It's Where the Heart is, and where I really wish the rest of my body was too.....

Home...

...this is where I wish I were today.  

My work schedule was insane this week.  The girl who does scheduling is amazing and has a very difficult job, but I really don't approve of her smoking crack before making MY schedule because OHMYGOD.  A 12 hour shift on Wednesday, 11 hour shifts Thursday and Friday, another 12 hour shift yesterday, and a light breezy 9 hour shift today.  Tomorrow is practically a vacation - a 6 hour shift.  Holy Exhaustion, Batman!  

BUT the rest of the week I have a very light schedule including two days off, and I'll be off next weekend. 

 Hallelujah!!

What are you doing this Sunday in your City?

Oh Hai Friends....

If you receive any 

STRANGE emails 

either ABOUT or appearing to be FROM me....

Please Let Me Know

so that I can forward them to the proper 

AUTHORITIES.

We got laws in this town!

Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!

You Won't Win.

 Regardless of the outcome, you will not win.

You won't win because I am an innately happy person.  I make the best of even really shitty situations.

You won't win because I have friends and family who love me unconditionally and support me.  Real friends.  Real love.  They know me, flaws and all, and love me anyway.

You won't win because I'll never, ever stoop to your level.

You won't win because you'll always be you, and I'll always be me.

Summer Silliness in Florida | Giveaway!

Summertime is usually a very fun time in Florida. It's so HOT that, to beat the heat, we usually spend any free time in the water, be it the beach, springs, or rivers. This summer has been a little less fun than normal, because we haven't been able to do all of the fun things we like to do, due to work, schedules, storms, and just general CRAP. But it's still important to keep up with our beauty routine, because even just running to the store, we may not wear a bikini (you're WELCOME!) but we do wear flip flops, shorts, and tank tops.
Oh, how I need a tan!

Anyhoo, my youngest daughter, Elayna, interviewed me about my summer beauty tips, and I wanted to share the silliness with you!

Elayna: Mom. You hate feet. Do you hate your own feet?
Me: Nope. I love MY feet. My feet are awesome. I hate everyone else's feet!

My Awesome Feet.

Elayna: Have you ever had a pedicure?
Me: I've had two. I'm not a huge fan. I do my own pedicures.

Elayna: What's the silliest thing you've ever done to try to make yourself look good?
Me: That would probably be the time I dyed my hair kool-aid red. The box said "Copper". I thought, Copper=Penny. A nice bright auburn, perhaps? Except for No. Not at all. KOOL-AID RED.
It wasn't pretty.

Beach Time!

Elayna: What summer beauty tips would you like to share with everyone?
Me: Keep your feet looking good. Nobody wants to see nasty, scaly heels and chipping toenail polish. And fortheloveofGod, shave your legs! And don't use a cheap razor that's going to cut them up; nobody wants to see that either. Use a great razor, like Venus Embrace. You'll get a close shave without slicing your skin to ribbons.
Also? A secret to silky legs is most definitely Satin Care Passionista Fruit Shave Gel!

Its infused with the sparkling scent of juicy, fresh fruit, leaves your skin soft and satiny smooth every time you shave. That stuff is the bomb DOT COM!

Elayna: Mom, stop saying that. Seriously.

Me: Also, you don't want to go to the beach with nicks and cuts on your legs. That.HURTS. That's why I love the smooth-glide Ribbon of Moisture that Venus Embrace has, and the 5 blades for a comfortable shave. It's great for first-time shavers.

Beach Girl!

Elayna: So Mom. WHEN are you going to take us to the beach??
Me: When we hit the lottery, maybe???

Check out the brand's Facebook page for more fun & informative info. They've also got some great tips for moms of first-time shavers over here.

Aaaand check out this awesome sweepstakes!!

"What's the best beauty tip you have shared with your daughter to prepare her for the summer or share your funniest beauty mishap for the chance to win a $50 gift card!”

Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 7/26 - 8/23.

