Buxom Lips Review

I've got a new review up at A Million Little Glosses- it's on Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips. Check it out and let me know what you think!

I Clean A Little, WC Un-Cleans A Little

So I'm in my bedroom, using the vacuum (my mom's old Electrolux, which rocks by the way) and WC runs off saying "Yikes!"

I just keep on vacuuming.

All of the sudden she runs in, saying "Toe!" and pointing to her toe. I think she's hurt her toe somehow, but she says, "Come on, Momma" and takes my hand, so I follow her.

Outside of my bedroom, I can see the pantry door open. On the other side of that open door I find........

I guess she got some corn flakes stuck on her toe. Now, that's a major problem that we certainly must deal with now!

3rd Place Again!

Yesterday my work had a chili luncheon (which I passed on by the way, and Mr. Sasha took me to Pei Wei instead- yum!) and of course we had a dessert contest.
Hoping to better my 3rd place showing from the last dessert contest, I made my Sopapilla Cheesecake and hoped for the best. I got 3rd place again, which is totally OK, and I chose Salt Grass Steakhouse for my $15 prize gift certification.
I must tell you that when Mr. Sasha and I came by to eat dessert after Pei Wei, I was accosted by no less than 8 people on my way in the door who asked me for the recipe and went on and on about how tasty it was! In fact, there was only a small portion of a corner left when we got there! And 1st place was still sitting there, with only 1 slice gone... I'm just sayin'.
So without further ado, here's the recipe:

• 2 packages cresent rolls
• 2 packages 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tbsp cinammon
• 1/2 stick butter melted
• 1 tsp vanilla

Mix cinnamon and 1/2 cup sugar. Set aside.
Press 1 can of cresent rolls into 9X13 glass pan sprayed w/ Pam.
Mix 1 cup sugar, vanilla, and cream cheese. Spread on top of rolls. Lay the other can of rolls onto the mixture.
Pour melted butter over rolls and sprinkle w/ cinammon sugar mixture.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

You Know What Sucks Dinosaur Eggs?

When your toddler has pink eye, and you have to take the eye drops to school so they can give them at noon, and you feel super-bad about that, and warn them, and tell them you are sorry a million times, because when you attempt to do the drops at home, it's harder than I imagine it is giving eye drops to a cat.
In fact, it's a two-person job, that involves one person imobilizing said child while the other works on prying the eyes open and hoping that one of the drops you toss in the general direction of her eyes will somehow make it in that little tiny slit you manage to make.
And then when you pick up your child, there's a note on their daily sheet that says, "The Wild Child did wonderful when we gave her the eyes drops today- she stood perfectly still and it was very easy!"
Shut. Up.

Oh Ya'll

One of my most favorite people evah just shared with me that she has a blog!

Ya'll head over and check her out. She's cool like us. You'll love her. She's Multi-Slacking Mamalicious.

March 2008 Glamour Cliff Notes

Are you as busy as I am, and just don't have the time to read your favorite magazines? Let me help you out with that. Why don't I do a little Cliff Notes version for you? I've been a Glamour subscriber for about 18 years, since I was about 16 I think. It's my most favorite mag ever, and last night I flipped through it while The Wild Child ate her hour-long dinner (seriously, she would sit at the table for longer than that if I let her).

So without further ado, notes from March 2008, in page order.

1. Clinique has a new product out called Even Better Skin Tone Corrector. I totally have to try this! (They don't appear to have this product on their website yet and there are no reviews at Makeup Alley either.)


2. Multiple contests to enter at www.glamour.com/contest.


3. New perfume by Tommy Hilfiger called Dreaming that is fab! I never wear fragrance because I have a weird thing about getting sick from smelling the same smell for any length of time, but I rubbed this one on my wrist and it's totally doable! Happy V day to me!


4. My bangs are totally in style- it's called the Birkin Bang. Evidentally, they are "sexy, brow-grazing bangs". Who knew?

So that's pretty much all you need to know. Unless you got lots of time on your hands and want to read the whole thing for yourself. Go for it.

Shoes

Now, what was I thinking, posting that I bought new shoes and not posting pics? I know you are a crazy shopping bunch, plus I'm pretty cool, and I imagine you want to be just like me. Kidding, but just in case you do want to see the adorable Tommy Hilfiger shoes I got at DSW for $20 each, here you go.

Aren't they precious??????

Purchase info on the web: I found them each for about $25 at http://www.shoebuy.com/, but WAIT!!!! Be sure and go through ebates to get 8% back, and good Lord, if you still haven't registered, my referral link is to the right and you can get a $10 bonus if you register and purchase by the 14th. Also, there is a 10% off code right now to use at shoebuy (code is SHOEBUY). Plus no tax and no shipping and free returns.

What are you waiting for? Tell your Mr. I am sorry.

Just Another Manic Monday

Poor Wild Child has a stomach virus, so we are tag-team parenting today. I'm at work this AM, but going home at noon so Mr. Sasha can go do some recruiting. Mr. Sasha just called because he is watching Regis and Kelly and WC was not a finalist. I told him I already knew that, but he was still holding out hope. He said 5 of the kids weren't all that and WC was definitely cuter than them.

Also, a little bit ago, WC managed to get ahold of Mr. Sasha's blackberry and not only called me on my cell, she also called my office number. Don't know how a 2 year old does that, but I may just have a technological guru on my hands.

I am planning a Sephora order in my head because there was a whole section devoted to lip stains in the new catalog I got Saturday, and I LOVE lip stains. I'll let you know what I decide.

Someone asked about DSW. It's a shoe warehouse that just opened it's first store in our state. Maybe Discount Shoe Warehouse? Don't know, but my three new flip flops are Tommy Hilfiger and cute.

Also, someone mentioned that it won't be flip flop weather where they are for a few months. See, here's the nutty thing about where I live. It can be 80 one day (Saturday) and then 24 the next (Sunday). Really. We were out in shorts on Saturday afternoon, and today we are going to get freezing rain (frain). So I should have quite a few flip flop days mixed in with my snow boot days.

I also just got an email that I won an ebay auction for some Croc Capris in khaki/pearl! Yay! I have the brown/pink and LOVE them. Mr. Sasha hates when I say I won an auction. He says you're not much of a winner if you have to pay someone....

So that's what up with me. How's things with you?

This Can Be The Wild Child's Uniform

and double as a warning to those that don't know her well.

