So Over It

I really dislike buying products only to find out they don't work. Granted, not everything works on everybody but I've decided that I probably won't be buying anything if the skin care products reviews aren't very good. Not only can I not afford to waste things, I really haven't had the best luck with products lately and there are so many. Getting older has it's drawback too. There are so many things out there for a myriad of different conditions that I never know what to choose. I'm not OLD but I'm getting older so where do you really go from here? LOL It's all so much that I need to have something to guide me now.

The Makings of a Spy

I've always wanted to have security cameras around the house because you never know what will happen. We've had a few burglary outbreaks around here and they really would have come in handy when they happened.

On the other hand, DS has always been into those hidden security cameras that pose as something else. He's always wanted a clock that has a camera or one of those spy pens. LOL! I think they're really neat but I can't imagine what he'd do with them other than listen to our boring conversations. I looked into them once and it's amazing how many different ways cameras are hidden now! There are outlet covers, watches, and even a body heat activated thing that looks like a plug-in air freshener. Talk about cool! It almost makes me want to be a spy too LOL!

Consistant Cards

My mom has started on her Christmas Cards already and I think it's kind of funny. She does them every year but hardly sends any out. There are always a few people who seem to send them out the day after Thanksgiving and I can't believe how they've kept up with it every year. I almost wonder if they sit there and write them out during dinner. LOL It's nice to get them and see what people have done throughout the year but I never have nearly as much to say so I've never really done any. Maybe when I was little but that's about it. I'm glad computers have come around because I can just send one thing out to tons of people all at once now. It makes things so much easier.

Around We Go

It's been kinda like deja vu lately. DD's been watching all of the movies that her brother liked when he was little. She's really liking all of the old Thomas and Disney videos that we stored away. I can't wait to replace them all on DVD though. They take up so much room! It's weird to really sit and look at our collection of stuff because they're so big. I'm glad that Disney decided to do a DVD blu-ray combo though, it really saves money for me in the end in case things switch over again. Hopefully it doesn't anytime soon because we're just switching around for the first time as it is.

Early Christmas

It's pretty incredible how the stores want to try and push up the holiday shopping season so soon. I've already been thinking and planning what to get the kids for months. I know I really want to get DS an Asus laptop or netbook depending on what I can afford. He really could use his own computer now and it would be nice to not have everybody sharing just one. I have my own that I don't allow anyone on because I need it for work and for some reason every one that my stepdad touches dies. LOL I think he would really love it this Christmas if that's something he got to open.

It's All Over

I would assume that if you were to be able to benefit from an acne pill that you would have to have severe acne. I know this girl who breaks out everywhere and nothing has worked so she tried one of these things. So far she's clearing up really well but she still gets a little on her face. I guess I'd rather have that than have it all over the rest of my body too. It's only the beginning so this is definitely an improvement. I have heard of some people taking them for mild or really light acne, which I would think a cream or something would help with just the same. I guess it's best to talk to a doctor to see what the best treatment is for your body type.

The Biggest Loser

I'm kind of bummed that the Olympics happened when they did because I missed out on the whole season of the show. It's started up again but I always forget to watch it and don't like coming into a show like that if I missed the beginning.

I think out of all the shows on TV that are some form of competition or reality, that's the one show that I have respect for. These people are not only there to lose weight fast or win, they are there to learn, set an example, and become healthier. It's funny how that's the only show like that on TV. I would have thought that someone would have tried to implement the same idea into something else a long time ago.

Goal Board

I have one but I have to say that it doesn't help me a whole lot. People have sworn by them but for some reason every time I look up I just see stuff on the wall not something to aim towards.

I've promised to myself that I would have everything on it though and it's only a matter of time before I do I think. Some of the things on it are years away but I'll worry about that later and probably will replace things with others as I achieve them. One of the monetary ones is a trip to Disney. We haven't been there in years and now that DD is old enough she is asking to go. It would really be a let down to myself if I didn't make that happen next year. Plus I really want to go back too. LOL!

Stuff That Works

We have a history of bad skin in my family and my aunt was smart enough to take my cousin to a doctor to get her help. None of us have ever gone up until now. Her doctor put her on this regimen that really worked for her and now her skin looks great. It's a good thing that she went so young before her skin became scarred like the rest of us.

When they came out here they let DS try some of the cream she had been given because he had a case of acne that continued to get worse and there was nothing he could do about it. We tried everything and nothing happened. Once he used this cream he cleared up within days and it's been fine ever since. I'm not sure if it was epiduo or what but we have to get something like it just in case that ever happens again.

Retrospect

Now that I think about it a little more, I'm kind of considering joining my friend on the weight loss venture. After writing the last two posts I realized that although having the extra fat might help keep me warm, if I exercise and stuff a lot more my metabolism will do that just fine. Now all I have to do is eat better, move more, and find diet pills that really work so I can get a jump start on things before we start freezing over here. I think I'll be fine and hopefully thinner by the time winter's over.