Be sure to visit the Venus brand feature page on BlogHer.com where you can read other

bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

Have you checked out the Life Well Lived section of BlogHer.com? There are some great tips and expert posts on everything from Looking Your Best to Getting Happy and Getting Organized!

Wrinkles, Aging & Toning - Oh My! | Review & Giveaway

Introducing Dove^® VisibleCare^® Crème Body Wash. Built on the brand’s heritage in cleansing and caring for skin, Dove VisibleCare combines the best of Dove technology into a luxurious experience for beauty seekers. With the highest concentration of NutriumMoisture technology across the Dove portfolio, Dove VisibleCare Crème Body Wash actually improves the look of skin over time. Visit Dove^® VisibleCare^® to get a coupon for $1 off!



Dove has released a new, premium line of body wash products, and being a long-time fan of Dove products, I was excited to check them out.

 I tried the Dove Visible Care Toning Creme Body Wash. Because, I am not exactly a spring chicken, and I figured I need all the toning I can get. It's not like I'm going to get any at the gym I never go to! The Toning Creme helps promote skin's elasticity and strength. Yes, please! Seriously, this is really important as we age. We lose so much of our elasticity, so I was happy to find a product that helps to promote that.

Wrinkles much?? 

 And it really does work! It contains the highest concentration of Nutrium Moisture technology across the Dove portfolio. These body washes give you visibly more beautiful skin in just one week. And yes - they really do! And it feels amazingly soft, and the difference really is noticeable. Oh - and it smells amaaaazing! I love a body wash that has a really great fragrance.

I use a lot of Dove products in my beauty routine; deodorant, bar soap, lotion, shampoo and conditioner are just a few. I've trusted the brand for many years for both my own beauty routine and my family's. I'm happy to add this to my collection of Dove products that I'll be using regularly.

 It may sound surprising - visibly more beautiful skin from a body wash? But it's true. I'm pushing 40 so I know all about the need for toning, and I was very impressed with the results of Dove's new body wash. It's been increasingly challenging lately to find time to take care of my skin & other beauty needs. (my gray roots are OUT OF CONTROL at the moment!! Time to color STAT!!) So I appreciate that Dove has a product to make toning as easy as washing up in the shower.

 They also offer a renewing creme body wash and a softening creme body wash - both of which I look forward to trying out.


 And now it's time for the fun part!! Hello, PLEASE check this out - $500 Spafinder gift certificate?!?! TWO of them up for grabs?
Have you EVER had $500 with which to pamper yourself at a spa?  Because I have NOT so I am SO excited that TWO of my awesome readers are going to get such a fantastic prize. Good luck, amigos!


Enter to win one of two $500 Spafinder gift certificates!
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY
COMMENTS TO THIS POST ARE NOT SWEEPSTAKES ENTRIES. PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR ENTRY METHODS FOR THIS SWEEPSTAKES.
You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:
a) Follow this link, and provide your email address and your response to the Promotion prompt
b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that Tweet.
c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and then visit this link to provide your email address and the URL to that post.
This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. Winners will have 72 hours to claim the prize, or an alternative winner will be selected.
The Official Rules are available here.
This sweepstakes runs from 7/18/2012 - 8/22/2012
Be sure to visit the Dove^® VisibleCare™ Crème Body Wash brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

WWTK Wednesdays - The Noms Edition

I love me some Mamarazzi, she has so many fun blog memes and I enjoy it when I get to join in.


Crazymama went to the grocery store hungry and came back with these questions:

{1} walking down the cookie aisle at the store, what do you pick?
I truly enjoy the Snackwells vanilla sandwich cookies and they are probably my most frequent cookie purchase.  I also love EL Fudge and Oreos!!

{2} would you rather eat chips or crackers? which kind?
I am addicted to chips.  I love Baked Lay's Sour Cream & Onion, Baked Ruffles Cheddar & Sour Cream, and any kind of kettle cooked chips.  I am a SUCKER for chips & dip, I could live off of that!  But I do love cheese & crackers too.

{3} what kind of pickles do you like?