My friend Elaine just sent me a link to this shirt at Old Navy, and I'm totally making the trip tomorrow to see if they have it. If not, I'm ordering online because I have to have it!

I made my first trip to DSW today and it's awesome! I got three pair of precious flip flops. It's fab weather here today and I am super ready for spring.

But you know it will totally be 32 one day this week.....

My Favorite Moisturizer

There's a new post up at A Million Little Glosses about my favorite moisturizer... check it out!

I Am Super Cool

and am now a contributor at A Million Little Glosses, a fab beauty blog run by my super-fab friend Traci Anne!

Go check it out- she put my nail routine on there today and she's got some great reviews of other beauty products too. And you know how I like to over-buy beauty products just to get to the free-shipping threshold, so you know there's more to come......

Finally Friday

Note from school yesterday: "The Wild Child had a rough day. She didn't want to take a nap. She also ran from her teachers."

'Bout time she spreads that around. I get tired of hearing how well she sleeps at school since I have to read 500 books, lay 5 babies, a bunny and a piggy in bed with her, cover her with three blankets, put her Dora house shoes back on her 9 times, pry quarters and other small objects from her paws, and do a jig just to get her to lay down. Go ahead, WC, shows those teachers the same love you show Momma.

Ya'll. I'm so pumped for the weekend! Lots of"nothing" to do. I'm planning on:

• painting my nails (both finger and toes)
• CVS-ing
• picking up the last of the FARs at Walgreen's
• running twice (Sat and Sun)
• picking up some paint samples for the bedroom (thanks for suggestions!)
• researching blinds for the bedroom
• having Mr. Sasha wash the Fan since I am deathly afraid of those automatic car washes that move you down the track
• cleaning out my pantry and throwing out anything with 2004-2007 expiration dates (scary, huh?)

Oh No, She Didn't

But oh, yes, she did.

Note from school:

One of the other children was picking on one of The Wild Child's friends today. We kept trying to keep the other child from being mean. The Wild Child decided she had seen enough. She tackled the child to the ground and bit them on the leg for picking on her friend. She then stood up and said "No! No!" to the child.

Wednesday Musings

Holy crap, I just about forgot what I was going to tell you. Thank goodness I had already saved my pics from the web, so I had those to jar my memory.

I am currently obsessed, thanks to another blogger, in changing out all my wall and switch plates with ones like the one above from Target. I did my bedroom already and they are so pretty! Now I need to order some faux wood blinds and paint and the room will be gorgeous. Did I tell you we've lived in our house for over 7 years and still have not repainted the mint green walls yet? We are super lazy about that kind of stuff.

So any deals on blinds? I've got four giant, practically floor-to-ceiling windows that currently have nasty metal blinds on them that I'll need to re-do. I also need to pick out a color to paint. I'm thinking a taupe or something light and neutral. I also will need somewhere to go for a weekend so I can let Mr. Sasha paint in peace since I would drive him crazy with my OCD-ness and we would certainly file for divorce after the experience. It's just best that I'm not there.
Oh- my new glasses came in yesterday and I love them! They are Coach Hilary in dark brown and I feel so hip and cool, although I know that glasses can't magically change the fact that I am pretty uncool and not very hip at all. Still, I've got a little spring in my step today and I think I'll wear them for a few days before I go back to my contacts.

Going to Taco Cabana for lunch, they have Pineapple Chipolte salsa again!!!!!! My friend and I stalk them and flip out whenever they have it on the salsa bar, which is a few times a year. We ask for a super big bowl because those little plastic cups just don't hold enough. I could drink it. Seriously. I like it more than margaritas.

By the way, Blogger's spell check hasn't been working for me for over a week. I hereby apolozige for any stupid misspellings- but it's just not my fault.

I Thought Regis Was Calling Me, I Swear

So last night about 6:20 my cell rang, and it never rings, so I figured it was important. I checked Caller ID and noticed it was a long distance number. I stopped breathing for a second.... could it be? Could The Wild Child be a finalist???? I answered, and a cheery, professional-sounding woman said, "Can I speak to Sosh-a XXXX?" Misprounounced, so I know she doesn't know me.

I'm thinking, holy shit, this is it! She got picked!

I'll be damned it if wasn't CVS. Which was still a fab call, because they totally hooked me up with some extra ECB since my receipt printed blank the other day during the sickness debacle, but I was still crestfallen.

It was almost like the time I was 8 and ice skating for the first time and watching this lady give some young girls lessons and they were just so pretty, and with my Dorothy Hamil haircut and all, I just knew I was destined for greatness on the ice.

And before I knew it, the lesson lady was skating my way- she had something to say to me!!! I was sure she was going to ask who in the world I was, where I'd been, and why wasn't I taking lessons, because I was olympic-bound!!!

Turns out, I needed to leave the ice because it was time to re-ice the damn rink.

That's the story of my life.

Required Watching Countdown: 2 1/2 hours to go

OK, so I mentioned it before, but get off the computer right now and go set your Tivo for Paradise Hotel 2. The first one was my absolutely favorite show ever and was on in summer 03, when I was on the couch on modified bedrest awaiting the arrival of The Politician.

Anyway, it's a Fox Reality show, but the first episode is on my local UPN affiliate at 8 central time tonight.

Watch it. Report back. I am pumped.

Ebates Double Bonus Offer

Ebates if having another Double Bonus Offer, good through Feb 14. Through www.ebates.com/doublebonusoffer/index.htm?id=26179778, you'll get $10 (and so will I!) instead of the normal $5. (My address for the email box is sasha2599 at yahoo dot com)

Now would be a great time to sign up if you haven't already- I've made over $285 since I started using ebates for my normal internet shopping.

Gotta Make Sure and Check My Answering Machine Today

in case Regis and Kelly call me.

From the Beautiful Baby Search webpage:

Potential semi-finalists will be notified by telephone during the week of February 4, 2008. Three (3) attempts will be made to contact the potential semi-finalists. If contact with potential semi-finalists is not made within three (3) days potential semi-finalist will be disqualified and an alternate will be selected, time permitting.

It's actually perfect timing, because I have a haircut scheduled for her tomorrow, so she'll look all fab for her appearance on their show next week. Wonder what we should wear?

Oh, Traci, if we get invited to NYC, let's meet up! Would you watch the kids so that Mr. Sasha and I can take in a show?

Tomorrow

I am getting a Sweetheart Blast for lunch.