Busy Day

I miss having lazy weekends and it's only the first week of preschool. I'm already figuring out that the three hours I have without DD are too short and I can't get as much work done as I'd like to. Saturday becomes my catch up day and Sunday ends up being errands and laundry. It's great. I know later today I'll be grocery shopping and picking up some presentation covers for DS as well as looking for a warmer sweater for DD. Ah the joys of parenting LOL! At least I can try to take short naps here and there, that's the upside.

Here Comes Fall

It's funny how I was just saying a little while ago that it was blazing hot still because now we're headed for a dramatic cool down and I doubt it will get that hot again. It's kind of sad, I don't care for winter at all. The whole thought stresses me out. There's the financial part with Christmas and the kids' birthdays just after, it's dark, and it's cold.

Then there's the heating bill. A few months ago there was a massive fire not far away pretty much wiping out a neighborhood. It was horrible to say the least but the effects are ongoing. This year they are saying that there won't be enough gas to heat homes when it starts to get really cold and they are dispursing what there is amongst companies unless that happens. I'm sure there's a whole lot I'm leaving out but that's the jist of it. There's totally going to be a mad rush on space heaters around here soon, thank goodness we already have some!

Obsessed with Weight

My friend has really been trying to lose weight but can't seem to keep it off and instead keeps putting it on. She's on a hunt for the best weight loss supplement now and it's kind of funny to watch her go. She's completely obsessed with all things health now and keeps throwing things at me like "did you know...?!" LOL! I've never really gained a whole lot and can maintain it pretty well but after I have a kid it's really hard to get it off. Years after I'll still be over weight until I move so much that I rarely sit in one day. It's like my body has to go into over drive to kick start.

HOT

Speaking of summer...this one seems to be going on forever! It's been another hot week this week and although we have a fan in the window it would be really nice to have another to help circulate the air. The problem is that there really isn't much room on the floor with DD being in it too so I thought that if we got one of those Casablanca ceiling fans it would be a good idea. That would really help keep the heat down up there because it gets SUPER icky if we don't turn the fan on early enough. Then it's really hard to sleep until it's cool again.

Summer Memory

One summer my best friend and I took up tennis. Of course neither of us were never taught exactly HOW to play so we spent most of our time running after the ball. LOL It was boring after a while so once we got bored we'd know that it was time to wind it down and we would go fast walk a mile before going home. I swear that was one of the best summers of my life because both of us lost a ton of weight. It was like having our own free weight loss program! Of course we ate properly and everything too. I miss her living here and wish we could do that again!

Try Cooking Something Creole

This guest post from Margaret Mills

Add a little flavor of the south to your dinner table tonight by trying a Creole recipe. Creole dishes are popular in the south. I love to watch the cooking channel on Directv from http://www.expertsatellite.com/ to get ideas about trying something new. Satellite television always has great cooking channel available that will show you different cuisines around the world. One great dish I like to serve on special occasions is Creole Chicken Gumbo. It is a hearty, filling, and savory meal that will serve a crowd.

Creole Chicken Gumbo

2 pounds of boneless-skinless chicken breasts

4 cups of chicken broth

1 pound of spicy smoked sausage, andouille

3 tablespoons of olive oil

1/2 cup of flour, all-purpose

1 can of okra

1 onion, chopped

3 stalks of celery, chopped

1 bell pepper, chopped

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1 can of diced tomatoes

1 cup of tomato juice

1 tablespoon of hot sauce

1/2 cup of shallots, sliced

2 bay leaves

1 teaspoon of salt

1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

1/2 teaspoon of hot sauce

1/2 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Directions:

1. Boil the chicken in the broth.

2. Remove the chicken and save the stock.

3. Allow the chicken to cool and then chop into small one inch pieces.

4. In a large skillet, brown the sausage over medium heat.

5. Remove the sausage and add it to the bowl of chicken.

6. Add the olive oil to the grease from the sausage and add the flour. You will begin making a roux.

7. Stir constantly the flour over medium heat and allow it to brown. Careful not to burn because the dish will have a scorched taste.

8. When the flour has a rich brown color, the color of a dirty copper penny, add the can of okra along with it's juice, onion, garlic, celery, and bell pepper. Transfer to a deep pot.

9. Pour in the chicken stock and stir well to combine the ingredients.

10. Add the undrained tomatoes, tomato juice, shallots, bay leaves, salt, cayenne pepper, hot sauce, black pepper and bring this mixture to a high boil and then reduce the heat. Simmer for 45 minutes.

11. Add the chicken and sausage and cook for 10 minutes.

12. Serve in individual serving bowls over a scoop of hot cooked rice and enjoy!

Shopping Addict

DD LOVES the point of purchase displays when we go into stores. She's definitely a marketer's dream subject. The bright colors and pictures draw her in and the product (which is often a candy of some sort) is always appealing after that. It's hard to keep her away from them because I'm always scared she'll knock them over but it's fun seeing her get all giddy like the little girl she is. I almost can't wait until she gets an allowance to see where the money will go to. LOL