Claussen Kosher Dill Spears.  They are THE BOMB.  I looove them!  Dill only for me, I can't stand sweet pickles.
One of my ultimate comfort meals is a grilled cheese sandwich (2 Kraft Single slices) and a pickle.  YUMMMY!


{4} what is your favorite candy? 
anything that involves chocolate.  I really like the Skinny Cow Dreamy Clusters. Also Skittles - but only the red ones.  I know....I'm not well.  My kids always give me almost all of their red ones.  They love me!

{5} marycate @ http://marycateutah.blogspot.com wants to know about your beverage preference.
Coke....Or Pepsi? Diet Drinkers? 
Diet Dr Pepper.  It's a sick, sad addiction.  It is my crack.  Is there a 12-step program?  If I must, I will drink Diet Coke, but only in a dire emergency.

Visit the Lovely Ladies Below for more WWTK posts!

Hold On - We're Headed for a Better Life!

YAY It's time for a Happy List, and I have some Happy to, umm, LIST!  WOOHOO
~~~ I have some awesome bloggy friends, as y'all know.  One of them recently, got sick of hearing me whine knowing I was feeling down, offered to do something for me as a pick me up.  It's currently in the works and I am SO excited!  Hint: Watch. This. Spot!!!*UPDATE* If you're reading from your reader, CLICK YOUR BUTT OVER HERE!  It's done and OMG, looking at it takes me to my happy place.  It makes me feel calm & comforted.  Seriously, I LOVE this design!  Thank you thank you sweet friend, you are amazing!!!
~~~ My car was broken.  Now it's fixed.  For free!  HAPPY!!
~~~ I'm slowly getting the new house organized & decorated.  This is the part of moving that I actually like! 
~~~ I have a long weekend ahead and I have ordered sunny weather.  I WILL HAVE SUNNY WEATHER!!!  That is all.
~*~*~ Lots of Happy around here!  Hope you're feeling the Happy, too! ~*~*~*

Buggin' in my City

I do not know what kind of bug this is.

Except, a  

VERY

LARGE

 bug.

He's the size of my hand.  

For real.

He's also very vibrantly colored.

I think if I were a bug, I'd want to look like him.

Fierce.

P.S. I got home from working a 12-hour shift yesterday to find that someone had mowed my lawn!  

I don't even know who to thank, 

so I guess I'll just have to pay it forward.  

I love random acts of kindness!

Visit Unknown Mami for more Sundays in my City posts!

Things I've Learned This Week

Things I've Learned this Week:

1. Even the super-health-conscious know that it's criminal to waste bacon.

2. Utter morons will believe ANYthing they hear, no matter how ludicrous.  It's hilarious.

3. I have some great friends who will go out of their way to help me out and expect nothing at all in return.  And I love them!

4. If someone calls you determined to argue with you, and you agree with them, they will be so flustered that they will STILL argue with you - then hang up on you!  Again, hilarious.

5. I haven't dealt with real work place stress in a long time, but I've had some this week.  Some people think their way is the only way and anything else is not simply different but WRONG.  Fortunately for me, my employers know better.

6. Also, people think that sweet Southern girls don't have a backbone.  Things THEY learned this week: they are VERY wrong.

7.  It's okay to ask for, and accept, help.  I can't do it all myself, and that's okay too.

8. Lifelong Yankees CAN be converted to good old Southern cooking.  Shrimp & grits help this transition greatly.

Hope y'all have a great weekend!

Home Sweet Home

Excuse the quiet 'round here!  It's been a very busy week and weekend.


Among the normal insane busy-ness of my life, I had to fit a move into the middle of it all.
This is a VERY good thing, don't get me wrong!  I am incredibly happy to have found the perfect, little old house (my long-time friends may remember I LOVE old houses).  It's absolutely perfect for my life at this time.  


After a couple of crappy months of taking one step forward and then being shoved two or three steps back....this feels good.  

*Squee!!*  Isn't it adorable??

I can't wait to get it all decorated and personalized.

Home Sweet Home!