Just figured I'd let everybody know.

It's just that good.

Steel Trap

So a few months ago, we started noticing that The Politician would come up with some random memory from forever ago that was spot on.

Like we gave him Gatorade, which we never buy, and he said "Oh, like I had when I went to Six Flags", which was 18 months ago.

And last week I was cutting a plum for The Wild Child and he said, "Momma, remember when you held me on the ground and tried to make me eat a plum?" Yes, I totally did this because I was so frustated that he wouldn't eat any fruit, and I am totally embarassed that I let myself do something so nutty, but, OMG this was over 2 years ago.

And today, he came up with this, which I transcribed since I was already at the computer:

The day that I went to the dentist and he said my teeth look good, then DD splashed her car through a lot of water, like 140 pounds of water, then she went to the place where they get air back into cars. The tow truck helped her. Then I bonked my head with a soccer ball when DD came to my house after her car was in water.

Holy shit ya'll, that actually happened, in that exact order, but last April.

I am freaking out a little.

Today I Had a Fitness Evaluation

done by my 4 1/2 year old.

I was telling him what a big boy he was, and he said, "I know, feel my muscle."

So I felt his bicep and he told me to make a muscle too. I did.

He felt of it and said, "Hmmm..... momma, yours is a little squishy."

Me

Just a reminder..... I'm not the Sonic girl below.

A Little Makeup Talk

Yesterday I went to Walgreens to take advantage of the FARs for February. You know about those, right? FAR=Free After Rebate. I normally pick up whatever is free, and if I have coupons, bonus, they pay me to take products out of their store! Plus, I always choose the gift card option, so I get an extra 10% too.

So yesterday I got a Fructis conditioner, Softsoap Spa Radiant Body Wash (the green one smells divine), Mennen Speed Stick 24/7 for Mr. Sasha, and Maybelline Volume XL Lip Plumper in a plum color.

Oh ya'll. Maybelline got it so wrong. Now, I've tried most of the plumpers and kind of like the tingling feeling they impart, although it doesn't usually last that long. I haven't found that they actually plump my lips all that much, but I'm not trying to be Angelina, so no big.

But this particular gloss doesn't make your lips tingle. No, it makes them numb. What the hell? It's almost like you rubbed Anbesol all over your lips, which by the way I have done, and it's a freaky feeling you don't want to repeat.

Seriously. Big company marketing execs, just check with me before you put out any new products. Cause if they suck, I'll be glad to let you know and save us all the hassle.

What I Want To Be When I Grow Up

So I don't know if I've ever told you, but about mid-way through college I decided I'd love to be a nail tech. Seriously, that's my dream job. Sadly, my dad seemed to think I needed to go ahead and finish college, seeing as how I was more than halfway through and had a full scholarship. But I still dream....

I've recently decided it's time to start painting my nails again! Now, you and I both know that I don't have a lot of free time. But I've found that if I follow this routine, I can paint them at 8 pm, go to sleep at 10, and not have any sheet marks at all. Plus, my mani will last 4-5 days with no chips- I usually just have to repaint because of new growth.

So without further ado, my nail routine:

1. Sally Hanson Instant Cuticle Remove. I apply this all around my nails, wait a bit (you can wait longer that it says), then use the thumbnail of my opposite hand to push back/scrape the cuticles. Works awesome.

2. Wash your hands and dry them well.

3. Orly Bonder. This is fab- takes any oily residue off your nails and gives your polish something to stick to.

4. Sally Hanson Nailgrowth Miracle in the gold bottle.

5. OPI polish (2 coats). In my non-professional opinion, the best polish there is. One of my faves is I'm Not Really a Waitress.

Or my all time fave, Chile O Caliente (discontinued, of course!)

6. Seche Vite top coat. I won't use any other top coat.

How cute is this????

Isn't that precious? Thanks to to The Cat's Pajamas for creating it! Snag away!

Several people have asked about my treadmill- we have a Reebok model that we got at Academy about 5 years ago for $800 or so. They said we needed one with a big horsepower since Mr. Sasha was pretty heavy. It has been a great treadmill and is still going strong.

C25K

Are you on the Couch to 5K Bandwagon? Post a comment with your blog address and I'll add a little C25K blogroll later today. Add the graphic to your blog too if you like! Again people, it's all about starting a revolution. I want a Wall Street Journal article about me and this phenomenon I started. (Yeah, yeah, I know I can't take credit for the plan itself, but I'll sure as hell take credit for the bazillion emails I've sent out about it!)

Edited to add: Does anybody want to create a C25K blinkie? Some runners don't have rugrats/hellions yet, and they certainly shouldn't be left out of the fun! If I knew how to do it, I'd be all over it!

Paging Super Nanny

You know when you see a family on Super Nanny and the kids are standing up in their chairs at the dinner table shouting "No!" at their mom-at-her-wits-end, and then they show the kids spitting on their parents, rolling around on the floor, taking off their clothes, screaming, crying for no reason, and generally doing things that make you say, "Wow, so glad that's not me"?
Well, that's me.
Now, I was thinking about it, and I'm not so sure I'm willing to go on TV for this child-behavior modification process. I really don't want everyone in the USA seeing my dirty-ass house and the fact that my kids eat food of the floor. And I thought about Wife Swap too, but someone might think Mr. Sasha is hot and not want to leave. So that won't work....
Do you think Nanny Jo or whatever her name is would do a phone consult? Really, I don't think it's me- I think anybody would have a difficult time with The Wild Child, although day care says she is an angel (when she's not biting her tasty little friends). If it's just the Terrible Twos, shit, I've got a long way to go since WC's birthday was just a few weeks ago.
So I'm pretty much open to whatever you got. Lay it on me- what am I doing wrong?????

Right or Wrong Decision?

I was just trying to decide whether to open WC's door to check on her. I put her down for a nap about 10 minutes ago and heard her saying "My diaper diaper" over the monitor. That could mean she was taking it off...

However, it appears that while I was deciding, she fell asleep, so if I go in there, I might wake her up, at which point she would surely think nap time was over, and I've got lots of plans for the next two hours (Bret Michaels and the treadmill are waiting for me as we speak).

I know I am risking having to launder pee pee sheets and blankets, but hell, I love laundry, and I love me time even more, so I think I'll just risk it.....

