the cream on days when I work and get ready quickly and I will try layering to see if that makes a difference. The mirco-exfoliant may now be a part of my normal skin care regimen and I might buy it in the full size soon. The cleanser I will keep as a back up in case I run out of my good stuff.

I’ve been on this huge makeup hunting spree because I have a feeling that I will end up doing my hair and makeup myself for my wedding. Which doesn’t bother me at all since I know how but I just want to make sure I have the best products to get the job done. A huge one that will keep me searching for a while probably is lipstick. I am not a huge lipstick wearer, but I think it will be better than gloss for the big day. I was just browsing last time I went to Wal-mart and I found a matte lipstick that I wanted to try, thinking it might just be the perfect thing.

Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede in Flashing Lights

Kind of a pink/peach/coral shade

Not sure why my lips look so crooked here but anyway, the color is ok.

The color is good and I will use it but not for my wedding day. As far as the brand I love the way it feels and it doesn’t come off when you kiss someone or when you take a drink so I will definitely be sticking with this line as long as I can find a color that will be perfect for my wedding.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How a Spider (Almost) Ruined My Sex Life

This is what a life-ruiner looks like!

The other morning my husband and I wanted to enjoy a little time for ourselves quickly but we were thwarted. He went into the living to check on something and came back into the bedroom panicked and kept telling me to hurry up and come here. He showed me a spider about the size of a cue ball that was just chilling on the floor right next to his computer desk. My husband does not like spiders at all and has been known to run away screaming for me to kill it. I, on the other hand, do not have a problem with spiders if I they aren’t huge or if I know the species, but the one freaked me out almost as much as it did him. Eventually we killed it and we were able to continue our earlier “alone” time but I don’t know if it will ever be the same now…

 

 

Justified Guilt

I don’t often feel guilt, not because I’m always perfect but it’s just something I try to not feel because it’s kind of like eating oreos, you can never eat just one. I feel that if you let yourself feel guilty for something for too long you will be stuck with it. And it will weigh on you until you cannot handle it anymore. With holding on to the guilt also comes blame, anger, and many other emotions that are not conducive to living a happy life. So I don’t like to feel guilty mainly because I know how quickly it could be me down.

There is one instance though that I can never stop the guilt. I don’t ever dwell on it, except for now, but every time I am put in that situation I want to hide like I’m trying to hide from a serial killer in my home. My flight or fight instinct in these situations is to get the f#@k away as quickly as possible.  These situations never last too long but it is more than enough time to think about every possible escape route I have and have a panic attack  at an 8 on the “crazy person” scale of 1 to 10.

I’m sure I would be in a lot of trouble if I lived in a city too much bigger than my own because these detestable situations would increase tenfold. I guess I should come out and say it now for those of you who haven’t figured out what I am going on about. I can’t handle pulling up to an intersection where a homeless person is standing asking for money or food or whatever. It’s not that they disgust me, it’s that I’m disgusted in myself for never helping.

Today this happened and I had just been to pay our water bill and was going to pay another bill and that’s all the money I had. And when I saw this person standing there holding his cardboard sign I wanted to help so bad but I couldn’t. I couldn’t do it without cutting my own throat. I couldn’t do it because I had to pay that water bill or our water was going to be shut off.  I can’t subject my kids to that, but there I was subjecting this homeless man to the thing I could never let my child go through. I know I will never be able to help everyone, but I may never stop feeling guilty for every time I can’t.