Saturday musings

I totally can't take credit for the new header. Well, I suppose I can since I spent two hours at work doing that instead of posting journal entries yesterday. The idea, though, came from Mandalynn who directed me to www.scrapblog.com which is my new favorite time-eater. I have grand plans for all these neat things I'd like to do with it, although you and I both know they won't happen since I can never get my shit together.

Also, OMG, I am beyond pumped about this blog. Since I occasionally have to do some actual work, and also feed and bathe and dress my kiddos, I miss out on a ton of BBC drama. This site is like Cliff Notes - BBC Drama for the busy! Love it love it love it! Plus they put me on their blogroll, so they obviously seem to be cool themselves.

Just went and checked out the whole Red Box thing and it is way cool. I wanted Superbad but settled for the new Bourne movie. Mr. Sasha is excited since that was his first choice anyway. Also went to Sam's and had the best time buying all kind of things I don't need in bulk. But you get in there, and 40 granola bars and 20 yogurts just seems like a great idea.

Laundry awaits (and you know I love laundry!!!!) I totally made The Wild Child change her clothes before nap so I could wash the hot mustard off her shirt and get another load of whites done. I should totally work for a cleaners.

Non-Event

Hmmm. Telling Mr. Sasha was pretty much a non-event. I left the room for a while and went back 30 minutes later to find him on ebay. So at least that's out of the way.

PSA: Do Not Try Pringles Select Szechuan BBQ flavor. I actually had to leave work and go home and brush my teeth to get the flavor out, and I still tasted it for 2 days. And my car smelled like it even though they were still sealed in their bag inside a Target sack. Not good. Seriously. Don't do it.

Today I am having Mamba chews for breakfast. Now there's a good snack food.

La La La La La La Tonight

Depending on what time I get home from a cookie baking extravaganza, tonight may be the night I tell Mr. Sasha about the blog. It's just gone on for too long and I'm starting to feel like I'm hiding something from him, which is a road I never want to go down.

Should he get so mad that he throws the computer out the window and you never hear from me again, Traci and Kate know all my personal info and what police station you'd need to call if you were worried. :-)

Makeup

I told Ashley that I would give her some info about my makeup, Everyday Minerals, and I thought I'd just stick it on here for all to see.

Anyway, my mother in law was using Bare Minerals and wanted me to try it, so she bought me the starter kit at Ulta last year. I loved the idea and was super excited.

Although I love the products, turns out I am not able to wear their foundation. It really causes me to itch, and I have since learned that it contains bismuth and some people are sensitive to that.

I also thought that the blush colors included in the kit (warmth and glee) were a bit dark for me. I did love the Mineral Veil.

Being a Bargain Momma, I frequent the BBC bargain board and read about Everyday Minerals, which costs a fraction of the price of BE. They even offer a sample kit with 3 foundations, one concealer, and one blush for about $4, which is for the shipping.

I was instantly hooked. Now, I still love some of the Bare Minerals products, I just can't wear their foundation.

So here's my EDM routine:

1. Apply EDM Tinted Silk Dust as a primer, using BE foundation brush from original kit
2. Apply EDM Golden Fair Matte foundation using BE's full flawless face brush.
3. Apply EDM Finishing Dust (identical to BE's Mineral Veil) with EDM powder brush
4. Apply blush (I have various blushes and I like BE and EDM equally)
5. Apply eye makeup (various- EDM and BE and Clinique)

So here's my suggestions:

Order a sample kit from the Custom Kits page. First decide what formula you want. I went with matte since I tend to have oily skin. Then, decide on the colors you want to try. This color guide is kinda hidden on their site, but I think it's very helpful. I'd been wearing Fawn, but I recently decided it was too yellow, so I switched to Golden Fair and it's a perfect match.

I don't use concealer, so I'm not much help on what to pick there. As for the blush, the sort of hidden blush color guide is helpful too. I like Plum Dust, Soft Touch, and Nick Nack.

Anyway, once you've figured out your shades, the kits are the way to go. You can get 6 full sized products (including brushes) for the insane price of $32. Crazy cheap!

Let me know if you have questions. I've ordered from them a million times and have always been happy. And at their prices, you can experiment.

Dear Dora,

There's something we need to chat about. To me, you ought to be a wholesome show, full of fun, lighthearted stories that kids can enjoy, and oh, bonus, learn some Spanish too!

But my Tivo has picked up some epis that don't quite fit that mold. What's up with "Dora and the Missing Babies" and "Dora and the Missing Puppies"? You are scaring the hell out of The Politician, and I'm even having to pre-screen your show because sometime the titles don't sufficiently warn me about the scary content. One epi had an innocent title, but when I looked at the description, there was "a mean man" so that had to be deleted too.

Just yesterday, P left the room in tears when the dog catcher was taking all the dogs in the missing puppies epi, and missing babies? Seriously? Are you guys running out of ideas?

Also, Swiper is a bit too menacing sometimes. Tone that down too while you're at it.

Your friend,

That Was Not Fun

Back from the Urgent Care Center, where I took WC after daycare called me at 10:15 am suspecting she had pink eye. I knew she had a pretty bad cold, but wasn't sure about the pink eye part.

So an hour and a half of chasing her around the waiting room (Don't touch that baby! Stay away from that trash can! Come back here!) I find out she does in fact have an eye infection (caused by the cold) and an ear infection to boot. Who knew? Seriously, how many other kids never get fevers???? (Jinxing it, I know.)

Just put her down for a nap because I got tired of her spitting on me because the eye drops royally pissed her off. Yeah, yeah, sucks to be 2.

Big Ole Messy Mess

So I pretty much let my kids have the run of the house (shut up, you do it too). I figure everything is pretty much child-proofed and we've even tethered their furniture to the walls in their room so it can't come crashing down on them. I think it's all because The Politician was pretty much a dream child. Not a climber, not an explorer, not too big into making messes.

But oh, my, have things changed.

If I just look away for 10 seconds, something like this happens.

The Wild Child opened up the pantry (hindsight: I should not have had Mr. Sasha WD-40 the pantry door hinges because now I can't hear when the pantry is opened), got out a relatively new box of Fruity Cheerios, made herself at home on the sofa inside a pop-up toy chest, and promptly emptied the entire box into the toy chest.

I will admit to putting the cereal back in the box to serve later. (You know you'd do that too.)

Yet Another Red-Light Food

Well, that settles it. I have to stop grocery shopping. Because I am super-good at finding new stuff to try, and these Cinnamon Sun Chips jumped in my cart last week. And I just ate half a bag. At one time. After getting off the treadmill.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

Did you ever eat at Taco Tico? They had these awesome Cinnamon Crispitos (or something like that- give me a break, it's been 20+ years since they closed) and these chips taste identical! Please don't get mad at me, but I need someone to share this sickness with me.

I'm so sorry.

Minivan Monograms

Several people have asked about the car monograms. Mine was made by a friend, but Clemsongirl said she purchased her here.

Get one and be cool like us!

The Box on the Front Porch

So yesterday when I got home, I saw that there was a box on the front porch. I thought maybe it was my shoe order from Target.

It was not.

It was a box with the words "Magic Circle" on the side in big letters, addressed to Mr. Sasha.

And the return address was from Stamina Products.

You can see where my mind went.

I was thinking, now, this isn't very discreet packaging. And also, if Mr. Sasha did order such products, should I be concerned that I didn't know about said product order?

Turns out it was a new electrical panel for his broken elliptical. Nutty packaging and store name, but I suppose no one ask me.

How Cool Am I?

The Fan (Family Van) is now suitably pimped out (and quite dirty from the recent snow). Thanks Kate! I asked Mr. Sasha if he wanted one for the Accord, and he said no thanks. Party pooper! I think I'm actually the first in my town to get one of these, so I am super-cool and everyone is going to want to be like me. Or else make fun of me, it's still a toss-up. But I don't care- I love it!

We also appear to let our kids drive tricycles around the house. Actually, this was right after Mr. Sasha got it put together a second time since I had to take it home because I found it on the playground not working properly. The kiddos were just giving it a test drive to make sure it was correctly assembled before we took it back to the school.

And also, I am raising a chocoholic. Maybe it's because I kept it away from her until age 2, but WC loves her some chocolate.

Alas, year-end journal entries await. Hope I can get it all done and be back to post soon!

Plea for More Time

Does anyone have an extra 4 hours a day lying around somewhere? I could really use it...

My laundry is piling up, I have been blindly paying my credit card bills with no regard to actually verifying the charges on there (so NOT CPA-like), my kids have had chicken nuggets from the freezer 5 night in a row for dinner, I have 5 million shirts in the Fan that need to go to the cleaners, we need milk, I need some more Afrin (shut up), and by God, I really just need some "me" time.

A new Sophie Kinsella book is coming out soon, so I've really got to figure this out soon. I can't tell you the last book I read that was not related to raising children or didn't contain colorful pictures.

Ideas seriously appreciated.

Damn Damn Damn

Just spoke with the secretary at our desired Kindergarten- they also have Pre-K there, but we were going to leave The Politician at his current school through Pre-K so that both kids would be at the same spot for another year.

However, it looks like we may have trouble getting a spot if we wait until Fall 09 to enter the school. She said they will fill up the Pre-K this year and then those kids will move up to K, so there won't be any added spots.... But we are definitely in for Pre-K if we want to take it....

I'm so torn. I don't have a back-up K plan. I won't be ready for public school and really wanted him to attend this private K. Hmmm... Mr. Sasha and I will have to discuss tonight.

Also, P vetoed karate last night. He had a rough day at school (didn't like the snack and didn't want to watch a movie) and was in generally a bad mood when I picked him up. I certainly wouldn't have been the night to teach him self defense moves, seeing as how he wasn't very agreeable to any of my instructions, and he certainly didn't need to know any methods of defending himself. Hopefully tonight will go better.

I Give Up

I'm finally on board with the ballet flats. I was totally against them because I thought it would make me look shorter, and since I'm barely 5'2", I wasn't really excited about that.

Two more broken toes later, I decided I don't care. I'm now all about them and considering wearing this style every day. I've decided they are fabulous.

Got the above shoes at Target- aren't they cute? I have them on today with khakis and a white long sleeved oxford. I feel quite fashionable.

I also picked these up at lunch there and think they will look cute with capris once it warms up for good. I might return them, because I'm not sure I love them yet. We shall see.

I am currently on target.com going crazy with these ballet flats because I desperately want these and it's free shipping over $50, and you know how I get about free shipping- by golly, I'll spend until I get there. It's a sickness.

Tonight Mr. Sasha is going to take The Politician to check out karate. (I always think of Ross and his kay-RAH-tay when I say that). His best bud, A, goes and loves it. Of course, her dad is a policeman, so I imagine he thinks it's a good idea for his precious little girl to learn how to protect herself.

At any rate, P didn't seem to excited about it last night, so who know how tonight will go. Mr. Sasha hasn't actually said it outright, but I think he thinks it's time to macho-ify P since he's developed an appreciation for lip balm and my Sugar hand lotion. In his defense, it does smell like lemonade, which is his most favorite beverage, but that fact is lost on Mr. Sasha and I've seen him wrinkle his nose quite a few times when P asks for hand lotion before bed.

I guess he'll just have the softest hands and lips at the martial arts studio. Nothing wrong with that, right?

If You Got an Email From Me About the C25K

and it ended with this line:

I think the duct tape is our next option! She is quite a rascally rabbit and I think that might be the solution! Glad to hear it works for you.

I'm sorry.

I should really try to slow down a little. In my haste to try to email the spreadsheet out quickly, I've been cutting and pasting from previous emails. So this little note that was supposed to go to one mom who commiserated on WC's undressing/peeing in bed, ended up going to who knows how many unsuspecting people.

So lest you think I am totally crazy (which I am by the way), that last sentence should not have been there!

Need for Speed

Friday night Mr. Sasha and I were in two separate cars on our way to a friend's house. The kids were with me. The Politician said, "Momma, can your turn on your speed? I wanna beat Daddy there."

And on the way home, I had to pull over because my little Houdini, The Wild Child, managed to get the plastic wrap off a bottle of bubbles and had poured the whole bottle on herself (and her Britax seat) and the wand was en route to her mouth.

Also, the Suzy Bogguss CD is getting put away today. P will be crushed, but I just cannot listen to "Two Step Round the Christmas Tree" any more. And I might put it away so well that it is not findable come November.....

I'm Tired Ya'll!

I got in a good run this morning and watched the Miss America reality show. I'm not sure what I think about it, but I suppose I'll keep watching.

This afternoon I managed to get out for a bit and do some shopping.

I can't believe how crazy I am going with the makeup these days- I swear I hardly wear any, but I just can't stop buying!

I got this Best Of Stila set at Ulta for $40. Awesome deal. I will report back later on each product. I know I'll love the eyeliner- I've used it before and it rocks.

Made a stop at Walgreen's to get in on their Loreal Skin Genesis deal. Buy a moisturizer, get the serum free. Plus, the products are normally on $25 and were on sale for $20, and I had a $5 coupon. So I got 2 products for $15. I love the way this stuff smells. This is my night routine right now.

I didn't find anything worth standing in line for at Old Navy, but I had a $20 Children's Place gift card burning a hold in my pocket, so I stopped in there and I got 2 pair of PJs for WC for next year, and a cute pink/white velour outfit for next year too.

A stop at the Gap where an awesome sale clerk let me use my expired birthday $15 off $60. She also broke up my order so that I could use a $10 reward card too. So two pair of very cool jeans, and it looks they have gotten on the bandwagon with vanity sizing, because I wore a size smaller than usual. I am totally cool with that, by the way. Totally fine with wearing a smaller size. No heartache at all there.

My best purchase, though was the $50 navy velvet dress I got for WC to wear next Christmas. After using a $10 Gymboree Visa reward and getting 5% off for using my card, I only paid $7! It is beautiful. Pic here, but seriously, it doesn't do it justice.

Tonight, one of my besties from absolutely the beginning of time (Hey Slim!) came over with her little girl for dinner and playing. One of my most favorite people in the world ever. MYM!

Hope you had a fun day too!

Couch to 5K Check In

How is everyone doing with the Couch to 5K? I am dying to know. Between here and the bargain board and my birth board, I bet I've emailed it out 100 times over the past two weeks.

Post a comment and let me know how it's going. Or if you have questions...

Edited: Oh- and feel free to snag the "Running Mom" graphic from above for your blog!

By George, I Think She Got It

Yesterday afternoon The Wild Child's teacher called my cell about 3:00.

Turns out she got bitten yesterday on the back during Spanish class. And it was a pretty bad bite and broke the skin, although it did not bleed.

I held my breath as she was telling me this story, sure that WC did something to retaliate.

But no, she just shook her finger at the biter and said "No biting Twos!!!!". It seems she also told everyone she came into contact with for the next hour that he had bitten her and he wasn't supposed to, because "No biting Twos!!!".

That's my girl.

Note to those with Comcast email addresses

I don't think Comcast likes Sasha. I sent out two copies of the running spreadsheet to two sweet girlies who requested it recently. And Comcast took their sweet time, and just now bounced them back to me.

So if that's you, please don't think I was ignoring you! I have replied to every single request (at least I think I have!).

Just send me a non-Comcast email address and I'll be sure and send it your way!

Tuesday night

Tuesday night was fun at the Sasha house. About a week ago, I had finally collected enough Pampers Points (400!) to order the Kettler Oceana tricycle for the school. It was delivered yesterday and Mr. Sasha sat down to put it together so I could take it in this morning. I laughed hysterically at the notation of "minimal parental assembly required" on the box, because it took Mr. Sasha over an hour. He spent quite a while trying to figure out how to release the swivel lock on the front wheel. I glanced at the instructions for about 2 seconds and pointed out to him the little black box on the front that serves as the release. Tee hee. It's a fab tricycle and The Politician was so proud to drive it into the school this AM.

The Wild Child insisted on sleeping in her new Cotton Candy Pink Crocs that her Mimi got her for her birthday. She was also clutching her Dora house shoes in one arm and my old Ironman watch in the other. Who knows?

Good deal alert: In the Smart Source insert from last Sunday (there were two, but in my area it's in the one with Champion Windows on the front) there is a coupon for $2.25 off a pack of Electrasol 3 in 1 Powerball Tabs or 2 in 1 Gelpacks or Dual Action Tabs. My Target has them on sale for $2.66 this week, making them only $0.41 each. If you run your dishwasher as much as I do, you'll love this deal. I have several coworkers who bring me their coupon inserts, and I get two papers each Sunday, so I'll be stocking up. Mr. Sasha calls it my Y2K stash.

One more thing-- my Coach earrings came in! They are so pretty and I've worn them the last two days. They hang down a little bit more than a huggie style would, but not so far that I look hooker-ish. Perfect!

Just Call Me Valerie Highsmith

That's a really obscure reference, but I think it was the name of the girl in an early 90s Martin Short movie who was really clumsy and generally unlucky. (Dude! I am totally right- I just imdb'd it and it was called Pure Luck.)

Anyway, I believe I broke two toes last night- two of the middle-ish ones on my right foot. Now, I have broken toes before, but I was drunk both times, and I am embarrassed to say I don't even have an excuse this time. Just misjudged the door frame. And it wasn't even in the dark. Good Lord.

Right now

The Politician is playing with his train table naked. He, of course, stripped his clothes off to go to the bathroom a bit ago, and can't be bothered to put them back on.

And I am waiting on The Wild Child to finally finish eating since she's been at the table for 45 minutes.

I am looking at a little gift catalog and just saw my new motto: "I used to care, but now I take a pill for that."

True that.

That was fun!

I just placed an order from Sephora, my most favorite online store ever.

I got Bare Essentuals Buxom Lips in

Candi, and

Brandi

Per Sephora: Naturally creates the look of fuller, more voluptuous lips. This mineral-infused polish imparts a luminous high shine with no sticky or tacky feeling. A deep infusion of antioxidant vitamins A and E help keep lips soft, smooth, and protected, while the tingly and cooling sensation reminds you that your lips are getting an immediate increase in fullness.

Per Sasha: I have this in Dominique (shimmery clear), and I lurve it. Tastes good, stays put, and makes my lips feel good.

NARS Lip Stain Gloss in Sayanora. Per Sephora: Soft shine and sheer color that lasts all day. Slightly less shiny than traditional glosses, each of these emollient shades gently stain the lips with a hint of color. Shades can be layered for added intensity. The reviews on Makeup Alley suggest dabbing a drop on your lip and applying with a lip brush or your finger. I'm excited to try this!

Dior Diorshow Mascara in Black. Per Sephora: Dior's cult-fave, super volumizing, lengthening, and curling mascara. And Traci gives it the highest recommendation (first on her Sephora list for me!), so I must try it.

Now, of course I went through Ebates, so I'll be getting 4% back. (My referral email address is sasha2599@yahoo.com.) And here is what I chose for my 3 free samples:

1. Samples - DKNY Be Delicious Body Lotion - 0.23 oz
2. Samples - Bare Escentuals bareVitamins Prime Time - 0.03 oz
3. Samples - Philosophy Hope In A Tube And Eye Believe - 2 x 0.067 oz

It also prompted me to choose a deluxe sample, so I chose: Deluxe Samples - Kinerase C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment - 0.25 oz.

And then I entered Kinerase in the Promotion Code field and got: A free deluxe sample of Kinerase Brightening Face serum, a brightening, anti-aging formula containing a luxurious pearl extract, which instantly leaves the skin with a luminous, glamorous finish, while supplies last.

I am just going to be beautiful! I have a friend who swears by the Kinerase products, so I am anxious to see what they are all about. If they make my skin look like Courteney Cox Arquette's, fine by me.

Friday Funny

So Friday I ran The Politician by the ped's office because I noticed his ears were almost glued shut with wax, and surely that's the reason he is acting like he doesn't hear me when I say it's time for bed.

The doc cleaned them out for us, and we had a good discussion on nutrition and she assured me that P wasn't going to waste away and she totally made me feel better about the whole "refusing to eat school food" thing. We also discussed chewable vitamins and she asked about WC's arm.

At the end, she said, "Well, is there anything else we need to talk about?"

Without missing a beat, P said, "Well, what about my Smarties?????"

The doc laughed and said, "Don't worry, I won't forget to give you Smarties on your way out."

On another note, I have had some awesome new commenters lately, and I can't wait to check out all your blogs and update my blogroll, and I swear that will happen soon. Well, maybe not soon looking at my to-do list for this week, but I promise it will happen!

Today

I have:

1. Heard The Wild Child saying "Naked Jaybird" over the monitor this AM and got scared that she was naked and had wet the bed
2. Said "Phew" when Mr. Sasha went to investigate and reported that she was fully clothed and dry
3. Ran 3 miles
4. Showered and got myself and The Politician dressed
5. Took The Politician by Wal-Mart to pick out a birthday gift for #6 because I am all about the procrastination this week
6. Took P to the birthday party at the local inflatable gym and gossiped with some fun parents. Also, had cake eating experience #1 of the day.
7. Came home and got some presents ready for a birthday party The Wild Child was going to this afternoon
8. Washed all of her bedding, including her bumper, because she de-clothed herself during nap today and wet the bed
9. Griped at Mr. Sasha because he dripped pee pee all through the house carrying the soaking wet bedding to the laundry room
10. Reluctantly took WC to a birthday party at an indoor splash pad, which turned out to be so much cooler than I thought, and we both had a fab time. Had cake eating experience #2 of the day.
11. Came home to find that Mr. Sasha did not transfer the bedding from the washer to the dryer (and was pissed off, duh!)
12. Was working on the that when I noticed WC was being quiet and so I went looking and found her in my bathroom rubbing her liquid soap all over her arms and legs, saying "Lotion"
13. Tossed her in the tub to wash off said soap and also chlorine smell
14. Put her bed back together
15. Texted a friend to see if she was still up for a pitcher of margs at Taco Cabana later tonight (She is! Yay!!!!!)
16. Came on here to tell you about my crazy day

Treadmill Running

If you reached me via ClemsonGirl and are looking for the Couch to 5K running spreadsheet, email me at barelytogether@yahoo.com and I'll be glad to send it to you!

Let's take the world by storm and start a running revolution! Let's get such a big group of moms together doing the C25K that the Wall Street Journal does an article on us! If I can do it, so can you! See my post Run Like the Wind to see the transformation of Mr. Sasha.

2 Years Ago Today

On January 3, 2006, my second child was born. Although I had another totally un-fun pregnancy, and a failed epidural, I got a fabulous reward that has been a bright part of my life for the past two years. Our family would certainly not be complete without The Wild Child.

I've been thinking a lot about how blessed my family is, and I hope you know that when I post all the nutty things that happen around the Sasha house, I'm just hoping someone will laugh with me. I wouldn't change a thing.

Back from Lasik

Ya'll. Mr. Sasha is The. Worst. Patient. Evah.

He's currently napping, courtesy of Vallium. I'm headed to pick up a few things for The Wild Child's par-tays (she gets two! buddies and family) and then to pick up the kids and see what clever notes the teachers have left me today. Any predictions? Bathroom antics? Lunchroom drama? Carnivore commotion? Only time will tell....

Poor Mr. Sasha. On the way up to The Big City, I immediately made two changes in his car. Before we left the driveway. 1. Turned off the Sports Talk Radio, because it makes me nauseous, almost like when I walk through the door at the airport, and 2. Switched his heat from console/floor to floor only, because console heat is like the breath of a dragon on my face! Of course after my explanations, he's all "You totally need to do stand-up, like The Working Mom Comedy Show." Shut up and be logical. We all know heat rises and now that the season is finally o-ver, what's the need in rehasing what's already happened? I know you all agree with me. High five me.

A Few Clarifications

1. I am totally cool with The Wild Child not being ready to potty train. In fact, I am all about waiting until age 3, which is what we did with The Politician. I am just super-tired of finding discarded diapers all around the house and Mr. Sasha was none too happy about cleaning up pee in the Rose Petal Cottage, and she peed (diaperless because she removed it herself) not once, but twice, in her crib this week while sleeping.

2. Mr. Sasha and I both actually took longer than 9 weeks to complete the Couch to 5K Plan. When you read about the plan at www.coolrunning.com, they say that it's OK to repeat weeks if you don't feel ready to move on. So I have to admit that we did that several times, and I think we both got stuck around week 5, and I may or may not have repeated said week for 2 months or so. I think it really took him about 5-6 months to lose the total 60 pounds. But. Still. It's awesome. Promise. Get on the bandwagon and be cool like me.

And this is not a clarification, but just an FYI- I am having a weird allergic reaction to God knows what because I woke up with the left side of my face swollen and red and my eyes were not agreeable to contacts. Not sure what's up, but this is not a good day for random problems. Mr. Sasha is scheduled for Lasik surgery in a bit, and I totally planned on doing lots of magazine reading in the waiting room while he recovers (he's quite the baby so I imagine he'll be in recovery for longer than the normal person). I did not plan on having to relive yesterday in my brain to figure out what's going on with my face. Hopefully this will be short-lived. I mean, I've got a new Us Weekly to read- I need to read "Destroyed By Mama: Shame on Lynne Spears"!

The Politician's Teacher Is Quite the Comedian

Note from school yesterday: "The Politician had a good day. He is very helpful by tell me if his friends are not behaving. Ha!"

Yeah, I can totally see this happening. I have heard that I did the same thing myself.....

Don't Shoot The Messenger

Found these Nabisco 100 Calorie Packs Chips Ahoy! Candy Bites (along with the Oreo ones) at Wally World over the weekend, and they are a huge hit. An even bigger hit because my box of Oreo ones had 7 packs instead of 6! Extra for me! Really, they are awesome and kind of whoppery. The Politician and two of my coworkers declare them a success.

I love the 100 calorie packs because I am the worst at portion control, so these are no-brainers for me. In WW speak, most sweets are my "red light food", but these packs makes sweets doable. My personal favorite of the 100 cal packs are the Lorna Doones.

OK, so I haven't tried these Hershey's Trio Kisses, and Walgreens was stupid enough to block out part of the package in their Sunday ad, so I can't even tell what the third thing is (dark chocolate? peanut butter? coca cola?), but I bet they are rockin' awesome. I ran to Walgreens yesterday to try to find them, but they didn't have them yet (then why did you have them in your ad?), so I will try again tomorrow and report back to you.

So I really feel it's my duty to try out new products and report to my friends what I think. I mean, there's no sense in you buying something I've already tried and know sucks, right? I totally think one day some big-wig at some food/candy/makeup company will run across this blog and say, "Hey, this chick totally has her finger on the pulse of America's young moms- we totally need to pay her for her services." So I'm just putting that out there- I'd love to!

Run Like the Wind!

Mr. Sasha "before" the Couch to 5K Plan

Mr. Sasha "after" the Couch to 5K Plan

You may have noticed my little graphic on the side that says "Running Mom". After The Politician was born in 2003, I needed something to help me lose that pesky baby weight. Mr. Sasha (former college football player) suggested running and I reluctantly agreed to give it a try. Someone on the bargain board posted about the Couch to 5K plan from http://www.coolrunning.com/, where you go from being a couch potato to running a 5K, and I gave it a try.

I am telling you, it is the best! I am a former smoker (I know, I know, but it was so cool in the early 90s and honestly I still miss it terribly to this day, but I swear I'll never smoke again) and my chest would always feel like it was going to EXPLODE when I tried to run. But the C25K really really really teaches the beginner how to run. You have to take it slowly, and not get frustrated and quit. I promise this plan can teach anyone how to run.

I lost all my baby weight, plus about 10 pounds. Mr. Sasha did the plan along with me, and as you can see from the above photos, lost about 60 pounds.

Being an accountant, I felt it necessary to create a spreadsheet to help me keep track of the running intervals. I watch TV while I run on the treadmill, and I found myself getting confused about when I was supposed run and walk. So I have a trusty little spreadsheet that I will be glad to email anyone who is interested. Just shoot me an email at barelytogether@yahoo.com and I'll send it your way. And I hereby volunteer to be your running coach. Any questions you have, any motivation you need, you can count on Sasha!

Available for loan

Available for loan: One extremely precious almost 2 year-old. I will take her back once you've got her potty trained, though.

Seriously, I much preferred The Politician's method of training. He simply refused to even sit on the potty, until right before his third bday, when he totally changed his mind and fully day-trained within 1 week.

The Wild Child is wearing me out and I am not at all ready for this. She took off her diaper and peed in her bed at nap again today, although she did pull up her pants after removing her diaper rather than sleep nekkid. My friend Slim has suggested duct tape, and by God, I'll be trying that.

All day I've been finding her discarded diapers on the floor and frantically searching for her, praying that she hasn't decided to pee on the carpet, because she sure as hell doesn't want to pee on the potty. We've tried an Elmo insert on our big potty, and even the little "Royal Potty" that is just her size. She may sit on there for a sec, but she's off in a flash, her bare little bottom running away from me as fast as she can, laughing hysterically at me.

Mercy. Uncle. Seriously. I don't know what to do but laugh.


Here's that shot I've been promising of my little rock star. Watch for him- he'll be big one day. Hope he can sing better than Mr. Sasha and I can.

Oh- I want to do some online shopping at Sephora since I didn't make it up there on Monday. Any ideas on new products to try? I want to get to $75 to get free shipping. (Isn't that logical?) Traci, this is your bag- ideas for me?

A Day to Myself!!!!!!

So I had one day of vacation left, which I could carry over to 2008, but hell, I'm not going to leave anything on the table, so here I am at home, ALL BY MYSELF!!!!!!! I am so excited for a Sasha day!

Here's what I have planned for today:

1. Polish off next to the last Aunt Luanne Christmas Cookie, washed down with full-sugar Coke
2. Run 4.5 miles on the treadmill, while watching last night's Amazing Race (that will negate the cookie and coke)
3. Shower
4. Do some laundry (loves it!)
5. Return stuff to Walmart, Target, Best Buy, TRU, Kohl's (because I tend to overbuy and return later)
6. Go to Sam's and do some shopping (beer, chicken wings)
7. Go by the bank and deposit some birthday money
8. Go by the tag office
9. Go to Sephora!!!!!!
10. Possibly drive to Ann Taylor Loft
11. Go to Coach and order those damn earrings no one got me (although Mr. Sasha totally redeemed himself forever because he got me the black Carly I wanted!)

Yay for today!

Text Messages

Text messages I received from Mr. Sasha today while gone for 3 hours visiting with 5 sorority sisters I don't get to see very often:

1. The Wild Child just took off her pants and diaper and peed in the floor of the Rose Petal Cottage. What do I clean it with?

My text back: Clorox Anywhere Spray

2. I assume you ate one of my trees? (he is talking about the two Reese's Peanut Butter Trees I brought home to him from work outage food two weeks ago)

My text back: You snooze, you lose.

3. Your daughter pulled her diaper off while sleeping and peed all over her pink blanket. At least she was aware enough to throw her wet blanket and bunny out of the crib and go back to sleep naked.

My text back: Wow.

You Win Some, You Lose Some

Today's note from school #1: The Wild Child had a very good day. She practiced using her words instead of biting!

Today's note from school #2: The Politician had a hard day today, but made some very good choices to correct/apologize for his mistakes.